52 Ancestors - Lola Fae Wales

While discovering another surname, I came across the Wales family.

Lola was born in February of 1902 in Texas.  She was the youngest of 4 siblings. What struck me most about Lola was the fact that she had rented her own home in 1930 with 3 other ladies.  All were public school teachers.  The 1940 census shows her renting a room from another family.  This census also showed education and Lola is listed her education as C-5.  That could mean that she was in school to get her Master's degree or perhaps already obtained it.  She is the first family member of either gender, that I know of, that has obtained such a high degree.  I feel this sense of awe of Lola because during that time, I believe, that women were expected to stay home and be wives and mothers instead of getting an education.  I can't find any records of her being married and her gravestone has her maiden name.

52 Ancestors - Bolivar Ralph Muniz

For this week's post I wanted to do something a little different.  This post is about my best friend's search to find her paternal side of the family.  I'm hoping that by putting it out into the universe maybe someone has the answers she has been seeking for a number of years.

Most of this information came from public addresses and from familia rumors since my best friend has never known her father.

What I have found for her so far is that Bolivar Ralph Muniz was born in New York in January 1952, but not sure to who.  He lived throughout Western Massachusetts until 1995 where he moved to Florida.  He was arrested in Florida during the same time and unfortunately passed away in September of 1997.  She has no idea who his parents or relatives were.

52 Ancestors - Matthew Thornton

Let me first say that what I found this morning makes genealogy so much fun!  You never know where it's going to bring you.  I discovered, this morning, that my 8th great grand uncle was a signer of the Declaration of Independence for the state of New Hampshire!  This is the second relative I have found that has shaped New Hampshire in a significant way, which is funny since this is where I have been living for the past 10 years. It's amazing to be able to take a short drive to see these landmarks dedicated to them and know that I come from their blood.

I discovered this connection when trying to find out more about my 8th grandmother, Matthew's sister Elizabeth.  Interestingly enough, she married into a family line that the next generation that would also make an impact in history.  That I will write more about in another post.