Some changes...

FamilySearch.org has recently added a feature that will allow anyone with an account there to upload family pictures and documents, for free, in a fully searchable database. Most of the pictures and documents displayed on this blog are now on FamilySearch.org. I believe anyone can log on and get a free account there. The best thing about FamilySearch.org is that it links the pictures and documents that have been "tagged" with a person's name to the actual family tree feature. It is really easy now to see how you or I (or anyone!) is connected to the persons represented in the photos and documents. However, I plan to continue placing interesting family history and current events on this blog. If there is any trouble logging on to FamilySearch.org, or any other questions about this blog, please email me at the address above for clarification.

Bistodeau Family Photo 1901

Picture sent by Janice Billette via FB with this caption: "Summer 1901 , Dad's mother (Annette) is seated second in from the left side just to the right side of the man that is standing behind her....This picture was e-mailed via Barbara Bistodeau." Awesome family photo! I think its Dr. Bistodeau sitting in the middle, the first doctor in Hennepin Co., MN, and my great-(x3)-grandpa. Thanks Janice!

First Billette in the US!

This is the immigration/naturalization paper for my g-g-grandpa Toussaint Billette. He came from Canada in 1865, and was granted US citizenship in 1871 in Minnesota. Where it all began. Minnesota is where grandma Billette met Grandpa Billette.

Marriage Announcement from 1883

A marriage announcement for my g-g-grandparents Billette and Loiselle. The Minnesota Historical Society had it posted online.

Census Double-Reported

I have been looking over census records from 1900 thru 1930 and found out that Granny Plummer's grandpa, Christian Cleveland (born around 1868) showed up on the 1930 United States Census twice; once in Cass County, Minnesota and once in Los Angeles County, California. Apparently he moved sometime during that year and was caught by the census workers on both ends.

More information about g-g-grandpa Cleveland; he had six children by his first wife Elise before she died in 1904. His second wife Edith (who was 20 years younger him!) helped to raise the kids from the first marriage and also bore him at least two more children. Granny Plummer's dad, Charles Cleveland appears to be the third child from the first marriage. Charles moved back into his father's household in Los Angeles County in 1930, and Granny Plummer was born to him and Kathryn Edens in Santa Monica in 1932.

Both sides of my family appear to have connections to Minnesota before my parents even met.

Placing Mom's Headstone

All the boys were able to make their hand-prints in the setting for Mom's headstone. Jarin also made his mark. A week later we were able to place the headstone...so glad we could finally get this done!

The grandsons all made paintings about grandma and they left those there by the headstone.

Marriage Certificate from 1883

Marriage license and certificate for my great-great-grandparents Toussaint and Mary Billette. I have been looking for about two years for more information about g-g-grandpa Toussaint including origins and parents etc. So far all I know is that he was born somewhere in Canada around 1850 and probably spoke only French.
On an 1855 census from Quebec I found someone named Toussaint Billette but it has his birthday around 1845. I cannot verify that the boy on the census was my g-g-grandpa. I really want to find out more about Toussaint because he is the earliest link in the direct Billette line.