Author Archives: jimsandford

James Gordon Announces His Engagement

I have one more short letter from second great grandfather Dr. James Gordon to his brother William and sister Jane in New Zealand, provided by our distant cousin Claire. The images below are followed by a transcription. James announces his engagement to Nettie Johnston of New Jersey, although I don’t have the “enclosed” card whichContinue reading “James Gordon Announces His Engagement”

The Extended Wright Family–Uncle Fred, Seafood, Mafia Threats, and Amateur Genetic Research

Great grandmother Laura Sechler and her daughter Ruth did not face the world alone following the death of husband and father George–they had support from their extended family. Second great grandparents John Nelson Wright and Eliza Marshall Wright had a son and four daughters, all born on Prince Edward Island between 1864 and 1878. AContinue reading “The Extended Wright Family–Uncle Fred, Seafood, Mafia Threats, and Amateur Genetic Research”

Father and Son Reunited in Corona

Before we move on from great grandfather Edward Sandford’s time in Corona, California, there is a loose thread to deal with. Edward’s father, James Head Sandford (our grandfather’s grandfather) died on November 26, 1898 and is buried in Corona. From Edward’s story as we have told it so far, it is not clear that heContinue reading “Father and Son Reunited in Corona”

The Extraordinary Life and Accomplishments of Second-Great-Aunt Addie

After the marriage of great grandparents James Louis Hynes and Bessie Gordon in 1905, the Gordon and Hynes branches of our family tree remained entangled in the 1910s and 1920s in surprising ways. These entanglements give us the opportunity to discover things about each of the branches that we would not otherwise have been ableContinue reading “The Extraordinary Life and Accomplishments of Second-Great-Aunt Addie”

Corona, The Crown Colony

Leaving Vermont, great grandparents Edward and Annie Calderwood Sandford, with infant daughter Saada, made their way west. They passed through Cheyenne, Wyoming in the Spring of 1981, where Edward had found a temporary engagement with the Baptist Church, and settled in Northern California later that year. Edward became pastor of the Baptist Church in Eureka,Continue reading “Corona, The Crown Colony”

News of Gettysburg reaches Newburgh and New Zealand

We continue our discussion of second great grandfather James Gordon’s correspondence with his brother William and sister Jane Hawthorn. Recall that James left Northern Ireland for Newburgh, New York in 1857, while William and Jane later established themselves in New Zealand, where their branches of the family remain today. The following letter, again courtesy ofContinue reading “News of Gettysburg reaches Newburgh and New Zealand”

Laura and Ruth Move Forward Together

Great grandmother Laura Sechler was forty years old with seven week-old daughter Ruth when they lost husband/father George in April 1907. In the years to follow, chaos and public spectacle would give way to a new everyday life as the pair adapted to their situation. The 1910 Census shows that Laura moved back to herContinue reading “Laura and Ruth Move Forward Together”

Another new life for Edward Sandford

In 1888, great grandfather Edward had been the Pastor of the Baptist Church for 15 years and was revered by his parishioners and the Saint Johnsbury, Vermont community at-large. At age 48, he had already experienced more in life than most could imagine. It would be reasonable to predict he would continue in his positionContinue reading “Another new life for Edward Sandford”