Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941: an eyewitness account

Lavinia Cresap in 1941

Today, December 7, is the 79th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. It killed more than 2,400 Americans, wounded more than 1,000 and drew the United States into the Second World War. Lavinia Cresap, mother of CGS member Lavinia Schwarz, was at the time working as an office secretary in Hawaii. She witnessed the attack first hand and wrote about it in her diary, leaving a vivid account of what it was like to be on the ground in those days of terror and uncertainly. Vinnie has graciously shared these excerpts from her mother's December 1941 diary, along with a photo and news clipping. 

From her diary: Honolulu, T.H. - Dec. 7th, 1941

“It couldn’t happen here!” - did we say that? Yet it has and we have come through a day and night that none of us dreamed about. Right now I am writing in the darkness of a schoolroom - sitting beside the window watching the occasional trucks go by and listening to the restlessness inside. It is a very long night and everything is in complete darkness; not a light of any sort inside or out. The trucks that go by are just moving masses on the road. And it is storming, windy and raining, but the moon is full and occasionally comes from behind the clouds and makes things very clear. Here in the room we are sleeping under desks and tables of every description with a blanket beneath us and just coats and sweaters over us. It is about four o’clock and all the children are finally sleeping but most of the women are awake and talking and joking. At last all the crying has stopped. I think that has been the most trying thing this night – and yet you just can’t spank them at a time like this, and for the most part the children have been very good. It is still hard to believe what has happened and realize that this is only the beginning. I find it so hard to comprehend. Such a complete surprise! This morning we were awakened by planes flying over the houses, very low, and guns popping and bombs falling. It was eight o’clock and all were still in bed taking advantage of Sunday morning. Everyone thought it was a practice of some sort.

A news article mentions
Lavinia Cresap's quick action
on December 7

We rushed out of the house in robes to watch the proceedings, watch the bombs falling. I kept saying to Carl - “I didn’t know there was a practice bombing field on the other side of Wheeler!” Then the planes flying over our houses started machine gunning the houses and the bullets dug into the ground and walls around us. Only Col. McNair rushed out of his house across the street completely outfitted shouting, “It’s the Japanese – can’t you see the rising suns on the planes!” And we thought “Oh, it couldn’t be!”

Carl dressed immediately and dashed up to the headquarters. Two minutes later he dashed back, “It is the real thing! Guess I won’t be back for lunch.” He packed a few things and was off again. No sooner had he left, when around came the messengers telling us to take a warm coat and a blanket and go immediately to the Saliport of the 21st.

 

 ... To read more of Lavinia's diary, click HERE.

 

Copyright © 2020 by California Genealogical Society

California Nugget is here!

The California Nugget, Vol. X, Issue 1

Our latest Nugget is out, with a poignant cover story by Stewart Blandòn Traiman. "Geraldine, Who Are You?" describes how Traiman's research into his adopted son's birth family uncovered a multi-generational history of child abandonment. The magazine also includes Darcie Hind Posz's article about chasing probate records across two countries and the Territory of Hawaii; Ellen Fernandez-Sacco's exploration of her family's ties to slavery in Puerto Rico; and Part 3 of Lavinia Schwarz's study on "Reading Records Right." Richard Rands has contributed an article on managing genealogical data with 21st century technology.

And yes, this is the "Spring 2018" issue. Due to a number of snags, we fell behind in our publication schedule this year. We will catch up with a third, "Fall 2018" issue, published before the end of the year, and resume the regular Spring/Fall schedule in 2019.

Copyright © 2018 by California Genealogical Society

2018 Cresap Family Reunion at Asilomar, June 28-July 1

Asilomar Visitors' Lodge in Pacific Grove

Are you a descendant of Maryland colonist Thomas Cresap? Perhaps just interested in this colorful character from early America? The 2018 Cresap Family Reunion offers a unique opportunity to gather with Cresap family and fans this summer in Pacific Grove, California. The event, partly organized by Cresap Society Board member and CGS research team leader Lavinia Schwarz, includes three nights' room and board at the historic Asilomar Lodge designed by Julia Morgan.  Attendees will enjoy visits to Carmel Mission, the Presidio at Fort Ord, and the Sherman headquarters in Monterey. There will be plenty of time to visit the beach, the famous Monterey Aquarium, and to chat by the roaring fire in the old lodge. A banquet Saturday night includes two historical talks. 

Thomas Cresap (c. 1700-1790) was born in Yorkshire, England, and emigrated to America as a teenager.  In Maryland, he worked as a carpenter, ferryman, and a land agent for Charles Calvert, Lord Baltimore. Reputedly the first permanent white settler in western Maryland, Cresap is credited with having surveyed upwards of 40 percent of the western Maryland wilderness. With Delaware Nation chief Nemacolin, he established a trail across the Allegheny Mountains from the Potomac to the Ohio River. This route tied together the eastern and western portions of the country and became the first National Highway (today's U.S. Route 40).

Braddock's Road map shows the route established by Cresap and Nemacolin

An adventurous and belligerent personality, Cresap is best remembered for his involvement in “Cresap’s War,” the bloody border dispute that raged between Maryland and Pennsylvania in the 1730s.  Cresap secured a great deal of land for himself and Lord Baltimore by force, driving out both Indians and white settlers in the lower Susquehanna Valley. His various skirmishes led to his arrest. When he was taken to jail in Philadelphia, the defiant Cresap declared it "one of the prettiest towns in Maryland!" Dubbed “the Maryland Monster,” by his detractors, Cresap was notorious in Pennsylvania and something of a hero in Maryland, which still has municipalities named after him. He figures as a conniving character in Thomas Pynchon’s epic novel Mason & Dixon. 

Cresap’s wife, Hannah Johnson (c. 1705-1774) matched her husband in fierceness.  A daughter of Lancaster County pioneer Daniel Johnson, she was handy with a musket and reportedly fought by her husband’s side while pregnant. When a Pennsylvanian was shot and wounded outside her door, Hannah allegedly swore she would be happy to “wash her hands in his heart’s blood.” 

The Cresaps eventually settled near Cumberland, Maryland, where Thomas became a large landowner and frequent host to notable figures including a young George Washington. He lived through the French and Indian War, Lord Dunmore’s War, and in 1765 organized the Sons of Liberty in Maryland supporting the American Revolution. A memorial plaque at the site of his home reads: "In Memory of Col. Thomas Cresap, Pathfinder - Pioneer - Patriot." It is thought that all American Cresaps can trace their ancestry to the immigrant Thomas.

WHY MEET IN CALIFORNIA? 

Artist's depiction of U.S. naval ships arriving in Monterey

Just as Thomas Cresap influenced the history of the Mid-Atlantic colonies, some of his descendants helped to forge the history of California. Union Major General Edward Ord, a great-great-grandson of Thomas Cresap, was one of 12 children born to Rebecca Cresap and James Ord. Edward Ord and many of his siblings came from Maryland to California in the early to mid-19th century. Edward Ord arrived in 1847 to direct the building of the fort that is now the Presidio of Monterey. He helped survey numerous California districts and made the first map of Los Angeles. His siblings married into some of the old Californio and Mexican families and their stories are intertwined with those of the Gold Rush and the Civil War. 

“Sometimes I think of the early Cresaps as being like Forrest Gump,” says Schwarz, alluding to the fictional character who manages to be on the scene for many seminal moments in history. “You have Cresaps involved in the colonial world, exploring the wild west of Maryland; a founder of the Sons of Liberty, acquainted with George Washington; fighting at Bunker Hill.  Cresaps fought on both sides of the Civil War, explored California during the Gold Rush and married into old Californio and Mexican families. They really were everywhere.”

Don’t miss the opportunity to meet Cresap cousins and share stories in a beautiful setting on the Pacific Coast. Register for the reunion at this link.

Copyright © 2018 by California Genealogical Society

Hot Off the Press!

The Winter issue of The California Nugget is out, with an array of goodies to explore.

In “The Many Names of Hew Din,” Grant Din traces the journey of his Chinese immigrant ancestor, illustrating along the way resources and techniques for those researching Chinese Americans.

Also, certified genealogist Rondina Wallace outlines a “backdoor” entry to NARA microfilms which can help researchers glean more information from this vast collection.

Sheila Benedict’s “California Historic Missions” gives background on the missions and the records they kept, and explains how to access the information they contain.

We also have the next installments to three stories begun in the Fall 2017 Nugget: “Joel Burlingame: A 19th-century Life” by Barry Hinman; “A Tribute to May (Teruko) Ishimoto” by Norm Ishimoto; and Lavinia Schwarz continues the saga of untangling her family lines in New Orleans, Cuba, and Haiti with “Reading Records Right.”

Thanks as always to editor Janice Sellers and the many volunteers who produce the Nugget. And remember, we are always looking for more interesting articles on genealogy and history. If you have an idea to submit, please contact Nugget@CaliforniaAncestors.org.

Copyright © 2018 by California Genealogical Society

Wordless Wednesday: SCGS Genealogy Jamboree 2017

Front row: Tim Foley, Diana Edwards & Lisa Gorrell
Back row: Lavinia Schwarz & Ron Madson

Copyright © 2017 by California Genealogical Society

What the California Genealogical Society (CGS) Can Do for You

by Chris Pattillo (Chair), Sandy Fryer & Jane Lindsey

Want to hear how CGS has helped some of your fellow members?
Lavinia “Vinnie” Schwarz, long-time research volunteer & member told us, “When I first joined CGS, I just wanted a lovely local library where I could quietly concentrate on who my ancestors are and where they came from. I used the books and computers to research the pushes and pulls that made my families migrate.  But I found so much more. I took advantage of many CGS classes – like how to do English, African-American, Jewish, German, or Japanese genealogy, or how to organize material, use old newspapers, date photographs, navigate digital archives, plat maps, and use a genealogy database.

CGS is an all-volunteer organization whose members have histories from all over the world.  They are willing to share their knowledge and expertise in running the society and doing research. We continue to learn together how to study the past, and how to write up our work in the present so the stories will be known in the future.  It's an extraordinary place.”

One member told us a story about going on the CGS research trip to the Family History Library and how it jump-started her genealogical research. Other members have said that they really appreciate the help they received breaking down a brick wall.  Still other members say they appreciate the classes that CGS has offered that enabled them to hone their genealogical research skills.  

Member Lisa Gorrell said, "The RootsMagic Special Interest Group (SIG) helped me become more efficient in using the software so that I can keep better track of my research." A more recent response is that members appreciate the help they received interpreting their DNA results. What we’re hearing is that most members feel that CGS has significantly helped them with their genealogical goals.  Help us keep up the good work.

What have you given back to CGS?
Many of us start giving back to our university a few years after we graduate and we start to appreciate what our education has done for us. We may start donating to a medical non-profit when a medical crisis impacts our family or close friends. We may support our local arts, museums or institutions that interest us.  How many of you have considered supporting CGS in a significant way?  

Will you do something for CGS?
The Capital Campaign was started last year and the goal was set to raise  $1.2 million, an amount that will strengthen the financial stability of our society for the long term. To date, we have received one large donation and many other donations ranging from $20 - $15,000 in support of our campaign. Thank You!  As of June a total of $330,000 has been donated to the campaign.   We appreciate everyone who has made a contribution, but if we are to reach our goal more members must get involved and make significant contributions.   

Here are some ideas on how to give:

• One or more members could give a very large donation. In return, CGS will consider naming the library after the donor or the person of their choice. Genealogical research and/or a publication can also be rolled into a major gift.  
• If just 2-5% (25-50) of our 1000+ members donate $10,000, then we would have $250,000-$500,000.
• We also would love members to consider becoming a Life member at $1200 as a way to support our campaign.  If 100 of our members become Life Members at $1200, then we would have an additional $120,000.  Life Member dues are donations to the Capital Campaign.  

Thank you for all of the support and financial contributions that you may have already made!  Without you, The California Genealogical Society wouldn’t be here to support genealogical research or have our library to serve as a community-gathering place.  You are what has made and continue to make this possible. Please consider donating to the Capital Campaign and know that every dollar counts and is appreciated.

Photos courtesy of Chris Pattillo

Copyright © 2017 by California Genealogical Society

A Remembrance: Marianne Frey

Photo from Dick Rees

Marianne Ruth Durand was born about 1936 in Maplewood, New Jersey, to Albert and Caroline Durand. Marianne attended Swarthmore College, graduating with a degree in biology in 1957. She later earned a graduate degree from Yale.

Marianne married Walter C. Frey on 2 September 1982 in Alameda County, California. They lived in Kensington, California for many years, and were avid members of the “Berkeley Folk Dancers” club. On top of her many talents, Marianne also played the oboe.

Marianne joined the California Genealogical Society in 1995. She jumped right in as a volunteer. Early in her membership, Marianne assisted with one of our “Genealogy Fairs.” Her friend, Dick Rees, recalled “I first met Marianne when I was in charge of registration for the Genealogy Fairs we used to have. Rick Sherman introduced us and Marianne immediately asked if I would like a program for my Mac that would help with the pre-registration. Would I! Not only was I amazed at the ease of using the program, I was equally amazed that someone of my generation could write a program for a computer.”

In addition to her participation in the fairs, Marianne was also on our Board of Directors as Membership Chair, she assisted with mailings, organized shelf-reading days in our library, and was a member of the Book Repair Committee. Early in her tenure, Marianne created the database for our “Look-Ups” committee and even entered most of the data. Her work ethic and dedication didn’t stop there. Marianne trained many of our volunteers in using the Library of Congress system.

 

Photo by Kathryn Doyle

Lavinia Schwarz said, “Marianne was here so often, helping in any way she could. She was a delight.”

Through their research at the California Genealogical Society, Marianne, Dick Rees and Lavinia Schwarz discovered that they were cousins, many times removed, through the Kitchel and Sheafe families from 15^th Century Kent, England. You can read about their discovery in this 2008 blog post by Kathryn Doyle. 

"Cousins" Marianne Frey, Lavinia Schwarz, Dick Rees
Photo by Kathryn Doyle

Marianne Ruth Durand Frey passed away early this year. Her warmth and gracious work ethic will be missed. 

Memorial gifts in her name may be sent to the California Genealogical Society, 2201 Broadway, LLS, Oakland CA, 94612-3031.

Copyright © 2016 by California Genealogical Society

Talkin' Genealogy: Pennsylvania

Want to know what it's like to research at the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (G.R.I.P.)?  

Join experienced researchers and CGS members Pam Brett, Linda Darby and Vinnie Schwarz as they share what they learned at the 2015 advanced course there.  The focus will be on research records such as church, land, vital, digitized records and sources.  

They will also discuss best sources, strategies and insights to guide your Pennsylvania genealogy. 

Details

Saturday, December 5th

10 A.M. to Noon.

California Genealogical Society Library

2201 Broadway, LL

Oakland, CA

This informal session will be an opportunity to ask questions and focus on networking with others with Pennsylvania ancestors.

Register today!  Walk-ins will not be admitted.

Free for members and $25 for non-members.  The fee can be applied towards a new one year CGS membership the day of the seminar.

About the Panel

Pam Brett has been interested in genealogy for nearly forty years since she began filling in the family tree of her first-born child’s baby book.  She began researching in 1999 and since then Pam has conducted genealogy research in 31 states and the District of Columbia.

Lavinia Schwarz is a popular teacher and member of our Research Team.  Also a genealogist since 1999, Lavinia has traced her ancestors to France, England, Scotland, Ireland, Holland, Germany, Cuba and San Domingue (now Haiti).

Copyright © 2015 by California Genealogical Society