Heidi, It is wonderful to hear from you. I met your Grandmother Irene and Grand Aunt Ilene once. I made a research trip (one of many) to Nebraska. My Mom came with me. I don't recall the year. We had a great visit. They both appeared to be interested in my information and provided what little they knew. I was always going to take Mom and make another visit. We never made it. I have one of your family books. Also, the Hanson family photo. I believe it may have been used as a Christmas card.
Effie Parker and your G-Grandmother Edith were first cousins to my father, James Richard Magner (1906-1992). They all shared the same grandparents, Susan Baker Magner and Azariah Magner. My father's mother had cancer. (She died when he was 16.) Effie helped raise him. He spent a lot of time with her while growing up. He also enjoyed Edith. He was quite devastated to learn of Effie's death. He was not notified at the time and that really hurt. I guess since we live in Missouri, people just didn't think that family would not come for a funeral from that distance. Again, we were not notified when Edith died. Dad was already in a nursing facility due to Alzheimers, but I would have driven Mom up for the funeral.
We have a letter that Edith wrote to Mom years ago, stating that she was raised by Nancy and did not know any of her brother and sisters. That sent me on the search. Later, your grandmother sent me a letter with a couple of photos of a family gathering, the twins appeared to be about 10. In the letter, she provided the names of Bertha, Lydia and Viola, plus the names of Lydia and Bertha's husbands. Since then, I have discovered a lot more info, but still have major holes. I have a school record which lists the girls, but I will need to locate it. I have yet to add it. I have chased down info on Edith's brother and his son, but it stops there. I have found some info on three of the sisters. I've added some data on my tree as fishing line for them, but it may not be accurate. I had found Jay, Sr and Mary. I have not been able to find out what ever happened to them. Definitely, it's a work in progress. On my last trip to Nebraska, I visited Mattie's grave. We couldn't find her for the longest time. Were the twins responsible for the headstone? I was wondering who had it mounted. The stone is pretty new.
You may have already viewed my tree on Ancestry called Roots & Shoots. If not, type in Samantha / Mattie Magner under Public Member Trees, it will pop up. You can also message me directly from my tree, rather than having to look for these posts. I have ran down Azariah's children, Mattie's siblings and many descendants. I've met a lot of people online. It's been really fun. Roots & Shoots is my only public tree. (My other three trees are private.) I only started doing genealogy about 1994. How long have you been into genealogy? It is my passion and quite addictive.
Well, I have written a book. It may be more info than you want. I am looking forward to hearing from you again. We live in St. Joseph, Missouri. Where do you live? Take care, Reva J. Fields