From the just earlier blog article explaining how and where this was located, below is the 1940 U.S. census page that includes the entry for John and Bernice Preston. Bernice's parents are listed, too.
Better than a street address! I've concluded that I have a photograph of the home where John and Bernice were living at 1940--pretty cool. Check out the graphic below for some key information I used to reach my conclusion.
How about some timely photographs of this couple!
Bernice died in childbirth, on 6 June 1941, early in the morning. Their daughter, Pamela Ann Preston, died, too, though I have never located a death certificate about Pamela.
John was the informant on Bernice's death certificate, and he reported her residence at the time of death to be "R.R. #1," (Chillicothe, Rural Route 1)--yet further evidence that the residence in my photograph was where the couple lived at the time of the 1940 census.
While doing research to locate the 1940 U.S. census about Bernice, I learned she had been married earlier to Harry Caldwell, also of Ross County, Ohio. Harry died in a motorcycle accident on 13 May 1933 [digital image, Ohio Deaths; FamilySearch].
While doing research to locate the 1940 U.S. census about Bernice, I learned she had been married earlier to Harry Caldwell, also of Ross County, Ohio. Harry died in a motorcycle accident on 13 May 1933 [digital image, Ohio Deaths; FamilySearch].
I feel a special connection to Bernice (Cottrill) Preston, though I never knew her. I am able to share at least part of that connection.
Some readers know the story of the baby grand piano I inherited from Bernice's husband, John. In the piano bench, John had carefully placed any number of genealogy files compiled by his second wife, Helen. In the hope of expressing my thanks for the life of love John and Helen had shown to me, I decided to do a little digging into the family history, using Helen's materials as a starting point. With help from my mom and volunteers at the Family History Center, I made a "link" in my father's family tree. I was able to share that new information with John before he passed away. Alas, I was hooked ... and so goes the story. What you probably do not know is that the piano I received had been purchased by John as a gift, for none other than his wife, Bernice Cottrill. --GJ
Some readers know the story of the baby grand piano I inherited from Bernice's husband, John. In the piano bench, John had carefully placed any number of genealogy files compiled by his second wife, Helen. In the hope of expressing my thanks for the life of love John and Helen had shown to me, I decided to do a little digging into the family history, using Helen's materials as a starting point. With help from my mom and volunteers at the Family History Center, I made a "link" in my father's family tree. I was able to share that new information with John before he passed away. Alas, I was hooked ... and so goes the story. What you probably do not know is that the piano I received had been purchased by John as a gift, for none other than his wife, Bernice Cottrill. --GJ
How sad that Bernice died at such a young age. It's wonderful that you have the piano that was bought for her.
ReplyDeleteHi Nancy,
ReplyDeleteOh, yes. Locating the 1940 census provided an opportunity to connect parts of her life during what was, a very happy time. Seeing that her parents lived so close, and knowing that John and Helen then lived in the same place--I imagine she was remembered. :-) Now she knows she still is.
Thank you for commenting, Nancy.
I love it when story come around like this. Thank you, so much, for sharing such a personal set of circumstances. Really neat! ;-)
ReplyDeleteDr. Bill, thank you for commenting. This article connects research with the chance to record oral tradition. In this case, the oral tradition involved family history I learned from someone's first hand telling of it. I'm sure you experience the same connection in the wonderful articles you write about Eileen's diary. --GJ
ReplyDelete