RootsandBranches

03/09/2026

This is an 83yr old pressed flower! This flower is in my Granduncle’s memorial book given to my great grandparents at his funeral. He sadly passed away at the age of 6 in 1943

03/09/2026

This is the grave of my 4th great-grandmother, Hannah Whitney Sylsby. Hannah was born on April 18, 1801, in Vermont, to Eliphaz Silsby and Esther Scoville. She was the youngest of their children. Her siblings included Hannah, Florinda, and Ithiel Silsby, and the family spent their early years in New England, particularly in Sullivan County, New Hampshire.

Sometime later, Hannah met my 4th great-grandfather, John E. Rogers, and the two eventually married in Ohio. Together they built a large family and raised seven children: Hannah Amelia, Richard Augustus (who went by Augustus), Elizabeth, William Augustus, William Richardson, George Washington, and Ann Mariah Rogers.

During the years leading up to the Civil War, Hannah and John made the decision to move their family northward. Before long, John was called away for military service. Tragically, he would never see his wife or children again. While he served, Hannah and her family became some of the founding pioneer settlers of Fremont in Newaygo County, Michigan. It was there that the children grew up—some eventually leaving to start families of their own, while others remained in the area.

Hannah passed away on October 11, 1861, in Fremont, Michigan, and was buried in Pioneer Cemetery. Over time, the city decided to relocate many of the burials from the cemetery, yet somehow her gravestone was left behind, standing as one of the few remaining reminders of the early settlers who once rested there.

As for John, he would never return home. During the Civil War he was captured and taken prisoner, where he ultimately died of consumption while in captivity. He is now laid to rest at Camp Chase Confederate Cemetery in Columbus, Ohio, on the very grounds where he was imprisoned.

Today, Hannah’s stone stands as a quiet reminder of an early pioneer mother whose life was shaped by hardship, migration, and the sacrifices of the Civil War era.

03/07/2026

03/06/2026

As the weather begins to warm up, many of you are finally able to get back out and start cleaning headstones. It’s the perfect time to restock your supplies and prepare for the season ahead.

Be sure to order your D/2 Biological Solution from GravestoneCleaner.com to ensure you’re using a trusted and effective product. If you’re just getting started, they also offer an affordable starter kit that’s ideal for beginners and includes everything you need to begin safely and properly.

As an added bonus, you can use the code Roots10 to receive 10% off your entire order.

03/06/2026

This is the grave of Dr. William Andrew Firth and his wife Mabel Alma Rowe, a couple whose lives spanned much of the twentieth century and whose story connects small communities in both Michigan and Ontario.

William Andrew Firth was born on March 6, 1893, in Deep River Township, Arenac County, Michigan, to James Firth and Jane Harray. He was the middle child in a large family, growing up alongside many siblings: James N., Jane Jesse, John Harry, Isabella Mabel, Lillian M., Mary W., Arthur George, and Howard David Firth. Life in rural Arenac County would have been busy in such a household, with William sharing his early years among a close-knit group of brothers and sisters.

His future wife, Mabel Alma Rowe, was born a few years later on January 8, 1896, in McMurrich Township, Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada. She was the daughter of Wesley Alfred Rowe and Ida Eleanor Culyer, and the oldest child in her family. Mabel grew up helping set the example for her younger siblings, Eva Mildred and Francis A. Rowe.

William and Mabel’s lives eventually crossed, and on June 26, 1918, the couple married in Sterling, Deep River Township, Arenac County, Michigan. Their marriage came during the final year of World War I, marking the beginning of a new chapter together. Over the years they built a family of their own and welcomed two sons: William Albin Firth and Donald Lewis Firth.

Dr. Firth spent his life serving his community, and after decades of life and work, he passed away in October of 1968 in Kent County, Michigan. He was laid to rest in Sterling Cemetery, returning to the community where his life’s story had deep roots.

Mabel lived many more years after her husband’s passing, witnessing the closing years of the twentieth century. She passed away on August 1, 1999, also in Kent County, Michigan, more than thirty years after William.

Today, William and Mabel rest side by side here in the quiet grounds of Sterling Cemetery, their shared headstone standing as a lasting reminder of a marriage that spanned decades, a family they raised together, and the lives they lived between Michigan and Ontario.

03/04/2026

This is the grave of Clara J. Elwell, a daughter of early Michigan whose life, though brief, was deeply rooted in family and home.

Clara was born on July 4, 1859, in Oxford, Oakland County, Michigan, to Squire Wood Elwell and Sallie Smith. She was the only known child born to the couple, and undoubtedly the center of her parents’ world. Growing up in mid-19th century Michigan, Clara would have witnessed a young and developing community, shaped by hard work, faith, and close family ties.

On March 19, 1873, in Oakland County, she married Egbert Ezra Bird. Together they built a family of their own and were blessed with three children: Maggie Irene, Willey, and Maud Elwell Bird. As a wife and mother, Clara’s days were likely filled with the steady rhythms of home life—caring for her children and supporting her household in a time when such responsibilities required strength and resilience.

Tragically, Clara’s life was cut short. She passed away on September 6, 1891, in Oscoda, Michigan, at just 32 years of age. Her passing left behind a husband and young children, a loss deeply felt by those who knew and loved her.

Today, Clara rests in Sterling Cemetery, beside her daughter Maud and her mother, Sallie. Though her years were few, her legacy lives on through her children and the generations that followed. Her stone stands as a quiet reminder of a young woman whose life was woven into the early history of Michigan and whose memory endures in the family she helped shape.

03/02/2026

This is the grave of John Baker, a man whose life spanned a period of profound change in American history.

John was born on June 22, 1825, in Greenport, Ohio, to George Baker and Eva Bart. He was the second oldest among his siblings, which included Henry, Philip, Sylvenas, and his sister Eva Baker. Growing up in Ohio during the early nineteenth century, John would have witnessed the rapid growth and development of a young nation.

On March 6, 1851, John married Susan C. Haines in Mahoning County,Ohio. Together they built a family and welcomed two known sons, Sylvester and George Baker. As their children were being born, the country was moving toward one of its most defining conflicts—the American Civil War.

Answering the call to serve, John enlisted on May 10, 1864, joining the 122nd Ohio Infantry, Company G. Though he entered the war during its later years, his service was part of the broader effort that ultimately preserved the Union. He faithfully served for approximately one year before being honorably discharged on June 26, 1865, shortly after the war’s end.

After his military service, John continued his life with his family and lived to the age of 76. He passed away on April 8, 1902, in Wayne County, Michigan. Just four years later, his wife Susan followed him in death. Today, both rest side by side in Sterling Cemetery, a lasting testament to a life defined by family, service, and endurance through one of America’s most turbulent eras.

02/27/2026

This is the grave of Floy I. Clark, the beloved daughter of Charles Clark and Martha M. Woolman. Floy was born on April 3, 1877, in Michigan, the middle child between her siblings Willis and Eva Jane Clark.

Though her time on this earth was heartbreakingly brief, lasting only 24 days, she was deeply loved and cherished by her family. Floy passed away on April 23, 1877, leaving behind parents who would carry the quiet sorrow of her loss throughout their lives.

Today, she rests here in Cedar Valley Cemetery alongside her mother and tather. Within this family plot, Floy is remembered in two ways - she has her own small, standalone memorial, and her name is also inscribed on the stone she shares with her father. Though her life was short, her place in the Clark family story is lasting, lovingly preserved in stone and memory.

02/26/2026

I was featured on a couple cool things this February! Thanks to GraveGeeks for the amazing blog and putting me in the newsletter!

Here is the link to the blog
https://www.gravegeeks.org/profile/27321305-54e3-4e77-ab28-10e9691d6cca/profile

Signup for the newsletter at the very bottom (no need to donate but can if you want!)
https://www.gravegeeks.org/about

02/25/2026

Did I totally wait last minute to finally get the second binder to split up the first? Yes. Yes I did 😂. But I’m finally finished with my friend’s family binders! Including but not limited to, census records, death, birth and marriage records. I even was able to print off an entire pension for an American Revolutionary War Veteran for her to read! Here is to 10 more days until my trip to WV!!

02/25/2026

This is the grave of Charles B. Clark. Charles was born on September 5, 1850, in Saginaw, Michigan, to Abraham W. Clark and Amelia Ann Baker He was the second oldest in his family, growing up alongside his siblings James Gilbert, Julietta, Josephine, and Henry N. Clark.

On April 14, 1875, Charles married Martha M.
Woolman in Gaines, Genesee County, Michigan. Together they built a life and family, welcoming three children: Willis, Floy, and Eva Jane Clark. Sadly, their daughter Floy lived only a short time in 1877, a heartbreaking loss for the young family. Their other two children were fortunate to reach adulthood.
Charles passed away on December 14, 1910, in Mason Township, Arenac County, Michigan, at the age of 60. His cause of death was listed as apoplexy, an old medical term commonly used to describe a sudden stroke or cerebral hemorrhage. Apoplexy occurred when bleeding or a blockage in the brain caused a rapid loss of consciousness and often death, as medical treatment for strokes was extremely limited at the time.

Martha outlived Charles by several years, passing away on April 4, 1925. Today, Charles and Martha rest side by side with their daughter Floy at Cedar Valley Cemetery-a quiet reminder of a life built on family, love, and perseverance through both joy and sorrow.

02/23/2026

This is the grave of Sarah Knowels.

Sarah was born on March 14, 1876, in Washington Township, Sanilac County, Michigan, to George Knowels and Ellen Roy. She was the second youngest in a large family, growing up alongside her siblings Mary, Anna, Ellen, George, David, and Jessie. Life in rural Michigan during the late 19th century would have centered around family, faith, and hard work—values that shaped much of her short life.

On November 26, 1896, in Washington Township, Sanilac County, Michigan, Sarah married John L. McKay. Together they built a family of their own and welcomed four children—John H., John Gilbert, Olive Grace, and William Lilford McKay. Their growing household reflected the hope and promise of a young couple establishing roots in Michigan.

Tragically, Sarah’s life was cut short. She passed away on December 16, 1904, in Turner, Arenac County, Michigan, at just 28 years old. The cause of death was listed as “Dropsy,” an old medical term used to describe severe swelling caused by fluid buildup in the body. Dropsy was not a disease itself, but a symptom of underlying conditions such as heart failure, kidney disease, or liver problems. In Sarah’s time, medical knowledge and treatments were limited, and such conditions were often fatal.

Today, Sarah rests at Cedar Valley Cemetery in Twining, Michigan, beside her husband and family. Though her life was brief, her legacy lives on through her children and the generations that followed.