Auntie Jen's Family Trees

11/14/2025

Business Improvement Project
"Each year, our Business Improvement Project award honors a business that takes bold steps to improve their operations, customer experience, and our community landscape. This year, that story belongs to Andy's Produce Too - Union, MO Andy’s Ice Cream. With their new location and expansion, they've created a space that is functional, beautiful, and built for growth, offering more variety, better parking and an experience that keeps customers shopping local. Investments like this don't just improve a storefront, they lift an entire corridor, encourage neighboring upgrades, and show confidence in Union's momentum. Andy's Produce, thank you for believing in Union and for raising the bar." -Kathryn Gaither Executive Director

11/14/2025

The Community Revitalization Award
"This year's recipients, Travis and Maria Blankenship, owners of Union Furniture & Flooring, did something truly powerful: they rescued a piece of our history and gave it new life. Instead of letting Vitt's Mill and the Ice House fade, they invested time, heart, and vision to restore it with care, honoring the stories within those walls while preparing it for the next chapter. Today, that space is beautiful, welcoming, and active, and it's now home to Andy's Produce, bringing energy, customers, and pride back to our community. This is what revitalization looks like: preserving what makes Union special while creating room for new opportunity. On behalf of the Union Area Chamber of Commerce and a very grateful community, thank you Travis and Maria, for your commitment to preservation, partnership, and possibility. Your work will ripple forward for years to come." -Kathryn Gaither Executive Director

11/14/2025

When you are in the middle of researching and the website you were just using went down for maintenance. 🤦‍♀️

11/12/2025

Have you tried DNA testing with Ancestry? Are you looking to overcome that brick wall? Do you have a relative you want to get a DNA test for? Look no further!

The Franklin County Missouri Historical Society is hosting a raffle for an AncestryDNA test. Purchase a ticket for ONLY $1! They will announce the winner on December 2nd at the next board meeting, just in time for the holidays.
You do not have to be local. We will mail it to anyone in the US.
Funds will 100% support operating expenses, such as electricity and the new HVAC unit that needs to be installed this winter.
Click on the link to purchase your tickets now!

Join the Franklin County Historical Society for a chance to explore your past!Enter our Ancestry DNA Test Raffle and uncover your unique family history while supporting local heritage preservation.Engage with Franklin County's vibrant history.Discover personal connections to the past.Support educati...

11/12/2025

In 1954, Veterans Day officially replaced Armistice Day in the United States. The intent was to expand the scope of November 11 commemorations to honor all veterans.

Newspapers around the country published articles like this one that explained the change.

Read the full article in the Standard-Sentinel on our site: https://www.newspapers.com/article/standard-speaker-veterans-day-1954/184693341/

11/12/2025

Back in 1793, a penny could get you a biscuit, a candle or a piece of candy. These days, many sit in drawers or glass jars and are basically cast aside or collected as lucky keepsakes.

But their luck is about to run out.

11/12/2025

Happy Veterans Day!
We celebrated the 100th anniversary of the end of WWI back in 2018.

In honor of Veteran's day this year, since it was the 100th Anniversary of the End of World War I, we dedicated this day to William Ilg. First we visited his...

11/11/2025

First Veterans Day

In 1954, Veterans Day officially replaced Armistice Day in the United States. The intent was to expand the scope of November 11 commemorations to honor all veterans.

Newspapers around the country published articles like this one that explained the change.

Read the full article in the Standard-Sentinel on our site: https://www.newspapers.com/article/standard-speaker-veterans-day-1954/184693341/

11/11/2025

11/10/2025