Category: Genealogy

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Lindsborg

We were in Wichita over the weekend for a nephew’s wedding. One of the highlights of the trip for me was a night in Lindsborg aka Little Sweden USA. I’ve ordered Swedish chotchkies from Anderson Butik for over 20 years, but never thought that I’d be anywhere near the source. Not only was it on the way to Wichita, but we happened to be going through on the eve of their every-other-year blowout festival, Svensk Hyllningsfest. Local hotels were booked, but we found a room at the Viking Motel, had a delicious smörgåsbord at the Swedish Crown Restaurant, then strolled through town. The folks were friendly. We started at one end of town, and by the time we got to the other everyone knew who we were. Friday morning, we took another tour of town, bought some stuff at Hemslöjd, then on to Wichita. It would be a great place to retire.

hyllningsfeast-2007

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A Royal Descent

Submission of John de Balliol to Edward I
Submission of John de Balliol to Edward I

I’ve been bugging my brother-in-law for details of his genealogy for years now. He knows a few bits and pieces, but isn’t really interested in the subject other than to remind me that he belongs to the same Middleton family as the signer of the Declaration of Independence. It’d be nice to have some details there. Lately, my sister has taken the problem in hand and gathered some info. Using web sources, it took only a few minutes to develop a descent from Edward I. Keyed it into the database, and sent .pdf pedigree charts to the folks who might be interested. Here’s the fun part — some of them said thanks, but so far not one of them has actually looked at the info in enough detail to notice King Edward. I think I’m going to draw out the suspense. Mum’s the word until someone actually notices.

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Tartan Samples

Swanstrom Tartan
Swanstrom Tartan

As part of the tartan registration process, we have to submit a woven sample. This requirement is intended to insure that every registered design will be woven, not remain just a design concept. We ordered our sample from Molly Manaugh. Actually, I ordered an extra for myself, just to have.

I got the tartan samples tonight. The quality is very high, and it is an amazing feeling to actually see and touch a woven sample of something that two months ago was just an idea. I see now that I should have ordered more samples, to pass out among the family.