Category Archives: Family

We have well over a thousand people in our family tree, with many family names. You can search through our archives by family name or by topic to read stories and learn about the fascinating lives our ancestors lived. Enjoy!

Can You Spot the USS Arizona?

Posted on January 20, 2013 by Lorelle VanFossen

My grandfather, Howard William West Sr. served on the USS Arizona in the early 1920s. In researching his life on the ship, culling what information I can from his USS Arizona Log Book 1924-1925 and the History of the USS … Continue reading →


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Searching for Coast Guard Insignias and Ranks

Posted on January 13, 2013 by Lorelle VanFossen

In this photograph of my grandfather, Howard William West Sr. (tallest) and friend, based upon the US Coast Guard Military History PDF file of ratings, ranks, warrant, marks and insignia (PDF File), my grandfather was a Petty Officer, Quartermaster, 2nd … Continue reading →


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Family Search Library Expanded to 40,000 Genealogy and Family History Records

Posted on October 3, 2012 by Lorelle VanFossen

The The Oklahoman highlighted the Family History Library recently, a fantastic resource with more than 40,000 genealogy and family history publications from family history library archives around the world not just for families associated with Oklahoma. The collection features family … Continue reading →


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Gordon VanFossen (1929-2011)

Posted on January 6, 2012 by Lorelle VanFossen

We lost one of our VanFossen family members this week. Gordon W. VanFossen, 82, of Billings, Montana. There is currently an obituary listed on the Dahl Funeral Chapel site. For posterity, we include it here. Name: Gordon W. VanFossen Dates: … Continue reading →


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Find an Image that Defines the Life of a Family Member

Posted on December 6, 2011 by Lorelle VanFossen

The New York Times is launching a new project, “The Lives They Lived: Share Your Photos,” asking the public to contribute a photograph representing the life of a family member or close friend who died this past year. For our … Continue reading →


Posted in Anderson, DesRochers, Family, Genealogy News, Knapp, West | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Results and Impact of the Everett Herald News Coverage

Posted on July 2, 2011 by Lorelle VanFossen

I’m humbled and overwhelmed with the results and impact of the Everett Herald story of my West and Knapp Families in Snohomish County, Washington. I’ve a long list of people to email and call and I’m slowly going through the … Continue reading →


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Knapp Family Gallery 1920-1930

Posted on June 30, 2011 by Lorelle VanFossen

The following are images from our collection for the James Asa Knapp and Emma Knapp family in Taylor Rapids, Wisconsin, from circa 1920-1930. For stories and information on many of these people, see our Knapp category. For a list of … Continue reading →


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West and Knapp Families Featured in the Everett Herald, Snohomish County, Washington

Posted on June 27, 2011 by Lorelle VanFossen

This morning, an article in the Everett Herald in Everett, Snohomish County, Washington, was published about this blog and my research into my family’s history in the Everett and Snohomish County area of Washington state. Titled “Blogger digs into her … Continue reading →


Posted in Elwell, Family, Family News, Knapp, West | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Visualizing the Peshtigo River and Impact on the Knapp Family

Posted on May 25, 2011 by Lorelle VanFossen
Visualizing the Peshtigo River and Impact on the Knapp Family

In The Peshtigo River, Marinette County’s Greatest Remaining Natural Resource was put together by Jim Frink on the High Falls Flowage site, a site about the lake and surrounding land and rivers, based upon a report in “The Water Powers … Continue reading →


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Reverend Seneca Primley (1871-1966)

Posted on May 20, 2011 by Lorelle VanFossen
Reverend Seneca Primley (1871-1966)

Rev. Seneca Primley (1871-1966) died at age 94 in Winona Lake, Indiana. He was a retired Church of God minister, member of the Warsaw Church of God and American Legion, and Spanish-American War veteran. He was born in Green Bay, … Continue reading →


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