Welcome Aboard!

The Nebraska Society of Mayflower Descendants welcomes:

Robert Colby Pugsley
Omaha
A descendant of Pilgrim Thomas Rogers

Supplemental Application Approved

Cheryl Lynn (Anderson) Clark
Elwood
A descendant of Pilgrims Stephen Hopkins, Mary Norris, Elizabeth Fisher & Degory Priest
Edward Doty

"Mayflower's living history"

From the Omaha World-Herald, Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27, 2008:

Omahan traces his Pilgrim roots

BY CHIP OLSEN WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

Like a distant ancestor did hundreds of years earlier, Marty Beerman set a course to discover something new.

What he found after years of research linked him directly to an American icon - the Mayflower.

Beerman, of Omaha, is a descendant of Richard Warren, one of 102 people who traveled in 1620 aboard the vessel from England to what is now Plymouth, Mass. The storied ship is a staple in U.S. history and for many a symbol of religious freedom, American democracy and the Thanksgiving celebration.

Beerman, 47, said Thanksgiving always has been his favorite holiday. When he learned in 1989 that he is linked to the Mayflower, the day became even more meaningful.He said, "It really makes the history part of it come alive. . . . Being a Pilgrim wasn't easy. Just knowing more about them and understanding that's your family makes it more interesting than what you read in history books."

In his Children's Hospital office recently, Beerman, vice president of marketing, shared a stack of old records - birth certificates, death and census records, marriage licenses, wills and deeds. Each one is a piece in a giant puzzle.

Beerman became a detective, searching for clues to connect the dots of his family history. He built his case one generation before another.

"You start with what you know," Beerman said. "Then work your way back.

"But discovering that his roots led to New England and the famed ship was a surprise.

After his grandmother died in Iowa more than 20 years ago, Beerman's interest in his ancestry kicked in.

Through his search, he found that his family slowly migrated from New England to the Midwest. As he researched, he found himself plotting the reverse course, following one ancestor at a time on a path back to New England and eventually to the Mayflower itself.

One way he marked his discovery was personalized license plates that read "1620" on one car and "Pilgrim" on another.

Along the way, he discovered many other family tales.

One relative served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, later receiving a pension of $8 a month. Pension records, which often listed descendants, were a valuable source of clues.

Other relatives, he found, served in the Civil War and the War of 1812.

Such details help make the past pop."When you can frame it in terms of those events, for me, it makes history more interesting," said Beerman, who graduated from Creighton University with a journalism degree.

He said his wife, Jane, often jokes that in nearly two dozen years she has never spent a vacation that didn't involve visiting a burial ground. The couple have two teenage children.

Cemeteries often offer worthy tips."You're looking for graves," he said. "You're looking for families.

"When lucky, he would find three or four generations together in one spot, providing valuable clues to the step in his journey, he said.

It's important, too, for him to keep a record for his own descendants. In several hundred years, his relatives might find this work useful, he said.

"You're documenting this for a future generation," he said.

He also helps others trace their family history and find links to the Mayflower as historian for Nebraska's chapter of the Mayflower Society.

It's much faster and easier now with the Internet. His ancestral search - done before the computer age - moved like a crawl compared to what now can be found with a click.

During his own search, he often traveled and wrote hundreds of letters.

All 50 states, the District of Columbia and Canada have established society chapters to honor the Mayflower's passengers and their roles in American history. The society is based in Plymouth.

Paul S. Bumpus, the society's historian general in Plymouth, said estimates put the number of Mayflower descendants in this country between 30 million and 40 million people. Most, he said, simply are unaware of their connections.

The society offers membership to people who prove a line of descent from at least one of the 29 Mayflower passengers who left descendants.

Bumpus, who had 22 family members on the ship, said the society has about 27,000 active members and about 80,000 throughout its existence. It was founded in 1897.

Nebraska's chapter has about 300 members. Iowa's has more than 360, many of whom are from the western edge of the state, said Ruth M.F. Tucker, Iowa's chapter historian, who had five ancestors on the ship.

Beerman, Bumpus and Tucker all can trace their families to Richard Warren, making them distant cousins. Others with more famous names who descended from Warren include Ulysses S. Grant and Franklin D. Roosevelt.

The passengers boarded the Mayflower in September 1620. They reached their destination in the winter. The harsh weather contributed to many deaths and struggles as some created a colony at Plymouth.

Some passengers left England to escape religious persecution. Others looked to build new lives separate from the church. Many were likely frightened, cold and lonely. But all were bound together, traveling to an unknown land and an uncertain future.

Beerman tries to keep that in mind."An interesting thing to remember is that these people were just like us," he said. "They were just trying to survive."

For the sidebar graphic:

http://content.omaha.com/media/maps/graphics/1127tree.jpg

Who was Richard Warren? You know his descendants:

http://omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10499184

More Information:

http://omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10499451

In Memoriam

Robert William Hageman
Ithaca
March 19, 1923 - November 21, 2008

A descendant of Pilgrim John Alden, he joined the Nebraska Society in 1975, and served as Governor from 1984 to 1986. Services at Ithaca United Methodist Church; interment at Indian Mound Cemetery, Ithaca.

Welcome Aboard!

The Nebraska Society of Mayflower Descendants welcomes:

Erin Elisabeth (Cummings) Wilhelm
Lincoln
A descendant of Pilgrim Myles Standish

In Memoriam

Florence Janet Clark
Lincoln
February 20, 1920 - November 13, 2008

A descendant of Pilgrim Richard Warren, Florence joined the Nebraska Society in 1949. At the time of her death, she had been a member of the Society longer - 59 years - than any other current member. She had previously served as Society secretary.

Welcome Aboard!

The Nebraska Society of Mayflower Descendants welcomes:

Glenn Edward Miller
Lincoln
A descendant of Pilgrim Peter Browne

Welcome Aboard!

The Nebraska Society of Mayflower Descendants welcomes eight new members:

Gretchen Kay (Heizer) Harvey
Omaha
A descendant of Pilgrim John Howland

John Keith Burt
Grafton
A descendant of Pilgrim Henry Samson

Linda Kay (Burt) Rebrovic
Chicago
A descendant of Pilgrim Henry Samson

Beverly Ann (Burt) Epke
Lincoln
A descendant of Pilgrim Henry Samson

Effie Marie Epke
Ithaca, NY
A descendant of Pilgrim Henry Samson

Janet Lynne (Burt) Eggers
Superior
A descendant of Pilgrim Henry Samson

Bryan Alan Eggers
Superior
A descendant of Pilgrim Henry Samson

Marcia Mills (Laging) Cummings
Lincoln
A descendant of Pilgrim John Howland

Welcome Aboard!

The Nebraska Society of Mayflower Descendants welcomes two new members:

Stephanie Kay (Weber) Axthelm
Gothenburg
A descendant of Pilgrim William Bradford

Gwen Ellen (Johnson) Otte
Gordon
A descendant of Pilgrim James Chilton

In Memoriam

Donna Lee (McCashland) Harder

August 11, 1935 - November 28, 2006

(The Nebraska Society was recently notified of this member's death).

Funeral Services for Donna L. Hardin, 71, were conducted from the First Baptist Church in Oxford on Dec. 1, 2006 with Pastor Dave Hunt, officiating. Interment was at the Oxford Cemetery. She died Nov. 28, 2006 at Holdrege. She joined the Nebraska Society in 2002 and was a descendant of Pilgrim John Howland.

Donna was born Aug. 11, 1935 near Lebanon, the fifth of six daughters of Francis “Lloyd” and Elsie (Gay) McCashland. She received her primary education at Lebanon and graduated from Lebanon High School with the class of 1953. Following her education, she was employed by the Goodall Electric Company in Ogallala.

On July 3, 1954 she was united in marriage to Richard Meader and to this union four children were born: Terreen, Bradley, Pamela and Shari. The family made their home in Ogallala until moving to Oxford in 1959. In 1968, Donna owned and operated Donna’s Dime and Dollar Store until she converted it into a Floral Shop in 1971. On Aug. 15, 1981 she was united in marriage to Rodney Hardin. The couple made their home in Oxford, where Donna continued to operate the Posy Patch Floral and Giftsand they also operated the Mule Skinner for several years.

In 1995, Donna retired yet remained active in the community. Donna was a member of the First Baptist Church, where she was active in the Joy Circle, member of the Birthday Club, Wednesday Club, Leisure Hour, the Silver Threads Pinochle Card Club, the Hustler Club and Mrs. Jaycee’s. She also served on the Golden Generation Center Board of Directors and the Thrift Shop Board, where she was currently serving as treasurer. Donna enjoyed crafts, golf, dancing, playing pinochle, collecting dolls, working with flowers and first and foremost loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also painted murals on the classroom walls and made banners for her church.

She is survived by her son, Bradley Meader of Oxford; daughter Pamela Rademaker and her husband, Doyle, and daughter Shari Geer and her husband, Kellyall of Holdrege; son-in-law, Curtis Blue of Oxford; one sister, Sharon Wolzen of Oxford; two brothers-in-law: Elton O’Hare of Oberlin, Kan., and Lawrence Orvis of McCook; four grandchildren: Michelle Hunter and her husband, Travis of Holdrege, Blake and Brock Rademaker and Dylan Geer all of Holdrege; three great grandchildren: McKenna, Max and Amelia Hunter; and a host of nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.

Besides her husband, Rod she was preceded in death by her parents; one daughter, Terreen “Terre” Blue; one grandson, Aaron Blue; four sisters: Glenva Orvis, Mildred O’Hare, Betty Orvis and Vada Huntsman; and two brothers-in-law: George Orvis and Samuel Huntsman.

Supplemental Applications Approved

Congratulations to these members on approval of supplemental applications:

Kay Elaine (Bauman) Blair
Grand Island
A descendant of Pilgrims William Mullins & John Alden
Thomas Rogers

Karl Edward Bauman
Chapel Hill, NC
A descendant of Pilgrims William Mullins & John Alden
Thomas Rogers

Kim Billy Blair
Arlington, MA
A descendant of Pilgrims William Mullins & John Alden
Thomas Rogers

Application Fee to Increase

The Nebraska Society's application fee increases to $90, up from $45, on Jan. 1, 2009. Final applications submitted to Plymouth after this date will require the higher application fee.

But there's still time to join at the lower rate, if the final application can be submitted prior to the Jan. 1 date. Contact the state historian at mwbeerman@cox.net for more information.

Supplemental Application Approved

The Nebraska Society of Mayflower Descendants congratulates:

Cheryl Lynn (Anderson) Clark
Elwood
A descendant of Pilgrims Stephen Hopkins, Mary Norris and Elizabeth Fisher
Degory Priest

Welcome Aboard!

The Nebraska Society of Mayflower Descendants welcomes:

Marianna Bodenburg
London, England
A descendant of Pilgrim Peter Browne

In Memoriam

Bonnie Bernice (Hawkins) Richmond Kaufhold (1917-2008)

A descendant of Pilgrim James Chilton, she joined the Nebraska Society in 1969 and was a member for 38 years, before resigning in 2007. Died Aug. 25, 2008 in Wahoo. Survived by two daughters, three sons, two brothers, 24 grandchildren, 61 great-grandchildren and 51 great-great-grandchildren. Services Aug. 29 at Kremer Funeral Home in Omaha.

Welcome Aboard!

The Nebraska Society of Mayflower Descendants welcomes:

Corey Grant Phillips
Lincoln
A descendant of Pilgrim William Brewster

Supplemental Applications Approved

The Nebraska Society of Mayflower Descendants congratulates the following members on the approval of supplemental applications:

Marjorie L. Burt
Geneva
A descendant of Pilgrim Edward Fuller
Henry Samson

Timothy L. Fischer
Blair
A descendant of Pilgrims Peter Browne & Francis Cooke
John Billington

Supplemental Applications Approved

Congratulations to these members on approval of supplemental applications:

Kay Elaine (Bauman) Blair
Grand Island
A descendant of Pilgrim William Mullins
John Alden

Karl Edward Bauman
Chapel Hill, NC
A descendant of Pilgrim William Mullins
John Alden

Kim Billy Blair
Arlington, MA
A descendant of Pilgrim William Mullins
John Alden

Welcome Aboard!

The Nebraska Society of Mayflower Descendants welcomes:

Kim Elise (Carey) Butler
Gretna
A descendant of Pilgrim Edward Doty

In Memoriam

Jessie Gaylord (Clark) Sorum, 90, a descendant of Pilgrim William Brewster, died Aug. 5 in Valley. She joined the Nebraska Society in 2005. Preceded in death by her parents, Merritt and Sigrid (Nord) Clark; brother, Charles Clark, and husband, Merlin Sorum. Survived by sister, Dorothy (Clark) Robertson, South St. Paul, Minn.; brother, Richard Clark, Centuria, Wis.; daughters, Rita Johnson, Grass Valley, Calif.; Maureen (Chris) Westergaard (also a member of the Nebraska Society), Valley; grandchildren, Jennifer Chapman, Angela Higley, Sigrid Thompson, Natalie Dugan, Russell Westergaard; great-grandchildren, Marijke Thompson, Liam and Elijah Chapman; many nieces and nephews. Memorial service Aug. 7.

Supplemental Application Approved

Congratulations to:

Elaine Joan (Fillman) Bodenburg
Playa Del Rey, Calif.
A descendant of Pilgrims Peter Browne and Francis Cooke
John Billington

Welcome Aboard!

The Nebraska Society of Mayflower Descendants welcomes:

David Adam Briggs
Omaha

A descendant of Pilgrim John Howland

Welcome Aboard!

The Nebraska Society of Mayflower Descendants welcomes three new members:

Kim Billy Blair
Arlington, Mass.

A descendant of Pilgrim William Mullins


James Kendall Johnson
Beatrice

A descendant of Pilgrim Isaac Allerton


William Joseph Cooney
Lincoln

A descendant of Pilgrim John Howland

In Memoriam

Mary Lucille (Allen) Welsh Farmer, 91, a descendant of Pilgrim William White who joined the Nebraska Society in 1988, died May 29 in Broken Bow. Funeral services were held June 2 at Govier Brothers Mortuary in Broken Bow with the Rev. Glen Emert officiating. Burial was in the Custer Center Cemetery west of Broken Bow. Memorials may given to the United Methodist Church Building Fund.

Mary Lucille, the third and youngest daughter of Edna (Mills) and Andrew Allen, was born Jan. 30, 1917 on the family farm north Westerville. She and her twin brother, Frank, grew up and attended school District 104. She graduated from Westerville High School in 1935 and attended Kearney State Teachers College. She then taught for seven years in Blaine and Custer County.

On May 25, 1944, Lucille was married to Starling Welsh, and after his death in 1945, she resumed her teaching career. On Jan. 30, 1948, she was married to James Farmer, and they lived their entire married life in the Rose Valley Community until 1992 when they moved into Broken Bow. Three children were born to this union; James Jr., Elaine (Doug) Calkins, and Dwight. Lucille was a member of the United Methodist Church for over 75 years, the church circle, D.A.R. and the Senator and Dutchman Valley Extension clubs. Lucille was also a member of the Mayflower Society of which she was very proud. Lucille was proud of her family history and enjoyed studying family genealogy.

Survivors include two sons James Farmer Jr. of Red Cloud and Dwight Farmer of Kearney; one daughter Elaine (Doug) Calkins of Cumberland, Iowa; grandchildren, Jamie (Mandi) Calkins of Corning, Iowa, and Andrea (Corey) Yearington of Clarinda, Iowa; five great-grandchildren Spencer, Logan, and Dalton Calkins, Hunter and McKenna Yearington. Other survivors include a sister Hazel Hollenbeck of Riverton, Wyo., two brothers Clarence Allen of Kearney, and Frank Allen of Las Vegas, Nev. She was preceded in death by her parents, two husbands, a grandson Marc Calkins, and a sister Margaret Collier.

from the Custer County Chief.

In Memoriam

Mariann Jane (Lang) Collins
Omaha
Nov. 27, 1916 -- June 16, 2008

A descendant of Pilgrim John Alden, she joined the Nebraska Society of Mayflower Descendants in 1946. At the time of her death, she had been a member of the Nebraska Society longer than any other current member (62 years). She is survived by her daughter, JoAnn Leuck, and son, Richard E. Collins, M.D., both members of the Nebraska Society. Memorial services were June 2o at Fogelstrom Chapel, Immanuel Terrace. Private interment.

Supplemental Application Approved

Congratulations to:

Cheryl Lynn (Anderson) Clark
Elwood
A descendant of Pilgrims Stephen Hopkins and Mary Norris
Elizabeth Fisher

Supplemental Application Approved

Congratulations to:

Elaine Joan (Fillman) Bodenburg
Playa Del Rey, Calif.
A descendant of Pilgrim Peter Browne
Francis Cooke

Welcome Aboard!

The Nebraska Society of Mayflower Descendants welcomes:

Richard Paul Moore
Syracuse

A descendant of Pilgrim George Soule

Supplemental Application Approved

Congratulations to:

Becky (Allen) Whedon
Omaha
A descendant of Pilgrim Francis Cooke
Richard Warren

In Memoriam

Former Nebraska Society member John Raymond Barton, 83, a descendant of Pilgrim William Brewster, died May 29. He joined the Nebraska Society in 1974 and was a member for 10 years. Memorial services were June 3, with private inurnment at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Omaha. Barton's son, John L. Barton, of Tempe, Ariz., is a member of the Nebraska Society.

Welcome Aboard!

The Nebraska Society of Mayflower Descendants welcomes:

Sandra Joann Hagen
Scottsbluff

A descendant of Pilgrim Stephen Hopkins

Welcome Aboard!

The Nebraska Society of Mayflower Descendants welcomes four new members:

Jay Fielding Bauman
Chapel Hill, N.C.

A descendant of Pilgrim William Mullins


Emily Rebecca Cummings
Manhattan, Kan.

A descendant of Pilgrim Myles Standish


Ian Rowe Cummings
Manhattan, Kan.

A descendant of Pilgrim Myles Standish


Jennifer Adrianne (Bauman) Kopczynski
Chapel Hill, N.C.

A descendant of Pilgrim William Mullins

Welcome Aboard!

The Nebraska Society of Mayflower Descendants welcomes four new members:

Christina Michelle (Hardy) Buckles
Ainsworth

A descendant of Pilgrim Peter Browne


Jack Miles Hart
Sun City, Ariz.

A descendant of Pilgrim John Howland


Karl Edward Bauman
Chapel Hill, NC

A descendant of Pilgrim William Mullins


Brandon Kyle Hardy
Ainsworth

A descendant of Pilgrim Peter Browne

2008 Calendar

Spring Meeting - Sunday, April 27, Omaha Marriott.

Summer Outing - Saturday, July 12, Mahoney State Park.

Annual Meeting & Thanksgiving Dinner - Sunday, Nov. 23, Knoll's Country Club, Lincoln.

In Memoriam

Former Nebraska Society member Ralph Winfield Howland, 98, a descendant of Pilgrim John Howland, died in Lincoln on April 5. He joined the Nebraska Society in 1976 and was a member for 20 years. Howland was born Jan. 14, 1909 to Frank and Zuella (Heldenbrand) Howland at Juniata. Services were April 9 at Fellowship Community Church, Lincoln.

Supplemental Applications Approved

Four members' Supplemental Applications have been recently approved. Congratulations to:

Marilyn Mae (Miller) Fischer
Broken Bow
A descendant of Pilgrim Peter Browne
Francis Cooke & John Billington

Timothy Lee Fischer
Blair
A descendant of Pilgrim Peter Browne
Francis Cooke

Cheryl Lynn (Anderson) Clark
Ellwood
A descendant of Pilgrim Isaac Allerton
Stephen Hopkins & Mary Norris

Barbara Jean (Chloupek) Bird
Seward
A descendant of Pilgrm Thomas Rogers
Francis Cooke & Richard Warren

Welcome Aboard!

The Nebraska Society of Mayflower Descendants welcomes:

Jennifer Leslie (Larsen) Van Campen
Excelsior Springs, Mo.

A descendant of Pilgrim John Billington

Welcome Aboard!

The Nebraska Society of Mayflower Descendants welcomes two new members:

Elaine Joan (Fillman) Bodenburg
Playa Del Rey, Calif.

A descendant of Pilgrim Peter Browne

Mary Lou (Bocock) Abramson
Holdrege

A descendant of Pilgrim William White

Welcome Aboard!

The Nebraska Society of Mayflower Descendants welcomes:

Kay Elaine (Bauman) Blair
Grand Island

A descendant of Pilgrim William Mullins

Welcome Aboard!

The Nebraska Society of Mayflower Descendants welcomes:

Laura Ellen (Humphrey) Cummings

A descendant of Pilgrim Myles Standish