RSS Feed
RIP Harold E. Stockdill of Kittanning, PA
My uncle forwarded information to my mom about an obituary for Harold E. Stockdill of Kittanning, PA, who passed away on 12/10/06. He wondered if, as the family genealogist, I'd be interested, and also, if we're related to the man. The answer to both questions was yes, of course.I knew we were related to the gentleman immediately. For one thing, unlike Stockdale, Stockdill is a fairly uncommon last name, so I figure that anyone with that last name residing in the general vicinity of Dayton, PA, or Kittanning, PA, is most likely part of our line.
Plus, his father's name was Preston Stockdill, and "Preston" is a family name that itself is uncommon enough to place him squarely in my clan.
Further research shows that Harold E. Stockdill and my grandfather, R. Blaine Stockdale, were third cousins. Their grandfathers, John Lincoln Stockdill and Joshua Foster Stockdale, were first cousins. Blaine and Harold were contemporaries - Blaine born in 1922 and Harold in 1924. Unfortunately, Grandpa died at age 67. Fortunately for Harold and his family, he lived to be almost 82. Interestingly, a census I located which listed John Lincoln Stockdill and his family showed that his widowed mother, Martha (Foster) Stockdill, age 93, lived with them. It seems like even nearly a century ago, a fair number of people lived to a ripe old age.
Fortunately, I'm visiting my parents for Christmas, so I could draw a tree for my mom and explain the relationship to Harold Stockdill visually. I told her that the research was challenging at first because Preston Stockdill was sometimes known as "Preston G." and sometimes known as "George P." My mom reminded me that the family was fond of calling people by their middle names. Grandpa was "Blaine" to everyone who knew him, and most people probably had no idea his first name was actually Robert.
No Trackbacks