Thelen Ancestry / Nelson Ancestry

Email me

For many reasons, tracing one's ancestry is no easy task. Census data before the 1900s was usually hand-written, making it difficult to read with accuracy. Data from multiple sources was often inconsistent. Sometimes people intentionally change the spelling of their last name (or adopt an entirely different last name) to distance themselves from an unsavory past, relative, or ethnicity. Even today, tracing ancestry through a woman can be difficult because she may have adopted her husband's last name and abandoned her maiden name.

You have 16 great-grandparents. If you were to trace each of them, you'd have 16 different lines of ancestry. So I have chosen to follow these few, just to keep it manageable. I invite you to visit www.Familysearch.org to search your ancestry. It's a fun trip.

Joanie's Ancestry

Joanie's Father's Side

Mathias Thelen, B 1655 Germany, D 1714, married Elisabeth Lovius, B 1656, D 3-13-1702. Mathias Thelen is just one of Joanie's 8th-Great Grandfathers (there are statistically something like 512 of them when you go back that far). Mathias and Elizabeth were the parents of:

Jacob (or Jacobus) Thelen, B 10-19-1692, D 1728, married Elisabeth Sybilla Reinartz, B 2-20-1695, D 3-28-1775; parents of:

Matthias Johannes Thelen, B 9-29-1716, D 5-21-1777, married Anna Catharina Cremer, B 1721, D 11-30-1798; five children, including:

Mathias Josef (or Mathieu) Thelen, B 1-3-1751, D 9-26-1827, married Catharina Cremer (or Kremer), B 3-16-1773, D 3-7-1844; seven children, including:

Mathias Joseph (or Matthiae Josephi) Thelen, B 4-19-1799 Germany, D 7-6-1871 Germany; married Maria Gertrud Keusch, B 1805, D 1840; three children, including

Mathias Joseph Thelen, B in Germany, date unknown, D 7-6-1871 Westphalia MI; married Margarethae Feltner; six children, including:


John Mathias Thelen [photo above], B 7-7-1830 Jammelshofen, Eifel, Germany, D 11-26-1907; Father of 14 with his first wife Maria Catharina Koch [no photo] and 7 with his second wife. Maria Catharina Koch B 4-5-1834 Niederklein, Hessen, Germany, D 2-20-1872, was the daughter of John Koch, B 1795, D 1861, and Catherine Gruss B 1802. John and Maria had 14 children, including:


Joseph Thelen [photo above], B 11-26-1862 Dallas Twp., Clinton Co., MI; D 5-23-1931; married to Catharina "Kate" Pung [photo above], B 12-7-1864, D 10-23-1947. Kate's parents:
    Nicholas Pung, B 7-25-1831, D 12-13-1908, and Elisabeth Martin, B 1831 Dallas Twp., Clinton Co., MI; D 1917. Nicholas' parents:
      Johann Pung (no data) and Elisabeth Fox (no data). Johann's parents:
        Paul Pung (no data) and Anna Margaret Bohr (no data).
        Elisabeth Fox's parents were John Fox (no data) and Anna M. Schuller (no data).
      Elisabeth Martin's parents were Anthony Martin (no data) and Helena Polland (no data). Helena's mother was Helena Feldpausch (no data).


Arthur Christian ["Art" or "Artie"] Thelen [photo above], B 2-11-1893, D 5-4-1976. Art was married to Elnora (correct spelling) E. "Nora" Theis [photo above], B 8-3-1895, D 4-14-1982. They had four sons (Eugene, Joe, Wilbur, and Bernard) and two daughters (Rosaline and Kathleen).

    Nora's parents were Charles Theis II [photo above], B 7-21-1861, D 1942, and Ida Wieber [photo above], B 6-26-1872, D 1953. Charles' parents:
      Charles Theis, B 11-28-1829, D 3-28-1895; and Elisabeth Goerge (correct spelling), B 3-29-1829, D 7-3-1901. Elisabeth Goerge's parents:
        John Goerge (correct spelling; no data) and Elisabeth Schafer (no data). John's parents:
          Johan Gorge (correct spelling; no data) and Elisabeth Huhn (no data)

      Ida Wieber's parents were John Wieber [photo above], B 5-7-1847, D 11-2-1928, and Anna Schneider, B 10-7-1852, D 1917. Anna Schneider would become Joanie's 2nd-Great Grandmother on her father's side while Anna's sister Catherine Schneider would become Joanie's 2nd-Great Grandmother on her mother's side (see Catherine Schneider). So Joanie's father Eugene is a Third Cousin to Joanie's mother Evelyn.
      John Wieber's parents:
        Ludwig Wieber (no data) and Madelina Decker (no data). Ludwig's parents:
          Conrad Wieber (no data) and Maria A. Schick (no data)
        Anna's parents were Maurice Schneider, B 1813 Walbach, Alsace, France (near Germany), D 1864 Westphalia MI; and Mary Ann Hanze (no data). Maurice's parents:
          Andrew Schneider (no data), and Margaret (last name unknown; no data). Mary Ann Hanze's parents were Dionysius Hanze (no data) and Agnes (last name unknown; no data)


Eugene Leo Thelen [photo above], B 11-26-1920, D 12-25-2015 (cause: stroke). Married Evelyn "Evie" Thelen, Joanie's mother (see that column). Eugene was a man of great faith. He would have loved knowing he entered Heaven on Christmas Day! Eugene and Evelyn had common 2nd-Great Grandparents (Maurice Schneider and Mary Ann Hanze), making Eugene and Evelyn Third Cousins. Eugene and Evelyn had six children--- Alice, Gordon ("Gordie"), Gerome ("Jerry"), Joan ("Joanie"), Michael ("Mike") and Brian. Video of Eugene

Joan "Joanie" Julian Nelson, B 11-22-1953

Joanie's Mother's Side

Mathias Fox (no data) and Catharine Muller (no data). Mathias Fox is just one of Joanie's 4th-Great Grandfathers (there are statistically something like 32 of them when you go back that far).

    Mathias and Catharine were the parents of:

Anna M. Fox (no data) and Mathias Thelen (no data), were the parents of:

Joseph Thelen, B 3-22-1837, D 2-16-1890; and Mary A. Muller, B 1-12-1840, D 8-21-1919. Mary A. Muller's parents:

    Mathias Muller (no data) and Veronika Schwab (no data). Veronika's parents:
      Jakob Schwab (no data) and Elisabeth Kreucher (no data).

    Joseph and Mary were parents of:

John Thelen, B 9-29-1865, D 5-17-1893; and Margaret Spitzley, B 1866. Margaret Spitzley's parents:

    Michael Spitzley, B 3-5-1834, D 5-1-1912; and Susan Simon, B 9-1-1838, D 8-23-1906. Michael's parents:
      John J. Spitzley (no data) and Anna M. Klockner (no data). John J. Spitzley's father:
        John Spitzley (no data).
        Anna Klockner's parents were John Hubert Klockner (no data) and Anne Gertrud Muller (no data).
      Susan Simon's parents were Peter Simon (no data) and Anna Mary Berzen (no data). Peter's parents:
        John Simon (no data) and Elisabeth (last name unknown; no data).
    John and Margaret were parents of:


Edward M. Thelen [photo above], B 6-27-1891, D 3-22-1966. Married Clotilda Miller [photo above], B 3-9-1895, D 8-6-1962.
    Clotilda's parents were Engelbert Miller, B 11-2-1865, and Catherine Thelen, B 1866. Engelbert's parents:

      John Miller, B 1817, and Mary A. Esch, B 1832. John's father:
        Mathias Miller (no data)
        Mary Esch's parents were Engelbert Esch (no data) and Christian (or was it Christina?) Balzer (no data). Engelbert Esch's father:
          Christian Esch (no data).
          Christian Balzer's mother was Christina (first name is questioned; last name unknown; no data).
      Catherine Thelen's parents were Mathias Thelen, B 1832, D 5-16-1912, and Catherine Schneider, B 8-25-1843, D 8-23-1913. Anna Schneider would become Joanie's 2nd-Great Grandmother on her father's side while Anna's sister Catherine Schneider would become Joanie's 2nd-Great Grandmother on her mother's side (see Anna Schneider). So Joanie's father Eugene is a Third Cousin to Joanie's mother Evelyn.
      Mathias Thelen's parents:
        Johan Thelen (no data) and Elisabeth Muller (no data). Johan's parents:
          Nicholas Thelen (no data) and Maria Schneider (no data).
          Elisabeth Muller's parents were Johan Muller (no data) and Anna Muller (no data; maiden name was same as married name?)
        Catherine Schneider's parents were Maurice Schneider, B 1813 Walbach, Alsace, France (near Germany), D 1864 Westphalia MI; and Mary Ann Hanze (no data). Maurice's parents:
          Andrew Schneider (no data) and Margaret (last name unknown; no data).
          Mary Ann Hanze's parents were Dionysius Hanze (no data) and Agnes (last name unknown; no data)
    Edward and Clotilda had 11 children, including:


Evelyn "Evie" Thelen [photo above], B 6-23-1923, D 12-1-2011 (cause: cancer). Married Eugene Leo Thelen, Joanie's father (see that column).


Joan "Joanie" Julian Nelson [photo above], B 11-22-1953; Joanie's middle name was supposed to be Julianne (her mother's sister), but was misspelled on her Birth Certificate. Joanie married Robert "Bob" Nelson 11-22-1980--- her birthday! We have two children (Emily and Alex) and five grandchildren (Evan, Eleanor, Margot, Margaret and Henrik).

Joanie's Parents Were Also Third Cousins
PARENTS: Maurice and Anna Schneider were Husband and Wife
CHILDREN: Anna and Katherine were Sisters
GRAND CHILDREN: Ida and Catherine were Cousins
GREAT-GRAND CHILDREN: Elnora and Clotilda were 2nd Cousins
GREAT-GREAT-GRAND CHILDREN: Eugene and Evelyn (Joanie's parents) were Third Cousins


What did Queen Victoria, Charles Darwin, and Albert Einstein have in common? They all married their first cousins. (You would have thought Darwin of all people would have known better! ha ha) US President Franklin D. Roosevelt's wife Eleanor was his fifth cousin once removed. Like Joanie's mother Evelyn, Eleanor Roosevelt didn't even have to change her last name.

Researchers have found, however, that third- and fourth-cousin marriages are "the best of both worlds." They avoid the risk of birth defects found with first- and second-cousin marriages, and their genes are just close enough to naturally work well together. As a result, marriages between third and fourth cousins tend to produce more children and grandchildren than other couples.

In countries with small populations like Iceland which has just 330,000 people concentrated mostly in the capital city of Reykjavķk, many people worry they'll accidentally marry a close relative. Instead of more traditional dating apps that match potential partners based on physical attraction, Icelanders use "Ķslendinga-App" that alerts them if two potential partners have too much DNA in common.

Bob's Ancestry

Bob's Father's Side

Jonathan Downing, B 9-11-1703, D 9-24-1786; married Elizabeth Gates, B Feb 1704 or 1705, D Dec 1778; 11 children, including:

Jonathan Downing, B 11-28-1729, D 9-24-1786; married Deborah Adams, B 3-7-1733, D 5-28-1797; 10 children, including:

Asahel Downing, B 9-12-1771 Canterbury Twp., Windham CT. Married Hannah Smith (B c1770). Both are buried in Albion MI. They had two children, including:


Cyrus Ansel Downing [photo above], B 5-31-1812 (Cayuga Co., NY), D 3-13-1898 Nashville MI. He was a farmer. Moved to Albion MI in 1836, married Cynthia Luce [photo above], B 4-18-1820 Orleans NY, D 2-7-1892. They were married 9-5-1838, probably in Albion MI (because his father Asahel and mother Hannah are buried there). They moved to Castleton Twp MI (later renamed Nashville MI) in 1851. Eight children--- Cynthia Eleanor ("Eleanor"), Theodore C. ("TC"), Roseanna ("Anna"), Josephine, Lucinda ("Lynde") N., Manley E., Homer E., and Buchanan B. Downing. The family photo below is Cyrus and Cynthia with all eight children.

    One of Cyrus and Cynthia's children was Buchanan Downing...


Buchanan Brackenridge Downing [photo above], B 1856, D 1925. Lived in Castleton MI (later renamed Nashville MI). Was a butcher. Believed to have been named after 1856 US presidential candidate James Buchanan and VP runningmate John Breckinridge. He married Margret (correct spelling) F. "Maggie" Burgman [photo above], B 7-1858 in Castleton (later renamed Nashville), Barry Co., MI; D 9-8-1937. Buchanan's brother Manley married Margret's sister Amanda--- brothers married sisters! Maggie also has a last name of Norris in some documents--- a previous marriage perhaps? Maggie's parents:

    Jacob James Burgman [photo above], B 3-17-1822 in Ontario, Canada; D 10-24-1876 in Woodland, Barry Co., MI (cause: infection after losing an eye) and Delila Bisset [photo above], B 1825 in Pennsylvania, D 8-18-1894 near Woodland MI. He was a farmer. Jacob and Delila's 5 children: Margret (correct spelling), John (B 1851, D 1933), Amanda (B 1854, D 1934, married Manley Downing), Jasper (B 1854, D 1920, married Cora Hill), and Addie M. (B 1866, D 1927). Some documents show last name spelled "Bergman," others "Burgman." Jacob and Delila's daughter Amanda married Manley Downing while their daughter Margret married Manley's brother Buchanan--- sisters married brothers! Jacob's parents:
      John Burgman (no data) and Betsy (perhaps spelled Betsey?) (maiden name unknown; no data). John and Betsy's children: Jacob (B 1822) and Amanda (B 1832, D 1922). Amanda married Chauncey Lane (B 1832, D 1897).
      Delila's parents were Ezekiel Bisset, B 1773 in Pennsylvania, and E. (first and maiden names unknown; no data). Ezekiel and E's 3 children: Delila, Gershom (B 1808; married Heziah), and Margaret (married Samuel Falconer).
    Buchanan and Maggie had three children: Don B., Dora I., and Jack Victor Downing.


Dora Ighegenia Downing [photo above], B 2-3-1893 Castleton (later renamed Nashville), MI; D 10-7-1957 Lansing MI (cause: colon cancer). Dora married Fred Kent Nelson [photo above], B 9-12-1890 South Dakota, D 4-16-1943 Lansing MI (cause: heart attack) Fred's middle name was his grandmother's maiden name. Fred's parents:

    Fred J. Nelson [photo above], B 9-21-1858 Kalamo MI, D 1-8-1937 Hastings MI; and Ida Jenks [photo above], B 9-17-1862 Watertown NY, D 5-20-1920 Hastings MI. Fred's parents:
      William Nelson, B 8-9-1827 in NY, D 8-30-1904 Kalamo, Eaton Co., MI (he had three wives in his lifetime) and Harriet E. Kent, B c1834 in NY, D 1869.

      Harriet's ancestry (76 generations!)

      1. Robert "Bob" Nelson (born 1951), son of
      2. Keith D Nelson (born 1916), son of
      3. Fred Kent Nelson (born 1889), son of
      4. Fred J Nelson (born 1859), son of
      5. Harriet Kent (born 1834), daughter of
      6. Joseph Kent (born 1802), son of
      7. Joseph Kent (born 1762), son of
      8. Joshua Kent (born 1727), son of
      9. Bethia Thurston (born 1695), daughter of
      10. John Thurston (born 1656), son of
      11. Thomas Thurston (born 1633), son of
      12. John Thurston (born 1601), son of
      13. Thomas Thurston (born 1581), son of
      14. John Thurston (born 1556), son of
      15. Robert Thurston (born 1518), son of
      16. Nicholas Thurston (born 1493), son of
      17. Anne FitzHugh (born 1473), daughter of
      18. Henry FitzHugh (born 1424), son of
      19. William FitzHugh (born 1398), son of
      20. Henry FitzHugh (born 1359), son of
      21. Hugh FitzHugh (born 1338), son of
      22. Henry FitzHugh (born 1297), son of
      23. Henry FitzHugh (born 1266), son of
      24. Hugh FitzHenry (name swap!) (born 1248), son of
      25. Henry Fitz Ranulf (born 1228), son of
      26. Randolph fitz Henry of Ravensworth (born 1190), son of
      27. Henry fitz Hervey of Ravensworth (born 1167), son of
      28. Hervey fitzAkaris, Forester of the New Forest (born 1129), son of
      29. Akaris fitzBardolf of Penthieve (born 1100), son of
      30. Bardolf Fotzforfin (born 1036), son of
      31. Agnes of Cornwall (born 1018), daughter of
      32. Alain of Cornwall (born 1000), son of
      33. Benedict de Cornouaille (born 980), son of
      34. Budic II Castellin de Cornouaille (born 955), son of
      35. Prince Budic de Cornouaille (born 912), son of
      36. Prince Diles Heiguer Ehebre de Cornouaille (born 890), son of
      37. Prince Ulfret Alesrudon de Cornouaille (born 865), son of
      38. Alfrond Justin de Cornouaille (born 830), son of
      39. Justin Constantine de Cornouaille (born 790), son of
      40. Constantine de Cornouaille Roi de Bretagne (born 750), son of
      41. Judon Concar de Cornouaille (born 710), son of
      42. Concar Cheronnog, child of Gradlon de Cornouaille (born 660), son of
      43. Gradion Flam, child of Judicael de Cornouaille (born 632), son of
      44. Saint Judicael "de Heilig" of Bretagne (born 599), son of
      45. King Judhael Hoel de Cornouaille de Domnoneé III (born 580), son of
      46. Alain, child of Hoel Fychan (born 560), son of
      47. Hoel, child of Mawr Fychan II, King of Brittany (born 510), son of
      48. Hoel Mawr Fychan (born 491), son of
      49. Bidic Budic (born 460), son of
      50. Duke Erich, child of Aldrien of Brittany (born 425), son of
      51. Aldrien, child of Selyfan Brittany (born 410), son of
      52. Solomon I, child of Gradlon (born 355), son of
      53. Gradlon Mawr (born 330), son of
      54. Conan the Meriadoc (born 305), son of
      55. Thametes de Bretagne (born 290), daughter of
      56. Gwrddwfn, child of Cwrrig (born 215), son of
      57. Cwrrig Fawr, child of Meirchion (born 170), son of
      58. Meirchion, child of Owain (born 150), son of
      59. Owain, child of Cyllin d'Ewyas (born 98), son of
      60. Cyllinus, child of Caradoc (born 50), son of
      61. Caradoc, child of Bran (born 35), son of
          ♰
      62. Bran (born 5BC), son of
      63. Llyr Llediaith (born 55BC), son of
      64. Casswallawn Cassivellaunos, child of Beli Catuvellauni (birth year unknown), son of
      65. Beli Mawr, child of Manogan "The Great" of Ancient Britain (born 110BC), son of
      66. Manogan, child of Eneid of Druids (birth year unknown), son of
      67. Eneid Cerwyd (born 175BC), son of
      68. Cerwyd, son of Crydon (birth year unknown), son of
      69. Crydon Cambrian Cornwall (birth year unknown), son of
      70. Dynfarth Cambrian, child of Prydain Cornwall (birth year unknown), son of
      71. Aedd Mawr, child of Antonius the Great (birth year unknown), son of
      72. Seisyll Sisillius, child of Gwrwst Britain (birth year unknown), son of
      73. Gwrwst, child of Rhiwallon (birth year unknown), son of
      74. King Rhiwallon, child of Cunneda of Britain (birth year unknown), son of
      75. Cunedagius (birth year unknown), son of
      76. King Henwinus of Cornwall (birth year unknown).

      - Search via FamilySearch.org

    Dora and Fred Kent Nelson had three children--- Keith, Jack and Margret (correct spelling).


Keith D. Nelson [photo above], B 6-2-1916 Nashville MI, D 5-30-1996 Lansing MI (cause: Myelodysplastic Syndrome, a blood disorder similar to leukemia). Keith was previously married to Merle E. Bennett. They had one child, Ronald J. Keith and Merle divorced. [Ronald was later adopted by Merle's next husband, thus changing his last name to Grubaugh. He now lives in southern California.] Keith then married Etta Jean "Jean" Crouch on 8-17-1946. My dad told us that when he joined the US Army, they required him to list a middle name or initial. Having none, he listed "D" for "Downing," his mother's maiden name. It stuck. Keith served in 🇺🇸US Army Air Force in WWII as radio operator aboard C47 transport planes, and participated in June 1944 D-Day invasion of Europe at Normandy, France.
Keith and "Jean" had two sons, Thomas and Robert.


Robert "Bob" Nelson [photo above], B 1-3-1951 Lansing MI. Married Joan "Joanie" Julian Thelen 11-22-1980--- her birthday! We have two children (Emily and Alex) and five grandchildren (Evan, Eleanor, Margot, Margaret and Henrik).
Bob's Mother's Side

Robert le Shearman, B 1210. Robert is just one of Bob's 22nd-Great Grandfathers (there are statistically something like 8 million of them when you go back that far). He was the father of:

Richard le Shearman, Sherman of Yaxley, B 1250, D 1310; and Christina (maiden name unknown); three children, including:

Robert le Shearman, B 1281, D 1314, and Alice (maiden name unknown), were the parents of:

William le Shearman, Earl of Yaxley, B 1314, D 1355, and Alice de Layer, were the parents of:

Sir Oliver Shearman, Earl of Yaxley, B 1352, D 1396, and Isabel Davis D'Arcy, were the parents of:

John Sherman I, B 1396, D 1487, and Mary Lance, were the parents of:

Thomas Sherman, B 1420, D 1493, and Agnes Fulmer, B 1437, D 1492, were the parents of:

Sir John Sherman, B 1460, D 1504, and Lady Agnes Fuller; two children, including:

Thomas Sherman, B 1490, D 1551, and Jane Waller; 19 children, including:

Henry Sherman (the "Senior"), B c1510 Dedham, Essex County, England--- whose largest city is Colchester, northeast of London; D before 7-25-1590 Dedham, Essex County, England; married Agnes Perpoynt, B 1521 Dedham, Essex County, England; D 10-14-1580 Dedham, Essex County, England. Dedham (also sometimes seen written as Delham, Dyham and Byham) is a village in Essex County, near the River Stour. (The last name Sherman was derived from Shearman or even Shereman. A "shearer" shears the sheep, but then a "shearman" makes the sheared wool into cloth. Shearmen were also known as clothiers or woolen manufacturers. Such change in last name from Shearman to Sherman increases the difficulty of accurately tracing lineages.) Henry was the father of:

Henry Sherman ("the Younger"). B c1545 Dedham, Essex County, England--- whose largest city is Colchester, northeast of London; D before 8-28-1610 Dedham, Essex County, England; he was a clothier; married Susan Lawrance whose family crest appears above, born c1548 Dedham, Essex County, England; D 8-31-1610 Dedham, Essex County, England; 12 children, including:

John Sherman. B before 8-17-1585 Dedham, Essex County, England--- whose largest city is Colchester, northeast of London; D before 1-24-1615 or 1616 Great Horkesley, Essex County, England; married Grace Ravens, B c1591, D 6-3-1662 (Grace later married Thomas Rogers). John and Grace had four children, including:

Capt. John Sherman, B c1604 Great Horkesley, Essex County, England--- whose largest city is Colchester, northeast of London; D 1-25-1690 or 1691 Watertown Massachusetts--- welcome to the USA; married Martha Palmer, B c1620 in Great Ormsby, Norfolk, England; D 2-7-1700 or 1701 Watertown MA . They had 12 children. At age 46, Captain Sherman became the father of:

Joseph Sherman, B 5-14-1650 Watertown MA; D 1-20-1730 or 1731 Watertown MA. Married Elizabeth Winthrop (or Winship?), B 4-15-1652 Cambridge MA; 11 children, including:

John Sherman, B 1-11-1674 or 1675 Watertown MA; D 11-11-1756 Marlborough, MA. Married Mary Bullen, B c1675 Marlborough MA; D 5-5-1761 Marlborough, MA; nine children.

Bob's Claim to Fame - Among John Sherman's nine children was son William. William's son Roger Sherman of Connecticut (John's grandson) was the only man to sign all four founding documents of the United States of America--- the Articles of Association (1774), the Declaration of Independence (1776), the Articles of Confederation (1777), and the US Constitution (1787). Bob is a "First Cousin Nine Times Removed" to Roger. This information, plus $1.50, will get you a cup of coffee just about anywhere.

    John Sherman was a farmer, and the father of:

Joseph Sherman, B 3-25-1703 Marlborough MA; D 10-10-1787. Married Sarah Jerren Perham, B c1703; D 3-2-1772 Shrewsbury, MA; five children, including:

John Sherman, B 4-8-1737 Shrewsbury MA; D 6-14-1807; married Dinah Daniels, B 6-19-1733 Conway MA, D 12-3-1790 Shrewsbury MA; two children, including:

Darwin Ware Sherman, B 8-30-1770 Conway MA; D 7-26-1842 East Springfield, Erie County PA (see gravestone above). Married Anna D. Canfield, B 10-3-1771 New Milford CT; D 8-27-1849 East Springfield PA; 12 children, including:

Richard Ware Sherman, B 1-24-1792 Arlington VT; D 8-8-1867 Applegate MI. Married Elvira Alvina Cross, B 3-19-1804 NY; D 7-7-1875 Sanilac Co., MI; 12 children, including:

Richard Ware Sherman, B 8-10-1820 MI; D 5-8-1903 Pontiac MI. Married Urania Hoyle, B c1820; D March 1844 Luzerne NY. Enlisted in 🇺🇸Union Army when he was 41 to fight in the Civil War. Father of:

Francis Caroline "Carrie" Sherman, B 7-21-1845 in NY, D 4-26-1895. She married Andrew Thrall, B May 1842 in Michigan (or c1843 in Canada?, or c1846?), D 5-2-1931. Andrew had four wives--- "Carrie," then Gertrude, then Agnes, then Myrtle. His last child (Clifford) was born when Andrew was 61. Andrew's parents:

    Lester Thrall (no data) and Juba Herrick (no data).


Avery E. Thrall [no photo], B 1866 Michigan, D 1917 Howard City MI (cause: anemia). He married Etta Jean Deuel [photo above], B c1880 in NY, D c1961 (cause: Stroke, or Cerebral Vascular Accident). Avery was 14 years older than his wife Etta. Etta's parents:
    George Deuel (no data) and Hattie Richardson (no data).

Genevieve Jesse Thrall [photo above], B 8-5-1901 Duluth, MN, D 4-9-1986 Lansing MI (cause: stroke... drifted off peacefully while sitting in her favorite chair watching tv and working a crossword puzzle). Her siblings were brothers Glenn and Vernon and sister Mildred. Genevieve's first husband was Hobart McKinley Crouch [photo above], B 9-8-1896 in Corinth KY (per his 1917-18 WWI draft registration), D 10-25-1979 Lansing MI (cause: lung cancer). Named after 1896 US presidential candidate William McKinley Jr and VP runningmate Garret A. Hobart. He served in 🇺🇸US Army in WWI. His siblings were brothers Morgia Ellis "Marge" and Zemer, and sister Virginia. Hobart's parents:

    Richard Allen Crouch [photo above], B 2-24-1857 Cordova KY, D 1938 (he was a shoe merchant in Argenta KY) and Quintella "Queenie" Hedges [photo above], B 1862, D 6-14-1931 Decatur IL. Richard's parents:
      William Crouch, B c1804 (he was a farmer; was about 43 years old when Richard was born) and Mary (last name unknown), B c1817.
    Genevieve and Hobart had 5 children: Jack Richard Crouch, Mildred ("Jeanette"), Etta Jean ("Jean"), Nancy, and Carol.


Etta Jean ("Jean") Crouch [photo above], B 9-5-1924 Lansing MI, D 5-20-2016 East Lansing MI (cause: diabetes, dementia). She married Keith D. Nelson, Bob's father. "Jean" and Keith had two sons, Thomas and Robert.

Robert "Bob" Nelson, B 1-3-1951

Our Children and Grandchildren


Emily Byelich - B 10-21-1983. Married to Ben Byelich, B 9-30-1982. They live in Michigan with son Evan (B 2008), daughter Eleanor (B 2011), and daughter Margaret (B 2021).


Alexander "Alex" Nelson - B 11-26-1985 (same birthdate as his grandfather Eugene L. Thelen). Married to Lauren Niebauer, B 9-7-1988. They live in Norway with daughter Margot (B 2019) and son Henrik (B 2022).

Relationship Chart

 
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
1
Common
ancestor
Son/Daughter (child)
Grandson/
Granddaughter
Great Grandson/
Granddaughter
2nd Great Grandson/
Granddaughter
3rd Great Grandson/
Granddaughter
4th Great Grandson/
Granddaughter
5th Great Grandson/
Granddaughter
6th Great Grandson/
Granddaughter
7th Great Grandson/
Granddaughter
2
Son/Daughter (child)
Brother/Sister
(siblings)
Nephew/Niece
Grand Nephew/Niece  
Great Grand
Nephew/Niece
2nd Great Grand
Nephew/Niece
3rd Great Grand
Nephew/Niece
4th Great Grand
Nephew/Niece
5th Great Grand
Nephew/Niece
6th Great Grand
Nephew/Niece
3
Grandson/
Granddaughter
Nephew/Niece
Cousin
1st Cousin
Once Removed
1st Cousin
Twice Removed
1st Cousin
Three Times Removed
1st Cousin
Four Times Removed
1st Cousin
Five Times Removed
1st Cousin
Six Times Removed
1st Cousin
Seven Times Removed
4
Great Grandson/
Granddaughter
Grand Nephew/Niece
1st Cousin
Once Removed
2nd Cousin
2nd Cousin
Once Removed
2nd Cousin
Twice Removed
2nd Cousin
Three Times Removed
2nd Cousin
Four Times Removed
2nd Cousin
Five Times Removed
2nd Cousin
Six Times Removed
5
2nd Great Grandson/
Granddaughter
Great Grand
Nephew/Niece
1st Cousin
Twice Removed
2nd Cousin
Once Removed
3rd Cousin
3rd Cousin
Once Removed
3rd Cousin
Twice Removed
3rd Cousin
Three Times Removed
3rd Cousin
Four Times Removed
3rd Cousin
Five Times Removed
6
3rd Great Grandson/
Granddaughter
2nd Great Grand
Nephew/Niece
1st Cousin
Three Times Removed
2nd Cousin
Twice Removed
3rd Cousin
Once Removed
4th Cousin
4th Cousin
Once Removed
4th Cousin
Twice Removed
4th Cousin
Three Times Removed
4th Cousin
Four Times Removed
7
4th Great Grandson/
Granddaughter
3rd Great Grand
Nephew/Niece
1st Cousin
Four Times Removed
2nd Cousin
Three Times Removed
3rd Cousin
Twice Removed
4th Cousin
Once Removed
5th Cousin
5th Cousin
Once Removed
5th Cousin
Twice Removed
5th Cousin
Three Times Removed
8
5th Great Grandson/
Granddaughter
4th Great Grand
Nephew/Niece
1st Cousin
Five Times Removed
2nd Cousin
Four Times Removed
3rd Cousin
Three Times Removed
4th Cousin
Twice Removed
5th Cousin
Once Removed
6th Cousin
6th Cousin
Once Removed
6th Cousin
Twice Removed
9
6th Great Grandson/
Granddaughter
5th Great Grand
Nephew/Niece
1st Cousin
Six Times Removed
2nd Cousin
Five Times Removed
3rd Cousin
Four Times Removed
4th Cousin
Three Times Removed
5th Cousin
Twice Removed
6th Cousin
Once Removed
7th Cousin
7th Cousin
Once Removed
10
7th Great Grandson/
Granddaughter
6th Great Grand
Nephew/Niece
1st Cousin
Seven Times Removed
2nd Cousin
Six Times Removed
3rd Cousin
Five Times Removed
4th Cousin
Four Times Removed
5th Cousin
Three Times Removed
6th Cousin
Twice Removed
7th Cousin
Once Removed
8th Cousin

My thanks to my good friend Jimmy Constandt, my cousins Barb (Cook) Case and Pam Cook, my 2nd cousin Kim Kauffman, and my sister-in-law Sally Nelson for their help in providing information and photos.