The Kingsley Archives

The Kingsley Archives

A Catalog of Treasures Stored in The Box of Saved Items

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  Site Owner is Barbara Ellen Forshay Franken
2024 Key Relative: Barbara Ellen Forshay Franken - Daughter of Barbara Kingsley Forshay    
Item: 87 Diaries - Test
Entered:
06/12/24
test 1 test 2 test 3 test 4
1945 Key Relative: Ruth Emily Aldrich Kingsley - Wife of Alvah Reed Kingsley    
Item: 86 Letter - Letter to Ruth from France 1945
Entered:
01/06/23
WWII Germany had just surrendered in May of the year this letter was written from a soldier in France on July 11, 1945 (I can not decipher the signature). I figured it was a family relationship as he mentioned 'Grandma'. Take a minute to read the 2nd to last paragraph. From that text I can identify the writer as the brother of Ruth's brother-in-law, William (Bill) Ryan who was married to Ruth's sister Mary. The reference to his brother Bill and Bill's wife Mary triggered a memory of a conversation I had with mom during one of our daily calls. Here is my page of notes for that day. It's the bottom half of the page. Her cousins had come to live with them because the father had taken off to join the war in Europe. Apparently Bill returned home crazy and tried to kill Clara Cox Aldrich, my Great-Grandmother. This is a screen print of the census record for William I found while trying to find the name of the brother that had written the letter. I haven't had any luck yet. At age 5 William was living with the family of his Aunt and Uncle; I don't know why. From the letter, I know he married someone named Elaine.
1928 Key Relative: Ruth Emily Aldrich Kingsley - Wife of Alvah Reed Kingsley    
Item: 85 Family Photo - Ruth's mother Clara Cox Aldrich and Aunt Deal Cox
Entered:
01/06/23
Clara Adele Cox was born in 1879 and would have been just 49 in this picture. I am not sure which one is Clara, but I think she is on the right. She married Fred Aldrich and research shows they had 10 children, however only 6 lived past the age of 1 year. I recognize the handwriting of my grandmother Ruth in the lower section in cursive. My mother and I spent weeks one time trying to decipher a note that Ruth had written years ago.
1904 Key Relative: Myrna Nellie Reed Kingsley - Mother of Charles Alva Kingsley    
Item: 84 Memento Souvenir - Odd picture of the Herald Bindery Girls
Entered:
01/06/23
Taken Wednesday Nov 23, 1904 this is a picture that I can not directly link to the family. I assume one of the girls is a relative, but there is no identification on the photo other than 'Herald Bindery Girls". The girls are very fashionable for the time with their pompadour hairstyles and high neck collared blouses. Here's a link to a very interesting read about women (and many very young girls) working in the bindery industry at the time. Conditions as you can imagine were poor. "Women in the Bookbinding Trade" by Mary Van Kleeck in 1913. bit.ly/3vGnqjk There are many charts and graphs in the book detailing the conditions, wages, education, workers ages, and statistics comparing women to men working at the time. Also many pictures of the actual working conditions. Similar hair and clothing to our picture.
1955 Key Relative: Barbara Ruth Kingsley Forshay - Daughter of Alvah and Ruth Kingsley    
Item: 83 School Photo - Senior picture signed by 'Barb'
Entered:
01/06/23
So incredibly beautiful, my mother. She wrote this! A screenprint of her 1955 Palmyra-Macedon Central High School yearbook page found on-line. Another page from her 1955 senior yearbook found on-line
1943 Key Relative: Myrna Nellie Reed Kingsley - Mother of Charles Alva Kingsley    
Item: 82 Family Photo - Myrna's sister Sarah Edna and husband Byron Duane Lapham
Entered:
01/06/23
Edna was born in 1873 and died in 1958 at the age of 85. I estimate her age at 70 in this picture which dates the photo as 1943. The note at the bottom, "Greetings from Aunt Edna and Uncle Byron" indicates it was probably given to her nephew Alvah and wife Ruth Kingsley. In the years just before Edna died, Myrna had moved in with her in Macedon. After Edna's death Myrna moved in with her daughter and Byron died 10 years later in 1968
1966 Key Relative: Barbara Ruth Kingsley Forshay - Daughter of Alvah and Ruth Kingsley    
Item: 81 Family Photo - Early picture of the Forshay kids when David Bryant still was with us
Entered:
01/06/23
I remember the photographer coming to our house each year for the family childrens' portrait session. I estimate this one as taken in 1966 due to Todd's apparent age. I believe David Bryant was our first foster child. He was with us until he was adopted on his 3rd birthday. Mom told me later that they had bought him a new tricycle for his birthday and the new family refused to take it with him. She was quite sad. For me at that age David was just a brother, who suddenly was gone.
1874 Key Relative: Addison M Kingsley - Father of Charles Alva Kingsley    
Item: 80 Diaries - Ella Kingsley, adopted daughter of Ambrose, father of Addison
Entered:
12/13/22
See item #75 for the Kingsley tree notes. Ella is the daughter of Amanda Kingsley who was a niece of Ambrose Kingsley and cousin to Addison. When Amanda died Ella and her brother (eventually) were adopted by their grand-uncle Ambrose and moved in with the family in Canadice. In 1874 Ella was age 22 and both of her parents were dead. She believed she was dying when she began her diary and wrote often about 'spells' she was having. She lived to be 87 and died in 1939. The diary was given to Ella by Ambrose Kingsley. During the year 1874 there was a lot of interaction between the Ambrose Kingsley family and the Addison Kingsley family. Addison and Adeline's son Charles Alva was born in April 1875, so Adeline would have been pregnant in August of the year of Ella's diary. And is probably the reason they did not move west. (The tale of Addison's dream to move west is mentioned in the diary) I mentioned Ella's diary on page 7 of my book, Kingsley, The Wedding of Charles and Myrna.
1954 Key Relative: Barbara Ruth Kingsley Forshay - Daughter of Alvah and Ruth Kingsley    
Item: 79 School Photo - Mom's Junior year school picture
Entered:
12/12/22
I have 3 of the larger 3 1/4 by 4 1/2 pictures and one of the smaller 2 inch.
1967 Key Relative: Alvah Reed Kingsley - Son of Myrna and Charles Kingsley    
Item: 78 Family Photo - Studio portraits of Alvah and Ruth 1967
Entered:
12/12/22
1971 Key Relative: Alvah Reed Kingsley - Son of Myrna and Charles Kingsley    
Item: 77 Family Photo - Studio portraits of Alvah and Ruth around 1971
Entered:
12/12/22
Mom told me that once Grandma started wearing wigs she rarely left the house without one.
2022 Key Relative: Barbara Ellen Forshay Franken - Daughter of Barbara Kingsley Forshay    
Item: 76 Research Notes - Family tree - 'My 6 Kids' of Barbara Kingsley Forshay
Entered:
12/12/22
The title comes from mom's password that she often used; my6kids'. This one begins from the right with me and my siblings tracing back to Myrna and Charles's generation.
2022 Key Relative: Barbara Ellen Forshay Franken - Daughter of Barbara Kingsley Forshay    
Item: 75 Research Notes - Family tree - Barbara Ellen's Kingsley ancestral line
Entered:
12/12/22
Tracing my Kingsley ancestors back to Massachusetts 1671.
2022 Key Relative: Barbara Ellen Forshay Franken - Daughter of Barbara Kingsley Forshay    
Item: 74 Research Notes - Family tree - Myrna's Reed ancestral line
Entered:
12/12/22
Tracing through Myrna's father John Seeley Reed.
2022 Key Relative: Barbara Ellen Forshay Franken - Daughter of Barbara Kingsley Forshay    
Item: 73 Research Notes - Family tree - Myrna's Harkness ancestral line
Entered:
12/12/22
Traces through Myrna's mother's mother Sarah Harkness Shotwell back to Ireland. A picture I found on the internet (ancestry.com) of Sarah and her siblings with spouses. Sarah and Edwin on the left.
2022 Key Relative: Barbara Ellen Forshay Franken - Daughter of Barbara Kingsley Forshay    
Item: 72 Research Notes - Family tree - Myrna's Shotwell ancestral line
Entered:
12/12/22
Traces through Myrna's mother's father, Edwin Benjamin Shotwell all the way back to England
2022 Key Relative: Barbara Ellen Forshay Franken - Daughter of Barbara Kingsley Forshay    
Item: 71 Research Notes - Family tree - Myrna's siblings
Entered:
12/12/22
A good list of Myrna Reed Kingsley's siblings. Not very complete after that list, it only details her brother William.
1916 Key Relative: Myrna Nellie Reed Kingsley - Mother of Charles Alva Kingsley    
Item: 70 Family Photo - Home photo of the Kingsleys at the Perinton farm
Entered:
12/12/22
I'm dating this as 1916 given that Alvah looks to be around 1 year old. Charles probably owned a Kodak Brownie box camera which was popular and affordable by 1900 and one that introduced the concept of the snapshot. Written on the back by someone much much later: Charles Kingsley, Myrna Reed Kingsley, Blanche K. Monroe, Dorothy K. VanderMolen, Alvaj R. Kingsley
1914 Key Relative: John Seeley Reed - Father of Myrna Reed Kingsley    
Item: 69 Obituary - Very old newspaper clipping of John Seeley Reed obituary
Entered:
12/12/22
He died at age 72, and per the obit was one of the oldest and most respective (respected) residents.
1963 Key Relative: Myrna Nellie Reed Kingsley - Mother of Charles Alva Kingsley    
Item: 68 Obituary - Newspaper clipping of Myrna R. Kingsley obituary
Entered:
12/12/22
Original clipping of Myrna's obituary from an unknown newspaper. She was living with her daughter Dorothy when she died at age 86.
1920 Key Relative: Charles Alva Kingsley - Husband of Myrna Reed Kingsley    
Item: 67 Obituary - Newspaper clipping of Charles A. Kingsley obituary
Entered:
12/12/22
Original clipping of Charles's obituary from an unknown newspaper. His wife Myrna's name is misspelled as Myronia. Although not publicized, Charles committed suicide by shooting himself and Myrna found him the next morning. The story I was told was that he was going blind and did not want to be a burden.
1974 Key Relative: Ruth Emily Aldrich Kingsley - Wife of Alvah Reed Kingsley    
Item: 66 Obituary - Newspaper clipping of Ruth A. Kingsley obituary
Entered:
12/12/22
Small clipping of Ruth Kingsley's obituary from unknown newspaper. I was 13 years old and have clear memories of attending her funeral which was held just down the street from our house on 5 Center Street.
1925 Key Relative: Myrna Nellie Reed Kingsley - Mother of Charles Alva Kingsley    
Item: 65 Memento Souvenir - Postcard of the Macedon Service Gas Station
Entered:
12/10/22
Located at the corner of N. Erie Street and Main, years later this building was the Town Tavern then Knight's Inn and later a flower shop. The roof seen over the back left of the building is 6 Erie Street, The house Myrna bought after Charles' death and later transferred to her son Alvah. The picture is from the 1920's. I can't verify that the postcard was made at the same time. This recent Ebay listing states that the owner of the a similar photo had the cards made in the 2000's. The card I have looks old and could be an original from the 1920's as was popular at the time. The photos are slightly different.
1975 Key Relative: Alvah Reed Kingsley - Son of Myrna and Charles Kingsley    
Item: 64 Wedding Documents - Pictures from the wedding of Alvah and Celina in 1975
Entered:
12/10/22
Alvah's first wife Ruth died on November 2, 1974. He remarried Celina Priest on May 10, 1975. The bottom pictures show Celina, 'Alvy', 2 of Celina's relations and my dad James Forshay. They were marries at the Catholic Church in Macedon ant the reception was held at the Macedon Center Fire Hall. Top: Mom (Barbara Forshay), her brother's wife Ann (Aunty) and their yougest daughter Janey-Sue. Bottom: Charles and Ann Kingsley, Jim and Barbara Forshay, and it looks like Debbie and Janet Forshay in the lower right of the frame. Top: Looks like Celina's daughter with husband Richard Priest, the actual Priest that married them in the back, Barbara And Jim Forshay, Ann and Charles Kingsley, and Celina and Alvah.
1883 Key Relative: Mary Elizabeth Shotwell Reed - Mother of Myrna Reed Kingsley    
Item: 63 Letter - To Mary Reed from her Mother Sarah in Bunker Hill, Michigan
Entered:
12/09/22
Sarah Ann Harkness Shotwell is Mary Elizabeth Shotwell Reed's mother, and Myrna Reed Kingsley's grandmother. She and husband Edwin Benjamin were living in Bunker Hill, Michigan in 1883. In this letter Sarah talks about her mother Beulah's death. See item #62 for a letter from Beulah to Mary 11 years earlier. Page 1 on the right and page 4 on the left, with some additional writing upside down on the top of page 1. Mary details the illness and recent death of Beulah. She mentions her sisters Ruth and Mary and her son Elmer. Also she and husband Edwin have just purchased a new covered buggy for $115. My notes from my initial reading of the letter.
1872 Key Relative: Mary Elizabeth Shotwell Reed - Mother of Myrna Reed Kingsley    
Item: 62 Letter - Letter to Mary Reed from her Grandmother Beulah Estes Harkness
Entered:
12/06/22
Mailed to Mary E. Reed, Farmington, NY. with a 3 cent stamp. A fairly rambling note about her travel to visit her son Danial Robert in Genesee County. She references several family members; Mary's mother Sarah Harkness Shotwell, Beulah's sister Amy, 'D.R.' Beulah's son, Mary's brother Elmer, and Moses Bonnel - not sure his connection. Elba is a town just north of Batavia and Alexander is a town just south of Batavia. Trace the family from Myrna to Beulah via her mother Mary Elizabeth Shotwell -> Mary's mother Sarah Ann Harkness Shotwell -> Sarah's mother Beulah Estes. See item #27 for the original Quaker wedding certificate of Beulah's parents Joseph and Ruth.
1915 Key Relative: Myrna Nellie Reed Kingsley - Mother of Charles Alva Kingsley    
Item: 61 Family Photo - Labeled 'Rebecka Jenkins Slave' - she was in truth a house servant
Entered:
12/06/22
Researching census records I can determine that Rebecka was born in 1855, 10 years before slavery was abolished. In 1905 she lived/worked in the household of Fred Harlof and by 1910 moved to the house of Philander Packard in Macedon. There is a thin line of family connection between Harlof and Packard and subsequently Myrna through which the photos may have been passed down. There are two copies of the original photo and someone has written Rebecka Jenkins Slave on the back. Some of my notes (good luck) show that by 1925 Rebecka, now age 70, lived in Macedon with Johanna Jennings. Johanna is the Aunt of Philander Packard and was just 4 years older than Rebecka. And, per the 1930 census she lived next door at 3 Bickford Street with William and Abigail Youngman. She possibly moved there when Johanna died. 1910 census - Macedon. Rebecka (Rebecca) living at Philander Packard's household as 'Servant'.
1945 Key Relative: Barbara Ruth Kingsley Forshay - Daughter of Alvah and Ruth Kingsley    
Item: 60 Letter - Young Barbara Kingsley's letter to her mother Ruth
Entered:
12/05/22
The letter was mailed July 3, 1945 from Victor NY to her mother in Macedon, NY. Perhaps she was sent to a relative's house to avoid the 'posin-ivy' of which her brother, Charles, is suffering. Note the 3 cent stamp with the message 'Win the War'. WW2 had ended in Europe just 2 months before this letter was written. Also notice that on the front address that Barbara (mom) initially addressed the letter to Mrs. alvah Kingsley, but later changed it to 'alvy'. The note, written when she was 7 and 1/2 makes me smile when she expresses her wish that her mother bring her her bank. Also good to note that at this age, she was writing in cursive. Luckily Ruth choose to save this letter and we have it 77 years later.
1895 Key Relative: Charles Alva Kingsley - Husband of Myrna Reed Kingsley    
Item: 59 Portrait Photo - Brother of Charles - Newton Ashley Kingsley portrait card photo
Entered:
12/05/22
Newton was born in born in 1861, 14 years before Charles. This picture was taken at Saunders Studio at 16 State St., Rochester N.Y. Newton would be around age 34 in this photo. According to https://mcnygenealogy.com/photographers-rochester.htm, Saunders Studio was only in business at that address from 1895-1899.
1886 Key Relative: Charles Alva Kingsley - Husband of Myrna Reed Kingsley    
Item: 58 Portrait Photo - Sister of Charles, Nettie Kingsley portrait card photo
Entered:
12/05/22
Nettie and her twin Nellie were born in 1865, 10 years before Charles. This picture was taken at Pomeroy (photographers) at 30 East Main St., Rochester N.Y. Nettie would be age 21 in this photo. According to https://mcnygenealogy.com/photographers-rochester.htm, Pomeroy was only in business at that address from 1884-1886 and was then taken over by McMahon and Nelson.
1984 Key Relative: Barbara Ruth Kingsley Forshay - Daughter of Alvah and Ruth Kingsley    
Item: 57 Book - Kingsley family cookbook - collection of recipes and cooking tips
Entered:
12/02/22
The Heritage Cooking 1984 book includes recipes from many Kingsley family members. Interesting tale of Kingsley history... I couldn't verify it but the coat of arms is close. Here is a bit more info: --- https://www.houseofnames.com/kingsley-family-crest The book was put together by relatives of mom's generation. They shared an ancestor, Addison Kingsley. Brothers Robert and Richard's Great Grandfather and mom's Grandfather were brothers - sons of Addison and Adeline Kingsley. Anne B. Kingsley is the wife of Robert D. Mom's recipe, vegetables and cheese. I Love it!
1916 Key Relative: Charles Alva Kingsley - Husband of Myrna Reed Kingsley    
Item: 56 Financial Documents - Lease from Pliny Sexton for farm in Perinton - and renewal
Entered:
12/02/22
The original document pertaining to the lease of the farm in Perinton Nearly illegibly written by Pliny T. Sexton, owner of the land, it details what areas Charles may not use and the payment amount of $200 for the year. On the back is a renewal of the lease dated 1917. The location is just south of the farm owned by Myrna's father, J.S. Reed which is near present day Lollypop Farm.
1894 Key Relative: Mary Elizabeth Shotwell Reed - Mother of Myrna Reed Kingsley    
Item: 55 Family Photo - Distant cousins of Mary's husband Edwin Benjamin Shotwell
Entered:
12/01/22
The picture card is of the family of Nathan Shotwell, his wife, a few of their children and grandchildren and his wife's mother. Nathan and Edwin share a Great Grandfather, Benjamin Shotwell Sr. -- Compare Nathan (#9 far right) to his cousin Edwin in item #49 and you can definitely see a family resemblance. The back of the photo card lists the names of those in the photo as: Diana Gardner (mother of Nathan's wife), Nathan, Phoebe (Nathan's wife), Lilla (their daughter), Ambrose (their son), Ida (their daughter), Manly (their son), Owen (their grandson by their son Cassius), and Jehiel (their grandson by daughter Ida) A bit of the family tree....
1888 Key Relative: William Elmer Reed - Brother to Myrna Reed Kingsley    
Item: 54 School Documents - The 1st edition of the South Perinton School Journal - and General News
Entered:
12/01/22
Willian endeavored to create a newspaper that would be purchase by interested pupils of the school and all who read it. He is charging a reasonable subscription price but could also be paid in cabbage heads if one doesn't have cash at hand. The paper is filled with bits of information - this edition explains Thanksgiving, local news - sick teachers and escaped cows. Not to waste any space, once he filled the paper he turned it upside down and continued writing in the top (eh, bottom) margin. Random stories and advice..... Stories about church socials, deaths by drowning in the Bushnell Basin canal, and a fire that destroyed half of Wayneport.
1886 Key Relative: William Elmer Reed - Brother to Myrna Reed Kingsley    
Item: 53 School Documents - William's poem written while attending White Brook Academy, Perinton
Entered:
12/01/22
'Leadville Jim', a poem about how a poor man's treatment by church and towns people changes abruptly when he suddenly becomes rich. It's a good read. William attended the South Perinton District School and the Macedon Academy from 1886-1887. Myrna saved one of William’s poetry assignments written in January of 1886 when he was 16 in which he tells the rhyming tale of “Leadville Jim” and on which he has written “White Brook Academy, last piece spoken”. This last page is interesting with several names and addresses written, almost like someone was practicing their handwriting, not sure.
1906 Key Relative: William Elmer Reed - Brother to Myrna Reed Kingsley    
Item: 52 Family Photo - William Reed in his conductor uniform around 1906
Entered:
12/01/22
William Elmer Reed (1869-1941) is the son of John Seeley Reed and Mary Elizabeth Shotwell Reed. His is one of the older brothers of Myrna Reed Kingsley. He was a conductor for the Rochester Railway Company until he left in 1907. The back of the photo card. In the top left someone had written 'William Reed' on the card, and later a post-it was added. William and his wife Etta attended the wedding of Myrna and Charles Kingsley and I wrote about him in my book, 'Kingsley, The Wedding of Charles and Myrna. I enhanced the original photo for the book.
1911 Key Relative: John Seeley Reed - Father of Myrna Reed Kingsley    
Item: 51 Family Photo - Group picture of John Seeley Reed and family
Entered:
12/01/22
The picture shows John and his wife Mary standing with their son, William between them. Their daughters Edna and Ruth are seated with Ruth's daughter Jessey (Jessie) between them. Date is written on the picture card, someone added the post-it before I got it. My notes.....
1870 Key Relative: John Seeley Reed - Father of Myrna Reed Kingsley    
Item: 50 Portrait Photo - Myrna's grandfather, John Reed, father of John Seeley Reed
Entered:
11/30/22
A cabinet card portrait of Myrna's Grandfather John Reed. Estimated age 60. Written on the back by what appears to be multiple people: John Seely Reed's father Myrna Reeds Grandfather Born 1809 Died March 31st 1888 Alvah Reed Kingsley's Great Grandfather. My notes about the connection.
1880 Key Relative: Mary Elizabeth Shotwell Reed - Mother of Myrna Reed Kingsley    
Item: 49 Family Photo - Myrna’s Grandparents, parents of her mother, Mary E Shotwell Reed.
Entered:
11/29/22
Sarah and Edwin Shotwell, this picture was one of the photos saved by Myrna. It had been mis-labelled as being Alvah’s grandparents, but after comparison to other known photos of the Shotwells, I found that it is in fact a picture of his great-grandparents, Sarah and Edwin Shotwell, the parents of Myrna’s mother, Mary Eliza Shotwell. There is no date on the picture so I'm estimating them at age 55-60. I'm not sure who labeled this as Alvah's grandparents Addison and Adeline, but I'm pretty sure it's Sarah and Edwin. A page from my book 'Kingsley' where I discuss this photo. I also think my brother Mark Forshay bears a strong resemblance to Edwin. It would be Mark's Great-Great-Great Grandfather. My notes.....
1956 Key Relative: Myrna Nellie Reed Kingsley - Mother of Charles Alva Kingsley    
Item: 48 Letter - Poem / Hymn sent to Myrna from Harvey McCloud
Entered:
11/29/22
The envelope shows that the sender Harvey McCleod lived on Wayneport Road and that Myrna was now living with her daughter Dorothy Vander Molen. Also notice that 'BARBARA' is written later on the envelope. In reading the letter we learn that Harvey expressly hopes that Myrna's granddaughter will sing the song for her. And then wants Myrna to give her the song. Since 'BARBARA' is written on the envelope, one might assume that she is the granddaughter being referenced. The poem/hymn. I don't know if it had a special meaning to Myrna or what her connection to Harvey McCleod was. The poem might be in reference to Myrna's struggles after the death of Charles 36 years earlier. It was indeed copyrighted but was never published. It is listed in the Library of Congress Unpublished Music for 1955 January - June. (page 748)
2000 Key Relative: First Baptist Church Macedon - Church of Myrna and more    
Item: 47 Book - History of the first 200 years of the First Baptist Church of Macedon
Entered:
11/29/22
A great historical account. "...on July 3, 1900 the forebears of the Macedon Baptist Church met to form a Baptist church in the home of Lemuel Spear situated on Quaker Road just west of Yellow Mills Road..... Wayne County, with the Town of Macedon in it, would not be formed from Ontario County until 1823. ... What was to become the site of present Route 31 was still a swamp." In 1926 Alva (Alvah) Kingsley was a member of the 'Cheereful Wigglers Class' in Bible School. In 1989 Terry (Teri) Duval was a member of the 9 and 10 year olds Sunday School Class with Aunt Janet as her teacher. At the 2000 Anniversary Celebration Barbara Forshay dressed up with daughter Janet and granddaughter Kathy Bilinski.
1827 Key Relative: Mary Elizabeth Shotwell Reed - Mother of Myrna Reed Kingsley    
Item: 46 Diaries - Handwritten recipes from 1827 by Ruth Dillingham Estes - Mary's Great-Grandmother
Entered:
11/28/22
Mary saved several items of her Great Grandmother's. I also have the original 1797 Quaker wedding certificate of Ruth and Joseph Estes (item #27). I think these recipes are very different from today's. Crackers: Ten pounds of flour, one teacup full of butter, one pound of yeast...... Haha, 'Diet Bread'
1942 Key Relative: Alvah Reed Kingsley - Son of Myrna and Charles Kingsley    
Item: 45 Financial Documents - Documents relating to a house Alvah bought from Joseph Herendeen
Entered:
11/28/22
Original bill for services by Attorneys Knapp and Henry for services related to the mortgage taken by Alvah for a house at R.F.D. Macedon. That is a US Postal Rural Free Delivery address for rural houses. A receipt for mortgage payment made July 25, 1944. It's interesting because the deed for the house at 6 Erie Street is dated July 8th 1944 so there is a bit of overlap. A receipt for mortgage payment made Feb 3/04 (?) Interesting that the 1940 census shows Alvah, Ruth, Charles and Barbara (mom) all living with Myrna in the house at 6 Erie Street Macedon.
1944 Key Relative: Myrna Nellie Reed Kingsley - Mother of Charles Alva Kingsley    
Item: 44 Financial Documents - Documents regarding the transfer of 6 Erie Street from Myrna to Alvah and Ruth
Entered:
11/28/22
Original bill from Attorney Leon A. Plumb for services in the transfer of 6 Erie Street, Macedon from Myrna to her son Alvah and wife Ruth. Myrna's handwritten note of payment - she and Blanche had gone to the Plumb's to pay with a ten and 2 ones. They were given some sweet corn by the Plumbs. Original bill from Attorney Leon A. Plumb to Alvah and Ruth for services in the house transfer. Noted as paid by L.P. (Leon Plumb) The transfer was completed August 4, 1944. This document transfers the insurance policy to Alvah and Ruth, however the policy is payable to Myrna N. Kingsley, Mortgagee.
1944 Key Relative: Alvah Reed Kingsley - Son of Myrna and Charles Kingsley    
Item: 43 Financial Documents - Deed to the purchase by Charles and Ruth of 6 Erie Street Macedon
Entered:
11/25/22
1930 Key Relative: Myrna Nellie Reed Kingsley - Mother of Charles Alva Kingsley    
Item: 42 Research Notes - Screenprint of the 1930 census showing Myrna and her children at Erie Street Macedon
Entered:
11/25/22
1921 Key Relative: Myrna Nellie Reed Kingsley - Mother of Charles Alva Kingsley    
Item: 41 Financial Documents - Deed to Myrna's purchase of 6 Erie Street Macedon - just after Charles's suicide
Entered:
11/25/22
Just over a month after Charles's death Myrna left the home in Perinton and moved with her three children to her newly purchased house at 6 Erie Street in Macedon. Alvah would grow up here, and later would move his family back to this address.
1944 Key Relative: Alvah Reed Kingsley - Son of Myrna and Charles Kingsley    
Item: 40 Financial Documents - Tenant rent and contract end at 6 Erie Street Macedon
Entered:
11/23/22
This July 28, 1944 letter was sent by Mrs. R. McCall. Mr. and Mrs. Robert McCall were tenants at 6 Erie Street in Macedon. This was Alvah's mother Myrna's house until she transferred it to Alvah and Ruth on July 8th 1944. The letter references the O.P.A. rent control in effect at that time. 2 days after taking ownership of the house Alvah and Ruth obtained a certificate that allowed them to evict the McCalls. The eviction notice was served 2 days after the letter of rent payment was written. This notice of termination of term is an interesting read. The tenants were on a month-to-month oral lease for an indefinite term. And, Alvah and Ruth need to go to the Area Rent Director of the Emergency Price Control Act of 1942 to get the certificate needed to end the lease. Some information I found regarding O.P.A.; the Office of Price Administration and Civilian Supply from 1940.
1903 Key Relative: Myrna Nellie Reed Kingsley - Mother of Charles Alva Kingsley    
Item: 39 Portrait Photo - An undated phot of 4 ladies. Myrna in the front center.
Entered:
11/19/22
I date this as approximately 1903 because the name on the back is Myrna Reed - before her marriage to Charles Kingsley in 1904. Three names are written on the back; May Dailey, Mildred Hunl, and Myrna Reed. I do ot know the connection at this point.
1935 Key Relative: Ruth Emily Aldrich Kingsley - Wife of Alvah Reed Kingsley    
Item: 38 Memento Souvenir - Off color joke written by Ruth Aldrich - sometime before she married Alvah
Entered:
11/16/22
Since it was signed 'Ruth Aldrich' it surely was written before her marriage in 1936, so she was a teenager when she wrote it. The subject should write down the answers to page 1 questions and then give those same answers to the questions on page 2. These are the page 2 questions. Maybe it's just me but there seems to be a bit of bawdiness to the whole thing.
1918 Key Relative: Myrna Nellie Reed Kingsley - Mother of Charles Alva Kingsley    
Item: 37 Family Photo - Copies of the 1918 family photo and one of just the kids (also see item #35)
Entered:
11/15/22
This is a framed 1940 copy of the original 1918 family picture with Myrna, Charles, Blanche, Dorothy and Alvah Behind the family picture was this picture. It says "Randall Studio Canandaigua" probably just an advertising flyer for the store that sold the frame or made the copy. A 1918 original of the children as a postcard The back
1907 Key Relative: Myrna Nellie Reed Kingsley - Mother of Charles Alva Kingsley    
Item: 36 Family Photo - Studio portrait of Myrna and Charles - originally thought to be a 1904 wedding photo
Entered:
11/15/22
This photo of Myrna and Charles was taken at Wright studio located at 102 State St. Rochester NY. Based on photography style at the young features of them both I had dated this photo as 1904 possibly taken for their wedding. Further research shows that Wright Photography was not at 102 State Street until 1907, dating this photo at the earliest to be 1907, three years after the wedding. Found in "Photographers of Rochester 1861 - 1946" https://mcnygenealogy.com/photographers-rochester.htm
1918 Key Relative: Myrna Nellie Reed Kingsley - Mother of Charles Alva Kingsley    
Item: 35 Family Photo - Kingsley family phot when Alvah was 3 years old (also see item #37)
Entered:
11/15/22
In my book about Myrna's wedding I had dated this photo as 1919, however I later found the 1919 family photo and put this one at 1918. I would assume that this copy belonged to Alvah based upon the description written on the back. He was 3 at the time so he either wrote this much later, or someone wrote it for him. Interesting details of Mother and Dad. There is also a more recent copy of this photo dated 1940.
1919 Key Relative: Alvah Reed Kingsley - Son of Myrna and Charles Kingsley    
Item: 34 Family Photo - A studio photo of Alvah and his older sister Dorothy.
Entered:
11/14/22
Writing on the inside of the folio dates this at 1919 when Alvah was 4 years old. I do not know where the rest of the family pictures are for this series.
1845 Key Relative: Charles Alva Kingsley - Husband of Myrna Reed Kingsley    
Item: 33 Portrait Photo - Small daguerreotype photo in a case - possibly Perez Kingsley
Entered:
11/10/22
This daguerreotype found with the Myrna Kingsley items is dated sometime between 1840 and 1850 and is quite possibly a picture of Charles Kingsley's great-grandfather, Perez Kingsley at approximately age 75. Perez Kingsley was born in Rehoboth, Massachusetts in 1768 and sometime after the American Revolutionary War his family moved to New York.
1913 Key Relative: Mary Elizabeth Shotwell Reed - Mother of Myrna Reed Kingsley    
Item: 32 Family Photo - 5 generation Harkness, Shotwell, Reed and Rothfuss
Entered:
11/09/22
Listed are: D.R. Harkness, the brother of Mary's mother, Sarah Harkness Shotwell; J.S. Reed (John Seeley) and Mary (Elizabeth) Reed; William Reed, son of J.S and brother of Myrna Reed Kingsley; Beulah Rothfuss, sister of Myrna and her son, William Rothfuss
1916 Key Relative: Mary Elizabeth Shotwell Reed - Mother of Myrna Reed Kingsley    
Item: 31 Letter - A hand-written copy of a poem written by J.M.B. of Bristol NY
Entered:
11/09/22
Mary E. Reed, the mother of Myrna Reed Kingsley, carefully copied this poem in 1916 when she was 68years old.
1898 Key Relative: Myrna Nellie Reed Kingsley - Mother of Charles Alva Kingsley    
Item: 30 Letter - Letter to Myrna from her brother David S. Reed when he lived in Canandaigua
Entered:
11/09/22
The letter was written when David was 18 years old. He died in a train track accident at age 26, just 4weeks after Myrna married Charles. At the time of this letter he was living in Canandaigua and Myrna was living with her parents on the family farm in Perinton. Ruth is their younger sister age 14 at the time of the letter.
1846 Key Relative: Mary Elizabeth Shotwell Reed - Mother of Myrna Reed Kingsley    
Item: 29 Wedding Documents - Original Certificate of Marriage for E.B Shotwell and Sarah Harkness - Mary's parents
Entered:
11/08/22
Carefully folded inside of another paper. Married by a county judge on September 20, 1846.
1873 Key Relative: Mary Elizabeth Shotwell Reed - Mother of Myrna Reed Kingsley    
Item: 28 Letter - To Mary Elizabeth from grandmother Beulah Estes Harkness - with obituary
Entered:
11/08/22
The envelope addressed to Mary E. Reed in Farmington NY from Alexander NY Sep 17.Included (saved with) the letter was the obituary of the sender, Beulah Estes Harkness age 80. Beulah was Mary's maternal grandmother. In keeping with Quaker style, Beulah references the month as a number (09) not by the name September. See item #62 for a more detailed tree.
1797 Key Relative: Mary Elizabeth Shotwell Reed - Mother of Myrna Reed Kingsley    
Item: 27 Wedding Documents - Original and fragile Certificate of Quaker Wedding of Joseph and Ruth Estes
Entered:
11/08/22
Quakers were also called the Society of Friends and kept detailed records. This document has been noted as being recorded in the Friends Book of Record page 600. Joseph Estes from Pymouth Massachusetts and Ruth Dellingham from Saratoga New York marry 'on the eighth day of the second month of the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety seven. "The event is described in detail within the certificate. This is the wedding of the great-grandparents of Mary Elizabeth Shotwell Reed. Through Joseph Estes, we can trace our ancestors to the Mayflower passenger Richard Warren. And Mary Elizabeth Shotwell Reed is the mother of Myrna Nellie Reed Kingsley, the great-grandmother of Barbara Ruth Kingsley Forshay.
1942 Key Relative: Myrna Nellie Reed Kingsley - Mother of Charles Alva Kingsley    
Item: 26 Portrait Photo - 2 copies of portrait from Rogers and a photograph for date reference
Entered:
11/07/22
First of 2 of the same portrait. There are no dates written but I found a photograph dated 1942 in which Myrna looks to be about the same age. On closer inspection I found that she is in fact wearing the same glasses. So I'm dating them the same. Second of same portrait. This one is still in the cardboard envelope. Myrna at someone's house holding someone's children (will update if I identify). It's dated 1942 on the back and I'm using it to estimate the date of the above portrait based on Myrna's appearance and glasses.
1938 Key Relative: Barbara Ruth Kingsley Forshay - Daughter of Alvah and Ruth Kingsley    
Item: 25 Family Photo - Barbara and Charles framed picture when they were toddlers
Entered:
11/07/22
Mom and her brother Charles were both born in 1937, Charles on January 26th and mom on December 23rd.
1931 Key Relative: Ruth Emily Aldrich Kingsley - Wife of Alvah Reed Kingsley    
Item: 24 Church Documents - Ruth's Holy Bible with early notes and clippings
Entered:
11/07/22
Birth announcement of Charles in January 1937 -Barbara (mom), Ruth's second child was born in December of the same year. Random notes in the back of the bible date back to when Ruth was a teenager.
1929 Key Relative: Alvah Reed Kingsley - Son of Myrna and Charles Kingsley    
Item: 23 Church Documents - Small New Testament book given to Alvah at age 14
Entered:
11/07/22
The book was given to Alvah on December 25, 1929 from Asher Lawerence (probably spelled Lawrence). This is probably the same Asher Lawrence that was born in 1902 and graduated from the Macedon High School in 1920. In 1937 Asher was a Deacon at the Macedon Baptist Church.
1938 Key Relative: Ruth Emily Aldrich Kingsley - Wife of Alvah Reed Kingsley    
Item: 22 Newspaper Articles - 1938 Sept 18 Democrat and Chronicle - articles on Victor NY
Entered:
11/07/22
1925 Key Relative: Ruth Emily Aldrich Kingsley - Wife of Alvah Reed Kingsley    
Item: 21 School Photo - Ruth Aldrich 1925 3rd grade class photos with student names on the back
Entered:
11/06/22
Written along the top of the photo is: 1925 3rd Grade East Bloomfield Teacher Mis D..(unable to read the name). Ruth is in the second row, third from the left. The names of all the students are written on the back. An individual 1" x 2" picture of Ruth. "Holcomb" is written on the back.
1936 Key Relative: Ruth Emily Aldrich Kingsley - Wife of Alvah Reed Kingsley    
Item: 20 Wedding Documents - March 14, 1936 - Framed wedding day photo of Alvah and Ruth
Entered:
11/06/22
1936 Key Relative: Ruth Emily Aldrich Kingsley - Wife of Alvah Reed Kingsley    
Item: 19 School Documents - Ruth Aldrich High School Diplomas and class ring
Entered:
11/06/22
June 23, 1936 High School original diploma High School Diploma in Vocational Homemaking -January 1936, Diploma #7301 Ruth's class ring with initial REA inside
1893 Key Relative: Charles Alva Kingsley - Husband of Myrna Reed Kingsley    
Item: 18 Book - Home Remedies for Man & Beast - Sixth Edition - Charles' well-worn household guide
Entered:
11/06/22
Signed - "Mr. Charlie Kingsley, Canadice" Missing pages 235 - 250
2021 Key Relative: Barbara Ellen Forshay Franken - Daughter of Barbara Kingsley Forshay    
Item: 17 Book - The Kingsley Book referencing Myrna and Charles' wedding for stories of our ancestors
Entered:
10/24/22
1904 Key Relative: Myrna Nellie Reed Kingsley - Mother of Charles Alva Kingsley    
Item: 16 Wedding Documents - Myrna's 'Bridal Greetings' wedding book
Entered:
10/23/22
1895 Key Relative: Myrna Nellie Reed Kingsley - Mother of Charles Alva Kingsley    
Item: 15 Church Documents - Myrna's Probationer's Companion with a poem inside
Entered:
10/05/22
This 1893 version of the Methodist's Probationer's Company, which is a handbook of study required for membership, is written by Rev. J.O. Peck, DD. (Reverend Jonas Oramel Peck, Doctor of Divinity) It includes studies in Pilgrim's Progress, Just inside the front cover is Myrna's Certificate of Probation for membership at the Perinton Methodist Church, dated Jan 1 1895. I can not male out the pastor's signature. Like Charles, her Certificate of Membership found on the next page was not completed. This love poem is dated March 23, 1902 possibly refers to her missing Charles as they lived nearly 30 miles apart (Perinton to Canadice) which would have been quite a distance in 1902.
1895 Key Relative: Myrna Nellie Reed Kingsley - Mother of Charles Alva Kingsley    
Item: 14 Church Documents - Testament and Psalms book - given to Myrna by her father
Entered:
10/03/22
Small leather (?) bound 1895 1st edition copy of the New Testament. It measures 5" x 3.5" and looks to be well used. Myrna had written in cursive on the first page: "Myrna Reed from Papa". Just below that is very faded writing that looks to say the same thing, perhaps she erase her first attempt and wrote it again. Myrna had one page marked by folding over a corner. It is of The Sermon on The Mount. Not sure of the significance.
1918 Key Relative: First Baptist Church Macedon - Church of Myrna and more    
Item: 13 Church Documents - Hymns & Sacred Songs book - with some interesting notes inside
Entered:
10/03/22
Hymns and Sacred Songs, English. Chicago, Illinois, USA. Edwin O. Excell; Hope Publishing Company. 1918. --- From Hope Publishing's website: "Hope Publishing Company, a family-owned Christian music publisher, was born in a one-room office at 56 Fifth Avenue, Chicago in 1892. More than a century later, Hope continues to edify the church by providing new music resources to aid the church in the worship of Almighty God and His Son, Jesus Christ." How many of us remember writing notes during the service with the little pencil and cards on the back of the church pews? Robert Catlin took a different approach with his cheeky notes to Isabel written in the hymnal. Do you think Isabel told Robert to look on page 115? More 'notes' in the back....
1919 Key Relative: Charles Alva Kingsley - Husband of Myrna Reed Kingsley    
Item: 12 Diaries - Charles's 1919 One-year diary - the year before he took his life
Entered:
10/03/22
Charles mentions in this diary that Myrna had given it to him and he has committed to filling it out daily for one year. I read every entry searching for clues that would help me understand his suicide the following year and there were none. I only surmise that Myrna knew something was amiss and hoped a diary would help. (?) It took a bit to understand that 'taking someone to the car' meant taking them to the train station for a trip. I saw the phrase often in this diary and that of others. On his last entry he exclaims that it had been 'some task' to write every day. His cash account ledgers give a great indication of how he earned and spent the money from the farm.
1906 Key Relative: Charles Alva Kingsley - Husband of Myrna Reed Kingsley    
Item: 11 Family Photo - Group picture of the adult Kingsley siblings with their mother Adeline
Entered:
10/03/22
This is a picture of Charles with his siblings and his mother. It looks to be taken at the their Canadice home and possibly taken around 1906 when she sold the farm and moved in with Walter and Alice back: Walter, Nellie, Newton, Nettie, Charles, Fred front: Jennie, Adeline Someone had written "Blanche" on the back. It is very faded now.
1905 Key Relative: Charles Alva Kingsley - Husband of Myrna Reed Kingsley    
Item: 10 Church Documents - Hard cover Probationer's Manual by E.C. Bass - with a rose and tracts
Entered:
10/01/22
Soon after Myrna and Charles were married he left the Springwater Christian Church and joined Myrna as a probationary member of the South Perinton Methodist Episcopal Church. March 5, 1905 Charles's 'Certificate of Probation'. Myrna saved his ‘Probationer’s Manual’ and like Myrna’s Probationer’s Manual, Charles’s final Certificate of Membership was never completed. Inside I found a small dried rose which I hope was from their wedding. Also inside were found a poem by Reverend W.H. Bakewell and a leaflet from the Tract Association of Friends. Written on the top is the name Henry Hoag.
1884 Key Relative: Charles Alva Kingsley - Husband of Myrna Reed Kingsley    
Item: 9 School Documents - Geography Textbook used by Charles in grade school - printed in 1859
Entered:
10/01/22
This is the 1859 edition of the First Lessons in Geography for Young Children by S. Augustus Mitchell. Charles attended school in Canadice and I estimate that this was used in his Third Grade at around age 9, in 1884. Charles signed his name "Charlie Kingsley" on the inside front cover (a couple of times), and also on the inside back cover. There are random scribbles on several pages and another signature "Hermie E. Stowble" on page 67. New York was a Middle State, the Mississipi Valey was the West, and further west were Territories. North America was populated by Whites from Europe, Negroes from Africa, and Indians that were 'found here by the whites when the country was discovered'.
1881 Key Relative: Charles Alva Kingsley - Husband of Myrna Reed Kingsley    
Item: 8 Book - Charles' book on all things horse - A Treatise on The Horse and His Diseases
Entered:
09/25/22
The book is well worn as demonstrated by its missing original cover and introduction page, and tattered edges. A note written to me by mom (BRKF) when she sent the book to me in 2010 states "This belonged to Charles Alva Kingsley father of Alvah Reed Kingsley". Many pages of old style horse care. Some methods are probably used today. I certainly hope we've moved beyond 'Prof. Flint's Horse and Cattle Condition and Renovating Powders' when it comes to treating real disease. This is a 1916 picture of Charles with his horse when they lived in Farmington farming potatoes.
1954 Key Relative: Barbara Ruth Kingsley Forshay - Daughter of Alvah and Ruth Kingsley    
Item: 7 Newspaper Articles - Original 1954 newspaper clipping of Mom winning a typing contest
Entered:
09/23/22
I first learned of Mom's typing prowess while searching online through the archives of the Palmyra Courier Journal. When I asked mom about it, she remembered the competition like it was yesterday! She shared great details of the bus trip from Macedon to Canandaigua... and much more! Clearly a great memory for her. I found this clipping with other papers of her mother, Ruth. It's too bad Phil failed to show up to take the pictures.
1965 Key Relative: Alvah Reed Kingsley - Son of Myrna and Charles Kingsley    
Item: 6 Financial Documents - Last Will and Testament of Grandpa Kingsley
Entered:
09/23/22
Grandpa (Alvah) wrote this when he was 50 years old. Grandma (Ruth) died 9 years later in Nov. of 1974. I have the original typed 3 page document. The paper used is very thin; textured and translucent. The will was witnessed by Attorney James Sapienza and Betty Hill, wife of the Macedon Chief of Police at the time. Both are familiar names from my youth.
1892 Key Relative: Charles Alva Kingsley - Husband of Myrna Reed Kingsley    
Item: 5 Portrait Photo - Portrait at Bostwick Photography in Rochester at age 17
Entered:
09/23/22
This is a cabinet card of Charles at age 17. Per the Rochester NY business directory records Bostwick Photographer was only in business in the year 1892 - when Charles was 17. The back of the card has Charles' name written on it, not sure who wrote it. The post-it note is mine.
1902 Key Relative: Myrna Nellie Reed Kingsley - Mother of Charles Alva Kingsley    
Item: 4 Portrait Photo - Cabinet Card portrait made at Hopkins Studio in Palmyra, NY
Entered:
09/22/22
One of many cabinet card portraits of the family. Myrna is dressed in the fashion of the time with the high collar and puffy shoulders of her dress. I estimate the year at 1902. The photo is 5.5x4 inches glued onto a 6.5x4.5 heavy card. Myrna's name on the back, not sure who wrote it. She was not married to Charles yet, so not a Kingsley. Cabinet cards are photographs mounted on stiff pieces of cardboard. They were introduced in the 1860s and were still being produced right until the First World War.
2021 Key Relative: Charles Alva Kingsley - Husband of Myrna Reed Kingsley    
Item: 3 Research Notes - My notes on Charles during my ancestry research
Entered:
09/23/22
I created these ancestry notes to keep track of all the relations during my research for my book on Charles and Myrna.
1946 Key Relative: Barbara Ruth Kingsley Forshay - Daughter of Alvah and Ruth Kingsley    
Item: 2 School Photo - Mom's 4th grade school picture
Entered:
09/23/22
Mom - Barbara Ruth Kingsley 4th grade picture. I have a few of these originals. This is the back of one of the pictures. Another 4th grade picture in the original folio.
1923 Key Relative: Alvah Reed Kingsley - Son of Myrna and Charles Kingsley    
Item: 1 School Documents - Report cards for Alvah Kingsley Macedon Grade School. These were saved by his mother.
Entered:
09/23/22
Alvah'a second grade card with signatures by his mother Myrna. And his seventh grade card, with 'Promoted to 8th Grade' Alvah's Certificate of Promotion to Seventh Grade in 1928. Handwritten that he was Conditioned in History. This is a picture of the teachers at the Macedon School in 1910. Alvah's second grade teacher, Maude Lapham, is shown with the bottom group.