Wild Rice Hotdish

Wild Rice Hotdish

Today, I’m celebrating my 3rd anniversary of Family History Hotdish!     What is hotdish? Hotdish is a traditional, one-dish, main course meal. If you are from Minnesota, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Hotdish has everything: ground meat, vegetables, and a cream soup … read more

Roy Family Reunion

Roy Family Reunion

The Pike Hole Resort was the gathering place for a family reunion on June 15, 1941. Susan (Roy) Lydick had siblings from her mother’s first and second marriages. On that sunny day, they gathered together.   1941 Newspaper Clip   Roy – Gamache Clan Gathered … read more

It Began with a Wanigan

It Began with a Wanigan

My great Uncle Clint Lydick (1931-2022) recalled that his parents,  Horace and Susan (Roy), hosted their first paying guests in 1932. That was the start of the Pike Hole Resort.   The Beginning Three men from Illinois ventured to the north woods of Minnesota in … read more

Who is the Man in the Photo?

Who is the Man in the Photo?

Family History is a hobby that encompasses many different aspects: research, writing, familial relationships and detective work.  With the advent of the Internet, we can quickly connect to so many cousins. We can share information and photos so easily.   Today I present to you, … read more

Mae Norenberg: Mail Route

Mae Norenberg: Mail Route

From 1939 to 1947, Otto Norenberg (1910-1997) and his business partner Simon “Si” Neises (1887-1987) had the contract to deliver U.S. mail along the Lake Route in/around Cass Lake, Minnesota. The 3 routes were: around the main part of Cass Lake, the west part of … read more

How Mary Became Mae

How Mary Became Mae

Mary Mae Lydick Norenberg (1910-2003) was born in Cass Lake, Minnesota and lived her life in that vicinity. She was the daughter of Susan Marie Roy (1889-1957) and Horace Sawyer Lydick (1880-1956). Probably because her mother, Susan, was a devout Roman Catholic, Mary was named … read more

Horace: Horsing Around

Horace: Horsing Around

Any entry-level genealogy class will instruct the novice to begin with living relatives. So, back in 1986 I started by interviewing my grandparents. They showed me photo albums, reminisced about their siblings and told lively tales about their parents. As we traveled back in the … read more

Crazy Quilt Comfort

Crazy Quilt Comfort

My grandmother, Mary Mae Lydick Norenberg (1910-2003) was a crafter and a creator. Working within her means, she created many decorative items for her home and for gifts. She sewed her own clothes, produced crafts to sell at her Ladies Bazaar and taught me the … read more

Watson Lake Signpost Forest

Watson Lake Signpost Forest

In 1984, Patrick and I took a trip to Alaska with my septuagenarian grandparents, Mae (Lydick) & Otto Norenberg. Back in the 1970s, Grandpa started the long trek north, but had a medical emergency in Alberta. The trip was shortened when medical transport flew Grandpa … read more

Boat for Sale – Secret Found Out

Boat for Sale – Secret Found Out

Because I’ve been researching my family for over 30 years, I have most of the names and dates added to my charts. So, now I focus my attention on discovering more stories about my ancestors. Years ago, newspapers were the social media of choice. The … read more