John Senate, Vital Stats

John Senate, Vital Stats

John Elijah Senate (1826-1929) was the father of Charlottie Senate (1861-1952), Oklahoma territorial pioneer. In my last blog post, I examined his obituary and found several clues to John’s vital statistics.     Birth First, let’s look for corroboration of his birth. The newspaper obituary … read more

John E. Senate, age 93

John E. Senate, age 93

John Elijah Senate (1836-1929) lived to be 93-years old. He was the father of Charlottie Senate Rector (1861-1952), Oklahoma territorial pioneer. On this day, almost one hundred years ago, John Senate passed from this life to the next.     Obituary JOHN E. SENATE DIED … read more

Ralph Rector, Mr. Cow Chip

Ralph Rector, Mr. Cow Chip

In 1996, I traveled to Oakland, California to visit my Great Aunt M. Virginia Rector Cunningham (1919-2004). During that visit she told lots of stories. Many of her tales centered around her uncle (my 2x great uncle) Ralph Rector (1898-1985), son of Charlottie Senate and … read more

Parents of Gert Rector

Parents of Gert Rector

Gillison “Gee” Rector and May “Pettris” Garnett were the parents of Florence Gertrude “Gert” Rector Gentzkow. What is known about Gee and Pettris?     Gert’s Father Gillison G. Rector was the 4th of 8 children born to Milton A. Rector (1855-1951) and Charlotte “Lottie” … read more

Rector Love Letter

Rector Love Letter

During my Oklahoma Road Trip, I headed west, farther out in the panhandle. In Beaver County, the local historical society is located on the County Fair Grounds at the south edge of town. Little did I know what this journey would reveal.     Jones … read more

One Photo: Details

One Photo: Details

When writing about family history, I LOVE to include photos. Old pictures help me visualize my ancestors’ stories and bring names/dates to life. Last week, I wrote about the Thanksgiving Day marriage of Milton and Lottie (Senate) Rector. One of the best things that I … read more

November Nuptials

November Nuptials

Happy Thanksgiving! Every day provides opportunities to be grateful. I am so thankful for resources and options, for experiences and miracles, for family and friends, and for stories of my amazing ancestors.   Currently in my genealogy database, there are over 7000 family members. That … read more

Rector Sod House Readout OK

Rector Sod House Readout OK

Milton A. Rector (1855-1951) and his wife Charlotte “Lottie” Ann Senate (1861-1952) homesteaded in Readout, Harper County, OK. See the Land Entry Case File post here for details found in the paperwork. Under the provisions of the 1862 Homestead Act, Milton acquired 160 acres as the … read more

Rector Oklahoma Territory Homestead

Rector Oklahoma Territory Homestead

Milton A. Rector (1855-1951) pursued greater opportunity in the American West. October 19, 1901 he filed a homestead claim for land in Oklahoma Territory (O.T.) under the provisions of the 1862 Homestead Act. The Act granted surveyed public land to adult heads of families for … read more