Book Review - Frame 232 by Wil Mara

Frame 232

Wil Mara

A Jason Hammond Novel

Study Hall, high school.  November 22, 1963.  A voice on the intercom interrupted my concentration on Latin translations.  “President Kennedy has been shot.”  For my generation, this event was one that will nestle in our memories forever.  Over and over, we saw Zapruder’s film play on television.

Wil Mara took the controversy surrounding the assassination of President Kennedy and the age-old question of whether there was really a second shooter and used it to create a thrilling story about the “other “ film taken the day of the shooting.  No one had ever been able to find the Babushka Lady, the woman on Dealey Plaza who had a motion picture camera in her hand, but she was alive and afraid of the consequences of being identified.  Her camera was rolling and she did capture something on her film that would change history.  Troubled and afraid, she hid the developed film in a safe deposit box, never telling anyone of its existence.  When she died, her only daughter, Sheila, inherited the film and right away she was targeted by some unknown, very powerful, entity who wanted it…and her…destroyed.  Terrified, she called Jason Hammond for advice.

Jason Hammond, a wealthy young man dedicated to noble causes and investigating controversial historical events, immediately became involved, excited about this new chapter in history, but soon he was also on the run with Sheila.  Someone very influential does not want this film revealed.  Was there another shooter that day besides Oswald?  Who was he and what were his connections to the U.S. government, Cuba, Russia?  A dangerous man wanted Sheila and Jason dead.

I was appreciative of the careful research and description done by Mara as his tale was spun.  Suspense abounds as Sheila and Jason tried to escape and investigate their new information.   Some violence occurs, but it is not overly graphic.  Part of the story revolves around Jason’s separation from his faith which occurred after the accidental death of his parents and sister.  Some of the close calls experienced by Jason and Sheila seemed a bit unbelieveable, but all contributed to the story in some way.  I’m hoping for a Jason-Sheila romance in the future, Mr. Mara!

This book was provided to me by Tyndale House Publishers for my honest review.

 Listen as Wil Mara talks about Frame 232 -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WYLFVKtw5Y&feature=youtu.be

Georgianna Hannah Hollabaugh Pensyl, Ninth Child of George and Elizabeth Hollabaugh

The Children of George and Elizabeth Bittinger Hollabaugh

(Great-Great Grandparents)

Sarah (1836-1918)

Eliza Jane (1838 - before 1918)

Mary Elizabeth (1840 - 1941)

*William Levi (1842 - 1939)

George Washington (1844 - 1924)

David William (1847 - 1936)

Alice Catharine (1849 - 1916)

Jacob Bittinger (1852 - 1943)

                                  Georgianna Hannah (1856 - 1944) 

Georgianna Hannah Hollabaugh was the youngest child of George and Elizabeth.  Obviously named in reference to her father, Georgianna was born on February 19, 1856 and baptized at St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church in Gettysburg on June 24, 1856.  George was 47 and Elizabeth was one month away from turning 41.

On September 28, 1872, when Georgianna was 16, she gave birth to a daughter that she named Ida Lee.  Ida was baptized in Bender's Church, Butler, Adams County, PA on May 7, 1874, according to Pennsylvania Town and Church Records.  No father is listed on those records.  
About 1875, Georgianna (sometimes called Annie) married George Edward Pensyl, the son of Phillip and Catherine Sourbaugh Pensyl.  At some point, the couple moved to Clinton Township, Dekalb County, Illinois where were were enumerated on the 1880 census.  George, 25, was farming and Annie, 22, was keeping house and caring for daughter, Ida, 6.  The family was living with John Beck, 27, and Kate Beck, 21.

We next find George and Georgianna in Holman Township, Osceola County, Iowa in the 1900 census.  The enumerator was told that George was 44, born in July 1853, and Georgianna was 40, born in February 1860.  (I think George made a guess!)  The couple, now married 25 years, had two living children.  At home was the youngest, Arthur E., born January 1882 in Illinois.  He was 18 and single.
Georgianna's daughter, Ida, had married George Reid in approximately 1890 and they were enumerated in Sandwich Township, Dekalb County, Illinois.  Ida, 25, born July 1874, according to the census, and George, 36, born May 1864, had been married ten years and had one child, Roy (Harry LeRoy), born May 1898.  Roy was two years old and born in Illinois.  George Reid (Reed as spelled by the enumerator) was a salesman and they were renting a house.

George and Georgianna were in the same location at the time of the 1910 census.  George, 55, and George Anna (enumerator's spelling) were still farming.  William Garland, 21, was a boarder, who probably helped on the farm.
The adventurous Ida and her husband had moved to Mill City, Humboldt County, Nevada with their son, twelve year old Leroy.  George was in the hotel business.  Living with them was the Russian born Alexander Ostroff, a boarder who worked in the quartz mines.
Arthur lived in Sheldon, O'Brien County, Iowa where he worked as a pharmacist in a drug store.  Still single at 28, he rented a room there.  Arthur made the news in 1914 when he had a bit of an accident.  The Spencer Herald reported on June 17, 1914:
"A. PENSYL INJURED
A. E. Pensyl, the popular clerk at the Dickey pharmacy, was severely injured about the face last Friday when a bottle of carbolic acid which he was corking broke and the acid flew in his face, causing painful burns.  With rare presence of mind, Mr. Pensyl grabbed a bottle of alcohol and bathed the burns.  His left eye received some of the acid, but at present is getting along nicely, and it is thought that the eye will not be permanently injured."

 In 1915, George and Georgianna visited back in the Gettysburg area.  The Adams County News, August 28, 1915 reported:
 "A very pleasant family reunion was held at the home of Mrs. Leah Pensyl, Biglerville, on Tuesday in honor of Mr. and Mrs. George E. Pensyl of Sibley, Iowa.  Among those present were Mr. and Mrs. George Pensyl, Mr. and Mrs. William Peters, Walter Pensyl, Misses Janet Pensyl and Julia Peters, Lawrence Adams, Mrs. Ida Heller, Mrs. Edna Moore, Mrs. Grace Adams, Paul Adams.

Iowa was a state that conducted a state census in the mid-years between the Federal censuses.  Hence, in 1915, Geo. Pensyl, 60, Post office - Sibley, Holman Township, Osceola County was enumerated as a farmer.  George owned his own home, but owed $5000 on it still.  His total earnings for 1914 was $780, but the value of his farm was placed at $35,500.  He had a seventh grade education, was never in the military and had no religious affiliation.  He had lived in Iowa 40 years.  No questions were asked of his wife!

In 1916, Arthur found himself in a bad situation.  The Kossuth County Advance reported the story on December 13, 1916 on page 2:
"A. E. Pensyl, a Spencer druggist, and Jas. Rubendall, an employee of the Comant Products Co., of that town, were principals in an exciting combat at the Central Hotel, Spencer, last Wednesday evening.  The two were sitting at the supper table, when Pensyl made some remark to a waitress which outraged Rubendall, who is the girl's brother-in-law.  Rubendall struck Pensyl and a fight followed in which Pensyl suffered severe cuts and bruises about the face.  Rubendall then fled but was later found hiding behind some clothes in a Chinese laundry, and was held to the grand jury.  In default of bonds for $500, he was sent to jail.  A Spencer paper claims that the remark which made Rubendall angry was of a harmless nature."

In 1920, George and Georgianna were still in Sibley, Iowa, only George now had a job as a teamster on the road.  Ida and her husband, George, had moved to Santa Cruz, California and Arthur was still in Spencer, Clay County, Iowa living as a roomer with Earnest and Anna Schorring.  Arthur was 37 and still working as a druggist.  However, in May of 1920, Arthur married.  A report of the wedding was found in the Spencer News Herald, May 13, 1920:
"PENSYL - MARKS
Spencer friends are getting their bouquets of congratulations and best wishes ready to hand to Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Pensyl when they arrive in the city from their honeymoon trip.  The congratulations and best wishes have been in readiness since the news of the nuptials was confirmed by relatives last Saturday.  The ceremony was performed on Thursday at Omaha and the bride of the occasion was Miss Florence Marks of Lake Park, Iowa.  Mr. and Mrs. Pensyl have been spending the last few days at Minneapolis and will arrive in Spencer some time this week.
The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Marks of Lake Park.  She grew to womanhood at Pontiac, Illinois,and graduated from the high school in that city.  Later she came with her parents to Lake Park and has been one of the talented and popular young ladies of that place during her residence there.  She is a talented musician, being accomplished in piano work.  With her parents, she has spent several summers at Lake Okobojt where they have a summer home.
"Pen" is the son of Mr. and Mrs. George Pensyl of Sibley.  He is also an Illinois product, having spent the earlier part of his life at Waterman, Illinois.  He came with his parents to Sibley and after graduating from the high school there, took a pharmacist's course at Highland Park college, Des Moines, from which institution he also graduated.  Seven years ago he came to Spencer, becoming the owner of the Rexall drug store, on the corner of Main and Fourth Streets.  Since coming to this city, he has identified himself with all the organizations which stand for progress and the welfare of his home town, is prominent in the various lodges of the city, and has been popular socially.  He does not use a hammer for he came to Spencer to boost...
He has a home in readiness for his bride on Sixth and Bendex avenue, a new and modern bungalow which they will occupy at once.  One of the first features to strike the eye of the bride when she arrives at her new home will be the array of welcome signs which have been especially prepared for the reception of herself and her husband by their 'thoughtful' friends,and which have been hung in prominent places in the new home"

Again, George and Georgianna were in the Iowa census in 1925, noting that they owned their farm and the value of their home was at $6000.  Prior to that, in 1924, Arthur was in court, fighting a claim that he had broken the liquor license laws of Iowa.  The Milford Mail of January 31, 1924, stated:
 "A. E. Pensyl, Spencer druggist, was declared 'not guilty' by the jury by which he was tried to the district court here to the charge of violating the liquor law of Iowa.  
The jury took two hours and twenty minutes to agree to the verdict, which was brought into court shortly before six o'clock last Thursday evening.  Mr. Pensyl was in court and received the verdict with a smile.  He then walked out free.
It was said that the jury took four ballots, the first being 8 for acquittal and 4 for conviction, the second being 9 to 3 in favor of acquittal, (the third being 11 to 1 for acquittal.)  The juror who voted alone for conviction was a man - Spencer Republic."

In the 1930 Federal census, George,, 73, was still working as a laborer on odd jobs while Gergia (enumerator's spelling), 72 was at home.  They lived on 7th Street in Sibley which was probably their same home for many years.  
Sometime between 1920 and 1921, Arthur and his wife moved to California.  In 1928, Arthur is listed in the California Voter Registrations as living at 1720 Opechee Way in Republic, Los Angeles County, CA, working as a druggist. In the 1930 census, he and his wife, Florence, had two children, Twila, 9, and Donna, 1, both born in Iowa.  Florence's mother, Mary, was also living with them.
 Ida, his sister, and her husband, George and nephew Harry L. were already in California.  In the 1930 census, they were enumerated on Summer Farm Road in Santa Cruz.

Arthur made the papers back home in Iowa in 1931 when he met a burglar.  The Spencer News Herald on January 22, 1931 relayed the message home:
"A. E. PENSYL VICTIM OF CALIFORNIA HOLDUP
A. E. Pensyl, former Spencer druggist, was the victim of a daylight holdup in Glendale, California, last week while waiting on a customer in the Arcadia (?) avenue pharmacy of that city, according to a press report received by friends here.  The robber, a swarthy young man, entered the pharmacy and leveled a gun on Pensyl and the cashier and took $38.50 from the cash register, making his escape by stealing the customer's car left parked on the street."

Georgianna's husband died in November 1938 at the age of about 83.  I have not been able to find an obituary, but did come across this article to confirm that Ida and Arthur came home for their father's funeral.  The Spirit Lake Beacon, December 1, 1938:
  "IN AND ABOUT LAKE PARK...
Dr. and Mrs. W. H. Marks entertained for A. E. Pensyl and his sister of Glendale of Glendale, Calif. and his mother, Mrs. Geo. Pensyl of Sibley, Warren Marks of Everly and Ruth Marks of Ames and her friend, Bernice Sheppard of Maine, who teaches school at Union.  Mr. Pensyl is a brother-in-law of Dr. Marks and was called here by the death of his father, George Pensyl whose funeral was held at Sibley Tuesday."

Georgianna stayed on in Sibley, Iowa for yet another census in 1940.  At 75 and widowed, it appeared she was in the same home.  
In 1940, Ida, 67, was the owner and operator of a resort hotel in Santa Cruz, California.  George, at 78, had no occupation listed.  Living with them was their son Harry L., 42, who was an operator at a sawmill and his wife, Beatrice, 38, who was assistant operator of the hotel.  They had two sons, Donald, 9, and Ronald, 2.
Arthur, 56, was in Glendale, California with Florence and their daughters, Twyla, 19,in college, and Donna, 16, a sophomore in high school. 

After 1940 sometime, she moved to California to live with or near Ida, as Georgianna died in Santa Cruz, California on September 21, 1944, according to the Death Index of California.  I have not been able to find an obituary.

A Few Additions...

  Before I move on to the last Hollabaugh sibling of great-grandfather, William Levi, I wanted to insert a few items into past posts that have just been discovered.












 I found an article about George Hollabaugh, son of J. Pierce (who was the son of Jacob Hollabaugh) that I have added to the post about Jacob. On Eliza Jane Hollabaugh Fries' entry, I have added a letter sent to the relatives of B. F. Fries, her husband, after his death.
I thought about just posting them separately, but it seemed best to put them with the rest of the information about that sibling

I have been struggling with the research for Georgianna Hollabaugh, but I do have quite a bit now, so I'll be posting very soon.  Part of the problem stems from her moves from Pennsylvania to Illinois to Iowa to California!  I also had to learn that her married name was not Pencil, as found in one of her sibling's obituaries, but instead Pensyl.  However, the pieces seem to have fallen into place. If anyone has a photo of Georgianna, I would love to have one to enhance the post and add to the research.  She had two children, so maybe somewhere there are descendents who can help!

Of the Hollabaugh siblings from that generation, four of the eight moved west to settle: William Levi, David William, George Washington, and Georgianna Hollabaugh Pensyl.  Quite adventurous, I'd say!

Jacob Bittinger Hollabaugh, Eighth Child of George and Elizabeth Hollabaugh

The Children of George and Elizabeth Bittinger Hollabaugh

(Great-Great Grandparents)

Sarah (1836-1918)

Eliza Jane (1838 - before 1918)

Mary Elizabeth (1840 - 1941)

*William Levi (1842 - 1939)

George Washington (1844 - 1924)

David William (1847 - 1936)

Alice Catharine (1849 - 1916)

Jacob Bittinger (1852 - 1943)

                                  Georgianna Hannah (1856 - 1944) 

Jacob B. Hollabaugh, born April 1852 and the youngest son of George and Elizabeth, was given his mother's maiden name as his middle name.  Jacob remained near his home in Butler Township, Adams County, PA, for his whole life. (Updated July 24, 2013 -  His obituary states that when he was 20, he went out west and helped string telegraph lines across the Grand Canyon, coming back home when his father died.)  

After his father died in 1877, Jacob lived with his mother and farmed the home farm.  In the 1880 census, Jacob, 28 and single, and his mother, Elizabeth, 60 and a widow, were the only two at home.

The marriage of Jacob B. Hollabaugh of Biglerville and Clara Potterf of Cashtown was recorded in the Bethlehem Lutheran Church books of Bendersville, Adams County, PA.  The couple were married on January 1, 1885, and settled in Butler Township.

 In the 1900 census of Butler Township, Jacob, 48, and Clara, 44, had two children: Blanche (Myrtle Blanche), born June 1888, was 11, and J. Pierce (Jacob Pierce), born February 1893, was 8.  (The census gives 1892 as his birthdate, but on his draft registration, he, himself, wrote 1893.)  Clara reported that she had given birth to three children, but only two were living.  With the family lived Jacob Musser, a 16 year old hired man.

Jacob and Clara lived on the Harrisburg Road leading to Biglerville, the 1910 census taker noted. Their children - M. Blanche, 21, and J. Pierce, 18, - were both single and still at home.  Robert Cook, a hired man, lived with them.  Later information in the 1920 census and his obituary would reveal that Robert was a nephew of Clara's who lived with his aunt and uncle his whole life.

In 1917, son J. Pierce Hollabaugh dutifully registered for the World War I draft
He gave his occupation as private secretary for the Musselman Company.
He described himself as short and slender with dark brown eyes and dark brown hair.  I could not find evidence that he served in the military.

Robert Cook continued to help his Uncle Jacob, 67, and Aunt Clara, 54, according to the 1920 census.  This time the road they lived on was called The Benders Church Road.  Whether it is the same as the Harrisburg Road, I don't know.

In 1924, the Gettysburg Compiler newspaper of July 26 reported that Jacob had sold his farm. 
"Jacob B. Hollabaugh has sold his 119 acres farm in Butler Township to C. L. Thomas, Gap, Pa., together with all stock and equipment.  Possession will be given April 1, 1925."
A later clipping revealed that the couple moved to Biglerville.  Jacob was in his early 70's.

In April of the next year, their daughter, Blanche, was married.  The Gettysburg Compiler, April 23, 1925, reported the event: 

"Local Man Wedded to Biglerville Girl
Miss Blanche Hollabaugh, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Hollabaugh, Biglerville, and James Howe, son of Mrs. Emma Howe, 243 York Street, were married by Rev. Mr. Rupp, Lutheran minister, at Frederick, Maryland, on Saturday, April 18, it was announced today.  There were no attendants.
Mr. Howe, a veteran of the World War, is employed at the Gettysburg furniture company."
Why they married in Maryland is unknown.  Blanche was in her late 30's by this time and as far as I could find, she and James never had children.

The marriage record of J. Pierce Hollabaugh has been elusive so far.  I know he married Beulah M. Group, but that information is from the census.  The marriage would have taken place sometime in the late 1920's.  

In the 1930 census, Jacob B. Hollabaugh, 77, and his wife, Clara, 64, lived on West York Street in Biglerville.  Jacob's real estate was worth $1500.  One of them reported that they married when Jacob was 30 and Clara, 17.  Robert M. Cook, 37, was now listed as a boarder, working as a laborer on the state road.
Living next door were son, J. Pierce, 38, and his wife Beaulah M., 30, and their children: George E., 11; Ruth B., 9; William R., 7; Martha J., 3; and Mary L., 8/12.  J. Pierce was treasurer of a canning company and his real estate value was the same as his father's, $1500.  Living with the family was the widow, Annie C. Group, his mother-in-law.

The 1940 census was the last counting for Jacob Hollabaugh, then 88, still living in the same home with Clara, 75, and Robert Cook, 57.  Living next door still was Pierce and Beulah with a more expanded family which now included twins, Donald P. and Harold J., 7.

In May of 1942, the nephew, Robert M. Cook, preceded his elderly aunt and uncle in death.  The Gettysburg Times, May 31, 1942:

"Bigler Resident 48 Years, Dies - 
Robert M. Cook, 59, died at the home of his uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Hollabaugh, Biglerville, Saturday evening at 11 o'clock from a complication of diseases. He had resided with the Hollabaughs for the last 48 years and was a laborer and a farmer.
He was born in Adams county, a son of John U. Cook, Cashtown, and the late Mary L. (Mertz) Cook.  In addition to his father, he is survived by five brothers and sisters: E. Bright, Cashtown; Mrs. John Snyder, Chambersburg; John H., Littlestown; Mrs. Charles Stoner, Fairfield; and Mrs. Belva Cook,Orrtanna.  
Funeral services were from the Bender funeral home Tuesday."

Then, in February 1943, Clara is dealt another blow as Jacob died just six months or so after Robert.  Jacob, like his brothers, lived a long life, and the Gettysburg Times reported the death on February 22, 1943:

"Jacob Hollabaugh,  91, died at 1:45 o'clock this afternoon at his home in Biglerville after being stricken suddenly this morning about 10:30 o'clock.  He was a former farmer, but had retired about 18 years ago. Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Clara (Potterf) Hollabaugh; a son, J. P. Hollabaugh, Biglerville, an official of the Musselman company; a daughter, Mrs. James Howe, York Street, and seven grandchildren.  Funeral arrangements will be announced Tuesday."

(Added July 24, 2013)
 The Gettysburg Times, February 26, 1943:
 "HOLLABAUGH RITES THURSDAY AFTERNOON -
Funeral services for Jacob Hollabaugh, 91, who died suddenly at his home in Biglerville Monday afternoon, were held from the Bender funeral home Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock conducted by the Rev. H. W. Sternat. Interment in Evergreen cemetery.
Mr. Hollabaugh was a native of Gettysburg, a son of the late George and Elizabeth (Bittinger) Hollabaugh.  At the age of 20 years, he went to Colorado as a telephone lineman and helped erect the first telegraph line across the Grand Canyon.  He returned to Adams county at the age of 33 when his father died and took up farming at his old home.  For the last 18 years, he resided in Biglerville.  
He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Biglerville, and the Men's Bible class.
In addition to survivors previously announced, one sister, Mrs. George Pensyl, Santa Cruze, California, survives."
(Note- He appeared in the 1870 census with his parents and two sisters and in the 1880 census with just his mother, so he could not have been gone 13 years.  Most sources say the telegraph lines out west began in 1871-1872, so he could have been gone some years, beginning then.  Like his three older brothers, it seemed western adventure was calling!
Yet, he felt an obligation, perhaps as the only son, still single and without land of his own, to go back home to help his mother and farm the home farm.)

A later article listed the pall bearers as Charles Myers, Robert Walter, Roy Diehl, Charles Yost, Carrol Carbaugh and John VanDyke.  Clara moved to Gettysburg by March 1944,
 "Mr and Mrs. John Thomas and two children have moved from Biglerville R. D. to the property of Mrs. Jacob Hollabaugh on West York Street, Biglervile.  Mrs. Hollabaugh is now making her home in Gettysburg." 
 (The Gettysburg Times, March 15, 1944)

Clara died in 1948 and both she and Jacob are buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Gettysburg, as are Blanche and J. Pierce.

  Beulah also lost her husband, James, in March 1948.  Both are buried at Evergreen Cemetery with his parents, Isaac and Emma Howe.

 

J. Pierce Hollabaugh continued to advance well in business. In 1954, his first wife, Beulah, died and later, he remarried.  The wedding announcement in the Gettysburg Times, February 1, 1963, gives more information about his life.

"The marriage of Nellie Hammer Hintze, 112 Locust Street, Wrightsville, Pa., daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Hammer, to J. Pierce Hollabaugh, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Hollabaugh, was solemnized at a ceremony at the home of the bride Thursday afternoon at 2 p.m....
They will reside in Biglerville.
The bride resigned December as secretary-treasurer of the Wrightsville Savings and Loan Association after 26 years of service.
The groom is president of the Biglerville National Bank and served as treasurer of the C. H. Musselman Company, Biglerville for 30 years.  Joining the latter company in 1910, three years after its founding, he was the oldest employee in point of service when he resigned on July 7, 1956.  He has been a director of the National Canners Association and from 1937 - 1950 was vice-president and a director of the Pennsylvania Canners Association.  He is a member of the Upper Adams Lions Club, the Masonic Lodge and the Elks."

www.findagrave.com

 Addition: 
Gettysburg Star and Sentinel, May 13, 1944
"If anyone in the service has a right to complain, it is Corporal George Hollabaugh, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Hollabaugh, waist gunner aboard a Liberator somewhere in the Pacific.
Corporal Hollabaugh, whose ship has bagged many a Zero on dangerous missions over Wake Island, in the Marshalls, Guadacanal, and other theatres of operation, has been in service for three years and has never had a furlough.  He has not been home since he entered service, and he has jampacked his long service with many thrills.  His breast glitters with campaign ribbons.
However, Corporal Hollabaugh accepts his fate with a grin.  He tells his parents he's assigned to do a job and he's going to do it and keep on doing it until it is finished.  He has no complaints about his three years service without a furlough."

Pausing for Another Thank You

 

Well, it's been an exciting week for me since descendents of Eliza Jane Hollabaugh Fries (B. F. Fries) have contacted me and offered photos and newspaper clippings from their family.  They are descended from Eliza and Ben's daughter, Lydia Alice (called Alice) Erb.  

The photos of Jacob and Clara Hollabaugh in the blog were found in their collection, as were photos of Elizabeth Bittinger Hollabaugh and others. The newspaper clippings and letter were also so appreciated.  Because of these fine additions, I have placed an update on the posts about Eliza Jane -May 7, 2013- and her mother, Elizabeth -April 27, 2013.  

For those of you considering a genealogy blog, be aware that the blessing of connecting with others in your family is a real possibility.  Since I have started writing about this Hollabaugh family, descendents have offered photos and information about four of his siblings, once lost to history.  These items were things I would never have found online and likely not in any library.  
Thanks again, Robert and June, for your contributions to the Hollabaugh family research!

Book Review - Jennifer, An O'Malley Love Story by Dee Henderson

Jennifer
An O'Malley Love Story

by Dee Henderson

Dr. Jennifer O'Malley is a dedicated physician specializing in the treatment of the toughest pediatric cases.  Totally immersed in the lives and emotions of her small patients, she feels deeply when things are not going well for them and works hard at raising their spirits and giving them hope.  




Jennifer, orphaned when her parents died in a car accident, is the youngest of the O'Malley clan, a group of seven orphans who bonded together and legally made themselves a family.  When Jennifer meets Dr. Tom Peterson, a surgeon, she discovers a compassionate man who is also dedicated to his patients.  When Tom reveals he is a Christian and invites her to church, he opens Jennifer's heart to a relationship with God.  As their friendship grows, she is nervous about introducing him to her family, but before that can happen, tragedy strikes Jennifer.  Although Tom remains steadfastly beside her, the hope of a future together is now in jeopardy.

Jennifer is a small, easily read book, but in a short time, the reader becomes immersed in the emotions of the characters.  The book is an introduction to The Negotiator, Book One of The O'Malley Series. (The lives of the other O'Malleys have been covered in previous books, so be sure to check those out!)  Dee Henderson always delivers depth of character and situations that capture the reader's attention, and this book is no exception.  A very enjoyable read.

*This book was provided to me by Bethany House Publishers for my honest review.

Book Review - The World of Jesus by Dr. W. H. Marty

The World of Jesus

Dr. William H. Marty

Dr. Marty wrote this book to give the reader an historical summary of the history of Israel between the time at the end of the Old Testament and the beginning of the New Testament, a period of about 400 years.  He discusses the times of the Persians, the Greeks, the Jews, and the Romans and provides a timeline at the beginning of each chapter with highlights of each period.  Many of these times were eras of brutality, power struggles, hostility, paranoia, and chaos.  His sources, for the most part, are Biblical, but much of the history is based on the writings of Flavius Josephus.

The cast of characters is huge – and at some points, very confusing to the reader.  I found myself wishing for a chart of family relationships to help me along.  Because this is a summary, the movement is fast paced from one historical event and ruler to another.  I appreciated the special notes that gave more details on certain characters or events that were mentioned along the way.

Perhaps the parts of the books I gained most from were the detailed chart comparing Sadducees and Pharisees and the clarification between the many generations of Herods.  The most confusing chapters were early on concerning the Persians and the Maccabees.

The author provides discussion questions at the end of each chapter so that this would be a fine study book for a group.  The comprehensive index was also quite helpful and would be a good reference tool for future studies.

This is definitely a slow read because of the historical nature of the book. 

(This book was provided to me by Bethany House Publishers for my honest review.)