Apples from the John C. Derrick tree

Some years back, while researching the 1927 drowning of William Weston in White River north of Chadron, Nebraska, we had the pleasure of chatting by telephone with Winfred Dalrymple, a distant "cousin."  He told me that he  and his family were visiting the Maiden family north of Chadron when young William drowned while trying to save his sister.  She survived the ordeal.  

Winfred's grandfather was Albert John Derrick, a son to the much-discussed John C. Derrick. Also, his grandmother, Martha (married to Albert John), was a Maiden.   

It's another example of the maze of relationships that would result when someone married into a family to which they were already related by marriage.  We've found it several times in the Derrick family -- with both the Maiden and Miller families.  And -- more than once -- its complexity has caused this writer to fall into a "relative" stupor.

Alas, we've lost touch with the Dalrymple clan, but hope that we can reconnect one day soon.  He lived in the Seattle vicinity when we chatted in 1994.   Finding the photograph above, which was tucked in the back of an envelope, was quite fun -- especially since someone had taken the time to write down who was in the picture!  If only they'd also dated it!

I find it intriguing that many of these old photos reproduce so well.  This original black & white photo is 2 x 3 inches.  It  hasn't been particularly cared for over the years, but the clarity and resolution is still pretty good -- a testament to the quality of the camera and lens used in capturing the image.

We're guessing the photo was taken in about 1924 or 1925, before young Weston drowned.  Shown left-to-right are Dorothy Maiden, Bobby Dalrymple, Henry Maiden, Winnie Dalrymple, and Lettie Miller.

A Linklater - Durham link?

We’ve grown a bit weary of brick walls in family research.

However, on-line solicitations for assistance can sometimes help to level the playing field; so here’s our latest challenge. Perhaps someone will happen across this plea for help!

The card above was postmarked August 27, 1913 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and sent to Leota Weston in Hulett, Wyoming, c/o “Durhams.” The text of the message says:

"Dear Mrs. Weston: …hope you get this card. I did not get a chance to see you before I left. How’s the S.S. getting along. Wish I was out there with you again cause I miss all of you. With love, Claudia. 836 N. Minn. Ave., S.F."

My question is simply: Might this card be from Claudia Johnson, who would wed Henry Sidney Lawrence Linklater in 1920? They settled in Crook County Wyoming and had at least two children – Claude Arthur Linklater and Harriet May Linklater.

Harriet married Hank Maiden in 1947. Hank was the son of Leota (Durham) Weston Maiden – recipient of the above postcard.

That the card was, indeed, written by Claudia (Johnson) Linklater seems to be a likely scenario, but it’s not a certainty. Anyone who might be able to shed some light on our dilemma is encouraged to contact us by posting a comment below. Many thanks!

Ric Crosby (1950-2008)

We were saddened to learn that Richard “Ric” Crosby – husband of Dorothea (Dee Dee) Maiden Crosby – has died in Woodbridge, Virginia, after a long illness.

Richard D. Crosby III was a retired Colonel in the U.S. Army, Infantry. He died July 10, 2008 at the age of 57 after a long illness. His funeral was at the Fort Myer (VA) Old Post Chapel; he was buried July 28th with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery outside Washington, D.C. In addition to his wife Dee Dee, Colonel Crosby is survived by a daughter, Andrea Young, and son, Richard D. Crosby IV; his parents, Colonel (R) Richard and Ann Crosby; a sister, Jennifer McCormick, and brothers Dr. Michael Crosby and LTC Jonathan Crosby.

A touching collection of Crosby photographs – showing Ric from his childhood to becoming an adult – can be found at a special website entitled Warhog07. It is replete with tributes, anecdotes, and other memorabilia commemorating Ric's life. Richard Crosby and Dorothea Maiden were married August 4, 1979 at Fort Lewis, Washington. Ric’s father, too, was a career Army officer. Dee Dee Maiden is the daughter of the late Hank and Harriet (Linklater) Maiden, who also traveled the globe during Hank’s career in the Army.

The only time it was my good fortune to meet Ric was when my son Brad and I journeyed to Europe for a couple of weeks in 1984 and were able to visit Ric, Dee Dee, and their young family when they were stationed in Germany. They were kind enough to allow us to stay with them for a day or two during our travels. They were a delightful family, and we have fond memories of our visit.

While our thoughts and prayers have been with cousin Dee Dee and her family, all of us can appreciate the warmth, humor and love contained in the eulogy delivered by Ric’s brother, Michael.

A soldier and his family

This is one of my favorite Maiden family photographs -- probably taken in late 1952 in Germany, where Hank Maiden was serving a hitch in the U.S. Army. On Hank's lap is younger son, Jim, while the oldest child, Bill, is behind mother Harriet, who is holding baby Dorothea.

Hank was the only surviving son of William J. and Leota (Durham) Maiden, who raised their family -- comprised mostly of girls -- near the banks of White River about 13 miles northeast of Chadron, Nebraska. Harriet was the daughter of Henry and Claudia (Johnson) Linklater and grew up near Hulett, Wyoming. Both Hank and Harriet are deceased; last we knew, Bill was living in Vancouver, Washington; Jim was in Idaho; and Dorothea (DeDe) and family were in Viriginia.