BMD (Birth, Marriage, Death) records are the stock and trade of the genealogist. They’re important, but don’t provide much context about our ancestors’ lives. Like most of our stories, this one includes Maninger BMD info.
Sometimes we’re lucky to find collateral stories, vignettes into people’s everyday lives. These enrich our understanding, and help us get to know our ancestor. This story features the importance of music in Maninger family life.
The Maningers grew wheat and corn as a cash crop. But what and how did they feed the family? Billie, tell us about it.
Continue readingThe newspapers reported the events of local life. The barber shop and quilting bee spread the news even faster. There was good news, and there was bad news.
Continue readingAs I remember Grandfather, he was a stern man and the head of the family. What he said was “law.” I do remember my Dad, John, was not always happy with his ideas.
The farms all joined, and I remember him coming in our driveway in his horse and buggy. I think he made the rounds to all his boys and Aunt Emma.
My Experiences Growing up on our Kansas Farm – Billie Maninger
There were lots of Maningers in Harper County in the latter years of the 1890s. The family tree was sprouting branches.
Maningers lived in Harper County in the 1890s. They spent their days cooking, farming, raising children, and doing countless other everyday chores. Most other people did too.
Now and then in the history of everyday lives, extraordinary events occur.
Continue reading
Recall that Benedict Weyeneth was the first elder of the Apostolic Christian Church in America. He and his wife and family settled in Roanoke, Woodford County, Illinois around 1857.
Our families descend from Benedict’s parents through Benedict’s brother Jacob Weyeneth.
Continue readingThe Maningers arrived in Kansas in January 1885. They brought with them furniture and beds, kitchen, tools, farm implements, and livestock. Awaiting them was a quarter-section farm with a house a mile south of Harper.
The Maningers were moving to Kansas. This wasn’t a case of poor pioneers in a covered wagon with no money and no belongings.
The 1880s dawned clear and bright for Val and Lena Maninger. Things seemed to be going their way. But there was a fever in the air. Kansas fever.
Family Nibbles 