Newspaper exposure

So recently I've been in contact with the local newspaper around Algona and surrounding cities.  My hope is that they will write a short story about the search and link the blog, and then someone who might know something will tell me.

I also have someone from the state historical society looking into death, and birth, and marriage announcements during that time.

I'm sort of at a dead end right now.  Trying to come up with creative ideas but I'm falling short.  I still have this feeling that the father worked on the rails through algona.  I wonder if burlington northern would keep a record of past employees.

Anyway, my wheels are still turning but just not as much.

Papa says I should be a detective...

I admit, I've been spending way too much time researching this.  I feel as though it's my purpose as of right now.  This is something I really want to figure out for my family and really for myself.  I've always wondered about it.

Okay so I didn't exactly know where Iowa was on the map.  I truly thought it was more south than it is, like above texas.  So embarassing!  I didn't realize it was right underneath Minnesota.  I did some research today about the Native American tribes that inhabited that area during the period Daisy would have been concieved and born.  The biggest majority were Sioux with smaller tribes around like the Iowa, Illinois, Algonquin, Fox, Oto, Chippewa, and Cherokee.  My research today led me to the Cherokee tribe. 

Why is it that I am researching different cultural possibilities for the father of Daisy?  Because of her complexion, hair color, and our bone structures.  Plus, have you ever heard a song and just really felt something from it?  Or have you seen a landscape or a portrait of something and it deeply moved you?  We all feel a connection to native americans. 

The Cherokee have one of the saddest stories around.  The trail of tears was a devastating, horrible act that is not very widely talked about.  I did a report on this in college and it was so awful to see pictures and hear stories.  What an awful time.  That has nothing to do with my research but it was a topic hard not to bring up nonetheless. 

I'm wondering, what kind of blood tests can we do to get our DNA tested?  Any Inlow's out there reading this?  Please, contact me!

This whole process has really made me think about Daisy and really think about Florence.  Do thoughts and actions by our ancestors truly affect us down the line?  What kinds of things made Florence smile?  Was she funny?  Did she like some of the things that I like?  I wish technology were around back then.  I like to think of them watching over me. 

Ludar, Rom, Romnichels...what do these mean?

I had a nice long conversation with my Grandma today to try and get a little bit more information.  When she was little, she said that the "gypsies" used to caravan around, sleeping in their horse drawn buggies and that they wore the most beautiful jewelry, played the most beautiful music, and had the most fascinating lives.  She said that they used to lay on a hill up above their house and watch the gypsies dancing and carrying on.  She said that someone had told her that her biological grandfather was one of these gypsies.

That sparked my interest.

What exactly is a gypsy?  According to wikipedia, a gypsy is "any member of a wandering race."  Really?!  That doesn't help me at all!  Alas, the mystery continues. 

I decided to focus on the area in which Daisy lived there in Algona, Iowa.  Turns out, my Grandma wasn't kidding. 

I found out that in between 1880-1914, immigration by gypsies to America was quite common.  There were several different groups, some called ludar, some called Rom, and then Romnichels.

Ludar emigrated from Romania, Romnichels from England, and the Rom from Serbia, Russia, and Austria-Hungary.  My mind is intrigued!  However, this isn't a movie.  This is real life.  Whatever Mr. Inlow was,  I'm sure he has descendants.  I would love to know tthem.

pic from http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/migrations/gyp/gypstart.html

That's all for now.

July 1903 Algona, Iowa



Daisy in the middle with her 8 gorgeous kids

In the hot summer of 1903, a young woman by the name of Florence Ackerson gave birth to a beautiful baby daughter, Daisy Pearl.  Daisy was I'm just sure the delight of her young mother's eye.  I imagine Florence being a tough as nails kind of woman.  The kind of woman who can raise cattle and curtsy with the royals.  Daisy didn't get to grow up to know her mother, because her mother died in 1905. 

When Florence was buried, she took with her the identity of Daisy Pearl's biological father.  Daisy lived 12 years with her grandparents the Ackerson's, until she chose to run away and take care of herself.  Word is that Daisy's grandmother, Orinda Cutler Ackerson Card, was quite strict.  Daisy decided to learn piano and play in honky tonk bars to support herself.  She became a very accomplished pianist all self taught.  That is a feat in itself.  Daisy would then meet her future husband, Richard Cilas Hicks of Minnesota, and have 8 children.  One of those children is my grandmother, Cheryl.  My grandma is very important to me and I would like to solve this puzzle once and for all.

Family legend runs rampant with mystical tales of a traveling gypsy being Daisy's father.  Also family lore states it may have been an out of town railroad worker with native american roots.  Daisy was strikingly beautiful with raven black hair, olive skin, and beautiful almond eyes.  We all have high cheekbones and beautifully wide set eyes.  I would love to find out what our true heritage is.

Daisy Pearl Inlow.  Algona, Iowa, 1903.  Grandma Daisy, I will uncover this mystery for you.  I can feel you up there somewhere in the ether, smiling upon me and giving me strength when I have none.  You are our precious pearl and we miss you so.

If anyone who has a penchant for historical research or geneaology and wants to help me, please feel free.  respond to this blog!

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