52 Weeks 52 Ancestors – Week 3 – Longevity

52 Weeks 52 Ancestors – Week 3 – Longevity

Longevity is the prompt for this week’s post.

For the Dosch/Smaihall extended families that honor would go to my paternal great aunt, Sarah Jerger Neil.

Sarah Jerger Neil
Sarah Jerger Neil

Sarah was born 25 July 1894 and lived to 12 May 1995. Sarah was born in Jasper, Indiana and my grandmother followed this sister into the noble profession of nursing. Sarah’s family lived on Staten Island for years and visiting my father’s favorite aunt was always fun. Our families were fortunate to be able to help celebrate Aunt Sarah’s 100th in Washington, DC. in 1994.

For the Culpon/Knier extended family the longevity honors would go to Doug’s grandmother, Ada Holmes Culpon.

Ada Holmes Culpon
Ada Holmes Culpon and Rusty

Ada was born 6 October 1893 in Pepperell, Massachusetts. Aside from raising a family she worked in the textile industry. She was an extremely bright individual and in her later years would spend time each year in Florida to escape the Massachusetts winters. She passed away on 24 January 1992 at the age of 99 having lived a long and happy life.


Sarah Jerger Neil, black and white photograph , 1970; digital image 2018, privately held by Dosch Family Archives,  [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE], Magnolia, Texas,2015. Sarah sent photograph to her sister Rose Dosch in 1970. Photograph was then inherited by Rose Dosch’s son Charles at the time of her death in 1973. Photograph was then passed to Charles Dosch’s daughter Melinda Dosch Culpon for family archival purposes.

Ada Holmes Culpon, tinted black and white photograph, ca. 1940; digital image 2018 privately held by Culpon Family Archives,[ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE], Magnolia, Texas, 2012. Ada Culpon’s son Douglas Culpon, Sr. inherited photograph at the time of her death in 1992 this item was then inherited by Doug Culpon, Jr. at the time of his father’s death in 2012 and remains in his possession.

 

Matriarch and Patriarch

Larnell and Doug

larnell-and-doug-2017

Currently the matriarch of the Dosch family is Larnell Smaihall Dosch. The patriarch of the Culpon family is Douglas Holmes Culpon, Jr. (aka Doug)  Larnell’s family has roots from Texas,Louisiana, Austria-Bohemia and England. Doug’s family is from Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Germany and England.

Less than fifty miles separated members of both the Dosch and Culpon families in the northern  part of Yorkshire in the 19th century. We are lucky that over a hundred years later these families could unite in Texas and share their culture and heritage.

Our Families

As a family historian, documenting research and sharing stories is a goal. To advance my research and genealogical writing skills is to use the tools of the 21st century and share information on two families: the Culpon’s and the Dosch’s. These families originate from different parts of the country, Massachusetts and Texas, but thankfully came together to form my family [Doug and Melinda Culpon]. Aside from normal vital statistics, there are stories of intrigue, heroism, devotion, and courage to share.

Copyright © 2017 by Melinda Dosch Culpon, Genuine Family

[1] Culpon, Horace and Ada. Photograph. Sep 1966. Digital Image. Privately held by Culpon Family Archives, [Address for Private Use,] Magnolia, Texas, 2010. [Culpon Family Photograph of Horace and Ada’s Anniversary 1966]

[2] Smaihall, Lawrence and Nell. Photograph. Ca 1970. Digital Image. Privately held by Dosch Family Archives, [Address for Private Use,] Magnolia, Texas, 2016. [Photograph of Lawrence and Nell Smaihall taken by Olan Mills in Orange, Texas