Six Women – Six Generations

I enjoy doing genealogy research, and one thing that gives me great pleasure is to share what I find with family members. I am writing this post to share 170 years of history with some of my cousins as a gift for them for 2023.

In each generation I highlight one woman and her husband as we take a quick journey through the 170 years. Three of the women, Eva May Butteris Woodley, Ida Babcock and Mary Stocks, can be seen in the photo at the top of this post from 1956. I love the hats and purses!

Just so you aren’t confused, I always refer to the women using their maiden names. It’s a good practice in genealogy, and you may notice that there are many duplicate names in this family. Using full birth names can help us keep everyone straight.

Below you will find a list of all six generations with a picture for each one. When you click on the name of the person, it will take you to a page for that couple which gives you a brief glimpse into their lives in words and photos.

We’ll start with the present generation, Mary and Ron, and work our way back to the 1800s. However, you can click on any link and read the stories in any order you wish.

First Generation – Mary & Ron

I have known Mary, my second cousin, since I was a teenager, and it’s been fun connecting with her again to share memories after many years apart.

Second Generation
Ida Maude Babcock & Herbert Stocks

My sister and I always referred to Ida as “Aunt Ida”, despite the fact that she was our first cousin once removed (which is a rather awkward genealogical term). She and my mother were good friends and were both strong, independent women which served them well so they could successfully manage the circumstances that life brought to them.

Third Generation
Eva May Butteris Woodley & Frederick Sanderson Babcock

Aunt May, my great Aunt in genealogical terms, was one of the sweetest people I ever knew. I guess I never saw the part of her personality that earned her the nickname “Irish”.

Fourth Generation
Ida May Woodley & William Henry Butteris

My great grandmother, Ida May, had a very short life, but her legacy lives on in the names of many of her descendants.

Fifth Generation
Charlotte Regina Francis & William James Woodley

From all accounts, my 2nd great grandmother, Charlotte, was a “tour de force”, a woman with a strong personality who raised many children and grandchildren throughout her life.

Sixth Generation
Ann Brimacombe & James Arthur Woodley

Ann, my 3rd great grandmother, was like many pioneer women of her generation. Her family moved to a new country when she was 25 years old; she bore 11 children and died at the age of 62.

Sixth Generation – Bonus
Sarah Stacey & Henry Francis

Sarah, another 3rd great grandmother and a pioneer woman, moved to a new country when she was 29, raised 8 children and outlived her husband. She died at the age of 76.

I hope you enjoy reading these family stories. Please feel free to leave comments and add any recollections you may have.