Author Archives: Diana - Page 3
Freyhofer Genealogy
This is what started it all for me - the original Freyhofer genealogy, compiled by Louise Freyhofer in 1937, given to me by my grandmother Louise Weiler Wagner when I was about 10. DOWNLOAD PDF
Earthquake in SW Virginia
Earthquakes are actually common in Virginia. Here's one that would affected my Thornton ancestors in Pulaski County: May 3, 1897. Centered at Radford, where a few chimneys were wrecked and plaster fell from walls, and chimneys were damaged at nearby Pulaski and Roanoke. Felt in most of southwest Virginia and as far south as Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Estimated magnitude This was a prelude to The Big One. ((Division of Geology and Mineral Resources -…
Are we related to Barack Obama?
The short answer is: sort of. President Barack Obama's maternal GGGG grandfather Thomas L. Clark settled in Canton, Missouri around 1835. All of Thomas' 11 children were born there and they lived there at the same time our family (Surnames: Wagner, Eckert, Hetzler, Giegerich, Vesper). Obama's ggg grandfather Christopher Columbus Clark is buried in the same cemetery (Forest Grove) in Canton as our ancestors. By searching through the Canton newspaper, I found multiple connections that…
Forest Grove Cemetery, Canton, Missouri
Forest Grove Cemetery is where my grandparents, Homer Henry Wagner and Louise Adelaide Weiler, and other family, are buried. It is in Canton, Missouri, our Wagner hometown, high on the bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. Numerous generations and extended family were born, lived, and died there. Above: Paul Wagner at his parents' (Homer and Louise Wagner) grave. The location site is circled: Articles about some of our ancestors and relatives buried here: I found…
Introducing O Muse! Magazine
I started a digital magazine! Over the last year, Covid shut down most of my music industry business. A couple months ago I came up with this idea as a way to take my business in a new direction, and self promote my design, photography and art director skills. I just released the first issue today. It is kind of a family and friends edition, with features from my aunt Elly Wagner, cousin Morgan Wagner…
Young Shirley Jones recording
In 1950, my grandfather, Homer Wagner taped the Western District Chorus concert held at Canonsburg High School (Pennsylvania) where some of his children attended school. One of the soloists was a young Shirley Jones (of Broadway Musical and Partridge Family fame), a sophomore in high school. Her voice, even as a teenager, was astounding. The Daily Courier, Connellsville, Pennsylvania, 27 Apr 1950, Thu • Page 20 Born in 1934 in Charleroi, she grew up as…
Interview with Louise Weiler
Back in the 1970s (I think) I interviewed my grandmother, Louise Adelaide Weiler about her childhood. I had caught the genealogy bug, and she and I were going through old photos and I was filling in the tree. I made this tape, which I have drawn from for various biographical information, especially in the epilog I compiled of the Autobiography of her father Rev. William Weiler. Here is the unedited recording (it's in two parts).…
Lois Ann Wagner singing 1964
Here are some tapes of my mom, Lois, singing some folksongs back in 1964. She still has her guitar that she is playing, a 1930s Gibson she got in a pawn shop. Inside of houseboat, 1964. Lois Wagner
Baby Diana Tapes
I (Diana Vida Thornton) was born in January 1964. My parents, Charles Paul Thornton and Lois Wagner lived on a houseboat on the Allegheny River on the North Side, Pittsburgh, PA. Houseboat where Paul, Lois and Diana Thornton lived. ca April 1964 My mom Lois recorded several tapes of me, probably about the same time the photo above was taken. Two are just me making baby noises but one is of my mom talking and…
Tapes for Grandpa
In 1972 my grandfather, Homer Henry Wagner, was in the hospital after a heart attack. I wasn't allowed to visit him because I was only 8. So I recorded two reel to reel tapes for him to listen to. I sang songs, told jokes, played cello, and recited poetry. Diana Thornton at Cheat Lake camp with grandfather Homer Henry Wagner: My mom, Lois, helped me and sang along with me on some of them. Diana…