Notes for: Elizabeth Berdine

From: Nate Goetz
Sent: Thursday, October 29, 2020 4:08 PM
To: Dave Bodine
Subject: Re: Linking to the Bodine / Berdine Family Tree

Thanks, Dave. Well, it turns out that after your last message, I did some "Googling" and did find something interesting! I found out who Mrs. Russell Libby is/was. Here is her obituary:



Her mother was Mary Cole listed in the Census data! At first, I was skeptical but then it mentioned that she worked in her family's business, Colonial Silver Company which Frank Bodine was president of. So, clearly the Coles and the Bodines were living under the same roof and at times going by different names as late as 1912 when she was born. Her parents and her moved to Portland when she was young as it mentions she attended Portland Public Schools. Not sure what motivated the move but since she ended up later working for Colonial things were probably ok relationship wise between family members. So, take a look at it and let me know your thoughts. I'll see if I can track down any living family.

Best regards,

Nate


From: Nate Goetz [nathaniel.h.goetz at gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, October 29, 2020
To: Dave Bodine
Subject: Re: Linking to the Bodine / Berdine Family Tree

Hi Dave,

Thanks so much!

I will ask my Aunt Joan Sammy - who is my late mother's sister and second daughter of Elizabeth Berdine if she has William Richard's wedding certificate or a copy. My mother did not have it as far as I know as it didn't get passed on to either myself or my siblings. Interestingly, today (October 29) is Elizabeth Berdine and William Richard Hochwalt's wedding anniversary, William Richard's birthday, and my sister's birthday.

Regarding the Cole mystery, it is indeed interesting! One detail I do know which may or may not be relevant is my mother often spent summers as a child in Maine staying with her grandparents (who were Frank Berdine and Irma Pulsifer). She corresponded up until she passed away in 1992 with a Mrs. Russell Libby of Falmouth, Maine. I am also not sure of the spelling of that name nor her given name but figure it must be linked somehow to Frank Berdine and then maybe to a living relative who could shed some light on the Cole mystery in the Census data. I've not been able to locate that potential connection yet but will keep you posted if something comes up. The reason I am guessing she is a relative is I recall her sending me a congratulatory note when I graduated high school which was not long after my mother died. Who knows?

Best Regards,

Nate Goetz




From: Nate Goetz [nathaniel.h.goetz at gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, October 29, 2020
To: Dave Bodine
Subject: Linking to the Bodine / Berdine Family Tree

Hello Dave,

My name is Nate Goetz and I was conducting research on my maternal grandmother, Elizbeth Berdine, recently when I came across your incredibly well researched website! Elizabeth links to the Bodine Family Tree here:

Elizabeth married William Richard Hochwalt and together they had two daughters. One of whom was my mother, Irma Elizabeth Hochwalt Goetz, who passed away in 1992. William Richard Hochwalt, my grandfather, remarried not long after Elizabeth Berdine passed away in 1965 and his second wife (Elizabeth Friess) was the woman I knew as my grandmother.

One thing I am curious about (and maybe you might have an answer or guess) is why Bodine was changed to Berdine? It looks like it occurred with William Bodine: . On this page, he is listed as William Bodine / Berdine, and subsequent generations in this line use Berdine, all the way down to my grandmother.

Again, thank you for your work! It is wonderful to learn more about the family!

Sincerely,

Nate Goetz
Chapel Hill, North Carolina



From Ronny Bodine:

Wedding Announcement, Boston Herald of 30 Oct 1931:
At a ceremony at the home of Frank Boynton Berdine, at 40 Longwood avenue, Brookline, last night, Miss Elizabeth Berdine became the bride of Dr. William Richard Hockwalt. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Cloyd H. Valentine in the presence of the immediate family.

William Hochwalt and his 2nd wife, Elizabeth Friess are buried in Chatham Memorial Cemetery, Chatham, Sangamon Co., Illinois.