Google NotebookLM Infographic and Slide Deck Narrated Video for Shubael and Hannah (Wilson) Seaver

 I posted Turning the Google NotebookLM Slide Show Into a Narrated Video recently, with my process to create the Slide Deck created by NotebookLM into a Google Vids video that could be put on my YouTube channel and included in the ABC Biographies of my ancestors.

The ABC Biography for Shubael and Hannah (Wilson) Seaver (based on my genealogical research) is in ABC Biography of Shubael Seaver (1640-1730) and Hannah (Wilson) Seaver (1646-1722) of Massachusetts.

Here is the Google NotebookLM Infographic image telling the story of Shubael and Hannah:

The Slide Deck made into a narrated video using Google Vids (with extra slides before and after the Slide Deck slides) for the Shubael and Hannah (Wilson) Seaver biography can be played below: 

I really like how this worked out.  

I need to add the Infographic and the slide presentation to the ABC Biography post.  I added this Slide Deck Video to my YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/@RandySeaver).

I hope that the Video Overview, the Infographic and the Slide Deck Narrated Videos for my ancestors will interest my brothers, children, grandchildren and cousins. Heretofore, they haven't been interested in my blog posts, whether genealogical sketches, family stories, or ABC biographies.

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Links to my blog posts about using Artificial Intelligence are on my Randy's AI and Genealogy page. Links to AI information and articles about Artificial Intelligence in Genealogy by other genealogists are on my AI and Genealogy Compendium page.

Copyright (c) 2025, Randall J. Seaver

The URL for this post is:  

Please comment on this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post. Share it on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest using the icons below. Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com. Please note that all comments are moderated, and may not appear immediately.

Subscribe to receive a free daily email from Genea-Musings using www.Blogtrottr.com.

ABC Biography of Paul Frederick Schaffner (1879-1934) and Edna Catherine McKnew (1884-1974) Family of San Francisco, California

Using the ABC method described in Using Artificial Intelligence In the Ancestor Biography Creation (ABC) Process, here is another ancestor biography using the Anthropic Claude Sonnet 4.5 AI tool.

1) The genealogical sketch for my wife Linda's maternal grandparents, Paul Schaffner and Edna  McKnew, including family members, record abstracts and sources, is in Genealogical Sketch of the Paul Frederick Schaffner (1879-1934) and Edna Catherine McKnew (1884-1974) of San Francisco. 

(Paul and Edna (McKnew) Schaffner Family circa 1925 - from family sources, 

colorized by MyHeritage)

2) For the Claude AI biography, I attached the PDF of the genealogical sketch for the specific ancestor using the plus (+) icon, and then prompted the AI tool with:  "You are an expert genealogist and family historian. Please create a biography based on information in the attached file for the Paul and Edna (McKnew) Schaffner family. Including parents, siblings, spouses and children (with birth and death dates and places). Summarize life events, add historical events as appropriate, but do not add or embellish any extra genealogical details. Use section headings. Expand the information in each section to add more details. The tone should be engaging and suitable for family members."

3)  The Anthropic Claude Sonnet 4.5 biography (lightly edited) is: 

The Schaffner-McKnew Family: A San Francisco Story

Introduction

This is the story of Paul Frederick Schaffner and Edna Catherine McKnew, two native San Franciscans whose lives spanned some of the most dramatic moments in their city's history. Their marriage in June 1906, just two months after the devastating earthquake and fire, symbolized resilience and hope during the city's darkest hour. Together they built a life characterized by community involvement, family devotion, and steadfast presence in the city they called home.

Paul Frederick Schaffner: Early Years and Family Background

Paul Frederick Schaffner was born in August 1879 in San Francisco, the first son of Herman Schaffner and Mary Ann Paul. His father Herman, born in 1851 in New York to German immigrant parents, had established himself as Grand Secretary, working in the fraternal organization sector. His mother Mary Ann, born in 1854 in Massachusetts to parents from Canada and Ireland, managed the household and raised three sons.

Paul grew up with two brothers who would remain close to him throughout his life. Herman, born in June 1881, would follow a similar path as a stenographer and later marry Henrietta Hollwegs in 1908. The youngest brother, Frederick W., born in March 1889, would eventually become a branch manager of the Bank of America in Burlingame and marry Violet E. Savery around 1911.

The Schaffner family lived comfortably at 1014 Castro Street in San Francisco. By 1900, when Paul was 21, his father owned their home with a mortgage, and both Paul and his brother Herman had found work as stenographers—respectable white-collar positions that required education and skill. Young Paul was described in census records as able to read, write, and speak English fluently, reflecting the family's emphasis on education. The household was solidly middle-class, with Herman Sr.'s position as Grand Secretary providing stability for the growing family.

Tragedy struck the family when Mary Ann (Paul) Schaffner passed away in 1894, when Paul was only 15 years old. This loss undoubtedly shaped Paul's teenage years and early adulthood, bringing the brothers closer together under their father's care.

Edna Catherine McKnew: Growing Up in a Large Family

Edna Catherine McKnew was born on March 7, 1884, in San Francisco, into a bustling household filled with siblings, laughter, and activity. She was the fifth daughter and eighth child in a family that would eventually include eleven children. Her parents, Elijah Pickrell McKnew and Jane Whittle, had married in 1865 and created a loving, stable home despite the challenges of raising such a large family.

Elijah, born in 1836 in Maryland, came from American roots, while Jane's story was more exotic—born in 1847 in Australia to English-born parents, she had immigrated to the United States in 1852 as a young child. By 1900, she had been a U.S. resident for almost fifty years, watching California transform from a rough-and-tumble frontier into a thriving state.

The McKnew children were a close-knit group. Edna's older siblings included Allethia Jane (born 1867), Alfred Rodney (born 1869), Henry Lee (born 1870), Alice Louise (born 1872), Lilly M. (born 1876), George Morgan (born 1879), and Belle Alberta (born 1882). Her younger siblings were May Jane (born 1886), Leland Joseph (born 1889), and Gladys Hazel (born 1892). All the children survived to adulthood—a remarkable achievement for that era—and most married and started their own families in the San Francisco area.

The McKnew family had moved to San Francisco from Tuolumne County around 1876, settling at what is now 4131 19th Street in the Castro District. Elijah, though enumerated without an occupation in 1900, owned the family home with a mortgage, suggesting he had either retired or worked in an informal capacity. By age 16, Edna had already begun working as a milliner—a skilled trade creating and decorating women's hats, which were essential fashion accessories in the early 1900s.

The Great Earthquake of 1906: A City Transformed

The morning of April 19, 1906, changed San Francisco forever. At 5:12 a.m., a massive earthquake struck, followed by fires that raged for three days and destroyed much of the city. The McKnew family home at 4131 19th Street stood in the Castro District, and remarkably, both the house and all family members survived. The fires burned to within one block of their home before finally being contained, leaving the house damaged but standing—a testament to both luck and the heroic efforts of firefighters.

The family preserved a priceless photograph taken soon after the earthquake, showing family members standing on the street beside their stove and other household items they had evacuated from the house. The street number "4131" is clearly visible above the front door in the photograph, documenting this moment when thousands of San Franciscans found themselves suddenly homeless or, like the McKnews, uncertain whether their homes would survive the approaching flames.

The house sustained damage that required repairs, but the family persevered. In the midst of this chaos and uncertainty, with the city still smoldering and rebuilding just beginning, love found a way.

Marriage in the Midst of Rebuilding

On June 24, 1906—just two months after the earthquake—26-year-old Paul Frederick Schaffner and 22-year-old Edna Catherine McKnew were married in San Francisco. The ceremony was performed by E.G. Keith, a clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with Edna's sister May McKnew and Paul's brother Herman Schaffner Jr. serving as witnesses.

Their decision to marry during this tumultuous time speaks to their commitment and optimism. While the city worked to clear rubble and rebuild, while thousands lived in tent cities and refugee camps, Paul and Edna chose to begin their life together. It was an act of faith in the future—a future they would build together in the city they both loved.

Building a Family and Career

Paul and Edna welcomed their first daughter, Muriel Jean Schaffner, on January 23, 1909. Their second daughter, Edna May Schaffner, was born on November 9, 1913. With two daughters to raise, the young family focused on creating a stable, nurturing home.

The 1910 census reveals that Paul, Edna, and baby Muriel were living with Paul's father Herman and brother Frederick at 1134 Carter Street. This multi-generational arrangement was common for the time and likely provided mutual support -- the widowed Herman had companionship and help managing the household, while Paul and Edna had family nearby as they navigated early parenthood. Paul had advanced from stenographer to clerk at an oil company, showing steady career progression.

By 1920, Paul had risen to the position of manager at the oil company, and the family had established their own home, renting at 46 Rivoli Street -- an address that would become the family's anchor for decades to come. Both daughters, Muriel (age 10) and Edna (age 6), were thriving, and Paul's career continued its upward trajectory.

The 1930 census shows the family's growing prosperity. Paul, now 49, was working as a bookkeeper for an oil company (specifically, the Valvoline Oil Company, as later obituaries would reveal), and the family owned their home at 46 Rivoli Street, valued at $10,000—a significant sum during the Depression era. Muriel was 21 and Edna was 16, both still living at home. Paul had married Edna when he was 26, and they had now been together for nearly 24 years, weathering the challenges of raising children, building a career, and surviving economic ups and downs.

A Life of Service and Community

Paul Frederick Schaffner was deeply involved in fraternal organizations, following in his father's footsteps. He became a Master of Amity Lodge No. 370 of the Masons, a position of significant honor and responsibility. He was also a member of the Scottish Rite and Islam Temple of the Shrine—organizations that emphasized brotherhood, charity, and community service. These affiliations connected Paul to a network of business and civic leaders throughout San Francisco and reflected his commitment to serving others.

As a manager at the Valvoline Oil Company, Paul held a position of trust and responsibility, overseeing operations during a time when the automobile was transforming American society and the oil industry was experiencing rapid growth.

A Sudden Loss

On Tuesday, May 29, 1934, Paul Frederick Schaffner died suddenly from heart disease at age 55. The loss was devastating to his family and came as a shock to the community. His death occurred at their Rivoli Street home, surrounded by the family he had worked so hard to provide for.

The obituary noted that he had died "after a short illness," suggesting that his final decline was rapid. The newspaper described him as a "leader in fraternal circles" and detailed his many organizational affiliations. His funeral service was held under Masonic auspices at the Mission Masonic Temple on Mission Street, with Amity Lodge officiating. Friends were invited to pay their respects at the chapel of Gantner and Maison on Valencia Street before the service.

Paul's brother Frederick, by then the branch manager of the Bank of America in Burlingame, mourned alongside Paul's widow Edna and their two daughters. Muriel, 25, was already married to Samuel Blair Mertes, having wed in 1930. Edna May, just 20, was still at home. Paul was inurned at Cypress Lawn Memorial Park in Colma, where he would eventually be joined by his beloved wife four decades later.

Edna's Widowhood and Later Years

At 50 years old, Edna Catherine Schaffner found herself a widow with two adult daughters. Rather than living alone, she remained at 46 Rivoli Street with her daughter Muriel's family and with daughter Edna until her marriage. This arrangement provided companionship, purpose, and the joy of being intimately involved in her granddaughter Jean's life.

The 1940 census shows Edna living with Muriel, Muriel's husband Blair Mertes (a pressman in commercial printing), and their six-year-old daughter Jean. Edna, then 55, was listed as "unable to work" and received no significant income, relying on her daughter's household for support. This multi-generational living arrangement echoed the pattern from Paul's early marriage, when they had lived with his father—family taking care of family.

By 1950, Edna was 65 and still living at 46 Rivoli Street with Muriel's family. Blair Mertes had steady work as a printing pressman and earned $5,300 in 1949, providing a comfortable middle-class life. Jean, now 16, was growing into young adulthood. Edna's other daughter, Edna May, had married Leo Severt Leland in 1937 and had two children – Linda and Paul -- of her own, giving Edna additional grandchildren to love.

Edna's grandchildren remembered her with tremendous affection. They called her "Oo Hoo"—a nickname born from her habit of calling out "Yoo Hoo!" when answering the door to greet visiting family members. They recalled her as very loving, kind, and happy—a grandmother who was deeply involved in their lives, attending family celebrations and holiday gatherings. She had a garden at the Rivoli Street house where she grew Cecil Bruner roses, and she would often bring these delicate pink roses to her daughters and granddaughters, a simple gesture that meant everything.

Final Years

Edna Catherine McKnew Schaffner died on Monday, November 11, 1974, in San Francisco at the age of 90. She had outlived her husband by forty years, raised two daughters who gave her three grandchildren, and had been a 63-year member of Amity Chapter No. 99 of the Order of the Eastern Star—a Masonic-affiliated organization for women that emphasized charity, truth, and loving-kindness.

Her death notice, published in the San Francisco Chronicle, listed her as the "beloved wife of the late Paul F. Schaffner" and "loved mother of Muriel Mertes and Edna Leland." She was also "devoted grandmother of Jean duBos, Linda Seaver and Paul Leland" and survived by three great-grandchildren. The notice requested that memorial gifts be sent to the Cancer Dressing Station of the Order of the Eastern Star or Shriners Hospital—charitable causes that reflected the values she and Paul had lived by.

Her funeral service was held at Halsted & Co. on Sutter Street, with officers of Amity Chapter No. 99 officiating. She was then inurned at Cypress Lawn Memorial Park in Colma, reunited at last with Paul after four decades apart.

Legacy

Paul Frederick Schaffner and Edna Catherine McKnew's story is fundamentally a San Francisco story. Born in the city during its rough-and-tumble frontier days, they came of age as it matured into a great American metropolis. They married just weeks after the 1906 earthquake literally and figuratively shook their world. They raised their daughters during World War I, the Roaring Twenties, and the Great Depression. They were part of the fabric of their Castro District neighborhood, active in churches and fraternal organizations, connected to extended family throughout the Bay Area.

Their daughters carried forward the family traditions. Muriel married Samuel Blair Mertes in 1930 and had one child, Jean, who would remember her "Oo Hoo" with enduring love. Edna May married Leo Severt Leland in 1937 and had two children, Linda and Paul, extending the Schaffner-McKnew legacy into new generations.

The family home at 46 Rivoli Street served as an anchor for three generations -- Paul and Edna established their family there in the 1920s, Muriel raised her daughter there, and Edna spent her final decades there, surrounded by family, tending her roses, and welcoming visitors with her signature "Yoo Hoo!" It was a home filled with love, resilience, and the accumulated memories of a family that chose to stay rooted in San Francisco through triumph and tragedy, earthquake and fire, prosperity and loss.

Their story reminds us that history is made not just by famous figures, but by ordinary people who work hard, love deeply, serve their communities, and create legacies that endure in the memories of those who knew them and in the lives of descendants who carry their names and values forward.

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4)  A poem and song lyrics were created using Anthropic Claude Sonnet 4.5, and are presented in "San Francisco Sweethearts - Paul and Edna" - A Family History Poem and Song. The song created by Suno.com can be heard below:

5) An Audio Overview (essentially a podcast) created by the Google NotebookLM AI tool) describing and celebrating the lives of Paul and Edna (McKnew) Schaffner can be heard here (click on "Audio Overview" and wait for it to load).

6)  The Video Overview discussing the lives of Paul and Edna (McKnew) Schaffner created by the Google NotebookLM AI tool is: 

7)  The "Infographic" feature about this biography from the Google NotebookLM Studio: 

8)  The Google NotebookLM Studio "Slide Deck" feature  created 14 slides in a PDF file. You can see the slide show created with Google Vids below (to be added when available]:

9)  I edited the Claude biography text to correct minor inconsistencies and errors. Every large language model (LLM) AI tool writes descriptive text much better than I can write. I was an aerospace engineer in my former life, and my research reports and genealogical sketches reflect "just the facts gleaned from my research." The AI tools are very perceptive, insightful and create readable text in seconds, including local and national historical events and social history detail when requested.

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Links to my blog posts about using Artificial Intelligence are on my Randy's AI and Genealogy page. Links to AI information and articles about Artificial Intelligence in Genealogy by other genealogists are on my AI and Genealogy Compendium page.

Copyright (c) 2025, Randall J. Seaver

The URL for this post is:  

Please comment on this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post. Share it on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest using the icons below. Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com. Please note that all comments are moderated, and may not appear immediately.

Subscribe to receive a free daily email from Genea-Musings using www.Blogtrottr.com.

"San Francisco Sweethearts - Paul and Edna" - A Family History Poem and Song

 I 've used FREE Artificial Intelligence tools to create biographies, poems, songs and podcasts about my ancestors lives, plus my genealogy research and family history in the recent past. 

Every ancestor lives a unique life with unique relationships and life stories.  Today, I want to share a poem and song about my wife Linda's maternal grandparents, Paul Schaffner (1879-1934) and Edna Catherine McKnew (1884-1974), #6 and #7 on Linda's Ahnentafel list.

I requested Anthropic Claude Sonnet 4.5 (a FREE AI tool) to create a poem and song lyrics to describe and celebrate the lives of Paul and Edna (McKnew) Schaffner.  I uploaded a PDF of my updated couple genealogical sketch which has all of the information I have about the lives of Paul Schaffner and Edna McKnew.     

(Paul and Edna (McKnew) Schaffner Family circa 1925 (from Family Sources)

1)  The prompt I used for the poem and song lyrics was: "Please create a poem and song lyrics to describe and celebrate the lives of Paul Schaffner and Edna McKnew using the attached document."

2)  The Poem is:

San Francisco Sweethearts - Paul and Edna

In eighteen seventy-nine, when cable cars were new,
A baby boy named Paul drew breath where foghorns blew,
While five years on, sweet Edna came, eighth child of eleven,
Two San Francisco souls, born under California heaven.

They grew in Castro's streets of wood, in neighborhoods close-knit,
Where Herman's son learned business ways, and Edna learned her wit,
She trimmed the hats that ladies wore, while Paul's stenographer hand
Moved swift across the paper, helping business expand.

Then came that April morning when the earth began to shake,
Nineteen-oh-six—at dawn the City started to break,
The fires raged for three long days, consuming all in sight,
But Edna's home at Nineteenth stood, survived that dreadful night.

The photograph they saved that day shows everything outside—
The stove, the chairs, the household goods, pulled from the building's side,
And there above the doorway, clear, the number "four-one-three-one,"
A family waiting, wondering if their home would be the next one.

Just two short months the rubble cleared, the city still in pain,
When Paul took Edna's hand in his and vowed through loss and gain,
On June the twenty-fourth they wed, while ash still filled the air,
A testament to hope and love, a future they would share.

Through their house on Carter Street, young Muriel drew her breath,
At Nineteen-oh-nine she came to life, defying quake and death,
Then Edna May in nineteen-thirteen joined the family fold,
Two daughters raised with gentleness, with stories to be told.

To Rivoli Street, number forty-six, the family made their way,
Where Paul rose through the oil company ranks with each successive day,
From stenographer to manager, he earned his family's bread,
While Edna kept the home fires bright, the children clothed and fed.

Master of the Amity Lodge, the Shrine and Scottish Rite,
Paul served his community by day, his brothers every night,
The fraternal halls rang with his voice, his handshake firm and true,
He built a life of service grand, as noble people do.

But hearts wear out too early sometimes, and nineteen thirty-four
Brought sorrow to that Rivoli house when Paul could give no more,
At fifty-five he left this world, his work on earth complete,
His widow, daughters, brothers mourned, their grief profound and deep.

Yet Edna carried onward still, for forty years she'd stay,
Her daughter Muriel's family at her side each passing day,
"Yoo-Hoo!" she'd call when family came to walk through her front door,
And "Oo-Hoo" her grandchildren called back, a name they did adore.

She tended Cecil Bruner roses in her small and faithful plot,
And brought them to her daughters' homes, forget-me-nots they're not,
Those delicate pink blossoms spoke what words could not convey—
A mother's love, a grandma's care, through every single day.

Sixty-three years in Eastern Star, where charity held sway,
She lived by truth and loving-kindness every blessed day,
Through earthquake, fire, and widowhood, through sorrow and through joy,
From eighteen eighty-four she walked San Francisco's employ.

In nineteen seventy-four, at ninety years, she closed her eyes at last,
And joined her Paul at Cypress Lawn, reunited with her past,
Two native children of the Bay, who weathered every storm,
Who married in their city's ashes, kept each other warm.

So here's to Paul and Edna, who chose love in fearful times,
Who built their life on Rivoli Street, in that city of steep climbs,
Who raised their daughters with firm values, worked hard and gave back more,
Who showed us how to carry on when grief knocks at your door.

Their legacy lives in the roses, in the "Yoo-Hoo" at the gate,
In grandchildren who still remember, in stories told of late,
Two ordinary people who lived extraordinary lives,
In San Francisco's heart they lived—and there their memory thrives.

From Castro Street to Rivoli, through earthquake, fire, and years,
Through laughter, loss, and all of life's accumulated tears,
They built a home, they raised a family, they served with all their might—
Two San Francisco sweethearts, may their memory shine bright.

3) The AI-created song lyrics are:

San Francisco Sweethearts – Paul and Edna

(Verse 1)
Born in the city where the cable cars climb,
Paul and Edna, children of a different time,
He learned the business, she trimmed the hats,
Two souls growing up where the fog rolled back,
Then the ground started shaking, nineteen-oh-six dawn,
But love finds a way when everything's gone.

(Verse 2)
Married in June while the city still burned,
Starting their journey with lessons they'd learned,
Two daughters came, Muriel and Edna May,
Paul worked the oil company, earning his pay,
The Master of the Lodge, serving with pride,
Edna kept the home where love would reside.

(Chorus)
They built a life on Rivoli Street,
Where the roses bloomed and the hearts would meet,
Through the earthquakes and the years gone by,
Two San Francisco souls beneath the California sky,
Hand in hand through joy and sorrow,
Building today, believing in tomorrow,
They built a life on Rivoli Street.

(Verse 3)
Nineteen thirty-four, his heart gave way,
Paul left too early on that May day,
But Edna carried on for forty years more,
"Yoo-Hoo!" she'd call out at the family door,
Her grandkids called her "Oo-Hoo" with delight,
She'd bring them roses, pink and white.

(Bridge)
From the ashes we rise,
From the broken we build,
With faith in our hearts,
And dreams unfulfilled becoming real,
Oh, they showed us the way,
Through the darkest of nights,
How to hold on together,
How to find the light.

(Verse 4)
Sixty-three years in the Eastern Star,
Living by love, no matter how far,
At ninety years old, she closed her eyes,
Joined her Paul under Cypress skies,
Two native children of the Bay,
Their memory lives on to this very day.

(Chorus)
They built a life on Rivoli Street,
Where the roses bloomed and the hearts would meet,
Through the earthquakes and the years gone by,
Two San Francisco souls beneath the California sky,
Hand in hand through joy and sorrow,
Building today, believing in tomorrow,
They built a life on Rivoli Street.

(Outro)
To here's to the ones who showed us the way,
Who married in ashes and chose to stay,
On Rivoli Street, number forty-six,
Where love and resilience forever mix,
Paul and Edna, your story lives on,
In the heart of the city where you belonged,
On Rivoli Street... on Rivoli Street.

"San Francisco Sweethearts - Paul and Edna" (based on the song lyrics created using Suno.com, with a melodic pop style in an upbeat tempo) can be played below:  

4)  The AI tools do this so much better and faster than I can, and weave the poem and song along a story theme that is true and heartfelt. Each tool provides a different poem and song from the same prompt --I love fishing in all of the AI streams!! Frankly, doing the poems and song are the most genealogy fun I have every week!

5)  These stories, told in verse and song are part of my genealogy and family research.  My hope is that they will be passed down to my grandchildren and their descendants to highlight the importance of sharing stories, memories, admiration, and love of our ancestors. I will add them to my Google Drive, to my YouTube channel, and to my FOREVER account.

==============================================

Links to my blog posts about using Artificial Intelligence are on my Randy's AI and Genealogy page.  Links to AI information and articles about Artificial Intelligence in Genealogy by other genealogists are on my AI and Genealogy Compendium page.

Copyright (c) 2025, Randall J. Seaver

The URL for this post is:  

Please comment on this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post.  Share it on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest using the icons below.  Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com.  Please note that all comments are moderated, and may not appear immediately.

Subscribe to receive a free daily email from Genea-Musings using www.Blogtrottr.com. 

Genealogical Sketch of the Paul Frederick Schaffner (1879-1934) and Edna Catherine (McKnew) Schaffner (1884-1974) Family of San Francisco

I am writing genealogical sketches, and then will write AI-assisted biographies, of my wife's ancestors by ancestral couple, not by individual ancestor.  

Here is the genealogical sketch for Linda's maternal grandparents Paul Frederick Schaffner (1879-1934) and Edna Catrherine McKnew Schaffner (1884-1974), who married in San Francisco, California in June 1906.

                  (Paul and Edna (McKnew) Schaffner Family in about 1925 - from family sources,                 colorized by MyHeritage)

1) Paul Frederick Schaffner Early Life

Paul Frederick Schaffner was born in August 1879 in San Francisco, San Francisco, California.[1-2] He was the first son of three children born to Herman Schaffner (1851-1921) and Mary Ann Paul (1854-1894), who married by 1876. The children included:

    • Paul Frederick Schaffner, born August 1879, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; married Edna Catherine McKnew, 24 June 1906, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; died 29 May 1934, San Francisco, San Francisco, California.

    • Herman Schaffner, born June 1881, San Francisco, San Francisco, California,; married Henrietta Hollwegs, 6 September 1908, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; died 21 September 1931, San Francisco, San Francisco, California

    • Frederick W. Schaffner, born 15 March 1889, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; married Violet E. Savery, about 1911, California, United States; died 30 October 1952, San Mateo, California.

In the 1900 United States census, the Herman Schaffner household resided at 1014 Castro Street in San Francisco, San Francisco, California.[2]  The household included:

    • H. Shaftner - head, white, male, born Nov 1851, age 48, married, for 25 years, born New York, parents born Germany/Germany, Grand Secretary, can speak English, can read and write, owns home with a mortgage. 

    • Mary Shaftner - wife, white, female, born Nov 1854, age 45, married, for 25 years, 3 children born, 3 living, born Massachusetts, parents born Canada/Ireland, can speak English, can read and write

    • Paul Shaftner - son, white, male, born Aug 1878, age 21, single, born California, parents born New York/Ireland, stenographer, can speak English, can read and write

    • Herman Shaftner - son, white, male, born June 1881, age 18, single, born California, parents born New York/Ireland, stenographer, can speak English, can read and write

    • Fredie Shaftner - son, white, male, born Mar 1888, age 12, single, born California, parents born New York/Ireland, at school, can speak English, can read and write

2)  Edna Catherine McKnew Early Life

 Edna Catherine McKnew was born on 7 March 1884 in San Francisco, San Francisco, California.[3-5] She was the fifth daughter and eighth child (of eleven children) of Elijah Pickrell McKnew (1836-1912)and Jane Whittle (1847-1921), who married in 1865. Edna’s siblings included:

    • Allethia Jane McKnew, born 25 November 1867, Tuolumne, California; married (1) John William Runnels, 12 Aug 1887, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; married John F. Harper, after 1912, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; died 21 April 1959, San Francisco, San Francisco, California.

    • Alfred Rodney McKnew, born 23 February 1869, Tuolumne, California; married Alice G. McCann, 10 April 1889, Alameda, California; died 23 November 1943, San Francisco, San Francisco, California.

    •  Henry Lee McKnew, born December 1870, Tuolumne, California; married Anna Marie Goff, about 1892, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; died 1 August 1934, San Francisco, San Francisco, California.

    • Alice Louise McKnew, born 24 December 1872, Tuolumne, California; married Phineas Durkee Hayes, about 1895, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; died 1 June 1959, San Francisco, San Francisco, California.

    • Lilly M. McKnew, born 15 August 1876, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; married (1) George Ludwig Olsen, about 1895, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; married (2) Charles Aloysius Gardiner, before 1920, California; died 22 May 1958, Burlingame, San Mateo, California.

    • George Morgan McKnew was born on 2 January 1879 in San Francisco, San Francisco, California. He died on 15 April 1944 at the age of 65 in Kern, California.

    • Belle Alberta McKnew, born 17 February 1882, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; married (1) George Frederick Samwell, 12 September 1904, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; married (2) Paul Ewald, 23 April 1928, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; died 15 December 1975, Union City, Alameda, California.

    • Edna Catherine McKnew, born 7 March 1884, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; married Paul Frederick Schaffner, 24 June 1906, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; died 11 November 1974, San Francisco, San Francisco, California.

    • May Jane McKnew, born May 1886, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; married William Charles Kenealy, 19 Feb 1908, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; died 10 November 1918, San Francisco, San Francisco, California.

    • Leland Joseph McKnew, born 6 June 1889, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; married Agnes Matilde Hansen, 23 December 1909, Marin, California; died 28 November 1933, Sacramento, California. 

    • Gladys Hazel McKnew, born 22 August 1892, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; married Henry F. Rose, 17 May 1916, Alameda, California; died 1 June 1955, San Francisco, San Francisco, California.

The McKnew family came to San Francisco from Tuolumne County, California in about 1876, and lived at what is now 4131 19th Street in the Castro District of San Francisco.  The family is not in the 1880 United States census.

In the 1900 United States Census, this family was enumerated at 4131 19th Street in Assembly District 36, San Francisco, San Francisco County, California.[6]  The household included:

    • Elijah P. McKnew - head of household, white, male, born Mar 1837, age 63, married, for 35 years, born Maryland, parents born Maryland/Maryland, no occupation, owns home with a mortgage

    • Jane McKnew - wife, white, female, born Aug 1847, age 52, married, for 35 years, 11 children born, 11 living, born Australia, parents born England/England, immigrated in 1850, resident of US for 50 years

    • Bell A. McKnew - daughter, white, female, born Feb 1882, age 18, single, born California, parents born Maryland/Australia

    • Edna C. McKnew - daughter, white, female, born Mar 1884, age 16, single, born California, parents born Maryland/Australia, milliner

    • May J. McKnew - daughter, white, female, born May 1886, age 14, single, born California, parents born Maryland/Australia

    • Leland J. McKnew - son, white, male, born June 1889, age 10, single, born California, parents born Maryland/Australia, at school

    • Gladys H. McKnew - daughter, white, female, born Aug 1891, age 8, single, born California, parents born Maryland/Australia, at school

The McKnew family resided at 4131 19th Street in San Francisco when the Great San Francisco Earthquake hit on 19 April 1906.  All family members, and the house survived the earthquake and the fire that burned to within one block of their home. The home was damaged and subsequently repaired.  The family has a priceless photograph of family members on the street accompanied by their stove and other household items taken soon after the earthquake.  Note the house street number above the front door – 4131.  

(McKnew family photograph in 1906 from family sources)

3.  Marriage and Family Life

Paul F. Schaffner (age 26, resident of San Francisco) and Edna C. McKnew (age 22, resident of San Francisco), were married on 24 June 1906 in San Francisco,[6-7] only two months after the earthquake.  The service was performed by E.G. Keith, clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with witnesses May McKnew (Edna’s sister) and Herman Schaffner, Jr. (Paul’s brother).

 Paul Frederick Schaffner and Edna Catherine McKnew had the following children:[6]

    • Muriel Jean Schaffner, born 23 January 1909, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; married Samuel Blair Mertes, 22 August 1930, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, one child; died 21 December 1994, San Francisco, San Francisco, California.

    • Edna May Schaffner, born 9 November 1913, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; married Leo Severt Leland, 11 September 1937, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, two children; died 27 March 1979, San Francisco, San Francisco, California.

In the 1910 United States census, the Paul Schaffner family resided with his father and brother at 1134 Carter Street in San Francisco, San Francisco County, California.[8]  The household included:          

    • Herman Schaffner - head, male, white, age 58, widowed, born New York, parents born Germany/Germany, a secretary, works for Fraternal - Knights of Pythias, owns home free of mortgage

    • Paul F. Schaffner - son, male, white, age 31, first marriage, married 4 years, born California, parents born New York/Massachusetts, a clerk, works for oil company

    • Edna Schaffner - daughter-in-law, female, white, age 26, first marriage, married 4 years, 1 child born, 1 living, born California, parents born Maryland/Australia

    • Frederick Schaffner - son, male, white, age 21, single, born California, parents born New York/Massachusetts, a clerk, works for dried fruit company

    • Muriel E. Schaffner - granddaughter, female, white, age 1-1/12, single, born California, parents born California/California

In the 1920 United States census, the Paul Schaffner family resided at 46 Rivoli Street in San Francisco, San Francisco County, California.[9]  The household included:

    •  Paul Schaffner - head, rents home, male, white, age 40, married, born California, parents born New York/Massachusetts, a manager, works for Oil Company

    • Edna Schaffner - wife, female, white, age 38, married, born California, parents born Maryland/Australia

    • Muriel Schaffner - daughter, female, white, age 10, single, born California, parents born California/California

    • Edna Schaffner -  daughter, female, white, age 6, single, born California, parents born California/California

In the 1930 United States census, the Paul Schaffner family resided at 46 Rivoli Street in San Francisco, San Francisco County, California.[10]  The household included:

    • Paul Schaeffner - head, owns home, worth $10,000, male, white, age 49, married, first at age 26, born California, parents born New York/Massachusetts, a bookkeeper, works for Oil Company

    • Edna Schaeffner - wife, female, white, age 46, married, first at age 26, born California, parents born Maryland/Australia

    • Muriel Schaeffner - daughter, female, white, age 21, single, born California, parents born California/California

    • Edna Schaeffner -  daughter, female, white, age 16, single, born California, parents born California/California

Paul Frederick Schaffner died on Tuesday, 29 May 1934 in San Francisco, San Francisco County, California at the age of 55.[11] He was inurned at Cypress Lawn Memorial Cemetery in Colma, San Mateo County, California.[1]           

An obituary for Paul Schaffner was published in the San Mateo [Calif.] Times, dated 31 May 1934:

“Masonic Rites for Kin of Local Man

“Funeral services under Masonic auspices will be held in San Francisco tomorrow afternoon for Paul F. Schaffner, 55, oil company executive, fraternal leader and a native of the bay city, and brother of Frederick Schaffner of 147 Crescent avenue, Burlingame.  Death occurred Tuesday night from heart disease.

“Schaffner was a past master of Amity lodge of San Francisco Masons and a member of the Scottish Rite and Islam temple of the Shrine.  He is survived by a widow and two daughters.  The brother here is a branch manager of the Bank of America.

“Following rites tomorrow, inurnment will be in Cypress Lawn Memorial Park, Lawndale.”

Another obituary was published in the San Francisco [Calif.] Chronicle newspaper, dated Thursday, 31 May 1934 (page 11, column 4):[12]

“Death Claims Oil Manager

Paul Schaffner Victim of Heart Disease

“Paul F. Schaffner, 55, manager of the Valvoline Oil Company here, and for many years a leader in fraternal circles, is dead after a short illness.  He succumbed Tuesday night to heart disease.  

“A native of San Francisco, he was a past master of Amity Lodge, No. 370, of the Masons, and member of the Scottish Rite and Islam Temple of the Shrine.

“He is survived by his wife, Edna; two daughters, Mrs. S. Blair Mertes and Edna May Schaffner, and a brother, Fred Schaffner.

“Funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Mission Masonic Temple, 2668 Mission Street, under auspices of Amity Lodge.  Friends may call at the chapel of Gantner and Maison, 771 Valencia street, until tomorrow at 1:30 p.m.  Inurnment will be in Cypress Lawn Memorial Park.”

4)  Edna’s Later Life

Both of the Schaffner daughters married in the 1930’s and started their own families. Daughter Muriel’s family lived with Edna at 46 Rivoli Street through the rest of Edna’s life.

In the 1940 United States Census, Edna was enumerated with her daughter’s family in the Blair Mertes household at 46 Rivoli Street in the 25th Ward of San Francisco.[13]  The extracted information for this household:

    • S. Blair Mertes - owns home, value of home is $6,000, head of household, male, white, age 39, married, not in school, completed 9th grade of high school, born in California, resided in same place in 1935, was at work during week of March 24-30, worked 40 hours during week of March 24-30, occupation was Pressman, industry is Commercial Printing, a paid worker, worked 52 weeks in 1939, earned $2,900 in 1939.

    • Muriel S. Mertes - wife, provided household information, female, white, age 31, married, not in school, completed 9th grade of high school, born in California, resided in same place in 1935, did not work during week of March 24-30, engaged in housework, no occupation, worked 0 weeks in 1939, did not receive over $50 in income during 1939.

    • Jean M. Mertes - daughter, female, white, age 6, single, attends school, completed 0 years of school, born in California, resided in same place in 1935.

    • Edna C. Schaffner - mother-in-law, female, white, age 55, widowed, not in school, completed grade 8, born in California, resided in same house in 1935, did not work during week of March 24-30, unable to work, worked 0 weeks in 1939, did not receive over $50 in income during 1939.

In the 1950 United States census, the Edna C. Schaffner family resided at 46 Rivoli Street in San Francisco, California.[14] The household included:

• Edna C. Schaffner, head of household, white, female, age 65, widowed, born in California, a home worker, did no work last week, not looking for work, has no job.

Muriel Mertes, daughter, white, female, age 41, married, born in California, a home worker, did no work last week, not looking for work, has no job.

    • Blair S. Mertes, son in law, white, male, age 43, married, born California, Working, worked 37.5 hours last week, a printing pressman, works in commercial printing.  Lived in same house last year, father born U.S., mother born U.S., completed 12 years of school, not presently in school, worked 48 weeks last year, earned $5300 in wages last year, relatives in household earned no money last year, did not earn money as a business, did not earn income as interest, dividends, pensions, rent, etc.  Served in the military (other than World War I and II).

    • Jean M. Mertes, granddaughter, white, female, age 16, never married, born California, OTher work, did no work last week, not looking for work, has no job. 

Edna’s grandchildren fondly recalled her as “Oo Hoo” (she would call out “Yoo Hoo” when she would answer the door when family came calling at the Rivoli Street house), and as very loving, kind and happy. She was very involved in their lives, and attended family and holiday celebrations at their home. She often would bring Cecil Bruner roses from her garden to her daughters and granddaughters. 

Edna Catherine (McKnew) Schaffner died on Monday, 11 November 1974 in San Francisco, San Francisco County, California at the age of 90 years.[3-5] She was inurned at Cypress Lawn Memorial Cemetery in Colma, San Mateo County, California.[15]

The death notice of Edna Catherine (McKnew) Schaffner was published in the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper on 12 November 1974, page 22.[16]

"SCHAFFNER, Edna C. -- Nov. 11, 1974, Edna C. Schaffner, beloved wife of the late Paul F. Schaffner; loved mother of Muriel Mertes and Edna Leland; devoted grandmother of Jean duBos, Linda Seaver and Paul Leland; also survived by three grandchildren; 63-year member of Amity Chapter No. 99, O.E.S.

"Services Wednesday afternoon, 2 o'clock, at HALSTED & CO., 1123 Sutter St.; Officers of Amity Chapr No. 99, O.E.S. officiating.  Inurnment, Cypress Lawn Memorial Park.  Memorial gifts to Cancer Dressing Station, O.E.S., or Shriners Hospital."

5.  SOURCES

1. Find A Grave, indexed and imaged,  (https://www.findagrave.com),  Cypress Lawn Memorial Park, Colma, Calif., Paul Frederick Schaffner (1879-1934) memorial #175582036.

2. 1900 United States Federal Census, San Francisco County, California, population schedule, San Francisco city; ED 132, Sheet 13B, Lines 57-61, H. Shaftner household; imaged, “1900 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com), citing National Archives Microfilm Publication T623, Roll 103.

3. "California, U.S.,  Death Index, 1940-1997," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org),  San Francisco County, Edna C. Schaffner (1884-1974) death entry, 11 November 1974

4. Social Security Administration, "U.S. Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014," database, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com),  Edna C. Schaffner (1884-1974) entry.

5. "California, San Francisco Area Funeral Home Records, 1895-1985," imaged, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com),  Edna Catherine Schaffner entry, 1974.

6. McKnew/Leland family records, Paul F. Schaffner and Edna C. McKnew marriage record, 24 June 1906, held by Paul C. Leland.

7. "California, San Francisco, County Records, 1824-1997," imaged, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org), Marriages, Marriage Certificate Index (Brides), Vol, 01, 1906-1907, image 119 of 211, Paul F. Schaffner and Edna C. McKnew marriage entry, 24 June 1906.

8. 1910 United States Federal Census, San Francisco County, California, population schedule, 34th Assembly District, Enumeration District 107, Page 2B, Dwelling #34, Family #37, Herman Schaffner household; imaged, “1910 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com), citing National Archives Microfilm Publication T624, Roll 98.

9. 1920 United States Federal Census, San Francisco County, California, population schedule, 27th Assembly District, Enumeration District 338, Page 9A, Dwelling #69, Family #103, Paul Schaffner household; imaged, “1920 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com), citing National Archives Microfilm Publication T625, Roll 142.

10. 1930 United States Federal Census, San Francisco County, California, population schedule, 27th Assembly District, Enumeration District 177, Page 21B, Dwelling #379, Family #463, Paul Schaeffner household, online database and digital image, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication T626, Roll 201.

11. "California Death Index, 1905-1939." online database, FamilySearch (https://www.FamilySearch.org), San Francisco County, Paul F. Schaffner (1879-1934) entry, 29 May 1934.

12. "Death Claims Oil Manager, Paul Schaffner Victim of Heart Disease," San Francisco [Calif.] Chronicle newspaper, 31 May 1934, page 11, column 4, Paul F. Schaffner obituary; imaged, GenealogyBank (https://www.genealogybank.com : accessed 6 October 2014), Newspaper Archives collection.

13. 1940 United States Census, San Francisco County, California, population schedule, San Francisco Ward 25, ED 38-361, Page 7B, Household 183, S. Blair Mertes household; imaged, “1940 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com), citing National Archives Microfilm Publication T-627, Roll 311.

14.  1950 United States Census, San Francisco County, California, San Francisco, ED 38-1100, Sheet 10, Household 132, Lines 7-10, Edna C. Schaffner household; imaged, U.S. National Archives, 1950 Census  (https://1950census.archives.gov/ : accessed 1 April  2022). 

15. Find A Grave, Cypress View Memorial Park, Colma, Calif., Edna Catherine McKnew Schaffner (1884-1974) memorial # 87615106.

16.  "Schaffner, Edna C.," San Francisco [Calif.] Chronicle newspaper, 2 November 1974, page 22, Edna C. Schaffner death notice; imaged, GenealogyBank (https://www.genealogybank.com : accessed 6 October 2014), Newspaper Archives collection.

6)  Relationship

Paul Frederick Schaffner (1879-1934) and Edna Catherine (McKnew) Schaffner (1884-1974) are the maternal grandparents of my wife, Linda (Leland) Seaver(1942-still living), through her mother Edna May Schaffner (1913-1979) who married Leo Severt Leland (1911-2002) in 1937 in San Francisco.

========================================

Copyright (c) 2025, Randall J. Seaver

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Genealogy News Bytes - Week of 26 November to 2 December 2025

Welcome to Genealogy News Bytes, posted on Tuesday afternoon for the past week, where we try to highlight the most important genealogy and family history news  items that came across our desktop since the last issue.    

1)  Genealogy and Family History News Articles:

*  5 Ways to Light the World with Family History

*  New! United States and Canada FamilySearch Center Connect

*  Ken Burns Says His New Documentary Forced Him to Revisit Everything He Thought He Knew About the American Revolution

*  UK National Archives to raise fees and introduce new Request A Military Service Record service

*  Border Crossings: The Formation of the U.S.-Canadian Boundary and Its Records

*  The Infinite Explorer: New Series on the Secret Threads that Shape Our World

*  National Jukebox Day: A Nostalgic Spin Through Music, Memories, and Family History

*  For 80 Years, We Didn’t Know What Happened to Our Relatives. Then We Found Them with MyHeritage

*  How to Find Old Obituaries: Free and Online Resources

*  If Your Last Name Means This, Your Ancestors May Have Practiced This Trade in the Middle Ages

2)  DNA/IGG-Related News Articles

*  Genetic genealogy technology offers hope in cold-case killing of mother after 15 years

*  Remains Found In Hudson Valley Swamp In 1991 Are ID'd By New York State Police

3)  Genealogy Book/Magazine Notices and Reviews:

*  Dwight Radford’s Irish American Series - American Scots-Irish Research; Discovering Irish Origins Using the Records of Ireland; & Irish American Ancestors

*  A Genealogist's Guide to the American Colonies, Parts I, II, and III - New England, Middle, & Southern Colonies

4)  New or Updated Genealogy Digital Record Collections:

*  Added and Updated Ancestry.com Record Collections - Week of 22 to 28 November 2025

*  Ancestry New and Updated Collections – November 1-30, 2025

*  Added and Updated FamilySearch Record Collections - Week of 22 to 28 November 2025

*  FamilySearch New and Updated Collections – November 1-30, 2025

*  Added and Updated MyHeritage Record Collections - 21 to 27 November 2025

*  MyHeritage New and Updated Collections – November 1-30, 2025

*  Findmypast Friday: Explore New Employment Records and Births, Marriages and Deaths

*  NewspaperARCHIVE Update – November 2025

*  Chronicling America Updates – November 2025

*  Find My Past Adds/Updates 120 Historical Newspaper Titles – November 2025

*  British Newspaper Archive Adds/Updates 114 Titles – November 2025

5)  Did you miss the last post in this series?  See Genealogy News Bytes - Week of 19 to 25  November 2025.

Read all recent Genealogy News Bytes posts here.  

                          =========================================

The URL for this post is:  https://www.geneamusings.com/2025/12/genealogy-news-bytes-week-of-26.html

Copyright (c) 2025, Randall J. Seaver

Please comment on this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post.  Share it on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest using the icons below.  Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com.  Note that all comments are moderated, and may not appear immediately.

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