Tuesday, December 2, 2025

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

 '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.

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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:  

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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.

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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:











2)  DNA/IGG-Related News Articles



4)  New or Updated Genealogy Digital Record Collections:












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


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


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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"The Ballad of Norman Seaver" - A Family History Poem and Song

 '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 5th great-grandfather, Norman Seaver (1734-1787), #64 on my 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 life of Norman Seaver  I uploaded a PDF of my updated couple genealogical sketch which has all of the information I have about the life of Norman Seaver.


(AI ChatGPT5 image of Norman Seaver family in 1785)

1)  The prompt I used for the poem and song lyrics was: "Please create a poem and song lyrics to describe and celebrate the life of Norman Seaver using the attached document."

2)  The Poem is:
The Ballad of Norman Seaver

He was born when kings still ruled the land,
A farmer's son with calloused hand,
In Sudbury town by Landham's flow,
Where Massachusetts breezes blow.

His father laid the brick and stone,
But Norman claimed the wood his own—
The carpenter who'd build and raise,
Through all his hard-won, honest days.

At twenty-one he took a bride,
Sweet Sarah Read stood by his side,
And thirteen children blessed their home,
Through all their years of work and roam.

From Sudbury first to Shrewsbury's fields,
He worked the land for harvest yields,
Then Westminster became their place,
Where roots grew deep through God's own grace.

But then the bells of freedom rang—
On Lexington the muskets sang,
And Norman, though with children ten,
Left plow and saw to march with men.

A sergeant first on that April morn,
When revolution's cry was born,
Then ensign under Willson's command,
A lieutenant with a steady hand.

Through Rhode Island's cold campaigns,
Through winter's ice and summer's rains,
He served nine months at freedom's cost,
While home and family never lost.

When peace at last came to the land,
He raised his meetinghouse, so grand,
His hammer singing out its song,
His careful work both sure and strong.

On July's last day in eighty-seven,
The frame gave way 'tween earth and heaven,
And Norman fell from timber high—
A builder's death beneath the sky.

Fifty-three years upon this earth,
He proved a simple man's true worth:
A patriot who answered when called,
A father who stood proud and tall,
A craftsman whose work stood the test,
A husband who gave Sarah his best.

In Woodside's ground his body rests,
A flag marks where the hero's blessed,
But greater still than stone or sod—
Thirteen children, and thanks to God.

His legacy runs deep and wide,
Through generations multiplied,
In every descendant's heart and hand,
The echo of this steadfast man.

So raise a glass to Norman's name,
No need for fortune, wealth, or fame—
He lived, he loved, he built, he fought,
And left us more than can be bought.

From Sudbury's soil to Westminster's hills,
His spirit in his children fills,
A common man who proved uncommon true—
Captain Norman Seaver, this tribute's due.
3) The AI-created song lyrics are:
The Ballad of Norman Seaver

(Verse 1)
Born in seventeen thirty-four, by Landham Brook he grew,
A farmer's son with carpenter hands and eyes of honest blue,
His father laid the brick and stone in old colonial days,
But Norman found his calling in the timber's grain and ways.

(Verse 2)
At twenty-one he took a bride, sweet Sarah was her name,
And thirteen children blessed their house through fortune, want, and fame,
They moved from town to town to find the best land they could claim,
In Shrewsbury they prospered well, then Westminster became.

(Chorus)
Oh, Norman Seaver, working man, with sawdust in your hair,
You built your life with your own two hands and answered freedom's prayer,
From Sudbury to Westminster, through war and peace you'd roam,
A patriot, a carpenter, who made this land your home.

(Verse 3)
When liberty bells rang out loud on that April day,
He kissed his wife and children dear and marched to join the fray,
A sergeant first, then ensign next, lieutenant by the end,
Nine months in Rhode Island cold, his country to defend.

(Chorus)
Oh, Norman Seaver, working man, with sawdust in your hair,
You built your life with your own two hands and answered freedom's prayer,
From Sudbury to Westminster, through war and peace you'd roam,
A patriot, a carpenter, who made this land your home.

(Verse 4)
He came back home when war was won to build instead of fight,
The meetinghouse was his last work, he meant to build it right,
But on a summer morning when the frame was raised up high,
The timbers failed, brave Norman fell beneath the July sky.

(Bridge)
Fifty-three years upon this earth,
He measured out his humble worth,
Not in silver, not in gold,
But in the stories that are told—
Of honest work and family,
Of fighting to be free,
Of building things to last beyond
The man, the myth, the bond.

(Final Chorus)
Oh, Norman Seaver, rest in peace, your work on earth is done,
Your children carry on your name beneath the morning sun,
From Sudbury to Westminster, you built more than a home—
You built a legacy of love in timber, blood, and bone.

(Outro)
In Woodside Cemetery he lies, beneath the summer grass,
A flag waves by his weathered stone for all the years that pass,
And if you listen close enough on quiet evenings there,
You'll hear the echo of his saw, his hammer in the air...

(Fade out)
The carpenter, the soldier, the father, and the man,
Who built his life with honest work and freedom's sacred plan,
Oh, Norman Seaver... Norman Seaver...
Your memory will stand.
"The Ballad of Norman Seaver" (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


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.

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Life Memories of Martin Carringer (1758-1835) in 1835 – A Life Memoir

  I wrote genealogical sketches for both of my 4th great-grandparents, Martin and Molly (Houx) Carringer based on the records found that document their lives. There is an AI-assisted biography in ABC Biography of Martin Carringer (1758-1835) and Maria Magdalena "Molly" (Houx) Carringer (1768-1850) of Pennsylvania based on the genealogical sketch. 

I wondered what Martin Carringer might say in a life memoir to his children and grandchildren.

(AI ChatGPT5 image of Martin Carringer family in 1815)

1)  Based on the genealogical sketch, I requested Anthropic Claude Sonnet 4.5 to create a memoir told by Abigail Seaver about her life in 1867.  The prompt was:  "Please write a life memoir for Martin Carringer based on the attached genealogical sketch, as he might tell to his children and grandchildren in early 1835."

2)  The AI Anthropic Claude Sonnet 4.5 memoir (lightly edited for accuracy) is:  


My Life Story: As Told by Martin Carringer to His Grandchildren

January 1835, Sandy Creek Township, Mercer County, Pennsylvania

Come close, children, and let me tell you about the life I've lived. I'm nearly eighty years old now, and my time on this earth grows short. But before I go to meet my Maker, I want you to know where you came from and what your grandfather has seen in this long, eventful life.

My Earliest Days

I was born in 1758, near Lancaster in Pennsylvania. My father was Johann Heinrich Geringer—though most folks called him Henry—and he was a German man who came to this country seeking a better life. My mother was Rosina Maria, and together they raised me and my brothers and sisters: Adam, Anna Maria, John Henry, Mary Gertrude, and Ann Margaret.

Those were dangerous times, even when I was just a boy. My father had fought in the French and Indian War before I was born. He enlisted at Fort Augusta in 1757 and served until 1760, and I remember him telling stories about the frontier forts and the constant threat of attack. We moved around some – Bedford County, Chester County, and eventually down to Frederick County in Maryland. Life was never easy, but we made do.

The Revolution Calls

When I was eighteen years old, the whole world changed. The colonies were rising up against King George, and Pennsylvania needed soldiers. On September 4, 1776, I enlisted from Westmoreland County into Colonel Eneas Mackey's Battalion. Later they called us the Eighth Battalion of Pennsylvania Troops in the Continental Service.

We organized at Kittanning, and Lord, were we green! Most of us had never been away from home, never been in a real battle. But Congress needed us in New Jersey with General Washington, and needed us quick. On January 6, 1777, we marched out of Kittanning in the dead of winter. Children, I want you to remember this: that march across the mountains was one of the hardest things I've ever done. The cold bit through every layer we wore. Our feet went numb in our boots. Some men didn't make it. But we pressed on, because our country needed us.

We reached the camps in New Jersey on March 1, 1777, half-frozen but ready to fight.

Battles and Brotherhood

On September 11, 1777, I fought at the Battle of Brandywine. The British were trying to take Philadelphia, and we were trying to stop them. The smoke was so thick you couldn't see ten feet in front of you. The noise—the constant crack of muskets, the boom of cannons, men shouting and screaming—it was like nothing I'd ever experienced. We fought hard that day, but we had to retreat.

Then came October 3 and the Battle of Germantown. I was in General Anthony Wayne's division. We attacked in the early morning fog, and for a while it looked like we might win. But the fog confused everyone, and we ended up retreating again. War isn't like the stories make it sound, children. It's confusion and fear and doing your duty even when you're terrified.

Valley Forge

But the worst—and somehow the best—was Valley Forge. We went into winter quarters there on December 11, 1777, and I'll never forget that winter as long as I live. We had no proper shelter at first, just what we could build. Food was scarce—some days we had nothing but fire cakes made from flour and water. Men died from the cold, from disease, from starvation. I watched good men, strong men, waste away.

Yet something happened at Valley Forge. We came in as a rabble, and Baron von Steuben drilled us into proper soldiers. We learned to march together, to move as one. More than that, we learned that we could endure anything. If we could survive Valley Forge, we could survive whatever the British threw at us.

I was paid 6⅔ dollars per month—not much, but it was something. In June 1778, I received 2 pounds, 5 shillings, and 10 pence. I sent some home when I could.

The Western Frontier

After Valley Forge, in March 1778, our regiment got orders to march to Pittsburgh. We were needed on the western frontier to fight in Indian campaigns and build forts along the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers. This was different from fighting the British. This was about holding the frontier, protecting the settlers who were starting to move west.

I spent the rest of the war there. In 1781, I was part of a detachment under Sergeant Robert Porter, transporting provisions down the river to Pittsburgh. We spent days on those boats, hauling forage and supplies. It wasn't glamorous, but armies run on supplies. I earned a shilling a day for that work.

I mustered out in 1783, after seven years of service. The war was over. We'd won. We were Americans now, not British subjects. And for my service, the Commonwealth promised me 200 acres of land.

Finding My Molly

After the war, I went back to Frederick County where my parents were, and that's where I met the love of my life. In May 1785, I married Maria Magdalena Houx—your grandmother, who you all call Molly. She was just seventeen, from Frederick County, Maryland, with a German family like mine. She was beautiful and brave and strong, and I knew from the first moment that she was the one for me.

We settled in Westmoreland County at first. By 1787, I had 150 acres there, one head of cattle, and a young family starting to grow. Our first child, Johann Jacob, was born October 1, 1785 -- just five months after we married. Then came Maria Elisabetha in 1789, Catherine in 1792, and George in 1795.

Your grandmother was everything a pioneer wife needed to be. She kept the house, raised the children, tended the garden, preserved food for winter, made our clothes, and never once complained about the hardships. Every child we had, she brought into this world with courage. Some of you never knew little Calli or Soloman, who died young, but your grandmother mourned them every day of her life.

Coming to Mercer County

In 1795, I decided to claim the land that was promised to me for my Revolutionary War service. Warrant No. 941 it was called—200 acres in what would become Perry Township in Mercer County. So I left your grandmother and the children behind for a bit and went north into the wilderness to build us a cabin.

Children, that land was wild. When I first got there, I traveled all the way north to Conneaut marsh without seeing a single other soul. Not one settler. Just forest so thick you had to cut your way through, and the constant sounds of wolves and wildcats at night. I built a cabin with my own two hands, cleared a bit of land, and went back to get my family.

When Alexander McCracken and Hugh Minnis came in April 1796, I was already there. Some say I might have been the very first settler in all of Mercer County. I don't know if that's true, but I know I was one of the first.

We moved the whole family up in 1796. Your grandmother had to leave the relative comfort of Westmoreland County for a one-room cabin in the wilderness. But she never said a word against it. She just set to making it a home. That's the kind of woman your grandmother is.

Building a Community

Over the years, we welcomed four more children: Calli in 1797, Henry in 1800, Soloman in 1802, and Joseph in 1805. Your grandmother raised them all in that cabin, then in the better house we eventually built.

We weren't alone for long. Other families started coming—the McCrackens, the Minnises, the Sheakleys, the Cochrans. We helped each other, like neighbors should. When someone needed corn, I gave it. When the church needed money, I gave the most I could—ten dollars, which was a lot in those days. In 1799, I was the biggest subscriber to the Upper Sandy Creek Presbyterian Church in Georgetown.

Now, I'll be honest with you children. I have a temper. Your grandmother can tell you that! When something riles me up, I let loose with language that would make a preacher blush. But the neighbors know my heart is good. If you're poor and need help, everything I have is yours. But if you're just trying to make a profit off someone else's need, well, you'll get a piece of my mind!

I remember one year I raised a particularly good corn crop. A man came asking if I had corn to sell. "Are you in need of corn?" I asked him. He said no, he was buying grain to sell for profit. "Then you can't have mine," I told him. "I raise my corn to give away to those who truly need it. If you're poor, you can have it for nothing. But you've got money, so I'll give it to the destitute settlers instead."

That's how I've always lived. Help those who need it. Stand up to those who would take advantage.

Faith and Change

In 1818, your grandmother and I, along with John Sheakley and Samuel Cochran, left the Georgetown Presbyterian Church and joined the Mineral Ridge Associate Reformed Church—the Covenanters. We felt called to worship there, and we've been faithful members ever since. The Lord has blessed us, and we've tried to serve Him in return.

When the community decided to build a new church building that year, I gave ten dollars again—the highest subscription. It was built of hewn logs with a proper floor and glass windows. Every Sunday, we gather there to worship, and it does my heart good to see the community we've built.

My Final Years

In 1824, when I was seventy-five, I applied for my Revolutionary War pension. I told them my whole story—the marches, the battles, the years of service. They granted me ninety-six dollars per year. It's not much, but it helps.

Then in 1827, Senator William Marks helped me get an additional bounty land warrant—another 100 acres in Ohio. I never saw that land, but it's there, proof that the country remembers what we old soldiers did.

I wrote my will in March 1830. I've divided everything up fair among all of our children. Henry gets the east part of the plantation, but he has to take care of your grandmother as long as she lives. She gets the back room, a horse and saddle, two cows, her furniture and clothes, four sheep, and all the fruit she wants. Henry, you treat her right, you hear me?

George gets the rest of the plantation and one of my Greenville lots. Joseph gets the 200 acres on lot 965. Jacob gets the 100 acres he's living on. And my daughters—Elizabeth, Catherine, and Mary—you each get a lot in Greenville. I've tried to be fair to all of you.

What I Want You to Remember

Children, as I sit here in this back room, looking out at the land I cleared nearly forty years ago, I want you to know a few things.

First, freedom isn't free. I saw men die at Brandywine and Germantown. I saw them freeze and starve at Valley Forge. We fought for seven long years so that you could live in a free country. Don't ever take that for granted.

Second, the land is precious. This land I settled—it was wilderness when I got here. Now look at it. Farms and families everywhere. Churches and schools. A whole county growing up. But it takes work. You have to put your back into it, day after day, year after year.

Third, help your neighbors. We're all in this together. When times are hard, share what you have. When someone needs help, give it freely. But don't let anyone take advantage of you, either. Stand up for what's right.

Fourth, love your families. Your grandmother has been by my side for nearly fifty years. Through war and peace, through poverty and plenty, through the deaths of our babies and the joy of watching you grandchildren grow. She's been my partner in everything. Honor your parents. Love your spouses. Raise your children right.

And finally, keep the faith. Trust in God. Go to church. Read your Bible. The Lord has brought us through everything—war, wilderness, hardship, loss. He'll bring you through too.

The End of My Story

I'm eighty years old now, children. My body is worn out from all those years of hard work and hard living. But I've had a good life. I fought for my country. I married a wonderful woman. I raised eight children. I helped build a community from nothing. I've tried to live with honor and integrity.

When I'm gone, I want you to remember that you come from strong stock. You come from Revolutionary soldiers and pioneer women. You come from people who weren't afraid of hard work or hard times. You come from people who helped their neighbors and trusted in God.

Take care of your grandmother for me. She's the finest woman I've ever known, and she deserves to live out her days in comfort and peace. Keep the family together. Keep the faith. And when you tell your own grandchildren about me someday, tell them I tried to be a good man.

This land we're sitting on—this has been my home for forty years. It'll be here long after I'm gone. Maybe some of you will stay and farm it. Maybe some will go west to find new land. Either way, remember where you came from. Remember the sacrifices that were made so you could have a better life.

Now, it's getting cold, and this old body needs rest. But I'm glad we had this talk. I love you all. Take care of each other. And remember: Carringers don't give up. We never have, and you never will.

Your loving grandfather, Martin Carringer
Sandy Creek Township, Mercer County, Pennsylvania, January 1835

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

4) An Audio Overview (essentially a podcast) created by the Google NotebookLM AI tool) describing this memoir of Martin Carringer in 1835 is here (click on "Audio Overview" and wait for it to load).

5)  The Video Overview of Martin Carringer's life memoir, created by the Google NotebookLM AI tool is:  


6)  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.

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

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:  https://www.geneamusings.com/2025/12/life-memories-of-martin-carringer-1758.html

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.

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