Wednesday, August 10, 2016

VERNOR’S ~ A MICHIGAN CLASSIC–Does our family have a connection?

Vernors birthplace of Vernors bottle Vernors cart with horses
 Photos courtesy of public domain & Detroit Historical Society

If you are from Michigan, you know Vernor’s Ginger Ale.  To those of us who were born there, ever lived there or have family from there, you know that we consider it to be the “only” real ginger ale.

To read a history of the background of Vernor’s Ginger Ale, created in Detroit click here.

Since myself, my parents, my siblings and 3 of my 4 grandparents were all born in Detroit, we know Vernor’s.
 
My grandmother would always offer me Vernor’s if I had an upset stomach.  And oh those Boston Coolers (Vernor’s and ice cream).  Why aren’t they called Michigan Coolers or Detroit Coolers?
 
A couple of years ago I went to my cousin’s house just up the coast from me here in California.  We had another cousin visiting from Michigan.  Guess what was sitting on the counter when I walked in?  A BIG bottle of Vernor’s Ginger Ale.  So, you get the idea.

As I’m researching my family on my father’s side, I come across a Vernor.  Woohoo!  Are they related to “the” Vernors?  And, how does my family fit in, if it does?

Here is what my research revealed.

Fanny L. Hart, born 14 Sep 1876 in Detroit married Benjamin Granger Vernor born Jul 1871, on 11 Dec 1902 in Detroit, Michigan.

Below is the marriage record.  Their parent’s names are listed and match the data that I have.

(CLICK ON ANY IMAGE IN THIS POST, TO ENLARGE IT)
HART_Frances marriage to Benjamin VERNOR_11 Dec 1902_DetroitWayneMichigan_annotated
VERNOR_Benjamin__amp__Frances_HART_announce_marriage_DetFreePress_7_Dec_1901_pg_15

Fanny L. Hart is my 1st cousin 3 times removed.

Here is an obituary for Frances L. “Fanny” Hart Vernor.
VERNOR_Frances_nee_HART_obit_DFP_10_Aug_1950_pg_22

With this evidence, I have established that my 1st cousin, 3 times removed, Frances Hart, married Benjamin Vernor and was still married to him at the time of her death.  The newspaper announcement of their impending marriage gives her parents names as Mr. & Mrs. Simeon Henry Hart.  Simeon Henry Hart is my 2nd great granduncle.

I believe, based on evidence, that Benjamin Granger Vernor is the son of Charles H. Vernor who married Mary Granger, grandson of John T. Vernor & Polly Smith and the nephew of James Vernor, Sr., who invented Vernor’s Ginger Ale.
 
What proof do I have of this connection?

PARENTS OF BENJAMIN GRANGER VERNOR
- Charles Henry Vernor Sep 1839 to 4 Mar 1928 married on 13 oct 1868 in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, Mary Lucy or Luce Granger Nov 1845 to 25 Dec 1922

Source:  Michigan Marriages, 1851-1875

NOTE:  While there are no parents names listed on this marriage record, Polly Vernor (Charles Henry Vernor’s mother) is a witness to the marriage.

VERNOR_Charles H to GRANGER_Mary L_1868_Detroit_annotated

- Birth record for Benjamin Granger Vernor, 10 Jul 1871, Detroit, Wayne, Michigan.  Here is the text from this record:
Name: Benjamin Granger Vernor
Gender: Male
Baptism/Christening Date: 
Baptism/Christening Place: 
Birth Date: 10 Jul 1871 Birthplace: Detroit, Wayne, Michigan
Death Date: 
Name Note: 
Race: 
Father's Name: Charles H. Vernor
Father's Birthplace: 
Father's Age: 
Mother's Name: Mary S. Vernor
Mother's Birthplace: 
Mother's Age: 
Indexing Project (Batch) Number: C02142-5
System Origin: Michigan-ODM
Source Film Number: 1377655


- 1880 census, Detroit, Wayne, Michigan has Charles & his wife Mary in a household with their daughter, Edna, age 10, son Benjamen G., age 8 and daughter Winifred, age 2.

- 1900 census, Detroit, Wayne, Michigan has Charles H. Vernor, and his wife Mary, with son Benjamin G., age 28 and single, daughter Edna, age 30 and single and daughter Winifred, age 21 and single.  Benjamin is working as a bank teller.  He remains in that profession the rest of his life.

There are other pieces of evidence, but I’ll move on.

PARENTS OF CHARLES HENRY VERNOR AND HIS CONNECTION TO JAMES VERNOR, SR., Inventor of Vernor’s Ginger Ale.

- Charles is named in the obituary of his brother, James Vernor, Sr.  Detroit Free Press 30 Oct 1927, page 1. (Image below)

- 1860 census – J. T. Vernor and his wife Polly are living in Detroit with children: J.S., Elizabeth, Harriet, Charles H. and James (Image below)

VERNOR_James_Obit_DetFreePress_30_Oct_1927_pg_1 1860_VERNOR_J.T. wife Polly & children_DetroitWayneMichigan
I’m certain there is more evidence out there.  But, for the purposes of this post, I will stop here.
 
While not related very closely, I am still able to say that there is a family connection to the Vernor’s.  James Vernor, Sr., (inventor & purveyor of Vernor’s Ginger Ale) is my 1st cousin 3 times removed's husband's uncle.

TIP:  In conducting this research, I’ve given you an example of how to connect the dots in your own research. One record at a time you come to a conclusion, based on evidence. Sometimes that conclusion is negative and sometimes it’s positive.  Keep track of these conclusions and how you reached them.  I use the notes section in my Legacy software to keep track of my own progress and conclusions.  What do you use?

OTHER POSTS THAT MAY BE OF INTEREST
Ever Had One of Those "Slap Your Forehead" Moments In Your Research?

Have Limited Time for Research?  Here's What I Did Today in Just 60 Minutes

Happy hunting,
Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2010-2016   Diane Gould Hall
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

5 comments:

  1. Very fun connection, Diane,and very instructive post. It's interesting how some foods and beverages are regional. My dad was a big fan of Moxie, a New England soda, but definitely an aquired taste.

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  2. Vernor's IS the only real ginger ale! I am no longer in Michigan and I do MISS my favorite drink! This is an awesome connection :)

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    Replies
    1. It really is, NikiMarie. I can find it out here in California, pretty easily. Those other "so called" ginger ales taste nothing like it.
      Thanks for stopping by.

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  3. What a fun discovery! It takes some real patience to slowly connect things one bit at a time,but your results are proof it's worth the effort. Good post.

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    Replies
    1. It was a fun one Michelle. I love that process of connecting the dots and putting the families together piece by piece. Very rewarding, as you know.

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I look forward to reading your comments. If you have any connection to the people mentioned in this blog, please let me know. I write about mine and my husband's ancestors and would welcome new information or meeting a new cousin or two. Thanks for visiting and come back soon.