A Precious Picture- Newest Doak Progenitor

Norma Jean Meacham Peters sent this photo of the most probable newest Doak progenitor Oden Nicholas Johnson. His parents are Hulburd Meacham's grandson Will and his wife Delly Johnson. They live in Federal Way, Washington. Oden was born on Thanksgiving Day 11/27/2008. Also pictured are grandmother Norma Jean and baby Oden and Will and Kelly with baby.
Please email any pictures of new babies, weddings, special events, or more especially just photos with names of the family members so we can all meet via email if no other way. Thanks! Lindseyfam1969@yahoo.com

Gary Meacham is Grandfather and Grandmother Doak's First Great Grandson and his father Hulburd was the first Grandson in the family

Not many family members know that Gary's first name is really John. He's gone by Gary these 68 years. Gary will be 69 on the 26th of November. His little sister Norma Jean is 20 years younger than he is. Gary held onto his bachelorhood till he was 60 years old. While he was vacationing in Chili, after his retirement, he met a lovely lady named Cecelia Poblete, Cecy (say-see) for short. They live in Silverton, Oregon. She has embraced American life while still managing to see her South American family almost every year since she's been here. She works with migrant workers and the school district.

In the above picture you can barely see Gary below the beautiful ceiling which is somewhere in Mexico. Below is a picture of Cecy in Mexico.

Cousin Lois Doak Faunce Felt Cheated

Cousin Lois Faunce told me she felt cheated as a youth not having the opportunity to get aquainted with her cousins in the West. We will at least try to share a few pictures. Here is a photo of Sylvia and Merritts children. The picture goes left to right the youngest to oldest as follows - left to right- Gene, David, Gordon, Erma, Bud, George, and Hulburd. The occasion was Hulburd's 80 the birthday. All the siblings were there for the occasion which was nearly 15 years ago and held at the home of Bud and Clara Meacham in Clarkston, Washington, which is across the river from Lewiston, Idaho, where many Meacham's live today.

GreatGrandaughter Carolyn Betty an Opera Singer

The musical ability of the Howard's particularly and Carolyn's grandfather Everett Doak who loved to lay on the couch and listen to Opera on Saturday afternoon is a legacy that continues through greatgranddaughter Carolyn Betty. Her grandmother Betty Ruth who is now in her late 80's was undoubtedly a great musical influence on Carolyn. Betty Ruth was a high school music teacher. She described Carolyn's voice as a pure voice. By searching her name on the internet I found that Carolyn will be performing in Seattle Operas. Here is a little write -up on her just to let you know some of the great musical talent in the family. I wish I could hear her someday. Perhaps you can also.

Carolyn Betty
Carolyn Betty is quickly distinguishing herself as a one of the new up and coming sopranos to watch.
This season, Ms. Betty returns to the Pittsburgh Opera as First Lady in Die Zauberflöte. She most recently appeared there as Fiordiligi in Cosi fan tutte and Micaela in Carmen. Other recent opera engagements have included Anna Maurrant in Kurt Weill's Street Scene, Nanny in Miss Havisham's Fire and Annina in La Traviata at the Opera Theater of Saint Louis; Vitellia in La Clemenza di Tito and Anna Maurrant at the Wolf Trap Opera;. roles in the Opera Company of Philadelphia's productions of Aida, La Traviata, Il barbiere di Siviglia and Susannah; and the title role of Vanessa and Fiordiligi at the Curtis Institute of Music.
A recent graduate of the Pittsburgh Opera Center, Ms. Betty's roles there included Vitellia, the Fifth Maidservant in Elektra, and Amore and Melanto in Il Ritorno d'Ulisse in Patria.
In concert this season, Ms. Betty performs Mendelsssohn's Incidental Music to A Midsummer Night's Dream with the National Symphony Orchestra. Ms. Betty recently appeared at the Hollywood Bowl in a concert performance of Götterdämmerung with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra in a performance of Howard Shore's The Lord of the Rings Symphony. Her other concert engagements have included First Flowermaiden in Parsifal with Pierre Boulez, and Dvorák duets with Iván Fischer at the Los Angeles Philharmonic; Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 with Mariss Jansons and the Pittsburgh Symphony; Rosalinde in selections from Die Fledermaus with the National Symphony Orchestra; Handel's Messiah with the Baltimore Symphony; and recitals with Stephen Blier with both The New York Festival of Song and Wolf Trap Opera.
A Wilmington, Delaware native, Ms. Betty was a winner of the 2002 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Her other awards include the 2006 George London/Kirsten Flagstad Memorial award, a 2004 Richard Tucker Study Grant, the 2000 Richard Gaddes Career Grant, a 2002 Sullivan Award, and a 2003 Shoshana Foundation Award.

So many of Doak Descendants are Earning the Title of Mother

We just got back from a 2 week stay with our daughter in Aptos, California. I felt like our daughter Kirsten as well as her married sisters and sister-in-laws are running a marathon. To watch and hear all they do to earn the title "Mother" is literally exhausting. If you look at the links on the AADoak Blog you will see the big job that so many of his descendants are undertaking in working to raise their families and to teach them and to keep a semblance of peace and harmony in their homes. It is inspiring to watch them work so hard to be a credit to their family name. It was interesting that one evening after a long day for Kirsten, a Cameron -Meacham cousin sent this article which I read to her and the next morning my brother Doug Meacham sent the almost exact test to earning the title Mother. All I can say is - keep in the race and do your best and you will all earn the title.

THE NEXT SURVIVOR SERIES
Six married men will be dropped on an island with one car and 3 kids each for six weeks . Each kid will play two sports and either take music or dance classes . There is no fast food . Each man must take care of his 3 kids, keep his assigned house clean , correct all homework, and complete science projects, cook , do laundry , and pay a list of 'pretend' bills with not enough money. In addition, each man will have to budget in money for groceries each week . Each man must remember the birthdays of all their friends and relatives, and send cards out on time
--no emailing. Each man must also take each child to a doctor's appointment , a dentist appointment and a haircut appointment . He must make one unscheduled and inconvenient visit per child to the Urgent Care. He must also make cookies or cupcakes for a social function . Each man will be responsible for decorating his own assigned house , planting flowers outside and keeping it presentable at all times . The men will only have access to television when the kids are asleep and all chores are done . The men must shave their legs , wear makeup daily , adorn themselves with jewelry, wear uncomfortable yet stylish shoes , keep fingernails polished and eyebrows groomed . During one of the six weeks, the men will have to endure severe abdominal cramps, back aches, and have extreme, unexplained mood swings but never once complain or slow down from other duties.
They must attend weekly school meetings, church, and find time at least once to spend the afternoon at the park or a similar setting . They will need to read a book to the kids each night and in the morning , feed them , dress them , brush their teeth and comb their hair by 7:00 am . A test will be given at the end of the six weeks, and each father will be required to know all of the following information : each child's birthday, height, weight, shoe size, clothes size and doctor's name. Also the child's weight at birth, length, time of birth, and length of labor, each child's favorite color, middle name, favorite snack, favorite song, favorite drink, favorite toy, biggest fear and what they want to be when they grow up. The kids vote them off the island based on performance. The last man wins only if... he still has enough energy to be intimate with his spouse at a moment's notice. If the last man does win, he can play the game over and over and over again for the next 18-25 years, eventually earning the right to be called Mother ! After you get done laughing, send this to as many females as you think will get a kick out of it and as many men as you think can handle it. Just don't send it back to me.... I'm going to bed .

Great Granddaughter Georgia Meacham named Realtor of the Year for Idaho

The Idaho Association of Realtors last week named Georgia Meacham, an agent in Century 21 Advantage's Idaho Falls office, "Idaho Realtor of the Year" for 2008. Georgia received this honor last week at the annual Idaho Association of Realtors convention in Portland. In addition, she was also elected as one of three Idaho representatives to the National Association of Realtors Board of Directors.The Idaho Realtor of the Year designation is the highest award a real estate professional in Idaho can receive. There is only one per year for the entire state."What an honor, not only to be Realtor of the Year for Idaho, but also to be elected to serve on the National Board of Directors representing realtors in the same year. Being the first woman from Idaho Falls to ever serve in these positions makes it doubly gratifying," stated Ms. Meacham."We are so proud of Georgia. This is a high honor for her, our local association, Southeast Idaho, and our company," said Steve Taggart, broker of Century 21 Advantage.Georgia Meacham first licensed in 1986. She currently represents Blake Jones Construction, a premier builder in Idaho Falls. She is currently serving on two national committess and several state and local committees.Century 21 Advantage is the area's largest single real estate agency with approximately 100 agents and offices in Rexburg, Rigby and Idaho Falls. The agency was named one of the top 500 U.S. real estate agencies by RISMedia in both 2007 and 2008.

What is Uncle Thomas Doak ?

Cousin Betty Ruth recalls when women first got the right to vote with women's suffrage. Someone came to the door and ask Everett's wife Mary if she was a democrat or a republican. She didn't know which party to affiliate with so she ask the question of Uncle Everett, "What is Thomas?" He replied that he was a Republican. That settled it for Aunt Mary. She was a Republican. Alexander's brother Thomas kind of ran the town according to Betty Ruth. She said that Tyler county was the only West Virginia county that voted republican at that time. Here is a picture of Uncle Thomas and Aunt Mattie Doak. Also one with their children.

Shaped Notes

You musicians in the family, have you ever heard of shaped notes?
I had never heard of them till cousin Betty Ruth, Uncle Everett's daughter told me that they often gathered around the piano and sang from their hymnal composed of songs with shaped notes. The notes would have triangles, squares, circles or whatever shape was designated for that note. Even though Betty Ruth went on to teach music in high school she said she wasn't that good on the piano at the time. I also have fond memories of the few times we gathered around the piano and sang hymns to my mother or older brother trying to pick out a few notes to keep us on key. It was a spiritual experience to me. After looking on the Internet I found pictures of the shaped notes. Particularly the Church of Christ which originally didn't use musical instruments but sang acapella used the shaped notes. Some Baptist congregations also used them. Our Doak ancestors were originally from the Church of Christ. Before his mission my son Craig and I visited the graveyard at Deep Valley West Virginia where many of our Doak ancestors are buried and also helped build the church. The neighbor who lived by the church mentioned it as a matter of some disagreement that they were now using instrumental accompaniment with their singing. The Church of Christ are very strict in following the New Testament and didn't note any musical instruments used in the services. The New Testament is such a wonderful book but it was sad to learn that they did not use the Old Testament at all. I personally would hate to miss the great stories of Adam and Eve, Noah and the Ark, Abraham and the 12 tribes of Israel, Daniel in the Lion's Den, Shadrack, Meshach, and Abednego to mention a few. To me it is an important part of history and great examples of God's watchful care to the faithful which still applies today.

Sylvia's name was really Sylva

While talking to Betty Ruth, Uncle Everett's oldest daughter, she let me know that Grandma Sylvia's name was really Sylva. She said Uncle Everett always corrected her when she called her Sylvia. It is Sylva. It seems there was a song about Sylvia. Perhaps she liked Sylvia better or it was easier to go by Sylvia. If anyone wants to send for her birth certificate in Sisterville, Tyler County, West Virginia it could be verified she is Sylva.

Pictures of Uncle Everett Thanks to James Wells and Greg Meacham

Ernest Everett Doak

I will try to feature a different child of Alexander Arthur and his wives Emma Elizabeth and Virginia Doak. We have seen some of Sylvia's family so now hopefully we can get some of Everett and Mary's children. I didn't have success with the pictures Greg sent me but eventually will get them. They were in zip file and perhaps that had something to do with it. I'll go ahead and tell you what I know about Uncle Everett. I was so happy to find this out from his daughter's. Any other posts about him or Mary his wife or anyone else in the family will be most welcome during this time.

Uncle Everett was born on May 12, 1896 in Tyler County West Virginia. He loved music and was a very good singer. He sang on the first and only radio station in the world at that time. He sang in a quartet. I'll try to find out the name of the songs he sang. His daughter remembers the limousine coming to pick him up. He wanted to make a career out of singing but that didn't work out. He loved listening to opera and a daughter recalls him resting on the couch every Saturday afternoon as he listened to opera. His one great granddaughter inherited his love for opera. If you will google on Carolyn Betty you can see her. He has many other equally special grandchildren and great grandchildren with other great talents that perhaps are just not as obvious. Now back to Uncle Everett. He became a Chiropractor but couldn't bring himself to collect from his patients who owed him money. He decided to teach at a chiropractor school instead of practicing himself. He also trained for the ministry I believe. He helped renovate the Historical Wells hotel with Uncle Arthur his younger brother. They made it into a very nice hotel and got it on the National Historical registry. They also had a restaurant which the children all helped with.

Significant news for Patty and George Patton

What a happy day for Annie and Chris. They got to bring their new twins and perhaps the newest addition to the AADoak family home from the hospital. Patty spent quite a bit of time over there helping while they grew from 2 and 2 1/2 lb babies. Patty and George met them in Denver to watch the babies as they looked for a home. We are all glad they are moving to the states. No one is as happy as Patty and George I dare say. They'll get to enjoy and be such a blessing to their first grandchildren. Chris and Annie have been in Qatar for a few years as teachers and have so much to teach and share with the rest of us.

It was a surprise birthday Anniversary party for Steve and Linda Meacham. Happy 40th and good job Steve. Linda was a great catch and we're certainly happy to have her as part of the family.

Joanne and Rob See cousins from Colorado.

Aunt Billie, Uncle Gordon, and Aunt Clara Meacham

Stephani Wallen and her Aunt Ann Meacham

This is a photo of Sylvia, her father Alexander, mother Emma aand brothers Everett, Howard and sister Ruth.

This is a photo of grandmother Sylvia Doak Meacham as a girl. Her father Alexander and mother Emma and brother Everett Doak are also in the picture.

This is Hamilton Doak and Martha Ann Freeman Doak. They are Alexander's father and mother. Taken in West Virginia

This is Alexander Arthurs's grandparents Alexander and Eliza (Ireland) Doak. He was born in 1805 and she in 1810. Samuel Doak his father came from Ireland. This picture reminds me of a Jewish rabbi. I heard that Doak was a Jewish name way back in Russia. It is only a rumor and no proven fact where our relatives were from before Ireland.

Alexander Arthur Doak Reunion Pictures

All those who attended the reunion except Sherri Meacham was taking the photo and Bret and Micheline Barben and children had already left.


Bud Meacham's family who came. Kent & Mary Meacham, Barry and Sherri Meacham, Matt(the tall one) Clara and three of her darling grandchildren Mattie, Dallas, and Dalton, Robin and Bruce Meacham. Little Blythe is in front.

Cousins Bruce, Kent, Doug, Barry Meacham, Gary Peterson, Greg Meacham. and Linda Meacham Lindsey. Gary and Cynthia Peterson our special guests.







Clara and Pearl Meacham Sister-in-laws.


The Lindsey home with the Barben children.


Doug and Trudy Meacham


Greg and Margaret Meacham and Mother of Pearl

George Meacham's family in attendance. Greg & Margaret, Doug & Trudy, David and Linda and Pearl. John and Rachel Lindsey and Hyrum and Lydia were missing.

I made a History Colorbook for the children and adults alike. Much of the info came from Betty Ruth Lindsey. She also married a Lindsey. She lives in Lancaster, Penn. in a retirement center and is in her late 80s. She is the oldest daughter of Uncle Everett, Sylvia's sibling just younger than she.

Alexander, Emma and Virginia Doak Reunion

It was wonderful seeing all our loved ones and getting better acquainted. James Wells sent a fantastic album that he inherited from Audrey. It contained many old family photos. It came the day of the reunion's starting by Fedex. I'll try to figure out how to post the links on Blogspot so you can print them out, etc. Gary and Cynthia Peterson's visit was also a much welcomed bonus. They were able to show their photos on our big screen projector and explain them all to us. On Friday night Doug and Trudy favored us with dutch oven cooking - elk meat(shot by Jon), chicken&cheese, potato dish, etc. Doug was trying out a new recipe which said after you add the water to recover it. He didn't know if you take the water out again or what? How do you recover the water after adding it. He finally was told that recover meant to put the lid on again. It was almost like Amelia Bedilia skit we did again. The younger ones did a bit of geocaching on Friday evening. It's like a treasure hunt.

We played a group game to get aquainted and some tables made up their own rules and we had fun with it. After listening to Gary's experiences with Grandpa Doak, the younger set went off for a few hours of floating the Payette River. Matt brought a raft and the rest had tubes. A wind came up and got quite powerful about ten minutes after they were pulled to safety by a rope David Lindsey threw from the bridge. It was very exciting and they seemed to be thankful that all went well. After a second round of delicious food everyone brought, they pitched horseshoes, rode horses, played water balloon volleyball.

We did miss many of you and especially Gary and Cynthia wanted to meet you. You can share in the fun and education by using the Blog. We invite any of you to join us in posting your blogs. I thoroughly expected it to take til Christmas or so to get this blog up but I felt GOD sent an angel the day the last guest went home. Our friends from Alaska had a son passing through who wanted to give his four little ones a break from driving, with the horses and waterslide. Since his business is with computers he was able to help me set up this spot. Now I'll have to figure out how to attach photos, etc.

Sheri and Greg and Margaret worked on the photos for a few hours. Mary helped so much with the serving and cleaning. She wanted Pearl and Clara our nearly ninety year old Aunts to just sit and visit. Other girl cousins helped also. Bruce and Robin got a short stay with little adorable Blythe but we're very glad they came. They got here in time for the pictures and that was good. Mattie, Dalton, Dallas, Hyrum, Lydia & Blythe were 5th generation attendies. Micheline and Brett's family had been here since Tuesday and headed back to St. George on Friday. They missed the pictures.