Mam-ma's Southern Family

Arthur N. Pauff, the husband of my maternal 2x-great grandaunt, Margaret Rose Lancaster, died on 21 December 1912 of lobar pneumonia. [1]  He was just 39 years old. The notice of his death was on the front page of the  Las Vegas Age . [2]  It begins with “The above brief announcement marks the sorrowful passing of one of the foremost citizens of Las Vegas.” This must have been a sorrowful time for the family, with just a few days to Christmas. He left a wife and two sons, Harry, 11, and Arthur, 9. He also left a thriving business, the A. N. Pauff, Men’s Clothing. An ad in an earlier issue stated how his store was preparing to be ‘handsomely decorated with Christmas trees and a wonderful variety of articles suitable for gifts.” [3] The funeral services were held Monday, December 23. As he was a member of the local masonic lodge, the Vegas Lodge No. 32, F. &. A. M., took charge. The Masonic service was held at the Methodist Church with Rev. Paul B. James and Rev. E.A. Palmer taking p

Mam-ma & Tom Tom Christmas 1972 Merry Christmas!  Copyright © 2022 by Lisa S. Gorrell, Mam-ma's Southern Family, All rights reserved.

When documenting the death of my grandmother, Pansy Louise Lancaster Johnston ("Mam-ma"), I collected many different documents. Even though I know the date of her death, as I was with her just an hour before her death, it is important to locate physical records. Locating multiple documents about an event even helps us follow the Genealogy Proof Standard (GPS). For my grandmother, I have an official copy of her death certificate. My sister is the informant and I helped her with the information. Other records we should search for include: Obituaries My grandmother’s obituary was in the East Bay Times and announced the time and place of the funeral service. In earlier times, there might be both an obituary and a funeral notice placed by the funeral home. In large cities, this might be all you find. Also, check the newspaper after the funeral for a “card of thanks” thanking the community for their support in their time of sorrow. Funeral card or program My sister designed th