divorced ancestor – Someone Peed In My Gene Pool!

August 16, 2025

Introducing Flora Louise Black

Share Your Memories of Flora Louise Black

1911 – 1996
A woman who never waited for the green light. 🚦

Meet Flora

Born in Indianapolis in 1911, Flora Louise Black grew up in a bustling household before marrying young, raising three children, and later striking out on her own. Over the years she reinvented herself time and again—through new marriages, new homes, and new names (her luggage tags proudly read “Flo” no matter what the paperwork said).

She worked as a secretary, traveled fearlessly on her own, and filled journals with her thoughts and experiences. Family lore says she may have been married five to seven times, though the exact count remains one of her best-kept secrets.

What isn’t a secret? Flo lived life boldly, faithfully, and on her own terms.

Family Memories

Her driving skills are the stuff of legend:

Sitting at a red light, Flo would confidently declare, “My turn!” before pulling into traffic.
She once stopped right in the middle of an intersection to check her map. (Seatbelts not included!)
She delighted her grandchildren with trips to Woolworth cafeterias and the mall for cheesecake.
She inspired her family with her independence—traveling alone, keeping her faith, and journaling every year of her life.

As her granddaughter Karen remembered:
“She was a strong and outspoken Christian lady. I admired her greatly. She was one of the first women I knew who traveled alone and lived independently. I looked up to her courage.”

Add Your Story

This page is for the people who knew and loved Flo best. Did she ever take you on one of her “adventurous” car rides? Do you remember her journals, her faith, or her fearless spirit?

Please share your memories in the comments below. Every story adds another piece to the lively mosaic that was Flora Louise Black’s life.

📜 Want the full story?
Head over to Flora Louise Black’s Family Page to see her complete timeline—from birth records to censuses, city directories, and more. It’s the detailed backbone behind all the memories shared here.

July 28, 2025

Introducing Irvin Benjamin Smith

🕵️‍♂️ Introduction Page: Irvin Benjamin Smith

Born: 15 March 1885, Lawrence, Indiana
Died: 26 January 1947, Indianapolis, Indiana
Known Aliases: Irvin B. Smith, Ervin B. Smith, Tom Smith
Occupations: Drayman, Laborer, Welder, Mechanic, Truck Driver
Possible Marriages: Edna Dugan, Lulu Sanders, Helen Marie Blake, Alsa Mae (unconfirmed)
Children: Mabel Irene Smith, Monty (unconfirmed)

Who Was Irvin Really?

Irvin Benjamin Smith is one of those ancestors who refuses to sit still—even in the grave. His trail winds through multiple marriages, shifting occupations, two World Wars, and census entries that contradict each other just enough to keep you guessing.

We’ve traced his known path as far as we can, but his story still has soft spots—years unaccounted for, possible spouses unexplained, and a son named Monty who may or may not be his. Throw in varying middle initials for his father and the occasional alias (“Tom”), and you’ve got the makings of a real mystery man.

That’s where you come in.

📣 Share Your Stories, Clues & Theories

Did you know Irvin personally—or hear stories passed down through the family?
Do you have photos, letters, or mementos tied to Irvin or his wives?
Can you help clarify whether he really married Lulu Sanders, Alsa Mae, or someone else entirely?
Any leads on what became of Monty?

We welcome memories, documents, DNA matches, wild theories, and respectful speculation. Drop your insights in the comments below or contact me directly. Even the smallest detail might help connect the dots.

📜 Want the full story?
Head over to Irvin Benjamin Smith’s Family Page for a detailed timeline of his life—including census records, marriages, mysteries, and everything we’ve uncovered so far.

Let’s shine a little more light on Irvin’s shadowy corners.

With curiosity and care,
~Kris