This Memorial Day, We Remember...

Lt Cmdr Fredrick J. Fortner

An American Hero,

A man who gave all for his country.

We salute you Uncle Freddy!

How My Day Went

Last Saturday I was once again trying to get on that Family History horse that I had fallen off of some time ago. I spent part of the evening updating and responding to Pratt family requests for updates on Irintha's descendents.
I then turned to some of my Fortner family ancestors and attempted some searches on that side. For some reason I started looking for my gr-gr-grandfather Norbert Banks and found some info as to where he had died. I searched the county in Arizona and sent their records dept an email asking if they were the correct people to contact if I was looking for a Death Certificate info.

Today I got a reply, I copy it here along with my response:

Dear Scott: 
We are not agency that maintains birth death certificates.  Vital Records at State Dept. of Health Services will have info:  602-364-1300, www.hs.state.az.us.  If you have problems I have a friend, Wes Patience, who has experience in locating older death certificates.  His number is 520-432-4343.  Out of curiosity, who is your great-great grandfather?  
Sincerely, Christine

Christine,

Thank you so much for answering. You are more than generous with the info you gave me.

My great great grandfather Norbert Banks passed and is buried in Wilcox, Cochise co. AZ.  This is what online documents and family history indicates. I am trying to track down a cemetery and a death certificate.

Thanks again for you help!

Have a great day!

Scott Fortner

She replied:

Thanks.  You won't believe this.  In an amazing coincidence when searching for another name this morning I opened a probate book that contained Norbert's Probate Document.  At the time I did not even know the name Norbert Banks as I had not seen your e-mail.  I only noted the name as I know a Banks family here in Bisbee. As far as I recall I had never used that particular book before, and we have hundreds of thousands of pages of records here and at our archives.  Would you like a copy of the document?  Willcox historian and author Kathy Klump may have information on Norbert Banks.  Her address and phone # are 175 S. Railroad Ave. , Willcox 85643 and (520)384-3397.  

 

I read this as I was sitting in the DMV waiting to renew my medical cert. I thought, am I reading the Church News? This is right off the pages of it!  But it happened to me.

President Eyring says to look for the hand of the Lord in our daily lives. 

I testify that sometimes it is rather obvious!

 

As if that had not been enough, this week I encountered a high school friend that had just joined FB and had found our "gathering" of high school friends so I sent him a quick note:

D Scott Fortner 

Darin, ironic that I was just looking at our 81 yearbook, saw your pic and thought "i wonder where Darin is?" Then last night I see Mark and Stephanie messaging you! Hope life is treating you well!

 

Darin Boyd Hey Scott, or I guess I should say Brother Fortner now, yep believe it or not, I joined the Church in 91 after being married to my wonderful LDS wife for about 5 years. We were sealed in 92 and been very active ever since. Anyway, I will let you get up off the floor now and talk to you again soon. :)

Yes, it was a very good day.

They got Bin Laden

Nine and a half years it took.
You can run but you'll just die tired.