Yes, this blog is still working.  Sorry, I just can't seem to find the time to post to it more often.
I get a lot of "cousins" contacting me to find out if they connect somehow to Joel Estes.  If you
are one, please help me out by doing the following:

(If you DO NOT KNOW if you are a descendant of Abraham Estes of VA/1600's)
Email me your (Estes) grandparents names, birth dates, birth places, death dates and places. And if possible, the names of their parents and what states they are from.  This will help me in researching the lines and connection to Joel Estes.

Our Estes Family Association has opened up our membership to ALL descendants from Abraham Estes who came to America/Virginia in the 1600's.  You are welcome to join and receive newsletters, which will keep you updated on Estes Family reunions and other Estes news.

Any questions will be answered through email.  Please contact me:
Kathy Garcia
related2me@yahoo.com

APRIL 2015

Finally, an update!

This blog is working!!  We are having new cousins find us by finding this blog! I'm so happy we are having success in this way.

If you are new, and an Estes Descendant, especially Joel Estes (of Estes Park, CO), WELCOME, WELCOME, WELCOME!  If you would like to be a part of our Estes Family Association and get updates (newsletters, emails, etc.) about our Reunions, please email me.  My information is in the right column.  Just look for Kathy Garcia. I am the Family Historian and Secretary/Treasurer.
To be a member, we ask for dues to cover expenses. Dues are only $10 that will cover you until our next reunion in 2017 in Estes Park.  I accept checks or money orders made out to EFA or Estes Family Association.  Send it to:

EFA
c/o Kathy Garcia
5468 Tonalea Dr
Murray, UT 84107-6278

If you have information or questions, please email me (1st choice), or call (2nd choice).

Thank you,
Hope to hear from all of you who visit this blog.

2014 EFA REUNION

Our reunion was held on July 31 to Aug. 3, 2014 in Estes Park, CO.

I had a great time and I hope that everyone attending had a great time, too.
I haven't heard any complaints yet.  :)

Our next reunion will be in Estes Park, CO scheduled for 2017.

Our new dues will be $10 per address and covers you until the next reunion in 2017.

You now have the option (if you paid dues) to receive your newsletter by mail or by EMAIL.
And you will need to let me know which way you prefer, or you will receive them by mail.

If you are new to the Estes Family and would like to receive the newsletters please send a check to me made out to Estes Family Association and mail it to the address listed in the right column for Kathy Garcia.  Please make sure I have your correct name, mailing address, contact phone number, and email address.  Also let me know if you want them mailed or emailed, and if you want all issues starting with September 2014.  (If you are a Joel Estes descendant, please let me know which line, or which of his children you are from).
If you are a descendant from a line connected from Abraham Estes, I would like to have your lineage from him to you.

I will try to put a few hi-lights from each newsletter on this blog, that will help me update this at least every Spring and Fall. 

We have new Officers this year and the updates are listed in the right column.

If you wish to contact me, I prefer email if possible.  I receive notifications of new emails immediately and I respond by the end of the day.

If you wish to leave a comment, please email me instead of leaving a comment on this page.
Thank you.
Kathy

Reunion is almost here!

Our Estes Family Reunion is fast approaching!!

It will be held in Estes Park, CO from July 31st to August 3rd, 2014.

I don't know how many of you still stop by sometimes to see if I've posted anything, and I'm sorry I haven't posted anything in awhile.  If you have stopped by to check out this blog would you kindly send me a short email at related2me@yahoo.com to let me know I still have you stopping by?
I would appreciate it.  And it will give me more of an incentive to keep it updated more often.

Thank you for your support.  I hope to see many of you at the reunion.
Have a wonderful summer.
Kathy

Our reunion this summer will be held July 31 - August 3.

I hope to see all of you there!
If you have any questions about the reunion or future newsletters please contact Jack Estes or me.  Our information can be found in the right column of this blog.

If you leave any comments please contact me through my email also.
Unfortunately, I haven't been checking my own blog very often.  Plus I may possibly be moving soon so I prefer a more direct contact from you so I can answer you within a few days.

Thank you,
Kathy

Finally, An Update!

Dear Estes Cousins,

I'm sorry I have not done a very good job of keeping this blog up to date.  Though it has done some good for we have had a couple of new cousins find us by finding this blog!  So that is one good thing.  Three years is way too long!

Our next reunion is tentatively set for July 31-August 3, 2014 in Estes Park, CO.

If you have not received a newsletter this year, please contact Jack Estes.  You can find his contact information in the right column.  Future newsletters will have more information about the reunion in 2014.

If you would like to see certain information posted in the blog, please contact me.

Thanks.  Hope to see you all at the REUNION!

Kathy

Tribute to WANDA IONE MOYER

Wanda Ione Moyer was born July 14, 1920, in Torrington, Wyoming to Edson and Fern Estes Moyer. This year will be her 90th birthday and as far as we can determine, is the oldest living member of Joel Estes' descendants. She is a third great granddaughter of Joel and Patsy and a descendant of Francis Marion, 12th child of Joel and Patsy.

She has two daughters - Ronda Pratt (Dean) of Spokane Washington and Dallas Hincks of Boise, Idaho, four grandchildren Kerry Toney (David) of Spokane, Kyla, Karisa and Dakota Hincks of Boise, and four great grand daughters, Cynthia, Alyssa and Callie Toney and Abigail Haynes.

As with many Estes, she spent her early years moving, mostly up and down the Platte River valley from Torrington to Kearney and all stops in between. The frequent changes in towns and schools made her an adaptable and friendly person that has stood her in good stead. She survived the Depression with a struggle as did most of the people around her. She remembers with embarrassment yet, having a school physical, which required her to remove her sweater to reveal her only and too small dress which was split up the back. She also remembers days of blowing black dust and a kindly neighbor who came to take them in with his family so they wouldn’t be alone.

The thirties were also the time of the big bands and Wanda loved to dance. Even after working a 12-hour day, she would be off to the Saturday night dance. She said even the young ones would have a dance and set out a couple. This is Nebraska in the summer before any air conditioning.
She was always an avid reader until macular degeneration has robbed her of her sight.


She graduated from Scottsbluff High School in 1939 and the same month married Harold Millsap of Torrington.

During the draft of World War II, Harold changed from working on the railroad to farming with his father north of Torrington and then began the city girl’s 16-year stint as a farm wife.

Harold was killed in a train accident at Holly Sugar Factory in 1957. This left her a widow with young girls, Ronda and Dallas, to raise.

In May of 1962, she married Mike R. McKelvey and they lived in Torrington until Mike retired from the Wyoming Highway Department and they moved to Mesa, Arizona for 16 years. They enjoyed traveling and motor biking.
Mother loved to play pinochle and bowl and had a mean eye as a pool player.

As a small girl, she almost drown but was rescued by someone grabbing her by her long hair. In Arizona, she overcame her fear and learned to swim.

As Mike’s health started to deteriorate they returned to Torrington where he died in 1997.
With failing eyesight, Mother decided to move to Spokane, Washington to be near her oldest daughter, Ronda.








She is currently residing at Royal Plaza Retirement Center, 302 E. Wedgewood, Spokane, WA 99208. Her phone is 509-484-5593 if anyone would care to call and wish her well.