Hi, Is there anyone who have information on Melvin or Calvin Vaniman. Melvin was born in Virden in 1866. See below for more information. Happy Hunting, Kathleen Mirabella In a message dated 11/21/99 2:20:30 AM Eastern Standard Time, lois@bopis.co.nz writes: > Subj: Re: Melvin Vaniman - Macoupin County, IL > Date: 11/21/99 2:20:30 AM Eastern Standard Time > From: lois@bopis.co.nz (Lois Staessens) > Reply-to: lois@bopis.co.nz > To: KathieMir@aol.com > > KathieMir@aol.com wrote: > > > > In a message dated 11/20/99 4:14:06 AM Eastern Standard Time, > > lois@bopis.co.nz writes: > > > > > Subj: Melvin Vaniman > > > Date: 11/20/99 4:14:06 AM Eastern Standard Time > > > From: lois@bopis.co.nz (Lois Staessens) > > > Reply-to: lois@bopis.co.nz > > > To: KathieMir@aol.com > > > > > > Dear Kathleen. I am researching the life of Melvin Vaniman, who was > born > > > in Virden in 1866. He was an engineer, airship designer and > > > photographer. > > > I would be grateful for any information relating to him or contacts > > > that could help. He died in 1912 in an airship crash off Atlantic City, > > > in preparation for an attempt to cross the Atlantic. > > > Many thanks, Lois Staessens. > > > > > > > Lois, > > > > Your Melvin Vaniman would have been 4 years old on the 1870 census. I > > checked Virden County, IL census and find 3 Vaniman families. Two > families > > have a 4 year old male child born in IL. Now we have a problem with the > name: > > > > Vanniman (sic), Ira age 4 born IL > > Vanniman (sic), Chester age 4 born IL > > > > Your Melvin Vaniman may have moved from Virden County after his birth? I > > don't think I am going to be much help. > > > > Have you found his obituary? Do you know exact date of death? I live in > NJ > > and may find something in an old newspaper. Where was his home town? > > > > How are you related to Melvin Vaniman > > > > Happy Hunting, > > Kathie Mirabella > > Dear Kathie. Thank you for your reply. The Vaniman family I am looking > for may well have left the area.He died over Atlantic City on July 13th > 1912, in an airship crash,in an attempt to cross the Atlantic.His > brother Calvin was also killed in the crash. I think Melvin graduated > from Valparaiso University - not sure where that is! your country is so > big! > I am not related to Vaniman, but have an interest in his story. He came > to New Zealand in 1903, and took panoramic photographs of our cities and > landscapes. These are now a wonderful historical record of that time.An > exhibition of his Sydney, Australia photos will open in Sydney on > December 1st. He seemed to have such a full and interesting life, but > know little about his early years. > Any help would be most apreciated. Many thanks, > Lois Staessens. >