RICHARD A. WHAM, M.D. WEB LOG
3/25/2006 - Fred L. Wham, Jr. of Centralia, Illinois, my Dad, died on March 13, 2006, just a few hours short of his 96th birthday. Everyone is telling me he/she is "sorry". Well, I'm sorry too, but his death was more of a blessing than a curse. He had been "house-bound" for the past several years, unable to get out of bed for the past several months. He was still fairly alert mentally, and with his physical limitations, he situation was pretty grim. It was only with round the clock personal care that he was able to remain in his own home. Especially since the death of my Mom, in November, 2005, Dad's life had become more of a matter of day to day survival than any source of satisfaction to him. Thanks to all who have expressed their condolences and kind words.
Now the good news: In going through some of Dad's personal letters, I came across a clipping from about ten or fifteen years ago, about a group of people trying to organize some system of taking care of Wham Hill Cemetery. On the clipping was written the name "Gain" and a telephone number. I reached Walter Earl Gain, who had been taking care of Wham Hill Cemetery for many years, until poor health forced him to give it up a few years ago. (Thanks from all of us to "Earl".) Walter Earl Gain has several family members buried at WHC. I was lucky to call him at the time he was being visited by his daughter, Joyce Myers. After some discussion, we determined that we are distant cousins! Her great grandmother was Mary Isabella Wham, who married Joel Harvey Gain. Always wonderful to "meet" another cousin. We had a great conversation with lots of common denominators - mainly centered around the Cartter, Kell, Kinmundy communities near Centralia and Salem, Illinois.
It really is a small world!
2/20/2005 - Overview of Wham History - England, Scotland, Ireland, America. Possible origin of name - Submitted by Thomas J. Wham, Mountain Home, Arkansas. This is the single BEST contribution to this web site! If you don't go anywhere else - go here:
10/22/2004 - Important new piece of puzzle: Benjamin Wham Deed, April 4, 1798
4/22/2000 - It appears that the first Wham in America was Benjamin. (Based on information from Mary Wilma Wham Monroe and British Aliens 1812.)
4/12/2000 - Just received from Mary Wilma Wham Monroe - copy of Wham Family History. Represents work of past 40 years! Thanks! (Excellent Wham overview by Mary Wilma Wham Monore of Lurens, SC.)
10/01/1999 - Great Find! Nancy Ellen Chapman Crayton, grand daughter of Nancy Louise Wham b. August 6, 1892, has contributed a GED file containing information about the "Southern Branch" of the Wham family. What a wonderful contribution! Thanks Nancy. Reply to Nancy Ellen Chapman Crayton: sloanc@mindspring.com
2/1/1999 - Additional information has been added with the help of Ted Wham, Robert S. Wham, Shirley Ann Wham Ingalls, and Maureen McClintock Rischard. Thanks to all!