Memories of my maternal grandparents wouldn’t be complete without grandmother Matilda Thorne.
MY GRANDMOTHER – MATILDA DEXTER (nee Thorne) (1883-1952)
Matilda Thorne, my grandmother, was born 8th October 1883 in Sparkford in the county of Somerset, England.
At the age of 8, she lived in Sparkford in 1891. Matilda was just nine years of age at the time of Edward VII`s Coronation a year later.
Residing in Somerset (Sutton Montis) in 1901 aged 18, records show Matilda was a servant to the ‘Head of the House).
Matilda married Ernest Walter Dexter on the 14th Jan 1911 aged 27. On the following 2nd April 1911, the couple resided in Egham just prior to their daughter and only child Grace Edith (my mother), birth on the 4th April 1911.
Matilda lived in Egham at the time the Women’s Suffrage movement turned militant.
In 1939 records show them living at 52, Claremont Road, Egham.
She died at the age of 68 on the 8th August 1952 at number 52, Claremont Road. Unfortunately I have only a limited recollection of her, as she passed away when I was just 9 years of age.
I made my crazy blessed grand appearance on January 13, 1966 at 4:34pm at Charles E. Still hospital in Jefferson City, Mo.
When my mom got the call that I was born, they asked her if she and my dad still wanted to adopt me. She said absolutely, but they had to hear it from my dad too. At the time he was working survey in the middle of Kansas. This was before cell phones. Due to this, I didn’t get to come home until January 20th.
I like to semi-celebrate the week between the 13th through the 20th as my week. My favorite day and number are Friday the 13th, but Thursday, January 20th, 1966, was the beginning of my wonderful life.
A Blessed Childhood
Mom and Dad didn’t have a lot of information to share. For as long as I can remember I was adopted. My parents, Richard and Jean Byrd were the best! I couldn’t have asked for better parents. They chose to name me Christy Lynn Byrd. As of November 1966, I was no longer Baby Girl Drennan.
My dad worked for the Corps of Engineers and my mom was a stay-at-home mom. From the day I came home, until I was four, we lived in Stockton, MO. At that time, we moved to Warsaw, MO. My family was truly loving and amazing. To say the least, I may have been a little spoiled. I had two sets of wonderful grandparents and many extended family members. To this day, I tell people I am the chosen one. Chosen to be given life and chosen to be adopted.
Growing up in Warsaw, we literally lived on Truman Lake. When I was 7, my parents adopted my brother Tim. He was 4. My Granny & Papa Byrd and my Grandpa Cleo and Irene lived 30 minutes from us, so did my Aunt Flavis and Uncle Joe. Both sides of my family spent holidays together and special events. We spent every weekend visiting them whether it was Saturday or Sunday. So much of my time was spent visiting with my family.
A Quest For Ethnicity Leads To!!!
Several years ago, I took the Ancestry DNA test. I don’t know why it didn’t register with me, what that meant. I was interested in knowing what my ethnicity background was. When I received my results, it not only told me my ethnicity, but it also had a list of DNA matches.
WHAT?!?!
I was so shocked. A couple of matches did contact me. When I told them my story, it was several years before I heard from them again. I did contact a young woman. More on her later.
In April of 2020, I received a phone call from a first cousin. His name is Kevin Gordon. He is from my father’s side of the family. We hit it off immediately. In June of 2020, my husband and I met him and his wife Lori. They have welcomed me with love and open arms. Together, we have worked together trying to put my puzzle together.
In July of 2022, it was verified, that Wayne Steinmetz is my father. Through my DNA matches, I have a half-brother, John Leonard. The young woman I mentioned earlier is his daughter, Justina. Debbie Abel is his sister, my half-sister. Also, I have 6 younger half-brothers. They are Travis, Eric, Greg, Keith, Kevin and James Steinmetz. Who would have thought spitting in a tube, would lead me to 8 siblings?
One day I randomly chose a couple of names from my DNA matches to contact. Diana McGinnis and Connie Dexter Spicer. I was so surprised to hear back from both let alone at all. Not only that, but we’re related through the Steinmetz/Knife line.
Crazy Blessed!
Christy Hunter (Steinmetz)
Side note 1– My mom said I was the best special-order gift her & my dad received from Sears & Roebuck! This was our inside joke.
Side note 2- Diana & I both get our hair done by the same girl.
Side note 3- This led me to Connie & hopefully many more family members.
Christy Steinmetz Hunter family tree Thru-Lines to our common Knife family
