In this special episode of 'Finding Grandpa Charlie', host Erv Lenzy reviews the significant discoveries from season one, focusing on the life of his great grandfather, Charlie Henderson, who faked his death in 1912. The episode explores Charlie's early life, the tragedies that led to his disappearance, the unraveling of the family story, and the lives of his second family. It also hints at future explorations into New Mexico and California, where more secrets about Charlie's life may be uncovered.

Takeaways

• This episode is a bridge to connect the dots before season two.
• Charlie Henderson faked his death in 1912.
• The family believed Charlie was dead for 50 years.
• Tragedy struck the family with the loss of two children.
• The story of Charlie's disappearance was accepted without question.
• Charlie had a violent past, possibly involving crime.
• He started a new life with a second family after disappearing.
• Charlie's second family settled in California, creating their own legacy.
• CK, Charlie's brother, lived a stable life while Charlie drifted.
• The next episode will explore New Mexico and California further.

• The Mysterious Life of Charlie Henderson
• Unraveling Family Secrets

• "It was a crushing blow."
• "Charlie shot him, killed him."
• "He just kept going."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Journey

01:24 The Life of Charlie Henderson

04:46 The Tragedy and Disappearance

07:36 The Unraveling of the Family Story

09:24 Charlie’s New Life and Family

11:42 The Aftermath of Charlie's Second Family

13:38 The Mysterious Death of Charlie

15:05 CK: The Brother Who Stayed

17:01 Looking Ahead: New Mexico and California

This conversation explores the mysterious life and disappearance of Charlie Henderson, a man who lived a life of evasion and ultimately vanished without a trace. Through the narrative, Irv Lenzy delves into the circumstances surrounding Charlie's last days, the fatal crash that claimed his life, and the enigmatic hitchhiker who was with him. The story unfolds to reveal family secrets, unanswered questions, and the search for closure, culminating in a reflection on the legacy of silence that Charlie left behind.

Takeaways

• Some stories don't end in a whisper; they end in motion.
• Charlie Henderson's life was spent dodging the past.
• He was admitted to the hospital at 82 years old.
• Charlie left home and was reported missing 18 days later.
• He drove a 1949 Hudson, a car from a company that no longer existed.
• Charlie vanished on a road where a man could disappear.
• The crash involved a butane tanker and a fatal collision.
• Jack Shelton, the hitchhiker, had a mysterious past.
• Charlie was buried without an obituary or service.
• The search for Charlie's heirs revealed more family secrets.

Chapters

00:00 The Mysterious Disappearance of Charlie Henderson

07:00 The Fatal Crash and Its Aftermath

12:45 The Enigmatic Hitchhiker: Jack Shelton

20:03 Family Secrets and Unanswered Questions

24:12 The Search for Closure and Future Discoveries

Summary

In this episode of 'Finding Grandpa Charlie', Erv Lenzy delves into the complex family history surrounding Charlie Henderson and Henrietta Waters. Through a mix of personal anecdotes and genealogical research, Irv uncovers the silence and loss that permeated their lives, revealing the struggles of tracing family roots amidst a backdrop of abandonment and erasure. The narrative explores the power of DNA in resurrecting forgotten stories and the emotional weight of familial legacies.

Takeaways

• Some stories are told in ink. Others are passed down in blood.
• Henrietta was the mystery matriarch, tall, strong and quiet.
• Literacy was a form of power for Henrietta.
• The 1890 census is gone, burned and lost.
• Silence passed down like a family heirloom.
• Charlie married another woman while Henrietta grieved.
• The timeline of events reveals a cruel reality.
• Charlie didn't just disappear; he multiplied.
• DNA can resurrect stories long thought lost.
• Some legacies get buried on purpose.

Chapters

00:00 Uncovering Family Mysteries

09:05 The Weight of Silence and Loss

17:18 The Search for Charlie's Legacy

26:36 DNA and the Truth of Heritage

30:49 The Final Chapter: Charlie's Death