Researchers

“In all of us there is a hunger, marrow deep, to know our heritage – to know who we are and where we came from. Without this enriching knowledge, there is a hollow yearning. No matter what our attainments in life, there is still a vacuum, an emptiness, and the most disquieting loneliness.”

Alex Haley, Roots

BARBARA COLEMAN

Barbara Coleman is the grand-daughter of Herbert L. and Goldie Matthews, through their daughter Mary. Barbara has done extensive research on the Matthews ancestors, gathering genealogy information and documenting first-hand stories from Matthews relatives.

FRED GAHIMER

Fred Gahimer is the late husband of Ethel Matthews Gahimer, daughter of Herbert L. and Goldie Matthews. After Fred retired, he researched the Matthews genealogy for Ethel, and captured his information in Family Tree Maker files. In addition, he became very absorbed in the story of Stan Matthews and the Scorpion, and provided the information presented in the Scorpion section of this website.

JIM MATTHEWS

Jim Matthews is the late son of Herbert L. and Goldie Matthews, and the brother of Stan, Herb, and Ethel. He’s gathered and shared family history information with other Matthews researchers, and has provided many first-hand stories of life in the Matthews household.

HERB “LES” MATTHEWS

Les Matthews is the late son of Herbert L. and Goldie Matthews, and the brother of Jim and Stan Matthews, and Ethel Matthews Gahimer. For many years Herb gathered and published genealogy information about descendants of Herbert and Goldie.

GARRY KNIGHT

Garry Knight is the great-grandson of Pearl Ewry, the youngest sister of Goldie Matthews. At a young age Goldie, Claudine, and Pearl, children of Lee Reeder and Nettie Turner, were orphaned by their father when Nettie died at an early age. For decades that period of the family history has largely been missing, and we had but a few memories passed down to family members by the three sisters. None of the sisters knew what happened to their father after he abandoned them. Through Garry’s 18 years of genealogy research of the Reeder-Turner family line, he’s been able to piece together the rich story of the girls, and of their father.

About This Site

LET FRIENDSHIP KINDLE HERE

Those words adorned the mantel of the fireplace in Herbert and Goldie Matthews’ home in Indianapolis. A mere four words, they speak volumes about the character and sentiments of the Matthews’ family. Like the bright fire crackling below them, these words reflected the love and warmth that permeated the Matthews household, kindled and strengthened by replenishing acts of care and support. A heat radiating outward, a strong sense of family was passed on to the children and descendants. This website celebrates that kinship. Just as we’re all children of one heavenly Father, so too we belong to a large family of ancestors, and the genealogy record reminds us of the unbroken string of parents and children that leads all the way back to Adam. In the spirit of Herbert and Goldie, let friendship continue to kindle here.

This website presents historical information about Herbert and Goldie Matthews, their children (while they were young), and their ancestors. It also presents information about the USS Scorpion submarine and Stanley Matthews and the rest of the crew who gave their lives for our freedom. If you would like more information than what is presented here, or would like to get connected to living Matthews descendants, please contact me.

“Every family has a story that it tells itself, that it passes on to the children and grandchildren. The story grows over the years, mutates, some parts are sharpened, others dropped, and there is often debate about what really happened. But even with these different sides of the same story, there is still agreement that this is the family story. And in the absence of other narratives, it becomes the flagpole that the family hangs its identity from.”

A.M. HOMES, O Magazine, Apr. 2007