Hyacinth Potter Deforest McCloud

Written by Grace McLoud Summer of 1978:

"I was born Oct. 18, 1900 in a logging camp, near Marion, MI, Clare County. My parents named me Hyacinth G. (no middle name) Cummings"

"I started Kindergarden that fall (1905), my teacher asked mother to give me a shorter name than the name Hyacinth, suggested since I already had the initia 'G' we use a name starting with the letter G. I wanted to be called Gertie, mother preferred Grace, and Grandma Gould wanted Gladys. It was decided by placing the three names in a bowl, Grandma held the bowl over my head, and I drew out one paper, the name Grace Cummings. We didn't know of any need to go to probate court to record this name change, but as it was the name I used all through school, it was the name I used for marriage lisiences, it has been recognized as my official name for social security and other legal documents."