Ancestor Archaeology: April 2017

Saturday, April 29, 2017

Book Of The Week: History of the Town of Newburgh, NY

E.M. Ruttenber & Company, 1859 - Newburgh (N.Y.) - 332 pages

Friday, April 28, 2017

Photo Friday :: Lois and Earl

This series was birthed from the large old photo album I rediscovered in the back of my closet. Many of the photos are from my grandmother's side of the family. There are also unknown photos that came with the album. Story goes my dad, an avid garage saler, picked up a celluloid covered Victorian era photo album on one of his scavenges. It already contained photos of an (as yet) unidentified family. My parents put our own vintage family photos in the album alongside the mystery family's. As children we marveled at the old fashioned clothing and settings, often wondering who these people were and what their lives were like. Of course, we thought that ALL the people in the photos were our relations! It wasn't until my mom passed the album on to me after my dad died that I learned of the mystery family residing alongside our own!

I plan to share these photos over time, sometimes they will be my family, and identifiable, others will be of the mystery family. Thanks to the world wide web, they may find their way home yet!

Enjoy!

This photo was actually a postcard and was clipped to (maybe) fit in a frame at one point? The writing on the back was cut in half too. Took me a bit, but I figured it out.

Lois and Earl
and Earl Jr
1911

The woman is Jessie Lois Twining and the man is Jacob Earl Hydeman, her husband. In the carriage is Earl Twining Hydeman born July 7th 1911.

Jessie Lois is my 2nd great aunt. Earl Jr is my 1st cousin 2x removed. Earl is just Earl.

Thursday, April 27, 2017

Video Of The Week: Genealogical Proof Standard: Analysis and Correlation of the Collected ...

We watch a lot of videos in the Cave. Webinars, instructional videos, continuing education videos, you name it! If it helps with our genealogical pursuit we are all over it!

Each week we thought we'd share one we've enjoyed.

Hope you enjoy it too!

©2017 Anne Faulkner - AncestorArchaeology.net, All Rights Reserved

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Frasers Of Fife: Generation Four | Janette Fraser and Alexander Brown

1880 John Fraser Family Tree

44. Janette Fraser (Alexander - 14, William - 3, Duncan - 1) born December 18th 1837 in New York

married September 30th 1863 at New York

Alexander Brown born about 1840 in Ireland

children of this union: (all but the last born in New York)

i. A. F. Brown b. November 23rd 1864 d. February 10th 1870 at New York

ii. Thomas Park Brown b. January 1867

iii. Elizabeth Clark Brown b. January 10th 1870

iv. Janet Brown b. June 18th 1872

v. Stewart Reed Brown b. September 18th 1874

vi. Margaret Park Brown b. July 25th 1877

vii. Selina M Brown b. September 24th 1879 at Chicago d. September 22nd 1880 at Chicago

Janette Fraser Brown died October 7th 1879. Two weeks after her final child was born.

note: Generation Four was (mostly) still living when the Original Tree was created.

~ all information provided here has been taken directly from the John Fraser family tree compiled in 1880 and as such is the only source for these writings - the objective being to record his work for further study and documentation ~

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Finding Faulkner: The Progeny | Mary Ann Faulkner {Gen 3}

It started, as good quests always do, with a family tale.

Mary Ann Faulkner (Joseph, James, William OR Priscilla, William, William) was born about 1810 in Orange Co, New York to parents (and first cousins) Joseph Faulkner and his wife Priscilla Faulkner.

Mary Ann married Hiram Walsh (born about 1808) on February 7th 1828 at the Presbyterian church in Hamptonburgh, Orange Co, New York.

The couple had at least three children:

Harriet Walsh b. 1833 d. 4 Jan 1908 m. John Galloway
Melinie Walsh b. 1842 d. 28 Dec 1907 never married
Addie Walsh b. April 1843 d. UNK

The children were listed as being born in Middletown, I found that information on the death certificates of Harriet and Melinie. Addie is living with sister Harriet in 1875 and nephew Bartlett Galloway in 1900. I found a Hiram Walsh/Welch on the 1830 and 1840 census in Orange Co, New York. I found nothing at all for Mary Ann Faulkner Walsh.

Where did they go? When did they die? Where are they buried?

Another mystery family.

~This particular family line is proving to be very challenging, as you will see in the coming weeks. The family of Joseph and Priscilla Faulkner are showing to be elusive and vague. I intend to supply what I know, maybe something will ring a bell with someone.~

Monday, April 24, 2017

Notes From My Grandmother | Rowley Lineage and Genealogy, Part 1

Somehow, much of my grandmother's hand written and (badly) typed notes and research wound up in my possession. Traveling from Chicago to Los Angeles and back to Chicago again. It sat, in the dark of my mother's closet, until my dad passed and my mom decided to begin her great purge. Knowing I had picked up the torch, the next generation to pursue the Greatest Hobby on Earth, the papers came to live with me. Unsure for many years on just what to do with them, I have decided to bring them out and share them with you - transcribed, of course - no one can read my grandmother's handwriting! But in her own words; mistakes, rambling sentences, and all. I think she will be pleased her work and her writing are once again out in the light.

Rowley Family Story

Rowley is a Saxon name: 'row' means sweet 'ley' means field. Roilly is near Evreux, Normandy. Ralph Roilly came over with the Conqueror. The name traced to time of Edward II when Randolph de Roilly (Rowely) was seated at Carmichan county, Chester. Some American members of the family clan descended from William Rowley, noted dramatist in time of James I (Amer. Ances. - Hughes 2:106; 3:191)

Henry Rowley in Plymouth, Mass as early as 1633, coming it is surmised with Mr. Timothy Hatherly in the "Charles". (Gen. Dict. of New England - Savage; 3:582) One of the original settlers of Scituate as a freeman 1633 and with wife joined first church there 1635. He removed to Barnstable (five and more) at forming of the church which was then "gathered" in 1639.

Henry Rowley took place among the sturdy pioneers - was constable (an important and most honorable position) manager and representative to General Court 1634; 1643; 1650. His first wife (married in England) said to have been daughter of William Palmer, an early comer to Plymouth. Henry's second marriage took place in Plymouth October 17, 1633 to Ann "late wife of Thomas Blossom" (Mayflower Descendent 13:83). In January 1633/4 listed with "males" in colony who "able to bear arms". He is found among those in Barnstable.

Records are vague as to children of Henry Rowley - Mr Savage has Thomas Rowley of Windsor CT: freeman 1669 - m. 5th May 1669 - to Mary Denslow (ancestor of Emma Hale) and d. 4th May 1708.

Inventory of estate of Henry Rowley filed in Plymouth Colony. Wills and Inventories vol III - fol pg. 93. A copy printed in "Mayflower Descendent" 24:137 and is of interest ****inventory of estate**** on oath of Moses Rowley****said Henry Rowley's children:

1 - Sarah m. 11th April 1646 to Jonathan Hatch. They had four children born at
Barnstable 1648 - 1653 and four others; seven sons and two daughters in all
(NEHGR 2:194)
2 - Moses married Elizabeth Fuller.
3 - Joseph of Barnstable (Gen. Dist. of New England by Savage, 3:582)
*Rebecca probable - mentioned in William Palmer's will.

II - Moses (son of Henry) probably born in England and with father came in 1632 to Plymouth (named in will of his grandfather William Palmer) In 'Hughes Amer. Anc. 3:191' calls him second son and a freeman at Barnstable 1617, and represented Suckonessett (Falmouth) in General Court 1692.

Moses married Elizabeth Fuller 22nd April, 1652 at Barnstable. Moses died 1705 in East Haddam, CT.

Children:

1 - Mary - 1653
2 - Moses - 1654 - freeman 1690 - m. Mary
3 - Child b./d. 15 Aug 1656
4 - Schubael (twin) b. 11th Jan 1660/61 - d. Mar 1714 - m. Catherine Crippen
5 - Mehitable (twin) b. 11th Jan 1660/61 - m. John Fuller ("Little John Fuller" - son of
Samuel Fuller, who with his father Edward came to Plymouth in the Mayflower
1620)
6 - Sarah - b. 10th Sep 1662
7 - Aaron - b. 1st May 1666
8 - John - b. 22nd Oct 1667

***editor's note: this is a transcript of research completed in 1982 based on information available at that time. I have not yet researched this family further, but suspect there is more information/clarification available to us today. I will follow up at a future date with fresh data. ***

~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~

***editor's note II: My grandmother stopped here - picking up her research a generation later in the Rowley line. She never connected the dots. When I inherited the research I discovered that she had erroneously traced her family back to the wrong Rowley brother, never making the connection. I straightened it out here. (that was fun!) Next week I will fill in the missing generation with my own research, then link grandma's notes and research. Sure wish she was here!***

........ to be continued ........

Sunday, April 23, 2017

The Czachorowskys | From Prussia to Chicago: Paulina Czachorowsky

The Czachorowskys are a conundrum. They seem to simply 'appear' in Chicago around 1868. Claiming to be from Prussia I have yet to determine their actual origins. Or their point of entry into the United States. Or why they chose Chicago. As I set out to research one family I discovered others. Curiosity getting the best of me, this turned into the study of five Czachorowsky families living in Chicago c. 1870. It is my hope with this series to make some discoveries to either link these families together, or prove they are not related. This is a real-time research project, I have not worked on this cluster before. I plan to share my discoveries and my frustrations in hopes that more eyes on the evidence will result in some sound conclusions. Join me as I explore these families, maybe we'll make some discoveries together!

PAULINA CZACHOROWSKY BALLMANN 1837 ~ 1921

her life and times

"Born under a bad sign
Been down since I began to crawl
If it wasn't for bad luck, you know I wouldn't have no luck at all"

Paulina Czachorowsky 'spinster' sister of Anton, decided to leave her homeland of Neu Szwederowo, Prussia at the age of 33 and try her luck in America. Her brother and family were planning to start a new life in a place called Chicago, Illinois.

Departing Hamburg, Germany

The group boarded a large sailing ship named the "Shakspeare' owned by the Robert M Sloman shipping company. They departed on August 6th 1868 from Hamburg, Germany and arrived 34 days later, on September 9th 1868, in the port of New York. From there the group; Paulina, her brother Anton and his wife Maria, children Franz, age 7; Pauline, age 3; Maria, age 2; and Bernhard, age 9 mos; plus Anton's mother in law, Anna; somehow made their way to Chicago.

Arriving in New York, New York

The extended family settled in a house on south Morgan. And began to adapt to life in their new homeland.

Paulina did not have to wait long to find a husband. On June 22nd 1871 she married a very recent widower named Nicholas Ballmann. The couple married at St Frances of Assisi church on 12th street, a quick streetcar ride from Anton's home on south Morgan.

The marriage was perhaps bittersweet, and a foretelling of life to come. Nicholas had lost his wife to complications of childbirth 4 months earlier. Then, just two weeks before the wedding, Nicholas buried the infant son of that birth, who was only 5 months old. This was Nicholas' seventh child, the wedding necessary, perhaps. Paulina became a new bride and instant mother to Nicholas' six remaining young children; John, age 9; Joseph, age 7; twins Hubbard and Anna, age 5; Mary, age 3; and Nick, age 2.

The large family resided on Barber Street - just five blocks from brother Anton's residence. Paulina undoubtedly began immediately to manage the household and children so that husband Nicholas could resume his own responsibilities. As things began to settle into routine for this new family they, like the rest of the Czachorowskys, had an unasked for front row seat to the Great Chicago Fire that raged for almost two days later that year, in early October 1871. Miraculously everyone survived. Perhaps the family had suffered enough loss for one lifetime already .....

c 1880 Chicago Street Scene

In April of 1872 Paulina gave birth to her first child, and the family added a daughter, Juliana, to the brood. In late 1873 or early 1874 Paulina became pregnant for the second time. While busying herself with preparations for the new child, due in late summer 1874, her first child, Juliana died. The family buried their little sister on July 25th 1874. Eleven days later Paulina gave birth to her second daughter, Helena. Another bittersweet moment in Paulina's life.

On January 3 1877 Paulina gave birth once more, to her third daughter, Margaret. The Ballmann household now consisted of eight children! The two older boys by this time may have been employed outside the home, so many mouths to feed!

This time of calm would not last, unfortunately. Fate was not done with the Ballmann's. The entire decade of the 80's brought it's share of happiness and heartache.

Union Station Chicago c. 1880

The summer of 1881 was particularly cruel for Paulina and Nicholas. First, on May 16th baby Margaret died. The family buried her with the others in St Boniface cemetery. A little over three weeks later they buried son Hubbard, a young man of 15. Paulina's brother Anton buried a child that summer also.

1884 opened with son John marrying Delia Kelly on the 10th of June. That joy was short lived as son Joseph was buried in August of 1884. He was 20 years old.

Chicago World's Fair 1893

The family buried John's wife Delia in September of 1888. She was 25 years old.

Son Nick was wed to Matilda "Tillie" Hasse on January 22nd 1891. Surely a happy occasion! Not to be - John, nick's brother and young widower of Delia, died and was buried in February 1891, three weeks after his brother's wedding.

Nicholas' time came on the 12th of March 1896. Paulina, buried him with all the children at St Boniface cemetery. He was 61 years old.

Peering in to the new century, hope and optimism on the horizon, Nick Jr and his wife Tillie gave Paulina a granddaughter in August of 1897.

Daughter Helena "Helen" married William Vincent between 1900 and 1910. Paulina is last found in the 1901 Chicago city directory. The next time she shows up is on the 1910 census, residing with Vincents.

Paulina in the 1899 Chicago City Directory - John came back from the dead!

1910 Census - Paulina with daughter Helena and son in law William Vincent

It looks as thought the dawn of the 20th century brought a time of calm and relative peace to Paulina and the remainder of her family. Paulina continued to reside in the home of Helen and Vincent until her death

Paulina died August 7th 1921 and is buried with the rest of her family at St Boniface Cemetery in Chicago. She was 85 years old.

GENEALOGY

Paulina Czachorowsky b. 7 Sep 1835 Prussia
d. 9 Aug 1921 Illinois
m. 22 Jun 1971 Nicholas Ballmann - widower

step children:

John Ballmann b. abt 1862 d. 17 Feb 1891 m. to Delia Kelly (no issue)
Joseph Ballmann b. abt 1864 d. 15 Aug 1884
Anna Ballmann b. abt 1866 d. UNK (twin)
Hubbard Ballmann b. abt 1866 d. 8 Jun 1881 (twin)
Mary Ballmann b. abt 1867 d. UNK
Nick Ballmann b. Apr 1868 d. UNK m. Matilda Hasse
Henry Ballmann b. Jan 1871 d. 12 Jun 1871

Paulina's natural children:

Juliana Ballmann b. 11 Apr 1872 d. 25 Jul 1874
Helena Ballmann b. 5 Aug 1874 d. 17 Jan 1943 m. William Vincent (no issue)
Margaret Ballmann b. 9 Jan 1877 d. 16 May 1881

until next time .............

catch up with all the posts here:

INTRO - 1870 to 1880 - 1880 to 1890 - 1890 to 1900 - Bernard - Anton

Saturday, April 22, 2017

Book Of The Week: History Of The Great Lakes

History of the Great Lakes...

J. B. Mansfield

J.H. Beers & Company, 1899 - Great Lakes

Friday, April 21, 2017

Photo Friday :: Baby And A Bench

I plan to share these photos over time, sometimes they will be my family, and identifiable, others will be of the mystery family. Thanks to the world wide web, they may find their way home yet!

Enjoy!

Do you know me?
Unmarked photo on original card
Gamble Photographer
Webster - 21 Main St - Champaign, IL
back blank

Thursday, April 20, 2017

Video Of The Week: Using Evernote for Genealogy Organization

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Frasers Of Fife: Generation Four | Agnes Fraser and James Irons III

1880 John Fraser Family tree

43. Agnes Fraser (Alexander - 14, William - 3, Duncan - 1) born January 4th 1833 in New York

married May 1st 1855 at New York

James Irons III born February 13th 1827 in Markinch, Fife

Emmigrated to America in 1854

children of this union: (all born Chicago, IL)

i. Alexander F Irons b. March 2nd 1857 d. July 25th 1857

ii. Alexander Fraser Irons b. March 25th 1858

iii. Christina Ballingal Irons b. January 29th 1860 (twin)

iv. Elizabeth Chalmers Irons b. January 29th 1860 (twin)

v. James Irons b. March 13th 1862

vi. Aggie F Irons b. March 25th 1864 d. April 30th 1867

vii. Janet Herriot Irons b. April 13th 1867

viii. William Ramsey Irons b. May 17th 1872

ix. Charles Sumner Irons b. February 3rd 1874

note: Generation Four was (mostly) still living when the Original Tree was created.

Tuesday, April 18, 2017

Finding Faulkner: The Progeny | William S Faulkner {Gen 3}

It started, as good quests always do, with a family tale.

William S Faulkner (Joseph, James, William OR Priscilla, William, William) was born about 1810 in Orange Co, New York to parents (and first cousins) Joseph Faulkner and Priscilla Faulkner.

William married Cassandra LNU.

The couple had at least one child:

Thaddeus W Faulkner b. 1846 in Pennsylvania

This family is mostly an assumption on my part for the moment. William is found on only three census records. 1850, 1860, and 1870. In 1850 he is listed in the same household as his mother, Priscilla, his brothers James, aged 26, and John, aged 15, plus a woman named Cassandra Faulkner, age 39, and a boy named Thaddeus Faulkner, aged 4. In 1860 he is listed in the same household as his mother Priscilla, his brother John, aged 24, and Cassandra, aged 49. In 1870 it is just William and Cassandra, he is listed as a farmer, she is keeping house.

The Bull Book records that William was a professor at the academy at Dundaff, PA, and that Cassandra taught school there as well, commuting on horseback. That book also presumes that Cassandra is a sibling of William's. That assumption is echoed (or perhaps take from - as it is referenced in the Bull Book) in the book Portrait and biographical record of Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania page 334. I do not know where either author discovered their information.

If Cassandra is a sibling of William then who is Thaddeus? Plus both William and Cassandra were reported to be the same age.

The Bull Book further states that William died November 5th 1876. Cassandra appears in one last census, the 1880 census, as a boarder, and single (not widowed). What I find interesting about this census is that she is in the same location as in 1870, and the neighbors are the same. Could a relative have taken over the farm when William died?

And who was Thaddeus?

So many questions, so few answers.

Monday, April 17, 2017

Notes From My Grandmother | Busby Lineage and Genealogy, Part 3

The Busby Family - Genealogy
(and research notes c. 1982)

John W Busby - a native of Maryland; became one of the first settlers of Harrison Co, OH

married - - Anne Merriman

issue:

♦Johnston

♦A. John (Jack) - - Independence, KS

issue: Douglas

♦Abraham - moved to Nodaway Co, IA from Ohio, then to Furnase Co, NE

♦Nancy - Ohio

♦Elizabeth - Quitman, MO
Left Ohio with her brother John; helped run the store in Nodaway Co, later took over when he enlisted in the Union Army (Civil War)

♦Elijah
b. Nov 17, 1831 - Carroll Co, OH
d. Dec 1917

m. Eliza Anne Bass, April 30, 1857
Left Ohio before his brother; and before he married came to Eddyville, IA. Was in the Civil War (Union Army) Commissary Sargent Co 'F'; First Iowa Calvary. "In the fall he enlisted in the Union Army; joining Company 'F' 4th Iowa Cavalry with which he went to Springfield; was at Vicksburg. Captured at Bear Creek and sent to Libby Prison - was there until fall of 1863, when he was paroled and went to Benton Barracks, Saint Louis, Mo. He joined his regiment at Vicksburg and after enlisting as a veteran was granted a furlough and returned home in the fall of 1863. He spent a month with his family - sold his farm of 160 acres in Madison Co and bought 80 acres in Adams Twp. After his furlough he returned to his regiment and remained until the close of the war, being mustered out at Atlanta and receiving an honorable discharge at Davenport, in July 1865. He was in ten skirmishes. Lived in Adams Co (Twp) for 17 years then bought a farm in Monroe Twp of nearly 200 acres. Lived there 17 years, after which he rented it and bought a tract of eight acres. He served as Justice of the Peace in Adams Twp and also served as township trustee and for many years a member of the school board. Belonged to the Grand Army post. He was a republican - later supported the Greenback party and later the Roosevelt (Teddy) Populists."

issue:
Wm Leonard b. 3/27/1859 d. 7/9/1917
m. Margaret - - -

Laura Alice b. 8/26/1861 d. 2/1952
m. Zadoc Willis Thomas
issue:
• Dana E
• Lauren
• Irene
• Robert Willis

Emma b. 12/5/1866
m. - - Brown

John Robert b. 11/25/1869

Homer Ernest b. 7/20/1872
m. Loda - -
issue:
• Margaret
• Homer

Lena Estelle b. 1/26/1877
m. - - VanEss

♦Thomas (Tom)
Left OH for IA; stayed with father and brother Elijah. Enlisted in Union Army; injured in battle (shot in leg); was living east of Indianola in Monroe Co (?) when he died

♦John
Left OH for Nodaway Co IA; Married in OH; one issue_____. Wife died. Fought in Civil War (Union Army) m. *? (Dave; Elihue; Nora B Wills - - - Hopkins)?

♦Isaac Newton
Left OH to live in IA. Doctor in Civil War; taught medicine at Drake University, Des Moines, IA. He was also a minister.

♦Aaron - OH. Never married

♦Julia -Brooklyn, IA
m. Dr. Charles Conoway
Issue:
• Dora
• Beaver
• Charley
• Dudley

♦Mary (Moll)
Left OH to come to Brooklyn, IA
m. - - Anderson

~~~~~~~~ end ~~~~~~~~

Sunday, April 16, 2017

Brick Wall Ancestor | #3 Ruhama (Price) or (Leonard) Bass

We all have them! Those stubborn ancestors that refuse to come out of hiding. No matter how much coaxing we do! Well, I think it's time to bring them out of the shadows - put their redacted story out there - another piece of the puzzle could be lurking just around the (cyber) corner, in someone's basement, or closet, or sitting in a box on a book shelf ...... You never, ever know where that loose chink will manifest, the one that allows you to push out one brick, then the next. Food for thought. So without further ado....

Brick Wall Ancestor #3 Ruhama (Price) or (Leonard) Bass

This one is maddening! Maddening! It's the kind of thing that makes you begin to question everything you know. Or think you know.

From my grandmother's notes I learn that Nathan Bass b. 4 Nov 1775 in VA d. 7 Sep 1849 (location not specified) married Ruhama Price on December 25th 1796 in KY. Her notes say that Ruhama was born 30 Sep 1777 in New Jersey and died 21 Oct 1853 in Indiana.

No parents are given for either Nathan or Ruhama. No sources or citations are given either as to where the information was obtained back in 1950 when she typed up these notes. Of course the concept of citing your sources is fairly new, but still a notation would have been nice! OK, the Bass part is easy, Nathan didn't change his name when he got married. But Price? Where did that come from? How do we know that her name was Price? ('Cuz my grandma said so!?)

Anyway.

That is the starting point.

Ruhama 'Price' b. September 30th 1777 in New Jersey somehow ended up in Kentucky 19 years later and married Nathan Bass. I mean, it could happen. People moved around, many headed west. At 19 I would suspect she moved with her family however, and not by herself.

So, what have I found? Not a whole heck of a lot, I can tell you. (Hence the whole 'Brick Wall' thing)

I found two conflicting marriage documents on Ancestry. They are electronic 'transcriptions' of the actual records.

Nathan Bass marries Roema Leonard

Rewhamy Price marries James Reeves

Ancestry warns: "Finding the Original Marriage Record Unfortunately, Liahona Research did not indicate which sources were used in this process, nor did they provide citations for the origin of each entry. However, careful researchers who wish to examine the original source will find sufficient information to lead them to that source. Most early American marriages were recorded by the county (except in the northeastern states) and this collection provides the county for virtually every marriage. Original microfilms can be obtained from the Family History Library."

ARGH!!

I can not find the corresponding records on FamilySearch, I've combed over the wiki, I must be missing something. I posted my query to the RAOGK facebook page, meanwhile busying myself with some wheel-spinning .....

Breaking a cardinal rule of mine I checked other people's online trees.

Well, there's a laugh. Or a cry.

Some say her name is Ruhama Leonard Price (or Ruhama Price Leonard), other's have Nathan marrying Rowena Leonard AND Ruhama (or Ruhanna) Price. The people in the Price camp declare Stephen Price and Hannah Chandler her parents. I have no idea where that came from .... (Sources? What sources!? Oh, right, OPPT**!! Of course! That and 'Family Data' collections - those are my favorite ....) **other people's public trees

No help. I knew it wouldn't be, but I looked anyway .....

OK. Next step. Check the census records.

Let's look at Green Co, KY. First census available in 1810.

Nathan(ial) Bass is listed in Barren Co (shares a border with Green) with 7 children under 10 years old, 3 boys and 4 girls.* And next door? William Leonard. Huh.

For grins I checked James Reeves. He's in Green Co. His neighbors? John Price and Horatio Chandler. Hmm.

The Bass Children include:

Elizabeth R. b. 10/17/1797 (KY) d. 2/16/1862 (KY) m. Wm. Hind 3/20/1817 (KY)
Sally W. b. 8/8/1799 (KY) d. 2/27/1819 (KY) m. John Hind 12/19/1817 (KY)
William Leonard b. 1/8/1802 (KY) d. 3/16/1885 (IA) m. Margaret Roberts 7/3/1824 (KY)
Josiah L. b. 11/10/1803 (KY) d. 3/28/1884 (IN) m. Elizabeth Robinson 3/13/1829 (KY)
Susan W. b. 11/16/1805 (KY) d. 5/22/1843 (IN) m. Nathaniel Owens 5/31/1827 (IN)
Charity C. b. 12/2/1807 (KY) d. 1/5/1836 (IN) m. Obidiah Simms 10/14/1828 (IN)
David G. b. 11/20/1809 (KY) d. 1/25/1877 (MI) m. Sally Jones 9/29/1831 (IN)
Jonathan I. b. 2/29/1812 (KY) d. 4/14/1874 (IN) m. (1) Emily Hall 11/23/1837 (IN) (2) Louisa Dritt (widow)
N. Woodford b. 6/18/1814 (KY) d. 10/18/1888 (KS) m. Mary Ann Sears 8/21/1842 (IL)
A. Jackson b. 2/1/1817 (KY) d. 10/18/1891 (KY) m. Nancy LNU 3/12/1843 (KY)
Thomas W. b. 7/29/1819 (KY) d. 2/18/1895 (IN) m. Mary Jane Crane 2/16/1845 (IN)

*this lists matches the 1810 census

Timeline for Ruhama Bass is as follows:

1777 - Birth. September 7th. New Jersey, somewhere. Maybe.
1796 - Marriage in Green Co, Kentucky. Well, Kentucky.
1800 - Residence in Green Co, KY as documented on tax lists and census substitutes
1810 - Residence in Barren Co, KY as documented on US Federal census
1820 - Residence in Barren Co, KY as documented on US Federal census
1830 - Residence in Bartholomew Co, IN as documented on US Federal census
1840 - Residence in Bartholomew Co, IN as documented on US Federal census
1849 - Husband Nathan Bass died. September 7th. Buried in Boone Co, KY at the Salem
Predestinarian Baptist Church cemetery. Daughter Elizabeth is buried there
as well.
1850 - Residence in Pleasant Co, IN (in household of son David) as documented on US
Federal census. New Jersey birth confirmed.
1853 - Death. October 21st. Buried in Bartholomew Co, IN at the Flatrock Baptist
cemetery. Two daughters (Susan and Charity) are buried there as well.

photo by Cris West - Find A Grave

Thanks to 21st century technology (internet!) I was able to find Ruhama's grave - pay no attention to the Find A Grave notation ... it's conjecture at this point. But the grave stone is real and the death date lines up with my grandmother's research. (note: I contacted the man who maintains the memorial and requested info on where he obtained her maiden name and the other 'bio' notes - he has not responded)

As I was finishing typing this up I got a reply to my facebook post.

Whoo boy! Guess I just didn't know where to look.

Wm and Sarrah Leonard give Roema permission to marry Nathaniel Bass

Marriage license issued to Nathan Bass and Roema Leonard 12/22/1796

Marriage intent between James Reeves and Rewhamy Prise

Marriage license issued to James Reeves and Rewhamy Prise 12/16/1796

Okey dokey. All righty then.

Now what?

Where exactly did that Price name come from? And how did Ruhama's name go from Roema to Ruhama? Did Roema Leonard Bass die and Nathan married Ruhama Price, perhaps a widow?

Oh the questions, the questions .....

One document does not a proof make, but it is a start ........

+++Just to throw more 'wood on the fire' - there is also a marriage bond for a Nancy Bass signed by her father Josiah on December 27th 1796........

.......... to be continued ..........

Saturday, April 15, 2017

Book Of The Week: The Insurance Year Book: 1915

The Insurance Year Book: Life, casualty and miscellaneous

Spectator Company, 1915 - Insurance

Friday, April 14, 2017

Tools For The Dig: State Focused Research | Michigan

State Focused Research | Michigan

Some of my favorite research sites are slightly off-radar by today's definition.

First I'd like to talk about Genealogy Trails. From their homepage: "Our goal is to help you track your ancestors through time by transcribing genealogical and historical data and placing it online for the free use of all researchers. We are all about adding data for you to use in researching your family lines!!!We know that what you're looking for is data -- and we have LOTS of it right here.
Our hosts work continuously to bring you fresh, interesting and NEW data (well.... as new as hundred year old data can be!!!)" Pretty much everything you need to know to begin your Michigan research is contained within the pages of Michigan Genealogy Trails. This is a thorough, well thought out site - and they are always looking for volunteers!

Companion Yahoo! Group: Genealogy Trails/Upper_Midwest

Next up, RAOGK. Another volunteer site. A treasure trove of links, well organized and easy to understand. From this site you can request look-ups from a team of Michigan volunteers. Or add you name to the volunteer list if Michigan is your home-base.

MIGenWeb is an oldie but a goody! Volunteer based also, this database was founded in 1996! From their home page: "MIGenWeb isn’t an ordinary genealogy website. Ordinary websites are those where text and sometimes pretty pictures are present, but trying to get in touch with a real person to help you with your research… impossible. The strength of MIGenWeb is its many volunteers, some of whom have spent over a decade assisting others with their Michigan research. Using our county page visit the Michigan county your ancestors lived in and first try and find any information the county may freely provide on their pages (most have some sort of search built in). If the particular fact isn’t available online, then reach out to the county coordinator (cc) and they will try and assist you as best they can. Most county coordinators have their email address available on their website, though some will use contact forms."

Linkpendium is another all around resource hub. So What is Linkpendium, Anyway? "Linkpendium is a 10,000,000+ resource directory to everything on the Web about families worldwide and genealogically-relevant information about U.S. states and counties. We cover both free and subscription sites, with a strong emphasis upon free resources provided by libraries, other government agencies, genealogical and historical societies, and individuals. We are particularly proud of our unique indexes to online biographies."

Check Michigan Family History Network "Data For Every County in Michigan!" From their homepage: "The Michigan Family History Network was created in 1999 to house data that we had and wanted to share with other researchers."

FamilySearch:
Michigan State Wiki
Michigan State Catalog
Michigan Online Genealogy Records

State societies and archives include:
Michigan Genealogical Council
Historical Society of Michigan
Seeking Michigan

A comprehensive list of newspapers can be found at The Ancestor Hunt's Michigan page.

For social context look at LOC Michigan Collection, DPLA Michigan Hub and Seeking Michigan

As I discover more resources I'll update this post. Do you have any Michigan favorites that I've missed? Please share!

©2017 Anne Faulkner - Ancestor Archaeology.net, All Rights Reserved

Thursday, April 13, 2017

Video Of The Week: Autosomal DNA - a step-by-step approach to analysing your atDNA matches ...

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Frasers Of Fife: Generation Four | Jessie Fraser and David Wightman Cargill

42. Jessie Fraser (John - 11, William - 3, Duncan - 1) born February 16th 1846

married June 25th 1867

David Wightman Cargill born January 11th 1838 in Arbroath

Shipmaster

children of this union:

i. David Jameson Cargill b. August 6th 1868

ii. John Fraser Cargill b. May 6th 1870

iii. Robert Cargill b. March 22nd 1872

iv. Ann Brown Cargill b. November 7th 1873

v. Jessie Cargill b. September 1875 d. March 1877

vi. Elizabeth Cargill b. September 28th 1877

vii. Mary Jane Cargill b. August 6th 1879

viii. Florence Susannah Cargill b. September 4th 1881

note: Generation Four was (mostly) still living when the Original Tree was created.

Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Finding Faulkner: The Progeny | Thomas E Faulkner {Gen 3}

It started, as good quests always do, with a family tale.

Thomas E Faulkner (Joseph, James, William OR Priscilla, William, William) was born about 1809 in Orange Co, New York to parents (and first cousins) Joseph Faulkner and Priscilla Faulkner.

Thomas married Susan Van Voorhis (born about 1810) on April 9th 1828 at the Presbyterian Church in Hamptonburgh, Orange Co, New York.

The couple had at least one child:

Sarah Ann Faulkner b. 1829 d. 25 Feb 1907 m. (1)Isaac McCord (2)Charles Manson

Thomas may have served in the Civil War. According to the Bull Book (which has a full sub-listing of Faulkner history) Thomas, it states, was a colonel. I have found no definitive proof that this Thomas served. His middle initial was given on his daughter's death certificate (I have only seen a transcript). I found a Thomas G Faulkner that mustered in as a private and mustered out as a corporal. The pension index states that he was an invalid.

Dates of death and places of burial are unknown at this time for both Thomas and his wife Susan.

Monday, April 10, 2017

Notes From My Grandmother | Busby Lineage and Genealogy, Part 2

The Name and Family of Busby

History: cont.

Of the family of the name early resident at London, Richard Bushebie or Busby married the widow Mary Fenton about the year 1582; Edward Busby, of Oxfordshire, married the widow Margaret Baldwin, of Gloucester, at London in 1660; Robert Busby, "Gentleman", was married in 1662 or 1663 to Grace, daughter of Sir Henry Cary; Christopher Busbee or Busby married Frances Williams in 1666; and William Busby, "Gentleman", a native of Loughborough, in the county of Leicester, was married at London in 1675 or 1676 to the widow Anne Tomlinson. While the records of these branches of the family are not complete, it is evident that they belonged to the landed and educated classes.

Nicholas Busby or Busbee appears in the "List of Persons who went to New England with William Andrews, of Ipswich, master of the John and Dorothy of Ipswich, and with William Andrews, his son, master of the Rose of Yarmouth", in the early seventeenth century. He was probably a native of Norwich, county Norfolk, and a weaver by trade. In 1637 the examination of Nicholas "Busbie" aged fifty years, was made at Norwich. At that time he stated that his wife Bridget was fifty-three years of age and that they had four children, Nicholas, John, Abraham, and Sarah. He also stated that he was "desirous to go to Boston, in New England, to inhabit". Nicholas Busby and his family were resident at Newbury, Mass., in October of the year 1637. He later removed to Watertown, in the same colony, and died in 1657.

His eldest son, Nicholas, died before him, leaving issue by his wife, previously the widow Martha (nee Cheney) Sadler, whom he married in 1652, of at least one son, named Joseph.

John Busby, the second son of the immigrant Nicholas, returned to England and was living at Norwich, county Norfolk, in the year 1661.

Abraham Busby or Busbey, the youngest son of the immigrant Nicholas, followed the trade of weaver and was married in 1659 to the widow Abigail (nee Compton) Briscoe. He had at least two children, Abigail and Elizabeth, born at Boston, and he may have had other progeny as well.

The first of the name to settle in the South were Ann Busby, who came over as a servant to Robert Bennett of Virginia, in 1635; Thomas Busby, who settled in Henrico County, Va., in 1637; Waller or Walter Busby, who settled in Northumberland Co, Va., in 1651; and Eliza Busby, of Northumberland Co, Va., in 1652. Nothing further is known concerning the immediate families or descendants of these early emigrants.

In 1682 one John Busby or Bushby, a Quaker, settled at Philadelphia, Pa. John left issue by his wife Marie of eight children, John, Edward, William, Richard, Nicholas, (no further record), Marie, Elizabeth, and Sarah, of whom the first died in 1699, leaving a share of his estate to his parents and the rest to his wife, Mary Taylor, whom he married in 1690.

William, the second son of the elder John of Philadelphia, married the widow Sarah Seary in 1685 and died in 1716, leaving only two children, John and Elizabeth Busby.

Edward, the second [third?] son of the elder John of Philadelphia, was married in 1796 [1696?] to Susanna Adams. His children were Mary, Edward, Joseph, Rebecca, and Mercy.

Richard Buzby, son of the elder John of Philadelphia, resided at Oxford in Philadelphia Co., Pa., and also owned one hundred acres of land at Dublin, Pa. He died in 1747, leaving five children, Thomas, Jane, Rebecca, Sara, and John Buzby or Busby; but the name of his wife is not available.

In general an energetic, courageous, progressive, and idealistic race, the Busbys in America have contributed largely to the growth and development of the nation.

Records of the Colonial forces in the Revolutionary War mention Robert Busby of Medford, Mass.; John Bushby or Bushbe, of Danvers, Mass.; Robert Bushby of Billerica, Mass.; William Busby, of New York; James Busby, of Virginia and Kentucky; John Busby, of Virginia; Robert Busby, of Virginia and Kentucky; Israel and John Busbey, of Penn.; and Benjamin, George, Israel, James, and John Busby, of Penn., of whom Israel and James are probably identical with the Busbeys mentioned above.

William, Richard, Robert, John, Edmund, Henry, Geoffrey, Thomas, Nicholas, Edward, Charles, George, James and Joseph are some of the names (masculine Christian) that are favored by the Busbys for their progeny.

.......... to be continued ..........

Sunday, April 9, 2017

Jane P Thompson Burt Billings: An Estimable Lady of Oberlin (52 Ancestors #28)

(warning: this story takes a turn (or two) through a rabbit hole)

Jane P Thompson Burt Billings was a huge brick wall for me for quite some time. She is my 3rd great grandmother on my maternal grandmother's side. When I inherited the big box o' genealogy after my grandmother's passing she had stopped short with Jane's daughter Ella ('funny' story - I'll get to that later) listing her father only as 'Captain Burt (army)' - nary a mention of a mother. I set that aside for a time while I worked other lines; there was a good amount of research that had been done and I wanted to get it all entered into my computer program and have a good look-see. As my grandmother's maiden name was Potwin(e) she had done extensive research on that family and I busied myself with that line for quite some time.

Curiosity finally getting the better of me, I began to wonder who Ella's parents were. I was writing my 52 ancestors piece on Ella and wanted to find out more. When I sat down to write about Ella I did not know her parent's names. My research began and ended in Ellington, New York where Ella had met and married M A Potwin. Yet Ella had been born in Ohio, that much I knew. And I had one bread crumb, family lore said that her family was in the woolen or milling industry in Cleveland. Long story short, searching for Ella alone as a young girl proved difficult. There were three 'Ella Burt's on the 1860 census in or very near Cleveland. Without knowing her parents the trail ran cold.

Enter Facebook!

I posted my dilemma to an Ohio research group and received copious amounts of wonderful information. The woolen mills were a good tip, and the fact that 'Mr Burt' was in the army brought some great results, an indexed widow's pension was found; but the fact that Ella married M A Potwin was the tipping point I think. One researcher pointed me to an old book of Burt family history and genealogy and the flood gates opened!

Mr Burt was Hermes and he had married Jane Thompson! I was able to work my way back on the Burt side with ease. (of course the Thompson side was a brick wall - did you expect it would be easy at this point?!) I followed the genealogy in the book back to Henry and Ulalia Burt, then it hit me. These names were familiar. Too familiar. In my tree already familiar.

Thank goodness for computers! I punched in the names and yes indeed, they were in my tree. Way, way back, but they were there. I followed them forward ........ just guess where they led? Ha! M A Potwin! What? A little more work and I was able to link the family. Turns out Henry and Ulalia had, among others, two children David and Dorcas. Hermes descended from David while M A Potwin followed Dorcas' line. What?! The family was hiding there all along. My grandmother had already discovered half the story!

But this here is the story of Jane.

So Jane continued to lay low, leaving just enough conflicting information to make moving further prohibitive. For a while I believed her name was actually Pamela, it appeared as such on her son's birth record. I set off to work on other areas and just left Jane alone.

Then just last week, as I was preparing to write Jane up for my Brick Wall series, I decided to have another go at her. I like to make sure that I am sure that I have exhausted all possible avenues of research available to me before I go and put it out there for all to see.

Guess what?

That indexed widow's pension? Wasn't just an index anymore. The entire packet, 50+ pages had been digitized and put up on Fold3. - Holy moly! Got it all! Parent's names, siblings names, place of marriage, place of residence - and a bonus second husband! Armed with all this new information I was able to easily go back two more generations. I believe I can go back farther without too much difficulty, but seeing as I was just after Jane's immediate family I stopped for the moment.

So, let me now introduce you to my 3rd great grandmother, Jane P Thompson Burt Billings.

Jane P Thompson was born in rural Sangerfield, Oneida Co, New York on October 20th 1829. There was some confusion as to exactly which county, seeing as Sangerfield lies exactly on the county border of Oneida and Monroe. Two decades earlier it was part of Chenango County, which added to the confusion. At any rate, Jane was born to parents Permelia Bush and John W Thompson. She appears to be their oldest child. I suspect the 'P' might stand for Permelia.

New York Counties

The young family was on the move. By 1832 they resided in Ellington, Chautauqua Co, New York; where they would remain. Jane would eventually have seven siblings, five sisters and two brothers. It was through her sister Frances that I learned so much about this family.

Jane married Hermes Burt on June 9th 1847 in the home of her parents. Both of Jane's parents and Hermes' sister Aurelia were witness to the ceremony.

The couple left for Pittsfield, MA shortly after their wedding. Their first child, Hermes, was born there in 1848. Pittsfield was the ancestral home of the Burts, and although the Burts were living in New York for a time, Hermes father Titus had returned to Massachusetts by 1840.

Sometime between 1848 and 1850 Hermes and Jane left for Cleveland, Ohio. Hermes was a clothier by trade and the family became involved in the woolen mills there. At one point Hermes had an interest in Burt, Clarke & Co, commission merchants in wool, hide and pelts.

Their second child, Ella (remember Ella?) was born in Cleveland in October of 1850.

The family settled into their new life in Ohio, having two more children, a son in 1855 and a daughter in 1856. They had a home on Bolivar in the city of Cleveland and things appeared to good.

Civil War Field Hospital

Then the Civil War erupted. Hermes joined the Union Army as a commissioned officer on July 10th 1862. The war took him to Frankfort Kentucky where he became ill and on December 4th 1862 died of Typhoid Fever. His body was brought home to Ohio and buried in Oberlin, a suburb of Cleveland, where one of his brothers was living.

Jane, 33, was left a young widow with four minor children to care for. Two of whom were under ten years old. She applied for a widow's pension in Ohio in July of 1863; by 1865 she was back in Ellington NY residing near her sister-in-law Aurelia.

Jane remarried in 1866 to the widower J Warren Billings, a man 12 years her senior. The following year she gave birth to daughter Frances.

In 1866 J Warren petitioned the court, as guardian of Hermes' minor children, for an increase in the minor's pension the children were receiving. The increase was granted.

J Warren and Jane Billings continued to live in New York, moving from Ellington to Randolph in Cattaraugus Co and finally to Ellicott in Chautauqua Co. The family goes missing after 1875.

I got to thinking and on a hunch I searched the cemetery (on Find A Grave) where Hermes is buried. Guess what? There's a Jane Billings buried in the same plot as Hermes! Further research led to the Westwood Cemetery database and this entry. There are three stones in the plot; Hermes, Jane and 'James'. I believe this is a mistake. 'James' is really Jane. The small stones read 'father' and 'mother', the third stone is US issue for Hermes war service. The notation on the memorial for Jane cites a newspaper clipping. First I found this:

What was Jane doing in Oberlin? Did she move back after 1875? Did J Warren move with her? Surgery in 1877? (I don't even want to think about it) I contacted the Oberlin Heritage Center and they quickly responded with a City Directory listing for a Mrs J B Billings living at 49 East Lorain in 1877. There was no listing for a Mr Billings. At least not her Mr Billings. Curious.

The Heritage Center also sent this - - - -

Oh no! Poor Jane. Can you imagine such a surgery? Chloroform, no masks or gloves, reused instruments ..... I was quite saddened to learn of Jane's fate. I had hoped it would have turned out differently.

Jane died at 48, on the operating table, while undergoing a critical surgical procedure for a fibroid tumor.

Such tragedy to befall this family.

By the looks of the obituary Jane was residing in Oberlin for a while. Long enough to become involved with the church. Highly respected and beloved. What happened to J Warren?

Was theirs merely a marriage of convenience? What about baby Frances?

I found J Warren's grave, he's buried in New York with his first wife. He died in 1887. I still can't find any trace of him after 1875 .....

So many unanswered questions ......

postscript: this is not my typical 52 Ancestors story. Jane was not a typical ancestor. She remained hidden for over a century and remains elusive even now.

Oh the 'funny story' about Ella? Her name wasn't really Ella. It was Ellen. My family never knew that. It was right there in the widow's pension packet, written in Jane's own hand.

Pages

Saturday, April 29, 2017

Friday, April 28, 2017

Thursday, April 27, 2017

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Monday, April 24, 2017

Sunday, April 23, 2017

Saturday, April 22, 2017

Friday, April 21, 2017

Thursday, April 20, 2017

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Tuesday, April 18, 2017

Monday, April 17, 2017

Sunday, April 16, 2017

Saturday, April 15, 2017

Friday, April 14, 2017

Thursday, April 13, 2017

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Monday, April 10, 2017

Sunday, April 9, 2017