Thursday, August 21, 2014

Ancestry Hint : June Lambertson in 1929 Elwood Indiana City Directory

Reviewing the shaky leaves on my Ancestry "cousin bait" tree for my maternal great-grandmother, June Kirk (Davis) Lambertson the record for the family in the 1929 city directory of Elwood, Indiana.


1929 Elwood, Indiana City Directory (Binghampton, NY: The Calkin-Kelly Directory Company, 1929), page 131, Lambertson, Clemon; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 20 August 2014).


While this wasn't the first time I had seen this record (I had previously viewed it at the Elwood Public Library), I was able to save the image to my computer and cite it in my Rootsmagic database and add the image to my Rootsmagic file.  I also attached the record to June's husband, Clemon, my maternal great-grandfather.

The record shows that Clemon and June lived at 1906 North F Street in Elwood, and that Clemon's occupation was that of a cabinet maker. This correlates to other information that I've uncovered stating that Clemon worked for the Sellers Kitchen Cabinets.

The directory also lists another Lambertson family, that of Orville J and Martha C, who rented a home at 522 North 14th in Elwood.  Orville was the brother of Clemon.

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Cousin Bait Tree

I've added an additional tree to my Ancestry.com profile, a "cousin bait" tree full of everyone in my database. This includes my family, Eileen's family, my daughter's family, my stepchildren's family and every one who I'm researching that I've been unable to connect to my main tree.  The name of the current version of this tree is entitled Travis LeMaster Genealogy - August 2014.  

I'm going to use this tree to find cousin and 'hints' from Ancestry using their shaky leaves to search the records and see ones that could be matched to my database.  I'm going to keep my Rootsmagic database as my primary database and will not add any images or attach records to this new tree.

I'm also keeping my current tree online LeMaster & Allied Families which I've been using to direct folks to who have connected to me through my DNA search.  I hope to eventually replace it with a more up-to-date version.

My plan is to systematically go through this new tree, review the hints and add the records to my primary database at Rootsmagic.  Once I've been able to update it enough, I will periodically replace it.

I'm taking a bit of a hint from Randy over at Geneamusings, though I've not gone so far as to have FamilyTreeMaker installed and have it synced.  I need to really dig into the features of Rootsmagic and utilize Ancestry's computers ability to search out records for me automatically.

This summer has been so busy that I really haven't done much in the way of family history research.  Hopefully this will inspire me to get back to it.

Saturday, August 16, 2014

Surname Saturday : Antonides

The ANTONIDES surname is in my maternal line.  The origins of the surname are Dutch.  There is much to learn about this line and its ties to early New Netherlands history.

Stories and history : 

Ahnentafel # 213 : Joannah Antonides (1778-1825).  Joannah was born August 28, 1778 in New Jersey.  She married James Groenendyke (1770-1836) on June 4, 1797.  James was born in 1770 in Middlesex County, New Jersey and died September 1836 in Fayette County, Indiana.  They were the parents of eight children.  They resided in Middlesex and Monmouth Counties, New Jersey before coming to Dearborn County, Indiana by 1815 and Fayette County, Indiana by 1818.  Joannah died in 1825 in Fayette County, Indiana.

Ahnentafel # 426 : Pieter Antonides (1726-1796).  Pieter was born July 31, 1726 in Marlboro, New Jersey.  He married Catherine Vanderveer (1732-1796) on November 10, 1750.  Catherine was born August 11, 1732 and died May 8, 1796.  They were the parents of eight children and lived in Kings County, New York.  Pieter died August 27, 1796.

Ahnentafel # 852 : Johannis Antonides (1683-   ).  Johannis was born March 28, 1683 in Franeker, Netherlands.  He married Annetje Couwenhoven (1690-  ) in 1724.  Annetje was born October 21, 1690.  They were the parents of at least two children.  The location of Annetje and Johannis' death is unknown.

Ahnentafel # 1704 : Vincentius Antonides (1666-1744).  Vincentius was born in 1666 in the Netherlands.  He married Anatie Van Couvenhaven.  Her date of birth and death are unknown.  Vincentius immigrated from Bergen, Friesland, Netherlands on January 1, 1705.  He was the pastor of Kings County Reformed Dutch Church.  The were the parents of at least three children.  Vincentius died in 1744.

Related blog posts :




Surname Saturday – create a post in which you discuss a surname and mention its origins, its geographical location(s) and how it fits into your genealogy research. Surname Saturday is an ongoing series at GeneaBloggers.

Wednesday, July 02, 2014

Exploratory Data Analysis : Caroline Bishop (Woolston) Chew (1826-1879)



Caroline Bishop (Woolston) Chew (1826-1879) was my paternal 3rd-great grandmother.  What follows is an exploratory analysis of the biographical data I have discovered about her.

1. Vital Records

     Caroline was born February 6, 1826 in Vincentown, Burlington County, New Jersey. The Chew Genealogy gives the date but not the location1.

     1.1. Birth Certificate

          The State of New Jersey did not require birth certificates at the time of her birth.  The State Archives has birth records from 1848.

          1.1.1. Birth Notice in Newspaper

               If Caroline's birth was recorded in a local newspaper, it has been lost to time.

          1.1.2. Bible Record

               The family Bible record of her son, Abel, was transcribed in a message board2.  That record gives her year of birth as 1824.

          1.1.3. Baptismal Record

               I have not located any baptismal record for Caroline. The family were members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

          1.1.4. Adoption Record

               There is no indication that Caroline was adopted.

     1.2. Marriage License

          Caroline married December 29, 1842 in New Jersey11 (probably Gloucester County) to Ezekiel Cooper Chew.  Ezekiel was born January 17, 1822 in Gloucester County, New Jersey.  They raised 14 children in New Jersey and Ohio.  Ezekiel died August 27, 1888 in St. Joseph County, Indiana3.

          1.2.1 Marriage Notice in Newspaper

                    Will need to search contemporary newspaper accounts to see if their nuptials were mentioned.

          1.2.2. Anniversary Notice

               Ezekiel and Caroline's 25th wedding anniversary would have been December 29, 1867.  Will need to search contemporary newspaper accounts to see if there was any mention of anniversary celebrations.

          1.2.3. Divorce Decree

               There is no indication that Caroline was ever divorced.

     1.3. Death Certificate

          Caroline died February 27, 18794 in Rossburg, Darke County, Ohio.  I do not yet have a copy of her death certificate.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

          1.3.1. Obituary in Newspaper

               Will need to search contemporary newspaper accounts to see if Caroline's death was mentioned.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

          1.3.2. Funeral Home Records

               Will need to search the local historical society to see if they have copies of the funeral home records to see if I can learn anything more about the arrangements for Caroline.  Will add this to my "to-do" items for my next research trip.

          1.3.3. Tombstone Photograph

               Caroline's tombstone in the Webster Cemetery in Darke County, Ohio has been photographed5.  A link to her memorial page at FindAGrave is located here.

2. Census Records

     2.1. Federal Census Records

          2.1.1. 1870 Federal Census

               On July 8, 1870, Caroline was enumerated in the Ezekiel Chew household in Twin Township, Darke County, Ohio6, as Caroline Chew, age 44, born in New Jersey.  Her occupation was listed as keeping house.

          2.1.2. 1860 Federal Census

               On August 2, 1860, Caroline was enumerated in the Ezekiel Chew household in Neave Township, Darke County, Ohio7, as Caroline Chew, age 34, born in New Jersey.

          2.1.3. 1850 Federal Census

              On September 2, 1850, Caroline was enumerated in the Ezekiel Chew household in Jackson Township, Montgomery County, Ohio8, as Cordelia Chew, age 24, born in New Jersey.

          2.1.4. 1840 Federal Census

               Caroline is likely the white female, aged 15-19, in the Rachel Woolston household of Northampton, Burlington County, New Jersey.  This household fits what I know of their family, as Caroline's father died in 1834.

          2.1.5. 1830 Federal Census

               Caroline is likely one of the three white females, aged 5-9, in the Abel B. Woolston household of Northampton, Burlington County, New Jersey.  This household fits what I know about their family.
2.2. State Census Records

          Ohio state census records are not known to exist.

     2.3. Agricultural Census Records

          I have not yet investigated these types of records to see what light they might shed on the Chew family.

3. Military Records

     3.1. Draft Registration

          Not applicable, as Caroline was female.

     3.2. Pension Records

          I am not aware of any military service by either her husband, Ezekiel, or her father, Abel, that would have entitled Caroline to pension benefits.

     3.3. Service Records

          Not applicable, as Caroline was female.

4. Land Records

     4.1. Deed Records

          Deed records need to be thoroughly searched in Montgomery and Darke Counties, Ohio to see what records might mention Caroline.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

     4.2. Plat map / county map

          Plat maps in Montgomery and Darke Counties, Ohio will need to be searched to see what light they can shed on my search for the Chew family.

5. Supplemental Records

     Supplemental records available for research on Caroline include city/county directories, court records and will and probate records.  Will add these to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

Sources:

1. Chew, Robert L., "Genealogy of the Chew Family", Gloucester County (NJ) Historical Society, Woodbury, NJ, 1982, p. 261.
2. Chew Family History & Message Board / Re : Abel Woolston Chew Bible, Ancestry.com online [http://boards.ancestry.com/surnames.chew/6.40.44.78.80/mb.ashx], accessed 19 November 2010.
3. South Bend, Indiana Weekly Tribune, September 1, 1888, Obituary of Mr. Chew.
4. Milton T. Jay, History of Jay County, Indiana: including its World War Record and Incorporating the Montgomery History (Indianapolis, Indiana, USA: Historical Publishing Company, 1922), page 196.
5. FindAGrave Inc., FindAGrave (www.findagrave.com : accessed 4 June 2014), Caroline Chew tombstone.
6. Ezekiel Chew household, 1870 U.S. census, population schedule, New Madison, Twin Township, Darke County, Ohio, dwelling 128, family 127; National Archives micropublication M593, roll 1194.
7. Ezekiel Chew household, 1860 U.S. census, population schedule, Neave Township, Darke County, Ohio,dwelling 116, family 1128, page 164.
8. Ezekiel Chew household, 1850 U.S. census, population schedule, Jackson Township, Montgomery County, Ohio, dwelling 901, family 901; National Archives micropublication M432, roll 714.


This post was developed as part of the series relating to Building My 2011 Research Template, an attempt to systematically document and source the details of my ancestors' lives. Comments regarding this template and the conclusions drawn in this article are welcomed.

Monday, June 30, 2014

Amanuensis Monday : George Wright to Sarah Wright, Clermont County, Ohio, 1808

George Wright to Sarah Wright, Clermont County, Ohio Deed Book F-05: 397


Received this copy of a deed from fellow researcher Newell Wright from Clermont County, Ohio that deals with my maternal 5th great-grandfather, George Wright and his mother, Sarah Wright.  A previous post had listed Wright deeds in Clermont County, Ohio , believe this one belongs to Book F-05, page 397.

Know all men by these presents that I George Wright of Pleasant Township County of Clermont and State of Ohio for and in consideration of Three hundred Dollars to me in hand paid before the Delivery hereof by my Mother Sarah Wright Widow of County and State aforesaid the receipt of whereof is hereby acknowledged have given, granted, bargained, sold and by these presents do give, grant, bargain, sell, alien, release and convey and confirm to her the said Sarah Wright her heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, all my right, title, property, claim and demand of, in and to a certain piece of Land lying in Pleasant Township County and State aforesaid and is butted and bounded as follows: viz. Beginning at Moses Hicks N.E. corner at a Sugar tree, and running thence North One hundred and forty seven poles to a Lynn and Beech, thence West one hundred and five poles to a Lynn thence South one hundred and forty seven poles to a Sugar tree and two beeches thence East one hundred and five poles to the place of Beginning.  To have and to hold said granted premises with all the privileges and appurtenances thereto in any wise belonging, to her the said Sarah Wright her heirs executors administrators and assigns to her and their proper use benefit and behoof forever and I the said George Wright the said granted premises will Warrant and Defend, against the Claims or Demands of all persons claiming by from or under me my heirs or assigns as also against the heirs and assigns of Joseph Vanmeter from whom I purchased the said granted premises.  In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this Tenth day of October One Thousand Eight hundred and Eight.  George Wright (seal).
 Signed sealed and delivered in presence of Wm. O'Bowlin Henry Ralston
October 15th 1808.  This day personally appeared before me Bernard Thomspson a Justice of Clermont County George Wright who did then and there acknowledge the above Indenture to be his own Voluntary act and Deed for the use of the withing mentioned, and Directed the same to be Recorded.  In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this day and date above written.  Bernard Thompson (seal).
Things I have learned from this document :


  • George Wright's mother was definitely named Sarah, and she was a widow by 1808.
  • This piece of land is the same piece of land that George purchased from Joseph Vanmeter 
  • George was educated, as he signed the document and was it was sealed, not just "his mark".
  • This places both George and his mother in Clermont County in 1808.  This is important as the 1810 census of Ohio is missing.



Monday is a daily blogging theme which encourages the family historian to transcribe family letters, journals, audiotapes, and other historical artifacts. Amanuensis Monday is a popular ongoing series created by John Newmark at Transylvanian Dutch.

Sunday, June 29, 2014

James Orcutt versus Daniel W. Stover, Delaware County, Indiana, 1903

Hartford City Telegram
Hartford City, Indiana
April 29, 1903, page 1
NEW SUITS FILED

James Orcutt vs.Daniel W. Stover, from Delaware county.

---

James Orcutt (1856-1925) mentioned in this notice of a lawsuit was the husband of my paternal 2nd-great grandaunt, Samantha E. Metzner (1857-1890).  By this time, James had remarried and was living in Muncie, Delaware County, Indiana.  I found this tidbit while searching newspaper records to see if there were any mentions of the Orcutt name.

Hartford City is in Blackford County while Muncie is the county seat in Delaware County.  I believe this article is saying that the case was moved to Blackford County from Delaware County.  Will have two courthouses to search.

Saturday, June 21, 2014

Surname Saturday : Andrews

The ANDREWS surname is in my paternal line.  The origins of the surname are unknown, though likely English.

Stories and history :

Ahnentafel # 1475 : Sarah Andrews (c1640-1718).  Sarah was born circa 1640, parentage unknown.  She married Exercise Conant on April 28, 1663 in Mansfield, Connecticut.  Exercise was born circa 1637 in Salem, Essex County, Massachusetts and died April 28, 1722 in Windham, Winham County, Connecticut.  Sarah died December 4, 1718 in Windham, Windham County, Connecticut.


Surname Saturday – create a post in which you discuss a surname and mention its origins, its geographical location(s) and how it fits into your genealogy research. Surname Saturday is an ongoing series at GeneaBloggers.

Monday, June 16, 2014

Amanuensis Monday : Elizabeth Vanmeter to George Wright, Clermont County, Ohio, 1807

Elizabeth Vanmeter to George Wright, Clermont County, Ohio Deed Book F-05:230
Received this copy of a deed from fellow research Newell Wright from Clermont County, Ohio that deals with land purchased by my maternal 5th-great grandfather, George Wright.  Previous post had listed Wright deeds in Clermont County, believe this one belongs to Book F-05:230.


Know all men by these presents that we Elizabeth Vanmeter and Absalom Vanmeter Administrators of Joseph Vanmeter deceased for and in consideration of three hundred and thirty three dollars paid to said Joseph Vanmeter in his lifetime by George Wright of Clermont County and State of Ohio the receipt whereof we hereby acknowledge have given, granted, bargained and sold and by these presents do give, grant, bargain, sell, release, convey and confirm to him the said George Wright his heirs and assign all the right to the property calling and deed and the said Joseph Vanmeter his heirs and assigns of in and to a certain piece of .... lying in Pleasant Township County and State aforesaid in part of General Lawsons survey bounded as follows : Beginning at Moses Hicks S.E. Corner at a Sugar Tree thence North one hundred and forty seven poles to a Lynn and beech, thence south one hundred and five poles to a Lynn, thence south one hundred and forty seven poles to a Sugar and two beeches, thence East one hundred and five poles to the place of Beginning to have and to hold the said granted premises with all the privileges and appurtenances thereunto belonging to him the said George Wright his heirs and assigns forever promising thereby to Warrant and defend said granted premises against all persons claiming by, from or under the said Joseph Vanmeter his heirs or assigns: In Testimony whereof we hereunto set our hands and seals this 30th day of October 1807.   Administration  Absalom Vanmeter (seal)  Elizabeth Vanmeter (her mark)
Signed sealed & delivered in presence of Allen Woods Wm. White.
State of Ohio Clermont County.  I, Henry Chapman, one of the Justices of the pace acting in and for the county aforesaid do certify that William White and Allen Woods two of the subscribing witnesses to the within Indenture personally appeared before me the subscriber and under oath saith that the within named Elizabeth Vanmeter and Absalom Vanmeter did on the thirtieth day of October last acknowledge the within Indenture to be their act and deed for the purposes herein mentioned; In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this fifth day of November 1807.   Henry Chapman (seal).
 George Wright had been in Pleasant Township, Clermont County, Ohio since at least 1802, when he was enumerated in the census of the Northwest Territory.  Pleasant Township was part of Clermont County that was later cut out to form Brown County, Ohio in 1818, which is where later records of our Wright family are located.

The Lawson survey was part of the Virginia Military Survey in Clermont County.

Amanuensis Monday is a daily blogging theme which encourages the family historian to transcribe family letters, journals, audiotapes, and other historical artifacts. Amanuensis Monday is a popular ongoing series created by John Newmark at Transylvanian Dutch.

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Surname Saturday : Alexander

The ALEXANDER surname is in my maternal line.  The origins of the surname are Scottish, though I have much to discover about them.

Stories and history :

Ahnentafel # 3075 : Janet Alexander married James Henderson.  They lived in Logie, Perth, Scotland.  They had at least one daughter, my ancestor born in 1698.

This is one line that I have yet to spend any time in researching.
Surname Saturday – create a post in which you discuss a surname and mention its origins, its geographical location(s) and how it fits into your genealogy research. Surname Saturday is an ongoing series at GeneaBloggers.

Monday, June 09, 2014

DNA : Dad's Top Ten Matches at 23andMe


Here is a screenshot of the top ten DNA matches for my dad at 23andMe.  I am obviously the closest match.  For privacy reasons, I've erased the last names of the public matches.

Dad's next closest match is Ed, who is predicted to be a 2nd to 4th cousin, sharing 1.26% DNA and 4 segments.  I've been in contact with Ed, and determined that he is my dad's fourth cousin through the common ancestors of Selah Moulton and Lydia Finel.

Dad's next closest match is William, who was predicted to be a 2nd to 4th cousin, sharing 1.07% DNA but 6 segments.  I've also been in contact with Bill, and have determined that he is my dad's second cousin once removed through the common ancestors of Luman Walker Lemasters and Mary Keziah Chew.

Dad's next closest public match, David, who was predicted to be a 3rd to 4th cousin, sharing 0.92% DNA with 3 segments.  I've been in contact with David, and have determined that he is my dad's third cousin once removed through the common ancestors of George J. Haley and Rachel Gary.

Invitations to connect have been sent out to all of this matches.

Sunday, June 08, 2014

Jay County, Indiana Petit Jury List, September 1897

Portland Weekly Commercial
Portland, Indiana
September 9, 1897, page 3

The petit jury which will report on September 20, is composed as follows:

William R. Loux    ... Green
B.J. Kimble          ... Noble
John Ashcraft       ... Penn
Andrew Campbell .... Bear Creek
L.N. Metzner        ... Wayne
Joshua Armstrong ... Madison
Wesley Jordan     ... Jackson
Wilbur Milligan    ...  Bear Creek
J.E. Franklin         ... Madison
George Daugherty ... Bear Creek
M.J. Atkinson        ... Madison
Alfred Grissom      ... Knox

---
This listing of the members of the petit jury in Jay County, Indiana contains a couple of names with ties to my family.

The L.N. Metzner of Wayne Township has me a bit confused.  I'm not sure which Metzner this is.  There are a couple of Lewis (or Louis) Napoleon Metzner's in the family, but one died in 1900 in Bear Creek Township, Jay County,  and the other was living in Ft. Wayne in Allen County at the time.

The M.J. Atkinson of Madison Township is Matthias Jefferson Atkinson (1863-1923), my paternal great granduncle, husband of Mary Elsie LeMasters (1873-1942).

Updating My Ancestry Tree

Have spent some time this weekend updating and adding to my personal tree at Ancestry.  I've neglected it for awhile, but with all of the work I've been doing with DNA matches, I felt I needed to get it as up to date as possible.

Many of the matches at 23andMe are in the 3rd to 4th cousin range, so I am focusing on my 4th-great grandparents and working the tree down to the present. Hopefully, this will make the tree as complete as possible for some of those closer matches, who might recognize a surname.  Most of my matches don't have a family tree online at all, but if I can point them to mine, perhaps they can find the match.

I've had great success in finding cousins through DNA autosomal matches and want to keep the momentum going.  First I have to input all the names in the trees, then I will go back and work on updating by adding photos and documents.  

If you think you and I might have a connection, the tree is available at http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/25951333/family




Saturday, June 07, 2014

Surname Saturday : Allen

The ALLEN surname is in my maternal line.  The origins of the surname are Irish.

Stories and history :

Ahnentafel # 3764 : John Allen (1694-1771).  John was born August 3, 1694 in Ireland.  He married Amy Cox (1696-1778) in March 1719 in Chester County, Pennsylvania.  They raised 9 children in Chester County, Pennsylvania and were members of the Society of Friends (Quaker).  Amy was born 1696 in New Castle County, Delaware and died September 13, 1778.  John died September 16, 1771 in Chester County, Pennsylvania.

Ahnentafel # 1882 : John Allen (1720-1754).  John was born February 8, 1720 in London Grove, Chester County, Pennsylvania.  He married Phebe Scarlett (1772-1815) in London Grove, Chester County, Pennsylvania.  They raised 7 children in Chester County, Pennsylvania.  Phebe was born November 4, 1722 in Chester County, Pennsylvania and died in 1815 in Orange County, North Carolina.  John died October 1, 1754 in London Grove, Chester County, Pennsylvania.

Ahnentafel # 941 : Hannah Allen (1741-1834).  Hannah was born 7th month, 10th day 1741 in Chester County, Pennsylvania.  She married Nicholas Barker (1737-1826) on June 9, 1760 in Guilford County, North Carolina.  Nicholas was born 3rd month 8th day 1737 and died 3rd month 24th day 1826 in Randolph County, North Carolina.  They raised 7 children in Guilford County, North Carolina.  Hannah died 12th month 10th day 1834 in Randolph County, North Carolina.

Related blog posts :





Surname Saturday – create a post in which you discuss a surname and mention its origins, its geographical location(s) and how it fits into your genealogy research. Surname Saturday is an ongoing series at GeneaBloggers.

Friday, June 06, 2014

DNA : Mom's Top Ten Matches at 23andMe


Here is a screenshot of mom's top ten DNA matches at 23andMe.  Obviously, I am her closest match.  For privacy reasons, I've erased the last names of public matches.

Mom's closest match is Ellen, who shares 0.68% DNA and 5 segments and is predicted to be a 3rd to 4th cousin.  Though we've been corresponding, I've not yet made the connection because she hasn't shared any surnames in her family tree.  Other than stating she has Quaker ancestry, I don't know anything yet.

The next closest match is Raj, who shares 0.59% DNA and 3 segments and is also predicted to be a 3rd to 4th cousin.  Through correspondence, I was able to determine that Raj is mom's fourth cousin once removed, through common ancestors Francis S. Pierce and Rebecca Page.

The next closest match is Kenneth, who shares 0.42% DNA and 3 segments and is predicted to be a 3rd to 5th cousin.  We have not yet made any connections.

The next closest match is Mary, who shares 0.40% DNA and 3 segments and is predicted to be a 3rd to 5th cousin.  We have not yet made any connections.

Invitations to connect have been made to all of these DNA matches, though half of the top ten matches have not responded.  Knowing that one is predicted to be a 2nd to 3rd cousin is intriguing, as that individual should be in my family tree database.

Thursday, June 05, 2014

Bear Creek Township Sunday School Celebration, Jay County, Indiana, 1899

Portland Daily Commercial
Portland, Indiana
August 28, 1899, page 1
Sunday School Celebration

The fourth annual celebration of the Sunday schools of Bear Creek township will be held in Phillip Stolz's grove, one mile south of Westchester, and one mile east of the Emanual [sic] church, on Saturday, September 2.

It is desired and expected that each Sunday school in the township be represented.

Everybody invited to come and bring your baskets well filled and enjoy a good time.

Isaiah Weisel, Township Pres.,
W.T. Metzner, Secretary

----

Found this notice in the local newspaper that mentioned my paternal 2nd-great granduncle, Wesley T. Metzner (1855-    ), son of John and Catherine (Young) Metzner.  Apparently, Wesley was serving as the secretary of Bear Creek township Sunday school association.

Wesley was married to Mary Emma Roser and had 4 children. 



Wednesday, June 04, 2014

Marriage License : Charles Alber and Florence Lucille Lewis, Wabash County, Indiana, 1924

"Indiana, Marriages, 1811-1959," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/27KH-TBH : accessed 21 May 2014), Clarence Alber and Lucile Lewis, 10 Sep 1924; citing Wabash County; FHL microfilm 001409333.
Located this marriage record at FamilySearch for Eileen's maternal grandaunt, Florence Lucille Lewis (1906-1984) and Clarence Alber (1902-1970).  They were married September 10, 1924 in Wabash County, Indiana.

Clarence was the son of Charles and Mary (Smith) Alber.  Lucille was the daughter of Lawrence Solomon and Ruth Alice (Sills) Lewis.

According to the license, Clarence was born in Warsaw, Indiana and his occupation was basket maker.  Lucille was born in Wabash, Indiana and resided at home.

They were the parents of at least one child, according to my database.




Tuesday, June 03, 2014

Obituary : William H. Summers (1844-1911)

Fort Wayne News
September 4, 1911
page 8

Summers

William H. Summers, a prominent farmer residing near Poe, Allen county, died at Hope hospital Sunday evening.  The death was due to obstruction of the bowels.  Saturday the deceased was in good health and spirits.  Sunday morning he suffered a sudden attack and was at once taken to the hospital, where death occurred in a few hours.  For many years, Mr. Summers had resided near Poe and was widely known and respected.  He leaves the widow and eight children.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday morning at 10:30 o'clock at the M.E. church at Poe.

----
William H. Summers (1844-1911) was the husband of Margaret P. (Pierce) Summers, my maternal 3rd-great grandaunt.  William was born in 1844 in Indiana, and married Margaret on September 3, 1868.  Their eight children were : Mary Lulu, Parker, Edwin, Girdon, Thance, Chauncey, Mian and Ira.

Shortly after their married they lived in Jefferson Township, Wells County, just south of Ft. Wayne.



Sunday, June 01, 2014

DNA Match : Cousin Raj

Made a DNA connection with a public match at 23andMe, Raj, who is not currently sharing genomes with me.  Because we are not sharing genomes, I'm unable to compare him with others to see where we match. We share 1 segment, or 0.31% DNA and was a predicted 4th cousin. Raj was listed as my mother's predicted 3rd to 4th cousin, sharing 3 segments and 0.59% DNA.

Looking at his profile at 23andMe, there was no family tree listed, but he did list family surnames and locations, though none of them looked familiar to me.

Because he has a rather unusual name and surname (at least to my ears), I decided to see if I could "reverse engineer" a solution to seeing exactly how we were related.  With the help of Google, FindAGrave and some genealogical intuition, I was able to successfully tie cousin Raj into the family tree.

Using Google, I located him listed as a survivor in his mother's obituary that had been posted to the Iowa Gen Web.  Likewise, his father's obituary had also been posted to the same site.  His father immigrated from India, so I made the deduction that we must be related through his mother's line.

I found the listing for his maternal grandmother's obituary that had been posted to Legacy.com and FindAGrave.com  I also found his maternal grandfather listed at FindAGrave.  There was not much biographical information listed at FindAGrave for his maternal grandfather, but his maternal grandmother's obituary at Legacy.com had her dying in Ft. Wayne, Indiana about 60 miles away from where I live.  Armed with that information, I made an assumption that our connection came from the line of his maternal grandmother's side.

Fortunately, his maternal grandmother lived to be 101 years old and her obituary at Legacy named her parents and stated that she was a native of Ossian, which is just south of Ft. Wayne in Wells County.  I remembered that I had one branch of the Pierce family that had migrated there.

Through the FindAGrave website, I was able to connect Raj's maternal great-grandfather to his maternal 2nd-great grandparents, John H. Simerman and Mary Lula Summers of Ossian, Indiana.  That's when I knew we had a connection.  Mary Lula Summers was in my database (though I had the surname as Sommers), the daughter of William Henry Harrison Summers (1844-1911) and Margaret P. Pierce (1840-1920).

Margaret P. Pierce was the daughter of Francis S. Pierce (1806-1881) and Rebecca Page (1806-1893) and the younger sister of my 3rd-great grandfather, Edmund G. Pierce (1837-1875).  I had found the connection!

I quickly sent a note to Raj through 23andMe, and he wrote me back.  We've begun exchanging information, and I've kick-started my research on these branches of the family that I previously had left blank.

Knowing that I was able to make a connection where one didn't appear possible right away makes me confident that with a little persistence and as complete of a family tree as possible, I can make connections to some of these other DNA matches at 23andMe.  There are so many descendants of my 4th-great grandparents that I need to track down, as that is where many of the connections will be found.

Saturday, May 31, 2014

Surname Saturday : Aaronsen

The AARONSEN surname is in my paternal line.  The origins of the surname are Dutch, though I have much to discover about them.

Stories and history:

Ahnentafel # 281 : Hannah Aaronsen (1739/44-1788).  Hannah was born between 1739 and 1744 in Burlington County, New Jersey.  She married in April 1762 in Burlington County, New Jersey to Cornwell Woolston (1738-1814). Cornwell was born 1738 in Burlington County, New Jersey and died May 22, 1814 in Northampton, Burlington County, New Jersey.  Hannah died October 28, 1788 in Burlington County, New Jersey.

Ahnentafel # 562 : Joseph Aaronsen (1706-     ).  Joseph was born in 1706 in Burlington County, New Jersey.  He married August 25, 1736 in Burlington County, New Jersey to Hannah Folwell (1718-bef1749).  They raised 5 children in Burlington County, New Jersey. Hannah was born in 1718 in Burlington County, New Jersey and died before 1749 in Burlington County, New Jersey.  Joseph died in Chestefield, Burlington County, New Jersey.

Ahnentafel # 1124 : John Aaronsen (1678-aft1741).  John was born in 1678 in Flushing, Queens County, New York.  He married before 1702 in New Jersey to Mary ________ (c1680-    ).  They had 5 children.  John died after December 14, 1741 in Mansfield, Burlington County, New Jersey.

Ahnentafel # 2248 : Dirk Aarosen (bet1635/45-1678).  Dirck was born between 1635 and 1645 in the Netherlands.  He married between 1655 and 1665 to Sarah ________ (c1640-aft1707).  Sarah was born circa 1640 and died after 1707 in New York.  Dirck died in October 1678 in Flushing, Queens County, New York.

Related blog posts:




Surname Saturday – create a post in which you discuss a surname and mention its origins, its geographical location(s) and how it fits into your genealogy research. Surname Saturday is an ongoing series at GeneaBloggers.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

DNA : My Top Ten Matches at 23andMe


Here is a screenshot of the top ten DNA matches for me at 23andMe.  My parents are my closest matches.  Because I was fortunate enough to be able to have them tested, all of my other matches show whether they are paternal or maternal matches by the "P" or "M" displayed after their names.  For privacy reasons, I've erased the last names of public matches.

My next closest match is on my paternal side, William, who I've already contacted and determined that we are third cousins through common ancestors of Luman Walker Lemasters Jr. and Mary Keziah Chew.

The next closest public match is on my maternal side, Ellen. We've corresponded but have not made the connection.  She has not yet shared a family tree, but states she has many Quaker ancestors, so that gives me a starting point to searh on my maternal side.  She is predicted to be a 3rd to 5th cousin, which means we could share 2nd-great through 4th-great grandparents.  

I have reached out with introductions to the remaining matches and hope that they eventually respond.