Don't you just hate it when you think you are on the right track in the race to find those elusive family members of old, and then the proverbial brick wall looms up high before you? It seems like the research just comes crashing to a halt.
I think I've managed to climb over one brick wall with circumstantial evidence.
Thomas HUNNEWELL was the son of William HUNNEWELL (abt 1730-1813) and Alice COLLIER of Sussex Co, NJ. He is mentioned in his brother, William HONEYWELL's, Revolutionary War Pension application.
In the pension application, William states he was born in Knowlton, Sussex, NJ, Dec 1,1759. He was drafted 1778 into the Militia for three months. The company was formed in Knowlton. At the end of this service, he traveled towards "....home as far as the Moravian Settlement called Hope, in Sussex County, where he met his father who informed him that his older brother Thomas HONEYWELL, was drafted.....".
From this statement, we can infer Thomas was born before 1759. Remember this.
Thomas is again mentioned in the will of his father, William. The will was written in 1791, but not proved until 1813. So, Thomas is alive in 1791.
William Jr and John, the brothers of Thomas, remove to Luzerne Co, PA before 1810. There is no mention of Thomas here. The only Thomas mentioned in Luzerne Co is the son of William of the pension file.
While looking around Sussex County flanked by my new buddy Jan, she told me she had transcribed some old cemeteries of Sussex and placed them online. So away I went to search.
Bingo! There resting peacefully in Union Brick Cemetery, which is located between Hope and Blairstown, Warren, NJ is T. HUNNEYWELL, d. May 27, 1800, aged 43.5.1.
So that makes this T. HUNNEYWELL born around Dec 1756. The right age, the right place, the right name and the only HUNNEYWELL/HUNNEWELL/HONEYWELL family in the county makes me think I've found Uncle Thomas.
To further cement this thought, I will need to find the actual probate records of papa William which were filed in 1813 to see if they mention the demise of Thomas and whether he had any issue or not.
Ahh genealogy. Revving the old engines to race for the next lead! Oh, did I mention that my new buddy Jan had two grandpas that flanked my grandpa when they appeared in 1777 to sign their Oaths of Allegiance? Yep, tis found right there in the official records of old. Pretty cool to think she is assisting me now some 230 years later. Guess the family friends can survive that long!
©2013 AS Eldredge
Ahhh, genealogy. A glimpse of the past shows of what I am made.....
Showing posts with label cemetery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cemetery. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Tombstone Tuesday: A Grave Decision
Ever wondered where some of your beloved ancestors could be? Ever know someone was in a graveyard, but since they had no stone or it has weathered, you have no rock solid proof?
Just like all cities across the land, there are forgotten and destroyed cemeteries in Allegheny Co, PA. Take, for instance, the Allegheny City Home which was established in 1844. Its first site was in Shaler Twp. The home moved to O'Hara Twp in 1871 according to the Carnegie Library. The cemetery which was mainly used for the home was destroyed during the construction of Rte 28.
So, what's a family genealogy buff to do? One suggestion is to look at the census records for the poor house, workhouse and insane asylums of the area to see if any familiar names were there. There is always the chance the graves, which were most likely unmarked, no longer exist.
One of my genealogy buddies (or buddette?) was gracious enough to transcribe the names from the Allegheny Co Poor House and Workhouse censusus from 1850-1910. These names are now on our old Pittsburgh Newspaper Project and can easily be found.
Go here to see the list. http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~paallent/index.html
Ahh, genealogy. While we can't always find absolute evidence for all of our blood, the past can be just a grave decision based on circumstantial evidence.
©2012 AS Eldredge
Just like all cities across the land, there are forgotten and destroyed cemeteries in Allegheny Co, PA. Take, for instance, the Allegheny City Home which was established in 1844. Its first site was in Shaler Twp. The home moved to O'Hara Twp in 1871 according to the Carnegie Library. The cemetery which was mainly used for the home was destroyed during the construction of Rte 28.
So, what's a family genealogy buff to do? One suggestion is to look at the census records for the poor house, workhouse and insane asylums of the area to see if any familiar names were there. There is always the chance the graves, which were most likely unmarked, no longer exist.
One of my genealogy buddies (or buddette?) was gracious enough to transcribe the names from the Allegheny Co Poor House and Workhouse censusus from 1850-1910. These names are now on our old Pittsburgh Newspaper Project and can easily be found.
Go here to see the list. http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~paallent/index.html
Ahh, genealogy. While we can't always find absolute evidence for all of our blood, the past can be just a grave decision based on circumstantial evidence.
©2012 AS Eldredge
Monday, August 06, 2012
Walking With the Dead at St Clair Cemetery
Last night, the phone rang and the cheery voice on the other end of the line made me smile. But then, I always smile as I talk with my dear beloved cousin who is as addicted to genealogy as I am.
He had news.
Our beloved family cemetery, the St Clair Cemetery, is in the news again. There will be a self guided walking tour on September 15 from 9 am to 1 pm. The Mt Lebanon Historical Society will once again talk to visitors about many of the early residents of Lower St Clair and Mt Lebanon.
Of course, many conversations will be about my dearly departed. Just wish I could be there to share the stories with the visitors.
Ahh, genealogy. Walking in the past. What else is there to say? Oh yes, let me know if any more of my living kin show up!
Update: The good folks at the Hysterical Society tell me my 4g grandpa will be there in full Revolutionary garb. Ok, so it's someone who will portray him. What fun!
Source: http://www.stclaircemetery.com/
©AS Eldredge 2012
He had news.
Our beloved family cemetery, the St Clair Cemetery, is in the news again. There will be a self guided walking tour on September 15 from 9 am to 1 pm. The Mt Lebanon Historical Society will once again talk to visitors about many of the early residents of Lower St Clair and Mt Lebanon.
Of course, many conversations will be about my dearly departed. Just wish I could be there to share the stories with the visitors.
Ahh, genealogy. Walking in the past. What else is there to say? Oh yes, let me know if any more of my living kin show up!
Update: The good folks at the Hysterical Society tell me my 4g grandpa will be there in full Revolutionary garb. Ok, so it's someone who will portray him. What fun!
Source: http://www.stclaircemetery.com/
©AS Eldredge 2012
Monday Madness: Got The Fever But No Body Found
Looking out the window at the overcast skies, it seems like a perfect day for running around my mind to see if I can pull together some more facts as I continue the search for good ole Uncle Robert. As soon as I exhaust the paltry information I have, it's time to search around the internet to see if any other documentation can be found. Arrgggg, it's Monday Madness alright.
Robert W HENRY(1827-1869) was born in Allegheny Co, PA, and was the brother of my 2g-grandma. Robert was a godly man and eagerly went in to the ministry. As a child, he and his family were members of the Associated Reformed Church of St Clair, which eventually became the Mt Lebanon UP Church. In fact, two of Robert's grandfathers were founding members of the church and so many of his kin are spending eternity resting quietly in the St Clair Cemetery.
Robert received his DD in theology after completing his schoolwork and quickly found a church in Ohio. He is found in the 1850 census as a clergyman living in Springfield, Clark, OH. He returns home to marry a childhood friend, Mary Emma MATTHEWS in November 1851. They are married by his childhood minister, the Rev Joseph CLOKEY. Ahh, CLOKEY, now he's an interesting man that we will have to examine later. I surmise that Mary Emma's family, James MATTHEWS (abt 1795-aft1850) were probably members of the same church. At the least, they did live in the neighborhood.
Robert and Mary move to Philadelphia where he pastored a church during the War of Northern Aggression (as mentioned in his nephew's Civil War diary). Robert is also found in the City Directory in Phile with a house address of 850 N 7th.
In the spring of 1869, Robert applies for a passport. What I haven't found is any evidence of a passport for his wife. Was she included on his or was she not going over to Europe for a tour? I find it difficult to swallow that she would have been left behind on this trip of a lifetime.
Now to a bigger mystery in the affairs of Robert. He dies of Yellow Fever while visiting in Alexandria, Egypt. This is verified by news of his death in the Presbyterian Banner. The Banner made no mention of his wife.
Mary continues to live in Phile after the death of her beloved and teaches at a college. Unfortunately, she has a stroke and falls in the bathtub on December 26, 1881. Her death information has been found in Philadelphia, and her obit has been located in Pittsburgh. Her body is brought back to Pittsburgh for the funeral and the burial.
Where are they? Her obit tells us her father is deceased, and I have yet to determine when he died or where he was buried. I suspect he is either at the St Clair Cemetery or the Mt Pisgah UP Church Cemetery as those were the two closest Presbyterian churches and cemeteries closest to his residence. The HENRY clan is all buried at St Clair, but her tombstone has not been located. To be fair, the early records for St Clair are all gone and many of the early headstones are damaged or gone. I know where the HENRY clan is buried. I know where Robert's parents are buried. I know where his siblings are buried, but where are Robert and Mary? Was Robert buried in Egypt or would his body have been brought home? Would Mary have been buried with her family or with her inlaws?
Mary had at least one sister as determined by the 1850 census. The sister was Harriet V MATTHEWS. As they were living with one Emiline MOORE, I suspect Emiline could have been the eldest child of James and his wife, Margaret. Either they all died before 1860, or they relocated, or they married. I can't find any evidence of the family.
Robert and Mary had no children of their own, but I think of them often. Did he resemble his sister in his looks? If so, I can easily imagine his looks as I have a picture of her in my possession.
I wonder if or when I will find them. In the meantime, I think I'll sit and reflect as these gray clouds swarm outside the window.
Ahh, genealogy. I will guess that these storm clouds gathering would have been minor in comparison if his lovely bride had not been included on the voyage.
Sources:
Ancestry.com- RW Henry passport application
1850 Federal Census
1880 Federal Census
1867 Philadelphia City Directory
1868 Philadelphia City Directory
Pittsburgh Commerical Gazettep Dec. 30, 1881
Family Bible
History of the St Clair United Presbyterian Church of Mt Lebanon, PA 1804-1904, pg 29
©AS Eldredge 2012
Robert W HENRY(1827-1869) was born in Allegheny Co, PA, and was the brother of my 2g-grandma. Robert was a godly man and eagerly went in to the ministry. As a child, he and his family were members of the Associated Reformed Church of St Clair, which eventually became the Mt Lebanon UP Church. In fact, two of Robert's grandfathers were founding members of the church and so many of his kin are spending eternity resting quietly in the St Clair Cemetery.
Robert received his DD in theology after completing his schoolwork and quickly found a church in Ohio. He is found in the 1850 census as a clergyman living in Springfield, Clark, OH. He returns home to marry a childhood friend, Mary Emma MATTHEWS in November 1851. They are married by his childhood minister, the Rev Joseph CLOKEY. Ahh, CLOKEY, now he's an interesting man that we will have to examine later. I surmise that Mary Emma's family, James MATTHEWS (abt 1795-aft1850) were probably members of the same church. At the least, they did live in the neighborhood.
Robert and Mary move to Philadelphia where he pastored a church during the War of Northern Aggression (as mentioned in his nephew's Civil War diary). Robert is also found in the City Directory in Phile with a house address of 850 N 7th.
In the spring of 1869, Robert applies for a passport. What I haven't found is any evidence of a passport for his wife. Was she included on his or was she not going over to Europe for a tour? I find it difficult to swallow that she would have been left behind on this trip of a lifetime.
Now to a bigger mystery in the affairs of Robert. He dies of Yellow Fever while visiting in Alexandria, Egypt. This is verified by news of his death in the Presbyterian Banner. The Banner made no mention of his wife.
Mary continues to live in Phile after the death of her beloved and teaches at a college. Unfortunately, she has a stroke and falls in the bathtub on December 26, 1881. Her death information has been found in Philadelphia, and her obit has been located in Pittsburgh. Her body is brought back to Pittsburgh for the funeral and the burial.
Where are they? Her obit tells us her father is deceased, and I have yet to determine when he died or where he was buried. I suspect he is either at the St Clair Cemetery or the Mt Pisgah UP Church Cemetery as those were the two closest Presbyterian churches and cemeteries closest to his residence. The HENRY clan is all buried at St Clair, but her tombstone has not been located. To be fair, the early records for St Clair are all gone and many of the early headstones are damaged or gone. I know where the HENRY clan is buried. I know where Robert's parents are buried. I know where his siblings are buried, but where are Robert and Mary? Was Robert buried in Egypt or would his body have been brought home? Would Mary have been buried with her family or with her inlaws?
Mary had at least one sister as determined by the 1850 census. The sister was Harriet V MATTHEWS. As they were living with one Emiline MOORE, I suspect Emiline could have been the eldest child of James and his wife, Margaret. Either they all died before 1860, or they relocated, or they married. I can't find any evidence of the family.
Robert and Mary had no children of their own, but I think of them often. Did he resemble his sister in his looks? If so, I can easily imagine his looks as I have a picture of her in my possession.
I wonder if or when I will find them. In the meantime, I think I'll sit and reflect as these gray clouds swarm outside the window.
Ahh, genealogy. I will guess that these storm clouds gathering would have been minor in comparison if his lovely bride had not been included on the voyage.
Sources:
Ancestry.com- RW Henry passport application
1850 Federal Census
1880 Federal Census
1867 Philadelphia City Directory
1868 Philadelphia City Directory
Pittsburgh Commerical Gazettep Dec. 30, 1881
Family Bible
History of the St Clair United Presbyterian Church of Mt Lebanon, PA 1804-1904, pg 29
©AS Eldredge 2012
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Enlighten My Soul with History
Historical facts should not be a burden to the memory, but an illumination to the soul. – Lord Acton(1834-1902)
History is fascinating, although most students in school don't quite agree with the sentiment. How much can we learn about the past, our past, by digging into old documents as our country was being formed?
A cousin of mine and I have been hard at work digging and digging to try and uncover the definitive proof of the family of our Margaret McMillen (1762-1849).
She was born in Washington Co, PA, and died in Lower St. Clair, Allegheny, PA. While there is no mention of her father's name, she did name a son Thomas McMillen, so we suspect that was most likely her father's name. We have located three Thomas McMillens in the neighborhood, so trying to pin it down has been a struggle. One is the brother of the good Rev. John McMillen, and one is an Irishman who came much later than the birth of our Margaret.
The other one is probably ours. My cousin has been busy at the courthouse in Pittsburgh looking up land deeds, wills, and just generally scouring the countryside for any more leads. Yep, JoAnn, you've done a superb job of looking into almost every dark crevice in Allegheny Co.
The one good lead we have is that Margaret's son, Thomas M HENRY, was named as an executor for his uncle Thomas McMillen, who lived in Robinson Twp. So we know where he lived along the Piney Branch of Peters Creek, and we know he died in 1831. Too bad, he didn't mention his sister in the will written in 1829. Those mentioned in the will are his wife Mary, Mathew McMillen, John McMillen, Wm McMillen, James McMillen, Samuel McMillen, Joseph McMillen, Ebenezer McMillen and Anne McMillen. According to the will, Ebenezer is not yet 21.
Also from the Union Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Robinson are:
McMILLEN John 79 1840
McMILLIN John 60 1853
McMILLIN John 84 1922
McMILLIN John Y. 3 1899
McMILLIN Joseph 45 1852
McMILLIN Margaret 79 1898
McMILLIN Margaret 59 1918
McMILLIN Mary78 1844
McMILLIN Samuel
McMILLIN Sarah 80 1926
McMILLIN Thomas 76 1831
Just last night, JoAnn sent a new lead from A List Of Persons Names Exonerated On The Frontiers of Washington County for Being Distressed By The Incursions of Depredations of the Indians. Of course, a Thomas McMILLEN in Robinson Twp is mentioned on this 1789 document. Reading the names on the list is almost like looking at my family tree. So many familiar names are there. What was interesting to note is these men on this list did not have to pay taxes due to the damages they sustained during Indian attacks. Can you imagine this happening today? Can you imagine how bad it had to have been?
This little tidbit sent me on a journey this morning to learn more about the Indian attacks suffered by these early settlers. What I found in Boyd Crumrine's History of Washington County, Pennsylvania with Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Pioneers and Prominent Men (Philadelphia: L. H. Leverts & Co., 1882) made my hair stand on end.
Not only were there many instances of Indians attacking settlers, there were instances of men from Virginia who tried to "draft" the Pennsylvania men in to their militia. Now, to be fair, that little southwestern part of Pennsylvania was fought over by both Pennsylvania and Virginia. I just didn't realize the extent of the literal fighting, burning and killing by other settlers that accompanied that fight. Not only did the families of southwestern PA have to suffer Indian raids, they also suffered from the men of Virginia.
I also was enlightened to learn how the settlers attacked the peace loving Indians just "cause they were there." Interesting reading if you like history.
Onward genealogy buffs to the next lead of enlightenment.
Ahh, genealogy. Just can't top Lord Acton's words- Historical facts should not be a burden to the memory, but an illumination to the soul.
©2012 AS Eldredge
History is fascinating, although most students in school don't quite agree with the sentiment. How much can we learn about the past, our past, by digging into old documents as our country was being formed?
A cousin of mine and I have been hard at work digging and digging to try and uncover the definitive proof of the family of our Margaret McMillen (1762-1849).
She was born in Washington Co, PA, and died in Lower St. Clair, Allegheny, PA. While there is no mention of her father's name, she did name a son Thomas McMillen, so we suspect that was most likely her father's name. We have located three Thomas McMillens in the neighborhood, so trying to pin it down has been a struggle. One is the brother of the good Rev. John McMillen, and one is an Irishman who came much later than the birth of our Margaret.
The other one is probably ours. My cousin has been busy at the courthouse in Pittsburgh looking up land deeds, wills, and just generally scouring the countryside for any more leads. Yep, JoAnn, you've done a superb job of looking into almost every dark crevice in Allegheny Co.
The one good lead we have is that Margaret's son, Thomas M HENRY, was named as an executor for his uncle Thomas McMillen, who lived in Robinson Twp. So we know where he lived along the Piney Branch of Peters Creek, and we know he died in 1831. Too bad, he didn't mention his sister in the will written in 1829. Those mentioned in the will are his wife Mary, Mathew McMillen, John McMillen, Wm McMillen, James McMillen, Samuel McMillen, Joseph McMillen, Ebenezer McMillen and Anne McMillen. According to the will, Ebenezer is not yet 21.
Also from the Union Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Robinson are:
McMILLEN John 79 1840
McMILLIN John 60 1853
McMILLIN John 84 1922
McMILLIN John Y. 3 1899
McMILLIN Joseph 45 1852
McMILLIN Margaret 79 1898
McMILLIN Margaret 59 1918
McMILLIN Mary78 1844
McMILLIN Samuel
McMILLIN Sarah 80 1926
McMILLIN Thomas 76 1831
Just last night, JoAnn sent a new lead from A List Of Persons Names Exonerated On The Frontiers of Washington County for Being Distressed By The Incursions of Depredations of the Indians. Of course, a Thomas McMILLEN in Robinson Twp is mentioned on this 1789 document. Reading the names on the list is almost like looking at my family tree. So many familiar names are there. What was interesting to note is these men on this list did not have to pay taxes due to the damages they sustained during Indian attacks. Can you imagine this happening today? Can you imagine how bad it had to have been?
This little tidbit sent me on a journey this morning to learn more about the Indian attacks suffered by these early settlers. What I found in Boyd Crumrine's History of Washington County, Pennsylvania with Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Pioneers and Prominent Men (Philadelphia: L. H. Leverts & Co., 1882) made my hair stand on end.
Not only were there many instances of Indians attacking settlers, there were instances of men from Virginia who tried to "draft" the Pennsylvania men in to their militia. Now, to be fair, that little southwestern part of Pennsylvania was fought over by both Pennsylvania and Virginia. I just didn't realize the extent of the literal fighting, burning and killing by other settlers that accompanied that fight. Not only did the families of southwestern PA have to suffer Indian raids, they also suffered from the men of Virginia.
I also was enlightened to learn how the settlers attacked the peace loving Indians just "cause they were there." Interesting reading if you like history.
Onward genealogy buffs to the next lead of enlightenment.
Ahh, genealogy. Just can't top Lord Acton's words- Historical facts should not be a burden to the memory, but an illumination to the soul.
©2012 AS Eldredge
Friday, March 25, 2011
Watching the Family Tree Bloom
Have you noticed the pollen counts lately? Where I live, the trees and early spring flowers are blooming their little heads off and sending those of us with (and without) pollen allergies running for our boxes of kleenex.
I so marvel at the wonder of spring as the trees awaken from their deep winter slumber and everything comes to life once more. Branches you thought were dead spring to life with new leaves, just like my genealogy trees.
A cousin just popped up as a result of reading some of my earlier posts. How fun is that? It's always interesting to be able to share the information as you know it to be with other family members who are just beginning their search for their roots. Of course, it is even more fun for me to be able to solve some mysteries of the past and verify what I think I know.
A good source to research is that of old obituaries. They can be hard to locate, but sometimes, they can really send you into screaming fits of joy.
Take, for example, the obit of Austin McClain BRENDEL. His May 1935 obit confirms the name of his wife and their two children. The surprise of the obit came in two parts: "...Mr. Brendel leaves.....and a daughter, Mrs Floyd TAYLOR of Akron, OH......." and "He was buried in the Southside Cemetery beside his mother."
Really? Another daughter? Does that mean an earlier marriage?
The obit led us on a goose chase for Mrs. Floyd TAYLOR. We found evidence of her and, then we lost her. The name was just too common and she appeared to have left the area. That was several years ago.
We've just found her daughter alive and well. Or rather, she found us with the able assistance of her son. This is so cool. Emails are flying and more tidbits of information are coming in. Now we have more leads to follow to try and nail down some of the past that we think we know. Will we have moments of "aha" waiting for us?
We knew where Austin was buried as I have been to the site and my father's cousins had told me. This had also been confirmed by the cemetery. What we didn't know was that his mother, Henrietta Renton McCLAIN BRENDEL, was also buried there. Surprise. There are no headstones for either of them.
The newly found cousin was able to supply the name of the first wife, so now it's off to see what supporting documentation will show up on her family. A local history book has identified the family names, so the search is on. A local hysterical society :) in the area has confirmed they have information on her family and I am patiently waiting for them to identify what the information is.
I have also been able to find when his first wife filed for divorce by finding it in a 1910 Pittsburgh newspaper. Now I wait for my "sweet tea" buddy to make his monthly trek to the Allegheny County courthouse to find the hard evidence for me.
Old obituaries are really great. They can provide the names of those grieving for the deceased. Those names, in turn, can sometimes be traced to a living descendant. If you are lucky enough to locate an old obituary, you can then start the hunt for a living, breathing kinsman who may be able to fill in some gaps. Even the smallest tidbit can lead you to finding a pot of gold.
You can also compare the names with some of the early censuses to see if you are following the correct family. Censuses can be difficult as they are not always accurate. The early ones were done by folks in the neighborhood who sometimes were known to make educated guesses. Just remember, a census is secondary evidence when trying to find your roots. If possible, go by the death, marriage, land, wills, probate, church, draft registration, SSDI or other records. Look for patterns and a preponderance of evidence to support your theories.
If you've got roots in the Pittsburgh area, my merry little band of 47 volunteers is still busy digging them up out of old newspapers. The list blooms each day and we strive to send a new upload to the web about once a month or so. To date, we have almost 70,000 death entries, over 16,000 (so 32,000 names) marriage entries, and 1103 divorces. The dates of the newspapers range from 1806-1997.
You can check out the dates here: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~njm1/Daily-Update-Submitted-Newspapers.html
And the names here: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/allegheny/death-index.htm
We also have been hard at work on a military service personnel index for WWI. This information is also coming from the old Pittsburgh newspapers. We currently have almost 70,000 entires uploaded on this index and I have more waiting to go. Check it out here: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/allegheny/death-index.htm
Ahh, genealogy. Sometimes, it's not the pollen that has you running for the kleenex, it's the new branches on the family tree.
©2011 AS Eldredge
I so marvel at the wonder of spring as the trees awaken from their deep winter slumber and everything comes to life once more. Branches you thought were dead spring to life with new leaves, just like my genealogy trees.
A cousin just popped up as a result of reading some of my earlier posts. How fun is that? It's always interesting to be able to share the information as you know it to be with other family members who are just beginning their search for their roots. Of course, it is even more fun for me to be able to solve some mysteries of the past and verify what I think I know.
A good source to research is that of old obituaries. They can be hard to locate, but sometimes, they can really send you into screaming fits of joy.
Take, for example, the obit of Austin McClain BRENDEL. His May 1935 obit confirms the name of his wife and their two children. The surprise of the obit came in two parts: "...Mr. Brendel leaves.....and a daughter, Mrs Floyd TAYLOR of Akron, OH......." and "He was buried in the Southside Cemetery beside his mother."
Really? Another daughter? Does that mean an earlier marriage?
The obit led us on a goose chase for Mrs. Floyd TAYLOR. We found evidence of her and, then we lost her. The name was just too common and she appeared to have left the area. That was several years ago.
We've just found her daughter alive and well. Or rather, she found us with the able assistance of her son. This is so cool. Emails are flying and more tidbits of information are coming in. Now we have more leads to follow to try and nail down some of the past that we think we know. Will we have moments of "aha" waiting for us?
We knew where Austin was buried as I have been to the site and my father's cousins had told me. This had also been confirmed by the cemetery. What we didn't know was that his mother, Henrietta Renton McCLAIN BRENDEL, was also buried there. Surprise. There are no headstones for either of them.
The newly found cousin was able to supply the name of the first wife, so now it's off to see what supporting documentation will show up on her family. A local history book has identified the family names, so the search is on. A local hysterical society :) in the area has confirmed they have information on her family and I am patiently waiting for them to identify what the information is.
I have also been able to find when his first wife filed for divorce by finding it in a 1910 Pittsburgh newspaper. Now I wait for my "sweet tea" buddy to make his monthly trek to the Allegheny County courthouse to find the hard evidence for me.
Old obituaries are really great. They can provide the names of those grieving for the deceased. Those names, in turn, can sometimes be traced to a living descendant. If you are lucky enough to locate an old obituary, you can then start the hunt for a living, breathing kinsman who may be able to fill in some gaps. Even the smallest tidbit can lead you to finding a pot of gold.
You can also compare the names with some of the early censuses to see if you are following the correct family. Censuses can be difficult as they are not always accurate. The early ones were done by folks in the neighborhood who sometimes were known to make educated guesses. Just remember, a census is secondary evidence when trying to find your roots. If possible, go by the death, marriage, land, wills, probate, church, draft registration, SSDI or other records. Look for patterns and a preponderance of evidence to support your theories.
If you've got roots in the Pittsburgh area, my merry little band of 47 volunteers is still busy digging them up out of old newspapers. The list blooms each day and we strive to send a new upload to the web about once a month or so. To date, we have almost 70,000 death entries, over 16,000 (so 32,000 names) marriage entries, and 1103 divorces. The dates of the newspapers range from 1806-1997.
You can check out the dates here: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~njm1/Daily-Update-Submitted-Newspapers.html
And the names here: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/allegheny/death-index.htm
We also have been hard at work on a military service personnel index for WWI. This information is also coming from the old Pittsburgh newspapers. We currently have almost 70,000 entires uploaded on this index and I have more waiting to go. Check it out here: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/allegheny/death-index.htm
Ahh, genealogy. Sometimes, it's not the pollen that has you running for the kleenex, it's the new branches on the family tree.
©2011 AS Eldredge
Monday, February 07, 2011
Monday Madness: Identifying the Dead in St Mary's, Georgia
Not being able to identify the last resting place for a loved one can be downright frustrating, especially when you just know they are there.
I ran across the work done by the historians in St. Mary's, Camden, Georgia, and want to tip my hat to their hard work and dedication. Keep up the great efforts!
Historians identify unmarked graves at Ga. cemetery
ST. MARYS, Ga. — Kay Westberry knows that most of the hundreds of unmarked graves in Oak Grove Cemetery will never be identified.
Worse still, many graves will never be found.
She knows no one can pay her and the group of Camden County historians working with her for the painstaking research they do — often in vain — to fill in the blanks.
But in just a matter of months,....http://savannahnow.com/latest-news/2011-02-06/historians-identify-unmarked-graves-ga-cemetery
Ahh, genealogy. Can't you just dig it?
©2011 AS Eldredge
I ran across the work done by the historians in St. Mary's, Camden, Georgia, and want to tip my hat to their hard work and dedication. Keep up the great efforts!
Historians identify unmarked graves at Ga. cemetery
ST. MARYS, Ga. — Kay Westberry knows that most of the hundreds of unmarked graves in Oak Grove Cemetery will never be identified.
Worse still, many graves will never be found.
She knows no one can pay her and the group of Camden County historians working with her for the painstaking research they do — often in vain — to fill in the blanks.
But in just a matter of months,....http://savannahnow.com/latest-news/2011-02-06/historians-identify-unmarked-graves-ga-cemetery
Ahh, genealogy. Can't you just dig it?
©2011 AS Eldredge
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Got to Cool Off to Get Hot
Ok, my dear cousins-- whether you are inlaws or outlaws--- I've got the hint!
I'm going to stop writing new blogs (oh, the horror of it all) until I get the NEWEST info up on our tree. Two different sources have written to me in the last week to see if I am still interested in the family.
So, I'll cool down the writing for a few days so my family ties on that one line can be updated.
I've also been hot on the trail of my 4g grandpa and have located his EXACT address in 1839. I've been using that to determine which cemetery is the most likely for his bones to be located. However, I've been told just today that the most probable cemetery from 1843 Wheeling is now a playground. Sigh.
In the meantime, has anyone run across the Virginia Militia 1st Battalion of the 4th Regiment under the command of Col B F Kelly?
Ahh, genealogy. All it takes is a gentle prod or two to get me back hot on the trail again.
©2010 AS Eldredge
I'm going to stop writing new blogs (oh, the horror of it all) until I get the NEWEST info up on our tree. Two different sources have written to me in the last week to see if I am still interested in the family.
So, I'll cool down the writing for a few days so my family ties on that one line can be updated.
I've also been hot on the trail of my 4g grandpa and have located his EXACT address in 1839. I've been using that to determine which cemetery is the most likely for his bones to be located. However, I've been told just today that the most probable cemetery from 1843 Wheeling is now a playground. Sigh.
In the meantime, has anyone run across the Virginia Militia 1st Battalion of the 4th Regiment under the command of Col B F Kelly?
Ahh, genealogy. All it takes is a gentle prod or two to get me back hot on the trail again.
©2010 AS Eldredge
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Tombstone Tuesday: Bitten While Hiking to Shoot a Family
For instance, take a closer look at one of the recent requests to come my way. It seemed easy enough. All the lady wanted was some pictures of a couple of gravestones in the Old Landrum Family Cemetery in Fayette Co, GA.
Looking it up seemed easy to do. Here it was. And then I got lost.
The description of the location was confusing as I am not an "oldtimer" of the area. The directions said, "accessible from the abandoned section of Peachtree Parkway." Hmm, abandoned Peachtree Parkway?One fine, steamy day last week, I took a quick drive to the area I thought could be the abandoned Peachtree Parkway. Well, the area is all built up and even has an elementary school on it. So, if it was it, it's not now.
Being an enterprising young grasshopper, I popped into the first funeral home I saw. The kindly gentleman asked (in a oh-so-sorry-for-your-loss-gentle-voice) if he could be of service. I told him I was looking for a graveyard. One can imagine the looks on the faces as I beamed and said I wanted to shoot someone. Oops, clarification was needed. I wanted to photograph someone who was buried in a local cemetery and I couldn't find it.
Well, they couldn't either. The lady who was happily and joyfully assisting me at this point called City Hall to see what they knew. Nothing. But, they knew someone who would know.
My new buddy and I were looking at maps of the development of Peachtree City when she spotted an area called "Landrum's Mill Pond." About that time, the lady at City Hall called back and told us she has spoken to someone else at the library who said the cemetery was down a well worn path through the woods. She even had directions!
"Go up Hwy 74. Turn onto Peachtree Parkway, and turn left onto World Dr. Go to the cul-de-sac and park. Walk down the path and it will be in the woods."
Hiking, we went down the path which quickly showed evidence of asphalt and old faded lines. Eureka, it's the abandoned Peachtree Parkway that we didn't know existed! Hmm. No graveyard seen here. Let's start taking some of the paths off of this path.
At the second path I sent the kids and dogs down, they started yelling. "Come quick! It's a cemetery."
There sat the old Landrum Family Cemetery in a nicely fenced in area.
As I surveyed the area, I could see a spot where the trees were younger. Could this have been the site of the family home of Jeptha Landrum? He was the owner of the land from around 1825 or so, and is reported to have assisted the Creek Indians in their removal after the Creek Nation signed the land over to the state of Georgia. The Landrum family owned quite a large plantation and Landrum served the new county as a Judge and also as sheriff.
I don't know if the clearing with the young trees was the house site, but I can imagine the site if it had been. The cemetery would have been down the hill off of the dirt road leading to the house in an area close enough to visit, but not close enough to be disturbed by the creek or mill pond. The mill pond is still there and is further down the path from the cemetery.
We wiped off some of the stones as I snapped away. Some of the markings appear to be gone. Others, I can probably make out enough to match them with the index of the cemetery put online by a Landrum family member.
I sent some of the pictures to a local photographer friend who tried to bring out the details for me. She suggested I go back and take some more shots for her to play with.
I plan to go back out there in the fall to retake some shots. Photographs of old graves can provide some more clues if the lighting is different (hence, a different time of year and time of day). I will also take some water with me to sprinkle on the graves.
Yes, I will go out there again on another hike. But I think I will wait until the chigger bites heal!
Ahh, genealogy. It's fun hiking around the past, even if the present bites you.
Note: Many thanks to the wonderful folks at the Carmichael-Hemperley Funeral Home and Crematory on Senoia Rd in Peachtree City. They were super as they spent about an hour with me trying to find the old cemetery. I appreciate their kindness!
©2010 AS Eldredge
Friday, August 06, 2010
Arlington National Cemetery to Get a Much Needed Facelift in Burial Records
Yippee! There's almost nothing as disappointing as when a cemetery has been sloppy in keeping records or in finding out the old cemetery keeper of the information's family thought it worthless and threw it out. I'm so glad this project to preserve the burial records and information of our nation's heroes is getting the assistance it needs from volunteers! Read on......
Northern Virginia Technology Council Member Organizations to Assess Arlington National Cemetery's Information Technology Requirements
/PRNewswire/ -- The Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) announced today that the Department of the Army has accepted in principle the organization's pro bono offer to provide assistance in the assessment of the information technology requirements to rectify the unacceptable state of the records at Arlington National Cemetery. This effort stems from an Army investigation earlier this year that found the Cemetery's record keeping in shambles, burial records on index cards, improperly marked graves and serious difficulties in accurately locating the graves in the cemetery. All these issues persisted despite spending more than $5 million on a program to digitize burial records that has shown no results.
In response to public reports of this serious problem to record keeping, the following 15 NVTC member companies have volunteered their assistance to constitute an assessment group: ACS, a Xerox Company; Blue Canopy; Booz Allen Hamilton; CACI; CGI; Consumer Electronics Association (CEA); Corporation for National Research Initiatives; CSC; IBM; Lee Technologies; MAXIMUS; Microsoft; MITRE; SoltechOne; and Vistronix.
"The NVTC membership is eager and willing to support the U.S. Army as it responds to this difficult situation. We want to ensure that we honor the women and men who served their country and, in many cases, gave the ultimate sacrifice for this nation. We are united in our willingness to support Senator Warner in his efforts to remedy this crisis," said George C. Newstrom, President and COO of Lee Technologies and former Secretary of Technology for then-Governor Mark Warner.
"NVTC is made up of the country's most well respected and innovative technology companies and this collaborative pro bono effort demonstrates their loyalty, compassion and admiration for those who served in the armed forces, many making the ultimate sacrifice," said Bobbie Kilberg, President and CEO, NVTC. "We applaud Senator Warner for his leadership in trying to resolve this important matter. NVTC looks forward to working under the direction of Army Secretary McHugh and his team to help assess Arlington Cemetery's technology requirements. It is an honor and privilege to be involved."
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©2010 AS Eldredge
Northern Virginia Technology Council Member Organizations to Assess Arlington National Cemetery's Information Technology Requirements
/PRNewswire/ -- The Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) announced today that the Department of the Army has accepted in principle the organization's pro bono offer to provide assistance in the assessment of the information technology requirements to rectify the unacceptable state of the records at Arlington National Cemetery. This effort stems from an Army investigation earlier this year that found the Cemetery's record keeping in shambles, burial records on index cards, improperly marked graves and serious difficulties in accurately locating the graves in the cemetery. All these issues persisted despite spending more than $5 million on a program to digitize burial records that has shown no results.
In response to public reports of this serious problem to record keeping, the following 15 NVTC member companies have volunteered their assistance to constitute an assessment group: ACS, a Xerox Company; Blue Canopy; Booz Allen Hamilton; CACI; CGI; Consumer Electronics Association (CEA); Corporation for National Research Initiatives; CSC; IBM; Lee Technologies; MAXIMUS; Microsoft; MITRE; SoltechOne; and Vistronix.
"The NVTC membership is eager and willing to support the U.S. Army as it responds to this difficult situation. We want to ensure that we honor the women and men who served their country and, in many cases, gave the ultimate sacrifice for this nation. We are united in our willingness to support Senator Warner in his efforts to remedy this crisis," said George C. Newstrom, President and COO of Lee Technologies and former Secretary of Technology for then-Governor Mark Warner.
"NVTC is made up of the country's most well respected and innovative technology companies and this collaborative pro bono effort demonstrates their loyalty, compassion and admiration for those who served in the armed forces, many making the ultimate sacrifice," said Bobbie Kilberg, President and CEO, NVTC. "We applaud Senator Warner for his leadership in trying to resolve this important matter. NVTC looks forward to working under the direction of Army Secretary McHugh and his team to help assess Arlington Cemetery's technology requirements. It is an honor and privilege to be involved."
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©2010 AS Eldredge
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
Weaving the Pieces of the Puzzle Together
I recently received an email from a DORRINGTON descendent who is trying to fit the pieces of the puzzle together for Thomas DORRINGTON and James GLENN.
.....I am researching my Dorrington ancestors and I read your blog and info on James Glenn. I am new at this and I can’t find the link between James Glenn and Thomas and Jane Young Dorrington. I see a Jane Dorrington who married Walter Glenn b. 1777, but didn’t find James in that tree......
Yes, it was a mystery at first to me as well. But time and research has paid off in making the connections in the right places. It's a tough mystery as the good Irish grandpas made sure to name everyone "James."
Of course, it didn't hurt that I happen to have a copy of family papers from another cousin that he had put together in the early 1900s.
I first found Irish immigrant Thomas DORRINGTON and his wife, Jane YOUNG, on a trip to my family cemetery that everyone else calls St Clair Cemetery in Mt Lebanon, Allegheny Co, PA in 2004.
Thomas and wife, Jane, are buried smack dab right next to two of their grandsons, Thomas DORRINGTON, Jr and James GLENN (1824-1901). Thomas and Jane's headstones conveniently list them as "grandfather" and "grandmother" in the younger James GLENN's plot.
How? His parents were Walter GLENN (1777-1843) and Jane DORRINGTON (d.1843). This young James never married, yet he was the James GLENN of the Civil War Fame. Click here to read more of his bravery at Gettysburg.
This James GLENN (1824-1901) is the grandson of my 4g grandparents, James GLENN (1750-1813) and Janet BUCHANAN (1752-1807).
I first visited the cemetery as a child with my dad and my great aunt. She told me my roots in Pittsburgh were deep and that there were something like seven generations of my blood buried there. (I've only documented six of them at this point.) Since that early trip, I have made several trips to the cemetery and have thrown new headstone dedication parties there. You can read more about the cemetery online and read many of my early research contributions to the St Clair Cemetery at http://www.stclaircemetery.com/view.php/page/History_cemetery
Ahh, genealogy. What fun it is to fill in the missing pieces! Just be sure to document your sources so the errors some have made won't be repeated again. And if you plan to use others' research, please remember to give them the credit.
Sources:
Allegheny Co, PA, Will Bk 5 No. 424
Marriage Notices 1786-1910 Film P356 Roll #1: Carnegie Library
Wall, Elizabeth J. "Extracts from Cramers's Pittsburgh Almanack" WPGSQ 3 no. 4 (May 1977): 137.
1822, 4/4 Walter Glenn to Jane Darrington, all of St. Clair Twp., Alleg. Co.
Record of death: RD Docket, Vol 14, pg 470
Will: WB Dkt, Vol 67, pg 228
obit from Carnegie Signal 28 Aug 1901:
Colonel James Glenn
Colonel James Glenn, one of the best known residents of this vicinity, died at the home of his sister, Mrs. Chesterfield Robb at Glenndale, last Friday, August 23, 1901, in his 78th year. He had been ill for many weeks and his death was expected.
©2010 AS Eldredge
.....I am researching my Dorrington ancestors and I read your blog and info on James Glenn. I am new at this and I can’t find the link between James Glenn and Thomas and Jane Young Dorrington. I see a Jane Dorrington who married Walter Glenn b. 1777, but didn’t find James in that tree......
Yes, it was a mystery at first to me as well. But time and research has paid off in making the connections in the right places. It's a tough mystery as the good Irish grandpas made sure to name everyone "James."
Of course, it didn't hurt that I happen to have a copy of family papers from another cousin that he had put together in the early 1900s.
I first found Irish immigrant Thomas DORRINGTON and his wife, Jane YOUNG, on a trip to my family cemetery that everyone else calls St Clair Cemetery in Mt Lebanon, Allegheny Co, PA in 2004.
Thomas and wife, Jane, are buried smack dab right next to two of their grandsons, Thomas DORRINGTON, Jr and James GLENN (1824-1901). Thomas and Jane's headstones conveniently list them as "grandfather" and "grandmother" in the younger James GLENN's plot.
How? His parents were Walter GLENN (1777-1843) and Jane DORRINGTON (d.1843). This young James never married, yet he was the James GLENN of the Civil War Fame. Click here to read more of his bravery at Gettysburg.
This James GLENN (1824-1901) is the grandson of my 4g grandparents, James GLENN (1750-1813) and Janet BUCHANAN (1752-1807).
I first visited the cemetery as a child with my dad and my great aunt. She told me my roots in Pittsburgh were deep and that there were something like seven generations of my blood buried there. (I've only documented six of them at this point.) Since that early trip, I have made several trips to the cemetery and have thrown new headstone dedication parties there. You can read more about the cemetery online and read many of my early research contributions to the St Clair Cemetery at http://www.stclaircemetery.com/view.php/page/History_cemetery
Ahh, genealogy. What fun it is to fill in the missing pieces! Just be sure to document your sources so the errors some have made won't be repeated again. And if you plan to use others' research, please remember to give them the credit.
Sources:
Allegheny Co, PA, Will Bk 5 No. 424
Marriage Notices 1786-1910 Film P356 Roll #1: Carnegie Library
Wall, Elizabeth J. "Extracts from Cramers's Pittsburgh Almanack" WPGSQ 3 no. 4 (May 1977): 137.
1822, 4/4 Walter Glenn to Jane Darrington, all of St. Clair Twp., Alleg. Co.
Record of death: RD Docket, Vol 14, pg 470
Will: WB Dkt, Vol 67, pg 228
obit from Carnegie Signal 28 Aug 1901:
Colonel James Glenn
Colonel James Glenn, one of the best known residents of this vicinity, died at the home of his sister, Mrs. Chesterfield Robb at Glenndale, last Friday, August 23, 1901, in his 78th year. He had been ill for many weeks and his death was expected.
©2010 AS Eldredge
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Tombstone Tuesday: Gone but Not Forgotten
Back in 2004, descendants of John Henry (1750-1838), an Irishman who came to the colonies and later fought for the colonies, gathered for a party in the St. Clair Cemetery in Allegheny Co, PA. We gathered for the dedication of two new headstones for our grandpas John Henry and James Glenn (1750-1813). Even though both of these men have been dead for many a generation, their faith still speaks to the descendants today.
Recently, my buddy, Margaret Jackson of the Historical Society of Mt Lebanon contacted me to let me know the original headstone of John Henry was located. In addition, a fieldstone with the initials J G has also been located.
So very cool.
Ahh, genealogy. It's greatly satisfying when the gone and not forgotten do something to make us think of them and their contributions to this great nation of ours. And the blood goes on and on........
©2010 AS Eldredge
Recently, my buddy, Margaret Jackson of the Historical Society of Mt Lebanon contacted me to let me know the original headstone of John Henry was located. In addition, a fieldstone with the initials J G has also been located.
Ahh, genealogy. It's greatly satisfying when the gone and not forgotten do something to make us think of them and their contributions to this great nation of ours. And the blood goes on and on........
©2010 AS Eldredge
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Tombstone Tuesday: Finding a Brahm in Pittsburgh
The subject is the Brahm family plot in Uniondale Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Allegheny, PA.
While this is not my direct line, it is the direct line of a cousin of mine. One of the BRAHM sons married into my YOUNG family.
Roy M BRAHM (1898-1974) married Mildred M YOUNG (1899-1971). Roy and Mildred are both buried at the St Clair Cemetery(aka lovingly as my family cemetery) in Mt Lebanon, Allegheny, PA.
I don't know why Roy and Mildred are buried at St Clair rather than with his family at Uniondale. The plot in which Roy and Mildred are buried was purchased by her grandfather, Edward J YOUNG (1835-1905), and is the plot where Mildred's mom is resting. I am making an educated guess that Mildred's dad, George Fleming YOUNG (1850-1912) is probably also buried in the plot although there is no headstone. EJ is also buried at St Clair but he is further down the line in another plot he owned. This other plot was between his two aunts.
Ah- grave shots can be so beautiful. Not only do they bring back precious sweet memories, they also can be such an art form for genealogy buffs.
©2010 AS Eldredge
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Wordless Wednesday: Fianlly, A Face for the Name
I've been fascinated with the gent in this picture for quite some time. Austin McClain Brendel (1878-1935) was the first cousin of my grandmother.
Why the fascination? I first heard the name when I was looking at the old cemetery records at Southside Cemetery in Allegheny Co, PA back in the late 1980s. Who was this man buried in our family plot? A cousin of my dad's told me it was some cousin who didn't have any place to be buried when he died. So the search began.
It took some years for the life of Austin to be told in bits and pieces. You can read more of Austin at http://genitalesga.blogspot.com/search/label/brendel.
Now, a picture of Austin has made its way to me just this week. When was it taken? Perhaps in the early 1900s? Do I see a family resemblance? I think not, so perhaps he took on the looks of his father's family?
Ah, genealogy. What great cousins I have who take the time to keep me in the loop with their new finds.
Thanks, Frank. I just went speechless with your kind genealogy gift.
Thursday, January 07, 2010
And the Photo Nominee is.......
Yesterday, I showcased a very old photo of which a copy had been mailed to me about seven years ago. The photo was found in the scrapbook of the Andrew FIFE (1790-1878) family. The scrapbook had been started by one of the descendants of Sara FIFE (1817- abt 1855) and Andrew YOUNG (abt 1815-aft 1862) of Chartiers, Allegheny, PA.
Read the post here. Who is the subject listed only as Mrs. Nana Henry?
I also asked the question on the mail list for those who research in Allegheny County, PA about the photographer who was listed on the photo. As a reminder, it was Purviance with an address of Fifth and Wood Sts.
After consulting the census records, I determined the photographer was William T Purviance who had a studio in Pittsburgh from about 1857-1867. A kind soul on the mail list further defined Purviance for me. He traced the addresses of his studios by checking the old directories which are posted online (Thanks Rich!). By comparing the addresses to the one on the photo, the date of the photo placed it as being taken in 1865 or 1866.
Ahh. Now it was time to revisit the vitals on my genealogy program. It just can't be who I wanted it to be due to death dates before 1865.
The most likely candidate for Mrs. Nana HENRY (and most probable) is.......
Zebiah MIDDLESWARTH (1797-1872), daughter of Moses MIDDLESWARTH (1757-1842) and Elizabeth CLARK (1764-1852.)
Zebiah married William HENRY (1789-1848) on January 1, 1824 in Allegheny Co.
William was the son of John HENRY (1750-1838) of Lower St Clair, Allegheny, PA.
William and Zebiah are both buried in the Bethany Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Bridgeville, Allegheny, PA, with the MIDDLESWARTH family.
So, Nana- we suspect we know who you are and we remember you.
Genealogy- what a kick!
Read the post here. Who is the subject listed only as Mrs. Nana Henry?
I also asked the question on the mail list for those who research in Allegheny County, PA about the photographer who was listed on the photo. As a reminder, it was Purviance with an address of Fifth and Wood Sts.
After consulting the census records, I determined the photographer was William T Purviance who had a studio in Pittsburgh from about 1857-1867. A kind soul on the mail list further defined Purviance for me. He traced the addresses of his studios by checking the old directories which are posted online (Thanks Rich!). By comparing the addresses to the one on the photo, the date of the photo placed it as being taken in 1865 or 1866.
Ahh. Now it was time to revisit the vitals on my genealogy program. It just can't be who I wanted it to be due to death dates before 1865.
The most likely candidate for Mrs. Nana HENRY (and most probable) is.......
Zebiah MIDDLESWARTH (1797-1872), daughter of Moses MIDDLESWARTH (1757-1842) and Elizabeth CLARK (1764-1852.)
Zebiah married William HENRY (1789-1848) on January 1, 1824 in Allegheny Co.
William was the son of John HENRY (1750-1838) of Lower St Clair, Allegheny, PA.
William and Zebiah are both buried in the Bethany Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Bridgeville, Allegheny, PA, with the MIDDLESWARTH family.
So, Nana- we suspect we know who you are and we remember you.
Genealogy- what a kick!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Tombstone Tuesday: Not Just any Grass, but a Snodgrass
Found in the Mt. Pisgah Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Allegheny Co, PA, is this little group of family tombstones.While time and the elements have all but erased the names, the following names have survived-- in our hearts, our memories and the stones of the final resting place.
From left to right, we see Robert Snodgrass, the younger, (1794-1863) and his wife, Hannah Glenn (abt 1797- abt 1862). Their unmarried daughter, Sarah (1829-1853) and a son, John, are also found here.
The sister of Robert, Achsah (1792-1875), is also found here. Illegible headstones in the group most likely include Robert's son, James (1833-1841).
Several years ago, I had the pleasure of publishing the early Civil War era diary of Robert and Hannah's daughter. What a great genealogy trip that was for my Snodgrass cousins and me as we worked on it together for several months.
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Tis the Season for Tombstone Searching
Graveyards just aren't creepy. In my world, tombstone searching is fun. I relish the thought of finding new family information to add to my vast collection of "blood tales." Sometimes, just seeing who is buried in the family plot can lead to new discoveries and new found cousins. For example. seeing who was buried with my grandparents in Southside Cemetery in Pittsburgh led me to discover more about my grandmother's family. You can read more about this genealogy tidit on AustinM. Brendel in an earlier post.
I spend a lot of time researching the good people of early Allegheny Co, PA. This site has a great contributed cemetery database and is always free to use. And before you ask-- yes, I have contributed to this database. Check it out if you have a need to dig in Pittsburgh.
Right now, for the next couple of days, you can also search the tombstone and cemetery collection at ancestry at no charge. Here are just a couple of their wonderfully creepy databases that I enjoy.
Abstract of Graves of Revolutionary Patriots
Cross Creek, Pennsylvania Cemetery History
Dutchess County, New York cemeteries
Gravestone inscriptions of Trinity Cemetery, New York City, New York
To begin searching on ancestry, go to this link: http://landing.ancestry.com/halloween/?sssdmh=dm13.222621&o_iid=41074&o_lid=41074&cj=1&o_xid=0000930738&o_lid=0000930738
Creepy tombstones? Nope, they are just hauntingly familiar.
I spend a lot of time researching the good people of early Allegheny Co, PA. This site has a great contributed cemetery database and is always free to use. And before you ask-- yes, I have contributed to this database. Check it out if you have a need to dig in Pittsburgh.
Right now, for the next couple of days, you can also search the tombstone and cemetery collection at ancestry at no charge. Here are just a couple of their wonderfully creepy databases that I enjoy.
Abstract of Graves of Revolutionary Patriots
Cross Creek, Pennsylvania Cemetery History
Dutchess County, New York cemeteries
Gravestone inscriptions of Trinity Cemetery, New York City, New York
To begin searching on ancestry, go to this link: http://landing.ancestry.com/halloween/?sssdmh=dm13.222621&o_iid=41074&o_lid=41074&cj=1&o_xid=0000930738&o_lid=0000930738
Creepy tombstones? Nope, they are just hauntingly familiar.
Friday, June 05, 2009
Searching for Low Country Graves
Thanks to the Colonial Dames over in Georgetown, South Carolina, for reading the cemeteries in Georgetown County and getting the cemetery census online.
I found the story through the Eastman Newsletter and immediately set about trying to see if I could dig up any family members in Georgetown. Before I could do that, I had to refresh my memory on some of the surnames from that side of the family.
So, if you don't see me for a day or two, just look around the Low Country for me. You'll recognize me. I'm the one who will be digging for gold.
I found the story through the Eastman Newsletter and immediately set about trying to see if I could dig up any family members in Georgetown. Before I could do that, I had to refresh my memory on some of the surnames from that side of the family.
So, if you don't see me for a day or two, just look around the Low Country for me. You'll recognize me. I'm the one who will be digging for gold.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Got Kin Buried in Rome, GA?
The following article is from Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter and is copyright by Richard W. Eastman. It is re-published here with the permission of the author. Information about the newsletter is available at http://www.eogn.com
Rome, Georgia Cemetery Burial Data Now Online
Thanks to a new burial data program on the city of Rome’s web site, genealogy researchers and loved ones may have an easier time locating their ancestors buried in Rome’s public cemeteries. The service can assist those looking for the plots of ancestors, family or friends buried in city-owned cemeteries — Eastview, Oakland and Myrtle Hill.
The information only covers burial records, the cemetery lot number and plot location number. The site can also generate clickable maps of the cemeteries that allow the user to navigate and find the exact placement of the plot.
Many of the birth dates for older interments may read 01/01, an indication that the birth date is unknown. As records are updated, or in some cases found, they will update the birth date information, according to city officials.
The site can be found at www.romega.us/cemetery.
Rome, Georgia Cemetery Burial Data Now Online
Thanks to a new burial data program on the city of Rome’s web site, genealogy researchers and loved ones may have an easier time locating their ancestors buried in Rome’s public cemeteries. The service can assist those looking for the plots of ancestors, family or friends buried in city-owned cemeteries — Eastview, Oakland and Myrtle Hill.
The information only covers burial records, the cemetery lot number and plot location number. The site can also generate clickable maps of the cemeteries that allow the user to navigate and find the exact placement of the plot.
Many of the birth dates for older interments may read 01/01, an indication that the birth date is unknown. As records are updated, or in some cases found, they will update the birth date information, according to city officials.
The site can be found at www.romega.us/cemetery.
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
There She Lies- Right Under Our Nose
From time to time, I venture into the cemetery office to check on who is buried there. I've been to a particular cemetery in Pittsburgh not once, but close to a half dozen times over the last few years. I've asked for help from the staff. Please allow me to share some of those experiences with you.
1st visit in 1988: My cousins took me to see my grandfather's grave. It was the first time I had been back to the grave since my childhood. We stopped in to get the location and to see who was buried there. The folks guardedly told me he was there and then refused to let me see the book. I did catch a glimpse of an unknown name. The staff whisked the book away.
2nd visit in 2003: I asked the staff for a map of the cemetery so I could find my grandfather's grave. The lady told me how to find it. It was pouring rain. We couldn't find the grave using her instructions. Apparently, she read the map wrong. We finally located the grave in a different area of the cemetery. I noticed my great grandparents were there just behind my grandfather.
3rd visit in 2004: I didn't bother with the staff as I now knew where to look. I took photos of the headstones. I did call the staff later to ask how much it would cost to get a new headstone. They were thrilled to be of assistance.
4th visit in 2005: I asked the staff who was buried in the plot. They gave me three names, while yet again, refusing me access to the book. This time, I had done enough research to know who the third name. He was a cousin of my grandmother's who she buried there as he had no place to go. Funny, how they still haven't told me my great grandparents are in the same plot.
Over the last few years, I have trying in vain to find the location of my great aunt's grave. I found her parents buried with my grandparents. I found her sisters in the same cemetery. Her husband was buried in a single grave in a different cemetery in town. Of course, I didn't know when she died, but I had narrowed down the dates to between 1919-1924.
Hattie was living in Erie, PA, at the time of her sister's death. I found Hattie in 1910 in Erie, but there was no sign of her there in 1920. Hattie's great grandson has also been looking for her in vain. He tried a death search for a 10 year time span with no success. He found her living in a nursing home in Erie, PA, in 1918-1919. Then, poof-- she disappeared.
Fast forward to last week:
Ring. Ring.
"Hello."
My cousin told me to sit down as I wouldn't believe what he had to say.
Hattie's been under our noses all this time. When he called the cemetery and started asking questions, he was told she was there. Not only is she there, but she died in November 1920 and is buried with her son.
Get this. Her son is the cousin who my grandmother buried in 1935!
The nice informative gent at the cemetery went on to say that she died in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. What? How? Why?
I checked the census and found her living in a nursing home in Milwaukee in 1920. We have sent for her death cert. Hopefully, that will provide the name of the person providing the information.
At this time, we have no clue as to who moved her or why she was in Milwaukee in 1920. Her son was in Jacksonville, FL at the time and her daughter moved there as well in 1922. There is no evidence to support the daughter being in Milwaukee.
So, we continue to search to see if we can solve this mystery.
My advice is to keep looking. In this case, it took years of asking the same location the same question before we could get an answer.
And to think- she's been there the whole time.
1st visit in 1988: My cousins took me to see my grandfather's grave. It was the first time I had been back to the grave since my childhood. We stopped in to get the location and to see who was buried there. The folks guardedly told me he was there and then refused to let me see the book. I did catch a glimpse of an unknown name. The staff whisked the book away.
2nd visit in 2003: I asked the staff for a map of the cemetery so I could find my grandfather's grave. The lady told me how to find it. It was pouring rain. We couldn't find the grave using her instructions. Apparently, she read the map wrong. We finally located the grave in a different area of the cemetery. I noticed my great grandparents were there just behind my grandfather.
3rd visit in 2004: I didn't bother with the staff as I now knew where to look. I took photos of the headstones. I did call the staff later to ask how much it would cost to get a new headstone. They were thrilled to be of assistance.
4th visit in 2005: I asked the staff who was buried in the plot. They gave me three names, while yet again, refusing me access to the book. This time, I had done enough research to know who the third name. He was a cousin of my grandmother's who she buried there as he had no place to go. Funny, how they still haven't told me my great grandparents are in the same plot.
Over the last few years, I have trying in vain to find the location of my great aunt's grave. I found her parents buried with my grandparents. I found her sisters in the same cemetery. Her husband was buried in a single grave in a different cemetery in town. Of course, I didn't know when she died, but I had narrowed down the dates to between 1919-1924.
Hattie was living in Erie, PA, at the time of her sister's death. I found Hattie in 1910 in Erie, but there was no sign of her there in 1920. Hattie's great grandson has also been looking for her in vain. He tried a death search for a 10 year time span with no success. He found her living in a nursing home in Erie, PA, in 1918-1919. Then, poof-- she disappeared.
Fast forward to last week:
Ring. Ring.
"Hello."
My cousin told me to sit down as I wouldn't believe what he had to say.
Hattie's been under our noses all this time. When he called the cemetery and started asking questions, he was told she was there. Not only is she there, but she died in November 1920 and is buried with her son.
Get this. Her son is the cousin who my grandmother buried in 1935!
The nice informative gent at the cemetery went on to say that she died in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. What? How? Why?
I checked the census and found her living in a nursing home in Milwaukee in 1920. We have sent for her death cert. Hopefully, that will provide the name of the person providing the information.
At this time, we have no clue as to who moved her or why she was in Milwaukee in 1920. Her son was in Jacksonville, FL at the time and her daughter moved there as well in 1922. There is no evidence to support the daughter being in Milwaukee.
So, we continue to search to see if we can solve this mystery.
My advice is to keep looking. In this case, it took years of asking the same location the same question before we could get an answer.
And to think- she's been there the whole time.
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