Use Your Imagination to Investigate the Past

We've all heard it. "My family can't be found," or "The census didn't list slaves," or "The courthouse burned."

Well, yes, this can be a real mind blocker. Use your imagination when looking at various resources.  Don't just depend on the census lists.  And, for the sake of all genealogy racing heartbeats, don't grab a name from the census and plop it in your tree just "cause it was the same name."  Like no name has ever been duplicated in history!!!!

Look at everything. 

Examples include:
Wills
Estate Inventories  - (can be great if the estate had owned slaves)
Land Records
Church Records
Cemetery Records
Bibles
Local County Histories
Orphans Court Records
Local Tax Records
Local Historical Societies
Local Genealogy Societies
Probate Court Records
Lawsuits -  (I found a part of one family after I ordered the records about a trial.)
Asylum Records
Old Church Magazines
Journals of old genealogy societies
Newspapers of the era and place of interest  (1888-1899 newspapers are great finds.)
Family History Library


As you look at every source you can find, have an open mind.  Don't be stuck in the "blame game" of genealogy.  Perhaps someone moved away.  Perhaps someone was listed as "chattel."  Perhaps you've looked in all the wrong places.  Perhaps the trail has gone cold.  Keep looking as it may warm back up one day.

My tip of the day:  Be open as you continually search for documentation to support your theories.  Be open to investigate the not-so-readily-available sources.  Be open to traveling to the area of your interest and digging in the old records or hire someone to do it for you. 

Use your imagination to investigate the past.  And use the facts to document your current family trees.

Ahh, genealogy.  It's only as good as the documented research.  Otherwise, it can make a pretty good bed time story for the kids, not to mention the hair pulling of someone who has documented the facts:)


©2010 AS Eldredge

Free Lowcountry Estate Records?

Yeppers, they are.  Thanks to a super effort of Low Country Africana and the South Carolina Department of Archives and History teaming up with Footnote, there's some great early records online.

Just yesterday, my buddy, Low Country Africana, sent a message out to one of the groups I follow that said the estate records and inventories from 1839-1867 were available for FREE on Footnote. 

Since they were from the center of the universe that some other non-knowledgeable folks call Charleston, I thought I'd take a look. 

If you've ever used Footnote to view their collections, this is a cinch to find.  Just type in "South Carolina Estate Inventories and Bills of Sale, 1732-1872," and you're there.  It's easy to use the index pages for each of the volumes.

While I did find some preliminary info on the estates of a COX and of a COWARD relative,  I was disappointed not to find more.  Of course, it would have helped if my family members had been so kind as to pass on during 1839-1867, and if they had all lived in the Charleston District!

These records are a tremendous resource for those who are looking for information on slaves owned at the time of the estate owner's death. 

Many thanks to Low Country Africana for pointing me to the estate inventories.  I look forward to seeing more years up soon.  You're doing a super job!

Ahh, genealogy.  It's always neat to find such great volunteers to give of their time so others can reap the harvest.

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

Tombstone Tuesday: "Simply, I am a Survivor"

It's another blistering hot summer day as I sit and think about my beloved heroes of the past.  To me, it doesn't really matter which side of the "War of Northern Aggression" they believed in and fought.  To me, it's the blood that matters.

Recently, I found some interesting tidbits about Civil War cousin, Captain James GLENN of the PA 149th Co. D.  Click here to read more about his bravery and willingness to never give up the fight.

I also recently found the Civil War records of my great grandpa, George CALDWELL, who served the Yanks in the PA 102nd Infantry Co E.  Click here to read more of George's story.

Today, I found the information of the GAR Captain Thomas Espy Post 153 on the CarnegieCarnegie site of the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall in Carnegie, Allegheny, PA.  I've known of the membership of several of my cousins for quite some time and have found this band quite interesting.  I guess it is because I am related either through blood or marriage to many of them.  At the least, they were the comrades, the friends and the neighbors of my family.

The site is still under construction, but I took a gander and looked at cousin William James GLENN--  and found-----  his Personal War Sketch Questionnaire.  Pretty interesting stuff here.

William was a member of the PA 61st Regiment Co E. I found where he and grandpa were both at the battle of Fair Oaks on that fateful day, May 31, 1862, when grandpa George was injured. 

William was the first cousin, once removed, from Captain James GLENN and lived in the same general neighborhood and spent his youth in the same church.  After William's marriage in 1865 to Martha Doolittle, they attended the Presbyterian Church closer to home in Carnegie.

William and his wife broke tradition with the GLENN family in the final resting place they chose.  They are both buried in the Chartiers Cemetery in Carnegie.  Was it because Martha's dad, Jacob DOOLITTLE, is buried there with 2nd wife?  Martha's mom is buried at my family cemetery that most folks call the St Clair Cemetery. 

Or is it because William's folks decided to be buried at the Chartiers Cemetery?  I guess it was closer to the family homestead than trekking over to Mt Lebanon (five minutes by car, a lot longer by horse).  Never mind.  They are remembered and loved.

The most interesting part of the questionnaire was the last statement. 

"So many I can't remember them - I simply, reverently thank God, I am a Survivor."
William James GLENN 1839-1908

Ah, genealogy.  Perhaps ours words will one day echo those of cousin William J GLENN.  Perhaps your words already do.



©2010 AS Eldredge

What Heat Wave? Nah, It's the Deaths That are Heating Up!

The heat is on!

My little death indexing project based on the old Pittsburgh and Allegheny Co, PA, newspapers is growing.  We now have several hundred deaths from 1980 in it as well as some mining incidents.  I guess you could say that folks are just dying to get in!!

All said, today's new upload has over 5000 new entries ----

bringing our death index entries up to 46,684!

The marriage index now has 11,400 happy couples with the "not so very happy" couples at 678.

And we still aren't even breaking a glisten!  Of course, I'm sure the medicinal use of our ancestors' backyard industry helps! 

I would be remiss if I didn't give a big  "thanks" to the volunteers who are transcribing and assisting in getting the names into a spreadsheet.

Just in case you have missed the way to get to the death index project:

http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/allegheny/death-index.htm

Ahh,  genealogy.  Ain't it grand!!


©2010 AS Eldredge

Tombstone Tuesday: "Just Didn't Know When He Was Licked"

The boys of Company D 149th PA Volunteers were oft heard to say that Captain James Glenn "didn't know when he was licked."

Captain James Glenn (1824-1901) was almost "reckless in his bravery" as he served his country during the Civil War.  Hailing from the area of Pittsburgh known as Carnegie, Glenn had no difficulty in organizing men to form the company in 1862.  Mention of some of these meetings was even noted in the diary that we (myself and two cousins) transcribed and published some six years ago in the Quarterly Journal of the Western PA Genealogical Society.

One note about his service was his promotion to take command of his Regiment after the fight at Gettysburg on July 1, 1863.  His location during the battle was on Seminary Hill, which saw some of the most intense fighting. General Abner Doubleday mentioned James in his official report of the day stating  "When the troops at this point (Lutheran Seminary) were overpowered, Capt. Glenn of the 149th Pa. Vols, in command of my headquarter's guard, defended the building for fully 20 minutes against a whole brigade of the enemy (Perrin's), enabling the few remaining troops, ambulances,, etc. to retreat in comparative safety."

I thought it fitting today to remember all the troops, no matter whether they fought for the Grand Army or for the Confederacy. Some estimates of up to 50,000 American men lost their lives during this bloody battle. The anniversary of Gettysburg was just celebrated with a re-enactment of the three day battle in July 1863. 
I thought you might be interested in learning a bit more about the battle and of the re-enactment.

   
The Battle at Gettysburg
Harper's Weekly, July 25, 1863
http://www.civilwarliterature.com/2Battles/The14thAtGettysburg/The14thAtGettysburgHistory.htm 


The Gettysburg Civil War battle lives again
by Daniel Terdiman


-If you're a Civil War buff, or even an amateur historian, you no doubt know the history of the battle for Gettysburg. One of the most famous battles of the Civil War, it was also one of the bloodiest. Over three days of intense fighting, Federal troops led by Major General George Gordon Meade fought off Robert E. Lee's Confederate troops, and the battles in and around Gettysburg are often thought to be a turning point in the war.......http://news.cnet.com/8301-13772_3-20009651-52.html?tag=rtcol;txt

Ahhh, genealogy.  How our hearts ache as we remember the pain of American brother against brother in the Civil War.  Oh- and yes, James Glenn was my cousin and is buried at the "family" cemetery known as the St. Clair Cemetery in Mt Lebanon, Allegheny, PA.

©2010 AS Eldredge

Rest Sweetly, World War I Veteran

I just ran across this story of an Irish immigrant who was just laid to rest in Arlington Cemetery--some 92 years after his death!  Read the story of the World War I warrior.


Yes, he may have been a small man, but the service he and his fellow troops provided to this country are tremendous.  Thank you Private Costello and all veterans who have fought for America's freedom.

WWI Soldier Laid to Rest at Arlington National Cemetery
Megan Smolenyak

Private Thomas D. Costello lost his life on September 16, 1918 in France and received full military honors today at Arlington National Cemetery. Hastily buried after a World War I battle in an area known as Bois de Bonvaux near Jaulny, he remained undiscovered for 88 years until......http://www.huffingtonpost.com/megan-smolenyak-smolenyak/wwi-soldier-laid-to-rest_b_643757.html

Ahh, genealogy. Sometimes, you just gotta sit still and hear the sound of taps in your heart for those truly amazing men and women who came to America to be free and were willing to sacrifice it all for that freedom.

©2010 AS Eldredge

Wisdom Wednesday: In the News Again?

Grandaddy's thoughts on being in the news:

"You should only be mentioned in the newspaper three times in your life:  when you are born, married and dead."

Guess he felt that way since his family kept showing up in the newspaper of the times--  allegedly as killing or being killed.  Way too much action going on in Berkeley Co, SC, during Prohibition and the making of "Berkeley Bourban."  Shootouts as the train passed, shootouts over who controlled the home style business of the time, shootouts on fence borders  ------ and on and on........

Now, if I could only find the recipe for the alleged family business!  Tis said that Al Capone liked "Berkeley Bourban" and had it shipped by train in barrels labeled "potatoes."

Ahhh, genealogy.  Gotta take the more flavorful elements along with the good.  Besides, they are more fun to talk about!

©2010 AS Eldredge

Wordless Wednesday: Sweet Walter's 1889 Obit Found

I've been the coordinator for the old newspaper vitals project going on for Allegheny Co, PA, since the beginning of the "tired finger" band of volunteers started transcribing them in January of this year.  We've been going strong-- to the tune of over 40,000 death entries and almost 9000 marriages. 

For the last month,  one member of our group has concentrated on 1889.  This is so important as we genealogy buffs feel the pain of the missing 1890 federal census. 

Just last week, my sweet Walter's obituary was transcribed.  I thought it appropriate to feature sweet Walter today with his obituary and a photo I have of him.  I suspect he was around 10 or so when this photograph was taken.  That makes the date around 1880.

SIMMONS- On Tuesday, March 12, 1889, at 8:30pm, Walter Glenn, son of Addison and Hannah G Simmons, in the 18th year of his age.
Funeral from the parents’ residence, near Banksville, on Thursday, 1th at 2 pm. Carriages will leave T B Hersberger’s, undertaker, West End, at 10 am.  Friend of the family are respectfully invited to attend.
Pittsburgh Dispatch, Mar 13, 1889, page 5


Walter is buried in the Mt Lebanon Cemetery, Mt Lebanon, Allegheny, PA with his parents.  I look at this sweet face and wonder how he died just as his life was beginning.  Walter was one of three children in the family and the only son.  Only one sister of his survived to adulthood, married, and had children.  Oh, can you imagine the heartbreak of the family upon his death?  Can you imagine the heartbreak felt in so many families as so many young children didn't survive?  It's hard to believe that death of the young was so very common at that time.

Ahhh- genealogy.  Sometimes you just gotta sit quietly and reflect on the past.


©2010 AS Eldredge

First African American in Georgia to be Inducted into National Society Sons of the American Revolution

Last winter, some 200 Americans gathered for the first Sons of the American Revolution Grave Marking for a black man in Georgia.  Black men and women did provide service to the colonies during the time of the colonies' quest for freedom from England.  If I recall correctly, some 20,000 black men served during that time.  Some were slaves who served in the place of their owners.  Others were slaves who were promised their freedom if they fought.  Still, others were free black men who chose to fight. 

Click here to read more of the grave marking for Austin Dabney.

It is more of a task for the descendants of black patriots to prove the early lineage lines due to a lack of documentation.  Michael Henderson's patriot was a French National who had a relationship with a former slave in Louisiana.

Ahh, Creole genealogy.  Now there's a fun look into different bloodlines. 

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. 

The following announcement was written by the National Society, Sons of the American Revolution:

Atlanta, GA (June 15, 2010) -- On Tuesday, June 29th at 11:30 a.m., history will be made as the first African American in the state of Georgia will be inducted into the National Society, Sons of the American Revolution (NSSAR). In a ceremony at the Georgia State Capitol, Lieutenant Commander Michael Nolden Henderson, a retired U.S. Naval Officer and graduate of Xavier University of Louisiana, will be acknowledged by induction into the Button Gwinnett Chapter, the Georgia Society SAR for his efforts in tracing his Louisiana Creole ancestry to an American Revolutionary War patriot.

Michael N. Henderson, USN Retired

Henderson, a native of New Orleans, La. who currently lives in metro-Atlanta, discovered his unique lineage while researching his French ancestry. His fourth generation great-grandfather, Mathieu Devaux, a French National, served as a militiaman under the command of the Spanish Governor General Bernardo de Galvez, who led troops in several major battles in Louisiana and along the Gulf Coast. Devaux had a relationship with his former slave, Agnes Mathieu, in Spanish Colonial Louisiana. Henderson is descendent from one of their seven children, all of whom were born free prior to the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.

Henderson first learned of the National Society, Sons of the American Revolution in 2006 when Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Director of the W.E.B. DuBois Institute for African and African American Research at Harvard University, discovered his own ancestral link to the Revolutionary War and one year later was himself inducted into the national lineage organization.

"I'm the first in my family to pursue membership in the NSSAR, so the process was especially detailed for me," says Henderson, who had to compile birth, marriage and death certificates, as well as other documents from the 1700s and 1800s to prove his connection to Devaux. "It was truly a labor of love and it's an honor to have my family tied to an American Revolutionary War patriot. I'm proud to be an example to others that they too can be a part of the narrative of America's history."

The story of Henderson's fourth generation great-grandparents and their connection to General Galvez is the subject of an upcoming segment on the PBS series "The History Detectives."

Sweden Family History Soon to be Part of Ancestry.com

The following press release caught my attention.  Since I spend so much time searching in Sweden, I find this of immense interest.  Perhaps, you will as well.

Ancestry.com to Acquire Sweden's Genline.se

Leading Swedish Family History website

26 million pages of family history records, 16th-20th century


Ancestry.com Inc. (Nasdaq: ACOM), the world’s largest online family history resource, today announced that it has agreed to acquire the leading Swedish family history website Genline.se.
Total consideration for Genline is approximately US $6.7 million, to be paid in cash at closing. The offer has been accepted by Genline’s Board of Directors but remains subject to approval of Genline Holding AB’s public shareholders and other ordinary course closing conditions.

Genline expects to provide proxy materials to shareholders immediately and hold a Special Meeting of Stockholders shortly to vote on the transaction. Genline trades on the Stockholm exchange AktiTorget under the ticker symbol GENL.

Upon completion of the transaction, Genline will join Ancestry.com’s family of nine web properties globally, which together serve more than 1.2 million subscribers and host over five billion historical records and 17 million family trees containing 1.7 billion profiles.

Genline currently has more than 17,000 paying members with access to 26 million pages of digitized Swedish church records spanning more than 400 years from the 16th to the 20th century.

Josh Hanna, SVP and General Manager, International, Ancestry.com Inc., comments: “The Genline.se transaction, our first international acquisition, represents an exciting opportunity for Ancestry.com to access Sweden’s avid family history community and to provide Ancestry.com subscribers of Swedish heritage in the U.S. and other markets with access to important historical content.

"For Genline members, the millions of US and Canadian records with Swedish relevance will provide many new opportunities to discover North American ancestors."

Mikko Ollinen, Genline AB Managing Director, comments: "We are delighted that Ancestry.com sees the potential of Genline. Together we look forward to continuing to grow our business in Sweden and to making new and exciting historical records, both local and international, available to our members."

Ancestry.com expects to acquire all shares of Genline AB for approximately 53 million Swedish kronor with an adjustment for net working capital. Based on a June 11, 2010 exchange rate of SEK7.94 to US$1.00, the net purchase amount approximates US$6.7 million
Genline’s 2009 reported revenue was $2.4 million. Ancestry.com does not expect the acquisition to have a material impact on its financial guidance as issued in connection with its first quarter earnings release on April 29, 2010.

Forward-looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or to future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "appears," "may," "designed," "expect," "intend," "focus," "seek," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "should," or "continue" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These statements include statements describing our subscriber base, our activities to enhance subscribers' experience and our business outlook. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are, in some cases, beyond our control and that could materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements.
Factors that could materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements, and our ability to execute on our business strategy include those listed under the caption "Risk Factors" of the Ancestry.com Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
We assume no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

NARA Provides Life to the Dead

Last month, I finally got around to ordering the pension file for one of my Civil War gramps.  It seems like I would have done this years ago since I am so deep into learning of the past and my family's role in the history of our land.  Well, don't judge me quite so fast on this one.

It wasn't until this year that I stumbled on the little fact that 2g granddpa George was even in the Civil War.  He was born in 1834 in Pennsylvania, and was married with a growing family by 1860.  For whatever reason, it just didn't occur to me that he would have been in the Civil War.  I guess I thought he was too old and settled to go off and fight for the Union.

Guess I was wrong!  I really hadn't been looking for him lately as I thought I had found most of what I could locate.  On a whim, I decided to go back and check one of the paid sites just to see if there was anything new on several members of the family. While checking on Uncle Addison and a veteran census, I saw the name George W CALDWELL blaring off the page.  What?

So, I let my fingers do some walking and found where he had been in a Home for Veterans in Dayton, Ohio.  Ohio?

I just had to contact NARA and see what they had.  That's a big jump for me as they had nothing on my grandfather from World War I.

Just this week, the small envelope arrived with a CD.  In to the computer it went.  For the next several days I poured over each and every word.  Then, I had to go and research more.

Grandpa George was a volunteer in the PA 102nd Infantry Co. E.  Of added interest was the fact his brother-in-law, Ben F HUNNEWELL, was also in the same unit.  Anyway, he was down at Fair Oaks when he was discharged with a surgeon's certificate.

First question---  what was Fair Oaks?  The Battle of Fair Oaks took place May 31 and June 1, 1862, in Henrico Co, VA.  It seems like both sides claimed victory for that battle although they both sustained fairly equal casualties.  General Johnston was wounded in this battle.  General McClellan is reported to have written to his wife that he was getting tired of all death and suffering of the troops on the battlefield.

Second question--  Was Grandpa George wounded in the battle?  Alas, the answer to this one is no.  He was moving some heavy rations, and fell on a box which caused some type of internal damage to his kidney.  He was in the hospital for three weeks, and then he was discharged.

Grandpa George returned home where he spent the next 40 years or so disabled.  He apparently suffered a great deal from that fall and lost the majority of his hearing during the war.

The best part of the pension papers came with the date of his marriage to his lovely bride, Mary Jane HUNNEWELL.  Yes!  She has always been somewhat of a mystery to me.  I knew her name.  Her birthdate came from a Bible in the HUNNEWELL family.  Her death date is unknown.  She disappears after the 1870 census.  I suspect she died after the birth of a child.  The big confusion with her is I have a letter from my great grandmother in which she writes to the daughter of George and Mary Jane and mentions she had just seen "your" mama.  The letter is from the 1890s. Hmmm......

But wait---- there's more to be found in the pension.  Grandpa George states that they had 5 children.  What?  I only knew of 4.  More life to be found!  And Grandpa George tells where a son of his has moved!  And---  all of his children married.

Previously, I only knew of two of the children marrying.  So, life continues in the family!

The other "aha" moment in the pension file is the naming of the preacher who married him.  By coincidence, it is the same name as the man who his half sister married.  Gee, I didn't know he was a preacher.  I only knew he was older and died before they had any kids.  The lovely widow goes on to marry again-  this time a widower who lived across the street from other family members.

Ahh, genealogy.  Sometimes the dead can come to life when we explore deeply enough into their lives.

©2010 AS Eldredge

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

Old Pittsburgh Newspaper Index Just Grows and Grows

As you know (or at least you do now,) I spearheaded a project to index old Pittsburgh newspapers vital statistics in January.  I trust that this project will be appreciated over time by those genealogy buffs who are searching for their Pittsburgh area roots.

Update as of Thursday, May 19:
36065 death entries
3865 couples announce wedded bliss
446 couples are not so happy  (divorce)
386 photo entries

If you are new to genealogy, then please realize that there is an immense amount of time and effort given to the cause by the volunteers.  We do the best we can.  Yes, sometimes errors and typos happen.  We do correct them when they are brought to my attention.

The treasure chest of genealogy love going into this project will help you in your quest to learn more.  Just remember, this is not a substitute for going and digging around in the archives or libraries in the area.  While I enjoy gleaning more family tidbits from the comfort of my home, I love going to Pittsburgh and honoring my family while I tend to their graves, visit with cousins or just walk the land that my ancestors walked.

In case you want to check it out to see if you have roots in "Da Burgh," here is the link:  http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/allegheny/death-index.htm


©2010 AS Eldredge

Treasure Chest Thursday: Wonderful Glimpse of History Through Letters

Just this morning, a cousin of mine suggested I look at the Letter Repository.  The Letter Repository has "lots" of old letters which have been transcribed.  There are letters from Americans, English, Irish and Scotsmen.

While it is not searchable by name and thus of limited use to genealogists, it still is interesting to take a glimpse into the past and see what folks were writing about.  The letters cover a range from the 1700s up to, and including, the American Civil War, World War I and and World War II.

The site has been live for about one year and is focusing efforts on letters written in English.  According to the site, they are hosted by an Irish company and are Irish owned.

So, grab a cup of Joe and relive some of the past through the words of those who were living it.  Jump on in:  http://letter.ie/

Guess I'll be digging out my old family letters today and reliving the past of my family.

Ahh- genealogy.  Gotta love it!

HT to Susan for the suggestion!



©2010 AS Eldredge

Treasure Chest Thursday: One Stitch in Time

Can you imagine what it was like for our female ancestors when all sewing was done one stitch at a time?  Can you imagine the glee when sewing machines were invented?  Seems that owning one of these miracle machines could really make a difference in the lives of women.  I wonder if my seamstress kin enjoyed having the new contraption or were they forced to continue to sew by hand.

I thought that today would be just perfect for sewing, and then I thought, that, maybe, just maybe, I would rethink that thought.  After all, looking at my old family machine might be more fun.  And by my family machine, I mean family.

I do have an old Eldredge sewing machine built by the company of Barnabus Eldredge (1843-1911).  This company, which also got into the business of bicycles and automobiles, was only in business under the Eldredge name from 1869-1890.  In 1890, he changed the name of the company to the National Sewing Machine Company.

Of interest to me is that Barnabus's grandfather is also the 3g grandfather of my spouse. Barnabus's earlier family came over on the Mayflower voyage, although the Eldredge line itself were actually latecomers--  arriving in 1635.  The Mayflower Connection even has one of his grandpas as the 17th signer of the Mayflower Compact and arriving in 1620. 

I also have a card on the Eldredge Sewing Machine.  My machine is a different model as mine is a rotary machine. But the overall case and design of the metal work is essentially the same. (Note the pic depicting the name change on the pedal.) 

It's neat to think that ole Barnabus was of the opinion that a job with him was a job for life.  He didn't fire people when they got old.  He just left them on the payroll.  I bet that made for some loyal employees especially during the Great Depression!

Click here to read more about the business itself.

Guess I'll have to find some more of these old machines so each of my kids can take a tangible, metal piece of family history with them. 

Ah, genealogy.  Just a stitch in time.


©2010 AS Eldredge

Wordless Wednesday: Gee, An Award?

A couple of weeks ago, I received an unusual email regarding the GeniTales Blog.  It seems as if MyHeritage was trying to contact me about an award.  I was suspicious, but here is the essence--  my ramblings on genealogy were liked and noticed.

It's cool to have the roles of my family in history read about today. I just hope that those of you readers who are my cousins  enjoy reading about our family as much as I enjoy researching them.  For you "others," I hope my tales have inspired you to learn more about your own roots. 

Thanks!  Ahh-  genealogy.  It's a hoot!

On a sidenote, my death indexing project from old Pittsburgh papers is still growing strong!  At the last update, we had:

32382 death entries
3387 marriage entries
350 couples divorced
312 old photos

In case you want to check it out to see if you have roots in "Da Burgh," here is the link:  http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/allegheny/death-index.htm

©2010 AS Eldredge

When the World is Covered in Gray

My dear sweet cousin who shares my addiction to searching our past in genealogy to try and catch glimpses of ourselves wrote this  poem and I just love it!  So, with John's gracious permission-----

 When the World is Covered in Gray


In a thousand years from hence,  
there may be no more trees.
Will concrete cover the world of sense
and obscure the seven seas?

Do!  Environmentalists criticize the type
and thickness of the stuff,
which caused this great unworldly hype!
We thought you a bit more tough!

Is the mathematical limit of our quest
to find the Truth, the Light---
Or a barren earth with no more zest,
for FREEDOM, no more fight?

Will love then disappear
from minds and hearts in spring---
Or will the grayness of it all,
teach us, at last, to Sing!

Leaders!  Trust your faith to find the way,
to seek the One Who saves.
He's at the end of time, they say.
At the end there are no graves.................

J A Williams
©2010 J A Williams









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©2010 AS Eldredge

Treasure Chest Thursday: What's Your Heirloom?

Earlier this week, I attended a lineage society meeting at which heirlooms were brought, displayed, and lovingly discussed by the attendees.  I saw pictures of great grandpa's bed, grandparent wedding gifts, grandma's teaching certificate, old photographs, etc.

What is a heirloom?  Is it valuable?

Today, the use of the word "heirloom" designates personal property, sometimes antique, that is passed down through the generations.  It provides a glimpse either into the personality, the travels or the economic status of the beloved ancestor.

In old England, and according to old law, a heirloom had to be given either to a family member or left in the estate to the family.  It would not have been sold out of the family.

The treasures we have most likely have little or no monetary value.  Instead, seeing the treasure invokes loving memories or traditions passed down from one generation to another.

Just recently, I showed my children the Kiddy Pop box.  The lollipop or Kiddy Pop box was one my mother kept hanging in the kitchen and it was always full of lollipops.  Of course, these lollipops were given out only when a good deed  was done.  I always looked forward to being rewarded with a lollipop from the wooden box. My children also know the joy of being told to "go get a lollipop" for a deed well done.

Is this valuable?  If I took it to a shop, they would most likely tell me "no."  However, for me, everytime I look at the lollipop box which hangs in my kitchen, I think of my mama.  Not only do I think of mama, I can hear her voice and I remember so many little things about her.  Tis valuable, I'd say.

So, while you genealogy buffs are scrambling around digging up the old family tree, be sure to include some great memories of the loved ones who are gone.  You just might be creating a super heirloom for your kids and grandkids.

©2010 AS Eldredge

Tombstone Tuesday: Happy Birthday, Cuz Pres

"There is nothing stable but Heaven and the Constitution." - James Buchanan

 April 23rd is the 219th birthday of James Buchanan, 15th President of the United States, and my cousin.  While Buchanan served his country during a most difficult time in American history as the War of Northern Agression, (or the War Between the States as some are wont to refer to it), he supported the Constitution completely. Buchanan is reported to have believed slavery was morally wrong, but thought the Constitution prohibited the federal government from interfering in a matter he thought to be states' rights.

James apparently never got over the loss of his fiance after her death, thus he remained single.  He was gracious to his family and cared for the orphan children of his siblings.  A nephew of his (his sister's child) was his Personal Secretary while Buchanan was in the White House.

I am fortunate to have contact with descendants of his nephew as they are all my blood cousins.  Early sources found in PA for the Reverand Robert Henry (1801-1838) and Harriet E Buchanan (1802-1840) tell us that James was a frequent guest in the home of the family and was quick to raise their young son after they passed.

Buchanan is buried at Woodward Hill Cemetery near his country home in Lancaster Co, PA.

I wonder what the family thought about James becoming President?  So far, I have not seen anything that could provide any clues as to this puzzle.

Ahh, genealogy.  Tis so much fun to find interesting facts about the family.  I guess that and a dollar might buy a cup of coffee!


Photo Source: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=pv&GRid=143&PIpi=76078, Photo by Stew Thornley, 2001.