Looking for ancestors using the census can be frustrating. Then again, it can also be entertaining when the hunt is on.
I knew of the name George W CALDWELL, Jr, from the 1870 census detailing the family members of my 2g-grandpa, George W CALDWELL, Sr. Jr is found again in later census records. Only, the later entries can make my eyebrow rise. How so?
The 1900 census (which was taken June 2) shows Jr living with his dad in a boarding house in Pittsburgh. Of interest is the note Jr is divorced. I have yet to find a divorce record for Jr.
What has been uncovered is legal documentation which has made life entertaining as I try to decipher what was really going on in Jr's life. Let's look at the sequence of the documentation:
1- Dec 27, 1900
There is a marriage found in Mahoning Co, OH, for George W CALDWELL Jr and Emma BAKER. The groom's parents are the ones I expect to find. The bride's parents are James BAKER and Emma SAFFIEL.
2- 1904 Pension Papers for Daddy
George W CALDWELL, Sr, is living with Jr in Johnstown, Cambria, PA, when his pension file for the Civil War is updated. Listed in the pension file are the names of daddy's children, all as expected. The surprise is that all children are listed as married. So, was Jr married at this time? Added to this is the knowledge that one child appears to have died in a 1903 accident.
3- Mar 7, 1905
There is a marriage record found in Clinton Co, PA, for George W CALDWELL Jr and Jennie GILLESPIE. On the record is the notation that his first wife died in 1899. Hmmm, really?
The details from the 1910 to 1940 census records flow along with the earlier documented information. There is a son born abt 1908 who is named George G CALDWELL. I suspect the middle name would be GILLESPIE, although I find no definitive trace of the child after the 1910 census. Of course, I will now be interested to see how long it takes for other researchers of the family to incorporate this name without finding supporting evidence of their own.
Now, the head scratching begins as I wonder who the first wife was that died in 1899 and the final whereabouts of the wife from 1900 and the one from 1905. How maddening it all is!
Ahhh, genealogy. Two marriages are documented. The census would indicate a divorce before 1900. The son disappears. No graves found for any of the group yet. Will the real story please stand up?
©2013 AS Eldredge
Ahhh, genealogy. A glimpse of the past shows of what I am made.....
Monday, January 28, 2013
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Wordless Wednesday: 1931 Holocaust in Pittsburgh
History teaches us many lessons as we seek to learn of the past. Some lessons are terrifying while other lessons demonstrate the heroic deeds of mankind. We all remember the details of the Holocaust that so many suffered under the dictator hands of Hitler. What about events that were given the description of Holocaust by those who lived through them?
One such example is the 1931 six alarm fire at the Little Sisters of the Poor Home in Pittsburgh. Many newspaper articles referred to the event as a holocaust. It must have been terrifying to witness the fire and the helpless infirm patients and inmates of the home. The rescue efforts mounted by the firemen, policemen, and general public should be remembered.
Sample excerpts:
Take time to read some of the stories on our Old Pittsburgh Newspaper Project. Along with details of the fire and rescue efforts are the names of the wounded and dead.
Ahh, genealogy. Tis a great day to thank those first responders for their heroic efforts to protect others in times of need. Thanks.
©2013 AS Eldredge
Sample excerpts:
"...
Carried down by ladders by firemen,
after she became weak and overcome by smoke, Mrs. Margaret Kline, 80, told her
rescuers after resuscitation, that she was hemmed in by smoke and flame and
"prayed that God would take her away."
Miss Veronia Stein, 64, also one of
the rescued, said that when she was taken down the ladders she told firemen
that Mary Henley, 75 and Mary Jacobs, 75, both crippled, and paralyzed, were
lying behind a door, unable to help themselves. When firemen returned and tried to enter the same window
from which Miss Stein had been saved, they found their ladders burned, and fire
pouring from the window...."
"...
Mrs. Sarah Carlson, 65, first spread the alarm to the aged group, three
of whom were crippled or paralyzed.
Then she started for the men's quarters in another part of the building
to make sure that her husband, Dan, was saved. Her friends last night did not know whether or not she
reached safety.
As the five aged who were able to walk began helping Bridget Dooley,
Margaret Henry and Bridget Reardon to safety, the three invalids cried in
unison: "No! No! Help
Mama." "Mama" is an
aged and paralyzed woman in the next room, beloved by all the inmates...."
"...
Men seemed to try to outdo each other in their efforts to save the aged
and infirm from the smoke and flames.
Trapped inmates were carried down ladders by firemen, and volunteers and
one aged woman, unconscious, was lowered to the ground from the third floor by
a rope tied around her waist.
Firemen and policemen, live Lavery, off duty, rushed to the fire,
working in civilian clothes in which they had been enjoying an evening's rest
to battle the flames. Brawny
bluecoats worked with the doctors to aid the stricken victims of smoke as they
waited for the arrival of the clanging ambulances in the shadow of the flames
that had turned a quiet haven for the aged into a roaring inferno.
Men and boys living in the vicinity of the home, were the real heroes
of the catastrophe, veteran policemen and firemen, who had attended most the
city's big fires in recent years, said last night.
"This is certainly the worst fire I've ever seen," Lavery
said..."
Take time to read some of the stories on our Old Pittsburgh Newspaper Project. Along with details of the fire and rescue efforts are the names of the wounded and dead.
Ahh, genealogy. Tis a great day to thank those first responders for their heroic efforts to protect others in times of need. Thanks.
©2013 AS Eldredge
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Those Places Thursday: Going Crazy Just to Smoke
Ever heard of the smoker? Today, most visions when the word smoker is uttered include someone with a cigarette hanging out of their mouth. Typically, this brand of smoker is found lounging around the approved smoking section outside the doors of many buildings.
Read the words from 1931 Pittsburgh and weep for the old men who went "gas crazy" just to catch a smoke in their approved smoking site at the Poor House.
..... I had heard of the "smoker" while I was still in the observation ward of the hospital. An old Negro had come over from the home for a few days' treatment of a boil on his neck. He regarded the boil as a not unmixed evil, since it gave him a few days of uninterrupted rest and food considerable better than that he was accustomed to in the home. He was talking about the old men over at the home.
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Read the words from 1931 Pittsburgh and weep for the old men who went "gas crazy" just to catch a smoke in their approved smoking site at the Poor House.
..... I had heard of the "smoker" while I was still in the observation ward of the hospital. An old Negro had come over from the home for a few days' treatment of a boil on his neck. He regarded the boil as a not unmixed evil, since it gave him a few days of uninterrupted rest and food considerable better than that he was accustomed to in the home. He was talking about the old men over at the home.
"Those old fellows oveh theah all crazy," he informed me.
"They all gone gas crazy."
"Gas crazy," I demanded, immediately thinking of gas victims
of the war. "Those men were
all too old to serve in the army.
They can't be gas crazy."
"Oh, they's gas crazy all right. They sits theah all day drinkin' in that gas in the smokah
till they gits jes as crazy as bedbugs."
Hot and Stifling
He failed to make me understand just what he was talking about but
assured me:
"You goin' oveh to the Home, yeh say. You'll find out about the gas, Jes' wait."
I did.
The first place I made for when I was transferred to the home was the
"smoker." It is a great,
barn-like room, filthy dirty with rows of benches. More than a hundred old men were sitting and standing about
the great room. Here these old
pensioners on a great city's bounty can smoke.
At one end of the room is the biggest stove I ever say. It must be done duty in its time as a
giant kitchen range. That's the
only purpose I can conceive anyone might have for building such a
monstrosity. It must be all of 10
feet square with an iron top.
Underneath this top, great gas jets roar. Flames leap out through big cracks and holes in the
shattered top.
The Home - Rockview
It provides heat. It also
fills the great room with stifling fumes of unburned gas until the air is thick
and foul. I could stand it only a few
minutes. But these old men are
used to it. All day long some of
them sit there, smoking in silence and hopelessness, breathing in the noisome
deadly fumes......
.....Together we walked through the corridors and saw the broken men draped
along the pipe, the blind, the halt, and the maimed. We ate the scanty dinner. We breathed the fumes of the "smoker" for a moment
and then escaped to the keen, wintry air outside with a gasp.
He turned to me, on his face the most devastating despair I have ever
seen - and I have seen men go to their death on the gallows - and he said
slowly:
"Well - here we will live.
What do you think?"....
What do you think of the smoker written about in 1931 Pittsburgh? Tis
enough to drive one crazy. At the least, many old pensioners were
allegedly crazy after they smoked in the approved smoking site of the
City Home at Mayview.
This entire story, along with 74 other historic articles, can be read on the old Pittsburgh Newspaper Project site. But beware, reading some of these stories will break your heart.
Ahhh, genealogy. Another day has passed in to the history books. I wonder what future generations will think of our stories from today.
©2013 AS Eldredge
Thursday, January 03, 2013
Thankful Thursday: Finding the Poor, Ill and Insane in Early Allegheny County
Finding documentation or information on some ancestors can be quite a task if the ancestor happened to have been admitted as an inmate to an early institution for the poor, ill, insane or neglected. The Commonwealth of PA does not readily allow for any information on the inmates to be released easily. For some researchers, this may be just the lead for which they are searching.
My genealogy buddy, Lynn B, and I have been fascinated by the early poor houses and institutions used in early Allegheny and Washington Counties, PA, after some recent comments on the Allegheny Co Rootsweb Mail List. So, we set out to find the census for these places which frequently changed names and locations over the years. Additionally, we are locating old newspaper articles and placing them online as well for researchers to peruse.
The tidbits I have gleaned from this research include identifying which institutions just changed names and which ones changed locations. Common to them all is the appalling circumstances these poor and ill of our past lived in. It can be heartbreaking to read the articles.
Comments from readers have included that Marshalsea, which was later renamed the Pittsburgh City Home Hospital at Mayview, was for the people from the city of Pittsburgh while Woodville was for the county poor and ill.
Other comments have included the correction of spelling of some names found in their census, while another researcher sent the death notice for one of their own who had spent time at an Allegheny Co. institution.
Woodville Hospital had alternate names as well in its history. Included are:
Allegheny County Almshouse
Allegheny Hospital for the Insane
Allegheny County Home for the Poor
Woodville State Hospital
The House of Refuge which was incorporated by the Commonwealth of PA in 1850 was originally in Pittsburgh. It moved to the new site in Washington Co, Morganza, in 1876. Whether your research takes you to the early House of Refuge or the later Morganza, it should be remembered this institution was for the confinement and reformation of delinquent youth.
As we find more articles, we are placing them online for other researchers. Another 20 articles were uploaded today, bringing our total to 53 for the Poor House and 33 for Morganza.
If interested in reading these articles or looking for your beloved, go to the Pittsburgh Old Newspaper Project.
Ahh, genealogy. We appreciate the comments and knowing others may find some tidbit to assist them in their quest for the family history.
©2013 AS Eldredge
My genealogy buddy, Lynn B, and I have been fascinated by the early poor houses and institutions used in early Allegheny and Washington Counties, PA, after some recent comments on the Allegheny Co Rootsweb Mail List. So, we set out to find the census for these places which frequently changed names and locations over the years. Additionally, we are locating old newspaper articles and placing them online as well for researchers to peruse.
The tidbits I have gleaned from this research include identifying which institutions just changed names and which ones changed locations. Common to them all is the appalling circumstances these poor and ill of our past lived in. It can be heartbreaking to read the articles.
Comments from readers have included that Marshalsea, which was later renamed the Pittsburgh City Home Hospital at Mayview, was for the people from the city of Pittsburgh while Woodville was for the county poor and ill.
Other comments have included the correction of spelling of some names found in their census, while another researcher sent the death notice for one of their own who had spent time at an Allegheny Co. institution.
Woodville Hospital had alternate names as well in its history. Included are:
Allegheny County Almshouse
Allegheny Hospital for the Insane
Allegheny County Home for the Poor
Woodville State Hospital
The House of Refuge which was incorporated by the Commonwealth of PA in 1850 was originally in Pittsburgh. It moved to the new site in Washington Co, Morganza, in 1876. Whether your research takes you to the early House of Refuge or the later Morganza, it should be remembered this institution was for the confinement and reformation of delinquent youth.
As we find more articles, we are placing them online for other researchers. Another 20 articles were uploaded today, bringing our total to 53 for the Poor House and 33 for Morganza.
If interested in reading these articles or looking for your beloved, go to the Pittsburgh Old Newspaper Project.
Ahh, genealogy. We appreciate the comments and knowing others may find some tidbit to assist them in their quest for the family history.
©2013 AS Eldredge
Wednesday, January 02, 2013
Wordless Wednesday: Freak Found in Pittsburgh
Thirty-three articles are now available on the Allegheny County Poor House. After reading these articles, you may discover more of an understanding of the sad plight of people who were abandoned, neglected, or poor in our nation's past. Some of the stories have a "ho hum" quality in their tale, but other stories have the ability to shock in today's world and values.
An example of a shocking story at Marshalsea from the June 28, 1904 Pittsburgh Press follows. I suspect many readers will be left speechless and heartbroken after reading the tale of the unknown male.
Found Freak In Empty Room
Long Haired Idiot Boy Abandoned by Showmen Who Meant to Exhibit Him
Will Go to Marshalsea
Abandoned by men who sought to profit by its mental and physical deformities a male freak, about 18 years, was discovered yesterday afternoon in the third floor of the rooming house at 545 Second avenue. About the time of the discovery was made by Mrs. Annie Dropple, the landlady, Superintendent of Police Wallace received an anonymous communication from the men who had left the freak, telling him where it could be found.
The case is the most heartless in the history of the local police department, and for a time the authorities were puzzled as to what steps to take. Finally it was decided to send the freak to Homeopathic hospital until this morning, when it will be taken to the city home at Marshalsea.
About 10 o'clock Sunday morning two well dressed men called at Mrs. Dropple's boarding house and asked if they might rent a room. She informed them that there was but one vacant room in the house and that it was furnished with only a bed and mattress.
"That's all right. We have traveled about 100 miles and are very tired. We are going to show at the Swissvale carnival next week," said one of the strangers as he passed upstairs. Two hours later the men left the house and Mrs. Dropple did not see them return. It was learned last night, however, that about midnight neighbors say a closed carriage drive to the door. Two men alighted and between the carried a long, closely wrapped bundle into the house, while the carriage drove rapidly away. This was the last seen of the strangers.
About 10 o'clock yesterday morning Mrs. Dropple went to the third floor front room which she had rented to the strangers. They were nowhere to be seen, but on the bed lay the form of a half animal, half man continually beating its head on the mattress. She fled in a fright and at once notified Patrolman McCready, who investigated and then notified the police.
Capt. Bartley went to the house in company with Superintendent of Detectives McQuaide and Detectives Kelly and Cole. The officers found the freak still beating its head against the bed. It was beyond all doubt the most pitiable specimen of a human being imaginable. It had the face and long hair of a woman, while the trunk of its body was distorted and splotched with patches of long wiry hair. Its limbs were about the thickness of a man's wrist and were bent and twisted. It was about 5 feet 6 inches in height and weighed about 100 pounds. On the bed beside its head was a piece of meat which had evidently been left for it by the men who abandoned it. At 10 o'clock last night it was removed to Homeopathic hospital.
The being was bereft of reason and could not talk. Judging by all indications, Superintendent McQuaide stated that the freak had evidently been exhibited throughout the country as a missing link of wild man, and this theory was confirmed upon returning to central police station where Superintendent Wallace had just received a mysterious letter which explained the matter. The letter read:
Chief of Police, Pittsburgh, sir, at 545 Second street you will find in the third floor front an unfortunate boy who is foolish and who is singularly marked and possesses peculiar characteristics. He is entirely harmless and helpless because he knows no more than an animal. I was here with him with the intention of putting him with a carnival, but they refused to do as they agreed. I have been compelled to abandon him to be put in a home by the proper authorities. He has no living father or mother, he has no friends. I have kept him until I broke and cannot do so longer,
The letter was unsigned and bore the postmark of the Pittsburgh postoffice. The police are making an effort to learn the identity of the men.
To read more of the articles, go to http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~paallent/index.html and click on the Poor House articles.
Ahh, genealogy. History. Sometimes, it just breaks my heart to read it.
©2013 AS Eldredge
An example of a shocking story at Marshalsea from the June 28, 1904 Pittsburgh Press follows. I suspect many readers will be left speechless and heartbroken after reading the tale of the unknown male.
Found Freak In Empty Room
Long Haired Idiot Boy Abandoned by Showmen Who Meant to Exhibit Him
Will Go to Marshalsea
Abandoned by men who sought to profit by its mental and physical deformities a male freak, about 18 years, was discovered yesterday afternoon in the third floor of the rooming house at 545 Second avenue. About the time of the discovery was made by Mrs. Annie Dropple, the landlady, Superintendent of Police Wallace received an anonymous communication from the men who had left the freak, telling him where it could be found.
The case is the most heartless in the history of the local police department, and for a time the authorities were puzzled as to what steps to take. Finally it was decided to send the freak to Homeopathic hospital until this morning, when it will be taken to the city home at Marshalsea.
About 10 o'clock Sunday morning two well dressed men called at Mrs. Dropple's boarding house and asked if they might rent a room. She informed them that there was but one vacant room in the house and that it was furnished with only a bed and mattress.
"That's all right. We have traveled about 100 miles and are very tired. We are going to show at the Swissvale carnival next week," said one of the strangers as he passed upstairs. Two hours later the men left the house and Mrs. Dropple did not see them return. It was learned last night, however, that about midnight neighbors say a closed carriage drive to the door. Two men alighted and between the carried a long, closely wrapped bundle into the house, while the carriage drove rapidly away. This was the last seen of the strangers.
About 10 o'clock yesterday morning Mrs. Dropple went to the third floor front room which she had rented to the strangers. They were nowhere to be seen, but on the bed lay the form of a half animal, half man continually beating its head on the mattress. She fled in a fright and at once notified Patrolman McCready, who investigated and then notified the police.
Capt. Bartley went to the house in company with Superintendent of Detectives McQuaide and Detectives Kelly and Cole. The officers found the freak still beating its head against the bed. It was beyond all doubt the most pitiable specimen of a human being imaginable. It had the face and long hair of a woman, while the trunk of its body was distorted and splotched with patches of long wiry hair. Its limbs were about the thickness of a man's wrist and were bent and twisted. It was about 5 feet 6 inches in height and weighed about 100 pounds. On the bed beside its head was a piece of meat which had evidently been left for it by the men who abandoned it. At 10 o'clock last night it was removed to Homeopathic hospital.
The being was bereft of reason and could not talk. Judging by all indications, Superintendent McQuaide stated that the freak had evidently been exhibited throughout the country as a missing link of wild man, and this theory was confirmed upon returning to central police station where Superintendent Wallace had just received a mysterious letter which explained the matter. The letter read:
Chief of Police, Pittsburgh, sir, at 545 Second street you will find in the third floor front an unfortunate boy who is foolish and who is singularly marked and possesses peculiar characteristics. He is entirely harmless and helpless because he knows no more than an animal. I was here with him with the intention of putting him with a carnival, but they refused to do as they agreed. I have been compelled to abandon him to be put in a home by the proper authorities. He has no living father or mother, he has no friends. I have kept him until I broke and cannot do so longer,
The letter was unsigned and bore the postmark of the Pittsburgh postoffice. The police are making an effort to learn the identity of the men.
To read more of the articles, go to http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~paallent/index.html and click on the Poor House articles.
Ahh, genealogy. History. Sometimes, it just breaks my heart to read it.
©2013 AS Eldredge
Friday, December 21, 2012
Friends of Friends Friday: Flocking to Feed the Poor in 1897 at Marshalsea in Pittsburgh
Reading old newspapers can be quite entertaining. Today, I ran across a great article from December 24, 1897. The article tells us of the spirit of giving to the poor in Pittsburgh.
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The Pittsburgh Press, Dec. 24, 1897, page 2
AT
MARSHALSEA
An Enjoyable Time that is Promised the Unfortunates.
The 710 inmates of the city farm at Marshalsea will not be forgotten by
Director George Booth and Supt. George Linderman. Everything will be done to give them a good time. Confined in the building are about 43
children. These little ones on
Christmas eve will hang up their stockings to see what Santa Claus will bring
them. The usual Christmas
exercises will be held at the home on Christmas eve and the several hundred
inmates with two or three hundred others will be ushered into the large chapel
in the evening.
An excellent program has been arranged for with Supt. Linderman as
director and Dr. Charles Owens as manager, Miss Agnes M. Wenzel will be pianist
of the occasion. The performance
will consist of vocal and instrumental music, with a few recitations. Following is the program: Anthem, "O, Little Town of Bethlehem:,
chorus: recitation, "Orthodox Team,: Miss Lillian Shade, vocal solo,
selected, Miss Louise Loomis; tableau, "Angels' Watch,: Misses Whan,
Phillips and Symers; vocal solo, "Queen of the Earth,: Alex. Chas. Owens,
M.D.; tableau, "Ten Virgins," Misses McNulty, Sowers, Whan,
McDermott, Flanagan, Campbell, Harvey, Trimble, Horner Phillips, vocal duet,
"Lover's Quarrel," Miss Emma Fox and Mr. Frank Bell; dialogue,
"Mr. and Mrs. Thompson," Misses Lillian and Florence Shade, duet,
violin and piano, selected, Howard Arbogast and Miss Wenzel; tableau,
"Peak Sisters," Misses Whan, Phillips, Sowers, Symers, Harvey,
Horner, McNulty, Flanagan, McDermott, Campbell, Trimble, Patterson and Mrs. S.
E. Shade; vocal solo, selected, Miss Louise Loomis; tableau, "A Young
Man's Dread," Miss Minnie Sowers, piano solo, selected, Miss Agnes M.
Wenzel, duet, "La Chatelain," Misses Lillian and Florence Shade;
Christmas carol, chorus.
A real Christmas dinner will be served to the inmates on Christmas
day. It will consist of 1,000
pounds or roast turkey with cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, celery and
pickles, bread, butter, tea, coffee, apples, oranges and candy. Of the 710 inmates of the home and
hospitals 380 are insane. These
will be entertained just as well as the more fortunate inmates during the
day. The insane inmates will not
be allowed to leave their wards, but they will receive their candy and presents
as well as their share of turkey.
The director said that the people living around Marshalsea enjoyed the
feast as well as the inmates. The
young women and men flock to the home of Christmas day and act as waiters.
Seven more articles on the Poor House from old Pittsburgh newspapers have been uploaded for your researching pleasure. Check it out.
Ahh, genealogy. Kind of gives you a warm and fuzzy feeling as we Americans continue to assist those in need. Merry Christmas.
Update: Marshalsea was built in 1893 in Southern Allegheny Co on the old George Neal Farm in/near S. Fayette Twp. It was renamed Pittsburgh City Home and Hospital at Mayview in 1916.
Update: Marshalsea was built in 1893 in Southern Allegheny Co on the old George Neal Farm in/near S. Fayette Twp. It was renamed Pittsburgh City Home and Hospital at Mayview in 1916.
©2012 AS Eldredge
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Wordless Wednesday: The Pauper's Secret
Secrets are a part of our lives. With our ancestors, some secrets certainly include what happened to them. If our searches of today are successful, evidence can sometimes be found to reveal some of those secrets.
Enjoy the newest addition to our Pittsburgh Past-- the Poor House Articles. Perhaps a clue to one of your beloved will leave you speechless.
Seven new articles have been uploaded to our Pittsburgh Past, One Page a a Time site. We have many more waiting in the wings.
Here is one excerpt from March 1, 1872-
.....The deaths were Hugh McHard, age 60; Mary Dougherty, 68, Cathering Mulholland, 75; Laura Beggs, 5 months; Rachel Johnson, 5 months; Charles Armstrong, 27; Phoebe Franks, 45; Conrad Miller, 40, The causes of death were: apoplexy, 1; old age, 1; whooping cough, 1; consumption, 2; pneumonia, 1; inflammation of the lungs, 1; asthma, 1.....
And another from May 8, 1882-
...Years ago Thomas Mulaney had a happy home, and managed to support his family in a comfortable way. Many pictures in memory of the domestic happiness of those days now cheer the old man in his declining years. Death finally broke up the family circle, taking his wife first and all but two of his children afterward. Then darker days came upon him. Losing his corporal vigor, and the increasing infirmities of old age settling down upon him, he was no longer able to work. One daughter and a son had drifted away to distant points, and he had no knowledge of their whereabouts. At last, when he was on the verge of starvation he was taken charge of by the authorities and sent to the Allegheny Home.
This was about three years since, and he was then about eighty years of age. About a year ago he learned in some manner that his son ....
Check it out. You'll love finding the secrets of the paupers.
Ahh, genealogy. The desire to uncover the past keeps on going even as I prepare my heart and home for the holidays.
©2012 AS Eldredge
Enjoy the newest addition to our Pittsburgh Past-- the Poor House Articles. Perhaps a clue to one of your beloved will leave you speechless.
Seven new articles have been uploaded to our Pittsburgh Past, One Page a a Time site. We have many more waiting in the wings.
Here is one excerpt from March 1, 1872-
.....The deaths were Hugh McHard, age 60; Mary Dougherty, 68, Cathering Mulholland, 75; Laura Beggs, 5 months; Rachel Johnson, 5 months; Charles Armstrong, 27; Phoebe Franks, 45; Conrad Miller, 40, The causes of death were: apoplexy, 1; old age, 1; whooping cough, 1; consumption, 2; pneumonia, 1; inflammation of the lungs, 1; asthma, 1.....
And another from May 8, 1882-
...Years ago Thomas Mulaney had a happy home, and managed to support his family in a comfortable way. Many pictures in memory of the domestic happiness of those days now cheer the old man in his declining years. Death finally broke up the family circle, taking his wife first and all but two of his children afterward. Then darker days came upon him. Losing his corporal vigor, and the increasing infirmities of old age settling down upon him, he was no longer able to work. One daughter and a son had drifted away to distant points, and he had no knowledge of their whereabouts. At last, when he was on the verge of starvation he was taken charge of by the authorities and sent to the Allegheny Home.
This was about three years since, and he was then about eighty years of age. About a year ago he learned in some manner that his son ....
Check it out. You'll love finding the secrets of the paupers.
Ahh, genealogy. The desire to uncover the past keeps on going even as I prepare my heart and home for the holidays.
©2012 AS Eldredge
Friday, December 14, 2012
Friends of Friends Friday- Allegheny Co, PA Poor House
While this census information is not from the stereotype definition of slave, it does reflect the poor, the insane, the sick, and workhouses from Allegheny County, PA.
Just today, we have updated our Pittsburgh Past, One Page at a Time to include the 1860-1940 census for Woodville Hospital. Alternate names used over the years also include:
Allegheny County Almshouse
Allegheny Hospital for the Insane
Allegheny County Home for the Poor
The location for this institution is noted as S. Fayette and Collier Twp in Allegheny Co, PA.
In looking at the names on the list, I wonder about the men, women and children. Times were tough and I suspect, there was not much hope to be found within the walls of the institution. As many of the names on the lists were paupers, there is not much to be found on their deaths or final resting spots. Rest gently and know you are not forgotten.
While looking at our Pittsburgh Past, be sure to check out Morganza, which was first incorporated by the commonwealth as the House of Refuge in 1850. One reader recently commented on the information we have posted on Morganza with the following words:
I don't recall seeing any other genealogy site with as many articles and documents about Morganza as the Pittsburgh Old Newspaper Project webpages, and I appreciate being able to get some sense of what life, as difficult as it was, was like there for my gg-uncle at that time. I am grateful for all of the hours of hard work everyone has put into the Pittsburgh Old Newspaper Project webpages and look forward to the next time new information has been posted. -MM
Ahh, genealogy. Small prayers go up from around the world today for those frightened, innocent youth in Connecticut and remind us that lost innocence of children due to tragedy remains a part of our society. Rest sweetly.
©2012 AS Eldredge
Just today, we have updated our Pittsburgh Past, One Page at a Time to include the 1860-1940 census for Woodville Hospital. Alternate names used over the years also include:
Allegheny County Almshouse
Allegheny Hospital for the Insane
Allegheny County Home for the Poor
The location for this institution is noted as S. Fayette and Collier Twp in Allegheny Co, PA.
In looking at the names on the list, I wonder about the men, women and children. Times were tough and I suspect, there was not much hope to be found within the walls of the institution. As many of the names on the lists were paupers, there is not much to be found on their deaths or final resting spots. Rest gently and know you are not forgotten.
While looking at our Pittsburgh Past, be sure to check out Morganza, which was first incorporated by the commonwealth as the House of Refuge in 1850. One reader recently commented on the information we have posted on Morganza with the following words:
I don't recall seeing any other genealogy site with as many articles and documents about Morganza as the Pittsburgh Old Newspaper Project webpages, and I appreciate being able to get some sense of what life, as difficult as it was, was like there for my gg-uncle at that time. I am grateful for all of the hours of hard work everyone has put into the Pittsburgh Old Newspaper Project webpages and look forward to the next time new information has been posted. -MM
Ahh, genealogy. Small prayers go up from around the world today for those frightened, innocent youth in Connecticut and remind us that lost innocence of children due to tragedy remains a part of our society. Rest sweetly.
©2012 AS Eldredge
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, December 03, 2012
Hot Diggity, It's a Novel!
Who knew that I could write a novel in 30 days? Not me.
It's a novel, folks. Ok, so it needs some serious editing and some finishing, in one way or another, of some characters, but it tis a novel of over 50,000 words so far!
I took the challenge of the National Novel Writing Month and won! Note my new badge on the sidebar.
Bear with me as I add the finishing touches to my creation and then, I shall be ready for some praise and critiques from some of my faithful readers.
I hope to be back writing more snippets on the family and genealogy soon. There are also a couple of completed genealogy projects or those with ties in Pittsburgh that I have to add to Exploring Our Pittsburgh Past, One Page at a Time.
In the meantime, enjoy the holidays!
Ahh, genealogy. No rest for the weary fingers or telling the tales of our genealogy.
©2012 AS Eldredge
It's a novel, folks. Ok, so it needs some serious editing and some finishing, in one way or another, of some characters, but it tis a novel of over 50,000 words so far!
I took the challenge of the National Novel Writing Month and won! Note my new badge on the sidebar.
Bear with me as I add the finishing touches to my creation and then, I shall be ready for some praise and critiques from some of my faithful readers.
I hope to be back writing more snippets on the family and genealogy soon. There are also a couple of completed genealogy projects or those with ties in Pittsburgh that I have to add to Exploring Our Pittsburgh Past, One Page at a Time.
In the meantime, enjoy the holidays!
Ahh, genealogy. No rest for the weary fingers or telling the tales of our genealogy.
©2012 AS Eldredge
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Thankful Thursday: A Book for All Seasons
Did you know that November is National Novel Writing Month? I found this bit of information in mid October and was goaded in to participating in the contest.
It is a simple contest. Just write 50,000 words in one month. There are a few rules to follow but it seemed like fun.
My family encouraged me to write the story of Prohibition and the Low Country. My maternal blood comes from that area and I have heard plenty of stories of events that allegedly happened during Prohibition. To make it all work for me, I knew I was only aware of portions of stories from many different sources and I would have to improvise. I took time to locate newspaper articles regarding some murders in the area of Hell Hole Swamp. I also found court proceedings and devoured each one with a growing interest. Family members shared lore with me. A few kind folks who are of the blood line of other families in the area shared some of their tales with me as well.
Here I go. I am off to the races. While my story is set during Prohibition and I borrowed some basic ideas from the newspapers of the time, the resulting work of art is completely my imagination in full throttle. Who knew that writing dialogue could be so challenging? As of today, while my family sits and watches me continue my novel and try to reach the goal of 50,000 words by the end of the month, I am thankful to them. They have barely complained about the laundry, the dust, the cold dinners, and listening to me ask their opinions on a story line or character. What they have done is encourage me. Every day I am asked repeatedly how many words have I written.
I will finish this contest soon. As of this morning, I am close to 42,000 words. When I am done with this project, I will be back to share more interesting tidbits of the families and lore that I adore.
Be thankful for your family, the ones who smile and give you hugs, and the ones who smile at you in your memory. It's all part of our history.
Ahh, genealogy. Now who is next to be killed or implicated in the murder of the decade during Prohibition. I only wish someone had bothered to give me the family recipe for their brand of liquid gold.
It is a simple contest. Just write 50,000 words in one month. There are a few rules to follow but it seemed like fun.
Here I go. I am off to the races. While my story is set during Prohibition and I borrowed some basic ideas from the newspapers of the time, the resulting work of art is completely my imagination in full throttle. Who knew that writing dialogue could be so challenging? As of today, while my family sits and watches me continue my novel and try to reach the goal of 50,000 words by the end of the month, I am thankful to them. They have barely complained about the laundry, the dust, the cold dinners, and listening to me ask their opinions on a story line or character. What they have done is encourage me. Every day I am asked repeatedly how many words have I written.
I will finish this contest soon. As of this morning, I am close to 42,000 words. When I am done with this project, I will be back to share more interesting tidbits of the families and lore that I adore.
Be thankful for your family, the ones who smile and give you hugs, and the ones who smile at you in your memory. It's all part of our history.
Ahh, genealogy. Now who is next to be killed or implicated in the murder of the decade during Prohibition. I only wish someone had bothered to give me the family recipe for their brand of liquid gold.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Thankful Thursday: Genealogy Buffs Fight for Georgia Archives
The recent news about the closing of the Georgia Archives by Secretary of State Brian Kemp is appalling. Thanks to Mr. Kemp, the great state of Georgia is now the ONLY state in the union not to have public hours for research.
The battle cry for support has gone out, and fellow researchers are starting to respond.
Ironic in all this is that just yesterday, Governor Nathan Deal signed a proclamation to designate October as Georgia Archives Month.
Following is a list of action items for those who are interested in keeping genealogy alive in Georgia. In doing so, not only are the residents of Georgia served, the thousands of visitors from out of state will continue to be served as well. While there has been an ongoing project to digitize the information, many years of scanning remain.
From the Friends of Georgia Archives and History:
-->
The battle cry for support has gone out, and fellow researchers are starting to respond. Ironic in all this is that just yesterday, Governor Nathan Deal signed a proclamation to designate October as Georgia Archives Month.
Following is a list of action items for those who are interested in keeping genealogy alive in Georgia. In doing so, not only are the residents of Georgia served, the thousands of visitors from out of state will continue to be served as well. While there has been an ongoing project to digitize the information, many years of scanning remain.
From the Friends of Georgia Archives and History:
-->
ACTION ALERT: SAVE THE GEORGIA ARCHIVES!
Georgia
Secretary of State Brian Kemp has announced that the Georgia Archives will be
CLOSED to all public access beginning November 1, 2012. He cites as reason the
requirement for a 3 % budget reduction for all state agencies. Secretary Kemp
has chosen to take the required cut of $750,000 entirely and only from the
State Archives. In addition to the elimination of public access, staff
reductions concerning the ten remaining staff are planned and will also be announced
soon.
This
action further cripples an institution that was among the first state archives
established (1918), has won many awards for its programs and state-of-the-art
archival facility, and has been a respected leader in archives, government
records programs, and research use. Over the past decade, however, the Georgia
Archives has been eviscerated by regular budget cuts, reductions in staff and
reductions in public hours to 2 days a week. Now Secretary Kemp wants to
eliminate even those few hours of access for Georgia’s citizens, making Georgia
Archives the only state archives without public access hours.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Tell
the Governor, the Secretary of State and the Georgia Legislature to reverse
this devastating decision. Write, call or visit and ask them to:
Restore a minimum of $1 million to the
Georgia Archives budget to return its operations to 5 days a week of public
access hours and eliminate projected staff reductions.
Reverse the Secretary of State’s proposed
budget cuts to the Archives by November 1 to ensure uninterrupted service to
the public.
When
you write/call or visit, focus on a few of the points below. Put this in your
own words, and use your own examples, particularly if you are a citizen of
Georgia:
WHAT SHOULD YOU SAY?
Points to make in letters/phone calls or
visits:
1.
The Secretary of State was directed to reduce his budget expenditures by 3%.
The entire sum needed to accomplish that has been taken from the Archives
budget alone and will result in the termination of all public hours. The
proposed “access by appointment…limited based on the schedule of the remaining
employees” effectively denies access based on “reasonable time and place” for
inspection of public records as required by Georgia law.
2.
Points to make regarding the importance of access to government records for
accountability and legal purposes:
•
This deprives citizens of regular and predictable access, as mandated in the
Georgia Records Act, Title 50, Chapter 18, Article 4, section 70(b) of the Georgia
Annotated Code that all public records “shall be open for a personal inspection
by any citizen of this state at a reasonable time and place, and those in
charge of such records shall not refuse this privilege to any citizen.”
• It
is contrary to the practice of government transparency by depriving citizens of
predictable and ready access to the records that are essential to providing
evidence of government accountability.
• It
deprives citizens, as well as Georgia’s own government, of access to records
needed to support due process of law. The Georgia Archives holdings have been
used for a range of court cases including land claims, boundary disputes,
utility right-of-way, and claims against state agencies.
•
Access to records is essential to avoid costly litigation that will result if
records cannot be located or accessed.
3.
Points to make regarding the importance of access to government records for
research
purposes:
• As
the Civil War Sesquicentennial begins, researchers need access to the historical
record in the Georgia Archives to provide accurate, factual evidence of that
experience. Many of Georgia’s governmental records were destroyed during
Sherman’s March; closing the Archives similarly deprives Georgians of access to
their heritage—but this time the fault does not lie with an invading army, but
with Georgia officials themselves.
• The
Georgia Archives holds records actively sought by genealogists and family
historians; in particular, they provide essential evidence for African-American
history and genealogical research not available in many private historical
collections.
• The
Georgia Archives has been an essential resource for environmental research and
activities including efforts to reintroduce the American chestnut tree in the
state and issues relating to pollution.
• The
Georgia Archives has been the site of research for television and films,
including the popular NBC series “Who Do You Think You Are” segments with Paula
Deen and Spike Lee, as well as Emmy award-winner Ben Loeterman’s documentary
“People v. Leo Frank.”
Governor Nathan Deal
206
Washington Street Suite 203, State Capitol Atlanta, GA 30334
Phone: 404-656-1776
Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle
240
State Capitol Atlanta, GA 30334 TEL: 404-656-5030
FAX: 404-656-6739
Secretary of State Brian Kemp
214
State Capitol Atlanta, GA 30334 Phone: 404-656-2881
Fax: 404-656-0513
Individual
Georgia legislators: find specific legislators via Society of Georgia
Archivists site: http://soga.org/involvement/legislative
If you’ve signed an online petition, that’s
helpful, but direct contact is even more effective. For Georgians, a visit to
your local legislator will have even more impact. There has been a great deal
of attention on radio, newspapers, television and the Internet. In a democracy,
however, nothing speaks to the governor or elected officials like direct
contact from individuals. Speak up for the Georgia Archives.
Write, call or plan a visit today!
Please send copies of your letter,
information on contacts, or any questions to:
Coalition
to Preserve the Georgia Archives Co-Chair Kaye L. Minchew: kaye@trouparchives.org
THE COALITION TO PRESERVE THE GEORGIA
ARCHIVES
Includes
representatives of:
Friends
of the Georgia Archives; Association of County Commissioners of Georgia;
Georgia Salzburger Society, Greater Atlanta Chapter; Society of Georgia
Archivists; Georgia Historical Records Advisory Board; Georgia Genealogical
Society; Georgia Professional Genealogists; Association of Professional
Genealogists, Georgia Chapter; Cobb County Genealogical Society; Troup County
Historical Society; Georgia State Society, Daughters of the American Revolution
For updated information go
to: www.FOGAH.org
=====
Note: It was announced earlier this week that only three positions will remain-- and they are all management. How can the state let the knowledge base of the other workers go?
Ahh, genealogy. I am thankful for any support you can give. Without the past, we have no future.
©2012 AS Eldredge
Monday, August 27, 2012
Motivation Monday: Let's Change the World, One Document at a Time
Remember the old slogans used in the past to start a movement? Remember "Feed The World" or "Yes, We Can"? Perhaps, now is the time to start changing the world of genealogy in how items are placed online.
Recently, I wrote about finding a new cousin only to see his family tree was what I had worked on with other cousins. If you missed it, read it at http://genitalesga.blogspot.com/2012/08/thankful-thursday-seek-and-ye-shall.html .
Have you ever wanted to reach out and strangle all the family seekers who just clone the information they see online? I know I have. I've been known to email folks who have taken my information or my writings and asked them to please, pretty please source their information. Some have taken the hint and others have just ignored my pleas.
Many sites online do say they haven't documented the information found. To me, that is like buying a house or car unseen. How many people willingly do that?
In writing the post on Seek and Ye Shall Find, Maybe, I was pleased to see the comments sent on this subject. (A big thank you to those who sent them.) One of the comments from Katherine suggested Ancestry and those other sites ask for sources.
I love the idea, but I'm not sure how it could work or if they are really interested in documentation. It would be a big project for all family researchers to source the information. Perhaps, there could be a separate tier for those genealogy buffs who are true researchers and document their information. Maybe something like Family Trees Plus or Sourced Trees. It shouldn't be too difficult to program a section for documentation or sources, especially for the old pictures.
Perhaps, we should start a ground movement to those sites who have genealogy information, like Ancestry or Find a Grave, to create a separate tier. Thoughts, anyone?
Ahh, genealogy. As for me, I will look at the information placed online by others, but will only include it in my information if it has been sourced. Or better yet, only if I can trace their sources. Just call it being curious, or is it the scientist in me?
©2012 AS Eldredge
Recently, I wrote about finding a new cousin only to see his family tree was what I had worked on with other cousins. If you missed it, read it at http://genitalesga.blogspot.com/2012/08/thankful-thursday-seek-and-ye-shall.html .
Have you ever wanted to reach out and strangle all the family seekers who just clone the information they see online? I know I have. I've been known to email folks who have taken my information or my writings and asked them to please, pretty please source their information. Some have taken the hint and others have just ignored my pleas.
Many sites online do say they haven't documented the information found. To me, that is like buying a house or car unseen. How many people willingly do that?
In writing the post on Seek and Ye Shall Find, Maybe, I was pleased to see the comments sent on this subject. (A big thank you to those who sent them.) One of the comments from Katherine suggested Ancestry and those other sites ask for sources.
I love the idea, but I'm not sure how it could work or if they are really interested in documentation. It would be a big project for all family researchers to source the information. Perhaps, there could be a separate tier for those genealogy buffs who are true researchers and document their information. Maybe something like Family Trees Plus or Sourced Trees. It shouldn't be too difficult to program a section for documentation or sources, especially for the old pictures.
Perhaps, we should start a ground movement to those sites who have genealogy information, like Ancestry or Find a Grave, to create a separate tier. Thoughts, anyone?
Ahh, genealogy. As for me, I will look at the information placed online by others, but will only include it in my information if it has been sourced. Or better yet, only if I can trace their sources. Just call it being curious, or is it the scientist in me?
©2012 AS Eldredge
Monday, August 13, 2012
Mystery Monday: Another Way Found to Search Your Civil War Kinsmen
The old saying "There's more than one way to skin a cat" takes on new meaning today for researchers who look around Pennsylvania.
The History of the Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-1865 by Samuel P Bates has long been a major source for information for genealogy buffs to research their kinsmen who were in the War of the Northern Aggression. The book is great for looking up the rosters and histories of the units formed in Pennsylvania.
Now, there's another way to search the book.
Recently, a friend asked if I would be interested in taking his compilation of the units formed, where the units were organized by town and county, the length of enrollment time, the date of organization, and the page number of where this information is found in the Bates book.
Having wondered from time to time what units were formed in the general area in which my Pennsylvania kinfolk lived, I thought this information could be of value to others.
The information is live now and can be found on my ongoing Pittsburgh Newspaper Project. Check it out at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~paallent/ and then click on the PA Volunteers Regiment Location tab.
Ahh, genealogy. Skinning the cat in genealogy sure can open new lines of thought. A special thank you to Jerome D for providing the information he gathered and to Lynn B for her rapid fire transcription.
©2012 AS Eldredge
The History of the Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-1865 by Samuel P Bates has long been a major source for information for genealogy buffs to research their kinsmen who were in the War of the Northern Aggression. The book is great for looking up the rosters and histories of the units formed in Pennsylvania.
Now, there's another way to search the book.
Recently, a friend asked if I would be interested in taking his compilation of the units formed, where the units were organized by town and county, the length of enrollment time, the date of organization, and the page number of where this information is found in the Bates book.
Having wondered from time to time what units were formed in the general area in which my Pennsylvania kinfolk lived, I thought this information could be of value to others.
The information is live now and can be found on my ongoing Pittsburgh Newspaper Project. Check it out at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~paallent/ and then click on the PA Volunteers Regiment Location tab.
Ahh, genealogy. Skinning the cat in genealogy sure can open new lines of thought. A special thank you to Jerome D for providing the information he gathered and to Lynn B for her rapid fire transcription.
©2012 AS Eldredge
Thursday, August 09, 2012
Thankful Thursday: Seek and Ye Shall Find, Maybe
Ever remember playing hide and seek as a child? It appears to me that genealogy and searching for our beloved of old are similar to that favorite childhood game. Yesterday, after writing the post on Uncle Charles, I found the name of one of his children online. There wasn't much information given other than the name and approximate year of death. Holding my breath, I emailed the owner of the private tree and asked if she was the one for whom I was searching.
The reply came back later, and she was. After eagerly accepting the invitation to view the private tree, I saw no new documentation. I added a few pictures and obits to the tree and asked for any documentation.
My newly found cousin has informed me he received the maiden name of a grandma from his grandma which led him to the family tree that I assisted in putting together with another cousin. And then, I see information which also appears to have come from yet another cousin who I assisted with her research.
While I am sure this is my guy, I am also disappointed not to have unearthed any more documentation.
So, I am thankful to make another connection to my great grandmother through her brother, but strangely disappointed that the research used is my own.
This seems to be a recurrent issue in the world of genealogy. Family seekers sniff out the information on the internet without going through the extra work of documenting it on their own. Of course, my big irk is when I see blogs I have written placed as comments on other people's trees with no acknowledgement as to the origin of the data.
Be a great family seeker. Look at the internet information and use that to begin your search. Use the information to go back and document everything you can. Help fill in the gaps. Make the corrections. Credit the folks who provide information by using their url and name. Love knowing you have family members to discover.
Ahh, genealogy. Got to wonder how many people just clone the information and just don't care. As for me, I try to document everything and love making connections to family of the past. Who knows when a favorite recipe or story of old will come to light? I have been fortunate over the years to have heard stories from cousins about my direct bloodline that help bring them to life. That is my goal and the willingness to share stories of the shared past makes me thankful everyday.
©AS Eldredge 2012
The reply came back later, and she was. After eagerly accepting the invitation to view the private tree, I saw no new documentation. I added a few pictures and obits to the tree and asked for any documentation.
My newly found cousin has informed me he received the maiden name of a grandma from his grandma which led him to the family tree that I assisted in putting together with another cousin. And then, I see information which also appears to have come from yet another cousin who I assisted with her research.
While I am sure this is my guy, I am also disappointed not to have unearthed any more documentation.
So, I am thankful to make another connection to my great grandmother through her brother, but strangely disappointed that the research used is my own.
This seems to be a recurrent issue in the world of genealogy. Family seekers sniff out the information on the internet without going through the extra work of documenting it on their own. Of course, my big irk is when I see blogs I have written placed as comments on other people's trees with no acknowledgement as to the origin of the data.
Be a great family seeker. Look at the internet information and use that to begin your search. Use the information to go back and document everything you can. Help fill in the gaps. Make the corrections. Credit the folks who provide information by using their url and name. Love knowing you have family members to discover.
Ahh, genealogy. Got to wonder how many people just clone the information and just don't care. As for me, I try to document everything and love making connections to family of the past. Who knows when a favorite recipe or story of old will come to light? I have been fortunate over the years to have heard stories from cousins about my direct bloodline that help bring them to life. That is my goal and the willingness to share stories of the shared past makes me thankful everyday.
©AS Eldredge 2012
Wednesday, August 08, 2012
Wordless Wednesday: Charles, Is This You?
Is this the final resting spot for Uncle Charles?
Evidence on hand includes:
- the 1940 obit for his sister which states her brother Charles is still living
- birth year on tombstone corresponds closely with my Charles' birth in Allegheny Co, PA
- middle initial on tombstone in Woodlawn Cemetery, Allegheny Co, PA, is correct
- Charles was married according to his father's Civil War pension file
Have been trying to contact descendants of this Charles to see if they can connect the dots: Edith Malanos died 1986 in Broward Co, FL
Evelyn Difatta died 1968 in Pittsburgh area; her husband died 1983 in Westmoreland Co, PA
Ahh, genealogy. It's one mystery after another.©AS Eldredge 2012
Tuesday, August 07, 2012
Talented Tuesday: Six Degrees to Kevin Bacon
Have you ever felt an "aha" moment when you finally connected the dots between families in your past? It appears that every will, every probate, every land transaction I come across in the old Pittsburgh area leads me to connect dots or relationships between early families in the neighborhood.
Just the other day, I posted a connection between Adam POTTER and Henry POTTER. To my surprise, a cousin of mine emailed to tell me she also had a connection to Adam POTTER as a named guardian in a will.
Here is her excerpt: ..."my greatx5 grandpap Charles McMILLEN, who I think is a brother or nephew of our Thomas McMILLEN and Margaret (McMILLEN) HENRY, had two daughters, Mary McMILLEN(b 1800) and Elizabeth McMILLEN(B 1799), and the sisters grew up to marry two brothers, James OBNEY and William OBNEY of Robinson Twp. These guys had a younger brother named Richard McClure OBNEY who lived in N Fayette Twp, and when Richard OBNEY died in 1852, he named ADAM POTTER as the guardian of his minor son, Sanford OBNEY, who later died in the Civil War 1862."
JoAnn also likened our genealogy search to the game "Six Degrees to Kevin Bacon", where movie buffs try to link Kevin Bacon to other actors by identifying movies which tie the actors together.
So, I thought that we could do that as well. The rules had to change a bit as our family is not in the movies.
The rule change is simple in this version of the game. I will connect my family to Kevin Bacon using movies and film locations, instead of just actors.
Here it goes:
Kevin Bacon to Brad Pitt in Sleepers (1996) -- No. 1
Brad Pitt to Anthony Hopkins in Meet Joe Black (1998) -- No. 2
Anthony Hopkins in the Silence of the Lambs (1991) -- No. 3
Silence of the Lambs partially filmed at Morganza in Washington Co, PA -- No.4
Land for Morganza sold by Wesley GREER -- No. 5
Wesley GREER's sister in law, Marguerite CLARK is my 2C3R -- No. 6
Ta da!
And just so there is no confusion, I do relate to Art CLOKEY who gave us all that wonderful character, Gumby. Or rather, I am related to Joseph CLOKEY who adopted Art.
Ahh, genealogy. Who knew it could be so fun or hip?
©AS Eldredge 2012
Just the other day, I posted a connection between Adam POTTER and Henry POTTER. To my surprise, a cousin of mine emailed to tell me she also had a connection to Adam POTTER as a named guardian in a will.
Here is her excerpt: ..."my greatx5 grandpap Charles McMILLEN, who I think is a brother or nephew of our Thomas McMILLEN and Margaret (McMILLEN) HENRY, had two daughters, Mary McMILLEN(b 1800) and Elizabeth McMILLEN(B 1799), and the sisters grew up to marry two brothers, James OBNEY and William OBNEY of Robinson Twp. These guys had a younger brother named Richard McClure OBNEY who lived in N Fayette Twp, and when Richard OBNEY died in 1852, he named ADAM POTTER as the guardian of his minor son, Sanford OBNEY, who later died in the Civil War 1862."
JoAnn also likened our genealogy search to the game "Six Degrees to Kevin Bacon", where movie buffs try to link Kevin Bacon to other actors by identifying movies which tie the actors together.
So, I thought that we could do that as well. The rules had to change a bit as our family is not in the movies.
The rule change is simple in this version of the game. I will connect my family to Kevin Bacon using movies and film locations, instead of just actors.
Here it goes:
Kevin Bacon to Brad Pitt in Sleepers (1996) -- No. 1
Brad Pitt to Anthony Hopkins in Meet Joe Black (1998) -- No. 2
Anthony Hopkins in the Silence of the Lambs (1991) -- No. 3
Silence of the Lambs partially filmed at Morganza in Washington Co, PA -- No.4
Land for Morganza sold by Wesley GREER -- No. 5
Wesley GREER's sister in law, Marguerite CLARK is my 2C3R -- No. 6
Ta da!
And just so there is no confusion, I do relate to Art CLOKEY who gave us all that wonderful character, Gumby. Or rather, I am related to Joseph CLOKEY who adopted Art.
Ahh, genealogy. Who knew it could be so fun or hip?
©AS Eldredge 2012
Such a BAD Boy, Chewin' Tobaccy and Lying
"He's such a bad boy, " the poor distraught mother cried as she
talked to the local magistrate. "He's been chewing tobaccy and lying. I
can't handle him."
While I don't know if those exact words were ever uttered by a mother in distress, I do know the sentiment was a familiar one in the history of Morganza. It was known that parents up in the Allegheny and Washington Co areas of PA did threaten their youngsters with the punishment of having to go to Morganza. I wonder how many children were scared straight....
Morganza. Just the name of this reform school is enough to send chills down the spine of the local residents. While I am unaware of any of my family members being sent there "for their own good," I am fascinated by it. I can't imagine the horrors that happened there and my heart aches for the lost youth of the time.
Morganza was first incorporated as the House of Refuge in 1850 in Pittsburgh. Youth were sent there for various reasons, but there was no need for any conviction of a crime. Apparently, testimony from a distraught witness was enough for the "sentence" of going there to be reformed. How many poor children went there? How many parents sent their child there if they couldn't put food in their mouths? I imagine it's enough to break your heart.
As the House of Refuge grew, it was decided to purchase land and get the youngsters away from the city. Perhaps farming would be encouraged. Land was purchased from Wesley GREER (a kinsman of mine thru marriage) and plans were made, and buildings were built.
According to a 2007 email from a great grandson of Wesley, the land was purchased from the MORGAN family. The claim to fame for the MORGAN family is Aaron BURR stopped at the farm and spoke of his intent to overthrow the government.
I first became aware of Morganza as I traveled from Pittsburgh down to Washington Co as I was researching my roots. I saw the building as we drove down the road and asked many questions about it. Most of the responses seemed to begin with a heavy sigh.
As many readers are aware, a group of volunteers has been painstakingly going through old Pittsburgh newspapers to find marriages and deaths. While involved in this work, one volunteer contacted me to say she had found many mentions of Morganza in old newspapers. This sparked my interest as I recalled driving by the old buildings which haunted my memory for months.
We started actively looking for mentions of Morganza or of those associated with the institution in the newspapers and then we decided to add the census information we could find. All of this information can be found on our Pittsburgh Old Newspaper Project Updates.
Ahh, genealogy. Some of our past breaks our hearts, one name at a time.
Sources:
Herron, James T, Morganza, Jefferson College Times, Vol XLI, No 1, March 2008.
Photo by P. Thomas
©AS Eldredge 2012
While I don't know if those exact words were ever uttered by a mother in distress, I do know the sentiment was a familiar one in the history of Morganza. It was known that parents up in the Allegheny and Washington Co areas of PA did threaten their youngsters with the punishment of having to go to Morganza. I wonder how many children were scared straight....
Morganza. Just the name of this reform school is enough to send chills down the spine of the local residents. While I am unaware of any of my family members being sent there "for their own good," I am fascinated by it. I can't imagine the horrors that happened there and my heart aches for the lost youth of the time.
Morganza was first incorporated as the House of Refuge in 1850 in Pittsburgh. Youth were sent there for various reasons, but there was no need for any conviction of a crime. Apparently, testimony from a distraught witness was enough for the "sentence" of going there to be reformed. How many poor children went there? How many parents sent their child there if they couldn't put food in their mouths? I imagine it's enough to break your heart.
As the House of Refuge grew, it was decided to purchase land and get the youngsters away from the city. Perhaps farming would be encouraged. Land was purchased from Wesley GREER (a kinsman of mine thru marriage) and plans were made, and buildings were built.
According to a 2007 email from a great grandson of Wesley, the land was purchased from the MORGAN family. The claim to fame for the MORGAN family is Aaron BURR stopped at the farm and spoke of his intent to overthrow the government.
I first became aware of Morganza as I traveled from Pittsburgh down to Washington Co as I was researching my roots. I saw the building as we drove down the road and asked many questions about it. Most of the responses seemed to begin with a heavy sigh.
As many readers are aware, a group of volunteers has been painstakingly going through old Pittsburgh newspapers to find marriages and deaths. While involved in this work, one volunteer contacted me to say she had found many mentions of Morganza in old newspapers. This sparked my interest as I recalled driving by the old buildings which haunted my memory for months.
We started actively looking for mentions of Morganza or of those associated with the institution in the newspapers and then we decided to add the census information we could find. All of this information can be found on our Pittsburgh Old Newspaper Project Updates.
Ahh, genealogy. Some of our past breaks our hearts, one name at a time.
Sources:
Herron, James T, Morganza, Jefferson College Times, Vol XLI, No 1, March 2008.
Photo by P. Thomas
©AS Eldredge 2012
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
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