Honoring my Uncle this Veterans Day

It is my pleasure to introduce you to my uncle, Warren D. Wood, a World War II veteran.

When Warren was 19 years old he enlisted in the military on Feb 26, 1943. He was soon promoted to staff sergeant in the Army Air Corps.. He was sent overseas in April 1944 and stationed in England and later in Italy.

Word came by telegram to his mother from the War Department in Washington D. C. that Warren D. Wood of the Army Air Corps had been missing since July 14, 1944. No details were given except that he failed to return from a flight over Hungary. Sergeant Wood, a radio man with the 719^th Bomb Squadron on a B-24 Liberator, had 40 missions to his credit and was the recipient of the Air Medal.

Stalag Luft IV monument, Wikipedia

The facts were later determined that Warren's plane was shot down over Budapest on July 14, 1944 on his 41^st mission since going overseas. He was able to parachute out of the burning plane but was captured and imprisoned in the German POW camp at Stalag Luft IV Gross-Tychow. In January, the camp was evacuated to prevent the liberation of the prisoners by the Russians and Warren was in the group of POWs who set out on foot in a forced-march westward across Poland in what was to become known as the Death March across Germany. The grim march lasted 86 days during the harshest winter conditions and unbearable circumstances of starvation, exhaustion, disease and frostbite. After 86 days he was liberated on May 2, 1945 by the British. He was awarded the Purple Heart.

Upon returning home, Warren went on to lead a long and successful life.  He married and raised two children while always keeping close connections with his brother, sister, nieces and nephews.  Warren David Wood passed away 26 Oct 2007.

A Surprise In Deed!

I have been doing genealogy for many years and I learned long ago that it is always important to visit courthouses and city halls for the actual documents. I have also learned to expect the unexpected.

I had an opportunity to travel to Butler, Bates Co. Missouri recently and spent quite a bit of time in the Bates County Courthouse.

In the 1880's, a few of my Badgley ancestors followed Martin Jones Badgley and moved from Belleville, Illinois to Butler, Missouri.  Martin J Badgley officiated at the marriage of my great grandfather Henry Isaac Ogle to my great grandmother Barbara Caroline  Roos in Butler in 1882.  After the death of Barbara in 1896, Henry returned to Butler and married M J's daughter Martha Isabel Badgley in 1897. I wanted to find the specific areas where they lived in Butler.   I was searching the microfilms of deeds looking for land purchases and sales.  Sometimes, with luck, you can find out much more than the land location.

I spent a great deal of time looking at many microfilms.  They were organized by year and then by Grantor and Grantee.  I never did find exactly what I was looking for, but there was one record that was exciting.  I found a will for Martin J. Badgley! ¹  Since there was a land transfer in the will it was included in the deed books.  It was a pleasant surprise.

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¹ Missouri, Bates County. Deeds. Book 85: 379-380.  Grantor Martin J. Badgley, grantee Priscilla Badgley et al.  Recorded July 30, 1888. Register of Deeds Office, Butler.

A Revolutionary War Hero

On September 27, 2015 in Shiloh, Illinois, I was honored to attend the monument dedication to Captain Joseph Ogle by the Ogle/Ogles Family Association.

Joseph Ogle was born 17 Jun 1737 in Maryland. His first wife was Prudence Drusilla Biggs (b. abt 1746, d. abt 1777 in western Virginia).  Joseph married his second wife, Jemima Meigs abt 1779 and they lived near the site of current day Wheeling, West Virginia.

Joseph was an illustrious fighter for his country. He served in 1775 as a Lieutenant in Captain George McColloch's company. He was commissioned to the rank of Captain by Gov. Patrick Henry of Virginia on 2 Jul 1777.  Among his many battles, he defended Ft. Henry in two attacks. He was also involved in battles at Foreman's Massacre in 1777 and the Coshocton Campaign in 1781.

In 1785 Joseph headed west to the area now known as Illinois.  Battling Indian attacks and dangerous currents on the Ohio river, and keeping his family safe, Joseph settled in the area known as The American Bottom in Illinois across the river from St. Louis.

Living with Jemima and raising his nine children, he was considered a local leader and was involved in several expeditions to deal with Indian attacks. Joseph was also the first Methodist baptized in Illinois and later became a preacher. He died on his farm on 24 Feb 1821 at the age of 84 in Ridge Prairie, Illinois a few miles from the current town of O'Fallon.

In 1836, a northern Illinois county was named Ogle County in honor of Joseph Ogle.

On September 24, 2015, a Tribute to Captain Joseph Ogle was entered into the Congressional Record in the United States House of Representatives.¹

The dedication on September 27, 2015 was attended by about 200 people. It was co-hosted by the Illinois Society Sons of the American Revolution Lewis and Clark Chapter, and the Belleville Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution.

The pageantry and speeches were a fitting tribute to this great man.

I am proud to say that Captain Joseph Ogle was my
 fifth great grandfather.

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^1. Volume 161, Number 138, Pages E1353 by the Hon. Mike Bost of Illinois.

Great Aunt Jennie

I just received a document in the mail from IRAD (Illinois Regional Archives Depository) at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois.

I requested the birth record of my grandmother Matilda Albertus (10 May 1876).  She was born into a large German family living on a farm on the outskirts of Freeport, Illinois.  It is very possible that all the children were born at home and there may not be any record of their births at that time.  I had requested the birth documents of both Matilda and her younger sister, Jennie Albertus (12 Jul 1878).

The answer I received was that Matilda's birth record could not be found and a certificate with the name Jennie Albertus, also could not be found.

 However, they did find this record.

The parents names are correct, the birth date is correct, but there is no name for the child.  This is, however, the record for Jennie Albertus because she was, in fact, the 13th child born into this family.  She is also probably the first of the children to have a recorded birth record.  Even though this is not a record for my grandmother, I am thrilled to have it.  A wonderful find!

Other items noticed on this form are the parents places of birth.  I had already done considerable research on their origins and know that Peter Albertus was born in Veenhusen, Ostfriesland, Germany and Taalke was born in Petkum, Ostfriesland, Germany.  The dates were exact to my research so I can only guess that the written village names on this form are spelled as the person recording this information heard them.

So!  A surprise birth record with validating information from the State Board of Health, Stephenson County, Illinois.

Thank you IRAD!

Hot Summer Days

It's August and if that is summer in your area, the temperature is hot.  How refreshing it was for me to be researching my grandfather, John W. Bickford, who owned the Enterprise Creamery in Wallowa Co., Washington in 1908. 

 

You "Auto" See This

It's summertime and a genealogists thoughts turn to... road trips!  So as we make our way to cemeteries, courthouses and libraries, it's fun to think back to how our ancestors traveled.

While going through old family pictures, I am always intrigued by those displaying old cars and buggy's.  Here is the progression in one family.  These are a few that make me smile.

 Grandma Ora Ogle Wood on the right with great aunt Nora.

Great Grandpa Henry Issac Ogle (on the left) taking a few friends for a spin.

By 1925 Henry I. Ogle named his newest car Sadie.

My Grandfather, Warren D. Wood, proudly displaying his car and family.

Johannes Sebastian Fieg

On my last trip to Salt Lake City, I was able to spend a great deal of time in the German records  microfilm area of the Family History Library.  It was exciting to find church records for many Fieg ancestors.

This is the christening record of my husband's 3rd great grandfather, Johannes Sebastian Fieg in Helmsheim, Baden, Germany.¹  He is the child of Johannus Fieg and Katharina Bresthoefer and he was christened on May 25, 1799.

Although the film is of poor quality and is written in Latin script, the names, dates and key words are distinguishable.  One interesting notation on this record is the death date that was added later to the left margin - 2 November 1865.

My best translation/transcription:

Anno Domini Millesimo Septingentesimo nonagesimo nono die

Year of our Lord one thousandth seven hundredth ninetieth ninth day

vigesimo quinta Maii? R. D. Andreas Happel Parochi ?infra?

twentieth fifth of May  R.D. Andreas Happel priest ?under?

?scripti? Vicarius baptizavit infantem eadem die circa horam

?written? vicar baptized infant this day about hour

undecimam mat??tinam natum et(est?) Joanne Fieg cive hujate

eleventh ??? born and(is) Joanne Fieg citizen of this town

et Catharina nata Broesthoefer Conjugibus legitimis hujies

and Catharina nee Broesthoefer wedded legitimate of this town

Parochia ?ui impositum est nomen Joannes Sebastianus,

parish ??? given is name Joannes Sebastianus,

Patrinus fuit Sebastianus Gre??er civis et ?scatrinus? hujas

godfather was Sebastianus Gre??er citizen and ??? of this town

ita testamur? proprea manu subscripti ego Josephus

thus witnessed? own hand written? I Josephus

Antonius Grossi? decanus et Parochus in Helmsheim.

Antonius Grossi? decon and Priest in Helmsheim.

baptizans Andreas Happel parochi vicarius.

baptized Andreas Happel of parish vicar

Pater: Johannus Fieg

Father: Johannus Fieg

Patrinus: ??? ???

Godfather: Sebastianus? Gre??er?

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¹ “Deutschland Geburten und Taufen, 1558-1898," FHL microfilm 1,051,463.

Jamboree 2015

I am home from spending a weekend at the Southern California Genealogical Society's annual Jamboree in Burbank. I really enjoy the Jamboree, there is so much energy in the air. The sessions are always great. I was able to attend excellent talks given by Jill Morelli, Thomas W. Jones, Dr. Michael D. Lacopo, Rev. David McDonald, Paula Stuart-Warren, Cyndi Ingle,  Michael Brophy, and Geoff Rasmussen. There were so many other sessions given by such excellent speakers as Lisa Alzo, Blaine Bettinger, Lisa Louise Cooke, Thomas MacEntee, George Morgan, Stephen Morse, Judy Russell, Craig R. Scott and Drew Smith, just to name a few.  Of course, there are always conflicting schedules and tough decisions to be made in choosing each session. They were all so terrific. My head is filled with many new ideas and research techniques to try.

At the Saturday night banquet Dr. Michael Lacopo was the speaker. He gave us his insights and some background information about his blog Hoosier Daddy at  http://roots4u.blogspot.com.  He then left us hanging with the words, “Stay tuned for more to come.” If you follow his blog, you know it is a narrative that has to be read from the very beginning and it lays out the many twists and turns in his genealogy research process to find his grandfather.

Although I was unable to attend the DNA day on Thursday,  I have heard from others that it was a terrific success also. 

One of my best impressions about Jamboree is the excitement, yet there is also an air of casualness. It is important to set aside some time to socialize. Everyone seems relaxed and just enjoys talking about genealogy and being together. Of course, it is always fun to catch up with old friends and meet new people.

I highly recommend going to the Jamboree. Thank you to the organizers and volunteers who put in a lot of work and hours for this event! Everyone leaves looking forward to returning the next year.

Naturalization Research

Recently I have been researching my husband's German lines. I sent to Ohio for Naturalization records. The Cuyahoga County Archives Department (http://publicworks.cuyahogacounty.us/en-US/archives-research-form.aspx) has an online form to fill out requesting copies of records. They have many categories of interest to genealogists such as marriage license applications, birth, death and estate case files. I am just starting with naturalizations.

I received two records, one of my husband's great grandfather Joseph and the other, Joseph's brother, Sebastian :

Joseph Feig:

Transcription:

In the Probate Court, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Oct 13^th 1873

This day came Joseph Feig an alien, and a native of Germany, a free white person, and proved to the satisfaction of the Court, that he made in The Probate Court of Cuyahoga County, Ohio more that two years ago, the requisite Declaration of Intention to become a Citizen of the United States; and also, at the same time, came Philip Hickey and being duly sworn, did depose and say, that the said Feig has resided in the United States for five years last past, that he has resided one year last past in the State of Ohio, and that during all that time he has behaved as a man of good moral character, attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States, and well disposed to the good order and happiness of the same.

And thereupon the said Feig made solemn oath that he will support the Constitution of the United States, and that he doth absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to every Foreign Prince, Potentate, State of Sovereignty whatsoever, and particularly all allegiance and fidelity to William II Emperor whose subject he was.

Whereupon it was ordered by the Court, that a Certificate of Citizenship be issued to him on payment of the costs of this application.

Sebastian Feig:

Transcription:

In the Probate Court, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Nov. 7 1864

This day came Sebastian Feig an alien, and a native of Baden, a free white person, and proved to the satisfaction of the Court, that he made in the Dist. Court of the United States for the Northern Dist of Ohio more that two years ago, the requisite Declaration of this Intention to become a Citizen of the United States; and also, at the same time, came George Finley and being duly sworn, did depose and say, that the said Sebastian Feig has resided in the United States for five years last past, that he has resided one year, last past, in the State of Ohio, and that during all that time he has behaved as a man of good moral character attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States, and well disposed to the good order and happiness of the same.,

And thereupon the said Sebastian Feig made solemn oath that he will support the Constitution of the United States, and that he doth absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to every Foreign Prince, Potentate, State or Sovereignty whatsoever, and particularly all allegiance and fidelity to the Grand Duke of Baden whose subject he was.

Whereupon it was ordered by the Court, that a Certificate of Citizenship be issued to him on payment of the costs of this application.

As a genealogist, it is of note that the names on the certificates are consistently spelled Feig, whereas the current surname spelling is Fieg.  These different spellings are indicative of a common problem for genealogists and raises some doubt as to the actual original surname.

Even though these are basic certificate forms, it is interesting to see who was in power in Germany at the time. It is also fun to think about how each of these men might have felt receiving their certificates. It is exciting for me to see this glimpse of family history.

Spanish American War

The Spanish American War began in 1898 between the United States and Spain. Fighting actually began in 1895 as Cuba struggled for independence from Spanish rule. U.S. military intervention occurred after the U.S. battleship Maine mysteriously sank in Havana harbor on Feb 15, 1898. On Dec 10, 1898 the Treaty of Paris was signed and the Spanish American War ended.¹

My Spanish American War ancestor is:  My grandfather Warren Davis Wood

Warren D Wood enrolled on 25 Apr 1898 in the 2^nd Arkansas Volunteer infantry Company C.² At that time he was a single man, age 21 and a laborer in Jonesboro, Craighead Co., Arkansas. His father, F.M. Wood was listed as a contact person. Warren was a Private and a Musician.

 

                Do you have any ancestors who were in the Spanish-American War?

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¹ “Spanish-American War”, Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia, (Wikimedia Foundation Inc.)

² "NARA," database, Fold3 , Indexes to the Carded Records of Soldiers Who Served in Volunteer Organizations During the Spanish-American War; NARA M871, roll 0124, State of Arkansas

Rhode Island

I just returned from a trip to Providence, Rhode Island where I attended NERGC 2015 (New England Regional Genealogical Consortium 2015). This year broke all attendance records and was a huge success. It was great to attend sessions by knowledgeable speakers and to make friends with geneabloggers that I follow. It was also good for me to learn more about New England research and resources. After the conference, I was fortunate to have extra days for researching.

I was able to go to the Clifton Burying Ground in Newport, Rhode Island.  Although I couldn't find a tombstone with the name of my ancestor Thomas Clifton, it was a thrill to be on the grounds.  

Another cemetery that I visited was the Common Burying Ground in Newport, Rhode Island. There I found  the tombstone of Katharin Ayars, my 8th great grandmother. The day was cold, windy and raining so finding the stone, though a challenge, was very special. 

Katherin was born in November 1642 in Cambridge, England to Robert and Marie Taylor.  She married Robert Ayars in St. Marylebone Church, Marlebone, London, England on 24 Oct 1672.

There is little information about their passage to America or their early years in the colonies.

Katherin died 22 Feb 1684 and was buried in the Common Burying Ground on Fairwell Street in Newport, Rhode Island. 

Transcript:

HERE LYETH BURIED

Y BODY OF KATHARIN

AYARS WIFE TO

ROBERT AYARS AGED

42 YEARS DEPARTED

THIS LIFE Y 22

DAY OF FEBRUARY

1 6 8 4

Ten generations later, I was humbled and proud to stand nearby to honor Katharin Ayars, my immigrant ancestor.

Battle of Picacho Pass

Picacho Peak is a landmark formation located on I-10 about half way between Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona. Most travelers today think of it as an interesting feature as they drive between the two cities and  many know little of the significance of this famous peak.  Besides hiking trails, picnic ramadas, and spring flowers, the State Park is also known for it's Civil War memorial. Every year in March there is a re-enactment of the Battle of Picacho Pass. This year reenactments took place on March 21 and 22.

Although this battle was only a skirmish, it has the distinction of being the western-most battle in the American Civil War. 

On August 1, 1861 the Confederate Army declared the entire New Mexico Territory for the Confederacy. By February 28, 1862 Tucson became the most western point in the Confederate Empire secured by Captain Sherrod Hunter.

In reaction to the Confederate seizure of the Southwestern Territories, Union General James Carleton and his volunteers, called the California Column, were moved from Fort Yuma in California towards Tucson across hundreds of miles of the Sonoran desert.

Hunter, with a small band of Confederates, was moving north out of Tucson when they met up with Union Lt. James Barrett who led a group of Union scouts sent ahead to reconnoiter the route into Tucson for the California cavalry.

The California Column, under Lt. James Barrett had reached an area near present day Casa Grande, Arizona by early April. On April 15, this detachment of Barrett's First California Cavalry met up with Hunter's men at Picacho Pass. The Confederates were waiting in ambush, but the Union cavalry had split into two groups, part of the group circling the dangerous ambush area.

The Union men were fired upon by the Confederacy and the other Union force came up behind the skirmish and captured three of Hunters' men. Lieutenant James Barrett was killed almost immediately along with four other Union soldiers who were killed or wounded. The battle continued until the Union cavalry withdrew to join the main body of the California Column to the north. By the time Carleton's California troops arrived in Tucson, Captain Hunter's Confederates were outnumbered and they were too far from the main Confederate army on the Rio Grande to receive supplies or reinforcements. Captain Hunters' retreating army faced repeated attacks by the Apaches as they made their way back to the Rio Grande River. By May 27, 1862, the Confederate invasion of Arizona ended.

Meet Dave Robison

The 13^th New England Regional Genealogical Conference (NERGC) will be held in Providence, Rhode Island, April 15-18 2015. Their theme this year is “Navigating the Past: Sailing into the Future”. I was excited to interview Dave Robison, a speaker at this years conference. He is a regular panelist on “Mondays with Myrt” so I already felt like I knew him pretty well. In our conversations for this interview, he did not disappoint. He is friendly, knowledgeable, entertaining, enthusiastic, organized, active, busy, and has a great sense of humor.

1.  What first got you interested in genealogy?

      I grew up in Massachusetts and have always had an affinity with history.  For example, the “50 years ago today” column in the newspaper was particularly fascinating to me even when I was 8 or 9 years old.  But when it came to family…and I overheard plenty of juicy stories…my father and my mother held to the same mantra: “What you don’t know won’t hurt you!”  Well, they’re both gone and I now know even more than they ever could have possibly known!  Yes there are skeletons that are best left in the closet! Yet after recording interviews with about a dozen aunts, uncles and cousins there are far more stories that I’m glad to share rather than hide.  For example, one of my great aunts who was 82 years old when I visited with her around 2001 or so in Alabama, admitted to me that she, in fact, was the one who painted the neighbor’s cat blue and let her younger sister take the blame when they were 9 and 8 respectively.  Great story, Aunt Sarah…glad you shared!  I wish I could get a follow-up interview!  But that’ll have to wait….a long time, I hope!

2.  You are Vice President of the Western Massachusetts Genealogical Society and president of the New England Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists.  You also lecture, teach and do client work for your company Old Bones Genealogy of New England.  How do you find time to do your own genealogy research?

       I love to see the look on people’s faces when they learn how to efficiently conduct a research project, break through a “brick wall,” or simply find camaraderie with other budding genealogists.  Of course, I also love to bring a client a completed report that will give them insights into what we’re all looking for.  Namely, where did we come from.  Or, like the TLC program says, “Who Do You Think You Are?”  So my schedule has to be structured so that I can dedicate my time to the highest priority on a daily basis.   My problem is judging which project is actually the highest priority!  I should also candidly admit that one of my priorities is to stick to the schedule! Monday mornings are devoted to ProGen, then noontime is, as you know, “Mondays with Myrt.” Then I’ll do either some client research or touch up a presentation that may be scheduled.  Monday night is “Family Dinner Night.”  Not a big crowd but a great crowd! Tuesday through Friday I have other activities “scheduled.” It works, some of the time!  I’m just not disciplined enough to stay 100% on track. Maybe you can help me with that.

3.  Technology and the internet have had great influences on genealogy research over the years.  You are speaking at NERGC about search strategies. Without giving away your lecture, what one idea would you suggest to the researchers who might be overwhelmed with so many potential sources of information?
       Technology is by its very nature, a moving target.  But sorting through all the internet “noise,” I strongly recommend to everyone to start with Google.  And not just the conventional Google, but Google Advanced search.  Go to the Google homepage and look in the lower right corner for “Settings.” Click that link to open the menu and click on “Advanced search.”  It doesn’t make the search difficult.   On the contrary, it guides you through a structure that shows you how to craft your search.  Crafting on-line research is an art rather than a science. I could expound on the principles here, but the response would be too long to print!  I guess you’ll just have to attend session S-321 at NERGC! But I have to stress one more point: DO NOT TRY TO FILL IN EVERY SINGLE SEARCH FIELD WITH EVERY TIDBIT OF MINUTIAE!!  First, speeling duzn’t cownt….really, it duzn’t!  Then, don’t believe everything you read.  Question EVERYTHING!

4.  You are actively involved in generating interest in genealogy on many levels.  Can you give any ideas on how you would get younger generations involved as well?

      Younger generations don’t want to hear about the 7^th cousin of their 4^th great uncle’s wife’s son-in-law 3 times removed.  YAWN!! Find a real story.  As I say in some of my beginner’s classes, you have to pull the person out of the paperwork.  Find out if that 7^th cousin, etc worked on the railroad, helped build a bridge,  raced cars, served in the Civil War, invented something, was a merchant marine or, and this is the best, was a criminal, that’ll get their attention!  Truthfully, one of the easiest ancestors to research are what Judy G. Russell refers to as “Rogues, Rascals and Rapscallions.”  Their names are probably spread out all over the newspapers, police arrest records, court records, a census taken when they were in jail….and the list goes on.  Approach the Boys Scouts and the Girl Scouts.  They have merit badges in Genealogy!  I never knew that until last year.  I’m waiting for a beginner’s class that can be scheduled at a mutually convenient time with some of the troops around here.

5.  Tell us a little about yourself.  What do you do in your spare time?  Hobbies, interests, etc.?
       Question number 5 refers to “spare time.”  Can I get a definition on that!!  But honestly, we have grandchildren that are a blessing to see and watch grow, we are homeowners so there’s always plenty of fixing up and gardening.  I’m not really all that good at either, but I try.  My wife and I really enjoy going to Red Sox games, hockey games, and an occasional basketball game, finding a really good restaurant and I support my wife’s activities at church.  I think she’s on just about every committee you can think of!  And sometimes we just take a long ride and see where we end up.  You may not consider this a spare time activity, but I’ve also become the accidental program committee for Western Massachusetts Genealogical Society.  We intermingle live speakers or activities with Google Hangout presentations with live, interactive virtual programs. We’ve had some very “big name” genealogists such as Dick Eastman, Maureen Taylor, “Dear Myrtle” alias Pat Richley-Erickson and in February, Judy G Russell. 

Passionate about Childhood Literacy

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Christine Sharbrough, librarian, researcher, writer and artist. She will be speaking at the New England Regional Genealogical Conference (NERGC 2015) in Providence, Rhode Island in April.

Christine holds a Master's degree in Library and Information Science with a concentration in Archival Studies and a Bachelor's degree with a dual major of Art History and Legal Studies. She is a Certified Genealogist(sm) and a contracted genealogical researcher for ProGenealogists in Salt Lake City, Utah. Christine is the Head of Readers' Services at the Chelmsford Public Library, and a Christian Fiction Columnist for Library Journal. Christine enjoys painting, running, yoga and being with her family.

When did you start doing family history research?
       I am the 5th generation female to inherit the family history.  I learned at my grandmother's knee as they say, way back in 1983.​ 

What inspired you to get into genealogy?
       I love history.  My first set of books were children's encyclopedias and I pored over them for hours soaking up info like a sponge.  Inquisitive by nature, I spent many hours listening to the stories in my family and writing them down.  When I was older, I began to try and prove what I had heard. ​ 

You have been doing family research for many years, do you have any words of wisdom to the beginner  genealogist?​
       Talk to your family.  Records will be there, but family die and their memories go with them.  The other thing is not to be afraid or intimidated.  Genealogists love to talk about family history, try going up to someone and starting a chat.  I did that with Tony Burroughs a few NERGC's back and learned a ton about African American history.  He even introduced me to Sonia Bontemps who became a friend until her death about two years later.  Her father-in-law and Langston Hughes were very close.  So, as you can imagine, we had much to talk about - he's my favorite writer ever. 

As a librarian working with children, how do you encourage them to spend more time reading and less time playing games on their electronic devices?
       I think it all comes down to balance.  The thing that electronic games provide is fun.  ​Kids are lectured all day at school, more lecturing out of school is really not what they want to do. You need to bring history home to them.  For example, I have colonial relatives in North Carolina.  Am I going to bring my kids in telling them about how it was settled or the crops they produced?  Nope.  Snooze-a-roo.  Instead, I tell them that our ancestors lived at the time of Blackbeard the pirate!  He lived and sailed right near where the family resided.  Show them a picture of him with his smoking hat and long beard.  They're hooked.  

      As far as the librarian piece, ​working in a public library, it is not my job to tell them what they can and cannot do.  Unlike schools, public libraries are not in loco parentis.  However, I may suggest some books on the strategy of Minecraft, or perhaps adventure stories for those children who love a good adventure show.  You would be surprised how many books are of interest to children.  Many mirror shows on TV, movies, games, etc.  Pretty soon, they're learning all sorts of things.  

Can you give us one idea that would inspire younger generations to become more involved with family history?

​      If the parents are involved, the kids will be involved.  If the parents are excited about something , usually it piques the kids interest.  I believe that family can really have an impact on what is passed on to children.  For example, I have Rev War ancestors, when we attend the parade in Arlington, MA (formerly Menotomy) and the reenactment on Lexington Green and the Jason Russell House, I tell the kids that our family was THERE...and they lived to tell about it!  Imagine the stories!  What do you think they thought?  Etc.  It puts a whole different spin on things.

War of 1812 pension file – Abraham Badgley

I was looking into the War of 1812 pension files and was fortunate to be able to find a record for my ancestor, Abraham Badgley.¹

There is so much information on this one small form.

Soldier: Abraham Badgley
Widow: Cyntha A Badgley

Bounty Lands: 37814 40 50, 65698 120 55
Service: Pvt Captain Short's Co., Ill. mil
Date Enlisted: 3 Sep 1812
Date Discharged: 13 Nov 1812
Residence of Soldier: 1851, 1855 St. Clair Co., Ill
Residence of Widow: 1880 Iuka, Marion Co., Ill
Maiden name of Widow: Cynthia A.
Marriage Date: 7 Sep 1851 
Death of soldier: 7 Mar 1857, St. Clair Co., Ill
Soldier's Death Place: St Clair Co Ill
Widow's Death Date: abt 1881
Pension Number - #1: WO 39437
Pension Number - #2: WC 30293

This form is page one of 29 pages of documents about Abraham and his wife Cynthia.

There has been a huge push to collect money for the War of 1812 Pension Digitization Project. There are 7.2 million pages to be digitized and, so far, half of that amount has been completed. These documents are the most requested at the National Archives and it is so important that these fragile documents be digitized and made available free to everyone.

The Federation of Genealogical Societies has partnered with Ancestry.com, Fold3 and the National Archives to preserve these documents. Ancestry.com is matching every dollar donation.  Fold3 is making them available as soon as they are digitized.

Besides being a wealth of information for genealogists, these documents are a valuable piece of  American history.

If you think you have ancestors who were in the War of 1812, the current digitized records can be found free on Fold3 (Fold3.com). If you want to find all your ancestors who fought in the War of 1812 help to donate to Preserve the Pensions War of 1812 (http://www.preservethepensions.org).

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^1. Abraham Badgley “War of 1812 Pension Files,” database and images, Fold3 (www.fold3.com/image 280435761); citing War of 1812 Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application Files, compiled ca. 1871-1900, documenting the period 1812-ca 1900, Record Group 15, National Archived, Washington, D.C.

Home from Rootstech 2015

The Rootstech 2015 conference has ended. While we all return home with blurry eyes and weary bodies we look back at last week with smiling hearts. It was a hectic time, so much to do and see, so many people to meet and greet. I am grateful to have connected with so many and sorry to have missed a few people I was looking forward to meeting. Hard to believe but I just ran out of time!

Before the start of the conference I spent two days in the Family History Library. I was well prepared with my list of films, books and websites to search. I am pleased to say that I had terrific success, however many of my films are old records in German so this will take me some time to decipher.

This year Rootstech combined with FGS (the Federation of Genealogical Societies) which made the venue HUGE. I attended several FGS sessions. There is always something new to learn and I came away from each session with notes and new ideas to try. I hope you have the opportunity to catch some of the streamed sessions. It will give you a good idea of the quality of the many classes. The Expo Hall was larger than last year and it was fun to see the familiar displays and also inquire at some companies that were new to me. The opening sessions were inspiring. Each keynote speaker seemed to be able to make the audience of over 20,000 people feel like part of a united and intimate community.

It was so much fun to connect with people I had met before. I was also fortunate to be able to become friends with those I had only known through their blogs and small avatar pictures.  I especially cherish the friendships made with some beautiful women from Australia and the UK. You know, genealogist are such wonderful people!  We all have the same wonderful inquisitiveness, friendliness, and dedication. When meeting new people I found we already had a common bond of friendship.

I hope, if you didn't get a chance to go to Rootstech this year that you get the opportunity go to a future conference. You will come home physically and mentally weary, but so very happy to have had the opportunity to learn new ideas and make some wonderful friends.

Rootstech 2015

The Rootstech/FGS 2015 conference is next week on Feb 11 in Salt Lake City. I was fortunate to go to my first Rootstech conference last year and I am looking forward to my first FGS conference this time. I am also anxious to see past acquaintances and meet new friends.

Rootstech can be overwhelming with so many people, classes and vendors. I missed a lot of classes last year because I wasn't prepared for alternatives or I just lost track of time. I was amazed by the busy Expo Hall. Besides the opportunities to visit with so many vendors, I really enjoyed the shorter talks presented on the small stage inside the Hall. These half hour “introductions” gave me so much information about a product or technique. This year I am looking forward to attending more class sessions and following new speakers. Of course, as always, there are so many classes available and conflicting decisions to be made. Now that I know what to expect, I hope I can balance my time better and be more prepared.

Like everyone else, I can't travel to Salt Lake City without spending a few days at the Family History Library. I have already prepared my lists of microfilms, books, and websites I want to research. I usually tend to “over do” my lists, so if I can accomplish even half, I will be happy. One thing to expect is the large number of people who are also going to be doing research in the library next week. Even though this is the busiest time of year in the library, I always rely on the competent and friendly staff to answer questions and help.

Are you going to the Rootstech/FGS conference? Have you studied the class lists and chosen your favorites? Are you going to the Family History Library? Have you prepared for your research?

Don't forget to wear comfortable shoes, dress in layers for the varying degrees of temperatures, and bring your energy.

I will see you there!

A New Land

One of my immigrant ancestors is Gepke Janssen Smit Wessels. She is my 2^nd Great Grandmother. She was a woman whose husband, Heije Renken Wessels¹, had died in Germany in 1854. Two of her sons had also died at a young age in Germany. She left her homeland, memories, and life as she knew it in Neermoor, Ostfriesland, Germany and came to America in 1860 at the age of 56. She traveled on the ship Bremen with her four youngest children. As indicated on the Passenger list, she traveled under the name of her husband, Heye Wessels and her children are enumerated: Jantjen, 18, m, farmer; Jana, 16, female; Gretje 13, female; and Gerd 13, male.²

When she arrived in Illinois, Gepke was able to live on farmland with her family in German Valley, Winnebago Co. Her four older children had come separately to the area earlier. She lived in Illinois for about three years before moving to Timbercreek Township, Marshall Co., Iowa. In her lifetime, she was able to see her children marry and begin their families in a new land.

Laurel Methodist Cemetery is a small cemetery amid the cornfields in Laurel, Marshall Co., Iowa. Here lies the grave of Gepke Janssen Smit Wessels, 1803-1872.

It is so humbling to stand before an old tombstone of an ancestor and reflect. Thinking about who might have come to gather around there for the burial. Who has visited since? How many descendants have come from that one person? How many have made the pilgrimage to the site to pay their respects?

Well done, Gepke, well done.

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¹ Thorsten Harms, editor,  (Die Familien der evangelisch-reformeirten Gemeinde Neermoor (1669-1900), Emden, Germany. T. Harms 2007), p1280, #4965.

² "New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957" (Ancestry.com. New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.), Year: 1860; Arrival: New York, New York; Microfilm Serial: M237; Microfilm Roll: 206; Line: 12; List Number: 1086.

Welcome!!

I first started doing genealogy research many years ago when a cousin gave me her hand written scribbles of census's pieces. I took on the challenge and discovered microfilm readers.

What a surprise to discover that with each “find” I was led to more names and places. This was getting fun. Awhile later I branched out in my research, writing letters, going to courthouses, visiting cemeteries and any place else where I could find the tiniest bit of information.

Cemeteries, ahhh, I was on a mission. I loved the beauty, the search and the ultimate discovery of tombstones. Courthouses were a joy. I wasn't even experienced enough to look farther than the item I wanted, it was still fun. Each courthouse was run a little differently but still the same. What an exciting moment to open those large books filled with handwritten information. And the people! Along the way on my journey, I met so many wonderful people, and made so many terrific friends.

My searches grew and grew. Of course, when I lived in Illinois, my searching was needed in California and Washington State, and once I moved to Arizona, I found that most of my research was in Illinois. Isn't that always the way!

Over the years, my “few” family members became hundreds, my searching states became many and even reached to Germany and the UK. Research and documentation have changed with the times and my skills have honed as I continue to learn. I love the tools on the internet, yet still favor personal visits to courthouses and cemeteries and societies.

I have learned patience. Often times the answer takes years but the time factor makes the victory so much better. It is humbling to compare my life to that of pioneers and early settlers.  I have learned regret that I found some information too late to share with the one person who would have loved it. I have learned the humility of being one person in a long line of people, each special in his own way. I have learned so much history as it came alive with my research. I have learned hope, that our grandchildren and their families will find an appreciation of their family history.

I enjoy this adventure and hope to share some of it with you. Welcome to my blog. I am excited to begin this new journey of writing about examining and researching genealogy.