I'm hoping that things are about to return to normal with postings. The filing is complete and the folders are alphabetized. I'll need to separate direct line family folders from collateral line family folders. But that is for another day.
Each family folder will eventually be better organized, but for now, I want to see what I can find online for families with limited information collected on them. My ACIE and ADAM families are first up.
See, I'm starting with the A's! 😏
Wednesday, May 30, 2018
Tuesday, May 29, 2018
Scots Prisoners from Battle of Dunbar
Episode 1 of WDYTYA on TLC dealt with Jon Cryer's ancestor being among the prisoners taken by Cromwell at Dunbar in 1650. I was hoping for some new insights into my ancestor, Malcolm MacCallum, who was also among those Scots sent to the Saugus / Lynn Iron Works.
There were some interesting details on the battle itself, but no new details on the prisoners themselves. Malcolm did get screen time. His name followed that of Cryer's on the list of Scots who founded the Scots Relief Organization in 1657
Sigh!
There were some interesting details on the battle itself, but no new details on the prisoners themselves. Malcolm did get screen time. His name followed that of Cryer's on the list of Scots who founded the Scots Relief Organization in 1657
Sigh!
Thursday, May 17, 2018
Searching Find A Grave
As I mentioned in the last post, Find A Grave is a good site for family history research. If an ancestor makes it to the site, you may find a photo of the grave, biographical information, scans of documents ranging from birth certificates to deeds to news articles. Parents, spouses, siblings and children may be listed. If they have memorial pages of their own, links are provided.
As with any genealogy-related site, Find A Grave is subject to errors. If you use the information, verify it. Many contributors rely on the research of others for their biographies. "Others" can be wrong!
One of the more interesting memorials is that for Quakers James and Mary Wright. The memorial presents an argument over the maiden name of Mary Wright's maiden name. Early researchers claimed she was a Davis. Later, Bowater was accepted. Now Davis is regaining steam. Then again neither one may be correct.
If you use the photos from a memorial to enhance your research, be sure to credit the person who contributed them!
As with any genealogy-related site, Find A Grave is subject to errors. If you use the information, verify it. Many contributors rely on the research of others for their biographies. "Others" can be wrong!
One of the more interesting memorials is that for Quakers James and Mary Wright. The memorial presents an argument over the maiden name of Mary Wright's maiden name. Early researchers claimed she was a Davis. Later, Bowater was accepted. Now Davis is regaining steam. Then again neither one may be correct.
If you use the photos from a memorial to enhance your research, be sure to credit the person who contributed them!
Tuesday, May 15, 2018
Searching for information on cemetery record sites
There are a handful of "cemetery sites" available to genealogy researchers, Find A Grave Interrment.net and Billion Graves are three that I am familiar with.
Numerous cemetery indexes are available on their own web pages. Some even offer images of burial permits or other records. Most have monument inscriptions or birth/death dates available. Genweb offers cemetery info on some county pages.
Find A Grave is the site I am most familiar with. Frequently, biographical information, photos, death certificates, obits are made available by contributors. These are especially good finds when made available.
As is the case with death certificates, the biographical info is only as good as the knowledge of the informant [contributor]. Verify the biographical information! Errors are possible.
My immediate plan is to search Find A Grave for ancestors and to see what I've missed in the way of documents and photographs.
Numerous cemetery indexes are available on their own web pages. Some even offer images of burial permits or other records. Most have monument inscriptions or birth/death dates available. Genweb offers cemetery info on some county pages.
Find A Grave is the site I am most familiar with. Frequently, biographical information, photos, death certificates, obits are made available by contributors. These are especially good finds when made available.
As is the case with death certificates, the biographical info is only as good as the knowledge of the informant [contributor]. Verify the biographical information! Errors are possible.
My immediate plan is to search Find A Grave for ancestors and to see what I've missed in the way of documents and photographs.
Monday, May 14, 2018
Filing wrap-up
I have 28 years worth of material filed- almost. I need another dozen file folders to complete the job. It was a long, arduous job, but I'm glad it's done.
Drumming home the same message once again...
Get your files organized and keep them updated!
Drumming home the same message once again...
Get your files organized and keep them updated!
Friday, May 11, 2018
More filing, R-W,.including the Simmons family files.
P surnames accomplished. I don't think Puddin the cat appreciates the genealogy files all over his pool table. Hopefully, I can wrap things up today. The S surnames will take awhile, courtesy the Simmons family.
It's amazing how for years you can find information on 2-3 generations, then a breakthrough connects you several more generations.
Such was the case with the Simmonsclan. I had details on Mima Simmons Crail, her parents John T. and Edith [Crousore] Simmons and a bit on grandparents James M. and Hester Jane [Moore] Simmons.
Finding a series of undocumented pedigree charts online opened up all sorts of possibilities. I followed up on James Morris Simmons vital stats and tracked down his death certificate in Carroll Co., IN. James was buried in Howard Co., as was Hester. As a result, I had incorrectly assumed hr died there. James' parents were listed as John W. and Dolly Simmons. The charts showed Dolly as a Jennison.
I took this info to Salt Lake. I confirmed Dolly as a Jennison right off with a letter she wrote to one of her sisters in 1860. I was able to add to the Simmons family as well.
Mima, John T., James M., John W., John Jr. and John Sr. [the immigrant] made up my Simmons line. I'm fairly confident in another three generation back in England.
Most of my research focused on locating deeds, probate, birth, marriage and death records to confirm the data on the pedigree charts. This was very successful.
My biggest regret was that the heirs of the gentleman who generated the carts would not allow the research company that assisted him to share anything beyond a pedigree chart for "Morris James Simmons."
It's amazing how for years you can find information on 2-3 generations, then a breakthrough connects you several more generations.
Such was the case with the Simmonsclan. I had details on Mima Simmons Crail, her parents John T. and Edith [Crousore] Simmons and a bit on grandparents James M. and Hester Jane [Moore] Simmons.
Finding a series of undocumented pedigree charts online opened up all sorts of possibilities. I followed up on James Morris Simmons vital stats and tracked down his death certificate in Carroll Co., IN. James was buried in Howard Co., as was Hester. As a result, I had incorrectly assumed hr died there. James' parents were listed as John W. and Dolly Simmons. The charts showed Dolly as a Jennison.
I took this info to Salt Lake. I confirmed Dolly as a Jennison right off with a letter she wrote to one of her sisters in 1860. I was able to add to the Simmons family as well.
Mima, John T., James M., John W., John Jr. and John Sr. [the immigrant] made up my Simmons line. I'm fairly confident in another three generation back in England.
Most of my research focused on locating deeds, probate, birth, marriage and death records to confirm the data on the pedigree charts. This was very successful.
My biggest regret was that the heirs of the gentleman who generated the carts would not allow the research company that assisted him to share anything beyond a pedigree chart for "Morris James Simmons."
Thursday, May 10, 2018
Filing progress
Well, I have managed to get through the L surnames. Anoyher block should get wrapped up today. I'm shooting for M-R, although there are a lot of Prall folders.
Several new folders are being generated as I previously mentioned.
As I've gone through folders, I have come across notes and documents that I had totally forgotten about. That alone is reason to check your files every so often as a refresher.
Keep up with what you have in some manner, it will save you time and extra work in the long run.
Several new folders are being generated as I previously mentioned.
As I've gone through folders, I have come across notes and documents that I had totally forgotten about. That alone is reason to check your files every so often as a refresher.
Keep up with what you have in some manner, it will save you time and extra work in the long run.
Monday, May 7, 2018
Filing Day!
Sorry didn't mean to scare anyone into thinking taxes were due again.⇎😀 More genealogy filing today.
Once I get done, about another week or so, files will need to be revisited to see what info hasn't made it into the software program and then I may attempt to do some indexing of the files, so that I know what is in each one.
All of this stuff that I am talking about, do when you get started!😥 Save yourself a lot of time and pet interference!
Once I get done, about another week or so, files will need to be revisited to see what info hasn't made it into the software program and then I may attempt to do some indexing of the files, so that I know what is in each one.
All of this stuff that I am talking about, do when you get started!😥 Save yourself a lot of time and pet interference!
Thursday, May 3, 2018
Filing Fun
I began the work on yjr file folders and managed to almost get through surnames A-C. The Crail files are undergoing some major reorganization.New folders for family groups and individuals are needed. Census and vital records may get separate folders as well.
The Crail papers also received a cat visit.
Once the Crail files are done, D-G will be the next target.,
The Crail papers also received a cat visit.
Once the Crail files are done, D-G will be the next target.,
Tuesday, May 1, 2018
Phase 2 complete!
Surprisingly enough. I was aable to get through the alphabetizing of the papers, documents and notes! That even included a visit from Puddin, who curled up on a pile of papers in my lap for about 15 minutes.
Next up, matching papers to existing files and generating new folders as needed along the way.
Trust me folks... keep up with filing and organizing on a short schedule as you go.It will save LOTS of time.
Next up, matching papers to existing files and generating new folders as needed along the way.
Trust me folks... keep up with filing and organizing on a short schedule as you go.It will save LOTS of time.
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