Although it's a bit belated, I wanted to pay a brief tribute to three terrific people who have since passed.
August 23rd marked the 76th wedding anniversary of my parents, Hugh Prall & Ruthjane McHugh. They were great parents. I think they did a pretty fair job of raising their only kid. Both grew up in Indy and once they got me through college and into the work force, they were off to retirement in Florida. One or both were at all of my Little League games. Mom was a den mother for Cub Scouts, manned the concession stand for several Little League games and taught me to bowl. Pop saw me through math classes in Jr. High and High school, shot baskets and played catch. We went to a slew of Indians and Reds games over the years. There were annual vacations to Florida and one to California. Mom handled the paperwork for my Dad's business, bowled, golfed, volunteered at th hospital and was a pretty good artist. She saw to it that I got through ceramics, charcoal and oil classes to improve my art skills. Pop ran a very successful tool and die shop and saw me through my teens!
August 25th would have been Mom's 95th birthday. It would have also been my Pop's mother's 131st. Grandma was the #1 babysitter for me and was an all-around wonderful person. I still remember the last Christmas present she got me, a really nice dinosaur set!
Sunday, August 28, 2016
Saturday, August 27, 2016
My new Virginia folks
I have several new Virginia families that I am working on with ties to my Land family. They were based in the Lower Norfolk and Princess Anne Co. area before the Lands headed to the Carolinas and Kentucky.
The families are Land, Keeling, Bonney, McClanahan, Moore, Thorowgood and Buchanan - so far. As you may have gathered from my previous two posts, they are a frustrating lot!
Online trees with documentation are helping, those without are confusing the issue. Then again, some with documentation aren't helping either!
Wish me luck!
The families are Land, Keeling, Bonney, McClanahan, Moore, Thorowgood and Buchanan - so far. As you may have gathered from my previous two posts, they are a frustrating lot!
Online trees with documentation are helping, those without are confusing the issue. Then again, some with documentation aren't helping either!
Wish me luck!
Friday, August 26, 2016
Pet Peeves continue!
Aargh! As I continue to work on my "new Virginia ancestors," I seem to be spending more time explaining why somebody doesn't fit rather than adding him/her to the pedigree chart. I came across one that was a combination of two men - the possible father of my ancestor and another by the same name who was born 45 years later!
I know I've made some bonehead mistakes in my research, but it pays to check vital statistics befor assigning an identity to a given individual.
Hopefully, these Virginians will get easier to deal with. I guess I need to go to Virginia Beach or Salt Lake City!
I know I've made some bonehead mistakes in my research, but it pays to check vital statistics befor assigning an identity to a given individual.
Hopefully, these Virginians will get easier to deal with. I guess I need to go to Virginia Beach or Salt Lake City!
Thursday, August 25, 2016
Pet Peeve Time
It is once again time to vent! I am currently working on my Land family of Lower Norfolk & Princess Anne Cos., Virginia. Documentation is hard to come by on-line for this bunch. In generation #2, however, the will of Renatus Land is accessible - an extraction at least. Renatus gave the order of birth for his three sons [Renatus - eldest, Edward - 2nd, Robert - 3rd] & two daughters [Elizabeth - eldest & Ann]. Exactly where the girls fit in the birth order is up for grabs.
Without exception, undocumented trees offer 1665 as the marriage year for Renatus & Frances Keeling. Nearly every tree has Robert born in 1665 & Renatus, Edward & Elizabeth all born before 1665. Ann consistently is assigned a 1669 birth. That means a colonial Virginia family of the Anglican faith had three children out of wedlock & married the year the 4th child was born.
If the Lands married earlier, say 1655, the year before the birth of the 1st child, Frances, who was born about 1646, would have been 9 years old. No chance!
If 1665 was the marriage year, the Land babies would have started arriving about 1666, with subsequent arrivals about 1668, 1670, 1672 & 1674. So, a possible birth order could be Renatus [c1666], Edward [c1668], Elizabeth [c1670], Robert [c1672] & Ann [c1674]. The girls are the wildcards; they could fit in anywhere in the order.
Please!!! If you have even an estimated marriage year for a couple, make sure the dates of birth for the kids fit!
There is always the exception to the rule, but most babies - especially in colonial times - arrive after the parents tie the knot.
Without exception, undocumented trees offer 1665 as the marriage year for Renatus & Frances Keeling. Nearly every tree has Robert born in 1665 & Renatus, Edward & Elizabeth all born before 1665. Ann consistently is assigned a 1669 birth. That means a colonial Virginia family of the Anglican faith had three children out of wedlock & married the year the 4th child was born.
If the Lands married earlier, say 1655, the year before the birth of the 1st child, Frances, who was born about 1646, would have been 9 years old. No chance!
If 1665 was the marriage year, the Land babies would have started arriving about 1666, with subsequent arrivals about 1668, 1670, 1672 & 1674. So, a possible birth order could be Renatus [c1666], Edward [c1668], Elizabeth [c1670], Robert [c1672] & Ann [c1674]. The girls are the wildcards; they could fit in anywhere in the order.
Please!!! If you have even an estimated marriage year for a couple, make sure the dates of birth for the kids fit!
There is always the exception to the rule, but most babies - especially in colonial times - arrive after the parents tie the knot.
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
Genealogy Conferences
If you have the opportunity, attend a genealogy conferences. Many local genealogical and historical societies have an annual conference. State societies also offer annual conferences. The Federation of Genealogical Societies and the National Genealogical Society offer annual get-togethers as well. The New England Historic and Genealogical Society offers a variety of regional programs. Some state libraries will combine with local/state societies to put on a yearly program.
Most of the conferences will cover a three to five day period offering a variety of tracks covering different topics. Regional research, ethnic research, using a specific set of records, and technology are among the topics that might be on the schedule. Prominent national and local speakers are scheduled to present the topics.
One of the best features is the vending area! National and regional conferences generally offer a wider variety of vending options [local and national societies, book vendors, technology companies, software companies, etc.] State conferences tend to have a focus on county society booths.
A typical conference day:
[1] Vending open about 9:00.
[2] 1st session [maybe 3-5 tracts] from 9:15-10:15
[3] 2nd session from 11:00-12:00
[4] lunch from 12:00-1:30 [often with 2-3 society luncheons]
[5] 3rd session from 1:30-2:30
[6] 4th session from 2:45-3:45
[7] 5th session from 4:00-5:00
Other events: General opening session on 1st day, early opening for vendors on 1st day and conference banquet on final day. Research opportunities are available at local libraries, with extended hours offered. Special historical tours or programs may be offered as well.
A state or local conference might be best for your first venture. You should take in a national conference at least once. They generally move from one region of the country to another each year.
Check Cyndi's List for its conference page. Also check the FGS and NGS websites, as well as Ancestors.org for NEHGS programs.
Expense can be a concern. The conference and add-ons [banquet, special programs, etc.], hotel room, airfare or gas money, meals, vendor purchases can add up in a hurry, so plan your costs.
My conference list includes Orlando, Boston, Pittsburgh and Ft. Wayne. Ohio Gen. Society [Cincinnati, Toledo, Cleveland], Midwestern Roots in Indy [5x], NEHGS weekend conferences in Fort Myers and Sarasota.
I have been a speaker at OGS, Willard Library in Evansville, Salt Lake Institute, the Marion Co. Gen. Society, African American Gen. Group Conference and a few other county societies.
Also deserving of mention is the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy held each year in January. SLIG offers a week-long program focusing on one topic with some research opportunities available. Check out the Utah Gen. Association website for details. For the first time since 2001, I won't be attending due to the organizers dropping Problem Solving from the course offerings. Still, the courses offer good info and instructors are nationally renown.
Most of the conferences will cover a three to five day period offering a variety of tracks covering different topics. Regional research, ethnic research, using a specific set of records, and technology are among the topics that might be on the schedule. Prominent national and local speakers are scheduled to present the topics.
One of the best features is the vending area! National and regional conferences generally offer a wider variety of vending options [local and national societies, book vendors, technology companies, software companies, etc.] State conferences tend to have a focus on county society booths.
A typical conference day:
[1] Vending open about 9:00.
[2] 1st session [maybe 3-5 tracts] from 9:15-10:15
[3] 2nd session from 11:00-12:00
[4] lunch from 12:00-1:30 [often with 2-3 society luncheons]
[5] 3rd session from 1:30-2:30
[6] 4th session from 2:45-3:45
[7] 5th session from 4:00-5:00
Other events: General opening session on 1st day, early opening for vendors on 1st day and conference banquet on final day. Research opportunities are available at local libraries, with extended hours offered. Special historical tours or programs may be offered as well.
A state or local conference might be best for your first venture. You should take in a national conference at least once. They generally move from one region of the country to another each year.
Check Cyndi's List for its conference page. Also check the FGS and NGS websites, as well as Ancestors.org for NEHGS programs.
Expense can be a concern. The conference and add-ons [banquet, special programs, etc.], hotel room, airfare or gas money, meals, vendor purchases can add up in a hurry, so plan your costs.
My conference list includes Orlando, Boston, Pittsburgh and Ft. Wayne. Ohio Gen. Society [Cincinnati, Toledo, Cleveland], Midwestern Roots in Indy [5x], NEHGS weekend conferences in Fort Myers and Sarasota.
I have been a speaker at OGS, Willard Library in Evansville, Salt Lake Institute, the Marion Co. Gen. Society, African American Gen. Group Conference and a few other county societies.
Also deserving of mention is the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy held each year in January. SLIG offers a week-long program focusing on one topic with some research opportunities available. Check out the Utah Gen. Association website for details. For the first time since 2001, I won't be attending due to the organizers dropping Problem Solving from the course offerings. Still, the courses offer good info and instructors are nationally renown.
Tuesday, August 23, 2016
Research Suggestions for "Newcomers"
I outlined the arrival of my ancestors from 1621 - 1852 for a few days. I thought maybe you "newcomers" [post-Civil War immigrants] might like some tips on research.
[1] Census records [federal and state] for 1870-1940.
[2] Birth records [indexes and digital images]
[3] Marriage records [indexes and digital images]
[4] Death and cemetery records [indexes and digital images]
[5] Naturalization records
[6] Immigration passenger lists
[7] Compiled genealogies, local histories, etc.
[8] Ellis Island website
[9] Military records
[10] "Home country" records
I've always been a bit envious of those folks whose ancestors arrived during the late 19th - early 20th century. A ton of records have been generated for the 1880s on. Naturalization papers and detailed immigration records, for example, would be wonderful resources to have for the late 1600s!
Note: For those of you who believe your ancestors came into the States through Ellis Island, be sure to check the date of arrival. You may need to check out Castle Garden. Ellis Island opened about 1892 [not sure on the exact year]. Castle Garden was its predecessor.
Also be aware that there were other ports of immigration on the Atlantic coast: Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Savannah, Galveston and others. Don't forget Canadian ports! If your people came in from the west, check LA, San Francisco and other Pacific coast ports.
[1] Census records [federal and state] for 1870-1940.
[2] Birth records [indexes and digital images]
[3] Marriage records [indexes and digital images]
[4] Death and cemetery records [indexes and digital images]
[5] Naturalization records
[6] Immigration passenger lists
[7] Compiled genealogies, local histories, etc.
[8] Ellis Island website
[9] Military records
[10] "Home country" records
I've always been a bit envious of those folks whose ancestors arrived during the late 19th - early 20th century. A ton of records have been generated for the 1880s on. Naturalization papers and detailed immigration records, for example, would be wonderful resources to have for the late 1600s!
Note: For those of you who believe your ancestors came into the States through Ellis Island, be sure to check the date of arrival. You may need to check out Castle Garden. Ellis Island opened about 1892 [not sure on the exact year]. Castle Garden was its predecessor.
Also be aware that there were other ports of immigration on the Atlantic coast: Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Savannah, Galveston and others. Don't forget Canadian ports! If your people came in from the west, check LA, San Francisco and other Pacific coast ports.
Monday, August 22, 2016
Catching up on research: You never know what you'll find!
I finally managed to sort through a pile of notes, documents and miscellaneous papers. Among the families I now get to work on are Land, Very, Twiss, Dally, Crail, Prall, Faucett, plus a few others.
I started going through the Land material and may have opened an interesting can of worms! I may be adding a few prominent Virginia families to the mmix - subject to solid documentation. They are mostly English in origin; although a Scottish couple could be factored in. Keeling and Thorowgood appear to be two of the more interesting families. Adam Thorowgood/Thoroughgood was a prominent early settler the colony. Thomas Keeling married his daughter, Ann.
The Jamestown Society page offers a few promising leads.
More when I update the families that needed additional research and upates.
I started going through the Land material and may have opened an interesting can of worms! I may be adding a few prominent Virginia families to the mmix - subject to solid documentation. They are mostly English in origin; although a Scottish couple could be factored in. Keeling and Thorowgood appear to be two of the more interesting families. Adam Thorowgood/Thoroughgood was a prominent early settler the colony. Thomas Keeling married his daughter, Ann.
The Jamestown Society page offers a few promising leads.
More when I update the families that needed additional research and upates.
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