Determining Place of Birth

Census records [1850-1940] can be a big help in identifying where family members were born, provided they [or the person providing the data] gave the correct place. I have seen two or three different birthplaces given for an individual in the census. The goal then becomes finding a record that verifies the correct birthplace.

Trying to locate records for earlier ancestors, those who died before 1850, can be a challenge. 1880-1930 censuses can help, if the enumerator gets the accurate information. Parents' birthplaces are given for those censuses. The same fallacy can occur as with 1850-1870. What if John Williams doesn't know for sure where his parents were born? Foreign born locations can be specific or general.
My ancestors born in Baden also gave Germany as place of birth.

Look for records [deeds, wills, taxes, etc.] that place a family member in a certain place at a certain time. If you have a family with 5 children born between 1770 and 1780, deeds and other records can narrow the kids' birthplaces.

John Williams buys land in Bucks Co., PA in 1769, 1772 and 1773. He sells the land in 1774. He then buys land in Frederick Co, VA in 1776. John's will is recorded there in 1788. Williams has the following children: John Jr. [b. 1768], Sarah [b. 1770], Ann [b. 1772], Samuel [b. 1775], Mary [b. 1777] and Joseph [b. 1779].

Deeds show him in Bucks Co. from 1769-1774 and Frederick Co. from 1776-1788. Sarah and Ann were probably born in Bucks Co.; while Mary and Joseph were born in Frederick Co. The 1769 deed may tell where John had lived prior to 1769, giving you John Jr.'s birthplace. As for Samuel? He may have been born in Bucks Co. or on the trip to Virginia. Keep digging!  

Family Tracking Census Charts

In yesterday's post, I had a variation of a family tracking chart to use with census records. I first ran into the charts at a genealogy conference a few years ago. It is easy to make up your own. Here are a couple of ideas.

(1) 1790 - 1840 chart #1: list the names of family members and their years of birth down the left side. Across the top, make a column for each census. Under each census list the age groups given for each year.You can mark each space for your family members.

(2) 1790 - 1840 chart #2: list names and births down the left. Across the top, list the census year. In each column write the age of the family member for that census. Mark the space for that person as they are located. [this was used in the post]

(3) 1850 -1940 chart: you can extend the charts above to include the later censuses or make new ones in the same format.

Beware of mistakes in the census records! Individuals or families may be missed or duplicated. The 1800-1840 census enumerators used "tick marks" or numbers under each age group. It was not uncommon for them to put a mark in the wrong column!

Tracking a Crail Family in the Census

Census records can be a valuable tool in tracking a family's movement and putting together a family group sheet. Case in point, the family of James Berry Crail.

The 1800-1840 censuses are flawed in that they do not list names of the family or ages. These records break the family down by age groups [5 or 10 year periods] for males, females and slaves. The head of the household is given.

The children of James and Margaret Crail began marrying during the 1830s. Only Margaret, the youngest, failed to marry. James [b. 1783] and Margaret [b. 1784/5] were married about 1808. So, the 1810 census would be the first to look at and 1840 the last. The children and their families should be listed by themselves from 1850 on. [Except for my James B. Jr., of course.

1810 Pendleton Co., KY - James Crale [3m 0-10] [1m 10-15] [1m 26-44] [1f 45+]
1820 Harrison Co., IN - James Crale [2m 0-10] [1m 10-15] [1m 26-44] [3f 0-10] [1f 10-15] [1f 26-44] [8m slaves under 14] The index left out the 1f 26-44, but that column was "ticked off" on the sheet.
1830 Washington Co., IN - James B. Crade [1m 5-9] [1m 10-14] [1m 15-19] [1m 20-29] [1m 40-49]
[1f 0-5] [1f 5-9] [1f 10-14] [1f 15-19] [1f 40-49]

1840 Shelby Co., IN - James B. Crail [1m 15-19] [1m 20-29] [1m 50-59] [1f 10-14] [1f 50-59]

We'll look at 1810 first. James should have been about 27 [b. 1783], Margaret 25/6 [b. 1784/5] and  James Jr. 1 [b. c1809]

Results? 3m 0-10, 1m 10-15, 1m 26-44, 1f 45+ Should be 1m 0-10 1m 26-44 1 f 26-44.
No explanation for the discrepancies, other than the enumerator misfired or other family members were living with the Crails.

From what I have pieced together, the known family of James and Margaret was as follows: [*accounted for in census]

name             est. born 1820 1830 1840 married
James B. Sr. [b. 1783]  37*     47*   57*  c1808
Margaret      [b. 1784]  36*     46*   56*    "   "
James B. Jr. [b. 1809]  11*     21*    31   c1832
Thomas J.    [b. 1811]   9*      19*    29   c1836
Mary W.      [b. 1813]   7*      17*    27   c1834
Absalom      [b. 1816]   4*      14*   24*  c1844
Senar Jane   [b. 1820]   0*      10*   20    c1837
Robert R.     [b. 1822]   -          8*   18*  c1845
Margaret      [b. 1828]   -          2*   12*    dnm

Unaccounted for in 1820 and 1830 is a daughter born between 1810-1820. She may have died between 1830-1840 or married and has not been accounted for. Senar Jane married in Dearborn Co., so it is possible that the girl married in Ohio or Indiana.

Evaluating information on the early Crails

Family info collected by historian/genealogist E.E. Barton in Pendleton Co., KY [available on CD] includes a letter that offers the following tidbits [2nd-hand] from a Crail lawyer/researcher in LA:

1) John Boggs Crail's mother was Lady Campbell, daughter of the Duke of Argyll.
2) John, on his father's side, was a direct lineal descendant of the Duke of Marlborough.
3) John's father was a prominent landowner, owner of Castle Crail in Scotland.
4) John arrived in America in 1763 and served two years with the 12th Virginia Regiment during the Revolutionary War.

Cool stuff, huh?
1) John Boggs Crail was the son of Thomas Crail Sr. and Elizabeth / Jane Wilson. Unless the missus had an earlier marriage to a Campbell back in Scotland, that Argyll connection is shot! The parents posted for her on Find A Grave were from Massachusetts - that is also a bit suspect. Value of info: marginal, at best.

2) John's father, Thomas, was reportedly born in Scotland about 1720. Thomas' father has been identified as various Creels, Creals and Crails. You'd think the family of the Dukes of Marlbourogh would keep better records of their male line! Value of info: marginal, at best.

3) According to Wikipedia, Castle Crail was in ruins by 1563, there wasn't much to own. Since the castle had been in ruins for about 160 years, by the time John's father was born, we can eliminate that bit. The odds of a prominent land owner cashing it all in for a gamble in America, are slim at best.Value of info: less than marginal.

4) John was born in Maryland, not Scotland, in 1745. He did serve in the 12th Virginia. [Rev. War pension file]. Value of info: adequate.

I don't know where Lawyer Crail's info came from, but someone in the family had a desire for a "prominent family" and invented same!

The Will of Thomas Crail: 10 April 1809

Now we begin with documentation and linking it to family line. First up, the will of Thomas Crail.

Thomas Crail of Pendleton, KY is believed to be the father of James B. Crail, Sr. and husband of Elizabeth Berry. Thomas made his will on 10 April 1809 [Deed Book B, p. 243] naming his wife, Elizabeth, and sons Wilson, Absalom, James and John. Also named is Edward Downing and his children [Eliza, Sally, Elizabeth and Polly]. Downing married Thomas' daughter, Elizabeth. Witnessing the will were Joel Berry, Stephen Mullins, James Morris and Pope Williams. Son, Wilson, and wife, Elizabeth, were named executors. Will probated: 15 May 1809.

Two of the witnesses are of note:
(1) Joel Berry was believed to be the brother of Elizabeth Berry Crail.
(2) Stephen Mullins was the brother of Richard Mullins, who married Rebecca Berry, Joel's daughter.

The James named in Thomas Crail's will was James Berry Crail, Sr.

Under Investigation: Possible Crail Lineage

Here is the possible Crail family line:

(1) Me
(2) Mom [Ruthjane McHugh m. Hugh C. Prall]
(3) Bess Catherine Crail m. Charles J. McHugh
(4) Dr. James Crail m. Ama Jemima Simmons
(5) Aaron Crail m. Catherine O'Neil
(6) James Berry Crail, Jr. m. Mary Ann Jones
(7) James Berry Crail, Sr. m. Margaret Stewart
(8) Thomas Crail, Jr. m. Elizabeth Berry
(9) Thomas Crail, Sr. m. Elizabeth Anne or Jane Wilson

Earlier generations are assigned, but don't fit too well. For example, one of the earlier Crails was roughly 50-60 years older than his son. That is possible, but unlikely with a single marriage.

Pennsylvania and Virginia records need to be researched to make sure the right Crails are in the right colony/state at the right time. Kentucky, Ohio and/or Indiana figure into most generations.

It should be interesting convincing myself I have the family sorted out as I go along.

Mary Ann Jones [Crail]

What is known about Mary Ann Jones Crail?

1) She was born in Ohio in 1811 [aged 76 at death in 1887]

2) Her father's "name" was T. Jones [per death certificate] & was born in Kentucky.

3) She married James B. Crail before 1835 in Ohio.

4) Named as mother on death certificates of John Crail & George Crail. Mother of Sylvester & Aaron based on other evidence.

5) Residences: 1835-1837 Hamilton Co., OH; 1839 Marion Co., OH; 1843 Miami Co., IN, 1851-1854 Shelby Co., IN.

6) From 1875-1887 she resided with either Sylvester or John. [Indy City Directory entries]

7) Mary Ann died 11 August 1887 and was buried at Crown Hill Cemetery.