Wordless Wednesday: Seeking Hidden Kin in Ohio

Searching old newspapers is a passion of mine.  At least, this activity ranks high on a rainy day or when I stumble across new evidence of a family member.

For years, I have been involved in the Pittsburgh Old Newspaper Project where a dedicated group of volunteers has been reading old newspapers for deaths, marriages, and divorces.  To date, we have indexed and placed over 100,000 deaths online.  The information can be so very useful since the Commonwealth of PA did not start requiring statewide death certs until 1906.  Even then, I have been successful in finding post 1906 death certs and then finding more information in the death notice.

Just today, I have turned my attention to the neighboring state of Ohio.  So many early residents of western PA migrated west after the land was open for American expansion all those many years ago.

Logic now says it's time to wander around Ohio with the locations I know and see what I can find in print to support what I think I know.  A great place to start is Ohio Memory.

Ohio Memory has been diligently working on getting tons of old Ohio information online.  The counties shaded in blue above indicate some digitization of the newspapers has started.  When clicking on the site, you may be directed to Chronicling America.  Chronicling America has long been a favorite place for me to spend many hours looking for those elusive kin. Spend time there as well if you have kin in the area.

Ahh, genealogy.  Gotta run and immerse myself in seeking the hidden past in Ohio.  I'll be wordless the rest of the day as I drink coffee and read and read.....

Sources:
Ohio Memory, http://www.ohiohistoryhost.org/ohiomemory/newspapers.
Chronicling America, http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84028745/issues/

©2016 ASEldredge

Tuesday Tip: I'll Have English Will with a Twist of Land, Please

Following land ownership is not as easy as we today think it is.  Typically, if land is owned at the time of death, a description of it can be found in the will or probate records.  I have used this way of following the land in early America. However, there is a twist across the pond.

In old England, depending on what time frame one is searching, it can be downright difficult, if not impossible to trace land ownership.  In early England, all land was thought to belong to the Crown.  That slowly evolved to leases and titles.

Now for the twist of the day.

I have been diligently searching for land ownership in old Portsea, Hampshire, England, from the 1740-1800 time frame.

Apparently, all wills were probated by the church before 1858.  There are some indexes online, but you really have to research which of them might be the best place to look. The courts were organized in a hierarchy, which really boggles my mind.  Just the names of some of the courts sound foreign to my mind....Archdeaconry, Commissary, Prerogative, and so on.

The National Archives site has a great "how to" section to read.  They even offer a live chat for quick pointers.  I haven't tried this yet, but I may as I wander around hopelessly confused.  Looking at the National Archives site, I do find a 1763 will for James HILL, Mariner of Portsea.  I really need to see the will in the hopes of a land mention.

Another tidbit crossed my path today as I search for land.  In the Portsmouth Museums and Records Service which has been cataloged by the National Archives, this is seen:

Ahh genealogy. Pour me up another will with land.  Just can't get enough!


Source:
http://www3.hants.gov.uk/archives
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/wills-or-administrations-before-1858/

©2016 ASEldredge

Monday Mystery: Did Tollervey Marry Simmons in Jolly Old England?

Genealogy.  It really is one big mystery to be unraveled through time.  It can take years to try and discover the proof to what I think I know.

Looking at some old records again (ok, maybe for the 100th time), I still wonder about the tenements old Grandpa John inherited from his mama who died--  well we don't know when.  We do know he had the land in his 1794 will.

The things we three family researchers think we know:

John SIMMONS married Katherine CHEESEMAN around 1736 in Hampshire, England.

They have either four or five children.  If it is indeed five, then the first one appears to be deceased by 1736.  Maybe the boy belonged to them-- maybe not.  Since I haven't found out more about the definitive of the parents, I will ignore him for now.  Ignore, not forget.

The first known legit child, we think, is John SIMMONS who was christened 1736 in the only church on the island of Portsea, St Mary's.  

The second legit child, we think, is William SIMMONS who is c. around 1737 in the same parish church.

The next two children are girls--  one dying as a young toddler, and the other hasn't been followed.  

Of interest in this mystery is William.  He may have married Elizabeth TOLLERVEY.  At least, some people have them married, but with no proof noted.

According to the Hampshire Burial Records, William is buried in Portsea in February 1831.

Now to the biggest mystery of the day.  Remember John, the alleged first legit child?  His 1794 will in New York mentions land in Hanover Row, Portsea, Hampshire, England.  Did William also own this land with him?  To whom did the land belong in the first place?  Was it land of the father who allegedly dies c. 1742 or the land of the stepfather, James HILL?  Does William, who was buried in February 1831, have living blood grandchildren around to help with the mystery?

More information on the Portsea of old as it pertains to this quest can be read here.

Ahh, genealogy. Jolly old England might hold the answers.  Want to send me to find out?

©2016 ASEldredge

Friday Faces of the Past: Whisper Those Pee Dee River Names in the 1844 SC Militia

Cruising along the waters of the Great Pee Dee River in South Carolina has been a journey.  Gone are the plantations of old.  Gone are many memories.

Found today, however, is the 32nd South Carolina Regiment of 1844. Wait... 1844?  That seems a little early to be getting ready for the Civil War, or the War of Northern Aggression.  Or is it?  This 1844 petition signed by the Marion area men is a new find for me.  The petition signers ask for a dedicated muster ground for their battalion rendezvous so they can minimize crossing the Pee Dee River.  The location suggested is on the southwest side of the river.  What was cool was seeing the almost four pages of names that started jumping off the page, kind of like fish jumping just waiting to be caught.  Grandpas, uncles, cousins--  they are all there with their neighbors.

Why was there such a big militia at the ready in 1844?  Back up a few years in our nation's history and think of John C CALHOUN and his opposition to the Federal Government and its 1832 Tariff Act. South Carolina threatened to secede if the Federal Government enforced the tariff as the state saw it as a way to bring the south to obedience. Hmmmm... sounds familiar.

In 1832, South Carolina adopted the Ordinance of Nullification, as a formal protest, and to see if the Federal Government would honor the principle of states' rights. The next month the Federal Government issued a warning to South Carolina and passed the Force Bill which authorized use of force to collect those nasty tariffs.

At the same time period in 1832-33, South Carolina revamped its militia. Thus the birth of the 32nd Regiment South Carolina Militia which was mostly made of Marion men.  The men met every two months for drills.  There was no pay for service.  This practice continued up to the time that South Carolina actually did secede from the Union, some thirty years later.

Interesting tidbits emerge and help me to understand more of my country's past.  Reading the history means just so much now then when it did in school.

Ahh, genealogy, let me count those names on the 1844 petition.  And let me see how many I share blood with--- POSTON, GIBBBS, COX, FINKLEA, SINGLETARY.  Time to hit those genealogy files to confirm more names!

Sources:
Rice, William. A Digested Index of the Statute Law of South Carolina, from the earliest period to the year 1836, inclusive. https://books.google.com/books?id=16JXAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA209&lpg=PA209&dq=1832+south+carolina+militia+laws&source=bl&ots=PDq4lIAtyp&sig=VxqGVPTe2INwpr2d2fXyfe5TtOM&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj9rrPYxL7NAhWGVyYKHTSsCHQQ6AEIKTAC#v=onepage&q=1832%20south%20carolina%20militia%20laws&f=false
Sellers, W W. History of Marion County. South Carolina, from its earliest times to the present, 1901.
SC Department of Archives and History, Petitions to the General Assembly S165015 http://www.archivesindex.sc.gov/onlinearchives/Thumbnails.aspx?recordId=257881
http://www.britannica.com/topic/nullification-crisis
http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h333.html

©2016 ASEldredge

Those Places Thursday: Wettest Spot in the Nation is Western Pennsylvania

Wettest?  No, no, not the weather.  Twas called the wettest spot in the nation during Prohibition.

Reading articles from the past are so enlightening on the subject which was greatly debated during its time.  Transcriptions of some of the articles have been completed and can be seen on the Pittsburgh Old Newspapers Project site.

Whether or not you have your roots in Western PA, these articles provide a glimpse in to our country's past- complete with raids, arrests, headless bodies, scandals, murders and more.  Included in the articles are lots of names of Pittsburgh area residents who ran afoul of the law of the day.

Just one example is found over a number of days starting with the Apr 2, 1930 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article:

HEADLESS BODY OF GANGSTERS' VICTIM FOUND
Jammed Into Barrel and Rolled Over Hillside
Racketeers' Vengeance
Murder Makes 51st Killing in 51 Months in City, 78th in County.

Pittsburgh racket killers chalked up their fifty-first murder in 51 months in defense of their concessions yesterday. It brings the total of racket murders in Allegheny county to 78 for the same period.
The headless, mutilated body of the latest gang victim was found packed in a barrel along Grine run, Penn township, shortly before 5 o'clock last night.
County detectives, familiar with racket feuds declared last night that the barrel murder likely was in retaliation for the recent killing of Sam Monastero, corn sugar baron, garroted with his own necktie and left dead in his automobile along Jacks Run. Sam's killing followed by a few months the slaying of his brother Steve Monastero, king of the moonshine racket, who was credited with being the moving force behind more than a score of racket killings.

Head Is Missing
The head of the fifty-first victim is missing. The slayers ruthlessly slashed strips of flesh from the arm and shoulder of the dead man which detectives believed bore a tattoo mark, in order to hamper identification. The body was nude so that no telltale piece of clothing might aid detectives in establishing identity.
An examination showed that he had put up a furious struggle to save himself. Practically his entire body was discolored with bruises. The head was severed about an inch above the shoulders.

Slain In City.
The man, an Italian about 30 years old, 5 feet 5 inches tall, and weighting about 130 po9unds, was apparently slain in the city, detectives said. Aside from the newspapers, on which finger prints may be found, detectives admitted they were without a tangible clue. One of the papers was of Monday, this week.
The corpse was taken to where it was found either late Monday night or early yesterday, it was learned. It was seen by Mrs. H. E. Damp, who resides a short distance away, at 6:30 o'clock yesterday morning. Mrs. Damp said she mentioned to her 11-year-old son that the barrel could be used for kindling and asked him to get it. However, the son neglected to do so.

Rolled From Road.
Thomas Kirk, 22, of 318 Forty-Fifth street, who was taking a short cut through the wooded section on his way home made the discovery.........

Read more about the thriller case and its final solution.


Ahh, genealogy.  Just keep reading about the past and how wild those places which we hold near and dear could be. 

Sources:
https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=67VhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=v2gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4399,1675718&dq=steve+monastero&hl=en
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~paallent/page15/page15.html

©2016 ASEldredge

Wordless Wednesday: 1926 Miami Hurricane Dead

The Pittsburgh Press posted a revised listing of the dead after a hurricane hit land in Florida in 1926.

This hurricane is commonly known as the Great Miami Hurricane.  At a time when Miami and Dade County were experiencing a land boom, the hurricane wrought great devastation to the area and to the local economy.

Close to 400 people are known to have perished in the storm.

Ahh, genealogy.  Looking for names in the sands of time gone past.

Source:

Pittsburgh Press, September 21, 1926

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mfl/?n=miami_hurricane

©2016 ASEldredge

Can I Have a Tombstone Tuesday?

The life of a family mystery seeker.  Always looking, sometimes finding....

Could I have found the final resting place of William HAMILTON. the first husband?

I have known that my 2g aunt was married twice. You see, her niece told me so.  First, to a William HAMILTON who the 1880 census tells us he was age 67, thus his birth year is about 1813.  The 1880 census also tells us William and Martha HAMILTON are living in Sewickly, Allegheny PA.

Martha is the much younger second (assumed) wife.

This William HAMILTON (1813-1893) is buried at the Blackburn United Methodist Church Cemetery in Sewickly, Allegheny, PA, with his first ( I am assuming here) wife, Mary STEVENS (1818-1871).

Is this the right William HAMILTON?  Circumstantial right now, but the 1860 census has Martha living with her mother in the same general little area as William and his family. Picture this:  William's wife dies in 1871.  Martha and her William are married by the 1880 census.

This William dies in 1893, conveniently after the birth of Martha's niece in 1891.  This niece is named for her Aunt Martha HAMILTON since Martha had no children of her own.

Martha's next appearance is in 1901 when she remarries Daniel BULFORD (1839-1909) after the 1897 death of his first wife, Margaret.

The perplexing question is: Is this the right William HAMILTON? Or is there another one tucked away in Allegheny County?

Ahh, genealogy.  Always hoping the final answer is one stone away.


Sources:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=75772545

©2016 ASEldredge

Mystery Monday: Drowning Young at Edgewater Beach

While looking for some 1795 deeds in Allegheny County,  I stumbled across a conversation I had with a 2nd cousin once removed back in 2002.  At the time, Sarah shared some family memories and helped me to understand some more double relationships that seem to crop up in the family from time to time.  She also enlightened me with a sad story of her stepbrother who had died young.

Edward Johnston YOUNG (1898-1919) was the son of George Fleming YOUNG (1850-1912) and Harriet Matthews YOUNG (1868-1927).

The story Sarah shared with me was doing those days, city boys were often sent during the summer to work on farms.  This particular summer, the Great War was ongoing and her stepmother, Harriet Matthews YOUNG (who had remarried Ralph Emerson BULFORD after becoming a young widow), was concerned that young Edward would be drafted.  She asked him to come home and spend time with her before he went to fight for his country, as she expected he would be called to serve soon.

Edward went to a picnic in Oakmont and took his sister, Peg, with him.  He was out on the water in a canoe and jumped in the water.  Evidently, he thought he knew how to swim.  He couldn't and he drowned.

His death cert confirms he died in a canoe accident by drowning.  His sister also had the unpleasant task to provide information for the death certificate.

Unfortunately, the dates in early July 1919 which would have reported his death are not online.  At least, I haven't found them.

For the rest of the story,  Edward J YOUNG, is my 3C1R on his mother's side as his great-grandparents were my 3G grandparents.  Of interest as well is his stepsister's mother, Martha Verlinda BENNETT(1879-1910) who was the first wife of Ralph Emerson BULFORD, is also my 1C2R through Martha's maternal line.

Ahh, genealogy.  Family memories confirmed are like finding a drop of water in a desert.  It doesn't quite quench my thirst, but it helps solve the mysteries of the past.  And leaves me begging for more.


Source:
Ancestry. com. PA Death Certificates.

©2016 ASEldredge

Friend of Friends Friday: United States and Negro Stock June 1861--Scary?

Amidst the articles in the Charleston Mercury dated June 1, 1861, the following was found.

Scary United States bonds at 85 cents on the dollar compared to average price of a negro child at $750?

Ahh, genealogy.  Reading the newspapers of the past can be scary as past deeds haunt us still.

Thankful Thursday: Uncle George is Finally Home

Digging up the past can be an overwhelming task.  In fact, it is impossible to research everything as a solo act.  The internet has really come a long way in becoming a great tool to use to dig.  But.....

It's the many volunteers who help others who light the way for history to live again.  Without the human touch in dredging up the leads, we would most likely all still be sitting around scratching our heads in dismay.

For example, it took a village of information and thoughts from others to help me solve several mysteries.  Sometimes, just a spark can relight the nearly smoldering embers of inquiry into the family genealogy coal mines.

In my quest, I have been so grateful to all those who have helped, whether it be directly or indirectly, with my search.  Having just a death certificate may not be enough.  Find the obituary alone may not be enough.  Together, these wonderful finds may result in shouts of glee.

The Pennsylvania Death Certificates found online dating 1906-1963 have been a blessing as one can search names and see if the information needed is there.  Add that to the Old Pittsburgh Newspaper Project, and sometimes, a lost family member is reunited again by the obituary.

Just this week, while I was chatting with another finding the past fanatic, er, volunteer, we bounced ideas about George W CALDWELL, Jr.  We confirmed a first marriage to Elizabeth NEU.  Read about that exciting find here.

But what happened to him?  I have wondered about this for years.  I know he lived at a boarding house in Pittsburgh with his dad in 1900.  I know he signed his dad's Civil War Pension papers in 1904 while living in Johnstown, Cambria Co, PA.  I know he was dead by his sister's 1940 obituary.

My buddy suggested we look at the 1923 death of a George Caldwell.  In studying the death cert, I noticed the age was right.  More importantly, I noticed the body had been removed to Pittsburgh from Crawford Co, PA.  No other information was gleaned from the death certificate.  He is listed as single--so what happened to wife number 2?

Yesterday, I looked at the Old Pittsburgh Newspaper Project for the obituary.  Even though that particular date has yet to be indexed by the forty or so volunteers, it will be. I have faith in those awesome volunteers.

I was able to locate the obituary in the Pittsburgh Press.  Bingo.

The obituary confirmed the services for George would be held at his brother's house, Dr. F M CALDWELL and burial would be at the First St Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery in Mt Oliver, Allegheny Co, PA.

Light that torch.

On to Findagrave where a wonderful volunteer had a memorial for him with the year of death in the same cemetery as F M CALDWELL.  Even though there is no photo for his final resting spot, he is with his brother and his son.  And now, the information on George is on his memorial page.

Yes, Uncle George has finally come home and it's all because volunteers take the time to dig in to past.

Ahh, genealogy.  With a thankful heart for all the dedication volunteers have to help us all in our personal journey.  Keep those torches lit!

Sources:
Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.

Original data: Pennsylvania (State). Death certificates, 1906–1963. Series 11.90 (1,905 cartons). Records of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Record Group 11. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.  George Caldwell
The Pittsburgh Press, Sept 9, 1923.

"United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MS1N-HVW : accessed 12 June 2016), George Caldwell Jr. in household of Emma Hammond, Precincts 1-2 Pittsburgh city Ward 2, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, United States; citing sheet 2B, family 30, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,241,357.

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=caldwell&GSiman=1&GScid=2261277&GRid=96814649&

©2016 ASEldredge

Wordless Wednesday: The Death of Aunt Jemima

While looking around for a family obit, I stumbled across this obituary for a still famous lady, Mrs Nancy Green, aka Aunt Jemima.

This was located in The Pittsburgh Press dated September 10, 1923.  Enjoy.

Ahh, genealogy. Pancakes, anyone?

©2016 ASEldredge

Wednesday's Child: Congenital Monstrosity

The cause of death listed for female infant CALDWELL broke my heart.  Such was the pain and heartbreak of the sad ending to what had been a time of joy for Herbert George CALDWELL(1921-1972) and Lois KOEHLER in Allegheny Co, Pennsylvania in 1953.

Little infant girl CALDWELL was laid to rest in First St Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery in Mt Oliver, Allegheny, PA in the family plot of her grandparents, Benjamin G CALDWELL(1886-1978) and Margaret REDDY(1889-1978).

Ahh, genealogy.  Sometimes finding a new family grave and corresponding death certificate leaves me wordless.  Tis a time to bow my head and pray.  Sleep little one, sleep sweetly.

Source:
Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.

Original data: Pennsylvania (State). Death certificates, 1906–1963. Series 11.90 (1,905 cartons). Records of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Record Group 11. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

©2016 ASEldredge

Tombstone Tuesday: Salute to Our Army and Those Who Served

What a day.  Not only is it Flag Day where we proudly flag our flags, today is also the birthday of the United States Army.  The Continental Congress approved 10 companies of riflemen on this date.  However, the first regular infantry regiment wasn't formed until June 1784.

What is really cool, other than the fact that I am an Army brat, is the men in my family have been serving Uncle Sam much earlier than 1784.  Grandpa John SIMMONS(abt 1730-1795) had opened his little tavern on Wall Street prior to Oct 1770.  The location was close to City Hall, which became Federal Hall in 1785, and the seat of the United States Federal Government.

PHELPS book, The Campaign of 1776 Around New York and Brooklyn tells us in August 1775,  there were some firing between the townspeople and the Asia Man of War under Capt. VANDEPUT. Six days after this firing, the General Committee for Publick Service of New York gave leave to Grandpa John SIMMONS and his brother-in-law, Gifford DALLY, to carry on negotiations.

There are numerous other dates of Grandpa John serving America in its infancy found in historical literature.  He had two brothers-in-law who also served America.  One was the above mentioned Gifford DALLY(1742-1798), who in addition to assisting in the 1775 negotiations, also served America as one of the first United States House of Representatives officers as the House Door Keeper(1789-1795).

 John's other brother-in-law is also quite notable in early American history.  Samuel FRAUNCES(abt 1722-1795) owned another little tavern in New York known as Fraunces Tavern.  During the American Revolution, it is documented he provided food for the American Prisoners.  It was at this tavern that General George WASHINGTON bade farewell to his troops after the American Revolution.

While my family has served America, either in the Army or by early deeds, I salute all patriots who have served or are serving America today.

In the mood to read more?  Check out my earlier words:
Living and Working on Wall Street
Serving America Through Politics and the Military

Ahh, genealogy.  Keep on waving those broad stripes and bright stars in honor of America.

Source:
"Gifford Dalley." Biographies.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2016. Web. 14 Jun 2016. <http://www.biographies.net/people//en/gifford_dalley>.
http://www.history.army.mil/html/faq/branches.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Fraunces
Phelps, Henry. The Campaign of 1776 Around New York and Brooklyn, pg 103.
Phote by AS Eldredge at St Clair Cemetery Dedication of Tombstones for American Revolution Patriots John Henry and James Glenn, 2005.

©2016 ASEldredge

Mystery Monday Reveals: I Want a Divorce!

Years ago, I received a funeral memorial record from the 1935 death of a cousin in Pittsburgh, PA.  From time to time, I have reflected on the information noticed in the funeral cards and wondered about the rest.

In August 2009, I wrote a tidbit on Cousin Elizabeth Troech?  You see, she showed up at the funeral and signed in as "cousin."  Check out more here about the beginning of this big mystery.  Who was she and just how was she related?

Tick, tock.

On to December 2010,  where the TREUSCH truth became clear as mud.  Ok, it was getting lighter.
Anyway, in reading about the immigration of a family from Germany to Pittsburgh, the name NEU jumped off the page and sparked a memory.  You see, 2gUncle Frank had married a Margaret NEU.  I found this fascinating as I started to search for more on the mysterious cousin Elizabeth TRUESCH.
A friendly volunteer in Pittsburgh checked the Old St Paul Lutheran Cemetery where Uncle Frank resides, and proudly announced there was also an Elizabeth TRUESCH in the NEU plot.  Bingo, Margaret and Elizabeth were sisters!  Read more on this story here.

Now here it is, a beautiful sunny Monday in June 2016 and the mystery is finally solved!  Let me catch you up.

Just a few days ago, I was looking at Ancestry and found a tree on the FALCK family.  While I don't spend much time looking at most trees due to a lack of documentation, this one tree and its documentation caught my eye.  Finally, someone who doesn't just cut and paste.

I looked more closely and saw that the unknown cousin Elizabeth TRUESCH was first married to a CALDWELL.  Hmmmm..  Did I mention that 2gUncle Frank was a CALDWELL(1868-1934)?  I quickly dashed off an inquiry to John in CA and he was Speedy Gonzalez in replying.  We started bouncing ideas off of each other.  We wondered.  We compared notes.  We both started getting excited.  Why?

He had the documentation of Elizabeth's second marriage app to TRUESCH.  I had the documentation on the brothers of Frank CALDWELL.  I went back and re-evaluated what I thought I knew.  There it was.  On the 1900 census, a brother of Frank, George W CALDWELL, JR, b. 1861 is listed as divorced and living with his widowed father in a boarding house.  Hmmmmmm..  Who was his wife?  Did he have children?  I didn't know.

My NEU buddy, John, provided the names of the children of Elizabeth NEU and the unknown CALDWELL.  You could have knocked me over.  My blood was racing.  Elizabeth named her older child Benjamin Gottlib CALDWELL(1886-1978).  Benjamin was the name of 2gUncle Frank's grandfather, Benjamin HUNNEWELL, who died in 1849 cholera epidemic in Pittsburgh.

And just today, I called the Allegheny Co Court Records Dept to see about finding the divorce record for Elizabeth NEU CALDWELL.  I could provide the date of her second marriage app and I could guess the time frame.  The helpful lady found a divorce in 1900 for Elizabeth CALDWELL.  She then asked for the man's name.  Well, that is why I was calling!  I wanted the man's name.  So, I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and blurted out George CALDWELL.  She said yes.  I asked if the middle initial was W?  She said yes.

Bingo.  Monday Mystery solved!  After all these years!

Ahh, genealogy.  Sometimes you just gotta have a divorce.  Sometimes, you get lucky and get it 116 years after!

Sources:
Ancestry Family Trees, FALCK family Tree owned by muxbuster.
http://files.usgwarchives.net/pa/allegheny/census/1850/1850cholera.txt
First St Paul German Evangelical Church Cemetery, Mt Oliver, Allegheny, PA.
Funeral Memorial Papers of Austin McClain BRENDEL in possession of AS Eldredge.

"United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MS1N-HVW : accessed 12 June 2016), George Caldwell Jr. in household of Emma Hammond, Precincts 1-2 Pittsburgh city Ward 2, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, United States; citing sheet 2B, family 30, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,241,357.

Allegheny County, PA Court Records, Grant St, Pittsburgh, PA  412-350-4646.

©2016 ASEldredge

Friend of Friends Friday: St James Santee Plantation Parish

Ever tried to find much information in old South Carolina?  It's almost like the feeling I bet the English had when they were trying to track down Francis Marion in the swamp.  Of course, for me, it still is like to trying to find a high spot in Hell Hole Swamp now!

In history, we can locate evidence of the many fires in South Carolina which destroyed records.  We also have other obstacles to overcome.  While some of the records are getting online, and mind you, the available records are so much better now than when I started looking some 16 years ago, it can still be a source of frustration.

One book I have in my possession that I find an interesting read at times is "St James Santee Plantation Parish" by Anne Baker Leland Bridges and Roy Williams III.  While I don't think any of the names pertain to me, the location is really close to where my blood flows.

There are stories, marriages and baptisms to be found for the parish.  While there isn't a slave listing, some names are mentioned from time to time.

One example is found on page 269 where the negro "November" is mentioned as being made the keeper of an old head board that would not fit on the ship.  Apparently, November was to ship the head board at a later time.  November did not send it on.  Today, this head board, which is made of cypress and marked the grave of Jonah Collins is in the Charleston Museum.  The inscription on the head board reads:

Stranger who now are passing by,

As you are now,

So once was I:

As I am now,

So shall you be,

Therefore prepare to follow me.

Ahh genealogy.  Strangers who have gone before us sometimes bring us great joy as we find a trace of our blood.

Source: 

Bridges, Anne Baker Leland and Williams, Roy III. St James Santee Plantation Parish, 1997.

©2016 ASEldredge

Thankful Thursday: Remember The Eagle Soars Overhead

Each year I spend countless hours watching the Berry College Eagles as they improve their nest and raise their young.  It is a wonderful gift the college has given us as we are able to watch the eagles.

This morning, I looked at one of pictures they posted and thought THIS is America. These birds, the glorious birds, our American symbol, our past and our future.

Americans have fought for this land since we declared independence in 1776 and Americans continue to fight to protect us now.  In genealogy, we spend numerous hours looking at historical records from churches, states, and the military records to try and put these pieces together.

People always ask why someone moved in early America.  Who knows why?  They were protecting their young.  They were looking for the land of opportunity as our young country moved west.  Whatever reason our ancestors had for relocating, I am thankful records were kept by the churches, by families, by history books, and by the legal system.  The best tip I ever got in genealogy was follow the land.

The most fun I have is tracing the land records and other legal records from Massachusetts to New York to Pennsylvania and out to California.

Ahh, genealogy.  Yes, thankful I am to watch the eagles soar overhead as I follow their lead and look at the landscape and the minute details which lead me to new heights.


Source:
https://storify.com/berrycollege/the-berry-college-eagles

©2016 ASEldredge

Thursday Thriller: Slain Over a Grudge

Looking at the headlines of today with all the crimes and murders can leave us so very saddened.  Why do folks just have to be so violent?  Good thing the past was always so peaceful.....or was it?

Here's a story about a family grudge gone wrong in 1894.

Ouch.. shot and the body was left for hours until the inquest?  It would appear that J A Coward was indicted for the murder of Madison Connell (1852-1894).  Well, it wasn't the first time he was in trouble.  According to church records, JA Coward was "in trouble" in 1892 for not supporting his church.  He asked to be dropped from the rolls when questioned by the Hebron Baptist Church in South Carolina.

The death of Connell left a widow, Mary E Myers Connell (1849-1918) and three children.

Both men now rest in the same cemetery at the church of their family.  I wonder how close they are in proximity?

Ahh, genealogy. Gotta inspect both sides of the fence when looking at history.

Source: 
The Florence Weekly Times, November 1894.
FindaGrave.com  Hebron Baptist Church Cemetery, Florence Co, SC

©2016 ASEldredge

American Ancestors Available

What a great day!  As I was checking in to a few newsletters this morning, I noticed American Ancestors access is free for a limited time.  Of course, since I do genealogy on a budget, I ran right over to check it out.

Clicking on American Ancestors which is part of the New England Historical Genealogical Society did take me to a page advertising some free New York databases.  I had to sign up as a guest which will provide some benefits for a very limited time. That's ok, because I will spend some time cruising around seeing what can I find that I did not have.  Hopefully, there will be enough new finds for me to bite the bullet and join.

In the meantime, you can find me deep in the history of New York and the home of a grandpa of mine who owned a really cool tavern back before, during and after the American Revolution.  If you got a few minutes, pull up a seat and read about the tavern.

Ahh, genealogy, pour me up another ancestor!

Source:
American Ancestors
Whispers of Genealogy Past, March 18, 2015

©2016 ASEldredge

Wordless Wednesday: Love Delivered on D-Day

For the last thirty years I have really not liked this week.  For this week is the week when I laid my gentle giant to rest.  Each year, I sit quietly and mourn the loss that rocked my young world.  It's amazing that the tears still readily spring to my eyes as I relive this week over and over.

The stories of D-Day have always moved my soul to remember and to pray for our fallen military men.  What bravery they displayed on what had to be the most fearful day of their lives, and the day many would perish.  Can you imagine the the scene and how intense the smell of fear had to have been?

My dad was not at Normandy on that fateful day some 72 years ago.  Instead, he was busy fighting in the Pacific.

My dad did perish on the anniversary of D-Day.  For me, that is fitting as he was truly a brave patriotic man who had followed in the footsteps of love and loyalty his ancestors displayed as they fought for this great country.

Some 12 years ago, it was my honor to organize a family reunion at what I like to call my family cemetery, the St Clair Cemetery, in Mt. Lebanon, Allegheny, PA.  It was a beautiful day as descendants came from around the country to honor two of our fallen American Revolution ancestors.  Speeches were given, flags flew in the gentle breeze, hymns were sung, a 21 gun salute was fired, and Taps was heard as we all stopped to thank all brave men and women who have served America.

Around that time, the gent in charge of the cemetery asked permission to remove some overgrown daylilly plants from one of my family plots.  I gave permission but asked him to wait until I had time to take some for myself and any other family member who wanted a living remembrance of the past.  We dug those plants up and sent them to the south and out to the west to be planted, in addition to those plants which would stay in Pittsburgh.

This week, on D-Day, as I was feeling so very blue, I happened to walk outside.  I saw one beautiful bloom on my St Clair daylilly.  It was standing tall with its beautiful pale peach color and it stopped me in my tracks.

I don't think I have ever seen such a beautiful site that screamed out the words Faith, Belief, Loyalty and Love.  My head reverberated with these thoughts as I stood wordless and thirstily absorbed the undying love from my family members who have gone before me.

The next morning I went to take a picture of the beautiful flower.  It was gone.  Not wilted, but gone.  The message sent to me from beyond the grave on D-Day stays.  Faith, Belief, Loyalty and Love.

Ahh, genealogy.  Love lives and the past speaks leaving me wordless.

©2016 ASEldredge