Searching Google Nets Ancestors

May 11th, 2008

One strategy I use from time to time in my genealogy research is a simple Google search.

I’ll search for the name of one of my ancestors – both first and last names or first, middle, and last names. Of course, I put the name in parentheses, so Google searches for that exact name or phrase, rather than those individual names or words.

As you might imagine, this strategy works best for unusual names.

Often I’ll find references to present-day individuals who have the same name as my ancestor, or I’ll find links to genealogy discussion boards, family trees, or other family history sites.

Sometimes I hit pay dirt.

Last night was one of those nights.

I searched for my ancestor “Mary Caroline FINCHER.” This led me to many sites dealing with the GENTLE family. Mary had married Pinkney GENTLE after the death or disappearance of her first husband, James Newton McGINNIS.

Even though I descend from one of the McGINNIS children, I spent some time looking at the GENTLE information and found a fascinating tidbit.

Leander Colbert GENTLE, son of Pickney GENTLE and his first wife, was the father of 29 children. 29 children?

Further searches on the Internet for Lee GENTLE led me to the following birth notice in the 21 Feb. 1927 issue of Time Magazine.

“Born. To Lee Gentle, 65, ‘champion father of Georgia,’ a daughter, in Atlanta, Ga. Mr. Gentle was recently congratulated by Congress and President Coolidge on his record of 28 children. He now has 29.”

This isn’t my line, of course, but it’s fascinating nevertheless.

On a different occasion I ran a search for another ancestor and discovered that someone was giving a speech in Virginia about him. I e-mailed the contact person for the group, and she forwarded my e-mail to the speaker – a distant cousin as it turned out. (I’m not using her name or the name of my ancestor, since I didn’t get permission from her to share this story.)

In any event, we corresponded for a time and exchanged information. The big prize for me was a digital copy of a photo of our ancestors – the ancestor my cousin was speaking about and his wife.

And, I learned that her father is writing a book about our ancestor. I can’t wait to see it.

All that, from a simple Google search.

Posted in Fincher genealogy, Georgia genealogy, McGinnis genealogy, genealogy research tips | 2 Comments »

Missing in Time: Nels Steffenson

May 8th, 2008

My great-grandmother’s brother, Nels STEFFENSON, disappeared around 1892. At least, that’s what probate records in Mason County, Michigan, claim.

My great-grandmother, Celia, and her brother Nels were the children of Swan STEFFENSON and Mary HANSEN.

The entire family has been a bit elusive. For starters, their last name is spelled differently in almost every record I’ve checked. It’s STEFFENSON in the 1900 census, but it’s STAFFSON in the 1910 census and STEFFSON in the 1920 census. It’s STAFFANSSON on Swan’s (and yes, it it appears to be Swan – not Swen) naturalization records, but it’s STEPHENSEN in his wife Mary’s obituary.

The family first appears in the 1900 U.S. census in Mason County, Michigan. Celia had married William James HALL in 1898 in Mason County, and there is evidence that the family came to the area in the 1880s – but from where? Celia was supposed to have been born around 1877 in either Virginia or West Virginia, but her brother, Otto, was supposed to have been born in Sweden around 1879.

But back to Nels …

According to Mary’s obituary, published in the 11 June 1923 edition of The Ludington Daily News, Nels had not been “heard from in many years, but is supposed to be in Washington.”

Mary’s probate records (found in Mason County under the name Mary STEFENSON) sheds further light on the mystery. According to an affidavit dated 16 June 1923:

“Otto STEFFENSON, being duly sworn, says that he is a son of the above named Mary STEFFENSON, now deceased; that the only children or heirs at law surviving said Mary STEFFENSON are deponent, Otto STEFFENSON and Celia STEFFENSON HALL, respectively a son and daughter, and deponent further says that there was another son, Nels STEFFENSON, who was born, to-wit, 49 years ago, and who left Ludington during the year 1890 in company with his father, then living, and a mill crew, and went to the State of California; that two years later the father returned to Ludington, leaving the son Nels in California; that since said year of 1892 when the father returned, various of the relatives have written to said Nels STEFFENSON, but that all of such letters were returned undelivered, and that no one to deponent’s knowledge has ever heard from or been able to discover any trace of said Nels STEFFENSON since the year 1892; that in the year 1892 said Nels STEFFENSON was unmarried.”

A probate hearing was set for 9 July 1923 to determine the legal heirs of Nels STEFFENSON at the time of his disappearance. At the hearing, Otto STEFFENSON said that Nels had “disappeared 30 years ago on or about the 17th day of July 1890” and that he had not been heard from since.

Nels’ heirs at the time of his disappearance were determined to be Otto E. STEFFENSON and Celia M. HALL, which meant the two siblings split their mother Mary’s modest estate later that year.

However, this story leaves me with many questions.

1. Why did Nels stay in California? And why didn’t he communicate with family members after he and his dad parted in 1892? Or did he? The obituary says Nels was believed to be in Washington, but later probate records indicated he disappeared in California and there was no mention of Washington. Was the obituary in error? Or had Nels communicated with someone from Washington after 1892? And if so, why no mention of that in the probate documents?

2. Why is there no mention of Emma, the fourth sibling in the family? She appeared in the 1900 census records of Swan and Mary STEFFENSON as a 16-year-old daughter, but I have not yet found further mention of her. The probate records regarding Nels’ legal heirs make no reference to Emma. More interesting is the fact that Mary’s obituary doesn’t mention a daughter – deceased or otherwise – but it does mention Nels, the son that supposedly hadn’t been heard from in 30 years.

I’ve not spent a great deal of time with this mystery, but I do wonder about it from time to time. Any thoughts?

A separate but related mystery is that my great-grandmother Celia not only had a brother who “disappeared,” but one of her sons did as well. I can’t even imagine what that must have been like for her.

But that’s a story for another day.

Posted in Michigan genealogy, Steffenson genealogy | No Comments »

Earthquakes and Our Ancestors

April 20th, 2008

Friday’s 5.2 earthquake centered in southern Illinois – the strongest in the area in 40 years — reminded me of the 1811-1812 New Madrid earthquakes, estimated at 8.0 or stronger on the Richter scale.

The New Madrid earthquakes, a series of three strong quakes accompanied by thousands of aftershocks, started on 16 Dec. 1811 at New Madrid, Missouri, and continued for more than two months. The third and fourth strong earthquakes took place on January 23 and February 7, 1812.

According to The Virtual Times: The Great New Madrid Earthquake, the earthquakes:

“… were felt over the entire United States outside of the Pacific coast. Large areas sank into the earth, new lakes were formed, the course of the Mississippi River was changed, and forests were destroyed over an area of 150,000 acres. Many houses at New Madrid were thrown down. ‘Houses, gardens, and fields were swallowed up,’ one source notes. But fatalities and damage were low, because the area was sparsely settled then.”

Other earthquakes have had more of an impact on our ancestors – through deaths, property damage, and just the fear generated by the earth trembling beneath their feet.

Of course, there is the well-known 1906 San Francisco, California, earthquake. It measured 7.8 on the Richter scale and caused about 3,000 deaths, many of them from the fires started by the quake.

Among the top U.S. earthquakes were the 1872 Owens Valley, California, quake, measuring 7.4 on Richter scale, and the 1886 Charleston, South Carolina, quake, measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale. The Owens Valley quake took the lives of 27 people and the Charleston quake took the lives of 60 or more.

Every state in the United States has had one or more earthquakes.

The following earthquake sources are interesting, especially if you believe an earthquake may have had an impact on your ancestor.

1. GenDisasters, a wonderful source for all types of disasters – not just earthquakes

2. The U.S. Geological Survey’s U.S. Earthquake Information by State and the largest earthquakes by state

3. Before and After the Great Earthquake and Fire: Early Films of San Francisco, 1897-1916

4. Museum of the City of San Francisco’s register of the dead and survivors for the 1906 Earthquake

5. 1886 Charleston, South Carolina, Earthquake damage photos

Posted in South Carolina genealogy, disasters and ancestors, genealogy research tips | No Comments »

State Archives, Libraries Provide Digital Treasures

April 12th, 2008

I started researching my family history in the 1980s.

I remember how long it seemed to take to order a copy of a vital record. First, you had to request the form to use to order a copy of the record. Then you sent in the form, with your check, and waited weeks – in some cases months – to get the copy of your record.

That’s, of course, assuming that you had the right name, date, and place for the event.

Sometimes a request for a record search yielded no results. And, then you started over with another request. Another check. And another wait.

Today, a similar search can take minutes on the Internet, thanks to the efforts of various state archives, libraries, societies, and other organizations. In many cases, access to the digital records is free.

It’s truly amazing.

This week, for example, I found the death record for my great-grandfather, who died in 1927 in Georgia. In the 1980s, it took weeks for me to get a paper copy through the mail. This week it took minutes to find the same record on the Georgia Archives’ Virtual Vault.

Not only does Georgia’s Vault have death certificates for 1919-1927, it also has Confederate Pension Applications, maps, postcards, and a number of other documents.

Digital treasures – vital records, census records, and more – can be found on many web sites sponsored by state archives and libraries

The Library of Michigan, for example, has the state’s entire 1870 Federal Census – images and index.

Pennsylvania’s State Archives has marriage records, 1885-1891, among its digital documents.

West Virginia’s Archives has birth, death, and marriage records for a number of years and counties.

I’d encourage you to explore your states of interest to discover your own digital treasures.

Posted in Georgia genealogy, Michigan genealogy, West Virginia genealogy, genealogy research tips | No Comments »

A Bevy of Halls – Part 2

March 25th, 2008

George W. HALL (father of the William James HALL in Part 1) was born in October 1833 in England. At least, that’s the information I have from census records.

Family legend also claimed that the HALLs came from England, but I didn’t have any idea from where in England until recently.

From previous research I knew that George was listed in the 1871 Ontario (Canada) census for Gosfield, Essex County and in the 1880 U.S. census for Bridgeport, Saginaw County, Michigan.

George died in 1895, so – of course — there is no listing for him in the 1900 U.S. Census.

George’s death record in Huron County, Michigan, lists his father as Robinson HALL and his mother as Martha.

I recently checked an index for the 1841 Census of England and discovered an 8-year-old George living in the home of Robinson and Martha HALL in County Yorkshire, Parish of Rise.

The age is right for this to be my George. And, the name of his parents fit. Could it be? I did not find any other families in the 1841 census that matched this closely.

Obviously, I need to do more research, but this is an encouraging lead.

Posted in HALL genealogy, Michigan genealogy, Ontario genealogy | No Comments »

Part 3: Who is Birdie Winchester? And why do I have her stuff?

March 23rd, 2008

The oldest letter among the papers that may have belonged to Birdie WINCHESTER was dated Aug. 26, 1883; it was written to Birdie from her Aunty Susie.

The letter was written in one long paragraph and had little punctuation. As I transcribed it, I added some commas and periods and divided it into several paragraphs to improve its readability. However, I didn’t change any of the spelling – and hopefully, none of the meaning.

The John mentioned in the letter is probably John Merritt WINCHESTER, Birdie’s older brother. He was born ca. 1872, about a year before Birdie.

I do not know the identity of Bell, Mary, or Dee Henderson.

Birdie’s mom, Maggie, died on 7 Jan. 1882 at age 37 from “heart disease.”

“Detroit, Mich., Aug. 26, 1883

“My Own Sweet Birdie

“Aunty was oh! so pleased to get a letter from you. I expect you will wonder when I tell you that it made poor Aunty cry for you did not mean to darling. But my heart is wrapt in you and John. You do know how much I love you, or how many times every day I think of you both. How I would like to see you.

“I expect you climb the highest tree by this time. When you come to the city to stay a little while with me I will have your pictures taken with me.

“Birdie, I could read your letter right off plain as print. There is no little girl in here your age who can write such a nice letter. I showed your letter to them. They thought you must be more than nine years old.

“Why does not John write to me? It would please me so much.

“And you did not tell me about your dollies, how they are getting along. Or the old dog. And you must tell me how many turkies, ducks, and chickens you raised this year, and if you help Mary wash dishes. And what Grandma is doing if she is well. And who your teacher is.

“Birdie, I am so glad Mary is going to stay with you. You must be very kind to her for she has been a mother to you and John: and you must ask her to learn you to work and sew then when you are a young lady you will not be afraid to do anything.

“I hope papa will have you instructed in music for some day I want to look at Maggie’s daughter as an accomplished young lady. And how proud I will be darling if God will let me live long enough to see that.

“If your dear Mama had lived she would have devoted her life to the culture and education of her children and I know papa will do all he can to have her desire carried out.

“Tell him, Birdie, Bell has been very sick under the Dr care since he was here. She is better now and has gone to Chicago on an excursion, will be home on Wednesday next. She read your letter and is going after you when it gets cooler.

“Tell papa I have not made his shirts – been so busy after Bell got well. Dee Henderson was here sick for over a week — very sick — and now I have written you a long letter and you must answer it.

“A kiss to you and John.

“Love to all. Aunty Susie”

On the back of the letter is the following note.

Birdie WINCHESTER’s handwriting?

I assume that this is Birdie’s handwriting.

Posted in Michigan genealogy, WINCHESTER genealogy | No Comments »

Born on General Lee’s Plantation? Say What?

March 7th, 2008

According to her obituary, my elusive Swedish great-grandmother, Celia Marie STEFFENSON, was born on 26 Feb. 1877 “on General Lee’s plantation in West Virginia.”

I’ve often puzzled over that.

Of course, obituaries are only as reliable as the person giving the information for the obituary, the reporter writing the obituary, and/or the editor editing them. So the obituary could be in error.

But, there was a family story that Celia was a “hillbilly,” and various genealogy sources claim she was born in West Virginia or Virginia. But born on General Lee’s plantation? Did he even have a plantation in West Virginia?

But wait, I’m thinking of the famous General Robert E. Lee from the Civil War. Maybe the obituary meant another General Lee. But if so, who? And why was it noted in the obituary?

I do know that Celia’s father, Swan STEFFENSON, worked in the lumber industry in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when the family lived in Ludington, Mason County, Michigan.

I also know from Celia’s mom’s obituary that some time between 1873 and 1883, Celia’s parents twice “returned to Sweden, thinking to remain there, but finally returned to America as the land of their permanent choice.”

It wasn’t unusual for labor agents to recruit Europeans arriving in America to work in the lumber industry in West Virginia. This was close to the timeframe of Celia’s birth, so it’s possible this Swedish family was recruited to work in West Virginia. That may be why my Swedish great-grandmother was born in West Virginia.

But born on General Lee’s plantation? Any thoughts?

Posted in Michigan genealogy, Steffenson genealogy, West Virginia genealogy | 1 Comment »

Part 2: Who is Birdie Winchester? And why do I have her stuff?

March 6th, 2008

Among the papers – that may have belonged to Birdie WINCHESTER – were three photographs.

There’s nothing on the back of the first or third photo to identify the women.

Found among papers belonging to Birdie WINCHESTER

Is this Birdie WINCHESTER?

Found among papers belonging to Birdie WINCHESTER.

Or, is this Birdie WINCHESTER?

There is some writing on the back of the above photo, but it is difficult to read. I have scanned a copy of the back in hopes of figuring out the writing, but that will have to wait for another day.

Do any of these women look familiar?

If any of these women look familiar, please let me know.

Enjoy!

Posted in Michigan genealogy, WINCHESTER genealogy | No Comments »

A Bevy of Halls – Part 1

March 3rd, 2008

One of my common surnames is HALL.

Like many of you struggling to research a common surname, I have gathered as much information as I can about HALLs in my areas of interest – especially if I believe them to be collateral lines.

As a result, I have much information about my great-grandfather’s siblings, nieces, and nephews. But I still haven’t been able to push this line back past my great-great-grandfather.

This is what I know so far.

William James HALL was born 4 Dec. 1871, the son of George W. HALL and Sarah A. McVAY. (In various records, Sarah’s last name is also spelled as McVEY, McVEIGH, and even — McPHAY.)

William James HALL’s place of birth is either Michigan or Canada.

According to his death record and obituary, William was born in Bridgeport, Saginaw County, Michigan. Indeed, his family is listed in the 1880 Saginaw County Census, but Saginaw County does not have a record of his birth.

Other records, including his marriage record and the 1900, 1910, 1920, and 1930 censuses, list his place of birth as Michigan

The 1880 census, however, lists William James HALL’s place of birth as Canada, and in fact, William’s family was listed in the 1871 Ontario (Canada) census for Gosfield, Essex County.

I have not located a birth record for William James HALL in Ontario either, so his birthplace remains a mystery.

By the 1890s, perhaps as early as 1895, William James HALL was living in Ludington, Mason County, Michigan.

He worked as a brakeman on the Pere Marquette Railroad at the time of his marriage on 14 Sept. 1898. William wed Celia Marie STEFFENSON, daughter of Swan STEFFENSON and Mary HANSEN.

William James HALL died on 11 Nov. 1940 in Ludington. He was buried in Lakeview Cemetery in Ludington.

William James HALL and Celia Marie STEFFENSON had four sons:

a. Wesley Nelson HALL (1899-1976)
b. Emmett Ambruc HALL (1901-1981). He never married.
c. Russell HALL (1905-??).
d. Clarence James HALL (1907-1961)

Posted in HALL genealogy, Michigan genealogy, Ontario genealogy | 1 Comment »

Who is Birdie Winchester? And why do I have her stuff?

March 2nd, 2008

One of the many reasons that I love doing family history is the mystery. Identifying a women’s maiden name, for example. Or, figuring out why a family moved from one town or state to another. Guessing how life must have been 100 or more years ago.

One of the mysteries that I work on from time to time involves one Birdie WINCHESTER. Who is she? And more, importantly why do I have her stuff?

Let me explain.

A few months after my mom died, my dad handed me an odd assortment of papers he had found while cleaning. There were some letters – the earliest dated 1883 – three photographs, blank World War I-era postcards, recipes, and song lyrics.

But most surprising of all was a will dated 1881.

He thought the information had to do with my mom’s family, but I didn’t recognize any of the names. And, I had been researching my family’s history for well over 20 years.

I’ve come to believe that this material once belonged to Birdie (Birdenia) WINCHESTER, daughter of H.E. (Harlon) WINCHESTER and Margaret STEVENSON. What I don’t know, however, is if Birdie is part of my family.

I have not figured out how or even if the WINCHESTER line is one of mine. If it is not, then why did my mom have this material? Was it something passed on to her from her parents? Or was it something she found when she and my dad moved into their home in 1952?

Birdie WINCESTER’s ancestry is documented in the book John Winchester of New England and Some of His Decendants (1925) by Henry Winchester Cunningham as well as the fantastic Genealogy of the Winchester Family Surname Web site.

The information that I’ve gathered so far about Birdie’s dad, Harlon WINCHESTER, also is available through the Winchester Family Surname Web site. I had written his biographical sketch in May 2007 and posted it to the MI-GENEALOGY mailing list in hopes of connecting with some WINCHESTER researchers. But so far, no luck.

I’ll use these blog entries to share my progress on this mystery – and many of the other ones in my family history.

Part 1 of hopefully many.

Posted in Michigan genealogy, WINCHESTER genealogy | 2 Comments »

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