Local relatives at FTF!

If you couldn’t tell from the post at Family Tree Firsts, I loved being able to go to a local library and gather information on my family.  It was so much fun!  Granted, it is a bit of a drive if I want to visit the nearly 1,000 acres this man owned, or to see his headstone, but I think that may be worth it.

I haven’t gathered a lot, but what I have found has been amazing.  Samuel Givens was born about 1693 in Antrim, Ireland where he married his wife Sarah Cathey, born about 1697, also in Antrim.  They had all but their last child while living in Ireland.  Lucky for me, they were all listed on his oath of allegiance to the King that allowed him to own land in Virginia.

Samuel and Sarah’s children were: James (b. 1719), John (b. 1720), Samuel (b.1721), Martha (b. 1725), Elizabeth (b. 1728), William (b. 1729), Margaret (b. 1731), Sarah (b. 1733), Jane (b. 1735) and finally George who was born a few weeks after his father’s death in December 1740 here in Virginia.  After he came to Virginia I know he began acquiring land in earnest thanks to his will and the one deed that has been found in the Orange County, Virginia deed books.

On 28 September 1738 he purchased 311 acres of Beverly Manor from William Beverly of Essex County, Virginia.  I looked up William Beverly and found an interesting website about the Ulster-Scots of Virginia.  It really shed some light on the why they came here, and also insight into my family from the northern part of the Shenandoah Valley (the Germans).

Samuel then took his oath of allegiance (listing him, his wife, and children) the following 28 February 1739.  Deed Book III, p. 13, is the following order:

Deed (or release) dated Sept. 28, 1738, William Beverly of Essex county, Virginia, Gentleman of the first part, and Samuel Givens, of Orange County, farmer, of the other part, - for and in consideration of seven pounds, ten shillings, and six pence, - deeds 311 acres of land known as Beverly Manor." This was signed by William Beverly.

When I read his will, there was the distinct impression he amassed quite a bit more land over the few years he lived in Virginia.  Samuel left his wife 350 acres, unless she remarries, at which time it goes to his youngest son William.  His other sons John, Samuel, and James also receive 350 acres of land.  That adds up to 1,400 acres of land.  Not bad for a few years in the colonies. 

At the local library I found that in 1736 Samuel Givens was a “gentleman justice”, or justice of the peace, for the Orange County court.  He was listed with all the other men who served as a justice of the peace from 1735-1749.  To me this information appears to make him to be a well-respected man of the community. 

My next step:  going to find more in person records on the rest of the family. I hope that the Orange County Historical Society will be able to help me.  However, this website on the founding families of Augusta County may also come in handy.

Image from wikimedia

Week 44 of abundant genealogy

Week 44: Genealogy Conferences. What was your bestgenealogy conference experience? Why is it so memorable in your mind? Whohosted the event? What did you learn from this experience? How does it impactyour genealogy research today?

I have yet to attend a full blown national genealogyconvention.  To date I have attended the FamilyTree University Virtual Conference, the NARA Genealogy Fair and this pastweekend the Fairfax Genealogical Society Fall Fair.  Not sure how those would compare to anational level conference, but here is what I think.

Out of the three I would say that I loved going to theNARA Fair most.  Biggest reason:  it was at the National Archives!  How could you not love that?  I attended with 2 friends and it was a great experienceto a novice genealogist.  The booths wereamazing and very informative.  There werelectures by staff and guests who really gave you insights into what you couldget out of the archives. 

My research has only improved by what I learned and experiencedthere.  I am not afraid of the archivesand love to explore the databases, stacks, microfilm, and other materials.  In between sessions that day we explored theirresearch library and I was amazed at what I could find there.  I could spend days in there!

Yep, I am looking forward to the next one.  Fingers crossed that I can make it! 

Day at the fair

On the 27^th I went, by myself (gasp) to the 9th Annual Genealogy Fall Fair by the Fairfax Genealogical Society.  The biggest obstacle was overcome successfully... I did not get lost, turned around, or take the wrong exit off of I-495.  For me that was the biggest deal of the morning; particularly since I left my house at 6:30 am, while it was still dark.  I felt like my husband and I had a role reversal yesterday morning.  I was the one with the travel mug of caffeinated liquid and the to-go breakfast, he was the one kissing me good bye in the bath robe. 

The doors opened at 8am and I was one of the first into the room.  Perused the book collection (oh....books...drool) and found a seat close up to the front.  The presentation didn't start until 9am so I had plenty of time to kill.  So, I spent half an hour vendor perusing then sat and looked through all the pamphlets I picked up.  Lots of interesting material, things I didn’t know, and places I now want to see.

One thing I have heard, and read, over and over, is that you should sit down and talk to other people when you attend these events.  Well for this shy wall flower, that is very hard.  I know right: me shy?!  Well writing words in the privacy of your own home is much easier than actually having to hold a conversation with someone.  For the first hour I spoke with no one.  I just people watched.  Which, is a favorite past time of mine anyway.  It would have been easier if one of my friends had been able to come with me.  Visiting a museum alone is so much better than a conference.  However, by the end of the day I had met and carried on great conversations with the people sitting at the table with me.  We shared ideas, thoughts, tips, and a very yummy lunch.

At the first break I went over to the Fairfax Genealogy Society table and asked some questions.  Guess what…I ran into Dear Myrtle!!!!  Love her blog, and it was very cool to meet her in person.  What a wonderful lady.  I did decide to become a member too.  They have a lot to offer, and even though I won’t be able to make a lot of their meetings, the trips and member benefits seem worth the $22 dues.

The three lectures presented by Claire Bettag, CG, FUGA were fantastic.  I learned so much that I didn’t know about land records, the serial set, and the manuscript collection at the Library of Congress.  I need to schedule time in the near future to make a trip up there.  To live so close to some of the best research facilities in the U.S. and not get there is criminal.  There will be posts in the future, I am sure, about the discoveries involving these newly found resources. 

Happily my helium hand did not get me in trouble and on my first day as a member I did not volunteer to do anything.  I am a service oriented person, and it nearly killed me.  However, as I get older, I have found that I get better and better at managing what is on my plate.  That being said, I am sure the will power to stay as an observer won’t last for too long.  I am just not that strong.

Now… how do I convince my husband that I NEED to go to the NGS conference?  Anyone have a good argument that I can throw at him on why it is a moral imperative that I attend?

 

photo credit: *Louise** via photopin cc

Editing, my nemesis, we meet again....

This morning I was reading through blogs on my Google Reader account and saw the latest post from The Armchair Genealogist.  Titled “8 Tips and A tool for Self-Editing Your Family History Blog” she really hits it on the head with this one.  If you are a writer, part time blogger, or general researcher, go check it out. 

I have been known to rush through a post here and there.  The excitement of sharing my find, pushing it on out there, just gets me all in a tizzy.  Sometimes I only read it through once before I hit publish.  Then I cringe when a week later I notice a grammatical or spelling error.  Jeesh, what people must think about it!  Luckily, no one has ever written me a nasty comment about my lack of grammar and spelling skills.

In the future I am going to try and follow her tips listed.  It may drag out the process a bit longer, but that will be a good thing if I can get into a good rhythm of writing, editing, and posting.  I even went out to iTunes this morning and picked up the book she suggested.  The Little Red Writing Book looks like it may come in handy.
 

photo credit: S1ON via photopin cc

Crazy Ideas are my life

Today I had a completely crazy, yet horribly exciting, idea pop into my head. The next time I go home I want to map out a couple of the family cemeteries. Goofy right? But totally worth every minute of the pain it would be to do it!

 

I was searching between trees online trying to figure out ancestor relations between me and a couple other possible new cousins when it hit me. Over 1/2 of my Indiana ancestors are in 5 cemeteries. I know 5 may seem like a lot, but the area in Indiana I am looking at has nearly 200 that I know of, so 5 is really good in my book.

 

The ability to look at a map (with pictures maybe) and see how the families are laid out in the cemeteries would be great. If you can't tell, I am a very visual person. I have to see it, draw it myself usually, and then look it over in my head. That is the best way I learn. Write, draw, remember.

 

Maybe I can experiment with this idea on one of the smaller local cemeteries in my area of Virginia. See how I can make it more efficient before I go home... whenever that maybe.

 

Has anyone out there ever done anything like this?  Have any suggestions or tips? 

 

photo credit: Steve took it via photopin cc

Week 43 of Abundant Genealogy

Week 43: Memorable Genealogy Moment. Think back to when you first started researching your family history. Is there a memorable early genealogy moment that stands out in your mind? Describe this event or discovery and how it impacted your research going forward.

Seeing is it wasn’t all that long ago, this should be easy huh?  Thing is, it has been such a whirlwind of experiences that, to be honest, it is all really blurring together.  I feel your heart breaking for my dilemma.  So I thought, and thought, and then the one lasting lesson hit me.  The one I learned in my first few weeks.

The biggest discovery, that impacted all future research, was when I realized that not all trees online we were well researched.  To be honest, I was really naive enough to figure that if someone published it they actually went through the effort of verifying it.  Even if they had to go back and admit they were wrong, there was some sort of logical chain of events that brought them to the conclusions they published. 

This is one of the reasons that I made my Ancestry tree private.  Really, I use it more as a sounding board and put all my leads, ideas, clues, etc. there.  Yeah, I know, I could have multiple trees on my computer; a working tree and a published tree.  However, I know myself well enough to know that right now there was no way I could keep 2 trees going.  Even if it meant I wouldn’t be fed to a tank of piranhas it would be one of those things that would drive me crazy.  Still learning here folks, learning quickly, but still behind the curve on a few things.  Adding one more to-do on my list would make my mind explode.

That is why I love that people contact me when they want to know stuff from Ancestry.  Those who are interested will take the time to ask.  If you find an ancestor on it and want to correspond I am more than happy to do so.  I didn’t want people to just blindly copy and paste (like I had seen on so many repeating misinformation and errors) without talking to me.  Tell me which ancestor you want to know about and I will give it to you, with all my caveats laid out for you to peruse as well.

photo credit: Auntie P via photopin cc

Newspaper tells of car accident

I have bitten the bullet and jumped into the world of online historic newspapers.  Granted, I have found bits and pieces of information here and there thanks to Google from newspapers.  However, I had never jumped head first into the pool.  Oh noes…. This could be really bad.

This morning, while drinking my tea, I found an article telling about the car accident that ended my uncle's life on a rain soaked road, at 18, in 1959.  I have also found articles on my grandfather when he was running for the Indiana State House of Representatives.  Goodness knows what else I will find over the next few days, weeks, or months! 

It has been very fascinating to say the least.  I have to admit I was a bit disgusted at the 49 cents per pound for a roast in the 1964 newspaper I was looking at.  Mumble, grumble…..

 

Page 26, Anderson Herald Bulletin, November 14 1959

Three Added to Death Toll

United Press International

Three more traffic fatalities, all of them on the rain-drenched roads, sent the Indiana total moving steadily upward today as another weekend opened.

Two of the accidents occurred after the weekend count began at 6 p.m. Friday.  The other occurred a short time before the count began.

One of the victims was the son of an Indiana Legislator.  Another was killed trying to miss a dog in the highway.  The third was an old man in dark clothing who wandered into a busy highway in the evening gloom.

John Combs, 18, Washington, was killed early this morning when his car skidded off U.S. 50, hit a culvert and rolled over near Washington.  Combs was the son of Paul E. Combs (R-Washington).  Charles Shake, 20, Washington, who was riding with Combs, was taken to Daviess County Hospital with a back fracture and other injuries.

George Beatty, 81, near Columbus, was killed Friday night when he was hit by a car driven by Robert McKain, 35, Columbus, on U.S. 31.  Authorities said he fell or stumbled into the path of the car.

John Rue Mercer, 63, Indianapolis livestock buyer, was killed late Friday when his car collided with another vehicle as he swerved to miss a dog in U.S. 421 east of Whitestown.

State Police said the car skidded and struck a car driven by Harold Duckworth, 37, Frankfort.  Mercer was thrown to the pavement and died at the scene.  Duckworth was treated for a back injury at Clinton County Hospital in Frankfort.

 

photo credit: ShironekoEuro via photopin cc

Week 42 of Abundant Genealogy

Harry Coad:  picture from his Civil War
Pension file located at NARA

Week 42: Biggest Genealogy Accomplishment. What do you feel is your biggest genealogy accomplishment? What were the steps you took to get there, and what was the end result?

My biggest accomplishment was figuring out the true story of my husband’s 3^rd great grandfather, Harry Coad aka Henry Thompson.  This mystery had nagged at me since I heard it and once I saw the opportunity to track it down I jumped on it. 

My husband had told me the story several times over the years, as he remembered it from his grandmother.  After I started delving into our family histories I cornered my father-in-law and asked him what he remembered of the story.  Tracking down the hints, clues, and leads on-line lead me to the National Archives in D.C. and to the amazing story of this man.

You can read about my discoveries here on this blog as well as on the Family Tree Firsts blog at Family Tree University.  Just click on “Coad” or “Family Tree Firsts” under the tags section to see what I have to say.



Next FTF post is up: death in the family

Mrs. Nellie Grant Sartoris with baby.

This baby–Princess Cantacuzene–

unveiled the Grant Memorial in the Mall,

Wash. DC in April 1922.

This baby’s daughter, “Princess Ida,”

assisted her mother in the unveiling.

Courtesy of the Library of Congress

Prints and Photographs Division.

My next post at Family Tree Firsts is up, and you can read it here.

I wanted to do a different type post for Family History Month, and in my mind merging 2 observances that are related was the perfect way to do that.  Remembering all of your family, even the littlest ones who were never known, seemed appropriate.

My story is very personal, but like I said in my post, I needed to include our daughter and my medical history in my tree.  Hopefully, one day, someone will understand the causes of my medical problems and will be able to act in time to save the lives of a child and mother.

Briefly, I suffer from an unknown blood clotting disorder.  Unknown in that medical science doesn’t know what it is, I don’t test positive for any of the known diseases, but I present when pregnant like I have a clotting disorder.  Makes trying to treat you difficult to say the least.  We are lucky, and thankful, to have the 2 wonderful children that we do have.  This is all we will have, and we have come to terms with that since there are so many out there who don’t even have the chance to have one.

With my first child I fell extremely ill at 25 weeks and thought it was the flu.  No, it wasn’t.    I had developed HELLP Syndrome, class I under the old classification system, and was lucky that I made it through.  In the US the maternal mortality rate from HELLP Syndrome is roughly 1%, but the infant rate is 10-60% depending on gestational age and other factors.  You can read more at the Preeclampsia Foundation.

We decided to try again, and while I didn’t get as sick there were still complications.   After the stillbirth of our daughter we went about with all the paperwork that comes with a death.  I remember sitting on my bed when we got home and looking at the death certificate.  I thought to myself that this was unusual wasn’t it?  Was she really born?  Some didn’t think so, some did, some wanted me to stop dwelling and get on with my life.  But here I had this piece of paper from the government, so it did happen.

I wanted to write about it because these certificates can be useful for future researchers.  In 2003 the CDC redid their requirements for death and birth certificates which included more information and provisions for fetal death.  You can see their standards here. 

Mine is a treasure trove of genealogical information for future researchers.  It lists:

·         Name of fetus, sex, date of delivery, facility, city, county, and state
·         Complete name of mother, date of birth, state born, current address
·         Complete name of father, date of birth, and state born
·         Cause of death
·         Age of gestation, weight, and length
·         Doctors information
·         Burial information and funeral home
·         Education level of parents, occupation, race, number of prenatal visits, history of other pregnancies, and if parents are married

So much to learn from one piece of paper that is tucked away.

But that is not all.  In the last decade more and more states are now issuing Certificates of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth.  You can read this New York Times article on it from May 22, 2007.  Another piece of genealogical information to add to you list.

Fairfax County Genealogical Society Fall Fair

I just learned, today, that there is a one day genealogy fair not far from me.  How did I miss this?  Trying to figure out if I can make it up there to attend this event.  If you are in the area you should too.  It sounds amazing!  Early registration ends TOMORROW 10/18!!


Fairfax Genealogical Society
invites you to their
9th Annual Fall Fair: Federal Records with Claire Bettag

Date:
Saturday, October 27, 2012
9:00 AM to 3:00 PM (please arrive before 9:00 AM)

Location:
Dunn Loring Volunteer Fire Department
2148 Gallows Road
Dunn Loring, VA 22027

Register online at http://fxgsfallfair2012.eventbrite.com or download the registration form

Featured Speaker: Claire Bettag, CG, FUGA is a certified professional genealogist based in Washington D.C. whose research focuses on French and Acadian families of Louisiana. She conducts research in Louisiana, Europe, and Washington. She teaches at the National Institute on Genealogical Research (NIGR), the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG), the Genealogy and Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP), and the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research at Samford University (IGHR).

A contributing author to Professional Genealogy, she has also published articles in the National Genealogical Society Quarterly, APG Quarterly, and other genealogical publications. She has served as the director of NIGR and a ProGen mentor, and on the boards of NGS, APG, and BCG. Currently she is on the editorial board of the National Genealogical Society Quarterly and volunteers at the National Archives. Her M.A. in French is from Columbia University; she has studied in France as a Fulbright fellow, and in Quebec, Spain, and Mexico.

Lectures:

"FEDERAL LAND RECORDS"
From 1789 to the late nineteenth century, the United States acquired land and added it to the public domain. The federal government then surveyed the land and disposed of it, creating federal land records in the process. Today the National Archives holds land records for the thirty public land states whose lands were part of the U.S. public domain. These records are valuable for locating families and individuals at a specific date and documenting family land holdings. They may also provide additional valuable family information. The presentation discusses land entry papers primarily, with brief mention of surrendered bounty-land warrants.

"THE CONGRESSIONAL SERIAL SET"
The U.S. Congressional Serial Set, published by the U.S. Government Printing Office, is part of a vast collection of published public documents popularly known as "Gov Docs" (government documents). The Serial Set ranks among the most valuable — and most underused — genealogical resources for family historians. Containing records of the U.S. Congress, executive agencies, independent commissions, and other entities, it provides a wealth of information, often untapped by researchers. The presentation discusses Serial Set contents and access, with numerous examples.

"LIBRARY OF CONGRESS RESOURCES: MANUSCRIPTS DIVISION"
The Manuscript Division of the Library of Congress houses more than eleven thousand collections containing about fifty million items. Beyond the Library's Local History and Genealogy Collection, this is one of its best potential sources for family historians. Yet, researchers rarely mine its riches. Among its holdings are the private papers of American political, cultural, and scientific figures: reformers, writers, inventors, scientists, historians, anthropologists, celebrities, journalists, artists, architects, and more; documents from foreign countries related to American colonial history, often containing information about individuals and families; and much more.

 

Registration includes all lectures, lunch (see below), access to the vendors, and an electronic syllabus. A printed copy of the syllabus is available for $5.00.

A boxed lunch (sandwich, side, and drink) is included for registrations received by Thursday, October 18. Registrations after this date include lunch only if extras are available.

Regular registrations must be received by October 18. All registrations received after October 18 will be charged the late registration fee. A printed syllabus is included for late/walk-in registrations. Registrations postmarked by October 17 but received after the 18th will receive the regular registration fee but will only include lunch if extras are available. Register early!

Parking is available at the fire station as well as on the street. There is also overflow parking in the school parking lot next door.

Check-in/registration begins at 8:00 AM.

Vendors open at 8:00 AM.

 

photo credit: Simon Adriaensen via photopin cc

Book Review and Contest Winner

I have discovered another podcast that I LOVE, oh yeah all caps LOVE.  It is Fieldstone Common by Marian Pierre-Louis.  This show covers New England history and genealogy through 1 hour interviews with people who have knowledge of this area.  So far there have been curators, archivists, authors, and genealogists on her show and we are only a little over a month in.

Her show is at 1pm EST Thursdays on Blogtalk Radio.  Until 2 weeks ago I had been unable to listen to it live as I was out running errands or at other appointments on those days.  I was so excited that I would actually be home for one!  When the time came to listen I turned my computer up all the way and sat down to do some work at my kitchen table.

That particular show was an interview with John Thomas Grant on his book Final Thoughts: Eternal Beauty in Stone.  Until this show I was unfamiliar with his work, but I love taking pictures; much to the amusement of my family.  My husband sighs when we are out and tells the boys to pause while "mom is being artistic again."  While I am not a great photographer, I have admiration for those who are and enjoy looking at books of pictures to study their techniques.   

 

Mr. Grant is a cemetery photographer and listening to him tell his stories of uncovering headstones, techniques to bring the marble to life, and the reasons he does what he does held me in rapt attention.  I decided half way through the program I was going to call in for the chance at winning the free book; I had to see it!

The time came to call, and imagine my surprise when I found myself on the radio!  I wasn't sure if she was talking to me at first, but decided since no one else answered I must be live... on the air... gulp.  This is when I discovered my voice goes up in pitch when I get excited and I think I sound like some sort of spunky elf on the radio.  There is not future as a regular podcaster for me!  Well, not unless I can bring my voice down an octave that is. 

Marian mailed me my copy and I received it late last week.  It is amazing.  He is a phenomenal photographer and there are times where he makes them so life like I am waiting for the statues to turn around!  Each page also contains words from the headstones he has photographed, and it adds to the flavor and ambiance of the book.  I recommend it to anyone who is interested in photography, graveyards, or beautiful moments. 

Fieldstone Common is available through iTunes as well as the website.  Go check it out!

Next FTF Post is up: is your heraldry correct?

Ahnentafel von Herzog Ludwig
(1568-1593) Holzschnitt
Württembergisches Landesmuseum, Stuttgart
wikimedia

This post will most likely not make me any friends, but I had to put it out there none the less.  It is all about heraldry and you can read it here.

The problem of people slapping up coats of arms all over their tress is, well, everywhere.  Now, I will admit, that if the researcher has done the proper leg work and knows for certain that what they have posted is the correct arms then kudos to them!  Most people, however, don’t.

Heraldic display is awesome.  I love the banners, wood carving, stained glass, and well… everything about a good heraldic display.  I have read books, taken classes, and studied heraldry in person all over the place.  A highlight of mine was going to The Institute of Heraldry a few years ago.  I didn’t want to leave their research library and was amazed by what I saw.

For several months I have been thinking about putting together a heraldic primer for genealogists.  With descriptions of how arms were used, why they were used, who could use them, how they were passed down and etc.  Perhaps I should put pen to paper and get cracking on that.

Lookie at that: a mention on Genealogy Gems Podcast

In the spring of 2011 my good friend Elizabeth turned me on to a podcaster, genealogist, lecturer, and author by the name of Lisa Louise Cooke.  She is the host of Genealogy Gems, and it is a true gem for anyone interested in family history research.

She is the reason I am sitting here writing to you today.  Lisa encourages all her listeners to write and publish their own family history blogs.  Getting your information out there is the best way to connect with others who are also searching for those same ancestors.  Collaboration is one of the fantastic things that genealogists love to do.  The connections I have made prove that, and I can’t believe it took me so long to take that plunge and meet all of you.  Last December I wrote to her telling her about how she was a driving force in doing this.

Her latest podcast came out this week, and imagine my stunned surprise when I heard my name on it.  Her last segment of the show is about listeners who have taken the plunge and written their own blogs.  At one point she calls me the “poster child for genealogists and why we should blog.”  Wow.  I mean… really wow.  I was standing in my living room folding clothes when I heard that and my jaw fell open.  After I regained my senses I was more than honored that she used my letter on her show.

You can listen to her podcasts though iTunes or her website.  Also Check out Lisa’s other podcasts, Family History: Genealogy Made Easy, and Family Tree MagazinePodcast.

photo credit: Colleen AF Venable via photopin cc

Week 41 of Abundant Genealogy

Week 41: Past Genealogy Resources. Nothing good lasts forever and that is definitely true in family history. Think of all the genealogy tools, magazines or websites that no longer exist. Which one stands out in your mind and why? Are there still archives of this tool that can be accessed by the public? Share any information you may have.

Well, this post is where you all realize that I have not done this obsession very long. Nothing I have used in the last 2 years has gone by the wayside. Okay, I will take that back. I really loved, LOVED, the Geneabloggers Radio. It is no longer published but the information in it is still relevant. I particularly recommend the episode on Land Bounty Records.

To be honest, I will be reading the other posts more closely on this thread so that I can learn what these old tools were. Of course, you should feel free to comment here as well. I would love to hear about magazines and tools that were of great use that are no longer published. Maybe I can find an archive of them online and read the back copies too!
 
photo credit: yewenyi via photopin cc

Source Citation Fail: Where is this marriage record kept?

In August I was so excited when I found an online image of the marriage record for my 4^th great grandparents Noah Gilpin Hayden and Unity Patterson.  I copied it to my software, my computer, and bookmarked (I thought) the URL.  Several weeks later I went back to make a full source citation for the GMSD application and I couldn’t find the source. 

Insert Panicked frenzy of trying all the different search tricks I know to back track my steps.

Which leads me to this post:  do any of you think you can help me figure out where I got this image? PLEASE?  Oh, and tracing the image name won't work because when I saved it I changed the name to something more in sync with my files.  Teaches me, huh?

 

 In addition, here is what I know about this couple.  Just in case you would like some more background.

Noah Gilpin Hayden was born 1 January 1801 in Harrodsburg, Mercer County, Kentucky to Noah Hayden and Elizabeth Gilpin.  He married Unity (Catherine?) Patterson on 10 December 1822 in Mercer County, Kentucky.  Unity was born 19 September 1802 in Virginia (possibly Louisa County) and her parents are potentialy William Patterson and Catherine Trower.  Between 1840 and 1841 they leave Kentucky for Indiana and settle in Orange County near a town called Bromer.

Noah and Unity have 8 children that I can find:

Noah D. Hayden born 1826 Kentucky
Mary Jane Hayden born 1827 Kentucky; married James Combs
Permelia Catherine Hayden born 1830 Kentucky; married Noah Redenour
Thomas J. Hayden born 1832 Kentucky
Martin C. Hayden born 1834 Kentucky
Samuel Hayden born 1837 Kentucky
Elias Leslie Hayden born 1839 Kentucky
Robert Wright Hayden born 1842 Indiana
 
Noah died before 24 November 1846 (the date of his probate) on his farm near Bromer, Indiana.  Unity is said to have moved to one of her sons houses in Greene County, Indiana with her 5 minor children at this time.  She died 12 April 1870 in Owensburg, Greene County, Indiana. 

 

What we did on my sons birthday: The next FTF post is up!

My next post is up at Family Tree, and you can read it here.

To say that we had an exciting birthday trip is an understatement.  2 hours of “Are we there yet?” from the back seat plus the bouncing in said seats as we crossed into Maryland would never have given it away.  No… never. 

Of course the funniest thing was when we asked the boys if they recognized the narrator’s voice on the movie.  One said Mufasa (from Lion King) and the other said Darth Vader.  Oh my!  Can you guess their ages?  It was a very well done movie and my oldest sat in rapt attention.  It was great because as we took the tour he would retell parts of the movie to us, and then supplement it with things he had read. 

On the battlefield there is a family cemetery next to the Mumma farm, which, for you history buffs out there, was the only farm to have been burned that day.  It was a quiet little place with very old and new headstones.  I have a thing for cemeteries (I know which of you don’t?) and I just had to see it.  Good thing my husband thinks it is interesting looking around them too.  There were some very beautiful ones, including one that had a weeping willow on it.

There were several other major stops we made that day.  The Observation tower was a wonderful place to look out over the battlefield.  It was very tall, and steep, but well worth the trip up.  You could see a majority of the battlefield from there, which really gives you a scope of how it all played out.  I also loved the Burnside Bridge.  It was a hike to get to it, but it was so amazing to stand there and just hear nature around you.  We also took a stroll through the National Cemetery in Sharpsburg.  Those are always amazing places, and they always take my breath away.

Below are a few of the pictures I took.  Hope you enjoy them!

 

Top of the Maryland Memorial

Top of the NY Memorial



Dunker Church

Indiana Memorial

The Bloody Cornfield

Burnside Bridge and the
Witness Tree

The moment I knew, post at the Armchair Genealogist

My grandmothers, the keepers of
the family stories

This morning at The Armchair Genealogist you can read a piece I wrote about “The Moment I Knew.”  It is part of her series called “Everyone has a Story” and you can read past posts, from other bloggers, there too.

Many of you have read up teem times about the way I fell into genealogy.  If you are regular readers you also know that family means the world to me.  Diving headlong into discovering my children’s heritage felt right.  You see, it is not just about my family or my husband’s family, it is about our family.  Through our children we have one past and one future.  This is a gift I can give our future, and it is one that I am thrilled to make for them.

Week 40 of Abundant Genealogy

Week 40: Wild Card. Is there something for which you are thankful that has not been discussed yet? Share your genealogical abundance on a personal level. How does this person/item/group/memory or other entity impact your family history?

Oh, wow.  Yeah, I say that a lot, but now I have a reason to ponder and think about a large amount of stuff.  It only took me until today to figure out.  Not bad, not bad at all.

I have to be thankful for museums and historical sites.  Without these I would not be able to see and experience aspects of my ancestor’s lives.  Being able to experience history with all your senses is a wonderful thing.  Walking in the places your ancestors were and imagining what it was like to stand there when there were there are experiences that I treasure. 

As a visual learner, who also needs to do things to engrain them, I need more than just books and computer images to really learn.  Having the opportunity to travel to places my family visited, battlefields they fought on, or stand in the fields they worked means more to me than almost anything.  They bring the person to life.
 

photo credit: Sanctu via photopin cc