DAR and genetic genealogy one step closer

DAR Library, Washington DC. Photo by Shannon Combs-Bennett

On the Today's DAR blog there was an exciting headline:  "DAR is Expanding its Work with DNA for Genealogical Research" Wow!  I had to read the article through several times before I was able to write this post.  To say that this isn't exciting would be lying.

Go and read the blog post.  It is packed full of so much information that I would not do it justice to list everything here.  The important thing to note is that the DAR and FTDNA are working together again on a DNA project.  Yep, did you test with FTDNA and are a DAR member?  If you said yes then go put your DNA in the project.

Why?  Well currently they are accepting any type of DNA (atDNA, yDNA, or mtDNA) from members or THEIR FAMILY into this group (Surname Project NSDAR).  It is being overseen by staff genealogists at the DAR and they can then use that information to help with hard to prove ancestors.

Better yet, if you have been putting off testing FTDNA has discounted rates for DAR members and their family.  So, as the NSDAR Register General, Sharon Withers, stated today "be a DNA pioneer - join the NSDAR DNA Group!"

Upcoming Symposium at the DAR Headquarters in Washington, DC

Join Us for an Exciting DAR Museum Symposium!

How does memory and collecting shape our understanding of the American Revolution? The upcoming DAR Museum symposium explores in more depth the museum's current exhibit, Remembering the American Revolution: 1776-1890, which examines how several generations of 19th century Americans preserved the memory of the American Revolution through war mementos they saved and consumer goods they purchased.
   

Evidence of Commemoration Symposium

Friday, March 11, 2016
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

DAR National Headquarters
1776 D Street NW 
Washington, D.C. 20006

$80, pre-registration required
Registration deadline February 24, 2016

Register at: www.rardar.eventbrite.com  

Speakers:
Seth Bruggeman, Temple University - Looking in the Mirror: Learning to See Memory in the American Past

R. Scott Stephenson, Museum of the American Revolution - The Other Home of Washington: Recreating the General’s Revolutionary War Field Headquarters

Diane Shaw, Lafayette College Special Collections - On Tour with the 'Nation's Guest': Lafayette's Return to America, 1824-25

Don Hagist, Independent researcher and author - The Revolution’s Last Men

Tyler Rudd Putman, University of Delaware - Warship, Wreck, Relic: The Three Lives of HMS Augusta

www.dar.org/museum  

New DAR member!

DAR Building Washington, D.C. image from the Library of Congress

Well, it happened.  After all the hand wringing, researching, and yelling “WHY!” at the ceiling, my DAR application was accepted.  Whew…

For those who have read the whole saga here on the blog you know that this was a long process.  Sometimes I get overly stubborn, but darn it I was going to prove this line!  A few times I was encouraged to change to a different, easier, ancestor.  No! Darn it all I started with this one I was going to finish this one.  Yes, I get like this a lot; it is part of my endearing nature you know. 

To say this has been a labor of love would put it mildly.  It has been a year and a half in the making.  There were multitudes of phone calls to various libraries, archives, courthouses, cousins, and of course my parents who listened patiently to every single development.  Late nights talking to my husband about new evidence, lack of evidence, possibilities, and frustrations.  Not to mention the hundreds of emails and phone calls to my fellow research friends. 

The hard part was done, and if I want to submit a second patriot right way I have his father, William Hayden, who fought with Virginia.  Too bad it’s not two for the price of one.  Wouldn’t that be awesome?  There should be a father son rule somewhere.

I do have a new quest to prove my mother’s 4^th great grandfather.  No one has submitted an application for him, ever.  When I saw that I was so surprised.  I hope with my fingers crossed, that this is very easy; particularly since I have his request for a pension through the Loudon County, Virginia Courts.

Now to get cracking on all that.  I have stuff to read, things to get involved in, and tons more to put on my plate.  Nope, just can’t do anything half way it seems.

DAR Application Woes: My Hayden line is driving me crazy!

Many of you know that I have been plugging along on my DAR application on my Hayden family line for a little more than a year.  (This is the same family I am applying with for the GSMD.)  Silly me to think that it would be quick, simple, or easy.  Silly me to think that anything in my life could ever be quick, simple, or easy.  Thus, let Murphy step into the picture, just to say to me “You silly girl.”

A few weeks ago I found out that the patriot I am pursuing, whom is on file with the DAR and that I could dovetail into, is a closed file.  Yes, a closed file. What is that you ask?  It seems that for a short period of time starting in the 1960s a member could request that their application file, and all the paperwork in it, be closed.  No one after that could have access to any part of it except the staff at the library.  The staff can read it but not give out any information contained within.  No big deal right? Yeah, well, it throws a big wrench into everything for me.  Particularly when you hear that the information in it could help.  Insert heavy sigh here.

I now have a weak link that I am trying to prove, and I am told that this information is in the file, you know the file I can't see.  This is the way my life goes in a majority of the things I do.  However, having to scrape and fight for something just builds character.  At least that is what I have told myself for 30+ years.

My weak link is in proving (beyond a doubt with documentation) that the parents of Noah Gilpin Hayden are Noah Hayden and Elizabeth Gilpin.  As a form of brainstorming, and a not very well masked plea for help, I am putting out here what I have so far.  Everything I have, which I am beginning to realize really isn't that much.

First off:  the line (the way I know it)

Noah Hayden (Patriot) married second Elizabeth Gilpin

Noah Gilpin Hayden married Unity Patterson

Mary Jane Hayden married James Combs

Tying the first 2 couples, the weak link, is what I have to do.  All the couples from Noah G. and Unity forward are proven through records satisfactorily, but I included their daughter Mary Jane as there is information in her generation which helps the prior one.  I also know that Noah’s father William Hayden, who is also in the DAR database, had a son named Noah but I need to prove that my Noah is his Noah. 

All of which is approved for the GSMD, however, different lineage societies require different things.  Thus I can not use one as proof for the other.

Alright: the sources, information, and documentation:

Here is the proof paperwork that I have.  Of course, as I already stated, once I see it all written down I am beginning to see the gaping holes.  Again the reason everyone needs to do things like this for their research.

I.          Mary Jane Hayden and James Combs

• Marriage record from Orange County Indiana 23 Feb 1845
• Both listed in her father’s will (Mary Jane Combs formerly Hayden and her Husband James Combs)
• Mary Jane Birth/Death:  No death records from the time frame for this county according to the county clerk. Headstone picture from Willow Springs, Howell County, Missouri born 12 Sept 1827, died 16 Jul 1888, know she moved there with several of her children in the mid 1880s.
• James Birth/Death: No records for either just suggestion of birth in Surry County, North Carolina where his family lived and death in Wabash County, Illinois through family lore.
• 1840 Census for Monroe County, Indiana page unidentified for Charles Combs shows a possible James
• 1840 Census for Mercer County, Kentucky page 211 for Noah Hayden shows a possible Mary Jane
• 1850 Census for Franklin, Orange County, Indiana page 107B; information for Mary Jane: age 23, born KY; information for James: age 27, born NC
• 1860 Census for Center, Greene County, Indiana, page 672; information for Mary Jane: age 29, born KY; information for James: age 39, born NC
• 1870 Census for Center, Greene County, Indiana page 285B; information for Mary Jane: age 43, born KY; information for James: age 49, born in NC
• 1880 Census for Columbia, Dubois County, Indiana page 4C Enumeration District 158; information for Mary Jane: age 53, wife, born KY, father born KY, mother born VA; information for James: age 59, born NC, father born NC, mother born NC

II.         Noah Gilpin Hayden and Unity Patterson

• Marriage listed in the Marriage registry 12 Dec 1822 for Mercer County, Kentucky (image available on  Family Search) 
• Marriage Bond for 10 Dec 1822 for Noah G. Hayden and Unity Patterson signed by Noah G. Hayden and William Patterson for Mercer County, Kentucky (image available on  Family Search)
• Noah Gilpin Hayden Birth /Death: Tombstone with known wrong information in Trimble Cemetery near Bromer, Orange County, Indiana.  States he was born 1 Jan 1811 and died 28 Aug 184 (2 or 7) Probate Record from the Indiana State Archive.  Need to contact them for full source information as I cannot make out the date.  I think it says 24 November 184(4 or 7) from Orange County, Indiana
• Unity Patterson Birth/Death: Tombstone Emanuel Hatfield Pioneer Cemetery Owensburg, Greene County, Indiana.  Born 19 Sept 1802, died 12 Apr 1870 dates seem correct based on family lore.  No death records from the time in Greene County Indiana according to clerk
• 1820 Census for William Patterson in Mercer County, Kentucky page 105 shows the possible parents of Unity with a child her age
• 1830 Census for Noah Hayden in Perryville, Mercer County, Kentucky page 359 shows the correct family unit with one slave
• 1850 Census for Indian Creek, Monroe County, Indiana page 344B;  information for Unity: age 49, birth VA

   III.                    Noah Hayden and Elizabeth Gilpin

• Marriage Bond for 23 May 1804 for Noah Hayden and Elizabeth Gilpin signed by Noah Hayden and William Wilham (image available on  Family Search)
• Marriage Register for Mercer County, Kentucky 11 Jun 1804 (image available on Family Search)
• Noah Hayden Birth/Death: Baptism record for him and 3 of his brother on 31 Oct 1756 Shrewsbury, Morris County, New Jersey Christ Church Parish Record (Google Book) 
• Elizabeth Gilpin Birth/Death: Will on file in Mercer County, Kentucky signed 26 Sept 1825.  A son named Noah is listed in the will, as is a William Patterson.  All known children are listed in the will as well.

Clues and other sources:

In a magazine that was published from 1929-1933, The HaydenFamily Chronicles, there is quite a bit of information on this line of the family.  All editions are online and can be read there too.  A few interesting facts that I think I need to follow up on, as they are clues to where Noah was during his lifetime, can be found on these pages.  I have listed a few of the passages below:

Volume 2, Issue 1, Page 17

Volume 4, Issue 2, Page 92

I also have access to another genealogical book (thank you mom and dad) titled Genealogical History of Our Ancestors by Rutherford.  We have a common ancestor, Noah’s parents William Hayden and Lydia Kierstede.  Volume 2, of the 2 volume set, contains the descendant’s listings for all the families.  Not a lot of new information, a listing of children and spouses, and known birth/death dates.  Noah is entry 215 on page 231 is you have access to a copy and is shown below.   It has no death date listed but a possible death place of Mercer County, Kentucky.

Next  Steps?

Okay, I think I know what I need to do now.  The checklist I have put together for myself is listed below.  I really hope it doesn't take me another year though.  If you have suggestions or advice...I am all ears.

• Talk to the GSMD, they have this line proved, maybe they can help
• Confirm birth of Elizabeth Gilpin
• Confirm the birth of Noah Gilpin Hayden in Kentucky
• Confirm birth of Unity Patterson in Virginia
• Confirm will date with Indiana State Archives for Noah Gilpin Hayden probate
• Find death, if possible, for Noah Hayden
• Find record of supposed deed transfer from Enoch to Noah, maybe it will give more clues
• Find any mention of him in the records from Randolph County, VA (now West Virginia)
• The reason he fought for Pennsylvania (he was from New Jersey and his father enlisted in  Virginia) may help
• On the 1830 NG Hayden Census there is a slave listed, perhaps I can find references looking in these records for slave transactions

Last resort...I throw in the towel and tackle one of my dozen plus other eligible, and recognized,  patriots.  While it would still take time, and not something I want to do, it is always an option if I can't get this link fixed.

Fingers crossed!

Lessons in research

I am still plodding away on the applications for the DAR and the GSMD.  Why did I think this would be so quick and easy?  Honestly, it is not that hard, just a bit on the tedious side. I mean, all I have been doing is gathering records, calling court houses, cajoling relatives into giving me copies of things, and etc.  While it is taking months longer than I thought to gather these items, I have learned a lot along the way.

First lesson:  how to talk to irate, and at times unhelpful, court clerks on the phone.  I would never have guessed that people who work for the public could at times be rude and condescending.  Not all of them, thankfully, but a few out of the dozen I have talked with on the phone had an unpleasant attitude.   Now, please understand, I am always polite, courteous, and clear when requesting information.  Just the way I was taught; easier to attract flies with honey instead of vinegar you know.  However, one woman actually told me that she had more pressing issues that dealt with living people and didn’t have time for my nonsense.  When I explained that I lived a thousand miles away and would be happy to pay the office for the time it took to retrieve the files and copy them she hung up on me.  Thankfully she wasn’t working when I called back.

Second lesson:  keep an accurate phone and mail log.  It is embarrassing to write or call the same person twice for the same information.  Lucky for me the librarian thought it was funny.  That embarrassment drove me to making an official log, like so many researchers do.  I had been using the inside of the folder I had made to collect the documents in as a on-the-fly note keeper.  That obviously had a flaw, one that I could still repeat, because I had to remember to keep the notes up to date.  So far so good now that I keep an official correspondence log with each file.  Also, this helps me keep a trail of places that I have contacted without success when tracking down where an ancestor’s record may be.  That information can lead me to the next place I should look or contact. 

Third lesson:  cite your sources immediately.  Nothing is more embarrassing than finding an awesome online record and forgetting where you got it.  Worse, is when you have to ask your readers to help you find those lost records (thanks guys!).  In the past I would copy the information or image and attach the web site to it.  Then, when I had the time, I would go back and insert the correct source citation.  For books and paper copies this is much easier since you can just photocopy the title page or write the source on the back of the page.  Now, I make a point to take the few extra minutes to do a correct source citation immediately.

Fourth lesson:  making a spreadsheet to keep track of what you have and what you still need.  Seems like a simple thing right?  Something someone should have started at the beginning of an epic quest such as this huh?  Well… sometimes my brain makes decisions contrary to what should be done.  I printed out the application forms and started to keep track of what I had on there.  However, after about 6 months of notes, additions, deletions, and multi colored pens the chicken scratch was hard to be straight.  My solution was a check list that I stapled to the outside of my paperwork folder.  Now I have a list off what is in the file and what I still need to gather for submission.  No need to try and read the scribble or hunt through each file trying to figure out what I still need. 

There you have it, the lessons that have now been firmly planted in my head about what to do and not to do when conducting a specific research project.  Now, let’s hope that I remember it the next time I start one of these!

Week 33 of Abundant Genealogy

Week 33: Ancestor Legend. What is your favorite ancestral legend or family lore? Who originally told the story and what was the claim? Have you been able to prove the story true or false? What steps did you take to do so?

In past posts I have talked about several family legends, but I admit that my favorite one is still that we are descendants of John Alden and Priscilla Mullins of the Mayflower.  Yeah, corny I know, but you have to admit being bombarded with pilgrim stuff every year in school makes connections like that seem extra cool.  Yes, I do know now the correct history (and living in Virginia, that Jamestown was first) but you have to admit that there is nothing like saying you have roots to early Colonial America.

My Grandma Combs told me the story over and over as a child.  She even read me the poem about them where Priscilla says "Speak for thyself John."  My grandfather's great aunt was the family historian.  Eliza Jane had a family bible that belonged to my 3rd great grandmother, Mary Jane Hayden Combs.  The Hayden's are the ones that carried the line down to us from the Mayflower according to her stories.  The bible had a complete lineage of the Hayden, and now Combs, family through to her generation.  I would give anything to be able to find this bible.

Well, on a lark I sent in a proposed lineage to the General Society of Mayflower Descendants.  You know what?  It is looking more and more like this story is actually true.  They have a confirmed lineage through my 4th great grandparents, Mary Jane's parents, Noah Gilpin Hayden and Unity Patterson. The society is confident through his parents, would like a bit more on Noah G. and his wife, and then the rest of the lineage to now.

Currently this is a project that I am working on, and at the same time I can apply for the DAR as Noah's grandfather is an accepted patriot in their database.  That makes this family line doubly exciting to me.

photo credit: Mr. Ducke via photo pin cc

Week 13 of Abundant Genealogy

Local genealogical and historical societies are the lifeblood of genealogy. Members and volunteers give their time and money to preserve local history and promote family history. Tell us about a local society for which you are thankful.

This is where I hang my head in shame and admit that I do not participate on the local level in any genealogy community.  Unless you count the local chapter of the DAR that I will become a full member of when my paperwork is completed.  I have attended two meetings, and have already become a nuisance.  You know, raising my hand and asking a lot of questions!

I wrote to the Fredericksburg Virgina Regional Genealogy Society (FRGS) about a year ago looking to interact and get more insights into this new hobby I was picking up.  Unfortunately, their meeting night is the same night as another group I belong to, and as an officer person I need to be at the other meetings.  Luckily my term is up this June, so perhaps I can look into it more then.

Beyond that, I am a member of the New England Historic Genealogy Society (NEHGS). I have thought about becoming a member of the Virginia Genealogical Society and the Indiana Genealogical Society.  Chase those roots to the source!

*Image from wikimedia commons:  Silas M. Clark House, 621 Wayne Ave at South Sixth Street, (Borough of) Indiana, Pennsylvania. Built 1869-1870. Home of the Historical and Genealogical Society of Indiana County. Had been known as "History House" and "Memorial Hall".

The DAR

Some of you may know that I have taken the plunge and I am going to attempt to get all the paperwork in order to make my grandmother’s dream come true by applying to join the Daughters of the American Revolution.  I attended the meeting of the local chapter, Susannah Chandler, on the 10^th.  They are a nice group of ladies and were very welcoming to a prospective member.

I have 4 suspected lines that are in the DAR database; which when I discovered that completely floored me.  Only 4?  Bet you I can find more…go on, bet you.  Now, I was disappointed not to find my suspected Arvin ancestor (still proving that line) or my suspected Combs ancestor (which William Combs) in the database.  That is a personal goal of mine, to find them and bring them to the attention of my living relatives.

The lines that are there and I just need to gather the documents to prove my findings to their satisfaction are:

James Drake (mother’s side)
Rodolphus Norris (mother’s side)
William Hayden (father’s side)
William Price (father’s side)

A few of these lines I am still tracing, well, how about I am double checking the sources on published genealogies to make sure I am satisfied that the person is correct.  One of those very first lessons I had, not all trees that are published are sourced well…never trust an Ancestry.com public tree.

Of course, I also have a new trail to follow.  I was doing random surname searches on the DAR database and I came across a James Cannon who died in Daviess County Indiana 1849.  Looking at some of the information on the available descendants lists it appears that he and his children resided in Martin County Indiana…where my mother’s family is from. 

This is interesting to me as I have a Bethena (Betheny) Cannon on my mother’s side of the family.  She was born in Martin County Indiana 1838, to parents who were from Virginia and Indiana according to the census information given.  Taking the information from the DAR site I am going to go and do some searches for the family using the possible siblings and aunts/uncles listed.  Love it when I get new leads!

*Image from the Library of Congress, "Daughters of the American Revolution. Exterior of Daughters of the American Revolution Building"