Daughters of the American Revolution

52 Ancestors – Week 8 – I Can Identify

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Plugging along with the 52 Ancestors prompts so I can be caught up and work on putting some other things out into the universe and work on them. The prompt for week 8 is I can identify. Many different takes can be taken on this prompt. I am blessed that my Grandma started our family tree back in the day when things were done in person and letters via snail mail.

My Grandma is the reason I am so interested in family history, I have very fond memories of traipsing around cemeteries as pre-teen and teenager with my Grandma and Grandpa.

Picture of my Grandparents, Earl and Frances (Stewart) Witherwax.

So for the topic “I Can Identify”, I decided to highlight a couple of my favorite finds from over the years.

  1. When I identified that my 2x Great Grandmother Sarah Larkin Beardsley was indeed a doctor. This was found via a google search. She attended the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor.

2. Finding the passenger list of my Moro Family coming over from Italy in 1880. When I first found this record. I did not realize that the Chiara listed there was my 2x Great Grandmother.

3. Another favorite find of mine is the marriage registration of my 2x-Great Grandparents. Michaelangelo Moro and Chiara Ludivico in Italy. I am hoping to find more Italian records because every time I find one it is always a sense of accomplishment, especially since I can’t read, write or speak Italian.

Michaelangelo Moro and Chiara Ludivico were married in 1872 in Lentella, Italy.

4. Another fun find was my second Daughters of the American Revolution Patriot. Bezaleel Wood. After I joined the DAR back in 2016 through my original patriot Lorin Nehemiah Larkin. I joined a bunch of different Facebook groups pertaining to the DAR and in one of these groups a member said look at lines right near the patriot. So I looked at Lorin Larkin’s Wife Christiana Cutler and couldn’t prove her father so I looked at wife of his son John. John’s wife is a woman named Sarah Wood. Sarah’s father is Bezaleel Wood my 5x great-grandfather on my grandpa’s line.

This is Bezaleel Wood’s information in the DAR Database.

5. My last favorite find is anything on my husbands tree. Everything on this is fun because I am totally flying blind with no one to ask questions of. So when I am able to find records that confirm my findings or hunches I am totally ecstatic.

It is also probably a reason that I enjoy using ThruLines at Ancestry as an additional hint because I know there is a connection somewhere due to the DNA and it gives me a starting point to figure out where the connection is in the documents.

I hope you enjoyed my take on the prompt I Can Identify, until next time.

52 Ancestors – Week 12 – Popular

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Popular what does that mean? According to the dictionary Popular is an adjective. It means liked, admired or enjoyed by many people or by a particular person or group. This prompt is going to be tough. I am not big into popularity, I tend to root for the underdog and when it comes to family history I find the scoundrels a bit more interesting.

So I decided to look at the family tree and decided to see from my grandparents which lines went back the furthest. I kind of knew it would be my maternal grandpa’s side. These are the lines my grandma spent the most time on and which I have been slowly going through and confirming the data she had or in some cases I have been fleshing out the trees and looking at siblings to ensure I have the correct family units.

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I have been concentrating on the Knowlton line a lot. I am trying to connect that pesky Sarah to her father Benjamin Knowlton. There are a couple of genealogies with no sources that state they are father and daughter. If I could confirm that Sarah Knowlton who married Obadiah Coolidge was the daughter of Benjamin Knowlton it would clear up an AIR (additional information requested) for the DAR. I am in the midst of reading town records isn’t that fun.

The other line I have been playing with is The Joseph Daby and Elizabeth Nurse line as that should take me back to Rebecca Nurse of the Salem witch trials. I really need to finish that application for the ADEAW. I think I may pull out what I have for that this weekend.

I can generally get these lines of my grandpa’s back to about 1630, my eventual goal is to hopefully find that elusive Mayflower ancestor.

So I would say this is my popular line of genealogy research probably because I am most comfortable with researching it.

Social Distancing Project 1

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I thought I would have more time being stuck at home for projects during the Covid-19 Pandemic but for the past week I have been battling a cold or possible strep throat considering it felt like a knife had been shoved down my throat but I am finally feeling better to work on my first project that I had started before this all started.

I am working on this project for my DAR Chapter. I am a member of the Increase Carpenter Chapter. My project is making shareable Patriot Profiles and compile them in a book along with other information I might find. Right now I am concentrating on their graves.

This is a patriot of a chapter member. We plan to share these on our Chapter Facebook page.

abnercooley

and here is a link to his Find A Grave memorial. This is actually a wonderfully maintained memorial page as it provides a lot of information about Abner Cooley.

Are you working on any volunteer projects while sheltering in place and helping to flatten the curve?

A special shout out to those essential workers on the front lines THANK YOU for ALL YOU DO. I am extremely blessed that Gerard retired in 2019 as this would of stressed me more than September 11, 2001, ever did.

52 Ancestors – Week 51 – Future

/ Chiara / 1 Comment

So looking forward to 2020, I have all sorts of projects and goals in mind. It is going to require me to be a bit more organized with my time and with my research.

Genealogy Projects for 2020

  1. File a DAR supplemental application for my daughter through her paternal grandma’s line.
  2. Clear the DAR Additional Information Requested to connect Sarah Knowlton Coolidge to Benjamin Knowlton.
  3. Highlight an ancestor once a month on the blog.
  4. Submit an application to Associated Daughters of Early American Witches.
  5. Submit an application to Daughters of Union Veterans.
  6. Submit a supplemental application for a new patriot David Weatherwax.
  7. Break through a few brick walls including finding a death date for Henry Bass.
  8. Plan a few local day research trips to Brooklyn (Holy Cross Cemetery, Canarsie Cemetery, trips to the municipal archives and family history centers.)
  9. Work on detangling the Preston line.
  10. Try to take a class on Jewish Research, Italian or Irish Research.
  11. Listen to 2 genealogy podcasts per week.
  12. Work on finishing RLP ECourse and DNA course.

Sounds like a good plan for 2020.

Sometimes Rabbit Holes can be profitable

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I have done a deep dive into the world of genetic genealogy and spent a huge amount of the past weekend messaging matches and hoping for responses. Low and behold one of those responses led me down a path tonight.

It didn’t take me too long to figure out whee she belonged in my tree but I also knew these families had a habit of intermarrying and was it possible they were on both sides. Still not 100% sure on that which lead me down this path and following census records as back as far as I could.

Then I said let me run the name Heman Preston in the Northern New York Newspaper site. You know I love my newspapers. Well, look at what I found.

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courtesy of the Northern NY Library Network.

THis little gem appeared in the September 28, 1933 issue of the Adirondack Record. You see the name Abner Preston. My 4th Great Grandfather is Abner Preston who married Delia Hudson. My 5th Great Grandfather is Abner Preston who married Sarah “Sally”  Sawyer and the son of my 6th Great Grandfather. I need to get some tighter links and I am hoping this little gem just might help me break through a wall or two.

Wish me luck on hopefully breaking through the wall as this would finally give me a Revolutionary War Patriot on my Grandma’s side and would open up another line for my family.

 

52 Ancestors – Week 31- Brothers

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I truly believe that our ancestors reach out to us and speak to us. I have been doing a lot of research on my Beardsley/Curtis Lines.

I have been working on an assignment for ProGen but I am also trying to link back to another Revolutionary War Patriot, Eldad Curtis. It is tough going because after the Revolution these lines moved around a lot. Also so far I have found 3 wives for Eldad.

So when I received an assignment in ProGen to transcribe a will and develop a Research Plan. I decided Emanuel Beardsley would be perfect he is a brother to my Beverly Beardsley and I had done no real research on him. Let’s be honest it took me for ever to sort out the mystery of the Beverley Beardsleys and Ancestry is still full of errors as some trees have him living to be like 120 years old.

Anyway I digress, the theme this week is brothers and I have been a bit obsessed. It all stems from this passage in the History of Clinton and Franklin Counties.

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So this passage has so much information and needs more but it was a huge diving off point for me. I love families that use familial names but also hate it because it creates a mess.

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So I have been studying these families and expanding them in hopes to go back further as you never know who is related. It is also fun to go back and hear names my grandpa talked about. I think this is the branch of the family they went to see as I truly believe his mother Minerva was bounced between these relatives as I never find her anywhere with her parents.

My Beverley Beardsley married and Ada Curtis in Wells Vermont. She was the daughter of Eldad Curtis and Clotilda Weeks or Meeks. Well I also discovered that an Immanuel Beardsley married an Astilda or Clotilda Curtis. So I am trying to piece this all together and I have DNA that shoes a connection but I really want more.

So my project for my research report has been the birth order of Emanuel’s Children named in his will and that has been interesting and has me doing a Deep Dive into DNA and that is not something I am very good at so I am looking for a crash course in it and am very happy for Ancestry ThruLines which is giving me places to go look for traditional research.

So today’s question does anyone have any good DNA webinars for dummies???

52 Ancestors – Week 27 – Independent

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Week 27’s prompt was supposed to go up around Independence Day and it was suggested to write about a relative who fought in the American Revolution. IF you have read for a while you will know that I am a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

I knew I had relatives who fought in the Revolution since about 1998 or so but did not join until 2016. Life and such got in the way and it was a lot of work. Plus I am glad I waited because I wouldn’t of been a member of the wonderful Increase Carpenter Chapter, I am a part of.

I joined in 2016 under my 5X Great-Grandfather Lorin Nehemiah Larkin. I chose him because he was the easiest as my other known patriot at the time was not in they system. Lorin Larkin was a Private and served in 3 different states, Connecticut, Vermont and Massachusetts. He was born in Stratford, CT in 1755 and died in Beekmantown, NY in 1845.

I have 2 other supplemental patriots to date one being Bezaleel Wood. I have written about him before. He served for Massachusets as a Private. He is also a 5X Great-Grandfather of mine. He was born in Lunenburg, MA and died in Plattsburgh, NY. I have been blessed to visit his grave in the Baker Burial Ground. He is also the patriot that 2 of my aunt’s joined under.

My last supplemental that was approved was for Timothy Bolton, my 5X Great-Grandfather. Timothy was a private from Massachusetts. He died in Windham County Vermont.

Having relatives who served in the revolution makes you want to fight for what this country was founded for. The right to be free. I have other patriots I am trying to prove an that silly AIR (additional information requested) on Benjamin Knowlton who served in New Hampshire but that is proving tricky. One of the reasons, I like to file the supplementals is to open lines to other potential members. I am up to about 8 patriots that are in the system and I really should prove my new patriot David Weatherwax. Maybe this year.

Also my daughter is getting ready to be a dual Children of American Revolution and Daughters of the American Revolution, which is pretty good for a girl who is majoring in Museum Studies and American History.  After she is in I am going to work on a few supplementals for her as she also has patriots on her Dad’s side, which will mean a whole new area of research for me, the south.

Do you have a patriot in your line?

52 Ancestors – Week 26 – Legend

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What an interesting topic. Family Legends and Folklore. Stories passed down through the generations.

There are 2 pertaining to my grandpa’s family. I have not substantiated them in any way but it is fun anyway to share them.

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The first pertains to the 30th President of the United States Calvin Coolidge. My grandparents always maintained we were related to him and it is most likely true but I can’t document it until I can tie Obadiah Coolidge (my 4th Great Grandfather) who was born in 1760 and died somewhere after 1839, I know this because he is named in his daughter Hannah’s will; to his parents Josiah and Mary Jones Coolidge.

Once I am able to do that I can say I am related to Calvin Coolidge. Then again once I can tie Obadiah to Josiah I have another Revolutionary War Patriot.

The next family legend is a lot more far-fetched and involves Paul Revere and his midnight ride.

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So the story goes that either Edward Larkin or his brother gave Paul Revere one of their horses to ride. I have serious doubts about this story other than it being a cool antedote. I seriously doubt it is true. Edward Larkin is the father of my original DAR patriot Lorin Nehemiah Larkin.

I find these stories interesting but they are just stories until I can prove them.

52 Ancestors – Week 20 – Military

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I have always been proud of the Military members of my family. Though I didn’t know any of them personally, until my cousin Steve joined the Navy, prior to that the only member of the military I knew was my Uncle Leslie but he died in 1971 a few weeks after I was born.

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Through the years, I have found out my 2X Great Grandfathers Leslie Beardsley and Peter Shumway both served in the Civil War. One from Clinton County and One from Essex County here in New York State.

I have a couple of War of 1812 veterans but I am waiting to see those pension files, the only one I have confirmed is John Larkin which brings us to the American Revolution. I have 3 ancestors I have proven my direct lineage to Lorin Nehemiah Larkin, Bezaleel Wood and Timothy Bolton. I also have a few others I am working on Benjamin Knowlton who I wrote about in a previous entry, David Weatherwax and I would love to tie myself to Abiel Preston as it would also give me a patriot on my grandma’s side of the family and it would open up a couple other patriots.

As I head to the Daughters of the American Revolution Continental Congress this week, maybe I will be able to solve some of these mysteries.

I believe it takes a special person to serve in the military and am honored that so many people whether they are my relatives or not have answered that call.

Reflections & an offer.

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So 2018 has been a year to remember good and bad. As I get older I try more and more to roll with it.

The good

  • Gerard retired.
  • Chiara was accepted into her dream college for her dream program.
  • Jimmy made the transition to middle school seamlessly.
  • I attended the Genealogical Research Institute in Pittsburgh. (would love to attend in 2019 but don’t think that will happen.
  • Attended my 2nd DAR state conference.
  • worked on organizing a Children of the American Revolution Society
  • Lots of good times with friends and family.
  • After a lot of hard work we finally were able to get Samantha settled in a Kindergarten and she is thriving.

The bad:

  • Jimmy having to have 8 teeth removed which resulted in a rather large bill but he seems happier.
  • Sami’s fiasco experience in the first kindergarten she was placed in.

Thankfully my parents are healthy and still moving and grooving in life and I am blessed by that.

I have lots of goals for 2019 and I am working on putting them together and making them concrete realities which leads me to my next thought. I know I am not a prolific writer I think it has to do with being a special needs mom and not having a huge amount of time on my hands and that I am a fairly direct person. So I am going to work on this blog more in the coming year.

I want to try my hand at 30 minute ancestor profiles. I will research your ancestor for 30 minutes and provide you with a written ancestor profile on the ancestor. I am still working on the pricing for this as I want it to be fair and playing with the price of $45.00  for this. The turn around will be 2-3 weeks.

So I need your help to try my hand on this. I am offering a limited trial run at the discounted price of $23.00 limited to 10 people.

If interested please e-mail me at Chiara@decodingthefamilytree.com, the first person to email me will receive their ancestor profile for free.

Thanks in advance if you are one of my trial ancestor profile guinea pigs.