Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Tuesday's Tip-Gettin' By With Help from Our Friends~Cathy Meder-Dempsey



This week's Tuesday's Tips come from our friend Cathy Meder-Dempsy from Opening Doors in Brick Walls.


My father was born and raised in West Virginia as were his parents and grandparents. Even his great-grandparents, for the most part, lived in West Virginia before it seceded from Virginia and became a state in 1863. When I was new to US research I was overwhelmed by the things I did not know.
The first tip I ever received was to consider the formation of the counties in Virginia and West Virginia when researching my ancestors from the (West) Virginia area. I can't tell you how many times I've gone to RootWeb's History of County Formations in Virginia 1617-1995 to learn which county an ancestor was living in at a certain time. This tip can be used for any stateby searching the name of state + county formation map.
My favorite site to go to for West Virginia birth, marriage, and death records is the West Virginia Vital Research Records (WVVRR) database on the state's Archives and History website. The direct link to the database is http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_select.aspx. I have it bookmarked on my browser's toolbar - in the middle, all by itself, i.e. not in a folder. Best of all, it's FREE.
WVVRR, or WVCulture as most users refer to it, is a West Virginia research project in collaboration with FamilySearch.org and includes county birth, death and marriage records, selected statewide death records, and some delayed birth certificates. Every 1st of January they add another year of records. Birth records are private for 100 years and death records for 50 years. At the beginning of 2016 birth records to 31 December 1915 and death records to 31 December 1965 were added. County marriage records don't have a withholding requirement and are available up to the last year microfilmed.
Births, deaths, and marriages have their own search page - on the right side, is a list of the counties and the years records are available. The search criteria is limited to the first and last name, county, and year the record was created (+/- 5 yrs). Wildcards can be used however other names found on the record such as parents or spouse are not searchable. To work around this, I have a tip I often share with others. The databases are also available and searchable on FamilySearch.org and linked back to the images on WVCulture.
The search parameters and filters on FamilySearch make it easier to locate records in the  collections. Names may have been recorded or indexed differently but in most cases FamilySearch will show these in their hints/results. Filters can be set for the time and place of the event as well as a relationship, i.e. spouse, parents, other persons. This is especially helpful when searching for individuals who are "hiding" due to changes in surname - a child enumerated with a stepfather's surname, a woman who has remarried. Not to forget the young ones who died before they were enumerated in a census. I call these the "lost children" since they may otherwise not be found.
For quick searches WVCulture is perfect. For more refined searches FamilySearch is the best place to go.
Best wishes,
Cathy
Cathy Meder-Dempsey, 58, grew up as a military brat and lived in Georgia, France, Idaho, West Virginia, Spain, South Carolina, Texas, and Luxembourg. Married 38 years, mother of two grown children, fluent in four languages, she's been blogging at Opening Doors in Brick Walls for nearly three years. Outside of genealogy research and writing for her blog, she is the treasurer of her genealogy association Luxracines, and enjoys riding her racing bike with her husband through the Luxembourg countryside.

 Fantastic resources for West Virginia research! Thanks, Cathy!

What are your best resource tips?


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Monday, August 29, 2016

This Week On My Family History Calendar

August 28-September 3




August 28~
 My maternal Great Grandmother, Emma Ruth (Baker) Early (1901-1993), was born in Sumter County, South Carolina 115 years ago. Ruth was the daughter of Arthur Wellington Baker (1857-1940) and Martha Victoria (Bradford) Baker (1852-1947). 


Emma Ruth Baker Early
Emma Ruth (Baker) Early
 1980's
©Cheri Hudson Passey



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Sunday, August 28, 2016

Celebration Sunday~Genealogy Happy Dance!



You know the dance. You know you've done it. The one every researcher does after finding something new. The one where you want to jump up and down and shout to everyone around that you found the document, contacted a cousin who has the family Bible, made a DNA connection or found a whole new branch to your tree. The one that is met with glazed stares and eye rolls.
                                                          Celebration Sunday is a place to share your discoveries. 
This is a weekly series to enable everyone to tell about their Genealogy Happy Dance moment. This can be done by scrolling down and adding your story to the comments section. You may also put a link to a blog post.




                                                                 
My Happy Dance This Week: No new discoveries this week, but happy to have been able to put some time into following my research plan this week!

                                                                                           Share your discovery!
                                                                                   Let the dancing commence!




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Together we can find our people.
Thanks so much for stopping by!









Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Wednesday's Child~Amos McManus


Wednesday's Child is a Blog Prompt from Geneabloggers to honor those who have passed away too soon.
This week I remember my 1st cousin twice removed, Amos McManus.

Amos McManus
Headstone
Pisgah Baptist Cemetery
Pisgah Crossroads, Sumter, South Carolina
Photo ©Cheri Hudson Passey

Although his headstone says, 30 April 1902,  The Watchman and Southron (Sumter, South Carolina) announced the death of Amos McManus in their 09 April 1902 edition. It said he died the day before which means a death date of 08 April 1902 

Announcement of Death of Amos McManus
The Watchman and Southron (Sumter, South Carolina)
09 April 1903, pg. 5
Newspapers.com

Another announcement in The Watchman and Southron (Sumter, South Carolina) published on 23 April 1902 tells a little more about his death.
Amos McManus Death Announcement
The Watchman and Southron (Sumter, South Carolina)
23 April 1902, pg. 3
Newspapers.com

Amos was the son of my maternal Great Great Aunt and Uncle George Washington McManus (1878-1940) and Emma Lizzie (Dunlap) McManus (1880-1934).  He lived only three short years and according to the newspaper died of an illness spreading through the community. Amos was buried in the cemetery of Pisgah Baptist Church where his family were members. 
 Was it grief that lead to the wrong death date on his headstone or a mistake made by the person who made it? Perhaps this headstone was made years later, and the actual death date was not remembered correctly. 
 This sad, untimely death of a toddler reminds us what may have been set in stone is not necessarily the truth.

Have you found headstones with the wrong information on them? I would love to hear about it!


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Together we can find our people.
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Sunday, August 21, 2016

This Week On My Family History Calendar

August 21~August 27



August 24~
 My maternal Grandfather, Gilbert Ernest Roberts, Sr. (1920-1944) would be 96 years old on this day. He was born in Columbia, Richland, South Carolina to parents William Treadford Roberts (1894-1959) and Beulah Mae (Price) (1897-1980).


Gilbert Ernest Roberts, Sr.
Gilbert Ernest Roberts, Sr.
1943
©Cheri Hudson Passey
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Together we can find our people.
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Celebration Sunday~Genealogy Happy Dance!



You know the dance. You know you've done it. The one every researcher does after finding something new. The one where you want to jump up and down and shout to everyone around that you found the document, contacted a cousin who has the family Bible, made a DNA connection or found a whole new branch to your tree. The one that is met with glazed stares and eye rolls.
                                                          Celebration Sunday is a place to share your discoveries. 
This is a weekly series to enable everyone to tell about their Genealogy Happy Dance moment. This can be done by scrolling down and adding your story to the comments section. You may also put a link to a blog post.




                                                                 
My Happy Dance This Week: Discovering that I have new followers on the blog! Thank you to everyone for taking the time to either read, comment or follow (or do all 3!) Carolina Girl Genealogy. My purpose is to share my family stories and the research process in order to help you with yours!

                                                                                           Share your discovery!
                                                                                   Let the dancing commence!




Are we kin? Need help with your research? Please contact me.
Together we can find our people.
Thanks so much for stopping by!








Wednesday, August 17, 2016

This Week On My Family History Calendar

August 14-August 20




August 20~
 Mary Jane (Brown) McRady (1821-1894), my maternal 3rd Great Grandmother would be celebrating her 195th birthday on this day. She may have been born in the Sumter County, South Carolina area. 

Jane Brown McRady
Headstone
Pisgah Baptist Church Cemetery
Pisgah Crossroads, Sumter, South Carolina
Photo Credit: Remember Me-Findagrave.com
Used with permission

My paternal 3rd Great Grandmother, Matilda C. (?) Martin (1812-1876) was born 204 years ago. She lived in the Iredell County, North Carolina area but it is not known if she was born there. 



Matilda C. Martin
Headstone
Bethesda Presbyterian Cemetery
Statesville, Iredell, North Carolina
Photo Credit: Joy Steele-Findagrave.com
Used with permission
   Are we kin? Need help with your research? Please contact me.
Together we can find our people.
Thanks so much for stopping by!




Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Tuesday's Tip~Gettin' By With Help From Our Friends: True Lewis


Today's Tips come from True Lewis, author of Notes to Myself.


I was just recently admitted to the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution on July 5th, 2016.  It was a wonderful experience. These are a few Tips I used and I hope they will encourage and be helpful along the way on your Journey if you choose to join the DAR.
  
Tip 1.  Gather all pertinent legal Documents. The first 3 Generations. Birth. Marriage. Death. Baptism. Start with yourself and work yourself back. Joining Lineage Societies is different from Tree Building. Find documents that link one generation to the next on documents. My Dad’s Birth Certificate held me up due to him misplacing his. I had to have a back up like ordering online if he couldn’t find it which took him 2 weeks to eventually find.  My Parents are at the age where they are confidential and private people so asking in advance is helpful in letting them know what you need if they are living. I’d  feel funny too if someone was asking me for my personal documents. It took them a few months to gather and get them familiarized with the idea what I was trying to accomplish. Sometimes a modern day document that you think is readily available versus a Will & Appraisement record from 1812 can be an issue.

Tip 2. Surround yourself with Support. Your Registrar. Family & Friends. I tried to do this alone for 3 years and not ask for emotional support and help me think out theories on where to get unique records from my friends and family, even if they didn’t know quite what I was so eager in trying to do. My Genealogy Community came out in the home stretch in so many ways and I wish I had done it sooner. Plus, at some point, you will need the Registrar to put it all together on the appropriate paper and notarized by the appropriate people. She is there to keep you on track. Try to decide from the beginning what Chapter you would want to belong to. That is where you will get familiarized with DAR at monthly meetings and get your support from also.

Tip 3. Use the DAR Worksheet: It can be used for other lineage family research. It's a good source for record keeping, for future use while you research other Ancestors as a guide.  I use it  just to keep me on the right track and building a timeline to accomplish the same goal of proving the lineage from generation to generation. Work from yourself and record on this sheet each generation after you until you reach your Patriot.

Tip 4.  Utilize  the DAR research Library team. I was very specific in my request to the research team. Use other records outside of the box at Historical Societies. Check the  SAR. Make sure you check to see if anyone has already Proven to your Patriot that way you can use the Library Search Service to get a Record Copy from DAR’s website.  

Tip 5. Have FUN!  Above all else. Don’t give up. Don’t assume a document doesn’t exist. It’s not about IF you become a Member it’s WHEN you become a Member.  Honor your Lineage and Preserve it for a Lifetime. Enjoy the Process. For more information go to www.dar.org you will find so much valuable information to assist you on your Journey.

If you have any advice to this Tuesday Tip leave Cheri and True a Comment or Note!

Best Regards, True-
Remember, you are Today’s DAR!


BIO:  My name is True Lewis. I am a Family Historian & Genealogist for the Ike Ivery Family. I’m also a member of Geneabloggers. My Blog Notes to Myself is my personal diary of family history that I write about at www.mytrueroots.com .  Retired Veteran and DAR Member.






Thanks for the great tips, True!
Are you a member of the DAR? What was your experience in joining? 
Let us hear from you!


Are we kin? Need help with your research? Please contact me.
Together we can find our people.
Thanks so much for stopping by!



Sunday, August 14, 2016

Celebration Sunday~Genealogy Happy Dance!



You know the dance. You know you've done it. The one every researcher does after finding something new. The one where you want to jump up and down and shout to everyone around that you found the document, contacted a cousin who has the family Bible, made a DNA connection or found a whole new branch to your tree. The one that is met with glazed stares and eye rolls.
                                                          Celebration Sunday is a place to share your discoveries. 
This is a weekly series to enable everyone to tell about their Genealogy Happy Dance moment. This can be done by scrolling down and adding your story to the comments section. You may also put a link to a blog post.




                                                                 
My Happy Dance This Week: Cleaning off my desk so that I could see it made me very happy this week! As summer ends and the kids go back to school, I am trying to get organized so that I can make the most of my research time. A clean desk? Definitely, something to celebrate!

                                                                                           Share your discovery!
                                                                                   Let the dancing commence!





Are we kin? Need help with your research? Please contact me.
Together we can find our people.
Thanks so much for stopping by!




Monday, August 8, 2016

This Week On My Family History Calendar

August 7-August 13



August 7~
  John Milton Dargan (1799-1847) my paternal 4th Great Grandfather, died 169 years ago in Sumter County, South Carolina. A 1976 cemetery survey of Sumter County has him listed as being buried in the Dargan Cemetery. His stone is no longer there.


John Milton Dargan
Inventory
Sumter County, South Carolina
Probate Bundle 134, package 5
FamilySearch image 280


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Together we can find our people.
Thanks so much for stopping by!


Sunday, August 7, 2016

Celebration Sunday~Genealogy Happy Dance!



You know the dance. You know you've done it. The one every researcher does after finding something new. The one where you want to jump up and down and shout to everyone around that you found the document, contacted a cousin who has the family Bible, made a DNA connection or found a whole new branch to your tree. The one that is met with glazed stares and eye rolls.
                                                          Celebration Sunday is a place to share your discoveries. 
This is a weekly series to enable everyone to tell about their Genealogy Happy Dance moment. This can be done by scrolling down and adding your story to the comments section. You may also put a link to a blog post.




                                                                 
My Happy Dance This Week: One last trip with the family to end summer kept me busy this week. With school starting soon my schedule should get back on track and more research will be done! Making memories had me dancing again this week! 

                                                                                           Share your discovery!
                                                                                   Let the dancing commence!





Are we kin? Need help with your research? Please contact me.
Together we can find our people.
Thanks so much for stopping by!



Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Gettin' By With Help From Our Friends~Sir Leprechaun Rabbit


Today's Tips come from Sir Leprechaun Rabbit writer of the blog "Your Roots Are Showing, Dearie"

Genealogy is a challenge; a journey of remembering and discovering a lost (and most times) unknown past, BUT it should never jeopardize the potential to create memories of the present with, and for, the future. I know when I started, 44 years ago (yes, I'm old!), involving my family never went beyond chauffeuring me to libraries or cemeteries and the barrage of questions regarding their parents, grands and other favourite relatives. If I knew then what I do now, a few things would be different and done a lot sooner! (1) Share (bedtime) stories! Who read to you when you were small? What stories do you remember? I recall Winnie the Pooh and Paddington. Did you read to your little ones? I remember reading the Berenstain Bears to my niece, many years before I married and started a family of my own. And when my lads were small, Thomas the Tank Engine was a favourite; and I made certain to introduce them to my "willy-nilly, silly, old bear" too! Perhaps, your littles read to you? My eldest son, Junior, had severe problems reading in school, so one night before bed, he chose his favourite story: The Paperbag Princess by Robert Munsch. I then told him I lost my glasses and asked if he'd read to me instead. Years later, he read to his younger brothers, Captain and Chef -- and they had their turns reading as well. Some genealogists collect family recipes and cookbooks. Some preserve toys and dolls that previous generations had. Why not share storybooks? And just maybe, somebody has a photo of you being read to, or you reading to another. Include them, don't forget the stories. Share them. It can be the foundation or common ground that binds them to you and their past. FYI: Junior is now 25 and clearly remembers reading his favourite story among others. He also told me that my glasses were sitting on top of my head that first night! (I don't remember that.).

(2) To aid you in organization, do not be afraid of colour! MiLady Rabbit gave me the idea after she saw my research boxes overflowing from my side of our bedroom closet, under the basement stairs and from the overhead compartments in the boys' rooms! My preference is a colour for my grandparents' families like bright red (HALLIWELL), deep blue (MOREAU), lime green (ATKINSON) and canary yellow (HEMMINGWAY). Information on my in-laws (MiLady's family) are located in purple folders, my late spouse in army green, while family of my ex can be found in black. It may take some getting used to, but colour organization will simplify your research. And it will help when non-genealogists want to assist. "I need the clear bin with the red folders in it, please." (3) Back it up! Please! Photograph and scan everything you have and keep it safe. I have lost photographs of my parents' wedding, my father fixing aircraft while he served in uniform in the 1950s, his father's UK 1902 birth certificate (twice), death certificates from Quebec, Newfoundland, and New Brunswick, etc. The sad thing: I know more is missing, I just don't remember who or what as a large amount I had not yet catalogued. Some disappeared during an unamicable divorce, but most were lost during the many moves while I served in uniform. Don't lose your family after you've found them, save them. Okay, how many is that? Three?!? (0.0) Oh, Dear! (4) If you get an opportunity to attend a seminar or conference, GO! Even if it local, GO! A wealth of information can make things so much easier. I have been blessed to have one-on-one time (however brief) to ask "What would you do?" or "How would you solve this?" with the likes of Lisa Louise Cooke, Gena Philbert-Ortega, Dr. Colleen Fitzpatrick, Brian Gilchrist, Fawne Stratford-Devai, Ryan Taylor, and Paul McGrath, among others. Some are no longer with us, but I recall our conversations and follow-up friendship in correspondence and apply what they shared. (5) Take a break. Seriously, push away from the table. Shut down the computer. Genealogy is an addiction, yes, but don't let it consume you. Make it about more than just collecting dead people! If you are married with kids, spend some time and show some interest in their hobbies. Make the next batch of memories Hop to it! SLR

Bio~

"Gramma Rabbit" was my paternal grandmother, who introduced me (I was 9) to The Family one summer during numerous picnics in the various cemeteries in the Hamilton, Wentworth County and Burlington, Halton County of Ontario. This came about after a failing grade on a school assignment: the family tree was not a 15year-old Maple in Mum's garden! A respect for the preservation of cemeteries, the art of stone masonry and a love of military history led to the desire to learn what my forebears accomplished and contributed in the building of this nation they called home. Sorry, no formal training, just a lot of trial and error. Some day maybe.

Thanks for the great tips, Sir




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Together we can find our people.

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