Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Tombstone Tuesday - Bullock

Robert & Maria Bullock
Robert, their son
 These family members are all memorialized on one stone at the Cedar City Cemetery in Iron County, Utah.
Robert Bullock (8 January 1838 - 6 June 1903)
"We knew no sorrow
knew not grief
Till thy bright face was missed."
Maria F. Bullock (1849 - 1923)
their son
Robert F. Bullock (12 December 1880 - 28 October 1908)

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Sunday, February 26, 2012

Backward Glance - Julia Jeannett Osborn

Nettie was long known to us as the wife of Austin Sawyer Avery, but it took many years to identify her full name and family. Nettie's name at birth was Julia Jeannett Osborn. She was the first child born to Russell Scott and Sabrina (McKinley) Osborn. As was recorded in the Hiram Osborn family bible (Hiram was Russell's father), Nettie was born on November 18, 1857. Her parents were residing in Illinois at the time of her birth. Her siblings were Norris Scott, Tirzah Ellen, Ulysses S. G., Nathan Earnest, Kate Florence, Oscar Orlando, Russell Carl, Charles Wesley, Hugh Richard and Alta Letticia.

The Osborn family moved to Story County, Iowa, before Nathan was born in 1866, after their father completed his service in the Union Army. They remained in Story County until they removed to Osborne County, Kansas, near Alton (then called Bull, or Bull's, City) in August of 1872.

Austin Avery, 1916
In about 1879, Nettie was married to Austin Sawyer Avery. Austin lived east of Woodston in Rooks County, just west of Osborne County. He had two children from his previous marriage to whom Nettie became an instant mother. Austin and Nettie had four children of their own, as well. They were Emma Ruth, Russell Hugh, Byron Humphrey and Iva May. Pictured is Nettie with her two oldest children, Emma and Hugh.

Nettie contracted consumption (tuberculosis) and went with her daughter, Emma, to Arizona in hopes of being cured. They returned to rural Woodston where Nettie died on January 1, 1905, at the age of 47. She is buried in the Woodston Cemetery. 





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Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Tombstone Tuesday - Housel

Peter Anthony Housel
1845 - 1918
Catherine (Zentz) Housel
1847 - 1932

Peter was born in Ohio. He served from Ohio during the Civil War. He and Catherine were married in 1874 and lived in Plain Township, Stark County, Ohio, where their three children were born. They moved to Missouri, living in Clinton County, Daviess County and Caldwell County. They are buried in the Kidder Cemetery in Caldwell County.

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Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Tombstone Tuesday - Covey

I found a perfect Valentine's Day headstone in my picture files.

 David & Margaret Covey
married December 28, 1940
 David E. Covey  born February 15, 1922, died Mar 14, 1993
Margaret E. Covey  born April 27, 1924, died September 24, 2002
buried at Lewis Cemetery, Ray County, Missouri
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Sunday, February 12, 2012

Backward Glance - James Webster



The search for James Webster has been a long one, and continues to be a source of learning for me. I've used parts of my search experience as a teaching tool for multiple presentations and classes. After more than 30 years, I know many details of his life, and those of his wives, children and grandchildren. However, I still cannot conclusively prove exactly where he was born, or who his parents are. Neither can I prove when and where he died and is buried. Sometimes, I feel like the lone stranger in my family history research. Surely, somewhere out there, is another descendant of James Webster who has more information. One can hope!

extracted bible info
extracted bible info
According to the family bible, James was born on November 7, 1801. His parents and his birthplace are not recorded there.  Two out of the three censuses in which his information is recorded show him having been born in New Hampshire; the other says New York. There are many books and documents about Webster families from those areas, but James doesn't seem to be listed among any of those families.

The bible does show that James was married on January 1, 1827, to Jane Shreve. Jane was the daughter of Barzillai and Nancy (Clarke) Shreve. She was born on May 27, 1811, in Pennsylvania. I presume James and Jane were married in Pennsylvania, as they were living in Bloomfield Township, Crawford County, Pennsylvania, in 1830. James was called James Webster, Jr. However, he may just have been the younger of two James', not necessarily the son of James. Jane's parents lived in the same location.

Their children born in Pennsylvania were Luther Eliphlet, Cynthia S., Lydia Ann and Sarah Mariah. Lucinda was born after Sarah, but it isn't known where. The family then moved to Michigan in about 1835, where the following children were born: Emaline, Nancy J., Oliver, Adaline, Daniel, Marrilla Vivla and Olive Orrel

James and his family arrived in Clay Township, St. Clair County, Michigan, in about 1838. He and Jane were enumerated there through 1860. Jane died on April 7, 1861, which is also recorded in the family bible. Again, presumably, she died and is buried in Michigan. However, I've not yet found records to prove that assumption.

On July 21, 1863, James married the widow Betsy Blauvelt in Clay Township. They continued to live there until James' death on May 13, 1877. After his death, Betsy lived with her daughter, Harriet Hontoon, also in Clay Township.

There are still mysteries to be solved in order to 'complete' James Webster's story. We are fortunate to know as much as we do. Never fear! I'll keep looking.

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Friday, February 10, 2012

St. George - Again!

I can't believe it's been a year since I was in St. George, Utah, for the first time with Family History Expos. Where does the time go? Since then, I've had the wonderful opportunities to make presentations in Loveland, Colorado; Overland Park, Kansas; and Atlanta, Georgia. Fabulous experiences, all. 

Coming up in less than two weeks, on February 24th and 25th, is the St. George Family History Expo. If I remember correctly, this will be the eighth consecutive year for this great genealogy event. The folks in St. George are very welcoming.

As always, Holly Hansen and the rest of the FHE crew have rounded up a diverse and interesting group of presenters with amazing amounts of experience and talent. Not that those adjectives describe me, exactly, but I am honored to be included in the selection.

Please check out the classes being offered. There is something there for everyone, from beginner to expert. See you in St. George!

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Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Tombstone Tuesday - Lanston

Cap. Nils M. F. Lanston
1823 - 1902

 Born on July 12, 1823, in Clommery, Sweden,
Nils Lanston died on June 15, 1902, and is buried
in the heart of Norwegian country. What brought him
to  Poulsbo, I don't know; but, the view is fabulous!

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Sunday, February 5, 2012

Backward Glance - Elizabeth Dobson



After collaborative research with a distant relation in England, Lorraine Hooper, we believe Elizabeth Dobson was the daughter of John and Hannah (Paitfield) Dobson. She was born in Whalley, Lancashire, England, in 1816. She had at least six siblings: Ellen, Mary Ann, Sarah, Jane, Robert and Isabella. She used many of their names for her own children.

Elizabeth Dobson was married to John Hargreaves. It appears she was his second wife, as there is a marriage recorded in 1845. This concurs with the births of John's children, where there is a four to five year space between the third and fourth children. Interestingly, John's first wife was also named Elizabeth. She, however, was about six years older than our Elizabeth.

John and Elizabeth lived on Godly Lane in Burnley, Lancashire, England, in 1851. John  apparently died between 1857 and 1861 as  Elizabeth lived at the same location in 1861, but was listed as a widow. By 1871, she was living in Higher Booths, Lancashire. Four of her children were enumerated with her: James, Ellen, Isabella, and William (b. 1857). Ellen and Isabella both emigrated to Canada. In 1881, Elizabeth was living at 69 Dowry St., Accrington, Lancashire.

Elizabeth died in 1885 and is buried in the Accrington Cemetery with her son, William,  and daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Jane. Also in the grave was an Ernest Barnes, 10 weeks old who died in 1897.

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