Trusting information in Obituaries

This week I was very fortunate to connect with a new highly probable cousin on my paternal great-grandmother’s Terry side.  As always, it’s so exciting to find someone you are probably related to who also enjoys talking about our ancestors and piecing together the information we may both have separately in order to learn more about our ancestors.  This sparked me on to look at my paternal great-great grandfather Gilbert Terry of Peconic and Orient, New York.
I started by looking at what I already knew at this point about Gilbert:

• Gilbert was born to Walter Franklin Terry and Elizabeth Ann Tooker Terry on 25 June 1833 in Patchogue, Suffolk County, NY.  Gilbert was the 3rd of 10 children; Walter Franklin, Albert Bunce, Gilbert T., Edward Henry, Elizabeth Frances, Ira Brewster, Emily A., Josephine Virginia, Amelia and Charles.
• Gilbert married Almeda Vincent Robinson on 21 October 1857.
• Gilbert and Almeda had 5 children; Carrie Eliza (my great-grandmother), Ella Frances, Forrest, Millard E. and an unnamed infant daughter.
• I know that Gilbert ran the Mill in Peconic for many years.  (More information about this in a future blog.)
• Gilbert died on 27 April 1907 in Orient, Suffolk County, NY. and is buried beside his wife Almeda, infant daughter, sons Forrest and Millard at The New Bethany Cemetery in Mattituck, Suffolk County, NY.

 

 

 

Interesting that some information on his death certificate is incorrect.  I thought the primary cause of death was interesting.  I would have expected the primary and secondary to be the other way around.  Gilbert was actually 73 since he died about 2 months before his 74th birthday.  I also laughed at his occupation being listed as a ‘Farmer’ knowing that he had run the Peconic Mill for about 34 years.

 

Then I decided to look at an Obituary that I had and realized I actually had 3.  As I reviewed the information in each I realized that there was a variety of information and that some of the information wasn’t as accurate as I thought it would be.  Since these weren’t my first pieces of information I was surprised to see the discrepancies. 

 

Obituary 1-I believe this is from the newspaper The Long Island Traveler

“Gilbert Terry, a well known and highly esteemed citizen of Orient, died suddenly last Saturday afternoon of heart disease,  He was 78 years old.  Mr. Terry was well know in Peconic and Mattituck, where he formerly resided.  He leaves a widow and one son Forrest Terry, as well as two brothers and three sisters.  A short funeral service was conducted Tuesday at his late home; then the remains were taken to Mattituck, where services were conducted in the M. E. Church.”

 

Obituary 2-From The County Review dated 3 May 1907 page 4

“Orient

Gilbert Terry, a well-known resident of this place, died suddenly last Saturday afternoon of hear disease.  Mr. Terry was well known in Mattituck and Peconic, where he formerly lived.  He was 73 years of age.  The internment was at Mattituck on Monday afternoon.”

 

same issue page 5

“DIED

Orient, April 27-Gilbert Terry, aged 73 years.  Internment at Mattituck.”

 

Obituary 3- From the newspaper The Riverhead News dated May 4, 1907

“Baiting Hollow

Mrs. John B. Warner received word on Saturday, April 27, of the sudden death of her father, Gilbert Terry, of Orient, on that date.  Mr. Terry had been writing his daughter only a few days before his death, and was then in his usual good health.”

 

I thought it interesting in Obituary 1 that Gilbert is listed as only having 1 son and no daughters.  At the time of his death his 2 daughters, Carrie Terry Warner and Ella Terry Billard, were still living but not mentioned.  If I hadn’t known and was looking for information I would have been mislead.  Gilbert actually had 5 brothers and 4 sisters.  Perhaps the obituary is only referring to the ones still living?  I don’t have all the death dates for his siblings so I will need to follow-up on that one.

 

I wish I had that last letter she received from her father.  In some of her letters to her sister (see blog posts labeled Carrie’s letters to read more about the letters she wrote to her family) it seems that her father may have been a little disappointed in her for not visiting more often.

 

Lessons learned-Be careful!! Don’t believe everything you read and remember that an obituary may be able to give you some leads but it may also omit some valuable information as well.

 

If you have any corrections or additions or stories to share I look forward to hearing them.

 

Enjoy the journey,

Debby

Thanks, Fred for taking time to talk about our Terry Family and possible connections.  I look forward to continuing our discussions and work!

 

Civil War-Certificate of Disability for Discharge

So far, I know of 2 of my ancestors that served in the Civil War.  Knowing basically only their birth and death dates I am constantly trying to fill in more about their lives.  I recently sent for military records and this is what I found out about my maternal great-great grandfather Joseph Cornell of Alpine, New York.

 

This was one of several documents I received and here is what I was able to find out just from this document:

1.  My great-great Grandfather Joseph Cornell was a Private in the Union Army.

2.  Joseph was part of Company B of the 141st New York Regiment Volunteers.

3.  Joseph enlisted on the 22nd of August 1862 to serve for 3 years. 

4.  Joseph was born in Clinton, NY. (Interesting…my info says he was born across the state line in Clinton, Bradford County, PA)

5.  At the date of discharge Joseph was 26 years old, 5 feet 9 1/2 inches tall, with a dark completion, dark hair and dark eyes.

6.  When Joseph enlisted he was a ‘Sawyer’. (I did some research and found out that a ‘Sawyer’ generally ran the saw in a Mill and determined how to get the most wood/types of cut out of the log.)

7.  Joseph was discharged from the Army due to long standing chronic nephritis, contracted by injury and exposure while in the Service.  His degree of disability was 2/3rd.  He was Not Fit for Invalid Corps. 

These are the Battles of the 141st Regiment that Joseph probably took part in during his enlistment.

 

8.  Joseph was discharged on 2 January 1864 at the Convalescent Camp in Virginia. (When I did some research I found out that Camp Convalescent was near Alexandria, VA,  and was set up to house men not well enough to rejoin their regiments but not ill or wounded enough to take up a hospital bed.

(photo compliments of the Library of Congress)

 

9.  Joseph planned on returning to Trumbull’s Corner in Tompkins County, New York after discharge.

When I first looked at this document I really didn’t see the valuable information I had until I broke it down and made a list of what I saw within the document.  I also found great additional info on the internet about the Convalescent Camp and the 141st Regiment of NY that made this info even more interesting.  Now I wish I had a picture of Joseph in his uniform….

I would appreciate hearing any additional stories or information you might have to share.

Enjoy the journey,
Debby

The Advantages of Public On-Line Family Trees-Carrie’s Letters

Several times now I have searched public on-line trees to look for answers and/or suggestions when I have hit a brick wall.  I am always happy to find a tree that has that one little extra bit of info that I didn’t have that can help me solve a new dilemma or just find new cousins. 

Several years ago when I was researching people mentioned by my great-grandmother, Carrie Terry Warner, in her letters (see Carrie’s Letters-Snow Days, Carrie’s Letters-Bringing Ancestral Letters to Life) she wrote over the course of 30 years mainly to her sister Ella Terry Billard I sometimes referred to on-line trees to match up names.  My great-grandmother’s surviving brother in 1892 was Forrest E. Terry.  One of my goals was to try and find the children/grandchildren of Ella and Forrest and try to obtain pictures of them to include with the letters.  While on my search I happened to find a family tree done by Forrest’s granddaughter Theresa.  Over the last several years Theresa and I have been able to correspond and share information about our common ancestors.  It was very interesting to know that Theresa knew nothing about her grandfather having a sister named Carrie.  Forrest was about 34 years old when my great-grandmother suddenly died.  I’m not sure why but I am guessing that since Carrie’s death was considered so tragic and that my grandfather’s family lived several towns over it was a subject that just wasn’t talked about.

I have been happy to share letters about and to Forrest with Theresa.  This helps give us both a little more information about her grandfather’s early years.  This following is a letter that Carrie wrote to her brother Forrest in the Spring of 1892 when Forrest was 16 years old.  Carrie was a teacher before getting married and I can see the ‘teacher’ and caring older sister talking in this letter.  John is Carrie’s husband, Terry and Wesley are her sons.  Lucy, I believe, is hired help for Carrie in the household.

Two weeks ago I had the privilege of getting to meet Theresa and her husband Dale while on vacation in Florida to spend some time with my mother.  We had a wonderful several hours together sharing stories, lunch and pictures.  As I left Theresa said that she felt like we’d always known each other and hadn’t just met that day.  I definitely felt the same!  What a wonderful experience!! I am so glad she had a public family tree on-line for me to find. 

Now I just need to connect with Ella’s great-granddaughter.  Hopefully, one day all 3 of us can get together to honor our 3 ancestors….

I would enjoy hearing any stories or information you have to share.

Enjoy the journey,
Debby

Celebrating the Life of James Jacob Hammond

James Jacob Hammond is my maternal grandfather.  Last week while visiting my mother Marcella I decided to do some research and realized that Saturday was his 113th birthday.

He was born 2 April 1903 in Remsen, Plymouth, Iowa. 

In looking at my previous research I realized I had 2 Baptismal certificates…hmmm and the names are a little different??

A difficulty in tracing my grandfather’s roots was his last name.  Even the records of his grandfather Jacob’s immigration paperwork has the last name as Hamman on one piece and Hammond on another.

1905 Iowa State Census in Remsen, Plymouth, Iowa

I was surprised to learn that in 1908 things seem to have dramatically changed for my grandfather and his family.

DEATH OF MRS. HAMMOND Mrs. Henry Hammond died at the family home here last Thursday evening at 8 o'clock. She had been ill for nearly a year from the dread disease, cancer. She had been at Sioux City and LeMars twice in the hopes of obtaining relief but all treatment was in vain. In her death she leaves motherless six children, all less than nine years of age. Susan Bentz was born in Worthington, Iowa, August 20, 1878. When 8 years old her parents moved to LeMars and later, about 16 years ago, they moved to Remsen. In 1898 she was married to Henry Hammond and to them six children were born which are now left without a mother-the best friend and most loving adviser anyone ever had. She also leaves to mourn her death a sister and three brothers: Mrs. Clara Rieling, of Emery; Jake Bentz, of Emery, S. D.; Henry Bentz, of Granville and John Bentz, of this town, all of which were present at the funeral which was held from St. Mary's church Saturday forenoon at 10 o'clock. The bereaved and motherless children have the sympathy of the community.                             [The Remsen News, Remsen, Iowa, May 28, 1908, submitted by Mary Kay Krogman]

 

 

1910 US Census at St. Francis Orphanage, Julian Township,  Iowa

Jacob, Arthur, Michael, Joseph and Mary Hamman are found living at the Orphanage.

1930 US Census in Brookings, Brookings, South Dakota

My grandfather ‘Jacob’ is found living with his brother Arthur and family.

I asked one of my Uncles several years ago if he knew how/why my grandfather went from Iowa to Upstate NY.  He said my grandfather had run liquor during Prohibition from Canada to New York City.  Another driver he ran with had been caught in upstate NY so my grandfather ditched his truck and stayed where he was …in Upstate NY.  What a great story!

On 15 March 1934 in Spencer, NY my grandfather married my grandmother Edna Chloe Cornell.

After a short stay in Fresno, California they returned to Spencer, NY to live.

Edna and James had 6 children that all lived to adulthood.

My grandfather liked Detective Magazines, coffee and his cigarettes.  He liked to raise his own vegetables and could be found growing a variety of vegetables in his garden including chard and cabbage as well as nasturtium.  When having his own garden he enjoyed making his own sauerkraut, bottled beer, and head cheese.  He rolled his own cigarettes.  My grandfather did all his own mechanical work on his cars including taking the motors in and out of cars.  He was known to also make children’s rocking horses.  He worked as a farmer and a carpenter until WWII and then worked at a variety of foundries including General Electric in Elmira, NY.

As a child he grew up speaking German and attended school in German while living in a predominately German speaking community.  His grandparents, Jacob & Catherine Hamman and John & Mary Bentz had immigrated from Luxembourg.  After the start of the War German was not spoken.  As an adult he rarely spoke German and did not pass it on to his children.

James Jacob Hammond died 9 Mar 1980 in Van Etten, Tioga, New York.

 

If you have additional stories or information I would like to hear them.  I have definitely learned a great deal more about my grandfather this week.

Enjoy the journey,

Debby

Sunday’s Obituary-Martha Warner Goldsmith

In leafing through my Grandmother’s Scrapbook I came across the following obituary for my great great aunt Martha Warner Goldsmith, sister of my paternal great grandfather John Benjamin Warner:

     “Mrs. Martha Warner Goldsmith has passed from time into eternity.  A life long and well spent has gone from earthly scenes and left a void in her home, her church, and in her large circle of friends.
     Martha R. Warner Goldsmith was born March 3rd, 1848, and was one of 13 children.  The only living survivor of that once numerous family is Mr. Eugene Warner.
     At an early age Mrs. Goldsmith moved to New Suffolk to live with her aunt, Mrs. Jeremiah G. Tuthill Sr., and in this village the greater part of her life was spent.  Nearly seventy years ago, she became the bride of Daniel Goldsmith, one of the keepers of the Horton’s Point Light.
     While living there, her only daughter , now Mrs. Philip Horton, was born.  Shortly after this, Mr. and Mrs. Goldsmith moved again to New Suffolk and successfully conducted a summer boarding house.  At the death of Mr. Goldsmith many years ago, Mrs. Goldsmith continued to carry on until advancing years compelled her to retire and move to the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Philip Horton, at Peconic.
     There she enjoyed a most happy home life and was ministered with loving and thoughtful hearts and hands.  While always interested in community doings, the Cutchogue Presbyterian Church was the center of her social and religious life.  She joined it at the early age of twelve and remained faithful and consistent member to the end.
     Mrs. Goldsmith was for years the teacher of the Women’s Bible Class and president of the Women’s Missionary Society. The last service she felt able to attend was than a year ago, when her only great grandchild was admitted to the church that she loved so long and so well.
     Dr. Franklyn Ward of the Cutchogue Presbyterian Church conducted the last rites and her mortal remains were carried to their last resting place by six officials of her church.
“Aunt Martha Dan” has gone from us, but memories of her will long remain.”

My Legacy Family chart shows Martha’s family:

Martha Rosalie Warner was the 4th of 13 children born to Daniel and Eleanor Howell Warner on 3 March 1848 in Baiting Hollow, Suffolk Co., NY.

Martha married Daniel M. Goldsmith on 2 November 1876 in Baiting Hollow, Suffolk Co., NY.  As reported in The Descendants of Daniel Warner Jr. & Eleanor Howell Warner of Baiting Hollow LI, NY and the Warner Ancestors in England and America by Justine Warner Wells “Family lore has it that Daniel decided to sail by way of L.I. Sound to marry Martha.  He figured it wouldn’t matter much when he becalmed and arrived hours late for their wedding!”

Their only child Martha Elizabeth “Bessie” was born 10 April 1879 in New Suffolk, NY. 
I believe the great grandchild referred to in the above obituary was Philip Goldsmith Jr. who was born 6 May 1930.

Martha’s husband Daniel Goldsmith died 19 January 1918 in New Suffolk, NY.
Martha passed away on 14 September 1944 at the age of 96 in Peconic, New York.

I would like to hear any stories or information you may have to share.

Enjoy the journey,
Debby

Grandma’s Scrapbook-Following Up On a Lead

Last week (3/13/16) I posted about information I found in my Grandmother’s Scrapbook.  The information had to do with my paternal great-grandparents George and Sarah (Rowan) King’s 50th Wedding Anniversary celebration.  Among the items I found in the scrapbook was an article detailing the celebration.  In that newspaper article there was a reference made to a couple that were listed as ‘cousins’ of my great-grandfather George Washington King.  Who are Mr. & Mrs. Kris Haisloop?  I have never heard their names before.  I remembered another picture from the celebration.  Could they possibly be in this additional picture from the celebration??


First, I got the names from the newspaper clipping and my quest began….

Then I  asked my Dad and his King Family cousins (who were young children in the family photo of the celebration) if they remembered the name Kris Haisloope?  No one seemed to remember the name.  I made a guess that George’s ‘cousins’ would be from his mother’s (Sarah Barry King) sisters since the name was not ‘Barry’ like his mother’s maiden name.

Next step was to search in census records for the name.  I took a chance that ‘Haesloop’ was not a common name and that they might live near or in Brooklyn close to my great-grandparents,  I also knew that George’s mother and family grew up in Brooklyn.  This is what I found in the 1930 US census:

I found a Christian and Isabella Haesloop living in Brooklyn.  Isabella was born in the US.  They would be 50 at the time of the 50th Anniversary party.  That would fit with the ages of the people in the photo.  George and Sarah were about 60-61 years old, so, that would fit as well. (click on the picture to enlarge)

Then I looked at the information in my Legacy Family tree (3 generation Descendant chart from Ebenezer) for the children of Ebenezer and Catherine (in yellow).


Next I started searching the children of Ebenezer and Catherine Bolen Barry.  Not too much information there.  I had primarily just done my direct line and not many of the siblings and descendants.  So, I started looking in the census records to try and figure out what the married names of the female descendants might be.  I was able to figure out Ida’s married name ‘Browning’ because I looked for Ebenezer (not so common name) who was living with her in the 1900 census (Catherine had died 1891).  Using US Census reports I was able to make some guesses as to married names of some of the daughters but had no way to prove the connection to the ‘Barry’ surname.  UGH!!

After searching (for hours and days) many different names and combinations, etc. I thought to check the Public Member Trees on Ancestry.  I found several trees where Ebenezer and Catherine were listed with a varying amount of information for their children.  I looked and looked (a lot of the families had 8-10 children to follow down), wrote emails to several owners of the ‘trees’ to see if there might be a family connection and finally at 10:45 pm on Thursday there it was –the name Haesloop in one of the branches of a tree!  YEA!!!  This was so exciting but who could I call at 10:45 to share that excitement!!  I again wrote an email to the owner of that tree that finally contained the name I was looking for to thank Chris for posting his tree and doing so much research.

It turns out that Elizabeth Caroline Barry married John (Joseph?) Griffin.  They had 9 children:  Ebenezer Charles, John J. Jr., Isabella A. (Agnes?), Louisa Matilda, Mary ‘May’ Erica, Gertrude Matilda, Frederick George, William G., and Harold G.  Isabella’s 2nd husband was Christian Peter Haesloop.  YES! there is the connection!!

I have since heard from Chris and Allison who are both descendants of Ebenezer and Catherine.  I found them due to their Public Member Trees on Ancestry which helped me make the cousin connection between my great-grandfather George Washington King and Isabella Griffin Ward Haesloop.  Now I have made that connection (YEA), have a picture of them (?), hopefully have 2 new cousins in Chris and Allison that I can get to know and about 42 new people to add to my tree (always remember to double check what you find on the internet) and all because of my Grandmother’s Scrapbook.  Thanks again Grandma for helping lead me to these connections!  What a week!!

If you have any additional information or stories to share I would enjoy hearing them.

Enjoy the journey,
Debby

What can you find in Grandma’s Scrapbook?

‘Scrapbooks’.  30 or more years ago the term ‘Scrapbook’ referred to a book of plain white or black paper where you put clippings from the newspaper, etc.  Today I refer to a ‘Scrapbook’ as the place I keep nicely decorated pages with photos and related memorabilia.

I have a ‘Scrapbook’ my paternal grandmother, Agnes S. King Warner, made with clippings from newspapers and cards dating from 1910 to the 1960s.  While I have had the Scrapbook for years and looked at it when I first got it I haven’t looked at it in years.  I decided to take a look at it recently to refresh my memory of what was inside.  I had done some genealogy years ago but when I received the Scrapbook I wasn’t actively doing genealogy at the time.  I remembered there being clippings of family events.  As a girl I can remember being at my grandparents on Mondays when Mrs. Laura Rogers would call and ask my grandmother if she had any news of family happenings for the local Newspaper (The News Review) for the Calverton section.  I remember the excitement when you would see your name in the newspaper for a birthday, etc.

I found something very exciting! First for some background information. My paternal great grandparents (on my grandmother Agnes King Warner’s side) are George W. King and Sarah Rowan King.  Their pages from my Legacy family tree.



I found the following invitation, place tags and newspaper clippings about my great grandparents in my grandmother’s scrapbook…

 

 

 

While I knew there had been a 50th Anniversary celebration and I had seen the pictures I know had other pieces of valuable and fun information. 

I now have a copy of the invitation, the place tags, I know the name of the company my Great Grandfather George worked for, that the Celebration was also a renewal of their vows, I know their address, I know the name of cousins of my Great Grandfather that I never knew, I know the date and location of the celebration, who the guests were, and I also know where family members were living at the time.

Thanks Grandma for saving all these treasures for us to see all these years later!  Now I will have to take these treasures and ‘scrapbook’ them on archival pages in my Heritage Scrapbook album to preserve them even longer.

I would enjoy hearing from you if you have additional information or stories to share.  More finds later.

Enjoy the journey,
Debby