Yesterday, I shared the 1810 will of my 5th great grandfather, Peter Close of Armagh, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania. Peter’s wife, Catharine Elizabeth Close, wrote her will in 1828. Who were the people listed in her will? Armagh, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, Will of Catharine Elizabeth Close dated 1828. Probate packet retrieved by a friend in Sep 2015 from Pennsylvania Archives in Harrisburg. Entire Probate Packet is attached to FamilySearch Family Tree. Search for “Peter Close Sr” who died 1810 in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, then look at “memories”for his wife, Catharine Elizabteh Close. Peter Close – Peter & Catharine’s son Henry Close...
My 5th great grandfather, Peter Close, wrote his will on 27 June 1810 in Armagh, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania. When the 1810 census was taken, reportedly on 6 August 1810, Peter’s widow, Catherine, is enumerated as head of household. The first document in Peter’s probate file was filed on 14 August 1810. So, Peter Close apparently died between 17 June and early August 1810. I have transcribed Peter Close’s will, though I would appreciate any assistance with a few words I’m having difficulty with! (See the transcription at the end of this post and look for the question marks.) Ten people...
Over the past few years, I’ve considered becoming a certified genealogist more often. About six months ago, I decided to go “on the clock” and start the actual process this summer. free image from www.clipart-library.com In pursuit of this goal, I took the BU (Boston University) genealogy course this past fall. I also took other classes, watched webinars, read articles, and listened to podcasts. Although I would have participated in many of these learning experiences anyway, I took part in some of these specifically with the goal of certification in mind. Since I’ve started this journey, genealogy has become more...
Anton and Mary (Reuter) Karbach (or Koerbach), my third great grandparents, immigrated from Germany to Ohio in about 1853. Although a passenger list has not been located, they probably arrived with their three oldest daughters: Mary Magdalena “Lena,” Margaret, and Katherina. In Ohio, Mary gave birth to at least four more children: Theresa, Christina, Karl/Charles, and Mary. According to the 1900 U.S. census, Mary Karbach had a total of ten children, so three of them probably died as infants or young children and their names and dates/places of birth are not known. Photo of Anton & Mary (Reuter) KOERBACH/KARBACH with...
Four years ago, I met Lisa Louise Cooke when she presented at Houston Genealogical Forum (HGF). At the time, I was a little awe struck; I’d been listening to Lisa’s podcasts and she was a genealogy “superstar” to me. Since then, I’ve continued to listen to her podcasts, watch her videos, read her books, and implement the techniques she’s taught me. Lisa Louise Cooke and Me, April 2018, Houston Genealogical Forum Last weekend she presented another all day seminar at HGF. This time, I felt like I was meeting a friend, though it seemed a little strange that the hours...
In my last post, I shared how a Princess Anne County, Virginia, 1791 marriage record provided evidence that Willoughby Randolph’s wife, Franky, was likely the daughter of William Thornton. Another document I’ve discovered is the 1794 will of William Thornton of the same county. It lists his “daughter Franke Randolph” along with other children. This will provides additional evidence that William Thornton was Franky’s father. Lee County, Virginia, “Virginia, Wills and Probate Records, 1652-1983,” “Will Book, Vol. 2, 1795-1807,” will of William Thornton, signed 18 December 1794, page 3 [page numbering inconsistant]; database, image 307, ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 19...
Virginian Willoughby Randolph (1765-1822) mentions his wife, Franky, twice in his will. On many Ancestry.com trees, Franky’s maiden name is listed as Thornton and her father’s name as William Thornton. However, I have not found anyone who documents these relationships. Willoughby and Franky’s first child, William Randolph (my 4th great grandfather), was born on 4 November 1792 in Virginia. Willoughby and Franky were likely married around 1792. Ancestry.com > Virginia, Wills and Probate Records, 1652-1983 > Princess Anne County > Index to Wills and Marriages, 1754-1799 > image 2192, 1791 marriage of Willoughby Randolph and Frankey Cummings I found this...
I have written a lot about one of my immigrant ancestors, Joachim Peters. He and his wife, Henriette, left “Germany” in 1859 with their six children and emigrated to America. My dad recently noticed that Joachim, shown in the photo below, had a patch on his lapel. As he studied the photo of his great, great grandfather, Joachim became a “real person” in his eyes. Look into his eyes. Do you see the man who left behind everyone but his wife and children to find a better life in America? Photo of Joachim Peters (1815-1894) Here’s what my dad wrote:...
A few days ago I shared the cover and first page of the 1822 will of Willoughby Randolph of Lee County, Virginia. Here are the second and third pages, along with a transcription, which include additional names and places for me to research. [Note: In my transcription, I have put the names of people and relationships in bold print.] Lee County, Virginia, “Virginia, Wills and Probate Records, 1652-1983,” “Will Book, Vol. 3, 1800-1832,” will of Willoughby Randolph, signed 16 February 1822, unpaged, second page; database, image 74, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 8 March 2018). Lee County, Virginia, “Virginia, Wills and...
I’ve recently reached out to several fairly close DNA matches on Ancestry.com. One turned out to be a second cousin once removed. Our common ancestors are Josiah Randolph Coppenbarger (1844-1934) and Elizabeth (Bennett) Coppenbarger (1849-1914) who are my great, great grandparents and his great grandparents. We’ve been exchanging photos so both his family and mine have seen new Coppenbarger photos. I’m sharing the photos on my blog so other family members might discover them, too. Please get in touch with me if you’re related! You can leave a comment or email me at drleeds@sbcglobal.net ! PHOTOS FROM MY FAMILY (I...
