While looking at the 1880 census for my 1st cousin 4x removed, William A McKay, I had to smile when I saw the occupation of the next head of household. At 71 years old, Riley E Anderson was a “worn out minister.” Hopefully, he told the minister that mainly in jest! 1880 US Federal Census for Utica, Venango County, Pennsylvania, image 2 of 7 on Ancestry.com Just in case someone might be related… William A McKay’s mother, Jane Eliza Close, was a sister of my 3rd great grandmother, Julia Ann “July” Close (1826-1905), who married John W McClintock (1825-1890). Do...
My 4th great grandfather, Adam Close, wrote his will on February 1st, 1865. He stated he wanted his debts and “funded expenses” to be taken care of, and then he proceeded to give money to his heirs. He bequeathed five dollars to each of his daughters: Catharine intermarried with M P Crosthwaite, Julia Ann intermarried with John W. McClintock, Jane relict of David W. McKay, and Harriet intermarried with Doctor John W. Riddle. And then he gives five dollars to his “son, James M Close (if living).” From Adam Close’s Will in Mercer County, Pennsylvania 1865 When I first came...
I was on the road last night, so am doing Randy’s Saturday Night Genealogy Fun this morning. This week’s challenge is to share your best find of 2014 and a research challenge of 2015. I already did a “top 10 finds of 2014” post, but this time I will share the one that wasn’t so much a story as a breaking of a brick wall. Here are the guidelines: 1) What was your best research achievement in 2014? Tell us – show us a document, or tell us a story, or display a photograph. Brag a bit! You’ve earned it!...
2014 has been an amazing year for me and my genealogy research. With increased knowledge, time, and resources available, I’ve uncovered some amazing discoveries! I had thought about making a “top 10” booklet for my family as Christmas gifts, but didn’t get around to it. Maybe I will still do that but give it to them for Valentine’s Day. But, for now, I thought I’d highlight my top 10 finds of the year. 1839 Marriage Record – Parish of Prestwich, Lancaster County, England (image from Ancestry.com) #10 – I didn’t start blogging until March of this year, so my first...
Randy has posted another Saturday Night Genealogy Fun challenge. This week we are looking at Sarah’s in our database with ‘last names unknown’ or LNU. I’m going to summarize the rules this time: Basically, search your database and see how many females you have with the first name of “Sarah” where you don’t know the last name. Then, do a little research and see if you can discover her maiden name. If you don’t have any Sarah’s, feel free to use a different first name. Then, post your findings! So, here goes! I have two Sarah’s, but they are such...
I have tried to identify the father of Andrew McClintock (1804-abt 1864 in PA) for several years. The key to busting this brick wall was in the newly released Pennsylvania certificates of death. Andrew and his wife, Mary Jane, had eight children that I know of. Three of those children died between 1906 and 1922, the years for which these death records have been released and are available at ancestry.com. Image taken from Ancestry.com. Two of these records, those for Samuel & Adam, list the maiden name of their mother as “unknown.” But the third child, their daughter Sarah Elizabeth...
