Ginkens Marriages, etc.

I just received a scan of the Marriages page from a cousin who has the Ginkens family bible. The scan is fairly easy to read and contains the following information:

Henery A Ginkens, Mrs Alice M. McCracken, Nov. 2nd 1885
Sarah E Ginkens, James B Defrance, 12th Sept 1883
A. Harrison Ginkens, Marry M. Nelson, March 10th 1886
Martha J. Ginkens, William D Augustine, Feb. 11 1883
James B Ginkens, Brittie M. McCracken, Nov. 4th 1888
Mary E. Ginkens, Albert Carvin, April 20th 1890
J Edna Ginkens, Thos E Alter, Nov. 12, 1901
Aletha B Ginkens, Harold L Wilkin, Jan 27 1897

Henry Austin Ginkens and Martha Alice (Watson) McCracken were my 2nd great grandparents. Previous to her marriage to Henry, Martha Alice was married to a man named McCracken. I believe her first husband was David H. McCracken (born abt. 1850 in Ohio), her stepbrother, who was a son of her father Isaac Watson's 3rd wife, Louisa, but this is just an educated guess. I would love to hear from anyone with more knowledge on her first marriage. Martha had a daughter, Hattie McCracken, born about 1872 in Iowa, from this marriage.

I would also be interested to hear from anyone who knows who the father (or fathers) of Sarah E. Ginkens two children are: Vanna E. Ginkens (born Feb 1875 in Wapello County, Iowa) and Erk Harlow Ginkens (born 19 Jul 1877 in Wapello County, Iowa). One Ginkens cousin I am in touch with thinks Erk's father had the last name Harlow and that Erk may have been illegitimate. In the 1880 US Federal Census, Sarah and the kids are living with her father, Jesse Gum Ginkens in Clay Township, Washington, Iowa, and the children are listed with the last name Vandarn (alternatively, Vandorn or Van Dorn), while Sarah's surname is Ginkens.

Any handwriting experts out there?

I'm trying to transcribe a letter that was written by some Scotch-Irish ancestors of mine in the 1850's and am having a bit of trouble deciphering the handwriting. I've gotten pretty good at reading the handwriting from old documents, but there are a few places in the letter where I'm thrown for a loop. If you happen to have some experience reading old Scotch-Irish handwriting, or even if you don't but want to take a stab at it, I'd love some help and a second opinion. They're also writing from a place that I think is called Laughries Caus (I THINK the letter says: "When you Rite Direct Letters to the Care Mr James Moor Mohill Street grween newtown was Cunty Down Irland for William Mcgimpsey of Laughries Caus, farmer."), but I can't find any Laughries in Ireland, so if you know where they are writing from, that'd be great too. Thanks!

And as soon as I have what I think is a pretty accurate transcription, I'll post the letter here. It's from William and Marget McGimpsey to their son Henry and is dated April 2, 1854.

*****

Update: I'd like to thank all the folks who offered help! I also wanted to pass on a few really useful links that people sent me.

• BiB, Apple and Pam helped me identify the origin of the letter writer as Loughriscouse, Newtownards Parish, County Down (map of townlands in Newtownards Parish)
• Megan sent me a link to the Paleography page at the National Archives UK website that has a lot of information and tutorials on reading handwriting from 1500-1800.
• Pam also sent me a link to Ros Davies' Co. Down, Ireland Genealogy Research Site, which has a lot of great info on people and places in County Down

What's in a name?

Recently, I purchased the Oxford Dictionary of First Names, mainly because we are looking for baby names (I'm pregnant), but also because it looked like it might be a good literature, writing and genealogy reference, thereby extending it's usefulness quite a bit. I wasn't disappointed at all. In addition to all the names still in modern use, I've learned quite a bit about the origins of some of the more unusual (to modern ears) first names of my ancestors, like Dorcas, Kenelm, Lamont, and Lavinia. I've also discovered an interesting fact about my father and grandfather's first name: Harlan. According to the book:

Harlan [male] Mainly U.S.: transferred use of the surname, in origin a local name from any of various places in England called Harland, from Old English har 'grey', hær 'rock, tumulus', or hara 'hara' + land 'tract of land'. Use as a given name honours the American judge John Marshall Harlan (1833-1911), a conservative Republican who was nevertheless a pioneering supporter of civil rights in the Supreme Court. He was a descendant of the Quaker George Harland from Durham, England, who emigrated to Delaware in 1687, and became governor there in 1695.
VARIANT: Harland.

My grandfather was born in 1920, so he was likely named by my great grandparents Francis Grant and Grace (McGimpsey) Geyer directly after Judge John Marshall Harlan, or is only once removed from this naming (i.e., named after someone who was named after the judge).

Surname Distribution

I just found this pretty neat US Surname Distribution program on the web. You enter a surname and choose a year (1850, 1880, 1920, 1990), and the program generates a map of the US showing the surname distribution. The 1850, 1880, and 1920 data is derived from a sampling of 1 out of every 100 names in the US censuses and the 1990 data is derived from names listed in phone books. I'm not sure if it'll be much help research-wise, but it's fun to play with for a few minutes.

Distribution of the Kirkland surname in 1850

Main Interest Getting Along In These Days

The following article was found in the book Early Pioneer Stories which I accessed in the DAR Library in Washington, D.C. this summer. The book was prepared for the DAR Library by the Appanoose County [IA] Genealogical Society and featured clippings of articles from the Progress Anniversary Edition of the Centerville Daily Iowegian, which came out on 14 Jan 1934. In the article, my gr-gr-grandfather Samuel Rupley Bear discusses his parents, Samuel Lewis and Mary (Rupley) Bear, and their life as early settlers in Appanoose County.

S. R. Bear of Johns township tells of the sod schools, the hard work of the pioneers, also some of their diversions, as follows: Father and mother, Samuel and Mary Bear, came to Appanoose county the winter of 1854 or the spring of 1854 or spring of 1855, from Illinois. They got acquainted with the pioneer business men of the county and Centerville and also dealt with them. He freighted from Keokuk.

I was born in Appanoose county in the year of 1856, the first school I attended was a log house with wooden slabs for seats with round logs to rest on. We had no desks and had to hold the books in our hands. The next school which I attended was held in a room in a dwelling house with slab benches.

Father and mother were hard working people whose main interest was in getting along. They did work of all kinds. Father broke up the land and planted it in corn, millet and buckwheat. He freighted when he had time, with mother helping in any way that she could. He first raised hogs and later raised cows. The hogs were butchered and sold. Father also made a cheese press and then made the cheese. There was an abundance of wild fruit at that time viz: wild gooseberries, blackberries, grapes, redhaws, blackhaws, and wild crab apples. Now and then father and mother and we children took a day off and together with neighbors and friends took a team and wagon and would go hunting. The men folks would hunt squirrels while the women folks and children would pick the wild berries. On returning home we would have a feast of young squirrel and the berries. Sometimes the neighbors would join us and a social time was held. In those days we also had much wild game of which there were chickens, turkeys, some deer and also plenty of wolves. At first we had no mail whatsoever, but later we had a mail man who brot the mail to the houses. Also we did not have the schools in those early days, or preaching, but when the schools were built there were many different activities carried on inside, for instance there were the singing schools, meetings, and also the debates.

After the first ten years the county began to get populated and was getting well filled with inhabitants.

Source: Appanoose County Genealogy Society, Early Pioneer Stories [Articles from the Progress Anniversary Edition of the Centerville Daily Iowegian, 14 Jan 1934], (Centerville, IA: by the society, n.d.), p. 28, "Main Interest Getting Along In These Days".

Frank and Francis Grant Geyer Obituaries

Here are the obituaries for my great, great grandfather Frank Geyer (b. 16 Apr 1862 in Johannesburg, Germany, d. 29 Mar 1938 in Wellman, Iowa) and my great grandfather Francis Grant Geyer (b. 14 Jul 1897 in Wellman, Iowa, d. 19 Sep 1951 in Iowa City, Iowa).

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Frank Geyer Found Dead In Barnyard of Farm Home

Wellman -- Mr. Frank Geyer, 75, was found dead in the barnyard of his farm home, three and one-half miles northwest of Wellman, Tuesday afternoon. He had been in failing health for sometime and had been confined to his bed recently. Death is believed to have been caused by a heart attack. Mr. Geyer was born in Johnsburg, Germany, April 16, 1862, and came to Iowa with an uncle when 13 years old. He lived in the Washington Prairie community for several years and married Miss Lucinda Griffith December 22, 1888. The couple settled on the Wishard farm near Wellman where they lived until moving to their present home, with the exception of five years passed in Minnesota. Surviving are the widow; six sons, Messrs. Leonard and Grant Geyer of Wellman, Wilbur Geyer at home, George Geyer of Scranton, John Geyer of Thornburg and Howard Geyer of near Iowa City; 22 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. One sister and five half-brothers in Germany also survive. Funeral services will be held at 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon in the Wellman Methodist Episcopal church. Burial will be in the Bunker Hill cemetery.

Source: "Wellman Man Dies Suddenly," Iowa City Press Citizen 30 Mar 1938, page 9, last column.

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Wellman - Francis Grant Geyer, 54, died Wednesday at University Hospital in Iowa City following a short illness. He was born July 4, 1897 in Washington county, the son of Frank and Lucinda Geyer. He was married to Grace McGimpsey, May 14 1919. He is survived by his widow, four daughters, Mrs. John Allard, Harman Village, Guam, Lois of Wellman, Niva, of Wellman, and WAC Pvt. Dorothy Geyer, of Ft. Lee, Va., and six sons, Harlan, Oceanside, Calif., Donald, Wellman, Calvin, Iowa City, Larry, Wellman, Laverne, Wellman and Francis. Also surviving are his mother, Mrs. Lucinda Geyer, and three brothers, George, Boone, John, of Thornburg, and Wilbur of Oxford. Service will be at the Methodist church in Wellman at 2 p.m. Saturday with the Rev. D. C. Bissinger officiating. Burial will be near Thornburg. The body is at Powell funeral home in Wellman.

Source: "Francis Geyer, 54, Dies at U-Hospital After Short Illness," Iowa City Press Citizen 21 Sep 1951, page 11; available from Ancestry.com, full edition, subscription database, <http://www.ancestry.com/>, accessed 14 October 2005.

McGimpsey and Moore family photos

These photos were found in my grandfather Harlan Geyer's possession and are now in my aunt's possession. These families settled in Keokuk County, Iowa, which leads me to believe that the mystery family I posted about previously today must be related.

Henry James McGimpsey, 1860, picture taken off of a glass photo

Henry James McGimpsey was born 13 Oct 1829 in Newtownards, County Down, Ireland. He came to the US sometime in 1860. On 6 May 1862, in Rock Island, IL, he married Elizabeth Hamilton from County Down, Ireland. They are my 3rd great grandparents. After the death of Elizabeth, he married Eliza McLean on 2 Jan 1868. He died 14 Nov 1907.

Rachel Moore and children, 1911
Back row: John C. Moore, James H. Moore, George C. Moore
Front row: Jane M. (Moore) McGimpsey, Rachel (Moore) Moore,
Catherine (Moore) Dusenberry

Rachel Moore was born Aug 1838 in Newtownards, County Down, Ireland. She married James Moore, also from County Down, Ireland, 5 Mar 1866 (they were from different clans). Their children were: Jane M. (Moore) McGimpsey (12 Dec 1866-6 Apr 1938), John C. Moore (23 Dec 1870-11 Dec 1949), James H. Moore (18 Aug 1873-17 Dec 1951), George Cook Moore (Apr 1880-12 Mar 1960) and Catherine (Moore) Dusenberry (8 Oct 1882-31 Jul 1974).

William and Jane Moore McGimpsey with children, 1913

Back row: Catherine Eliza, George William, and Grace Edith

Middle row: Mary Jane, Margaret, Rachel, and Hazel

Front row: William James (father), Ruth, Eva Mae, Bernice, Martin H., and Jane M. (mother)

William McGimpsey (13 Jan 1863-20 Oct 1920) and Jane Moore were married 22 Dec 1892. They had 11 children, including my great grandmother, Grace Edith (McGimpsey) Geyer (b. 1 Jan 1902).

Bear, Ginkens/Jenkins, Kirkland family photos

These photos were all in the possession of my grandfather Harlan Geyer and are now in the possession of my aunt.

Written on back: Joe Kirkland, Margaret and Samuel Bear, Will Kirkland

This photo was probably taken in the 1880's. Margaret Jane Kirkland was married to Samuel Rupley Bear on 17 Feb 1880 (they're my great-great-grandparents). The other men are her brothers Joseph Kirkland (b. 1845 in Wetzel County, WV) and William Kirkland (b. 1840 in Ohio).

Samuel R. and Margaret Bear with children, ca. 1910

The children of Samuel and Margaret Bear are: Samuel Lewis Bear (b. 1881), James Allen Bear (b. 1883), Abraham Alexander Bear (b. 1886), Ruby Caroline Bear Wells (b. 1889) and Moses Washington Bear (b. 1894).

Henry Ginkens and wife, Martha Alice Watson Ginkens, with daughters: Bessie Belle (b. 1886), Beulah Benson (b. 1887), Mary Maude (b. 1889) and Artie Alice (b. 1891)

Samuel Lewis Bear and Bessie Belle Ginkens wedding portrait

Samuel and Bessie were married 15 May 1910 and are my great grandparents. The photography studio was located in Hot Springs, South Dakota (Fall River County).

Martha Watson Ginkens with children

Bessie Ginkens Bear (b. 1886) is in the back row on the right. Her siblings are: Beulah Belle Ginkens Entsminger (b. 1887), Artie Alice Ginkens Haines (b. 1891), Lela Leota Ginkens Barnebey (b. 1893), Ardys Austin Ginkens (b. 1895) and Lloyd Leonard Ginkens (b. 1897). I'm not sure who is pictured above. Martha Watson Ginkens and Artie Alice Haines both died in 1942, so the photo was taken prior to this.

Henry Austin Ginkens (b. 1857 in IA, d. 1924 in Fall River, SD)

According to the 1920 US Census, he and Martha were divorced between 1910 & 1920, but my family don't remember hearing about this and I suppose it would have been news back then.

Mystery Family Photo taken in Richland, IA

I have been unable to identify the surname of the family in this photo. The photography studio is located in Richland, Iowa, which is in Keokuk County. Written on the back of the photo is: "Mother, Emily, Wesley, Hanna & Ellen". It was among my grandfather Harlan Geyer's belongings and is now in the possession of my aunt. Do you know who they are?

Griffith family photos

These photos were passed down to my grandfather Harlan Geyer and are now in my aunt Cherie Geyer's possession. The names of those pictured were written on the back of the photos.

Griffith Family, 1880
Back row (left to right): Grant Griffith, Lucinda Griffith, Elizabeth Griffith
Front row (left to right): John W. Griffith, Priscilla Longwell Griffith, Etta Griffith

The Griffiths and Geyers, 1912
Back row (left to right): Valentine Wagamon, Elizabeth Griffith Wagamon, Grant Griffith, Mary Kruger Griffith
Front row (left to right): Lucinda Ellen Griffith Geyer, John White Griffith, Frank Geyer

18 Jan 1849 Marriage announcements in the American Volunteer [Carlisle, PA]

From "Married," American Volunteer [Carlisle, PA] 18 Jan 1849, p.3, co. 2:

On the 11th instant, by the Rev. A. H. Kremer, Mr. JONATHAN BEAR, of West Pennsborough, to Miss MARIA BEAR, of Silver Spring township, this county.

On Thursday last, by the Rev. J. N. Hoffman, Mr. DAVID NAILOR, to Miss CATHARINE HASSLER, both of this county.

On the same day, by the same, Mr. JOHN STROCK, of Churchtown, to Miss ELIZABETH STEVENSON, of Silver Spring township.

On the 4th inst., by the Rev. John Fritchy, Mr. WM. C. BRANDT, to Miss ELIZABETH GOODYEAR, both of Monroe tp.

On the 6th inst., by the same, SAMUEL BEAR, to Miss MARY RUPLY, both of Hampden township.

The last couple listed, Samuel Bear and Mary Ruply, are my 3rd great-grandparents.

BEARs in The History of Appanoose County, Iowa

The following appears on pages 575-576 of The History of Appanoose County, Iowa containing A History of the County, its Cities, Towns, &c. .. (1878, Western Historical Company, Centerville, Iowa: Appanoose County Genealogical Society, 1989), under the Johns Township section:

BEARE, ANDREW J., far., Sec. 28 ; P. O. Tranquility ; born in Mount Morris, Green Co., Penn., Aug. 30, 1829 ; located here, 1869 ; owns 240 acres of land, valued at $25 per acre. He is a member of the Methodist Church, and Republican. His wife, Annie Kleiss, was born in Lancaster City, Penn., May 25, 1830, and married May 29, 1871. Mr. Beare enlisted in Co. F, 12th Illinois Infantry ; afterward re-enlisted in Co. F, 57th Illinois Infantry, and served four years and three months ; was in the battles at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Miss., Murfrecsboro, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Allatoona, Paducah, Kenesaw Mountain, Rome, Ga., Atlanta, siege of Vicksburg, and with Gen. Sherman in his amous march to the sea, and at the review at Washington ; was mustered out June 7, 1865.

Bear, J. G. F., far., Sec. 29 ; P. O. Tranquility.

Bear, G. W., far., Sec. 28 ; P. O. Tranquility.

Bear, L. A., far., Sec. 20 ; P. O. Tranquility.

My Bear ancester from this time period, Samuel Lewis Bear, born 24 Oct 1825 in Cumberland Co., Pennsylvania, settled in Plano (Johns Township), Iowa between 1855-58, was not listed in the book. Justice G. F. Bear was born in Mount Morris, Green Co., PA, so is likely a brother or cousin of Andrew J. Beare.

New history website

From the NEHGS eNews, Vol 8, No. 39:

Television for Genealogists Available on the Internet

A new website has just launched giving The History Channel competition for the attention of genealogists. RootsTelevision.com is a website that provides videos of interest to genealogists, historians, and others interested in the world of the past. The website currently offers several videos, including a five-part interview with Hank Jones, author of Psychic Roots, and the second Ancestors series from PBS. Viewers can also watch videos of the recent press conference in New York City about the discovery of Annie Moore, the first passenger welcomed at Ellis Island.

Videos are currently available for free, although pay-per-view videos will be offered in the future. Find out more at http://rd.bcentral.com/?ID=4552959&s=145791043.

Geyer Obituaries - Fairfax County, VA

Here are the obituaries of my father and paternal grandparents. I'd love to hear from you if you are related or were friends with any of them.

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Ila Iola Geyer

Ila Iola Geyer, 78, died at her home in Herndon, Va., Friday, March 13, 1992.
Funeral services will be Thursday, March 19, at 1 p.m. at Green Funeral Home in Herndon. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va.
Mrs. Geyer was born June 11, 1913, in Plano, Iowa, the daughter of Samuel and Bessie Belle Bear. She graduated from Seymour (Iowa) High School and the University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, with a degree in elementary education. Ila Bear Geyer taught at Union School, north of Wellman, from 1938 to 1940. She also married Harlan M. Geyer on June 11, 1945, at Camp Lejeune, N.C., and moved to Herndon, Va., from Mission Hills, Calif.
Mrs. Geyer is survived by her husband of Herndon; a son, Harlan M. Geyer Jr., and his wife Unchalee of Herndon; a daughter, Cherie Ann Geyer of Laguna Hills, Calif.; three grandchildren, Christina, Christopher and Christian Geyer, all of Herndon; one sister, Holly Plaster of Gering, Neb.; four brothers, Austin Bear of Arizona, George Bear of New Jersey, Claude Bear of Plano, Iowa, and John Bear of Missouri.

From: Wellman Advance [Iowa]

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Harlan M. Geyer Jr.

Of Oak Hill, VA. On Friday, November 2, 2001 at Hospice of Arlington. Beloved husband of Unchalee Geyer; father of Christina Lynn Geyer of Durham, NC, Christopher Eugene and Christian Alan Geyer, both of Richmond, VA; son of Harlan M. Geyer of Reston, VA; brother of Cherie Ann Geyer of Aliso Viejo, CA. Mr. Geyer was a Marine Combat Veteran of Vietnam and awarded the Distinguished Civilian Service Award. Service will be held on Sunday, November 4 at 1:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. at ADAMS-GREEN FUNERAL HOME, 721 Elden St, Herndon, VA. A graveside service will also be held at Arlington National Cemetery Columbarium on Tuesday, November 20 at 1 p.m. (Please assemble at 12:30 p.m. at the Administration Building). In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his name to Hospice of Northern Virginia or the American Cancer Society.

From: The Washington Post 3 Nov 2001

Update: Thoughts on my dad

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GEYER, HARLAN MARTIN, SR. (Age 85)

Of Reston, VA, died on Friday, March 24, 2006 at Fair Oaks Hospital. He was born July 20, 1920 in the town of Wellman, IA to the late Francis Grant and Grace McGimpsey Geyer.

Harlan served 20 years in the US Marine Corps, attaining the rank of 1st Sergeant. As a member of the 2nd Marine Division, he took part in the Battle of Tarawa, one of the bloodiest battles of the Pacific in World War II. He also served in the Battles of Saipan and Tinian.

On June 11, 1945 he was joined in marriage to Ila I. Bear. After her passing in 1992, he was united in marriage to his second wife, Mary Gallagher Farley Bahlmann, who passed away in 2001. Harlan is survived by three brothers, Calvin, Larry and LaVerne; his sisters, Doris Allard, Dorothy Biddle and Niva Nix; his daughter, Cherie Geyer and his grandchildren, Christopher and Christian and Christina Geyer and her husband, Rainer Spang. Harlan also rejoiced in being a loving grandfather to Beth, Patsy, Scott and Chris Farley, grandchildren of his second wife. He was preceded in death by his son, Harlan M. Geyer, Jr.

Funeral services for HARLAN M. GEYER will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 1 at ADAMS-GREEN FUNERAL HOME, 721 Elden St., Herndon, VA. Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery on Tuesday, April 11 at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are welcome.

From: The Washington Post 29 Mar 2006

Update: Memorial webpage for my grandfather

Bear obituaries in Appanoose County, Iowa

These are transcribed from the book: Osee Johnson Knouf, comp., Soldiers Buried in Appanoose County, Iowa Before World War II and Some Obituaries of Early Settlers, (DAR, Illinois Society, 1976). I accessed it in the DAR library in Washington, D.C. The obituaries are typed, and include what appear to be many typos.

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Mary Jane Kirkland Bear

Mary Jane Kirkland, daughter of Hue and Nancy Kirkland was born in Wetzel county, West Virginia, April 17, 1853, and passed away June 5, 1939, at the age of 86 years, 2 months and 18 days. She is the last of a family of 11 children.
She came to Iowa with her parents at the age of 14 years. On February 17, 1880, she was united in marriage to Samuel R. Bear. She was the mother of six children. One daughter, Mrs. Ruby Wells, and her husband preceded her in death. She lived the greater part of her life in Appanoose county, Iowa.
She was converted and united with the Little Flock Baptist church in 1871. She lived a true and devoted life until the end. She has been in poor health for some time. She was making her home with her son, James A. Bear, at the time of her death. All was done that loving hands and medical science could do but to no avail. She was a loving mother, a good neighbor, and a kind friend. She is survived by 5 children: Della Squires, Seymour, Ia.,; S. L. Bear: James A. Bear; and A. A. Bear, of Plano, Iowa; and Mose W. Bear of Centerville, Iowa. 26 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren, other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services were conducted Wednesday p.m. at the Little Flock church at 2 p.m. with the Rev. W. M. Cleeton of Seymour officiating. Burial was in the Little Flock cemetery.

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Adessa Jane Bear Wilson

Adesa Jane Bear, daughter of Mary and Samuel Bear, was born in Peoria, Ill., Nov. 24, 1849, and passed away at the home of her son Joseph in Minneapolis, Minn., Feb. 5, 1940, at the age of 90 years, 2 months and 18 days.
Her parents came to this country when she was small and settled on a farm near Plano where they lived until their death.
In 1871 she was united in marriage with Perry C. Wilson. They lived on a farm a few years and then moved to East Wilson street of this city where they were living at the time of Mr. Wilson’s death in May, 1930. She has spent most of the last 10 years of her life at the home of her youngest son, Joseph, at Minneapolis.
She enjoyed good health until last Friday, when Joe’s wife noticed she was ill. She was put to bed at once and tenderly cared for until she passed away early Monday morning.
She was the oldest of her family and the last to pass away of six children. Mrs. Wílson was the mother of 11 children. Elizabeth, Frank and Grover preceded her in death.
She leaved to mourn their loss; three daughters – Mrs. C. L. Gray of this city, Mrs. Mary Myers of Phoenix, Ariz. and Mrs. Zella Hurd of California. Five sons – Joseph of Minneapolis, Minn., Oscar, Robert and John of this city and William of Cincinnati, Iowa; 21 grand children 9 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren.
Mrs. Wilson was a woman of fine character and was loved and respected by a large number of friends. She loved her home and was a devoted and loving mother.
Funeral services were held from the Miller Funeral home Friday afternoon with H. E. Trimble officiating. Burial was in Oakland.

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Catherine Elizabeth Bear

Catherine Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel and Mary Rupely Bear, was born Feb. 7, 1858, and passed away at her home north of Plano, Feb. 17, 1939. She was united in marriage to Edwin Lyon, April 18, 1877. He preceded her in death April 18, 1921. She has spent her entire life in the community of Plano, where she was born, and 60 years at the home where she passed away.
Ten children were born to this union. Surviving are: Mrs. C.F. Kirkland, Los Angeles, Calif., Ira of Plano, Mrs. E. W. Wyrick of Centerville, Iowa, Nellie at home, C. Fred of Oklahoma City, Okla., Mrs. Walter Haines and Jay of Plano and Art of Yakama, Washington. Harry E. and Gertrude Mae preceded her in death. Twelve grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren also survive. Of a family of six, she is survived by one sister, Mrs. Dessie Wilson of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Funeral services were held at the home with Rev. George W. Swan, Jr. officiating. She was laid to rest in the family cemetery.

Kirkland Obituaries in Wetzel County, WV

The following are all the Kirkland obituaries found in the book "Wetzel Co., WV Obituaries", published by Wetzel County Genealogical Society and compiled by Carol Rush Hassig and Elizabeth Estlack Mullett. They appear to have been cut from newspapers and pasted onto pages that were photocopied to make these volumes. I accessed this book in the DAR Library in Washington, D.C. I've left misspellings in and anything in brackets "[]" are my comments.

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J.F. Kirkland [Vol. 2, p. 52]
Obituary
April 28, 1930 [date handwritten]

Mr. J. F. Kirkland, son of Alexander and Eliza Jane Kirkland, departed this life April 28, 1930, aged 68 years, 11 months and 28 days. He was born May 3, 1861, near Wileyville, Wetzel County, where he lived until about seventeen years ago, when he moved to his late home located about five miles east of this city. He was one of Wetzel County’s most successful and prosperous farmers. He achieved success by faithful to[illeg.] coupled with attention to details and wise management.

December 25, 1895, he was united in marriage to Sarah Belle Briggs, daughter of the late Henry Briggs, who resided at Green Hill, Wetzel County. To this union were born four children, all of whom are graduates of Magnolia High School and highly respected citizens. Clark and Cline are with the Lemley-Bridgeman Company garage of this city. Dr. Matt is owner and manager of the Fulton Pharmacy, Wheeling, and Mrs. Eliza Kirkland Brown is a successful teacher of Fairmont. He is also survived by his widow; his aged mother, living at Maud, who has passed her ninety-third birthday; one grandson, Matt, Junior; three brothers and three sisters: Mrs. Samantha Moore, of this city; Mrs. G. W. Huff, of Maud; Mrs. Virginia McIntire, of Maud; Lockwood Kirkland, of Centerville, Iowa; Shriver Kirkland, of Clarksburg, and Elsworth Kirkland, of Maud.

Mrs. Kirkland, too, has shared with her husband the responsibilities and sacrifices that come to a farmer’s wife, incidental to the maintenance of a happy, comfortable, and hospitable home.

For a number of years Mr. Kirkland had been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Along with his farm cares he found time to devote to the worship of his Creator. He was seldom absent either from Sunday school or the [article cut off at this point]

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KIRKLAND [Vol. 3, p. 29]

Ross C. Kirkland, 77, of Pine Grove, died at 8 p.m., Monday, Oct. 28, 1963, at the Wetzel County Hospital. Born in Wetzel County, Nov. 11, 1885, he was a son of Foster and Adaline Martin Kirkland. He was a retired employe of the Hope Natural Gas Co. and was a member of St. Paul’s Methodist Church of Pine Grove.. Survivors include his wife, Ethel Cosgray Kirkland; two sons, Hugh, of Canton, and Kenneth, of Pine Grove; a half-brother, Joseph Bland, of Pine Grove; and a granddaughter. Friends are being received at the Palmer Funeral Home in Pine Grove. Services will be held at St. Paul’s Methodist Church at 2 p.m. today (Thursday) with the Rv. Albery O. Morrison officiating.. Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Park, New Martinsville.

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KIRKLAND [Vol. 3, p. 30]

Ethel Kirkland, 79, of Pine Grove, died Wed., Nov. 5, at the Wetzel County Hospital. She was born in Wetzel County, June 16, 1890, daughter of John and Emma McAlister Cosgray. She was a member of St. Paul’s Methodist Church. Her husband, Ross C. Kirkland, preceded her in death in 1963. Surviving are two sons, Hugh of Canton, and Kenneth of Pine Grove; and one granddaughter. Friends were received at the Palmer Funeral Home, Pine Grove. Services were held at 2 p.m. Sunday at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church with the Rev. Robert Harshburger officiating. Interment in Greenlawn Memorial Park, New Martinsville.

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Sarah Kirkland [Vol. 3, p. 31]

Mrs. Sarah Belle Kirkland, 73, member of a well known family, died at her home on Little Creek last Sunday after she had suffered a heart attack.
She was a native of Wetzel County, having been born at Proctor Sept. 14, 1867. She was a daughter of Henry and Massa Brookover Briggs.

Mrs. Kirkland was a member of the First M. E. church and of the Mrs. D. N. Mangolg Sunday school class. She took an active part in Ladies’ Aid work.

Survivors are one daughter, Mrs. C. H. Huffman of New Martinsville; three sons, Clark and Cline Kirkland of New Martinsville, and Matt L. Kirkland of Wheeling; three sisters, Mrs. J. G. Guthrie and Grace Briggs, both of New Martinsville, and Mrs. W. E. McKnight of Charleston; and five grandchildren.

Funeral services for the deceased woman were conducted Tuesday afternoon at the Wharton Funeral Home. Rev. S. B. Cunningham preached the funeral. Mrs. Kirkland was buried in the Northview cemetery.

----------------------------

Pfc. Warren R. Huff’s [Vol. 4, p. 32]

The body of Pfc. Warren Robert Huff arrived in New Martinsville on Monday and was taken to the Wharton & Ellis Funeral home.

He was killed in action December 27, 1943 in the invasion of New Britain, Cape Gloucester, South Pacific.

He was attached to the First Marine Division, and was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation. He enlisted in June, 1942 at Wheeling.

Pfc. Huff was born August 13, 1920 at Maud, W. Va., the son of Robert and Esta Kirkland Huff, who survive him, also surviving are three sisters, Mrs. Lucile Ball and Miss Maxine Huff, both of Washington, D. C. and Mrs. Sue Heinzman of Pittsburgh, and two brothers, Sgt. Norman Huff of the U. S. Air Force, stationed at Brookley Field, Mobile, Ala., and Raymond Huff at home.

Services were held in the chapel of the funeral home on Wednesday afternoon at 2:30, conducted by Rev. H. A. Hopson of St. John’s Methodist church. Burial was in North View cemetery, with full military honors by Marne [Marine] Post No. 28, American Legion, New Martinsville.

----------------------------

J. A. KIRKLAND [Vol. 4, p. 43]

James A. Kirkland, 70, died at the home of his sister, Mrs. Amanda Jackson, of Wileyville, Wednesday morning at 3:00 o’clock. He was a member of the Wileyville Baptist Church.

Mr. Kirkland was born at Wileyville, September 8, 1871, the son of the late Joseph and Lucinda Furbee Kirkland.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Junie Richmond Kirkland, of Elm Grove; six sons, Joseph, of Missouri, and Roy, Charles, Frank, Alton and Bryan, of Elm Grove; two daughters, Mrs. Thelma Andrews and Mrs. Hattie Scyock, both of Elm Grove; three sisters, Mrs. Amanda Jackson and Mrs. Etta Blake, both of Wileyville, and Mrs. Olive Barr, of Pine Grove.

Funeral services will be conducted Friday afternoon from the Jackson home at Wileyville, in charge of Rev. James Webb. Interment in the Kirkland cemetery will be in charge of the Palmer Funeral Service, of Pine Grove. Apr. 1942 [date is handwritten]

Where's Christina?

I know this looks like a dead blog, but I really have a LOT of info to post here from my recent genealogy trip to Pennsylvania and Virginia. I unfortunately have a lot of projects I'm juggling right now, and genealogy has been put on the back burner, so to speak. So please be patient, I will get around to blogging, it just may take a month or so (hopefully less).

Bear Y-DNA Study

I have no idea if this is reputable, and as I'm not a direct male descendent, I'll leave it to those interested to check out further: http://www.geocities.com/bear_dna_project/index.html

My Genealogy bookshelf

Books everyone should own:

The Source: A Guidebook Of American Genealogy (3rd edition) - this is an indispensable guide to genealogy in the US. Buy it! This book actually spends very little time on my bookshelf.

Ancestry's Red Book: American State, County & Town Sources (Third Edition) - Gives information on where genealogical information can be found on state and county levels (archived and internet). Tells county by county when different records were kept. Very useful.

Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Censuses, 1790-1920 - indispensable in doing census research. This book describes the formation of new counties, the changes made in county lines, and discusses various aspects of the census over the time period of 1790-1920.

Other books:

The BCG Genealogical Standards Manual - Discusses the standards professional (and hobby) genealogists should follow.

Wellman, Iowa Centennial 1879-1979 - A history of the town of Wellman in Washington County, Iowa. I'm happy to do look ups for people. An every name index can be found here.

Cumberland County Pennsylvania Marriages, 1761-1800 - Once again, I'm happy to do look ups.

Pennsylvania German Roots Across the Ocean - A collection of articles from the Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine. The book has an every name index. I'm happy to do look ups.

The Royal Descents of 600 Immigrants to the American Colonies or the United States: Who Were Themselves Notable or Left Descendants Notable in American History

Finding Your German Ancestor's: A Beginner's Guide - read the soc.genealogy.german Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) instead.

The tragic life of Sanford Kirkland

In doing research on the Kirkland branch of my family, I came across a cousin who seems to have had a mysterious and sad life. I thought I'd share it in the hopes that someone who knows more of the story will come across this page and be able to add to the tale.

Sanford Kirkland was my 1st cousin, 3 times removed [Me > Harlan Geyer, Jr > Ila Bear > Samuel Bear > Margaret Kirkland > Hugh & Nancy (Morrison) Kirkland < William Kirkland < Sanford M. Kirkland].

Sanford was the only child of William J. Kirkland (born 1840 in Ohio) and Rebecca Dulaney (born 1838 in Pennsylvania). From what I can piece together, their families both settled in Wetzel County, West Virginia in the 1840's, where they grew up. According to the 1910 US census, they married around 1861. Sometime before 1870 they settled in Walnut township, Wayne County, Iowa, where Sanford was born on 25 Nov 1870.

When Sanford was seven years old, tragedy struck; his father had disappeared:

A LOST MAN. -- On Wednesday, June 6, l877, WILLIAM KIRKLAND, a farmer, started from his home, five miles west of Seymour, Wayne Co., Iowa, to go to Seymour, and took a train at Kniffin Station, and has not since been heard of. His friends think he was not in his right mind when he left. He was a man six feet high, and slender, with black hair, dark sandy whiskers and hazel eyes. He had on a dark mixed cassimere suit and a black, broad-brimmed hat.

Any information of him will be thankfully received, and all necessary charges paid by the wife.

Address by mail or telegraph REBECCA KIRKLAND, in care of E.R. Clark, Seymour, Iowa.

Source: "A Lost Man," Chariton Leader 30 Jun 1877; posted by David <railrider503@aol.com> on 11 Mar 2004,
transcribed by Nancee (McMurtrey) Seifert on 8 Mar 2004, IAGenWeb Project <http://iagenweb.org/boards/lucas/documents/index.cgi?review=47749>.

I don't know whether William was ever found. In the 1880 US Census he is listed with his family, in the 1900 US Census, his wife is "widowed", then in the 1910 US Census he is listed with the family again, and finally in the 1920 US Census, he is gone and his wife has no marital status given (which is not typical). Maybe he came home, or maybe Rebecca lost hope that he would return by 1900 and considered herself a widow, then heard something which made her change her mind. We may never know for sure, although I guess that if he returned it would be news, so a closer look at the local newspapers should be the next step here.

Sanford became a high school teacher, probably at Seymour High School. He was active in the community, being mentioned often in the local newspapers in connection with meetings of the local school board, but by the time of the 1930 US Census, he had changed careers to be a secretary for the telephone company. I wonder if, before he left teaching, he might have taught my grandmother, who graduated from Seymour HS in 1932.

On September 4, 1910, shortly before his 40th birthday, Sanford married Clementine Drake, two years his junior. It was the first marriage for both. It must have been a surprise, and I assume a joy, when in the second year of their marriage she became pregnant. But tragedy struck again; she and the child died during childbirth on December 4, 1912.

Sanford lived with his mother until her death in 1921, then when Clementine's father Joseph died in 1930, Sanford lived with his mother-in-law Selena (Clinesmith) Drake. From undocumented family trees on the web, I've found that she died in 1944 and Sanford died on April 8, 1959.