Saturday, October 25, 2025

ABC Biography of #3 Betty Virginia (Carringer) Seaver (1919-2002) of San Diego, California

 Using the ABC method described in Using Artificial Intelligence In the Ancestor Biography Creation (ABC) Process, here is another ancestor biography using the Anthropic Claude Sonnet 4.5 AI tool.

1) I wrote genealogical sketches for almost every known ancestor back through 9 generations in blog posts based on 38 years of genealogical research in my 52 Ancestors/Relatives Biographies series. The genealogical sketch for my mother, Betty Virginia (Carringer) Seaver (1919-2002),  #3 on my Ahnentafel List, including family members, record abstracts and sources, is in My Mother: etty Virginia (Carringer) Seaver (1919-2002).

2) For the Claude AI biography, I attached the PDF of the genealogical sketch for the specific ancestor using the plus (+) icon, and then prompted the AI tool with:  "You are an expert genealogist. Please create a biography based on information in the attached file for Betty Virginia (Carringer) Seaver. Include parents, siblings, spouses and children (with birth and death dates and places). Summarize life events, and add historical facts as appropriate, but do not add or embellish any extra genealogical details. Use section headings. Expand the information in each section to add more details. The tone should be engaging and suitable for family members."

3)  The Anthropic Claude Sonnet 4.5 biography is:


           Betty Virginia (Carringer) Seaver:                                       A San Diego Life

Early Life and Family Background

Betty Virginia Carringer was born on July 30, 1919, in San Diego, California, the cherished only child of Lyle Lawrence Carringer and Emily Kemp (Auble) Carringer. Her arrival brought joy to a young couple establishing their life in a city poised on the brink of tremendous growth.


Emily, Betty and Lyle Carringer - 1919, colorized

Her father, Lyle L. Carringer (1891-1966), was a native San Diegan whose roots ran deep in the community. Born to Henry Austin and Abbie Ardell "Della" (Smith) Carringer, Lyle grew up in a substantial two-story house his parents had built at 2105 30th Street in the late 1890s. By the time Betty was born, Lyle was working as an auditor in a dry goods store, beginning what would become a long career in retail department stores.

Betty's mother, Emily Kemp Auble (1899-1977), brought a different background to the family. Born in Chicago, Illinois, to Charles and Georgianna (Kemp) Auble, Emily had moved west with her family around 1911, following a path many Americans took in search of California's promise. Tragedy struck the Auble family early when Charles died in 1916, leaving Georgianna to raise Emily. This strong grandmother would become a constant presence in Betty's life, living with the Carringer family throughout Betty's childhood and beyond.

Growing Up in Brooklyn Heights

The Lyle Carringer family made their home at 2130 Fern Street in the Brooklyn Heights neighborhood of San Diego, and it was here that Betty's childhood unfolded in what can only be described as an idyllic setting. The house sat on a remarkable block bounded by 30th Street, Hawthorn Street, Fern Street, and Ivy Street—just four blocks from the eastern edge of Balboa Park, San Diego's crown jewel.

The property itself was something special. In the center of the block stood a garden featuring Betty's beloved playhouse, affectionately known as "Mi Casita," alongside a greenhouse bursting with plants, shrubs, and trees. The south end of the block included the original Carringer home, and a productive vacant lot until 1953, filled with vegetable plants, fruit trees, and berry bushes that provided the family with fresh produce.

The neighborhood hummed with the rhythm of 1920s and 1930s San Diego life. Streetcars ran up the middle of 30th Street, carrying passengers from downtown to North Park. A fire station occupied the next block north, while a Piggly Wiggly market stood just one block away, conveniently located next to the drugstore at 30th Street and Juniper Street. The landscape itself—marked by hills and canyons in every direction—gave Brooklyn Heights its distinctive character.

Living so close to Balboa Park profoundly shaped Betty's childhood. The San Diego Zoo, the Museum of Man, the Natural History Museum, and the San Diego Art Museum became her cultural playground. She spent countless hours exploring this remarkable concentration of institutions, experiences that would nurture her lifelong love of art. From home, she could hear the carillon chiming from the California Tower and even the exotic sounds of zoo animals drifting on the breeze.

 Betty and Emily Carringer - 1929, colorized

Childhood and Education

Betty attended Brooklyn Elementary School at 30th and Ash Streets, growing into a tall, slim, pretty young woman with a somewhat shy demeanor that belied her warm heart and lovely smile. Her childhood was filled with simple pleasures: playing in Mi Casita with her friends, skating through the neighborhood, and Sunday family drives to the countryside. The Carringers would venture to Idyllwild, El Monte Park, and Dehesa with family friends, and frequently made trips to the Los Angeles area to visit the extended Kemp and Auble families.

One particularly memorable moment from Betty's early years found its way into print: the ZooNooZ publication of the San Diego Zoological Society published a photograph of young Betty in her father's arms, both of them riding an elephant at the zoo—a moment that captured both the innocence of childhood and the special relationship between San Diego families and their beloved zoo.

Betty continued her education at Woodrow Wilson Junior High School on El Cajon Boulevard before attending San Diego High School at the corner of 12th Avenue and Russ Boulevard on the southern edge of Balboa Park. She graduated with the class of 1936, having enjoyed an active social life that included horseback riding, playing tennis, beach outings, and dances—including her Senior Prom, a milestone she would remember fondly.

                                                               Betty Carringer - 1936, colorized

College Years and Early Career

In the fall of 1936, Betty entered San Diego State College, embarking on four years that would shape her future in multiple ways. She pursued a Bachelor of Science degree in Art, which she earned in June 1940. During these years, she became a member of Phi Sigma Nu sorority, forming friendships with her sorority sisters that would last a lifetime. Her artistic talents flourished during college, she served on the student newspaper publication, and she remained an active artist not just during these formative years but throughout her life.

After graduation, Betty secured her first teaching position at Woodrow Wilson Junior High School on El Cajon Boulevard—the very school she had attended as a young teenager. It was here, in the course of her daily work as an art teacher, that fate intervened in the form of a student named Marcia Chamberlain.

Meeting Fred and Marriage

Marcia's cousin, Frederick Walton Seaver Jr., (1911-1983) had come to San Diego from Leominster, Massachusetts, in late 1940 and was living with Marcia's family. One evening, Marcia invited her teacher, Betty, to dinner at her home. There, Betty met Fred, and a romance blossomed between the California girl and the Massachusetts transplant.

The San Diego Union announced their engagement on April 5, 1942, noting that Fred was a graduate of Worcester Academy who had attended Dartmouth College and was now working with an aircraft corporation—vital war work as America had entered World War II just months earlier. Betty and Fred married on Sunday, July 12, 1942, at 3 o'clock at All Saints' Episcopal Church in San Diego. Marshall Chamberlain served as best man, while Eleanor Steddom stood as matron of honor.

Betty Carringer and Fred Seaver - 12 July 1942, colorized

The newlyweds honeymooned in Laguna Beach before settling into their first home together at 577 Twin Oaks Avenue in Chula Vista. Both found work at Rohr Corporation in Chula Vista, contributing to the war effort by supporting the manufacturing of military aircraft -- a common story among young couples during World War II, when everyone did their part.

Motherhood and War Years

Betty and Fred's first child, Randall  (known as Randy), was born in October 1943, bringing new joy and new challenges to the young family. In August 1944, Fred joined the U.S. Navy, following the path of millions of American men who served during the war. Betty went back to teaching, taking positions at Pacific Beach Junior High School and Memorial Junior High School in San Diego. With Fred away on naval service, Betty and baby Randy moved into the Carringer family home at 2130 Fern Street, where Betty's parents and grandmother provided support during those uncertain wartime months. When Fred returned home in early 1946, the reunited family moved into the first-floor apartment at 2114 Fern Street, staying close to the familiar Brooklyn Heights neighborhood.

Their second son, Stanley was born in September 1946, in San Diego, expanding the family as America entered the hopeful postwar years. As the family continued to grow, they moved in 1947 to the second-floor apartment at 2119 30th Street. This apartment offered spectacular views: from the sun room, one could look southwest toward downtown San Diego and out past Coronado Island to the vast Pacific Ocean. It was in this sun room, bathed in California light, that Betty began painting watercolor art pieces. Some Saturdays, she would venture out with Dorothy Chamberlain to paint houses and city scenes, capturing San Diego's distinctive character on canvas.

 Fred, Stan, Randy and Betty Seaver - 1954, colorized

Family Life and Community Involvement

The Seaver family enjoyed nearly a decade at the 30th Street apartment before their third son, Scott was born in November 1955, in San Diego. With three boys to raise, Betty threw herself into both motherhood and community involvement.

When Randy and Stan attended Brooklyn Elementary School -- the same school Betty had attended -- she became active in the PTA, using her art background to support school activities and enriching the educational experience for all the children. She continued substitute teaching after the boys started school, balancing her professional skills with her passion for art through outings with Dorothy Chamberlain and other friends. When Scott reached school age, Betty once again fully participated in Brooklyn School PTA activities, maintaining her commitment to education throughout all three boys' elementary years.

A Growing Family and Artistic Pursuits

As her sons grew into men, Betty witnessed the joy of their marriages: Stan married in 1967, Randy in 1970, and Scott in 1977. The next generation brought four granddaughters into Betty's life, and she loved and cherished each one, delighting in watching them grow, attend school, and eventually marry during the latter part of her life.

  Randy, Betty, Scott, Fred and Stan Seaver - 1977

The 1970s marked a new chapter for Betty. As her children established their own families, she found more time to devote to her artwork, particularly discovering a passion for enameling on copper. She invested in a kiln to fire her beautiful pieces, creating an impressive array of angels and birds designed as ornaments, plates, and wall hangings. Her dedication to her craft led her to join the Allied Craftsmen and the Enamel Guild, and she volunteered periodically at the Spanish Village in Balboa Park—the same cultural park she had explored as a child.

Betty's enamel work gained recognition beyond family and friends. She showed and sold pieces in commercial art galleries throughout San Diego, while also creating special pieces for her loved ones: enameled ornaments given at Christmas time and commemorative plates marking special family occasions. These handcrafted gifts became treasured family heirlooms.

A New Home and Life After Loss

When Betty's parents died—Lyle in 1976 and Emily in 1977—Betty inherited the Carringer properties that had been part of her family's San Diego story for decades. She and Fred made a significant change, moving to Point Loma to the house at 825 Harbor View Place in 1977. The sale of the 30th Street and Fern Street properties provided income to support their retirement years, closing one chapter and opening another.

 Betty and Fred Seaver - 1982

Tragedy struck on May 26, 1983, when Frederick Walton Seaver died of prostate cancer and a heart attack. After four decades of marriage, Betty found herself a widow at age 63. Yet she carried on with characteristic grace, continuing to enjoy her enameling, visiting with friends, and spending time with her beloved family.

Her Point Loma home became her sanctuary. She loved to read books on the deck overlooking San Diego Bay, taking in the views while staying current with television news and entertainment programs. Never having obtained a driver's license throughout her life, Betty showed her independence by walking down to Rosecrans Street to catch the bus downtown or to Mission Valley, where she took adult education classes and went shopping. She renewed her membership in her sorority, now known as Sigma Alpha Nu, and enjoyed both attending and hosting monthly meetings with her sorority sisters—women who had been part of her life since those college days in the late 1930s.

Philosophy and Character

In a 1984 interview with her granddaughter Lori Seaver, Betty revealed the simple yet profound philosophy that had guided her life: "to be kind to everybody." She identified Charles A. Lindbergh and General Dwight D. Eisenhower as her heroes—figures who represented both daring achievement and steady leadership, perhaps reflecting qualities she admired and sought to embody in her own quieter way.

Betty doted on her grandchildren, creating special memories with them in her home, at birthday celebrations and graduations, and at their weddings. Though her sons had to drive her to the grocery store each week in Point Loma after Fred's death, they also picked her up regularly for family events: birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, Christmas, Easter, and other holidays, plus lunches and dinners out with the families. These gatherings kept Betty connected to the loving family she and Fred had created.

Betty and her four granddaughters - 1992

Final Years

Betty faced her health challenges with the same quiet strength she had shown throughout her life. Diagnosed with breast cancer in 1982, she underwent several surgeries over the next nineteen years. In late 2001, she became short of breath due to fluids accumulating in her right lung, and the doctor diagnosed lung cancer. The lung was drained twice, but Betty then made a clear decision: she wanted no other surgeries or procedures.

She spent the last month of her life with her son Stan and his wife Holly in El Cajon. The family gathered at Christmas time, able to say their goodbyes to the woman who had been the heart of the family for more than eight decades. Betty died peacefully in her sleep on the morning of January 4, 2002, at age 82.

Legacy

Betty Virginia Seaver was laid to rest beside Fred at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery on Point Loma, overlooking the San Diego Bay and Pacific Ocean that had been part of her life's landscape. Her obituary in the San Diego Union-Tribune remembered her as an artist and homemaker, noting her memberships in Allied Craftsmen and the San Diego Enamel Guild.

She left behind three sons—Randall J. Seaver of Chula Vista, Stanley R. Seaver and Scott F. Seaver of El Cajon—four granddaughters, and one great-grandson. But beyond these vital statistics, Betty left a legacy of kindness, creativity, and devotion to family that touched everyone who knew her. From her childhood in the heart of growing San Diego to her final days surrounded by the family she loved, Betty Virginia (Carringer) Seaver lived a life that honored her own simple philosophy: to be kind to everybody.

 Randy, Stan, Scott and Betty Seaver - 2000

4) A poem and song lyrics to commemorate and celebrate the life of Betty Virginia (Carringer) Seaver can be found in "Beautiful Betty" - Genealogy Poems and Song Created by Artificial Intelligence. The song created from the song lyrics can be played in that blog post, and below:

5) An Audio Overview (essentially a podcast) created by the Google NotebookLM AI tool) describing and celebrating the life of Betty (Carringer) Seaver can be heard here (click on "Audio Overview" and wait for it to load).

6)  The Video Overview discussing Betty (Carringer) Seaver's life created by the Google NotebookLM AI tool is:  


7)  I edited the Claude biography text to correct minor inconsistencies and errors. Every large language model (LLM) AI tool writes descriptive text much better than I can write. I was an aerospace engineer in my former life, and my research reports and genealogical sketches reflect "just the facts gleaned from my research." The AI tools are very perceptive, insightful and create readable text in seconds, including local and national historical events and social history detail when requested.

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Links to my blog posts about using Artificial Intelligence are on my Randy's AI and Genealogy page. Links to AI information and articles about Artificial Intelligence in Genealogy by other genealogists are on my AI and Genealogy Compendium page.

Copyright (c) 2025, Randall J. Seaver

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Friday, October 24, 2025

Added and Updated FamilySearch Record Collections - Week of 18 to 24 October 2025

  Each week, genealogy record collections are added, removed, and/or updated on FamilySearch and listed on the Historical Record Collection list at https://familysearch.org/search/collection/list. In addition, I try to keep track of the number of Full-Text Search collections (indexed, searchable) and the Images collections (browsable but not searchable).

1)  As of 24 October 2025, there are 3,405 historical record collections on FamilySearch (an increase of 0 from last week) on the Signed In screen (and 3,404 on the Signed Out screen).

 The added, deleted, and updated collections this week from FamilySearch (from a list supplied by Marshall Clow):

--- Collections Deleted ---

--- Collections Added ---

--- Collections Updated ---

Australia, Victoria, Wills, Probate and Administration Files, 1841-1926 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2207846); 346,706 indexed records with 3,998,555 record images (was 326,394 records with 3,998,555 images), UPDATED 24-Oct-2025
Belgium, Antwerp, Civil Registration, 1588-1953 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2138481); 1,181,713 indexed records with 3,208,709 record images (was 1,181,709 records with 3,208,709 images), UPDATED 23-Oct-2025
Belgium, Hainaut, Civil Registration, 1600-1913 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2138500); 341,661 indexed records with 3,858,982 record images (was 341,656 records with 3,858,982 images), UPDATED 23-Oct-2025
Belgium, Namur, Civil Registration, 1800-1912 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2138511); 932,167 indexed records with 372,768 record images (was 932,147 records with 372,768 images), UPDATED 23-Oct-2025
Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul, Miscellaneous Records, 1748-1998 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1985805); Browse 2,919,774 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 2,919,774 images), UPDATED 21-Oct-2025

Haiti, Civil Registration, 1794-2018 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1482819); 2,916,733 indexed records with 31,609 record images (was 6,984,222 records with 31,609 images), UPDATED 22-Oct-2025
Italy, Agrigento, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1820-1865 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2480962); 158,909 indexed records with 1,218,927 record images (was 126,466 records with 1,218,927 images), UPDATED 24-Oct-2025
Italy, Ancona, Ancona, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1862-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2046896); 766,506 indexed records with 2,361,451 record images (was 655,031 records with 2,361,451 images), UPDATED 23-Oct-2025
Italy, Arcidiocesi di Foggia-Bovino, Church Records, 1573-1910 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000372); 29,908 indexed records with 1,533 record images (was 17,347 records with 744 images), UPDATED 22-Oct-2025
Italy, Avellino, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1809-1947 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2484771); 401,619 indexed records with 3,099,458 record images (was 389,776 records with 3,099,458 images), UPDATED 24-Oct-2025

Italy, Bari, Bari, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043445); 142,084 indexed records with 1,626,044 record images (was 124,025 records with 1,626,044 images), UPDATED 23-Oct-2025
Italy, Benevento, Arcidiocesi di Benevento, Catholic Church Records, 1575-1908 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1483010); Browse 1,692 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 1,692 images), UPDATED 22-Oct-2025
Italy, Bergamo, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1866-1903 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1986789); 1,697,194 indexed records with 2,514,754 record images (was 1,697,121 records with 2,514,754 images), UPDATED 22-Oct-2025
Italy, Biella, Borriana, Catholic Church Records, 1740-1938 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1477247); 10,165 indexed records with 4,648 record images (was 3,723 records with 4,648 images), UPDATED 22-Oct-2025
Italy, Biella, Ponderano, Parish of San Lorenzo, Catholic Church Records, 1566-1953 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1482795); 23,745 indexed records with 9,277 record images (was 6,948 records with 4,475 images), UPDATED 22-Oct-2025

Italy, Bologna, Bologna, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1943 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1947797); 859,877 indexed records with 5,914,917 record images (was 857,564 records with 5,914,917 images), UPDATED 20-Oct-2025
Italy, Brindisi, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1809-1955 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2328379); 1,185,565 indexed records with 820,898 record images (was 1,125,727 records with 789,264 images), UPDATED 17-Oct-2025
Italy, Cagliari, Cagliari, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1934 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043426); 476,350 indexed records with 1,791,108 record images (was 420,267 records with 1,791,108 images), UPDATED 20-Oct-2025
Italy, Campobasso, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1809-1918 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1968528); 1,159,357 indexed records with 2,171,605 record images (was 1,021,322 records with 2,171,605 images), UPDATED 17-Oct-2025
Italy, Caserta, Santa Maria Capua Vetere, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043630); 1,337,435 indexed records with 1,097,228 record images (was 1,315,649 records with 1,097,228 images), UPDATED 23-Oct-2025

Italy, Catania, Arcidiocesi di Catania, Catholic Church Records, 1515-1941 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2013622); 661,022 indexed records with 1,762,909 record images (was 34,583 records with 1,762,909 images), UPDATED 23-Oct-2025
Italy, Catania, Catania, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043496); 740,833 indexed records with 434,962 record images (was 703,462 records with 434,962 images), UPDATED 20-Oct-2025
Italy, Catania, Diocesi di Acireale, Catholic Church Records, 1560-1950 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2016233); 417,727 indexed records with 283,415 record images (was 46,513 records with 283,415 images), UPDATED 23-Oct-2025
Italy, Catania, Diocesi di Caltagirone, Catholic Church Records, 1502-1942 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1493344); 573,316 indexed records with 554,541 record images (was 68,350 records with 554,541 images), UPDATED 23-Oct-2025
Italy, Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1910 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043789); 73,436 indexed records with 193,658 record images (was 38,120 records with 193,658 images), UPDATED 22-Oct-2025

Italy, Chieti, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1809-1931 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2419833); 813,698 indexed records with 3,714,370 record images (was 764,538 records with 3,714,370 images), UPDATED 24-Oct-2025
Italy, Como, Como, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043815); 1,224,500 indexed records with 1,475,606 record images (was 1,214,840 records with 1,475,606 images), UPDATED 23-Oct-2025
Italy, Diocesi di Caltanissetta, Catholic Church Records, 1539-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000377); 229,354 indexed records with 25,673 record images (was 1 records with 200 images), UPDATED 23-Oct-2025
Italy, Diocesi di Piazza Armerina, Catholic Church Records, 1553-1964 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000379); 730,707 indexed records with 98,831 record images (was 80,993 records with 16,114 images), UPDATED 22-Oct-2025
Italy, Diocesi di Trapani, Catholic Church Records, 1504-1913 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000375); 122,943 indexed records with 23,734 record images (was 1 records with 45,305 images), UPDATED 23-Oct-2025

Italy, Florence, Archdiocese of Florence, Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Catholic Church Records, 1450-1900 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000378); 254,520 indexed records with 25,621 record images (was 130,743 records with 20,470 images), UPDATED 22-Oct-2025
Italy, Foggia, Lucera, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1910 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043436); 15,280 indexed records with 706,597 record images (was 6,085 records with 706,597 images), UPDATED 23-Oct-2025
Italy, Genova, Chiavari, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1941 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1482818); 491,682 indexed records with 650,745 record images (was 405,446 records with 650,745 images), UPDATED 20-Oct-2025
Italy, Grosseto, Diocesi di Grosseto, Catholic Church Records, 1521-1983 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000381); 154,295 indexed records with 83,104 record images (was 43,923 records with 34,579 images), UPDATED 22-Oct-2025
Italy, Ivrea Diocesi di Ivrea, Catholic Church Records, 1474-1950 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000373); 924,801 indexed records with 172,620 record images (was 27,287 records with 9,673 images), UPDATED 23-Oct-2025

Italy, L'Aquila, Camarda, Parrocchia di San Giovanni Battista, Catholic Church Records, 1606-1941 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1927832); 7,152 indexed records with 2,116 record images (was 0 records with 2,116 images), UPDATED 22-Oct-2025
Italy, Lucca, Lucca, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043811); 122,621 indexed records with 1,335,192 record images (was 63,550 records with 1,335,192 images), UPDATED 23-Oct-2025
Italy, Massa e Carrara, Massa, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043539); 111,416 indexed records with 513,674 record images (was 80,777 records with 513,674 images), UPDATED 22-Oct-2025
Italy, Matera, Matera, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043814); 220,819 indexed records with 237,814 record images (was 220,819 records with 237,814 images), UPDATED 23-Oct-2025
Italy, Messina, Patti, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1823-1941 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1946858); 136,791 indexed records with 891,170 record images (was 61,390 records with 891,170 images), UPDATED 23-Oct-2025

Italy, Milano, Milano, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000032); 1,194,022 indexed records with 452,562 record images (was 1,157,271 records with 420,165 images), UPDATED 23-Oct-2025
Italy, Modena, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1920-1946 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000266); 68,412 indexed records with 50,597 record images (was 68,110 records with 50,299 images), UPDATED 23-Oct-2025
Italy, Napoli, Archdiocese of Naples, Catholic Church Records, 1633-1944 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000384); 2,495 indexed records with 675 record images (was 802 records with 202 images), UPDATED 22-Oct-2025
Italy, Napoli, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1809-1866 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1937990); 3,250,153 indexed records with 12,795,172 record images (was 3,246,113 records with 12,795,172 images), UPDATED 23-Oct-2025
Italy, Napoli, Melito di Napoli, Civil Registration (Comune), 1809-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1483020); 7,509 indexed records with 15,332 record images (was 6,998 records with 15,332 images), UPDATED 20-Oct-2025

Italy, Napoli, Portici, Civil Registration (Comune), 1809-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2046899); 6,448 indexed records with 48,547 record images (was 390 records with 48,547 images), UPDATED 22-Oct-2025
Italy, Olbia-Tempio, Tempio Pausania, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1910 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043493); 224,033 indexed records with 125,001 record images (was 195,340 records with 125,001 images), UPDATED 17-Oct-2025
Italy, Oristano, Oristano, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1941 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1947719); 487,175 indexed records with 342,194 record images (was 457,457 records with 342,194 images), UPDATED 23-Oct-2025
Italy, Padova, Padova, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1871-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1946877); 1,134,177 indexed records with 1,745,536 record images (was 1,105,915 records with 1,745,536 images), UPDATED 22-Oct-2025
Italy, Palermo, Diocesi di Monreale, Catholic Church Records, 1531-1998 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2046915); 632,000 indexed records with 431,296 record images (was 0 records with 431,296 images), UPDATED 22-Oct-2025

Italy, Palermo, Palermo, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1910 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2051639); 62,250 indexed records with 557,472 record images (was 56,954 records with 557,472 images), UPDATED 20-Oct-2025
Italy, Palermo, Termini Imerese, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1862-1910 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1947613); 132,859 indexed records with 1,021,654 record images (was 91,600 records with 1,021,654 images), UPDATED 20-Oct-2025
Italy, Pavia, Pavia, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1806-1812, 1866-1935 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043830); 290,024 indexed records with 306,382 record images (was 281,949 records with 306,382 images), UPDATED 23-Oct-2025
Italy, Pavia, Voghera, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2057676); 6,738 indexed records with 165,651 record images (was 0 records with 165,651 images), UPDATED 23-Oct-2025
Italy, Perugia, Perugia, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1861-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043831); 13,925 indexed records with 405,632 record images (was 13,925 records with 405,632 images), UPDATED 23-Oct-2025

Italy, Pisa, Pisa, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1935 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043812); 133,941 indexed records with 618,446 record images (was 123,194 records with 618,446 images), UPDATED 23-Oct-2025
Italy, Pistoia, Pistoia, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1937 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1493462); 33,668 indexed records with 834,726 record images (was 0 records with 834,726 images), UPDATED 23-Oct-2025
Italy, Potenza, Archdiocese of Potenza, Catholic Church Records, 1572-1900 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000374); 73,961 indexed records with 5,681 record images (was 1 records with 32,453 images), UPDATED 23-Oct-2025
Italy, Potenza, Melfi, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1861-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1483052); 270,358 indexed records with 558,203 record images (was 269,215 records with 558,203 images), UPDATED 20-Oct-2025
Italy, Ravenna, Ravenna, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1943 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1947700); 756,168 indexed records with 1,759,182 record images (was 711,433 records with 1,759,182 images), UPDATED 23-Oct-2025

Italy, Salerno, Vallo della Lucania, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1947713); Browse 113,541 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 113,541 images), UPDATED 22-Oct-2025
Italy, Siracusa, Siracusa, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1900-1942 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2110810); 354,875 indexed records with 275,840 record images (was 317,702 records with 275,840 images), UPDATED 23-Oct-2025
Italy, Teramo, Teramo, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1940 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1947829); 187,804 indexed records with 425,736 record images (was 181,164 records with 425,736 images), UPDATED 20-Oct-2025
Italy, Torino, Diocese of Torino, Catholic Church Records, 1801-1899 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000113); 1,554,558 indexed records with 623,536 record images (was 1,106,628 records with 531,974 images), UPDATED 23-Oct-2025
Italy, Trapani, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1906-1928 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2052404); 286,289 indexed records with 1,371,292 record images (was 286,289 records with 1,371,292 images), UPDATED 22-Oct-2025

Italy, Treviso, Treviso, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1871-1941 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1947831); 234,533 indexed records with 427,232 record images (was 206,697 records with 427,232 images), UPDATED 20-Oct-2025
Italy, Venezia, Venezia, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1871-1930 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043809); 1,078,687 indexed records with 628,744 record images (was 1,059,195 records with 628,744 images), UPDATED 18-Oct-2025
Italy, Vercelli, Archdiocese of Vercelli, Catholic Church Records, 1839-1899 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000274); 237,440 indexed records with 110,547 record images (was 98,637 records with 73,866 images), UPDATED 22-Oct-2025
New Jersey, State Census, 1915 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2061544); 2,785,404 indexed records with 58,660 record images (was 2,785,408 records with 58,660 images), UPDATED 22-Oct-2025
Philippines Civil Registration (National), 1945-1996 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1852584); 5,264,264 indexed records with 20,274,621 record images (was 5,264,264 records with 20,274,621 images), UPDATED 17-Oct-2025

Philippines, Church Census, 1542-1980 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000216); 4,340,954 indexed records with 94,219 record images (was 4,340,954 records with 102,222 images), UPDATED 17-Oct-2025
United States, Census, 1920 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1488411); 107,660,202 indexed records with 2,387,416 record images (was 107,660,213 records with 2,387,416 images), UPDATED 22-Oct-2025
United States, Census, 1930 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1810731); 125,136,411 indexed records with 2,957,015 record images (was 125,136,419 records with 2,957,015 images), UPDATED 22-Oct-2025
United States, Census, 1940 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2000219); 134,774,736 indexed records with 3,841,151 record images (was 134,774,746 records with 3,841,151 images), UPDATED 22-Oct-2025
United States, GenealogyBank Obituaries, Births, and Marriages, 1980-2015 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2333694); 28,662,315 indexed records with 46,919,022 record images (was 28,662,321 records with 46,919,022 images), UPDATED 22-Oct-2025

--- Collections with new images ---

BillionGraves Index (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2026973); 31,122,746 indexed records with 31,094,605 record images (was 31,122,746 records with 27,529,405 images), last updated 06-Aug-2024
Brazil, Alagoas, Civil Registration, 1876-2023 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4469403); 1 indexed records with 453,991 record images (was 1 records with 453,988 images), last updated 07-Jun-2024
Brazil, Maranhão, Civil Registration, 1827-2022 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4469402); 1 indexed records with 905,506 record images (was 1 records with 905,494 images), last updated 07-Jun-2024
England, Cambridge, Parish Registers, 1538-1983 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3299384); 473,470 indexed records with 33,091 record images (was 473,470 records with 32,730 images), last updated 14-Jun-2024
Italy, Ancona, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1544-1945 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2310701); 200,273 indexed records with 146,744 record images (was 200,273 records with 146,694 images), last updated 12-Aug-2025

Italy, Napoli, Census Records, 1601-1976 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000457); 1,726 indexed records with 104,472 record images (was 1,726 records with 90,613 images), last updated 08-Sep-2025
Italy, Parma, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1626-1921 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3743481); 16,788 indexed records with 1,502,994 record images (was 16,788 records with 1,502,090 images), last updated 09-Oct-2025
Italy, Siracusa, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1943-1945 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2612833); 992,640 indexed records with 676,965 record images (was 992,640 records with 676,757 images), last updated 08-Sep-2025
Italy, Teramo, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1809-1936 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3006903); 1,131,865 indexed records with 825,479 record images (was 1,131,865 records with 823,073 images), last updated 02-Oct-2025
Netherlands, Archival Indexes, Population Registers (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2821274); 20,361,614 indexed records with 20,390,976 record images (was 20,361,614 records with 20,339,521 images), last updated 22-Feb-2018

United Kingdom, Outgoing Passenger Lists, 1890-1960 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4229516); 24,113,045 indexed records with 24,113,045 record images (was 24,113,045 records with 22,011,910 images), last updated 20-Oct-2021
United States, Census, 1950 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4464515); 157,892,854 indexed records with 52,719,505 record images (was 157,892,854 records with 52,719,409 images), last updated 16-Jun-2024
United States, Civil War Confederate Papers of Citizens or Businesses, 1861-1865 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1937233); 2,040,863 indexed records with 2,040,863 record images (was 2,040,863 records with 1,587,638 images), last updated 26-Sep-2011
United States, Civil War Widows and Other Dependents Pension Files, 1861-1934 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1922519); 3,711,529 indexed records with 3,711,529 record images (was 3,711,529 records with 1,969,000 images), last updated 02-May-2013
United States, Revolutionary War Compiled Service Records, 1775-1783 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1849623); 1,997,022 indexed records with 1,997,022 record images (was 1,997,022 records with 1,881,000 images), last updated 15-Sep-2010

West Virginia, Deaths, 1804-1999 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1417434); 2,220,736 indexed records with 1,551,143 record images (was 2,220,736 records with 1,039,588 images), last updated 16-Nov-2023

--- Collections with images removed ---

Colombia, Censuses, 1777-1967 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000123); 323,365 indexed records with 27,088 record images (was 323,365 records with 29,429 images), last updated 29-May-2025
Dominican Republic, Immigration Records, 1925-1999 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000147); 66,487 indexed records with 205,118 record images (was 66,487 records with 205,309 images), last updated 15-Oct-2025
England and Wales, Census, 1911 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1921547); 36,354,828 indexed records with 8,573,328 record images (was 36,354,828 records with 8,573,418 images), last updated 01-Aug-2019
Find a Grave Index (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2221801); 260,518,688 indexed records with 47,301,019 record images (was 260,518,690 records with 131,940,503 images), last updated 18-Sep-2025
Finland, Passport Registers, 1900-1920 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4139415); 93,189 indexed records with 2,634 record images (was 93,189 records with 2,805 images), last updated 15-Sep-2025

Italy, Cosenza, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1654-1910 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3005073); 2,366,442 indexed records with 3,304,663 record images (was 2,366,442 records with 3,307,883 images), last updated 24-Apr-2025
Italy, Foggia, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1809-1902 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2821290); 1,578,624 indexed records with 1,150,340 record images (was 1,578,624 records with 1,150,938 images), last updated 08-Sep-2025
Italy, Milano, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1866-1942 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2537277); 1,187,958 indexed records with 1,042,247 record images (was 1,187,958 records with 1,042,250 images), last updated 23-Jun-2025
Italy, Salerno, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1806-1949 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1935404); 1,711,876 indexed records with 4,601,769 record images (was 1,711,876 records with 5,445,172 images), last updated 23-Jun-2025
South Africa, Transvaal, Civil Marriages, 1870-1931 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2727134); 267,269 indexed records with 265,207 record images (was 267,269 records with 265,214 images), last updated 14-Jun-2024

United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000016); 63,700,470 indexed records with 8,654,999 record images (was 63,700,471 records with 61,061,977 images), last updated 12-Feb-2023

--- Collections with new records ---

France, Saône-et-Loire, Military Conscriptions, 1867-1940 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2617739); 244,796 indexed records with 244,795 record images (was 244,795 records with 244,795 images), last updated 22-Apr-2016
Maine, Vital Records, 1670-1921 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1803978); 2,490,400 indexed records with 1,841,454 record images (was 2,480,328 records with 1,841,454 images), last updated 12-Oct-2025

--- Collections with records removed ---

Germany, Marriages, 1558-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1473009); Index only (5,619,071 records), no images (was 5,619,072 records with 0 images), last updated 15-Sep-2025
Minnesota, Birth Index, 1935-2002 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1949334); Index only (4,267,577 records), no images (was 4,267,578 records with 0 images), last updated 06-May-2014
New Jersey, Death Index, 1901-1903; 1916-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2843410); 752,136 indexed records with 5,555 record images (was 752,138 records with 5,555 images), last updated 22-Oct-2024
New Jersey, Reclaim the Records, Geographic Birth Index, 1901-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4461588); 1,903,329 indexed records with 30,989 record images (was 1,903,333 records with 30,989 images), last updated 12-Jun-2025
United States, GenealogyBank Historical Newspaper Obituaries, 1815-2013 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2860782); 31,807,592 indexed records with 4,918,255 record images (was 31,807,593 records with 4,918,255 images), last updated 13-May-2025

United States, Public Records, 1970-2009 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2199956); Index only (875,601,292 records), no images (was 875,601,351 records with 0 images), last updated 23-Aug-2025
United States, Residence Database, 1970-2024 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000290); Index only (413,860,241 records), no images (was 413,860,485 records with 0 images), last updated 22-Jun-2024
United States, Social Security Death Index (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1202535); Index only (93,945,943 records), no images (was 93,945,953 records with 0 images), last updated 17-Mar-2014
United States, World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1968530); 32,592,791 indexed records with 24,999,338 record images (was 32,592,792 records with 24,999,338 images), last updated 09-Sep-2025

===================================

My friend and SDGS colleague, Marshall, has come up with a way to determine which collections are ADDED, DELETED or UPDATED, and to alphabetize the entries in each category. Thanks to Marshall for helping me out here!

Marshall notes that there are:

  • 0 removed entries
  • 0  added entries 
  • 75 updated entries
  • 27 entries with more or fewer images 
  • 11 entries with more or fewer records

The FamilySearch website says there are 3,405 total entries on the list (after signing in). Marshall's list says there are 3,405 (after signing in).  They are definitely in-sync this week.

2)  There are now 5,853 searchable image collections on FamilySearch Full-Text Search this week, an increase o756 from last week. There are over 1.562 billion "results" in the collections. It is not possible to see which collections are new.  

3)  There are now 25,608 browsable (but not indexed or transcribed) image collections on FamilySearch Images this week, a decrease of 184 from last week. There are 2,098 from the United States, 7,187 from Europe and 225 from Canada.  It is not possible to see which collections are new. Where did those removed collections go? They probably went to the Full-Text Search collection list.

See previous FamilySearch-related blog posts in   https://www.geneamusings.com/search/label/FamilySearch

==========================================

The URL for this post is:  

Copyright (c) 2025 Randall J. Seaver

Please comment on this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post. Share it on X, Facebook, or Pinterest using the icons below. Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com.  Note that all comments are moderated, so they may not be posted immediately.

Subscribe to receive a free daily email from Genea-Musings using www.Blogtrottr.com.

Added and Updated Ancestry.com Record Collections - Week of 18 to 24 October 2025

  The following genealogy record collections were added to the Ancestry.com Card Catalog page by Date Updated during the period from 18 to 24 October 2025:

The ADDED and Updated collections include:

=========================================

The complete Ancestry.com Card Catalog is at https://search.ancestry.com/search/CardCatalog.aspx.  

By my count, there are NEW record collections ADDED this past week, per the list above.  There are now 33,874 collections available as of 24 October, an INCREASE of 0 from last week.  

                              ==============================================

Disclosure: I pay for an All-Access subscription from Ancestry.com. In past years, Ancestry.com  provided a complimentary All Access subscription, an autosomal DNA test, material considerations for travel expenses to meetings, and hosted events and meals that I attended in Salt Lake City.

The URL for this post is:  https://www.geneamusings.com/2025/10/added-and-updated-ancestrycom-record_01127565498.html

Copyright (c) 2025, Randall J. Seaver

Please comment on this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post. Share it on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest using the icons below. Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com. Please note that all Comments are moderated so they may not appear immediately.

Subscribe to receive a free daily email from Genea-Musings using www.Blogtrottr.com.  

James Abraham Kemp's Life Memories - An AI-Assisted Memoir

I wrote a genealogical sketch for my 2nd great-grandfather, James Abraham Kemp (1831-1902)  in 52 Ancestors - Week 23: #30, James Abraham Kemp (1831-1902), based on the records found that document his life. There is an AI-assisted biography in ABC Biography of #30 James Abraham Kemp (1831-1902) of Ontario based on the genelaogical sketch. I wondered what he might say in a life memoir to his grandchildren.



(AI ChatGPT4 image of James Kemp's family in 1873)

1)  Based on the genealogical sketch, I requested Anthropic Claude Sonnet 4.5 to create a memoir written by James Abraham Kemp (1831-1902) summarizing his life in 1900.  The prompt was:  "Please write a life memoir for James Abraham Kemp based on the attached genealogical sketch, as he might tell to his grandchildren in 1900."

2)  The AI Anthropic Claude Sonnet 4.5 memoir (lightly edited for accuracy) is:

My Life Story

A Memoir for My Grandchildren

Written by James Abraham Kemp, Delhi, Ontario, 1900

My dear grandchildren,

As I sit here in my home in Delhi Village this autumn of 1900, approaching my seventieth year, your grandmother Melissa has encouraged me to set down the story of my life for you children and those yet to come. The new century approaches, and with it, I suspect, changes beyond what even this old carpenter can imagine. Perhaps in reading these words, you'll better understand the stock from which you come, and find courage for whatever trials the Lord sees fit to send your way.

The Beginning: Prince Edward County

I was born on the 22nd of May, 1831, in Hillier, Prince Edward County, when Upper Canada was still finding its way as a British colony. My father, Abraham Kemp, was born in Upper Canada to Loyalist parents, and was of the Methodist faith and had a determination to farm the good soil along Lake Ontario. My mother, Sarah Fletcher, was a strong woman who needed to be -- for she would bear eleven children before her time came.

I was the fifth child, the middle one you might say, with two older sisters, Waity Catherine and Mary Ann, and two older brothers, Stephen and William Henry ahead of me. After me came John, Peter Evans, Andrew Hait, Sarah Jane, little Charles who we lost when he was only six years old, and finally Wesley, the baby. Growing up in such a large family taught me early that life isn't about getting attention—it's about doing your part, helping where you're needed, and understanding that you're part of something bigger than yourself.

Our farm was modest, and every hand was needed. By the time I was eight or nine, I was doing a man's work alongside Father and my brothers—clearing stumps, planting, harvesting, tending livestock. Those were hard days, children, harder than you can probably imagine. We rose before dawn and worked until dark, with Sunday being our only rest for worship and visiting. But there was goodness in it too—the satisfaction of bringing in a good crop, the warmth of the family gathered around the hearth on winter evenings, Mother's voice as she sang us to sleep.

Loss and Change

When I was about sixteen, tragedy visited our home. Mother died shortly after baby Wesley's birth in 1847. I remember Father sitting at the kitchen table that terrible day, his big farmer's hands covering his face, and us older children trying to comfort the little ones who didn't fully understand that Mother wouldn't be coming back. Sarah Jane was only four, and Wesley just a newborn. How Father managed I'll never fully know, but he did what needed doing, as we all must when life demands it.

Within a few years, Father married Sephrona Goddard Sheltraw, a French-speaking Catholic woman who was kind to us younger ones still at home. By then I was twenty years old, working as a farm laborer, learning what I could about carpentry and joinery alongside the farm work. But I felt the pull to make my own way. With so many Kemp boys coming of age, there wasn't enough land to divide among us all, and I had dreams of establishing myself somewhere fresh.

Striking Out for Norfolk County

In 1855, at age twenty-four, I made the decision that would shape the rest of my life—I left Prince Edward County and traveled west to Norfolk County, settling in the village of Fredericksburg, which folks would later rename Delhi. It was one of the hardest things I'd ever done, leaving family and everything familiar, but Norfolk County was growing fast and needed skilled tradesmen. I had learned enough carpentry to make my way, and the tall forests promised good timber for building.

Those first months tested me. I lived in a boarding house, took whatever carpentry work I could find, and spent many lonely evenings wondering if I'd made a terrible mistake. But gradually I built a reputation for solid, honest work. When a man needed a barn raised or a house built, my name began to be mentioned. The Wesleyan Methodist Church welcomed me, and through church socials and community gatherings, I began to feel that Delhi could truly be home.

Mary Jane and Our Growing Family

It was at a church function that I first met Mary Jane Sovereen, daughter of Alexander and Eliza Sovereen, good people who farmed in Windham Township. Mary Jane had been born right here in Norfolk County on December 29, 1840, and she knew these communities in a way I didn't. She was pretty and kind, with a practical nature that I admired. We courted properly, and on March 10, 1861, we were married in Delhi, with Ridley Teeple standing as witness. I was nearly thirty years old, Mary Jane was twenty-one, and I felt like the most fortunate man in Canada West.

We set up housekeeping in Middleton Township, and the Lord blessed us with children—Sarah Elizabeth in 1862, Seymour in 1864, Melvina Marylis (we called her Minnie) in 1866, Georgianna (we called her Georgia) in 1868, and finally James Alexander in 1872. Those were golden years, children. I was building my trade, we had a healthy family, and Mary Jane made our house a true home. By the 1870s, I'd expanded beyond carpentry into running an inn and tavern in Fredericksburg—Kemp's Hotel, we called it. It was hard work, but profitable.

I remember those evenings when my children were small—Sarah Elizabeth helping her mother with the younger ones, Seymour trying to "help" with my carpentry work, the little girls playing with their corn-husk dolls, and Mary Jane singing as she worked. If I could have frozen time at any moment, it might have been then, with all of us together and healthy, our future seeming bright and certain.

The Darkest Days

But time doesn't freeze, and the Lord's plans are not always what we would choose. On May 20, 1874, my beloved Mary Jane died, leaving me with five children—the oldest, Sarah Elizabeth, only twelve years old, and little James Alexander just two. I cannot adequately describe what those days were like. The grief was so profound that some mornings I couldn't rise from bed, yet five children needed feeding, clothing, and comfort.

Those two years after Mary Jane's death were the hardest of my life. I learned to braid hair, though poorly. I learned to cook simple meals, though nothing like Mary Jane made. I learned that children need more than food and shelter—they need to be held when they cry, to be told stories before bed, to be reassured that even though Mother is gone, someone still loves them fiercely. Sarah Elizabeth, bless her heart, became a little mother to her siblings, giving up much of her own childhood. I depended on her far too much, I know that now.

The community rallied around us—neighbor women brought casseroles, the church provided support, and various kind souls took the children for afternoons to give me respite. But evenings were lonely beyond measure, sitting in a quiet house after the children finally slept, wondering if I was doing right by them, if they'd survive my fumbling attempts at motherhood as well as fatherhood.

Melissa and New Beginnings

In 1876, through mutual friends, I met Melissa Wilson of Bell Ewart Innisfil, in Simcoe County. Melissa was thirty-five, the same age as I was then, the daughter of Alfred Wilson and Martha Pollock. She had never married, had been caring for aging parents, and was a woman of deep faith and practical capability. We corresponded, I visited when I could, and on November 16, 1876, we were married at her family's home. Reverend William McConnell officiated, joining my Methodist tradition with her Baptist faith.

Bringing Melissa home to meet my five children was one of the most anxious moments of my life. Would they accept her? Would she be able to love children who weren't her own? But Melissa was wise and patient. She never tried to replace Mary Jane—she simply began loving my children with quiet consistency. She mended their clothes, listened to their troubles, disciplined them when needed, and gradually won each heart. And then we had more sadness, my son Seymour, a wonderful boy, died at age 13 in 1877.

When our son Alfred Francis Edward was born on February 27, 1880, I watched my older children fuss over their baby brother with such tenderness, and I knew we had truly become a family again. Melissa had healed wounds I couldn't heal alone. She gave me back my life and gave my children the mother they so desperately needed.

Building a Life in Delhi

Through the 1880s and 1890s, I continued my work as carpenter, farmer, and sometimes mechanic—whatever skills were needed to provide for my family. Delhi was growing into a proper town, with brick buildings replacing wooden structures, railways connecting us to larger markets, and new families arriving regularly. I bought property, sold property, and by 1891 was listed as a freeholder on Concession D, Lot 2—a modest holding, but mine free and clear.

The work was good, the community was strong, and my children were growing into fine young people. But with growth came change that sometimes pained me. Sarah Elizabeth went to Chicago and married Andrew John Cropp in 1889. Minnie married James Henry Trembley in 1885 and settled in St. Thomas, Ontario. Georgia went to Chicago with Sarah and married Charles Auble in 1898 in Milwaukee. James Alexander also went to Chicago and married Bertha Anice Fuller in 1892. Only Alfred remained here in Delhi with Melissa and me.

Watching the World Change

My dear grandchildren, I have lived through times of incredible change. When I was born in 1831, most people in Upper Canada lived much as their grandparents had—farming with simple tools, traveling by horse or foot, sending letters that took weeks to arrive. We heated with fireplaces, lit our homes with candles, and thought a trip to the next county was a major undertaking.

By the time I was a young man, railways were beginning to connect our communities. I remember the first time I saw a steam locomotive—it seemed like something from a fairy tale, this massive iron beast breathing smoke and moving faster than any horse. Within my lifetime, the telegraph made instant communication possible across vast distances. Gas lamps replaced candles, then electric lights began appearing. Medical knowledge improved dramatically—women no longer routinely died in childbirth as my mother did, and diseases that killed thousands in my youth now could be treated.

I lived through the creation of Canada itself! In 1867, the separate colonies united into the Dominion of Canada, and suddenly we weren't just residents of Canada West—we were Canadians, part of a nation stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific. I voted in elections for the new Parliament, saw confederation flags raised, and watched as our country found its identity separate from Britain.

The social changes were equally profound. When I was young, most folks expected to live and die within a few miles of their birthplace, following their father's trade. Now your parents think nothing of moving to American cities hundreds of miles away, trying new occupations, creating entirely different lives than their grandparents could have imagined. Young women now have opportunities beyond marriage and motherhood—they can be teachers, nurses, shopkeepers. The world is opening in ways both exciting and sometimes troubling to an old man like me.

Lessons from a Long Life

As I approach seventy years of age, what wisdom can I share with you, my grandchildren? I have lived through tragedy and joy, success and failure, change and continuity. Here is what I've learned:

First, family is everything. All the money I've made, all the buildings I've constructed, all the property I've owned—none of it matters as much as the children I've raised and the love I've shared. When hard times come—and they will come—it's family that sustains you. Honor your parents, cherish your siblings, and never let petty disagreements poison family bonds.

Second, hard work is its own reward. I've been a laborer, carpenter, innkeeper, farmer, and mechanic. Some days the work was backbreaking, frustrating, or frightening. But every skill I learned opened new doors, and every honest day's work built something lasting. Don't be afraid of difficult work, and never think any honest labor is beneath you.

Third, adapt or perish. The world changes whether we like it or not. I could have stayed in Prince Edward County, resenting that there wasn't enough land for all us boys. Instead, I moved to Norfolk County and built a new life. I could have stayed only a carpenter, but I learned innkeeping and other trades. When grief threatened to destroy me after Mary Jane died, I could have given up—but I adapted, survived, and eventually found joy again with Melissa. Life demands flexibility.

Fourth, faith sustains. I've been a Wesleyan Methodist all my life, and my faith has carried me through trials that would have broken me otherwise. When I buried Mary Jane, when young Seymour died at thirteen, when business troubles threatened to ruin me—prayer and church community provided strength I couldn't manufacture on my own. Whatever denomination you follow, children, keep faith in something larger than yourself.

Fifth, love carefully but completely. I've been blessed with two good wives, though I lost the first far too young. Melissa proved that the heart can heal and love again. Choose your partners wisely, treat them with respect and tenderness, and understand that marriage is work—beautiful, worthwhile work, but work nonetheless. Don't expect perfection; expect and practice commitment and kindness.

As the Century Turns

As I write this in 1900, the 19th century is drawing to a close and a new century approaches. What will the 1900s bring? I cannot imagine, but I suspect the pace of change will only accelerate. Perhaps you'll see flying machines, perhaps communication without wires, perhaps medical miracles that eliminate diseases entirely. The world your children inherit will be vastly different from the one I was born into.

But some things won't change. People will still need homes built by skilled hands. Families will still need love and guidance. Communities will still need citizens of character who contribute rather than merely take. The fundamental human experiences—birth, love, work, loss, death—these remain constant regardless of technological marvels.

Your parents, my children, have scattered across this continent seeking opportunity. Sarah Elizabeth, Georgia, and James Alexander in Chicago, and Alfred in Ontario --they've followed dreams to places I'll likely never see. This grieves me, I'll admit, but I understand it. They're doing what I did when I left Prince Edward County for Norfolk County, just on a grander scale. The world is larger now, and ambitious people must go where opportunity calls.

But I hope you'll remember your roots. You come from farmers and carpenters, from people who built with their hands and worked until exhausted every day. You come from survivors—people who endured the death of loved ones, business failures, property disputes, and kept going. You come from people of faith who believed in something beyond themselves. This is your heritage, and it's something to be proud of.

Final Thoughts

I don't know how many more years the Lord will grant me. My hands, which have built so many things, are stiff with age now. My eyes, which once could sight a board perfectly by mere glance, need spectacles for close work. But my mind is still sharp, and my memories are treasures I carry with me daily.

I think often of my mother Sarah, who I lost so young. I think of my father Abraham, who taught me the value of hard work. I think constantly of my Mary Jane, whose early death shaped so much of my life. I think gratefully of Melissa, who restored joy to a broken household. I think of my children, scattered though they are, and pray for their happiness and success. And I think of you, my grandchildren, some of whom I've met and some I may never meet, but all of whom carry my blood and, I hope, some measure of my values.

The new century will bring challenges I cannot foresee. But if you remember who you are and where you come from, if you work honestly and love generously, if you adapt to change while holding fast to core values, if you treat people fairly and build something lasting in your communities—then you'll honor the legacy of all who came before you.

This is my story, imperfect and incomplete as all human stories are. I've tried to live honorably, to provide for those depending on me, to be a good husband, father, and citizen. Whether I've succeeded is not for me to judge. But I've done my best with what I was given, and that, in the end, is all any of us can do.

With love and hope for your futures,

Your grandfather, James Abraham Kemp Delhi, Ontario Autumn, 1900

3) The Google NotebookLM Video discussing James Abraham Kemp's memoir is below: 

4)  I think that these relatively short memoirs are poignant and will be interesting to his descendants, and especially to me. This format provides a different perspective than a biography, doesn't it?  

It is historical fiction,  but many of the historical facts from the genealogical sketch are included and it rings true to me.  These are thoughts and words that James Abraham Kemp might have said or written down late in his lifeif his children and grandchildren had asked him to reminisce.  I hope that they did ask him at some point.  Unfortunately, no stories about his life were passed down to me except for what can be gleaned from the records described in the genealogical sketch.

I will write more of these AI-assisted memoirs or life memories as told by my ancestors as time goes on.  This is great genealogy fun for me!

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Links to my blog posts about using Artificial Intelligence are on my Randy's AI and Genealogy page.  Links to AI information and articles about Artificial Intelligence in Genealogy by other genealogists are on my AI and Genealogy Compendium page.

Copyright (c) 2025, Randall J. Seaver


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