Saturday Night Genealogy Fun -- Who Are Your Spouse/SO's Grandparents and Great-Grandparents?

 Calling all Genea-Musings Fans: 

It's Saturday Night again - 

Time for some more Genealogy Fun!!

Come on, everybody, join in and accept the mission and execute it with precision. 

1)  Have you researched the ancestors of your spouse (or significant other)?  Please list the names and vital records data for your spouse/SO's grandparents and great-grandparents like in an Ahnentafel Report.

2)  Have you written genealogical sketches and/or biographies for each of them? 

3)  Share your list of your spouse/SO's ancestors in your own blog post or in a Facebook, SubStack, BlueSky or other social media post.  Leave a link to your post on this blog post to help us find your post.

Here's mine:

A)  My wife's grandparents and great-grandparents are (from an Ahnentafel Report in RootsMagic 11):

Generation 3 (Grandparents):

4. Severt Oliver Leland: born 2 August 1878 in London, Dane, Wisconsin, United States; married 12 February 1904 in Helena, Lewis and Clark, Montana, United States; died 2 November 1940 in San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States.

5. Amelia Anna Brocke: born 1 November 1884 in Kendrick, Latah, Idaho, United States; died 30 July 1975 in Redwood City, San Mateo, California, United States.

6. Paul Frederick Schaffner: born August 1879 in San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States; married 24 June 1906 in San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States; died 29 May 1934 in San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States.

7. Edna Catherine McKnew: born 7 March 1884 in San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States; died 11 November 1974 in San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States.

Generation 4 (Great-Grandparents):

8. Torger Sjursen Leland: born 26 March 1850 in Mølster, Voss, Hordaland, Norway; married 30 May 1876 in Deerfield, Dane, Wisconsin, United States; died 18 March 1933 in San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States.

9. Anna Ellingsdatter Natvig: born 16 May 1853 in Øvretun, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway; died 26 October 1911 in Madison, Dane, Wisconsin, United States.

10. John Nicholas Brocke: born 24 January 1855 in Michigan, United States; married 24 April 1877 in Cedar, Nebraska, United States; died 14 December 1938 in Lewiston, Nez Perce, Idaho, United States.

11. Anna Grieser: born 17 November 1859 in Saint Louis, St. Louis (city), Missouri, United States; died 19 March 1936 in Kendrick, Latah, Idaho, United States.

12. Herman Schaffner: born November 1851 in New York, New York, New York, United States; married before 1876 in San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States; died 8 December 1921 in San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States.

13. Mary Ann Paul: born November 1854 in Massachusetts, United States; died 16 February 1908 in San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States.

14. Elijah Pickrell McKnew: born 29 March 1836 in Prince George's, Maryland, United States; married 12 November 1865 in Tuolumne, California, United States; died 4 April 1912 in San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States.

15. Jane Whittle: born 2 August 1847 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; died 7 February 1921 in San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States.

B)  I have genealogical sketches and an ABC Biography of each couple on this list, including an audio overview, video overview, and infographic, and I'm working on slide shows.

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The URL for this post is: https://www.geneamusings.com/2026/02/saturday-night-genealogy-fun-who-are.html

Copyright (c) 2026, 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. Note that all comments are moderated, and may not appear immediately.

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Genealogical Sketch of the Elling Eriksen (1820-1895) and Anna Ellingsdatter (1812-1901) Family of Sogndal, Norway and Dane County, Wisconsin

This is a genealogical sketch of the lives of Elling Eriksen (1820-1895) and Anna Ellingsdatter (1812-1901) from Sogndal in Norway who migrated to Dane County, Wisconsin in about 1862. They are my wife Linda's second great-grandparents. 

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ELLING'S EARLY YEARS:

Elling Eriksen, was born on 12 October 1820 in Eskestrand, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway.[1-2] Elling was the youngest child of Erik Hanssen (1779-1822) and Kristi Ellingsdatter (1781-1851), who married in 1807 in Sogndal, and had children:

• Sjur Eriksen, born 17 Dec 1808, Eskestrand, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway; married Synneva Jensdtr, 13 Nov 1832, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway; died 19 Jan 1834, Eskestrand, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway.
• Hans Eriksen was born on 27 Jan 1811 in Eskestrand, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway.
• Brithe Eriksdtr was born on 16 Jan 1814 in Eskestrand, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway; married Anders Rasmussen, 9 May 1842, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway.
• Helga Eriksdtr, born 12 Jan 1816, Eskestrand, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway; married Ola Gjestsen, 3 Dec 1839, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway; died 28 Feb 1901, Dane, Wisconsin, United States.
• Gunhild Eriksdtr, born 8 Feb 1818, Eskestrand, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway; married Nils Nilsen; died 26 Jan 1852, Kvåle, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway.
• Elling Eriksen, born 12 Oct 1820, Eskestrand, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway; married Anna Ellingsdatter, 19 Nov 1845, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway; died 15 Mar 1896, Cottage Grove, Dane, Wisconsin, United States.

ANNA'S EARLY YEARS:

Anna Ellingsdatter was born on 18 July 1812 in Vatlestad, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway.[3-4] She was the daughter of Elling Olssen (1779-1833) and Brita Rasmusdatter (1783-1836) who married in 1804 in Sogndal, and had nine children:

• Hans Ellingsen was born before 6 Oct 1806 in Vatlestad, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway. He died in probably Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway.
• Randi Ellingsdtr, born 24 Aug 1808, Vatlestad, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway; married Mads Olssen, 21 Jun 1837, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway; died 23 Apr 1882, Vatlestad, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway.
• Ranveig Ellingsdtr was born on 10 Mar 1810 in Vatlestad, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway.
• Anna Ellingsdatter, born 18 Jul 1812, Vatlestad, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway; married Solfest Johannesen, 31 Oct 1837, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway; married Elling Eriksen Natvig, 19 Nov 1845, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway; died 16 Jun 1901, Cottage Grove, Dane, Wisconsin, United States.
• Ola Ellingsen was born on 21 Feb 1815 in Vatlestad, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway.
• Brita Ellingsdtr was born on 28 Jan 1818 in Vatlestad, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway.
• Maria Ellingsdtr, born 11 May 1820, Vatlestad, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway; married Nils Johannessen, 4 Jun 1850, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway; died 29 Mar 1890, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway.
• Rasmus Ellingsen was born on 2 Jan 1823 in Vatlestad, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway.
• Ingeborg Ellingsdtr was born on 10 Jan 1826 in Vatlestad, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway.

Anna Ellingsdatter married first Solfest Johannesen (1812-about 1843) in Sogndal, Norway. They had three children:

• Eli Solfestdtr (1838-1876), married 1862 in Sogndal to Erik Larsen (1831-1876), six children.
• Brita Solfestdtr (1840-1913), married 27 May 1871 in Dane County, Wisconsin to Torsten Johnson (1840-1919), eight chilren.
• Ragnhild Solfestdtr (1843-1891), married 4 Jan 1869 in Dane, Wisconsin, United States to Thorvald Olsen Hegg (1844-1916), five children. 

MARRIED LIFE:

Elling Eriksen and Anna Ellingsdatter were married on 19 November 1845 in Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway.[5]

Elling Eriksen Natvig and Anna Ellingsdatter had the following children:

• Christina Ellingsdatter Natvig was born on 13 Jan 1846 in Øvretun, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway. She died on 11 Jul 1911 at the age of 65 in Dane, Wisconsin, United States. She was buried after 11 Jul 1911 at Lower McFarland Cemetery in McFarland, Dane, Wisconsin, United States.
• Solfest Ellingsen "Sylvester" Natvig, born 15 Dec 1847, Øvretun, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway; married Christina Erikson Vornos, 12 Dec 1885, Madison, Dane, Wisconsin, United States, twelve children; died 2 Jan 1922, Dane, Wisconsin, United States.
• Erik Ellingsen Natvig was born on 6 Aug 1850 in Øvretun, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway. He died in Wisconsin, United States.
• Anna Ellingsdatter Natvig, born 16 May 1853, Øvretun, Sogndal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway; married Torger Sjursen Leland, 30 May 1876, Deerfield, Dane, Wisconsin, United States, ten children; died 26 Oct 1911, Madison, Dane, Wisconsin, United States.

According to a query that was posted in the NORWAY-L Rootsweb Message Board in 2002 (no longer available) by Jinger (in part):

“Elling Erickson Njos/Njøs (1820-1896) and wife Anne Ellingsdatter (1812-1901) left Norway in 1862. They had the following children with them: Kristi, Erik, Sølfest & Anna. Also with them were 2 children of Anne's from her marriage to Sølfest Johanneson Haug.

“This family went to Dane County Wisconsin and settled in Cottage Grove township. They took the name Natvig before 1880.”

There is no listing for the Elling Eriksen (or Natvig or similar names) in the 1870 United States Census.

In the 1880 United States Census, the Elling “Netweg” family was enumerated in Cottage Grove township, Dane County Wisconsin.[6] The household included:

• Elling Netweg - white, male, age 57, married, farmer, born Norway, parents born Norway/Norway
• Annie Netweg - white, female, age 67, wife, married, keeping house, born Norway, parents born Norway/Norway
• Christina Netweg - white, female, age 34, daughter, single, at home, born Norway, parents born Norway/Norway
• Sylvester Netweg - white, male, age 31, son, single, farmer, born Norway, parents born Norway/Norway
• Erick Netweg - white, male, age 29, son, single, farmer, born Norway, parents born Norway/Norway
• Ole Hanson - white, male, age 39, boarder, single, laborer, born Norway, parents born Norway/Norway

Elling Eriksen Natvik made a declaration of intention to naturalize as a United States citizen on 30 September 1880 in Madison, Dane County, Wisconsin.[7] It is not known if he received his naturalization certificate. He probably did because his wife and son Sylvester are listed as naturalized citizens in the 1900 United States census.

LATER YEARS:

Elling Eriksen Natvig wrote his will on 2 September 1895, saying:[8]

In the name of God, Amen. I the under-signed Elling Erickson Natvig, of the town of Cottage Grove in the County of Dane and State of Wisconsin, being of sound mind and memory and mindful of the uncertainties of human life do here by make publish and declare this my last will and testament in manner following to wit:

1st After the payment of my just and lawful debts, funeral expenses and expense of last illness I give devise and bequeath to my beloved wife Anna Natvig the use and enjoyment of all property of which I shall die seized be it personal or real estate as long as she shall live and survive me.

2nd I give devise and bequeath of the remainder of my estate which shall remain after the death of my said wife unto my daughter Anna Leland, wife of T.S. Leland of London Dane County, Wisconsin the sum of Three Hundred Dollars ($300$).

3rd I give devise and bequeath further out of such remainder unto my Britha Johnson, wife of Thomas Johnson of Valton Sauk County Wisconsin the sum of One Hundred Dollars ($100$)

4th I further give, devise and bequeath out of such said remainder unto my daughter Eli Teigen, widow after Lars Teigen, of Sogndals Praxtigjeld Bergens Stoft Norway Europe the sum of One Hundred Dollars ($100$)

5th I further give, devise and bequeathout of such aforesaid remainder unto my grandchildren Oscar, Adolph, Gyda and Alexander children of my deceased daughter Ragnhilda in her life time wife of T.O. Hegg now of Madison Dane County Wisconsin the sum of One Hundred Dollars ($100$) to be divided among them my said grandchildren equally share and share alike.

6th It is my will and desire that if my estate shall not amount after the payment of my said debts and after the uses thereof by my said wife to a sum equal to the sum total of all of said bequests then each of my said devises shall take thereof in same proportion as his or her bequest shall bear to the whole amount so remaining and that if my estate shall exceed the same total of said bequests then each shall take of such excess a sum equal in Proportion to the amount of his or her bequest to the whole amount of said bequests aforesaid.

7th I appoint and nominate Thomas Johnson of Sauk County Wisconsin and T.S. Leland of London Dane County Wisconsin executors of this my last will and testament. I hereby revoke and annul all former wills by me maid.

In witness where of I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 2nd day of September AD 1895 in presence of the witnesses here subscribing. his
Elling Erickson X Natvig {seal}
mark

The above instrument of 3 pages legal cab was on the 2nd day of September 1895 signed, sealed published and declared by Elling Erickson Natvig to be his last will and testament in presence of us who at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other have signed our names hereto as attending witnesses
William Nelson of Deerfield Dane Co., Wis.
Isabel Dykesten of Deerfield Dane Co., Wis.
Bertha Anderson of Deerfield Dane Co., Wis

Note that Elling Eriksen Natvig did not bequeath anything to his son, Solfest (known as Sylvester). He may have deeded the farm to Sylvester before he wrote the will.

Elling Eriksen Natvig died on 15 March 1896 at the age of 75 in Cottage Grove, Dane, Wisconsin, United States.[2,8] He was buried after 15 March 1896 at Lower McFarland Cemetery in McFarland, Dane, Wisconsin, United States.[2]

In the 1900 United States Census, the remnant of this family was enumerated in Cottage Grove township, Dane County Wisconsin. The household included:

• Sylvester Netwig - head, white, male, born Dec 1847, age 52, married 15 years, born Norway, parents born Norway/Norway, immigrated in 1862, US resident for 28 years, naturalized, a farmer, owns farm free of mortgage
• Christiana Netwig - wife, white, female, born May 1864, age 36, married 15 years, 8 children born, 7 living, born Norway, parents born Norway, immigrated in 1862, US citizen for 28 years
• Elaxender Netwig - son, white, male, born Apr 1886, age 14, single, born Wisconsin, parents born Norway/Norway, labor at home
• Anna Netwig - daughter, white, female, born Aug 1887, age 12, single, born Wisconsin, parents born Norway/Norway, labor at home
• Susen Netwig - daughter, white, female, born Mar 1889, age 11, single, born Wisconsin, parents born Norway/Norway, labor at home
• Ida Netwig - daughter, white, female, born July 1891, age 9, single, born Wisconsin, parents born Norway/Norway
• Rolph Netwig - son, white, male, born Feb 1893, age 7, single, born Wisconsin, parents born Norway/Norway
• Bertha Netwig - daughter, white, female, born June 1897, age 2, single, born Wisconsin, parents born Norway/Norway
• Sewert Netwig - son, white, male, born June 1899, age 11/12, single, born Wisconsin, parents born Norway/Norway
• Anna Netwig - mother, white, female, born May 1811, age 89, widow, 2 children born, 2 living, born Norway, parents born Norway/Norway, immigrated in 1862, US resident for 28 years
• Christina Netwig - sister, white, female, born Jan 1846, age 54, single, born Norway, parents born Norway/Norway, immigrated in 1862, US resident for 28 year

The head of household in the 1900 census is Sylvester Natvig, the son of Elling Eriksen and Anna Ellingsdatter Natvig. Anna Ellingsdatter Natvig is the mother in the 1900 census, although her birth year is wrong by one year.

Anna Ellingsdatter Natvig died on 16 June 1901 at the age of 88 in Cottage Grove, Dane, Wisconsin, United States.[4,9] She was buried after 16 June 1901 at Lower McFarland Cemetery in McFarland, Dane, Wisconsin, United States.[4]

SOURCES:

1. Den Norske kirke, Sogndal prestegjeld (Sogn og Fjordane), Kirkebøker [Sogndal, Norway Church Register], Elling Eriksen birth entry, 12 October 1820, Eskestrand farm, parents Erik Hanssen and Kristi Elligsdtr; FamilySearch Library (on 11 FHL Microfilm reels, citing digital images from The National Archives of Norway).

2. Find A Grave, indexed database, (https://www.findagrave.com), Lower McFarland Cemetery, McFarland, Wis., Elling Erickson Natvig (1820-1896) memorial #199854554.

3. Den Norske kirke, Sogndal prestegjeld (Sogn og Fjordane), Kirkebøker [Sogndal, Norway Church Register], Anna Ellingsdtr birth entry, 18 July 1812, Vatlestad farm, parents Elling Olssen and Brita Rasmusdtr; FamilySearch Library (on 11 FHL Microfilm reels, citing digital images from The National Archives of Norway).

4. Find A Grave, indexed database, (https://www.findagrave.com), Lower McFarland Cemetery, McFarland, Wis., Anna Ellingsdtr Natvig memorial #199854524.

5. "Norway Marriages, 1660-1927," indexed database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org), Sogndal, Elling Eriksen and Anna Ellingsdr marriage entry, 19 November 1845.

6. 1880 United States Federal Census, Dane County, Wisconsin, population schedule, Cottage Grove Township, Enumeration District 64, Page 284A (stamped), Dwelling #82, Family #82, Elling Netweg household; imaged, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 25 July 2009); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication T9, Roll 1421.

7. "Wisconsin, County Naturalization Records, 1807-1992," imaged, FamilySearch (https://FamilySearch.org), Dane County > Declarations of Intention, 1880, image 144 of 226, Elling Erikson Natvik entry, 30 September 1880.

8. Dane County, Wisconsin, Dane County Probate Records, "Dane County Probate Records, Box 159 - 160," Box 160, images 1076-1108 of 1335, Estate of Elling Erickson Natvig, images 1091-1093, will of Elling Erickson Natvig, 1895; imaged, "Wisconsin, Wills and Probates, 1800-1987," Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 10 September 2015).

9. "Wisconsin Death Records, 1867-1907," indexed database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org), Anna Natvig death entry, 16 June 1901, age 90, spouse Elling Natvig.

RELATIONSHIP:

Elling Eriksen Natvig (1820-1895) and Anna Ellingsdatter Natvig (1812-1901) are the paternal 2nd- great-grandparents of my wife, Linda (Leland) Seaver (1942-still living), through her great-grandmother Sjur Torgersen (1804-1889) and Brita Olsdatter (1818-1895) are the paternal great-great-grandparents of my wife, Linda (Leland) Seaver (1942-still living), through:

•  her great-grandmother Anna Ellingsdatter Natvig (1853-1911)who married Torger Sjursen Leland (1850-1933)  in 1876 in Wisconsin,  
• her grandfather Severt Oliver Leland (1878-1940) who married Amelia Anna Brocke (1884-1975) in 1904 in Montana, 
• her father Leo Severt Leland (1911-2002) who married Edna May Schaffner (1913-1979) in 1937 in California.

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Copyright (c) 2026, Randall J. Seaver

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Ask AI: Describe Lieutenant Zachariah Hildreth's Homecoming After the Saratoga Campaign in 1777

After my AI assistant Anthropic Claude wrote ABC Biography of the Zachariah Hildreth (1728-1784) and Elizabeth Prescott (1734-1812) Family of Massachusetts, I wondered what might have happened when Zachariah marched home from serving in the Continental Army in November 1777.

Naturally, I asked Anthropic Claude to tell a story about it, with the prompt: "Please create a family story of Zachariah Hildreth returning home after his regiment was disbanded in November 1777 and describing his experiences as an officer in the Middlesex Regiment to his wife, siblings and children."

(AI  Google NotebookLM Infographic - Zachariah Hildreth's Homecoming in 1777)

Here is the story:

The Return of Lieutenant Hildreth

November 1777, Westford, Massachusetts

Coming Home

The late afternoon sun was already slanting low when Elizabeth Hildreth looked up from her spinning wheel and saw the figure walking up the road. Her hands stilled on the wool. Something in the way he moved, even at this distance—she knew.

“Children!” she called, her voice catching. “Children, come quick!”

Nineteen-year-old Hannah was first to the door, followed by young Zachariah, now twenty-three and already married himself. The younger children tumbled out behind them—Elizabeth at twenty-two, the twins Timothy and Esther at seventeen, James at fifteen, Lucy at thirteen, Jonas at eleven, Ruth at nine, and little Edy, just six years old.

“Father!” Hannah cried, and then they were running—all propriety forgotten—down the road toward the thin, weary man in a dusty uniform coat.

Elizabeth stood in the doorway, one hand pressed to her mouth, tears streaming down her face. It had been eight weeks since the militia had marched north. Eight weeks of not knowing if she would ever see her husband again. Eight weeks of managing the harvest alone with the children, of lying awake at night imagining British musket balls, of jumping at every rider who passed on the road.

Zachariah dropped his pack and knapsack as the children swarmed him. He was thinner than when he’d left, his face weathered and lined with new creases. But he was whole. He was home.

“Lizzie,” he said quietly when he finally reached her, and she went into his arms, not caring that he smelled of sweat and woodsmoke and the road.

Gathering to Hear His Story

That evening, the Hildreth house was fuller than it had been in weeks. Word had spread quickly through Westford that Lieutenant Hildreth had returned, and family had gathered. His brother Amos came with his wife Priscilla. His sister Dorothy Fletcher arrived with her husband Pelatiah. Neighbors stopped by to welcome him home and hear news of the campaign.

Elizabeth had put out what food they had—bread and cheese, cold pork, apples from the cellar, cider. It wasn’t much, but it was enough. The children sat on the floor near the hearth, the adults took what chairs and benches there were, and Zachariah settled into his own chair by the fire, a cup of cider warming in his hands.

“Well, Zachariah,” said Amos, “we heard Burgoyne surrendered. Is it true?”

“It’s true,” Zachariah said, and a smile creased his tired face. “General John Burgoyne and his entire army—near seven thousand British and Hessian soldiers—laid down their arms at Saratoga on the seventeenth of October. I saw it with my own eyes.”

A murmur ran through the room. Little Jonas leaned forward, eyes wide. “You saw it, Father? You saw the British surrender?”

“I did, son. But let me start at the beginning, or you won’t understand how we got there.”

The March to Saratoga

Zachariah took a long drink of cider and began.

“You remember the day we marched out—the twenty-seventh of September. The alarm had come that Burgoyne’s army was moving south from Canada, trying to cut New England off from the other states. General Gates needed reinforcements, and Colonel Reed got orders to march the regiment north with all speed.”

“We had men from all over Middlesex County—Westford, Groton, Townsend, Pepperell, Chelmsford, Billerica. Most of them farmers like me, pulled from their fields right in the middle of harvest time. Captain Wright had our Westford company ready to march within a day. We were assigned to General Brickett’s brigade of Massachusetts militia.”

He paused, remembering. “It was hard marching, that. We went up through New Hampshire and into New York. The roads were terrible—mud and ruts that near broke your ankles. We slept where we could—in barns if we were lucky, on the ground if we weren’t. The nights were getting cold by then, and we didn’t have enough blankets.”

“How far did you march, Father?” young Zachariah asked.

“Near a hundred and fifty miles, I reckon. Took us ten days, marching every day. My feet had blisters on the blisters.” He smiled ruefully. “But we made it. We reached General Gates’s camp at Bemis Heights, just south of Saratoga, in early October.”

At General Gates’s Camp

“The camp was—” Zachariah searched for words. “It was bigger than anything I’d ever seen. Thousands upon thousands of men. Continental soldiers in their blue coats, militia from Massachusetts and New York and New Hampshire and Connecticut. Tents stretching as far as you could see. Campfires everywhere. The smell of it—woodsmoke and cooking and too many men living too close together.”

“General Gates had them dug in good on Bemis Heights,” he continued. “Strong fortifications. He’d learned from fighting the French years back. The British would have to come uphill at us if they wanted to attack, and that’s a hard thing to do under musket fire.”

“What were the British doing?” asked Hannah.

“They were camped just a few miles north of us,” Zachariah said. “Burgoyne had come down from Canada with his big army—British regulars in their red coats, German mercenaries we called Hessians, Canadian militia, even some Indians. They’d taken Fort Ticonderoga easy back in July, and I think Burgoyne figured he’d march right down to Albany without much trouble.”

He shook his head. “But he’d had a harder time of it than he expected. The country up there is rough—all forests and creeks and hills. His supply lines were stretched thin. And we’d been harassing him the whole way. By the time we got there, you could tell the British were hurting. They were short on food, short on supplies, and winter was coming on.”

The Second Battle of Saratoga

“There’d been a big fight on the nineteenth of September, before we got there,” Zachariah said. “They called it Freeman’s Farm. The British had tried to break our lines and failed. Both sides lost a lot of men that day.”

“When we arrived, things had settled into a kind of standoff. The British were dug in at their camp, we were dug in at ours, and both sides were watching and waiting. But Burgoyne was running out of time. He had to do something.”

“On the seventh of October, he tried again. Sent a reconnaissance in force—that means a big probe to test our lines, see if he could find a weak spot. But General Gates was ready for him. He sent out Benedict Arnold—”

“Arnold?” interrupted young James. “The one they say is a fighting general?”

“The very same,” Zachariah nodded. “And I’ll say this—whatever else you hear about Arnold, the man can fight. He led a counterattack that day that broke the British lines. Our men charged right into them. The fighting was fierce. You could hear the musket fire rolling like thunder.”

He paused, his face growing somber. “Our regiment wasn’t in the thick of it—we were held in reserve, guarding the camp and the supplies. Part of me was grateful for that. I’ve seen enough of war now to know that the glory stories don’t tell you about the screaming of wounded men or the smell of blood and powder smoke.”

Elizabeth reached over and squeezed his hand. The children were very quiet.

“But we did our duty,” Zachariah continued. “We kept the camp secure. We made sure supplies got where they needed to go. We helped with the wounded when they came back. An army needs more than just men in the front lines.”

The Siege and Surrender

“After that battle, Burgoyne was finished and he knew it. His army pulled back to their fortifications at Saratoga, and we surrounded them. It was a proper siege then. We cut off their escape routes. We cut off their supplies. Every day they got hungrier and more desperate.”

“Burgoyne tried to negotiate, but General Gates held firm. Finally, on the seventeenth of October, they agreed to terms. The British would lay down their arms and march out of their camp. They’d be allowed to return to England, on the condition they never fight against America again.”

“And that’s when you saw them surrender?” Jonas asked eagerly.

“We all did,” Zachariah said. “The whole army turned out to watch. They marched out of their camp—the British in their red coats, the Hessians in blue, all in formation with their colors flying. They looked good, I’ll give them that. Professional soldiers.”

“They marched between our lines, and we just stood there watching. Near seven thousand of them—regulars, grenadiers, artillery. And they stacked their muskets in great piles and laid down their colors. Some of them were crying. Some looked angry. But they did it.”

He was quiet for a moment. “I kept thinking—here’s the British Army, the finest army in the world they say, and they’re surrendering to us. To farmers and shopkeepers and militia. To Americans.”

“It felt like maybe—maybe we really could win this war.”

The Journey Home

“After the surrender, we stayed on for a few weeks,” Zachariah said. “Guarding prisoners, helping to inventory all the supplies and weapons they’d surrendered. But once that was done, the militia regiments were disbanded. We weren’t needed anymore.”

“Colonel Reed gave us our discharge papers on the ninth of November. We gathered one last time as a regiment, and he thanked us for our service. Then we were free to go home.”

“Most of the Westford men traveled together,” he continued. “We walked the same roads we’d marched up eight weeks earlier, but this time we were going home. This time we knew we’d won.”

“Every step brought me closer to you,” he said, looking at Elizabeth. “Closer to home. I thought about you every day I was gone. I thought about the children. I thought about this house and this farm and this town.”

Elizabeth’s eyes were bright with tears again.

What It All Meant

“Will the war be over now, Father?” asked Timothy.

Zachariah shook his head slowly. “No, son. Burgoyne’s surrender is a great victory, but it’s not the end. The British still hold New York City and Philadelphia. They still have armies in the field. This war will go on.”

“But,” he added, “what we did at Saratoga matters. It shows the world that we can stand against the British. It shows that we’re serious about our independence. And I heard talk in camp that France might come in on our side now, after seeing what we can do. If that happens—if the French Navy and Army join us—then maybe, just maybe, we can win this thing.”

Pelatiah Fletcher leaned forward. “What was it like, Zachariah? Being an officer, I mean. Leading men?”

Zachariah considered this. “It was a responsibility. These were my neighbors, men I’d known all my life. Some of them were boys I’d watched grow up. And I had to make decisions that might get them killed. That weighed heavy.”

“But they trusted me, and I did my best by them. We all looked out for each other. That’s what got us through—knowing we were in it together. Westford men, fighting for Westford, for Massachusetts, for America.”

“Will you have to go again?” little Edy asked in a small voice.

Zachariah reached down and pulled her onto his lap. “I don’t know, sweetheart. If they call up the militia again, I’ll have to go. That’s my duty as an officer. But for now, I’m home. And I’m going to help your mother finish bringing in the harvest, and fix the fence by the barn, and get us ready for winter.”

He looked around the room at his family and neighbors. “That’s what we’re fighting for, really. Not for glory or territory or revenge. We’re fighting so we can live free in our own homes, on our own land, under our own government. We’re fighting so our children can grow up as free Americans.”

The Night Ends

The fire had burned down to coals, and the younger children were yawning. Amos and Dorothy and Pelatiah took their leave, clasping Zachariah’s hand in farewell. The neighbors drifted away into the November darkness.

Elizabeth sent the children to bed—the older ones to the loft, the younger ones to their pallets near the hearth. She banked the fire for the night and trimmed the candles.

Zachariah sat in his chair, watching her move about the familiar room. “I missed this,” he said quietly. “Every single day, I missed this.”

Elizabeth came to him and took his hands in hers. “You’re home now. That’s what matters.”

“Aye,” he said. “I’m home.”

They stood there together in the quiet house, listening to the children’s breathing and the settling of the coals in the hearth. Outside, the November wind rattled the shutters. But inside, the Hildreth family was whole again, at least for now.

And in the morning, there would be work to do.

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

Historical Note:

This story imagines Lieutenant Zachariah Hildreth’s return to Westford in November 1777 after the Saratoga Campaign. While the specific conversations are fictional, the historical framework is accurate: the 6th Middlesex Regiment under Colonel Jonathan Reed was called up on September 27, 1777, marched to Saratoga to reinforce General Gates, participated in the siege that led to Burgoyne’s surrender on October 17, and was disbanded on November 9, 1777. The battle details, the role of militia units, and the significance of the American victory at Saratoga are all based on historical records.

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

The Google NotebookLM Video Overview of this story is below. 

I have no easy way to double-check these responses from Claude. I don't have many book resources for these subjects and this locality, but there are published books available for this time period and general location. The family mentioned is my ancestral family (Zachariah and Elizabeth Hildreth are my 5th great-grandparents) and I have significant information about the records about them but little to no information about their day-to-day lives.

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

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) 2026, Randall J. Seaver

The URL for this post is: https://www.geneamusings.com/2026/02/ask-ai-describe-lieutenant-zachariah.html

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Added and Updated FamilySearch Record Collections - Week of 31 January to 6 February 2026

  Each week, I try to keep track of the number of Full-Text Search collections (indexed, searchable) and the Images collections (browsable but not searchable) -- see Sections 1) and 2) below. In addition, I list the genealogy historical record collections (often name-indexed) that are added, removed, and/or updated on FamilySearch and listed on the Historical Record Collection list  --  See Section 3.

1)  As of 6 February 2026, there are now 6,664 searchable and full-text transcribed image collections on FamilySearch Full-Text Search this week, an increase of 31 from last week. There are over 2.403 BILLION "results" in the collections.  It is not possible to see which collections are new.  

2)  As of 6 February 2026, there are now 24,603 browsable (some indexed, none transcribed) image collections on FamilySearch Images this week, an increase of 71 from last week. There are over 5.894 BILLION images in these collections.  There are 2,101 collections from the United States, 6,943 from Europe and 221 from Canada.  It is not possible to see which collections are new.  

3)  As of 6 February 2026, there are 3,433 Historical Record Collections (many indexed, browsable) on FamilySearch (an increase of 1 from last week) on the Signed In screen (and 3,433 on the Signed Out screen). 

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

--- Collections Deleted ---

*  Japan, Emigration Records, 1893-1941 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1803988); Index only (49,794 records), no images, DELETED

--- Collections Added ---

*  Ireland, National School Registers, 1847-1954 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4496116); 104,149 indexed records with 11,488 record images, ADDED 31-Jan-2026
*  Nebraska, Grand Army of the Republic, Burial Records, 1861-1948 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2721451); 2,432 indexed records with 42,630 record images, ADDED 04-Feb-2026

--- Collections Updated ---

Albania, Catholic Church Records, 1736-1968 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4293706); 63,554 indexed records with 8,414 record images (was 68,435 records with 8,414 images), UPDATED 01-Feb-2026
Belarus, Grodno, Church Books, 1649-1915 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4166194); 1,476,823 indexed records with 441,374 record images (was 1,476,823 records with 441,374 images), UPDATED 03-Feb-2026
Belgium, Antwerp, Civil Registration and Church Records, 1798-1909 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4496124); 317,041 indexed records with 224,233 record images (was 250,806 records with 192,768 images), UPDATED 03-Feb-2026
Belgium, Antwerp, Civil Registration, 1588-1953 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2138481); 2,480,807 indexed records with 3,208,709 record images (was 1,181,713 records with 3,208,709 images), UPDATED 03-Feb-2026
Belgium, Antwerp, Police Immigration, 1840-1930 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2023926); Browse 1,339,442 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 1,339,442 images), UPDATED 03-Feb-2026

Belgium, Brabant, Civil Registration, 1582-1950 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1482191); 934,444 indexed records with 6,411,594 record images (was 434,691 records with 6,411,594 images), UPDATED 03-Feb-2026
Belgium, East Flanders, Church and Civil Registration, 1541-1920 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000027); 329,592 indexed records with 97,313 record images (was 283,911 records with 84,695 images), UPDATED 31-Jan-2026
Belgium, East Flanders, Civil Registration, 1541-1950 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2138513); 1,015,256 indexed records with 2,944,655 record images (was 922,612 records with 2,944,655 images), UPDATED 03-Feb-2026
Belgium, Flemish Brabant, Civil Registration and Church Records, 1797-1920 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000062); 39,271 indexed records with 17,929 record images (was 38,340 records with 17,453 images), UPDATED 31-Jan-2026
Belgium, Hainaut, Civil Registration, 1600-1913 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2138500); 341,661 indexed records with 3,858,982 record images (was 341,661 records with 3,858,982 images), UPDATED 03-Feb-2026

Belgium, Luxembourg, Civil Registration, 1580-1920 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2138510); Browse 1,124,415 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 1,124,415 images), UPDATED 03-Feb-2026
Belgium, Namur, Civil Registration, 1800-1912 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2138511); 1,231,379 indexed records with 372,768 record images (was 932,167 records with 372,768 images), UPDATED 31-Jan-2026
Belgium, West Flanders, Civil Registration, 1582-1950 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2139860); 596,937 indexed records with 2,612,466 record images (was 305,201 records with 2,612,466 images), UPDATED 03-Feb-2026
Brazil, Foreigner Files, 1653-2022 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000160); 134,960 indexed records with 2,562,065 record images (was 134,960 records with 2,579,875 images), UPDATED 30-Jan-2026
Canada, Census, 1851 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1325192); Index only (2,199,027 records), no images (was 2,197,287 records with 0 images), UPDATED 30-Jan-2026

Connecticut, Military Census Questionnaires, 1917 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3741249); 522,261 indexed records with 522,094 record images (was 522,257 records with 522,094 images), UPDATED 30-Jan-2026
Costa Rica, Catholic Church Records, 1595-2022 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1460016); 2,627,233 indexed records with 962,203 record images (was 2,626,386 records with 962,203 images), UPDATED 03-Feb-2026
Croatia, Church Books, 1516-1994 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2040054); 7,007,772 indexed records with 1,421,761 record images (was 7,025,204 records with 1,421,761 images), UPDATED 01-Feb-2026
Czech Republic, Church Books, 1552-1981 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1804263); 11,606,202 indexed records with 4,668,489 record images (was 11,606,202 records with 4,668,489 images), UPDATED 03-Feb-2026
Czech Republic, School Registers, 1799-1953 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2328519); Browse 5,508,190 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 5,508,190 images), UPDATED 03-Feb-2026

Denmark, Church Records, 1484-1941 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2078555); 17,812,022 indexed records with 2,399,826 record images (was 17,803,602 records with 2,399,826 images), UPDATED 05-Feb-2026
England Marriages, 1538–1973 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1473015); Index only (10,304,623 records), no images (was 10,305,628 records with 0 images), UPDATED 31-Jan-2026
England, Births and Christenings, 1538-1975 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1473014); Index only (39,148,902 records), no images (was 39,150,293 records with 0 images), UPDATED 31-Jan-2026
England, Deaths and Burials, 1538-1991 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1473016); Index only (13,095,153 records), no images (was 13,095,951 records with 0 images), UPDATED 31-Jan-2026
England, Surrey, Parish Registers, 1536-1992 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2475028); Index only (1,731,594 records), no images (was 1,737,713 records with 0 images), UPDATED 31-Jan-2026

Estonia, Church Books and Synagogue Registers, 1590-1941 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1932350); 6,983,400 indexed records with 679,036 record images (was 6,892,115 records with 679,036 images), UPDATED 03-Feb-2026
Estonia, Lutheran Church Family Lists, 1603-1980 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4445509); 2,804,748 indexed records with 395,295 record images (was 2,780,560 records with 395,295 images), UPDATED 03-Feb-2026
France, Haute-Garonne, Census, 1896 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000057); 404,764 indexed records with 7,017 record images (was 404,524 records with 7,013 images), UPDATED 03-Feb-2026
France, Haute-Garonne, Toulouse, Censuses, 1830-1831 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2559096); 71,169 indexed records with 608 record images (was 59,979 records with 608 images), UPDATED 30-Jan-2026
France, Loire-Atlantique, Civil Registration, 1792-1960 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3288440); 2,710,678 indexed records with 2,783,499 record images (was 2,710,673 records with 2,783,499 images), UPDATED 03-Feb-2026

France, Vienne, Census, 1856 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2849254); 364,260 indexed records with 6,840 record images (was 363,960 records with 6,836 images), UPDATED 30-Jan-2026
France, Vienne, Census, 1876 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2854336); 233,106 indexed records with 4,320 record images (was 233,046 records with 4,320 images), UPDATED 30-Jan-2026
French Polynesia, Civil Registration, 1780-1999 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2549721); 111,806 indexed records with 611,296 record images (was 138,350 records with 611,296 images), UPDATED 31-Jan-2026
Germany, Baden, Archdiocese of Freiburg im Breisgau, Catholic Church Records, 1463-1931 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2790181); 11,306,368 indexed records with 1,709,697 record images (was 11,311,393 records with 1,709,697 images), UPDATED 05-Feb-2026
Germany, Bavaria, Catholic and Lutheran Church Records, 1591-1963 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4234521); 194,237 indexed records with 214,334 record images (was 198,383 records with 214,334 images), UPDATED 05-Feb-2026

Germany, Births and Baptisms, 1558-1898 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1473000); 23,453,302 indexed records with 29,147,064 record images (was 23,511,149 records with 29,147,064 images), UPDATED 05-Feb-2026
Germany, Deaths and Burials, 1582-1958 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1494474); Index only (2,684,734 records), no images (was 2,700,856 records with 0 images), UPDATED 05-Feb-2026
Germany, Hesse-Nassau, Civil Registers and Church Books, 1701-1930 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1768560); 234,902 indexed records with 231,317 record images (was 234,502 records with 231,317 images), UPDATED 05-Feb-2026
Germany, Lutheran Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1500-1971 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3015626); 70,856,117 indexed records with 13,806,705 record images (was 71,449,825 records with 13,806,705 images), UPDATED 05-Feb-2026
Germany, Marriages, 1558-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1473009); Index only (5,258,875 records), no images (was 5,284,334 records with 0 images), UPDATED 05-Feb-2026

Germany, Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Catholic and Lutheran Church Records, 1639-1943 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4234522); 253,326 indexed records with 61,069 record images (was 255,658 records with 61,069 images), UPDATED 05-Feb-2026
Germany, North Rhine-Westphalia, Paderborn, Catholic Church Records, 1612-1909 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3219562); 845,889 indexed records with 266,792 record images (was 845,889 records with 266,792 images), UPDATED 05-Feb-2026
Germany, Prussia, East Prussia, Catholic and Lutheran Church Records, 1551-1992 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4110912); 4,516,465 indexed records with 874,059 record images (was 4,770,280 records with 874,059 images), UPDATED 05-Feb-2026
Germany, Prussia, Pomerania, Catholic and Lutheran Church Records, 1544-1966 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3665083); 2,163,005 indexed records with 749,943 record images (was 2,167,743 records with 749,943 images), UPDATED 05-Feb-2026
Germany, Prussia, Posen, Catholic and Lutheran Church Records, 1430-1998 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4116415); 11,663,948 indexed records with 1,872,814 record images (was 11,921,853 records with 1,872,814 images), UPDATED 05-Feb-2026

Germany, Prussia, Saxony, Census Lists, 1585-1935 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2780641); 991,875 indexed records with 36,229 record images (was 995,399 records with 48,726 images), UPDATED 05-Feb-2026
Germany, Prussia, West Prussia, Catholic and Lutheran Church Records, 1537-1981 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4111605); 9,681,724 indexed records with 1,067,888 record images (was 9,800,500 records with 1,067,888 images), UPDATED 05-Feb-2026
Germany, Rhineland, Diocese of Trier, Catholic Church Records, 1543-1958 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2790268); 2,928,234 indexed records with 307,298 record images (was 2,942,010 records with 307,298 images), UPDATED 05-Feb-2026
Germany, Rhineland-Palatinate, Diocese of Mainz, Catholic Church Records, 1540-1968 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4127803); 2,212,680 indexed records with 275,466 record images (was 2,210,858 records with 275,466 images), UPDATED 05-Feb-2026
Germany, Sachsen-Weimar-Eisenach, Jena, City Directories, 1810-1935 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2060205); Browse 3,721 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 3,721 images), UPDATED 05-Feb-2026

Germany, Saxony, Diocese of Dresden-Meissen, Catholic Church Records, 1621-1976 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4127804); 248,365 indexed records with 32,257 record images (was 252,965 records with 32,257 images), UPDATED 05-Feb-2026
Germany, Württemberg, Diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart, Catholic Church Records, 1520-1975 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3499252); 7,153,108 indexed records with 894,947 record images (was 7,192,555 records with 894,947 images), UPDATED 05-Feb-2026
Gibraltar, Census, 1767-1931 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000110); 129,727 indexed records with 3,972 record images (was 129,257 records with 3,962 images), UPDATED 03-Feb-2026
Guatemala, Civil Registration, 1833-2009 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1682771); 2,614,040 indexed records with 2,755,000 record images (was 2,614,040 records with 2,755,000 images), UPDATED 01-Feb-2026
Guatemala, Zacapa, Civil Registration, 1877-2008 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2284386); 270,038 indexed records with 18,271 record images (was 270,087 records with 18,271 images), UPDATED 01-Feb-2026

Hungary, Church Books, 1624-1950 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4133831); 7,586,887 indexed records with 866,978 record images (was 7,595,008 records with 866,978 images), UPDATED 01-Feb-2026
Hungary, Civil Registration, 1895-1980 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1452460); 12,665,993 indexed records with 5,864,285 record images (was 13,080,318 records with 5,864,285 images), UPDATED 01-Feb-2026
Iceland, Baptisms, 1730-1905 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1584974); Index only (145,044 records), no images (was 139,220 records with 0 images), UPDATED 01-Feb-2026
Iceland, Marriages, 1770-1920 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1584978); Index only (30,905 records), no images (was 29,651 records with 0 images), UPDATED 01-Feb-2026
Illinois, Marriages, 1815-1935 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1680829); Index only (981,241 records), no images (was 981,319 records with 0 images), UPDATED 30-Jan-2026

Ireland, Dog License Registrations, 1810-1926 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000212); 7,270,375 indexed records with 138,913 record images (was 7,270,375 records with 138,913 images), UPDATED 31-Jan-2026
Ireland, Petty Sessions Court Registers, 1828-1912 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2487287); 21,821,540 indexed records with 1 record images (was 21,820,859 records with 1 images), UPDATED 31-Jan-2026
Italy, Alessandria, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1800-1865 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2197595); 12,477 indexed records with 11,905 record images (was 12,477 records with 12,025 images), UPDATED 05-Feb-2026
Italy, Ancona, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1544-1945 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2310701); 265,315 indexed records with 208,356 record images (was 201,763 records with 148,260 images), UPDATED 04-Feb-2026
Italy, Brescia, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1797-1943 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2158242); 380,424 indexed records with 620,801 record images (was 312,884 records with 620,801 images), UPDATED 03-Feb-2026

Italy, Prato, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1866-1923 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2057689); 193,175 indexed records with 227,429 record images (was 143,986 records with 227,429 images), UPDATED 05-Feb-2026
Italy, Udine, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1806-1815, 1871-1911 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1939238); 864,538 indexed records with 1,262,279 record images (was 696,560 records with 1,262,279 images), UPDATED 30-Jan-2026
Italy, Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, Verbania, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1806-1814, 1838-1899 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2068338); 166,203 indexed records with 595,341 record images (was 92,657 records with 595,341 images), UPDATED 04-Feb-2026
Japan, Genealogies, 850-2012 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1919701); Browse 87,288 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 87,288 images), UPDATED 05-Feb-2026
Japan, Village Records, 709-1982 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1398719); Browse 287,354 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 287,354 images), UPDATED 05-Feb-2026

Kansas, Naturalization Records, 1856-2003 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4233290); 105,287 indexed records with 77,014 record images (was 78,010 records with 76,967 images), UPDATED 05-Feb-2026
Kansas, State Census, 1905 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2659394); 1,545,573 indexed records with 50,875 record images (was 1,545,509 records with 50,873 images), UPDATED 05-Feb-2026
Luxembourg, Church Records, 1601-1948 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2037955); Browse 272,699 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 272,699 images), UPDATED 01-Feb-2026
Luxembourg, Church and Civil Registration, 1601-1923 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000012); 3,005,872 indexed records with 1,121,652 record images (was 3,027,159 records with 1,121,652 images), UPDATED 01-Feb-2026
Luxembourg, Civil Registration, 1796-1941 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1709358); 253,875 indexed records with 767,518 record images (was 253,875 records with 767,518 images), UPDATED 01-Feb-2026

Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2061550); 7,091,660 indexed records with 1,962,488 record images (was 7,089,565 records with 1,962,488 images), UPDATED 30-Jan-2026
New Zealand, Cemetery Transcriptions, 1835-2006 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2780088); 2,168,814 indexed records with 103,037 record images (was 2,233,392 records with 103,037 images), UPDATED 31-Jan-2026
Norway, Baptisms, 1634-1927 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1467014); Index only (5,286,442 records), no images (was 5,277,294 records with 0 images), UPDATED 02-Feb-2026
Norway, Burials, 1666-1927 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1468081); Index only (727,155 records), no images (was 719,685 records with 0 images), UPDATED 02-Feb-2026
Norway, Marriages, 1660-1926 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1468080); Index only (1,334,903 records), no images (was 1,330,979 records with 0 images), UPDATED 02-Feb-2026

Norway, Oslo, Census, 1912 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4445453); 41,231 indexed records with 7,242 record images (was 41,218 records with 8,975 images), UPDATED 02-Feb-2026
Poland, Church Books, 1568-1990 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4135958); 5,145,060 indexed records with 1,151,120 record images (was 5,410,381 records with 1,151,120 images), UPDATED 02-Feb-2026
Poland, Gliwice, Roman Catholic Church Books, 1599-1976 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2114433); Browse 185,526 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 185,526 images), UPDATED 05-Feb-2026
Poland, Tarnow, Roman Catholic Diocese Church Books, 1612-1900 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1985025); Index only (671,409 records), no images (was 715,356 records with 0 images), UPDATED 02-Feb-2026
Russia, Births and Baptisms, 1755-1917 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1771027); Index only (81,115 records), no images (was 118,328 records with 0 images), UPDATED 05-Feb-2026

Russia, Deaths and Burials, 1815-1917 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1771042); Index only (55,414 records), no images (was 94,633 records with 0 images), UPDATED 05-Feb-2026
Russia, Lutheran Church Book Duplicates, 1833-1885 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1469151); 401,678 indexed records with 128,317 record images (was 563,045 records with 128,317 images), UPDATED 05-Feb-2026
Russia, Marriages, 1793-1919 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1771044); Index only (16,762 records), no images (was 27,686 records with 0 images), UPDATED 05-Feb-2026
Samoa, Burials, 1895-1970 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1584972); Index only (7 records), no images (was 23,405 records with 0 images), UPDATED 31-Jan-2026
Samoa, Vital Records, 1846-1996 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4016424); 15,995 indexed records with 437,095 record images (was 80,671 records with 437,095 images), UPDATED 31-Jan-2026

Slovakia, Church and Synagogue Books, 1592-1935 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1554443); 18,821,075 indexed records with 1,615,473 record images (was 19,479,296 records with 1,615,473 images), UPDATED 01-Feb-2026
Slovenia, Prekmurje and Međimurje, Civil Registers, 1895-1918 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1985107); Browse 116,428 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 116,428 images), UPDATED 01-Feb-2026
World Miscellaneous Births and Baptisms, 1534-1983 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1783956); Index only (24,803 records), no images (was 25,752 records with 0 images), UPDATED 01-Feb-2026

--- Collections with new images ---

Argentina, Buenos Aires, Civil Registration, 1861-2018 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000041); 1 indexed records with 111,693 record images (was 1 records with 111,689 images), last updated 07-Jun-2024
Brazil, Alagoas, Civil Registration, 1876-2023 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4469403); 1 indexed records with 454,076 record images (was 1 records with 454,069 images), last updated 07-Jun-2024
Brazil, Maranhão, Civil Registration, 1827-2022 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4469402); 1 indexed records with 905,915 record images (was 1 records with 905,885 images), last updated 07-Jun-2024

--- Collections with images removed ---

--- Collections with new records ---

Delaware, Vital Records, 1650-1974 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1447341); 2,528,983 indexed records with 3,133,093 record images (was 2,513,715 records with 3,133,093 images), last updated 27-Jan-2026

--- Collections with records removed ---

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

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:

• 1 removed entries
• 2  added entries 
• 93 updated entries
• 3 entries with more or fewer images 
• 1 entries with more or fewer records

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

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

The URL for this post is:  https://www.geneamusings.com/2026/02/added-and-updated-familysearch-record.html

Copyright (c) 2026 Randall J. Seaver

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