Saturday, March 8, 2008

"Ancestral Dollars and Cents" by Kathleen Trevena at SDGS today

Kathleen Roe Trevena was the guest speaker at the San Diego Genealogical Society meeting today. Her first talk was "Ancestral Dollars and Cents: Occupations and Money in Early America." The description of her talks and her CV are here.

This talk focused on occupations, macro-economics and money. She discussed colonial times when mercantilism ruled - the colonies produced raw materials and England produced finished goods. Common male colonial occupations included farmer, sawyer, miller, carpenter, merchant, storekeeper, peddler, etc. Women did spinning, weaving, sewing, midwifing, and selling butter, cheese and eggs.

The industrial revolution in the 1800's tremendously affected life in the US - many jobs were done faster by machines and consumer goods replaced hand-crafted items. There were opportunities in the factories and mills for young people, women and immigrants.

Kathleen showed examples of some sources for occupations, including census, tax lists, court cases, newspapers, county histories, probate records, indentures, city directories, etc.

On the money side, English coins were in short supply in colonial times, and foreign coins (especially the Spanish real), coins minted in the colonies, and wampum were used. Paper money was issued by individual colonies and then states, but the US government didn't issue government currency until 1862 ("greenbacks"). Payments between individuals were often in coins, paper money, credit or barter. Sometimes other items of economic value were used - furs, tobacco, corn, wheat, etc.

She made the point that people lived in communities and states, and were affected by local, regional and national economic conditions. She provided a list of significant economic downturns - panics and depressions - that might have caused our ancestors to move to another location or change occupation.

Kathleen does an excellent job of presenting talks like this - she talks more about socio-economic issues than about research tips or techniques. We need to understand these issues when we tell the life story of our ancestors in every time frame.

My Ancestral Homes Bucket List

Many people have seen the Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman film called "The Bucket List" in which the two guys make a list of thing they want to do before they "kick the bucket" and then they do them while having lots of fun. Larry Lehmer on the Passing it On blog has expanded the idea with his post "What places are on your busket list?" He challenged bloggers to write about the three places in your family history that you want to visit.

My list of ancestral homes and places that I want to visit, and haven't yet, include:

1) Dodge County, Wisconsin, where Ranslow Smith and Samuel Vaux lived in the 1850 to 1860 time period. Ranslow's inn has been restored and moved to Old World wisconsin in Eagle, Wisconsin, so that's on the itinerary too. As is Deerfield in Dane county, Wisconsin, where Linda's Norwegian ancestors came in the 1850's, especially Koshkonong Church.

2) Delhi, Norfolk County, Ontario, where my Kemp, Sovereen, Pickle and Hutchinson families resided throughout the 1800's.

3) Leiden in The Netherlands where the Pilgrim Separatists resided in the 1600 to 1620 time frame, before some of them came to North America on the Mayflower. My Mayflower families are White, Cooke, Warren and Soule, but I think only Francis Cooke resided in Leiden, although William and Susanna (--?--) White may have also.

There are many areas in England that I would love to visit that had ancestral families, but the only place with a relatively recent emigrant is South Petherton in Somerset from whence my Vaux family came in the 1830's. All of the other English emigrants in my lines came across in the 1600's, except for the Richman family from Wiltshire, but I visited their village and church in Hilperton back in 1993.

The Elusive Sarah Sephrona Fletcher (1802-????, married Abraham Kemp)

It's National Women's History month, so I am posting some of my most elusive women ancestors in hopes that someone will Google their name and find my post. Ideally, the Googlers will provide me with more information about my elusive female ancestor's ancestry. Realistically, they will commiserate with me about the lack of records and wonder why no researcher has figured the problem out yet.

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

Family of Sarah Sephrona Fletcher

1. Sarah Sephrona Fletcher was born 07 July 1802 in perhaps, Quebec, New France, and died after 1861 in probably Norfolk County, Ontario, CANADA. She married Abraham James Kemp 16 April 1818 in probably Prince Edward County, Ontario, CANADA, son of John Kemp and Mary Dafoe. He was born 04 November 1795 in Fredericksburgh, Addington County, Ontario, CANADA, and died after 1881 in Norfolk County, Ontario, CANADA.

Notes for Sarah Sephrona Fletcher:

Sarah's birth date was obtained from pages from a Kemp Family Bible, in the possession of Orange County (CA) Genealogy Society.

Her birthplace is based on 1851 Ontario census records that say "France."

Notes for Abraham James Kemp:

Abraham James Kemp lived in Addington County and then Prince Edward County, Ontario until after 1851.

Abraham Kemp, from the township of Murray in the Newcastle District, was a Private in a troop of cavalry attached to the 1st Regiment of Lennox militia during the War of 1812, and in the 2nd Regiment of the Prince Edward Militia in 1822. For these services, he received Land Grants in Mono township, Dufferin County in 1831, and again in Mono township in 1848, which he promptly sold. In the book "Sessional Papers", he is listed as a soldier who served in the War of 1812 and was alive in 1875, living in Delhi, Norfolk County, Ontario, and was entitled to a $20 pension.

In the 1851 census, he lived in Ameliasburg township, Prince Edward County, Ontario. The family includes Abram (age 55, a farmer, absent when taken), Sephrona (age 44, Catholic, born in France), Abram Jr. (age 21, a labourer), John (age 17, a labourer) Peter E. (age 14, a labourer), and Wesley (age 4), all Wesleyan Methodist except for Sephrona (who is Roman Catholic). He is also found in the 1851 census in Hastings County in Huntingdon township, as Abraham Camp (age 55) with his son Peter (age 14).

In the 1861 census, Abraham Kemp lived in Huntingdon township, Hastings County, Ontario. The family consists of Abraham (age 65), wife S. (?, age 55), and Wesley (age 13), all Wesleyan Methodist religion and born in Canada West. The wife may not be Sarah Sephrona.

In the 1881 census, Abraham Kemp lived in Windham township, Norfolk County, Ontario, age 85, a widower. He is listed in the home of his married son, Peter Kemp and his family.

Abraham James Kemp may have had more than one wife, since the only known wife, Sarah Sephrona was born about 1807 (according to her age in the 1851 census), and Abraham's first child was born in 1820. However, the marriage records for their children list Abraham's wife as Sarah, except for one son's record which says Sephrona.

All of the information in this biography was obtained from Robert Kemp in Peterborough, Ontario and Cheryl Taber in Hamilton, Ontario.

The list of the children of Abraham James Kemp and Sarah Fletcher was copied from "Kemp Family Bible Record" in possession of the Orange County (CA) Genealogical Society. The Bible was printed by A.J. Holman Co of Philadelphia, 1877. This Bible was given to Daisy Rader by John Evans Kemp, who died in 1956. The marriage date of Abraham and Sarah (Fletcher) Kemp from the Bible was 16 April 1818.

Children of Sarah Fletcher and Abraham Kemp are:

2 ... i. Waity Catherine Kemp, born 23 December 1820 in Hillier, Prince Edward County, Ontario, CANADA (baptism); died 07 July 1899 in Ameliasburgh, Prince Edward, Ontario, CANADA. She married John T. Rose 08 May 1842 in Ameliasburgh, Prince Edward, ONTARIO; born about 1813 in Ameliasburgh, Prince Edward, ONTARIO; died 26 December 1893 in Rednersville, Prince Edward, ONTARIO.

3 ... ii. Mary Ann Kemp, born 20 February 1823 in Hillier, Prince Edward County, Ontario, CANADA (baptism). She married William C. Knapp 20 March 1848 in Hillier, Prince Edward, ONTARIO.

4 ... iii. Stephen C. Kemp, born 07 February 1826 in probably Hillier, Prince Edward County, Ontario, CANADA.

5 ... iv. William H. Kemp, born 04 March 1829 in probably Hillier, Prince Edward County, Ontario, CANADA; died 27 September 1886 in St. Clair, MI. William married Mary Knapp before 1854 in ONTARIO; born 19 September 1834 in Kingston, ONTARIO; died 01 April 1922 in St. Clair, MI.

6 ... v. James Abram Kemp, born 22 May 1831 in probably Hillier, Prince Edward County, Ontario, CANADA; died 19 September 1902 in Delhi, Norfolk County, Ontario, CANADA. He married (1) Mary Jane Sovereen 10 March 1861 in Middleton, Norfolk County, ONTARIO; born 29 December 1840 in probably Delhi, Norfolk County, ONTARIO; died 20 May 1874 in Middleton, Norfolk County, Ontario, CANADA. He married (2) Melissa Wilson 16 November 1876 in Middleton, Norfolk, ONTARIO; born 22 April 1844 in ONTARIO; died 28 September 1902 in Delhi, Norfolk, ONTARIO.

7 ... vi. John L. Kemp, born 28 April 1834 in probably Hillier, Prince Edward County, Ontario, CANADA; died 10 April 1920 in Norfolk County, Ontario, CANADA.

8 ... vii. Peter Evans Kemp, born 28 February 1837 in probably Hillier, Prince Edward County, Ontario, CANADA; died 10 April 1922 in Delhi, Norfolk County, Ontario, CANADA. He married (1) Isabella Eagles 22 February 1865 in Otterville, Norfolk, ONTARIO; born 10 July 1839 in Middleton, Norfolk, ONTARIO, CANADA; died 14 March 1873 in Windham, Norfolk, ONTARIO. He married (2) Catherine Frances Ryder 06 April 1875 in Delhi, Norfolk, ONTARIO; born 24 December 1844 in Middleton, Norfolk, ONTARIO; died 30 April 1919 in Middleton, Norfolk, ONTARIO.

9 ... viii. Andrew Hait Kemp, born 06 November 1839 in probably Prince Edward County, Ontario, CANADA; died 06 January 1915 in Delhi, Norfolk County, Ontario, CANADA. He married Elizabeth Eagles 25 December 1867 in Middleton, Norfolk, ONTARIO; born 08 October 1844 in Middleton, Norfolk, ONTARIO; died 20 July 1905 in Windham, Norfolk, ONTARIO.

10 ... ix. Sarah Jane Kemp, born 02 June 1843 in Consecon, Ontario, CANADA; died 22 October 1891 in Ameliasburg, Prince Edward County, Ontario, CANADA. She married Henry Pulver 18 September 1864 in Rednersville, Prince Edward, ONTARIO; born about 1842 in Rednersville, Prince Edward, ONTARIO; died 20 September 1896 in Rednersville, Prince Edward, ONTARIO.

11 ... x. Charles W. Kemp, born 14 September 1845 in probably Prince Edward County, Ontario, CANADA.

12 ... xi. John Wesley Kemp, born 16 November 1847 in probably Prince Edward County, Ontario, CANADA; died 21 September 1891 in St. Thomas, Norfolk County, Ontario, CANADA. He married Augusta Ann Robertson 04 November 1874 in Middleton, Norfolk, ONTARIO; born 14 June 1856 in Beverly, Wentworth, ONTARIO; died 22 November 1934 in Delhi, Norfolk, ONTARIO.

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

My own ancestry is through James Abram Kemp.

If anyone has additions or corrections to this family data, please email me at rjseaver@cox.net.

Friday, March 7, 2008

Testing Legacy Charting - Post 2

I blogged about my initial testing of the free pre-release version of Legacy Charting in http://randysmusings.blogspot.com/2008/03/using-free-legacy-charting-pre-release.html on Tuesday.

I did a bit more experimenting tonight with different page, box, line, background and color options in order to get some idea of the file sizes, number of full size pages, etc.

I imported my large Master ancestral database (over 20,000 individuals) and Legacy Charting had no problem importing it and displaying it. Using relatively small boxes, I checked to see the full scale size of charts as a function of number of generations for a typical "perfect" pedigree chart. The test showed (other tests may vary depending on program input):

* 4 generations -- 25.5" wide by 22.0" high, 6 8.5" x 11" pages, 15 ancestors

* 6 generations - 42.5" wide by 55" high, 25 8.5" x 11" pages, 63 ancestors

* 8 generations - 51.0" high by 220" high, 120 8.5" x 11" pages, 255 ancestors

* 10 generations - 68.0" wide by 847" high, 616 8.5" x 11" pages, 1023 ancestors

* 12 generations - 76.5" wide by 3355" high, 2745 8.5" x 11" pages, 4055 ancestors.

This test told me that a 6 or 7 generation chart is about the biggest anyone would want to make full scale and have it created as a large wall chart - my full scale 6 generation chart would be 3.5 feet wide by 4.5 feet high.

When you have designed a chart that you like, you can save it as an .lwc file on your computer - the 6 generation chart was about 2.5 mb in file size and the 12 generation chart was about 6.7 mb.

You can also export the file to a number of file types - I chose .jpg so that I could import it into this post. As a .jpg, I can open the file in a picture viewer and print it on a single page. The maximum readable size for a one page 8.5" x 11" chart that I found was 5 generations. I had to increase font sizes for the names (=28), dates and locations (=24) to try to make them readable on an 8.5" x 11" page. The full scale Chart was 42.5" x 55.0" with 6" wide boxes and 0.5" spacing between boxes in the 5th generation. The full scale chart .jpg file was 3963 x 5190 pixels, and 6.6 mb in file size. My printer took a long time gathering all of the information, and the type is barely readable - I need a magnifier to read it well.

Realistically, a 4 generation chart is the largest suitable for an 8.5" x 11" page printout of the .jpg. file. The full scale Chart shown below is 34.0" wide by 33.0 high, with 6" wide boxes and 0.5" spacing between boxes in the 4th generation. It has 12 full scale pages, 63 ancestors, and the .jpg file is 3715 x 3115 pixels, and "only" 1.2 mb. The names, dates and locations are fairly readable.



As you can see, I put a tree background on the chart, and ran the transparency down to around 30%. I put a large title on the top of the page - you can vary the font type and size. There are a number of different box fill color schemes - I chose the blue (males) and pink (females). The only problem with the printed version is that the blue and pink fill colors of the boxes don't print uniformly on my inkjet printer. I'll probably go back to a clear box fill with some edge colors.

All in all, I still think that this is a very useful program. However, there are limitations. 6 or 7 generations is a reasonable maximum number in order to make a full scale chart. Without dates and places, you might be able to make a large wall chart of 8 or 9 generations that doesn't exceed 8 feet in height or width.

My Wallpaper is Mark's Genealogy Research Map

Mark Tucker created a Genealogy Research Process Map recently and displayed it on his ThinkGenealogy blog.

Now Mark has created a number of different sized pictures that are available from download in his post http://www.thinkgenealogy.com/2008/03/07/genealogy-research-process-map-desktop-wallpaper/. You need to know what your desktop pixel count is, though.

What a great idea! I did it - I chose 1280 x 1024 and it worked. I'm waiting now for my wife and kids to ask "What happened to the pictures of the grandchildren?" and "What in the world is that on your screen? Do you actually understand it?"

Thanks for sharing, Mark!

Frustration turns to success - and lessons relearned

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Thursday, March 6, 2008

SDGS Library in El Cajon

One of the "hidden treasures" of San Diego genealogy repositories is the San Diego Genealogical Society library in El Cajon. The library web page (with an online catalog link) describes it as:

"The extensive collection of the San Diego Genealogical Society Library is one of the major genealogical resources in San Diego County. Housed in approximately 2200 square feet, the SDGS Library is located at 1050 Pioneer Way, Suite E in El Cajon, California.

"The library is accessible to members 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. Unrestricted access to the SDGS Library is a benefit of Society membership.

"The Library is staffed and open to the public on Thursdays from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m."

If you are a San Diego area researcher, and have not availed yourself of the resources at this library, I urge you to visit it at your convenience. They have a fine selection of surname and locality books, and an excellent collection of genealogy periodicals. There are also several file cabinets of vertical files - papers donated to the society that may contain unique family information.

SDGS has recently revamped their web page - there is a lot of great information on this web site - take a look at it!

How good was Della's list?

Attentive readers of Genea-Musings will recall that Della (Smith) Carringer listed the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Samuel and Mary Ann (Underhill) Vaux in a letter to a cousin (see "Letters from Home - Post 19").

I posted seven articles detailing the descendants of Samuel Vaux and Mary Ann Underhill at

* Post 1 - Children of Samuel and Mary Ann (Underhill) Vaux

* Post 2 - Mary A. Vaux who married James Woodward

* Post 3 - Celia Ann Vaux who married (1) Milo Redfield and (2) Francis Munger

* Post 4 - Abigail A. Vaux who married Devier J. Smith

* Post 5 - James P. Vaux who married Mary Alice Patrick

* Post 6 - Elizabeth Vaux who married Samuel Crouch

* Post 7 - Amos Vaux, who died young.

How accurate was Della? Did she miss any of the descendants when she wrote the letter in October 1903? Let's see:

Grandchildren from Della's list (using Della's numbers, and the names from my lists):

1. Della (Smith) Carringer - born 1861, daughter of Abigail Vaux .
2. Orpha (Woodward) Needham - born 1864, daughter of Mary Vaux.
3. Nellie (Redfield) Woodward (dead) - born 1864, daughter of Celia Vaux.
4. David D. Smith - born 1863, son of Abigail Vaux.
5. Ada Redfield (dead) - born 1865, daughter of Celia Vaux

6. Mary (Woodward) Dyar - born 1866, daughter of Mary Vaux
7. Matie (Smith) (Chenery) (Cramer) Morrill - born 1866, daughter of Abigail Vaux
8. Aggie Smith (dead) - born 1868, daughter of Abigail Vaux
9. Myrtle (Crouch) Milbank - born 1872, daughter of Elizabeth Vaux
10. George Munger - born 1874, son of Celia Vaux.

11. Amy (Munger) Doctor - born 1876, daughter of Celia Vaux
12. William Crouch - born 1874, son of Elizabeth Vaux
13. Lutie Smith (dead) - born 1875, daughter of Abigail Vaux
14. Lou (Munger) Doctor - born 1878, daughter of Celia Vaux
15. Ralph Crouch (dead) - born 1880, son of Elizabeth Vaux

16. Bert Vaux - born 1879, son of James Vaux
17. Guy Vaux (dead) - born 1880, son of James Vaux
19. Callie Vaux - born 1883, daughter of James Vaux

I don't think she missed one of them. She got them a little out of birth order, but she did well, I think.

Great-grandchildren of Samuel and Mary Ann (Underhill) Vaux (in Della's order, which ended up being in family groups because she didn't write all the names) -

18. Gean Woodward (dead) - born 1885, grandson of Celia Vaux
20. Ada Woodward - born 1889, granddaughter of Celia Vaux
21. Verdie Dyar - born 1886, granddaughter of Mary Vaux
22. Roy Dyar - born 1888, grandson of Mary Vaux
23. Devier D. Carringer (dead) - born 1889, grandson of Abigail Vaux

24. Nellie Woodward - born 1890, granddaughter of Celia Vaux
25. Eva Smith - born 1890, granddaughter of Abigail Vaux
26. Chester Dyar - born 1891, grandson of Mary Vaux
27. Lyle L. Carringer - born 1891, grandson of Abigail Vaux
28. Vern Dyar - born 1895, grandson of Mary Dyar

29. Ellen Doctor - born 1896, granddaughter of Celia Vaux
30. Lezzie Doctor - born 1900, granddaughter of Celia Vaux
31. Grace Doctor - born 1902, granddaughter of Celia Vaux

32. Mable Smith - born 1902, granddaughter of Abigail Vaux

33-34. Willie's two girls
33. Vivian Crouch - born 1899, granddaughter of Elizabeth Vaux
34. Evangeline Crouch - born 1901, granddaughter of Elizabeth Vaux

35-37. Amy's two girls and a boy

35. Celia Doctor - born 1898, granddaughter of Celia Vaux
36. Frank Doctor - born 1900, granddaughter of Celia Vaux
37. Peter Doctor - born 1903, grandson of Celia Vaux


38-40. Geo. Munger's 2 girls and a boy
38. Georgia Munger - born 1901, granddaughter of Celia Vaux
39. Callie Munger - born 1902, granddaughter of Celia Vaux
40. Frank Munger - born 1903, grandson of Celia Vaux

41. Orpha's daughter: Ada Needham - born 1885, granddaughter of Mary Vaux.

She apparently missed Lyndia Needham, born 1892, granddaughter of Mary Vaux. Several great-grandchildren were born after 1903, so she didn't know about them.

All in all, I think that Della did a great job of identifying the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of her grandparents. Considering that all of that was done by mail and personal contact, she identified 18 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren, only missing one (I think!).

Don't we all wish that every great-grandmother had done something similar with their family lines?

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Over-used Genealogy Idioms

John D. Reid at the Anglo-Celtic Connections blog has a post today about "Overused Idioms in Genealogy." He mentioned three -

* Brickwall

* Putting flesh on the bones

* Digging up your roots

I can think of several others --

* Search back in time

* Discover your family history

* Find your elusive ancestor

* Broaden your search

* Shirt-tail relative

I think these qualify as idioms. An idiom is (from Wikipedia) "a term or phrase whose meaning cannot be deduced from the literal definitions and the arrangement of its parts, but refers instead to a figurative meaning that is known only through common use."

Do you have other examples? If so, please comment on John's blog and help him out.

Descendants of Samuel and Mary Ann (Underhill) Vaux - Post 7

This is the seventh in a series of posts that define what I know about the descendants of my 3rd-great-grandparents, Samuel and Mary Ann (Underhill) Vaux. Samuel Vaux emigrated from England and settled in Aurora, Erie County, New York in the 1835-1840 time frame. Their family was defined here.

Their sixth child was Amos S. Vaux, born about 1854 in Aurora, Erie County, New York, and died 23 August 1876 in Nodaway township, Andrew County, Missouri of typhoid fever.

His obituary (from an unknown newspaper, found in the Smith/Carringer family papers):

"VAUX - Died, August 23d, 1876, Amos S. Vaux, of Typhoid fever. Our friends was a young man of great promise, much loved by all who knew him, a constant member of the Sabbath school and Bible class in Andrew county, Missouri.

"He has gone, yes, gone forever,
From this world of sin and care;
Gone to dwell with angels ever
In a world that's bright and fair.

"How we miss our dear companion
Since he left our little band;
But we trust he is in heaven,
In that happy, better land.

"Never was his seat found vacant
Until death called him to go;
And our class seems sad and lonely
Since he left us here below.

"May we all prepare to meet him
When this changing life shall cease;
May we have a joyful meeting
In that home of blissful ease.

"-- St. Louis Evangelist."

The records show us that life was very precious before modern medical practices and better sanitation. Many families lost one or more children to illnesses or accidents. I've noticed that some families moved away from a place with a bad memory after a death.

Samuel and Mary Ann (Underhill) Vaux family was in Kansas in the 1880 census. Was it because Amos died, or was it because they were aging and went to live with one of their children?

I don't know when or where either Samuel or Mary Ann Vaux died - perhaps in Marshall County, Kansas where they were enumerated in 1880.

SDGS Meeting on Saturday features Kathleen R. Trevena

The San Diego Genealogical Society meeting will be on Saturday, 8 March at 12 noon at St. Andrews Lutheran Church (8350 Lake Murray Blvd in San Diego, just south of Jackson Drive).

The program features Kathleen R. Trevena as the speaker on two topics --

* 12 noon: Ancestral Dollars and Cents: Occupations, Money and consumer Spending in Early America

* 1:15 p.m.: Crime, Punishment and Our Ancestors.

The program description and speaker CV reads:

"Do you know how your ancestors earned a living? They weren't ALL farmers were they? When they had some ready cash, was it in the form of nickels and dimes or wampum and tobacco? We will answer these and other questions about how Americans made and spent money in the days before big corporations, ATMs, and malls.

"Whether a witness, juror, constable, or convict, your ancestor almost certainly had contact with the legal system of the day. If we traveled back in time, what would seem familiar and what would be strange? Why were there scarlet letters and dunking stools? When were policemen and penitentiaries invented? Learn more about the law and your ancestors and why we should always look in the many records produced by the legal system.

"Kathleen R. Trevena has been doing genealogy for over 30 years, enjoying both her own ancestors and ancestors she borrows from her friends. She has lectured throughout Southern California and recently presented two lectures at the annual conference of the Utah Genealogical Association in Salt Lake City. 'My talks are more contextual than methodological, more history than how-to. My goal is to encourage people to look at the lives of their ancestors in new ways, using both historical information and examples drawn from genealogical resources.' "

This promises to be an intriguing meeting with an excellent speaker.

SDGS is starting a four session Beginning Genealogy series at 10 a.m. on Saturday 8 March at St. Andrews Lutheran Church. The first class is "Genealogy Basics." You can see more information about this class at http://www.rootsweb.com/~casdgs/classes.html. Space is limited, so contact the organizers at the phone number or email listed on the web page.

SDGS also holds a RootsMagic User's Group at 10 a.m. at St. Andrews Lutheran Church before the society meetings, and a FamilyTreeMaker Users Group on the first Saturday at the SDGS Library from 10 a.m. to noon.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Using FREE Legacy Charting Pre-release Edition

The following news release from Legacy Family Tree was received via email today:

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

We are getting closer to the release of Legacy Family Tree version 7. We are just as anxious as you are for the great new features to come, but we also want to be sure that we haven't overlooked anything.

One of the biggest new features will be the ability to create large-scale wall charts, including drop-down descendancies, fan charts, hourglass charts, and many others. This part of Legacy 7 is nearly complete, and we are now "officially" inviting you to take it for a free test drive.

Legacy Charting will be included with Legacy 7 Deluxe edition, but until June 15, 2008, this special pre-release edition is freely available to everyone.

Key features:

* Creates 18 different types of family charts
* All charts are easily customizable
* Choose the number of generations to be displayed
* Select the contents of each box
* Pick from a variety of color themes, including the popular 4-color coding system
* Select from a variety of beautiful backgrounds and page borders
* Insert your own pictures and clipart
* Easily email any chart to family members
* Export to .pdf, .bmp, .jpg, .png, .tiff, .psd
* Order a wall chart and have it delivered to your front door
* Includes a thorough help reference system for easy reference

System Requirements: Windows 98 or higher (including Vista); 20 mb free hard disk space; 256mb RAM

Pricing: FREE for the pre-release edition

Download now: http://www.legacycharting.com/

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

I downloaded the software, installed it and tested it for about an hour (first frustrating, then enjoyable!).

My first test was to import a FamilyTreeMaker 16 .FTW file. The file imported, but the charting software did not work correctly - if I selected a person, it made a chart for a different, seemingly randomly selected, person.

UPDATE 6:30 PM: On the advice of the Legacy Charting developer, I compacted my FTM file and it worked perfectly! Thanks, Luc.

So I imported a GEDCOM file of another database, and it worked fine. The file had over 9,000 individuals, so this is a pretty fair test.

I selected the immigrant ancestor, Robert Seaver (1608-1683), to make a Descendant chart of. I asked for 12 generations. The program worked for awhile (maybe 30 seconds) and produced a very large family tree with 6,997 individuals in it. With the size of the boxes selected as 2.0 inches wide and each generation 2.0 inch wide with 0.5 inch spaces between boxes, the chart created was 8,585 inches wide and 44 inches high. You realize, of course, that this chart would be over 700 feet wide - more than two football fields! If I printed it out on 8.5 x 11 paper, it would take 4,040 pages. And a lot of scotch tape, I think!

The program is very versatile as far as appearance - themes, colors, box items, box style, font, line widths, box size, backgrounds, titles, etc.

Here is just a part of the resulting chart for the Descendants of Robert Seaver with the smallest magnification, from a screen shot:



I zeroed in a bit on several of my generations in this zoomed-in screen capture:


Here is a higher magnification screen shot with my grandparents and great-grandparents:



There is a "crosshairs" box in the lower right-hand corner of the screen that shows where the screen image is located in the overall wall chart.

In this pre-release version, the user can save the chart in a proprietary Legacy format - the other formats, including .JPG, didn't show when I tried to save the chart. But there are ways around that - I did a screen capture (Ctrl-Print Screen") and saved it as a .JPG in my digital imaging program.

UPDATE 6:30 p.m.: I was able to see how to save the file as one of the advertised files in the Export feature - but I was afraid that doing so would crash my computer.

This program is really very easy to use and can be used to make almost any kind of chart you want. I experimented a bit with backgrounds and other neat options. I don't recall if they will let you import a picture of your own to use as a background.

The problem for users will be controlling the number of pages needed to print out a very large chart and the cost. There's a compromise that needs to be made between font size, box size and number of generations to show. Perhaps a larger cost will be to find a building or a wall that can handle a chart like my Descendants of Robert Seaver (1608-1683) 12 generation chart - it would go half way around Petco Park, or could serve as confetti for a long parade, I think! Don't count on seeing my chart at the SCGS Jamboree.

The presser says that this chart program will be included in Legacy 7.0 when it releases. Cool. Will it make Legacy cost more?

43rd Carnival of Genealogy has 32 submissions

Genea-bloggers really outdid themselves with submissions to the 43rd Carnival of Technology, whose theme was "Technology." 32 bloggers submitted posts about their favorite hardware, software and web site for genealogy research. There are quite a few "newbies" to the Carnival in this edition - this is really the neatest thing about the Carnival - it introduces genealogy bloggers "new to me." Read all of them - the time is well worth it.

The theme for the 44th Carnival of Genealogy is: A Tribute to Women. Write a tribute to a woman on your family tree, a friend, a neighbor, or a historical female figure who has done something to impact your life. Or instead of writing, consider sharing a photo biography of one woman's life. Or create a scrapbook page dedicated to a woman you'd like to honor. For extra credit, sum up her life in a six-word biography.

Submit your blog article to the next edition of the Carnival of Genealogy using our carnival submission form. The deadline for submissions is March 15, 2008. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

Descendants of Samuel and Mary Ann (Underhill) Vaux - Post 6

This is the sixth in a series of posts that define what I know about the descendants of my 3rd-great-grandparents, Samuel and Mary Ann (Underhill) Vaux. Samuel Vaux emigrated from England and settled in Aurora, Erie County, New York in the 1835-1840 time frame. Their family was defined here.

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Descendants of Elizabeth B. Vaux

Generation No. 1


1. Elizabeth B. Vaux (Samuel7, James6, John5, James4, William3, John2, Thomas1 Vax) was born about 1851 in Aurora, Erie County, NY, and died 10 May 1931 in Long Beach, Los Angeles County, CA (CA DI). She married Samuel Crouch 19 October 1871 in Andrew County, MO (IGI). He was born 1841 in ENGLAND, and died 18 May 1931 in Long Beach, Los Angeles, CA (CA DI).

Children of Elizabeth Vaux and Samuel Crouch are:
...... 2 ... i. Myrtle E. Crouch, born 14 April 1872 in Andrew County, MO (CA DI); died 23 November 1963 in Long Beach, Los Angeles County, CA (CA DI). She married Benjamin R. Milbank about 1910 in NE; born 16 September 1876 in Troy, IL (CA DI); died 21 October 1947 in Long Beach, Los Angeles County, CA (CA DI).
+ ... 3 ... ii. William Samuel Crouch, born 25 November 1874 in Andrew County, Missouri (CA DI); died 15 December 1940 in Los Angeles County, CA (CA DI).
...... 4 ... iii. Ralph Crouch, born 1880 in Andrew County, MO (CA DI); died in young.

Generation No. 2

...... 3. William Samuel Crouch (Elizabeth B.8 Vaux, Samuel7, James6, John5, James4, William3, John2, Thomas1 Vax) was born 25 November 1874 in Andrew County, Missouri (CA DI), and died 15 December 1940 in Los Angeles County, CA (CA DI). He married Elizabeth L. Riley before 1899 in probably Iowa. She was born 23 January 1871 in IA (CA DI), and died 11 October 1951 in Los Angeles County, CA (CA DI).

Children of William Crouch and Elizabeth Riley are:
...... 5 ... i. Vivian E. Crouch, born 18 July 1899 in Illinois (CA DI); died 26 December 1992 in Los Angeles County, CA (CA DI). She married Arthur C. Meigs; born 17 April 1894 in Iowa; died 06 May 1966 in Los Angeles County, CA (CA DI).
...... 6 ... ii. Evangeline W. Crouch, born 25 August 1900 in Iowa; died 12 May 1966 in San Bernardino County, CA (CA DI).


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My intent is to publish three generation descendants reports for each of the children of Samuel and Mary Ann (Underhill) Vaux. That will bring information about these families into the 20th century but will not include information on possibly living people (if I can help it). While I have some biographical material gleaned from various sources, including personal correspondence, for many of these families, I'm only including the "bare bones" vital records information about them.

My purpose in putting these family summaries on this blog is to make my information about these families available for other researchers and distant relatives to find, with the hope that they will contact me and provide even more family information about the families.

If anybody reading this has information on these families, please contact me via email at rjseaverATcox.net and we can correspond and exchange information. If anybody has additions or corrections to my information, I would appreciate hearing from you!

UPDATED: Modified 5 March to correct errors in database!

Monday, March 3, 2008

SCGS Jamboree 2008 Program is Available

The Southern California Genealogical Society Jamboree for 2008 will be held in Burbank CA on 27-29 June, 2008 at the Burbank Airport Marriott Hotel and Convention Center. It's just 116 days away!

The Jamboree program has just been released and the announcement is here for the program schedule and attendance information.

Take a close look at the list of presenters and see if you know anybody listed ... hint - look at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday. Yep - some of the best "friends" I've never met will be getting together to talk about genealogy blogging.

I will have more to say when the time gets closer.

I wonder what I should wear? Probably not the clothes that I usually blog in ... I'm not sure that sweatshirt, PJs and white socks without shoes are appropriate for this occasion. I'm thinking a wild Hawaiian shirt ... hmmm, that would probably be better on the cruise, but it's what I wear now as President of CVGS. I just hope I don't have to go buy a tie to wear. I'm sure that Angel Linda will help me here!

The San Diego Genealogical Society is sponsoring a train journey to the Jamboree for the Saturday program (I think). We'll go and stay in the hotel, I think, and Linda can entertain our daughter's family (or vice versa) while I'm at the conference.

The Elusive Mary Kent (1726-????, married William Cutter)

It's National Women's History month, so I thought I would post some of my most elusive women ancestors in hopes that someone will Google their name and find my post. Ideally, they will provide me with more information about my elusive female ancestor's ancestry. Realistically, they will commiserate with me about the lack of records and wonder why no researcher has figured the problem out yet.

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Mary Kent was born about 1726 in probably Woodbridge, Middlesex County, NJ, and died in Woodbridge, Middlesex County, NJ. She married William Cutter before 1744 in probably Woodbridge, Middlesex County, NJ, son of Richard Cutter and Mercy Kelsey. He was born about 1722 in Woodbridge, Middlesex County, NJ, and died 14 February 1780 in Woodbridge, Middlesex County, NJ.

Notes for Mary Kent:

Mary Kent's parents are unknown. It is possible that she was the daughter of Stephen Kent, and the granddaughter of another Stephen Kent who resided in Woodbridge, Middlesex County, New Jersey.


It is possible that she was the daughter or sister of William Kent, who witnessed the will of Richard Cutter, her husband's father, in 1757.

However, there are no records to prove these suppositions.

Notes for William Cutter:

The data provided below is taken entirely from "History of the Cutter Family of New England", by Dr. Benjamin Cutter, published Boston, 1871.

William Cutter was known as "Deacon". He was appointed "surveyor of roads" in Woodbridge, New Jersey on 9 March 1773.

His gravestone in Presbyterian Cemetery in Woodbridge reads: "In memory of Deacon William Cutter, who departed this life Feby 14, 1780 in the 58th year of his age."

Children of Mary Kent and William Cutter are:


2 ... i. Stephen Cutter, born 10 February 1744/45 in Woodbridge, Middlesex County, NJ; died 21 June 1823 in Woodbridge, Middlesex County, NJ. He married Tabitha Randolph about 1769 in probably Woodbridge, Middlesex County, NJ; born before 06 September 1761 in Elizabeth, Union County, NJ (baptism); died 26 November 1841 in Woodbridge, Middlesex County, NJ.
3 ... ii. Richard Cutter, born about 1746 in Woodbridge, Middlesex County, NJ; died 20 August 1770 in Woodbridge, Middlesex County, NJ. He married Catherine Laing.
4 ... iii. Sarah Cutter, born about 1748 in Woodbridge, Middlesex County, NJ; died in Woodbridge, Middlesex County, NJ. She married John Brown; born about 1734; died 23 April 1797 in NJ.

5 ... iv. Mary Cutter, born about 1750 in Woodbridge, Middlesex County, NJ.
6 ... v. Hannah Cutter, born about 1753 in Woodbridge, Middlesex County, NJ. She married William Bloodgood.
7 ... vi. Kelsey Cutter, born about 1756 in Woodbridge, Middlesex County, NJ; died 07 March 1798 in Woodbridge, Middlesex County, NJ. He married Hannah Marsh before 1778 in probably Woodbridge, Middlesex County, NJ; born about 1759 in Middlesex County, NJ; died 08 January 1830 in Woodbridge, Middlesex County, NJ.

8 ... vii. Samuel Cutter, born about 1761 in Woodbridge, Middlesex County, NJ; died 01 May 1805 in Woodbridge, Middlesex County, NJ. He married Sarah Bloomfield before 1791 in Woodbridge, Middlesex County, NJ; born 02 December 1769 in Woodbridge, Middlesex County, NJ; died 02 January 1852 in Woodbridge, Middlesex County, NJ.
9 ... viii. Keturah Cutter, born about 1765 in Woodbridge, Middlesex County, NJ; died 13 September 1794 in Woodbridge, Middlesex County, NJ. She married Joshua Rockhow; born about 1760 in Woodbridge, Middlesex County, NJ; died 14 February 1801 in Woodbridge, Middlesex County, NJ.

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My own ancestry is through Stephen Cutter.

If anyone has additions or corrections to this family data, please email me at rjseaverATcox.net. If nothing else, we can discuss the identity of the mother of William Cutter - I believe it is Mercy Kelsey (second wife of Richard Cutter), everybody else thinks it was Mary Pike (first wife of Richard Cutter). I have real good reasons to think this...

Descendants of Samuel and Mary Ann (Underhill) Vaux - Post 5

This is the fifth in a series of posts that define what I know about the descendants of my 3rd-great-grandparents, Samuel and Mary Ann (Underhill) Vaux. Samuel Vaux emigrated from England and settled in Aurora, Erie County, New York in the 1835-1840 time frame. Their family was defined here.

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Descendants of James P. Vaux

Generation No. 1

1. James P. Vaux (Samuel7, James6, John5, James4, William3, John2, Thomas1 Vax) was born about 1847 in Aurora, Erie County, NY, and died 29 December 1902 in Aurora, Erie County, NY. He married Mary Alice Patrick before 1879 in KS. She was born about 1856 in OH, and died 19 April 1904 in DeKalb, IL.

Children of James Vaux and Mary Patrick are:
...... 2 ... i. Albert/Bert James Vaux, born 03 June 1879 in Jewell, Jewell County, KS. He married Margaret.
...... 3 ... ii. Guy Vaux, born 09 October 1880 in Jewell, Jewell County, KS; died before 1900 in KS.
+ ... 4 ... iii. Calve/Callie Vaux, born 01 January 1883 in Jewell, Jewell County, KS; died 25 December 1947 in El Cerrito, Contra Costa County, CA.

Generation No. 2

4. Calve/Callie Vaux (James P.8, Samuel7, James6, John5, James4, William3, John2, Thomas1 Vax) was born 01 January 1883 in Jewell, Jewell County, KS, and died 25 December 1947 in El Cerrito, Contra Costa County, CA. She married Clarence Arthur White 1905 in probably KS. He was born 02 June 1883 in Golden Belt, Lincoln County, KS, and died 20 March 1930 in Chicago, Cook County, IL.

Children of Calve/Callie Vaux and Clarence White are:
+ ... 5 ... i. Vaux James White, born 21 May 1906 in Chicago, Cook County, IL; died 01 August 1954 in Balboa, Orange County, CA (CA DI).
...... 6 ... ii. Albert Clarence White, born 29 January 1908 in DeKalb, IL; died 01 November 1951 in Balboa, Orange County, CA (CA DI). He married Florence Shaw 09 May 1931 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, CA; born in Of Glendale, Los Angeles County, CA.
...... 7 ... iii. Arthur Joy White, born 16 July 1909 in Marengo, IL; died 13 February 1970 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, CA (CA DI). He married Jean.

+ ... 8 ... iv. Alice Lucille White, born 25 July 1911 in Marengo, IL; died 21 March 1996 in Everett, Snohomish County, WA (SSDI).
+ ... 9 ... v. Margaret Elizabeth White, born 06 January 1913 in Marengo, IL.

Generation No. 3

5. Vaux James White (Calve/Callie9 Vaux, James P.8, Samuel7, James6, John5, James4, William3, John2, Thomas1 Vax) was born 21 May 1906 in Chicago, Cook County, IL, and died 01 August 1954 in Balboa, Orange County, CA (CA DI). He married Fern Lulu Rimel 11 May 1937 in Yuma, AZ. She was born 18 October 1917 in Devil's Lake, ND, and died 03 September 1994 in Laguna Hills, Orange County, CA.

Children omitted...

8. Alice Lucille White (Calve/Callie9 Vaux, James P.8, Samuel7, James6, John5, James4, William3, John2, Thomas1 Vax) was born 25 July 1911 in Marengo, IL, and died 21 March 1996 in Everett, Snohomish County, WA (SSDI). She married (1) Cliff. She married (2) Leo Durant.

Children omitted...

9. Margaret Elizabeth White (Calve/Callie9 Vaux, James P.8, Samuel7, James6, John5, James4, William3, John2, Thomas1 Vax) was born 06 January 1913 in Marengo, IL. She married (1) William Nawman. He died 1970. She married (2) Floyd Bull. She married (3) Jack Gardiner. He died 1994.


Children omitted...

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My intent is to publish three generation descendants reports for each of the children of Samuel and Mary Ann (Underhill) Vaux. That will bring information about these families into the 20th century but will not include information on possibly living people (if I can help it). While I have some biographical material gleaned from various sources, including personal correspondence, for many of these families, I'm only including the "bare bones" vital records information about them.

My purpose in putting these family summaries on this blog is to make my information about these families available for other researchers and distant relatives to find, with the hope that they will contact me and provide even more family information about the families.

If anybody reading this has information on these families, please contact me via email at rjseaverATcox.net and we can correspond and exchange information. If anybody has additions or corrections to my information, I would appreciate hearing from you!

Sunday, March 2, 2008

Best of the Genea-Blogs - 24 February - 1 March 2008

Here are my picks for great reads from the genealogy blogs for this past week.

My criteria are pretty simple - I pick posts that advance knowledge about genealogy, address current genealogy issues, personal family history, are funny or are poignant.

I don't list posts destined for the Carnival of Genealogy, or other meme submissions (but I do include summaries of them), or my own posts.

* "Genealogy Research Map" by Mark Tucker on the ThinkGenealogy blog. Mark has a knack for putting words into graphics that help people understand relational things. This is a graphic for the Genealogical Proof Standard. Seems to me that Mark could sell laminated large copies of this to thousands of genealogists for an impressive wall hanging.

* "Here's Where I'm at With Analyzing my mtDNA Results" by Jasia on the Creative Gene blog. Jasia struggles to understand the mtDNA test results she has received, and puts her "Customer Support" hat on and suggests ways the commercial testing companies might help themselves by explaining the results better.

* "No Longer a Blogling" by footnoteMaven on the footnoteMaven blog. fM graces us with the true story of her distinctive picture of the footnoteMaven, and celebrates her first anniversary as a genealogy blogger. Well done, fM!

* "Lajos long forgotten: an immigrant baby's story" and "Update on baby Lajos: his arrival at Ellis Island" by Lisa on the 100 Years in America blog. Lisa tells the story, with images of many documents, of a baby named Lajos that emigrated to America in 1907, and she wondered if he made it to America. Donna Pointkouski helped her out by finding the Passenger Arrival list and he's on it. Share Lisa's joy, and documentation.

* "Best of the Internet for Genealogists - 2 March 2008" by Pat Richley on the DearMYRTLE Blog. Ol' Myrt has been posting these regularly on Saturdays and they are very useful to all of us - and to her, since she highlights these items in her weekly podcast.

* "Two Roads: Do McEntee and MacEntee Converge or Fork? Part I" by Thomas MacEntee on the Destination: Austin Family blog. Thomas faces the name spelling challenge head-on with some interesting thoughts and ambitions to solve it. I wish him luck, and know he'll share his findings so that we can all learn from them.

* "Black History Month Wrap-up" by Miriam Midkiff on the Ancestories: Stories of my Ancestors" blog. Miriam summarizes her thoughts about African-American history and genealogy, with helpful links to blogs and web sites.

* "Dead Ancestors Soap Opera: Part III" and "Part IV - Edith Speaks" by Cat on the Genealogy - Digging up Dirt blog. Cat continues her series summarizing the Widows Civil War Pension File of Edith C. Tyrell, widow of George Oakley. You could not find information like this about this family unless someone had written a book! And maybe not then. An excellent example of the value of these documents just coming online at Footnote.com.

* " 'Table boarders Taken": Mary Ann Hicks of Livingston Street, Brooklyn" by Laura Crawley on The Virtual Dime Museum blog. Laura's great-great-grandmother ran a boarding house in Brooklyn, and Laura discovers information about the building and her GGGM. I love and appreciate how Laura ties family stories into historical events and information, and broadens her readers knowledge.

* "Serendipity and a Random Act of Kindness" by Becky Wiseman on the Kinexxions blog. Becky is the beneficiary of contact from two unrelated people as a result of her blogging efforts. Cool! We wish this would happen to each of us, don't we?

Please go to the blogs listed above and read their articles, and add the blog to your Favorites, Bloglines, reader, feed or email if you like what you read.

Please make a comment to them also - we all appreciate feedback on what we write.

Did I miss a great genealogy blog post? Tell me!

UPDATED 8 p.m. - corrected Becky's entry per her comment. Sorry - I assumed they were cousins - makes the story even better!

The Matri-Name Game

Jasia lives up to her Creative Gene name by introducing the concept of Matrinames in her post "What's Your Matriname?" to the genealogy blogging world. She's been reading The Seven Daughters of Eve and Bryan Sykes actually suggested using the surname of the mother as a Matriname. Jasia goes a step farther and suggests using the oldest known female ancestor in the matrilineal line as a second surname.

Thomas MacEntee has made several suggestions for naming conventions also in his post "The Name Game - Family Name Schematics in Different Cultures" on his Destination:Austin Family blog. Thomas discusses several naming conventions that honor both a mother's surname and a father's surname.

If we had all "finished" our genealogy research and had hundreds of generations back in time, wouldn't we all have the (Jasia's) Matriname = "Eve" (no surname known - perhaps "Eve --?--", or "Eve Adamsrib", or "Eve Godsdaughter"?). Or perhaps the name of one of the "seven daughters" of Eve that Sykes identified?

If we used Bryan Sykes suggestion, then my name would be Randall Carringer Seaver.

If we used Jasia's suggestion of using the oldest known matrilineal line surname, then my name would be Randall Martin Seaver (Sarah Martin, born 1792 in NJ, died 1860 in Ontario, wife of John Putman, mother of Eliza Putman, mother of Mary Jane Sovereen, mother of Georgianna Kemp, mother of Emily Auble, mother of Betty Carringer, mother of moi). What if I found another generation or two while working my way back to "Eve whats-her-surname" - would I have to change my legal name to, say, Randall Smith Seaver (if Sarah's mother was a Smith)? That would sure make the lawyers happy, eh?

My preference would be to adopt a fixed naming convention that honors the four grandparents surnames. That would give genealogists a good lead as to what the ancestral names are. In my case, my name would be Randall Seaver Richmond Carringer Auble (grandson of Fred Seaver and Bess Richmond and Lyle Carringer and Emily Auble).

My preference is that the names not be hyphenated, although hyphenating couples makes a lot of sense - as in "Randall Seaver-Richmond Carringer-Auble." It would be clear, at least to genealogists, who married whom, eh?

If one wanted to use the father's surname as the "last name," you could turn it around and make it "Randall Auble Carringer Richmond Seaver." That wouldn't be too hard to carry on and a kid would always know what his grandparents' names were! Note that now many kids just know them by "Grandpa" and "Grandma," if at all. I can just see my 4 year old grandson trying to remember his 5 names! Hey, their brains are just waiting to be filled with useful stuff at that age.

How would the spouse of a person be known? Would a wife take her husband's last name (and if so, which one)? Would they be hypenated too (as in "Leland-Seaver" or vice versa)? Would the husband take the wife's surname also in a hypenated fashion (which makes a lot of sense to me, actually).

What if we get to the "end of the line" of known ancestors, like my Sarah Martin? Would she become "Sarah Unknown-Unknown Unknown-Martin"? Or "Sarah ????-???? ????-Martin" in our databases, at least until we identify her parents and grandparents?

What about adopted, sperm-bank or foundling children? Or out-of-wedlock children? Or people who never had a last name? Would they use adopted family names, or have some sort of indicator attached to their names that might stigmatize them?

Why should we stop with only the four grandparents? Why not 8 great-grandparents or even sixteen great-great-grandparents? Let's see, Randall Sovereen-Kemp Knapp-Auble Vaux-Smith Spangler-Carringer Oatley-White Rich-Richman Newton-Hildreth Smith-Seaver. Maybe that's too many? Even a genius would have to carry a pedigree chart at all times for identity purposes!

There's a lot to think about, isn't there? Implementing this idea would be difficult, I think, since we have about 2 billion names in genealogy databases and at least 6 billion people living in the world at this time. Maybe we could ask the United Nations to force adoption of a universal naming convention. And modification of legal records and vital records and other databases. It would probably take them 50 years just to agree on a naming convention and more time to implement it. And another 6 billion people would be born by the time they made a decision, and would need their name changed.

In my case, I'd have to modify about 40,000 entries in my databases with the modified names, whatever system was mandated. And we would have to re-submit all of the data to the different "Mother of All Genealogy Databases" in order to bring them up to date. Then we'd have to modify all of the genealogy web sites. Even worse, would all of the original records have to be changed in the vital records, church records, census records, etc? More work for county clerks and lawyers, I fear.

Frankly, a serial number tattooed on our body somewhere, or put on an implanted microchip, might make more sense, I think. At least it would cut down on identity theft! But people would have a better idea of their family names.

This is probably too big a decision for a brave, energetic group of genealogy bloggers, with nothing better to do on a rare Sunday without football or baseball games, to make by ourselves! Do you think our Congress-critters would even understand what we are recommending? Do we?

Descendants of Samuel and Mary Ann (Underhill) Vaux - Post 4

This is the fourth in a series of posts that define what I know about the descendants of my 3rd-great-grandparents, Samuel and Mary Ann (Underhill) Vaux. Samuel Vaux emigrated from England and settled in Aurora, Erie County, New York in the 1835-1840 time frame. Their family was defined here.

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Descendants of Abigail A. Vaux

Generation No. 1


1. ABIGAIL A. VAUX (SAMUEL9, JAMES8, JOHN7, JAMES6, WILLIAM5, JOHN4, THOMAS3 VAX, JOHN2, **1) was born 28 October 1844 in Aurora, Erie County, NY (family Bible), and died 11 September 1931 in San Diego, San Diego County, CA (CA DI). She married DEVIER JAMES SMITH 04 April 1861 in Rolling Prairie, Dodge, WI (family Bible), son of RANSLOW SMITH and MARY BELL. He was born 07 May 1839 in Henderson, Jefferson, NY (family Bible), and died 01 May 1894 in McCook, Red Willow, NE (family Bible).

Children of ABIGAIL VAUX and DEVIER SMITH are:
2. ... i. ABBIE ARDELL/DELLA SMITH, b. 11 April 1862, Waupan, Dodge County, WI (family Bible); d. 01 January 1944, San Diego, San Diego County, CA (CA DI, obituary, family Bible).
3. ... ii. DAVID DEVIER SMITH, b. 15 October 1863, Rolling Prairie, Dodge County, WI (family Bible); d. 02 February 1920, San Diego, San Diego County, CA (CA DI).
...... iii. MARY ANN/MATIE SMITH, b. 07 May 1866, Rolling Prairie, Dodge County, WI (family Bible); d. 14 July 1922, San Diego, San Diego County, CA (obituary); m. (1) GEORGE M. CHENERY, 10 December 1889, McCook, Red Willow County, NE (divorced Apr 1895); b. 1854; m. (2) JOSEPH C. CRAMER, after 1895, Probably San Diego County, CA; b. about 1843, PA; m. (3) JOHN FRANK MORRILL, after 1920, probably San Diego, San Diego County, CA; b. 23 January 1852, Ohio; d. 27 November 1928, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, CA (age 76).
...... iv. AGNES BELL SMITH, b. 26 February 1868, Rolling Prairie, Dodge County, WI (family Bible); d. 26 April 1870, Bedford, Taylor County, IA (family Bible).
...... v. LUCIAN/LUTIE H. SMITH, b. 16 June 1875, Bedford, Taylor County, IA (family Bible); d. 19 March 1878, Concordia, Cloud County, KS (family Bible).

Generation No. 2

2. ABBIE ARDELL/DELLA SMITH (ABIGAIL A.10 VAUX, SAMUEL9, JAMES8, JOHN7, JAMES6, WILLIAM5, JOHN4, THOMAS3 VAX, JOHN2, **1) was born 11 April 1862 in Waupan, Dodge County, WI (family Bible), and died 01 January 1944 in San Diego, San Diego County, CA (CA DI, obituary, family Bible). She married HENRY AUSTIN CARRINGER 11 September 1887 in Wano, Cheyenne County, KS (family Bible), son of DAVID CARRINGER and REBECCA SPANGLER. He was born 28 November 1853 in Greenville, Mercer County, PA (family Bible), and died 30 November 1946 in San Diego, San Diego County, CA (CA DI, obituary, family Bible).

Children of ABBIE SMITH and HENRY CARRINGER are:
...... i. DEVIER DAVID CARRINGER, b. 19 August 1889, National City, San Diego County, CA (family Bible); d. 10 May 1890, National City, San Diego County, CA (family Bible).
4. ... ii. LYLE LAWRENCE CARRINGER, b. 02 November 1891, San Diego, San Diego County, CA ( family Bible); d. 05 November 1976, San Diego, San Diego County, CA (CA DI, obituary, family Bible).

3. DAVID DEVIER SMITH (ABIGAIL A.10 VAUX, SAMUEL9, JAMES8, JOHN7, JAMES6, WILLIAM5, JOHN4, THOMAS3 VAX, JOHN2, **1) was born 15 October 1863 in Rolling Prairie, Dodge County, WI (family Bible), and died 02 February 1920 in San Diego, San Diego County, CA (CA DI). He married (1) LEEVA SMITH 20 May 1889 in McCook, Red Willow County, NE (letter) (divorced ca 1895), daughter of ZACHARIAH SMITH and NANCY GOSNEY. She was born 26 March 1866 in Pineville, McDonald County, MO (CA DI), and died 21 January 1958 in San Diego, San Diego County, CA (CA DI, age 92). He married (2) AMY ASHDOWN 25 November 1908 in San Diego, San Diego County, CA (CA MI), daughter of TAMSETT ASHDOWN and SARAH C.. She was born About 1877 in San Bernardino County, CA (CA DI), and died 10 October 1939 in San Diego, San Diego County, CA ( CA DI, age 62).

Child of DAVID SMITH and LEEVA SMITH is:
...... i. EVA ETTA SMITH, b. 06 May 1890, McCook, Red Willow County, NE; d. 14 March 1940, San Diego, San Diego County, CA (CA DI); m. (1) HOWARD MIXON DEFRANCE, 02 March 1914, San Diego, San Diego County, CA (CA MI); b. 13 July 1891, CA; d. 13 March 1937, San Diego, San Diego County, CA ( CA DI, age 45); m. (2) JONES, after 1937, San Diego, San Diego County, CA.

Child of DAVID SMITH and AMY ASHDOWN is:
5. ... ii. MAYBELLE C. SMITH, b. 17 May 1902, San Diego, San Diego County, CA ( CA DI, age 62); d. 31 March 1964, San Diego, San Diego County, CA (CA DI).

Generation No. 3

4. LYLE LAWRENCE CARRINGER (ABBIE ARDELL/DELLA11 SMITH, ABIGAIL A.10 VAUX, SAMUEL9, JAMES8, JOHN7, JAMES6, WILLIAM5, JOHN4, THOMAS3 VAX, JOHN2, **1) was born 02 November 1891 in San Diego, San Diego County, CA ( family Bible), and died 05 November 1976 in San Diego, San Diego County, CA (CA DI, obituary, family Bible). He married EMILY KEMP AUBLE 19 June 1918 in San Diego, San Diego County, CA (CA MI). She was born 19 August 1899 in Chicago, Cook County, IL, and died 19 June 1977 in San Diego, San Diego County, CA (CA DI, obituary, family Bible).

Child of LYLE CARRINGER and EMILY AUBLE is:
...... i. BETTY VIRGINIA CARRINGER, b. 30 July 1919, San Diego, San Diego County, CA (Certificate); d. 04 January 2002, El Cajon, San Diego County, CA (certificate); m. FREDERICK WALTON SEAVER, 12 July 1942, San Diego, San Diego County, CA (CA MI); b. 15 October 1911, Fitchburg, Worcester County, MA; d. 26 May 1983, San Diego, San Diego County, CA (Certificate).

5. ... MAYBELLE C. SMITH (DAVID DEVIER11, ABIGAIL A.10 VAUX, SAMUEL9, JAMES8, JOHN7, JAMES6, WILLIAM5, JOHN4, THOMAS3 VAX, JOHN2, **1) was born 17 May 1902 in San Diego, San Diego County, CA ( CA DI, age 62), and died 31 March 1964 in San Diego, San Diego County, CA (CA DI). She married (1) JOHN M. MILNER 05 March 1921 in San Diego, San Diego County, CA (CA MI). She married (2) HARRY WRIGHT About 1942 in probably San Diego, San Diego County, CA.

Children of MAYBELLE SMITH and JOHN MILNER are:
...... i. JUNE ADELE MILNER, b. 06 June 1922, San Diego, San Diego County, CA (CA BI); d. 20 January 1995, Los Angeles County, CA (CA DI); m. JIMMIE LANE BERTON, 06 July 1951, Los Angeles County, CA (CA MI); b. 18 September 1925, Los Angeles County, CA (CA BI).
...... ii. LOUIS B. MILNER, b. 05 December 1924, San Diego County, CA (CA BI); m. MARGARET R., About 1944, probably San Diego, San Diego County, CA.


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My intent is to publish three generation descendants reports for each of the children of Samuel and Mary Ann (Underhill) Vaux. That will bring information about these families into the 20th century but will not include information on possibly living people (if I can help it). While I have some biographical material gleaned from various sources, including personal correspondence, for many of these families, I'm only including the "bare bones" vital records information about them.

My purpose in putting these family summaries on this blog is to make my information about these families available for other researchers and distant relatives to find, with the hope that they will contact me and provide even more family information about the families.

If anybody reading this has information on these families, please contact me via email at rjseaverATcox.net and we can correspond and exchange information. If anybody has additions or corrections to my information, I would appreciate hearing from you!