Saturday, December 28, 2013

Saturday Night Genealogy Fun - What did Genea-Santa Bring You?

It's Saturday Night - 
time for more Genealogy Fun! 



Your mission, should you decide to accept it (cue the Mission Impossible! music) is to:

1) What gift that you received for Christmas is your favorite for genealogy purposes? Book, magazine, hardware, software, website subscription, research time, DNA test - what was it, and how will it affect your genealogy research?

2) Tell us about it in a blog post on your own blog, in a comment to this blog post, or in a comment on Facebook or Google+ in response to this post.

3)  
 Come on, spill!  And it's OK to respond to this in the days after Saturday too!


My response:



Hardware!  I got an iPhone 5s for Christmas (but received it about 10 days early!) and gave my iPhone 4 to my wife for Christmas 10 days early too.  I had the iPhone 4 for two years, and it was full and slow (3G) and I couldn't update many of the apps on it.  We were able to upgrade our Verizon account also and pay less money for unlimited text and phone and doubled the data limit.  Win-win-win!

I signed up with iCloud the week before we went to the Verizon store, so they were able to transfer all of my apps and data onto the new iPhone 5s.  

I left most of the apps on the iPhone 4 and got Linda signed into her email and Facebook accounts.  She's still learning how to use the phone - photos, email and Facebook are next and she will be the envy of all her friends.

I haven't found many new genealogy apps to add to my new iPhone - any suggestions?  The apps I use for genealogy are Ancestry, MyHeritage, RootsMagic, RootsTech14, LegacyMobile, BillionGraves and Their Stories.  I have Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Feedly and Evernote for social media and note taking (although I prefer the tablet for note taking with a bigger keyboard).  

I noticed that the Ancestry.com app updated, and that the RootsMagic app works a lot faster. Facebook works a lot faster on 4G also!   

I've had trouble with Feedly this past week switching between different wi-fi networks (hotels, Lori's house, now Paul's house) - deleting the app and then adding it new and signing in works but is a hassle.  

The URL for this post is:  http://www.geneamusings.com/2013/12/saturday-night-genealogy-fun-what-did.html

Copyright (c) 2013, Randall J. Seaver

Surname Saturday - PEARCE (England to colonial Rhode Island)

It's Surname Saturday, and I'm "counting down" my Ancestral Name List each week.  


I am in the 7th great-grandmothers and I'm up to Ancestor  #751, who is Margaret PEARCE (1689-????) 
[Note: the earlier great-grandmothers and 7th great-grandfathers have been covered in earlier posts].

My ancestral line back through three generations in this PEARCE family line is:


1.  Randall J. Seaver (1943-living)

2. Frederick Walton Seaver (1911-1983)
3. Betty Virginia Carringer (1919-2002)

4. Frederick Walton Seaver (1876-1942)
5. Alma Bessie Richmond (1882-1962)


10.  Thomas Richmond (1848-1917)
11.  Julia White (1848-1913)

22.  Henry Arnold White (1824-1885)
23.  Amy Frances Oatley (1826-1864)

46.  Jonathan Oatley (1790-1872)
47.  Amy Champlin (1798-1865)

92.  Joseph Oatley (1756-1815)
93.  Mary Hazard (1765-1857)

186.  Stephen Hazard (1730-1804)
187.  Elizabeth Carpenter (1741-????)

374.  Daniel Carpenter (1712-1784)
375.  Renewed Smith (1717-1766)

750.  Ephraim Smith, born about 1675 in Portsmouth, Newport, Rhode Island, United States; died before 14 May 1733 in North Kingstown, Washington, Rhode Island, United States.  He was the son of 1500. Jeremiah Smith and 1501. Mary Gereardy.  He married about 1710 in probably Portsmouth, Newport, Rhode Island, United States.
751.  Margaret Pearce, born about 1689 in Portsmouth, Newport, Rhode Island, United States.

Children of Ephraim Smith and Margaret Pearce are:
*  Freelove Smith (1711-1775), married 1735 John Allen (1710-????).
*  Sarah Smith (1714-????), married 1735 James Langworthy (1711-1762).
*  Renewed Smith (1717-1766), married 1733 Daniel Carpenter (1712-1784).
*  Margaret Smith (1719-????).
*  Ephraim Smith (1722-????).

1502.  Daniel Pearce, born about 1658 in Portsmouth, Newport, Rhode Island, United States; died after 1744 in Kingstown, Washington, Rhode Island, United States.   He married about 1683 in probably Portsmouth, Newport, Rhode Island, United States.
1503.  Mary Weaver, born about 1662 in Portsmouth, Newport, Rhode Island, United States; died before 1703 in Rhode Island, United States.

Children of Daniel Pearce and Mary Weaver are:
*  Daniel Pearce (1687-1758), married 1708 Patience Hill (1687-????).
*  Margaret Pearce (1689-????), married 1710 Ephraim Smith (1675-1733).
*  Mary Pearce (1690-????), married 1715 John Morse (1685-????).
*  John Pearce (1691-1744), married 1718 Martha Sweet (1697-????).

3004.  John Pearce, born about 1632 in England or Wales; died before 26 April 1692 in Portsmouth, Newport, Rhode Island, United States.  He married about 1654.
3005.  Mary, born about 1633 in probably England; died before 15 October 1711 in Portsmouth, Newport, Rhode Island, United States.

Children of John Pearce and Mary are:
*  John Pearce (1655-1746).
*  Daniel Pearce (1658-1744), married (1) 1683 Mary Weaver (1662-1703), (2) 1703 Elizabeth Tucker (1677-1728).
*  Mary Pearce (1662-????), married James Sweet  (1657-1686).

Information about this Pearce line was obtained from:

*  Henry Edward Turner, editor, "Percy, Perce, Pearcy, Pearxce, Pierce, &c., in Rhode Island, 1650-1700," The Rhode Island Historical Magazine, Volume 5, Number 1 (July 1884), pages 45-47.
*  Tor Hylborn, The Hylborn Family Ancestry Project (http://hylbom.com/family/paternal-lines/paternal-ni-to-po/pearce-2720/).

The URL for this post is:

Copyright (c) 2013, Randall J. Seaver

Friday, December 27, 2013

Book Review - Tracing Your Irish Ancestors, 4th Edition

Do you have Irish ancestry, but are frustrated in your genealogy research for records in Ireland?  This book may help.

John Grenham, Tracing Your Irish Ancestors, 4th Edition (Dublin, Ireland, Genealogical Publishing Co., 2012), 608 pages, $37.95 (soft cover).


The publicity for this book says:

The best book ever written on Irish genealogy, this new edition of Tracing Your Irish Ancestors retains the familiar structure of previous editions but is now more useful than ever. Combining the key features of a textbook and a reference book, it describes the various steps in the research process while at the same time providing an indispensable body of source materials for immediate use.

The biggest change from previous editions is in its approach to the Internet. Online research is now an essential part of any Irish family history project, so the 4th edition serves as a directory to online records, discussing their uses and outlining research strategies. The sheer scale of the data available online makes a guide such as this all the more essential, and in the hands of a master it is indispensable.

Along with its step-by-step instructions in the location and use of traditional genealogical records, its discussion of civil records of birth, marriage, and death, as well as land records and wills, and its list of Roman Catholic parish records and source lists-—all expanded, updated, and indexed-—it is easily the most useful book in Irish genealogy.

Some testimonials:


"The most comprehensive and authoritative book on Irish genealogy available."-—Heritage Quest

"Highly recommended for anyone doing Irish research.--Federation of Genealogical Societies Forum

"It is one of the most up-to-date and thorough source books for serious researchers of Irish family history."--American Reference Books Annual


The Table of Contents includes:

Introduction
Chapter 1: General Register Office Records
Chapter 2: Census Records
Chapter 3: Church Records
Chapter 4: Property and Valuation
Chapter 5: The Internet

Chapter 6: Wills
Chapter 7: The Genealogical Office
Chapter 8: Emigration and the Irish Abroad
Chapter 9: The Registry of Deeds
Chapter 10: Newspapers

Chapter 11: Directories
Chapter 12: Occupational Records
Chapter 13: County Source Lists
Chapter 14: Roman Catholic Parish Registers
Chapter 15: Research Services, Societies, Repositories and Publishers
Index

The value of this book is the comprehensive nature of the work.  Each record type is discussed in detail and with examples.  The Internet (Chapter 6) has many links to online record collections, both free and commercial.  The County Source Lists (Chapter 13) are extensive.  The Roman Catholic Parish Registers (Chapter 14) lists are by county, then parish (with diocese listed), and provide information about baptisms, marriages and burials.  The location of the records, and any reference, is also provided.

If you want a "Bible" for Irish genealogy and family history, this book is highly recommended.  Order it at Genealogical Publishing company's website - see Tracing Your Irish Ancestors, 4th Edition

The URL for this post is:

Disclosure: Genealogical.com contacted me recently and asked me to provide a review of this book. They mailed me a review copy for my personal use as remuneration for this review. 

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Treasure Chest Thursday - Post 194: Death Certificate for Frederick Walton Seaver

It's Treasure Chest Thursday - time to look in my digital image files to see what treasures I can find for my family history and genealogy musings.

The treasure today is Frederick Walton Seaver (1911-1983death certificate in San Diego county, California:


The transcription of this death certificate is (form fields underlined, handwritten portions in italics):

___________________         CERTIFICATE OF DEATH                 8009          
State File Number                      State of California                         Local Registration Number

1A.  Name of Decedent - First (Given):    Frederick  
1B.  Middle:    Walton  
1C.  Last (Family):    Seaver   
2A.  Date of Death:    May 26, 2983  
2B.  Hour:     2030  

3.  Sex:    M  
4.  Race/Ethnicity:      White   

5.  Spanish/Hispanic:  No
6.  Date of Birth:    October 15, 1911   
7.  Age:     71   8.  Birthplace of Decedent:    Massachusetts   
9.  Name and Birthplace of Father:     Frederick Walton Seaver Sr .- MA  
10.  Birth Name and Birthplace of Mother:  Alma Bessie Richmond - CT  
11.  Citizen of Which Country:    USA   12. Social Security No.: XXX-XX-XXXX
13.  Marital Status:   Married  

14.  Name of Surviving Spouse:    Betty Carringer  15.  Primary Occupation:     Insurance Agent  
16.  Number of Years this Occupation:    24   
17.  Employer or Self-Employed:    Prudential Insurance Co.  

18.  Kind of Industry or Business:    Insurance    19A.  Usual Residence - Street and Number or Location:  825 Harbor View Place
19C.  City:  San Diego
19D. County:  San Diego
19E:  State:    CA  

20.  Name and Address of Informant:  Betty C. Seaver (Wife), 825 Harbor view Place, San Diego, CA 92106
21A.  Place of Death:  Sharp Cabrillo Hospital  
21B.  County:    San Diego   
21C.   Street Address:    3475 Kenyon Street   
21D.  City or Town:    San Diego    
22.  Death was Caused By:  (a)  Acute cardiovascular accident - 10 min
                                          (b)  Arteriosclerosis - 5 yrs
                                          (c)  Carcinoma of prostate - 5 yrs
23.  Other Conditions contributing but not related to the Immediate cause of death:   [blank]
24.  Was death reported to coroner?:    No  
25.  Was Biopsy performed?:    Yes  
26.  Was autopsy performed?:    No  
27.  Was operation performed for any Condition in items 22 or 23?  Yes - Prostatectomy  Date  2-6-83

28A.  I Certify that death occurred at the hour, date and place stated from the causes stated:  Attended Decedent since:  Yes  5-24-83    I last saw decedent alive:  5-26-83  
28B.  Physician:  Robert Delaval M.D.  
28C.  Date Signed:    5-27-83   
28D.  Physician's License Number:  A11025
28E;  Type Physician Name and Address:  Robert E. Delaval, M.D., 2850 6th Ave. #105 San Diego  CA   

36.  Disposition:    CREMATION
37.  Date:    May 27 1983  
38.  Name and Address of Cemetery or Crematory:   Leneta Corporation - El Cajon CA  39.  Embalmed's License:  Not Embalmed  
40A.  Name of Funeral Director:  The Telophase Society
40B.  License No.    1272  DDF   
41.  Local Registrar:  Donald G. Ramers  M D
42.  Date Accepted by Registrar:  May 27 1983  

The source citation for this death certificate is (using the Evidence Explained template for a Death Certificate, local level):

Frederick Walton Seaver, Death Certificate, Local Registration No. 8009 (1983), Registrar of Vital Statistics, San Diego County, California.

I see no known errors on this death certificate.

This death certificate was obtained by me after 27 May 1983 from my mother, who received it from the County Registrar of Vital Statistics.


The URL for this post is:  
http://www.geneamusings.com/2013/12/treasure-chest-thursday-post-194-death.html

Copyright (c) 2013, Randall J. Seaver

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

(Not So) Wordless Wednesday - Randy Visits Santa Claus

I'm posting family photographs from my collection on Wednesdays, but they aren't Wordless Wednesday posts like others do - I simply am incapable of having a wordless post.

Here is a photograph from the Seaver/Carringer family collection handed down by my mother in the 1988 to 2002 time period:


This photograph was probably taken at Marston's Department Store in downtown San Diego where my grandfather worked for 55 years. This photo was probably taken in the 1947 to 1950 time frame. My guess is that my grandfather, Lyle Carringer, took this picture, although my mother may have taken it. 

It looks like Santa has a good hold on me - an arm around my waist and a hand holding down my left arm. I was never scared of Santa Claus, so my smile is genuine and anticipatory. Either that, or someone made a funny face at me when the picture was snapped.


The URL for this post is:  http://www.geneamusings.com/2013/12/not-so-wordless-wednesday-randy-visits.html

Copyright (c) 2013, Randall J. Seaver

Merry Christmas to All!





There is a reason for the season! Thank you, God, for your Gift to the Earth. 

Merry Christmas to all of my Christian readers and friends. I hope that this day finds you healthy, happy, with family and friends, and that Santa brings you everything you desire.

We visited the home of our daughter, son-in-law and two granddaughters on Sunday and Monday.  Now we are at the home of our daughter and two grandsons today, enjoying seeing the boys with their gifts, telling family stories, and eating wonderful stuff.  We are off on Saturday to the Russian River for two nights with Linda's brother's family, and we'll be home in time for New Years Day (I hope).


The URL for this post is:  http://www.geneamusings.com/2013/12/merry-christmas-to-all.html

Copyright (c) 2013, Randall J. Seaver

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

'Twas the Night Before a Genealogist's Christmas

I received this parody of Clement Moore's masterpiece via email back in the mid-1990's, the author is unknown to me. Kimberly Powell at the About Genealogy page also has it on her site.

'Twas the night before Christmas
When all through the house
Not a creature was stirring,
Not even my spouse.

The dining room table with clutter was spread
With pedigree charts and with letters which said...
"Too bad about the data for which you wrote;
Sank in a storm on an ill-fated boat."

Stacks of old copies of wills and such
Were proof that my work had become too much.
Our children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads.

And I at my table was ready to drop
From work on my album with photos to crop.
Christmas was here, and such was my lot
That presents and goodies and toys I'd forgot.

Had I not been busy with grandparents' wills,
I'd not have forgotten to shop for such thrills,
While others bought gifts to bring Christmas cheers,
I'd spent time researching those birth dates and years.

While I was thus musing about my sad plight,
A strange noise on the lawn gave me such a great fright.
Away to the window I flew in a flash,
Tore open the drapes and yanked up the sash.

When what with my wondering eyes should appear,
But an overstuffed sleigh and eight small reindeer.
Up to the house top the reindeer they flew,
With a sleigh full of toys and 'ole Santa Claus, too.

And then in a twinkle, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of thirty-two hoofs.
As I drew in my head, and bumped it on the sash,
Down the cold chimney fell Santa--KER-RASH!

"Dear" Santa had come from the roof in a wreck,
And tracked soot on the carpet, (I could wring his short neck!)
Spotting my face, good 'ole Santa could see
I had no Christmas spirit you'd have to agree.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work
And filled all the stockings, (I felt like a jerk).
Here was Santa, who'd brought us such gladness and joy:
When I'd been too busy for even one toy.

He spied my research on the table all spread
"A genealogist!" He cried! (My face was all red!)
"Tonight I've met many like you," Santa grinned,
As he pulled from his sack a large book he had penned.

I gazed with amusement--the cover it read
Genealogy Lines for Which You Have Plead.
"I know what it's like as a genealogy bug."He said
as he gave me a great Santa hug.

"While the elves make the sleighful of toys I now carry,
I do some research in the North Pole Library!
A special treat I am thus able to bring,
To genealogy folk who can't find a thing."

"Now off you go to your bed for a rest,
I'll clean up the house from this genealogy mess."
As I climbed up the stairs full of gladness and glee,
I looked back at Santa who'd brought much to me.

While settling in bed, I heard Santa's clear whistle,
To his team, which then rose like the down of a thistle.
And I heard him exclaim as he flew out of sight,
"Family History is Fun! Merry Christmas! Goodnight!"

--Author Unknown

To all, I wish a very Merry Christmas, and I hope Santa brings you a special gift for your family history.


The URL for this post is:


Twelve Days of a Genealogy Christmas - Randy's Version

A genealogy oriented version of the Twelve Days of Christmas is available on the Internet - see Kimberly Powell's site at http://genealogy.about.com/library/blchristmas-twelve.htm.

Several years ago, I decided I would do my own based on using computer genealogy, my own needs and my own research:

On the 12th day of Christmas,


My true love gave to me --

Twelve Revolutionary War pension files with the Family Bible -pages included (12)

Eleven passenger lists clearly written (22)

Ten WorldConnect entries of elusive ancestors (30)

Nine message board postings from distant cousins (36)

Eight probate files (40)

Seven census pages (42)

Six deed abstracts (42)

Five newspaper obituaries (40)

Four marriage records (36)

Three family Bibles (30)

Two draft registration images (22)

And a new name in my family tree. (12)

I've put the total number in parenthesis of each item - if you sing the song all the way through, going one number at a time.

My true love is a busy girl, isn't she?

But, but, but ... that would take all the fun out of the ancestor search, wouldn't it?


The URL for this post is:  
http://www.geneamusings.com/2013/12/twas-night-before-genealogists-christmas.html

Copyright (c) 2013, Randall J. Seaver

Monday, December 23, 2013

Christmas Names in the Ancestry.com Records

Here's an oldie but a goodie for my devoted readers --

I was devastated when, several years ago, Dan Lynch posted 
about Christmas characters on his web site, http://www.1930census.com/santa_clause.php. I had worked on most of those names for two weeks and was waiting for the "season" to post them.

So, here are the rest of my "character" findings (originally posted in 2006) with some recent additions:

1) Ebenezer Scroggs (1850, Harrison County OH) is as close to Ebenezer Scrooge as I can get.

2) Robert Crachet (1880, Scott County AR). Another Robert Crachet flew into New York City from Paris on Air France on 2 August 1956 - maybe to perform in a play on Broadway?

3) Three Grinch brothers (Charles, John and Lenwards) came into New York City on 6 September 1875 aboard the "Egypt." There is no word if they came to steal Christmas. Obviously, if they did, they failed.

4) There is a Jasper Magi and Baldermo Magi (1930, Fairfield County CT) but no Melchior; there are Gaspar Wiseman (1930, Queens County NY) and Melvin Wiseman (1930, Muskegon county MI), but no Balthasar or similar.

5) There are 18 Harold Angel persons in the 1930 census. No Hark Angel, however.

6) Sila Knight (1870, Randolph County, AL) is the closest to Silent Night I could find. Lots of Silas Knight people.

7) There are 3 Noel Noel persons in the 1930 census.

8) Angel Angel (1930, Maricopa County AZ) is one of the repeating angels.

9) There are two Merry Christmas girls in the 1930 census (there are lots of Mary Christmas females too).

10) Holly Bush (1930, Roanoke County VA) sticks out.

11) Christ Tree (1930, LaPorte County IN) probably extended his branches

12) Jessie Manger (1930, Polk County IA) - parents were not Joseph and Mary

13) Then there are Santa's reindeer: Were they:

* Cupid Wiseman
* Melvin Dancer
* Hugo Blitzen
* Chris Donder
* Rudolf Dasher
* Dasher Berry
* Prancer Saner
* Vixen Locke
* Theodore Comet

Just wondering!!

14) You know, if Bah Morgan (1900, Stephenson IL) had married Cecil Humbug (1900, Delaware County PA) we would have had more Humbugs than we would know what to do with.

15) I'm wondering if Alvin Monk (1930, Schoharie County NY), Simon Monk (1930, Lonoke AR) and Theodore Monk (1930, Cotton County OK) really got together in 1958 to sing The Chipmunk Song. Maybe they weren't a figment of Ross Bagdasarian's imagination!

OK, I'm done! I hope you enjoyed this little prance down Santa Claus Lane.

What other Christmas related names are there? C'mon, lay them on me.


The URL for this post is:  
http://www.geneamusings.com/2013/12/christmas-names-in-ancestrycom-records.html

Copyright (c) 2013, Randall J. Seaver

Historical Records of an American Santa Claus

There was at least one man who used the name Santa Claus in U.S. history, and there are quite a few records for him:

*  In the 1900 U.S. Census, a person named "Santa Clause" (born April 1887 in MO) was the son of William Clause (born Feb 1857 in MO) and Henrietta Clause (born May 1861 in MO), with siblings Emma B. Clause (born Jan 1881 in MO), William E. Clause (born Nov 1882 in MO), Earler (?) Clause (born Dec 1885 in MO), Nellie Claus (born Nov 1889) and Earl Clause (born Dec 1894 in MO). The family resided in Liberty township, Saline County, MO (NARA T623, Roll 902, ED 129, Page 3A).

*  In the 1910 census, "Sante Claus" was age 23, single, a farm laborer, living as a hired man in the household of David Fleshman in Liberty township, Saline County, MO (NARA T624, Roll 823, ED 172, Page 4A).

*  In the 1920 census, "Santy Clause" (age 31, single, a boarder) resided with his brother Earl Clause in Blackwater township, Pettis County, MO (NARA T625, Roll 939, ED 125, Page 4B).


I was unable to find Mabel Claus or the two children, William and Raymond, in the 1920 census - perhaps someone else would like to try! My best guess is that they may be in Colorado then, or back in Saline County MO.

*  In the 1930 census, "Santa Claus" (age 42, married, first at age 24, born in MO, a laborer, works in river construction) resided in Marshall township, Saline County, MO with his wife Mabel Claus (age 36, married, first at age 18 in MO), son William Claus (age 15, born MO), son Raymond Claus (age 12, born CO), son Fred Claus (age 9, born MO), son Joseph Claus (age 6, born MO), son James Claus (age 3, born MO) and daughter Dorthy Claus (age 0, born MO) (NARA T626, Roll 1246, ED 20, Page 12A).

Notice that son Raymond Claus was born in Colorado, not Missouri. And also note that Santa was in Missouri in the 1920 census listed as single, but he obviously had a wife and children in 1920 if the 1930 census records are correct.


*  In the 1940 U.S. census, "Santa Claus" (age 52, married, born in Missouri, completed 4th grade, a sewer man) resided in Marshall, Saline county, Missouri with his wife Minnie Mabel Claus (age 46, married, born Missouri, completed 6th grade); son William Owen Claus (age 24, single, born Missouri, completed 7th grade); son Raymond Elbert Claus (age 22, single, born Colorado, completed 8th grade, a yard man); Fred Claus (age 19, single, born Missouri, completed 7th grade);  son Joseph Claus (age 16, single, born Missouri, completed 1st year of high school, a new worker); son James Claus (age 13, single, born Missouri, completed 6th grade); daughter Amy Ruth Claus (age 9, single, born Missouri, completed 3rd grade); daughter Edna May Claus (age 3, single, born Missouri).

There is more:

*  Santy Clause married Minnie Mabel Hill on 9 June 1912 in Marshall, Saline County, Missouri. Their marriage record is in the Missouri Marriage License database on Ancestry.com, but it only says that he was from Marshall and over age 21, and she was from Marshall and over age 18.

*  "Santy Clause" registered for the World War I draft on 5 June 1917 in Prowers County, Colorado. He was age 29, born 4 April 1888 in Marshall MO, a natural born US citizen, Caucasian, married with two children. He was a farmer, and resided in Lamar, Route A, Prowers County, Colorado. He was medium height, medium build, blue eyes, light brown hair, and no disabilities, and had no previous military service.

*  Santa Clause has a Missouri dea
th certificate - he died 1 April 1957 in Marshall, saline County, Missouri (see it at 
http://www.sos.mo.gov/images/archives/deathcerts/1957/1957_00011723.PDF) [My thansk to reader Kathy L who sent the link to me last year.]




*  Members of the Clause family are buried in Blue Lick Union Church Cemetery in Saline County, Missouri. The list includes:

Donna Clause (died 3 Oct 1942, age 0-4-24)
Earl Clause (1894-1940)
Helen F. Clause (1919-1955)
Henrietta S. Clause (18__-1915)
Minnie Mabel Clause ("Mother," 1894-1944)
Raymond E. Clause (1917-1971)
Santa Clause ("Father," 1888-1957)

Silvina Clause (1877-1964)
William Clause (1856-1917)

So, to summarize:

"Santa Claus" was born 4 April 1887 or 1888 in Marshall, Saline County, MO, the son of William and Henrietta (--?--) Claus. He married Minnie Mabel Hill in 1912 and they had at least 6 children.  He was a farmer in 1920, laborer in river construction in 1930, and a sewer man in 1940. He died on 1 April 1957, a retired minister,  in Marshall, Missouri and is buried in Saline County, Missouri.

This Santa Claus is, unfortunately, not coming to town soon - he's dead and buried in Missouri. It doesn't appear that he could possibly be the jolly purveyor of toys and good cheer with a big belly and long white beard who lives with his unnamed wife and elves and 9 reindeer at the North Pole, does it? 

Don't tell the kids.

Isn't it amazing what you can find on the Internet with lots of spare time on your hands?

I posted this originally on 27 November 2006 and had two comments from granddaughters of Santa Claus, one from a cousin several times removed, and one from a lady whose parents were married by Santa Claus.  I had another comment from a probable relative in 2011 - see post here.


The URL for this post is:  
http://www.geneamusings.com/2013/12/historical-records-of-american-santa.html

Copyright (c) 2013, Randall J. Seaver