Saturday Night Genealogy Fun - Your Ancestor Score for 2016

Hey ahnentafelists (new genea-word!) - It's Saturday Night!!!

Your mission, should you decide to accept it (and I hope more of you do than participated in the last several SNGF challenges), is to:

1)  Determine how complete your genealogy research is.  For background, read Crista Cowan's post Family History All Done? What’s Your Number? and Kris Stewart's What Is Your Genealogy "Score?"  For comparison purposes, keep the list to 10 or 11 generations with you as the first person.  

2)  Create a table similar to Crista's second table, and fill it in however you can (you could create an Ahnentafel (Ancestor Name) list and count the number in each generation, or use some other method).  Tell us how you calculated the numbers.

3)  Show us your table, and calculate your "Ancestral Score" - what is your percentage of known names to possible names (1,023 for 10 generations).

4)  For extra credit (or more SNGF), do more generations and add them to your chart.

5)  Post your table, and your "Ancestor Score," on your own blog, in a comment to this post, or in a Facebook Status post or Google+ Stream post.

Here's mine:

1)  I did this by creating an Ahnentafel Report in RootsMagic 7 (Reports > Lists > Ahnentafel Report) for 15 generations, then saved it as a PDF, opened it, and counted, by hand, the persons on the list in each generation.  The numbers included duplicate persons (due to marrying cousins) and persons I had either a first or last name for.

2)  My chart (if you want a blank chart in Microsoft Word format, please email me!).

Randy Seaver's Ancestral Name Score – January 2016

Generation	Relationship	Possible People No. Sum1		Identified People No. Sum2		Percentage 100*(Sum2/Sum1)
1	You	1	1	1	1	100.00%
	Parents	2	3	2	3	100.00%
3	Grandparents	4	7	4	7	100.00%
4	1x Great-grandparents	8	15	8	15	100.00%
5	2x Great-grandparents	16	31	16	31	100.00%
6	3x Great-grandparents	32	63	30	61	96.83%
7	4x Great-grandparents	64	127	50	111	87.40%
8	5x Great-grandparents	128	255	77	188	73.72%
9	6x Great-grandparents	256	511	127	315	61.64%
10	7x Great-grandparents	512	1023	210	525	51.32%
11	8x Great-grandparents	1024	2047	352	877	42.84%
12	9x Great-grandparents	2048	4095	497	1374	33.55%
13	10x Great-grandparents	4096	8191	321	1695	20.69%
14	11x Great-grandparents	8192	16383	290	1985	12.12%
15	12x Great-grandparents	16384	32767	163	2148	6.56%

3)  My "Ancestor Score" for 10 generations is:

*  Number of known ancestral names = 525
*  Number of possible ancestral names = 1,023
*  10 generation Ancestral Name Number = 525/1,023 = 51.32%

4)  Extra credit:  For 15 generations, I have 2,148 known Ancestral Names, out of 32,767 possible, for an Ancestor Score of 6.56% for 15 generations.

It really helps, in my case, to have a New England ancestry for about 50% of my 4th great-grandparents.  All of those New England ancestors have English ancestors and those are the lines back to the 15th generation.

Note:  I counted only persons in my ahnentafel list that had at least a given name.  I didn't count persons with an unknown first name.  I disconnected my Smith/Bell line because I know Devier Smith was adopted.  

The URL for this post is:  http://www.geneamusings.com/2016/01/saturday-night-genealogy-fun-your.html

Copyright (c) 2016, 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, Google+ or Pinterest using the icons below.  Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com.

Surname Saturday -- WHIPPLE (England to colonial Massachusetts)

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

I am in the 8th great-grandmothers and I'm up to Ancestor #1193 who is Mary WHIPPLE (1634-1720) [Note: the earlier great-grandmothers and 8th great-grandfathers have been covered in earlier posts].

My ancestral line back through two generations of this WHIPPLE family line is:

1. Randall J. Seaver

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

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

8. Frank Walton Seaver (1852-1922)
9. Hattie Louise Hildreth (1857-1920)

18.  Edward Hildreth (1831-1899)
19.  Sophia Newton (1834-1923)

36.  Zavhariah Hildreth (1783-1857)
37.  Hannah Sawtell (1789-1857)

74.  Josiah Sawtell (1768-1847)
75.  Hannah Smith (1768-1824)

148.  Ephraim Sawtell (1738-1800)
149.  Abigail Stone (1736-1800)

298.  James Stone (1702-1783)
299.  Mary Farwell (1709-1783)

596.  John Stone (1658-1735)
597.  Sarah Nutting (1663-????)

1192.  Simon Stone, born about 1631 in Boxted, Essex, England; died 27 February 1708 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States.  He was the son of 2384. Simon Stone and 2385. Joane Clark.  He married about 1655 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States.
1193.  Mary Whipple, born before 20 February 1634 in Bocking, Essex, England; died 02 June 1720 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States.  

Children of Simon Stone and Mary Whipple are:
*  Simon Stone (1656-1741), married 1684 Sarah Farnsworth (1663-1731).
*  John Stone (1658-1735), married 1698 Sarah Nutting (1663-????).
*  Matthew Stone (1660-1743), married (1) 1681 Rachel Pond (1658-1696); (2) 1697 Mary Plympton (1656-1721).
*  Nathaniel Stone (1662-1662).
* Ebenezer Stone (1663-1754), married (1) 1686 Margaret Trowbridge (1666-1710); (2) 1711 Abigail Wilson (1666-1723); (3) 1724 Sarah Nevinson (1672-1741).
*  Mary Stone (1665-1735), married 1683 Comfort Starr (1662-1729).
*  Nathaniel Stone (1667-1755), married 1698 Reliance Hinckley (1675-1759).
*  Elizabeth Stone (1670-????), married 1696 Isaac Stearns (1665-1741).
*  David Stone (1672-1750), married 1710 Mary Rice (1674-1745).
*  child Stone (1674-1674).
*  Susanna Stone (1675-1754), married 1697 Edward Goddard (1675-1754).
*  Jonathan Stone (1677-1754), married (1) 1699 Ruth Eddy (1681-1702); (2) 1702 Mary ???? (1673-1720); (3) 1720 Hepzibah Coolidge (1681-1763).

2386.  John Whipple, born before 29 August 1596 in Bocking, Essex, England; died 30 June 1669 in Ipswich, Essex, Massachusetts, United States.  He was the son of 4772. Matthew Whipple and 4773. Joana.  He married about 1620 in probably Bocking, Essex, England.
2387.  Susanna, born 1598 in Bocking, Essex, England; died 14 June 1658 in Ipswich, Essex, Massachusetts, United States.

Children of John Whipple and Susanna are:
*  Susanna Whipple (1622-1692), married 1648 Lionel Worth (1627-1669).
*  John Whipple (1624-1624).
*  John Whipple (1625-1683), married (1) 1653 Martha Reynor (1632-1680); (2) 1680 Elizabeth Burr (1630-1694).
*  Elizabeth Whipple (1627-1648), married 1647 Anthony Potter (1628-1690).
*  Matthew Whipple (1628-1634).
*  William Whipple (1631-1641).
*  Ann Whipple (1633-1634)
*  Mary Whipple (1634-1720), married 1655 Simon Stone (1631-1708)
*  Judith Whipple (1635-1637).
*  Matthew Whipple (1638-1638).
*  Sarah Whipple (1641-1681), married 1661 Joseph Goodhue (1639-`1697).

Information about this Whipple family was obtained from:

1)   Blaine Whipple, History and Genealogy of "Elder" John Whipple of Ipswich, Massachusetts (Victoria, B.C. : Whipple Development Corporation, 2003).  

2)  Henry Burdette Whipple, A Partial List of the Descendants of Mathew Whipple, the Elder, of Bocking, Essex County, England (High Point N.C. : 1965).

The URL for this post is:  http://www.geneamusings.com/2016/01/surname-saturday-whipple-england-to.html

Copyright (c) 2016, 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, Google+ or Pinterest using the icons below.  Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com.

RootsTech 2016 Announces Keynote Speakers David Isay and Michael Leavitt and Musical Guests the Crescent Super Band, featuring Ryan Innes, and The Lower Lights

I received this press release today from RootsTech:

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SALT LAKE CITY, (January 8, 2016)—RootsTech, the largest family history conference in the world, announced today additional musical guests and keynote speakers who will join its inspiring all-star lineup. Nationally renowned musicians the Crescent Super Band and Ryan Innes will partner for an exclusive performance during the opening social event on Thursday, February 4. The session of RootsTech on Friday, February 5, will feature award-winning radio producer and founder of StoryCorps, David Isay, while the session on Saturday, February 6, will feature Michael Leavitt, who served in the Cabinet of President George W. Bush. Concluding the conference on February 6 will be the musical group The Lower Lights.

Organized in 2001 under the direction of award-winning performer Caleb Chapman, the Crescent Super Band has frequently been hailed as one of the best professional bands in the world. The international demand for their big-band sound has taken them all over, including Havana Cuba’s “Fiesta Del Tambor” and headlining at a packed Carnegie Hall.

Singer-songwriter Ryan Innes will join the Super Crescent Band for Thursday’s performance. Innes appeared on NBC’s hit TV show, The Voice, where he impressed celebrity judges with his soulful vocals. Innes and the Super Crescent Band will take the stage during the opening social event of RootsTech, which starts at 6 p.m. on Thursday, February 4.

Radio producer and New York Times best-selling author David Isay will speak on Friday, February 5. Isay has received numerous broadcasting honors, including six Peabody awards and a MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship. He is also the founder of StoryCorps, an award-winning organization that provides people of all backgrounds and beliefs with the opportunity to record, share, and preserve their life stories. Earlier this year, Isay received the rare TED prize in honor of his work with StoryCorps.

“We can learn so much about the people all around us, even the people we already know, just by taking the time to have a conversation,” Isay said. “And if you pay just a little attention, you’ll find wisdom and poetry in their words.” Isay’s latest book, Ties That Bind: Stories of Love and Gratitude from the First Ten Years of StoryCorps, celebrates the relationships that change our lives.

Michael Leavitt will be a keynote speaker on Saturday, February 6, along with Doris Kearns Goodwin. Leavitt has served in a variety of roles, including in President George W. Bush’s cabinet as the tenth administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and as secretary of Health and Human Services. He was also a three-time elected governor of Utah. In his current role, Leavitt is the founder and chairman of Leavitt Partners, a health consultancy group.

The Lower Lights’ sound has been described as bluegrass, folk, gospel, Americana, and “roots-y.” In the five years since its inception, the group has recorded three gospel and two Christmas albums. Audiences are often invited to participate in their concerts.

Visit RootsTech.org to reserve your seat now to hear the Crescent Super Band, The Lower Lights, Ryan Innes, David Isay, and Michael Leavitt. Passes start at just $29.

RootsTech 2016 will be held on February 3–6 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

###

About RootsTech

RootsTech, hosted by FamilySearch, is a global conference celebrating families across generations, where people of all ages are inspired to discover and share their memories and connections. This annual event has become the largest of its kind in the world, attracting tens of thousands of participants worldwide.

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The URL for this post is:  http://www.geneamusings.com/2016/01/rootstech-2016-announces-keynote.html

Copyright (c) 2016, 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, Google+ or Pinterest using the icons below.  Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com.

52 Ancestors - Week 106: #129 Sarah (Read) Seaver (1736-1809)

Amy Johnson Crow suggested a weekly blog theme of "52 Ancestors" in her blog post Challenge:  52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks on the No Story Too Small blog.  I am extending this theme in 2016 to 156 Ancestors in 156 Weeks. Here is my ancestor biography for week #106:

Sarah (Read) Seaver (1736-1809) is #129 on my Ahnentafel list, my 5th great-grandmother, who married #128 Norman Seaver (1734-1787) in 1755.

I am descended through:

*  their son, Benjamin Seaver (1757-1816), who married #65 Martha Whitney (1764-1832) in 1783.*  their son, #32 Benjamin Seaver (1791-1825), who married  #33 Abigail Gates (1797-1867) in 1817.
*  their son, #16 Isaac Seaver (1823-1901), who married #17 Lucretia Townsend Smith (1828-1884) in 1852.

*  their son, #8 Frank Walton Seaver (1852-1922), who married #9 Hattie Louise Hildreth (1847-1920) in 1874. 

*  their son, #4 Frederick Walton Seaver (1876-1942), who married Alma Bessie richmond (1882-1962) in 1900.

* their son, #2 Frederick Walton Seaver (1911-1983), who married #3 Betty Virginia Carringer (1919-2002) in 1942.

*  their son, #1 Randall J. Seaver (1943-....)

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

1)  PERSON (with source citations as indicated in brackets):

*  Name:                     Sarah Read[1–2]
*  Alternate Name:     Sarah Reed[3–4,12]   
*  Alternate Name:     Sarah Seaver[5,9]    
*  Alternate Name:     Sarah Sever[6-8,10-11]

*  Sex:                        Female   
*  Father:                   Isaac Read (1704-1780)   
*  Mother:                 Experience Willis (1709-1787)   
  
2)  INDIVIDUAL EVENTS (with source citations as indicated in brackets):
  
*  Birth:                   28 December 1736, Sudbury, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States[3–4]   
*  Miscellaneous:    1761–1771 (about age 25–about 35), list of children born in Shrewsbury, Mass.; Shrewsbury, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States[5]   
*  Miscellaneous:    1774–1783 (about age 38–about 47), list of children born in Westminster, Mass.; Westminster, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States[6]   
*  Administration:   25 September 1787 (age 50), named administratrix of estate of Norman Sever; Westminster, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States[7]   
*  Guardianship:     6 October 1788 (age 51), guardianship of 3 children; Westminster, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States[8]   
*  Census:               1 June 1790 (age 53), Westminster, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States[9]   
*  Census:               1798 (about age 62), Direct Tax List; Westminster, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States[10]   
*  Death:                 before 3 January 1809 (before age 72), Westminster, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States[11]   
*  Probate:             3 January 1809 (age 72), Letter of administration granted to Benjamin Sever; Worcester, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States[12]    
   
3)  SHARED EVENTS (with source citations as indicated in brackets):
  
*  Spouse 1:           Norman Seaver (1734-1787)   
*  Marriage 1:        14 March 1755 (age 18), Sudbury, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States[2,12] 
*  Child 1:             Eunice Seaver (1755-1810)    
*  Child 2:             Benjamin Seaver (1757-1816)   
*  Child 3:             Sarah "Sally" Seaver (1759-1833)   
*  Child 4:             Joseph Seaver (1761-    )   
*  Child 5:             Isaac Seaver (1763-    )   
*  Child 6:             Ethan Seaver (1765-1823)   
*  Child 7:             Daniel Seaver (1767-1850)   
*  Child 8:             Heman Seaver (1769-1835)   
*  Child 9:             Luther Seaver (1771-    )   
*  Child 10:           Relief "Leafe" Seaver (1774-1795)   
*  Child 11:           Asahel Reed Seaver (1775-1849)   
*  Child 12:           Faitha Seaver (1777-1864)   
*  Child 13:           Lucinda Seaver (1780-1844)   
  
4)  NOTES (with source citations as indicated in brackets):   

Heywood's book, The History of Westminster, Massachusetts, published 1893, says that Sarah was the daughter of Jacob and Experience Read[1].  However, there are no records found to date showing this birth or marriage.  Perhaps the most telling indication that Sarah was the daughter of Isaac and Experience (Willis) Read is the fact that one of her grandsons was named Asahel Read Seaver (Sarah's brother was Asahel Read, who was killed in the Lexington fight at the start of the Revolutionary War).

The birth record for Sarah Reed in the Sudbury town vital records says[3-4]:

"Sarah Reed the daughter of Isac Reed and Expereince Reed his wife was born December 28 1736."

The marriage entry of Sarah Read and Norman Sever in the Sudbury Town Record book says[12]:

"Norman Sever & Sarah Read both of Sudbury were Married at Sudbury March 14^th 1755  ??  Israel Loring"

Norman and Sarah (Read) Seaver had thirteen children, and all but Joseph lived to adulthood.  The first three children of Norman and Sarah (Read) Seaver were born and recorded in Sudbury, the next six were born and recorded in Shrewsbury, and the last four children were born and recorded in Westminster.

The list of the children of Norman and Sarah (Read) Seaver in the Shrewsbury, Mass. town record is[5]:

Joseph Seaver  } Son of Norman Seaver & Sarah his Wife was Born May 13. 1761
Isaac Sever      } Son of Norman Seaver & Sarah his wife was Born February 18th 1763
Ethon Seaver   } Son of Norman Seaver & Sarah his Wife was Born September ye 24th day 1765
Daniel Seaver  } Son of Norman Seaver & Sarah his Wife was Born June ye 28. 1767
Hemon Seaver } Son of Norman Seaver & Sarah his Wife was Born May ye 6th 1769
Luther Seaver  } Son of Norman Seaver & Sarah his Wife was Born April ye 13. 1771

The Westminster town record book provides this list of the children of Norman and Sarah Seaver[6]:

Mr. Norman Seuer and Wife Sarah Seuer Fam?
Recorded
September ye 25^h 1774    Leafe Seuer Borne   and Deceased August ye ?? of consumption
October ye 2^d 1775          Asell Reed Seuer Borne 
1777 Aug^t 2^d                  Fatha Seuer 
Born May 23 1780             Lucinda Sever Born

Norman Seaver, gentleman of Westminster, died intestate on 31 July 1787.  On 25 September 1787, Widow Sarah Sever was appointed administratrix of the estate, and bond in the amount of 2000 pounds was given by William Edgell, and Josiah Puffer, sureties[7].  She received a 1/3 dower right to the real and personal estate of her husband.

On 6 October 1788, Sarah Sever was appointed guardian for son Asael Seaver and daughters Faithy and Lucinda Seaver[8].  On 3 January 1792, Samuel Gerrish was appointed guardian for Asael and Relief Seaver.

In the 1790 U.S. Census, Sarah Seaver was a head of household in Westminster, Worcester County, Massachusetts[9].  The household included one free white male under age 16 and six white females.

The 1798 Direct Tax List entry for Sarah Sever in Westminster, Massachusetts provides this information[10]:

*  Names of occupant or possessers:  Sarah Sever
*  Names of reputed owners:  Sever Sarah
*  In what County, Township, Parish, Town or City, in the Assessment District situated:  [Westminster]
*  Quantities of Lands, Lots, &c. exempted from Valuation (Acres-Perches-Square feet):  [none]
*  Quantities of  Lands, Lots, &c. subject to and included in the Valuation (Acres-Perches-Square feet):  20 [acres] 

*  Valuations as determined by the Principal Assessors including Dwelling Houses, &c. not exceeding One Hundred Dollars in Value (Dollars-Cents):  195 [Dollars]

In the 1800 census, Sarah Seaver is probably included in the census record for her son, Benjamin Severs of Westminster.

The estate of widow Sarah Seaver, who died intestate, probably in late 1808, included[12]:

*  On 3 January 1809 Benjamin Sever was appointed administrator of the estate, and bond of $10,000 was given by Benjamin Seaver, Heman Ray, and Daniel How, all yeomen of Westminster.

*  On 3 January 1809, a warrant of appraisal was granted.  

*  On 1 November 1809, the inventory was recorded with real property of $450 and a personal estate of $63.
 

5)  SOURCES

1. William Sweetzer Heywood,  History of Westminster, Massachusetts:  (first named Narragansett no. 2) from the date of the original grant of the township to the present time, 1728-1893 ; with a biographic -genealogical register of its principal families  (Lowell, Mass. : Vox Populi Press, 1893), page 865, Norman Seaver sketch.

2. "Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1627-2001," digital images, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org : Sudbury Births, Marriages, Deaths, 1663-1829, Vol. 4," page 192 (stamped, image 102 of 142), Norman Sever and Sarah Read marriage entry.

3. Vital Records of Sudbury, Massachusetts to the year 1850 (Boston, Mass. : New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1903), Births, page 118, Sarah Reed entry, 1736.

4. "Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1627-2001,"  FamilySearch : accessed 15 April 2014),"Sudbury, Births, Marriages and Deaths, 1663-1829," Volume 4, page 64, image 36 of 142, Sarah Reed birth record, 1736.

5. Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988, digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com), "Shrewsbury Births, Marriages and Deaths,"  page 86 (penned, image 89 of 1764), Births of children of Norman and Sarah Seaver birth entry, 1761-1771.

6. Massachusetts, Town Records, 1620-1988, digital images, Ancestry.com, "Westminster Births, Marriages and Deaths,"  page 38 (penned, image 116 of 1195), Family of Norman and Sarah Sever, 1774-1780.

7. "Worcester County, MA: Probate File Papers, 1731-1881," digital images, New England Historic Genealogical Society, American Ancestors (http://www.americanancestors.org), Probate Packet #52,914, Norman Sever (1787) estate, letter of administration granted to Sarah Sever.

8. "Worcester County, MA: Probate File Papers, 1731-1881," digital images, New England Historic Genealogical Society, American Ancestors (http://www.americanancestors.org), "Worcester Cases, 52000-53999," Probate Packet #52,863, guardianship of Asael, Faithy and Lucinda Sever (1788) granted to Sarah Sever, 6 October 1788.

9. 1790 United States Federal Census,, Worcester County, Massachusetts, population schedule, Westminster, Page 663, Sarah Seaver household; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M637, Roll 4.

10. "Massachusetts and Maine 1798 Direct Tax," indexed database and digital image, American Ancestors (http://www.americanancestors.org), Volume 14, page 296, Westminster town, Sarah Sever entry.

11. "Worcester County, MA: Probate File Papers, 1731-1881," digital images, New England Historic Genealogical Society, American Ancestors (http://www.americanancestors.org), Probate Packet #52,924 (7 images), Sarah Sever (1809) estate, letter of administration granted to son Benjamin Sever.

12. Vital Records of Sudbury, Massachusetts to the year 1850, Marriages, page 265, Norman Sever and Sarah Reed entry.

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The URL for this post is:  http://www.geneamusings.com/2016/01/52-ancestors-week-106-129-sarah-read.html

Copyright (c) 2016, 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, Google+ or Pinterest using the icons below.  Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com.