Saturday Night Genealogy Fun -- Surname Search in FamilySearch Full-Text Search Will Collections

 Calling all Genea-Musings Fans: 

 It's Saturday Night again - 

Time for some more Genealogy Fun!!

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

1)  How many "Wills" for your grandparents' or great-grandparents' surnames are on the FamilySearch Full Text Search feature (see https://www.familysearch.org/search/full-text)?  

2)  List the surnames and how many entries there are when you do an exact name search.  What does this tell you?  Have you found Wills for all of your ancestors with these names?

3)   Share a link to your blog post, or your Facebook Status  post, on this post.

NOTE:  FamilySearch has been adding more data to the Wills collections.  Here's how I did mine:

*  On the Full-Text Search page (https://www.familysearch.org/search/full-text), I put my "Seaver" surname in quotes (to make it exact).

*  I then used the "Record Type" filter to select "Legal Records."  

*  Then on the "Legal Records" filter, I selected "Wills" to show only the records in that category.

Here's mine:

*  SEAVER surname:  2,075 records.

*  HILDRETH surname: 7,006 records.

*  RICHMOND surname:  60,256 records.

*  WHITE surname:  386,694 records.

*  CARRINGER surname:  165 records.

*  SMITH surname:  639,228 records.

*  AUBLE surname:  322 records.  

*  KEMP surname:  14,143 records.

Of course, common names like WHITE and SMITH will have many more records, and WHITE is also a comon word.

This tells me that these Wills collections are growing.  The numbers four months ago were very low, and now they're much higher.  I think they will continue to grow.  I'm still trying to find Wills and other Probate records for my Seaver, Carringer and Auble surnames to add to my genealogical sketches.  

I also search using "first name last name" and "last name first name" for my ancestors, usually with an additional filter of "Place" and selecting a state and/or county name.  And for other record types, especially "Property Records."

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

The URL for this post is:  https://www.geneamusings.com/2024/07/saturday-night-genealogy-fun-surname.html

Copyright (c) 2024, Randall J. Seaver

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Added and Updated FamilySearch Record Collections - Week of 20 to 26 July 2024

 I am keeping track of the new and updated historical record collections at FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/list) every week.

As of 26 July 2024, there are 3,370 historical record collections on FamilySearch (a increase of 2 from last week):

The new and updated collections this week from FamilySearch are:

--- Collections Updated ---

Argentina, Jujuy, Civil Registration, 1888-2000 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4489444); 8,242 indexed records with 14,709 record images (was 7,571 records with 13,715 images), UPDATED 26-Jul-2024
Aruba, Civil Registration, 1823-2004 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4285043); 19,660 indexed records with 8,932 record images (was 19,347 records with 8,621 images), UPDATED 25-Jul-2024
Belgium, Brabant, Civil Registration, 1582-1950 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1482191); 106,480 indexed records with 6,411,594 record images (was 104,617 records with 6,411,594 images), UPDATED 26-Jul-2024
Belgium, Namur, Civil Registration, 1800-1912 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2138511); 776,991 indexed records with 372,768 record images (was 773,949 records with 372,768 images), UPDATED 26-Jul-2024
Bolivia Catholic Church Records, 1566-1996 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1922463); 9,479,146 indexed records with 1,649,601 record images (was 9,477,815 records with 1,649,601 images), UPDATED 26-Jul-2024

Brazil, Alagoas, Church Records, 1802-2016 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2820768); 1,327,215 indexed records with 208,731 record images (was 1,327,037 records with 208,688 images), UPDATED 25-Jul-2024
Brazil, Cemetery Records, 1799-2024 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2137269); 994,714 indexed records with 150,972 record images (was 994,714 records with 150,972 images), UPDATED 26-Jul-2024
Brazil, Foreigner Files, 1653-2022 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000160); 701,172 indexed records with 676,769 record images (was 238,690 records with 214,287 images), UPDATED 19-Jul-2024
Brazil, Pará, Civil Registration, 1815-1995 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4473609); 449,673 indexed records with 130,735 record images (was 426,640 records with 125,326 images), UPDATED 26-Jul-2024
Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul, Civil Registration, 1860-2006 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3741255); 1,763,925 indexed records with 894,789 record images (was 1,760,525 records with 895,976 images), UPDATED 26-Jul-2024

Brazil, Sergipe, Catholic Church Records, 1785-1994 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2177298); 1,423,470 indexed records with 273,847 record images (was 1,416,881 records with 273,847 images), UPDATED 26-Jul-2024
Chile, Catholic Church Records, 1633-2015 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3405096); 8,590,981 indexed records with 1,094,118 record images (was 8,541,169 records with 1,086,700 images), UPDATED 26-Jul-2024
Colombia, Catholic Church Records, 1576-2018 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1726975); 27,129,887 indexed records with 12,659,776 record images (was 27,119,266 records with 12,659,776 images), UPDATED 26-Jul-2024
Costa Rica, Catholic Church Records, 1595-1992 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1460016); 4,342,753 indexed records with 962,203 record images (was 4,342,461 records with 962,203 images), UPDATED 25-Jul-2024
Croatia, Church Books, 1516-1994 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2040054); 4,270,491 indexed records with 1,421,761 record images (was 3,637,679 records with 1,421,761 images), UPDATED 21-Jul-2024

Democratic Republic of the Congo, Census, 1984 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3288450); 14,767,266 indexed records with 2,947,547 record images (was 12,200,764 records with 2,621,882 images), UPDATED 23-Jul-2024
Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kisantu Diocese, Catholic Church Records, 1894-2016 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000138); 28,570 indexed records with 10,620 record images (was 27,564 records with 10,140 images), UPDATED 26-Jul-2024
El Salvador Catholic Church Records, 1655-1977 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1919582); 2,313,149 indexed records with 592,191 record images (was 2,268,473 records with 592,191 images), UPDATED 26-Jul-2024
Find a Grave Index (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2221801); 245,716,234 indexed records with 245,716,234 record images (was 245,751,609 records with 245,751,609 images), UPDATED 26-Jul-2024
Germany, North Rhine-Westphalia, Wuppertal, Civil Registration, 1810-1930 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000010); 171,531 indexed records with 162,296 record images (was 170,075 records with 161,004 images), UPDATED 26-Jul-2024

Guadeloupe, Church Records, 1639-1830 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4316498); 1,197 indexed records with 299 record images (was 840 records with 212 images), UPDATED 25-Jul-2024
Guadeloupe, Civil Registration Records, 1792-1872 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4293709); 1,845 indexed records with 523 record images (was 1,625 records with 460 images), UPDATED 26-Jul-2024
Guam, Census, 1896-1897 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4462013); 8,002 indexed records with 152 record images (was 8,002 records with 135 images), UPDATED 21-Jul-2024
Guatemala, Chiquimula, Civil Registration, 1877-2008 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2790265); 486,342 indexed records with 377,496 record images (was 476,709 records with 371,115 images), UPDATED 26-Jul-2024
Guatemala, Guatemala, Civil Registration, 1877-2006 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2075150); 4,601,602 indexed records with 1,486 record images (was 4,600,169 records with 1,486 images), UPDATED 26-Jul-2024

Guatemala, Izabal, Civil Registration, 1877-1994 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2443319); 429,610 indexed records with 9,848 record images (was 429,159 records with 9,848 images), UPDATED 26-Jul-2024
Haiti, Archdiocese of Port-au-Prince, Catholic Church Records, 1866-2017 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4279947); 118,329 indexed records with 22,451 record images (was 117,486 records with 22,263 images), UPDATED 26-Jul-2024
Honduras, Catholic Church Records, 1633-1978 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1823595); 1,560,278 indexed records with 425,330 record images (was 1,520,091 records with 425,330 images), UPDATED 26-Jul-2024
Iowa State Census, 1925 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2224537); 2,487,917 indexed records with 327,118 record images (was 2,487,917 records with 327,118 images), UPDATED 25-Jul-2024
Ireland, Catholic Parish Registers, 1740-1900 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2820100); 6,855,603 indexed records with 242,367 record images (was 6,804,754 records with 241,853 images), UPDATED 26-Jul-2024

Italy, Campobasso, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1809-1918 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1968528); 146,030 indexed records with 2,171,605 record images (was 223,186 records with 2,171,605 images), UPDATED 23-Jul-2024
Italy, Catania, Diocesi di Caltagirone, Catholic Church Records, 1502-1942 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1493344); 860 indexed records with 554,541 record images (was 812 records with 554,541 images), UPDATED 26-Jul-2024
Italy, Roma, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1863-1930 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2390532); 230,397 indexed records with 5,066,067 record images (was 234,170 records with 5,066,067 images), UPDATED 25-Jul-2024
Madagascar, Sainte-Marie Island, Civil Registration, 1820-1870 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000242); 406 indexed records with 53 record images (was 189 records with 38 images), UPDATED 24-Jul-2024
Martinique, Church Records, 1662-1847 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4316497); 14,007 indexed records with 2,367 record images (was 13,829 records with 2,333 images), UPDATED 24-Jul-2024

Martinique, Civil Registration Records, 1809-1874 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4316501); 620 indexed records with 170 record images (was 439 records with 120 images), UPDATED 25-Jul-2024
Massachusetts State Vital Records, 1841-1925 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1928860); 11,835,781 indexed records with 742,594 record images (was 11,834,772 records with 742,594 images), UPDATED 26-Jul-2024
Mexico, Michoacán, Catholic Church Records, 1555-1996 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1883388); 5,974,383 indexed records with 5,283,986 record images (was 5,960,456 records with 5,283,986 images), UPDATED 26-Jul-2024
Mexico, Puebla, Catholic Church Records, 1545-1977 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1837906); 9,027,481 indexed records with 6,124,553 record images (was 9,026,419 records with 6,124,553 images), UPDATED 26-Jul-2024
Ohio, Stillbirths, 1918-1953 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000024); 218,658 indexed records with 218,453 record images (was 217,125 records with 216,920 images), UPDATED 26-Jul-2024

Panama, Catholic Church Records, 1707-1973 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1913397); 969,459 indexed records with 240,799 record images (was 938,552 records with 240,799 images), UPDATED 26-Jul-2024
Papua New Guinea, Vital Records, 1867-2000 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2114430); 406,731 indexed records with 365,650 record images (was 404,029 records with 360,550 images), UPDATED 25-Jul-2024
Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1589502); 3,594,406 indexed records with 1,789,697 record images (was 3,594,146 records with 1,789,697 images), UPDATED 26-Jul-2024
Peru, Catholic Church Records, 1603-1992 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1877097); 21,206,886 indexed records with 4,192,353 record images (was 21,199,250 records with 4,192,353 images), UPDATED 26-Jul-2024
Peru, Diocese of Huaraz, Catholic Church Records, 1641-2016 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2787829); 1,134,388 indexed records with 267,474 record images (was 1,129,507 records with 266,312 images), UPDATED 26-Jul-2024

Portugal, Faro, Civil Registration, 1880-1920 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4122681); 24,767 indexed records with 13,402 record images (was 24,599 records with 14,947 images), UPDATED 26-Jul-2024
Portugal, Setúbal, Catholic Church Records, 1555-1911 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1935451); 1,096,134 indexed records with 829,309 record images (was 1,095,969 records with 829,309 images), UPDATED 26-Jul-2024
Puerto Rico, Catholic Church Records, 1645-1969 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1807092); 3,324,126 indexed records with 191,547 record images (was 3,323,744 records with 191,547 images), UPDATED 25-Jul-2024
Russia, Lutheran Church Book Duplicates, 1833-1885 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1469151); 492,105 indexed records with 128,317 record images (was 489,546 records with 128,317 images), UPDATED 26-Jul-2024
Russia, Samara Church Books 1748-1934 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1807365); 9,908,989 indexed records with 1,909,956 record images (was 8,546,409 records with 1,909,956 images), UPDATED 19-Jul-2024

Russia, Tobolsk, Church Books, 1722-1930 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4496122); 14,928,926 indexed records with 1,240,436 record images (was 20,975,430 records with 1,240,436 images), UPDATED 25-Jul-2024
South Africa, Western Cape, Deceased Estate Files, 1951-1958 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4319131); 621,108 indexed records with 346,175 record images (was 614,337 records with 346,024 images), UPDATED 26-Jul-2024
St. Lucia, Church Records, 1751-1793 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4449051); 390 indexed records with 87 record images (was 237 records with 49 images), UPDATED 24-Jul-2024
United States, New Jersey, Naturalization records from various counties, 1905-1944 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3338294); 76,741 indexed records with 74,160 record images (was 76,741 records with 74,160 images), UPDATED 22-Jul-2024
Uruguay Civil Registration, 1879-1930 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1837849); Index only (1,386,933 records), no images (was 1,375,639 records with 0 images), UPDATED 26-Jul-2024

Venezuela Civil Registration, 1873-2003 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1823609); 1,148,081 indexed records with 586,312 record images (was 1,147,487 records with 586,312 images), UPDATED 26-Jul-2024
Venezuela, Archdiocese of Barquisimeto, Catholic Church Records, 1634-2018 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2373794); 3,696 indexed records with 1,877 record images (was 2,926 records with 1,486 images), UPDATED 26-Jul-2024
Venezuela, Archdiocese of Caracas, Catholic Church Records, 1638-2020 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4465438); 348,315 indexed records with 130,184 record images (was 339,883 records with 126,011 images), UPDATED 26-Jul-2024
Zambia, Archdiocese of Lusaka, Church Records, 1950-2015 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3736255); 562,894 indexed records with 47,783 record images (was 552,944 records with 46,272 images), UPDATED 26-Jul-2024
Zimbabwe, Diocese of Gweru, Catholic Church Records, 1904-2022 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000102); 83 indexed records with 18,352 record images (was 83 records with 17,487 images), UPDATED 26-Jul-2024

Zimbabwe, Diocese of Hwange, Catholic Church Records, 1924-2022 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000103); 5,257 indexed records with 16,926 record images (was 5,257 records with 14,480 images), UPDATED 26-Jul-2024

--- Collections with new images ---

Alaska Naturalization Records, 1884-1991 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2513103); 81,550 indexed records with 71,919 record images (was 81,550 records with 71,722 images), last updated 14-Jun-2024
California, passenger and crew lists at various ports, 1907-1956 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3477653); 382,893 indexed records with 292,201 record images (was 382,893 records with 287,955 images), last updated 15-Jun-2024
Ecuador, Cemetery Records, 1862-2019 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3755446); 991,974 indexed records with 367,607 record images (was 991,974 records with 366,306 images), last updated 15-Jun-2024
England, Lincolnshire, Parish Registers, 1538-1990 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2540411); 4,004,655 indexed records with 402,430 record images (was 4,004,655 records with 401,678 images), last updated 14-Jun-2024
Finland, Passport Registers, 1900-1920 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4139415); 111,359 indexed records with 2,958 record images (was 111,359 records with 2,302 images), last updated 15-Jun-2024

Hungary Reformed Church Christenings, 1624-1895 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1858355); 6,076,320 indexed records with 312,704 record images (was 6,076,320 records with 312,251 images), last updated 13-Jun-2024
New York, State Death Index, 1880-1956 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2803479); 4,749,222 indexed records with 84,575 record images (was 4,749,222 records with 84,544 images), last updated 14-Jun-2024
Norway, Oslo Census, 1901 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2474129); 224,779 indexed records with 8,465 record images (was 224,779 records with 6,448 images), last updated 15-Jun-2024
Pennsylvania, Middle District Court, Naturalization Records, 1901-1991 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000058); 252,555 indexed records with 218,216 record images (was 252,555 records with 218,206 images), last updated 15-Jun-2024
Pennsylvania, Western District, Naturalizations, 1820-1930 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000034); 423,123 indexed records with 332,596 record images (was 423,123 records with 331,439 images), last updated 15-Jun-2024

Philippines, Catholic Church Records, 1615-1985 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2861657); 6,744,193 indexed records with 2,258,645 record images (was 6,744,193 records with 2,256,527 images), last updated 14-Jun-2024
Sierra Leone, Civil Births and Deaths, 1802-2016 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3245338); 916,261 indexed records with 840,655 record images (was 916,261 records with 834,976 images), last updated 15-Jun-2024
Texas, Various Counties, Military Discharge Records, 1916-1990 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3734716); 43,056 indexed records with 18,749 record images (was 43,056 records with 14,716 images), last updated 15-Jun-2024
United States, Enlisted and Officer Muster Rolls and Rosters, 1916-1939 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3346936); 99,204,702 indexed records with 3,410,056 record images (was 99,204,702 records with 3,408,872 images), last updated 15-Jun-2024
Uruguay, Passenger Lists, 1888-1980 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2691993); 3,641,119 indexed records with 155,772 record images (was 3,641,119 records with 153,764 images), last updated 14-Jun-2024

Virginia, Vital Records, 1715-1901 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4149585); 1,711,973 indexed records with 91,534 record images (was 1,711,973 records with 86,304 images), last updated 15-Jun-2024

--- Collections with images removed ---

Alabama Voter Registration and Poll Tax Cards, 1834-1981 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4016429); 701,385 indexed records with 146,354 record images (was 701,385 records with 147,769 images), last updated 15-Jun-2024
Argentina, Cemetery Records, 1882-2019 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2363123); 1,226,896 indexed records with 641,041 record images (was 1,226,896 records with 642,434 images), last updated 15-Jun-2024
Argentina, Córdoba, Censuses, 1778-1874 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4475260); 518,158 indexed records with 12,688 record images (was 518,158 records with 12,742 images), last updated 15-Jun-2024
Arizona, Gila County, Voting Registers, 1881-1920 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3734465); 81,164 indexed records with 4,275 record images (was 81,164 records with 4,277 images), last updated 15-Jun-2024
Australia, Albany, Inward Passenger Lists, 1873-1924 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4451678); 226,214 indexed records with 4,107 record images (was 226,214 records with 4,220 images), last updated 15-Jun-2024

Colombia, Diocese of Barranquilla, Catholic Church Records, 1808-1985 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2241457); 220,501 indexed records with 60,707 record images (was 220,501 records with 63,096 images), last updated 14-Jun-2024
England, Cumbria Parish Registers, 1538-1990 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3154704); 1,387,969 indexed records with 58,904 record images (was 1,387,969 records with 60,345 images), last updated 14-Jun-2024
England, Huntingdonshire Parish Registers (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2340291); 308,855 indexed records with 13,900 record images (was 308,855 records with 14,279 images), last updated 14-Jun-2024
France, Hautes-Alpes, Census, 1876 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2819930); 96,831 indexed records with 2,001 record images (was 96,831 records with 2,069 images), last updated 17-Jul-2024
France, Rhône, Military Registration Cards, 1865-1932 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3007175); 405,064 indexed records with 403,974 record images (was 405,064 records with 404,163 images), last updated 14-Jun-2024

France, Vienne, Military Draft Cards, 1867-1921 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2807503); 147,160 indexed records with 120,637 record images (was 147,160 records with 121,255 images), last updated 14-Jun-2024
Germany, Baden, Archdiocese of Freiburg im Breisgau, Catholic Church Records, 1678-1930 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2790181); 11,346,687 indexed records with 1,709,621 record images (was 11,346,687 records with 1,709,697 images), last updated 14-Jun-2024
Germany, Prussia, Saxony, Census Lists, 1770-1934 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2780641); 1,028,323 indexed records with 39,515 record images (was 1,028,323 records with 52,891 images), last updated 14-Jun-2024
Hungary, Catholic Church Records, 1636-1895 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1743180); 18,304,230 indexed records with 1,113,828 record images (was 18,304,230 records with 1,114,472 images), last updated 13-Jun-2024
Italy, Salerno, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1806-1949 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1935404); 60,968 indexed records with 3,730,451 record images (was 60,968 records with 3,731,074 images), last updated 13-Jun-2024

Italy, Terni, Civil Registration, 1861-1921 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2046908); 42,581 indexed records with 14,905 record images (was 42,581 records with 14,919 images), last updated 14-Jun-2024
Maryland, Church Records, 1668-1995 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2385204); 80,624 indexed records with 26,237 record images (was 80,624 records with 26,265 images), last updated 14-Jun-2024
Minnesota, Waseca County Historical Society, Burial Cards, ca.1860-1992 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3744865); 10,352 indexed records with 10,281 record images (was 10,352 records with 10,282 images), last updated 15-Jun-2024
New Hampshire Marriage Records, 1637-1947 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1520640); 501,127 indexed records with 500,192 record images (was 501,127 records with 500,212 images), last updated 13-Jun-2024
New Zealand, Electoral Rolls, 1865-1957 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3662227); 12,308,209 indexed records with 108,776 record images (was 12,308,209 records with 118,208 images), last updated 15-Jun-2024

North Carolina, Department of Archives and History, Index to Vital Records, 1800-2000 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2848682); 7,834,775 indexed records with 264,323 record images (was 7,834,775 records with 278,586 images), last updated 14-Jun-2024
Norway, Oslo, Census, 1912 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4445453); 41,218 indexed records with 8,608 record images (was 41,218 records with 8,955 images), last updated 18-Jul-2024
Pennsylvania, Register of Military Volunteers, 1861-1865 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3048335); 315,711 indexed records with 3,948 record images (was 315,711 records with 8,567 images), last updated 14-Jun-2024
South Africa, Johannesburg, Cemetery Records, 1840-2019 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4453927); 2,273,851 indexed records with 296,643 record images (was 2,273,851 records with 297,425 images), last updated 15-Jun-2024
South Africa, Natal, Passenger Lists, 1860-1911 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3038342); 154,219 indexed records with 6,696 record images (was 154,219 records with 6,701 images), last updated 14-Jun-2024

South Africa, Transvaal, Civil Death, 1869-1954 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2998108); 1,084,531 indexed records with 1,081,362 record images (was 1,084,531 records with 1,081,693 images), last updated 14-Jun-2024
Spain, Aragón, Electoral Censuses, 1890-1934 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2304578); 4,972,408 indexed records with 51,831 record images (was 4,972,408 records with 53,004 images), last updated 14-Jun-2024
United States, Missouri, Recruitment Lists of Volunteers for the United States Colored Troops, 1863-1865 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3459909); 17,932 indexed records with 5,777 record images (was 17,932 records with 5,787 images), last updated 14-Jun-2024
United States, Native American Birth and Death Records, 1885-1940 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2765178); 78,133 indexed records with 4,960 record images (was 78,133 records with 5,912 images), last updated 14-Jun-2024
United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2761958); 7,193,829 indexed records with 385,143 record images (was 7,193,829 records with 387,412 images), last updated 14-Jun-2024

Virginia, Library of Virginia State Archive, Births, Marriages, and Deaths 1853-1900 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4231103); 2,064,638 indexed records with 108,051 record images (was 2,064,638 records with 108,052 images), last updated 15-Jun-2024
Washington, County Death Registers, 1881-1979 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3438698); 1,629,400 indexed records with 21,910 record images (was 1,629,400 records with 22,592 images), last updated 15-Jun-2024
Washington, Native American, Census Records, 1880-1952 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2790178); 140,797 indexed records with 8,300 record images (was 140,797 records with 8,301 images), last updated 14-Jun-2024

--- Collections with records removed ---

Nevada Marriage Index, 1956-2005 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1949338); Index only (5,069,607 records), no images (was 5,069,608 records with 0 images), last updated 19-Sep-2019
United States, US Residence Database, 1970-2024 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000290); Index only (413,877,955 records), no images (was 413,877,965 records with 0 images), last updated 22-Jun-2024

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

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

In order to select a specific record collection on FamilySearch, go to https://familysearch.org/search/collection/list and use the "Filter by collection name" feature in the upper left-hand corner and use keywords (e.g. "church england") to find collections with those keywords.

Each of the collections listed above has a Research Wiki page (use the "Learn more" link). It would be very useful if the Wiki page for each collection listed the dates for when the collection was added as a new collection and the dates for major updates also.

NOTE:  While the FamilySearch page says 3,370 record collections, Marshall has 3,368 in his list of total collections.  I don't know why, just report them as I get them.

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

The URL for this post is:  https://www.geneamusings.com/2024/07/added-and-updated-familysearch-record_01918536711.html

Copyright (c) 2024 Randall J. Seaver

Note that all comments are moderated, so they may not be posted immediately.

Please comment on this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post. Share it on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest using the icons below. Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com.

Added and Updated Ancestry.com Record Collections - Week of 20 to 26 July 2024

 The following genealogy record collections were added to the Ancestry.com Card Catalog page by Date Updated during the period from 20 to 26 July 2024:

The ADDED and Updated collections include:

*  U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current; indexed records without record images, Updated 7/25/2024.  This database contains an index to cemetery and burial details posted on Find a Grave® from the United States. The records are dated between the 1600s and the present. 

*  UK and Ireland, Find a Grave® Index, 1300s-Current; indexed records without record images, Updated 7/25/2024. This database contains an index to cemetery and burial details posted on Find a Grave® from the United Kingdom and Ireland. The records are dated between the 1300s and the present. 

*  Canada, Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current; indexed records without record images, Updated 7/25/2024. This database contains an index to cemetery and burial details posted on Find a Grave® from Canada. The records are dated between the 1600s and the present. 

*  Australia and New Zealand, Find a Grave® Index, 1800s-Current; indexed records without record images, Updated 7/25/2024. This database contains an index to cemetery and burial details posted on Find a Grave® from Australia and New Zealand. The records are dated between the 1800s and the present. 

*  Sweden, Find a Grave® Index, 1800s-Current; indexed records without record images, Updated 7/25/2024. This database contains an index to cemetery and burial details posted on Find a Grave® from Sweden. The records are dated between the 1800s and the present. 

*  Norway, Find a Grave® Index, 1800s-Current; indexed records without record images, Updated 7/25/2024. This database contains an index to cemetery and burial details posted on Find a Grave® from Norway. The records are dated between the 1800s and the present. 

*  Mexico, Find a Grave® Index, 1800s-Current; indexed records without record images, Updated 7/25/2024. This database contains an index to cemetery and burial details posted on Find a Grave® from Mexico. The records are dated between the 1800s and the present. 

*  Quebec, Canada, Vital and Church Records (Drouin Collection), 1621-1968; indexed records with record images, Updated 7/25/2024. This database contains miscellaneous French records from French Canada and America filmed by the Institut Généalogique Drouin. 

*  Germany, Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current; indexed records without record images, Updated 7/25/2024. This database contains an index to cemetery and burial details posted on Find a Grave® from Germany. The records are dated between the 1600s and the present. 

*  Italy, Find a Grave® Index, 1800s-Current; indexed records without record images, Updated 7/25/2024. This database contains an index to cemetery and burial details posted on Find a Grave® from Italy. The records are dated between the 1800s and the present. 

*  Brazil, Find a Grave® Index, 1800s-Current; indexed records without record images, Updated 7/25/2024. This database contains an index to cemetery and burial details posted on Find a Grave® from Brazil. The records are dated between the 1800s and the present. 

*  Global, Find a Grave® Index for Burials at Sea and other Select Burial Locations, 1300s-Current; indexed records without record images, Updated 7/25/2024. This database contains an index to cemetery and burial details posted on Find a Grave® for burials at sea and other select burial locations. 

*  North Carolina, U.S., Birth Indexes, 1800-2000; indexed records with record images, Updated 7//22/2024.  This database is an index to almost 7 million births occurring in the State of North Carolina, USA, between 1913 and 2000. 

*  Cheshire, England, Roman Catholic Baptism, Marriage and Burial Registers, 1644-1913; indexed records without record images, Updated 7/18/2024. 

*  UK and Commonwealth, Law Examination Records, 1836-1948; indexed records with record images, Updated 7/18/2024. This collection contains registries of those who sat for their law exams from the United Kingdom and countries belonging to the Commonwealth between 1836 and 1948.

*  Aberdeenshire, Scotland, Poor Law Applications and Registers, 1818-1923; indexed records with record images, ADDED 7/18/2024. This collection contains records relating to the relief of people living in poverty in the historic counties of Aberdeenshire, Banffshire, and Kincardineshire, Scotland. 

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

By my count, there were 1 NEW record collection ADDED this past week, per the list above.  There are now 33,537 collections available as of 26 July, an  INCREASE of 1 from last week. 

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

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

The URL for this post is: https://www.geneamusings.com/2024/07/added-and-updated-ancestrycom-record_26.html

Copyright (c) 2024, Randall J. Seaver

Please note that all Comments are moderated so they may not appear immediately.  

Please comment on this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post. Share it on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest using the icons below. Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com.

52 Relatives: Great-Grandaunt Agnes Bell Smith (1868-1870) and Great-Granduncle Lucian H. Smith (1875-1878) of Wisconsin, Iowa and Kansas

Agnes Bell "Aggie" Smith was born 26 February 1868 in Rolling Prairie, Dodge County, Wisconsin, the 4th child and 3rd daughter of Devier James and Abigail A. (Vaux) Smith.[1-2]  The Devier J. Smith family Bible records the birth as "Agnes Bell Smith, Feb. 26th 1868."[1] Abigail A. (Vaux) Smith's family papers record the same information.[2] 

The family soon moved to Bedford, Taylor County, Iowa.  Agnes Bell Smith died there and the family Bible has the entry "Agnes Bell Smith, April 26th 1870."[3]  Abigail A. (Vaux) Smith's family papers record the same information.[4] 

Agnes Bell "Aggie" Smith was buried in Bedford Cemetery in Bedford, Taylor County, Iowa.[5]   The inscription says:  

"Aggie

Dau of

D. J. & A. A. Smith

Died

April 23, 1870

Aged 2 yrs 2 months"

SOURCES:

1. unknown, Devier J. Smith, 1889-1920, Devier J. Smith Family Bible [loose pages of Birth, Marriages, Death and Note Pages] (no publication information), Births: Agnes Bell Smith entry, 26 February 1868; originals privately held by Randall J. Seaver, 1154 Via Trieste, Chula Vista CA 91911, 1988.

2. Smith/Carringer Family Correspondence (Loose Letters, 1888–1902), Abigail (Vaux) Smith list of family births and deaths, Agnes Bell Smith birth entry, 26 February 1868; originals privately held by Randall J. Seaver, 1154 Via Trieste, Chula Vista CA 91911, 1988.

3. unknown, Devier J. Smith, 1889-1920, Devier J. Smith Family Bible [loose pages of Birth, Marriages, Death and Note Pages], Deaths, Agnes Bell Smith entry, 26 April 1870.

4. Smith/Carringer Family Correspondence, Abigail (Vaux) Smith list of family births and deaths, Agnes Bell Smith death entry, 26 April 1870.

5. Find A Grave, indexed and imaged,  (https://www.findagrave.com), Bedford Cemetery, Bedford, Iowa, Agnes Bell "Aggie" Smith (1868-1870) memorial #55813425.

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

Lucian H. "Lutie" Smith was born 16 June 1875 in Bedford, Taylor County, Iowa, the 5th child and 2nd son of Devier James and Abigail A. (Vaux) Smith.[1-2]  The Devier J. Smith family Bible records the birth as "Leutie H. Smith, June 18th 1875."[1] Abigail A. (Vaux) Smith's family papers record the same information.[2] 

The family soon moved to Concordia, Cloud County, Kansas.  Lucian H. Smith died there and the family Bible has the entry "Leutie H. Smith, March 19th 1878."[3]  Abigail A. (Vaux) Smith's family papers record the same information.[4] 

Lucian H. "Leutie" Smith was buried in Pleasant Valley Cemetery in Concordia, Cloud CounKansas.[5]   The inscription says:  

"Our Little

LUTIE

Son of D.J.

and A.A. Smith

Died

Mar. 19 1878

Aged

[stone broken]"

SOURCES:

1. unknown, Devier J. Smith, 1889-1920, Devier J. Smith Family Bible [loose pages of Birth, Marriages, Death and Note Pages] (no publication information), Births: Leutie H. Smith entry, 18 June 1875; originals privately held by Randall J. Seaver, 1154 Via Trieste, Chula Vista CA 91911, 1988.

2. Smith/Carringer Family Correspondence (Loose Letters, 1888–1902), Abigail (Vaux) Smith list of family births and deaths, Lucian H. Smith birth entry, 18 June 1875; originals privately held by Randall J. Seaver, 1154 Via Trieste, Chula Vista CA 91911, 1988.

3. unknown, Devier J. Smith, 1889-1920, Devier J. Smith Family Bible [loose pages of Birth, Marriages, Death and Note Pages], Deaths, Leutie H. Smith entry, 19 March 1878.

4. Smith/Carringer Family Correspondence, Abigail (Vaux) Smith list of family births and deaths, Lucian H. Smith death entry, 19 March 1878.

5. Find A Grave, indexed and imaged,  (https://www.findagrave.com), Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Concordia, Cloud County, Kansas, Lutie Smith (1875-1878) memorial #96353655.

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

Agnes Bell "Aggie"Smith (1868-1870) was my great-grandaunt, the sister of my great-grandmother, Abbie Ardell "Della" (Smith) Carringer (1862-1944). 

Lucian H. "Lutie"Smith (1875-1878) was my great-granduncle, the brother of my great-grandmother, Abbie Ardell "Della" (Smith) Carringer (1862-1944). 

Two deaths of small children in one family must have been heartbreaking and profoundly sad for the parents and three older siblings.  

I have posted over 500 genealogical sketches of  my ancestors back through the 7th great-grandparents and a number of close relatives - see the list in 52 Ancestors/Relatives Biographies.  

This "52 Relatives" theme is a weekly series to document the lives of siblings of my ancestors with relatively short genealogical sketches, including important events, and with source citations.  These relatives lived and died within a family structure, and deserve a genealogical sketch - they were integral parts and important persons in the lives of my ancestral families.  I will post the sketches on my Ancestry Member Tree, WikiTree, and in the FamilySearch Family Tree. 

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The URL for this post is: https://www.geneamusings.com/2024/07/52-relatives-great-grandaunts-agnes.html

Copyright (c) 2024, Randall J. Seaver

Note that all comments are moderated, and may not appear immediately.

Please comment on this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post.  Share it on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest using the icons below.  Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com.   

Findmypast Friday: Browse New Burial Records that Span Britain

I received this information from Findmypast today:

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

There are new additions from Powys to Pembridge for you to explore.

We've added 39,181 burial records this Findmypast Friday, updating two existing indexes - the National Burial Index for England & Wales and the Greater London Burial Index - with transcriptions from Herefordshire, London and the Welsh county of Powys.

These essential new records make building the English and Welsh branches of your family tree easier than ever. We've also added over 360,000 pages to our newspaper collection.

National Burial Index For England & Wales - Herefordshire

We updated our National Burial Index for England & Wales records this week, adding 17,656 records from the English county of Herefordshire. These useful new transcriptions cover 230 years, so if your ancestor was buried in Herefordshire between 1582 and 1812, their name may just appear.

National Burial Index For England & Wales - Powys

But that's not it for the National Burial Index for England & Wales. We also added 21,174 burial records from Powys in Wales. These new additions span from 1513 to 1851.

Greater London Burial Index

To round off our trio of burial record updates we have 351 additions to the Greater London Burial Index. These new records are from the Latymer Upper School in Hammersmith and cover 1914-1918 and 1939-1945. These new records may reveal key information about the deaths of ancestors who lived in the capital during either of the world wars.

New pages from Shropshire to Sheffield

366,562 brand new pages were added to our newspaper collection this Findmypast Friday, bringing our total page count up to a mind-boggling 81 million.  

Two new titles - the Banbridge Leader and the Shropshire Star - joined the archive. We also updated 15 of our existing publications, with new pages from across England and Scotland.  Here's everything we've added to our newspaper collection this Findmypast Friday.

New titles:

• Banbridge Leader, 1995-1999, 2001
• Shropshire Star, 1993-1995, 1997-1998, 2002-2003

Updated titles:

• Aberdeen Evening Express, 2000-2003
• Aberdeen Press and Journal, 2000-2001
• Banbury Guardian, 2003
• Barnoldswick & Earby Times, 1983, 1990, 1998
• Bedfordshire Times and Independent, 1998, 2003
• Chorley Guardian, 1990, 1992
• Crawley and District Observer, 1993, 2002
• Derbyshire Times, 1990
• Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail, 1997-1998, 2002
• Hastings and St Leonards Observer, 1990
• Sheffield Independent, 1924-1925, 1932
• Shields Daily Gazette, 1998, 2001
• St. Andrews Citizen, 1997
• Sussex Express, 1990
• Worthing Herald, 1975-1977, 1996-1997, 2000-2001, 2003

Explore the past with Historical British Newspapers

Would you like to discover the rich tapestry of Britain's history through old newspapers? Whether you're a history lover or a genealogy enthusiast, our new Facebook community is a space where you can immerse yourself in the captivating world of Britain's printed history.

Join the group

Join us today to explore and celebrate the fascinating stories that have shaped our nation.

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

Disclosure: I have a complimentary subscription to Findmypast, and have accepted meals and services from Findmypast, as a Findmypast Ambassador. This has not affected my objectivity relative to Findmypast and its products.

The URL for this post is:  https://www.geneamusings.com/2024/07/findmypast-friday-browse-new-burial.html

Copyright (c) 2024, Randall J. Seaver

Note that all comments are moderated, and may not appear immediately.

Please comment on this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post. Share it on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest using the icons below. Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com.

Perplexity Rocks as an AI Genealogy Report Tool

 I haven't used Perplexity as an AI tool for genealogy research much to date - it is Free or Pro ($) to use.  Thomas MacEntee mentioned it in his recent presentation to the San Diego Genealogical Society, so I got around to trying it out today.

I wondered if Perplexity could find out information on the Internet about a specific person, and be able to synthesize the information into a report.   

My research subject was my 4th great-grandfather Martin Carringer (1758-1835), so I crafted this prompt:

"Please create a biography from published sources of Martin Carringer (1758-1835), likely son of Henrich and Rosina Carringer, husband of Mary Houx, and father of a number of children.  He lived in Pennsylvania and settled in Mercer County in 1796.  He served in the Revolutionary War.   Tell me about his military service, settling in Mercer County, land records, probate records, and the names and lifespans of his children."

The response was:

Martin Carringer was born around 1758, likely in Pennsylvania to parents of German heritage. While his parentage is not definitively known, it's possible he was the son of Henrich "Henry" Carringer and Rosina, based on circumstantial evidence.Martin served as a private in the 8th Pennsylvania Regiment during the Revolutionary War. Records show he served from May 4 to May 31, 1781, in a detachment transporting provisions for troops to Pittsburgh. He received pay for 61 days at one shilling per day.In 1785, Martin married Maria Magdalena Hoax (also known as Mary Houx) in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. The couple had several children:

1. Johann Jacob Carringer (1785-1865)
2. Maria Elisabetha Carringer (1789-1850)
3. Katharine Carringer (1792-after 1860)
4. George Carringer (1795-1870)
5. Calli Carringer (1797-before 1810)
6. Heinrich Carringer (1800-1881)
7. Soloman Carringer (1802-after 1820)
8. Joseph Carringer (1805-1869)

In 1796, Martin Carringer moved his family to Mercer County, Pennsylvania, where he was one of the early settlers. He established a farm in Sandy Creek township, which later became part of Perry township.Martin wrote his will on March 3, 1830, which was proved on February 4, 1835, in Mercer County. In his will, he bequeathed to his son Henry 150 acres "laid off the east end of the plantation" and to his son George "the residue of the aforesaid plantation".Martin Carringer died on January 25, 1835, in Sandy Creek township, Mercer County, Pennsylvania. He was buried in Kelso Cemetery, located on private land south of Wolf Road and about 0.2 miles east of Fredonia Road in Perry township. His tombstone reads "Martin Carringer departed this life January 25, 1835 in the 80th year of his age".Martin's Revolutionary War service and his role as an early settler in Mercer County are noted in several historical accounts. He is mentioned prominently in the "History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania," published by Brown, Runk & Co in Chicago.

I then asked "can you describe his Revolutinoary War Service in more detail?"

Here is the response:

Based on the search results, Martin Carringer's Revolutionary War service can be described in more detail as follows:Martin Carringer served as a private in the 8th Pennsylvania Regiment during the Revolutionary War. His service record includes several specific periods:

1. From May 4 to May 31, 1781, he served in a detachment of four men under Sergeant Robert Porter, transporting provisions for troops down the river to Pittsburgh. He received pay for 61 days at one shilling per day.
2. From June 1 to July 31, 1781, he continued serving in the same detachment, boating forage and provisions on the Monongahela River to Pittsburgh. Again, he was paid for 61 days at one shilling per day.
3. In October 1781, he served in the same detachment and was paid one shilling per day. The receipt for this period was signed "Martin Carringer, Priv. 8th Penna Rgt."
4. In February, March, and April of 1783, he was on the roll of Captain John Clark's company in a detachment from the Pennsylvania line commanded by Lt. Col. Stephen Bayard.

Martin Carringer enlisted from Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, on September 4, 1776. His name appears on the list of soldiers of the Pennsylvania Line who were entitled to receive donation lands. The record indicates he was awarded 200 acres as a private.For his service, Martin Carringer was officially listed as a Pennsylvania Revolutionary War pensioner on June 19, 1824, when he was 75 years old. He applied for his pension on April 12, 1824, in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, at the age of 65.Additionally, Martin Carringer applied for a Bounty Land Warrant in 1827, which was presented to the Treasury on April 17, 1827, by U.S. Senator William Marks. He was awarded 100 acres of land.It's worth noting that there are some discrepancies in the spelling of his name in various records, appearing as "Martin Cariger," "Martin Callinger," and "Martin Carringer" on different documents.

And another query:  "can you more fully describe the land records and probate records?"

And the response was:

Land Records

Martin Carringer received several land grants as a result of his service in the Revolutionary War. Notably, he was awarded 200 acres of donation land under Warrant No. 941, located in District No. 5 in what is now Perry Township, Mercer County, Pennsylvania. This land was surveyed on October 3, 1785, by Benjamin Lodge, D.S., and was initially described as being in Westmoreland County.After moving to Mercer County around 1795 or early 1796, Martin Carringer established a farm. Historical records indicate that he built a cabin on his land shortly after arriving. The farm remained in the Carringer family for several generations. In his will, Martin bequeathed 150 acres of the plantation to his son Henry and the remaining portion to his son George.Additionally, Martin Carringer applied for and received a Bounty Land Warrant in 1827, which entitled him to 100 acres of land located in Township 8, Range 6 in the U.S. Military District of Ohio, specifically in the southern part of Holmes County, Ohio.

Probate Records

Martin Carringer's will was written on March 3, 1830, and was proved on February 4, 1835, in Mercer County, Pennsylvania. The will provides detailed instructions for the distribution of his estate:

• To his son Henry, he bequeathed 150 acres from the east end of the plantation.
• To his son George, he left the remainder of the plantation.

The probate records confirm that Martin Carringer's estate included significant land holdings, which were divided among his children according to his wishes. The probate process also involved the inventory and appraisal of his personal property, which would have been typical for estates of that period.

Children and Their Lifespans

Martin Carringer and his wife, Maria Magdalena "Mary" Houx, had several children. The names and lifespans of their children are as follows:

1. Johann Jacob Carringer (1785-1865)
2. Maria Elisabetha Carringer (1789-1850)
3. Katharine Carringer (1792-after 1860)
4. George Carringer (1795-1870)
5. Calli Carringer (1797-before 1810)
6. Heinrich Carringer (1800-1881)
7. Soloman Carringer (1802-after 1820)
8. Joseph Carringer (1805-1869).

These records provide a comprehensive view of Martin Carringer's life, his contributions during the Revolutionary War, his settlement in Mercer County, and the legacy he left through his land and family.

My final prompt was:  "can you weave all of this information with the source links into one response without dropping anything?"

And it did, and put headings on the different paragraphs, and had the source links too.  Here is the final product:

Martin Carringer (1758-1835): A Revolutionary War Veteran and Pioneer Settler

Early Life and Family BackgroundMartin Carringer was born around 1758, likely in Pennsylvania, to parents of German heritage. While the exact details of his parentage are not definitively known, it is possible that he was the son of Henrich "Henry" Carringer and Rosina, based on circumstantial evidence.Revolutionary War ServiceMartin Carringer served as a private in the 8th Pennsylvania Regiment during the Revolutionary War. His service record includes several specific periods:

1. From May 4 to May 31, 1781, he served in a detachment of four men under Sergeant Robert Porter, transporting provisions for troops down the river to Pittsburgh. He received pay for 61 days at one shilling per day.
2. From June 1 to July 31, 1781, he continued serving in the same detachment, boating forage and provisions on the Monongahela River to Pittsburgh. Again, he was paid for 61 days at one shilling per day.
3. In October 1781, he served in the same detachment and was paid one shilling per day. The receipt for this period was signed "Martin Carringer, Priv. 8th Penna Rgt."
4. In February, March, and April of 1783, he was on the roll of Captain John Clark's company in a detachment from the Pennsylvania line commanded by Lt. Col. Stephen Bayard.

Martin enlisted from Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, on September 4, 1776. His name appears on the list of soldiers of the Pennsylvania Line who were entitled to receive donation lands. For his service, Martin Carringer was officially listed as a Pennsylvania Revolutionary War pensioner on June 19, 1824, when he was 75 years old. He applied for his pension on April 12, 1824, in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, at the age of 65. Additionally, Martin applied for a Bounty Land Warrant in 1827 and was awarded 100 acres of land.Marriage and FamilyIn 1785, Martin married Maria Magdalena "Mary" Houx in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. The couple had several children:

1. Johann Jacob Carringer (1785-1865)
2. Maria Elisabetha Carringer (1789-1850)
3. Katharine Carringer (1792-after 1860)
4. George Carringer (1795-1870)
5. Calli Carringer (1797-before 1810)
6. Heinrich Carringer (1800-1881)
7. Soloman Carringer (1802-after 1820)
8. Joseph Carringer (1805-1869)

Settling in Mercer CountyIn 1796, Martin Carringer moved his family to Mercer County, Pennsylvania, where he was one of the early settlers. He established a farm in Sandy Creek township, which later became part of Perry township. Historical records indicate that he built a cabin on his land shortly after arriving. The farm remained in the Carringer family for several generations.Land RecordsMartin received several land grants as a result of his military service. Notably, he was awarded 200 acres of donation land under Warrant No. 941, located in District No. 5 in what is now Perry Township, Mercer County, Pennsylvania. This land was surveyed on October 3, 1785, by Benjamin Lodge, D.S., and was initially described as being in Westmoreland County. Additionally, he received 100 acres of land in the southern part of Holmes County, Ohio, through a Bounty Land Warrant in 1827.Probate RecordsMartin Carringer's will was written on March 3, 1830, and was proved on February 4, 1835, in Mercer County, Pennsylvania. The will provides detailed instructions for the distribution of his estate:

• To his son Henry, he bequeathed 150 acres from the east end of the plantation.
• To his son George, he left the remainder of the plantation.

The probate records confirm that Martin Carringer's estate included significant land holdings, which were divided among his children according to his wishes. The probate process also involved the inventory and appraisal of his personal property, which would have been typical for estates of that period.Death and LegacyMartin Carringer died on January 25, 1835, in Sandy Creek township, Mercer County, Pennsylvania. He was buried in Kelso Cemetery, located on private land south of Wolf Road and about 0.2 miles east of Fredonia Road in Perry township. His tombstone reads "Martin Carringer departed this life January 25, 1835 in the 80th year of his age".Martin's Revolutionary War service and his role as an early settler in Mercer County are noted in several historical accounts. He is mentioned prominently in the "History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania," published by Brown, Runk & Co in Chicago.This biography captures the key aspects of Martin Carringer's life, including his military service, family, settlement in Mercer County, land records, and probate details.

The source links provided are:

[1] https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Carringer-207

[2] https://www.geneamusings.com/2022/09/rabbit-holes-with-randy-where-was.html

[3] https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Carringer-22

[4] https://www.scribd.com/document/114222913/Descendants-of-Martin-Carringer-1758-1835-4-Generations

[5] https://www.geneamusings.com/2024/07/carringers-in-news-pennsylvania-story.html

That's enough for now, but you can see that it searches the Internet for information to help create the biographical sketch.  Of course, I, and other researchers, have written books, newspaper articles and blog posts about this person.  But, you never know what it may find!  

If it doesn't find information about your subject, but you have the subject in your family tree, Perplexity (and other AI tools) can take a set of notes or a timeline to write a genealogical sketch for you, but more information rather than less is best!  Just copy and paste it into the Perplexity search box. 

UPDATE on 27 July:  Unfortunately, it doesn't work well if no one has written a blog post in some detail about the subject's life, or if there is no profile (or a skimpy profile) on WikiTree.  Perhaps they will train it on FamilySearch which has more profiles and short biographies.

Note that Perplexity can:

• Put source links after many of the statements, although when I copy them into Blogger they are invisible, but if you click in the blank space you can see the source document on the Internet!  
• Find images online for the person (if available).
• Respond to requests for more information about specific issues.  
• Offer possible questions for more information.
• Can summarize everything but you have to ask for the summary and the source links.
• Can copy your chat segments to put into a word processor, and provides the source links.
• Saves the chat for some period of time, and you can add onto it.
• This took about 10 minutes to complete the prompt and responses.

 I doubt that this works for published books or newspaper articles, unless they have been published on the Internet by someone other than a record provider.  In the above responses, one of the sources was WikiTree, and one was for my article on Scribd, plus several of my blog posts including one from last week).   

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

The URL for this post is: 

Copyright (c) 2024, Randall J. Seaver

Note that all comments are moderated, and may not appear immediately.

Please comment on this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post.  Share it on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest using the icons below.  Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com.