Saturday, June 7, 2025

Saturday Night Genealogy Fun -- Your Favorite Learning Experience This Past Month

 Calling all Genea-Musings Fans: 

 It's Saturday Night again - 

Time for some more Genealogy Fun!!


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

1)  What was your favorite genealogy learning experience this past month?  In-person program? Online webinar? YouTube video? Blog post?  Social media item?  Family history story?

2)  Share your favorite genealogy learning experience in your own blog post or in a Facebook, SubStack or BlueSky post.  Leave a link on this blog post to  help us find your post.

Here's mine:

I don't always watch every webinar on Family Tree Webinars or every video on YouTube, so I occasionally go back to find ones I missed when they were first offered.

One YouTube video that I watched recently was on the BYU Library Family History Center channel by James Tanner - Using Google Translate, Gemini, and Google Lens for Genealogical Research-James Tanner (21 May 2025).  This focused on genealogical research and how the Google AI tools can be used to help the researcher.  

I don't use Google Translate much, but the capabilities are fantastic.  I use Google Gemini for my AI writing and question work, but it can also transcribe and translate  text.  I haven't used Google Lens at all to date, but it looks interesting.   There is always one more tool to check out.

Another YouTube video I recently watched is I Didn't Know You Could Search Like That! by Debbie Gurtler on the FamilySearch YouTube channel.

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Copyright (c) 2025, Randall J. Seaver

Please comment on this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post.  Share it on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest using the icons below.  Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com. Note that all comments are moderated, and may not appear immediately.

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Ask AI: "Describe 'Locomotor Ataxia' and 'Strangulated Hernia'?" Sometimes You Don't Want To Know Secrets!

 The Artificial Intelligence tools (like ChatGPT, Claude, CoPilot, Gemini, Grok, Meta, Grok, and Perplexity) can provide much useful and nearly instant information about subjects in a concise format, especially when they have been pre-trained on a large volume of information about the subjects.

After writing ABC Biography of #22 Henry Arnold White (1824-1885) of Rhode Island and Connecticut and ABC Biography of #23 Amy Frances (Oatley) White (1826-1864) of Rhode Island and Connecticut,  I wondered if the FREE AI tools could provide me with more information about the medical conditions that caused the deaths of my 2nd great-grandparents.  Henry died of "locomotor ataxia" and Amy died of a "strangulated hernia."

(OpenAI ChatGPT4 created image of a very sick man with family in 1885)

1)  The first prompt for OpenAI ChatGPT4 was: "My 2nd great-grandfather died of locomotor ataxia in 1885 in Killingly, Conn.  What causes this disease, what are the symptoms, what are the treatments, and what is the timeline?"

The ChatGPT4 response was:

Locomotor ataxia, especially as diagnosed in the 19th century, refers most commonly to tabes dorsalis, a late manifestation of neurosyphilis—a progressive degeneration of the spinal cord caused by untreated syphilis infection, often contracted decades earlier.

🔬 Cause

  • Syphilis infection (Treponema pallidum) left untreated over many years.

  • Locomotor ataxia (tabes dorsalis) typically develops 15 to 30 years after initial syphilis exposure.

  • The condition specifically affects the dorsal columns and dorsal roots of the spinal cord, which are responsible for proprioception (the sense of body position) and vibration sensation.

⚠️ Symptoms

Symptoms develop gradually and worsen over time, typically including:

  1. Gait abnormalities:

    • The hallmark is ataxia, or a staggering, uncoordinated walking pattern.

    • The patient often slaps their feet down when walking due to a loss of position sense.

  2. Lightning pains:

    • Sudden, sharp, stabbing pains in the legs or abdomen.

  3. Loss of deep tendon reflexes, especially the knee and ankle jerks.

  4. Sensory problems:

    • Numbness or tingling, especially in the lower limbs.

    • Impaired proprioception (unable to tell where limbs are in space with eyes closed).

  5. Bladder dysfunction:

    • Urinary incontinence or retention.

  6. Vision problems:

    • Progressive loss of sight due to optic atrophy.

  7. Charcot joints:

    • Painless joint swelling and deformity from unnoticed injuries due to lack of sensation.

  8. Mental decline (in later stages, possibly overlapping with general paresis of the insane—a related neurosyphilitic condition).

🩺 Treatment

In 1885, no effective treatment was available. Mercury and arsenic-based compounds (e.g., Fowler’s solution) were used for syphilis, but with limited benefit and severe toxicity. Locomotor ataxia was considered incurable once it had developed.

Modern treatment includes:

  • Penicillin (high-dose intravenous) to kill the Treponema pallidum bacterium.

  • Physical therapy to manage gait and mobility issues.

  • Pain management (for lightning pains).

  • Treatment is most effective before tabes dorsalis develops—irreversible nerve damage cannot be undone.

⏳ Timeline of Disease

  1. Initial syphilis infection (typically sexually transmitted) — usually unnoticed or only mildly symptomatic.

  2. Latent period — 10 to 30 years without major symptoms.

  3. Onset of locomotor ataxia/tabes dorsalis — gradual progression over years.

  4. Progressive disability — patient becomes increasingly impaired, often wheelchair-bound or bedridden.

  5. Death — from complications such as infections, malnutrition, or secondary conditions (urinary tract infection, pneumonia).

📜 Historical Context

In the 19th century, locomotor ataxia was sometimes euphemistically labeled in death records to avoid the stigma of syphilis. Many suffered in silence, and the condition was tragically common among men who had contracted syphilis in their youth—especially veterans, urban workers, and travelers.

If your 2nd great-grandfather died of this in 1885 in Killingly, Connecticut, he likely contracted syphilis in the 1850s or earlier. This tells us something about his adult life decades prior—a fact that would’ve been known quietly within his family, if at all.

Let me know if you’d like help exploring his life in those earlier decades.

The second prompt for OpenAI ChatGPT4 was: "My 2nd great-grandmother died of a strangulated hernia in 1864 in Norwich, Conn.  What causes this disease, what are the symptoms, what are the treatments, and what is the timeline?"

The ChatGPT4 response was:

A strangulated hernia is a serious and often fatal medical emergency—especially in the 1800s. It occurs when part of the intestine pushes through a weak spot in the abdominal wall (a hernia) and the blood supply to that part of the intestine is cut off (strangulated). Without blood, the tissue quickly becomes ischemic, necrotic (dies), and can cause systemic infection.

⚠️ Cause

  • A hernia (often inguinal or femoral in women) is a bulge of intestine or fat through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles.

  • If the protruding tissue becomes trapped (incarcerated) and then has its blood supply cut off, it becomes strangulated.

  • Common contributing factors:

    • Heavy lifting or physical labor

    • Pregnancy or repeated childbirth (abdominal wall weakening)

    • Chronic coughing or constipation (straining)

    • Prior surgery or abdominal injury

🩺 Symptoms

A strangulated hernia causes sudden, severe symptoms:

  • Severe abdominal pain at the hernia site

  • A tender, firm, and discolored (purple or dark red) bulge

  • Nausea and vomiting

  • Fever

  • Inability to pass gas or stool

  • Signs of sepsis as the strangulated bowel begins to die and leak bacteria

⏳ Timeline

  1. Chronic hernia may exist for years without causing major problems.

  2. Strangulation occurs suddenly, usually following a strain, fall, or unknown trigger.

  3. Symptoms escalate rapidly over hours:

    • Pain intensifies

    • Vomiting begins

    • Fever and signs of systemic illness develop

  4. Untreated, the patient may die within 24 to 72 hours from bowel necrosis, perforation, and septic shock.

🏥 Treatment (Then and Now)

In 1864 (Pre-modern surgery era):

  • Limited treatment options.

  • Surgery was in its infancy—performed without antibiotics or modern anesthesia.

  • Hernia trusses (tight undergarments or belts) were used as non-surgical aids.

  • If strangulation occurred, surgery was sometimes attempted, but mortality was extremely high (over 50%) due to:

    • Infection (no antisepsis or antibiotics)

    • Shock and blood loss

    • Limited surgical knowledge of abdominal anatomy

  • Most patients died within a few days unless the hernia resolved on its own (rare).

Today:

  • Emergency surgical repair is performed immediately to:

    • Free or remove the strangulated intestine

    • Repair the hernia defect

  • Outcomes are excellent if treated within hours.

📜 Historical Insight

Your 2nd great-grandmother’s death in 1864 from a strangulated hernia in Norwich, Connecticut, suggests she had a chronic hernia—possibly after multiple pregnancies or years of heavy labor—and that it suddenly turned fatal.

She may have suffered intense pain for a short period, possibly mistaken for colic or “female trouble” until it became obvious she was gravely ill. By the time a doctor was called, it may have been too late—or surgery may have been deemed too dangerous or impossible given her condition.

Would you like help reconstructing what her daily life and circumstances may have been in Norwich in the early 1860s?

3)  Sometimes the truth may be a family secret and hidden from descendants.  The "Locomotor Ataxia" cause of death of Henry White in 1885 is a big surprise to me.  What a terrible way to suffer over decades and die knowing that it can occur at any time.  I know that his longtime doctor was a neighbor, Dr. E.A. Hill, who provided the cause of death and would have known about it, and treated it, for some period of time.  According to ChatGPT4, it was not common, and not rare.  It was well-known at the time, and accounted for about 1% of male deaths at the time.  [Note to self:  I have a book about Dr. E.A. Hill's practice, and I need to check that! Where did I put it?].

4)  What about Amy (Oatley) White's death in 1864 in Norwich, Connecticut?  It happened very quickly and could not be avoided or ameliorated.  What a terrible way to die at age 38.  I don't know why Amy was in Norwich at the time of her death?  Was she visiting a relative or a friend?  Or was she separated from Henry?  That's possible, and might be another family secret.

5)  Did Amy's death in 1864 lead Henry to find other women, and contract the disease?  Amy's death was 21 years before Henry's, so it's in the middle of the year range for life expectancy with the disease.  Henry did marry again, to a cousin Almira E. (Taft) Winslow in 1866, and had two children with her.  Did his disease affect Almira or the children?  We can't know, I think.

6)  Without more detailed family records, family histories, or medical records, these are the types of issues that genealogists and family historians don't know about unless there are records for our ancestors.  Sometimes you don't really want to know!  One of my favorite sayings is "Pobody's nerfect."

7)  One of the problems with writing about a person's life is that we have only snapshots of events in their life that were recorded.  We don't know the everyday activities, interactions with family, associates and neighbors, the problems with work and emotions, etc., unless we have family stories from them or about them.

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Links to my blog posts about using Artificial Intelligence are on my Randy's AI and Genealogy page. Links to AI information and articles about Artificial Intelligence in Genealogy by other genealogists are on my AI and Genealogy Compendium page.

Copyright (c) 2025, Randall J. Seaver


Please comment on this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post.  Share it on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest using the icons below.  Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com.  Please note that all comments are moderated, and may not appear immediately.

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Friday, June 6, 2025

Added and Updated FamilySearch Record Collections - Week of 31 May to 6 June 2025

  Each week, genealogy record collections are added, removed, and/or updated on FamilySearch and listed on the Historical Record Collection list at https://familysearch.org/search/collection/list.

As of 6 June 2025, there are 3,410 historical record collections on FamilySearch (an increase of 1 from last week):

The added, deleted, new and updated collections this week from FamilySearch:

--- Collections Added ---

--- Collections Updated ---

Connecticut, Naturalization Records, 1795-1945 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3238391); 743,362 indexed records with 680,236 record images (was 743,240 records with 680,191 images), UPDATED 01-Jun-2025
Democratic Republic of the Congo, Census, 1984 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3288450); 27,147,966 indexed records with 5,466,979 record images (was 27,147,953 records with 5,466,978 images), UPDATED 30-May-2025
Italy, Agrigento, Agrigento, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1942 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1946817); 29,710 indexed records with 852,371 record images (was 23,455 records with 852,371 images), UPDATED 30-May-2025
Italy, Ancona, Ancona, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1862-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2046896); 554,474 indexed records with 2,361,451 record images (was 554,474 records with 2,361,451 images), UPDATED 30-May-2025
Italy, Bari, Bari, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043445); 60,981 indexed records with 1,626,044 record images (was 40,000 records with 1,626,044 images), UPDATED 31-May-2025

Italy, Bologna, Bologna, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1943 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1947797); 687,354 indexed records with 5,914,917 record images (was 679,204 records with 5,914,917 images), UPDATED 31-May-2025
Italy, Catania, Catania, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043496); 549,952 indexed records with 434,962 record images (was 58,555 records with 434,962 images), UPDATED 02-Jun-2025
Italy, Cosenza, Rossano, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1910 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043833); 10,462 indexed records with 114,854 record images (was 5,421 records with 114,854 images), UPDATED 30-May-2025
Italy, Matera, Matera, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043814); 32,208 indexed records with 237,814 record images (was 23,002 records with 237,814 images), UPDATED 30-May-2025
Italy, Modena, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1806-1942 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1968527); 334,247 indexed records with 2,114,742 record images (was 334,253 records with 2,114,742 images), UPDATED 30-May-2025

Italy, Parma, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1626-1921 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3743481); 399,272 indexed records with 748,765 record images (was 535,036 records with 748,765 images), UPDATED 03-Jun-2025
Italy, Ragusa, Ragusa, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1864-1950 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2510894); 33,031 indexed records with 19,327 record images (was 899 records with 645 images), UPDATED 31-May-2025
Italy, Ravenna, Ravenna, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1943 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1947700); 266,378 indexed records with 1,759,182 record images (was 238,756 records with 1,759,182 images), UPDATED 01-Jun-2025
Italy, Siracusa, Siracusa, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1900-1942 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2110810); 267,878 indexed records with 275,840 record images (was 249,604 records with 275,840 images), UPDATED 30-May-2025
Mississippi, Military Discharge Records, 1917-1974 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4474057); 17,690 indexed records with 12,492 record images (was 17,690 records with 12,492 images), UPDATED 05-Jun-2025

Oklahoma, Military Discharge Records, 1898-1993 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4166192); 26,253 indexed records with 13,919 record images (was 14,009 records with 13,748 images), UPDATED 05-Jun-2025
Philippines, Catholic Church Records, 1520-2014 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2861657); 12,123,584 indexed records with 2,867,383 record images (was 12,118,556 records with 2,867,383 images), UPDATED 04-Jun-2025
Spain, Gerona, Municipal Records, 1566-1960 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2015355); 1,417,226 indexed records with 390,067 record images (was 1,416,424 records with 390,067 images), UPDATED 01-Jun-2025
Ukraine, Kyiv, Confession Lists, 1741-1918 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2290980); 2,536,339 indexed records with 40,448 record images (was 2,535,019 records with 40,448 images), UPDATED 30-May-2025

--- Collections with new images ---

Argentina, Buenos Aires, Civil Registration, 1861-2018 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000041); 1 indexed records with 111,623 record images (was 1 records with 111,622 images), last updated 07-Jun-2024
Argentina, Military Records, 1911-1936 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000280); 1 indexed records with 2,920,545 record images (was 1 records with 2,920,541 images), last updated 31-Oct-2024
Brazil, Alagoas, Civil Registration, 1876-2023 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4469403); 1 indexed records with 453,484 record images (was 1 records with 453,466 images), last updated 07-Jun-2024
Brazil, Maranhão, Civil Registration, 1827-2022 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4469402); 1 indexed records with 904,293 record images (was 1 records with 904,292 images), last updated 07-Jun-2024
Colombia, DAS Civil Registration Alphabetic Cards, 1914-2011 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000074); 1 indexed records with 26,239,991 record images (was 1 records with 26,238,293 images), last updated 25-Nov-2024

Italy, Arcidiocesi di Palermo, Catholic Church Records, 1392-1927 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000127); 1 indexed records with 39,840 record images (was 1 records with 39,839 images), last updated 05-Dec-2024
Italy, Torino, Diocese of Torino, Catholic Church Records, 1801-1899 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000113); 1 indexed records with 142,122 record images (was 1 records with 142,117 images), last updated 05-Dec-2024
United States, Obituary Records, 2014-2023 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000145); 1 indexed records with 28,203,179 record images (was 1 records with 28,203,175 images), last updated 22-Jul-2024

--- Collections with images removed ---

Find a Grave Index (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2221801); 255,470,445 indexed records with 39,859,898 record images (was 255,470,448 records with 64,051,898 images), last updated 09-Apr-2025
Italy, Teramo, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1809-1936 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3006903); 43,441 indexed records with 20,177 record images (was 43,441 records with 20,438 images), last updated 07-Apr-2025
Italy, Vercelli, Vercelli, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1802-1813, 1838-1942 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1939214); 1,682 indexed records with 4,684 record images (was 1,682 records with 17,865 images), last updated 29-May-2025
United States, Census, 1950 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4464515); 157,892,854 indexed records with 52,723,737 record images (was 157,892,854 records with 52,724,182 images), last updated 16-Jun-2024
United States, GenealogyBank Historic Newspaper Marriages, 1815-2011 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2603807); 16,335 indexed records with 1 record images (was 16,335 records with 16,335 images), last updated 22-Apr-2019

Virginia, Vital Records, 1715-1912 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4149585); 1,870,509 indexed records with 95,805 record images (was 1,870,509 records with 96,230 images), last updated 03-Mar-2025

--- Collections with new records ---

--- Collections with records removed ---

California, Birth Index, 1905-1995 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2001879); Index only (24,589,409 records), no images (was 24,589,410 records with 0 images), last updated 01-Mar-2012
California, Marriage Index, 1960-1985 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1949339); Index only (4,879,202 records), no images (was 4,879,204 records with 0 images), last updated 06-Dec-2011
Texas, Birth Index, 1903-1997 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1949342); Index only (17,102,117 records), no images (was 17,102,118 records with 0 images), last updated 17-Feb-2012
United States, Public Records, 1970-2009 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2199956); Index only (875,605,741 records), no images (was 875,605,742 records with 0 images), last updated 24-Jan-2025
United States, Residence Database, 1970-2024 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000290); Index only (413,872,489 records), no images (was 413,872,492 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!

Marshall notes that there are:

  • 0 removed entries
  • 0 added entries 
  • 19 updated entries
  • 14 entries with more or fewer images 
  • 5 entries with more or fewer records

The FamilySearch website says there are 3410 total entries on the list (without signing in). Marshall's list says there are 3409 (without signing in).  They are not in-sync this week.

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

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

The URL for this post is:  https://www.geneamusings.com/2025/06/added-and-updated-familysearch-record.html

Copyright (c) 2025 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 X, Facebook, or Pinterest using the icons below. Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com.  Note that all comments are moderated, so they may not be posted immediately.

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Added and Updated Ancestry.com Record Collections - Week of 31 May to 6 June 2025

 The following genealogy record collections were added to the Ancestry.com Card Catalog page by Date Updated during the period from 31 May to 6 June 2025:


The ADDED and Updated collections include:
=========================================

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

By my count, there were 3 NEW record collections ADDED this past week, per the list above.  There are now 33,811 collections available as of 6 June, an INCREASE of 3 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, an autosomal DNA test, material considerations for travel expenses to meetings, and hosted events and meals that I attended in Salt Lake City.

The URL for this post is:  https://www.geneamusings.com/2025/06/added-and-updated-ancestrycom-record.html

Copyright (c) 2025, Randall J. Seaver

Please comment on this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post. Share it on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest using the icons below. Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com. Please note that all Comments are moderated so they may not appear immediately.

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52 Relatives: 2nd Great-GrandUncle Lorenzo Dow Oatley (1821-1900) of Rhode Island and Connecticut

 Lorenzo Dow Oatley was born in April 1821 in South Kingstown, Washington, Rhode Island. [1-2] He was the 5th child and third son of Jonathan Oatley Sr. and Amy Champlin.

Lorenzo Dow Oatley and Elizabeth Atala Weatherhead were married on 24 March 1844 in Killingly, Windham, Connecticut.[3] Elizabeth Atalia Weatherhead was born on 18 April 1829 in Killingly, Windham, Connecticuts. She was the daughter of George and Atala (Amsbury) Weatherhead.

 Lorenzo Dow Oatley and Elizabeth Atala Weatherhead had the following child:

  • Frank Jillson Oatley, born 6 March 1846, East Killingly, Windham, Connecticut, ; married Eleanor A. Daggett, 19 June 1867, Burrillville, Providence, Rhode Island; died 28 November 1924, Providence, Providence, Rhode Island.

Elizabeth died on 3 April 1846 at the age of 16 in Killingly, Windham, Connecticut.  She was buried after 3 April 1846 at Putnam Heights Cemetery in Putnam, Windham, Connecticut. 

 Lorenzo Dow Oatley and Dolly Leavens Aldrich were married after 1847 in Killingly, Windham, Connecticut.   Dolly Leavens Aldrich was born on 6 March 1820 in Massachusetts.  They had no children.

In the 1850 United States census, the Lorenzo D. Oatley family was enumerated in Thompson, Windham County, Connecticut.[4]  The household included:

  • Lorenzo D. Oatley - age 29, male, a Weaver, $1500 in real property, born South Kingston R.I.
  • Dolly L. Oatley - age 30, female, born Pomfret, Ct.
  • Frank Oatley - age 4, male, born Killingly Ct, attended school.

In the 1860 United States census, the  Lorenzo D. Oatley family resided in North Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island.[5]  The household included:

  • Lorenzo D. Oatley - age 39, male, an Overseer in mill, born R.I.
  • D.L. Oatley - age 40, female, a Dress maker, born Conn.
  • Frank J. Oatley - age 14, male, $5000 in real estate, born Conn.

In the 1870 United States Census, the L.D. Oatly family was enumerated in Brownville, Jefferson County, New York.[6] The household included:

  • L. D. Oatly - age 50, male, white, Weaver in cotton mill, $900 in real property, $520 in personal property, born Rhode Island, can read and write.
  • Dolly Oatly - age 50, female, white, House Keeper, born Conneccticut, can read and write
  • Frank J. Oatly - age 24, male, white, Watch in cotton mill, born Conneccticut, can read and write
  • Elner Oatly - age 23, female, white, born Connecticut, can read and write
  • Ida H. Oatly - age 1, female, white, born Massachusetts

In the 1880 United States Census, the Lorenzo D. Oatley family resided in Plainfield, Windham County, Connecticut.[7]  The household included:

  • Lorenzo D. Oatley - white, male, age 59, married, works in cotton mill, born Rhode Island, father born R.I., mother born R.I.
  • Dolly L. Oatley - white, female, age 60, married, keeping house, born Connecticut, father born Conn., mother born Conn.

Dolly (Aldrich) Oatley died on 18 June 1887 at the age of 67 in Crompton, Kent County, Rhode Island.  

Lorenzo Dow Oatley died at the age of 79 on 11 October 1900 in Pawtucket, Providence, Rhode Island, United States.[2,8] The Rhode Island death registry for 1900 in Pawtucket lists the followinginformation:  died 11 October 1900, age 79 years, 6 months, residence Owen Ave., male, white, laborer, born So. Kingston, parents Jonathan and Annie, burial East Killingly, Conn., cause of death dysentery.

Lorenzo Dow Oatley was buried in Bartlett Cemetery #1 in East Killingly, Connecticut.[2] 

SOURCES:

1. Harry J. Oatley, The Oatley Family in America and Their Descendants (Providence, R.I. : The Oatley Family Association, 1970), page 40ff, Jonathan Oatley family sketch.

2. Find A Grave, imaged,  (https://www.findagrave.com), Bartlett Cemetery #1, Killingly, Conn., Lorenzo Dow Oatley (1821-1900) memorial #119636123.

3. Killingly, Connecticut, "Killingly Births, Marriages and Deaths" (Register at Killingly Town Hall, Danielson, Connecticut), Volume 2, 1849-1881; Page 27a, Lorenzo D. Oatley and Elizabeth A. Weatherhead marriage entry, 24 March 1844.

4. 1850 United States Federal Census, Windham County, Connecticut, population schedule, Thompson, page 136/272 (stamped/penned), dwelling #360 family #403, Lorenzo D. Oatley household; imaged, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/8054/records/18364360 : accessed 5 June 2025); citing Seventh Census of the United States, 1850; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M432, 1009 rolls); Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29; National Archives, Washington, D.C.

5. 1860 United States Federal Census, Providence County, Rhode Island, population schedule, North Providence, page 3 (penned), dwelling #16, family #21, Lorenzo D. Oatley household; imaged, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7667/records/34891443 : accessed 5 June 2025); citing  1860 U.S. census, population schedule. NARA microfilm publication M653, 1,438 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration.

6. 1870 United States Federal Census, Jefferson County, New York, population schedule, Brownville, page 13 (penned), dwelling #116, family #120, L.D. Oatly household; imaged, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com); citing 1870 U.S. census, population schedules. NARA microfilm publication M593, 1,761 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration.

7. 1880 United States Federal Census, Windham County, Connecticut, population schedule, Plainfield, ED 130, page 50 (penned), dwelling #293, family #566, Lorenzo D. Oatley household; imaged, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6742/records/22829651 : accessed 5 June 2025); Tenth Census of the United States, 1880. NARA microfilm publication T9, 1,454 rolls. Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.

8. "Rhode Island U.S., Death Registrations and Records, 1852-1946," imaged, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/62906/ : accessed 5 June 2025); 1900, City of Pawtucket, page 113 (penned, image 142 of 310), Lorenzo Dowe Oatley entry, died 11 October 1900.

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Lorenzo Dow Oatley (1821-1900) is my 2nd great-granduncle and brother of my 2nd great-grandmother, Amy Frances Oatley (1826-1864).  

I have posted over 500 genealogical sketches of  my ancestors back through the 7th great-.grandparents and a number of close relatives.  Information about her father, Jonathan Oatley (1790-1872) in 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks - Week 39: #46 Jonathan Oatley (1790-1872).

The "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 add links to the 52 Ancestors and 52 Relatives sketches on the 52 Ancestors/Relatives Biographies page, in my Ancestry Member Tree, in WikiTree, and in the FamilySearch Family Tree. 

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Copyright (c) 2025, Randall J. Seaver

Please comment on this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post.  Share it on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest using the icons below.  Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com.   Note that all comments are moderated, and may not appear immediately.

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Findmypast Friday: Explore new additions from Cromarty to Cumbernauld this week

  I received this information from Findmypast today:

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Discover Scottish Poor Lists and so much more.

We've added over 7,000 Scottish records this week. Delve deeper into the lives of your ancestors with Poor Law lists and assorted documents from across the country.

Scotland, People of the Black Isle, Ross and Cromarty

This new set is comprised of 7,239 records, covering 1338 to 1850.

Scotland, Poor Law & Poor Lists

We added 739 records to this existing collection, covering over 100 years of Scottish history.

Uncover new stories in the archive

Eight titles joined our newspaper collection this week, with over 150,000 new pages added.

New titles:
  • African Critic, 1895–1904, 1906–1914
  • Blackburn Catholic News, 1908
  • Cornish Evening Tidings, 1891
  • Devon and Somerset News, 1875–1876, 1878–1885, 1887–1895, 1898–1920
  • Eccles Advertiser and District Recorder, 1886, 1889
  • Salford Chronicle, 1888–1889
  • St. Neots Advertiser, 1916
  • Wood Green and Southgate Weekly Herald, 1931–1965
Updated titles:
  • Bookseller, 2001
  • Christchurch Times, 1915–1918
  • Hastings & St. Leonards Advertiser, 1860–1861, 1870–1872, 1874, 1896, 1901–1907
  • Limerick Reporter, 1874–1881, 1883–1889, 1896
  • Midland Reporter and Westmeath Nationalist, 1911–1915, 1917–1919, 1931–1936
  • Missionary Herald of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, 1852–1854, 1856–1857, 1859–1862, 1864
  • Newry Telegraph, 1903–1909, 1916–1922, 1924–1925, 1927, 1930–1933, 1940–1944, 1951, 1953, 1956, 1960–1965
  • Preston Pilot, 1831–1841, 1843–1849
  • Saunders’s News-Letter, 1873–1879
  • Southern Times and Dorset County Herald, 1912–1915, 1917–1919
  • Swansea Journal and South Wales Liberal, 1890–1892
  • Welsh Gazette, 1952, 1954–1959
More on this topic:                scottish records

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See all of my posts about Findmypast at   https://www.geneamusings.com/search/label/FindMyPast

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/2025/06/findmypast-friday-explore-new-additions.html

Copyright (c) 2025, Randall J. Seaver

Please comment on this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post. Share it on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest using the icons below. Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com. Note that all comments are moderated, and may not appear immediately.

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Thursday, June 5, 2025

Added and Updated MyHeritage Record Collections - 30 May to 5 June 2025

  The following Record Collections were ADDED to or updated in the MyHeritage Collections Catalog during the week of 30 May to 5 June 2025:


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

There is 1 ADDED record collections this past week, and MyHeritage now has a total of  7,477 record collections (an increase of 0 collections from last week), with 35,100,114,920  total entries (an increase of about 687 million entries from last week).  Apparently, one record collection was removed this past week.  Which one?

The number of entries in the family tree collections were last updated two weeks ago.

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Disclosure: I receive a complimentary subscription to MyHeritage, and have received other material consideration in past years. I uploaded my autosomal DNA raw data to their DNA product. This does not affect my objective analysis of MyHeritage products. I am a paid subscriber to Family Tree Webinars and love it.

The URL for this post is:  https://www.geneamusings.com/2025/06/added-and-updated-myheritage-record.html

Copyright (c) 2025, 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 X, Facebook, or Pinterest using the icons below. Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com.  Note that all comments are moderated, so they may not appear immediately.

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Thomas Richmond's Life Memories - An AI-Assisted Memoir

I wrote an AI-assisted biography of my great-grandfather Thomas Richman (1848-1917) in ABC Biography of #10 Thomas Richman/Richmond (1848-1917) of Wiltshire, England and New England, USA based on my genealogical sketch of Thomas's life.

Based on the genealogical sketch, I requested Claude Sonnet 4 to create a memoir written by Thomas Richman answering certain questions posed by his children and grandchildren (well, one of his great-grandchildren!) about his life in 1910.  Here are Thomas's AI-assisted memories:

Thomas Richmond's Life Memories

As told to his children and grandchildren in 1911, at age 63

Tell me about your childhood. Who was in your family, where did you live, did you go to school, did you work, what fun did you have?

My childhood was split between two worlds, and I consider myself fortunate for it. I was born in 1848 in Hilperton, a small village in Wiltshire, England, to your grandfather James Richman—we spelled it differently then—and your grandmother, born Hannah Rich. Father worked as a coal merchant laborer, hauling and selling coal to neighbors, while Mother was a skilled woolen weaver. By the time I was two, I had a little brother James, and our family kept growing with sisters Louisa, Elizabeth, and Emma.

Our cottage in Hilperton was small but filled with warmth. I remember the stone walls, the sound of Mother's loom clicking away, and the rolling green countryside that surrounded our village. Those early years in England gave me a love for the old ways and an appreciation for skilled handwork that has stayed with me all my life.

When I was eight years old—though the ship records mistakenly listed me as six—everything changed. In November 1856, we boarded the British Ship Osprey in Bristol for the crossing to America. What an adventure that was! The voyage took weeks, and I'll never forget my first sight of New York Harbor. Mother made the journey with us children while Father had gone ahead to find work and a place for us to live.  It was so wonderful to see Father again after a year!

We settled in Burrillville, Rhode Island, in the mill country. This is where my American education began—and what a blessing that was! In England, children like us rarely had such opportunities for schooling. I attended school alongside my siblings, learning to read and write properly, which served me well throughout my career. The family continued to grow with more children born on American soil, including little Hannah, our first true American, and then Edwin and John.  We moved to Putnam, Connecticut in 1865 when Father found a mill job and then bought a dairy farm.

For fun, we had simple pleasures—exploring the New England towns and countryside, especially the ponds and rivers with wildlife.  We helped with family chores, and watched the great textile mills operate. Even as a boy, I was fascinated by the machinery and the transformation of raw materials into finished cloth. Those mills were like cathedrals of industry to a child's eyes.

 (Thomas Richmond ca 1875 from family collections)

What occupations did you have?

My entire working life has been devoted to the textile industry, following in the footsteps of my dear mother's weaving work, though with far more machinery involved! I started at the bottom in the Connecticut mills, learning every aspect of wool preparation and carding—the crucial process of preparing raw wool for spinning into yarn.

Through diligence and a genuine love for the craft, I worked my way up to become an overseer while still in my twenties. My first major position was with the Westerly Woolen Company in Rhode Island. From there, my career took me across New England—to mills in Salisbury and Elmville in Connecticut, then to Leominster, Massachusetts, and back to Putnam, Connecticut.

I've had the privilege of being recognized as one of the finest woolen carders in all of New England, which fills me with great pride. Currently, I work with the Putnam Woolen Company, and I'm a member of the National Association of Woolen and Worsted Overseers, which keeps me connected with the best practices in our industry.

Beyond the mills, I've also served our community as choir director at St. Philip's Episcopal Church in Putnam. Music has always been a passion of mine, and leading the choir has allowed me to contribute to our spiritual life while exercising talents that bring me great joy.

What was the hardest challenge in your life?

Without question, the hardest challenge has been burying my children. No parent should have to lay their child to rest, yet your mother and I have endured this heartbreak twice. Little Frederic died when he was only five years old—just a small boy full of promise. That loss nearly broke our hearts, and the grief never fully leaves you.

Then we lost Charles Percival this year in 1911, when he should have been in the prime of his life. Each of these losses tested our faith and strained our spirits in ways I can barely describe. The only thing that sustained us was our belief that they were in God's hands and the love and support of our surviving children.

The everyday challenges—immigrant poverty, learning new ways in a new country, working my way up from the bottom of the mill hierarchy—these were difficult, but they were challenges I could face with determination and hard work. The loss of children is something no amount of effort can fix or prevent, and that helplessness is the hardest burden I've ever carried.


(Thomas and Juliette Richmond family in about 1888, probably in Putnam, Conn., from family collection)

What major life decisions did you make and how did they work out?

The most significant decision of my life was marrying your dear mother, Julia E. White, on June 20, 1868, when we were both just twenty years old. What a blessing that union has been! Juliette—as I've always called her—was born right here in Connecticut to Rhode Island parents, so she brought true New England heritage to our family. She has been my partner in every sense for over forty years now, standing by me through career changes, family joys, and heartbreaking sorrows. Together we've raised nine children, and she's managed our household with grace and wisdom while I worked long hours at the mills. Her strength during our children's illnesses and deaths has been remarkable, and her love has been the steady foundation that made everything else in my life possible. I cannot imagine what my American story would have been without her by my side. 

Another significant decision of my life was becoming an American citizen on September 10, 1890. I had lived in this country for 34 years, built my career here, raised my family here, but I had never formally renounced my British allegiance. Standing before Judge S.A. Robinson in the Superior Court in Putnam, I took the oath to support the Constitution of the United States and formally severed my ties to Queen Victoria and the United Kingdom.

It was an emotional moment—I was rejecting the land of my birth while embracing the country that had given me every opportunity to succeed. But it felt right and necessary. America had been my true home since I was a boy, and making it official seemed like completing a journey that had begun on that ship crossing the Atlantic decades earlier.

The decision has worked out beautifully. I feel fully American now, with no divided loyalties or lingering questions about where I belong. This is my country, these are my people, and I've contributed to the industrial strength and community life that makes America great. I'm proud to be an American citizen, and I'm proud that my children were born into this citizenship that I had to earn.


(Thomas and Juliette Richmond family in about 1898 in Leominster, Mass., from family collection)

 What was your biggest accomplishment?

My biggest accomplishment is raising a family of good, honest, hardworking Americans with your mother Juliette. We brought nine children into this world, and despite the heartbreaking losses we've endured, we've raised sons and daughters who contribute to their communities, work honestly for their living, and carry forward the values we've tried to instill.

Professionally, I'm proud of the reputation I've earned in the textile industry. To be recognized as one of New England's finest woolen carders represents decades of learning, improving, and sharing knowledge with others. I've helped train countless young men in the trade, and I've seen the industry grow and modernize throughout my career.

But truly, my children are my greatest work. Annie caring for others, Bessie building her own family (she just named her infant Frederick!), Emily's and Charlie’s adventurous spirit taking them to California, Everett, Grace, and Edwin’s families in Leominster, and Jimmy also in Leominster, and all the grandchildren who are now coming along—this is the legacy that matters most to me.  I look forward to telling these stories again to all of them.

What are you proudest of?

I'm proudest of the fact that our family has maintained its closeness and values through all the changes and challenges life has brought us. We immigrated from England, adapted to American ways, weathered financial hardships, celebrated professional successes, and mourned terrible losses—yet we've remained united and supportive of one another.

I'm also proud that I've earned respect in my profession and my community. The work I've done in the textile mills has been honest and skilled, contributing to an industry that clothes people and provides good employment. My service to St. Philip's Church has enriched our spiritual community, and I hope I've been a good neighbor and citizen.

Most of all, I'm proud that we've lived with integrity. We've worked hard, treated others fairly, honored our commitments, and tried to leave every place a little better than we found it. That's a legacy worth leaving.

How do you want to be remembered?

I want to be remembered as a man who made the most of the opportunities America offered to an immigrant boy. I hope people will say that Thomas Richmond was a skilled craftsman who took pride in his work, a family man who loved his wife and children deeply, and a community member who contributed to the common good.

I'd like to be remembered as someone who bridged two worlds—carrying the best of English traditions while embracing American possibilities. I want my descendants to know that their heritage includes both the ancient skills of English wool workers and the innovative spirit of American industry.

Most importantly, I want to be remembered as a man of faith who found joy in simple things—good work, family gatherings, leading the church choir, and watching the next generation grow up strong and capable. If people remember me as decent and reliable, I'll be content.

What advice do you have for your grandchildren?

My dear grandchildren, you are growing up in a world of unprecedented opportunity. America in 1911 offers possibilities that would have been unimaginable when I was born in that small English village sixty-two years ago.

First, never forget the value of honest work. No matter what occupation you choose, approach it with pride and determination to excel. I started at the bottom of the textile mills and worked my way up through skill and persistence. There is dignity in all honest labor, and mastery of any craft brings its own rewards.

Second, remember that you are Americans by birth, but this citizenship comes with responsibilities. Participate in your communities, contribute to the common good, and never take for granted the freedoms and opportunities this country provides. I had to earn my citizenship after 34 years in America—you were born to it, so honor it.

Third, education is a treasure that no one can take from you. I was fortunate to attend school in Rhode Island, something that wouldn't have been possible for a working-class boy in England. Whatever learning opportunities come your way, seize them with both hands.

Fourth, hold your family close. The bonds between parents and children, brothers and sisters, are among life's greatest blessings. Support each other through difficulties, celebrate each other's successes, and remember that family love is often the only thing that sustains us through life's hardest trials.

Finally, maintain your faith and find ways to serve others. Whether through church, community organizations, or simple acts of neighborly kindness, look for opportunities to contribute to something larger than yourself. The choir work I've done at St. Philip's has brought me as much satisfaction as any professional achievement.

You are the inheritors of an immigrant's dream realized. Make the most of it, and someday, when you're old like your grandfather, you'll be able to look back on a life well-lived and stories worth telling to your own grandchildren.

 I received similar memories from OpenAI ChatGPT4, X Grok 3, and Google Gemini 2.5 Flash, but worded differently.  I could ask the Chatbots to expand on the memoir because some points in the reference document were missed in each of them.  I think that these relatively short memoirs are poignant and would be interesting to his family members, especially to his grandchildren, and even to his  great-grandchildren.  They seem to follow a similar theme for each person, and are positive and uplifting.  

This format provides a different perspective than a biography, doesn't it?  It is historical fiction,  but many of the historical facts are included and it rings true to me.  Now if I could only get a Wiltshireman's voice to tell the stories!  

In 1910, Thomas and Julia's adult children had just started their families - there were only 12 grandchildren then and the number grew to 15 before Thomas died in 1917, the eldest being 20 years old in 1910.

I will write more of these memoirs or life memories as told by my ancestors as time goes on.  This is great genealogy fun for me!

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See all of my Artificial Intelligence-related posts at https://www.geneamusings.com/p/artificial-intelligence-posts.html

Copyright (c) 2025, Randall J. Seaver


Please comment on this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post.  Share it on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest using the icons below.  Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com.  Note that all comments are moderated, so they may not appear immediately.

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