SNGF - My best genealogy Christmas gift

Here's my Saturday Night Genealogy Fun post for the week - the challenge was:

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

The only tangible genealogy gift I received was my very own presentation pointer for use in advancing slides and pointing at the screen.  It could be used as a cat exerciser, also. 

The intangible gifts are many - the hours spent with the grandchildren and my daughters, the hours spent talking to my brother-in-law and his partner about their ancestry.  Paul pulled out some pictures I had not seen before, and I scanned them and saved them to his hard drive and my flash drive.  We identified the people in two photos from their family structure - three boys and three girls, which led us to identifying the parents in separate portraits - all dated about 1880.  Paul and Deb were mesmerized by the genealogy software databases, and my ability to pull up information nearly instantaneously from the notes. 

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas, and that Santa was really good to them.

Saturday Night Genealogy Fun - what did you get?

It's Saturday Night - time for more Genealogy Fun! We can have lots of fun on Christmas! Come on, spill!  And it's OK to respond to this the day after too!


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

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

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

Since I am writing this several days before Christmas, and am in the Santa Cruz mountains with my daughter and grandsons when this post will publish, and have no clue what I'm getting (lumps of genealogy coal?), I will write a separate post with my own response!

Surname Saturday - FLETCHER (England to Massachusetts)

It's Surname Saturday, and I'm "counting down" my Ancestral Name List each week. I am up to number 147, who is Elizabeth FLETCHER (1720-1761), one of my 5th-great-grandmothers. [Note: The 5th great-grandfathers have been covered in earlier posts]


My ancestral line back through five generations of FLETCHER families is:

1. Randall J. Seaver

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

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

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

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

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

72.  Zachariah Hildreth (1754-1828)
73.  Elizabeth Keyes (1759-1793)

146. Jonathan Keyes, born 21 Jan 1721/22 in Chelmsford, Middlesex County, MA; died 20 Jun 1781 in Westford, Middlesex County, MA. He was the son of 292. Joseph Keyes and 293. Elizabeth Fletcher. He married 7. Elizabeth Fletcher 20 Jan 1745/46 in Westford, Middlesex County, MA.

147. Elizabeth Fletcher, born 09 Mar 1719/20 in Chelmsford, Middlesex County, MA; died 23 Jul 1761 in Westford, Middlesex County, MA.
Children of Jonathan Keyes and Elizabeth Fletcher are:  Joseph Keyes (1746-1823); Joanna Keyes (1749-1753); Aaron Keyes (1751-1753); Stephen Keyes (1754-1758); Joanna Keyes (1757-????); Elizabeth Keyes (1759-1793); Hannah Keyes (1761-1833).

294. Samuel Fletcher, born 06 Sep 1684 in Chelmsford, Middlesex County, MA; died 06 Sep 1749 in Westford, Middlesex, MA.  He married about 1712 in Chelmsford, Middlesex County, MA.
295. Hannah, born about 1689 in MA.

Children of Samuel Fletcher and Hannah are:  Samuel Fletcher (1713-????); Jacob Fletcher (1715-????); David Fletcher (1717-????); Hannah Fletcher (1718-????); Elizabeth Fletcher (1720-1761); Samuel Fletcher (1722-1730); Susanna Fletcher (1723-????); Jacob Fletcher (1725-????); Joanna Fletcher (1729-1730).

584. Samuel Fletcher, born before 01 Feb 1655/56 in Chelmsford, Middlesex County, MA; died before Dec 1723 in Chelmsford, Middlesex County, MA.  He married 06 Jul 1673 in Chelmsford, Middlesex County, MA.
585. Hannah Wheeler, born about 1649 in Concord, Middlesex County, MA; died 11 Dec 1697 in Chelmsford, Middlesex County, MA. She was the daughter of 1170. George Wheeler and 1171. Katherine Penn.

Children of Samuel Fletcher and Hannah Wheeler are:  William Fletcher (1673-1753); Hannah Fletcher (1676-????); Elizabeth Fletcher (1679-1715); Samuel Fletcher (1683-1683); Samuel Fletcher (1684-1749); Mary Fletcher (1686-1768); Lydia Fletcher (1689-1766); Susanna Fletcher (1692-????); Isaac Fletcher (1694-1772); Sarah Fletcher (1696-????).

1168. William Fletcher, born about 1622 in ENGLAND; died 06 Nov 1677 in Chelmsford, Middlesex County, MA.  He married  07 Nov 1645 in Concord, Middlesex County, MA.
1169. Lydia, born in ENGLAND; died 12 Oct 1704 in Chelmsford, Middlesex County, MA.

Children of William Fletcher and Lydia are: Lydia Fletcher (1647-????); Sarah Fletcher (1650-1656); Paul Fletcher (1656-????); Samuel Fletcher (1656-1723); William Fletcher (1657-1712); Mary Fletcher (1658-????); Esther Fletcher (1664-1693).

2336. Robert Fletcher, born about 1592 in ENGLAND; died 03 Apr 1677 in Concord, Middlesex County, MA. He married  before 1618 in ENGLAND.
2337.  Sarah, born in England.

Children of Robert Fletcher and Sarah are: Grissel Fletcher (1618-1669); Francis Fletcher (1620-1704); William Fletcher (1622-1677); Luke Fletcher (1625-1665); Samuel Fletcher (1632-1697);

Resources used for the Fletcher family include (besides Massachusetts town vital record books):

1.  Winifred Lovering Holman, Robert Fletcher of Concord, Mass. Bay, 1637, 1930 (manuscript on FHL Microfilm 0,015,506 Item 11

2.  Edward H. Fletcher, The Descendants of Robert Fletcher of Concord, Mass., Boston, Mass. : Rand, Avery & Co., Boston, 1881.

3.  Joan S. Guilford, The Ancestry of Dr. J.P. Guilford, Sheridan Psychological Services, Inc., 1990, Volume 1 (one line of the family).

I have several lines from Robert Fletcher in my ancestry.  In this particular line, I have four Fletcher wives that I only know the first names for - I wonder if any recent scholarship has found their maiden names?  I haven't looked for over ten years.  These problems may be solved once Massachusetts land and probate records are indexed and searchable. 

I'm sure that there are many readers descended from Robert Fletcher!

Merry Christmas to All!

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


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

'Twas the Night Before (the Genealogist's) Christmas

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

'Twas the night before Christmas

When all through the house

Not a creature was stirring,

Not even my spouse.

The dining room table with clutter was spread

With pedigree charts and with letters which said...

"Too bad about the data for which you wrote;

Sank in a storm on an ill-fated boat."

Stacks of old copies of wills and such

Were proof that my work had become too much.

Our children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads.

And I at my table was ready to drop

From work on my album with photos to crop.

Christmas was here, and such was my lot

That presents and goodies and toys I'd forgot.

Had I not been busy with grandparents' wills,

I'd not have forgotten to shop for such thrills,

While others bought gifts to bring Christmas cheers,

I'd spent time researching those birth dates and years.

While I was thus musing about my sad plight,

A strange noise on the lawn gave me such a great fright.

Away to the window I flew in a flash,

Tore open the drapes and yanked up the sash.

When what with my wondering eyes should appear,

But an overstuffed sleigh and eight small reindeer.

Up to the house top the reindeer they flew,

With a sleigh full of toys and 'ole Santa Claus, too.

And then in a twinkle, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of thirty-two hoofs.

As I drew in my head, and bumped it on the sash,

Down the cold chimney fell Santa--KER-RASH!

"Dear" Santa had come from the roof in a wreck,

And tracked soot on the carpet, (I could wring his short neck!)

Spotting my face, good 'ole Santa could see

I had no Christmas spirit you'd have to agree.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work

And filled all the stockings, (I felt like a jerk).

Here was Santa, who'd brought us such gladness and joy:

When I'd been too busy for even one toy.

He spied my research on the table all spread

"A genealogist!" He cried! (My face was all red!)

"Tonight I've met many like you," Santa grinned,

As he pulled from his sack a large book he had penned.

I gazed with amusement--the cover it read

Genealogy Lines for Which You Have Plead.

"I know what it's like as a genealogy bug."He said

as he gave me a great Santa hug.

"While the elves make the sleighful of toys I now carry,

I do some research in the North Pole Library!

A special treat I am thus able to bring,

To genealogy folk who can't find a thing."

"Now off you go to your bed for a rest,

I'll clean up the house from this genealogy mess."

As I climbed up the stairs full of gladness and glee,

I looked back at Santa who'd brought much to me.

While settling in bed, I heard Santa's clear whistle,

To his team, which then rose like the down of a thistle.

And I heard him exclaim as he flew out of sight,

"Family history is Fun! Merry Christmas! Goodnight!"

--Author Unknown

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

Advent Calendar - 24 December: Christmas Eve

This is the 24th of 24 posts for the Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories, a Geneablogger tradition.

On the first day of Christmas,

Anticipation was high
For Santa Claus was nigh!

1) How did you and your family spend Christmas Eve?

As a child, we always (that I recall) spent Christmas Eve at my grandparents house in Point Loma because they had a chimney. At a young age, I was always trying to figure out how Santa Claus could visit us in our apartment flat - and my parents tried to prevent questions by doing this. I'm sure my grandparents loved this, since my brother and I were their only grandchildren.

It was also a handy place to store toys and gifts for us before the holidays. We used to look everywhere in our house for them.Then one frosty Christmas Eve, (um, well, wrong adjective, but what the hey) my brother and I were exploring my grandparents' garage - and found two bicycles. Aha - if we get these tomorrow from Santa, then we will know for sure that Santa is really our parents. Sure enough, there they were on Christmas morning - marked from Santa!

But, being smart little boys, we just smiled at each other, and kept the secret for another year or so. After all, we now had a new little brother to watch over and have fun with.Christmas Eve day also included shopping - at least for me (covered on Day 6).

Speaking of which, I need to go on Monday the 24th to get the stocking stuff for Linda and maybe another gift or two. I wonder if she wants a USB flash drive for my laptop? Or a netbook? Or a laser pointer? Oops, that's what I want, but maybe I'll pick them up just to make sure she has enough gifts.

Back to Christmas Eve - in our married life, when we were scheduled to fly to San Francisco on Christmas Day, we often had our Seaver family Christmas celebration on Christmas Eve with my parents, grandparents, cousin Dorothy and my brothers. This was always Christmas dinner, gift exchange, and family talk.

When we were in town, we went to church on Christmas Eve - when the kids were young, we usually went to the early service at 6 or 7 PM, and saw the Christmas Story, sang hymns, and had our candle light march (as I explained on Day 5).

In years when we travel to see our girls and their families, we usually leave several days before Christmas, spend two nights in Victorville, then arrive Christmas Eve day in Santa Cruz. Last year, the Santa Cruz family with the grand-boys was here the weekend before and we were in Victorville for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with the grand-girls.  This year, we were in Victorville last weekend, we're in Monte Rio for Chrisrtmas Eve, and we'll get to the Santa Cruz family on Christmas Day in time for dinner.

When the grandkids are here, then there is the setting up and setting out of gifts on Christmas Eve while sugar plums dance in their heads, plus putting cookies and milk out for Santa, his elves and the reindeer.

Christmas Names in the Census Records

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

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


So, here are the rest of my "character" findings (originally posted in 2006) -

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Just wondering!!

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

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

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

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

Treasure Chest Thursday - Isaac Seaver's Civil War Pension File: Dropped from the Rolls

For Treasure Chest Thursday, I am presenting and transcribing papers from the Civil War Pension File (selected documents) of my Second Great-Grandfather, Isaac Seaver (1823-1901). In previous posts, I've presented:

* Treasure Chest Thursday - Isaac Seaver's Pension Declaration
* Treasure Chest Thursday - Isaac Seaver's Civil War Pension File: Widow's First Declaration
* Treasure Chest Thursday - Isaac Seaver's Civil War Pension File: General Affidavit #1
* Treasure Chest Thursday - Isaac Seaver's Civil War Pension File: General Affidavit #2
* Treasure Chest Thursday - Isaac Seaver's Civil War Pension File: 1900 Status Report

Isaac Seaver's death on 12 March 1901 was reported to the Pension Office and this form was added to the pension file:

The transcription of this document is:

Act of June 27, 1890.
Pensioner Dropped.

U.S. Pension Agency,
BOSTON, MASS.
May 31, 190 1
Certificate No.  850,736
Class  Valid
Pensioner Isaac Seaver 3d
Soldier  _____________
Service Pri. H 4 Mass V H A
W O 738086
Hon. Commissioner of Pensions:

SIR: I have the honor to report that the
above-named pensioner who was last paid
at $ 8   to 4 March, 1 901
has been dropped because of REPORTED DEATH
_______________________
_______________________
Date 12 Mch 1901
_______________________
Very respectfully,
_______________________
Pension Agent.

The useful information from this document is that Isaac Seaver was receiving a pension of $8 per month for his service. 

Advent Calendar - 23 December: Christmas and Sweetheart Memories

This is the 23rd of 24 posts for the Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories, a Geneablogger tradition.

On the 2nd day of Christmas

My true love spoils me
With so many Christmas gifts.

1) Do you have a special memory of a first Christmas present from a sweetheart?

I have no clue what the first Christmas present from Linda was in 1969. I do know that we made a commitment to each other about that time, and that was the greatest gift I could have received. We married in March 1970.

2) How did you spend your first Christmas together?

We didn't in 1969, even though that was our first year "together." Linda flew up to San Francisco to be with her parents, brother and other relatives for Christmas. I probably took her to the airport on the 23rd or 24th, and I'm sure that I welcomed her back several days after Christmas.

In the literal sense, our first Christmas together (1970) was spent in San Francisco at her parents house on 47th Avenue in the Sunset District. I had been there several times before. It was one of those row houses ("little boxes on the hillside") that was essentially 24' by 24' with two stories - living above, garage below. They had added a room (again probably 24' by 24') on both stories - the upper room was her parents' bedroom, the lower room was the party room.

When we visited, we got to sleep in the second bedroom with a foldout bed. A terrible bed - had a plywood board under the two-inch thick mattress. Christmas there was different - with several elderly family members coming to dinner and close neighbors dropping by.

The atmosphere was celebratory, everyone seemed happy to see everyone else, liquor flowed freely, and the gifts were forgettable. But the family feeling was always there. The most special person was Linda's grandmother - called "Oo Hoo" (yep - you guessed it, when Linda was a child, when they arrived at the door, her aunt would call out "Yoo hoo" and "Oo Hoo" would come to greet everybody. The name stuck - everybody used it). In 1970, she was age 86 and had attended our wedding and just beamed when her granddaughter married this nice young engineer man from San Diego with some hair. Paul and I would go fetch the elderly aunts, another elderly distant cousin and her husband would come also, and a widow from down the street who was her parents good friend.

As the years went on, we alternated celebrating Christmas in San Francisco and San Diego. When the girls came along, we kept this tradition well into the 1980's.

(Not So) Wordless Wednesday - A Christmas Greeting!

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


Here is a recent photograph (from last Christmas, we haven't changed much!), taken at our home of my wife Linda and myself as we prepared ourselves for the "four grandchildren opening gifts in one hour."

From our home to yours,

We Wish You All a Very Merry Christmas!

We are off now for a visit to our daughter's home in Santa Cruz - so blogging will be light. I will have my laptop available and will read but may not blog.