Christine Sharbrough wrote Massachusetts Vital Records to 1850: Are they really? on The ProGenealogists Blog on Sunday. She described the collection of Massachusetts town books, many of them called the "Tan Books," which were created from whatever records were available from different towns in Massachusetts - town records, church records, personal records, probate records, cemetery records, etc.
ProGenealogists have created the Massachusetts Genealogy Databases web page with links to some of the town record books that are available online at free or commercial web sites. I counted records for 11 towns, which is about half of the total available in the "Tan Book" series. There are also some books online that are not in the "Tan Book" series, and there are some town vital record books that are not online due to recent publication and/or copyright restrictions.
While this list is very helpful, it is not complete. I hope that ProGenealogists will update it as they acquire more information about online Massachusetts town vital record books. For instance, there are online books available for:
* Vital records of Leominster, Massachusetts, to the end of the year 1849
* Vital records of Westminster, Massachusetts, to the end of the year 1849
* Vital records of Ashburnham, Massachusetts: to the end of the year 1849
* Vital records of West Boylston, Massachusetts, to the end of the year 1849
* Vital records of Warren [formerly Western], Massachusetts, to the year 1850
* Vital records of Framingham, Massachusetts, to the year 1850
* Vital records of Roxbury, Massachusetts to the end of the year 1849
* Vital records of Southborough, Massachusetts: to the end of the year 1849
* Vital records of Northborough, Massachusetts to the end of the year 1850
* Vital records of Marlborough, Massachusetts, to the end of the year 1849
Those are some of the ones I've found during my research endeavors - and I have ancestors in all of them but Warren, I believe. There are plenty more town vital record books available online that are not on the ProGenealogists list.
While looking for the town record books noted above, I ran across perhaps the most complete listing of the records available for each Massachusetts town on the Massachusetts Genealogy website at http://www.massachusetts-genealogy.com/. There are lists by county, by town, by record type, and much more. It looks like a fantastic resource for researchers with colonial Massachusetts ancestors.
So - a two-fer - I like the ProGenealogists list, and I like the Massachusetts Genealogy website too. Already favorites!
Monday, December 21, 2009
Advent Calendar - Day 4: Christmas Music
On the 4th Day of Christmas
My true love sang to me,
"Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"
(in J-sharp, but with spirit!)
1) What songs did your family listen to during Christmas?
When I was a boy, we sang the traditional carols at school - Joy to the World, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Silent Night, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Away in a Manger, Deck the Halls, The First Noel, Oh Come All Ye Faithful come to mind. So, as a child, I knew the tunes and the first stanza of each. These came in handy on Christmas Eve when we stayed at my grandparents house - she would come into the bedroom (no doubt my parents and grandfather were putting stuff together in the garage or living room) and we would sing together for quite a while before going to bed hoping that sugar plums would dance in our heads (a sugar plum? I'm sure I hoped for dreams of toys and fun things). I don't remember my parents singing Christmas carols, or popular Christmas songs, in the home.
After I was married and the girls came along, our house was filled with Christmas carols because they were always practicing for the King's Kids performances in church. We would often sing some carols and popular songs just before bed with them.
2) Did you ever go caroling?
As a boy, I never went caroling. Sing in public, who, me? Mr. J-sharp? Nope.
As a parent, we went several times with our kids as part of the church couples group. We usually got a list of shut-in families from the church office and would go around singing to them. Now, there is a yearly Christmas Carol event on a Sunday before Christmas (it was two Sundays ago - we didn't go this year).
3) Did you have a favorite song?
I think my favorite traditional Christmas carols are "Silent Night" and "Joy to the World." Of the newer carols, I love "Angels We Have Heard on High."
Of the popular Christmas songs, my tastes range from Bing Crosby's "White Christmas," "Winter Wonderland" and "Silver Bells" to Brenda Lee's "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" and Elmo's "Grandma Got Run over By a Reindeer."
I like the "12 Days of Christmas" parodies too - see and hear them here (I've been waiting to slip that in somewhere).
My true love sang to me,
"Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"
(in J-sharp, but with spirit!)
1) What songs did your family listen to during Christmas?
When I was a boy, we sang the traditional carols at school - Joy to the World, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Silent Night, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Away in a Manger, Deck the Halls, The First Noel, Oh Come All Ye Faithful come to mind. So, as a child, I knew the tunes and the first stanza of each. These came in handy on Christmas Eve when we stayed at my grandparents house - she would come into the bedroom (no doubt my parents and grandfather were putting stuff together in the garage or living room) and we would sing together for quite a while before going to bed hoping that sugar plums would dance in our heads (a sugar plum? I'm sure I hoped for dreams of toys and fun things). I don't remember my parents singing Christmas carols, or popular Christmas songs, in the home.
After I was married and the girls came along, our house was filled with Christmas carols because they were always practicing for the King's Kids performances in church. We would often sing some carols and popular songs just before bed with them.
2) Did you ever go caroling?
As a boy, I never went caroling. Sing in public, who, me? Mr. J-sharp? Nope.
As a parent, we went several times with our kids as part of the church couples group. We usually got a list of shut-in families from the church office and would go around singing to them. Now, there is a yearly Christmas Carol event on a Sunday before Christmas (it was two Sundays ago - we didn't go this year).
3) Did you have a favorite song?
I think my favorite traditional Christmas carols are "Silent Night" and "Joy to the World." Of the newer carols, I love "Angels We Have Heard on High."
Of the popular Christmas songs, my tastes range from Bing Crosby's "White Christmas," "Winter Wonderland" and "Silver Bells" to Brenda Lee's "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" and Elmo's "Grandma Got Run over By a Reindeer."
I like the "12 Days of Christmas" parodies too - see and hear them here (I've been waiting to slip that in somewhere).
Sunday, December 20, 2009
12 Days of a Genealogy Christmas
A genealogy oriented version of the Twelve Days of Christmas is available on the Internet - see Kimberly Powell's site at http://genealogy.about.com/library/blchristmas-twelve.htm.
I decided I would do my own based on using computer genealogy, my own needs and my own research:
On the 12th day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me --
Twelve Revolutionary War pension files with the Family Bible -pages included (12)
Eleven passenger lists clearly written (22)
Ten WorldConnect entries of elusive ancestors (30)
Nine message board postings from distant cousins (36)
Eight probate files (40)
Seven census pages (42)
Six deed abstracts (42)
Five newspaper obituaries (40)
Four marriage records (36)
Three family Bibles (30)
Two draft card images (22)
And a new name in my family tree. (12)
I've put the total number in parenthesis of each item - if you sing the song all the way through, going one number at a time.
My true love is a busy girl, isn't she?
But, but, but ... that would take all the fun out of the ancestor search, wouldn't it?
I decided I would do my own based on using computer genealogy, my own needs and my own research:
On the 12th day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me --
Twelve Revolutionary War pension files with the Family Bible -pages included (12)
Eleven passenger lists clearly written (22)
Ten WorldConnect entries of elusive ancestors (30)
Nine message board postings from distant cousins (36)
Eight probate files (40)
Seven census pages (42)
Six deed abstracts (42)
Five newspaper obituaries (40)
Four marriage records (36)
Three family Bibles (30)
Two draft card images (22)
And a new name in my family tree. (12)
I've put the total number in parenthesis of each item - if you sing the song all the way through, going one number at a time.
My true love is a busy girl, isn't she?
But, but, but ... that would take all the fun out of the ancestor search, wouldn't it?
Best of the Genea-Blogs - December 13-19, 2009
Hundreds of genealogy and family history bloggers write thousands of posts every week about their research, their families, and their interests. I appreciate each one of them and their efforts.
My criteria for "Best of ..." are pretty simple - I pick posts that advance knowledge about genealogy and family history, address current genealogy issues, provide personal family history, are funny or are poignant. I don't list posts destined for the genealogy carnivals, or other meme submissions (but I do include summaries of them), or my own posts.
Here are my picks for great reads from the genealogy blogs for this past week:
* State Census Records Online by Miriam Midkiff on the Ancestories: Stories of my Ancestors blog. Miriam listed the states with state census records, the years available, and the online web sites that have them (if any). Excellent finding aid!
* Working with the Federal Population Schedules by "TGblogger" on the Blog of a Genealogist in Training. Persistence and a bit of help from an ED finder paid off for TGblogger - she found her target family in the 1900 census. An outstanding example of census research - and typical of maybe 10% to 20% of the population enumerated.
* SNGF: Dream Database by Taneya Koone on Taneya's Genealogy Blog. Taneya summarizes last week's Saturday Night Genealogy Fun submissions, but then provides the wonderful example of making those dreams come true. Well done, Taneya!
* Newspaper Research by Robyn on the Reclaiming Kin blog. What a great collection of newspaper clippings that Robyn has posted. They are examples of what can be found in local newspapers all over the country. Not all are online!
* 10 top new genealogy resources online in 2009 by John Reid on the Anglo-Celtic Connections blog. John put this list together of Canadian and British Isles resources - a keeper!
* A Lesson in Writing a Narrative Family History by Lynn Palermo on The Armchair Genealogist blog. Lynn has helpful advice on the subject, obviously from her experience.
* It's All a Memory Now.... by Terri Kallio on The Ties That Bind blog. Terri wrote a beautiful tribute to her late husband - thank you, Terri, for sharing your memories, and we mourn your loss.
* Canadian Genealogy Carnival 7th Edition by Kathryn Lake on the LOOKING4ANCESTORS blog. There were three submissions to this Carousel edition of the Canadian Genealogy carnival, but they are good ones!
* A MOMENT OF SANITY by Bill West on the West in New England blog. Bill had an encounter with a customer in his bookstore that ended with satisfaction for both of them. A small event in a hectic day that both will remember.
* My Favorite Christmas Carol by Thomas MacEntee on the Destination: Austin Family blog. Thomas sings a little ditty for the Choir of Genea-Angels, and it is, um, unique. Funny too. Priceless, in fact. Is it viral yet on YouTube?
* Cemetery Inventories and Find A Grave by Denise Olson in her Tech T.I.P. column in the Online Graveyard Rabbit Journal blog. Denise discusses submitting cemetery inventories to Find-a-Grave using an Excel spreadsheet to organize the entries.
* Carnival of Genealogy, 86th Edition by Jasia on the Creative Gene blog. This Carnival had two themes - "The Other December Events" (birthdays and anniversaries) and "Our Wish Lists for Genea-Santa". There were 17 and 22 entries, respectively, for the two themes.
* Saw Dust and Dark Holes by Lee Drew on the FamHist blog. Lee tells a fascinating story about ice and his great-grandfather's business of providing it in the 1800s without refrigeration.
* The Carnival's In Town by footnoteMaven on the Shades of the Departed blog. The topic for the 19th edition of the "Smile for the Camera" carnival was "Gift" and had a record 62 entries.
* The Discussion about Standards, Certification, Maturity, etc.: Useful or Divisive? Elitist Envy or Intellectual Inevitability? by Craig Manson on the Geneablogie blog. This is Part I of a courtroom drama - well done, and the readers can hardly wait for the sequels!
* Furthering the discussion on certification by James Tanner on the Genealogy's Star blog. James follows up on Craig's post with summations and comments about expertise.
* Weekly Genealogy Picks by John Newmark on the Transylvanian Dutch blog. John's list of good genea-blog readings!
* Weekly Rewind by Apple on the Apple's Tree blog. Apple's weekly summary of her activity, including favorite blog posts.
I encourage you to go to the blogs listed above and read their articles, and add their blog to your Favorites, Bloglines, reader, feed or email if you like what you read. Please make a comment to them also - all bloggers appreciate feedback on what they write.
Did I miss a great genealogy blog post? Tell me! I am currently reading posts from over 550 genealogy bloggers using Bloglines, but I still miss quite a few it seems.
Read past Best of the Genea-Blogs posts here.
UPDATED 9 p.m. Added the Shades of the Departed carnival post, which I missed in my Bloglines review during the week. sorry, fM!
My criteria for "Best of ..." are pretty simple - I pick posts that advance knowledge about genealogy and family history, address current genealogy issues, provide personal family history, are funny or are poignant. I don't list posts destined for the genealogy carnivals, or other meme submissions (but I do include summaries of them), or my own posts.
Here are my picks for great reads from the genealogy blogs for this past week:
* State Census Records Online by Miriam Midkiff on the Ancestories: Stories of my Ancestors blog. Miriam listed the states with state census records, the years available, and the online web sites that have them (if any). Excellent finding aid!
* Working with the Federal Population Schedules by "TGblogger" on the Blog of a Genealogist in Training. Persistence and a bit of help from an ED finder paid off for TGblogger - she found her target family in the 1900 census. An outstanding example of census research - and typical of maybe 10% to 20% of the population enumerated.
* SNGF: Dream Database by Taneya Koone on Taneya's Genealogy Blog. Taneya summarizes last week's Saturday Night Genealogy Fun submissions, but then provides the wonderful example of making those dreams come true. Well done, Taneya!
* Newspaper Research by Robyn on the Reclaiming Kin blog. What a great collection of newspaper clippings that Robyn has posted. They are examples of what can be found in local newspapers all over the country. Not all are online!
* 10 top new genealogy resources online in 2009 by John Reid on the Anglo-Celtic Connections blog. John put this list together of Canadian and British Isles resources - a keeper!
* A Lesson in Writing a Narrative Family History by Lynn Palermo on The Armchair Genealogist blog. Lynn has helpful advice on the subject, obviously from her experience.
* It's All a Memory Now.... by Terri Kallio on The Ties That Bind blog. Terri wrote a beautiful tribute to her late husband - thank you, Terri, for sharing your memories, and we mourn your loss.
* Canadian Genealogy Carnival 7th Edition by Kathryn Lake on the LOOKING4ANCESTORS blog. There were three submissions to this Carousel edition of the Canadian Genealogy carnival, but they are good ones!
* A MOMENT OF SANITY by Bill West on the West in New England blog. Bill had an encounter with a customer in his bookstore that ended with satisfaction for both of them. A small event in a hectic day that both will remember.
* My Favorite Christmas Carol by Thomas MacEntee on the Destination: Austin Family blog. Thomas sings a little ditty for the Choir of Genea-Angels, and it is, um, unique. Funny too. Priceless, in fact. Is it viral yet on YouTube?
* Cemetery Inventories and Find A Grave by Denise Olson in her Tech T.I.P. column in the Online Graveyard Rabbit Journal blog. Denise discusses submitting cemetery inventories to Find-a-Grave using an Excel spreadsheet to organize the entries.
* Carnival of Genealogy, 86th Edition by Jasia on the Creative Gene blog. This Carnival had two themes - "The Other December Events" (birthdays and anniversaries) and "Our Wish Lists for Genea-Santa". There were 17 and 22 entries, respectively, for the two themes.
* Saw Dust and Dark Holes by Lee Drew on the FamHist blog. Lee tells a fascinating story about ice and his great-grandfather's business of providing it in the 1800s without refrigeration.
* The Carnival's In Town by footnoteMaven on the Shades of the Departed blog. The topic for the 19th edition of the "Smile for the Camera" carnival was "Gift" and had a record 62 entries.
* The Discussion about Standards, Certification, Maturity, etc.: Useful or Divisive? Elitist Envy or Intellectual Inevitability? by Craig Manson on the Geneablogie blog. This is Part I of a courtroom drama - well done, and the readers can hardly wait for the sequels!
* Furthering the discussion on certification by James Tanner on the Genealogy's Star blog. James follows up on Craig's post with summations and comments about expertise.
* Weekly Genealogy Picks by John Newmark on the Transylvanian Dutch blog. John's list of good genea-blog readings!
* Weekly Rewind by Apple on the Apple's Tree blog. Apple's weekly summary of her activity, including favorite blog posts.
I encourage you to go to the blogs listed above and read their articles, and add their blog to your Favorites, Bloglines, reader, feed or email if you like what you read. Please make a comment to them also - all bloggers appreciate feedback on what they write.
Did I miss a great genealogy blog post? Tell me! I am currently reading posts from over 550 genealogy bloggers using Bloglines, but I still miss quite a few it seems.
Read past Best of the Genea-Blogs posts here.
UPDATED 9 p.m. Added the Shades of the Departed carnival post, which I missed in my Bloglines review during the week. sorry, fM!
Advent Calendar - Day 5: Religious Services
On the 5th Day of Christmas,
my true love reminded me
Of the reason for the season.
1) Did your family attend religious services together during the Christmas season?
As a child, my family did not attend any religious services. Neither of my parents had a religious tradition, although we boys were baptized. My brother Stan and I attended the Presbyterian church two blocks down 30th Street when we were young teens, but I don't recall Christmas traditions.
Linda and I married in and joined the Chula Vista Presbyterian Church in 1970, and have been members, and have served as elder and deacon, ever since. We have always attended religious services at Christmas, and participated in them as I noted in the Arts post.
When the girls were young, we would usually attend the Family Christmas Eve service (usually at 6 or 7 PM) with the Christmas Story and Christmas carols (and sometimes I was a wise man in a tableau). After the girls left home, we usually attended either the family service or the late evening communion service which was more solemn.
Now that our girls have families, we are not always at home - usually we are at one of their homes to celebrate Christmas.
2) What were the customs and traditions involved?
The really outstanding (literally, as you'll understand!) tradition, in my mind, is the parade of parishioners with lighted candles proceeding, after the service, from the sanctuary outside to gather around the cross, and singing Silent Night until everyone has gathered around the cross. Initially, the cross was in the patio next to the sanctuary, but now it's down in the parking lot in the center of a traffic circle. It is usually cold (for Chula Vista, that means the 40s or 50s) on Christmas Eve, but rarely wet, so everybody is in their Christmas finery and coats. After the song ends, the pastor gives a benediction, and everybody hugs and wishes "Merry Christmas" to their friends and colleagues. It is a solemn, mystical and inspirational end to the evening.
It was usually the highlight to my Christmas season... well, except for the excitement of Christmas Day watching the little ones discover gifts and trying them out.
my true love reminded me
Of the reason for the season.
1) Did your family attend religious services together during the Christmas season?
As a child, my family did not attend any religious services. Neither of my parents had a religious tradition, although we boys were baptized. My brother Stan and I attended the Presbyterian church two blocks down 30th Street when we were young teens, but I don't recall Christmas traditions.
Linda and I married in and joined the Chula Vista Presbyterian Church in 1970, and have been members, and have served as elder and deacon, ever since. We have always attended religious services at Christmas, and participated in them as I noted in the Arts post.
When the girls were young, we would usually attend the Family Christmas Eve service (usually at 6 or 7 PM) with the Christmas Story and Christmas carols (and sometimes I was a wise man in a tableau). After the girls left home, we usually attended either the family service or the late evening communion service which was more solemn.
Now that our girls have families, we are not always at home - usually we are at one of their homes to celebrate Christmas.
2) What were the customs and traditions involved?
The really outstanding (literally, as you'll understand!) tradition, in my mind, is the parade of parishioners with lighted candles proceeding, after the service, from the sanctuary outside to gather around the cross, and singing Silent Night until everyone has gathered around the cross. Initially, the cross was in the patio next to the sanctuary, but now it's down in the parking lot in the center of a traffic circle. It is usually cold (for Chula Vista, that means the 40s or 50s) on Christmas Eve, but rarely wet, so everybody is in their Christmas finery and coats. After the song ends, the pastor gives a benediction, and everybody hugs and wishes "Merry Christmas" to their friends and colleagues. It is a solemn, mystical and inspirational end to the evening.
It was usually the highlight to my Christmas season... well, except for the excitement of Christmas Day watching the little ones discover gifts and trying them out.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Saturday Night Genealogy Fun - Your Genealogy Gift
It's Saturday Night, time for some Genealogy Fun!!
Rev up the olde thynking cap and cue up the Mission Impossible music - your mission should you decide to accept it - keeping with the Christmas theme - is:
1) Pick out a genealogy-oriented gift for someone you know, admire, appreciate or love. It could be for a family member, someone in the genealogy community, or a friend or colleague. What would be your genealogy gift to them? [Note: you don't have to actually gift them, although it would be a nice thing to do!]
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 to this post or a tweet.
Here's mine:
I would like to give the "Spirit of Genealogy" to one of my daughters and/or grandchildren. I have tried really hard to get them interested, but my daughters are really busy with family, children and careers. The grandchildren are still too young (oldest is age 6). I tell the grandchildren stories about their ancestors, including myself, in an effort to imbue them with an interest in family history. Although the research on my own family, and the research I've done on my wife's family, is incomplete, it is fairly well defined, but there are plenty of brickwall ancestors to search for. However, the genealogy of the fathers of the grandchildren may be challenging and interesting.
Rev up the olde thynking cap and cue up the Mission Impossible music - your mission should you decide to accept it - keeping with the Christmas theme - is:
1) Pick out a genealogy-oriented gift for someone you know, admire, appreciate or love. It could be for a family member, someone in the genealogy community, or a friend or colleague. What would be your genealogy gift to them? [Note: you don't have to actually gift them, although it would be a nice thing to do!]
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 to this post or a tweet.
Here's mine:
I would like to give the "Spirit of Genealogy" to one of my daughters and/or grandchildren. I have tried really hard to get them interested, but my daughters are really busy with family, children and careers. The grandchildren are still too young (oldest is age 6). I tell the grandchildren stories about their ancestors, including myself, in an effort to imbue them with an interest in family history. Although the research on my own family, and the research I've done on my wife's family, is incomplete, it is fairly well defined, but there are plenty of brickwall ancestors to search for. However, the genealogy of the fathers of the grandchildren may be challenging and interesting.
Surname Saturday - SMITH of Medfield and Dedham MA
It's Surname Saturday - and I'm going in Ahnentafel order for my ancestral surnames.
This week's surname is SMITH - a line that comes from the towns of Dedham and Medfield in what is now Norfolk County, Massachusetts. Here is the Ahnentafel list from me to the immigrant SMITH ancestor, Henry Smith:
1. Randall J. Seaver
2. Frederick W. Seaver (1911-1983)
3. Betty V. Carringer (1919-2002)
4. Frederick W. Seaver (1876-1942)
5. Alma Bessie Richmond (1882-1962)
8. Frank W. Seaver (1852-1922)
9. Hattie L. Hildreth (1857-1920)
16. Isaac Seaver (1823-1901)
17. Lucretia Townsend Smith, born before 06 September 1828 in Medfield, Norfolk County, MA; died 24 March 1884 in Leominster, Worcester, MA. She married 09 September 1851 in Walpole, Norfolk County, MA.
34. Alpheus B. Smith, born 19 May 1802 in Medfield, Norfolk County, MA; died 13 January 1840 in Medfield, Norfolk County, MA. He married30 November 1826 in Dedham, Norfolk County, MA.
35. Elizabeth Horton Dill, born 19 May 1794 in Eastham, Barnstable County, MA; died 28 November 1869 in Leominster, Worcester County, MA. She was the daughter of Thomas Dill and Mary Horton. Children of Alpheus Smith and Elizabeth Dill are:
.... 17 ... i. Lucretia Townsend Smith (1828-1884); married 1851 Isaac Seaver.
............. ii. James Alpheus Smith, born 06 June 1833 in Medfield, Norfolk County, MA.
68. Aaron Smith, born 29 May 1765 in Walpole, Norfolk County, MA; died 04 December 1841 in Medfield, Norfolk County, MA. He married 06 October 1795 in Medfield, Norfolk County, MA.
69. Mercy Plimpton, born 09 September 1772 in Medfield, Norfolk County, MA; died 13 April 1850 in Medfield, Norfolk County, MA. She was the daughter of Amos Plimpton and Mary Guild. Children of Aaron Smith and Mercy Plimpton are:
............. i. Susanna Smith (1795-1813).
............. ii. Patience Smith (1799-????), married 1823 Royal Blake (1800-1868).
............. iii. Mary Plimpton Smith, born 10 September 1800 in Medfield, Norfolk County, MA.
.... 34 .. iv. Alpheus B. Smith (1802-1840); married 1826 Elizabeth Horton Dill.
............. v. Lucy Smith (1804-1884); married (1) John Wardwell; married (2) 1825 James Wood.
............. vi. Elizabeth Smith (1806-????), married Jonathan Petts.
............. vii. Nancy Smith (1806-1879); married 1831 Stearns Tarbox.
............. viii. Aaron Smith (1815-1851), married 1839 Martha M. Page.
136. Moses Smith, born 02 April 1732 in Medfield, Norfolk County, MA. He married 23 September 1762 in Medfield, Norfolk County, MA.
137. Patience Hamant, born 06 April 1735 in Medfield, Norfolk County, MA. She was the daughter of Timothy Hamant and Hepzibah Clark. Children of Moses Smith and Patience Hamant are:
.... 68 ... i. Aaron Smith (1765-1841); married 1795 Mercy Plimpton.
............. ii. Luther Smith (1766-????)
............. iii. Calvin Smith (1768-????)
............. iv. Timothy Smith (1773-????).
272. Henry Smith, born 16 December 1680 in Medfield, Norfolk County, MA; died 14 April 1743 in Medfield, Norfolk County, MA. He married 01 September 1730 in Medfield, Norfolk County, MA.
273. Ruth Barber, born 05 March 1695/96 in Medfield, Norfolk County, MA. She was the daughter of Zechariah Barber and Abiel Ellis. Children of Henry Smith and Ruth Barber are:
............. i. Ruth Smith (1730-1813); married 1752 Samuel Turner (1724-1784)
.... 136 ..ii. Moses Smith (1732-????), married (1) 1756 Sarah Clark; married (2) 1762 Patience Hamant.
............. iii. Asa Smith (1740-1795)
544. Samuel Smith, born 13 August 1641 in Dedham, Norfolk County, MA; died 25 October 1691 in Medfield, Norfolk County, MA He married 22 February 1676/77 in Medfield, Norfolk County, MA.
545. Sarah Clark, born 20 February 1650/51 in Dedham, Norfolk County, MA; died 20 May 1704 in Medfield, Norfolk County, MA. She was the daughter of Joseph Clarke and Alice Fenn. Children of Samuel Smith and Sarah Clark are:
............. i. Sarah Smith (1679-1769); married (1) 1701 Mathias Evans (1670-1725); married (2) 1726 Henry Harding (1673-1764)
... 272 .. ii. Henry Smith (1680-1743); married (1) 1703 Deborah Pratt ; married (2) 1708 Mary Adams; married (3) 1730 Ruth Barber
............. iii. Daniel Smith (1682-1704).
............. iv. Nathaniel Smith (1684-1762); married (1) 1705 Mary Clark (1688-1717); married (2) 1717 Lydia Partridge (1687-1773)
............. v. Abigail Smith (1686-1725); married 1705 John Fisher (1677-1727).
............. vi. Mary Smith (1688-1774); married (1) 1706 Henry Plimpton (1684-1731); married (2) 1732 Jabez Pond; married (3) 1750 Joseph Wight (1679-????).
............. vii. Prudence Smith (1691-????); married (1) 1711 Joseph White; (2) 1739 Benoni Benson.
1088. Henry Smith, born About 1607 in Buckingham, Norfolk, ENGLAND; died 1687 in Medfield, Norfolk County, MA. He married Elizabeth before 1635 in ENGLAND.
1089. Elizabeth, born About 1603 in ENGLAND; died 12 June 1670 in Medfield, Norfolk County, MA. Children of Henry Smith and Elizabeth are:
............. i. Seth Smith (1635-1682); married 1660 Mary Thurston (1642-1696)
............. ii. John Smith (1637-1691)
............. iii. Daniel Smith (1639-1641)
... 544 ..iv. Samuel Smith (1641-1691); married (1) 1669 Elizabeth Turner; married (2) 1677 Sarah Clark.
............. v. Joseph Smith (1643-1661).
Does any reader connect to this particular SMITH line?
I don't have a lot of family history information for this SMITH line. I still have town, church, deeds and probate records in Suffolk County (before 1793) and Norfolk County (after 1793) to search. One more major task on my "forever" to-do lists!
This week's surname is SMITH - a line that comes from the towns of Dedham and Medfield in what is now Norfolk County, Massachusetts. Here is the Ahnentafel list from me to the immigrant SMITH ancestor, Henry Smith:
1. Randall J. Seaver
2. Frederick W. Seaver (1911-1983)
3. Betty V. Carringer (1919-2002)
4. Frederick W. Seaver (1876-1942)
5. Alma Bessie Richmond (1882-1962)
8. Frank W. Seaver (1852-1922)
9. Hattie L. Hildreth (1857-1920)
16. Isaac Seaver (1823-1901)
17. Lucretia Townsend Smith, born before 06 September 1828 in Medfield, Norfolk County, MA; died 24 March 1884 in Leominster, Worcester, MA. She married 09 September 1851 in Walpole, Norfolk County, MA.
34. Alpheus B. Smith, born 19 May 1802 in Medfield, Norfolk County, MA; died 13 January 1840 in Medfield, Norfolk County, MA. He married30 November 1826 in Dedham, Norfolk County, MA.
35. Elizabeth Horton Dill, born 19 May 1794 in Eastham, Barnstable County, MA; died 28 November 1869 in Leominster, Worcester County, MA. She was the daughter of Thomas Dill and Mary Horton. Children of Alpheus Smith and Elizabeth Dill are:
.... 17 ... i. Lucretia Townsend Smith (1828-1884); married 1851 Isaac Seaver.
............. ii. James Alpheus Smith, born 06 June 1833 in Medfield, Norfolk County, MA.
68. Aaron Smith, born 29 May 1765 in Walpole, Norfolk County, MA; died 04 December 1841 in Medfield, Norfolk County, MA. He married 06 October 1795 in Medfield, Norfolk County, MA.
69. Mercy Plimpton, born 09 September 1772 in Medfield, Norfolk County, MA; died 13 April 1850 in Medfield, Norfolk County, MA. She was the daughter of Amos Plimpton and Mary Guild. Children of Aaron Smith and Mercy Plimpton are:
............. i. Susanna Smith (1795-1813).
............. ii. Patience Smith (1799-????), married 1823 Royal Blake (1800-1868).
............. iii. Mary Plimpton Smith, born 10 September 1800 in Medfield, Norfolk County, MA.
.... 34 .. iv. Alpheus B. Smith (1802-1840); married 1826 Elizabeth Horton Dill.
............. v. Lucy Smith (1804-1884); married (1) John Wardwell; married (2) 1825 James Wood.
............. vi. Elizabeth Smith (1806-????), married Jonathan Petts.
............. vii. Nancy Smith (1806-1879); married 1831 Stearns Tarbox.
............. viii. Aaron Smith (1815-1851), married 1839 Martha M. Page.
136. Moses Smith, born 02 April 1732 in Medfield, Norfolk County, MA. He married 23 September 1762 in Medfield, Norfolk County, MA.
137. Patience Hamant, born 06 April 1735 in Medfield, Norfolk County, MA. She was the daughter of Timothy Hamant and Hepzibah Clark. Children of Moses Smith and Patience Hamant are:
.... 68 ... i. Aaron Smith (1765-1841); married 1795 Mercy Plimpton.
............. ii. Luther Smith (1766-????)
............. iii. Calvin Smith (1768-????)
............. iv. Timothy Smith (1773-????).
272. Henry Smith, born 16 December 1680 in Medfield, Norfolk County, MA; died 14 April 1743 in Medfield, Norfolk County, MA. He married 01 September 1730 in Medfield, Norfolk County, MA.
273. Ruth Barber, born 05 March 1695/96 in Medfield, Norfolk County, MA. She was the daughter of Zechariah Barber and Abiel Ellis. Children of Henry Smith and Ruth Barber are:
............. i. Ruth Smith (1730-1813); married 1752 Samuel Turner (1724-1784)
.... 136 ..ii. Moses Smith (1732-????), married (1) 1756 Sarah Clark; married (2) 1762 Patience Hamant.
............. iii. Asa Smith (1740-1795)
544. Samuel Smith, born 13 August 1641 in Dedham, Norfolk County, MA; died 25 October 1691 in Medfield, Norfolk County, MA He married 22 February 1676/77 in Medfield, Norfolk County, MA.
545. Sarah Clark, born 20 February 1650/51 in Dedham, Norfolk County, MA; died 20 May 1704 in Medfield, Norfolk County, MA. She was the daughter of Joseph Clarke and Alice Fenn. Children of Samuel Smith and Sarah Clark are:
............. i. Sarah Smith (1679-1769); married (1) 1701 Mathias Evans (1670-1725); married (2) 1726 Henry Harding (1673-1764)
... 272 .. ii. Henry Smith (1680-1743); married (1) 1703 Deborah Pratt ; married (2) 1708 Mary Adams; married (3) 1730 Ruth Barber
............. iii. Daniel Smith (1682-1704).
............. iv. Nathaniel Smith (1684-1762); married (1) 1705 Mary Clark (1688-1717); married (2) 1717 Lydia Partridge (1687-1773)
............. v. Abigail Smith (1686-1725); married 1705 John Fisher (1677-1727).
............. vi. Mary Smith (1688-1774); married (1) 1706 Henry Plimpton (1684-1731); married (2) 1732 Jabez Pond; married (3) 1750 Joseph Wight (1679-????).
............. vii. Prudence Smith (1691-????); married (1) 1711 Joseph White; (2) 1739 Benoni Benson.
1088. Henry Smith, born About 1607 in Buckingham, Norfolk, ENGLAND; died 1687 in Medfield, Norfolk County, MA. He married Elizabeth before 1635 in ENGLAND.
1089. Elizabeth, born About 1603 in ENGLAND; died 12 June 1670 in Medfield, Norfolk County, MA. Children of Henry Smith and Elizabeth are:
............. i. Seth Smith (1635-1682); married 1660 Mary Thurston (1642-1696)
............. ii. John Smith (1637-1691)
............. iii. Daniel Smith (1639-1641)
... 544 ..iv. Samuel Smith (1641-1691); married (1) 1669 Elizabeth Turner; married (2) 1677 Sarah Clark.
............. v. Joseph Smith (1643-1661).
Does any reader connect to this particular SMITH line?
I don't have a lot of family history information for this SMITH line. I still have town, church, deeds and probate records in Suffolk County (before 1793) and Norfolk County (after 1793) to search. One more major task on my "forever" to-do lists!
Advent Calendar - Day 6: Christmas Shopping
On the 6th Day of Christmas,
My true love "ordered" me
To go out and buy some jewelry.
1) How did your family handle Christmas shopping?
When I was growing up, I think my mother did all of the Christmas shopping for all of her boys (three sons and a hubby). I hope (but I don't know!) that my father shopped for my mother - I really don't have a memory of gifts that she received. We usually had gifts made at school for mom and dad.
When I became a teenager, I went shopping with my mother to get gifts for my brothers and my father. I also shopped for my mother - but I don't remember any gifts I bought. I do remember one year, when I was probably in college, that I bought a new mailbox for mom and dad - I was so proud of this practical gift. I got some strange looks that year.
Linda now does most of the Christmas shopping for family and friends, including our daughters, their hubbies and kids. I tag along sometimes for consultation.
She spoils me with gifts - always including chocolate (for my semi-yearglass figure - fully expanded, needing suspenders, yea verily, the sands of time have not been kind), white socks, printer ink cartridges, computer things (I usually pick it out) and some clothes - necessities.
My only real shopping task is to shop for my Angel Linda. It's a big job, but someone has to do it.
I got her a spa subscription last year (she loved it!), a digital camera two years ago (she uses it occasionally, but pictures are usually fuzzy), a laptop computer three years ago (I got it early and use it - she doesn't like it), and a digital camcorder four years ago (she doesn't use it). I try to buy nice clothes for her - essentially blouses, sweaters, pants. Her favorite colors are aqua, green, blue, purple, and red. She likes fancy things, but not items that have to be dry-cleaned. She sometimes buys things for herself and hands them to me to wrap for her. Jewelry is a must each year - and sometimes she tells me what she would like - gold earrings, bracelets, necklaces (but most are not long enough or are too fragile) with angel charms or figurines are prized. It is a challenge each year to find something new and different.
2) Did anyone finish early or did anyone start on Christmas Eve?
I always finish early - at least before Christmas Day. Linda usually starts before Thanksgiving, and usually has things well in hand by a week before Christmas. I'm still shopping this year...
Linda's brother is famous for waiting until Christmas Eve to shop. There were years that he and I would go out shopping on the 24th to find gifts for his sister, his dad, his girlfriend, etc.
3) What are the highlights of shopping for you (an added question)?
The first highlight is finding a real special gift for Linda that will make her face light up and earn me a big hug and kiss, even a leer. The second highlight is watching the little kids sitting on Santa's lap in the little house on the mall walk. I stopped the other day and watched for about ten minutes while four kids talked to Santa. One cried the whole time, one was scared to death and wanted to get away, but two sat there and talked to him and hugged him at the end. Most of the kids are dressed up, and so are the moms accompanying them. I like watching the Santa helpers too...
My true love "ordered" me
To go out and buy some jewelry.
1) How did your family handle Christmas shopping?
When I was growing up, I think my mother did all of the Christmas shopping for all of her boys (three sons and a hubby). I hope (but I don't know!) that my father shopped for my mother - I really don't have a memory of gifts that she received. We usually had gifts made at school for mom and dad.
When I became a teenager, I went shopping with my mother to get gifts for my brothers and my father. I also shopped for my mother - but I don't remember any gifts I bought. I do remember one year, when I was probably in college, that I bought a new mailbox for mom and dad - I was so proud of this practical gift. I got some strange looks that year.
Linda now does most of the Christmas shopping for family and friends, including our daughters, their hubbies and kids. I tag along sometimes for consultation.
She spoils me with gifts - always including chocolate (for my semi-yearglass figure - fully expanded, needing suspenders, yea verily, the sands of time have not been kind), white socks, printer ink cartridges, computer things (I usually pick it out) and some clothes - necessities.
My only real shopping task is to shop for my Angel Linda. It's a big job, but someone has to do it.
I got her a spa subscription last year (she loved it!), a digital camera two years ago (she uses it occasionally, but pictures are usually fuzzy), a laptop computer three years ago (I got it early and use it - she doesn't like it), and a digital camcorder four years ago (she doesn't use it). I try to buy nice clothes for her - essentially blouses, sweaters, pants. Her favorite colors are aqua, green, blue, purple, and red. She likes fancy things, but not items that have to be dry-cleaned. She sometimes buys things for herself and hands them to me to wrap for her. Jewelry is a must each year - and sometimes she tells me what she would like - gold earrings, bracelets, necklaces (but most are not long enough or are too fragile) with angel charms or figurines are prized. It is a challenge each year to find something new and different.
2) Did anyone finish early or did anyone start on Christmas Eve?
I always finish early - at least before Christmas Day. Linda usually starts before Thanksgiving, and usually has things well in hand by a week before Christmas. I'm still shopping this year...
Linda's brother is famous for waiting until Christmas Eve to shop. There were years that he and I would go out shopping on the 24th to find gifts for his sister, his dad, his girlfriend, etc.
3) What are the highlights of shopping for you (an added question)?
The first highlight is finding a real special gift for Linda that will make her face light up and earn me a big hug and kiss, even a leer. The second highlight is watching the little kids sitting on Santa's lap in the little house on the mall walk. I stopped the other day and watched for about ten minutes while four kids talked to Santa. One cried the whole time, one was scared to death and wanted to get away, but two sat there and talked to him and hugged him at the end. Most of the kids are dressed up, and so are the moms accompanying them. I like watching the Santa helpers too...
Friday, December 18, 2009
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.
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.
Follow Friday -- Family Matters
For Follow Friday, I want to commend the Family Matters blog, written by Denise Olson, for your reading pleasure.
Is Family Matters on your blog list? If you are interested in the topics listed above, it should be!
Denise blogs mainly about technology and how we genealogists and family historians can use the tools available to us if we only knew about them. Computer hardware, software, websites, social networks, electronic publishing, audio and video, security and much more are topics for Denise's review and analysis. Check out the subject categories on the right sidebar on the blog to see the breadth and depth of Denise's expertise. I learn more about technology from Denise's blog than anywhere else.
Is Family Matters on your blog list? If you are interested in the topics listed above, it should be!
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