My Journey Back

Fearless Females - Marriage Records

2012-03-04T10:59:00.001-07:00

March 4 — Do you have marriage records for your grandparents or great-grandparents? Write a post about where they were married and when. Any family stories about the wedding day? Post a photo too if you have one.

I have a marriage record for my great grandparents, Francis Paterson and Elizabeth Danskine. They married June 11, 1883 at Commonside Street in Airdre, Scotland. Francis was a widower, who work as a collector and treasurer clerk at the Gas Works, and Elizabeth was a spinster. Francis's parents were Johnston Paterson and Catherine Muirhead. Elizabeth's parents were William Danskine and Agnes Findlay. The marriage was witnessed by Francis's aunt, Kate Paterson, and Elizabeth's brother in law, John Aiken.

Fearless Females - Unique or Unusaual Female First Name

2012-03-03T09:31:00.001-07:00

March 3 — Do you share a first name with one of your female ancestors? Perhaps you were named for your great-grandmother, or your name follows a particular naming pattern. If not, then list the most unique or unusual female first name you’ve come across in your family tree.

I have a unique first name in my family tree, I've not come across another Jacqueline or Jackie. But I've come across a few unique names for females on my Scottish side. Although most of the first names are quite common, it's the middle names that make them unique. Names such as Agnes Gilchrist Danskine and Jemmia Findlay Danskine. What a wonderful way to leave clues for the family researcher, by adding maiden names as middle names.

Fearless Females - Photo of Female Ancestor

2012-03-02T14:02:00.001-07:00

Post a photo of one of your female ancestors. Who is in the photo? When was it taken? Why did you select this photo?

Marion Bryce White

Here is another photo from my envelope collection with a name written on the back. Marion Bryce White was the older sister of Jessie Paterson White, from my earlier post. She was born October 26, 1875 in Airdrie, Lanark, Scotland and died July 8, 1945. Like her sister, she never married. I love the umbrella, hat, and overcoat. Both photos seem to be taken in the street, as they walked. Was a family member trying to a catch a photo, to send to the relatives in Canada?

Fearless Females - Favorite Female Ancestor

2012-03-02T13:49:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Lisa Alzo of The Accidental Genealogist for Fearless Females: 31 Blogging Prompts for March in honour of National Women’s History Month in the USA. It's a great encouragement to write about our female ancestors, who sometime get lost in the family tree.

Do you have a favorite female ancestor? One you are drawn to or want to learn more about? Write down some key facts you have already learned or what you would like to learn and outline your goals and potential sources you plan to check.

What a hard choice to choose one as your favorite. It's like choosing one of your children as your favorite. Each of them are unique and have their own qualities. Since I've been trying to focus my research on my Scottish side, a female ancestor who intrigues me would be my third great grandmother, Ann Hunter. She married James Paterson, a spirit dealer, in Glasgow, Scotland on June 5th, 1810. They have the following children, all born in Glasgow, Scotland:

James Paterson born May 1, 1811

Francis Paterson born December 12, 1812

Johnston Paterson born 19 February 1819

Alexander Paterson born 3 August 1823

Mary Paterson born June 7 1826

These are the children that I know about, there could be more as there is a gap in some of the birth years. I don't know much about Ann Hunter. I'm unsure of who her parents were and when she died. It seems that both Hunter and Paterson are a common surname and Ann, a common first name. I think she may have born in Glasgow, as her marriage record states she is a resident of Glasgow. Maybe the clue to her father's name is in the naming of her sons. The Scottish seems to have a naming system. I'll continue my search by looking over the Scottish birth and baptisms index on Family Search.

Wordless Wednesday - Jessie Paterson White

2012-02-29T10:44:00.000-07:00


Jessie Paterson White In an envelope of photos that I received from my aunt and uncle, I found a few with names on the back. This happened to be one of them and I knew exactly who this was. Jessie Paterson White would be my 1st cousin 2x removed. Her parents were Ann Paterson and John White. She was born June 10, 1877 in Airdrie, Lanark, Scotland and died December 12, 1943. It seems that she never married. Her family in Scotland and her uncle's family in Canada must have stayed in touch.

Sympathy Saturday - The Patersons in Scotland

2012-02-11T11:04:00.000-07:00

My second great grandparents, Johnston Paterson and Catherine Muirhead were married in Glasgow, Scotland on July 2, 1837. I found the following children born before the the introduction of General Registration in 1855 in the 1841 and 1851 census.

Johnston Paterson, circa 1838

James Paterson, circa 1840

Catherine Paterson, circa 1844

William Paterson, circa 1846

Ann Paterson, circa 1849

Francis Paterson, circa 1851

Edward Paterson, circa 1853

Johnston and Catherine had a daughter, Elizabeth, born August 20, 1855. Now, this is a bonus year for the family researcher. The Scottish 1855 registration has extra information, such as how many children living and deceased. Here's were it was really sad to read. Elizabeth was Catherine's 10th child. So not counting little Elizabeth, in 1855, Johnston and Catherine had 4 boys and 2 girls living. 3 boys are listed as deceased. One is probably James, as he is on the 1841 census but not the 1851 census. So I'm missing two boys. I think that they may have died in Glasgow before the family moved to Airdrie about 1845, as they are not mentioned in the Monumental Inscriptions from Wellwynd Churchyard in Airdrie, Lanark, Scotland.

Erected by Catherine Muirhead in memory of her husband Johnston Paterson who died 20th April 1891 aged 75 years. Their children, George H died 29th February 1860 aged 2 years. Elizabeth died 1st March 1868 aged 2 years. Edward died 22nd April 1868 aged 14 years. William died June 1870 aged 24 years. The above Catherine 23rd August 1897 aged 73 years.

After 1855 Johnston and Catherine have two more children:

George Hunter Paterson born December 27, 1857

Jessie Paterson born September 1861

They lost four more children after 1855, most of them before the age of 14. How terrible for parents to see seven of their twelve children die. Of the five children that survive:

Johnston vanishes, his whereabouts are unknown at the time of Johnston's and Catherine's death. (This requires more research.)

Catherine marries John Greenlees in 1894. They have no children.

Ann marries John White in 1872 and they have seven children.

Francis marries Ewenina Kennedy in 1881 and Elizabeth Danskine in 1883. He has eight girls and one boy, (my grandfather).

Jessie never marries.

Out of twelve children, Johnston Paterson has one grandson to carry on the family name of Paterson-my grandfather, Johnston Cumberland Paterson.

Workday Wednesday -Bank Treasurer

2012-01-25T08:47:00.000-07:00

One of my best discovers has been finding out an occupation that my 2nd great grandfather, Johnston Paterson, had later in life. I found a book through google books while searching for "Johnston Paterson" and Airdrie, Scotland. One of the first results was a little snippet of a book by James Knox called "The Triumph of Thrift: The Story of the Savings Bank of Airdrie". It gave just enough information, that I was sure this was my 2nd great grandfather. I found the book on Abe Books at a reasonable price, and ordered it. What an exciting find. There was actually a chapter about him, Chapter XIII, pages 83 to 85, called Treasurer Johnston Paterson, 1878-1884. If I had not found this book, I may have not discovered that he was a treasurer. On the 1881 census he is listed as a house factor.

It seems that the author of the book, James Knox, knew my 2nd great grandfather and work with him. Johnston Paterson task of treasurer was to look after the cash. I learned that he was of great moral principles, quite religious and very old school business. Interesting enough the author mentions that Johnston didn't trust the safes in the bank and carried the cash home each night to put in his own burglar-proof safe. Now he must have been a tough character, as he would walk home in the dark of night with a heavily loaded stick as his protection. Johnston worked as treasurer from the age of 64-70. But it looks like he consented to have that safe brought to the bank after about three years. What a great look into a small part of my 2nd great grandfather's life.

The author of the book, James Knox, is listed on the title page as the Manager of Airdrie Savings Bank; Hon. Sheriff-Substitute of Lanarkshire; Ex-Provost of Airdrie; Author of "Airdrie -A Historical Sketch". It is interesting to read the history of the bank, and about the people who worked for the bank. There are a few photos, but too bad not one of Johnston Paterson.

The Airdrie Savings Bank was established in 1835 and is still in business today. It's the only independent Savings Bank in the United Kingdom.

My Best Discovery in 2011

2012-01-12T14:36:00.000-07:00

My best discovery in 2011 would have to be finding Aunt Betty. In March of 2011, I posted the tragic circumstance of Vera Ellen Marsh Seaman dying shortly after giving birth to a baby girl. Her daughter, Elizabeth Mary Seaman, was born November 3, 1920. I began my search by ordering records from Ontario, to discover the death date of the grandparents that may lead to an obituary. In the meantime I thought I'd look into Vera's brothers. Causally looking through records online, I come across a border crossing record from Canada to the U.S. for her brother, Kenneth. This is an amazing source, full of information. It has dates of births, wife's name and maiden name, when and where married, names of who is the travel party, why they are traveling, address of residence, name of his business and so much more. But most important his daughter's name and birth date. Mary Elizabeth born November 3, 1920. This has to be her. Looking through more records, I discover that Kenneth ended up in Victoria, British Columbia and Mary Elizabeth Seaman marries Arthur Turner. So I order death records and obituaries for Kenneth Seaman and John Turner. After going over and over the information, I'm convinced that this is Aunt Betty. But to really know, I'll need to talk to someone who knew her. I decide to make some cold calls. Since there seems to be too many Turners in the area, I settle on calling the eight Seamans. Prepared with a written prompt of what to say and encouragement from my husband, I begin to call. The first Seaman is a very nice gentleman, who tells me a Seaman website. On to the next. After going through my prompt, I hear an elderly lady inform me that she knew Betty. What excitement, someone who knew Betty. She is Betty's sister-in-law. She is kind enough to tell me all about Betty. Not only that, her husband (Betty's brother) calls me later to talk about Betty. Now the bittersweet part, that had us in tears. Betty had just recently past away, while I was building up the courage to make the phone calls. She was 90 years old.

Happy Holiday Everyone

2011-12-24T00:07:00.000-07:00

May you have a wonderful Christmas.

Christmas Blog Caroling - Here Comes Santa Claus

2011-12-12T01:44:00.000-07:00

I thought it would be fun to join in with the FootNoteMaven and the Geneabloggers in Blog Caroling. Caroling from the comfort of you own home in your jammies with a hot drink sounds like my kind of caroling.

It was hard to choose my favorite carol, but I chose "Here Comes Santa Claus". It reminds me of when I was a little girl and my family would join other family a the local community hall. Lyrics would be passed around and everyone would join in with singing carols. All the children would wait in anticipation for "Here Comes Santa Claus". We all knew that if we sang loud enough Santa would come through the doors ringing his sleigh bells. Santa had a gift for each child of the community and knew us by name.

Saturday Night Genealogy Fun - Dear Genea-Santa Letter

2011-12-04T11:09:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Randy Seaver at Genea-Musing for encouraging us to take some time from Christmas shopping to write a Genea-Santa letter.

Dear Genea-Santa,

Hope you, the Mrs., elves, and all the reindeer are doing well. I've tried to be good this year, at least genealogy wise. I've been trying to cite more sources and organize my mountain of loose papers. I'm continuing genealogy course to learn more techniques and how to find records. I've help fellow researchers whenever possible. So if you could be so kind as to leave me a genea-gift, I'll have freshly baked cookies and a cuppa hot chocolate for you and apples for the reindeer. Any of the following genea-gifts would be greatly appreciated.

A subscription to Ancestry or Newspaper Archive.

Archival supplies to help organize my photos.

A great genealogy reference book for England, Scotland, Canada, or Finland.

Will of Nathaniel Smith of Sturminster Marshall, Dorset and Margaret Viney, Widow of Thorncombe from the National Archive of UK.

Probate records from Leeds District Probate Registry for John William Smith, William Keen Warry and Mary Ann Warry.

I believe in Christmas.

Jacqueline

Happy 1st Blogiversay to Me

2011-11-25T11:18:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that I've been blogging for a whole year. It has been been an interesting experience and I learned a lot. I've written 70 posts and had 1643 previews. But of those 1643 previews, who actually read my blog, how many were interested in genealogy, or how many found a common ancestor? Those are the numbers I'm interested in. The best part of blogging is the hope that someone with a common ancestor will find my blog. But even better would be for them to send me a message or add a comment. I've actually had that happen this year. A cousin in England found a common Smith ancestor and added a comment. We had a great exchange of emails and information. What was really interesting is that she lived in the same area that our ancestors had lived in. She even sent me photos of a couple of churches our ancestor went to. Exciting stuff. So I will keep blogging. If you read this and find a common ancestor - add a comment or send an email. I look forward to hearing from you.

Workday Wednesday - Water Witch

2011-11-23T10:44:00.000-07:00

I've come across a very interesting occupation of of my great grandfather, Donald Francis Belknap. It seems that he had the very useful talent of being able to find water. It's been called water witching, water divining, water drowsing,and just well digging. Relatives have told me that he was known for this unique talent. So I wasn't that surprised to see his name show up numerous times in "Western Globe" from 1918 to 1938, and "The Farm & Ranch Review" in 1956 on the Peel's Prairie Provinces website.

Most of the items I have found are D.F. Belknap advertising his services. In all the ads, he guarantees to locate water or there is no charge. He must have been quite successful at finding water, as there are numerous articles with mentions of whom he located water for and of his water finding abilities.

The most interesting article is "Water Diving" the the "Western Globe", April 11, 1935, page 1, Item AR00107. In a reprint from a column in the "Bulletin" from Cowper, my great grandfather is interviewed about the mysteries of his water locating abilities. The article states D.F. Belknap has located hundreds of wells in Alberta and British Columbia with his divining rod. The divining rods are cut from hazel or willow, about three to four feet past the fork of the lower branch. D. F. Belknap explains that the pull on the rod will over come the strength of an ordinary man. It must have been quite the sight to see him in action. In the article my great grandfather says that his father had the same gift. Now I wonder if this gift has been passed down. Who know, maybe I have a hidden talent.

To read the articles go to Peel's Prairie Provinces website.

Tombstone Tuesday - Ansel T. Baker

2011-11-22T14:35:00.000-07:00


Ansel T. Baker

Ansel T. Baker is buried in the Berwick Cemetery. He was born at Tremont, Aylesford, Nova Scotia about 1826 and died July 1889 at age 63.

Tombstone Tuesday - Jonathan & Melinda Sanford

2011-11-15T15:16:00.000-07:00


Jonathan Sanford, Melinda Woodworth & their children

Another tombstone from Berwick Cemetery. The top of this gravestone is lying on the ground. Jonathan Sanford would be a distance cousin of Robert. The gravestone in inscribed:

JONATHAN SANFORD

1792 - 1883.

HIS WIFE

MELINDA WOODWORTH

1796 - 1865.

THEIR CHILDREN

BERTIE

1860 - 1862.

LINDIE

1862 - 1873.

As I look at this gravestone, I was baffled by the dates of birth of the children. Melinda would be in her 60 if she had these children. Is this an error or is there some other explanation?

Remembrance Day - Lest We Forget

2011-11-11T10:27:00.000-07:00

A day to remember those who have served and continue to serve our country.

My uncle Pat and his cousins Vic Yancey, Jack Kaliel, and George Yancey in their uniforms from WWII. Thank you and so many others for your service to our country.

Tombstone Tuesday - Eunice R Morton

2011-11-08T10:56:00.000-07:00


Eunice R Morton

Eunice R. Morton, 1859 - 1947, is buried in the Berwick Cemetery.

Tombstone Tuesday - Isaac Morton and his wives

2011-11-01T10:00:00.000-06:00


Isaac, Rachel, and Eliza Morton

Another gravestone from Berwick Cemetery. This one is Isaac W. Morton and his wives Rachael A. and Eliza M.

Tombstone Tuesday - Holmes & Christianna Morton

2011-10-25T20:52:00.000-06:00

Holmes & Christianna Morton

Holmes Morton was Robert’s 5th great grand uncle. His wife was Christianna Webster. They are buried in the Berwick Cemetery.

Tombstone Tuesday - Elijah Taylor

2011-10-18T14:47:00.001-06:00


Elijah Taylor

Elijah Taylor is the son of Elija. (see previous post). He is buried by his father in the Berwick Cemetery. He passed away a year before his father died.

Tombstone Tuesday - Elija & Abigail Taylor

2011-10-11T12:38:00.000-06:00


Elija & Abigail Taylor

Robert’s 3rd great grand uncle. He’s buried with his first wife, Abigail. Abigail past away 40 years before her husband. They are buried in the Berwick Cemetery.

Saturday Night Genealogy Fun - Genealogy Database Statistics

2011-10-08T21:10:00.000-06:00

Here is another Saturday night mission from Randy Seaver at Genea-Musings.

1) If you have your family tree research in a Genealogy Management Program (GMP), whether a computer software program or an online family tree, figure out how to find how many persons, places, sources, etc. are in your database (hint: the Help button is your friend!).

2) Tell us which GMP you use, and how many persons, places, sources, etc. are in your database(s) today in a blog post of your own, in a comment to this blog post, or in a Facebook status or Google+ stream comment.

I use Family Tree Maker 2011 for my Genealogy Management Program. My current databases has:

People: 10,167

Marriages: 2,741

File size: 30,712 KB

Generations: 45

Surnames: 2,221

Places: 2,689

Source Groups (by source title): 361

Source Groups (by person): 10,167

Media: 1,246

Saturday Night Genealogy Fun - List Your Matrilineal Line(s)

2011-10-01T21:39:00.001-06:00

Randy Seaver at Genea-Musings has another Saturday night mission.

1) List your matrilineal line - your mother, her mother, etc. back to the first identifiable mother. Note: this line is how your mitochondrial DNA was passed to you!

2) Tell us if you have had your mitochondrial DNA tested, and if so, which Haplogroup you are in.

3) Post your responses on your own blog post, in Comments to this blog post, or in a Status line on Facebook or in your Stream at Google Plus.

4) If you have done this before, please do your father's matrilineal line, or your grandfather's matrilineal line, or your spouse's matriliuneal line.

5) Does this list spur you to find distant cousins that might share one of your matrilineal lines?

I have done my mother's and Robert's line before for Mother's Day in May, so I'll list my father's and Robert's father's matrilineal line.

My matrilineal line for my Dad is:

a) my Dad

b) Dorothy Eleanor May Warry (1898 Bromsgrove, Worchestershire, England - 1956 Looma, Alberta, Canada) married Johnston Cumberland Paterson.

c) Edith Elinore Smith (1876 Parkstone, Dorset, England - 1946 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) married Alfred William Warry.

d) Sarah Everton Wakeman ( 1835 Stourport, Worcestershire, England - ?) married John William Smith.

e) Sarah Everton (1798 Worcestershire, England - 1863 Kidderminster, Worcestershire, England) married James Wakeman.

Robert's Dad matrilineal line:

a) Robert's Dad

b) Laura Grace Loomer (1915 Berwick, Nova Scotia, Canada - 1996 Berwick , Nova Scotia, Canada) married Howard Ingram Foster.

c) Ida Leota Smith (1886 Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada - ?) married Joseph Scott Loomer.

d) Carrie R. Davidson (1865 Nova Scotia, Canada - 1943 Upper Falmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada) married Edward Smith.

e) Hannah Cleveland (1826 Nova Scotia, Canada - 1911 Nova Scotia, Canada) married James Maxwell Davidson.

I've not done any DNA testing, but would like to in the future. I have been in contact with cousins from my Dad's matrilineal line. One even found me because of my blog. There has been a mutual exchange of information between us. My cousins having a wealth of great information due to the fact that they live close to the location of out ancestors.

Wednesday's Child - Shaw Children

2011-09-28T12:17:00.000-06:00


Shaw Children

While taking a few photos in the Berwick Cemetery, my husband and I came across his sad gravestone.

In Memory of

ORINDIA

WHO DIED

Feb. 10, 1854,

in her 17th year.

TERESSA ANNA

died Feb. 19, 1854,

aged [5]yrs. 4m.

MARY ANN

died Apr. 4. 1836

aged 15 mos.

Children of Sidney &

Caroline Shaw.

____

Tombstone Tuesday - Maurice Randall Stoddart

2011-08-30T14:57:00.000-06:00


Maurice Randall Stoddart

Maurice Randall Stoddart is Robert’s maternal grandfather. His parents were Milford Clayton Stoddart and Alice Randall. He is buried at the Berwick Cemetery, Berwick, Nova Scotia.

Workday Wednesday - Acme Dog Kennel

2011-08-24T11:07:00.000-06:00

My great grandfather, Alfred William Warry, was a man of a few occupations. One of his first jobs was working at the Public Benefits Boot Company in England, see August 17, 2011 post.

Once moving to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, he and his wife, Edith Smith, became entrepreneurs. They operated the Acme dog kennel. My Dad could recall driving his grandfather around to restaurants for scraps for the dogs. Package dog food was not readily available at that time.

This framed photo hung by my Dad’s chair in the living room for years with a couple of new paper clippings tape to the back. I’m not sure which dog this is, as they seems to have a few Pekingeses. There is no date on the clippings or which paper they are from.

South Side Dogs

Again To The Front

A.E. Warry of the “Acme Ken-

kels,” again took premier honors

at the recent dog show held at the

Edmonton Exhibition. In addi-

tion to numerous ribbons and

special prizes, their Pekingese

“Minto” was best Pekingese in

the show. They also carried off

the prize for best decorated ben-

ches, while Mrs. Warry was de-

clared best lady handler. Since

1925 these kennels have been con-

sistent prize winners, and are re-

cognized as one of Alberta’s lead-

ing kennels and breeders of high-

class dogs.

ACME KENNELS WIN MANY

PRIZES

Acme Kennels was again to the

front at the annual Dog Show held

at the Edmonton Exhibition, win-

ning Premier honors with Paddy,

a very fine Pekinese, being award-

ed three firsts, winner, and two

specials, as best (male) Peke in the

show, though competing with a

strong class. Mr. A. W. Warry

entered six dogs and carried off

four specials and 18 ribbons, Since

1925 his nine dogs shown have

won over 80 ribbons, 14 specials

and one championship. This

speaks well for the efforts of the

Acme Kennels to improve the

standard and quality of their dogs.

Tombstone Tuesday - Linda Taylor

2011-08-23T00:08:00.000-06:00


Linda Taylor

This is a very interesting gravestone. Carved on the stone:

LINDA TAYLOR

WIFE OF

Wm. S. Sanford

(DEAF MUTE.)

died July 8: 1845

aged 45 years

A native of Ludlow

Vermont, U.S. A.

This stone gives a lot of information. It has Linda’s maiden name of Taylor, her husband’s name, that she was a deaf mute, when she died, how old she was when she died, and where she original is from.

Although I can’t find any ties to Robert, her husband (William Stanhope Sanford) is a distant 2nd cousin 5x removed. I think Linda would have been an intriguing woman. How did she cope in the early 1800s as a deaf mute?

Workday Wednesday - The Public Benefit Boot Company

2011-08-17T13:59:00.001-06:00

Alfred William Warry, my great grandfather, started working at the young age of 13. I guess that was not uncommon during that time period. In the 1891 census Alfred is living with his parents, George Augustus and Emily Warry. He is 14 and is listed as a shop assistant. His brother, George, is 13 and working as an errand boy. Ten years later Alfred is found in the 1901 census living with his wife, Edith and daughter Dorothy (my grandmother). He is now the shop manager of a Boot Shop living at 110 High Road, Chiswick, Middlesex, England.

I wondered what company he was working for as a shop assistant and manager. I found that he worked for The Public Benefit Boot Company, when I discovered that I could google for genealogy information. Alfred William Warry is an uncommon name and I found a whole web site about The Public Benefit Boot Company. And there was my great grandfather with a little bio about him starting at the age of 13 and becoming the manager of the 110 High Road, Chiswick shop 10 years later. Of course, I became hooked on googling.

Since then I’ve been in contact with the creator of the website, Brian Seddon, and updated him with a little more information about Alfred William Warry. The Public Benefit Boot Company is an interesting site all about the company, the people who worked there, and the shareholders.

I was quite surprised to find him working at a boot company, as my Dad always talked about him having a dog kennel. But it’s not surprising that some people have more than one kind of occupation in a lifetime.

Tombstone Tuesday - Charles L. & Lydia M. Nichols

2011-08-16T09:53:00.000-06:00


Charles L. & Lydia M. Nichols

Charles L. Nichols is the son of Rulof Allen Nichols and Lydia Ramey. He would be Robert’s 3rd cousin 4x removed. He married Lydia Ramey in 1885. They are buried in the Berwick Cemetery. I think he may have had a sense of humour as inscribed on the gravestone is :

As i am now you all will be

prepare for death and follow me

Tombstone Tuesday - Camden O. & Adrellis Mary Nichols

2011-08-09T09:00:00.000-06:00


Camden O. & Ardellis Mary Nichols

Camden Oakes Nichols was the son of Edwin Gilpin Nichols and Nancy M. Oakes. That would make him Robert’s 2nd cousin 4x removed. Camden married Ardellis Mary Best in 1875. The are buried in the Berwick Cemetery in Nova Scotia, not to far from Camden’s parents.

Tombstone Tuesday - Nichols Family

2011-08-02T12:56:00.000-06:00

Edwin Nichols

Edwin P. & Hamilton Nichols

Nancy M. Nichols

This is the tombstone of Edwin Nichols, his wife Nancy Oakes, and their twin sons, Hamilton and Edwin P. Nichols. This is a wonderful stone with craving on all four sides. Edwin is Robert’s 1st cousin, 5x removed. This tombstone is located in the Berwick Cemetery.

Saturday Night Genealogy Fun - Signs You Have GOCD

2011-07-31T00:41:00.001-06:00

Thanks to Randy Seaver at Genea-Musings and Micheal John Neill’s , 10 Signs You Have Genealogy OCD, for another Saturday Mission.

My signs that you may have GOCD:

- You take more photos of ancestors gravestone that actual living relative while visiting relatives on vacation.

- You can name all yours and your spouse’s great grandparents, great, great grandparents, and numerous other relatives.

- You read new blog posts with your morning coffee, every morning.

- Your dream vacation is to travel where your grandparents were born and generations of your family lived.

- You are the one who will sit through every stories your older relatives have to tell and enjoy them.

- Your feel compelled to find every census record for everyone in you tree.

- Everyone who knows you, suspect you already have genealogy OCD.

Tombstone Tuesday - George & Caroline Nichols

2011-07-26T11:28:00.001-06:00

George I. Nichols

Caroline Adelia Nichols

George Ingram Nichols is the son of George Provost Nichols and Minetta Ann Dodge. That would make him Robert’s 3rd great grand uncle. He married Caroline Adelia Margeson in 1862. They are buried at the Berwick Cemetery.

Tombstone Tuesday - Minetta Nichols

2011-07-19T12:43:00.000-06:00

Minetta A. Nichols

Minetta A. Nichols (nee Dodge) was the relict of George Provost Nichols. She is Robert’s 4th great grandmother.

Saturday Night Genealogy Fun - Heritage Pie

2011-07-17T01:14:00.003-06:00

I know it’s not Saturday night, but I was working. So mine will be Sunday Morning Genealogy Fun. Thanks to Randy Seaver at Genea-Musings for the mission.

My 16 great great grandparents are:

16. Johnston PATERSON, son of James PATERSON and Ann HUNTER was born on 29 Dec 1814 in Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland. He died on 20 Apr 1891 in Airdrie, Lanarkshire, Scotland. He married Catherine MUIRHEAD on 02 Jul 1837 in Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland.

17. Catherine MUIRHEAD, daughter of George MUIRHEAD and Catherine KENNEDY was born about 1819 in Airdrie, Lanarkshire, Scotland. She died on 23 Aug 1897 in Airdrie, Lanarkshire.

18. William DANSKINE, son of James DANSKINE and Helen HARDIE was born in 1816 in Cumbernauld, Dunbartonshire, Scotland. He died on 10 Oct 1885 in Airdrie, Lanarkshire, Scotland. He married Agnes FINDLAY on 20 Jan 1837 in Cumbernauld, Dunbartonshire, Scotland.

19. Agnes FINDLAY, daughter of James FINDLAY and Agnes GILCHRIST was born in 1816 in Cumbernauld, Dunbartonshire, Scotland. She died on 08 Aug 1892 in Airdrie, Lanarkshire, Scotland.

20. George Augustus WARRY, son of William K WARRY and Mary Ann TAYLOR was born about 1848 in Islington, Middlesex, England. He died in Mar 1916 in Essex, Hertfordshire, Middlesex, United Kingdom. He married Emily WORTHINGTON on 20 Jun 1875 in Old St. Pancras, Middlesex, England, UK.

21. Emily WORTHINGTON, daughter of William WORTHINGTON and Sarah (Worthington) was born about 1852 in London, England (St. Pancras).

22. John William SMITH, son of William SMITH and Sarah HORE was born on 17 Jun 1841 in Dorset, England (Parkstone). He died in 1913. He married Sarah Everton WAKEMAN on 01 Oct 1865 in Parkstone, Dorest, Poole, England.

23. Sarah Everton WAKEMAN, daughter of James WAKEMAN was born about 1841 in Worcestershire, England (Stourport).

24. Melvin MAKELA was born in Finland. He died in 1906. He married Unknown (Maki).

25. Unknown (Maki). (pobably born and died in Finland)

26. Sakaris HONKAWAARA was born in Feb 1836 in Pudasjärvi, Oulun Laani, Finland. He died in 1918 in Dunblane, Saskatchewan, Canada. He married Briita Maria RIEKKI in 1870 in Pudasjärvi, Oulun Laani, Finland.

27. Briita Maria RIEKKI was born in Dec 1846 in Pudasjärvi, Oulun Laani, Finland. She died in 1923 in Dunblane, Saskatchewan, Canada (Dunblane Finnish Cemetary).

28. Thomas Jefferson BELKNAP, son of Martin Seymour BELKNAP and Betsey Ann BRISTOL was born on 03 Nov 1850 in Lewis, New York, USA. He died on 17 Jun 1942 (Hazelton, British Columbia, Canada). He married Mary Elizabeth FEIDLER on 01 Oct 1876.

29. Mary Elizabeth FEIDLER, daughter of Henry FIDDLER and Frances GEORGE was born on 02 Dec 1852 in Williams, Calhoun, Iowa, USA. She died on 26 Jul 1898 in Minneapolis, Anoka,
Minnesota, USA.

30. James Robert LANDERS, son of John William LANDERS and Mary Angeline HUMBERT was born on 21 Feb 1854 in Danville, Hendricks, Indiana, USA. He died on 21 Feb 1929 in Riverton, Fremont, Wyoming, USA (Mountain View Cemetary). He married Angeline Henrietta LITTRELL on 29 Aug 1883 in Mercer, Illinois, USA.

31. Angeline Henrietta LITTRELL, daughter of John H LITTRELL and Letis Ellen KNOX was born on 28 Feb 1855 in Dubuque, Iowa, USA. She died on 10 Aug 1888 in Keithsburg, Mercer, Illinois, USA.

Birth places of my great great grandparents:

Scotland - 4
England - 4
Finland - 4
USA - 4

Wow, just as I thought - pretty even. If I were to do this for my husband, Robert - would be 100% Canadian.

Tombstone Tuesday - Inez Pearl Foster

2011-07-12T12:57:00.001-06:00


Inez Pearl Foster

Inez Pearl Foster is the daughter of Edward C. Foster and Frances Etta Tupper. She is the 1st cousin 2x removed of Robert. She buried in the Berwick cemetery, next to Rev. P. R. Foster and his wife Adelaide.

Tombstone Tuesday - Paoli Randall & Adelaide Foster

2011-07-05T12:09:00.000-06:00


Rev. P R & Adelaide Foster

Rev. Paoli Randall Foster, Robert’s 2nd great grand uncle, is the son of Isaac Foster and Rebecca Taylor. He married Adelaide Crocker on July 13, 1871 in Brookfield, Queens, Nova Scotia. They are buried in the Berwick Cemetery in Nova Scotia.

Canada Day

2011-07-01T12:55:00.000-06:00

Happy Canada Day

Today is a statutory holiday in Canada. A day to celebrate Canada’s birthday. On July 1, 1867 Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the province of Canada joined together to form Canada. Before 1982, this day was known as Dominion Day.

So when did Robert’s and my ancestors come to Canada?

1760 - Benjamin Foster and Sarah Woodward arrived in Granville, Nova Scotia, Canada from Hampstead, New Hampshire, USA. (Robert’s 7th great grandparents).

1761 - Stephen Loomer and Hannah Chapman arrived in Cornwallis, Nova Scotia, Canda from New London County, Connecticut, USA. (Robert’s 6th great grandparents).

1766 - Michael Lutz with 7 other families sails from Pennsylvania, USA up the Bay of Fundy to Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada. He was originally from Germany. (Robert’s 7th great grandfather).

1817 - Robert St. Clair Stoddart, a solider from Ireland accepted a land grant in Nova Scotia when his regiment was disbanded. (Robert’s 4th great grandfather).

1899 Thomas Belknap crossed the border in Alberta, Canada from USA with his son Donald. Donald’s daughter, Ruby will be the only grandparent of Jacqueline born in Canada. (Jacqueline’s 2nd great grandfather).

1907 - Francis Paterson, his wife, Elizabeth Danskine, and their children arrived from Scotland. (Jacqueline’s great grandparents).

1907 - Alfred Warry arrives from England followed by his wife Edith Smith and their children Dorothy, John, and Sydney in 1906. (Jacqueline’s great grandparents).

1911 - Jaakko Makie, his family with his wife’s parents crossed the border from the USA. Jaakko is originally from Finland. (Jacqueline’s great grandparents).

These are just a few of our ancestors who chose to come to Canada.

Tombstone Tuesday - Harry A. PALMER

2011-06-28T13:23:00.001-06:00

Harry A. Palmer

I missed Tombstone Tuesday last week, it was a busy week. Here is one of the last Palmer tombstones that I have from the Berwick cemetery. Harry A. Palmer is Robert’s 1st cousin 3x removed. He is the son of Handley Palmer and Martha Sanford. Harry died at a young age. When I did a web search for Harry in Family Tree Maker, it came up with an interesting result from “The Register, Berwick, Kings Do., Nova Scotia 1914”

“Palmer, Harry A., 22 years, raised by Handley Palmer, Mosherville, Hants Co., formerly of Rockland, NS, died Westfield, NB 4 Feb 1914. [11Feb 1914 see Killed on the Track].”

This looks like it could use some further investigation. Is Harry the son of Handley Palmer? What happened on the track?

Happy Father's Day

2011-06-19T14:15:00.000-06:00

Happy Father’s Day

Hope all the Father’s have a wonderful day with their families. In honour of father’s day here is Robert’s and my paternal lines.

Robert

Robert Foster, His Dad, Howard Ingram Foster (1912-1991), Ingram Morton Foster (1880-1965), Joseph Morton Taylor Foster (1833-1892), Isaac Foster (1806-1882), Benjamin Foster (1782-1882), Benjamin Foster (1755-1842), Isaac Foster (1728-1819), Benjamin Foster (1689-1760), Jacob Foster (1662-1745), Isaac Foster (1630-1692), Reginald Foster (1595-1681)

Jacqueline

Jacqueline Foster, Maurice Cumberland Paterson (1928-2007), Johnston Cumberland Paterson (1889-1969), Francis Paterson (1851-1923), Johnston Paterson (1814-1891), James Paterson

Surname Saturday - My Finnish Roots

2011-06-18T15:08:00.001-06:00

My Finnish roots are from my Mom’s paternal side. Her father was born in Hansboro, Rolette,Towner, North Dakota December 9, 1906. Fridjof Jaakko Waldemar Makie (Fritz) was the son of parents of Finnish heritage. His father was Jaakko Makie Makela (Jack Makie) born 1883 in Finland. His mother was Carolina Honkawaara (Liina Waara) born 1887 in Oscar, Michigan, USA. My confusion comes from all these different names. To find any records you have to do some creative searching.

I’ve have found very little about the Makie side except Makela, Maki, and Makie means of the hill. I have found a little more on the Honkawaara (Waara) side. My best information was a book on the area they lived in Saskatchewan. “The Echos of Coteau” published by the Coteau History Commitee in 1981. I was able to borrow the book through inter-library loan for a three week period, no renews. I discovered stories and connection to grandparents, great grandparents, ggreat grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Most of the stories were written by my great aunt, Velma Deydey (my grandfather’s sister).

Liina Waara parents were Sakris Honkawaara and Britta Riekki from Finland. They immigrated in 1885 (although I have not found any records to date) with their children Mary, Anna Kaisa, Charlie, and Sakris. Two more children were born in Michigan, Liina and Johanna. The family lived in Michigan, North Dakota, and Saskatchewan. The Finnish seemed to be a tight knit group with neighbors showing up in census records in the different areas. So if you’re having difficultly finding your relative, look at neighbors who may have an easier surname or an area of Finns.

I have a lot of research to do on my Finnish side. Although history books don’t have citations to sources, they give you great clues to family connections and stories to help round out your ancestors. Records won’t be able to tell me that:
- my great great grandparents grew their own tobacco and lived in a sod shanty.
- my great great grandmother smoked a corn pipe and made “Fiillia” (yogurt).
- my great uncle Charlie was a drummer, casket maker, and woodworker.
- that my great uncle Charlie’s wife, Olga was born without one arm, but never let it hold her back
- how my cousin Acel came to live with my great grandparents after his mother died of the Spanish Flu.
- my relative celebrated “Vappu” in May and “Juhannus” in June.

To learn more about the Finnish in Saskatchewan look on the Saskatchewan Gen Web.
“Vappu” and “Juhannus” celebration explanations are found on Wikipedia - Walpurgis Night, look under Finland.
To find where you may borrow “The Echoes of Coteau” Library and Archives Canada
To learn more about North Dakota look on the State Historical Society of North Dakota.

The novel “Rope of Time” by Larry Warwaruk is a great book to get an idea of the Finnish immigrants who came to United States and then on to Saskatchewan, Canada. If you wish to get a copy you can probably find one on Abe Books.

Wordless Wednesday - Who's Taking the Picture?

2011-06-15T17:43:00.001-06:00

Paterson

I think this photo was taken about 1919. Left to right, my grandfather (Johnston Paterson) it looks like he was about to take a picture, I'm not sure who the lady is behind him, I'm not sure of who is in the uniform, in the back is my grandfather's sister (Christina), and on the far right, Christina husband, Lionel Monypenny.

Tombstone Tuesday – Isaiah PALMER

2011-06-14T12:25:00.001-06:00

Isaish Palmer

I have yet another photo of the tombstone of one of Robert’s 2^nd great grand uncles. These Palmer’s are all buried in the same area in Berwick cemetery. Isaiah Palmer is the son of Thomas Palmer and Margaret Ann Nichols. He married Victoria Rebecca Sanford 25 Oct 1886.

A little birdie told me to tweet.

2011-06-09T00:03:00.003-06:00

After reading numerous articles on blogs, magazines, and new letters about the advantages of twitter for genealogy, I started an account. It was fairly easy. You just need a user name, e-mail address, and password. I found it easier to set up and design than my blog. The hard part is to figure out what to do, now. I’m sure, like blogger, I’ll figure more out as I go along. Linking my blog post to twitter was super easy. Thanks to those little buttons at the end of the blog post.

I found that a great place for the basics is my usual place I go to learn something new. Google books. A couple of the books have screen shots and step by step instructions on how to set up an account. Although most are only previews, they still have lot of information. If you want to read the whole book, you can always buy your own copy or borrow a copy from the library.

Tombstone Tuesday – Ambrose & Sarah PALMER

2011-06-07T12:20:00.000-06:00

Ambrose and Sarah Palmer

It’s Tuesday once again, and I have another Palmer from the Berwick Cemetery. Ambrose Palmer was the son of Thomas Richard Palmer and Margaret Ann Nichols. This would make him one of Robert’s 2^nd great grand uncles. Ambrose married Sarah Chute in 1882. The tombstone is hard to make out, probably due to my picture taking skills or lack of them. I’ll need to practice more. Ambrose died Sep 06 1914, Sarah died Feb 08 1949.

Tombstone Tuesday – Charles PALMER

2011-05-31T09:47:00.001-06:00

Charles Palmer


Annie Palmer (Mapplebeck)

These are some more Palmer tombstones from the Berwick cemetery. Charles Palmer is Robert’s 2^nd great grand uncle. He is the son of Thomas Richard Palmer and Margaret Ann Nichols. November 22, 1899 Charles married Annie Mapplebeck.

Tombstone Tuesday – Handley and Martha PALMER

2011-05-24T13:20:00.000-06:00

Handley & Martha Palmer

This is the tombstone of Robert’s 2^nd great grand uncle and aunt. Handley and Martha Palmer (Sanford) are buried in the Berwick cemetery. Handley is the son of Thomas Richard Palmer and Margaret Ann Nichols.

Tombstone Tuesday – Thomas & Margaret Ann PALMER

2011-05-17T10:35:00.001-06:00


Thomas R. & Margaret Ann Palmer

This is the tombstone of Robert’s 3^rd great grandparents Thomas R. Palmer and Margaret Ann Palmer (Nichols). They are buried in the Berwick cemetery.

Tombstone Tuesday – Thomas PALMER

2011-05-10T09:26:00.000-06:00

Bessie Palmer (Mapplebeck)

Thomas Palmer & Edna Palmer (Veins)

Here is another tombstone from Berwick Cemetery. This is Robert’s 2^nd great grandparents, Thomas Palmer and Bessie Mapplebeck. Bessie’s inscription is on one side and Thomas’s and his 2^nd wife’s, Edna Veins on the other side.

Happy Mother’s Day

2011-05-08T10:53:00.001-06:00

Happy Mother’s Day

For all you Mom’s have a wonderful day. In honour of Mother’s Day, here is the maternal line of myself and Robert.

Jacqueline

Me (Paterson), My Mom (Makie), Ruby Belknap (1917-1997), Bessie Landers (1888-1947), Angeline Littrell (1855-1888), Letis Ellen Knox (1830-?), Clarissa Fuller (1810-1891), Avis Briggs (1773-1814), Lettice Hill (1745-1813)

Robert

Robert Foster, His Mom (Stoddart), Living Lutz, Florence Palmer (1899-1975), Bessie Mapplebeck (1879-1902), Fanny McKinley (1850-1899)

Surname Saturday - LANDERS

2011-05-07T15:29:00.000-06:00

This is the surname of my great grandmother on my Mom’s side. My grandmother was Bessie Landers born August 2, 1888 in Keithsburg, Mercer County, Illinois. She married Donald Belknap in South Dakota in 1910, and followed him to Alberta, Canada. Bessie passed away January 27, 1947 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The Landers line has been interesting researching as I’ve found quite a few cousins researching this same line.

My line going back from Bessie Landers : James Robert Landers + Angeline H Littrell, John William Landers + Mary Angeline Humbert, Robert Henry Landers + Hannah Stewart, Nathaniel Landers + Lucinda Carpenter, Kimbrow Landers + Peggy Branham.

The line seems to stop at Kimbrow Landers. No one I’ve been in touch with has any information on Kimbrow’s parents. Kimbrow Landers was in the American Revolution, enlisting in the 9^th and later the 13^th Virginia Regiments. The Landers family has been In Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Nebraska, and Wyoming.

Tombstone Tuesday – Azie & Florence LUTZ

2011-05-03T12:21:00.004-06:00


Azie & Florence Lutz

I’ve just recently returned from a family vacation in Nova Scotia. As always, it was interesting to see all the history there. While we had very little access to the internet, we found some great family information on Robert’s roots. One being all the cemeteries scattered across the country side. Since we had a limited amount of time and uncooperative weather, we chose to explore the cemetery closest to where we stayed. That happened to be the Berwick cemetery. We took some photos of the grave stones of known relatives and some random ones. This is the tombstone of Robert’s great grandparents, Azie E. Lutz and Florence O. Palmer.

One Lovely Blog Award

2011-04-20T12:22:00.004-06:00

Thank you Sarah B at Geneapprentice for choosing my blog for this award. Blogging has been a great experience. I’m always surprised that people actually view my blog. This has been an extra special month with a cousin in England finding my blog and getting in touch.

Accepting this award comes with some conditions. You get the pleasure of reading new blogs and choosing 15 new blogs to pass on the award.

The rules of acceptance are :

1. Accept the award; post it on your blog together with the name of the person who granted the award and their blog link.

2. Pass the award on to 15 other blogs that you've newly discovered.

3. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

Here are blogs that I’ve chosen, and they are all lovely:

1. A Hundred Years Ago

2. A Patient Genealogist

3. Finding Kline

4. Adventures in Family History

5. All Things Alcorn

6. Barking up Our Family Tree

7. Blundering Blindly Backwards

8. Finding Family Stories

9. Foote Paths

10. Jen’s Genealogy Pages

11. More Than Names

12. My Link to the Past

13. Stories from Many Moons Ago

14. The Door Keepers

15. What’s My Lineage?

Congrats! I look forward to reading more of your posts. Thanks once again to Sarah B and those who read my blog.