Surname Saturday - DANSKINE

This is the maiden name of my great grandmother, Elizabeth.  She married my great grandfather, Francis Paterson, June 11, 1883 in Airdrie, Lanarkshire, Scotland. This has to be one of my favourite surnames.  I can’t help but like this surname as it is an unusual Scottish name. No matter how you spell it-Danskine, Danskin, Dansken, or Danshin.  My line seemed to like the Danskine with the e on the end.  As far as I can tell most people with this name are related in some way. It’s interesting to see the migration of the Danskines.  I’ve found Danskines in England, Australia, United States, and Canada.  

Danskines were in Denny, Stirlingshire, Scotland in the late 1600s.  My 4^th great grandfather, William Danskine was born in Denny, Shirlingshire in 1748.  He was in Lanarkshire, Scotland by 1777, where he married Mary Ann Maine.  His son James Danskine married Helen Hardie in 1811 in Cumbernauld, Dunbartonshire, Scotland.  James was a weaver.  His son, William Danskine, my 2^nd great grandfather was born 1816 and married Agnes Findlay in 1837 in Cumbernauld, Scotland.  William was listed as a grocer and spirit dealer in the 1861 census.  I have found a few spirit dealers in my family in Scotland. So if you recognized this surname, chances are we are related. 

The American Civil War – John H Littrell

Thanks to Bill West of West in New England for the Civil War Blog Challenge to mark the 150 anniversary of the start of the Civil War on 12 Apr 1861.  I’ve been meaning to blog about my third great grandfather, John H Littrell.  (See Fearless Females – Mini Profile, March 31, 2011 to read about his wife Letis Ellen Knox). I was quite surprised to find out how many American ancestors that I had, let alone an ancestor in the American Civil War.  My American ancestors are from my Mom maternal side who came to Alberta, Canada in the 1890s. 

Most of what I know about John Littrell comes from Pension No. 11273 (Applicant-Letis Ellen Littrell, Veteran-John H Littrell) and a couple of census records.  I have no parents for John and I’m not sure what the H stands for.  According to the records John was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania in 1831. The year corresponds to his census record for 1860, taken in Mercer County, Illinois.  Although the census states he was born in Iowa. I tend to believe the pensions records as John probably gave them the information.

John Littrell was enlisted by Lieutenant S.S. Newberry of the Twelfth Regiment of Infantry at Dubuque, Iowa on November 29, 1861.  At this time John is married to Letis Ellen Knox and has five children.  He is to serve three years but doesn’t make it passed one.  On October 11, 1862 he’s discharged with a Surgeon Certificate of disability at Fort Hamilton NYH.  The surgeon, B. Randall, finds him incapable of performing his duties of a soldier because of a “pallid look, flabby muscles and broken down constitution”.  Somehow he makes it back to Dubuque, Iowa. His wife, Letis, in a letter to the pension office says that he died of his illness November 17, 1862.  

I believe that John H Littrell is buried at the Linwood Cemetery in Dubuque, Iowa. Although when I e-mailed the cemetery they replied they didn’t have records back that far.  But I have found mention of a John Littrell of the Twelfth United States Infantry whom grave is at Linwood on p 419 of a book on google “The History of Dubuque County, Iowa, a history of the County, its Cities, Towns, & C.” published in Chicago by Western Historical Company, 1880.  John Littrell is, also, mentioned as one of the soldiers’ graves decorated at Linwood Cemetery on May 30, 1868 from the Dubuque Daily Herald on Dubuque County IA GenWeb.

I’m still searching for clues about John Littrell and learning about the civil war.  My husband is quite surprised that I’ll watch the civil war shows on TV with him. But they’re so much more interesting when you have ancestors who lived during that time period.  I have a lot of unanswered question.  Who were his parents? What battles was he involved with during the civil war? Is he really buried at Linwood cemetery and does he have a grave marker?

Fearless Females – Mini Profile

Thanks to Lisa Alzo of Accidental Genealogy for the prompts for Fearless Females in honour of Women’s History Month.  Although I didn’t have time to participate in all the prompts, I’ve enjoyed the ones I did.  It was a great way to honour our female ancestors, who sometimes are forgotten.

My third great grandmother Letis Ellen Knox was born April 14, 1830 in Jay, Franklin, Maine. She was the daughter of George W. Knox and Clarissa Fuller. I’ll refer to her as Letis, as this is the name on the civil war pension file, although she often went by Ellen. The family moved to Mercer County, Illinois somewhere between 1840 and 1850. In February of 1850 Letis gave birth to a daughter, Lucinda.  In the census of 1850, Letis and Lucinda are staying with her parents George and Clarissa.  On September 20, 1852 in Keithsburg, Mercer, Illinois, Letis marries John H. Littrell of Iowa. The family bounces back and forth between Dubuque, Iowa and Mercer, Illinois.  My second great grandmother, Angeline is born February 28, 1855 in Dubuque, Iowa.  By 1860 the family is back in Mercer with their children, Lucinda, Charles, Angeline, William, and Sarah. 

During this time period, lives change for many Americans including the Littrells.  On November 29, 1861 John H. Littrell enlists in  Dubuque, Iowa for the 12” US Infantry of Iowa. Letis is left to care for their young children like so many other mothers. Sadly Letis and the children won’t have a joyous reunion with John at the end of the civil war.  On October 11, 1862, John is discharged at Fort Hamilton, New York with a certificate of disability.  Shortly after he returns home to Dubuque, Iowa he dies of illness contracted during the war. On November 17, 1862 he passes away.  Letis is faced with raising the children on her own, with one more child, Harry. 

Letis applies for a widow’s pension at Dubuque, Iowa at the beginning of 1863.  After not having heard back from the pension office, she marries December 28, 1867 to Iredill Pate in Mercer, Illinois.  Letis and her husband, Iredill bounce between Iowa and Illinois. The last census they show up together is the 1880 census, Letis then returns to the surname of her first husband, Littrell. Letis Littrell appears in the special 1890 veterans schedule in Wahoo, Saunders, Nebraska. Why Nebraska?  It would make sense that the William Littrell of the 1880 census living in Wahoo, Saunders, Nebraska is her son. In Saunders, Nebraska, Letis applies for a pension, after not hearing anything since her first application in Dubuque, Iowa in 1863. 

By 1900, Letis is found in Chicago, Illinois living with her son (Harry), grandson (John Rodgers), and relative (Ida Knox). Once again, Letis returns to Keithsburg, Mercer, Illinois by 1910 to live with her daughter and son-in-law (Sadie and Henry Highfield). She is with still with them in 1915 in Eliot, Louise, Iowa.  After this I’m unsure of what happened to Letis, she now 85 years old.  I’m on the hunt for more records.

Fearless Females - Immigration

I have a few female ancestors who have immigrated. 

On my mother’s paternal side, my 2^nd great grandmother ( Britta Honkawarra, nee Riekki) emigrated from Finland to United States with her husband Sakris Honkawaara and four children.  From a family history book they are said to have immigrated in 1885.  On the 1900 census, Sakris states that he immigrated in 1882.  Britta and three of the children state their immigration year as 1884.  I have yet to find any passengers lists or documents to prove any dates. In the United Stated they lived in Michigan and North Dakota. They left the United States in 1911 to come to Saskatchewan, Canada.  I have found it very challenging to find records for my Finnish side, as the names seem to be spelt different on each record.  I have, also, learned that the name could be shortened to Waara. 

On my father’s paternal side, my great grandmother (Elizabeth Paterson, nee Danskine) emigrated from Scotland to Canada with her husband Francis Paterson and seven children.  They came aboard the steamship Mongolian, leaving Glasgow, Scotland arriving in Halifax, Canada in March 1907.  According to the Canadian passenger list their ultimate goal was Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.  Which is where settled except for Francis Paterson, which will be in another post. 

On my father’s maternal side, my great grandmother (Edith Warry, nee Smith) emigrated from England to Canada with her three children.  Her husband Alfred Warry, had emigrated the year before.  They came aboard the Kensington, leaving Liverpool, England arriving in Portland, Maine, United States in December 1907. Their final destination Toronto, Ontario, Canada.  See post dated December 13, 2010.

Surname Saturday - Robert’s Roots - BARKHOUSE

This is another surname from my husband’s family tree.  I seem to get a lot of views every time I post something from his tree.  Also, I’ve have recently received a message from someone on Ancestry about the Barkhouse line, so why not go with the flow.  Robert’s 2nd great grandmother was Bertha Barbara Barkhouse, who married George Lutz on March 20, 1874 in Lake Paul, Kings County, Nova Scotia. Going back from Bertha are: James William Barkhouse-Michael Barkhouse-Johan (Phillip) Berghaus-Johan (Nikolaus) Berghaus. 

Nickolaus Berghaus and his wife Gertruda arrived May 30, 1752 aboard the “Sally”. They were originally from Germany.  It seems that most of the Barkhouses in Nova Scotia are descendants from this one couple. The orginal name of Berghaus was anglicized to Barkhouse. 

While we are still researching and collecting sources for this line, here are some resources that we found helpful:

Article by Tarina Bambrick about a book complied by Ronald T. Barkhouse on the Descendants of Nikolaus and Gertruda Berghaus.  We don’t have a copy of this book, but have seen a copy at the Kings County Museum in Nova Scotia. This is on our wanted list.

Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia, Genealogy.  This is a great website with lots of resources for the Lunenburg County.  Even a passenger lists for the “Sally”.  Look for John Nicolaus Berghaus  listed as a farmer from Darmstad.

Nova Scotia Historical Vital Statistics is a great place to look up births, marriages, and deaths for Nova Scotia. It is linked to original records were you can see the digitized copy for free. You can order copies if you wish, as well.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day – Robert’s Roots

In honour of St. Patrick’s Day, I thought I would write a post about Irish heritage.  While I haven’t found any on my side (yet), I know my husband Robert has some Irish.  His Irish roots go back to Robert St. Clair Stoddart born about 1769 in Longford, Ireland. His line is Robert St. Clair Stoddart-James St. Clair Stoddart-Robert Stoddart-Milford Clayton Stoddart-Maurice Randall Stoddart-Robert’s Mom-Robert Foster.

This is one of the lines that is on the list of projects to work on together, when Robert has more time. We have found some information on Robert Stoddart on our visit to the O’Dell Museum when we were last in Nova Scotia.

From a list of soldiers discharged in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.  They were from the 98^th (Late 99^th) Regiment of Foot. (1803-1818) (disbanded)

The introduction to the list states that the Regiment of Foot was raised in Ireland in 1803. From 1806 to 1818, they were stationed at Halifax,Nova Scotia; Fredricton, New Brunswick; and St. John’s, Newfoundland. They were renumbered as the 98^th in 1815.  They were disbanded in 1818.

Robert Stoddors/Studdors [Stoddart] enlisted September 30, 1804 at the age of 35 in Longford, Ireland.  He was discharged June 25, 1818 at Fredriction.  He was listed as a carpenter. 

We have found Robert Stoddart in the book “History of the County of Annapolis Nova Scotia” by W.A. Calnek. The book can be looked at on Our Roots, page 280.  His is listed in Falkland as Sergeant Robert Stoddart who was an original grantee.  

We have some information about this line from a relative who did up a book on Robert Stoddart’s descendants.  While this is a great starting point, we still need to find more sources. But that's half the fun.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

Fearless Females – Six-Word Memoir

Write a six-word tribute to one of your ancestors.  This was so much fun, that I pick a female ancestor from each of my lines.

Father’s Maternal-Dorothy Eleanor May Warry (Paterson), my grandmother:  English. Wish I Had Known You.

Father’s Paternal-Elizabeth Danskine (Paterson), my great grandmother:  Scottish. Mother. Shopkeeper. Strong. Spanish Flu.

Mother’s Paternal-Britta Riekki (Honkawaara), my 2^nd great grandmother:  Lived Three Countries. Finnish, Skier. Religious.

Mother’s Maternal-Letis Ellen Knox (Littrell) (Pate), my 3^rd great grandmother:  Civil war widow. American. Mayflower Descendant. (still trying to prove)

Fearless Females – Tragic Circumstances

As I look at my female ancestors, many of them lived through tough times. Some of them lost husbands, leaving them to raise a family alone and some lost their children before they were even grown. But one of the most tragic circumstances is the death of a young mother after the joyous occasion of the birth of a child. It’s truly sad to see how many of these women passed away. Really makes you appreciated the advances in modern medicine. 

Both my grandfather, Johnston Paterson, and my great grandfather, Francis Paterson lost their first wives shortly after the birth of their first child. 

Johnston Paterson lost his young wife, Vera Ellen Marsh Seaman, on January 19, 1921.  Their daughter was only two months old. This was a tragic loss for both the Paterson and Seaman families. The baby girl was raised by the Seaman family, since she was so young and my grandfather a single man starting a new homestead.  This was something I only found out about when I started researching. My father and his brothers knew about their half sister. They had even tried to find her, but didn’t know where to begin. I’m hoping that I can find out what happened to her, maybe fill a void in the tree. 

Francis Paterson lost his young wife Ewenina Kennedy in Airdrie, Scotland on March 24, 1882.  She was only 19 years old and her daughter, Mary Paterson, was a month old. I’m not sure how my great grandfather managed a young daughter (maybe help from family). Francis remarried a year later to my great grandmother, Elizabeth Danskine. Ewenina’s daughter Mary never made it to adulthood, dying of a tragic accident at 14 years old.

Fearless Females – Family Documents

This is a narrative based on my 2^nd great grandmother’s (Angeline Littrell) marriage record from March 4, 2011.

John H Littrell’s and Ellen Knox’s daughter, Angeline married for the second time in Millersburg, Mercer County, Illinois.  She was married August 29, 1883 by Pastor J.D. Calhoun of the M.E. Church.  Angeline was born 1855 in Iowa and has been residing in Keithsburg. Her husband is the son of John W. Landers and Mary A. Humbert. James was born in Indiana 1854 and was a farmer at the time of his marriage, residing in Keithsburg.

Fearless Females – Diaries, Letters, and Journals

I don’t have any diaries, letters or journals from female ancestors. I do have photos of an autograph book of my grandmother, Dorothy Paterson (Warry).

My father was lucky to be in possession of his mother’s small little autograph book.  It’s filled with witting of my grandmother’s friends and acquaintances. After my father passed away, I found some comfort in looking through that little book that has been touch by my father’s and grandmother’s hands. I never knew my grandmother as she passed away before I was born. My memories of her are created by family stories, photos, and little bits of her life, such as the autograph book.  The book has been passed on to a cousin, thanks to my mother. (I’ll try not to sound bitter, I sure my cousin will treasure it.)

The dates in the book are mostly from 1919, a couple from 1921, and one from 1936. They were mostly written in Ontario, before Dorothy moved to Edmonton with her parents. I’m hoping some day to research the names in the book.

Fearless Females – Marriage Records

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.

From my Dad’s side of the family, I have a photo of the original marriage certificate that my uncle has, passed down from his mother, Dorothy Paterson(Warry).  This certificate is over hundred years old! This was her parent’s marriage certificate (my great grandparents), Alfred William Warry and Edith Eleanor Smith. They were married August 2, 1897 in the Buckland Baptist Chapal,  Branksome Road, Poole, England. Please see labels on side more about the Warrys.

From my Mom’s side of the family, I have a return of a marriage to county clerk for my 2^nd great grandparents, James R. Landers and Angeline Littrell.  They were married August 29, 1883 at Millersburg, Mercer County, Iowa.

Matrilineal Monday – Birdie Eldora Leona Belknap

Birdie Van Horn in Seattle, Washington

Birdie Belknap was my great aunt born August 3, 1880 in Eldora, Hardin, Iowa, USA (guess where one of her middle names came from).

She was the daughter of Thomas Belknap and Mary Fiddler. Although she may not have any direct descendant searching for her, (as I have not found any children for her, as to date) she was a part of the family who should not be forgotten. It has been an interesting journey searching for records to piece together a bit of her life.  What I have so far is that she was married first to Alex Pandelas in Butte, Silver Bow, Montana in 1917. It looks like she was divorced about 1920.  She remarried at the end of 1920 to William Henry Van Horn in Telkwa, British Columbia, Canada where her father T. J. Belknap had a ranch.  Great Aunt Birdie died in Everett Snohomish, Washington, USA on July 4, 1967 at the age of 86.

I’ve been lucky that my Mom has kept some of the postcards and letters that her Aunt Birdie sent to her. Here is a picture of Aunt Birdie taken by one of her friends from St. Paul, Minnesota on July 21, 1962 in Seattle, Washington for the World’s Fair.

Sentimental Sunday – Janet Danskine Paterson Abbott

Janet Danskine Paterson & William Abbott

Janet Danskine Paterson is my great aunt who died at the young age of 25.  Janet (Jenny) is the second oldest daughter of Francis Paterson and Elizabeth Danskine, born 4 April 1886 in Airdrie, Lanarkshire, Scotland.  Jenny immigrates to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada in 1907 with her parents, five sisters and one brother.  At the end of 1909 Jenny marries William Abbott.  Jenny dies 12 February 1912 in Provost, Alberta, Canada.  This tragic death must have made an impact on the family.  My father (who was born 16 years after his aunt Jenny dies) knows the story and tells me the story when we look at the Paterson Family photo. (see 23 December 2010 post)

We regret to record the death of

Mrs. Wm. Abbott of Cadogan,

which occurred at the Provost Hos-

pital on Monday last, under partic-

ularly sad circumstances.

“Mrs. Wm. Abbott”, obituary, The Provost Star, 16, February, 1912

What are the tragic and sad circumstances? Jenny dies from appendicitis.  The Provost Star reports on 23 February 1912 that this was a peculiarly sad death which could have been prevented if medical aid was summoned. They state that Jenny was under the spell of “Christian Scientists”.  The Provost Star writes that the case was reported to the authorities and that no punishment could be handed out.

Although Jenny died as a young woman who never got the chance to be a mother, she is remembered from the photos and stories her family passes on.   I’ve have been told that she was great vocalist and had a kind nature, and willing to lend a helping hand.

Sunday’s Obituary – Martin S Belknap

This is an obituary for my 3^rd great grandfather Martin S Belknap, he is the spouse of Betsey Ann Belknap (nee Bristol).  

          M. S Belknap Dead                           

A Former Resident of the Town of

   Algoma Dies in Minnesota.

  Word was received in this city Sat-

urday announcing the death at  Big-

low, Minn., M.S. Belknap for-

merly of the town of Algoma.  The

deceased was about eighty-six years

old and was a highly respected resi-

dent of the town of Algoma for many

years.   The family moved to Minne-

sota about eighteen years ago.  Mr

Belknap was the father of Mrs. J.

W. McWilliams of this city.  The re-

mains will be brought here for burial.

“M.S. Belknap,” obituary, Oshkosh Daily Northwestern, 13 Feb 1893, p 4

                  Short Notes                                 

                        

   The remains of Martin S. Belknap

arrived in the city last evening and

were taken to the home of Mrs. J.

McWilliams on Oregon Street where

the funeral was held this mooring at

ten o’clock.  The remains were

interred at Elmwood cemetery.

“Martin S. Belknap,” short notes, Oshkosh Daily Northwestern, 15 Feb 1893, p 4

 Find A Grave Memorial# 113903560

Amanuensis Monday – John William Smith’s will

 

Amanuensis: A person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.

This was another treasure passed on to me by my aunt and uncle.  They found it in a box of my grandmother’s (Dorothy Paterson nee Warry). I don’t think they realized who he was.  Who was John William Smith?  He was my 2^nd great grandfather, father of Edith Elinore Warry (nee Smith).

This is the front of the paper folded in fours.  One of the edges looks like it may have been torn.  (Ripped from a book?)

Dated 22 October 1887.  Will of Jn W Smith

 

        This is the last Will of me John William Smith

of heather Mount – Heatherlands Upper Parkstone

in the County of Dorset, Carpenter I invoke

all former wills a councils made by me

I appoint my sons Horace Gordon Smith and

Sydney Hastings Smith.  my executors and

Trustees. i give the whole of my property of every

kind to my trustees.  absolutely upon trust to

permit my wife the use of all my household

furniture plate and effects  during her lifetime

and as to the rest of my property to pay the

rents profits and income thereof to my wife

during her lifetime in the usual quarter day

and after the death of my wife to sell and realizes

the whole of my property and effects and pay and

divide the proceeds to and amongst my

children living at the death of my wife.

in Witness whereof i have hereunto set my

   hand the first Day of November one thousand

                                                                 nine hundred and thirteen

                                                                                                  John William Smith

There are some great clues:

-there is an address-Heather Mount, Heatherlands, Upper Parkstone, Dorset County

-occupation stated as carpenter

-two of his sons stated as Horace Gordon Smith and Sydney Hastings Smith

-written on 01 November 1913, obviously alive at this time

-his wife is still alive at this time

What I don’t understand is why is the outside of the paper dated 22 October 1887 and the writing inside dated 01 November 1913?  Is this really the last will?

I still don’t have a definite death date for John William Smith or his wife Sarah Everton Smith (nee Wakeman).  But these clues should make it easy to track down the correct Smith.  (I hope)

Sunday Obituary – Betsey Ann Belknap

This is an obituary for my 3^rd great grandmother Betsey Ann Belknap (nee Bristol).  Betsey was the daughter of Justus Bristol and Catherine Lockwood born 16 November, 1814.  She married Martin Seymour Belknap in 1831 in New York.  One of her 11 children was my 2^nd great grandfather Thomas Jefferson Belknap.

                DIED IN OLD AGE                            

Mrs. Betsey Ann Belknapp Passes  Away at 
106  Oregon Street This   Morning.

 Mrs. Betsey Ann Belknapp died this

Morning of general debility at her home

106 Oregon street.  She was the mother of Mrs. Job Mcwiilliams, with whom she resided.  The interment will take place at two o’clock Monday afternoon

at Ellenwood cemetery.

                                                                                                                                                                           

“Mrs. Betsey Ann Belknapp,” obituary, Oshkosh Daily Northwestern,  15 April 1899 , p 1

She is buried at the Ellenwood Cemetery in Winnebago County, Wisconsin, USA.  

Interesting obituary right below this one:

     MAX THOM’S FUNERAL                      

  The funeral of Max Thom, the young             

man who was drowned Friday near the

railway bridge while running on the

logs, will be held at one o’clock Sunday

afternoon from St. Mary’s Catholic

church.

Another interesting announcement just above the Obituaries:

 Edward Thomas was granted a di-

vorce from Minnie.   Thomas on the

ground that his wife treated him in a

cruel manner and refused to wash and

mend his clothing and get his meals.

the parties to the suit reside in Osh-

kosh.     

Find A Grave Memorial# 113903957

Tombstone Tuesday – Elizabeth Paterson & Agnes Findlay Paterson

Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

This grave maker is for my great grandmother Elizabeth Paterson (nee Danskine) and her daughter Agnes Findlay Paterson.  Elizabeth succumbed to the Spanish Flu in 1919 and Agnes to typhoid fever in 1907.

Treasure Chest Thursday – Edith Elinore Smith’s Birth

 

This treasure was given to me by my aunt and uncle.  I’ve been fortunate to have them past on treasures each time I visit.  Sometimes it’s photos, sometimes documents, or sometimes a story or two.  

Edith Elinore Smith is my great grandmother.  She married Alfred William Warry in Poole, Dorset, England on August 2, 1897.  This is a Certified Copy of an Entry of Births.  Points of reference for her birth records:

• 1.        Name of child- Edith Elinore Smith

• 2.       Place of birth- Constition Hill, Kinson

• 3.       Date of birth- 4^th August 1876

• 4.       Sex- Girl

• 5.       Father’s name- John William Smith

• 6.       Father’s Profession- Carpenter and joiner

• 7.       Mother’s name- Sarah Everton Smith formerly Wakeman

• 8.       Informant- John William Smith, Father, Constitution Hill, Kinson

England, certified copy of an entry of birth for Edith Elinore Smith, born 4 August 1876; citing 7/226, Poole registration district and Canford Subdistrict; Registrar for the District of Poole in the County of Dorset

Surname Saturday-Robert’s Roots-LUTZ

This is a surname on my husband’s maternal side.  Of course the Lutzs are from Nova Scotia.  Following the Lutz back starting with Robert’s great grandparents Azie Elvison Lutz and Florence Odessa Palmer-George C Lutz and Bertha Barbara Barkhouse-Rufus Lutz and Margaret Clem-William Lutz and Mary Ann Brown. There is a story about William Lutz and Mary Ann Brown that we’ve seen during our research and is mentioned in the book “New Voices on the Shores, Early Pennsylvania German Settlements in New Brunswick” by Rainer L Hempel.  William and Mary Ann left New Brunswick in the 1800s because the family didn’t approve of Mary Ann or a family disagreement.  They crossed the Bay of Fundy in a flimsy boat and were never heard from.  Their families assumed they perished.  But generations later their descendants were discovered in Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia.   

“New Voices on the Shores, Early Pennsylvania German Settlements in New Brunswick” by Rainer L Hempel is a very informative book for anyone with ancestors of the Lutz, Ricker, Wortman, Steeves, Teitz, and Sommers.  It gives a great background to the Lutz family and their struggles in Germany and their immigration to Pennsylvania and then New Brunswick. 

Where to find this book:

If you want to buy a copy for yourself,  AbeBook usually a couple of copies for sell.

To borrow the book you can get it from inter library loan, (Canada Library and Archives has a list of where it can borrowed).

Surname Saturday-Robert’s Roots-FOSTER

This is my husband’s surname, and the surname I adopted when we were married (20 years ago).  What puzzled Robert was who were the Fosters and where did they come from?  He was more interested in genealogy at this time than I was.  So when we were in Nova Scotia visiting the in-laws in 2003, he just had to look to at the genealogy room in the Kings County Museum.  With a bit of help from the friendly volunteers, he was able to find his Foster line.  So who were they and where did they come from?  The Fosters are very Canadian.  Benjamin Foster, his wife Sarah Woodward, and their children came to Granville, Nova Scotia from Massachusetts, USA in 1760.  Benjamin is a descendant of Reginald Foster of Ipswich, Massachusetts, originally from England. 

The Kings County Museum in Kentville, Nova Scotia is a great place to find family histories of the area. It’s filled with interesting exhibits and friendly, helpful volunteers.  Although we’ve only had the chance to go a couple of time, we have found great information each time.  We look forward to a visit next time we visit the in-laws.  One of those treasures you can’t find online.

“History of the County of Annapolis, Nova Scotia: Including Old Port Royal & Acadia” by W.A. Calnek has a write up about the Fosters in Annapolis.  You can see the whole book on our roots, as well as other histories in Canada.

“Foster Genealogy”, an amazing book by Frederick Clifton Pierce in 1899.  The book is 1089 pages complied at a time when there were no computers.  You can see the whole book on Internet Archive.