Judy Rosella Edwards

National Novel Writing Month is Underway

2008-11-03T07:35:00.003-06:00

I have a good healthy start on this year's NaNo entry. I'm writing historical fiction this time around.

I'm pretty scientific about writing. I have it calculated out so that if I write about 2,000 words per day, I will reach the minimum goal of 50,000 in less than 30 days. It is only day 3 and I'm at 9,212 words as of this writing. That's good since I know my cousin is flying in from California and I have some travelling to do myself.

You can follow my word count online at NaNoWrimo.

Looking Into 1860 U.S. Federal Census Records

2008-10-24T19:06:00.001-05:00

Many of the relationships we spend hours searching for are missing from the typed or digitized census information we use every day. Worse yet, novice researchers may not know the information existed but was omitted by a typist. So why use a transcribed census? The original hand-written copies are stunningly beautiful to look at ¿ but nearly impossible to read! In this report, I explain why that information matters and how to locate it and use it to make your genealogical research so much more meaningful. I explain 33 aspects of the 1860 U.S. Federal Census -- plus I give you lots of free inside info on researching! On sale now!

Place of Death versus Death Certificate

2008-09-18T16:46:00.003-05:00

Recently, I received an email from someone who was exasperated searching for a death certificate for one of her ancestor's. She had traveled quite a distance and spent hours searching the local courthouse records for the death certificate to no avail.

There are plenty of reasons why researchers run into such a dilemma. But here is one that is so simple we often overlook it.

The death certificate is filed in the county or parish where the person died.

It sounds simple enough, right? But it reminds me of a church that protested loudly when the city told them they could not put their church's sign up at the edge of town like all the other churches. They asked the wrong question. The city told them "they" could not put up the sign -- because, for insurance reasons, a city employee needed to put the sign up.

Let's look at this again.

The death certificate is filed in the county or parish where the person died.

If a person died, even across the county line from where they lived, the death certificate would not be filed in the county where they resided. So, think about it. If your ancestor from Tupelo, Mississippi, died after being run over by a streetcar while visiting the Columbia Exposition on vacation in Chicago, their death certificate would be in Cook County, Illinois, instead of Lee County, Mississippi.

Perhaps the ancestor's obituary would provide a lead in locating the death certificate. Did they die in a hospital in another county? Did they live in a rural area that was actually in a different county than you thought? Did they live in a location that became part of a different county at some point in time?

There are lots of angles to consider. But, most of all, remember that the death certificate is unrelated to the last known place of residence.

Looking INTO 1860 U.S. Federal Census Records

2008-09-17T09:18:00.005-05:00

There is no such thing as the census. Do you know why? Buy my latest writing, Looking INTO 1860 U.S. Federal Census Records, and I'll tell you!

And, so much more!!

I wrote this report, Looking INTO 1860 U.S. Federal Census Records, after realizing how many transcribers omit crucial information researchers need in order to make sense of all those names and numbers. Many of the relationships we spend hours searching for are missing from the typed or digitized census information we use every day. Worse yet, novice researchers may not know the information existed but was omitted by a typist.

So why use a transcribed census? The original hand-written copies are stunningly beautiful to look at – but nearly impossible to read! In Looking INTO 1860 U.S. Federal Census Records, I explain why that information matters and how to locate it and use it to make your genealogical research so much more meaningful.

I explain 33 aspects of the 1860 U.S. Federal Census in a way you might not have considered:

Secret 1 There is No Such Thing as A Census

Secret 2 Page Numbers Count

Secret 3 Who Was Home?

Secret 4 Who Was the Enumerator?

Secret 5 Enumerator Assistants

Secret 6 Post Office

Secret 7 Census Districts

Secret 8 Household Numbers

Secret 9 Visit Numbers

Secret 10 Names

Secret 11 Connections Between Names

Secret 12 Who Lives Here?

Secret 13 Recording Ages

Secret 14 Infant Birthdates

Secret 15 Gender

Secret 16 Color

Secret 17 Profession

Secret 18 Value of Real Estate

Secret 19 Value of Personal Estate

Secret 20 Place of Birth

Secret 21 Married within the year

Secret 22 School Attendance

Secret 23 Illiteracy

Secret 24 The Largest Collection of Information: Deaf and dumb, blind, insane, idiotic, pauper, convict

Secret 25 Page Totals

BEYOND THE CENSUS

Secret 26 Census as a Migration Map

Secret 27 Immigration records

Secret 28 Military Records

Secret 29 Biographies

Secret 30 Putting 1860 Into Perspective

Secret 31 Marriage Records

Secret 32 Death Records

Secret 33 Playing the Matching Game

I also include my personal secrets for:

Collecting and storing research so I can find it again.

"Genealogy on a Shoestring" - how to do research without spending a lot of money!

"Bringing the LDS Library to You" - you don't have to go to Utah!

"Documenting Sources" the EASY way!

What's a university archive and why do you need to know about them?

"Locating Old Newspapers" - unearth some unusual places where old newspapers are archived!

"Locating Places" - how to find where that old church used to be before it was torn down decades ago!

"Free Online Searches" includes a hot tip you may not be aware of. Don’t miss the clickable items I have scattered throughout.

Soon, this will be available from my online store. You can order today by clicking on the BUY NOW button. This report is in PDF version. You will receive it as an email attachment once your payment is received. (This is not an immediate download, at this point -- but you can be one of the first to buy Looking INTO 1860 U.S. Federal Census Records!

$9.95 each. Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.

St. Charles MO Update

2008-05-24T08:24:00.001-05:00

There is a new treaure online. 1903 Goulds Directory listing of people living in St Charles, Mo.. Alphabetical list of names only.There are a few hundred names on this list.

http://genealogytrails.com/mo/stcharles/1903goulds.html

FIT!

2008-05-10T14:24:00.001-05:00

Finally got the Wii. Now the Fit is coming soon.... Now is the time to order! Coming Soon! Get a $10 Walmart.com gift card when you preorder Wii Fit (to be delivered on or just after May 21)!

Finding Family vol. 1 no. 3 April 23, 2008

2008-04-24T05:37:00.000-05:00

The Genealogy of the Adams Family, of Kingston, Mass. traces the Adams family back to 1677. This genealogy was written by George Adams and Theodore Parker Adams. The latter was the longest living graduate of Harvard University, according to newspaper clippings scanned along with a copy on file at Google Books.

If you are interested in purchasing this history, please support this free newsletter by shopping with this link.

BUY: Genealogy of the Adams Family, of Kingston, Mass

Written by Teunis G. Bergen, the Genealogy of the Lefferts Family, 1650-1718 is 151 pages, not counting the extensive index to individuals mentioned.

If you are interested in purchasing this history, please support this free newsletter by shopping with this link.

BUY: Genealogy of the Leffert's Family

If you are looking for the history of the Montresor family, you’ll be thrilled by The Montresor Journals, tracing this French Huguenot family back to 1096! But you will find so much more in this book. Montresor was the second engineer in the physical building of America. He includes a map of “Fords Across the Schuylkill River in 1777 From Potts’ Grove to Philadelphia,” a list of the original U.S. Army Corp of Engineers from 1759. There are numerous descriptions of day to day life, plus interactions with native tribes. Inside the front cover, is a copy of John Montresor’s signature along with a photograph.

Finding Family vol. 1 no. 2 April 22, 2008

2008-04-22T22:05:00.000-05:00

REPRINT from my newsletter: FindingFamily at http://judyrosellaedwards.com/mailman/listinfo

Today's topic is gazetteers. The word gazetteer is a charming old one that does not seem to have much meaning for most people. Gazetteers are maps with a whole lot more data. The first gazetteers probably appeared before the first century b.c. Early gazetteers were maps that focused on sources of local pride.

I love gazetteers and have several. They are reasonably priced and genealogists don’t need to shy away from buying used ones since we are not as interested in what is new. I don’t hesitate to scribble on my gazetteers marking the local sources of pride as they relate to my family. I color code them according to where my family lived and worked. I use them to mark “lost” graveyards.

The newer editions include GPS. I use GPS to find these lost graveyards and the old family farms. But I like jotting notes on a print copy of the GPS.

As a genealogist I use them for so much more than maps! Of course, if you do travel to do genealogical research it is fun to know what there is to do along the way. Many of those “things to do” are related to your family’s history as well.

So what is unique about the gazetteers? All of the above. But let me point out what’s unique about my favorite gazetteers and you’ll probably see why you want them.

My personal favorite are the DeLorme gazetteers. The cover price is usually around $19.00. Used, should be less, not more, unless you are shopping for an atlas from the 1850’s!

The Arkansas Gazetteer gazetteer includes an extensive list of place names including mountains. There is a guide to travel information including float trips and where to find crystal mines.

The Colorado Gazetteer includes everything from an index to populated places to lists of 14ers – 56 peaks that are taller than 14,000 feet! There is a guide to dozens of mountain passes best travelled by four-wheel drive. It includes a publicly owned lands locator map. If fishing is your passion, you will love this gazetteer’s guide to Gold Medal Streams. I am seldom without my gazetteer. It is SO much better than a map and the DeLorme gazetteers are GPS compliant!

The Connecticut & Rhode Island Gazetteer includes an index of place names and map features. Plus you will find a guide to ten Newport mansions and detailed city maps.

Maybe it is just my imagination, but the Florida Gazetteer seems to feature larger print. It offers an index to 160 beaches, pari mutuels, baseball spring training camps and an extensive list of springs. The info guide alone is more than two dozen pages!

More than two-thirds of Idaho is publicly owned land. The Idaho Gazetteer includes a two-page map showing some of the unique aspects of Idaho such as the location of Indian reservations and bombing ranges. There is an index of populated place names. Nice, detailed maps.

A traveler’s treasure, the Indiana Gazetteer provides an extensive list of covered bridges along with a list of everything from wineries to an Amish Country guide. Whether you are looking for a heritage trail, a battleground guide, a tour of Wilbur Wright’s home place, or directions to the utopian New Harmony, you will want to keep this gazetteer handy!

If you are a fan of “The Bridges of Madison County,” set in Madison County, Iowa, then you will be thrilled to find that the Iowa Gazetteer includes a list of covered bridges in Iowa! You will also find a guide to seven historic districts throughout the state. This gazetteer includes an index of place names and map features.

Use this wonderful Kansas Gazetteer to find historic walking tours and a guide to historic Kansas forts! This gazetteer includes an index of place names and map features.

You will never run out of destinations or things to do with Kentucky Gazetteer. You will find a list of ten mansions, cities with historic districts, covered bridges, distilleries, and caves! There is a full page of Kentucky hiking trail descriptions. This gazetteer includes an index of place names and map features.

The Michigan Gazetteer includes an index of place names and map features, with information about more than 100 Great Lakes beaches, gardens, wineries, museums and science centers. Use it as your guide to more than three dozen shipwrecks at four different sites. You will also find a four-column page filled with information about Michigan waterfalls.

The Minnesota Gazetteer includes an index of place names and map features plus a guide to Minnesota Mining (3M) tourist sites. You will also find guides to gardens and arboretums. For the hardier traveler, there is a guide to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness “for experienced canoeists,” and even a guide to seaplane bases!

The Missouri Gazetteer is a great gazetteer with guides to six Harry S. Truman Sites throughout Missouri, plus a winery guide. There is a special guide to Branson highlights.

The Montana Gazetteer includes a locator guide to 28 million acres of federally owned lands with descriptions and a guide to recreation activities. There is also information about seven Indian reservations. You will also find a guide to Glacier National Park with a list of “Bear Encounter” rules!

Every state is unique. Here in the North Dakota Gazetteer you will find an index of place names and map features. You will also find a guide to five casinos and Indian reservations and tribal lands.

The Texas Gazetteer is probably the largest volume in DeLorme’s collection of gazetteers, and the most extensive. This huge gazetteer includes numerous city maps. There is a detailed list of place names and physical features listing historic forts, missions, and caverns.

The West Virginia Gazetteer includes an index of place names and map features, plus a list of glassmakers, wineries, and covered bridges in West Virginia!

The Wisconsin Gazetteer is great for locating 19^th century lighthouses, waterfalls, or ancient Indian mound cultures from 3000 B.C. to 1500 a.d. You will also find a guide to cheesemaker, brewery, winery, and paper manufacturing tours. Take a ferry or boat trip or opt for a Rustic Roads scenic drive. These drives are part of a quarter-century old project with side trips down dirt, gravel, and paved roads far from the hectic interstates.

The Wyoming Gazetteer is a great vacation guide with lists of annual events, dude and guest ranches, historic forts and trails. If hunting is your passion, you’ll find a special guide to locating partride, grouse, turkey, black bear, elk, moose, and antelope. There is a special guide to Yellowstone and 18 miliion acres of Bureau of Land Management public lands.

Finding Family vol 1 number 1 April 21, 2008

2008-04-22T19:07:00.002-05:00

REPRINT from my newsletter: FindingFamily at http://judyrosellaedwards.com/mailman/listinfo

Welcome to Finding Family!

Genealogy is one of the fastest growing pastimes in the United States, and possibly the world. Hundreds of thousands of us are looking for our family history.

While visiting yet another genealogical library, I realized how many hundreds of family histories have already been written. A family member will donate a copy to a genealogical library – and there it sits. Many of these libraries have no online search tool. Unless you have done enough research to figure out where your family history information might be, you might not even know there is an existing family history waiting for you to read!

I had to do some research for this one – but I finally realized how a family could find, read, and even own their own family history. So I thought I would share this information with you!

The goal of Finding Family is to help people find books already written about their family. You can submit a family name request to judy@judyrosellaedwards.com and I will try to add it to my list, but I don’t guarantee a search – and certainly not a find! There are just too many families out there! If I find the information you are looking for, I will post it to the Finding Family newsletter.

______________________________________________

FINDING FAMILY vol. I number 1 April 21, 2008

______________________________________________

CHASE~~~

Chase, Philander. Bishop Chase’s Reminiscences: An Autobiography. Boston: J.B. Dow, 1848.

A book that spans the early 1800’s in New York, Louisiana, Vermont, Connecticut, Ohio, a jaunt in the United Kingdom before returning to the United States – and that’s just Volume One! Bishop Philander Chase’s autobiography does just that and mentions numerous individuals along the way. If you have been to Peoria, Illinois, you may be aware of nearby Jubilee College State Park. There was, at one time, an actual Jubilee College at the site founded by Bishop Chase.

Volume One begins with the genealogy of New England including the arrival of the first white woman on the banks of the Connecticut River above Fort Number Four.

If you are interested in this book, you’ll find a free copy of Volume One online at Google books. This is an interesting scan. This particular copy was a gift to Harvard University libraries and the scan was taken from a volume found in Harvard’s Widener Memorial Library.

The scanned copy was donated to the library by George Dexter, a tutor at Harvard University in 1858. He donated the book to Harvard on October 5, 1870, some forty years before Widener Memorial Library was founded.

Dexter earned his L.L.B. degree in 1860 and A.M. in 1864. He was a member of the Massachusetts Historical Society and, no doubt, recognized how valuable Chase’s reminiscences were. There have been at least 14 editions of this book published, keeping alive those reminiscences. They are fascinating reading, which keeps them in circulation.

The scanned copy of Volume Two online at Google books was taken from Rhodes House Library at the University of Oxford. In this volume, Chase writes about Washington, D.C., Kenyon College, Michigan, Illinois, South Carolina, and Georgia.

If you would like to find a copy of the book in a library, search for it in book or microform format at Worldcat to locate a library nearest you. It is unlikely you will be able to check this book out of any library! Anticipate you will need to visit the library and read it in the Reference area.

According to Worldcat, there is also A voice from Illinois: extracts from Bishop Chase’s reminiscences.

If you would like to own a copy, you can buy reprints of Bishop Chase’s Reminiscences Volume I or Bishop Chase’s Reminiscences Volume II are available between $40 and $50.

LEAVENWORTH~~~

Leavenworth, Elias W., and William Leavenworth. A Genealogy of the Leavenworth Family in the United States, With Historical Introduction, Etc. Syracuse, N.Y.: S.G. Hitchcock & Co, 1873.

Any edition with an index scores high points in my book! Here is a great one, if you are researching the Leavenworth family name.

Google Books has A Genealogy of the Leavenworth Family in the United States, With Historical Introduction, Etc. online. The “Etc.” actually consists of “Being a Revision and Extension of the Genealogical Tree Compiled by William and Elias W. Leavenworth, then of Great Barrington, Mass., in 1827.” Whew. Okay, I’ll accept the “Etc.”!

Not only is the title long, but so is the book. It is 349 pages of research! Thank goodness for that index. Actually, there are two indices: one is an index of Leavenworth family and the other is an index of “other names.”

The scanned copy online was a gift from – it is difficult to read – but it appears to say “Albert Wells, Esq. from John T. Perry, Albany, October 30, 1875.” But I’m not sure.

This copy appears to be from the New York (Genealogical) Society Library. Inside, the signatures of Thomas Leavenworth’s widow, brother and son are printed. There have apparently been as many as six reprints of this genealogy.

You can locate this book in as many as 77 libraries through Worldcat.

If you would like to own a copy, you can pick it up for about $40 new, and even less for a used copy. I found several copies of A Genealogy of the Leavenworth Family in the United States, with Historical Introduction, Etc. available online, both used and new.

Next Edition: What is a Gazetteer and why do I need one?

The 33 Worst Mistakes Writers Make About Genealogy & Family History

2008-04-21T16:42:00.001-05:00

Available now! If you write about genealogy of family history, you MUST have this book!

33 Stupidest Mistakes Writers Make About Genealogy

2008-04-14T21:22:00.000-05:00

I have just received news that my latest publication, “33 Stupidest Mistakes Writers Make About Genealogy,” is to be released on April 21, 2008! Watch for more news updates here!

My Recent Writings

2008-02-02T08:10:00.000-06:00

Researching Civil War Volunteer Infantrymen from Havana, Illinois by Judy Rosella Edwards - Finding original copies of historic records is always a challenge, especially because few copies remain. If you're looking for the "History of the Eighty-Fifth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry," you'll find that American Libraries Internet Archive has the entire text online for free. You'll also discover this volume has some special features researchers will find extremely helpful. (Source: GenWeekly, 31/Jan/2008)

And he knew Daniel Boone… by Judy Rosella Edwards - Any biography that includes a reference to a famous person like Daniel Boone is just a little more interesting. But it sometimes seems more like legend that so many people claim to have known Boone. (Source: GenWeekly, 17/Jan/2008)

Migrations From Vechta, Germany to Teutopolis, Illinois by Judy Rosella Edwards- If you are looking for German immigrants in the United States who spent some time in Ohio before disappearing from your genealogical timeline, try looking for them in Teutopolis, Illinois. (Source: GenWeekly, 03/Jan/2008)

McLean County IL Updates

2008-01-20T11:54:00.001-06:00

There have been 32 new McLean County IL Biographies added:

Judy Rosella Edwards

Indiana Updates

2008-01-20T11:52:00.000-06:00

Some Cemeteries have been added to Harrison County, Indiana

http://genealogytrails.com/ind/harrison/index.html

Jackson County, Indiana now is on-lineand some Cemteries have been added

http://genealogytrails.com/ind/jackson/index.html

Vigo County, Indiana now is on-lineand one cemetery tombstone has been added

http://genealogytrails.com/ind/vigo/index.html

Genealogy Trails - Indiana Trails is looking to grow.

Any contributions of genealogy & history data will be apprecaited.

Wayne

North Carolina Update: Robeson County

2008-01-20T11:49:00.000-06:00

The Lumbee Tribe of Robeson County

the Lumbee Tribe and the KKK
submitted by: Jo Ann Scott
http://genealogytrails.com/ncar/robeson/kkk.html

Henry Lowrie, the Lumbee outlaw
submitted by: staff
http://genealogytrails.com/ncar/robeson/lowrie.html

Lumbee Tribal History (A timeline)
submitted by: staff
http://genealogytrails.com/ncar/robeson/tribalhistory.html

Larry Wells

State CoordinatorFor Virginia & North Carolina
Host Of Orange County, Indiana

Genealogy Trails, Your best source for FREE Genealogy data
http://genealogytrails.com/
Always updating, always free

McLean County IL Updates

2008-01-20T11:48:00.000-06:00

There are 28 new biographies posted on the McLean County, IL, site:

Judy Rosella Edwards
McLean County IL Host

McLean County IL Updates

2008-01-13T09:20:00.002-06:00

Newly posted: 23 new McLean County IL Biographies

Ansel Howard

Christian Beck

James Quitman Bishop

William Buckworth

Gephart Crichfield

Andrew R. Dillman

John Fry

John Gay

James S. George

Esek E. Greenman

John Marshall Hitchcock

Ansel Howard

Hon. Samuel Bevan Kinsey

Nelson O. Lacock

Samuel I. Leach

Charles C. Mayer

Alexander Model

Valentine Naffziger

Scamon Rodman

David H. Rounds

Jonas Sill

John F. Welch

Rev. George Wilson

Columbiana Co., Ohio Updates

2008-01-13T09:20:00.001-06:00

1908 and 1909 Death index added for Columbiana Co, Ohio, more to come!

http://vps815.inmotionhosting.com/~geneal5/ohio/columb/

Christi

McLean County IL Updates

2008-01-01T19:27:00.000-06:00

I have made some minor touch-ups to the main McLean County IL page and I added an Odeo MP3-format podcast about McLean County that I made a couple of years ago called "What is the connection between the Associated Press and the Roycrofters… and McLean County, Illinois?"

Judy Rosella Edwards
Host - McLean County IL

McLean County IL Updates

2008-01-01T19:13:00.001-06:00

Spruced up the McLean County IL Newspapers Page and added two new entries, thanks to donation from Norma Fisher:

Mrs. Nancy Biggs added January 1, 2008
Mrs. Delilah Mullin-Evans added January 1, 2008

Judy Rosella Edwards
Host - McLean County IL

Christian County IL Updates

2008-01-01T19:12:00.001-06:00

Added biographies for:

Judy Rosella Edwards
Host - Christian County, IL

Christian County IL Updates

2008-01-01T12:05:00.001-06:00

Added Christian County, IL, biographies for:

Judy Rosella Edwards
Host - Christian County IL

Steuben County NY Updates

2007-12-31T23:54:00.000-06:00

New additions:

Steuben County Revolutionary Pensioners who filed after the "Alarm Act" of 1820

William Read Revolutionary Pension File

Peter Tyler Revolutionary Pension File

Abraham VanGorder Revolutionary Pension File

Benjamin Waterous Revolutionary Pension File

William Woodworth Revolutionary Pension File

Jonas Youmans Revolutionary Pension File

20 New obituaries

This is a new site within the last few weeks, so if anyone has time to browse, please take a look and let me know your thoughts. Thanks.

Jennifer Morse
Steuben County, NY

Fayette County OH Updates

2007-12-31T23:53:00.000-06:00

I have added bunches of Military Records for Fayette County, Ohio

They can be accessed at the Ohio Military page at http://www.genealogytrails.com/ohio/ohio_military.html

These include several colored regiments

Sharon Wick

Ohio State Coord.

Warped

2007-12-31T18:36:00.000-06:00

I have wanted to weave since my father made this loom for me when I was a child.

It is crude. It is evidence that my father's good intentions far exceeded his woodworking ability.

This little loom is about 8.5" x 11" and I have actually woven little bits of cloth on it.

I have lived in half a dozen different states and have somehow managed to hang onto this little loom.

A number of years ago I bought a gorgeous Schacht Tapestry Loom. It sat in a corner of the basement, still in its original packaging, until a few months ago.

I finally got it out and realized that without a floor stand it really wasn't possible for me to use it. I didn't have enough table space anyplace. Plus, it is so big it has a tendency to fall over. Just when I would start to warp it, it would tip over and I would once again find myself in a tangle of threads.

So my Festivus present to myself was the floor stand which actually cost more than the loom did, even tho I found it relatively cheap at the Dick Blick Art Materials factory outlet in Galesburg.

The loom looks so beautiful on the trestle stand. And it is so large. It dwarfs the fireplace.

I'll need to move it. I haven't even warped it yet and the cat-of-many-names is already fascinated by it! Her name is actually Huitaca but she also goes by Little Cat, Treasure, Precious, Gift, Fluff-Butt and Baby Cat, being the youngest of our four felines.

I guess now that the world knows I have it put together I feel obligated to learn how to actually weave something.