Original Records Trump Indexes

We've discussed this issue for four years, ever since the New Jersey indexes to births, marriages, and deaths appeared, but I keep seeing this problem on message boards.

This is the death certificate for Catherine Meeker (1795-1884), daughter of David Dean and Phoebe Beach.  She died March 14, 1884, but the online index at Ancestry and FamilySearch has the year 1883 because the volume of deaths was July 1, 1883 - June 30, 1884.  So 1883 was chosen as the year for all deaths in the index.

Most unfortunately in New Jersey, you cannot access original certificates of birth, marriage, and death online.  You can access indexes online at New Jersey State Archives, Ancestry, and FamilySearch.  Any index is only as good as its creator and does not replace the need for the original record.

For New Jersey certificates, you need to write to the Archives or visit in person (or have someone do it for you).  The records are on rolls of microfilm and are searched by hand.

1850 Census

In trying to sort out my Merrell and Long lines of New Jersey, this helpful census entry popped up from 1850.  (At this point I don't know what connection, if any, this family has to do with my lines.)

(Springfield is now in Union County, but was in Essex County in 1850, so we use the place name description accurate for that period of time.  Union County was not created until 1857.  Parts of Springfield Township remained in Essex County and became Millburn, which is where this family is found in the 1860 census.)

Beginning in 1850, the federal census listed all members of a household- not just the head of the household.  This is great, except that the relationship of each member to the head is omitted.  This feature was not added until 1880.

This census taker went above and beyond, recording little tidbits of information along with the names.  In the above entry, the older ladies of the household, Catherine Meeker and Elizabeth Long, are listed as "wid" or widowed.  (As a word of caution:  a woman enumerated without a husband was not always a widow, even if indicated in her social condition from 1880 forward.)

Harriet Meeker (born Long), age 22, is listed as "his W," indicating that she is the spouse of John Meeker, and not a daughter of Catherine Meeker.  When viewing a census from 1850, 1860, or 1870, it is very easy to mistake the wife of a son as a daughter of the head of household, as the daughter-in-law may be intermingled with the other children of the same age.

23andMe Price Increase

After years of decreasing prices for DNA testing for genealogy, I am sad to write that the price has increased.

23andMe is reviving its DNA-based health related testing, doubling the price for a kit from $99 (US Dollars) to $199.

The autosomal DNA test from the two other major genetic genealogy testing companies, FamilyTreeDNA and AncestryDNA, remains $99.

The frustration in using 23andMe for genealogy is that a lot of consumers tested their DNA for health purposes, not genealogy.  You choose which part you wish to participate in- genealogy or health or both- but family researchers are plagued with DNA cousins with no interest in communicating who posited themselves in the genealogy pool.

The effect of this price increase may drive genealogy DNA customers away from 23andMe to one of the other companies.  If you are serious about finding relatives, your DNA needs to be at all three companies anyway.  But frustration will increase as more people test for health and not genealogy, artificially increasing the genealogy pool available at 23andMe.

Book Review: The Porcelain Thief

I enjoyed reading The Porcelain Thief by Huan Hsu.  Huan recounts his genealogical escapade in China, though he did not realize that he was researching his family's history until he neared the end of his journey.

Huan was born in the United States and is of Chinese heritage.  He knows little about his family's history.  He becomes fascinated with the family story of burying porcelain in the backyard before fleeing for their lives.  Huan decides to track down this old homestead and the porcelain.

Uncovering his family's history in China is extremely difficult.  He is fortunate to have living family members in China, one of whom employs Huan at his company, providing him with legal permission to stay in China.   Huan must learn the Chinese language and learn how to navigate the political and social customs of this culture so foreign to him.

As researchers of our family's history, we can identify with Huan when he tracks down elderly family members and tries to extract relevant information from them.  He learns that photographs and records were destroyed; people, places, and memories lost over the years; graves vandalized, moved, or reburied under new construction.

Huan's family's struggles reflect the struggles of China as a whole.  The family was torn apart by war, invasions, political movements, and major cultural shifts- in every generation.  His family's history is mostly oral, and as Huan discovers, will remain so without the availability of records.

While interviewing his grandmother's aged sister, Huan realizes:

"She wasn't making up her memories, but they had unmoored from their original context and drifted into a mosaic with no beginning, end, or order.  It wasn't all that different from my own uncertain understanding of how the fragments of our family history fit together, or what was real and what was imagined, and with fewer and fewer people to ask for the truth."

The homestead where the porcelain was supposedly buried was "forfeited" by the family when they fled.  Huan and his family likely have little legal recourse to reclaim the property, and digging for the buried porcelain is prohibited as it could indicate that the family may have a claim against the current corporate industrial owners.  The entire neighborhood was razed, as was most of their family's discoverable family history.

Some family pictures survived.

One of my favorite quotes from the book,
referring to China's attempt to "catch up"
with technology and industry by copying.
United States patent and copyright laws mean little.
If someone could re-do this with more artistic flair,
that would be great.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.  If you have an online presence and interest in reviewing books, give this program a try.

DNA.land Initial Results

A new website, DNA.LAND, launched to advance DNA studies.  You can upload your raw autosomal DNA file from one of the three major genetic genealogy testing sites (23andMe, FamilyTreeDNA, and AncestryDNA).  At this introductory stage, your file will be processed to reveal ancestry composition and fifty relatives who share some identical DNA with you.

You can only upload one file per email address, so those of us who manage multiple kits will either not upload everyone or acquire several more email addresses.

According to the website, "DNA Land is a place where you can learn more about your genome while enabling scientists to make new genetic discoveries for the benefit of humanity."

A week ago, I uploaded three raw DNA files:  my parents and me.  At the time, the upload count on the home page was about 3,700 files.  Today, the count is over 6,000.

The ancestry results for my father and me were processed by the next day.  My mother's results are still in limbo.

My father's ancestry seems consistent with results from 23andMe and GedMatch.  About one quarter of his tree immigrated from German areas in the mid 1800s.  The rest is Colonial American with English and Dutch origins.

One relative turns up for him:  me.  The relationship prediction is correct.  More relatives should appear as more people upload their files.

My ancestry should be an average of my parents.  My mother's results at DNA.land are not available yet for this comparison.  One of the discrepancies is that DNA.land paints me as 6% Ashkenazi, while other programs find about 1/8, or 12%.  My mother is about one quarter Ashkenazi and three quarters Irish.

My relative matches were my father and a distant cousin.  This person should be related through my mother, as my father shows no relatives besides me.  This person's name does not appear in any of our matches at the testing companies, nor at GedMatch.  So she is either anonymous or using a different name, or is not calculated as a match at any other site.

This DNA cousin of unknown relation shares many segments of DNA with me; however, most are quite tiny.  DNA.land characterizes these tiny segments as "ancient."  They are not relevant in a genealogical timeframe but rather indicate shared ancestry from a common population.  The largest segment is deemed "recent" and could place our relationship anywhere from a third cousin to more distant.  We would have to figure it out.

New Jersey State Census 1905

Among the finds from my weekend trip to the Denville Historical Society and Musuem (New Jersey) were blank census pages for the New Jersey State census, year 1905.  I have never physically seen a census page from any year, federal or state.  This page seems too large and awkward to handle well.  Perhaps this is one reason for the illegible handwriting that beleaguers census images.

Below is a picture with my hand so you can have a reference for the enormity of the page.

The 1905 New Jersey State census is indexed at FamilySearch.org.  The actual images are not online anywhere that I know of.

Amanuensis Monday: Marriage record from book, 1861

This certifies

that Mr Edward C Peer and

Miss Sarah L Miller were by me

united in marriage, according to the law of God and of the State

of New Jersey at Orange,

Essex Co, N J

Augt 4, [18]61

Rev Wm D Hedden

Original at Denville Historical Society and Museum, October 3, 2015

Notes:

Edward C Peer (1837-1915)

Sarah L Miller (18??-1919)  (Gravestone has year of birth 1854.  Must be earlier if marriage date is correct.)

Locating a property from 1748

The past two Mondays featured transcriptions of property conveyances from 1748 in Morris County, New Jersey, when it was part of a colony of Great Britain.  You can read about property records from the Colonial period at the New Jersey State Archives here.  The collection is indexed online.

You can order a record to be mailed to you for $5.

Searching for Conrad Hopler (1730-1816), a 6X great grandfather of mine, lead to the two featured colonial deeds.  Joseph "Hoppel" was Conrad's father.  Frederick DeMouth was Conrad's father-in-law.  The land was purchased before Conrad Hopler married Elizabeth DeMouth, forever tying the two lines.  Were they connected before this marriage?

There are online mentions that Frederick DeMouth was a French Huguenot and the first settler of what is now Boonton Township in Morris County.

I want to locate the present-day location of the properties purchased in these deeds.  The properties are described as lying in Morris County- no town or specific region.  By hand I sketched the boundaries to help locate these plots on a map.  Then I remembered that there is probably an app for this and was pleasantly surprised to find one at GenealogyTools.

The larger, 600 acre piece of property may be easier to identify on a map because its irregular borders.  The white oak tree and piles of stones are probably long gone.  The Rockaway River touches both these pieces of land and still exists today.

The brook called "Rottegie Vall" was intriguing.  No mention of this brook online, but instead in a book called The History of Morris County, New Jersey, published by Munsell in 1882.  Ancestry offers a digitized version, but my paper copy is much clearer (thank you MT).

"A brook called by the Dutch Rotegeval, a branch of the Rockaway River."

The will of Frederick Temouth (notice the variant spelling), was proved in 1766 and mentions several pieces of real property; one was near the Rockaway River.  Another was a "plantation where I dwell, of 600 acres."  This could be the 600 acre conveyance from 1748.  If Frederick was "of Pequannock," these 600 acres could be in Pequanock.  A land survey from this time period may be helpful.  If anyone knows of one, please write in.

I don't know of Frederick DeMouth's burial place, but the DeMouth burial ground is in present-day Boonton.

Amanuensis Monday: 1748 Property Deed Morris County, East Jersey- Burnet to DeMouth

East Jersey Proprietors, Book G-2, Burnet to DeMouth, Morris County, 1748

East Jersey Proprietors

Book G-2, pages 111-114

John Burnet and Samuel Nevill to Frederick Demouth, Adam Miller, Joseph Hoppel, John Snider, and Felton Smith.  Acknowledged 12 April 1748.

This Indenture, made this twenty seventh day of September in the year of Our Lord one thousand Seven hundred and forty eight.  Between John Burnet and Samuel Nevill, both of the City of Perth Amboy in the Province of New Jersey, Gent, of the one part and Fredrick Demouth, Adam Miller, Joseph Hoppel, John Snider, and Felton Smith, all of the County of Morris and Province afforsaid, yeoman, of the other Part.  Witnesseth that the said John Burnet and Samuel Nevill, for and in consideration of the just and full sum of two hundred and thirty two Pounds current money of this Said Province at eight shills [?] ounce to them in hand by the aforesaid Fredrick Demouth, Adam Miller, Joseph Hoppel, John Snider, and Felton Smith, at and before the ensealing and delivery hereof well and truly paid the receipt whereof the said John Burnet and Samuel Nevill doth hereby acknowledge and themselves to be therewith fully satisfied and contented and thereof doth acquit and discharge them, the s[aid] Fredrick DeMouth, Adam Miller, Joseph Hoppel, John Snider, and Felton Smith, their heirs and assigns for ever by these presents.  Hath granted, bargained, sold, aliened, ensealed, released, and confirmed and by these presents doth grant, bargain, sell, alien, enseal, release, and confirm unto the said Fredrick Demouth, Adam Miller, Joseph Hoppel, John Snider, and Felton Smith, their heirs and assigns for ever, all that certain tract or parcel of land situate in the County of Morris aforesaid.

Beginning at a white oak tree for a corner marked on four sides standing at the West side of a brook called in the Dutch language Rottegie Vall, on the East side of a hill it being also a corner of a former survey made for and in the name of George Ryerson Junr, and running from thence South forty seven degrees and forty five minutes East forty one chains to a corner post standing on the plains from thence South forty degrees west seventy one chains to a post corner standing on the west side of said Rockaway River where a small spring runs in the said river.  From thence north seventy two degrees west forty five chains to a post corner from thence north six degrees east thirty three chains to a heap of stones for a corner from thence north forty three degrees east twenty chains to a heap of stones for a corner from thence south sixty eight degrees east ten chains to a heap of stones for a corner from thence north fifty two degrees east forty chains to the place of beginning.

Containing four hundred and twenty two acres and seventy hundredths of an acre strict measure.  Together with all and all manner of houses, barns, orchards, trees, woods, underwoods, fencings, foodings, pastures, profits, commodities, advantages, hereditaments, and appurtenances whatsoever to the same belonging or in any ways appertaining and all the estate right, title, interest, property, claim, and demand whatsoever of them, the said John Burnet and Samuel Nevill of, in, and to the above granted or bargained premises and of, in, or to any part or parcel thereof, to have and to hold the above granted and bargained premises and every part and parcel thereof with the appurtenances unto the said Fredrick DeMouth, Adam Miller, Joseph Hoppel, John Snider, and Felton Smith, their heirs and assigns, to the only proper [?] and behoof of the said Fredrick Demouth, Adam Miller, Joseph Hoppel, John Snider, and Felton Smith, their heirs and assigns for ever.  And the said John Burnet and Samuel Nevill for themselves, their heirs, executors, and administrators do covenant, promise, grant, and agree to and with the said Frederick Demouth, Adam Miller, Joseph Hoppel, John Snider, and Felton Smith and to and with each and every of them, their heirs and assigns, by these presents in manner and form following, that is to say, that he, the said John Burnet, at the time of ensealing and delivery of these presents, hath full power, good, right, and lawfull authority to grant, bargain, sell, and convey three hundred and sixteen acres, part of the said four hundred and twenty two acres above mentioned and every part and parcel thereof with their and every of their appurtenances unto the said Fredrick Demouth, Adam Miller, Joseph Hoppel, John Snider, and Felton Smith, their heirs and assigns in manner and form aforesaid, and that he, the said Samuel Nevill, at the time of ensealing and delivery of these presents, hath full power, good, right, and lawful authority to grant, bargain, sell, and convey one hundred and six acres residue of the said four hundred and twenty two acres above mentioned and every part and parcel thereof with their and every of their appurtenances unto the said Fredrick Demouth, Adam Miller, Joseph Hoppel, John Snider, and Felton Smith, their heirs and assigns in manner and form aforesaid and that the said Fredrick Demouth, Adam Miller, Joseph Hoppel, John Snider, and Felton Smith, their heirs and assigns and every of them shall and may by force and virtue of these presents, at all times for ever hereafter, lawfully, peaceably, and quietly hold up, occupy, possess and enjoy the said granted and bargained lands and premises with their and every of their appurtenances without any lawful lott suit trouble, denial, interruption, evasion, or disturbance of the said John Burnet and Samuel Nevill, their heirs or assigns or any other person or persons whatsoever.  And the said John Burnet and Samuel Nevill, for themselves, their heirs, ex[ecutor]s and admin[istrator]s, the said granted and bargained lands and premises with the appurtenances unto the said Fredrick Demouth, Adam Miller, Joseph Hoppel, John Snider, and Felton Smith, their heirs and assigns against all and every person and persons lawfully claiming the same, shall and will warrant and for ever defend by these presents.

In witness whereof the said John Burnet and Samuel Nevill hath hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year above written.

The words (thirty two) in the fifth line and the erasures in the twenty first line of the first page and the word ([?]) in the [?] line of the second page being interlined and made before the signing and sealing [?].

John Burnet  LS

Samuel Nevill  LS

Sealed and delivered in the presence of R L Hooper, Michael Henarie.

Received this 27th day of September 1748 the full sum of two hundred and thirty two pounds, being full satisfaction for the within mentioned premises.

John Burnet

Samuel Nevill

Be it remembered that on this twelfth day of April 1748, the within John Burnet and Samuel Nevill appeared before James Alexander, one of his majesty’s council for the Province of New Jersey, and acknowledged the within deed to be their act and deed for the [?] therein mentioned.

Ja Alexander

Note the same words noted to be interlined in the original are interlined in the record.  Page 112.  The word north inter pa 113 the words bargained lands and intd [?] omitted in recording.

By Thos Bartow

Amanuensis Monday: 1748 Property Deed Morris County, East Jersey- Hooper to DeMouth

East Jersey Proprietors

Book G-2, pages 108-111

Robert Lettis Hooper to Frederick Demouth, Martin Van Duyn, Christian Miller, Peter Highler, Thomas Stagg, Isaac Van Duyn, and John Snider.  Acknowledged 12 April 1748.  Land in Morris County.

This Indenture made the twenty seventh day of September in the year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred and forty eight, between Robert Lettis Hooper of the County of Somerset and Province of New Jersey, Gent, of the one part, and Frederick Demouth, Martin VanDuyn, Christian Miller, Peter Highler, Thos Stagg, Isaac VanDuyn, John Snider of the County of Morris in the Province of New Jersey, yeomen, of the other Part.  Witnesseth that the said Robert Lettis Hooper, for and in consideration of the sum of three hundred and forty six pounds ten shills current money at eight shillings the ounce to him in hand by the aforesaid Frederick Demouth, Martin VanDuyn, Christian Miller, Peter Highler, Thos Stagg, Isaac V Duyn, Jon Snyder, at and before the Ensealing and Delivery hereof well and truly paid the receipt whereof the said Robert Lettis Hooper doth hereby acknowledge and himself to be therewith fully satisfied and contracted and thereof doth acquit and discharge them, the said Fredrick Demouth, Martin VanDuyn, Christian Miller, Peter Highler, Thos Stagg, Isaac Vanduyn, John Snyder, their heirs and assigns for ever by these Presents, hath granted, bargained, sold, alien’d, enfect’d, releas’d and confirm’d and by these presents doth grant, bargain, sell, alien, enfect, release and confirm unto the said Fredrick Demouth, Martin Vanduyn, Christian Millor, Peter Highlor, Thos Stagg, Isaac Vanduyn, John Snider, their heirs and assigns for ever, all that certain Tract or Parcell of Land situate in the County of Morris aforesaid.

Beginning at a post for a corner standing in a line of Mr Burnet and Mr Nevills Survey about fifteen Chains and Sixty links from the Spring on the West side of Rockaway River and runs in said River by a corner of said Burnets and Nevills Land which said Post bears a course North Seventy two degrees West from said Mr Burnet and Nevills corner and thence along this line North Seventy two degrees west twenty nine chains and forty links to a Post corner thence it runs South Six degrees West nine chains to a Post for a corner from thence south fifty degrees west sixty nine chains and a half to a heap of stones for a corner from thence north thirty degrees west thirty two chains to be a heap of stones for a corner thence south fifty degrees west twenty six chains to a post for a corner thence south thirteen degrees west twenty eight chains to a post corner thence north eighty degrees east nineteen chains to a heap of stones for a corner thence south ten degrees west fifteen chains to a post for a corner thence south thirty six degrees west thirty five chains to a post for a corner thence south fifty four degrees east twenty three chains to a post standing on the west side of Rockaway River from thence up the stream south five degrees east about eleven chains to a large white oak for a corner standing on the east side of said River on the south side of a road and about one chain below a cluster of pine trees thence south seventy five degrees east twelve chains to a post corner, from thence north thirty degrees east forty chains to a heap of stones on the point of a hill on the south west side of said hill thence north forty eight degrees east fifty five chains and seventy five links to a post for a corner from thence north fifty degrees west seven chains to a post corner from thence north forty degrees east sixty five chains and a half to the place of beginning.

Containing six hundred and thirty acres strict measure which after allowance for highways is to remain for six hundred acres, together with all and all manner of houses, barns, orchards, trees, woods, underwoods, fencings, feedings, Pattins, Profits, commodities, advantages, hereditaments, and appurtenances whatsoever to the same belonging or in any wise appertaining (mines and minerals of all kinds excepted) and all the estate, right, title, interest, property claim and demand whatsoever of him, the said Robert Lettis Hooper, of in and to the above granted or bargained promises and of in or to any part or parcel thereof (except as before excepted).

To have and hold one seventh part of the above granted and bargained premises and every part and parcel thereof with the appurtenances unto the said Frederick Demouth, his heirs and assigns to the only proper up[?] and behoof of the said Frederick Demouth, his heirs and assigns for ever.

To have and to hold one other seventh part of the said granted and bargained premises and every part thereof unto the aforesaid Martin VanDuyn, his heirs and assigns to the only proper up[?] and behoof of the said Martin VanDuyn, his heirs and assigns for ever.

To have and to hold one other seventh part of the said granted and bargained premises and every part thereof unto the af[orese]d Isaac VanDuyn, his heirs and assigns to the only proper up[?] and behoof of the said Isaac VanDuyn, his heirs and assigns for ever.

To have and to hold one other seventh part of the said granted and bargained premises and every part thereof unto the aforesaid Peter Highler, his heirs and assigns to the only proper up[?] and behoof of the said Peter Highler, his heirs and assigns for ever.

To have and to hold one other three seventh part of this said granted and bargained premises and every part thereof unto the aforsd Christian Miller, Thos Stagg, and John Snider, their heirs and assigns to the only proper up[?] and behalf of the said Chrs Miller, Thos Stagg, and John Snider, their heirs and assigns for ever.

And the said Robert Lettis Hooper for himself, his heirs, executors, and [?] doth covenant, promise, grant, and agree to and with the said Frederick Demouth, Martin VanDuyn, Isaac Vanduyn, Peter Highler, Christian Miller, Thos Stagg, and John Snider, and to and with each and every of them, their heirs and assigns by these presents in manner and form following, that is to say, that he, the said Robert Lettis Hooper, at the time of the ensealing and delivery of these presents hath full power, good, right, and lawful authority to grant, bargain, sell, and convey all and singular the lands and premises above mentioned and every part and parcel thereof with their and every of their appurtenances unto the said Frederick Demouth, Martin Vanduyn, Isaac VanDuyn, Peter Highler, Christian Miller, Thos Stagg, and John Snider, their heirs and assigns in manner and form aforesaid, and that the said Frederick Demouth, Martin VanDuyn, Isaac VanDuyn, Peter Highler, Christian Miller, Thos Stagg, and Jon Snider, their heirs and assigns and every of them shall and may by force and virtue of these presents at all times for ever hereafter lawfully, peaceably, and quietly hold up, occupy, profit, and enjoy the said granted and bargained lands and premises with their and every of their appurtenances without any lawful Lott Suit, trouble, denial, interruption, evasion, or disturbance of the said Robert Lettis Hooper, his heirs or assigns or any other person or persons whatsoever and [?] and the said Robert Lettis Hooper, for himself, his heirs, exrs, and admrs the said granted and bargained lands and premises with the appurtenances unto the s[ai]d Frederick Demouth, Martin VanDuyn, Isaac Vanduyn, Peter Highler, Christian Miller, Thomas Stagg and John Snyder, their heirs and assigns against all and every person and persons lawfully claiming the same, shall and will warrant and for ever defend by these presents.

In Wittness whereof the said Robert Lettis Hooper hath hereunto set his hand and seal the day and year above written.

Sealed and delivered in the presence of Samuel Nevill.  John Burnet.

{The words (most) in the twenty fifth line of the first page and the words (against all and every person and persons lawfully claiming the same) in the second line of the third page all being [?] before the signing and delivery hereof.}

R S Hooper

Be it remembered that on the twelfth day of April one thousand seven hundred and fourty eight Samuel Nevill Esq, one of the witnesses of the above deed, being duly sworn on the holy Evangelist on his oath did declare that he saw the above Robert Lettis Hooper seal and deliver the preceeding deed as his act and deed for the exo therein mentioned before James Alexander, one of his Majesty’s Council for the Province of New Jersey.  Ja Alexander.

Recd this 27 of Sep 1748 the full sum of three hundred and forty six pounds, ten shillings being full satisfaction for the within mentioned premises.  R L Hooper.

Note the same interlineations noted to be in the original are in the record also the words (John Snider) intd in the record are so in the original.

By Tho Bartow

Revisiting Graves

My aunt gave me some pictures taken in a cemetery, probably in the late 1960s.  I recognized the setting as Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Sleepy Hollow, Westchester County, New York.  My grandmother, Beulah, was buried in this cemetery in 2003.  The Brewer lot (504 and 505) is the subject of the older pictures, particularly George W Duryea (1823-1864) and Rene Brewer (1824-1904).  Beulah descends from Rene's first marriage to John Evenshirer; and from George's brother, Stephen C Duryea.  George Duryea was a policeman killed in New York City.

Brewer lot (504 and 505) at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.
The rails and chains connecting the posts are disappearing.
Years from now, visitors may not be able to see that all of these stones were once in the same lot.

I tried to capture the scenes in new pictures.  The sun cast deep shadows on the stones, making them even more unreadable.  Most of the trees and bushes have been removed.

The large stone on the left is for David Mann Lent (1811-1892) and Jennet Conklin (1814-1902).

My grandmother has several ancestors buried at Sleepy Hollow, making this a great stop for exploring this branch of my family's history.

Mother:  Rene Marion Duryea (1900-1943)

Maternal grandfather:  Abraham Brewer Duryea (1878-1944)

Great grandfather:  Stephen C Duryea (1814-1887)

Great great grandparents:  Ann S Cornell (1784-1871)
Rene Brewer (1824-1904)

Great great great grandparents:  James Brewer (1798-1849)
Mary Ann Lent (1796-1875)

4X great grandparents:  Solomon Brewer (1746-1824)
Rene Benton (1764-1841)
Abraham Lent (1772-1851)
Margaret Mann (1773-1844)

Unfettered Record

After supplying copies of the death certificates of her parents, I received an unrestricted copy of my mother's application for a Social Security number (Form SS-5).  The first copy blacked out the names of her parents.  The enclosed letter explained that her parents could still be living, but I could appeal the decision with proof of their deaths.  I have not been able to find any official restrictions about blocking or revealing the full application.

Fifth Blogoversary

Today is the fifth anniversary of launching this blog.

In that time, I have expanded my family tree through collaboration with others, improved research skills, and online access to images of previously unattainable records.

In the past year, some of the more notable progress:

• Discovered the town of origin in Germany for a great great grandfather, Hermann Lutter
• Established contact with a descendant of the sister of the immigrating ODonnell ancestor
• Found a picture of a great great grandfather, Abraham Brewer Duryea, whose face I had never seen
• Obtained divorce records for a set of great grandparents, Howard Lutter and Ethel Laurel Winterton
• Visited cemeteries in Monmouth County, New Jersey to further research on my Winterton, Walling, Dunlop, and Dunn ancestors
• Found the death certificate to match the family story of my mother's uncle dropping dead while playing golf
• Y-DNA tests done for Duryea, ODonnell, and Winterton lines
• Expanded an Irish branch by finding a cousin through DNA
• Found a newspaper article confirming a family story that a great-great-great grandmother, Mary Campbell, was able to save the baby in her arms before she herself was killed by a train
• Found a newspaper marriage notice for a set of great-great-great grandparents, Stephen C Duryea and Mary Ann Evenshirer, the only piece of evidence for this date
• Contacted by my father's third cousin from the Uhl and Patschke branch, provided family heirlooms, and added him to the family DNA collaboration
• Researched Irish records online for the first time when the town, Skull in County Cork, was provided via a DNA match
• Acquired a picture of Duryea cousins circa 1905
• Visited the New Jersey State Archives six times in the past year

I hope that the next year of research will further expand my family trees through research and DNA.

Y-DNA Results for Winterton

A cousin has kindly tested his Y chromosome at FamilyTreeDNA for the family's Y-DNA study of the surname Winterton.  (Duryea, Lutter, and ODonnell have already tested.)

The last person named Winterton in my line was Laura Winterton (1891-1962), my great grandmother.  A direct male descendant of Laura's brother was the donor of this DNA.  To test the Y chromosome of ancestors in your tree, you need to find a living direct male descendant of the male ancestor of interest.  This living cousin has a Y chromosome identical or almost identical to Laura's father, William Winterton (1862-1932).

The most distant Winterton ancestor I have traced to date was William Winterton, whose will was probated in New York City in 1785.  Y-DNA testing can boost research back in time, beyond this William.

235 other people "match" my cousin at the 25 marker level.  None trace their ancestry back to someone named Winterton.  One person matches at the next and highest level we tested, 37 markers.  His ancestry traces back to Little Thurlow in Suffolk, England.  I suspect English roots for William Winterton, so this is a good place to start looking for him.

When working with DNA cousins, look for the same geographical location.  Surnames will vary and change.  You have an ancestor in common with a DNA match because your ancestral lines crossed at the same time in the same place, regardless of the surname subsequent generations were called.

Only match at the 37 marker level

Most similar matches at the 25 marker level.

Map of places of origin for the most distant paternal ancestor.
Heaviest concentrations in United Kingdom and northeastern United States.

Closest matches in Europe.  Heaviest concentration in United Kingdom and Ireland.