When I first delved into tracing my roots for my paternal grandfather, Charles Weldie Brown, neither my father nor his siblings could provide much information. They knew my grandfather’s parents both had been married a previous time. His father’s name was John and his mother’s name might have been Margaret. As for John’s previous wife, nothing was known about her. John and Margaret had some children together, and they each had children with their previous spouse. Some of the children’s names were known, but which child belonged to whom was not certain. Sorting this all out seemed like a daunting puzzle to solve. Continue reading
Surnames
Census Through the Years: Jacob Zollars
In an earlier post I noted that the federal census began in 1790 and has been conducted every ten years. For each census year any person living in a household on a designated date was to be enumerated. The date varied each census, usually in the month of June or April. Each census posed slightly different questions when collecting information, and this variety offers insights on family members through the years. Continue reading
Uncle Buck: The Last of a Generation
Earlier this month my Uncle Buck passed away. He was a typical Brown: fairly quiet with an “ornery” sense of humor, and often answered a question with, “I really don’t know much about that.” Named after his father, Charles Weldie Brown, it is unclear how he acquired his nickname Bucky. When I asked Buck about it, even he wasn’t sure. My sister vaguely remembers my father, Buck’s brother, telling a story about how Buck got his nickname; it was somehow related to hunting. This seems plausible as Buck was an avid hunter and would be out on the first day of deer season to get his buck.
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The Case of the Missing Will of Henry Brinker
Probate records often contain significant information and provide proof for particular family facts. Wills are probably the most widely known type of probate records. A person who creates a will, called a testator, gives a directive for what items after his death are left to whom, often mentioning names of children, or relationship of any named heirs. Witnesses, especially for older wills, usually were a relative or friend of the testator and could aid in supplying additional clues about the family. Continue reading
Census Through the Years: Josiah Reese
The federal census was instituted by the U.S. constitution to count population to determine the number of representatives each state would receive. It is also a useful tool for the family researcher, even though the enumerated data can contain errors. The census has been conducted every ten years beginning in 1790, but some of the early enumerations for several states, like New Jersey, are no longer extant and much of the 1890 census was damaged in a fire. However, the census records that do survive can give insight into the lives of one’s ancestors. Continue reading
Cemetery Citings: Stone Heap
When I was in college—before my passion for genealogy developed—my walks to town took a shortcut through a cemetery. However, I ended up lingering to read the inscriptions on the stones, identifying who was related and imagining what these people’s lives might have been like. I remember a row of markers from the 1860s for one family: a father, a mother and several of their infant children who died within a few years of each other. I considered the sorrow this family felt and wondered whether illness or accident caused the children’s deaths. Continue reading
Cousin Connections: Blanche
One of the joys of genealogy has been connecting with cousins, close and distant, who share an interest in researching the family. Over the years, I have made a number of wonderful connections on both sides of my family, with relatives as well as non-relatives with whom I have joined forces to fill in gaps on a mutual tree. Thinking about some of the family associations I’ve made, one special person comes to mind, my cousin Blanche. Continue reading
Ludwick Centennial Anniversary
January 25 marks the 100th anniversary of the marriage of my grandparents, William “Bill” Eden Ludwick and Marjorie “Madge” Belle Fowler. They were married in the United Brethren Church in Greensburg, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. The ceremony was performed by Rev. W.A. Knapp, with his wife Mrs. Knapp as the witness. After their wedding they travelled by train to New York City to spend their honeymoon. Continue reading
Daniel Dugan—Revolutionary War Veteran
As we celebrate Veteran’s Day, I am proud to take time to pay tribute to Daniel Dugan, my 4th great grandfather, for his contribution to the United States army when it was in its beginning. To have an ancestor who fought for this nation’s independence is a great honor. To be able to read his recounts of some of his experiences adds to the appreciation.
No Deed Unturned—Searching Westmoreland County Deeds
When early records are scarce for a family, land records, especially deeds, can sometimes provide clues. A deed can establish residency and provide information about immediate neighbors who were sometimes relatives. When a married man sold property, his wife was named and interviewed, apart from her husband, to determine that she was in agreement with selling the land—perhaps as a way for her to protect her dowry. Family members often sold property to their children or siblings, keeping it in the family. If an owner died, a deed might list the heirs who inherited the land—quite useful if no will was made. It was my hope that deeds might help with my search of the Blackston family. Continue reading
Relatively Speaking Blog 