New Year's Baby Joseph Norman 1955-1987 #52Ancestors #52

Joseph Wilburn Norman was the New Year's Baby in Birmingham, Alabama in 1955. He was the son of John and Dorothy Phillips Norman.

Dorothy almost named him Samuel, but as soon as she found out he was the New Year's Baby, she instantly knew she would name him Joseph.

Joseph was welcomed at home by his older brother, John David. They were inseparable.

Joe was raised in a super clean environment. This was in the 50's when everything was boiled, bleached, or Lysoled. (Much unlike my own home). The first time he was ever put on the floor, he got up and walked.

Joe made up for lost time out in the woods and fields. The two boys were always into something. During the summer they would come in so dirty, Dorothy would have them strip at the back door and wash off with the hosepipe (yeah, this is Alabama, it's a hosepipe).

Joe was once building a treehouse and he managed to hang himself with a rope. David and Dorothy were working in the garden nearby. Dorothy happened to see him hanging and cleared a fence by putting one hand on a post and leaping over, and was able to rescue Joe before it was too late.

When Joe was small, about 1 1/2, he was hospitalized to have his tonsils taken out. David had sympathy pains and laid in bed until his brother came home.

Joe was a prankster and absolutely LOVED firecrackers...maybe it had something to do with being the "New Year's Baby".

Joe was married twice, first to Robin. They divorced after a year.
Joe married Sheree and they had two children, Joey and Melanie. (I'm not using last names here since all parties are still living).

Joe worked in the oil fields, mainly around Zachary, Louisiana.

Sheree and Joe eventually broke up. Joe fully embraced the bachelor life. He liked to party, to put it mildly.

Joe died December 29, 1987 on Interstate 65 in Evergreen, Alabama. He and a friend were on the way to Florida. It was a spur of the minute trip, and both were roaring drunk. Joe was thrown from the car, and died instantly. His friend survived.

Joe had always told us he wanted to donate his body to science, so that's what happened. We donated his body to University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Joe has a marker next to his mother in the Phillips Cemetery, Little River, Baldwin, Alabama.
Rest In Peace Joe.

One of the Nuts-William McCullough 1793-1863 #52Ancestors #51

William McCullough, my 3rd great grandfather, was born about 1793 in South Carolina. He married Eleanor, probably in 1814 in South Carolina. They both would have been about 21.
While in South Carolina, they had:
William Madison born 1815 in SC. He married Chloe McCraw.
The family moved to Warren County, Tennessee, where the following children were born:
Gabriel J. born about 1817. He married Mary Meggs. (My 2nd great grandparents)
Martha Jane born Nov 21, 1817. She married Lemuel McCraw.
James born about 1820. He married Sarah Haggard.
The family moved to Perry County, Alabama where the following children were born:
Elizabeth born 1827. She married William S England.
Rufus born 1832. He married Cynthia Thompson.
Thomas Huntington McCullough born August 15, 1835. He married Louisa Smith.

William is mentioned in one of the "Three Brothers Stories". You know the ones...there were three brothers that came to the US...
This one was found on the McCullough Ancestry message board:
"They was three McCullough brothers born in the 1760's that came from Ireland with their parents and they were on the 1790 census in Pendleton District South Carolina with their mother their father was probably already dead. Their names were John, James, and William McCullough. James and William died in 1819 and John died in 1833. the grant they got in 1790 was put in John's name and when he died it had to be divided up. James and Williams families sold their part and moved to Alabama and Florida. William had three sons that went to Alabama. William Culpepper McCollough born 1799, John Reed McCollough born 1802, and Thomas McCollough born 1804. My DNA matched all these decendents and I go back to John. The William McCullough born 1793 could have been James son. I know he had one born 1794."

There was no shortage of McCulloughs in the 1790 census in Pendleton District South Carolina. The numbers following the names are page numbers.
McCullouch, Samuel 100
McCullock, Rob 16
McCullock, Rob 25
McCullock, Sam 16
McCullock, Wm 16
McCulloh, Wm 93
McCullough, Andw 11
McCullough, Elizabeth 52
McCullough, Hugh 52
McCullough, James 51
McCullough, James 57
McCullough, James 61
McCullough, John 52
McCullough, John 52
McCullough, Jno 58
McCullough, Thos 16
McCullough, Wm 51
McCullum, Hansel 101

McCullum, James 39

In the 1830 Perry, Alabama census, William is enumerated with a household of 7 males, 3 females, and 0 slaves. There is also a David McCullough with 1 male, 1 female, and 4 slaves. Too bad the 1830 census did not give ages. Possible father or other relative??

In 1836 William purchased land in Perry County:
SW quarter of SW quarter 40 acres William McCullough Aug 20 1836 #30923
SE quarter of SW quarter 80 acres William McCullough Aug 20 1836 #30923

1840 Perry, Alabama:

Wm McCullough
1 male under 5
1 male 5-10
2 males 15-20
1 mae 20-30
1 male 40-50
1 female 10-15
1 female 20-30

1 female 40-50

1850 Severe, Perry, Alabama
Wm McCullough 49 Farmer 200 SC
Elender 47 SC
Thomas H 15 AL
Gabriel J 26 TN

Rufus G 18 AL

In 1852 William, along with his son William M, signed a bond as administrator of Morris Moon's estate in Perry County.

1860 Oak Grove, Perry, Alabama
Wm McCullough, 67, SC, Insane
Ellenor McCullough, 67, wife. SC

William's son William M McCullough was appointed guardian of person and estate of William M McCullough, lunatic, 17 March 1863. It's more than probable that William suffered from
Alzheimer's due to the fact he was not insane before the 1860 census.
I've got a copy of the above, but have evidently misfiled it. I'll add as soon as I locate it...

Some questions remain:

Where in South Carolina did William McCullough come from?
Who are his parents?

Who is his wife Eleanor?

When and where did they marry?

When did he die and where was he buried?

This work has been released into the public domain by its author, Natrajdr at the wikipedia project

Abraham Goad 1665-1734 #52Ancestors #50

Abraham Goad was born before or about 1665 in Lancaster County, Virginia. He was thoughtful enough to leave lots of records behind.

John Smith's "Virginia" published in 1612

Abraham married Katherine Williams, daughter of John Williams and his wife Eve. Abraham was a tobacco planter in Richmond County, Virginia.
Abraham and Katherine had seven children:
William born 1693, married Mary
Hannah born 1695, married Tobias Phillips and William Dodson
John born 1700, married Katherine Jennings and Ann Isham?
Alice born 1704, married Fortunatus Dodson and John Fowler
Elizabeth born 1705 married John Dodson
Abraham born 1709, married Joanna Wheatley
Peter born 1715, never married

Abraham was the great grandfather of John Sevier, the first governor of Tennessee.

Abraham left several court records behind, although his last name was usually spelled Goard. There are records going back to 1652 but I believe that would be another Abraham Goad (father??)

9th of November, 1687 - The County of Lancaster being indebted in the quantity of foure thousand three hundred twenty and nine pounds of tobacco and caske, have ordered a Levie of seven pounds of tobacco bee raised by Capt. Richard Neusum, High Sheriffe of this County, off and from every Tithable person in this County...(including) ABRAHAM GOARD 01 ( a tithe of 1 lb of Tobacco)

14 of December, 1687 - p 66 - at the Courthouse of Lancaster County December the 14, 1687 May it please your excellencty - In Obedience to your Excellencys directed to this Court for the returneing an Accompt of all persons that are able to beare Armes both for Horse and Foot Service in this County, wee have duely examined a List of the Freeholders and House Keepers inhabiting in ore said County and wee doe finde upon ore inquiry that many of them are very poore, despicable persons. Wee have returned yore Excellency the full exprest by yore Order as Followeth:
Persons appointed for Foot Service - 101 individuals, (including): ABRA: GOARD.

Lancaster County Will Order Abstracts 27th of November 1680 - pp72 - 73
An inventory of the Estate of Robert Brian (deceased)...including: An accot. of tobacco due to the Estate:
Three hogshds of old tobacco in the House weighing 1390; One Bill of Richd. Marshall, a Bill of Jno Nerings, a Bill of ABRAHAM GOARDS, a Bill of Jno Frondes,....

Will of John Phillips of Lancaster County, VA, Jan 30, 1689-90,
Witnessed by ABRAHAM GOARD

DEED between Wm. Smyth (Katherine William's stepfather) and ABRAHAM GOARD - March 24, 1699

THIS INDENTURE made the 24th day of March in the yeare of our Lord according to the computacon of the Church of England 1699 Between Wm Smyth of the Parish of North Farnham & County of Richmond, Carpenter, of the one part and ABRAHAM GOARD of the Parish & County aforesaid also Plantr. of the other part. Witnesseth that the said William Smyth for Six thousand pounds of tobacco good & merchantable in caske to be paid hath granted unto the said ABRAHAM GOARD his heirs & assignes forever one parcell of Land conteyning One hundred & fifty acres or thereabouts be it more or less, one part of wch: the houses & plantacon of the said Wm. Smyth & now in the occupation & holding of the said ABRAHAM GOARD, being prt of a greater devident conteyning Foure hundred ninty & eight acres belonging to the said Wm. Smyth, scituate lying & being on the North side of Rappahannock River and on the branches of Farnham & Morattico Creeks beginning at a marked Poplar standing in the mouth of a forke or branch that issues out of the Bryery Swamp and running alongs a line of marked tress to Dacres, his path, thence alonge the meanders of the said path to the line of the said William Smyth bearing Easterly, thence alonge the said line to the Poplar, the first station, And likewise all houses buildings in upon or about the said One hundred & fifty acres of land or thereabouts with the profitts belonging, And also all right of the said William Smyth to the said Land, To have & tohold to the only proper use of him the said ABRAHAM GOARD his heirs & assignes forever, fully discharged from all manner of formes & titles comitted by the said Wm. Smyth his heirs, the Quitrents hereof only excepted to be paid unto the Chief Lords or Proprietors of the Fees by the said ABRAHAM GOARD his heirs or assignes, And the said Wm. Smyth doth agree for himselfe his heirs warrant & forever defend against the claimes of any persons
whatsoever so that the said ABRAHAM GOARD his heirs may hold the before granted premisses and the profitts of the same to take without the hinderance of said Wm. Smyth his heirs or any other persons clayming the same. In Witness whereof I have sett my hand
& seale Sealed & detivent in presence of us:
William Smyth, his marke, Richard Samphee, his marke, Thoe Hughes, his mark, Edward Jones


KNOW ALL MEN by these presents that I Eve Smyth (Abraham's mother-in-law), the Wife of William Smyth of the Parish of North Farnham and County of Richmond, Carpenter, have nominated & constituted Samuel Sammford my true & lawfull Attorney to appeare afore the Worshipll Court of Richmond & acknowledge my full assent & consent to the passing away all my right & interest of Dower unto certaine Lands sold unto ABRAHAM GOARD & by a certaine Indenture bearing date with these presens and therefore I do hereby release & forever quit claims all my right of Dower to the said Lands & every part thereof. As witness
my hand and seal this 24th of March Ano: Dom: 1699 in presence of us Richd Sampee his marke; Eve Smyth, her marke; Tho Hughes, his marke;
Edward Jones ; Recordr: Test Wm. Colston, Cl Cur
Memoran: The (blank) day of March 1699 the within named William Smyth entered into the Capitall messuage & tooke possession thereof & also tooke turff & twigg on the land within granted & then peacably after delivered possession & seisin thereby of all& singular the plantacon lands houses & premisses within mentioned according to the tenour of this present Deed of Grant & Sale unto the within named ABRAHAM GOARD.

Richmond County Orders 1697-1699, P. 402
Richmond County Court 7th of June 1699
Phillip Keph, Servant to ABRAHAM GOARD, being presented to this Court to have inspection in his age is adjudged Twelve years old and ordered to serve his said Master or his assigns according to Act
John Wallis, Servant to ABRAHAM GOARD, being presented to this Court to have inspection into his age is adjudged Twelve years old and ordered to serve his said Master or his assigns according to Act

Abraham died April 11, 1733 after having written his will in March. In the will his name is spelled Goad. Of course...my ancestor Alice got one shilling...

 In the name of God Amen. I Abraham GOAD being weak of body but in sound and perfect mind and memory thanks be given to all mighty God for the same, do make and ordain this to be my last will and testement, but first of all I recommend my soul to the hands of Almighty God that gave it to me & my body to be buryed in a Christianlike manner at the discretion of my Executors hereafter mentioned, and as touching my temporal Estate in which it has pleased Almighty God to bless me with, I give and dispose of the same in manner and form following:
 Imprimus - I give and bequeath to my grandson, William Goad, son of William Goad, that plantation whereon Mary Goad now lives and all the land thereto belonging on that side of the swamp up to Mr. Griffin's line (excepting a small piece of land I have given bond to Mr. William Downman for the acknowledgement of).
 Item - I give and bequeath to my son, John Goad, and his wife all land that lies above the North Fork of briary swamp belongs to me up to Oakley's line....
 Item - I give to my son, Abraham Goad, all the land lying on the south side of my spring branch.... in case the said Abraham should die without heirs, then the said land to fall to my son Peter.....
 Item - I give unto my son, Peter Goad, all the land lying on the north side of my spring branch......
 Item - I give to the heirs of my son, William Goad, dec'd, one shilling to be paid by...
 Item - I give to my daughter, Hannah Phillips, one shilling.....
 Item - I give to my daughter, Elizabeth Dodson, one shilling.....
 Item - I give to my daughter, Alice Dodson, one shilling.....
 Item - I give and bequeath to my wife, Catherine, the use of my Negro woman, Judith, and all the remaining part of my personal Estate during her natural life & after her decease to be equally divided amongst my three sons John Goad, Abraham Goad, and Peter Goad. My will and desire is that my wife Catherine Goad live on my plantation and not be molested during her natural life.
 Item - I likewise constitute ordain and appoint my son John Goad to be the whole and sole Executor of this my last will and testament, as witness my hand and seal this 7th day of March, 1733.

. Witnesses: Eliza E. Lawson                                      his

                    Winefed Miskell                     Abraham  AG  Goad

                    Henry Miskell                                         mark

1733, 1 Jul: Richmond Co Will Bk V, p 238 (dated 7 Mar 1733): will was proven. Inventory on page 240. Probate: July 01, 1734, North Farnham Parish, Richmond Co., Virginia.


If you are related to this family, I'd love to hear from you.

Fortunatus Dodson 1700-1737 #52Ancestors #49

Fortunatus Dodson was born about 1700 in Richmond County, Virginia. He was the son of Charles Dodson and his wife Ann Stone.

Fortunatus was bequeathed property in his father's will "son Fortunatas all land below my spring branch". The will was probated May 2, 1716.

You would think Fortunatus Dodson would be an unusual name, but there are several land records for Fortunatus Dodson that go back to the 1600's in Richmond, Virginia. I'm not going to include those here as they belong to one of the other Fortunatus Dodsons that were in the same area. There were at least four by the name in the area in the 1700s.

Fortunatus married Alice Goad September 9, 1726 in North Farnham Parish, Richmond County, Virginia. Alice was the daughter of Abraham and Katherine Williams Goad.

North Farnham Episcopal Church from Library of Congress

Fortunatus and Alice had the following children, all born in North Farnham Parish:
Lucy born 1728
James born 1730
Ann born 1732
Alice born 1733
Samuel
Hannah born 1737

Fortunatus died on September 9, 1737 in North Farnham Parish, Richmond County, Virginia. He did not leave a will. His widow Alice then married John Fowler and had several more children.

Milly Mills Yielding 1768-1811 #52Ancestors #48

Milly Mills was the daughter of William Mills and his wife Eleanor Nelly Morris. I can finally say that with some confidence. DNA has proven the connection back to Milly's father and grandfather. Milly was born 1768 in North Carolina.

This work is in the public domain in the United States because it is a work prepared by an officer or employee of the United States Government as part of that person’s official duties under the terms of Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 105 of the US Code

The only thing I had as far as evidence before the DNA match was an indenture (land sale) between Milly's husband,  Richard Yielding, and her father William Mills.

Milly Mills married Richard "Yealding" in Rutherford,North Carolina on November 5, 1788. They had ten children:
Devinea born November 20, 1790 married William Sanders.
Francis born December 21, 1792 married Elizabeth Earles.
Richard J. born March 17, 1795 married Agnes Unknown and Mariah Wilds.
John Jasper born February 14, 1797 married Nancy Billingsley.
Rachel born 1799.
Elizabeth born July 24, 1801 married Robert Christopher Freeman.
Leticia "Littie" born 1802 married Andrew Allred.
Joseph born August 17, 1804 married Mary McCutcheon and Chasey M. Bartlett.
Taylor Mills Loftin born February 2, 1809 married Susannah Permelia Miller.
Dorcas born 1810 married Thomas Francis Calaway Waid.

The above mentioned land sale
INDENTURE BETWEEN WILLIAM MILLS AND RICHARD YIELDING

No. 1374 March the 25th 1793

This Indenture made this eleventh day of Juary in the year of our Lord one
thousand seven hundred and ninety three Between William Mills of the county
of Rutherford and state of North Carolina of the one part; and Richard
Yielding of the county and state aforesaid of the other part. Witnesseth;
that for and in consideration of the sum of thirty pounds good and lawful
money of the State aforesaid to him the
said William Mills in hand paid by the said Richard Yielding and before the
sealing of these presents the receipt and payment whereof I do hereby
acknowledge hath granted bargained sold allienated [sic] Enfeofed [sic]
conveyed and confirmed and by these presents doth grant bargain sell allien
Enfeof [sic] convey and confirm unto the said Richard Yielding his heirs and
assigns forever one certain piece or parcel of land containing by estimation
one hundred acres granted by his Excellency Alexander
Martin Captain General Commander of the State of aforesaid in the year of our
Lord 1790 and 16th day of November lying and being in County and State
aforesaid on both sides of Rollen (this word is spelled Rotten in some
abstracts - I do not see the "Ls" crossed) Creek of Green River Begining
[sic] at a red oak on the South side of the creek thence North one hundred
poles to a Spanish oak then west one hundred and sixty poles to a stake
thence south one hundred poles to a stake thence to the begining [sic]
containing one hundred acres with the appurtainances [sic] situate lying and
being as aforesaid to have and to hold all and singular every of the
aforesaid one hundred acres with the appurtainances [sic] thereunto belonging
as in anywise appurtaining [sic] to the only use and behoof(?) of the
aforesaid Richard Yielding his heirs and assigns forever and I the said
William Mills for myself my heirs and assigns doth hereby covenant and agree
to and with the aforesaid Richard Yielding that the said William Mills  his
heirs Exrs. and admrs. shall at all times warrant and forever defend the
aforesaid granted premesis to the said Richard Yielding his heirs and assigns
forever against all claims or demands whatsoever whereby the above mentioned
premises might or may be Effected or Incumbered
[sic] contrary to the true Intent and meaning of these presents. In Witness
whereof the said William Mills hath set his hand and seal the day and year
first above written,
William MILLS {Seal}
Testes
Isham TRAVIS
Thomas JUSTICE
Transcribed from copies of originals by Judith Presnell Canant

Milly died in 1811, probably from complications of childbirth, in Rutherford, North Carolina. Her gravesite is unknown.

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Archibald McKenzie-Newly found Ancestor #47 of #52Ancestors

This work has been released into the public domain by its author, Apers0n at the English Wikipediaproject. This applies worldwide.

Through the miracle of DNA testing, I've been able to go a bit further back on some of my lines. I was able to connect back to Archibald McKenzie. He was born about 1818, and was christened October 11, 1818 in Macroom, County Cork, Ireland. His parents were Murdock and Sarah McKenzie.

I was really excited to connect back to Archibald. I've never been able to find WHERE in Ireland any of my Irish ancestors came from. Now I've got a place.

I've got lots more investigating to do, but here's what I've learned so far.

Archibald married Elizabeth Brown. They had children as follows:

Murdock Orr McKinzie born 1841 in Ireland, married Mary Frances Sullivan.
Jane McKinzie born Mar 17 1842 in Ireland, married Daniel McNamara.
George Patrick McKenzie born June 3, 1851 in County Cork, married Alice Veronica Butler.
John McKenzie born 1857 Ireland.
William McKenzie (Mackenzie on birth registration) born 1859 in Merthyr Tydfil, Glamorganshire, Wales, married Jane.
Archibald "Archie" McKenzie (Mckinsey on birth registration) born 1863 in Merthyr Tydfil, Glamorganshire, Wales.
Henry McKenzie born 1865 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania.

Archibald was involved in a riot at Coolderrihy (Coolderry), Cork:

(CE 19/12/1845) - MACROOM PETTY SESSIONS - Archibald M’Kenzie and John Connell were charged with riot and unlawful assemblage at Coolderrihy on the ….. of September. Both prisoners pleaded guilty. - Mr. B. Gallwey, (Crown Solicitor), said he would enter into a few particulars, to show the seriousness of the offence with which the prisoners stood charged. This was a prosecution that resulted out of a very serious riot which occurred at Coolderrihy, in which upwards of four hundred persons were engaged; the prisoners were present, one of whom (M’Kenzie) took a very active part, seizing one of the police man’s muskets and attempting to wrest it from him, and several policemen were severely injured on the occasion. -Constable Parr examined by Mr. Gallwey - Deposed that he was present at Coolderrihy on the day on which the riot occurred; had a prisoner in custody, and was conveying him away when M’Kenzie rushed forward and desired the constable to let go the man; saw him take an active part in the riot generally; about four hundred persons were engaged in the riot; the Rev. James O Driscoll was present; his horse was struck in the eye, which was knocked out; the priest was busily engaged in quelling the disturbance. - Sub-Inspector Gernon examined by Mr. Gallwey - Was at the pattern at Coolderrihy on that day with a party of 30 men; Mr. O Driscoll arrived at the time rioting was proceeding; he exerted himself in the most strenuous manner to induce the people to go home; requested me not to allow my men to load, and he would get the people to disperse; he came back shortly afterwards and told me that his horse had been struck in the eye; no man could have made more active exertions to force the people to go home; understood him to be curate to the parish priest and known to the people; it was the greatest scene of confusion that he ever witnessed. - Mr. Little remarked it certainly was a most disgraceful outrage, and but for the judicious conduct of the officer in command, and the praiseworthy exertions of the Rev. Mr. ODriscoll, most diastrous consequences might have ensued. - The Court agreed with Mr.Little, and thought great praise was due to those gentlemen in so effectually preventing a most serious breach of the peace. - The prisoners were respectively sentenced to 4 months’ imprisonment.

Archibald moved his family to Merthyr Tydfil, Glamorganshire, Wales between 1857 and 1859. They are found there in the 1861 census. The boarder, Daniel McNamara, would marry daughter Jane. 

Archie immigrated to the US about 1863.

The family is found in Beaver Falls, Beaver, Pennsylvania in 1870

The family in 1870. Last name is spelled McKinzie.

Event Place: Pennsylvania, United States

Household Role Gender Age Birthplace
Archie Mckinzie  M 50 Ireland
Elisabeth Mckinzie  F 48 Ireland
John Mckinzie  M 13 Ireland
William Mckinzie  M 10 Wales
Archie Mckinzie  M 7 Wales
Henry Mckinzie  M 4 Pennsylvania

Archibald died at some time after the 1870 census.

The Name McKenzie was also spelled McKinzie by several of his descendants, and varied on birth, census and death records.


If you know any more about this family, I'd love to hear from you!

Less than #52Ancestors-My DNA Matches #46

I sent off my DNA test to AncestryDNA about a month ago, and have been awaiting the results. They came back yesterday. I was EXCITED (to say the least).

My Ethnicity was no surprise.

My dad's side is Irish-Italian, my mom's is English-German-Irish. I would have thought the Italian would have been more than 16% though.

What I'm really looking for is some link to my roots that I don't have. Scrolling on down the page I found my DNA Circles. This shows the link between me and other AncestryDNA participants through a common ancestor.

Hmmm, one set of grandparents to start, and the rest are singles. I wonder where their spouses are? And all are from my mom's side of the family.

I have one second cousin that I've been in contact with for years. There are 93 others that are fourth to sixth cousins. Of those 94 people, 63 have a tree that I can view..if I pay $49 for the Ancestry Insights subscription. It does let me send a message to those contacts for free. I've tried a few, hopefully I'll hear back soon.

Actually the most interesting leads seem to be in the matches I have that are NOT in the DNA circles. In sifting through those, I see some very interesting links to some brick wall ancestors.

There are at least other things to try. Family Tree DNA lets you import your Ancestry results to their database free. The catch is that I need 2 more people need to transfer with the above link before all my matches are unlocked for free, or I can pay $39. It appears I have about 20 second to fourth cousin matches there. There is pretty much nothing I can do with them until one of those two things happen.

But wait...there's more!
GED Match will also let you upload your Ancestry results free...really free. The website is not as slick looking as the others, but it appears really powerful. I had no problem uploading my DNA or my tree. It took a few days for my DNA is to process, but in viewing matches to other trees, it looks promising. I can use DNA in combination with my family tree to find matches...and contact them free!

My GEDMatch ID is A065731.

I've also joined Wikitree, which is free. They let you link your Ancestry and GEDmatch results. Hopefully I'll get some hits there.

My WikiTree ID is McGowan-470

If you can think of anything else I can do with these results, let me know.

Wish me luck!

Revolutionary War Patriot Jeremiah Roden 1754-1851 #52Ancestors #45

Jeremiah Roden was born November 3, 1754 in Chester County, South Carolina. He was the son of Thomas Roden, Sr. and his wife Mary who was possibly a Potts.

Just to make things interesting, Thomas Roden, Sr had a brother Jeremiah, who also named his son Jeremiah. They are all in the Chester, South Carolina area at the same time, so things get confusing. I am still trying to sort out most of that. There are lots of land records in South Carolina, but unless they also list the wife's name, it's just about impossible for me to sort them all out.

Jeremiah married Susannah Kirkland April 28, 1873. They had children born in South Carolina as follows:
Mona "Mamie" born 1780
Mary "Polly" born February 28, 1786
John B. born September 30, 1787
Margaret "Peggy" born February 12, 1789
Louvenia "Louvice" born about 1790
(Yet another) Jeremiah born July 8, 1792
Benjamin born April 6, 1795
Nancy born December 31, 1801

After moving to Kentucky and Tennessee, Jeremiah and family, including most of the married children and their families, moved to Blount County, Alabama in 1817 while Alabama was still a territory.

Jeremiah supposedly applied for a Revolutionary War pension and was denied for no proof of service, but I have not been able to find an actual record of this.

He is found in 1850 in DeKalb County, Alabama at the age of 94.

Name: Jeremiah Roden
Event Type: Census
Event Year: 1850
Event Place: De Kalb county, De Kalb, Alabama, United States
Gender: Male
Age: 94
Race: White
Birth Year (Estimated): 1756
Birthplace: South Carolina
Household ID: 289
House Number: 289
Line Number: 38
Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Affiliate Publication Number: M432
Affiliate Film Number: 5
GS Film Number: 2347
Digital Folder Number: 004187295
Image Number: 00050

Household Role Gender Age Birthplace
Jeremiah Roden  M 94 South Carolina
Susannah Roden  F 100 Georgia
Joshua Wilson  M 23 Alabama
Cinthia Wilson  F 40 North Carolina
Margaret Jacobs  F 25 unknown
John J Jacobs  M 1 Alabama

Jeremiah died January 1, 1851 in DeKalb County. He is buried in the Roden Chapel Cemetery, Hendrixville, DeKalb County. 

Photo by findagrave member Maria Gilliland

Or not...according to some sources, "Jeremiah Roden was born January 3rd 1754 in Carolina (?) died 1-1-1851 in Blount County, AL. Buried near Mt. Moriah Church". There is a brass marker placed at Mount Moriah Cemetery at Fridays Crossings in Blount County.

His wife Susannah filed for a widow's pension April 16, 1855:

State of Alabama DeKalb County: On this 16th day of April A.D. 1855 personally appeared before me Reuben Estes Judge of the Probate Court of DeKalb County in State of Alabama Susanna Roden a resident of DeKalb County and State of Alabama aged about 103 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 7th 1838 entitled "An Act granting half pay & Pensions to certain widows" That she is the widow of Jeremiah Roden who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Frost in the Regiment of infantry commanded by Major Bond and Colonel Lacy [Edward Lacey] in the War of the Revolution with Great Britain that her said husband was drafted or volunteered at or near Brushy For on Sandy River in the State of South Carolina not far from the Fish Dam on Broad River but cannot tell for what length of time he volunteered or was drafted or when or where he was discharged. She being at such an advanced age has forgotten nearly all except that he was in a skirmish against the Tories at Mr. Bonds House as the records of the Army will probably show.
She further declares that she was married to the said Jeremiah Roden on the 28th day of April 1783 at or near Edgefield or Barnwell District in South Carolina by John Wilkinson a Baptist Clergyman & that her Husband the aforesaid Jeremiah Roden died in DeKalb County on the first day of January 1851 -- that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the Service but the marriage took place previous to the first of January 1794 viz. at the time before stated. She further swears that she is now a widow and that she has never before made application for a pension except one that was considered informal.
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before

Witness S/ Andrew Poare S/ Susanna Roden, X her mark

Although the above mentions that Jeremiah was a private, the books A History of Birmingham and Its Environs, and History of Alabama and Dictionary of Alabama Biography, Volume IV, state that "Jerry Roden was an orderly sergeant in the troops that followed General Francis Marion". These books were published in 1920 and 1921. Sometimes stories grow a bit in the retelling.

The DAR requires further proof of service before admitting anyone else under this ancestor.

Death by Teething- Mary McGowan 1889-1890 #52Ancestors #44

Mrs. Winslow's Soothing Syrup for children teething from the Boston Public Library Flickr Album

Mary Ann McGowan was born June 26, 1889 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania. She was the firstborn child of Patrick Henry and Lizzie McNamara McGowan.

She was probably baptised at St. John the Evangelist (South Side) Pittsburgh.

Mary died September 20, 1890 in Pittsburgh, probably at her family's home located at 2924 Larkins Alley, Pittsburgh.

Larkins Alley at South 19th Street, looking toward Eighteenth Street. Public Domain

 Her primary cause of death was listed as teething.

Mary is buried in Calvary Cemetery located at 718 Hazelwood Avenue, Pittsburgh.

Death by teething was more common than I realized. See this excellent post on the subject by Sonja Hunter "Rethinking Teething Deaths"

Relatives With Facial Hair- Saturday Night Genealogy Fun-#52Ancestors #43

Since I'm running behind on my 52Ancestors, I'm going to cheat and combine it with Randy Seaver's
Saturday Night Genealogy Fun.

From Randy's blog:
Your mission this week, should you decide to accept it (cue the Mission Impossible music!) , is:

1)  This week we're going to look for men's facial hair in our photograph collection.

2)  Find one or more photographs of men in your ancestral families that have facial hair - a mustache and/or a beard.  

3)  Show the photograph if you have it and tell us a bit about the person shown.   If you don't have a digital photograph, please describe the man and his facial hair the best you can.

4)  Write your own blog post, or a comment to this blog post, or a comment on Facebook or Google+.

Here we go!

First off, may I present Thomas Norman born January 31, 1809 in Cullompton, Devonshire. He was the father of 9 children. He was a flax grower and later rented out new fangled threshing machines.

Thomas Norman 1809-1897

His oldest son, Thomas, was born in Devon October 13, 1832. He immigrated to the US in 1852. He first lived in Ohio, and then moved to South Pittsburg, Tennessee.

Thomas Norman 1832-1918

His brother John, who happens to be my husband's great grandfather, went with a mustache. He was born August 13, 1837 in Kentisbeare, Devon and came to the US with his brother Thomas in 1852.

John Norman 1837-1910

Descendants of the above John, still rocking the facial hair:

Phelon Thomas Young Tidwell and the Croix De Guerre #52Ancestors #42

Phelon was the son of Phelan and Sarah McCullough Tidwell. He was born July 22, 1894 in Perry County, Alabama. He was the eighth of nine children.

April 19, 1917 he enlisted in the Marine Corps and was shown in the muster rolls as a private, attached To Company "G", Marine Barracks, Port Royal, SC. In June of 1917, he is shown as a private in Company "F" Marine Barracks, Paris Island, SC, and Seventeenth Company, Fifth Regiment, Infantry Battalion, Quantico VA.

Phelan Tidwell, Jr

He rejoined September 1918, and is shown as Corporal Phelon Tidwell, Jr.

I found this entry from July 1919, but I have no idea what the abbreviations stand for.

Also found in July, 1919, Machine Gun Company, 5th Regiment, USMC. This one made me smile, notice the entry above Phelon..I wonder if he's related to Gomer...

By August, 1919, Phelon is shown as a Sergeant, attached To Company "A", (17th), 1st Battalion, 5th Regiment. This appears to be his discharge.

This appeared in the Birmingham News June 1, 1932:
ALABAMA HEROES OF THE WORLD WAR
By Sergeant L. E. Jaeckel

THE CROIX DE GUERRE OF FRANCE

"Phelon Tidwell, Jr. (Army Serial No. 116308), Private, 17th Company, 5th Regiment, U.S. Marine Corps, 2nd Division, American Expeditionary Force. He displayed remarkable coolness and great bravery in the attack of July 18th near Chaudum. His automatic rifle having become jammed, he put it again in working order and continued in the advanced against a terrific hostile machine gun and shell fire, displaying at all times a contempt for the dangers which momentarily threatened his life. Residence at enlistment, West Blockton, Ala. A Silver Star to be worn with the Croix De Guerre."

This would have been in 1918 in the battle of July 18 to 20 - Dommiers Chaudum

Croix de Guerre from Wikipedia

At some point Phelon chose to be known as Thomas Young Tidwell. He married Ethel McKay in the early 1920's. They had three children: Thomas Young, Jr born 1922, Robert Lee born 1925, and Dorothy Ann born 1929.  Dorothy was the only child to survive to adulthood.

Phelon Thomas Young Tidwell

Many thanks to my cousin Sandy Grods for the pictures and the story.


Thomas Young Phelon Tidwell Jr, 74, of Indian Rocks Beach, Fla, who died Friday, was a retired employee of U.S. Pipe Co. here. Graveside service was today at Elmwood. Survivors include his wife, a daughter Mrs. William C. Ireland, Birmingham; a sister, Mrs. W. H. Ellis, Bessemer; a brother, Kess Tidwell, Dallas Tex.


Published in the Birmingham News Feb 10 1969 Metro Edition Page 35

Murder in the Family- James Joseph McGowan 1875-1940 #52Ancestors #41

Sometimes you come across something you never expected to find in your family tree. James Joseph McGowan was my grandfather's uncle. He was the son of James McGowan and Bridget Conlon. He was born February 15, 1875 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Jacobum, {James} born 15 Feb 1875; baptized 18 Mar 1875; father: Jacobo [James] McGowan; mother: Brigit Conlon; sponsor: Winifred Gowey.
James was baptized at St. John the Evangelist in Southside Pittsburgh. He was the seventh child of eight born to this family.

He is found in 1880 in Pittsburgh
1880 United States Census Household:

Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace
James MC GOWAN Self M Male W 42 IRE Boiler IRE IRE
Bridget MC GOWAN Wife M Female W 40 IRE Keeping Bdg House IRE IRE
Patrick MC GOWAN Son S Male W 19 PA Boilers Helper IRE IRE
Mary A. MC GOWAN Dau S Female W 16 PA At Home IRE IRE
Joseph MC GOWAN Son S Male W 13 PA Wks In Rg Mill IRE IRE
James MC GOWAN Son S Male W 5 PA IRE IRE
Thomas MC GOWAN Son S Male W 2 PA IRE IRE
James CONAWAY Other S Male W 40 IRE Boiler IRE IRE
Edwd O'MALLEY Other S Male W 30 IRE Boiler IRE IRE
William RILEY Other S Male W 36 IRE Boiler IRE IRE


In 1900 James was living with his widowed mother and his brother in McKeesport:
1900  PENNSYLVANIA ALLEGHENY 5-WD MCKEESPORT

Series: T623 Roll: 1368 Page: 224
630 Jerome St,

MCGOWAN BRIDGET 57 F W IREL Jan 1843, Widowed. 5 children, 5 living, Immigration 1855, Years in US 45
McGowan, James, son, Feb 1875, 25, born PA, parents Ireland, laborer pipe mill
McGowan, Thomas, Oct 1878, 21, born PA, parents Ireland, laborer pipe mill


Sometime after the 1900 census, James married Clara Elizabeth Wordtt of McKeesport.
They had a daughter, Catherine, born October 31, 1915 in Monessen, Westmoreland, Pennsylvania.

By 1920, James and his family had followed other members of the McGowan family to Birmingham, Alabama.
1920  ALABAMA  JEFFERSON  BIRMINGHAM

Series: T625 Roll: 22 Page: 145
Surname GivenName Age Sex Race Birthplace

MCGOWAN JAMES J 42 M W PA , parents Ireland, Machinist-Crane Co
Claire, wife, 35, born PA, Father Germany, Mother Ireland
Catherine 4, born PA

They were still in Birmingham in 1930.

James J Mcgowan M 48 PA parents Ireland
spouse Clona E Mcgowan F 46 PA father Germany mother Ireland
child Catherine E Mcgowan F 14 PA parents PA

I was unable to find James in the 1940 census, so I searched for an obit in the Birmingham papers using the Obituary Index : Birmingham Area Newspapers. Two entries came up:

Name: McGowan, James J.

Newspaper: Birmingham NewsDate: May 12, 1940

Edition: Section: Announcements/Deaths Page: 10*

Notes: *Sports; Financial/Want-Ads section

Name: McGowan, James J.

Newspaper: Birmingham NewsDate: May 12, 1940

Edition: Section: Page: 1

Notes: article; murder

I couldn't wait to get to the library and check this out!

I found the obit as expected.

And then the murder:

What a sad end! I was unable to find if anyone was ever charged. The distance from Ensley to Brewton is almost 200 miles. It's also interesting that his trailer was still in Ensley, so I would think that he was not on a jaunt to the Brewton area. The article makes no mention of his car, which in 1940 you would have had to have to pull a trailer.

I wonder if I could get any more info from the sheriff's office?

Murder Creek near Brewton from http://wildflowers.jdcc.edu/Rivers%20and%20Streams.html

Giuseppe Fratoddi of Italy #52Ancestors #40

I know very little about Giuseppe Fratoddi. I estimate his date of birth to be about 1830. He was married to Flavia Salieri. The surname Fratoddi is rare, even in Italy.

Per my cousin Manlio Fratoddi, Giuseppe lived in Rome and had a shop that sold charcoal. He was also a soldier of the Pope that defended Rome before and during the unification of Italy. He fought against the unification of Italy which ended in 1870 with the fall of Rome.

The Capture of Rome (Public Domain) Porta Pia Pagliari Vizzotto

From Wikipedia article: The Italian Army, commanded by General Raffaele Cadorna, crossed the papal frontier on 11 September and advanced slowly toward Rome, hoping that a peaceful entry could be negotiated. The Italian Army reached the Aurelian Walls on 19 September and placed Rome under a state of siege. Although now convinced of his unavoidable defeat, Pius IX remained intransigent to the bitter end and forced his troops to put up a token resistance. On 20 September, after a cannonade of three hours had breached the Aurelian Walls at Porta Pia, the Bersaglieri entered Rome and marched down Via Pia, which was subsequently renamed Via XX Settembre. 49 Italian soldiers and four officers, and 19 papal troops died. Rome and Latium were annexed to the Kingdom of Italy after a plebiscite held on 2 October. The results of this plebiscite were accepted by decree of 9 October.

Giuseppe was the father of at least three children:
Vincenzo born 1862
Bernardino born June 26, 1869 in Montereale, L'Aquila, Abruzzo
Nazzareno

There are others that I have found with a father named Giuseppe Fratoddi. They may or may not be the same family; possibly there was a Junior Giuseppe:
Fernanda born 1890. Resided in Rome in 1923.
Pietro born 1892 in Porta
Nazzareno born 1892

There is a Fratoddi tomb in the oldest part of the Cimitero del Verano in Rome.

Photo taken by Manlio Fratoddi

Owners:

MONALDI ZESTRINI GIUSEPPE
FRATODDI PIETO
FRATODDI SALVATORE
FRATODDI GIOVANNI
FRATODDI FILIPPO
FRATODDI ANTONIO
FRATODDI VIRGILIO

Burials:

LATINI GIUDITTA
FRATODDI PIETRO
ZAMPERINI TERESA
FRATODDI SALVATORE
DEL MATTE EMILIO
FRATODDI ANTONIO
MELVINE ALESSANDRO
CASALDI GIUSEPPA
MANEGGIANTI GIULIO
FRATODDI GIUSEPPE
GIANNUZZI CARLO died Nov 5 1960
FRATODDI VIRGILIO died Apr 3 1965
FRATODDI FILIPPO
FRATODDI GIOVANNI
FRATODDI VIRGILIO
FRATODDI FERNANDA
PELLICCIONI GRAZIA died Mar 5 1974
FRATODDI ROSA died Dec 13 1983

Since they are all buried in the same tomb, I can be fairly certain they are all related. I'm not sure if they are listed in order of death.

If you are one of my cugini (cousins), I would love to hear from you.