Tuesday, June 27, 2006

Obituary : John M. High

Source : Anderson, IN Herald-Bulletin

ALEXANDRIA - John M. High, 73, Rt. 4, Alexandria, died Monday at Community Hospital in Anderson following an extended illness.

He was born Sept. 13, 1919, in Rowesburg, W. Va., and lived in Alexandria since 1945.

He was senior purchasing agent for Haynes International in Kokomo for 30 years, retiring in 1984. He was a 13-year veteran of the U.S. Navy and a Pearl Harbor survivor while stationed aboard the USS Oklahoma.

He was a lifetime member of the Alexandria American Legion, member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Masonic Lodge 235, Eastern Star Chapter 179, the Methodist Church in West Virginia and a member of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association.

He is survived by his wife, Clara Ellen (Wright) High; two sons, Charles L. High of Anderson and John Phillip High of Alexandria; six grandchildren; two step-grandsons and one great-grandchild.

Services will be Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Noffze Funeral Home, 501 N. Harrison St., Alexandria, with the Rev. Jack Wachenschwanz officiating. Burail will be at Park View Cemetery, Alexandria.

Friends may call today from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. There will be a Masonic memorial service at the funeral home at 8 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alexandria Masonic Lodge 235 through the funeral home.

Monday, June 26, 2006

Salem and Greenbrier Seventh Day Baptist Cemetery Association

Received a letter from the Salem and Greenbrier Seventh Day Baptist Cemetery Association in Salem, WV updating on the status of their current projects.

A Medal of Honor cemetery marker has been placed on the gravesite of Walter F. McWhorter in the Greenbrier Cemetery.

Of particular interest was the announcement that the association has reprint copies available of the 1992 work Davis: The Settlers of Salem, West Virginia for $75.00 (plus $4 for shipping) This is the 3rd edition celebrating the bicentennial of Salem. Proceeds go towards the maintenance of the Greenbrier cemetery, where many descendants of William Davis (1664-1745) are buried. Allied families include Ash, Babcok, Bee, Bond, Cox, FitzRandolph, Ford, Hall, Hutson, Maxson, Nicholson, Randolph, Smith, Sutton, Tharp, Williams, et. al.

The Davis book can be ordered at : 171 East Main Street, Salem, WV 26426

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

Is the DNA-Genealogy Link not all its cracked up to be?

I've been skeptical since I first heard about the rash of DNA testing being done to 'flesh' out and discover family tree links that were previously only speculated about. There is too much emphasis in 'science' as the cure-all for everything, and anyone with a Ph.D. in one discipline is suddenly given credibility in another. While I do not doubt the veracity of the DNA evidence I am leaving as I type on my keyboard, I have trouble believing that DNA can be used to tell me conclusively where my ancestors originated.

I found this excellent blog about the subject of bogus DNA testing which I agree with. Today, Rootsweb is cluttered with DNA mailing lists for about every surname imaginable. I'm sure that these people are sincere about discovering who they are or perhaps linking together two distinct family lines that have not yet been connected by public records. I cannot however, believe that they are not being taken for a ride by companies who are capitalizing on the 'genealogy fever' that is so rampant today. Everyone would like to be related to Charlemagne - it's just not likely. DNA genealogy has created the new 'Indian princess' or '3 brothers from France' legends.

These DNA tests cannot really tell you anything conclusively about your family history, and the article states :
"But the general public doesn't know this, and no one seems to be telling them. More and more of these companies are popping up, the popularity of these tests has soared, and every month or so, a journalist (like this guy today) writes yet another story about how people are using this technology to unlock family secrets and "debunk family tales," even though it simply doesn't work that way. The upshot of so many of these stories is that people are being confused or traumatized by results from these tests. People with dark skin who came from black families and identified themselves as African-American are suddenly being told that they aren't African-American at all. People have sought psychotherapy over these results and questioned their families. But this is all based on a science that can't actually say you're not African American, (and most certainly can't say you're not Caucasian and therefore should qualify for minority scholarships and affirmative action)."


In my case, with a surname such as LeMaster, I'm pretty sure that I'm related to most who have the same name, whether they spell it with an 'a' instead of the 'e', or add the final 's.' In the work Lemasters U.S.A. 1639-1965, 90% of all Lemasters in the United States are descendants of Abraham Lemaster of Charles & St. Marys Cos., Md. There are others who descend from Johann Wilhelm Leymeister of Pennsylvania. How these lines are intertwined back in Europe has not been documented, and may never be. Would DNA testing tie them together? It would all be speculation without documentation.

On The Shelf : Evidence! Citation & Analysis for the Family Historian by Elizabeth Shown Mills

This book is arguably the best guidebook for genealogists and family historians wanting to be sure that they cite sources in a orderly manner. I know that when I started working with my genealogy, I wasn't always worried about sources. When I did cite a source, more often than not, it was an incomplete source. Consequently, I'm now trying to go back and re-cite my sources. Invariably, I've come across disputed facts in my family tree.

Evidence! has been one of the best-buys in my genealogical library. I've been using its suggested citations as I go forward and update my files. Elizabeth Shown Mills is a well-respected genealogist who has put together an easy-to-read work that anyone can follow. You do not need to have a Master's degree in library science to understand these citation formats. Plus, being a genealogist, Ms. Mills has developed citations for the types of documents that are unique to genealogists. For example, I never had to cite a tombstone on any term paper, but now that I'm working with genealogy, it can come in handy to have a standardized format.

Published in 1997, this book will be a staple of my library for years to come.

Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Obituary : Bonnie M. Wright

Source : Anderson, IN Herald, Tuesday, April 10, 1984

ALEXANDRIA - Bonnie M. Wright, 60, formerly of 610 W. Broadway, died Monday afternoon at her daughter's residence after a brief illness.

She was a native of Elwood and had lived in Alexandria most of her life. She was a member of the First Christian Church of Alexandria.

Surviving is a son, Terry Wright of Chattanooga, Tenn.; a daughter, Mrs. Ord (Gloria) LeMasters of Alexandria; her father and stepmother, Clemon and Helen Lambertson of Anderson; tow brothers, Harold Lambertson of Elwood and Floyd Lambertson of Silver Lake, Ind.; a sister, Ruby Walsh of Anderson; a stepsister, Betty Barger of Anderson; and five grandchildren.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Kyle and Owens Funeral Home, Alexandria, with the Rev. Jack Wachenschwanz officiating. Burial will follow in Park View Cemetery in Alexandria.

Friends may call from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church, 215 W. Berry St., Alexandria.

Sunday, June 18, 2006

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day!

Thanks, Dad for all that you did & still do for me. Thanks for instilling in me a desire to study history, for without knowing where we came from we do not know where we are going. Your initial work on the family history, and your support in my efforts when I was a young kid, has led me on a 30-year plus journey into not only the family's history, but that of our nation. Posted by Picasa

Saturday, June 17, 2006

Today in my database : Mary West (b. June 17, 1795)

Today's featured relative in my database is my paternal 4th great-grandmother, Mary West.

Mary was born June 17, 1795 in New Jersey (Gloucester Co. ?), the daughter of Job & Sarah (Jackson) West. Mary married circa 1812 in Gloucester Co., NJ to Nathaniel Chew (b. November 10, 1786 Gloucester Co., NJ, d. January 24, 1866 Mahaska Co., IA). Mary died February 27, 1848 in New Jersey (Gloucester Co.?)

I descend from Mary & Nathaniel Chew's daughter as follows :

Mary West m. Nathaniel Chew
Ezekiel Cooper Chew m. Caroline Bishop Woolston
Mary Keziah Chew m. Luman Walker Lemasters
Luman Cooper LeMasters m. Barbara Isabelle Wehrly [my great-grandparents]

LeMaster Family Reunion

Received my invitation to our family reunion held in Alexandria in the mail yesterday :

LeMaster Picnic

It's time to mark your calendar for our annual reunion!

Tim: Come early....stay late Let's eat around 5 p.m.
Date : Saturday, August 5, 2006

We'll furnish the hot dogs, hamburgers, condiments; baked beans & drinks. We'll have games & water baloons for the kids so bring their suits. Bring old photos to share and family recipes!

We hope you & your family will join us for food, fun & a good time.

R.S.V.P.

[What, no chili? :) ]

Friday, June 16, 2006

Obituary : Goldie R. Lambertson

Source : Anderson, IN Herald-Bulletin, March 29, 1994

Elwood - Goldie R. Lambertson, 84, Route 2, died March 28, 1994, at Dickey's Nursing Home in Elwood.

Survivors include her husband, Paul Lambertson; two daughters, Karen Webb and Mary Reynolds; a brother, Wilford Laycock; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Central Wesleyan Church with the Revs. Matthew Miller and Glen Raney officiating. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Park, Elwood.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Dunnichay Funeral Home, Elwood.

Thursday, June 15, 2006

Obituary : Frank R. Lambertson

Source : Anderson, IN Herald-Bulletin, February 6, 1988

Plant City, Fla. - Frank R. Lambertson, 79, former Alexandria resident, 1005 Whitehurst Road, died Thursday afternoon at his residence following a brief illness.

He was born in Boxley and had lived in Alexandria most of his life, moving to Plant City, Fla., 18 years ago. He retired from Johns-Manville Corp., formerly of Alexandria, in 1970.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Alberta Lambertson in 1977.

He is survived by two daughters, Darleen Lambertson of Plant City, Fla., and Mrs. Virgil (Shirley) Patz of Alexandria; a son, Frank D. Lambertson of Summitville; a brother, Robert Lambertson of Alexandria; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Monday in St. Mary's Catholic Church with the Rev. Philip S. Haslinger officiating. Burial will be in Park View Cemetery, Alexandria.

Friends may call from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Owens Funeral Home where rosary will be said at 5 p.m.

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

Joannah Antonides (1778-1825)

Seeking more information/correction to my possible ANTONIDES line:

Johannah ANTONIDES b. August 28, 1778 New Jersey, d. 1825 Fayette Co., IN., m. June 4, 1797 to James GROENENDYKE.

Johannah was suppossedly the daughter of Pieter & Catherine (VANDERVEER) ANTONIDES, but this has not been confirmed.

Johannah's maiden name has also appeared as HAGERMAN.

Query : Alderman Line VA>KY>IN>IL

Seeking more information/corrections to my known ALDERMAN line :

James ALDERMAN b. before 1775, d. bet. 1850-1854 Greenville, Bond Co., IL m. Catherine WARNER June 8, 1795 Augusta Co., VA., m(2) Martha CANTELL after 1800.

Richard ALDERMAN b. 1810 Kentucky, d. after 1870 Madison Co., IN., m. Eliza [________] ca. 1840 Indiana.

Jane Ann ALDERMAN b. 1843 Indiana, d. April 8, 1919 Alexandria, Madison Co., IN., m. John PENISTEN ca. 1868 Indiana.

Monday, June 12, 2006

Today in my database : Peter Kirkpatrick Swafford (b. June 12, 1827)

Today's featured relative in my database is my maternal 4th-great grandfather, Peter Kirkpatrick Swafford, born June 12, 1827 in Mississippi.

Peter was the son of Larkin & Nancy [______] Swafford. Peter married on April 3, 1853 in Owen Co., IN to Mary Ann Crockett (b. 1835 Owen Co., IN, d. 1865), daughter of David and Mary Ann (Nosler) Crockett. Peter died August 1854 in Owen Co., IN.

I descend from Peter through his daughter, Mary Ellen Swafford, born August 30, 1854 near Stinesville, Monroe Co., IN.

Saturday, June 10, 2006

Today in my database : Isabella Feily (b. June 10, 1793)

Today's featured relative in my database is my maternal 5th-great grandmother, Isabella Feily, born June 10, 1793.

Isabella was born June 10, 1793 in Pennsylvania, of unknown parents. She married August 5, 1808 in Adams Co., OH to James Thomas Jacobs (b. May 20, 1789 Virginia, d. September 1, 1847 Brown Co., OH). Isabella died September 5, 1876 in Ohio, probably Brown Co.

I descend from their daughter, Elizabeth Jacobs, born June 30, 1811 in Adams Co., OH as follows:

Isabella Feily m. James Thomas Jacobs
Elizabeth Jacobs m. James R. Heaton
Rebecca Ann Heaton m. Joseph W. Wright
John William Wright m. Ellen King
Virgil Lee Wright m. Edna Muriel Pierce (my great-grandparents)

Friday, June 09, 2006

Right Under My Nose

Sometimes the best genealogical information is right under my nose. I'm in the middle of finishing up the scanning of several years worth of accumulation of paperwork, and noticing just how many tidbits of family history I've missed along the way.

For instance, today in looking at the Civil War pension papers of Nathaniel Derby Chew, I found that it contained certified transcripts from the family Bible of his father, Ezekiel Cooper Chew. Therein were full names (middle names, too) and birth and death dates that I simply had missed and did not yet have added to my Family Tree Maker database.

There is much for me to add to my database as I go through this information, source it and update my files, and it makes me wonder how many times I've tried to re-invent the wheel. Perhaps that key to unlocking a family mystery was already in my files all along, and I had overlooked it.

Thursday, June 08, 2006

Today in my database : Francis S. Pierce (b. June 8, 1806)

Today's featured relative in my database is my maternal 4th-great grandfather, Francis S. Pierce.

Francis was born June 8, 1806 in Vermont, the son of Gordon & Thirsa (Smalley) Pierce. He married October 25, 1831 to Rebecca Page (b. August 18, 1806 New Jersey, d. June 26, 1893 Wayne Co., IN) in Wayne Co., IN. Francis died August 5, 1881 in Wayne Co., IN.

This Pierce line is connected to President Franklin Pierce.

I descend from Francis & Rebecca's son Edmund G. Pierce who married Catherine Groenendyke.

Tuesday, June 06, 2006

Remembering D-Day

Today is D-Day, the Normandy invasion by Allied troops during World War II. Too many people have forgotten the sacrifices of the 'greatest generation.' Please take a moment to honor the memories of those who gave their all for our freedom.

Visit the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial at FindAGrave.com. There are two Lemasters listed there : William H. Lemaster and Stanley L. Lemaster, both from West Virginia. I know of no direct relationship, as of yet, to either of these men.

My daughter has a great-great uncle buried there, PFC Frederick C. Wildt of Evansville, IN.

Saturday, June 03, 2006

Query : Adney Family

Seeking more information about the family line of Mary ADNEY (b. December 6, 1800, d. December 7, 1877 Henry Co., IN) who married Jacob RHINEHART (b. December 12, 1797, d. August 4, 1847 Henry Co., IN).

I show Mary as the daughter of Daniel ADNEY (b. January 12, 1777 Botetourt Co., VA, d. May 2, 1862 Union Co., IN) & Anna COGER. Show Daniel ADNEY as the son of Thomas ADNEY & Elizabeth DUNN.

My wife is descended from Mary ADNEY. Any information would be appreciated.

Obituary : Pearl M. Lambertson

From: Anderson, IN Herald-Bulletin, August 4, 1970

ELWOOD - Mrs. Pearl M. Lambertson, 92, who had resided at Rt. 1, Summitville, died at the Dickey Nursing Home at 10:30 a.m. Monday after after an illness of several months.

Born in Westfield, May 11, 1878, she was the daughter of Nathan and Elizabeth Beals. She was married in 1897 to Charles Lambertson who died in May 1958. She was a member of the Cicero Christain Church.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Copher and Fesler Funeral Home with Rev. Ralph Richardson officiating. Interment will be in the Cicero Cemetery. Friends may call at the mortuary today.

Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Leona Carpenter and Mrs. Pauline Vanness both of Elwood and Mrs. Elizabeth Herschberger Rt. 1, Summittville; three sons, Clemon Lambertson, Anderson, Orville (Jack) Lambertson, Oroville, Calif., and Paul Lambertson, Elwood; 17 grandchildren; 43 great-grandchildren; and nine great-great-grandchildren.

Thursday, June 01, 2006

Obituary : Cecilia M. Wright

From : Anderson, IN Herald-Bulletin, Tuesday, September 27, 1988

ELWOOD - Cecilia M. "Sissy" (Lambertson) Wright, 45, 1310 S. N St., Elwood, died Monday afternoon at Mercy Hospital following an extended illness.

She was born in Tipton and lived in Elwood most of her life. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Elwood, Beta Sigma Phi sorority and Women's Republican Club. She was formerly employed as the office manager at Elwood City Water Co.

She is survived by her husband, Eddie Joe Wright; a daughter, Lynne M. (Priest) Susaraba of Warsaw; a stepdaughter, Alycia Brown of Warsaw; her parents, Harold and Martha Lambertson of Elwood; a brother, Ronald Lambertson of Middletown; maternal grandmother, Margaret Phillips of Elwood; paternal grandfather, Clemon Lambertson of Anderson; and a granddaughter.

Arrangements are pending at Copher and Fesler Funeral Home.