Updating Burial Location Information in My RootsMagic Database

It has been awhile since I've updated on how the family history work is going.  While work has kept me busy, I have managed to begin updating and adding to my RootsMagic database by utilizing the WebHints to add burial locations for individuals.  Many have been found where I had a death location, but hadn't added a burial record.

Utilizing sites such as FindAGrave or Billongraves, I've managed to find additional clues for research about families and have added them to my working file for later research.

In RootsMagic, I began this by setting my search criteria to show me individuals with a a Death date that was after 2000 and whose Burial fact was false.  Working through the large database in this manner gave me some of the more recent generations to update.

Of course, not all of the individuals had WebHints that provided details about their burial location.  Some had hints at FindAGrave, but actually weren't buried, but were cremated.  This seems to have become a more popular option in recent years.  In those instances I've added the cremation information, if given.

Once I worked through the database for all deaths after 2000, then I moved back twenty years and began working individuals who had deaths after 1980.  Many of these individuals at FindAGrave had details linked to them regarding siblings and parents.  For those who were direct lines, I added the additional children's information.

By working backwards in this manner, I hope to be able to catch additional information on the recent generations, which in turn will help me better identify some of my DNA matches.

In my database, when a couple marries, I try to add the parents information for the spouses if known.  In so many cases, there are families that are intermarried and later I find out they were distant cousins.  This is particularly true in areas where my lines have stayed in the same geographical location for generations.  Additional children who are listed are entered if the line is one that I am researching as well.

As I work backwards in successive increments, I will catch family members I've missed on the first pass and increase the size of my database.  Mainly I'm been able to work on this early in the morning each day before I head out to work.

One thing to be aware of is that FindAGrave and Billiongraves provide information that is user submitted and often has errors with date transcriptions and birth/death information.  There have been some 'hints' that I've caught that are incorrect guesswork.  Like anything, it has to be examined.

FindAGrave Correction : John P. Wehrly (1838-1909)

Received an email recently with a correction to my entry for John P. Wehrly (1838-1909) at the FindAGrave site.  I had his death year listed as 1910, which is clearly what is on his tombstone.

However, the records from the Baird & Hardy Funeral clearly state that he died in 1909.

Baird & Hardy Funeral Home Record

Name of Deceased        John P. Wehrly
Record Number   Number 89
Place of Birth  Pa.
Date    August 28, 1838
Place of Death  South Portland
Date    December 13, 1909
Age at Death    71 years, 3 months, 16 days
Cause of Death
Sex
Color
Social Status
Occupation
Name of Father
Name of Mother
Nativity
Physician       Dr. Paddock
Time of Funeral
Services        Salamonia
Interment at    Salamonia
Burial Date     December 15, 1909
Minister in Charge

Checking my RootsMagic database, I had cited his death date as December 13, 1910 from Baird & Hardy Funeral Home Records: Jay County, Indiana 1909-1911 (N.p.: n.p., n.d.), .  Somehow I must have mistyped the date.

John was the husband of my paternal 2nd-great grandaunt, Catherine E. Lemasters (1840-1911), daughter of Luman Walker and Nancy (Young) Lemasters.  John was a farmer in Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana.

I need to search out an obituary for him and see what additional information I can find on my next trip to Jay County.

Mining FindAGrave.com

Recently I began mining the FindAGrave.com website for additional information about folks in my database.  I set up a search in my Rootsmagic database for anyone whose death date in not blank and whose burial place is blank.

As I'm making my way through the database, I'm searching at the FindAGrave.com site to see if anyone has posted a memorial page for the individual who matches the information in my database.  I'm then adding the burial place to my database.  I've created a source template for the burial information as well.

The finished source might look something like this:

FindAGrave Inc., FindAGrave.com (www.findagrave.com : accessed 13 September 2014), Joseph Allen (1733-1816) memorial.

Nothing spectacular, but it's something that I should have been doing or could have been doing for several years.  I've been a member at FindAGrave.com for a long time and have been a contributor.  As a free site, it has a lot of information and many times additional clues that I didn't have in my database.

As I make my way through the alphabet (right now I'm still in the "A" section), I am adding the final burial location for folks in the database, but also am adding birth, death and marriage information as I find it.  I'm making sure I source it right away so that I know where I found the information.  This information will be helpful in leading me to new clues on these people.

My goal is to get through Rootmagic  first with everyone that doesn't have a burial location listed, then go back and check those that I did already have with a burial location to see if they have a memorial page, add sourcing from FindAGrave and add any additional information.

FindAGrave Success : Maud (Lambertson) Fisher (1878-1952)

FindAGrave volunteer's have been busy this spring for me.  This week, volunteer hinkley photographed the tombstones of Maud (Lambertson) Fisher, her husband Frank Fisher and son Harley Fisher for me from the Old Shiloh Cemetery in Mt. Vernon, Illinois.


Maud LAMBERTSON was the daughter of Carey W. and Clara E. (COOK) LAMBERTSON. She was born July 15, 1878 in Madison Township, Butler County, Ohio.  She married Francis Franklin FISHER on December 8, 1896 in Hamilton County, Indiana.  Between 1920 and 1930 census they moved from Hamilton County to Mt. Vernon, Illinois.

FindAGrave Success : John W. Poe

FindAGrave contributor Slimbeaux was able to photograph the tombstones of my maternal 5x great-grandparents, John W. POE (1781-1850) and Elizabeth (RAINS) POE (1789-1840).  


Thanks to these photographs, I now have an exact date of death for Elizabeth.   In addition, I found a previously unknown daughter of the couple, Rebecca POE (1809-1838), who was also buried in the Poe Cemetery in Morgan County, Indiana.

FindAGrave Success: Phillip D. LeMasters (d. 1869)

Thanks to FindAGrave volunteer, Natalie Herdman, I now have a photograph of the tombstone of Phillip D. LeMASTERS (1869-1869), the infant son of Luman Walker and Mary Keziah (CHEW) LeMASTERS.  Phillip is buried in the Webster Cemetery in Darke County, Ohio.


My database shows his dates of birth and death are January 28, 1869 and May 1, 1869.  However, the memorial states death date November 5, 1869.  Hard to read, but they may be correct.

FindAGrave Success: Elvin Cooper LeMaster (1912-2000)

Thanks to a FindAGrave contributor, I know have a photograph of the tombstone of my paternal great-uncle, Elvin Cooper LeMaster (1912-2000) from the Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens in Columbus, Ohio.  His obituary from the Portland Commercial-Review was previously posted here.


Elvin was the youngest of the children of Luman Cooper and Barbara Isabel (WEHRLY) LeMASTER, born July 9, 1912 in Jay County, Indiana.  He married Cleo Belle HANKS in 1933 and they had 4 children.

FindAGrave Success: Rev. Nathaniel Chew (1786-1866)

Thanks to FindAGrave volunteer, Natalie Herdman, I now have a photograph of the tombstone of my paternal 4x great-grandfather, Rev. Nathaniel Chew (1786-1866).  The memorial erroroneously states he died in 1868.


Nathaniel was the son of Nathaniel CHEW and Sarah SPRINGER, and was born in Gloucester County, New Jersey. He was a Methodist preacher, or circuit rider.  He died January 24, 1866 in Mahaska County, Iowa.


Nathaniel was married three times.  The first time circa 1805 to Keziah DRIVER; the second circa 1812 to Mary WEST (1795-1848); and thirdly December 10, 1848 in Iowa to Nancy MOSIER.  Have much to research in regards to his marriages, I descend through his wife Mary West.

FindAGrave Success: John Lawrence Metzner (1877-1898)

Thanks to a FindAGrave volunteer, Lulabell, who took the picture of the John Lawrence METZNER (1877-1898) tombstone in the Green Park Cemetery, Portland, Indiana.  


John Lawrence was the son of William H. and Angeline (MEAD) METZNER.  He was born October 18, either in 1877 or 1878, depending on the source.  His obituary states 1877, but Williamson & Spencer Funeral home record book stated 1878 (could have been typo).  

 Jane Ann Spencer, Williamson & Spencer Funeral Homes, Inc. Portland and Pennville, Indiana Burial Records Book One 1892-1899 (Portland, Indiana, USA: Williamson & Spencer Funeral Homes, Inc., 2008)

J. L. Metzner, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. H. Metzner, was born October 18, 1877; died at the home of his parents, in South Portland, August 30, 1898, aged 20 years, 10 months and 12 days.  Funeral services will be held this afternoon at the First Christian Church by Rev. Stovenour.  Interment at Green Park Cemetery.

J. Lawrence, son of William H. and Angeline Metzner, was born in Portland, Indiana, October 18, 1878 and died at the home of his parents 247 Shanks Street, South Portland August 30th, 1898, aged 20 years, 10 months and 12 days.

Thus death has again entered a family circle and claimed an only son and brother, leaving empty hearts and an empty home.  Lawrence was industrious and obliging and greatly loved by his many friends.  He was patient and hopeful during his long illness and was never known to murmur or complain and with his mother, who was his daily companion, he had many long talks on the life beyond.  For several weeks before the end came he gave up all hope of recovery.  Although he had gone on before they have one lasting comfort and blessing, even in this sad dark hour when they remember he said, "All is well with my soul."  They may not see his well known form nor hear the welcome footsteps through the home is empty and hearts bowed in grief, yet they know he is not dead, but sleeping, and where he is they may go also, because the Lord has said, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee."

Funeral services at the First Christian Church, at 3 o'clock, Friday, September 2nd, conducted by Rev. Fred Stovenour.  Interment at Green Park Cemetery.

FindAGrave Success: Hannah Lemasters (1778-1849)

Belated thank-you to FindAGrave volunteer, Kenny LeMaster (no known relation), who located the gravesite of my paternal fourth great-grandmother, Hannah (________) LEMASTERS (1778-1849), wife of Jacob LEMASTERS.


Hannah and Jacob are buried in the Roberts Cemetery in Shelby Couny, Ohio, near Port Jefferson.  The cemetery is on private property, nearly inaccessible.  Several FindAGrave volunteers in the past have reported that they were unable to obtain access to this cemetery.


Kenny remembered seeing the gravesite when hunting, and contacted me.  He was very gracious to offer to locate it again and photograph.  


The book Memorial Records of Shelby County, Ohio 1819-1875 note her death date as June 16, 1849.  

No Marker ?

Sometimes there simply just isn't a marker at a cemetery for an ancestor.  Whether due to ravages of time, weather or vandalism, today it is possible that a marker from a few generations back might not be there anymore.  Religious beliefs may have precluded any time of marker, or the family may not have been able to afford to place one on the final resting place.


Recently, I had requested two photos of memorials at the FindAGrave website for my maternal 6th-great grandparents, Jacob SWAFFORD (1762-1845) and Sarah (LARKIN) SWAFFORD (c1772-1852).  Both are listed as being buried at the Brushy Cemetery in Bledsoe County, Tennessee.   There are several members of the SWAFFORD family with tombstone photographs in this cemetery.


However, a transcription of the burials at the cemetery at USGenWeb does not list Jacob or Sarah.  Other SWAFFORDS, however, are listed.


It is possible that whomever created the memorial in the database was in error, and they are simply buried elsewhere.

Moultons of Licking County, Ohio

Located FindAGrave pages for my paternal 4th-great grandparents, Selah and Lydia (FINEL) MOULTON and noticed photos of their tombstones.  They are buried in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Alexandria, Licking County, Ohio.


Until I received the email from Martha Sturgill of the Alexandria Public Library, I did not have their place of burial.  Martha was kind enough to search several records in Licking County, Ohio for me.

In the Maple Grove Cemetery records I did find the Moultons listed. They are buried side by side in plot 17, #3&4. Selah is listed as being born in 1790 and dying November 24, 1848 and Lydia as being born 1796 and dying December 3, 1869. They were the only Moulton's listed in cemetery records. Maple Grove is located just behind the school in Alexandria and is our biggest cemetery. There are many other small and family cemeteries on farms and in rural areas where some other Moulton's may be laid to rest. It is very hard to say.

Many of the early settlers of St. Albans Township in Licking County were from Vermont, as were the Moultons.  Prior to Ohio, the family was from Rutland County, Vermont.

Martha's email gave me some more insight into where Selah lived and records to research such as :

 In 1830 the Bible Society reported 128 families in the Township with 750 total population. In 1836 the Deacon made a list of the families by school district. In that list Selah Moulton is reported to be living in the Worthington Road district. This is still a rural farming area and no mention of Mr. Moulton was made in the chapter about mill owners and other business owners. From this I am assuming that he was a farmer. The copy of the 1848 platt map in the book is very blurred, but I did find the name of S. Moulton on it. It is just slightly SW of the center of the township. Do you know if the children stayed in the area? I couldn't find the name on the 1854 map.

Selah and Lydia's son, Albert, is my ancestor.  Albert disappeared during the Gold Rush era, and I'm also trying to track him down as well.

A Little Wiki Today

Took a little time today to learn how to update information on Wikipedia about my distant relative, Harry Pierpont.  Harry has been one of my favorite research subjects of late.


As I've blogged about before, it was Harry's page on Wikipedia that first led me to realize we may have a genealogical connection.   Since then I've enjoyed researching articles about his robberies and life of crime.  Just this week I managed to locate a few new articles for future Black Sheep Sunday posts.


Because his page was lacking documentation, I decided to add sections on his Execution and Burial.  Using information such as his death certificate from FamilySearch site and his tombstone photo at FindAGrave, I added source citations to these sections. 


Though I've had an account at Wikipedia for several years, I had never used the account to add information to a page or to create on of my own.  The process was relatively easy to do, and I hope to add sections in the future to Harry's page and update information about his Indiana bank robberies.


Update (6/17): Had so much fun that before bed, continued to update Harry's page and added information about three of his early robberies.

FindAGrave Success: Senator & Una Maude (LeMaster) Phillips

Glad to report another FindAGrave success story!  Volunteer Zoann was kind enough to fulfill three requests for me from the David City, Nebraska Cemetery.  She was able to photograph the tombstones of my paternal great-grandaunt, Una Maude (LeMASTER) PHILLIPS, her husband, Dr. Senator Winfield PHILLIPS, and also their daughter, Mary Louise (PHILLIPS) WILSON.


Una Maude was the daughter of Luman Walker and Mary Keziah (CHEW) LEMASTERS.  Her husband was the son of Winfield S. and Mary Jane (BATES) PHILLIPS.


I've already added an obituary for Maude, and have requested that the owners of the memorials link to other family members.


I'm always amazed by the kindness of strangers and am glad when I'm able to help someone else myself.  If you're not already doing so, you should consider becoming a volunteer today!

Are You Reading My Mail?

I think Wendy at All My Branches Genealogy must be reading my mail or my mind.  Her recent post on Genealogy Attention Deficit Disorder had me rolling with laughter until it dawned on me that she was describing my genealogical condition.


Many times I've started out working on Ancestry or some other database such as FindAGrave to begin filling in the gaps in my genealogy database.  Maybe it's making sure I have a burial place listed for all direct ancestors, or maybe it's making sure I've documented where everyone was in the 1930 census, etc.  No matter what my goal, it doesn't take too long for Genealogy Attention Deficit Disorder (GADD) to take over and soon I find myself tracking down vital information far from my original goal.


Why is it so hard to remain on task?  Perhaps it is due to the benefits of today's technology that allows us to have so many records to search from the comforts of home.  I can so relate to Wendy's experiences in getting so caught up in tracking down the tidbits of information that you lose sense of time.  When I'm "in the zone" I've been known to forget to eat!


But it's not just the online databases causing this disorder.  My piles of photocopied records from a research trip last November stand waiting, unentered and undocumented.  My inbox is full of research from other researchers that would make interesting blog posts.  I have notebooks created specifically for researching certain locales that I've yet to complete, and several unfinished posts to be written for this blog.  My research goals for 2011 are woefully incomplete.  All due to Genealogy Attention Deficit Disorder.

FindAGrave Success: Nathan C. Beals

 

So glad to report a success from a FindAGrave volunteer, Richard M.C.P. Mann, who was able to capture the image of the tombstone of my maternal 5th-great grandfather, Nathan C. BEALS (1789-1867) from the Lynchburg Cemetery in Humboldt, Richardson County, Nebraska.

Nathan was born within the confines of Lost Creek Monthly Meeting of the Society of Friends in Jefferson County, Tennessee, the son of John and Mary (CARTER) BEALS, on 9th month, 3rd day of 1789.  His middle initial "C." may stand for "Carter", though unconfirmed.  A birthright Quaker, he was said to have been disowned circa 1810-1811 by an Ohio meeting.  This story was reported in the "Chronology of the Beals Family", written by his son John T. BEALS, but has yet to be confirmed through original records.

Nathan later became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, no doubt influenced by his wife, Elizabeth CHEW (1802-1881).  They were married in November 25, 1820 in Clinton County, Ohio and were the parents of ten children: Daniel, Mary Ann Maria, Andrew, John T., Sarah, Amy, Nathan H., Thomas J., Elizabeth, and Seth W.  My ancestor is their third son, John T.

Nathan was elected as County Assessor of Hamilton County, Indiana in the 1840s and lived in both Hamilton and Howard County, Indiana before moving west to Richardson County, Nebraska after the Civil War.  It was there that he died September 5, 1867 and was buried.  His widow, Elizabeth, moved back to Indiana were she died January 26, 1881 in Converse, Miami County, Indiana.

Meinholtz tombstones

A FindAGrave volunteer photographed the tombstones of my paternal great granduncle and aunt, Henry and Edith Mabel (LeMASTER) MEINHOLTZ.  Edith was the daughter of Luman Walker and Mary Keziah (CHEW) LeMASTERS, and the younger sister of my Luman Cooper LeMASTERS.


I've previously posted their obituaries, and it is nice to see the tombstone photos.  I'm so thankful for all the volunteers who make FindAGrave a success.


Edith and Henry were buried in the Evergreen Cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  Memorial pages for Henry C. Meinholtz and Edith Meinholtz.

FindAGrave Success : Metzner

I need to give a long-overdue "shout-out" to a kind volunteer at the FindAGrave.com website, who helped provide pictures of the tombstones of my Metzner relatives at the Gravel Hill Cemetery, Jay County, Indiana.


Thanks to volunteer, Lulabell, I know have photographs on the memorial pages for the following Metzner relatives:


William F. Metzner (1844-1929): William was the son of John and Catherine (YOUNG) METZNER, and married to Mary Ann HALEY, daughter of Sebastian and Lydia A. (RADER) HALEY.


Irvin G. Metzner (1879-1969):  Irvin was the son of William F., above, and was married to Julia STONE.


Herbert W. Metzner (1906-1910): Herbert was the son of Irvin, above.


Gravel Hill Cemetery is located in Bryant, Jay County, Indiana.  William F. Metzner's occupation was listed as a furniture dealer and farmer in the census, Irvin's was listed as a teacher.

Linking Feature at Find A Grave

I have several family memorials at the FindAGrave.com website that I've created over the years.  What started out as a site for the gravesites of the rich and famous has become a genealogical tool for those who would like to have photographs of far-away tombstones of their ancestors.


I have used the "Request A Photo" feature frequently with great success in obtaining photographs, and when possible, I try to help out others looking for their ancestor's tombstones in my area.  It's a great way to give back a little bit to the genealogical community.


One feature that I'm starting to utilize at FindAGrave is the linking feature where you can add family links.  By adding these family links, you can tie together whole families at FindAGrave.  Often times, one spouse will die and the survivor may move on to another area and be buried in a totally different cemetery.  Not to mention how far-flung some families can be.  By linking children with their parents, someone can quickly link to all available tombstone photographs of a particular family.


If you haven't yet used this feature, I would highly recommend it.

Tombstone Tuesday: George J. and Rachel H. (Gary) Haley

My paternal 3rd-great grandparents, George J. and Rachel H. (GARY) HALEY, are buried in the Scotts Cemetery, Huron, Erie County, Ohio. FindAGrave volunteer Karen Breslin took this photograph for me.

George J. was born December 14, 1814 in Caton Basel, Switzerland. He emigrated with his parents to the United States when a young boy and the family settled in Fairfield County, Ohio.

Rachel H. was born March 25, 1816 in Fairfield County, Ohio of unknown parents. Her father was supposedly of Irish heritage.

George and Rachel were married on January 1, 1835 in Hardin County, Ohio. George was a minister of the Evangelical Association, and the family lived variously in Fairfield, Marion, Morrow and Erie Cos., Ohio.

George died on February 27, 1888 in Huron Township, Erie County, Ohio. Rachel followed him on November 25, 1897 in Erie County, Ohio.

Children of Rev. George J. and Rachel H. (Gary) Haley are:

• Barbara Helen HALEY (1835-1908); married Christian EASTERDAY
• William W. HALEY (1838-aft1910); married Jane E. OWEN; 5 children
• George Washington HALEY (1840-1892); married Mary Jane SHERRICK; 7 children
• Susanna HALEY (c1843- ); married Alfred HALDERMAN; 2 children
• Sarah C. HALEY (1845-1926); married August GEGENHEIMER; 10 children
• Mary Elizabeth HALEY (c1849- )
• Hannah A. HALEY (c1853- )
• John Jacob HALEY (1855-1927); married Barbara E. ________; 6 children
• Benjamin H. HALEY (1858-1939); married Louisa HUTTENBOCKER; 5 children
• Franklin Andrew HALEY (1861-1942); married Anna KUHL; 4 children