To Add Another Online Tree Or Not?

Currently, I have an online database of my entire genealogical database, tjlgenes, online at WorldConnect. While I use this primarily as a source of backup for my data, I've also been contacted by distant cousins who've been kind enough to share corrections and additions through the "post-em" service.

Now that I'm an Ancestry.com subscriber, I've also been able to find others who share a common ancestry and have posted their family trees and photos on the site.  Just recently, I was able to connect with a member of my wife's extended family, and we are in the process of sharing information.  Since Ancestry.com gives you an option to post a family tree on the site as well, I'm debating whether I should create one.

I'm all in favor of sharing my information as far and as wide as possible, but I'm not sure of the best way to create a tree on Ancestry.  Should I upload the whole GEDCOM, or just create a tree one branch at a time?  Should I make it one big tree, or several smaller, independent branches.  Perhaps I'm over thinking the whole process.


© 2010, copyright Travis J. LeMaster

Disappointing news from Arkansas: N.T. Beals research

I received a response yesterday to my inquiry of the Grant County, Arkansas library in Sheridan, regarding an obituary for Nathan T. BEALS.  Unfortunately, they have no records that old, but they did suggest that I try the Arkansas History Commission in Little Rock.

According to their website, a newspaper in Grant County published during this time was the Sheridan Headlight.

I'm still hopeful that there is an obituary out there in an Arkansas paper for Nathan T. or N.T. BEALS, who died February 16, 1915 in Leola, Arkansas. 

© 2010, copyright Travis J. LeMaster

John William Wright (1860-1945)

John William WRIGHT (1860-1945) was my maternal 2nd-great grandfather.  The WRIGHT line has Scottish origins, immigrating from Fife before 1752.

The following facts about John's life are known:

• Birth: He was born February 21, 1860 in Brown County, Ohio, the son of Joseph W. and Rebecca Ann (HEATON) WRIGHT.
• Census: 1860 - He appears in the Joseph WRIGHT household in Washington Township, Brown County, Ohio.
• Census: 1870 - He appears in the Joseph WRIGHT household in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana.
• Census: 1880 - He appears in the Joseph WRIGHT household in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana.
• Marriage: He married Ellen KING on May 13, 1888 in Madison County, Indiana.
• Census: 1900 - He appears as head of household in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana.  Occupation listed as farmer.
• Census: 1910 - He appears as head of household in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana.  Occupation listed as farmer.
• Census: 1920 - He appears as head of household in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana.  Occupation listed as farmer.
• Census: 1930 - He appears as head of household in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana. Occupation listed as farmer.
• Directory:1931 - He is listed as living at Rural Route 6, Alexandria.
• Directory:1932 - He is listed as living on Wm. Cochran Road, Alexandria.
• Directory:1934 - He is listed as living on Wm. Cochran Road, Alexandria.
• Directory:1935 - He is listed as living on Wm. Cochran Road, Alexandria.
• Directory:1938 - He is listed as living on Wm. Cochran Road, Alexandria.
• Death: He died June 5, 1945 in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana.  Cause of death: mitral regurgitation.
• Obituary: His obituary appeared June 6, 1945 in the Alexandria Times-Tribune.

The following facts need further research and/or documentation to complete my research:

• Death: Need to obtain a copy of his death certificate from the Madison County, Indiana Health Department.
• Obituary: Need to seek out obituaries printed in other local newspapers (Anderson, Elwood, etc.)
• Deeds: Need to seek out land records in Madison County, Indiana.

Ancestry of John William WRIGHT (1860-1945), Ahnentafel # 24 in my ancestry:


Ahnentafel # 48: Joseph W. WRIGHT (1838-1919); Brown Co., OH>Madison Co., IN


Ahnentafel # 96: John WRIGHT (1814-1890); Brown Co., OH


Ahnentafel # 192: George WRIGHT (1780-1853); Pennsylvania>Brown Co., OH


Ahnentafel # 384: John WRIGHT (1755-1810); Middlesex Co., MA>Clermont Co., OH


Ahnentafel # 768: John WRIGHT (1727-1772); Fife, SCT>Anamaboo, New Guinea


Ahntentafel # 1536: Robert WRIGHT (1688-1749); Perth, SCT>Fife, SCT


Related blog posts:

• Tombstone Tuesday: John William and Ellen (King) Wright 

• Obituary: John William Wright (1860-1945) 

• John William Wright (b. February 21, 1860)