Happy Anniversary : Johan Michael Jacobs & Maria Catherine Cherdron

Happy Anniversary to my paternal 6th great-grandparents, Johan Michael Jacobs & Maria Catherine Cherdron, married July 18, 1771 in Dover Twp., York Co., PA.

Known children of Johan Michael Jacobs & Maria Catherine Chredron :

Michael Jacobs m. Margaret [________]
George Jacobs m. Sophia [________]
Abraham Jacobs m. Margaret [________]

Today in my database : Catherine Young (b. July 18, 1819)

Today's featured relative in my database is my paternal 3rd great-grandmother, Catherine Young.

Catherine was born July 18, 1819 in France, the daughter of Nicholas & Salome (______) Young. The Young family emigrated to America shortly before 1839. Catherine married November 4, 1839 in Newark, Licking Co., OH to John Metzner, the son of Jasper & Hannah (Reisenburg) Metzner. John was born October 2, 1805 in Saxony and died January 10, 1888 in Jay Co., IN. Catherine died June 22, 1910 in Jay Co., IN.

I descend from John & Catherine's son John Adam as follows:

Catherine Young m. John Metzner
John Adam Metzner m. Clara Moulton
Cora Belle Metzner m. Eli Weldon Haley (my great-grandparents)

Today in my database : Martha Whatlock (b. July 18, 1568)

Today's featured relative in my database is my maternal 12th great-grandmother, Martha Whatlock.

Martha was born July 18, 1568 in Rattlesden, Suffolk, England, the daughter of Thomas & Joan (_____) Whatlock/Whotlocke. Martha married July 25, 1594 in Rattlesden, Suffolk, England to Henry Scott, son of Edward & Joan (______) Scott. Henry was born November 1, 1560 and died December 24, 1624 in Rattlesden, Suffolk, England. Martha died March 14, 1610/11.

I descend from Henry & Martha's son Thomas as follows:

Martha Whatlock m. Henry Scott
Thomas Scott m. Elizabeth Strutt
Elizabeth Scott m. John Spofford
Samuel Spofford m. Sarah Burpbee
Thomas Spofford m. Bethiah Hazeltine
Elizabeth Stafford m. Bennett Field
Bethiah Field m. Seth Pierce
Gordon Pierce m. Thirsa Smalley
Francis S. Pierce m. Rebecca Page
Edmund G. Pierce m. Catherine Gronendyke
William Francis Pierce m. Clara Pennisten
Edna Muriel Pierce m. Virgil Lee Wright (my great-grandparents)

Obituary : Mary Ellen Gilliland

Source : Undated newspaper clipping

Aged Resident of Dolan Dies

Mrs. Mary Ellen Gilliland, 77, died at 11:35 p.m. today at the home of her son, William E. Gilliland, north of Doland [sic]. Death was due to uremic poisoning.

Survivors are the son, and a daughter, Mrs. Dan Stivers, Dolan, and two grand children whom Mrs. Gilliland reared, Mrs. Pete Decker, Crawfordsville, and Mrs. C.D. Lambertson, Elwood; and 13 other grand children and 13 great grand children.

Mrs. Gilliland was the widow of Robert Gilliland, who died 16 years ago.

She was a member of the Dolan Baptist Church, where funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday in charge of the Rev. J.M. Coldweld, of Crawfordsville. Interment will be in the M.E. cemetery at Elletsville.

Pallbearers are Pete Decker, C.B. Lambertson, Albert F. Adams, Freemond Gilliland, Thom Crouch and Edward Gilliland.

Today in my database : Anna Margueritte Viellard (b. July 15, 1672)

Today's featured relative in my database is my paternal 8th great-grandmother, Anna Margueritte Viellard.

Anna was born July 15, 1672 in Otterberg, Bayern, the daughter of Pierre & Catherine (Boye) Viellard. Anna married Abraham Cherdron, son of Jean and Susanne (Censier) Cherdron circa 1701 in Otterberg. Anna died March 20, 1728/29 in Otterberg , Bayern.

I descend from Anna & Abraham's son Hans Heinrich Cherdron as follows:

Anna Margueritte Viellard m. Abraham Cherdron
Hans Heinrich Cherdron m. Anna Maria Herbach
Maria Catherine Cherdron m. Johan Michael Jacobs
Michael Jacobs m. Margaret ________
David Jacobs m. Barbara Byers
Susan Jacobs m. David Sherrick
Mary Jane Sherrick m. George Washington Haley
Eli Weldon Haley m. Cora Belle Metzner (my great-grandparents)

Happy Anniversary : Christopher Strutt & Anne Waller

Happy Anniversary to my maternal 12th great-grandparents, Christopher Strutt & Anne Waller, married July 14, 1560 in Rattlesden, Suffolk, England.

Known children of Christopher Strutt & Anne Waller:

Elizabeth Strutt m. Thomas Scott

Today in my database : William Francis Pierce (b. July 10, 1865)

Today's featured relative in my database is my maternal 2nd great-grandfather, William Francis Pierce.

William was born July 10, 1865 in Frankton, Madison Co., IN, the son of Edmund G. & Catherine (Groenendyke) Pierce. William married January 14, 1892 in Madison Co., IN to Clara Pennisten, daughter of John & Jane Ann (Alderman) Pennisten. Clara was born March 1869 in Madison Co., IN and died September 26, 1906 in Lafayette Twp., Madison Co., IN. William married secondly on March 4, 1909 in Madison Co., IN to Vida Maddox, daugther of Charles W. & Sarah (Powell) Maddox. Vida was born October 6, 1886 in Owingsville, KY and died November 19, 1968 in Alexandria, Madison Co., IN. William died September 21, 1950 in Alexandria, Madison Co., IN.

I descend from William and Clara through their daughter Edna as follows:

William Francis Pierce m. Clara Pennisten
Edna Muriel Pierce m. Virgil Lee Wright (my great-grandparents)

Today in my database : Nancy Graham (b. July 10, 1760)

Today's featured relative in my database is my maternal 6th great-grandmother, Nancy Graham.

Nancy was born July 10, 1760, the daughter of Richard & Asenath (______) Graham. Nancy married on March 2, 1787 in Randolph Co., NC to Anthony Rains. Anthony was born October 13, 1757 in Caroline Co., VA and died March 25, 1837 in Randolph Co., NC. I do not have a death date for Nancy in my database.

I descend from Anthony & Nancy's daugther Elizabeth as follows:

Nancy Graham m. Anthony Rains
Elizabeth Rains m. John W. Poe
Isaac S. Poe m. Hannah Mills
Elizabeth Caroline Poe m. Nathan Thomas Beals
Pearl May Beals m. Charles Wilson Lambertson
Clemon Beals Lambertson m. June Kirk Davis (my great-grandparents)

Today in my database : Hans Heinrich Cherdron (b. July 8, 1706)

Today's featured relative in my database is my paternal 7th great-grandfather, Hans Heinrich Cherdron.

Hans was born July 8, 1706 in Erlenbach, Bayern, the son of Abraham & Anne Margueritte (Viellard) Cherdron. Hans married on April 22, 1727 in Otterberg, Bayern to Anna Maria Herbach, daughter of Johann Peter & Anna Maria (______) Herbach. I do not have the exact date of hs emigration to America. Hans died after 1771 in York Co., PA.

I descend from Hans & Anna's daughter Maria Catherine as follows :

Hans Heinrich Cherdron m. Anna Maria Herbach
Maria Catherine Cherdron m. Johan Michael Jacobs
Michael Jacobs m. Margaret ________
David Jacobs m. Barbara Byers
Susan Jacobs m. David Sherrick
Mary Jane Sherrick m. George Washington Haley
Eli Weldon Haley m. Cora Belle Metzner (my great-grandparents)

Happy Anniversary : John Lambertson & Sarah A. Willson

Happy Anniversary to my maternal 4th great-grandparents, John Lambertson & Sarah A. Willson, married July 6, 1822 in Belvidere, Sussex Co. (now Warren Co.), NJ.

Known children of John & Sarah A. (Willson) Lambertson :

Elizabeth W. Lambertson m. Carey H. Gilliland
Wilson Jackson Lambertson died young
Carmon W. Lambertson m. Mary Jane Vanlue
George G. Lambertson m(1) Harriet Jones m(2) Adelaide Hall
John Vorhees Lambertson m(1) Hannah Hudson m(2) Annie E. Oliver m(3) Margaret Jane Demonet
Sarah Wilson Lambertson m. John Lyst
Nelson J. Lambertson m. Eliza Jane Johnson
Mary S. Lambertson m. Samuel Snively
Carey W. Lambertson m. Clara E. Cook
Ellen Lambertson m(1) ____ Sockey m(2) David L. Mengle

Today in my database : Barbara Reist (b. July 6, 1606)

Today's featured relative in my database is my paternal 9th great-grandmother, Barbara Reist.

Barbara was born July 6, 1606 in Sumiswald, Canton Bern, Switzerland, the daughter of Hans and Kungold (Zehnder) Reist. Barbara married to Leonard Eggiman in Switzerland, before 1640.
I do not have information on her date of death.

I descend from Barbara & Leonard's daugther Verena as follows:

Barbara Reist m. Leonard Eggiman
Verena Eggiman m. Peter Schurch
Ulrich Schurch m. Barbara Grundbacher
Ulrich Scherch m. Anna Swarr
David Shirk m. Barbara Erb
David Sherrick m. Eve _______
David Sherrick m. Susan Jacobs
Mary Jane Sherrick m. George Washington Haley
Eli Weldon Haley m. Cora Belle Metzner (my great-grandparents)

Today in my database : Virgil Lee Wright (b. July 6, 1894)

Today's relative in my database is my maternal great-grandfather, Virgil Lee Wright.

Virgil was born July 6, 1894 in Madison Co., Indiana, the son of John William and Ellen (King) Wright. Virgil married June 19, 1915 in Alexandria, Madison Co., Indiana to Edna Muriel Pierce, the daughter of William Francis & Clara (Pennisten) Pierce. Virgil died March 25, 1972 in Monroe Twp., Madison Co., Indiana.

Clemon & June Lambertson

This photograph of my great-grandparents, Clemon & June (Davis) Lambertson was sent to me by my cousin Lloyd Adams in Florida.

Clemon Beals Lambertson married June Kirk Davis (a.k.a. Gilliland) on June 28, 1917 in Monroe Co., Indiana.

Clemon was born October 27, 1898 in Cicero, Hamilton Co., Indiana, the son of Charles Wilson & Pearl May (Beals) Lambertson. June was born June 11, 1898 in Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana, the daughter of Ida Davis. She was raised by her maternal grandmother & step-grandfather, Mary & Robert Gilliland, and used the Gilliland surname.

Today in my database : Anna Maria Herbach (b. July 5, 1705)

Today's featured relative in my database is my paternal 7th-great grandmother, Anna Maria Herbach.

Anna Maria was born July 5, 1705 in Otterberg, Bayern (Bavaria), the daughter of Johann Peter & Anna Maria (________) Herbach. Anna Maria married Hans Heinrich Cherndron on April 22, 1727 in Otterberg. Anna Maria died sometime after 1772 in York Co., PA.

I descend from Hans & Anna Maria Cherndron's daughter Maria Catherine as follows :

Anna Maria Herbach m. Hans Heinrich Cherndron
Maria Catherine Cherndron m. Johan Michael Jacobs
Michael Jacobs m. Margaret ________
David Jacobs m. Barbara Byers
Susan Jacobs m. David Sherrick
Mary Jane Sherrick m. George Washington Haley
Eli Weldon Haley m. Cora Belle Metzner (my great-grandparents)

Today in my database : Ida Davis (b. July 2, 1874)

Today's featured relative in my database is my maternal 2nd great-grandmother, Ida Davis.

Ida was born July 2, 1874 in Owen Co., IN, the daughter of James Austin & Mary Ellen (Swafford) Davis. Ida married August 28, 1892 in Monroe Co., Indiana to Samuel G. Hancock, son of Joseph & Margaret (Vaughn) Hancock. They later divorced, but I have yet to find the exact record. Ida married July 19, 1900 in Monroe Co., Indiana to Carrie A. Morris. Ida died August 2, 1900 in Clay Twp., Owen County, Indiana.

Ida had two daughters out-of-wedlock, Pansy and June. June was my great-grandmother. The search for June's father has been unsuccesful as of yet. Pansy was born December 11, 1894 (where?) and June was born June 11, 1898 in Indianapolis.

I believe I have located Ida in the 1900 census in the 7th Ward, Center Twp., Indianapolis.

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.

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

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.

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.