Genealogy Research, Thoughts on the New Year.

Today taking a few minutes to scan over Ancestry.com, MyHeritage.com and Geni.com data I was amazed, shocked, stunned and saddened by what I learned.

Knowing Mr. Tanner wrote a bit about this the other day was the reason I went looking to see who was keeping accurate records on some of our lines.

Many of these people having shared data with and sources and pictures and lots of information, I was deeply saddened by the lack of respect for selves and their work or for my work.  Some were minor and that can happen, errors. Alas some were glaring horrid no way could be correct errors.

Some how recalling the sharing done in the 70's, 80's and 90's. Very little of this happened, at least not deliberately. Back then people were looking for the facts and sources to their stories and tidbit puzzle pieces.

It seems that today many are grabbing??? data and just plunking it down and someone else is copying it thinking it is correct.

Suspect few realize how many hours, stamps, letters and posts were sent to get the correct sourced information to use in our trees.  This is not a cheap hobby.

 Before computer was popular, it was pencil (pen) and paper or typewriter and copy machine and time consuming efforts to find the answers to our ever non ending research questions.  Yes, we even moved to Pen and Paper after data was confirmed and would not need erased.

It may be a hobby for some and a diligent adventure for another but the truth needs stressed as best as possible. When not enough proof is given state you only have two sources.  I use 3 at the smallest.

Census records are not always factual because they data may have been given by a neighbor. Names have been distorted and ages guessed at.   Ironic because when I was helping MOM as a young person, we were given the impression census data was pretty acceptable.  1950's.

Because of the work put into many peoples trees please make sure that the data is accurate by checking with them or their source.

Try to not take what you want and leave what you don't believe.

Many years ago I received a phone call from Fayette Co. PA from a well known retired Professor.
He was most upset with my new tree I had put out for all to see.  Fortunately we chatted for a bit and I told him if he found my sources not correct to let me know because I had never been to where this happened or did not grow up with stories about what happened. He had.  A week later he called back and said he was so glad we had communicated and he learned two books on the market had errors of gross invalid information on two of our lines.  It was the stories he had heard since small and he was then 87. He could not believe the family had some where along the line changed the story around to be erroneous. I had told him I had to learn the data from all the sources I had researched. Libraries, family members, court documents, church documents, church bulletins and tax records, land records and wills and probates.  I did not have the family story which probably saved me months of searching the wrong direction.  As it was, it took my quite a bit longer than I had thought possible to garner the information that I used. I then got a plane ticket and went to this state and county and town to learn more.  In the end a newly found cousin and I put up data on the web and I still pay for the site for others to see.

It is in dire need of help but I am not a computer expert in that area.  But the facts there all had at least 3 sources and many more.  Cousins were given credit for their work and the site then was awesome.  Many have passed on now since we are talking early 1990's.  Some thankfully are still with us.

Never thought it would take this long to find this much but glad I took the journey.

It saddens me to have others still post erroneous information after all the work went into making sure it was accurate.  When NOT SURE. a note was given regarding that.  We had to have a second site to place all the sources because the carrier said our site was to large.

 LOL today we use clouds.

So do your research but check before just accepting.  Alas many on Ancestry do not answer one's email but sure love how the people on MyHeritage respond promptly and with great care.

BTW, MyHeritage is a great replacement for FTM. Or Bruce Buzbee's Roots Magic.

Have a Blessed New Year and many great adventures.

http://www.ourfamilyhistories.com/

http://www.easternusresearch.com/easternusresearch/index.html

Enjoy.

Wright's of Pelham, Mass, New Hampshire, & Maine,

Wright's are the name of the game.  Can we dig out other WRIGHT Researchers and share.

Having in my line this information.

Jesse WRIGHT  b Nov 19, 1749   Pelham, Mass
                            d 1784

wife:

Abbey Cook b 1730  d 1784  age 45.


 Jesse Wright, of Dracut, settled in 1774 on the lot now known as the Davis Nevens farm, which he bought of Bagley and Little, May 29, 1774, for "three pounds of lawful money." The deed, still in existence, was acknowledged before Stephen Longfellow, of Portland, and witnessed by Nathan and Jonas Coburn. Mr. Wright's first log house was just east of Meadow Brook. His brother Joel and Timothy Wright came about 1777.

I found in New Hampshire Birth Records, Early to 1900, records of Jesse and Joel Wright, both born 19 Nov. 1749, and Timothy Wright, 2 Aug. 1744, all born in Pelham, the children of Jonathan and Abigail Wright. Three earlier children of Jonathan and Abigail were born in Dracut, so the family seems to have moved across the border to New Hampshire in about 1742-44.

It looks like Jesse Wright was from Dracut, Mass., and/or Pelham, N. H. From Elder's History of Lewiston  

shared by Chris Dunham

Sue, I have an ancestress Deborah Wright who was the daughter of Joseph Wright and Deborah Stevens. Their oldest son was Jonathan Wright, born in Chelmsford, Essex, Ma. 24Oct 1701, died 25 Jan1784

in Pelham, Hillsborough NH. He was married to an Abigail(Unknown last name) who died 10Nov 1779. I have no

sources handy atm, but I noticed the names Coburn in Chris' reply. Deborah Wright married my ancestor Moses

Coburn. Chelmsford was part of Dracut(or vice versa..it's late and I'm too tired to think clearly.)

Hope that is of some help for what it's worth.. Bill WEST

Brother Timothy  2 Aug 1744 Pelham parents JOnathon and ABigail Wright  early chid born Darcut moved in to NH about 1742..

COBURN STEVENS

This implies Jonathon and ABigail Wright as parents.

Pelham, Mass --- Pelham  New Hampshire.  History lesson needed. Wasn't this all Mass prior to the  other states development?   

It appears that Bill's family and mine are the same.  The same applies to Chris Dunham data.

Joseph WRIGHT & Deborah STEVENS 

son (Oldest) Jonathan Wright b Chelmsford, Essex Mass 24 Oct 1701 d 25 Jan 1784

Jonathan Wright mar Abigail    

daughter Deborah Wright

    she marries Moses Coburn (Bill West line)

Jesse and Abbey(Abigail) (Cook) ? (my line)

Twin Joel Wright  born 19 Nov 1749

Timothy Wright 2 Aug 1744     all born Pelham

3 earlier children born Dracut. 

Further confusion welcome.  Who else is tracking any of these families.?  

Having a nephew that is a WRIGHT and a Cousin that has another WRIGHT line could their be links?

Also is the Cook a line attached to Mayflower.? I have nothing on Abbey or Abigail Cook.

Jesse and Abbey had  HANNAH WRIGHT b 1781 d 1863  married Abraham D YOUNG Sr

b 2 Oct 1784 Andover, Essex Co. ,Mass. both died in Guilford, Piscataquis Co. Maine, USA.

SusiCP@cox.net

Wrights of Otsego County, New York Does anyone know them?

Christmas Greetings, Do you send them?

Christmas Greetings, Do you send them?

Since it is now the season for greeting others and sending best wishes, do you do this?

As a Genealogist, I have sent a Christmas letter every year but a couple were illness prevented it to happen. One was sent in January to share news with family.

Many today just post a note on Facebook or any other social media and do nothing more.

A greeting is always welcome, short or long but a greeting including an update on family is most appreciated by genealogy/history gatherer's of the family.

If you are contemplating what to do maybe this will encourage you to  make this the time of year to share the family photo of major events this last year or a story of what happened in your neck of the woods.

Also using a blog will reach many if they are reading your blog.  Using the blog is  a great asset.
If you share family knowledge through out the year you have a good basis for creating an interesting informative letter to your family and friends.


Sharing that including friends can be vital. This year I learned a class mate is actually distantly related to me. Who would have thought that would happen.  Neither of us would have dreamt of this in 1957 or 1958.

If sharing your genealogical knowledge maybe you can pull it from your  blog or genealogy program.
Did you get new ancestors confirmed or pictures or places of death (cemeteries).  What a treat that must of been. Share it with family. One never knows whom in that family may take an interest in this endeavor.

A simple made card or purchased one can make many home bound and handicapped to feel they are not forgotten in this crazy world.  Yesterday was sharing day, I meant to write this then.

Share your self with others, via a note, picture, letter and for close relatives that are aged, do a follow up phone call.

The sound of their voice may be the last time you hear it.  Our world is not the same any more.


This applies to other religious holidays be various groups, for many groups are more the same than different. Remembering that the Birth we are celebrating was a Jewish person and He never said to not practice our Faith.  A Catholic Sister had to go to the Vatican many years ago to get the Vatican to verify what she was teaching in a school.  I believe it was in Maine.  Life is very interesting.

Thanksgiving Memories and Some in the Making

Thanksgiving Memories and Some in the Making


This is 2015, late November with Turkey Day 48 hours away.  Am I ready for Thanksgiving Day?
You bet I am.  Having attempted to look at the bright side of the negative events, it has been a challenge this year.

Such grand plans were made to spend time with sister in law Mary Pentico. We are so glad she is alive and getting better.  I  think that ladies will be doing Black Friday shopping at stores, this year, but only as make believe.  

Surprise was cousin Carolin Forbes came in last night and was seeking refugee from a storm of damaged tires.  So we had time to discuss our Jones Lineages and shared many pictures that I had gotten from Mom from Aunt Alvina Foulk Kerns' passing.

Yes, Aunt Bethel Jones Cooper and Hazel Jones definitely could pass for almost twins.  Hazel is Carolin Forbes Mom.  All these years we have heard of this comparison. Carolin was amazed at how much Aunt Bethel looked like her Mom.  My sister was amazed at how much Carolin F looks like Little Bethel, Aunt Bethel's daughter.

The common denominator was Calvin and Henry George Jones were siblings.  Their shared parents were Noyes (Noice, Noyce) Jones and Susan Madison ( Mattison).

3.These two boys had other siblings. William Harrison whom we lost at Stone River, Tenn., 36 Illinois Infantry. Co. "H". Place of death   12-31-62

PLACE OF DEATH:         MURFREESBORO

GRAVE NUMBER:         N-5569

Regiment lost during service 11 Officers and 193 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 1 Officer and  127 Enlisted men by disease. Total 332.

4. Noel JONES born in New York and did not make the trip to Illinois, family said died in NY. In 1850 he was 13 in New York on census and never to appear again. 

5. Arvilla whom married Addison then Alfred Johnson

6. Lucy whom married William Fuller

7. Jennie whom married Fred Apel

8. Charles born NY. 9 Sept 1850  Renssaelaer Co. Ny and died 26 Sept 1916 Waterloo, BlackHawk Co. IA

married 21 Feb 1869 Janesville, Bremer, IA

Betsey ( Elizabeth Bartlett) b 3 Sept 1847

Their daughter  Fanny  married William H.Drew*

I have been to their* homestead in Wheatland, Wyo.  My father and his brother and sisters knew this family in Wheatland, Wyo.   When Grandad Carl and Ida Foulk Jones lived there. 

It was fun to see my family look at the pictures and compare the faces and surmise on how we all tend to so look like each other in certain ways.

The topper was my sister and her husband arrived and shared the afternoon with us and Carolin and Bertie (Bobbi) (Roberta), scanned the pictures and looked at the resemblances and then shared some medical knowledge. Amazing what in one line is truly  in another. 

Dr Koop was right when he said to share your medical knowledge because it affects all in your family.  Of course we had already done some of this on the other side of family and learned how 

many shared the same situations and tolerances. 

Those that do not share, can truly hinder a kin getting well, many times it is a positive feedback 

that helps the Doctors to know what direction to go. Or even a negative tells of the lack of tolerance a family lineage may have.

So hope you spend time sharing a wee bit about yourselves for the future of our families.

Blessed Thanksgiving early.  God Bless You All.

 God, Thank You for the incidents that created this time to happen and family to meet and discover we really are not so far different from each other.

Family Register by Sanford Hoffman

This was done by Sanford Hoffman after the Civil War.

His Father Henry Huffman (Hoffman) did one also for his family. I can not find my photo of it.

This shows the pictures of all his children at the time of making the chart and his wife and himself.

I hope you enjoy this. I am told it is a Currier and Ives done after the CW for families to document their family.

Faces from the Past, Can You Add Names? Foulk, Eastman, etc.

This is Great Grandma Margaret Mae Eastman Foulk  with her last husband. 

Behind her has to be a Great Uncle of mine,with wife and child in Mr. Archers arms.

He is a Foulk with out doubt.  It is not Claude, That leaves Ira, Arthur, or Herbie.

This is a FOULK cousin I met at the Los Angeles Library some years back but her name and data 

was misplaced when I flew to Michigan shortly after.  Would like to re locate her.

This is Great Uncle Claude Foulk and wife Edna Foulk, taken in Wheatland Wyo area I believe where they lived most of their lives and died there. Loved them both so much.
His sister Great Aunt Alvina Foulk Kerns lived in Wheatland, Wyoming also but died many years before Great Uncle Claude.  Her husband was Willis Kerns.
His brother Great Uncle (Dick) Arthur lived with us in CA for a period of time until he moved to live with his daughter in Oregon. Was able to know and enjoy his three boys. Ken, Klint and Keith Foulk.
Great Uncle Herbert is gone but his wife is still with us in Wyoming.
Great Uncle Ira  was independent and I recently was able to locate his Great Grandaughter.

Can you add information to this family? Where did Margaret Mae's husband die or go?
Harvey Edward Foulk supposedly followed a wheat shipment to go to Russia.

 Great Grandma Margaret Mae Eastman Foulk Archer died in 1958 twas last of Jan or Feb.
I remember as I was a Senior an Dad got the note and sat at the table and openly cried. It was the year I graduated and she and I had exchanged letters for many years and the government lost them and many other when we moved to Hi.

I had a lot of information on my old PAF program probably never to see again.

Happy Anniversary to Stephan and Nicole Bruno Murillo, Candy Pentico Murillo's youngest son.

Today is the day a few years ago that Steve and Nicole tied the knot.  Said their vows and had a fabulous wedding and reception.

We are glad for this day.  They have had a good life moving forward since.

Many changes and goals being reached and decided.  (O to be young again.)

They have a beautiful daughter that is the apple of her Great Grandfather's eye. Of course, Great Grandma loves her to but she really shines up to Fred.

So our family tree was expanded, one more time with the joining of Nicole's family to
our tree.

When I think about our Indian heritage several generations back, mixed with Scottish, German,
 British, Irish, French, Dutch, Polish, Italian and tidbits of MidEastern. I have yet to ask them their heritage to add to Clementine's tree.  I have proven 4 Indian heritages and do not doubt the fifth one.
That just on my Dad and Mom's trees.  Still working on Fred's but we know German, Polish, and English for sure. A touch of Italian in his line also.  Yes, we have used DNA and Research to confirm out findings.

Europe changed names and municipalities so much it is almost easier to say Mid Eastern, European and American Indian.  Which DNA says comes out of Asia for the Indian lines.  

Birthday Greetings JOSEPH MURILLO, 2nd Grandson

 Grandchildren we have 10,   8 boys and 2 girls.  The second born Grandson is Joseph Murillo.

 Here he is shown with his family at the Beach, Seacoast 180 Tavern?.  A three generation picture of
 his mother on the far end, he in the middle and his grandfather on the front. His sister in law across the table with the edge of Clementine showing.  

Here he is with his Father and family for another occasion at our home.

It appears now I have camera fixed I need to download a picture of his son who is 4 plus years old.

Blessed Happy Birthday to our Grandson.   Yes, he is also Stephan's older brother.

Zack Allen on back of couch and  his Mom, BJ on floor, with Clementine and Nicole Murillo.

Senator Charles Norris and Grandma Ida Foulk Jones Norris. WYO. Senator.pic 1949. Wordless Wednesday

Another Birthday, Happy Birthday Clementine Murillo

To our loving Great Grandaughter who is turning 3.  She has such a terrific smile and great personality.  She  makes her  GGrandpa so happy to see her. He loves those hugs.

Steve hope your day ends well and we are looking to see you soon.

See everybody I told you we are starting Birthday, Anniversary time.

Special Day Congratulations on your MBA, Happy Birthday

Today, I am writing to share that our second grandson has earned his MBA. We are so proud of the hard work and effort he had to put in to get there. Job changes, moves, a baby and more moves, and working for an very interesting company, Skybound Comics, that was the innovators of the Walking Dead.

Today is also his birthday, we remember that day also with great excitement and joy.

Wow, how time marches on.

Candy's boys have both graduated now from college and we are so looking forward to learn who
else down the road will succeed with their goals.

We have five more in college now, one wants to be a Chef, another is working towards more knowledge about theatre and music, another working towards a major medical goal, one may become a History professor and awaiting to learn what the other one has decided to move forward in.

I suspect Stage, Lights, Productions.

This last June marked the  end of an era. All our Grandchildren have graduated from High School.

All  grandchildren are working in some field or another and seeming to be successful.  It seems we have more than one Car Salesperson in the mix of family. One in Michigan one in Washington.

We are thankful.

We are approaching the Birthday, Anniversary Season of the family.

We wish you all the best with your Birthdays and Anniversary's.

Stephan Murillo may you always be Blessed and remember to give thanks, you are an awesome Dad.

Joseph Murillo you are a week away from being wished the same, May you also always be Blessed and remember to give thanks. You are an awesome Dad.

Best wishes from your Grandparents.

Church Record's Sunday, Perry Co. PA, Cumberland Co. PA and Dauphin Co. PA

Church Record's Sunday, Perry Co. PA, Cumberland Co. PA and Dauphin Co. PA

Okay family we are going to  try an different approach.  We are missing some things that just might help us crack up our brick wall.

1. I heard from Mary Myers, what a delight.

2. I have gone over some older documents and may have found a clue missed.

3. As I am looking at sources we are critically lacking Church sources.  ????? Anyone
     Yes, I have tombstone pictures and church where buried for some but lacking what we
      truly need for solving some questions.

4.  Family chose a certain person as ancestor via their research. Missing that the 1820 census does not      fit the bill but it could just be an normal error of lack of knowledge .???

5.  I wish the Sister of John Myers that was in the county next to him, family would recontact me.
     My system died and I have lost their address.  John Myers was in Troy Grove, ILL. His sister was
     next county over, according to the communication I received from them in early 2000's.

6.  So we need to look for a female Myers descendant around Troy Grove, Ill. prior to his death in            1865.

7. John Myers(Meyers, Moyer, etc) stated to his children he was born near Harrisburg, Dauphin Co.
    PA.  They wrote this  on paper we believe after his death to not loose more information on family.

8.  We have a birth date discrepancy, we have a mother name discrepancy.

9.   Surely someone in the family had more data but never coughed it up as important.

10.  John's wife was SARAH ELIZABETH (JANE) FOULK b 28 July 1813 Perry Co. PA.
   
11.  I find them on census 1840 Rye Perry Co. PA.
 John Myers

HOME IN 1840 (CITY, COUNTY, STATE):

Rye, Perry, Pennsylvania

FREE WHITE PERSONS - MALES - UNDER 5:

2

FREE WHITE PERSONS - MALES - 30 THRU 39:

1

FREE WHITE PERSONS - FEMALES - 20 THRU 29:

1

PERSONS EMPLOYED IN AGRICULTURE:

1

FREE WHITE PERSONS - UNDER 20:

2

FREE WHITE PERSONS - 20 THRU 49:

2

TOTAL FREE WHITE PERSONS:

4

TOTAL ALL PERSONS - FREE WHITE, FREE COLORED, SLAVES:

John Myers stated he was born near Harrisburg, Dauphin Co. PA.

Father supposedly Valentine and wife (?) written in family records was Betsey Blessing/er Moyer, Myers, Meyers. 

There is one listed here. Only 1 I have looked for a long time for any other.

Valentine Mayer

HOME IN 1820 (CITY, COUNTY, STATE):

Hummelstown in Derry, Dauphin, Pennsylvania

ENUMERATION DATE:

August 7, 1820

FREE WHITE PERSONS - MALES - UNDER 10:

2

FREE WHITE PERSONS - MALES - 10 THRU 15:

1

FREE WHITE PERSONS - MALES - 45 AND OVER:

1

FREE WHITE PERSONS - FEMALES - UNDER 10:

2

FREE WHITE PERSONS - FEMALES - 10 THRU 15:

1

FREE WHITE PERSONS - FEMALES - 26 THRU 44:

1

FREE WHITE PERSONS - UNDER 16:

6

FREE WHITE PERSONS - OVER 25:

2

TOTAL FREE WHITE PERSONS:

8

TOTAL ALL PERSONS - WHITE, SLAVES, COLORED, OTHER:

8

http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?new=1&gsln=Myers&rank=1&gss=angs-g&mswpn__ftp=Perry+Co.+PA&msbdy=1785&pcat=ROOT_CATEGORY&h=4813138&db=1850usfedcenancestry&indiv=1&ml_rpos=8

The oldest boy would by John ?   Looking for guardianship approval and settlement of estate after the first picked guardian of the above mentioned Valentine rejects guardianship.

Lots that just doesn't fit story. But lots to be rechecked and dug deeper into.

Desperately need names of children which should be in Guardianship papers. That also would rule this Valentine in or out.  

( Theory only) Did Valentine marry Betsey B and she die after John born then marry Catherine Jones and she had the other children?   Is that why it was stated Betsey Blessinger was his Mom?

 Or did family get generations backwards writing them on paper in Bible.?

12.  Church of God was the listed faith.  We have pictures of Sarah's family buried in cemetery and the church in Perry Co.

Any help appreciated and if your a Myers Meyers, Moyer, Mayer, variant from this region please share if anything rings a bell or even may potentially be kin. 

We need to locate the sisters.

 This line seems to go back to Berks Co. PA which is where the Folk line also was from.

Tidbits of Life, Genealogy, Family and Life

Thinking a sharing of a place to enjoy learning about so many of our collateral cousins and friends.

Greene Connections

“Genealogy on Facebook” List |  100's of sites to help in your research, the real people way.

Family Matters----------
Next a heads up that a family member needs help for  those that  can do it.  My niece's daughter and family lost their  home in the Cobb or Lake Fire.  Total Ashes.  Any help appreciated.

My niece's husband's business was destroyed, they lost their business and it put a few people out of work. So immediate family help is there but any outside help appreciated.  The other niece did not loose their home but likewise was evacuated and trying to reestablish life.

http://abc7news.com/988306/

On this page are related place for knowledge of this fire. more below

7-year-old Middletown fire evacuee lifts spirits of Calistoga Red Cross shelter | abc7news.com

Help the Treadways start over by Kristi Owens Watson - GoFundMe


Below is what the shop now looks like.       https://www.gofundme.com/8442wf3m

Our nephew and his wife did not loose their home but his job is gone temporarily. She did not loose the school completely. I know as a teacher she has asked for books for students whom lost their homes. 

This community took a horrendous beating. There are various pages set up on Facebook that shows the flames as it came through and leveled the town. Alas there was also loss of life.  Lake County Strong pictures and data of fire.

Ironic, as the Butte Fire was burning a classmate and I learned we share kinship.  This was on a Friday, on a Monday her son is out a home in the Butte Fire.  They also could use some help. So if you graduated from Tomales High School in 1958, a classmate's, son could use support. Marilyn Troutman Cardwell's family.

Ken&Diane Smith Home Lost to Fire by Marilyn Cardwell - GoFundMe\

WE  ARE THANKFUL NO ONE WAS INJURED PHYSICALLY. PRAYERS I AM SURE ARE APPRECIATED FOR STRENGTH AT THIS TIME.

Read and Help Stop this Rip Off to Genealogists

I posted on my Educational blog what is happening to a site that I am a member of that offers free pictures to the members.  Some one is taking them and selling them on another site.  Most Illegal.

Ancestor Seekers by the Root Bound- Alert, Heads Up and Save, so

Since many are family down of these people I wanted to share this here also.

Fire and Family

Fire and Family

On the blog Ancestor Seekers by the Root Bound- Information for Fall, I posted a link to saving documents by a company.

But it stares us in the face, "Have you saved Your DOCUMENTS, PHOTO"S etc ?"

Ironically, I was exposed to fire before the age of 5 as the flames crept up the hill towards my favorite tree about 5 in the evening.  It came from over the hill and thankfully it was put out before it was into the buildings and our homes.  I remember standing and watching them in the window. Morelli's, my Uncle's Dairy ranch Ollimac Diary. on road to Pt Reyes from Petaluma about 18 miles out?

Again when I was at our next home, a dairy, chicken ranch, Dad was a Milker and Ranch hand.
Mom candled the eggs with the owners wife in the evenings. Moretti's. on west side of Petaluma, Ca going to Point Reyes out of Petaluma.  About 7 miles out of town.  I was 7 + years maybe 8 at the time.

When those flames came up over the hills into the trees and started down the west side it was like a freight train.  At first I did not believe what I saw. I ran into the house and told MOM who then had me go to the Barn and tell the Milkers (Dad, etc).  Mom drove to house above us, for help and they called the  other neighbors to tell them it was headed their way.  The fireman were able to stop it before it burned the barn and candling house and our home and garage.  They went across the ditch and set up a perimeter between us and the fire.  The wind was wiping it more west ward along the ridge but it would creep down at times and head towards the main part of the ranch.  They lost 4 chicken buildings. They were long buildings and wide with laying hens in them.  I think there was 8 others not damaged.  But the chickens backed off on eggs and the cows backed off on milk production big time.  We then got a phone.  That  fire started on the back side of San Rafael.

We moved then after much searching for a different home.  We ended up in Valley Ford, CA.
Two of the ranchers on the other side (near Morelli's) had moved also to this region into Bloomfield, CA. Atkinson's and Fred Zimmerman's.  We were about 5 miles apart and we used to ride bikes back and forth to each others homes.  I also rode my horse over a couple times to Bloomfield.  I had grown up with the Atkinson children and the Zimmerman children along with my cousins the Morelli's.. They were also affected by both of these fires.

We had a couple small fire skirmishs in the school yard after 1948 (when we moved there) a couple years in a row and the Board of Trustees finally got the grass cut so our fence did not get burned.  The school was my front yard. We had several acres and the  road run down the side of the school grounds to our home.

I married and moved away in fall of 1959.  We had moved in in 1948 just as school had started.

In 1961, my parents were celebrating their Anniversary at Dinucci's and boys set fire to the grass by the railroad berm. Dad had just completed the Grade A Dairy and inspection was to be the next day.

The fire roared into action and wiped out the new barn, never used, Cement mind you, the feed barns, the chicken, pig and calve pens.  The firemen did a gallant stand and saved their home.  We have always had a Volunteer Fire Department there. So it was our neighbors both near and far and 4-H families from near and far that fought the blaze. The 1848 barn  near the county road was saved, our we would have lost several more homes across the street.

For years, every time you stepped on a spot you had not already stepped, ash would fly up. Even at the time of clearing Mom's home we had ash particles in her upper closets, I bet we had cleaned  them at least 5 times before. 2012.

Neighbors helped them empty house into trucks and cars but we lost a few things.  But no lives were lost.

My first trip home after the fire,  consisted full of massive allergy pills to breathe and the amazement of the silting ash everywhere no matter how you cleaned.  This was at Thanksgiving.1961. As I said in 2012 we still were sifting ash, in drawers, cupboards and various shelves.

We traveled to many places and then back to San Diego.  When we bought our home it was clean, new and as a just developed area no Fire Department. Not even Volunteer.

Before we moved in, in the fall (1970) fire came screaming from the east and literally was stopped by the Cal Fire and other units before our new, (not moved into home) was not burned. It took us almost a week to clean 3+ inches of ash out of the house before we could move in.

We stood on the front yard, porch area of our house we rented on Palomar  St. CV(apartments there now) and watched the fire come over the hills heading south west towards our home and the bottom of Chula Vista.  We learned the next day they stopped the fire on what is today Firethorn St.

 In later years we were at our dear friends who helped us move, who helped us watch that fire, in 1970, almost have fire consume their home in Spring Valley. We had gone to have a BBQ.  Suddenly we looked up the hill in their back yard to see smoke then see flames. Mrs or Mr. Austin called in the Fire Department and our children grabbed water hoses and started spraying the lower part of the hill. Someone opened the gate and the Fire men and truck went up to the edge of the fence and their big power hoses shot higher up the hill and stopped the fire.  Ice plant run along the chain link fence line.

That fire took many homes on the other side of the hill.

I did not mention the fires we experienced with the cotton fields in Lemoore but it was a smoke issue then.

So for our children who do not remember,  and were not yet born. Here is an mini update on some of the Fires I have been experienced with.

Send your special pictures via copy to another family member some where else. Do the same for the special documents. Thumbdrive, disc, cloud anything.  Please do not loose the past by not taking care of the now, for the future.

I have found I have pictures of Aunt Bethel Jones Coopers' children family.  My Aunt and Uncle lost much of their home many years ago. I am now trying to catch up with Aubie Dee, David, James, Little Bethel and Aden  Cooper and get these pictures to them.  I suspect the pictures came from what they shared with (Her MOM) my Grandmother because Dad was given the pictures.  Or maybe from another Great Aunt that they shared with that Dad got the pictures from. I know my Aunt told me they lost their pictures in that fire in their home.. I had sent her some long ago. Now she passed this spring and I am attempting to find all the children for them to become the keeper of the treasurers.

Aubie Dee Cooper Jr.  You took your first steps walking to me and I have pictures for you.

More JONES Boy's with their Wives.

Here is the picture of more Jones cousins. Lucy Jones is the blonde in the back wife of a Jones boy.
She did not label them so I am at a loss as to whom is who. Calvin I think is one?  They were brothers.The other one should be Fay. Their parents were Walter Jones and Elizabeth Spooner.

They had a sister Ruth whom married and moved to Oregon her last name was MOEN or MOON.
Much of this from Lucy telling me this on the phone or in conversation.  She was a very gracious lady.  She visited my home at least twice if not more often. I have pictures of her with my Uncle Gerald Jones in Lemon Grove pre his death 12 March 2001.

Toby Jones, I believe this is your MOM and Dad in the back of picture. Fay and Lucy Jones.

Remembering the story Lucy Mae Anderson Jones told us, about Fay and his brother, involving my Uncle Gerald Oliver Jones.  Sad story but family stories are not always happy ones.

I am  happy to just be able to find you after DAD (Ray Dee Jones Sr) looked for years for you people.
Wonder if Fay and Dad's searches ever crossed. I doubt it because he was really looking for Lamont, ie Uncle Monte, stranger things have happened.

Dad did run into Monte's son one day and I saw him too. Wow did that son of Monte's look like DAD, sound like Dad and even the Foreman at the mill (Hunt & Behren's Feed Mill, Petaluma, CA) was amazed.  Alas he died before he got  out to see us.  Later we found his baby brother Donald Gene Jones of Sacramento, CA.

I have a picture of Donald with Uncle Gerald and I on the front of the blog page. May they rest in peace.

Family Traits, Resemblances and Cousins Fun.

Family Traits, Resemblances and Cousins Fun.

The other day my cousin sent me a photo of her daughter and a man.  They met and she could not
get over how he looked like her Dad. dcd.

Well  I knew without doubt, yes with out doubt he had to be kin.

Let me tell you a story.

1993, I flew to Pittsburg, PA and went to Greene Co. PA, to meet Mom's distant relatives, that her Dad used to talk to me about when I was younger, much younger.

(Since small when Grandad would lift me onto the hay bailer, he shared family stories with Richard, Hartley and I.  Richard was a few months older than I. Hartley was the youngest and he said he remembers the incidents but not the stories cause he would get bored and jump down and run around while Grandad talked. He did this each trip to Wheatland, Wyo.. Even the last time in 1958, but no hay bailer then we used the kitchen table. As a teen we walked the corn fields and soy bean fields, changed water in the ditches, while he shared his life with us.

I so wanted to ask Rich about two of Grandad's stories, alas it did not happen. I did go to Wyoming to his Memorial service and see family I had not seen since about 1998-9, last fall.

Grandad's directive to me was, if I ever got a chance to go to Greene Co. PA and meet his kin we would never regret it.  His Dad took him when he was 5 years before he started school. I actually was contacted by one of those relatives that remember Grandad being there.

That is why all this is happening. Or at least a great deal of it is, of course Dad's side was just as intriguing. More on that side later.)

Back to story, I was met by distant cousin, at airport drove to her home. (Helen Durbin) Spent day then next day drove into Waynesburg from West Alexander where her home was.  O let me tell you, no road signs, NO ROAD Signs.  I had to use the car phone to reach my distant cousin in Waynesburg on how to wander around these gorgeous hills and trees and valleys and rills. I made it took me 3 hours to go 30 mins of distance. Fortunately we had spoke on the phone for about 5 months prior to my going east, generally at least once a week.

When I met this cousin, I was like wow, you look like my Aunt Mae, so wanted her to see picture of her. Then later I went to another cousins,  her sis and she looked exactly like Aunt Ruth,  later in the week I met their brother. NO Kidding, he was spitting image of my Uncle Dick in Wheatland, Wyo.
He wore cowboy boots, talked and sounded so much like him I as almost speechless.
On another day I met two more relatives and they all could match to kin I grew up with. Violet and her daughter Zennia Gilbert. They were from the oldest child in the family and the resemblance again was startling.  Another looked like my Mom.  It was very intriguing to see the family resemblances.
Very strong resemblances.  Many of their traits were the same and as strong.

Dad said that all Huffman/Hoffman's of Mom's family had a specific walk.  So I asked Eva Patterson if when we walked down to the hair saloon to let me tell her if I could pick out my Huffman/Hoffman cousins.  I met 7 more relatives walking about 10 blocks down to the main part of town and went in and met another male cousin with his store.  Eva said I picked up on each one we spoke to and passed and then she told me their names.  She had invited them to her home for one evening of sharing.

Of course we have those funky fingers and toes.  I have used them to find kin for 40 + years long before DNA. But it is a DNA thing.  People who did not know they had Hoffman/Huffman lineage would later learn it was true.   Of course many years later DNA proved it true all over again.

We would ask kin in the unknown status about Cowlicks, and dimples and ears and all kinds of traits we see in our family.  Can you bend your fingers backwards on your hand, double jointed? The list is many when one thinks about it.

So today my cousin in Kansas wrote and said yes that Richard Hoffman is family and then I realized I had spoke to one of his relatives in the past but never kept track of their children.

Back to filling in my collateral cousins trees, much I have just never put it in, was digging to go back another generation to verify if some of the family stories were true.  So far most of them are, sometimes off a generation but mostly more factual than not. Sometimes it is a different place but not totally crazy off the chart wrong.

Jones Religion in early years.

I was thrilled to read Diane Boumenot, One Rhode Island Family ' post today.

She even provided a picture of the church that our early JONES ancestors claimed to use.

They were very unhappy in MASS and went with Roger Williams to RI.

The First Baptist Church in America

A beautiful picture of the church is shared also.   A  bit of history is also given.

Diane Boumenot, I thank you so very, very, much.

JONES, SWEET CONNECTING AGAIN Family Time

TALK ABOUT EXCITED, if your  following the JONES SAGA, my distant cousin Shirley Becker called me and she found another link to our line of JONES and our line of SWEET. We may be related about 6 times.  Anyone out there have data on FEAR JONES, she married a SWEET?

Wondering how a table describes that situation.


Many years ago in the GOLDEN GATE FORUM, I met a distant cousin whom was not so Distant on some lines.  We linked on 13 lines and we said we were more like brother and sister. Peter Armstrong where are you?

Now that Facebook is on line they have a site for Greene County Connections for Pennsylvania and almost all on that group are linked in one way or another.  Mom's family from all sides came from there back into the 1770's. So the links and lines are there.  Her family or part of her family left in 1879 or so to go to Iowa.  Many, many of them stayed, truly more stayed than left.  Three Hoffman/Huffman children came to Iowa.  One Duvall line and probably more came to Iowa.
Many more also.

There are many,many search sites on Facebook. Some are via counties, some states, some by surnames, some by societies and some even by chuches, so look there for clues.

(98) Greene Connections  YOU need invited but it is not hard to join. Just let them know whom you are linked to.

I belong to many sites for Pa, some for NY and some  for MD and some for VA. Also Moravia, Iowa, where they landed when they stopped traveling.

Now I am wondering about that one JONES in Greene Co that was from New York, could he also be related.  ha ha ha ha no I have enough of them.

I have JONES from Maryland married to Duvall in Greene Co. PA.

I have JONES from Dauphin Co area of old married into the FOULK/MYERS kin.

Also JONES relates to POWELL in Greene Co. PA.

No, no, no I am  not  doing my Smiths.  LOL.

A source for Kentucky Information

If you are not aware of this site you should make yourself familiar with this residence.

Having used the Virginia site for a year, moving over to dig in Kentucky. No not done in Virginia but then I have many Virginia names, Was amazed at the amount of Virginia names I have in my background. Direct Background, way way way back, including a famous Indian maiden that married an explorer.

So wander of to this site and dig til your heart is content.

Kentucky Genealogy  I started with Virginia and only have direct access to two of these sites so far but more will happen.  There is a fee but it gives you so much and they are easy to work with.

http://kentuckypioneers.com/counties/countymason.html

We have family on these pages.  Do you see who?

Susi

Some SCOTTS that are tied to MORROW/TUTTLE

The interlinking of the lines. Over time the links may become more intense, it seems to be that way  in many of our lines.

 Thomas Scott b abt1730 probablyVA.? He married a Susannah (some say Lurannah) he died in Halifax Co. VA.  I have his Will.  In Will it looks like Susannah but  I post both for those still not concuring.  He passed in 1767 in Halifax Co. VA.

Before we go farther one needs to realize where he lived became a split and was called Pittsylvania about the time of his death.  A cousin did a great book on these Scott's of ours but couldn't find the Will due to it being in county of Origin instead of current placement. So grateful for the work Mr. Kenneth Scott did.

A reference was made to his being born in Orange Co. VA. but not source given.

He had several children, we descend from John.

John was born about 1761 in Pittsylvania Co., VA.  He served in the Military about 1778.

1778  5th Regiment of the Virginia Continental Line; Capt James Williams Company  

LIsted in DAR Records     Military discharged from the Miltary 1782 

John Scott married Saphira Murry February 28, 1782 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia

Pittsylvania Co., Va Marriages 1767-1850

Transcribed from Microfilm Records #0033326

             Family History Library
It seems the family said Sophia more than Saphira.

 John Scott's Rev. War pension file has a Charles Thurman who makes oath to the service of John Scott in the Rev. War. 17 Jan. 1832 in Cumberland Co. File states that John Scott in 1832 living in Burkesville.  William Scott son of John Scott testifies as to the death of his father and that his mother has not remarried. 23 Sep. 1843 William also states that he was borned 1783.   Washington Watson a  justice of the peace is with William on behalf of John Scott. Nancy Murray, sister to Sophia Murray (widow), was married to Joshua Watson in 21 Nov. 1799.   There are three daughters unnamed

Source: History of John Scott 1761-1843, by Kenneth Scott and Rev War File Claim Number: W.3046

When John Scott resided in Pittsylvania County, VA, he enlisted in 1779. He served until 1783 as a private in Captain James Williams' company, in Colonel Josiah Parker's Virginia regiment. John fought in the Siege of York. He applied for pension on May 13th, 1829. At this time he lived in Cumberland County, Kentucky. His claim was allowed. After John died, his widow received benefits on this claim. John Scott's pension claim number is W.3046.

Much more data available on John Scott. Our line goes to Shadrack Scott b 1790 Pittsylvania Co., VA married 1815 in KY to Harriet Lewis b 1 May 1798 in VA death in IA. Shadrack died in Iowa, Henry Co. 11 Nov 1850. Some of us have Harriet Lewis Scott's picture.

Much sourcing also on Shadrack, census records show in 1830 in Sangamon, ILL with Dallas Scott.

So some of the stories are being proven also. Benjamin Scott is there also. Dallas Scott was also there then.

1840 Census shows them in Henry Co. IA  

1840 Henry CO Iowa terr.  1 1 1 1  1--1 /11  ---1---1 under 5  under 10 f  40 50 female  80-90 female 

1850 Shadrack passes on age 60,  11 Nov 1850. 

Picutre filed on http://susischattyperformances.blogspot.com/2010/04/harriet-lewis-wife-of-shadrack-scott.html

John Cornelius Scott was born 27 Sept 1817 in Kentucky,  We have him  born in Cumberland Co. 

 John C marries 25 Mar 1841 Henry Co. IA to Rebecca Morrow, whose mother was Patience Tuttle and father John Morrow.

They have according to my records 9 children: Cornelius Franklin is my Great Grandfather.

Cornelius F Scott marries Ella WARDEN.  They have several children, one being my Grandmother Inez Mae Scott b 6 October 1892 Taylor Township, IA. and dies 14 Nov 1961 in Wheatland, Wyo.

I saw her last home of residence when in Wheatland last September. She married Grandad Cecil Leroy (Lee) Hoffman and moved from Iowa to Wyoming prior to 1920. Mom and her sister Ruth were born in WYO. Not sure about Uncle Dick.  I need to ask him.

New Names and News BAKER and LEEK with our TUTTLE

Baker, Leek and our Tuttle.

Well, this  has created a blizzard of matches on MyHeritage.com.  I first did Tuttle in the late 50's with MOM and a book in a Library. Then again I worked with a cousin in the late 1970's to update the files.

Now those files on computer in garage and what I had on disc can not be played to read.  Yes I backed it up and saved it twice. Had probably 20,000 names on that system. Hubby was overseas a lot and I had time when kids were sleeping or going to library to acquire books to read to garner my own books.

Abigail's relation to you: Direct ancestor (9 generations)

You

Dorothy JONES (born HOFFMAN)
your mother

Inez Mae HOFFMAN (born SCOTT)
her mother

Cornelius SCOTT
her father

Rebecca SCOTT (born MORROW)
his mother

Patience MORROW (born TUTTLE)
her mother

James TUTTLE
her father

James TUTTLE
his father

James Jacobus TUTTLE
his father

Abigail Tuthill (born BAKER)
his mother

New

8 new Smart Matches were found in Archer Web Site / Edlin_Archer Tree, a family tree of 7,477 people created by Annette Archer-Whitmarsh from Great Britain and last updated on March 3 2015.

With the help of other researchers it appears it will go back even farther.    I am overwhelmed and thrilled to be able 

to put some data back that went away so long ago.   

It also shows we go back much farther with the names of Leek and Allen.

It seems I may end up with more Allen in our lines.  This is  Mom's side of family, but Dad has Allen's in his Jones files related also.   Another name mentioned is Woodruff and Smith.  

So  if you have not joined MyHeritage.com  you may want to take a double look at it.  

MyHeritage.com says I have 621 smart matches.  I have had to not agree with some of 30 the other day.

Will probably not agree with a small percentage of these suggested matches also but compared to another

group I am doubly thrilled.  Hope you will find me as a cousin of distance and maybe try a new site down the road.

Xmas is coming ask for it as Gift.

                                                                                                    

Pentico, Penticoff, Penticuff, Benninghoff etc kin from Europe to USA

After 50 years of research we have finally learned some neat facts about our surname.

 We find John Penticoff in Pa, b about 1800 we find him in Jersey Shores,Lycoming Co. then Clearfield County, after a marriage and children and name change.  

 We then find him in Iowa with the FF's removed.  Previously the ff's were used and not used and used and not used.  

 We started with a story that a cousin collected from 128 descendants of this family in the 1930's. I talked with her on the phone a few times. She is now deceased.  She had 28 letters that told a story different than what she used to create the book. O how I wish I had those 28 letters and her husband in 1982 or so offered to send me all her files.  We are learning the family story carried by so many are not true and I am betting those 28 letters were the right data.  

 So with hours and months and years spent digging we did YDNA tests.  Also went back to our beginning for research and re read the census records information.  Everyone of the census records said John was born in the USA. Not in Germany not coming on a  boat not fighting with sibling over wife he married, etc. 

Well, they may have fought over the lady but not on a ship coming from Germany. Because my Sister in Law Mary Pentico found his wife and her parents were born in Pennsylvania, their parents coming to USA much earlier than book stated.  We  wonder if that is why the family could not find the two oldest children of the Benninghoff's being John was one of those two. 

 More fun is that when one was crossing Europe, one many times altered names to get to borders to leave.

Pentico is in the Italian book of names, bringing up, did they start in Italy then move to Germany then to Holland to USA, moving name as they went.

 Benninghoff's have been here as long as the JUNG's have been or close to.  Jung was changed to Young over  time. As some of the Benninghoff's changed to Penticoff's and then some changed to Pentico.  We find kin less than 100 miles apart in ILL and IO. Mid 1800's or so.

 We learned that the two oldest children of this line are not accounted for, which we now know one was John. Maybe the two oldest did fight over the wife of John.  

 The Benninghoff's have been very helpful in sharing in some information for us to determine the linkage.  We even were able to pick up an adopted child by DNA use..  

 if Census is accurate John Pentico was born in PA in about 1800.  We first find him for accuracy in

Lycoming, Jersey Shore, PA 1830 census.  Using his name of John Penticoff 

Jacob Young is next on the census list.

Some say that his marriage date  was April 1825 Yorktown, Clearfield Co. PA

Side bar is my Plantz family is next on that list ( wouldn't have looked for him there)

Then 1840 Burnside, Clearfield Co.  PA

Then 1850 Burnside,  Clearfield Co. PA

1857 Pleasant Valley Scott Co. Ia Death.

His wife was Catherine YOUNG (JUNG) daughter of Henry (Heinrich) JUNG. born 1810 in New Hanover, Montgomery Co. PA dcd 21 Aug 1886 Mound Praire, Jasper, Iowa.  

More stories and facts to follow. If you are a BENNINGHOFF, PENTICOFF, PENTICUFF, PENTICO and maybe even Penticoast.  We will be happy to hear from you.

We will be happy to hear from any of you with any variant of this name.

It is great to see so many Pentico's on Facebook whose Grandparents etc are mentioned in the book.

Please bring us up to date on the newer generations of Pentico's etc. Thanks