HICUZ: BLOG POST 110A

HI CUZ Blog 110

Reminder, your acceptance of this newsletter signifies that you will not use its contents to alter, and thus disrespect in any form or way, the historical religious beliefs, no matter what they were – or were not – of family members mentioned herein.

This reminder specifically refers to performing LDS ordinances using any of the data in this or other HICUZ newsletters or blog posts.

RESEARCH OBSTACLES - In research it is helpful to ask the same question of different sources. Expect to receive widely different answers. This can be equated to getting the Google Street map view, looking as it were down one street for an answer, or a critical piece of family documentation, then looking from the other end of the block. At numerous points in research I came to a One Way street sign, and I was going against the flow of traffic. The way to the needed data, or the whole story, was blocked.

The street sign in one particular case which obscured the facts was actually a government letter which said the record needed was “confidential” and “cannot be disclosed.” This particular “confidential” was not related to army troop movements, ship deployments, or missile system frequencies. The exclusion was apparently based on the possible emotional, fraudulent, deceitful, or conflicting nature of what was in the records. It was not a question of the fax being wrong (a pun on fax for the holidays – courtesy laughter appreciated), as the facts were in a controlled legal document or documents. I didn’t and couldn’t know what was there, in black and white. Why was it so controversial, revolting, disturbing or inflammatory that it could not “be disclosed?”

But, for you researchers out there, a look from another direction, down a different street, can and often does give a second opinion, or the truth of the matter. It is often this way in family research, with one sibling denying the existence or parentage of a sibling. I caution you to expect that sort of things; it will almost certainly happen the deeper you dig. Name misspellings, or phonetic variations also can ruin your research day. Press on! Expect such things, and look for the second street view. I’ve found siblings who deny each other – in one case one provided a birth certificate.

I can’t breech the Valley of Death defense on what I’m talking about in this case, and so I’m being evasive. The sensitivities of family in the broadest sense require that I beat about the bush. With a few selected cuzzes the facts will be shared, with you the broader audience of devoted family researchers (that is a joke) I recognize the volatile nature of these “cannot be disclosed” facts, and how deeply they may shake the family tree. So I’ll let the tree be untouched. Those few who scream to know will be informed.

So as you do your research, ask family on both sides of feuds and somewhere between Side A and Side B the truth will emerge. AND … when you find a family tree on ANCESTRY.COM be very, very, very cautious in accepting them at face values. Verify their sources, the BMD (birth, marriage and death) documents, census reports, draft records, et cetera. Distrust those with no sources identified. Continually ask yourself if the data makes sense – a recent census report I checked had noted a 40 year old daughter, older than either parent. In looking at the original data she was clearly a 10 year old.

Do some family research, enjoy and share the stories you find. Merry Christmas!

I renewed membership in the Manchester Lancashire Family History Society (MLFHS). As a member I’ve subscribed in the Interests Section to family data on the Wroe and Shanaghan surnames. No feedback as yet, but I remain hopeful.

I re-subscribed to RootsWeb list for Wroes. This can be done by sending SUBSCRIBE as the email subject to WROE-L-request@rootsweb.com . Hopefully this will provide data on Wroe ancestors, or provide sources to pursue. No feedback as yet, but I remain hopeful.

MLFHS members can send mailing list submissions to forum@list.mlfhs.org.uk

To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
http://list.mlfhs.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/forum_list.mlfhs.org.uk
or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to forum-request@list.mlfhs.org.uk

You can reach the person managing the list at forum-owner@list.mlfhs.org.uk

When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of MLFHS digest..."

Typical research topics:
1. Great Aunts and Uncles
2. Re: Great Aunts and Uncles
3. Re: ROBINSON Baptism Lookup Please
4. Re: HILTON Marriages at Christ Church AUL please
5. Re: Great Aunts and Uncles
6. Parish register look up please.
7. Re: Parish register look up please.

8. Re: Parish register look up please.
9. Re: Butter beans.
10. Re: HILTON Marriages at Christ Church AUL -
11. Re: ROBINSON Baptism Lookup-Thanks
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Date: Sat, 09 Aug 2014 09:05:39 +0100

MLFHS: Great Aunts and Uncles

I've always called sisters and brothers of my grandparents Great Aunty Emily and Great Uncle Hans but in the Family Tree Maker it shows them as Grand Aunt and Grand Uncle. I thought the 'Great' might then follow on to the next generation but not so FTM shows this as Gt Grand Aunt and Gt Grand Uncle. I can't seem to find anything on Google to confirm if this is correct does anyone know where to find this sort of information?
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MLFHS: Great Aunts and Uncles

I did exactly the same as you did with my grandmother's sisters and their husbands but I really like the idea of using grand aunt/uncle as it ties that generation in with grandmother/father. Then the next generation becomes great grand as you have said. When people, not into family history, pick me up on my use of saying I'm a grand aunt rather than a great aunt I usually endeavour to explain why I use that terminology, not always successfully, but most can see the point.
I would be interested to know what others think too and if this is a common practice in other places

Subject: MLFHS: misinformation in a user submitted resource file

Some twenty years ago a distant relative asked for a copy of a shared family tree. By chance I have discovered that the data I sent has been uploaded to familysearch.org. It was a very early draft containing significant mistakes such as a wrong spouse and speculation including A.N. Other? and Fred's twin? I have no contact details for my relative now but is there anything I can do to correct the misinformation or to have my early efforts at genealogy removed from the website? MLFHS member

Re: MLFHS: misinformation in a user submitted resource file

I am sure that somewhere on their site is a message board, where you can join in a discussion about a particular person. and entry. I am sure one that I went to enter carried a warning! that it was in dispute. I have looked now and cant find the entry on the site. but they do have a blog page, which might be helpful.

Re: MLFHS: misinformation in a user submitted resource file

Been on "Help" on their site and you can either telephone customer service 00-800-1830-1830 I suspect you drop the first zero.... Or the link below lets you send an email message. I seem to remember it was another MLFHS member who contacted them over something and they responded in a helpful manner - I would think this is your best bet...

https://familysearch.org/ask/help#sendMessage

Kind Regards MLFHS member

Re: MLFHS: misinformation in a user submitted resource file

I have remembered! Firstly you have to have entered your tree on Family search site.

Then you select your tree, and the person in question, this brings up a window on which there are 3 options 1 Sources, 2, Discussions, & 3 Memories.

There is a side window too which gives other options.

There was a heated discussion on one of mine a John Massey Born In Rostherne in 1698 his father and his son, both called Richard, along with 3 others born in that parish within 10 years of each other. Obviously this led to some difficulty in identification. --Unless you had a
copy of the marriage license.

MLFHS member

Here is the, or certainly a rough Fraser family tree, my search spurred by first cousin once removed Greg Fraser. Much of the results are from Ancestry.com, augmented by US Census records, residence and death records. Thanks Cuz Greg.

Parents of Cecile Auguste Fraser

Hubert Fraser, b 13 July 1803 Cap St Ignace, Quebec; d 17 Sep 1871 Lislet Sur Mer, Quebec

Married Marie Louise Bosse, b 25 Dec 1805 Cap St Ignace, Quebec, d 26 Mar 1861 Cap St

Ignace, Quebec. She the dau of Charles Bosse and Marie Louise Richard. They married 10 August 1824 Cap St Ignace, Quebec.

Siblings of Cecile Auguste Fraser –

Louise Odile Fraser – d 1852

Hubert Ovide Fraser – 1825 – 1825

Charles Hubert Fraser – 1826 – 1826

Lucine Eloise Fraser – 1825 –

Anselme Fraser – 1829 – 1830

Delphine Fraser – 1830 – 1830

Florine Fraser – 1831 – 1831

Eulalie Fraser – 1832 – 1837

Marie Delphine Fraser – 1833 – 1833

Zoe Fraser – 1835 – 1873

Eugenie Dalvina Fraser – 1836 – 1836

Hermine Elisabeth Fraser – 1838 -

Eliza Dalvina Fraser – 1839 –

Marie Emma Fraser – 1841 –

Hubert Fraser – 1842 –

Marie Artemise Fraser – 1843 – 1843

Charles Augustin Fraser – 1844 - 1844

Euphrase Fraser – 1847 - 1847

Parents of Joseph Fraser

Cecile Auguste Fraser, b 1846, d 1912.

Married Marie Luce Eugenia Tetu, b 1843 in Quebec, d 1882 in Quebec.

Parents of Emile Fraser

Joseph Fraser b 14 September 1870 Cap St Ignace, Quebec, d 14 Dec 1936 Rumford, Oxford, ME.

Married Florella Plourde, born 1874 in Canada; d 1964.

Siblings of Emile Fraser –

Arthur Ferdinand Fraser – 1898 - 1998

Eugene Fraser – 1903 -

Antoinette Fraser – b 1904, d 1992

Elizabeth Fraser – 1906 -

Cecile Fraser – 1908 -

Gerard Fraser – fourteen years younger

Marie Louise Fraser – 1910 - 1987

Parents of James E. Fraser

Emile Fraser, born NH 1901, died 1 Oct 1983 Mexico, ME. Social Security # 005-07-0878.

Married Marie Curran (per 1940 US Census). Marie’s father Patrick born in Ireland.

Marie had a sister Nora born in ME (six years younger)

Knowing the SSAN allows you to write the Social Security administration to ask for employment records.

James E. Fraser, b 15 March 1928. Died 28 August 2008.

Married Sally Rowe 29 August 1953. Sally born 21 Feb 1929 to

William Rowe, MD and Marion Littlefield.

Siblings of Sally Rowe –

Elizabeth Rowe m Norman “Bud” French

William Rowe m Hazel Newell

Barbara Rowe m Lawrence Gillis

Linwood Rowe MD m Jane Gordon

Catherine Rowe m Daniel Marshall

John Rowe m Geraldine Sassi

Siblings of James E. Fraser – (per 1940 US Census)

Robert Fraser – two years younger

William Fraser – three years younger

Thomas Fraser – six years younger

McDonald research - Anticipating a vacation to Canada’s Nova Scotia Province, and hopefully finding McDonald ancestral dwellings I did a search on Ancestry.com at our local library. Here’s what I found, and didn’t –

FOUND –

Canadian 1881 Census – McDonald family, Anselm, Margaret and John Angus (age 2)

living in Morristown district of Antigonish County, Nova Scotia. Family –

Catholic, Anselm age 55, a farmer. Margaret age 40. Family # 149.

Canadian 1891 Census - McDonald family – Catholic; Anselm age 60, a seaman;

Margaret age 52 born PEI; John Angus (age 11), sister Mary (age 8) living in

Antigonish Village, Nova Scotia. Family # 105.

McAlpine’s Nova Scotia Directory 1896 – Anselm McDonald – a farmer living Glace

Bay (Cape Breton Island)

NOT FOUND – Any data showing McDonald homes and families in Nova Scotia since 1896.

John McKinnon born Inverness County, Scotland

Married Eunice McLeod born Inverness County Scotland. Eunice (Una) was the

daughter of Neil MacLeod and Mary Campbell. John and Una first settled in

Pictou County, Nova Scotia, then moved to Parrsboro there. Neil was from Eigg

Island, Scotland.

Lachlan McKinnon born 1736, Inverness County, Scotland. (prob Eigg Island)

Married Marjory McDonald born 1739, Inverness County, Scotland. (prob Eigg Island)

Children: John McKinnon b 1758; Malcolm McKinnon b 1763

Many ancestors emigrated from Eigg, Inverness County to Canada in summer of 1790 on The British Queen.

Angus “Bahn” McDonald born 1817 Scotland; died abt 1870 Canada.

Married Anne MacInnis born 1786 Inverness County, Scotland. (prob Eigg Island)

Gabriel McDonald, born 1817 Prince Edward Island, Canada; other siblings: Agnes (never married) and Peggy, who married, was widowed and moved in with Anselm.

Anselm McDonald, born 1824 Scotland, died 1905 Nova Scotia, Canada.

Married Margaret McKinnon, born 1811 Inverness County, Scotland on

31 March 1878 @ St Ninian’s Cathedral, Antigonish, Nova Scotia.

Mary “May” McDonald, married Archie E. Taylor in Boston on 27 March, 1903.

John Angus McDonald – born 29 June 1879 Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada. Died 20 May 1962 Portsmouth, VA. He was baptized 30 June 1879 at St. Ninian's Cathedral. The sponsors at the baptism were Alexander and Eunice MacKinnon, probably John Angus' maternal grandparents.

M (1) Cassie W. Pratt (previously married, with dau. Vivian and Lillianfrom prev.

marr). Cassie died 21 August 1919 in Hingham, MA. Her parents were:

Mr. and Mrs. William Hayes Pratt of Southville, Mass.

M (2) Marjorie May MacKenzie – 9 October 1920 in NYC. Her parents were: William

Augustus and Addie (Russell) MacKenzie.

Barbara McDonald born

M (1) Thomas Malone, LT USN – killed in WWII

M (2) Harry E. Gerhard, Jr.

McDonald research - We briefly visited St. Ninian’s Cathedral – in Antigonish, NS, the site of the baptism of John Angus McDonald. It borders St Francis Xavier University, where new freshmen coeds were just getting settled in. A bit of history of St Ninian’s is appropriate to share. “Catholics from Scotland had begun to come to the territory of the present Diocese of Antigonish in 1791 and from Ireland (via Newfoundland) after the rebellion of 1798.” This quote came from a church brochure we picked up. Of the first five Bishops of the Cathedral – William Fraser, Colin Francis MacKinnon, John Cameron, James Morrison, and John Roderick MacDonald – four bear family names linked to the line of Nancy’s grandfather John Angus McDonald.

Gerhard research - I’ve had a lingering suspicion over many years that some time ago I stated in a newsletter that when I tried to get a copy of court records of the divorce of Estella Dech from Harry Edgar Gerhard Sr. I was told the records were sealed. I found no records in previous HICUZ newsletters of the records being sealed, but looked further, thinking my recollection must have been a bad dream. I just found that document, dated 22 March 1995; it stated that the record “is confidential and cannot be disclosed.”

The divorce record of Estella Dech from Harry Edgar Gerhard (Sr.) is recorded in Continuance Docket # 69, page 202. Harry was cited as the defendant. The record reflects: Filed 31 December 1917. The records are in the Lehigh County, PA court system.

The divorce occurred in 1920, a time before women even had the right to vote, and the request for divorce was filed by Estella. That family had seven children, four surviving at the divorce:

Dorothy Estella Gerhard b 15 Nov 1900

Ruth Kathryn Gerhard b 6 Mar 1902

Infant son Gerhard b 1903 - died in infancy

Grace E. Gerhard (and twin Jonas A. Gerhard) b 11 Sep 1909 Allentown, PA

Grace died of appendicitis at age 18.

Jonas Albert Gerhard m Ruth ??? . Ruth d after 1994 he d 2 Aug 1953

1. Joan Gerhard m Harold “Reds” Stelicha. They are Nancy’s first cousins and reside in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Harold d April 2014. Harold and Joan had two sons.

A 1996 letter from Joan indicated that Dr George Gerhard, Nancy's grandfather's brother, had a daughter named Geraldine (Jerry).

Katie Anna Gerhard b 24 June1912 Allentown, PA

Edgar Harry Gerhard b 5 May 1914 d 6 Feb 1989 m Margaret B. Derby

1. Regina Margaret Gerhard is Nancy’s first cousin

Gerhard research during 15, 17 and 19 Dec 2015 CRRL research.

1) George W. Gerhard, MD – date and place of death, obit, SSAN, burial site

a. 1900 US Census – Living in Macungie with parents, Jonas W. and Emma M. (Shimer)

Gerhard. His age was 5 at the time. His birth year was given as June 1894.

b. 1920 US Census - He was living in Philadelphia’s Ward 37 on 13^th Street. His wife

was given as Bertha P. Gerhard, she born in Ireland. His occupation was given as

a salesman of food products. His age was given as 25; his wife’s as 23.

c. 1930 US Census – the most significant difference was that his wife’s birthplace

showed as North Ireland.

d. 1940 US Census – age given as 53. Living with wife Bertha P., age 53, and daughter

Jeraldine W. Gerhard, age 10 on Wyoming Avenue. They had lived in this home

since 1935. Jeraldine stated as in fifth grade.

e. WWII Draft Registration Card, 1942 – gives his birth day as 23 February 1894, in

Lehigh County, PA. His residence in 1942 reflected as Philadelphia, PA.

2) Harry E Gerhard Sr. - place of death, obit, SSAN, burial site

a. 1910 US Census – Harry E Gerhard, age in 1910 – 29; married to Stella E. Gerhard;

Estella’s age in 1910 given as 31. Children living with parents: Dorothy E.

Gerhard, age 9; Grace E. Gerhard, age 1 (1 6/12); Jonas Albert Gerhard, age 0

(7/12).

b. WWI Draft Registration Card, 1917-1918. City of Allentown, County of Lehigh, birth

date: 30 June 1880. Born Macungie, Lehigh County, PA.

c. 1910 US Census – Harry E. Gerhard, age 29, born abt 1881. Married to Stella E.

Gerhard, age 31. Children living with parents: Dorothy E. Gerhard, age 9; Grace E. Gerhard, age 1 (1 and 6/12); Jonas Albert Gerhard, age 0 (7/12).

d. 1930 US Census – Harry E. Gerhard, age 49. Wife Frances Gerhard, age 37. Children

living with parents: Edgar Gerhard, age 15; Harry E. Gerhard, age 4 (4 6/12);

Doris J. Gerhard, age 3 (3 6/12)

e. 1940 US Census – Harry E. Gerhard, age 59 (b abt 1881); house number 1410 in

Ocean City, Cape May County, NJ. Children living with parents: Harry Gerhard,

age 14; Donald J. Gerhard, age 13 (must have meant Doris J)

f. US Find a Grave Index – Harry Edgar Gerhard, born 30 June 1880, Lehigh County,

PA. Died 22 Feb 1942. Buried: Solomons United Church of Christ, Macungie,

Lehigh, PA. Father given as Jonas W. Gerhard.

3) Estella Dech Gerhard – date and place of death, obit, SSAN, burial site

a. 1910 US Census – Harry E Gerhard, age in 1910 – 29; married to Stella E. Gerhard;

Estella’s age in 1910 given as 31. Children living with parents: Dorothy E.

Gerhard, age 9; Grace E. Gerhard, age 1 (1 6/12); Jonas Albert Gerhard, age 0

(7/12).

b. 1928 – US City Directories, 1821-1989 – Estella E Gerhard, 238 N 5^th Street,

Allentown, PA. Occupation given as clerk. Harry Gerhard is listed as spouse,

c. 1940 US Census – Estella A Gerhard, birth stated as abt 1878, widowed. Listed as

lodger in Allentown, PA at 1505 ½ Chew Street, with occupation listed as

seamstress. Education given as second year of college. Worked 39 weeks in 1939.

Was unemployed for 208 days previously. Age given as 61. Lived in same house

in 1939.

d. 1942 - US City Directories, 1821-1989 – Mrs. Estella Gerhard, 1505 Chew Street,

Allentown, PA. Occupation seamstress.

e. SSDI – Social Security Death Index – SSAN 183-18-1030. Last residence given as

10573 Chester, Westchester, NY. DOB given as 28 July 1878; DOD given as

March 1977 in PA.

f. US Find A Grave Index – Estella E. Gerhard (Estella E. Dech) Birth – 1878; death

1977. Cemetery given as Jerusalem Western Salisbury Church Cemetery,

Allentown, PA. No BIO available. Photo of gravesite showed “Mother Estella E.

nee Dech Gerhard, 1878 – 1977” buried next to “Daughter Grace E. Gerhard,

1908 – 1927.”

4. Edgar Harry Gerhard –

a. 1920 US Census – age 5 living on Main Street, Macungie, Lehigh County, PA with

grandfather – Jonas W. Gerhard, age 64. Also living there was brother Jonas

Albert Gerhard, age 10 and Katie Shimer, age 51. .

b. 1940 US Census – age 25, living in Allentown, Lehigh County, PA on Henaver

(?Hanover) Aves. Wife, Margaret Gerhard, age 24, and daughter Regina age 2

also living at address. Residence in 1935 given as Ocean City, NJ. His occupation

given as taxi driver.

c. US Public Records Index, Volume 2 – birth date given as 5 May 1915. Address given

as 1411 W. Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA.

d. Pennsylvania Veterans Burial Cards – birth date given as 5 May 1915; date of death

given as 6 Feb 1989. Burial location given as Grandview Cemetery, Allentown,

PA.

e. SSDI – Social Security Death Index – SSAN 150-09-5701. State where SSA Card

issued – NJ, before 1951.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

HICUZ

Thursday, December 25, 2014

BLOG POST 110A

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