Shaky Leaves and a Headache

Question? What do you get when you subscribe to Ancestry? (answer above)

I subscribed to Ancestry this year. First time since the turn of the century. Sounds dramatic, doesn't it? Anyway, a lot has changed there. This leaf/hint thing. I think it was created to make me feel pressure. My original plan was to take a 6 months sub and check to see what they have there for my ancestors. I don't think that this is going to work. I have been working my way through my hints, one at a time, and getting them in my program. It's going to take a while. I still have 4,206 hints to go. My sub is up in July. Do you think I will make it? This is for my small tree. I didn't put the monster up, my huge tree. I did the Genealogy Do-Over and the tree that I work on now is so much smaller. Just over 2000. So, I would have been totally over-whelmed if I had put the old one up.

I find the search to be a little frustrating. Also, I have not been very successful in making contacts. I have only gotten one reply from a message. So far. Still hopeful.

Today when I signed in, my top bar does not list anything. No Trees or anything. I had to go to my profile to get to my tree. Hmmmm. Maybe they will throw me out for having so many hints left to go through. It seems that every time I get a hint taken care of 3 more pop up.

I was really hoping to find something, anything, about Beatrice Brown Beard. I have almost run out of options. I was excited to find her in 10 Family Trees. I went through each one. I found out I have more information about her than any of them. So, back to the drawing board.

I have a lot of work to do. I think it is going to take more than 6 months to do it. What do you think?

Correction: Top bar popped in after an hour or so. 

It's My 10th Blogoversary!

I've had this blog for 10 years now. A decade of blogging. It's hard to believe that much time has passed. It goes by so fast. Until just recently, I was not a regular blogger, and I was off for a couple of years due to illness.

I've been blogging more since this year started, in hopes of getting the stories and facts out there. So, I joined the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks that Amy Johnson Crow has lead for several years. It is helping me to put together my ancestors stories, and make sure my file is sourced well, though I did give up on the prompts some time ago. But I am enjoying it more and more every week.

I started the Thomas MacEntee "Genealogy Do-Over" last year, and I now have a nice clean file, well sourced and neatly organized. I had started on paper, about 1975 and pre-computer, so my files were really a mess. Starting over was good for my file, and good for me. I was able to put into action what I had learned over the many years of researching. I'm a better researcher now and my work shows it. I also got to use the organizational tips I have collected over time. My paper files are in better shape, and organized the way I only wished they were for so many years.

The one thing that is disappointing, is that readership of blogs is down and comments only happen once in a blue moon. It is hard to communicate through a blog. Most of the communication happens now on Facebook. I have come to have a hate/hate thing going for Facebook. Their business practices and the troublemakers really give it a bad name now-a-days. After all, we are the product Facebook sells. I had always known that, but it hadn't been so well defined until the Cambridge Analytica incident. I've joined MeWe, and I'm feeling my way around there. I like their TOS but it has it's drawbacks, too. Over a certain level, is it not free. So we'll see where that goes. That may be what privacy demands.

I have gotten a subscription to Ancestry this year in hopes of making contacts there. I had not had a sub to Ancestry since about 2000, maybe. It has changed a lot in those years.

Of late, there has been a conversation about historian versus genealogist. This reminded me of the old argument about who was really a genealogist some years back. That one colored my view of genealogy for quite a while, and I felt that it had taken away the passion I had once had. I have tried to follow only those who are researching their family, not trying to make a business of it. Though I do have my favorites that I won't give up, such as Lisa Louise Cook, Thomas MacEntee, George Morgan, Drew Smith and Dear Myrtle. I try to learn and keep up with the community. Now, the new battle is with historians. My comment to them all is, perhaps Family Historian covers it best, in the end. I am a genealogist with a side of historian, attempting to discover all of the people that went into my creation, and get their stories told as best as I can. I really don't need a title.

All in all, I am feeling very optimistic about the future of my family history. I wonder how things will change in the next 10 years? I'm excited about it! Hope you are too.


Mentions:
Amy Johnson Crow - 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks
https://www.amyjohnsoncrow.com/52-ancestors-in-52-weeks/

Lisa Louise Cook 
Genealogy Gems 
https://lisalouisecooke.com

Dear Myrtle
http://blog.dearmyrtle.com

George Morgan and Drew Smith
The Genealogy Guys
http://www.genealogyguys.com
plus: (a favorite book)
Organize Your Genealogy: Strategies and Solutions for Every Researcher 
by Drew Smith

Thomas MacEntee Of High-Definition Genealogy
https://hidefgen.com/about/thomas-macentee/
and: (also on FaceBook)
The Genealogy Do-Over Workbook
by Thomas MacEntee

MeWe - The Next-Gen Social Network
https://mewe.com/

52 Ancestors 52 Weeks Week 17

Patrick Henry Brock

Patrick Henry Brock is my great-grandfather. Everyone called him called him Pat.

He was born June 20, 1884, in McMinn County, Tennessee to Francis Marion Brock, aka Frank Brock, and Irene Matilda Raborn. He was the second of 13 children born to them.

In the 1900 Census, in McMinn County, Tennessee, lists the family as:
Brock, Frank M, Matilda, Patrick, Sarah J., Walter, John J., Ernest, Emma and George D. Patrick is 14 and his father is a Farm hand.

On February 5, 1906, he married Adeline Jessie Morgan, aka. Addie, in Monroe County Tennessee.

They had 9 children: George Washington, Rufus Marvin (my grandfather), Otto Franklin, Jewell, Irene Matilda, Leonard McWhorter, Paul Henry, Warner Hardin, and Calvin Lee Brock.

I have been unable, so far, to find them in the 1910 Census. I will continue to look.

The 1920 Census in DeKalb County, Alabama, lists the family as: Brock, H. Patrick, Addie, George W., Rufus M., Otto F., Irene, Leonard H. Patrick is 35 and a farmer.

Again I cannot find them in a census. This time they are not listed in the 1930 census. As always, I will continue to look.

In the 1940 Census they are listed.  In DeKalb County, Alabama.
The family is: Brock, P.H., Jocie, Lonard, Paul, Warner, Calovin, and S.R. Morgan. Jocie is Jessie Aleline and Calvolin is Calvin. S.R. Morgan is Father-in-law. Patrick is 45 and a farmer.

Addie died on the 23rd of January, 1966 in Boaz, Alabama. She had battled breast cancer.

Pat died on February 24, 1972, in the Boaz Nursing Home in Boaz, Alabama. His immediate cause of death was Bronchopneumonia. He was 87 years old. He was buried in Copeland's Bridge Cemetery, Etowah County, Alabama.

Here is his obituary:

Carr Funeral Home, Boaz

Brock, Pat H., 87, Rt. 1, Boaz, died last night in a Boaz Nursing Home after an extended illness.

Funeral services will be held tomorrow at 11 a.m. at Bethlehem Baptist Church with burial in Copeland's Bridge Cemetery.

Survivors, daughter, Mrs. Irene Smith, Boaz; sons, Rufus Brock, Indiana; Leonard Brock, Boaz; Warner and Paul Brock, both of Arab; Calvin Brock, Houston, Texas; 27 grandchildren; 50 great-grandchildren; sisters, Mrs. Jennie Green, Tennessee ; brothers, Dewey Brock, Cleveland, Tennessee ; Lawrence Brock, Lake City, Tennessee ; Cleveland and Walter Brock, both of Jasper, Tennessee; Andy Brock, Asheville, North Carolina.

A native of Tennessee, Mr. Brock was a retired farmer and a Baptist.

Sources:
1900 U.S. Census. 1900 U.S. Census. Series: T623. Heritage Quest.
"Tennessee, County Marriages, 1790-1950," database with images, FamilySearch.
1920 US Census. DeKalb County. Alabama. Van Buren TWP. T625. NARA, Heritage Quest.
Alabama. Montgomery. Alabama Department of Public Health. Alabama Center for Health Statistics. Death certificate. 
1940 US Census Dekalb County. Alabama. NARA, Washington, D.C..
Source text:
Obituary, Patrick H. Brock, Boaz, Etowah, Alabama, United States
Carr Funeral Home, Boaz. Tina Brock Smith.
Find A Grave Memorial# 105639760; Created by: HistoryLover;
Record added: Feb 21, 2013. 

#52ancestors

52 Ancestors 52 Weeks Week 16

Charles Pinkney Beard

This is my great-grandfather. He was called "Pink" mostly. You can find his name as Charles P. Pinkney C. and just Pink. He was the first man in Northeast Alabama to own an automobile, according to my first cousin Tina Brock Smith.

Pink was the 5th child of 13 born to Charles Henry Beard and Nancy Elizabeth Bearden. He was born October 1, 1887, in Alabama.

In the 1900 Census, in Etowah County, Alabama he is with he parents. The name was spelled as Barde, and his entry is listed as Chutlie? That is funny! Barde, C.H., Nannie, Sallie, Chutlie (this is Charles), Frank, May, Maggy, John, Joe. Charles is 11. His father owned a farm.

He married Beatrice Brown in Etowah County, Alabama, August 22, 1907. Her father, R.F. Brown signed for her.

In the 1910 Census, in Etowah County, Alabama, He and Beatrice are living next door to his mother and family. His mother is now a widow. Beard, Pinkney C., Beatrice, Lee B. (this is my grandmother, Bizzie Lee).Pink is 22 years old.

Beatrice, his wife, died October 1, 1911, in Etowah County, Alabama. She was 22 years old, and my grandmother, Bizzie Lee wasn't quite 2 years old.

On June 12, 1914, he married Ada Myrtle Fanchier Haney, in Etowah County, Alabama. She had been married first to Starling Haney. Her children, James Starling Jr., Beatrice, Georgia and Zelma Haney were with her. She and Pink had 10 children together. They were Louie L., Lois, Franklin Pinkney, John Henry, Charles Rollen, Bertha Morene, Mary Frances, Leonard Hershel, Frances E., and Virginia Beard.

In the 1920 Census, in EtowahCounty, Alabama, the family is listed as such:
Beard, Charles, Myrtle, Busylee, Louie L. Franklyn P. plus James, Beatrice, Georgia, and Zelma Haney. Charles is 35, and he is farming.

The 1930 Census, still in Etowah County, Alabama, lists them as this:
Beard, Chas. P., Ada M., Zelma Haney, Louis L., Frank P. John H., Bertha M. Leonard H, Francis E., Rufus and Bessie L. Brock. (My grandparents.)
Charles is 43.

Charles Pinkney Beard died August 19, 1934 in Etowah County, Alabama. He was just 46 years old. The cause of death was pheumonia. 

He was buried in Noble Hill Church Cemetery, in Duck Springs, Alabama.

His Obituary:

BEARD DIES AT HOSPITAL HERE SUNDAY NIGHT

Funeral Services Held Today For Resident Of Attalla R.F.D. 2

C.P. Beard, 47, Attalla Route 2, died at a local hospital yesterday at 6:45 o'clock following a lingering illness.

Funeral services were conducted at 2:30 o'clock this afternoon at Noble Cemetery with the Reb. Joe Bachelor and the Rev. Mr. Gunter officiating, Cox directing.

Surviving are the widow, his mother, four daughters, Mrs. Lee Brock and Misses Mary Frances, Bertha and Virginia Beard; three sons Louie L., John and Frank Beard; three brothers, R.F., Joe and John, all of Attalla Route 2; four sisters, Mrs. Vesta Clifton, Altoona; Mrs. Anna Brown, Attalla; Mrs. Alma Duncan, Attalla; Mrs. Lucinda Webb, Collinsville; two brothers, Marion, Tex and Drew, Collinsville.

Active pallbearers were Geo. P. Walker, Tom Simmons, Farmer Pence, Bedford Battles, R.C. Lee, Charles Smith, Jake Nobles and Floyd Nobles.

Honorary pallbearers included Will Gunter, Raymond Decker, Tom Bearden, T.B. Kinney, Bert Pence, Lam Daniel, Joe Wyans, J.M. McClendon, A.B. Duke, Joe Ramey, Frances Reed and Charles Duke.

Sources:
1900 US Census, 1900 US Census, (Hollis Precinct, Etowah, 
Alabama, United States); , HeritageQuest.
Alabama. Etowah. FamilySearch, . Marriage Register.
1910 US Census. 1910 US Census. T624. HeritageQuest.
Charles P. Beard-Myrtle Haynie marriage, (1914), Book S-Alabama Marriages: 504.
1920 U.S. Census, 1920 U.S. Census, (Cox, Etowah County, Alabama), Page: 80 Dwelling 302 Family 305. Heritage Quest.
1930 US Census. 1930 US Census. Affiliate Film Number: 16; GS Film number: 2339751. NARA, Washington, D.C.. Heritage Quest.
Alabama. Etowah County. Attalla. Alabama State Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics. Death Registrations.
Obituary - Charles P. Beard, , Attalla, Etowah, Alabama, United States, from Tina Brock Smith.

#52ancestors

Simpson Reece Morgan

Simpson Reece Morgan, mostly known as Reece Morgan was my second great-grandfather. He was born to William M. Morgan and Sarah Serena Tallent on December 25, 1856. What a Christmas present! William was a farmer in  Monroe County, Tennessee. Reece was the 4th child of 9 children.

On April 24, 1876, Reece married Matilda White, daughter of Toliver White and an unknown McLemore. They were married in Blount County, Tennessee.

In the 1880 Census in Rhea County, Tennessee, Reece is listed as "Morgan White" and wife Reece. This is also exactly how they are listed in the 1900 Census too. They are in the same place. Reece and Tilda are the only ones in the house during those two census visits. I find this rather strange. It's almost as though in 1900 the census taker just copied the 20 year old entry from 1880. It is exact. I am not sure what to think of it. There is no indication of who was the informant either time.

In the 1910 Census, Reece and Matilda have moved to DeKalb County, Alabama. They are listed as: Morgan, S. R., Matilda, Grace, and Edgar. Reece is a farmer.

The 1920 Census, still in DeKalb County, Alabama, the family is listed as Morgan, Reece, wife Tilda, Grace Cook, daughter, Bonnie, Lester, Georgia L. Cook, grandchildren. Reece is still farming. Right next door is Patrick and Addie Brock. Addie, Jessie Adeline, is a daughter of Reece and Matilda. She is my great-grandmother.

Matilda White Morgan died in 1925 in Calhoun County, Alabama. I have not yet found all of her information. I will work on her later.

In the 1930 Census in Etowah County, Alabama Reece is living with his son James F. Morgan, Morgan, his wife Lummie, and their 2 sons, Otne, and Robert H., Reese is 64 and still listed as a farmer. Other families are living nearby, Brock, Beard and Morgan are on the same census page.

The 1940 Census in Etowah County, Alabama, has Reece living with his daughter Addie and her husband Patrick Brock. Their children, Leonard, Paul, Warner, and Calvin are in the household. Reece, listed as S.R. Morgan, father-in-law and is 76 years old. He does not list an occupation.

In the Alabama, Deaths and Burials Index, Simpson Reece Morgan, died January 10, 1942, in Collinsville, DeKalb County, Alabama. His burial date is January 11, 1942 in  Copeland's Bridge Cemetery. He is 87 years old and a farmer.

When I look at his picture I can see my dad in his face. I think I would have loved Reece. I wish I could have known him.

Sources:1860 Census; District 13, Monroe County, Tennessee; Family 1190, Dwelling 1170, Wm Morgan, SS, MC, EM, MM, SR, Malissa. Wm is a farmer. Nearby Tallent, White, Morgan, Saffle, Moses
1870 Census; District No. 13, Monroe County, Tennessee; Family 7, Dwelling 7; William Morgan, Sarah, Mack, Emaline, Maberry, Reese, Malissa, Sarah, Will, Sam, Caroline
Tennessee, Marriage Records, 1780-2002; April 24, 1876; Page 95; Reese Morgan to Matilda White. Blount County, Tennessee; Wm. Henderson, Justice of the Peace.
1880 Census; District 5, Rhea County, Tennessee; Dwelling 84, Family 84; Morgan White, Reece
1900 Census; Eighth Civil District, Rhea County, Tennessee; Dwelling 413, Family 416; Morgan White, Reece
1910 Census; Portersville Precinct, DeKalb County, Alabama; Dwelling 27, Famly 27; Morgan, Sr., Matilda, Grace, Edgar.
1920 Census; Van Buren Beat 5, DeKalb County, Alabama; Dwelling 145, Family 145; Morgan Reece, Tilda, Grace Cook dau, Bonnie, Lester, Georgia L, grandchildren.
1930 Census; Cox District, Etowah County, Alabama; Dwelling 117, Family 118; Morgan, James F., Lummie, Otne, Robert H., Reese (Father/64)
1940 Census; Cox District, Etowah County, Alabama; Brock, PH, Jocie, Lonard, Paul Warner, Calvin, SR Morgan (father in law/76)
Alabama, Deaths and Burials Index, 1881-1974; Simpson Reece Morgan; 10 Jan 1942;  Collinsville, DeKalb County, Alabama; Burial date: 11 January 1942; Copelands Bridge Cemetery; 87 years old; Farmer.

52 Ancestors 52 Weeks Week 15

"Kate"

Catherine Alexander was known as Kate. She was born in June of 1883 in Jackson County, Indiana. She was the daughter of John H. Alexander and Margaret Amanda Adkins. She had 4 brothers and 2 sisters, and her brother William Hays was my great-grandfather.

On July 3, 1899 she married John Everett Wilkerson in Jackson County, Indiana. They had 3 children; Olive, Earl and Louise. In the May 25, 1910 issue of the Jackson County Banner there was a tidbit about them:

"John Wilkerson, wife and children of Guthrie Creek, are spending a few days here with her mother, Mrs. Alexander."
Things must have gone downhill from there as sometime before 1916 they were divorced. I found an article about the death of Kate on February 22, 1828 in the Jackson County Banner:

"Word has been received here of the death of Catherine Wilkerson of Indianapolis. She was raised at Norman Station and is better known by the name of Kate Alexander. She was 43 years of age and the mother of three children, Earl Wilkerson, Mrs. Olive Nunn and Mrs. Louise Wolfla. She leaves a sister, Mrs Darius Fish of Norman and a brother, Wm. Alexander of Indianapolis."

Kate and her children had been living in Indianapolis, Indiana for some time. She did not marry again. I have to try to tract what happened to the children after her death. 

Her ex-husband, John Everett Wilkerson, remarried on June 21, 1916 to Rudy May Foster. They had 7 children together. On December 13, 1952, John Wilkerson died. Ruby survived him. In his obituary his wife and all 7 of their children were mentioned. At the end of the article, it said, "Three children by a previous marriage also survive." Wow. Cold.

I would like to find out what happened to the three children. Perhaps I could find out that Kate was happy in those few years between her divorce and her death.  Much to do.

Source:
Family Tidbit: Jackson County Banner; Brownstown, Indiana; Wednesday, May 25, 1910; Page 6
Catherine Wilkerson Death: Jackson County Banner; Brownstown, Indiana; Wednesday, February 22, 1928; Page 3
#52ancestors

My Oliver P. (Perry or Percy) Abbett/Abbott Mystery

I am working on a mystery.

I actually spent too much time on trying to figure out if Oliver P. Abbett is Percy Abbott. There is a Percy and a Perry, both are listed as Oliver. My great-grandmother married one. At least I think there is two. According to oral history, he was Percy. There is a marriage of Cora Hines to Oliver P. Abbett. She was young and her father signed a note for her. Oliver P. was much older than Cora at the time. Unfortunately her father's note covers Olivers full name. I have not found the marriage application yet. The marriage was in Jennings County, Indiana. 

In the 1900 census, there is a Percy Abbett, also listed [Perry Abbett], age 65, and divorced which fits the story, which says they were divorced. Percy was born in 1834, Cora in 1870. That would make him 16 years older than her. This is in Jackson County, Indiana.

In 1870 Census there is a Perry Abbett that is 35, which is right, married to Mary C. with 6 children. This is in Bartholomew County, Indiana.

Cora was born in Neoga, Illinois. How did she get into Indiana and have her father sign for her?

There were 2 children, Catherine Edna (Katie) and Percy, Jr. I know what happened to Katie. I have not found any evidence of Percy Jr. My aunt said Percy was buried in Washington County beside his sister, but that is not true. Katie was buried beside her husband in Riverview Cemetery in Seymour, Indiana. My aunt also said that Percy, when a child, just laid down one day and died. I don't know what to get from that.

So this is what I am working on now. I may be stuck for a while. Anyone know this family?

52 Ancestors 52 Weeks Week 14

Bonnie Lou Alexander

Bonnie Lou was born August 6, 1929. She was the daughter of Merrill Harris Alexander and Bertha Bernice Killion. She was the only child of Merrill who died in 1931. Bertha remarried in the late 1930's to Oscar Ewing. In the 1940 Census, in Seymour, Indiana, Bonnie was listed as 10 and in the 4th grade.

On January 14, 1941, at Schneck Memorial Hospital in Seymour, Indiana,  Bonnie Lou Alexander died. She was 11 years, 6 months, and 8 days old. I was always told she died of an infection on her face. Her death certificate lists  the main cause of death as Bronchopneumonia, with the "other condition" as Erysipelas which is an infection on the skin. I was always told she had a little bite or pimple type place on her face that she scratched. In the end it was the bronchopneumonia that actually killed her.

She was buried close to her father in Riverview Cemetery in Seymour on January 10, 1941.

So tragic.

Her Obituary:
Seymour Tribune
Seymour, Indiana
January 15, 1941

Bonnie Lou Alexander Rites Set

Services Thursday for Victim of Erysipelas.
January 15, 1941
Bonnie Lou Alexander

Funeral services for Bonnie Lou Alexander, age eleven, 826 McDonald street, will be conducted at 2 o'clock Thursday afternoon from the First Baptist Church with Dr. A.A. Cohn, pastor, in charge. Burial in Riverview Cemetery.

Friends may call at the home, 820 McDonald street, after 7 o'clock tonight.

The girl died at 12:50 o'clock Tuesday afternoon at Schneck Memorial Hospital following an illness of two weeks duration with erysipelas.

She was born in Seymour on August 6, 1929, the daughter of Merrel and Bertha Alexander. She was a member of the First Baptist Church and made a host of friends among her playmates and schoolmates who mourn her death.

She is survived by the mother, Mrs. Oscar Ewing; the step-father; the grandmothers, Mrs. Fred Robertson and Mrs. Joseph Killion, and a grandfather, Joseph Killion, all of Seymour.

Sources:
1940 Census, Seymour, Jackson, Indiana; Ancestry.com
Death Certificate, Jackson County Health Dept. also Ancestry.com

#52ancestors

Della Mae Long Conclusion

I have a doctor appointment today in the city so I will be brief. I will finish with the obituary for Della Mae Long.

The Republic
Columbus, Indiana
Wednesday, June 17 1987
Page 12

Centerville Church member
Della Carmer
Holton route 1

NORTH VERNON - Della Carmer, 93, of Holton route 1, died at 12:07 p.m. Tuesday at Jennings Community Hospital following an extended illness.

Mrs. Carmer was recognized by the Welcome Wagon in 1966 for having the most descendants in Jennings County. She was a member of Centerville Community Church.

Funeral service will be conducted by the Rev. Larry Tomlin at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Dove and Sharp Funeral Home, where calling hours will be from 1 to 9 p.m today. Burial will be at Baldwin Cemetery.

Born May 18, 1894, in Jennings County, Mrs. Carmer was the daughter of James and Rebecca Partlow Long. She was preceded in death by her first husband, George Canfield and was the widow of Clyde Carmer who died in December 1935.

Survivors include a daughter, Margaret Banister of Nebraska; eight sons, Harry Canfield of Madison, Albert Canfield of Indianapolis, Clyde Canfield of Tucson, Ariz., Emerson Canfield of Nebraska, Elmer Carmer of North Vernon, William Carmer of Dupont and Arthur and James Carmer, both of Indianapolis; 46 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son, Leo Canfield Sr., a daughter, Thelma Carmer, and two stepsons, Joe and Paul Carmer.



Also:
She is on Find-A-Grave: Memorial ID: 9238882