A Short Break

I have stayed busy, just not as genealogically busy as normal. I did remove my DNA kit from FamilyTreeDNA. I had read all the TOS and Privacy agreements on all the DNA sites before I did the testing. I chose FTDNA because of its agreement. Now they have rewritten theirs, and broke the original, I decided I would remove mine, as I don't like a company that does that. If you can't trust them, don't do business with them. I was nervous about doing DNA testing in the beginning, so I actually feel relieved that it is over. I was surprised that they were able to test me anyway, because of the bone marrow transplant. Other companies have been unable to test BMT patients. My brother was my donor, and I carry his DNA as well. They did not have a problem, which made me a little wary, but the matches verified my work, but they did not add anything to my tree. Even using DNA, you must do the work. I don't see it as an important part of my search at this point.

There has been several family illnesses lately. I have also been absorbed in a creative venture, so I am on a short break. Breaks sometimes help me with problem areas in my tree. I hope this one does!

History of Place

I found this today when working on my Robbins line. From the Brownstown, Indiana newspaper:

Jackson County Banner
Brownstown, Indiana
Wednesday, April 15, 1964
Page 1

Old Brownstown Landmark Burns

Fire, of unknown origin, heavily damaged a frame and log one and one-half story house on Fourth Poplar street, about 4:30 o'clock Tuesday afternoon.

The house is owned by John C. Robbins, of Brownstown, and was occupied by Mrs. Luella Wier, who lost most of her household furnishings.

The house, one of the oldest in Brownstown, has been in the Robbins family for ninety years. It was purchased by Absalom Robbins, the late father of John Robbins, in 1875 from Elizabeth McClellan, who had bought it in 1868 from the original owner, William D. Bohall.

The late Mr. and Mrs. Robbins lived in the home during their lifetime and their children were born and reared there.

John C. Robbins is the third generation owner of the residence.

WOW!

This gives the history of a house in Brownstown, Indiana. This was a special find for me as I love to find the history of place when researching my family. The only person I do not recognize in this article is Mrs. Luella Wier. You see, Absalom Robbins is my first cousin, 4 times removed on my maternal grandfather's line. William D. (David) Bohall is my first cousin, 5 times removed on my maternal grandmother's line. Elizabeth McClellan is an ancestor of the husband of my niece. How could a place be more connected to me and my family? I am only sorry there was no photo of the place. But there are dates and names and what happened to the place.

I only ran into this article when looking for an obituary. I also found the obituary! What a lucky day!

Happy New Year!

I have to admit I am always glad to start a new year.  Put the old behind me.  So, I was not sad to see 2018 go.  I did accomplish one thing in the old year that I had wanted to do for several years.  I did the 52 Ancestors 52 Weeks challenge, and I did finish it. I am very happy about that.

I will not be doing the challenge this year, but I do intend to blog more.  I have several genealogy projects I want to focus on this year.  I have so many names and sources to enter.  I have somehow gotten behind on data entry.   I want to make some inroad into my Brown family.  At this point anything about them would be a happy dance moment.

I have other non-genealogy projects as well.  But I do feel better going into this new year than I have  any of the five years since the transplant.  I am going to believe that is a good sign of things to come!