Worst Obituary Ever

This obituary is for my great great grandmother, Sarah Jane Early Phillips, who died 22 FEB 1920 in Miami Township, Montgomery County, Ohio.  When I found it I couldn't believe it was actually HER obituary.  I'm going to type it as I found it in the newspaper and then I'll share the list of things that were incorrect.

Died
Mrs. William Phillips, died last Sunday of paralysis at her home southeast of town.  Funeral was held Wednesday afternoon at the Progressive Dunkard Church.  Interment at Springboro.

He leaves two sons, Paul L. Sharters and five sons.  The deceased's maiden name was Early and she leaves five brothers; Albert, Peter, David, Charles and Jacob Early, and one sister, Mrs. Mary Emby.

Herei's my take on the obit -

1. Name is correct.
2. Death certificate agrees with cause of death
3. Location of death is correct
4. Burial location is correct
5. She is not a "he"
6. She didn't leave two sons, she left six sons, David Allen, Elwood Vernon, Robert Francis, John Early, Charles Monroe, Earl Cora
7. She was also survived by two daughters, Elva Leanna and Mariba Idella
8. Also suvived by her husband, William Harrison Phillips
9. She was survived by five brothers,  Albert Isaac, John Peter, Charles Westiin, David Allen, Jacob R.
10. She was survived by one sister, Mary Catherine (Emby). 
11. Also suvived by 21 grandchildren

Can you see why I said it had to be one of the worst obits ever?  How about you?  How bad was your worst obit ever? 

Wedding Wednesday - Boxberger & Ayers (1937)

Married Recently

 

Miss Lucille Dolorous Boxberger, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. L. A. Boxberger, 3232 South Harrison Street, recently became the bride of Mr. Gerald Albert Ayers, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Ayers, 2907 Winter Street.  The ceremony took place at 9 o’clock last Saturday morning in St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, with the Rev. Lawrence D. Monahan reading the nuptial high mass.

The bride, who was given in marriage by her father, chose for her wedding a gown fashioned of heavy bridal satin in Empire mode and enhanced only by seed pearls, which outlined the heart-shaped neck line and bordered the high placed fullness of the leg o’ mutton sleeves. The fullness of the beautiful lace veil was held in place by a halo adorned with seed pearls and rhinestones, and the fullness followed the lines of the satin beyond the end of the graceful train. The bride wore white satin sandals and she carried a large shower bouquet combining white bride’s roses and swansonia. She wore a gold cross and chain, a gift of the bridegroom.

Miss Dorothy Boxberger attended her sister as maid of honor. The bridesmaids were Miss Ruth Laney and Miss Carolyn Larson.  Miss Boxberger’s dress was of yellow net over satin, with matching accessories. Her bouquet was of Briarcliff roses and yellow snapdragons. Miss Larson’s gown was of aqua blue organdie with matching accessories.  Her bouquet was of Briarcliff roses and delphinium.  Miss Lancy’s gown was pale pink chiffon with matching hat and sandals.  Her bouquet was of Briarcliff roses and pink snapdragons.

The little flower girl, Miss Joan Schmitt, small cousin of the bride and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Schmitt, was dressed all in white and wore in her hair a bandeau of white daisies. She carried a French basket from which she scattered white rose petals in the path of the bride. The attendants wore crosses, gifts from the bride. Mr. Vernon Russell Ayers attended his brother as best man and the ushers were Mr. Warren Geise and Mr. William Tilker.

Mrs. Boxberger, mother of the bride, chose for her gown a navy blue redingote with white accessories. A corsage of roses and snapdragons adorned her shoulder. Mrs. Ayers, mother of the bridegroom, wore white with a corsage of roses.

A wedding dinner was served at the Catholic Community Center for twenty guests, and a reception was held later in the afternoon. The ornament topping the wedding cake was 45 years old.

Source: Journal-Gazette (Ft Wayne, IN) 18 JUN 1937

[Provided by co-contributor Jim Cox]

Tombstone Tuesday - James D. Ligon

                                                                      James Ligon

James D. Ligon, 77, former owner of Hamill Mfg, died last Thursday at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak.

  His funeral Sunday was one of the largest ever in Almont.

  Hamill, which had 4 plants in the Thumb area, manufactured automotive parts. He retired about 8 years ago.  Since then, he and his wife, Mary, who survives him, divided their time between Ocala, Florida and their home in Almont.

  He was a member of Almont F & A.M. No. 51, a life member of RAM and a member of Knights Templar in Romeo.  He had been a prime mover in founding the Almont-Romeo Community Hospital.  In Ocala he was a member of the 1st Christian Church.

  He was born Sept. 5, 1902, In Nebo Kentucky, son of John & Georgia Ligon.

  Mr. Ligon leaves three sons, James Thomas of Almont, Robert Morris of Scotsdale, Arizona, and Richard Glenn of Delmar, California;  2 daughters, Patricia Ann Sexton and Mary Jean Campbell both of Almont; a brother, Robert Glen of Jacksonville, Florida; two sisters, Mrs. Lilly O'Bryan of Detroit and Mrs. John Mahan of Nashville, Tenn., 19 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

  Services were held Sunday in the First Congregational Church in Almont with the Rev. Larry Rieck officiating.  Burial was in West Berlin Cemetery.  Arrangements were by Muir Bros Funeral Home in Almont.

Military Monday - Death Of A Civil War Veteran

  Civil War Veteran Is Taken By Death

Calvin Morehead, Aged 93, Succumbs To Senility At Home Of Daughter Here

 Calvin Morehead, aged 93, who fought in 18 battles during the Civil War and became a first Lieutenant in the Union Army before the close of the war, died of senility at 1:30 am today at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Grace Schubert, 1621 East Washington Blvd.  He had resided in this city the past 18 years.

  Mr. Morehead, with four brothers, had enlisted in Company H., Fiftieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry on September 8, 1861, at Van Wert, Ohio.  He was captured in the battle of Stone River, but later returned to his company.  He was appointed a first Lieutenant March 12, 1865. He was mustered out of service November 21, 1865.

  Following the close of the war, Mr. Morehead located at Willshire, O., where he lived until coming to this city.  He was a member of Bass-Lawton Post of the G.A.R. here.  Surviving are three sons, Arthur, of Kalamazoo, Mich.; William, of Lima, O., and Calvin, of Minneopolis, Minn.; four daughters, Mrs. Thomas Vawters, of Lima, O.; Mrs. George Pennell, of Marion, O.; Mrs. Goldie Gambel, of Muskegon, Mich.; and Mrs. Schubert, of this city.

  Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 1:30 pm at the C.M. Sloan & Sons Funeral Parlors with the Rev. E.A. McKim officiating.  Burial at Willshire, O.*  Daughters and Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War will hold services Tuesday night at the funeral parlors.  The G.A.R. and the W.R.C. will hold services at 1 o'clock Wednesday.

*Buried in Willshire Cemetery,  Willshire, Van Wert County, Ohio

**The News-Sentinel, Ft Wayne, Indiana, Monday, 25 APR 1932

It's All Because of A Four Year Old

Been a very busy week here at the Krugman compound.  With our daughter & her family living with us, including the youngest grandson "J" who is 4, it keeps things busy for sure!

In between all the gramma, can we....?  Gramma will you.....? and Gramma, can I...?  I've been trying to stay busy in cleaning off my desk.  Most of the time I'm a very goal driven, organized person who pretty much is self motivated to accomplish the tasks on my mental to do lists.  But with the cutest ever four year old hanging out at your elbow - well, lets just say sometimes its easy to get distracted.

I'm not going to complain because once they close this house deal and they move I won't be seeing as much of those twinkling brown eyes or that big smile.  So I'll just deal with those little breaks and be thankful he's here to share them with me.  After all,  the papers can wait,  he's just growing up wayyyyyyy to fast!

Next week he'll be on vacation up at the Lake with his parents & grandparents (dads side) - so it will be strangely quiet here.  I'm sure I'll find something to fill my time....   Maybe then I'll finish clearing my desk....

Happy Researching!
   Karen

Wedding Wednesday - Grady & Perry (1868)

 Hinton H. Grady, son of Mark Grady & Obedience Hartsfield married to Martha Perry on 30 MAY 1868, Wake County, North Carolina. 

At the time of this writing I only know of one son for Hinton & Martha - his name was Dennis.

If you know more on this line I'd love to hear from you.

Happy Researching!
Karen

Tombstone Tuesday - J. T. Ligon (1951)

JOHN T. LIGON, FORMER NEBO RESIDENT DIES

   Funeral services for John Thomas Ligon, 89, former Nebo merchant, tobacconist and farmer, who died at 11:50 am. Saturday im his home in Detroit of infirmities incident to age, will be conducted at 2 pm Tuesday at the Nebo Christian Church.  The Rev. H. B. Self, Henshaw will officiate.  Burial will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Madisonville.

   Before Mr. Ligon moved to Detroit twenty two years ago he had operated a general store at Nebo for thirty years.

   The body arrived in Madisonville at 9:25 pm. Sunday and will be at Harris Funeral Home, 134 North Main, until the funeral.

   Surviving are the widow, Mrs. Georgia Eudaley Ligon; a daughter, Miss Ruby Ligon, 433 East Arch, who was the only child born of Mr. Ligon's first marriage, his first wife being Miss Minnie Osburn; six children by Mr. Ligon's second marriage, James D., Thomas D., Robert G., and Kenneth M. Ligon, all of Detroit; Mrs. John Mahan, Washington, D.C., and Mrs. William F. O'Bryan, Detroit; fourteen grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and a sister, Mrs. John Bosquitt, Madisonville, rfd. 2.

**Madisonville Messenger,  date unknown

Speaking Of Rabbit Holes... Well Sort Of...

We were in Dayton a few weeks ago at the Montgomery County Archives & Record Center.  I love that place! It has everything Montgomery County (Ohio) except obits in one place, under one roof.  Now that I can handle!

Alot of times we will pull a marriage book and just go thru it line by line.  On this particular day we were doing just that.  Mr. Brown Eyes came across a real interesting rabbit hole.  I'm not going to include the images or names due to the nature of what I found during my chase down the rabbit hole.

Some Ohio marriage records contain a great amount of details - especially for the time frame around the 1920's.  Mr. Brown Eyes came across the marriage record of this young woman in my data base.  She was a third cousin to me.   Mr. Brown Eyes called me over to show me what he had found.

On the line where her father's place of residence was we saw the letters O.S.P. - O.S.P ?  What the heck?  After conferring and discussion we decided it was Ohio State Penitentary. Really? 

We inquired with the Librarian on duty at the Archives and asked if they had records for Prison's, especially the Ohio State Pen.   Her reply was that no, they didn't but that if the felony occurred in Montgomery County they did have those records.  So off we went on yet another chase. 

The court records were easy to navigate and we soon found the case.  It wasn't pleasant at all - the guilty party had been "having relations" with his daughter.  (nuff said moving on).  Of course this leads us to yet another rabbit hole - Divorce records.  A natural conclusion I would think.

So down the rabbit hole we went.  The divorce was a nasty one - with the guilty party literally selling everything the family had as he sat in a jail cell.  Law suits flying, accusations flying...  in the end the divorce was settled, he went to jail for a whopping three years.  The daughter did marry and life went on.  Did I mention in the process of chasing that rabbit hole we came across yet another set of rabbit holes that we can chase next time?   So many rabbit holes, so little time. 

All because of O.S.P on the line of marriage record.  I love doing genealogy!

Happy Researching!

Hodge Podge Friday - Niblick (Ft Wayne, IN)

Mrs. John Niblick Dies This Morning

Prominent Decatur Woman Dies Today

   Mrs. Mary Jane Studabaker Niblick, 86, member of a pioneer Decatur family, and a prominent social and church worker, died this morning at 6 o'clock at the Adams County Memorial Hospital.  Death was attributed to old age.

   Mrs. Niblick, widow of the late John Niblick, was born in Decatur on August 6, 1855, the daughter of Judge David and Harriet Evans Studabaker.  Her family was among the first settlers in the community.

   During her entire life the deceased was an ardent member and worker in the First Methodist Church and one of the city's foremost club women.  She and her sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Morrison, shared the distinction of being the only two presidents of the Decatur Library Board.   During the first World War, Mrs. Niblick served as head of the Adams County Chapter of the American Red Cross.  In 1906 and 1907, she was president of the eighth district of the federation of woman's clubs.  She was a member of the local Shakespeare Club.

   In addition to being an ardent worker of the Decatur WCTU, she was a charter member of the missionary society of the First Methodist church and an organizer of the ladies aid society of the church.  She later became a charter member of the women's society of Christian service, which was formed in 1940 by the uniting of the home missionary society, the ladies aid society and the women's foreign missionary society.

   She was a graduate of the Glendale Women's College in 1875.  On May 18, 1876, she was married to Mr. Niblick.  He preceded her in death on May 4, 1930.  She was the last member of her family.  Three sisters and two brothers preceded her in death.

   Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. A. D. Suttles of Decatur, Mrs. O. P. Edwards of Leipsic, Ohio, and Mrs. H. H. Stoner of Chicago. Two sons, Jesse D. and Burton S. are deceased.  Six grandchildren and four great grandchildren survive.

Funeral Monday

    Funeral services will be held Monday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the residence, 222 Jefferson Street, with Rev. R. W. Graham officiating.  Interment will be in the mausoleum at the Decatur cemetery.

   The body was taken to the Zwick funeral home.  It will be returned to the residence Sunday and may be viewed there after 2 p.m. until time for the services.

[Obit courtesy of co-contributor, Jim Cox]

Wedding Wednesday - Grady & Card (1797)

James Grady married Sarah Card on 8 NOV 1797 in Wake County, North Carolina.  James Grady is the son of Robert Grady and his wife, Mary Ann.   James & Sarah were the parents of at least six children - Dennis, Gilley, Gincey Jane, James, Josiah S. and John S. Grady.

They spent their entire lives in Wake County, North Carolina.  Their burial location is unknown to the compiler.

Tombstone Tuesday - John G. Krugman

                                                  JOHN G. KRUGMAN

  John G. Krugman, 73,  315 Eleventh Street, died at 5:15 this morning at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Herbert Facker[sic], R.D. No. 3, New London, Ohio.  His wife, the late Anna D. Krugman died in 1933.

  Mr. Krugman was born in Germany October 21, 1865, but had lived in Elyria nearly all his life.

  He is survived by three sons, Elmer J., Henry F. of Elyria and Paul L., of Pontiac, Michigan; three daughters, Mrs. Walter Schmidkons, Mrs. Everett Moulder both of Elyria and Mrs. Wacker of New London; twenty three grandchildren; two brothers, Gust and Louis Krugman of Elyria and a sister Mrs. William Ward of Lorain.

  Funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon at 2:00  from the Sudro-Curtis Funeral Home.  Burial will be made in Ridgelawn Cemetery.

**Source: Chronicle Telegram (Elyria, Ohio), Thursday, 29 JUN 1939, Pg. 2
**Headstone photo taken by Mark & Karen Krugman 1995

Monday Musings -

  Despite everything that we've been working on with our landscaping and getting things back on track after being gone, I did get some genealogy done this weekend. 
 
   About 40 total obits were typed in, and this morning they all got scanned (I love document feeders/scanners!) and are now ready for cropping and linking.
 
   I've mostly been working on the iPad with my typing, it makes it easier to work just about anywhere.  I can't think of a place (besides the shower or pool) that I can't work on my iPad.   I'm using Families genealogy software, which I really enjoy.  I have a few quirks (could we please make it so I can search by women's married name as well PRETTY PLEASE?) but for the most part I am very happy with it.  I've had it for a while - even doing all my work on it while I was in Belgium.

  It syncs using wi-fi with my desktop so no connections needed. 

  So I synced up this morning all the work from the past week - now I'll link all the images from the typing this weekend and sync it back to the iPad for this weeks trip to Traverse City.  I really don't think it gets any easier than this - unless someone knows some elves that would like to type for me while I sleep. 

  Have a good day everyone!

Hodge Podge Friday - Schmidt (Ft Wayne, IN)

WAS BUTCHER MANY YEARS AGO
CHRISTIAN SCHMIDT, OF WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, DEAD

Came Here in 1869 and Worked for Ten Years for Late Fred Eckert, Then Moved to Farm-Was Seventy Six Years Old

Christian Schmidt, seventy-six years of age, a pioneer butcher of Fort Wayne but for the past twenty-eight years one of the best known farmers of Allen county, died about noon Sunday at his home, six miles northwest of the city, in Washington township. His death was due to a complication of diseases. He had been sick for four months.

Mr Schmidt was born March 2, 1829 in Gross Schoenfeld, Pomerania, Germany, coming to America and to Fort Wayne in 1869. For the first ten years after his arrival here he was employed as a butcher for the late Fred Ecker. He was a frugal and industrious man and accumulating a snug fortune, twenty-eight years ago he purchased a good farm in Washington township. He moved to the farm and spent the remainder of his life there.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs August Schmidt, and four children, William Schmidt of Lake township; August F Schmidt of Washington township; Mrs Amelie Bruder of Toledo, and Mrs John Kurtz of Lake township. There are also nineteen grandchildren, a brother who resides at Blackburn, Mo and two brothers and a sister in Germany. Mr Schmidt was a member of the Bethlehem Lutheran church, on the Leesburg road.

The funeral services will be held Wednesday at 1:30 pm at the family home and at 2 oclock at the Bethlehem church, the Rev Herman Wurthman officiating.

Source: 29 MAY 1905  Journal-Gazette (Ft Wayne, IN)  Pg 4, Col. 3

MRS AUGUSTA SCHMIDT SUMMONED
Was Resident of Washington Township Forty Years
Widely Know in County –Died at Age of Seventy-five Year of Complication of Diseasses After Long Illness

Mrs Augusta Schmidt, for over forty years a resident of Allen county, died Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock of a complication of diseases at the family home in Washington township. Mrs Schmidt was seventy five years old. She had been in failing health for a year and had been confined to her bed for the past two months.

Mrs Schmidt was born September 30, 1831 in Brandenberg, Prussia. She was married while still in Germany to Christian Schmidt, and came with her husband to America over forty years ago. Mr Schmidt was first employed in the county in the old Eckart slaughter house and later purchased a farm in Washington township where he moved and where Mrs Schmidt has since resided.

The husband died in May, 1905.

Five children have preceded Mrs Schmidt in death. She is survived by four children-Mrs Emilie Bruder of Toledo, Ohio; Mrs John Kurtz of Lake township; William Schmidt of Lake township and August F Schmidt of Washington township. There are twenty-one grandchildren. Two brothers also survive – Carl Haak of Germany, and Theodore Haak of Washington township and two sisters – Mrs Wilhelmina Gossow of Fort Wayne and Mrs William Miller of Washington township.

The funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon at 1 o’clock from the residence and at 1:45 o’clock from the Behlehem Lutheran church. The interment will be in the Bethlehem cemetery.

Source: 28 JAN 1907  Journal-Gazette (Ft Wayne, IN)  Pg 3, Col. 3
[Obits courtesy of co-contributor, Jim Cox]

Alice Isn't The Only One Who Falls Down Rabbit Holes

Call me old fashioned but sometimes I just have to see it on paper.  When I research on line I print out one (1) yep you saw that, ONE family group sheet and that is what I research from.  The reason I don't research on line with the whole data base open is simple - rabbit holes. 

You know what I'm talking about - this fact leads to this link, this link leads to that link, that link leads to...  you get the idea.  Soon you have no idea where you came from or where you originally started, much less what you were originally looking for. 

Two simple tricks to help with those... 

1. I print out one group sheet or one personal summary.  Not six generations. ONE.  Yes, you heard me right.  Pick one family or one person and print out a group sheet or individual summary.  The blank spots show you the rest of what you need to do. 

2.  Evernote or a word processing program.  Why?  To track the websites that you visit and what you found there.  Later you can transfer those into your personal research note file for the person or family that you were researching. 

One last idea - When I do print out that group sheet or personal summary - its on paper that I recycle from other print jobs. 

**Clipart image from my friend - Michael Reck

Wedding Wednesday - Grady & Shipp

Mark Grady was married to Martha "Patsy" Shipp on 26 NOV 1821 in Wake County, North Carolina.  He was the son of Robert Grady & Sarah.  Her maiden name has not been positively identified.  She is the daughter of Tiller Shipp and Nancy Belvin.

Mark & Martha Patsy Shipp Grady are the parents of at least six children - Dennis, Jane C., Nancy, Tilla, Elizabeth (Betsy Ann) and Tiller J. Grady. 

Tombstone Tuesday -

                                                          PIONEER DEAD

  In the death of David Early, Miami Township and Montgomery County loses one of the oldest residents.  He passed away Sunday morning at the home of his son, Jacob Early, east of town, aged 93 years, 4 months, 14 days.

  Mr. Early was born near Staunton, Va., September 29, 1822, and was one of a family of seven children.  In 1832 his parents moved to Ohio. They traveled here in a four horse covered wagon, the journey requiring four weeks.  They located at Lewsiburg, but after one year removed to near Miamisburg on what is known as the Gamble farm.

  In 1854 he was married to Elizabeth Gebhart, and moved on the Adam Schuster farm, east of Miamisburg, lving there three years.  He then removed to Warren county and after nine years residence there moved to his farm five miles southeast of Miamisburg, where he resided constantly until recently.

  Mr. Early was the last of the original family.  His brothers were John, Jacob, Joseph and Isaac; sisters, Mrs. Sallie Fox, Mrs. Lydia Fox.

  Mr. and Mrs. Early were the happy parents of six sons and two daughters: Albert, Peter, Jacob, George, Charles, David Early Jr., Mrs. Wm. Phillips, Mrs. John Emby, all living in the vicinity of Miamisburg.

  Since the death of his wife in 1897 he has been living with his children.  He had unusual health and for eighty years did not have an illness sufficiently serious to go to bed.

  Funeral services were held on Wednesday at 1 pm from the residence of his son, Jacob Early and at 2 pm from the Progressive Brethren Church, east of Miamisburg, Rev. Garber of Ashland officiating. Burial in Hill Grove cemetery.
                                              *********************
Source: Miamisburg News (Ohio), Thursday 17 FEB 1916, Pg. 8, Col. 1

14, 15, 16, 17......... 20... What?

Yesterday (Sunday) Mr. Brown Eyes and I decided to take a Sunday drive over to photograph some headstones. The headstones are located in Oakwood Cemetery, Lenawee County, Michigan which is about 1.5 hours from our house. With all the family we have staying with us right now, a little drive like this is just what we needed for some time for the two of us.

I had the section & plot numbers and had a pretty good idea of how the cemetery was laid out.

The first headstone(s) we were in search of was that of Frank Britt and his wife Margaret. According to what the cemetery had sent me Frank and Margaret were in section 32. We came in one of the side/back gates and immediately came across section 32. No problem at all. The section was rather small, so we decided to drive around the section to see if we could locate the stone(s)from the drive. As we came full circle, I said guess I'll have to get out and walk it, see if the stone is up in the middle or maybe flat. I took about five steps in and there behind a large bouquet of flowers was the stone for Frank & Margaret. All you could see was the B and then the T at the end. But it was found!

The other stone we were in search of was Howard Fisher. Howard died in 1905, was married three times and I was curious to see which of any of the three wives were buried with him. The cemetery showed Howard as being buried in Section 19. No problem. So we started to drive... 31, 30...27...25...23...Okay try the other way....14, 15, 16, 17.....20... WHAT? What happened to 18, 19..? Maybe we missed it. Drove around yet again. Still no 18, 19... Okay. After several attempts I decided I was NOT going home without this headstone photo.

How was going to search for a headstone in section 19 without finding section 19? Office is closed... hmmm.. I got out the iPad and checkeds my Legacy file, yep, I had written it down correctly. Now what was I supposed to do? Enter technology & buddies.

I called my good friend and best genealogy buddy, Diane. Did she have a map of the Oakwood cemetery by chance? I knew she had been there several times. Sure enough she did. She was able to not only give us directions to section 19, but she texted over the map to make sure! I love technology!

Because of her help we were able to figure out that there was NO signage for those two sections they just sort of blend into the others in that area... and we found Howard Fisher, buried alone, no sign of any of the three wives. A flat stone several rows in. SUCCESS!

So the moral of the story is never leave home without the techie toys... you just never know when you can put them to good use... even the texting!

Thank you Diane!

Our Family Tree - Are We Related?

Someone suggested that I should blog about the trees that make up our family genealogy. I do post alot of general genealogy information with documentation but no real specifics on the actual lines I am currently working on. So today I'm providing you with a brief summary of the four lines that make the up the family trees of Mr. Brown Eyes & myself. Feel free to leave a comment if you see anything connections or if you have any questions.

Karen's Lines -

Paternal
Ansley - this line goes back thu William Ansley in Georgia, my great grandfather to William Ansley in New Jersey ca 1700. This line includes surnames such as Waddell, Presley (yes, Elvis is related!), Morris, Stanford, Rooks, Johnson, Powell, Strickland and Bush (don't know about any links to George W.). Jimmy Carter is an Ansley descendant and is a second cousin.

Nix - starts with grandmother Annie Elizabeth Nix and runs back to a John Nix b.ca1769. Names included on this line include Naylor, Sellars, Hester, Clay, Grady, Griffin, Boyette, Regan (don't know about any ties to Ronnie!), Thomas, Ward, Bell, Yarborough, Cannon, Langston, Hart, Gross, Gad and Wilson. This line is in Georgia in the early 1800's coming out of Virginia and the Carolina's.

Maternal
Phillips - Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio with a direct line straight back to James Phillips of Rockingham & Augusta Counties in Virginia. The surnames associated with this line include: Early, Gebhart (double connection back to same ancestor!), Alford, Melling, Gregory, Hess, Bloss, Byerly, McCune (know the least about this one!), Tanreuther, Montabaugh, Brosius.

Kreitzer - Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio area ties back to the line coming into Pennsylvania on the Charming Nancy in 1732. Names included in this line are Apple, Peterman, Hegle, Boomershine, Eppert, Kesler (Preble County, Ohio), Gates (more Preble County, Ohio), Gebhart (remember I said double line above?), Bolender, Cook, Evert, Garrett, Ott, Fowler and Swartzel.

Mark's lines -

Paternal
Krugman - Back to Mathias Krugman in Germany in the mid 1700's. Names include Dute, Heidenrich, Muller, Hilt, Kritzler, Bunkelman, Engel, Shurltze (Germany), Stark (Germany)and Spalinger (Germany). The Krugman's came into NY Harbor on Halloween day 1872. The Dute family arrived in New York harbor on board the Brig Bremen Packet in 1834. They moved to Lorain County, Ohio and pretty much remain there today. The economist Paul Krugman, although he shares the name is off a line that although it bears the same name is not from the same area and is not related.

Reusch - surnames include Bart, Schade, Appla, Keller, Schoefer, Weiss (Germany), Spalinger (Germany). THe Reusch line settled in Medina County, Ohio and those related to this line seem to have pretty much stayed in Medina and Cuyahoga Counties of Ohio.

Maternal
Ligon - line came into Virginia very early from England where the family castle still stands and is occupied (last I heard) by members of the Ligon family. Surnames associated with the line include: Eudaley, Davis, Winstead, Webber, Metcalf, Baldwin, Tolbert, Jones, Batte, Brazelton, Cox, Brown, Bullock, Tapp, Fore, Hutcheson and Lunsford. This line came from very early Virginia into Kentucky in the early 1800's. They were in Hopkins and surrounding counties.

Shanklin - names on this branch include: Ralston, Clark, Shepherd, Morris, Northington, Hurst, Mahaffey, Tillman, Griffin, Jamieson, Hopson, Johnson, Northington, Pinner, Acree, McNew, Crawford, Edgar, Jarretts, Mathews, Stepp, Griffey, Rutherford, McClanahan, Coffey, Archer, Breckenridge.

There you have it. I probably missed a few here and there, if so sooner or later if you are related, you'll figure it out. My switching my blog over to posting original documentation has led to some very awesome contacts on several lines. I hope that by posting this and continuing to post the documentation from my files that maybe more doors will open more dialogue!

Are we related? I'd love to hear from you!

Happy Researching!
Karen