Thursday, December 29, 2011

Coming Soon! FHExpo Yuma, Arizona


FHExpos

Attending the Yuma Family History Expo will be an amazing treat! It is less than three weeks away, now. Dr. Arlene Eakle will be the keynote address speaker. She always gives a fascinating presentation. With her experience and expertise, you're sure to learn something new. And that's just the beginning! Check out the great speakers attending and the subjects they'll be covering. There is something for everyone. Don't miss it!

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Tombstone Tuesday - Avery

 Russell Hugh Avery
b. March 14, 1886
Woodston, Rooks, Kansas
d. June 23, 1958
San Luis Obispo, SLO, California
Hugh was the son of Austin Sawyer and Julia Jeannett (Osborn) Avery. He married Corinne Mae Brownell and was the father of Carl Orson Avery. He is buried in the Arroyo Grande Cemetery in San Luis Obispo, California.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Tombstone Tuesday - Stone

Nicholas Miner Stone
b. abt 1825
d. 3 April 1851
(
Robert Stephens Hardin kept a diary, which has been handed down through his family. He wrote quite a bit about Nicholas Stone, who may have been a cousin. Robert (R.S.) and Nicholas were running cattle about 30 miles from Sacramento in 1851 when Nicholas became ill and died within a few hours. R.S. couldn't get any help, and after three days, he buried Nicholas on a hilltop. The burial site is now within the boundaries of the Bobcat Ranch in Yolo County, California. R.S. and Nicholas were both from Kentucky. I would be very interested in corresponding with anyone who may have information on the family of Nicholas Miner Stone.

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Backward Glance - Elizabeth Tingley

Elizabeth Tingley was the daughter of John Adams and Sarah (Cox) Tingley. As recorded in The Tingley Family Revised, Volume I, compiled by Marian McCauley Frye, she was born in Virginia on December 3, 1811. Her birth year is given as 1813 in the International Genealogical Index. This latter date concurs with the date inscribed on her headstone at the North Platte Cemetery in North Platte, Lincoln County, Nebraska. The Tingley family is an old English family, and can be traced at least as far as William Tingley who was born in about 1588 in Surrey, England. Elizabeth's first American-born Tingley ancestor was Samuel, her third great-grandfather, son of Palmer. He was born before 1638 in Charlestown, Massachusetts. John Adams Tingley, Elizabeth's father, was born in New Jersey, as was his wife, Sarah Cox. They were married in New Jersey, but lived in Virginia and Ohio. John A. Tingley died in 1830 in Fairfield, Greene County, Ohio. Sarah died in 1851, also in Greene County.

In 1835, on March 12th, Elizabeth was married to Elijah Cody Martin in Xenia, Greene County, Ohio. He was the son of Uriah and Rhoda (Stiles) Martin. To this union were born 11 children. Their names were Indiana, William Jasper, Sarah Jane, John Webb, Tamsan Elizabeth, Rhoda, Robert Mercer, Lucy Ellen, Samuel Kinsey Leedham, Rebecca Floral and Abigail C. Elijah and Elizabeth lived in Logan County, Ohio, and Muscatine, Iowa. Elijah died in 1874 in Muscatine.

Photo courtesy Kathy Scott
I have not been able to locate Elizabeth on the 1880 census, so I'm not certain where she lived between Elijah's death and her own. However, the family story was that she lived into her 90's and died in Nebraska. I did find her death and burial information in North Platte, Lincoln County, Nebraska. She died on August 10, 1899, at the age of either 87 or 89, depending on which birth year (1811 or 1813) is correct. Her son, John Webb Martin, also lived in North Platte and is buried in the same cemetery. It seems reasonable that she lived with his family, though John didn't move there until after 1880. So, there is more to find!

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Tombstone Tuesday - County Poor Farm

Though there are no headstones, and no evidence that there ever were any, this is the site of the Caldwell County (Missouri) Poor Farm. There is a cemetery on the property. It is reported that as many as 200 individuals may have been buried there. The Caldwell County Historical Society, along with other dedicated individuals, is working to identify those persons.



Sunday, December 11, 2011

Backward Glance - James Christopher Avery

A descendant of the Avery family of Groton, Connecticut, James Christopher Avery was the son of James and Mercy (Baker) Avery who were both born in Massachusetts, but removed to New York around 1810. In the book The Groton Avery Clan, his birth is recorded as 1809 in Leyden, Massachusetts. However, Christoper's family was enumerated on the U.S. Federal census in 1850 in Bath Township, Summit County, Ohio, where it is shown that he was born in New York about 1812. In a biography about his son, Edwin, his birthplace is given as New York, also. James had five brothers, all of whom were younger than he. They were Daniel Dake, Allen Arvin (sometimes Arvin Allen), Lauren, Warren and William Nathaniel.

After living in Spafford, Onondago, New York, until at least 1826, James and Mercy Avery moved their family to Ohio. Many sources state they went to Summit County, but it was not formed until 1840 from portions of Medina, Portage and Stark Counties.

Ohio County Marriages, 1790-1950; Medina County
 On July 16, 1835, James Christopher Avery was married to Ruth Caroline Coleman. She was born on August 29, 1817, in Connecticut. She was the daughter of Joseph and Sarah 'Sally' (Bishop) Coleman. Christopher and Ruth were married in Medina County, Ohio. They had four children, Edwin A., William Hugh, Austin Sawyer and Myron Every. In 1840, the family was living in Bath Township, Summit County, Ohio. In 1850, they were living in the same place, as of June 1st. He was a farmer.
1850 US Federal Census; Bath Township, Summit County, Ohio


It has been difficult to determine when or where James C. Avery died. His wife, Ruth, removed with her children to Indiana in 1851. By 1865, she was enumerated in Kansas as a widow with the last name Willis. One source sets James' death at February 26, 1863. However, that is his father's death date. Hopefully, as more records become available, this mystery will be cleared up.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Tombstone Tuesday - Two Euphemias

Euphemia Guthrie
1827 - 1917
Euphemia M. Conradi
1888 - 1926

Both Euphemias were born in Edinburgh, Scotland. The elder Euphemia is the younger's great-grandmother. Both of them emigrated to the United State in 1910.

Euphemia Conradi (middle name Margaret) was the daughter of Charles and Helen (Guthrie) Conradi. Her mother did not emigrate. Euphemia was in Los Angeles, California, in 1920, but died in Seattle. She apparently never married.




Sunday, December 4, 2011

Backward Glance - Amelia M. Robbins

Amelia M. Robbins was born on December 8th, 1829, in Troy, Lincoln County, Missouri. History tells us that her father, Joshua Newcomb Robbins, gave Troy its name. Amelia was one of five children known to be born to Joshua and his wife, Sarah White. Through her mother, Amelia was descended from the Mayflower passenger, Francis Cooke. The Robbins family was an early one in Lincoln County, Missouri.

In 1837, Joshua Robbins died in Springfield, Illinois. On September 8, 1847, Amelia was married to William Dudley Ament in Muscatine County, Iowa; probably in Bloomington. Her mother, Sarah, was enumerated on the 1850 census in Iowa City, Johnson County, Iowa, living with her son, Charles.

W.D. and Amelia lived in Muscatine County throughout their marriage. They had seven children: Joseph Pettus, Mary C., Sarah J., William Dudley Jr., Julia Adeline, Ella and Amelia Marie. Six of the children survived their mother; Ella died young.

On September 21, 1873, Amelia died in Muscatine. She was buried in the Greenwood Cemetery in Muscatine.




Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Tombstone Tuesday - Dinning

Alferd Dinning
b. 19 August 1844
d. 21 February 1900
"O happy day
when Jesus
washed my sins
away"

burial at the 
Cowger Cemetery, Burr Oak Township
Doniphan County, Kansas

Other records show that 'Alferd' was actually Alfred Wilford Dinning, born in Kentucky. His wife was Minerva "Manervy" Jane Meek, who is also buried in the Cowger Cemetery.


Sunday, November 27, 2011

Backward Glance - John Richard Hoyle (1852)

This John Richard Hoyle is the father of John Richard Hoyle born in 1876. John was born in Higher Booths, Whalley Parish, Lancashire, England, on April 28, 1852. He was the only child of John and Mary (Lord) Hoyle. His father, however, had been married previously; so, John had nine older half-siblings. In 1871, he was the only one of the children living at home with his parents, still in Higher Booths. His father was an 'eating house keeper.' John was a cotton weaver.

On August 5, 1874, John was married to Isabella Hargreaves in Accrington, a nearby town. Isabella was the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Dobson) Hargreaves. Their two oldest sons, John Richard (Jack) and William, were both born in Accrington.

According to the Canadian census information from 1901, John and Isabella immigrated to Canada in 1878. However, family sources say that William was born in Accrington in January of 1879, dying in Canada in 1880 at the age of two. Perhaps the family record is off by a year, or the year cited in the census is incorrect. Maybe Isabella followed John after William's birth. At any rate, John and his little family did remove to Wentworth County, Ontario, Canada, before William's death on December 28, 1880. Three daughters, Mary Elizabeth, Annie and Isabella, were born there. 

In about 1887, the family moved to Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. In 1891, they were enumerated in Moose Jaw, Assiniboia West, Territories, Canada. Their residence in 1901 was Regina. John was actually the census taker for their area. Three of John and Isabella's children died while they were living in Saskatchewan. Lucy, who only lived about eight months, dying in 1892; Sarah, who died of diptheria at the age of 14 in 1902; and Sarah, who died in 1906 at 20 years old. Benjamin, their youngest child, was born in Regina in 1896.

I didn't find John's family on the 1911* census, but in 1915, their son Benjamin's World War I attestation papers cite their residence as Hamilton, Ontario. In 1922, they're listed in the Hamilton city directory at 321 Cumberland. Isabella died on September 17, 1925, in Hamilton. 

In about 1932, John traveled to Seattle, Washington, to visit his son, Jack, and his family. He is seen here with his daughter-in-law, Claire (Marguerat), and grandchildren, Frank Orris, Helen Priscilla and Jack Richard. His son, Jack, must have taken the picture. He then returned to Hamilton, where he died on March 4, 1943. He is buried in the Bartonville Cemetery in Hamilton.

*Found the family in Hamilton, Wentworth, Ontario, in 1911, also at 321 Cumberland.






Wednesday, November 23, 2011

My Mayflower Ancestors

Thanks to fellow geneabloggers, I've been motivated to identify all at once the Mayflower passengers from whom I descend. I've enjoyed being reminded of who they were and how they came to be in America. I'm grateful for their bravery and determination to attempt to carve out a better way of life for themselves and their families. I consider it an honorable heritage.

I created seven posts with descendant lists from my Mayflower ancestors. They are listed below with links to the posts. There are others among them who also traveled on the Mayflower. Their names are in parentheses below. They are also my ancestors.

It has been suggested that passengers Christopher Martin and Solomon Prower  are also my ancestors. However, I haven't seen anything, so far, to convince me that is true. There is always more to learn!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

My Mayflower Ancestors - John Tilley

I'm joining in the fun of delineating my Mayflower ancestors, one at a time. In alphabetical order, here is #7.

Line 1:
  
John Tilley married Joan Hurst (11ggp)
  Elizabeth Tilley married John Howland
    Desire Howland married John Gorham
      (see remainder of line here)

Line 2: 

John Tilley married Joan Hurst (11ggp)
  Elizabeth Tilley married John Howland
    John Howland married Mary Lee
       (see remainder of line here)

More info on the Mayflower and its passengers can be found here and here, among others.



My Mayflower Ancestors - Degory Priest

I'm joining in the fun of delineating my Mayflower ancestors, one at a time. In alphabetical order, here is #6.

Degory Priest married unknown (12ggp)
  Mary Priest married Phineas Pratt
    Samuel Pratt married Mary Barker
       Samuel Pratt married Hannah Miller
         John Pratt married Elizabeth Turner
           Hannah Pratt married Jabez Fuller
             Lucy Fuller married Ezra Washburn, Jr.
               Keziah Washburn married William Nason
                 Ezra Washburn Nason married Phoebe Brown
                   Keziah Nason married Silas Bemiss
                     William Silas Bemiss married Olive Orrel Webster
                       Fredrick James Bemiss married Maud May Morgan
                         Luella Mae Bemiss married Carl Orson Avery
                           Virginia Gayle Avery married Frank Orris Hoyle
                             Joleen Beth Hoyle (me!)

More info on the Mayflower and its passengers can be found here and here, among others.


My Mayflower Ancestors - John Howland

I'm joining in the fun of delineating my Mayflower ancestors, one at a time. In alphabetical order, here is #5.

Line 1:

  Desire Howland married John Gorham
    Elizabeth Gorham married Joseph Hallett 
       Mary Hallett married Jabez Fuller
         Jonathan Fuller married Eleanor Bennett
           Jabez Fuller married Hannah Pratt
             Lucy Fuller married Ezra Washburn, Jr.
               Keziah Washburn married William Nason
                 Ezra Washburn Nason married Phoebe Brown
                   Keziah Nason married Silas Bemiss
                     William Silas Bemiss married Olive Orrel Webster
                       Fredrick James Bemiss married Maud May Morgan
                         Luella Mae Bemiss married Carl Orson Avery
                           Virginia Gayle Avery married Frank Orris Hoyle
                             Joleen Beth Hoyle (me!)

Line 2:

  John Howland married Mary Lee
    Hannah Howland married Jonathan Crocker
      James Crocker married Alice Swift
        Abigail Crocker married John Williams
          Anne Williams married Amos Patterson
            Sarah Patterson married Charles Coryell
              George Coryell married Harriet Field
                Grace Eliza Coryell married Eugene Francois Marguerat
                  Henri Debonneville Marguerat married Mabel Ament
                    Claire Elise Marguerat married John Richard Hoyle
                      Frank Orris Hoyle married Virginia Gayle Hoyle
                        Joleen Beth Hoyle (me!)  

More info on the Mayflower and its passengers can be found here and here, among others.



My Mayflower Ancestors - Edward Fuller

I'm joining in the fun of delineating my Mayflower ancestors, one at a time. In alphabetical order, here is #4.

Edward Fuller married unknown (12ggp)
  Matthew Fuller married Frances
    Samuel Fuller married Mary 
       Jabez Fuller married Mary Hallett
         Jonathan Fuller married Eleanor Bennett
           Jabez Fuller married Hannah Pratt
             Lucy Fuller married Ezra Washburn, Jr.
               Keziah Washburn married William Nason
                 Ezra Washburn Nason married Phoebe Brown
                   Keziah Nason married Silas Bemiss
                     William Silas Bemiss married Olive Orrel Webster
                       Fredrick James Bemiss married Maud May Morgan
                         Luella Mae Bemiss married Carl Orson Avery
                           Virginia Gayle Avery married Frank Orris Hoyle
                             Joleen Beth Hoyle (me!)

More info on the Mayflower and its passengers can be found here and here, among others.


My Mayflower Ancestors - Edward Doty

I'm joining in the fun of delineating my Mayflower ancestors, one at a time. In alphabetical order, here is #3.

Edward Doty married unknown (11ggp)
  Mary Doty married Samuel Hatch
    Hannah Hatch married Japheth Turner
      Elizabeth Turner married John Pratt
        Hannah Pratt married Jabez Fuller
          Lucy Fuller married Ezra Washburn, Jr.
            Keziah Washburn married William Nason
              Ezra Washburn Nason married Phoebe Brown
                Keziah Nason married Silas Bemiss
                  William Silas Bemiss married Olive Orrel Webster
                     Fredrick James Bemiss married Maud May Morgan
                       Luella Mae Bemiss married Carl Orson Avery
                         Virginia Gayle Avery married Frank Orris Hoyle
                            Joleen Beth Hoyle (me!)

More info on the Mayflower and its passengers can be found here and here, among others.


My Mayflower Ancestors - Francis Cooke

 I'm joining in the fun of delineating my Mayflower ancestors, one at a time. In alphabetical order, here is #2.

Francis Cooke married Hester Mahieu (12ggp)
  Jane Cooke married Experience Mitchell
    Elizabeth Mitchell married John Washburn
      Joseph Washburn married Hannah Latham
        Hepzibah Washburn married Benjamin Leach
          Susannah Leach married Ezra Washburn
            Ezra Washburn, Jr. married Lucy Fuller
              Keziah Washburn married William Nason
                Ezra Washburn Nason married Phoebe Brown
                  Keziah Nason married Silas Bemiss
                    William Silas Bemiss married Olive Orrel Webster
                      Fredrick James Bemiss married Maud May Morgan
                        Luella Mae Bemiss married Carl Orson Avery
                          Virginia Gayle Avery married Frank Orris Hoyle
                            Joleen Beth Hoyle (me!)

More info on the Mayflower and its passengers can be found here and here, among others.

My Mayflower Ancestors - James Chilton

I'm joining in the fun of delineating my Mayflower ancestors, one at a time. In alphabetical order, here is #1.

James Chilton married unknown (12ggp)
  Mary Chilton married John Winslow
    Susanna Winslow married Robert Latham
      Hannah Latham married Joseph Washburn
        Hepzibah Washburn married Benjamin Leach
          Susannah Leach married Ezra Washburn
            Ezra Washburn, Jr. married Lucy Fuller
              Keziah Washburn married William Nason
                Ezra Washburn Nason married Phoebe Brown
                  Keziah Nason married Silas Bemiss
                    William Silas Bemiss married Olive Orrel Webster
                       Fredrick James Bemiss married Maud May Morgan
                         Luella Mae Bemiss married Carl Orson Avery
                           Virginia Gayle Avery married Frank Orris Hoyle
                              Joleen Beth Hoyle (me!)

More info on the Mayflower and its passengers can be found here and here, among others.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Tombstone Tuesday - Clark

CLARK
Joseph E. & Amanda P.
"In thee is the foundation
of life.
Thine works, do follow them."
FATHER/MOTHER

This headstone stands in the Municipal Cemetery in Poulsbo, Kitsap County, Washington. There is no birth or death information, which intrigues me! So, after a little searching around, I found the following information. 

Amanda Paulie Clark was the daughter of J. and Laura Wright. She was born in Tennessee and died on December 25, 1922, at the age of 85 in Poulsbo, Washington.

Joseph Clark was born in about 1854 in Kentucky and died in Suquamish, Washington, on December 12, 1925. He was 72.

They lived in Duwamish, King County, Washington, in 1892; Eagle Harbor, Kitsap County, Washington, in 1910; and Suquamish, Kitsap, Washington, in 1920. According to the 1910 census, this was their only marriage, 26 years in duration. It is also recorded there that they had four children, three of whom were living at the time. However, in the three censuses viewed, no children were living with them. I was unable to locate them in the 1900 census.

I'm sure more can be found about this couple, but this gives a quick idea of their travels through life together. Does anyone know more?


Sunday, November 20, 2011

Backward Glance - Frances A. Jackson

public domain photo - Marco Soave
According to family sources, Frances A. (Fanny) Jackson was born near Niagara Falls in Canada in about 1839. Her father was born in England, but, as yet, I don't have a first name for him. Her mother was Patience Jemima Fox who was born in about 1812 in New York. There were three daughters born to this couple, including Frances. Her sisters were Maria and Mary Lucinda. All of them were born in Canada. Apparently, Mr. Jackson died before July 1, 1842, because Patience married Alexander Duncan Milne on that date in New York. They had four children: Mary and Jessie, who were born in Canada; and Duncan and Ellen Adele, who were born in New York.

In 1850, Alexander and Patience were living with their family in Randolph, Cattaraugus County, New York. Though they were enumerated in the same location in 1860, it appears they purchased 40 acres of land in Iowa in 1855. They removed to Clayton County, Iowa, before 1870.

Frances was married to James Orson Brownell in about 1857, probably in New York. They were living in Cold Spring, Cattaraugus County, New York; their first child, Ella (Stella) being one year old. William was born to them in 1861, with Irvy (Preserved) following in about 1867. James died in about 1868, apparently in a railroad accident. Frances was expecting their fourth child, James Orson, at the time of her husband's death. This son was born in Iowa on May 20, 1869, after Frances' marriage to Mortimer D. Clark on February 13, 1869, in Colesburg, Delaware County, Iowa.

When Mortimer and Frances were enumerated in Colony Township, Delaware County, Iowa, in 1870, Frances' son, Irvy, was living with Frances' mother and stepfather in Clayton County. In 1880, the Clarks were living in Post Township, Allamakee County, Iowa, where Mortimer died on February 27, 1882. He is buried in the Smith Cemetery. In 1885, according to the Iowa State Census, Frances was still living in Post Township. She was 45. All three of her sons were living with her there.

What became of Frances after 1885 is still a mystery. Her mother died in 1880, but her stepfather didn't die until 1897. In tracking the various family members, and searching for any Frances around her age born in Canada, no plausible scenario has presented itself. Time and perseverance will eventually pay off!




Friday, November 18, 2011

Day Two - Georgia Family History Expo

Day Two of the Family History Expo was another gorgeous, blue-skied day in Georgia. The bright sunshine combined with the brilliant colors of the turning leaves to provide the perfect backdrop for cheer and friendliness. Everyone with whom I spoke was having a great time. I also heard snippets of positive and excited conversations as I walked through the vendor areas.

I really enjoyed making my presentations. It is gratifying to have people actually choose to attend my classes. Without exception, they were attentive, kind, interactive and complimentary. I especially appreciate the questions and comments. During my second presentation, I had a little 'technical' difficulty with the microphone and the projector. This unnerved me a bit, but one attendee helped me out, and the others were very patient. Thank you!

The rest of the day, I was again occupied at the 'Ask the Pros' table. Man, I love being there! I got to hear and see genealogies and family histories of many varieties. I had the opportunity to make suggestions and try to be generally helpful and encouraging. Listening to Billy Edgington, and sometimes Arlene Eakle, sharing their vast research knowledge with Expo attendees (and me!), is a wonderful mind-stretching experience for me. I look forward to more of it!

The closing keynote was again presented by Holly Hansen. She always does a great job. Everyone seemed to enjoy the time together being entertained and 'loved up.' There were nice prizes awarded by some of the sponsors, making a few extra-lucky people in the crowd. Then, we parted, saying good-byes and sharing the excitement of another wonderful Family History Expo.

More information about Family History Expos can be found at their website: www.familyhistoryexpos.com. There will be two events in Arizona in January. If you are anywhere near either (or both) of them, and even remotely interested in genealogy, seriously consider attending. There is something there for everyone. 

In the meantime, I'm looking forward to the St. George Expo in February.


Friday, November 11, 2011

Day One - Georgia Family History Expo

Day one of Georgia Family History Expo is over. M. Bridget Cook gave a great keynote address, very relevant to the emotions people feel as they become familiar with their ancestors' stories, and want to tell their own.

Today, I got to help in the 'Ask-the-Pros' booth with Billy Edgington. It was a very satisfying day. Tomorrow, I'll get to make two presentations. I always look forward to that, and hope I can be helpful to someone. I do get a little nervous, but ALWAYS have a wonderful time. Genealogists are a great bunch of people!

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Family History Expo, Again!

Expos just keep happening! Now, we're looking forward to another great event in Georgia on Friday and Saturday, this week. If you, or a friend or family member, live within four hours of Duluth, check it out. I'll be there :)


Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Tombstone Tuesday - Cole

Eliza M. Cole
born about 1816 in New York
died July 23, 1897
buried at the Cowger Cemetery
Burr Oak Township
Doniphan County, Kansas

Eliza is found on the federal census in both 1870 and 1880 enumerated with her son-in-law, Robert Wilkinson, and her daughter, Eliza. In 1895 Kansas State Census, Eliza Wilkinson and Eliza Cole are enumerated together; both are widows. Each year, they are living in Troy, Doniphan County, Kansas.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Backward Glance - Russell Hugh Avery

Emma, Nettie & Hugh
Russell Hugh Avery was the second child, first son, of Austin and Nettie (Osborn) Avery. He was born in Woodston, Rooks County, Kansas, on March 14, 1886. He was the grandson of Russell Scott Osborn who was the Kansas Secretary of State, serving from 1893-1895. Hugh, as he was known, had two half-siblings who were older than he. They were Judson A. (1870) and Ethel (1872). He also had two more sisters, Emma (1884) and Iva (1891), as well as another brother, Byron (1890). Ethel died in 1889, at the age of 17, and is buried in the Woodston Cemetery near the Avery home in Lowell Township, Rooks County.

Austin Avery Home (photo 2005)
When Hugh registered for the World War I draft on September 12, 1918, he'd been married to Corinne Mae Brownell for almost exactly two years. According to the draft card, Hugh was a tall, slender, blue-eyed, brown-haired farmer in Woodston. He served as a private in the Kansas State Guard, Company D, 22nd Battalion, headquarter in Stockton.
  • "Company D participated in Red Cross relief work, and in removing debris after a tornado. The organization attended various meetings held in public halls and churches in the interest of a deeper patriotism, and reported regularly for drill, twice a week during the summer of 1918; did guard duty during the harvest time in the summer of 1918. Took part in memorial services on Memorial days, and Memorial services held in honor of soldiers killed in action. The unit attended the funeral rites of Melvin LaRue, who died in hospital, Great Lakes training camp. Watched and kept down improper propaganda; fostered loyalty, and promoted patriotism throughout the community." (Transcribed from History and Roster of the Kansas State Guard, August 6, 1917, to November 11, 1919, printed by Kansas State Printing Plant, B. P. Walker, State Printer, Topeka. 1925. 10-4436 )
Hugh's signature, WWI draft registration
In 1942, Hugh registered in what was called the "Old Man's Draft," registering men between the ages of 42 and 64. He was living in Bakersfield, Kern County, California. His physical description gives a height to his 'tall' of the earlier registration. He was 5'11" and weighed 178 pounds. By then, his hair was brown and gray. At that time, his occupation was a self-employed truck gardener working on the Edison Highway. In a 1944 voter registration listing, his occupation was 'Bowling Alley Employee.' He was in Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo County, California.

Corinne and Hugh were married on September 13, 1916, in Phillips County, Kansas. Corinne was the daughter of James Orson and Minnie May (Harper) Brownell. She was born in Leona, Doniphan County, Kansas, but her family relocated to Rooks County between 1910 and 1915. Hugh and Corinne had one child, Carl Orson, who was born on September 25, 1917, in Woodston. The family seems to have moved around quite a bit, as they are found on the 1920 census in Lowell Township, Rooks County; the 1925 State census in Osborne, Osborne County; and on the 1930 census in Oakley, Logan County, all in Kansas. Some time after 1930, Hugh and Corinne were divorced.

According to Hugh's daughter-in-law, Luella, Hugh was a truck driver. After Lu and Carl were divorced, Hugh would stop by to visit his grandchildren in Grinnell, Gove, Kansas. This was around 1938 or 1939. Given what we know, it appears he moved to California between 1939 and 1942, where Carl was already living in San Luis Obispo County.

On October  26, 1957, when Hugh's only child, Carl, died in San Luis Obispo, Hugh was living nearby in Grover City. Russell Hugh Avery died less than a year later, also in San Luis Obispo. He was 72 years old. Both Hugh and Carl are buried in the Arroyo Grande Cemetery in San Luis Obispo.

Hugh (3rd from left) with cousins and sister, Emma


Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Tombstone Tuesday - Aitchison/Johnston

Edgar and Irene Aitchison
burial at
Morris Hill Cemetery
Boise, Ada, Idaho

Edgar Andrew Aitchison
(Irene's 2nd husband)
b. 10 January 1903
d. April 1963

Irene Edith (Johnston) Aitchison
(Edgar's 2nd wife)
b. 7 January 1908/1909
d. 8 December 1997

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Backward Glance - Barbara Lisette Debonneville

Gimel, Vaud, Switzerland (Wikipedia)
It is recorded in the International Genealogical Index (IGI, LDS) that Barbara Lisette Debonneville (French pronunciation is d'bun-vee') was born on June 29, 1806, in Gimel, Canton of Vaud, Switzerland. This record dates from at least 1982. Her parents were Jean David and Anette Lisette (Bauert) Debonneville. Her father was born in Gimel, and both parents died there. There is a conflict in the information, however. Hopefully, time will provide the records to clarify the dates and places.

Barbara's husband, Isaac Francois Marguerat, was the vital records clerk in Gimel from 1821 until 1829. On April 25, 1822, he created (all of the records were handwritten at that time) a delayed record of Barbara's baptism. He recorded that on 29 May 1806 in the Parish of Berthoud, Canton of Berne, Lisette Debonneville was baptized. Her godparents were Jean Bauert (a butcher), Barbara (Bauert) Vonarx and Lisette Bauert of Berthoud. Obviously, these two records are in conflict. I do know that Barbara's maternal grandparents, Samuel and Barbara (Staub) Bauert, were both born in Berthoud. Since Barbara and Isaac had not yet married, I presume her parents made the effort to have the event of her baptism officially recorded. Perhaps 1822 is when the family removed from Berthoud to Gimel.

On December 9, 1825, Isaac and Barbara were married in Gimel (Registre Etat Civil; Gimel, Vaud, Suisse.). They had at least four children: Louise Zora Wilhelmine (Sep. 12-29, 1826. Gimel), Louise Claire Caroline (Oct. 12, 1827. Gimel), and Eugene (Jun. 7, 1829. Lausanne), and Charles. Both Charles and their father were clergymen.

Coat of arms of Haute-Vienne (Wikipedia)
Barbara was of a Huguenot family of Savoy, De Bonneville. According to the book Memorials of the Huguenots in America by Ammon Stapleton, "the family of De Bonneville is one of the oldest and most honorable of the French nobility, and the reader will find many references to the Lords of Bonneville in the history of France. Their estates were situated near Limoges, the capitol of the Department of Haute-Vienna, and date back to the eleventh century."

There is a small city in France, not far from Gimel, called Bonneville. The population was just under 12,000 in 2004. The prefix 'de' means 'of.' A person with the surname De Bonneville would indicate they, or an ancestor, were literally of Bonneville.

View map of the area where the Marguerats lived.

**Update: Through newspaper research, I have located the death notice for "Barbara Elise Marguerat!" It was possible to positively identify is was her by the mention of her son, Euguene, who lived in Chicago. She death occurred on 11 November 1883. She was buried two days later in Rovray, Vaud, Switzerland. I am thrilled to be able to add this important information.