Origin of Hildeburn Name
In 1831, Robert McMullin Jr. (1787-1862) and wife Mary Tabele (1795-1869) of Philadelphia named their eldest son Samuel Hildeburn McMullin (1831-1892). Samuel is my 2nd great-grandfather (2GG) and his parents Robert and Mary are 3GGs.
Rev.…
Discovery: Wesley Blalock had Two Wives
Just not at the same time!
In 2012, I obtained the Civil War pension file for 2GG Wesley Blalock (1825-1895) from the National Archives.((Wesley Blalock (Pvt., Co. K, 31st Ill. Inf., Civil War), pension no. Inv. 58388, Case Files of Approved…
Ten Years of Discoveries
I feel like it's time to step back and reassess. I began building a family tree over a decade ago. In January 2011, I joined Ancestry.com at the suggestion of a buddy at work, Ray Thomas - a fellow Ohioan like my father. I was immediately…
Nelson Jonnes Died a Decade Ago Today
My father, Nelson Jonnes (1926-2011), passed away on 7 November 2011. He was 85 and would have been 95 today.
On the occasion of Dad's 80th birthday bash in 2006, I created a certificate in PowerPoint detailing many of his life accomplishments. …
The Lost Township of Northampton
Every genealogist encounters past jurisdictions that no longer exist. Empires rise, empires fall, boundaries shift, names change. Only 150 odd years ago, Germany was a patchwork of 39 kingdoms, duchies, and principalities. As a result,…
Distant Cousins with Familiar Names, Part II
I had the good fortune of connecting this summer with two distant cousins who share very rare surnames from my family tree:
Tabele
Wührlin
A previous post told the story of my new Tabele cousin.((See it here.)) This post discusses…
My Vermilyea Cousin in Fairbanks, Alaska
Lucia and I flew to Alaska last month!
It was an amazing trip and we hope to return. We encourage anyone who has not been to consider it. It is as advertised - majestically beautiful and naturally wilder than any place in the lower 48. …
Distant Cousins with Familiar Names, Part I
This summer, I fortuitously connected with two distant cousins who share unusual surnames from my family tree:
Tabele
Wührlin
The Tabele family is a branch in my father's tree; the Wührlin family is a branch in my mother's. This…
Probate Discovery: Mrs. Caroline S. King (1860-1932)
Now that Shuping and I summer in Minnesota, I was hoping to take advantage of our proximity to local genealogical records.
Last week was my first chance to do so. We made a day trip north to Grand Rapids, Minnesota and obtained the probate…
Squatters in Ross County, Ohio
I've neglected my blog for two months. But I have a good excuse. We've been busy working on our new lake cabin and getting it furnished. A very productive and fun time, actually, but I'm ready to dive back in now.
Irish-American Robert…