I started my blog on St. Patrick's Day and also subscribed to Ancestry.com eagerly looking forward to researching my Irish roots.
My Irish ancestors are Patrick and Emily Devine, my maternal great-great-great-grandparents. As I stated in an earlier post about Emily, I have her daughter Teresa's baptismal and death certificates. I already had her death certificate and received a copy of her baptismal certificate from my maternal grandmother's cousin, Geraldine. The death certificate showed Teresa's mother's maiden name to be O'Leary but her baptismal certificate had no last names for her parents and one of the sponsors listed as Emily Sheldon. I contacted St. Mary's Church in Hudson, NY and ordered a baptismal certificate for Teresa Devine. The certificate I received has Teresa's parents last names which are Devine and Sheldon but no sponsors names and no place of birth listed. I should have called the church back and questioned the names. I did not call. I put my search for the Devines on hold. this was a few years ago before I started doing any research online, before I subscribed to Ancestry.com, and before I became a little more organized with my research (keyword is "little").
Fast forward to the present with internet research and access to census records online. I have not found Patrick and Emily Devine together in any censuses. Did they fall off the face of the earth? I did find an Emily Devine in the 1900 U.S. Federal Census. If this is my Emily, she is listed with her son, William, and living in Esopus, NY. The 1905 New York State Census shows Emily Devine (if this is the same Emily) living by herself in Esopus, West park Village. William is not with his mother in the 1905 census. He is listed as age 18 in the 1900 census so anything could happen in five years. He could be anywhere.
I looked through my notes and decided to call St. Mary's Church again regarding Teresa Devine's Baptismal record. I asked the nice clerk if he could please check the church records and tell me what Teresa's mother's maiden name was. I had two last names, O'Leary and Sheldon and needed to know which is correct. I received a callback from St. Mary's. Emily's maiden name was Sheldon and the sponsors were Andrew and Mary.
A few days later I thought about calling St Peter's Cemetery in Rosendale, NY. My great-grandmother, Josephine was born in Rosendale. Her mother, Teresa was Anna Devine's cousin. I wrote about Anna in an earlier post, she was the teacher in the one room schoolhouse. The town of Esopus is not far from Rosendale. Anna Devine is buried in St. Peter's Cemetery, so maybe...
I called St. Peter's Cemetery with no information other than Emily's last name, spouse's name and that she was born in Ireland. I also mentioned that she lived in Esopus with her son, William according to the 1900 census and is by herself in 1905. Diane from the cemetery called me back to tell me that she found a Patrick, Emily and William Devine. She didn't have any information on Patrick or Emily but has a date of death for William which is 1903. If these are the Devines that I seek then that would explain why I didn't find William in the 1905 census. He died before his 22nd birthday. Diane told me that she doesn't know what's on the headstone and suggested I visit and take a look for myself. She offered to mail me a map but I declined her kind offer. I told her that I'd pick one up when I visit.
I was planning to visit the cemetery on my next day off during the week but I couldn't wait another two weeks so I went yesterday. I had the plot #, no map and the cemetery had no markers identifying the sections but I was lucky to meet a couple visiting their relatives. They had a map with only the "F" section which was exactly what I needed. They helped me find the Devines. It wasn't a simple headstone but a tall obelisk shaped stone with the name 'Devine' on top. 'Patrick' and wife 'Emily' were engraved on one side, just their names, no dates. William's name was on another side with his date of death and no birth date; instead there was his age in years and months. I don't even know if Patrick and Emily are buried there. Are these 'my' Devines? Have I found Emily at last? Emily, is that You? ? ?
The Town of Esopus celebrates it's 200th anniversary this year. http://www.esopus.com/aboutus.html
Rosendale http://www.townofrosendale.com/
Monday, May 30, 2011
~ God Bless America ~
Today is Memorial Day.
I have ancestors who served our country from the Civil War to the Korean War and a few in between. The ancestor who I know the least about or actually know nothing about is my maternal, great-great-great-grandfather Samuel C. Braught from Ohio.
I recently found the pension record for Samuel which listed his wife, Emily as widow.
Samuel C. Braught died in the Civil War. R.I.P.
I have ancestors who served our country from the Civil War to the Korean War and a few in between. The ancestor who I know the least about or actually know nothing about is my maternal, great-great-great-grandfather Samuel C. Braught from Ohio.
I recently found the pension record for Samuel which listed his wife, Emily as widow.
Samuel C. Braught died in the Civil War. R.I.P.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Following Up on Ferris
According to the U.S. Federal Censuses, Ferris George Davis and his wife, Sarah had a son named Arthur Ferris who was born in 1891. The Ferris Davis who is buried in the New Paltz Rural Cemetery was also born in 1891 and I'm guessing is actually the son who went by his middle name.
So... the Ferris Davis who I am looking for is not buried in the New Paltz Rural Cemetery but his son is. Ferris is also not buried in the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery but his brothers Melville and Daniel are.
I'm going to order a death certificate for Arthur Ferris Davis to see if his father is the Ferris Davis I seek.
Arthur Ferris Davis 3 June- 1954
So... the Ferris Davis who I am looking for is not buried in the New Paltz Rural Cemetery but his son is. Ferris is also not buried in the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery but his brothers Melville and Daniel are.
I'm going to order a death certificate for Arthur Ferris Davis to see if his father is the Ferris Davis I seek.
Arthur Ferris Davis 3 June- 1954
Monday, May 23, 2011
Breaking Down Brick Walls
chipping away at the Davis brick wall...
I called the United Methodist Church located in Milton,NY and spoke to a very nice reverand. He was new to the area and this church. He was unfamiliar with the cemetery that sits next to this church but said that he would try to get more information and call me back. I asked if there are any other cemeteries in Milton (I already have the names of cemeteries in Marlborough) and was told that this is the only one.
Milton is where my great-great-great-grandfather, William Davis was born. Milton is a hamlet of Marlborough. William and his wife, Emily lived in Milton and Marlborough for decades (according to U.S. Federal Censuses) so I'm hoping that they're buried somewhere local.
I've started researching William and Emily's children with the hope that I'll find out where their parents spent their final days and where they are buried. Daniel was my great-great-grandfather (my maternal grandmother's grandfather on her father's side). Daniel is buried in the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery, Poughkeepsie,NY. I recently discovered that Daniel's younger brother, Melville lived in Poughkeepsie,NY according to the 1910 and 1930 censuses that I read on on Ancestry . com. I don't know why I didn't see the 1920 census, maybe it was late and I was tired. I'll look again.
I called the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery and spoke to a very helpful woman who informed me that there are three Melvilles buried in this cemetery. Melville Croft Davis was born 1876 and died 1946. His son, Melville Clifford Davis and grandson, Melville Clifford Jr are also buried there. They are in a different part of the cemetery, not the same plot as Daniel Davis and family. I was so excited to find my great-great-grandfather's brother that I never asked the nice woman about anyone else buried there. I guess she thought I was only interested in the name 'Melville Davis' but I was caught off guard with the discovery of 'three' Melvilles that I simply forgot to ask about other Davis'. I'll call back. After I hung up the phone, I looked through my notes and found another brother named Ferris who died in Poughkeepsie. What I found wasn't actually an obituary but more like a cemetery listing and stated that Feris Davis died in Poughkeepsie,NY. It also mentioned his wife and New Paltz Rural Cemetery. I called the cemetery and was told that there is a Ferris Davis buried there along with three other Davis' (other three died at a young age). The woman gave me a birth and death date for Ferris but it didn't sound right. I asked if there were any other Ferris Davis' and was told that there are not. hmmmm... I'll have to look into that...
Well, at least I found Melville Davis, that's another brick knocked down...
will just keep chipping at that wall until.....
I called the United Methodist Church located in Milton,NY and spoke to a very nice reverand. He was new to the area and this church. He was unfamiliar with the cemetery that sits next to this church but said that he would try to get more information and call me back. I asked if there are any other cemeteries in Milton (I already have the names of cemeteries in Marlborough) and was told that this is the only one.
Milton is where my great-great-great-grandfather, William Davis was born. Milton is a hamlet of Marlborough. William and his wife, Emily lived in Milton and Marlborough for decades (according to U.S. Federal Censuses) so I'm hoping that they're buried somewhere local.
I've started researching William and Emily's children with the hope that I'll find out where their parents spent their final days and where they are buried. Daniel was my great-great-grandfather (my maternal grandmother's grandfather on her father's side). Daniel is buried in the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery, Poughkeepsie,NY. I recently discovered that Daniel's younger brother, Melville lived in Poughkeepsie,NY according to the 1910 and 1930 censuses that I read on on Ancestry . com. I don't know why I didn't see the 1920 census, maybe it was late and I was tired. I'll look again.
I called the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery and spoke to a very helpful woman who informed me that there are three Melvilles buried in this cemetery. Melville Croft Davis was born 1876 and died 1946. His son, Melville Clifford Davis and grandson, Melville Clifford Jr are also buried there. They are in a different part of the cemetery, not the same plot as Daniel Davis and family. I was so excited to find my great-great-grandfather's brother that I never asked the nice woman about anyone else buried there. I guess she thought I was only interested in the name 'Melville Davis' but I was caught off guard with the discovery of 'three' Melvilles that I simply forgot to ask about other Davis'. I'll call back. After I hung up the phone, I looked through my notes and found another brother named Ferris who died in Poughkeepsie. What I found wasn't actually an obituary but more like a cemetery listing and stated that Feris Davis died in Poughkeepsie,NY. It also mentioned his wife and New Paltz Rural Cemetery. I called the cemetery and was told that there is a Ferris Davis buried there along with three other Davis' (other three died at a young age). The woman gave me a birth and death date for Ferris but it didn't sound right. I asked if there were any other Ferris Davis' and was told that there are not. hmmmm... I'll have to look into that...
Well, at least I found Melville Davis, that's another brick knocked down...
will just keep chipping at that wall until.....
Thursday, May 19, 2011
~ Raining on my Research ~
Mother Nature has not been cooperating. I still haven't visited the cemeteries in the Milton and marlborough areas in search of my great-great-great-grandparents due to wet weather. I will get there eventually. It's not like my ancestors are going anywhere. They're settled in where they are; wherever that might be.
I won't let the rain ruin my research. i don't feel like treading among the tombstones in muddy Milton. I've been making a list of cemeteries to visit and will resume my search when the sun is smiling.
I won't let the rain ruin my research. i don't feel like treading among the tombstones in muddy Milton. I've been making a list of cemeteries to visit and will resume my search when the sun is smiling.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Meandering thru Milton
I had this written and ready to put on the computer yesterday but Blogger had maintenance issues, so here I am now.
Wednesday started out cool and a bit overcast but certainly a fine enough day to visit cemeteries. I never made it.
I already had a photocopy of the Ulster county map showing Milton, Lloyd and Marlboro which are hamlets of Marlborough. I highlighted the cemeteries on that map. Milton is where William H. Davis, my great-great-great-grandfather was born. His wife, Emily was from Lloyd. The 1860,70, and 80 censuses show William and Emily living in Marlborough with the post office of Milton.
I had the names and telephone numbers of four cemeteries. I called two with no luck and couldn't reach the other two. Before embarking on this ancestral adventure I checked the computer again. I went to Find a Grave.com > http://www.findagrave.com/ and found a lot more cemeteries. Some of these cemeteries are very, very old and small. I doubt that my great-great-great-grandparents are buried thee. I'll save those small, old cemeteries for last.
I checked the 1910 census again on Ancestry.com and found a William and Emily Davis in Marlborough. They are listed by themselves, their children are grown and on their own. I think these are my great-great-great-grandparents and don't know why I didn't notice them the other day when I checked the 1910 census.
I called the Lloyd Cemetery to inquire about any 'Martins' who might be buried there. Emily's maiden name was Martin. I spoke to a very kind man named John who gave me 24 names. I don't know if any of the Martins buried in this cemetery are my ancestors. I asked John if there are any other cemeteries in Lloyd and he told me that this is the only one.
Once I find the graves of William and Emily Davis, I can order their death certificates to get their parents names. I'll find out if Emily's parents are buried in Lloyd Cemetery. As of right now, Emily's parents are just Mt and Mrs Martin. I hope to get their first names in the near future, along with the names of her in-laws, Mr and Mrs Davis.
If the weather cooperates, I'll go meandering thru Milton this weekend.
Wednesday started out cool and a bit overcast but certainly a fine enough day to visit cemeteries. I never made it.
I already had a photocopy of the Ulster county map showing Milton, Lloyd and Marlboro which are hamlets of Marlborough. I highlighted the cemeteries on that map. Milton is where William H. Davis, my great-great-great-grandfather was born. His wife, Emily was from Lloyd. The 1860,70, and 80 censuses show William and Emily living in Marlborough with the post office of Milton.
I had the names and telephone numbers of four cemeteries. I called two with no luck and couldn't reach the other two. Before embarking on this ancestral adventure I checked the computer again. I went to Find a Grave.com > http://www.findagrave.com/ and found a lot more cemeteries. Some of these cemeteries are very, very old and small. I doubt that my great-great-great-grandparents are buried thee. I'll save those small, old cemeteries for last.
I checked the 1910 census again on Ancestry.com and found a William and Emily Davis in Marlborough. They are listed by themselves, their children are grown and on their own. I think these are my great-great-great-grandparents and don't know why I didn't notice them the other day when I checked the 1910 census.
I called the Lloyd Cemetery to inquire about any 'Martins' who might be buried there. Emily's maiden name was Martin. I spoke to a very kind man named John who gave me 24 names. I don't know if any of the Martins buried in this cemetery are my ancestors. I asked John if there are any other cemeteries in Lloyd and he told me that this is the only one.
Once I find the graves of William and Emily Davis, I can order their death certificates to get their parents names. I'll find out if Emily's parents are buried in Lloyd Cemetery. As of right now, Emily's parents are just Mt and Mrs Martin. I hope to get their first names in the near future, along with the names of her in-laws, Mr and Mrs Davis.
If the weather cooperates, I'll go meandering thru Milton this weekend.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Searching Cemeteries...
It seems like I've hit a brick wall with my maternal grandmother's father's side of the family. I've almost accepted the brick wall on her mother's side but not quite. I've put that on hold for now.
My maternal grandmother's side, Davis family came from Ulster county, NY. My grandmother was Eleanor F. Davis, her father Samuel G. Davis, his father was Daniel J. Davis and then there's Daniel's father, William H. Davis; my great-great-great-grandfather.
William H. Davis was born in Milton,NY. According to the 1850 census, at the age of 18, he resided with his sister and brother-in-law in Marlborough,NY. The 1860,70, and 80 censuses have William Davis living with his wife, Emily and their children in Marlborough. The 1890 census was destroyed by fire (what remains is of no use to me) and I haven't found either William or Emily in the 1910 or 1920 censuses. I lost them after 1880 but hope to find them in a cemetery.
Tomorrow I will start searching the cemeteries. If I find William and Emily's graves then I'll have the dates of death and can order death certificates. From the death certificates I'll find out who William and Emily's parents were and add more branches to my tree.
I just went online and looked up Marlborough,NY. -just learned that Milton is a 'hamlet' in the Town of Marlborough
My maternal grandmother's side, Davis family came from Ulster county, NY. My grandmother was Eleanor F. Davis, her father Samuel G. Davis, his father was Daniel J. Davis and then there's Daniel's father, William H. Davis; my great-great-great-grandfather.
William H. Davis was born in Milton,NY. According to the 1850 census, at the age of 18, he resided with his sister and brother-in-law in Marlborough,NY. The 1860,70, and 80 censuses have William Davis living with his wife, Emily and their children in Marlborough. The 1890 census was destroyed by fire (what remains is of no use to me) and I haven't found either William or Emily in the 1910 or 1920 censuses. I lost them after 1880 but hope to find them in a cemetery.
Tomorrow I will start searching the cemeteries. If I find William and Emily's graves then I'll have the dates of death and can order death certificates. From the death certificates I'll find out who William and Emily's parents were and add more branches to my tree.
I just went online and looked up Marlborough,NY. -just learned that Milton is a 'hamlet' in the Town of Marlborough
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
~ Deaf & Dumb ~
Today we use the word 'deaf' but back in the 1800's, a person who couldn't hear or speak was referred to as 'deaf and dumb'. The 1870 U.S. Federal Census has my great-great-grandfather, Daniel J. Davis, age 10, listed as deaf and dumb.
Daniel J. Davis was my maternal grandmother, Eleanor's grandfather on her father's side. Daniel married Flora, also a deaf-mute and together they had three children with no hearing impairments. Daniel's son, Samuel (my great-grandfather) married Josephine, a deaf-mute.
Josephine was not born deaf. She was struck with Scarlett Fever at a very young age. I don't know at what age she became ill but at age 5, the 1900 census has her listed as a pupil of the Institution for the Improved Instruction of Deaf-Mutes. She was still a student 10 years later according to the 1910 census.
The Institution for the Improved Instruction of Deaf-Mutes located in Manhattan,NY was established in 1867 and focused on oralism (teaching children to 'speak) instead of manualism (sign language).
I was only 9 years old when my great-grandmother, Josephine passed away but I remember my grandmother using sign language to communicate with her mother. I don't remember if my grandmother actually 'spoke' while signing (I think she did). I used to sign "eat" to let Josie know that dinner was ready. My grandmother also taught me to sign my name and "I Love You" xoxox
According to my great-grandmother Josephine's death certificate, she was a teacher in a deaf & mute school. R.I.P. Josie >Josephine (Duper) Davis 11 Dec. 1894- 17 July 1977
I share my birthday, June 27, with the famous Helen Keller who was deaf, (mute), And blind. Like my great-grandmother, Josie, Helen Keller was not born deaf and blind but an illness at the age of 19 months cause her to lose these senses. With the help of her wonderful teacher, Anne Sullivan, Helen learned to speak and even gave many lectures worldwide.
Helen Adams Keller 27 June 1880- 1 June 1968
Sign Language: http://handspeak.com/
Daniel J. Davis was my maternal grandmother, Eleanor's grandfather on her father's side. Daniel married Flora, also a deaf-mute and together they had three children with no hearing impairments. Daniel's son, Samuel (my great-grandfather) married Josephine, a deaf-mute.
Josephine was not born deaf. She was struck with Scarlett Fever at a very young age. I don't know at what age she became ill but at age 5, the 1900 census has her listed as a pupil of the Institution for the Improved Instruction of Deaf-Mutes. She was still a student 10 years later according to the 1910 census.
The Institution for the Improved Instruction of Deaf-Mutes located in Manhattan,NY was established in 1867 and focused on oralism (teaching children to 'speak) instead of manualism (sign language).
I was only 9 years old when my great-grandmother, Josephine passed away but I remember my grandmother using sign language to communicate with her mother. I don't remember if my grandmother actually 'spoke' while signing (I think she did). I used to sign "eat" to let Josie know that dinner was ready. My grandmother also taught me to sign my name and "I Love You" xoxox
According to my great-grandmother Josephine's death certificate, she was a teacher in a deaf & mute school. R.I.P. Josie >Josephine (Duper) Davis 11 Dec. 1894- 17 July 1977
I share my birthday, June 27, with the famous Helen Keller who was deaf, (mute), And blind. Like my great-grandmother, Josie, Helen Keller was not born deaf and blind but an illness at the age of 19 months cause her to lose these senses. With the help of her wonderful teacher, Anne Sullivan, Helen learned to speak and even gave many lectures worldwide.
Helen Adams Keller 27 June 1880- 1 June 1968
Sign Language: http://handspeak.com/