After a genealogy-free week in Toronto, I've struggled to get back into a routine. School has started here and I'm trying to adjust to a new family schedule. These are the times when genealogy gets put on the back burner.
Today I shared some of the Williamson documents and photos I have with another person. I got some in return. I am very happy to see a picture of my third great aunt for the first time. She was a Williamson who married a doctor and moved away from Arkansas to Oklahoma. She must have stayed in touch with her family in Arkansas because my great-grandfather (her nephew) became a doctor and moved to the very same town in Oklahoma.
I'm not doing any really heavy research this week because I'm going to the FGS09 (Genealogy conference) next week.
Tomorrow is a trip to the Clayton Genealogy Library for some quick look-ups. I let you know how it goes.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Texas Genealogy Events: Week of August 24-30, 2009
Straight from the Texas Genealogy Events calendar, here's what is happening in Texas for the week of August 24-30, 2009:
Tuesday, August 25
Austin Genealogical Society Meeting, 7pm
Topic: Beyond Google Search and Ancestry.com: Unique Online Resources
Presenter: Sara Gredler
Thursday, August 27
East Texas Genealogical Society Get Acquainted Luncheon
Meetings are held between 11:30am and about 1:30pm (or whenever) at the Heartland Ham Co. 3400-A South Broadway, Tyler 75701. (903) 581-2802
These meetings are a chance to meet other members of the society in a relaxed, informal, social atmosphere -- all while enjoying a delicious lunch.
We talk about all sorts of subjects: genealogy, computers, kids, grand-kids, etc.
Come and enjoy yourself
For further details on these events, see the Texas Genealogy Events Calendar. Please confirm all dates and locations with the host societies and organizations.
Do you have an event you'd like to see on the calendar? Contact me using the email address at the right side of this blog. Events should occur in Texas or be of interest to Texans (neighboring states welcome). Speakers are encouraged to publicize their presentations.
Tuesday, August 25
Austin Genealogical Society Meeting, 7pm
Topic: Beyond Google Search and Ancestry.com: Unique Online Resources
Presenter: Sara Gredler
Thursday, August 27
East Texas Genealogical Society Get Acquainted Luncheon
Meetings are held between 11:30am and about 1:30pm (or whenever) at the Heartland Ham Co. 3400-A South Broadway, Tyler 75701. (903) 581-2802
These meetings are a chance to meet other members of the society in a relaxed, informal, social atmosphere -- all while enjoying a delicious lunch.
We talk about all sorts of subjects: genealogy, computers, kids, grand-kids, etc.
Come and enjoy yourself
For further details on these events, see the Texas Genealogy Events Calendar. Please confirm all dates and locations with the host societies and organizations.
Do you have an event you'd like to see on the calendar? Contact me using the email address at the right side of this blog. Events should occur in Texas or be of interest to Texans (neighboring states welcome). Speakers are encouraged to publicize their presentations.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Time Management: Too Much of a Good Thing
This month's ProGen assignment asked us to keep a log of our activities for one week. We then had to analyze the results and identify time suckers and other hindrances that stand between us and task completion.
I keep an appointment book calendar. I live and die by the thing. I use the long columns to make daily to-do lists and cross things off as I finish them. Everything that needs to get done goes on that list, otherwise I'd forget to do it.
Because of this strict adherence to the calendar, I thought this particular ProGen assignment would be an easy one. I kept my time diary for one week. Just as I expected, it showed very little wasted time.
What surprised me, however, was seeing how much I cram into a short amount of time. I don't view it as a good thing. This ProGen lesson taught me that I'm a little too good at time management, to the point where I go-go-go without a break. From this point, my daily to-do lists will be shorter. Not every task is urgent. Case in point: I did this blog post a day later than originally planned and the world did not fall apart. Good time management isn't always about getting things done.
I keep an appointment book calendar. I live and die by the thing. I use the long columns to make daily to-do lists and cross things off as I finish them. Everything that needs to get done goes on that list, otherwise I'd forget to do it.
Because of this strict adherence to the calendar, I thought this particular ProGen assignment would be an easy one. I kept my time diary for one week. Just as I expected, it showed very little wasted time.
What surprised me, however, was seeing how much I cram into a short amount of time. I don't view it as a good thing. This ProGen lesson taught me that I'm a little too good at time management, to the point where I go-go-go without a break. From this point, my daily to-do lists will be shorter. Not every task is urgent. Case in point: I did this blog post a day later than originally planned and the world did not fall apart. Good time management isn't always about getting things done.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Tombstone Tuesday: Who Are You Edition
I've done enough research in Acadia Parish to feel pretty comfortable with the statement that I'm likely related to all Bourgaux folks in the area. The photo below was taken in July 2009 in St. Joseph's Cemetery #1, Rayne, Louisiana. Of course, this is one name I can't place:
Amelia Bourgaux
Domingue
Mar. 7 1892 - Sept. 15 1933
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Texas Genealogy Events: Week of August 17-23, 2009
Straight from the Texas Genealogy Events calendar, here's what is happening in Texas for the week of August 17-23:
Monday, August 17
Angelina County Genealogical Society Workshop, 1pm
In conjunction with Kurth Memorial Library. Get free, individual, one-on-one help with your genealogy research problems from the membership of the Angelina County Genealogical Society.
Kurth Memorial Library
706 S. Raguet Street, Lufkin, TX 75904
Advanced sign-up is desired but not required.
Call the library at 936-630-0563.
Angelina County Genealogical Society Meeting, 5pm
Kurth Memorial Library
706 S. Raguet Street, Lufkin, TX 75904
Meeting times and places may be changed. Confirm with genealogical society.
Tuesday, August 18
East Bell County Genealogical Society Meeting, 6:30pm
The society holds meetings on the third Tuesday of each month, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m., in the McLane Room of the Temple Public Library at 101 North Main Street. The library is on the square in downtown Temple. The meeting opens with the introduction of new members and visitors and a short general session, followed by a speaker on a topic of genealogical or historical interest.
Saturday, August 22
Clayton Library - Mini-Education Session
New York (State) Genealogy Research
As one of the most populous states throughout America's history, New York has been the home of many ancestors. Due to New York's colonization under multiple European countries it has some recordkeeping traditions that are unique to the state. Come in and learn about finding and using these unique records and furthering your genealogical research within New York's borders.
Reservations required, please call 832-393-2600. Adults/Teens.
Fort Worth Genealogical Society - Beginners Workshop, 10:30 am
Fort Worth Central Library (Downtown)
500 West 3rd Street
Fort Worth, Texas
Chappell Meeting Room
Van Zandt County Genealogical Society Meeting, 2pm
Location: Van Zandt County Library
317 First Monday Lane
Canton, TX 75103-1052
903-567-4276
For further details on these events, see the Texas Genealogy Events Calendar. Please confirm all dates and locations with the host societies and organizations.
Do you have an event you'd like to see on the calendar? Contact me using the email address at the right side of this blog. Events should occur in Texas or be of interest to Texans (neighboring states welcome). Speakers are encouraged to publicize their presentations.
Monday, August 17
Angelina County Genealogical Society Workshop, 1pm
In conjunction with Kurth Memorial Library. Get free, individual, one-on-one help with your genealogy research problems from the membership of the Angelina County Genealogical Society.
Kurth Memorial Library
706 S. Raguet Street, Lufkin, TX 75904
Advanced sign-up is desired but not required.
Call the library at 936-630-0563.
Angelina County Genealogical Society Meeting, 5pm
Kurth Memorial Library
706 S. Raguet Street, Lufkin, TX 75904
Meeting times and places may be changed. Confirm with genealogical society.
Tuesday, August 18
East Bell County Genealogical Society Meeting, 6:30pm
The society holds meetings on the third Tuesday of each month, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m., in the McLane Room of the Temple Public Library at 101 North Main Street. The library is on the square in downtown Temple. The meeting opens with the introduction of new members and visitors and a short general session, followed by a speaker on a topic of genealogical or historical interest.
Saturday, August 22
Clayton Library - Mini-Education Session
New York (State) Genealogy Research
As one of the most populous states throughout America's history, New York has been the home of many ancestors. Due to New York's colonization under multiple European countries it has some recordkeeping traditions that are unique to the state. Come in and learn about finding and using these unique records and furthering your genealogical research within New York's borders.
Reservations required, please call 832-393-2600. Adults/Teens.
Fort Worth Genealogical Society - Beginners Workshop, 10:30 am
Fort Worth Central Library (Downtown)
500 West 3rd Street
Fort Worth, Texas
Chappell Meeting Room
Van Zandt County Genealogical Society Meeting, 2pm
Location: Van Zandt County Library
317 First Monday Lane
Canton, TX 75103-1052
903-567-4276
For further details on these events, see the Texas Genealogy Events Calendar. Please confirm all dates and locations with the host societies and organizations.
Do you have an event you'd like to see on the calendar? Contact me using the email address at the right side of this blog. Events should occur in Texas or be of interest to Texans (neighboring states welcome). Speakers are encouraged to publicize their presentations.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Wordless Wednesday: Second Cousin Edition
Second cousins, getting to know each other at a family reunion.
The one on the right is mine.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Tombstone Tuesday: Distant Cousins Edition
I always feel a sense of dread and weary necessity whenever I take photos in the "Babyland" portion of a cemetery. Not a happy place, yet there is a longing to preserve the memories of those buried there, often more than adults. These children had fewer records in their short lives, fewer chances of being remembered through documentation.
These siblings are buried next to each other in Woodlawn Cemetery, Crowley, Louisiana. I do not know their first names yet. I am still pouring over my piles of discovered information from my road trip. At some point, I can give you their names. For now you can call them my third cousins once-removed.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Texas Genealogy Events: Week of August 10-16, 2009
Straight from the Texas Genealogy Events calendar, here's what is happening in Texas for the week of August 10-16, 2009:
Tuesday, July 11:
Fort Worth Genealogical Society - Computer Users Group, 6:30pm
Using computers and the Internet in your research.
Fort Worth Central Library (Downtown)
500 West 3rd Street
Fort Worth, Texas
Intel Computer Lab
Thursday, July 13:
Clayton Library - Mini-Education Session, 2pm
New York (State) Genealogy Research
As one of the most populous states throughout America's history, New York has been the home of many ancestors. Due to New York's colonization under multiple European countries it has some recordkeeping traditions that are unique to the state. Come in and learn about finding and using these unique records and furthering your genealogical research within New York's borders. Reservations required, please call 832-393-2600. Adults/Teens
Saturday, August 15:
Fort Worth Genealogical Society Board Meeting, 10am
Southwest Regional Library
4001 Library Lane at Hulen St.
Fort Worth, Texas
Genealogy Friends of Plano Libraries
Saturday Seminar, 10am
Leo Baca will speak on DNA
W.O. Haggard, Jr. Library, 2501 Coit Rd., Plano, Texas, in the first floor Program Room. Doors open at 10:15 a.m. Registration is not necessary.
Clayton Library Orientation, 11am
Discussion of the resources available at Clayton Library. Orientation lasts approximately one hour. No reservations needed, meet at the Information Desk in the library.
Rains County Genealogical Society Meeting, 1pm
Location: Rains County Library
150 Doris Briggs Parkway
Emory, Texas 75440
Phone: (903)473-5000 ext 283
For further details on these events, see the Texas Genealogy Events Calendar. Please confirm all dates and locations with the host societies and organizations.
Do you have an event you'd like to see on the calendar? Contact me using the email address at the right side of this blog. Events should occur in Texas or be of interest to Texans (neighboring states welcome). Speakers are encouraged to publicize their presentations.
Tuesday, July 11:
Fort Worth Genealogical Society - Computer Users Group, 6:30pm
Using computers and the Internet in your research.
Fort Worth Central Library (Downtown)
500 West 3rd Street
Fort Worth, Texas
Intel Computer Lab
Thursday, July 13:
Clayton Library - Mini-Education Session, 2pm
New York (State) Genealogy Research
As one of the most populous states throughout America's history, New York has been the home of many ancestors. Due to New York's colonization under multiple European countries it has some recordkeeping traditions that are unique to the state. Come in and learn about finding and using these unique records and furthering your genealogical research within New York's borders. Reservations required, please call 832-393-2600. Adults/Teens
Saturday, August 15:
Fort Worth Genealogical Society Board Meeting, 10am
Southwest Regional Library
4001 Library Lane at Hulen St.
Fort Worth, Texas
Genealogy Friends of Plano Libraries
Saturday Seminar, 10am
Leo Baca will speak on DNA
W.O. Haggard, Jr. Library, 2501 Coit Rd., Plano, Texas, in the first floor Program Room. Doors open at 10:15 a.m. Registration is not necessary.
Clayton Library Orientation, 11am
Discussion of the resources available at Clayton Library. Orientation lasts approximately one hour. No reservations needed, meet at the Information Desk in the library.
Rains County Genealogical Society Meeting, 1pm
Location: Rains County Library
150 Doris Briggs Parkway
Emory, Texas 75440
Phone: (903)473-5000 ext 283
For further details on these events, see the Texas Genealogy Events Calendar. Please confirm all dates and locations with the host societies and organizations.
Do you have an event you'd like to see on the calendar? Contact me using the email address at the right side of this blog. Events should occur in Texas or be of interest to Texans (neighboring states welcome). Speakers are encouraged to publicize their presentations.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Welcome, Podcast Visitors
I've seen a spike in traffic of visitors from Lisa Louise Cooke's Family History #40 podcast, Why You Need a Blog and How to Do It, Part 1. I'd just like to say welcome to those who clicked through.
Thank you for stopping by my little blog! Let me tell you a little bit about the place: it's a multi-subject genealogy blog. Sometimes I talk about techy things and their relation to genealogy. Sometimes I talk about the personal research I'm doing in the hope that someone else will be looking for the same ancestors. Sometimes I just talk to myself because I like to talk about genealogy.
Hopefully, Lisa's podcast convinced you to start your own genealogy blog. If you feel that you can't measure up to other bloggers, allow me to prove that anyone can blog with the following examples:
1. You don't need to be a master of fine grammar.
I write like I speak, straight from the hip in a conversational tone. I make up words like DARing, which is a verb. It is the act performing research in the DAR databases.
2. You don't have to have a fancy blog layout.
Look at this blog, people. It's got all the color and pizazz of a hotel sheet. I could improve it, but I just haven't had the time. This simple white action gets the job done for now.
3. There are no rules, unless you want rules because it's your blog.
My rule is that I can do whatever I want because it's my blog. I don't have a specific theme because that's not how my genealogy adventures roll. My research is all over the place and so is my blog. I have fun with it. Hopefully others do, too.
4. Genealogists are the nicest people in the world.
The will welcome you, support you, and follow you. All you need to do is take the first step of starting a genealogy blog.
Hopefully my exposure as the least-exciting village idiot of geneabloggers will give you the boost you need to launch your own blog. In all sincerity, the friends I've met, the research strides I've made, and the family tree advancements I've accomplished have made this one of the best experiences of my life. I love what I do. I love writing this blog. And I'd love reading about yours too.
Drop me a line, or leave a comment when you're blog is up and running so I can add it to my Google Reader. Thanks again for visiting We Tree. I hope you'll stick around and see what new discoveries I find and what words I can make up next.
Thank you for stopping by my little blog! Let me tell you a little bit about the place: it's a multi-subject genealogy blog. Sometimes I talk about techy things and their relation to genealogy. Sometimes I talk about the personal research I'm doing in the hope that someone else will be looking for the same ancestors. Sometimes I just talk to myself because I like to talk about genealogy.
Hopefully, Lisa's podcast convinced you to start your own genealogy blog. If you feel that you can't measure up to other bloggers, allow me to prove that anyone can blog with the following examples:
1. You don't need to be a master of fine grammar.
I write like I speak, straight from the hip in a conversational tone. I make up words like DARing, which is a verb. It is the act performing research in the DAR databases.
2. You don't have to have a fancy blog layout.
Look at this blog, people. It's got all the color and pizazz of a hotel sheet. I could improve it, but I just haven't had the time. This simple white action gets the job done for now.
3. There are no rules, unless you want rules because it's your blog.
My rule is that I can do whatever I want because it's my blog. I don't have a specific theme because that's not how my genealogy adventures roll. My research is all over the place and so is my blog. I have fun with it. Hopefully others do, too.
4. Genealogists are the nicest people in the world.
The will welcome you, support you, and follow you. All you need to do is take the first step of starting a genealogy blog.
Hopefully my exposure as the least-exciting village idiot of geneabloggers will give you the boost you need to launch your own blog. In all sincerity, the friends I've met, the research strides I've made, and the family tree advancements I've accomplished have made this one of the best experiences of my life. I love what I do. I love writing this blog. And I'd love reading about yours too.
Drop me a line, or leave a comment when you're blog is up and running so I can add it to my Google Reader. Thanks again for visiting We Tree. I hope you'll stick around and see what new discoveries I find and what words I can make up next.
Google Analytics and We Tree
In order to learn more about what works/doesn't work for readers of my blog (and to feed my own ego) I have a couple of traffic meters on this blog.
One is Google Analytics. Basically, from this tool I get reports on the pages visitors view, the keywords they choose, the search engines they use and more. No personal information of users is provided, I just get a general survey of how my blog is utilized.
Today I looked at my keyword report and decided to share it with you. Here is a brief look at the top 10 keywords and phrases that bring folks to this blog's doorstep:
#1 & #2 are variations on the surname Lenertz. This makes me very happy, as this unusual name and my related brick walls were two of the reasons I started this blog. I put the word out there that I was researching this name and the response has been great.
#3 and #5 are variations on the We Tree name. This also makes me very happy. It means people are looking for my blog and finding it.
#4 is the catch-all "genealogy blogs" phrase. I don't know exactly what people are looking for when they type that phrase, but I'm happy they find my blog. Hopefully they like what they see.
#6 is "blogger word verification not working." Blogger has had trouble with comments and word verification in the past. When it first happened, I wrote a quick blog post informing readers of the trouble and how I was circumventing the problem. Since then, others having the same issue with Blogger search for answers and land on my blog. I don't expect many of these visitors to stick around.
#7 and #9 are phrases that indicate people are looking for blog ideas and topics. This pleases me to no end, as I have two very successful blog posts about ideas for genealogy blogs. I must be doing something right to drive those people to my blog. I hope they find the ideas they're looking for and start genealogy blogs of their own.
#8 is my name. How flattering! Hopefully these are genealogists and not stalkers.
#10 is a 13-way tie. Most of the keywords and phrases were variations of the first nine.
I must say, I am pleased with what I see. I know who I want to reach with this blog. Based on the people finding it and liking it, I think I'm on the right track.
Do you find these analytics breakdowns interesting? Should I do it again?
One is Google Analytics. Basically, from this tool I get reports on the pages visitors view, the keywords they choose, the search engines they use and more. No personal information of users is provided, I just get a general survey of how my blog is utilized.
Today I looked at my keyword report and decided to share it with you. Here is a brief look at the top 10 keywords and phrases that bring folks to this blog's doorstep:
#1 & #2 are variations on the surname Lenertz. This makes me very happy, as this unusual name and my related brick walls were two of the reasons I started this blog. I put the word out there that I was researching this name and the response has been great.
#3 and #5 are variations on the We Tree name. This also makes me very happy. It means people are looking for my blog and finding it.
#4 is the catch-all "genealogy blogs" phrase. I don't know exactly what people are looking for when they type that phrase, but I'm happy they find my blog. Hopefully they like what they see.
#6 is "blogger word verification not working." Blogger has had trouble with comments and word verification in the past. When it first happened, I wrote a quick blog post informing readers of the trouble and how I was circumventing the problem. Since then, others having the same issue with Blogger search for answers and land on my blog. I don't expect many of these visitors to stick around.
#7 and #9 are phrases that indicate people are looking for blog ideas and topics. This pleases me to no end, as I have two very successful blog posts about ideas for genealogy blogs. I must be doing something right to drive those people to my blog. I hope they find the ideas they're looking for and start genealogy blogs of their own.
#8 is my name. How flattering! Hopefully these are genealogists and not stalkers.
#10 is a 13-way tie. Most of the keywords and phrases were variations of the first nine.
I must say, I am pleased with what I see. I know who I want to reach with this blog. Based on the people finding it and liking it, I think I'm on the right track.
Do you find these analytics breakdowns interesting? Should I do it again?
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Tombstone Tuesday: Genealogy Dream Edition
Below is the Gaspard & Petitjean family plot in St. Joseph's Cemetery #1, Rayne, Acadia Parish, Louisiana. My great-great aunt married in to this line. Martin Petitjean and Thelice Gaspard were her in-laws.
Wouldn't genealogy life be grand if all memorials provided this level of historical information? Multiple generations and one-stop research shopping:
For search engine purposes, I will list the names on this photo:
Wouldn't genealogy life be grand if all memorials provided this level of historical information? Multiple generations and one-stop research shopping:
For search engine purposes, I will list the names on this photo:
Martin Petitjean
Thelice Gaspard
Telesphore Gaspard
Azelie Richard
Eve Petitjean
Marie Mevee Petitjean
I'm not 100% sure, but I think this is how the relationships play out: the first two Martin and Thelice are married. This I know. I believe Telesphore and Azelie are Thelice's parents. I believe Eve and Marie are children of Martin and Thelice.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Another Jones Surprise, or Why Genealogists Should Blog
In my last entry about Keeping Up With The Joneses, I shared that I was learning about my Jones line. I discovered that they spent some time in Cooke County, Texas, but that I had yet not found the time to learn about the area and its genealogy resources.
In the comments section of that blog post one of my friends and faithful readers, who also happens to be a very smart librarian, shared with me a link for a Jones Cemetery and asked if these were my Jones folks. They were!
Many of the names in the cemetery are familiar. Duckett and Bostick stand out. Probably anyone from Asheville, North Carolina has a connection. However, what stood out on that page was a grave marker transcription for:
JONES, Harriet Elizabeth 8 Oct 1859 - 18 Aug 1861
dau of R. M. and Sarah Neilson Jones note: no longer found
This entry got me excited because R. M. and Sarah are my great-great-great grandparents. Harriet was a child I did not know of! My great-great grandfather, Frank Wiley Jones, had another sister! I went to enter her name in my files and I stopped...
She was born on the same day as my great-great grandfather. He was a twin.
The only evidence I had that Harriet even existed came from the Jones Cemetery transcription web page. I've yet to find them in the 1860 census. I'm wondering if they were en route from North Carolina to Texas then.
The only reason I now know about it is because I blogged about my Jones line and someone took the time to comment and share what she knew.
This is why all genealogists should blog. We are not islands. So many other folks out there have information to share. You don't have to be an expert writer. Just get your surnames out there. You'll be surprised at what you find...or who finds you.
In the comments section of that blog post one of my friends and faithful readers, who also happens to be a very smart librarian, shared with me a link for a Jones Cemetery and asked if these were my Jones folks. They were!
Many of the names in the cemetery are familiar. Duckett and Bostick stand out. Probably anyone from Asheville, North Carolina has a connection. However, what stood out on that page was a grave marker transcription for:
JONES, Harriet Elizabeth 8 Oct 1859 - 18 Aug 1861
dau of R. M. and Sarah Neilson Jones note: no longer found
This entry got me excited because R. M. and Sarah are my great-great-great grandparents. Harriet was a child I did not know of! My great-great grandfather, Frank Wiley Jones, had another sister! I went to enter her name in my files and I stopped...
She was born on the same day as my great-great grandfather. He was a twin.
The only evidence I had that Harriet even existed came from the Jones Cemetery transcription web page. I've yet to find them in the 1860 census. I'm wondering if they were en route from North Carolina to Texas then.
The only reason I now know about it is because I blogged about my Jones line and someone took the time to comment and share what she knew.
This is why all genealogists should blog. We are not islands. So many other folks out there have information to share. You don't have to be an expert writer. Just get your surnames out there. You'll be surprised at what you find...or who finds you.
[Edit, January 15, 2010: I have found further information that refutes the birth date of Harriet. It seems someone transcribed her brother Franklin's birth date in place of Harriet's. She is Franklin's older sister, having been born in 1856. --Amy]
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Texas Genealogy Events: Week of August 3-9, 2009
Straight from the Texas Genealogy Events calendar, here's what is happening in Texas for the week of August 3-9, 2009:
August 3-7:
IAJGS 29th Conference on Jewish Genealogy
Philadelphia, PA
Tuesday, August 4:
Ellis County Genealogical Society Meeting, 7pm
Ellis County Woman's Building,
407 West Jefferson Street in Waxahachie
Montgomery County Genealogical & Historical Society, Inc,
Monthly Meeting, 7pm
Montgomery County Memorial Library,
104 I-45 N,
1st floor meeting room,
Conroe, Texas
Thursday, August 6
Mid Cities Genealogical Society Meeting, 7pm
Euless Public Library
201 N. Ector
Euless, Texas
Saturday, August 8
East Texas Genealogical Society /
Van Zandt Genealogical Society
Joint All-Day Seminar featuring Desmond Walls Allen on "Preserving Your Family Papers, Photographs and Heirlooms"
For further details on these events, see the Texas Genealogy Events Calendar. Please confirm all dates and locations with the host societies and organizations.
Do you have an event you'd like to see on the calendar? Contact me using the email address at the right side of this blog. Events should occur in Texas or be of interest to Texans (neighboring states welcome). Speakers are encouraged to publicize their presentations.
August 3-7:
IAJGS 29th Conference on Jewish Genealogy
Philadelphia, PA
Tuesday, August 4:
Ellis County Genealogical Society Meeting, 7pm
Ellis County Woman's Building,
407 West Jefferson Street in Waxahachie
Montgomery County Genealogical & Historical Society, Inc,
Monthly Meeting, 7pm
Montgomery County Memorial Library,
104 I-45 N,
1st floor meeting room,
Conroe, Texas
Thursday, August 6
Mid Cities Genealogical Society Meeting, 7pm
Euless Public Library
201 N. Ector
Euless, Texas
Saturday, August 8
East Texas Genealogical Society /
Van Zandt Genealogical Society
Joint All-Day Seminar featuring Desmond Walls Allen on "Preserving Your Family Papers, Photographs and Heirlooms"
For further details on these events, see the Texas Genealogy Events Calendar. Please confirm all dates and locations with the host societies and organizations.
Do you have an event you'd like to see on the calendar? Contact me using the email address at the right side of this blog. Events should occur in Texas or be of interest to Texans (neighboring states welcome). Speakers are encouraged to publicize their presentations.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Keeping Up With The Joneses
I played around with my Jones line last night and made some decent progress. That family had been a brick wall for some time. I couldn't get past my great-grandfather Frank Wiley Jones. Then someone contacted me and shared that Frank's father had been killed in the Civil War. That prompted me to go to the scene of the battle and find the memorial at the courthouse. I wrote about that discovery here.
So for a while, I knew Richard Jones' death date, but that is all. I assumed he was born in North Carolina like everyone else in his family. When I went to the NGS conference in Raleigh, I joked at all the genealogy booths "I'm looking for a Jones in North Carolina. Have you seen one?" I suspected Richard Jones was from Buncombe County, since his son Frank was born there. However, there was no record of Richard. There were lots of other Joneses in Buncombe County, but without a name I was out of luck.
Two weeks after the NGS conference, I got a name. I was researching Frank Wiley Jones and I found a book that listed his grandfather as Wiley Jones. Bingo. Richard's father was Wiley Jones. I had to research the grandson to find the grandfather. Once I looked up Wiley, research got easier from there.
Wiley's parents are Ebed Jones and Mary Wells. Last night, I found their cemetery photos on Find-a-Grave. These are my 5th great grandparents and their photos are just sitting there on the Internet. How crazy and cool is that?
The rest of last night I spent learning more about Wiley Jones and his children. Wiley and wife Anna Duckett are supposedly buried in Jones Cemetery in Leo, Texas. Since there isn't much to Leo, Texas, I'm wondering if the cemetery is overgrown and forgotten. I live 5-6 hours away, so I probably won't have my answer until I can plan a trip to get it.
Also, last night I learned that Wiley's son, my great-great-great grandfather Richard Jones was the oldest son. He had many brothers and sisters. The Jones family have quite a history in north Texas. And here I thought I was the first in my family to move to the state. We've been here for ages.
So for a while, I knew Richard Jones' death date, but that is all. I assumed he was born in North Carolina like everyone else in his family. When I went to the NGS conference in Raleigh, I joked at all the genealogy booths "I'm looking for a Jones in North Carolina. Have you seen one?" I suspected Richard Jones was from Buncombe County, since his son Frank was born there. However, there was no record of Richard. There were lots of other Joneses in Buncombe County, but without a name I was out of luck.
Two weeks after the NGS conference, I got a name. I was researching Frank Wiley Jones and I found a book that listed his grandfather as Wiley Jones. Bingo. Richard's father was Wiley Jones. I had to research the grandson to find the grandfather. Once I looked up Wiley, research got easier from there.
Wiley's parents are Ebed Jones and Mary Wells. Last night, I found their cemetery photos on Find-a-Grave. These are my 5th great grandparents and their photos are just sitting there on the Internet. How crazy and cool is that?
The rest of last night I spent learning more about Wiley Jones and his children. Wiley and wife Anna Duckett are supposedly buried in Jones Cemetery in Leo, Texas. Since there isn't much to Leo, Texas, I'm wondering if the cemetery is overgrown and forgotten. I live 5-6 hours away, so I probably won't have my answer until I can plan a trip to get it.
Also, last night I learned that Wiley's son, my great-great-great grandfather Richard Jones was the oldest son. He had many brothers and sisters. The Jones family have quite a history in north Texas. And here I thought I was the first in my family to move to the state. We've been here for ages.
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