THE PILOT HOUSE
FROM THE EDITOR
December 1999
One of my goals in this final year of the 1900s that is, the last year we actuall write 19 - on our checks - was to take a day, a camera, and a car with a tank of gas, and shoot pictures all around Evansville, showing what the city looked like at the end of the century.
As it happened, I didn't get that chance. All three of my cameras are broken, the cost of gasoline has skyrocketed, and that single day never materialized. You could say, well, there's next year - but it really isn't the same. "Yes, that was Main Street back in the `90s" just doesn't have the same ring as "back in the early 2000s." The `90s imply nostalgia, something 2000 clearly doesn't, and won't for some time. Then again, who knows - Christmas is still to come, gasoline prices can go down and (don't tell anyone) I have New Year's Eve off. This is one promise I'd like to keep to myself.
Speaking of promises and photographs... are you remembering to identify your pictures? Both of my parents assumed I knew the people in their photographs. That wasn't always the case, and whenever I'd ask, they'd tell me... but somehow we never wrote down the identities on the back of the photos. That's another project I'd like to start with my Dad as we close out the year.
I recently began a project of identifying individuals in an old family group photograph given to me by my grandmother, who didn't know that the family was her late husband's grandfather, aunts, uncles, and cousins. My grandfather was a young boy in the photo, and I haven't conclusively identified him, but his grandfather could not be missed. He's the spittin' image of Uncle Sam, only without the top hat and the stars-and-stripes suit. The photo, taken in the early 1900s, shows him as an old man. I have another photo, a large framed photograph un- doubtedly taken from a tintype, showing him as a very young man with his bride. The clothing style indicates the 1860s if not earlier; he wears a Lincolnesque beard, which he retained into old age. With the help of my grandfather's cousin, who gave me the "young" photograph and let me copy (when my SLR was working) his family photos of his aunts, uncles, and cousins, I am able to match images. With the help of census records and maybe more relatives, in time everyone in the photo will be identified. I'll be happy to share the results.
As a special treat, we're including Letters to Santa, written by children in 1899 to the Evansville newspapers. Some of these children may be your grandparents (or great-grand- parents). It's interesting to see what their wishes were in 1899, and to compare those wishes with today's children's. Girls wanted dolls and the typical girl stuff; boys wanted toy guns and other boy stuff
Conventional wisdom says anything published
before 1923 is most likely in public domain, but
I'm not one to take unncessary risks, even if I am
backed by CW. If you're ever in doubt, as I was,
go ahead and ask for permission to publish. In
this case, I sent an e-mail to publisher Vince
Vawter at The Evansville Courier & Press,
explaining what I wanted to use and why. He
very kindly, and very promptly, granted me
permission to print the letters. If you are direct
and concise in your request, odds are you will get
the permission you seek. And you'll feel better
about it. For added insurance, I printed out the
e-mail granting permission. As movie producer
Sam Goldwyn once said, a verbal contract isn't
worth the paper it's written on. So remember
get it in writing.
Peggy K Newton
THE SHIP'S LOG
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
December 1999
Genealogy in retirement is great... but late. Before I retired back to Indiana in 1983, after 34 years in upstate New York, there was little opportunity to pursue a search for ancestors. The demands of my work and the remoteness of records and relatives dampened any in-depth research. In fact, I really did not give genealogy much thought. When I finally retired, the first year was devoted to making our house and yard a home. It was also a period of getting used to retirement. Also, we became involved with Friendship Force and Elderhostel programs which allowed us to travel.
But being in the vicinity of the places of our youth, Boonville and Terre Haute, Indiana, our thoughts turned to matters genealogical. Our grandparents and our parents were no longer living. What we would have given to have had conversations with them about their memories! Visits to grave yards and churches our families had attended were inspirational. Our earliest visit to Willard Library was sometime in 1984. It was then that we began to learn the discipline of genealogical record keeping. We are still learning. One of my earliest mentors was Ken Franks who introduced me to genealogy record keeping by using computers.
I envy the young people in the 4H genealogy projects because they are learning the rules that will serve them a lifetime of sound genealogical research.
The Society's annual Seminar, held in October, reminded me once again why I find them so useful. Our speaker was Charles A. Sherrill, Director Public Services, Tennessee State Library. Each one-hour lecture was illustrated with readable and instructive overhead projector displays. One of the four lectures he delivered was focused on researching for ancestors in The Volunteer State using the state library and archives, and this was greatly appreciated by all who had family that lived in or migrated from Tennessee.
The other three lectures treated basic genealogical techniques which can be applied in any location. One described how to make effective use of original court records, complete with legal definitions of the court documents and their con- tent. Another described how to find genealogical treasures in manuscript collections and where these collections reside. Finally, the use and value of military records was described.
These seminars also provide an opportunity to mingle with other people interested in genealogy, and to browse the displays of many vendors. Thank you, Marjorie Kinsey, Mary Lou Bevers and Jim Bevers for organizing the Seminar. The Society is now in the process of planning the Seminar for the year 2000. Stay tuned and watch our website.
Thanks to Eleanor E. Borkenhagen of Huntington Beach, California for the Los Angeles Times' obituary abstracts of former residents of this region. Our Society's membership extends from coast-to-coast with more than half residing beyond a 50-mile radius. Your contribution linked many family names and individuals and was appreciated.
If you have roots in Perry County, I would recommend a Sunday afternoon visit to the former Perry County Courthouse in Cannelton, Indiana. It is now a museum and is still accumulating materials for its displays. Among the displays are many family, team and organization photographs with individuals identified. It is staffed entirely by volunteers and at the moment is open only from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Sunday. The Curator is Chuck Poehlein. Should you need more information, he can be reached by calling (812) 547-3190.
Please note: The website address for The Tri-State Genealogical Society is: https://sites.rootsweb.com/~intsgs/ I hope the one I quoted in the September Packet did not cause too much trouble.
George Wolf President TSGS
QUERIES
December 1999
The Tri-State Packet is pleased to publish queries from TSGS members.
Queries are limited to 50 words & five typed lines. Please include your
name, address and membership number (on the mailing label), and at least
one name, date and location.
Submit your questions to:
QUERIES
TSGS Packet
c/o Willard Library
21 First Ave.
Evansville IN
47710-1294
* BEALL *
Seeking parents of David Beau, b. ca 1750, Maryland, d. 1817
Prince George Co., Maryland.
Left a will stating the following children:
Anne, Harriet (had daughter Sarah
Cole), David Jr., Lucy m. James Sebly,
Levin, Sarah m. Mr. Pope, Archibald, Helen and Theophilos.
Sarah Iglehart Cole's father Richard Iglehart
may have lived in Piney Wood near B & O RR near Jessups Cut and
near Mrs. Cole's uncle, Mr. Pope.
Willing to share information.
Gerri Gerhardt
7640 Telephone Rd.
Evansville, IN 47715-1714
(812) 473-5012
E-mail: [email protected]
* BOTKIN * BRAHN/M * HAFFIELD * HOUGH * HOWARD * LAUGHLIN *
McNEIL * RUCKER * TROWBRIDGE *
Seek descendants of Rev. Joseph HOWARD,
b. 1797 in Mason Co., KY,
m. Sarah HAFFIELD 1817, KY,
d. 1878 in DeWitt Co., IL.
Children: Benjamin (b. 1820 KY) m. Lydia HOUGH,
Rachel (b. 1822, KY), m. James CRUCKER,
Ellen (b. 1824), Peter (b. 1827 OH) m. Mary E. BOTKIN,
Rev. William R. (b. 1830 OH),
John (b. 1832 OH),
Mary Jane (b. 1834 OH) m. Samuel P. HOUGH,
Rueben (b. 1836 OH) m. Bette LAUGHLIN,
Francis (b. 1839 IL) m. Sarah TROWBRIDGE and Caroline McNEIL
Analiza E. (b. 1842 IL) m. George P. BRAHN/M.
Also researching the following names: Boren, Cary/Carey,
Fullington, Hampson, Jordan, Murray, Pollard, Richey, Sharp, Sumners, Wright.
Would like to exchange/share information.
Maynard & Lois Fullington
572 U Road
Palmer, NE 68864-1113
308-894-6694
[email protected]
* HURLEY *
David HURLEY b. Indiana abt. 1835, m. Anna/Rebecca Ray/Roy from
Kentucky. They were in Vanderburgh Co. 1880 Census, then lost.
Descendants remain in Warrick Co. Anna is Rebecca in census but
I have a death card for Anna in 1890s.
Any help?
Thank you!
Kathy Patrow
7499 Edgedale Dr.
Newburgh, IN 47630-2954
* JOHNSON * PHELPS * SHERWOOD *
Seeking information on Alexander JOHNSON and the families of his
two sons-in-law, Abraham PHELPS of Newburgh and Marcus SHERWOOD of
Evansville, both well-known families in the 1850s.
Alexander came from Livingston Co., Kentucky and lived in Gibson Co. before
arriving in Evansville about 1825. He left the
area about 1835 and returned to Kentucky.
Please write to:
Frances Owensby
5017 McCray Street
Indianapolis, IN 46224
* PAUL * EHRLICH * CARO * ADLER * ROTHSCHILD *
I am searching for my family lines in Evansville and Henderson.
Please write
Shannon Heilman
1732 N. Mohawk
Chicago, IL 60614
[email protected]
* WM. MOORE GA to IN*
Looking for info on William Moore Sr.
Sons: William Jr., b. GA;
Aaron, b. 23 January 1792 GA;
Elihu (Elisha), b. 1802 GA;
Ensley.
Possible daughters Eliza and Mrs. R. McFaddin.
David G. Moore
1319 McCausland 1 South,
St. Louis, MO 63117
[email protected]
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