Following is an example from my family research illustrating the frustration in encountering the proverbial brick wall; and the joy in finally climbing over.

For over 100 years the identity of JONATHAN RARIDEN, my three-great grandfather, has been disputed by researchers. In year 2000 I began the task of trying to establish a positive link between Jonathan and Moses Rariden, the man whom I believed to be his father. Moses apparently changed the spelling of his surname from Rarden to Rariden in 1815, about the time he began buying land in Indiana.

My searches in books and on the internet, as to the parentage of Jonathan, proved to be fruitless. There is much published about the Rarden brothers, John and Dennis, who came from Ireland about 1750. John's will, dated 1796, clearly lists his children, including my gggg grandfather, Moses. The family was living in Western PA at this time, but were in the process of embarking upon a move to the Ohio Territory. John became ill and the family went on without him. He subsequently died leaving each of his children one dollar and his wife, two dollars!

A Rarden familly history, published about 1892, shows little information about John's son, Moses. Family papers in the Fort Wayne, IN library document Moses' marriage to Eleanor Manning and all of their children's births and marriages, except for Jonathan. There is also an extensive Rardin Family site on the internet. No mention of Jonathan there either!

From 1880 to the 1920's members of the Rardin/Rariden families were compiling and distributing genealogy information. One group never mentioned Jonathan, while the other was searching futilely, it seems, for proof of his existence. In 1929 a niece of Jonathan's posed this question in one of her letters, "Did Moses leave a will?" Yes he did! In February 2001, a researcher found a copy in a Franklin County, Indiana Probate Book. The will was made August 26, 1835 and in it, Moses mentions all of his children, including Jonathan. Why did it take 172 years to make the connection between Moses and Jonathan?

I believe, in the early years after Moses' death, the family knew of all of his children. The probate went on for several years and they are all mentioned many times. There was a lot of dispute over Moses' property since he saw fit to leave most of it to his second wife, with whom he had no children. Moses died September 4, 1839. Jonathan had died the month before on August 4. Perhaps, by the time anyone decided to work on the Rariden family history the record of Jonathan went unnoticed.

Now, on to my next Brick Wall!

Mary Jo McQueen

16 February 2002 Randy Thompson, Archive Specialist with the National Archives and Records Administration - Pacific Region in Laguna Niguel, will present a workshop on using the 1930 Census which is being released April first of this year. Randy has been with NARA since 1995, serving as coordinator of reference services and manager of the volunteer program. He assists genealogical researchers in person as well as through telephone and written inquiries. This is an important meeting to attend to learn just how to access this important new census.

9 February 2002 The new chapter of the Colonial Dames in Laguna Hills will meet. For info on joining, contact Pres. Sandra Harris (760) 754-1015 or Registrar Mary Bump (949) 830-8429.

23 February 2002 The Whittier Area Genealogical Society (WAGS) will hold its 20th Annual Seminar, presenting Sharon DeBartolo Carmack, CG, author and contributing editor for Family Tree Magazine. Topics will include: Flesh on the Bones: Putting Your Ancestors into Historical Perspective, The Silent Woman: Bringing a Name to Life, Painless Organization, and Cryptic Clues in the Bone Yard. For more information contact the seminar director, Jean Bogart at (626) 333-1194 or [email protected]. Or visit the web page at: http://www.cagenweb.com/kr/wags.

3-10 March 2002 The North San Diego County Genealogical Society will be hosting a trip to Salt Lake City. The cut off for reservations is February 3rd. For more information contact: Floyd Smith, trip coordinator, at (760) 559-4716 or email to <[email protected]>.

13-14 April 2002 The Southern California Genealogical Society (SCGS) will hold its Annual Genealogical Jamboree at the Pasadena Convention Center. Info is available from Chris Hubbard (818) 843-7247 or [email protected] or http://www.scgsgenealogy.com.

7-10 August 2002 The 2002 Federation of Genealogical Societies Conference will be hosted next summer by the CA State Genealogical Alliance at the Ontario Convention Center. Details will be posted on the FGS Website at http://www.fgs.org. You can also write FGS, PO Box 200940, Austin, TX 78720-0940.

New Members:

Rhoda M. Klein

Louise Ringwalt (CARR-VA; RINGWALT-Germany; RUTGERS-NY)

John Smith

Guests:

Marilyn Morgan (WILLS-NY; LOPEMAN-IL; THOMAS, HART, REDGATE-PA)

David Sherman (SHERMAN,SCHEINBERG-NY)

Lynda Theel (THEEL, ABEN-MI; MOSLEY, HARDEN-AL&TX; HALL, WALKER, CANTRELL, COX-TX; WILCOX, DAUGHTERY-TX, OK)

A new numbering system has been devised, adapted from the Dewey Decimal System, which will fit the requirements of our space and still satisfy the needs of the Mission Viejo Library. The library staff does the actual entering of the books into their catalog system, then we are responsible for the labels, stamps, taping, and the security spines. The books are then placed on the shelves in their proper order. The work of cataloging began in November, but has been tabled for the time being while a new library staff person is being trained in this process.

New additions of material include many CD's that have been purchased or donated. They are all in cases and the updated list is available at the Docent's Desk. New book additions include the 3 volume set of the Virginia "Publick" Claims, a wonderful source of information on hundreds of civilians living in Virginia during the Revolutionary War, and an updated copy of Sharon DeBartolo Carmacks' Discovering Your Female Ancestors. Eugenia Gannon keeps sending us many books on Ohio from her personal collection, and also from the library of her friend, Dorothy Anne Laeger. So, through the generosity of our members and their friends, our collection keeps growing.

The target date to move into our new area is early April; however, in the meantime we really need some EXTRA help. We are going to lose 2 sections of shelves, so we will need to go through the periodicals and glean the genealogy information to be placed in the manuscript files. If anyone has a few hours to spare we could really use your help. You do not have to be a regular docent to help, either at the Library or by taking material home to work on. Check with me on this. I can be reached at (949) 496-8428. Please don't hesitate to call me if you ever have any questions or suggestions.

Remember that a current copy of the membership Surname List is kept at the Docent's Desk. It is upgraded as soon as Herb receives new material. So, come visit YOUR Library; you may find some new "cousins" within our membership.

Janet Franks, Librarian

Donated by Karen Sepp

Mayflower Families, Through Five Generations, Vol.13, William White

Donated by Willbur & Liz Allen

Genealogical & Historical Notes on Culpeper County, VA, Raleigh T. Green.

Marriages of Wilson County, Tennessee, 1802-1850, Edythe Rucker Whitley

Shenandoah County Marriage Bonds, 1772-1850, John Vogt & T. William Kethley, Jr.

Marriages of Surry County, North Carolina, 1779-1868, Brent H. Holcomb

Missouri Heritage, Lew Larkin

Marriages of Monmouth County, New Jersey, 1795-1843, George & Florence Gibson

From Entry Fee to'Fifty-three, History of Lawson's Three County Community,

Ruth Bogart Rooney

Our Easley Family and their Relatives, Kirby Easley Johnson

Abstracts of Wills, Inventories, & Administration Accounts of Loudoun County, VA 1757-1800, J. Estelle Stewart King

1743-1800, J. Estelle Stewart King

Holt County, MO, 1850 Census, Elizabeth Prather Ellsberry

Atchison County, MO Census, Elizabeth Prather Ellsberry

Book of Obituaries, Missouri No. 2, Lucretia L. St. John

Genealogical Notes from the "Liberty Tribune", Vols. I, II, III, IV, Hodges & Woodruff

1860 Ray County, MO Census, Elizabeth Prather Ellsberry

Missouri Bible Records, Vol. I, VII, VIII, Elizabeth Prather Ellsberry

Lafayette County, MO Atlas, Elizabeth Prather Ellsberry

Lafayette County, MO Tombstone Inscriptions, Vol. I, IV, VI, Marty Helm Brunetti

Lafayette County, MO Marriage Records Book E, 1 Jan 1866, & Book F, Brunetti & Lee

Marriage Records, Clay County, MO, Vol. 1-2-3, Elizabeth Prather Ellsberry

Howard County, MO Marriage Records, 1816-1850, Wills, 1818-1836, Elizabeth Prather Ellsberry

Saline Co., MO Marriage Records, 1851-1866, Elizabeth Prather Ellsberry

Saline Co., MO Marriage Records, 1820-1850, Elizabeth Prather Ellsberry

Saline Co., MO Wills, 1821-1863, Elizabeth Prather Ellsberry

Kentucky Pioneer Genealogy & Records, Vols 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

The Jacksons, Sarah Sisson & Janice Mercer

Guide to Church Records, Archives & Records Division, Virginia State Library

Page County Virginia Marriages, 1831-1864, Bertrand & Turpin

Prince William County, Virginia, Will Book H, 1792-1803, June Whitehurst Johnson

Jefferson County, Tennessee, Grant Book No.1, 1792-1794, James L. Douthat

Jefferson County, Tennessee, Will Book No. 1, 1792-1810, Jfames L. Douthat

Frederick County, Virginia Marriages, 1771-1825, Davis

A History of Jessamine County, Kentucky, Bennett H. Young

Fauquier County, Virginia Abstracts of Wills, Administrations, and Marriages from 1759-1800, J. Estelle Stewart King

Washington County, Tennessee Marriage Records 1787-1840, Grammer & Mullins

Massanutten (First white settlement in the Shenandoah Valley), Harry M. Stickler

Out of the Wilderness - McBee & Allied Families, Janice Mercer

Winchester Cemetery Inscriptions (KY), Oven & Couey

Ray County, MO 1860 Census, Vol. II, Elizabeth Prather Ellsberry

Hanover County, Virginia Court Records 1733-1735; Deeds, Wills and Inventories, Rosalie Edith Davis

Clay County, MO Cemetery Records, Vol. I, Elizabeth Prather Ellsberry

Donated by Jeanne & Dan Stanberry:

Kentucky Explorer, Vol. 11 - 4, 6, 9; Vol. 12 - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9; Vol. 13 - 1, 4, 6, 8;

Vol. 14 - 1, 2, 4, 6, 8

One of the most useful tools for a genealogist is the City Directory. These were printed in many towns and cities before the telephone directories came into existence, and many city directories were replaced by the telephone directory by 1970. However, in some of the smaller and rural communities, city directories are still being published, in addition to the telephone directory. Some directories have been found that were published as early as the 1700s but these are rare and were mostly for major cities. However, by the mid 1800s they began to be published on a yearly basis for most communities.

Most of these directories contain, of course, an alphabetical listing of the adult residents, and name of spouse, usually showing their home address, occupation, and in some cases the names of their business or employers. By adults, it was usually meant employed adults and/or head of household. If the head of household was a widow, it usually shows the husband's name in parenthesis. Some directories will show a description of the home location and if the person owned or rented. Some directories will include children over the age of sixteen residing in the same household and if they are employed and where, or going to school.

Also included would be a Classified Section, showing businesses and professional services, as well as home-based business occupations such as seamstress or tutor. Much like the Yellow Pages of today, these are listed by category.

Some sections include civic offices and office holders, church directories and the ministers' names and home addresses, clubs, and organizations. Some directories include a complete cross section showing the streets and address numbers.

By the mid 1800s business advertisements are found throughout the directories as well as in the Classified section.

As with all published material, mistakes were made and you will have to be aware of the various ways of spelling the surname you are researching. Some directories will cross-reference similar surnames such as "Smith - see Smythe, Schmidt, Schmitt" but in most cases you will have to be the one to remember other variants of your surname.

Most directory canvassers tried to make sure they had contacted every residence and business; however, people were missed, or your ancestor may not have moved into the area until after the issue for that year had already been canvassed, and not included until another year. Be sure to check several directories for the area of your research. In some cases, later issues include more information than the previous years.

To recap, by researching several city directories for your area, you can learn quite a bit about your ancestral families. They aid as supplemental census information, links to church records, vital records, probate records, land records, naturalization records, maps, and much more. We can tell who lived together, both in the immediate families and how the neighbors living right around them might connect with our family

Most city directories are found in the library of the area of your research and in larger libraries with major genealogical collections. Some city directories have been microfilmed, so you will want to contact the state library or archives of your area of research to see what years are available, if they have been microfilmed, if the micro-film is available on interlibrary loan, and if they have not been microfilmed, where the directories would be stored.

The European Commission has just announced an agreement whereby English will be the official language of the EU rather than German which was the other possibility. As part of the negotiations, Her Majesty's Government conceded that English spelling had some room for improvement and has accepted a 5 year phase-in plan that would be known as "Euor-English". In the first year, "s" will replace the soft "c". Sertainly, this will make the sivil servants jump with joy. The hard "c" will be dropped in favour of the "k". This should klear up konfusion and keyboards kan have 1 less letter. There will be growing publik enthusiasm in the sekond year, when the troublesome "ph" will be replaced with "f". This will make words like "fotograf" 20% shorter. In the 3rd year, publik akseptanse of the new spelling kan be ekspekted to reach the stage where more komplikated changes are possible. Governments will enkorage the removal of double letters, which have always ben a deterent to akurate spelling. Also, al wil agre that the horible mes of the silent "e"s in the language is disgraseful, and they should go away. By the fourth year, peopl wil be reseptlv to steps such as replasing "th" with "z" and "w" with "v". During ze fifz year, ze unesesary "o" kan be dropd from vords kontaining "ou" and similar changes vud of kors be aplid to ozer kombinations of leters. After zis fifz year, ve vil hav a reli sensibl riten styl. Zer vil be no mor trubl or difikultis and evrivun vil find it ezi to understand ech ozer. Ze drem vil finali kum tru!

Please pay now so our membership chairman doesn't have to make reminder phone calls

1. Continuous classes are offered at the Mission Viejo Family History Center at 27976 Marguerite Parkway. For a current schedule or to register call (949) 364-2742.

2. For information on classes held at the Orange FHC, 674 S. Yorba St., Orange, call Beth McCarty at (714) 998-3408.

3. Classes for beginners and intermediates in Computer-assisted Genealogy are offered each month by the Orange County CA Genealogy Society in the General Meeting Room of the Huntington Beach Central Library, 7111 Talbert Ave., Huntington Beach, CA for a fee of $4 for non-members, payable at the door. See http://occgs.com for schedule.

4. The schedule for NARA workshops is available by calling (949) 360-2641.

5. The British Isles Family History Society (BIFHS) holds classes monthly at the LA FHC of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 10741 Santa Monica Blvd., W. LA. Classes and parking are free. For information contact Dorothy Losee at (310) 838-6085, [email protected].

6. Classes are offered monthly by the LA Family History Center, 10741 Santa Monica Blvd. Los Angeles which offer a wide variety of topics. To see the schedule for the current month, go to their website at http://www.lafhc.org or call (310) 474-9990.

7. Brigham Young University's Department of Independent Studies offers two free online genealogy courses, Finding Your Ancestors and Providing Temple Ordinances for Your Ancestors. See http://ce.byu.edu/is/dept/famhist.htm for details.

8. Community College genealogy courses, such as the one being conducted currently by our society member Doug Mason at Orange Coast College, can be found listed at the website: http://www.ed2go.com/colleges.html. Many of these are also free online. For Doug's class, call him at (714) 432-5072, email <[email protected]>.

(Note: A roster of all the current courses is maintained at our library. Be sure to check the bulletin board.)

[email protected]