Saddleback Valley Trails

Vol 8 No 5 ...Editor: Gail Gilbert ...May 2001

South Orange County California Genealogical Society

 P. O. Box 4513, Mission Viejo, CA. 92690

At long last, the INTERNET is up and running in the Genealogy section at the Mission Viejo Library. This is due, in a very large part, to the time and efforts of Herb Abrams. THANK YOU HERB! Access will be controlled by the Docent on duty, as that person will need to put in our password.

Thank you, Karyn, for so ably chairing the April meeting. And to Gail for recording the minutes. I really appreciate your efforts.

The McQueen "Ancestor Trek" to New England was a huge amount of fun. As I have said before, Bob is a very good sport since these are my ancestors and he drove over 2000 miles in search of them! He often napped in the car while waiting patiently while I conducted my research. There must be some extra "golf-time" in his future!

We touched down in five states: Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont and New Hampshire. Drove to Provincetown at the very tip of Cape Cod, where the Pilgrims first landed. Seems there were too many trees for them and so they sailed on to Plymouth.

As we all know, mostly very nice people are involved in the pursuit of genealogical information. Everywhere, there was someone willing and eager to help in our search. Among the best places to research were the Sturgis Library in Barnstable on Cape Cod and the Historic Document Center in Boxford, Massachusetts. After we returned home, I found more information had arrived, from the Archivist. She had kept searching even after we had left the Center.

In Litchfield, Connecticut I found a young man high on a ladder who was working on the Historical Center, which was closed. He smiled and politely gave directions to the "street of old houses." A gentleman in Salisbury, Connecticut opened the library for us, as it is closed on Monday.

Visiting the Antiquarian Society in Hopkinton, New Hampshire was more rewarding for them than me since I gave more information than I received. But isn't that what we so often do? They have previously done research for me by long distance so it was fun to put faces with voices.

The Newbury, Massachusetts Library has an Archive Center in the basement which is under lock and key. I must have made a good impression because they left me in there alone, with a key! I found some long-buried family; information not people!

I had better wind this up before I bore you with my entire trip journal. But you will enjoy this.......... we had the directions to a very old cemetery in Sanbornton, NH which is located on a small hill in some trees on a golf course. We couldn't find it and didn't really want to tramp around while people were out there hitting that little white ball, so went to the Club House for help. Soon we were riding on a golf cart, driven by the golf course manager, to the cemetery location behind the third green. Such a great example of New England wonderful hospitality!

Bye now...........see you at the meeting on May 19.

Mary Jo McQueen

19 May 2001 Louis Carlson will talk to us about "Everything You Wanted to Know About Headstones and Were Afraid to Ask: "A Humorous Look at Headstones Through the Ages,Their Maintenance and their Symbolism."

16 June 2001 Gary Shumway will speak on:"Using Oral History to Document Your Genealogy."

21 July 2001 Norma Keating will cover "Danish Research" for us.

5 & 6 May 2001 LOCH PRADO, the Scottish Clan Gathering and Highland Games, previously held in the fall, will now be held in the spring at the Prado Regional Park, 16700 S. Euclid, Chino, CA. For further information and directions, see the flyer which is posted at the library or go to their Internet site: www.lochprado.com.

12 May 2001 Scottish Day at SCGS. If you have Scottish Ancestry, you won't want to miss this event on Saturday, May 12, 2001 at the Southern CA Genalogical Society, 417 Irving Drive, Burbank, CA. From 10 to 11:30 am, Al Lewis will educate and entertain us with his talk on "The History of the Clans." From 1 to 3 pm, Fran Bumann, Clan Ross Genealogist, and Nellie Lowry, Clan Graham Genealogist, will facilitate a round table discussion, and provide individual help on researching your Scottish ancestors. Bring your books, research materials, and questions to share with others. For information e-mail: [email protected] or call (818) 842-7247.

16-19 May 2001 The NGS - National Genealogical Society will hold their Annual Conference in the States, "Explore New Frontiers," in Portland, OR. For a conference brochure, you can contact NGS at 4527 17th St. N., Arlington, VA 22207-2399. For additional information, see their web site at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/.

24-25 August 2001 The British Isles Family History Society -USA will present its 14th Annual British & Irish Genealogical Seminar, "Journey to the Past" on the Queen Mary with famous speakers from England, Ireland, Scotland & Wales. The cost for those who register before June 1 is $150 for members and $175 for non-members. For additional information visit their web site at: https://sites.rootsweb.com/~bifhsusa or call Dorothy Losee at (310) 838-6085 or email her at <[email protected]>.

We wish to express our condolences to the family of member Sharon Robison who passed away in March. She will be missed, especially by those who volunteered with her at the library. Cards of sympathy may be sent to 26361 Ganiza, Mission Viejo 92692.

The following article by Nancy Giles appeared in the WAGS Newsletter Vol. 20, No. ll, April 2001. Nancy is the instructor for the WAGS Beginning Genealogy Class and we are reprinting this article with her permission.

The question arose recently as to what information would be found in a military pension record, so I thought it would be a good subject for a newsletter article. Of course much more can be written about military pensions, which would take far more space than I have here, but I will try to give a simple answer to the question.

If some clue in your genealogy research suggests that your ancestor may have applied for a military pension - whether it was granted or not - it may lead you to one of the most valuable forms of genealogical research you can find. Pension records, along with bounty-land applications, and military service records go back to the Indian wars, which predated the Revolution. However, pension records after the Revolutionary War include much more information than the earlier ones. This information can help you locate your ancestor, set him apart from others by the same name, and trace his activity from his military service to the time of pension application. If his widow, or parents, applied for the pension, which was allowed by law, you can also establish death dates including many times those of the heirs. Should your ancestor not have served, but his brother or uncle did, his pension could give you valuable information , otherwise not available to you.

Remember, too, if your ancestor was a Loyalist in the Revolution, he may have received compensation for losses from the British government.

If a veteran's widow filed for the pension, she had to produce proof of the marriage by obtaining an affidavit from the appropriate minister or civil authorites, supplying a copy of the marriage certificate, or sending sworn statements from persons who could testify to the marriage date and place; therefore, military pension records can establish proof of marriage, even if not available in other customary records.

Military pension files also contain valuable birth and death records. The date and place of birth of the veteran, the birth dates of his children, and the birthdate and birthplace of the veteran and his widow if she received a pension, are included in the file in some cases.

Applications for pensions were made to the United States government, but were initiated in the courts of the counties and towns in which hthe veteran lived. Researchers need to be aware that a refusal by the Pension Board often led the claimant to seek relief from Congress directly. Many were denied for various reasons. I recall reading an abstract of an application where the individual was denied because he claimed to have been in the Navy and served on a certain ship; - the reason for denial was that no record of the ship ever being commissioned could be found.

If your ancestor's information for a particular war can not be found in federal military records, contact the archives of the state from which he served to obtain a copy of his service record, pension record, or bounty-land application.

Pension applications were also listed in various newspapers and you may want to check for them. An example is this one: Pensions Granted: ACKLEY, John B.; R.D.No.2, West Finley, granted $20 per month to date from Mar, 1907. Mr. Ackley was commissary sergeant of Co. C, 19th Regt, Pa. Vol. Cav. The Washington Reporter, Washington, PA 15 Oct 1907.

1. For schedule of current classes being held at the LA Family History Center, 10741 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, call (310) 474-9990 or visit their website at http://www.lafhc.org.

2. For information on classes held at the Orange FHC, 674 S. Yorba St., Orange, call Beth McCarty at (714) 998-3408. The spring-summer 2001 mini class schedule is as follows:

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. For classes at the Mission Viejo Family History Center, 27976 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo: http://genweb.net/Family_History_Center/classes.htm or phone (949) 364-2742.

5. NARA Schedule of Spring/Summer 2001 Genealogical Workshops:

6. 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. Contact Dorothy Losee at (310) 838-6085 or e-mail: [email protected].

Herb Abrams announced at the last meeting that we were in the process of getting Earthlink as our Internet provider for our on-line computer at the library. Also, we could use an additional monitor if someone should have one to donate. This added research tool should bring even more activity to our genealogical library, and there is still a need for docents. Please do consider signing up to help by calling Janet Franks at (949)498-8438. Your volunteer time would be greatly appreciated.

1. Somerset County Historical Quarterlies, Vol. 1-8

2. Hawkeye Heritage (Iowa Genealogical Society), Vols 17-21 complete

3. Pennsylvania & Middle Atlantic States Genealogical Manuscripts

4. Guide to Genealogical Sources at the Pennsylvania State Archives

5. Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine, Vol. XXXII, No. 3; Vol. XXXVIII, No. 1,2,4

6. The German Connection, Vol. 14, No. #; Vol. 18, 19, 29, 21 complete

7. Journal of the Pennsylvania German Society, Vol. 16-24 complete; Vol. 25, No. 1

8. Kansas History, A Journal of the Central Plains, Vol. 1, No. 1; Vol. 3, No. 1.2.3.4; Vol 5, No. 1,2,3,4

9. Collection: Migrations to Canada

10. Collection: German Research

11. Lancaster Legacy (Pannsylvania), Vol. 1 & 2 complete

12. Berks of Old (Pennsylvania), Vol 1: 1,2,3,4

13. New York Genealogical & Biographical Record, Vol. 124; 1,2,3,4 --Index; Vol. 125: 1

14. Codorus Chronicles - York Co., PA

15. Cemetery Records, Lake Marion & Lake Moultrie (South Carolina)

16. Listing of Inhabitants in 1783, Somerset County, PA

17. Naturalization Records 1802-1854, Somerset, PA

18. Births, Marriages & Death Certificates, Cambria Co., PA 1850-1855

19. Kansas: A centennial Portrait

20. Oakland Cemtery -- Camden, Arkansas

21. Nacogdoches Genealogical Society (Texas), Vol. XIX; 1,2; Vol. XX: 1,2

22. Genealogy Society of Southern Illinois (The Saga of Southern Illinois) Winter 1999, Spring, Summer, Fall 2000

23. Publication of the Maury County Historical Society (Tennessee), Vol. XXXIII: 2

24. The Guilford Genealogist (North Carolina) Vol. 26: 3,4; Vol. 27: 1,2,3,4

25. Tyrrell County, North Carolina, 178401787 Census; 1790 & 1800 Federal Census

26. Tyrrell County, Genealogical Society (NC) Branches, Vol. 4: 2; Vol. 5; 1,2

27. Major County Genealogical Society (Oklahoma), Vol. 6; 1,2,3,4

28. Pedigrees of some of the Emperor Charlemagne's Descendants

29. American Ancestors & Cousins of The Prince of Wales

30. How to Publish & market Your Family History, 4th Edition, Carl Boyer, 3rd

31. Western States Jewish Historical Quarterly, Vol. I, #2; Vol. II, #2,3,4; Vol. III, # 1,2,3; Vol IV, # 1,2,3,4 ; Vol. V, #1

32. Catawba Cousins (Catawba County Genealogical Society Publications) Vol. 14, #1,2,3; Vol. 15, # 1,2

33. Anderson, Pearson & Nelson Families, A Swedish History (Manuscript File)

34. Genealogical Journal, Utah Genealogical Association, Many volumes covering 1989-2000

35. A History of Pointe Coupee

36. 1860 Federal Census of Coffee County, Tennessee

37. Settlement Patterns in Missouri

38. Copies of Memoires (Cadienne-Francaise)

39. French Canadian & Acadian Genealogical Review

40. St. Louis Genealogical Society Quarterly

41. The Bulletin (Missouri)

42. The Marriage Registers of Upper Canada/Canada West

43. Your Complete Medical Record

44. How Healthy is your Family Tree

45. Family Diseases, Are you at Risk, Myra Vanderpool Gormley

46. Preserving Family Keepsakes

47. Genealogical Research in the National Archives

48. Handy Book for Genealogists, 6th Edition

49. The Library

50. The Source

51. The Red Book

52. Your Family Tree Connection

53. Recording Your Family History

54. Unlocking the Secrets in Old Photographs

55. Focus on the Past (A Genealogists Guide to Photography)

56. An Ounce of Preservation (A guide to the care of papers and photographs)

57. Photographing Your Heritage

58. Beginning Welsh Research

59. Genetic Connections

60. The Vital Record Compendium

61. Lest We Forget (A Guide to Genealogical Research in the Nation's Capital)

62. The Handwriting of American Records for a period of 300 Years

63. How to Save Your Stuff from a Disaster

64. 19th Century Photographic Prints

Apprenticeship Register Indexes, Publish Records Office, London, England: http://userdb.rootsweb.com/uki/

The Palmer List of Merchant Vessels: http://www.geocities.com/mppraetorius

Adoption and Orphans Records: http://rwguide.rootsweb.com/lesson31.htm

19th Century Poorhousehistory with links to state archives: http://www.poorhousestory.com

A couple of our members have passed on some startling information to us that came to them from contributors to various Internet lists they belong to. We have not attempted to verify this, but trust it is true since several listers shared similar experiences.

Basically, as one person expressed it on the Rockingham Co., NH List, "Any information which you share on GenForum's message boards may be copied by Genealogy.com (FamilyTreeMaker.com) and sold by them for profit either as data included on a monthly/annual subscription or as a CD for purchase....In order to see what, if any information Genealogy.com has acquired from your voluntary contributions, you will first need to subscribe to their service available to paying members only."

A second lister reported that a friend sent in her entire family tree to Broderbund, the former owner of FTM, they copyrighted it, and she couldn't write the book she wanted to. So be forewarned, don't be an unwitting voluntary contributor and subsequently lose control of your own family data and research.

Everett Ireland of the California State Genealogical Alliance announced in their April newsletter that The German Genealogical Society of America in La Verne, CA is dissolving and will be turning all of its library and other assets over to the Southern California Genealogical Society. SCGS has agreed to honor the remaining term of GGSA memberships.

If you are interested in the scientific theories about man's origin, and our link to it, which I assume all genealogists are, then I recommend the article in the March 1, 2001 issue of Natural History, "After You, Eve" by Carl Zimmer. Mr. Zimmer explains that "encrypted in our DNA is a history of our species," or in other words, our genetic genealogy. He goes on to summarize the two research paths of scientists of the 1980s & 1990s, one which traced the trail of the mitochondrial genes which pass only from mother to daughter, the other which studied the Y chromosome which essentially passes undisturbed from father to son. The evolutionary "trees" constructed from both studies indicated modern man first evolved in Africa. "Mitochondrial Eve", lived in Africa 170,000 years ago. Her male counterpart, "Y-chromosome Adam", lived there only 59,000 years ago. Did Eve precede Adam? Not really, this "Eve" was not the sole female progenitor of all living humans. She was simply the most recent female ancestor to whom we can all trace this particular genealogical connection." Likewise, it is theorized that this "Adam" who lived only 59,000 years ago in Africa, "was born with a newly mutated Y chromosome that would eventually dominate our entire species." Now, with the announcement that the entire human genome has been sequenced, Mr. Zimmer predicts, "The findings from research on the Y chromosome and mitochondrial DNA are only a taste of the genealogical feast that will be served up in the next few years."

Some Websites to explore:

Your Surname, Your Genealogy and Your DNA: http://www.myroots.com/dna.htm

The DNA Detective: http://www.savin.org/dna

Genealogy by Genetics: http://www.jewishgen.org/dna/

English Test DNA for Viking Ancestry:

http://www.ananova.com/news/story/science_heritage-uk_24907.html

South Orange County California Genealogical Society

The SOCCGS newsletter deadline for submitting material is the day of the General Meeting if you want to have it included in the next months issue. We welcome any articles of interest, queries or surname searching lists. It would be nice to have more original input from our members. Please mail items to the editor at the SOCCGS address above or email to < [email protected]>.

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