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Saddleback Valley Trails
South Orange County California Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 4513, Mission Viejo, CA. 92690
Monthly meetings are held on the third Saturday of each month from 10:00 a.m. to Noon at the Mission Viejo Family History Center Institute Building, 27978 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo, between Medical Center Drive and Hillcrest Drive. Membership is open to anyone wishing to join. Yearly membership fees are $20 per calendar year for individuals, $25 for joint membership. SOCCGS is not affiliated with the LDS Family History Center.
GENERAL MEETING August 21, 2004
"Use Those Overlooked Sources in the Family History Centers"
presented by
JOAN E. RAMBO
Are you really taking advantage of your Family History Centers? Oh, you've "been there done that" -- have you really? Do you know how to narrow down 408 entries on your surname in the Family History Library Catalog to 28 that are more likely to have your own ancestor, and even down to 3 that really look good? It can't be done with the online catalog. What else are you missing?
Ms. Rambo is past president of the Orange County California Genealogical Society. Actively doing research for companies who look for "lost heirs." Also, currently head of the library volunteer aides who man the genealogy collection at the Huntington Beach Central Library. Cochairman for the annual OCCGS trip to Salt Lake City, for the 45-50 attendees. Head of Hospitality for the FGS Conference held in Ontario, CA in 2002.
CALENDAR
September 11.......Garage Sale
September 18.......Nancy Huebotter, “Bringing Order Out of Chaos”
October 16.......... Seminar - Bill Dollarhide and Leland Meitzler
November 20.......Elaine Alexander, “How to Locate Naturalization Records”
SAFARI ON VACATION
There is no safari scheduled for the month of August. The next trip will be September 22. Please see the September newsletter for more information.
GARAGE SALE , September 11, 2004
OUR ANNUAL GARAGE SALE IS NEXT MONTH! Leon Smith, Ways and Means Chairman reminds us that the date for our annual garage sale is fast approaching. Please start today cleaning out and saving your salable goodies. As in the past, Leon will accept and/or pick up items before the day of the sale. August 28 is the first day items will be accepted.
A complete genealogy just can't be... there's always more.
Page 1
OCTOBER 16 SEMINAR
featuring
BILL DOLLARHIDE & LELAND MEITZLER
Mark those October calendars now! SOCCGS is hosting its third annual seminar at the Saddleback Room, Mission Viejo Civic Center. Plans are underway to provide you with another fun and informative genealogy experience. A flyer, with registration and lecture information, is included within this newsletter. Following is a bit of information about our seminar speakers:
Mr. Meitzler began publishing local histories in 1982 and is a graduate of the 1982 National Institute on Genealogical Research. He founded Heritage Quest Magazine in 1985. Mr. Meitzler opened the Genealogical Resource Center in Salt Lake City in March of 1991. He has continued to work as an editor of Heritage Quest Magazine. The company was sold to ProQuest in 2001. In January of 2003, the Meitzlers bought back the magazine as well as much of Heritage Quest's retail operations, and now work under the business name of Heritage Creations. In March of 2003, Mr. Meitzler began the publication of Genealogy Bulletin (edited by William Dollarhide), which had not been published in paper form for three years. As a highly regarded speaker, he has given over 2000 lectures on genealogical subjects to national, state and local genealogical groups.
William Dollarhide is a member of the Heritage Quest staff. A genealogist since 1971, he started the Dollarhide Systems for Genealogical Records and founded the Genealogy Bulletin, a Heritage Quest publication since 1994. In addition to his Bulletin articles, he writes features for Heritage Quest Magazine.
Mr. Dollarhide is a compelling speaker and has been recognized for his genealogical merits by numerous organizations. He is the author of seven best-selling books: Managing a Genealogical Project, Genealogy Starter Kit, Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Censuses, 1790-1920 co-authored with William Thorndale, Map Guide to American Migration Routes 1735-1815, British Origins of American Colonists 1629-1775, America's Best Genealogy Resource Centers co-authored with Ronald Bremer, The Census Book: A Genealogist's Guide to Federal Census Facts, Schedules and Indexes.
https://sites.rootsweb.com/~casoccgs/seminar-2.html
NEW MEMBERS
We welcome eight new members who joined at the July meeting.
Kathleen Rubin, kfrubin@/world.net (Searching SHAFER-Nebraska & Colorado; FAIRBANKS-Michigan; BROOMHEAD-Michigan & Canada; BELDEN-Colorado & Illinois; RUBIN-New York & Poland; RAPPAPORT-New York)
Cathy Muntean, [email protected] (Searching, PLUMMER & PRUNTY-Virginia; MAXWELL & MILLER-Iowa; SHAW-North Carolina to Iowa; PARKER-Massachusetts to New York to Michigan; TYLER-New York to Michigan; DELANY-New York, FULLER-Massachusetts to New York)
Barbara Kline, [email protected] (Searching, ANDERSON, CRAVEN, LEES- Pennsylvania)
Linda Dulaney, [email protected] (Searching, ALLREDS-Galena, Kansas [1840]; ALLREDS-Alabama [1820s]; HAMILTON-Idaho; FREELS-Ulster Cty, Ireland [1620]; PENNINGTON-Indiana; William Tyrone HENRY; Ireland [1715])
Lester (Bill) & Patricia Bunning, [email protected] & [email protected] (Searching, BUNNING One Name Study-England & US; HOLLOWAY-Southside Virginia; ALBRIGHT-Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland; Also searching Old Irvine Ranch Residents.)
Albert & Susan Finney, [email protected] (Searching, MEAD-New York State)
Carol Nastasi should have been listed as a new member in the June Newsletter. We apologize for the omission and welcome her now!
LIBRARY
URGENT CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS!
We need the following shifts covered at the SOCCGS docent desk:
Sunday 3 to 5,
Monday 5-7 and 7-9,
Tuesday 4-5:30 and 7-9,
Wednesday 5-7 and 7-9
It is extremely important that we honor our commitment to the Mission Viejo Library by staffing our docent desk during the library’s open hours. If you are unable to fill a shift every week perhaps you will consider twice a month or even once a week. Please think about it!
Our SOCCGS computers will soon be ‘on the Internet.’ The library is putting in a wireless system that will enable genealogy patrons to use our computers in research on the Internet. It will then become even more important that we don’t leave our desk vacant.
Please call Janet Franks 496-8418 or Mary Jo McQueen 581-0690.
FAMILY HISTORY WRITING CONTEST
Southern California Genealogical Society announces its 5th Annual Family History Writing Contest. Go to http://www.scgsgenealogy.com/5thWC.htm for complete information. Entries must be received between November 1 and December 31, 2004. If you would like to read past entry winners please visit the SOCCGS library. Past issues of , ‘The Searcher’, the bulletin from SCGS are located in the California Section of the Local History Department.
"DID YOU KNOW?"
~”Or, Do You Really Need To Know?”
1. Coca-Cola was originally green.
2. Every day more money is printed for Monopoly than the US Treasury.
3. It is possible to lead a cow upstairs but not downstairs.
4. Smartest dogs: 1) Scottish border collie; 2) Poodle; 3) Golden retriever... Dumbest: Afghan hound.
5. The Hawaiian alphabet has 12 letters.
6. Men can read smaller print than women; women can hear better.
7. Amount American Airlines saved in 1987 by eliminating one olive from each salad served first class: $40,000
8. City with the most Rolls Royce's per capita: Hong Kong
9. State with the highest percentage of people who walk to work: Alaska
10. Percentage of Africa that is wilderness: 28% Percentage of North America that is wilderness: 38%
11. Barbie's measurements if she were life size: 39-23-33
12. Average number of days a West German goes without washing his underwear: 7
13. Percentage of American men who say they would marry the same woman if they had it to do all over again: 80%. Percentage of American women who say they'd marry the same man: 50%
14. Cost of raising a medium-size dog to the age of eleven: $6,400
15. Average number of people airborne over the US any given hour: 61,000.
16. Percentage of Americans who have visited Disneyland/Disney World: 70%
17. Average life span of a major league baseball: 7 pitches
18. Only President to win a Pulitzer: John F. Kennedy for Profiles in Courage
I’ve learned that a strong code of ethics is as reliable as a compass.
~H. Jackson Brown, Jr. from ‘Live and Learn and Pass It On’
With thanks to my mother, Ruth Neville Turner McShane, from whom I inherited family research and documents, and to my Five-Great Grandfather, Irish emigrant Brion Boru O‘Bannon of Leap Castle, Ings County, Ireland, I am delighted to contribute this story of my Great Great Great Cousin ancestor. This is the story of a National Hero, PRESLEY NEVILLE O'BANNON, USMC.
Presley O’Bannon, later known as the “Hero of Derne” was born in 1776 in Fauquier County, Virginia. He was appointed a second lieutenant in the U. S. Marine Corps in January 1801 and to first lieutenant in October 1802. After serving at various stations in the United States, he was selected for a special mission, which was destined to be commemorated on the colors of the Marine Corps and forever recorded in the Marine Hymn with the words to the Shores of Tripoli.”
The following is paraphrased from the official USMC Historical Records: “For many years the United States had maintained peace with the Barbary States (Algiers, Morocco, Tunis and Tripoli) by ‘buying’ treaties and paying tribute to the reigning pasha. Although Algiers, Morocco and Tunis were not entirely satisfied, they were more or less complacent; whereas Tripoli continued to make threats against the United States while demanding larger and more frequent ‘payments’. Finally, on 14 May 1801, the Pasha of Tripoli, Yusut Karamanli, indicated his extreme dissatisfaction with our ‘tribute’ by having the flagstaff cut down in front of the U. S. Consulate. This act led to a declaration of war against Tripoli and the sending of More U. S. War vessels to the Mediterranean. During a storm, The USS Philadelphia, went on the rocks off Tripoli and her crew was captured and imprisoned at Derne. After a bombardment of Tripoli by U. S. Vessels and the offer of $100,000 in ransom for the crew failed to move the Pasha, Navy Agent William Eaton, suggested forming an alliance with Hamet, the elder brother of the reigning sovereign of Tripoli. The plan was approved by the U. S. Government and Eaton commenced executing his plan.
On 29 November 1804 First Lieutenant O’Bannon, Midshipman George Mann, U.S.N., and seven Marines landed at Alexandria, Egypt from the USS Argus, and a few days later proceeded to Cairo. The party arrived at Cairo on 8 January 1805, where they learned that Hamet and a few Tripolitans had joined a band of rebellious Mamelukes who were defying the rule of the Turkish viceroy. Eaton then pushed on to Fiaum where he communicated with Hamet and made arrangements for his cooperation with the expedition against Derne, Tripoli. On 8 March Eaton and his motley army of about 500 men, 100 camels and a few mules started the long march across the Libyan desert. He arrived at Derne the night of 25 March, and the next day, under a flag of truce, offered terms of amity to the Governor of Derne on condition of allegiance and fidelity to Hamet. The reply to this was, ‘My head or yours’. Shortly, the USS Nautilus arrived in the harbor of Derne, and the next day the USS Argus and Hornet dropped anchor nearby. When the land-sea attack commenced on 27 March, Lieutenant O’Bannon, with his Marines, a few Greeks and as many of the cannoniers as could be spared from the field piece, passed through a shower of enemy musketry and took possession of one of the enemy’s batteries, planted the United States flag upon its ramparts and turned the guns upon the enemy. After two hours of hand-to-hand fighting, the stronghold was occupied and for the first time in history, the flag of the United States flew over foreign soil.
Lieutenant O’Bannon resigned from the Marine Corps on 6 March 1807 and went to Kentucky to live his remaining days. When he died at the age of 74 on 12 September 1850 his remains were interred in a small cemetery north of Pleasureville, Kentucky. On 13 June 1930 the Daughters of the American Revolution transferred his remains to Frankfort, Kentucky, where a memorial was erected to his memory. His heroic service on ‘the Shores of Tripoli’ is commemorated in the Mameluke sword worn by U. S. Marine officers. It is patterned after the famed blade of Damascus presented to O’Bannon by Hamet in appreciation for services rendered on ‘the shores of Tripoli’.”
(Thanks to member, Patrick McShane for sharing this story.)
A Scotsman Discovered America?
Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter
Vol. 9 No. 14 – April 5, 2004
http://www.eogn.com
Every schoolchild learns that Christopher Columbus discovered America. In fact, a quick study shows that the Italian who sailed for the Spanish did reach some islands in the Americas and possibly what is now South America. However, he never set foot in North America.
There is mounting evidence that a number of Europeans reached North America prior to the year 1492. Vikings probably reached what is now New England and eastern Canada nearly 500 yearsbefore Columbus' voyage. Other rumors have circulated about British, Irish, Dutch, Spanish, and even Phoenician explorers before the year 1492. Such visits were possible; many groups had the technology to cross the Atlantic Ocean. In fact, it is possible that Christopher Columbus' only claim to fame is that he was the first to document his travels and have those documents preserved for future generations.
Many believe that a Scotsman was the first European to discover North America in the year 1398. Sir Henry Sinclair was a 14th century Scottish nobleman, Baron of Roslin near Edinburgh, Lord
Sir Henry Sinclair was known to be a traveler and adventurer. He also was known as "Henry the Holy'" because he had made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Some say he even fought in a Crusade, like his ancestors before him. In 1398 Sir Henry, sometimes described as Prince Henry because of his royal connection, reportedly sailed to Nova Scotia in a fleet of 12 ships.
After spending the winter in the new lands, Sir Henry set sail for home; however, a storm drove him south to Massachusetts. The evidence for Sir Henry's presence can be seen in the figure of a medieval knight carved into the rock near the summit of Prospect Hill in current day Westford, Massachusetts. It appears to be a grave marker in the style of the Templars, which was hand- chiseled onto a rock slab.
A rubbing of the image was made in 1954 and sent to T. C. Lethbridge, a British writer, archeologist, and curator of the University of Archeology and Ethnology at Cambridge, England. The research done by Mr. Lethbridge established that the knight's armor dated from the 1360's to no later than the mid-to-late 1400's. The coat of arms was determined to be that of the Gunn clan, which was allied to the Sinclairs. Ancient records in Scotland claim that Sir Henry's lieutenant and supposed cousin, Sir James Gunn, died while in the second summer of their voyage. The assumption is that the figure of a knight in armor bearing the Gunn coat of arms is that of Sir James Gunn.
Sir Henry Sinclair may even have reached as far south as Rhode Island, where some evidence suggests that he built Newport Tower. This circular stone tower is of the same design as the round churches of the Knights Templar, of which Sir Henry was a member. The tower in Newport has eight arches, the same as the round churches of the Knights Templar. These churches are rare; the only one remaining in Scotland was built in Orkney, the home of Henry Sinclair.
Sir Henry sailed back to Scotland. He was killed by the English in a battle in Orkney either in 1400 or 1401. His grandson William, first Sinclair Earl of Caithness, immortalized the voyage in stone at Rosslyn Chapel, near Edinburgh. The symbols can still be seen today. You can read more about Sir Henry Sinclair and his adventures at You can also read a contradictory report that claims Sir Henry never went to Nova Scotia. You can find that at http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/ahamilton/sinclair.htm
Remember that Sir Henry Sinclair was a member of the Knights Templar. Adding to the intrigue, this order reportedly had possession of the Holy Grail, supposedly captured in or near Jerusalem in 1127 A.D. A German book in the 1990s speculates that Sir Henry gained possession of the Holy Grail and took it to Nova Scotia and buried it there for safekeeping. This may be pure fiction, but it makes for interesting reading. The book is Die Ewigkeits-Maschine, or (in English) The Holy Grail: Chalice or Manna Machine? by Dr. Johannes Fiebag and Peter Fiebag. You can find more at http://www.100megsfree4.com/farshores/grail.htm
Chief Justice of Scotland, and Admiral of the Seas. The King of Norway also confirmed him as Earl of Orkney, endowing him with 200 strategically positioned islands over which he was to all intents and purposes an independent king.
http://sinclair.quarterman.org/who/henry.html and http://www.the-spa.com/kirk.burkins/snclair.htm
Family Tree Magazine, August 2004, has a list of 101 Best Web Sites for Tracing Your Roots. You may access these from the magazine’s web site:
www.familytreemagazine.com/101sit4es/2004
Internet Railroad History Museum of Michigan. http://www.michiganrailroads.com/RRHX/RRHXHome.htm
Protestant Denominations Established in Colonial America: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/%7Egentutor/protest.html
Religious Groups in America, 1800 - 2000:
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/%7Egentutor/religion.html
Index to Primitive Baptist Church and Family History Research: http://www.carthage.lib.il.us/community/churches/primbap/Index.html
Online searchable Death Record databases for the U.S.: http://home.att.net/~wee-monster/deathrecords.html
Passengers embarking at Hamburg -- from many countries: http://www.hamburg.de/fhh/behoerden/staatsarchiv/link_to_your_roots/english/
OLD NEWSPAPERS Gettysburg, July 18. It is with the greatest sorrow that we have to confirm the account published in our last, of the death of Gen. Hamilton, occasioned by a wound he received in a recontre with Col. Burr, on Wednesday the 11th inst. The causes which produced the duel are not positively stated, but supposed to be political. The circumstances which accompanied this melancholy event, (as collected from different prints) are briefly these: The parties met, on Wednesday morning, at Hoboken, New Jersey--Judge Pendleton attended Gen. Hamilton, and W.P. Van Ness, Esq. Col. Burr, as seconds--Dr. Hosack, of New York, attended as physician to Gen. Hamilton. The first fire from Col. Burr took effect--the ball struck the General just under the ribs, and lodged in his body. He bled profusely, both from the wound and from the mouth. He was immediately conveyed across the river, to the country seat of a Mr. Bayard, near the city of N. York. He is said not to have spoke till nearly half over the river, when in a very faint tone of voice, he said, he could not live, and expressed a wish to see his family. He expired about two o'clock the next day. All accounts agree in stating that as soon as his death was known in the city a universal gloom prevailed up on every countenance; and (except in the case of the great and good Washington) they do not recollect that the loss of any individual in our country has been so generally and so sincerely lamented. His funeral took place, at the city of N. York, on Saturday the 14th inst.
From the Adams Centinel
(Gettysburg, Pa.),
25 July 1804
Mourn, Oh Columbia! Thy Hamilton is gone to that "bourn from whence no traveller returns."
(Ancestry Daily News, July 15, 2004, MyFamily.com)
in a pretty and well-preserved body, BUT rather to skid in broadside,
thoroughly used up, totally worn out and LOUDLY proclaiming,
WOW !! What a ride"........................
(From Shirley Fraser)
August 14 - Celtic Music Festival at Queen Mary in Long Beach. More information on the Festival at http://www.longbeachcelticfestival.com/
August 19-22 - BIFHS-USA Family History Seminar, Los Angeles Family History Center
September 25 - “How To? Seminar” at the Cole Library, Carlsbad hosted by the North San Diego County Genealogical Society. Sign up sheets are available at the SOCCGS library.
October 16 - SOCCGS Annual Seminar featuring Leland Metzler and Bill Dollarhide
https://sites.rootsweb.com/~bifhsusa/
https://sites.rootsweb.com/~casoccgs/seminar-2.html
ORANGE COUNTY CALIFORNIA GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY
SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP
After a recess in August, the OCCGS New England SIG group will resume meeting September 4. The group meets on the first Saturday of each month, after the general meeting and lecture. The meeting place is in Room D at the Huntington Beach Library. Each attendee is asked to discuss his or her ancestral background, names, dates, areas they are currently researching, and their own area of expertise. Persons interested in research in any of the six New England States - Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island - are welcome. Those attending are encouraged to bring their five-generation charts. For further information contact Marcia Huntley Maloney, [email protected] or Bob [email protected].
HOW I FEEL ABOUT GENEALOGY!
(Courtesy of Ruth Loustaunau, SOCCGS member from Tehachapi, CA)
I'm not a pack rat, I am an archivist!
~or, a genealogist!
PLEASE NOTE : BETWEEN JULY AND DECEMBER , THE COST FOR SOCCGS MEMBERSHIP IS $10 PER PERSON
South Orange County California Genealogical Society
Membership/Renewal Application
( ) New ( ) Renewal ( ) Individual, $20/yr ( ) Jt. Members, same address $25/yr
Name(s) _______________________________________________________________________________
Address _______________________________________________________________________________
City _______________________________ State_____Zip____________Phone ____________________
Email address:__________________________________________________________________________
Make check payable to: SOCCGS Check No. __________________
Mail with application to: SOCCGS, P.O. Box 4513, Mission Viejo, CA 92690-4513