MILLENIUM FILE ON ANCESTRY.COM 

 

This is a source that I had never seen before today.  I discovered it when I looked at the posts of recent activity on the home page of my family tree on Ancestry.com. 

 

What that tells you is what other members on Ancestry have saved to their own trees.  Sometimes you can learn who else is researching the same family by checking these posts.  In this case it was a post regaring Dorothy Hill in my tree.  It's the last one listed on the image above. 

 

I clicked on that link to view Dorothy Hill in this particular tree.  That led me to some information from a source on Ancestry that I had never seen before.  This link was attached to her father, Samuel Hill's record. 

This source, The Millennium File, contains information that has been done by genealogy researchers.  Here is the description from Ancestry about this source. 

 

About Millennium File

The Millennium File is a database created by the Institute of Family Research to track the records of its clients and the results of its professional research. It contains more than 880,000 linked family records, with lineages from throughout the world, including colonial America, the British Isles, Switzerland, and Germany. Many of these lineages extend back to nobility and renowned historical figures. In fact, one of the things the Millennium File focuses on is linking to European nobility and royalty. A good way to have success in using this database is identify at least one Gateway Ancestor. A Gateway Ancestor is an early American immigrant who has been identified as having roots in British or European nobility. In this database there are about 300 Gateway Ancestors, or in other words, there are about 300 individuals who have proven ties to nobility or royalty. Source information is also provided in this database, making it easier to verify the accuracy of the research done. The Millennium File is a compiled source and is similar in form to other linked databases, such as Ancestry World Tree. Databases like these are great starting points for beginning your research. It is always good to find out what others have already learned and compiled about your ancestors.

 

This was completely new information for me.  In fact, as I continued to research this family I noticed that the Millennium File does not show up in the "hints" about each individual. 

However, if you go to the card catalog on Ancestry.com you can type in Millennium File and do directly there to begin a search. 

 

Here is what the Millennium File showed for Samuel Hill:

 

Name: Samuel Hill
Spouse: , Hannah Twitchell
 Birth Date: 1654
Birth City: Medfield
Birth County: Norfolk
Birth State: Massachusetts
Birth Country: USA
Death Date: 24 Mar 1723
Death City: Medway
Death County: Norfolk
Death State: Massachusetts
Death Country: USA
Parents: John Jr Hill, Hannah Johnson
Children: Hannah Hill
Other information: Notes

 

Look at the leads you now have from this one entry.  I didn't know when or where Samuel Hill was born, or when or where he died.  I certainly didn't know his parents' names, nor that he had another daughter besides Dorothy. 

 

Another cool thing about this Millennium File entry are the links for each person in the entry.  If you click on the other names, such as his wife or parents, you are taken to the file entry for that person.  WOW!  Even more information.

 

 

NEXT STEP: Follow up on each and every date, date & place.  Find your own sources and confirm that what is given here is true.  Just because another researcher has made this entry, does not make it a fact.  Because there are no specific sources from the researchers for these entries, we have to find our own.  But...what a great place to start!

 

I'm off to follow some leads.

Until next time,

Michigan Girl

 



How to Use Name Lists

Who knew they could be so useful?

 Yes, that's right, I said "name lists."  What are name lists you might ask?  Here's what I learned yesterday while attending a seminar in San Diego.  It was put on by the San Diego Genealogical Society .  I've been a member of this organization for several years now.  They put on a couple of seminars a year and frequently get nationally recognized speakers. If you're ever in the San Diego area, check out their website during the time of your visit and see what event you might be able to attend.

Our speaker this month was David E. Rencher, AG, CG, FUGA, FIGRS.  He is the CFO for FamilySearch.org.  He was very informative and covered more than just using name lists, but that's what I will cover here today.  So, what is a name list anyway?  Here are some examples:

• Tax rolls
• Land records
• Court records
• Road records
• Voters' records
• Militia records

• 

  Sample of a tax list from 1862 New Hampshire

  Church records
• School lists
• Legislative records
• Ships' records
  

Church record Grace Lutheran Church from early 1900's Pennsylvania

If you can think of any others, please let me know in your comments.

What can we learn just by looking at a list of names?

1. Where someone lived at a given time?
2. What organization they supported or belonged to? 
3. Who was on the list with the same surname?
4. Who were their neighbors?
5. If they are being taxed, what for and how much?
6. Can we determine the age range of persons on the list? 

Now, can you find another list of the same type for a time period before or after the one you are looking at?  Let's say you are looking at a list of names of those taxed in the year 1805 in Virginia.  Is that same list available for 1804 or 1806 or other years before or after?  If so, you can compare the lists and perhaps find your ancestor.   This might allow you to track their comings and goings, the amount of land they owned or how many horses and other livestock they owned or if they owned a business. 

• Does the person suddenly disappear off the list? 
• Perhaps his widow is listed as the "Widow Evans."
• You might also find someone else listed as the guardian for children and/or for the widow.

There are many questions to be asked for each type of name list we look at.  The more questions we ask the more answers we will find.  Or, will the unanswered question lead us to look elsewhere?

I can truly say that after attending this seminar, I will never look at name lists the same way.  I have already gone back and looked at some lists and I see them in a whole new light.  This is especially true for those years prior to 1850 when the census records did not offer as much information. 

TIP: Attending seminars or meetings is a great way to learn more, meet new people and become better researchers. 

What seminars can you find in your area?  Or, perhaps there is a seminar going on during a time you are visiting another area.  Check with the local societies (most have online websites) and see what event you might be able to attend.

Share what you might have learned or what seminars you find.  Maybe we will attend the same one and I can meet you.

Now to review more lists,
Michigan Girl

SURNAME SATURDAY

FENNER

 

FENNER, Grace Hunter (1874-1946) - she is my great grandaunt. So that makes her the sister of my great grandmother and an aunt to my grandmother. 

 

Grace & her first husband, Charles Henry FENNER (1859-1918) were married in Belmont County, Ohio on 16 May 1891.  They had no children.  He died during the influenza epidemic of 1918.  I have found quite a few family members from various branches of my tree who succumbed to the influenza during that time.

 

Charles FENNER's family business was photography.  He and his brothers had photography studios in Cincinnati and Lima, Ohio and Huntington, West Virginia.

 

Charles' father Nicholas Paul FENNER married Ellen MADDY in 1856 and they had 4 sons & 3 daughters. 

 

Here is how I am related to the FENNER family:

 

Nicholas Paul FENNER (1828 - 1908)

relationship to you: father-in-law of great grand aunt

 

Charles Henry FENNER (1859 - 1918)

Son of Nicholas Paul

 

Grace HUNTER (1874 - 1946)

Wife of Charles Henry

 

James Gillen HUNTER (1832 - 1884)

Father of Grace

 

Florence HUNTER (1869 - 1946)

Daughter of James Gillen

 

Florence Lee Nora BOWDEN (1888 - 1986)

Daughter of Florence

 

Patricia Anne MILNE (1924 - )

Daughter of Florence Lee Nora

 

Michigan Girl

You are the daughter of Patricia Anne



 

 

                     Grace HUNTER FENNER and her sisters.  Grace is in the back row, far left

 

I have quite a few photos from my mother's family that were taken at the Fenner Studio in Lima, Ohio.  My mother remembers "Aunt Grace." 

 

So with all the photos that must be floating around from this family, having owned a photography studio for several decades, I'm hoping someone out there has more pictures to share.  I would certainly love to have pictures of the Fenner brothers and any other family members. 

 

That's all for today,

Michigan Girl 

MY DAD - CELEBRATING THE 100th ANNIVERSARY OF HIS BIRTH

Harry Norman Gould, son of Harry Whipple Gould & Marie Lindsay

 

Today is New Year's Eve. This is a day that is celebrated around the world as we welcome a new year. 

 However, in my family it was important for another reason. It was my Dad's birthday. 
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!

   You died back in 1991, but you are always near in my heart. 

When I was a little girl you held me when I skinned my knees, which was often.  You always encouraged me when I would draw because you thought I was good at it. You were always encouraging no matter what I wanted to do. Whether it was moving to Texas, dating a new guy (as long as you thought he was good enough), or joining the police force.  You weren't very good with money, but you tried very hard to make a decent life for me and my brother.    You stayed with us during the difficult times back in 1965.  I'll always be grateful for that. We didnt always agree, but then what teenager ever does.  Raising two teenagers as a single father must have been very difficult.  We only knew what went on in our lives...all the drama that goes with the teenage years.  I never thought of what you must have been going through. 

   You loved us very much, of that I have no doubt. You could tell a good story and you must have known a thousand jokes. 

                Well, I miss all that and I miss you.  So Happy Birthday to you Dad.  

H. Norman Gould age 21

1967 - My Dad with my brother Norm

My Dad with his parents - age 5 months 

 

Here is my TIP to you today.  Time goes by very quickly in our lives.  Talk to your grandparents, parents, aunts & uncles while they are still here.  Ask them questions about their lives.  Buy one of those books that have questions in them and have them fill it out.  Go through old photos with them and make sure there are names & dates on the back of ALL the photos.  I did this with my Dad only a little bit and I wish I'd done more.  A photo is not worth a thousand words, unless you know who's in it.  When you are in your teens and 20's and even your 30's you don't think it will matter all that much what happened in the past.  But.....then one day, they are all gone and you are left with photos and memories and suddenly you want to know more. 

• How did your grandparents & parents meet? 
• How long did they date? 
• Where were they married? 
• Did they go on a honeymoon?
• Where did they live? 
• Where did they go to school? 
• Who were their friends? 
• What were their interests & hobbies? 
• What were their dreams? 
• What were their occupations? 
• Did they travel?  If so, where did they go?

Don't let these questions go unanswered while you have them here - ASK THEM NOW.  You will never regret it, I promise.

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Michigan Girl

FINDING A MAIDEN NAME - UPDATE

 

Back on November 20, 2012,  I wrote to you about how to find a maiden name & locating a marriage record.  I specifically referenced Charles E. LUNSFORD & his wife, Myrtle.

 

I located a marriage index on The Lawrence Register that fit the timeline and the names were C. E. LUNSFORD & Myrtle WISEMAN. 

Next, I asked a contact that I have back in Lawrence County if they would mind looking for a marriage record next time they went to The Briggs Library in Ironton.  She agreed and said she would be visiting in the next few days.  The Briggs Library has a genealogy room, called the Hamner Room, that is loaded with records, books, maps & family histories from Lawrence County & the surrounding area.  I visited the library last July when I was in Ohio.  Great place!

 

A few days later, the marriage record came in the mail.  Waiting for a record to come in the mail is always exciting .... well, at least for me it is.   Did I get the information/confirmation I needed from this record?  Is Myrtle's maiden name really WISEMAN?  Here is the marriage record. You decide.

 

Marriage record of Charles E. Lunsford & Myrtle Wiseman

 

In examining this record I look for evidence that this is the correct Charles Lunsford & his wife Myrtle, who's last name may be Wiseman.  After seeing that this is indeed the marriage record of Charles E. LUNSFORD & Myrtle WISEMAN, the next thing I looked for were parents names for the bride and groom.

BINGO!  There they were. 

• Charles' parents names are listed as Basil LUNSFORD & Mahala TAYLOR.  Those are the names I have for his parents, based on census records and his birth record.  His age is listed as 25 years, another match to his birth record. 
• Myrtle's parents names are listed as Henry J. WISEMAN & Sabrina STEWART.  This is the first time I've seen reference to her parent's names, so that will require further research.  Her age on the marriage record is 22 years which is a close match to what is listed on the census records for her and Charles.
1. Can I now locate Myrtle's birth record?  Answer - Not yet.
2. Am I able to connect her with these two people by finding her in census records with them?  Answer - YES!  I have found her living with her parents, Henry & Sabrina WISEMAN in the 1900 & 1910 census records in Lawrence County, Ohio.

1900 census showing Myrtle living with her parents & siblings

1910 census showing Myrtle living with her parents & siblings

 

CONCLUSION - Based on these pieces of evidence, I do believe that I have located Myrtle's maiden name & her family.  One piece of evidence is ok, two is better and three is more to the standard we are seeking.  There are more records that I may eventually locate with further evidence of Myrtle's maiden name - such as her birth record and her death record.  But, for now, I'm satisfied.

 

I hope this helps you in finding those elusive maiden names.  There are more tricks up my sleeve and these aren't the only ways we have to find maiden names.  This method worked for this particular person. 

 

Happy Hunting,

Michigan Girl

 
 
 

 

 

 



MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU!

 

 

I hope that you each have a blessed Christmas with family & friends.  It's a time to love those we hold dear and to remember all our loved ones who are no longer with us. 

 

Here are a few photos from Christmases past. 

Circa 1913 - My Dad is the little boy on the left and in this photo are my grandparents, Harry & Marie Lindsay Gould and my great grandparents, Val & Mae Thorp Gould and some grandaunts.

This picture is from about 1918.  My Dad is the young boy and again my grandparents, great grandparents and grand aunts & uncles.

Christmas 1952 - That's me & my baby brother, Norm and our Grandma & Grandpa Gould (my Dad's parents), Harry & Marie Lindsay Gould

 

Don't I wish I could hug my grandparents or my Dad again?  My Mom is still with us, so her I can hug. 

 

Enjoy your time with family & we'll talk about genealogy again soon.

 

Best Wishes,

Michigan Girl

 

 



 BRICK WALLS

Finding Elizabeth Fitzcharles' parents

Elizabeth "Bessie" Fitzcharles Lindsay - This is her name.  She is my Great Grandmother.  Grandmother to my Dad.  Born in Scotland in 1864.  Married to William Wallace Lindsay.  Mother of 4 children (that I know of).  Those children were: Ellen W. Lindsay, Marie Wallace Lindsay (she's my grandma), Bessie Lindsay and William F. Lindsay.  I have one picture of her, taken with her husband and 4 children in about 1896. 

The Lindsay family circa 1896 - left to right - Ellen, William Sr, William Jr, Elizabeth, Marie & Bessie
I feel very luck to have one photograph of this family.  

 For the past 10+ years I have wondered who Elizabeth Fitzcharles' parents were.  I knew very little about her.  My grandmother passed away in 1970 and my Dad in 1991.  I sure couldn't ask them.  I knew some things about her life and death. 

• She married William Wallace Lindsay on 21 May 1886 in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan. 
• I believe she came over to the United States in April 1886.  I have an immigration record that seems to match and dates from various census records that are close to that immigration record. 
• TIP: In genealogy we learn that dates don't always match exactly.  Sure...if they do, it's a plus, but they often don't.  That shouldn't stop you in your research.  Dates can be wrong for a number of reasons.  The person giving the date doesn't give the correct one, the person taking the date transcribes it incorrectly or the date is just a guess. 
•  I knew that her husband filed for divorce in 1912 and that she died in 1914 of cancer of the jaw. 
• I know she is buried in the same plot as my grandmother and grandfather and other family members. 

        Who are her parents?
        How do I find out who they are?

I wasn't sure how to answer those questions.  Working with the records overseas is a learning process and I'm still learning.  I had tried over the years to locate records on various websites, such as Ancestry.com or scotlandspeople.gov or familysearch.org.  No luck on any of them.

    Here's what happened.  About a month ago, my cousin, Paula, told me that our 2nd cousin was taking a trip to Scotland.  Paula (who, by the way, is now hooked on genealogy, gee, I wonder how that happend?), thought that I should talk to Debbie before she went to Scotland, so I could give her some family information.  I contacted Debbie and sent her a family group record  for William & Elizabeth Lindsay.
TIP: Family Group Records are reports you can create from your database with just a click or two of your mouse.
Note: the name of Elizabeth's father is given as Nicholas Fitzcharles and her birthdate as 20 Jul 1866. His name & her birthdate are listed on her death certificate. 

 



This group record gave Debbie the information on the family that she would need to do any research while she was in Scotland.  Keeping in mind that cousin Debbie is not a genealogist.  All I said to her before she left was, anything she could find would be greatly appreciated. 
Debbie returns from Scotland and notifies me and Paula via email, that she has found some information that she thinks we will like.  I told her if she'd found anything on Elizabeth Fitzcharles that I'd book a flight and come back there and give her a hug.  She told me "book the flight."
Course now I'm very excited and can't wait to hear of her discoveries.  But, we decided that we would share this information via 3-way conference call on Monday.  That was 3 whole days I had to wait.  Kinda like Christmas.  The anticipation is part of the fun.
Monday morning, 9 a.m.  The phone rings and it's my cousins Paula & Debbie on the line.  Debbie says that while she was in Aberdeen, she had time to stop in at the Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society.  She mentioned my name and said that I was a member there.  The helpful volunteer looked in their files and found my name and........da da....the family pedigree chart I had submitted with my membership in 2010.  Unfortunately, I had not renewed my 2012 membership.  Lookups are free for members.  So, what does Debbie do?  She joins.  The cost is only $25 and saves any hourly fee charged for looking up records. 

THE FIND

 The volunteer begins looking through records for anyone named Nicholas Fitzcharles who had a daughter named Elizabeth or Bessie or Betsy, born about 1866.  No Nicholas Fitzcharles anywhere in the records.  HOWEVER, there is a John Fitzcharles & Elizabeth McGovern who gave birth to a little girl named Elizabeth on 24 Jul 1864 in Alyth, Perth, Scotland!  The record even gives the dates of the marriage of John Fitzcharles & Elizabeth "Betsy" McGovern as 6 Oct 1854 in Dundee, Scotland. I'm beyond excited.  There it is - the elusive clue, something to work on, a trail to follow, information to try and verify.  This is all we ask for as Genealogists. 



Next Step - Try to verify this information by finding vital records and census records.

STAY TUNED

There's more to this story

 

I'm off to Scotland.....via computer

Michigan Girl