Gaylord Fact Finders Genealogical Society

P.O. Box 1524

Gaylord, Michigan 49734

Volume 15, Number 1                                                                                                                            July, 2001

Publisher of "The Keystone" is the Gaylord Fact Finders Genealogical Society, a non-profit organization. Publication is in January, April, July, and October.
Membership dues are $10.00 per individual (or $ 12.00 per family), and are due by the May meeting each year. If the dues have not received, that member will not receive the July issue of "The Keystone." Regular meetings are held at 7:00 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month (August - November, and March - June) at the Otsego County Historical Museum, 320 W. Main, Gaylord. Correspondence should be sent to the address shown at the top.

This issue includes a short family history, Bremen Emigration Lists on Internet, Society Announcements, more "Connecticut Towns and their establishment," as well as a membership roster, some clues to locating persons who "went west" or disappeared from census records as cause of death, and pictures of Medal of Honor.

LIBRARY CORNER

NETTING YOUR ANCESTORS Genealogical Research on the Internet
Call 929.1 How; By Cyndi Howells 

Netting Your Ancestors is designed not only lo show you how to use the internet in genealogical research but how to take maximum advantage of this extraordinary research tool. Written by genealogist and computer-whiz, Cyndi Howells, creator of the award-winning web site Cyndi's List of Genealogy Sites on the Internet, it is a guide to the most powerful research tool since the advent of the personal computer. This is no hollow claim, for in bringing resources from around the world right into your home, the Internet makes genealogical research possible on a global scale, in record-breaking time.

With its clear, no-nonsense approach, Netting your Ancestors answers the most fundamental questions about genealogical research on the Internet: How do I get online? What type of computer hardware and software do I need? What do I do once I'm online? Where do I start? What type of information is available? The answers to those questions rendered in plain English, will help you to discover genealogical resources and finding-aids beyond your wildest dreams. What's more, you'll be able to communicate with researchers around the world, exchanging data that otherwise might take you a lifetime to find.

To help you get the most out of your online research time, Netting Your Ancestors focuses on the three most useful components of the internet, each of which is discussed in a separate chapter: E-mail, Mailing Lists and Newsgroups, and the World Wide Web. Within each chapter, sections are devoted, to software requirements, guidelines, and the basic workings of each component, along with tips for researchers who have already been online for a while. The last section in each chapter is devoted to research strategies that will benefit both new and veteran online researchers.

The ability to exchange information on a global scale and to explore vast new databases (as well as obscure factoids luring at the edges of cyberspace) is what genealogical research on the internet is all about. And in this book, with the aplomb and assurance of a seasoned Internet navigator, Cyndi Howells starts you out on your Internet journey of exploration and discovery, guiding you confidently toward your goal. It's a trip you'll never forget, even though you never leave home.
(taken from the book jacket)

AMATEURS vs. Professionals
Amateurs built the ark;
Professionals built the Titanic!!!

A short family history

By Patrica "Pat" Moehring

I have occasionally been stumped as to whom to call or write in the small communities of my ancestors. My paternal grandmother was born in Henry, Illinois, and lived there until her marriage to my grandfather in 1901. Then she went to live in his hometown of Shelby, Ohio.  Henry, Illinois was, and is, a very small town on the Illinois River. On the chance that I could save some time, I called telephone information to find out if there was a library. Yes! Calling there I was able to find out that they had an excellent Henry history department with a local genealogist in charge. I was given her name, address and telephone number. After my initial letter to her, I received a letter stating that she had a good bit of information on the family, pictures, articles, etc., but wouldn't we like to come to Henry to get a feel for the village? She even recommended a motel on the river because "your great grandfather worked on the river". So we went and got two days of information, tours, pictures, memorabilia, and a real feel for the Henry, Illinois of about 1890.

Though this grandmother occasionally referred to her years at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, I wondered if she had really spent much time there. No reference was made to it in the newspaper write-up of her wedding, even though it must have been worth mentioning in those days. I called the University and was connected with the Alumni office. They gave me the proper address and told me what I should include in my request. I was able to give them her name, birth date, graduation date from her Henry, Illinois, high school, and in which school at Northwestern Univ. that I thought she had been enrolled. I was even able to give her best friend (and perhaps roommate's name while she was at Northwestern. Within 10 days I had my answer. She had indeed graduated from their well-known Cumnock School of Oratory, now known as the Northwestern School of Speech. She had good grades and kept up with her alumni dues and reports—they sent me copies. Some were in her handwriting and some were in my grandfather's. I was tickled to see that she had mentioned her children (my father and aunt) and her grandchildren (my brother and myself).

"All this resulted from my original call lo the little Henry Library. Try it.....it works.

Pat Moehring

Editor's note - these short stories are being contributed by members of our genealogical society for publication here. IF ANYONE HAS NOT YET CONTRIBUTED THEIR STORIES, PLEASE SEND THEM TO PRESIDENT, DONNA MARRS, OR TO THE SOCIETY.

Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in his shoes, and if he gets angry, he'll be a mile away and barefoot.

BREMEN EMIGRATION LISTS ON INTERNET

(From "Generations" Vol 16, No. 1, by the Jewish Genealogical Society)

A portion of the surviving Bremen Emigration Lists have been placed on the Internet. The years 1920 - 1922 with part of 1923 ----- 172 sailings of 66,000 people---can be found at http://db.genealogy.net/maus/gate/shiplists.cgi. The project is a joint effort of the Bremen Chamber of Commerce and a Bremen society for family research called Maus. Eventually the group hopes to put all surviving lists, through 1939,m on the Internet. 

You can search the lists using a surname only or a portion of a surname. The system will then display all persons whose surname has the key letters supplied. Using the surname Weiss, the system displayed all names that had the consecutive characters w-e-i-s-s including Weiss, Schneerweiss, Schweiss, Serweiss, Stirnweiss, Weissenberg, Weissenberger, Weissenborn, Weissenbruch and others. There is no soundex search. Information provided includes name of the person, town of origin, ship, date of departure and name of the ship.

The site states that ships left Bremen/Bremerhaven for the United States, Canada and South America. Lists earlier than 1920 were systematically destroyed by officials who ran out of storage space. The surviving lists had been stowed in a salt mine during World War II together with other archival material. After the war they were transferred by the Russians to the Moscow Archives. In 1987 and 1990 the lists were given back to the Bremen Chamber of Commerce.

 ANNOUNCEMENTS: 

We regret the passing of Maxwell Bradford on June 19, 2001, the husband of one of our charter members, Jane Bradford. After a period of time, Maxwell also joined our society along with his wife. Our sympathies go out to Jane.
NEW FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY HOURS----
The Gaylord Family History Library is now open on Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., AND from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. They are closed Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
NEW MEETING LOCATION----
On August 15, we will meet at the Gaylord Public Library. Beginning September 19, 2001, we will be able to meet at the Gaylord Family History Library, at 600 N. Elm, in Gaylord.  

There is no tranquilizer more effective than a few kind words 

CONNECTICUT TOWNS AND THEIR ESTABLISHMENT

(From Connecticut Nutmegger, Vol 18 #l, June, 1985)
Continued from Vol. 14 #4

A CHANCE FOR A LONE WOMAN
(The San Francisco Bulletin thinks it is not often that a lone woman gets such a chance as is offered to her in the following:)

Mt. Idaho, I. I., Camp Howard

April 22, 1878
Mr. Editor -- Dear Sir:
I wish to ask for a wife through your paper.  I want to get married.  My time is nearly out, and I intend to settle in this country.  I intend starting a chicken ranch.  I want a wife to take care of young chickens.  I have got money.  My wife will not have much to do, only milk nine cows, feed six hundred young chickens, chop her firewood, cook three meals everyday and the rest of her time she can go out among her neighbors.

Please publish
Aberham Moos
Drummer, Co. K. "2nd Infantry"

Roster of Members 2000 - 2001

Old Folks Are Worth a Fortune

Remember, old folks are worth a fortune, with silver in their hair, gold in their teeth, stones in their kidneys, lead in their feet and gas in their stomachs!

I have become a little older since I saw you last, and a few changes have come into my life since then. Frankly I have become quite a frivolous old gal---I am seeing 5 gentlemen every day! As soon as I wake up. Will Power helps me get out of bed, then I go see John; then Charlie Horse comes along, and he lakes a lot of my time and attention; when he leaves, Arthur Ritis shows up and he stays the rest of the day. He doesn't like to stay in one place very long, so he takes me from joint to joint. After such a busy day, I'm really tired and glad to go to bed with Ben Gay. What a life!!!

P.S. The preacher came to call the other day. He said that at my age I should be thinking about the hereafter. I told him that I do, all of the time. No matter where I am, in the parlor, in the kitchen or down in the basement, I ask myself "What am I here after?"
(from Otsego Memorial Hospital's Health Lines, March/April, 1991)

Missing ancestors in 1850---If you are trying to locate a missing ancestor in 1850, try the California Census. Many people left to try their luck in the gold fields, but didn't stay. There was also a census taken in 1852, which is available at the California State Library, Capital Mall, Sacramento, Ca 95814. 

Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence? (From e-mail)

Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War. They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.

What kind of men were they? Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners, men of means, well educated. But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.

Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags. Thomas McKean was so bounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.

Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton. 

At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr. noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.

Francis Lewis had his home and .properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.

John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later he died from exhaustion and a broken heart. Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates.

Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. These were not wild-eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians. They were soft-spoken men of means and education. They had security, but they valued liberty more.

Standing tall, straight, and unwavering, they pledged: "For the support of lids declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."

They gave you and me a free and independent America. The history books never told you a lot about what happened in the Revolutionary War. We didn't fight just the British. We were British subjects at that time and we founded our own government!

Some of us take these liberties so much for granted, but we should not.

Independence Day is a time to especially silently thank these patriots.....not much to ask for the price they paid.

Remember: freedom is never free! 

It is time we got the word out that patriotism is NOT a sin, and the Fourth of July has more to it than beer, picnics, and baseball games. It is not a time to promote politics.

There have been many men, both young and old, that have died for our country (and each of us) to be free over the years.  Remember them all!

A CAUSE OF DEATH----

Summer Complaint

is

Diarrhea.

Per Dr. Edward Crippen, M.D. (Ret.), Mancelona, Michigan

Military Medals of Honor 1863 Army Medal of Honor 1863 Navy Medal of Honor 1904 Army Medal of Honor

HOME