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Smart Talk on WITF Public Radio 89.3

I had a new experience in May, I was a guest along with PA State Archivist, Aaron McWilliams, on WITF Smart Talk.  We talked about the 1940 Census release as well as the release of the 1906 PA birth records and 1096-1961 PA death records.  Listeners were able to call or email their questions for us to answer.  We got a lot of good questions about a variety of topics.

I was pleasantly surprised by the number of people who listen to Smart Talk.  Even after the show was over people continued to email questions that Aaron and I could answer.

I had just receive an issue of the National Genealogical Society’s journal (Vol. 38 No. 2, April-June, 2012)that has a wonderful article on the 1940 census.  If you want to know what is included and the significance of the questions asked on the census, it is a great issue to look for at your local library.

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Private Joseph S. Shoemaker, Civil War

I joined the Daughters of the Union Veterans of the Civil War, 1861-1865, this year, under Great, Great Grandfather John Wesley Duart.  I didn’t know too much about him or his regiment, so I’ve endeavored to write an article about him.  It also spurred me on to look for other ancestors who fought in the Civil War and I found Great, Great Grandfather, Joseph S. Shoemaker.

I started by requesting Joseph’s pension file from NARA, I already had John Wesley’s.  Well, 200 pages later I have finally waded through his file.  Most of it was repeated applications for an  increase in his pension,  however it was interesting reading.  Private Shoemaker was in Company C, 7th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry.  He enlisted May 9, 1863 and was discharged August, 23, 1865 in Harrisburg, PA.  He was in the battle at Shelbyville, Tennessee (later listed as Alabama) where he was thrown from his horse in a cavalry charge.  His horse fell on him, injuring his right arm.  He also contracted “malarial poisoning”, both which plagued him the remainder of his life.

Many of my other relatives wrote affidavits testifying that Joseph was totally disabled.  This included:  John Wesley Duart, Winfield Packard, S.B. Morse and second wife of Joseph, Sarah Shoemaker.

I’ll keep you posted on my research into this company and the battle at Shelbyville.

 

 

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Clan Maclean Gathering

Today I received my invitation to the Friends of the Clan Maclean Heritage Trust reception.  If you are going to the Clan Gathering, this is not to be missed.  It will be at Gruiline House, Isle of Mull.  Last time we went to the Clan gathering, we were invited to attend the reception at Torloisk House.  Richard and Lucinda Compton Maclean of Torloisk hosted the reception and what a lovely time.  Their home is one of the Maclean estates and we had the run of the place.

The reception in 2007 followed the unveiling of a Cairn to General Allan Maclean at Kilninian Church.  The unveiling started with the different sects of the Clan, all dressed in their particular tartan, piped to the cairn.  It was very colorful and rather impressive to see all those who had gathered, being lead to the church.

For anyone who is interested in joining the Friends of the Clan Maclean Heritage Trust, you can email William Douglas, Secretary at [email protected].  Also, you can see more about this at maclean.org.

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Class of ’69 says goodbye to another classmate

Classmate and fellow genealogist, Audrey Isbell Allen passed away this month.  Audrey doesn’t know how much she helped me early on in my search for family and I never told her.  How sad that it is now too late to do so.  Point being – always take that second or two to tell the folks around you, how much they mean to you.

Earlier in the year we lost classmate, Gail Braund Walrath.  I will always remember her and Audrey with a smile on their face and nice to be around.

We will miss you at our next reunion, but I’m sure you will be there in spirit.

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Benjamin Stone is Official

I’ve been notified that another one of my NSDAR supplements has been approved.  Benjamin Stone was born in 1732 in Dudley, Worcester Co., MA and married Susannah Buckman.  These are the parents of Perris Stone who was married to Jesse Morse.  I also have Obadiah Morse as an approved ancestor.  His is the father of Jesse.  Many of my newer ancestors hailed from the New England states of Massachusetts and Connecticut.  My next ancestor to verify will be Samuel Clason.  He is the father of Lydia Clason Avery who is buried in the Alba, Bradford Co., PA cemetery with her husband, Ebenezer Avery and daughter, Esther Avery Packard.  Ebenezer, Lydia and Esther all died in 1842 within a short time of each other.  I’ve not taken the time to figure out what from, but can only assume it was some flu or other illness.

According to a letter that James Doty wrote to his cousin, Clell Shoemaker (I have documented most of this letter and will be publishing it shortly), there is probably a Revolutionary War ancestor in the Avery and Packard families, to locate.  My problem is finding the parents of Joel Packard and Ebenezer Avery.  In Connecticut Ebenezer Avery is as common as John Doe, so it has been a challenge teasing out the correct Ebenezer.

I have another ancestor waiting to be completed at NSDAR and that is Susannah Shafer Shoemaker Ayres father, Adam Shafer from Luzerne Co., PA.  This may never be resolved unless someone knows about a document that shows the parents of Susannah.  I only need to document that Adam and Elizabeth Swartwout Shafer are her parents.  Easier said than done and my time is running out to do this.

 

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John Wesley Duart, Civil War Soldier

I recently joined the Daughters of the Union Veterans, Civil War 1861-1865 under my gr. gr. grandfather, John Wesley Duart.  It got me thinking that I know a fair amount about him, but not his Civil War experience.  I decided that if I was going to find out, I might as well set a goal of writing an article for someone, about JW.

I started by writing to all my cousins that I know are descendants of John, to see if anyone has more information about him.  I have had a copy of his pension file for many years, but reread it and refreshed my memory about his unit.  I also know that cousin, Don Duart has gr. gr. grandfather’s Civil War sword.  I got a picture of it long ago also.  Don called and said he has an article about JW that he will copy for me.  It is so exciting to know that the sword has been kept in the family and will be passed on to Don’s son, John.   And I’m on my way.

The Duart’s have named every other generation with a John Wesley or David Henry.  It dawned on me not too long ago that maybe there was a reason for John Wesley, since many of the Duart’s have been Methodist’s.  The naming started just about the same time that THE John Wesley began the church.  Go figure.

I’m hoping to hear from other cousins and to find someone has old letters or other articles about John Wesley Duart.  I’ll be adding all my information into the Duart One-Name-Study files as I receive items.

 

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Daughters of the Union Veterans of the Civil War – 1861-1865

I am a member of the Daughters of the Union Veterans of the Civil War- 1861-18654 by vertue of my Great-Great grandfather, John Wesley Duart.  Today I attended my first meeting and was astounded that although I had researched my family for some 40 years, I never really looked that deeply into John Wesley’s Civil War history, other than to prove his lineage.

My quest now is to change that and find out as much as possible about his 7th Regiment Company C of the Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Bob Watson, friend and re-enactor spoke at this DUVCW meeting about the common soldier of the Civil War.  Whoa! What a statement, “common soldier” when they all showed such uncommon valor for gr. gr. grandfather, John, to march from Tennessee to Alabama without proper food and water, let alone any other “creature comforts” we now have grown to expect.

Stay tuned to this quest and I’ll let you know what I find.

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The Countdown Continues – 13 days

Ladies and Gentlemen, only 13 days until the release of the 1940 United States Federal Census records.  There are many options to help index these records, so join up through the Associate of Professional Genealogists or FamilySearch or Ancestry.

If you are from Pennsylvania, this is a really big year.  The Bureau of Vital Statistics released birth records from 1906 and death records 1906-1961.  With this and the 1940 census, this could advance some of your research a few more generations.

And don’t forget to watch Who Do You Think You Are? this Friday at 8 pm.  Helen Hunt is the featured descendant.  This is a great show, but it isn’t as easy as it looks.  I’m always surprised when they bring out the really old southern records.  I thought they were all burned in the war.  It is mostly knowing where to look.

 

 

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We Say Goodbye to Naomi L. Hershey

Another Hershey has passed away.  Naomi Hershey passed away on February 8, 2012 after a long struggle with cancer.  Her memorial service was held February 19th at the Church of the Brethren near the campus of Elizabethtown College, where she met her husband, Carroll Hershey, who preceded her in death in 1999.  Carroll and Na always lived close to their alma mater and have been interred in the church garden that she always tended.

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Charles I. Landis passed away

Charles I. “Chuck” Landis, age 61, of Quarryville, PA, passed away on Thursday, January 5, 2012 t the Lancaster General Hospital.  He was born in Lancaster, son of the late John L. & Vera G. Hershey Landis.  He worked on the family farm, and for the last 10 years, he was working as a truck driver for Pine View Enterprises, Inc. of Nottingham.  Charlie was a 1968 graduate of Solanco High School.  He was a member of the Sugar Run Hunting Camp of Tioga County.  He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, playing pool and drag racing.

Surviving are 5 siblings:  Robert H. Landis, J. Leslie husband of Carol Landis, Dale H. husband of Judy A. Groff, all of Quarryville, Marlene H. wife of Roy E. Buch of Ephrata, Evelyn H. wife of Robert E. Nafziger of Washington Boro, Nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral service will take place from the Calvary Monument Bible Church, 1660 Mine Rd, Paradise, PA on Monday, Jan. 9th at 11 am with Pastor James Davis and Pastor Ray Deiter officiating.  Interment will be in the Strasburg Mennonite Cemetery.

Lancaster Intelligencer, 6 Jan. 2012