March Madness is in full swing. If your bracket is like mine, let’s just say that there’s always next year. (I’ve long held a theory that genealogists like March Madness because the brackets look like ancestor charts.)
Hollie Ann Henke at Relativity wrote about Hugh Clark, her 4th-great-grandfather and fellow music lover. Andrea Kelleher of How Did I Get Here? My Amazing Genealogy Journey told about her 3rd-great-grandfather Jacob Kerr and how she’s sorting out the wheres and whens of his life. (I love the use of Google Earth!) Colleen Greene of Colleen & Jeff’s Roots shared the reason why she’s beginning the search for her biological mother. (Colleen — we all wish you well as you start that journey.)
The optional theme this week was “Same.” I featured the only other Amy in my database: Amy Skinner, daughter of my 4th-great-grandparents Robert and Elizabeth (Spencer) Skinner. The post is almost more about her minister and how he provided insight into Amy’s life.
Your Turn
Who did you write about this past week? Leave a comment with a link to your post and the name and a bit about the ancestor. (Cousin bait!) Also, take a look at the posts from Week 11. Reading some of those might help you forget about how poorly your bracket is doing.
Upcoming Themes:
- Week 13 (Mar 26 – Apr 1) – Different
- Week 14 (Apr 2 – 8) – Favorite Photo
- Week 15 (Apr 9 – 15) – How Do You Spell That?
- Week 16 (Apr 16 – 22) – Live Long
- Week 17 (Apr 23 – 29) – Prosper
The April themes post has ideas for approaching the optional weekly themes.
COUGHLIN: No. 12: The Naturalization Papers of Glassblower William Henry Coughlin from Poughkeepsie N.Y. to Wallaceburg, Ont. http://moynahangenealogy.blogspot.ca/2015/03/52-ancestors-no-12-naturalization.html
My ancestor Ignaz ECHERER had a lot the same as his father
https://pastprologue.wordpress.com/2015/03/22/week-12-ignaz-echerer-1803-1874/
ELSASSER
For years, I believed that the maiden name of my 2x great-grandmother was HELFRICH. This is the long saga of my research that proved her real name was Catharine Elsasser and the DNA connections that lead me to ask:
Peter Elsasser of Vicksburg, Mississippi – Are You the Same as My Great, Great Granduncle? 52 Ancestors 2015 #12
I also successfully found her birthplace in Vinningen, Sudwestpfalz, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany.
http://wp.me/p4ioO6-bu
Amy WILLIAMS, my paternal 7th great-grandmothet with whom I share the same first name – http://shaketree.blogspot.com/2015/03/amy-rainey-williams.html
My paternal grandmother, Elizabeth ADSIT (1897-1983) – we share more in common than our first names.
http://frommainetokentucky.blogspot.com/2015/03/grandmother-elizabeth-adsit.html
Amy, thank you so much for the mention! You know the question “If you could sit down and chat with just one ancestor, who would that be?”. Hugh CLARK would be my choice.
https://hollieannhenke.wordpress.com/2015/03/25/52-ancestors-12-hugh-a-clark-same-old-song/
I have many things in common with so many ancestors!
Genealogical Gems: 52 Ancestors: Same
http://genealogybyjeanne.blogspot.com/2015/03/52-ancestors-same.html?spref=tw
Jeanne Ruczhak-Eckman
Genealogical Gems
http://genealogybyjeanne.blogspot.com
For the optional theme same, I chose another genealogist who wrote a book about our Beard family in 1952, when doing research was hard. She’s still living and gave me permission to write this post, but I’ve tried not to include too much genealogical detail.
Genealogist and Inspirational Author
Jessie Beard
http://tangledrootsandtrees.blogspot.com/2015/03/52-ancestors-12-genealogist-and.html
In week #2 I wrote about my husband’s grandfather Johann Peter MEDER (1888-1954). He had a brother born in 1873 by the same name and they both lived to marry and have children. Confusing? This post includes scanned copies of original documents that were shared with me.
52 Ancestors: #12 The One Who Went To Paris
by Cathy Meder-Dempsey at Opening Doors in Brick Walls
I wrote about the murder of a brother of my 2nd great grandmother. His name was William Miles.
http://nancyhvest.com/52-ancestors-week-12-murder-at-the-mill/
This week, I look at names in my tree. Particularly in comparison to the SSA’s Top 5 Male and Female from 1914-2013. http://bit.ly/1Brz2k4
Two weeks ago, I had written about Maude Olive (BUSSELL) KUHN giving birth during the 25 June 1902 cyclone in central Indiana. Turns out I goofed and got the giving birth date wrong. Please accept my apologies and this post that is the SAME topic as two weeks ago.
Maude Olive (BUSSELL) KUHN – *Protecting a One Week Old Baby* During a Cyclone
https://digginupgraves.wordpress.com/2015/03/25/maude-olive-bussell-kuhn-protecting-a-one-week-old-baby-during-a-cyclone-52-ancestors-2015-12/
I don’t want to think about how many times I’ve had to sort out which John Bullen in my family tree I am dealing with at any particular time – so many men with the SAME name. This week I am focusing on the one who fought in the Revolutionary War and took part in Shay’s Rebellion.
http://victoriajosfamilystories.blogspot.ca/2015/03/john-bullen-revolutionary-war-soldier.html
No one has my same name (Celia), no same occupations, but… then there’s my great-grandfather and his passion for family history:
http://twigsandtrees.blogspot.ca/2015/03/52-ancestors-52-themes-no12-same-grove.html
LESLEY, LYONS, STUBBLEFIELD, DUFF – Short & sweet this week. Pictures of my great grandmother, Lena (Lesley) Lyons and 3rd great grandfather, William L. Stubblefield and something I have in common with each one. Because it’s such a small focus on each one this time around, I’m sure they’ll pop up again in future weeks! My Pinterest board address:
https://www.pinterest.com/pattidi/52-ancestors-on-pinterest/
Edmund GREENLEE, born in 1811, was a successful dairy farmer and a prolific inventor: “Among the labor-saving devices Edmund created was a line of wooden-barrel making machines he patented when (his children) were young.” “In 1860, at the time that Drake first struck oil at Titusville, PA, Mr. Greenlee adapted his machinery to the manufacture of oil barrels.”
http://ourfamilytreetales.blogspot.com/2015/03/52-ancestors-ii-week-64-edmund-greenlee.html
BUTZ, Mary Magdalen Kurtz
Many German ancestors have the same first name–their saint’s name– to the Butz/Butts family has plenty of Marys and Johns, but John William may have had two wives with the same middle name as well–Magdalen. Or did he?
http://ancestorsinaprons.com/2015/03/52-ancestors-two-wives-same-name-mary-magdalen-kurtz-butts/
The wedding socks—the start of a new family tradition? (no. 28 week 12) — my son wore the same wedding (patriotic) socks my husband wore 33 years earlier.
http://denise-livinginthepast.blogspot.com/2015/03/52-ancestors-no-28-wedding-socksthe.html
RICHARDSON, Eleanor Louise “Nell”, was my maternal grandmother. I may have been the granddaughter who looked most like her, and we both shared a love of family history:) Her life took place on both coasts of Canada, born on Prince Edward Island and dying on Vancouver Island.
http://boormanfamily.weebly.com/blog/eleanor-louise-nell-richardson-1894-1992-12-52-ancestors
COCHRANE–William Cochrane and Andrew George Cobbett Cochrane–That Wall is beginning to Crumble
I may be making some progress on when these two came to the United States. but maybe not.
http://ancestorsiwishiknew.blogspot.com
ESTES – John Y. Estes (1818-1895), Civil War Soldier, Walked to Texas, Twice
This man was amazing. And I’m positive there are many things we still don’t know that would shock and amaze us further.
http://dna-explained.com/2015/03/23/john-y-estes-1818-1895-civil-war-soldier-walked-to-texas-twice-52-ancestors-64/
ELDREDGE – Tamesin Eldredge – Not -exactly- the same but pretty close!
https://kessgen.wordpress.com/2015/03/08/52-ancestors-2015-12-tamesin-eldredge/
John Washburn (1566-1624)
He arrived in Plymouth three ships after the Mayflower, and became the colony’s first Secretary. I blogged about how fun it was to find a good friend in college and I both had this SAME ancestor.
http://genealogy.dreamwidth.org/8403.html
Harry HART, librarian and WW1 victim
Born Cloughfold, died France
http://springhillhistory.org.uk/blog-3/files/ebf68f38bba6a8bfe851298473a7596d-88.html
This is the story of two little girls. Ellen and Sarah Brawley who were born in 1894.
https://msgenealogyuk.wordpress.com/2015/03/25/sarah-brawley-1894-1969-ellen-brawley-1894-1899-52-ancestors-in-52-weeks-12/
for week 12 I wrote about my grandmother who I try to be the “same” as!
http://suesresearch.blogspot.com/2015/03/mabel-linnea-seeber-1905-1980-52.html
RAINES, Goldie … I look just like her! http://rootedinfoods.com/my-doppelganger-aunt-goldie/
I couldn’t really think of an ancestor who was the same as me, so I decided to write about my great grandmother who has the same middle name as me. As I talked to family about her, I realized that she and I are much the same.
VON ALLMEN, Louise Marie
http://wiseheartjourney.com/2015/03/23/louise-von-allmen-jovial-and-social-52-ancestors-12/
I share the short gene with everyone on my Dad’s side of the tree. http://www.researchjournal.yourislandroutes.com/2015/03/52-ancestors-week-12-were-all-short/
These three great grand aunts aren’t like me in that they were all divorced (and remarried) at some point and none had children. However, I feel a great affinity for these sisters. They are at the top of the list of ancestors I would most like to have lunch with. The Baxter Sisters: Daisy, Minnie, and Leona.
https://roordawrite.wordpress.com/2015/03/18/52-ancestors-12-of-52-the-baxter-sisters-daisy-minnie-and-leona/
I have Cochrans (without the ‘e’) in my ancestry who I believe came from Scotland. Most settled in West Virginia or Ohio. MIne were Guernsey County Ohio. Any connection?
REASON, Martha (1775-??) http://carlsonandcarricofamilyhistory.blogspot.com/2015/03/52-ancestors-2015-week-12-martha-reason.html
BOE – Week 12 “Same”: Alpha Madeline Boe
http://so-many-ancestors.blogspot.com/2015/03/52-ancestors-week-12-same-alpha.html
Schalene’s post inspired me. I wrote about my maternal grandfather’s first cousin Alpha Boe. She and her husband Melvin Brodshaug wrote a book about her (and my grandfather’s) grandparents and their ancestors and descendants.
My post isn’t focused on a specific ancestor, but a place that some of my husband’s Civil War ancestors may have been.
https://patriciarohn.wordpress.com/2015/03/27/week-12-2015-in-the-same-place/
Same surnames and a find while sorting ADAMS photos.
http://ancestorchaser.blogspot.com.au/2015/03/52-ancestors-week-12-same-surnames.html
I posted about my Great Grandmother’s twin sisters, Rosa and Minnie.
ADAIR, Charles
I continue the story of the Adair brothers who served in the Civil War. Charles served in the same 5th Battery of Wisconsin Independent Light Artillery as his brother Ezra (last week’s story).
https://ginnysgems.wordpress.com/2015/03/27/charles-adair-served-in-the-same-battery-as-his-brother/
This week I used the theme “same” to talk about 3 ancestors with the same name.
The three Vitty Keers from Durham England
http://martinewsancestors.blogspot.com/2015/03/52ancestors-week-12-same-vitty-keers-3.html
HARLOW, William & MORTON, Nathaniel – I didn’t go with the prompt this week but here is an interesting story of a family with many children, giving a child to a childless couple to raise. http://mymaineancestry.blogspot.com/2015/03/may-i-have-your-child-52-ancestors-12.html
Stotz, Lydia I originally thought she was Lydia Franz and discovered she was a generation earlier and Lydia Stotz instead.
http://wide-eyed-window.blogspot.com/2015/03/pulling-thread.html
EVERETT, Nathaniel – Six Nathaniel Everetts in one family tree – same name also given to two more male Everetts but their relationship to the six is not known. Six is enough.
http://www.examiner.com/article/ancestor-12-six-nathaniel-everetts-makes-genealogy-interesting
Benedict, Edward H–See how he is the same as his half brother Harry Benedict written about in week 9.
https://dawnsfamilyhistory.wordpress.com/2015/03/28/52-week-challenge-week-12-same-edward-h-benedict/
Peter Martin Arnold, my paternal uncle. This is the first of these profiles that I’ve collaborated with someone else (Pete’s daughter, Pat, in this case) to prepare the post. We had a great time visiting and Pat was kind enough to share stories, documents, and photos to make this post a reality.
https://tidbitsandtreasures2011.wordpress.com/2015/03/28/peter-martin-arnold-1919-1999-wwii-veteran-and-family-man/
I wrote about my maternal granduncle Linwood Hamilton Bryant. Here’s the link http://www.howdidigetheremyamazinggenealogyjourney.com/2015/03/52-ancestors-2015-edition-12-linwood.html
NOBLE – 52 Ancestors 2015 Edition: #12 – Eileen Anna Lorraine Gunther Noble (1897 – 1977), The Name’s the Same!
I share a first name with my maternal grandmother. She was also the grandmother I was closest to.
http://www.oldbonesgenealogy.com/52-ancestors-2015-edition-12-eileen-anna-lorraine-gunther-noble-1897-1977-the-names-the-same/
TOURVILLE, Charles and a few others 😉
I forgot to announce it here last week!
In English: http://www.huboutourvillegenealogy.com/wp/?p=902
In French: http://www.huboutourvillegenealogy.com/wpfr/?p=673
I put the 2 weeks together.
52 Ancestors weeks #11 & #12 William Riley Divine and Thomas Mason Divine– Same and Different http://tinyurl.com/oclwdhv
So Many Joseph’s & Henry’s
http://timelinesandstories.blogspot.com/2015/03/52-ancestors-week-12-same-so-many.html
Sharing a cousin’s story about Meggs/Meigs in Alabama, same but different http://rootsbranchesandnuts.blogspot.com/2015/04/meggs-to-meigs-and-back-again-same-but.html
On the premise that Karen is a danish form of the name Catherine.
Catherine HALL 1818-1899 in Montgomery county and Brooklyn NY
http://wp.me/p5z5tj-3B
My aunt that my mother says I am a lot like: Sally Wilson Jones (1934-2009)
https://wilsongenealogy.wordpress.com/2015/04/07/12-sally-ann-wilson-jones/
Charles Louis Tavernier, who’s father has the same name. http://gatheringbranches.blogspot.com/2015/04/52-ancestors-week-12-charles-louis.html
http://shelleyskylinejourney.com/2015/04/08/52-ancestors-week-no-12-same/
Passed on the optional theme, addressed instead, my 4th great-grandparents John FALLS & Sarah SHOWER: https://themixthatmakesupme.wordpress.com/2015/06/16/john-falls-sarah-shower-52-ancestors-12/ .