Sunday Cemetery - Missing Cemetery Deed

Published the 14^th of June in 1904 in the Sun out of Baltimore, MD

HAD TO POSTPONE FUNERAL

Family of Mrs. M. E. Curley Could Not Find Cemetery Lot Deed.

     The funeral of Mrs Mary Elizabeth Curley, who was instantly killed Wednesday by being caught in the machinery in a mill at Elizabethport, N.J. where she had called to visit her husband had to be postponed yesterday because the deed to the family lot in Mt Alphenaus Cemetery could not be found. That the deed was missing was not discovered until a few hours before the time set for the funeral service.

     Mr. John Curley, her husband, and numerous friends and relatives of the deceased had gathered at the home of Mr. Chas Hoddinott, SN Waipert avenue, Waverly, whence they were to go to the cemetery.

     Mr Curley immediately sent his son, Jas Curley , to Elizabethport to search among Mrs Curley’s effects for the missing document. Meanwhile the body is lying in a vault at the cemetery. If the deed is found the funeral will be held today; otherwise it may be again postponed.

     Mrs Curley was born in Baltimore 58 years ago and was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Fuchaberger. Thirty-one years ago she was married to Mr Curley and for the last 21 years they had been living in Elizabethport.

The family has been particularity unfortunate. Four of the children have died and a brother of Mrs Curley was drowned. The husband and one son survive. 
                                          (*above article found on Genealogy Bank website)

Saturday Spotting - Sopatski, Polish Girl Stands Strong

Appeared on Wednesday the 4^th of January in 1893 in the Worcester Daily Spy out of Worcester, Massachusetts

NOT HER VALENTINE.

A Young Girl Refuses to Marry on Her

Wedding Day.

  MERIDEN, CONN., Jan 3. – The parents

of Annie Sopatski, a comely Polish girl,

have tried to force her to marry a young

Pelander who hails from New Britain and

is known as Valentine. About two weeks

ago Annie met him for the first time, and,

yielding to the importunities of her

parents, agreed to marry him.

     The wedding was set for Dec. 20, but

when Valentine appeared the girl refused

to fulfil her part of the agreement. Val-

entine gave her two days’ grace and ap-

peared again on Saturday. The girl had

awakened to a realizing sense of the

“deal,” and absolutely refused to get

married.

     This so enraged her mother that she

burned up the girl’s wedding trousseau

and otherwise abused her. Annie sought

police aid, and her lover was ordered out

of town under penalty of arrest. Before

he went, however, he demanded recom-

pense for her failure to keep her agree-

ment, and the girl gave him $15 of her

hard-earned money.
(*above article found on Genealogy Bank website)

Presentation - Including Newspapers in Our Research

Focusing on some of the wonderful nuggets of information found when including newspapers in our research. I love including newspapers in my research; you never know what you might find relating to those you’re researching. In addition, including newspapers in our study will help paint a larger picture.   

Wordless Wednesday

Tombstone Tuesday - Vaughan Family

HORACE VAUGHAN

JUL 28, 1853

JAN 27, 1900

---------

HIS WIFE

ELIZABETH B. CHAMBERLAINE

1866 – 1925

THEIR DAUGHTER

MILDRED VAUGHAN

1898 – 1920

[1]Horace Vaughan was issued a marriage license on 20 Oct 1897 in the state of Delaware. Payment of two hundred dollars was made by Horace Vaughan and Henry S. Smith on the said date for the marriage license. This license was issued for the marriage between Horace Vaughan and Elizabeth I. Boyer.

[2]Groom listed Horace Vaughn, 38 years of age, white, place of birth listed Delaware. Resided in Middletown, occupation listed as Physician. Bride listed Elizabeth Irvine Byer, 31 years of age, white, place of birth listed Delaware, resided in Middletown. Groom’s parents listed Edward M and Eliza A., bride’s parents listed William and Catherine. Marriage date 21 Oct 1897.

[3]Mildred Vaughan, female, white, date of birth 25 Jul 1898; place of birth is Middletown, New Castle County state of Delaware. Parents listed, father Horace Vaughan 39 years of age, occupation listed as a physician, nativity American, mother Elizabeth I. Boyer 30 years of age, nativity American. Mildred is the first child of the family and firstborn of the mother.     

                     

[4]Last Will and Testament of Horace Vaughn, M.D. of Middletown, New Castle County, and the State of Delaware.  Daughter, Mildred is mentioned numerous times receiving securities, bond for fifteen hundred dollars from Hugh C. Browne, twenty-five hundred dollars from Maximilian Lichtenstein, seventeen hundred and fifty dollars from Samuel B Ginn, twenty-seven hundred dollars from Albert Spear, nine hundred dollars from James A. Evans, four hundred dollars from James A. Evans all to be paid after his death and her at lawful age. If Mildred were to die before her lawful age the sums would be divided up between his wife, sister Clara, brother Edward M. Vaughan. The sum of two thousand dollars is bequeathed to his mother, Eliza Ann Vaughan.  The inside of his estate is bequeathed to his wife, Elizabeth Irvine. Signed and sealed the 5^th of August 1899.

[5]Return of Marriage in the state of Delaware, Middletown, New Castle County. Groom is Alfred Miller Chamberlain, 44 years of age, white, place of birth Delaware, resided in Middletown, Delaware, occupation listed as Druggist. The bride is Elizabeth Irvine Vaughan, 38 years of age, white, place of birth Maryland, resided in Middletown, Delaware. Groom’s father George Gale Chamberlain M.D. place of birth Maryland, groom’s mother Margaret Gunther place of birth Pennsylvania. Bride’s fathers William Boyer place of birth Maryland, bride’s mother Catherine Irvine place of birth Ireland. Date of marriage November 19, 1904. The number of previous marriages of the groom listed none and the bride listed one.

[6]1910 United States Federal Census from the state of Delaware, New Castle County, the town of Middletown, address listed as Main Street shows John W Barnett, head of household, married, white, male, born in Delaware, both parents born in Delaware. Speaks English shows his occupation as Lumberman, he was 52 years of age at the time of this census and in his marriage for 23 years. Mary C Barnett, wife to the head of household, married, white, female, born in Delaware, both parents born in Delaware. Speaks English, shows no occupation, she was 50 years of age at the time of this census and in her marriage for 23 years, she was the mother to one child, living.  William Taylor Barnett, son to head of household, single, white, male, born in Delaware, both parents born in Delaware. Speaks English shows no occupation, he was 21 years of age at the time of this census. Elizabeth B Chamberlaine is listed as a boarder to head of household, widowed, white, female, born in Maryland, father born in Maryland, mother born in England. Speaks English shows occupation as own income, she was 42 years of at the time of this census. Mildred Vaughan is listed as a border to the head of the household, single, white, female, born in Delaware, father born in Delaware, mother born in Maryland. She Speaks English shows no occupation, she was 11 years of age at the time of this census. Henry B Chamberlaine is listed as a boarder to the head of the household, single, white, male, born in Delaware, father born in Delaware, mother born in Maryland. Shows no occupation, he was 3 years of age at the time of this census. May McFaull listed as a border to the head of the household, single, white, female, born in New Jersey, father born in Ireland, mother born in New York. Speaks English shows occupation as a teacher in the public school, she was 32 years of age at the time of this census.

[7]1920 United States Federal Census from the state of Delaware, New Castle County town of Middletown address listed Cass Street shows Elizabeth Chamberlain as head of the household, widowed, white, female, born in Maryland, father born in Maryland, mother born in England. Owns the home free from mortgage, shows no occupation, she was 53 years of age at the time of this census. Mildred Vaughan is listed as a daughter to head of household, single, white, female, born in Delaware, father born in Delaware, mother born in Maryland. Shows no occupation, she was 21 years of age at the time of this census. Henry Chamberlain is listed as the son to head of household, single, white, male, born in Delaware, father born in Delaware, mother born in Maryland. Shows no occupation, he was 13 years of age at the time of this census.

 

[8]Certificate of Death in Middletown, New Castle County, State of Delaware. Mildred Vaughan date of birth was July 25, 1898, in Delaware, with no occupation listed. Parents were Horace Vaughan M.D. with Delaware listed as the place of birth, Elizabeth I. Boyer with Maryland listed as the place of birth. Female, white, single. Date of death January 22, 1920, her age at the time of death was 21 years 5 months, and 24 day.  The cause of death is listed as pulmonary tuberculosis/measles and bronchus pneumonia. Burial is listed in Middletown, Delaware in Forest Cemetery, date of burial January 26, 1920.  The informant listed Edward M Vaughan M.D. of Middletown, Delaware.  

 

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[1]Delaware, Marriage Records, 1744-1912 Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 10 April 2017) Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2008. Original data: Public Archives Commission, Delaware Public Archives. Record Group #RG 1325; Subgroup #003; Series #004.

[2]Delaware, Marriage Records, 1806-1933 Ancestry.com ( http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 10 April 2017) Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operation, Inc, 2010. Original data: Delaware Vital Records. Microfilm, Delaware Public Archives, Dover.  

[3]Delaware, Birth Records, 1800-1932 Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 10 April 2017) Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010. Delaware Public Archives; Dover, Delaware; collection Number: Birth Records-66; Roll Number; 66. 

[4] New Castle County probate records, ca 1682-1925 Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 10 April 2017) Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2015. Original data: Delaware County, District and Probate Courts. 

[5] Delaware Marriage Records, 1806-1933 Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 10 April 2017) Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010. Original data: Delaware, Delaware Vital Records, Microfilm. Delaware Public Archives, Dover.

[6]1910 United States Federal Census Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 10 April 2017) Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006. Original data: United States of America Bureau of Census. Roll: T624_146; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 0096; FHL microfilm: 1374159

[7] 1920 United States Federal Census Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 10 April 2017) Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010. Original data: Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C. Enumeration Districts 819-839 are on roll 323 (Chicago City).

[8] Delaware Death Records, 1811-1933 Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 10 April 2017) Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, 2010. Original data: Delaware, Delaware Vital Records. Microfilm. Delaware Public Archives, Dover.

Good Business Decision

Joining Middletown Area Chamber of Commerce 

Not that long ago, I decided to join the Middletown Chamber of Commerce here in Middletown, Delaware.   As a small business owner, I wasn’t sure where I would fit in or if this was even a good business decision. As of now, I can say my experience has been good, starting with the Business Expo. This event was a fantastic opportunity for me and my business, ARodesky Genealogy. I had a chance to hear so many excellent, fun, and interesting family stories. Plus, I made a few business contacts that have already started to increase my visibility.  The lesson to be learned here is that sometimes it’s good to be a small fish in a big pond. Okay, you can stop laughing. I had to add a “corny” comment.

Sunday Cemetery - Floating Coffins

Published the 24^th of September in ?? in the Philadelphia Inquirer out of Philadelphia, PA

FRENCH TOWNS INUMDATED

A Cemetery Undermined and Coffins Float Down the River

     PARIS, Sept. 23 – The floods in the Department of Grad have caused much damage to property. On Sunday the river Rhone rose nineteen feet and the town of Beaucaire was flooded. At Vallerangue, on the Herabit, 39 miles northwest of Nimes, the river overflowed its banks and undermined a portion of a cemetery. A number of coffins were washed out, and together with their contents floated down the river.

     The Ardeche river is greatly swollen. At Aubenas a dike collapsed and the surrounding country was flooded. Houses were undermined by the waters and fell and the vineyards throughout the district were devastated. Three persons were killed.

     The Gardon River, in the Department of Gard has also overflowed its banks. The country along the river with its standing crops is an immense swamp. The Mousae bridge has been destroyed and the railroad and telegraphic services have been stopped. 
                                         (*above article found on Genealogy Bank website)

Saturday Spotting - Double Wedding Stelzer Family

Appeared on Thursday the 30^th of September in 1897 in the St Louis Republic out of St Louis, Missouri

A DOUBLE WEDDING IN SOUTH ST. LOUIS

VALENTINE STELZER AND HIS

SON CHRISTIAN CELEBRATE THEIR

WEDDING TOGETHER.

It Was The Father’s Sliver Wedding

 and a Happy Time Was Had.

A wedding ceremony a little out of the or-

dinary was celebrated in South St. Louis

yesterday. Christian Steizer of 2620 Arsenal

street and Lena Brandschwede of 1615 South

Broadway were joined in wedlock, and on

the same occasion the silver anniversary of

the marriage of Valentine Stelzer and his

wife, parents of the groom, was celebrated.

The young people were married in the

Church of St. Francis de Sales at Texas

and Cherokee streets at 8 a.m. The old

folks also went through a church ceremony,

the blessings of the church being again

bestowed upon them. John Stelzer, a broth-

er of Christian Stelzer acted as best man

and Anna Drisler as bridesmaid for the

young people. Joseph Abele and Mrs. Al-

bert Reldermelster acted in similar capaci-

ties for the old folks.

A reception was held last night at the

Southwestern Turner hall at Texas and

Cherokee streets. It was largely attended

by the friends of both parties. A number

of handsome presents were received by

both couples. Some of the presents were

from Chicago, where the elder Stelzer lived

before they came to St. Louis.

The occasion was a triple celebration

for Valentine Slelzer. Besides being the sil-

ver anniversary of his wedding, the year is

the twenty-fifth anniversary of his arrival

in this country from Germany; and he has

been 25 years employed by the same firm.

He went to work shortly after his arrival in

this country for Fairbanks & Co in Chica-

go. Four years later he was transferred to

the St. Louis branch where he is now em-

ployed. 

(*above article found on Genealogy Bank website)

Presentations - Tracing Your African-American Roots

Tracing your African-American Roots

The journey starts here! Discover resources for researching your family history and genealogy. We discuss Slave Schedules, Voter Registration, Freedman’s Bureau, Plantations Records, Bill of Sales, and much more. 

Wordless Wednesday

Tombstone Tuesday - Dodd Family

SGT. CLEMENTS N. DODD

CO. B

DEL. CAV.

       [1]1870 United States Federal Census from Middletown in New Castle County Delaware the state of Delaware shows Clement N. Dodd head of household, married, white, male, was born abt. 1838 in Delaware. It shows his occupations as carpenter, his personal property is valued at 200 dollars; he was 32 years of age. Margaret A Dodd wife to head of household, married, white, female, was born abt. 1846 in Delaware. It shows her occupation as keeping house; she was 24 years of age. William N. Dodd son to head of household, single, white, male, was born abt. 1866 in Delaware. It shows his occupation as at home; he was 4 years of age.  James M. Dodd son to head of household, single, white, male, was born abt. 1868 in Delaware. It shows his occupation as at home; he was 2 years of age.

      [2]1880 United States Federal Census from Saint Georges in New Castle County in the state of Delaware shows Clement N. Dodd as head of household, married, white, male, and was born abt. 1838 in the state of Delaware and both of his parents were born in Delaware. It also shows that his occupation was listed as carpenter/contractor; he was 42 years of age. Margaret A Dodd wife to head of household, married, white, female, and was born abt. 1845 in Delaware and both of her parents were born in Delaware. It also shows that her occupation is lady of the house; she was 35 years of age. William Dodd son to head of household, is a single, white, male, and was born abt.1866 in Delaware and both of his parents were born in Delaware. It also shows that his occupation was listed as at school; he was 14 years of age. James Dodd son to head of household, single, white, male and was born abt. 1868 in Delaware and both of his parents were born in Delaware. It also shows that his occupation is listed as at home, he is sick not walking has rheumatics in January; he was 12 years of age. Charles Dodd son to head of household, is single, white, male and was born abt. 1870 in Delaware and both of his parents were born in Delaware. It also shows his occupation listed attends school; he was 10 years of age.  Anna S. Dodd daughter to head of household, single, white, female and was born abt. 1875 in Delaware and both of her parents were born in Delaware. It also shows her occupation listed at home; she was 5 years of age. Bessie Dodd daughter to head of household, single, white, female and was born abt. 1878 in Delaware and both of her parents were born in Delaware. It also shows her occupation listed at home; she was 2 years of age. Dodd son to head of household, single, white, male and was born abt. 1880 in Delaware and both of his parents were born in Delaware. It also shows his occupation listed at home; he was 3 months of age.

      [3]1900 United States Federal Census form Philadelphia in Philadelphia County the state of Pennsylvania shows Clement N. Dodds head of household, married, white, male, was born November 1837 in Delaware and both of his parents were born in Delaware. It also shows that his occupation was listed as a carpenter, he was unemployed for 3 months, he was able to read, write and speak English, and the home is rented. He has been married for 33 years and was 62 years of age. Margaret Dodds wife to head of household, married, white, female, was born October 1845 in Delaware and both of her parents were born in Delaware. Occupation is not listed, he was able to read, write and speak English. She has been married for 33 years, mothered 10 children and 7 are still living, she was 54 years of age. James Dodds son to head of household, single, white, male, was born January 1868 in Delaware and both of his parents were born in Delaware. Occupation listed as cigar dealer, he was able to read, write and speak English; he was 32 years of age. Hester E Dodds daughter to head of household, single, white, female, was born June 1878 in Delaware and both of her parents were born in Delaware. Occupation listed as shirt maker, was able to read, write and speak English; she was 21 years of age. Ellwood M. Dodds son to head of household, single, white, male, was born July 1881 in Delaware and both of his parents were born in Delaware. Occupation listed as printer, was able to read, write and speak English; he was 18 years of age. Mary H. Dodds daughter to head of household, single, white, female, was born March 1886 in Delaware and both of her parents were born in Delaware. Occupation listed as press feeder, was able to read, write and speak English; she was 15 years of age. James N Wine is listed as a brother-in-law to head of household, married, white, male, was born August 1837 in Delaware and both of his parents were born in Delaware. Occupation is listed as a salesman, he was able to read, write and speak English. He was married for 33 years and was 62 years of age.    

      [4]1910 United States Federal Census from Center Township in Grant County Indiana at the U.S. National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, Members, Officers and Employees shows Clement N Dodd, widowed, white male was born abt. 1838 in Delaware and both of his parents were born in Delaware.  He is able to read, write and speak English; he was 72 years of age.

      [5]Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Death Certificate Index, 1803-1915 shows Clement Naughton Dodd date of birth is about 1840, born in Milton, Delaware. His date at death is 2n of May 1911 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania he was 71 years of age at the time of his death and buried in Middletown, Delaware. It also shows male, white, occupation as carpenter and married. His father is John Dodd with a birthplace in Milton, Delaware. His mother is Margaret Wine with a birthplace in Middletown, Delaware.

      [6]United States Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1925-1953 shows a headstone application for the unmarked grave of a soldier, Clement N Dodd, the rank of Sargent, Company B with the 1^st Delaware Volunteer Cav., date of death is May 2^nd 1912. Cemetery listed is Bethesda M E Church in the city of Middletown state of Delaware with no emblem selected for the headstone.  It was shipped to Middletown, Delaware at New Castle County. The applicant listed and address was W.H. Dodd at 1210 N. Hope Street, Philadelphia, PA on the 23^rd of April 1930.

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[1] 1870 Untied States Federal Census Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 22 April 2016) Provo, UT, USA; Ancestry.com Operations Inc., 2009. Middletown, New Castle, Delaware; Roll: M593_120; Page: 715B; Image: 656; Family History Library Film: 545619

[2] 1880 United Stated Federal Census Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 22 April 2016) Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc., 2010. Saint Georges, New Castle, Delaware; Roll: 120; Family History Film: 1254120; Page: 256C; Enumeration District: 030; Image: 0232

[3] 1900 United States Federal Census Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 22 April 2016) Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc., 2004. Philadelphia Ward 30, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Roll: 1472; Page: 2B; Enumeration District: 0757; FHL microfilm: 1241472

[4] 1910 United States Federal Census Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 22 April 2016) Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc., 2006. Center, Grant, Indiana; Roll: T624_351; Page: 17A; Enumeration District: 0047; FHL microfilm: 1374364

[5] Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1803-1915 Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 22 April 2016) Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc., 2011.

[6] U.S. Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1925-1963 Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 22 April 2016) Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc., 2012. Microfilmpublications M1916, 134 rolls. ARC ID: 596118.

Including Adoption

I'm revisiting a past post only because it came up again during a presentation at the Corbit Calloway Library in Odesa, Delaware. The word "adoption" isn't new to many of us while doing our family research or research for a client. But, unfortunately, it appears to be one of those words that cause confusion while some continue to conduct their own family research.

"Do I include someone who is adopted in my family tree?"
"Do I include the biological parents of my grandfather?"

My answer was yes to both, but I know some are concerned that this might offend the step-parent or the adoptive family members. For those conducting research for their own family, you must weigh its effects on all of those involved. But I reminded them that if this is a family member and you consider them family, they should be included; that was my opinion. At the same time, while most conduct their family research, their focus is directly on their "bloodline" and not the family member's title. I gave a professional research example when I came across an adopted family member (cousin, uncle, or aunt) while conducting research for a client that includes that family member. However, I do note that this family member was adopted.  I leave it up to all my clients that it is their choice to follow up on this notation and want to research more on this family member. But suppose I find that a direct family member (mother, father, or grandparent) is adopted. In that case, I feel obligated as a researcher to include the information about the biological family members. As I've always said, once my research is completed and I review everything with the client, it is up to them what they do with that information.