Finding a 1885 Nebraska Census Entry

This is the database entry for Benjamin Harm from the Nebraska, State Census, 1885 on Ancestry.com. This database does not link to any record images on Ancestry.com nor is this individual entry linked to the family structure and is a relatively recent addition to Anceestry.com. However it is possible to view the images on Ancestry.com

The  Nebraska, State Census, 1885 to have been indexed separately from Nebraska, State Census Collection, 1860-1885. The Harms reference shows in the first illustration could not be located in the Nebraska, State Census Collection, 1860-1885 and probably was indexed in some what that it could not be located. Using the information from the first screen, I was manually able to locate the desired entry which is partially shown in the image below. The Herman Harms family appears in the Franklin County 1885 Census on page 8 in Salem Precinct.

Just When You Think You've Seen Every Variant

Sometimes it is clear that every variant for a surname has yet to be discovered.

In this case the "variant" is not so much a variant the family actually used, but rather a different way of reading the name when it was spelled wrong in the actual record with difficult-to-read handwriting.

Regular readers know that Trautvetter is one of the families on which I am working.

This is the index entry on the 1880 agricultural census for Michael Trautvetter in Hancock County, Illinois:

There were not too many Michaels in Walker Township. That's how I found the entry by searching for individuals who had the first name of Michael and lived in Hancock County, Illinois, with "Walker" as a keyword match.

This is part of the actual 180 agricultural census entry:

The original image is blurry and, if memory serves, the microfilm is blurry as well. Michael Trautvetter is on line 4.

I can make out the image, so that's not a problem--but the image is why I need to include Ancestry.com as a part of my citation/


We blogged earlier about agricultural census records.

Seminar in Kansas City area 2 June 2012

If you live near Kansas City, consider attending Northland Genealogical Society's seminar on Saturday--2 June 2012.

There is a PDF of the registration booklet on the site.  However, you would be better advised to email the society at northlandgs11@kc.rr.com.

Topics:

• Searching Techniques on Ancestry and Family Search: This presentation will focus on organizing your searches, effective search strategies, and problem-solving.
• Determining Your Own Migration Trail: Our ancestor probably was a part of a larger chain of migration. See how to determine where your ancestor fit into that chain and how that knowledge can help your research.
• Seeing the Patterns: This session discusses a variety of ways to organize information with the intent of noticing trends, overlooked pieces of information, etc. Get beyond basic charts and forms.
• When Your Dude Is Lost: This session will discuss ways to work around that ancestor who appears to have been dropped off or picked up by a UFO.
• Brick Walls A-Z: An alphabetical list of techniques to get around that genealogical brick wall.

1870 Agricultural Census for Henry Jacobs

This is part of the 1870 Agricultural Census schedule for Prairie Township, Hancock County, Illinois, which includes Henry Jacobs [Fecht] one of my ancestors. The digital image of this was blurry and I noticed that most of these images (at least for Hancock County) are blurry.

There is a legend for the column headings here http://files.usgwarchives.org/nc/mitchell/census/1870agri.txt

80 acres--improved
$3000 was the value of the farm
$100 in farming equipment and machinery
2 horses
1 milk cow
2 head of swine
$200 was the value of all livestock
200 or 300 bushels of oats produced
$40 in animals sold or slaughtered
$600 estimated value of all farm production, including betterments and additions to stock

Another third-grandfather is on the same census page--with a 200 acre farm. I may have to create a spreadsheet and compare the individuals that I can find.

You may also find some agricultural census records on  Ancestry.com

Dropped Calves and Hemp Fiber

Dropped Calves and Hemp Fiber: The 1880 Agricultural Census 
This article ran in the Ancestry Daily News, (citation needed)

Before the turn of the century, your ancestor's farm served as the family's employer and grocery store. But getting an idea of the farm's operation can be difficult. Probate records (especially inventories of chattel property) may provide some specific information. Histories of farming or agriculture can provide generalized farming information, but genealogists are always hungry for specifics about their family. For rural ancestors during the second half of the nineteenth century, federal agricultural census schedules may contain some of those family-specific clues.


Federal agricultural census schedules are generally extant for 1850 to 1880, however there are bound to be gaps. These records may hold clues about your ancestor's relative financial position that are not mentioned in property or tax records. We'll look at a few examples from the 1880 agricultural census.


The 1880 Agricultural Census for Walker Township, Hancock County, Illinois, contains several of my relatives, including my great-great-grandfather, Michael Trautvetter. The schedule contains a great deal of information about the Trautvetter farm.


Michael owned his farm (no note as to whether or not it was mortgaged), which included seventy-nine tillable acres, one acre of meadow, and one hundred forty-five acres of woodland or forest (most likely timber). The value of the farm ($7,000), the implements ($100), and the livestock ($100) were also included. Michael had spent $50 on building and repairing fences during the year and had paid for fifty-six (or fifty) weeks of hired labor throughout the year. Of the ten farmers listed on Michael's page in the census, all but two had hired labor at some point during the year. The value of the labor was consistently five dollars per week. The farm included two acres of hay and four horses.

Michael grew two thousand bushels of Indian corn on forty-seven acres, sixty bushels of oats on five acres, and 353 bushels of wheat on twenty-five acres. One hundred barnyard chickens and nineteen “other” chickens produced a total of two hundred dozen eggs during the year. Twenty-four hogs, six milk cows, and ten “other” cattle (there were no working oxen) rounded out the livestock. Four calves were “dropped” (i.e., born) and three head of cattle were sold during the year. The farm had produced 150 pounds of butter.

Hops and tobacco were not grown on the Trautvetter farm, but there were five acres of Irish potatoes, resulting in 125 bushels. The Trautvetter's seventy apple trees were spread over two acres and produced one hundred bushels of apples during the year. There were no peaches, grapes, or honey produced on the farm. Nor was any wood cut and sold from the timber on John's property.

Several other ancestors were included in the same and nearby townships, allowing a comparison between the farms. One had lost sheep due to killings by dogs, and another apparently partially supported his family by selling cut wood. There were three possible types of tenure (possession) for the farmer listed: ownership, renting for a fixed amount, and renting for a share of the products. This may lead to possible land and property records.


The amount of hemp fiber was also counted, but I didn't notice any families with it listed among their entries. Of course, back then it was normally used to make rope, and the census taker probably didn't use an infrared camera to locate it.


While agricultural census records do not provide the genealogical details one expects from population schedules, information can be gleaned from them. This is particularly true when your ancestor's entry is compared to other entries on the same page and the same township. Don’t just compare your family's entry with the ones directly before and after it. I have eight ancestors listed in the 1880 agricultural census, and it is interesting to compare all of their entries.


What Farms Got Counted?
At the risk of summarizing a bit too much, here's a general idea:

1850--farms with an annual produce of $100 or more
1860--same as 1850
1870--farms of at least three acres or $500 of annual produce
1880--same as 1870

Does the Family History Library Have the Film?

The answer is maybe. To determine if agriculture censuses are in the library’s collection, find the locality of interest in the card catalog and search for “census” for any year between 1850 and 1880. For example, search for “Utah-Census-1880.” The library does not have all of these records in its collection.
Unfortunately, there is no one site where you can determine which federal agricultural census records are available (if there is such a page, please e-mail me and we'll let Daily News readers know). However, what follows are some links to pages that have information on agricultural census records on a wide variety of areas. Readers may also wish to consult “The Source: A Guidebook of American Genealogy” by Loretto D. Szucs and Sandra H. Luebking, pp. 129-134, for more information on these records.
You may also find some agricultural census records on  Ancestry.com

Three Hands on One Document

This is part of the 1881 birth certificate for my great-grandfather, Mimka J. Habben in Hancock County, Illinois.

There are a few issues I need to consider when transcribing this document.

The first is the spelling of the word "Hancock" in the upper left hand portion of the document. There is no doubt what is intended, but it certainly does not look like "Hancock." The job of the transcriber is to transcribe the document as written.

The second issue is the "full name of child." This is clearly written in a different hand (the red line was an addition by me). That  apparent different handwriting should be noted in the transcription

The third issue is the name of the father which is written John Minken Habben with "Mimken" crossed out and "Mimka" written above (underlined in green by me). The "Mimka" also appears to have been written in a different hand from the rest of the document.

My transcription needs to indicate that the first name of the child and the middle name of the father were written in a different hand than the rest of the document. It also needs to indicate that the first name of the child and the middle name of the father do not appear to have been written by the same person.

When the changes were made is a different matter entirely. My guess is that at least one of them was made when Mimka applied for a social security number, but that is only a guess.

Memorial Day Burial List

Just to test my memory, I decided to list the final resting place of my ancestors in honor of Memorial Day. This is the best I could do from memory.

Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery--Basco, Hancock County, Illinois

• John and Dorothy Ufkes
• Fred and Tena Ufkes
• Johann and Noentje Ufkes
• Jans and Fredericka Janssen

West Point Cemetery--West Point, Hancock County, Illinois

• Cecil and Ida Neill
• Charles and Fannie Neill
• Samuel and Annie Neill

Buckeye Cemetery--Walker Township, Hancock County, Illinois

• Riley and Nancy Rampley
• James and Elizabeth Rampley

Bethany United Church of Christ Cemetery--Tioga, Hancock County, Illinois

• George and Ida Trautvetter
• John and Franciska Trautvetter
• Sophia Trautvetter

Moss Ridge Cemetery--Carthage, Hancock County, Illinois

• Mimka and Tjode Habben

Carthage Mausoleum

• Jann and Antje Habben

Barnes Cemetery--Carthage, Hancock County, Illinois

• Mimke and Antje Habben

Lutheran Cemetery--Warsaw, Hancock County, Illinois

• Barbara Haase

Graymount Cemetery--Coatsburg, Adams County, Illinois

• Bernard and Heipka Dirks

South Prairie Cemetery--rural Golden, Adams County, Illinois

• Ulfert and Fredericka Behrens
• Gerd and Trientje Behrens

Golden Cemetery--Golden, Adams County, Illinois

• Foche and Anna Goldenstein
• Hinrich and Trientje Sartorius

Dunkard Cemetery--Linn County, Iowa

• Belinda Newman

Blue Ridge Cemetery--Shelby County, Indiana

• Enoch and Nancy Tinsley

I know there are several ancestors of my great-grandmother Trautvetter buried in various parts of New England, particularly Massachusetts. However, those names are still being added to my database and I don't have them at the tip of my fingers. 

Join Me Researching in Ft. Wayne, Indiana In August

In August, I'll be leading a small research group at the Allen County Public Library in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Our trip runs from 1-5 August. The Allen County Public Library has one of the largest genealogical research collections in the United States. Visit their website at http://www.genealogycenter.org/Home.aspx

We stay at the Hilton, located close to the library--and have a group rate of $99 a night.

Dates:

·         Hotel check in afternoon/evening of 1 August 2012

·         Hotel checkout morning of 5 August 2012

Why join us:

·         Morning lectures every morning at 8:00 am.—before library opens

·         We are at library from open to close—Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Early arrivals can research on Wednesday or stay through Sunday.

·         Help and assistance with research at library—both on the fly and scheduled 20 minute consultations as needed

·         Assistance and help with pre-trip planning online before trip begins

·         Assistance using library copy/scanning facilities as needed—Michael will sit down with you at a computer or help you with scanner if that’s what is necessary.

·         Attendees are encouraged to submit research problem to Michael before trip

·         Group rate at Ft. Wayne, Hilton, of $95 a night. Just a short walk from the library. Double/triple/quad occupancy available. We may be able to get some people roommates depending on registrations. Groups can register together and save on hotel expenses. Group discounts are available (see below).

We have optional group meals Friday and Saturday night—Dutch treat.

Trip participants are responsible for their own transportation, hotel accommodations, and other expenses.  Register before  1 January 2012 at $100. Registrations after that date are $130. Refunds are subject to a $50 processing fee. Want to attend with a friend? Register together at a 10% discount—one of you will have to pay the total fee as one credit card charge. Group of three? Groups of three can register simultaneously at a 15% discount.

Payment options (email mjnrootdig@gmail.com for other payment options—credit card payments are preferred—PayPal account is not necessary, but is our credit card processor):

·         Single registration--$130—click here to process registration via credit card

·         2 Friends registering together after 1 January 2012--$234—click here to process registration via credit card

·         Groups larger than 2 registering together? 15% discount—email me at mjnrootdig@gmail.com for payment information

USGS Historical Maps Help Me Find Little America School

This is part of the 1933 United States Geological Survey Map at the 62500 scale for Carthage, Hancock County, Illinois.

What is really neat about this specific map is that it shows cemeteries and schools. Several of the local one-room school houses can be seen in this 1933 map, including the one where my father attended in the 1940s--Little America School. It's location is actually to the left of the words on the map. There are several other schools shown on this map as well and the railroad that went by the Young America has been abandoned for decades.

This map was located on the USGS Historical Maps collection homepage http://nationalmap.gov/historical/.

Searching for the maps is slightly difficult, at least in my opinion. Searches for the free maps require you to know the name of the map. Names of the maps frequently go with geographic features and the map lines do not always follow township lines.


Even though I had no intention of paying for a map, I chose that option so that I could find the names of the topo maps that covered the area of interest.  I clicked on the second link on the main page--the "USGS Store: map Locator and Downloader." I wasn't going order, but it was easier to use a map-based search.

With some navigation and a little knowledge of the area, I determined the name I needed.

Then I went back to the home page http://nationalmap.gov/historical/, clicked on the Historical Topographic Map Collection Search and entered in the word "carthage. "

That resulted in:

I clicked on the "Download GeoPDF" link and got my file.

Pretty interesting stuff.

Feel free to post comments. I wanted to share this with readers and if I wait for the time to make the perfect post, it's going to be several weeks.

Note: I have always known where the "Little America" schoolhouse was. I've heard about my Dad walking to it a few times and the location is near where I grew up.

Can't Ancestry.com Set Some Parameters?

I ran across this entry on the Ancestry.com trees today. Isn't there some way that the online trees can be sent to not accept data like this? Most programs have some type of "self-check" to prevent having children born before their parents.

I've stripped the names to protect the compiler, but really there should be some checks involved so that entries like this aren't in trees. I mean, aren't computers supposed to be capable of catching this type of mistakes? I thought that was something programming could do--catch data entry errors where children are born before their parents.

Users should get an error message or when this type of information is entered.

In fact, I'd rather see improvements in that regard instead of more leaf improvements.

Free Copy of My US Census at Ancestry.com Webinar

We offered this to our Facebook fans yesterday and are repeating it here. You can get my webinar "Using the US Census at Ancestry.com" free by using code uscensus at http://www.casefileclues.com/webinars.htm

Simply put "Using US Census at Ancestry.com" in your cart and use "uscensus" as your coupon code.Offer for readers expires twenty-four hours after this post.

Enjoy!

Is a Two Year Old A Witness?

This is the birth certificate for "Wilma Goldenstein" which was filed in Hancock County, Illinois, in 1942. I noticed the entry for Wilma on the index at FamilySearch and thought it looked suspicious.

And frankly, it still does.

Wilma was not a popular name in 1893 when this child was born. My suspicion is that the person in question used Wilma as a name later in life which is why it was the name used on this 1942 delayed certificate.

The sister of Wilma is the witness--Anna Jurgens. She is another interesting question. She would have been two at the time of "Wilma"'s birth. Does that make her a credible witness as to the date and place of birth?

The family is living in Prairie Township, Hancock County, Illinois, in 1900. A partial clip of their census entry is shown below.

Wilma is Minnie on this enumeration and my guess is that her name was really Wilhelmina. The month and year of birth on the census matches the one on the delayed certificate. Anna was barely two years older than her sister.

The "delayed" birth certificate was actually filed with the original 1893 certificates--perhaps to keep things organized.

Think about who provides information on those delayed records. Did they have first hand knowledge of everything to which they were testifying?

Worth thinking about.

Sometimes It Is Good to Know When to Stop

I've been madly working on the family of Minerva Sargent Strobel today. I've made several copies/downloads, etc. and have decided that until I coalesce what I have, it's best to stop gathering data. So far, I've located the following things:

• Actual death certificate of Minerva Strobel in 1943 in Evanston, Cook County, Illinois.
• Actual death certificate of John Strobel in 1930 in Evanston, Cook County, Illinois.
• Marriage reference on FamilySearch for John Strobel and Minerva Sargent on 27 Feb 1876--need the actual record. Film 979589.
• Birth of Strobel child in volume 2, page 155 of Wapello County, Iowa, births. Film 979674.
• Marriage of Maud Strobel and Mr. Pauley on 4 December 1905 in Wapello County, Iowa. Film 979667
• Marriage of George H. Strobel and Gwendolyn Martin on 26 November 1899 in Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa. Film 979598.
• Marriage of J. Donald Woody and Carita Strobel (daughter of George H. and Gwendolyn (Martin) Strobel on 25 November 1927 in Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa. Film 1765289.
• 1900 and 1907 Wapello City Directory references for Strobel at Ancestry.com--in my shoebox.
• 1880, 1900, 1910 census for John Strobel--at Ancestry.com in my shoebox.
• 1885 Iowa State census for John Strobel--at Ancestry.com in my shoebox.
• 1910 census for Richard Martin--at Ancestry.com in my shoebox--daughter Gwendolyn Strobel living with him.

I've decided it's time to stop gathering on these people at this point. I'll get the actual records--indicated with film numbers in this post and print out the Ancestry.com items and (when the library is closed) I'll put the information together and decide where to head next.

Gathering too much without stopping leads to confusion.

And it's good to remember my goal: Minerva is the sister of my ancestor, good 'ol Ira Sargent (abt 1843-near Darlington, Ontario--died 1916 Peoria County, Illinois). That's why I'm researching her.

Surrendered Bounty Land Warrant For Revolutionary War Veteran Elam Blain

This is only part of a scan of the original bounty land warrant issued to Catherine Blain based upon the
Revolutionary War service of her husband, Elam Blain.

This is the first time I have received high-quality TIFF scans of  the documents instead of photocopies. Now I know that the photocopies do not do the original documents justice. These materials are in addition to the pension materials and application for the Blains which I had already obtained from  Fold3.com. The pension indicated that Blain received a warrant and that a patent was issued based upon that warrant so I knew there should have been a surrendered warrant in addition to the pension.

The surrendered warrant file did not include any additional documentation regarding Catherine's claim--that was already done when she received the pension which was before she received the patent.

The warrant was assigned by Catherine to her son Elam. Part of that assignment (which is on the reverse of the document is shown in the image below:

I didn't include the whole image of the reverse, but you can see the bleed through. This is the corner where Catherine made her mark and you can see that she's assigning the warrant to Elam Blain. Blain also assigned the warrant again to the man who actually applied for and received a patent.

Here's a smaller image of the whole warrant:

Remember--the pension applications have been microfilmed by NARA and are available on film and online at Fold3.com. The surrendered warrants have not been filmed.

We're working on a Casefile Clues article on these records. Pretty neat stuff.

These materials come from Alam Blain surrendered Bounty land warrant file - RO49-BLW # 5213-160-5, which is from National Archives Record Group 49. I know that's not a perfect citation, but for posts on Rootdig, I'm operating under enough detail to re-obtain it is sufficient. 

Rampley Farm Forced Sale in 1859

Periodically I search the newer newspapers at  GenealogyBank  to determine if any content has been added in the last month. This is one of the search options, being able to specify the search to include only recently added material. I also search for newspapers before 1900 as that's where my focus usually is. There are more to newspapers than simply death notices and obituaries. These other types of notices become more important as research progresses into earlier time periods. 

In searching for one of my more unusual surnames of Rampley, I located a reference apparently to a foreclosure of a relative's property in Harford County, Maryland. This property (at least part of it) was owned by my ancestor James Rampley at his death in 1817. I have digital copies of the surveys James obtained for the property. There's a little bit more I'd like to know about this--so I may do some searches. There are three Rampleys on the deed of trust apparently and not just one person or a husband and wife. 

National American, published in Maryland, on 2 Sept 1859 and  obtained  on GenealogyBank (http://www.genealogybank.com) on 22 May 2012.

The Family History Library in Salt Lake has the deeds for Harford County. I've used them before so I know they are there. I'm not certain if the Family History Library has the local court case files or not. 

Two New Webinars

I have put two new webinars on the docket for later this month, based upon requests of attendees. 

"Crossing the Pond (part 2)" will concentrate on using, interpreting, and understanding passenger lists between 1820 and 1920.

"American Revolutionary War Material on Fold3" will discuss what revolutionary material is on Fold3 and effective search strategies. Material from this era is not just for veterans of that conflict.

Details are located at the site below (where you can also register). Join us by visiting:

http://www.casefileclues.com/webinars_neill.htm

Thanks!

Michael

My Salt Lake List

I will be honest--this year I didn't make a long personal list of things I want to look for while in Salt Lake.

However, I have made a list of a few things I'd like to get.

• Determining where this birth located on FamilySearch took place in Illinois.
• Check out a new collection of overseas military births at www.findmypast.com for British soldiers in an attempt to find Robert Frame--born about 1814 in Spain.
• The actual death certificate for Minerva Strobel--sister of my gg-grandfather Ira Sargent. 
• The actual death certificate for John M. Strobel--husband of Minerva.
• I'm going to see if I can track any descendants of the Strobels. Found her daughter Maud and son-in-law in 1940

Hopefully the list gets longer as I continue to make my way.

Still No Answers

(UPDATE) So far, STILL no real answers to several things about various websites that I personally find either frustrating or confusing.

• FamilySearch database confusing "of" with place of birth http://rootdig.blogspot.com/2012/05/that-of-makes-big-difference.html
• FamilySearch not clearly indicating what is in an Ohio records database http://rootdig.blogspot.com/2012/05/what-am-i-searching-when-i-search-ohio.html
• Ancestry.com's "leaves" leaving me confused http://rootdig.blogspot.com/2012/05/what-are-you-missing-by-relying-on.html

When NGS is over, maybe I'll start working a little more to find out the answers to these questions. Ancestry.com is working on an answer per a private email conversation I had. 

Pullman Cards and Family Relationships

I have the Pullman Car Company employment records for three members of the Frame family in Chicago Illinois: Thomas, Ralph, and William.

The employment records contain places to indicate other family members in the employ of the company. Sometimes these spaces are filled out and sometimes they are left blank. Is there any significance to the fact that sometimes the relationship information is left out? Is there any significance to the fact that sometimes one family member is left out?

On the surface, it is difficult to tell. It is possible that the clerk did not want to repeat information that was already in the file. It is also possible that at the time one or more of the cards were filled out, one of the family members was not working at the company.

I'll have to look at each card separately, try and determine when it was filled out and if any other family member was laid off or not working for the company at that point in time. I have looked at these cards before, but it is apparent that I'll have to analyze them systematically in terms of the relationships that are stated.

I'm tempted to say that the omission of relatives on one card really doesn't mean all that much--especially if they are listed on others. Of course the accuracy of the information is another matter altogether.

What I need to do is to transcribe the cards that list family members--paying close attention to the date of the card.

I also need to determine if any of the Frames had a time when they were not working at the Pullman Company. That may make a difference.

We'll have an update after I have had a chance to go through the cards again.

Letter from a Brick Wall and Tip of the Day Reader

This is part of a letter I received from MT in NY State today--after ordering several of the "Brick Wall A to Z" webinars that are currently on sale:

"I reviewed my order today and am thrilled with the ones that I am able to open.  I can't wait to set aside some time and get right into them soon!

 

I ordered some downloads from you this morning and wondered if you could help me with a problem I am having....

 

 

 I follow your tips on Facebook and they are very helpful.  I have been researching genealogy for many years - I lose myself for hours and hours -  and I'm always learning new ways to do things.  Thank you for providing such presentations and tips."

Thanks so much for the comments, I do appreciate them. They are good motivation when I'm having difficulty thinking of a tip for the next morning!

If you'd like to see the Brick Wall Special-the page is linked here. 

Genealogy Tip of the Day can be viewed here.

$5 sale on Brick Wall Webinars

I have given four Brick Wall from A to Z webinars--and I'm not doing any more. These are titled:

• Brick Walls from A to Z
• More Brick Walls from A to Z
• Yet More Brick Walls from A to Z
• Brick Walls from A to Z--the Final One

The recording and handout normally sell for $8.50. From now until 7 AM CST on 18 May 2012, we're offering these at $5 each. That's a savings of 40%. Don't wait...

Brick Walls from A to Z--first in the series
Brick walls from A to Z--second in the series--More Brick Walls
Brick walls from A to Z--third in the series--Yet More Brick Walls
Brick walls from A to Z--fourth in the series--The Final One

Surrendered Warrant and Final Pension Payment File For Elam Blain

The pension file of Revolutionary War veteran Elam Blain has been mentioned here several times before and I'm looking at the testimony of one witness for an upcoming issue of Casefile Clues. Blain served in a Continental unit of dragoons, but lived in New Jersey at the time of his service. His lengthy pension file provided significant clues about his family.

But the pension file is not all.

A careful reading of his pension file indicated his widow received a bounty land warrant. In addition to that surrendered warrant (which is what was traded for a patent to federal land essentially) is the final pension payment file--which contains the surrendered pension certificate.

Blain's widow signed the warrant to her son who in turn signed it over to someone else. This transfer of the warrant was not uncommon.

The surrendered warrant and surrendered pension certificate are enroute. We'll have a brief followup when they arrive. Stay tuned.

There's more that just the pension.

Crossing the Pond Webinar Recorded and Released

My "Crossing the Pond" webinar was recorded today and has been uploaded for immediate download. This presentation discusses problem-solving strategies for tracing 18th and 19th century ancestors back across the Atlantic. It is geared towards advanced beginning and intermediate researchers. This presentation does not merely list a list of sources, but focuses on research methods. 

Our introductory price on this webinar (media file and handout) is $6. Orders can be processed here:

https://getdpd.com/cart/buy/11078/38382/38541?gateway=paypal

Thanks!
Michael

Southern California Genealogical Society Jamboree Lectures

I'll be making three presentations at the Southern California Genealogical Society Jamboree in Burbank, California, on 9 and 10 June 2012. We'd love to have you join us at Jamboree.

My presentations are:

• Preparing for Mother's Death-Saturday at 12:30 PM
• Moving Mother's Inheritance-Saturday at 3:30 PM
• What I've Learned Writing "Genealogy Tip of the Day"-Sunday at 2:00 PM

A complete schedule for Jamboree can be viewed here. 

2 June Seminar in North Kansas City, MO

I will be presenting a genealogy seminar for the Northland Genealogical Society in North Kansas City, Missouri, on 2 June 2012. 

Topics Are:

• Searching Techniques on Ancestry and Family Search: This presentation will focus on organizing your searches, effective search strategies, and problem-solving.
• Determining Your Own Migration Trail: Our ancestor probably was a part of a larger chain of migration. See how to determine where your ancestor fit into that chain and how that knowledge can help your research.
• Seeing the Patterns: This session discusses a variety of ways to organize information with the intent of noticing trends, overlooked pieces of information, etc. Get beyond basic charts and forms.
• When Your Dude Is Lost: This session will discuss ways to work around that ancestor who appears to have been dropped off or picked up by a UFO.
• Brick Walls A-Z: An alphabetical list of techniques to get around that genealogical brick wall.

More details are on the society's website http://www.northlandgensoc.org/

German Records Images on FamilySearch

German records on FamilySearch--just a test to see if this works as I'm getting read for my lectures at the Palatines to America conference in Indianapolis in June.

Title	Records	Last Updated
Germany, Bavaria, Neumarkt Miscellaneous City Records, 1453-1973	Browse Images	*1 May 2012
Germany, East Prussia, Königsberg, Index to Funeral Sermons and Memorials, 1700-1900	Browse Images	18 Apr 2012
Germany, Saxony, Dresden, Citizen's Documents and Business Licenses, 1820-1962	Browse Images	18 Apr 2012
Germany, Bavaria, Nördlingen, Miscellaneous City Records, 1385-1943	Browse Images	5 Apr 2012
Germany, Bavaria, Fürth, Emigration Records and City Directories, 1805-1921	Browse Images	27 Mar 2012
Germany, Births and Baptisms, 1558-1898	37,703,414	26 Mar 2012
Germany, Brandenburg, Cottbus, Miscellaneous City Records, 1672-1919	Browse Images	23 Mar 2012
Germany, Marriages, 1558-1929	8,521,370	22 Mar 2012
Germany, Bavaria, Deggendorf, Miscellaneous City Records, 1600-1900	Browse Images	21 Mar 2012
Germany, Saxony, Bautzen, Citizen Rolls, 1496-1923	Browse Images	14 Mar 2012
Germany, Saxony, Meissen, Miscellaneous City Records, 1724-1889	Browse Images	14 Mar 2012
Germany, Württemberg, Schwäbisch Hall, Probate Records, 1803-1925	Browse Images	13 Mar 2012
Germany, Brandenburg and Posen, Church Book Duplicates, 1794-1874	1,649,557	19 Feb 2012
Germany, Brandenburg, Heegermühle, Church Records, 1664-1824	Browse Images	25 Jan 2012
Germany, Saxony, Freiberg, Funeral Sermons, 1614-1661	Browse Images	25 Jan 2012
Germany, Brandenburg, Angermünde, Miscellaneous City Records 1706-1922	Browse Images	11 Jan 2012
Germany, Saxony, Bautzen, Church Records, 1699-1915	Browse Images	11 Jan 2012
Germany, Württemberg, Albstadt, Miscellaneous City Records, 1705-1850	Browse Images	23 Dec 2011
Germany, Bavaria, Dinkelsbühl Miscellaneous City Records, 1804-1946	Browse Images	16 Dec 2011
Germany Deaths and Burials, 1582-1958	3,507,357	27 Sep 2011
Germany, Pomerania Church Records, 1544-1945	Browse Images	14 Jul 2011
Germany, Westfalen, Minden Citizen Lists, 1574-1902	14,707	11 Jul 2011
Germany, Baden, Church Book Duplicates, 1810-1869	107,547	16 May 2011
Germany, Mecklenburg-Schwerin Census 1867	Browse Images	9 May 2011
Germany, Mecklenburg-Schwerin Census, 1890	94,251	23 Feb 2011
Germany, Bremen Passenger Departure Lists, 1904-1914	44,315	23 Feb 2011
Germany, Mecklenburg-Schwerin Census, 1900	733,518	4 Jan 2011
Germany, Hessen, Darmstadt City Records	Browse Images	18 Nov 2010
Germany, Rhineland-Palatinate Church Record Extractions and Family Registers	Browse Images	14 Oct 2010