Month: November 2015

Mom Didn’t Die But We’re Settling Up in 1742-Updated

Inter-family deeds after a surviving parent dies can be one of the best sources of information. That certainly is the case with this 1742 deed from Middlesex County, Massachusetts. The deed clearly establishes the relationship between three of the children of Samuel and Elizabeth Sargent of Malden, Massachusetts. The names Samuel and Thomas were common […]

Share

They Changed the Bourbon-Nicholas County Border

The county border change between Bourbon and Fleming Counties in Kentucky actually impacted more than just the heirs of Thomas Sledd.  It impacted the farm of his son-in-law Augusta Newman as well. Augusta’s land transactions were also impacted by this border change as well and I originally wrote about this change in 2012 and have included […]

Share

The Glittering Stars Might Fall, But Volke Could Trust Him Always: Part V

There is nothing like a little family financial drama when a relative is on their deathbed. Volke could not produce the note she claimed her father signed. In an earlier post, it was seen that she claimed the note had been signed but that the signature had been torn off. The executors of her father’s […]

Share

Ostfriesian First Name Poem

I first encountered this poem while searching the issues of the Ostfriesische Nachrichten for something or other in the 1903 issues. To find a poem comprised entirely of Ostfriesen first names was highly unusual, so I made a copy and transcribed it. I’ve always loved the sound of the Platt first names–interestingly enough, my great-grandmother’s […]

Share

My Mayflower Connection: Tilley-Howland

In the interest of Thanksgiving, I’ll post my one known line of descent from Mayflower passengers. There may be more, but this one’s been vetted. The Tilley-Howland line 1) John Tilley (1571 Henlow, England–first winter at Plymouth ) and Joan Hurst  (1567/8 Henlow, England–first winter at Plymouth ) 2) Elizabeth Tilley (1607 Henlow, England-1687 Swansea, MA)  and John Howland  ( ) 3) Hope Howland  (1629 […]

Share

What Does 167 and 170 Mean?

There are two numbers written in the cause of death portion of Henry Goldenstein’s 1921 death certificate from Kansas City, Missouri. The 170 I understand–it’s the code for suicide by firearm. The 167 I’m not certain I do understand. That code is for suicide by poisonous gas and all references to Goldenstein’s death (including his […]

Share