Gone Missing? Look for an Epidemic — Kendrick King

Home , Ballyculter, Ballymartin, Dufferin (barony), Hillhall, Kilclief, Killaney (civil parish)

Volume 14, Number 3 Denver, Colorado July, August, September 2013

Chances are good that some of your ancestors experienced life-changing incidents caused by disease. Yet, because of the advances made in medicine over the past 100 years, we are often not sensitive to the rou- tine hazards of living in an age before vaccines and knowledge of bacteria. My introduction to this situation came when I was researching my husband’s great-grandfather. He and his wife appeared in the 1860 census in LaGrange, Texas, but in the 1870 census the parents were gone and the 14-year-old son was designated head of household. An adult male with a different last name was part of the household. What happened? After much pondering and little research I prepared for a trip to Texas, during which we planned to visit LaGrange. James Jeffrey of the Denver Public Library located a history of the county for me and this offered an explanation. An epidemic of yellow fever in 1867 had taken the lives of 20 percent of the population of LaGrange in a short three months; with people dying so fast the bodies were buried in mass graves. There is no list of victims available because of the hasty burials, but in the LaGrange library was a newspaper clipping that lists the great-grandfather as a fatality. No newspaper clipping was found for the great-grandmother. Her death in January 1870 is unexplained. Mosquitoes transmit yellow fever. Most cases of yellow fever cause only a mild infection with fever and chills, headache, nau- sea and vomiting. However in about 15 percent of the cases a toxic phase follows with recurring fever. The toxic phase is fatal ap- proximately 20 percent of the time. The origin of the disease is most likely Africa, introduced outside Africa through the slave trade in the 1600s. Yellow fever was deemed one of the most dangerous infectious diseases in the 19th century. Walter Reed’s investigation of yellow fever led to the recognition of mosquito transmission and his research allowed the Americans to succeed in building the Panama Canal after the failure of the French. An effective vaccine has been available since the 1950s. Today nearly 90 percent of cases of yellow fever occur in Africa. Another disease transmitted by mosquitoes is malaria. Its symptoms are typically fever and headache, which in severe cases can lead to coma and death. Perhaps the first recorded incidence of malaria was in China beginning in 2700 BC. It was very common in most of Europe and North America in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries but less so in the 20th century. However it was a hazard to U. S. troops in World War II in the South Pacific, infecting 500,000 troops. The disease occurs most often in rural areas, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. The World Health Organization has estimated that in 2010, there were —Continued on page 37

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I think it is because we are coming to grips with a new way to collaborate, the Internet. The Internet President’s just had its 20th birthday: almost an adult. We are Message comfortable with our tried and true methods of collaboration, and now we are being asked to assimilate a new form of working together. We are not all web masters, and we may be concerned Collaboration and Genealogy about our capabilities. Can I keep my personal I just finished taking an online survey by information safe? Will someone hijack my FamilySearch about collaboration. Taking the sur- ancestor? “There are a bunch of crazy people out vey made me think about how much we use that there. I don’t want them to have my information.” term now, and why. Is it a new idea? Is it the hip I understand these concerns as I have had them all. term in genealogy? The survey included questions Nevertheless, over the years, I have come to about my research skills and level — what lan- realize that every one of my fears had become guages do I read, speak and write; do I have any reality before the Internet came along. It just web design experience; am I a writer; do I teach; took me longer to find out. In some cases, I didn’t and would I be willing to help lead a project? I find out about the problems until the Internet actually had to think about my answers. Yes, I do became reality. write, but not well. I can read and write French and speak a little. I am always willing to help, (but At first, the Internet was the Wild West. No rules, do I have time?) No, I am not a web designer, I’m an entirely open forum with no historical guid- a web user. If my contribution would help the ge- ance. Our first attempts at collaboration on the nealogical community, I’m all in. Internet left us open for all of our fears to come to fruition. Our ancestors were hijacked. They were I looked up the term collaboration at resurrected, remarried and forced to have several Dictionary.com. (I’m a genealogist and I always more children. Our cousins turned out to be the triple check my work.) Here is the definition: “the “on the dole” kind, and we very rarely solved any act or process of collaborating.” I genuinely dis- research challenges via the Internet. We became like definitions that use a form of a word to define resistant to change. the word. I like the synonyms: alliance, associa- tion, collusion, aid, assistance and backing. Some Today, the community has changed. We have fig- make me laugh, and some bring to mind the way I ured out how to make this collaboration thing chase my ancestors. work. At Ancestry.com and Family Tree at FamilySearch.Com, there are checks in place. We As family historians, we generally collaborate. attach images of original documents to our ances- We form alliances and associations. We aid others tors. We cite sources clearly, easily and consistent- in their research, and look for aid in our research. ly, with the aid of Tree Connect and other We certainly back subscription websites with software. We are able to communicate with people our memberships. I think of how many times working on the same lines through the website. I have passed the desk on the fifth floor at Denver We don’t have to risk our personal information. Public Library. Has it ever been without an We can evaluate the merit of the relationship be- individual waiting hopefully to ask the staff fore exposing ourselves to unwanted help. We can for help or guidance? No. Our conversations are discover relatives via DNA testing. Facebook has peppered with statements such as “I just found become a useful place, with societies, archives and a new cousin. Now I know we will break that surname projects all having their pages. Through brick wall.” We form surname societies to the Internet, we can communicate with someone in collaborate and assist in research and to back that Ireland, who knows the lay of the land, and Irish. research with more financial resources. We are We literally have the world at our fingertips. a community of collaborators, so why is that word used in every other sentence about Shall we all check our collaboration meters? I genealogy right now? encourage you to add just one new form of www.wise-fhs.org

W.I.S.E. Words 35 July, August September 2013 collaboration to your collection and see whom you uncover. If you don’t currently index, you could Newsletter Staff start. What about adding a source to your tree at Newsletter Editor ...... Nyla Cartwright Ancestry or Family Tree at FamilySearch. How ...... [email protected] about asking a research question at one of the Brit- Book Review Editor ...... Zoe von Ende Lappin ish Isles research pages on Facebook? I look Tech Tips Editor ...... Linda Pearce forward to running into you in the world of Proofreaders ...... Jack and Zoe von Ende Lappin genealogy collaboration. Distribution Coordinator ...... Sue Clasen —Barbara Fines Price Country Editors Wales ...... Nancy McCurdy W.I.S.E. Family History Society Ireland ...... Thyria Wilson Scotland ...... Diane Barbour England ...... Tina Taylor-Francis W.I.S.E. Family History Society is dedicated to research in Wales, Ireland, Scotland, England, the In This Issue Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. Attention is also directed to the emigration and immigration of these Gone Missing? Look for an Epidemic ...... 33 peoples as well as heraldry and one-name studies. Monthly meetings are generally held the fourth President’s Message ...... 34 Saturday of most months at the Central Denver Public Library, 7th Floor. Membership is open to anyone with Membership Report ...... 36 interest in family history and genealogy. Membership dues for the calendar year are $12 for an individual or Volunteers Needed for the 2013 Irish Festival ...... 36 $15 for a family living at the same address. The W.I.S.E. Family History Society publishes W.I.S.E. New Election Date ...... 36 Words four times per year, and a subscription is included with membership dues. Add $5 to the dues if you Summer Classes on Scotland, Ireland, Wales and want a printed copy of the newsletter mailed to you. England ...... 36 © 2000-2013, W.I.S.E. Family History Society, P.O. Box 40658, Denver, CO 80204-0658 W.I.S.E. Volunteer Opportunities ...... 37 All rights reserved. 22 Sign up to Tour NARA ...... 38 Visit our website at www.wise-fhs.org. London Family History Tour, Anyone? ...... 38 W.I.S.E. Researchers Discover the Weird and Officers and Board Members Wonderful in SLC ...... 39 Colorado Council of Genealogical Societies (CCGS) Activities ...... 42 President ...... Barbara Price ...... [email protected] County Down, Northern Ireland, Gravestone Vice President ...... Sandy Ronayne Inscriptions: Microfiche Collection Donated to Secretary ...... Milly Jones Denver Public Library ...... 43 Treasurer ...... Laurie Ramos Scottish Wills and Testaments ...... 44 Past President ...... Zoe von Ende Lappin Membership ...... Sandy Breed The Original Green Party – America’s Irish Members’ Interest Coordinator ...... Terence Quirke Democrats ...... 46 For –Profit Companies and Collaboration ...... 47 Publicity Coordinator ...... JoAnn DeFilippo

Archivist ...... Elaine Osborn Book Review: Welsh Surnames ...... 48 CCGS Delegate ...... Bill Hughes Member Profile ...... 49 Webmaster ...... Allan Turner W.I.S.E. Program Schedule ...... 50

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proposal, members will vote at the September Membership Report 2013 meeting and – if approved – the change will —Sandy Breed take effect this year.  Welcome to new members who joined W.I.S.E. Family History Society recently: Summer Classes on Scotland, March 2013: Robert McFerran, Helen Browne Ireland, Wales and England April 2013: Dan and Andrea Sirls, Loretta Hinds —Barbara Fines Price  This summer we will have an opportunity to exercise our brains as well as our bodies. There Volunteers Needed will be a series of classes on British Isles research for the 2013 Colorado Irish Festival given at the Family Search Center, 2710 South —Bill Hughes Monaco Parkway, Denver, Colorado, 80224, phone: (303) 756-0220. The classes will be from W.I.S.E members will be operating the Irish 10:00 a.m. until noon on Tuesday mornings Genealogy and Family History Booth. Volunteers and the center will be open until 4:30 p.m. so that are needed for the following dates and times: you may continue your research after the class. Friday, July 12, 2013, 5 to 10 p.m. You’re encouraged to bring your laptop or other device so that you may work on your own lines Saturday July 13, 2013, 10 a.m.to 2 p.m., 2 to 6 during and after the classes. All classes will be p.m. and 6 to 10 p.m. intermediate level. Sunday July 14, 2013, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and July 16, Scotland, Pre - 1855; Setting Yourself Up 2 to 6 p.m. for Success LOCATION: Clement Park at Wadsworth This class will cover research in Scotland prior Boulevard and Bowles Avenue in South Jefferson to 1855. It will include information on Scotland County. (Southeast of Southwest Plaza Church Records, Union Lists, Scotland Record Shopping Center.) Selection Table, Scotland’s Old Parish Records Last year over 40,000 people attended and our and Inheritance Laws. booth was crowded all three days. You do not July 23, Ireland, What Don’t I Know? have to be a professional genealogist and we have We will use resources such as The Irish Times, books, maps and other materials for reference. RootsIreland and Find My Past Ireland to aid We need volunteers to share their enthusiasm and in your research. You maybe familiar with each knowledge with the fair patrons. Bring any of your of these websites but do you know about the favorite research resources and your stories. latest updates? Please contact Bill Hughes to volunteer, 303-989- July 30, Wales, Life Outside of Singing 8560, 303-915-1942 or [email protected]. and Mining This class will look at different professions in Wales and how they helped to shape the cultural New Election Date identity along with the latest updates at FamilySearch and other websites. The W.I.S.E. board of directors has voted to ask August 6, England, the Church as the Govern- the membership to amend our bylaws to change ment; What Does that Mean to Genealogists? the annual date of election of officers to the This class will cover how having an ecclesiastical December meeting instead of January. Installation government changes the way you do research. You would occur at the January Annual General will learn what records are the same and what Meeting, as usual. Upon this publication of the records are different,. where you should look to www.wise-fhs.org

W.I.S.E. Words 37 July, August September 2013 find the records and how the structure of the 10,000 BC. The rash on the mummy of Pharaoh church dictates location.  Ramses V of Egypt is probably smallpox. It is highly contagious and spread by close contact. In Gone Missing? Look for an Epidemic the closing years of the 18th century an estimated –Continued from page 33 400,000 Europeans died from the disease. As recently as 1967 the World Health Organization es- 219 million documented cases of malaria. Current- timated that 15 million people contracted the ly no effective vaccine exists. disease that year and 2 million died. It certified the Cholera probably dates back to ancient times but eradication of smallpox in 1979, surely a cause for long remained on the Indian subcontinent. The celebration. disease emerged in epidemic form in India in This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of dis- 1817, spread by trade routes to Russia and then to eases that may have affected our ancestors, but it the rest of Europe, and from Europe to North may help you identify some reasons for unex- America. No known cases were in Britain before plained deaths. Right now I am trying to research 1831. In the summer of 1831 cholera appeared in why my English great-great-grandfather and great- ships docked outside of London.The disease was great-grandmother died in North Carolina in 1840, active until 1833. Then the disease flared up every leaving four children as orphans. I have looked for several years.The epidemic of 1848-1849 cased a local history but with no luck. So I will continue 50,000 deaths in England and Wales. An outbreak to look through probate records and guardianship in London in 1854 led a doctor, John Snow, to documents and perhaps I will find a record of an identify the cause as drinking water contaminated epidemic in the area that will suggest a solution. by the feces of an infected person. Chicago suf- fered an outbreak in 1885 because a storm caused its sewer system to overflow. Cholera attacks the W.I.S.E. Volunteer Opportunities small intestine, causing a severe loss of liquids. In —Sandy Ronayne 2010 between 3 and 5 million people were infected, resulting in 100,000 to 300,000 deaths. Join the W.I.S.E. team: W.I.S.E. will have elec- tions in the winter of 2013 for secretary and vice president (program chair). The W.I.S.E. leadership would love to have you join the team. According to the W.I.S.E. bylaws the duties of the vice president are: Assume the presidency in the absence, resignation or inability of the president to serve. Assist the president in the administration of the society. Propose, plan, and arrange for all programs to be presented to the membership at regular or other meetings stated to be for the edification of the membership and other interested persons. All such shall be subject to the comments, advice, and ap- A drawing depicting a cholera victim’s bed clothing being proval of the board of directors. washed in the town’s water supply in Exeter, Devon, England in 1832. The duties of the secretary are: Assume the presidency in the absence, Last but not least is smallpox. Smallpox is resignation or inability to serve of the believed to have emerged in humans about president and the vice president. www.wise-fhs.org

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Record and transcribe the minutes of the holdings and services, classes it offers periodically meetings of the membership and the board and tell about volunteer opportunities.. of directors. Participants will meet at the archives a little before Be responsible for collecting and preserv- 10:30 a.m. After the tour, we will eat lunch at a ing all material of historical and record nearby restaurant. Those who wish may return value pertaining to the society. to the archives after lunch to pursue personal Be responsible for receiving, processing research on the NARA computers that have and distributing to the appropriate officials Ancestry.com and Fold3 subscriptions. If your all mail received by the society at its offi- plans change and you must cancel, please notify cial address and for mailing the society’s Sandy at (303) 777-1301 or [email protected] . official periodicals. These are NARA's directions to the new facility: Be responsible for answering correspond- “As we have moved to our new facility in Broom- ence addressed to the Society after consul- field (the address is 17101 Huron Street, Broom- tations with the significant persons field CO 80023), we are not yet on Google Maps, if necessary. Mapquest, and such. If coming from Although the above duties are written in the dry, Denver, go north on I-25 and take exit 229 (Lafa- formal language of bylaws, these positions are fun yette/Brighton). At the stop light on the top of the as well as being very important. These individuals ramp, turn left onto what is Highway 7, cross over are critical to the operation of W.I.S.E. along with the interstate, and take the first right turn, about a the other members of the board. 1/8 mile from the interstate. This is the right turn The nominating committee will present the slate of only lane so please go into that lane. Unfortunate- officers for a vote tentatively planned for ly, there is no sign up for facility but we are the December with installation at the Annual General large blue/white building to the northwest. If you Meeting in January. Sandy Ronayne has agreed to go past the Children’s Hospital, which is also on serve on the 2013 nominating committee. We need Highway 7, you have gone too far.” two more members. There are two Huron street signs but you need to We currently have a nominee for secretary turn on the one that goes north and not the one that and hope you will consider joining the W.I.S.E. goes south. Please call (303) 604-4740 if you have board as vice president. Please contact Sandy problems. Ronayne at [email protected] to further discuss the duties and Barbara Price at London Family History Tour, [email protected] to volunteer for nominating committee or vice president. Anyone? —Zoe von Ende Lappin

22 Sign up to Tour NARA W.I.S.E. members and friends are invited to join a —Sandy Carter-Duff family history tour to London next spring. It will be led by Ann Wells, past president of the Interna- tional Society for British Genealogy and Family The annual W.I.S.E field trip will take us to History, and Barbara Baker, British research con- the new National Archives and Records Admin- sultant at the Family History Library in Salt Lake istration (NARA) site in Broomfield on June 26. City who presented the 2011 W.I.S.E. seminar on The good news is that it is very popular, and 22 Scottish research. people have registered. The bad news is: If you’re not one of them, it’s too late. Sorry. Dates are May 28-June 5, 2014, plus travel days, and the tour leaders expect to keep the price under Sandy Carter–Duff is coordinating the visit, which $1,600 for double-occupancy hotel accommoda- will feature a tour by Eileen Bolger, regional tions and guide services. Participants will arrange archives director. She will describe the facility’s www.wise-fhs.org

W.I.S.E. Words 39 July, August September 2013 their own travel to London, and the tour will be Mary Jo Collins learned of tailored for 15 to 20 researchers. her husband’s unfortunate It will include: grand-uncle by looking at newspapers from Haw- A personal research plan provided prior to kinsville, Georgia, and came departure and guidance during the tour. across stories of two shoot- Up to five days of research at Greater London ings involving him: archives. A side trip to a county archive “At age 47 in 1916 he was is possible with travel costs at your shot in the head due to a ‘bad feeling’ between own expense. him and his brother-in-law. He survived. In 1917, Tours and lectures at the Society of things didn’t turn out as well. He was confronted Genealogists and the National Archives. at his home and shot said brother-in-law in the A travel pass for Greater London and a guided head, killing him. An employee of the dead broth- bus tour of London. er-in-law then shot the grand-uncle A one-day group coach trip to sights outside in the head killing him. The wives of both dead of London. men were sisters and witnessed the tragedy.” Mary An evening group banquet and a London Jo believes that family was of Scots-Irish theater night. descent. This was her first visit to the family Accommodations for seven nights at a three- history library. star hotel in the London suburb of Earl’s Alice Sveum finally tracked Court, located between London central and the down her English great- National Archives at Kew and a short walk to grandfather, George Wall, two subway stations. The en-suite rooms and his parents, for whom include breakfast. she’d been looking for years. The exact cost will be determined as the time When her great-grandfather draws nearer but it will be kept under $1,600 per was 11, his father died, and person, double occupancy, exclusive of airfare. his mother and two sisters Lunches and most dinners will be extra. fell on hard times in England. The great- For details or to reserve your place on grandfather, George Wall, was separated from his the tour, email Ann Wells at family in England and he moved to Canada as a [email protected] or Barbara Baker young, single man. He married there and then at [email protected]. They have 50 moved to Nebraska where he became a successful combined years of experience in British family farmer and land owner. She’d known about the history research. Nebraska connection, but until now knew nothing of his background except that he was English. Duane Duff uncovered firm W.I.S.E. Researchers Discover evidence linking him to a the Weird and Wonderful in SLC Revolutionary War patriot. — Zoe von Ende Lappin His story: “I found a Bible record for my ancestor A homicidal grand-uncle; a great-grandfather who Humphrey W. Sparkman emigrated on his own from England to Canada; a linking him to his daughter, first-timer’s discovery of an English ancestor’s Louisa, (and) another Bible will; proving a line to a Revolutionary War ances- record for William Reid Sparkman linking him to tor – such were among the discoveries W.I.S.E. his daughter, Celia Sparkman, who married members made during our week of research in Humphrey. These linkage proofs are essential to April at the Family History Library in prove my descent from a Revolutionary War Salt Lake City. patriot, William Sparkman of Bertie County,

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North Carolina. The latter William’s will, which the book is available at the Denver Public Library. we also found, names his deceased son, Jesse, and Derrick Miller is of a Dutch family from Jesse’s son William Reid Sparkman. Our linkage Claverack, Columbia County, New York, with proof is solid.” long roots there and ties to the Van Rensselaer Nyla Cartwright, on her lands. I never found proof of his year of arrival.” first visit, learned the thrill Zoe Lappin also researched of discovery on her own. in Pennsylvania, seeking “My most important dis- a relationship of her hus- covery was finding the band’s Adams family of marriage record of my Centre County to Adams fam- third great-grandfather, ilies in Chester County, where John Woodard, to Sarah his second great-grandfather Rogers in St. Cuthbert's Parish, Wells, Somerset, supposedly was born. The family later was in Cen- England, in April 1806 – and then finding his will tre County. She, too, met with limited success but from 1866 in Wells listing all of his children, in- found a clue that could lead to the proof she’s cluding the married names of his daughters. As a seeking, and she did this by comparing surnames newer genealogy researcher, I have copied wills in wills and estate records in both counties. “The from others on Ancestry.com, but this is the first I surname Gilliland appears frequently in Chester have found on my own.” County probate records for Adams families from Pat Jakel researched in around 1800,” she said. “Then, when I looked at England, too, and in Barford, extracts of two wills in Centre County in the Oxfordshire, she came 1840s, what should pop out at me, but the name up with a will of her fourth James Gilliland serving as an executor of each or fifth great-grandfather’s estate along with my husband’s proved ancestor, brother in 1747, surname Matthew Adams. One was the will of another an- Swetman or Sweatman. “It cestor.” These Adamses are presumed to be Eng- listed his brothers and sisters lish, though Welsh and Irish are not out of and a niece, and I’m hoping this helps me find the question. their father,” she said. “They seem to be non- Jean Pfannenstiel, on her conformists, and those records seem to be harder first visit with W.I.S.E., to find. What I really hoped to find about two of worked among the Scots. “I my great-great-grandmothers didn't happen, so I did finally have a HOORAY! was disappointed in that.” find,” she said. “I found the Sandy Carter-Duff hunted registrations for my great- for proof of her ancestors’ great-grandparents’ marriage arrival in Bradford County, and my great- grandfather's birth in Scotland. I Pennsylvania, but was only was very happy about that.” partially successful. Her sto- Mary Larson, also a first- ry: “Historians in Bradford timer, concentrated on Scot- County claim my ancestors land, too, and was thrilled James Campbell and Derrick with what she learned. Her Miller arrived and settled in Burlington township story: “My Scottish research about the same time in 1791. I sought records for on the Roger family has gone proof. I found some for James Campbell who was back to the early 1700s, so one of the settlers in the Connecticut Claims of I wasn’t really expecting any major breakthroughs. Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. I learned that the Instead, I concentrated on monumental Pennsylvania Archives (published series) de- inscriptions for the burial graveyards in scribed the lengthy suit in detail – and, of course, Aberdeenshire and data from published deeds. The

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Index to register of deeds, 1661-1696, contains the Lanes living and buying property in the same area name of the deceased, and frequently mentions the as David Coltrane. Curious!” Coltrins originated wife (relict), and sometimes others involved with in Scotland; Lanes somewhere in the British Isles. the estate, giving clues as to family relationships. Ron Jepson, another first- A virtual ‘gold mine’ that I discovered is the timer, was enthusiastic to say Calendar of confirmations and inventories granted the least at the end of his and given up in the several commissariots of Scot- week of intense research, land in the year [XXXX]. These include the principally in Swedish rec- deceased’s name, occupation and place of resi- ords. He said: “What a won- dence, as well the value of the estate, and names derful first time here! I started of the executors of the estate. Perhaps the most with a couple of ideas that fell through, but then interesting discovery was in the online British found the Swedish parishes that two great-great- Newspaper Archive database, where I found a great-grandparents were born in. From there it was Roger from an adjoining parish who had been a wealth of information; the church records, espe- knighted. Now I need to examine the data and cially with Swedish library staff help. Now I know make the connection.” an area to go to in Sweden where kin lived. A David Sveum continued his breakthrough experience!” work relating to cemetery Karen Zink also worked research. His current genea- among Swedish records, logical project is taking pic- which she hoped would lead tures of gravestones and prep- to living relatives in prepara- aration of a short history tion for a visit to Sweden this about those buried in a small summer. She was disappoint- rural church cemetery in Day ed. “I still get tangled in the County, South Dakota. Several of his relatives are generations of the Swedish patronymic naming buried there and the church is closed. The Family system,” she said. “It is true that Ancestry.com History Library provided an excellent setting to really did make Genline (the Swedish database for perform this research, he said, and helped make church records) nearly unusable for those of us progress documenting the lives of those buried in used to the original . . .. There are hidden gems in that cemetery. David says an unknown author ex- the Swedish death index, such as the date a person pressed the reason for performing this research: “A became widowed.” life undocumented is lost after one generation.” Karen’s reflection on the W.I.S.E. week in Salt Dorothy Coltrin recently Lake City may say it all: “Even though the search got to wondering whether is not ever as successful as hoped (I probably she may have descended won’t be meeting cousins soon) I wouldn’t want to from a man with the sur- miss the week, seeing old friends and making name Lane instead of new, the stories, the support from everyone, the Coltrin or a variation. “As walks to and from the library, the laughs, the the DNA between my breakfasts, the cranky elevator, and, yes, even Coltrin men and a Lane the disappointments.” family both from North Carolina look very similar, I checked the court records of certain counties dur- Kendrick King had a similar ing this time period, about 1743. I found no Lane reflection: “I want to say being accused in a paternity suit. However, a book that I would not have gone called Crime and Society in North Carolina, 1663- except for W.I.S.E.. Some ge- 1776, by Donna J. Spindel, 1989, based on her nealogical findings but no research revealed that not all bastardy cases were smoking gun. However, seeing brought to court. She suggests that cases were in- the flowers and trees in bloom formally handled, thus no record. I did find the made my trip complete”. www.wise-fhs.org

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Scenes from Salt Lake City

Flowers galore: Spring blossoms Nyla Cartwright, on a down town street Kendrick meets Kendrick: W.I.S.E greeted researchers on their strolls corner, talks to fellow W.I.S.E. member, member Kendrick King, right, visits around Temple Square. Mary Larson, who had phoned to tell with Sally Kendrick, a guide at the her of a discovery of several records of Joseph Smith Building. Encounter Nyla’s surname. revealed no family connection.

Zoe Lappin and Dorothy Coltrin, W.I.S E. members enjoy dinner at Lamb's Grill, a restaurant near standing ; Karen Zink and Mary Jo the Family History Library. Collins gather in the library.

Go on line to its website to learn what is happen- Colorado Council of Genealogical ing in the genealogy community throughout Colo- Societies (CCGS) Activities rado. It maintains a calendar of all genealogical —Bill Hughes, Representative to CCGS meetings and happenings in the state. CCGS has a number of awards and recognitions CCGS is the statewide genealogy organization, for those who have been active in the Colorado which addresses the needs and interest genealogy community and is always looking for of the Colorado genealogy community. W.I.S.E. is candidates for these awards. It also sponsors the a member and you are all invited to attend Colorado Family License plate with three levels of any of its meetings. The next CCGS meeting membership. It is also working to establish a will be Saturday, 10 a.m., July 13th at the webinar and webcast program to make the various Loveland Public Library. programs and classes available to the membership.

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CCGS is in the process of redrafting its bylaws to v. 6. Barony of Dufferin (Ballymacashen; Killaresy; become more helpful to the Colorado heritage Killanakin; Killinchy; Killyleagh; Tullymacnous) community. This process will also address the v. 7. Baronies of Dufferin & Lecale (Downpatrick; CCGS budget and how it spends our dues. Inch; Killyleagh; Saul v. 8. Barony of Lecale (Ardglass; Ballee; Ballycruttle; Bright; Ballyculter; Dunsfort; Kilclief; Killough; County Down, Northern Ireland, Old Court; Saul Gravestone Inscriptions; v. 9. Baronies of Lecale & Kinelarty (Aghlisnafin; Bal- Microfiche Collection Donated to lykinler; Clough; Ballynahinch; Drumaroad; Kilmegan; Loughinisland; Magherdrool; Magherham- Denver Public Library let; Rathmullan; Seaforde) —Sandy Carter-Duff v. 10. Barony of Mourne (Ballymageogh; Ballymartin;

I learned a lot about my County Down, Northern Glasdrumman; Kilhorne; Kilkeel; Mourne; Tamlaght; Ireland, families and their inter-relationships from index to v. 6-10) the County Down Gravestone Inscription series v. 11. Barony of Ards (Movilla; Newtownards) compiled by R.S.J. Clarke. I'm donating my mi- v. 12. Barony of Ards (Ballyblack; Greyabbey; crofiche collection of the first 20 volumes to the Kircubbin; Loughisland; Magheradrool) Denver Public Library - Western History and Genealogy Department. v. 13. Barony of Ards (Ardkeen; Ardquin; Ballyphilip; Portaferry; Ballytrustan; Lisbane; Kilmore; Knock) The 22-volume series was first introduced in 1966 v. 14. Barony of Ards (Balliggan, Ballyhemlin, with three subsequent revisions and it covers much Carrowdore in Donaghadee, Cloghy in Castleboy, of County Down. Recent burials are not included. Inishargy, Slanes, Templepatrick) There exist three additional volumes for County Antrim and four for Belfast, which I v. 15. Barony of Ards (Ballyhalbert, Whitechurch in never purchased and are also not included in Ballywalter) this donation. v. 16. Barony of Ards (Ballycopeland in Donaghadee, Donaghadee, Millisle) The series in book form is found at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City where I first v. 17. Barony of Ards (Bangor Abbey) made its discovery in the 1980s. I don't believe v 18. Annahilt: Annahilt Presbyterian: Cargacreevy you can find the whole series in any other Presbyterian: Eglantine Church of Ireland: Gilnahirk U.S. library. Presbyterian: Hillsborough: Hillsborough Society of Friends: Hillsborough, Hill Monument: Kilwarlin The contents of each volume include: Church of Ireland: Kilwarlin Moravian: Kilwarlin v. 1. Baronies of Upper & Lower Castlereagh (Breda; Roman Catholic: Loughaghery Presbyterian: Carryduff; Castlereagh; Drumbo; Gransha; Hillhall; Lurganville Roman Catholic: Maze Presbyterian: Moi- Killybawn; Knockbracken; Moneyrea; Tullynakill) ra: Moira Non-Subscribing Presbyterian: Moira Pres- byterian: Carryduff Presbyterian (Addenda): v. 2. Baronies of Upper & Lower Castlereagh Castlereagh Presbyterian (Addenda): Drumbo Church (Bailiesmill; Boardmills; Dundonald; Killaney; of Ireland (Addenda): Knockbreckan Reformed Knockbreda; Legacurry; Killybawn) Presbyterian (Addenda) v. 3. Baronies of Upper & Lower Castlereagh (Bally- v.19 North-West Down: Donaghcloney, Dromore, carn; Drumbeg; Edenderry; Kilmore; Rademan; Dromara, Magheralin Saintfield; Tullynakillv. v. 20. Ballydown in Seapatrick; Banbridge; Clare in v. 4. Baronies of Upper & Lower Castlereagh (Drum- Tullylish; Lawrencetown in Tullylish; Magherally; bo; Holywood; Knock) Moyallen in Tullylish; Seapatrick; Tullylish v. 5. Baronies of Upper & Lower Castlereagh My passion for this series began in Salt Lake City (Ballygowan; Blaris; Comber; Kilcairn; Killinchy; while searching for information about the family Killysuggan; Kilmood; Raffrey; Ravara;Index to v. 1-5) www.wise-fhs.org

W.I.S.E. Words 44 July, August, September 2013 of my great-grandparents, James McMeekin and After research later I decided that a gravestone Lizzie (McWha) McMeekin. about 20 feet from Dupree and Isabella's stone is that of her parents. This stone gave me the maiden Their Nebraska obituaries said they were married name of Isabella's mother and another generation in the Millisle Church in County Down. Lizzie's back. death certificate and obituary names her parents — Dupree McWha and Isabella Ralston. “Ralston...[Incorporated into modern Ralston en- closure]. “Sacred to the memory of Francis Ralston of Ganaway died Octr. 19th 1864 aged 80 years. Also his wife Agnes Warnock died Novr. 7th 1878 aged 91 years. Also their son Francis who departed this life the 27th day of May 1881 aged 61 years. Also Agnes, wife of Francie Ralston, who died 11th Sept. 1886”.

Ralston Stone in 2007 - much worse for wear in just two years. What I love so much about this series is the Sandy Carter–Duff stands beside the McWha gravesite in 2005. relative ease with which you can start to construct entire families because of the relationships stated I searched the indexes and found the names of and the use of women's maiden names. Another Dupree and Isabella in Volume 15 buried in the reason, demonstrated by my pictures, is that Whitechurch graveyard which is very near the gravestones become harder and harder to read Millisle. Their stone reads: “McWha...Erected over time. in memory of John, fourth son of Dupre McWha, If you have County Down ancestors I hope Ballyrolly, born Nov.27th, 1866, died Sept. 2nd you will use and gain from this series as much 1874. Also the above named Dupre McWha, died as I have. 26th Dec. 1899 aged 81 years. Also his beloved wife Isabella McWha who died Scottish Wills and Testaments 17th December 1905 aged 79 years. Inscribed — Diane Barbour PLCGS by Elizabeth J. McWha in memory of her husband

James McWha who died 16th Jan 1936 aged In the next few articles I am going to talk about 76 years. Also her daughter Eleanor who died 4th some of the legal aspects of our Scottish ancestors lives. We will start with wills and testaments. In Feb 1917 aged 1 year and 6 months. Also her this month’s article I will start with a little history infant son. Also the above named Elizabeth Jane of the Scottish Court System. Originally the who died 29th Nov. 1957 aged 81 years.” Roman Catholic bishops adjudicated all wills and www.wise-fhs.org

W.I.S.E. Words 45 July, August, September 2013 testaments. Remember Britain was Catholic Another historical aspect to Scottish wills until Henry VIII split with the church and formed and testaments that you need to bear in his own Anglican Church. On August 24, 1560, mind: Great Britain had a system called primogen- the pope’s authority was abolished. The iture and it pretty well continued into the 1800s. Presbyterian Church was recognized as the Primogeniture is law in some countries and cus- official Church of Scotland in 1592. This marked tom in others. This states that the eldest son inher- the end of clerical involvement in the Courts. its all non-movable property. Your land, buildings Edward VI (1537-1553), Henry’s son, died on and titles could not be included in your will or tes- July 6, 1553. Then Henry’s daughter, Mary, (a tament. Your movables, basically what you can Catholic) came to the throne for five years pick up and move were the only thing until 1558. Her sister, Elizabeth, who was included in your wills. If there was no son, Protestant in 1558, followed her. Things were a then an executor could be named and the proper little chaotic during these times. paperwork filed to do this. An aside to this is In 1563 the principal commissary court, that many of our English ancestors who migrated or what we call our supreme court, was established to America were the second and third sons in Edinburgh. This principal court in Edinburgh and virtually had no future in Great Britain. This is heard appeals and confirmed testaments why so many of them came to America. They of those people who had movables in wanted more opportunity. several commissariats. In conclusion, if you are researching before Other commissary courts were established in 1823 you need to view a map that roughly 1564 and 1566, marking a switch from church corresponds to ecclesiastical boundaries, and control to civil control of the courts. Over a period if you are researching after 1823, the boundaries of time additional commissary courts were should roughly correspond to county boundaries. added. The district boundaries of the commissari- Nothing is cast in stone and if you have ats were set up geographically very much like the trouble finding a will or testament for your boundaries of the Bishop’s Courts. They did ancestor check another district. It is also important not correspond to the county boundaries, to remember that early wills and testaments however. Several commissariats might cover were filed mostly by the wealthy as they had a given county. This can lead to a bit of non–movables to leave to someone. If you were confusion when you are researching your poor, chances are you only owned movables Scottish ancestors. The officials of these courts and they were just handed over to relatives were called “commissars”. by family members with no filing of papers. I have seen inventories that were registered with On January 1, 1824, the Sheriff Courts took the courts in the 1800s, so it is always over the confirmation of testaments. This was good to check. not achieved overnight. There was considerable overlap for many years with the Edinburgh See this web page for a nice court map. Commissariat remaining in existence until 1836. http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/content/help/i ndex.aspx?r=551&636. To see a county map go to If you are researching a will in the years http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/sct/sct_cmap.html between 1804-1829, it is wise to check all court records. It behooves you to look in the commissar- For more information go to the FamilySearch iat as well as the Sheriff’s Court to make sure Wiki. The website has been changed again. To you haven’t missed anything. This system is still get to the Wiki, hit the “search” tab, then click on in existence today with the boundaries, more or search again and then the Wiki button at the top; less, corresponding to the county boundaries. enter Scotland. Today you only need to know the county your We will continue next time with some definitions ancestor was in. The commissariat court system and discussions of the different records available was abolished in 1876 by the Sheriff’s Court as wills and testaments. (Scotland) Act of 1876.

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W.I.S.E. Words 46 July, August, September 2013

the growing municipal services sector. The Irish The Original Green Party were dock workers, they built railroads, worked in – America’s Irish Democrats the mines and manned looms. In 1847, a New —Thyria Wilson York newspaper said, “There are several sorts of power working at the fabric of this Republic: A political button claims that the original Green waterpower, steam power, horsepower and Party was the Irish Democrats in America. That’s Irish power.” because Irish Catholic immigrants and their descendants had an alliance with the Democratic The Irish Catholics faced a great deal of prejudice. Party that lasted for over a century. From the The Irish immigrants in the 1840s and 1850s were 1830s to the 1960s, they voted 80 percent to 95 the first large group of Catholics, were mostly percent for the Democratic candidates for presi- poor farmers and unskilled laborers, were poverty- dent. The Democrats welcomed the Irish upon stricken, and in poor health. Many employers their arrival in America and provided them with would not hire the Irish and it was common to see jobs, registered them as voters and generally “No Irish need apply” signs. Drawings showing looked after their welfare. Unlike the Whigs and an Irish ape-man were prevalent in Victorian Republicans, the Democrats had a pro- England and became popular among American immigration policy. cartoonists. One newspaper editor wrote, “We can have no peace in this county until the Catholics are Irish immigrants began to arrive in eastern U.S. exterminated.” Immigration, like anti-slavery, be- cities in large numbers in the 1820s and then came a Bible-based political issue in the North. flooded in during the years of the Great Famine, Another editor charged Irish Catholics “were sots 1845-1851. By the late 1850s, there were 1.6 mil- and bums who crawled out of their ‘rotten nests of lion Irish-born immigrants in America. Germans filth’ (to) cast ignorant ballots for the candidates of arrived in the years after the failed revolutions in the slaveocracy.” 1848, and by 1860 about 1.3 million German immigrants had come to the United States. The 2.9 The large influx of Irish Catholics led to the crea- million immigrants who came between 1845 and tion of the Whigs’ American Party (a.k.a. the 1854 represented nearly 15 percent of the total Know-Nothing Party because they claimed population of the U.S. Between 1905 and 1914 ignorance). This political party believed that these more than 9.2 million immigrants arrived, primari- immigrants did not want to assimilate and were ly from eastern and southern Europe, but weakening the strong Protestant values that this those immigrants only made up 11 percent of country was built on. Their platform included the population. issues like temperance, opposition to slavery and anti-Catholicism. When the “Know Nothings” The Irish who came during this period were poor, folded, many members joined the Republican Par- mostly illiterate and Roman Catholic. Many did ty. The Republican support of nativist policies was not speak English. They settled in cities because more compelling to some voters than the farming was associated with poverty in Ireland. slavery issue. Ninety percent of these pre-Civil War Irish immigrants settled in the northern states because there The anti-Catholic and anti-slavery movements in- were more jobs for unskilled workers there. Stay- cluded some of the same people and rhetoric. ing mostly in the big cities, they earned low wages Lyman Beecher, a New England evangelical min- and lived mostly in slums. Most could only take ister, moved his family to Cincinnati to save the on menial tasks. But hard work in the United West from the Catholic Church. His daughters States was better than starving to death in Ireland, Harriet and Catharine and his son Henry Ward so the Irish immigrants quickly developed a repu- would become prominent in the anti-slavery tation as hard workers. The great wave of Irish movement. Anti-Catholic and anti-slavery advo- immigration happened at a time of tremendous cates saturated the country with their literature and growth in U.S. cities and industries. Irish labor urged followers to action against both of these pushed the urban economy and filled jobs in threats to the nation and God. Lyman Beecher

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W.I.S.E. Words 47 July, August, September 2013 came back to Boston to deliver violent anti- One member of Tammany Hall who was not cor- Catholic sermons and urged followers to action rupt was Al Smith, New York governor and the against “popery.” first Catholic to run for president. He served on the Triangle shirtwaist factory fire investigating com- When the Irish Catholics arrived, city govern- mission in 1911. He became a reformer after visit- ments and party politics were just starting ing sweatshops where children worked in to emerge. While the Irish newcomers did dangerous conditions for long hours. He was re- not have status, they did have numbers. This al- sponsible for passage of some of the most progres- lowed them to focus their power on politics, al- sive laws in the country, including child labor most exclusively through the Democratic Party. laws, a widows’ pension law, equal pay for wom- Most of the Irish and German immigrants voted en teachers, low-cost housing and increased public for the first time in the 1852 presidential election funding for education. He was the unsuccessful and helped to elect Franklin Pierce, the Democratic candidate for president in 1928, and Democratic candidate. President Franklin Roosevelt later used many of The Irish had a genius for municipal government Smith’s ideas in the New Deal. and a flair for politics. The political organizations Irish Americans began drifting into the Republican they created were the first of America’s political Party beginning in the 1960s and now representa- “machines” that used tight community tion in the two political parties is about equal. But organization to gain power over local government for over 100 years, the Irish immigrants and their and then used government patronage to maintain descendants led the Democratic Party and domi- their power. Irish politics often began with nated urban politics.  leadership roles in volunteer fire companies. Saloons were a neighborhood base for their political machines and were a target of the For-Profit Companies Republicans. Both the Irish and the Germans, with their breweries, were very much opposed to the and Collaboration Temperance movement when it arose in the —Barbara Fines Price mid-19th century. Family historians generally see for-profit compa- The Irish led the Democratic Party in urban nies with a jaundiced eye. We tend to view infor- areas throughout the country. In the Midwest, the mation about our ancestors as our property, not German Democrats were happy to let the Irish some unknown company’s. For years, we judged manage the politics. Milwaukee was an exception. Ancestry.com as a profit-mad entity that was hold- The Irish leadership from Milwaukee was ing our ancestors hostage. It has taken us time to on the steamer Lady Elgin when she sank in realize that companies like Ancestry.com are Lake Michigan on September 8, 1860, and most of providing us with a service that is much less ex- them died. The Germans were forced to take over pensive than ordering all our records from the the leadership of the Democratic Party in that city. courthouse at $10 or more a pop. In addition to The Tammany Hall machine in New York was a providing digitized copies of original records, for- political organization that offered favors such as profit companies involved in genealogy have a food, clothing, and social services in exchange for strong sense of collaboration at the heart of their votes. Once the Irish were in power, they ex- corporate culture. changed jobs for kickbacks. The patronage jobs Brightsolid Online Publishing Ltd is a were largely in police and fire departments and in London - based publishing company that exempli- construction. It was during this period that the ste- fies a corporate culture of collaboration. In con- reotype of the Irish police officer became popular. junction with the Federation of Family History The machine organizations were corrupt, but they Societies of the UK and the Imperial War did provide services to the immigrants that they Museum, Brightsolid is helping to put together the would not have had otherwise. records and stories of the 8 million men and wom-

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W.I.S.E. Words 48 July, August, September 2013 en of the UK who served in uniform The saving grace for family history research in and worked on the home front during WWI. The Wales lies in dealing with small communities. At Imperial War Museum was opened while WWI the outset, one is seldom seeking to identify an was still being fought. With the centennial individual. Only after the community is identified anniversary of the start of WWI next year, can the search for the individual succeed. Brightsolid, the FFHS and the Imperial War For present-day researchers, there is a strong like- Museum are working together to bring us a digital lihood that all 16 great-great grandparents have memorial that can be added to by families of the one or more common surnames occurring several deceased. This way the digital memorial times. The lack of variety has caused comment can continue to grow and have value as families and confusion for several centuries. add their stories to the records and other effects that comprise this collection. The authors, widely known genealogists John and The collection will be housed at the Sheila Rowlands, have transcribed and indexed Imperial War Museum and online at countless documents. In the course of their work www.livesofthefirstworldwar.org. on their own Welsh ancestors, they became aware of local characteristics of surnames, often ignored Brightsolid recently launched the British Newspa- in general works on the subject. So they set out to per Archive, in partnership with the British see whether the patterns found in their own famil- Library, and has collaborated with the National iar area were evident in other parts of Wales.Their Archives to bring us the 1911 census.co.uk pro- goal was to help and teach others what they had ject. Brightsolid is the provider for ScotlandsPeo- learned. ple, a partnership with National Records of Scotland and the Court of the Lord Lyon that bring If one needs to dig deep and dig far to find the us Scottish records back to 1538. They produce needle in the haystack in Wales, this book will be findmypast.co.uk, findmypast.com.au, findmy- helpful. The authors encourage readers to contact past.ie and findmypast.com. Each of these digital them especially with documented examples of less treasure sites works with family history societies common names, patronymic or otherwise, from local to each area, to locate and digitize at-risk personal research and say they will acknowledge records. Findmypast.com.au is one of two online any contribution used in future revisions. sites with access to Pacific Island records, as well The Civil Registration Act of 1837 in Wales rec- as Australia and New Zealand records. Many orded births, marriages and deaths, revealing that family historians are unaware that there is a find- nine-tenths of countrymen in the principality could mypast for Ireland. Brightsolid is working with be mustered under fewer than 100 different sur- Eneclann, an Irish history and heritage company, names. The frequency of such names as Jones, to assure that they have the most comprehensive Williams, Davies, Evans and others defeat the collection of Irish records available on line. primary objective of a name: to distinguish one Brightsolid isn’t the only for-profit company with individual from the masses. The name John Jones a culture of collaboration, but every time you find is a perpetual incognito in Wales. information about your ancestors at one of This book contains many maps and graphs to help Brightsolid’s sites, give it a wink and a nod and a define the patterns and origins of surnames, 44 to hardy thank you for the service it provides.  be exact.There is a two-page list of abbreviations used throughout the book. Book Review Chapters two and three deal particularly with the native patronymic naming system. Chapter four Stupefying Surnames Stymie Searchers: discusses the methods used for comprehensive The Welsh Challenge surveying of surnames in the period 1813-1837. John and Sheila Rowlands, The Surnames of Chapter six considers annual rates of marriage, the Wales for Family Historians and Others, dominance of common surnames, the distribution Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1996. of surnames derived from the ap prefix compared www.wise-fhs.org

W.I.S.E. Words 49 July, August, September 2013 to those with the possessive s and the incidence of had been a geologist and had adventures in surnames derived from the Old Testament names. Caracas, Venezuela, and in Japan. Deciding to Chapter seven sets out some surname evidence, have a small adventure of her own, Thyria went even the most common surnames, that can be used the first two years of college in Fairbanks, Alaska. to suggest a place of origin for migrant and emi- Thyria got a B.A. in history from Western State grant ancestors. College in Gunnison, Colorado. She took a college There is a complete listing in Appendix A of the trip to Russia in the winter of 1972 and also visited Welsh administrative hundreds (as used in this a pen pal in Germany while in the neighborhood. book) and the parishes they contain. Appendix C She then went to University of Colorado for a year sets out how descendants of migrant or emigrant while trying to decide whether to become a Welsh people can gain access to the predictive paralegal or a librarian and was purportedly a method described in chapter seven as a first move journalism graduate student. Her father was a towards tracing those ancestors about whom all fourth – generation newspaper person. that is known is that “they came from Wales.” After getting an associate degree in paralegal stud- The authors emphasize that understanding the his- ies, Thyria worked for a water and mining law torical development of Welsh surnames plus firm for four years in Boulder and Glenwood knowledge of the relative incidence of individual Springs then worked as a title examiner for four names in different parts of the area as well as a years, getting to see the stories of Coloradoans determined attitude often can overcome research through property records. Thyria went to Universi- difficulties. A forename, or Christian name, is ty of Denver’s College of Law while working full helpful and frequently conforms to a pattern in a time and received her J.D. (juris doctor) in 1989 family group. after which she served as a law clerk for a Denver district court judge for a year before becoming an This book is designed to provide the reader with a assistant county attorney for Jefferson County, detailed insight into the origins and occurrence of primarily buying land for parks and trails. Com- the most common surnames in Wales with some pletely changing careers, she went to University of consideration of those that have established a Denver and received an M.A. in library science presence at the regional or local level. This could and is now an archivist for the Rocky Mountain be of considerable importance when researching Jewish Historical Society at DU. Although not ancestors observed within a pool of very common Jewish, Thyria has learned about Colorado Jewish surnames. It may also be used to identify the most history for the past 13 years and she states: “Some likely places of origin for those who know no very valuable records for genealogists are at the more than that their ancestors “came from Wales.” Beck Archives.” —Nancy McCurdy Thyria’s interest in genealogy while still in high school sparked her mother’s passion for genealogy, who became very involved with research. Af- Member Profile ter retiring, her mother researched early Boulder County records for publication in the Boulder Thyria Wilson has always Genealogical Quarterly and managing to do all the loved history, in part because of research while traveling by bus and bicycle. hearing some great family sto- Although Tryria has not been actively doing gene- ries when she was growing up. alogical research for many years, she would like to Her great-grandfather, who was get back to searching out her ancestors and their a first – generation Irish Ameri- stories. Her immigrant ancestors go from the May- can, was a freighter to the Black Hills during the flower to Irish potato famine victims who crossed gold rush and later was a blacksmith in Niobrara, over from Canada, religious outcasts in Nebraska, and for the railroad in Rhode Island, Dutch farmers in New Amsterdam., Norfolk, Nebraska. Thyria grew up in Quakers, Pennsylvania Dutch and a smattering of Boulder, Co., with her mother Lois Wescott, who other groups from Western Europe. Distant roots www.wise-fhs.org

W.I.S.E. Words 50 July, August, September 2013 include Welsh ancestors, and a family legend says Thyria recently volunteered for the position as the Lady Godiva might be one of them. Her Scots- Ireland country editor for W.I.S.E. Words and Irish immigrants had perfect immigration names – looks forward to learning more about W.I.S.E. Ferdinand and Isabella Carroll. Thyria has taken Family History Society. bicycle and driving trips though Ireland.

W.I.S.E. Program Schedule

June 26, 2013 10:30 a.m. Tour NARA Facilities National Archives and Records Administration, Tour is full. Direct inquiries to (303)-777-1391 or [email protected] Broomfield

Synods, Sessions and Supplications Patrice Stark September 28, 2013 Patrice will discuss how Presbyterian Church history in colonial America can help 1:30 p.m. identify Scots-Irish migration, communication, and kinship networks. Beginning with Denver Public Library th customs and terminology unique to Presbyterians, Patrice will explain the early 7 Floor church divisions (New Side, Reformed, Associate, Associate Reformed, United Presbyterian, etc.) and end with illustrations applicable to genealogy research puzzles. 

The Colorado Irish October 26, 2013 Dr. James Walsh 1:30 p.m. This program will focus on the roots of the Colorado Irish, where they came from in Denver Public Library th Ireland and North America, where they settled in Colorado, and what they contribut- 7 Floor ed to our state history. The Colorado Irish will also be placed into a national and in- ternational context, relating them to the wider story of the Irish diaspora. 

December 7, 2013 1:30 p.m. Holiday Meeting – Program TBA  Denver Public Library 7th Floor January 25, 2014 1:30 p.m. Annual General Meeting and Heirloom Sharing. Denver Public Library 7th Floor February 22, 2014 1:30 p.m. Facebook for Genealogists Denver Public Library Allan Turner. 7th Floor 