Are you related to the Iceman

In what I think is really cool news researchers have now conducted DNA studies on Oetzi the iceman. Oetzis well-preserved, 5,300 year old mummified body was found in 1991 on the Tisenjoch Pass in the Italian part of the Oeztal Alps. The DNA analysis shows us he had brown eyes, type O blood, and was lactose intolerant. He was also genetically predisposed to coronary heart disease and shows signs of the earliest known infection of Lyme disease.

But what I think is really cool is the possibility that researchers may be able to find living descendants using DNA testing. Of course we don't know for sure if Oetzi fathered any children. His DNA test did show mutations typically found in men with reduced sperm function that can render them infertile. But even if Oetzi had only one or two sons, after 5,300 years he could literally have millions of descendants. You could be one. How cool would that be.

The Coffin Plate Of Rebecca Starkie 1797~1868

Today I am adding the coffin plate of Rebecca Starkie 1797~1868. From what I can find it looks like Rebecca lived in Keene, Cheshire, New Hampshire. She is living with Benjamin P Starkey age 53. This Benjamin is probably her husband but he is 10 years younger so one would need to look for more info.

1860 United States Federal Census

Name: Rebecah L Starkey
Age in 1860: 63
Birth Year: abt 1797
Birthplace: Massachusetts
Home in 1860: Keene, Cheshire, New Hampshire
Household Members: Name Age
Benjamin P Starkey 53
Rebecah L Starkey 63

I then went and had a look at the 1850 United States Federal Census
and found them in Quincy, Norfolk, Massachusetts.

1850 United States Federal Census

Home in 1850: Quincy, Norfolk, Massachusetts
Household Members: Name Age
Benjamin P Starkie 44
Rebecca L Starkie 53
Eliza A Starkie 11
Simeon S Page 25

I have more Coffin Plates on AncestorsAtRest.com

Fold3 Adds Civil War Records for Union Soldiers

Fold3 has added more Civil War Records for Union Soldiers for genealogists. Here's their announcement:

Index to Compiled Service Records of Union Soldiers

Fold3 is excited to announce the expansion of the Civil War Collection by adding the Index to Compiled Service Records of Union Soldiers. The first four states available in this collection are Ohio, New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania.

Each index card
gives the name of a soldier, his rank, and the unit in which he served.
Anyone looking for a Union soldier in the Civil War will find these
cards useful in identifying the state and regiment in which a man served
and how his name appears in the military records. You can then locate
his records to learn about his service in the war and the battles in
which his regiment fought.

This new index, viewed as card images on Fold3, may be familiar to some.
The National Park Service transcribed these cards, referred to as
"General Index Cards," and placed the data online in its Civil War
Soldiers and Sailors System. When searching for a soldier there, you are
provided with a transcription, while Fold3's images allow users to view
the original card as well as determine the accuracy of the
transcription. Once you find the soldier you're looking for, you can
connect his index card to his service record on Fold3, or contact NARA
for copies of his documents.

Sunken Cemetery

The eruption of Mt. Vulcan Daan in 1870s left an extraordinary, never-missed tourist attraction site famously known as the “Sunken Cemetery,” marked by a huge cross rising from the waves.


Read More about this Sunken Cemetery

Who Do You Think You Are? With Blair Underwood

Season 3 of Who Do You Think You Are? sponsored by Ancestry.com takes you all over the world and inside the fascinating family histories of 12 celebrities.

The celebrities that WDYTYA will take on a journey to find their ancestors are Martin Sheen, Marisa Tomei, Blair Underwood, Reba McEntire, Rob Lowe, Helen Hunt, Rita Wilson, Edie Falco, Rashida Jones, Jerome Bettis, Jason Sudeikis and Paula Deen.

Next is Episode 3 on February 24th with Blair Underwood who travels to Africa to uncover his roots.

Memorial Card Of Herbert Vogtle

Herbert Vogtle
Died Sept 19. 1896 Aged 16 years.

There are many more funeral cards online at AncestorsAtRest.com Is your ancestor one of them?

New Life For The City Of The Dead

The first legal cremation in Victoria was a rudimentary affair. It was held at Springvale Botanical Cemetery in 1905 when the body of Edward Davies, a retired customs officer, was laid on a pile of wood, doused with kerosene and then set alight. The service was presided over by a Church of England priest.



Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/national/melbourne-life/new-life-for-the-city-of-the-dead-20120214-1t3z2.html#ixzz1mNS38ecm

Cemetery Walk Diamond Springs El Dorado Twp California

Olive Tree Genealogy has uploaded the last of 7 videos of a Cemetery Walk through Diamond Springs Odd Fellows Cemetery in El Dorado Township, California on the OliveTreeGenealogy Channel on YouTube.

Love Remains After Death in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery

SLEEPY HOLLOW, N.Y. – For many couples, the power of love continues even after death. Buried within Sleepy Hollow Cemetery are many stories of love and loss throughout the past century from famous couples, to poets, to past Tarrytown residents.

“I never knew a day I did not love you” is the inscription that lies on the grave of Leona Helmsley.


Read More

Genes Reunited Special Offer

Good news! Genes Reunited has a special deal on all subscriptions from Feb. 13 to Feb. 26, 2012


* Discount: 10% on all subscriptions

* Promo code: GRFEB10


Use the promo code for 10% off

Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner Special Offer

If you don't own a Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner, you might want to take advantage of a special offer for President's Day.

Just click on the link for Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner  and enter one of the coupon codes below for your special offer

Coupon Code #1:

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When you purchase a Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner ($149.99), get a Flip-Pal mobile scanner Sketch Kit FREE
(both items must be in your shopping cart)
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When you purchase a Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner with Creative Suite
Craft Edition DVD ($199.99), get a Flip-Pal mobile scanner Sketch Kit
plus a package of Flip-Pal Window Protector Sheets FREE
(all three items must be in your shopping cart)

These Coupons are Good from February 15-22, 2012—or While Supplies Last

Search 1930 Census FREE This Weekend

The 1930 Census FREE This Weekend!!!! If you dont have a subsciption to Ancestry this is a way to get a peek at the 1930 Census for FREE.

Don't miss this great chance to get a glimpse into the lives of your family 82 years ago by searching the 1930 U.S. Census for FREE this weekend on Ancestry.com. Free access runs from February 16-20 ending at midnight ET

The Census has many details, such as:

* Household names, including brothers and sisters or children

* Marriage details, including years and birthplaces that can lead to a birth or marriage certificate

* Information about occupations, military service, citizenship and more

The Life And Death Of The Berger Family

I have a group of 4 Memorial cards for members of the Berger family so I thought I would see what info was online for this family. The cards are for Joseph Berger 1838 ~ 1912. Minnie M Berger 1845 ~ 1899. Georgie Berger 1893 ~ 1905. Walter C Berger 1899 ~ 1902. I had a look in the 1880 and 1910
United States Federal Census and found them living in Miami, Montgomery, Ohio. Looks like Joseph was a farmer from Germany. Sadly 2 of the cards are for young people. Little Walter Berger was just 3 years old when he died in 1902 and Georgie was only 11.



1880 United States Federal Census

Name: Joseph Berger
Age: 42
Birth Year: 1838
Birthplace: Germany
Home in 1880: Miami, Montgomery, Ohio
Spouse's Name: Mina Berger
Father's Birthplace: Germany
Mother's Birthplace: Germany
Occupation: Farmer

Household Members: Name Age
Joseph Berger 42
Mina Berger 34
Mary Berger 14
George Berger 11
David Berger 7
Chas. Berger 6
Edna Berger 2




1910 United States Federal Census

Name: Joseph Berger
Age in 1910: 72
Birth Year: 1838
Birthplace: Germany
Home in 1910: Miamisburg Ward 1, Montgomery, Ohio
Immigration Year: 1858
Relation to Head of House: Father-in-law
Marital Status: Widowed
Father's Birthplace: Germany
Mother's Birthplace: Germany
Household Members: Name Age
Charles E Beachler 50
Mary C Beachler 43
Harry E Beachler 21
Edgar L Beachler 16
Joseph Berger 72

More memorial cards can be found at
ancestorsatrest.com

Coffin Plate Of The Week Mary A Holden 1812 ~ 1874

Mary A Holden Died Sept 29 1874 at the age of 62. This would give Mary a date of birth of around 1812. I say around 1812 as its important to remember that who ever gave the info to the engraver of this plate may have gotten her age wrong. Its really important to keep that in mind when looking at death records of any kind they can often be wrong for a number of reasons.

#1 Mary may not have known her correct date of birth. People did not always know years ago what their birth year was. Now we have drivers licences and birth certificates and all kinds of documents but in the1800s they did not. Its also much more important now to know your birthdate. Years ago you did not need to know your birthdate and no one would know if you got it wrong.

#2 Mary may have lied. Just like today ladies often want to be younger than they are.

#3 It was not Mary who gave the info on her coffin plate. The person giving it may have gotten it wrong for a number of reasons. Stress at the death of a loved one. May have just gotten confused or remembered it wrong.

So I went and had a look in the 1870 United States Federal Census for Mary.  I found a Mary A Holden in Dover, Ocean, New Jersey. Not sure if its her but its a start.




 Name: Mary A Holden
Age in 1870: 58

Birth Year: abt 1812

Birthplace: Vermont

Home in 1870: Dover, Ocean, New Jersey

Post Office: Toms River

Household Members: Name Age

William J Holden 60

Mary A Holden 58


Take a look at my Coffin Plate index.

Save 10% Genes Reunited has a special deal

Genes Reunited has a special deal on all subscriptions from Feb. 13 to Feb. 26, 2012

* Discount: 10% on all subscriptions
* Promo code: GRFEB10

Use the promo code for 10% off

Who Do You Think You Are - Featuring Marisa Tomei

Who Do You Think You Are, sponsored by Ancestry.com is back for a 3rd season. Be sure to watch Episode 2 this Friday, February 10 at 8/7c on NBC.

Tomorrow's episode features Marisa Tomei who travels to Italy to find out who killed her great grandfather.

Gravestone ensures Civil War nurse won’t be forgotten

Michelle Green’s mission is to place a new marker on the grave of Civil War nurse Mary Dunbar (1815-1887), whose service as a member of the Woman’s Relief Corps is not recognized by the federal government. The timeworn gravestone is now barely legible.

Read More

Coffin Plate Of The Week. Steven Tyler 1798 ~ 1868

Steven Tyler Died Feb 26 1868 at the age of 70 years.


I went and had a look in the 1860 United States Federal Census and I think this is the man we are looking for.

Name: Stephen Tyler
Age in 1860: 63
Birth Year: 1797
Birthplace: New York
Home in 1860: Virgil, Cortland, New York

Post Office: East Virgil

Household Members: Name Age
Stephen Tyler 63
Margart Tyler 55
George Tyler 25
Emeline Tyler 20
Margaret N Tyler 20
William Tyler 18
Celestia Tyler 14
Anna Tyler 2
Infant Tyler 1/12

I cant say 100% that this is the Steven Tyler that this coffin plate belongs to but as it was with the coffin plate of Margaret Tyler who died in 1885 at the age of 80 I would say its a good bet.

This is a fairly common Coffin Plate for this time period but it may be possible to make some educated guesses that will tell us a little something about the family. The fact that the plate was purchased tells us that the family was not dirt poor. A coffin plate was a luxury. However it is a middle of the road plate as far as quality goes so they were probably not a rich family. Also the quality of the engraving is poor. This tells us that they probably lived in a more rural setting or small town. Coffin plates from a larger town or city generally have a better quality engraving.

'Tombstone Wall' a tribute to Morgantown's colonial past

In a little courtyard behind First Presbyterian Church in Morgantown, W.Va all is quiet. It always is. That's because Julie T. Berkshire already made her journey. On April 16, 1837.

George Hill laid his burden down in October of 1848. Dolly McCleary's work was done on Jan. 11, 1850.

And Col. William McCleary, a Revolutionary War soldier and statesman who entered this life in 1741, made his final call to duty 80 years later, in 1821.

The above-mentioned tombstones are but a few of the ones incorporated into a wall at the church that had its beginnings on Oct. 21, 1788.

Read More

Coffin Plate Of Ann A Smith

I have just added the coffin plate of Ann A Smith. Ann died October 23rd 1877 at the age of 17 years.

Thanks to Anns great-granddaughter for submiting this Coffin Plate. She tells me Ann was from Wells Maine and Ann was born ANNIE A. LITTLEFIELD.

If you want to see more Coffin Plates try Ancestors At Rest Coffin Plates

The Sad Story Of Charlotte Canda

I found this interesting little story on the Spinster Aunt blog. Poor Charlotte died in a tragic accident on February 3rd, 1845: her 17th birthday.


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African-American slave cemeteries plowed over for spillway to be restored near New Orleans

The Bonnet Carre Spillway is a drainage structure in St. Charles Parish that protects New Orleans and surrounding areas when the waters of the Mississippi threaten to flood. When it was constructed near the year 1929, two cemeteries that had been dedicated to the burial of African-American slaves and their descendants were plowed over. The Kenner and Kugler cemeteries, which were active from the late 1800s until about 1929, are believed to contain up to 300 burials. Now both sites are slated to be reinstated as sacred places, as the Army Corps of Engineers makes plans to commemorate the cemeteries with memorials.

Read More

$10,000! Trip Of A Lifetime Ancestry.com Sweepstakes

Who Do You Think You Are is back for a 3rd season and will premier this Friday with Martin Sheen to lead off the series. In conjunction with Season 3, Ancestry.com is running a Sweepstakes where 3 Grand Prize winners will win a trip of a lifetime to uncover their own family history valued at $10,000! The Sweepstakes includes a trip to the winner's homeland to explore their family roots, round-trip airfare for two, hotel and $2,000 in cash, plus a 6-month Ancestry.com World Explorer membership and an Ancestry.com DNA test to discover their genetic ethnicity. 20 First Prize winners will receive a 6-month Ancestry.com World Explorer membership.

Win the Ultimate Family History Journey at Ancestry.com!

In conjunction with Season 3 of Who Do You Think You Are, Ancestry.com is running a Sweepstakes where 3 Grand Prize winners will win a trip of a lifetime to uncover their own family history valued at $10,000!  

The Sweepstakes includes a trip to the winner's homeland to explore their family roots, round-trip airfare for two, hotel and $2,000 in cash, plus a 6-month Ancestry.com World Explorer membership and an Ancestry.com DNA test to discover their genetic ethnicity.   

20 First Prize winners will receive a 6-month Ancestry.com World Explorer membership.  To enter, click on the graphic where you see the words ENTER NOW

Killed By Kisses

George Spencer Millet's grave in Woodlawn Cemetery, which tells a tragic and unusual story. His headstone reads: "Lost life by stab in falling on ink eraser, evading six young women trying to give him birthday kisses in office of Metropolitan Life Building." This happened the day after Valentine's day, on February 15th, 1909.

http://gothamist.com/2012/01/24/grave.php