Radar probes for submerged graves

The sloping pasture land near Weyers Cave in northern Augusta County contains centuries-old family mysteries that could be fully explained by a technology developed during the Vietnam War.

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Coffin Plate of Livonia Hodsdon 1807~1868

I have just added the Coffin Plate of Livonia Hodsdon 1807~1868. I had a look in the 1850 United States Federal Census on Ancestry.com. I did not find a Livonia Hodsdon but I did find a Livonia Hodgdon.

1850 United States Federal Census

Livonia Hodgdon
Age: 35
Estimated birth year: abt 1815
Home in 1850 (City,County,State):
Tremont, Hancock, Maine
Household Members:
Name, Age

Enoch Hodgdon 37
Livonia Hodgdon 35
Enoch Hodgdon 9
John W Hodgdon 8
Thomas Hodgdon 5
Cordelia H Mayo 16
Livonia Ann Mayo 17
Joshua C Mayo 13
Warren H Hodgdon 1

Not sure if this is the Livonia we are looking for. It will take a little more reasearch.

Tombstone Tuesday - Hugh Archer

Well its Tombstone Tuesday again so today its the grave of Hugh Archer in THE PRESBYTERIAN CEMETERY WYEBRIDGE, SIMCOE COUNTY, ONTARIO.

ARCHER

HUGH ARCHER

Died

Sep 11 1889-Aged 52 Yrs

JANE ADAMS - His Wife

Died Mar 14 1905 Aged 57 yrs

Featured Coffin Plate: Lydia J. Wallace died 1901

AnotherCanadian Coffin Plate. The featured coffin plate today is for Lydia J Wallace 1843~1901 Ontario Canada

Featured Coffin Plate: Mary Ann Wood

The featured coffin plate today is for Mary Ann Wood Found in Pennsylvania

Cemetery in Haverhill Massachusetts missing thousands of records

The Hilldale Cemetery, which was founded in 1859, is missing deeds for almost a third of the cemetery’s 4,816 graves.

http://news.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/20101117thousand_of_records_missing_at_haverhill_cemetery/

Tombstone Tuesday, Metal Tombstones

Tombstone Tuesday. Well I was out taking some cemetery photos and this one caught my eye. At first glance one would not think that their is much different about this grave marker. From a distance it looks quite normal. But in fact the entire grave stone is metal. Metal grave markers of this type are rare in my area. And they are getting rarer all the time as they really don't stand up to the weather as well as granite and they are much more susceptible to damage by vandals. You can see cracks starting to form in this one and I would guess its days are numbered.

Geo Catlin

Died

Feby 16 1880

Aged 80 Years

At Rest

Featured Coffin Plate: Martha D. Wolfe 1847-1892

The featured coffin plate today is for Martha D Wolfe 1847~1892 Found in New Hampshire

I Wonder who they are.

I thought perhaps I should do something in honer of Remembrance Day today. So I started looking through my family photographs and I came across this interesting one. My grandfather was a airplane mechanic in WW2 and he brought back a few photos and other items. Some of the photos are of him but this one would seem to be the crew of a bomber. It looks to me like a Lancaster bomber but I am no expert. Did they make it back. I guess I will never know. Gramps died a long time ago and he did not talk much about the war any way. They look like nice young men and I can only hope they survived. Being in a bomber in WW2 was a dangerous job and I really don't know how they found the courage to keep going.

How Much For That Tombstone In The Window

How Much For That Tombstone In The Window. Over the years I have spent a lot of time in cemeteries. And while wandering about looking at all the grave markers I have often wondered about how much they must have cost. Many are quite large and beautiful and it must have been a fair burden for some of the families to pay for. Times were hard in The Good Old Days. People did not always have a lot of extra cash. But it was very important to them to have a nice memorial for their loved ones. So to that end I have done a little digging and one of the first things I found was a 1902 Sears and Roebuck catalogue. When I think of shopping at Sears tombstones are not the first thing I think of. But back then Sears sold just about everything you could think of.

The prices in 1902 would seem to start around $6 dollars for a small stone and go right up to almost $30 for a big 4ft tall stone. This would appear quite cheap to us. But when you think about how little people made back then. You realize just how costly they were and how hard it must have been to pay for. For example the 1901 Canadian Census tells us that back then a good wage for a man was about $1.50 to $1.75 per day. So you're looking at a week to a month's pay just for a tombstone. Not an easy burden. Then when you add the cost of the funeral and the fact that the person being buried was in many cases the main source of income for the family. One can really start to get a feeling of just how important it must have been to the family to have a nice marker.

Featured Coffin Plate: Joshua woodman 1807-1876

The featured coffin plate today is for Joshua Woodman 1807~1876 from Maine.

OLD PROTESTANT CEMETERY IN ST.MARYS, PERTH COUNTY, ONTARIO

Well I missed Tombstone Tuesday as I was out taking pictures of tombstones. So how about Grave marker Wednesday this week. This week it is the grave marker of Wm Barron. William lived with his family in Blanchard Township in Perth County. He was buried in the OLD PROTESTANT CEMETERY IN ST.MARYS, PERTH COUNTY, ONTARIO in 1858.

http://www.ancestorsatrest.com/perth_county_ontario/old_st.marys_protestant_cemetery_good.shtml

Expenses In Death 1733

Death Records come in many different forms. This is an interesting record from 1733.

Halloween Gallagher 1892~1953

Believe it or not, some children born on Oct. 31st are given the first name HALLOWEEN by their parents.

Found in the SSDI (Social Security Death Index) for Georgia:

Halloween Venable b. OCt 31, 1892 d Sept 1974

Halloween Kea 1916-1992

Haloween Russell 1921-1981.

But my personal fav is Halloween Gallagher born in Penetanguishene
Ontario 31 Oct 1892 to parents William and Agnes. Why is she my fav?
Because Penetang (as it's called) is not far from where I live!

Halloween went on to marry John Thomas Codnere from Toronto. In 1951
Halloween Codnere is found in the Border Crossing Records going from
Canada to Ashville North Carolina to join her husband, Dr. J. T. Codnere. She died in Sept. 1953 in Skyland, Buncombe North Carolina,
and her death certificate is online. I haven't found her tombstone but
I'd sure like to see a photo of it!

Featured Coffin Plate: Sophronia Clark 1823-1878

Featured Coffin Plate today is for Sophronia Clark 1823~1878 Found in Maine

1858 River Bend Cemetery Co. Alvah Taylor Rhode Island

1858 River Bend Cemetery Co. Deed #43 Alvah Taylor Rhode Island.

Bid on this Item

Featured Coffin Plate: Betsey A. Cheney 1824-1872

Featured Coffin Plate: Betsey A Cheney 1824~1872 Found in Vermont

Ontario Cenotaph Records on Ancestors At Rest

In my travels around Ontario I often take photos of Cenotaphs. If you have a WW1 or WW2 Ontario ancestor. It might be worth a look.

Guelph Cenotaph Wellington County, Ontario.
Meaford Cenotaph Grey County, Ontario.
Port McNicoll Cenotaph Simcoe County, Ontario.
Royal Canadian Horse Artillery Kingston Ontario.
Twenty First Canadian Infantry Battalion Kingston Ontario.
Elmvale Cenotaph Simcoe County, Ontario.
Saugeen Indian Reserve Cenotaph Bruce County, Ontario.
Waverley Simcoe County, Ontario, For the townships of Medonte, Tay, Tiny and Floss.
St. Marys Perth County, Ontario
Cookstown Ontario
Nichol Township Salem Ontario.
Midland Simcoe County Ontario.
Penetanguishene Simcoe County Ontario.

Ontario Cenotaph Records

Tombstone Tuesday: Drummond Hill Cemetery, Niagara Falls Ontario

Well its Tombstone Tuesday again.  This week I have decided to feature a grave marker in Drummond Hill Cemetery, Niagara Falls Ontario. Drummond Hill Cemetery named in honour of General Drummond, is a nationally recognized heritage site. It's known as the battleground of the "Battle of Lundy’s Lane", as well as the burial site of Laura Secord.

In 1799 Christopher Buchner purchased 400 acres of land from his father-in-law, James Forsythe. Christopher used the top of the hill as a burial ground. It later became the site of a fierce battle between the British and the Americans in 1814.

The gravestone is for Rheumanah Muisiners [Misener] who died in 1836. This is an early tombstone for Ontario. Many of the early settlers did not have the luxury of a fancy grave marker.

Rheumanah (nee Lanton) was the wife of Peter Misener from New Jersey. He was a soldier in Butler's Rangers and a Loyalist.

Movie Monday: 2 Cemetery Walks in Ontario Canada

It's Movie Monday again and this week Lorine has added two Cemetery Walk Videos for you on the Olive Tree Genealogy YouTube Channel.

Farnham Cemetery and St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery

Featured Coffin Plate: Alexander Cameron 1806-1889

Alexander Cameron 1806~1889 is the featured Coffin Plate for today

Ida Chase's Grave Robbed - Police Look for Grave Robbers & Descendants

Harwich police are searching for someone who broke into an imposing mausoleum, smashed through marble and slate walls, and opened the coffin of a woman who died a century ago, reports the Cape Cod Times.

Ida Chase died in 1913. She was put to rest in a grand mausoleum in Mount Pleasant Cemetery on South Street, along with her husband, a baby and two other female family members. The police suspect the grave robbers believed the mausoleum contained the remains of a wealthy woman buried with her valuable jewelry, and that's what they were after.

Continue reading...

No living relatives have been found. No doubt the police could use a genealogist or two on staff! Police are looking for more information and I wonder if they'd appreciate some genealogists having a hunt for Ida and any living descendants.

UPDATE: Okay I confess. I'm curious beyond belief! I watched an online video where Police took viewers into the actual mauseleum. By pausing the video I was able to read the inscription on Ida's tomb

Ida M. Chase

wife of George M. Chase

Born Sept. 2 1855

Died May 8 1913

A search of Ancestry.com found the couple living in Boston Ward 1, Suffolk, Massachusetts in 1910. Both were born in Massachusetts. According to the census, they had one child, but none were living

Tombstone Tuesday John Bell 1825~1904

Well its Tombstone Tuesday again and I thought I would post the tombstone of John Bell. John is buried in Batteau Hill Cemetery near Duntroon in Simcoe County Ontario. He is buried with his wife Mary and his son Malcom and daughter Catharine. It is interesting that Catharine and Malcom never married.

You can see the rest of Batteau Hill Cemetery at
Ancestors At Rest

Featured Coffin Plate: Thomas Christie, Ontario Canada

Featured coffin plate is a Canadian one for Thomas Christie of Hasting County Ontario

Tombstone Tuesday: Sisters die 4 days apart

This is a very sad tombstone for the little daughters of Thomas and Mary King in Arkell Ontario.

Little Catherine died first at the age of 5, on Dec. 9, 1870. Four days later her one year old sister Mary Ann died. Their mother had died previously in childbirth with Mary Ann.

"Mary Ann d. Dec 13, 1870 age 1 yr, 2 mos, 2 days


Catherine d. Dec. 9 1870 age 5 yrs, 7 mos, 16 days


Children of Thomas W. & Mary A. King"

A search for their death records shows that both little girls died of diptheria.

Featured Coffin Plate: Mark Burgess 1825-1886

Featured coffin plate: Mark Burgess 1825~1886 Found in Maine

Muslim community told cemetery is illegal, asked to move the dead

Members of a small Muslim community in rural upstate New York say the uproar over a planned mosque near ground zero is behind attempts by local officials to shut down the community’s graveyard and remove the two bodies buried there.

Hans Hass of the Osmanli Naksibendi Hakkani community, 210 kilometres northwest of New York City, said Tuesday that anti-Islamic bigotry motivated the Sidney Town Board’s vote in August to pursue legal action to shut down the Sufi community’s cemetery.

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Tombstone Tuesday

For this weeks Tombstone Tuesday I have decided to feature the tombstone of Margaret Hogg. Poor Margaret died at the young age of 36 in 1884. I dont know any thing about Margaret but in my mind I see her as a sweet pretty young woman who died way too young. I can not even begin to emagen the pain her husband Samuel must of felt at her passing.

Gone but not forgotten
IN
MEMORY OF
MARGARET
Beloved Wife Of
SAMUEL HOGG
DIED
Dec 18. 1884
AGED
36 YEARS

Margaret is burried in
ALLENFORD CEMETERY IN ALLENFORD, BRUCE COUNTY, ONTARIO

Featured Coffin Plate: Lyman P. Bradley died 1875

Today's featured coffin plate is for Lyman P Bradley 1815~1875

Tombstone Tuesday, A Lost Ship And A Battlefield Far From Home

Well in honour of Tombstone Tuesday I will blog a little about a grave stone in my local cemetery. The grave stone is located in Lakeview Cemetery in Midland, Simcoe County Ontario. It always surprises me the connections to history I find in my cemetery photos. The tombstone in question is not really remarkable in its self. Its just a typical late 19th century grave marker. Just like millions of others in cemeteries all over North America. But the inscription on this stone is what caught my attention. For it brings us into contact with two events right out of the history books. A mysterious lost ship and a great WW1 battle.

The first event would be well known to anyone with an interest in Great Lakes history. The mysterious disappearance of the ship Bannockburn.

The Bannockburn was a 245 foot long, 1,620-ton steel steamer built in 1893 at Middlesborough, Scotland, by Sir Raylton Dix and Company. On November 21st, 1902, the Bannockburn left the Canadian Northern elevator at Port Arthur bound for Midland Ontario on her last trip of the season. She was loaded to the gills with 85,000 bushels of wheat. The ship was sighted on the evening of the 21st steamer Algonquin. She was never seen again. The Bannockburn and her crew of 20 including George Stephens, had vanished.

The second event recorded on this stone is the death of Richard Stephens at the Battle of Cambrai in Oct 1918. Between 26 September and 11 October, Canadian troops advanced twenty-three miles through the heart of the German defences in some of the worst fighting of WW1.

See More Graves In Lakeview Cemetery in Midland

Featured Coffin Plate: Philander Bodwell of Massachusetts

Today we feature the coffin plate of Philander Bodwell 1818~1863 Philander was born in Vermont or New Hampshire and died in Massachusetts

Featured Coffin Plate: Mary Etta Barker of Ohio

The featured coffin plate today is for Mary Etta Barker 1851~1898 This coffin plate was found in Ohio.

Coffin Plate of Mary Luce 1801 ~ 1874

I have added the Coffin Plate of Mary Luce 1801 ~ 1874. I did a little looking and Mary may be from Massachusetts but that is just a guess. It would take a little more digging.

Mary Luce Coffin Plate

Immigration Collection free through Labor Day

Ancestry announced today it has launched a collection of more than 1,700 recorded oral histories from immigrants who arrived in the United States through Ellis Island. This is the first time this collection of recordings has been available online. To celebrate the new addition, Ancestry is making its entire U.S. Immigration Collection free through Labor Day.

Ellis Island was the gateway for millions of immigrants between 1892 and 1954. The oral histories were captured by the National Park Service starting in the 1970s, and contain uniquely inspiring first-hand accounts recalling the lives these immigrants left behind, their reasons for leaving and their incredible and often-trying journeys to America. These recordings are housed at the Ellis Island Immigration Museum and until now could be heard only by visitors to the Island itself. In addition to oral histories from immigrants, the collection also includes recordings from military personnel who were stationed on Ellis Island and former Ellis Island/Statue of Liberty workers.

Featured Coffin Plate: Edward Bailey

The featured coffin plate for today is for Edward Bailey 1792~1871

Featured Coffin Plate: Sarah E. Bailey of Connecticut

Today's Featured Coffin Plate is for Sarah E Bailey 1833~1889 It was found in Connecticut.

A Genealogy Gift

My genealogy and family history is really an important part of my life. I take great pride and derive great pleasure from my family history. One of the the things that I love the most is seeing or touching things that were part of my ancestors life. Buildings they worked in or lived in. Furniture they sat on or books the read. It makes them come alive for me and seem like real people. Not just names in a book. Well just this weekend I was fortunate to be given a very special gift. I went to visit my uncle Mac and he presented me with a direct link to my Great Great Grandfather Samuel Sandercock. His moustache cup. Samuel had a big moustache his entire adult life. And i guess it would get a little wet when he had his tea. So as was common at the time he had a moustache cup. Its not a valuable thing. At an antique store it would probably only fetch $50 or so but to me it is priceless.

Featured Coffin Plate: Robert Andrews

Today's featured coffin plate is for Robert Andrews 1786~1870

I wish I knew more about Robert but it's a rather common name! I also have the coffin plate for Lucy Andrews 1790 ~ 1869 and think it quite possible that they were husband and wife.

Ancestor Death Record Finder

Can't find your ancestor in death records?


Most genealogists search death records such as Cemetery records, Obituaries and Vital Stats (Death Registrations or Certificates). If we don't find our ancestor in one of those death records, we're stuck! Where to search next? The free ADF (Ancestor Death Finder) can help.

What happens when a loved one dies? What events take place around the death of a family member? What kind of death record paper trail is created on the death of an individual? The answers to these questions will lead you to other sources of death records and hopefully end that brick-wall.


When an ancestor dies, many records of that death might be created. Let's talk about records kept before an ancestor death and those created after a death.

Continue reading

Funeral homes subsidizing services for the poor

We can't afford to bury the poor, undertakers say

Local funeral homes say they can no longer afford to spend millions a year subsidizing dignified farewells for the poorest Torontonians.

Under Ontario’s Funeral, Burial and Cremations Act, municipalities have the discretion to pay for services for people who received Ontario Works benefits or were on the Ontario Disability Support Program. Most get pickup, embalming, a particleboard casket covered by grey cloth with white rayon interior, a service, clergy honorarium, a hearse, “lead car” and limo for family, and burial or cremation.

Read more by clicking on undertakers

COPS BUST GRAVE SITE ROBBER

Twenty bronze vases from grave sites were found when police stopped a vehicle in Montgomery County. At least 13 were found to be stolen from Conroe Memorial Park. Read the rest of this article at http://montgomerycountypolicereporter.com/?p=9158

Hundreds Of Bodies Misplaced at Arlington National Cemetery

A seven-month long Army investigation has revealed a disturbing degree of mismanagement at Arlington National Cemetery including misplaced remains, mislabeled graves and one case of bodies buried on top of one another.

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The Coffin Plate of Silas Hanchet 1780 ~ 1848

I have just added the Coffin Plate of Silas Hanchet 1780 ~ 1848 on AncestorsAtRest.com This plate for old Silas is kind of interesting and rare. The date of 1848 makes it is an early plate. In fact this style of coffin plate is perhaps the first industrial manufactured plate. Up to this time most coffin plates had been manufactured locally by craftsmen. It is also interesting in that the inscription tells us Silas was a Mason. The date of death is written using the Masonic Calendar.

The Coffin Plate of Susie Pink 1865 ~ 1897

I have just added the Coffin Plate of Susie Pink 1865 ~ 1897.

Revised Edition Van Slyke Family in America NOW AVAILABLE!

The Van Slyke Family in America: A Genealogy of Cornelise Antonissen Van Slyke, 1604-1676 and his Mohawk Wife Ots-Toch, including the story of Jacques Hertel, 1603-1651,
Father of Ots-Toch and Interpreter to Samuel de Champlain REVISED EDITION by Lorine McGinnis Schulze is now available for purchase.

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Irish Famine Migration to New Brunswick, 1845-1852

I spoted this on the Olive Tree Genealogy Blog Weekly Featured Database. In the Wake of Dark Passage: Irish Famine Migration to New Brunswick, 1845-1852 is a fantastic new database that is worth a look.

* Saint John Almshouse Records
* Brenan Funeral Home Records: Traces of Ireland
* Fitzwilliam Estate Emigration Books 1847-1856
* RS555 Provincial Secretary: Immigration Administration Records
* Immigrant Letters
* Newspapers
* Passenger Lists
* Teachers Petition Database
* Irish Immigrants in the New Brunswick Census of 1851 and 1861

Help Find a WW2 Soldier from Illinois

The Olive Tree Genealogy Blog has another interesting little puzzle. Jill in Australia found another Dog Tag belonging to an American WW2 soldier. This military identification tag belonged to Randall E. Packard. His next of kin was Margaret [L.?] Packard of 406 Ash Street in Carbondale Illinois. Can you help with this?

More Coffin Plates Added

I have added a few more coffin plates to the database today. Julia M Morrison, Alice Burke, Celia Connelly, Thomas Kelly and Mary Foley. You can search the index to coffin plates at Coffin Plates

Coal miners' grave sites tell a little-known story

The Newcastle Historic Coal Miner's Cemetery is the kind of place familiar to a few local kids and invisible to most everyone else. It's tucked up on a hill and secured by a locked gate. The closest most visitors get is a sign that says "King County Historical Site."

But a couple of years ago, some curious genealogists from the Seattle Genealogical Society were drawn to the 2-acre site where tall trees shade crumbling headstones. They don't have ancestors of their own buried there, but they wanted to document the cemetery, which hadn't been mapped since the 1960s. The city of Newcastle granted them access.

Read More

Over 300 Million New Names Added Online

There were over 150 new collections added or enhanced this week at
FamilySearch.org. FamilySearch volunteers indexed over 120 million
records—over 300 million new names—from original source documents to
accomplish this great feat. The massive release was announced this
past week at the National Genealogical Society annual conference in
Salt Lake City, Utah.

The records can be found at FamilySearch’s Record Search pilot
http://pilot.familysearch.org/ (FamilySearch.org, click Search
Records, and then click Record Search pilot) or Beta.FamilySearch.org.
http://beta.familysearch.org/Be sure to share the good news with
family and friends.

Collection Name
Records Indexed

Argentina Baptisms , 1645—1930
4,209,653

Argentina Marriages , 1722—1911
150,895

Australia Deaths and Burials , 1816—1980
106,767

Austria Births and Baptisms , 1651—1940
88,885

Austria Burials , 1768 – 1918
31,756

Austria Marriages , 1722 — 1898
25,383

Bahamas Births , 1550—1891
53,476

Barbados Baptisms , 1739—1891
222,010

Barbados Burials , 1854—1885
92,226

Barbados Marriages , 1854—1879
15,666

Belgium Births and Baptisms , 1560—1890
354,038

Belgium Deaths and Burials , 1564—1900
67,182

Brazil Baptisms , 1688—1935
3,597,609

Brazil Deaths , 1750—1890
43,931

Brazil Marriages , 1730—1955
475,107

Canada Births and Baptisms , 1661—1959
2,160,243

Canada Deaths and Burials , 1664—1955
101,189

Canada Marriages , 1661—1949
262,982

British Columbia Death Registrations , 1872—1986
928,851

British Columbia Marriage Registrations , 1859—1932
124,593

New Brunswick Births , 1819—1899
25,414

Nova Scotia Births , 1702—1896
125,791

Nova Scotia Marriages , 1711—1909
32,245

Ontario Births , 1779—1899
455,469

Ontario Marriages , 1800—1910
28,574

Quebec Births , 1662—1898
27,212

Caribbean Births , 1590—1928
438,073

Caribbean Deaths , 1790—1906
13,088

Caribbean Marriages , 1591—1905
88,186

Costa Rica Baptisms , 1700—1915
176,574

Costa Rica Deaths , 1787—1900
31,505

Costa Rica Marriages , 1750—1920
57,849

Czech Republic Births , 1637—1889
33,062

Czech Republic Marriages , 1654—1889
12,698

Dominican Republic Baptisms , 1726—1924
114,209

Dominican Republic Deaths , 1666—1862
14,636

Dominican Republic Marriages , 1743—1929
31,992

Ecuador Baptisms , 1680—1930
593,710

Ecuador Deaths , 1800—1920
43,852

Ecuador Marriages , 1680—1930
271,061

El Salvador Baptisms , 1750—1940
218,500

El Salvador Marriages , 1810—1930
28,162

France Deaths and Burials , 1546—1960
347,368

France Marriages , 1546—1924
1,397,204

Germany Births and Baptisms , 1558—1898
33,749,332

Gibraltar Marriages , 1879—1918
2,201

Gibralter Births and Baptisms , 1704—1876
30,515

Great Britain Deaths and Burials , 1778—1988
69,278

Great Britain Marriages , 1797—1988
22,036

Channel Islands Births and Baptisms , 1820—1907
41,647

Isle of Man Births and Baptisms , 1821—1911
224,489

Isle of Man Deaths and Burials , 1844—1911
42,389

Isle of Man Marriages , 1849—1911
42,662

Wales, Births and Baptisms , 1586—1907
773,392

Wales, Deaths and Burials, 1586—1885
15,109

Wales, Marriages, 1541—1900
39,630

Grenada Births and Baptisms , 1866—1891
33,239

Guatemala Baptisms , 1730—1917
466,223

Guatemala Deaths , 1760—1880
20,921

Guatemala Marriages , 1750—1930
112,610

Hondurus Baptisms , 1730—1930
220,317

Hondurus Marriages , 1800—1910
31,686

Hungary Baptisms , 1734—1895
14,210

Iceland Marriages , 1770—1920
42,954

India Births and Baptisms , 1800—1945
887,579

India Deaths and Burials , 1800—1945
566,529

India Marriages , 1800—1945
203,970

Ireland Deaths , 1864—1870
51,249

Italy Births and Baptisms , 1806—1900
1,940,693

Italy Deaths and Burials , 1809—1900
438,494

Jamaica Births and Baptisms , 1752—1920
331,497

Luxembourg Births , 1662—1840
7,835

Luxembourg Deaths , 1702—1798
1,554

Luxembourg Marriages , 1700—1810
1471

Mexico Deaths , 1680—1940
362,067

Mexico Marriages , 1570—1950
6,232,176

Panama Baptisms , 1750—1938
269,054

Panama Deaths , 1840—1930
21,463

Panama Marriages , 1800—1950
39,839

Paraguay Baptisms , 1800—1930
101,337

Paraguay Marriages , 1800—1900
14,400

Peru Baptisms , 1556—1930
4,013,461

Peru Deaths , 1750—1930
101,257

Peru Marriages , 1600—1940
443,248

Philippines Births and Baptisms , 1642—1994
334,139

Philippines Deaths and Burials , 1726—1957
5,128,622

Philippines Marriages , 1723—1957
2,247,381

Portugal Baptisms , 1570—1910
424,354

Portugal Deaths , 1640—1910
100,234

Portugal Marriages , 1670—1910
59,735

Russia Births and Baptisms , 1755—1917
170,844

Russia Deaths and Burials , 1815—1917
100,647

Russia Marriages , 1793—1919
33,559

Samoa Baptisms , 1863—1940
28,013

Samoa Burials , 1895—1970
42,061

Spain Deaths , 1600—1920
186,259

Sweden Baptisms, 1611—1920
9,280,828

Sweden Burials, 1649-1920
1,207,501

Sweden Marriages, 1630-1920
2,243,064

Switzerland Baptisms , 1491-1940
1,001,685

Switzerland Burials , 1613-1875
138,011

Switzerland Marriages , 1532-1910
268,739

Switzerland, Basel City Church Books, 1380-1917
Images Only

Switzerland, Schaffhausen Genealogies and City Directories, 1460-1952
Images Only

Ukraine, Births and Baptisms
14,166

Uruguay Marriages , 1840—1900
19,810

United States 1910 Federal Census (AZ, CA, DE, FL)
4,078,117

United States Births , 1867—1931
20,946

United States Deaths , 1867—1961
3,705

United States Marriages , 1733—1990
7,176

Arizona Births and Christenings , 1909—1917
27,483

Arizona Deaths , 1910—1911; 1993—1994
10,168

Arizona Marriages , 1888—1908
75,094

Arkansas Births and Christenings , 1880—1893
11,724

Arkansas Deaths and Burials, 1882—1929; 1945—1963
38,956

Arkansas Marriages , 1837—1944
1,005,608

Delaware Births and Christenings , 1710—1896
30,298

Delaware Deaths and Burials , 1815—1955
209,592

Delaware Marriages , 1713—1953
70,024

District of Columbia Births and Christenings , 1830—1955
121,224

District of Columbia Deaths and Burials , 1840—1964
372,173

District of Columbia Marriages , 1830—1921
242,760

Florida Births and Christenings , 1880—1935
28,301

Florida Deaths and Burials , 1900—1921
24,800

Florida Marriages , 1837—1974
860,110

Hawaii Births and Christenings , 1852—1933
150,992

Hawaii Deaths and Burials , 1862—1919
105,519

Hawaii Marriages , 1826—1922
103,871

Idaho Births and Christenings , 1856—1965
75,881

Idaho Deaths and Burials , 1907—1965
31,253

Idaho Marriages , 1878—1898/1903—1942
88,588

Kansas Births and Christenings , 1818—1936
59,392

Kansas Deaths and Burials , 1885—1930
39,907

Kansas Marriages , 1840—1935
378,903

Kentucky Births and Christenings , 1839—1960
547,119

Kentucky Deaths and Burials , 1843—1970
1,971,681

Kentucky Marriages , 1785—1979
1,532,718

Louisiana Births, Christenings , 1811—1830; 1854—1934
16,890

Louisiana Marriages , 1816—1906
129,641

Maine Births and Christenings , 1739—1900
940,882

Maine Deaths and Burials , 1841—1910
172,879

Maine Marriages , 1771—1907
597,508

Maryland Births and Christenings , 1650—1995
206,288

Maryland Deaths and Burials , 1877—1992
11,686

Maryland Marriages , 1666—1970
253,727

Montana Marriages , 1889—1947
197,930

New Mexico Births and Christenings , 1726—1918
435,411

New Mexico Deaths , 1788—1798; 1838—1955
9,627

New Mexico Marriages , 1751—1918
93,387

New York Births and Christenings , 1640—1962
1,351,166

New York Deaths and Burials , 1795—1952
701,396

New York Marriages , 1686—1980
859,927

North Carolina Births and Christenings , 1866—1964
156,156

North Carolina Deaths and Burials , 1898—1994
2,742,609

North Carolina Marriages , 1759—1979
2,128,391

Ohio Deaths and Burials , 1854—1997
2,535,557

Oregon Births and Christenings , 1868—1929
70,253

Oregon Deaths and Burials , 1903—1947
29,035

Oregon Marriages , 1853—1935
57,523

South Dakota State Census+B21 , 1935
673,322

Tennessee County Marriages, 1790—1950
10,145

Utah Births and Christenings , 1892—1941
48,049

Utah Deaths , 1888—1946
148,933

Utah Marriages , 1887—1966
308,854

Vermont Births and Christenings , 1765—1908
402,329

Vermont Deaths , 1871—1965
235,415

Vermont Marriages , 1791—1974
185,433

Virginia Deaths and Burials , 1853—1912
785,241

West Virginia Births and Christenings , 1853—1928
544,589

West Virginia Deaths and Burials , 1854—1932
56,688

West Virginia Marriages , 1854—1932
203,378

Wyoming Marriages , 1877—1920
14,070

World Misc Births , 1534—1983
616,742

World Misc Deaths , 1767—1950
15269

World Misc Marriages , 1662—1945
28668

Who Do You Think You Are with Spike Lee

Tonight is the last episode of Who Do You Think You Are? This Week's Episode features Spike Lee and looks like it should be quite interesting. The website for Who Do You Think You Are? can be found at http://www.nbc.com/who-do-you-think-you-are/. The website features bios of the celebrities featured in the show, photos, and several video clips as well as articles on how to get started in family history.

Ancestry.com is a partner with NBC on this genealogy show.

I'm going to miss the show when it is over but NBC has picked it up for another season!

Who Do You Think You Are?

Last nights episode of Who Do You Think You Are? featuring Susan Sarandon was pretty good. I enjoyed this episode quite a bit more than the last one. This episode focused on Susan's attempts to find out what had what had happened to her grandmother Anita who was last seen in the 1930s. I don't want to spoil it for anyone who has not had a chance to see it yet but I will say that they do find out what happened to Anita.

If you did not get a chance to watch last nights episode I would recommend you take the time. You can watch past episodes at NBC.Com

Or go to
Ancestry.com to start looking for your own ancestors. Ancestry.com is a partner with NBC on this genealogy show.

Dont Forget, Who Do You Think You Are? Is Back On This Week

This Week's Episode of Who Do You Think You Are? will air this Friday. Susan Sarandon sets out to learn more about her grandmother Anita, who led a life shrouded with mystery and who disappeared out of Susan's mother's life when her mother was just a child. In the episode, Susan visits the New York City Public Library and the New City Library in Rockland, New York.

You can learn more about
Who Do You Think You Are? on the NBC website.

Soldier's cross found under junk pile

A rare historical artefact from World War I, found languishing among rubbish in a Lumsden church, has been preserved for future generations.

The hand-crafted wooden cross, which marked the grave of Captain Eric Buckingham Alley in a cemetery near Flanders, was believed to be one of only two crosses of its type in New Zealand.

Read More

DNA from letters helps identify Pearl Harbor casualty

DNA lifted from envelopes sent home by a young sailor aboard the battleship USS Oklahoma in 1941 helped identify his remains 68 years after he died at Pearl Harbor.
Read More

Archaeologists discover a Roman-era mummy

A Roman-era mummy was recently unearthed in a Bahariya Oasis cemetery, about 190 miles southwest of Cairo. The 3-foot-tall female mummy was discovered by Egyptian archaeologists. The figure was found covered with plaster decorated to resemble Roman dress and jewelry,

Read More

'Vandal pinned down by Jesus tombstone Down Under'

A man was pinned to the ground by a tombstone bearing an image of Jesus during an alleged vandalism attack on a Brisbane cemetery, a court has heard.
Read More

Tip Of The Week - Manitoba Vital Stats

Manitoba Vital Statistics. Genealogy Searches for Unrestricted Records. Manitoba has unrestricted access to the following records online:

Births more than 100 years ago.
Marriages more than 80 years ago.
Deaths more than 70 years ago.

Burial Records for Grace Church New York

Have you seen Grace Church, Jamaica (Queens) Burials 1710-1731 and

Grace Church, Jamaica New York Tombstone Recordings ? They are free online on Olive Tree Genealogy website

Tip Of The Week - Alabama Deaths On FamilySearch.org

Family Search has some great death records for Alabama. Alabama Deaths statewide 1908-1974

Tip Of The Week - Michigan Death Records

In my travels around the net I often find interesting death record databases that I think are worthy of note. So I have decided that each Saturday I will Blog about a database that I have found useful. So with that in mind...........

Seeking Michigan has searchable indexes plus images of death records from 1897 to 1920. This Library of Michigan collection of Michigan death certificates features nearly 1 million records. Information includes the decedent's birth date and place, parents' names and birthplace, cemetery name and location, and much more.

Adding Coffin Plates

I am going to spend today adding more coffin plates to my pages. I am working on Frances M Heald right now.

Caretaker of Kabul's British cemetery Rahimullah dies

Last week, after almost 30 years of tending the graves in the British Cemetery — through a two foreign invasions, Taleban rule and a civil war — the elderly caretaker was laid to rest in a Muslim graveyard not far from where he worked.

READ MORE

DNA From A 4000 Year Old Graveyard

Chinese archeologists have excavated an extraordinary cemetery. Its inhabitants died almost 4,000 years ago, yet their bodies have been well preserved by the dry air.

Read More....

Press Release - WW1 Soldiers killed at Fromelles are identified

While they could not be named individually, three British soldiers were confirmed to be among the 250 soldiers recovered from the mass graves at Pheasant Wood and 128 were confirmed to have served the Australian Army. The remaining 44 are, for the time being, classified as ‘unknown’.

Veterans Minister Kevan Jones said:

“Identification is a challenging task and this has been no exception. We are disappointed that there was insufficient evidence to name British soldiers but I would like to thank the families for the support that they have all given to this project.

“Although no British soldiers could be named, I am pleased that we can confirm three having served with the British Army. What is most important is that these men have all been laid to rest with the dignity and honour they deserve. The identification process will remain open for another four years, and I hope that families will continue to make contact.”

Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, said;

"Of the 250 soldiers found, I am pleased to announce that 203 have been identified as Australians, and that 75 of these have been positively identified by name.

"The number of soldiers that we have been able to identify exceeds even our most optimistic forecasts. We are unlikely to identify every man; however, we will continue to take all reasonable steps to maximise those named in the future.

"Each of the 250 sets of remains that were found have been analysed using all available historical, anthropological, artefact and DNA evidence. For those who have been identified so far, DNA proved to be a key piece of the identification puzzle.

"I am also pleased to say that we have strong reason to believe that more identification could occur in the future.”

A Joint Identification Board, with members representing the British and Australian Governments, considered the available evidence including DNA from the soldiers’ remains and from the families who came forward. Where there was clear and compelling evidence the Board was able to confirm the identities of individual soldiers.

The Board will reconvene in May to consider additional family samples that have only recently been returned from Australia. This additional testing and second Board will help ensure that as many soldiers as possible are identified before the 19 July 2010 commemorative event that will mark the official opening of the new cemetery.

Notes for Editors

1. The full list of names of Australian servicemen who have been identified is available on the Fromelles Project web site www.cwgc.org/fromelles
2. The remains of 250 World War 1 soldiers killed in the 1916 Battle of Fromelles were recovered last year and reburied with military honours at a new military cemetery constructed by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
3. The reinterment of 249 of the 250 soldiers from Pheasant Wood was completed in mid February. The burials were each conducted in a dignified military ceremony by serving members of both the British and Australian Armies. The remaining soldier, who will be representative of all those who died in the Battle of Fromelles but who have no known grave, will be reinterred during the Commemorative Event on 19 July 2010.
4. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has published a list of names at www.cwgc.org/fromelles of those soldiers who may be among those yet to be identified. Families who believe they have connections to, or information on, one of the soldiers are being encouraged to come forward to assist with the process which remain open until 2014.
5. Anyone believing they may be related to a British soldier should contact the Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre, Historic Casualty & Deceased Estates Casework, Services Personnel and Veterans Agency, Building 182, Imjin Barracks, Gloucester GL3 1HW, email: Fromelles@spva.mod.uk telephone: +44 (0)1452 712612 x 6303 or 6256.
6. For more information, please contact Roz Britton-Elliot, MOD Press Office, 0207 218 5903.

Happy St Pats To All My Irish Ancestors

In honor of St Patricks day I thought I would talk about all my Irish ancestors. I have many Irish ancestors. So many in fact that if asked about my ethnic background I always say Irish first. Truth be told I probably have more English DNA than any thing else but it is my Irish heritage that speaks to me. I think that's perhaps the reason for my love of Irish music. So in honor of all my Irish ancestors who came to North America in search of a better life.............

* William Massey from Delgany, Wicklow Ireland arrived Quebec before 1843. 3rd g grandpa.

* William Montgomery (4th g grpa) from Co Fermanagh left Ireland during War of 1812 with his parents Thomas Montgomery and Mary Johnson (5th g grandparents). They were captured by British off coast of Newfoundland and held prisoners until 1816 then sent to Quebec. Later Thomas and Mary left for Oneida Co. New York but William remained in Quebec and married Jane Graham from Ireland.

* Jane Graham 4th g grandma.

* Cornelius Kennedy born Killarney and his wife Elizabeth Clifford (4th greats) born Co. Derry came to Ontario circa 1847 during Irish Famine. Their daughter Catherine Kennedy (3rd great) also born Ireland.

* Mary Jackson nee McKanor (4th g gramma) and son William Jackson (3rd g grandpa) from Tipperary sailed on Sir Robert Peel to New York in Oct. 1857. Came on to Ontario a few years later.

* James Hogan and wife Ann Hayden came to Ontario from Ireland ca 1843 4th g grandparents.

* James Holden, wife Frances Hamilton (4th g grandparents), son Sinclair Holden (3rd g grandpa) came from Co. Tyrone, Ireland between 1822 and 1826 to Whitby Ontario.

Who Do You Think You Are - Who's On When

The TV genealogy series, Who Do You Think You Are? at 8:00 Eastern/7:00 Central Time is on NBC every Friday. Here is the schedule so you don't miss it:

* March 5 – Sarah Jessica Parker
* March 12 – Emmitt Smith
* March 19 – Lisa Kudrow
* March 26 – Matthew Broderick
* April 2 – Brooke Shields
* April 9 – Susan Sarandon
* April 23 – Spike Lee

Olive Tree Genealogy Blog posted thoughts and critiques of the last two episodes. You can read them at

Episode 1

Episode 2

There is also a companion book which sounds pretty good!

My Thoughts on Who Do You Think You Are

It seems like everyone is talking about Who Do You Think You Are. So I guess it is time for me to join the crowd and say something. Having watched the first two episodes I can say for me the second one was a little better than the first. So hopefully it will continue to improve as we go along. It is not that there was anything really bad about the first episode. I just found the second one a little more interesting, perhaps because of my own black ancestry.

There were of course some issues with the genealogy presented in each of the two shows. But you must give the producers a little leeway in this as they are trying to produce an enjoyable and exciting television show that is only one hour in length. No one would want to watch if they did not spice it up a little.

The first two episodes featured Sarah Jessica Parker and football player Emmitt Smith as they journeyed around the United States and the world in search of their ancestors. Now I know most of us can not afford to go flying all over the world looking for our ancestors but fortunately we can do a lot of our research on line with company's like Ancestry.com. In fact Ancestry was one of the sponsors of Who Do You Think You Are.

In the case of Emmitt Smith they also used DNA testing to explore his ancestry. This DNA testing is quite interesting as it can provide information that you sometimes just can not find any other way. For Emmitt it gave him some insight into his white and native American background that researchers using more traditional methods were unable to find.

So all in all I think it is a good show that is well worth watching. It will inspire many current genealogists to get back to work. I also think it will create a whole new crop of genealogists both young and old to start digging into their family tree.

I just hope all the new genealogists don't take up my place at the microfilm reader.

WHAT ABOUT THE WOMEN?

Today's post on the Olive Tree Genealogy Blog is honoring International Women's Day. In honour of the unsung and unknown female ancestors in our family tree, take some time today, this week and this month to pick one and find out more about her.

I am going to spend some time looking for my 5th Great Grandmother Margaret Drummond. I know almost nothing about Margaret other than she was born in Scotland 1780~1820. Not much to go on but I think she deserves another look.

Family History Sweeps. $20,000 Ultimate Family History Journey™ Sweepstakes. Enter today

Family History Sweeps. $20,000 Ultimate Family History Journey™ Sweepstakes. Enter today.

Daughter discovers a genealogy gold mine in father's letters

Oswald Holzer, a Jewish physician, deserted the Czechoslovakian Army in 1939 as Nazi Germany overtook the country and conscripted the army. He ended up in China where, eight days after they met, he married Ruth Alice Lequear on Sept. 20, 1940.

Nearly 60 years later, when Oswald and Ruth died within three days of each other, Schirm and her siblings discovered 534 documents dating back to 1885 and including 392 letters written to her father by 78 different people during World War II.

Read More

Can You Help Find a WW2 American Soldier

The Ask Olive Tree Blog posted an interesting puzzle today. A lady in Australia has found a WW2 dog tag is trying to find out about the owner.

Read More

Ancient Greenland man's DNA decoded

Scientists have pieced together most of the DNA of a man who lived in Greenland about 4,000 years ago, a pioneering feat that revealed hints about his appearance and even an increased risk of baldness.

It's the first genome from an ancient human, showing the potential for what one expert called a time machine for learning about the biology of ancient people.

Ancient Greenland man's DNA decoded

Website Updates

I have added some more Funeral Cards, Coffin Plates and Store Ledger Books.

56 kilos of opium found inside tombstone

Four people in Vancouver Canada charged with importing a controlled substance and possession for the purpose of trafficking after an imported tombstone was found packed with over 56 kilograms of opium. The 550-kilogram stone was shipped to B.C. from Iran and inspected at Vancouver International Airport, where border agents discovered a hidden cavity.

OliveTreeGenealogy Gives Away Footnote.com, Ancestry.com And GenealogyBank.com

Olive Tree Genealogy is giving away Subscriptions to Footnote.com , Ancestry.com and GenealogyBank.com as part of the Olive Tree 14th Birthday Bash. The draw for 5 lucky winners will take place on Feb. 15th. Names will be chosen from subscribers to the Olive Tree Genealogy newsletter. So go and sign up for the newsletter if you want a chance to win.

Hopewell Township, York County Pennsylvania, 1890 Tax Book

I have added some more pages to the Hopewell Township, York County Pennsylvania, 1890 Tax Book. Its an interesting little book that helps replace the missing 1890 census for Hopewell Township.

Hopewell Township Tax Book

I also have some pages from the Elk Creek Township, Erie County Pennsylvania, 1876 to 1878 Store Ledger Book.

Elk Creek Township

Sharing Memories (Week 10) - First Day and Year of School

Well as I was saying yesterday I am taking part in Sharing Memories - A Genealogy Journey. This weeks journal topic is Sharing Memories (Week 10) - First Day and Year of School . So with that in mind.....

I actually do remember my first day of school. At least a little bit. I can remember walking down the street to the bus stop. A little girl crying. The stale musty smell of the bus. But what I remember most about that day is meeting my first school friend, Greg Scott. Greg and I became best friends that day and for that first year of school we were inseparable. Sadly a year or so later he moved to another school.

Its funny but as I write this, I find little bits of scatted memories are popping back in to my head. I remember playing the part of the innkeeper in the Xmas pageant, Making snow flakes out of paper. The large communal sink in the boys washroom that you had to use your feet to make the water come on. Strange what we remember.

My first teacher was Carole Peet. She was a nice lady. I think she still lives around here some place, but she is long retired now I am sure. I remember she lived on a farm. She would bring baby chickens to school and other small critters. Perhaps that's part of the reason I have a bunch of critters my self.

Sharing Memories - A Genealogy Journey

I am taking part in Sharing Memories - A Genealogy Journey. Lorine of the Olive Tree Genealogy is hosting what one might call a genealogy journal writing club. It is a really neat idea and I think you will want to take a look.

Take A Genealogy Journey

It's important as genealogists that we not forget about writing our own story. And this series of blog articles is a great help for inspiring the rest of us to share our story with future generations.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the OLIVE TREE GENEALOGY

WOW. The Olive Tree Genealogy is one of the oldest genealogy sites on the web. "HAPPY 14th. BIRTHDAY OLIVE TREE GENEALOGY!!" Subscribers to the free Olive Tree Genealogy newsletter will be
entered in a Birthday Draw to win one of three terrific prizes. Join
today for a chance to win! Read more about the February 15, 2010 Birthday Celebration

Battle of Stoney Creek Graves

Hamilton Ontario councillors are looking to the federal government to cover the cost of drafting a plan to excavate suspected soldiers’ remains near Smith’s Knoll on King Street.

Read More

Coffin Plate of William Cochran 1805 ~ 1881

The Coffin Plate of William Cochran 1805 ~ 1881 is now online on AncestorsAtRest.com

William Cochran 1805 ~ 1881

No room in the cemetery for Haiti dead

Even in death, there is no dignity for the abandoned people of Haiti. The Grand Cimetière, the last home of the country's most famous families, has in five days turned from a place of respect and mourning into an installation of horror.

Read More

More Fillmore, Andrew County, Missouri

I have added more pages from the Fillmore, Andrew County, Missouri ledger book.

Fillmore, Andrew County, Missouri ledger book

Fillmore, Andrew County, Missouri. Genealogy Database

I have added a great little genealogy resource for Fillmore, Andrew County, Missouri. Its a ledger book that was used by the Town Board Of Trustees to record the minutes of their meetings. The ledger starts in 1900 and ends in 1910. It has 200 pages containing hundreds of local Fillmore, Andrew County, Missouri names. I have the first 50 pages online right now. The rest should be on in the next day or so.

Fillmore, Andrew County, Missouri

Coffin Plate of Simeon Pearl 1782 ~ 1864

I have added the Coffin Plate of Simeon Pearl 1782 ~ 1864. Simeon Pearl 1782 ~ 1864 I went and had a hunt for Simeon Pearl 1782 ~1 864 in the 1860 United States Federal Census on Ancestry.com. I think I found him in North Andover, Essex, Massachusetts.

Hamilton County Ohio Records online

Wow I just found a bunch of Hamilton County Ohio Records online. If you have Hamilton County Ohio ancestors you need to take a look.
Hamilton County Ohio Records

Or if you want to take a look at my Ohio pages go to Death Records for Ohio

Naturalization Records Updates

Hi all. I have updated the Naturalization Records section of AncestorsAtRest.com
I have added some links and a cool new map that will take you right to the state page for Naturalization Records on NaturalizationRecords.com.

NaturalizationRecords.com is the best site on the net for starting your search for Naturalization Records. Naturalization Records can be very important to your genealogical research but they are often overlooked.

AncestorsAtRest.com Naturalization Records

Coffin Plate of Betsy G Gray 1825 ~ 1888

I have added the Coffin Plate of Betsy G Gray 1825 ~ 1888. Betsy G Gray 1825 ~ 1888

Coffin Plate of William M Genschow 1872 ~ 1933

The Coffin Plate of William M Genschow 1872 ~ 1933 is now online. William M Genschow 1872 ~ 1933

Coffin Plate of Joanna C Locke 1844 ~ 1907

I have added the coffin plate of Coffin Plate of Joanna C Locke 1844 ~ 1907. Had a quick look in the 1900 United States Federal Census on Ancestry and it looks like she was born in Massachusetts. If you want to take a look at the coffin plate go to Joanna C Locke 1844 ~ 1907

Back to work

Well as many of you will have noticed I have not been Bloging much for the last little while. I have had to give my time to a few other projects but they are winding down now so I will be able to spend a little more time on the Bloging and on AncestorsAtRest.com So with that in mind I am going to spend the rest of the day adding a few coffin plates to the database.

Coffin Plate Database

1749 Widow's Rights in Massachusetts

An interesting notice about social customs in Massachusetts in 1749. Apparently if a man married a widow, he was excempt from her previous debts if she married him while barefoot and wearing only her nightgown.

1857 Ad for Coffins & Coffin Plates

An interesting 1857 ad for coffins and coffin plates. offin plates are decorative adornments attached to the coffin that contain free genealogical information like the name and death date of the deceased.

Cemetery Restoration Project

The restoration project of the Old General Cemetery at Williamsburg by the Covington County Genealogical & Historical Society is nearing completion.

The membership of the society is soliciting the aid of the descendants of families buried in this cemetery during the 1800s. Many of the earliest graves, dating prior to the Civil War, have missing markers.

30 burials have been identified so far and will be recorded on a monument. Anyone knowing additional names of those buried there will be able to have those names engraved on the monument.

Email hiliroc@c-gate.net for more information or to provide a name

Wreaths Across America

In national cemeteries across America the graves of hundreds of thousands of veterans will be adorned with Christmas wreaths during ceremonies set to take place simultaneously Saturday, Dec. 12.

Wreaths Across America is a tradition that began 18 years ago in Maine to recognize the service and sacrifice of veterans and their families. It has since spread across the country to include more than 400 national cemeteries, as well as 24 national cemeteries on foreign soil and several locations in Iraq.

Continue reading about Wreaths Across America

Uncovered Bodies From 170-Year-Old Tennessee Cemetery To Be Re-Buried

A developer has been given permission to go ahead and re-bury bodies from a 170year old cemetery that developers had planned to relocate into a 50-foot buffer zone mandated by a 2002 rezoning. The property is located in Ooltewah, Tennessee

View names of those buried in the Ooltewah Cemetery

A to K and L to Z

210-year-old Irish immigrant's grave uncovered in New York park

For 210 years the body of 28-year-old County Kildare native James Jackson, a young Irish immigrant, has lain undisturbed in the center of Manhattan’s Greenwich Village.
But this week, as park workers dug below Washington Square they revealed his gravestone, a three foot sandstone tablet buried so long ago that it’s a wonder the writing on his headstone is still so clear.

Read More About James Jackson

Ask Olive Tree Blog, A Fantastic Blog

If you are looking for answers to your genealogical questions try the Ask Olive Tree Blog. Queries, challenging genealogy puzzles, brick wall ancestors -- ask Olive Tree, get answers.

Ask Olive Tree Blog

Death Reports of American Citizens

Death Reports of American Citizens Abroad,1910-1974 has just been put online on Ancestry.com

Death Reports of American Citizens Abroad includes records of the U.S.
consular officers that reported to the Department of State the names
of U.S. citizens who died within their consular districts. These death
reports commonly provide acceptable documentation in the English
language for cases in which satisfactory proof of an American death
might be very difficult to obtain in any other form.

You might also want to consult the
Ancestor Death Record Finder to help you in your
search for an ancestor's death.

The free death records on AncestorsAtRest.com include Coffin Plates, Funeral
Cards, Obituaries, Cemetery records and more.