Ghosts of Christmas

GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS PAST

Made with Slideshow Embed Tool

Every year at Christmas time I get a bit nostalgic. Christmas as a child was usually a quiet affair, just the five of us and my paternal grandparents. When I met my husband I was a bit overwhelmed by the size of his family and their Christmas tradition of all gathering on Christmas eve to have a good meal and exchange presents and I grew to both love and dread holiday. Over the years our families grew up, new members were added by marriage and birth and we became scattered. Our final large family gathering was at my home in 2001 and was one of the best in my memory.

If I had to pick my happiest Christmas, it would be 2002. My husband's employer forced us to move across the state and I was dreading Christmas on the road to see my children and grandchildren. They shocked me by deciding that Christmas should be at our house and they all made the two hour drive to be with us. Some stayed over, some came for just the day, but we were all together, there was no tension and we had a wonderful time!

After that year many changes occurred and while there were still family celebrations they were held a week or two before Christmas and none had that same happy feel.

GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT

This was our first Christmas spent in the Sunshine State. I have hated to be cold for as long as I can remember and I have had no use for snow since about the age of ten! I have long dreamed of moving to a warm climate and this was the year the dream came true. I struggled with the guilt I felt at not being with family but I was eventually able to set that aside and really enjoy the season. It was an unseasonably warm year here and my memories of my first Christmas here will be of shorts, open windows and warm breezes. Traditional Christmas decorations with snowmen and icicle lights seem so out of place here that they made me smile. Christmas day was a quiet but pleasant day spent with my husband's sister and her husband.

GHOST OF CHRISTMAS FUTURE

Peering into my crystal ball to "see" what the future holds I envision a Christmas far into the future, when my grandchildren are all grown and have babies of their own. The entire family is able to travel at the same time, here to Florida and we have a week filled with days at the beach, in the pool and undoubtedly at a theme park or two culminating with squeals of delight as great-grandchildren discover that Santa can find you wherever you may be..........

This was written for the 114th edition of the Carnival of Genealogy, A Charles Dickens Christmas, to be hosted by Jasia at Creative Gene. Poster courtesy of footnoteMaven.

Only in My Dreams

It's time for one of my favorite Christmas traditions - Blog Caroling! Our choir director is once again the ever gracious footnote Maven.

This year I find myself 1,200 miles away from my family so I've selected Rascal Flats a cappella version of I'll Be Home for Christmas. Hit play,scroll down for the  lyrics and sing along with me.

I'll be home, I'll be home

If only in my dreams

Read

I'll Be Home For Christmas Lyrics

here.

I'll be home for Christmas - Rascal Flatts

(lyrics are written by Lil Emzies)

I'll be home for Christmas

You can count on me

Please have snow and mistle toe

And presents under the tree

Christmas Eve will find me

Where the love light gleams

I'll be home for Christmas

If only in my dreams

I'll be home, I'll be home

If only in my dreams

I'll be home, I'll be home

If only in my dreams

I'm dreamin' tonight

Of a place I love

Even more than I usually do

(Usually do)

And although I know

It's a long road back

I Promise You

I'll be home for Christmas

You can count on me

Please have snow and mistle toe

And presents under the tree

Christmas Eve will find me

Where the love light gleams

I'll be home for Christmas

If only in my dreams

I'll be home, I'll be home

If only in my dreams

Stay Away From the Water - Part 2

Amanuensis: A person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.

Amanuensis Monday, hosted by John Newmark at Transylvanian Dutch.

Last week I shared the sad tale of the drowning of Frederick Grabowski. Thirteen years later the family was to loose a child to the water. Emil Grabowski was born November 1895 in Syracuse, New York to John Grabowski and Rosa Schmidt. He was the nephew of Frederick and grandson of Andrew Grabowski and Helena Schonafski.

The Telegram, Monday August 3, 1903, page 12

SEVEN YEAR OLD BOY DROWNED IN CANAL

Emil Grabowski Was Fishing With a Companion When He Fell In

Emil Grabowski, 7 years old, of 1004 North State street, was drowned in the Oswego canal at the foot of Court street about 3:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon. The boy was fishing off the canal bank when he lost his footing and slipped into the water.

Frank Smith, 6 years old, was with the Grabowski boy when the accident ocourred [sic]. The two boys were standing close together and when his companion fell into the water the Smith boy became scared and ran home and told his parents.

Hart's, McCarthy's and Wenz's undertaking wagons were soon on the scene. The body was recovered shortly before 7 o'clock by Undertaker Wenz. While the undertakers were dragging for the body a large crowd gathered. One man was standing on a log watching the proceedings when some one moved the log and the man fell in the water. He was rescued without any difficulty.

The Grabowski boy's father was killed at Cazenovia a year ago last winter. The boy is survived by his mother and a smaller brother.

The Post Standard, Syracuse, N.Y., Monday Morning. August 3, 1903, page 6

BOY IS DROWNED WHILE FISHING

Emil Grabowski Slips Into the Oswego Canal

PLAYMATE THE ONLY WITNESS

Frank Smith, Aged 9, Has Difficulty in Making Parents Understand That His Companion Is Lost

With a fishing line wound around his hand, the body of 7 year old Emil Grabowski, of 1604 North State street, was pulled out of the Oswego canal by Henry Lueberman, Undertaker Frank C. Wenz' assistant, at 6:45 o'clock last night. Three undertakers dragged the canal bottom with grappling hooks for two hours before the body was located and brought to the shore.

"They've got him," shouted someone in the crowd and with this everyone surged forward resulting in another person being precipitated into the water. A man living in ear street was standing on a small log on the canal bank when somebody stepped on the other end, turning over the log and throwing him into the water. He got a good dunking, but was immediately rescued by Mr. Lueberman.

Young Grabowski started out early yesterday to visit Frank Smith, the _ year old son of Frederick Smith of Turtle dtreet. Yesterday afternoon the boys started on a fishing trip. With their poles and lines they went to the Oswego canal, near Court street, and directly back of George Zett's stables, where the Grabowski boy slipped and fell in.

Playmate Notifies Parents.

There was no one nearby to rescue him and the Smith child ran home to tell his parents. It was with difficulty that he made it clear that his playmate had fallen into the water and was drowning, but all that could be found of the missing lad was his hat, which was floating on the surface of the water.

Hatr's and McCarthy's undertaking rooms were notified and there was a lively race between the ambulances through North State street. They were called to about the same time - 5 o'clock. After dragging nearly two hours they gave up the task and were uncertain if the boy was drowned or was only missing. Undertaker Wenz had also been notified of the drowning and sent his men to the scene. They were more successful, securing the body after a few minutes work.

The Grabowski child's father also had a tragic death. He was employed by the People Ice Company and about eighteen months ago, while assisting in filling the company's ice house on Cazenovia lake, was struck on the head by a crank from a piece of machinery and almost instantly killed.

Neighbors gather about the home of the child's mother, Mrs. Rose Grabowski, last night, and endeavored to console her, but with little success. Of the family which consisted of four less than two years ago there are now living Mrs. Grabowski and a son about five years old. The body of the older brother is at Wenz undertaking rooms in North Salina street, where it will remain until funeral arrangements are completed.

Stay Away From the Water - Part 1

Amanuensis: A person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.

Amanuensis Monday, hosted by John Newmark at Transylvanian Dutch.

Frederick Grabowski was the son of Andrew Grabowski and Helena Schonafski. He was born about 1864, came to the United States c. 1885 and married Lena ____ c. 1887. They had one son, Frederick A Grabowski, born July 1888 Syracuse, Onondaga, New York.

I found this article several years ago. It lists his survivors as an aged mother and sister. I was therefore unable to determine how he fit into the family.

The Evening Herald: Syracuse, Friday, August 1, 1890; pg 7

DROWNED IN GILBERT'S POND

Frederick Grabowsky Sank While His Helpless Wife Looked On.

Frederick Grabowsky, a Pole, went swimming in Gilbert's Pond, near St. Joseph's cemetery, about 8 o'clock last evening. When he returned home he complained of the heat, and concluded to take a bath. His wife accompanied him to the pond. After wading out into the water some distance he suddenly disappeared, and did not rise to the surface. There is a deep hole at this point. Undertaker Frank Wenz dragged the pond and recovered the body in a short time. Mrs. Grabowsky was almost frantic and she could barely be restrained from plunging into the water. The remains were transferred to the family home, No. 404 Spring street.

Grabowsky was twenty-five years old and was employed in the scalding room of Thomas Ryan's brewery. Besides a widow and one child, the deceased leaves an aged mother and one sister, both living in this city.

Recently I found this article which helped me place him in the family tree. I don't know wwy the first article didn't list his father or other siblings.

The Syracuse Daily Standard, (Date illegible, 1890), page 4

DROWNED IN GILBERT'S POND

Frederick Grabowsky Loses his life While Bathing.

A sad case of drowning occurred in Gilbert's pond in Pond street near St. Joseph's cemetery at 8:30 o'clock last evening. After Frederick Grabowsky, who lived with his wife and child in a comfortable home in Spring street, took a notion to go bathing and started for Gilbert's pond, which is within a stone's throw of his house. The young man being unable to swim went into the pond where the water was supposed to be shallow. He had been in the water only a few moments when he slipped into a hole about twelve feet deep and was drowned. Grabowsky's wife stood on the bank of the pond with a baby in her arms, and as her husband sunk into his watery grave she tried to jump after him but was held back by some boys. Undertakers Wenz and Gang were summoned and after dragging the pond for an hour or more one of Mr. Wenz's assistants pulled the body in the shore with his grappling hooks. Grabowsky's mother, who was almost distracted when the body of her son was drawn from the water, had to be helped to her home. The remains were removed to Wenz's undertaking rooms in North Salina street. The unfortunate man was a son of Andrew Grabowsky, a laborer, and leaves a wife and one child. He was in his 26th year, and was employed at Ryan's brewery.

SNGF - A new Meme Going Around

For this week's round of Saturday Night Genealogy Fun Randy has challenged:

Your missin, should you decide to accept it is to:

1)  Participate in the Ancestors GeneaMeme created by Jill Ball on the Geniaus blog.

2)  Write your own blog post, or add your response as a comment to this blog post, in a Facebook Status post or note, or in a Google+ Stream item.

The Rules:

The list should be annotated in the following manner:
Things you have already done or found: bold face type
Things you would like to do or find: italicize (colour optional)
Things you haven’t done or found and don’t care to: plain type
You are encouraged to add extra comments in brackets after each item 

Which of these apply to you?

1.  Can name my 16 great-great-grandparents
2.  Can name over 50 direct ancestors
[Well, not off the top of my head and I'm not going into my database to count the exact number but well over 50]
3.  Have photographs or portraits of my 8 great-grandparents
[I have a least one photo of 7 of the 8. I hold out hope that there is a cousin out there that has a photo of James C Kelly to share]
4.  Have an ancestor who was married more than three times
[Not that I've discovered but there are a couple of cousins that fit the bill]
5.  Have an ancestor who was a bigamist   
[No bigamists in the tree that I can think of off the top of my head. At least one polygamist cousin]
6.  Met all four of my grandparents [Grandpa Carlisle died when I was a month old]
7.  Met one or more of my great-grandparents
[All had died before I was born]
8.  Named a child after an ancestor
[Both my children are named for ancestors]
9.  Bear an ancestor's given name/s
[I was named for my great-grandmother, Charlotte T.K. Hollington Berry Sanders.
10.  Have an ancestor from Great Britain or Ireland
[Most of my ancestors were from the British Isles]
11.  Have an ancestor from Asia
12.  Have an ancestor from Continental Europe
[Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands]
13.  Have an ancestor from Africa
14.  Have an ancestor who was an agricultural labourer
[A long line of farmers]
15.  Have an ancestor who had large land holdings 
[Define large?]
16.  Have an ancestor who was a holy man - minister, priest, rabbi
[My granduncle was a Baptist minister]
17.  Have an ancestor who was a midwife
[I assume so. Anna Camfield Carlisle was called when a baby was coming but was never refered to specifically as a midwife]
18.  Have an ancestor who was an author
[Several cousins but no ancestors that I've discovered. I do have a DESCENDANT I'm quite proud of]
19.  Have an ancestor with the surname Smith, Murphy or Jones
[Susannah Smith, currenly lots of bricks by her name]
20.  Have an ancestor with the surname Wong, Kim, Suzuki or Ng
21.  Have an ancestor with a surname beginning with X
22.  Have an ancestor with a forename beginnining with Z
[Zerrababel Eager]
23.  Have an ancestor born on 25th December
[A DESCENDANT was]
24. Have an ancestor born on New Year's Day
25.  Have blue blood in your family lines
26.  Have a parent who was born in a country different from my country of birth
27.  Have a grandparent who was born in a country different from my country of birth
[My paternal grandparents were born in Canada]
28.  Can trace a direct family line back to the eighteenth century
29.  Can trace a direct family line back to the seventeenth century or earlier
30.  Have seen copies of the signatures of some of my great-grandparents
31.  Have ancestors who signed their marriage certificate with an X
32.  Have a grandparent or earlier ancestor who went to university
[Grandma went to business school. Great-grandma went to Normal school]
33.  Have an ancestor who was convicted of a criminal offense
34.  Have an ancestor who was a victim of crime
35.  Have shared an ancestor's story online or in a magazine (Tell us where)
[Doesn't my blog count?]
36.  Have published a family history online or in print (Details please)
37.  Have visited an ancestor's home from the 19th or earlier centuries
[Carlisle home, Buchanan, MI. It was torn down a few years sgo.]
38.  Still have an ancestor's home from the 19th or earlier centuries in the family
39.  Have a  family bible from the 19th Century
[Cousin has the Bible, I'm happy to have photocopies]
40.  Have a pre-19th century family bible

The Rest of the Story

My husband's great-grandfather was August Grabowski (1863-1943). While searching newspapers at Newspaper Archive several years ago I found the following.

The Post Standard, April 26, 1905, (pg not recorded)

Charged with Stealing Ducks

Accused of stealing eight ducks, valued at $1 each, August Grabosky of No. 118 Park street alley was this morning arrested by sergeants Silas Bergen and Herman Eabold. Mary Smith of Sixth North street was the complainant.

Stealing ducks - really!? Not the type of news story I was hoping for! As I continued to work on my husband's tree I learned that there were three men in Syracuse, NY in 1905 that this article could have referred to, including my husband's great-grandfather. As I gathered more records I was able to determine through census records and other newspaper articles that the August Grabowsky named in the above clip was someone that probably is connected to my husband's family but as yet I have been unable to determine just how.

Even not knowing how the other August Grabowsky fits into the tree I was happy to find the following article from a different paper at Old Fulton History.

The Syracuse Journal, Wednesday, April 26, 1905, page 2

8 FAT DUCKS

Mr. Smith Didn't Want Them Around So He Sold Them Unknown to His Wife and Trouble Follows

Mrs. Mary Smith of Sixth North-st. was the owner of eight fat ducks. Her husband had frequently complained about the ducks, advising her to sell them. She refused to do so. A few days ago she discovered that the ducks had disappeared. Lated [sic] she learned that the fowls were in the possession of August Grabosky [sic] of 118 Park-st., a driver on one of the dog catcher wagons of the S.P.C.A.

Mrs. Smith swore out a warrant for Grabowsky, charging him with petit larceny. Grabowsky was arrested early Wednesday morning by Sergeant Silas Bergon and Herman Eabold. In Police court he denied that he had stolen the ducks. It devoloped [sic] that Mrs. Smith's husband had sold the ducks to Grabowsky, whereupon the Justice discharged him.

So it always pays to dig a little deeper!

August M Grabowsky of 118 Park Street Alley was born 8 Aug 1874 in Germany, the son of Julius F Grabowsky and Elizabeth Smith. This family of Grabowsky's seemed to consistently spell their name either Grabowsky or Grabosky.

Annie C Hotz - Timeline

This is the fifth and final installment in a series detailing my research of Annie Katy Hotz (Shimitz) Holmes and her family. I hope that by presenting the information I've found in this format that my cousins may be able to learn more about Annie and her ancestors. I have included me suggestions for further research.

1846, October - Mother, Barbara Vrchoticky born Bohemia

c.1848 - Father, James Hotz/Kotz/Krotz born Bohemia

1870 - Parents census records

Clear Creek, Johnson, Iowa, USA, page 13, family 89. Barbara WHITE, age 24 b. Bohemia. With parents Frank & Catherine WHITE.

"The nucleus of the Union township colony was formed by Peter Kodl (Cole) and Frank Vrchoticky (usually known as Bily or White), and soon after Thomas Neuzil, Hibl, Hrade, and others from Iowa City and Newport township followed." SOURCE: THE BOHEMIANS IN JOHNSON COUNTY By B. Simek (pronounced Shimek) http://www.elyiowa.com/history/bohemians_in_johnson_co_shimek.pdf

English River, Washington, Iowa, page 30, family 212. James Krotz, age 22 b. Bohemia. In home of Frank & Annie Krotz.

1874 - February 4. Parents marriage.

James Hotz and Barbara WHITE. Johnson County, Iowa, USA. FamilySearch.org. Iowa Marriages, 1809-1992. Index.

Since this is an index record the original should be found and evaluated.

c.1876 - Sister, Mary Hotz born.

1879 - August 4, Annie C Hotz born.

On the 1895 census Annie's place of birth was listed as Iowa City, Johnson County, Iowa however at the time of the 1880 census the family was living in Lime Creek, Washington County, Iowa. Births were not registered until 1880.

Catholic church records may exist in both places and should be checked for Annie's baptism record. Sisters Mary and Rosa may also have baptism records.

1880 - Census - Lime Creek, Washington, Iowa, page 6C.

James Kotz, age 32 b. Czechoslovakia
Barbara Kotz, age 29 b. Czechoslovakia
Mary Kotz, age 4 b. Iowa
Annie C Kotz, age 1 b. Iowa (indexed as KATZ at FamilySearch)

1880 - August 17. Death of father.

James Kotz, age 36 born Bohemia, died Lime Creek, Washington County, Iowa. Iowa Deaths and Burials, 1850-1990 at FamilySearch.org.

Since he is listed in the death index the original record should be located. The index also says he was buried in Richmond so cemetery records could be checked. A search should be made for a probate file. Additionally, I would do further research on the parents of James, shown on the 1870 census, and try and locate probate files for them which may list the children of James as heirs.

c.1881 - Sister, Rosa Hotz born Richmond, Washington, Iowa.

I did not find a record for her in the index however a search of the birth records should be made.

1884 - Frank Shimets marries Barbara Choe, 15 Jan 1884.

Iowa Marriages, 1809-1992 @FamilySearch, index only.

The original of this record really needs to be examined!

1885 - Iowa State Census, Highland, Washington, Iowa, page 15, family 79:

Franklin Simitz, age 35
Barbra Simitz, age 38
Mary Simitz, age 4
Mary Hotz, age 9
Anna Hotz, age 6
Rosa Hotz, age 4

c.1888 - Half-brother, Frank J. Shimitz born Washington County, Iowa.

There should be a record of this birth and it should be examined to see if it gives any clues that might apply to Annie.

1895 - Iowa City, Johnson, Iowa, Ward 3

Barbra Shimitz, age 49 born Bohemia
Annia Shimitz, age 16 born Iowa City, Iowa
Rosa Shimitz, age 14 born Iowa City, Iowa
Frank Shimitz, age 7 born Iowa City, Iowa

1900 - Census record for Annie needs to be found.

By 1900 Annie's mother, Barbara, was a widow, living with her youngest child, Frank. She stated that she had had four children and all were still living.

The census record for all three of the Hotz daughters should be located. Chances are that eldest daughter, Mary Hotz, was married by this time and the record should also be located.

1903 - January 18 Annie Hotz married Emery Holmes, St Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Chicago, Cook, Illinois.

The marriage license and church record have both been located.

1903 - April 14 Birth of son, Leonard Joseph Holmes

Family members have said he was born in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. Census records do indicate that he was born in Illinois.
I did not find his record in the Cook County birth index. I did not find a baptism record for him in the St. Rose of Lima records. His birth record and/or baptism records should be located.

1905 - Iowa State census

Sometime between 1903 and 1906 Annie and Emery returned to Iowa. A search of the 1905 census may help determine when.

1906 - December 11 Birth of son, Lloyd Edward Holmes, Pleasant Valley, Johnson, Iowa

Louyd Edward Holmes, child of Emory O Holmes and Anna Della Hotz. Iowa Births and Christenings, 1830-1950 at FamilySearch, index only.

Original record should be checked to verify Anna's name. Other records have her middle initial as C. and family indicates she used the middle name Katy.

Beyond this I would gather every census record.

My cousin tells me that Annie and Emery divorced and that Annie remarried. Both the divorce record and her second marriage record may include her maiden name.

I am told that Annie's death record does not list her parents names but it should still be included as part of a complete record of Annie.

More Records for Annie

This is the fourth in a series detailing my research of Annie Katy Hotz (Shimitz) Holmes and her family.

Three very kind people, Deborah Andrew of The Sum of All My Research, Donna Hague Wendt of Another Day With Donna ..... Genealogy - Family History Blog and a reader who wishes to remain anonymous, all went to the trouble to look up the 1880 census that was recorded in the index at FamilySearch for the James KATZ family. Thank you all! Here is a cropped image of the record.

Personally, I think it looks like KOTZ but certainly the handwritting leaves room for other interpretations.

Deborah Andrew also found a possible record for Annie in the 1900 census. Due to the immigration information included for that Annie I don't believe it is for my subject but I'm hanging onto it in my file in case it makes sense later.

The majority of my research has been conducted at FamilySearch where they have added Chicago Catholic church records. They are browse only and I missed them altogether. Annie in Austin of The Transplantable Rose was not only kind enough to point out the record set to me, she found Annie and Emery's church record and told me exactly where it was! Thanks Annie!

For Annie's marriage to Emery Holmes we now have three surname variations created from a single life event!

1. On her marriage license she was recorded as Annie HUTZ.

2. Her name on the record of her marriage at St Rose of Lima is Annie HOTZ. The marriage license number is a match. Witnesses were Robert Shrader and Celia Shrader. No parents names were given.

FamilySearch.org. Illinois, Chicago, Catholic Church Records, 1833-1925. St. Rose of Lima (Chicago), Marriages, 1882-1915, page 116 (image 63 of 97).

3. Also included with the St Rose of Lima records is a hand written index where her name was written ANNA HOLTZ.

FamilySearch.org. Illinois, Chicago, Catholic Church Records, 1833-1925. St. Rose of Lima (Chicago), Marriage index, 1882 (no page number, image 40 of 110).

So we now have Katz, Kotz, Holtz, Hotz, Hutz and Shimitz. In my next (and last post) I'll recap what I have in an easier to follow timeline format. I will be including missing items, records that need more scrutiny and other thoughts as to where my cousins can look for more answers.

Searching for Annie's Parents

This is the last third in a series detailing my research of Annie Katy Hotz (Shimitz) Holmes and her family.

Let's first review what I've already covered in the first two parts of this series.

Mr. Emery Holmes of Iowa City in the County of ---- and State of Iowa of the age of 22 years, and Miss Annie Hutz of Chicago in the County of Cook and State of Illinois of the age of 22 years. Married 18 Jan 1903, Chicago, Cook, Illinois.
(Illinois, Cook County Marriages, 1871-1920, FamilySearch.org)

Annie Hotz, age 6 was found on the 1885 Iowa State census:
Iowa State Census, 1885 @FamilySearch (index only). Highland, Washington, Iowa, page 15, family 79:
Franklin Simitz, age 35
Barbra Simitz, age 38
Mary Simitz, age 4
Mary Hotz, age 9
Anna Hotz, age 6
Rosa Hotz, age 4


Annia Shimitz, age 16 was found on the 1895 Iowa State census:
1895. Iowa City, Johnson, Iowa, Ward 3
Barbra Shimitz, age 49 born Bohemia
Annia Shimitz, age 16 born Iowa City, Iowa
Rosa Shimitz, age 14 born Iowa City, Iowa
Frank Shimitz, age 7 born Iowa City, Iowa
(I found this transcription on the Iowa Genealogy Forum here.).


The Frank Shimitz found with Annie on the 1895 census had a marriage record listing his parents: Frank J Shimitz, age 33 b. Washington County, Iowa, son of Frank Shimitz and Barbara Vrchoticky married 7 Sep 1920, Riverside, Washington, Iowa to Pauline Shebanek, age 30 b. Washington County, Iowa, daughter of Paul Shebanek and Rose Soukup. (Iowa Marriages, 1809-1992 @FamilySearch, Index only.)


Now that we're caught up I expanded my search. I was unsuccessful in my efforts to find Annie Hutz, Annie Hotz or Annie Shimitz (with additional other spellings)  on the 1900 census.


I did find Barbara and Frank Shimitz on the 1900 census:
Iowa City, Johnson, Iowa, Ward 3, ED#84, sheet 10B, family 237.
Barbara Shunitz, self, born Oct 1846 Bohemia, widowed
Frank Shunitz, son, born Mar 1888 Iowa.

On the 1900 census I also learned that Barbara was the mother of 4 children, all 4 still living. This supports my theory that she was the mother of Mary, Annie and Rosa Hotz and Frank Shimitz and step-mother of Mary Shimitz.


A search for Rosa Hotz led to a marriage record. Miss Rose Hotz, age 28 b. Richmond, Iowa, daughter of James Hotz and Barbara Kichoticky married 22 Sep 1908, Iowa City, Johnson, Iowa to Joe Heisner age 29 b. Iowa City, Iowa, son of Joe Heisner and Margaret Meintzer. (Iowa Marriages, 1809-1992 @FamilySearch, Index only.)

Only the first two letters of Barbara's last name differ between Frank's marriage record and Rose's. I believe the error was on Rose's record.


Now that I had the name James Hotz I went to try and find the family on the 1880 census index. I believe I have found them listed as Katz. Since I only have access to the index I can't evaluate the record for myself. The grouping, ages and location all fit.

Lime Creek, Washington, Iowa, page 6C.
James Katz, age 32 b. Czechoslovakia
Barbara Katz, age 29 b. Czechoslovakia
Mary Katz, age 4 b. Iowa
Annie C Katz, age 1 b. Iowa


The next record I found was for the death of James Kotz, age 36 born Bohemia, died 18 Aug 1880 Richmond, Washington, Iowa. (Iowa Deaths and Burials, 1850-1990 @FamilySearch.) Very close name but once again I am stuck working from just an index. Also the age is different by 4 years from the 1880 census which may or may not mean anything. But note that James Kotz died in 1880 in Richmond, Iowa and Rose Hotz was born about 1881 in Richmond, Iowa per her marriage record.


I also found a marriage record for James Hotz to Barbara White on 4 Feb 1874, Johnson County, Iowa. (Iowa Marriages, 1809-1992 @FamilySearch, Index only.) This seems to match up with a couple starting a family about 1875 or 1876 (Mary Kotz) and Johnston County and Washington County are next to each other. However the surname White pretty much threw out my previous theory. Or did it?


I did much fruitless searching and seemed to be stuck. I don't remember exactly what search terms I was using but I chanced upon this link:

LEADING EVENTS IN JOHNSON COUNTY IOWA HISTORY, Pioneer Publishing Co., Chicago, 1911, pages 897-906

THE BOHEMIANS IN JOHNSON COUNTY
By B. Simek (pronounced Shimek)

The nucleus of the Union township colony was formed by Peter Kodl (Cole) and Frank Vrchoticky (usually known as Bily or White), and soon after Thomas Neuzil, Hibl, Hrade, and others from Iowa City and Newport township followed.

I was then able to find Barbara with her parents on the 1870 census.
Clear Creek, Johnson, Iowa, page 13, family 89, all born Bohemia.
Frank White, age 50y
Catharine White, age 53y
Barbara White, age 24y
Mary White, age 19y
Frank White, age 17y
Ann White, age 15y
Joseph White, age 15y
James White, age 11y
Catharina White, age 8y
Rosa White, age 5y


I did not research Barbara's parents any further. For now I am satisfied that Annie was the daughter of James Hotz and Barbara "White" Vrchoticky and step-daughter of Frank Simitz.

1 Frank, 2 Frank, 3 Frank, More?

This is the second in a series detailing my research of Annie Katy Hotz (Shimitz) Holmes and her family.

Yesterday I wrote about finding Franklin and Barbra Simitz on the 1885 Iowa State census index at FamilySearch. I then went looking for the 1880 census record and found three Frank Simitz in Highland, Washington, Iowa and two of them had wives named Barbara. Read on, I found more.

Frank #1. I have listed him as #1 simply because he is found first on the 1880 census, page 87B.

United States Census, 1880 Index at FamilySearch
Highland, Washington, Iowa
Page 87B
Frank Simitz, age 33 b. Czechoslovakia
Barbary Simitz, age 28 b. Czechoslovakia
Joseph Simitz, age 7 b. Iowa
Wm Simitz, age 4 b. Iowa
Mary Simitz, age 2 b. Iowa
Emma Smitz, age 4M b. Iowa

Frank #2, listed several entries after Frank #1 on page 88A

United States Census, 1880 Index at FamilySearch
Highland, Washington, Iowa
Page 88A
Frank K. Simitz, age 57 b. Czechoslovakia
Mary Simitz, age 50 b. Czechoslovakia
Josephine Simitz, age 20, b. Czechoslovakia
Katherine Simitz, age 17 b. Iowa
Annie Simitz, age 15 b. Iowa
Michaal Simitz, age 13 b. Iowa
Joseph Simitz, age 9 b. Iowa

Frank #3 was listed just after the Joseph Simitz above, based on the entry numbers.

United States Census, 1880 Index at FamilySearch
Highland, Washington, Iowa
Page 88A
Frank Simitz, age 29 b. Czechoslovakia
Barbary Simitz, age 28 b. Czechoslovakia

*************************

Frank #1

1870. I have been unable to locate Frank Shimitz on the census. Barbara Urbin is found in Iowa City, Johnson, Iowa, Ward 3, page 8, line 31. Urbin, Barbara, age 18 born Bohemia, housekeeper in the home of Rufus Lumbard.

1872. Frank Schimits married Barbara Urbin, 1 Apr 1872, Washington, Iowa. (Iowa Marriages, 1809-1992 @FamilySearch, index only, no parents names given.)

1880. Frank, Barbara and 4 children, Highland, Washington, Iowa. (See record above.)

1885. Kansas State Census, Elk Creek, Republic County, KS, Clyde P.O.
Shimitz, Frank, 34, farmer, b. Bohemia
Barbry, 39, b. Bohemia
Joseph, 12, b. IA
Emma, 5, b. IA
AnRosy, 3, b. IA
(I do not have access to this record. I found it transcribed on the Iowa Genealogy Forum here.

1900. Lone Pine & Wrights Precincts, Banner, Nebraska, ED#3, sheet 2B.
Frank Shimitz, head, born Aug 1846 Bohemia, married 27 years (marriage abt 1873)
Barbia Shimitz, wife, born Dec 1851 Bohemia, married 27 years
Anton Shimitz, son, born Jan 1872 Iowa
Della Shimitz, daughter, born May 1885 Kansas
Silvester Shimitz, son, born Dec 1890 Nebraska
Emma Everts, daughter, born Dec 1880 Iowa
Dan H Everts, son-in-law, born Aug 1870 Pennsylvania
Ervin Everts
Eunice L Everts
Anton Urban, father-in-law, born July 1819 Bohemia
Mary Urban, mother-in-law, born Dec 1825 Bohemia

This is where I stopped researching Frank #1. I suspect but have no proof that he is the nephew of Frank #2. I do not believe that the AnRosy Shimitz shown on the 1885 census was the wife of Emory Holmes.

*************************

Frank #2

1870. Highland, Washington, Iowa, page 15, family 103.
Frank Shimmitz, age 43 born Bohemia
Mary Shimmitz, age 42 born Bohemia
Frank Shimmitz, age 19 born Bohemia [Frank #3]
Mary Shimmitz, age 14 born Bohemia
Josephine Shimmitz, age 11 born Bohemia
Kate Shimmitz, age 8 born Bohemia
Annie Shimmitz, age 5 born Iowa
Mike Shimmitz, age 3 born Iowa

1880. Highland, Washington, Iowa, page 88A
Frank K. Simitz, age 57 b. Czechoslovakia
Mary Simitz, age 50 b. Czechoslovakia
Josephine Simitz, age 20, b. Czechoslovakia
Katherine Simitz, age 17 b. Iowa
Annie Simitz, age 15 b. Iowa
Michaal Simitz, age 13 b. Iowa
Joseph Simitz, age 9 b. Iowa

Frank Simitz, age 29 b. Czechoslovakia [Frank #3]
Barbary Simitz, age 28 b. Czechoslovakia

1885. Highland, Washington, Iowa, page 13, family 70
Franklin Simitz, age 56
Josefine Simitz age 24
Mike Simitz, age 17
Joseph Simitz, age 14
(Iowa State Census, 1885 @FamilySearch, index only)

I did not find Frank #2 in any other census records nor did I find a death or cemetery record but truthfully I did not search very hard.

I did find several entries in Iowa Marriages, 1809-1992 @FamilySearch (index only) for a son of Frank Simitz and Mary Koura. He is recorded as both Mates F Simitz and W.F. Simitz, born about 1868 and married to Frances Tellin in 1893. This would match up with Michaal and Mike in the above census records. Catherine Shimets marriage to Frank Hosick in 1882 lists parents Frank Shimets and Mary Horak. Joseph's marriage to Agnes Boher or Balaor in 1891 lists only father, Frank Shimitz.

*************************

Frank #3

1870. Highland, Washington, Iowa, page 15, family 103.
Frank Shimmitz, age 43 born Bohemia
Mary Shimmitz, age 42 born Bohemia
Frank Shimmitz, age 19 born Bohemia [Frank #3]
(see above for siblings)

1880. Highland, Washington, Iowa, page 88A
Frank Simitz, age 29 b. Czechoslovakia
Barbary Simitz, age 28 b. Czechoslovakia

NO children listed in the household. (Listed just after his parents, see above.)

1884. Frank Shimets marries Barbara Choe, 15 Jan 1884. (Iowa Marriages, 1809-1992 @FamilySearch, index only)
This record has me very perplexed! Is it for our Frank Simitz or someone else? Was Barbara's last name really Choe or was it mis-indexed or perhaps misspelled on the original record? This record does not go along with anything else I have found but I feel it is better to include it here rather than just ignore it.

1885. Highland, Washington, Iowa, page 15, family 79.
Franklin Simitz, age 35
Barbra Simitz, age 38
Mary Simitz, age 4
Mary Hotz, age 9
Anna Hotz, age 6
Rosa Hotz, age 4
(Iowa State Census, 1885 @FamilySearch, index only)

His father, Frank #2, was listed on page 13. There is no indication in this index record as to the relationship of the children in the home to the adults.

1895. Iowa City, Johnson, Iowa, Ward 3
Barbra Shimitz, age 49 born Bohemia
Annia Shimitz, age 16 born Iowa City, Iowa
Rosa Shimitz, age 14 born Iowa City, Iowa
Frank Shimitz, age 7 born Iowa City, Iowa [Frank #4]
So it appears that Frank #3 may have died between 1885 and 1895. There are no daughters in the home named Mary and son, Frank, was born after the 1885 census. Annie and Rosa were recorded with the same last name Shimitz but it is unclear when they started using that surname or if they commonly used the Shimitz surname.
(I do not have access to the 1895 Iowa State Census, I found this transcription on the Iowa Genealogy Forum here.)

1900. Mary Shimitz, age 19, married Frank Haisman, age 25, 10 Jun 1900 Iowa City, Johnson, Iowa. I believe this is the Mary Simitz listed with Frank and Barbara on the 1885 census, however the Iowa Marriages, 1809-1992 index at FamilySearch does not list her parents names.

1900-onward. Since Frank disappears from the record I will wait and include records from 1900 onward a future post. For now I will share just one more record that does list Frank #3.

1920. Frank J Shimitz [Frank #4], age 33 b. Washington County, Iowa, son of Frank Shimitz [Frank #3] and Barbara Vrchoticky married 7 Sep 1920, Riverside, Washington, Iowa to Pauline Shebanek, age 30 b. Washington County, Iowa, daughter of Paul Shebanek and Rose Soukup. (Iowa Marriages, 1809-1992 @FamilySearch, Index only.)

My theory is that Frank #3 had two different wives, both named Barbara. Based on census records, especially the 1885 census, my theory is that Frank married Barbara (surname unknown) about 1879. They were the parents of Mary Shimitz who was born about 1881 and later married Frank Haisman. Barbara (surname unknown) then died between Mary's birth and the 1885 census. At some point between 1881 and 1885 Frank married Barbara Vrchoticky Hotz, a widow with three daughters. And this blending of two families is what is found on the 1885 census. Frank J Shimitz [Frank #4] was born about 1887 so Frank #3 died sometime after that.

I'm still stuck on the 1884 marriage to Barbara Choe. Was this a very corrupted version of Barbara Vrchoticky Hotz or does this record belong to a different Frank?

Obviously more research is needed here. I hope to clear things up just a little more tomorrow when I focus on my search for Annie's parents.

Searching for Annie's Maiden name

This is the first in a series detailing my research of Annie Katy Hotz (Shimitz) Holmes and her family.

I was recently contacted by two very distant cousins who are looking for more information about their ancestor, Annie, who I have in my tree. I had her listed as Anna Katy Simitiz and one of them asked where my information came from. When I looked it up I determined that her name came either from the cousin who was asking or another cousin who has a tree at Ancestry.com. So I decided to find a more reliable source. I do not have a subscription to Ancestry.com so I turned to several other sources and often I had access to only an index.

Annie was the wife of Emory O Holmes. Emory was my 3rd cousin, 2x removed so what I had researched on him was minimal. Emory O Holmes was the son of Watson Arabia Holmes and Mary Jane (sometimes Jennie) Loan and was born 22 Sept 1884.

[Iowa Births and Christenings, 1830-1950 @FamilySearch (index only). Three records. Emory Holmes, 4th child of Watson A. Holmes (b. Canada) and Mary J Loan Holmes (age 30 b. Iowa), born 22 Sep 1885 Pleasant Valley Twp, Johnson, Iowa.]

I have Annie's birth as 4 Aug 1879, the exact date given by cousins. On the 1910 census she was born abt 1882 and on the 1920 census Born abt 1881. I could not locate an Annie Shimitz on the 1900 or 1880 censuses at FamilySearch despite the number of spelling variations that I tried.

I also did not find a marriage record by searching for Annie Shimitz so I decided to search instead for Emory Holmes and quickly found their marriage record at FamilySearch, however, her name was listed as Annie Hutz.

MARRIAGE LICENSE


State of Illinois, Cook County } ss, THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS
TO ANY PERSON LEGALLY AUTHORIZED to SOLEMNIZE MARRIAGE GREETING:


Marriage may be Celebrated between Mr. Emery Holmes
Of Iowa City in the County of ---- and State of Iowa of the age
of 22 years, and Miss Annie Hutz of Chicago
in the County of Cook and State of Illinois of the age of 22 years.


Witness, PETER B. OLSEN, County Clerk and Clerk of the Court of said
Cook County, and the said Court, at my office in Chicago, this 16 day of
Jan'y A. D. 1903. [signed] Peter B. Olsen
County Clerk and Clerk of the County Court


STATE OF ILLINOIS, COUNTY OF COOK} ss, I, Denis Hayes a Catholic Priest
hereby certify that Mr. Emery Holmes and Miss Annie Hutz
were united in Marriage by me at Chicago in the County of Cook and State of Illinois, on
the 18 th day of January 1903
Denis Hayes
______ __ R_ses Church


Illinois, Cook County Marriages, 1871-1920, FamilySearch.org

Emery Holmes was said to be of Iowa City and thus far I have only found one Emory Holmes in that area. The record says that Emery was age 22 and I suspect he lied just a bit. Annie's age is off by just a year (actually a few months). Emory and Annie Holmes had a son, Leonard J Holmes, who was born in Illinois 1903. I am confident that this is the correct marriage record.

Now that I had the maiden name of Hutz I went back to searching in the census indexes. I could find nothing for Hutz but I did find Anna Hotz.

Iowa State Census, 1885 @FamilySearch (index only). Highland, Washington, Iowa, page 15, family 79:
Franklin Simitz, age 35
Barbra Simitz, age 38
Mary Simitz, age 4
Mary Hotz, age 9
Anna Hotz, age 6
Rosa Hotz, age 4

So now I had found the Simitz name associated with Annie. The question was why were three children named Hotz with the Simitz family? Note that there were two girls in the home named Mary and also two children, Mary Simitz and Rosa Hotz both age 4.

I next looked at the 1880 census where I found two listings for Frank and Barbara Simitz. Tomorrow I will tackle sorting them out.

The 99+ Genealogy Things Meme

Becky Wiseman has brought back this meme at Kinexxions that she originally ran in 2009. There are a few other versions out there and she provides links.

Feel free to modify the list to suit your needs... If you wish to participate in the meme, simply copy the text below and paste it into your blog (or into a note on facebook or Google+ if you don't have a blog) and annotate the list accordingly. We're on the 'honor system' here, no one is going to check up on you! Participation is up to you, no tagging of other bloggers required. And, if you've done it before, you can do it again.

So let's play! I modified a couple to suit myself. Numbers 104-113 I found on Sheri's list at The Educated Genealogist. My comments are [in brackets].

If you've done this in the past, indicate which answers have changed. (And please link back to Becky)


The list should be annotated in the following manner:
Things you have already done or found: bold face type

Things you would like to do or find: italicize (color optional)

Things you haven’t done or found and don’t care to: plain type

1. Belong to a genealogical society.
2. Researched records onsite at a court house.
3. Transcribed records.
4. Uploaded tombstone pictures to Find-A-Grave.
5. Documented ancestors for four generations (self, parents, grandparents, great-grandparents).
6. Joined Facebook.
7. Helped to clean up a run-down cemetery.
8. Are a member of the Genea-Bloggers Group on Facebook.
9. Lectured at a genealogy conference.
10. Spoke on a genealogy topic at a local genealogy society.
11. Been the editor of a genealogy society newsletter.
12. Contributed to a genealogy society publication.
13. Served on the board or as an officer of a genealogy society.
14. Got lost on the way to a cemetery.
15. Talked to dead ancestors.
16. Researched outside the state in which I live.
17. Knocked on the door of an ancestral home and visited with the current occupants.
18. Cold called a distant relative.
19. Posted messages on a surname message board.
20. Uploaded a gedcom file to the internet.
21. Googled my name.
22. Performed a random act of genealogical kindness.
23. Researched a non-related family, just for the fun of it.
24. Have been paid to do genealogical research.
25. Earn a living (majority of income) from genealogical research.
26. Wrote a letter (or email) to a previously unknown relative.
27. Contributed to one of the genealogy carnivals.
28. Responded to messages on a message board or forum.
29. Was injured while on a genealogy excursion.
30. Participated in a genealogy meme.
31. Created family history gift items (calendars, cookbooks, etc.).
32. Performed a record lookup for someone else.
33. Went on a genealogy seminar cruise.
34. Am convinced that a relative must have arrived here from outer space.
35. Found a disturbing family secret.
36. Told others about a disturbing family secret.
37. Combined genealogy with crafts (family picture quilt, scrapbooking).
38. Think genealogy is a passion not a hobby.
[Actually I'm passionate about my hobby.]
39. Assisted finding next of kin for a deceased person.
    [Unclaimed Persons]
40. Taught someone else how to find their roots.
41. Lost valuable genealogy data due to a computer crash or hard drive failure.
    [Not much and easily found again]
42. Been overwhelmed by available genealogy technology.
43. Know a cousin of the 4th degree or higher.
44. Disproved a family myth through research.
    [I'm not a Princess :-( ]
45. Got a family member to let you copy photos
    [Have taken my old flatbed scanner on the road].
46. Used a digital camera to “copy” photos or records.
    [Several thousand images worth]
47. Translated a record from a foreign language.
48. Found an immigrant ancestor’s passenger arrival record.
    [Husband's ancestors. I've seen my ancestors ships of arrival listed in books]
49. Looked at census records on microfilm, not on the computer.
50. Used microfiche.
51. Visited the Family History Library in Salt Lake City.
52. Visited more than one LDS Family History Center. [Haven't been to one yet]
53. Visited a church or place of worship of one of your ancestors.
54. Taught a class in genealogy.
55. Traced ancestors back to the 18th Century.
56. Traced ancestors back to the 17th Century.
57. Traced ancestors back to the 16th Century.
58. Can name all of your great-great-grandparents.
59. Found an ancestor’s Social Security application.
    [Husband's grandmother]
60. Know how to determine a soundex code without the help of a computer.
61. Used Steve Morse’s One-Step searches.
62. Own a copy of Evidence Explained by Elizabeth Shown Mills.
63. Helped someone find an ancestor using records you had never used for your own research.
64. Visited the main National Archives building in Washington, DC.
65. Visited the Library of Congress.
66. Have an ancestor who came over on the Mayflower.
    
67. Have an ancestor who fought in the Civil War.
68. Taken a photograph of an ancestor’s tombstone.
69. Became a member of the Association of Graveyard Rabbits.
70. Can read a church record in Latin.
71. Have an ancestor who changed their name.
72. Joined a Rootsweb mailing list.
73. Created a family website.
74. Have more than one "genealogy" blog.
75. Was overwhelmed by the amount of family information received from someone.
76. Have broken through at least one brick wall
77. Visited the DAR Library in Washington D.C.
78. Borrowed a microfilm from the Family History Library through a local Family History Center.
79. Have done indexing for Family Search Indexing or another genealogy project.
80. Visited the Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
81. Had an amazing serendipitous find of the "Psychic Roots" variety.
82. Have an ancestor who was a Patriot in the American Revolutionary War.
83. Have an ancestor who was a Loyalist in the American Revolutionary War.
84. Have both Patriot & Loyalist ancestors.
85. Have used Border Crossing records to locate an ancestor.
86. Use maps in my genealogy research.
87. Have a convict ancestor who was transported from the UK.
88. Found a bigamist amongst the ancestors.
    [Actually a cousin]
89. Visited the National Archives in Kew.
90. Visited St. Catherine's House in London to find family records.
91. Found a cousin in a foreign country.
92. Consistently cite my sources.
93. Visited a foreign country (i.e. one I don't live in) in search of ancestors.
94. Can locate any document in my research files within a few minutes.
95. Have an ancestor who was married four times (or more).
    [Several cousins]
96. Made a rubbing of an ancestors gravestone.
97. Organized a family reunion.
98. Published a family history book (on one of my families).
99. Learned of the death of a fairly close relative through research.
100. Have done the genealogy happy dance.
101. Sustained an injury doing the genealogy happy dance.
102. Offended a family member with my research.
103. Reunited someone with precious family photos or artifacts. 
104. Joined a group at GenealogyWise
105. Joined a National Genealogy Society
106. Used Google+ for Genealogy
107. Have an ancestor who came to America as an indentured servant.
108. Have visited a NARA branch.
109. Have taken online genealogy or history course.
110. Have an ancestor who served in WWI or WWII.
111. Discovered a blacksheep ancestor.
112. Joined a lineage society.
     
113. Visited the Allen County Public Library.

Thomas Berry and the Church of England

Thomas David Berry was born 8 September 1829 in Blockley, Worcester, England and Baptized on Sunday 18 October 1829 at St Peter and St Paul's Church in Blockley. So began Thomas' lifelong association with the Anglican Church. 



St Peter's and St Paul's sits in the center of town and a church (perhaps the original foundations of the current church) are traced back to at least 1086 and the Domesday Book. In The history of Blockley in the county of Worcester, Alfred J Soden 1875 is found:

In his collections, Bigland describes the parish church of Blockley as consisting of a "spacious nave, and north aisle of the middle ages. The chancel, of the Saxon style, is probably the same structure that is described in Domesday Book."

Rev Soden describes in detail many of the changes, reconstructions and additions made to the church. A major renovation was undertaken in 1838 but overall I believe the church appeared as depicted in this 1871 picture for all of Thomas' time in Blockley.

Also included in the book is this diagram of the inside of the church.

I was unable to find any photos of the inside of the church that I can share here but there are photos of St Peter and Paul's Church, at Church Crawls. The pictures of the interior make the church seem much smaller than the outside views. I wonder at the age of the baptismal font. Was it the one used when Thomas was baptized or was it the one used when for his children?

The Berry family were poor and the men worked six days a week as agricultural laborers and the women and children worked in the silk mills. I don't know how much of a role the church would have played in their day to day life. I assume, but have not verified, that his parents and two of his children are buried in the cemetery. Thomas, his wife Jane and five of their seven children left the poverty of Blockley behind in 1874 to start a new life in Canada.

The family was enumerated on the 1881 census in Gloucester, Russell County (now part of Ottawa, Carleton County), Ontario, Canada. Dist 104, sub dist E, div 2. pg 31, family 142. Thomas gave his occupation as miller and for religion was written England. I have not discovered which church they would have attended at that time but that is where Thomas' youngest child, Amelia, would have been baptized.

Thomas moved to the Bytown section of Ottawa by 1899. On the 1901 census he listed his occupation as sexton. I also had recorded that he was listed as sexton and that he lived at 118 Nelson St. in the 1899 city directory so I started looking on google maps for Anglican churches near Nelson St and I quickly found two. All Saints on Chapel St wasn't old enough but St Alban's on King Edward Ave seemed very likely and I learned quite a bit about the history of the church but found nothing to link the Berry family to it.

So I decided to revisit the city directories to see if I could determine when he moved to Nelson St and when he was first listed as sexton rather than laborer. He is found just outside the city in the 1888-1889 directory and at 66 Nelson St in the 1889-1890 edition. His occupation was given as laborer until the 1895-1896 Ottawa City Directory when he was listed as the sexton of St. John's Church.


I quickly found St. John the Evangelist Church in Ottawa but after reading the history of the church I learned that the current St John's was Grace Church until 1913. The St John's that Thomas Berry was the sexton of was located at the corner of Sussex and Rue George, less than 3/4 of a mile from where Thomas lived. St John's on Sussex St burned in 1912 so there are no recent photos of the church. I was able to find a photo from c.1870.

Thomas died in 1907 and his wife, Jane, in 1914 and with their deaths my branch of the Berry family's association with the Anglican church ended. My great-grandfather Joseph and my grandfather, Kimberly were both members of the Congregational Church.

In writing this for the 109th edition of the Carnival of Genealogy I spent several hours learning more about the Church of England and learned much about the history of the religion and a little of the theology but I am left with many unanswered questions such as how Thomas felt about his church and why he chose St John's rather than another?

Carnival Poster by footnote Maven.

Kelly / Olds, Mt Adnah

Kelly /Olds plot, section 20, lot 40 1/2, Mt Adnah Cemetery, Fulton, New York.

Bert Kelly was my 1st cousin, twice removed. He married Lelah Olds in 1906. Lelah's parent's stones are the two to the left of the planter.

The planter was a delightful surprise!

KELLY

BERT H.  1884 - 1960

LELAH E. 1885 - 1966

MARILLA OLDS 

1854 - 1934

THADDEUS OLDS 

1853 - 1934

William Hall c.1740-1822 - Probate Papers

Many thanks to cousin Rebecca Klein who found, transcribed and shared this document. It lists his ten children so the two children that I had not found death records for, Abram and Sophia must have died before him.

*************************

The people of the state of New York by the grace of God,

free and Independent; To all to whom these presents shall come or may

concern send Greetings;

(Seal) Know ye that at the town of Canandaigua in the county of Ontario

on the eleventh day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight

hundred and twenty three before Jared Willson Esq Surrogate of our said

county the last will and testament of William Hall deceased a copy whereof

is hereunto annexed was proved and is now approved and allowed of by us; and

the said deceased having whilst he lived and at the time of his death, goods

chattels or credits within the state, by means where of the pricing and registering

tho said will and the granting administration of all and singular the said

goods chattels and credits and also the auditing allowing and final discharging

the account there of doth belong unto, the administration of all and singular

the goods chattels and credits of the said deceased and any way concerning his

will is granted unto John Hall executor in the said will named hearby

requiring you will and faithfully to administer the same and to make and

exhibit a true and perfect inventory of all and singular the goods chattels

and credits and also to under a just and true account thereof when thereunto

required. In testimony whereof, we have caused the seal of office of our said

Surrogate to be hereunto affixed. Witness Jared Willson Esquire Surrogate of the

said county at the town of Canandaigua aforesaid the eleventh day of October

in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty three.

(Signed) Jared Willson

In the name of God, Amen; I William Hall of the

Phelps in the county of Ontario and state of New York being weak in body but of

sound and disposing mind and memory, blessed be Almighty God for the same

do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form

following that is today, I do will and order that my funeral expenses

and all my past debts be paid out of my estate by executor here in after to be

named, Item, I give and bequeath unto my ten children to wit William

Hall, Joseph Hall, Tamason Glover wife of David Glover, Sarah Carter

wife of James Carter, Hannah Grover wife of Benoni Grover, Persis Baker

wife of Roswell Baker, Samuel Hall, Sophia Hall, Ruhamah Glover wife

of Philander Glover, and Sibel Cook wife of Titus R. Cook the sum of one

hundred dollars each to be paid out of my estate by my executor to be named

in the manner following limit, twenty Dollars at the expiration of one year

from the time of my decease and the remainder in four equal annual payments

from that time, to be paid in good merchantable grain or meat stock to be de-

vided at the hands of my son John Hall in the town of Phelps at the then

market price. Item I give and bequeath unto my son John Hall all the

use residue and remainder of my statute of what nature and kin I forever

to hold him his heirs and assigns joiners; whom I here by appoint sole

executor of this my last will and testament hereby wishing all former wills

by me made , In witness where of I have hereunto set my hand and seal the

twenty fifth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and

twenty two.

Signed sealed published and declared by the above William Hall

named William Hall to be his last will and (Seal)

testament in the presence of us who have her unto

subscribed our names as witnessed in the presence

of the testator; Chester Wait, Thomas Kelley, Thos Smith

Ontario County -- Be it remembered on the eleventh day of

October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty three

personally appeared before me, Jared Willson Esquire, Surrogate of the County

of Ontario, Thomas Kelley, one of the subscribing witnesses to the last will

and testament of William Hall late of the town of Phelps in said county de-

ceased who being duly sworn did depose and say that he the deponent saw

William Hall late of the County of Ontario deceased Sign and seal the

written instrument then shown unto him of which the afore going is a true copy

purporting to be the last will and testament of the said William Hall deceased

bearing date the twenty fifth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand

eight hundred and twenty two, that at the time there of the said William Hall

was of sound disposing mind and memory to the best of the knowledge and

belief of him the deponent and that he the deponent and Chester Wait

and Thomas Smith subscribed their names as witnesses to he said will

in the presence of each other and in the presence of the testator.

(signed) Jared Willson

Surrogate’s Record V. 18, pages 24 (bottom), 25, and 26 (top)

From the Ontario County, New York, Surrogate’s Court, Probate Records V.13-19,

1818-1829 (Family History Center – Microfilm)

Transcribed by Rebecca Klein Aug 2011