Genealogy - Getting to Know your Heritage

[pookie18]

I would think you would need to search the immigration records of England for that period. There is information at the link I posted for you as to how to do that.

Was going to print the entire contents of the link here & ask what related to England's immigration records, but maybe it would be easier if you posted the relevant part of your link here...tx

[Bigun]

Was going to print the entire contents of the link here & ask what related to England's immigration records, but maybe it would be easier if you posted the relevant part of your link here...tx

The part surrounding this:

[truth_seeker]

Pretty interesting.  Transitioning from names and dates to historical context is a good thing.  I did that too, and yet come back from time to time to the names and dates as new information comes my way.  Do you match anyone in the DNA database that also has Indian blood?  It likely can't go back farther much than the 1700s.  Are there any suspect locations such as areas in or near reservations where your ancestors might have lived?  If you could possibly get it to a tribe, many of them have excellent databases.  That would really send me into search-land, lol.

Plenty of potential contact with Indians, dating back to mid 1600s in New England, later Virginia, North and South Carolina, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota, etc.

Also my ancestors were in the West as part of the Mormon migration 1847, the Gold Rush 1849, etc.

But only 4% Indigenous North American can be an error. Not really that important, and it is unlikely I will ever track it down. I know who my people were, and where they lived.

I have a completed family tree going back several generations, with a couple of dead ends. Like for example a lady with the surname of "Roberts" which dead ends. That is a Welsh surname, but maybe she was part Indian.

Being part Indian wasn't a big advantage, so if it could be minimized/ignored/denied was better. It could be on either side or on both. We tested out 91 year old mother, to see if it is on her side. Expect results shortly.

I have studied DNA enough, to know the British Isles are an old melting pot, as far as physical racial ancestry goes. Many British share ancestry with Spain.

My wife is 100% Italian. Yet her mother is very tall, and has "Viking's disease" in her hands. Vikings went to Southern Italy 1000 years ago.

Etc.

[catfish1957]

The part surrounding this:

Just a reminder to Briefers that most of the Immigration and Travel section at Ancestry is their top tier of service $299/yr (international) vs. $189/yr for U.S only.  I personally can get by at my house with US tier only.  Full service is available on the Library  Subscription Service offered by Ancestry that is available at most decent (big shock) genealogy libraries.

[pookie18]

The part surrounding this:

Oh, that. I did that years ago (& again recently), but didn't find them under UK incoming passenger lists. I do have the Ancestry International subscription (since I share it with 3 other folks).

[Bigun]

Oh, that. I did that years ago (& again recently), but didn't find them under UK incoming passenger lists. I do have the Ancestry International subscription (since I share it with 3 other folks).

OK. I wasn't sure as to where you were.

The link I provided also has links to many other possible places to search for that kind of information.

Are you sure that the people you are looking for were ever legal residents of England?

[pookie18]

OK. I wasn't sure as to where you were.

The link I provided also has links to many other possible places to search for that kind of information.

Are you sure that the people you are looking for were ever legal residents of England?

Legal meaning citizens? If so, not sure. However, they were there from c. 1892 to 1908 & I have birth & death certificates, school rosters, etc.,  from London for several of them. Didn't see anything in those other links specifically...which is why I had to ask where I was supposed to be looking...thanks.

[Bigun]

Legal meaning citizens? If so, not sure. However, they were there from c. 1892 to 1908 & I have birth & death certificates, school rosters, etc.,  from London for several of them. Didn't see anything in those other links specifically...which is why I had to ask where I was supposed to be looking...thanks.

I don't know what else I can  point you to.  If they stayed in England for that long there are paper records somewhere. Just have to find them. Check all possible permeations of the names for sure.

[EC]

Was going to print the entire contents of the link here & ask what related to England's immigration records, but maybe it would be easier if you posted the relevant part of your link here...tx

You are in luck - slightly. Since a child was born here, that you know of, after 1860, their birth certificate will be in the archives, which will include the parent's parish. If no parish is recorded, they arrived within 6 months of the date of issue of the birth certificate. That certainly trims down the records search.

https://www.somersethouse.org.uk/contact/public-records

It's no longer held at Somerset House (they sold off the building to developers  ) but that link gives you where to ask and how.

[pookie18]

You are in luck - slightly. Since a child was born here, that you know of, after 1860, their birth certificate will be in the archives, which will include the parent's parish. If no parish is recorded, they arrived within 6 months of the date of issue of the birth certificate. That certainly trims down the records search.

https://www.somersethouse.org.uk/contact/public-records

It's no longer held at Somerset House (they sold off the building to developers  ) but that link gives you where to ask and how.

Thanks, @EC! Will PM you on Sunday...

[mountaineer]

Excellent list!  I have personal accounts at both Ancestry and Family Search.  I also use Family Tree DNA (it's the best there is) for DNA testing and GEDmatch.com for comparing my dna with that of others.

Thanks for that testimonial. I've been thinking of doing a DNA test. I know of my Anglo ancestry, and possibly Danish, but thought it would be interesting to see what else was "in the mix." My husband's four grandparents all came to America from present-day Croatia (they were Serbs), and he's worked on his genealogy for years. Nevertheless, it also might be interesting to find any non-Serb blood in him!

[Bigun]

Thanks for that testimonial. I've been thinking of doing a DNA test. I know of my Anglo ancestry, and possibly Danish, but thought it would be interesting to see what else was "in the mix." My husband's four grandparents all came to America from present-day Croatia (they were Serbs), and he's worked on his genealogy for years. Nevertheless, it also might be interesting to find any non-Serb blood in him!

As I am sure you are aware, there are different kinds of DNA tests.

Anyone can do an autosomal which is useful for finding your ethnicity and those who share a similar DNA profile. Ladies can also do a mitochondrial test. and men can do a Y test.

The reasons why one might choose to do any of those are well explained at the link below.

https://dna-explained.com/2012/10/01/4-kinds-of-dna-for-genetic-genealogy/

[musiclady]

As I am sure you are aware, there are different kinds of DNA tests.

Anyone can do an autosomal which is useful for finding your ethnicity and those who share a similar DNA profile. Ladies can also do a mitochondrial test. and men can do a Y test.

The reasons why one might choose to do any of those are well explained at the link below.

https://dna-explained.com/2012/10/01/4-kinds-of-dna-for-genetic-genealogy/

I'm 100% Swedish - all grandparents were born there, and have traced back to the 18th century, again all in Sweden, though one was born in what is Finland today but was part of Sweden at the time.

I did a DNA test through ancestry.com and they came up with the obvious results.  The percentages are averages, and I came out 51% Scandinavian, which could be as high as 70%.  The rest were parts of German, Western Russian, Finnish and north western European.

One thing I found helpful, in addition to materials about tracing Swedish roots here, was the Swedish-American Immigration Center in Karlstad, Varmland, Sweden.  We spent about two hours there, and they came up with loads of details from the Lutheran Church records of my grandparents, great-grandparents, and great-great grandparents.

We were able to visit the birthplaces of all 4 grandparents and 8 great-grandparents, and even see the large farm than my maternal great-grandfather farmed, and the Iron mine where my paternal great-grandfather worked, and where he decided he wanted more opportunity, so decided to come to America.

One thing that was remarkable to me while I was there, is how much I felt "home".................. like I was among my people.

I've always been 100% American, but my roots have been strong in Sweden, and I guess my internal DNA knew that.   ^-^

[Bigun]

I'm 100% Swedish - all grandparents were born there, and have traced back to the 18th century, again all in Sweden, though one was born in what is Finland today but was part of Sweden at the time.

I did a DNA test through ancestry.com and they came up with the obvious results.  The percentages are averages, and I came out 51% Scandinavian, which could be as high as 70%.  The rest were parts of German, Western Russian, Finnish and north western European.

One thing I found helpful, in addition to materials about tracing Swedish roots here, was the Swedish-American Immigration Center in Karlstad, Varmland, Sweden.  We spent about two hours there, and they came up with loads of details from the Lutheran Church records of my grandparents, great-grandparents, and great-great grandparents.

We were able to visit the birthplaces of all 4 grandparents and 8 great-grandparents, and even see the large farm than my maternal great-grandfather farmed, and the Iron mine where my paternal great-grandfather worked, and where he decided he wanted more opportunity, so decided to come to America.

One thing that was remarkable to me while I was there, is how much I felt "home".................. like I was among my people.

I've always been 100% American, but my roots have been strong in Sweden, and I guess my internal DNA knew that.   ^-^

I know what you mean!  I have had a similar experience in fact.

[jmyrlefuller]

The Fuller family came here from England on a Puritan ship in the 1630s.

My paternal grandmother came here from Poland as a child and, judging by maiden name alone, probably had some Czech ancestry as well.

My maternal great-grandfather came here from Ireland. His wife was part of Chautauqua County's Swedish ancestry.

To be honest, I've never really cared about doing a DNA test for it. I know I'm about as white as they come, though, and that's all I need to know.

[catfish1957]

The Fuller family came here from England on a Puritan ship in the 1630s.

1/16 of my ancestry is MA/CT puritans too.  Remember seeing an NEHGS study showing people with common ancestry to the Winthrop Fleet migration have an 85-90% probability of common ancestry on those Winthrop lines.

[Elderberry]

1/16 of my ancestry is MA/CT puritans too.  Remember seeing an NEHGS study showing people with common ancestry to the Winthrop Fleet migration have an 85-90% probability of common ancestry on those Winthrop lines.

This thread has sparked my interest to get back to researching my tree. I had mentioned joining SAR and SCV. Well Today I submitted two preliminary review forms to the General Society of Mayflower Descendants as I have two Mayflower Compact Signatories in my tree; Edward Doty and Frances Cooke.

[mountaineer]

Is anyone concerned about what might happen to your DNA samples? I guess it's hard to trust anyone, at a time when google, Facebook, et al., seem to be handmaidens for the Zero Administration.

[catfish1957]

This thread has sparked my interest to get back to researching my tree. I had mentioned joining SAR and SCV. Well Today I submitted two preliminary review forms to the General Society of Mayflower Descendants as I have two Mayflower Compact Signatories in my tree; Edward Doty and Frances Cooke.

New England has some absolutely awesome records.  With my  particular New England great great grandfather, I have traced 113/128 of his ancestors back to England and Scotland.  over 90%!!!!!   However, they all came over on boats 3- 100+ (1628-1660).  not a single one to the Mayflower.  :(

[catfish1957]

Is anyone concerned about what might happen to your DNA samples? I guess it's hard to trust anyone, at a time when google, Facebook, et al., seem to be handmaidens for the Zero Administration.

As long as you are a law abiding citizen, there should never be a problem.  Can't speak for 23/Me, but FTDNA and Ancestry have confidentiality agreements that protect participants against anyone wanting information.  I believe there the only exception is cases where law enforcement has "for cause" reason to secure.  And that has to be in the form of subpoena.   Even with that, FTDNA/Ancestry do their best to only provide the minimal.

In my case, at almost age 60, the benefits of being able to knock down genealogical brick walls is worth the minimal risk.

[jmyrlefuller]

Is anyone concerned about what might happen to your DNA samples? I guess it's hard to trust anyone, at a time when google, Facebook, et al., seem to be handmaidens for the Zero Administration.

Yes, that's part of the reason why my family refuses to do anything like that.

[NavyCanDo]

Thanks for setting up this page. 

In the late 1990s, I got into a genealogy hobby, as I started tracing my Irish family roots.  It's a great (albeit time-consuming) pastime!

It use to be largely older women that would take on the genealogy hobby, and to do a good job it would take a lot of letter writting, because there was no enternet to do your search. With the web, and the many good genealogy web sights, the hobby has spread to husbands and children too. I have traced my family roots back to the eleventh century on both sides of the family. Thankfully my family lines kept great records. 

Scots-Irish and English with earlier Norman ties on my Dad's side, and German, Swede  on my mothers.

[Bigun]

Is anyone concerned about what might happen to your DNA samples? I guess it's hard to trust anyone, at a time when google, Facebook, et al., seem to be handmaidens for the Zero Administration.

Not in the least!

[NavyCanDo]

Is anyone concerned about what might happen to your DNA samples? I guess it's hard to trust anyone, at a time when google, Facebook, et al., seem to be handmaidens for the Zero Administration.

That was my first concern when a geaneolgy  group researching my sir name "Glenn"  were discussing my link to one of three branches of early American Glenns.  Having a male member of my line provide dna would solve some roadblocks they ran into. They paid the dna test which was around $200. There was no problems, and I still converse with the ladies in that group.  Old ladies in case MRS Navycando reads this.

[catfish1957]

Catfish Tip No. 3-  Find A Grave

Maybe the most exciting genealogy development of the past 5 years has been the use and expansion of the Findagrave web site.

http://www.findagrave.com

There are now over 148,000,000 graves cataloged on this site, and in many cases there is information about our  ancestors on these stones that  can't be found in other places.  The search engine is very user friendly, and many kind volunteers have took and posted pictures of the stones.  Site also has an easy and effective linking system which with one click will take you to that person's parents, spouse, or children.

Many other helpful folks also post pictures of the people associated with the grave, and there is a "flowers" section , where you can provide memorial comments, or any other bit of info to share.  Finally, if there isn't a picture of the stone of your ancestor, you can easily ask one of an army of volunteers, who would be happy to post a photo of the stone onto your ancestors memorial page.

I know probably 90%+ of you in this hobby are already using and enjoying this site, I did want to make sure the other 10% were made aware of it.  It is totally free, but does allow you to buy Grave bucks to donate to the site so you can sponsor your ancestor's page.  If you haven't tried it, it is well worth it.

[Elderberry]

New England has some absolutely awesome records.  With my  particular New England great great grandfather, I have traced 113/128 of his ancestors back to England and Scotland.  over 90%!!!!!   However, they all came over on boats 3- 100+ (1628-1660).  not a single one to the Mayflower.  :(

Today I received the preliminary review from the Mayflower Society and I forwarded it to the Historian of the Georgia Chapter, requesting all the help I can get.
I can't wait!

[ConstitutionRose]

You're welcome and good luck on your search.  I do use that site from time to time, and I did notice they had some links to other sites for Mr. Wren.  Anyway, I agree with those here who recommend talking to the older ones in our family.  That would now be me, and I'm trying to answer any questions my family may one day have.  I wish to this day I would have followed that sage advice, but in any case, working through both Ancestry and Heritage as well as DNA, have put together five generations complete, and some going back farther than that.

My mother's side was Irish and all came over in the late 1840s on the famine ships.  My father's side was almost all English.  What a difference.  The Irish side is extremely difficult to trace earlier than the late 1700s; the English side on some names can trace back to the Normans.  Better record keeping I guess.

Opposite in my family.  Dad Irish and Mom British.  An aunt did tons of research and passed it on to my next oldest sister.  The English side is documented clear back to Charlemagne, the Irish only to the arrival in America.  I'm going to talk to my sister about DNA.  I don't believe she has used that tool and it might open up some info for her.

I'm glad I found this thread.

[ConstitutionRose]

Ping to follow this thread.  Thanks for starting.

Been doing it off and on for 20 years.  Have a large family tree as both sides (maternal and paternal) trace back to 1600's in America.  Eaton's of MA/NH on paternal side. On maternal side, the Stone's, Clark's, and Lee's of VA and Vansciver's of NJ.

My mother's side includes Clark's in VA.

[Idiot]

My parents spent years researching their families.  My mom now has several file cabinets full of info.  They traced our family back to Abraham Lincoln's wife (yes she ended up in a mental institution....hmmm...that explains some things.)  Sadly neither my brother or I don't really have an interest in this information.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXOwNOf2QXY

[skeeter]

My parents spent years researching their families.  My mom now has several file cabinets full of info.  They traced our family back to Abraham Lincoln's wife (yes she ended up in a mental institution....hmmm...that explains some things.)  Sadly neither my brother or I don't really have an interest in this information.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXOwNOf2QXY

My parents went through this phase as well. They found out we are directly related to this guy:

http://spartacus-educational.com/PRbrunt.htm

[ConstitutionRose]

You are right.  Scant info on this guy.  I will look further.
Alexander Wren

Birth:  1772 - USA
Death:  Virginia, United States
Marriage:  21 Dec 1785 - Greensville, Virginia, United States
Spouse:  Lucy Lawrence

If you wish I can send this to my sister who is planning a trip to VA to look in graveyards and old church records.  She might be able to find something.

[Bigun]

If you wish I can send this to my sister who is planning a trip to VA to look in graveyards and old church records.  She might be able to find something.

@ConstitutionRose

Thanks but a relative sorted it all out via a Y-DNA test.  Turns out that Alexander was not the right person anyway. 

Here's the correct fellow.

Evans Wren
1763–1826
Birth 31 AUG 1763 • Blackwater, Surry, Virginia
Death ABT. 1826 • Lawrence County, Alabama, USA
Spouse:  Lucy Hicks

 I would greatly appreciate any information anyone might find about him and wish to share with me.

[kalee]

Place marker. I am researching Wards and Heflin's of VA.

[RetBobbyMI]

My mother's side includes Clark's in VA.

I'm a descendant of William Clark of Clark's Mountain in Orange County and the Elder John Clark.

[kevindavis007]

I found a lot of neat information about my family. The only problem I have is that I can't seem to find any information about my Great Grandpa Davis.  Mainly his parents.  But most of my ancestors came from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland Wales, Germany and Ireland.

[Yogafist]

Genealogy - Getting to know your Heritage.

This Thread is posted for  discussion of Genealogy or the study of one's Heritage.

I personally think it to be one of the most important undertakings one can engage in and besides that I LOVE it!

Free accounts available at http://myheritage.com

Wow, thanks for that link!  I had been stuck on my paternal grandmother at Ancestry, but this site took her family all the way back to 1720 in the blink of an eye.  Ancestry's link included a name change that just couldn't be supported by any documentation, and it appears, they are wrong.  Additionally, I found a photo of my grandfather who was born in 1885. 

[Bigun]

Wow, thanks for that link!  I had been stuck on my paternal grandmother at Ancestry, but this site took her family all the way back to 1720 in the blink of an eye.  Ancestry's link included a name change that just couldn't be supported by any documentation, and it appears, they are wrong.  Additionally, I found a photo of my grandfather who was born in 1885.

You are quite welcome!  Glad you found it of use.

Welcome to TBR!

[truth_seeker]

My sister did a DNA test with Ancestry.com and has been getting a steady stream of suggested related people.

In each case,  the person is found to be indeed related.

One of the latest helped a woman and her daughter. The woman was adopted in Winnepeg, and lived her life with sealed records, and no knowledge of her birth family whatsoever.

But those records were recently unsealed but all she learned was the surname of a birth -parent, and Winnepeg.

DNA indicated relationship to us. Sure enough, they were both thrilled. The now know the story of those ancestors, where they originated and where they wound up.

Our ancestors were part of the group from Smaland, Sweden that came to Chisago Lakes, Minnesota in the 1850s-60s. My ancestor went next to Dakota Territory. Hers to Manitoba.

The mother (now age 73) now lives in White Horse, Yukon Territory, and her daughter lives in Grand Prairie,, Alberta.

Our common ancestor was Jonas Peter Falk, born 1793 died 1881 and buried in Center City, Minnesota

[mountaineer]

That's cool,  t_s. I'm becoming more persuaded to do the DNA test after reading accounts like that.

[truth_seeker]

That's cool,  t_s. I'm becoming more persuaded to do the DNA test after reading accounts like that.

As my Mormon uncle told me, interest in genealogy is the "spirit of Elijah." Kinship, family.

I realize some evangelicals dislike Mormonism. My Italian Catholic wife likes them. She says they are a lot alike. Family and Food.

In the case of Mormons, lots of jello. Inside joke, BTW. I am not and have never been Mormon, just related to quite a few.

[catfish1957]

Here are  few suggestions to get the utmost genealogical value in your test....

(1) Build,upload, or import your tree for about 10 generations.  Include those though which may not  be proven, are highly likely.
(2) Secondly, after uploading, look for leaf matches.  Document in the comment section your common ancestor, and the relationship.  For example...3rd cousin once removed, I use nomenclature 3C1R.
(3). You may need to go through about 3 cycles of all 4C or lower data, and 4C and nearer start filling in the blanks via the shared matches function.
(4) Once everyone is assigned, and believe me there will be any examples of no common documentable matches, you should be able to find groupings which should say which family belongs where.
(5) When there are no discernible matches, make sure it is documented so.  I use NM (No Matches) in the comment section.
(6) Process, may prove some common ancestry, but almost as important it eliminates others.  Example...  If you determine that you get a pattern of people with a match to a set of great great grandparents, that eliminates 7/8 of the rest of your tree for research matter.

Good luck.

[Bigun]

My sister did a DNA test with Ancestry.com and has been getting a steady stream of suggested related people.

In each case,  the person is found to be indeed related.

One of the latest helped a woman and her daughter. The woman was adopted in Winnepeg, and lived her life with sealed records, and no knowledge of her birth family whatsoever.

But those records were recently unsealed but all she learned was the surname of a birth -parent, and Winnepeg.

DNA indicated relationship to us. Sure enough, they were both thrilled. The now know the story of those ancestors, where they originated and where they wound up.

Our ancestors were part of the group from Smaland, Sweden that came to Chisago Lakes, Minnesota in the 1850s-60s. My ancestor went next to Dakota Territory. Hers to Manitoba.

The mother (now age 73) now lives in White Horse, Yukon Territory, and her daughter lives in Grand Prairie,, Alberta.

Our common ancestor was Jonas Peter Falk, born 1793 died 1881 and buried in Center City, Minnesota

My wife of nearly 50 years never believed that she was the daughter of  the  man named 'on her birth certificate as her father.  Within the  last year DNA has revealed the truth and she 'has been able to discover who her real biological father was (no longer with us unfortunately) and 'connect with an Aunt and several close cousins.  They are all very excited by the turn of events and I am excited for them.

[catfish1957]

That's cool,  t_s. I'm becoming more persuaded to do the DNA test after reading accounts like that.

I have gotten tons of benefit from both my Ancestry and FTDNA testing.  I have proven 3 ancestors that earlier were just pure speculation.

Another interesting story is I found a close match (3C) that had no rhyme or reason.  I started closely comping our trees, and found that one of my great grandmother's brothers just happened to live in the same city/county this matches great grandmother had.  Pretty coincidental :) considering this residence was 150 miles from our family's homestead.

Those things happened even over a 100 years ago.

[mountaineer]

My maternal grandmother was a Polk and it always has been believed we were related to someone in President James K. Polk's family (he didn't have any children, alas). Maybe with the DNA testing, we can find out.

[Gefn]

My sister did a DNA test with Ancestry.com and has been getting a steady stream of suggested related people.

In each case,  the person is found to be indeed related.

One of the latest helped a woman and her daughter. The woman was adopted in Winnepeg, and lived her life with sealed records, and no knowledge of her birth family whatsoever.

But those records were recently unsealed but all she learned was the surname of a birth -parent, and Winnepeg.

DNA indicated relationship to us. Sure enough, they were both thrilled. The now know the story of those ancestors, where they originated and where they wound up.

Our ancestors were part of the group from Smaland, Sweden that came to Chisago Lakes, Minnesota in the 1850s-60s. My ancestor went next to Dakota Territory. Hers to Manitoba.

The mother (now age 73) now lives in White Horse, Yukon Territory, and her daughter lives in Grand Prairie,, Alberta.

Our common ancestor was Jonas Peter Falk, born 1793 died 1881 and buried in Center City, Minnesota

I've thought about doing this because I'm adopted and my birth records are sealed tighter than anything. At one point in my life I even went to court to have them unsealed to no avail.

Now, I just don't care anymore. I know the blue eyes had to come from some common European ancestor.,but I'm beyond caring. The records must be sealed for a reason, so be it. I'm a mutt.

[truth_seeker]

I've thought about doing this because I'm adopted and my birth records are sealed tighter than anything. At one point in my life I even went to court to have them unsealed to no avail.

Now, I just don't care anymore. I know the blue eyes had to come from some common European ancestor.,but I'm beyond caring. The records must be sealed for a reason, so be it. I'm a mutt.

In this case though, the woman wanted to see what DNA might reveal.

To each their own. I respect either choice. 

[kevindavis007]

How good are the DNA test? Which is better?

[Bigun]

How good are the DNA test? Which is better?

Extremely accurate.. IMHO FTDNA IS the best of the lot.

[musiclady]

I did the Ancestry.com DNA test and found out I was Scandinavian.

BIG shock............................... Not! ^-^

[pookie18]

My wife did both FTDNA and 23 & Me tests. We found a bunch of known relatives on 23 & Me. We haven't been able to confirm any matches on FTDNA. I believe that, between the two, there are many more people on 23 & Me.