Heck Yeah, Genealogy!

Sharing my family history research discoveries.

[heckyeahgenealogy]

Surname Saturday: Trafford

Here’s what I think I’ve learned so far about my TRAFFORD ancestors.

1. Dean Richardson

2. Roberta Matthews Knapp

3. Roberta Trafford Matthews born 05 July 1907 in Leonia, Bergen, NJ; died 19 September 1987 in Emmaus, Lehigh, PA

4. Sarah Caroline Trafford born 21 April 1868 in Manhattan, NY; died 27 March 1933 in Springfield, Hampton, MA

5. Benjamin Trafford born 5 August 1835 in NY; died 23 December 1883 in Little Silver, Monmouth, NJ

6. Abraham Trafford born 31 December 1804 in NJ; died 27 August 1871 in NJ

7. Samuel Trafford born 1750 in Shrewbury, Monmouth, NJ; died 22 June 1806 in Shrewsbury, Monmouth, NJ

8. Samuel Trafford born 1725 in Monmouth county, NJ

Some of the earlier data we have is from Historical and genealogical miscellany: data relating to the settlement and settlers of New York and New Jersey, Volume 4 by John Edwin Stillwell.

The Benjamin Trafford obituary shown here was published in the New York Times on 24 December 1883. It’s the first genealogy document I encountered relating to my ancestors. My wife found it on microfilm at the BYU Genealogy Library shortly after our marriage. It’s fair to say that my interest in genealogy and family history dates back to that experience.

I’m particularly fond of this sentence from the obituary:

He amassed a fortune, but through his generous habits and high living, coupled with disastrous speculation, he lost his property and had recourse to journalism as a means of gaining a livelihood.

We were later blessed to gain access to a marvelous collection of correspondence between Benjamin and his wife Cecelia during Benjamin’s various Civil War enlistment periods. My mother has in her possession a trunk that Benjamin supposedly carried with him during the war.

Family lore indicates that the Trafford name was originally de Trafford on the other side of the Atlantic. I’ve yet to uncover any evidence documenting this speculation, though it certainly seems plausible and I haven’t tried particularly hard.

I’d love to hear from any one with Traffords among their ancestors who could help me make the de Trafford connection. I’d also be interested in receiving help locating the “work on military tactics” mentioned in the obituary that Benjamin is supposed to have authored.

[heckyeahgenealogy]

Surname Saturday: Guilford

Here’s what I've been able to learn so far about my GUILFORD ancestors.

1. Dean Richardson

2. Roberta Matthews Knapp

3. Kenneth Guilford Knapp, born 07 January 1906 in Worcester, Worcester, MA; died 8 Sep 1974 in Bradenton, Manatee, FL.

4. Rosamund Guilford, born Jun 1874 in Williamsburg, Hampshire, MA; died 1942 in Westfield, Union, NJ.

5. Andrew Guilford, born 1839 in Conway, Franklin, MA; died 14 Sep 1876 in Williamsburg, Hampshire, MA.

6. Ebenezer Morris Guilford, born 24 Dec 1813 in Williamsburg, Hampshire, MA

New FamilySearch and several Ancestry Member Trees also point to Ebenezer Morris being the son of Ebenezer Guilford and Mary or Polly Packard. We haven’t been able to document that connection to our satisfaction yet.

The image at the top of this post is from the 1860 US Federal Census for Williamsburg, Hampshire, MA and shows a “Morrison Guilford” married to Sally and living next to their sons Lewis and Andrew.

If anyone researching the Guilfords of Massachusetts comes across this and has information to share, We’d be very grateful to hear from you. Thanks!

[heckyeahgenealogy]

Surname Saturday: Merriman/Merryman

Here’s what I think I know about my MERRYMAN/MERRIMAN line:

1. Dean Richardson

2. David Richardson, born 17 Nov 1935 in Erie, Erie County, PA; died 16 Oct 1998 in Stanford, Santa Clara County, CA

3. Owen Richardson, born 02 Dec 1899 in Baltimore, Baltimore County, MD; died 05 Dec 1993 in Edinboro, Erie County, PA

4. Allen Chapman Richardson, born 18 Jun 1859 in Baltimore, Baltimore, MD; died 21 Dec 1908 in Erie, Erie County, PA

5. Sarah Rogers Merryman, born 03 Oct 1834 in Baltimore county, MD; died 14 Oct 1896

6. Levi Merryman, born Dec 1795 in Baltimore, MD; died in 1868 in Baltimore, MD

At this point, several compiled genealogies and Ancestry Member Trees are able to trace the Merryman line  from Levi back to 1600′s-era England. The image above is from Volume 10 of the Maryland Historical Magazine, p. 298. I haven’t been able to adequately document Levi’s connection to these sources myself yet. As always, I would welcome contact with researchers pursuing this line.

[heckyeahgenealogy]

Surname Saturday: Grant

Here’s what I know (or like to think I do) about my GRANT line.

1. Dean Richardson

2. David Richardson, born 17 Nov 1935 in Erie, Erie County, PA; died 16 Oct 1998 in Stanford, Santa Clara County, CA

3. Owen Richardson, born 02 Dec 1899 in Baltimore, Baltimore County, MD; died 05 Dec 1993 in Edinboro, Erie County, PA

4. Louise Grant Smith, born 01 Apr 1861 in Detroit, Wayne County, MI; died 01 May 1941 in Saybrook, Ashtabula County, OH

5. Margaretta Ballenger Grant, born 09 Apr 1839 in St. Louis, St. Louis County, MO; died 29 Jun 1918 in Tiffin, Seneca County, OH

6. David Miller Grant, born 03 Feb 1801 in Philadelphia (or Scotland!); died in 1848.

David seems to have been a ship’s captain for numerous boats traveling the Mississippi River. Family lore has him born in Scotland, Church records for Philadelphia seem to place his birth there, but neither are conclusive.

The obituary shown here is for Margaretta Ballenger (Grant) Shelly. She married (first) James Thomas Smith. After James’ death in 1863, she married (second) William Kern Shelly on 24 Dec 1866 in Chicago, Cook County, IL. The Mrs. Louise Richardson mentioned in the obituary as one of Margaretta’s three surviving daughters is my great-grandmother.

If you have any information on David Miller Grant of Philadelphia / St. Louis / Peoria, I’d sure be grateful to hear from you.

[heckyeahgenealogy]

Surname Saturday: Kissel/Kissell

Here’s what I’ve been able to learn so far about my KISSEL/KISSELL ancestors.

1. Dean Richardson

2. David Richardson, born 17 Nov 1935 in Erie, Erie County, PA; died 16 Oct 1998 in Stanford, Santa Clara County, CA.

3. Margaret Jourdan / Jordan, born 01 June 1903 in Erie, Erie County, PA; died 25 January 1982 in Erie, Erie County, PA.

4. Amelia Kissel / Kissell, born 28 Aug 1867 in Theresa, Jefferson County, NY; died 09 Sep 1929 in Erie, Erie, PA.

5. Johann Peter Kissel, born 24 Mar 1832 in Gross Umstadt, Hessen, Germany; died 02 Apr 1911 in Theresa, Jefferson County, NY.

6. Johann Peter Kissel

The obituary shown to the right is from the Watertown Daily Times and was retrieved from the marvelous FultonHistory.com site. Unfortunately, no publication date was legible on the image.

It’s a little troubling that Amelia Kissel is mentioned in the obituary as having “married a Kissel.” Our best information points to Amelia having only married once, and to Friedrich Jourdan, not to a Mr. Kissel.

Note that the surname shows up in both the KISSEL and KISSELL forms in the same obituary.

If you have any Kissel or Kissell relatives and you think you may be connected to mine in some fashion, please let me know. Thank you!

[heckyeahgenealogy]

Surname Saturday: Smith

Here’s what I know (or hope I do) about my SMITH line.

1. Dean Richardson

2. David Richardson, born 17 Nov 1935 in Erie, Erie County, PA; died 16 Oct 1998 in Stanford, Santa Clara County, CA

3. Owen Richardson, born 02 Dec 1899 in Baltimore, Baltimore County, MD; died 05 Dec 1993 in Edinboro, Erie County, PA

4. Louise Grant Smith, born 01 Apr 1861 in Detroit, Wayne County, MI; died 01 May 1941 in Saybrook, Ashtabula County, OH

5. James Thomas Smith, born 1834 in Waterville, Oneida County, NY; died 18 Feb 1863 in Detroit, Wayne County, MI

6. James Ayer Smith, born 24 Jun 1807 in Paris, Oneida County, NY; died 22 Jul 1875 in Chicago, Cook County, IL

7. Charles Smith, born 1781 in Pownalboro, Lincoln County, ME; died 19 Dec 1871 in Kane County, IL

8. Cheney (“China”) Smith, died 17 Dec 1831 in Oneida County, NY

Most of the early data here is from “Memories”, a typescript authored by Louise Grant Smith (pictured.) She made several copies for her children; we have the copy given to her son Owen in our possession. A microfilm copy is available as FHL Film 1035971 Item 1.

[heckyeahgenealogy]

Surname Saturday: Matthews

Here’s what I know (or think I do!) about my direct MATHEWS/MATTHEWS ancestors:

1. Dean Richardson

2. Roberta Matthews Knapp

3. Roberta Trafford Matthews born 05 July 1907 in Leonia, Bergen, New Jersey; died 19 September 1987 in Emmaus, Lehigh, Pennsylvania

4. Thomas Taylor Mathews born 31 August 1868 in Cookstown, Tyrone, Ireland; died 01 August 1954 in Emmaus, Lehigh, Pennsylvania

5. William Mathews lived in Grange, at the time of Thomas’ birth

As you can probably tell, the Mathews line is one of the ones I know the least about and for which I have the least solid sourcing.

Thomas’ birthdate comes from FHL film 0101170: Quarterly returns of births in Ireland, 1864-1955, with index to births, 1864-1921. Though the details given in the birth return match family remembrances and later US Census data, the evidence is far from conclusive.

In the photo, Thomas Taylor is seated on the right (per the identification is pen on the reverse) and his wife Sarah Caroline Trafford is seated in the center. Their children are identified as (left-to-right) Robert, baby Evie, and Celia. The other two in the picture are “Uncle Sam and Aunt Anna”.

I’d be grateful for any information any Mathews cousins might have regarding Thomas Taylor Mathews and his immediate family in Ireland.

[heckyeahgenealogy]

Surname Saturday: Jourdan

Back to my father’s side this week. Here’s what I know (or think I do!) about my direct JOURDAN ancestors:

1. Dean Richardson

2. David Richardson (1935-1998)

3. Margaret Jourdan, born 01 June 1903 in Erie, Erie County, PA; died 25 January 1982 in Erie, Erie County, PA

4. Friedrich Jourdan, born 08 February 1864 in Walldorf, Starkenburg, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany; died 03 May 1951 in Erie, Erie County, PA

5. Jakob Jourdan I, born 28 January 1833 in Walldorf, Starkenburg, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany; died 11 September 1902 in Walldorf, Starkenburg, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany

6. Johann Peter Jourdan II, born 23 November 1792 in Walldorf, Starkenburg, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany; died 27 September 1866 in Walldorf, Starkenburg, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany

7. Jean Philippe Jourdan, born 28 January 1759 in Walldorf, Starkenburg, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany; died 08 December 1833 in Walldorf, Starkenburg, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany

8. Pierre Jourdan, born 12 January 1713 in Palmbach, Wuerttemburg, Germany; died 08 September 1766 in Walldorf, Starkenburg, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany

9. Jean Jourdan, born 06 June 1689 in Roure, Piemont, France; died 16 April 1754 in Palmbach, Wuerttemburg, Germany

10. Janon Jourdan, born 1651 in Roure, Piemont, France; died 16 February 1705 in Palmbach, Wuerttemburg, Germany

My main source for the Jourdan line in Walldorf, Palmbach and Roure is the book “Das Walldorfer Familienbuch, 1699-1875″ authored by Wilhelm Klink and Jean Becker, published in 1974 by the “Working group for Walldorf history and  genealogy” and the city of Walldorf.

The picture in this post is of the Astorhaus, which according to Wikipedia “was built in 1854 from a pecuniary legacy of deceased John Jacob Astor to his hometown.” I have no idea whether or not I’m related to Mr. Astor, of “Waldorf-Astoria” fame. If any Jourdan cousins can clue me in, I’d be grateful.

[heckyeahgenealogy]

Surname Saturday: Knapp

Last week I listed my my father’s RICHARDSON line; this week I turn to my mother’s side. Here’s what I know (or think I do!) about my direct KNAPP ancestors:

1. Dean Richardson

2. Roberta Knapp

3. Kenneth Guilford Knapp, born 07 Jan 1906 in Worcester, Worcester County, MA; died 08 Sep 1974 in Bradenton, Manatee County, FL

4. Walter Ferdinand Knapp, born 16 Oct 1872 in Easton, Aroostook County, ME; died 04 Dec 1906 in Worcester, Worcester County, MA

5. Hiram Loring Preston Knapp, born 1844 in Kingfield, Franklin County, ME; died 1927

6. Benjamin Franklin Eastman Knapp, born 04 Jan 1822 in Freeman, Franklin County, ME; died 14 Sep 1885 in Lowell, Middlesex County, MA

7. John Knapp, born 02 Oct 1792 in Leeds, Androscoggin County, ME; buried in Freeman Ridge Cemetery, Freeman, Franklin County, ME

8. Joseph Knapp, Jr., born 1763 in Easton, Bristol County, MA; died 07 Aug 1839 in Freeman, Franklin County, ME

New FamilySearch identifies further generations in the Knapp line including Joseph Sr., Benjamin and Aaron Knapp, but I have not yet explored the NFS data for those individuals in detail and I can’t support the assertions in NFS with any of my own research or documentation.

Several of my Knapps (including John listed above) married into the Wing Family, for which many books and websites are available (e.g., The Wing Family of America.)

Data for John and Joseph Knapp, Jr. above is from the book A Genealogical History of Freeman, Maine 1796-1938, by George A. Thompson and Janet A. Thompson, Heritage Books, Inc. 1996.

If any of my potential Knapp cousins are reading this and think you might tie in to the line I’ve described (or if you have evidence contradicting the details I’ve given) I’d love to hear from you. Thanks!

[heckyeahgenealogy]

Surname Saturday: Richardson

Since this is my first Surname Saturday post, it seems appropriate to start with my own surname: Richardson. Here’s what I know (or think I do!) about my Richardson line:

1. Dean Richardson

2. David Richardson, born 17 Nov 1935 in Erie, Erie County, PA; died 16 Oct 1998 in Stanford, Santa Clara County, CA

3. Owen Richardson, born 02 Dec 1899 in Baltimore, Baltimore County, MD; died 05 Dec 1993 in Edinboro, Erie County, PA

4. Allen Chapman Richardson, born 18 Jun 1859 in Baltimore, Baltimore, MD; died 21 Dec 1908 in Erie, Erie County, PA

5. James Arnold Richardson, born 09 Dec 1830 in Baltimore, Baltimore, MD; died 12 August 1883 in Carroll County, MD

6. George Whatcoat Richardson, born 19 Mar 1805 in Baltimore County, MD; died 02 Oct 1846 in Baltimore County, MD

I’ve found several compiled genealogies that extend the line further to Arnold, Vincent, and Thomas Richardson, but I’m far from comfortable including them at this point.

If any Richardson cousins come across this, and if you think you might tie in to my line or if you have evidence contradicting the details I’ve given above, I’d love to hear from you.

[heckyeahgenealogy]

These photos are of the August Kissel monument at the family gravesite in Oakwood Cemetery, Theresa, NY. I received them through the generosity of Sid and Bonnie at NNYGenealogy.com.

Some key details from the photos:

August Kissel was born 18 June 1842 and died 28 March 1923.

He served in Co. B of the 94th Regiment of NY Volunteers in the Civil War, between 8 October 1861 and 25 April 1865.

He escaped from Salisbury Prison in North Carolina on January 27th, 1865.

Follow-up tasks:

Request his Civil War pension file.

Research his wife Julia.

Follow his kids through the Census.

[heckyeahgenealogy]

As a follow-up to the Peter Kissel obituary in my last post, here is the Watertown Daily Times obituary for Anna (Kissel) Lehr, who died Wednesday January 13th, 1926 in Theresa, Jefferson County, NY. I cropped this image from a pdf version of the paper accessed on the Old Fulton Postcards website.

Some key content in this article:

Anna was born in Gross-Umstadt, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany. This was actually my first clue as to where my great-grandfather Peter was born.

Her birthdate is 16 March 1834.

Her parents' names are Peter Kissel and Mary Giltz. (The German church register we found on FHL microfilm gives their names as Johann Peter Kissel and Anna Maria Giltz.)

She married George Lehr. He died 12 October 1905.

She was a member of the Redwood German Lutheran Church.

She was survived by a sister, Mrs. Katherine Haas.

Two daughters and a son survived her, as did seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

She was buried in the Oakwood cemetery in Theresa.

Her brother Peter Kissel came to the US in part "to escape the hardships of the German army life." He came with his brother August and his sisters Anna Maria and Katharine.

Anna and her husband George lost a big portion of their savings as a result of the failure of a bank in Watertown.

Follow-up tasks:

Obtain cemetery photos for Anna, George, and their descendants.

Try to find an obituary for George.

Track Anna and George in the census.

[heckyeahgenealogy]

Watertown Daily Times obituary for (Johann) Peter Kissel, who died Sunday April 2nd, 1911 in Theresa, Jefferson County, NY. Though it's not clear in this screengrab from the Old Fulton Postcards website, the obituary is from the April 3rd, 1911 issue of the paper.

The obituary omits Elizabeth from the list of Peter's children, and has Amelia marrying a Kissel, when in fact it was Elizabeth who married George Kissel, while Amelia married Friedrich Jourdan.

To-do: follow up and obtain obituaries for Peter's siblings August Kissel, Mrs. Lehr, and Mrs. Haas?

[heckyeahgenealogy]

These images show the family of Johann Peter Kissel and Elizabeth Zimmermann Kissel in the 1860, 1870, and 1880 US Federal Census and the 1865 NY State Census. Also listed are their children Peter (Jr.), Elizabeth, Mary (also Marion, elsewhere Marie), John and Amelia. The 1880 census shows Peter Jr. together with his wife Anna.

From what I believe I know currently, Mary/Marie died unmarried, and Peter, Elizabeth and John all preceded their mother and father in death. Amelia married Friedrich Jourdan and moved to Erie, Pennsylvania. She's my great-grandmother.

[heckyeahgenealogy]

Deaths from a typescript of the parish register for the Redwood German Lutheran Church in Redwood, Jefferson County, New York. Scanned from photocopies obtained at the genealogy room of the Flower Memorial Library in Watertown, NY.

Key entries for my Kissel line

Names & Place of Death: Kissel, Florence Agnes / Theresa

Dates: d. July 14, 1881 / bu. July 16, 1881 Parents, Place & Date of Birth: Peter Kissel & Annie b. Jackson - Theresa / May 4, 1881

I believe them to be from a branch of the Kissel family as yet unconnected to my own.

Names & Place of Death: Kissel, Marie / Theresa

Dates: d. Apr. 12, 1882 / bu. Apr. 23, 1882 (really?) Parents, Place & Date of Birth: Peter & Elisabeth Kissel - Theresa / Dec. 11, 1859

This should be Emilie's sister Marie, who also shows up as Mary and Marion in the census.

Names & Place of Death: Kissel, Elisabeth / Theresa Dates: d. Mar. 28, 1897 / bu. Mar. 31, 1897 Parents, Place & Date of Birth: Zimmerman - Waldorf, Ger. / Dec. 19, 1833

This is my great-great-grandmother Elizabeth Kissel, perhaps related to her son-in-law Friedrich Jourdan.

[heckyeahgenealogy]

Marriages from a typescript of the parish register for the Redwood German Lutheran Church in Redwood, Jefferson County, New York. Scanned from photocopies obtained at the genealogy room of the Flower Memorial Library in Watertown, NY.

Key entries for my Kissel line

Name, Place & Date of Birth: Friedrich Jourdan / Feb. 8, 1864 - Waldorf / Emilie Kissel / Aug. 28, 1867 - Theresa Place & Date of M.: Nov. 15, 1887 / Redwood Parents: Jakob & Margaret Zimermann Jourdan / Peter & Elizabeth Zimermann Kissel

This is the marriage of my great-grandfather Jourdan and my great-grandmother Kissel

Name, Place & Date of Birth: Johann Peter Kissel / Mar. 24, 1832 - Germany / Anna Barbara Brunner / Feb. 4, 1861 - Germany Place & Date of M.: Apr. 20, 1898 / Theresa Parents: Peter & Anna Maria Giltz Kissel / Michael & Margarthe Link Brunner

This is Peter Kissel's second marriage, not long after Elizabeth's death. Note the details concerning his birthdate and parents' names. 

[heckyeahgenealogy]

Births from a typescript of the parish register for the Redwood German Lutheran Church in Redwood, Jefferson County, New York. Scanned from photocopies obtained at the genealogy room of the Flower Memorial Library in Watertown, NY.

Key entries for my Kissel line

Parents & Place: Kiessel, Peter & Elizabeth / Redwood Child: Emilie / b. Aug. 28, 1867 / bpt. Oct. 20, 1867 Sponsor: Eva Marie Rapp

Emilie Kissel, later Amelia Jourdan, was my great-grandmother

Parents & Place: Kissel, Peter & Annie b. Jackson / Theresa Child: Florence Agnes / b. May 4, 1881 / bpt. July 31, 1881 Sponsors: Elisabeth Kissel, Marie Kissel

Peter is likely Emilie's brother, son of Peter & Elizabeth

Parents & Place: Kissel, Peter & Annette b. Nellis / Town of Brownville Child: Albert Georg / b. Aug. 26, 1881 / bpt. Oct. 10, 1881 Sponsors: Georg Kissel

I believe this Peter to be from a different branch of the Kissel family than mine.  

Parents & Place: Kissel, Peter & Barbara b. Brummer / Theresa Child: Emma Karoline / b. Feb. 21, 1899 / bpt. Mar. 12, 1899 Sponsors: G. Loeffler & wife

This is Peter marrying a second wife after Elizabeth Zimmermann Kissel's death.