My Genea-Mecca Sojourn is Coming to an End

After six weeks in Salt Lake City, I'll be leaving Sunday morning. It has been a satisfying and frustrating experience. Although no breakthroughs have been made, more documents have been gathered that add to the understanding of some of the ancestors. Of course, some of those documents have generated more questions - a few which will likely never be answered. But that is the nature of genealogy and family history research, which is a seemingly never-ending obsession.

In addition to research at the library, I've also been working on cleaning up my Legacy database. It is a slow and tedious process but I'm starting to have a good feeling about it. There is still a lot to be done with it but there is light at the end of the tunnel. One of the benefits of this process is that some of the "holes" in my research have been identified and I was able to obtain a few of those missing documents here in Salt Lake City.

One of the highlights of my visit here was being able to spend some time with Denise Levenick, The Family Curator. Denise was here for five days, coming a few days prior to the Utah Genealogical Association's Spring Conference where she was the keynote speaker and gave several presentations. It was a very nice change of pace to have someone to bounce ideas off of and just talk about stuff.

One evening, A.C. Ivory joined us for dinner at The Garden restaurant on the 10th floor of the Joseph Smith Building. Lots of laughing and talking - and we also enjoyed the sunset over the valley!

What's up next?

The coast of California will be my next stop, for about a week of "just relaxing" then I'll be meeting up with some of my Joslin cousins in Missouri in mid-May. After that, I'll be returning to Indiana to "settle down" into a somewhat "normal" life - whatever that is!

G.R.I.P. is on the agenda in July. I'll be attending "Your Immigrant Ancestors’ Stories: Writing a Quality Narrative" with John Philip Colletta and Michael Hait and in August I'll be going to the FGS Conference in Fort Wayne. I'm looking forward to seeing some of genea-peeps again and soaking in some knowledge that will, hopefully, help with the research process.

Published under a Creative Commons License.
Becky Wiseman, "My Genea-Mecca Sojourn is Coming to an End," Kinexxions, posted April 26, 2013 (http://kinexxions.blogspot.com/2013/04/my-genea-mecca-sojourn-is-coming-to-end.html : accessed [access date])

Sometimes ya just strike out!

And you have to wonder, What were “they” thinking when this was filmed? It's not the first time I've come across something like this. And I'm sure it won't be the last! [big sigh] Somewhere on this page is the guy I'm looking for...

Index to Deeds, Union County, Ohio for the “A” surname and “W” given name.

Family History Library film 571773 accessed February 24, 2012

Splendid Mother Nature!

Yesterday, Mother Nature gave us a beautiful day, with the temperature almost reaching 60 degrees – not that I took advantage of it or anything – most days (other than Sundays) have been spent at The Library. No “new” ancestors yet but still finding some good stuff!

Today the high was in the upper 30s due to a cold front that came through last night. Late this afternoon I noticed some interesting cloud formations in the western sky and decided to leave a little earlier than usual. I drove just a few miles west of the city on I-80, and took the exit when I saw a small pond alongside the road. The photo below is the result of that little excursion. You can't miss with a sunset when there are clouds and water involved... It was a little chilly, but worth it!

Update from Salt Lake City...

It should come as no surprise that I am still in Salt Lake City! When I registered for RootsTech I also decided to spend the month of February here since I don't know if or when I'll get back this way. And even though I spent a total of 10 weeks here last year, there is still a lot to do.

You may find it somewhat strange that last week I spent only 3 days at the Library but, among other things, in those 3 days I was able to confirm five more Pennsylvania German ancestors! Aside from the New England ancestors, the Pennsylvania Germans are my largest “group” of immigrant ancestors. These are ancestors that other researchers had “found” or thought that “perhaps” they might be the parents of known ancestors but had no documentation on which to base those somewhat shaky conclusions. I now have the estate files, which provide the necessary link between the generations. But, there are a few more Pennsylvania German ancestors that I'm still looking for as well as several other “missing” ancestors.

I'm also very happy to report that the file naming project is mostly complete! All of the files for the direct ancestors have been renamed putting them in chronological order. That has come in very handy with determining what I have and what I still need to look for. The files for the siblings and/or children of the ancestors were also renamed but those were sequenced by name and date.

All in all, it has been a productive week. Stay tuned for future posts and a couple of really interesting documents...

You Don't have to Break the Bank to Stay in Salt Lake City

Several people have asked about where I stayed and the cost of my 7 ½ week stay in Salt Lake City. I responded directly to them but thought others might be interested also. If you've ever dreamed of spending more than a few days there, I can tell you that it doesn't have to break the bank!

I stayed at the Extended Stay America in West Valley City near the Maverick Center. It's about a 15 minute drive to the Library (on I-215 and I-80 then a few city blocks north) so if you have a car it is great. There is a Trax station a couple of blocks away, near the Maverick Center. If I didn't have the van I probably would have used Trax - except that the sidewalk isn't very well lit and it was usually after dark when I returned from the library. Trax is the public transportation system in Salt Lake City (both train and bus). There are other Extended Stay Motels in the Salt Lake City area.

I would recommend this place, especially if you have a car. It wasn't fancy but it was comfortable. It was clean, except the carpeting had some dark greasy looking areas. The room had a four-burner stove-top, microwave, refrigerator, table service for two, a skillet and a saucepan, television, great wifi (there was a one time charge of $5 for the wifi) and housekeeping once a week - all at a very reasonable price, especially if you stay for a month or more. You can check the rates on their website but it was about $40 per day for the first month then $35 per day after the first month (taxes are refunded after 30 days!). I asked for and got a “senior” discount of 5%. I do not know if the cost is higher for more than one person – check their website (search for Extended Stay America).

The weekly rate is somewhat higher but still very reasonable. There are several Extended Stay type of Motels in the Salt Lake City area. I chose this one because of the easy access to the Interstates and it was simple enough to remember the route to the Library! Even though it was (quite literally) right beside I-215 noise was not a factor, however, I did have a room that faced away from the highway. Very seldom did I hear anyone else in the rooms above or beside me. I was surprised at how quiet it was.

Of course, if you drive a vehicle to the Library, you have to pay for parking. The most convenient parking lot was just to the north of the library. It was $5 per day (winter rate – it is $6 per day from May-October, or thereabouts). There was another lot that I sometimes parked in – the rates varied depending upon whether there were “events” going on. Much of the time it was $3 per day - other days it was $5 or $6. It was free on Saturdays if there were no events happening. That lot is one block west of the Library. I didn't use it if I knew I'd be at the library after dark – the sidewalks in that area were not well lit as some of the street lights were out.

Yes, it would have been really convenient to have stayed at the Plaza (right next to the Library) or one of the many other areas within a few blocks. But I really could not justify the cost for those places for the length of time that I was planning to stay. Overall, my stay at Extended Stay America was pleasant and quiet. The staff was courteous, friendly and helpful at all times – this is my experience, it may be different for other people.

Disclaimer: I am not being compensated in any way by Extended Stay America. They do not know that I'm writing this post. In fact they don't even know who I am.

A Few Hours With a Friend

Yesterday afternoon, my last day at the Family History Library, my stomach started growling and I realized I hadn't brought lunch as I usually do. I took the stairs from the 3rd floor, where I had been looking at some books, down to the 1st floor where the snack room was located.

As I was opening the door, I was pleasantly surprised to see Stephen Danko standing there. I think it took him a few seconds to realize it was me but I was soon engulfed by a hearty hug! We talked for a few minutes and made plans for supper after the library closed.

We met up as planned, had a delicious meal, then decided to walk through Temple Square. The Christmas Lights had been turned on Friday at dusk. The Square was crowded with lots of people enjoying the lights in the cool (actually cold) evening air.

The few pictures that I took don't do the scene justice and don't show the lights very well. Nearly every tree in the Square was wrapped in various covered lights.

There were several nativity scenes. This one simply shows Joseph and Mary with the baby Jesus, floating in one of the water features.

This was the one area in the Square that was not covered with lights. It told the story of the birth of Christ, with each scene being lit as the story progressed. It was nearly impossible to hear the narrator but I think most everyone there was familiar with the story!

The time passed quickly – too quickly – but it was so nice to see Steve again and spend even a few short hours together. Thanks, Steve!

Update from Salt Lake City :: Nearing the End

Two more days... then the Research Marathon will be over. It has been an incredible seven weeks (and a few days) and I feel so fortunate to have been able to spend so much time here. Now all I have to do is find (or take) the time to go through all of the stuff that I've gathered.

The majority of my time was spent on the second floor using the microfilms – nearly 500 rolls have been pulled and reviewed. Of course, some of them were used only for a few minutes but others yielded numerous documents. Everything was scanned – microfilm to jpg files and books to pdfs, which resulted in nearly 2,000 new files. Several estate packets yielded 40 to 90+ documents and confirmed relationships previously found in undocumented publications!

Midst all the wonderful documents collected there was some degree of frustration now and then. Microfilm images were not always of the greatest quality. Some were downright awful - faded or extremely dark or handwriting that was totally illegible. And then there were the record groups you wanted to view but were not available at the library. Yes, believe it or not The Library does not have everything! LOL.

This is one of the better quality images – clear and sharp. But the handwriting leaves a little to be desired. The sixth entry from the top is my guy – Christian Schuder/Shuder in the 1842 tax list for Jefferson Township, Montgomery County, Ohio. The only way I knew for sure it was him is the first name is legible as is the description of the land '5 3 25 26' (R5 T3 S25 & S26) that he owned.

But just being here and having the opportunity to access so many records in one location was absolutely marvelous. All in all, I've tremendously enjoyed my stay here in Salt Lake City and have gotten a lot accomplished - almost everything that I had hoped to get and so much more. Of course, there is always more research that could be done but I think I need to spend some time to review and absorb all that was gotten – and get the information entered into my Legacy database!

I'll be leaving Monday morning – heading south, hopefully toward warmer weather in southern Arizona or perhaps southern California. I haven't decided on a specific destination yet but do know that I'll be returning to Salt Lake City in February - for the RootsTech conference! I'm excited about that. I was really disappointed to miss it last year. It couldn't be helped and hopefully nothing will come up that will keep me away this year! I'm looking forward to the conference, attending the sessions, and seeing some of my genea-blogging friends again!

Speaking of genea-blogging friends, I'd like to thank A. C. Ivory for stopping by to say “Hello” whenever he was at the library (did you hear about his sky-diving escapades?). Also, thanks to Ruby Coleman for spending time with me when she was here in October working on her new book. It was great to see you both again!

Update from Salt Lake City :: One Month

Yep! A month ago today I arrived in Salt Lake City. The time has literally flown by. A lot has been accomplished – over 300 microfilms and 40 books (and 1 microfiche) have been pulled and viewed. Of course some of them only for a few minutes and others for a longer period of time, depending upon what the film contained. It's been exhilarating and exasperating – depending upon what was found or not found.

Various documents (wills, estate records, deed records, tax records, baptism records, etc.) on 25 different surnames – not all types of documents for every surname, more on some than others, but something for each surname. Some things were expected (I “knew” about them) but some new things have been found too. I'm at the point now where the “low hanging fruit” has been obtained and will be entering “new” territory next week, exploring surnames and locations that I've not done much research on previously.

One of the earliest documents found is the 1739 Land Warrant issued to Andreas Brinker. Born on July 9, 1699 in Rümikon-Elsau, Zürich, Switzerland as Andreas Brungger, he was married to Regula Hester in 1721 and they had six children, five of whom were born in Swizerland. On June 28, 1735 Andreas and his family arrived in Philadelphia onboard the ship “Mary” having sailed from Liverpool, England. They settled in Saucon, Bucks County in what would become Lower Saucon Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania. Andreas and Regula are my 7th great grandparents.

Land Warrant of Andreas Brinker, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Family History Library microfilm 021686 scanned November 1, 2011.

By the Proprietaries.
Pennsylvania, SS. Whereas Andreas Brinker of the County of Bucks hath requested that We would allow him to take up Fifty acres of Land Situate between to Hills adjoining George Hertzley at Sacoon in the said County of Bucks for which he agrees to pay to our Use, within the Term of six Months from the Date hereof, at the Rate of Fifteen Pounds Ten Shillings, current Money of this Province, for every Hundred Acres; and also to pay the yearly Quit-rent of one Half-penny Sterling for every Acre thereof, to us, our Heirs and Assigns for ever: These are there to authorize and require you to survey, or cause to be surveyed unto the said Andreas Brinker at the Place aforesaid, according to the Method of Townships appointed, the said Quantity of Fifty Acres, if not already surveyed or appropriated, and make Return thereof into the Secretary's Office, in order for Confirmation; for which this shall be your sufficient Warrant: Which Warrant and Survey, in case the said Andreas Brinker fulfil the above Agreement within six Months from the Date hereof, shall be valid, otherwise void. Given under my Hand, and the Seal of the Land-Office, by Virtue of certain Powers from the said Proprietaries, at Philadelphia, this Fifth Day of March Anno Domini One Thousand Seven Hundred and thirty nine. Signed Thos Penn

To Benj Eastburn, Surveyor General.

[Written on the left side]
To George Palmer DS
Execute this and make Return of Survey into the Surv Gen'l office as Soon as possible.
for John Sukins Esq
Edw Lynch

Another Ancestor Found!

Last Saturday was a very good day! After returning from a lunch break I found another ancestor! At least I think I have... a subdued Happy Dance ensued. I was working with Deed Records in Montgomery County, Ohio trying to obtain copies of those records for William Lavering, Christian Schuder (Shuder, Shuter, Shooter, etc.), Caspar Stoever (Stiver) and the unknown Huntsicker ancestor.

On December 22, 1842 Christian Schuder, Jr. was married to Sarah Huntsicker in Montgomery County, Ohio. They lived in Jefferson Township, Montgomery County until after 1860. They moved to Elkhart County, Indiana prior to 1870. The only information known about Sarah was that she was born February 2, 1817 in Pennsylvania. Her date of birth was calculated from her age at death as shown on her grave marker and her place of birth is from the 1850 through 1880 census records.

Christian's brother, Peter Shuder, had married Barbara Hunsager on February 20, 1826 also in Montgomery County. (Peter was born in 1799 and Christian in 1813.) In spite of the differences in spelling of the surname, it was thought that Barbara and Sarah were sisters. We had no clue as to who their parents were.

Earlier in the week I had taken a break from viewing microfilms and got on the FamilySearch website to get copies of some Ohio Marriage Records. The image provided a bit more information than the “official” copy that my cousin had gotten from the Montgomery County Clerks's Office – Sarah's brother, J. Huntsicker was present at their marriage ceremony.

Marriage of Christian Schuder and Sarah Huntsicker recorded in volume A-2 page 270 of the Montgomery County, Ohio marriages. (Image 486 from familysearch.org)

Apparently there is no “master” index to the deed books for Montgomery County or, if there is, it hasn't been filmed by the Family History Library! So basically you have to get the microfilm for each book and check the index located at the front of each book. I had gotten through 15 rolls of microfilm (26 deed books) when this deed jumped out at me.

On August 14, 1837 the heirs at law of Margaret Huntsicker sold a parcel of land to Emanuel Shank. Sarah is not named as one of the heirs in the first sentence but is listed each time thereafter that the others are named. I think the Recorder simply left her out in that first instance.

There was another family in Jefferson Township, Montgomery County that has a similar spelling – Huntsinger. But research by my cousin, Caroline Conrad Fawley, pretty much eliminated them as being Sarah's family. More research is needed but I'm fairly confident that Margaret Huntsicker is Sarah's mother and that her siblings are Abraham, John Jonathan, Katharine, Margret, Nancy Burnett, and Barbara Shuter.

And, of course, this all begs the question – who was Sarah's father? And what is her mother's maiden name? And where in Pennsylvania did they live? Anyone researching these families? If so, please contact me! kinexxions@gmail.com

Montgomery County, Ohio Deed records v. B-2 pages 450-452. FHL Microfilm 966656. Spelling and punctuation (or lack thereof) is the same as (or relatively close to) what was in the deed book.

[page] 450

A. Huntsicker
&c to
E. Shank

This Indenture made this fourteenth day of Augst in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight hundred and thirty seven. Between Abram Huntsicker John Huntsicker Jonathan Huntsicker Margaret Huntsicker of the State of Ohio and John Burnett & Nancy his wife and Peter Shuter & Barbary his wife of the State of Illinois, heirs at law of Margaret Huntsicker decd of the first part and Emanuel Shank of the County of Montgomery & State of Ohio of the second part (witnesseth) that the said John Huntsicker Abram Huntsicker Jonathan Huntsicker John Burnett Katharine Huntsicker, Sarah Huntsicker Margret Huntsicker John Burnett & Nancy his wife & Peter Shuter & Barbary his wife for and in consideration of three hundred dollars lawful money of the United States to them in hand well and truly paid by the said Emanuel Shank the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged hath granted bargained sold, aliened released, conveyed and confirmed by these presents unto the said Emanuel Shank his heirs and assigns forever All that lot and parcel of land lying and being in the County aforesaid West of the great Miami River and east of a Meridian drawn from the mouth of the big Miami River being the North end of the said Michael Mayers land and bounded as follows viz. Beginning at a post at the North west Corner of the said Michael Mayers land and running along his W Boundary line Southwardly six chains and thirty two links to a post thence westwardly six chains and twenty links to the place of beginning Containing four acres of land And all the Estate, right title Interest, claim and demand of them the said Abram Huntsicker John Huntsicker Jonathan Huntsicker Sarah Huntsicker Margret Huntsicker and John Burnett & Nancy his wife & Peter Shuter & Barbary his wife of in and to the said premises and every part thereof together with all the singular the privileges and appurtenances to the same belonging, or in any wise appertaining, and the [two illegible words] and profits thereof: To have and to hold the premises hereby bargained and sold, as meant or intended so to be with the appurtenances to the only proper use and behoof of the said Emanuel Shank his heirs and assigns forever. And the said Abraham Huntsicker John Huntsicker Jonathan Huntsicker Katharine Huntsicker Sarah Huntsicker Margret Huntsicker John Burnett & Nancy his wife Peter Shuter and Barbara his wife for themselves Executors and Administrators doth promise, covenant and agree, to

[page] 451

and with the said Emanuel Shank his heirs Executors and assigns that they [blank space] the true and lawful owners of the premises hereby granted and hand good right, full power and lawful authority to sell and convey the same in manner and form afforesaid. And further that they the said Abraham Huntsicker John Huntsicker Jonathan Huntsicker Katharine Huntsicker Sarah Huntsicker Margaret Huntsicker John Burnett & Nancy his wife Peter Shuter & Barbary his wife their heirs Executors and Administrators will warrant and forever defend the aforesaid premises with their appurtenances and every part and parcel thereoff unto the said Emanuel Shank his heirs and assigns against all persons claiming or to claim by for in and to them or any of them or by from or and in any other person or persons whomsoever In witness whereof the said Abram Huntsicker and Susan his wife and John Huntsicker and Amey his wife, Jonathan Huntsicker Katharine Huntsicker Sarah Huntsicker Margret Huntsicker John Burnett and Nancy his wife Peter Shuter and Barbary his wife, who hereby relinquish all their right, title claim, interest or dower in the premises have hereunto set their hands and Seals the day and year within written.

Sealed and delivered in the presence of Joseph Clingenpel [and] John D. Kiefer

Abraham Huntsicker (his mark)
Susan Huntsicker (her mark)
John Huntsicker
Amy Huntsicker (her mark)
Jonathan Huntsicker (his mark)
Catharina Huntsicker (her mark)
Sarah Huntsicker (her mark)
John Barnet
Nancy Barnet (her mark)
Peter Shuder (her mark)
Barbary Shuder (her mark)
Margaret Huntsicker (her mark)

The State of Ohio, Montgomery County
Before me Joseph Clingenpeel a Justice of the peace within and for the County personally appeared Abrah Huntsicker John Huntsicker Jonathan Huntsicker Sarah Huntsicker Catharine

[page] 452

Huntsicker Margret Huntsicker together with Susan and Amy wives of the Said within named grantors and acknowledged the within deed of Conveyance to be their voluntary act and deed for the uses and purposes therein mentioned and the said Amy and Susan being examined separate and apart from their said husbands and the Contents of said deed being made knowna and explained to them Declare that they voluntarily and of their free will and accord without fear of their said husbands did and now do acknowledge the signing and sealing thereoff In Testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals this 14th day of Augt A. D. 1837.

Joseph Clingenpeal J. P. {Seal}

[A similar affidavit was signed by John Barnett and Nancy his wife and witnessed by a Justice of Green County, State of Illinois on October 28, 1837. Peter Shuder and Barbary his wife and Margaret Huntsicker signed their affidavit before James Lamb a Justice of the Peace in Union County, Indiana. The Recorder erred when he wrote that Peter Shuder and Barbary were of the state of Illinois.]

Montgomery County, Ohio Deed records v. B-2 pages 450. FHL Microfilm 966656.

Montgomery County, Ohio Deed records v. B-2 pages 451. FHL Microfilm 966656.

Montgomery County, Ohio Deed records v. B-2 pages 452. FHL Microfilm 966656.

Update from Salt Lake City :: Week Two

In the “early years” of on-site research (back in the 1980s) I usually just abstracted deeds and estate records. Very seldom did I get copies of an entire estate file. The few copies that I did make back then have faded over the years and many of them are no longer legible. In addition, there are estate and other records that I “know” are there – from information obtained from published indexes or other researchers. So, I've been concentrating on obtaining digital copies of those records as well.

It's not super exciting or anything but it's nice to know that I'll be filling in some of the blanks – at least as far as some records are concerned - those that are available here at the Family History Library! As a result of that strategy (gathering records, so to speak), there still haven't been any big breakthroughs although I have found some rather interesting things – some that have generated additional questions, as so often happens.

So far I've scanned deed records for 15 ancestors as well as the complete estate files for the following ancestors, amounting to several hundred pages:

• James Ball 1830, Owen County, Kentucky
• John D. Berlin, 1879, Elkhart County, Indiana
• Susan Berlin, 1880, Elkhart County, Indiana
• Henry Bray, 1798, Nelson County, Kentucky
• Christian Schuder (Sr), 1842, Montgomery County, Ohio
• Casper Stiver (Casper Stoever III), 1821, Montgomery County, Ohio
• Eli Yarian, 1895, Elkhart County, Indiana

As Randy Seaver says, these will provide plenty of “blog fodder” in the future!

Receipt slip signed by my 2nd great-grandparents Lovina Yarian and Eli Yarian.

Elkhart County, Indiana Estate file D25. Microfilm No. 1711412.

Estate of John D. and Susan Berlin.

Susan died before John's estate was settled and her estate was combined with his.

Update from Salt Lake City

Well, I've been here a week now and thought I'd better post “something” so y'all would know I'm still alive! The days have been full (and fulfilling) and they have gone by quickly. Time flies whether you're having fun or not but seems to go by much quicker when you are enjoying what you are doing!

There haven't been any “breakthroughs” thus far but then I've been doing the “drudge” work, so to speak – gathering information from Deed Books. Yes, I'm digging into deeds once again. I've done some work in deeds “on location” in several counties in several states but it is so much easier and convenient to work on them here. Even though they don't have “everything” they do have much of what I need to look at. Of course, there are “a few” other things that I'll be working on as well.

And now, something to ponder...

The signatures above are for Charles Wiseman (my 2nd great grandfather) as found in Kosciusko County, Indiana Deed Book 57 pages 128 and 129 and recorded on February 27, 1885 (FHL Film 1705383). It is fairly obvious that the signatures are not the same. In fact, the two entries in the deed book are in a different handwriting (see below).

Also, Charles Wiseman resided in Switzerland County (in southern Indiana) when these deeds were executed. Thus, it is my conclusion that neither one of these is the actual signature of Charles Wiseman! Rather they are the interpretation of his signature that appeared on the documents that were sent to the Recorder's Office in Kosciusko County (in northern Indiana).

In other words, the signature is a transcription. So what this does for me is raise suspicions in regards to other “signatures” recorded in Deed Books or other types of records, such as this one for Wilhelm Foster. It's really kind of a bummer when you thought you might have the actual signature of an ancestor...

Kosciusko County, Indiana Deed Book 57 page 128 (FHL Film 1705383).

Note that the writing is different in the two entries.

One Question Answered

After one day at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, I've already found the answer to one question "left over" from my Switzer research!

As noted in the post Not One, Not Two, Not Three, but Four of Them! (about half way through the post) there was a question regarding which Jacob Switzer was the owner of 80 acres in the W ½ of the SW ¼ of R2 T12 S16 in Fairfield Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.

The answer came in a deed record (volume 64 page 397 of FHL film 926962) in which Isaac Switzer and Christiana his wife, Benjamin Switzer and Lidia Ann his wife, Levi Switzer and Hannah his wife, Peter Keck and Delia Ann his wife, James Crooks and Eliza his wife, Anna Switzer and Sophia Switzer of the county of Columbiana sold the parcel “containing 72 acres of land owned and lately occupied by Jacob Switzer deceased” to Christian Kiser for $3420 on April 6, 1860.

So now we know that this land belonged to Switzer Family Number 4 :: Jacob G. and Catharina and not to “my” Jacob. In addition, it confirms the names of his heirs and provides the names of the spouses of the married children, which would be nice for anyone researching this particular family!

They were Shouting “Hey! What About Me?”

Sometimes, for various reasons, you have ancestors that you simply put on the back burner. It gets complicated when you have men of the same age in the same area with the same name. You don't have the resources you need to sort them out. You just don't have the time or energy for them. Or maybe you just don't know where to look for them. So you go on to other ancestors. You know, the ones that may be easier to find “stuff” on.

That's what I've done with my Switzer and Rupert ancestors. I've had their names for many years – John and Barbara Rupert and Jacob and Mary C. Switzer. Both families were “from Pennsylvania” and ended up in Columbiana County, Ohio. A daughter from each family married a Yarian.

Eva Rupert (1786-1866) was married to Conrad Yarian (1780-1860) on July 22, 1805 in Columbiana County where they would raise their family of 13 children, four of which apparently died young.

Jacob Yarian (1812-1895) was the fourth child born to Conrad and Eva (Rupert) Yarian. He married Elizabeth Switzer (1815-1894) on April 2, 1835 in Columbiana County. They were the parents of eleven children, nine of whom survived into adulthood and had families of their own. Jacob and Elizabeth are my 3rd great-grandparents. (Their son Eli married Lovina Berlin and their daughter Susie married Henry Phend and their oldest son was my grandfather, Rolland Victor Phend.)

The Ruperts

There were a few clues available back in the late 1980s when I found the Ruperts and Switzers but not really sufficient information regarding where to look for them beyond Ohio, after all “Pennsylvania” is a good-sized area! And besides, I didn't even know if John and Barbara Rupert really were Eva's parents – their names actually came from a query on GenForum in 1998. And there were some researchers who said that Adam Rupert was her father. The only information I had found on the Ruperts were the following three short items in the “History of Columbiana County, Ohio” (Mack, 1879).

On page 157 was this short paragraph: “John Rupert, a German, who upon his arrival in Baltimore from Germany, being unable to pay his passage money, was sold by the captain of the vessel to a person who, in consideration of receiving Rupert's services free for the ensuing three years, paid the captain's demand. Rupert lived in Hanover until his death, after reaching the age of one hundred years. The farm he owned is now owned by C. Pfeffer, in section 26, Hanover twp.”

On page 246 of that same book was found: “Adam Rupert, a Revolutionary soldier, located on section 17 in 1802, where he reared four sons, - John, Jacob, Adam, and Benjamin, whose descendants yet live in that locality or in Fairfield.”

And on page 288: "George Hoke was an early settler of Beaver Township (now in Mahoning County). Jacob Rupert was also an early settler of Beaver Township."

The Switzers

There was a little more information available on Jacob and Elizabeth Switzer. A biography of their son Jonathan in the “Standard History of Elkhart County, Indiana” (Weaver, 1916 v2 p756) states: “The maiden name of his [Jacob Yarian] wife was Elizabeth Sweitzer, who was born in Columbiana County near Lisbon, September 23, 1815. Her father, Jacob Sweitzer was born in Switzerland, was reared in that country, and at the age of twenty seven came to America, locating in Columbiana County where he secured a tract of timbered land and literally hewed a farm from the wilderness. Both he and his wife survived to be old people, and he passed away at the age of eighty-seven and she at the age of eighty-three.”

In the biography of Jacob Yarian, Sr. in “History of Portage County, Ohio” (Beers, 1885 p808) it says: “Our subject was married April 2, 1835, to Elizabeth Switzer, born in Columbiana County, Ohio, September 24, 1815, daughter of Jacob and Mary C. Switzer, natives of Pennsylvania, who located in Columbiana County, where they died.”

And, in the section on Salem Township in “History of Columbiana County, Ohio” (Mack, 1879 p237) we find that “Ephraim Holloway and Jacob Sweitzer, brothers-in-law of Martin Hoke, entered section 25 about the year 1804. The property passed into other hands. One of the early schools was kept on this section.”

Still, it wasn't much to go on. In the late 1980s my mother and I went on a research trip to Ohio, stopping in Columbiana County where I found the estate settlement file for Jacob Switzer (4962 dated November 7, 1859) which listed his heirs: widow, Leathy Switzer; Jacob Yarian & wife; Jacob Monanack & wife; Peter Buckecker & wife, Daniel Deemer & wife.

Marriage records of Columbiana County provided the first names of the Switzer daughters: Barbara married Jacob Manaweck, Rebecca married Peter Buckecker and Susan married Daniel Deemer.

But there was a very big problem with Jacob Switzer... there was more than one of him! Well, actually there was only one of him, but there were at least three men by that name in Columbiana County in the same time period (1803-1860).

In 1820 and 1830 there was one in each of the townships of Centre, Fairfield, and Salem. By 1840, we had five men named Jacob Switzer. One each in Centre, Elk Run, and Fairfield and two in Salem township. By 1850 we're back down to three: one in Fairfield born about 1789 with wife Catherine and three daughters, one in Salem born about 1785 with wife Catherine, and the third in Salem born about 1821. Yeah, two of them had a wife named Catherine!

I knew that I'd never be able to sort out those Switzers with the resources available to me at the time. Remember, this was back in the 1980s. Back in the dark ages of genealogical research. No internet. No email. And I was still working at a 9-5 job (usually more than the standard 8 hours a day) and didn't have the time or energy to take on that kind of major research task. And I didn't have the time or funds to do extensive research on-site in Columbiana County.

So there they were. Neglected for 20+ years. Shoved aside for “more important” things. And probably somewhat indignant because I hadn't even given them their own entry in my database – simply a few words in their daughter's notes.

That is, until the recent trip to Salt Lake City. There they grabbed hold of me, got my attention, finally, and shouted “Hey, what about me?”

Brilliant Orange Colored Poppies

By a consensus of opinion of my readers, it has been determined that these are a variety of Poppies! As are these and these. Thanks to everyone for their input... and that's all of the flowers!! No more, at least until the next time ;-)

The "pod" after the bloom is done.

The dappled coloring comes from the bright mid-day sun. A cloudy day would have been much better for taking these pictures. In reality, they were the darker orange color all over, as in the first photo. Temple Square Gardens – Tuesday, June 7th.

Hodge Podge

Pink Peony.

Yellow ?

Mauve Rose.

Petunias.

Temple Square Gardens – Tuesday, June 7th

Coral Colored Thingys

Updated June 14th at 7:30 pm: My readers have informed me that these are Poppies! Thank you all.

Temple Square Gardens – Tuesday, June 7th

What are they?

Updated June 14th at 7:30 pm: My readers have informed me that these are a variety of Poppies! Thank you all.

Whatever they are, they are simply gorgeous and they come in a variety of stunning colors. More to come... I know, I'm way out of control with the flowers... Taken in the Temple Square Gardens on Tuesday, June 7th.

Breathtaking White Peonies

Temple Square Gardens – Tuesday, June 7th

What a View!

Tuesday, June 7th - - Man joined us for lunch again – this time we went to The Pantry at The Lions House. We all selected the “Coca Cola Roast Pork” and were not disappointed. It was so tender you could cut it with a fork and it was scrumptious. The food here in Salt Lake City has been excellent!

After lunch, and even though it was my next-to-last day of research, Man insisted that we take in the view from the 27th floor of the Church Office Building. It was definitely well worth the time. The weather couldn't have been much better.

Looking west and a little south with The Temple in the foreground and the Tabernacle (oblong , shiney building) behind it. And behind the Tabernacle is the Family History Library. The tall building south of the Library is the Plaza Hotel.

Looking west along North Temple Street. The building to the right of the Tabernacle is the North Visitors Center. Off in the distance is the Great Salt Lake. If you look closely in the pictures below, it appears as a narrow strip of light blue running along the base of the mountains.

Looking west and a little north. The building on the right, with the trees on the roof, is the Conference Center.

Looking toward the northwest.

Looking north toward the Capital Building.

The view to the east. North Temple Street on the left and South Temple Street on the right. The campus of the University of Utah stretches along the foot of the mountains.

And, finally, a view to the southeast.