I have more information, but first I thought I would start a discussion on how to begin in genealogy or the study of family history.
Searching for information on your family could be hard, especially if you have decided to start near your retirement age. (I started over 30 years ago, before Internet.) I find that using a program for genealogy is useful. There is a good free one on the Internet - http://www.myheritage.com/family-tree-builder
First enter all of the information you can. Start with yourself. Then you start working backwards.
The next step is to find obituaries about individuals in your family. Go to your public library if they are local. If not go to a library that would be have the newspapers for the area of your relatives.
Go to the courthouse, check records there.
Join an ancestry site if you are real intense on genealogy.
Also your local Mormon organization could tell you where they have a library of ancestry documents that you can search. At their libraries you can use their ancestry.com site for free to search records.
Talk to relatives.
There is a great public library in Fort Wayne, Indiana that has many records. Make plans to visit there.
Go to the cemeteries where you think individuals may be buried. I take pictures of all the grave markers with names in my family. I come home, label on my computer, and then search to see if I have them in my tree. If not, I hold on to them in a folder I labeled grave markers and then I make individual folders for each cemetery so I will know where I have found it. With digital it does not cost me anything more than my time. Also some markers only have years on them and not the full date. If you need the full date because you don't know when they passed, go to the cemeteries office and they can help you.
This will get you started. Have fun.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
George W. Knowles Death Certificate*
*George W. Knowles was born June 13, 1848 in Clay County, Illinois. He was the son of Richard and Mary Wells Knowles IV. He married Nancy Louise Wells on Oct. 25, 1869 in Clay County, Illinois. To this union were 3 children. George passed away February 24, 1935 in Leech, Wayne County, Illinois. He is buried in Bethel Cemetery in Wayne County, Illinois. He was 86 years old when he passed.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Great Week
I have had a great week. I went to the library and found information that has verfied information I have. It also gave me more members to add to my "Growing" tree. I also met a new relative online. She and I have been having a blast comparing notes. It is really a great feeling when you find someone new and has the passion for genealogy you have.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Ex-Inspector Of Mines Dies After Illiness - Edward Siddell*
Danville Commercial News - Sept. 21, 1948
*Ex-Inspector Of Mines Dies After Illness
Edward Siddell, 67, of 704 Harmon Ave., died about 10:35 p.m. Monday at Lake View Hospital where he had been a patient since Sept. 9.
Mr. Siddell was born in Streator Oct. 8, 1880, the son of John W. and Mary Jones Siddell. He came to this city in 1909 and had resided here since. He was married to Nell Swan on Oct. 23, 1912.
For the past eight years, Mr. Siddell had been employed at the Veterans Administration Hospital as an occupational therapy attendant. Prior to that, and for 38 years, he was a mine examiner here, serving mainly the Taylor-English mines. He was a member of the Streator Evangelical United Brethren Church.
His widow is the only survivor. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and one sister.
The body was removed to the Pape Memorial Funeral Home where it will remain for services at 10 a.m. Wednesday. The Rev. Fred Payne, pastor of Lincoln Methodist Church, will officiate, with burial in Springhill Cemetery.
*Ex-Inspector Of Mines Dies After Illness
Edward Siddell, 67, of 704 Harmon Ave., died about 10:35 p.m. Monday at Lake View Hospital where he had been a patient since Sept. 9.
Mr. Siddell was born in Streator Oct. 8, 1880, the son of John W. and Mary Jones Siddell. He came to this city in 1909 and had resided here since. He was married to Nell Swan on Oct. 23, 1912.
For the past eight years, Mr. Siddell had been employed at the Veterans Administration Hospital as an occupational therapy attendant. Prior to that, and for 38 years, he was a mine examiner here, serving mainly the Taylor-English mines. He was a member of the Streator Evangelical United Brethren Church.
His widow is the only survivor. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and one sister.
The body was removed to the Pape Memorial Funeral Home where it will remain for services at 10 a.m. Wednesday. The Rev. Fred Payne, pastor of Lincoln Methodist Church, will officiate, with burial in Springhill Cemetery.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Mrs. Reese Dies at 92 in Arizona*
Danville Commercial News - March 6, 1955
*Mrs. Reese Dies at 92 in Arizona
Mrs. Cynthia Ellen Reese, 92, formerly of South Danville, died at 1:30 a.m. Saturday (March 5, 1955) in Phoenix, Ariz., at the home of a daughter.
Widow of the late Daniel Reese, former Vermilion County mine inspector, she left Danville in October 1954 and moved to Phoenix with her son-in-law and daughter, Herbert and Marie Hamer.
She was the youngest of eight children born to John and Catherine Reese Watkins, and was one of the founders of the Congregational Church of South Danville, where her membership remained.
Mrs. Reese was preceded in death by her husband, six brothers and one sister. She is survived, in addition to the daughter, by five grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
The body is scheduled to arrive at Berhalter Funeral Home late Monday.
Other arrangements are incomplete.
*Mrs. Reese Dies at 92 in Arizona
Mrs. Cynthia Ellen Reese, 92, formerly of South Danville, died at 1:30 a.m. Saturday (March 5, 1955) in Phoenix, Ariz., at the home of a daughter.
Widow of the late Daniel Reese, former Vermilion County mine inspector, she left Danville in October 1954 and moved to Phoenix with her son-in-law and daughter, Herbert and Marie Hamer.
She was the youngest of eight children born to John and Catherine Reese Watkins, and was one of the founders of the Congregational Church of South Danville, where her membership remained.
Mrs. Reese was preceded in death by her husband, six brothers and one sister. She is survived, in addition to the daughter, by five grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
The body is scheduled to arrive at Berhalter Funeral Home late Monday.
Other arrangements are incomplete.
CIty Grocer Dead at 59 - Ernest B. Harrison*
Danville Commercial News - July 5, 1942
*Ernest B. Harrison
Resident of Danville and vicinity for 37 years, and proprietor of Harrison Food Shop, 434 N. Gilbert St., Ernest B. Harrison, 59, 410 Chandler St., died at 5:15 p.m. Friday, July 3, 1942,at St. Elizabeth Hospital.
He was born July 27, 1882, at Streator, son of William and Mary Harrison. Surviving are the widow, Elizabeth Harrison, one son, Frederick Harrison, and two sisters, Mrs. Fred A. Carlson and Miss Anna Harrison, both of Washington D.C. He was a member of Damascus Lodge, Knights of Pythias.
Funeral will be at 2:30 p.m. Monday at Callahan Funeral Home. Burial in Oak Ridge Cemetery at Catlin. The body will remain at Callahan Funeral Home until time for services.
*Ernest B. Harrison
Resident of Danville and vicinity for 37 years, and proprietor of Harrison Food Shop, 434 N. Gilbert St., Ernest B. Harrison, 59, 410 Chandler St., died at 5:15 p.m. Friday, July 3, 1942,at St. Elizabeth Hospital.
He was born July 27, 1882, at Streator, son of William and Mary Harrison. Surviving are the widow, Elizabeth Harrison, one son, Frederick Harrison, and two sisters, Mrs. Fred A. Carlson and Miss Anna Harrison, both of Washington D.C. He was a member of Damascus Lodge, Knights of Pythias.
Funeral will be at 2:30 p.m. Monday at Callahan Funeral Home. Burial in Oak Ridge Cemetery at Catlin. The body will remain at Callahan Funeral Home until time for services.
James Siddell*
Danville Commercial News - Sept 20, 1940
Retired Mine Engineer Dead
*James Siddell
A retired mine engineer, James Siddell, 67, died at his home, 47 W. Vermilion St. in Catlin, at 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29, 1940, following an extended illness.
Formerly mine superintendent for Taylor and English Coal mine south of Catlin, he retired eight years ago. Mr. Siddell was a member of Mosonic Lodge of Catlin and the Danville Consistory. Son of John T. and Mary Siddell, he was born May 26, 1873 at Garner, Illinois.
Besides his wife, Bertha Siddell, he is survived by a brother, Edward Siddell, Danville; two sisters, Mrs. Carrie Barton, Central Park and Mrs. Elizabeth Harrison, Danville.
The body is at Callahan Funeral Chapel where it will remain for funeral services at 3 p.m. Sunday, the Rev. D. C. Ellenwood of Catlin officiating. Masonic Lodge of Catlin will have charge of brief services. Burial in Oakridge Cemetery.
Retired Mine Engineer Dead
*James Siddell
A retired mine engineer, James Siddell, 67, died at his home, 47 W. Vermilion St. in Catlin, at 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29, 1940, following an extended illness.
Formerly mine superintendent for Taylor and English Coal mine south of Catlin, he retired eight years ago. Mr. Siddell was a member of Mosonic Lodge of Catlin and the Danville Consistory. Son of John T. and Mary Siddell, he was born May 26, 1873 at Garner, Illinois.
Besides his wife, Bertha Siddell, he is survived by a brother, Edward Siddell, Danville; two sisters, Mrs. Carrie Barton, Central Park and Mrs. Elizabeth Harrison, Danville.
The body is at Callahan Funeral Chapel where it will remain for funeral services at 3 p.m. Sunday, the Rev. D. C. Ellenwood of Catlin officiating. Masonic Lodge of Catlin will have charge of brief services. Burial in Oakridge Cemetery.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
I have been busy
I have been busy with my research, sometimes being successful and other times hitting brick walls. I wish the newspapers would have reported deaths, marriages and births in the "old" days as they do now. Yes the paper was different back then, type setting the paper when news came in, not in page order as today. That means sometimes you have to read numerous times the same days paper. It also means that you cannot be in a hurry when you do read it. I have gone back on other days and found the information I searched for at a different time.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Finding new information
I have been busy searching old newspapers to find more information. My daughter is now into genealogy, so I have been finding information for her about family members on her husband's side.
I also was fortunate enough to find someone researching information on a family member. I had information they did not have, and I know they will have information that I do not have. This is totally awesome. I love meeting new relatives and keeping those that want the information informed of what I have found.
Off to do some more entering and cemetery searching. Post later.
I also was fortunate enough to find someone researching information on a family member. I had information they did not have, and I know they will have information that I do not have. This is totally awesome. I love meeting new relatives and keeping those that want the information informed of what I have found.
Off to do some more entering and cemetery searching. Post later.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Albert Jones and Clara Pate Wedding
Danville Daily News Oct. 4, 1889
At the residence of Mr. and Mrs. B. C. Pate, by Rev. A. Cummings, their daughter, Miss Clara, was wedded to Mr. Albert Jones on Wednesday evening, September 24th. On the following evening a reception was given them by his mother, Mrs. Richard Jones. Both gatherings were largely attended. Refreshments to the guests and presents to the bride and groom were abundant and satisfactory.
At the residence of Mr. and Mrs. B. C. Pate, by Rev. A. Cummings, their daughter, Miss Clara, was wedded to Mr. Albert Jones on Wednesday evening, September 24th. On the following evening a reception was given them by his mother, Mrs. Richard Jones. Both gatherings were largely attended. Refreshments to the guests and presents to the bride and groom were abundant and satisfactory.
Margaret Jones Willoughby*
*Danville Daily Democrat (IL) Jan. 21, 1908
Mrs. M. Willoughby
Mrs. Margaret Willoughby died at her home at Hillery at 9:30 o'clock yesterday morning. She is survived by her husband and three children. She was 32 years of age. The funeral will be held at 10 o'clock tomorrow morning. Services will be conducted at the residence.
Mrs. M. Willoughby
Mrs. Margaret Willoughby died at her home at Hillery at 9:30 o'clock yesterday morning. She is survived by her husband and three children. She was 32 years of age. The funeral will be held at 10 o'clock tomorrow morning. Services will be conducted at the residence.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
What does Prothero surname mean?
I did not write the following. However I have researched this and they have written most everything I have in my notes for this name. If you would like to research other names I have linked to their site for others to use.
Last name: Prothero
This notable and long-established surname is of early medieval Welsh origin, and derives from the ancient Welsh male given name "Rhydderch", a compound of the elements "rhi", ruler, and "derch", exalted. This name was borne by one of the North British rulers (flourished 590), Rhydderch Hael, called Hen, who fought with Urien, leader of the Britons in the 6th Century. In medieval documents of Wales the name is variously referred to as "Rodarchus, Rodercus" and "Rederech". The forms "Prydderch, Prytherch, Protherough" and "Prothero(e)" result from fusion of the Welsh patronymic suffix "ab, ap" with the name. In some instances, the Germanic personal name "Hrodric, Rodric(k)", from "hrod", renown, and "ric", power, replaced "Rhydderch", as a result of falsely equating the two names. An instance of the Anglicization of Rhydderch into Roderic occurs in the last century a propos of Pen Glasi, near Aberystwyth, "the present house was built by Roderic Richards, his father was Richard Rhydderch". One John ap Redragh was recorded in Caernarfonshire in 1538, and in 1581, William Prythergh, Proterugh or Protherough was entered in the Oxford University Register. On September 19th 1590, Elizabeth Prothero married a John Brown in Ludlow, Shropshire. A Coat of Arms granted to the Prothero family is a shield chequy azure and gold with a red annulet. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Treharn ab Retherech, which was dated 1292, in the "Subsidy Rolls of Cambridgeshire", during the reign of King Edward 1, known as "The Hammer of the Scots", 1272 - 1307. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.
Read more: http://www.surnamedb.com/Surname/Prothero#ixzz0sk52moir
Addition of my own notes:
Recording of the surnames was left to people that were literate. Usually parish leaders. Variations due to the imprecise or improper recording of a name occurred for many years. The original name was Brythonic Celtic, known to the Welsh as Cymraeg. When translated to English changes were often dramatic. Sometimes spelling variations were according to the individuals job. It could be a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence or a partiotic affiliation. I have seen the name spelled in various way; Prothero, Protheroe, Prytherick, Prothers. Going through records I realise that my family line's name changed occasionally. (Not only this line, but many lines.) The name is found in Carmathenshire. This is were they held a family seat from the ancient times. Some say it goes back to the time of the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066, others say the Norman Conquest.
Many Welsh arrived in North America in the 1800s and 1900s. My direct line, grandmother, in the 1880's. (Her father was not a Prothero, her mother was.) They came her to leave the "tax man." (If you are a family member and do not know the story, contact me.) The people were seeking work, land, and freedom from the rulers of the Great Britain continent.
Last name: Prothero
This notable and long-established surname is of early medieval Welsh origin, and derives from the ancient Welsh male given name "Rhydderch", a compound of the elements "rhi", ruler, and "derch", exalted. This name was borne by one of the North British rulers (flourished 590), Rhydderch Hael, called Hen, who fought with Urien, leader of the Britons in the 6th Century. In medieval documents of Wales the name is variously referred to as "Rodarchus, Rodercus" and "Rederech". The forms "Prydderch, Prytherch, Protherough" and "Prothero(e)" result from fusion of the Welsh patronymic suffix "ab, ap" with the name. In some instances, the Germanic personal name "Hrodric, Rodric(k)", from "hrod", renown, and "ric", power, replaced "Rhydderch", as a result of falsely equating the two names. An instance of the Anglicization of Rhydderch into Roderic occurs in the last century a propos of Pen Glasi, near Aberystwyth, "the present house was built by Roderic Richards, his father was Richard Rhydderch". One John ap Redragh was recorded in Caernarfonshire in 1538, and in 1581, William Prythergh, Proterugh or Protherough was entered in the Oxford University Register. On September 19th 1590, Elizabeth Prothero married a John Brown in Ludlow, Shropshire. A Coat of Arms granted to the Prothero family is a shield chequy azure and gold with a red annulet. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Treharn ab Retherech, which was dated 1292, in the "Subsidy Rolls of Cambridgeshire", during the reign of King Edward 1, known as "The Hammer of the Scots", 1272 - 1307. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.
Read more: http://www.surnamedb.com/Surname/Prothero#ixzz0sk52moir
Addition of my own notes:
Recording of the surnames was left to people that were literate. Usually parish leaders. Variations due to the imprecise or improper recording of a name occurred for many years. The original name was Brythonic Celtic, known to the Welsh as Cymraeg. When translated to English changes were often dramatic. Sometimes spelling variations were according to the individuals job. It could be a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence or a partiotic affiliation. I have seen the name spelled in various way; Prothero, Protheroe, Prytherick, Prothers. Going through records I realise that my family line's name changed occasionally. (Not only this line, but many lines.) The name is found in Carmathenshire. This is were they held a family seat from the ancient times. Some say it goes back to the time of the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066, others say the Norman Conquest.
Many Welsh arrived in North America in the 1800s and 1900s. My direct line, grandmother, in the 1880's. (Her father was not a Prothero, her mother was.) They came her to leave the "tax man." (If you are a family member and do not know the story, contact me.) The people were seeking work, land, and freedom from the rulers of the Great Britain continent.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
AGGHHHHH
I went to the library today. Find little information. I was only there two hours and then my hubby had read all the magazines he likes so he was ready to go home and eat. I did find some information that verified other information I had found. I will be going back on Tuesday as it looks like rain for Tuesday - Friday. Oh goody, that means I will be more likely to go do this than to want to sit outside and do nothing.
Friday, July 2, 2010
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