Life From The Roots: 04/01/2012

Monday, April 30, 2012

New Book on DNA -- It's been a long personal wait

Last week, I picked up my autographed copy of the new book, DNA USA by Bryan Sykes. Some of you might remember my first visit with Dr. Sykes in December 2009, when he interviewed me, a tape recorder at hand, and took samples for my DNA test. It was a nice hour, and I was also fortunate to meet his wife and son. Then on DNA Day, April 23, 2010, I had my second visit with Dr. Sykes, at the NEHGS building in Boston. During this meeting, he discussed his findings with my DNA.

This is not a review of the book. The only things I've looked at so far, are my credit and photo in the book, along with those of several other people I know, from NEHGS. The long wait, over 2 1/2 years, is over and I wish Dr. Sykes well, with DNA USA.

Sunday, April 29, 2012

"Blogs are Slogs" and Good Blogs to Read and Follow

The title, "Blogs are slogs, so companies just quit" was the title of an article in USA Today, the newspaper on April 20th, 2012. Well, it caught my eye that's for sure. The first paragraph, "With the emergence of social media, more companies are replacing blogs with nimbler tools requiring less time and resources, such as Facebook, Tumblr and Twitter." The article also states, "You need content regularly. And you need to think about the risk of blogging, accepting comments, liability issues, defamation. One benefit of a blog: It's a tool and content you own."

I've received many benefits from my blog, that being connections to people who share cousins, and love the exchange of ideas. I get that too, from reading other blogs. However, there is a lot of thinking and time spent writing an article. If you know my blog you know I usually have a photo, that takes additional time, for planning and travel. No complaints here, I love it, but I'm feeling like a Slog. Sometimes, nothing else gets done, my life is a big blog.

On that note, I'm finally stating my first publicly stated goal. Beginning in May, I plan to cut back on blogging until Labor Day. Library and research trips are my priority now.

Within the month I was fortunate to have 40 new subscribers to my blog, and I thought the new readers might like to see other genealogy blogs. Some of my favorite blogs are below, and I hope you check them out and subscribe or follow them also. They cover a wide range of topics such as technical, legal, general research, organizing hints, and a combination of genealogy with travel. None cover New England genealogy, otherwise I would have to list too many, however, you may write me if you want suggestions.

A Three Genealogy

http://a3genealogy.blogspot.com/

Genealogy's Star

http://genealogysstar.blogspot.com/

Betty’s Genealogy Blog

http://bettysgenealogyblog.blogspot.com/

TJLGenes: Preserving Our Family History

http://tjlgenes.blogspot.com/

Reflections from the Fence

http://www.reflectionsfromthefence.com/

Genealogy by Ginger’s Blog

http://genealogybyginger.blogspot.com/

The Legal Genealogist

http://legalgenealogist.com/blog/

Old Stones Undeciphered

http://oldstonesundeciphered.blogspot.com/

Turning of Generatiaons

http://turning-of-generations.blogspot.com/

Journey to the Past

http://journeytothepastblog.blogspot.com/

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Wilder of Massachusetts -- Saturday Surname

The Thomas Wilder line, another old Massachusetts family, was recently discussed in my post, Did Somebody Really cut out the Tombstone? My direct lines are in green, and if you would like sources, please contact me.

Generation No. 1

THOMAS WILDER was born 1618-1619 in Poss. England, and died 23 OCT 1667 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. He was buried in Old Common Burial Ground, Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. He married ANNA \ HANNAH 1 APR 1640 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. She was born BET 1615 AND 1622 in Fordington, St. George, Dorsetshire, England, and died 10 JUN 1692 in Marshfield, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts.

Children of THOMAS WILDER and ANNA \ HANNAH were:

	2	i.	Mary WILDER was born 30 JUN 1642 in Charlestown, Suffolk Co., Massachusetts. She married David ALLEN.
+	3	ii.	Thomas WILDER was born 4 SEP 1644 in Charlestown, Suffolk Co., Massachusetts, and died 7 AUG 1717 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts.
+	4	iii.	JOHN WILDER was born ABT 1646 in Charlestown, Suffolk Co., Massachusetts, and died 1718 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts.
	5	iv.	Elizabeth WILDER was born ABT 1648 in Charlestown, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.
	6	v.	Ebenezer WILDER was born ABT 1651 in Charlestown, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.
+	7	vi.	Nathaniel WILDER was born 3 NOV 1655 in Charlestown, Suffolk Co., Massachusetts, and died 31 JUL 1704.

Generation No. 2

Thomas WILDER (THOMAS WILDER¹) was born 4 SEP 1644 in Charlestown, Suffolk Co., Massachusetts, and died 7 AUG 1717 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. He was buried in Old Common Burial Ground, Lancaster, Worcester, MA. He married Mary WHEELER 25 JAN 1668 in Lancaster / Marlboro, Massachusetts. She was born 1646.

Child of Thomas WILDER and Mary WHEELER is:

Joseph WILDER was born 1683, and died 1757.

JOHN WILDER (THOMAS WILDER¹) was born ABT 1646 in Charlestown, Suffolk Co., Massachusetts, and died 1718 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. He married HANNAH ATHERTON 17 JUL 1672 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts, daughter of JAMES ATHERTON and HANNAH. She was born 10 JAN 1657, and died 9 JAN 1738 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts.

Children of JOHN WILDER and HANNAH ATHERTON were:

+	9	i.	John WILDER was born 11 JUL 1673 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts, and died 7 NOV 1756 in Bolton, Worcester Co., Massachusetts.
	10	ii.	Thomas WILDER was born 2 MAR 1676 in Charlestown, Suffolk Co., Massachusetts. He married Susannah.
	11	iii.	Hannah WILDER was born 31 OCT 1679 in Marlborough, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, and died 26 SEP 1728.
	12	iv.	James WILDER was born 1681 in Charlestown, Suffolk Co., Massachusetts.
+	13	v.	EBENEZER WILDER was born 23 JUN 1683 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts, and died 25 DEC 1745 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts.
	14	vi.	Anna WILDER was born 1690 in Charlestown, Suffolk Co., Massachusetts, and died 1736. She married Joseph WILLARD.
	15	vii.	Deborah WILDER was born 1695 in Charlestown, Suffolk Co., Massachusetts.

Nathaniel WILDER (THOMAS WILDER¹) was born 3 NOV 1655 in Charlestown, Suffolk Co., Massachusetts, and died 31 JUL 1704. He married Mary SAWYER 24 JAN 1673 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts, daughter of Thomas SAWYER and Mary PRESCOTT. She was born 4 JAN 1652?53 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts, and died 1711.

Children of Nathaniel WILDER and Mary SAWYER were:

16	i.	Nathaniel WILDER was born 1675, and died 18 MAY 1679 in Sudbury, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.
17	ii.	Ephraim WILDER was born 16 APR 1677 in Sudbury, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. He married Elizabeth STEVENS.
18	iii.	Mary WILDER was born 12 MAY 1679 in Sudbury, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, and died BEF 1732 in Prob. Plainfield, Windham Co., Connecticut. She married Simon STEVENS.
19	iv.	Elizabeth WILDER was born 14 FEB 1681 in Sudbury, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. She married John BOWERS.
20	v.	Jonathan WILDER was born 20 APR 1682 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts, and died 17 AUG 1707. He married Mary HOW 1707.
21	vi.	Dorothy WILDER was born ABT 1684. She married Samuel CARTER MAR 1701, son of SAMUEL CARTER and EUNICE BROOKS. He was born 7 JAN 1678 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, and died 22 AUG 1738 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts.
22	vii.	Nathaniel WILDER was born ABT 1686. He married Damaris WHITCOMB, daughter of Josiah WHITCOMB and Rebecca WATERS.
23	viii.	Eunice WILDER was born ABT 1688, and died 15 MAY 1778. She married John WHITE ABT 1710, son of Josiah WHITE and Mary RICE. He was born 20 SEP 1684 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts, and died 12 SEP 1725.
24	ix.	Oliver WILDER was born ABT 1694, and died 8 MAR 1763 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. He married Mary FAIRBANK, daughter of Jonathan FAIRBANK and Mary HAYWARD. She was born 1692, and died 12 JUN 1745 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts.

Generation No. 3

Joseph WILDER (Thomas WILDER², THOMAS WILDER¹) was born 1683, and died 1757. He married Unknown.

Child of Joseph WILDER and Unknown w\o Joseph WILDER was:

Lucy WILDER.

John WILDER (JOHN WILDER², THOMAS WILDER¹) was born 11 JUL 1673 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts, and died 7 NOV 1756 in Bolton, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. He married Sarah WHITE 1699 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. She was born 1680 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts.

Children of John WILDER and Sarah WHITE were:

26	i.	Hannah WILDER was born ABT 1707, and died 30 SEP 1723 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts.
27	ii.	William WILDER was born 4 SEP 1717 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. He married Sarah SAWYER 1739.
28	iii.	Thankful WILDER was born 15 APR 1715, and died 7 OCT 1792 in Vernon, Connecticut. She married James CLELAND 22 FEB 1738/9 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts.

13.

EBENEZER WILDER (JOHN WILDER², THOMAS WILDER¹) was born 23 JUN 1683 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts, and died 25 DEC 1745 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. He was buried in Old Common Burial Ground, Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. He married MERCY HOUGHTON 1702 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts, daughter of JOHN HOUGHTON and MARY FARRAR. She was born 15 MAR 1682 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, and died 6 JAN 1734 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. She was buried in Old Common Burial Ground, Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts.

Children of EBENEZER WILDER and MERCY HOUGHTON were:

	29	i.	Benjamin WILDER was born 1703 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts, and died 1772. He married Jane ROBBINS 9 JAN 1734 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts.
	30	ii.	Hephzibah WILDER was born ABT 1 JAN 1712 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts, and died 1802. She married Jonathan WILSON 2 AUG 1733 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts.
+	31	iii.	DAVID WILDER was born ABT 27 JAN 1714 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts, and died 17 NOV 1776 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts.
	32	iv.	Jacob WILDER was born ABT 1 SEP 1717.

Generation No. 4

31.

DAVID WILDER (EBENEZER WILDER³, JOHN WILDER², THOMAS WILDER¹) was born ABT 27 JAN 1714 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts, and died 17 NOV 1776 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. He was buried in Pine Grove Cemetery, Leominster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. He married EUNICE JENNISON ABT 16 JUN 1744 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts, daughter of PETER JENNISON and JANE. She was born 16 APR 1719 in Sudbury, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, and died 17 FEB 1751 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. She was buried in Old Common Burial Ground*, Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. He married Anna PRENTICE 10 JUN 1739 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. She was born 1709, and died 20 SEP 1744 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. She was buried in Old Common Burial Ground, Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. He married Martha WHITE 4 DEC 1751 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. She was born 24 NOV 1717 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts, and died 6 NOV 1811 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts.

Children of DAVID WILDER and EUNICE JENNISON were:

+	33	i.	SAMUEL WILDER was born 13 JUN 1745 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts, and died 22 OCT 1824 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts.
	34	ii.	John WILDER was born 20 MAR 1747 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts, and died 4 OCT 1803 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts.

Child of DAVID WILDER and Anna PRENTICE was:

David WILDER was born 13 MAR 1740 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts, and died 5 DEC 1815 in Leominster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts.

Children of DAVID WILDER and Martha WHITE were:

+	36	i.	Abel WILDER was born 30 NOV 1752 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts, and died 1797 in of Norwich, Windsor Co., Vermont.
	37	ii.	Luke WILDER was born 20 FEB 1754 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts.
+	38	iii.	Jonathan WILDER was born 21 APR 1755 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts.
	39	iv.	Martha WILDER was born 21 APR 1755 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts.
+	40	v.	Luke WILDER was born 2 JUL 1757, and died in of Salisbury, New Hampshire.
+	41	vi.	Jacob WILDER was born 2 JUL 1757 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts, and died 19 JUL 1848 in Woodstock, Windsor Co., Vermont.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Foote Memorial, Wethersfield, Connectiicut

Wethersfield, Connecticut

Nathaniel Foote

The Settler

Born in England 1593

Died in Wethersfield 1644

Erected By The

Foote Family Association

Of America

On The Original Home Lot

September 7, 1908

For those trying to locate this, Mark, a reader and friend gave me the location and the Google photo of where this monument was taken. https://www.google.com/maps/place/Robbinswood+Dr+%26+Broad+St,+Wethersfield,+CT+06109/@41.7039105,-72.6552483,3a,75y,58.45h,94.76t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sppbovUbrWif0Jy0jEH3JLQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!4m5!3m4!1s0x89e65267c863c665:0xd5b96c862685c831!8m2!3d41.7090552!4d-72.6519413

"Between Broad Street and Foote Path Lane. The grassy 'median' between North and South Broad Street is what Wethersfield considers its town common."

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Did Somebody REALLY Cut out the Tombstone?

A recent cemetery trip to Lancaster, Massachusetts to find several direct ancestors proved quite interesting. One of the oldest stones there was for Thomas Wilder, my 9th great grandfather. Upon locating this stone, I noticed a small piece of paper stuck on it, then realized it was either glued or put in the hole. I removed it, and to my amazement, saw that a chiseled out block had been done, so the paper could fit. FindAGrave shows the damage, with the paper removed.

What was on the paper? Four generations of the Wilder family with birth dates.

Burl A. Wilder, 1899-1993

Alan S. Wilder, 1932

David A. Wilder, 1964

Nicholas F. Wilder, 1997

SACRED
to the Memory of
THOMAS WILDER,
from Lancaster in England,
who first settled at Hingham
in 1641, and came to this Town
July 1, 1659, and died Oct 23,
1667, leaving three sons - viz
THOMAS, JOHN and NATHANIEL,
from whom are derived all
of the name WILDER in
this Town and vicinity ***

Old Common Burying Ground

Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts

*** Now, it turns out some of the information on the above stone is incorrect! A person posted updated genealogical information and fortunately, I found the source. New information on the FAG site is: "New information, based on DNA testing, has indicated he was not related to Edward Wilder of Hingham, and is not of the Shiplake, Oxfordhire Wilder family. His origins are therefore unknown at present, including a supposed birth year of 1618. He may have been from the Lancaster area in England, but this has not been established with any degree of certainty. (See "American Ancestors"(NEHGS) Spring 2010 issue.) The reference to him living at Hingham on the latter day stone erected in the cemetery (see photo and inscription) is incorrect.

He was of Charlestown, MA, admitted as freeman in 1641, marrying there, and purchasing land in 1643.

He was living on 1 July 1659 at Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, when he signed the Town Orders. He left a will on 22 January 1666/67 at Lancaster, and he served on 3 February 1667 as Selectman of Lancaster. Thomas's estate was inventoried on 29 November 1667 at Lancaster, and his estate was probated there on 4 March 1667/68." I'd like to give credit to the person who wrote this, but I don't know who it was.

Monday, April 23, 2012

New York City Public Library, New York City -- History and Genealogy Room

New York City Public Library

Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street

On the most beautiful spring day, I spent several hours at the New York City Public Library. There were three books I absolutely had to look at, and I knew they were there because I had checked their card catalog. Once at the library, I went immediately to the Milstein Division (history and genealogy section), on the first floor. See posts about two previous (interesting visits) I was there, HERE. Photos below show the open stacks and no library card is needed. However, I needed one because I wanted books in the closed stack area. I applied for it and received it almost immediately. For the books I wanted, I had to fill out a request form for each book. An employee retrieved them and I was looking at them within minutes.

Milstein Division (history and genealogy section)

The Rose Reading Room, where non-genealogists go (above and below).

UPDATE 3/5/17: "This timelapse footage of 52,000 books being reshelved is strangely beautiful.

After closing for a two-year renovation, the New York Public Library's historic Rose Main Reading Room has finally reopened."

https://www.facebook.com/qznews/videos/1484476841586013/

Picking up requested books to look at on-site.

If you want to make copies, which I did, (60 at .15 each) you'll need to buy a copy card. I was very fortunate, since I was able to make them all at the same time, no line, and used the only one copy machine. I shudder to think if there were lots of people needing copies.

As indicated in my photos, it was a very quiet afternoon in the genealogy section, and only two people were in the microfilm room, located a few doors away! The next time I go, I intend to visit the Manuscripts and Archive Room, to see if I can find anything about one of the earliest families in Amsterdam / New York City, my Ten Eyck ancestors. That's a real goal of mine.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Not all are Tan (Massachusetts Vital Records Series)

Many genealogists doing early Massachusetts research will probably use the Vital Records, either on microfilm or in book form. The books are often referred to as the "Tan Books." However, as indicated by the photos below, that term may not make much sense in the future. As I've been revisiting the majority of the libraries for my Library series, I've noticed a change. The "Tan Books" are changing color. The orange books are from the Chelmsford, MA library, and the black ones from Lowell, MA. In addition, I've seen blue and green bound books. I'm not sure if the library is deciding on the colors when they are rebound, maybe I'll ask. All I want you to be aware of is the fact that they are not all tan.

From Archive Publishing, their description of the Massachusetts Vital Records to 1850 is below.

PRINTED VITAL RECORDS FOR 2/3 OF STATE

Are you searching for names in Massachusetts? If so, maybe you've already looked through the tan books of the old printed series of vital records to 1850. This series, published nearly a hundred years ago for 210 of the 350 or so Massachusetts towns and cities, lists births, marriages, and deaths for the earliest settlers, and continues through 1849.

SOURCE OF DATA

Most of the data come from original records safeguarded in town halls, sometimes supplemented with facts from church, cemetery, court, or family bibles. Because the information comes from such a diverse group of sources, many now missing; these books, compiled years ago as a secondary source, sometimes now serve as the only link to primary-source documents.

VALUE OF PRINTED RECORDS

Not only do these volumes contain valuable data, but they are easy to use; being printed, with names arranged alphabetically, cross-referenced to alternate spellings, and placed in categories of births, marriages, and deaths. Further, though not entirely error-free, these records are remarkably accurate.

_____________

An example of a book is for Dana is below. It gives you an idea of what is included. (Some larger towns, like Salem, MA have six volumes, two for births, for marriages and deaths.) Regarding Dana, Massachusetts, unfortunately, the town (with others) was flooded to make way for the Quabbin Reservoir in 1938. The entire Dana Vital Records book is online, maybe seen HERE.

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Beads and Things from New York City

I used to visit various stores frequently to buy my Christmas ornament supplies. M. and J. Design was my favorite store. The beads were used to make my own designed Christmas balls. At one time, I had over 150 ornaments, all different. The hobby began around 1965 when I used kits, but soon after I designed my own. The last one I made was around 2000.