ANDERSON, His Descendants and Ancestors And How I solved my "Brick Wall"

How I solved my Anderson "Brick Wall"

The Anderson line was a "Brick Wall" until 18 months ago, when it was solved with the help of information from an April 2000 message board. Another person was working on their Anderson line eight years ago, and putting all the records she found on that same message board. A lady named Dorothy had helped that person out. I felt that that some of the information could tie into my line, but I needed help, as Dorothy had a copy of a limited edition of a 660 page genealogy, that had my names.  It was a wise move to contact her, because the book had all the sources too, and she is pretty much an expert on New Netherland families.  She sent me copies of all the pages I needed, and the rest is history.  You never know how or when your "Brick Wall" will come down, but when it does the feeling is simply wonderful.  Thank you Dorothy.

Even locating Dorothy was easy, although her email was no longer in service. A google search showed that she was a member of a genealogy club, and Stephen Danko attended meetings there. Within days, after contacting him, I had her email address. After a quick email to her with all the facts, she wrote back, saying, "I'm glad that you were able to locate me!"  So you can see, I used quite a few methods to solve my mystery.

NOTE: This report was updated on December 29, 2015.


Descendant Register, Generation No. 1

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1.	JORIS ANDRIESZEN. He married ELIZABETH KONING. She was born 30 AUG 1656.
	Child of JORIS ANDRIESZEN and ELIZABETH KONING is: + 2   i. GEORGE ANDERSON was born 27 MAY 1694 in New York, and died 1756 in Somerset Co., New Jersey.

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Descendant Register, Generation No. 2

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2.	GEORGE ANDERSON (JORIS ANDRIESZEN1) was born 27 MAY 1694 in New York, and died 1756 in Somerset Co., New Jersey. He married JACOMYNTJE GERRIT VAN DUYN 6 SEP 1718 in Flatbush, Kings Co., New York, daughter of GERRIT CORNELISE VAN DUYN and JACOMYNTJE JACOBS SWART. She died 1747 in Somerset Co., New Jersey.
	Children of GEORGE ANDERSON and JACOMYNTJE GERRIT VAN DUYN are: + 3   i. Elizabeth ANDERSON was born ABT 2 AUG 1719 in New Brunswick, Middlesex Co., New Jersey, and died 1 MAY 1799. 4   ii. Maria \ Mary ANDERSON was born 1724. She married Cornelius RAPALIE 1743. + 5   iii. GEORGE ANDERSON was born ABT 10 JUN 1726 in New Utrecht, (now Brooklyn) Kings Co., New York, and died BET 1 AUG 1790 AND 15 JAN 1791 in Franklin, Somerset Co., New Jersey.

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Descendant Register, Generation No. 3

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3.	Elizabeth ANDERSON (GEORGE ANDERSON2, JORIS ANDRIESZEN1) was born ABT 2 AUG 1719 in New Brunswick, Middlesex Co., New Jersey, and died 1 MAY 1799. She married Cornelius Simon WYCKOFF 9 JUN 1740 in Readington, Hunterdon Co., New Jersey, son of Simon WYCKOFF and Greetje VANDERVLIET. He was born ABT 25 APR 1705 in New Amsterdam, New York, and died 4 APR 1796 in White Horse, Somerset Co., New Jersey.
	Children of Elizabeth ANDERSON and Cornelius Simon WYCKOFF are: + 6   i. Gertrude WYCKOFF was born 1741, and died 1820. 7   ii. Jemima WYCKOFF was born 19 JUL 1743, and died in Lived north of New Germantown, New Jersey. She married John FLEET \ VLIET. He died in Lived north of New Germantown, New Jersey. 8   iii. George WYCKOFF was born 2 JUN 1745, and died 1826. He married Rebecca VAN CLEEF, daughter of John VAN CLEEF. She was born 12 APR 1753, and died 20 APR 1843. 9   iv. Cornelius WYCKOFF was born JAN 1749, and died 31 JAN 1749. 10   v. Elizabeth WYCKOFF was born 8 JAN 1750. She married William WYCKOFF 17 JUN 1773, son of John WYCKOFF. + 11   vi. Annoytie Anna \ Annatie WYCKOFF was born ABT 12 NOV 1752 in Readington Church, Somerset Co., New Jersey. 12   vii. Cornelia WYCKOFF was born 16 DEC 1754 in Readington Church, Somerset Co., New Jersey. She married David TRAPHAGEN. + 13   viii. Cornelius WYCKOFF was born 3 DEC 1757, and died JAN 1829 in of Readington, Hunterdon Co., New Jersey. + 14   ix. Dennis WYCKOFF was born 12 APR 1760, and died 6 DEC 1830. 15   x. John WYCKOFF was born 17 AUG 1762, and died BEF DEC 1792. + 16   xi. Simon WYCKOFF was born 12 FEB 1748, and died 5 NOV 1809 in of Readington, New Jersey.

5.	GEORGE ANDERSON (GEORGE ANDERSON2, JORIS ANDRIESZEN1) was born ABT 10 JUN 1726 in New Utrecht, (now Brooklyn) Kings Co., New York, and died BET 1 AUG 1790 AND 15 JAN 1791 in Franklin, Somerset Co., New Jersey. He married METJE \ MATIE VAN WICKLEN ABT 22 NOV 1748 in Somerset Co., New Jersey, daughter of SIMON VAN WICKLEN and GERALDINA COUWENHOVEN. She was born ABT 15 APR 1730 in Harlingen RDC, Somerset Co., New Jersey.
	Children of GEORGE ANDERSON and METJE \ MATIE VAN WICKLEN are: + 17   i. George ANDERSON was born ABT 1750 in New Jersey, and died 20 MAR 1814 in Readington, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. + 18   ii. Jacominah \ Jamine ANDERSON was born BET 1749 AND 1754 in New Jersey, and died 10 NOV 1822 in of Readington, New Jersey. + 19   iii. SIMON ANDERSON was born 10 DEC 1755 in New Jersey, and died 21 DEC 1806 in Raritan River, Somerset Co., New Jersey.

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Descendant Register, Generation No. 4

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6.	Gertrude WYCKOFF (Elizabeth ANDERSON3, GEORGE ANDERSON2, JORIS ANDRIESZEN1) was born 1741, and died 1820. She married Abraham VAN HORN.
	Children of Gertrude WYCKOFF and Abraham VAN HORN are: 20   i. Abraham VAN HORN. 21   ii. William VAN HORN. 22   iii. Matthew VAN HORN. 23   iv. Cornelius VAN HORN.

11.	Annoytie Anna \ Annatie WYCKOFF (Elizabeth ANDERSON3, GEORGE ANDERSON2, JORIS ANDRIESZEN1) was born ABT 12 NOV 1752 in Readington Church, Somerset Co., New Jersey. She married George ANDERSON, son of GEORGE ANDERSON and METJE \ MATIE VAN WICKLEN. He was born ABT 1750 in New Jersey, and died 20 MAR 1814 in Readington, Hunterdon County, New Jersey.
	Children of Annoytie Anna \ Annatie WYCKOFF and George ANDERSON are: 24   i. Jamime ANDERSON was born 6 MAR 1786 in Readington Church, Somerset Co., New Jersey. 25   ii. Anne ANDERSON was born ABT 26 APR 1789 in Readington Church, Somerset Co., New Jersey.

13.	Cornelius WYCKOFF (Elizabeth ANDERSON3, GEORGE ANDERSON2, JORIS ANDRIESZEN1) was born 3 DEC 1757, and died JAN 1829 in of Readington, Hunterdon Co., New Jersey. He married Margaret WYCKOFF, daughter of Jacob WYCKOFF. She was born ABT 16 APR 1767. He married Sophia TEN EYCK 24 APR 1808 in Oldwick, New Jersey.
	Child of Cornelius WYCKOFF and Margaret WYCKOFF is: 26   i. Margaret WYCKOFF was born 1 MAR 1796, and died 25 MAR 1810. She married Henry TRAPHAGEN. Children of Cornelius WYCKOFF and Sophia TEN EYCK are: 27   i. Elizabeth WYCKOFF was born 2 JUL 1809, and died 26 DEC 1893 in of Fairview, Fulton Co., Illinois. She married John S. WYCKOFF. He died in of Fairview, Fulton Co., Illinois. 28   ii. Eleanor Rue Ten Eyck WYCKOFF was born 26 FEB 1813, and died 28 AUG 1813. 29   iii. Cornelius WYCKOFF was born 30 JUN 1814, and died 8 APR 1882 in of Fairview, Fulton Co., Illinois. He married Matilda V. POLHEMUS 7 JAN 1847. She died 11 AUG 1907 in of Fairview, Fulton Co., Illinois. 30   iv. Abraham Ten Eyck WYCKOFF was born 18 SEP 1816, and died 23 OCT 1878 in of Fairview, Fulton Co., Illinois. He married Rachel A. LANE. She died 26 AUG 1897 in of Fairview, Fulton Co., Illinois. 31   v. Penelope WYCKOFF was born 30 MAR 1818. She married Isaac V. GARRETSON 8 FEB 1841. 32   vi. George Dennis WYCKOFF was born 10 SEP 1820, and died in Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois. He married Miss LANE.

14.	Dennis WYCKOFF (Elizabeth ANDERSON3, GEORGE ANDERSON2, JORIS ANDRIESZEN1) was born 12 APR 1760, and died 6 DEC 1830. He married Margaret MELICK 22 NOV 1792, daughter of Tunis MELICK. She was born 29 NOV 1769, and died 19 APR 1857. He married Elizabeth TEN EYCK 13 MAY 1779, daughter of Tobias TEN EYCK and Antje \ Anita VAN HORN. She was born 17 JUL 1760, and died 13 MAY 1791.
	Children of Dennis WYCKOFF and Margaret MELICK are: 33   i. Simon D. WYCKOFF was born 25 MAR 1794 in White House, New Jersey, and died in of Kyserike, Ulster Co., New York. He married Gertrude BROADHEAD 7 OCT 1813. He married Rachel VAN WAGNER. She was born 22 NOV 1795, and died 26 MAY 1879 in of Kyserike, Ulster Co., New York. 34   ii. Tunis WYCKOFF was born 25 JAN 1797. 35   iii. George D. WYCKOFF was born 15 JAN 1799. 36   iv. Eliza WYCKOFF was born 10 APR 1803. She married Abraham VAN PELT. 37   v. Elizabeth WYCKOFF was born 15 MAR 1806. She married Henry VROOM 8 MAY 1835. She married John KLINE. 38   vi. Dennis WYCKOFF was born 5 FEB 1807. He married Martha LOWE. + 39   vii. Peter Melick WYCKOFF was born 17 APR 1809, and died 19 JUL 1834. Children of Dennis WYCKOFF and Elizabeth TEN EYCK are: 40   i. Elizabeth WYCKOFF was born 28 AUG 1778, and died 26 DEC 1792. 41   ii. Cornelius WYCKOFF was born 4 MAY 1785. 42   iii. Ann WYCKOFF was born 3 OCT 1786, and died 4 SEP 1845. She married Jacob VROOM. 43   iv. Ten Eyck WYCKOFF was born 1790, and died 29 AUG 1868 in of Raritan, New Jersey. He married Mariah DITMERS. She was born 1796, and died 24 JUL 1870 in of Raritan, New Jersey.

16.	Simon WYCKOFF (Elizabeth ANDERSON3, GEORGE ANDERSON2, JORIS ANDRIESZEN1) was born 12 FEB 1748, and died 5 NOV 1809 in of Readington, New Jersey. He married Jacominah \ Jamine ANDERSON 7 AUG 1770, daughter of GEORGE ANDERSON and METJE \ MATIE VAN WICKLEN. She was born BET 1749 AND 1754 in New Jersey, and died 10 NOV 1822 in of Readington, New Jersey.
	Children of Simon WYCKOFF and Jacominah \ Jamine ANDERSON are: 44   i. Martha WYCKOFF was born 23 JUL 1772, and died 6 DEC 1816. She married Jacob VROOM. 45   ii. Elizabeth WYCKOFF was born 1 OCT 1775, and died 17 APR 1808. She married Henry A. POST 13 JAN 1803. 46   iii. Jemima WYCKOFF was born ABT 26 MAY 1778. She married Samuel TAYLOR. 47   iv. Gitty WYCKOFF was born 14 MAR 1780, and died 1 JAN 1864. She married Jasper BERGER. 48   v. Anna WYCKOFF was born ABT 11 DEC 1783. 49   vi. Gordina WYCKOFF was born ABT 28 NOV 1790 in Somerset Co., New Jersey. She married Charles READING. 50   vii. Cornelia WYCKOFF was born ABT 30 DEC 1787. She married William WALSH 20 JUN 1807.

17.	George ANDERSON (GEORGE ANDERSON3, GEORGE ANDERSON2, JORIS ANDRIESZEN1) was born ABT 1750 in New Jersey, and died 20 MAR 1814 in Readington, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. He married Annoytie Anna \ Annatie WYCKOFF, daughter of Cornelius Simon WYCKOFF and Elizabeth ANDERSON. She was born ABT 12 NOV 1752 in Readington Church, Somerset Co., New Jersey.
	Children of George ANDERSON and Annoytie Anna \ Annatie WYCKOFF are: 24   i. Jamime ANDERSON was born 6 MAR 1786 in Readington Church, Somerset Co., New Jersey. 25   ii. Anne ANDERSON was born ABT 26 APR 1789 in Readington Church, Somerset Co., New Jersey.

18.	Jacominah \ Jamine ANDERSON (GEORGE ANDERSON3, GEORGE ANDERSON2, JORIS ANDRIESZEN1) was born BET 1749 AND 1754 in New Jersey, and died 10 NOV 1822 in of Readington, New Jersey. She married Simon WYCKOFF 7 AUG 1770, son of Cornelius Simon WYCKOFF and Elizabeth ANDERSON. He was born 12 FEB 1748, and died 5 NOV 1809 in of Readington, New Jersey.
	Children of Jacominah \ Jamine ANDERSON and Simon WYCKOFF are: 44   i. Martha WYCKOFF was born 23 JUL 1772, and died 6 DEC 1816. She married Jacob VROOM. 45   ii. Elizabeth WYCKOFF was born 1 OCT 1775, and died 17 APR 1808. She married Henry A. POST 13 JAN 1803. 46   iii. Jemima WYCKOFF was born ABT 26 MAY 1778. She married Samuel TAYLOR. 47   iv. Gitty WYCKOFF was born 14 MAR 1780, and died 1 JAN 1864. She married Jasper BERGER. 48   v. Anna WYCKOFF was born ABT 11 DEC 1783. 49   vi. Gordina WYCKOFF was born ABT 28 NOV 1790 in Somerset Co., New Jersey. She married Charles READING. 50   vii. Cornelia WYCKOFF was born ABT 30 DEC 1787. She married William WALSH 20 JUN 1807.

19.	SIMON ANDERSON (GEORGE ANDERSON3, GEORGE ANDERSON2, JORIS ANDRIESZEN1) was born 10 DEC 1755 in New Jersey, and died 21 DEC 1806 in Raritan River, Somerset Co., New Jersey. He married MARIA VAN_ANGLEN 11 OCT 1781 in Somerset Co., New Jersey, daughter of CORNELIUS VAN ANGLEN and SARAH REYNIERSEN. She was born 30 NOV 1761 in Somerset Co., New Jersey, and died 19 MAR 1847 in Middlebush, Somerset Co., New Jersey. She was buried in Bedminister, Somerset Co., New Jersey.
	Children of SIMON ANDERSON and MARIA VAN_ANGLEN are: + 51   i. Martha ANDERSON was born 4 JUN 1783 in Prob. New Brunswick, Middlesex Co., New Jersey, and died 11 APR 1852 in Bedminster, Somerset Co., New Jersey. 52   ii. Sarah ANDERSON was born 25 AUG 1785 in New Jersey, and died AFT 10 NOV 1806. She married Garret STOTHOFF 18 SEP 1803 in Somerset Co., New Jersey. 53   iii. Dinah ANDERSON was born 8 AUG 1787 in New Jersey, and died AFT 10 NOV 1806. 54   iv. Jemima ANDERSON was born 8 NOV 1789 in Somerset Co., New Jersey, and died 9 SEP 1804 in Somerset Co., New Jersey. + 55   v. GEORGE ANDERSON was born 8 MAR 1784 in along the Raritan River, Somerset Co., New Jersey, and died 10 JAN 1879 in Madison, Dane Co., Wisconsin. 56   vi. Cornelius ANDERSON was born 2 MAR 1799 in Prob. New Brunswick, Middlesex Co., New Jersey, and died AFT JUN 1817.

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Descendant Register, Generation No. 5

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39.	Peter Melick WYCKOFF (Dennis WYCKOFF4, Elizabeth ANDERSON3, GEORGE ANDERSON2, JORIS ANDRIESZEN1) was born 17 APR 1809, and died 19 JUL 1834. He married Alice B. POLHEMUS 19 JAN 1832.
	Child of Peter Melick WYCKOFF and Alice B. POLHEMUS is: 57   i. Edgar P. WYCKOFF was born 13 OCT 1832.

51.	Martha ANDERSON (SIMON ANDERSON4, GEORGE ANDERSON3, GEORGE ANDERSON2, JORIS ANDRIESZEN1) was born 4 JUN 1783 in Prob. New Brunswick, Middlesex Co., New Jersey, and died 11 APR 1852 in Bedminster, Somerset Co., New Jersey. She was buried in Old Bedminster Cemetery, Bedminster, Somerset Co., New Jersey. She married Hendrick SUYDAM 16 OCT 1802 in Somerset Co., New Jersey.
	Children of Martha ANDERSON and Hendrick SUYDAM are: 58   i. Jemima SUYDAM was born 26 SEP 1808, and died 8 JAN 1861. + 59   ii. Cornelius SUYDAM was born 30 SEP 1816 in New Jersey, and died 17 MAR 1881.

55.	GEORGE ANDERSON (SIMON ANDERSON4, GEORGE ANDERSON3, GEORGE ANDERSON2, JORIS ANDRIESZEN1) was born 8 MAR 1784 in along the Raritan River, Somerset Co., New Jersey, and died 10 JAN 1879 in Madison, Dane Co., Wisconsin. He married VIOLETTA TEN EYCK 21 NOV 1816 in Somerset Co., New Jersey, daughter of JEREMIAH FIELD TEN EYCK and JANE VAN ARSDALEN. She was born 22 SEP 1797 in New Jersey, and died 2 JAN 1840 in Four Lakes, Madison, Dane Co., Wisconsin. He married Elizabeth Baker DUNCOMB 23 APR 1841 in Dane Co., Wisconsin. She was born 27 JUL 1811 in New Hampshire. He married Euphemia B. SINCLAIR 8 FEB 1862, daughter of James SINCLAIR. She was born 17 MAY 1813 in Pennsylvania, and died 27 DEC 1878 in Dane Co., Wisconsin. She was buried in Madison, Dane Co., Wisconsin.
	Children of GEORGE ANDERSON and VIOLETTA TEN EYCK are: 60   i. Vivian ANDERSON was born 15 DEC 1817. + 61   ii. Simon ANDERSON was born ABT 1818 in New Jersey, and died 23 JAN 1890 in Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois. 62   iii. Jeremiah ANDERSON was born 22 MAR 1821. + 63   iv. MARTHA MARIA ANDERSON was born 13 SEP 1826 in New Jersey or Germantown?, Pennsylvania, and died 2 MAY 1886 in Battle Creek, Calhoun Co., Michigan. 64   v. George Washington ANDERSON was born 15 NOV 1823, and died BEF 1850. + 65   vi. Jane Mariah ANDERSON was born 22 APR 1829 in New Jersey, and died BET 1870 AND 1880 in Wisconsin. 66   vii. Richard L. ANDERSON was born 26 FEB 1832 in New York, and died 4 NOV 1868 in Sun Prairie, Dane Co., Wisconsin. He married Laura Ann BASHFORD 27 FEB 1855 in Dane Co., Wisconsin, daughter of George BASHFORD and Tamma WOODWARD. She was born 9 SEP 1828 in New York, and died 25 MAR 1901 in Sun Prairie, Dane Co., Wisconsin. 67   viii. Cornelius ANDERSON was born 1838 in Pennsylvania, and died BEF 25 JUN 1869. 68   ix. Jeremiah T. ANDERSON was born ABT 1839 in Wisconsin, and died AFT 27 JAN 1865.

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Descendant Register, Generation No. 6

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59.	Cornelius SUYDAM (Martha ANDERSON5, SIMON ANDERSON4, GEORGE ANDERSON3, GEORGE ANDERSON2, JORIS ANDRIESZEN1) was born 30 SEP 1816 in New Jersey, and died 17 MAR 1881. He was buried in New Bedminster Cemetery, Somerset Co., New Jersey. He married Abigail VROOM. She was born 20 AUG 1815 in New Jersey, and died 4 JAN 1882. She was buried in New Bedminster Cemetery, Somerset Co., New Jersey.
	Children of Cornelius SUYDAM and Abigail VROOM are: 69   i. Martha A. SUYDAM. 70   ii. Sarah C. SUYDAM was born in New Jersey. 71   iii. Jacob R. S. SUYDAM.

61.	Simon ANDERSON (GEORGE ANDERSON5, SIMON ANDERSON4, GEORGE ANDERSON3, GEORGE ANDERSON2, JORIS ANDRIESZEN1) was born ABT 1818 in New Jersey, and died 23 JAN 1890 in Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois. He married Sarah. She was born ABT 1827 in Vermont.
	Children of Simon ANDERSON and Sarah (--) w\o Simon ANDERSON are: 72   i. Geo. ANDERSON was born ABT 1850 in Indiana. 73   ii. Ellen \ Emma ANDERSON was born ABT 1853 in Indiana. 74   iii. Aletta ANDERSON was born ABT 1859 in Illinois.

63.	MARTHA MARIA ANDERSON (GEORGE ANDERSON5, SIMON ANDERSON4, GEORGE ANDERSON3, GEORGE ANDERSON2, JORIS ANDRIESZEN1) was born 13 SEP 1826 in New Jersey or Germantown?, Pennsylvania, and died 2 MAY 1886 in Battle Creek, Calhoun Co., Michigan. She was buried 15 MAY 1886 in Battle Creek, Calhoun Co., Michigan. She married LIBERTY ADAMS 20 APR 1846 in Prob. Genesee Co., New York, son of JOHN ADAMS and BATHSHEBA POLLOCK. He was born 3 OCT 1821 in Stafford, Genesee Co., New York, and died 14 MAR 1867 in Stafford, Genesee Co., New York. He was buried ABT 14 MAR 1867 in Stafford, Genesee Co., New York.
	Children of MARTHA MARIA ANDERSON and LIBERTY ADAMS are: + 75   i. John Anderson ADAMS was born 25 FEB 1847 in Stafford, Genesee Co., New York, and died 19 APR 1938 in Austin, Travis Co., Texas. 76   ii. Marion ADAMS was born 1855 in New York, and died BEF 14 MAR 1867. 77   iii. Alletta Bathsheba ADAMS was born 16 OCT 1859 in Stafford, Genesee Co., New York, and died 14 APR 1941 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., California. She married Louis Morrison FULLER 6 APR 1893 in Battle Creek, Calhoun Co., Michigan, son of Ceylon Canfield FULLER and Francis MORRISON. He was born 24 APR 1861 in Big Rapids, Mecosta Co., Michigan, and died 6 JUL 1941 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., California. + 78   iv. YATES ALEXANDER ADAMS was born 26 AUG 1860 in Batavia, Genesee Co., New York, and died 7 MAR 1917 in St. Louis, St. Louis Co., Missouri.

65.	Jane Mariah ANDERSON (GEORGE ANDERSON5, SIMON ANDERSON4, GEORGE ANDERSON3, GEORGE ANDERSON2, JORIS ANDRIESZEN1) was born 22 APR 1829 in New Jersey, and died BET 1870 AND 1880 in Wisconsin. She married Benjamin PECKHAM 10 JAN 1849 in Sun Prairie, Dane Co., Wisconsin. He was born 17 JUL 1825 in New York, and died 21 FEB 1901 in Bloom City, Richland Co., Wisconsin.
	Children of Jane Mariah ANDERSON and Benjamin PECKHAM are: 79   i. George M. PECKHAM was born 1850 in New Jersey. 80   ii. Edith PECKHAM was born 1852 in New Jersey. 81   iii. Letta E. PECKHAM was born 12 JAN 1855 in New Jersey, and died 1 NOV 1919 in Sun Prairie, Dane Co., Wisconsin. She married Charles Prentis PHILLIPS 7 DEC 1897 in Madison, Dane Co., Wisconsin, son of James PHILLIPS and Fannie TOLLARD. He was born 10 MAY 1873 in Toway, Iowa, and died 3 DEC 1952 in Monona, Wisconsin. She married Henry PARKS 13 SEP 1873 in Madison, Dane Co., Wisconsin, son of Daniel PARKS. He was born in Mississippi. 82   iv. Alexander PECKHAM was born 1856 in New Jersey, and died 13 NOV 1902 in Richland Co., Wisconsin. He married Alice SHOWERS 11 NOV 1891 in Sun Prairie, Dane Co., Wisconsin, daughter of Henry CHIPMANN. She was born in Springfield, Wisconsin. + 83   v. Henry C. PECKHAM was born 14 JUL 1859 in New Jersey, and died 29 OCT 1907 in Dane Co., Wisconsin. + 84   vi. Hugh Anderson PECKHAM was born 1861 in Wisconsin or New Jersey, and died 14 DEC 1918 in Deschutes, Oregon. + 85   vii. Francis Mae PECKHAM was born 1864 in Sun Prairie, Dane Co., Wisconsin, and died 1922 in Madison, Dane Co., Wisconsin.

Tombstone Tuesday - KILBORN of Colchester, Connecticut

Old Burying Ground, Colchester, New London Co., Connecticut

Jonathan Kilborn

Born:  January 08, 1706/07, Colchester, New London Co., Connecticut

Died:  October 14, 1785, Colchester, New London Co., Connecticut

His wife, Mary Skinner

Born:  July 10, 1709, Colchester, New London Co., Connecticut

Died: August 11, 1780, Colchester, New London Co., Connecticut

They were my 6th great-grandparents.

Looking Back

It was quite a surprise to be in the Top 100 Genealogy Blog list from MyHeritage.com.  I must admit, it was nice, but now on to other things.

I received an Ancestors Approved Award from Lisa who writes Old Stones Undeciphered.  Thank you Lisa. When I read her 1920s Beeville, Texas: Shades of the Ku Klux Klan I really woke up at 5:45 AM on a Sunday morning. I know I should be talking about the article, but I was delighted that she had photos of Beeville, Texas. I made many trips to the NARA to use the microfilm to locate a family from there and that memory is very vivid. Why did they move from Michigan to Beeville, Texas, I've often wondered.

Another email came from Brenda of Journey to the Past who wrote, "Do you have gravesite photos? This (West Leroy) cemetery is about 3 miles from where I live." Subsequent emails brought additional information and about 19 photos!  She also drew a detailed map of the cemetery and indicated where my different direct line families were buried! Brenda has helped me in the past in locating a newspaper article about Yates Adams, and his murder / suicide.  She may help me with obituaries too.

Lester "Les" Larrabee of Bits and Pieces sent me an email with an attachment of a Barnes tombstone. In his note, he mentioned that I didn't have that name in my Surname Saturday for the Barnes name listed that week. Lester knows I have a lot of Barnes, and that is why he sent the photo.  I now have this person entered into my database, and Les gave me permission to put the picture on Find-A-Grave.

Joyce, a friend of mine who took the same Family Tree Maker class with me over four years ago knows a number of my surnames. She wrote about her ancestor, then said, "They were married in St. Armand, Quebec, Canada on February 22, 1813 and the 2 witnesses to the marriage were Abigail's father, Benjamin JOY and a AQUILA KNAP."  She was right, I have that Aquila Knap in my tree. My ancestor and hers knew each other in 1813, pretty amazing.

Sentimental Sunday -- Two Soldiers Connect

There have been many wonderful stories on Memorial Day about our soldiers. This one is new and I am rather emotional writing about it. I am just afraid I am not doing this story true justice. There are four people involved, Jo is the sister of Bob (soldier, still living, and who held dying soldier Gary in his arms), Jo is trying to locate Gary's brother and Pamela is the director and cousin of Larry (brother of Gary). It all began on May 02, 1967 when Gary died in the arms of Bob. Last month, I received a letter from Bob’s sister Jo.

What would you do if you received a letter like this, "Barbara. My name is Jo ___. My brother served in the service with Gary. They were good friends and he wants to connect up with his family. Could you contact me. JO"

I wrote back, and the outcome was my most rewarding thing I have ever done. It turns out that Jo wrote me because I had brothers, Gary and Larry in my genealogy program. The brothers are my 5th cousins.

From Jo, I learned, "My brother Bob, served in the Viet Nam War with Gary. He was there when he died. They were really close friends. I think they trained together and went over together. He talks about Gary after all these years and still grieves over his death. He grieved terribly when Gary died. He has been trying to find his family for years. He asked me to help find them. He knew that Gary was from Detroit, Mich. My brother was from Ohio. My brother has Agent Orange. He got it in Nam. He is under constant medical care from the VA."

There were very few facts, but I was up to the challenge. Once I realized this was a real life situation of a soldier trying to find another soldier's family, this was my priority until all the pieces came together. Was I ever in luck Or I should say, we were all in luck.

I located Gary, but didn’t want to write him, because if this was a true event, I thought an email stating, “I know who the person is who held your dying brother” would be too painful. Fortunately, Gary’s cousin is a movie director / producer and I wrote Pamela to see if it was true.

An immediate reply came from her, and yes, the story was true. Being a writer in addition to her director / producer roll, Pamela had a lot to say. “WOW! I was 10 when Gary died and we, as family, always wanted even more clarification about his death. Gary was such a patriotic person and received many more medals than what we could comprehend based on what was told to the family about his death. I attended many of those medal ceremonies.” Pamela and I wrote many letters and everything came together.

From Jo (the sister of Bob):
“My brother Bob was only about 17 or 18 when this happened and Gary was only a couple years older. Bob said he cried for his mother when he was dying and that memory was burned in my brothers mind as he was so close to our Mom. What happened in the last minutes of his death was important to him and helped him get closure also.”

The two soldiers were connected, and the outcome was indeed happy.

“My brother and Gary’s brother talked a long time on the phone and my brother got some closure on Gary's death. My brother held Gary in his arms when he died. They were best friends in Viet Nam. My brother has grieved over his death for years and talking to Gary's family has helped them all. “The war was really bad for my brother and when he came home he was a mess. I am glad we finally found someone who knew Gary that he could talk to about him.” We wish to thank you for all the help you gave us in finding this family.” “Barbara, again we thank you so much. You were a life saver for my family.”

From Pamela (the cousin):
“Of course you can write about this on your blog. I am a writer and I totally want you to write about it. In fact, I'm due to give a speech at the foot of the Polar Bear Monument on Memorial Day in Troy, Michigan, just a short step away from where Gary is buried. The speech is about my film dedicated to the Polar Bears, and I will now be telling this incredible story about how you contacted me and how we found Bob so he could deliver his communication after all these years. It's quite a story isn't it? (I still have chills and tears in my eyes as I am writing this).”

“Thank you for all the work you do and for being the wonderful person you are to put us all in communication. Please let me know when you write about this on your blog. I would love to see it and I love knowing that others will now share this incredible story and pass it on.”

Bob, Larry, Jo, Pamela this is for you, and for Gary who will forever be in our hearts. Pamela, I am sorry I waited so long to write this, it was extremely difficult, but at last, I quote you, “I love knowing that others will now share this incredible story and pass it on.”

Surname Saturday -- All the A's

My Surnames starting with A

AARTZE [2], ABBE [33], ABBOT [8], ABBOTT [9], ABEL [5], ABELL [3], ABERNATHY [1], ABIAH \ ABIEL [1], ACKRENDEN [1], ACRE [1], ADAIR [1], ADAM [1], ADAMS [190], ADDIE [1], ADELINE [1], ADELLA [1], ADGATE [2], ADIE  [1], ADKINDSON [1], AFFEL \ APPEL [1], AFFLECK [2], AFRON [1], AGNES [1], AHL[2], AIKEN [2], AKERLY [1], ALBEE [2], ALBERTS [1], ALBERTSON [2], ALBON [1], ALBREE [3], ALDEN [13], ALDERMAN [1], ALDIS [1], ALDRICH [24], ALDRIGE [1], ALEXANDER [7], ALGET [1], ALINK [1], ALLAN [1], ALLEN [76], ALLGAR [1], ALLIN [1], ALLING [11], ALLIS [1], ALLWORTH [1], ALLYN [3], ALMAN [1], ALSOP [2], ALSTEATEN [1], ALTER [4], ALVORD [144], AMBERMAN [1], AMERMAN [1], AMES [17], AMIDON [2], AMORY [1], AMUNDSEN [1], AMUNDSON [2], ANDERSON [32], ANDREW [1], ANDREWS [61], ANDRIESZEN [1], ANDROS [3], ANDRUS [7], ANGEL [1], ANGELL [3], ANGLE [1], ANNIS [1], ANRELL [1], ANTEN [1], ANTHONY [5], ANTROME [1], APPLETON [3], ARCHER [1], AREL \ ARIEL \ ERIL [1], ARENTS [1], ARENTSEN [2], ARMER [1], ARMITAGE [1], ARMOUR [1], ARMS [2], ARMSTRONG [9], ARNOLD [17], ARPIN [1], ARRISON [1], ARTHUR [1], ASELTINE [8], ASELTON [1], ASHCROFT [1], ASHLEY [14], ASTWOOD [2], ATCHINSON \ ACHISON [1], ATHERTON [5], ATHY [1], ATKINS [6], ATKINSON [13], ATWATER [7], ATWELL [1], ATWOOD [4], AUBUCHON [1], AUGER [1], AUSER [1], AUSTIN [13], AVERETT [1], AVERY [8], AWOOD [1], AXTELL [4], AYDELOTTE [1], AYER [4], AYERS [2], AYRES [4]

Early Marriage Record for Wisconsin

Whenever I am doing research in a new state, I always check out the Red Book, one of the few reference books I own.  It is red, and covers "American State, County, and Town Sources." Since Wisconsin is one of my "new" states, I read the certain sections that pertain to what I want to know about Wisconsin.  And, I always look at the map as well as check out the bordering states. There is also information about Vital Records for each particular state.  I would assume this book is known to all professional genealogists, but new genealogists might find the book helpful.  I believe many libraries would have it. Five years ago it cost me $29.95, and I'm on my second book.

It looks like I was pretty lucky because according to the section on Vital Records for Wisconsin, some marriage applications were issued as early as the 1820s in some counties, then in 1852 the state directed them to record births and deaths, but some towns ignored this request. Not until 1878 did the state get strict regarding adherence to the law. The online Wisconsin vital records index was extremely helpful, because it listed my ancestor, which in turn, prompted me to order it a copy for $15.

Within a few weeks I received the marriage record for 1841.  This record was for my recently former "brick wall" person and although I had the marriage date, it is nice to have a uncertified copy.*

* At the bottom, stamped in red is the following: Uncertified Copy  Not valid for certification purposes.  It is illegal to make this document available to the public in electronic format.