A Surprising Survey

Bill West, in front, at the NEHGS Library.

Every Wednesday for many years, the New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) has been posting The Weekly Genealogist, a free internet magazine, or ezine online. During the past year, one of their features has been a short survey, pertaining to various aspects of genealogy. I've been wondering if they were ever going to cover blog questions.


Well they finally covered blogs, and the survey was posted yesterday. I wrote NEHGS to get permission to print their results. Their reply was, "We've certainly had a range of responses to our blog survey questions – from people asking what a blog is to people saying they follow hundreds.  It is interesting that there is such a variety of experiences."

"Last week’s survey asked how many genealogical blogs you follow. The results are:

• 60%, I follow no blogs.
• 24%, I follow 1–2 blogs.
• 10%, I follow 3–5 blogs.
• 2%, I follow 6–10 blogs.
• 3%, I follow over ten blogs."

Wow, 60% don't follow anybody and only 3% follow more than ten blogs.

I know most of my followers are also bloggers. If I want to reach those who don't blog or don't know what a blog is, perhaps there needs to be a way to reach that population. Magazines may write about blogs, but how good of a job are they doing, are they really explaining them, and giving examples? As a blogger, I can't reach those 60% because they don't follow anybody.


What's the purpose of blogging, other than sharing, hoping to make connections or trying to get readers to buy products listed on their site so they can make money? Now, I'm trying to justify my blog. Do I want to reach the 60% or should I be content with the possibility of reaching just 3%. I'm not trying to make money, just want to share and help, so am I wasting my time?


Note: I received a message from NEHGS this morning. Lynn wrote: "Just over 2,000 people replied to that survey."

Cote's Market -- Lowell, Massachusetts

Update: Cote's is now 100 years old, and the business is being sold.

See the Lowell Sun Newspaper of June 25, 2017 to read article.

Cote's Market, Lowell, Massachusetts

Curt  Levasseur, son of the owner, holding photo from years ago. Cote's has been in the same family for 97 years.

Rodliff of Lowell, Massachusetts -- Tombstone Tuesday

RODLIFF

Ferdinand  1806  --  1898

Peace W.  --  1806  --  1892

Charles H.  1833  --  1858

BURIED AT LOWELL CEMETERY, LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS

The Sad End of Liberty Adams

Twenty-five years after Liberty Adams was born, he married, and twenty-one years later, he died, leaving a widow and three children. A letter from his son in 1906 says Liberty died of peritonitis after an illness of five days.  He was reported to be an alcoholic.  The coffin and box cost $30, and his burial lot was $6.

Liberty's Probate packet consisted of 30 pages for the estate of Liberty Adams, who died intestate on March 14, 1867, at the age of 45. He left behind his widow, Martha Anderson Adams, and three children, John A. Adams, Yates A. Adams, and Aletta B. Adams (the last two under age 14). My cousin Claire obtained the probate papers and sent them to me.  Important documents were either typed or scanned and are displayed below. These were obtained from the Batavia Court House, I believe, maybe 20 years ago. As of January 15, 2023, they are not online. 

Genesee County,

Surrogate's Court.

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE

OF 

Liberty Adams

Deceased.

TO THE SURROGATE OF THE COUNTY OF GENESEE ;

I, Martha Adams,

Administratrix of the goods, chattels, and credits of Liberty Adams late of the town of Stafford, in the County of Genesee, do render the following account of my proceedings as such Administratrix for the final settlement, allowance, and distribution, viz :

On the 29th day of March 1867, Letters of Administration of the estate of said deceased were issued to me.

On the 10th day of April 1867, I caused an Inventory of the personal estate of said deceased to be filed in the Surrogate's Office of said County, which personal estate therein set forth amounts by appraisement of Appraisers to the sum of $979.99.

On or about the first day of October 1867, caused a notice to creditors to present their claims, to be published as required by law, pursuant to the order of the Surrogate. (Below are Schedules A-F.)

"All moneys paid for funeral and other necessary expenses for said estate."

Receipt indicating the Burial Lot number for Liberty.

"Contains the names, places of residence of all persons entitled as a widow or next of kin, of the said deceased, and if any of them are minors, the ages of such minors, and the names and places of residence of their guardians, if they have guardians.

Obituaries -- Lowell, Massachusetts

The below listed names were taken from The Lowell Sun newspaper's obituary section. The names are often printed on two days, I am only listing them once.


MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2011

RICHARD O. SYKES, LOVING FATHER, GRANDFATHER, BROTHER, UNCLE, AND FRIEND; 93

JOHN J. BRODERICK, RETIRED LOWELL LIEUTENANT; 93

LEO F. KING, JR.  1931 - 2011, RETIRED DEAN OF STUDENTS, UMASS OF LOWELL

SHIRLEY L. SMALL, UNITED STATES NAVY VETERAN, OF GROTON, MA
JANE MATYKA, LOVING MOTHER, OF DRACUT, MA; 95
ALBERT PAUL GAUTHIER, VIETNAM VETERAN, USMC, OF DRACUT; 61
RITA B. WOJNOR, LOVING MOTHER, GRANDMOTHER, AND AUNT, OF LOWELL; 83
MR. BELA I. CSIKESZ, OF WESTFORD, MA
DENNIS P. SULLIVAN, FORMERLY OF WILMINGTON; 47
EILEEN C. (BAILEY) JOHNSON OF CHELMSFORD; 83


TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2011
MARGARET ANN HOUSTON, FORMERLY OF DRACUT, MA
HAY CHOU, OF DRACUT, MA; FORMERLY OF LOWELL
CYNTHIA ANN 'CYNDI' DOULAMES, BELOVED DAUGHTER, WIFE, MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER; 55
ELTA E. KELLEY, LOVING MOTHER, GRANDMOTHER, AND GREAT-GRANDMOTHER; OF BILLERICA; 78
JOHN W. LEAHY, OF LITTLETON, MA; 79
MARY LOUISES (ORRALL) WILSON, OF DRACUT, LOVING MOTHER, GRANDMOTHER AND GREAT-GRANDMOTHER; 82
CONSTANCE J. GULLBEAULT, LIFELONG LOWELL RESIDENT; 73
SEAN E. LUCEY, OF CHELMSFORD; 47
SHIRLEY L. JOHNSON, OF LITTLETON, MA; 63
MARILYN B. (BOSTON) LEPINE, OF LOWELL; 85
JOHN MANUEL KARANAS; OF MILFORD, NH; FORMERLY OF N. CHELMSFORD, MA


WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011
ANNETTE R. (LEFEBVRE) ARSENAULT, OF DRACUT, MA; 98
GEORGE H. BURNHAM, JR., OF N. CHELMSFORD, MA; 59
ALLISON "ALLIE" STENT, OF WESTFORD, MA; 22
JEAN E. SIRTI, OF TEWKSBURY, MA, RETIRED LEGAL SECRETARY; 49
JOHN J. KING, OF LOWELL AND KINGSTON, MA; 51
MANUEL JOSEPH FONSECA, ACTIVE AT LOWELL SENIOR CENTER; 93
ROBERT P. BRODEN, OF HOLLIS, NH; 86
MAURICE G. MONETTE, LIFELONG LOWELL RESIDENT; 96
HELEN FRANCES  (DUNN) DURKIN, LOVING WIFE, MOTHER, AND GRANDMOTHER
JOHN L. HOOPER, OF GROTON, MA, VETERAN; 75


THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011
FRANCIS E. BERNDT, OF FITCHBURG, WWII VET; 86
KAROL KLEPACZ, LIFELONG RESIDENT OF LOWELL; WWII VET; 96
MICHAEL GARY LAMON, FORMERLY OF TEWKSBURY, MA; 45
ANN R. GARNEAU, LOVING WIFE, MOTHER, GRANDMOTHER, AND GREAT-GRANDMOTHER, OF LOWELL; 92
RUTH M. DOUCET, FORMERLY OF CHELMSFORD, MA; 87


FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2011
GEORGE M. MAY, CHELMSFORD, MA NATIVE, NAVY VETERAN; 54
STEVEN HARRINGTON 'STEVIE' CAREY, LOVING SON, BROTHER, GRANDSON, NEPHEW; 41
VIOLA B. McCARTHY, LOVING MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER, OF LOWELL, 91
ETTA L. BACHELDER, MOTHER AND 'NANA' TO HER FAMILY, OF LOWELL; 93
CHRISTOS G. KOUTROBIS, OF LOWELL, ARMY VETERAN; 63
ROBERT E. THOMPSON, LIVED IN CANTON, MA, FAMILY IN GR. LOWELL; 81
RONALD M. GIROUX, FORMER LOWELL RESIDENT, OF JAFFREY, NH; 52
WILLIAM 'BILL' BARTHELL, OF DRACUT, WORLD WAR II VETERAN; 87


SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2011
EVA M. BERARD, LOVING MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER; 90
IIENE L. BEVIS, OF BILLERICA, BELOVED WIFE, MOTHER, AND GRANDMOTHER; 57
MRS. LILLIAN T. MISELIS, OF WILMINGTON, MA; 96
FRANCIS E. KLING JR., LOVING SON AND BROTHER; 24
CORINNE (KNOX) (COREY) BARTKOVICK, FORMERLY OF CHELMSFORD; 87


SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2011
ANITA H. (KENDRICK) JAY, LOVING WIFE, MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER, OF LOWELL; 80
SGT. JAMES E. 'JIM' BELLEROSE II, SERVED IN ARMY (KOSOVO, IRAQ, AFGHANISTAN); LOVING HUSBAND, FATHER, SON, AND BROTHER; 40
JOSEPH C. LAMY, OF WESTFORD, WORKED FOR LOCAL REALTY CO.; 86
HARLAND A. WINSLOW, LIVED IN LOWELL, MA; OVERSAW CONSTRUCTION ON THE EXPANSION OF THE BURLINGTON MALL; 94
JEAN B. MORRISON, FORMERLY OF QUINCY, MA, TIES TO AYER, MA; 83

Obituary -- Avery Schramling Early Iowa Pioneer

SABULA, IOWA PAPER

DEC. 1899

Avery A. Schramling

A letter received by L. H. Steen from Garber, Oklahoma conveys the sad news of the death A. A. Schramling, which occurred at the home of his son, D. J. Schramling, near Garber, on the 21st inst. The letter says: "The last two years of his life has been one constant misery and worry, being of such an active disposition it was impossible for him to give up and be contented. His children have been kind and attentive to him. He passed the time with the two oldest boys, William, in Washington Co., Kan., D. J., near Garber. P. H. lives near Woodward, Oak.; E. H. lives in Hayleyville, Ia.; Mrs. Joy, the eldest daughter, lives at Villisca, Ia., and Mrs. Traver, the youngest daughter, near Lakeside, Neb. They all visited with him during the past summer.  The cause of his death was old age and heart failure. He passed away peacefully and the remains were taken to Ida Grove, Ia., for interment by the side of the beloved who passed to the Beyond in 1899."

Avery A. Schramling was one of the early pioneers of Sabula and made his home here for many years. His cheerful, sunny disposition made him a general favorite during those days of pioneer hardships and there are a few old settlers in Jackson county who will not readily recall "Ave" Schramling with kind memories.

Deceased was a brother of Frederick Schramling, one of the well known pioneers of this locality passed away a number of years ago, and a brother-in-law of Jos. McElroy who was one of the few Sabula pioneers still living. He was born in Otsego county, N.Y., in 1819 and came to Sabula in 1839 or 1840. Mr. Schramling appeared to have the surviving instinct of the typical pioneer and was never more at home than when roving about the track__ west in his old "prairie schooner." In 1849 he, in company with J. McElroy, M. McMullen, and his brothers Dave and John Schramling. They drove through California, they numbered among the '49ers early? pioneer gold miners. Messrs. McElroy and the subject of  this which? returned to their Iowa home in the fall of 1852, but in 1859 they again set forth to take a hand in the gold diggings at Pike's Peak. Returning miners discouraged them, however and they returned to Sabula without reaching the mines.

In 1861 another Sabula party consisting of Messrs. Fred and Ave Schramling, Dr. Seymour Day, Geo. Farquhar , A. C. Ferguson, John Hayes, S. L. Watts, Dolph Smith, John? Hess and others, started for the mines in Montana, where most of the party remained nearly two years, but in a few days after reaching that country Messrs. Schrambling and Farquhar started up into the British possessions and competed a 2,200 mile drive before returning to their companions.

Mr. Schramling's death makes another break in the rapidly thinning ranks of Sabula's pioneers, and his children will have the earnest sympathy of his old time friends and acquaintances.

Appleton Avery was my 1st cousin, 5 times removed.

I found the obituary at the DAR Headquarters in Washington, DC (in the file of his niece's application paper).

Missing for 68 Years, Finally Laid to Rest

The Sunday I read about WWII Air Force 2nd Lt. Martin Patrick Murray being finally laid to rest, after missing almost 68 years, I knew he would be my topic for Veteran's Day, 2011.  The local paper had a large article about his burial on April 16, 2011 and the following day, my husband and I went to St. Patrick's Cemetery in Lowell, Massachusetts, but couldn't locate where he was buried. Today, the cemetery provided me with the exact location, and of course I took the photo. Amazingly, nobody had taken a photo for Find A Grave, although there was an entry for him. It appears that the contributor obtained her information from one of the many newspapers that carried the story.

From the Boston Globe
From The Boston Channel
From WCVB Channel

From The Lowell Sun newspaper, his obituary:


Martin Patrick Murray

WWII Army Air Corps. Aviator
lost in The South Pacific over 67 years ago

MOROBE PROVINCE, PAPUA NEW GUINEA -- Martin Patrick Murray, 22, of Lowell, passed away on October 28, 1944. He was the co-pilot of a B-24D Liberator aircraft that was lost in the South Pacific while on a reconnoissance mission during World War II.

Born March 13, 1922, in Lowell, he was the son of the late Martin A. and the late Katherine M. (Clancy) Murray, and he was educated in the local schools. He grew up in South Lowell, on Cosgrove Street and was a communicant of the former Sacred Heart Parish.

He enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps in March of 1942, and quickly rose to the rank of Second Lieutenant. On October 27, 1943, he and his crew were on a reconnoissance mission of the shipping lanes in the Bismarck Sea. Shortly before losing radio contact, the crew was told to abort the mission due to poor weather conditions. The crew was never heard from again, and despite numerous search efforts, ultimately the 12 crewmen were placed in the status of presumed dead.

In August of 2003 it was reported to the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command that the wreckage of a WWII era aircraft was found in the Morobe Province on the northern coast of Papua New Guinea. After unsuccessful attempts to reach the site in 2003 and 2004, the site was reached in 2005 and identified as the B-24D Liberator that was lost with Second Lieutenant Murray and crew. After recovering what was possible, the site was excavated in early 2007. It was then that the remains of Second Lieutenant Murray and the 11 other men were finally recovered, and then identified by the Armed Services DNA Identification Laboratory.

When he passed away in 1944, he was survived by his parents, and his three sisters, Mary Claire Murray, of Lowell, Catherine S. Murray of Lowell, and Eileen M. and her husband, Henry S. Trembley of Boston.

During the 64 years that he was missing, all of his immediate family have passed away, currently he is survived by many cousins in the New England area.

AT THE FAMILY'S REQUEST, 2ND LT. MURRAY'S CALLING HOURS AND FUNERAL SERVICE WILL BE HELD PRIVATELY ON SATURDAY, APRIL 16 AT THE MCDONOUGH FUNERAL HOME, 14 HIGHLAND STREET, LOWELL, 978-458-6816. YOU ARE INVITED TO JOIN THE FAMILY FOR HIS BURIAL WITH FULL MILITARY HONORS INCLUDING A MILITARY AIRCRAFT FLYOVER AT ST. PATRICK CEMETERY BETWEEN 10:15 AND 11 A.M. PLEASE VISIT US AT MCDONOUGHFUNERALHOME.COM TO SEND THE FAMILY AN E-CONDOLENCE AT ANY TIME.
Published in Lowell Sun from April 14 to April 15, 2011

Previous posts for Veterans Day were:
Princess Diana and Charles on Veteran's Day.
President Carter at Arlington National Cemetery on Veteran's Day.
The Vietnam Veteran's Memorial and Me in Uniform.

Wordless Wednesday -- Have a Wonderful Day

Tombstone Tuesday -- What's the Name?

Tombstone located in Rindge, New Hampshire

Obituaries -- Lowell, Massachusetts

The below listed names were taken from The Lowell Sun newspaper's obituary section. The names are often printed on two days, I am only listing them once.


MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2011

NOELLA E.  AUBREY, OF LOWELL'S PAWTUCKETVILLE SECTION; 93
BETTY ANN GENTZ, FORMERLY OF TEWKSBURY; 79
MARGARET M. (FARRACY) GIBSON, CHERISHED MOTHER, GRANDMOTHER, GREAT-GRANDMOTHER; 87
LEE N. PEIKES, RETIRED U.S. ARMY, KOREAN WAR VETERAN; 84
CHESTER G. INGALLS, LONGTIME WESTFORD RESIDENT, SCHOOL DEPT. RETIREE, ARMY VET; 76


TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1,  2011
ARTHUR F. DIETTE, JR., RET. SERGEANT LOWELL POLICE DEPT.; KNIGHTED BY KING OF BELGIUM; 76
EDWARD G. MURDOCK, RETIRED TEAMSTER LOCAL 25; 82
PETER J. CEBRERO, LONGTIME LOWELL RESIDENT, NAVY VET; 71
LOUISE (AVOLA) KILDERRY, BELOVED WIFE, MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER; 64
MARIE C. (JONES) LOWREY, OF LOWELL'S  CENTRALVILLE SECTION; 94
ROLAND A. BRUNELLE, OF HUDSON, N.H.; 87
IRENE H. MALISZEWSKI, OF TEWKSBURY, AVID GARDNER; 84


WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2011
THOMAS J. TORPEY, OF LOWELL, U.S. NAVY KOREAN WAR; 81
M. LOUISE COLLINS, FORMER EXECUTIVE DIR. OF FAMILY SERVICES OF GREATER LOWELL; 84
EUGENE F. TOSTO, RETIRED ENGINEER, VETERAN; 75
EDWARD D. BROWN, RETIRED WELDER AND PIPEFITTER; 74
GEORGE C. SMITH, JR., OF LOWELL; 79
NAOMI EVERETT, BELOVED DAUGHTER, MOTHER AND FRIEND
LOUISE A. "BEAUCH" MARION, OF HUDSON, NH; 59
JUDITH (SARMENTO) BOBOLA, OF HUDSON, NH; 67
THOMAS TORRISI, FORMERLY OF LOWELL; 51
BEVERLY "BEVY" A. SIMMONS, OF WESTFORD; FORMERLY OF BILLERICA; 64


THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011
RONALD J. SOUSA, OF PELHAM, LOVING HUSBAND AND FATHER; 70
WILLIS A. CLARK, JR., LOVING FATHER AND GRANDFATHER, U.S. NAVY VETERAN OF WWII; 91
THOMAS J. TORPEY, U.S. NAVY KOREAN WAR; 81
SARAH ANNE (NEALON) PLUMMER, FORMERLY OF MALDEN, MA; 83
CAREN A. "KK" DUCLOS, LIFELONG RESIDENT OF LOWELL; 70
DANIEL F. CHISHOLM, OF LOWELL; 85
MAUREEN (RILEY) METHOT, OF DRACUT (DIED OCT. 9, 2011)
JOAN ELLEN DADE COX, OF GROTON


FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011
PAUL STEPHEN BOZICAS, OF PEPPERILL PROMINENT LOCAL RESTAURATEUR; 72
ALEXANDER W. 'AL' DAY, JR., RETIRED FROM U.S. POSTAL SERVICE; 68
ELIZABETH 'BETTY' A. (L'ABBEE) LURO, OF CHELMSFORD, RETIRED BOOKKEEPER; 73


SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2011
WILLIAM R. POWERS, AGE 80; OF CHELMSFORD, MA
JOHN J. PRZYBYLA, OF LOWELL; ACTIVE AT HOLY TRINITY CHURCH, RET. MEDFORD SCHOOLTEACHER, ARMY VET; 78
DORIS (CAPOTOSTO) DePRENDA, LOVING MOTHER, GRANDMOTHER AND GREAT-GRANDMOTHER; 88
LOUISA AVILA DiMARTINO, FORMERLY OF CHELMSFORD, MA; 79
DORIS C. HUBERT, RESIDENT OF LOWELL; 85
MARIE D. THERIAULT, ACTIVE AT STE. MARGUERITE CHURCH, DRACUT; 70
LINDA A. (GERMINARO) GIGLIOTTI OF TEWKSBURY; 63
ELIZABETH ROSA, LOVING MOTHER, GRANDMOTHER, AND SISTER; 94
RICHARD B. PRESTON, FORMERLY OF LOWELL, MA, WWII VET; 86


SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2011
EILEEN C. JOHNSON, LOVING MOTHER, GRANDMOTHER, AND SISTER; 83
GERALD J. ANDRADE, SR., RESIDENT OF LOWELL; 84
JOHN ROBERT 'JACK' LEHAN, LOVING SON, BROTHER, UNCLE, AND FRIEND; 52
JUDITH JOSEPHINE THOMPSON, FORMERLY OF CHELMSFORD, MA; 67
ATHANASIA ROGGOTIS, LOVING MOTHER, GRANDMOTHER, AND SISTER; 82
FLOYD C. KING, CITY OF LOWELL STREET DEPT. RETIREE, VET; 88
RUTH HANNAH (BLUM) LEVINE, FORMERLY OF LOWELL; ACCOMPLISHED ARTIST AND SCULPTOR, LOVING MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER
NICHOLAS L. KORAVOS JR., FORMERLY OF LOWELL; AGE 72
LLOYD G. BLANCHARD, 1917 - 2011
CONSTANCE M. JOHNSON, OF CHELMSFORD, RETIRED BOOKKEEPER; 89