Westover Obituary with a lot of help.

How did I get so lucky? Last week, Linda Cromheecke sent me a pdf containing the below two images of her ancestor's obituary. (Linda received it from Margaret Maloney Croft, her cousin 2x removed.) I was very interested in the obituary because the Westover Canadian line is new to me. However, I couldn't open it, she sent another image, no luck either. So, I copied the pdf onto a flash drive, and FedEx transferred it to a jpeg for me, free of charge!

While I was attempting to transcribe this, there were too many names, and locations I just couldn't read. I decided to do a google search, using key words wild rose Wisconsin Yagler. I thought the Yagler family might have lived in Wild Rose, Wisconsin. It did, and up popped the obituary all typed (see below). Of course, I copied it, thus saving me at least an hour or more of trying to read the obit and figure out unfamiliar words. I guess that was a smart move, and it's my hint to you, constantly use google to help you. I just wish I could give credit, but here is the site: http://www.oocities.org/gail1668/ETTABRADFORD2.html (An old GeoCities site.) "This Page is an antiquarian - possibly outdated - usergenerated website brought to you by an archive. It was mirrored from Geocities in the end of october 2009. For any questions about this page contact the respective author. To report any mal content send URL to oocities[at]gmail[dot]com. For any questions concerning the archive visit our main page:OoCities.org."

Thanks to Linda, FedEx and google for all your help.

"The Randolph Advance
Dodge County, Wisconsin
Thursday, March 12, 1931

Robert James Westover, youngest son of Isaac and Susan Westover, was born in St. Catherine, Canada, October 15, 1855, and passed to his eternal reward Friday morning at 12:30 o'clock March 6, 1931. At the age of eleven years he moved to Wisconsin with his parents and Settled in the town of Mackford, Green Lake county. He was untied in marriage to Etta Bradford of Westford, February 22, 1878. To this union nine children were born, two of whom preceded the parents in death. Mrs. J. N. Derby who passed away in 1914 and Claudia, who died in infancy.

Shortly after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Westover moved to Buffalo Lake, Minnesota, where they lived for about thirteen years, after which they moved back to Wisconsin and have lived in the vicinity of Fox Lake and Randolph to the close of life. For  the past thirty-two years Mr. Westover has lived in Randolph. His wife preceded him in death August 2, 1924 and since that time he has made his home with his daughters, Mrs. H. C. Smith and Mrs. O. J. Griffith.

Mr. Westover is survived by five daughters and two sons; Mrs. Herman Smith of Randolph, Mrs. Frank Yagler of Wild Rose, George of Markesan, Robert of Randolph, Mrs. Edward Maloney of Madison, Mrs. Sjouke Dykstra of Randolph and Mrs. O.J. Griffith of Randolph. His loss is also mourned by twenty-seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, and a host of more distance relatives and friends, including two nephews, Sumner and Bruce Rogers.

About five weeks ago Mr. Westover was taken seriously ill at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Maloney of Madison, and after a few days was moved to the hospital to receive the best medical treatment possible. He seemed to realize that his end was approaching and longed to get back to his home town of Randolph. The children took an ambulance and moved him back to his home with his youngest daughter, Mrs. O.J. Grittith where loving hands did all that children could do for a parent, but after the short sickness death entered and removed the father to his Eternal Home.

During his long residence in Randolph Mr. Westover has made a host of friends who honored him for his honestly and upright moral life. He was always of a genial nature and cared for the duties of life in an industrious fashion. For the past sixteen years he been sexton of the Randolph Cemetery and has kept everything in fine condition and has been kind and efficient to the hundreds of sorrowing people with whom he been associated. It will be difficult to find efficient and obliging a sexton to succeed him. Among the men of town he was greeted in the very friendly fashion. "Good morning, Dad".  He will be missed on our streets and at the cemetery as well as in his family.
Now the laborer’s task is o'er
Now the suffering all is past
Now upon the father where shore
Lands upon voyager at last
Father, in Thy precious keeping Leave we now Thy servant sleeping.

The Ladies Aid Society of the First Congregational church of Randolph served dinner in the parlors of the church Sunday noon to the family and relatives who were here for the funeral. Services were held from the home of Mr. and Mrs. O.J. Grittith at 1:30 and at 2 o'clock from the Congregational church Sunday afternoon, Rev. Daniel Woodward officiating, with interment in the Randolph cemetery.. Grandsons were pallbearers. Mr. and Mrs. Lester Smith and Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Downes sang three very appropriate selections as a quartet, accompanied at the pipe organ by Miss Lulu Smith. The church was filled to its extreme capacity at the services. - D. Woodward, Pastor.

Obituary states he was the youngest son Isaac and Susan Westover. Also started in obituary, he is survived by two nephews, Bruce and Sumner Rogers. Robert came to Wisconsin at the age of 11 with family and settled in town of Mackford, Green Lake County. Moved to Buffalo Lake, Rennville County, Minnesota with wife and children. Margaret Croft, granddaughter had been told the move to MN was to help Robert's parents. They lived there from about 1881 to 1893. The family moved back to Fox Lake/Randolph, Wisconsin to care for Etta's parents. According to Margaret the older children remembered coming back in a covered wagon with a cow walking behind. For a period of time they managed a hotel just north of Randolph, Bonnie Meade."

Robert James Westover was my 3rd cousin, 4 times removed.

Massachusetts State Library, Boston, Massachusetts

Massachusetts State Library, Boston, Massachusetts

A state library visit sounded like the perfect thing to see on one of my trips to Boston. There was little information about the State Library of Massachusetts online, so I didn't know what to expect but was ready for an adventure, which began the second I walked in the main door. Security was waiting for all visitors, and after I and my items were scanned, I was pulled aside and asked to open my pocketbook. Yikes, I had forgotten I had a Swiss army knife, what was going to happen to me? Not to worry, I signed a paper and would get it back when I left.

I found my way to the 3rd-floor library, went in, and not a person was to be seen. I couldn't wait to check out the "historical information for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and its cities and towns." Before I had a conversation with the seasoned librarian, I took these photos.

WIFE    "Husband has no right to beat"

 As you can see, there wasn't a person in the library, no genealogy books and I didn't see the librarian until I was ready to leave. Since I had questions, I fired away. Were there any genealogy books? Yes, but since they had closed stacks, she showed me a little booklet listing their major holdings, (I could request and she would go get). Anything more specific would have to be found through their card catalog (photo above). Shocked, I asked if everything was also listed online. "No, not yet, it is a money issue, however they are working on it." I got the impression it was something really in the works. They did however, have four computers, lots of room, and several aisles of books, this is mainly a law library.

The stacked books are on four floors, located behind the librarian (see first photo). According to her, there is a Special Collection on a lower level, however their webpage, with all their links just took me to 403 Forbidden quite a few times. Some links do work, and might be of use to you, see below. The next time I go, I'll check out the Special Collection Department in Room 55.

Items in our Special Collections:

• Photographs, Prints and Pictures
• Rare Books Collection
• Directories
• Historic Maps and Atlases
• Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps
• Architectural Plans
• Audio and Video Repository
• Legislative Papers
• Genealogical Resources
• Historical Newspapers
• Souvenirs
• Digital Collections
• Burrill File Subject Index

Is He a Black Sheep Too?

The Drummer Boy

Over a week has passed since I wrote “Wintonbury NO Bloomfield, Connecticut,” where I discussed my "Brick Wall." I compiled a list of places to contact and books to read, but it didn’t get me a step closer to finding out who John Adams’ parents were.

The day after my blog posted, I received an email from the historian at the Wintonbury Historical Society, he had seen my blog. I had every intention to contact the Society, but he was quicker. He said, "You apparently took the correct steps in searching in Windsor for folks before 1835 when Wintonbury was a church parish made up of folks from sections of WINdsor, FarmingTON, and SimsBURY. The folks therein successfully petitioned the state legislature at that time (1835) to incorporates as a TOWN and such request was granted. Folks you are seeking before that time are in the town records of the Mother town, mostly Windsor."

I inquired about a book I wanted to see, From Wintonbury to Bloomfield and fortunately he had it, looked up a few names for me, but nothing clicked. Nice of him and it saved me a step and some time.

He also gave me the link to Connecticut State Library holdings. Of the 16 hits for Wintonbury, there was only one I was really interested in, it was a manuscript of 11 documents, [Certificates of transfer from Wintonbury Parish.] Quickly, I dashed of an email to the Reference Librarian for information. Within hours, I had a response from the librarian and I indicated I would prefer the documents scanned in JPEG, rather than PDF or hard copy. To this, she replied, “We just started providing this service so it is a little clunky at this point!” Well, I understood the language, but thought it funny that they were just beginning this service. They don’t use credit cards yet, and she said they would send me an invoice. The images were readable, but not useful to me, so I’m only out $8.50 for 22 copies.

I saw a total of 14 books, either in person at the New England Historic and Genealogical Society’s Library (NEHGS) or online by using the Family History Books (Advance Search) at the www.FamilySearch.org site. My key words were Wintonbury + Adams.

I had mentioned the condition of the Old Wintonbury Cemetery in my earlier post, but I see I was just there at the wrong time. While looking at sites with Wintonbury information, I came across Grave Addition, maintained by Beth, who lives in Ohio and is on the Association For Gravestone Studies (on the Board of Trustees). I went through her Wintonbury site but didn't see anything for Adams or his in-laws, Drake or Smith. What a great web site she has, why not check it out, see her different locations, and read about her. She wrote, "The Old Wintonbury Cemetery was established in 1736, and it was in use until 1933. The cemetery is full of old gravestones. There are many old red sandstone monuments with beautiful carvings and interesting epitaphs. Most of the gravestones are in excellent condition. The cemetery is very well maintained." Obviously, I went the day before the grass was to be cut!

What are my next steps? At this point, I'll probably move on to another ancestor, after looking at records in Windsor, as suggested by the historian. My recent research was using online sources, going to a library and the field trip to the town 100 miles from me. Years ago, I did a more detailed search, looking at possible wills and going to the Connecticut State Library to look at the Barbour slips in person.

Note: Four different people, three from different lines and generations have all heard that this John Adams “was a descendant of a 'blacksheep' branch of President John's family." Since he doesn’t want to be found, I believe he was too.

A couple once again

In September 2010, I posted the above tombstone photo of Peter Rosenberger, buried in Krans Cemetery, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada. His wife was mentioned, however I didn't have her photo. When it was taken in 1999 (before digital cameras) I ran out of film. Fortunately, a friend with ties to that area made a recent trip, and I asked if he would take a photo of his wife's stone, as I recall seeing them together. Thank you David Ellis for taking these four photos.

Hannah Bockus

Born: Abt. 29 May 1752

Died: 19 Apr 1821

Peter and Hannah finally shown together.

  Photos by David Ellis, (above is Peter Rosenberger, below is the cemetery from the street).

Krans Cemetery.

St. Armand W. (Philipsburg), Quebec, Canada

Westovers and More -- Surname Saturday

The number of Westovers in my tree hovers around 920. I can't say I know where they all lived or what their lines were. My Westover line started in England, moved to Connecticut, then Massachusetts, where my ancestor was both a Revolutionary War patriot and then became a Loyalist and moved to Canada.


When reader Darlene wrote recently about her line who lived in Westover, Pennsylvania, I did a quick check of my file and discovered I had only a few from her line. When she sent a listing of at least 160 Westovers buried in the Westover Baptist Church Cemetery (in Chest Twp., Clearfield County, Pennsylvania), I knew this was going to become a nice project of mine.

Tobias and Catherine Westover

(Photo belongs to Darlene Philips)

Tobias was my 4th cousin 4 times removed.

Register report begins with my third cousin 5 times removed.

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Generation No. 1

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1.	Jonathan Webster WESTOVER (Oliver WESTOVER6, Oliver WESTOVER5, Nathaniel WESTOVER4, JONAH WESTOVER3, JONAS WESTOVER2, GABRIEL WESTOVER1) was born 28 JAN 1809 in Murray, Blair Co., Pennsylvania, and died 3 OCT 1893 in Westover, Chest Twp, Clearfield Co., Pennsylvania. He was buried in Westover, Chest Twp, Clearfield Co., Pennsylvania. He married Mary KETNER. She was born 26 JUL 1809 in Pennsylvania, and died 29 JUL 1873 in Westover, Chest Twp, Clearfield Co., Pennsylvania. She was buried in Westover, Chest Twp, Clearfield Co., Pennsylvania.
	Children of Jonathan Webster WESTOVER and Mary KETNER were: + 2   i. Enos WESTOVER was born 18 DEC 1829 in Pennsylvania, and died 26 FEB 1919 in Westover, Chest Twp, Clearfield Co., Pennsylvania. 3   ii. John M. WESTOVER was born 30 AUG 1831 in Pennsylvania. + 4   iii. Sarah Elizabeth WESTOVER was born 6 JAN 1834, and died 1926. 5   iv. Joseph WESTOVER was born ABT 1835 in Pennsylvania. 6   v. Mary WESTOVER was born ABT 1836 in Pennsylvania. + 7   vi. Tobias WESTOVER was born 16 JUL 1838 in Pennsylvania, and died 12 OCT 1917. + 8   vii. Naomi Catherine WESTOVER was born 16 SEP 1841 in Pennsylvania, and died 12 MAR 1912. 9   viii. Ellis WESTOVER was born ABT 1843 in Pennsylvania. 10   ix. James WESTOVER was born ABT 1846 in Pennsylvania. 11   x. William WESTOVER was born 3 MAR 1848 in Pennsylvania. 12   xi. Jonathan W. WESTOVER was born 3 MAR 1848, and died JUL 1866. 13   xii. Samuel Miles WESTOVER was born 15 AUG 1850.

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Generation No. 2

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2.	Enos WESTOVER (Jonathan Webster WESTOVER7, Oliver WESTOVER6, Oliver WESTOVER5, Nathaniel WESTOVER4, JONAH WESTOVER3, JONAS WESTOVER2, GABRIEL WESTOVER1) was born 18 DEC 1829 in Pennsylvania, and died 26 FEB 1919 in Westover, Chest Twp, Clearfield Co., Pennsylvania. He married Mary Adeline STEPHENS 26 FEB 1852, daughter of Calvin STEPHENS and Zeruviah COLEMAN. She was born 3 SEP 1833 in Pennsylvania, and died 22 APR 1916 in Westover, Chest Twp, Clearfield Co., Pennsylvania. She was buried in Westover, Chest Twp, Clearfield Co., Pennsylvania.
	Children of Enos WESTOVER and Mary Adeline STEPHENS were: + 14   i. Jonathan H. WESTOVER was born 23 JUN 1853 in Westover, Chest Twp, Clearfield Co., Pennsylvania, and died 23 JUL 1923 in Westover, Chest Twp, Clearfield Co., Pennsylvania. 15   ii. Mary Elizabeth WESTOVER was born 12 MAR 1855 in Westover, Chest Twp, Clearfield Co., Pennsylvania, and died 19 JAN 1863. 16   iii. Carrie Allen WESTOVER was born 8 JUN 1866 in Pennsylvania. She married David HOCKENBERRY.

4.	Sarah Elizabeth WESTOVER (Jonathan Webster WESTOVER7, Oliver WESTOVER6, Oliver WESTOVER5, Nathaniel WESTOVER4, JONAH WESTOVER3, JONAS WESTOVER2, GABRIEL WESTOVER1) was born 6 JAN 1834, and died 1926. She married Daniel FRY.
	Child of Sarah Elizabeth WESTOVER and Daniel FRY was: 17   i. Mary Jane FRY. She married Raymond Vinton DUNBAR.

7.	Tobias WESTOVER (Jonathan Webster WESTOVER7, Oliver WESTOVER6, Oliver WESTOVER5, Nathaniel WESTOVER4, JONAH WESTOVER3, JONAS WESTOVER2, GABRIEL WESTOVER1) was born 16 JUL 1838 in Pennsylvania, and died 12 OCT 1917. He married Catherine W. FULTON. She was born OCT 1845 in Pennsylvania, and died 19 DEC 1907.
	Children of Tobias WESTOVER and Catherine W. FULTON were: 18   i. Mary WESTOVER was born ABT 1863 in Pennsylvania. 19   ii. James WESTOVER was born ABT 1865 in Pennsylvania. 20   iii. Enos WESTOVER was born ABT 1867 in Pennsylvania. + 21   iv. Elizabeth Jane WESTOVER was born ABT 1869 in Pennsylvania. 22   v. J.D. WESTOVER was born ABT 1871 in Pennsylvania. + 23   vi. Sheridan WESTOVER was born 6 MAY 1875 in Pennsylvania. 24   vii. Joseph WESTOVER was born ABT 1878 in Pennsylvania.

8.	Naomi Catherine WESTOVER (Jonathan Webster WESTOVER7, Oliver WESTOVER6, Oliver WESTOVER5, Nathaniel WESTOVER4, JONAH WESTOVER3, JONAS WESTOVER2, GABRIEL WESTOVER1) was born 16 SEP 1841 in Pennsylvania, and died 12 MAR 1912. She married Wilhelm F. SYBERT. He was born 27 DEC 1833 in Bavaria, Germany, and died 1 MAY 1910 in Westover, Clearfield Co., Pennsylvania. He was buried in Westover Baptist Cemetery, Westover, Clearfield Co., Pennsylvania.
	Children of Naomi Catherine WESTOVER and Wilhelm F. SYBERT were: + 25   i. Jane SYBERT. 26   ii. Jonathan SYBERT was born ABT 1860 in Pennsylvania. 27   iii. Lizzie SYBERT was born ABT 1862 in Pennsylvania. 28   iv. Phebe A. SYBERT was born ABT 1864 in Pennsylvania. 29   v. Letitia E. SYBERT was born ABT 1867 in Pennsylvania. 30   vi. Mary C. SYBERT was born ABT 1869 in Pennsylvania.

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Generation No. 3

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14.	Jonathan H. WESTOVER (Enos WESTOVER8, Jonathan Webster WESTOVER7, Oliver WESTOVER6, Oliver WESTOVER5, Nathaniel WESTOVER4, JONAH WESTOVER3, JONAS WESTOVER2, GABRIEL WESTOVER1) was born 23 JUN 1853 in Westover, Chest Twp, Clearfield Co., Pennsylvania, and died 23 JUL 1923 in Westover, Chest Twp, Clearfield Co., Pennsylvania. He married Lydia Ann BARTO 7 JUN 1874. She was born 14 DEC 1856 in Pennsylvania.
	Children of Jonathan H. WESTOVER and Lydia Ann BARTO were: + 31   i. Howard Frederick WESTOVER was born 30 DEC 1874 in Clearfield Co., Pennsylvania, and died 7 SEP 1965. + 32   ii. Ruel Clark WESTOVER was born 23 DEC 1876 in Clearfield Co., Pennsylvania, and died 17 MAY 1966 in Coalport, Clearfield Co., Pennsylvania. 33   iii. Ellen Rachel WESTOVER was born 2 MAR 1881 in Westover, Chest Twp., Clearfield Co., Pennsylvania, and died 15 OCT 1980 in Spangler, Cambria Co., Pennsylvania. She married William Henry BYERS 19 JUN 1901 in Westover, Chest Twp., Clearfield Co., Pennsylvania. 34   iv. Ora Jane WESTOVER was born 6 MAY 1883 in Westover, Chest Twp, Clearfield Co., Pennsylvania, and died 4 DEC 1974. She married Millard Heber MCCULLEY 8 JUL 1908. 35   v. Alonzo McClure WESTOVER was born 10 JUN 1888, and died 22 AUG 1903. 36   vi. Mary Adeline WESTOVER was born 19 AUG 1891 in Westover, Chest Twp, Clearfield Co., Pennsylvania. 37   vii. Bessie Caroline WESTOVER was born 21 MAR 1896 in Chest Twp., Clearfield Co., Pennsylvania. 38   viii. Myrtle Rebecca WESTOVER was born 13 AUG 1901 in Pennsylvania.

21.	Elizabeth Jane WESTOVER (Tobias WESTOVER8, Jonathan Webster WESTOVER7, Oliver WESTOVER6, Oliver WESTOVER5, Nathaniel WESTOVER4, JONAH WESTOVER3, JONAS WESTOVER2, GABRIEL WESTOVER1) was born ABT 1869 in Pennsylvania. She married William Benjamin Franklin PENNINGTON 14 APR 1895 in Clearfield Co., Pennsylvania. He was born 4 MAR 1867, and died 9 AUG 1894. She married David Beauregard KITCHENS.
	Child of Elizabeth Jane WESTOVER and William Benjamin Franklin PENNINGTON was: + 39   i. Gerda PENNINGTON.

23.	Sheridan WESTOVER (Tobias WESTOVER8, Jonathan Webster WESTOVER7, Oliver WESTOVER6, Oliver WESTOVER5, Nathaniel WESTOVER4, JONAH WESTOVER3, JONAS WESTOVER2, GABRIEL WESTOVER1) was born 6 MAY 1875 in Pennsylvania. He married Cora M. KITCHEN 19 APR 1903 in Clearfield Co., Pennsylvania. She was born ABT 1881 in Pennsylvania.
	Children of Sheridan WESTOVER and Cora M. KITCHEN were: + 40   i. Norman M. WESTOVER was born 10 NOV 1900 in Pennsylvania, and died AUG 1970 in LaJose, Clearfield Co., Pennsylvania. 41   ii. George Fred WESTOVER was born ABT 1905 in Pennsylvania.

25.	Jane SYBERT (Naomi Catherine WESTOVER8, Jonathan Webster WESTOVER7, Oliver WESTOVER6, Oliver WESTOVER5, Nathaniel WESTOVER4, JONAH WESTOVER3, JONAS WESTOVER2, GABRIEL WESTOVER1).
	Child of Jane SYBERT was: + 42   i. George W. Tellement SYBERT.

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Generation No. 4

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31.	Howard Frederick WESTOVER (Jonathan H. WESTOVER9, Enos WESTOVER8, Jonathan Webster WESTOVER7, Oliver WESTOVER6, Oliver WESTOVER5, Nathaniel WESTOVER4, JONAH WESTOVER3, JONAS WESTOVER2, GABRIEL WESTOVER1) was born 30 DEC 1874 in Clearfield Co., Pennsylvania, and died 7 SEP 1965. He was buried in Mt. Zion Luth. Cemetery, Henderson Twp., Pennsylvania. He married 23 NOV 1899 in Mahaffey, Clearfield Co., Pennsylvania.
	Children of Howard Frederick WESTOVER and w\o Howard Frederick WESTOVER were: 43   i. Harvey Clark WESTOVER was born 15 DEC 1900. 44   ii. Jennie Mae WESTOVER was born 27 DEC 1901. + 45   iii. Paul Alonzo WESTOVER was born 29 APR 1904. 46   iv. Della Marie WESTOVER was born 9 DEC 1905. 47   v. Maud Ethel WESTOVER was born 29 JAN 1907. 48   vi. Fannie Ellen WESTOVER was born 9 MAR 1911 in Stone Creek Ridge, Huntington, Pennsylvania. 49   vii. Alton WESTOVER.

32.	Ruel Clark WESTOVER (Jonathan H. WESTOVER9, Enos WESTOVER8, Jonathan Webster WESTOVER7, Oliver WESTOVER6, Oliver WESTOVER5, Nathaniel WESTOVER4, JONAH WESTOVER3, JONAS WESTOVER2, GABRIEL WESTOVER1) was born 23 DEC 1876 in Clearfield Co., Pennsylvania, and died 17 MAY 1966 in Coalport, Clearfield Co., Pennsylvania. He married 9 MAR 1904 in Coalport, Clearfield Co., Pennsylvania.
	Children of Ruel Clark WESTOVER and w\o Ruel Clark WESTOVER were: 50   i. William Howard WESTOVER was born 12 FEB 1905. 51   ii. Pearl Elizabeth WESTOVER was born 2 NOV 1908. 52   iii. George Isaac WESTOVER was born 2 SEP 1913 in Coalport, Clearfield Co., Pennsylvania. 53   iv. Ralph Harris WESTOVER was born 18 OCT 1917.

39.	Gerda PENNINGTON (Elizabeth Jane WESTOVER9, Tobias WESTOVER8, Jonathan Webster WESTOVER7, Oliver WESTOVER6, Oliver WESTOVER5, Nathaniel WESTOVER4, JONAH WESTOVER3, JONAS WESTOVER2, GABRIEL WESTOVER1). She married Roy FISHEL.
	Child of Gerda PENNINGTON and Roy FISHEL was: 54   i. Dorothy FISHEL died 2009. She married Edwin PHILLIPS.

40.	Norman M. WESTOVER (Sheridan WESTOVER9, Tobias WESTOVER8, Jonathan Webster WESTOVER7, Oliver WESTOVER6, Oliver WESTOVER5, Nathaniel WESTOVER4, JONAH WESTOVER3, JONAS WESTOVER2, GABRIEL WESTOVER1) was born 10 NOV 1900 in Pennsylvania, and died AUG 1970 in LaJose, Clearfield Co., Pennsylvania. He married Nora. She was born ABT 1899 in Pennsylvania.
	Children of Norman M. WESTOVER and Nora I. w\o Norman M. WESTOVER were: 55   i. Norma E. WESTOVER was born ABT 1924 in Pennsylvania. 56   ii. Ned E. WESTOVER was born ABT 1926 in Pennsylvania. 57   iii. Norris McKinley WESTOVER was born 1930 in Westover, Pennsylvania, and died 25 MAR 2008 in Winchester, Virginia.

42.	George W. Tellement SYBERT (Jane SYBERT9, Naomi Catherine WESTOVER8, Jonathan Webster WESTOVER7, Oliver WESTOVER6, Oliver WESTOVER5, Nathaniel WESTOVER4, JONAH WESTOVER3, JONAS WESTOVER2, GABRIEL WESTOVER1).
	Child of George W. Tellement SYBERT was: 58   i. Ruth Sarany SYBERT. ------------------------ Clearfield County Pennsylvania Cemeteries http://www.pa-roots.com/clearfield/cemeteries/index.html

Historical Society -- Salmon Brook, Granby, Connecticut

 http://www.salmonbrookhistorical.org/

Over the past two years, I've taken a lot of Historical Society photos. Sometimes I couldn't remember if I had, because I also do a series on Libraries with genealogy collections. Below, is a running list of all the societies with appropriate links. (The list will be applied to each new Historical Society photo I post.)

CONNECTICUT

Granby, Connecticut

Simsbury, Connecticut

Wethersfield, Connecticut

Windsor, Connecticut

MAINE

Boothbay, Maine

Brunswick, Maine

Wells and Ogunquit, Maine

MASSACHUSETTS

Acton, Massachusetts

Andover, Massachusetts

Billerica, Massachusetts

Bolton, Massachusetts

W. Boylston, Massachusetts

Carlisle, Massachusetts

Chelmsford, Massachusetts

Cohasset, Massachusetts

Dracut, Massachusetts

Groton, Massachusetts

Harvard, Massachusetts

Lexington, Massachusetts

Nahant, Massachusetts

No. Andover, Massachusetts

Townsend, Massachusetts

Westford, Massachusetts

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Ashland, New Hampshire
Cheshire, New Hampshire
Exeter, New Hampshire
Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire
Londonderry, New Hampshire
Nashua, New Hampshire
New Castle, New Hampshire
New Ipswich, New Hampshire
Rindge, New Hampshire


RHODE ISLAND
Newport


CANADA
Quebec
Missisquoi County Historical Society

Wintonbury NO Bloomfield, Connecticut

A "Brick Wall" of 15 years is long enough, and I felt it was time for me to try and knock it down. Why it is so difficult to solve? I am not just looking for a John Adams, I am looking for his town also, a town no longer in existence. Last year, I was able to get one generation back, and, thanks to my cousin, found the above John buried in Elba, Genesee Co., New York. Now, who were his parents?

From the beginning. all of four years ago, I discovered that my ancestor, John Adams married Hannah Smith in Wintonbury, Connecticut. How did I know? It was from a deposition in his Revolutionary War Pension & Bounty Land Application Files, Revolutionary War Pension Records.  Series: M804  Roll: 12.  File: W23415 (Waltham, MA, viewed Aug. 12, 2008), "He married August 15, 1790, in the Parish of Wintonbury, Windsor, Hartford County, Connecticut, Hannah Smith, who was born in January, 1771."

I had learned that even though Wintonbury wasn't on the map, Bloomfield, Connecticut was. Before I contact the historical society, I decided to take a ride to the town one quiet hot Sunday. That morning everything was closed, and I enjoyed the quiet and abundant parking spaces for my frequent stops for photo taking.

My ancestors were in this town in 1796. John Adams didn't move to Genesee Co., New York until 1812.

After seeing the parcel of land with the three buildings belonging to the Historical Society, we drove to the center of Bloomfield, since Wintonbury changed its name to Bloomfield in 1835.

There was more to see, so on to the town green and then locate the Old Wintonbury Cemetery, which I felt would provide a wealth of information...I was ready to go cemetery hunting, locating all the Adams and Smiths I could find.

Although I haven't solved my Brick Wall as to who John Adams' parents were, I am learning a lot about the town. These photos show you better than I could ever explain. In the next post, I'll list all the sources I've found online, what information I could use, and what I plan on doing to continue my research.

The booklet, Images of America Bloomfield, by the Wintonbury Historical Society shows some images of the town and provides history.

Bloomfield Village Green.

 Old Wintonbury Cemetery, below.

My plans for tombstone searching fell apart once I saw the tall grass and the condition of the cemetery. And, with the high temperature and humidity, I didn't mind spending time there. Maybe another time.

What did it say?