Found after 7 Years and 100 Years (Continued)

The experienced genealogists know from my previous post, Found after 7 Years and 100 Years that there was much more research to be done regarding finding information on John Scramlin, the adopted boy. Since that post, I spent much of one afternoon trying to track down where I could get help explaining the legal notice which appeared in the Santa Fe New Mexican newspaper Feb. 9, 1978. I was led on a wild goose chase, 4 helpful people tried to connect me with the right person at the First Judicial District Court. At last, I had Jill, since she was the one who could help me. Within minutes, she found the record, his probate. Yes, the probate! After giving her the information and asking a few meek questions as I held my breath, were, can I get a copy? Yes. How much are the pages? Each page was .25. The next day I called, and I was told she had printed the 32 pages and it came to $11.55 (she was certain I wanted them). I had to get a money order, and send a self-addressed stamped envelope. All easy, the worst part was the waiting for the record. I love doing business in New Mexico.

I called my cousin and shared this with her. My imagination went wild. Why would a state ward have a 32 pg. probate. Jill, the employee told me she thought if John, the adopted son, was in her family she would want the papers. So naturally, I thought he must have murdered his father, not his natural, nor his adoptive, but his step-father. Of course, that is why he was in the hospital. Finally, when my envelope arrived, I couldn't even open it, it was so tight, picture 32 pages in a #10 envelope, taped on 3 sides, and with a large stamp saying postage due, I owed $1.66.

After going through the nicely typed pages, I discovered a few interesting things. The state of New Mexico wanted to be reimbursed for John's care for 40 years, because he had an estate of $12,981. He was hospitalized from 1934 to 1974...40 years, and it took three years to get to probate. There were no known heirs. (He had a living sister and quite a few nephews and nieces.) John died August 11, 1974, there was no will, personal property valued at $1,751 and real property valued at $6,000. I learned where John's property (2 lots) on Candelario Street was, and looked up the site on Google Earth. The month following his death, his home was rented for two years at $25 per month. John's two lots were sold for $12,100 to Albert Gonzales and John Tena of Santa Fe.

Upon further investigation, I found discovered his step-father, William G. Hockman, was the father of three sons, Marvin Hockman, Edward Hockman and Albert Hockman. His adopted son, John Scramlin was the same age as Edward. There are things I don't know, like where did John receive his money to buy the lots, did his step-father die and leave him some money? But one thing I do know, is, he didn't kill his step-father.

Margaret Thatcher, February 26, 1981 -- Wordless Wednesday

 

I attended this ceremony, and every attendee received a copy of this program. I was lucky to have gone to two other welcoming ceremonies at the White House.

Found after 7 Years and 100 Years

Did you ever have the desire to help a friend find somebody? How about trying to locate a young child who was adopted? That is what I did, and my quest began in February 2006 when I responded to a query from Linda, she was looking for her great-uncle, John Scramlin, born on March 2, 1904, in Michigan, the youngest of eight living children. When his father died in 1908 (in a sawmill accident), young John was adopted by Charles and Susan Shoemaker, and John then became George Shoemaker and the new family moved to New Mexico. Not long after, Charles died, and Susan remarried a Mr. Hockman. This is pretty easy to follow, and it is basically what my friend and 6th cousin told me 7 years ago. In her initial letter to me, she said, "For 90 years our family has wondered about and prayed for John/George. We could like to know if he was happy, did he marry, did he have a family and where is he buried?"

Over the seven years, I tried to find George Shoemaker or George Hockman, and even George Scramlin in the 1940 census. Linda and I stayed in contact, even though there wasn't anything new to give to her. Fast forward to a few weeks ago, I rediscovered newspaper collections online. My blog post explains several sites HERE.

One of the first searches I did was for all the above names, then I threw in his original name of John Scramlin. Wow, a legal notice appeared From the Santa Fe New Mexican newspaper Feb. 9, 1978. That indicated to me he had gone back to his original name, and was still living in New Mexico. Through Ancestry, I found him in the 1930 and 1932 city directories for Santa Fe. Three new sources within 1/2 hour! I've never done research for New Mexico, so went to the San Miguel County site, and what a page that is...the top 3 tabs provided everything I needed...where John died, the date and his listing in the 1940 census! Why couldn't I find him in the 1940, well his name is spelled incorrectly, instead of Scramlin, it was Scromlin, now 34, single, and living in a state hospital.

I mailed the information to Linda, and even called her to discuss the next step. In her email to me, she wrote, "Miracles of Miracles!  This time it came through. THANKS!!!!!! Our family has looked for him for over one hundred years. At least now we know, even though it appears he had a pretty difficult life. He must have had some functioning skills because he had been a laborer and janitor at the hospital.  I hope he was content there.  Thank you so much for all your work.  We've been wanting to know what happened to him for over a century.  I’m very disappointed, not for me, but for him.  We had hoped better for him."

But, I wanted to know more....so, stay tuned for the next post.

Henry William Scramlin, Family and Farm

Henry William Scramlin, father of Wealthy Melvina Scramlin and 12 other children. He was my 3rd great-granduncle.

(Permission to use given by Gary Hanna)

Photos of Farmon Scramlin (twin to Harmon) his parents, Henry and Mary Scramlin and the Scramlin farm in Momence, Illinois.

You Plan and Plan, then, Say What? Tombstone Tuesday

For years, at least 10, I've wanted to visit a cemetery in an area of Massachusetts I've never been, and never wanted to see. On a map, it looked like a complicated trip, not particularly long but the unfamiliar roads in a heavily populated city near Boston just scared me. I had to put it off until I felt comfortable to drive and I ran out of taking most of my direct-line ancestor's cemetery photos (I've taken about 150 so far).

The trip was mapped out, and my husband and I headed for Revere, 5 miles from Boston and next to the Atlantic Ocean. From Google maps, I saw the Ye Olde Rumney Marsh Burial Ground, established in 1693, was in the middle of a block of houses, yes, I knew the houses surrounded the cemetery. It wasn't difficult to find this residential area, but I never expected a high stone wall completely surrounding the cemetery with a iron-tight gate, locked at that! Hey, my ancestors (three directs) were in there and there was no way to get in, no phone number, nothing. Should I have knocked on all the house doors, who has the key? We sat there for a bit, I took the two photos below, but what good is that, I can't even read what it says.

Ye Ole Rumney March Burial Ground

 Sarah Doolittle Floyd

My 8th great-grandmother.

Hugh Floyd

My 7th great-grandfather.

Samuel Pratt

My 6th great-grandfather

Fortunately, there were photos on Find-A-Grave and I contacted the two photographers who took pictures before the cemetery was restored several years ago prior to its re-dedication in 2009. Photos were taken by Bill Boyington (top two) and Kevin O. (bottom only), and permission was granted to use on this blog.

Below are tidbits from Wikipedia about Revere, Massachusetts

It is named after the American Revolutionary War patriot Paul Revere.

In 1775, the area played a role in the American Revolution as the site of the first naval battle, at Rumney Marsh, and other locations.

Revere’s first inhabitants were Native Americans who belonged to the Pawtucket tribe and were known as the Rumney Marsh Indians.

Revere Beach is the oldest public beach in the United States. It has a fairly active beach front district.

Wealthy M. Scramlin Hanna -- Wordless Wednesday

Wealthy was my first cousin 4x removed.

Photo and Obituary belong to Gary Hanna, and permission was granted for me to include in this post.

Wealthy M. Hanna

Wealthy M. Hanna, widow of John F. Hanna, formerly of Momence, Ill.,

but who has for the last three years resided with her sons, Herbert and Henry

Hanna, one mile east of Moscow, died early Tuesday morning, Oct., 6th.,

from decease of the heart and old age.

Deceased has been in poor health for about two years, but was not confined

to her bed until recently.

Mrs. Hanna, whose maiden name was Scramlin, was born on Aug. 13,

1833, in Canada. When but four years old she moved with her parents to

Battle Creek, Mich. In 1850 they moved to Kankakee Co., Ill., and settled upon a homestead near which now is the city of Momence.

In 1853 she was united in marriage to John F. Hanna, to which union was born six children Namely: Cother F., Henry S., Arther Eugene, Herbert E., Grant G., and Franklin A. Hanna, of whom but three survive her, Henry, Herbert and Frank Hanna of Moscow.

As a wife, she was ever kind and considerate, and a most devoted mother, always sacrificing for her loved ones.

She was self-denying, kind and patient which qualities attracted many friends, all, who knew her, will remember her bright smiling face.

She passed away with the light of love shining on her face, which showed she was at rest with God, her Maker.

The funeral services were held at the home of her son, Herbert E. Hanna one mile east of Moscow on Thursday Oct., 8th, at 10 o'clock and were conducted by the Rev. Koontz of the Methodist church. The remains were laid to rest in the Moscow cemetery.

Finding the Will for Will Was Great, But Frozen to Death, Not So!

Two wonderful pieces of information provided the documentation I needed to tie-up my research for William "Will" Scramlin, my 2nd cousin 3x removed. Both of these resources were free.

I last found him in the 1900 census in Harmon, Roberts, South Dakota, then the trail ran cold. That was until I searched for Will Scramlin in FamilySearch.org. Their were seven hits for William Scramlin, so it didn't take long to go through the file, but one, the Saskatchewan, Probate Estate Files, 1887-1931 Weyburn 1918 had 32 pages of legal documents, including the will and probate records for him! Apparently, he and his family were living in Weyburn, Saskatchewan, Canada. It was pure luck that these documents were scanned and put online, I would never have found them, and why would I ever think Saskatchewan.

A few days later, while still researching him, more information came to light, when I used Google News and found the newspaper, The MorningLeader - Jan 28, 1918.  The headline was HALBRITE MAN FOUND FROZEN AT MANKATO, MINN. (See below the will.)

I, Will Scramlin, of the Village of Halbrite, in the

Province of Saskatchewan “Real Estate Agent”, being of

Sound and disposing mind and memory, do hereby revoke

All former Wills or testamentary dispositions by me at

Any time heretofore made; and do make, publish and de-

clare this as my last Will and Testament.

1^st. I hereby nominate and appoint my wife, Kate

Scramlin, the Executrix of this my last will.

2^nd. I direct that all my just debts, funeral and

Testamentary expenses be paid.

3^rd. I give, devise and bequeath all my real and per-

Sonal estate which I may now or hereafter be possessed

Of or interested in to my wife, Kate Scramlin, absolutely.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, this

12^th day of November in the year of our Lord, One thousand

Nine hundred and fourteen.

SIGNED by the Testator, as and for

His Last Will and Testament, in the

Presence of us, both present at the        Will Scramlin

Same time, who, at his request and

In his presence, have hereunto sub-

scribed our names as witnesses.

T. A. Oakley

of Halbrite, Sask.

J. A. Kjeldson

of Halbrite, Sask.

____________________________
HALBRITE MAN

FOUND FROZEN AT

MANKATO, MINN.

Was Well Known in Weyburn

District and Good

Colonizer

MANKATO, Minn. Jan. 26.—The

Body of William Scramlin, said to be

a wealthy land man of Weyburn, Sask.,

was found frozen stiff near the city

hall today. His skull was fractured

and his face smeared with blood

Whether he was struck by some one

or fell against the  building on the icy

Sidewalk the police have been unable

To determine.

Scramlin and his wife came here

Thursday night to visit relatives and

bid farewell to their son who enlisted

In the aviation service. Scramlin was

Fifty years old. A wife and four chil-

dren survive.

The Morning Leader - Jan 28, 1918 (page 10)

Do You Know?

How long does it take FindAGrave to add a million grave records into their site?

By my calculation it is now taking just a little over 3 weeks. I base this on my visual viewing of their site, since I am on it almost every day. The weeks between December 7 and January 1 took a little bit longer to reach the million mark, due to holiday activities. I say by August 15th they will hit the 100,000,000 mark. What do you think?

In November, I wrote, Have You Looked Lately? a short piece about FindAGrave. For each new figure, I updated my blog to reflect the stats.

** While I was working with FindAGrave today, December 7, 2012, the total went to 91 million  grave records.

** The total is now 92 million grave records as of January 1, 2013!

** The total is now 93 million grave records as of January 22, 2013!

** The total is now 94 million grave records as of February 13, 2013!

** The total is now 95 million grave records as of March 4, 2013!

** The total is now 96 million grave records as of March 24, 2013!

Probate of Amos H. Adams of Batavia, Genesee Co., NY

Amos H. Adams           Testator

State of New York,

Genesee County Surrogate’s Court,

To the Surrogate’s Court of the County of Genesee :

The petition of Charles R. Gould of the town of Batavia in the said County Genesee respectfully represents: That Amos H. Adams late of the town of Batavia in the said County, departed this life in Batavia, N.Y. on the 22^nd day of August, 1907, at the age of 84 years, having previously, as the petitioner is informed and believed duly made, executed and published his LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT bearing date the 29^th day of June 1901, which is now produced : That the petitioner Charles R. Gould is named in said Will as executor.

That the said deceased was at the time of making and publishing said LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of sufficient age to enable him to make such will and at his decease, an inhabitant of the County of Genesee.

That said LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT relates to real and personal estate, and the deceased died possessed of real and personal estate in the said County of Genesee.

The petitioner further shows that according to the best of his knowledge and judgment, the estate and effects for and in respect to which probate is herein applied for, will not exceed the value of ninety eight hundred Dollars. And the personal property of testator will not exceed the value of fifty eight hundred Dollars.

The petitioner further shows that the names of the heirs and next of kin of the said deceased, and their respective places of residence so far as your petitioner upon diligent inquiry he has been able to ascertain the same, are as follows, viz :

Name.	Relationship.	Age, if under 21.	Residence.
Emily A. Radican	Sister		Niles, Mich.
Horace J. Adams	½ Brother		Niles, Mich.
George Adams	½ Brother		Niles, Mich.
J. Q. Adams	½ Brother		Niles, Mich.
Mary Blair	½ Sister		Wyoming, Mich.
Ada DeWolf Sherwin daughter of a deceased Sister Betsey Adams DeWolf                                     Batavia, NY
Charles DeWolf son of said deceased Sister                 Batavia, NY
Frank DeWolf son of said deceased Sister                   Stafford, NY
Oliver J. Hopkins son of a deceased sister
Nancy Adams Hopkins			Kent, Kent Co., Mich
Harriet M. J. Bann, daughter of said deceased                                                              256 First St., Detroit, Mich.
Sister Fanny

Your petitioner therefore prays that said will may be proved, and that a citation be issued out of and under the seal of this Court, to be directed to the proper persons, pursuant to The Statute in such case made and provided, requiring them and each of them, at such time and Place as shall be in the said citation mentioned, to appear and attend the probate of the said Last Will and Testament, and that such further or other proceedings in the premises shall be duly had as may be requisite to be the proving and recording of the said Last Will and Testament and the granting probate and Letters Testamentary thereof. And your petitioner will ever pray.

Dated this 3^rd day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and seven

                                                                                    Charles R. Gould

The probate Proof of Service was filed at the Genesee County Surrogates Office on September 13, 1909, was obtained by my 5th cousin Claire who lives near Niagara Falls, NY. There were 8 legal documents in the packet, no copy of the original will found. Photo of cemetery stone also taken by cousin Claire.
---------
Amos was my first cousin 4x removed.

Additional names mentioned in the documents: Ella Sherwin, Mrs. Albert Francher and Fanchier, Lorena Cooper, Arden Smith, Nellie and Marie Fox, Lulu Fox, Hobert B. Cone, Franklin I. Judd, First Baptist Church of Batavia, N.Y., Elmwood Cemetery Association, and the Baptist Educational Society of the State of New York.

Momence, Kankakee Co., Illinois -- Those Places Thursday

Momence, Illinois

Photos used with permission, thanks to Gary Hanna, my recently discovered 5th cousin. He and I share the Scramlin / Scrambling line and he is currently working on the Hanna line. If anybody has Hanna in their tree from Illinois, please let me know.