Follow Friday -- Riverdale, Michigan

Why write about Riverdale, Michigan you might ask.  My 6th cousin recently sent me a 75 page Centennial booklet for her town with a "population of 300-400 if everyone is home."  She lives in this town.  We began sharing our family information a good four years ago and we stopped, some time passed and we started up, this has happened several times.  Nice to have relatives like that, somebody you are comfortable with and who will share.


Because I knew nothing about Riverdale in Seville Township, I checked with google and found a site about
Gratiot County, Michigan, it appears to be in the center of the state, and the Pine River runs through it.  From the booklet, I learned that lumbering was abundant, and the finest pines could be found there in the early days. "In 1854, lured here by the forest of pines, white people started to settle in the area.  Large log drives used to take place where millions of feet of logs were floated downstream to the mills which soon started along the banks."

My ancestors on our shared Schrambling / Scramlin line settled in Michigan, but not this town.  However, cousin Linda had several generations who live there, and currently her parents have a life-lease on a farm, and Linda also resides there.

The town celebrated their Centennial in 1974, and then in 1999 this book was published, which contains some of the original material as well as updates from the past 25 years.  Throughout the book are old and new photos of schools, houses, churches, banks, old sawmills and other buildings. And, many old family photos.  Linda kindly went through each page and wrote on stickies additional bits of information.  There is even a photo of her 130+ year old house, one of oldest in the town!

I particularly enjoyed the piece about the Riverdale Library. "It was started in June of 1941 by Mrs. Josephine Scramlin Bradley.  She collected a few books from the townspeople and borrowed a number of books from the State Library in Lansing." This wonderful lady was Linda's great-aunt!

While trying to locate additional information about the town, I found a listing of some burials at Riverdale Cemetery from Google images.

I no longer have the need to keep her book, and Linda has allowed me to donate it to the New England Historic and Genealogical Soceity's Library (NEHGS).  It will have a safe home, and perhaps others will use it.

Tombstone Tuesday -- KILBORN of New Haven, Connecticut

Aaron Kilborn

Born:  September 03, 1798, Killingworth, Middlesex Co., Connecticut

Died:  August 29, 1876, Orange, New Haven Co., Connecticut

His wife, Almira Richardson

Born:  Abt. 1798, Orange, New Haven Co., Connecticut

Died:  April 22, 1861, New Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut

 

They were my 3rd great-grandparents. 

They are buried at Evergreen Cemetery, New Haven, Connecticut.

Their son was George Franklin Kilborn

George Franklin Kilborn

Born:  October 30, 1832, Hamden, New Haven Co., Connecticut

Died:  December 16, 1910, New Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut

His wife, Sophia Polly Davis

Born:  January 11, 1831, Guilford, New Haven Co., Connecticut

Died:  May 03, 1928, New Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut

 They were my 2nd great-grandparents.

They are buried at Grove Street Cemetery, New Haven, Connecticut
Note:  Yale University is in the background.

Saturday Night Genealogy Fun

Randy Seaver at Genea-Musings has given us his weekly Saturday Night Genealogy Fun challenge for today.  It is: "Your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to:
1) Think about the question: Why do I pursue genealogy and family history research? and  2) Tell us about it on your own blog post, in a comment to this blog post, or in a comment on Facebook."


There are too many reasons, so let's begin with the obvious. I want to know who all my ancestors were, and I mean all of them.
Also,
I want to be late for just about every appointment, because I need that last bit of information.
I want to be glued to the computer or have my nose in a library book.
I want to starve myself, because I won't get up to eat.
I want to get fat because I won't exercise because I want to be at the computer.
I want to get a sore back, sore hands and have eye problems because of the computer...need to blame the problems on something.
I want a messy house, because other things take priority.
I want a hobby that makes me appear smart.
I want to talk about genealogy and have others look strangely at me.
I want a hobby that doesn't cost too much.
I want to wear Genea-Blogger beads one of these days.
I want my non-genealogy fb friends to see all my fb friends, and think, "she knows a lot of people all over the United States, Canada, and So. Korea."
I want to meet somebody just like me.
I want people to think, "This doesn't sound like Barbara."

Surname Saturday -- JOHNSON, MEAD / MEED and SANGER

Elizabeth / Betsey Johnson is one of my "Brick Walls" and unlike some others, her ancestry is pretty much unknown. She was born Nov. 7, 1751 in Lynn, Massachusetts, married David Mead / Meed on October 21, 1773 in Lynn.  They had three children and moved to New Hampshire.  After his death, she married Abner Sanger and had seven children.  Her marriage record is written as: "Mrs. Elisabeth Johnson and David Meed, Oct. 21, 1773."  Does anybody know if that really meant she was previously married or was she an older single woman, and it was a title of respect (she was just 22)?

+ 2 i. ELIZABETH \ BETSEY JOHNSON was born 7 NOV 1751 in Lynn, Essex Co., Massachusetts, and died 19 MAR 1799 in Dublin, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire.

Descendant Register, Generation No. 2

2. ELIZABETH \ BETSEY JOHNSON (WILLIAM JOHNSON) was born 7 NOV 1751 in Lynn, Essex Co., Massachusetts, and died 19 MAR 1799 in Dublin, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire. She was buried in Town Cemetery, Dublin, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire. She married DAVID MEAD 21 OCT 1773 in Lynn, Essex Co., Massachusetts, son of BENJAMIN MEAD and HEPHZIBAH. He was born 19 NOV 1749 in Lynn, Essex Co., Massachusetts, and died BEF 1784 in New Ipswich, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire. She married Abner SANGER 1 APR 1784, son of Eleazer SANGER and Mary DIKE. He was born 12 MAR 1738/39 in Hardwick, Worcester Co., Massachusetts, and died 1 OCT 1822 in Keene, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire. He was buried in Old Cemetery, (Known as Washington St. Cemetery) Keene, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire.


Children of ELIZABETH \ BETSEY JOHNSON and DAVID MEAD are:

+ 3 i. Elizabeth (Betsey) MEAD was born 11 OCT 1774 in Lynn, Essex Co., Massachusetts, and died 15 APR 1868 in Glover, Orleans Co., Vermont.
+ 4 ii. MARY "Polly" MEAD was born 1777 in Lynn, Essex Co., Massachusetts, and died 19 JUL 1813 in Keene, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire.
+ 5 iii. David MEAD was born 1779 in New Ipswich, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire, and died BET 1850 AND 1860 in of Danvers, Essex Co., Massachusetts.


Children of ELIZABETH \ BETSEY JOHNSON and Abner SANGER are:


6 i. Hepzibah SANGER was born 16 MAR 1785 in Keene, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire, and died 25 APR 1785 in Keene, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire.
+ 7 ii. Abner SANGER was born 19 APR 1786 in Keene, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire, and died 15 APR 1867 in So. Danvers, Essex Co., Massachusetts.
+ 8 iii. Hepzibah Meed SANGER was born 24 JUL 1788 in Keene, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire, and died NOV 1861 in Port Hope, Ontario, Canada.
9 iv. Abigail (Nabby) SANGER was born 1 AUG 1790 in Dublin, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire, and died 1 APR 1791 in Dublin, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire.
+ 10 v. Abigail Willey SANGER was born 27 MAY 1792 in Dublin, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire, and died 23 NOV 1878 in Swanzey, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire.
+ 11 vi. Rhoda Jackson SANGER was born 12 AUG 1794 in Dublin, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire, and died 7 APR 1871 in Keene, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire.
12 vii. Sally SANGER was born 8 OCT 1796 in Dublin, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire, and died 21 AUG 1883 in Peabody, Essex Co., Massachusetts.

Conversation -- Part 3 Best Thing I Ever Did, I wrote a Letter to Mr. Barnes.

My letter began with, “Dear Mr. Barnes” unfortunately, I didn’t save a copy of my letter nor did the recipient.  Now for the beginning. About 1996, I used a genealogy book, The Genealogy of Thomas Barnes of Hartford, Connecticut, and was so happy to discover that my ancestors were listed in the book, with a source! It was for the marriage of ESTHER BARNES and NATHANIEL BISHOP of Connecticut. 

Immediately, I wrote the author a letter, since his address was printed in the book. Within days, I received a reply.  It seemed he was more excited than me. Why?  He was born and brought up in my home town. Even though he now lives in California, some of his family is still living here in my town in Massachusetts.

When I decided to write about the letter, his book and our meetings, I contacted him and his wonderful wife, Edna.  Edna replied back, “As far as we can determine, it looks as if we first met in October 1997 at the Library. I remember when you came bouncing in all enthused. It was such a pleasure to meet you. Also, we believe that Fred has visited with you in person four or five times. He has visited with you twice by himself. In August 2009, I returned back to CA earlier than Fred so he met with you and did some additional visiting with relatives and "old" classmates. He also was able to see you when he went back to his 50th High School Class Reunion in 2001. When we both went back for his 55th High School Reunion in 2006 you met us in Andover, MA. I'm not sure what year it was that you welcomed us into your home. You were doing some remodeling but wanted to share some of your genealogy material with us at that time.  Please let us know if you have any questions regarding Fred and his home town as he was "growing up".

This wonderful friendship developed because of a simple letter.  In addition, Fred is also my 8^th cousin, but it feels like a 1^st cousin with both of them. They are both members of my local genealogy club, long-distance from California.

If you have a BARNES line in your family, chances are pretty good, that person is in Fred’s two-volume set, reprinted 2001.  Please contact me if you wish further information.

 

Conversation - Part 2 We met at the Microfilm Reader and discovered we were Cousins

After three hours of looking through microfilm at the New England Historic and Genealogical Society’s Library (NEHGS) in Boston, I was getting pretty tired. In addition, I wondered about the man who was sitting next to me, who was also doing the same thing. There we were for all those hours, getting up to get a new reel, making copies, putting it back to get another one. Finally, I decided to start a simple light conversation. Something like, “what are you working on?” You know the answer, don’t you? Turns out, we were both working on Canadian censuses, for the exact same location…and the same family! We might have been looking for other names as well, but we were both looking for Westover names. Yes, the exact same surname as Gail (from yesterday's blog) and I have. My new found cousin, Jim and I couldn’t believe our luck, and I couldn’t wait to call Gail to share the news.

Unfortunately, Jim lives in New York City, and he was leaving in a few days. He took a temporary court stenographer’s position in Boston, so he could use the library for his Canadian research. We of course shared much information after he returned home. On two trips to NYC, before September 11, 2001, my husband and I met Jim at the New York Public Library for quick visits. He obtained some legal documents through the Missisquoi Historical Society in E. Stanbridge, Quebec, typed them up, and sent me a copy.

These encounters had surprising results, but to have two, with the same surname is pretty much unbelievable, I think. But they are both true, and that is why these blogs on Conversation were the very first I was going to blog about.

In the past, when I attended conventions, I always had my major surnames printed on the back of my business cards to hand out. Doing that simple step might help make a connection. Although, I think most people at conventions aren’t really looking to find cousins (that is what the internet is for), but it could work, either with the cards, or with chatting with the person next to you.  Part 3 of Conversation has to do with writing to an author.

Conversation -- Part 1 My hustand talked to a club member and discovered I was related to her!

Close to 12 years ago, our new local genealogy club had their first annual pot-luck dinner at a sports club.  At least 30 people were there, and I only knew a handful of them.  Fortunately, my husband was sitting next to an older lady and they struck up a conversation.  I suppose one thing led to another, and they exchanged names.  Low and behold, her married surname was familiar to my husband because I was working on that surname for my tree.  Gail, the daughter, came over and she was also working on that exact same line!  We had so much to chat about. She was my first found cousin, a 6th one at that. The most exciting thing was, mother and daughter were planning on going to the Eastern Townships in Quebec, Canada the following summer to find cemetery stones and to do some research.

When they returned from their trip to Sutton, Dunham, and Frelighsburg, Quebec, Gail had duplicate copies of all her photos made for me, and a written copy of the inscriptions.  How could a person get any luckier?

Now, you can probably guess that I also had to make the same trip.  So three months later, my husband and I, using Gail’s local map for that area, retraced part their trip.  From Massachusetts, we went through Vermont and into Canada north of Burlington, it probably took close to six hours. We spent three nights at a lovely modern bed and breakfast, and managed to understand the inn keepers, who spoke mainly French.  Although this area is mostly English speaking, there are a fair number who speak French.

Years later, my cousin bought a series of books, the vital records for the above named towns, and I was able to borrow them.  It sure helped that I didn’t have to buy them as well.

When I first began blogging, this story was one of the first things I was going to write about, and now many months later, I am finally sharing it. The point of all this is, it is important to communicate with others who share your hobby.  I have learned this twice.  Part 2 will illustrate another example.

Tombstone Tuesday - WRIGHT of Connecticut

Fair Haven Union Cemetery

New Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut

Jesse Wright

Born:   February 7, 1786, Durham, Middlesex Co., Connecticut

Died:  February 7, 1878, Killingworth, Middlesex Co., Connecticut

and his wife,

Nancy Hull Wright

Born:  1790, Woodbridge, New Haven Co., Connecticut

Died: February 7, 1878, New Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut

They were my 4th great-grandparents.

Note: They died the same day, in different locations, death records confirm this.

Surname Saturday -- JAQUAYS (Connecticut, Vermont, Quebec)

My JAQUAYS line is another "Brick Wall."  It is a rather unusual name and some records spell the name as: JACUAY, JACKWAYS, JAQUES, JACKWISE, JACQUAYS, and there are other ways, I am sure.  I believe the family originated in Rhode Island and a JAQUAYS family was in No. Kingston, Washington Co., Rhode Island for several generations. My WILLIAM JAQUAYS married LUCY CROSS, of Connecticut, and they are buried in Cowansville, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada.

Descendant Register, Generation No. 1

1. WILLIAM JAQUAYS was born BET 1784 AND 1790. He married LUCY CROSS ABT 1818, daughter of JOSEPH CROSS and PERSIS (WHEELER) BACKUS. She was born ABT 18 AUG 1798 in Windham, Windham Co., Connecticut, and died 14 JAN 1878 in Cowansville, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada. She was buried 16 JAN 1878 in Pigeon Hill Cemetery, Pigeon Hill, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada.


Children of WILLIAM JAQUAYS and LUCY CROSS are:
2 i. Louisa Jane \ Elizabeth JAQUAYS.
3 ii. Thankful JAQUAYS. She married Anthony WILSON, son of Russell WILSON and Delia Ann (__) w\o Russell WILSON.
+ 4 iii. Sarah JAQUAYS was born ABT 1811 in Ferrisburg, Addison Co., Vermont, and died 17 FEB 1900 in Vergennes, Addison Co., Vermont.
+ 5 iv. WILLIAM CROSS JAQUAYS was born 18 OCT 1819 in United States, and died 17 DEC 1865 in Frelighsburg, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada.
6 v. Harriet C. JAQUAYS was born 19 AUG 1827 in Per Martha Falk, the year could be 1820, as printing hard to read in Bible., and died 19 APR 1845 in St. Armand Twp., Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada.

Descendant Register, Generation No. 2

4. Sarah JAQUAYS (WILLIAM JAQUAYS) was born ABT 1811 in Ferrisburg, Addison Co., Vermont, and died 17 FEB 1900 in Vergennes, Addison Co., Vermont. She was buried in Gage Cemetery, Ferrisburgh, Addison Co., Vermont. She married Welcome Curtis WILSON, son of Antonius (Anthony) WILSON and Thankful Carter JAQUAYS. He was born 17 JAN 1809 in Vermont, and died AFT 1870.


Children of Sarah JAQUAYS and Welcome Curtis WILSON are:
7 i. Sarah WILSON was born APR 1828, and died 23 NOV 1828.
8 ii. James S. WILSON was born ABT 1836 in Canada.
9 iii. Mary WILSON was born ABT 1837 in Vermont.
10 iv. George William WILSON was born ABT 1840 in Vermont.
11 v. Amelia WILSON was born ABT 1846 in New York.
+ 12 vi. Electa WILSON was born 20 JUN 1851 in Madrid, New York.
13 vii. Isadore WILSON was born ABT 1854 in Vermont.


5. WILLIAM CROSS JAQUAYS (WILLIAM JAQUAYS) was born 18 OCT 1819 in United States, and died 17 DEC 1865 in Frelighsburg, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada. He was buried 19 DEC 1865 in Pigeon Hill Cemetery, Missisquoi, Co., Quebec, Canada. He married LYDIA JOHNSON 24 OCT 1839 in Franklin, Franklin County, Vermont. She was born ABT 1822 in Vermont, and died 22 MAR 1858 in Dunham, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada. She was buried 24 MAR 1858 in Pigeon Hill Cemetery, Pigeon Hill, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada.


Children of WILLIAM CROSS JAQUAYS and LYDIA JOHNSON are:


14 i. Harriet M. JAQUAYS died 20 JUN in St. Armand Twp., Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada.
15 ii. Louisa Elizabeth JAQUAYS was born ABT 1840 in United States. She married Silas POWERS 31 JUL 1866 in Newport, Orleans Co., Vermont.
+ 16 iii. Sarah Jane JAQUAYS was born 2 FEB 1840 in United States, and died 4 FEB 1904 in Horton, Brown Co., Kansas.
+ 17 iv. Homer Loveland JAQUAYS was born 29 JUL 1843 in United States, and died 21 MAR 1879 in Frelighsburg, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada.
+ 18 v. JULIA ANN JAQUAYS was born 10 MAR 1846 in United States, and died 12 DEC 1922 in Frelighsburg, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada.
19 vi. Cynthia Amelia JAQUAYS was born 14 FEB 1851 in Vermont, and died 11 MAR 1922 in Dunham, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada. She married Thomas Franklin WOOD 10 OCT 1876 in St. Armand E., Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada, son of Thomas WOOD and Elisabeth SEELEY. He was born 27 JAN 1847 in Quebec, Canada, and died 5 DEC 1899 in Dunham, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada.

Descendant Register, Generation No. 3

12. Electa WILSON (Sarah JAQUAYS1) was born 20 JUN 1851 in Madrid, New York. She married Eugene George COX 22 DEC 1871 in Vergennes, Addison Co., Vermont, son of George Brinton COX and Merilla BEEMAN. He was born 29 APR 1852 in Monkton, Addison Co., Vermont.


Children of Electa WILSON and Eugene George COX are:
20 i. Mary Merilla COX was born 3 JAN 1876, and died 8 MAY 1885.
21 ii. Henry Carlisle COX was born 26 SEP 1877 in Monkton, Addison Co., Vermont. He married Sophronia PLUDE 3 FEB 1908 in Monkton, Addison Co., Vermont.
22 iii. Merritt Philip COX was born 1 JUN 1880.
+ 23 iv. Sarah Belle COX was born 23 OCT 1883.
24 v. Earl Augustus COX was born 3 NOV 1887.
+ 25 vi. Pearl Augusta COX was born 3 NOV 1887 in Monkton, Addison Co., Vermont, and died in of Bristol, Addison Co., Vermont.
26 vii. Jessie Helen COX was born 24 JUN 1893.


16. Sarah Jane JAQUAYS (WILLIAM CROSS JAQUAYS, WILLIAM JAQUAYS) was born 2 FEB 1840 in United States, and died 4 FEB 1904 in Horton, Brown Co., Kansas. She was buried in Horton Cemetery, Horton, Brown Co., Kansas. She married David Homer CLEMENT 31 DEC 1857 in Dunham, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada, son of Chauncey CLEMENT and Sarah (Sally) BROWN. He was born 24 MAY 1834 in Dunham, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada, and died 31 JAN 1862 in Dunham, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada. He was buried 3 FEB 1862 in Chapel Corner Cemetery, Dunham, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada. She married Clark FITTS 25 JAN 1872 in St. Armand E. (Frelighsburg) Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada. She married George H. HEMPHILL 25 FEB 1875 in Sutton, Brome, Quebec, Canada, son of Hiram HEMPHILL and Olive CLEMENT. He was born 19 OCT 1840 in Dunham, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada, and died 14 OCT 1917 in Lee, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts.
 
Child of Sarah Jane JAQUAYS and David Homer CLEMENT is:
+ 27 i. David Homer CLEMENT was born 6 FEB 1860 in Dunham, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada, and died 7 JAN 1914 in Kansas City, Jackson Co., Missouri.


17. Homer Loveland JAQUAYS (WILLIAM CROSS JAQUAY) was born 29 JUL 1843 in United States, and died 21 MAR 1879 in Frelighsburg, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada. He was buried in Pigeon Hill Cemetery, Missisquoi Co., Quebec*, Canada. He married Prudence Maria FRARY 5 JUN 1866 in Sutton, Brome Co., Quebec, Canada, daughter of Asa FRARY and Lucretia Esther DYER. She was born 12 FEB 1847 in Sutton Twp., Brome Co., Quebec, Canada, and died 1924.


Children of Homer Loveland JAQUAYS and Prudence Maria FRARY are:
28 i. Infant JAQUAYS.
29 ii. Catherine JAQUAYS.
+ 30 iii. Edward M. JAQUAYS was born MAR 1855 in Vermont, and died BET 1920 AND 1930.
31 iv. William Frary JAQUAYS was born 6 JAN 1867 in Frelighsburg, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada, and died 15 NOV 1948 in Frelighsburg, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada.
+ 32 v. Homer Morton JAQUAYS was born 10 NOV 1870 in Freighsburg, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada, and died 9 JAN 1953 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.


18. JULIA ANN JAQUAYS (WILLIAM CROSS JAQUAYS, WILLIAM JAQUAYS) was born 10 MAR 1846 in United States, and died 12 DEC 1922 in Frelighsburg, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada. She was buried 14 DEC 1922 in Bishop Stewart Memorial Angl. Church Cemetery. Frelighsburg, Missisquoi. She married JAMES GIBBINS PELL 24 DEC 1864 in St. Armand E. (Frelighsburg), Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada, son of GEORGE A. PELL and ANNA KNAP. He was born 6 JUL 1825 in St. Armand E. (Frelighsburg), Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada, and died 20 MAR 1913 in Frelighsburg, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada. He was buried 22 MAR 1913 in Bishop Stewart Memorial Angl. Church Cemetery. Frelighsburg, Missisquoi.


Children of JULIA ANN JAQUAYS and JAMES GIBBINS PELL are:
+ 33 i. Margaret Anna PELL was born 10 JUN 1866 in Frelighsburg, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada, and died 14 MAR 1951 in Richmond, Quebec, Canada.
+ 34 ii. LYDIA JANE "Jennie" PELL was born 25 NOV 1867 in Dunham, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada, and died 16 OCT 1948 in Dunham, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada.
35 iii. George Arthur Aquila PELL was born 16 OCT 1869 in Dunham, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada, and died 20 APR 1906 in Frelighsburg, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada.
+ 36 iv. Agnes Helena "Lena" PELL was born 25 FEB 1871 in Dunham, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada, and died 29 SEP 1938 in Dunham, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada.
37 v. Cynthia Maude PELL was born 20 AUG 1874 in Dunham, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada, and died 20 NOV 1884 in Frelighsburg, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada.
38 vi. Julia Lillian PELL was born 19 MAR 1876 in Dunham, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada, and died 15 SEP 1883 in Frelighsburg, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada.

The Courthouse at Fonda, New York, A Great Place to do Research for Montgomery County

Of all the libraries, archives, or historical societies I’ve been to, this repository has made the biggest impression. The Montgomery County History and Archives, (New York) was formed in 1934 and is housed in an 1836 old Courthouse. It is this Courthouse that I decided to write about. Yesterday, I was at the New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) talking to somebody and it was mentioned they had New York roots because she knew I was working on my Albany line. I asked if they had ever been to Fonda, and she didn’t know what I was talking about. Returning home, I knew immediately that I should write about this wonderful place. If you have ancestors in this area of New York, you are very fortunate.

In 2000, the year of my trip, I had no expectations of this facility, since the internet didn’t provide any information and I didn’t even have the catalog of their holdings. Somebody must have raved about it, or I read about it, either way, I wanted to visit Fonda, the Courthouse, and Stone Arabia, NY.  When we went, I could have stayed for days, but the four hours had to do. One thing I absolutely loved was their huge collection of DAR books for cemetery listings, births and deaths, most were from the 1930s. (I bet it is the next largest collection of these books next to the collection in Washington, DC). The following year, I bought the catalog with thoughts of another trip. The cost is now $12.95, (my 2001 edition has 186 pages). Permission was granted to show my scanned pages, as well as to use the photo of the Courthouse.

From their web page, “Vital records, such as births, deaths and marriages, are indispensable to the genealogical researcher; Note that these records were not required to be kept by the State of New York prior to 1880 (only miscellaneous records in the city and town clerk offices prior to that date). The Montgomery County Department of History and Archive and research library contains the third largest collection of indexed genealogical records in the State of New York to meet these and other needs.

The historical and genealogical research library contains thousands of original county records - (common pleas, deeds, Supreme Court and Surrogate's Court), along with a vast collection of genealogical material - (census, cemetery, military, church, etc.) that are vital to the researcher. Also vital is our over 500 historical and genealogical folders compiled by the department over the past 54 years.” I believe I’ve shown why I loved this place.  See Wikipedia information about Fonda.

 

 The brochure was given to me in 2000, so I assume much of the information about prices and hours have been changed.