Volume 13; Number 3
Fall 1992
Volume 13; Number 3
Charlotte on Lake Ontario -- The Coney Island of Central New York (1902).
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The President's Message
Lasting Family Records Summer travels took us to Coshocton Co. Ohio, where a friend shared his latest retirement project with us. It was a video made on the farm where he grew up: he wanted to capture what remained of the old Harman place before it was all gone. The property has been unoccupied since his parents deaths years ago. In 94-degree heat, he had trudged up and down those hilly acres near the Muskingum River, stopping to focus on memorable spots. He talked as he walked, recalling memories. His father had built that farmhouse when he first arrived from West Virginia, and he had laid up those stones around the spring to create a watering place for cattle. Far below were the remains of locks from the old canal; over there was Soggy Hill Schoolhouse yet standing; yonder was the shanty in which a Russian hermit had lived through the 1920s. "My Father always described his property as two hills and a valley between." The barn looked weary and one door sagged on its track. The chicken house roof had fallen in, and the weathered boards were all covered with lush vines, but his camera had lingered on the site. The chickens were his Mothers special province, receiving much of her attention, for the eggs brought ready cash down in town. We saw only part of the 2-hour video. Narrated as it was with his laconic witticisms and seasoned observations, it made a lasting impact on our eyes and ears. We knew that it would fascinate the grandchildren. Days later and many miles further south, we enjoyed a family reunion in Meriwether Co., Georgia. Here we were shown a slim volume (of limited edition -- 30 copies) for the Pattersons, It was a delightful compilation of pages on which each of the nine Patterson children (now nearly all grand-parents) had been asked the same set of questions and made wildly individualistic responses. Example: What was YOUR nickname for ________ (each sibling in turn). And there followed eight different nicknames for Rebecca (using our hostess as an example) with each of her brothers and sisters recalling a particular trait of hers which led them to apply that special nickname to her. Another question asked their favorite memory of their mother -- she had been an Armstrong -- and each of her sons and daughters mentioned a different anecdote. The result was a multi-faceted view of Mother's place in the family as seen be each of her nine children. All of them were living and over 40 years old, when the family history was put together. The record spanned just three generations. It was intensely personal, with mentions of the brother who "loved his dogs," the sister who was "a wild driver," and the brother who had freckles. It was never intended for, nor will ever be seen on a library shelf because all the copies went to family members. It was family history for the family written by the entire family. Think how the grandchildren will enjoy reading that little book in years to come! We traveled on, my thoughts dwelling on the two unusual family records we'd seen. (How I would love a video of my Grandfather walking over his property and talking about his life and memories there! Or, wouldn't it be great to read a booklet about my Grandmother, written by all her sisters -- she had six. Wonder what their nickname were for her?) We reached Homestead, Florida and the K.O.A. camp there the evening of August 22nd. At registration, we received word of the impending hurricane, so it was a short night. By 5:30 am we were headed north, about 20 hours ahead of Andrew. Watching the resultant devastation on TV brought many questions to my mind: how many family histories were lost? original certificates of birth, marriage or church membership? videos of family reunions, graduation, weddings or walks over ancestral places? how many family Bibles or letters? photographs? And, just how lasting are my own family records? |
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1992 Fall Meeting Programs
Charles Naundorf & Marian Claus The Rochester Genealogical Society will continue to meet the third Thursday of each month (except December, July, and August) at Asbuiy First United Methodist Church in Fellowship Hall. Asbury is located at 1050 East Avenue (just west of Granger Place) with ample parking and handicapped facilities including ramp, two wheel chairs and an elevator to Fellowship Hall. The mini-workshops start at 7 pm (except as noted for special programs) followed by the business meeting at 7:30 pm and the main program at approximately 8 pm. Visitors are very welcome. | |
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Thursday, 17 September 1992
Main Program: Starting at 7 pm, a panel discussion of Vital Records: Restrictions to Records by Law, Obtaining Records on Deceased Family Members and Ancestors, Freedom of Information Act and Right to Privacy Act.
Panelists: Thursday, 15 October 1992 Mini-Workshop: Presentation on three generations of women by Doris Naundorf. Main Program: Ellis Island and Immigration by Gregory P. Kinal. Thursday, 19 November 1992 Mini-Workshop: Display of Photo Offset Printing. Main Program: How to Prepare for Publication by Ferris Randall, author of two books: Ancestors and Descendants of Snow Randall, the Quaker and Abbey Family Genealogy, Quakers. |
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RGS Officers (1992 - 1993)
Directors: Bob Gustafson (1993) & Julie Steitz (1994) |
Activity Chairpersons are:
Computer Interest Group (CIG): Jim Hall |
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The HEARYE is published three time a year in Winter (January), Spring (April) and Fall (September). |
Rochester Genealogical Society |
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Member Projects and Activities
Edward H. Gaulin #687 Ed Gaulin has taken on a new project. Ed is the new editor of the NYSCOGO Newsletter. Volume 2 Number I, July 1992 was his first issue. In The Editor's Corner Ed writes: "My Background is military (Army, Lt. Col, retired) and I have been a genealogist for almost 30 years. Research on my family is French-Canadian and English, while my wife's is Dutch and German." "Some of my other activities include teaching a basic genealogy course, serving as volunteer librarian for the local LDS Family History Center, speaking occasionally to genealogical groups, and working in our Computer Interest Group." Congratulations to Ed are in order! You can write to Ed with articles of interest to New York State do Editor, NYSCOGO, 1346 Creek Street, Webster, NY 14580-2237.
June C. Feder #394 June C. Feder, member for eight years, has deskTop published the following: The Ancestors & Descendants of Abigail Goodhue, Samuel Baker, and Mary Ann Perry...; The Family Trees of Donald Perry Feder and June Constance Pollard.; The Ancestors and Descendants of Fredrik Leander Gustafsson & Anna Greta Ersdotter. Consult June for complete titles and more particulars as to contents of these books, as they are revised annually to add new information. June has indexed the Brininstool Cemetery in Henrietta and the Polebridge, South Avon, and Toggleton cemeteries in Livingston County. Copies of these have been places in Rundel and the historical library in Geneseo.
Lowell E. (Ozzie) Salyards #675 Lowell E. (Ozzie) Salyards, member for a year, is always willing to help at meetings: setting up chairs, moving tables etc. Ozzie is past president of the Kodak Genealogical Club and this year is again coordinating a beginner's class in Genealogy for the Kodak group. In 1989 he published a 52 page booklet -- Chronologies of Wesley B. Salyards and His Known Children. |
Passages
R. Milford Spencer #20, one of RGSs earliest members, died 4 June 1992 in Blacksburg, VA. He was 89. Mr. Spencer, who served as RGS treasurer for many years, was honored in 1988 as a founding member and was presented with a lifetime membership in the RGS. A descendant of Daniel Spencer, for whom Spencerport is named, he was active in many local history projects. After his wife, Frances, died in May 1990, he moved to Virginia to be near his son. |
The Computer Interest Group
-- James A. Hall
The RGS/CIG continued an active Spring/early Summer season with monthly meetings at the East Irondequoit Library. Meeting topics ranged from discussions about "hardware/printers/modems," a definitive presentation on the GEDCOM standard for exchange of genealogical data, an extensive discussion on the shareware called Brothers Keeper, and updates on Personal Ancestral File (PAF). The CIG is a local node for information and maintenance of the PAf program, giving real assistance to new and expert users. The purchase of several users guides was assisted for both PAF and ROOTS III, and copies of PAF utilities (special programs) were offered to the members. The members were provided with copies of interesting articles from national genealogical computing newsletters, to give the state of the art awareness. Membership lists are published regularly to help members contact others with similar operating system and software. The membership has grown to 93, with attendance at meetings between 25 and 35.
The RGS tape lending library has added 13 more tapes bringing the total to 50 tapes. Members may borrow any tape for one month, free of charge. Members who borrow tapes at meetings deposit $1 per tape which is returned when the tape is returned. Members may request any tape by mail by including $2 for postage and handling.
All requests should be addressed to the RGS address in care of Carter Livermore. A list of the earlier topics appear in previous newsletters. The additional topics, are:
Jewish Genealogical Society
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Notes from a meeting of the Jewish Genealogical Society which met 17 June 1992 at the Jewish Community Center (JCC), 1200 Edgewood Av, Rochester NY:
-- Bob Gustafson |
Upcoming meetings of the Society: Sunday, 20 September 1992 Starting at 2:30 pm at the JCC. Charlene #130 and Bill Freundlich will review the "New York Jewish Experience," the 11th Summer Seminar on Jewish Genealogy which they attended from 26-31 July 1992. Also Elaine Sachs will tell the story of how she started in genealogy, what she accomplished and the many experiences she had along the way. Sunday, 25 October 1992 From 2 to 4 pm at the new Family History Center on Westfall Road, Ed Gaulin #687 will give a demonstration and lecture on the facilities and materials. Space is limited so an early response is requested. |
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NYSCOGO News The Council Begins Its Second Year The New York State Council of Genealogical Organization (NYSCOGO), founded in Fonda NY 14 Apr. 1991 by a small group of dedicated genealogists, begins a second year. During the past year, officers, delegates and interested members met several times to advance the goals of the new organization. Council goals remain unchanged for the year 1992- 1993:
-- NYSC000 Newsletter, July 1992 |
To Contact Area Societies (1992)
Central NY Genealogical Society Finger Lakes Genealogical Society Genesee Area Genealogists Kodak Genealogical Club Livingston/Steuben Co. Genealogical Society Niagara Co. Genealogical Society Ontario Co. Genealogical Society Tri-Town Genealogical Society West Wayne Genealogical Club Western New York Genealogical Society |
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NYSCOGO Fall Conference:
Meet the People, Past and Present The Fall Conference of the New York State Council of Genealogical Organizations will meet in Syracuse 2-3 Oct. 1992. Meet the People: Past. Friday 2 Oct 1992 is a day of research at the Onondaga County Courthouse (open 9 am - 5 pm Fri), the Onondaga Historical Society (open 1 pm - 4:30 pm Fri) and/or the Onondaga (Syracuse) Public Library (open 9am - 5 pm Fri & Sat). Meet the People: Present. Friday evening at the conference hotel, the Quality Inn North, a Cash Bar Mixer will be held from 5:30-7 pm. Supper is on your own. On Saturday 3 Oct 1992 registration and the Silent Auction begins at 9 am. At 10 am the Delegates hold their business meeting and at noon there is a Buffet Luncheon, with speaker. The Silent Auction closes at 1 pm. Contact our delegate, Julie Steitz #25, for more information. | |
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Rochester Gets 2nd FHC
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) has announced that a new Family History Center (FHC) will open on Westfall Road in the Town of Brighton in October 1992. The Rochester NY Stake has named Margaret A. Cole director. Call her at (716) 225-5276 for more information. Anyone having genealogical reference materials (atlases, local histories, family genealogies, etc.) which are no longer needed might consider making a tax-deductible dnation to the new FHC. |
Monroe County marriage records from the "Western Luminary," a Universalist newspaper published in Rochester NY, vol. 1 (1842), vol. 3 (1844) and vol. 4 (1845). From a microfilm at the Andover Harvard Theologial Library, Cambridge MA; and a partial bound edition at the Rochester Public Library.
Entries are chronological order, followed by the publication date, and material in brackets [ ] is my own.
Abstracted and contributed by Karen Dau #605, 54 Starling St., Rochester NY 14613-2261.
1842
1844
1845
Removed from Rochester to Branch County, Michigan
From many New York State family histories contained in the Branch County, Michigan history books is condensed:
Asa Parrish was born in Mendon, 4 March 1811, one of 12 children of Abram Parrish. He married Ann Eliza Sprague in 1832, sister of Dr. William B. Sprague, an early settler of Coldwater, Mich. They had two sons, Andrew S., born 15 Sep 1834 in Mendon, and Abram, who died in 1844 at the age of eight.
They came to Coldwater in 1836 where he ran a saw mill, built the first furnace in the county and a steam flouring-mill. He contracted to build most of the area bridges for the Michigan Southern and the Michigan Central railroads.
His wife died 27 Aug 1837. On 1 Jan 1839, he married Lois Gilbert, who had come to Coldwater in 1838 and was keeping house for her brother William S. Gilbert, who married Asa Parrish's sister at the same time. Asa and his wife had three daughters and a son. Mr. Parrish died 18 Nov 1855.
Lucas Joseph, the oldest son of Matthias Joseph, was born 14 Oct 1817, at Easton, Pa., shortly after his father had immigrated from Strasburg, France. After five or six years the family moved to Thompkins County, N.Y. and eight years later, to Chili in Monroe County. The family had grown to include eight children: Rose, Martha, Lucas, Mary, John, Elizabeth, Lawrence and William.
Matthias died in Chili in 1850 at age 65; his widow died in Rochester in 1864.
When Lucas was 19, he went to work for himself, got together a small sum and headed west, arriving in Adrian, Mich. with $3. He spent $2.75 on a pair of boots and the rest on postage. He made a bargain for 80 acres of wild land in Quincy which he cleared and built a house in 1844.
On 20 Oct 1847, he married Phebe F. Coon whose family he had boarded with. They raised 10 children: Francis, Irvine, Eugenia, Duela, May, Maud, Ray, Orr, Iva and Clint.
Philo Porter was born in Attica, Genessee County, 26 Apr 1813 where he lived until he was 13. He then moved with his father to Alexander. On 17 Mar 1836, he married Martha Hosmer, daughter of Simeon and Achsah of Byron. The previous November he had purchased 120 acres of government land in Batavia, Branch County, Mich. So on 9 May he and his bride headed there by ox team. He relates the experience:
"We reached our destination May 17. Now commenced the realities of settling a new country 500 miles from any person with whom we were acquainted." His wife died 17 June 1837. He married again on 26 March 1838 to Marietta Miller, daughter of Timothy and Harriet. She died 6 Jan 1839. He then married Mrs. Elizabeth Wheeler. They raised daughters and two sons.
In 1838 he was elected a justice of the peace and in 1844, a supervisor. He was elected Branch County Sheriff in 1850.
Reported by Barbara W. Symons who is willing to search the Branch County, Michigan history books for any of our members. Barbara W. Symons #619, 22381 Pearl Beach, Coldwater MI 49036-9776.
| Queries and Things | |
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Attention French-Canadian Researchers:
It has often been said that all French-Canadians are related and this is especially true of the Acadians and early Quebecois. Several RGS members have expressed an interest in getting together with others researching in these areas. If you share that interest, please contact Ed Gaulin #687, 1346 Creek Street, Webster NY 14580-2237, tele: 716 671-2103. |
MOWRIS: Looking for information on Ann Mowris Mulligan. b. 8 Apr 1931. She was married to Edward Taylor Mulligan who was a M.D. Last known address of Ann and husband was Rochester NY.
Pauline Whitehead #796, 8 King Circle, E Corning NY 14830. |
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PHILLIPS: Seeking information regarding the Phillips family cited on page 205 of the History of Monroe County by W.H. McIntosh (Philadelphia; Evens, 1877) re: "Village of Charlotte - - Seral Phillips was an early settler in this village. He emigrated from Steuben County, with his wife and five children, early in 1813. His son, Samuel Phillips, is still living, at the age of seventy-six, and is the oldest settler now living in Greece. He aided in building the first pier at the south of the river, and all the other public improvements." Samuel Phillips married first to Diane (last name unknown) and their children were: Charles W., 1828; Caroline (Baker), 1830; Elisha, 1832-50; Jonathan, 1834; Ann, 1836; Emily (Johnson), 1838; Sarah (Leroy), 1840; Samuel, 1843-60; William, 1845 and Margaret (Blossom), 1848. Diane died c. 1850 and Samuel married Bridget Mack (a widow?). Their children were: George, 1856; Josephine (Brown), 1858; Frank, 1862; Edward, 1866-1909; Non (McCray). 1866; and Elvina, 1867. U.S. Censuses for Monroe County, New York lists Syrel Phillips; 1830-1880 list Samuel Phillips. Samuel Phillips died 22 Jul 1884. Of particular interest are the names and other information about Samuels mother, first wife, Diane and his siblings.
Carole P. Allen #805, 6430 N. Spokane Ave., Chicago IL 60646-2918. |
Publications
The Genealogy Roundtable of Monroe County has just published the Index to Grantee and Grantor Land Transaction 1802-1821 of Monroe County, NY Taken from Records in the Genesee County Clerks Office. The 92-page publication is available for $15 (plus $3 postage) from Roundtable treasurer Julie Steitz #25. The group is now working on a similar set of records in Ontario County for 1796-1821. |
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Genealogies Catalogued by the Library of Congress Since 1986 ($70) has recently been published by the Library of Congress. The 1300-page reference picks up where the now out-of-print Kaminkow/Magna Carta series left off and current through 31 Jul 1991. Besides a list of 11,769 genealogies, the book also includes a cross reference for variant name spellings and a list of 3,564 titles on microfilm. The reference may be ordered from the Library of Congress, Cataloging Distribution Service, Customer Service Station, Washington DC 20541-5017. Toll-free in U.S.: 1-800-255-3666. |
Accessible Archives, Inc. has just published the first volume of a massive, computerized reference work The Pennsylvania Genea1ogical Catalogue that will eventually convert the complete records of major 19th century country newspapers from southeastern Pennsylvania, Delaware, northern Maryland and southern New Jersey onto CD-ROM discs. The full text of more than half a million articles, including 1.5 million surnames, will all be fully searchable. They include marriage announcements, death notices, obituaries, biographies, land sale notices, advertisements and other stories on everyday like of the period. The search and retrieval software will provide for qualitative analysis as well. Volume I (Chester County) include the Chester & Delaware Federalist and The Village Record, published in West Chester, Pa. from 1809 through 1870. Volume II (Delaware County) will contain the Delaware County Republican (Chester, Pa.) and the Delaware County American (Media, Pa.). It will be available in October. Cost of each volume is $150 for individuals and $240 for institutions. Accessible Archives is located at 697 Sugartown Rd., Malvern PA 19355. |
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