Hear Ye, Hear Ye; Vol. 14, No. 1

Tracing ancestors in Western New York has always been difficult because of poor vital records for the 18^th and early 19^th centuries. Many of the early settlers came from New England or lower New York State and lived for a while in Dutchess County in the lower Hudson Valley before moving on, a place frequently referred to as a "black hole of genealogy." Lack of probate records, the practice of leasing rather than selling land, incomplete church records and no recorded vital records all contribute to the difficulty in searching for ancestors in this area. Fortunately, a writer in Dutchess County is beginning to change all that.

Frank J. Doherty has been compiling records of the Beekman Patent in Dutchess County and of the lives of all its first settlers for over twenty years. In August 1990 he published the first volume in a series that he expects will result in four or five more volumes. This first effort contains over 880 pages (including full index) of the 18^th century records of the Patent and adjacent Oblong, of which Quaker Hill is a part.

The first volume includes much material about local participation in the French and Indian and Revolutionary Wars, extensive town records, details of the lease system and tenant lists, etc. The all name index is over sixty pages.

The Beekman Patent includes those areas that today include the towns of Pawling and Dover (which adjoin Connecticut), Beckman, Union Vale and part of LaGrange.

Mr. Doherty's future volumes will include family genealogies on every family who spent a year or more in the Patent before 1791. There are about 1400 such families and he is attempting to document each one from the emigrant through children born before 1800. He estimates he has close to 4,000 to 5,000 pages of data on his computer at this time. He was hoping to have the second volume, which would include families A-D published in 1992 but the time frame has slipped because of further research.

In his efforts to develop the best possible data base for his project he has spent years abstracting every original source he could find. A few of these include:

Abstracts of genealogical data from two newspapers published in Dutchess County during the Revolution, abstracts of estate records for probate boxes through 1830, indexes of Quaker meeting records, abstracts of all Dutchess County court records through 1800 and most recently he has abstracted store ledgers. This latest project involved borrowing or purchasing over 60 local store ledgers all dated prior to 1820, microfilming them and abstracting and indexing all genealogical data. This project took over a year to complete but established many family relationships.

Mr. Doherty also relies on many printed records and has one of the largest private genealogical resource centers in the country. He has had a number of historical and genealogical articles published including a compilation of nine companies of Dutchess County Minute Men and a listing of early lessees in the Beekman Patent, both published in the New York Genealogical and Biographical Record.

Volume 1 of The Settlers of the Beekman Patent, Historical Records may be purchased directly from the publisher, Frank J. Doherty, 181 Freedom Road, Pleasant Valley, New York 12569. Price is $85.00 post paid, plus local sales tax.

The Computer Interest Group
-- James A. Hall

The RGS/CIG resumed meeting in Sep, noting an annual fee of $5.00 to cover mailing costs. Members receive copies of notes from previous meetings and announcement of future meetings. Members also present timely articles for copying and distribution at the mectings. We continue to meet on the second Thursday of the month, at the East Irondequoit Library. Attendance is usually 30 - 35, giving all an opportunity to be involved. Deborah Barnes responded to a request to establish a disk library, and 50 programs/utilities are available. Tim Carroll has accepted the responsibilities of membership/mailing label preparation.

Programs included presentations of the genealogical software Family Origins and Brothers Keeper using special audio visual technology to project enlarged images during operation of the computer programs. The many features of the software were described by several users in the group. Another meeting was devoted to optical scanning with computer storage of photographs and text. It was shown how scanned images or text can be included with the computer generated narrative prepared using the program ROOTS III and word processing to publish a family history.

Future meetings are planned to respond to members needs, including use of modems to obtain information from electronic bulletin boards. The understanding of telecommunication software will be presented to assist members get "on-line." These skills open vast new sources for research and genealogical problem solving.

1920 Census Guide
-- James A. Ault #351

My 1920 Census Guide for Rochester and Monroe County NY is now finished and copies have been given to the Rochester Public Library, the Monroe County Historian, and the Rochester City Historian. A copy has also been given to the Margaret Woodbury Strong Library as they have acquired a copy of the 1920 Census films for this area and have city directories in their collection. A copy will also be given to the LDS Family History Libraries in the area.

The use of this Guide should greatly reduce the search time required to locate the specific Census entry for a family in Rochester. The procedure will be to go to a copy of the 1919-1920 City Directory to determine the street address of the family. The official date for the 1920 Census was January 1, 1920. Using that street address go to my Guide and you will find the Number of the Enumeration District for the Census listed for that address. You should then check the list of Enumeration Districts and you will see the number of the film containing that E.D. There is also a listing of E.D. numbers for each film in order as they appear on that film which will aid in locating the place that ED. will be found.

The Monroe County portion of my Guide does not provide as much help as the City of Rochester portion. The basic problem is the lack of a directory for persons living in the county during the period. You need to determine the location of the residence by consulting property maps, deeds or family records. If you do know which road or portion of the town the family lived in my guide will provide some assistance in many cases.

Records from the "Western Luminary"

Monroe County Death Notices from the "Western Luminary," a Universalist newspaper published in Rochester NY; vols. 1, 3, and 4 (1842, 1844, 1845). Notices are listed in alphabetical order, followed by the date of publication. Information in brackets is included to aid in research. Abstracted and contributed by Karen E. Dau #605, 54 Starling St. Rochester NY 14613-2261.

ARMSTRONG. In Pittsford on 17 Jan, Josephine A. Armstrong, age 7. Daughter of Joseph and Ann Armstrong. (27 Jan 1844)
AYLSWORTH. In Rochester on 29 Feb, Mrs. Alice B. Aylsworth, age 34. Survived by her husband. Funeral by C.H. [Rev. Charles Hammond]. (9 Mar 1844)
BARKER. In Brighton on 26 Apr, Henry Barker, age 77. Survived by 5 children and his "only and last brother" Peckham Barker, Esq. Funeral by Rev. J. [Jacob] Chase. (3 May 1842)
BILLINGHURST, A. In Pittsford on "12th inst.," Ann Billinghurst, age 79. Survived by husband Rev. Thomas Billinghurst, age 83. (26 Apr 1842)
BILLINGHURST, T. In Pittsford on "20th ult.," at the home of his son-in-law Edward Beers, Rev. Thomas Billinghurst, age 86. One of the first Universalist preachers in Western New York. Funeral by Rev. S. [Stephen] Miles. (5 Apr 1845)
BULLOCK. In Perinton on 19 Jan, Asa Bullock, age 72. Survived by his wife and children. (30 Apr 1844)
CHAPIN. In Rochester on "18th ult.," Alexander Chapin, age 74. Funeral 19th by J.W. [Rev. Jacob Whitney]. (6 Sep 1845)
DAVIS. At Parma Corners on "26th ult" Eunice Davis, age 42. Wife of Lewis Davis. Funeral by Elder Whitman. (8 Mar 1845)
DUNSON. In Penfield on 20 May, Philamela Dunson, age 44. Wife of Capt. John Dunson. Funeral 22nd by J.W. [Rev. Jacob Whitney of Rochesterl. (1 Jun 1844)
FITCH. In Pittsford on 9 Mar, Emma C. Fitch, age 2 years and 10 months. Youngest daughter of Henry and Amenea L. Fitch. Funeral 11th in the Presbyterian Church by J.C. [Rev. Jacob Chase, Universalist]. (5 Apr 1842)
FRANKLIN. In Chili on 22 Jul, Ashley Franklin, age 3 years 2 months and 8 days. Third son of Hiram and Sarah A. Franklin. Funeral by S. [Seth] W. Remington. (30 Aug 1845)
GIFFORD. In Rochester on 29 Jun, William Gifford, age 63. Formerly of Sharon VT. (13 Jul 1844)
HAND. In East Mendon on "5th inst.," Catherine Hand, age 57. Wife of Josiah Hand. Funeral 7th by Rev. J. [Jacob] Chase. (7 Jun 1842)
HANFORD. In Perinton on 10 Apr, J.H. Hanford, age 14. Son of S.M. Hanford. Funeral by J.M.C. [Rev. James M. Cook]. {26 Apr 1842)
HAWKINS. In North Chili on "7th inst.," Helen Hawkins, age 3 years and 3 months. Daughter of James S. and Sarah Hawkins. Predeceased by a sibling. Funeral 9th by C.H. [Rev. Charles Hammond of Rochester]. (14 Dec 1844)
HEMINGWAY. In Chili on 29 Oct, Mrs. Annis Hemingway, age 63. Funeral 31st by C.H. [Rev. Charles Hammond of Rochester]. (9 Nov 1844)
HESS. In Chili on 30 Dec 1844, Mrs. Mary Hess, age 45. Survived by her husband and 8 children. Funeral 1 Jan in the Universalist Church by C.H. [Rev. Charles Hammond of Rochester]. (11 Jan 1845)
HOAG. In Rochester on 15 Aug, Miss Mary Hoag, age 27. A member of Dr. H. Halsted's family. Survived by a sister. Funeral 16th by Rev. J. [James] M. Cook; interment at Mt. Hope. (7 Sep 1844)
HOLBROOK. In North Chili on 13 Feb of cancer, Mrs. Judith Holbrook, age 65. A member of the Universalist Society in Chili. Survived by her husband. Funeral 14th in Riga Centre by C.H. [Rev. Charles Hammond of Rochester]. (17 Feb 1844)
HOLDEN. In Rochester on "7th inst.," Jeremiah Holden, age 25. Funeral by C.H. [Rev. Charles Hammond]. (15 Feb 1845)
HOLLENBECK. In Mumford on 13 May, Hamilton Hollenbeck, age 38. Survived by his wife and 6 small children. Funeral 15th by S. [Seth] W. Remington. (25 May 1844)
KNOWLES, L. In Riga on 29 Jan, Lovina Knowles, age 25. Daughter of Freeman and Alathea Knowles. Funeral by S.W.R. [Rev. Seth W. Remington]. (15 Feb 1845)
KNOWLES, S. In Riga on 31 Oct 1844, Stillman Knowles, age 21. Son of Freeman and Aiathea Knowles. Funeral 2 Nov by S.W.R [Rev. Seth W. Remington]. (15 Feb 1845)
LEWIS. In Penfield on "17th inst.," Mary Ann Lewis, age 57. Wife of Col. G. Lewis. A member of the Presbyterian Church. Funeral by Rev. J. [James] M. Cook [Universalist] in the Baptist Church. (24 May 1842)
LUNT, E. In Rochester on "3d inst.," Edgar Royce Lunt, age 8 months and 20 days. First born and only son of Charles [and Sarah] Lunt. (10 Feb 1844)
LUNT, S. In Gates on "4th inst." of consumption, at the home of her father James Roys, Sarah Lunt, age 27. Wife of Charles Curtis Lunt [of Rochester]. Predeceased by her only child Edgar. Funeral 6th by Rev. C. [Charles] Hammond. (11 May 1844)
MANCHESTER. In Rochester on "1st inst.," James H. Manchester, age 4 years and 10 months. Son of James W. and Margaret Manchester. Funeral 4th at the home by Rev. J. [Jacob] Chase. (15 Nov 1842)
McCREERY. In Rochester on "5th inst." of "inflammation of the lungs," Thos B. McCreery, age 14 months and 8 days. Youngest son of Josiah and Abigail McCreery. (12 Apr 1842)
MORRILL. In Rochester on 10 Oct, Mrs. Jane Morrill, age 37. Survived by her husband and 3 children, one an infant. Funeral 12th by C.H. [Rev. Charles Hammond]. (19 Oct 1844)
MUAR. In Rochester on "2d inst.," Mrs. Sophia Muar, age 37. Survived by her husband and children. Funeral by J. [James] M. Cook. (15 Feb 1845)
OLNEY. In Henrietta on 7 Aug, Daniel Olney, age 69. Funeral 9th by Daniel Quinby of the Society of Friends. (27 Sep 1845)
PIERCE, F. In Wheatland on 19 Jul, Mrs. Elizabeth Pierce, age 32. Funeral by S. [Seth] W. Remington. (10 Aug 1844)
PIERCE, L. In Perinton on 3 Apr "of consumption," Mrs. Lucy Pierce, age 68. Survived by her husband and 2 sons. Funeral by J.M.C. [Rev. James M. Cook, Universalist]. (26 Apr 1842)
PITTS. In Rochester on "28th ult.," Emma Jane Pitts, age 16. Daughter of John A. and Mary Pitts. Also survived by 2 brothers and a younger sister. (23 Nov 1844)
PLANT. In Rochester on "19th inst.," Morris S. Plant, age 23. Survived by mother, a brother, 2 sisters. Funeral by C.H. [Rev. Charles Hammond]. (23 Nov 1844)
POST. In Rochester on "20th inst." of "consumption," Sarah Post, age 44. Wife of John Post and a mother. Funeral 22nd by C.H. [Rev. Charles Hammond]; interment in Mt. Hope. (7 Dec 1844)
STEVENS. In Riga "on the 4th inst., by lightning," Edmund W. Stevens, age 20. Funeral 5th by S. [Seth] W. Remington. (14 Jun 1845)
TALMAGE. In Parma on "24th ult.," Mrs. Mary Talmage, age 63. Wife of Eli Talmage. A Universalist, Funeral by Rev. J. [Jacob] Chase. (10 May 1842)
VAN DEUSEN. In West Webster at the home of her father Dr. Dunham on "19th ult.," Lima M. Van Deusen of Alford, Berkshire County MA. Wife of Richard Van Deusen. "She was in company with her husband, on a visit to Webster, to obtain medical relief of her father, who is a practicing physician of that place, but all in vain;..." Funeral 20th in the Methodist chapel in Webster. (18 Oct 1842)

Julie Steitz, Trustee and Carter Livermore represented the RGS as voting delegated at the October New York State Council of Genealogical Organization (Council) meeting chaired by Jack Erickson in Syracuse. There were 28 registered.

The Council has 31 organizational members and 73 subscribers. New members and subscribers will be solicited by sending letters and placing ads in the Genealogical Helper and Heritage Quest

RGS exhibited more than 20 impressive genealogical items including the Genesee Country Family File, books, monographs and Family Genetic Record pads all produced by its members.

The Council held a money raising silent auction of genealogical books and services donated by members. RGS's contribution was singled out with special praise at the meeting because its donation was the largest.

Susan Watkins, Vice Chair, reported on the September Readers Advisory Committee meeting at the State Archives in Albany at which presentations were made concerning Archival Extension and Research Services, a general guide to Archival holdings to be available in '93, and new finding aids for the canals (some passenger lists for Erie Canal late 1820s-1830) and the Lusk Committee Proceedings on Seditious Activities (WWI era persons of Germanic background).

Jack Erickson and Lois Barns presented a genealogical program on the Chautauqua County Poor House records.

Special thanks are given to Dr. Stanley Ames, Scott Chase, Robert Gustafson, June Feder, Lawrence Naukam, Charles Naundorf and Richard Halsey for their very generous donations of new genealogical books, monographs and "Family Genetics Record" pads to NYSCOGO for their silent auction at the October conference.

N.Y. State Migration Patterns
-- 3 April 1993 --
Florence Christoph, Certified Genealogist, author, and well known lecturer on New York State genealogically related subjects will be the main speaker at the NYSCOGO conference to be held in Owego NY on 3 April 1993.

Mrs. Christoph will talk at 10:00 am on "N.Y. State Migration Patterns." Further details on the conference will be forth coming.

Queries and Things
PELTON/WICKS: Wish to contact descendants of Lemuel Pelton (1780-1804) and wife Mary Wicks. They had a son Reuben S. (1800-1851) who died in Monroe County and a daughter Eunice who married Seymour Pond and who died in Monroe County 14 April 1855. Olive B. Hoffman #834, 341 Via Bissolotti, Chula Vista CA 91910-1019	JOHNSON: Seeking information on parents of Sarah Jane Johnson born about 1831 possibly Rochester-Monroe Co MY. She married William Pelton 29 Jan 1854 in Brockport; shortly thereafter they moved to Michigan. Did Sarah have a much younger sister named Eliza who later married William Pelton in Michigan in 1871? Olive B. Hoffman #834, 341 Via Bissolotti, Chula Vista CA 91910-1019
RUST/BANCROFT: Family tradition is William Rust of Honeoye Falls NY married October 1862 Mary Jane Bancroft daughter of Thomas and Jane of Webster NY. Need help to verify this. Barbara K. Tuck #503, 28 Ruhlig Court, Saginaw MI 48602	FITCH: Elijah Fitch of Brighton NY wrote his will 26 Aug 1830, which was probated 16 May 1831. He named wife Many & children: Elijah Jr., Roswell, Sally aka Sally Coldwell, Maria, Peter, Malcolm, Wesley, Betsey wife of Gage Hinkley, Harriett wife of Seth Parmelee. Also mentions as heir Adolphus W. Williams, son of John C. Williams. I seek correspondence re: Elijah's parentage. Ruth H. Metzler #385, 235 Belcoda Drive, Rochester NY 14617

RGS Officers (1992 - 1993) Directors: Bob Gustafson (1993) & Julie Steitz (1994) President: Ruth Metzler Vice Pres. & Co-Program Chairpersons: Lowell E. Salyards & Marian Claus Recording Secretary: Jeanne Wackerow Corresponding Secretary: David M. Serianni Treasurer: Herb Grabb Membership Chairperson: Richard Halsey	Activity Chairpersons are: Computer Interest Group (CIG): Jim Hall Other Society Liaison: Deborah Barnes DAR Liaison: Dorothy Bailey Welcoming: Julie Steitz & Barbara Grzymkowski Publicity: Bob Gustafson Refreshments: Carol Ginder & Lona Van Lare Tape Library: Carter Livermore Book Raffle: Charles Sumner HEARYE co-Editors: Jim Paprocki & Judy Markham
The HEARYE is published three time a year in Winter (January), Spring (April) and Fall (September).