52 Ancestors: #35 Braxton and Araminta (Kirk) Duncan

52 Ancestors: 

#35 Braxton and Araminta (Kirk) Duncan

This year, Amy Johnson Crow has issues a new 52 weeks blogging challenge:

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks

on her No Story Too Small blog.


The challenge: have one blog post each week devoted to a specific ancestor. It could be a story, a biography, a photograph, an outline of a research problem — anything that focuses on one ancestor. Not only should this get me blogging more, but also to take a deeper look at some of the people in my family tree.

My approach: I have made this a Tuesday Theme, and, use it to enhance my WikiTree ancestor profiles. That is, focus on a different ancestor on my WikiTree list of profiles, each week (include possibly adding new profiles), Great idea! Thanks to Randy Seaver's post for bringing this to my attention!
Note: Third shift (not change) to approach. Beginning with #25, I will be doing direct ancestor couples.

Ann Elilza Duncan, daughter of #35 Braxton and Araminta (Kirk) Duncan

#35 Braxton and Araminta (Kirk) Duncan

These are a set of my 3rd great-grandparents, #54 and #55 on my Ahnentafel Report, for my genealogy friends.

Their third child, 2nd daughter, was my 2nd great-grandmother, Ann Eliza Duncan, see #28, in this series.

Braxton Duncan (b. 1798, VA; d. 1859, Duncan Prairie, Mercer Co, IL)
married in act 1822 in Charleston, Virginia
Araminta Kirk (b. 1813, Scotland; d. 1855, Duncan Prairie, Mercer co, IL)

They were believed to have had ten children (2 adopted), I have recorded nine here. The first was born in Virginia, and the rest in Duncan Township, Mercer County, Illiniois, according to my records, at this time:

1. Manitia Duncan, b. abt 1840 - married to Harrison Herson in 1857 in Mercer Co, IL
2. Oscar Duncan, b. abt 1841
3. Ann Eliza Duncan, (1842-1879) - my 2nd great-grandmother
4. Granville Braxton Stafford Duncan, b. abt 1844 - married Rose, maiden name unknown
5. Josephine E. Duncan, b. abt 1846 - married a Mr. Gunsaulis
6.Thomas Kirk Duncan, b. abt 1849 - married Eliza C., maiden name unknown
7. Sarah Virginia (Jennie) Duncan, b. abt 1849
8. Towran Kelly (adopted)
9. James Kelly (adopted)

Both parents (Braxton and Araminta) died relatively young and the children were generally raised by his older brother Buford. I have some of that information, but much needs to be added. I have records that are not yet recorded, some more research would be beneficial.


This is another family I really should do some more in-depth research on… note to self!! ;-)


What fun! ;-)

Families are Forever! ;-)

52 Ancestors: #34 William and Margaret (Jones) Williams

52 Ancestors: 

#34 William and Margaret (Jones) Williams

This year, Amy Johnson Crow has issues a new 52 weeks blogging challenge:

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks

 

on her No Story Too Small blog.


The challenge: have one blog post each week devoted to a specific ancestor. It could be a story, a biography, a photograph, an outline of a research problem — anything that focuses on one ancestor. Not only should this get me blogging more, but also to take a deeper look at some of the people in my family tree.

My approach: I have made this a Tuesday Theme, and, use it to enhance my WikiTree ancestor profiles. That is, focus on a different ancestor on my WikiTree list of profiles, each week (include possibly adding new profiles), Great idea! Thanks to Randy Seaver's post for bringing this to my attention!
Note: Third shift (not change) to approach. Beginning with #25, I will be doing direct ancestor couples.


#34 William and Margaret (Jones) Williams

These are a set of my 3rd great-grandparents, #52 and #53 on my Ahnentafel Report, for my genealogy friends.

Their son was my 2nd great-grandfather, Elias Williams, see #28, in this series.


William Williams married Margaret Jones.
They were both born in Wales. I had Ruthin, a cousin said: Bontuche l Gyffyllioq
I have not determined if these are the same or different. I do not have birth and death dates.

I am aware of two children, perhaps (likely) others:

1) Elias Williams (1838-1920) - my 2nd great-grandfather
2) Mary A. Williams (1836-aft 1900)

Mary married, in 1855, Richard H. Jones (1822-aft 1900).
In the 1880 and 1900 U.S. Census, Elias Williams is listed in their home in Panora town, Guthrie County, Iowa, as bro-in-law (and that he came to the US 480 year prior (to 1900) in 1852. He is listed as naturalized citizen, works as a Day Laborer, unemployed 9 months in 1900, 78 years old. Owns House Free of Mortgage. Further, it states that in 1900, Mary (and Richard) had been 45 years, had 6 children, 6 living, came from Wales in 1850, 49 years in the US; Nationalization space left blank. Cannot Write English, but can read and speak English. [I only have a daughter, Martha A., b. 1868, and a son, John F., b. Nov 1871, as their children. I am missing 4 more alive in 1900]


Again, this is one family I really should do some more in-depth research on… note to self!! ;-)


What fun! ;-)

Families are Forever! ;-)

52 Ancestors: #33 George and Mary Elizabeth (Lee) Simmons

52 Ancestors: 

#33 George and Mary Elizabeth (Lee) Simmons

 

 

This year, Amy Johnson Crow has issues a new 52 weeks blogging challenge:

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks

 

on her No Story Too Small blog.


The challenge: have one blog post each week devoted to a specific ancestor. It could be a story, a biography, a photograph, an outline of a research problem — anything that focuses on one ancestor. Not only should this get me blogging more, but also to take a deeper look at some of the people in my family tree.

My approach: I have made this a Tuesday Theme, and, use it to enhance my WikiTree ancestor profiles. That is, focus on a different ancestor on my WikiTree list of profiles, each week (include possibly adding new profiles), Great idea! Thanks to Randy Seaver's post for bringing this to my attention!
Note: Third shift (not change) to approach. Beginning with #25, I will be doing direct ancestor couples.

Mary Estella Simmons Kinnick

{She was the nurse in the Civil War, in Corinth, MS}

 

Parents of Mary Estella Simmons Kinnick, Mrs. Walter Watson Kinnick:

#33 George and Mary Elizabeth (Lee) Simmons

These are a set of my 3rd great-grandparents, #50 and #51 on my Ahnentafel Report, for my genealogy friends.

Their oldest child, a daughter, was my 2nd great-grandmother, Mary Estella, wife of Walter Watson Kinnick, see #27, in this series.



George Simmons married Mary Elizabeth Lee.

They had the following 5 children, perhaps others:

1) Mary Estella Simmons (1843-1909) - my 2nd great-grandmother
2) James H. Simmons (1845-1902)
3) Charles E. Simmons (1849-1920)
4) Rachel Ann Simmons (1849-1938) - married Alfred O. Van Aken (my great-grandfather, Alonzo Palmer Kinnick migrated to Iowa with them, from Illinois, and did not return)
5) Carrie Simmons (1854-???)

This family, in my research history, is a great example of how important it is to research "aunts and uncles" - a mystery of how my great-grandfather got from Illinois to Iowa (when the rest of his family stayed there) was solved partly by discovering that his mother's sister, was the husband of this "uncle" he went to Iowa with… live and learn… keep digging, to find the really good stories.

The story of Alonzo moving to Iowa with is uncle, A.O. Van Aken, is included in my recent historical fiction story: Weston Wagons West - Ep. J20 - The Fourth Decade of the Kinnick family in Bureau County, Illinois.


This is one family I really should do some more in-depth research on… note to self!! ;-)


What fun! ;-)

Families are Forever! ;-)

Sunday Obituary - Gretchen (Kinnick) Vaughan

Sunday Obituary

Gretchen (Kinnick) Vaughan

[Image from Enterprise Obit]

From the Coon Rapids Enterprise, Thursday, August 7, 2014, page 2:

Longtime Bayard resident and former Bayard Postmaster Gretchen Vaughan, 94, died last Thursday at the New Homestead Nursing Home in Guthrie Center.
Services for Vaughan were held Tuesday at the First United Methodist Church in Bayard with Rev. Charlene Wolfe officiating. Music was provided by Joseph Holbrook and Martha Wolfe. Interment was at the Highland Township Cemetery near Bayard. The visitation was held Monday at the Ohde Funeral Home in Bayard.

Gretchen Vaughan

Sara Gretchen, daughter of Robert Haydn and Edna Pearl (Pierce) Kinnick, was born April 13, 1920, north of Coon Rapids in Carroll County. She attended several elementary schools, mostly near Bayard, and then graduated from Glidden High School in 1938.
On June 30, 1940 Gretchen was united in marriage with Marion Alfred Vaughan in Carroll. They farmed in Guthrie County for several years until her husband decided to drive truck full time. At that time they moved into Bayard where she did bookkeeping for the truck line. Later she worked part time at the post office and at Starling Hardware.
Gretchen became the Post Master in 1970 and served in that position for 15 years. Her husband died in 1971. She remained in their home in Bayard for several years until moving to a smaller home in Bayard.
Gretchen was a member of the United Methodist Church in Bayard where she was baptized and was a member of the Rebekka’s Lodge. With her green thumb she tended to her garden and canned the vegetables it produced. Gretchen enjoyed playing cards, quilting blankets for family members and especially spending time with her family. She moved in with her daughter in January of this year. After a fall in which she broke her arm, she moved to New Homestead Nursing Home in Guthrie Center where she died on July 31 at the age of 94 years, 3
months and 18 days.
Preceding Gretchen in death are her parents; husband; son Richard Marion Vaughan in 1983; brothers Lyle Kinnick (Marie); Burdette Kinnick (Ruth); sisters Ila Jean Buhr; Betty Sheer (Howard); grandson Jacob Cody Stringer and several inlaws which she was very close too.
She is survived by daughters Patricia Ann Presley of Auburn, and Sue Vaughan of Manning and
daughter-in-law Sandi Vaughan of Spencer, IN; nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; nieces nephews, other relatives and friends.


Gretchen was a "Kinnick Cousin" - first cousin of my mother.

Families are Forever! ;-)

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - Frank Smith

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - 

Frank Smith

Frank Smith c. 1905-06

Just received this new old photo from my "Nebraska cousin" Laurel Brunken, and his sister, Lori, from some old, old Smith files. It was marked Frank Smith, so it really can only be the grandson of Michael Smith by his son, Benjamin Mickle Smith, about whom we know very little here.

On the father:

Benjamin Mickle Smith, born 11 Dec 1876, Grand Mound, Clinton Co, Iowa. Married Lettie Stevens on 17 Jul 1900, in Perry, Dallas County, Iowa. Two children: Frank L., b. abt 1901, and Cordie, b. about 1905.
Benjamin died 20 Jul 1911, Des Moines, Polk Co, Iowa; burial at Violet Hill Cem, Perry, Dallas County, Iowa. LVene had "at Walsten Sanitarium, in Des Moines, Iowa - age 35 years of complications from operation of kidney stones." A related new article said: "Mr. Smith made his home on a farm near Brough Store. For many years he lived  on the Edmundson Farm south of the city (Perry) and is well known here. His health failed sometime ago and the operation was deemed the one chance of recovery."

Families are Forever! ;-)

52 Ancestors: #32 Walter W. and Susan (Schwyhart) Kinnick

52 Ancestors: #32 Walter W. and Susan (Schwyhart) Kinnick

 

This year, Amy Johnson Crow has issues a new 52 weeks blogging challenge:

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks

 

 on her No Story Too Small blog.


The challenge: have one blog post each week devoted to a specific ancestor. It could be a story, a biography, a photograph, an outline of a research problem — anything that focuses on one ancestor. Not only should this get me blogging more, but also to take a deeper look at some of the people in my family tree.

My approach: I have made this a Tuesday Theme, and, use it to enhance my WikiTree ancestor profiles. That is, focus on a different ancestor on my WikiTree list of profiles, each week (include possibly adding new profiles), Great idea! Thanks to Randy Seaver's post for bringing this to my attention!
Note: Third shift (not change) to approach. Beginning with #25, I will be doing direct ancestor couples.

 

#32 Walter W. and Susan (Schwyhart) Kinnick

These are a set of my 3rd great-grandparents, #48 and #49 on my Ahnentafel Report, for my genealogy friends.

Their 5th child, 3rd son, was my 2nd great-grandfather, Walter Watson Kinnick, see #27, in this series.

Walter W. Kinnick married Susanna (Susan) Schwyhart in Belmont County, Ohio in 1834.

They had the following 10 children:

1) Mary E. Kinnick (1835-1869)
2) Sarah Ann Kinnick (1836-1914)
3) John S. Kinnick (1837-1851)
4) Joseph Kinnick (1839-1917)
5) Walter Watson Kinnick (1840-1919) - my 2nd great-grandfather
6) Catharine Kinnick (1842-1927)
7) William Kinnick (1844-1845)
8) Jacob Kinnick (1846-1923)
9) Margaret (Maggie) Kinnick (1851-1903)
10) Fanny Susan Kinnick (1851-1926)

For an early "compact" family history of this family, you enjoy visiting this web site:
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~kinnick/kbk5/wwkinn.html

I have written a lot about this family, over the past 20 years. Put any of the names in the Search Box, upper right, and take a peak, if interested.

See my recent historical fiction family saga stories that relates some of the family stories:
Weston Wagons West - Ep. J16 - The Kinnicks and the Westons chose to move further west as well.



What fun! ;-)

Families are Forever! ;-)