Do you ever get bored and unable to focus on your genealogy research? With area research libraries limiting access and a personal decision to try and stay home until vaccinated, boredom is starting to affect my ability to focus my research.
So today, I’m taking a detour and working the light bulbs on my RootsMagic 7 pedigree that connect to Ancestry hints. Most of those light bulbs were to marriage announcements in Kansas newspapers – which I had already found.
However, one of those light bulbs took me to an obituary in a newspaper that I would have never looked in. The obituary titled, “Died,” was published in the Western Veteran in Topeka, Kansas. The text of the obituary contains information found in other sources for my great great grandfather, Washington Marion Crawford who died in Dodge City, Kansas.
Died — W. Mari n Crawford. He has been called by the reveil’e on the other shore and is enrolled with the silent majority. Like the true soldier he was ready at any time, and when the order came for his transfer, though the warning was short it found him ready. He was born in Warren county, Indiana, April 21, 1838, where he passed the greater portion of his life. He enlisted August 27, 1861, in Co. H 2d New York Cavalry, better known as the “Harris Light Horse.” He was captured September 22, ’63, and for nearly fifteen months he suffered all the cruelties and privations of Belle Isle, Andersonville, Florence and other prisons of the South, was paroled December 13, ’64 reaching home and friends on the last day of that year, a mere wreck of his former self, from which he never recovered. He was converted to Christianity while a prisoner, and ever after lived a consistent Christian life. He was especially interested in the welfare and comfort of his late comrades. He had a cheerful and kind word for every one. His last act was to respond cheerfully and promptly to a call to take charge of old Fort Dodge which is being fitted for a Soldier’s home. He was a member of Lewis Post No. 294 and had been an officer of the post. He died suddenly August 23, 1889, of heart disease, resulting from disabilities contracted while a prisoner of war. It was his request to be buried by his comrades which request was fulfilled, with ex-Andersonville prisoners as pall-bearers. His remains were laid to rest in the beautiful G.A.R. cemetery of Lewis post near Dodge City.
“Died,” Western Veteran (Topeka, KS), 4 September 1889, page 8; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 26 January 2021).
Do you have farmers in your tree? Do you know where the family homestead is (was) located? Since I have a rich Kansas heritage, there are two definitions for homestead:
a house, particularly a farmhouse and outbuildings
an area of public land in the west (i.e. Kansas) usually comprising 160 acres that was granted to any U.S. citizen willing to settle the land and farm it for at least five years.
My great great grandfather, Washington Marion Crawford was a homesteader — and the only ancestor for whom I’ve obtained a homestead record. To put this land on a map, I use the web site First Landowners Project at HistoryGeo ($).
Washington Crawford’s land is in the lower left of the above map. Toward the top of the map is land his brother, James H. Crawford owned. The two pieces of land just south of Dodge City were homesteaded by his nephew and his daughter. The purple dot on the map identifies the location of the land Richmond Hammond homesteaded. Richmond’s daughter, Josie, would later marry Judson, son of Washington Crawford.
Zooming in on the map, the original neighbors of Washington Marion Crawford can be identified.
In March of 1885, Washington M. Crawford paid $2 to register his claim at the Garden City Land Office.
Land Office at Garden City, Kansas Mar 31 1885 Mr. Washington M. Crawford has this day paid Two dollars, the Reiger’s and Receiver’s fees to file a Declaratory Statement, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged. A J Hoisington, Receiver No. 125 Mr. Washington M. Crawford having paid the fees, has this day filed in this Office his Declaratory Statement, No. 125 for SE 1/4 section 31 township 28S of Range 26 W containing 160 acres selected March 31, 1885 being [?] offered.
In July 1889, Washington M. Crawford filed his “Testimony of Claimant’ by answering several questions. Interesting bits of information from these questions includes the following:
had made a previous filing for another tract of land but did not remember the description and never obtained title to it
there is no timber on the land
in March of 1886, he built a house and broke 5 acres of land
Description of buildings: house – frame shingle roof 15 ft x 15 ft with sod addition 10 ft x 12 ft; 3 doors & 4 windows; sod stable 16ft x 32 ft; hen house 8 ft x 8 ft; well 92 ft deep;
planted 2000 mulberry trees
owns a plow and a buggy
owns 1 cow, 1 calf and 2 horses
raised crops for 3 seasons
spent 4 months in 1887 in Dodge City working to earn money to support family
The final certificate for the land was received by the family in May 1890 after Washington M. Crawford’s death in August 1889.
The United States of America To All to Whom These Presents Shall Come, Greeting: Homestead Certificate No. 1180 Application 4505 Whereas there has been deposited in the General Land office of the United States a Certificate of the Register of the Land Office at Garden City, Kansas, whereby it appears that pursuant to the Ace of Congress appeared 20th May, 1862 “To secure Homesteads to actual settlers on the public domain,” and the acts supplemental thereto, the claim of Washington M. Crawford has been established and duly consummated in conformity to law for the South East quarter of Section Thirty one in township Twenty Eight South of Range twenty-six West of the Sixth Principal Meridian in Kansas, containing one hundred and sixty acres. according tot he Official Plat of the Survey of the said land returned to the General Land Office by the Surveyor General. Now know ye, That there is therefore granted by the United States unto the said Washington M. Crawford the tract of land above described to have and to hold the said tract of land with the appurtenances thereof unto the said Washington M. Crawford and his heirs and assigns forever. In testimony whereof I, Benjamin Harrison, President of the United States of America have caused these letters to be made Patent, and the Seal of the General Land Office to be hereunto affixed. Given under my hand, at the City of Washington, the twenty seventh day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety, and of the Independence of the United States the one hundred and and fourteenth. By the President: Benjamin Harrison By M. McKean Sec’y J. M. Townsend, Recorder of the General Land Office
His widow, Mary Foster Crawford, sold the homesteaded land in 1907. [Ford County Kansas, Deeds, Vol 31, page 570; Mary Crawford, et al to Peter Hinemann, 18 September 1907; Register of Deeds, Dodge City Kansas.]
From Mary Crawford et al To Peter Hinemann Entered in Transfer Record in my office this 18th day of Oct A.D. 1907 S H Cennaway, County Clerk Filed for record on the 18 day of Oct A.D. 1907 at 4 o’clock P.M. Geo A Stumph, Register of Deeds
This Indenture made this 18th day of September A.D. 1907 between Mary Crawford widow, Nelson G. Crawford and Cora Crawford his wife, J. F. Crawford and Josie Crawford his wife, Lida A LIghter and Alvin H LIghter her husband all of Ford County Kansas and Ida K Sherman and A O Sherman her husband of Tacoma Washington sole and only heirs of Washington M Crawford deceased of the first part and Peter Hinemann of Ford County, in the State of Kansas of the second part; Witnesseth, that said parties of the first part, in consideration of the sum of Two Thousand ($2000.00) and no Dollars the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, do by these presents, grant, bargain, sell and convey unto said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns, all the following described Real Estate, situated in the County of Ford, and State of Kansas, to wit: The Southeast quarter of Section Thirty-on (31) in Township Twenty eight (28) South of Range Twenty Six (26) West of the 6th PM containing 160 acres. To have and to hold the same, together with all and singular the tenements, hereditaments and appurtenances thereunto belonging or in anywise appertaining, forever. And said grantors for themselves their heirs, exeuctors or administrators do hereby covenant, promise and agree to and with said party of the second part that at the delivery of these presents they are lawfully seized in their own right of an absolute and indefeasible estate of inheritance, in fee simple, of and in all and singular the above granted and described premises, with the appurtenances; that the same are free, clear, discharged and unincumbered of and from all former and other grants, titles, charges, estates, judgments, taxes, assessments and incumbrances of what nature or kind soever and that they will warrant and forever defend the same unto said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns, against said parties of the first part their heirs, and all and every person or persons whomsoever, lawfully claiming or to claim the same. In witness whereof, the said parties of the first part have hereunto set their hands the day and year first above written. Lida A Lighter Alvin H LIghter Ida K Sherman A. O. Sherman Mrs. Mary Crawford Nelson G Crawford Cora Crawford J F Crawford Josie Crawford
State of Kansas, Ford County, SS Be it remembered, that on this 18th day of October A.D 1907, before me, the undersigned, a notary public in and for the County and State aforesaid, came Mary Crawford, a widow Nelson G Crawford and Cora Crawford his wife, J. F. Crawford and Josie Crawford his wife Lida A Lighter and Alvin Lighter her husband who are personally known to me to be the same persons who executed the within instrument of writing, and such persons duly acknowledged the execution of the same. In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my notarial seal, the day and year last above written. C. E. Smith, Notary Public Term Expires Mar 15 1909
Along side of deed: State of Washington, Pierce County, ss Be it remembered that on this 24th day of September A.D. 1907 before me the undersigned a Notary Public in and for the County and State aforesaid came Ida K. Sherman and A. O. Sherman her husband is who are personmally known to me to be the same persons who executed the within instrument of writing and such persons duly acknowledged the execution of the same. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my notarial seal the day and year last above written. Robert W Janes Notary Public Term expire April 10th, 1910
My Kansas roots run deep. My parents, grandparents and a couple of great-grandparents were all born in Kansas. While my 5 generation birth chart shows a lot of different states in the fifth generation, my chart of death places shows mostly ancestors dying in Kansas. (births on left, deaths on right)
If all of these ancestors were in Kansas prior to their death, what is the earliest record of them living in Kansas?
Washington Marion Crawford and his wife, Mary Foster Crawford, arrived in Dodge City, Kansas around 1884. According to several newspaper accounts, James H. Crawford was expecting the arrival of his brother, Washington Marion Crawford in June of 1884. In March, 1885, Washington Marion Crawford paid $2 at the Garden City land office to file a homestead claim. Later in May of 1885, Washington Marion Crawford was accepted as a member of the Lewis Post of the Grand Army of the Republic.
Richmond Fisk Hammond is listed on the 1886 post report as a member of the Lewis Post of the Grand Army of the Republic. Thus, Richmond Fisk Hammond and his wife, Sarah Ellen Ralston Hammond were living in the Dodge City area by 1886.
Hiram M. Currey married Angelina Jane Burke in Weston on the Missouri side of the state line in August 1856. In 1860, Hiram Currey is listed on the territorial census living in Kickapoo, Leavenworth County, Kansas. An illustration showing pro-slavery men from Weston voting in 1855 at Kickapoo. This illustration was published in 1867. It is unknown whether Hiram Currey was part of this cross-border battle to determine whether Kansas would be a free state or a slave state. Since Hiram Currey would serve under Captain Samuel Hollister in Company B of the 12th Cavalry Regiment of the Kansas State Militia in 1864, I do not believe he was a pro-slavery voter.
Albert Hutchinson and his wife, Julia Harding Hutchinson, were living in Mitchell county Iowa in 1880. In 1890, Albert is shown on a census of veterans in Clay County, Missouri. According to this military pension record, Julia passed away in 1892 in Doniphan County, Kansas. Albert then married Honore Eliza Van Valkenburg ibn 1893 in St. Joseph, Missouri (which is across the Missouri River from Doniphan County, Kansas). In 1895, Albert is found living in Doniphan County. He died in Doniphan county in 1896.
Alexander Briles purchased land lying in Coffey County in 1858. He is shown on the 1859 Kansas territory census living in Coffey County with 8 minors in the household. The family, including his son, Noah Briles, were all listed on the 1860 territorial census living in Coffey County, Kansas. Noah Briles would go to Iowa to work on a farm. While in Iowa, he served in Company I of the 1st Regiment of the Iowa Cavalry Volunteers. After the war, he married Sarah Thompson in Iowa. In 1872, Noah purchased land in Coffey county, Kansas. By 1875, Noah, his wife and their family had moved to Coffey County, Kansas.
James Marshall Ricketts married his wife, Rachel Elmeda Christy in 1866 in Clinton County, Indiana. In 1879, James Ricketts purchased land in Woodson County, Kansas. By 1880, the family was living in Everett Township, Woodson County, Kansas.
George Mentzer is said to have helped establish the first hotel in Kewanee Illinois prior to 1860. However, he must have returned to Massachusetts by 1860 since he is shown on the 1860 census living in his brother’s household. George served in Company C of the 24th Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers. In 1866, George purchased land in Henry County, Illinois. In 1867 George married Emeline Minnick in Kewanee, Henry County, Illinois. In 1870, George purchased land in Woodson County. However, the family was still living in Illinois in 1870. In 1871, George Mentzer and his friend, George Allen, moved their families from Illinois to Woodson County, Kansas.
Thurston Kennedy Wells was likely living in Miami County, Kansas when his son, William Hall Wells was born to Thurston and his first wife, Sarah Hall in 1857. In 1860, a K. T. Wells is listed on the census in Lykins County, Kansas. Little is known about the family at this time, but Sarah likely died between 1857 and 1861. In March of 1861, Thurston Wells marries Salome Crandall in Van Buren County, Iowa. In 1875, Thurston and Salome are found living in Woodson county, Kansas on the 1875 census. Also listed in their household are Thurston’s two sons by his first marriage and the two younger daughters he had with Salome.
Thus, all of my great-great grandfathers had brought their families to Kansas prior to 1900, with three of them being in the state prior to statehood. Thus, my Kansas roots run deep.
While growing up, 911 Second in Dodge City was my grandparents home. Even though my grandmother would sometimes refer to their former house on Avenue G, I didn’t know much about their life on Avenue G until I started researching the family. Not only did my grandparents live in the 500 block of Avenue G, but my grandfather’s parents also lived in that block.
During the time they lived in that area of town, my grandmother and great-grandmother were members of the East Side Bible Class. Below is a clipping of a newspaper article about the East Side Bible Class that my grandmother kept.
The following photos were in my grandmother’s things. Based on my grandmother’s activities, these pictures could be the ‘Old Timer’s Club’ or the ‘East Side Bible Study Group’ of Dodge City, Kansas.
Top Row (L-R) Mabel Christy, De Ette Zimmer, Bertie Brown, Winnie Crawford, Dora Fritzlen / 2nd Row: Sadie Archer, Laura Burnett, Lena Tucker, Florence Sullivan / 3rd Row: Gertie Falkner, Nan Wright Dewar, Lena Paulen, Ida Olive / 4th Row: Ethel Moody, IDa Teeter, Icy Crutchley, Josie Crawford, L.R. Top Row: ? – Winnie Crawford – ? – Una Paulen, Lena Tucker, Bertie Br[a?] / 2nd ROw: IDa Teeter sister – ? – Dora JOnes, De Ette Zimer, Florence Sullivan / 3rd Row: Nina Dellar, Edna Williams, Ida Olive, Ethel Moody, Gertie Falkner, Cora Wood, LR
The names on the back of the photos appear to be some of the same names in the newspaper article, “Some Things Never Change for Old Timers … Well Some Things,” that was published in the December 8, 1975 issue of the Dodge City Daily Globe (Dodge City, Kansas).
Josie Winifred Hammond1, female, was born on 9 Feb 1874 in Knoxville, Knox, Illinois, United States.1–17
She was the child of Richmond Fisk Hammond and Sarah Ellen Ralston.17
In Jul 1880, in Union, Hardin, Iowa, United States, Josie W. Hammond was listed on the 1880 census living in the household of Richmond Hammond. According to the census, Josie was 6 years old and born in Illinois.18
She married Judson Foster Crawford on 24 Dec 1890 in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States.3–5,10,19–41
She presented a program for Quarto-centennial Celebration of Lewis Post GAR in Apr 1891 in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States.42
On 1 Jul 1895, Josie lived in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States. She was listed as a 21 year old female born in Illinois in the household of 28 year old J F Crawford. Also listed in the household were 3 year old Bernice Crawford, 1 year old Leon Crawford and 25 year old FOrrest Hammond.44
On 24 Oct 1895, Marion Richmond Crawford was born.4
In 1897, she registered to vote in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States.45
On 30 Apr 1900, Helen Marjorie Crawford was born.4
Josie Crawford was listed as the wife of 34 year old J. F. Crawford on the 1900 census in Dodge City, Kansas. According to the census, Josie was born Feb 1874 in Illinois. Josie and J.F. had been married 9 years. Josie was the mother of 4 children all of whom were living in 1900. Also listed in the household were 8 year old Bernice Crawford, 6 year old Leon Crawford, 4 year old Marion Crawford, 3 month old Helen Crawford and a servant, 18 year old Amy Roth46
In 1905, she lived in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States. She was listed as a 31 year old female in the household of 39 year old J. F. Crawford. Also listed in the household were 13 year old Bernice, 11 year old Leon, 9 year old Marion, 5 year old Helen, 2 year old Hugh and a 3 month old baby.47
Josie witnessed the sell of land by Mary Foster on 18 Oct 1907 in Ford, Kansas, United States.48
On 28 Apr 1910, in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States, Josie was listed as the wife of J. F. Crawford on the 1910 census in Dodge City, Kansas. According to the census, Josie was 36 years old and born in Illinois. Josie was the mother of 7 children, all of whom were living.49
She witnessed the marriage of George James Allen and Bernice Crawford on 10 Nov 1911 in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States.4,50–51
Josie W. Crawford was listed as a 40 year old female in the household of 48 year old J F Crawford on the 1915 Kansas census living in Dodge City, Ford County, Kansas. Also listed in the household were 21 year old Leon, 19 year old Marion, 14 year old Hellen, 12 year old Hughie, 9 year old Ester and 5 year old Louis.52
Between 1917 and 1954, she was a member of the Eastside Bible Class in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States.53
In 1920, Josie was listed as the 45 year old wife of Judson F. Crawford on the census living in Dodge City, Ford County, Kansas. According to the census, Josie was born in Illinois. Also listed in the household were 17 year old Hugh J, 23 year old Marion, 14 year old Esther and 11 year old Lois.54–55
In 1924, she lived at 404 Ave G in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States.56
In 1925, Josie Crawford was listed as a 51 year old female in the household of 59 year old J. F. Crawford living in Dodge City, Ford County, Kansas. According to the census, Josie was born in Illinois. Also listed in the household were 22 year old Hugh Crawford, 20 year old Ester Crawford, 15 year osl Lois Crawford and 12 year old Jenny Neal57
Josie W Crawford was listed as the wife of Judson F Crawford on the 1930 census living in Dodge City, Ford County, Kansas. According to the census, Josie was 56 years old and born in Illinois. Josie was married at age 16.58
She lived at 504 Avenue G in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States in 1935.59
Josie W. Crawford was listed as the wife of Judson F Crawford on the 1940 census living at 504 Avenue G in Dodge City, Kansas. According to the census, Josie was 66 years old and born in Illinois.59
Josie lived at 504 Avenue G in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States in 1942.60
She lived in Picacho, Pinal, Arizona, United States in 1949.61
In Feb 1949, she was recognized as a member of the First Methodist Church for fifty years in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States.62
Josie signed a will on 16 Mar 1951 in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States.63
Josie Crawford was listed in the household of Leon Crawford on the 1953 Dodge City, Kansas census. According to the census, Josie was 79 years old.64
She died on 27 Sep 1954 at the age of 80 in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States.1–2,5,7,12,65–69
She was buried on 29 Sep 1954 at Maple Grove Cemetery in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States.2,7–8,12,70
ENDNOTES:
1. Josie W. Crawford, death certificate #54 013520 (27 September 1954), Kansas State Board of Health, Division of Vital Statistics, Topeka, Kansas.
2. Tombstone, Maple Grove Cemetery, Dodge City Kansas read by Marcia Philbrick, 1996, Josie W. Crawford tombstone (Crawford.KS.153)
3. [ArticleTitle], Dodge City Daily Globe, , [Date], [Page], “Mrs. Crawford, 80, Dies in Hospital” 27 Sept 1954 page 1 col. 7.
4. Crawford, Judson F., Judson F. Crawford Family Bible (n.p.: , n.d.); Marcia Philbrick, Seneca, KS, photocopy in Crawford.Washington.Notebook
5. “Judson Foster Crawford”, Gladys Crawford, compiler, The Crawford Family (n.p., Gladys Crawford, n.d.), (Doc. #: Crawford.KS.047)
6. History and Genealogies of the Hammond Families in America With an Account of the Early History of the Family in Normandy and Great Britain (Oneida, NY: Ryan & Burkhart, 1904)
7. BillionGraves, digital images of tombstone, BillionGraves (billiongraves.com : viewed online June 2017), memorial for Josie W Crawford, BillionGraves created by mcphilbrick, citing Maple Grove Cemetery, Dodge City, Ford County, Kansas; accompanying photograph by mcphilbrick, Josie W. Crawford.
8. Find a Grave, database and images, Find a Grave (www.findagrave.com : viewed online June 2017), memorial for Josie Winifred Hammond Crawford (1874-1954), Find a Grave Memorial no. #110355978, created by Marcia Philbrick, citing Maple Grove Cemetery, Dodge City, Ford County, Kansas; accompanying photograph by Tim Tompkins, Josie Winifred Hammond Crawford.
10. Yates Publishing, U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 (Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004), Source number: 2.000; Source type: Electronic Database; Number of Pages: 1; Submitter Code: MP1.
11. Ancestry.com, Kansas State Census Collection, 1855-1925 (Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009), Kansas State Historical Society; Topeka, Kansas; 1895 Kansas Territory Census; Roll: v115_48; Line: 16.
13. Edmund West comp., Family Data Collection – Births (Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2001).
14. , Kansas State Census Collection, 1855-1925, 1915 Kansas Census; Roll: ks1915_88; Line: 21.
15. , Kansas State Census Collection, 1855-1925, 1925 Kansas Census; KSHS microfilm KS1925_49; line 9.
16. , Kansas State Census Collection, 1855-1925, 1905 Kansas Census; KSHS micriflm roll: ks1905_53; Line: 14.
17. Richmind Fisk Hammond, Military and penion record of Richmond Fisk Hammond (: U.S. Government), Richmond F Hammond 1915 Affidavit.
18. 1880 U.S. Census, Hardin County, Iowa, population schedule, Union, Hardin County, Iowa, ED 127, page 29 Image 27 of 40, household 213, Hammond Richmond; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017); NARA microfilm publication T9
19. Dodge City Times, Dodge City, KS, Dec. 26, 1890, page 3 col. 4, (Crawford.Judson.Notebook).
20. Ford County Kansas Marriage Records: Book B, page 153 (Crawford.KS.003C) (Crawford.Judson.Notebook), Ford County Clerk, Dodge City, Kansas
21. , [Date], [Page], clipping regarding golden wedding anniversary (Crawford.Judson.Notebook).
22. Judson Crawford entry, Sept. 1950 Journal Entry of Final Settlement, ; , . Hereinafter cited as Final Settlement.
23. Dodge City Times, Dodge City, KS, 26 Dec 1890, page 3, col. 4.
24. Kansas, Central Division of Vital Statistics, Marriage Record (24 December 1890), Judson F. Crawford and Josie W. Hammond; State of Kansas, Topeka, KS.
25. “Mr. Judd Crawford …,” Marriage Announcement, Dodge City Times (Dodge City, Kansas), 26 December 1890, image 3; digital image, Chronicling America (chroniclingamerica.loc.gov : online April 2016); Kansas State Historical Society.
26. U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 database, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7836/). Yates Publishing. U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 : viewed online 2000.
27. “Family Data Collection — Marriages,” database, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online October 2017), Josie Winifred Hammond.
28. , Dodge City Times (Dodge City, Kansas: n.p., n.d.), (Crawford.Judson.Notebook); Dec. 26, 1890; page 3 col. 4.
29. , Ford County Kansas Marriage Records, Ford County Clerk, Dodge City, Kansas (N.p.: n.p., n.d.), Book B, page 153 (Crawford.KS.003C) (Crawford.Judson.Notebook).
30. , Dodge City Daily Globe, . (N.p.: n.p., n.d.), “Mrs. Crawford, 80, Dies in Hospital” 27 Sept 1954 page 1 col. 7.
31. , Dodge City Daily Globe, ., clipping regarding golden wedding anniversary (Crawford.Judson.Notebook).
32. , Crawford, Judson F., Judson F. Crawford Family Bible (: , ); Marcia Philbrick, Seneca, KS. Hereinafter cited as Family Bible Judson F. Crawford. (N.p.: n.p., n.d.), photocopy in Crawford.Washington.Notebook.
33. , Judson Crawford entry, Sept. 1950 Journal Entry of Final Settlement, ; , . Hereinafter cited as Final Settlement. (N.p.: n.p., n.d.).
35. , Dodge City Times, 26 Dec 1890, page 3, col. 4.
36. , Kansas, Central Division of Vital Statistics; State of Kansas, Topeka, KS. (N.p.: n.p., n.d.), Marriage Record; 24 December 1890; Judson F. Crawford and Josie W. Hammond.
37. , “,” Dodge City Times (Dodge City, Kansas), ; digital image, Chronicling America (chroniclingamerica.loc.gov : accessed ). (N.p.: n.p., n.d.), Mr. Judd Crawford …; Marriage Announcement; 26 December 1890; image 3; online; April 2016; Kansas State Historical Society.
38. U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 database, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7836/) : [AccessType] [AccessDate]; Judson Foster Crawford – Josie Winifred Hammond.
39. Edmund West comp., Family Data Collection – Marriages (Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2001).
40. “Local news,” Dodge City Times (Dodge City, Kansas), 26 December 1890, page 3; Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online April 2018).
41. “Weddings,” The Globe-Republican (Dodge City, Kansas), 31 December 1890, page 5; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online April 2018).
42. “Resolution of Thanks,” The Globe-Republican (Dodge City, Kansas), 29 April 1891; Newspapers.com (http://www.newspaprs.com : viewed online August 2017).
43. Crawford, Judson F., Judson F. Crawford Family Bible (n.p.: , n.d.); Marcia Philbrick, Seneca, KS
44. 1895 Kansas Census, Dodge City, Ford County, Kansas, Kansas state census, Dodge City, Ford County, Kansas, page 10 Image 15 of 97, household 77, J F Crawford; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017); Kansas State Historical Society
45. “Voters Register, 1886-1902,” ; microfilm, page 27; Records of the City of Dodge City, Kansas 1875-1928; Kansas State Historical Society, Topeka, Kansas. 1897 Ladies.
46. 1900 U.S.Census, Ford County, Kansas, population schedule, Dodge City, Ford County, Kansas, ED 49, Sheet 18A Image 35 of 42, household 383, Crawford J F; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017); NARA T623
47. 1905 Kansas State Census, Ford County, Kansas, Kansas State Census, , page 42 Image 83 of 178, household 291, J F Crawford; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017); Kansas State Historical Society
48. Ford County Kansas, , Vol 31, page 570; Mary Crawford, et al to Peter Hinemann, 18 September 1907; Register of Deeds, Dodge City Kansas.
49. 1910 U.S. Census, Ford County, Kansas, population schedule, Dodge City, Ford County, Kanass, ED 45, Sheet 3B Image 6 of 30, household 16, Crawford JF; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017); NARA microfilm publication T624
50. Dodge City Globe Republican (Dodge City, Kansas), Dodge City, Kansas, 16 Nov 1911, page 5, col. 1 (Doc. #: Crawford.KS.013).
51. Ford County Kansas Marriage Records: License Book 1903-1912 p447 / Affidavit Book C p 447, Ford County Clerk, Dodge City, Kansas
52. 1915 Kansas State Census, Ford County, Kansas, population schedule, Dodge City, Ford County, Kansas, page 2 Image 73 of 279, household 9, Crawford J F; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017); Kansas State Historical Society
53. , 13 Mary 1954, page 7.
54. 1920 U.S. Census, Ford County, Kansas, population schedule, Dodge City, Ford County, Kansas, ED 53, Sheet 7B Image 14 of 22, dwelling 161, Crawford Judson F; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017); NARA microfilm publication T625
55. Etrick’s Directory of Ford County 1920 (Dodge City, Kansas: Etrick Printery, 1920), page 27, Crawford; digital image, Heritage Quest (interactive.ancestryheritagequest.com : viewed online September 2016).
56. Etrick’s Ford County Directory: Containing an Alphabetical List of Business Firms and Private Citizens of Dodge city (Dodge City, Kansas: The Etric Company, 1924), page 30, Crawford, Judson.
57. 1925 Kansas Census, Ford County Kansas, Dodge City, Ford County, Kansas, page 14 Image 182 of 202, dwelling 3, Crawford J F; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017)
58. 1930 U.S. Census, Ford County, Kansas, population schedule, Dodge City, Ford County, Kansas, ED 5, Sheet 16B Image 32 of 42, dwelling 365, Crawford Judson F; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017); NARA T626
59. 1940 U. S. Census, Ford County, Kansas, population schedule, Dodge City, Ford County, Kansas, ED 29-6A, Sheet 16B Image 33 of 41, household 358, Crawford Judson F; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017)
60. Ford County (Kansas) Directory (n.p.: n.p., 1942), page 43 (Doc. #: Crawford.KS.023).2
61. “Mrs. Stella Root,” Sapulpa Daily Herald (Sapulpa, OK), 22 December 1949, page 7; digital imge, Newspapes.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 29 December 2020).
62. , 5 Feb 1949.
63. Last Will and Testament of Josie Crawford, prepared by Frederick L. Hall, Attorney at Law; Crawford Family Papers; privately held by Marcia Philbrick, Seneca, Kansas, 2016. passed down to Marcia Philbrick by Winnie Crawford.
64. Kansas, City and County Census Records 1919-1961, Dodge City, 1953; database with images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed online October 2017). Original Source: Population Schedules and Statistical Rolls: Cities (1919-1961).
65. Mrs. Crawford, 80, Dies in Hospital after Brief Illness, Dodge City Daily Globe, Dodge City, Kansas, 27 September 1954, page 1, column 7.
66. Crawford Family Papers; privately held by Marcia Philbrick, , Seneca, Kansas, 2016. Josie W. Hammond Funeral Book. passed down to Marcia Philbrick by Winnie Crawford.
67. Crawford Family Papers; privately held by Marcia Philbrick, , Seneca, Kansas, 2016. Josie W. Crawford Funeral Program. Passed down to Marcia Philbrick by Winnie Crawford.
69. Edmund West comp., Family Data Collection – Deaths (Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2001).
70. Computer Printout for Maple Grove Cemetery (Dodge City, KS: Dodge City, Kansas, 5/29/1985), Record 4038 Z2 log 4 block 95 section 3 (Crawford.KS.080)
After sharing my experiences with RootsMagic source templates and how I name sources, a reader asked about my experiences importing data into RootsMagic 8.
One question – have you tried importing info into RM8 yet to see if the source citations move over correctly – especially if you have used the free form template?
My initial response was going to be ‘no.’
No, because my citations are based on the templates and not free form.
No, because I tried importing a copy of my RootsMagic 7 file in the early days of the preview and it was linked via TreeShare to my Ancestry tree. My current Ancestry tree took about six months to get indexed by Ancestry. Since indexing not only impacts the web hints but also DNA ThruLines, I do not wish to go thru that process again. Thus, I don’t want to do anything that might jeopardize the link between my RootsMagic file and my Ancestry tree.
Prior to today, most of my experimentation in RM8 has been with files whose creation goes back to the exporting of portions of my RM 7 file via a gedcom file and then the importing of that file into RootsMagic to create a new, smaller database.
Thus, I decided to do some more experimenting to test the following:
Import of a RM7 file into RootsMagic 8 preview version
Impact of RM7 to RM8 import on free form citations
Impact of RM7 to RM8 import on source citations
Since I still don’t want to work with my primary file, I searched my RootsMagic folder for an ‘older’ file that I could use for the import. In that search, I found a McPheeters file which contains the descendants of Alexander Crawford and his wife, Mary McPheeters. I’m not sure why I have this file since this family is in my primary file. Since it is a ‘duplicate’ set of information, I’m comfortable experimenting with the file.
So, my first step was to create some ‘Free Form’ citations. Thinking that the easiest way to create these citations would be to find an individual that already had citations for census records. Thus, I elected to work with William Crawford, son of James Crawford and Nancy Sawyers and great-grandson of Alexander and Mary McPheeters.
Since I have this family line in my primary RootsMagic 7 file, I also have them in my Ancestry tree, Heartland Genealogy. Thus, I did a treeSearch to locate William Crawford in my online tree.
I had already located Ancestry sources for the 1850, 1860, 1880 census records along with the Find a Grave index and his Texas death certificate, I opened the record for each of these sources in a new tab.
Since I don’t use ‘Free Form’ citations, I’m not sure how others generate their citations. For this demonstration, I elected to take the ‘easy’ way and copy the source information directly from Ancestry. Thus, I scrolled down on each of these pages to locate the ‘Source Citation’ section.
Then in RootsMagic 7, I added a new source for each of these facts using the ‘Free Form’ template. Again, taking the ‘easy’ way, I just copied the information from Ancestry into the boxes in RootsMagic – AND I’M SURE I DID IT WRONG. I just needed ‘text’ in the boxes
Then I closed the file in RootsMagic 7 and switched to RootsMagic 8.
Go to File menu and select “Create a New RootsMagic File’
Select ‘Import from RootsMagic 1-7, GEDCOM, or another Program’
Select RootsMagic versions 1-7
At bottom of screen, click on the folder icon to ‘Browse for File’
Locate file on computer
At bottom of screen, click on the folder icon to ‘Browse for Destination’
Locate place on computer to store the file and give the file a name, then click save
Select desired ‘File Options’ and click OK
WAIT for file to import
Once the file was imported, I searched for the William Crawford that has the ‘FreeForm’ citations attached. I then clicked on ‘Edit Person’ to open his information. Scrolling down, I located the ‘1850 Residence’ fact since it is one of the facts that I attached a free form citation to and clicked on it. That opens the ‘Residence’ fact on the right side of the ‘Edit Person’ screen.
Then, I looked at the ‘Sources’ section on the right side of the screen to location the ‘freeform’ citation and clicked on the > to the right of that citation. This opens the “Edit Citation” section on the right side of the window.
To see whether the import from RootsMagic 7 to RootsMagic 8 affected the ‘Free Form’ citation, I need to look toward the bottom of the Edit Citation screen. This is where the Footnote and Bibliography are shown for the citation. To make it easier to see the footnote and bibliography, I clicked on the Customize button.
Going back to the same file in RootsMagic 7, I opened the source to view the footnote and bibliography in RM7. I’m not a good ‘proofreader,’ especially when it comes to the punctuation of a footnote, but the information in RM7 (shown below) appears to be the same as that shown above in RM8.
Since I have worked with several RootsMagic 8 files to figure out how my sources and citations are converted, I can say that I have not observed any issues with my source templates, sources and citations in the RootsMagic 8 versions of those files.
From my experience, I would conclude
one of my RootsMagic 7 files imported without issue into RootsMagic 8
based on my limited experience, Free Form citations were imported into RootsMagic 8 correctly
my source templates, sources and citations are converting to RootsMagic 8 without issue.
My quest to clean up my RootsMagic 7 database may get sidetracked. The next step is to ‘count trees’ and then to merge them.
This task assumes that the goal is to have ONE tree. Instead of viewing my software as ‘family tree’ software, I view it as a database.
Database – a structured set of data held in a computer, especially one that is accessible in various ways.
Thus, I use my software to keep track of all of my research, as if the software were a specialized form of database software. Knowing that I use my software in this manner, I expected to have a fair number of ‘trees’ but I didn’t expect this many.
When I go to one of these ‘individual’ trees, I understand why I have these individuals by themselves. When I encounter data that may or may not be for someone in my tree, I have created a duplicate person and entered this new data for this duplicate person. Then I create a shared ‘Identity’ fact to link this new person to the person I think they match in my tree. Below is an example of such a person — Hampton Crandall – 8292.
These ‘identity’ facts were created in The Master Genealogist. It is one of my customizations from TMG which the sentence structure did not transfer well into RootsMagic.
At the top of my “count trees’ list, I find several larger trees. These are trees that I have researched because of possible ties to my own tree.
At this point, I don’t have enough information to connect them to my primary tree. Thus, they will remain as their own trees. And I won’t be ‘cleaning up’ these trees by merging them into my primary tree.
It’s not often that one finds a female spouse purchasing land in the late 1880s, but that is exactly what Angelina Jane Burke Currey did in 1879. Since there are several court documents in 1876 and 1877 where Angelina, her sister, Sarah Burke Hornbuckle and their husbands, Hiram Currey and Gilbert Hornbuckle sued two Burke brothers, Milton and John, for the partitioning of some land in Platte County, Missouri.
Further documentation needs to be found regarding this case and the associated land, but it appears that the court ordered that the land be sold with proceeds being split by the four siblings. Based on a deed between the two brothers, it appears that at least some of the disputed land was sold in 1877. The proceeds Angelina Burke Currey would have received from the sale of this land may have been the cash that allowed Angelina Currey to purchase land in 1879.
In August 1879, Angelina Jane Currey purchased by deed of sale from Owen Duffy and Catherine Duffy 20 acres of land being the South 1/2 of the Southwest quarter of the Southeast quarter of section 25 of township 9 of range 22 in Leavenworth County.
This deed, made the nineteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one Thousand Eight hundred and Seventy Nine between Owen Duffy and Catherine Duffy his wife of Leavenworth City in Leavenworth County and State of Kansas parties of the first part and Angelina J. Currey of the County of Leavenworth and State of Kansas party of the second part witnesseth that the said parties of the first part, for and in consideration of the sum of Six hundred dollars to them in hand paid by the said party of the second part the receipt whereof is hereby confessed and acknowledged, do by these presents, grant, bargain, sell, remise, release, alien, convey and confirm unto the said part of the second part and to her heirs and assigns forever, all of the following described piece and parcel of land lying and situate in the County of Leavenworth and State of Kansas, to wit: The South one half of the south west quarter of the south east quarter of section twenty-five (25) in Township nine (9) of Range twenty-two (22) containing twenty (20) acres. Together with all and singular the hereditaments and appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining: To have and to hold the said premises, with the hereditaments and appurtenances unto the said party of the second part her heirs and assigns forever, and the said Owen Duffy and Catherine Duffy for themselves and their heirs and legal representatives do hereby covenant to and with the said
page 376 part of the second part her heirs and assigns that they are lawfully seized of the premises aforesaid and [ha] full power to convey the same that the said premises are free and clear of and from all encumbrance except taxes for 1877, 1878 and 1879 and that they will forever warrant and defend the same with the appurtenances unto the said party of the second part her heirs and assigns forever against the lawful claims of all persons whomsoever In, testimony whereof the said parties of the first part have hereunto set their hands and seals this day and year first above written Owen Duffy (seal) Catherine Duffy (seal) executed in the presence of
State of Kansas Leavenworth County Be it remembered that on this 19th day of August AD Eighteen hundred and Seventy Nine before me the undersigned a notary public in and for the County and State aforesaid came Owen Duffy and Catherine Duffy his wife who are personally known to me to be the same persons who executed the foregoing instrument of writing and such persons duly acknowledged the execution of the same. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my notarial seal the day and year last above written. Aam’l Atwood, Notary Public.
The State of Kansas Leavenworth County I the undersigned county clerk, in and for said county, hereby certify that the property described in the within instrument of writing was entered in the Transfer Record in my office on this 20th day of August AD 1879 (seal county clerk) J W Wilkans, Clerk Recorded August 20th AD 1879 at 11 1/2 o’clock AM Wiliam Crowder Register of Deeds
Leavenworth County, Kansas, Deed Records, p. 375-376, Angelina J. Currey, 19 August 1879; Register of Deeds, Leavenworth County Courthouse.
In 1887, Angelina and her husband, Hiram Currey, sold a portion of this land to the Leavenworth Northern and Southern Railway Company.
Know all men by these presents that Angeline J Curry and H. M. Curry her husband of the County of Leavenworth in the State of Kansas in consideration of the sum of one hundred and seventy five 35/100 Dollars in hand paid by the Leavenworth Northern and Southern Railway Company a corporation duly organized, under the Company a corporation duly organized, under the Laws of the State of Kansas have bargained and sold and do hereby grant and convey unto the said Leavenworth Northern and Southern Railway Company its successors and assigns forever the following premises situated in the County of Leavenworth and State of Kansas and described as follows a strip of land one hundred (100) feet wide the same being fifty (50) feet in width on each side of the center line of the Railroad of said Railway Company as now located through and across the West Twenty (20) acres of the South forth (40) acres of the southeast quarter of section twenty five (25) township nine (9) south of range twenty two (22) East and from Station 808 +42 to Station 814 +40 said strip containing one and 37/100 acres To have and to hold siad premises with the appurtenances
page 225 unto the said Leavenworth Northern and Southern railway Company its successors and assigns forever and the said Angelina J Curry for herself and heirs doth hereby covenant with said Railway Company its successors and assigns that she is lawfully seized of the premises aforesaid: that the premises are free and clear from all incumbrances whatsoever and that he will forever Warrant and Defend the same with the appurtenances unto the said Leavenworth Northern and Southern Railway Co. its successors and assigns against the lawful Claims of all persons whomsoever. In Testimony whereof the said Angelina J Curry and H. M. Curry her husband have hereunto set their hands this eleventh day of January AD 1887 Angelina J Currey H. M. Currey The State of Kansas Leavenworth County On this Eleventh day of January AD 1887 before me Clerk of the District Court in and for said County personally came Angelina J Curry and H. M. Curry to me personally known to be the same persons who executed the foregoing instrument as grantors and they duly acknowledged the execution of the same. On witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my official seal on the day and year last above written. C W Curan Clerk of the District Court (seal of court) Entered in Transfer Record Book B page 134 J W Niehuas Clerk of Leavenworth County Seal of Co Clerk Recorded February 28th AD 1887 at 8 o’clock AM John J Roche Register of Deeds
Leavenworth County, Kansas, Deed Records, 1879-1893 page 224, Angelina J Curry and H. M. Curry, 11 January 1887; Register of Deeds, Leavenworth County Courthouse.
In 1889, Angelina and her husband Hiram Currey sold coal and mineral rights on one acre of their land to W. H. Bond.
Hiram M. Curry and Angeline J. Curry his wife do hereby sell, and warrant to W. H. Bond of Leavenworth Kansas or his assigns all strata and deposits of coal and other minerals underlying the following described land in E Side SE 1/4 Sec 25 Town (9) Range (22) 1 acre and S side SE 1/4 Sec 25 Town 9 Range (22) (20) acres in the County of Leavenworth and State of Kansas for the sum of twenty dollars per acre payable in the stock of The Boston Mining Company of Kansas city Kansas to in hand paid dated Leavenworth Kansas June 12th 1889 Angelina J. Currey Hiram M. Currey State of Kansas Leavenworth County ss. Be it remembered that on this 12th day of June A.D. 1889 before me the undersigned a notary public in and for the county aforesaid came Hiram M. Curry and Angeline J. Currey who are personally known to me to be the same persons who executed the foregoing instrument of writing and such persons duly acknowledged the same witness my hand and official seal the day and year last above written Jno H. Atwood (notarial seal) Notary Public My commission expires Apr 15th 1892 State of Kansas Leavenworth County SS I the undersigned County Clerk of the County of Leavenworth in the State of Kansas hereby certify that I have properly entered the transfer made by the within deed on the transfer record in my office as such clerk on page 276 of Book B thereof this 31 day of July 1.D. 1889 J. N. Niehaus Co Clerk (seal) Recorded July 31st A.D. 1889 at 8.20 oclock A.M. Peter C. Becker Register of Deeds
Leavenworth County, Kansas, Deed Records, 1879-1893, Hiram M Curry and Angelina J Curry, 12 June 1889; Register of Deeds, Leavenworth County Courthouse.
In 1893, Angelina and Hiram Currey lost their land after being sued by Samuel J. Sully. Samuel Sully sued for recovery of $578 on note of mortgage on the land
Samuel Sully filed a suit against Angelina J. Currey et al to recover $578 on note and mortgage on twenty acres in Section 25, township 9 range 22
“Local News,” The Leavenworth Times (Leavenworth, Kansas), 12 January 1893, page 6; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 22 January 2021).
In July 1893, the land was sold by Sheriff’s Deed.
Sheriff’s Deed Know all men by these presents, that whereas, at the April Term A.D. 1893, of the District Court of the County of Leavenworth, in the State of Kansas, and on the 10th day of July A.D. 1893 during said term of said Court, in a certain action then pending in said court wherein Samuel J Sully was plaintiff and Angelina J Curry Hiram M Curry, George W Mickle, the Moline Plan Company and the Bas[lou] Coal and Mining Company were defendants, the said plaintiff Samuel J Sully did, in and by the consideration of the said District Court, obtain and recover a judgment against the said Angelina J Curry and Hiram M. Curry for the sum of six hundred and sixty eight 11/100 dollars with interest thereon at the rate of ten per cent, per annum from the date, said the 10th day of July A.D. 1893, until paid, and also for all his (said plaintiff’s) costs in the action expended, in that judgement then taxed at $32/20 and that execution issue therefore: And Whereas, it was then and there in said action, in and by said Court, further Considered, ordered and adjudged that unless the defendants in that action, or some of them, or some person or persons should and did, within six (6) months from that time, pay to said Samuel J. Sully said sum of Six hundred and sixty eight 11/100 dollars with interest thereon at the rate of ten er cent, per annum from that time, said 10th day of July A.D. 1893, until paid, and [his] said Samuel J Sully costs in this action expended that the following described tract of land situate, lying and being in the County of Leavenworth, in the state of Kansas, namely: The South half of the Southwest quarter of the Southeast quarter of Section twenty five (25) township nine (9) range Twenty Two (22) containing twenty acres excepting that from one and thirty seven hundredths (1 37/) acre taken for right of way by The Leavenworth Northern & Southern Railway Company be sold without redemption therefrom, and without appraisement thereof, and that execution issue for the sale thereof, and that the same be sold in the same manner as in cases of sale of real estate on Execution: and that the officer making such sale appropriate and dispose of the proceeds arising therefrom by paying, First: The costs in said action incurred including the costs of such sale. Next and Second: by paying the taxes if any on and against said land. Next and Third: by paying plaintiffs judgment and interest theron and that he, such officer, bring the remainder such proceeds, if any there should be, into said Court for distribution and application thereof: And Whereas, it was also then by said Court, in said action, on said 10th day of July A.D. 1893, further considered, ordered and adjudged that the defendants therein and each of them, and all persons claiming by, from, through or under them, or any or either of them, be, and they were thereby that is, then in and by said Court, in said action by its judgment then rendered in said action, forever barred and forecloased of and from all and any right and equity of redemption and other right whatever of, on, or in or to the tract of land aforesaid from and after such sale thereof, and they, said defendants and each of them, and all persons claiming by, from, through or under them or any or either of them, were thereby, that is, in and by said Court in said action by its judgment then rendered in said action, ordered and required to yield, surrender and deliver possession of the tract of land aforesaid, to the purchaser or purchasers thereof at said sale, so soon as demand therefore should be made, and that in case they or any of them make default in so doing, that a Writ of Assistance issue to enforce such delivery of possession.
Leavenworth County, Kansas, Deed Records, 1879-1893 p. 181, Sheriff’s Deed – ANgelina J Curry, 10 July 1893; Register of Deeds, Leavenworth County Courthouse.
Have you ever looked at a chart or table someone else created to display their genealogy data in a different way and wondered what your own data might look like? For many people, this happened when Paul Hawthorne created a pedigree worksheet color coded by birth location.
Basically, she used the numbers on an ahnentafel chart to create a spreadsheet. Then, she color coded each person based six levels of research progress.
Using her blog as a guide, I decided to see what my research progress looked like. Even though there is no ‘fine line’ dividing some of these levels from another, I simplified my levels to the following:
Level 0 – No Information – no color
Level 1 – Names Only – pink
Level 2 – Vitals – orange
Level 3 – Family / Census – purple
Level 4 – Between the Dash – blue
Level 5 – Exhaustive Research – torquoise
Level 6 – Biography – green
Below is my color coded ahnentafel using the above levels.
Below is my dad’s side of the above chart. I used their ‘ahnentafel’ number instead of their name so the chart would stay compact. (See Wikipedia article for info on ahnentafel numbers.)
Followed by my mother’s side of the chart.
This chart helps me see where I need to do more research. The following images turn the numbers of my 7th generation into names.
I wasn’t surprised by my results. However, this visualization will help identify future research goals.
Heartland Genealogy 