The Traveling Genealogist

We don’t say it like we used to!

I  recently completed, for a client,  a 93 page transcription (legal size pages....handwritten) of an 1810 murder trial.  They were the defense attorney’s handwritten notes taken during the trial.   It was very interesting and I found by the final page I had acquired my own judgment of the case. I think the defendant was “robbed”.   It seems murder couldn’t be proved, but manslaughter could and his punishment was “burning an “M” on his left hand”.  Better than the alternative.

 

The expressions by the witnesses, the defendant, and the attorney arguments, all had a flair and archaic ring to them. Phrases that are no longer in use today, but were used over 200 years ago connected with the jury.

 

 

“Heard A. speak to D^r of cow theives;                                    
then old M. told him to go away from his company;he did not want rascals to be in his company”.

 

When was the last time you used the word “rascal”?

The “fray” started due to a group of men, including the defendant, being “in consultation” on a log (and some say drinking others say “not a drop”.)

(Harper's Weekly)

These "boys" must be "in consultation at the bar not on the log, but, you get the idea.

 

Descriptions were colorful, indeed.

 

Watching the dead body of A.; in hopes no doubt that some half uttered  sound may escape his lifeless lips that praying can distort into the justification of his murderers. Can the deep caverns of hell vomit forth a monster more foul than this? A demon more irascible than him, who professing the religion of Christ, is yet the helpmate of thieves?

 

 

Within what bounds was his resentment ever curbed?  Did he not hold the whole country in awe.  Was he not the most impetuous.  the most violent, the dangerous private citizen that ever lived in any country governed by law.  Long had the most deadly animosity influenced his bosom against the family.

 

Strategy of the lawyer for the defendant

Were his motives like theirs?  Are the sentiments which animate the bosom of a son when he interposes to save an aged father from danger & from death, to be classed with the feelings which urge the  highwayman to his midnight assault upon the unsuspecting traveler?

 

 

Transcribing old script is often a challenge. You feel as though you are sailing along reading the text, words are familiar and then WHAM! you come across an ink blot, a torn edge, a difficult handwritten word, or just a word you never thought about using in that context. Of course, you then have Secretary Hand thrown into the difficulty and misspelled words.

With many of the manuscripts I transcribe, I begin to feel I know personally the characters involved. As with this murder case, I felt as though I had become a member of the Jury and frankly I think the defendant was innocent. But then, I wasn’t there. 

The Genealogy Journey Continues

Orient Cemetery

  Adair County, IA

 

Guest Submitter: Genetripqueen

On this trip, our first stop was the Orient Cemetery in Adair County.

 

Orient Cemetery

As expected, Jesse and Catherine Doan were buried in this beautiful, well kept, hilltop cemetery.  It  was easy to find with our directions, and small enough that it didn’t take us long to find their headstones.  We wrote out transcriptions and drew the placement of stones in our notebooks in case nearby stones were for colateral relatives.  We also cleaned up around the stones, took many pictures and just enjoyed the feeling of knowing their remains were below us and their children had walked this same ground as they mourned.  We had brought some supplies, but found that we need many more.  It was after this visit that I researched and developed my "cemetery bucket", which has accompanied me on all driving genealogy trips since.       

Cemetery Kit                                             

For cleaning up around stones

• Hand spade  
• Clippers
• Stiff brush
• Kneeling pad
• Gardening gloves
• Rag
• Plastic scraper

For doing rubbings (not allowed in many cemeteries)

• Large pieces of paper                                                                
• Preschool crayons (take paper off and turn lengthwise)
• Masking tape

To ensure readable photographs before you leave the cemetery

• Digital camera, extra batteries
• Aluminum foil or a mirror (to shine light or direct sunlight across a stone from the side)
• Chalk (to rub across lettering to make it readable.  This is controversial; wash off if used)
• Water (in a spray bottle if possible) This is good for adding contrast to stones

To record inscriptions and placement of stones in the cemetery

• Notebook
• Pen &/or pencil with sharpener
• Magnifying glass

For comfort and safety

• Insect repellent
• Sunscreen
• Nail polish (to take the itch out of chigger bites)
• Snacks and water
• Moist towelettes
• Long stick for snake avoidance
• Umbrella and extra shoes in the car in case if rain

Also carry, on your person, in a safe place

• Cell phone
• Car keys

The Greenfield, Adair County, Cemetery   that we visited the same day turned out  to be a treasure trove of information.  It holds many of my Quinn and our Doane ancestors as well as collateral families.  One visit to this cemetery was not enough.  I have been back many times. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greenfield Cemetery, Adair County, IA              

Clyde C. Doane 1879 - 1928

M. Estella Doane 1892 - 1935

 

 

 

 

Ironically, my Quinns and Doanes continue to come to life  based on information gleaned from  this cemetery.   

                                                                                       308 NE Elm St
Greenfield, IA 50849-1111
(641) 743-2812

Greenfield Cemetery

Libraries Can Be Exceptional Resources

This trip was the first time since college that I went to a library to do research.  The Greenfield, Adair County; Leon, Decatur County; and Mt Ayr, Ringgold County libraries held much more relevant information than we had time to explore on this trip. 

Greenfield Library, 202 South 1st Street, Greenfield, IA 50849-1470,             (641) 743-6120

Leon Public Library, 200 West 1^st Street, Leon, IA 50144-1355,                 (641) 466-3746

Mt. Ayr Public Library, 121 West Monroe Street, Mount Ayr, IA 50854-2159, (641) 464-2159

Libraries and the librarians to be found in them are high on my list of research tools.  A small town library can have donated books from across the country and sometimes a surprisingly large local history and genealogy section.  The librarian can be counted on to be helpful.  Sometimes, though, they will bend over backwards, call locals who might help, steer you toward unbound volumes of local history, sexton’s records, manuscripts, pictures, obituaries, etc.  The list is endless.  I’ve always found that being friendly, telling them how far I’ve come and what I’m looking for brings a great response.

We stopped at several courthouses, in Adair, Ringgold and Decatur counties.

Decatur County Courthouse, Leon, IA

All allowed us access to the books though we had not called ahead.  We wrote out information from the huge, heavily bound registers and indexes and got the copies we needed.  This was my very first experience with courthouses, so I was rather intimidated.  I didn’t log the details for this trip, but courthouse copies are usually expensive and often have to be made by a staff member.  If it’s a courthouse you may never visit again, it’s safest to get all the copies you might need.  If it’s one you can frequent, write out some information from the indexes with a plan to return. 

Come back and visit this site for further interesting and valuable findings of Genetripqueen.

 

Allegheny Courthouse Research - Pittsburgh, PA

Allegheny County Courthouse Complex
436 Grant Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15219

http://www.county.allegheny.pa.us/directions/index.aspx#map

 

Guest Submitter: Nanci Markusson

The courthouses in Allegheny County, PA  are in Pittsburgh.  

They are across the street from each other on Ross Street between 4^th and Forbes.   One holds the Department of Court Records and the Wills/Orphans’ Court Division (and marriage licenses).    

The other is the Department of Real Estate and holds the deeds.  The index to the early deeds is indexed differently than with Grantee and Grantor indexes so be sure to ask for help when using them.  

Everyone was pleasant and more than willing to help in both buildings.  I found them both the nicest courthouses in which to research.  I didn’t notice parking close by, but downtown Pittsburgh is an easy city to walk in and find your way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another source for researching in Allegheny County is the Carnegie Library in Pittsburgh.  It is located at 4400 Forbes Ave.  The genealogical material will be found in the Pennsylvania Division.  The Microfilm Room adjoins the Pennsylvania Division and among other things contains Pennsylvania census records and copies of Allegheny County Courthouse records.  I didn’t get there but it sounds like a valuable resource.

Other libraries that may have material are the Hillman Library and the Darlington Library at the University of Pittsburgh.   The library of the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania, the Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society and the Historic Pittsburgh Project are now in Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center.