The Traveling Genealogist

Transcribing Your Ancestor's Diary - Your Genealogy Crystal Ball

Did you know you own a "Crystal Ball"?  Well, you do.  "What?" you say.  I'm not a Fortune Teller.  I  have no "Crystal Ball".

 

Our Crystal Ball is our Genealogy research that we have been working on...some for many years...some for a few years.  Genealogy research lets us look into the future of our ancestor's life.  That's pretty much like having a Crystal Ball to see the future of our ancestor.

Why it is so important to transcribe those handwritten family diaries, journals, historical documents into a readable form 

I recently transcribed an 1883 diary for a client.  The author wrote about the husband's efforts to locate another house to rent.  She described the daily routine of moving to another house, preparing the house to be lived in, she noted the relatives that came to help sew the carpets", "make new shades for the rollers", "wash the mantel and globes in the front parlor".

Noticing the change of an address in the 10 year Federal Census record gave a clue the family had moved, but the 1883 diary gives us the exact day and time period when the move to the new address occured. Through the diary, in this case, we have detailed information of the event. It makes a connection of what we know now to what the historical document lets us know happened back then to cause a certain event in the lives of our ancestors. We can  call it a "Back to the Future" method of genealogy research.

We find in our Genealogy research the mention of a new child in the family. Census reports won't give us the time or the conditions under which the baby was born.  In this case the diary did just that with daily entries. 

Health issues were mentione after the birth, finding a girl to hire and help out with children and housework, checking Castle Gardens each day to find a girl arriving from, in this case, Sweden who needed work.

Yes, we could find in our research there had been a new baby born to the family, but we would not have known "everyone thinks she is the prettiest of all my children" and "I must teach her not to be vain".  Those are the details we need to know in order to understand and know our ancestors. They were so much more than names and dates.

If we read carefully the writings of the diary's author, we may find other information that gives us clues as to why things happened as they did.

For example, in this transcription project of the 1883 diary, the author carefully notes in her daily entries - "Ike came home from work with a headache and he was tired"...or "he couldn't sleep well last night because of a headache".  By noting the unusual number of times the husband had a headache, was tired or didn't feel well, we begin to think perhaps he was ill.  When a Death Certificate is located indicating he died in 1886 just 3 years later, you realize these could have been some of the first warnings to his condition.

Have you read the diary or journal left by your ancestor to find clues to why events happened? Reading someone's handwriting is difficult. Especially from another time period. Writing styles change, words become obsolete. We know there are changes in a person's handwriting even on one written page.

It isn't an easy task to transcribe the written word of our ancestor, but it is certainly worth the committment to do it ourselves or hire a professional to do it for us.

We do have a Crystal Ball to see into the future of our ancestors.  With their old diaries, journals, documents, and the wonderful records and documents we have access to, WE can piece together what we now know was THEIR future.

If your ancestor left you a diary, journal or document, either transcribe it yourself or hire a professional to do the task.  Get committed to the project. Then, share copies of that transcription with your siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles. It is so rewarding.

Once the document is transcribed into an easier format to read, sharing with others outside your family is always so appreciated.  Placing copies in the local library or museum where your ancestor lived is such a good idea and can be helpful to other Genealogists, especially if THEIR ancestor is named in the document.  You know...the one they are sure lived in the same town as your ancestor, but can't find a bit of information about them...except in YOUR ancestor's diary.

Family diaries, Journals and historical documents...our treasured heirlooms.

Can any of us predict when that budding genealogist in the future generations of our family will come along and be eager to read an original diary, journal, document that was written by his/her ancestor?

 

Do we wish we could share the wise words of our ancestors with the genealogical world?  Many of us do.  The answer. Transcribe your original diaries, journals, documents.  (or have someone do it for you) Place them in a repository and on the shelf where access is available to everyone.  You would not want to do this with the original. Originals are mostly likely placed in the Manuscript area and available only upon request.  Quite often only those with credentials are allowed to peruse the heirloom, but a copy.... a transcribed facsimilie....what a great idea you will have had.  Placing a copy in a library in the towns where your ancestor lived is such a gift.  Think about it.

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. 

From Newbie to Seasoned Genealogist - Sharing experiences

A Guest Submitter who is a "Seasoned Genealogist"  shares her genealogy travels and experiences.

"The Genealogy Trip That Wasn't"

 

Guest Submitter:  Genetripqueen

I began doing genealogy in December of 1998, planning, naively, to visit my ancestral homeland during my upcoming trip to Ireland in the summer of 1999.  I had little to go on except the names of my Great-Great Grandparents and that they were from County Tyrone.  

Sadly, I did not find out enough about them in the six months before my trip to “walk where they had walked”, nor have I found that information since.  My frustration with that search, though, didn’t deter me; it simply sent me in new directions. 

I had started out doing research the old fashioned way, using Soundex and printed indexes for census records, and borrowing census microfilm under Interlibrary Loan (ILL).  This was long before the age of computers and the instant gratification that is now common.  I sat in front of a microfilm reader at the library, for hours and days, paging through census records.  I became hooked on genealogy as I found that the town in Iowa where my Grandmother was born was filled with names I recognized, mysteries and revelations.  That winter, I paid attention to librarians, volunteers and fellow researchers, and began learning research techniques by trial and error.  I was soon spending my lunch hours at the local Family History Center.   Thus began my obsession. 

Over the years, I have pieced together most of my family history.  I have had my share of successes and continue to have my brick walls.  I have learned many lessons in my research.  It is my hope that by telling of my genealogy trip experiences; sharing ideas and tips I uncovered along the way, I can help those who are just beginning genealogy to avoid some early pitfalls.  Since my research now spans 12 ½ years, my experiences may also hold wisdom for those with expertise of their own.

To clarify, the trip to Ireland in June of 1999 did happen, and was fabulous for many reasons.  I do not consider that to have been a genealogy trip, however.  While I was able to spend some time in County Tyrone and to explore the Ulster American Folk Park, the focus was not research.  I hope to go back someday in search of my Irish roots, on a trip devoted to research. 

The Ulster American Folk Park is an open-air museum in Castletown, just outside Omagh in  County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. The Park explores the historical link between Ulster  and America, focusing particularly on the lifestyle and experiences of those immigrants who sailed from Ulster to America in the 18th and 19th centuries.

I became hooked on genealogy research trips, though, in July of 2000.  I went on my first research trip to the town of my grandmother’s birth, the burial place of her Grandparents as well as several other sites.  It was great fun.  There is nothing quite like the awe of finding an original document or standing on ancestral land.  There have been many trips since, and my next several trips are perpetually in the planning stages.  Stay tuned as I recount my adventures.  They are filled with frustrations, triumphs, rookie mistakes, fascinating places and wonderful characters.  You’ll soon see why small town America has become my favorite destinations.

150th Anniversary of the American Civil War

 

Hiwan Homestead Museum – Evergreen, CO

4208 S. Timbervale Drive
Evergreen, Colorado 80439
720-497-7650

Fateful Lightning: Colorado in the Civil War, 1861-1865

 

On April 12, 2011 Hiwan Homestead Museum will open a major exhibit called “Fateful Lightning: Colorado in the Civil War, 1861-1865”.   The exhibit focuses on the role Colorado played in the War.

This exhibit is a "must see" !

 What goes into creating this type of exhibit?

 

Director, John Steinle and Curator Meghan McGinnis have done a wonderful job of ferreting out varied and interesting artifacts from the Civil War that are in personal collections.  This will most likely be the only time you will see these artifacts on exhibit.

 

 

 

It takes dedicated volunteers to prepare and set up a display such as this

 

 

 

A few of the many items you will see and the stories of times past you will learn about through this exhibit.

Hardtack, eating utensils, rifles, photographs,Letters, diaries, cannon balls,  a beautiful quilt that  tells a story (really... you have to see this) and much, much more.

THE REYNOLDS GANG

Confederate soldiers who were in the Fairplay Unit, Leadville Unit,Denver Unit and Maces Hole companies formed into militias for Southern Independence in Colorado. 

Read more of this account of the Reynolds Gang by Johnny Walker

http://www.coloradovacation.com/history/reynoldsgang.html

FORT GARLAND

Fort Garland, built in 1858 was named for Brevet Brigadier General John Garland. Located “ on part of the Sangre de Cristo Grand, was leased by the United States government, the fort was established primarily to protect settlers from Indian resistance.”

Built in 1858, Fort Garland

“During the Civil War, troops from Fort Garland marched south to bolster Union forces against the Texan Confederates, who were attempting to capture the West.  With the defeat of the Texans near Santa Fe at Glorieta Pass in 1862, the West was saved for the Union”

"Kit" Carson took command of Fort Garland in 1866.

 Read more about Fort Garland

http://museumtrail.org/StoryofFortGarland.asp

Colonel John M. Chivington and the Sand Creek Massacre

There are photographs and artifacts in the Hiwan Museum exhibit relating to both Colonel John M. Chivington and the first Territorial Governor of Colorado, John Evans.

Read about the life of  Colonel Chivington.  Chivington is buried at Fairmount Cemetery in Denver, CO 

http://www.lastoftheindependents.com/chivington.html

 

In addition, the historic property and house of the Hiwan Homestead will be a bonus for your visit.

"Hiwan Homestead Museum is a 25-room log mansion constructed in the Rustic style of architecture. Hiwan Homestead Museum is a Jefferson County Open Space facility operated in partnership with the Jefferson County Historical Society.  The Museum was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. "

Genealogiests, Historians, Researchers

The Hiwan Homestead Museum contains the following information that would be of interest to Genealogist, Historians, Researchers, etc.,  who are searching for information about the early history and people of this area.

Local history files on locations, people, families and events (approximately 300 files)

Oral History recordings by Jefferson County "old timers" (approximately 50 ready for researchers).

Photograph collection including approximately 4,000 photos of Jefferson County and the surrounding area.

Maps of the Evergreen area, some including property lines and owners' names.

Historical Library of Jefferson County and surrounding area, including about 400 books.

Manuscript Collection of original documents including information on some local ranches, businesses, individuals, etc.

Burial records at some cemeteries

http://jeffco.us/openspace/openspace_T56_R10.htm

Museum Hours
Open Tuesday - Sunday
Sept. - May, Noon to 5 p.m.
June - Aug., 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

4208 S. Timbervale Drive
Evergreen, Colorado 80439
720-497-7650

 

Colorado Railroad Museum and Library - Golden, CO

Colorado Railroad Museum

Robert W. Richardson Railroad Library

17155 W. 44^th Avenue

Golden Colorado 80403

 

Submitter: Pat Bishop

I’ve been searching for a long time of any mention, in any accident report, document, notation, etc. of where my great, great grandfather died in 1870. The family history was that he had been hit and killed in a train accident somewhere in Kansas. I’ve always wondered if there are accident reports out there from that time period and where they might be.    

 In my search, I came across the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden, CO. I noticed on their website the Robert W. Richardson Railroad Library is part of this museum. http://www.coloradorailroadmuseum.org/library 

 I took a little trip over there to see what it was all about. Railroad buffs visiting this museum will think they’ve died and gone to heaven. What a fun and interesting museum!

 

I visited with the Library Archivist, Ken Forrest. He was gracious and showed me around their stacks and explained the primary source documents they have. The collection includes histories, photo histories, atlases, corporate histories, biographies, reference books and some employee records.

The library includes information and documents about the Colorado Southern, Denver & Rio Grand Western, Union Pacific, Denver Tramway railroads. The Denver Union Terminal and Railway Co. owned the Union Station in Denver.                                                                                            

 There are employee records housed here listed in the Seniority Lists book.  Unfortunately those books are not indexed, but persistence could pay off if you are looking for an ancestor who worked for any of the railroads mentioned.

These books list the start date of employment for those who trained as Brakemen, then moved on to be Conductors.  Firemen moved on to become Engineers. Here is a list of the names on one page of one of the many books.  Maybe you’ll get lucky and see your ancestor’s name.

Names	Entered Service	Names	Entered Service
Zolper, J.P.                Young, V.L Tower, K.K Long, W.E Joerger, P.R Kalemanoff, A.N.      Joerger, R. A Glaser, F.P.  Lehnert, A   Glydewell, L. E.   Pratt, H.       Jones, H. B. Kennedy, R. T. Camper, T.E. Henness, F. C. Braungardt, R. D. Kenyon, G Lowe, D. A. Leifheit, G. H. Vance, L. W. Fox, J. F.	5-1-56 5-1-56 5-1-56 5-1-56 5-1-56 5-1-56 5-1-56 5-1-56 5-23-56 5-23-56 5-28-56 5-28-56 6-3-56 6-12-56 7-1- 56 8-2-56 8-8-56 8-17-56 10-15-56 10-15-56 10-15-56	Sheffler, M. E. Minner, D. M. Sanders, J. E. Graves, E. G. Hoof, C.E. Mayberry, R. J. Zink, E. L. Pilcher, H. W. Hoaglund, C. A. Charles, R. R. Colwell, D. F. Dixon, R. C. Clark, J. Z. Malone, J. D. Benson, M. L. Benson, M. L. Horstman, W. O. Stoltz, K. T. Eshelman, V. L. Fredres, R. Pokorny, E. Herring, R.L.	10-15-56 10-15-56 10-15-56 10-15-56 10-15-56 10-15-56 10-15-56 10-15-56 11-7-56 4-18-57 4-18-57 4-20-57 4-22-57 4-25-57 4-25-57 5-18-57 6-12-57 6-27-57 7-2-57 8-27-57 8-27-57 9-1-57

As far as finding an accident report, Ken said that most records of accidents were of major accidents and even then, if the cause was evident, there may not have been an accident report. He did mention some lucky genealogists who visited the library a few weeks ago and found mention of their ancestor in a primary record. The time period was around the 1870’s. That doesn’t happen often. Looking for an ancestor is similar to looking for a needle in a haystack.  Records are kept in the lower level. A volunteer will assist you if you have fairly specific information of what and who you are looking for. That volunteer will then go down to the storage and find the document. A visitor is not permitted in the document storage area.

There are book stacks you are welcome to look through, however, this being a Reference Library, none can be checked out. I did find mention of my Uncle in Who’s Who in Railroad. He was VP of Transportation for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad in California. That was fun.

All in all, it was a nice experience, the people were friendly and there were some very hard working volunteers in there cataloging the collections they receive from donors. 

Even if you don’t have ancestors who worked for the railroads, it is a great place to visit.  Volunteers are the backbone of the conservation projects that keep the 100 pieces of train equipment in good condition.

 

A Dedicated Volunteer

 

 

 I make vintage style hand cut wooden jigsaw puzzles. Here's one I made of the old engines on the Georgetown Loop in Colorado.

            I use 1/4 inch Finland Birch. The puzzle trays are great for working a puzzle when relaxing on a train ride. The tray keeps the pieces in place. If you are interested in having a vintage style wood jigsaw puzzle made for your collection, just contact me at psb43@earthlink.net