Sunday 11 June 2017

GeneaBloggersTRIBE

When I started blogging about my genealogy adventures in 2012, I discovered this wonderful creation called GeneaBloggers. It was a community resource for genealogy and family history bloggers and was run by Thomas MacEntee. I was so excited when I discovered this community because at the time I did not know anyone who was a geneablogger, let alone into genealogy. I have much appreciation and thanks for GeneaBloggers as it allowed me to connect with many amateur and professional genealogists around the world. It is very exciting when you finally get to meet in person at a genea-event too. I know I have made some lifelong friends. 

At the beginning of May, Thomas announced that he was taking a step back from GeneaBloggers to focus on his other genealogy interests. In my opinion, I felt GeneaBloggers had become such a vital part of the genea-world, that if it did not exist anymore there would be a gap. Thomas had announced that as of June 1, the GeneaBloggers domain and other assets would be redirected to Abundant Genealogy. Towards the end of May, I noticed a couple of my genea-mates putting the call out for volunteers who would be interested in joining together to keep GeneaBloggers going, with Thomas' agreement of course. I did not even hesitate to say yes! A core group of about 20 volunteers from various countries and time zones signed up. As Thomas was retaining the GeneaBloggers domain, we needed to come up with something new. 

On June 1, GeneaBloggersTRIBE was announced. Thomas posted the official announcement on GeneaBloggers. The team behind GeneaBloggersTRIBE will continue to provide links to resources, daily blogging prompts, and highlight new and/or improved content-providing technologies. You can find support for not just blogging, but other content providing formats such as podcasts, vlogging, and micro-blogging (Twitter, Instagram etc). It's not just about blogging!

GeneaBloggersTRIBE - for the new badge, click here.

I am so excited to be part of the leadership team for GeneaBloggersTRIBE. I am one of two Aussies with my mate Jill - GeniAus. I am also the youngest on the team, and would love to see GeneaBloggersTRIBE carried out into the future. Huge props go to Pat Richley-Erickson and Laura Hedgecock for being our transitional leaders and ensuring everyone was and is aware of their roles.

The team is still settling in, so do bear with us while we're finding our feet...or mouses. If you are interested in volunteering, please do not hesitate to contact us! 

Tuesday 6 June 2017

Trove Tuesday: An Engagement

I was quite excited to find today's Trove Tuesday as I had not seen it before. It is the engagement announcement for my paternal Grandparents which was in the Nambucca and Bellinger News on August 11, 1944.

Awww!
[Source: Family Notices (1944, August 11). Nambucca and Bellinger News (NSW : 1911 - 1945),
p. 2. Retrieved June 6, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article214657964]
They married on October 12, 1944.

Nanna & Poppa.
[Source: Personal Collection]

Sunday 4 June 2017

Census Sunday: 1880 USA Census

Grave of Mary Polly (George) Couch.
Italy Cemetery, Texas, USA.
[Source: Find A Grave]
The other day I decided to dive back into the world of my American ancestors. I thought I would have a look at my 4x Great Grandparents John Couch and Mary 'Polly' George. John was born in about 1800 in South Carolina and passed away in 1863 in Odgen, Utah. Mary Polly was born in 1804 in Tennessee and passed away on 30 June 1882 in Italy, Ellis County, Texas. They married in approximately 1828 in Alabama and had eight children - Elva Jane, Samuel Mitchell, John Meredith, William Jackson, Mary Elizabeth, Marion Walker, Nancy, and James Keys Clark.

When I checked Mary Polly's hints on Ancestry, I noticed there was one for the 1880 US Census in Ellis County, Texas. This made sense as she is buried in Italy Cemetery, Ellis County.

Mary Polly is Number 36 below. She is 75 years old, and has her Granddaughter Lizzie Couch with her. It tells me that Mary Polly's parents were both born in North Carolina, which I did not know. I don't even know her parent's names. Mary's sons Samuel and Marion both married Cherokee women. According to the census, Lizzie Couch's mother was born in 'Cherokee Nation' but I'm yet to figure out if her father was Samuel or Marion.

1880 USA Census showing Mary Couch
[Source: Year: 1880; Census Place: Precinct 4, Ellis, Texas; Roll: 1301; Family History Film: 1255301; Page: 491B; Enumeration District: 050. Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 1880 United States Federal Census [database on-line]]. 




Mary Elizabeth Sharp nee Couch, approx 1900.
[Source: Personal Collection]
Hang on a minute! I see a Sarah Couch and Nancy Couch just above Mary. Who are they living with? Mary E Sharp. Sarah and Nancy are Mary E's nieces. Who is Mary E Sharp? Mary Elizabeth Couch, Mary Polly's daughter. Mary Elizabeth is my 3x Great Grandmother. She was born in 1838, Alabama, and in about 1855 she married Jesse Euing Sharp, my 3x Great Grandfather. Mary Elizabeth is listed as a Widow, which is correct as Jesse passed away around 1861. Mary Elizabeth's nieces Sarah and Nancy, also have their mother's birthplace as 'Cherokee Nation' - two more children of Marion and/or Samuel. Mary Elizabeth's two sons with her are William and John Sharp. In addition to William and John, Mary and Jesse Sharp had two older children - Jessie Mitchell and Mary.
Mary Elizabeth passed away in 1915 and is buried in Frost Cemetery, Texas.


Okay, let's pause on the Couch/Sharp family for a minute.

Below Mary and Lizzie Couch is a George W Spencer. George is with his wife Frances E and children Burnett, Mattie, George, Jesse P, William, and Charles.

How are they relevant? What's going on? Who are they? All the questions!

George W Spencer is none other than George Washington Spencer, my 3x Great Grandfather. George (1832 Alabama - 1904 Texas) married Frances Elizabeth McWilliams (1837 Mississippi - 1908 Texas) in 1855, Mississippi. In addition to the six children listed above, they had two older children - Julia Latchapalee and Mary.

George Washington Spencer
approx 1880s.
[Source: Personal Collection]
Cast your eyes back to the census for a minute. Who do you see at the bottom, underneath the Spencer's?

Do you see the surname McFaddin?

Who is listed as the Wife? Julia L...also known as Julia Latchapalee Spencer! In 1877, Julia married Porter McFadden in Ellis County, Texas. They had one son, George Beveley McFadden, born in February 1880. He is the baby listed with them.

Sadly, in 1882, Porter McFadden passed away which left Julia on her own with a toddler. But not for long...

Because on the 25th of April, 1885, in Corsicana, Navarro County, Texas, Julia Latchapalee Spencer McFadden married Jesse Mitchell Sharp. This is how the the Sharp/Couch family and the Spencer family become one. Julia and Jesse are my 2x Great Grandparents.

Marriage Record for Julia Spencer and Jessie Sharp.
[Source: "Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-1965," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/QV1C-Q4WT : accessed 4 June 2017), Jesse W Or Jesse M Sharp and Julia L Mcfadden, 08 Apr 1885, Marriage; citing Navarro, Texas, United States, various county clerk offices, Texas State Library and Archives Commission, Texas Dept. of State Health Services and Golightly-Payne-Coon Co.; FHL microfilm 1,034,859.]

Thanks to the 1880 Census, I think it is safe to say that the Couch's/Sharp's and Spencer's knew each other well before the wedding of 1885.


Five Years

Five years ago, on the 4th of June 2012, my beautiful Nanna passed away. 

Five years? Already? Sometimes it feels like yesterday.

Forever missing you Nanna.


Eunice & Caitlin, 22 Apr 1995
[Source: Personal Collection]
Eunice Dyer, Graduation Photo 1942,
Sydney Sanitarium & Hospital
[Source: Personal Collection]





Eunice Hazel Dyer

3 May 1916 - 4 June 2012.

Eunice & Caitlin, Jan 2012.
[Source: Personal Collection]