GeneaBloggers

Don’t forget that today is Sentimental Sunday. If you have your own genealogy or family history related blog, you can participate in Sentimental Sunday. What is it?

Sentimental Sunday is a daily blogging theme used by many genealogy bloggers to help them post content on their sites.

To participate in Sentimental Sunday, simply create a post in which you discuss a sentimental story or memory about an ancestor, or maybe even a family tradition that touches you.

Here are the latest Sentimental Sunday posts from our member genealogy bloggers:

© 2010, copyright Thomas MacEntee

The overnight ratings for Episode 2 of Who Do You Think You Are? with Emmitt Smith  are up over at MediaWeek:

In week two news, NBC’s Who Do You Think You Are? picked up steam (a rarity for any new series), with a competitive second-place finish in both total viewers (7.15 million) and adults 18-49 (1.8/ 6) at 8 p.m. Comparably, that was an increase of 240,000 viewers and 12 percent in the demo from it’s week-ago series-opener (Viewers: 6.91 million; A18-49: 1.6/ 6 on March 5, based on the final nationals).

Good news!  It seems that WDYTYA is “picking up steam” just as we had hoped – a 12% increase!

© 2010, copyright Thomas MacEntee

We just received the following information from Ancestry as to the research process used during the second episode of Who Do You Think You Are? with Emmitt Smith:

Post-1870 Research

Vital records, census records and other primary sources allowed the research team to document Emmitt’s family tree back to great-great-grandparents – William Watson and Victoria Puryear. A 1900 U.S. Federal Census record from Monroe County, Alabama, indicated William and Victoria were both born in Alabama during the Civil War. These facts suggested that William and Victoria could have been born slaves, and perhaps their parents as well.

Since Victoria and William were born in the early 1860s, it was likely that records created post-1870 could shed some light on their parents. Vital records were especially helpful here; Victoria’s death certificate included the names of her parents, Prince Puryear and Annie McMillian.

The 1870 U.S. Federal Census added clues: Prince Puryear and his family (including young Victoria) were listed in Monroe County, Alabama. Additional Puryear households were also found on the same census page. The ages for the heads of the Puryear households made them potential brothers of Prince. These heads of households also had the same racial designation as Prince – Mulatto. Finally, one of the households listed a 55-year-old Mulatto woman born in Virginia named Mariah Puryear. “Our first thought was ‘Could Mariah be Prince’s mother?’” says genealogist Joseph Shumway, AG, of ProGenealogists. If the answer was yes, if Mariah was Prince’s mother, then Mariah would be Emmitt’s 4th great-grandmother.

Pre-Civil War Documentation

The research team needed to establish whether Mariah Puryear from the 1870 census was Prince Puryear’s mother. Slave research involves looking at records pertaining to the slave-holding families. Vital records were not kept for slaves, however slaves may be mentioned in records created when the slave owner dies and in records pertaining to deeded transactions. So the research team first had to determine the identity of the slave-holding family. Once found, the family’s records could reveal further information about Prince Puryear’s family and his potential connection to the woman named Mariah.

Emancipated slaves, in general, didn’t stray too far from their most recent owner’s property. In addition, many former slaves retained the surname of the former slave holders. So the researchers turned back to the 1870 census, looking for white families in the same vicinity as Emmitt’s Puryear ancestors. Interestingly enough, there was a white Puryear family living in Monroe County, Alabama. This family, potentially, could have been the slave-holding family.

The Puryears, like many slave owners, had extensive real estate, so the team looked for the family’s land records, deeds, and probate records. In the Monroe County probate records (on microfilm at the Family History Library), the researchers found probate records pertaining to the 1850-51 estate of Mary Puryear. The inventory of Mary’s property was a key document. In it she listed Mariah and her children, by name: “Mariah and children Henry, Mary, McTom, Victoria and Prince Albert.” Henry and Thomas were the names of two potential Puryear brothers who appeared on the same 1870 census page with Prince and Mariah. The inventory “matched the information we’d found in the census,” says Joseph. “With the combination of names and location, there was no doubt.”

Further records showed that Mary Puryear was the widow of slave owner Alexander Puryear and helped to solidify the connection between Prince, Mariah and the Puryear slave-holding family. “There are records out there,” Joseph concludes. “Just be persistent.”

Next Week: Lisa Kudrow

You won’t want to miss next week’s episode. Lisa Kudrow sets out to learn the hard truth about what really happened to her Jewish ancestors during World War II. Despite the cold details of how the Holocaust impacted her family, Lisa’s episode ends with a silver lining. You can view a preview featuring Lisa Kudrow, and tune into NBC for the full episode on Friday, March 19, at 8/7c.

* * *

Thank you to Anastasia Tyler, PR & Events Manager at Ancestry for keeping us updated!

© 2010, copyright Thomas MacEntee

[Note: this is a regular feature of GeneaBloggers which highlights new genealogy and family history-related blogs as well as those recently discovered by members of GeneaBloggers. Use the Suggest A Blog! link in the menu bar to pass along information on new blogs.]

There are 17 newly-discovered genealogy and family-history related blogs that we’ve located this week for a total of 961 genealogy blogs on our list! Remember to try and help out these new blogs by:

- using the Follow feature if the blog is hosted on Blogger
- adding them to your blog reader
- adding a comment on their blog saying “hi” and “welcome”

Here are this week’s new listings:

A Friend of Friends
http://afriendoffriends.com/
Blog type: African-American genealogy

Greetings & welcome to A Friend of Friends (AFoF)! I’m Luckie Daniels, one of the Conductors on this modern-day, digital version of the Underground Railroad. Our goal at AFoF is simple –we are here to assist our Ancestors in achieving their freedom, finding their voice and restoring their name.

In the TRUE spirit of the Underground Railroad, we’re aided in this effort by A Friend of Friends, strangers–for the most part–who have joined us on this journey of discovery and restoration.

These are truly exciting times in the world of genealogy and I am encouraged that we are traveling this road together.

The AFoF slave document and artifact repository will set a historical precedent, a shining example of descendants–slave and slave owner–working together for a common goal. We epitomize the meaning of community!:-)

Thank you for being A Friend of Friends.

Betty’s Genealogy Blog
http://bettysgenealogyblog.blogspot.com/
Blog type: Individual family history

My name is Betty, and I love to do research. This blog will be a place where I share new discoveries, little miracles, and “brick walls”, as well as general discussions on history and genealogy, as I continue to search out all the branches of my family tree in the United States and beyond.

Bits of Yesterday
http://www.patty-knight.blogspot.com/
Blog type: Individual family history

Here’s a small glimpse into the “craziness” that is my life as a scrapbooker, dog owner, book lover, cruise addicted, wife, daughter, sister, mother of seven and grandmother of six, who has NOW discovered GENEALOGY. Grab a cup of coffee, pull up a chair and join in the MADNESS that is my life!!

Blogging History
http://darknickerbockers.wordpress.com/
Blog type: New York genealogy

Knickerbocker Chapter Welcomes You!  Membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) honors and preserves the legacy of your Patriot ancestor. Over two hundred years ago, American Patriots fought and sacrificed for the freedoms we enjoy today. As a member of DAR, through participation in the Society’s various programs and activities, you can continue this legacy by actively supporting historic preservation, promotion of education, and patriotic endeavors.

Organized on December 11, 2004 by 19 members, including Organizing Regent Anne Teasdale (the chapter was previously organized in 1897 but disbanded in 1961).  Chapter meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. Prospective members welcome.

Knickerbocker means native or inhabitant of the city or state of New York. Also the pseudonym under which Washington Irving wrote History of New York, a book about active American writers in the early 19th century.  Please contact durinda.underwood@gmail.com with any questions.

Cape Cod Genealogical Society
http://blog.capecodgensoc.org/
Blog type: Genealogy society blogs, Massachusetts genealogy

Founded in 1971, the Cape Cod Genealogical Society acquires, catalogs, and preserves genealogical and historical information, emphasizing but not limited to Cape Cod.

The Society gathers and disseminates genealogical and historical information through a collection of diverse activities.

Climbing My Family Tree
http://www.climbingmyfamilytree.com/
Blog type: Individual family history

Hi! I’m Jennifer, Army wife, home schooling mom of 5 wonderful kids, and self-proclaimed genealogy nerd.

I started doing family history soon after my first child was born in 1999. I had recently become a stay-at-home mom after serving in the Air Force and I needed something to keep my mind busy. And boy has it kept me busy!

I have taken a few classes at Monterey Peninsula College. I would love to further my genealogical education, but I have five small children my time is limited. I’ve only made it to one small conference – but I would love to hit one of the big ones!!

My idea of a great vacation involves traipsing around cemeteries and spending hours looking through microfiche of old newspapers. My poor husband has been a pretty good sport. I’m sure he didn’t want to spend his vacation time in Iowa, but he did it – and I love him for it.

Besides genealogy, I love photography, traveling, and reading. My other blog www.SergeantMajorMom.com is centered around my daily life, home schooling and LOTS of pictures!!

Digital Cemetery Walk
http://digitalcemeterywalk.blogspot.com/
Blog type: Cemetery blogs, Graveyard Rabbit blogs

What you’ll find here…

Interesting cemeteries and headstones from my cemetery walks. Click on photos to enlarge. Be sure to check the label for location or category. Subscribe via email or Follow Me! Thanks for stopping by.

Finding Patrick
http://findingpatrick.wordpress.com/
Blog type: Individual family history

It is eight years since I came to hear about my Irish ancestry. I had collected my mother from Nottingham from my home in Yorkshire and we drove up to Newcastle-Upon-Tyne for the funeral of my great aunt Evelyn. It was then a a family gathering that I heard about Patrick McEvoy from Cork. A few years later I began my search for him.

My name is Jennifer, please call me Jenn, and I live in West Yorkshire in the UK. Once upon a time I was a nurse, midwife and more recently a hypnotherapist. My one passion now is to discover from where in Ireland came Patrick or Barnard, I’ll tell you abour Barnard later. I am a vegetarian of sorts, I will not eat meat but will eat fish. I have four adorable cats and my husband and I are hoping to move to France in the near future.

This is, or rather will be, a recording of the trials and tribulations of my efforts to chart my family tree.

Is Meets Was
http://ismeetswas.blogspot.com/
Blog type: Individual family history

I decided to write about Henry Webster, the progenitor of the World Wide Websters. The World Wide Websters are email-buddies who are descended by blood or marriage from Henry Webster. Members live in Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, New Zealand, and the USA.

Journey Home
http://journeyhome-jack.blogspot.com/
Blog type: Individual family history

Hi! My name is Jack. I am currently a student and work at Walmart. I love my family, and my puppy Jackie D. I am currently trying to find out who my ancestors are on my father’s side. I do not need to know who they are to know who I am, but I am very close to my family. So, I would like to know where I came from. I currently live with my family to save money while I am in school.

Mariah’s Zepher
http://mariahszepher.blogspot.com/
Blog type: African-American genealogy, Individual family history

Mariah is my elusive gg-grandmother and Zepher is my mother,Mariah’s g-granddaughter. It is amazing to me that both names have a little to do with the wind. There was a song “They called the windMariah”, and Zepher is a gentle breeze.

Mariah the wind I imagine is all over the place. That’s probably why I can’t find my gg grand on the 1870 and 1880 census. One day she will calm down and blow right into that page that I have overlooked, ease my mind, then watch me do a happy dance.

Now Zepher was something herself. A gentle lady who knew how to calm your nerves, made you laugh gently or laugh where your whole body would shake. Make no mistake though, she did not play when it came anyone taking advantage of her kids. She was then like aNor’easter.

I started this blog in their honor. Mixing in a little Texas genealogy and history, a few funny stories as I go along as well as other tidbits.

Mary Chrapliwy’s Genealogy Research Blog
http://marychrapliwy.wordpress.com/
Blog type: Research blogs

I am a graduate student at Rowan University. I created this blog to document my research, loosely focused on tracing my roots and creating my family tree. It was also created to document activities in the graduate research class (Core II).

Ms Roots
http://tmailhes.wordpress.com/
Blog type: African-American genealogy, Individual family history, Mississippi genealogy

This blog is a part of ongoing research of the Hathorn and Graves families of Jefferson Davis County, MS and the Hill and Wright families of Oktibbeha County, MS.

On a flesh and bone foundation: An Irish History
http://www.thesearchforanneandmichael.blogspot.com/
Blog type: Individual family history, Irish genealogy

For as long as I can remember I have had a feeling of not quite belonging, of being isolated as the only member of my family who is not Irish born. I was born in Canada but have never felt completely Canadian. My parents and brother emigrated to Canada when my brother was very small, and yet somehow I have always felt as though part of me was left behind, my history. I had a sort of longing for a deep connection to something solid, something real, and for me that was Ireland. I was born shortly after my parents arrived and as I was growing up it seemed to me as though Canada had been only a place to come to for work, for opportunity and advancement, a place for my father to bring his family to take care of them and provide a better life for them.

Reno County Genealogical Society
http://renocogensoc.blogspot.com/
Blog type: Genealogy society blog

The Reno County Genealogical Society of Hutchinson, Kansas was founded in 1978 for the purpose of fostering genealogical research, promoting the exchange of information and encouraging the deposit of genealogical and historical materials in established libraries and archives.

Stadsbygd og staværinger
http://technology360.typepad.com/stadsbygd/
Blog type: Norwegian genealogy

Stadsbygd and its people. Dennis Haarsager’s weblog about Stadsbygd parish in Sør-Trøndelag, Norway.

The Accidental Anarchist (or, Which Way to the Firing Squad?)
http://xsnerg-accidentalanarchist.blogspot.com/
Blog type:  Individual family history, Jewish genealogy

For the past six months, I have been editing my grandfather’s stories along a specific story line. What I have found so remarkable is not only learning about him (as a Jew in the Russian army, the men under his command often wanted to kill him as much as the enemy did) but the humor with which he told often horrific tales of poverty, starvation and the brutality (as well as absurdity) of war. And through it all, his incredible warmth comes through in ways that make me regret even more that I never met him.

For example, here’s what my grandfather says about going, at the age of 13, with his father to the magistrate of their village to obtain permission to travel:

“My father, as somber as the day he would see me off to war, took my hand. And never before or since did I love him so desperately as I did on that day.”

This is what my family, for generations, has wanted to share, the life of a man who saw humor in adversity and his intense love for his family and friends. It will also be a process of discovering what it’s like to take on a project in which personal and world history merge.

© 2010, copyright Thomas MacEntee

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