Young Genealogists

What I have noticed is that genealogists are starting at a young age. Yes, younger! Just Monday I was working with a die-hard 17 year old. His mother, not interested at all in the family tree, dropped him off at the Mid-Continent Genealogy Library in Kansas City where I volunteer for a good four hours or so, in order for him to research not only his family tree, but the family tree of a friend. Unfortunately, he was terribly stumped and had not gone really past the 1900’s with this friend’s ancestors, even though he was able to go back to the 1700’s on his own.

“The 1900’s?, you ask.”
“Yes actually 1910.”

My next 2 hours working with the young high school student did not consist of the ins and outs of Ancestry.com, or how to use a mouse, but on history. Although the fellow had successfully traced his European descendent family from the 1700’s (through census, military, marriage, birth records), he didn’t realize that volunteering for his African-American friend would require a lot more detective work, and a grave knowledge of history, culture, and social practices.

Our conversations were a series of me giving history, social and cultural lessons, and him acknowledging the information with a “WOW!” or “That’s sad!” I also received quite a few “Really(s)?”

Well, two hours later, he had a lot of knowledge, very little additional information, and he realized that he would have to do some serious digging, and cross-referencing especially to locate maiden names.

I left him with a few valuable tips for seeking African American Heritage, a couple easy to read books on African American history both Pre- and Post Civil War, a list of possible records to search to verify maiden names, and a pat on the back for good luck.

He looked a little overwhelmed, especially when I mentioned microfiche and microfilm, so I started him with my favorite historical fiction book that shares light on the climate, the fears, and lives of a slave from a young man’s point of view. You have probably heard by now about “Elijah of Buxton," by Christopher Paul Curtis, based on the true story of Elijah the first born free child of Buxton, Canada; a real town established for runaways.

It’s a book of hope, which may give this young genealogist not only the inspiration that he needs to take on such a Herculean task as to research an African American family, but broaden his knowledge of one of America’s most intriguing periods.


Genealogists ________ through genealogy!
a) grow
b) become smarter
c) share
d) are more aware
e) all of the above.

Kathleen Brandt

a3Genealogy

Accurate, Accessible Answers

a3genealogy@gmail.com

Could He Pass for White ?

Photo: Wiley -Tobe Morris -father of Horace Morris

When Wiley J. Morris (Tobe) left Cocke County, Tennessee in 1884 he carried with him nine of his eleven children. He and his family traveled to the open lands of central Kansas in November of that year and all five girls and four boys survived the trip to Harper and later Comanche County.

Yes, Tobe had the typical issues that parents have with teenagers, like with young Jennie who eloped around Christmas time in 1885 at the age of sixteen. But this was excusable, since there was a “man explosion” in her world. With the work the Comanche Pool brought to Coldwater Kansas a new breed of men - cowboys and northerners - came with it. Jennie quickly fell in love with a Pennsylvania fellow, got married, had a child, and a divorce all before she was twenty one. Of course, the family rallied around her until she was able to find a more perfect husband.

In general though, Tobe’s children walked a straight line to success the old fashion way, applying hard work and overcoming obstacles. His girls married well, the family was educated, and his sons amassed property. Some settled in Nebraska, others in Oklahoma, and eldest son Chris landed in California.

But then, there was Horace - the youngest son, number ten of the Tobe and Martha Morris family unit. Horace disappeared. I’m sure his purpose, too, was to better his life as his siblings, but he found a quicker route. He passed for white.

Perhaps I should have mentioned that this Morris family was an advantaged mulatto family. They were advantaged because they were always land owners and were always free coloreds due to Tobe’s mother. Having never been slaves, her family had owned land as early as 1817 in North Carolina. Her five children, and thirty one grandchildren, could read and write with precision.

(First page of Autograph Book: Go forth thou little volume I leave thee to thy fate, love and friendship truly Thy leaves I dedicate. Louise [Morris] Davis)

Examples of eight of Tobe’s children’s poetry or notes can be seen in eldest daughter’s, Louise, autograph book. Son David had died early, leaving Horace the only one not traceable.

Like all “coloreds” who passed for white, Horace broke all contacts with his family. Of course, his siblings knew his whereabouts, as did his father, but they honored his wishes and never contacted him. He was the “black sheep Morris.” Last heard, around 1930, he lived somewhere near Sedan, Ks.

Kathleen Brandt

a3Genealogy

Accurate, Accessible Answers

a3genealogy@gmail.com

The Dreaded Telegram

Adelade Morris Pembleton

A Western Union telegram was sent April 4^th 1947 at 6:12am from Seattle, Washington and was received at 6:39am in Great Bend, Kansas. Addie Pembleton had died. The telegram was simple:

“MOTHER PASSED THIS MORNING 5:00 FUNERAL MONDAY WILL HOLD IF YOU ARE COMING” BENNIE PEMBLETON”

This telegram led us to information on the Morris-Pembleton Family. Adelade Mary Morris married Benjamin Pembleton in 1903 in Anthony, Kansas. But between 1905 and 1908, they headed west to Seattle Washington. Surely, they traveled to Seattle for better opportunities in a “big” city, but actually Benjamin worked as a street cleaner, and later a building cleaner. His hardwork, however, paid off for his sons.

This telegram announcing Addie’s death at the age of 70 was amongst her sister’s (Pearl) belongings. (As most of you, I spend much of my time in basements, attics and storage spaces.) Pearl’s descendants had oodles of family relics.

We were able to piece together the puzzle once we found letters on Pembleton Brothers Gardens' stationary from Seattle. But who were the Pembleton Brothers? Our first clue was in the first few words “Dear Sister Pearl” dated December of 1946, a few months before she died. Sister Pearl probably saved the letter knowing her sister was very ill (as revealed in the letter). The next letter was sent to “Aunt Pearl” and signed by Bennie, (the same who signed the telegram) after his mother's death in December .

This opened the doors to researching not only Addie’s life in Seattle, but that of her four sons: Albert, Thomas, Donald and Benjamin and what dapper looking fellows they were. We were quite impressed also with the family business, Pembleton Brother’s Gardens. They obviously were doing quite well in their business. Money was sent with both letters. The first one had $6.00 in it for Pearl and husband to buy a Christmas gift. The second letter from nephew Bennie had a check!

Kathleen Brandt

a3Genealogy

Accurate, Accessible Answers

a3genealogy@gmail.com

Stalking Irish Madness and Me

Recently I was listening to National Public Radio as they reviewed the book Stalking Irish Madness with the author Patrick Tracey. In this book Tracey searches for the roots of schizophrenia that has haunted his family for what appears to have been five generations. Most recently two of his sisters have suffered from an onset.

Of course this peeked my interest for two reasons: 1) My Morris family branch DNA results from Family Tree DNA placed our family in haplogroup R1b1, with our most common recent ancestor as being from Ireland, Scotland, England Wales and 2) My Morris family branch has an overwhelming case of mental illness currently affecting six to eight of the family members. (Two are still in denial.)

It is said in our family that we are bound to have one of two issues: 1) a rare blood disease like antiphospholipid antibody syndrome which I acquired, or sarcoidosis which attacked my oldest brother or 2) mental illness which most often shows up as manic depression or schizophrenia.

So with Tracey’s book in hand, I did further research. To Tracey’s claim that perhaps it was an “Irish madness,” I did find that in 1913, 1920, and 1940, studies showed higher rater of schizophrenia among the Irish in the United States. And, according to Behavior: The Irish Disorder, a Time Magazine article written may 24, 1976, Dr Murphy, McGill University psychiatrist, “reported that the incidence of schizophrenia in the Republic of Ireland is nearly triple the rate of the disease among Irish in Canada and Northern Ireland. The article continued to say that “many researchers consider schizophrenia a genetic disorder, while others believe it is produced by cultural pressures.” Read more: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,879743,00.html#ixzz0cJuAVfWD

This is not to say that our family mental issues are a result of our Irish ancestry. It may even be coincidental that so many have suffered from it. But, it would be nice to find the root cause of mental illness, especially when it seems to disrupt full family units for generations. Perhaps that is why I love medical genealogy. It just might help the scientist get a closer view of family medical issues and look at both social and genetic patterns.

Kathleen Brandt

a3Genealogy

Accurate, Accessible Answers

a3genealogy@gmail.com

The Man in the Photo

Matching a picture with a name is much more grueling than just doing the genealogy research. This man's name is William Williams...we were told. We know about the William and Williams surnames. We know that the Williams surname in the United States is common, as it is in England and in Wales. Williams became common in Wales where they added the “s” to denote “son of” to their surnames. However, none of this surname history has helped me identify the elusive William Williams (Bill Williams) or the man in photo.

For this reason, I am calling on all Williams. Can you identify the man in this 1944 photo as having a branch on your tree? With Kansas having its share of Williams, and plethora of William Williams, we need a positive identification of the man in the picture.

What I Know?

William Williams, or Bill Williams, was donning a WWII uniform in 1944 and appeared to be around 50 years old. He was originally from Reno County, Kansas.

What I Need?

A positive identification of this photo with proof of evidence. Truly, military records aren’t needed, unless someone can positively identify this man, or if the military uniform hints to his service.

Last Request

Identify your family pics and put your stories on paper. What good are dates and pictures without the story?

Kathleen Brandt

a3Genealogy

Accurate, Accessible Answers

a3genealogy@gmail.com

Post Your Blog

Tell us about you and your site on the a3Genealogy Facebook page in 3 sentences or less. Can you do it? Read guidelines below.

Once a month our ProGen Study Group has a class session to discuss reading assignments and exercises pertinent to the professional genealogist.

This month we discussed genealogy columns to include blogs, online articles, columns, etc. A common question that all bloggers have is how to promote their blogs or columns. I realized when I was asked this question during the class, that I didn’t have a 3 sentence or less marketing add that I could spew out. So I did the next best thing…I talked fast as to not fill in more space than a 3 sentence blurb would take. And being hyperactive and verbose, I splattered a lot of energetic words to say… “The a3Genealogy blog is for clients and genealogists to discuss researching tips and quality service expectations. And, the cool part is that readers can toggle right over to facebook to discuss a blog or any other issue” Yep…that would have said it all and in just two sentences.

In keeping with the Follow Friday theme, I pose a challenge to you. I am asking all Genealogy Fans and readers to promote a blog and/or column on our Discussions tab. The goal is to get followers who would benefit from your blog/column, so be creative while marketing your site. You must share your information in no more than 3 sentences (plus your link). That is the challenge. To have a 3 sentence marketing blurb that is captivating.

Of course posting information on your email lists, Twitter, and on Facebook (or other social network) to spread the news amongst friends and fellow genealogists is great, we would like to hear new and innovative ideas. So if you want to share something that has worked for you, we welcome that too.

Be sure to post your favorite site on the Discussion board at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kansas-City-MO/a3Genealogy/277085073367?v=app_2373072738.

Take the Challenge!

Kathleen Brandt

a3Genealogy

Accurate, Accessible Answers

a3genealogy@gmail.com

The 1753 Travel Trunk

Waymire Trunk

From: The Tinberg Tales – Tinberg, Schmotz, Schwarz, Waymire and Sieg Families

Written by Kathleen Brandt

Published by a3Genealogy Publishing, 2009

ISBN: 978-0-9844019-0-1

In the summer of 1753, Johan Ludolph Wehmeyer (later spelled Waymire) took passage at Hamburg on the ship Leathley for the two month voyage to America. The ship Leathley landed on the shores of America in New York, September 19, 1753, with Johan, his wife, two children, two sisters and his father. Unfortunately, his mother did not survive the trip.

With them, they carried a family trunk filled with their belongings. In 1921 the trunk was in the possession of the Wayne County (Indiana) Historical Museum where it remains today. It is covered with the original animal hide and rawhide hinges and straps. One can only imagine the contents and the family value held for generations.

Not only did Johan (John – Americanized) lose his mother on the trip, his two sisters were separated from the family which was not uncommon. Girls of age, or any member of the family, were often offered to the Captain of the ship for payment of passage. Upon the destination’s pier the captain recouped his money by selling them as indentured servants to pay for the family’s voyage. This may have happened to the Waymire family. Needless to say, any memories of the Johan’s mother, and sisters would have been held in this chest.

For more information:

To order: a3genealogy@gmail.com

The Tinberg Tales – Tinberg, Schmotz, Schwarz, Waymire and Sieg Families

Written by Kathleen Brandt

Published by a3Genealogy Publishing, 2009

ISBN: 978-0-9844019-0-1