Hello Listers, I'm new to this list, but I was looking for information on my Great Grandfather Jerry PALMER b. May 10, 1883 in Traverse City. He died in Menasha, Wisconsin. Parents were Edward/Edwin (I have found documents to where he may have been listed one way or the other, but probably a type-o) PALMER and Lydia Jane IRISH who was previously married to Charles F. CASTER and had a daughter Eleanor b. May 20, 1870. Jerry always went by the name of Jerry, but I have found a record that lists a Jeremiah Weeks PALMER b. to a Mr. and Mrs. PALMER with the birth dates about the right time and listed as Traverse City. (I found that at the Mormon Church site) Jerry had a brother listed as Nathan S. PALMER b. July 1, 1885. I have been unable to find ANY information on Nathan other than him listed in the obituary for my G-Grandfather and when I found a connection to the family through the Irish line. Here is what I would like to find out if there is some kind soul out there willing to look the next time they go for records. Is Jeremiah Weeks Palmer's parents Edward/Edwin and Lydia Jane? Also Orinda Palmer is in the list of Palmers that married Irish. Orinda was born March 7, 1814 & died March 26, 1899. Her parents were Jeremiah and Hannah (Raynsford) PALMER. My question here is Is Edward/Edwin related to Orinda like a Aunt or great aunt? I have Edward/Edwin's parents as Harvey and Anna (BEEBE) Palmer & Harvey's parents are listed as Jeremiah and Hannah. I haven't seen a family list yet so I haven't said for sure that they are related even though I feel the evidence is right here in front of me. If anyone out there is willing to look up (Jerry & Edward/Edwin) those birth records for me I would really appreciate it. I have only found out a lot of this information in the last year and some of it after my father died in May so I can't tell him my progress anymore. I did find out that GGrandpa Jerry used to make wooden boats in Upper Michigan (Ontonagon County), and in Winnebago County Wisconsin. I don't know when he moved to Upper Michigan or if he made boats in Traverse City. After my father died and we went through some of his things we found old photographs that some other family members had given to him where my GGrandfather was actually building the boats. I was really excited because I had never seen a picture of Jerry a few years before he died or when he was a young man with his young wife. I am also curious to know just how far back the tradition for naming the children Jerry or Edwin goes back. There are at least four possible gens of Jerrys and I know of two gens for the Edwin/Edward name. Sincerely, Kim Pollard Drew, Ms.

Kim, You need to do one of the most important things in genealogy research: Look at all Federal and State Census records for the places your families lived! Especially 1850-1920. In two more years, the 1930 census will be available. The 1890 census burned, but some of the data is available from other sources. Do not use just the Census index, read the actual census pages. Indexes are often wrong or missed people. Jay