This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Strunk, Van Vleck, Putnam, Scofield, Brunson Classification: Biography Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/SRB.2ACE/5423.2 Message Board Post: Alvin Strunk - Prominent among the many successful farmers of Ellicott township, Chautauqua county, N.Y. one of the richest agricultural regions of the country, a man whose entire success has been due to his own efforts, his indefatigable industry and intelligence. Mr. Strunk is a native of this country, having been born in Ellicott township, Oct. 27, 1836, a son of William H. Strunk, one of the old farmers of the region, and of Jane Ann (Van Vleck) Strunk his wife. His childhood and early youth was passed on the old homestead, where he learned farming methods in the great school of experience and under the capable direction of his father, and attended the local public schools. Later he became the owner of his present farm property, which is located two and one-half miles north of Jamestown, which he has kept in the highest state of cultivation even since and where hs met with notable success with his operatiions. Mr. Strunk is a Republican in politics, and was the assessor in Ellicott township for twenty-two years; he always maintained a strong and intelligent interest in the general situation and given much interest to the situation and given much attention to the issues of the times. He is a member of Union Grange, Jamestown, N. Y., and has been active in the membership in doing his share in promoting the general agricultural welfare of the community of which he is so highly valued a member. Alvin Strunk was united in marriage, April 2, 1864, at Randolph, N.Y., with Maria Putnam, a native of Chautauqua county, having been born in Stockton township, N.Y., having been born September 24, 1843, a daughter of Rev. Oren Putnam, born in Brookfield, Madison county, N.Y., and Alvira (Scofield) Putnam, of Saratoga county, N.Y., his wife. Mr. and Mrs. Strunk are the parents of one child, Bert C., born June 8, 1867, who married Myrtie Brunson, Sept. 1, 1892, who was born in South Stockton, Chautauqua county, N.Y., Sept. 29, 1870. Bert C. Strunk has always lived on the farm with his father; is a Free and Accepted Mason; Royal Arch Mason; Knights Templar of Jamestown, NY.; thirty-second degree Mason and Mystic Shriner of Buffalo, N.Y. History of Chautauqua County And Its People - 1921 - John P. Downs, Editor-in-Charge

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Avery, Lovett, McGeorge Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/SRB.2ACE/12216 Message Board Post: Looking for any information on William Avery born about 1817 in Westfield, NY and his wife, Mary, unknown her maiden name, but she was born about 1827 in NY. They had two sons, possibly more, but one of which was William born 8-1842 and John, who is my g grandfather, born 4-2-1845. Would love to hear from anybody connected to this family. Thank you

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/SRB.2ACE/12214.5 Message Board Post: You can send a letter for research to Chautauqua County Genealogical Society, PO Box 404, Fredonia, NY 14063. We can lookup dates & possible relatives depending what records you are looking for.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/SRB.2ACE/12214.4 Message Board Post: Thanks to everyone who has posted a reply or sent private email. You've all been very helpful! Now the hunt is on.....

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/SRB.2ACE/12214.3 Message Board Post: You might want to check again about their comment that all records are confidential, since vital records are a matter of public record and should be available to you without being a family member if the record is over 50 years old. I've never ever had a problem getting a death record that is over 50 years old from any county clerk or the state in New York, so I am not sure why the person at City Hall in Dunkirk is telling you that earlier records are not released. You might want to call the county clerk's office and ask about their policy. Does anyone else know if New York has changed their law about releasing vital records? I believe that Rochester has microfilms of the indexes of vital records for NY (by year)- but I'm not sure exactly where. I think either their public library or university library has them, and you might check LDS.

A few years ago, my son and I made a genealogical pilgrimage to Dunkirk (in February!) to research family. I discovered a good deal of information at the Barker Library in Fredonia. The index to the local newspaper was particularly helpful. Later, I borrowed microfilm from SUNY and researched back issues of the Dunkirk Observer. They will send you film if you ask for it. Also, the Dunkirk Historical Museum is full of goodies. Good luck!

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: McCallum, Shaw Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/SRB.2ACE/12215 Message Board Post: Looking for a obituary of my Great Grandfather WILLIAM McCALLUM who died March 13, 1880 Dunkirk, New York and is buried at Forest Hill Cemetery (unmarked grave) Other information Born May 27, 1852 Scotland Married Margaret Shaw January 14, 1873 Scotland Came to Dunkirk 1876 Thank you in advance Carol in Wyoming

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/SRB.2ACE/12214.1.1.1 Message Board Post: Evening Observer records go back to 1888. Obituary index volumes by Lois and Norwood Barris are available in the Special Collections Section of the Daniel A. Reed Library at SUNY Fredonia and the Darwin R. Barker Library in Fredonia. Both libraries are open to the public. Both libraries also contain hard and soft copies of several other newspapers published in Dunkirk from the early nineteenth century. The obituary index to The Fredonia Censor also includes some Dunkirk personalities. The obituary index volumes can be purchased from the Chautauqua County Genealogical Society in Fredonia.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: HAHN/HASELMEIR/WEISS Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/SRB.2ACE/12214.1.1 Message Board Post: Thanks for the advice. Any idea how far back the Evening Observer records go? I am looking for records from present to the mid-1800's. Also, can anyone use the Fredonia State Library?

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: HAHN, HASELMEIER, WEISS Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/SRB.2ACE/12214.1 Message Board Post: If the people lived in Dunkirk in 1930 or before you might have some luck with the census records. The only other thing I can think of are the Evening Observer records at the Fredonia State Library. They have many indexes and microfilm of the newspaper.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: HAHN, HASELMEIER, WEISS Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/SRB.2ACE/12214 Message Board Post: I called the Dunkirk City Hall to inquire about genealogy research of birth, death and marriage records and was told that all records are confidential and are not open to the public. An individual may request a copy of a birth, death or marriage certificate if they are a family member AND if the record is at least 50 years old. Nothing earlier will be released unless you are the person in question and you must produce a proper ID. If you are requesting a copy of a record and you fit the above criteria, you MUST provide the exact year to be searched. Records are filed by year, not by name. Then, if you should be lucky enough to know the exact year, there is a $22.00 non-refundable charge for each record. Is there any way around this? Has anyone encountered this before? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am doing this research for a friend who cannot travel back to NY.

Can someone direct me to the most appropriate resource to obtain a newspaper obituary for Edward Joseph BRADLEY, died October 1969, apparently a resident of Mayville? Thanks. M.W. Beerman 19509 Frances Circle Omaha, NE 68130-2982

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/SRB.2ACE/12213 Message Board Post: Looking for information on two families in the Jamestown area: Hilda Wilhelmina Anderson (8 May 1871 - ?) and her husband Olaf NYSTROM (1859-1912). Also Carl August ANDERSON b. 17 Dec 1865 - ? Any help appreciated.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/SRB.2ACE/12212 Message Board Post: looking for any info on the henry charles louis roy also known has henry king boen 1904 that is all i know about him thank you

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/SRB.2ACE/12210.1 Message Board Post: Anna Hedin Erickson, 97, died at 9:20 a.m. Monday (Dec. 8, 2003) in WCA Hospital. She was born April 30, 1906, in the town of Ellery, the daughter of John and Selma Hedin. She was a 1924 graduate of Jamestown High School and attended Horticulture School at Cornell University and Jamestown Community College. She was instrumental in reopening the Bellview School as a community weaving center. She was also active as a 4-H leader and helped to bring the American Field Service and Experiment in International Living to this area and hosted many foreign students. She lived almost her entire life within a few miles of her birth place, yet she traveled broadly to Alaska, Japan, Lebanon and Greece. Her interest throughout her life was her garden and she could identify most local wild flowers and plants. Along with her husband, attorney Alton Erickson, she bought a right of way so that neighborhood children could have access to the lake. She is survived by five children: Philip Erickson of Bemus Point, Martha Erickson of Tucson, Ariz., Sara ''Sally'' Brown of Silver Spring, Md., Mary Peterson of Jamestown and Linda Erickson of Durango, Colo.; 13 grandchildren: Teresa Kennedy of Tucson, Jeff Serfine of Mexico, Hajime Brown Kanoya of Chicago, Jennifer Brown of Silver Spring, Rachel Brown of Jefferson, Md., Jordan Brown of Shaker Heights, Ohio, Abigail Brown of Honolulu, Kim Bentley of Jamestown, Kris Peterson of Norfolk, Va., Reed Erickson Hollinshead of Boise, Idaho, Jane Padgett of Vale, Ore., Amanda Carlson of Santa Ana, Calif., and Brett Carlson of Neptune Beach, Fla.; and 21 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Alton R. Erickson, who died in 1968; a son, James Erickson, who died in 1970; a grandson, Michael Serfine, who died in 2003; a sister, Florence Lattimore; and a brother, Griffith Hedin. A funeral service will not be observed as she donated her body to science ** Brother Griffith Hedin 23 Jul 1900 d Feb 1976 Bemus Point, Chautauqua, New York

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/SRB.2ACE/12207.2 Message Board Post: I have both George Burton and Almira Schelmadine in my data base. Email me if you have questions or need more detail Descendants of George Burton Generation No. 1 1. GEORGE1 BURTON was born Abt. 1768 in England, and died 17 Oct 1843 in Chautauqua Co., N.Y.1. He married (1) ALMY RULAND 09 Sep 1795, daughter of JEREMIAH RULAND and DINAH JOHNSON. She was born 1772 in Commack, Suffolk Co., LI, NY, and died 02 Apr 1815. He married (2) ANNA BRADLEY 29 Jun 1816. Notes for GEORGE BURTON: Buried in Old State Line Road Cemetery (Union Grove) Children of GEORGE BURTON and ALMY RULAND are: i. HENRY MILES2 BURTON, b. 15 Sep 1796; d. 03 Dec 1814. ii. SARAH ANN BURTON, b. 09 Sep 1798; d. 23 Mar 1815. iii. JEREMIAH BURTON, b. 15 Mar 1801; d. 17 Aug 1834. iv. MATILDA MARIA BURTON, b. 25 Apr 1804; d. 23 Mar 1813. 2. v. JAMES HUBBS BURTON, b. 23 Jul 1807; d. 1872. vi. GEORGE HARTLEY WILFORD BURTON, b. 10 Nov 1809; m. ALMIRA SHELMADINE; b. 1818, Jefferson, Shoharie County, NY. vii. ALMIRA BURTON, b. 11 Nov 1812. Child of GEORGE BURTON and ANNA BRADLEY is: viii. WILLIAM2 BURTON, b. 16 Apr 1817. Generation No. 2 2. JAMES HUBBS2 BURTON (GEORGE1) was born 23 Jul 1807, and died 1872. He married DEBORAH. Children of JAMES BURTON and DEBORAH are: i. SARAH ANN3 BURTON, b. 02 May 1832, Busti, Chautauqua, NY; d. 02 Jun 1854, Busti, Chautauqua, NY. ii. ALMIRA BURTON. iii. JEREMIAH BURTON. iv. SYVIA BURTON. v. JAMES BURTON. vi. MARTHA BURTON.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: VANALSTYNE, PERRY Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/SRB.2ACE/12211 Message Board Post: Looking for information about Flora VANALSTYNE PERRY Born 30 Apr 1883 in Castle Garden (CAMERON) PA to John Henry VANALSTYNE and ?. Stepmother was Mary Belle DAUGHERTY VANALSTYNE. Flora died on 27 July 1943 in Salamanca (CATTARAGUS) NY. Interment unknown. She was married several times but the last spouse was F.A. PERRY. They lived in Sherman, NY. Any information would be helpful!

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/SRB.2ACE/12207.1.1 Message Board Post: Thank you so much.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Hedin, Abrahamson, Molline, Stone Classification: Biography Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/SRB.2ACE/12210 Message Board Post: John G. Hedin, whose energy and intelligence have made him one of the most respected citizens of Ellery township, Chautauqua County, N. Y., and who is regarded by all as one of the most successful farmers of the neighborhood, is a native of Sweden, born June 24, 1866. He is the son of Andrew Otto and Anna (Abrahamson) Hedin, also natives of Sweden, where for many years he was engaged in agricultural operations. The elder Mr. Hedin came to the United States in the month of April, 1872, leaving his family in the old country while he sought a home and support for them in the new. Two years later, having established himself as a farmer in the region of Chautauqua County, N.Y., he sent for the remainder of the family, who then came across the ocean to join him. John G. Hedin was but eight years of age when he accompanied his mother to the New World in 1874, and practically all of his education was received in the common schools of his adopted home, his natural alertness of mind and intelligence, as well as his diligence at all tasks, making him an apt student in spite of what was at first the disadvantage of the unfamiliar tongue. During the vacation periods he spent his time in learning agricultural methods, and eventually he engaged in that occupation on his own account. In was in the year 1906 that he became the owner of his present fine farm property, which he had ever since kept at the highest point of cultivation and productivity, his industry meeting with the success that it deserved. Mr. Hedin has always been an active participant in the general life of the community in which he has elected to dwell, and he now occupies a high place in the esteen and confidence of his fellow townsmen. He is a Republican in politics, and! a member of Bemus Point Lodge, No. 585, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of Union Grange, No. 244, Patrons of Husbandry. In religious belief he is a Lutheran and attends the church of that denomination. John G Hedin was united in marriage, Jan. 26, 1898, at Jamestown, N.Y., with Selma Moline, a native of Sweden, born Jan. 22, 1877, a daughter of J. A. and Anna (Stone) Moline, of that country. Mrs. Hedin came to the United States in the year 1893, when but sixteen years of age, her parents remaining in their native land, where they still reside. To Mr. and Mrs. Hedin, three children have been born, as follows: Florence E., born Oct. 20, 1898; Griffith M., born July 23, 1900; and Anna G., born April 30, 1906. History of Chautauqua County And Its People - 1921 - John P. Downs, Editor-in-Charge

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/SRB.2ACE/12207.1 Message Board Post: James Jr.'s sister Mary A. Sprague, wife of George W. Sprague had 7 children. Her obit is posted here. G.