Vee, you do my heart good!! I so enjoy reading your messages to this list. They bring a big smile to me every time I read one!! I am SO glad you are back at the keyboard again. We have sorely missed your rays of sunshine around here!! Welcome back to our "family"!! We love you a LOT!! Janice Danielson
Dear Group, I received a query through snail mail and I thought my reply to her would be of some interest to you. She was inquiring about her early Bradley family here and was hoping that we could tell her "who they were, how they came to NY, and anything that you may be able to tell me. Stories of their lives, etc." As much as I really wanted to make her day, I couldn't. However, I hope that what I'll be sending her tomorrow in the mail will give her some idea of what the area was probably like when her family eventually arrived. And for that same reason, I'm sharing my response with our group. Dear Janet, Your recent query about your Bradley family was received by the Ransomville Librarian. She, in turn, gave it to Millie (Bradley) Hillman of Ransomville. Millie couldn't answer any of your questions and so she sent it to me. For the past 10 years I have been researching our local Town of Porter (Ransomville/Youngstown) families and I have gathered a file on the local Bradley families. However, your Nathan and Elizabeth and their son Lemuel don't show up in it at all. I have copies of all our local cemetery records and they don't show up there either. I'm wondering if they are actually buried in the Town of Wilson Cemetery (Greenwood). Your Wait and Harden families don't show up in any of our early records, either. The different Bradley families that are still around here generally descend from Town of Wilson families and they're not necessarily all related. Neither Millie nor I know of anyone around here who has done any particular research on the local Bradleys. Regarding your family living here during the Revolutionary War era, it's very doubtful. The only inhabitants here at that time were soldiers and their families who lived at Fort Niagara. Also included in the area surrounding the fort were fur traders and Indians. Land here wasn't up for sale to settlers until the very early 1800s when the Holland Land Company surveyed Western New York and put the land on the market. The entire area was one vast virgin forest. If your family was here during the War of 1812, their log cabin was probably destroyed when the British and Indians burned all of the settlements in the area all the way from the mouth of the Niagara River up to Buffalo. They had to flee east for safety and then when it was safe, some of them returned to rebuild. Generally speaking, the reason your family came to this area was probably because fertile land was for sale. They generally purchased it sight unseen and even if they actually checked out the property personally, all that they would have seen was one dense forest. I'm certain that they all knew full well that settling here meant that they would have to first chop down some trees to build a log cabin to live in. And then they would have to continue to clear off more trees in order to plant crops to exist on. Wild game was plentiful and except for the British during the War of 1812, they weren't in any particular danger of being killed by man. Wild animals and "swamp fever" were another thing. When you eventually get on the Internet, I suggest you check out the Niagara County genealogy/history web site at www.rootsweb.com/~nyniagar. In addition, I suggest you subscribe to the Niagara County genealogy mailing list. The web site will give you instructions how to do that. Welcome to our area and good luck in your research. Vee L. Housman Youngstown, NY
Am interested in knowing about the Spirella Company and their "Decade Club", in Niagara Falls. This company was supposed to have had a branch in Meadville, PA in the 1910s. Susanne Farnham-Hieber SHIEBER@AOL.COM
Hello everyone: seeking information on Isabell MILLER (aka Elizabeth in some records). She was born 08 Sept 1844 in Wilson, Niagara Co, NY. She married Charles HOSMER (1841 - 1923) - but I don't know "when". They had at least one child - a daughter Ella HOSMER (1865-1902). Isabell died 19 Mar 1926 in Wilson, NY. Anyone know about the marriage of this couple? Isabell's parents? Did she have any siblings? debbie CAhobbies@aol.com
Posted on: Niagara Co. NY Wills Reply Here: http://genconnect.rootsweb.com/genbbs.cgi/USA/NY/NiagaraWill/25 Surname: THOMPSON, CARDINAL, PERRY ------------------------- WILL In the name of God amen, I, George Thompson of the town of Porter in the County of Niagara and State of New York of the age of Sixty-nine Years, And being of sound mind and memory do make publish and declare this my last will and Testament in manner following, that is to say: First, I give and bequeath to my daughter Almira the wife of Comstock Cardinell residing in the State of Michigan the sum of Three Hundred Dollars. To my daughter Cynthia Thompson, the sum of Three hundred Dollars. Which several Legacies or sums of Money I direct and order to be paid to the respective Legatees within three months after my decease. Second, I give and bequeath to Charles A. Perry One Acre of Land, being part of Lot number Fifty in Township number Fifteen in the Eighth Range, Bounded North by the Highway, East by a private Road or Lane running from the Molyneux Road to the barn. On the South by a line running parallel to the said Highway, and on the East by a line at right angles with the said Highway, including the piece or parcel of Land where the dwelling house of the said Charles A. Perry now stands, with all the appurtenances thereunto belonging, to have and to hold the premises above described to the said Charles A. Perry his Heirs and Assigns forever. Third, I give and bequeath to my wife Eunice all the rest residue and remainder of my real and personal Estate of every name and mature whatever during her natural Life. And at her decease the same to be equally divided between my two daughters Almira Cardinal and Cynthia Thompson, Share and Share alike. And lastly, I hereby appoint my said wife Eunice Sole executrix of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made. In witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal the Fifth day of November in the Year of our Lord One thousand Eight Hundred and fifty five. George Thompson {L.S.} The above instrument consisting of one Sheet, was at the date thereof signed, sealed, published and declared by the said George Thompson as and for his last will and testament in presence of us who at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto. Solomon Moss, residing in Porter in Niagara County C. H. Burgess, residing in Ransomville, Niagara County, N.Y. SURROGATES COURT In the matter of Proving the last Will and Testament of George Thompson Deceased. Niagara County, SS. Solomon Moss of the Town of Porter in the County of Niagara & State of New York and Chauncey H. Burgess of the Town of Somerset and County and State aforesaid being first duly sworn, in open Court, upon their several corporeal oaths, each for himself, doth depose and say, that they are subscribing witnesses to the last Will and Testament of George Thompson late of the Town of Porter in the County of Niagara and State of New York deceased. And these deponents do further say, that the said George Thompson deceased did, in the presence of each of these deponents, subscribe his name at the end of the instrument in writing, which is now shown to these deponents, and which purports to be the last Will and Testament of the said deceased, and which bears date on the Fifth day of November one thousand eight hundred and Fifty five. [Signed] C. H. Burgess Solomon Moss Taken Sworn and Subscribed this 27th day of September 1858 before me M. M. Southworth, Surrogate State of New York, Niagara County Surrogates Office Last Will and Testament of George Thompson, Deceased. Be it remembered, That heretofore, to Wit: on the Thirteenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight Eunice Thompson the widow of deceased and Executrix named in the Last Will and Testament of George Thompson late of the Town of Porter in the County of Niagara deceased, appeared in open Court, before the Surrogate of the County of Niagara and made application to have the said Last Will and Testament which relates to both Real and Personal Estate, proved: and on such application the said Surrogate did ascertain by satisfactory evidence who were the heirs at law and next of kin of the said testator, and their respective residences, and said Surrogate did thereupon issue a Citation in due form of law, directed to the heirs at law and next of kin of George Thompson deceased by their respective names, stating their respective places of residence, requiring them to appear before said Surrogate at his office in the Village of Lockport in said County, on the Twenty-seventh day of September A. D. 1858, to attend the Probate of said Will, And afterwards, to wit: on the 27th day of September A. D. 1858, satisfactory evidence by affidavit was produced and presented to said Surrogate, of the due service of said Citation in the mode prescribed by law, and on that day, no one appearing to oppose the Probate of such Will such proceedings were thereupon had in said Court afterwards, that the said Surrogate took the proofs of said Will hereinafter set forth, upon this Twenty-seventh day of September A. D. 1858, and he thereupon adjudged the said Will to be a valid Will of Real and Personal Estate, and the proofs thereof to be sufficient, which said Last Will and Testament, and proofs, are as follows, that is to say: [copy of will followed]
Dear Kim, I recently sent out those forms you mentioned. The town clerk had sent me four, after I wrote with a list of names asking for vital records. I put each person or couple on their own sheet. For example my grandparents; I'm looking for their birth and marriage records - they are on one sheet. My parents birth records are on one sheet, etc. I sent a money order for 8 searches, at $11.00 a search = $88.00. You must pay for the search whether or not a record is found. Hoping to help, Evelyn, learning with patience in Colorado ________________________________________________________________ YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.
Does subject name ring any sorts of bell, allowing for phonetic spelling. For now that's all that I can remember except that he was a bootlegger or moonshine in the late '20's. And lived off of Niagara Falls Blvd south of what is now the NF airport. B.
I need some clarification on how to request birth, death and marriage records. I spoke to the City of Lockport's office about requesting birth, death and marriage records. They sent me a package of information on what records are available, etc. and it included 2 copies of a form entitled "General Information and Application for Genealogical Services". There are places to request birth, death and marriage records (2 columns and 2 boxes for each type of record). Here are my questions - 1. If I have one person that I would like their birth, death and marriage records, can I use one form for that individual and request all 3 records at once? 2. If I do that, is the fee then $33 for the 3 records requested or $11 for the one form and one individual? I have about 15-20 people to request information for so far and will probably have more as I do further research in Lockport. I just want to do this correctly and not have my requests returned because I filled the form out incorrectly. Your help is appreciated. Kim Cornstubble Researching: Ritzenthaler - Lockport, Niagra County, NY
I am still searching for a record of birth for my Alpheus ADAMS who was born 22 July 1828, according to his Civil War records. We have a confusion as to WHERE he was born. I have two sources that conflict with each other. One says he was born Lockport, Niagara County, NY and the other says Lockwood, Tioga County, NY. Would really appreciate any help that I can get at this point!! He is driving me crazy!! To make things worse, he migrated on to WISC with his parents, and he got married in his brides parents home (her father was a Baptist minister) by another minister friend of her father. So far I cannot find that record either, and I have tried!!! He is the slipperiest character I have!!!! Oh well! Any help truly appreciated!! Thanks! Janice Danielson
Posted on: Niagara Co. NY Queries Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/NY/Niagara/357 Surname: Harrington, Phillps, Spingstead, Johnson, Blair, Zalimeni, Buck ------------------------- Searching for information & descendants of Elbridge H. Harrington Jr. son of Elbridge H. & Phebe A. Johnson b. Oct.12,1909 d. abt.1988 Tonawanda Niagara Co.,NY. marr. Emmaline (Betty) Bosamius. Will gladly trade information.
Posted on: Niagara Co. NY Queries Reply Here: http://genconnect.rootsweb.com/genbbs.cgi/USA/NY/Niagara/356 Surname: BRUM, BRUMM, BRAUN, HOEFT ------------------------- Looking for information of my g-grandparents, CHRISTIAN BRUM, married to AUGUSTA HOEFT, December 23, 1874 at Salem Lutheran Church in North Tonawanda, Niagara County, New York. They were married in the bride's home. Church records indicate his name as CHRISTIAN BRAUN and hers as AUGUSTA HIEFT. CHRISTIAN immigrated in 1872 to the U.S. AUGUSTA has sisters MINNIE and CAROLINE; and brother, JULIUS. Seeking census and/or city directory records. Thanks in advance.
searching for the name POWERS in or around the Village of LaSalle.,prior to 1900 given name Burdett F., all so the name Fields. around the same period. D.B.Powers
Posted on: Niagara Co. NY Queries Reply Here: http://genconnect.rootsweb.com/genbbs.cgi/USA/NY/Niagara/354 Surname: Walter, Congdon, Sutz, Sitts ------------------------- Looking for information on P.D. Walter who was mayor of Lockport, Niagara County, in the 1870's. Believe he migrated from Otsego County ca. 1855.
Posted on: Niagara Co. NY Queries Reply Here: http://genconnect.rootsweb.com/genbbs.cgi/USA/NY/Niagara/353 Surname: ------------------------- I am curious about the Ellman surname in your list. I have Ellmann in my line, going back to Bavaria, Germany.
I'm a little late with my remembrances. Armistice Day always seems very special to me. As a small child I knew that my Dad had fought in the "Great War" that would end all wars. Consequently I had a very secure childhood knowing that he had made the world safe for me. Well, yes, it was naive. But I sometimes think how hard it is for today's young kids who get the news instantly with television and the Internet. The world they see seems scary and full of horrors. Or do they just get immune to the violence? I wouldn't trade my childhood for theirs. Barbara Moll
Posted on: Niagara Co. NY Obituaries Reply Here: http://genconnect.rootsweb.com/gc/USA/NY/NiagaraObits/27 Surname: Thayer, Venanzi ------------------------- EDWARD THAYER, 89 N.Y. Central Railroad WINTER HAVEN - Mr. Edward H. Thayer of 745 Ave. A. S.W. died Sunday (Feb. 28, 1993) at Winter Haven Hospital. He was 89. Born in Lockport, N.Y., on Jan. 17, 1904, he cane to Winter Haven from Buffalo, N.Y., 20 years ago. He was retired from New York Central Railroad. He was a member of First Christian Church of Winter Haven. He is survived by his sister, Blanche Venanzi, Rochester, N.Y. Ott-Laughlin Funeral Home, Winter Haven. The Ledger Lakeland, FL. Tues., Mar. 2, 1993
Posted on: Niagara Co. NY Queries Reply Here: http://genconnect.rootsweb.com/genbbs.cgi/USA/NY/Niagara/352 Surname: Terry, Beach ------------------------- Searching Niagria co,NY for NY roots of my Michigan Terrys.Nathaniel 1783,wife Sarah,Hiram 1808-1878 his son,Harriet Beach 1813-1897 Hirams wife,Benjamin 1816-1878 Nathaniels other son.They lived in Lenawee co,and Lapeer co,MI THanks Michael Terry
Posted on: Niagara Co. NY Queries Reply Here: http://genconnect.rootsweb.com/genbbs.cgi/USA/NY/Niagara/351 Surname: Terry, beach ------------------------- Searching for NY roots of my Michigan Terrys.Hiram Terry 1808-1873,Benjamin 1816-1878,Harriet Beach,wife of Hiram,and Nathaniel Terry Father of Hiram&Ben. Thanks-Michael Terry
Dear Group, All day today I was reminded of a message I sent in 1997 to the old Penna-Dutch (PD) list regarding Veterans Day and I decided to post it again this year. But before I do, I want to let you know that the dictionary definition(s) of a veteran leans strongly toward "a person who served in the armed forces of a country, especially in time of war." However, the first definition of "veteran" is "old and experienced; long-practiced, esp. in war or military service." And it's in that definition--"experienced . . . in war," that I wrote the following. WE'RE ALL VETERANS I can't believe that I'm writing this at 1:00 in the morning of November 9, 1997! Veteran's day is two days away. However, after I went to bed this evening my mind wouldn't shut down with the thoughts of Veteran's day on Tuesday. You see, Veteran's Day has become only a "token" day for many of us. Yes, I guess, we're reminded that the banks are closed and that in Wednesday's newspapers we'll read about some sort of tribute being made on a local level at the local cemetery or local "statue" with a bunch of old geezers standing at attention in their VFW caps or some such. But what caused me to get out of bed tonight and turn on my computer was a bit of conflicting feelings that kept going through my head. First of all, I am indeed a veteran. Nonetheless, I didn't face actual combat. And I knew that there were members of the PD list who actually served in WWII. And, undoubtedly there are more veterans on the PD list who served in Korea and in Vietnam and in the Gulf War. And I wanted to give a hearty sincere salute to my fellow veterans who have worn the uniform of our country in the defense of our country. But, more than that, what really kept me awake tonight was the realization that most of us have gone through our own agony of our wars. Those of us over 60 remember WWII as children and remember the confusion we faced what with Pearl Harbor and rationing and air raid drills and worrying about whether Daddy or Brother or Uncle would ever come back from the war. Some of them did and some of them didn't. And then came the 50s and the Korean Conflict. It was a different "war," but there were still the same worries. And then Vietnam and then the Gulf "war." And whether we served in uniform during those times or whether we stayed at home as housewives or whether we were "flower children" or whether we protested or whether we eventually suffered unspeakable nightmares over those times, we eventually ended up, in my opinion, as VETERANS of the wars! We all lived through the awful wars of the past--some more "glorious" than others--but, nonetheless, they were wars and we lived through them. Therefore, we are ALL VETERANS! And, as a footnote, I guess, we might be reminded about such feelings in our lives when we stand over the graves of our ancestors where there is a marker that they served in WWI or the Spanish-American War, or the Civil War, or the War of 1812 or the Revolutionary War or the French and Indian War. Yes, they wore their uniforms and so did I, but for the majority of us there were no uniforms. Nonetheless, it didn't take a uniform to let the world know that those who didn't wear one didn't suffer their own agonies of war. And as a current P.S. to the above message. As we are all veterans, so were our families before us--"experienced in war." As Milton said, "They also serve who only stand and wait." vee
I'm a couple of days late in reading my Niagara digests but I saw Vee's comment about Armistice Day. I have written her off the list. I also saw the one about everybody wearing a poppy. Yes, I remember that and yes, you felt funny if you werent' wearing one. And yes, I have a cousin buried somewhere in France. He was in a Cheshire regiment (Welsh) and was he killed at 22 years of age. There is a stone in a small cemetery in Wales with his name on it but the notation that he is buried in France. I met a gentleman in Wales who knew him and it made me feel so strange because I never knew him. I have his photo. Annie