A new message, "Hamilton, Robert," was posted by Geoffrey McLean on Tue, 27 Jul 1999 on the Galveston County, Texas, Genealogy web page Queries section: Reply to Geoffrey McLean at geoff@mcleanresearch.com Surname: Hamilton, Allen DATE: Jul 27 1999 URL: http://www.mcleanresearch.com Searching for information of the descendants of Robert John HAMILTON and Mary Jane ALLEN. One son, (at least) Robert Hamilton emigrated from Carrick Furgus, Ireland to Galveston where he was employed as a clerk for Galveston Wharves from 1937-1945. Born 1 MAY 1910. He died in JUL 1949. He may have married an Anna SUMMERS and had one child Ruth. Ruth is said to have lived with relatives for some time after his death. Seeking any information on any of the HAMILTON relatives.

PBS "ANCESTORS" SERIES COMPANION BOOK: CALL FOR STORIES by Megan Smolenyak <Megan_Smolenyak@compuserve.com> Several months ago, many of you kindly submitted your stories for the upcoming Public Broadcasting System (PBS) "Ancestors: The Family Search" series that will air in the U.S.A. in early 2000. Unfortunately, we could only select about a dozen stories from the more than 1,000 that we received. We would like to thank every one of you who took the time to share your tale and assure you that every single story was read and considered. And now, we'd like to ask for your help again. The series will have a companion book which will complement the show itself. At this point, it is tentatively called HONORING OUR ANCESTORS: 101 STORIES OF SERENDIPITY, KINDNESS, AND CONNECTION. As you can tell from the title, we are looking for slightly different stories than the ones we solicited for the show. Here are the categories we are looking for this time out. WHAT WERE THE ODDS? Almost all avid genealogists experience serendipity in their research -- a book just happens to fall off the library shelf and provide the clue that has been sought for years. Please share any experiences you've had like this. TRUSTING YOUR INTUITION. We would like to hear about any times when you "trusted your gut" and were rewarded for listening to that inner voice -- "something just told me" stories. CONNECTING WITH KIN. Please tell us about your reunion tales or how you connected with distant cousins. THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS. We want to hear about the random and not-so-random acts of genealogical kindness you've experienced or performed. BREAKING THE TIME BARRIER. We invite you to share stories that show that even the passage of time and death itself are not strong enough to break family ties -- of how you feel connected to an ancestor, even though he/she passed on hundreds of years ago. IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED. Please take this opportunity to show off your doggedness, ingenuity, and perseverance. If you are interested in having your family's tale appear in the book, please write a brief summary and send to <76163.1402@compuserve.com> with a copy to <RWR-Editors@rootsweb.com> no later than 18 August 1999. Please use the category your story fits into as the subject for your message. As was the case the last time, regrettably we will not be able to respond to all messages due to the anticipated volume; but, because we need 101 stories, the odds are certainly better this time. Remember to submit your summary no later than 18 August 1999. Thanks and best of luck! This article comes from "MISSING LINKS"----- PERMISSION TO REPRINT articles from MISSING LINKS is granted unless specifically stated otherwise, PROVIDED: (1) the reprint is used for non-commercial, educational purposes; and (2) a copy of this notice appears at the end of the article: Written by <author's name, e-mail address, and URL, if given>. Previously published by Julia M. Case and Myra Vanderpool Gormley, CG, Missing Links: RootsWeb's Genealogy Journal, Vol. 4, No. 31, 28 July 1999. RootsWeb: <http://www.rootsweb.com/>

> I am afraid that I have the opposite happening in my > family. > > Thomas E. Clynch is in the 1881 Uk census age 10 > (born > in Liverpool in 1871) with his widowed mother Mary > Clynch and 2 sisters Mary L. age 9 and Alice M. age > 6. > > In June 29 1894(marriage license) St. John's Nfld > Thomas Clinch is marrying a Catherine Ann Leonard > having 3 children: > Thomas 1900 > Mary Catherine 1902 b. St. John's, Nfdld(my g > grandmother) > James 1905 > > Thomas Edward Clinch( U.S. Navy Service > record)joining > in NY, NY 1918 > > Mary Catherine Clinch Yeager buried Sec C Lot 302 > Grave 9 Calvary Cem Galveston, Texas next to son > James > Clinch buried Oct 1929 and Husband(accorrding to > Headstone)Husband is actually in New York, New York. > > So I have done just the opposite and gone from > Clynch > to Clinch. Amazing what happens moving from one > place > to another. Thanks > Chanda > > _________________________________________________________ > Do You Yahoo!? > Get your free @yahoo.com address at > http://mail.yahoo.com > > _________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com

A new message, "maybe of some help?," was posted by Ryan Clynch on Wed, 21 Jul 1999 on the Galveston County, Texas, genealogy web page Queries. It is a response to "Yeager c. 1897," posted by Chanda on Sat, 03 Jul 1999. NAME: Ryan Clynch EMAIL: ryan@youngminds.com Surname: Clynch DATE: Jul 21 1999 AS you may know, the Clinch family changed their name to Clynch during a migration to Texas in the 1800's. I have a Gradfather named Frank Clynch. Maybe this is of some help to you. Ryan Clynch.

The following message is retransmitted from Michael Salinas: I have started an online genealogy group. Its registered as "The Galvez Society for Hispanic Genealogy" and its just starting out. I have however been doing Colonial Spanish research for about 20 years outside of the area, Galveston has been home to my ancestors since just before the 1900 storm, and I think much more interest in Hispanic Genealogy would be generated from the group. It has been officially registered for a about a year, and a trademark logo is also registered. Galveston is my hometown, and currently has no hispanic organized group for genealogy. It is my hope the with a successful website, and a home for questions relating to hispanic research I can serve the community and also add Galveston's group as a branch off of the major hispanic genealogy groups in the state of Texas. I hope to have local residents support the group and partner with the other Societies in the area of Houston, Corpus, San Antonio etc. Maybe one day Galveston can be the sight of the Texas State Conference on Hispanic Genealogy!!! Tell your friends in the area about it. Add it to your Texas Sites for Hispanic Genealogy!! http://hometown.aol.com/galhispsoc/myhomepage/index.html Thanks Michael A. Salinas Founder & President The Galvez Society for Hispanic Genealogy

Nice. Thanks. And I was not a fan of his father; I did end up, one of his mother--to my surprise. "Un Adieu A Une Grande Dame' , it was said of his mother, now to "Dame", add "& Guy". Jim, Charlotte, N.C. ----- Original Message ----- From: Jim Turner <jnturner@gte.net> To: <TXGALVES-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, July 20, 1999 12:52 PM Subject: [TXGALVES-L] THOUGHT FOR TODAY > THOUGHT FOR TODAY > <<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>> > ======================================================= > > "It's hard for me to talk about a legacy or a mystique. It's my family. > It's my mother. It's my sister. It's my father. We're a family like any > other. We look out for one another. The fact that there have been > difficulties and hardships, or obstacles, makes us closer." > > ----- John F. Kennedy, Jr., 1960-1999 > In Vogue, 1993 > >

THOUGHT FOR TODAY <<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>> ======================================================= "It's hard for me to talk about a legacy or a mystique. It's my family. It's my mother. It's my sister. It's my father. We're a family like any other. We look out for one another. The fact that there have been difficulties and hardships, or obstacles, makes us closer." ----- John F. Kennedy, Jr., 1960-1999 In Vogue, 1993

A new message, "Obit for Wallace Valdetero," was posted by Cindy Shepard on Sat, 17 Jul 1999 on the Galveston County, Texas, web page Queries section: --- NAME: Cindy Shepard EMAIL: CDVal808@aol.com Surname: VALDETERO DATE: Jul 17 1999 Does anyone have access to obits or book which would cover the year 1962 for deaths? I am searching for article or something on the death of my Father, Wallace Valdetero killed in a car wreck on July 10, 1962 in Galveston County on I-45. I believe I was told that a baby was also killed in the accident. Any help or info would be appreciated. Cindy Shepard.

A new message, "Ancestors," was posted by Nikki Bohacik on Wed, 14 Jul 1999 on the Galveston County, Texas, Genealogy web page Queries: Surname: German, Ridings, McDonald NAME: Nikki Bohacik EMAIL: jayjo@urhere.net Surname: German, Ridings, McDonald DATE: Jul 14 1999 My Grandfather was Van Burne German, He married 7/1/1911 in Galveston, Texas Ida Mae Ridings Dau of Dave or David Ridings and Rachel McDonald. Please, any help would be gratefully recieved! Nikki.

In a message dated 7/14/99 8:22:23 PM Central Daylight Time, jnturner@gte.net writes: << NAME: Nikki Bohacik EMAIL: jayjo@urhere.net Surname: German, Ridings, McDonald DATE: Jul 14 1999 My Grandfather was Van Burne German, He married 7/1/1911 in Galveston, Texas Ida Mae Ridings Dau of Dave or David Ridings and Rachel McDonald. Please, any help would be gratefully recieved! Nikki. >> Hello Nikki I checked the books that I have here & I didn't find any of your names. Sorry Bertha Ellen

A new message, "Looking for David rufus Canfield," was posted by Pam Henson on Mon, 12 Jul 1999 on the Galveston County, Texas, Genealogy web page Queries section: NAME: Pam Henson EMAIL: phenson@pdq.net Surname: Canfield, Eberly, Towler, Jayne, Talbott DATE: Jul 12 1999 LINK: URL: I am looking for information on David Rufus Canfield he had a brother Henry Canfield who lived in Harris Co. (Houston area) and worked in the export business dealing with Cotton. He was located in the Cotton Exchange Bldg he was here in the early 1930's. He also had a brother on the west coast that was a shipping magnet. David Rufus worked for the the Rock Island Railroad and in 1915 left Galveston, Galveston Co., before the big storm. If any one has any information would you please contact me at my e-mail address. Pam phenson@pdq.net

In a message dated 7/8/99 12:03:58 PM Central Daylight Time, RErmis@compuserve.com writes: << A good general history of Indianola, TX was written by Brownson Malsch titled _Indianola: The Mother of Western Texas_. ##################################################################### Rosemary thanks for this note am sure that there will be some of us that will be looking at that book. Bertha Ellen Texas City

A good general history of Indianola, TX was written by Brownson Malsch titled _Indianola: The Mother of Western Texas_. There's a drawing of the long, long piers on the cover, and the book includes photos and information about the famous camels arriving in Texas as well as the demise of the town. I found it good reading. Sorry, no passenger lists. Rosemary Ermis RErmis@compuserve.com Alvin, TX

Winnie: I would love to have copies of your pictures of Indianola. Was it called by a different name in the 1880s? Any info you could give would be helpful. Albert and Mary (Biela) Kopecki came over with at least 5 children from the ages of 16 yrs to 18 months. They probably came over with other relatives. Everyone was Catholic. Albert died after he had been here a year and is buried in Panna Maria. Judith M. Slate Co-ordinating Secretary Department of Geography Michigan State University 315 Natural Science East Lansing MI 48824-1115 517 355-4649 x 102

Me again! The info from Bill Sanders is really interesting. I read somehwere that the bay was so shallow that the ships actually anchored on a sand bar. The disembarking passengers had to wait for water taxis esentially to get to shore. Many people finally just waded or swam in to the beach if they didn't have small children or a lot of belongings. Indianola first began to see shipping traffic around 1844. It was destroyed in 1875 by a hurricane and rebuilt. The storm of 1886 was horrific and the town didn't recover. A Texas history book I have describes Galveston and Matagorda as among the most serviceable ports of the mid to late 1800's. >From: Winifred Howard <mchoward@hotmail.com> >Reply-To: TXGALVES-L@rootsweb.com >To: TXGALVES-L@rootsweb.com >Subject: Re: [TXGALVES-L] Meyer or Myers >Date: Wed, 07 Jul 1999 21:35:55 PDT > >Hi Judith, > >Shelly is correct about Ellis Island. In the 1880's they may have stopped >in New York, but there is the possibility that there are no records. >Castle >Garden (State of New York facility) did keep some records, but Ellis Island >begin keeping records closer to 1900. ( I don't have the exact date handy, >but I could find out). There is a great book on Indianola. There is >nothing there anymore except a monument to the lives lost there during the >hurricane that destroyed the town. I have some pictures of the monument if >youd like to have one and a couple of the coastline and the bay. It is >pretty desolate. The people from Panna Maria have kept their history very >much alive. Are you looking for any other info besides the ship? There >are >a lot of church histories at Clayton Library here in Houston and sometimes >they are loaded with info you wouldn't expect to find. I am assuming that >your ancestors were Catholic. I can check for you to see what I can find, >but it will be next week before I get to the library. Just let me know. > >Regards, > >Winnie > >>From: "Judith M. Slate" <slate@pilot.msu.edu> >>Reply-To: TXGALVES-L@rootsweb.com >>To: TXGALVES-L@rootsweb.com >>Subject: Re: [TXGALVES-L] Meyer or Myers >>Date: Tue, 06 Jul 1999 13:43:07 -0500 >> >>Bertha: >> >>My relatives, Albert and Mary (Biela) Kopecki, came over on a ship that >>landed at Indianola instead of Galveston. It probably started out at >>Breman, Germany. Did ships stop at Ellis Island before they came to >>Galveston then went to Indianola ... or did they come straight from >>Germany >>to Indianola? The first group of Polish settlers came to Galveston in >>1854 >>(November probably); the group my great grandparents came in landed in the >>1880s. They then settled in Panna Maria, Texas. >>Judy Slate >> >>At 12:37 PM 7/6/99 -0400, you wrote: >> >I did check "SHIPS PASSENGER LISTS PORT OF GALVESTON, TEXAS 1846-1871 >> >Did not find a listing for a VINCENT MEYERS/MEYER >> >Bertha Ellen >> > >>Judith M. Slate >>Co-ordinating Secretary >> >>Department of Geography >>Michigan State University >>315 Natural Science >>East Lansing MI 48824-1115 >>517 355-4649 x 102 >> >> >> > > >_______________________________________________________________ >Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com > _______________________________________________________________ Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com

Hi Judith, Shelly is correct about Ellis Island. In the 1880's they may have stopped in New York, but there is the possibility that there are no records. Castle Garden (State of New York facility) did keep some records, but Ellis Island begin keeping records closer to 1900. ( I don't have the exact date handy, but I could find out). There is a great book on Indianola. There is nothing there anymore except a monument to the lives lost there during the hurricane that destroyed the town. I have some pictures of the monument if youd like to have one and a couple of the coastline and the bay. It is pretty desolate. The people from Panna Maria have kept their history very much alive. Are you looking for any other info besides the ship? There are a lot of church histories at Clayton Library here in Houston and sometimes they are loaded with info you wouldn't expect to find. I am assuming that your ancestors were Catholic. I can check for you to see what I can find, but it will be next week before I get to the library. Just let me know. Regards, Winnie >From: "Judith M. Slate" <slate@pilot.msu.edu> >Reply-To: TXGALVES-L@rootsweb.com >To: TXGALVES-L@rootsweb.com >Subject: Re: [TXGALVES-L] Meyer or Myers >Date: Tue, 06 Jul 1999 13:43:07 -0500 > >Bertha: > >My relatives, Albert and Mary (Biela) Kopecki, came over on a ship that >landed at Indianola instead of Galveston. It probably started out at >Breman, Germany. Did ships stop at Ellis Island before they came to >Galveston then went to Indianola ... or did they come straight from Germany >to Indianola? The first group of Polish settlers came to Galveston in 1854 >(November probably); the group my great grandparents came in landed in the >1880s. They then settled in Panna Maria, Texas. >Judy Slate > >At 12:37 PM 7/6/99 -0400, you wrote: > >I did check "SHIPS PASSENGER LISTS PORT OF GALVESTON, TEXAS 1846-1871 > >Did not find a listing for a VINCENT MEYERS/MEYER > >Bertha Ellen > > >Judith M. Slate >Co-ordinating Secretary > >Department of Geography >Michigan State University >315 Natural Science >East Lansing MI 48824-1115 >517 355-4649 x 102 > > > _______________________________________________________________ Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com

I thought the following article is good "continuing education" for us genealogists. It is reprinted with the permission of Ancestry Daily News. Jim Turner "EUCLIDEAN GENEALOGY" by Michael John Neill <<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>> ======================================================= Euclidean Geometry was one of my favorite subjects in high school largely because of the "proofs" that were a part of the class. Genealogists need not re-learn the subject matter, but there are times when organizing your genealogical reasoning in some sort of formal way is a good idea. Simply stating your genealogical belief is not enough. SAYING IT IN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS TO EFFECTIVELY "YELL" IT IS NOT APPROPRIATE EITHER. Saying or writing something does not make it true. It may be that opinion is a part of your reasoning process. This is necessary for many reasons, frequently centering on records that are illegible, inconclusive, incomplete, or any combination thereof. Organizing your conclusions is an important part of the genealogical sharing process. There are times when it is sufficient to say "Here is what I found and here it what it says." Or to simply put the fact (and the source) on a family group chart. But research is not always that simple. There are times when records or documents partially or entirely contradict what we have already found, or what someone else had printed. There are also other researchers whose conclusions run counter to ours. Serious genealogical research frequently attempts to integrate or disprove these conflicting theories. It should be remembered that not all conflicting information can be reconciled. Different genealogists may interpret the same information differently. When you are unable to agree with someone else, do so politely and respectfully. A genealogist also researching one of my lines disputed the father I had for one of my ancestors. I supplied her with my source citations, the abstracts of those sources, and some discussion of why I thought those sources backed up my conclusion. I let her know that I was more than willing to work on these lines together and iron out the ancestry as best we could. I asked her for the source information that brought her to her conclusion (which was contrary to mine). She never provided me with any sources to back up her conclusion and I never heard from her again. Her initial note to me solely indicated she had a different father for the ancestor, sans source. Stating your case is not hard, but make certain you have analyzed the evidence completely, have exhausted all possible sources, have thought carefully about your assumptions, and have left your ego behind. This last item is extremely important. Once this has been done, clearly and concisely state your case. Provide complete and accurate citation information for all documents cited or referenced. Extract all information from a document that is relevant to proving your point. Clearly and completely explain your reasoning--why you think the documents cited back up your theory. In some cases, the reasoning may be fairly short--all five documents say the same thing. In some cases, the reasoning may be more involved, especially if the documents are inconsistent or you are inferring things from the documents. It is important to remember that there will not be overwhelming evidence in support of every conclusion. This difficulty becomes more problematic as research extends before vital registration and similar records. I encountered the following statement in an unpublished manuscript: Thomas Johnson Rampley, born ca. 1770 was the son of James Rampley's wife Sarah Johnson and an unknown man. He was later adopted by James Rampley, who died in Harford County, Maryland in 1817. I had citations which I felt proved Thomas Johnson Rampley was the son of James and his wife Sarah. Complete citations are omitted here for the sake of brevity. I have broken the discussion into two categories, what I call "hard" and "circumstantial" evidence. The classification is not absolute, but I try and place in the circumstantial set those items that could easily be coincidence or things for which I have no "proof." Different researchers may choose to classify some facts differently. However, it is important to remember that some items, particularly birth order, names of grandparents, similar names, and coincidences of locations frequently fall under the category of circumstantial evidence (and sometimes, weak evidence at that). Providing complete accurate source citations is an important part of this process. So we have a summary of the information obtained in this case. "Hard" Evidence 1) Thomas Johnson Rampley is listed in the will of James Rampley as "my son." Thomas is provided a bequest at least as valuable as the other children of James Rampley. 2) Thomas Johnson Rampley is listed as "our son" in a legal agreement, which is signed by James and Sarah Rampley before James' death in 1817. 3) A Harford County Court case involving Thomas Johnson Rampley refers to James Rampley as "his father." 4) Sarah was the daughter of William and Ann Gibson (proven by their estate records). She is listed as Sarah Gibson to her marriage to James in 1771. There is no record of any other marriages for Sarah. "Circumstantial" Evidence 1) James Rampley's father was Thomas. Several other Rampley children were also named for family members. 2) Sarah Gibson had a brother Johnson Gibson, which might have been the cause for the name. 3) There was an influential Marylander at the time of Thomas Johnson Rampley's birth whose name was Thomas Johnson. Summarizing your thoughts is more than merely listing the sources. Sometimes it is helpful to list the theories you are trying to disprove, and disprove them one by one. It frequently takes more than one document to prove an idea or to make a point. In the Rampley example despite the first three items of "hard" evidence, it might be said that Thomas was actually James Rampley' s stepson, not his natural son. To dispute this, other records must be used in connection with each other. The fact that Sarah was the daughter of William Gibson and that this was her name at marriage makes the adopted theory less credible. At this point in the research, there is no evidence that Sarah brought Thomas with her to her marriage to James in 1771. In this case, the more circumstantial evidence comes into play--particularly since it coincides with what the "hard" evidence says. In this case, there does not appear to be any doubt that Thomas Johnson Rampley was the son of James and Sarah (Gibson) Rampley. The sources must be tied together with your thoughts and commentary. In the Rampley example there were fortunately two separate documents where James is listed as the son of James. These sources would be considered primary. The document where Thomas lists James as his father would be most likely classified as a secondary source for this relationship. Whether a document is considered primary or secondary plays a role in the analysis. Also whether or not the informant had firsthand knowledge of the event or relationship must be considered. The difficulty is that there will not always be "hard" proof and the researcher may be forced to rely on circumstantial sources. In these cases, the researcher needs to learn about local customs and social practices. This is important as circumstantial clues frequently have some basis in societal norms or practices. The difficulty is that these customs are frequently unwritten and not as easy to document. Nor does each individual live their life by local customs (i.e. not every family named the oldest son for the paternal grandfather). Records created by courts are a little more clear cut in this regard (since somewhere there is likely a legal basis for the record's creation), but they too are subject to interpretation. Proving your genealogical point is not easy. Logically and clearly stating your idea and documenting why you believe it is integral. It is not necessary to adopt a form as formal in a geometry class--however, diagrams and pictures are occasionally helpful. Good luck. ************************************************************ Copyright 1999, Michael John Neill. Michael John Neill, is the Course I Coordinator at the Genealogical Institute of Mid America (GIMA) held annually in Springfield, Illinois, and is also on the faculty of Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg, Illinois. Michael is the Web columnist for the FGS FORUM and is on the editorial board of the Illinois State Genealogical Society Quarterly. He conducts seminars and lectures on a wide variety of genealogical and computer topics and contributes to several genealogical publications, including Ancestry and Genealogical Computing. You can e-mail him at: mailto:mneill@asc.csc.cc.il.us or visit his website at: http://www.rootdig.com/

Bertha thanks for looking for me. I guess he might have came in La. or Indianola. I will keep looking. Thanks for the help. Teresa ----- Original Message ----- From: <BerthaElen@aol.com> To: <TXGALVES-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, July 06, 1999 11:37 AM Subject: Re: [TXGALVES-L] Meyer or Myers > I did check "SHIPS PASSENGER LISTS PORT OF GALVESTON, TEXAS 1846-1871 > Did not find a listing for a VINCENT MEYERS/MEYER > Bertha Ellen >

Thanks a lot for the info on the ports. A big help now, have to go and look at these places. Thanks again, Teresa ----- Original Message ----- From: Bill <bsand@texas.net> To: <TXGALVES-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, July 06, 1999 5:06 PM Subject: Re: [TXGALVES-L] Meyer or Myers > Bertha, > > Indianola was never a Port of Entry, at least prior to the early 1900's. > The only two established Ports of Entry (after Texas became a State) were > New Orleans and Galveston. I believe that Brownsville later became an > established Port of Entry. However, Indianola was never a Port of Entry, > mainly because of the extremely shallow bays that led to Indianola. These > shallow waters made the sailing ships of that era impossible to traverse. > Almost all the ships from Germany had to first dock and go through customs > and immigration at Galveston. Smaller schooners that could navigate the > shallow bay waters leading into Carlshaven (Indianola) then ferried the > immigrants (that wanted to go) from Galveston to Indianola. One historian > said that these schooners could only carry about 35 people, including the > crew. > > Actually, Indianola was the jumping off place for most of the German > immigrants who settled in Central Texas and beyond, but they first had to go > through Galveston's Port of Entry. This by itself was often a long wait for > the German settlers who could not get off of the ship until they had cleared > quarantine and immigration. For example, on December 21, 1845, the "Johann > Dethardt" from Bremen sailed into Galveston Bay. However, it was January > 12, 1846 before the boat and its passengers cleared quarantine and customs. > Ellis Island (as were numerous other ports) was another Port of Entry for > the Northeastern settlers. > > The sail ships that came from Bremen or other parts of Germany followed a > path from Breman around the northern horn of Germany into the English > Channel. Once they traversed and cleared the English Channel, they > attempted to stay clear of the North Atlantic waters which were usually > quite treacherous, and sailed further South. They used Bermuda as a beacon > point and then the Bahama Islands, and then the strait between Key West and > Cuba. Cuba was an established island at that time, where Key West was only > a land marker. They then sailed either to New Orleans or Galveston (either > being a Port of Entry). > > Bill Sanders > Spring, Texas > bsand@texas.net > > >

Bertha, Indianola was never a Port of Entry, at least prior to the early 1900's. The only two established Ports of Entry (after Texas became a State) were New Orleans and Galveston. I believe that Brownsville later became an established Port of Entry. However, Indianola was never a Port of Entry, mainly because of the extremely shallow bays that led to Indianola. These shallow waters made the sailing ships of that era impossible to traverse. Almost all the ships from Germany had to first dock and go through customs and immigration at Galveston. Smaller schooners that could navigate the shallow bay waters leading into Carlshaven (Indianola) then ferried the immigrants (that wanted to go) from Galveston to Indianola. One historian said that these schooners could only carry about 35 people, including the crew. Actually, Indianola was the jumping off place for most of the German immigrants who settled in Central Texas and beyond, but they first had to go through Galveston's Port of Entry. This by itself was often a long wait for the German settlers who could not get off of the ship until they had cleared quarantine and immigration. For example, on December 21, 1845, the "Johann Dethardt" from Bremen sailed into Galveston Bay. However, it was January 12, 1846 before the boat and its passengers cleared quarantine and customs. Ellis Island (as were numerous other ports) was another Port of Entry for the Northeastern settlers. The sail ships that came from Bremen or other parts of Germany followed a path from Breman around the northern horn of Germany into the English Channel. Once they traversed and cleared the English Channel, they attempted to stay clear of the North Atlantic waters which were usually quite treacherous, and sailed further South. They used Bermuda as a beacon point and then the Bahama Islands, and then the strait between Key West and Cuba. Cuba was an established island at that time, where Key West was only a land marker. They then sailed either to New Orleans or Galveston (either being a Port of Entry). Bill Sanders Spring, Texas bsand@texas.net