NEW GENEALOGY PAGES AT NARA PASSPORT APPLICATIONS http://www.nara.gov/genealogy/passport.html "Passport applications can be an excellent source of genealogical information, especially about foreign-born individuals. The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) has passport applications from Oct. 1795-Mar. 1925; the U.S. Department of State (http://travel.state.gov/passport_records.html) has passport applications from Apr. 1925 to the present." Part of NARA's excellent collection of record guides, this page can help you locate these valuable records (From Ancestry Daily News, 15 June 1999)

A new message, "ELGIN'S of Galveston Co.," was posted by Bob Horn on Mon, 14 Jun 1999, on the Galveston County, Texas, Genealogy web page Queries section: --- NAME: Bob Horn EMAIL: poppybob@aol.com SURNAMES: ELGIN, ILGEN, POWITSKY, MCKINLEY, TIPTON, SCHULD DATE: Jun 14 1999 Would like to exchange info with anyone researching the John ILGEN (ELGIN) family living in Galveston Co. starting in about 1850 as well as the following surnames connected to this family: POWITSKY, MCKINLEY, TIPTON, SCHULD.

A new message, "Immigrant Great Grandparents," was posted by Mitzie on Sun, 13 Jun 1999, on the Galveston County, Texas, Genealogy web page Queries section: --- NAME: Mitzie EMAIL: angel3@crprod.com SURNAMES: Igersheim, Egersheim, Stahler DATE: Jun 13 1999 Looking for Great Granparents, immigrated from Germany in 1886, through Galveston, Tx. Peter Clement Igersheim (Egersheim), Wife's surname, Schmidt. Son William Valentine..

A new message, "hysmith," was posted by sandy olinger on Sat, 12 Jun 1999 to the Galveston County, Texas, Genealogy web page Queries section. It is a response to "hysmith," posted by sandy olinger on Fri, 11 Jun 1999 --- NAME: sandy olinger EMAIL: 1951s@gte.net SURNAMES: ardella hysmith DATE: Jun 12 1999 her yr of birth is incorrect. It s/be 1888. They had 9 children. Both were buried in Galveston..

In a message dated 6/12/99 10:54:33 AM Central Daylight Time, jnturner@gte.net writes: << hese are my great grandparents. he was born in 1883 in macon,ga. She in 1988 in alabama. He passed away in 1961 or 1962 in texas. She in 1926 in texas.. >> Hello: I found listed in the Broadway Cemetery Book 1920-1930 Number:174 / HYSMITH, Ardellar Age:42/ Female/ Married/White/Residence:Galveston Cemetery: Evergreen Date of Interment: 4 July 1929 Undertaker: J. Levy Bros ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ In the Galveston Memorial Park 1952=1962 Vol 4 HYSMITH, Helen H. female:married b 8 June 1910 Galveston,TX d 5 Feb 1958 Galveston,TX buried:9 Feb 1958 by Malloy Funeral Home/Galveston,TX Section Q/Lot/Row:177 Grave:6/unmarked Lot owner:J. B. HYSMITH Family:f: Chas FROHNE-Galveston,TX/m:Belle Rogers-Mo/ H:James B. HYSMITH Bertha Ellen

A new message, "hysmith," was posted by sandy olinger on Fri, 11 Jun 1999 to the Galveston County, Texas, Genealogy web page Queries section: --- NAME: sandy olinger EMAIL: 1951s@gte.net SURNAMES: dennis hysmith, ardella hysmith DATE: Jun 11 1999 these are my great grandparents. he was born in 1883 in macon,ga. She in 1988 in alabama. He passed away in 1961 or 1962 in texas. She in 1926 in texas..

A new message, "POWELL, Joseph & Josephine," was posted by kathy belknap on Fri, 11 Jun 1999, on the Galveston County, Texas, Genealogy web page Queries section: --- NAME: kathy belknap EMAIL: belknap@netside.com SURNAMES: POWELL DATE: Jun 11 1999 POWELL, Joseph, b. abt. 1890; parents: Michael(?unsure of this first name) Powell and Elizabeth Magdalene (Ladish); lived in Houston, TX from at least 1910 to abt. 1940s; Joseph m. Mary (Snow), & they had a daughter, Josephine Lillian Powell, b. July 23, 1921 in Houston, TX. Joseph's father worked for the RR in & around Galveston & Beaumont until he was murdered abt. 1892-1894. After his death, Joseph's mother, Eliz. lived in Houston with 2 children (Joseph & Lillian). She ran a boarding house. Eliz. died in 1925. ESPECIALLY interested in finding out Josephine's married name (if she married). Joseph & family may have moved to NC abt. 1940s. ANY INFO on any of these individuals will be greatly appreciated!! Surely, someone knew Joseph or his daughter, Josephine..

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Winnie, It's early in the morning for me, so maybe I'm not thinking straight. :-) But I think Indianola would have been too far south for travelers to Brazoria County. Brazoria County is places like Lake Jackson, Freeport, Alvin, etc. It's just west of Galveston and south of Fort Bend County. So the closest port would be Galveston. Indianola is on the southwest side of Matagorda Bay. It would have been used for New Braunfels (spelling?) and other western German settlements. The storm in 1875 damaged the town severly, and the final blow came in August 1886. Library research fees are on their web site (www.rosenberg-library.org) Shelly

Hi Winnie, I'm the one with the Galveston 1872 arrival. Thank you for your suggestion to check Indianola. I didn't know that was an option. I only just assumed they came into Galveston, but it could have been anywhere I guess. Is there a list of passengers indexed for Indianola? Does Galveston library have them? I've found so much helpful information from the people on this list. It is by far the friendliest, helpful bunch of people I've encountered. Thanks again!. Marianne Winnie wrote: >Hi Shelly, > >Is it possible that some of these arrivals could have been at Indianola? I >can't find my book on the dates of the hurricane destruction there. Was it >1876 or maybe 1879. If it was then maybe it would be worth a shot for the >person with the Brazoria County reference in 1872. I've seen several >arrivals to Indianola that went to Brazoria County as I was looking for >things on my family. Remember, I'm just an amateur. Forgive me if I'm >wrong. > >Winnie Howard

Chris, I know there is a searchable online catalog available on the web page, but I don't know if it works for ILL. I forwarded your request to the reference department. (ref@rosenberg-library.org) Maybe they'll get back with you. Meanwhile, check out the web page at www.rosenberg-library.org Shelly Kelly GalvestonTX

Hi Shelly, Is it possible that some of these arrivals could have been at Indianola? I can't find my book on the dates of the hurricane destruction there. Was it 1876 or maybe 1879. If it was then maybe it would be worth a shot for the person with the Brazoria County reference in 1872. I've seen several arrivals to Indianola that went to Brazoria County as I was looking for things on my family. Remember, I'm just an amateur. Forgive me if I'm wrong. Winnie Howard (You've helped me before too with my ANICO basketball photo) Thanks! P.S. I've lost track of all these emails. >From: Shelly Henley Kelly <shelly@rosenberg-library.org> >Reply-To: TXGALVES-L@rootsweb.com >To: TXGALVES-L@rootsweb.com >Subject: [TXGALVES-L] Lots of St. Joseph/Cemetery/Immigration questions... >Date: Wed, 09 Jun 1999 09:00:33 -0500 > >This is mainly an e-mail responding to the questions and concerns of >Marianne Gilbert, but I thought everyone would benefit from the >information. I hope I answer all the questions I have read over the >past several e-mails. I've been away for a 3-day weekend. > > > > gg grandmother, Matilda Sophia (nee BLAKELY) DAVIS died in Galveston 23 >August, 1862. I have her > > obituary from the Galveston News. I wrote to the county courthouse and >they > > were unable to find the record of her death. > > > >In the book _Record of Interments of the City of Galveston, 1859-1872_ >copied and transcribed from the original by Peggy H. Gregory of Houston >TX in 1976, there is a record for the death of Matilda B. Davis. It >appears on page 28 and reads as follows: > >"Matilda B. DAVIS, died August 23, 1862, buried August 24, 1862, age 44 >yrs, female, white, cause of death Dysentery, residence Galveston, >nativity Canada, cemetery Catholic." > >This cemetery is located in the "Broadway Cemeteries", a section along >Broadway between 41st and 43rd Streets that holds approximately 7 >different cemeteries. This one is currently called "Old Catholic" and >any records still existing would be in the hands of the >Galveston-Houston Catholic Diocese Archives, managed by Archivist Lisa >May whose address and phone number I saw has already been posted. > > > > after the storm in 1900 (?) there was a lot of damage and the cemeteries >were razed. > > > >The 1900 Galveston Storm (occurred Sat. Sept 8, 1900) did do quite a bit >of damage to the cemeteries around town. But so you don't have the >wrong impression, they were not "razed" as in destroyed completely, they >were "raised" as in lifted higher when they raised the grade level of >the entire city from a few feet above sea level to as much as 17 feet >above sea level. The Broadway areas was probably raised about 8 feet. >If the family lived in the area, it is my understanding that they had to >pay to have the headstones set up even with the new grade level. If >not, it is highly possible that the headstone is buried beneath about 8 >feet of sand and topsoil. > >St. Joseph's Church (which has been deconsecrated) was built by German >immigrants in 1859. It is located at 2201 Avenue K -- which is one >block south of Broadway on the corner of 22nd street. It is wooden, >and has been taken over by Galveston Historical Foundation. They are >raising money to continue the restoration project. For many years it >sat alone with only the altars. They have researched and found many of >the original statues etc that used to be housed in the church. It's a >lovely place (still un-airconditioned!) to visit if you're in town. >Look up GHF for more information. > >The white church on Broadway that Mr. Balch was referring to is Sacred >Heart Catholic Church. The building was constructed in 1903 with money >donated by the French Catholics in response to hearing that the original >Sacred Heart had been completely destroyed. The exterior architecture >represents La Sacre Couer in Paris while the interior architecture >represents the Spanish Basilica. It is the only Catholic church ..... >Hmm... in the US??? that has Islamic architecture on the inside. It is >located on the corner of Broadway and 14th Street and faces the Bishop's >Palace (aka Gresham Residence). > > > > Do ship passenger arrival lists exist? Where? > > 1845-6? > > 1863? > > 1880's? > > > > Next, Tax lists and/or voter lists 1847-50? > > 1905? > > > >This next question came from Tom in El Paso, but I noticed quite a bit >of answers flying around about it also. > >Jim Turner posted the listing of records held by the Rosenberg Library's >Galveston & Texas History Center in Galveston >(www.rosenberg-library.org). If you check the heading under Genealogy >Resources, then you will also see that they have microfilm of the tax >lists from 1838-1922. They do not have voter's records. > >The immigration records (passenger records) from 1872-1900 are believed >to have been destroyed in the 1900 Storm. The immigration station >suffered very heavily during the Storm. I recommend that you search for >a naturalization record at the District Clerk's office in the county >courthouse where the family settled. They will not list a wife -- only >the male members of the family since the wife automatically shared in >whatever citizenship her husband held. They will give you the name of >the vessel and date that they arrived in Galveston. Once you have that >piece of information, you can check the Galveston newspaper (on >microfilm) for that day or the next and look under "Marine Log" which >will list each vessel that arrived in port or is docked in port the >previous day. It will not list the immigrants names, but may have a >short article that reads something like "240 steerage passengers arrived >in Texas today..." > > > > Is the latter list only from German passengers? The Galveston-Bremen >Project: 1865-1896. > > > >The title is misleading because Bremen was the main exit port for all >German and Eastern European immigrants (including Czechs, Jews, >Russians, Polish, etc.) If I remember correctly, the compiler of these >lists spent many many years checking through German print newspapers >across the state of Texas noting any list of newly arrived immigrants >that was printed. > >Whew.... I hope I've answered all the questions. Let me know if there >is anything more specific. > >Shelly Kelly >Galveston TX > > > > _______________________________________________________________ Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com

Hi Tom, I would think that there would have been few ships coming in to Galveston in 1863 because there was quite a bit of activity in that area during the War Between the States. I am not an expert, only an amateur historian, but I think this a fairly accurate statement. If the ancestors you are looking for were of German descent there is a book called "New Homes in a New Land" that lists many. I can look up names for you in that book. Many of the Galveston papers published lists of passenger arrivals. They would be microfilmed at the Rosenberg Library in Galveston. They do research by mail only, but I'm not sure what the fee is. There is also a book of Czech arrivals written by Leo Baca if you are looking for Czechs. If I can look at something at Clayton for you (I live in Houston - more than willing to help). There is a computer database at the museum in Galveston that has lots of records too. If you are trying to make ties by looking to see who traveled together none of this info may help you. >From: BerthaElen@aol.com >Reply-To: TXGALVES-L@rootsweb.com >To: TXGALVES-L@rootsweb.com >Subject: Re: [TXGALVES-L] Port of Galveston, Ship passenger arrivals, >1845-6, 1863, 18... >Date: Mon, 7 Jun 1999 09:47:01 EDT > >In a message dated 6/7/99 8:30:13 AM Central Daylight Time, >TCozz57795@aol.Com writes: > ><< Next, Tax lists and/or voter lists 1847-50? > 1905? >> >Tom >I forgot to mention the TAX LIST there is a book that I have seen located >at >CLAYTON LIBRARY/5300 Caroline/Houston,TX. >Am not sure about a Voters list. >Sincerely >Bertha Ellen > _______________________________________________________________ Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com

<< The Rosenberg Library in Galveston >> Can someone tell me if they have a searchable online catalog available for interlibrary loan purposes? Thanks, Chris

This is mainly an e-mail responding to the questions and concerns of Marianne Gilbert, but I thought everyone would benefit from the information. I hope I answer all the questions I have read over the past several e-mails. I've been away for a 3-day weekend. > gg grandmother, Matilda Sophia (nee BLAKELY) DAVIS died in Galveston 23 August, 1862. I have her > obituary from the Galveston News. I wrote to the county courthouse and they > were unable to find the record of her death. > In the book _Record of Interments of the City of Galveston, 1859-1872_ copied and transcribed from the original by Peggy H. Gregory of Houston TX in 1976, there is a record for the death of Matilda B. Davis. It appears on page 28 and reads as follows: "Matilda B. DAVIS, died August 23, 1862, buried August 24, 1862, age 44 yrs, female, white, cause of death Dysentery, residence Galveston, nativity Canada, cemetery Catholic." This cemetery is located in the "Broadway Cemeteries", a section along Broadway between 41st and 43rd Streets that holds approximately 7 different cemeteries. This one is currently called "Old Catholic" and any records still existing would be in the hands of the Galveston-Houston Catholic Diocese Archives, managed by Archivist Lisa May whose address and phone number I saw has already been posted. > after the storm in 1900 (?) there was a lot of damage and the cemeteries were razed. > The 1900 Galveston Storm (occurred Sat. Sept 8, 1900) did do quite a bit of damage to the cemeteries around town. But so you don't have the wrong impression, they were not "razed" as in destroyed completely, they were "raised" as in lifted higher when they raised the grade level of the entire city from a few feet above sea level to as much as 17 feet above sea level. The Broadway areas was probably raised about 8 feet. If the family lived in the area, it is my understanding that they had to pay to have the headstones set up even with the new grade level. If not, it is highly possible that the headstone is buried beneath about 8 feet of sand and topsoil. St. Joseph's Church (which has been deconsecrated) was built by German immigrants in 1859. It is located at 2201 Avenue K -- which is one block south of Broadway on the corner of 22nd street. It is wooden, and has been taken over by Galveston Historical Foundation. They are raising money to continue the restoration project. For many years it sat alone with only the altars. They have researched and found many of the original statues etc that used to be housed in the church. It's a lovely place (still un-airconditioned!) to visit if you're in town. Look up GHF for more information. The white church on Broadway that Mr. Balch was referring to is Sacred Heart Catholic Church. The building was constructed in 1903 with money donated by the French Catholics in response to hearing that the original Sacred Heart had been completely destroyed. The exterior architecture represents La Sacre Couer in Paris while the interior architecture represents the Spanish Basilica. It is the only Catholic church ..... Hmm... in the US??? that has Islamic architecture on the inside. It is located on the corner of Broadway and 14th Street and faces the Bishop's Palace (aka Gresham Residence). > Do ship passenger arrival lists exist? Where? > 1845-6? > 1863? > 1880's? > > Next, Tax lists and/or voter lists 1847-50? > 1905? > This next question came from Tom in El Paso, but I noticed quite a bit of answers flying around about it also. Jim Turner posted the listing of records held by the Rosenberg Library's Galveston & Texas History Center in Galveston (www.rosenberg-library.org). If you check the heading under Genealogy Resources, then you will also see that they have microfilm of the tax lists from 1838-1922. They do not have voter's records. The immigration records (passenger records) from 1872-1900 are believed to have been destroyed in the 1900 Storm. The immigration station suffered very heavily during the Storm. I recommend that you search for a naturalization record at the District Clerk's office in the county courthouse where the family settled. They will not list a wife -- only the male members of the family since the wife automatically shared in whatever citizenship her husband held. They will give you the name of the vessel and date that they arrived in Galveston. Once you have that piece of information, you can check the Galveston newspaper (on microfilm) for that day or the next and look under "Marine Log" which will list each vessel that arrived in port or is docked in port the previous day. It will not list the immigrants names, but may have a short article that reads something like "240 steerage passengers arrived in Texas today..." > Is the latter list only from German passengers? The Galveston-Bremen Project: 1865-1896. > The title is misleading because Bremen was the main exit port for all German and Eastern European immigrants (including Czechs, Jews, Russians, Polish, etc.) If I remember correctly, the compiler of these lists spent many many years checking through German print newspapers across the state of Texas noting any list of newly arrived immigrants that was printed. Whew.... I hope I've answered all the questions. Let me know if there is anything more specific. Shelly Kelly Galveston TX

yes, i plan go to galveston sometime to look for my ggrandfathers. it appears that my ggrandmother came here in a barrel along with her mother and stepfather but she lived in galveston also so i hope i can find what i am looking for at the court house. jackie At 08:42 PM 6/8/99 -0700, you wrote: >Hi Jackie, >Do you mean the naturalization records? I guess I was assuming that >immigration records and ships passenger lists were the same thing! Duh! >Thanks for the suggestion! >Marianne > >>Marianne - check the immigration records since you know the date of >>arrival. Jackie Deffes >> >> >> >>At 10:06 PM 6/7/99 -0700, you wrote: >>>This reminded me to ask a question I've been wondering about. Does anyone >>>know what happened to those "lost" lists? My g grandparents came from >>>Devonshire to Brazoria Co. and in my g grandfather's obituary it even gave >>>the date they arrived (Sept./Oct. of 1872). I am assuming they came in to >>>Galveston. Of course, 1872 is when there are no indexes. Do the actual >>>records exist and just haven't been indexed, or were the records lost? >>> >>>Thanks, >>>Marianne >>> >>>Bertha Ellen wrote: >>>>There is a SHIPS PASSENGER LISTS >>>>PORT of GALVESTON,TX >>>>1846-1871 >>>>some of the list is missing but the Galveston County Genealogical Society >>did >>>>their best to read the microflim {which is located at the Rosenberg Library >>>>in Galveston,TX} >>>> There is another book that I have seen at Clayton Library in Houston, TX, >>>>but its not indexed. >>> >>> >>> > > >

Thanks to all who so kindly responded with ship list and tax information. I know have some great leads for further research. Tom

Hi Jackie, Do you mean the naturalization records? I guess I was assuming that immigration records and ships passenger lists were the same thing! Duh! Thanks for the suggestion! Marianne >Marianne - check the immigration records since you know the date of >arrival. Jackie Deffes > > > >At 10:06 PM 6/7/99 -0700, you wrote: >>This reminded me to ask a question I've been wondering about. Does anyone >>know what happened to those "lost" lists? My g grandparents came from >>Devonshire to Brazoria Co. and in my g grandfather's obituary it even gave >>the date they arrived (Sept./Oct. of 1872). I am assuming they came in to >>Galveston. Of course, 1872 is when there are no indexes. Do the actual >>records exist and just haven't been indexed, or were the records lost? >> >>Thanks, >>Marianne >> >>Bertha Ellen wrote: >>>There is a SHIPS PASSENGER LISTS >>>PORT of GALVESTON,TX >>>1846-1871 >>>some of the list is missing but the Galveston County Genealogical Society >did >>>their best to read the microflim {which is located at the Rosenberg Library >>>in Galveston,TX} >>> There is another book that I have seen at Clayton Library in Houston, TX, >>>but its not indexed. >> >> >>

A new message, "George Williams and family," was posted by donna Stacy on Tue, 08 Jun 1999, to the Galveston County, Texas, Genealogy Web Page Queries section: --- NAME: donna Stacy EMAIL: WStacy4242@aol.com SURNAMES: Williams DATE: Jun 08 1999 i am looking for my grt grt grandfather George Williams. he married a Sarah? Lived in jeryman Tex in 1910.

Marianne - check the immigration records since you know the date of arrival. Jackie Deffes At 10:06 PM 6/7/99 -0700, you wrote: >This reminded me to ask a question I've been wondering about. Does anyone >know what happened to those "lost" lists? My g grandparents came from >Devonshire to Brazoria Co. and in my g grandfather's obituary it even gave >the date they arrived (Sept./Oct. of 1872). I am assuming they came in to >Galveston. Of course, 1872 is when there are no indexes. Do the actual >records exist and just haven't been indexed, or were the records lost? > >Thanks, >Marianne > >Bertha Ellen wrote: >>There is a SHIPS PASSENGER LISTS >>PORT of GALVESTON,TX >>1846-1871 >>some of the list is missing but the Galveston County Genealogical Society did >>their best to read the microflim {which is located at the Rosenberg Library >>in Galveston,TX} >> There is another book that I have seen at Clayton Library in Houston, TX, >>but its not indexed. > > >