Thanks, Susan. This is great information that is not readily available to most researchers. John A. Maltby Redwood City, CA jamaltby@creative.net At 04:42 PM 7/15/2000 EDT, you wrote: >This is an example of how vital record indexes may lead you astray. I don't >at present have the solution to the puzzle, but it may serve as guidance for >those stuck on female lines. It is the reason you do not stop collecting >information just because you think you have the answer. > >The Vermont Vital record index pre 1871 lists: > >Heman Washburn married Almeda Bliss 14 Aug 1825 Shelburn, VT >Heman Washburn died 7 Apr 1848 age 53 > >No children were found in the Vermont Vital record index >It would seem very straightford that Heman married a BLISS search the BLISS >lines for someone with a daughter named Almeda > >In the National Archives Washington, D.C. is a file called RG 15 Bounty land >Warrant applications from it comes the following. Unfortunately you need to >go to Washington, D.C. to view it, it is impossible to photocopy. It is >sealed with an old fashioned seal over 130 years old. To break the seal is >to destroy the integrity of the document. It is a long bifolded paper with >slits made in the top and a ribbon put through them. The ribbons are crossed >over the front and a seal glues them down. >You can look inside but can only photo copy the front and back and the bottom >portions of the inside edge. > >31 Jul 1855 Medina Co., OH >Almeda E. Norton of Harrisville, Medina Co., OH mother of Eldridge Washburn, >deceased soldier of 3rd Reg. U.S. Infantry, Mexican War >Almeda claims she is the mother of Eldrige Washburn >Eldridge Washburn died 4 Jun 1851 Fort Leavensworth [Kansas] and left no >widow, child or father living >She submits the family record & affidavit of Augusta M. Alford & Sarah E. >Smith. She drew the back pay of Eldridge Washburn on 7 Jan 1851 under the >name of Almeda E. Washburn but has since remarried She is applying for >bounty land under the act of 1855 > >Copy of Family record >Heman Washburn was born 1792 >Almeda E. Chase was born in 1802 >Amerilla M. Washburn born in 1825 >Eldridge Washburn born in 1828 > Marriages >Heman Washburn & Almeda E. CHASE was married August 14th 1825 >Amerilla M. Washburn was married to Elon G. Shepherd May 1st 1851 >Mrs Almeda E. Washburn was married to Joseph Norton August 29th 1855 > >Deaths >Heman Washburn diied April 5th 1847 >Eldridge Washburn died June 14th 1851 > > >So was Almeda a BLISS or was she a CHASE? > >I would suspect that she was a CHASE, when writing up the family record she >probably though of her maiden name. Chances are good she is the widow of a >BLISS. The only way to solve the puzzle is to tract down the families of >BLISS and CHASE and test the theory. > >So don't stop lookng when you find the name in a vital record index. > >Susan Bingler >Fairfax, VA > >