Genealogy Research

How to find a Professional Genealogist

2011-01-27T18:02:00.000-08:00

With the web being ablaze with the news of Ancestry's stopping their Expert Connect Service, many might say "stopping what?" Started a coupld of years ago, those who used Ancestry's services might have noticed the button to Hire an Expert. Anyone, from all over the world, could create a project, state their budget amount and what they needed help with. An Expert, prescreened and accepted via credentials, would then bid on the project. The Ancestry website brings thousands of family historians to their site, whether by a free 14 day subscription or one of their tiered subscriptions.

Since many professional genealogists use Ancestry's online services this was a happy marriage between the two levels of researchers, to include those that started their trees and found they either didn't have the time or desire to finish it.

Now that this service has been stopped and the connection is being severed, the "Experts" are finding a new home with Genealogy Freelancers at http://www.genealogyfreelancers.com/index.php?aff_id=1889

You can also visit the Association of Professional Genealogists and search those who are credentialed.

Ancestry to cancel Expert Connect services.

2011-01-27T17:44:00.000-08:00

Here's what we received on 1/24/2011, and given a ten day notice.

Dear Expert Connect Service Providers,
In March of 2009, the newly formed Ancestry.com Expert Connect team mailed hundreds of invitations to outstanding providers of genealogical services like you, with a message to come join a new marketplace called Expert Connect. Since that time, thousands of people with a gift for research and a desire to make some money have signed up as independent professionals. Expert Connect has been a great place to engage clients, pick the work you like to do, and have all financial transactions handled for you.
Though this service has been a positive experience for many of you, Ancestry.com has decided to focus on other business priorities. As of March 18, 2011, Expert Connect will no longer be a service that Ancestry.com will offer to its members. New project postings, bidding and awards will be discontinued February 3, 2011.

We expect that many of you may still be working on current projects with clients that have come through the Expert Connect service. We fully encourage you to finish out these projects over the coming months, and if needed, continue relationships with the clients you have made connections with along the way.
As some of your research projects may take longer to complete than March 18, 2011, please use the Message Board to exchange direct contact information with your clients. Make arrangements to do your remaining projects off of Expert Connect, directly with your clients. You will, of course, also need to arrange an agreeable payment method directly with your clients. Then, use the 'Modify Terms' tab to cancel your project on the Expert Connect system.
To prevent engaging in new projects that will also take you past the March 18, 2011 date, do not post new projects, or bid on any projects as of Feb 3, 2011.
We thank you for your involvement in Expert Connect and for sharing your expertise with Ancestry.com customers.

If you have any questions or comments about please contact us at:
http://expertconnect.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/expertconnect.cfg/php/enduser/ask.php

Sincerely,
The Ancestry.com - Expert Connect Team

My favorite Genealogy Resources

2009-11-29T14:13:00.000-08:00

Someone just sent me a link to WorldVitalRecords because they have free databases until 11/30/2009. I liked it. I have a subscription to Ancestry so I'm not sure if I need another one. I'll have to browse more and see what all it has to offer. Look for the banners for some of my favorites, on the left side bottom. I think some ads automatically show below my blogs too.
Here's some more: Ancestry, myheritage, LDS, Footnote, familyrelatives, newspaperarchive, familytreemaker, rootsweb, familylink, legacy, findmypast, surnameweb, Intelius, cemeteryspot, mygreatbigfamily, genforum, gencircles, familytreedna and rootsweb. (of course put www. in front and .com behind the word)

Success in importing old blog

2009-11-29T13:53:00.001-08:00

Ok that was easy. It does sort by date so to find my old research concerning the Daltons, James and O'Kelly, go to the bottom.

Importing old Blog

2009-11-29T13:41:00.001-08:00

Ok, I'm going to attempt to import my old blog. We'll see how it goes...

Bastrop County, Texas Blog

2009-11-29T13:27:00.000-08:00

Ok, I'm joing this century and creating a blog about Bastrop County, Texas and genealogy related things. Not sure how often I'll post things but if you don't know, here's the link to the main TxGenWeb site
Bastrop County, Texas

State Funeral

2004-06-09T17:21:00.000-07:00

As I watch the State Funeral for former President Ronald Reagan, I think of the many traditions associated with this event. I remember watching a TV show talking about the black draped stand that the casket sits on and which President's caskets were held by this stand during the funerals.

This is an event that children should watch because of it's historical meaning. It would be something they remember in their old age. I remember the deaths of former presidents but didn't watch the funerals at those times. I'm glad I'm able to witness this event as it doesn't come often and is an important tradition for Americans.

Friday's events should also be seen. I think these State Funerals show the importance of this office, even when the men have left the positions.

Valentines Day

2004-02-14T13:23:00.001-08:00

Tried to scan the microfilm and it didn't work on any of the settings. Gave it up for now.

Still trying to link blook relations to the Dalton, James and Youngers. Did find that Sarah Purcell, dau of Thomas Purcell, was married to Charles Younger but have to see if she is related to the Red Rock Purcell's or other families.

Today

2004-02-06T15:53:00.001-08:00

Went to Temple VA Hospital today. I always like traveling up 95 to Temple, through Bell County. Still lots of active farms, black dirt, and the small towns have the old buildings by the railroad.

My thoughts of Janet Jackson and the superbowl stunt: I always thought the Jackson's were a bunch of boobs anyway.

Just a few more weeks and my daughter will be home from Japan where she's been stationed for 3 years, on her way to her new duty station.

Finally received another digital camers. Had a HP 630 and dropped it. Bought a 735 from Ebay and it's great. With a 64mb card it will hold 400 pictures at the lowest setting, the other held 140 at the 2nd setting. Now can go back to the courthouse to get more images of old court records to put on the website.

Now just have to find an inexpensive laptop.

I was given reels of microfilm which contain Bastrop Advertiser images. Bless the lady's heart that loaned them to me. I've been trying to figure out how to copy them to the website. I have a new scanner that scans 35mm slides. I think I can put the microfilm in there and treat them like slides. If that works I can put all the Advertiser online. Fingers are crossed.

O'Kelly not related

2004-02-05T18:37:00.000-08:00

Not to leave a stone unturned, I did some research on O'Kelley who killed Ford who killed Jesse James.

Some sites state the police got his name wrong and he was Ed O. Kelly, state he left TN in 1882 to Colorado and was a policeman and streetcar driver. Said he married a Younger kin. States he had an Aunt Mary M. Holt that lived in Bollinger Co, MO. States parents were in MO in 1892 and born in NC.

Another person who wrote a book states he is Edward Capehart O'Kelly, son of Dr. Thomas Katlett O'Kelly b. NC and Margaret Ann Capehart.

I found Thomas O'Kelly in 1870 in Bollinger Co, MO with Edward age 13. On the 1900 Bollinger Co, MO census Thomas is there and Sarah M Holt is next door age 56. Ed O'Kelly is in prison in Fremont Co, CO age 42 TN NC NC and says he is single. He was killed in Oklahoma in 1904. Thomas's other sons Zachary b. Arkansas 1861 and Harry b. TN 1859 are in MO in 1910. Sarah M Holt married Joseph A Holt 10/1/1876 and she was a Grady when she married, though I think this was also a married name because of her age of 32 at this marriage.

So her story has more creedance than the others on who he was, if he is the Edward O'Kelly, son of Thomas. I'd say with Sarah M Holt living next door to Thomas, this almost proves it and Thomas's son Edward is probably the same Ed that killed Ford who shot Jesse James.

So for now, I'm not pursuing this lead any further.

Youngers and James visit the Kelley's

2004-02-05T17:54:00.000-08:00

Upton, Bastrop Co, TX: Oma Mae Screws Eastman said her mother, Tina Kelley, daughter of William Leonard Kelley, told her she had sat in the lap of Jesse James when she was a little girl and Jesse James had made her a doll. Also, she added, Frank James, Jesse James, and the Younger brothers would stay at their home, the William Leonard Kelley place, in Bastrop County, Texas. It was told the James' brothers were their cousins, and while at Bastrop, they wanted to exchange horses. The Kelley's wouldn't exchange horses because the exchange might make the family accomplices in the James' crimes. The next morning, they had exchanged horses anyway, and put a coiled rope on the barn floor, filled with money. The horses left were of better quality than those taken. Some of the family said not to tell of the kinship with these outlaws. The James and Youngers were perfect gentlemen while staying at the family home.

Tenney was born in 1868, they came to TX in 1872. If she was on Jesse's lap that was before age 10 so from 1872 to 1878 Jesse came to Bastrop.

New clue on Dalton outlaw relations

2004-02-05T08:02:00.000-08:00

Family recalls my great grandmother Celia Petty Tiner of Upton, Bastrop co, TX talking about the relations of the Dalton gang. They think they remember it as:

Celia's mother's (Lee Anna Elizabeth Casbier/Casbeer who married Riley Petty )sister's (there are several of them to look at) kids.

Sisters were:

Mary J (Texanna) who married Archibald Owens and James Walker Drake

Lucinda b. 1846 TX

Martha Caroline b. 1848 TX wed William Barker Burnett

Emily b. 1849 TX

L b. 1854 TX

Martha (1/2 sister to Martha above) wed W B Burnett also

Searching for outlaws in Bastrop County, TX

2004-02-05T07:59:00.000-08:00

I grew up with stories of Jesse James and the Dalton boys being related. So I've been trying to trace these stories. Though I found the Dalton Gang visited the same area, I haven't yet found the family relation hinted at by older relatives. But I'm still looking.....

Dalton Gang visited Red Rock Texas

2004-02-05T07:57:00.000-08:00

Thanks to a tip that the Dalton Gang visited the Osborn farm, I found the possible reason why:

Calvin Jasper Nite was the son of John Edward Nite and Lucy Stepp. Calvin's brother was James Monroe Nite. 1. James Monroe Nite had sons Jim (AKA James Nite) and Bill (AKA Christopher Columbus Nite) who rode with the Dalton gang. Jim (born in Elm Creek, Gonzales Texas ) and Bill's sister Frances Octavia Nite married John Lipscomb Medearis and they lived in Onion Creek, Travis Co, TX. Christopher Columbus Nite AKA Bill Nite was born in Jeddo, TX in 1869.

2. Thomas C Nite, who lived in Red Rock, was the son of Calvin Jasper Knight. He lived near the Petty's.

Winnie Nite who married Lonnie Osborn, son of Hiram Osborn and Anna Hendrix (dau of Morgan Hendrix), and Ella Nite who married Sam Voight (son of Gustaf A), were granddaughters of Calvin Nite, and their great uncle was James Monroe Nite. Jim and Bill (of the Dalton gang) were 1st cousins of their father Thomas C Nite.

Jim and Bill Nite:

They joined the Dalton gang late in their careers. Bill was shot during a robbery in Longview in 1894. Jim was sent to prison in Walker Co, TX. He escaped (after 1910 because I found him on that census) and continued his ways.

Remarks:

1. After gunfights and prison ended the careers of his famous brothers -- Bob, Frank, Gratton and Emmett -- Bill Dalton became obsessed with the idea of making his own name more prominent than that of his brothers. Bill soon joined Bill Doolin, a former member of his brothers gang, and together they formed a new gang of motley group of misfits, including Jim Wallace, a cowboy with the habit of deserting his women; Jim Nite, a loafer from Oklahoma; and Bill Nite, Jim's young brother. Together, they vowed to take East Texas by storm.

The two Nite brothers were found by lawmen in Guadalupe County, Texas, where they were shot. Bill died instantly and Jim was seriously wounded. In 1897, Jim was returned to East Texas to stand trial for the bank robbery and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Texas Gov. Oscar B. Colquitt granted Nite a pardon, but he was later killed in a Tulsa saloon fight.

2.Bill Dalton was not present at the Southwest City robbery, he had left the Wild Bunch and formed his own gang that spring. On May 23, 1894 Jim Wallace, Big Asa Knight, Jim Knight, and George Bennett joined up with Bill Dalton to rob the First National Bank in Longview, TX. Bennett is killed and 1 citizen was killed and 3 were wounded in the attempted getaway. The law trailed Bill Dalton to his hideout near Ardmore, I. T. and surprise and kill him on the morning of June 8, 1894.

1860 Houston Co, TX Alabama PO p 255

672 Lucy Knight 50 GA, Calvin 27 AL, John 2 TX, Sam Houston 13 TX #673 James Knight 30 Tn, Martha 21 LA, Lucy 3 TX, Esterlee 1 TX

1870 Grimes co TX 1st pct p315

1640 Jasper Knight 38 AL, Mary 36 AL, John 12 TX, William 7 TX, Frances 5 TX, Thomas 4 TX, Martha 1 TX

1880 Gonzales Texas

Calvin J. KNIGHT Self M Male W 48 AL Works On Farm --- --- , Mary C. KNIGHT Wife M Female W 36 GA Keeping House SC SC , John D. KNIGHT Son S Male W 21 TX Works On Farm AL AL , William J. KNIGHT Son S Male W 17 TX At Home AL GA , Francis A. KNIGHT Dau S Female W 15 TX At School AL GA , Thomas C. KNIGHT Son S Male W 13 TX At School AL GA , Martha J. KNIGHT Dau S Female W 11 TX AL GA

Lucy C. KNIGHT Dau S Female W 7 TX AL GA , Henry E. KNIGHT Son S Male W 4 TX AL GA , Sam E. KNIGHT Son S Male W 2 TX AL GA , Lou E. BROWN Other S Female B 4 TX GA GA , Cora BROWN Other S Female B 7M TX GA GA

Census Place District 69, Gonzales, Texas

Page Number 426C

1900 Fayette Co, TX 5pct p47

311 Thomas Nite 1866 33 TX AL SC, Addie? 9/1872 27 5/5 TX AR TX, Essie? dau 1889 10 TX TX TX, William son 11/1891 8 TX TX TX, Erasmus son 1893 6 TX TX TX, Ellen dau 12/1895 4 TX TX TX, Milton son 11/1899 1 TX TX TX

1900 Bastrop Smithville p78

569 William Nite 11/1867 37 TX AL TX, Sarah wife 9/1871 TX KY TX, Nite, Katie dau 1887 13 TX TX TX, Lucy 11 TX TX TX

1910 Bastrop 7th pct p253

231 Thomas C Nite 43 m1 22 TX AL SC, Rhoda A 37 m1 22 9/9 TX AR TX, William C 28 TX TX TX, Erasmus W 16 TX TX TX, Ella 14 TX TX TX, Milton W 11 TX TX TX, Oscar R 9 TX TX TX, Viola 6 TX TX TX, Winnie V 3 TX TX TX, Allie M 6/12 TX TX TX

1910 Walker Co, TX

State penitentury huntsville p59

Jim Nite 35 TX AL TX

1920 Red Rock, Bastrop, TX p254

102 T C Nite 53 TX US US, Rhoda 47 TX AR TX, Dacar? son 18 TX TX TX, Viola 16 TX TX TX, Nannie? dau 13 TX TX TX, Allienga dau 10 TX TX TX, Lennah? dau 7 TX TX TX, Ethel dau 4 TX TX TX

1910 Bastrop Texas, 7pct, p246

109 Hiram J Osborn 29 m1 1 TX TX TX, Annie C nee Hendrix wife 21 m1 1 1/1 TX TX TX, Lonnie L son 4/12 TX TX TX

1920 Bastrop, Bastrop, Texas p260

27 Hiram Osborn 38 TX TX TX, Annie C nee Hendrix 31 TX TX TX, Lonnie son 10 TX TX TX, Sarah? Hendrix sister in law 14 TX TX TX, Morris Hendrix brother in law 10 TX TX TX