The Wamps

We are the four directions
We are East, West, North and South
We are Punkhorn Point, Popponesset Bay
We are the Mashpee River
We are the Flume that separates the pond from the ocean
We are the herring and the scup
And the venison and the rabbit
We are the scrub pine and scrub oak
We are the protectors of the land
We are the Mashpee Wampanoag

–Russell Peters, 1993

Today I continue to look at some of the history of the Wampanoag Tribes of Mashpee and Gay Head (Aquinnah) with some AI enhanced photo features gathered from newspaper clips and archives.

The Wampanoag, the “People of the First Light,” are comprised of two federally recognized tribes: the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe located in Mashpee, Massachusetts; and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) located on Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. Their people have inhabited this land for 12,000 years.

My subject today is Amelia Grace (Peters) Bingham (1923-2021), a former Elder of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe who preserved the history and tradition of her people. She was the Turtle Clan Mother “Seaweed.” She was the great granddaughter of Rev. Joseph “Blind Joe” Amos (1806-1869) and Abigail (Wickham) Amos (1804-1853).

According to her obituary, in addition to her civic duties Amelia was a talented, renowned artist specializing in interior design. Her work as an interior decorator for the New Seabury Model Homes was featured in Better Homes and Gardens Magazine, highlighting her creative expertise and flare for color seen in many Cape Cod homes.

She was the founding director of the Mashpee Historical Commission and campaigned to preserve several historic buildings including the Parsonage, the Avant homestead, the One Room Schoolhouse, and the Old Indian Meetinghouse. She spearheaded efforts to restore the Meetinghouse for community use and the Avant house, where she established the Mashpee Wampanoag Museum (also becoming the Founding Director).

Amelia was the eldest of eight children born to Mashpee Selectman Steven Amos Peters Sr. and Clara Jane (Miles) Peters. (A photo of the children can be found at the end of this story.)

Here is a photo of Steven Amos “Happy” Peters Sr. (1897-1954), son of Charles Holmes Peters and Cordelia “Amelia” Babcock (Amos) Peters.

The poem at the beginning of this article was written by Amelia’s brother Russell M. Peters Sr. (1929-2002), known as “Fast Turtle,” author of The Wampanoags of Mashpee, and former Wampanoag chief and president of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Council.

Another sibling is former spiritual leader and supreme medicine man for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, John A. Peters (1930-1997) aka “Slow Turtle – Cjegktoonuppa.” He was also a police officer for the Mashpee Police Department.

Amelia married Lt. Col. George Gulian Bingham Jr. (1917-2000), son of George Bingham and Ruth (Gould) Bingham, and the couple had eight children.

I found an article on George published in the Sturgis Public Library archives, entitled “Former Cantabrigian Earns Higher Spurs in U.S. Army,” that provides some early history on his career as a military man and how he met Amelia:

The meteoric rise of Lieutenant Colonel George G. “Dewey” Bingham, formerly of Cambridge, but at present military science teacher R.O.T.C. at Virginia State College, would be one of the most interesting true stories for a movie or play.

Lt. Col. Bingham, who recently received the promotion, is one of the youngest men to hold the rank of lieutenant colonel and is to be highly commended. We knew this soldier of fame when he was a stripling in the Mass. National Guard, 372nd Infantry, and also had the pleasure of working with him in the playgrounds in the city.

He was first, last, and always a soldier, a devoted son to his parents and lastly a gentleman.

During the early 40s, a youngster with a West Point carriage and the ambition to rise to greater heights, [he] married the beautiful and talented Amelia Peters, daughter of the late Steven and Mrs. Clara Peters of Mashpee, Mass.

Today Mrs. Amelia Bingham is as beautiful as ever despite the fact she is the happy mother of eight children.

To Lt. Col. Bingham my sincere congratulations and may you continue to advance in the armed services of our country; and to Mrs. Bingham may you continue to be a source of inspiration to your husband.

To Mrs. Bingham, your mother, the early training you gave your son has borne forth good fruit and you can be both proud and happy.

Below is a photo of Amelia and George’s gravestone located in the Mashpee Town Cemetery which features the couple’s photos.

In 1938 at age 15 Amelia made headlines across the country. Her father sought scholarships and entrance for her and her 13-year-old brother Steven A. Peters Jr. because the laws by which Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, was founded in 1769 stipulated that Indians should be educated.

Here is a photo of 15-year-old Amelia published in the Lowell Sun with the headline “Dartmouth Maid?”

As it turned out, Amelia was not accepted into Dartmouth College because in 1938 it was all-male, not becoming coeducational until 1972.

Below is a photo of Amelia (center) with her brother Steven A. Jr. (left) and their mother Mrs. Steven A. Peters (right). Their mother was born Clara J. Miles, daughter of Oscar Columbus Miles and Amanda C. (Hill) Miles, and she married Steven Amos Peters Sr. on 22 February 1922.

My next story will cover more of Dartmouth and the Peters, which provides some very interesting history.

Below is a photo of the children of Selectman Steven Amos Peters Sr. and his wife Clara, courtesy of Mashpee 125th Anniversary: A Pictorial History by Rosemary H. Burns, edited by Ann Whitlow. Many of the Peters family have served Mashpee in various positions.

In this photo we see (from left to right): Anne, Randy, John, Russell, Muriel, Clara, Steven, and Amelia.

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Note on the header image: Ousamequin, or “Massasoit” (Wampanoag term for “Great Sachem”) and Governor John Carver smoking a ceremonial pipe at Plymouth Colony in 1621. Credit: Sutro Library; Wikimedia Commons. [052825]

Related Articles:

• Photos from the Past: Wampanoag Tribes of Mashpee and Gay Head (Aquinnah) (part 1)
• Photos from the Past: Wampanoag Tribes of Mashpee and Gay Head (Aquinnah) (part 2)
• Photos from the Past: Wampanoag Tribes of Mashpee and Gay Head (Aquinnah) (part 3)
• Photos from the Past: Wampanoag Tribes of Mashpee and Gay Head (Aquinnah) (part 4)
• Photos from the Past: Wampanoag Tribes of Mashpee and Gay Head (Aquinnah) (part 5)
• Photos from the Past: Wampanoag Tribes of Mashpee and Gay Head (Aquinnah) (part 6)
• Photos from the Past: Wampanoag Tribes of Mashpee and Gay Head (Aquinnah) (part 7)
• Photos from the Past: Wampanoag Tribes of Mashpee and Gay Head (Aquinnah) (part 8)

The post Photos from the Past: Wampanoag Tribes of Mashpee and Gay Head (Aquinnah) (part 9) appeared first on GenealogyBank Blog.

Benjamin Franklin (1650-1727) of Boston – the brother of Josiah Franklin and the uncle and godfather of the renowned Founding Father named after him – became embroiled in a court dispute with Newbury, Massachusetts, residents in the summer of 1683.

According to court records, Benjamin Franklin hired two Newbury men – Benjamin Cocker (son of Robert Cocker/Coker) and John Rolfe – to repair his sloop Benjamin and Katherine.

Here is a photo of the Benjamin Cocker House, 172 State Street, Newburyport.

According to Wikipedia:

The oldest portion of the house, the central chimney and the rooms to its left, were built c. 1700 on a site at the corner of High and Federal Streets. The building was widened in the mid-18th century, adding the rooms to the right. The building was moved to its present location in 1856 and enlarged with a two-story addition on the rear. It underwent a major rehabilitation in 1989.

Cocker and Rolfe, both skilled carpenters and shipwrights who built Franklin’s sloop, found the leaks could not be mended quickly, creating one hull of a problem!

Impatient Franklin shacked up onboard for 14 days waiting for the shipwrights to make their repairs.

Eventually Franklin headed over to John March’s Blue Anchor Tavern and racked up a bill for seven weeks’ worth of drinks, dinners, and lodging at the establishment.

The Blue Anchor Tavern is now known as the Swett-Ilsley House and is located at 4-6 High Street in Newbury, Massachusetts, and owned by Historic New England.

I found a mention of the tavern in this news clip from the Boston Herald.

This article reports:

The nearby Swett-Ilsley House at 4 and 6 High Rd. is believed to have been the first ordinary or inn in Essex County. The first newspaper for the area was printed there. Built in 1670, it was enlarged about 1700 for the tap room of the Blue Anchor Tavern. It still houses refreshment, a tea room being operated there today. Admittance is free.

Below is a photo of the tavern as it looks today.

When the sloop was finally mended Franklin refused to pay up. He insisted that Cocker and Rolfe should pay because the genesis of the leak was their fault. Franklin sued for breach of contract and Cocker countersued for nonpayment.

Here is a court document from the case.

Franklin also tried to stiff John March on his tavern bill. This made waves, and a heated dispute followed. March sued for payment and won.

According to one testimony, both parties – Cocker and Franklin – sought an amicable resolution and asked Captain Stephen Greenleaf Jr. and Nathaniel Clark to serve as mediators. This was arranged to take place at the home of John Hale, but no “gentlemen’s agreement” was forged that day as Franklin was a no-show.

Here is Stephen Greenleaf Jr.’s obituary published in the Boston Gazette.

This article reports:

Newbury, Octob. 11. On Friday last died here and yesterday was decently interred the oldest person in this town, Capt. Stephen Greenleaf, in the 92d year of his age. He was a gentleman of superior intellectual powers, continuing at a surprising degree of strength and vivacity to the last weeks of his life. His natural temper was easy & pleasant, his disposition courteous and hospitable; his piety which was without affection, and his many personal & social virtues rendered him greatly esteemed and beloved. He had frequently exposed himself and was twice dangerously wounded in the service of his King and Country (for which he had commissions) against the Indians. At length with resignation to the will of God and calmness of spirit, in faith in the great redeemer, and hope of eternal life, he yielded up the ghost. He has had ten children, 59 grandchildren, and 92 great-grandchildren.

Soon after Franklin’s no-show, a levy was ordered on Franklin’s sloop for payment past due as well as a warrant for his arrest.

Leaving a trail of debenture, Franklin attempted to sail away before his next court date, but his debtees were no dinghies – they capsized Franklin in Boston Harbor.

The disputes went to court, where Newbury-area residents testified for the plaintiffs.

The names mentioned in the documents associated with either the court or as witness are as follows: John Hale, Jethro Coffin, Hugh March, James March, Richard Brown, Pennel Titcomb, Samuel Waters, Abraham Merrill, Mary Sanders, Robert Sanders, and Abraham Clemens.

The legal matters were settled in favor of Cocker and Rolfe, as well as March. Franklin made good on his debts to the shipwrights as well as to John March for “seven weeks diet and use of his home.”

Benjamin Franklin died on 17 March 1727 and is buried in Boston with the Franklin family. Here is his obituary, published in the New England Weekly Journal.

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Note on the header image: Franklin family monument at the Granary Burial Ground in Boston, Massachusetts.

The post Leaky Court Drama in Newbury appeared first on GenealogyBank Blog.

In October 1937, bestselling author Laura Ingalls Wilder gave a speech at Hudson’s Book Fair in Detroit, Michigan, with the release of her fourth book, On the Banks of Plumb Creek. She explained that while the stories in her books were true, one compelling episode had been excluded from the “Little House” series. It concerned another little house – or rather a tavern – belonging to the Bender family near Cherryvale, Kansas.

Wilder said:

“We stopped there, on our way into the Little House, while Pa watered the horses and brought us all a drink from the well near the door of the house. I saw Kate Bender standing in the doorway. We did not go in because we could not afford to stop at a tavern.”

Wilder didn’t describe Kate – if she caught more than a glimpse of her. Others did, and those portraits varied wildly, from “buxom, good-looking” and “slender but most voluptuously molded” to “an infernal hag” who was “repulsive” and “dirty-looking.” (1)

Who Were the Benders?

Early reporting was chaotic. The Weekly Kansas Chief (15 May 1873) published a garbled story describing the Benders as two brothers, William and Thomas, and their wives. One of the Bender women – a supposed Spiritualist – was called a “she-devil” by neighbors:

She was forty-two, with iron-gray hair, ragged at the ends and thin over the temples. Her eyes were steel-gray and hard. The light that came from them was sinister and forbidding. She had not a single prepossessing feature. Her form, angular and tall, seemed to lift itself up when the Spiritual influences took possession of it, and to become not only gigantic in height, but supernatural as well…

However, clairvoyant Kate was not a gray-haired woman in her 40s; she was a teenager. Also, the family of four was not two brothers and their wives, but a husband and wife – John and Maria – and their two children, John Jr. and Kate.

Chroniclers portrayed the family as grotesque. “The old man was a repulsive, hideous-looking brute,” wrote Col. Frank Triplett. “His wife was a dirty old Dutch crone.” John Jr., Kate’s brother, was “a rather good-natured dolt” when smiling, but when excited “the greenish glare of the eyes and the fierce lines about the treacherous mouth recalled the grave-robbing hyena.” He and Kate supposedly had an incestuous relationship. (2)

The York Mystery

Kansans first became aware of the Benders in early May 1873, when stories of the strange family began appearing in newspapers across the state. Word spread nationwide, and the Benders morphed into legend almost overnight. As Deputy Sheriff John R. Brunt of Neosho County, Kansas, remarked, “much has been written about the Benders, four-fifths of which is pure fiction.” (3)

Their downfall began in late March 1873 when Senator A. M. York of Independence, Missouri, organized a search party for his missing brother, Dr. William H. York. By his own account, Civil War veteran Leroy Dick suggested that they investigate the Benders, “one very unpopular family in our midst.” (4)

At first, the Benders denied knowing Dr. York, but Kate admitted she remembered him stopping at their tavern. She served him dinner, and then “he had gone on his way.” (5)

According to one newspaper’s account, Kate answered Senator York’s questions:

“in a mysterious and unnatural manner, but the Senator never suspected that he was talking with the real murderers.”

That meeting occurred on May 2. Finding no evidence of foul play, Senator York dismissed the Benders as suspects. (6) Yet on June 5, the senator returned after hearing that the Bender home had been found abandoned. Neighbors were already scouring the home and grounds when the York party arrived. (7)

Then the body of Dr. William H. York was found buried in a field near the tavern, and other corpses were found buried nearby.

“Yesterday the veil of mystery was drawn aside, and the sad fate of a long-lost citizen fully settled,” reported the Emporia News.

This article concludes:

The most intense excitement prevailed at Cherryvale over the startling discovery, and people were assembling from every direction as they learned of the event.

We hope the pursuit of this Bender family will be as vigorously inaugurated and kept up as has been the search for Mr. York, until the last one of them feels the vengeance of an outraged law and an exasperated community. Let the most expert detectives be put on the trail, if necessary, and ferret out the blood-thirsty perpetrators of these premeditated and unprovoked murders. We shall await with interest the further unearthing of the dark deeds.

Other newspapers published similar stories on the same date.

More grisly details surfaced days later.

Scene of the Crime

The Bender tavern was described as a one-story dwelling divided into two sections. Meals were served in the large front room. In the back was a sleeping room with two beds and “scant additional furniture.”

As the investigation continued, authorities were able to reconstruct the method of execution.

This article reports:

The table, to which the guests of the fiends were seated, was placed directly over the trap door, so that the guest’s back was to and against the white curtain. In this position it was an easy thing for the male villains in the front apartment to strike the form clearly lined and resting against the white cloth, and when the blows of the sledge and the hammer had knocked the victim, with a crushed and broken skull, senseless and helpless to the floor, for the female fiends in the back room to cut the throat [then drop the body through the trap door, so the blood didn’t soak the tavern’s floor]. The execution was as simple as it was dreadful, but, though it would seem resistance to such well planned murder of the trusting and unsuspecting was impossible, the walls gave silent evidence that some of the murdered ones had not been sent to their doom without an effort to defend their lives. No less than a dozen bullet holes in the sides and roof of the house attest that armed men, when struck down so relentlessly, had attempted to shoot their murderers, but, unfortunately, the aims had been wild, and the murderers are reserved for the hempen halter.

The Victims

The article went on to identify eight victims of the bloody Benders.

Aftermath

What became of the murderous family? Many theories emerged, but no one knows the Benders’ fate following their escape. The most authoritative source on the subject is Lee Ralph’s Hell Comes to Play, published in 2023 and revised in 2026. The author, a genealogist, traced the Bender family tree and uncovered new details about their background.

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Note on the header image: Bender victims’ graves, Dr. York’s grave at far right, 1873. Credit: George R. Gamble; Wikimedia Commons.

______________

(1) Lee Ralph, Hell Comes to Play (Tecumseh, Kansas: Furman House Publishing, 2026), p. 40.
(2) Col. Frank Triplett, History, Romance and Philosophy of Great American Crimes and Criminals (New York and St. Louis: N. D. Thompson Publishing Company, 1885), p. 560.
(3) Ralph, Hell Comes to Play, p. 65.
(4) Jean McEwen, “The Bender Hills Mystery,” The Parsons [KS] Sun, 16 June 1934, p. 14.
(5) John T. James, The Benders in Kansas (Wichita, KS: Kan-Okla Publishing Company, 1913), p. 37.
(6) Ralph, Hell Comes to Play, p. 73.
(7) James, The Benders in Kansas, p. 39.

The post Little Horror House on the Prairie: The Bender Murders appeared first on GenealogyBank Blog.

Week 2 of my Family History Month schedule focuses on creating a timeline. Last week I conducted a four-generation genealogy audit and identified what I was missing. This week I want to choose at least one person from my four generations to create a timeline for.

As I mentioned in my Family History Month introduction, a timeline is an important genealogy tool that too few of us use. A timeline can help you keep track of what you know about an ancestor, what you are missing, and historical events they lived through. Later, a timeline can be used to help you identify documents to find during a research trip and to write a story about that ancestor’s life.

Timelines

Timelines are one of those flexible tools that can be created in whatever way works best for you. The way I do it might not be what makes sense to you, so take some time to identify what tools you want to use and then stick to it.

You can make a timeline via:

• Your genealogy software program.
• Your online family tree program (it might have a way to show facts in a timeline).
• Your word processing software (I like to create a timeline using a Table).
• A genealogy form via a free or paid website.
• A spreadsheet program.
• A notebook and pencil. (Not everything has to be created via the computer – you do what is easiest for you. If that means using paper, pens, rulers and highlighters, then do it that way).

However you decide to create a timeline, you’ll want to make sure it includes columns for the information you want to document. This might include:

• Name of ancestor
• Date of event or document
• Type of event or document
• Abstract of what the document says
• Comments
• Source citation

Is this the only information to capture on your timeline? No, it should include whatever information you think you’ll want as you research.

My Timelines

I mentioned in my Family History Month introduction article that I didn’t think I had time this week to create 23 timelines for everyone in my four generations. Because of this, I decided to concentrate on one person that I’ve been working on: my paternal grandfather. If I have more time, I’ll create one for each of my four grandparents.

I am using two different types of timelines. One is my “working” timeline. This is the timeline I use to research. It’s the one that includes my sources and source citations. I use a word processing program and create a table with 4-5 columns that cover date, place, events, source citations, and comments (I vary this according to whom I am researching).

You can learn more about how to create this type of timeline and download a template form via this article on the GenealogyBank blog.

My other timeline is one that I am creating via Family Tree Notebooks that will be used in a family history book.* This one is more decorative and meant to only show age, date, place and event. It’s the one I think my family is going to be more interested in seeing. Although this is decorative, viewing it has helped me see which decades of my grandfather’s life are not documented that I need to work on.

Leo Philibert Timeline: Here is the start of my Family Tree Notebooks timeline for a book about my grandfather’s life.

Your Timeline

Now it’s your turn. Are you following along with your research? What do your timelines look like? Share your Family History Month journey in the comments below.

* Family Tree Notebooks offers forms for a fee. Family Tree Notebooks’ forms are found at https://familytreenotebooks.com/.

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Note on the header image: Family History Month graphic. Credit: https://depositphotos.com/home.html

Related Articles:

• October: 4 Weeks of Family History Month
• Family History Month, Week 1: Conduct a 4-Generation Audit

The post Family History Month, Week 2: Create a Timeline appeared first on GenealogyBank Blog.

Today I continue Goody Cole’s story: a woman who had been accused of witchcraft in Hampton, New Hampshire, in the mid to late 1600s – years before the infamous Salem witch trials – was cleared in time for the town’s 1938 tercentenary celebration by the Goody Cole Society.

Drawing on the Los Angeles Examiner article “Poor Old ‘Goody’ Cole Cleansed of Witchcraft After 300 Years,” I present an account of her ordeal and the effort to clear her name [see Goody Cole Cleared of Witchcraft (part 1)].

This article reports:

The first symptom of the infection [witch hysteria] in the Colonies seems to have been the behavior of children in church. Considering that small boys and girls were forced to sit in uncomfortable pews through a three-hour morning service, their actions were not so strange.

One or two finally started it by breaking out with catcalls and irreverent remarks. It was merely hysteria, but such startling behavior seemed to those devout Puritans the work of the Devil and at once they wondered if he was doing it through those witches they had heard about [in England]. They questioned the children, who, finding themselves important personages, played up to the role and obligingly pointed out the old woman who had bewitched them, and other youngsters were quick to follow their example.

It was full-grown persons who testified against Goody Cole, 36 years before the superstitious craze came to its peak in the Salem witch trials in which they actually convicted and executed a minister and Harvard graduate, the Reverend George Burroughs. Eunice [Goody] Cole was no longer young, had a sharp tongue for which she might well have deserved the ducking stool, and in her clashes with men, women and teasing children, often took advantage of their superstitious credulity by making terrifying prophecies.

Unfortunately, she seems to have been such a good prophet of evil as to be accounted for only on the theory of diabolic assistance, so she was brought to trial as “a witch and familiar of the Devil” before the Court of Oyer and Terminer of Norfolk County.

In the below photo we see Phyllis Tucker in a pillory as “Goody” Cole. Looking on (from left to right): Jackie and Peter Brooks, sons of John W. R. Brooks; Mrs. G. Roland Janvrin; Eleanor Palmer; Alta Gillmore; and Shirlie Adele Arnold.

Thomas Philbrick, whose present-day descendant didn’t want his sturdy ancestor criticized, testified that Goody Cole had warned him that if his calves should eat any more of her grass, “she wished it might poyson them or choak them.” After this unkind wish, he never saw one of his calves again.

Abraham Drake deposed that “aboute this time twelvemonth, my neighbor Giles lost a cowe and wen we had found it, I and others brought the cowe to his house and shee desired mee to flee this cowe and presently she charged me with killing her cowe, and said they should know that hee (Drake) had killed her cowe and forthwith I lost two cattell and the latter end of the somer I lost one cowe.”

[Note: Sobriety, the wife of Henry Moulton, and goodwife Sleeper, the wife of Thomas, also deposed against Goody Cole.]

In the face of this and similar testimony from other respected citizens it was useless for poor Goody Cole to deny even a speaking acquaintance with Beelzebub, and if more tolerant persons expressed doubts, they were at once looked upon with suspicion.

The mass of the people were certain that she was a witch and clamored for protection. A jury found her guilty and the judge sentenced her to a flogging and life imprisonment.

The flogging on her bare back was administered forthwith but the life imprisonment was a more complicated matter. There being no accommodations in Hampton for imprisoning anyone for life, Eunice was sent to Boston.

But even this important community was not rolling in wealth and could not afford to feed and lodge convicts for the rest of the Colony free. Therefore, it was understood that Hampton was to pay Boston the sum of eight pounds a year ($40) for her board.

Hampton, all except Eunice’s aged husband, who vainly begged to have her released so she could take care of him, seems to have forgotten about her. Alas, the town also forgot to pay anything on that jail board bill until, after eight years, the arrears had amounted to the staggering sum of $320. In the good old days public officials could be imprisoned for non-payment of a civic debt.

Therefore, William Salter, Keeper of the Prison at Boston, wishing to balance his budget for the fiscal year of 1664, arrested Thomas Marston, one of the selectmen of Hampton, and threatened to board him under the same roof as Goody Cole. This brought results – his brother officials promptly voted to pay.

In 1671 Hampton wearied of that annual $40 overhead and Goody was released, after nearly 15 years behind the bars. She was assigned to a little shack and placed on the relief, but not out of the public treasury. Instead, 52 families were appointed to supply her needs, one week at a time.

But in 1672 she was again charged with witchcraft, appearing to little Ann Smith as an eagle, a dog and a cat. She was tried and barely escaped with the following verdict:

“In ye case of Unis Cole now prisoner at ye Bar not guilty according to inditement butt just ground for vehement susspissyon of her having had familyarryty with the devil. (Signed) Jonas Clarke in the name of the rest.”

Below is an image of the court record for the witchcraft prosecution of Eunice Cole in 1673.

In 1680 there was another witch-drive in Hampton and Goody Cole, though too feeble to leave her bed, was indicted with several other “Goodies,” but all were discharged the following year. People in those days must have had characters and constitutions of iron, because this hated, tormented, friendless old pariah managed to hold body and soul together until well into her eighties and then die peacefully.

When word sped through the town that “the Devil had taken Goody Cole at last,” a “welfare committee,” trembling for fear of what Satan might do to them, gave the aged body a witch’s burial.

Here are two examples of memorabilia from Hampton’s 1938 vindication of Goody Cole: an arrowhead coin, and the Goody Cole Society membership card of Philip N. Blake Jr., 1938.

In 1938 Mrs. Harry Houdini, widow of the famed magician, attended a ceremony to burn the court records of Goody Cole’s witchcraft conviction. There were 3,000 people at the ceremony including Arnold D. Philbrick, a descendant of one of Cole’s accusers. Below is a news clip.

Note: some of the graphics in this article have been AI enhanced.

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Note on the header image: an article about Goody Cole’s vindication, from the St. Louis Sunday Magazine, 3 April 1938. Credit: Lane Memorial Library.

Related Article:

• Goody Cole Cleared of Witchcraft (part 1)

The post Goody Cole Cleared of Witchcraft (part 2) appeared first on GenealogyBank Blog.

Dig deep into our online archives and search for articles about your ancestors from Arkansas in these newspapers. Our AR newspapers are divided into two collections, each with their own search page:

• Newspaper Archives (complete paper with all articles, including historical obituaries, with a number of very rare single-issue newspapers – many of them are the only known issues of the paper)
• Obituaries (including both historical and recent obituaries, if obits are specifically what you are searching for)

Search Arkansas Newspaper Archives (1819 – 2024)

Search Arkansas Obituaries (1820 – Today)

Here is the complete list of Arkansas newspapers in the online archives. Each newspaper title in this list is an active link that will take you directly to that paper’s search page, where you can begin searching for your ancestors by surnames, dates, keywords and more. The AR newspaper titles are listed alphabetically by city.

*Date Ranges may have selected coverage unavailable.

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Note on the header image: the Arkansas State Capitol, Little Rock, Arkansas. Credit: xiquinhosilva; Wikimedia Commons.

Related Resource:

• U.S. State History (GenealogyBank Pinterest Board)

The post Arkansas Archives: 354 Newspapers for Genealogy Research appeared first on GenealogyBank Blog.

In 1938 the end of a most haunting subject made headlines across the country.

A woman who had been accused of witchcraft in Hampton, New Hampshire, in the mid to late 1600s – years before the infamous Salem witch trials – was cleared in time for the town’s 1938 tercentenary celebration by the Goody Cole Society, named in her honor.

Here is a photo of the founding members of the Goody Cole Society who helped in clearing her name. Left to right: James Tucker, Phyllis Tucker, William D. Cram, 1938.

Although some reports are factual, many accounts of this story often take considerable liberties. Nevertheless, Goody Cole remains a legend who will not be forgotten.

I came across an article published in the Los Angeles Examiner with the catchy headline:

Poor Old ‘Goody’ Cole Cleansed of Witchcraft After 300 Years. Convicted of ‘Familyarryty with the Devill’ in 1656 and Later Buried with a Stake Through Her Heart and a Horseshoe on Its End, She Is Now Officially Declared Guiltless and Restored to the Voters’ Rolls by the Town of Hampton, New Hampshire.

This article reports:

A band of frightened but determined men dropped the body of a frail, old woman into a shallow grave beside a lonely road, drove a stake through its heart and hung a horseshoe on the upper end of the stake. This was done by citizens of Hampton, New Hampshire, about the year 1680, because Eunice Cole had been convicted of witchcraft in 1656, and these precautions were to prevent the Devil from releasing her spirit to bewitch the community.

Now, in the spring of 1938, comes the sequel. After thinking it over for some thirteen generations, the present people of Hampton decided that a mistake had been made. By unanimous vote of a mass meeting, they reversed the witchcraft decision, making old Goody Cole an honest woman again and restoring her to the voters’ rolls.

Looking down from heaven, the spirit of the vindicated “witch” should be gratified to see smoke arising from the public burning of a pile of papers. These are certified copies of the documents in her ancient trial now declared erroneous.

It was a bit late perhaps, but, after all, it was the best they could do for the memory of “Goodwife” Cole, whose husband swore that she was a good wife, as good as a man ever had.

Sailors, too, had put in many a good word for the woman, but that was when she was young and pretty, with an eye so bright that it shone like one of the King’s newly minted shillings. The sailors all said that when they filled any of the ship’s water butts from Eunice’s well and she blessed it, the water would never turn foul.

But they said her magic was later used to send good ships to the bottom.

Here is an image from William D. Cram’s article, “Society Formed at Hampton Beach, N. H., to Apprehend Those Falsely Accusing Eunice (Goody) Cole of Being [a] Witch.”

This photo caption reads:

That some of those who passed her home gave unpleasant utterings to her which she answered in kind, has come down by tradition with the more terrible charge that on a certain day when some young people in passing gave unwelcome mouthings, she cursed them and caused them to be lost at sea.

The Los Angeles Examiner article goes on to report:

In righting the wrong to the memory of old Eunice and to many a person who traces his blood back to her family, the modern reviewers of the case were careful not to “slop over” and do injustice to the memories of the stalwart old Colonists who had erred only in accepting a mass decision of their times. At the meeting, Judge John W. Perkins read this letter from a thirteenth-generation, direct descendant of Thomas Philbrick, one of the most prominent witnesses whose testimony convicted Goody Cole:

“To this vindication I fully subscribe, but I hope that in carrying out this idea meticulous care will be taken that no reflection, however slight, is cast either directly or by inference upon the character of those sturdy men and women who, carried away by a world-wide mania, brought the charges of witchcraft.”

This photo caption reads:

Giving Goody Cole the love she went without for so long, Ruth Pratt of Hampton fashions beautiful handmade dolls modeled after her own kind image of the so-called witch of Hampton.

The Los Angeles Examiner article further reports:

Judge Perkins pointed out a legal difficulty. At the time of Eunice’s conviction, Hampton was a part of the Massachusetts Bay Colony of England. As an American Court of Review, their jurisdiction certainly could not go back beyond the Revolution, and he doubted if they could do much more than to restore her good name.

In this photo we see (left to right): Commissioner Frederick R. Batchelder; Judge John W. Perkins; and John W. R. Brooks, moderator of the town meeting which reinstated Goody Cole to citizenship.

The Los Angeles Examiner article:

It should be remembered that in 1656 the colonies were hardly more than a ribbon of coast, rather sparsely inhabited by transplanted Europeans, with a howling wilderness behind them.

At that time, every ship from England brought news of an epidemic of witchcraft. Hopkins, the famous “witch smeller” was rounding up witches everywhere, getting confessions (by torture) on which many were hanged. There was no more reason for the Colonists to ridicule this epidemic in the mother country than a visitation of the black plague.

The first symptom of the infection in the Colonies seems to have been the behavior of children in church. Considering that small boys and girls were forced to sit in uncomfortable pews through a three-hour morning service, their actions were not so strange.

To be continued…

Note: some of the graphics in this article have been AI enhanced.

Explore your family history by creating your free account at GenealogyBank for 7 days, because every life deserves to be remembered, recorded, and rediscovered.

Note on the header image: photos of the 1938 celebration of the vindication of Goody Cole in Hampton, New Hampshire. Credit: Lane Memorial Library.

Sources:

Lane Memorial Library–Goody Cole References including “The Mark of Goody Cole” published by Cheryl Lassiter in 2014.

The post Goody Cole Cleared of Witchcraft (part 1) appeared first on GenealogyBank Blog.

Welcome to Week 1 of Family History Month and my 4 x 4 Plan. As a reminder, here’s what I wrote about this week in my introduction article.

Photo credit: https://depositphotos.com/home.html

Week 1: Conduct a 4-Generation Audit

Even those of us who have been researching for a long time have some mistakes and omissions in our family tree, including factual errors, missing documents, and records that need to be acquired. I’m going to look at my four generations and make sure that I have the documents and relevant facts that I should on my family tree.

For this week, I want to concentrate on basic records such as the U.S. Census, vital records, and newspapers. As I look at my family tree I’ll be asking:

• Have I found, documented, analyzed and attached my 4 generations in the U.S. Census? For my family, that would be the 1900-1950 censuses.
• Do I have everyone’s birth certificates or delayed birth certificates?
• Do I have everyone’s marriage certificates (if applicable)?
• Do I have death certificates for those who are deceased?
• Do I have everyone’s newspaper obituaries?
• Have I searched GenealogyBank for newspaper articles for my 4 generations?

My Genealogy Audit

I decided to start with the U.S. Census since that is the easiest to begin with (I’ve not included living names and those in the first three generations, which I’ve omitted for privacy). As a reminder, the U.S. Census is available on GenealogyBank.

Audit of the U.S. Census in My Family Tree

As I began my U.S. Census audit, I realized right away that I made a mistake thinking I needed to only focus on 20th-century census years. In fact, I have ancestors in my 4th generation that were found in the 1880 census (my ancestor who would have been in the 1860 and 1870 censuses had not immigrated to the U.S. yet). So, I need to look at the 1880-1950 censuses for my four generations.

2nd Generation

Mom and Dad: The only available census year they are found in is the 1950 census. I found them both as children in the 1950 U.S. Census when it was originally released.

Paternal 3rd Generation

Paternal Grandparents: Grandfather (1925-1994) and Grandmother (1927-1990). My paternal grandparents are found in the 1930, 1940, and 1950 censuses. I have those records for these grandparents.

Maternal 3rd Generation

Maternal Grandparents: Grandfather (1899-1957) and Grandmother (1905-1992). I have all of the censuses for my maternal grandfather, but I realized I do not have the 1910 census record for my grandmother. However, her family was not living in the United States during her childhood, which I think includes 1910. But I need to verify that.

Paternal 4th Generation

Paternal Great-Grandparents: Oscar J. Philibert (1899-1972) and Mary B. Chatham (1904-1988). I have the 1900-1950 census records for Oscar attached to my tree. I realized that I have not attached the 1950 record to Mary’s profile in my tree. I have that U.S. Census, but I need to attach it to her profile.

Maternal Great-Grandparents: Clifford J. Montgomery (1901-1977) and Jeltje M. Johnson (1905-1992). Clifford and Jeltje were divorced in the 1930s, which means that I need to find them separately in the 1940 and 1950 census years. In my family tree I am missing Clifford in the 1920 census. I’m missing Jeltje in the 1910, 1920, and 1940 censuses. I had no idea I was missing so many census years for her! Looks like I have some more research to do.

Maternal 4th Generation

Paternal Great-Grandparents: Frank L. Nikolaus (1856-1927) and Mary E. Laxton (1870-1916). Frank didn’t immigrate to the U.S. until 1879. So, I would expect to see him in the 1880, 1900, 1910, and 1920 census years. Of those, I’m only missing 1880. Mary was born in the United States, and I would expect to find her in 1880, 1900, and 1910 (she born in October 1870, too late to be counted for that year’s census). It looks like I’m missing her in 1880.

Maternal Great-Grandparents: Benjamin McNeil (1881-1956) and Edith Petersen (1884-1947). I’m missing the years 1900, 1910, and 1950 for Benjamin. Benjamin and Edith were living outside of the country and that might account for the missing years 1900 and 1910.

U.S. Census Conclusion

Wow! I didn’t realize how much I was missing from those four generations. It’s embarrassing. It’s a good reminder that I have done something I warn others about: skipping generations. My only defense is that I did change where I keep my family tree and it’s possible I forgot to move some of those over. But either way, this week I’ll go back and find those U.S. Census records and attach them.

Vital Records

I looked over each person in these four generations and realized that I was missing some birth records in the fourth generation (my 16 great-grandparents). I need to verify that birth registration was applicable to their birth year and place because it might be that there was no vital record registration. But even so, I need to add that to my family tree notes, so I know (and those who inherit my research know) that I at least checked.

Newspaper Obituaries

I have been working on adding historical obituaries, when they exist, to my family tree. But not all my family had obituaries. For example, my paternal grandparents do not. But once again I need to note that in my tree, so I remember that they don’t and there’s no reason to look for them.

Newspaper Articles

This is probably the one research area I have done a good job keeping up with: searching for family in historical newspapers. It’s important to know that GenealogyBank is always adding to their historical newspaper collection, so check back often.

Since I have recently searched for many of these ancestors I decided to focus on a few of my maternal ancestors – and I was glad I did. Although I have found many newspaper articles for that side of the family, I wanted to see if I could find anything new.

In the past, I’ve found many newspaper articles for my great-grandfather, Benjamin McNeil, and this time I did find something new: I found him in a grand jury list. This was new to me, and I appreciated the information at the beginning of the newspaper article explaining who was exempt from the grand jury.

Week 1 Conclusion

This exercise took longer than I originally thought but it yielded so much information. I need to concentrate on filling out information for the first four generations and make sure that I’m not missing anything or making assumptions. I’m so glad I decided to concentrate on these four generations. None of us is immune to mistakes and one of mine has been verifying all the U.S. Census years for my more recent ancestors.

Did you take the Week 1 challenge? What did you learn about your research? Let’s all learn from each other. Add your takeaways in the comments below.

Create a free account at GenealogyBank for 7 days to start your journey and discover the stories your ancestors left behind.

Note on the header image: Family History Month graphic. Credit: https://depositphotos.com/home.html

Related Article:

• October: 4 Weeks of Family History Month

The post Family History Month, Week 1: Conduct a 4-Generation Audit appeared first on GenealogyBank Blog.

Follow along and join me each week as I explain the process I am using and my progress. Whether you choose to work on four generations or six, this is an opportunity to get your family history in order and feel like you’ve achieved something for October.

Here is my 4 x 4 Plan (4 generations in 4 weeks) with themes.

Photo credit: https://depositphotos.com/home.html

Week 1: Conduct a 4-Generation Audit

Even those of us who have been researching for a long time have some mistakes and omissions in our family tree, including factual errors, missing documents, and records that need to be acquired. Not wanting to bite off more than I can chew, I’m going to look at my four generations and make sure that I have all the documents and relevant facts that I should on my family tree.

For this week, I want to concentrate on basic records such as the U.S. Census, vital records, and newspapers. As I look at my family tree I’ll be asking:

• Have I found, documented, analyzed and attached my 4 generations in the U.S. Census? For my family, that would be the 1900-1950 U.S. censuses.
• Do I have everyone’s birth certificates or delayed birth certificates?
• Do I have everyone’s marriage certificates (if applicable)?
• Do I have death certificates for those who are deceased?
• Do I have everyone’s newspaper obituaries?
• Have I searched GenealogyBank for newspaper articles for my 4 generations?

Week 2: Create a Timeline

A timeline is an important genealogy tool that too few of us use. A timeline can help you keep track of what you know about an ancestor, what you are missing, and historical events they lived through. Later, a timeline can be used to help you write a story or track what is missing, and figure out what research you still need to do.

I recognize that creating or adding timelines for 23 people might be too much for me this week. So, I’m going to concentrate on one ancestor and add another should I have time.

Week 3: What Am I Missing?

For this week I will look at my ancestor I created a timeline for and analyze it for what records or history is missing. I’ll do some of this in the first week but for this third week I want to go more in-depth into my ancestor’s life. For example, a great-grandfather served in the military – do I have all the records I should have to document this? I’ll go through each generation and note anything I am missing that I need to look for.

Week 4: Write a Short Narrative About One Ancestor

Genealogy can be overwhelming and there’s no doubt that research is more fun than writing it all down to share. Instead of thinking about writing a book or an ancestor’s story, I’m going to choose one event and write up something that I can then add images to and share with my family. Having done my audit, created a timeline, and identified what is missing, this step should be easier than starting from scratch.

Happy Family History Month!

It’s Family History Month. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by. Join me as we make sure we have everything we need for at least our first four generations in our family tree. Join me each week and share your experiences in the comments below.

Create a free account at GenealogyBank for 7 days to start your journey and discover the stories your ancestors left behind.

Note on the header image: Family History Month graphic. Credit: https://depositphotos.com/home.html

The post October: 4 Weeks of Family History Month appeared first on GenealogyBank Blog.

In September 1930, a dedication ceremony was held in Bourne, Massachusetts, for a newly built replica of the Pilgrims’ trading post known as the Aptucxet Trading Post.

The simple, historically accurate structure represents the early trade established in 1627 by Plymouth Colony Pilgrims on the Manomet River (now the Cape Cod Canal) to facilitate a three-way trading system with: the local Wampanoag people; Dutch traders from New Amsterdam (modern-day New York City); and the French.

The Society of Mayflower Descendants funded a large portion of the building costs for the replica trading post, in conjunction with the Bourne Historical Society.

This newspaper clip on the dedication ceremony mentions the Society of Mayflower Descendants’ contribution of $10,000 for the building. Dr. Frederick Washburn, superintendent of the Massachusetts General Hospital and ex-governor of the Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants, presided over the proceedings. My follow-up blog article will explain how the site was chosen and trace the project from excavation through construction.

Here is a portrait of Dr. Frederick Washburn, who “presided and made a short opening address” at the dedication ceremony.

The Wampanoag descendants performed songs, and below is a photo of families from Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe members attending the 1930 dedication.

Here is a sign for the historic trading post site.

Some history of the first trading post is furnished in an article entitled, “Pilgrim Legacy: Example of Early Americana Graces Site of Cape Cod Canal,” published in the Providence Journal in 1986.

This article reports:

It’s a nugget, and like most nuggets, it takes some seeking to be found.

Cape Cod guidebooks tend to forget it in favor of more commercial attractions. There is nothing showy about it, and the Bourne Historical Society that maintains it is an old-fashioned organization that believes quality should speak for itself, so the Aptucxet Trading Post is rarely advertised. But there it sits, almost on the bank of the Cape Cod Canal, a reminder of Pilgrim history that is almost forgotten.

In 1627, it seems, the Pilgrim fathers were getting nervous about the debt they owed the Merchant Adventurers in London. From the Adventurers they had borrowed the money to come to America six years earlier [on the Mayflower]. The Merchant Adventurers’ interest on the loans they had given was becoming unbearable – as high as 50 percent. In addition, the Plymouth Colony had been ravaged by hard winters and illness and needed new members. Some had been left behind in Leyden [Leiden, Netherlands] and were eager to make the journey to America, but there was no money to bring them across the ocean. Clearly, to survive, the new colony needed more money.

So eight leaders of the colony decided to establish a trading post. Myles Standish, William Brewster, Governor Bradford, and John Howland were among colonists who conceived the idea of the post. [The others were Isaac Allerton, Edward Winslow, John Alden, and Thomas Prince.]

Simultaneously, to keep their colony at New Amsterdam going, the Dutch West India Company was eager to trade in the New World. It looked like a splendid opportunity for the fledging colony at Plymouth to get out from under its debts.

The Pilgrims approached the London Merchant Adventurers with what is believed to be the first business contract drawn up in America. It gave the colonists complete control of the trade in furs, sassafras, lumber and other essential goods in the colony for six years, with the privilege of renewal. The result was the colonists’ opening of Aptucxet (Little Trap by the River) Trading Post.

The site selected, though some 20 miles from Plymouth, was an ideal one, for there was no need for the New Amsterdamers to round the dangerous waters off Cape Cod to reach it. It was relatively easy for the Pilgrims to get to.

Where the Cape Cod Canal lies now, there were then two rivers – the Manamet and the Scusset. The Pilgrims could carry their merchandise in a shallop from Plymouth, up the Scusset to within five miles of the Manamet. From there, they could portage to the Manamet, which the Dutch could easily reach without rounding Cape Cod, because it emptied into Buzzards Bay.

There was a third party, too, that was to profit by the establishment of a trading post. The Wampanoag Indians could bring their deerskins and beaver furs to exchange for Dutch tobacco or brightly colored Plymouth beads.

In addition to tobacco, the Dutch came with linen and tools and wampum.

After establishing this trading post, Governor Bradford set up two more on the Kennebec River and the Connecticut River.

Below is a photo of the interior of the Aptucxet Trading Post Museum decorated for autumn.

From Governor Bradford on trade, recorded in his history:

This year (1627) the Dutch sent againe unto them from their plantation, both kind leterss, and also diverse comodities, as sugar, linen cloth, Holand finer and courser stufes, etc. They came up with their barke to Manamete, to their house ther, in which came their Secretarie Rasier; who was accompanied with a noyse of trumpets, and some other attendants; and desired that they would send a boat for him, for he could not travill so farr over land. So they sent a boat to Manonscussett, and brought him to the plantation, with the cheefe of his company. And after some few days entertainmente, he returned to his barke, and some of them wente with him, and bought sundry of his goods; after which begining thus made, they sente often times to the same place, and had entercourse togeather for diverce years; and amongst other comodities, they vended much tobaco for linen cloath, stuffs, etc., which was a good benefite to the people, till the Virginians found out their plantation. But that which turned most to their profite, in time, was an entrance into the trade of Wampampeake; for they now bought about 50 li. worth of it of them; and they tould them how vendable it was at their forte Orania (now Albany); and did perswade them they would find it so at Kenebeck; and so it came to pass in time, though at first it stuck, and it was 2 years before they could put of this small quantity, till the inland people knew of it; and afterwards they could scarce ever gett enough for them, for many years togeather.

More to come…

Note: some of the graphics in this article have been AI enhanced.

Explore your family history by creating your free account at GenealogyBank for 7 days, because every life deserves to be remembered, recorded, and rediscovered.

Note on the header image: “Mayflower in Plymouth Harbor,” by William Halsall, 1882. Credit: Wikimedia Commons.

The post The Pilgrims Start a Business: The Aptucxet Trading Post (part 1) appeared first on GenealogyBank Blog.

Here are some of the details about our most recent U.S. newspaper additions:

• A total of 15 titles from 10 states, plus 1 from the District of Columbia and 2 national titles
• 15 of the 18 titles added this month are newspapers added to GenealogyBank for the first time!
• We’ve shown the newspaper issue date ranges in the lists below so that you can determine if the newly added content is relevant to your personal genealogy research.

To see our newspaper archives’ entire title list of more than 16,000 newspapers, click here.

Genealogy Tip: One of the ways to take advantage of the fact that GenealogyBank is always adding new content is to use a feature on the newspapers’ search results page that lets you search just on the content added since a certain time. With this feature, found along the left-hand side of the search results page, you can search only on the newest content – even newspaper articles GenealogyBank added within the past week!

GenealogyBank adds new content to its Historical Newspaper Archives constantly, so keep searching. And good luck with your family history research.

Explore your family history by creating your free account at GenealogyBank for 7 days, because every life deserves to be remembered, recorded, and rediscovered.

The post October 2026 Addition: GenealogyBank Just Added New Content from 18 Titles! appeared first on GenealogyBank Blog.

Today I resume my series on “Mayflower Descendants: Who’s Who,” featuring a photo of the elected officers of the Society of Mayflower Descendants taken in September of 1930, with some history on the organization.

In this photo we see: (front row) William A. McAuslan of Providence, Historian General; Wilfred H. Munro, Deputy Governor General, Rhode Island; Addison P. Munroe, Governor General, Rhode Island; Walter I. Woodman, Captain General, Maine; Mrs. James G. Walker Jr., Deputy Governor General, Oregon; (back row) Thomas Denny, Governor General, New York; Seldon H. Kilgore, Deputy Governor General, Kansas; Burnham C. Colburn, Deputy Governor General, North Carolina; Robert M. Boyd Jr., Deputy Governor General, New Jersey; Frank H. Briggs, Deputy Governor General, District of Columbia; Very Rev. Harry St. Clair Hathaway of Philadelphia, Assistant General, and former Elder General.

In 1923 the annual Mayflower Banquet took place in Washington, D.C., and Deputy Governor Frank H. Briggs (1857-1938), one of the subjects in the above photo, was among the many attending.

His photo (on the left), along with those of Governor Carter Brewster Keene (center) and James M. Beck (right), speaker for the event, are featured in a Washington Times article with the headlines: “District Boasts 350 Descendants of Mayflower Pilgrims. Big Factor in City’s Life. District Branch Organized in 1898 – 100 to Attend Annual Meeting Tonight.”

Frank Herbert Briggs was born in Maine to Benjamin Franklin Briggs and Sarah Gilbert (Dillingham) Briggs and is a direct descendant of Mayflower passengers John Alden, Priscilla Mullins, William Mullins, Francis Cooke, William Bradford, and William Brewster.

Frank married Alice Clifford Frye (1859-1943), daughter of U.S. Senator William Pierce Frye and Caroline Frances (Spear) Frye.

The Washington Times newspaper article provides a background on the history of the Mayflower Society, current members, and some famous Mayflower descendants:

Descendants of the Pilgrim Fathers, members of the Society of Mayflower Descendants in the District of Columbia, to the number of a hundred or more, will celebrate the annual meeting of the society tonight at a dinner at the Franklin Square Hotel.

…Among those who will address the society will be Governor General John P. Tilden, representing the national headquarters, and James M. Beck, Solicitor General of the United States, who will deliver the principal address.

It is understood that Solicitor General Beck’s address will prove a surprise, although its nature has not been made public.

The District of Columbia Society is regarded as one of the strongest units making up the national society. It has a membership of more than 350. At this season of the year, however, a considerable number of the members are out of the city. Of those who have been absent a number will return to the city to attend tonight’s annual function.

Among the guests who will be present will be Major General Greeley, the Arctic explorer.

…An idea of the importance of the District of Columbia Society’s relation to the national organization is seen in the election of two of its members to the post of governor general. Local society members who have held that office are Thomas S. Hopkins and General Leonard Wood.

The Society of Mayflower Descendants in the District of Columbia was organized April 28, 1898, with twenty-two charter members. Included were William Lowery Marsh, William Wallace Case, Nathaniel Emmons Robinson, Hattie L. Alden, Sherburne G. Hopkins, Thomas Snell Hopkins, William F. Alden, James Bowen Johnson, Henry P. R. Holt, Algernon A. Aspinwall, Isabel S. Chamberlin, Mary L. Robinson, Emily E. Robinson, Marcus Benjamin, John Louis Ewell, George Congdon Gorham, Frank Birge Smith, Alonzo Howard Flark, Harry Weston Van Dyke, William Park Metcalf, Edwin Allston Hill and Ellen Hamilton Smith. A majority of the charter members are still members of the society.

William Lowery Marsh is conceded to be the founder of the society. He was three times elected to the office of governor, covering the period 1898-1901.

When organized it was not expected a membership of more than fifty would be secured for several years. The society, however, made a strong appeal to those who regarded themselves as eligible to membership. It now numbers approximately 350 active members.

The location of the society at the National Capital has resulted in its enrolling a large number of persons in the South who were eligible to membership, but had no State societies of their own. As the later units are organized they naturally claim as their own such of the members of the local society as live within their several provinces.

Of something more than local interest is the fact that five Presidents of the United States traced their ancestry to Pilgrim forefathers. They were John Adams and John Quincey Adams, Zachary Taylor, Ulysses S. Grant and William Howard Taft.

The gavel used by Governor Carter Brewster Keene has an interesting history. It was made from a piece of oak taken from the old manor house occupied by Elder Brewster. The wood was obtained by William Wallace Case, a charter member of the society, while on a visit to Scrooby in 1899, who presented it to the society.

Perpetuation of the memory of the band of Pilgrim passengers on the Mayflower is set forth in the constitution of the society as its chief object. Every lineal descendant over eighteen years of age of any passenger on the Mayflower on the voyage which ended at Plymouth, Mass., in December 1620, is eligible to membership in the society.

Organizations of Mayflower descendants exist in many of the States. During recent years efforts have been made to bring into the organization every person who can prove descent from a Pilgrim ancestor. It is believed by those interested in the society that it is functioning in a highly efficient way in keeping alive the sentiments and ideals of the Pilgrim, and that with an ever-expanding membership it is destined to become one of the great moral agencies in shaping national character.

Officers of the District Society are: Carter Brewster Keene, governor; John B. Blood, secretary; Thomas F. Whittelsey, treasurer; Dr. William S. Washburn, surgeon; Frederick W. Mitchell, captain; the Rev. John P. Hubble, elder; and Algernon A. Aspinwall, historian.

Note: some of the graphics in this article have been AI enhanced.

Create a free account at GenealogyBank for 7 days to start your journey and discover the stories your ancestors left behind.

Note on the header image: “Mayflower in Plymouth Harbor,” by William Halsall, 1882. Credit: Wikimedia Commons.

The post Mayflower Descendants: Who’s Who, Part 54 appeared first on GenealogyBank Blog.

A family name passed down through generations can feel certain until two records tell different stories. Many family historians begin with treasured memories, handwritten notes, or online family trees, only to discover that tracing information back to its earliest recorded source often reveals new details, corrections, and unexpected connections.

Building an accurate family history requires more than collecting names and dates. Understanding the foundations of family history research helps researchers recognize where information originated and how much confidence they can place in a particular record. The ability to distinguish between firsthand documentation and later interpretations is essential for producing reliable findings.

Photo credit: https://depositphotos.com/home.html

As a trusted provider of historical newspapers, census records, and U.S. government documents, GenealogyBank helps family historians access authoritative materials spanning more than three centuries of American history. These records provide valuable context that transforms isolated facts into meaningful family stories supported by documented evidence.

This guide explains how different source types contribute to genealogy research, how to assess their reliability, and how thoughtful source evaluation can strengthen the accuracy of your family history discoveries.

Understanding Primary Sources in Genealogy Research

Primary sources are records created at the time an event occurred or by someone with direct knowledge of it. Birth certificates, marriage records, military documents, newspaper notices, and personal letters often provide firsthand details that help establish a reliable foundation for family history research. These materials can preserve information before it is altered through retelling, transcription, or later interpretation.

Because they originate close to the events they document, primary sources often offer stronger evidence than information copied from other records. Researchers who begin with firsthand documentation are better positioned to verify names, dates, locations, and relationships while reducing the risk of carrying forward inaccuracies. Examining records in their original context can also reveal details about an ancestor’s life that may not appear in later summaries or compilations.

How to Identify Reliable Family History Records

Finding trustworthy information requires more than locating a record with a familiar name. Researchers benefit from examining how information was created, preserved, and shared over time. Looking closely at a record’s origin and supporting evidence can help distinguish stronger documentation from less reliable information:

Original Records Genealogy

Records created closest to an event often provide the strongest foundation for family history research. A birth register completed shortly after a birth or a marriage certificate recorded by an official source generally carries greater evidentiary value than information copied years later.

Comparing Information Across Multiple Sources

No single record should automatically be treated as definitive. When details from newspapers, government records, family documents, and other sources align, researchers gain greater confidence in the accuracy of names, dates, locations, and family relationships.

Secondary Sources in Genealogy Research

Many family historians encounter records that summarize, interpret, or compile information from earlier materials. Published family histories, online family trees, local history books, and research reports can provide valuable leads that point toward additional records and unexplored family connections.

While these resources can save time and uncover useful clues, they are most effective when supported by firsthand documentation. Information may be copied from earlier sources, contain transcription errors, or reflect assumptions made by previous researchers. Treating compiled information as a starting point rather than final proof helps strengthen the accuracy of family history findings.

Explore Trusted Genealogy Resources from GenealogyBank

Building a well-documented family history often requires access to multiple record collections. GenealogyBank brings together historical newspapers, census records, and government documents that help researchers verify information and uncover new details about their ancestors.

• Historical Newspaper Archives – Search billions of historical newspaper records spanning more than 330 years of American history. Researchers can discover obituaries, marriage announcements, community news, and stories that add context to family records.
• Census Records Collection – Census materials help researchers trace households across generations, identify family relationships, and better understand where ancestors lived and worked.
• Historical Government Documents Collection – Government records provide valuable documentation that can support dates, locations, military service, land ownership, and other important family history details.

Access to multiple record types helps researchers compare evidence, verify findings, and develop a more complete understanding of their family’s story. Combining these resources often reveals connections that may remain hidden when relying on a single source.

How to Strengthen Your Research with Source Analysis

Strong family history research depends on carefully examining the quality and consistency of available evidence. Evaluating records individually and collectively helps researchers build conclusions supported by documentation rather than assumptions:

Genealogy Evidence Analysis

Researchers often encounter records that contain conflicting details about dates, names, or relationships. Comparing the information provided by each source and considering who supplied the information can help determine which details are most reliable.

Documenting Sources for Future Research

Maintaining clear records of where information was found makes it easier to revisit findings and verify conclusions later. Thorough documentation also allows other family members and future researchers to follow the same evidence trail when exploring family history.

Genealogy Source Evaluation

Careful research habits help transform scattered records into a trustworthy family history. As you continue exploring historical newspapers, census records, and government documents, educational resources such as the GenealogyBank blog

can provide additional guidance for interpreting records, organizing findings, and strengthening research methods. Every verified discovery contributes to a more accurate record of the people and stories that shaped your family’s history because every life deserves to be remembered.

Final Thoughts

Every family story is built from pieces of evidence collected across generations. Understanding the differences between source types allows researchers to make better decisions about the information they preserve and share with future family members.

As you continue exploring historical records, educational resources such as the GenealogyBank Learning Center can provide additional guidance for interpreting records, organizing discoveries, and strengthening research practices. Every verified discovery contributes to a more accurate record of the people and stories that shaped your family’s history.

Photo credit: https://depositphotos.com/home.html

Frequently Asked Questions About Understanding Primary vs. Secondary Sources in Genealogy Research

What makes a source trustworthy in family history research?

A trustworthy source is one that can be traced to a reliable creator, contains verifiable information, and aligns with other available records.

Can newspaper records be used to confirm family relationships?

Yes. Newspaper notices, obituaries, wedding announcements, and community articles can provide valuable details about family connections and life events.

Why do different records sometimes contain conflicting information?

Differences can occur because of memory errors, reporting mistakes, transcription issues, or information being recorded long after an event occurred.

Are family stories useful for genealogy research?

Yes. Family stories can provide important clues, names, locations, and events that help guide further research, even when details require verification.

How can researchers organize large amounts of family history information?

Maintaining research logs, digital folders, timelines, and source notes can help keep information organized and easier to review.

What should I do if I cannot find a record for an ancestor?

Try searching alternative record collections, neighboring locations, name variations, and records created by relatives, employers, or community organizations.

How often should genealogy research be reviewed?

Research should be reviewed regularly, especially when new records become available or when new evidence changes previous conclusions.

Can old newspapers reveal information beyond birth and death dates?

Yes. Historical newspapers often provide personal stories, community involvement, occupations, achievements, and other details that add context to an ancestor’s life.

Why is preserving family history important?

Preserving family history helps future generations understand their origins, family traditions, and the experiences that shaped their relatives’ lives.

Is genealogy research only for experienced historians?

No. Modern research tools and digital record collections make family history research accessible to beginners and experienced researchers alike.

Create a free account at GenealogyBank for 7 days to start your journey and discover the stories your ancestors left behind.

Note on the header image: interviewing an older female relative. Credit: https://depositphotos.com/home.html

The post Understanding Primary vs. Secondary Sources in Genealogy Research appeared first on GenealogyBank Blog.

You’ve probably heard presentations where professional genealogists say, “not everything is online!” While that is definitely true, what’s online can help us until we are able to travel to research in libraries and archives or pay for records to be searched and copied.

This month (September 15-October 15) is National Hispanic Heritage Month, recognizing the cultures and contributions of both Hispanic and Latino Americans, and it’s a good time to look into what is found online in addition to the usual places we search, such as FamilySearch. The following three online repositories are examples of what can be found, but they may not be specifically appropriate for your research. They are meant to inspire you to look at online locations that focus on your research area.

National Resources: Library of Congress

In some cases, you’ll want to look at non-genealogy-focused digital collections to better understand a time and location. These collections can also provide you with historical context for researching your ancestor. The Library of Congress’ Hispanic Reading Room has a few collections that might be of interest to you, including:

• East Florida Papers, which focus on materials from 1784-1821;
• Handbook of Latin America Studies, which “provides searchable access to bibliographic citations and descriptive annotations of works about Latin America, including books, journal articles, conference proceedings and papers, book chapters, maps and atlases, and digital resources (blogs, websites, online videos, etc.)”; and
• Puerto Rico at the Dawn of the Modern Age: Nineteenth- and Early-Twentieth-Century Perspectives, which includes “historically important writings by prominent Puerto Rican political activists and historians dating from approximately seventy years before the Spanish-American War (1831) until some thirty years after it (1929).” Each collection includes an “About” section as well as access to the digitized materials.

The Library of Congress has a specific Ask a Librarian feature for Caribbean, Iberian, and Latin American Studies. They explain:

We provide basic research assistance related to those parts of the world encompassing the geographical areas of the Caribbean, Latin America, Spain, and Portugal; the indigenous cultures of those areas; and peoples throughout the world historically influenced by Luso-Hispanic heritage, including Latinx communities in the U.S., and peoples of Portuguese or Spanish heritage in Africa, Asia, and Oceania. We will provide a response to your question within 5 business days.

This is not a genealogical helpline, but they can give suggestions for resources that have to do with overall research.

Next Steps

Don’t forget to look at the NARA (National Archives) website for other records or instructions for obtaining records, including military or immigration records. For those tracing their ancestors to their homeland, consult that country’s national library or archive.

Libraries: Houston (Texas) Public Library

Always check the resources for the location you are researching. This includes public and academic libraries and archives. A good example of what can be found at a library are the Hispanic Digital Collections at the Houston Public Library:

This special collection includes over 100 collections of papers and photographs representing the contributions of Hispanics in every industry and their experience in the Bayou City. These archival records, coupled with first-hand accounts captured via oral history, offer a rich account of the Hispanic experience in Houston.

Materials range in date from 1703 to the present, with the bulk of the material covering the 1920s through the 1980s. Within these collections are a significant number of materials about: early Houston mutualistas (mutual aid societies); big band, Tejano, and Chicano music; the Mexican American experience during World War II; and the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC).

This is a great collection for those with Houston-area ancestors, including census records, interviews, family papers, and photographs. Remember that as you research, delving into the collections of someone else’s family can reveal your family. You may not know everyone who is part of your ancestor’s FAN Club (Friends, Associates, and Neighbors).

Next Step

What libraries exist where your family lived? Even a small public library might have resources. Take a look at that library and then a nearby large city library for possible archives. An academic library should also be consulted for resources on the historical community your ancestors lived in.

Societies: Puerto Rican Genealogy

Genealogy societies should be one of your first places to go for information. Aside from your local society, consider a society that specializes in the research you are conducting. Examples include Genealogical Society of Hispanic America, Cuban Genealogy Club of Miami Florida, Inc., and Puerto Rican Genealogy. Membership in a genealogy society has its benefits – aside from the education provided via meetings, webinars, and conferences – as databases, indexes, and other resources are available to help members research their families.

One example of this is Puerto Rican Genealogy, whose Tools page includes a database of funeral cards from Rincón. They also provide resources found on other websites.

Next Step

What genealogical and historical societies exist that can help you with your research? It’s time to “find your people” and see who is researching the same places and topics you are. You can find this by searching on your favorite search engine or asking around. Go to society meetings, conferences or webinars. Seek out presenters speaking on topics that are of interest. Ask them what you should join.

Make a Plan NOW

Make a plan for your research now and see what is online that can help you tell the story of your ancestors’ lives. Add historical newspapers to that research plan. GenealogyBank includes Spanish-language newspapers published in the United States beginning in the 19th century.

Create a free account at GenealogyBank for 7 days to start your journey and discover the stories your ancestors left behind.

Note on the header image: Naval Medical Center Portsmouth hosting a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, 23 September 2020. Credit: Dylan M. Kinee; U.S. Navy; Wikimedia Commons.

The post Genealogy Tips: Online Collections for Hispanic Research appeared first on GenealogyBank Blog.

The Hopi people are descendants of the Hisatsinom, ancient people who occupied the Colorado Plateau and many other regions, including what is now southern Arizona, New Mexico, Mexico, Utah, and beyond.

According to the Hopi Tribe Official Website:

The Hopi Tribe is a sovereign nation located in northeastern Arizona. The reservation occupies part of Coconino and Navajo counties, encompasses more than 1.5 million acres, and is made up of 12 villages on three mesas.

In 1929 a prominent group of Hopi traditionalists from Second Mesa in Arizona embarked on an important political and cultural tour of the eastern United States. Here are stories and photos of that tour from the archives and GenealogyBank; some are AI enhanced.

Charles Sumner Ashley Sr. (1858-1941) was the mayor of New Bedford, Massachusetts, for over 25 terms, serving various years from 1890 to 1936. During July of 1929 during the Hopi tour, Mayor Ashley was adopted into the Hopi Tribe and named Chief Pee-ve-lah, meaning “Builder of Fires.”

Below is a photo of the mayor after he received his adopted name, facing his tribal father Chief Kol-clor-tel-wa, a Hopi leader whose name translates to “Rope Out of a Bear Hide.” Also in the photo are: (in the background) M. W. Billings, head of the Chamber of Commerce, translator, custodian and adopted member of the Hopi Tribe; and Chief Soheik (left of Mayor Ashley).

Back in 1890, Charles Ashley had opened copper mines in the Ajo area, in Pima County, Arizona, leading the Hopi people to regard him as the town’s founder. The population grew to 2,000, and Hopi community members benefited from the jobs and opportunities the mines created.

Ashley was also the president of Maggie Murphy Copper Company, which was organized in August 1904 at a mill site in Horseshoe Canyon, in the Laramie Peak district, Albany County, Wyoming.

I found this newsclip about Ashley’s mining ventures.

This article reports:

Boston, April 6. – Ex-Mayor Charles S. Ashley, of New Bedford, is the active head of a new syndicate just formed for the purpose of exploiting a new method for smelting ore, which means a complete revolution in mining methods, says the Boston Post last Sunday. The new smelter will cost only $30,000, where today a plant to refine the same ore would cost $300,000. This smelter means every miner can do his own smelting and that properties heretofore not worked can be with low grade ore at a big profit.

Ex-Mayor Ashley is the president of the Maggie Murphy Copper Company, one of the largest copper properties in Wyoming. Those who bought stock at 25c. have reaped a profit of 130 per cent., as the market price has gone to 60c., and will advance still higher before long. The remarkable story of how Ex-Mayor Ashley secured control of the Maggie Murphy mine, and the big copper strike, will be sent to anyone. Address: Maggie Murphy Copper Co., 16 State St., Boston.

Here is another photo of the mayor with M. W. Billings and the Hopi delegation.

According to the New Bedford Evening Standard newspaper, five big chiefs of the Hopi Tribe came to Acushnet Park in New Bedford for an industrial exhibit.

A week later, Boston Mayor Malcolm Edwin Nichols (1876-1951) received a visit from the Hopi delegation.

This article reports:

Boston, July 25 – Mayor Nichols joined another Indian tribe yesterday.

Five members of the Hopi Tribe of Arizona, who are touring the big cities of the country, invaded the mayoral chamber, escorted by M. W. Billings. The mayor’s first remark, after he had extended his visitors a cordial welcome, was that the Indians were using no more paint than a number of other folk not Indians. The visitors were in native dress and were daubed with war paint.

Chief Kolchobtewa placed a feathered headgear upon the mayor, informing his honor that he would have to travel to Arizona in September to be initiated into the tribe with full ceremony.

The Indians are at Salisbury Beach this week, giving an educational exhibition.

Below is a photo of Mayor Nichols and members of the Hopi Tribe from a scrapbook collection. From (left to right): Chief Solofacte, Chief Kashwazra, Mayor Nichols, Chief Maquoima, and Chief Sohiek.

This photo caption reads:

The Hopi Indian chiefs of Arizona are shown with Mayor Nichols after they made him one of their tribe yesterday at City Hall.

Many others received visits from the Hopi Tribe that year including the Shriners in Philadelphia.

This photo caption reads:

Real Hopi Indians visiting in Philadelphia initiated Shriners there into secret degrees of their tribe. The imperial potentate is shown in center surrounded by Indians.

In August the Hopi chiefs traveled to Rhode Island.

This photo caption reads:

Left to right, front row: Kashwazra, “the fleet one”; M. W. Billings, representing the Mesa, Arizona, Chamber of Commerce, sponsoring the Eastern trip [of] the Indians, who are appearing this week at a Rhode Island amusement park; and Sohuh, the designer. Second row, left to right: Chief Solofacte; Thomas J. Cashman, manager of the park; Mayor James E. Dunne; Chief Kolchovtewah; and William J. Brown, secretary to the mayor. Standing, in rear, is Naquoima.

Charles Curtis (1860-1936), the 31st vice president of the United States from 1929 to 1933 under President Herbert Hoover, was honored by the Hopi Tribe.

This photo caption reads:

Vice President Curtis, who boasts that he has “Indian blood,” hales a delegation of the Hopi Tribe before him for photographic purposes. The Hopis are supposed to be pleading with Curtis to save them from their neighbors, the Navajos. There hasn’t been an Indian war for generations in the Hopi country.

Explore your family history by creating your free account at GenealogyBank for 7 days, because every life deserves to be remembered, recorded, and rediscovered.

Note on the header image: Hopi polychrome ceramic water canteen, ca. 1870. Credit: Cleveland Museum of Art; Wikimedia Commons.

The post Some History of the Hopi Tribe from 1929 appeared first on GenealogyBank Blog.

A grandparent’s childhood memory, a relative’s account of a life-changing move, or a forgotten family tradition can disappear if it is never recorded. Long before records were digitized or photographs were stored online, families passed their histories from one generation to the next through conversation. Those personal stories often contain the details that bring ancestors to life in ways official documents cannot.

Photo credit: https://depositphotos.com/home.html

Genealogy research becomes more meaningful when names, dates, and places are connected to real experiences. GenealogyBank helps family historians uncover those connections through billions of historical records, newspapers, obituaries, and other trusted sources that provide valuable context for family discoveries. As a division of NewsBank, Inc., GenealogyBank has helped researchers explore family stories through reliable historical information spanning more than three centuries.

This guide explains how to prepare for family interviews, ask thoughtful questions, preserve meaningful memories, and turn personal recollections into research opportunities. By combining conversations with documented evidence, you can build a richer understanding of your family’s past and help ensure those stories endure for future generations.

What Genealogy Interview Questions Reveal About Ancestors

Meaningful conversations often uncover details that records alone cannot provide. Open-ended prompts can reveal childhood experiences, family traditions, personal values, and relationships that rarely appear in official records. These insights help transform a collection of names and dates into a richer understanding of the people who shaped your family’s story.

Personal memories also help researchers identify new leads for further investigation. When combined with historical context, information gathered through interviews supports a deeper understanding of family connections. A single recollection may point to locations, events, or relatives that deserve additional research.

How to Prepare Before Sitting Down with a Relative

A little preparation can make the difference between a scattered conversation and a meaningful exchange. Taking time to organize your goals, gather background information, and plan your approach can help preserve more accurate recollections. Before beginning the conversation, focus on creating a comfortable environment that encourages storytelling:

Interviewing Elderly Relatives

Older family members often hold firsthand knowledge that cannot be found elsewhere. Short, focused conversations are usually more effective than lengthy sessions because fatigue can affect memory retrieval. Choosing a quiet setting and allowing extra time for reflection can help create a more productive experience.

Creating a Flexible Conversation Guide

A simple outline helps keep the discussion organized while still allowing room for unexpected stories. Unexpected stories often emerge naturally when conversations feel relaxed rather than scripted. Preparing broad topic areas instead of rigid questions can lead to richer and more authentic responses.

Why Family Oral History Genealogy Matters Beyond Names and Dates

Records can confirm that an event happened, but personal accounts often explain why it mattered. Stories passed through generations often preserve context that official documents never captured. A relative’s description of a family business, military service, migration, or community involvement can add meaning to information found in historical records.

These personal perspectives help researchers understand the experiences behind documented facts. Memories become even more valuable when they are compared with information available through historical newspapers, which can provide additional details about people, places, and events. Combining recollections with documented sources creates a more complete picture of family history.

Explore GenealogyBank Resources to Strengthen Family Research

Conversations often reveal important clues, but interviews become more valuable when paired with documented evidence. Researchers can use GenealogyBank’s resources to learn effective research strategies and uncover new ways to investigate family connections.

• GenealogyBank Learning Center: Educational resources designed to help family historians improve research skills and navigate historical records more effectively.
• Obituaries and Death Records: A collection of obituary records that can help verify relationships, identify relatives, and uncover important life events.
• Historical Newspaper Archives: Access to millions of newspaper records that provide context, stories, and details that may not appear in traditional genealogical documents.

Using multiple record types often reveals overlooked family connections. Combining interview findings with trusted historical sources can help create a more complete and accurate family narrative.

Photo credit: https://depositphotos.com/home.html

How to Turn Interview Notes Into Research Leads

Information gathered during conversations becomes more valuable when organized into actionable research paths. Organized information is easier to verify and compare across multiple sources. A structured approach can help transform personal recollections into meaningful discoveries:

Organizing Names, Places, and Dates

Grouping details into categories makes patterns become easier to identify over time. Creating timelines, location lists, and relationship charts can help researchers connect information and expand findings through tools that help you Discover Your Family Tree. Organized notes also make future verification more efficient.

Verifying Stories with Historical Records

Personal recollections provide valuable clues, but supporting documentation helps strengthen research accuracy. Comparing memories with newspapers, public records, and other historical sources allows researchers to evaluate details more carefully. Corroborating evidence strengthens research confidence while helping separate family tradition from documented fact.

Final Thoughts

Every conversation with a relative has the potential to preserve information that may not exist anywhere else. Taking time to record memories, verify details, and organize findings can help future generations better understand the people and experiences that shaped their family story.

One of the most valuable family history interview tips is to focus on listening rather than rushing through a list of questions. Meaningful stories often emerge when relatives feel comfortable sharing memories in their own way. By pairing personal recollections with trusted historical records, you can create a richer and more enduring family history because every life deserves to be remembered.

Photo credit: https://depositphotos.com/home.html

Frequently Asked Questions About How to Interview Family Members for Genealogy: Questions That Uncover Hidden History

How long should a family interview last?

A family interview should typically last between 30 and 90 minutes. Shorter sessions often help maintain focus and allow relatives to share memories without feeling overwhelmed.

Should I record conversations?

Yes. Recording conversations preserves details, tone, and personal expressions that handwritten notes may miss. Always ask for permission before recording.

What should I do if a relative goes off topic?

Allow some flexibility. Unexpected stories often contain valuable details that can lead to new research opportunities or family connections.

How can I make a relative feel comfortable during an interview?

Choose a familiar setting, avoid interruptions, and allow the conversation to flow naturally. A relaxed environment often encourages more detailed storytelling.

Is it better to interview one person or several relatives together?

Both approaches can be useful. Individual conversations often provide deeper personal memories, while group discussions can trigger additional recollections and shared stories.

What if relatives disagree about a family story?

Document each version and look for supporting evidence in historical records. Different perspectives can provide valuable context about past events.

How often should I conduct follow-up interviews?

Follow-up conversations are helpful whenever new information emerges. Additional sessions often uncover details that were forgotten during earlier discussions.

Can photographs help during family interviews?

Yes. Old photographs, letters, certificates, and keepsakes can trigger memories and encourage relatives to share stories they might not otherwise recall.

What information should I organize after an interview?

Organize names, dates, locations, relationships, and significant events. Keeping information structured makes future research more efficient.

What should I do if I uncover unexpected family information?

Approach sensitive discoveries respectfully and verify facts before drawing conclusions. Careful documentation helps preserve accuracy while respecting family relationships.

Create a free account at GenealogyBank for 7 days to start your journey and discover the stories your ancestors left behind.

Note on the header image: looking at a photo album with an older female relative. Credit: https://depositphotos.com/home.html

The post How to Interview Family Members for Genealogy: Questions That Uncover Hidden History appeared first on GenealogyBank Blog.

Today I continue to look at some of the history of the Wampanoag Tribes of Mashpee and Gay Head (Aquinnah) with some AI enhanced photo features gathered from newspaper clips and archives.

The Wampanoag, the “People of the First Light,” are comprised of two federally recognized tribes: the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe located in Mashpee, Massachusetts; and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) located on Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. Their people have inhabited this land for 12,000 years.

My three subjects today are the married couple Mannanata and Mantasikaun, and Mannanata’s mother Minowanin. Their photo was published in a newspaper clip from 1927.

The photo caption for this picture reads:

Worshipping Manitou [the Great Spirit, or supreme creator being, in several Native American traditions is the sacred power that flows through all things in nature, including animals, plants, rocks, and weather]

Three Indians of New England have been found who still adhere to the faith of their fathers. They are members of the Mashpee Tribe, and reside at Middleboro, Mass. Left to right: Mannanata, Mantasikaun, and Minowanin [aka Minaewanee and various spellings; means “Still Water”].

I found this photo from the above news clip as well as others on the Digital Commonwealth site in the Leslie Jones Collection from the Boston Public Library.

In History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable Counties, Massachusetts, Volume 2, Elroy Sherman Thompson cites the following history on these three Indians:

Princess Minowanin is a daughter of Princess Krischani, Mashpee Indian, and William Manuel, Ponkapoag medicine man.

Princess Krischani, or Mrs. Lucretia (Scott) Manuel, was born in Plymouth, Massachusetts, at South Ponds. Her father Warren Scott and her mother Hannah (Leonard) Scott were Indian residents of Plymouth.

Princess Minowanin, a talented actress and singer, went on the stage when she was 21 years of age. After 12 years of stage life, she moved to Lakeville, Massachusetts, because of ill health.

Mantasikaun is a descendant of the Nauset Tribe, who lived on Cape Cod, and the son of a Mashpee Indian.

Mantasikaun’s mother was a white woman. He was the last of the Mashpee Indian medicine men, with a knowledge of roots, herbs, barks, berries, and flowers for medicinal purposes. He was also a historian, especially interested in matters pertaining to his people, with a thorough knowledge of the history of the Mashpee Tribe.

Princess Minowanin of the Mashpees gave her daughter Mannanata in marriage to Mantasikaun on 9 January 1927.

Below is an image of the couple’s marriage record from the archives, which lists the groom Mantasikaun as Clarence Manta Wixon, age 21, born in Brewster, Massachusetts, and the son of Rhoda Eva Wixon and an unknown father. Rhoda was born to Jeremiah Russell Wixon (1846-1924), son of Job Wixon and Elizabeth (Newcomb) Wixon, and Betsey Freeman (Murphy) Wixon.

The bride Mannanata is listed as Lucretia Tinkham, a housekeeper in Lakeville, Massachusetts, and the daughter of Louis Benjamin Tinkham and Angeline Berkeley (Mannue/Manuel) Tinkham.

I found Clarence in the 1920 census living with his mother Rhoda and his maternal grandfather Jeremiah Russel Wixon and wife Betsey.

Jeremiah married 1st Rhoda Robbins, daughter of William and Fannie Robbins, in 1863. She died in 1880. He married 2nd Betsey Freeman Murphy on 4 December 1881.

Here is a newsclip from the archives on the wedding announcement that furnishes more information.

This announcement reads:

Sunday, Jan. 9, Rev. Lawrence Hinkley, pastor of the Mashpee Baptist Church, united in marriage at Mashpee, immediately after the church service, Princess Mannananta of Middleboro and Mantasikaun of Mashpee.

The ceremony was attended by many of the Mashpee Indians. The bridegroom’s uncle, Chief [Eben] Quippish, was unable to be present.

Chief Nelson D. Simons, illustrious chieftain of the Mashpee Tribe, was best man, and Mrs. Rodman, a Gay Head Indian of Middleboro, was bridesmaid. The ceremony had begun when a group of Indians led by Chief Simons filed in through the doorway.

The group consisted of Mrs. Rodman, Mrs. Tinkham, and the bride and groom. Princess Mannanata, better known in Middleboro as Miss Lucretia Tinkham, daughter of Mrs. Angie Tinkham, is fifth in descent from the mighty and illustrious Massasoit.

Mantasikaun is the name given [to] the bridegroom by his uncle and grandfather. He is better known among his many friends and acquaintances as Clarence M. Wixon, son of a Mashpee Indian, a descendant of the Nauset tribe.

Mr. Wixon has two honorable discharges from the army. His present profession is herb specialist, an inheritance from his ancestors among whom were many medicine men. Conjuring was also an art of the Indian medicine men of past centuries, and Mr. Wixon is an apt student of that art.

Mrs. Angie Tinkham, mother of Mrs. Wixon, was formerly an actress on the stages of Boston and various other cities, and is a fine singer. Her daughter is also a fine singer.

Here is a photo of Angeline Berkeley (Mannue/Manuel) Tinkham, aka Minowanin, in her later years.

Note: Not all these names appear in the 1860 Indian Census Records, or the Earle Report, and I am not able to validate all lineage claims to Massasoit.

I will keep researching more on these lines.

Explore your family history by creating your free account at GenealogyBank for 7 days, because every life deserves to be remembered, recorded, and rediscovered.

Note on the header image: Ousamequin, or “Massasoit” (Wampanoag term for “Great Sachem”) and Governor John Carver smoking a ceremonial pipe at Plymouth Colony in 1621. Credit: Sutro Library; Wikimedia Commons.

Related Articles:

• Mayflower Descendants & the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (part 1)
• Mayflower Descendants & the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (part 2)
• Mayflower Descendants & the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (part 3)
• Mayflower Descendants & the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (part 4)
• Mayflower Descendants & the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (part 5)
• Mayflower Descendants & the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (part 6)
• Mayflower Descendants & the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (part 7)
• Mayflower Descendants & the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (part 9)
• Mayflower Descendants & the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (part 12)
• 1928 Great Wampanoag Powwow (part 1)
• 1928 Great Wampanoag Powwow (part 2)
• Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe in the Crocker Ledger Book (part 1)
• Photos from the Past: Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe
• Photos from the Past: Wampanoag Tribes of Mashpee and Gay Head (Aquinnah) (part 1)
• Photos from the Past: Wampanoag Tribes of Mashpee and Gay Head (Aquinnah) (part 2)
• Photos from the Past: Wampanoag Tribes of Mashpee and Gay Head (Aquinnah) (part 3)
• Photos from the Past: Wampanoag Tribes of Mashpee and Gay Head (Aquinnah) (part 4)
• Photos from the Past: Wampanoag Tribes of Mashpee and Gay Head (Aquinnah) (part 5)
• Photos from the Past: Wampanoag Tribes of Mashpee and Gay Head (Aquinnah) (part 6)
• Photos from the Past: Wampanoag Tribes of Mashpee and Gay Head (Aquinnah) (part 7)

The post Photos from the Past: Wampanoag Tribes of Mashpee and Gay Head (Aquinnah) (part 8) appeared first on GenealogyBank Blog.

Genealogy is more than gathering names and dates. Sometimes newspaper articles provide juicy details about our ancestors that go far beyond the vital information and make our research more interesting. This was certainly the case when I researched Mary J. Drapoe.

So far in the first three parts of this series, we have learned that Mary liked rich men, and she was successful in catching husbands because of her skill at wooing them. We learned this from newspapers covering her marriage history as she transitioned from husband to husband. In today’s article we look at more of her marriage drama as covered in the newspapers, and conclude this series by examining the history of her time in an attempt to put all this in context.

Photo credit: https://depositphotos.com/home.html

The Drama Continues

This article tells how Mary met her husbands and how the first three marriages ended. At age 14, she met husband #1, Edward Wakeman, and had “a boy and girl flirtation.” He suggested eloping, so they rode a borrowed horse to a neighboring town at 3 AM. Her parents had the marriage annulled.

When she met husband #2 Henry Saunders at age 16, they went to dinner and the theater together and married the next day. He traveled for work and took her with him. They were happy together until he died. None of the newspapers says how he died.

Her next husband, Joseph Powers (#3), was a railroad man. He died two years after their marriage in an accident at work.

Widowed again at 23, Mary opened a boarding house. Interestingly, this article says she was widowed thrice – but it reports one annulment and two deaths. She met husband #4, John Godfrey, while shopping. They married, then divorced three years later.

Her next husband, William Gay (#5), “was no better than the others.” He persuaded her out of divorce by “taking her a-traveling, and otherwise showering money on her.” She still divorced him.

The next husbands were James H. Lindley (#6) and Thomas Crowther (#7).

The article reports Mr. Crowther’s side of the story regarding their courtship and divorce. He said he didn’t know how she managed to woo him and was certain that her previous husbands couldn’t say either:

“How does she do it? Well, I don’t know, and I don’t believe any of the other six could have told. She has a sweet and fascinating way with her before the knot is tied, but afterward, oh my! She’s anything but sweet and fascinating then.

“It may be she’s a hypnotist, or just possessed of the devil, but anyway she is a winner. I’m her seventh husband and I’ve no doubt she’ll get seven more. Two of ’em are dead, poor fellows – she was too much for them – and four are divorced.”

Some comments are of particular interest here. Namely, Crowther’s comment about Mary being different before and after marriage. It seems that Mary wooed men by not being herself.

It seems her sincerity was questionable. Indeed, in her 1904 newspaper article she had written:

“At thirty-one I decided to do the wooing, and I did it so well that I had the pleasure of leading Thomas Crowther to the altar in short order. I had wooed him by flattery of every sort, and I have found that from a woman of thirty a man can stand any amount of it. All she must be careful about is to make it seem sincere.”

In all this drama, Mary insisted she was always innocent:

“Of course, I was always the innocent party.”

In another newspaper interview, Mary called Crowther’s claims foolish.

In this article, she declares:

“In the divorce case, in his countersuit against me, Mr. Crowther alleged that I had hypnotic power. Foolishness! He also said that I had hurled household goods at him in quarrels. But the court gave me the decree I sought.”

She maintained her innocence in this article as well:

Two of Mrs. LePage’s former husbands are dead, four are divorced and one marriage was declared void. The much-married woman hastens to assert that she was always the innocent party. That her husbands died was a mistake and no fault of hers. That she was compelled to divorce four was due to their faults.

You may be shaking your head, questioning Mary’s inability to keep husbands or to choose husbands wisely. This is an example of why understanding historical context is important in genealogy.

Historical Context

In the 1890s and early 1900s, society had a different view of divorce than we do now. Additionally, divorce laws were different back then. Divorces are easier to obtain than they were in Mary J. Drapoe’s day. Before the no-fault divorce was allowed, divorce lawyers would make up a fault to grant a divorce to a couple that didn’t want to stay married. (1)

Divorce is more normal and common today than it was back then. However, America was undergoing a period of reform. Divorce rates had been climbing steadily since the Civil War. People were debating the morality of divorce. Opponents of divorce pushed for stricter divorce laws, fearing that divorce would ruin families and, therefore, society. Defenders of divorce included feminists. Many were recognizing that traditional marriages discriminated against women, and divorce offered an escape for women in abusive marriages. (2)

Media – newspapers and magazines – in the late 19th and early 20th centuries gradually began to publish articles favoring divorce. (3) However, newspapers liked to show extreme cases of divorce. Newspapers, much like news networks today, were very capable of portraying crises or making things seem more like crises than they really were. (4) Such was the case of the media coverage of Mary’s divorce from her 7th husband.

It is also important to note how gender roles played a role in this. In the 19th century, fault was an important factor in divorce. This was usually defined by which spouse was not following their gendered norms. In many divorce cases back then, the woman was portrayed as the passive victim while the husband was the aggressor. (5) This worked in Mary’s favor, as discussed above.

Not only do newspapers give us juicy stories about our ancestors, but they also portray society’s attitudes in our ancestors’ time. The news reports of Mary’s 8th marriage portray her as someone successful in catching husbands.

The Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper article above reports:

When the tidings of the marriage of the syndicate wife and her No. 8, William LePage, spread through this city [New York], many curious persons rushed to interview the woman upon the all-important subject: “How have you managed to marry eight men when so many women can’t even land one?”

The article gives Mary’s “recipe for the subjugation of man”:

“At 33 I decided that woman must make herself indispensable to man to win him, and in my wooing I used flattery with great success. That is the best explanation I can give.”

Many things have changed in American society since the early 1900s. By understanding our ancestors’ times, we can better understand what the newspapers portray about our ancestors.

Create a free account at GenealogyBank for 7 days to start your journey and discover the stories your ancestors left behind.

Note on the header image: wedding cake and champagne glasses. Credit: https://depositphotos.com/home.html [061626]

______________

(1) Coontz, S. (2005). Marriage, a History: From Obedience to Intimacy, or How Love Conquered Marriage. Viking Press.
(2) O’Neill, W. L. (1965). “Divorce in the Progressive Era.” American Quarterly, 17(2), 203. https://doi.org/10.2307/2711354 ; accessed 30 May 2026.
(3) Ibid.
(4) Ibid.
(5) Naomi Cahn, “Faithless Wives and Lazy Husbands: Gender Norms in Nineteenth Century Divorce Law,” 2002; U. Ill. L. Rev. 651 (2002); https://scholarship.law.gwu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1371&context=faculty_publications; accessed 30 May 2026.

Related Articles:

• Genealogy Challenge: Tracing Mary Drapoe’s 8 Marriages (part 1)
• Genealogy Challenge: Tracing Mary Drapoe’s 8 Marriages (part 2)
• Genealogy Challenge: Tracing Mary Drapoe’s 8 Marriages (part 3)

The post Genealogy Challenge: Tracing Mary Drapoe’s 8 Marriages (part 4) appeared first on GenealogyBank Blog.

Genealogy is more than gathering names and dates. Sometimes newspaper articles provide juicy details about our ancestors that go far beyond the vital information and make our research more interesting. This was certainly the case when I researched Mary J. Drapoe.

The previous installments of this series (see links at the end) focused on marriage data and follow-up research into Mary’s eight marriages. I examined 10 different newspapers and correlated their data. The newspapers reveal more than just whom Mary married and when. They provide details about the drama and show us the kind of person she was.

Photo credit: https://depositphotos.com/home.html

More Drama

In the report by J. F. Higgins, Thomas Crowther’s divorce lawyer (Thomas was husband #7), Mrs. Crowther accused her husband of neglecting her and refusing to support her. Mr. Crowther denied all allegations and said she had abandoned him.

Another article about Mary’s appearance in court with her lawyers provides additional details about her marriage to Thomas Crowther. They had married two years earlier, and three weeks later she left him because he’d been cruel to her. He’d attempted reconciliation; she returned only to leave again. She also named her sister, Lucy Gould, as her rival.

In her article “What I Know About Husbands,” Mrs. Wakeman-Saunders-Powers-Godfrey-Gay-Lindley-Crowther discusses how she wooed so many husbands, referring to them as conquests. She says:

“It is the easiest thing in the world to get a husband if you only go about it in the right way.”

In this article, Mary goes into detail about her husband-catching behavior at each age. She calls it a fatal mistake for a woman to use the same manner of wooing “from girlhood to maturity.” She may, for instance, be simple and shy at 14, but not at 20. She should do the wooing at 27 that she may have disdained at 18.

After detailing the wooing behavior for each age, Mary goes on to describe each of her marriages. Of interest is the description of her second husband, Henry Saunders. He was a rich man who surrounded her with luxury. She was happy until his death. The articles about alimony suits involving Crowther mentioned his substantial income. It seems that Mary liked rich men.

When Mary picked out her third husband prospect at age 21, she discovered her earlier methods of wooing husbands did not work on him. So, she had to try another approach. This new method involved being proud and haughty, dominating and leading. No longer was she pretending to be innocent, but had decided what she wanted to be admired for: she determined that if a man thinks a girl can take care of herself, he can be certain she can take care of him.

In her discourse on wooing her 4th husband, Mary gives a physical description of herself: coal black hair and grey eyes. She considered herself slim and girlish at age 23.

The change in strategy between ages 21 and 23 was successful in wooing John Godfrey, husband #4. However, she quickly found she’d “drawn a very bad blank.” She was unhappy. She divorced him and thought she’d never love again. But she soon found another husband prospect and devised another method to catch him.

With the next few husbands, she’d pick out her man, figure out the best method to woo him, and succeed in doing so. But after each marriage she discovered it was a mistake, or was happy for only a short time, so she’d get another divorce.

Mary was 31 when she had decided to woo her seventh husband, Thomas Crowther, the husband she was divorcing at the time of writing her newspaper article. Her method when she had courted him involved making herself necessary for him and flattering him:

“I had wooed him by flattery of every sort, and I have found that from a woman of thirty a man can stand any amount of it. All that she must be careful about is to make it seem sincere.”

Mary had already set her sights on her eighth husband, and in her article she describes her planned methods for wooing him. It was successful.

The last few paragraphs of the article reveal Mary’s attitude about marriage. She had determined that the best way to “try a man” is by marriage. She had tried marriage seven times and was hopeful that the eighth time would be the charm. (It wasn’t.)

According to one of the articles posted while Mary was divorcing Thomas Crowther, she’d become engaged to marry William I. Post. (She actually broke off that engagement, and instead married William LePage as her next husband.) Note: the newspapers were having trouble keeping track of Mary’s many marriages. This article mistakenly says Thomas Crowther was her eighth husband, when he was her seventh.

This next article correctly identifies William LePage as her eighth husband.

This article reports that Mr. LePage had a fondness for travel and “an ability to provide the funds.” The article acknowledges Mary’s preference for marrying rich men. It also points out that, at least twice, she remarried within 24 hours of divorcing!

Stay tuned to learn more drama from Mary J. Drapoe’s marriages and divorces in the fourth and concluding article in this series.

Create a free account at GenealogyBank for 7 days to start your journey and discover the stories your ancestors left behind.

Note on the header image: wedding cake and champagne glasses. Credit: https://depositphotos.com/home.html [061626]

Related Articles:

• Genealogy Challenge: Tracing Mary Drapoe’s 8 Marriages (part 1)
• Genealogy Challenge: Tracing Mary Drapoe’s 8 Marriages (part 2)

The post Genealogy Challenge: Tracing Mary Drapoe’s 8 Marriages (part 3) appeared first on GenealogyBank Blog.

For today’s article, I’m examining scrapbooks from the New Bedford Public Library collection in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Unless noted, all images are courtesy of the library, and some are enhanced AI. I utilized GenealogyBank for additional information on my subjects, including census records.

19th Century: ‘Ladies Chair’ of Old Whaling Days

This photo shows a “Ladies Chair,” or “Gamming Chair.” During the 19th century, many captains’ wives from New England took up residence on the whaling ships their husbands commanded. A “Gam” in sailors’ terms is a social, friendly visit between the crews of whalers.

It is also suggested that this chair is useful in sea disasters. One example noted in “Gamming Chairs and Gimballed Beds: Seafaring Women on Board Nineteenth-Century Ships,” published in the Journal of Maritime Archaeology, Volume 12, Issue 1, pp. 71-90, April 2017, was Lucy Jane Lord Howes, wife of Captain Benjamin Perkins Howes, who disembarked in a gamming chair when captured by Confederates during the Civil War.

I found a newsclip which features a photo of one of these chairs.

This photo caption reads:

Mrs. Theodore L. Bleich of 114 Duncan Ave. sits in an antique chair in the Whaling Museum in New Bedford, Mass., as her husband explains how whalemen of the last century used, by means of such chairs, to hoist the captain’s wife onto a nearby ship – they called it “gamming” – when boats met at sea during long voyages.

Below is a photo of this same gaming chair housed in the New Bedford Whaling Museum.

1893: Officers and Petty Officers of G Company Naval Brigade

This 1893 photograph was hung on the State Armory wall in 1916. It was presented by Fred Fish, superintendent of the glass department at the Pairpoint Corporation in New Bedford. He was an acting ensign at the time he appeared in the photo.

In this photo we see, left to right: (front row, lying down) William P. Briggs; Edward D. Morton; (middle row) Edward H. Cook; Albert R. Pierce; Lieutenant (J G) George N. Gardiner; Lieutenant Chief of the Company Homer M. Hervey; Ensign Fred Fish; H. J. Ricketson; (back row) William E. Kern; David G. F. Ward, J. Warren Braley.

1894: Harwich Courthouse

This photo shows Harwich Courthouse in Harwich, Massachusetts, in 1894 during a busy drama day. Wonder who was on trial?

Five Generations of a Family in One Photo!

This remarkable photo shows five generations of a family from Freetown, Massachusetts, one of the oldest communities in the United States. Freetown was settled by the Pilgrims and their descendants in the latter half of the 17th century.

In this photo we see, from left to right: (standing) Chester Emund Cannon (1881-1962); his son Nelson Cannon (1907-1999); his father Rufus Henry Cannon (1851-1931); (sitting) Mrs. Chester Edmund Cannon (1887-1986), born Clara Augusta Staples, daughter of George Perley Staples and Lillian L. (Townsend) Staples; Mrs. Rufus Cannon; Mrs. George Clinton DeMaranville holding her son Robert A. Demoranville; Asa Spooner (1832-1924) holding baby Doris Irene Cannon.

I found Chester Edmund Cannon is the 1910 census listed with his wife Clara and children Roy, Vera, Rufus, and Nelson. Living on the same street was his father Rufus H. Cannon and his wife Emma Elizabeth (Spooner) Cannon, daughter of Asa Spooner and Clarissa (DeMoronville) Spooner.

Here is a photo of Asa Spooner Jr. from the scrapbook collection, published when he died.

The obituary with this photo reads:

Asa Spooner, Jr., the oldest citizen of Freetown, died yesterday [15 July 1924] at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Rufus Cannon. Mr. Spooner was 92. He had been a life-long resident of Freetown.

Of a quiet and retiring disposition, Mr. Spooner never took an active part in town affairs. His friendly disposition made him many friends, and he was known by everyone in town. He was the son of a veteran of the War of 1812, and he served in the Civil War.

Mr. Spooner, in his younger life, followed the trade of ship building. He helped build several New Bedford whaleships. Later he was employed as a watchman at the Wamsutta Mills. He married Clarice Demoranville of this city. Besides his daughter, Mr. Spooner is survived by descendants extending to the fifth generation.

1921: Two Brothers Meet After 40 Years

In June of 1921 Valentine Ross, a British Columbia cattleman, arrived in New Bedford to visit his brother Ferdinand, whom he had not seen for more than 40 years. The brothers were separated as boys in Quebec, and Valentine’s unexpected arrival brought his brother great joy.

Ferdinand “Fred” Ross (1844-1944) and his brother Valentine (b. 1855) were born in Sainte-Flavie, Bas-Saint-Laurent Region, Québec, Canada, to Jean-Baptiste Ross and Hermine (Guimond) Ross.

Ferdinand married Anna Morin Dite Valcourt (1859-1945) and had several children, leaving many descendants. According to the census, in 1920 he lived on Sawyer Road in New Bedford, and his occupation was a “real estate dealer.”

1930: The Weaver’s Corner at Smith Mills

In this photo taken in 1930, Elizabeth Bullard Goodwin (1919-2013) reenacts working at the loom in the historic section of Dartmouth, Massachusetts, known as Smith Mills.

Elizabeth is the daughter of Harry Samuel Goodwin and Marion Bullard (Healey) Goodwin. She married two men with whom she had children: 1st Norman John Mee and 2nd Robert Cormier.

Smith Mills became a bustling village settled around the water-powered grist, fulling, and sawmill operations. Henry Tucker and George Babcock built the first grist mill here after 1664.

In 1706, Elisha Smith acquired Tucker and Babcock’s farm and mill property and built a sawmill there. The Smith family controlled the mills for more than a century, giving Smith Mills its name. Inns and taverns served travelers at the crossroads, while millers, textile merchants, linseed oil manufacturers, cobblers, blacksmiths, carpenters, and farmers supported the village economy. The late-19th-century expansion of the railroad improved access to New Bedford and the rest of Massachusetts.

By 1889, Smith Mills included a post office, School No. 10, a Christian Baptist church, and two Quaker meetinghouses. Family farms and forests surrounded the village during the horse-and-carriage era.

More to come…

Create a free account at GenealogyBank for 7 days to start your journey and discover the stories your ancestors left behind.

Note on the header image: North Water Street in New Bedford, Massachusetts, part of the New Bedford Historic District, a U.S. National Historic Landmark District. Credit: Daniel Case; Wikimedia Commons.

Related Article:

• Glimpses from the Past: New Bedford Scrapbook (part 1)

The post Glimpses from the Past: New Bedford Scrapbook (part 2) appeared first on GenealogyBank Blog.

Photo credit: https://depositphotos.com/home.html

GenealogyBank helps researchers uncover and preserve family stories through billions of historical records, newspaper archives, obituaries, and government documents spanning more than 330 years of American history. Built on trusted sources and extensive historical collections, the platform provides the records needed to move beyond names and dates and uncover the experiences that shaped past generations.

This guide outlines a practical, step-by-step process for managing discoveries, creating a repeatable workflow, and keeping important information accessible as your family history research expands. With a reliable organizational framework in place, you can focus more on meaningful discoveries and less on searching for records you have already found.

Why Organization Matters Before You Build a Family History

Successful family history research depends on more than finding records. It depends on being able to locate, compare, and understand those records long after the initial discovery. When documents, photographs, newspaper clippings, and notes are stored without a consistent method, valuable clues can become difficult to revisit or verify.

A well-structured approach helps you spot patterns, identify gaps in evidence, and avoid repeating work. It also makes it easier to connect information gathered from multiple sources, including census documents, newspapers, and family records. As your collection grows, an organized foundation supports greater accuracy, saves time, and allows you to focus on uncovering the stories behind the names rather than searching for information you have already collected.

How to Create a Genealogy Research System

As family history discoveries accumulate, consistency becomes more important than volume. Establishing a repeatable process helps you manage records, evaluate evidence, and track progress without losing important details. A simple workflow also reduces confusion when revisiting research months or years later:

Choose A Consistent Research Workflow

Start each research session with a clear objective, such as verifying a date, identifying a relative, or locating a historical record. Record where information was found and what questions remain unanswered, so that future searches have a defined starting point.

Track Findings with Research Logs

Maintain a running log of searches, sources consulted, and results obtained. Even unsuccessful searches are valuable because they prevent duplicated effort and help narrow the path toward reliable evidence.

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How to Organize Genealogy Records

A growing collection of family history materials can quickly become difficult to manage without a consistent structure. Creating dedicated folders for documents, photographs, newspaper findings, correspondence, and research notes makes retrieval much easier. Many researchers choose to organize materials by surname, family branch, or generation, while others prefer a location-based approach.

The best method is the one you can maintain consistently over time. Clear file names, standardized dates, and regular reviews help ensure important discoveries remain accessible and connected to the larger story you are building. Researchers can also strengthen documentation by consulting resources, such as the GenealogyBank blog, while developing effective record-management habits.

Which GenealogyBank Resources Can Simplify Your Research Process?

Building a reliable research process becomes easier when trusted resources are available in one place. GenealogyBank offers access to historical records that help researchers verify facts, uncover personal stories, and connect generations through documented evidence:

• Historical Newspaper Archives – Explore millions of newspaper pages that reveal obituaries, community events, family milestones, and everyday stories that add context to family history.
• Census Records Search – Locate household information, family relationships, occupations, and residential details that help establish timelines and verify connections between generations.
• Family Tree Resources – Access tools and educational materials that support research planning, record interpretation, and family history discovery.

Researchers looking to expand their skills can also benefit from the GenealogyBank Learning Center, which provides educational guidance for navigating historical records and improving research techniques.

Photo credit: https://depositphotos.com/home.html

How to Build a Genealogy Filing System

A dependable filing structure makes it easier to locate records, verify sources, and preserve research momentum. Whether you maintain physical documents, digital files, or both, a consistent framework helps ensure information remains accessible as your collection expands:

Separate Active and Archived Materials

Keep current projects in a dedicated workspace while moving completed research into long-term storage. This distinction reduces clutter, improves focus, and makes it easier to identify which family lines still require investigation.

Apply Practical Genealogy Research Tips

Use standardized file names, record source details immediately, and schedule periodic reviews of your collection. Small habits practiced consistently can prevent confusion and help maintain accurate documentation over time.

Final Thoughts

Family history research becomes more rewarding when every discovery has a clear place within your collection. A consistent process helps protect valuable information, reduces duplicate work, and makes it easier to connect records across generations. As your research grows, organized documentation creates a stronger foundation for preserving stories and sharing them with future family members.

When you are ready to expand your search, resources such as Search Historical Newspapers, Search Census Records, and Discover Your Family Tree can help uncover new details and historical context. Every record has the potential to reveal a meaningful connection because every life deserves to be remembered.

Frequently Asked Questions About How to Organize Your Genealogy Research: A Step-by-Step System

What is the biggest mistake people make when managing family history projects?

The biggest mistake is saving information without recording where it came from. Missing source details can make it difficult to verify facts later.

How often should family history files be reviewed?

A review every few months is usually enough. Regular checkups help identify duplicates, incomplete records, and missing documentation.

Should paper documents be digitized?

Yes. Digital copies provide backup protection, make sharing easier, and reduce the risk of losing important materials to damage or deterioration.

What file format is best for preserving scanned records?

PDF files work well for documents, while high-resolution JPG or TIFF files are often preferred for photographs and images.

How can family photographs be identified when no labels exist?

Compare photos with known relatives, review dates and locations, and ask family members for context before making conclusions.

Is it better to focus on one family line at a time?

Yes. Concentrating on a single branch often leads to stronger evidence and prevents research from becoming scattered across too many relatives.

How can historical newspapers help fill information gaps?

Newspapers often contain personal details, community events, military service information, and life stories that may not appear in official records.

What should be done when two records contain conflicting information?

Evaluate the reliability of each source, compare supporting evidence, and document both findings until additional records clarify the discrepancy.

How can relatives contribute to a family history project?

They can share photographs, letters, memories, documents, and personal stories that provide context beyond official records.

When should research findings be shared with family members?

Share findings after information has been reasonably verified. This helps ensure that relatives receive accurate and well-supported family history information.

Create a free account at GenealogyBank for 7 days to start your journey and discover the stories your ancestors left behind.

Note on the header image: family photos and genealogy records. Credit: https://depositphotos.com/home.html

The post How to Organize Your Genealogy Research: A Step-by-Step System appeared first on GenealogyBank Blog.

For today’s article, I’m examining scrapbooks from the New Bedford Public Library collection in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Unless noted, all images are courtesy of the library, and some are enhanced AI. I utilized GenealogyBank for additional information on my subjects, including the census records.

1918: Naval Wedding

Laurina Helen Darling (1896-1982), daughter of Edgar Winfred Darling and Gertrude Annie (Dugdale) Darling of 15 Campbell Street, married Ralph Gordon Spooner (1894-1985), son of Rufus A. Spooner and Sarah Jane “Jennie” (Pittsley) Spooner of 112 Pierce Street, on 21 July 1918.

At that time Ralph was a chief machinist’s mate in the U.S. Naval Reserve Force.

I found the couple in the 1930 census listed with their two daughters, Helen E. and Gertrude D., living in New Bedford. Ralph is listed as an engineer working in a cotton mill.

Helen Elizabeth Sooner (1921-2012) married Samuel Standfield Wagstaff (1918-2004), son of Samuel Wagstaff and Agnes L. (Townson) Wagstaff. They left descendants including Dr. Samuel S. Wagstaff Jr. and Millicent (Wagstaff) Meckowski.

Gertrude Darling Spooner (1926-2020) married Stephen Henry Neary Jr. (1925-2014), son of Stephen Henry Neary Sr. and Alice (Methot) Neary. The couple left one daughter, Helen Elizabeth (Neary) Levesque. Gertrude was a member of the Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants.

1918: Departure for Young Fellows Eager to Serve Country

This photo features the first black men to leave for Fort Devens, Massachusetts, in February of 1918. The men received many gifts and well wishes from friends and family as they saw them off.

The photo is labeled as follows: (back row, left to right) Henry Powell Onley; Raymond Barboza (1893-1957); Claude M. Ellis; (front row, left to right) John Adams Onley; Otis John Guinn (1894-1919), son of John Guinn and Elmira Croswell (Brady) Guinn.

Two of the young men pictured above, Henry Powell Onley and John Adams Onley, were brothers born to William Gifford Onley and Lavinia F. (Powell) Onley.

I found the two brothers in a 1900 census living in New Bedford with their parents and siblings Mary and Charles D. Onley.

William Onley was listed as a barber, and both parents were born in Virginia.

The New Bedford Historical Society featured the Onley home as part of their series “Black History Trails.” Below is a photo of the house known as the Martha and Henry Onley House located at 147 Smith Street.

According to sources, William Onley’s parents, Henry Joseph Onley and his wife Martha (Faggins) Onley, built the home about 1850.

William’s son Charles Dudley Onley (listed in the above census) would use the house as a funeral home, and it passed from family ownership in 1981.

1920: New Bedford Gold Star Mother

Mrs. Frank Milliken, born Susan Crowell to James A. Crowell and Elizabeth (Booth) Crowell, was chosen to head the Women’s Auxiliary.

Her son, Lt.  Alfred Standish Milliken (1891-1918), was killed at age 26 on 30 March 1918 in France. Below is a photo of him and a newsclip on a dedication in his name.

The dedication ceremony in Alfred’s honor was held 19 April 1920.

This article reports:

Maj.-Gen. Clarence R. Edwards will participate on April 19 in the dedication of a new battery of 12-inch guns at Fort Rodman in memory of Lt. Alfred S. Milliken, son of Frank and Mrs. Susan C. Milliken of New Bedford, the first officer from that city killed in the war. He was a member of D company, 6th engineer regiment. Three men of his company enlisted from New Bedford will unveil the bronze tablet presented officially by the city in recognition of the young hero. He was a New Bedford high school graduate and attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology prior to the war.

1929: Still Drives His Horse

A 1929 photograph shows Edward Payson Lawrence (1840-1934), son of Ansel Lawrence and Mary R. (Jenkins) Lawrence, a colorful fellow and a Teaticket octogenarian, once widely known on Cape Cod as a peddler. He continued driving his horse and buggy in good weather despite being nearly 90. (“Teaticket” comes from the Wampanoag word “Tataket,” which translates to “at the principal tidal stream.”

As cited in Suckanesset: Wherein May Be Read a History of Falmouth, Massachusetts, Edward P. Lawrence was one of the last of the living whalemen in Falmouth. He first went to sea at 17, when he shipped on the Gazelle of New Bedford, commanded by Captain Michael Baker.

Captain Baker’s wife accompanied him on the voyage. Lawrence recalled that she was an accomplished navigator who taught promising crew members. After two years cruising the Pacific, the crew left her on a small island with a missionary family while the Gazelle continued whaling. They returned a month later and brought Mrs. Baker, her baby, and a goat aboard, with the goat providing milk for the child.

Lawrence recalled an amusing episode from his voyage on the Gazelle. In 1862, while stopping in Sydney, Australia, for supplies before sailing home, the crew first learned of the American Civil War. Local English residents warned Captain Baker about privateers and persuaded him to protect his valuable cargo of oil by sailing under the British flag. Off Pernambuco, Brazil, the Gazelle met an American ship carrying a circus to South America. During their exchange, the homesick crew invited the circus aboard for dinner, hoping its band would play for them.

“My band couldn’t blow a note under that damn rag of an English flag you have flying!” was the blunt answer of the Yankee skipper, and off he went with his circus. The Gazelle’s crew took the cue and went home the rest of the way under their own colors.

In 1867 Edward married Lydia Sanford (1842-1916), daughter of Thomas Sanford and Lydia (Howland) Sanford. Below is their marriage announcement.

1929: A Young Casey Jones!

George Francis Mosher Jr. (1925-1987), son of George Francis Mosher and Margaret Elmira (Ball) Mosher, is pictured here in 1929 inside this improvised locomotive – and reports say he got a real kick when opening the throttle.

He married Dorothy E. Brayton (1925-2005), daughter of Elmer Brayton and Dorothy (Canton) Brayton, and left descendants.

More to come…

Create a free account at GenealogyBank for 7 days to start your journey and discover the stories your ancestors left behind.

Note on the header image: North Water Street in New Bedford, Massachusetts, part of the New Bedford Historic District, a U.S. National Historic Landmark District. Credit: Daniel Case; Wikimedia Commons.

The post Glimpses from the Past: New Bedford Scrapbook (part 1) appeared first on GenealogyBank Blog.

Genealogy is the act of tracing your family back generation by generation. In working on our ancestral research, we sometimes fail to update our records with current family events. It’s a mistake to only add events from the far away past to your family tree. Instead, consider yourself the family historian that tracks events happening in the past but also in the modern day.

What has happened to your family so far in 2026? If you’re like me, you may have had a few deaths and other events that should be added to your genealogical research. Now’s the time to update your family tree before life gets in the way and you forget.

Photo credit: https://depositphotos.com/home.html

First, What to Update

There are family events that should be added to your family tree as they happen. These include

• Births
• Adoptions
• Deaths
• Burials
• Marriages
• Divorces
• Name Changes

Why am I singling out these events? I’m looking at events that change your family tree in terms of additions (adoption, birth, marriage) or changes in status (death, burial and divorce). I’m including name changes because these can impact future researchers and you’ll want to include the name change – especially if it is one that the person prefers being referred to over their birth name.

You may choose not to purchase or secure documents that verify these events, and that’s ok. We can’t afford every record that documents family. Even if you do not have the physical documents for these events, update your records and include a source citation that reflects your personal knowledge for this information.

Elizabeth Shown Mills in her book, Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace (2007), says personal knowledge:

“is a source that historical researchers rarely have occasion to cite. It is justified only when you discuss circumstances in which you are a firsthand witness or participant. When you record information given to you by others, you record that as an interview, a letter, a tradition, or whatever means may be the case.” (1)

For example, let’s say your cousin emails you to let you know their father died. You could add the following source citation to your family tree:

Joan Smith, Boise, Idaho [E-ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE] to Cindy Jones, email, 17 August 2026, “Update on my dad,” Jones Family History Files; privately held by Jones [E-ADDRESS & STREET ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE], Los Angeles, California, 2026. (2)

If you are publishing this on a public tree, you will want to keep the living person’s email address and physical address private and not publish it online.

If this is an event that you know about because you were there, you could cite it as:

Personal knowledge of the author, Cindy Jones [RESEARCHER’S CONTACT INFORMATION]. Jones attended the funeral of her grandmother Susan L. Lewis on 10 July 2026. (3)

For other information about citing events that are provided to you via email, letter, or phone call, or is personal information, see Elizabeth Shown Mills’ updated version of her book Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace (2024), or Your Stripped Bare Guide to Citing & Using History Sources (2025).

Second, Where to Update

I mentioned above that you’ll want to update your family tree, but what you update depends on whether your family tree “lives” on your computer or online. Let me explain.

If you are using an online family tree, you’ll want to be careful about what information you share with the public. Never post anything about living people. That means that current births, adoptions, marriages, divorces, and name changes should not be added to your public tree. Only information about a death and facts about dead people should be added to your online, public tree. Living people deserve privacy and the choice of what is posted online about their lives.

If you are using a family tree software program, then you will want to include information about both the living and the dead in your software since that “lives on your computer,” is for your private use, and isn’t published online.

Family historians have a reputation for telling family secrets and being “nosy.” You want to maintain good relationships with the living by respecting their privacy so they will want to help you with information for the dead. Always keep living people’s information confidential unless they provide permission to share it.

Don’t Wait Until 2027!

Start updating this year’s events on your family tree now. The year 2027 will bring with it more updates, and you don’t want to wait too long and then forget what specific date something happened or how you found out. Better yet, as soon as you hear of an event that needs to be updated on your family tree, add the fact. That way it’s fresh in your mind and then you can go back to your research.

Create a free account at GenealogyBank for 7 days to start your journey and discover the stories your ancestors left behind.

Note on the header image: genealogy research on a computer. Credit: https://depositphotos.com/home.html

_______________

(1) Mills, Elizabeth Shown. Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace. Third edition, Genealogical Publishing Company, 2007, p.155.
(2) Ibid, pg. 155. This example is my creation based on Evidence Explained’s First Reference Note for an email source citation. Personally, I would leave out the city and state of the correspondents if I was posting this online.
(3) Ibid, pg. 155. This example is the First Reference Note under the topic Personal Knowledge.

The post Genealogy Tips: What’s Happened So Far in 2026? Updating Your Family History appeared first on GenealogyBank Blog.

Today I continue to look at some of the history of the Wampanoag Tribes of Mashpee and Gay Head (Aquinnah) with some AI enhanced photo features gathered from newspaper clips and archives.

The Wampanoag, the “People of the First Light,” are comprised of two federally recognized tribes: the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe located in Mashpee, Massachusetts; and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) located on Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. Their people have inhabited this land for 12,000 years.

I begin today with a prominent farmer and mariner in the Mashpee community, Captain Benjamin Jones Attaquin (1813-1875), son of Ezra Attaquin and Sarah (Jones) Attaquin and brother of Captain Solomon Attaquin, a leading figure in Mashpee history who owned an iconic town landmark called Hotel Attaquin.

Benjamin appears on this list of residents “for rents of meadow and land, and for wood cut by the proprietors and inhabitants in 1841.” This list is from the General Court Sessions of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts dated 1841. Also listed are other family members living in Mashpee.

Benjamin married Elizabeth, possibly a cousin, through the Attaquin line. Below is a death notice for Benjamin’s wife Elizabeth, who died on 6 September 1857 in Mashpee at age 35.

There is a record of Elizabeth leaving her heirs land, available on FamilySearch.

After Elizabeth died, Benjamin married Susan Winslow Pocknett (1839-1924), daughter of Moses Pocknett and Mercy Squib (Moody) Pocknett.

After Benjamin died in 1875, his second wife Susan married Simeon Hamblin Handy, son of Mason Handy and Ruth Hamblin (Downs) Handy. Both were 68 years old. Here is the wedding announcement, published in the Boston Herald.

This wedding notice reports:

PROVIDENCE, R. I., March 13 – A marriage license was granted here today to a white man and a squaw from Massachusetts. The man gave his name as Simeon Handy and said he is 68 years old and a farmer of Mashpee. The bride is Susan Winslow Attaquin, a full-blooded Indian, her maiden name being Pocknett. She is also 68 years old and the daughter of a farmer. She was born in Mashpee.

Benjamin and Susan Attaquin left descendants, including their daughter Anna Jones Attaquin (1866-1940), who married Willard Pocknett, son of Eusebia Pocknett.

Below is a photo of Anna in full regalia.

Anna was an instrumental member of the Mashpee community. She was a mail carrier, a healer, and active in civic matters and politics.

Here is an article about the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe published in the Quincy Patriot in 1930 that mentions Anna.

This article reports:

Mrs. Anna Pocknett, hail and jovial after 14 years of piloting the United States mail through summer suns and winter snows in the flivver which she drives with the skillful aplomb of a big city taxi man, has just contracted to continue the good work for another four years. Mrs. Pocknett’s aged mother is one of the authorities on tribal lore and these two ladies are among the rapidly vanishing number who still ken the secrets of herbs and roots, where to go for them in the woods, which to gather and brew for illness, which to steep for the dye stuffs with which they stain the oak and willow and witch hazel withes that they use for basket-making.

Here is a photo of Anna from an old newsclip in the archives.

The photo caption for this picture of Anna reads:

Mrs. Anna [Pocknett] on her postal route for 17 years. During that time, she has never missed a trip, rain or shine. She is shown in her wagon at a railroad mailer.

Anna and Willard Pocknett had several children. Their son Willard Jr., a Mashpee fisherman, drowned on 13 September 1949. Below is his death notice published in the Boston Herald.

Willard Jr. had married Elsie Vaughn Jonas, daughter of Frederick Douglas Jonas and Anna Maria (Jones) Jonas. They left descendants, including Wampanoag tribal leader Chief Vernon “Sly Fox” Pocknett (1934-1999), who left many descendants including 22 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.

Vernon is described by his tribe as a master fisherman and hunter in the Pocknett tradition. He would take tribal children on camping trips and excursions to remind each generation of their unique heritage and valued place in the world.

More to come on this family and more!

Explore your family history by creating your free account at GenealogyBank for 7 days, because every life deserves to be remembered, recorded, and rediscovered.

Note on the header image: Ousamequin, or “Massasoit” (Wampanoag term for “Great Sachem”) and Governor John Carver smoking a ceremonial pipe at Plymouth Colony in 1621. Credit: Sutro Library; Wikimedia Commons. [052825]

Related Articles:

• Mayflower Descendants & the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (part 1)
• Mayflower Descendants & the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (part 2)
• Mayflower Descendants & the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (part 3)
• Mayflower Descendants & the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (part 4)
• Mayflower Descendants & the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (part 5)
• Mayflower Descendants & the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (part 6)
• Mayflower Descendants & the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (part 7)
• Mayflower Descendants & the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (part 9)
• Mayflower Descendants & the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (part 12)
• 1928 Great Wampanoag Powwow (part 1)
• 1928 Great Wampanoag Powwow (part 2)
• Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe in the Crocker Ledger Book (part 1)
• Photos from the Past: Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe
• Photos from the Past: Wampanoag Tribes of Mashpee and Gay Head (Aquinnah) (part 1)
• Photos from the Past: Wampanoag Tribes of Mashpee and Gay Head (Aquinnah) (part 2)
• Photos from the Past: Wampanoag Tribes of Mashpee and Gay Head (Aquinnah) (part 3)
• Photos from the Past: Wampanoag Tribes of Mashpee and Gay Head (Aquinnah) (part 4)
• Photos from the Past: Wampanoag Tribes of Mashpee and Gay Head (Aquinnah) (part 5)
• Photos from the Past: Wampanoag Tribes of Mashpee and Gay Head (Aquinnah) (part 6)

The post Photos from the Past: Wampanoag Tribes of Mashpee and Gay Head (Aquinnah) (part 7) appeared first on GenealogyBank Blog.

The Killers of the Flower Moon is a true story about violence – but also about how trust, wealth, and family became tools of exploitation. In Oklahoma during the 1920s, members of the Osage Nation were dying at alarming rates, often quietly and without immediate scrutiny.

What appeared to be unrelated tragedies were connected through oil wealth, guardianship laws, and intimate relationships, including the marriage between Ernest Burkhart, a white WWI veteran, and Mollie Kyle, a member of the Osage Nation whose family owned shares in the Osage Mineral Estate (including coal, natural gas, and especially oil). As the murders accumulated, an Osage Reign of Terror took hold, unfolding within everyday life while answers remained elusive – until wealthy rancher William King Hale was discovered to be the mastermind behind the plot.

This 1926 political cartoon of the Osage Indian murders shows Mollie (Kyle) Burkhart and William King Hale in 1926.

At GenealogyBank, we work directly with original newspapers that documented these events as they occurred. As a division of NewsBank, our archives preserve local and national reporting that captured early suspicions, courtroom developments, and community responses tied to Osage Nation history. These contemporaneous records provide clarity that later summaries often miss, allowing readers to see how the Killers of the Flower Moon true story was recorded in real time as the Osage murders spread across Osage County, Oklahoma.

In this article, we will examine the historical forces behind the Osage murders, the roles of Ernest Burkhart and Mollie Kyle within that system, and how newspaper reporting preserved evidence of an Osage Reign of Terror that continues to shape understanding of Osage Nation history today.

What the Osage Murders Reveal About Power and Greed in Oklahoma

The Osage murders exposed how wealth, race, and authority collided during a deadly period in American history. This Osage Reign of Terror was not isolated violence, but a sustained pattern rooted in policy, profit, and control. Tracing this chapter of Osage Nation history helps place the Killers of the Flower Moon true story within a broader national reckoning.

How Oil Wealth Reshaped Osage Families

Oil royalties transformed daily life for Osage families, bringing sudden visibility and real danger. The Osage murders followed money trails tied to headrights (mineral rights), where prosperity attracted exploitation from outsiders and corrupt officials. Families who had built lives around their land and culture suddenly found themselves surrounded by people with financial motives. Within Osage Nation history, this shift created a forced dependence on outside guardians, laying the groundwork for the Osage Reign of Terror later depicted in the Killers of the Flower Moon true story.

Why Guardianship Laws Enabled Exploitation

Federal guardianship laws stripped Osage citizens of financial control, allowing abuse to flourish largely unnoticed. Osage individuals were legally required to have white-appointed guardians manage their money, a system that left them with few avenues for protection. As the Osage Reign of Terror escalated, contemporary reporting preserved in archives documented suspicious deaths tied to the Osage murders while fear spread across communities.

What Newspapers Recorded During the Crisis

Local reporting captured fear, funerals, and unanswered questions as the Osage murders mounted. Journalists described an Osage Reign of Terror that communities experienced in real time, preserving details often absent from official summaries. Their accounts give researchers a living record of Osage Nation history that goes beyond court documents, grounding the Killers of the Flower Moon true story in the raw, lived experiences of real families.

The Historical Context Behind ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’

The Killers of the Flower Moon true story cannot be separated from the longer arc of Osage Nation history and the pressures placed on Native communities in Oklahoma. Long before the Osage murders began, federal policies restricted land ownership, mobility, and sovereignty for Native Americans, creating systems where control over resources could be quietly manipulated. These conditions laid the groundwork for an Osage Reign of Terror that operated through legal loopholes rather than open conflict.

Forced relocation and treaty negotiations reshaped Osage life, echoing earlier agreements such as the Medicine Lodge Treaty, which reflected how government policy prioritized expansion over Native autonomy. Within Osage Nation’s history, these precedents normalized outside oversight of Indigenous wealth and decision-making. When oil was discovered, those structures remained in place, quietly enabling the Osage murders to unfold under the guise of legality.

Newspapers of the era framed the violence as separate crimes, yet the Killers of the Flower Moon true story reveals a coordinated pattern tied to inheritance and guardianship. The Osage Reign of Terror advanced because it fit existing systems of power, which made the Osage murders harder to challenge until public scrutiny finally forced accountability.

This 1926 newspaper article has photos of three of the Osage murder victims: Henry Roan, Rita Smith, and Henry Vaughn.

This photo caption reads:

Three victims of the Osage murder ring. Above, Henry Roan, Indian on whose murder the indictment against William K. Hale is based. At right, above, is Reta Smith, Indian who was mysteriously killed, and, below, Henry Vaughn, white lawyer who was killed because he knew too much about the murder of a certain Indian.

Why Ernest Burkhart and Mollie Kyle Are Central to the Osage Murders Story

The relationship between Ernest Burkhart and Mollie Kyle sits at the emotional heart of the Killers of the Flower Moon true story. Their marriage connected personal trust with a wider system of manipulation that defined the Osage murders. Examining this relationship helps explain how the Osage Reign of Terror operated quietly within families and why it left such a lasting mark on Osage Nation history.

How Marriage Became a Legal and Emotional Weapon

Marriage provided legal and social access to wealth, creating a direct pathway for exploitation. In the case of Ernest Burkhart and Mollie Kyle, intimacy obscured the lines between care and control, allowing the Osage murders to progress without immediate suspicion.

Outsiders who married into Osage families gained access to financial records, inheritance rights, and the trust of entire households. This dynamic illustrates how the Osage Reign of Terror relied on closeness rather than overt force, a theme central to the Killers of the Flower Moon true story.

The Systematic Betrayal of Osage Family Bonds

Family bonds became vulnerabilities as relatives were pressured to trust those who ultimately profited from their loss. For Ernest Burkhart and Mollie Kyle, loyalty masked deception, contributing to the broader pattern of Osage murders. Mollie placed her faith in someone she loved while the people closest to her disappeared one by one. Within Osage Nation history, these betrayals reveal how the Osage Reign of Terror advanced through silence and misplaced trust rather than public confrontation.

What Court Testimony Later Revealed

Trials exposed contradictions that newspapers followed closely, preserving evidence now accessible through court records in newspapers for researchers today. Testimony surrounding Ernest Burkhart and Mollie Kyle clarified motives behind the Osage murders and documented the Osage Reign of Terror in public record. These accounts anchor the Killers of the Flower Moon true story firmly within Osage Nation history rather than rumor or legend.

Explore Newspaper Records That Preserve Osage Nation History

Newspapers preserve the human context that defines the Osage Nation’s history beyond official files. During the Osage murders, reporters documented fear, suspicion, and loss as events unfolded, creating a contemporaneous record of a reign of terror over the Osage. If you suspect your family story has ties to Native American history, our article Native American Genealogy Using the Dawes Rolls can help you follow a paper trail that honors your ancestors.

• Local Oklahoma Newspapers: Daily reporting captured funerals, community reactions, and courtroom updates as the Osage Reign of Terror spread. You can find more information and important developments when you search our collection of Oklahoma newspapers.
• National Newspaper Coverage: Wider circulation stories framed the Killers of the Flower Moon true story for audiences beyond Oklahoma.
• Obituaries and Death Notices: Brief entries preserved family ties and personal loss connected to the Osage murders.
• Court And Crime Columns: Ongoing coverage followed investigations and testimony tied to the Osage Reign of Terror.

Taken together, these records allow you to trace individual lives through moments of upheaval, linking families to documented events while preserving continuity within Osage Nation history and honoring those affected by the Osage murders.

Here are two suspects in the Osage murders in custody: William K. Hale and John Ramsey (both later convicted of the murder of Osage Henry Roan). In this photo we see (left to right): U.S. Marshal James A. Stout, William K. Hale, John Ramsey, and U.S. Marshal J. A. Clouse.

How Researchers Can Trace Osage Families Through Newspapers

Tracing Osage families through newspapers allows you to follow lives as they were lived, not just recorded after the fact. Coverage surrounding the Osage murders created paper trails that connect individuals, places, and events across time. When approached carefully, these sources help situate family stories within Osage Nation history and the broader Osage Reign of Terror:

Where Obituaries Reveal Family Connections

Obituaries often contain details that do not appear in formal records, including relatives, church affiliations, and community ties. During the period of the Osage murders, these notices quietly documented losses while preserving relationships disrupted by the Osage Reign of Terror. For researchers, they provide critical links that help place families within Osage Nation history and the Killers of the Flower Moon true story.

How Court Coverage Documents Criminal Networks

Court reporting followed hearings, testimony, and verdicts as the Osage murders moved through the legal system. These articles reveal names, timelines, and associations that show how the Osage Reign of Terror functioned across families and institutions. When read together, court stories help clarify how individual cases fit into the larger Killers of the Flower Moon true story and Osage Nation history.

Why Local Reporting Adds Missing Details

Small town newspapers captured everyday context, such as social events, illnesses, and rumors that surrounded the Osage murders. These fragments reflect how communities experienced the Osage Reign of Terror in real time, often noting concerns long before formal charges were filed. For family historians, this coverage restores texture to Osage Nation history and deepens understanding of the Killers of the Flower Moon true story.

Final Thoughts

Stories like the Osage murders stay with you because they sit at the intersection of family, power, and silence. Reading about the Osage Reign of Terror often sparks personal questions about where your own relatives lived, what they witnessed, and how much of Osage Nation history was shaped by forces outside the public record. The Killers of the Flower Moon true story reminds you that newspapers captured these moments as they happened, preserving voices that official summaries later compressed or ignored.

For many researchers, tracing the Osage murders becomes a way to understand how an Osage Reign of Terror could exist in plain sight while communities carried on. Exploring Osage Nation history through contemporary reporting can reveal unexpected connections, including references that echo themes seen in the Killers of the Flower Moon true story.

Whether you are preserving family memory or seeking clarity around a specific name, this kind of research invites you to slow down, read closely, and notice how individual lives were recorded during moments that still resonate today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ernest Burkhart and Mollie Kyle

Who were Ernest Burkhart and Mollie Kyle in real life?

Ernest Burkhart was a white settler connected by marriage to the Osage community, while Mollie Kyle was an Osage woman whose family became deeply affected by a series of suspicious deaths tied to inheritance and oil wealth.

Why were the Osage people targeted during this period?

The Osage were targeted because oil discoveries on their land generated immense wealth, making headrights financially valuable and creating incentives for manipulation through legal and personal relationships.

How long did the Osage murders go on before they were fully investigated?

The violence spanned several years, with many deaths initially ruled as accidents or illnesses before patterns forced broader investigations. Possible murders occurred between the 1910s and the 1930s, though most happened in the years 1921-1926. Authorities say at least 60 fullblood Osage were murdered, though the number could be in the hundreds. The sheer number of tragedies within a single community eventually made the connections impossible to ignore, drawing federal attention and leading to prosecutions tied to the killers. The Bureau of Investigation (BOI) – precursor to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – began investigating the Osage murders in 1925, resulting in a series of state and federal trials from 1926 to 1929.

What role did newspapers play at the time of the murders?

Newspapers reported individual deaths, trials, and rumors as separate events, unintentionally creating a timeline that later helped reveal connections between cases. Local reporting often captured emotional detail and named individuals whose stories might otherwise have been lost.

Were all victims related to oil headrights?

Most victims were Osage citizens connected to headrights directly or through inheritance, which made their deaths financially consequential to others. A headright passed to surviving heirs upon death, giving those around the Osage a dangerous financial motive that drove the Osage murders.

How accurate is Killers of the Flower Moon to historical records?

The story aligns closely with court records and contemporary newspaper reporting, though any adaptation simplifies timelines and personal dynamics for narrative clarity. The core facts surrounding the Osage murders, the guardianship abuses, and the betrayal at the heart of Ernest Burkhart and Mollie Kyle’s relationship are drawn directly from documented history.

Why is Osage Nation history essential to understanding the crimes?

Without understanding Osage governance, land ownership, and federal oversight, the murders appear random rather than systemic. Osage Nation history reveals how structures already in place made an entire community vulnerable long before the first death was recorded.

Did the investigations lead to lasting legal changes?

The cases influenced early federal law enforcement practices and helped establish the FBI’s role in investigating crimes on Native land. Many structural issues affecting Native communities persisted despite these developments, leaving a complicated legacy tied to the Osage Nation.

Can descendants still find records connected to these events today?

Many details remain preserved in newspapers, court documents, and public records that continue to support genealogical research. Collections like GenealogyBank’s Historical Newspaper Archives hold contemporaneous reporting from the Osage murders era, giving descendants and historians access to accounts that document the Osage Reign of Terror.

Create a free account at GenealogyBank for 7 days to start your journey and discover the stories your ancestors left behind.

Note on the header image: flag of the Osage Nation. Credit: Romaine Shackelford; Wikimedia Commons.

Source:

• Federal Bureau of Investigation. Osage murders case. https://www.fbi.gov/history/famous-cases/osage-murders-case

The post ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’: Ernest Burkhart, Mollie Kyle & Osage Terror appeared first on GenealogyBank Blog.

Dig deep into our online archives and search for articles about your ancestors from Arizona in these newspapers. Our AZ newspapers are divided into two collections, each with their own search page:

• Newspaper Archives (complete paper with all articles, including historical obituaries, with a number of very rare single-issue newspapers – many of them are the only known issues of the paper)
• Obituaries (including both historical and recent obituaries, if obits are specifically what you are searching for)

Search Arizona Newspaper Archives (1859 – 1977)

Search Arizona Obituaries (1991 – Today)

Here is the complete list of Arizona newspapers in the online archives. Each newspaper title in this list is an active link that will take you directly to that paper’s search page, where you can begin searching for your ancestors by surnames, dates, keywords and more. The AZ newspaper titles are listed alphabetically by city.

*Date Ranges may have selected coverage unavailable.

Explore your family history by creating your free account at GenealogyBank for 7 days, because every life deserves to be remembered, recorded, and rediscovered.

Note on the header image: the original Arizona Capitol, Phoenix, Arizona. Credit: Wars; Wikimedia Commons.

Related Resource:

• U.S. State History (GenealogyBank Pinterest Board)

The post Arizona Archives: 243 Newspapers for Genealogy Research appeared first on GenealogyBank Blog.

Today I continue to look at some of the history of the Wampanoag Tribes of Mashpee and Gay Head (Aquinnah) with some AI enhanced photo features gathered from newspaper clips and archives.

The Wampanoag, the “People of the First Light,” are comprised of two federally recognized tribes: the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe located in Mashpee, Massachusetts; and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) located on Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. Their people have inhabited this land for 12,000 years.

My first subject is Melissa (Belain/Bleam) (Jeffers) Cujffee/Cuff (1837-1913), daughter of George Johnson Belain/Bleam and Sophia (Peters) Belain/Bleam.

Melissa married 1st James Jeffers, son of William Jeffers and Laura (Johnson) Jeffers, and 2nd Levi Cujffee/Cuff, son of Daniel Cuff and Mary (Dodge) Cuff.

Levi Cuff was a mariner and is listed, along with many others from the Wampanoag Tribe, onboard the ship Splendid sailing from Edgartown, Massachusetts, to San Francisco, California, for the Dukes County Mining Company in this newsclip dated 18 September 1849.

Next, here is a photo of Tamsen (Bunker) (Thomas) Weekes/Weeks (1805-1890), born to Betsey Bunker from information provided on her death record. Tamsen was a prominent figure and noted medicine woman, healer, and herbalist of the Gay Head community.

Tamsen was reported to be a direct descendant of the Sachems Mattack and Mittark, and it is from her lineage and genealogy links that the modern Jeffers family descend.

Here is another photo of Tamsen.

I found Tamsen in the 1870 census listed with her husband Tristram Weeks and two children. They married on 5 April 1845 in Chilmark, Massachusetts. She was previously married to William Thomas.

I also found the Weeks family on this map made by Edward S. Burgess from his publication “The Old South Road of Gay Head,” printed in 1926 by the Dukes Historical Society.

Tamsen and Tristram had one son, Tristram Weeks Jr., who married Susanna Cooper, daughter of Zaccheus Cooper and Mary Ann (Attaquin) Cooper. Mary Ann is the great-granddaughter of Solomon Attaquin.

Tristram Jr. was a mariner and is listed in this newspaper clip from 1872 as a crew member on the bark Merlin, commanded by Albert A. Thomas, which sailed from New Bedford, Massachusetts, for the Pacific Ocean.

View more records listing Tristram Jr. on a crew list at New Bedford Whaling Museum.

An important source for information about the early tribal families is New Bedford Communities of Whaling: People of Wampanoag, African, and Portuguese Island Descent, 1825–1925, published by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, Northeast Region Ethnography Program.

Tamsen and Tristram also had one daughter, Elizabeth Weeks, who married Louis Attaquin. She will be featured in an upcoming story soon that will include more on the family’s history.

Below are two photos. One is of the rescue crew and the other is a life preserver from the ship City of Columbus, which crashed on the underwater rocks of Devil’s Bridge at Gay Head (Aquinnah), Martha’s Vineyard, on 18 January 1884, when a gash was torn in the hull and seawater rushed into the steamer.

Fred Poole, assistant keeper of the Gay Head Light (lighthouse), spotted a light from the wreck and summoned volunteer lifesavers who were experienced Wampanoag boatmen. Of the 132 passengers and crew on the City of Columbus, only 29 could be saved by rescuers.

Here is the Gay Head rescue crew during the City of Columbus tragedy.

This is the photo of the life preserver from the City of Columbus.

Here is a newspaper clip on the rescue crew entitled “The Tribute to the Gay Head Lifeboat Men.” It praises the heroism, gallantry, and selflessness of the Gay Head tribal men who worked tirelessly to save lives and showed great tenderness and care for the victims of this tragic accident.

This article reports:

The subscription fund which has been opened for the benefit of the gallant men who manned the lifeboats which went out from Gay Head to rescue the survivors of the City of Columbus is a recognition of a deed whose unselfish heroism well merits a memorial. The simple and hardy men who live upon that bleak headland displayed qualities of courage and endurance which lift their lives above the common level, and command for them the admiration of all who are acquainted with the facts. These men come of a race which has been crowded back before advancing civilization, until in our Eastern communities only a remnant is left here and there. Their life is one of frequent hardship and of scant enjoyment, and little happens to disturb its quiet or occasion any notice of its seclusion. But when the City of Columbus was seen upon the rocks in the early dawn of that chill morning, the sea breaking over her, and a few benumbed and almost exhausted men clinging to her rigging, these men were quick to take their lives in their hand and to face the peril of wind and wave to save those who were in such great need. The story of what they did is known to all. It was done without reward or the hope of any. It was the simply prompting of duty and humanity, felt as keenly by these rugged men as by finer natures, and responded to unhesitatingly. From the quiet of their uneventful lives they rose to the level of this heroic deed, and would sink back again contentedly without any sense of special achievement or special desert, if the world chose to let them.

But the gallantry of their deed and the tenderness and honesty with which they have cared for the bodies which were cast up upon the shore make it fitting that their conduct should be recognized. The appeal for such recognition is not local merely. It appeals to all who appreciate courage and self-sacrifice, and the effect of it will be not only to give an unlooked for but well deserved reward to these men, but to make it clear that those who imperil their lives to save others, and who, anywhere on our rocky coast, patrol the shore and are at hand when help is needed will not go unthanked or unrewarded.

To be continued…

Explore your family history by creating your free account at GenealogyBank for 7 days, because every life deserves to be remembered, recorded, and rediscovered.

Note on the header image: Ousamequin, or “Massasoit” (Wampanoag term for “Great Sachem”) and Governor John Carver smoking a ceremonial pipe at Plymouth Colony in 1621. Credit: Sutro Library; Wikimedia Commons. [052825]

Related Articles:

• Mayflower Descendants & the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (part 1)
• Mayflower Descendants & the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (part 2)
• Mayflower Descendants & the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (part 3)
• Mayflower Descendants & the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (part 4)
• Mayflower Descendants & the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (part 5)
• Mayflower Descendants & the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (part 6)
• Mayflower Descendants & the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (part 7)
• Mayflower Descendants & the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (part 9)
• Mayflower Descendants & the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (part 12)
• 1928 Great Wampanoag Powwow (part 1)
• 1928 Great Wampanoag Powwow (part 2)
• Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe in the Crocker Ledger Book (part 1)
• Photos from the Past: Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe
• Photos from the Past: Wampanoag Tribes of Mashpee and Gay Head (Aquinnah) (part 1)
• Photos from the Past: Wampanoag Tribes of Mashpee and Gay Head (Aquinnah) (part 2)
• Photos from the Past: Wampanoag Tribes of Mashpee and Gay Head (Aquinnah) (part 3)
• Photos from the Past: Wampanoag Tribes of Mashpee and Gay Head (Aquinnah) (part 4)
• Photos from the Past: Wampanoag Tribes of Mashpee and Gay Head (Aquinnah) (part 5)

The post Photos from the Past: Wampanoag Tribes of Mashpee and Gay Head (Aquinnah) (part 6) appeared first on GenealogyBank Blog.

Twentieth-century newspapers offered readers various ways to interact with their local newspaper. Women could submit recipes for contests in the Women’s Pages, community members could write letters to the editor, photographers walked around town asking questions about local and controversial topics.

As I was studying some historical newspapers in GenealogyBank recently, I found a nationwide column in the Sunday magazine newspaper supplement called the “Family Weekly” that invited readers to submit questions to politicians, celebrities, authors, and other famous people.

“Ask Them Yourself” invited readers to submit a question on a postcard mailed to “Family Weekly” in New York. Readers submitting questions used in the column were paid $5 (according to various inflation websites that would equal about $50 today). The column showed the photo of the celebrity, the question, answer and the reader’s name (sometimes just initials) and their location. This column was syndicated in newspapers nationwide and featured readers from throughout the United States.

I love reading these types of columns because they provide a look at what people were thinking at a specific time in history. It provides insight into issues our families would have faced. Although this column appears to have only run from 1967 to 1979, which isn’t that long ago, it might be of interest to those who had parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents alive at this time. And maybe one of them asked one of the questions!

‘Ask Them Yourself’ Examples

Here’s one example of an “Ask Them Yourself” column, this one from 13 March 1977.

In this column, anthropologist Dr. Margaret Mead is asked by a reader in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, whether she thinks interest in anthropology will increase or decrease in the next 25 years (1977-2002). Probably not surprisingly, she answers that she believes interest will increase.

Other celebrities featured in this column include John Wayne, Arnold Palmer, actress Nancy Walker and others. At the bottom of the column is a Pro vs Con question featuring Dr. Joyce Brothers and John Ryor, then president of the National Education Association, regarding physical punishment in schools.

I find it interesting to read these “Ask Them Yourself” columns to see what issues they were addressing back then that we are still facing today. One example is from another 1977 column, where Henry Ford II, the chairman of the board of Ford Motor Company, is asked by Larry W. Kruse of College Station, Texas, whether electric vehicles will be economically feasible in the future. Ford responds by saying he doesn’t think they will be in the next 20 years. While he thinks it is something that will eventually happen in the future, he mentions the problem in 1977 was the lack of a battery to power an electric car.

Sometimes these reader-submitted question columns make it difficult to identify the person asking the question because some people just use their initials. Only two readers in this “Ask Them Yourself” column from 1967 used their own names. Irene Stevens from Temple City, California, asked a question of entertainer Joey Bishop, and J. L. Gale of Elizabeth, New Jersey, asked a question about Mamie Van Doren’s baseball player husband Lee Meyers. It’s really hit and miss, but certainly a thrill if your ancestor asked a question and included their name.

Did They ‘Ask Them Yourself’?

We often think of researching historical newspapers as the way to find vital record events or articles placing an ancestor in a location and time. Those are crucial to our research, but we should also consider other types of articles they may be named in. Who knows? Maybe your ancestor asked a question of a celebrity or public figure, and it was published in the newspaper!

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Note on the header image: gray bird with question marks.

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Everyone is voting for Jack
’Cause he’s got what all the rest lack.
Everyone wants to back Jack
Jack is on the right track.
’Cause he’s got high hopes
He’s got high hopes
Nineteen Sixty’s the year for his high hopes.
Come on and vote for Kennedy
Vote for Kennedy
And we’ll come out on top!

–Frank Sinatra song “High Hopes” (with Jack Kennedy)

The above lyrics are from Frank Sinatra, who adapted his 1959 hit “High Hopes” with custom lyrics as an unofficial theme song for John F. Kennedy’s 1960 presidential campaign. You can listen to the song on YouTube: “High Hopes” (with Jack Kennedy).

On 4 September 1960, U.S. Senator John F. Kennedy (D-Mass.) arrived in metro Detroit for the city’s annual Labor Day celebration the next day.

This Detroit Times article reports the excitement in Detroit that greeted Kennedy’s arrival.

This article reports:

Senator Kennedy returned to Detroit last night and his supporters went wild.

More than 5,000 howling, screaming fans mobbed him on his arrival at Metropolitan Airport after his nonstop flight from Alaska.

Another 1,500 showered him with confetti when he reached the Sheraton-Cadillac Hotel 90 minutes later.

Inside, more than 300 hand-clapping, banner waving teenagers squealed deliriously as Kennedy made his way to the elevator.

Today, tens of thousands of Detroiters jammed their way into Cadillac Square for a Labor Day rally which could smash all existing records. [Note: And yes, the rally did break records.]

Wayne County labor leaders were talking about a 100,000 crowd, largest since Harry S. Truman in 1948 started the custom of opening presidential campaigns in Detroit.

In his speech given to thousands, Kenndy stated:

“I welcome the support of the working men and women of this country. I am proud of the fact that I was endorsed by the AFL-CIO. For I know that the American labor movement wants for America what I want for America: the elimination of poverty and unemployment, the reestablishment of America’s world leadership, the guarantee of full civil rights for all our citizens. I know the American labor movement opposes what I oppose: complacency, unemployment, economic stagnation, racial discrimination, and national insecurity.”

“Our labor unions are not narrow, self-seeking groups. They have raised wages, shortened hours, and provided supplemental benefits. Through collective bargaining and grievance procedures, they have brought justice and democracy to the shop floor. But their work goes beyond their own jobs, and even beyond our borders.

“Our unions have fought for aid to education, for better housing, for development of our natural resources, and for saving the family-sized farm. They have contributed funds and talent to improve our overseas relations. They have spoken, not for narrow self-interest, but for the public interest and for the people.

“For the labor movement is people. Our unions have brought millions of men and women together, made them members one of another, and given them common tools for common goals.”

Here is another newsclip with the headline “Kennedy Flies In to a Big Welcome,” with photos showing: a row of “Kennedy Girls” lined up outside the Sheraton-Cadillac Hotel with signs; Kenndy flanked by Gov. G. Mennen “Soapy” Williams and Lt. Gov. John Swainson; VFW members trying to maintain control of the roaring crowd at the airport; and Kennedy offering a big smile to all his supporters.

Here is another photo of (from left to right) Gov. G. Mennen “Soapy” Williams, Senator John F. Kennedy, and Lt. Gov. John Swainson being driven through Detroit on Labor Day, 5 September 1960.

During this Labor Day campaign stop in Michigan, Kennedy also spoke to thousands at Oakland Park in Pontiac. The AFL-CIO labor union held a massive picnic in the park each Labor Day, and many employees of the General Motors facilities attended. During campaign years, it was a major stop for pro-labor candidates. Bagpipes were included in the event.

Happy Labor Day!

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Note on the header image: President John F. Kennedy, 11 July 1963. Credit: Cecil Stoughton; National Archives and Records Administration; Wikimedia Commons.

Related Article:

• A Look Back at Labor Days Past

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One of the first things you should do when starting a family history research project is to fill in a pedigree chart. Whether this is done in a family tree software program, an online tree, or paper forms, it doesn’t matter. What’s important is that you add as much information as you currently know so that you have a starting point for your research. A pedigree chart helps you to be organized and view relationships. Eventually it can also serve as a decorative chart for family members interested in your research.

This pedigree chart is free from the National Archives:

Before we discuss the proper way to begin a pedigree chart, let’s first define what a pedigree chart is.

According to Miriam-Webster, a pedigree is a “register recording a line of ancestors” or an “ancestral line.” *

In genealogy, pedigree charts show direct line ancestors back from the root person to 4, 5, or 6 generations. If you are printing from a genealogy software program or an online tree, you can choose how many generations to show. Typically, this chart is a “working” chart meaning that it changes and evolves as you research.

What Is NOT on a Pedigree Chart?

As mentioned previously, a pedigree chart traces a person’s ancestors. That means it does not include siblings or aunts and uncles. We are focusing solely on direct-line ancestors: parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, etc.

On your first pedigree chart, you will be the root person (or #1) on the chart; you will then add your parents, grandparents, and their parents. Pedigree charts do have a space for the root person’s spouse, but you are not tracing that spouse’s ancestors nor are you adding any children the root person has/had.

Correct Ways to Fill Out a Chart

There are correct ways to fill out a pedigree chart. For example:

• The paternal line and maternal line have a place. Notice that the paternal line is at the top and the maternal line is on the bottom.
• Always use a woman’s maiden name. You are using this information to research each person’s parents, so their birth name is needed. If you don’t know her maiden name, leave it blank. Remember, this is a working document, and it will change as you learn new information.
• When entering dates enter day, month, year. In genealogy we always enter dates as day, month, year. Why? Because if you write something like 11/12/1912 or even 11/12/12, it’s impossible to know what you mean. Is that example 11 December or November 12th? If you always write dates as “13 May 1920,” writing the day first, then the month name, and then the year, it’s clear to you and others what you mean.
• When entering places, use the smallest to largest. For example, Oakland, Alameda County, California, United States. In other words, city, county, state, country. It’s ok if you aren’t sure. Add as much as you know to begin with. If you don’t know the location, leave it blank.
• Use the place name as it was known in that time period. If your ancestor was born in 1850, use the location name for what it was called during that time period. Why? Because you will be researching records and if you don’t use the place name as it was when the person was alive, you will waste a lot of time looking in the wrong place. If you don’t know what it was called at that time, refer to the FamilySearch Research Wiki.
• Don’t use abbreviations (an exception to this rule is explained below). You can cause a lot of confusion by using abbreviations like MNU (Maiden Name Unknown) or LNU (Last Name Unknown) for a surname. It’s better to just leave the maiden name blank than have people think her maiden name is Mnu (don’t laugh, that has happened).

Here’s another example of a pedigree chart. The template is available for free from FamilySearch:

It’s a Working Document

What do I mean that a pedigree chart is a working document? I mean it’s changing as you find more information. So, when you start, don’t worry that you aren’t able to fill in many facts, that will change as you continue your research. You should go from what you know, to what other people may know (other family members) to what you learn and can cite in records (such as vital records and the census).

Because this is a “working” document, it’s ok to add your hypothesis to it. For example:

• If you don’t know a date but you know if occurred before a certain date (for example, you know the burial date but not the death date) then write Bef 12 December 1900 or just Bef 1900. Bef is an abbreviation for Before.
• If you know that the date occurred after a specific year or date, then use Aft or After and then a date or year.
• If you’re not sure of a year but you think it’s around a specific year, use “Abt” as in “Abt 1900.” Remember these dates will change as you find evidence of the correct date. Right now, by using Bef, Aft, or Abt you are hypothesizing so that you can focus on your research.

As I mentioned above, typically you don’t want to use abbreviations. The above examples are the only time you would use them. Stay away from even location abbreviations because they can cause confusion. For example, if you enter S.B. County, California, what does that mean? San Bernardino County? Santa Barbara County? Writing out the location, as much as you know, helps avoid confusion.

Get a Pedigree Chart and Start

If you prefer to put pencil to paper, there are several websites with free pedigree charts available to download. These include FamilySearch, the National Archives, and the National Genealogical Society. If you prefer to organize your research online, an online family tree can be filled out and then printed as a pedigree chart.

However you decide to start or continue your research, a pedigree chart can help you focus and set goals for learning more about your ancestors.

* “Pedigree,” Merriam-Webster (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pedigree).

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Note on the header image: old photos and correspondence. Credit: https://depositphotos.com/home.html

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