The Amateur Family Historian

The Return of the Amateur Family Historian

2014-02-02T12:20:00.003-05:00

After a much longer hiatus that I had intended due to personal issues I am returning to blogging about my family history research.

I have resumed my Ancestry.com membership and have discovered that I can no longer access my family tree there which does not particularly bother me because I intended to delete it and start over again. I have begun and I will institute the following rules:

1. Other family trees are not sources.
2. This tree is for research purposes only.
3. Did I mention not sourcing other family trees?

I will continue posting family group sheets for the virtual family tree project.

As I continue to reintegrate myself with the online Genealogy Community, I will blog about it here.

Family of Charles M. Hunsicker and Hannah Landis

2012-08-02T06:41:00.001-04:00

Charles M. Hunsicker, son of Henry C. Hunsicker (1810-1874) and Lydia Markley (1814-1850), was born 23 April 1842 in Towamencin Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania and died 7 June 1922 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, United States. When the family group sheet for his parents is posted on this blog the link will be placed here.

Sources for Charles M. Hunsicker:

Charles appears on page 47 and page 112 of A Genealogical History of the Hunsicker Family born 23 April 1842 in Towamencin Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States, second son and fifth child of Henry C. Hunsicker and Lydia Markley.

The 1850 US Census shows an 8 year old Charles living with his parents in Perkiomen Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States.

The 1860 US Census shows an 18 year old Charles living with his parents in Perkiomen Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States.

According to A Genealogical History of the Hunsicker Family, page 112, Charles M. Hunsicker and Hannah Landis were married on 15 November 1864.

The 1870 US Census shows a 28 year old Charles, a farmer, living with his wife, first two children, and a farm hand in Perkiomen Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States.

The 1880 US Census shows a 38 year old Charles, a farmer, living with his wife and four of his five children (one died in infancy) in East Perkiomen Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States.

The 1900 US Census shows a 58 year old Charles, a widow, boarding with his two youngest children at 942 N. Eleventh St., Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, United States.

The 1910 US Census shows a 68 year old Charles living with his son Henry L. Hunsicker at 40 E. Washington St., Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, United States.

The Pennsylvania Death Index lists death certificate 56467 for Charles Hunsicker who died 7 June 1922 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, United States.

On 15 November 1864 Charles M. Hunsicker married Hannah Landis, daughter of John B. Landis (1814-1896) and Ann Hunsicker (1817-1897), born 14 January 1845 in Perkiomen Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States and died 1 December 1892 in Skippack Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. When the family group sheet for her parents is posted on this blog the link will be placed here.

Sources for Hannah Landis:

Hannah appears on pages 57, 112, and 139 of A Genealogical History of the Hunsicker Family born 14 January 1845 and died 1 December 1892.

The 1850 US Census shows a 5 year old Hannah living with her parents in Perkiomen Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States.

According to A Genealogical History of the Hunsicker Family, page 112, Charles M. Hunsicker and Hannah Landis were married on 15 November 1864.

The 1870 US Census shows a 24 year old Hannah living with her husband, first two children, and a farm hand in Perkiomen Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States.

The 1880 US Census shows a 33 year old Hannah living with her husband and four of his five children (one died in infancy) East Perkiomen, Montgomery Township, Pennsylvania, United States.

According to A Genealogical History of the Hunsicker Family, page 112, Hannah Landis died on 1 December 1892.

Children of Charles M. Hunsicker and Hannah Landis:

Sheridan Landis Hunsicker (1865-1916) married Emily Farquhar (1873-1965) daughter of Alexander Farquhar (1843-) and Mary Ann Beatty (1843-1925), had 9 children. This family can be found here.

Henry L. Hunsicker was born 16 August 1868 in Skippack Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States and died 7 February 1911 in Germantown, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, United States. He was unmarried.

Sources for Henry L. Hunsicker:

Henry appears on page 112 of A Genealogical History of the Hunsicker Family born 16 August 1868 and died 7 February 1911.

According to Certificate of Death #3362 Henry L. Hunsicker was born on 16 August 1868.

The 1870 US Census shows a 2 year old Henry living with his parents and his older brother in Perkiomen Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States.

The 1880 US Census shows an 11 year old Henry living with his parents and his 3 siblings in East Perkiomen Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States.

The 1910 US Census shows a 39 year old Henry living with his father, sister, and nephew at 40 E. Washington St., Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, United States.

According to Certificate of Death #3362 Henry L. Hunsicker died on 6 February 1911.

An unnamed child that died in infancy was born approximately 1869.

Sources:

This child appears on page 112 of A Genealogical History of the Hunsicker Family listed as “died young”.

Annie Landis Hunsicker (1870-1957) married Thomas Hodgett Medd (1868-1905) son of Unknown Medd and Unknown, had 1 child. When the family group sheet for this family is posted on this blog the link will be placed here.

John Horace Hunsicker (1879-1911) married Florence Hallowell Jackson (1879-) daughter of Unknown Jackson and Unknown. When the family group sheet for this family is posted on this blog the link will be placed here.

If you have any questions or additional information on these individuals please comment on this post.

Family of Sheridan Landis Hunsicker and Emily Farquhar

2012-07-14T08:44:00.000-04:00

When I started looking into my family history I only knew the names of my parents and grandparents.

I found this family once I discovered A Genealogical History of the Hunsicker Family.

I do not have any original documents for members of this family other than my grandfather, Clifford Sheridan Hunsicker. Therefore the only sources will be the book mentioned above and the census with a few other things like the SSDI and the Pennsylvania Death Index.

With this family I have taken my tree back three generations through my father William Robert Hunsicker, my grandfather Clifford Sheridan Hunsicker, and my great grandfather Sheridan Landis Hunsicker.

This will be the next family for which I look for original documents after I have found everything for my grandparents.

Sheridan Landis Hunsicker, son of Charles M. Hunsicker (1842-1922) and Hannah Landis (1843-1892) (This family can be found here), was born 13 September 1865 in Skippack Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States and died 10 Oct 1916 in Germantown, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, United States.

Sources for Sheridan Landis Hunsicker:

Sheridan appears on page 112 and 229 of A Genealogical History of the Hunsicker Family born 13 September 1865 in Skippack Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States, first child of Charles M. Hunsicker and Hannah Landis.

The 1870 US Census shows a 5 year old Sheridan living with his family in Perkiomen Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States.

The 1880 US Census shows a 14 year old Sheridan living with his family in East Perkiomen Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States.

According to A Genealogical History of the Hunsicker Family, page 229, Sheridan L. Hunsicker and Emily Farquhar were married on 20 Jan 1897.

The 1900 US Census shows a 34 year old Sheridan, born September 1865, living with his wife, his first two children, and his Aunt, Katharine M. Hunsicker (1845-) on Clinton Street in Doylestown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States.

The 1910 US Census shows a 44 year old Sheridan living with his wife and six of his first seven children at 2215 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, United States.

The Pennsylvania Death Index lists death certificate 119781 for Sheridan L. Hunsicker who died 10 November 1916 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, United States.

On 20 Jan 1897 Sheridan Landis Hunsicker married Emily Farquhar, daughter of Alexander Farquhar (1834-1904) and Mary Ann Beatty (1834-1925) ( When the family group sheet for his parents is posted on this blog the link will be placed here), born 29 August 1873 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, United States and died 6 November 1965 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States.

Sources for Emily Farquhar:

Emily appears on page 229 of A Genealogical History of the Hunsicker Family born 29 August 1873.

The California Death Index states That Emily F. Hunsicker was born 29 August 1873 and that her mother’s maiden name was Beatty.

The 1880 US Census shows a 6 year old Emma (Emily) living with her family on Cove Street in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, United States.

According to A Genealogical History of the Hunsicker Family, page 229, Sheridan L. Hunsicker and Emily Farquhar were married on 20 Jan 1897.

The 1900 US Census shows a 25 year old Emily, born August 1874, living with her husband, her first two children, and her husband’s Aunt, Katharine M. Hunsicker (1845-) on Clinton Street in Doylestown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States.

The 1910 US Census shows a 36 year old Emily living with her husband and six of her first seven children (the first of two children who did not survive infancy) at 2215 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, United States.

The 1920 US Census shows a widowed, 45 year old Emily living with seven of her nine children (two did not survive infancy) at 1633 Spencer St in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, United States.

The 1930 US Census shows a 55 year old Emily living with her two youngest children and four boarders at 6209 North Gratz Street in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, United States.

The 1938 California Voter Registrations show Emily living at 252 S Oak Street in Ventura, Ventura County, California, United States.

The 1940 California Voter Registrations show Emily living with her son Earl at 252 S Oak Street in Ventura, Ventura County, California, United States.

The 1940 US Census shows a 66 year old Emily living with her son and two of her granddaughters at 252 South Oak Street in San Buena Ventura, Ventura County, California, United States.

The California Death Index states that Emily Farquhar died 6 November 1965 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States.

Children of Sheridan Landis Hunsicker and Emily Farquhar:

Earl Farquhar Hunsicker (1897-1968) married Caroline A. Ritter (1901-1938), daughter of Charles C. Ritter (1862-) and Anna M. Olt (1862-1968) and had two children. When the family group sheet for this family is posted on this blog the link will be placed here.

Dorothy E. Hunsicker (1898-2002) married Frederick Nethanial Anderson (1897-1979), son of Stephen Anderson (1861-) and Letta Lueticia Weimer (1861-1942), and had two children as of 1940. When the family group sheet for this family is posted on this blog the link will be placed here.

Clarissa E. Hunsicker (1902-2003) married John Daniel Weiss (1899-1957), son of Frank Weiss (1875-1940) and Jessie Unknown (1879-). When the family group sheet for this family is posted on this blog the link will be placed here.

Clifford Sheridan Hunsicker (1903-1976) married Margaret Mary Smith (1902-1955), daughter of Michael Arthur Smith (1871-1937) and Elizabeth Dickson (1870-1945), had 5 children. This family can be found here.

Alexander Farquhar Hunsicker (1905-1995) married Edna Kistler Hughes (1908-), daughter of Thomas F. Hughes (1879-) and Anna J. Kistler (1874-)

Mary Ann Hunsicker was born 6 April 1907 and died 30 December 1909 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, United States.

Sources for Mary Ann Hunsicker:

Mary Ann appears on page 229 of A Genealogical History of the Hunsicker Family born 6 April 1907 and died 30 December 1909.

The Pennsylvania Death Index shows on death certificate #117363 that Mary A. Hunsicker died 30 December 1909 in Philadelphia, PA.

Ethel Florence Hunsicker was born 11 September 1909 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, United States and died 11 March 1911 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, United States.

Sources for Ethel Florence Hunsicker:

Ethel Florence appears on page 229 of A Genealogical History of the Hunsicker Family born 11 September 1909 and died 11 March 1911.

The Pennsylvania Death Index shows on death certificate #31113 that Ethel Hunsicker died 11 March 1911 in Philadelphia, PA.

George Thomas Hunsicker (1911-1965) married Vera Cora Patterson (1917-2002), daughter of William Edward Patterson (1873-1933) and Anne Mead Donner (1879-1938), had 1 child. When the family group sheet for this family is posted on this blog the link will be placed here.

Elva G. Hunsicker (1913-2000) married William F. Reagan (1909-1971), son of William F. Reagan, Sr. (1885-) and Ellen Unknown (1889-), had 4 children. When the family group sheet for this family is posted on this blog the link will be placed here.

If you have any questions or additional information on these individuals please comment on this post.

Virtual Family Tree Index and Information

2012-07-14T08:38:00.001-04:00

This virtual family tree will consist of linked family group posts.

Each family group post will contain:

1. Complete genealogical information on the mother, father, and any children that do not have a spouse. A link to the post for the family group sheet for each parent will be placed at the end of their biographical statement.

2. Short biographical statements on children who do have a spouse (for example: John Doe (1900-1975) married Jane Smith (1901-1980), daughter of Bill Smith (1875-1940) and Susie Jones (1877-1943), had 4 children). A link to the post for this family group sheet will be placed at the end.

3. Due to privacy concerns individuals born between 100 and 71 years ago (as of 2012) will be listed only with birth year and death year and no other details.

4. Due to privacy concerns individuals born between 100 and 71 years ago (as of 2012) and individuals born less than 71 years ago will only be listed as “Living Hunsicker” with no other information.

This page will serve as an index to all of the individuals in this virtual family tree.

You may wish to bookmark this post to see updates.

The person’s name will be a link to the post for their family group sheet.

Farquhar

Emily (1873-1965)

Hunsicker

Charles M. (1842-1922)
Charles Thomas (1926-2006)

Clifford Sheridan (1903-1976)
Ethel Florence (1909-1911)
Henry L. (1868-1911)

John Joseph (1925-1933)

MarjorieTheresa (1930-2003)
Mary Ann (1907-1909)

Mary Ann (1928-2000)

Sheridan Landis (1865-1916)

William Robert (1932-2002)

Landis

Hannah (1845-1892)

Leedom

Mildred Lefferts (1906-1986)

Smith

Margaret Mary (1871-1937)

Stauffer

Dorothy Mae (1927-2007)

Herbert Elmer (1928-1928)

William Elmer (1899-1977)

Winder

Lorraine (Simmons) (1911-1988)

Family Tree Rebuild Status Update - 7/14/12

2012-07-14T08:29:00.000-04:00

I am continuing to add sources to my family tree. I am very surprised to find all of the sources I already have. It is going to take some time to cite all of them.

While preparing the next family group sheet post I realized that I can create a virtual family tree here on this blog by linking the family group sheet posts together. In order to have the information to do that I am adding the spouses of all of the children who had spouses to my family tree so that I have that information available for the family group sheet posts.

More information (and a constantly updated index of names) will be posted next.

Genealogy is everywhere!

2012-06-11T19:27:00.003-04:00

Check out this web comic that I read: On The Fastrack

Family Tree Rebuild Update - 6/10/11

2012-06-11T00:00:00.000-04:00

All main branches have been entered back to the earliest ancestor listed in the family histories for that line as shown in my original family tree rebuild post here.

I am sourcing information from A Genealogical History of the Kolb, Kulp, or Culp Family for individuals also listed in A Genealogical History of the Hunsicker Family. Once I have completed this I will begin sourcing all of the original documents I have plus documents I can easily acquire from places such as Ancestry.com.

As I have added the information from the various family histories I have noticed that even though the source is original (despite the fact that I have copies that have been reproduced either on paper or electronically (or both)) I have come to realize that the information is secondary (not primary) in that the authors were reporting second hand information that they found in their research without citing the source. Therefore, until I find a primary source or several different secondary sources (not another family history) of information I will consider these facts as unproven.

Lower Bucks Genealogy Club meeting 6/9/12

2012-06-10T11:16:00.000-04:00

This meeting consisted of another excellent roundtable of members discussing their family history research.

Members brought in pictures of their father in honor of Father's Day.

What I have learned - 5/23/12

2012-05-23T20:33:00.000-04:00

Since my first goal is to "learn more" I will periodically report what I have learned.

This past week I learned the following:

People are actually interested in what I write about - dozens of people. Thank you for reading!

Also, taking another look at documents that you have had for awhile can yield new information.

While checking on the 1880 census for my paternal grandfather's parents (partly to research a new family posting here) I discovered information that showed where and approximately when my great grandmother Emily Farquahar's (1873-1965) parents emigrated.

When I first looked at the census I only looked here:

1880 US Federal Census Alexander and Mary Farquar (Farquahar) names detail

With everything I have learned over the last few months when I looked at the record again I noticed this:

1880 US Census Alexander and Mary Farquar (Farquahar) birthplaces detail

Looking at this we can see that both Alexander and Mary Farquahar as well as their their parents were born in Ireland. Sometime before the birth of their first child (in approximately 1856) they emigrated to England (their first two children were born there).

Then, prior to the birth of their third child (in approximately 1860) they emigrated to Canada (their next three children were born there).

Finally, prior to the birth of their sixth child (in approximately 1868) they emigrated to Pennsylvania, United States (their last three children, as of 1880, were born there) and in 1880 were living in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.

I have not yet found them in the 1870 census to see if they were still living in Philadelphia (because Emily was born in 1873 and I was looking for information on her).

When I research this family I will be looking for records in Canada, England, and Ireland as well as Pennsylvania!

"Who Do You Think You Are?" - Some Thoughts

2012-05-19T16:45:00.002-04:00

I don't watch much television and up until recently I have been what you might call a loan family historian - basically doing everything on my own and not following genealogy news or what others were doing.

Therefore I did not hear about "Who Do You Think You Are?" until the beginning of the current season.

I have read some criticism about the show along the lines of "it's bad genealogy" or "they don't show enough of the research". I think that the reason is that some people who are watching the show are missing the point. This show is not about genealogy. It is about family history.

Quick Amateur Family Historian definition: genealogy is how you find information about your ancestors; family history is what you do with that information.

While I thoroughly enjoy seeing original documents that are sometimes hundreds of years old, the best part of the show for me is when the person shares the results with their family.

I like the show so much that I bought the first season from the iTunes Store. I may comment on those episodes as I watch them.

Ancestry.com subscription

2012-05-15T08:48:00.000-04:00

Because I have a limited budget and because I have decided to rebuild my family tree from scratch and will therefore be concentrating on my American ancestors for a while I decided to downgrade my Ancestry.com subscription to US only from Worldwide.

In order to do this I had to threaten to cancel my subscription because it was too expensive. Only then was I offered the US only subscription. I could not find any other way to do it.

Geneabloggers

2012-05-14T11:45:00.003-04:00

I am very proud to announce that my blog has been accepted by the Geneabloggers bogroll.

I hope that I continue to provide content that qualifies me for this honor.

Family Tree Rebuild Status Update - 5/13/12

2012-05-13T21:52:00.000-04:00

I have completed my Hunsicker ancestral line with all families added back to my first Hunsicker ancestor in America, Valentine Hunsicker (1700-1771).

I have also finished adding my Stauffer ancestral line with all families back to Samuel Stover (1804-1888).

Also, the Leedom ancestral line (my mother's mother's father) with all families back to John Leedom (1798-1885).

I am now working on the Lefferts ancestral line (my mother's mother's mother's father) with all families back to Leffert Pietersen who arrive in America (New Netherlands) in 1660. This is new territory for me, having never traced the Lefferts line before.

Central Jersey Genealogical Club Meeting

2012-05-08T22:25:00.000-04:00

Tonight was the May meeting of the Central Jersey Genealogical Club.

There was an excellent presentation called "Tracking Your Italian Ancestors" by Trish Mirarchi.

I learned a lot about researching your ancestors overseas.

Family Post Update

2012-05-06T16:01:00.004-04:00

After organizing the documents I have on hand I found more documents for Clifford and Margaret Hunsicker's family.

I have updated the original post here.

Family Tree Rebuild Status Update - 4/29/12

2012-04-29T00:00:00.000-04:00

About once a week I will be posting an update on my progress in rebuilding my family tree.

I am still working on the first step of adding my direct ancestral lines and their families.

The Hunsicker line is about 99% complete. I just have to check to make sure I have all of the children and any additional spouses listed.

I have just begun to add the Stauffer and Leedom lines with my grandfather and grandmother William Elmer Stauffer and Mildred Lefferts Leedom.

I have not begun any of the other lines yet (other than listing Elizabeth Kolb as the wife of Valentine Hunsicker).

Family Tree Rebuild Plan

2012-04-28T12:51:00.000-04:00

My previous family tree had 4,309 people in it. After seeing several instances of duplicate spouses and children from lazy online tree matching I decided to rebuild the tree from scratch.

I have also decided to switch from Family Tree Builder, the free family tree database that automatically syncs with the online family tree on the My Heritage site to Roots Magic 5 so that I have total control of what part of my tree is published online.

Here is how I intend to do it:

1. Add the following direct ancestor lines (with their families) from information in the indicated family histories or trees I have gathered:

Hunsicker (my father's paternal line) from A Genealogical History of the Hunsicker Family (published in 1911) which includes my paternal grandfather, Clifford S. Hunsicker, in the last generation

Stauffer (my mother's paternal line) from The Stauffer Family which is maintained by my cousin Robert Boyce Stauffer

Leedom (my mother's maternal line) from Leedom Genealogy Chart, a family tree passed down from my maternal grandmother, Mildred Lefferts Leedom

Lefferts (my maternal grandmother's maternal line) from Genealogy of the Lefferts Family 1650-1878 (written in 1878 by Teunis G. Bergen)

I am also considering adding Kolb (the family of the wife of the first Hunsicker in America, Elizabeth Kolb) from A Genealogical History of the Kolb, Kulp, or Culp Family (written in 1895 by Daniel Kolb Kassel).

2. Cite all of the sources I currently have for these people.

3. Plan research (starting with the US Census) to document the other facts that I do not have sources for (other than the family histories).

4. Add the families of the children of these people and their descendants (as listed in the family histories) and plan research to document their facts.

5. Research the ancestors and descendants of these people that are not listed in the family histories. In addition the ancestors of my paternal grandmother, Margaret Mary Smith, for whom I have no information. I have only recently discovered her parents and siblings from the US Census.

The family histories indicated above are sourced (or not sourced) to a greater or lesser degree as listed below:

A Genealogical History of the Hunsicker Family: Not sourced. Information gathered by sending out surveys to family members. Biographical sketches of selected individuals.

The Stauffer Family: Lots of sources but the citations are spotty.

Leedom Genealogy Chart: No sources. Basically a list of names with very little else but with it I can create a structure to build on.

Genealogy of the Lefferts Family 1650-1878: Lots of sources mentioned but few are actually cited.

A Genealogical History of the Kolb, Kulp, or Culp Family: No sources. Biographical sketches of some people.

I realize that this a big job I am taking on but I look forward to many many hours of research and doing the genealogy happy dance over and over again.

Goals Revisited

2012-04-25T20:41:00.001-04:00

Here is an update of my goals:

If you are curious the original goals are here.

1. Learn more - I will continue to learn using all of the tools I have listed in an earlier post and finding more.

2. Rebuild my family tree properly with cited sources and plan research to prove the facts therein with documentation. As I related in an earlier post the tree I had could not be fixed. I will also learn more as I rebuild my tree.

3. Continue to sort and preserve all of the items I have gathered.

4. Communicate my results here on this blog and elsewhere on the Internet and in the two genealogy clubs I joined.

Make sure you have permission . . .

2012-04-15T19:52:00.000-04:00

. . . before you post personal information about a living person online (even if it is a secure database) or even your database on your computer. Don't put personal information about living persons on a public database under any circumstances.

Case in point:

After I made a connection with my cousin in California she sent me information on all of her family.

I added all of the information to Family Tree Builder which automatically published to my tree on myheritage.com.

A few weeks later I got an email from her daughter threatening legal action if I did not immediately remove all of her personal information from the website and any other databases.

I responded as follows:

1. I was under the mistaken impression that her mother had permission to share her information.

2. Only members of the family tree on the website could see her information (which only included a couple of my siblings and her mother at the time).

3. Most importantly, as far as I am concerned her information belongs to her and whatever she wants me to do I will do.

In the end she agreed to have herself listed by her nickname and last name with no other information in the tree.

If anyone offers you information about living or even recently deceased members of their family make certain that they have permission to share that information.

I have already decided not to use Family Tree Builder any longer and I am seriously considering not including personal information anywhere about living people other than my immediate family whether they give permission or not.

Tonight I joined my local local genealogy society

2012-04-10T21:50:00.001-04:00

Tonight I joined the Central Jersey Genealogy Club which meets in my local library - this is about as local as you can get.

The presentation tonight was "Would I Lie To You?" about how documents can have false and misleading information that will lead you in the wrong direction. It was a fun and instructive presentation.

I will continue to attend meetings of both the Central Jersey Genealogy Club and the Lower Bucks Genealogy Club which I joined last month. Both groups have friendly and knowledgeable people that I look forward to getting to know.

I look forward to future meetings.

Unusual birth circumstance yields a treasure trove of genealogical information.

2012-04-04T21:20:00.002-04:00

I was born in Stuttgart, Germany yet I am an American citizen and have been since the moment of my birth. You may wonder how this is possible.

My dad was in the US Army and was serving there at the time.

Four documents establish my birth and citizenship. Let’s look at each one and see what genealogical information they contain. (Since these are my personal documents in the current climate I will not be showing scans.)

The first document is my German birth certificate or Geburtskunde. This was issued by Stamdesamt Stuttgart-Bad Constant. This document shows my full name, my birth date, where I was born and who my parents are. Also, what religion they were (Catholic) and my mother’s maiden name.

According to the Immigration and Nationality Act, Effective December 24, 1952: “The following shall be citizens of the United States at birth: (3) a person born outside of the United States and its outlying possessions of parents both of whom are citizens of the United States and one of whom has had residence in the United States or one of its outlying possessions, prior to the birth of such person”.

In order to prove their citizenship and residence my parents had to submit the following forms:

Form FS-240, Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of The United States of America, which provided the following information for each of my parents:

Full name

Date of birth

Place of birth

Present address (at that time)

Address in the United States

Evidence of U. S. Citizenship (my father provided a birth certificate, my mother a passport)

Precise periods of physical presence in the United States

Place of Marriage

Date of Marriage

AE Form 360, Report of Child Born Abroad of American Parent(s), which provided the following information for each of my parents:

Father:

Full name

Race

Religion

Occupation

Birthplace

Birthdate

Present Residence Address

Precise periods and Places of Residence since birth

Mother:

Full name

Race

Religion

Name before Marriage

Birthplace

Birthdate

Passport Number, Issue Date, Expiration Date

Present Residence Address

Precise Periods and Places of Residence since birth

My parents submitted my German birth certificate and these forms (plus a statement from my father explaining why he used the middle name “Robert” when his birth certificate stated that his name was “William Hunsicker”) to the American Consulate General in Stuttgart-Bad Constatt, Germany and received Form FS-545, Certificate of Birth, Issued by the Department of State, Foreign Service of the United States of America. This form shows my full name, gender, place of birth, and date of birth. This form alone is what I use as my birth certificate when I renew my driver’s license.

If my father had not happened to be serving in the US Army in Germany when I was born all of this information would not be conveniently in one place.

The Genealogy section of About.com has more information here.

Apparently obtaining copies of these documents for genealogical purposes if you are not the person involved or parents of that person would be extremely difficult.

Family of William Elmer Stauffer and Mildred Lefforts Leedom

2012-04-03T23:08:00.000-04:00

Compared to my father’s family, my mother’s family is relatively simple. Since my mother was the only surviving child she inherited some of my grandparent’s documents.

My mother’s family moved around quite a lot in the thirties and forties but fortunately my birth documents (more on those can be found here) pointed in the right direction so that I was able to locate them on the 1940 Census.

William Elmer Stauffer, son of Ulysses Simpson Grant Stauffer (1869-1912) and Katherine Cramer (1867-1949), born 14 June 1899 in West Point, Upper Gwynedd Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States, served in the US Army in World War I (30 April 1917 to 17 October 1919), and died 24 Oct 1977.

Sources for William Elmer Stauffer:

Birth Certificate issued 26 June 1942

The 1900 Census shows an 11 month old William Stauffer, born June 1899, living with his parents and grandparents in Upper Gwynedd Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States.

An Enlistment Record and Honorable Discharge from the US Army in World War I

The 1920 Census shows a 20 year old William E. Stauffer working as a jockey and living with his mother, Katherine Stauffer, a widow, on Overlook Ave. in Upper Moreland Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States.

A Certificate of Marriage states that he married Mildred L. Stauffer 12 March 1927

The 1930 Census shows William and his wife and daughter living with his brother Leon P. Stauffer and family along with his mother and sister at 210 Summit Ave. in Upper Moreland Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States.

The 1940 Census shows William and his wife and daughter living on a farm in Hartsville Village, Warminster, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States.

A Record of Burial Place of a Veteran shows his dates of service as well as birth and death dates

The Social Security Death Index

On 12 March 1927 in Willow Grover, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, USA, he married Mildred Lefferts Leedom, daughter of Isaac Newton Leedom (1867-1941) and Mary Lena Johnson (1870-1956), born 19 June 1906 in Bethayres, Lower Moreland Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States and died 15 February 1986 in Warminster, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States.

Sources for Mildred Lefferts Leedom:

The 1910 Census shows a 3 year old Mildred living with her parents I. Newton and Mary Lena Leedom on Walton Road in Moreland Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States.

The 1920 Census shows a 13 year old Mildred living with her parents at 1737 Bristol Street in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, United States.

The Certificate of Marriage to William E. Stauffer

The 1930 Census

The 1940 Census

Death Certificate No. 200062 states that Mildred L. Stauffer, born June 19, 1906, in Lower Moreland Twp., PA, died February 15, 1986 in Abington Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States.

Children of William Elmer Stauffer and Mildred Lefferts Leedom:

Dorothy Mae Stauffer (1927-2007) married William Robert Hunsicker (1932-2002), had five children. His parent's family group sheet can be found here. This is my mother and father. Due to privacy concerns detailed information on this individual will not be shown on this public blog.

Herbert Elmer Stauffer was born and died 12 November 1928. Due to privacy concerns detailed information on this individual will not be shown on this public blog.

If you have any questions or additional information on these individuals please comment on this post.

Family of Clifford Sheridan Hunsicker and Margaret Mary Smith

2012-03-18T22:00:00.000-04:00

To determine what work I need to do to complete my father's (William Robert Hunsicker) family I have written out all of the information and sources I have.

After seeing how much information there is, I have decided to place my comments at the top.

The only person I have complete documentation for is William Robert Hunsicker, my father, because I inherited it directly from him. All other information not supported by documentation is from discussion with family members.

I need to get birth certificates, death certificates, and, in some cases, marriage certificates. It appears from what I have read that in order to get birth certificates for uncles and aunts I will have to get the death certificates first. Birth and death certificates come from the Pennsylvania state and (prior to 1906) county government. All marriage certificates come from county government. I will have to see what documents my cousins and my one remaining aunt have.

I will consult with the members of the Lower Bucks Genealogy Club and see if my understanding is correct.

I need to speak to my Aunt Evelyn (who is my oldest living relative) to get more information on her family.

I would like anyone who is interested to comment on whether I need to get these documents for all of the individuals listed below.

The 1930 Census shows Clifford S. Hunsicker and Margaret M. Hunsicker, along with their first three children living at 111 Congress Street in Newtown Borough, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States.

1930 Federal Census ED 9-48 Sheet 7A (detail)

The 1940 Census Shows Clifford S. Hunsicker and Margaret M. Hunsicker, along with all five of their children living at 235 S Lincoln Ave in Newtown Borough, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States, and living in the same place in 1935.

1940 US Federal Census ED 9-58 Sheet 9A (detail)

Clifford Sheridan Hunsicker, son of Sheridan Landis Hunsicker (1865-1916) and Emily Farquahar (1873-1965) was born 1 April 1903 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, United States, and died 3 July 1976 in Penndel, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States.

Sources for Clifford Hunsicker:

Clifford appears on page 229 of A Genealogical History of the Hunsicker Family born 1 April 1903 the fourth child of Sheridan L. Hunsicker and Emily Farquahar.
The 1910 Census shows a 7 year old Clifford living with his parents at 2315 Germantown Ave. in Philadelphia, PA.

1910 US Federal Census ED 315 Sheet 12A Dwelling 224 (detail)

The 1920 Census shows a 16 year old Clifford working as a roofer and living with his widowed mother at 1633 Spencer Street in Philadelphia, PA.

1920 US Federal Census ED 1570 Sheet 13B Dwelling 294 (detail)

A Marriage Certificate shows that on February 7, 1925, Clifford S. Hunsicker and Margaret M. Smith were united in marriage in accordance with License #39856 issued by the Clerk of the Orphan's Court of Delaware County, Pennsylvania.
A Certificate of Marriage shows that on February 7, 1925, Clifford S. Hunsicker and Margaret M. Smith were lawfully married at St. Michael's Church, Chester, PA, by Rev.John J. Toner. James Duffy and Mary Duffy were the witnesses.
The 1930 Census (shown above) shows a 26 year old Clifford working as an assistant freight-clerk for the steam railroad and living with his wife and 3 children at 111 Congress Street in Newtown Borough, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States.

The 1940 Census (shown above) shows a 37 year old Clifford working as a clerk for the Reading Steam Railroad and living with his wife and 5 children at 235 S Lincoln Ave in Newtown Borough, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States, and living in the same place in 1935.
Death Certificate #541099 issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Health, Vital Statistics, states thay Clifford S. Hunsicker died on July 3, 1976 in Middletown Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania,United States, of Accute Coronary Occlusion, Advanced Coronary Heart Disease, and Generalized Arteriosclerosis.
The Bucks County Courier Times 6 July 1976 Page B29 includes the obituary of Clifford S. Hunsicker.

In the future I will show images of and discuss Clifford's other documents in a separate post and put the link here.

On 7 February 1925 he married Margaret Mary Smith, daughter of Michael Arthur Smith (1871-1937) and Elizabeth Dickson (1870-1945), born 27 April 1902 in Cheltenham Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States, and died 4 August 1955 In Bristol Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States.

Sources for Margaret Mary Hunsicker:

The 1910 Census shows a 8 year old Margaret living with her parents on Franklin Ave in Cheltenham Township, PA.

1910 US Federal Census ED 70 Sheet 11A Dwelling 326 (detail)

The 1920 Census shows a 17 year old Margaret working as a weaver in a mill living with her parents at 123 Old Soldiers Road in Cheltenham Township, PA.

1920 US Federal Census ED 78 Sheet 5B Dwelling 98 (detail)

Margaret Mary Smith at work circa 1920

The 1930 Census (shown above) shows a 27 year old Margaret living with her husband and first 3 children at 111 Congress Street in Newtown Borough, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States.
The 1940 Census (shown above) shows a 37 year old Margaret living with her husband and 5 children at 235 S Lincoln Ave in Newtown Borough, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States, and living in the same place in 1935.

1955 Pennsylvania Death Index (Death Certificate to follow)

Funeral Card issued by Charles Swartz, Funeral Director, 323 East Washington Ave, Newtown, PA

He then married Lorraine Simmons, a widow, daughter of Edward J. Winder (1883-) and Catherine Unknown, who was born 14 Nov 1911 in Pennsylvania, USA and died Nov 1988 in Glenside, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States.

Sources for Lorraine Winder:

The 1920 Census shows Lorraine living with her parents in Middletown, Bucks County, PA.

Social Security Death Index

In the future I will show images of and discuss Margaret's other documents in a separate post and put the link here.

Children of Clifford S. and Margaret Mary:

John Joseph Hunsicker (1925-1933) married Unknown. Due to privacy concerns detailed information on this individual will not be shown on this public blog.

Charles Thomas Hunsicker (1927-2006) married Evelyn Unknown. Due to privacy concerns detailed information on this individual will not be shown on this public blog.

Mary Ann Hunsicker (1928-2000) USA, unmarried. Due to privacy concerns detailed information on this individual will not be shown on this public blog.

Marjorie Theresa Hunsicker (1930-2003) married Alan Ellis Shaw (1922-2003), had four children. Due to privacy concerns detailed information on this individual will not be shown on this public blog.

William Robert Hunsicker (1932-2002) married Dorothy Mae Hunsicker (1927-2007), had five children. Her parent's family group sheet can be found here. This is my father and mother. Due to privacy concerns detailed information on this individual will not be shown on this public blog.

If you have any questions or additional information on these individuals please comment on this post.

I joined my local genealogical society yesterday

2012-03-11T13:31:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I went to the monthly meeting of the Lower Bucks Genealogy Club in Langhorne, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. I joined at the meeting.

Unfortunately I am not familiar with the area (I live in Hamilton Township, NJ) and I had some difficulty finding the meeting location despite locating it on Google Maps before I went. I arrived in the middle of a presentation on the great flood along the Delaware River Valley in 1955. The presentation lasted for the remainder of the meeting so I was not able to really meet and get to know the other members.

The presenter, Mary A. Shafer, has written an excellent book on the subject, Devastation on the Delaware: Stories and Images of the Deadly Flood of 1955, which can be purchased here.

Documents Retrieved

2012-03-09T16:35:00.000-05:00

I have gone through my parents (who are both deceased) papers to find vital records and other items of interest.

Here is what I found:

My father, William R. Hunsicker:

Marriage Certificate
Retirement request from US Army
Discharge (DD214) from US Army
Death Certificate
Funeral Expenses

My mother, Dorothy Mae (Stauffer) Hunsicker:

Marriage Certificate
Reissued Social Security Card (married name)
Medicare Card
Death Certificate
Funeral Expenses

Other interesting items:

Father's funeral guest register
Mother's funeral guest register
Grandfather's (mother's father) funeral guest register

In the future I will analyze the genealogical significance of these items.