Genealogy Addict

Bonkers: The GEDCOM Sanity Checker

2013-02-08T23:59:00.001-04:00

After years of research many hobby genealogists will inevitably discover problems with ancestors in their family tree. One problem that infects a family tree are duplicate entries. I've noticed by chance unintentional duplicates, lifespans that are way too long, and BMDs that make little sense in relation to an individuals immediate family. With some trees comprising thousands of individuals, manually checking can be time consuming and boring as hell.
Tim Forsyth has created a web-based GEDCOM tool that can help you solve many problems in your family tree file easily and quickly. You can upload your file and the program is customizable. Tim, thank you for looking out for our mental health.
Bonkers: The GEDCOM Sanity Checker:

http://timforsythe.com/tools/bonkers

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Eight Things You Didn't Know About 19th Century Hygeine

2013-01-21T22:56:00.001-04:00

We've talked in another post about how utterly terrible human hygiene was in the 18th century and discovered a few things that made us shiver. As bad as hygiene was in the Western world three hundred years ago, things were about to get a bit brighter just around the corner. Here's a few things you might not know about hygiene in the 19th century:

Teeth

There is documented evidence that humans have been sticking things in their mouths trying to clean their teeth all the way back to 1600 BC. The Chinese were brushing their teeth since the 12th century and European traders brought these brushes back home to Europe. The first mass produced tooth brushes arrived early into the 18th century and were made of animal fibres. The problem with animal bristles was that they collected bacteria and had a tendency to fall out easily. It might come to a shock to know that the first patented tooth brush didn't arrive until 1885 but even then regularly, consistent brushing didn't really catch on until the end of World War Two.

Bathing

Compared to the 18th century bathing habits, the 19th century was a time of change. People washed frequently, even common folk were encouraged to bathe. Bathing was encouraged once a week and the higher up the social ladder seems to have increased the frequency of jumping in the tub. This was a time when most people, even if they did not often fully bathe in a tub, would take 'hip baths' on a regular basis. It is also worth noting that, since soap did not become widespread until the middle of the century, bathing usually was only with water and sponge.

Soap

Soap making goes back thousands of year but in Europe, not so much. As we've already said soap was not common until the second half of the 19th century. On a cultural level, soap was for laundry not bathing, what kind of lunatic would want to put that on themselves.

Deodorant

The first commercial deodorant was invented in 1888 in Pennsylvania by an unknown person under the brand 'Mum' and until this time most people (read common folk) didn't wear any. Before this item became available people used perfume quite extensively to cover up their natural body odour. Perfume, which was a luxury, was not available to everyone so many made use of more common items such as baking soda to control their underarm perspiration. I've even read stories of women putting flower pedals under their arms but I just can't see this as very effective.

Hair Care

Remember this the next time you’re lathering up your locks: there was no such thing as shampoo until the 20th century. So what did people do to clean their hair? People, especially men with short hair, used the same soap that they used to wash their bodies. However, lye based soaps are very harsh and can leave a film on hair making it look dull. Women on the other hand women rarely washed their hair for that very reason. In the 19th century hair brushing was an art that was responsible for keeping a lady's hair clean. Brushing, especially with a conditioning oil, worked quite good to remove dirt from the hair and keep it clean.

Shaving

The ancient Egyptians were known to shave e hair from their entire bodies but Western culture did not take up shaving of body hair until early into the 20th century. Sure, Western man has been shaving their face for centuries and hair could be cut short for various reasons but nobody on any large scale removed their body hair. It is a matter of fact that in the early 20th century women began shaving as a response to a massive advertising campaign started by razor companies. This in combination with a culture that started to bare more of the feminine body was responsible for many women to take up the habit of grooming their body hair. So, it is safe to say that 19th century women came the way puberty made them.

Menstruation

Here is a topic that makes me thankful I was born a man. 19th century women had very few options to stem the flow when it showed up and none was as easy as the options that are available today. It should be noted that women in the 19th century started menstruating later than modern women. Keeping that in mind and also the cultural seclusion of women from society at large, many might not have worn anything. This is especially true of poor, rural girls who would have been quite comfortable to let their period run its course as it happened.

You must keep in mind that girls married early, and with the lack of birth control, were always in the stages of pregnancy. This effectively stopped menstruation for extended periods of time. Also, women breast fed almost exclusively and were not as well-nourished which could play havoc on their cycle.

Still, there were options available. Some women would use a piece of cloth to help with their period and there are various knitted, washable 'pads' that were used. It really is a modern invention and something that has revolutionized women's hygiene.

Family Planning

The story goes that a man named Condom made a prophylactic for the king of England which is where we get that word condom. There is however not a shred of evidence of a man named Condom. So what did couples in the 19th century use to prevent pregnancy? Absolutely nothing. Pregnancy and sex might be two definable states today but back then they went hand and hand. It just did not occur to people bay and large that two were or could be separate. So for most people had the option of abstinence, the rhythm method, pulling out and douching.

Goodyear created vulcanized rubber in 1854 and 1855 saw the first rubber condom. The first rubber condoms were as thick as a bicycle inner tube and had a seam. So it is safe to assume that they didn't allow for very much sensation but effectively stopped pregnancy and the spread of an STD. There use would probably have been limited to a small section of society. A married man would need a very good reason to produce a condom to his wife.

Skin Care and Beauty

Makeup as we have today was not used. Pale skin was the ideal look and a 19th century women would have been embarrassed if her friend found out she had visited a salon or cover her skin with anything. Pale skin was so sought for that women might paint veins on their neck to enhance or create the illusion of even paler skin. Women did Howe Ed enhance their face somewhat and upper class women might use burnt matchsticks to darken their eyelashes or a touch of rouge on their checks and lips. During the 19th century makeup was for prostitutes.

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The Lowell Sun June 6 1954—Page 29

2013-01-01T23:42:00.000-04:00

Miss Gwendolyn M. Walker

WESTFORD - Mr. and Mrs. Joseph G. Walker, Hildreth street announce the engagementand forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Gwendolyn M., to Leon I. Burl, son of Mr. and Mrs. Nell F. Burl of 32 South Loring street. Miss Walker is a graduate of Westford academy and Bradshaw business school. She is a member of the executive board of the Westford academy Alumni association, and is secretary to the Westford school committee.

She holds an office position with the Abbot Worsted company in Forge Village. Her fiance is a graduate of Lowell high school, and attended Northeastern university. He is a veteran of World War II having served three and one-half years with the U. S. Air Force and holds a position with a Boston

insurance firm. An October wedding is planned.

The daughter of Joseph G. Walker (1889-1970) and Isabelle Lillian Macomber (1896-1989)

Did Varnia Howell Davis, First Lady Of The Confederacy, Have African Ancestry?

2013-01-01T23:27:00.001-04:00

For those of you who don't know, Jefferson Davis was the President of the short-lived nation, The Confederate States of America. The Confederate regime was aborted following its defeat in the American Civil War by Union forces. I'm not going to go into any detail explaining Confederate politics but it is safe to assume that a major issue surrounding the American Civil War was slavery. The confederates held 90% of the slave population of the American states prior to the war and it comes as no surprise that people in the Southern states, like many Europeans 150 years ago judged by today's standards, would make the Klan cringe with embarrassment. It's not really fair to hold them by our standards because the Southern caste system was a complex and flawed social construct existing in a point in time and is now defunct.

That being said, I'll get to the point of this post. Jefferson Davis married Varnia Howell in 1845. A pretty young lady and many years (Hi five Jeff!) his junior, Varnia was 17 years old when she walked down the aisle. So here's the catch, I came across their wedding photo and the first thing that stuck me about it was only one thing: Varnia has African ancestry! This would be considered rather odd for a southern gentleman of the 19th century, let alone the President of the Confederates, the bastion of modern slavery! There has been quite a bit research done on her ancestry and as of now, no one can conclusively say whether her pedigree contains African ancestry or not. In the end, I guess it doesn't matter. That was a long time ago. However, I'm in it for the irony.

Jefferson and Varnia Davis on their wedding day in 1845

How Amateur Genealogists See Themselves

2012-12-17T23:59:00.002-04:00

Abused And Exploited: Child Coal Miners

2012-12-17T18:23:00.001-04:00

"As I stood in that breaker I thought of the reply of the small boy to Robert Owen. Visiting an English coal mine one day, Owen asked a twelve-year-old lad if he knew God. The boy stared vacantly at his questioner: “God?” he said, “God? No, I don’t. He must work in some other mine.” It was hard to realize amid the danger and din and blackness of that Pennsylvania breaker that such a thing as belief in a great All-good God existed." *

From the industrial towns of Northwest England to the mining villages of America's Appalachia, child miners of the Victorian era to the early twentieth century led short, miserable lives. Most child miners were uneducated, often physically abused and most certainly exploited. Like me, if you have ancestors from Nova Scotia, and in particular Cape Breton, chances are your family tree is littered with people who went underground to make a living for their families. Many of these people started mining when they were children and some went underground as young as five.

To live in a company house or to have credit at the company store, a family needed to have a member working in the mines. If a father died, it fell to a son to work for the company if they wished to remain in a company lodging and for many, being destitute, that house was their only option. Sometimes this necessitated a mother sending a young boy to work in order for the family to survive because most these mining families were practically indentured servants.

A typical workday started at sunrise, so child miners were up before dawn to get ready for their long day. Children often worked 12 hour days, six days a week for very little money and it was quite likely that a boy might only see the sun on Sundays. Boys were often used for menial jobs in the mines that could free up men for production positions but their jobs were vital to mine operation and no less dangerous. Child miners could be found operating the shaft pulleys, Trappers, for controlling airflow, Drawers, who pulled coal carts, and Sorters, that removed rock from the coal.

Trapper boys might stand on their feet for hours on end while Sorters developed, over time, disfigured spines from long hours hunched over sorting piles. The mines were wet, and boys were covered in coal dust from head to toe after the end of a long day. Children often suffered injuries ranging from crushed limbs, severed fingers, and head traumas. They were, like their adult compatriots prone to developing black lung from constantly breathing in coal dust. An adult miner who started as a boy had a life expectancy of less than 40 years which is about ten years less than the average life expectancy at the turn of the twentieth century.

The saddest part was that most of these bright, young boys never had the opportunity to ever see the inside of a schoolhouse. Crueler still, many were physically and emotionally abused by company foremen and other miners. Social reform slowly, yet surely over time put an end to child labor in the West. Our children today couldn't possibly imagine such hardship but even today in places like the Congo, child miners like those before them are still being exploited a century after it was abolished here.

*Source: John Spargo, The Bitter Cry of Children (New York: Macmillan, 1906)

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The 1921 Canadian Census Might Be Available Online By Late 2013

2012-12-14T21:29:00.001-04:00

There are many envious Canadian genealogy buffs out there over the recent release and indexing of the 1940 US census. In Canada we're still anxiously awaiting the release of the 1921 Canadian census. What we don't know right now is when exactly that is going to happen. The good news is that it might get released sometime next summer and the bad news is that you might not get a peek at it until sometime in 2014.

According to Statistics Canada the 1921 Canadian census was taken on June 1 which means that it might be released to Library and Archives Canada on June 1, 2013. Government legislation says that after 92 calendar years have passed, the census will be made available to the public.

Wait...calendar year? What does that mean exactly? A calendar year begins on January 1 and ends on December 31. This might mean that although the census was taken on June 1, 92 calendar years do not pass until December 31, 2013. That is bad news because it means that if no work is done digitizing the census before its release; we may very well be not seeing any images until late in 2014. Don't cry, you're ruining all your research.

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The Canadian Rushton's From Bolton

2012-12-12T23:19:00.003-04:00

My Great Grandmother, May McComber (Rushton), came to Canada as a young child, just over four months old. She was born in Bolton, Lancashire, a large industrial city in North West England. Bolton’s industry was built on local coal mining and coal in Bolton was controlled by various Commonwealth consortium's that also had mines in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.

Emily, May, and Robert Rushton

May's father Robert Rushton was a miner, like his father, and his father before him. Her mother was named Emily Carruthers whose family also resided in Bolton. Robert and Martha married in 1906 and lived in a small five room house located on Crostin Street (56) in Daubhill. They shared the house with Emily's mother Martha and her half-brother George Peacock who worked in an Iron Foundry. Martha had been widowed for quite some time. Her first husband, Emily's father, died in 1890. She had remarried a man named Edward Dawber but it seems he also died making her a widow twice.

I've always considered one of the main factors in his decision to move his young family to Cape Breton was the fact that the companies in Bolton were always offering incentives for mining families to come to Canada and work for their firms there. Another reason might have been the fact that in 1911 a tragic family event occurred. May's parents had much heartache in their family. Their first boy, Alfred died when he was about one year old. Their daughter Emily died in December 1911, when she was five and her grandmother, Martha Carruthers, took the news so bad that she died of a heart attack right there in the kitchen of their home.

Emily's illness is not really known. Family stories about Emily's illness vary as to the condition that led to her death. It is said that she suffered a case of meningitis and others say that she fell, receiving a head trauma. Whatever the reason, Emily's grandmother was heartbroken and she died on the same day as her granddaughter. They were supposedly buried in the same coffin.

But as a child, I remember a fanciful story May like to tell me about how she had come to live in Cape Breton. Mays parents told her that they had relatives in America, Australia and in Canada. So, they put some pieces of paper in a hat with those countries written on them and pulled out Canada. I loved that story, and I never got tired of hearing it. However, I was young and I regret never asking her who those relatives were. She might not have even known.

May was born two months later on 02 February, 1912 and after all the tragedy the family suffered near the end of 1911 led to a decision, for whatever reason, to move to Cape Breton. Robert booked passage for the family on the SS Virginian. They arrived in Quebec on 12 July 1912 and took a train to Nova Scotia, arriving in Cape Breton sometime later in the month. Robert's brother-in-law, George Peacock did not make the journey with them but remained behind. He did eventually come to stay with them for a period of time between 1912 and 1915. Eventually, Robert, Emily and May arrived in New Waterford where they would make their home. They had three more children: Stanley, Doris, and Dorothy.

May Rushton about 1920, New Waterford School

Fitchburg Sentinel, Tuesday, May 01, 1962

2012-11-15T23:05:00.000-04:00

A news story about Norman H. Young Jr, the son of Norman Herbert Young (1894-1982) and Matilda Mae Macomber (1896-1987)

The Family Of John Hinks (b.1824)

2012-10-10T22:33:00.001-03:00

John Hinks

b. 1824, Newfoundland

d. Unknown

John Hinks of Neil's Harbor was born in Newfoundland about the year 1924. He married Hannah "Annie" Williams (b.1836). They had ten children:

1. Michael Nicholas Hinks (1855 -1930)

Michael was born on 15 Oct 1855 in Newfoundland. On 5 mar 1880 in Big Bra' dor he married Harriet Connelley (1851-1913). They had three children named George Ingram, James and John. Michael, like his father was a fisherman.

Later after the death of Harriet, Nicholas married Annie Clements Wadden (b.1854) on 4 may 1920. They were both in their sixties.

2. Susan Hinks (b.1856)

Susan Hinks, according to the 1881 census, was born in 1856. I like to mention that birth dates in any early census is possibly incorrect. Many times the census taker simply guessed. So iof you looked old, you were old. We believe that Susan is the mother of Adam Mccumber (1884-1959) and that she died in child birth.

We have absolutely no proof of this, there is no marriage bond or banns between her or Adam's father, Adam Macumber (b.1867). The only info I have is that according to family history, Adam's mother was a 'Hinks' and he did board at the house of Mary Ann (Hinks)Warren whom he described his relationship to her as 'nephew' on her death registration. On his marriage registration, his parents are mentioned as Adam and Susan.

3. James Hinks (b.1858)

4. Elizabeth Hinks (b.1859)

5. William Hinks (b.1865)

6. Sarah Hinks (b.1866)

7. John J. Hinks (b.1867)

8. Mary Ann Hinks (b.1869)

Mary Ann's first husband's name is unknown to me. However, later she married John Warren (1853-1933), a widow also, on 2 Aug 1894. They made their home in Glace Bay. She was not only the Aunt of Adam Mccumber (1884-1959 but also the stepmother of Martha Jane Warren (1889-1947) who Adam later married.

9. Fanny Hinks (b.1871)

Fanny married John Mckinnon (b.1868) in 1894 at Neil's harbor. They had two children whom both died young.

10. Ada Hinks (b.1874)

John shows up in the 1881 census living with his family in New Campbellton. However he does not show up in the 1891 census, so it is a possibility that he passed away at some point during those two points in time.

The Family of John and Muriel (Macumber) Noonan

2012-09-15T19:28:00.001-03:00

John P. Noonan

b. 1882, Wadsworth, Engalnd

d. Unknown

Sign Writers, early 1900s

John P. Noonan was the son of John (b.1854) and Ellen Noonan (b.1855) who emigrated to the province of Nova Scotia in 1906. John, a sign and glass painter married Muriel Beatrice Macomber (1889-1983), the daughter of Adam Macumber (1867-1900)and Mary Rose (b.1872) David on 24 Apr 1909 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. In Halifax, the family resided at 55 Duke Street. They had at least ten children:

1. Ellen Beatrice Noonan was born on 30 May 1910 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

2. John J Noonan, a sign writer like his father, was born in 1912, in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

3. Arthur Noonan was born on 29 November 1913, in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

4. Mary Rose Noonan was born on 16 April 1915, in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

5. Muriel P Noonan was born in Dec 1917, in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

6. George Noonan was born in 1919 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

7. Wilbert Noonan was born in 1920 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

8. Lawrence Everett Noonan was born in 1922 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

9. Zita Collette F. Noonan was born on 18 January 1925 in Massachusetts. She died in Boston on 9 December 1992.

10. Walter Noonan was born in 1930, in Boston, Massachusetts.

In Dec 1922, Muriel and the children immigrated to the United States. Their father arrived sometime before them and the 1930 US Census lists them as living in Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts. Later, the family moved to New York City, and by 1935 were residing on 400 East, 145th Street.

Isabelle Lillian (Macomber) Walker (1896-1989)

2012-08-28T20:57:00.003-03:00

b. 17 Jun 1896, Massachusetts, United States

d. 12 May 1989, Westford, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States

The daughter of Adam Macumber (1867-1900) and Mary Susan England (1869-1950) , Lillian, a twin, was born on her mother's birthday 17 Jun 1896 in Massachusetts. She married Joseph G. Walker (1889-1970). They had four children and one foster son.

Nova Scotia Historical Vital Statistics: 25,312 New Records

2012-08-02T20:50:00.000-03:00

Nova Scotia Historical Vital Statistics released it's annual accrual on July 31st. The latest batch includes registered births (1911), marriages (1936), and deaths (1961). Also included are delayed birth registrations of individuals born as far back as 1830.

NSHVS has digitized almost one million records to date. It is free to view any record, indexed for ease, and collection size make it one of the best family history resources in Canada.

Walter MacPhee (1905-1974)

2012-07-23T22:12:00.002-03:00

Walter MacPhee

Glace Bay-The death occurred Sunday at the General Hospital of former councillor for ward four, Walter MacPhee, 149 International Street, Passchendale. He was 69.

Mr. MacPhee, a native of town, entered hospital a week ago. He worked 41 years in the coal mines, retiring in 1961 when Caledonia Colliery closed. Mr. MacPhee served as town councillor, representing ward four, from 1951 to 1974 inclusive. He was a member of St. Anthony Church and was active in parochial affairs. For many years he served as a warden of the parish.

He was the son of the late Hugh Agnes MacPhee and the former Mary Agnes MacNeil. He is survived by his wife, the former Catherine MacDonald, Brookside Street, six daughters and three sons, (Shirley) Mrs. Michael MacMullin; (Florence) Mrs. Thomas Farrell; (Cleo) Mrs. John Tobin, town;(Joan) Mrs. Eric Parsons, Sydney; (Bernice) Mrs. Peter Nickituk, town; Maureen, at home; Walter, of Cobourg, Ont. Kelvin and Garfield, town.

He is also survived by brothers, Melvin, town; George, Toronto; and and sister, Mrs. Jessie Campbell town. He is also survived by 20 grandchildren. The body rests at Curry’s 322 King Edward Street, this evening and funeral arrangements will be announced. Interment will be made in the parish cemetery.

Augustus 'Gussie' Bernard McDonald Obituary

2012-07-08T20:08:00.001-03:00

Augustus MacDonald

Glace Bay- Augustus MacDonald, 67, of Brookside Street died at St. Joseph’s Hospital Saturday. He had been a patient there since Tuesday.

Mr. MacDonald was a native of this community and lived here most of his life, (he worled in Caledonia Colliery over 25 years and eight years ago he moved to Toronto where he resided until a month ago when he returned here.

Mr. MacDonald went overseas with the West Nova Scotia Regiment in 1940 and was in the European theatre for several years. He was a member of St. Anthony’s Parish and of Branch 3 of the Royal Canadian Legion.

Unmarried, Mr. MacDonald is survived by sisters, Rev. Sister M. Beatrix, St. Joseph’s Convent, Halifax;(Catherine) Mrs. Walter MacPhee, Glace Bay; (Edith) Mrs. Aloysius MacIntosh , Glace Bay; and a brother John MacDonald now a patient at Camp Hill Hospital, Halifax. A brother, Hugh Francis, died last year.

The funeral will be held from Curry’s, 332 King Edward Street Tuesday for St. Anthony’s Church at 10 a.m. Burial will be made in the parish cemetery.

Joseph G. Walker (1889-1970) Obituary

2012-06-17T11:46:00.001-03:00

b. 15 Jul 1889, Brooklyn, New York, United States

d. 21 Feb 1970, Westford, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA

THE LOWELL SUN, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1970

Joseph Walker

... electrical contractor

WESTFORD—Joseph G. Walker of 3 Hildreth St., father of a well known family, died Saturday. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y. July 15, 1889, he was the son of the late Emil and Margaret (Weir) Walker. He was graduated from the Brooklyn N.Y. schools and had made his home in Westford for over 50 years. He was the first electrical contractorin Westford, had also been employed by General Electric Co. of Lynn until his retirement in 1954. He was a veteran of the, U.S. Army, World War I, and, was a former member of the J. A. Healy Post No. 159 American Legion of Westford.

He had, also formerly served as a constable in Westford. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Lillian (Macomber) Walker of Westford; two daughters, Mrs. Gwendolyn Burl of North Chelmsford, and Mrs. Lester C. (Ruth) Canova of Medfield; a son, Robert J. Walker of Littleton; a foster son, Edwin A. Green of Westford a brother, Amos F. Walker of Philadelphia,Penn.; and six grandchildren. Miss Janice L. Canova and Jeffrey W. Canova, both of Medfield; Carole J., Thomas F. and Robert A. Walker, all of Littleton, and Cynthia

Source: "Joseph Walker." The Lowell Sun 23 Feb. 1970, sec. In Memoriam: 20. Family Link. Web. 15 Feb. 2012.

John 'Jake' Bernard Currie (1927-2005)

2012-06-04T21:00:00.002-03:00

b. 15 May 1927, Reserve Mines, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia

d. 10 Jun 2005, Reserve Mines, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia

Obituary from Chronicle-Herald/Mail Star - (Jun/12/2005):

CURRIE, John "Jake" - 78, 22 Official Row, Reserve Mines, passed away Friday, June 10, 2005, in Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Reserve Mines, he lived most of his life there and was a son of the late Michael and Mary (Finnell) Currie. He was a valued member of St. Joseph's Parish. He was employed at Sydney Steel Plant for 44 years and was Works Manager when he retired due to ill health. During his life, he was very much involved in the church and community and was instrumental in forming a Reserve Mines Little League team, which he coached and promoted.

He was the founding President of the Catholic Youth Organization of St. Joseph's Parish, as well as the first President of the parish council. He spent 18 years as Councillor, representing District 18. His sincere concern for others kept him involved in politics at various levels. John is survived by his devoted wife, the former Cecilia MacNeil; daughters, Susan (Timmy) Wadden, Glace Bay; Janice, Halifax; Anita (Wilson) Murphy, Edmonton, Alta.; brothers, Michael (Anna), New Waterford; Father Reg Currie, River Bourgeois; sisters, Theresa Amadio, Port Morien; Sister Carmelita, Mount Saint Vincent, Halifax; Angie Campbell (Stan), Edwardsville; Ursula (Mike) McDonald, Reserve Mines; sister-in-law, Peggy Currie, Sydney; grandchildren, Jonathan, Nathan, Lori and Allyson Wadden, Glenden and Mitchell Murphy.

He was predeceased by infant son, Reginald Gerald; brother, Basil; infant granddaughter, Jenna Wadden; brothers-in-law, Neil Amadio and Sandy Campbell. Visitation today from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. in Curry's Funeral Home, Main Street, Glace Bay. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, June 13 at 11 a.m. in St. Joseph's Church, Reserve Mines, Father Reginald Currie officiating. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery.

Lowell Sun, Saturday, May 22, 1937

2012-05-27T21:27:00.001-03:00

Westford Boy Accidentally

Shot to Death by Playmate

Accidentally shot when a rusty revolver he and a playmate had found in a field exploded, William Dwight Walker, seven-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph G. Walker of Westford, died before medical assistance could be given late yesterday. The revolver was being held by George Sullivan, 4, son of Police Chief, John F. Sullivan of Westford, and the boys are believed to have been hammering it with a stone when the shell exploded and a bullet lodged in the chest of the Walker lad.

The boy was taken to the home of Dr. Cyril L. Blaney but the doctor was out on a call. Miss Marion Tully, R. N., gave first aid but before Dr. James E. Christie of Littleton could reach the scene, he had succumbed to the Injury. Dr. Robert Lilley of Shirley, medical examiner, was notified but deferred any report on the case pending a conference with stale authorities. Whether the cartridge was in the gun when it was found or that the boys had loaded the weapon could not be determined. The gun was badly rusted and the hammer was missing. Besides his parents, the boy leaves two sisters, Gwendolyn and Ruth Walker; a brother, Robert Walker, grandparents and several aunts and uncles.

The funeral will take place Monday afternoon from the home of his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Lionel T. Goucher, Forge Village Road, Westford.

Source: "Westford Boy Accidentally Shot to Death by Playmate" The Lowell Sun 22 May 1937, Familylink.com Database ed. Online.

Captain William Allen Macomber and the ST Unicorn

2012-05-18T18:32:00.000-03:00

North Sydney Herald May 10, 1876

OUR BOATS: (Excerpt). Since last issue, we had the privilege of inspecting the Neptune and find she has been put in excellent shape. The Saloon, situated on the main deck, is handsomely furnished and filled. It was painted and grained by MCLEOD BROS. The enterprising and popular commander, CAPT. J. HOWARD BEATTY, has spared no expense nor trouble to make comfortable, the conveyance of passengers who take the favorite route on the Lakes to visit this part of Cape Breton.

The Ferry Steamer, Lady of the Lake, has received complete overhauling this Winter. CAPT. SCOTT always takes great pride in looking after his boat and adding to the comfort of the passengers.

The Steam Tug Unicorn, has also received a complete overhauling. CAPT. MCCUMBER is an officer of much experience and good judgement and the Unicorn, under his command, has good service in the harbor.

We wish the above boats, including the Annie and the Dufferin of Sydney, a prosperous season. (10 May)

"1861 - 1882 - Early Cape Breton Newspapers." Cape Breton Genealogy and Historical Association. EARLY CAPE BRETON NEWSPAPERS SECOND VOLUME Compiled by Mildred Howard CG (C) Copyright 1994 Transcribed by Anna Roberts, n.d. Web. 5 May 2012. <www.cbgen.org>

Lowell Sun, Monday, July 15, 1940

2012-05-11T21:54:00.002-03:00

Teacher Wed at Keene, N. H.

Goucher-Stone

From the collection of Madeline Goucher

Mr. and Mrs. Morrison Garfield Stone announce the marriage of their daughter, Madeline Elizabeth, to Mr. George Robert Goucher of this town, on Saturday. July 13, at Kcene, N. H. The ceremony was performed at the Congregational rectory by Rev. Mr. Jones, the pastor. The attendants were Miss Sybil Stone, sister of the bride, and Bernard Willard.

After a wedding trip through the White Mountain, Mr. and Mrs. Goucher will make their home with his parent;, Mr. and Mrs. Lionel Goucher on Main street. Mrs. Stone has been a teacher for the past ten" years In thc town schools, coming first to Ihe William E. Frost school and for Ihe past four years, teaching at the Cameron school. Mr. Goucher has been the driver of a school bus.

Source: "Teacher Wed at Keene, N. H.." The Lowell Sun 15 July 1940, Familylink.com Database ed.: 4. Print.

Jobs Your Ancestors Had: The Gong Farmer

2012-05-06T19:18:00.002-03:00

It's money all the way down

Medieval cities had zero plumbing. So, where did all that human waste go? Most large cities had public privies with large cesspits that captured human waste and these would fill up regularly and need to be cleaned out. This is when you called in the Gong Farmer.

A Gong Farmer was person who made it his job to empty cesspits and transport the waste to a destination usually located outside city boundaries. They were only allowed to work at night and in some cities were only allowed to live in certain areas. As you can imagine, these people didn’t smell the best and if someone from the 16^th century was complaining about your stink then your odor really must be something.

Once a privy’s cesspit became full, which could be months to years, a Gong Farmer was hired. He was paid pretty well but I can’t imagine the ordeal of cleaning out a hole with nothing but bucket and shovel that may well be full of many years’ worth of human feces.

Now to the best part of a Gong Farmer's job: He was not only waist deep in human excrement night after night but he also discovered all sorts of cool things. Cesspits could contain real mind shattering stuff from body parts to whole corpses; not to mention the babies. Oh yes, tiny babes who died or were unwanted were disposed of down there as well. I can't imagine that was an easy thing to look upon; even to a hardened 16th century Gong Farmer.

Remember this the next time you're bemoaning your pampered life in general.

Relation Creations: A unique, colorful way to display your family tree

2012-05-02T21:38:00.000-03:00

Here is something different: Relation Creations is a company that specializes in creating unique, decorative family tree prints of your family history. There are various themes you can choose from, and they have an option to upload a prepared GEDCOM file.

The themes are colorful and varied. I personally like the pine cone and needle theme which I think it is a fitting design for this particular hobby. Some other interesting designs are a family tree chart created around a Zen garden theme and one consisting of various garden peppers.

Check out their website: Relation Creations

The Macomber surname and it's spelling variations in North America

2012-04-28T13:44:00.002-03:00

How do you spell that again?

Funny thing about my surname: it is notorious for being misspelled. It's kind of a running joke in our family, that whenever a government official butchers our name on some document, the reasonable response is 'that's close enough.'

That seems to have been going on for quite some time. I was looking over some family birth certificates, recently, and I noticed that while I, my mother, my grandfather, and my great grandfather all share the same surname, they are spelled differently each and every time. So, I thought I'd write a few lines about it.

There are three main spelling variations of the Macomber surname. I've come across some interesting transcription errors like Macoumber, MacCumbard, McComfir, Macumbart, mucombor, to name a few, but the surnames below are the most common variations:

Macomber

This would be considered the original spelling if that means anything. It is the variation attached to Thomas Macomber (1560-1623), a merchant from Dorset, England, who is the earliest verifiable person with this surname. His three sons, John, Thomas, and William immigrated to America and this spelling is common in the New England states.

Macumber

While you can find this variation throughout New England, it is in Nova Scotia and the Maritimes in general, that this name is common. When two Macomber brothers, Ichabod and Stephen from Rhode Island, immigrated to Nova Scotia, the spelling changed from a 'O' to a 'U'. Another version is a Scottish/Irish hybrid spelled MacUmber.

McComber

A variation that has been turned into Scottish/Irish surname of sorts; you can find this spelling all over North America but it is most common to the Kahnawake Mohawk Territory in Quebec. This surname came to be popular because of an American named Jarvis Macomber (1788-1866) who as a young man came to live among that community and married a daughter of their chief. Another version found is McCumber.

The Life of Captain William Allen Macomber

2012-04-23T21:54:00.002-03:00

William Allen Macumber was born into a modest farming family, of New England origin on 22 Mar 1836 in Newport, Nova Scotia. His father, Jeremiah Macumber (1810-1858), a farmer and descendant of New England Planters whom immigrated to Nova Scotia after an invitation was extended to them by Governor Charles Lawrence after the French and Indian Wars of 1754-1763.[i] His Grandfather, Ichabod Macumber (1725-1809) and Uncle Stephen Macumber (b1780) are the founders of the Macumber families in the Maritime Provinces. Williams’s mother, Anne Wade (b1819), was descendant of English colonists. Jeremiah and Ann had three other children, not including William who was the eldest. His sister Martha was born on 22 Jul 1839 and Sarah Ann on 12 Jan 1842, both in Hants County, Nova Scotia. Of those two sisters I know nothing more. William’s youngest sister, Mary, was born in Newport, Nova Scotia in 1847 in Hants County, Nova Scotia. She unfortunately died of consumption on 30 Oct 1867 at age 20 years.[ii]

William, 27, married Alida Rhodes on 7 Aug 1963 in Kings County, Nova Scotia. On his marriage bond be describes himself as a Mariner.[iii] This marriage ended less than two years later. The exact reason remains unknown but it is likely that Alida died in child birth or complications after the fact. She might have also fallen ill. Whatever happened to Aliida, William remarried his second wife not long after. On 16 May 1865, William married Isabel McMonegal (b1835) in Hantsport, Nova Scotia.[iv] Isabel was the daughter of Hugh McMonegal (1787-1881) and Eleanor Fanning (1787-1875) who made their home in Lockhartville, Hantsport, Nova Scotia.

It is without question that he and his new bride moved around a lot. Their first child Adam Macumber (1867-1900) is believed to have been born in Halifax in 1867. [v]William worked for Towboat companies and it seems that travelling from place to place was part of the trade. In 1871 we find William and his little family in Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia. I don’t know if the family resided there but his second son, William Arthur Macumber was born there on 12 Dec 1871.[vi]

Years later, William is found living in North Sydney, Nova Scotia and his family now includes two more children. His daughter Emma was born about 1875 and Lillian was born about 1878.[vii] It’s not known if they were born in cape Breton or elsewhere nor is it known when exactly the family decided to make their home in North Sydney. There is a ‘Master Mariner’ named William McCumber living on Cunard Court in Halifax in a directory for the years 1874-1875.[viii]

It seems he decided to settle in cape Breton because the family shows up again in the 1891 census. His son Adam is described as a Sea Captain, like his father and his other son William Arthur is described as an Engineer’s Apprentice. [ix] His wife Isabel is still with him and his two daughters are living at home.

As his family grows, his son Adam moves his to Boston where like his father he works for a Towboat company. His work might have brought him to Halifax from time to time. His other son William Arthur is also living away. To Arthur’s whereabouts or that of William’s daughter Emma, I know nothing more. His youngest daughter, Lillian, there is a little more information. William sent her to attend the Acadia Seminary in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. It is not known when she completed her studies but her name is included in booklet listing attending students for the year 1896. She later worked for the Bell Printing company in Sydney, Nova Scotia, and worked on a short-lived magazine about Cape Breton.[x]

Two other listings put William as living in North Sydney. One from 1896, lists him as a ‘Captain tug’ living on Queen Street.[xi] The next, from 1897 lists him again as ‘captain tug’ now living on Pleasant Street, his son, Adam, is also listed as a ‘captain’ of a boat. William's boat is called the ‘Gladiator’ and Adam’s is called the ‘Nellie Reid.[xii] I can only guess that Adam’s listing and boat reflect his work away in Boston as the Nellie Reid was an American registered vessel.[xiii]

At some time between 1891 and March 1901, William’s wife, Isabel, passed away. The 1901 Census lists Adam living in what must be a boarding house in Halifax and describes him as ‘widowed’. [xiv] However, it seems he remained living in Cape Breton as his obituary says he is a former resident of North Sydney, residing in Sydney at the time of his death.[xv] It is interesting to note that late in his career and at the time of his death, William was the Captain of the Douglas H. Thomas, a large ocean tug owed by the Dominion Coal Company. The boat itself was originally built by Maritime Steel Co. for the P. Dougherty Company.[xvi] It was acquired by Dominion Coal from the Boston Towboat Company. Late in December 1901, the Douglas H. Thomas took Guglielmo Marconi along the coast from Glace Bay to Louisbourg to survey sites for radio transmitters. [xvii] It is possible that William was captain at this time.

William passed away on 2 Jan 1903 in Sydney, Nova Scotia.

[i] "LAWRENCE, CHARLES - Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online." Welcome to the DCB Online | Bienvenue au DBC en ligne. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Apr. 2012. <http://www.biographi.ca/009004-119.01-e.php?BioId=35574>

[ii] "Registration Year: 1867 - Book: 1809 - Page: 29 - Number: 14." Nova Scotia Historical Vital Statistics. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Apr. 2012. <https://www.novascotiagenealogy.com/ItemView.aspx?ImageFile=1809-29&Event=death&ID=30247>.

[iii] "Registration Year: 1863 - Book: 1800 - Page: 11732." Nova Scotia Historical Vital Statistics. NS Government, n.d. Web. 8 Apr. 2012. <https://www.novascotiagenealogy.com/ItemView.aspx?ImageFile=1800-11732&Event=marriage&ID=202267>

[iv] " Registration Year: 1865 - Book: 1826 - Page: 6 - Number: 46." Nova Scotia Historical Vital Statistics. Nova Scotia Government, n.d. Web. 22 Oct. 2011. <https://www.novascotiagenealogy.com/ItemView.aspx?ImageFile=1826-6&Event=marriage&ID=84881>

[v] "Massachusetts, Deaths, 1841-1915," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/N7F6-58R : accessed 9 April 2012), Adam A. Macomber (1900).

[vi] "Registration Year: 1872 - Book: 1814 - Page: 182 - Number: 38." Nova Scotia Historical Vital Statistics. Nova Scotia Government, n.d. Web. 10 Sept. 2011. <https://www.novascotiagenealogy.com/ItemView.aspx?ImageFile=1814-182&Event=birth&ID=62028>

[vii] "Canada Census, 1881," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MV6V-4S3 : accessed 9 April 2012), William Macoumber in household of William Macoumber (Sydney North, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada).

[viii] "Ancestry.com." McAlpine's Halifax city directory.. containing an alphabetical directory, street directory of householders with a complete business directory and directory of Dartmouth also an appendix.. Halifax, N.S.: David McAlpine, 1875. 238.Online.

[ix] "Canada Census, 1891," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MWK5-VVG : accessed 9 April 2012), William Maccumber (Sydney, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada)

[x] Macvicar, Wayne, 2010. "Vital Statistics From Cape Breton Newspapers", Volume 1.Mira Gut, Nova Scotia. Page 87.

[xi] McAlpine's Nova Scotia directory 1896, containing an alphabetical directory of each county, and a separate directory of the cities and provincial towns, also a directory of the Magdalen Islands, a complete business directory and indexes.. Halifax, N.S.: McAlpine Pub. Co., 1896. Ancestry.com.Online.

[xii] McAlpine's Nova Scotia directory 1897, containing an alphabetical directory of each county, and a separate directory of the cities and provincial towns, also a directory of the Magdalen Islands, a complete business directory and indexes.. Halifax, N.S.: McAlpine Pub. Co., 1896. Ancestry.com.Online

[xiii] "R. G. A. Weaver (Propeller), C90544, 1912: Maritime History of the Great Lakes." Maritime History of the Great Lakes. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Apr. 2012. <http://images.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca/22616/data?n=1>

[xiv] "Automated Genealogy 1901 Census Transcription Project." Automated Genealogy. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Apr. 2012. <http://automatedgenealogy.com/census/View.jsp?id=10918&highlight=36>

[xv] Macvicar, Wayne, 2010. "Vital Statistics From Cape Breton Newspapers", Volume 1.Mira Gut, Nova Scotia. Page 87.

[xvi] "Douglas H. Thomas." Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Home Port. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Apr. 2012. <http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca/Page.asp?PageID=1955>

[xvii] "December 27 - Canadian History Today - Canada's History - Today's Events." Northern Blue Publishing Home Page . N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Apr. 2012. <http://northernblue.ca/todayincanadianhistory/index.php/December_27>

Lowell Sun, Tuesday, August 10, 1926

2012-04-20T07:43:00.001-03:00

Macomber-Larson

Gertrude Katharine Larsen, daughter of Mr. Nils M. Larson of this city, and Mr. William James Macomber son of Mr. and Mrs. Lionel T. Goucher of Westford, were married Saturday afternoon, the ceremony being performed by Rev. John G. Lovell, pastor of the Chelmsford Congregational church, at his home in Chelmsford. They were attended by Miss Esther Larson, sister of the bride and Mr. Gordon A. Macomber,
a brother of the bridegroom.

The bride was attired in an afternoon gown of fern green satin crepe and wore a corsage of roses and lilies of the valley, while the bridesmaid wore blue figured crepe with a corsage of pink and white sweet peas. Mr. and Mrs. Macomber are to reside in Springfield and will be at home after Sept. 1.

A wedding announcement for William James Macomber (1898-1966), the brother of my GG Grandfather Adam McCumber (1884-1959). The announcement also mentions his other brother Gordon Adam Macomber (b.1900).