Spelling Don't Count, I Love Accents in Writing

Copyright 2018, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

1880 U.S. Census, 45th District, Bulloch County, Georgia.

May I draw your attention to Hesachier, errr, Hezekiah.

Now, try speaking the name Hezekiah only add a southern drawl.  Yea, that's it!

We will note that you can find this 14 year old's grandfather on the same census, same county, and his name is recorded as Hesachiah Bowen.

(Now the story on me, it only took me 6 months to figure this out.  Ya, really!)




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Birthday Observances, Evilena Darden Pierce

Copyright 2011, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

On March 11, 1849 in Isle of Wight County Virginia Evilena Darden was born to Charles Henry Darden and Nancy Seeds Darden, she was the 6th of 7 children born to that union.  Sometime between 1851 and 1856 Nancy died leaving Charles with children to raise.  Charles remarried in 1856, it is believed that Evilena's step-mother raised her until Evilena married.

In 1869 Evilena married William Norfleet Pierce, son of Norfleet Pierce and his wife, Martha Butler Pierce.

Announcement of marriage
PIERCE - DARDEN
From The Petersburg Index,
Petersburg, Virginia
October 12, 1869, page 2, column 2.

Evilena and William had 6 children:

1.)  Sally S. Pierce, born 1871, died 1872.
2.)  Lillie Eva Pierce, born 1872, died 1873
3.)  Edward Thomas Pierce, born 1873, died 1874
4.)  Theodore Lebe Pierce, born 1875, death date has not been discovered, last record 1920 U.S. Census.
5.)  Lucy N. Pierce, who married Leighton Algeon Wright, she was born 1880 and died in 1950
6.)  W. R. Pierce, born and died in 1887.

The birth and death records of Isle of Wight County Virginia at times can be extremely difficult to read, even though I have reviewed those records on microfilm more times than I can count, it is entirely possible that I have missed children and other information on Evilena and William's children.

A photo of Evilena's headstone is at Find A Grave, thanks to Thomas J. Harris.




* Evilena's name is a delightful case of "Spelling Don't Count", having been found spelled as Evalena, Evelina, Evilina, Everlina and in one census report even appears to be Everham.

MMMMM, Spelling Don't Count? Does It? Even If It Is In Indexing - -

Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

The other evening, I was looking at documents and files that I have not properly processed.  Yea, I have a few.

So, after typing an obituary or two, filling in dates, places, tidbits of great data from a death certificate, I decided it was time to see what I might turn up over at FamilySearch.

I was looking for a marriage of Sam(uel) Bean and his bride, Nellie Mae/May Gregory.  Nellie's father was James Gregory and her mother was Nellie Lashbrook.

Now, one would think, that Lashbrook would be sorta easy to read and write and index.  Surprisingly, I have found that is not so.  Well, let's say it this way, I am always surprised and a bit tickled (black humor makes one laugh at strange things) at how I do find Lashbrook spelled.

Today's offering is a classic:

Groom's Name: Sam Bean
Groom's Birth Date: 1877
Groom's Birthplace: Chickasaw Co, Ia.
Groom's Age: 22
Bride's Name: May Gregery
Bride's Birth Date: 1881
Bride's Birthplace: Floyd Co, Ia.
Bride's Age: 18
Marriage Date: 09 Oct 1899
Marriage Place: Nashua, Chickasaw, Iowa
Groom's Father's Name: L. L. Bean
Groom's Mother's Name: Ester Cliaitlan
Bride's Father's Name: James Gregery
Bride's Mother's Name: Mary Sishebrook
Groom's Race: White
Groom's Marital Status: Single
Groom's Previous Wife's Name:
Bride's Race: White
Bride's Marital Status: Single
Bride's Previous Husband's Name:
Indexing Project (Batch) Number: M02558-6
System Origin: Iowa-EASy
Source Film Number: 1027436
Reference Number: bk1 p125
Collection: Iowa Marriages, 1809-1992

Sishebrook, gotta love it!  Course, the groom's mother' name is a bit off too, as I believe her to be Esther Cleveland, not Ester Cliaitlan.
 
Sometime I hope to pull the film and get a copy of the record for myself.  I hope/feel that I will find the index reads this way because of a case of horrible handwriting, or faded pages. Well, I don't really want faded pages, so, let's just go with, horrible handwriting on the original record.  (I dream of pulling that film in Salt Lake City, yea, at THAT library!)
 
In the meantime, another thanks to FamilySearch, even with the funny spellings in the index, I have more information on this couple and their marriage than I did have. 

And, so to answer the question posed in the title of this post --  Nahhhhh

Spelling Don't Count

 - - in family research.

(Or in indexes.)

*Graphic courtesy of Philip Martin

**And to think, that I had Samuel in my data base for years as Samuel Beau, not Samuel Bean. Handwriting got me on that one  - -  again! LOL

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Spelling Don't Count, WO style

Cousin and fellow WO, Anne, has started her own genie blog, Gene Notes.  Congrats!  Her very first post, is about a subject that the WO's discuss ALL the time, SPELLING!!

Cousin and fellow WO, Karen, who blogs over at Genealogy Frame of Mind, has hit on this spelling theme as well, as she did in her post, Four Things To Remember... , and Spelling Don't Count... . 

I have mentioned this a few times as well, I checked and I have at least 6 posts in which I have "labeled" spelling, such as Spelling Don't Count, Spelling don't count, indexing either, Spelling don't count, even IF it is in stone, and Spelling Don’t Count, Even in Indexing, Save Me Please!

Yes siree, the WO's have and will continue to discuss spelling issues in family history.  Spelling and indexing, some of our favorite subjects.  Over the years we have composed and sent hundreds of emails on these two subjects alone!

Stay tuned, I am real sure that Anne, Karen and I will bring up this subject again, probably many times! 

Spelling Don't Count!!!!

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Birthday Observances, Alfred Leonard Lashbrook, AKA Alfred Leonard Keezer

Alfred was born November 25, 1888 in Nebraska according to his World War I Registration document.  Alfred's birth parents are unknown to this researcher.

Alfred was raised (adopted?) by Richard Alvin Lashbrook and his wife, Lemery Sevar Sharp Lashbrook.  Richard and Lemery raised (adopted) another child, Nevada May Pershall.  Both children were mentioned in Richard's will in 1932. In his father's probate file Albert is identified by three names, Alfred Keezer Lashbrook, Alfred Lashbrook, and Alfred Keezer.

Alfred was rather difficult to trace through internet available data bases.  He was found in the World War I Registration data base at Ancestry.com.  After many searches with both surnames and many spellings used, we did find him on the 1910, 1920 and 1930 census reports in California.  Spellings, our most wonderful friend and foe in family research: 1910 Alfred Keezer; 1920 Alfred L. Kezer; and 1930 indexed as Alfred Keyer, but this researcher saw the surname as Keezer.

A. L. Keezer of the Arrow Head Mine filed an Affidavit of Labor & Improvements on Mining Claims, Shasta County, California in Books 1 - 7, 1891 to 1941 as follows:  Interest, recorded in 1931-32; Affidavit signed June 1, 1932; P7-470 filed June 2, 1932 (All in book 6).

Alfred died on March 4, 1937.

A kind volunteer, Robin Bills located and transcribed the short death notice she found in "The Searchlight Redding", Shasta Co., California, Friday, March 5, 1937.

"Alfred Kezzer, aged 45, passed on Thursday night at the county hospital. He was a resident of Whiskeytown.  Kezzer, an exserviceman, is survived by his widow, Mrs. Thelma Kezzer, and one child. Funeral arrangements, in charge of the Home Undertaking Company, are pending."

Alfred, left, World War I era.

Alfred's photo was kindly shared by Linda J. Harney, a descendant of Nevada May Peshall Lashbrook Merrck.  I have digitally edited this photo by cropping.  The original photo was of both Alfred and Nevada.

*Descendants of both Alfred and Nevada speak of their ancestor's adoption by the Lashbrooks.  I have not located any "formal" adoption papers, YET.  In my research I have found that in this time frame (pre-1900) many children were adopted and raised without benefit of  "formal" papers.

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Spelling Don’t Count, Even in Indexing, Save Me Please!

In my quest for Dews and Creekmores, I went back to Ancestry this AM. I was particularly interested in the Creekmore clan in the 1930 census. Looking specifically for Lloyd and Essie Creekmore, I knew they should be in Norfolk Virginia . My searches for Creekmore or even Creekm* were falling flat. No hits. Well, not for Lloyd and Essie. So, in semi-desperation, I searched for Essie, no surname, born Virginia, living in Norfolk County Virginia. Click search! Almost the first hit on my results was for Essie Aukerman. Age was within decent parameters - - in other words, close enough to catch my attention. So, I hovered over the entry and was not so surprised, but happy to find, Loyd, Essie, Loyd (son) and Essie (daughter). Well, my my.

The extraction for the index reads (noting I edited out some information):

1930 United States Federal Census
Name: Loyd H Aukerman
Home in 1930: Norfolk, Norfolk (Independent City), Virginia
Age: 50
Estimated birth year: abt 1880
Birthplace: Virginia
Relation to Head of House: Head
Spouse's name: Essie
Race: White
Household Members: Name Age
Loyd H Aukerman 50
Essie Aukerman 41
Loyd H Aukerman 13
Essie E Aukerman 11
Carrol W Aukerman 6
Walter E Bishop 21
Carncher E Newsome 69

Goodness, this is my Creekmore clan, indexed as Aukerman. Here is image, enhanced with Photoshop, but, NOT altered in content. I see Creekmore. Ok, the handwriting leaves some to be desired, do you hear the understated sarcasm?

A classic example of spelling don’t count, even in indexing. Oh, save me please!

* Special thank you to friend and researcher Amy, who read my other posts on Mary Dews and subsequent research attempts on the Creekmore connection and forwarded me some additional information.  Thanks so very much Amy!

Birthday Observances, Wallace Washingon Stow

Wallace Washington Stow or Stowe was reportedly born on October 19, 1855 in Delaware County, Iowa to David H. Stow and his wife Betsy Clark.  (Stated as "reportedly", as I have no birth record for Wallace, family tradition supplies the information.) 

Wallace married Sarah Ann Stuart, daughter of Charles Stuart (also found spelled Stewart) and his second wife Margaret Ann Sharp.)

Wallace reportedly died on April 1, 1933 and is reportedly buried at Graceland Cemetery, Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa.  (Have no death record or verification from the cemetery that he is buried there.)

Wallace and Sarah had two children, Ray R. Stow (1882 to 1949) and Grace Althea Stow (1890 to 1968)  Ray married Rekah Johnson, of whom we know little.  Grace married Frank Arthur Waitman (1888 to 1972). 

Some of the family research that has been so graciously shared with me over the years concerning this family had physical descriptions of many of the family members, Wallace was described as "a small man with a light complexion." *

Wallace, Ray, Grace and Sarah Stow **

Spelling Don't Count: 

Wallace's father's name is spelled as Stow in our data base.  Marriage record of Wallace and Sarah has name spelled as Stow, however the index to marriages for Hamilton County has the name spelled Stowe***.  Ray's World War I Draft Registration has the name spelled as Stow.  On Grace's death certificate, her father's name is given as Stow, and her mother's maiden  name is spelled Stewart.  However, we have Wallace's surname recorded as Stowe in the data base and on the 1910 census enumeration report.

Spelling Don't Count.

*  Libbie Jaquis Ressler, compiler, "Record Book of Stuart, Lashbrook and Jaquis Families" (:, 1923)

** Photo courtesy of  Helen Gallmeyer DeWitt and Janet Jaquis Barnes.

*** Iowa Genealogical Society, compiler, "Hamilton County, Iowa, Early Marriage Records, 1857-1899" (Des Moines, Iowa: Iowa Genealogical Society, May 1983)
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When spelling DOES count

You have all heard me, at least once or twice (okay, more like once or twice a day) say:

SPELLING DON'T COUNT !
When you are searching, that is so, so true.

However, there are exceptions to every rule, here is one.

I am working on cemetery records to be published. We walk the cemeteries, record em, work with sexton or whatever records we can find, we walk them again after they are typed. We check placement in the cemetery, row by row, we check for correct dates, we check for spellings and relationships.

After all corrections are done, we check again, against the old published books, which were done by the DAR during the 1930's and 1940's, when a lot of these stones still had inscriptions you could read.

So, today's work, I find the DAR records show: Ayers

When we walked this cemetery we found: Ayres.

Guess I will be making one more trip out there and check these stones again, cause when you are responsible for the recording,

SPELLING DOES COUNT!

Spelling don't count, even IF it is in stone

In the search of the Elusive Ella, which I will chat about some time, but not now, Cousin Reb, was looking at every Trumbo she could find at Ancestry.com. So far, Ella is still elusive, but, it got me to thinking - - - -

Spelling don't count, however, in some search engines, you can use a wild card feature, most search engines require that you type in 3 letters first, then wild card. This works quite well, most of the time, but not so well if the 3rd letter is a vowel. So, what I do when the 3rd letter is a vowel is to search every spelling possible by changing the vowel. First I search with what we consider to be the normal spelling. Then, I switch vowels, so, Trumbo would become Trambo, then Trembo, and so forth. It is quite surprising what I find that way. Found Man's grandmother's birth that way, after looking for 3 years, again, another story, another time.

I was gonna drop Cousin Reb a email and ask her if she had searched that way, when I remembered Zachariah, one of my Trumbos. Zachariah Z. Trumbo is my g g grandfather. He is buried out in Joplin County Missouri. I believe that it was Cousin Reb that got me a photo of his headstone.

Let me tell you, not sure even my tricks of changing vowels would work for ole Zach, proof positive that spelling don't count, even IF it is inscribed in stone.

Got to love it, Z. Z. Treembo.

*I even have a theory of how this happened, whomever ordered the stone wrote Trumbo with the "U" having loops, the cursive "U" now becomes a double "E".

Spelling don't count, indexing either

I just love spelling in family history. I love indexing even more than I love spelling.

Indexed at Ancestry.com as: Abe Clackenburg, Abrham Quackenbush (added by a user/researcher) and Abe Crackenburlz (added by who knows??)

Need I say more??

*Image from Ancestry.com

Spelling don't count

Oh, boy, there she goes again!

Those that know me, maybe have attended a class (genealogy) that I have taught, know that one of the first lessons I will teach, and one that I repeat over and over, is that

"Spelling Don't Count"

(And, grammar does not much either!)

In family research we deal with bad spellings and worse indexing every time we snoop around. Yes, everytime.

Had a lady once, Polish descent, came into the LDS library, insisted her maiden name had been spelled only one way, forever. We had to do everything we could to not fall down on the floor rolling in laughter. She was sure, very very sure, 1000% sure. We tried to explain, might not be, maybe someone recording her name could not spell, did not hear the name correctly, could not spell the Polish name. Nope, name has ALWAYS been spelled this way. My advise: drop the research, go home, take up quilting. Think she must have taken that advise, never saw her again in that library.

I was not being mean, really! I was trying to share with her my experience and that of anyone who has done research. To be successful at research, you must have an open and creative mind, especially about spelling.

Think it is just Polish or other Slavic names that are misspelled. Nope. Have a English name, maybe French before that, from English speaking family, have numerous spellings. Some day I will share them with you.

I will probably share others, as they come up in my research, as they stir my soul with either humor or angst. In the meantime, here is last night's find, happens to be German, I think. Still working on that.

Surname searching for: Grindinger

Found on 1910 census, indexed and written as: Grenigan.

Spelling Don't Count!