12-18-01

Hello all!  First I would like to wish all a wonderful and happy holiday season!

Seems as though for some reason, (most likely my error!), many people did not receive several of the more recent update newsletters. All should be in working order this time (keeping my fingers crossed!). (If you would like to see an outline of previous updates, please go to the "What's New" <http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~familyhistorypages/New.htm > page on my website).

I have returned from a wonderful vacation in Oregon (brought home LOTS more goodies!) and I've upgraded to Windows XP. Took a bit for me to work out a few bugs, but all is smooth sailing again.... (gotta admit XP is cool!) I have a new toy with XP I have been experimenting with.. a photo slide show I can post online! Still working out the details, but I know I will be able to add text with a little bit of work, and maybe voice or music to the photos too! Might make it a little more fun to see all of the family photos this way!...

I have so much NEW information, and I just can't get it all compiled and posted fast enough! I will do my best to get it online as soon as I can...in the meantime, let me tell you what I have posted thus far.... Anderson/Andersen....I now have census, church and parish, records of the Andersen, Larsen, Jensen, Jensdatter Christensen, Christensdatter lines of Smidie, Bælum Parish, and also the Aars Parish both in the Hellum district of Aalborg County, Denmark as far back as 1801 !!!

I have updated the family tree on World Connect...LOTS of new relatives! <http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=SHOW&db=conniespindel&recno=0>

Coming Soon....

Siblings of Poul Anderson (now 2, brother Andreas and sister Karen) and their information,

Departure/arrival information, route, name and a description of the ship, in which the Larsen family traveled to America from Denmark and census records while in Denmark.

Samuel Larsen and Poul Andersen's Naturalization papers scanned & posted.

In addition I have obits, letters, census and information of the Calkins, Dickerson, Gibson, Huston, Kennett, Logan, Powers, Seaman, Sheets, Shinn and Welton lines....I'll get to it all as soon as I can!

I have been rather busy trying to decipher all of the census records of the Robison families (I am cataloguing all of the Robison's listed in the state of Ohio census for 1830 to 1860). Hopefully this will help us determine which Robison family we actually connect to!

Additional census records for Batson, Huston, Calkins and Robison will be posted soon too!

I have added information and updated some of the pages to reflect this new info. Here is the direct link for the "What's New" page.

<http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~familyhistorypages/New.htm>

I have added a neat little item on most of my pages...a little box which will let you and all visitors see if I am currently online or not. If I am, you can click on the box and we can have an instant chat...no more bouncing e-mails back and forth! You can leave a message from there too or as always from my e-mail link.

Some of you have asked about getting our own chat room, and maybe in the future...it sounds like it would be a good thing, but right now I am just too swamped... any volunteers??? Another suggestion is our own web ring...I belong to several and they have attracted many visitors. I'm not sure how many of you have your own websites, (I know of a few of you do!). If you think we could get enough of us together to make a ring with at least a few sites (4-5) listed (more would join once we get it going I'm sure), then maybe it's something to think about...We would have to decide on a main theme that all our sites would qualify for....Any thoughts?

Oh I did want to also mention another website that I have been getting quite a few leads from lately... GenCircles. It's another free site like Rootsweb and World Connect, but they do something a little different here... You upload your gedcom and then it will automatically check your tree against other trees submitted and look for possible matches.... I have already been able to fill in a few gaps this way! I think once it really gets up and rolling it will be a great tool for all researchers! Give it a try, like I said it's free and you keep control of all rights to your information. Let me know if you find any leads "K"? <http://www.gencircles.com/globaltree/>

Ancestry.com is now offering a free genealogy program to download, I have not tried it yet but would like to know your experiance with it if you have given it a try...

Well friends and family, I may not speak with some of you again until the New Year so let me once again wish you a ........

GREAT HOLIDAY SEASON

and a

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

11-19-01

Hello All, First please let me wish all a wonderful and happy Thanksgiving! As you know I was on vacation for a bit and just before I left and since I returned it seems the family history floodgate has opened! I have so much NEW information, and I just can't get it all compiled and posted fast enough! I will do my best to get it online as soon as I can...in the meantime, let me tell you what I have posted thus far.... Anderson/Andersen....I now have census, church and parish, records of the Andersen, Larsen, Jensen, Jensdatter Christensen, Christensdatter lines of Smidie, Bælum Parish, and also the Aars Parish both in the Hellum district of Aalborg County, Denmark as far back as 1801 !!! I never thought I would get there, but with the wonderful help of Martin Andersen (no relation) in Denmark we now have LOTS of info of this line in Denmark! I have updated the family tree on World Connect...So many new relatives! <http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=SHOW&db=conniespindel&recno=0>

What's to be posted ..... coming Soon! I have the departure/arrival information, route, name and a description of the ship, in which the Larsen family traveled to America from Denmark. I have copies of Samuel Larsen and Poul Andersen's Naturalization papers and I will be scanning and posting them soon as well. In addition I have information of the Dickerson, Gibson, Huston, Kennett, Logan, Powers, Seaman and Shinn lines....I'll get to it all as soon as I can! I have added information and updated some of the pages to reflect this new info. I also updated my Home Page. I am not too sure what is going on right now with Roots Web, but after uploading the revised Home Page, it won't seem to open...maybe they are working on their servers or something... Anyway the other pages seem to be working fine...So if you can't get to the home page, go ahead and try from the "What's New" page, I've added the links to the new pages there. <http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~familyhistorypages/New.htm> Again, I wish everyone a great holiday and a full tummy!

10-7-01

Hello all,

I have been busy behind the scenes, collecting new information, making adjustments and in some cases corrections to information currently posted. I have a LONG list of new items that will be added to the website as soon as I have the opportunity. New published references, obits, census records, and PHOTOS to name a few items of what will be coming next.

I have also been experimenting with a new genealogy software program (Legacy), which has a FREE/NO TIME LIMIT restriction download of version 3. As most of you know I use Generations Suite 8 by Sierra, but thought I would see how this other program performs. Particularly for 2 reasons....

1. It has had very high ratings by users and software critics

2. It's free...Many people have asked me which program they should buy. Many are still doing their research WITHOUT the aid of a software program! If this program meets my expectations (and so far looks to be great) then I will be able to recommend those who are looking for a program not to BUY one, but instead use this one for FREE! If any of you are currently using this software, I would really appreciate your comments....If you are interested in giving it a try yourself, the free download can be found at this address...

http://www.legacyfamilytree.com/

As it goes with researching our family, I have been fortunate to recently meet many new and wonderfully nice family/researchers/friends. The main family branches they are researching are the Batson, Dickerson, Gibson, Huston, Mann, Robison, Sheets, & Welton branches. Some I have been working with over the last few weeks and others I have met in the last few days... I'll be introducing them to you in the coming newsletter.....

I will be "off line" for the next two weeks.....We are going on a "much needed" vacation. Traveling to Oregon to see family and then down through California to visit friends and then back home to Las Vegas. One of the fun things I will be doing in Oregon will be to go through my Grandmothers attic. It's been relatively untouched in the last 40 years or so....I have NO IDEA what I may find! Also when I am up there I will be trying to touch base with a lady who's family I have had the pleasure of meeting while researching my Anderson family in Denmark. I have no family ties to this person, but Hans who is helping me in my Danish Anderson research has located a branch of his family in Oregon. It is another example of how genealogists are able to help each other around the world! Hans is helping me in Denmark, & I am helping him in the US.

With all that has been going on I have not had the chance to add any actual pages to the website the last two weeks, but the changes and additions I mentioned to the family tree will be posted to my tree located on World Connect some time later tonight,

My World Connect Gedcom address is;

http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?db=ConnieSpindel&I11.x=35&I11.y=12 

I hope to come home with more information of the Gibson & Anderson branches of the family and better yet, hopefully well rested and ready to "get at it" again!

Before I close this letter I would like to make mention of the events which started to unfold last night involving our armed forces. We have begun our assault on the terrorists in Afghanistan. It is an uneasy time for all, not only those of us who reside in the US.

Most all who receive this newsletter had forefathers who immigrated to the Unites States. Many came to escape the persecution, which had been taking place in their homelands, and others for the opportunity to make a life for their family based on their own abilities and reap the rewards of their accomplishments.

Whatever the reason they chose to come, all came knowing and believing in the very ideal our men are fighting for now. We as Americans, all come from brave and strong ancestors. Strong in their beliefs and brave in their actions. Times have changed, but the ideals have not. I congratulate our armed forces for their bravery and I wish them god speed. I hope the US and our allies are able to accomplish the task at hand and most of all safely.

If you have not had the chance to visit the website I have linked to my home page, please do take the opportunity to do so soon. I think it will offer hope and condolence to many and will demonstrate the World's commitment in stopping terrorists.

This is the address.... http://wtc-tribute.rtx1.com/index.html 

Another wonderful site worth checking out was sent to me by fellow researcher Linda Adkins,  http://www.deafdate.com/

In closing,

I'll be back in two weeks, ready to work and will be adding LOTS more info. In the meantime, please feel free to send me mail and I will answer upon my return.

9-13-2001

Items Added:

GenUtil a GREAT shareware/free program to calculate age and birth date from gravestone info! And will convert surname to soundex for you too! Download here! <http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~familyhistorypages/GenUtil.htm>

Thanks to Mary June Butler I am able to add these obits, photos and also the bio of Matilda and Cyrus! Thanks so much for sharing Mary June!

Obit <http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~familyhistorypages/GibsonObits.htm> of Hulda Carson-Gibson

Obit <http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~familyhistorypages/GibsonObits.htm> of Matilda Gibson-Kennett

Obit <http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~familyhistorypages/GibsonObits.htm> of Valentine Kennett

Obit <http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~familyhistorypages/GibsonObits.htm> of Cyrus C. Gibson

Obit <http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~familyhistorypages/GibsonObits.htm> of Anna M. Crabbs

Autobiography <http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~familyhistorypages/MatildaGibsonKennettBio.htm> of Matilda Gibson-Kennett…This is a MUST READ!! So interesting!

Headstone <http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~familyhistorypages/Headstone_of_Cyrus_Gibson.htm> photo of Cyrus Gibson & Annie Missouri Crabbs-Young-Gibson

Photo <http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~familyhistorypages/CyrusGibsonBio.htm> and Bio of Cyrus Gibson & wife Anna Crabbs

Gibson-Thompson Cemetery  <http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~familyhistorypages/Gibson-ThompsonCemeteryIA.htm>of Greene County, Iowa Transcribed!!

9-6-2001

Items Added:

1840, 1850, 1856, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920 Census records <http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~familyhistorypages/CensusIndex.htm> for Gibson

Miller Cemetery, McPherson Co, NE <http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~familyhistorypages/MillerCemeteryNE.htm> “ Gibson” surname

1830 Census <http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~familyhistorypages/CensusIndex.htm> listing for Michael Mann

Bio of Archelaus Gibson & Hulda Carson <http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~familyhistorypages/ArchelausGibsonBio.htm>

Bio of Albert Gibson & Mary Seaman <http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~familyhistorypages/AlbertGibsonBio.htm>

Family researcher Mary June Butler has identified everyone in this Gibson <http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~familyhistorypages/Gibson12.htm> photo!

Mary June also supplied this photo of Archelaus’ <http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~familyhistorypages/Headstone_of_Archelaus_Gibson.htm> headstone and the photo of

Hulda Carson-Gibson <http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~familyhistorypages/ArchelausGibsonBio.htm>, wife of Archelaus!

Additional researchers’ and their surnames listed on the “Family Researchers” <http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~familyhistorypages/OurFamilyResearchers.htm> page

New Information…

A HUGE “Thank You” to Dorothy Gibson Tuttle who has been researching the Gibson line for several years. We now have 3 more generations! (About 700 people!), added to the Gibson line, starting with Thomas Gibson 1674-1734 Virginia. All because of the many years of hard work and dedication Dorothy has devoted to the Gibson line! Details coming soon! Betty Martin, researcher of the Huston line has added MANY new names to our Huston branch using the “Family Group Sheet Input Form”. <http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~familyhistorypages/groupsheet2.htm> Most I have been able to add to the family tree located at World Connect <http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?db=ConnieSpindel&I11.x=35&I11.y=12>, and the rest will be added shortly! Thanks again Betty!We have a “new found” family member, Mary June Butler! She has photos and information of the Gibson and Kennett families, which we will be adding to this site as fast as I can prepare them! (See photos mentioned above).I have redirected the family tree link to the World Connect <http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?db=ConnieSpindel&I11.x=35&I11.y=12> site, for the time being, while I update my gedcom to include all related documents and records of each individual and all the new additions! The family tree has now grown to almost 4,000 relatives, and more will be added soon!!I have also added a “Quick Link” to this website. You can now reach this site with the address of <http://committed.to/familyhistory> A lot less typing and MUCH easier to remember!

8-23-01

Hello everyone!

Well it's update time again! I have been quite busy this last few weeks and MIGHT be ALMOST catching up....Well not really, have LOTS more to post, but I did get 1/2 of my desk cleared off so feel lots better!

Rather than list individually all of the additions for this update, I have included a link below to the update page, which has all of the details....

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~familyhistorypages/New.htm

In addition I have created a "quick link" to my site with a MUCH shorter address! it is...

http://committed.to/familyhistory

Either of the addresses (committed...   or   freepages...) will take you to the entry page of the site.

Speaking of the entry page, I have a little story about the photo I have used for the entry logo. This is a photo of the Gibson side of the family. I had tried very hard to decipher the writing on the back of the photo and finally came up with "T.Ryron to Nebraska in 15 days". I knew the family pictured was Fred, Lottie and kids, and thought the other man must be T.Ryon, obviously a family friend,(why else would he be in the photo??)

Well the story is only partially true.....

Actually I find Albert Gibson and son Fred purchased in 1913 land (640 acres each) in Tryon, McPherson County, Nebraska! T.Ryon was not a family friend as I had thought, but actually a place they had moved to! The "other" man in the photo on closer inspection was Albert Gibson! Only goes to show ya, when you think you know something... the chance is pretty good your wrong!

Gotta admit I got a chuckle or two from my mistake!

And of mistakes......

Please notice I have recently found out (with the assistance of family researchers Betty Martin and Tom Baker) the connection I originally had with Elizabeth Mann as being the wife of John Thomas Huston is WRONG! John's wife was Elizabeth Watt/Watts! This will make for quite a few changes in the family tree structure! I have updated my gedcom at World connect to reflect the change (with new names added to several lines of the family!) and am working to make the correction to the gedcom I have posted onsite as well. Tom has sent me Huston marriage certificates and cemetery listings, which are now posted, and Betty has added MANY names to our tree! Betty used the "Family Group Sheet" input form and sent me over 70 pages of new information! (about 85% I have posted, will have the rest done soon!) A big Thanks to Betty and Tom!

World connect tree

http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?db=conniespindel

Another little tid bit...Seems Abe Lincoln was involved with the Huston & Birks families as their lawyer and also I have recently found out another side of the family too.. an offshoot of the Dickerson branch! I will be adding a page soon of "Abe" and his connections to our tree. If you have any stories you would like to share (of Abe or any other interesting stuff), please send it along!

Until next time...

8-10-2001

Hello everybody,

Well guys, summer is nearing the end...and I'm another year older...Yep, another birthday, I decided long ago I didn't want to count them any more, just be thankful I've had another one!

I have been pretty busy these last few weeks and have been able to add some more info to the site. I have met yet another cousin, Diane Higgins... WELCOME to the family gathering Dianne! I also have had the chance to once again connect with Kay LaMunyon. Her schedule has been pretty full as of late, but hopefully we will be able to get together and "compare notes" soon! Another new acquaintance of the family is Sharen, she is related to the Huston/Batson line. She has sent me a gedcom and I will be adding her information soon! And to add to our growing online family is Laurie. Laurie is researching the Birks/Finders branch and has sent to me a HUGE gedcom!! I have not had the chance to really sit down and go through it...I will soon Laurie, I promise! AND last but not least, I want to mention Linda Adkins. Linda is researching a Gibson line, but as of yet we have not been able to connect her Gibson's and mine...but she has been able to find in her local area of Nebraska, information for me of my Gibson's and also my Anderson line. Although not confirmed as a relative she is most defiantly confirmed as a friend!

Now to the site updates.....

First I would like to mention I have added obits for Crystal Herndon/ Batson and Twyla Winemiller/ Bradley. 

Crystal died Sat. August 4th, 2001. Janice and her mother Crystal have been a great help in researching the Batson line. Crystal’s recollections of growing up in the Batson Bottoms area of Worth Co, MO have been a priceless addition to our family history. I have sent a letter to Janice, but would also like to add here my condolences to Janice Herndon-Garrett, daughter of Crystal Batson-Herndon. I am truly sorry for your loss Janice.

Created & posted a homestead land diagram for McPherson Co, NE showing Albert J. Gibson & Fred Garfield Gibson’s homesteads, as well as the surrounding neighbors in 10 Sections of Townships 19 & 20.

Received for site content, the “Top 10 Sites” Award from Site Critique.net, for month of July 2001!

I am a little closer to locating (I hope) the Nat. papers of Paul Anderson & Samuel Larsen.

Received this week the first (of many more hopefully!) additions to out family tree via the new input form. This information is from a newly found cousin, Diane Higgins! Thanks Diane!

I have been collecting information of Mordecai Batson of VA, trying to see if an actual connection can be made between Mordecai and possible son William Batson Sr. If you have any information...please share!

Should soon be receiving the probate papers I ordered of the Robison/Dickerson connections in Sauk Co, WI. They are of Benjamin Calkin, Henry Dickerson & Thomas Dickerson. Hopefully this will lead to new discoveries!

I am in the process of creating a page listing which will be posted on the website, of those who are researching our family (that’s you!) and listing, surnames and your e-mail address and/or web address. If you would like to be included on this list, please e-mail me the information, as you would like it posted.

I will NOT add you to the list unless you do request to be added, so please don’t forget to e-mail me!…

If you have made any new connections or discoveries within our tree, please let me know and I will post the information here!

Remember...Sharing is Caring!

Until next time...take care and stay cool!

7-31-2001

Hello again everyone!

Today I added a "Family Group Sheet Input Form”. You can access the form from my home page from the "Contribute or Correct" link. It took some doing, but looks as though it will work out great!

Now .... how do you use this new "thingy"!!

Just fill out the form with any information you have on your branch of the family, which I don't have already posted. If you find I have something in error posted, please make the correction here. I will then be able to compile all our information into one group effort. The whole family working on the family tree! We should be able to soon have a clear picture of our tree and it will be much easier to see where we need to gather more info.

7-25-2001

Quick note…This site has just been highlighted in the Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter! Posted on Ancestry, Inc. You can see the posting at http://www.ancestry.com/library/view/columns/eastman/4290.asp

7-25-2001

I have located the marriage certificates of Emily Robison (m. 1860 John M. Baker) & Eunice Robison (m. 1865 James Caukin) and the land purchase record of their father Joseph Robison for the land in Sauk Co, WI 1858. They are on their way to me. Once I get them I will post them online. I ordered the marriage certificate of John Wesley Anderson & Alta Elizabeth Robison m. 1906, Hall Co, NE. and will be posting it soon!Mostly this week I worked on the html code, to allow Netscape browsers to view my pages correctly. I am almost done, but not quite! I have added a new section which will be posted shortly, “Who, What, Where, When & Why”. This section will document the locations and timeframe of my main surnames. New winners to my “Awards Presented” page; please visit them when you get the time! You might have noticed the little transition code to the entry page, just something to perk things up a bit…please let me know what you think! I have been toying with the idea of adding a “jukebox” to the home page. This would allow you to choose IF you would like to listen to music while viewing my pages, and if so you can choose the titles or let it play randomly. Please offer your thoughts.I have added a section for “Family History Publications”, but the link is not yet active…will be soon! Well that’s about it for this week… Hope everyone is enjoying summer!

7-17-2001

Created a listing of the websites who have qualified for my “Genealogy Award of Excellence”. Please check out their sites, all are worth viewing! (Link on my home page) Added the "Genealogy Pages Web Ring" to this site.

7-13-2001

Hello all!

Hope you are having a great summer! I haven't seen much of the out of doors this past few months as I have been working on getting my website in shape. (So much for the tan this year!)

Well I think I've done it <said with a huge sigh of total exhaustion... grin>!

I hope it will be easier for you to navigate and find the info of your family branch.

I have added new info and LOTS more photos! More will be on the way soon, as I will now have time to devote to it...I hope!

I have received additional information during the past month on almost all of the family branches and will be posting it as soon as I can.

I am updating the family tree files and will post the new revision soon. One of the features I will be adding to the family tree files is a notation of all of the types of documentation I have of each individual. This should make it easier for us to see what documents are available and what still needs to be found.

Since you are all familiar with my web site, I would really appreciate your comments and suggestions of where I might make changes, additions or improvements. I want this to be an effective tool for all of us, where we can gather and share information of the various branches of our tree.

Well it is time I head outdoors and see what the world looks like...grab a glass of ice tea and sleep in the hammock for about a week!...Oh well sounded good anyway!

Until my next update letter.....

Take care,

Connie

6-24-2001

Hello everyone. I wanted to write a quick note as it has almost been a month since I last updated you about my site. I have not added any new items as I have been in the process of completely re-vamping my site, hopefully making it much easier to navigate and faster loading too. I hope you will like the results! I do have new articles and information I have added and still have been aquiring information of the various branches of the family. All will be included in the new site. I hope to have it online in the next few weeks...I'll keep you posted!

5-15-2001

Updated my family tree & added over 100 people!

Created a "Funnies" page with "old time era" jokes.

Added article of the 1876 Richland Co, OH, Pioneer Re-Union- LOTS of surnames!

"How to read and understand legal land descriptions" from the research tips link on my home page.

5-4-2001

Transcribed letters written to Blanch Anderson-Gibson 1920-1930's

History of John Melrose, Wood Co, W VA

Additional Obits.

History of all major Indian Wars and Conflicts in US

Additional census records

Story of the "Mad Stone" added to "Truth & Lore"

Family debate of Anderson-Andersen spelling added to "Truth & Lore"

Added more photos to the Gibson family index

Re-formatted home page for better navigation

Added missing children banner to home page. I hope this might help locate these children.

4-24-2001

Connie's Family History Pages UP-DATES

Hi everyone! I have been rather busy this week....

LOTS more photos including;

The Batson School 1910 Class photo (with most identified!) also photo of the Batson Bridge 1915, both in Worth Co, MO.

More obits

Marriage & Death Certificates, some now and more to come!

Also listing of all early land purchases 1824-1848 of Mt. Pulaski, Logan Co, IL

More Family History Reports

I hope everyone has a good week and LOTS of luck in their genealogy researches!

Connie Spindel

4-16-2001

Hello,

Just wanted to let you know I have updated my site this past week. I have added many photos and obits, too many to mention individually.

Take a look when you have the chance.

Connie