Genealogy Gadgets

I've debuted several genealogy gadgets/widgets here today, to be placed in genealogy blogs, personalized Google homepage, etc. They offer search functionality for a variety of genealogy, family history, and history-related sites, including FamilySearch, the Bureau of Land Management Patent Database, and the American Memory collection of the Library of Congress.

They are similar to the ad-related ones that you often see (i.e. for Ancestry.com), but I have no monetary interest in this. I just wanted one location from which I could search a variety of websites, rather than surfing to each individually. Most of them link to free sites (no subscription necessary) and are ones I visit often (see my links page). Each gadget does open a new window with the search results, but I think it will still save time.

You can learn more about how to embed gadgets in your page here. Hopefully, my gadgets will soon be linked to the directory. In the meantime, you can install them on your page by using the following code:

Family Search:
<script src=\"http://gmodules.com/ig/ifr?url=http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~mabgenealogy/gadgets/ldsgadget.xml&synd=open&w=320&h=325&title=FamilySearch&border=%23ffffff%7C3px%2C1px+solid+%23999999&output=js\"></script>

American Memory:
<script src=\"http://gmodules.com/ig/ifr?url=http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~mabgenealogy/gadgets/locgadget.xml&synd=open&w=320&h=135&title=American+Memory+Search&border=%23ffffff%7C3px%2C1px+solid+%23999999&output=js\"></script>

Interment.net:
<script src=\"http://gmodules.com/ig/ifr?url=http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~mabgenealogy/gadgets/intergadget.xml&synd=open&w=320&h=175&title=Interment.net+Search&border=%23ffffff%7C3px%2C1px+solid+%23999999&output=js\"></script>

Bureau of Land Management:
<script src=\"http://gmodules.com/ig/ifr?url=http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~mabgenealogy/gadgets/blmgadget.xml&synd=open&w=320&h=250&title=Bureau+of+Land+Management+Patent+Search&border=%23ffffff%7C3px%2C1px+solid+%23999999&output=js\"></script>

Making of America:
<script src=\"http://gmodules.com/ig/ifr?url=http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~mabgenealogy/gadgets/moagadget.xml&synd=open&w=320&h=115&title=Making+of+America+Search&border=%23ffffff%7C3px%2C1px+solid+%23999999&output=js\"></script>

If you have a personalized Google page, you can add the gadgets by URL or by clicking on the "Add to Google" button below each on my web page.

Please let me know what you think of them!

Thanks!

Really, really short people?

Here's a puzzle for you. To the right are two photos. The second is just a close-up of the first.

The two mysteries are the heights and the identities of the people.

Based on a variety of clues, most particularly the recognition of the woman on the left, I believe that from left to right, I can identify: Martha McCray Scott and Jonathan Scott. This means the photo was almost certainly taken in Steuben County, NY probably sometime around 1900.

My mother believed that the baby was Mabel Scott and the young girl was Ella Scott Miller (Martha and Jonathan's granddaughter and daughter, respectively). The two extremely short people remained unidentified. This would place the photo about 1889, 2 years after Mabel's birth, and would make Ella age 18, as she was born in 1871. The girl looks much younger than this to me, probably no more than 10 or so.

I'm not satisfied that the children have been correctly identified. I think the baby is a boy. Assuming he is one of the Scott grandchildren and is about 2 years old, the picture could have been taken anywhere from 1898 to 1915. Martha and Jonathan had 4 children: William Alan (who had 5 girls); Clement Dorr Chester (3 boys born in 1896, 1908, and 1913); Permilia A. (2 boys born 1899 and 1902); and Ella M. (2 boys born 1900 and 1907).

However, Martha Scott died in 1906, so we can actually rule out a number of the grandsons; anyone born before 1905 is still eligible. This leaves us with five children: Dorr's son John Winfield Scott born in 1898; Permilia's two sons, Scott Paul born 1899 and Nelson Paul born 1902; and Ella's son Myron Reuben Miller born 1900.

The girl would have to be about 4 years older than the baby, at a minimum. Unfortunately, William Scott had children beginning in 1887, so there were plenty of older girls to choose from. Probably, it will be impossible to identify the children.

Which brings me to the oddest thing. The two people on the far right are REALLY short. There is some sloping to the ground, but it doesn't appear to be enough to explain their height. They're not achondroplasic (dwarfed), because their proportions appear normal, but they are just REALLY small. One explanation would be some kind of growth hormone abnormality... presumably genetic.

I don't have any information that says we had little people in the family, and it isn't a trait that seems to have shown up again. (Okay, so we are short, but not extremely so). And are these two married or brother and sister? If they are married, it might mean that this was a relatively common trait in that area. If brother and sister, then it still means that there is probably a genetic component. Most curious.

Does anyone have any additional information?

Criminals

In the news today: "LONDON — More than two million Britons and about four million Australians are related to convicts deported from Britain to Australia in the 18th and 19th centuries, geneologists said yesterday."

I particularly like that they misspelled "genealogists" in the article.

Aside from that, though, I have to say that I have recently uncovered an Aussie ancestor of my own, and would love to know if she has a convict ancestry, although it looks dubious. Violet Chisholm was born in September 1853 in Ashby, Victoria, Australia. Her parents were Walter and Violet (Sanderson) Chisholm. (Much thanks is due to Margaret Chisholm of Australia for some of this information.)

Walter Chisholm and Jane Sanderson married 14 Oct 1850 at Borthwick or Galashiels. A cousin has a record of marriage at Borthwick but Walter stated Galashiels at the time of the birth of his children. The marriage may have taken place in one town and the banns may have been read in another church.

They came to Australia on the LANCASTRIAN on 29 April 1851 with Walter’s mother Helen Lees Chisholm, his sister Helen Purdie and her husband Robert and children John Chisholm Purdie, William Purdie and Helen Lees Purdie, his brother John and his sister Jessie. Walter’s brother William and his wife Isabella Weatherstone and children William and Thomas had arrived in Australia the previous October on the NAVARINO.

Walter and Eliza had four children in the Geelong area, William about 1851, Violet at Ashby in 1854, Helen or Ellen 24 May 1856 in Ashby and James 25 Jul 1858 at Manifold’s Vineyard, Fyans Ford.

The family returned to Scotland on the RESULT in April 1859. Two more children were born in Scotland, Walter on 23 Jan 1867 at Galashiels and Jane Sanderson 1 Jul 1869 at Galashiels.

Walter was mentioned in the 1871 Census in Scotland but was not mentioned in 1881 so he may have died by then.

Walter was born in 1822, the second child of William Chisholm and Helen Lee. The others were Helen 1816, William 1824, Jane or Jean 1825 – married John Johnston and remained in Scotland, Charles 1827 – presumed died before 1850, John 1829, Jessie c1832 and Agnes 1836 – presumed died before 1850. The father apparently died about 1837 in Scotland according to his son’s statement at the time of the mother’s death in Geelong in 1871.

With her parents, Violet moved back to Scotland. She was married to Andrew Wilson of Galashiels, Selkirkshire, Scotland around 1880. Andrew may have been a cousin (possibly a first cousin) since his mother's maiden name also seems to be Sanderson. Andrew and Violet appear together in the 1881 U.K. census in Melrose, Selkirkshire, Scotland. Andrew is age 26 and a "slatter" and Violet is age 27.

Andrew and Violet had 4 children that I know about: Alexander, born in Scotland in Nov 1881; Elizabeth, born Jul 1885 in Massachusetts; Walter, born Jul 1888 in Massachusetts; and Violet Chesholm Wilson, born 6/7 June 1891 in Amesbury, Essex, Massachusetts.

From the children's birthdates and places, I know that the Wilsons emigrated to the U.S. between late 1881 and 1885. Violet was naturalized in 1894. The family eventually settled near Amesbury, Essex, MA, where Andrew owned a roofing company that was eventually operated by his sons. In 1896, the Andrew Wilson Company advertised the following services: Gravel, Slate, Tin, and Copper Roofing; Two and Three Ply Ready Roofing; Concreting and Asphalting Sidewalks and Floors, Asphalt Roofing, Etc.

I don't currently know much about Violet Chisholm's early history, including what took her family to Australia in the first place. It is interesting to me that Violet moved (intercontinentally!) so many times.

1853 was a relatively early date for Violet to have been born in Australia, which at that point was still populated in large part by convicts and young men, with women fairly scarce, and settled families even more rare. A gold rush had brought many settlers to the vicinity in the early part of that decade and this may have played a part in her family's immigration.

Geelong, Victoria, AU is an industrial city with a strong history of wool manufacturing. I expect, based on the family's subsequent history, that there may be some connection to textile manufactures in Australia. Certainly, the area in Scotland that the Chisholm's lived was also a strong textile economy. The 1847 Gazetteer of Scotland says Galashiels, Scotland, a small village just south of Edinburgh was a primary site of woolen manufacturing with several factories operated by water power. It was a major component of the local economy, manufacturing both coarse and fine woolens. In 1831, the population of the whole town was only 2,100. Part of the town is in Selkirkshire and part in Roxburghshire. Lawrence, MA also has a strong textile industrial history.

I've found that Australia has done a particularly good job of putting many of its records online. You can link to some of these records at my Links page.

Harry Potter Genealogy

I just finished the last Harry Potter book, and was thinking about genealogy and family history stuff and decided to see whether anyone has written up the family trees in the books. This newest book should give plenty of data to work with. Trying not to give too much away about the plot, there are cemetery inscriptions, obituaries, births, and general family histories in Book 7.

Since wizarding lines showing "pure" wizarding blood (not mixed with Muggle or giant blood) are valued highly by some, genealogy is rampant in the wizarding community. A wizarding community genealogy (Nature's Nobility: A Wizarding Genealogy) is even listed by this site, as among the texts mentioned in the Harry Potter books. Plus, like many insular communities, genealogy might help if you are worried about marrying your cousin.

Nonetheless, there does seem to be some confusion among Harry Potter fans at least about what "half-blood" means. Here's an example. Say you are the child of a Squib and a wizard. I think you are pure-blood. But what about the child of a wizard who married a half-blood. Well, if any of your grandparents were Muggles, you are a half-blood too, despite being actually only a quarter muggle.

I went looking for trees online to see whether anyone had traced all the trees mentioned. Of course they have...

Harry Potter's Family Tree
Harry Potter Lexicon
Rootsweb's WorldConnect Project: Harry Potter Genealogy

and here's one for J.K. Rowling.

No promises about accuracy, and I suspect all the new data from Book 7 hasn't been added to these trees.

Oooh!

Ancestry.com just uploaded a very fun new source. It's the U.S. County Land Ownership Atlases, c. 1864-1918. These are maps that show (often in great detail) the people owning land and/or businesses across the country from the late 1800s to early 1900s. Apparently they are kept by the Library of Congress in the original form.

I have just found several ancestors and am puzzling how to store the related images. I don't REALLY want to download/print all of it. The images are a nice way to see where families lived, especially in relation to siblings, parents, in-laws, etc. While census records can sometimes do that, they won't usually show you (for example) when two parcels of land back up against one another.

The other thing I was able to do with the maps was prove to myself (not without a shadow of doubt, but close) that I didn't just miss an ancestor in the census. I show this family in two censuses twenty years apart and with roughly the same neighbors, but was missing one census in the middle. It was a small town, so I have actually perused the whole town looking for them, not relying on the index at all. I couldn't find them. With the maps though, I was able to trace the census taker's approximate path through town... one that led him/her in a circle AROUND this family and several of their neighbors. Oh well.

I've also located a friend's current house on the map, discovering who owned it in 1867, shortly after we believe it was built. I was able to follow this up with a census search to see that family. Names around them appear nearby on the map as well, so I was reasonably certain that the family didn't just OWN the house, but also LIVED in it. My friends only just moved into the house, so its history is still a bit of a mystery. Hopefully, we'll be able to do a deed search in the future to find out more, but this will satisfy my curiosity for now.

The atlases also have lists in them of area "subscribers" who had prepurchased the books (just like Harry Potter books now!). Some of these are really useful, like the one I saw in Boone County, MO which lists where people's "origins" were. Occupations and addresses are frequently listed in either subscriber lists or in advertisements/directories. Pictures of homes and businesses are included in some of the atlases, but I haven't found any of my ancestors in those (yet?).

Oh, yes, and the maps might be useful if you are trying to figure out geography of an area, including roads, railroad stations, etc.

Here is some of what Ancestry.com says about this source:

Land ownership maps are portrayals of land purchased, granted, or inherited. They range in complexity from rough outlines of the boundaries of one tract of land to detailed county atlases showing every landowner at the time of compilation.

This database contains approximately 1,200 U.S. county land ownership atlases from the Library of Congress’ Geography and Maps division, covering the approximate years 1864-1918. Some photos of county officers, land owners, and buildings or homes are also included. Due to the quality of the microfilm on which these maps and photos were originally located, some of the images may not appear very clear.

While city atlases served a specialized clientele, their rural counterparts, known as county landownership atlases, were a commercial enterprise promoted by subscription campaigns and directed to a wider audience. Based on the pre-Civil War production of wall-sized, single-sheet county landownership maps, atlases showing landownership developed into a popular atlas format starting in the 1860s in the northeastern United States, and expanding into the Midwestern states by the 1870s and 1880s. These commercially published atlases contain cadastral or landownership maps for the individual townships within a county. In addition, they often include county and township histories, personal and family biographies and portraits, and views of important buildings, residences, farms, or prized livestock. (Library of Congress. Geography and Maps: An Illustrated Guide. http://www.loc.gov/rr/geogmap/guide/gmilltoc.html.)

W.C. Fields

As a follow-up to my mystery, I've looked into W.C. Fields' family:

Typical biography stuff can be found any number of places, including filmographies, published papers, and published biographies. Just type in W.C. Fields and see what you come up with. I like this site for his early life. But I've used the genealogical resources to look at his family.

W.C. Fields was the son of James L. Dukenfield, who was in turn the son of John and Ann Dukenfield. Most biographies note that the Dukenfields were originally a noble family. This might be true, but it was certainly not true by the time that W.C. Fields was born, or even when his father James was born. Throughout the name's early history in the U.S., the family was very poor.

A record of James' father (W.C.'s grandfather), John Dukinfield, is found in the Philadelphia naturalization indexes of the Court of Common Pleas for 13 Nov 1854. John had taken the oath of allegiance in 1853.

The rest of John's family came to the U.S. after he did, however. Ann Dukenfield, John's wife (W.C.'s grandmother), arrived in Philadelphia from Liverpool on the ship Kangaroo on 2 Jan 1857. She was age 42. With her were Edmund (age 13), James (age 12), Clara (age 10), Arthur (age 8), Alfred (age 6) Mary (age 3) and Godfrey (age 1). Other children must have crossed separately.

The 1860 census shows John, Ann, and many of their children living together in Philadelphia, PA. John is age 50, born England, and a comb maker. Ann is age 44, also born England. Their children, all born in England are: Walter (age 25), John (age 23), Edmund (age 21), James (age 20), George (age 18), Clara (age 16), Arthur (age 14), Alfred (age 11), Mary (age 8), and Godfrey (age 5). Walter is a combmaker like his father; John and Edmund are brick layers; James is a "pedlar"; George and Clara are weavers. No personal or real estate values are listed for the family, probably indicating that they didn't have much.

James fought in the Civil War, apparently in two different regiments: 72d Pennsylvania Infantry and the 10th Veteran Reserve Corps. He drew a pension for his service claiming invalid status as early as 1863, and after his death in 1912, the pension went to his widow, Katie until her death.

Another listed Dukenfield in the Civil War records is James' brother "George Dukenfield" who served in the same company and regiment as James, and who died 2 Jul 1863 and is buried at Gettysburg National Military Park. George's mother Anna received his pension in 1864.

An "Arthur Duckenfield" who may have been James' brother fought in the 183d Pennsylvania Infantry. This Arthur died on 21 Sep 1930 and was buried at the Philadelphia National Cemetery.

In 1870, "Jas Duckenfield" is lodging with the Haines family. He is 28 and a "huckster". His father has left his mother and Ann Duckenfield, age 49, is listed as an "innkeeper" with personal estate of $600. She can neither read nor write. Three of her children still live at home: Alfred, 21, huckster; Godfrey, 15, huckster; Mary, 17, at home. Three lodgers also reside with the family, 2 women and a man. I cannot locate John Dukenfield in this census.

From biographies, I know that James Duckenfield married Kate Spangler Felton. They were probably married about 1879. Kate S. Felton is listed in the 1860 census with her parents. She is 6 years old. Her father, Thomas L. Felton is 38 and his occupation seems to be listed as "victules". He has $500 of personal estate. Kate's mother is Anne, age 28, born PA. Thomas and Ann's other children are: Abraham C. (age 4) and William C. (age 1).



There is apparently a debate about W.C. Field's birthdate, which is variously listed as 1879 or 1880. According to the 1880 census, Claude W. Dukenfield was 4 months old in June 1880, and had been born in January 1880 - no, the math doesn't work, but it still points to an 1880 birth date. He was the only child of J. L. (James) Dukenfield (age 40, hotel keeper, b. England, father & mother b. England) and Katie S. Dukenfield (age 25, keeping house, b. PA, parents b. PA). The family lived in District 576, Philadelphia, PA, on "Woodland Ave east of 64th st." More children would follow him.

The 1880 census also lists a "Jno Dukenfield" who lived in a large rooming house in San Francisco, CA. John Dukenfield was b. about 1810 in England (parents also b. England). John was W.C. Fields' grandfather who had left his wife years earlier. Ann Dukenfield doesn't seem to appear in this census.

In 1890, a James Dukinfield appears in the Philadelphia, PA city directory. He is a driver and has a house at "2803 Gtn av". James' brother John is a "polisher" with a house at "4217 Filbert". No other Dukenfields are listed.

In 1900, James L. "Duckenfield" and his family live in Philadelphia, PA. James is age 59; was b. Feb 1840, England; parents b. England; emigrated 1855; is naturalized; occupation is something to do with "produce" but is difficult to read; rents his house. Kate is age 49; was b. 1855 in PA; parents also b. PA. Claude (W.C.?) is age 31, b. Jan 1869; single; actor. (If this is W.C., his age and birthdate are incorrect.) Walter F. is age 16; b. July 1863, PA; single; laborer. Elsie M., age 12; b. May 1888, PA ; at school 8 months. Adele C. is age 10, b. Sept 1889, PA, at school 4 months. Leroy R., age 4, b. Sept 1894, PA. The whole family can read and write.

In 1910, James L. Dukenfield, age 69, is still living in Philadelphia with his family on North Marshall St. He is a retired merchant. Kate, age 54, is the mother of 6 children, 5 of whom are living. Claude W. is living at home, age 30, having been married 10 years at this point. (W.C. and his wife were separated, so she is not listed here.) Walter F., age 29, Elsie M., age 22, and Leroy R., age 13, are also still in the household. Claude and Walter are both actors on their own account. Leroy, Elsie and Kate are not employed.

By 1920, however, James appears to have died and all the children have moved out. Katie "Dakenfield", age 64 and a widow, rents a house in Philadelphia where she lives by herself. Walter F., age 38, is living in Manhattan, still an actor in the theatre, and married to a woman named Agnes, who is herself an actress. They live in a large boarding house with other actors and have no children.

W.C. Fields died on Christmas Day (25 Dec) 1946.

The Social Security Death Index lists both Leroy and Walter's deaths. Walter was born on 22 Jun 1893 and died Aug 1964. Leroy was born 17 Sep 1895 and died Nov 1974, probably in Philadelphia.

Hoax Letters, W.C. Fields, and a Giant Mystery

I have a family documents conundrum which just gets more and more interesting the more I learn. It began with a family letter from 1939 that couldn't be attached to any relatives, despite the salutation "Dear cousin". This spring, I posted the text of the letter on-line, and within a few weeks had been contacted by someone entirely unrelated who had a very similar letter.

Now I have discovered that W.C. Fields, the famous comedian, also had a letter like this, which has been posthumously credited to a niece.

I am baffled. The letter is very humorous, and I have to think it must be a hoax. But its origins are still mysterious. What is the history of "chain letters" and "spam" before the Internet? Could this have been some kind of propaganda?

Please read the whole story, and if you know more (or if you have a similar letter), please contact me!

DNA Follow-up

I've had a number of queries regarding my math. If you re-read my blog, I believe you will find that I stated that there is a 59.6% that you are related to ALL of your ggg-grandparents... as in the whole generation, not an individual. This does not tell you the likelihood of being related to a single individual in that generation.

Also, in follow-up, geneticists are now taught that there is a 5-10% infidelity rate; this is much higher than the historical figure and will likely alter recent generations more substantially than further back in history. Probably this figure has changed throughout history depending on cultural characteristics. Given this issue, all of the math is hypothetical anyway... an average over 700 years can't be completely accurate to the generation.

Kimlin Genealogy

Some time ago, I was contacted by a researcher looking into the history of the Kimlin Cider Mill in Poughkeepsie, NY. The 1853 mill was in danger of being demolished by developers, and she was hoping to save it by declaring it a historic landmark. More information on the mill, including a picture, is here. Additional pictures are available here and here. The Cider Mill Friends of Open Space and Historic Preservation, Inc. were successful in saving the mill, which is now listed as a historic landmark.

In the process of looking at my Kimlin family, I found a great deal of information about other Kimlins in Poughkeepsie and elsewhere. This information may be useful to other researchers.

Kimlins first appear in the United States in the mid-1800s as best I can tell. There are several families listed in the 1850 census, with a big contingent in Illinois.

John Kimlin (1792-after 1850)

The Illinois family seems to be descended from John (son of William) and Florence Sloan (b. Ireland, daughter of James Sloan; d. Sept 1842).

John Kimlin was born in County Armagh, Ireland on 26 Aug 1792, and immigrated to Ohio in 1816. He was "a weaver of double coverlets". He also lived in PA and IL, moving several times throughout his lifetime. John and Florence had several children, leading to a productive mid-western an mid-atlantic branch of Kimlins. A good history of the family can be found in: History of Crawford and Clark Counties, Illinois. Chicago: O.L. Baskin & Co., 1883.

Children:

1. William Kimlin, b. 12 Sep 1816 in Belmont Co, Ohio; m1. Rebecca Prevo; Children: Mary Jane (abt 1844-?) and Samuel (abt 1845-?); m2. Elzina Spenny; Children: Benjamin F. (1851-?)
   
2. James Kimlin, b. abt 1820, OH; m. Julia Ann McNary in 1846; lived IL in 1883; Children: Charles (abt 1849- prob before 1860), John (abt1848-?), Rachel (abt 1850- prob before 1860), Mary (abt 1852-before 1883), Perry (abt 1859-?), Zarena (abt 1863-before 1883)
   
3. Jane Kimlin, d. before 1883
   
4. Elizabeth Kimlin, m. John Alexander; d. before 1883; Children: James Alexander
   
5. Mary A. Kimlin, m. James V. Hedges; d. before 1883; had children
6. John Kimlin, b. about 1835, PA; m. Elizabeth; lived in KS in 1883; Children: Thomas (b. abt 1855, IL) Catherine (b. abt 1858, IL), William (b. abt 1862, IL), John (b. abt 1864, IL), Florence (b. abt 1866, IL)
   

John Kimlin (probably father?) and William Kimlin (John's son) purchased IL land in 1838 and 1840, respectively. There is a John Kimlin who received a Civil War pension in Illinois, probably a descendant of the original John (son or grandson?).

I am unsure that there is any connection between the Illinois family or any of the other early Kimlin families and my branch in Poughkeepsie. John Kimlin's birth was in the same county of Ireland (Armagh) that the Poughkeepsie Kimlins came from, however, he was somewhat older than they were (though not by much).

William Kimlin (abt. 1803-1877)

My first Kimlin to come to the United States was William Kimlin. He was born about 1803 in Ireland. Family records say that he was the son of William Kimlin and Mary Proctor... confusing and probably an error, since this William was married to a Mary Proctor as well. William was married to Mary Proctor, probably in Ireland. William's brother, who is mentioned in his will, was named John.

According to family history and his tombstone, William left Parish Laugall, Armagh, Ireland for America on April 27, 1839. I find a record of a William "Kenlin", almost certainly him, who arrived in New York on June 8, 1839 on the Ship Dauntless. He was age 30 of Ireland, though the ship had left from Liverpool (a common port of departure for Irish emigrants). Mary "Kenlin", age 28, matron, is also on the ship. No children seem to be listed, and the first child I know of was born in Nov 1839. It is possible, therefore, that William and Mary were newlyweds at the time of their emigration or at least that they had not yet had children.

Oddly, I cannot find them in the 1840 census. By 1850, however, they were in Poughkeepsie, NY, where William is also found in 1860 and 1870. In 1850, he was a "gardner" with real estate of $400. In 1860, he was a laborer with real estate valued at $6000 and personal estate of $200. In 1870, he does not list an occupation.

William and Mary Proctor Kimlin had at least three children, and a stepdaughter:

1. Thomas I. Kimlin, b. 24 Nov 1839 in New York; m. Mary _____; d. 31 May 1882; buried Poughkeepsie. Listed as a carpenter, 1860 and 1880. Died age 42. Buried 2 Jun 1882 at Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery. Children: Ezra (1876-?), Frank (1878-?), Mabel (1885-?), Blanche (1887-?)
   
2. William Richard Kimlin (my gg-grandfather) b. 7 Oct 1843 in New York; christened 1843 in Christ Church (Episcopal), Poughkeepsie; m. Mary Ann Conn 17 Sep 1873 in New York, New York; d. 8 Dec 1891; buried Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery on Dec 11th. Listed as a mason in 1870, mason and builder (1889-1891), mason plaster and brick (1880). Had children: William Thomas (1875-1946), Stewart Tyng (1876-1904), Charlotte Sarah (1879-1953), Rachel Victoria (1885, d. infant), and Edith Belle (1887-1961).
   
3. John Hamilton Kimlin, b. 12 Dec 1847/9 in Poughkeepsie, New York; christened 23 Dec 1847 in Christ Church (Episcopal), Poughkeepsie; m. Susan Anderson at Christ Church on 24 Dec 1879; d. Feb 1926; buried Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery. Listed as a carpenter in 1870 and 1900, carpenter and builder (1890-97), and builder by contract (1880). Children: Florence Anderson (1881-?), John Jr. (1883-?), Isabella (1884-?), John Henry (1884-?), Harold (1889-?), Leslie Russell (1892-?), Carlotta (1893-?), Duane (1895-?), Charles (1897-?).
   
4. Mary Ann Proctor is mentioned in William Kimlin's will as his stepdaughter. I'm a little unclear on whether she was Mary's daughter from a previous marriage or possibly a niece, or whether the surnames have simply been confounded over the years. I do not see that she came over from Ireland with the Kimlins.
   

William Kimlin died April 3, 1877, age 77 years, in Poughkeepsie, New York. He was buried in the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery on April 5th. His wife, Mary Proctor Kimlin, died October 15, 1892 age 84 years, and was buried with him. Other family members in the same Kimlin plot include their son, John H. Kimlin (1847-1911) and John's wife Susan Anderson Kimlin (1861-1946).

In 1880, I looked for Mary Proctor Kimlin. It is possible that she is the Mary Kimlin, age 69, who is listed as a patient at the Hudson River State Hospital for the Insane. This Mary Kimlin was formerly a "housekeeper", probably not in the modern sense of the word, but in its former meaning of "keeping house" for her own family. Mary Kimlin is widowed and was born in Ireland. She lists her mother's birthplace as England and her father's as Scotland.

Robert Kimlin (abt 1820/30-1881)

Robert Kimlin was born in Ireland about 1820-30. He married Margaret _____ (b. about 1826, Ireland).

Robert and his family immigrated on the Arabian on June 29, 1850 to Castle Garden. Robert "Kimlohan", age 23, was a laborer. Margaret, age 23, was a "spinster" (presumably meaning that she spun, not that she was an old maid!). James was age 2 and Thos. age 0 m.

In 1850, Robert is listed as a "gardner" in Poughkeepsie, NY. In 1860, he is a laborer with no real estate listed and only $100 in personal property. By 1870, he is a "gardner" with $3000 in real estate and $300 in personal property. In 1880, he is a farmer. He died 17 June 1881.

Robert and Margaret had the following children:

1. James, b. about 1846, Ireland; probably the James Kimlin, age 26, who married Mary Jane Tweedy, age 20, on Oct 24, 1872 at Christ Church and who died 2 Apr 1911 at age 65; buried 4 Apr 1911, Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery. If so, children: Eliza (1873), Jennie Tweedy (1875), John Edward (1877), Robert James (1879), Matilda Elizabeth (1881), Harry Truman (1887), Isabella Viola (1888), Helen Montgomery (1893), Edna Dorothy (1896).
   
2. Thomas, b. about 1850, Ireland
3. Sarah Jane, b. 24 May 1851; bapt 31 Aug 1851 Christ Church (Episcopal), Poughkeepsie; possibly the Sarah Jane who married Isaac Mabey and had Charles William in 1868 -- this Sarah had Mary Louisa and Margaret Jane Kimlin as sponsors for the baby's baptism at Christ Church
   
4. William John, b. 24 May 1851; bapt 31 Aug 1851 Christ Church (Episcopal), Poughkeepsie; probably died as a young child, since William Henry was born in 1859
   
5. Robert Truman, b. 13 Jul 1852, New York; bapt 12 Mar 1853, Christ Church (Episcopal), Poughkeepsie; d. 27 Dec 1914 age 62; buried 31 Dec 1914 at Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery
   
6. Benjamin, b. 9 July 1854, New York; bapt. 21 Dec 1854 Christ Church (Episcopal), Poughkeepsie
7. Richard Courtney, b. 2 Dec 1857, New York; bapt. 17 Jul 1857 Christ Church (Episcopal), Poughkeepsie; married Anna Catharine Reichardt on 13 Apr 1884; Children: George Henry (1889-1890); Robert (1894-?)
   
8. William Henry, b. 21 Feb 1859, New York; 5 Aug 1859 Christ Church (Episcopal), Poughkeepsie
9. Mary Elizabeth, b. 4 Apr 1862, NY; bapt. 26 May 1862 Christ Church (Episcopal), Poughkeepsie
10. Margaret, b. about 1866, NY
11. John Charles, b. about 1867, NY

In the 1870 census at least one child who is not theirs is enumerated with the family (John). I base my knowledge that he is not a son of Robert and Margaret on his sudden appearance at age 22, and the fact that there is another John in the records.

1. John, b. about 1848, Ireland

There is also a child listed in the baptism records for Christ Church (Episcopal), Poughkeepsie, with parents named as Robert and Margaret Kimlin. However, John Charles Kimlin was baptized on 17 Jan 1876 (no birth date given). This could be the John C. listed above if he received a late baptism. It seems highly improbable that this Robert and Margaret could have had a child in 1876, and since they already had a son John Charles, this is likely to be him.

In 1850, a Mary Burphy (age 60) with James (age 32) and Timothy Burphy (age 28), and John Ryan (age 28) were also listed with the family. They may or may not be related.

Robert Kimlin is listed with his family within the same house as William Kimlin (above) in 1850. He is, however, probably not a son of William. As noted above, William emigrated in 1839. However, Robert's two children were apparently born in Ireland as late as 1849. In addition, Robert is significantly older than any of William's other known children. It is, of course, possible that William Kimlin had children prior to his emigration and that Robert is a son who later moved to be closer to his father. It seems more likely, however, that Robert is either a cousin or (most probably) a nephew.

John Kimlin (abt 1810-1882)

John Kimlin was born about 1810 in Ireland. John "Kimlahan" immigrated with his family on the ship Marmion from Ireland to Castle Garden on 1 Dec 1847. He was age 40, and a carpenter. Listed with him are Julia (age 40), Charlotte (age 20), Thomas (age 9), Richard (age 5), and John (age 3). It is unclear what relationship Charlotte was. She could have been a daughter, but there is a sizeable gap between her and the next child, so I'm not sure.

He first appears in the 1850 census in Poughkeepsie, New York, age 40. He is a carpenter and has $500 of real estate. John is married to Julia, age 40. She and all of their children were also born in Ireland. I cannot find the family in 1860 or 1870.

Julia died at age 65 and was buried 9 Aug 1876 in Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery. John appears in the 1880 census with his son Richard. They live near Robert Kimlin (above). He is a farmer. John died on 13 Aug 1882.

John and Julia were the parents of:

1. Thomas, b. abt. 1838, Ireland
   
2. Richard J., b. abt. 1842, Ireland; m. Marcia M. _____; d. 10 Jul 1910 at age 68; buried Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery 12 Jul 1910; Children: Ralph Richard (1887-?). Carpenter.
   
3. John, b. about 1844, Ireland. Probably d. young.
   

Listed within the same household are John Morrow (age 26, carpenter) and James Morrow (age 10). They may or may not be related.

Also living in the house, though enumerated as a separate family are Hamilton Kimlin (age 26, carpenter) and his wife Anna (age 25) (more info on this family below). Given the ages of John (40) and Hamilton (26), I am uncertain as to relationships here. It is possible that Hamilton is a much younger brother, a cousin, nephew, or even a son of John (assuming that ages were approximated).

I have no doubt that these Kimlins are not only related to each other, but are also somehow related to the William Kimlin line above. All are listed as carpenters, and Kimlin is not a common name. In addition, first names are repeated in both families, including Hamilton, a fairly uncommon name. It is distinctly possible that the John Kimlin listed here is William Kimlin's brother, especially since we have information indicating that William had a brother named John.

Hamilton Kimlin (abt. 1824-??)

Hamilton Kimlin was born about 1824 in Ireland. He married Anna _____. Between 1861 and 1870, he seems to have remarried to Maria _____. He lived in Poughkeepsie in 1850, 1870, and 1880. In cursory looking, I haven't found him in 1860. Hamilton was a carpenter.

As noted above, he is almost certainly related to John Kimlin in some way.

Children with Anna:

1. Ann Eliza, b. 19 Nov 1861; christened 8 Dec 1861, Christ Church (Episcopal), Poughkeepsie; probably died as child before 1870 census
   
2. Margaret Jane, b. 4 Aug 1849, New York; bapt. 30 Mar 1852 Christ Church (Episcopal), Poughkeepsie

Children with Maria (probably):

1. Alice, b. about 1870, NY

James Kimlin (1810-?)

James Kimlin was born about 1810 in Ireland. He married Margaret _____, who was born about 1820 in Ireland.

I find a record of the family's immigration on the John Bright into Castle Garden on the 24 Apr 1858. James "Kimlahan" was a farmer, age 40. Listed with him are wife Margaret, age 30, Patrick, age 4, and Sarah, age 6.

In 1860, James was a laborer in Poughkeepsie, NY. He died at age 64 years, 3 months and was buried 25 Dec 1874 in the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery. James and Margaret had the following children:

1. Sarah, b. about 1852, Ireland
2. Patrick, b. about 1854, Ireland

Richard Kimlin (abt 1820-???)

Richard Kimlin was born about 1820 in Ireland and married to Elizabeth Jane _____. In 1850, the family lived in LaGrange, Dutchess County, NY, in 1860 in Pawling, Dutchess County, and in 1870, the family lived in Dover, Dutchess County, NY, the only early Kimlin family in the area who did not live within Poughkeepsie. Richard was a "waggonmaker" in 1850 and farmer in 1870, perhaps explaining the distance from the city.

Children:

1. Thomas William, bapt 29 Jun 1844 Christ Church (Episcopal), Poughkeepsie (no birth date is given, a relative rarity in the Christ Church records, so it seems likely that Thomas was born elsewhere, possibly in Ireland or en route)
   
2. Richard James, b. 8 Mar 1846; bapt 29 May 1846 Christ Church (Episcopal), Poughkeepsie
3. Robert Erskine, b. 19 Jul 1847, NY; bapt 3 Jan 1848 Christ Church (Episcopal), Poughkeepsie; possibily the Robert married to Jane ___ who had Jane in 1869?
   
4. Julia Maria., b. 8 Jun 1851, NY; bapt. 13 Jul 1851 Christ Church (Episcopal), Poughkeepsie
5. Charlotte Elizabeth, b. 17 Mar 1853; bat. 25 Mar 1853, Christ Church (Episcopal), Poughkeepsie; not at home by 1880
   
6. Henry Seymour, b. 20 Feb 1854, NY; bapt. 17 Nov 1854, Christ Church (Episcopal), Poughkeepsie
7. Maria A., b. about 1857, NY
8. Eliza Jane, b. 18 Nov 1858; 28 Nov 1858 Christ Church (Episcopal), Poughkeepsie; not at home (dead?) by 1880

Unconnected (so far) Early Kimlins

In this section, I have listed information I have found related to the surname Kimlin, but which does not fit nicely into the family histories above or which is not definitively linked. Most of this info is from before about 1875, when the surname becomes so frequent as to make this unfeasible.

1850 census:
28 Kimlins show up in the 1850 census, although more can likely be found under variations of the surname. Of these, all but one are represented above. The one that isn't included is:

• Ann Kimlin, age 15, b.Ireland, living with an apparently unrelated family in Derby, CT (possibly as a servant?)

1860 census:
51 Kimlins show up in the 1860 census. Most are listed above, with many of the new Kimlins being from Germany, so probably not related to our Irish ones. Ann Kimlin from 1850 does not reappear. The Kimlins that are not listed in families above include:

• Michael Kimlin (age 28, b. Germany) and family - Fredericka, 22, b. Germany; and William, 2, b. IN - living in Wayne, IN
• Mathew Kimlin (age 28, b. Germany) and family - Celia, 25, b. Germany; John, 3, b. MI; Eliza, 1, b. MI - living in Erie, MI
• H. Kimlin (age 25, b. KY) and family - M., age 21, b. MO, female; J., age 3, b. MO, female, D.A., age 2, b. MO, female - living in Washington, MO
• John Kimlin (age 40, b. Ireland) and family - Bridget, age 37, b. Ireland; Patrick, age 18, b. Ireland - living in Brooklyn, NY
• Fred Kimlin (age 50, b. Germany) and family - Mary, age 38, b. Baden; Fritz, age 9, b. Baden; Christiane, age 7, b. Baden, female; Joseph, age 5, b. PA; John, age 2, b. PA - living in Scranton, PA
  

1870 census:
There are 89 Kimlins in the 1870 census, including a new Irish contingent living in Pennsylvania. Interestingly, none of the Kimlins listed as "new" in 1860 seem to reappear. Possibly the 1860 Kimlins had their name mispelled in that census? The new ones are:

• Elizabeth Kimlin, b. abt 1841, Ireland, living in Boston, MA (in boarding house?)
• Rebecca Kimlin, age 19, b. MO; living in Campbell, MO as a servant
• Thomas Kimlin (age 31, b. Ireland) and family - Louisa F., age 21, b. Illinois; Henrietta, age 3, b. MO; Clara, age 2, b. MO - living in Marion, MO (this Thomas is a physician and is probably the same as the Dr. Thomas Kimlin listed in the directory below)
• Jacob Kimlin (age 62, b. Bavaria) and wife - Margaret, age 48, b. Deutschland - living in Newark, NJ
• Christopher Kimlin (age 70, b. Ireland) and wife - Ellen, age 59, b. Ireland - living in Newburgh, NY
• Andrews Kimlin (age 50, b. Saxony) and wife - Mary, age 29, b. PA - living in Allegheny, PA
• Ann Kimlin (age 38, b. Ireland) and children - John, age 14, b. PA; Thomas, age 11, b. PA; Anthony, age 8, b. PA; Susan, age 4, b. PA - living Allegheny, PA
• Anthony Kimlin (age 50, b. Ireland) and family - Ellen, age 50, b. Ireland; John, age 20, b. Ireland; Anthony, age 16, b. PA; Winifred, age 30, b. Ireland - living Schuylkill, PA
• Mathew Kimlin (age 46; b. Ireland) and family - Mary Ann, age 36, b. TX; Edmund, age 8, b. TX; Carles, age 6, b. TX; Mathew, age 2, b. TX; Rade, age 4, b. TX, Ellen, age 2/12, b. TX- living Live Oak, TX
• Fenton Kimlin (age 40, b. VA) and family (?) all b. VA - Sallie, 28; Mary, age 20; Abner, age 14 (?); Kittie, age 13; Ellen, age 11; Allice, age 4 - living in Newport, VA (This family is listed as black and mulatto)
• Mary Kimlin (age 8, b. WV, mulatto) - living in Lewisburg, WV (relationships in household unclear)
  

Military Pensions:
There are several military pensions for Kimlins. Some of these are likely to be connected above, but most would require further research to definitively identify.

Civil War/War with Spain pensions:

1. William Kimlin, served NJ, widow Mary (died in 1922)
2. John Kimlin, served IL, filed in KS, widow Maria
   
3. Anthony Kimlin, served PA, filed 1863, widow Annie & minor pensions (guardian of minor James M. Cooper)
4. Arthur John Kimlin, filed Indiana in 1932?
5. Thomas Kimlin, widow Louisa F., filed Illinois (served NJ?)
6. Walter H. Kimlin, served Hosp. Corps, filed Colorado in 19--?
   
7. Stewart T. Kimlin (War with Spain), served NY, widow d. 1918

In addition, Civil War lists include Augustus Kimlin who served in Ohio.

Passenger Lists/Naturalizations:
Included above when relevant. However, here are a few not listed above:

Passenger lists for NYC list a Fred Kimlin (age 44, occupation "minor") and Gustave Kimlin (age 15) who arrived on the ship City of Montreal in steerage on 16 Aug 1875 from Liverpool, England. Origins are listed as England. (the same Fred as appears in PA in 1860? That Fred was b. Germany, but the name "Gustave" seems to point to a German origin for this Fred also.)

Passenger lists also list a very early Kimlin family apparently bound for Georgia from Germany in 1741: Conrad Kimlin with wife Maria and son John.

Anthony Kimlin (probably the same one as above who served in the Civil War) is listed in an index to naturalization papers for Blair Co, PA as having arrived in 1850.

Thomas Kimlin is listed in the NYC naturalization indexes for the Court of Common Pleas on Oct 11, 1876. He is a shoemaker, living at 40 W. 11th St., NYC.

Directories/local histories:
A Dr. Thomas Kimlin is also listed as a Bookseller, Druggist, and Physician in Trenton, Missouri in 1881 according to the State Directory of that year.

Another Thomas Kimlin, originally of Poughkeepsie and son of one of the Richards above, moved to New Milford, CT about 1868 where he established a building and contracting business in 1880. (History of the towns of New Milford and Bridgewater, Connecticut, 1803-1882)