10 Years of Statistics

Let's take a look back at the statistics pertaining to this blog since it began in 2007.

There have been 1458 posts in the past 10 years and there are 163 followers of this blog.

The three most viewed blog posts during this time were:

1.  Tombstone Tuesday on 8 June 2010 - Andrew Jackson (4551 views)

2.  Visit to Lola, Kentucky on 27 March 2010 (3447 views)

3.  Board of Health 1901 - 1902 on 28 April 2011 (2601 views)

The most popular referring sites were these: 

1.  google.com

2.  bing.com

3.  Facebook.com

No surprises here - these referring sites were what I would expect. Number 7, though, was  Pinterest and that does surprise me as I thought it would be Number 4.

I've learned a lot while writing these posts.  I've learned that it takes me much longer today  to finish a post than it did in 2007. It takes longer to do the research and longer to write the post. In spite of the additional time it takes, I plan to continue, at least for a while, and I hope you will continue to join me.

Published 31 December 2017, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/ 

Research Tip - Record the Date

We all know that we must cite the source for every document we find when doing research, but how often do we record the date the document was located?  It is such a simple thing to do, but can save us some headaches in the future.

Also, In several western Kentucky clerks' offices, old court bundles are being unfolded and re-filed, often under different headings.  Some counties filed these loose bundles under the date of the court session, but when re-filed, they are filed under the nature of the record (delinquent tax lists, emancipations, road orders, etc).  So, take a second to put the date with the rest of the source citation and it would be wise, also, to note the nature of the record. That might save you some time in locating that record later, if necessary.

Published 28 December 2017, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Tombstone Tuesday - Solomon G. and Florence Lee

Lee

Solomon G. Lee

Dec. 20, 1850

Apr. 16, 1930

_____

Florence his wife

Feb. 19, 1862

Nov. 16, 1945

Buried Pinckneyville Cemetery, near Salem, Livingston County, Kentucky. Tombstone photographed 8 November 2017.

According to his death certificate,[1] Solomon Green Lee was born in Tennessee and was the son of William Thomas Lee and Sarah Mahala Davis, both of whom were born in South Carolina. Solomon G. Lee was a farmer.

Florence Lee was the daughter of Dempsey Stalions and an unknown mother.[2] The death date on her death certificate is given as 15 November 1945.

Solomon G. Lee first married Isabel Lucas, daughter of Ingram C. Lucas and Mary Ann Hill, in Crittenden County, Kentucky on 26 January 1873.[3] She passed away 3 December 1880 and is buried at Hurricane Cemetery, Crittenden County.[4]  Solomon G. Lee married Miss Florence Stalions 15 February 1882 in Crittenden County.[5]

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[1] Kentucky Death Certificate #12464, Solomon Green Lee, Ancestry.com.

[2] Kentucky Death Certificate #26756, Florence Lee, Ancestry.com.

[3] Brenda Joyce Jerome. Crittenden County, Kentucky Marriage Records, Vol. II  1866-1886, (Evansville, IN: Evansville Bindery, 1991)54.

[4] Find A Grave Memorial #63581614, Isabel Lee.

[5] Jerome. Crittenden County, Kentucky Marriage Records, Vol. II 1866-1886, 129.

Published 26 December 2017, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Merry Christmas!

Published 24 December 2017, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Martin Gahagen (1823-1914)

Gahagen

Arelia

His Wife

Born

Nov. 11, 1843

Died

May 15, 1905

Martin

Gahagen

Born

Apr. 4, 1823

Died

July  10, 1914

Buried Green's Chapel Cemetery, Crittenden County, Kentucky. Tombstone photographed 9 March 2017.

The tombstone above gives no hint to the circumstances surrounding the courtship and marriage of Arelia (Sabin) and Martin Gahagen. They became acquainted through correspondence and never met until Arelia arrived in Evansville, Indiana from her home in Michigan. They met in Evansville,  married on 21 February 1900 and returned to Martin's home in Weston, Kentucky. [1] Unfortunately, Arelia only lived five years after her marriage.

This was not the first marriage for Martin Gahagen. On 4 March 1868 he had married Miss Margaret T. Cain in Crittenden County[2]. They were married a number of years before their marriage ended in divorce. Then came the marriage to Arelia Sabin. On 20 February 1906, Martin married Mrs. M.B. Ford[3], who survived him.

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[1] "Met By Correspondence," Evansville Courier, Thursday, 22 February 1900; reprinted in Crittenden Press.

[2] Brenda Joyce Jerome, Crittenden County, Kentucky Marriage Records, Vol. II 1866-1886, (Evansville, IN: Evansville Bindery, 1991) 16.

[3] Crittenden County Genealogy, Inc., Crittenden County, Kentucky Marriages 1900-1910, (n.p., 2016) 91.

Published 21 December 2017, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Tombstone Tuesday - Jasper and Mary Franklin

Jasper Franklin

Born

Apr. 27, 1773

Died

Mar. 26, 1847

Mary

Wife of

Jasper Franklin

Born

Dec. 24, 1778

Died Mar. 3, 1846

Buried Hurricane Cemetery, Crittenden County, Kentucky. Tombstone photographed 7 November 2014.

Jasper Franklin married Polly Brockman 27 October 1796 Amherst County, Virginia.[1] By 7 August 1810, they had left Virginia and were living in Livingston County, Kentucky.[2] They are found in Crittenden County when that county was cut off from Livingston in 1842.

In 1842, Jasper's son, Angereau Franklin and his wife Lucinda, conveyed property on Hurricane Creek to Jasper Franklin. The deed, however, was to be null and void at the death or removal from the county by Jasper and wife.[3]

Jasper Franklin left a will in which he left property or money to the following children: Anthony, Angereau, Paulina, Anthony, Matilda, Lucinda and Calpurnia Franklin and left a colt to his grandson, Booker Franklin.[4]

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[1] Virginia Compiled Marriages, 1660-1800, Ancestry.com..

[2] 1810 Livingston County, Kentucky Census, Ancestry.com.

[3] Crittenden County, Kentucky Deed Book A, p. 400, dated 21 December 1842, recorded 11 August 1845.

[4] Crittenden County, Kentucky  Will Book 1, p. 18, dated 3 February 1847, recorded April 1847.

Published 19 December 2017, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog,  http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Livingston County, Kentucky Guardians 1864

A guardian was appointed when a person was unable to act for himself or was under the age of 21 years. At the age of 14, a minor could choose his own guardian. If under the age of 14, the county court appointed the guardian. To guarantee the faithful performance of his duties, the guardian was required to post bond with a surety.  The following information has been abstracted from Livingston County Guardian Bond Book C (1863-1878) and Livingston County Court Order Book M. The last notation indicates Order Book M, page number.

Bayliss S. Canada was appointed guardian of William James Canada, Elizabeth Ann Canada and Charles Canada, all under the age of 14 years.. Surety: T.A. Leeper.  7 Mar 1864. [M/226]

T.A. Leeper was appointed guardian of J.H. Jobe and George C. Jobe, both under the age of 14 and the infants of J.B. Jobe dec'd. Surety: R.S. Harmon.  7 Mar 1864.   [M/228]

W.R. Frazier was chosen guardian by Levi Frazier, over the age of 14 and the infant of Felix L. Frazier. Surety: Wm. Evans. 7 Mar 1864.  [M/228]

James Tracey was appointed guardian of Julia Ann Tracey, James M. Tracey and John T. Tracey, under the age of 14 and infants of Sarah J. Wilson [sic] dec'd. Surety: G.G. Rappolee. 5 Sep 1864.  [M/248]

T.R. Duley was appointed guardian of Laura Champion, Rosalie Champion and Adaline Champion, all under the age of 14. Surety: E.M. Duley.  5 Dec 1864..   [M/262]

Mary A. Alley was chosen guardian by Absy L. Alley and Loudemia Alley, both over the age of 14 and infants of A.M.B. Alley dec'd. Mary A. Alley was appointed guardian of Giles D. Alley, Mary D. Alley, Martha Ann Alley and Thomas B. Alley, infants of A.M.B. Alley and all  under the age of 14. Surety: J.H. Alley.  5 Dec 1864.  [M/262]

William Banks was appointed guardian of James A. Taylor, under 14 years and heir of James E. Taylor dec'd. Surety: N.D. Todd.  5 Dec 1864. Surety: N.D. Todd.  [M/263]

T.M. Robertson  was chosen guardian by Melissa B. Robertson, over the age of 14 and an infant heir of T.B. Robertson. Surety: D.B. Sanders.  5 Dec 1864. [M/265]

Martha Wooldridge selected H.B. Edwards as her guardian, Martha being over 14 and an infant heir of Edward Wooldridge. Surety: R.S. Boyd. 5 Dec 1864. [M/265]

Published 14 December 2017, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Tombstone Tuesday - T.A. and Ida Irene Jones

Father

T.A. Jones

Feb. 8, 1864

July 1, 1931

An honest man is the

noblest work of God

Mother

Ida Irene Jones

Feb. 8, 1870

Feb. 13, 1943

Resting  until the

resurrection morn

Buried Smithland Cemetery, Livingston County, Kentucky. Tombstones photographed 5 February 2017.

Thomas Alfred Jones was the son of William O. Jones and Rebecca Bennett . He was the owner of a meat packing plant in Paducah, Kentucky and died as a result of a train hitting his automobile.[1]  Thomas A. and Ida I. Jones lived in Paducah for many years.[2]

Ida Irene Jones  was the daughter of George D. Scott and Mary Evaline Jones.[3] She died while visiting her  daughter, Mrs. E.S. Fakes, in Chicago on 13 February 1943.[4]

---

[1] Kentucky Death Certificate #17745, Thos. A. Jones, Ancestry.com, accessed 23 October 2017.

[2] T.A. and Irene Jones are enumerated on the 1900 - 1930 McCracken County, Kentucky census records.

[3] Illinois, Deaths and Stillbirths Index, 1916-1947, Ancestry.com, accessed 23 October 2017.

[4] Obituary of Ida I. Jones, Livingston Ledger 18 February 1943.

Published 12 December 2017, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Update on Jonathan Postlewait Death 1852

One of the greatest benefits of publishing a blog is the ability to reach many people.  Recently I received an email from Richard Rieck, Professor Emeritus in the Dept. of Geography at Western Illinois University concerning a Western Kentucky Genealogy blog post written over a year ago. Prof. Rieck has been working on a book manuscript about  deaths on the Oregon/California/Mormon Trails 1841-1865. In the course of his research, he came across a letter sent by an anonymous traveler  to a St. Louis newspaper.[1]  This letter was published in 1852 and contained a list of trail graves, including one with the following information: "J. Postlewait, aged 35, Chritenden County, Ky."  Apparently, the grave had a head board in 1852, but it does not exist today. The letter writer stated that the Postlewait grave was on the south side of the North Platte River between Ash Hollow (near present-day Lewellen, Nebraska) and Ft. Laramie, Wyoming.

If you recall,  Jonathan Postlewait of Crittenden County died 11 June 1852, leaving a widow, Mary (Ashley) Postlewait,  and several young children. Mary  Postlewait  remarried and went to Ray County, Missouri.

Fortunately, Prof. Rieck read the blog post on Jonathan Postlewait, contacted me and shared the burial information. So, now we know where Postlewait was buried and Prof. Rieck knows Postlewait's death date.  Isn't sharing information fun?  And the world no longer seems so big.

---

[1] St. Louis Intelligencer, 13 July 1852, p. 1, col. 8, as supplied by Richard Rieck  in an email 2 December 2017.

Published 7 December 2017, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Tombstone Tuesday - J.W. and Dollie A. Ainsworth

J.W. Ainsworth

Mar. 24, 1841

Apr. 4, 1917

____

Dollie A. His Wife

Jan. 9, 1848

Dec. 4, 1918

Buried Deer Creek Cemetery, Crittenden County, Kentucky. Tombstone photographed 7 November 2014.

According to his death certificate,[1] James W. Ainsworth was born in Todd County, Tennessee [sic] and was the son of Charl. Ainsworth and Malinda Durham. The family of James C. and Melinda Ainsworth was enumerated on the 1850 Montgomery County, Tennessee census. James W. Ainsworth, age 10,  was listed in that household.[2]  By 1860, the Ainsworth family had moved to Livingston County, Kentucky and was in Crittenden County by 1870.

On 21 December 1865, J.W. Ainsworth married  Miss Darthula Bettis at the home of Jacob Bettis in Crittenden County.[3]  Ainsworth received a pension for his service in Co. B., 6th Illinois Cavalry.[4] Following his death, his wife, Darthula Bettis Ainsworth received a widow's pension.

Darthula/Dorothy  Angelina Ainsworth was the daughter of Jacob W. Bettis and Juda Walker, both of whom were born in Tennessee.[5]

The obituary for J.W. Ainsworth appeared in the 12 April 1917 issue of the Crittenden Record-Press. Survivors included a son, Julian Ainsworth of Blodgett, Missouri  and daughters, Emma, wife of Audie Love of Salem and Annie wife of Will Privet of Sheridan. He was given a Masonic burial at Deer Creek Cemetery.

---

[1] Kentucky Death Certificate #10411, James W. Ainsworth, Ancestry.com, accessed 4 October 2017.

[2] 1850 Montgomery County, Tennessee census, Ancestry.com, accessed 4 October 2017.

[3] Brenda Joyce Jerome. Crittenden County, Kentucky Marriage Records, Vol. 1 1842-1865 and Abstracts of Wills Book 1 1842 - 1924, (Evansville, IN: Evansville Bindery, 1990) 114.

[4] U.S. Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934, Ancestry.com, accessed 4 October 2017.

[5] Kentucky Death Certificate #38396, Dorothy Angelina Ainsworth, Ancestry.com, accessed 4 October 2017.

Published 5 December 2017, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/