Merry Christmas 2022 !!

 

Why Do You Do Genealogy?

This post was first published 14 Nov 2008 and my reasons for doing genealogy remain the same today in Nov 2022. Genealogy is still fun and there is still a thrill each time a piece of new information is found.

When you are really frustrated at not finding the information you want to know, do you wonder why you even do genealogy? I do, but only for a short time. Genealogy has been such a big part of my life for so long that it is hard to imagine life without it.

But why do I do genealogy? It isn’t in hopes of finding a connection to a famous person - I gave up that hope six months after I started researching. From the very beginning of time, or so it seems, my ancestors were hard working farmers whose lives centered around providing the basics for their families. None achieved greatness in terms of money, land or personal fame, but most were blessed with courage and perseverance. I’ll take those traits over money any day.

That still doesn’t tell you why I do genealogy. I can’t answer in one word, but I can give you three reasons why genealogy is so important to me

*  The need to know my place in the world - the place where I belong, where I can call home and where my history is known. I think we all have that need and it is what drives us to find the answers in genealogy.

*  The need to organize - the need to fit each ancestor and his family into their own proper place and time. There is a sense of accomplishment when gaps are replaced with facts. This is why I still like the old fashioned family group sheets. I can see at a glance the information I have and the information I still need. When the group sheet is complete, it is time to go on to the next one.

*  Genealogy is just plain fun! There is a thrill each time a piece of information is found and connects to another bit I already have. I have met some wonderful people in this journey to find my ancestors and I would not trade the experiences I’ve had for any amount of money.

So, why do you do genealogy? I bet you can't answer in just one word!

Published 15 Dec 2022, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Spiritualism in Smithland

The following was originally published here on the 11th of June 2020.  

On the 1^st day of July 1875, a jury of 12 men met in a special term of the Livingston County Court to hear evidence and decide if Charles S. Lyon, a 35 year old resident of Smithland was of unsound mind and, if so,  to determine the cause. 

Lyon, the son of Harriet Cook and Stephen Lyon, had come under the influence of a different kind of religion and had wandered away from home. His half brother suspected he had gone to Memphis, Tennessee where one of the leaders of this religion might be found.  Although a reader of general spiritualistic literature, Lyon’s relatives believed that the immediate cause of his insanity was the reading of Dr. Samuel Watson’s works on that subject.  Lyon was found in the bottom lands across from Memphis and was brought back to Smithland to determine the condition of his mind. [1] The jury, after  hearing the evidence, rendered the following verdict: “We the Jury find that Charles S. Lyon … is of unsound mind, that he is a Lunatic … lost his mind about the 13^th day of May 1875, that the probable cause from the evidence, was Spiritualism, Religion and Love.”[2]  E.G. Leeper was appointed to convey Lyon to the Lunatic Asylum in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. We do not know if Lyon continued his interest in Spiritualism, but we do know that Lyon lived in the Asylum until his death 37 years later. His remains were returned for burial near his relatives in Smithland Cemetery.  

What was this Spiritualism that was given as a reason in Charles S. Lyon being declared insane?  Wikipedia describes Spiritualism as a religious movement based on the belief that the spirits of the dead exist and have both the ability and inclination to communicate with the living. Some people believed in elements of this movement that later became known as Spiritualism, but there was no organized movement prior to 1848.  Also, there was no formal text outlining the principles of Spiritualism.   “Spiritualists believe in the possibility of communication with the spirits of dead people, with whom they regard as ‘discarnate humans.’ They believe that spirit mediums are gifted to carry on such communication, but that anyone may become a medium through study and practice.” They believe spirits are capable of growth and perfection, progressing through higher spheres or planes …  The two beliefs – that contact with spirits is possible, and that spirits may dwell on a higher plane – lead to a third belief, that spirits can provide knowledge about moral and ethical issues, as well as about God and the afterlife. Many believers therefore speak of ‘spirit guides’ … [3] 

During the early years the fundamentals of Spiritualism were spread mainly through magazines, lectures and camp meetings and many of the speakers were women.    One of the early leaders was the Rev. Dr. Samuel Watson. In 1875, he published Volume 1 of The Spiritual Magazine.  A prominent member of the Methodist church for 30 years,  Dr. Watson chose to sever his connection with the Methodist church in favor of his strong belief in Spiritualism.    Dr. Watson was living in Memphis in 1875, the same year Charles S. Lyon wandered off to that city. [4]                                                                                                                                           

It was “A Sad Case,” when Charles S. Lyon was judged to be of unsound mind because of “Spiritualism, Religion and Love.”  Was he, indeed, of unsound mind or was he simply practicing a different kind of religion?  Lyon was not the only person in the area who espoused Spiritualism. Peter H. Conant of Smithland (1809-1890) was also a believer in this religion. According to his obituary, he was “a Spiritualist and an earnest believer in the faith.” [5]  “The Conant family belonged to a religious group that did not believe in marking the graves of its dead. Many of the family members were buried in a sand bank on the left of Highway 60 that now runs from the town of Smithland to the Cumberland River bridge.”[6]  His burial place is unknown.

Robert Dale Owen of New Harmony, Posey County, Indiana was also a Spiritualist.  Owen (1801-1890) was a member of the Indiana House of Representatives, wrote about his personal and political views and published two books. His family is found throughout New Harmony’s history.  Another well-known Spiritualist was Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930) who was interested in many subjects, including the paranormal and those of a mystical nature, but is perhaps better known as the creator of the character, Sherlock Holmes.

Spiritualists are still found in all segments of society with some having websites and online videos explaining their beliefs.

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[1] “A Sad Case,” Daily Louisville Commercial (Louisville, Ky), Fri., 9 July 1875, p. 4, GenealogyBank, accessed 1 June 2020.

[2] Lunacy Record, Charles S. Lyon, Livingston County Loose Court Clerk’s papers, Box 19, July term 1875, Livingston County Court Clerk, accessed 2008.

[3] “Spiritualism,” Wikipedia, < https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiritualism>, accessed 4 June 2020.

[4] S. Watson. The Spiritual Magazine, Volume 1, (Memphis, TN: Boyle & Chapman, 1975) Google Books, accessed 4 June 2020.

[5] “A Sad Case,” Daily Louisville Commercial, 9 July 1875, p. 4.

[6] Leslie McDonald. Echoes of Yesteryear, (Smithland, KY: Livingston County Historical and Genealogical Society, Smithland, Kentucky, 1972) 105-106.

Published again 1 Dec 2022, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/