Digitization of the Canadian Expeditionary Force Personnel Service Files – Update April 2016

The following announcement was sent by Library and Archives Canada (LAC)

As of today, 275,299 of 640,000 files are available online via our Soldiers of the First World War: 1914–1918 database. Please visit the Digitization of the Canadian Expeditionary Force Service Files page for more details on the digitization project.

Library and Archives Canada is digitizing the service files systematically, from box 1 to box 10686, which roughly corresponds to alphabetical order. Please note that over the years, the content of some boxes has had to be moved and, you might find that the file you want, with a surname that is supposed to have been digitized, is now located in another box that has not yet been digitized. So far, we have digitized the following files:

    Latest box digitized: Box 4617 and Hunt.

Peer Family in N America V 6 Jacob Peer & Lucy Powers

The Peer Family in North America: V. 6 Jacob Peer Jr. & His Wife Lucy Powers and their Descendants to 2 Generations
 
Authored by Lorine McGinnis Schulze

List Price: $45.99
8.5" x 11" (21.59 x 27.94 cm)
Full Color on White paper
152 pages
Olive Tree Genealogy

Available on Amazon.com or CreateSpace or Amazon.ca

The Peer family, loyal to the British Crown, suffered from persecution in New Jersey throughout the American Revolution. Jacob Peer Jr. and his wife Lucy Powers settled in the wilderness of Upper Canada (present day Ontario) after the American Revolution.

After suffering losses during the War of 1812, they left Ontario for Michigan in 1821. This book discusses the lives of Jacob, his wife, and their children in those early years. Descendants will enjoy seeing early documents such as land petitions, family photographs, probate records and wills.

Note that Volumes 1 - 6 are published and can be purchased on these sites:

Lorine's Books on Amazon.com | Lorine's Books on Amazon.ca | CreateSpace Store

Who Do You Think You Are? With Katey Sagal

 Be sure to watch this Sunday’s episode of Who Do You Think You Are? featuring actress Katey Sagal

Katey Sagal and Dr. Kara Dixon-Vuic
an Associate Professor of History
at the Texas Christian University

Katey Sagal lost her parents at a young age and has no family to fill in the blanks of her ancestry. She goes on a journey to understand her beloved mother’s life as a performer for the USO during World War II, and gets emotional connecting for the first time with the only person she’s met who knew her mother when she was young. 

Then she digs deep into her roots, uncovering a surprising link to early American Amish settlers, and discovers the shocking story of a fierce attack her ancestors endured. She finds her family torn apart and struggling to reconnect after years of separation, which challenges her own morals on motherhood.

The two-time Emmy nominated series WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? returns this spring to follow more of today’s most beloved and iconic celebrities as they embark on personal journeys of self-discovery to trace their family trees.
 
Ancestry.com, the leading family history company, is teaming up again with TLC as a sponsor of the upcoming season. As part of the show sponsorship, Ancestry provides exhaustive family history research on each of the featured celebrities to help make discoveries possible and build out the story of each episode.
The series is produced for TLC by Shed Media and Is or Isn’t Entertainment, and is based on an original format created by Wall to Wall Media and Alex Graham. More information can be found at TLC.com/WDYTYA. ‘Like’ Who Do You Think You Are? on Facebook.com/WDYTYA and follow @WDYTYA on Twitter.
Image credit: TLC

It's Ready! V. 4 Peer Family in N America - Philip Peer & His Wives

The Peer Family in North America:V.4 Philip Peer & his two Wives Ester Dunn and Susan Griniaus and their Descendants to 3 Generations

Authored by Lorine McGinnis Schulze

List Price: $39.99

8.5" x 11" (21.59 x 27.94 cm) 

Full Color on White paper
102 pages

Olive Tree Genealogy

See all Lorine's genealogy books available on Amazon.com and Amazon.ca  

The Peer family, loyal to the British Crown, suffered from persecution in New Jersey throughout the American Revolution. 

Philip Peer and his family left Sussex County New Jersey for Upper Canada in the summer of 1796. After his first wife Ester Dunn died Philip married Susan Griniaus. 

This book discusses the lives of Philip, his two wives, and their children and grandchildren in those early years. Descendants will enjoy seeing early documents such as land petitions, family photographs, newspaper clippings, and wills.

Available on Amazon.com or CreateSpace or Amazon.ca

Note that Volumes 1 - 6 are published and can be purchased on these sites:

Lorine's Books on Amazon.com | Lorine's Books on Amazon.ca | CreateSpace Store

Don't Miss Past Voices: Letters Home

Have you been to Past Voices: Letters Home? Past Voices gives our ancestors a voice - and these voices from the past come alive in their letters. 

Letter writing has long been an important mode of interpersonal and official communication. As long ago as 3500 BC, Sumerians sent "letters" written on cuneiform tablets in clay "envelopes". 

Letter writing flourished in the seventeenth century in Europe and it was an extremely important form of communication. As public postal services were established letter-writing increased even more dramatically.

Many letters on Past Voices are from soldiers far from home. Nothing tells the true reality of war more than the simple writings of the common soldier. These poignant letters from lonely men to their mothers, wives or sweethearts will touch your heart. Some letters will leave you bewildered by their unemotional telling of horrors almost beyond our comprehension. 

In February 1864 Lucius Bidwell wrote to his mother

"Our Heavenly Father has again saved your son Lucius safely through another battle ..." 

"The water was very cold--it makes a fellow’s feet and legs ache, I tell you!"

"James Ingles was hit on the leg, and a man named Winks in our camp, and another German, was shot through the head (named Stinall) and another tent-mate of mine was hurt in the ankle. Our Major was slightly wounded in the leg. Capt. John Broaht, I hear, had his finger shot off, but I have not seen him yet."


Past Voices also contains letters and memoirs from ordinary individuals going about their everyday lives. These letters provide us with a sense of history, of being there and experiencing life with the people who write about the times they live in. 

"When women get to running boundary lines it will take several generations for them to right the mistakes of their forefathers. The women of Reno show their appreciation of being emancipated from the wash tub by making their social calls on Monday morning..." Caroline Churchill, California 1870s

On Past Voices you can find your roots and hear your ancestors' words across the generations. Add branches to your family tree as you find your genealogy.

You can also learn how to find and preserve old documents, family treasures and heirlooms.

Are You a Peer Descendant? Don't miss the new books!

The Peer Family in North America: V.3 Edward Peer & His Two Wives and their Descendants to 3 Generations

by Lorine McGinnis Schulze

List Price: $29.99

8.5" x 11" (21.59 x 27.94 cm) 
Full Color on White paper
70 pages

Olive Tree Genealogy
ISBN-13: 978-1987938043 
ISBN-10: 1987938046 

Available at Amazon.com or Amazon.ca or at Createspace  

See all Lorine's genealogy books available on Amazon.com and Amazon.ca

The Peer family, loyal to the British Crown, suffered from persecution in New Jersey throughout the American Revolution. 

Edward Peer, son of Jacob, came from New Jersey to the wilds of Upper Canada (present day Ontario) in 1786 with his first wife Anna. By 1820 he and his second wife Sarah left Ontario for Pennsylvania. He died in 1834 in Erie County Pennsylvania. 

This book discusses the lives of Edward, his two wives, and their children and grandchildren in those early years. Descendants will enjoy seeing early documents such as land petitions, family photographs, newspaper clippings, and wills.

Available at Amazon.com or Amazon.ca or at Createspace

Note that Volumes 1 - 6 are published and can be purchased on these sites:

Lorine's Books on Amazon.com | Lorine's Books on Amazon.ca | CreateSpace Store

New Book: The Peer Family in N America V 2 Levi Peer & Elizabeth Marical

The Peer Family in North America: V.2 Levi Peer & Elizabeth Marical and their Descendants to 3 Generations Authored by Lorine McGinnis Schulze

List Price: $39.99

8.5" x 11" (21.59 x 27.94 cm) 
Full Color on White paper
116 pages

Olive Tree Genealogy
ISBN-13: 978-0988088726 
ISBN-10: 098808872X 

Available on Createspace and on Amazon 

See all Lorine's genealogy books available on Amazon.com and Amazon.ca

The Peer family, loyal to the British Crown, suffered from persecution in New Jersey throughout the American Revolution. 

Levi and his family left Sussex County New Jersey in 1801 to join his parents and siblings in Upper Canada (Ontario). Shortly after the War of 1812, Levi and family left Canada for New York, then Pennsylvania, and eventually Illinois. One son returned to Canada. 

This book discusses the lives of Levi, his wife Elizabeth Marical and their children and grandchildren in those early years. Descendants will enjoy seeing early documents such as land petitions, family photographs, newspaper clippings, and wills.

Available on Createspace and on Amazon

Note that Volumes 1 - 6 are published and can be purchased on these sites:

Lorine's Books on Amazon.com | Lorine's Books on Amazon.ca | CreateSpace Store

How Mobile Were Our Ancestors?

Do you think your ancestors stayed in one place? Guess again! A prevalent myth among genealogists is that our ancestors could not, and did not, travel freely.

The truth is that many of our ancestors traveled frequently. They were much more mobile than most of us realize. When you look across the centuries, you can find examples of our ancestors’ frequent trips in times when travel was difficult, slow, and often expensive.

While it may be true that our immigrant ancestors returned home more frequently in later centuries, after ships’ travel became faster, easier, and less expensive, we should not assume this is the case. I have found many 17^th century immigrant ancestors who frequently sailed back and forth from their new land to their homeland.

Read the rest of my article at How Mobile Were Our Ancestors?

Image credit: Original artwork copyright Brian L. Massey, used with permission

Who Do You Think You Are? Featuring Scott Foley

Be sure to watch this Sunday’s episode of Who Do You Think You Are? featuring actor Scott Foley.  

The two-time Emmy nominated series WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? returns this spring to follow more of today’s most beloved and iconic celebrities as they embark on personal journeys of self-discovery to trace their family trees.
 
Ancestry.com, the leading family history company, is teaming up again with TLC as a sponsor of the upcoming season. As part of the show sponsorship, Ancestry provides exhaustive family history research on each of the featured celebrities to help make discoveries possible and build out the story of each episode.
The series is produced for TLC by Shed Media and Is or Isn’t Entertainment, and is based on an original format created by Wall to Wall Media and Alex Graham. More information can be found at TLC.com/WDYTYA. ‘Like’ Who Do You Think You Are? on Facebook.com/WDYTYA and follow @WDYTYA on Twitter.

Scott Foley is deeply patriotic but doesn’t know anything about his American roots. He sets out to investigate family lore about a Revolutionary War hero and to his surprise, discovers an ancestor who put his life on the line for George Washington. Digging deeper, Scott then uncovers the shocking tale of a relative who was entangled in the Salem Witch Trials! 

Image credit: TLC

Are Any of These Bones Your Ancestors?

The Museum of History in Ottawa Ontario Canada and the Registrar of Burial Sites is calling for relatives of anyone who believes bones found in two historical burial sites to come forward.

"Inside the Collections Room on the 5th floor of the museum, open only to those who work there, are the remains of 19 people:  adults, children and newborns that were discovered along Queen Street a couple of years ago during the construction of the LRT.  Then, in December, the remains of two more people were found just behind the building at 62 Sparks Street." [CFRA News Talk Radio]

Archives show a cemetery in the area that was once the corner of Bytown's Barrack Hill, where canal workers and their families were buried. The bones are to be re-interred.

Read more at Digging up the past: what we are learning about those who helped build the Canal from their remains

Don't Overlook Alternate Genealogy Records

How many of us search the more obvious sources, then are stuck not knowing where else to look for that elusive ancestor? Obvious sources are census records, birth records, marriage records, land records, death records, passenger lists, and newspapers. 

Of course there are also  naturalization records, passport records, military records, cemetery records, etc.

It may surprise you to know that there are also many valuable genealogy records that are less well known. I'm talking about education records, medical records, institution records, tax lists and so on. But there's another layer of overlooked records that many people miss completely. 

Here are three that I find incredibly valuable but often overlooked.

• Coffin plates Find ancestors in this wonderful genealogy resource at  Ancestors at Rest in  hundreds of coffin plates listed (with photographs)
• Memorial Cards & Funeral Cards Find ancestors in this wonderful genealogy resource at  Ancestors at Rest
• Ledger books, Account books, Admission Registers Ancestors at Rest has dozens of free ledger books online from N. America (mostly USA)

The Artwork of Institutionalized James Deeds Jr

"In 1970, a teenager found a handmade album in a pile of trash in Springfield, Mo. Inside, there were 283 drawings of trains, cars, animals and portraits of people with haunting, circular eyes that stared dead ahead. The album had no name or signature. The only clue to the artist's identity was the stationery on which each picture was drawn — stationery that belonged to State Hospital No. 3 in Nevada, Mo." [Source: http://www.npr.org/]

The artist's name was eventually discovered, as was his story of a life spent almost entirely in a mental institution.  Continue reading this poignant yet inspiring story at With Just Pencil And Paper, A Patient Found Escape Inside State Hospital No. 3

Good News - 4 More Peer Genealogy Books Coming Soon

Exciting news! My series of volumes for the Peer Family in North America is almost complete. FOUR volumes (V. 2, 3, 4 and 5) are due for publication this week.

As many of my Peer "cousins" know, I previously published Volume 1 on Jacob and Anne Peer, the ancestors who settled in Upper Canada from New Jersey shortly after the American Revolution. 

The Peer family were loyal to the British Crown, and suffered from persecution in New Jersey throughout the American Revolution. Jacob and his family left Sussex County New Jersey for Upper Canada in the summer of 1796. Four of Jacob’s sons – Jacob Jr., Edward, John and Philip Peer petitioned for land one year later. They settled in the Hamilton area of what was then the wilderness of Upper Canada. Sons Levi and Stephen did not submit petitions for land.
 
Some of the sons of Jacob left Upper Canada at that time and returned to the United States with their families, settling in Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York and Illinois. Some remained in Ontario. 

Descendants will enjoy seeing early documents such as land petitions, family photographs, newspaper clippings, letters, and wills.
Volume 1 is available directly from me:

The Peer Family in North America. V1 Jacob & Anne Peer, Immigrants from New Jersey to Upper Canada in 1796. A study of the first two generations. Coil bound 8.5x11. 108 p. 
Download an Order Form to pay by check or pay using Paypal

The much-anticipated Volumes for Jacob and Anne's sons Levi, Edward, Philip and Stephen are completed and are scheduled for publication this week. That's right - this week Peer descendants in North America will be able to order these books to learn more about their ancestors.

V.2 Levi Peer 8.5x11 - 108 pages V.3 Edward Peer 8.5x11 - 70 pages

V.4 Philip Peer 8.5x11 - 104 pages V.5 Stephen Peer 8.5x11 - 79 pages

For those descendants wondering where the volumes are for Jacob Jr. or daughters Phoebe and Marcy, those are in the works. As soon as the 4 new volumes are ready for purchase there will be a notice posted here on Olive Tree Genealogy blog.

 

Nursing Sister Philips WW1 Photo Album: 69V Captain Evans

This Photo Archive consists of a small autograph album (6.5" by 5.25") kept by Constance (Connie) Philips as a memento of her time serving as a nurse during World War One. 

The majority of the photos and items are from 1915, when she served as a nurse in France and Britain. 

ww1 69V 2-2Cpt Evans C.A.V.C.

The album and all photographs, postcards, and other ephemera contained in the album belong to Karin Armstrong and may not be copied or republished without her written permission. The images will be published on Olive Tree Genealogy with permission.

Each image has been designated an "R" for Recto or a "V" for Verso plus an album page number. Recto is the right-hand side page of a bound book while Verso is the left-hand side page.

I will be posting the entire album and my additional research on the individuals identified in Connie's album over the coming months so please check back frequently to view these historic photos. The easiest way to see what has been published is to click on the topic "Nursing Sister WW1 Photos"

Who Do You Think You Are? Returns Tomorrow with Aisha Tyler

The two-time Emmy nominated series WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? returns this spring to follow more of today’s most beloved and iconic celebrities as they embark on personal journeys of self-discovery to trace their family trees.

The series continues to deliver unbelievable stories from crucial moments in history, including a number of firsts for the series, such as a male witch hunt, and traveling to Portugal, Sweden and Ellis Island. Executive Produced by Lisa Kudrow and Dan Bucatinsky, the new season premieres Sunday, April 3 at 9/8c.

This Sunday's episode features Aisha Tyler, who dives fearlessly into her mother’s family history, tracking down the story of a man that had been lost over generations. She uncovers the astonishing tale of a prominent ancestor whose struggle to keep his illegitimate son a secret made the papers; a father who actively fought against his kin’s basic human rights; and the impressive story of her two times great-grandfather, who dove headlong into controversy, took a brave stand for his people, and left a mark so great that he is commemorated today by one of America’s capital cities.

The contributors featured in the upcoming season include:


·         Scott Foley finds a relative who risked his life for one of America’s founding fathers, and an ancestor who suffered unspeakably during one of this nation’s darkest times.

·         Lea Michele nails down where her mysterious paternal ancestors came from, and learns of the dire economic circumstances they endured while trying to emigrate to the U.S.

·         Chris Noth learns his ancestors suffered during one of the greatest catastrophes in American history, and a relative who fought in one of the bloodiest battles of all time.

·         Molly Ringwald explores family lore of Swedish royalty which uncovers her ancestors’ harrowing lives and a brave woman who forever changed her family’s fate.

·         Katey Sagal is shocked to learn of her family’s Amish roots, and digs deeper as she realizes the level of dedication to their faith.

·         Aisha Tyler tracks down her 2x great-grandfather, whose story had been lost over generations, and uncovers an astonishing tale of a prominent ancestor whose struggle to keep his illegitimate son a secret made headlines.

Ancestry.com, the leading family history company, is teaming up again with TLC as a sponsor of the upcoming season. As part of the show sponsorship, Ancestry provides exhaustive family history research on each of the featured celebrities to help make discoveries possible and build out the story of each episode.

The series is produced for TLC by Shed Media and Is or Isn’t Entertainment, and is based on an original format created by Wall to Wall Media and Alex Graham. More information can be found at TLC.com/WDYTYA. ‘Like’ Who Do You Think You Are? on Facebook.com/WDYTYA and follow @WDYTYA on Twitter.

Image credit: TLC

Orphaned Triplets Seek Family Ancestry

Recently a story about orphaned triplets made the news. In January 1953 Mamie Lee Kelly gave birth to triplets in Adams Hospital near Logan Circle, Washington DC. Mamie died a few days after they were born. Two years later their father Alexander Kelly was shot and killed.

The triplets went to different homes - Dwight and Alexander went to North Carolina, while sister Mamie was sent to Philadelphia. Now that they are adults, the triplets want to know their family ancestry. I've done some research and have found more information which I will be giving to the newspaper.

If any of my readers want to jump in and assist in this search, here are the facts from the newspaper story:

• Mamie Lee Kelly gave birth to triplets on Jan. 18, 1953, at Adams Hospital near Logan Circle, Washington:  Dwight and Alexander David  (went to N. Carolina) and  Mamie ( went to Philly)
• Mother died Jan. 22, 1953
• Father Alexander Kelly shot and killed  Nov. 1955
• older sister to triplets was Linda
• There were 3 Adams Hospital nurses, L.E. Lee, Evelyn Cheffens and Ruth Milberrie. 

Source: Orphaned Triplets Search for their Family's History

Here are my findings: 

 
Date: Monday, January 26, 1953

Paper: Evening Star (Washington (DC), District of Columbia)  Page: 13

From this clipping we know that Mamie's parents were Carl and Lona Mae Jones, and her sister was Mrs. Essie Govan.

Sunday, November 6, 1955  

Paper: Evening Star (Washington (DC), District of Columbia)  Page: 37

From this we find that Alexander Kelly was born circa 1919

The birth of the triplet's sister  (Linda) is mentioned in Saturday, February 17, 1951 newspaper for Washington DC.  

Next I found their mother with her parents and sister in 1930 and 1940 census records.

1930 census Kent, Prince George´S, Maryland; Roll: 878; Page: 2B; Enumeration District: 0028; Image: 51.0; FHL microfilm: 2340613

Carl Jones, 25 b N. Carolina
Lona, 25 b N. Carolina
Mamie 7 b N. Carolina
Essie M. 5 b Maryland

1940 Census Prince George´S, Maryland; Roll: T627_1557; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 17-41

Carl Jones     37, shop boy, grade 6 education
Lena M Jones     37 never went to school
Mamie E Jones     17 left school after grade 7
Essie M Jones     15 2nd year high school
Joshua P Taylor     47 brother-in-law, busboy, grade 2 education 

 

It appears Mamie's father died in 1969. 

Name:	Carl Jones
SSN:	578-10-8173
Last Residence:	20786 Landover, Prince Georges, Maryland, USA
BORN:	4 Jul 1902
Died:	Jan 1969
State (Year) SSN issued:	District of Columbia (Before 1951

  
His obituary is found Tuesday, January 28, 1969
Evening Star (Washington (DC), District of Columbia) on p. 29

Lona Jones, his wife died in 1973. Her obituary is found January 17, 1973 in the Evening Star (Washington DC) on p 39



I found Essie Mae Govan living in Capitol Heights Maryland from August 1984 to May 2005. Other nams associated with Essie were James Govan, Joe Nathan Govan, Lashawn Michelle Vanhorne, Natalie Govan




UPDATE April 2:  Marian Koalski adds this find of Lona's maiden name:

Carl and Lona's daughter, Essie Mae Jones, was born in Wilson County, NC, in 1924, and her mother's maiden name was listed as Taylor. "North Carolina Birth Index, 1800-2000," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VC71-6XK : accessed 2 April 2016), Carl Jones in entry for Essie Mae Jones, 1924; from "North Carolina, Birth and Death Indexes, 1800-2000," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2005); citing vol. 16, p. 126, Wilson, North Carolina, North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh.

Plagiarism Accusations

 Plagiarism and copyright infringement are a serious issue for those of us publishing our work online.  

Ancestry Insider has done some fact-checking on some recent issues. Please read and form your own opinion.

Continue reading More Accusations of Plagiarism Leveled at Barry Ewell

Fascinating Story of NYC sanitation worker's $160,000 treasure

One man's trash is this NYC sanitation worker's $160,000 treasure

One man's trash is New York City sanitation worker Nelson Molina's treasure. During his 34 year career of keeping the Big Apple clean, he collected more than $160,000 worth of amazing trash finds. 

From antique guitars to action figures, check out his collection on display in an East Harlem warehouse. [Source: New York Daily News]

See the photos and read this man's incredible story at New York Sanitation Worker Collects $160K Collection From Trash

 

Legacy Family Tree Article Why Do We Do Genealogy?

Olive Tree Genealogy's latest article on Legacy Family Tree is proving very popular. If you haven't read it, you might want to take a few minutes to do so.

A friend asked an interesting question. "Why do you do genealogy?" The answer should be simple. One would think it would be something along the lines of:

"I do genealogy because I want to know who my ancestors were."

But guess what? Like most questions in life, the answer is not that simple. There are a myriad of reasons why we delve into genealogy research. Wanting to find out who our ancestors were is just the tip of the genealogy iceberg.

Continue reading at  Why Do We Do Genealogy?

Easter Postcard Buffalo New York 1912

Recently I rescued 28 vintage orphaned postcards from antique shops. They range in date from 1900 to 1918. 27 are from United States and 1 is from Ontario Canada. 

I have scanned and added 6 of these postcards to Lost Faces and will be adding the rest of these wonderful cards over the next month. I hope descendants will see these postcards and recognize an ancestor.  

Perhaps you will find an ancestor or two!

Easter Card To Mrs. T. F. Galligan, 304 Virginia St, Buffalo New York. from Alice 1912