Monday, September 30, 2024

 Using AI for the first time 


I have been working on a DNA project for a friend to find her biological father. I am getting closer but this one is a doozy. I decided to pay for a few months of AncestryDNA Pro tools to see if they would help me with the DNA matches. It did give reveal some things but I am still searching.

AncestryDNA Pro Tools also has a tree checker so I figured if I paid for it I should use it. So I started checking my Mom's tree, my Dad's tree and my husband's tree.

While working on my husband's Telesca tree I started looking for and adding sources to his ancestors. (SQUIRREL!)

I found a death certificate for Wilhelm Friedrich August Hugo Burk who died in 1942 in Berlin, Germany.

He is a brother to my husband's Great Grandmother Martha Burk Ahlendorf.

The problem was it was all in German and I don't speak or read German.


I have been listening to podcasts about using AI for genealogy but just haven't had time to really try it.  So I decided to give it a try with ChatGPT.

I know AI can sometimes hallucinate so you have to make sure you check everything carefully.  

I uploaded the document and gave it a prompt. It quickly gave me a translation to English. But, after looking through it I realized it missed a line and got the maiden names of the women wrong.

I could have given it more prompts to correct the mistakes but I used a translator site to decipher a few words and corrected the maiden names. 

Below is the transcription with my corrections. 

PROMPT

You are an expert genealogist who can translate German to English. Translate this German Death record exactly from German language to English language.

CORRECTED AI TRANSLATION

No. 400

Berlin - Pankow ................ on 26 March 1942.

The pensioner Wilhelm Friedrich August Hugo Burk, Protestant, residing in Berlin - Pankow, Amalienpark 4, born on 19 July 1860 in Apolda in Thuringia, died on 25 March 1942 at 11:50 PM in Berlin - Pankow, Amalienpark 4.

The deceased was the son of the master weaver Georg Burk, deceased in America, last place of residence unknown, and Johanna Burk, née Hanf, also deceased, last residing in Blankenhain in Thuringia.

The deceased was widowed. His wife was Anna Karoline Burk, née Heidelmann, who died and most recently lived in Berlin-Pankow.

The informant is the daughter, bank notary's assistant Emma Burk, residing in Berlin-Pankow, Amalienpark 4. The informant is known personally, and she has been informed about the death from her own knowledge.

The above statement was made on her own knowledge.

The 1st word and 1st digit have been corrected in the text.
Read aloud, approved, and signed.
[signed] Emma Burk

The registrar
[signed] [illegible]

In representation: [illegible]

Cause of death: Stomach cancer, cachexia.

The marriage of the deceased took place on 15 May 1887 in Niederroßla

(Registry Office NiderroBla in Thurigen No. 6)

The entry was issued on 26 March 1942.

I then asked it to give me a summary. I realized it still had the maiden names wrong so I asked it to correct the names and gave it the correct names.

AI SUMMARY

  • Deceased: Wilhelm Friedrich August Hugo Burk
  • Date of Death: March 25, 1942, at 11:50 PM
  • Place of Death: Berlin-Pankow, Amalienpark 4
  • Date of Birth: July 19, 1860, in Apolda, Thuringia
  • Parents:
    • Father: Georg Burk, a master weaver, deceased in America (last residence unknown)
    • Mother: Johanna Burk, also deceased (last residence in Berlin-Pankow)
  • Cause of Death: Stomach cancer and cachexia
  • Marital Status: Widower
    • Wife: Anna Karoline Burk, née Heidelmann, deceased in Berlin-Pankow
    • Married on May 15, 1887, in Niederroßla
  • Informant: Daughter, Emma Burk (bank notary's assistant), residing in Berlin-Pankow, Amalienpark 4.
WHAT I LEARNED

Even though this record was for my husband's Great Uncle, it gave me information about his 2nd Great Grandparents Georg and Johanna Burk that I did not know before. I did not know Georg was a master weaver or that he died in America. It also confirmed where the family was from in Germany.

I was excited to give AI a try and this was the perfect project to try it out.

Wednesday, January 31, 2024

 RESEARCH PROJECT STUBY

 

OBJECTIVE

Who are the parents of Andrew Stuby born about 1810 in Germany. He married a widow named Elizabeth Wagner. They had one son, Jacob Stuby born between 1842-1847 in Pennsylvania. I will us documentary research and autosomal DNA matches on Ancestry using the matches of a cousin who is one generation closer.

SUMMARY OF KNOWN FACTS

 1845 Oct 08 Deed: William MCloskey and wife to Andrew Stupi

 1848 Jun 20 Deed: Ann Fisher et. al. to Andrew Steube

 1849 Apr 09 Deed: Ezekiel Hughes et.ux. to Anthony Steuby

 1850 Census Blair Co., PA Andrew Stuby age 40 miner born in Germany. Wife Elizabeth Stuby age 50 born in Germany. Son Jacob Stuby age 8 born in PA. Step-sons John Stephens age 23 and Valentine Stephens age 14 both born in PA.

 1853 Sep 2 Deed: James C. Fisher to Andrew Steube (sic) of Cambria County.

 1855 Jan 3 Deed: James C. Fisher deceased to Andrew Stube (sic) of Cambria Co.

 1861 May 8 Death: Obituary – “A man named Andrew Stuby, committed suicide at his residence in Carroll township on last Friday evening”

WORKING HYPOTHESIS

 Using the AncestryDNA matches of a cousin who is a generation closer to Andrew Stuby, discover any connections to other Stuby families or discover new genetic networks. Andrew Stuby was born about 1810 in Germany. He married Elizabeth Wagner Stephens a widow and they had one son named Jacob Stuby born between 1842-1847 in Pennsylvania. Andrew Stuby died about 8 May 1861 in Carroll Township, Cambria County, Pennsylvania.  

FINDINGS & ANALYSIS - RESEARCH REPORT

 Filtering the DNA matches of a 2nd Great Granddaughter of Andrew Stuby on Ancestry with known Stuby descendants finds a network of matches who all have the surname Stuppy in their tree. Further research of the trees found they all descend from Johannes Martin Stuppy born 1789 in Germany and died 1844 in Germany and Maria K. Kappler 1791-1852 also of Germany. I will refer to Johannes Martin as Martin.

 The name is spelled in various records as Stuppy and Stuppi.

 The name Stuby and Stuppy are similar sounding and with German accents may have sounded the same. Deeds recorded in the Cambria County courthouse for Andrew Stuby shows his name listed as Stupi, Steube, Steuby and Stube. The census and his obituary spell his name as Stuby. Descendants of Andrew Stuby all use the name Stuby.

 Martin Stuppy and his wife Maria had about twelve children. Many of the births are recorded in the baptismal records in Bavaria. Tracking some of the children, the names Andrew and Jacob are used in every generation. Most of their children married and died in Germany. But two came to America in 1853, Elizabeth Stuppy Hoffman and her husband and son. On the same ship was her younger brother Ludwig/Lewis Stuppy.

 11 DNA matches descend from these two siblings. One DNA match descends from Martins brother Adam Stuppy. Adam’s 2nd Great Grandson came to America in the 1940s and his daughter is a DNA match.

 Martin and Maria Stuppy’s oldest son was Andreas Stuppi born 25 May 1810. Is this our Andrew Stuby born in 1810 in Germany – more research is needed. Quick searches of trees on Ancestry and FamilySearch did not produce any more information after his baptism record. Most of his other siblings showed birth, marriage and death dates and descendants.

 Tracking Ludwig/Lewis Stuppy in America he is listed on the 1860 census in Wiconisco, Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania as Lewis Stuby along with his wife and two children. In 1870 and after he is listed as Stuppy.

 This demonstrates that the name Stuppy and Stuby are sometimes interchanged between both families.

CONCLUSION

The parents of Andrew Stuby have not been found. However, it is a possibility that Andreas Stuppy, the son of Johannes Martin Stuppy and Maria K. Kappler is the same person as our Andrew Stuby. The birth year and place of 1810 in Germany are the same. No further information was found on Andreas Stuppy in public family trees, unlike his siblings which had family information listed.

More research will be needed. But it is certain that Andrew Stuby is somehow related to Martin and Maria K. Kappler Stuppy.

 A diagram was built of all the descendants of Martin and Maria Stuppy that matched DNA with our Stuby tester. A centimorgan (cM) is a unit of measure for DNA matches. The higher the centimorgan the closer the relationship. The centimorgans documented in the diagram were within range of the correct cousin match 21 cM to 66 cM. However, this range can have multiple cousin possibilities.

Andrew Stuby was the testers 2nd Great Grandfather, so we are searching for the testers 3rd Great Grandparents which is within the realm of using autosomal DNA.

Further research is listed below and continued research of the DNA matches looking for other genetic networks will continue in a future project.

SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH

 ·         Research the baptism records for each child of Martin and Maria Stuppy

·         Research siblings Elizabeth Stuppy Hoffman and Ludwig Stuppy.

·         Search for a marriage record for Andrew and Elizabeth Wagner Stuby at the courthouse and in the Catholic church.

·         Research Jacob W. Stuby to determine correct date of birth

o   This will assist with possible marriage date for Andrew and Elizabeth

·         Search page by page the 1860 census for Stuby or variants.

·         Write to the Blair County Genealogical Society for records on Stuby.

·         Check Pennsylvania Archives on Fold3 for Stuby

·         Check for other genetic networks in DNA matches

·         Have a male Stuby descendant take a Y-DNA test

·         Have a male Stuppy descendant take a Y-DNA test

o   Compare Stuby and Stuppy Y-DNA haplogroups to see if they are the same

·         Build a WATO tree

·         Research Mr. Stuby married to Elizabeth Earnest.

o   This couple is often confused with Andrew Stuby and Elizabeth Wagner

o   Both couples had a son named Jacob Stuby-which are often mixed up

Saturday, January 28, 2023

 

Click here for Curtis Alexander Galttana Research Report 1

Curtis Alexander Galttana Research Report 2
Knoch

Objective

Is Mary/Marie Galtair/Goltoia/Gotney born 4 Jan 1823 in Ohio a sibling to Curtis Alexander Galttana born about 1827 in Ohio. DNA matches to Herman and Mary Knoch are found through AncestryDNA matches of Linda H.

Limitations

For Continuity I will use the name Mary Gotney in the report. The name Galttana is spelled many different ways in each record. Galttana is pronounced Gaultney. DNA matches on AncestryDNA for Linda H. were used. For privacy real match names are not used.

Results Summary

·         Found a genetic network with the couple of Herman and Mary Knoch.

·         Discovered this genetic network with Herman and Mary was through Mary and the Most Recent Common Ancestor (MRCA) was Lear Gotney.

·         Researched the family of Herman and Mary Gotney Knoch.

·         Created a Draw.io chart showing DNA matches for descendants of Lear Gotney/Gaultney.

·         Added the names and dates of Herman and Mary’s children to Legacy program.

·         Created a timeline to track movement and locations of each person.

Background Information

·         Previous research showed AncestryDNA test taker Linda H. has a genetic network with the MRCA as Joseph and Mary Higginbotham. [1]

·         Mary Gotney married Herman Knoch on 10 Sep 1840 in Ross Co., OH [2]

·         Herman and Mary are listed in the 1850 census living in Huntington Twsp., Ross Co., OH. [3]

·         Also living with the Knoch family are Lear Gotney age 55, Elvina Gotney age 15, Alfred Gotney age 18. 

·         No Gotney’s are living with the Knoch family in 1860[4] or any census after.

 Findings/Body of the Report

Sorting AncestryDNA matches I was able to find another genetic network and the Most Recent Common Ancestor of this network was Lear Gotney. Lear Gotney was in the 1850 census in the household of her daughter and son-in-law Herman Knoch and Maria/Mary Goltoia/Gotney. Lear is age 55, Elvina Gotney age 15, Alfred Gotney age 18 and Mary is age 27. The 1850 census is the first census that lists all the names of the household but it does not list relationships. It is assumed that Lear Gotney is the mother of Mary, Elvina, and Alfred.

1850 Census Huntington Twp, Ross OH
Voak, (Knoch) Herman 25 OH 
Voak, Mary age 27 (1823)
Voak, Eliza age 9
Voak, John age 6
Voak, Eveline age 2
Voak, Margaret age 7/12
Gotney, Elvina age 15 (1835) OH
Gotney, Alfred age 18 (1832) OH
Gotney, Lear age 55 (1795) VA

Linda has twelve DNA matches through five of Herman and Mary Gotney Knoch’s children.

Linda has four DNA matches through Elvina Gotney who married Joseph Houseman/Housman. Elvina Gotney is a supposed sister to Mary Gotney Knoch. Alfred Gotney married in 1856 but died within one year and there is no evidence of children.

Looking at shared matches with one specific match, “Mary 7” I find multiple DNA matches with the Most Recent Common Ancestor (MRCA) as Curtis Alexander Galttana. I also find multiple DNA matches to the MRCA Joseph and Mary Higginbotham. I wrote about finding Joseph and Mary in a previous report. “Mary 7” and Linda both also match lines going back to Mary Knoch and Mary’s assumed sibling Elvina Gaultney Housman.

Conclusion

The only conclusion I can make from this is that Curtis Alexander Galttana is the brother of Mary Goltoia/Gaultney, Elvina Gaultney and Alfred Gotney and their mother is Lear Gotney. More research is needed on this family unit. It was previously found that Linda H. had a genetic network that lead back to Joseph and Mary Higginbotham and they had a daughter named Nancy Elizabeth Higginbotham who married Alexander Gaultney in 1814. Is Lear Gotney and Nancy Elizabeth Higginbotham Gaultney the same person? More research is needed to make this determination.

Future Research Suggestions

·         Research Lear Gotney.

·         Research Mary Gotney.

·         Research Elvina Gotney

·         Research Alfred Gotney, check his widow to look for remarriage and any children.

 


[1] Tina Telesca, "Research Report 1 MRCA Higginbotham", 1 Jan 2023; Personal files.

[2] Ross County, Ohio, U.S., County Marriage Records 1774-1993, digital image 305 of 308, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/61378/images/TH-1-17780-74017-45?pId=902164880: accessed 13 May 2022), Knough-Goltatne 1840; citing Marriages 1825-1840, p. 607.

[3] 1850 U.S. Census, Ross County, Ohio, population schedule, Huntington township, p. 326 (stamped), p. 651 and 652 (penned), dwelling 331, family 334, Harman Voak [Knoch] household; digital image 29 and 30 of 40, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/8054/images/4204504_00665?treeid=&personid=&rc=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=NTy1279&_phstart=successSource&pId=14485019: accessed 25 Apr 2022). citing NARA microfilm publication M432 roll 725.

[4] 1860 U.S. Census, Ross County, Ohio, population schedule, Huntington Township, p. 136 (penned), dwelling 266, family 259, Herman Knoch household, digital image 38, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/7667/images/4284220_00327?pId=42005132: accessed 13 May 2022); citing NARA microfilm publication M653 roll 1031.

Saturday, January 14, 2023

 Curtis Alexander Galttana Research


I have been researching my Great Great Grandfather Curtis Alexander Galttana for many years and have not been able to find any new records or who his parents are. I believe he was born about 1827 in Ohio or Indiana and he married Synthia Alverson on July 18, 1869 in Fort Worth, Tarrant, Texas.

Summary of information:

·         1850 and 1870 Census show he was born in Ohio[1], [2]

·         Marriage record of Alexander Goltana to Clementine Allen on February 23, 1850 in Jefferson Co., KY.[3]

·         1850 Census Louisville, Jefferson Co., KY Alexander, Clementine and her three children from previous marriage [1]

·         Not found on any 1860 census

·         1861 Postmaster of Relief Post Office in Holmes Co., MS[4]

·         1862 – 1864 Civil War Confederate Thirteenth Infantry, I Mississippi[5]

·         1865 Postmaster of Relief Post Office in Holmes Co., MS[6]

·         July 18, 1869 marriage to Synthia Alverson in Fort Worth, Tarrant Co., TX[7]

·         1870 Census Besleys Creek, Shackelford Co., TX Curtis and Synthia [2]

·         1875-1878 Tax records for Shackelford Co., TX[8]

·         Bible Record shows born May (year unreadable) in Indiana[9]

DNA Background Information

With documentary research not revealing the parents of Curtis Galttana, DNA opens another avenue for research. This project used the autosomal DNA test results for Linda H., Curtis’ great granddaughter. Autosomal DNA is randomly passed down to descendants and Linda would have inherited about 12.5% of his DNA and about 6.25% from each of his parents. Linda has over 78,000 DNA matches on AncestryDNA and isolating DNA matches who also descend from Curtis A. Galttana’s line could discover family connections for further research.

Mitochondrial DNA testing is not applicable since it is passed from female to female. Y-DNA would be applicable since the Y chromosome is passed from male to male if an unbroken male Galttana line existed. Currently there are no known all male lines that descend from Curtis Galttana.

Shared Matches

Proving genetic relationships through DNA involves identifying the most recent common ancestor (MRCA) between two matches. Each match would receive a segment of DNA from the MRCA. Working with thousands of matches can be facilitated by sorting matches into genetic groups for analysis. DNA matches could share more than one MRCA which could skew the amount of DNA shared. This will be considered throughout the DNA analysis.

I took known Galttana matches and used Shared Matches on AncestryDNA to label other matches who share DNA with Linda and this known Galttana match. I marked this group with colored dots. I then took this genetic network of matches and recorded the surnames on the ones that had trees. After many hours of research and analysis I discovered all the matches shared the Higginbotham surname. I then built a DNA tree with each match and built out their tree if needed and discovered all matches MRCA were Joseph H. Higginbotham 1763-1840 and his wife Mary Molly Reed 1765-1823. This DNA tree shows 13 matches to Linda who descend from Joseph and Mary Higginbotham. This means Linda is somehow related to Joseph and Mary Higginbotham.

I then did genealogy research to build out Joseph and Mary’s descendancy tree. They had eight children, one daughter Nancy Higginbotham married Alexander Gaultney. Alex and Nancy married on November 16, 1814 in Kanawha County, Virginia.[10] More research is needed on Alexander and Nancy Gaultney. Some family trees on ancestry show Nancy’s brother Samuel Higginbotham married Elizabeth Gaultney. More research is needed on this couple also.

I added Alexander Gaultney and Nancy Higginbotham as test parents of Curtis Galttana to see what ThruLines on AncestryDNA would show. No ThruLines showed for Alexander and Nancy but Nancy’s parents Joseph and Mary Higginbotham show 197 matches. ThruLines are created from matches trees so it depends on the accuracy of each person’s tree. ThruLines is not always correct so research and analysis has to be done to confirm the match. If no one has a tree with Alexander Gaultney in it then no ThruLine matches would show. The name is often misspelled also. Both reasons could account for no ThruLines for Alexander and Nancy. But, the high number of matches for Joseph and Mary Higginbotham point to a connection with this couple.

Hypothesis for next project:

Are Alexander Gaultney and Nancy Higginbotham born June 5, 1792 in Breenbrier Co., Virginia (Now West Virginia) the parents of Curtis Alexander Galttana? (Galttana is pronounced Gaultney) Alex and Nancy married November 16, 1814 in Kanawha Co., Virginia – Now West Virginia.

Future Research:

·         Research Alexander Goltney/Gaultney.

·         Research Nancy Higginbotham.

·         Research Samuel Higginbotham’s wife Elizabeth – Was she a Gaultney?

·         Look for more DNA connections through other lines.

 Click here for Galttana Research Report 2 Knoch



[1] 1850 U.S. Census, Jefferson County, Kentucky, population schedule, 4th district, 7th Ward City, p. #374B, dwelling # 526, family # 602, Alexander Goltana; digital image 82, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 15 Sept 2020); citing NARA microfilm publication M432, roll 207.

[2] 1870 U.S. Census, Shackelford County, Texas, population schedule, Besleys Creek, p. 120 (stamped), p. 1 (penned), dwelling # 6, family # 6, Curtis Goltatine (Galttana), digital image 1, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 13 Aug 2017); citing NARA microfilm publication M593, roll 1604.


[3] "Kentucky, County Marriages, 1797-1954," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2QD-1CD4 : accessed 4 September 2016), Alexander Goltana and Clementine Allen, 23 Jan 1850; citing , Jefferson, Kentucky, United States, Madison County Courthouse, Richmond; FHL microfilm 819,590.


[4] United States. Civil service commission. [from old catalog]., United States. Bureau of the census. [from old catalog]. (1861). Official register of the United States ... Washington: U.S. Govt. print. off., digital image 461, printed p. 225, Hathitrust (https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=loc.ark:/13960/t4zg7dd9r&view=1up&seq=461: accessed 8 Jan 2022).


[5] U.S., Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, 1861-1865,” digital index, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/448899:1555?ssrc=pt&tid=34102448&pid=18585886608: accessed 14 Jan 2023), Curtis A Goltana, Mississippi, enlisted 1 May 1862; citing Index to Compiled Confederate Military Service Records.


[6] United States. Civil service commission. [from old catalog]., United States. Bureau of the census. [from old catalog]. (1865). Official register of the United States ... Washington: U.S. Govt. print. off., digital image 501, printed p. 183, Hathitrust (https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=loc.ark:/13960/t4zg7dd9r&view=1up&seq=461: accessed 8 Jan 2022).


[7] Texas, Tarrant County, Marriage Certificate, C. A. Galttana and Miss S. A. Alverson, 18 July 1869, Personal photo copy of original, privately held by Tina Telesca, ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE, 2023. Faded copy, hard to read, previously belonged to Dessie Galttana Hardee, shows married at bride's fathers’ residence.


[8] "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939J-453T-7H?cc=1827575&wc=M63N-MZQ%3A161797801%2C161394802 : 14 Jan 2023), Shackelford county > 1875 - 1878; State Archives, Austin.


[9] Galttana Bible Record, 1800's, loose "Family Record" page from unknown Bible; digital image made by Tina Telesca, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Florida, 2009. The page was found in Dessie Galttana Hardee's possessions when she died in 1981. The page passed to Carolyn Harrison Moore and then to Tina Telesca. The original is crumbling and pieces are missing. The ink is very light making it hard to read.


[10] Kanawha County, West Virginia, West Virginia Marriages, 1780-1970, transcript, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/sources/LZ8C-SR1: accessed 14 May 2022), Goltney-Higanbotham, 1814; citing FHL microfilm 521,719. Image link at West Virginia State Archives http://archive.wvculture.org/vrr/va_view2.aspx?FilmNumber=521719&ImageNumber=179: accessed 14 May 2022).

Saturday, August 27, 2022

 

Research project for

John Henry Hefley

1888-1980

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this research was to identify more information about John Henry Hefley, born 13 Sep. 1888 in Downs, Osborne Co., KS to Arthur William Hefley and Susanna Kaup Hefley. He married Grace Irene Simpson on 20 Nov 1909 in Downs, KS. He died 7 Mar 1980 in Beloit, Mitchell Co., KS and is buried in Downs, KS in the Downs cemetery.

BACKGROUND

I had previously researched John Henry Hefley and documented him in the 1895 and 1925 Kansas State Census and the 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930 and 1940 Census. I have his marriage record showing he married Grace I. Simpson on November 20, 1909 in Downs, Kansas. He registered for the WWI and WWII drafts but never served in the military. Of interesting note, his sister was the draft registrar and signed his WWI draft card.

The Hefley farm was homesteaded by his father Arthur W. Hefley in the 1870s. After John married in 1909, he and his wife continued to live in the house on the farm. He is shown in each census as renting the house. In 1920 and 1930 his parents and younger sister are living in the town of Osborne and John and Grace continue to live on the farm till the mid 1940’s. In 1940 Johns mother had died and Arthur was again living in the farm house. I need to check deeds to see who the farm and property went to in 1941 when his father A.W. Hefley died. I wonder if it went to John since he had always lived and farmed the property or if it went to all four kids.

In the mid 1940’s John auctioned off all the property on the farm since none of his children wanted the farm. John and Grace moved to Downs.

FINDINGS AND ANALYSIS

I chose to search the Osborne County Public Library digital library archived newspapers. I knew local newspapers are the “Facebook” of yesteryear. You can really learn a lot about a person’s life with what is written about them in small local newspapers. I still have hours of research to do as I have only documented the first three pages (30) for the search “John Hefley” and there are 441 results. I still have to search other name variations and other family so this will be a long-term search. I documented the information as it was listed, (not in date order.) I have started a second spreadsheet that I will enter the information in date order and list all associated names in the articles. Again, this will be a long-term project. I plan on entering all Hefley searches in this timeline chronologically.

CONCLUSION

The John Hefley family seemed to be connected to family, friends and neighbors. Many articles talked of John helping his neighbors and the family gathering for social occasions such as New Years, Thanksgiving and Birthdays. I plan to continue documenting his life as depicted in the newspapers. I have not yet found information about the birth of each of his children. His first child died as an infant. I would think this information would be included in the paper. If after I go through all 441 results, I don’t find it I can search the specific dates for the information.

 

SUMMARY OF EVIDENCE: Information I found in newspapers:

·         In 1914 Roy Kaup was staying at John Hefley home and a shell exploded. He had to go to Concordia to have his eye operated on.

·         In 1914 Mrs. John Hefley (Grace) returned from a two week visit in the eastern part of the state.

·         In 1924 Mr. Simpson helped John with his harvest. He then went out and cut oats for W.M Wiersma while “Arthur Wiersma plowed corn for John.”

·         For 1925, 1934 and 1935 John was paid for road and drag work. (Not sure what this means.)

·         In 1925 it said John was able to be out again. (Have to see if anything before that says why.)

·         In 1929 the Hill family came to visit. John also took home shingles to cover his house. John also wanted to hire a “man and team” to “finish out the header crew.”

·         In 1931 John butchered a hog for Frank Bowers and has been helping other neighbors.

·         In 1935 John lost his billfold in town and placed an ad looking for it.

·         In 1935 his wife Grace had an operation to have gall stones removed.

·         In 1937 the paper stated: “the air was dust laden, but we are optimistic and look for a rain again soon.”

·         In 1938 Johns brother G. W. Hefley of Colorado Springs came to visit and brought Miss Mae Hefley who is employed in Colorado Springs. Mae stayed at her parents’ home. (John and Grace.)

·         In 1938 the family went to Concordia to see Dr. Starr an eye specialist concerning their son’s Lee’s eyes. He has been having eye trouble.

·         In 1940 John lost a horse.

·         In 1941 Johns brother Knox, his sister Mae came to visit “Grandpa Hefley” (Arthur W. Hefley) and his other brother George had tried but was stranded by the snow storm. Arthur had been ill.

·         In 1946 the “Worst Flood” hit Downs and John’s basement was flooded along with many others.

·         In 1946 John grew “rabbit” food in his backyard garden. He took it to the newspaper office to show them and they described it as “a large carrot, apparently changing it's mind when about half grown, and branched out into ten smaller carrots. It (or rather they) weighed one pound and three ounces.”

·         In 1959 “We extend our sympathy to the relatives of Mrs John Hefley who suffered a stroke and died at her home in Downs. We will remember Mae's mother as a kind and gracious lady, at whose home friends were always warmly welcomed. Her main hobby was crocheting and she had done lots of quilting and sewing for members of her family. she was a good 'Mom' to a precious brother of mine and we all will miss her.

FUTURE RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

·         Locate Public Sale in the local newspaper 1943-1945 Oct. 3

·         Locate Deed records of the Hefley farm to see ownership after 1941 when A.W. died.

·         Research the names of the Downs News/Downs Times. Find when names changed and why.

·         Research what is meant by road and drag work. Paid to many each year.

·         Research if the Hill family is related to Grace’s Mother whose maiden name was Hill.

·         Ask Dad if they knew about Lee’s “eye problems.”

·         Search Church records


Saturday, February 6, 2021

 

William Thomas and Juda Frances Lee Hardee daughter

Arbilla/Adilla Hardee

We know Adilla Hardee was born about 1879 as she is shown on the 1880 census as a one-year-old. Her father is listed as a widow; therefore, we know his wife Juda Frances Lee Hardee died between 1879 and 1880. I have searched for any records showing when she died, but have not found any. I often wonder if she died in childbirth which was common back then. Juda would have been about 41 when she gave birth.

I have no other records for Adilla and assume she died as a child.

Saturday, January 30, 2021

 

William Thomas and Juda Frances Lee Hardee son
John Perry Hardee

We first find John Perry Hardee at age three in the 1880 census of Johnson Co., Texas. That would make his birth year about 1877. He lives with his widowed father William and nine siblings. John’s mother Juda Frances Lee died the year before in 1879 so he never knew his mother. I can only guess that his older siblings helped raise him. Also living in the household are two older cousins. Joseph and Archie Favors are the children of Archibald and Jane Lee Favors. Jane Lee was a younger sister of Juda Lee Hardee, John Perry’s Mother.

There is no 1890 census so we next find John Perry in the 1900 census still living in Johnson County in the city of Cleburne. He lives with his cousin Joseph Favors. In the household is Joseph’s wife and two sons and his mother-in-law. John Perry is 24 years old, is single and works as a section hand. It is marked that he can read and write.

In 1904 there is an arrest record for J. P. Hardee. He pled guilty for theft of a horse. He was sentenced Feb. 22, 1904 and was discharged on Feb. 24, 1909. His records state he was 26 years old, 5’7 ½”, 136 lbs, dark completion, gray eyes and dark hair. He had two scars on the back of his neck, a scar in the pit of his back and two scars on the right side of his rump. He wore size 5 shoe, was married, used tobacco, had no education, was born 1879 in Texas. I am unsure of who he was married to but it may have been Lula Walker.

In 1910 he has moved to Delaware Township in Caddo County, Oklahoma and lives next door to his older sister Annie Mayfield and her husband and son. He is listed as age 30, widowed, born in Missouri and parents born in Ohio. He is a general farmer and can read and write and rents his farm. When I look at the census, the family below him has the head of household from Missouri and parents from Ohio, so I think this is an error on the census takers part. John Perry was born in Texas and parents were born in Alabama.

At some time after 1910 he returns to Texas and married Gertrude Bodine on June 1, 1914 in Ellis Co., Texas. They are listed in the 1915 city directory for Cleburne, Texas in Johnson Co. They live at 818 N. Wilhite and he is a laborer.

On June 1, 1916 they have their first son, John Thomas Hardee in Cleburne. Their second son dies hours after birth on Dec. 2, 1917 in Cleburne.

In 1918 John Perry registers for the World War I registration draft. He stated he is 39 years old and was born March 19, 1879. The 1880 census shows he was 3 which would make his birth year 1877. He works for the rail road in Cleburne and Gertrude Hardee is his nearest relative. He says he has blue eyes and black hair. I do not believe he ever served in the military.

John Perry and Gertrude have two more sons: Floyd Hardee born Feb. 12, 1920 and Zibe Brooks Hardee born March 28, 1921.

On July 25, 1923 this notice appeared in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram on page 17:

                Child Accidentally Killed

CLEBURNE July 25—A bullet from a large caliber pistol which he knocked from a buggy caused the death at Keene yesterday of Floyd Hardee three-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. John P. Hardee.

In December of 1924 John Perry pleas guilty of “Transporting intoxicating liquor. Possessing intoxication liquor for purpose of sale.” He is discharged August 9, 1925. His arrest record states, he is 45 years old, 5’ 6 7/8” has hazel eyes and brown hair, size 5 shoe size, married, uses tobacco, illiterate and cannot read or write, no schooling, born in 1879 in Texas and parents born in Alabama. Employed at rail road.

Their only daughter Norma Hardee was born December 23, 1927 in Texas.

The family is then found on the 1930 census living in Rush Springs, Grady Co., Oklahoma. John Perry is listed as 50 years old, born in Oklahoma and parents born in Kentucky. We know this is incorrect, I wonder if he did not trust the government and gave incorrect information or they weren’t home that day and a neighbor gave the information. We will never know.

He rents his house and works as a farm laborer. Also in the household are his wife Gertrude and children J.T (John Thomas) age 13, Brooks age 8 and Norma age 2.

 For a third time John Perry is arrested in October of 1931. His residence is listed as Cleburne, Johnson Co., Texas. He pleads guilty to “possessing intoxicating liquor and maintaining a public nuisance” for a term of one year. He is discharged on June 30, 1932.

 I am unable to find John Perry in the 1940 census or his living three children. However, I did find a Gertrude Hardee listed in the 1940 census living in Norman, Cleveland County, Oklahoma in the Central Oklahoma State Hospital. She is listed as 44 years old, born in Texas and married. I do not know why she was institutionalized here.

 In 1942 John Perry applied for Social Security and listed his birth as March 19, 1879 in Johnson Co., Texas and his parents as William T. Hardee and Frances Lee.

 I will let the newspaper tell you the next story. I was first told about this from a cousin. The 66-year-old man is John Perry Hardee.

 Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth, Texas, 25 Dec 1944, Mon • Page 3

 William Roy Hardee Is Shot to Death in Fight

William Roy Hardee 24 of 3501 Alice, was shot and killed early Sunday during a fight with a 66-year old man. The assailant suffered a fractured skull in the altercation and was taken to City-County Hospital. Detective Lieutenant Cobb who investigated described the older man as a three times convict. The 66-year-old man who told Cobb that Hardee came to the Alice Street address about 4 am Sunday and started making coffee. He said Hardee walked to his bedside a blackjack in hand and that he was slugged several times. He then obtained a revolver from beneath his pillow and shot Hardee through the chest. Justice Hurley returned an inquest verdict of murder and said Hardee apparently died instantly. The older man was booked at city jail where officers noticed the seriousness of his head injuries and took him to the hospital.

 Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth, Texas 26 Dec 1944, Tue • Page 5

 Fatal Row to Grand Jury

Detective Lt Cobb said Monday afternoon that circumstances surrounding the altercation Sunday at 3501 Alice in which William Roy Hardee 24 was killed and a 66-year-old ex-convict suffered a fractured skull will be presented directly to the county grand jury. Funeral services for Hardee will be held Tuesday at Bridgeport Assembly' of God Church with burial in West Bridgeport Cemetery. His parents, six brothers and four sisters survive.

 From what I was told by a cousin, John Perry did not know who was attacking him when he shot him. I searched for more articles to find out what happened but could not find any more newspaper articles. I don’t know what the verdict was. The articles never mention John Perry’s name but I have copy of the death certificate for William Roy Hardee and the cause of death is listed as “Gun shot wounds inflicted by J.P. Hardee.” William Roy Hardee was John Perry Hardee’s Great Nephew.

 John Perry Hardee died on December 27, 1945 of Influenza. His death certificate stated he lived at 202 Waters in Cleburne, Texas for the past 6 months. His birth date was listed as March 19, 1879 in Texas and he was a farmer. The informant was his son, John T. Hardee and he gave the name of John Perry’s parents as Bill Hardee from Kentucky and Frances Lee from Kentucky, which is incorrect. It also listed him as widowed, but he is buried at Rosehill Cemetery in Cleburne Texas next to his wife Gertrude Hardee and her death date is listed on the tombstone as December 2, 1980.