Philip A. Gaultney and Nancy Elizabeth Higginbotham Family Report

Introduction

For many years, the parents of my second great-grandfather, Curtis Alexander Galttana, were unknown. Despite extensive research in census records, marriages, probate files, deeds, newspapers, and other historical documents, no record was found that directly identified his parents or named any siblings. The unusual surname appeared under dozens of spellings—including Galttana, Gaultney, Galtatne, Goltatne, Gotney, and others—making the family especially difficult to trace.

The discovery of autosomal DNA matches provided a new direction. By organizing DNA matches into genetic networks and combining those results with traditional documentary research, a pattern began to emerge. Families who appeared unrelated at first were repeatedly connected through the same records, locations, migration routes, and naming patterns.

This report examines whether the available evidence supports the conclusion that Philip Alexander Gaultney and Nancy Elizabeth Higginbotham—who also appears in records under the names Lear Gotney, Aleodica Galtane, Leodicia Gottane, Alaodisa Jordan, and similar variations—were the parents of Curtis Alexander Galttana and his presumed siblings.

Specifically, this report addresses the following questions:

• Are Philip A. Gaultney and Alex'r Goltney the same individual?
• Are Nancy Elizabeth Higginbotham, Lear Gotney, Aleodica Galtane, Leodicia Gottane, Alaodisa Jordan, and similar name variants the same woman?
• Does the combined documentary and DNA evidence identify them as the parents of Samuel Henry Galtatne, Mary Gaultney, Curtis Alexander Galttana, Alfred W. Goltatne, Eveline Gaultney, and Elvina Gaultney?

The evidence presented is evaluated using the Genealogical Proof Standard and is intended to demonstrate that, although no single record answers these questions directly, the combined evidence leads to a well-supported conclusion.

Research Question

This report evaluates whether the combined documentary and autosomal DNA evidence supports identifying Philip A. Gaultney and Nancy Elizabeth Higginbotham as the biological parents of Curtis Alexander Galttana and the other children attributed to this family group?

• ·         Samuel Henry Galtatne (to be discussed in a later research report)
• ·         Mary Gaultney
• ·         Curtis Alexander Galttana
• ·         Alfred W. Galtatne
• ·         Eveline Gaultney
• ·         Elvina Gaultney

 *Except for Curtis Alexander Galttana who has living descendants using the name Galttana today, the “correct” spelling of the original Galttana name is unknown. I will refer to Curtis with the surname Galttana and the female siblings as Gaultney for simplicity. The other males seemed to have used the spelling Galtatne.

Research

Curtis Alexander Galttana is my 2^nd Great Grandfather. Extensive documentary research was conducted on Curtis, but no information was found to show who his parents were or any siblings. I turned to autosomal DNA to look for answers. Autosomal DNA is the DNA you inherit from both of your parents that represents most of your recent family history.

Using my Mother’s AncestryDNA matches I created genetic networks. A Genetic network is simply a select group of people who share DNA. I discovered a couple named Joseph and Mary Higginbotham. Researching all their children I discovered their daughter Nancy Elizabeth Higginbotham married an Alex’r Goltney.[1]

This marriage record shows Alex’r Goltney married Nancy Higanbotham on 16 Nov 1814 in Kanawha County, Virginia. [2] Further research finds no other records that name Alexander or Nancy Goltney or surname variants.

Using DNA again, I created another network and I discovered a married couple named Harman Knoch and Mary Goltoia.[3] Researching this couple I discovered them in the 1850 census living in Huntington Township, Ross County, Ohio.[4] The Knoch name is transcribed in Ancestry listed in the census as Voak, but I read it as Noak.  The family group is listed as:

1.) Voak, Harman age 25, male, Farmer, $400, born in Germany

2.) Voak, Mary, age 27, female, born in Ohio, cannot read or write. [1823]

3.) Voak, Eliza, age 9, female, born in Ohio, attended school

4.) Voak, John, age 6, male, born in Ohio, attended school

5.) Voak, Mary A., age 4, female, born in Ohio

6.) Voak, Eveline, age 2, female, born in Ohio

7.) Voak, Margaret, age 7/12, female, born in Ohio

8.) Gotney, Elvina, age 15, female, born in Ohio, attended school [1835]

9.) Gotney, Alfred, age 18, male, laborer, born in Ohio [1832]

10.) Gotney, Lear, age 55, female, born in Virginia, cannot read or write. [1795]

 

The 1850 census is the first census to list everyone in the household, but it does not state relationships. Because there are three people in this household with the name Gotney, I believe they are Mary’s siblings and mother.

I then found Harmen and Mary’s marriage record and it shows they married on 10 Sept 1840 in Ross County, Ohio. He is listed as Harmon Knough and she is listed as Mary Goltatne. [5]

Surname patterns:                                                                                                                                     

While researching my Galttana line from Curtis Alexander Galttana down, I found the surname spelled differently in almost every record from the 1800’s to the 1900s. My Galttana cousins today pronounce the name Gaultney but it is spelled Galttana.

We have to remember in the mid to late 1800’s spelling was not standardized as it is today. Many people were not literate and so clerks who recorded the records would write the name out phonetically. The sound patterns of all the Galttana names found are similar – Galt / Golt / Gault + -ney / -ane / -ana / -tne.  All these similar names suggest a single origin surname. Many of the Gaultney siblings have the name spelled many different ways.

Children of Philip and Nancy Gaultney

Samuel Henry Galtatne (1816 – 1900) will be discussed in a separate report due to extensive conflicting records.

Mary Gaultney (About 1823 – about 1897)

Mary Gaultney’s unsourced birth date is listed as 4 Jan 1823 in Ohio in online family trees.[6]  The Census from 1850-1880 show a birth range from 1821-1823. The 1870 census shows that Mary could not read or write [7] and in deeds she made her mark with an X for her signature. This shows she was unable to write her name so she would not have known the correct spelling of her name. Her children’s records recorded her maiden name as best they could. Though the maiden names are spelled differently it shows a consistent maiden name identity preserved across multiple independent records.

 

Figure 1 shows how Mary’s surname is listed in various records.

Event – Year	Name	Citation a formal reference that identifies the specific origin of a genealogical fact
Knoch/Knough – Goltatne marriage 1840	Goltatne	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
Dau Phoebe dies 1913	Goltna	"Ohio Deaths, 1908-1953," entry for Phoebe Witherspoon, 4 Mar 1913, Dayton, Montgomery, Ohio, File #475; database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GPJ5-RB5? S38%3A287602501%2C293893901&lang=en&i=436 : accessed 9 February 2021), image 437 of 3288; citing Department of Health, Ohio, Columbus.
Son Seth marries 1913	Galfney	"U.S., County Marriage Records, 1774-1993," marriage register, entry for Seth Knoch & Effie J. Miller, 7 September 1913, Marion County, Ohio; database images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/: accessed 7 February 2021), FamilySearch Library microfilm [000384247 (DGS [#], image 524 of 560; citing Marion Couty Courthouse, Ohio.
Son John dies 1927	Goldney	"Ohio, Deaths, 1908-1953," entry for John Knoch, 5 March 1927, Chillicothe, Ross Co., Ohio, File # 18515; database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org : accessed 25 May 2026), image 1033 of 3467; citing Ohio Department of Health, Ohio, Columbus.
Dau Elvina dies 1931	Galtane	"Ohio, Deaths, 1908-1953," entry for Elvina Reaster, 1 January 1931, Mad River, Clark County, Ohio, File # 605; database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/: accessed 25 May 2026), image 677 of 3519; citing Ohio Department of Health, Ohio, Columbus.
Dau Laura dies 1931	Galting	"Washington, U.S., Death Records, 1907-2017," entry for Laura Nichols, 18 August 1931, Seattle, King County, Washington, File # 2801; database with images, Ancestry  (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 25 May 2026), image 515 of 4001; citing Washington State Archives, Olympia.
Dau Margaret dies	Gavetney	"Ohio Deaths 1908-1953," entry for Margaret B. Freshour, [date blank], Springfield, Clark County, Ohio, File # 7831; database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org: accessed 25 May 2026), image 2189 of 3274; citing Ohio Department of Health, Columbus.

Mary named two of her daughters Evaline and Elvina, matching the names of two of her sisters. This pattern reflects a common family naming tradition and provides additional indirect evidence of the family relationship.

DNA matches to Mary

Ancestry’s ThruLines tool uses a computer algorithm to map out how you and your DNA matches are related through a common ancestor. It is based on your DNA matches, their trees and all the searchable trees in Ancestry’s public member tree database. The hypothesis will show up in ThruLines if the algorithm can make your tree and your DNA matches tree connect. Public member trees can be incorrect so any ThruLines need to be verified by checking genetic networks and doing documentary research.

Using the autosomal DNA results in AncestryDNA of Curtis Alexander Galttana’s Great Granddaughter Linda, ThruLines shows 36 matches through Herman and Mary Gaultney Knoch descendants. Autosomal DNA is randomly passed down to descendants and Linda would have inherited about 12.5% of Curtis’ DNA and about 6.25% from his parents.

Mary was born between 1821 and 1823 per census records and Curtis was born about 1827.  This fits into the range of siblings.

Curtis Alexander Galttana (About 1827 – Before 1880)

Curtis Alexander Galttana was born between 1826 & 1828 in Ohio.[8] Unsourced trees show his birthdate at 1 May 1827. Though extensive documentary research has been conducted, no records have been found directly showing his parents’ names or any siblings. His descendants carry the name Galttana, but his name was spelled various ways from records found from 1850-1878; Galttana, Goltana, Golttana, Goltatne, Goltatana, Goltman.

Alfred Goltatne (About 1832 – Before June 1857)

Alfred Goltatne was born about 1832 in Huntington Township, Ross County, Ohio according to the 1850 census[9] where he is assumed to be living with his married sister Mary Knoch and his mother and sister, Lear and Elvina Gotney. On 7 July 1856 he married Samantha Long in Macon County, Illinois.[10] He is listed as Afred W. Goltatne. Less than a year later probate records for Alfred W. Goltatne are found in Decatur, Macon County, Illinois first dated 8 Jun 1857.[11] No death date is given but he would have died prior to this date.  Laodeca Jordon is listed in the probate records as a creditor. There are no known children for this couple.

Other family members also migrated to Decatur, Macon County, Illinois which we will discuss later.

Parents

Alex’r Gotney and Nancy Higginbotham were married in Kanawha County, Virginia [Now WV] on 16 Nov 1814. No other records have been found with these names.

Philip A. Gaultney (About 1788 – Before 1850)

However, a Philip A. Goltney is found in tax and census records and I believe the A. stands for Alexander, making him the husband of Nancy E. Higginbotham.

A Philip A. Goltney is found in Pee Pee Township, Pike County, Ohio in the 1829 tax records.[12]

 

In 1830 Philip A. Gaultney is found in the census in Pee Pee, Pike County, Ohio.[13] The 1830 census only lists the head of household and lists tick marks with age ranges for the rest of the family.

 1830 Census

Free White Persons - Males - Under 5:   1     [1825-1830:  Curtis A.]

Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9:   2     [1821-1825: 2 unknowns]

Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14:  2  [1816-1820:  Samuel H, unknown]

Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19:  1   [1811-1815: Unknown]

Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29:  4   [1801-1810: 4 unknowns-most likely too old to be Philips children]

Free White Persons - Males - 30 thru 39:  1   [1791-1800:  Philip]

Free White Persons - Males - 50 thru 59  :1   [1771-1780:  Unknown father?]

Free White Persons - Females - Under 5:  1    [1825-1830:  Elvina]

Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9:   2    [1821-1825:  Mary, unknown]

Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39: 1   [1791-1800: wife Nancy/Lear]

1840 Census

In 1840 Philip Gaultana is found in the census in Huntington, Ross County, Ohio. Again, the 1840 census only lists head of household and tic marks.[14]

Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9 1      [1831-1835: Alfred W]

Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14 1   [1826-1830: Curtis A.]

Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19 1    [1821-1825: Unknown]

Free White Persons - Males - 40 thru 49 1   [1791-1800; Philip]

Free White Persons - Females - Under 5 1   [1835-1840: Elvina]

Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9  2   [1831-1835: Eveline, unknown]

Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14  1   [1826-1830: unknown]

Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19  2  [1821-1825: Mary, unknown]

Free White Persons - Females - 40 thru 49  1  [1791-1800: Nancy/Lear]

Ross County is directly above Pike County in Ohio.

Huntington Township in Ross County is above Pee Pee Township in Pike County, the locations are very close to each other.

The last record for Philip Gaultney is in 1840. He is not listed in the 1850 census and his wife is listed living with their daughter. My assumption is he died between 1840 and 1850. No probate record has been found.

Nancy Elizabeth Higginbotham (About 1792 – After 1860)

Besides the 1814 marriage record to Alex’r Gotney no other records have been found with the name Nancy Elizabeth Gaultney. However, as noted before, Lear Gotney is found in the 1850 census in Huntington Township, Ross County, Ohio living with her presumed married daughter Mary Knoch and two children with her same last name of Gotney.  Due to the DNA matches of the descendants of Mary Gaultney (and also Elvina), many records showing variants of Mary’s maiden name and Lear living with the Knoch family, I strongly believe Lear is the mother of Mary, Elvina and Alfred.

In 1848 a Alodeia/Alleodica Galtane was listed in the probate record of Thomas Wilt in Ross Co. OH.

In 1850 a Lear Gotney is listed in the Huntington, Ross co. Ohio census with her children.

In 16 Dec 1851 Leodicia Gottnae married Isaac Jordon in Ross Co., Ohio. Isaac Jordon is listed on the 1840 & 1850 census in Huntington, Ross Co. OH also.

In April of 1855 Alaodice Jordan is listed in the Probate records of Isaac Jordon as his widow.

In 1860 Alaodisa Jordan is living in the household of Eveline Wilt in Decatur, Macon County, Illinois – her presumed daughter.

 

Eveline Gaultney (1833 – 1913)

 

The 1900 census shows Eveline was born June 1833.[15]  She has not been found in the 1850 census but she would have been about 17 years old. On 1 Jan 1852 Eveline Goltane married Jacob H. Wilt in Ross County, Ohio.[16]  This marriage record plus records of her children show different variations of her maiden name as Gaultney.

 

Figure 2 shows Eveline’s surnames in various records

Event – Year	Name	Citation- a formal reference that identifies the specific origin of a genealogical fact
Wilt-Goltane marriage 1852	Goltane	"Ohio County Marriages, 1789-2016," marriage register, entry for Jacob H. Wilt and Eveline Goltane, 1 Jan 1852, Ross County, Ohio; database images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org : accessed 4 Apr 2026), FamilySearch Library DGS 004016208, image 380 of 684; citing Probate Court, Ohio, Ross County.
Son Joseph marries 1883	Gaultner	"Iowa, U.S., Marriage Records, 1880-1950," entry for Joseph W. Wilt & Susan F. E. Walter, 2 September 1883, Iowa County, Iowa, State File # 48-570; database with images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 Jun 2026), image 13 of 213; citing Department of Public Health, Iowa, Des Moines, Volume 322.
Son Samuel marries 1891	Gatling	"Indiana, Marriages, 1811-2019," marriage register, entry for Samuel P. Wilt, 11 November 1891, Hancock, Indiana; database index only, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:D684-812M? : accessed 9 Jun 2026); citing Hancock County Clerk's office, Indiana, Book C-8, Pag 373.
Son Joseph dies 1930	Golthong	"Death Records, 1904-1951," Death Certificate, entry for Joseph Wesley Wilt, 11 November 1930, Maple River, Carroll, Iowa, File # 1206 (14-241); database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org : accessed 3 June 2026), Family History Library microfilm # 101797035, image 3289 of 4980; citing Department of Health, Iowa, Des Moines.

 

Between 1858 and 1860 the family moved to Decatur, Macon County, Illinois. They are found at this location on the 1860 census. Included in the household is Alaodisa Jordan.[17] No relationships are stated in the 1860 census but it is presumed that Alaodisa Jordan is the mother of Eveline Wilt. Alaodisa has the correct date and place of birth.

1860 Census: Decatur, Macon County, Illinois

Wilt, Jacob, 27 male, day laborer, no real estate, 75 personal value, born in VA

Wilt, Eveline, 26, female, born in Ohio, cannot read or write

Wilt, Phebe, 7, female, born in Ohio

Wilt, Joseph, 6, male, born in Ohio

Wilt, Samuel, 2, male, born in Ohio

Jordan, Alaodisa, 61, female, born in Virginia

 

Eveline’s husband Jacob Wilt died in the Civil war and Eveline remarried Elijah C. Linthicum, a widow with children, on 10 Sep 1867 in Macon County, Illinois.[18]

Eveline died 3 Nov 1913 in Macon County, Illinois.[19]

Conflicting information

Eveline’s death record lists her father as Jas Long from Ohio and her mother’s information was left blank. We must remember, except for the date, place and cause of death information provided on death certificate, all other information is secondary information – meaning the information was not witnessed by the person, they were told the information. Secondary information relies on memory or hearsay and it carries a higher risk of inaccuracy. The informant for Eveline’s death record was Mary Garver – more research needs to be done as to who Mary Garver is and if she has any relation to Eveline. I don’t believe the informant Mary knew or gave the correct information of who Eveline’s father was. Besides this record, no other records show her maiden name as Long, but other records do show her maiden name as a Gaultney name variation.

I have not found any DNA matches that go back to Eveline Gaultney. I have traced many of her lines down and many of them had no children, adopted children or the line ended before DNA testing started.

Elvina Gaultney (About 1835 - )

Elvina Gaultney was born about 1835 in Ohio. She is listed as 15 years old in the 1850 Ross County, Ohio census living with her presumed older married sister Mary and her mother and brother, Lear and Alfred Gotney. [20]

On 25 April 1853 Elvna Golteny married Joseph Houseman.[21]

Sometime between 1853 and 1855 the family relocates and are found in the 1860 census living in Decatur, Macon County, Illinois with her husband and two children.[22] Again, the family is migrating together.

In 1870 the Houseman family is still living in Macon County, Illinois and she has six children.[23] Elvina named two of her daughters Mary and Eveline matching the names of two of her sisters. Again, this pattern reflects a common family naming tradition and provides additional indirect evidence of the family relationship.

In 1880 the family moved to Iowa County, Iowa and her children marry in that county.[24]

The chart below shows how Elvina’s maiden name is listed in her marriage record and records of her children. Though the maiden names are spelled differently it shows a consistent maiden name identity preserved across multiple independent records.

Figure 3 lists how Elvina’s surname is listed in various records.

Event – Year	Name	Citation a formal reference that identifies the specific origin of a genealogical fact
1850 Census	Gotney	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.
1853 Marriage	Golteny	Ross County, Ohio, U.S., Ohio, County Marriage Records, 1774-1993, digital image 22 of 288, p. 49 (penned), Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/61378/images/TH-1-18059-65789-67? : accessed 13 May 2022).
1882 Marriage of dau Eveline/Jenny	Goltnen	"Iowa, U.S., Marriage Records, 1880-1950," entry for Jennie Houseman & William Hughes, 12 February 1882, Iowa County, Iowa, Volume 308, page 48-512; database with images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 31 May 2026), image 151 of 348; citing Iowa Department of Public Health, Des Moines.
1883 Marriage of son A.G. Housman	Gaultney	"DeWitt. Marriage Registers 1878–1901," marriage register, entry for A.G. Housman & Martha Glenn, 30 August 1883, Dewitt, Illinois; database images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org : accessed 31 May 2026), FamilySearch Library microfilm 004661392. image 81 of 341; citing De Witt County Clerk, Illinois, Springfield, Book D.
1884 Marriage of dau Mary	Galtina	"Iowa, U.S., Marriage Records, 1880-1950," entry for Herny I. Tuttle and Mary E. Housman, 19 February 1884, Iowa County, Iowa, File # 48*577/325; database with images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/8823/images/42563_fp030872_0026-00019? : accessed 11 June 2026), image 20 of 213; citing, Iowa Department of Health, Des Moines.
1886 Marriage of dau Susan	Gollery	"Illinois, County Marriages, 1810-1940," marriage register, entry for Joseph A. Hughes and Miss Susan E. Housman, 25 Feb 1886, Decatur, Macon County, Illinois; database images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9BG-44Y3? : accessed 11 June 2026), FamilySearch Library microfilm 00772802, 3 of 3, image 225 of 251; citing Macon County Clerk, Illinois, Springfield.
1887 Marriage of son Augustus	Goltna	"Decatur Marriage Registers," entry for Agustus A. Housman, 3 July 1887, Decatur, Macon County, Illinois; database images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99KJ-2CN? : accessed 13 June 2026), FamilySearch Library microfilm # 007622033, image 30 of 333; citing Macon County Clerk, Illinois, Marriage Register, Volume C, page 19.
1888 Marriage of son A.G.	Gaultney	"Marriage Records, 1880-1950," entry for A.G. Houseman, 6 December 1888, Carroll, Iowa, File #1319; database with images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/8823/images/42563_fp030872_0055-00012? : accessed 13 June 2026), image 13 of 262; citing Department of Public Health, Iowa, Des Moines, Volume 351.
1889 Marriage of dau Hannah	Galttna	"U.S. Select County Marriage Records,"1855-1908, entry for Eby Comstock and Hannah Housman, 4 September 1889, Dixon County, Nebraska; database with images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/61335/images/47291_552426-00367? : accessed 13 June 2026), image 368 of 1598; citing State Library and Archives, Nebraska, Lincoln.

In 1888 Elvina’s husband dies. On 17 Oct 1890 Elvina Houseman married John C. Lawrence in Marshall County, Iowa. [25]

This marriage record lists the names of the married couple. Elvina is listed as age 60 and resides in Decatur, Illinois. This is her second marriage. Elvina’s parents are listed as Phillip Goltetne and Leodica Higgenbottom.

This shows direct evidence of her parents and it helps tie in other information found showing Nancy Higginbotham and Alaodica/Laodica Gotney are the same person.

AncestryDNA ThruLine matches for descendants of Phillip A. Galttana connect to descendants of Mary Gaulteny Knoch, Curtis A. Galttana and Elvina Gaultney Houseman.

·         Mary, Eveline and Elvina all have records that show the Gaultney name variants as their maiden names. (See figures #1, 2 and 3)

·         AncestryDNA matches show a network back to Joseph and Mary Higginbotham, who had Nancy Elizabeth Higginbotham. Nancy Higanbotham married Alex’r Goltney in 1814 in Virginia.

·         Mary and Elvina named daughters after their sister’s names.

·         Philip A. Gaultney is found in the 1830 census in Pee Pee, Pike County, Ohio and in 1840 Philip Gaultana is living in Huntington, Ross County, Ohio. I believe the A. in Philips name in 1830 is for Alexander. Their son Curtis had the middle name of Alexander.

Figure 4: A comparison of the 1830 and 1840 census shows the proposed children fit within the tic mark ranges.

In 1830 an older unknown male was living in the Philip Gaultney household but he is not listed in the 1840 household. He could have died before 1840 or was living in a different household in 1840. It is possible the older male was the father of Philip Gaultney and the four older males ages 20-29 could be Philip’s brothers or lodgers.

This chart shows two male children Samuel and Curtis in 1830, but there are also three unknown males in 1830. By 1840 they could have move out or died. Alfred was born after 1830 so he is found only in the 1840 census. More research is needed on the three missing Gaultney males.

This chart shows Mary and two unknown females in the 1830 census and in 1840 Mary, one unknown female and Eveline and Elvina who were born after 1830. More research is needed on the missing Gaultney females.

Philip Gaultney/Gotney is not found in the 1850 census or after. Lear Gotney is found in the 1850 census in Huntington, Ross County, Ohio with her married daughter Mary Knoch and children Elvina Gotney and Alfred Gotney.

 

MIGRATION

Philip, Nancy/Aloedica, Mary, Alfred, Elvina and Eveline have records showing them in Ross County, Ohio. After Philip’s presumed death, Nancy/Aloedica, Alfred, Eveline and Elvina move to Decatur, Macon County, Illinois. This reflects family migration behavior and not random coincidence.

Mary stayed in Ross County, Ohio most of her life. She is found in Richland, Clinton County, Ohio living with her daughter and son-in-law in 1880.

Figure 5 shows the records found and the names used For

Nancy Elizabeth Higginbotham Gaultney.

 

Date	Event	Name as listed	Others/FAN	Location	Birth
1814 Nov 16	Marriage	Nancy Higabotham	Alex'r Goltney	Kanawha, Virginia (Now WV)
1848 Dec 11	Probate	Alleodica Galtane Alleodca Galtane	Thomas Wilt Dec'd  Herman Knoch	Ross Co., Ohio
1850 Sep 1	Census	Lear Gotney	Mary Noak, Elvina Gotney, Alfred Gotney	Huntington, Ross Co., Ohio	1795
1851 Dec 16	Marriage	Leodicia Gottane	Isaac Jordan	Ross Co., Ohio
1855 Apr 09	Probate	Aloadice Jordan	Isaac Jordan Dec’d , Jacob Wilt	Ross Co., Ohio
1860 Jul 19	Census	Alaodisa Jordan	Jacob & Eveline Wilt	Decatur, Macon Co., IL	1799
1890 Oct 17	Marriage of dau	Laodica Higgenbottom	Elvina Goltetne Houseman	Marshall, Iowa

The individual appearing under the various names Nancy Higabotham, Alleodica/Alleodca Galtane, Lear Gotney, Leodicia Gottane, Aloadice/Alaodisa Jordan, and Laodica Higgenbottom is believed to be the same person, based on consistent associations in time, location, and family relationships, as well as clear phonetic similarities among the name variants.

No conflicting evidence has been identified that would suggest the presence of multiple individuals with these overlapping characteristics.

Conclusion

No single document has been found that directly states Philip Alexander Gaultney and Nancy Elizabeth (Higginbotham) Gaultney were the parents of Mary, Curtis Alexander, Alfred, Eveline, and Elvina. However, genealogy often requires assembling many independent pieces of evidence to answer questions when early records no longer exist.

In this case, the evidence consistently points to the same conclusion. Marriage records, census records, probate records, migration patterns, naming traditions, DNA evidence, and the repeated use of many different spellings of the Gaultney surname all connect the same family over several decades. The records also show the family moving together from Virginia to southern Ohio and later to Macon County, Illinois, with the same individuals repeatedly appearing alongside one another.

Although the names appear in many different forms—including Gaultney, Gotney, Goltatne, Galtane, Galttana, and others—this was common during the early 1800s, when spelling was not standardized and many people could not read or write. The consistent family relationships, locations, and timelines show these variations refer to the same family rather than different people.

Taken together, the evidence supports the conclusion that Philip Alexander Gaultney and Nancy Elizabeth Higginbotham—who later appears in records under the names Lear Gotney, Aleodica Galtane, Leodicia Gottane, Alaodisa Jordan, and similar variations—were the parents of Mary Gaultney, Curtis Alexander Galttana, Alfred W. Goltatne, Eveline Gaultney, and Elvina Gaultney. Samuel Henry Galtatne is also believed to be their son, but because his records contain additional complexities, his evidence is presented separately.

While additional records may be discovered in the future, no evidence has been found that contradicts this conclusion. Based on the combined documentary and DNA evidence presented in this report, this is the most reasonable and well-supported reconstruction of the family.

 

See Family Tree below.

[1] Tina Telesca, “Curtis Alexander Galttana Research"; blog post, Generations Past, (https://generationspast99.blogspot.com/2023/01/alexander-galttana-research-i-have-been.html : accessed 31 Mar 2026).

[2] 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).

[3] Tina Telesca, “Curtis Alexander Galttana Research Report 2 Knoch"; blog post, Generations Past, (https://generationspast99.blogspot.com/2023/01/click-here-for-curtis-alexander.html : accessed 31 Mar 2026).

[4] 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.

[5] 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.

 

[6] "Public Member Tree," database, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 21 May 2026), "Fogle Family Tree" family tree by lorajackson11, profile for Mary Goltatne (1823-1875).

[7] 1870 U.S. census, Huntington, Ross, Ohio, population schedule, page 13, dwelling 87, family 87, entry for Household of William Doyl; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 1 February 2025), image 13 of 60 citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm publication M593, roll 1263.

[8] 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.

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.

[9] 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?: accessed 25 Apr 2022). citing NARA microfilm publication M432 roll 725.

[10] "Illinois, County Marriage," 1810-1940, entry for Alfred W. Goltatne & Samantha N. Long, 7 July 1856, Macon County, Illinois; database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9BG-44RF? : accessed 1 June 2026), image 47 of 129; citing Macon County, County Clerk, Illinois.

[11] "Illinois U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1772-1999," Macon County Probate Court, Estate Files, 1830-1885, entry for Alfred W. Goltatne, 8 June 1857, Macon County; database with digitized images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 1 Jan 2023), image 204-229 of 1042; citing Illinois County, District and Probate Courts Case No. 318, box 12.

[12] Pee Pee Township, Pike County, Ohio, Tax duplicates 1829, "Tax duplicates 1816-1830", arranged chronologically, entries for Philip A. Goltney, digital image 547 of 656, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GPPD-1GW?i=546&cc=1473259&cat=332852: accessed 2 Jan 2023).

[13] 1830 U.S. Census, Pike County, Ohio, population schedule, Pee Pee Twp., p. 63 (penned), Philip A. Gaultney head of household, digital image 3 of 8, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/361157:8058?_phsrc=NTy1807&_phstart=successSource&gsln=gault*&ml_rpos=65&queryId=a553faf4c1e970dbed1a799ad66bbb8f: 13 May 2022) citing NARA microfilm publication M19, Roll 138.

[14] 1840 U.S. Census, Ross County, Ohio, population schedule, Huntington, p. 373, Philip Gaultana head of household, digital image 11 of 14, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/8057/images/4410635_00754?pId=2717355: 13 May 2022) citing NARA microfilm publication M704, roll 424.

[15] 1900 U.S. census, Decatur, Macon, Illinois, population schedule, Decatur Ward 6., Enumeration District 55, sheet 22B, dwelling 713, family 505, entry for Elijah Linthicum household; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 3 Jun 2026), image 44 of 50; citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm publication T623, roll 323.

[16] "Ohio County Marriages, 1789-2016," marriage register, entry for Jacob H. Wilt and Eveline Goltane, 1 Jan 1852, Ross County, Ohio; database images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org : accessed 4 Apr 2026), FamilySearch Library DGS 004016208, image 380 of 684; citing Probate Court, Ohio, Ross County.

[17] 1860 U.S. census, Town, Macon County, Illinois, population schedule, Decatur Post Office, page 150, dwelling 1046, family 1036, entry for Jacob H. Wilt and wife Evelina Wilt; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/7667/images/4213708_00150?pId=37363596 : accessed 18 March 2026), image 49 of 254; citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm publication M653, roll 203.

[18] "Illinois, County Marriages, 1810-1940," marriage register, entry for Elijah C. Linthicum & Eveline Wilt, 10 September 1867, Macon County, Illinois; database images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9BG-4H9Y?view=explore&action=view&cc=1803970&lang=en&groupId=M9FV-QXF : accessed 10 June 2026), FamilySearch Library microfilm 007728024, image 104 of 129; citing Macon County Clerk, Illinois.

[19] "Death Records 1877-1918," entry for Evelyn Linthicum, 2 November 1913, Decatur, Mason County, Illinois, File # 1120/61978; database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99KJ-L3M6?i=389&lang=en : accessed 10 June 2026), Family History Library microfilm # 007622031, image 390 of 593; citing Macon County Courthouse, Illinois, Book 8.

[20] 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.

[21] Ross County, Ohio, U.S., Ohio, County Marriage Records, 1774-1993, digital image 22 of 288, p. 49 (penned), Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/61378/images/TH-1-18059-65789-67?pId=900265053: accessed 13 May 2022).

[22] 1860 U.S. Census, Macon County, Ohio, population schedule, Decatur, p. 728 (stamped), p. 162 (penned), dwelling 1130, family 1139, Joseph Houseman household, digital image 61 of 254, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/7667/images/4213708_00162?pId=37365375 : accessed 13 May 2022); citing NARA microfilm publication M653 roll 203. 

[23] 1870 U.S. census, Harristown, Macon, Illinois, population schedule, page 6, dwelling 39, family 39, entry for household of Joseph Housman; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 1 February 2025), image 17 of 25; citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm publication M593, roll 249.

[24] 1880 U.S. Census, Iowa County, Iowa, population schedule, enumeration district (ED) 204, sheet 204D (stamped), p. 16 (penned), dwelling 141, family 145, Joseph Hausman household, digital image 16 of 17, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/6742/images/4240691-00273?pId=23428995: accessed 13 May 2022); citing NARA microfilm publication T9.

[25] "Iowa, U.S., Marrige Records, 1880-1950," entry for Elvira Houseman and John L. Lawrence, 17 October 1890, Marshall County, Iowa,  File # 132; database with images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/8823/images/42563_fp030872_0066-00267?pId=904047830 : accessed 14 June 2026), image 268 of 426; citing Department of Public Health, Iowa, Des Moines, Volume 362.