Researching family history can be challenging. Records were destroyed in various natural disasters, records were not kept at all, people changed their names, etc. One source that genealogists tend to like is the census. Why? Because starting in 1850, everyone in the household was enumerated – not just the head of the household. Generally, the enumeration went like this: name of head of household (usually this is the male), then the head of household’s spouse (usually his wife), then their children in descent from oldest to youngest then typically anyone else living in the household (borders, parents, in-laws, etc). Now it’s true, that this wasn’t always the case, but in general, that’s the principle. It’s also true that for the 1850, 1860 and 1870 census you can’t say for any certainty about the relationships of the people in the household because it’s not spelled out that way. Starting in 1880, the relationships were added to the census.

So, imagine for a moment my excitement to find my 2nd great-grandmother Nancy J. Whitney in the 1850 census.

There she is, age 7 years old (which corresponds with other census records for her age) – the oldest of 3 children. It would appear from this enumeration that she is living with her parents – John Whitney (which is also independently confirmed) and probably Hannah. Hannah is 4 years younger than John – which isn’t unheard of for a husband and wife. Hannah would have been 17 when Nancy was born – again, not unheard of – it’s certainly possible. The last person in the household is Susan Robinson – age 26. This would seem to indicate that Susan is a border – even possibly a sibling to either John or Hannah.

Here’s the rub – neither Hannah nor Susan appear in later censuses with John and Nancy. In fact, this is the only instance that I have of Hannah. I do find a marriage record for John and Susannah Robinson in 1842 (hmmm… Nancy is born in 1843 – coincidence?).

Since the 1850 census is for Wayne County and this marriage record is also for Wayne County – it stands to reason that these are the same people. So why 8 years after John and Susannah get married, they are enumerated in the same household – but she is listed with her maiden name and appears to not be married to him and John appears to be married to a Hannah?

I have not been able to find a divorce for John and Susannah. I have not found a marriage for John and Hannah. I have not been able to find a death for John, Susannah or Hannah.

So, who is Nancy’s mother?

 

James Doonan was born in Ireland around 1796-1799. He was married to Prudence who was a bit younger – born in 1811 in Ireland. Due to the destruction of records over the years in Ireland, I cannot say who their parents are with any certainty. James and Prudence immigrated to Canada by 1835 as their first known son was born in Canada in 1835. James and Prudence would ultimately have 10 children (that are known): John born February 7, 1835; Elizabeth born April 10, 1836; William born September 29, 1837; James born April 13, 1839, Armour born December 29, 1841; David born April 20, 1843, Edward born November 20, 1844; Alexander born May 8, 1846, Johnston born March 19, 1848 and Sarah Ann born June 2, 1851. William is my second great-grandfather, making James and Prudence my 3x great-grandparents.

Several years ago, I had hired a researcher to try to find out more about the ancestors of James and Prudence. The report that was generated lacked documentary evidence, but supposed that James parents were William Donan and Jane Glenn. It also supposed that Prudence’s maiden name was Morton and her parents were James Morton and Margaret Johnson. I really don’t know if this is true or not. In 2012 I made a trip to Northern Ireland – to Belfast – to do research and found there were no records to support or deny these claims.

I talked to another researcher who claimed that Prudence’s maiden name was Johnston – like her last son’s given name. It’s not unusual for a son to be named after the mother’s family – sometimes using the surname as a given name for the child. Then there is this curiosity from the 1861 Census of Canada:

There’s the Doonan family living seemingly next door to a Johnston family whose parents were born in Ireland. Prudence is 13 years older than James Johnston here which means they could possibly be siblings. It would not be unusual for siblings to immigrate to a new area and live next to each other. So, there certainly seems to be evidence supporting the Johnston surname – although quite honestly it’s not proof either.

Most of the Doonan’s remained in Canada, but John and William moved to Michigan sometime in the 1860’s. John would immigrate to Bay county and die in 1900 in Roscommon and William came to Bay City where he was married 4 times (most likely divorced 3 of those 4 times – but no divorce records are found, nor death information for 3 of the 4 wives).

John Doonan was married on April 10, 1861 in Bruce, Ontario to Eliza Jane Walker. Two of their 10 children were born in Canada. William J. born 1861 in Canada, Prudence E. born October 28, 1863 in Canada. Then they moved to Michigan where Francis was born in 1865, Elizabeth born 18 May 1868, Eliza Jane born 1870, David born June 21, 1874, Sarah A born 1876, Ruth born March 14, 1879, Amanda born July 1882 and Charles born November 14, 1884. Coincidentally, after John’s death, Eliza Jane would re-marry in 1903 in Higgins Township, Roscommon, Michigan to Samuel Johnston who was born about 1846 in Canada. At this time it is unknown if Samuel Johnston has any connection to that Johnston family from the 1861 census.

William and his fourth wife, Rosa Smith, would have 10 children – 8 of whom lived to be adults as far as I can tell. Frank, born  June 30, 1896 and Pearl born May 25, 1905 are both buried in Fraser Township Cemetery in Bay County. Sometime between 1905 and 1910 (probably 1908) William moved with his wife, 4 sons and 2 of 4 of his daughters back to Canada. The two daughters who stayed in Michigan were married – Rose Jane Doonan born August 22, 1882 was married to Alonzo Davis, and my great-grandmother, Margaret born on June 2, 1888 was married to William Henry Lacy in 1907. William would ultimately commit suicide on October 13, 1913 in New Liskeard. Rosa would re-marry in 1918 to Ernest Ball. William and Rosa’s sons, James, William Nelson, Archie and Abraham Possinger would all serve during World War I in the Canadian Expeditionary Force.

Jude A Smith was born about 1858 in Pennsylvania to parents Abraham Possinger Smith and Emily Rebecca Thompson. Jude is not a direct ancestor – but the brother of my 3rd great-grandmother Rosa Smith.

Jude moved to Bay County Michigan with his family in the 1870’s.  He married Mary Mathilda Lago on October 29, 1887 in Beaver Township, Bay County. Jude and Mathilda had 2 children – Delbert on September 1, 1888 and Almina on May 6, 1890. Tragically, he was murdered by his own brother on December 6, 1890.

After his murder, Jude’s widow, Mathilda married John F. Streu on July 19, 1891 just a couple of months after her former brother-in-law Robert was convicted of Jude’s murder. She and John would go on to have 3 children of their own – Emma, Carrie and William. John would help raise Jude’s children as in 1900, Delbert and Almina (Mina) were living with him and their mother in Bay Township. However, by 1912, Mathilda marries Horace Rickel in Flint, Michigan.  Mathilda marries a fourth time to Joseph Beech. She dies December 13, 1940 in Midland. I have not yet found evidence of her divorces or record of the last marriage. Her death certificate is the source of the last husband.

So far, I haven’t been able to definitively trace Delbert Smith past the 1900 census. I’m not sure if he moved, died or what.

However, Jude’s daughter Almina – who apparently went by Mina, was married and divorced 3 times. Almina first marries Ralph W. Watson on December 12, 1909 in Saginaw, Michigan. She is living with Ralph and his parents in 1910. They were divorced in Saginaw County on August 8, 1912. It doesn’t indicate who filed for divorce, but the claim of extreme cruelty was the grounds for the divorce.

Almina would marry Elliot Wilson Hart on May 9, 1912 in Essex, Ontario, Canada. – Her son who was named Leroy (Roy) Wilson Hart was born October 1, 1911 in Michigan. So apparently Almina had met Elliot Wilson in early 1911 (or late 1910) and had a fling and eventually convince her second husband to marry her even though she was already married to Ralph. In all likelyhood, Ralph filed for the divorce and made the claim of extreme cruelty since she apparently ran off with another man – having his child and marrying him!

Almina would go on to have 2 other children with Elliot Wilson Hart – Clarabelle born in 1916 and Wilbur Adelbert born in 1918. They lived in Midland, Michigan in 1920. Unfortunately, it didn’t last. Almina and Elliot Wilson were divorced on January 15, 1927 in Midland.

Almina goes on to marry Joseph Dupuis on July 27, 1929 in Lucas County, Ohio. That also ends in divorce on June 17, 1935 in Saginaw, Michigan.

Both of the last 2 divorces indicate the husband was the one who filed for the divorce and was claiming cruelty in each case. I have not yet found Almina’s death. That could be because she married a fourth time and died with that name instead. That’s pure speculation based on her record with husbands. It will probably take some courthouse research in order to determine if she did re-marry and when she died as those records are not necessarily available on the internet yet.

I have often said that my family tree is not tree shaped. Sometimes I’ve described it as a wreath, or as a tumbleweed (hence the name of this blog). Well, Mary Munson was both my 2nd great-grandmother and my 2nd great-grand aunt. Yes, you read that right. She was both my great-grandmother and my great-grand aunt. Her obituary has that tell-tail sign.

Yes, she had a daughter “Mrs. Rivers” who lived in Swartz Creek at the time and a sister “Mrs. Rivers” who lived in Taymouth Township. Mrs. Rivers – the daughter – was born Alice Mary Wickham and was married to her first cousin, Gardner Rivers. Mrs. Rivers – the sister – was Frances Jane Munson who was married to John Rivers and they were Gardner’s parents. Keeping it all in the family… lol.

Mary and Frances Jane were 2 daughters of Henry Munson and his wife Elizabeth “Betsy” Foster. An uncle of Mary and Frances Jane, Gardner W Foster was the first white child born in Saginaw County and is who the village of Fosters is named after.

Mary died May 23, 1907 from Erysipelas. According to Wikipedia, Erysipelas is a skin infection caused by a bacteria. Wikipedia also states:

This disease is most common among the elderly, infants, and children. People with immune deficiency, diabetes, alcoholism, skin ulceration, fungal infections, and impaired lymphatic drainage (e.g., after mastectomy, pelvic surgery, bypass grafting) are also at increased risk.

It is probable that she was diabetic and/or had cardiac issues. Evidence for this comes from her picture, obituary and death certificate. No, none of them directly state this, but it is likely – especially since both issues run in the family – her daughter Alice, grandson and great-grandson all died of heart issues. Her great-grandchildren – my dad and uncle both had diabetes (as do I).

Isaac was born March 1, 1853 to Thomas Jones and his wife, Emiline Groff. Isaac never married. On August 19, 1902, at the age of 49 years, 5 months and 18 days, he was admitted to the Pontiac State Hospital where he would remain for the next 38 years, 3 months and 29 days. Isaac died on December 18, 1940 aged 87 years, 10 months and 17 days. His body was donated to the Ann Arbor Medical School at the University of Michigan 2 days later. The cause of death is attributed to Myocardial failure and general arteriosclerosis with senility as a contributing case of death. The autopsy showed coronary thrombosis arteriosclerstic brain disease.

The patient records of the Pontiac State Hospital are sealed. It is not possible to find out more about him specifically, but things can be surmised from his death certificate as well as things in general about where he lived before he died.

The Pontiac State Hospital opened on August 1, 1878 as the Eastern Michigan Asylum. In 1911, they changed their name to Pontiac State Hospital. By 1937 there were 1,818 patients.  The facility was closed in 1997 and demolished in 2000.

There should be a probate record for Isaac Jones in 1901/2 based upon the following newspaper articles. I hope to find the probate record as that may be the only way to find out what happened to this 49 year old to cause him to spend the rest of his life in an insane asylum.

 

 

 

 

The following 2 articles appear in the probate court report that appeared in the Saginaw Herald on August 21, 1902. They were on the same page – a few entries apart (with the second appearing first).

 

 

The following shows that he indeed was admitted to the asylum

 

Again, on October 18, 1902 was another article in the Saginaw News – this time a letter from the Judge of the Probate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 2014, I joined the Daughters of the American Revolution under my 6th great-grandfather, Benjamin Byam. I did my application through him because he was an already established patriot and I already had most of the documentation needed to prove my descent from him, so it was an easy application to do. In reality, I do have other Revolutionary War Patriots in my ancestry that I could have submitted under – and I’ll probably submit them as supplementals one day.

Benjamin Byam was born November 29, 1733 in Chelmsford, Massachusetts. He had some military service prior to the Revolution, but during the War, he served both in Massachusetts and New Hampshire (where he moved to). Benjamin ended up dying in Randolph, Vermont on November 22, 1795.

Lot Hutchinson, another 6th great-grandfather, was born in Sutton, Massachusetts on August 1, 1741. Lot served as a Sergeant in Captain Abijah Burbank’s company among others during the war, marching from Sutton to Providence, Rhode Island. Lot would eventually move his family from Massachusetts to Braintree, Vermont where he died on March 24, 1818. Lot has not previously been proven a patriot in the DAR database.

Lot’s father-in-law, Moody Morse, my 7th great-grandfather, was born April 1, 1719 in Newbury, Massachusetts. Moody is a proven DAR patriot for performing civil service during the war. Moody died on August 14, 1805 in Sutton, Massachusetts.

Josiah Blanchard was born on December 10, 1733 in Concord, Massachusetts and is another 6th great-grandfather. Josiah is not a currently approved DAR patriot, but he does appear on the muster roll for Cogswell’s Regiment of the Militia in 1778 (part of the 16th Regiment for Massachusetts). He also appears on the rolls for Captain Danforth’s company of Colonel Nixon’s regiment. Josiah died March 18, 1800 in Barre, Vermont.

Abraham Smith (one of several in my tree) was born in 1730 in Subury, Massachusetts and is yet another 6th great-grandfather. He is a DAR approved patriot who served under Captains Brownson, Simonds and Colonels Allen, Warner and Bradley. He died in Tinmouth, Vermont on November 4, 1809.

Bartholomew Towne was a private in Captain Josiah Crosby’s Company of Colonel Moses Nichol’s Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteers. Bartholomew was born April 8, 1741 in Topsfield, Massachusetts and died in 1800 in Milford, New Hampshire. Bartholomew is not currently a DAR approved patriot.

Eli Stiles was born May 22, 1746 in Westfield, Massachusetts. He appears on the rolls as serving under Captain Darby’s company of Colonel Scammel’s registment in New Hampshire. It is not known yet exactly when Eli died. He is not currently an approved DAR patriot.

John T. Wortman was born August 25, 1757 in New Jersey and is a fourth great-grandfather. John is an approved DAR patriot who was a teamster in George Allen’s & Samuel Hunt’s teams.  John died on May 19, 1831 in New Jersey.

John’s father, another John Wortman was born November 16, 1730 in Somerset County, New Jersey. He is a DAR approved patriot for being a Corporal and a Wagon Master during the war. John died on August 25, 1807 in Bedminster, New Jersey.

Daniel Munson was born April 4, 1745 in Stratford, Connecticut and is a fifth great-grandfather. Daniel is an approved DAR patriot for having civil service during the war as he was a surveyor of highways in Milford. Daniel died on October 27, 1827 in Milford, Connecticut.

There are probably others that I just haven’t discovered yet. 9 out of 10 of these ancestors are through my mom’s side of the family. I’m sure there are probably more on dad’s side – I just haven’t discovered them yet.

Growing up, I always knew of the farmers who lived about a half mile away with the surname of Periard. My sister and I both knew of Periard class mates. I knew my dad had talked about them as well. Little did I know there was actually a family connection – until I started researching the family history. I suspect that most of the current generation didn’t know there was a family connection either.

I wrote previously about Rose Rivers who was married to August Malorey. I have seen the surname written as Mallory and Mallorey. Well, Rose and August had one child – Mary. Rose died while carrying their second child. August went on to marry Clara Macomber. Mary was born April 15, 1905. The year is in question – but 3 of the census records that I have found her in agree on 1905. Her death certificate has not been viewed yet, but the information extracted gives her birth year as 1903. Since the date would actually fall before her parents married, I’m inclined to believe the 1905 date rather than the 1903 date. So far, I haven’t been able to find a birth record.

Mary went to live with her Aunt Mary after her mother died. Aunt Mary was her mother’s sister, Mary Jane Rivers. Mary Jane was born April 12, 1881 in Albee Township to my 2nd great-grandparents, John Rivers and Frances Jane Munson. Mary Jane married Claud Alvin Hutchins on April 7, 1899. Shortly after they married, they moved to the Pontiac area. As far as I can tell, Claud and Mary Jane never had children of their own. So, when at 5 years old, Mary lost her mother, Claud and Mary Jane probably took in her niece and raised her as their own. Mary Jane died on August 11, 1950 and Claud died on January 13, 1954.

Mary married Edward J. Periard in 1927 in Wayne County, Michigan. They stayed in the Detroit area until sometime between 1935 and 1940 when they moved to Taymouth Township in Saginaw County.

Prior to his marriage, Edward had lived for a time in Saginaw, and after they were married, he had a general store. Edward’s parents were Clement Periard and Auxilda Kennel (both were born in Canada but immigrated to Michigan in the 1880’s). Edward had a brother, William born in 1888. It is from William that the Periard neighbors descend from.

On May 26, 1946, Mary and Edward were walking with friends along M-13 when they were struck by a car. Their friends, Andrew Wojcik and his wife Frances along with Mary were killed instantly. Edward died of his injuries 4 days later.

As far as I can tell, Edward and Mary never had children. The only newspaper articles found so far are from Battle Creek and Detroit. However, I can’t imagine it not being in the Saginaw papers too.

“Grandma Ball” as I had always heard her referred to was born on August 12, 1865 in Pennsylvania, the sixth child of Abraham Possinger Smith and Emily Rebecca Thompson.

Sometime in the 1870’s, Rose moved to Bay County, Michigan with her family. On February 17, 1882, she married Thomas Osborn in Bay County. That marriage didn’t last very long though because just 9 months later, on November 11, 1882 she marries William Doonan. It is not clear what happened to Thomas Osborn – if they divorced or he died. Rosie would remain married to William Doonan until 1913 when he took his own life. Rosie would eventually marry Ernest Alfred Ball on August 26, 1919 in Timiskaming, Ontario, Canada. Ernest would die in 1935 and Rosie would never marry again.

Rosie passed away on October 11, 1952. At some point they changed her birth year by 10, so the newspaper states that she was in her 97th year – when in reality it was her 87th year.

The obituary leaves out my great-grandmother, Margaret Doonan who was married to John Phillips at the time and living in Saginaw, Michigan.

Rosie and William Doonan had ten children – but only 8 lived to be adults. Frank died at the age of 5 and Pearl died at the age of 4 months. Both of them are buried in Fraser Township, Bay County, Michigan. Another daughter, Emily, died at the age of 18. The oldest daughter is Rose Jane who was married to Harry Bonnaeau. Rosie and William had 3 sons who served in the Canadian Expeditionary Force during World War I – Archie, Abraham and William Nelson. Archie and Abraham were wounded in the war, but lived through it.

After their youngest daughter died in 1905, William and Rosie moved in 1908 to Pence Township, Temiskaming, Ontario, Canada. I remember once when I was little that my parents (and sister), and my uncle went to Cobalt, Ontario to visit the Doonan relatives. This was probably the late 1970’s early 1980’s. I was too young to really understand who they were though. It wasn’t my dad’s first trip there though – he had gone several times with my grandparents and great-grandma, but it was the last trip he made to see the Canadian relatives.

Rose Rivers was born March 1875, the eighth child of John Rivers and Frances Jane Munson. Her marriage record, death record and the 1900 census all testify to that. However, her birth record has not been found and oddly enough she doesn’t appear on the 1880 census with her family.

It is not known why all of the other children appear (including 2 younger ones) and she doesn’t.

Marriage Record of “Gust” Malory and Rosa Rivers

She married on July 3, 1903 August Louis Mallory. Her marriage record only gives her father’s name – John Rivers and not her mother’s. I suppose it could be said that this is a different John Rivers – and thus not a member of my family. However, when Rose died on February 5, 1910, her death certificate pretty clearly confirms that she is indeed the daughter of John Rivers and Frances Jane Munson (who went by her middle name of Jane).

August and Mary had one child – Mary. She was born April 15, 1903 (a couple of months before they were married). It appears from her death certificate, that Mary was pregnant with a second child when she died. In 1910, the daughter Mary is not found on the census with her father – who was living with his brother and their mother. August would later re-marry and have children with his second wife Clara Macomber. Mary would be married by 1930 however, she doesn’t appear in the 1910 and 1920 census with her maiden name. It might be said that August wasn’t the father of Mary – since the marriage is happening after her birth and August isn’t taking care of her as she is growing up, but her death certificate names August as her father.

This is my favorite picture of the older generations of the family. I have no idea when it was taken or where. The younger man holding the dog is William Wickham and the younger lady is either his sister Ettie or his wife Emma. I tend to think it’s his sister. The old couple in the center? Well, some say it’s John Rivers and his wife Francis Jane Munson – they would be the aunt and uncle to William and Ettie. Somehow, I don’t think it’s John and Jane. I think it is more likely to be Reuben Thomas Wickham and Mary Emmaline Munson – the parents of William and Ettie.

Ruben was born in England on April 12, 1831. He immigrated with his mother, Christianna and his brothers John George and Joseph. Ruben’s father Charles had come over prior to the rest of the family.

Ruben’s mother, Christianna is listed as Hannah on the passenger manifest – which could be a nickname. The puzzle is the 10 year old boy named Charles. I know it is not a “typo” for Ruben’s father Charles due to this excerpt from the memorial for Ruben’s mother Christianna:

“They lived for six years in London and then Mr. Wickham came to America to seek a more healthful climate.  Finding that his health improved here he wrote to his wife that he would return to England for her and the children and close up their business there.  She thought it unnecessary for him to come, however, and after writing him to that effect arranged to leave her English home with her three small children.”

The three small children would be John, Ruben and Joseph. It is possible that the 10 year old Charles is a son of Charles (and therefore a half brother of Ruben, John and Joseph) from a previous marriage. But I don’t know for sure. It is also unknown at this time what happened to that 10 year old Charles.

The family came to Michigan on an oxcart after living in New York for a few years. Charles and Christianna would have 2 daughters born in New York about 1836 and 1839. Charles would only live one month after arriving in Tittabawassee Township of Saginaw County Michigan in 1840. Christianna, with 5 small children to care for, re-married on April 14, 1841 to Edward Green – who helped raise her children.

Ruben would live the rest of his life in Tittabawassee Township and Thomas Township. He married on April 26, 1858, Mary Emmaline Munson. Ruben bought 65.03 acres of land in Tittabawassee Township (Lot number 4 of Section 32 inTownship 13 North of Range 3 East) 6 years after his marriage – on April 25, 1864.

Ruben had to provide certain proofs in order to purchase the land under the Homestead Acts. The following is an affidavit made by his brother, Joseph and another gentleman by the name of William Burleson filed on behalf of Ruben.

I LOVE the detail in this document. Ruben had built for his young family a board house that was about 14×16, an addition of about the same size. The house had a board roof and floors, with 3 outside [doors] and 2 windows. It was a comfortable house to live in. He had cultivated about 12 acres of the land, cleared another 3 acres, built a log stable, an outdoor cellar, dug a well and planted a bunch of fruit trees and shrubbery. Not bad for just under 6 years.

Now looking back at my favorite picture (above) – and keeping in mind this description of his house and land – I am convinced that my thought that the old couple was Ruben and his wife Mary is correct.

Ruben died on January 16, 1903 and is buried in Owen Cemetery.