Henry County Genealogical Society Newsletter

Volume 1, Number 5, July – August 1987

Meetings

July 20, 1987, Monday, 6:30 p.m.

Meet at St. John’s parking lot beside the church on Rt. 65 and
Road G. We will tour their cemetery. Then to Woodlawn Cemetery on Co. Rd. E
just east of Rt. 18. Then to Deshler Library for the meeting. BUG SPRAY.

August 17, 1987, Monday, 7:00 p.m.

Meeting and speaker. Deshler Library. Marge Waterfield of
Bowling Green, Ohio, will speak on “Genealogy Can Be Fun and Funny.”

Editor’s Notes

This is my third issue since taking over the newsletter job. It is a lot of
work, but I enjoy doing it. To date, we are sending out 135 issues and the list
is growing. Our members are doing a fairly good job in giving me articles to
print, but there are a lot of you I haven’t heard from. Why don’t you, after you
have finished reading this issue, send me a query, 5 generation chart, surname
list, helpful hints, any articles of interest, or let me know what you would
like to have in the newsletter. It can be a success and helpful to us and
others, but only with your help.

New Additions – for research

Isaac Moore Family History, donated by Norma L. Eaton

Marriages of Some American Residents, Volume 5, Yates Publishing Co.

For Sale

History of McClure, Henry Co., OH, $2 + 1.25 postage.

Do You Know?

We all have two parents, four grandparents, eight
great-grandparents, and 16 great-great-grandparents, and by the time you go back
10 generations, 300 years or so, you had 1,024 people walking around from whom
you are directly descended. In any group of 1,024 people, you are likely to find
a horse thief or two, which explains perhaps why there is a little horse thief
in the best of us!

Henry County Genealogists will be able to re-read their ancestors’ papers and
obtain new meaning to more fully understand what had been written in the various
documents. The development of Ohio has been the subject of the last three
month’s meetings. Dan Perch, Rossford, spoke on the development of the canal
system. Thomas Aquinas Burke explained the land systems of Ohio. Fred Folger
told how people came to Ohio.

The land of Ohio was divided into various types of systems with
nine surveys and 42 sub-surveys. Burke cautioned people in genealogy need to
know exactly where the land they are dealing with is located, which Act made the
land available to settlers, where the land records came from, and that they must
be sure to note details accurately (part of Ohio is done by meets and bounds
which is based on physical landmarks).

As the people came to Ohio they had to travel by flatboat which
only went downstream, Folger said. Soon steamboats brought people by river and
lakes and the dream of George Washington — the canal system — came into being.
The Erie Canal was the first, followed by Miami and Erie, which covered 249
miles, in the western Area, Perch said. With the canal came the canal workers,
many of whom settled in Ohio. Folger also spoke of the military, Cumberland and
National Roads that brought people to the state. Genealogists may use any or all
of the programs to better be able to describe the experiences of their ancestors
as they came to the frontier to find a new home.

Submitted by Mary Jo Cunningham, Secretary

Free Booklet

For a free booklet on what records are available from the Federal Government write to: NATIONAL ARCHIVES, Publication Services, 8th and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20408. Ask for “Using Records in National Archives for Genealogical Research”

Veterans Administration

The Veterans Administration pays $110 million per year to surviving spouses of veterans, including 13 widows of Civil War vets. The average age is 85. They all married elderly veterans, men who were in their 70s and older. That was in the 1920s, when the women were in their teens or early 20s.

There are still 12 widows of vets from the Indian Wars — 1817-1898. There are 4500 widows of vets from the Spanish-American era — 1898-1902.

CEMETERY COMMITTEE

The cemetery committee, consisting of Clara Ellen Courtney, Mary Kitchen, Ruth Kieffer, Lucille VanScoyoc, Phyllis LaRue and Joanne Kitchen, met to get the guide lines formed for the cemetery book project. We will begin with the cemeteries in Bartlow Twp. Details will be given at the July meeting. It is hoped that the first book can be published by the end of this year. But a lot of hard work is ahead of us.

OBITUARY COMMITTEE

An obituary file has been started. Marian Scharf and Lynette Franz are in charge of this. Any ideas you might have on how to set this file up will be discussed at our July meeting. If anyone has obituaries of people from Henry Co. and the surrounding area you would like to send us a copy of, they will be added to the file. The society hopes to publish a book containing
these obituaries in the future.

SURNAME LIST

Paul and Ramona Burkhart, New Bavaria, OH 43548

Barlage, Bercau, Bercaw, Boesling, Bunke, Buntz, Burkhard,
Burkhart, Dunlap, Faber, Haas, Hull, Klingshirn, Kruse, Lammers, Nuss, Osborn,
Shearer, Thompson, Wichman, Zink

Robert E.Williamson, Morocco, IN 47963

DeLong, Williamson

Thomas Stephen Neel, New London, OH 44851

Coleman, Fetterman

Vivian Gladys (Hitt) Dick, Lakewood, OH 44107

Hamler Hitt Hollingshead

Diane M. Meyer, Ottawa, OH 45875

Erford Gallimore Guilliam Jackman Newton Odey

Norman L. Eaton, Port Clinton, OH 43452

Gintzell, Helsel, Hildebrand, Laver, Leitner, May, Mohr,
Moore, Murdock, Obermayer, Overmeyer, Overmire

In the last issue of the newsletter, an application to be used to order a certified copy of a death record was printed. Lois Ippolito of Fairview Park, Ohio, wrote to let us know the following. If a certified copy of a death record is not necessary, it costs only $1.10 to receive a Xerox copy of the record from their files and stamped “For Statistical Use Only”. This could save people a lot of money in doing genealogy.

Some more abbreviations and words found in courthouse records:

Butts and Bounds (Metes and Bounds) – a phrase used to describe the end lines of boundaries of a certain piece of land.

Certificate Lands – in PA, after the Revolution, lands set apart in the western part of the state, which might be bought with the certificates which the soldiers of that state in the Revolutionary army had received as pay.

Certified Copy – a copy of a document or record, signed and certified as a true copy by the officer to whose custody the original is entrusted.

Circa – about, around. Abbreviation ca. Used with uncertairt dates.

Codicil – an addition to a will.

Administrator – a person who had been given authority by the court to administer the estate of a deceased person. (Differs from an executor by being appointed by the court, not by the deceased).

Affidavit – a written declaration or statement of facts, made voluntarily and confirmed by the oath of affirmation of the person making it.

Annex – to add to; to unite.

Annuitant – a person who receives an annuity or yearly payment of money for life.

Crown Lands – in England or Canada, lands belonging to the sovereign personally or to the government or nation.

Executor – a person appointed to carry out the directions ans requests in a will.

Executrix – a woman so appointed.

Legatee – the person to whom a legacy is given.

Queries

BRUBACH – RISIUS
SEARCH FOR LOST CHILD Donald Richard Brubach. Last name could possibly be listed
as Risius. This is a child of Matilda Margaret “Tillie” Brubach, who was my
aunt. Through a family birthday book I have found this child was born 19
December 1922 and died 24 July 1924. I can find no legal birth or death record
and no place of burial. I had always assumed these took place in Henry County,
but I have searched birth, death, and cemetery records in Henry and surrounding
counties. Also Ohio and Illinois state and cemetery records. Does anyone have
suggestions for furthering my search?
Submitter: Mrs. Phyllis (Bruback) LaRue, Deshler, Ohio 43516

MOORE – HYNES – HILDEBRANDS
George Washington Moore, son of Isaac Moore. When did he die and where? He
married Ann Hynes. Who were her parents? When and where was she born? Are the
two lines of Hildebrands, John and Henry Casper, related? The two names are
found in the Court records of naturalizations in Henry Co., Oh.
Submitter: Norma L. Eaton, Port Clinton, OH 43452

SEVERNS – HENDERSON – ROBERTS – JACOBS – COURTNEY – RADER
Who were Elizabeth Severns parents and any brothers and sisters that lived in
Berkeley Co. Virginia? She was born 1791 and married James G. Henderson, Jan.
30, 1823 in Berkeley Co. Va. and they moved to Sidney, Oh.

Who were the parents of Sarah Roberts and any brothers and sisters that lived in
Hancock Co., Oh and are buried at Bright Cemetery in Marion Twp.? She was born
in 1828 and died in 1902. She married Robert Walker Jacobs, who was in 1830 in
Culpepper, VA.

Who were the parents of John Courtney, born Feb. 12, 1855, in Trumbull Co., Oh.?
John married Caroline Clementine Rader, Sept. 1, 1878 in Putnam Co., Oh.
Submitter: Clara Ellen Courtney, Deshler, OH. 43516

Norma Eaton will do research in Ottawa, Sandusky and Erie Counties for those
that want help. The fees will be for the price of copies and postage. Here is an
opportunity for some of us to save time and leg work for a very resonable price.
Thank you Norma for letting us know.

Miscellaneous

Submitted by James Jones, of McClure, Ohio (hand-written, copy of original
appears in the newsletter):

Sandusky Sept. 7th 1821 – For value received I promise to pay the Senace Indian commonly called Seven Sone on his order the full sum of Seventy Dollars in spices in one year from the Date. As Witness My hand and Seal, Samuel S. Baker

Ohio Court House Problem Solving

Birth and death records begin about 1867.

After 1899, marriage records required parents names.

ESTATE FILES: Prior to 1885 the wife’s property belonged to the husband, but she had “dower rights”. The files may show addresses on receipts. Don’t overlook any scrap of paper. Even if there was no will, if the person owned property, he eventually will have an estate file. Prior to 1885, the final account may show to whom the property went. After 1885, the estate file must show all heirs’ names and their relationship to the deceased. If the children paid the bills and assumed the land in their names, it was often later sold by QUIT CLAIM DEED. These are sometimes kept in a separate index. Deed indexes – there are usually two. One for Grantors (seller) and one for Grantees (buyer).

PARTITION RECORDS: Disagreements on disposal of real estate within the estate. Records of the facts of the case and final disbursements. Tells who got what. These are found in the Clerk of Courts office.

CHANCERY RECORDS: These are also found in the Clerk of Court Office. Pre-1850 law suits, land, real estate, divorce. Tells why, when, who, jury, etc.

Records earlier than 1850 not always found in Probate Court. Always check Clerk’s office. Also look for Guardianship Records index; any general or misc. index; deeds and tax records in the recorder’s office, and Veterans Records plus the Veterans Card file.

PROBATE COURT: Permission to marry records start ca 1830. Delayed birth records about 1941 and can give a wealth of information.

RECORDERS OFFICE: Mortgage books. Many people could not buy property outright nor get a bank loan, so they bought on land contract. Property was not put in their name until paid for. Early land purchases may not be recorded. Some “Squatters” lived on land “for improvements”

COMMISSIONERS OFFICE: Journals – indexes and infirmary records.

Check any “general index” in court house – especially court records. Check all misc. file indexes. Things are put there that no one knows where else to put them.

COMMON PLEAS: 1. Chancery records – partition records pre 1850. 2. Common Pleas journals. 3. Law record – known as complete record. 4. Execution docket. 5. Index to pending suits (formally General Index to files) 6. Index to Judgments – Direct and Reverse. 7. Supreme Court Journals. 8. Court of Appeal’s Journals.

RECORDERS OFFICE: 1. Mortgage books. 2. Index to Veterans Graves and Card File. 3. Soldiers Discharge records – Civil War to date. 4. Miscellaneous Volumes – indentures and etc.

SPECIAL CENSUS: Ohio has 1850 census for counties beginning with the letter H thru W. All counties for 1860; counties beginning with letter A thru G for 1880.

Center for Archival Collections, Bowling Green State University.

Check newspapers not only for obituaries, but for local news – weddings – reunions, etc.

Marriage Records

On file at the Henry County Courthouse, Napoleon, OH. Copied for the Henry Co. Gen. Society by Ruth Kieffer Volume I

Daniel Miller to Rachel Inman 22 April 1847
Cornelius Murphy to Eliza Knapp 16 May 1847
Orrin Parker to Zmtha Curtis 23 May 1847
Nelson Fergerson to Ann Elizabeth Jones 25 May 1847
Jonathan Davidson to Eliza Lowery 12 July 1847
James Madison Vurz to Elizabeth Smith 18 July 1847
John Henry Shotts to Margaret Sowerman 16 Sept 1847
Jacob Dowenn to Margaret Elizabeth Coulter 19 September 1847
Henry Markworth to Catherine Briggs 21 November 1847
John Scott to Jane Murdock 9 December 1847
John Older to Amanda M. Hoy 18 December 1847
Daniel Wise to Catherine Ann Lingle 30 December 1847
Amasle B. Andrew to Elizabeth Wells 5 February 1848
John Shinaman to Rosina Inman 10 February 1848
Aaron Lamphire to Alice Kitchen 8 March 1848
Jared Eding to Sarah Stephen 8 March 1848
Edward Daman to Catherine Mitche1 9 March 1848
Lewis W. Bixby to Maria Essea 20 April 1848
J. P. Haggerty to Susanna Bolden 28 April 1848
Thomas Yarnal to Ann E. Hannon 2 May 1848
John Baker to Elizabeth Knapp 14 May 1848
Judson Emory to Lucinda Mead 10 June 1848
Christopher Mier to Maria Cours 12 June 1848
George N. Avery to Delia Wells 18 June 1848
Peter Grim to Caroline Hofman 20 July 1848
Orris Mitchel to Margaret A. Jackson 27 July 1848
Joseph Wells to Louisa Avery 29 July 1848
Nelson Gunn to Harriet Bucklin 13 September 1848
Andrew Ferguson to Mary Parker 14 September 1848
Anderson Holly to Mary Ann Butler 21 September 1848
William Day to Esther Mitchell 21 September 1848
Alonzo Babcock to Jane Curtis 18 October 1848
Christian Leaf to Mary Rayl 21 October 1848
James M. Shasteen to Nancy Jane Butler 9 November 1848
James H. Sisty to Mary C. Crockett 20 November 1848
John D. Hamlin to Elizabeth Rhodes 14 December 1848
Nicholas Sheldenberger to Eliza Ann Kayzer 15 December 1848
Alfred Struble to Sarah Knapp 23 December 1848
Benjamin Reed to Clarinda Morse 24 December 1848
George W. Waterman to Catherine Lowery 4 January 1849
David F. Welsted, Esq. to Rosenna Hughs 8 March 1849
Enoch G. Stevenson to Susan Sisty 15 March 1849
Lyman Bock to Eunice L. Gunn 1 April 1849
Lorenzo Babock to Sarah Ann Patrick 4 April 1849
Isaac Karsner, Esq. to Mrs. Sarah Ann Bowen 8 April 1849
Frederick W. Boohman to Fredenca Wuber 15 April 1849
Samuel C. Edwards to Rachael Hill 12 April 1849
Samuel Paules to Cornelia Wilcox 26 April 1849
George W. Richardson to Phebe H. R. Herring 26 April 1849
Osman Bucklin to Nancy A. Price 1 May 1849
Francis A. Palmer to Elizabeth A. Armstrong 8 May 1849
Henry G. Wollesy to Amanda Robinson 5 June 1849
Samuel K. Rockwell to Sarah Ann Skates 9 June 1849
William Murr to Nancy Avery 15 July 1849
John Bletter to Sarah Ann Fuller 9 August 1849
James C. Scofield to Catherine C. Leask 16 September 1849
Daniel C. Smith to Elizabeth Donalson 16 September 1849
Lewis Shnvir (?) to Lucy Ann Mohler 4 October 1849

(Five-generation ancestry chart of Evelyn Lucille Stateler. Not include here yet.)

The North West Newspaper, Napoleon, Ohio, 29 Feb. 1860:

Died in Freedom Twp. this county on 3d day of Jan. Catharine wife of Ebenezer Jayne in the 33d year of her age.

Married at the brides residence, Napoleon Twp. on the 23d inst. by Rev. James R. Wright, Peter Conkle Esq. of Defiance County to Mrs. Margaret Gilson of Henry County.

7 March 1860
Married at the Exchange Hotel on Tuesday evening last by Rev. C.W. Miller, Mr. John Thrapp and Mrs. Ellen Lowry all of this place.

Died on the 25th of Feb. of congestion of the lungs in Florida, Henry County, Jonathan Cook, Esq. aged 63 years was among the oldest settlers of Flatrock Twp. having been a resident since 1837.

4 April 1860
Married in Texas, Henry County on the 1st inst. by Rev. Mr. Miller, Mr. Christian Stout to Miss Sarah Bruner all of this county. Died Napoleon Twp. morning of the 27th ult. Mrs. Elizabeth J. wife of John Shelt, aged 25 years, 10 months and 27 days.

9 May 1860
Estate of Aretas Gilman dec’d, Thomas Stevens, adm. of estate has filed in Probate Court. Final account to be heard 25 May 1860.