Wonderful Readers' Top Picks for 2011

As the sun sets on 2011, sit back and enjoy your top 12 picks at The Turning of Generations for this past year. According to Google Analytics these are the most viewed posts this year, so they really are the top pick of my Wonderful Readers.

1. Using Land Records to Solve Genealogical Problems. This particular series was about William Ballenger's Military Warrant file. Several individual posts in this series made the top 10 so I've combined this into one selection pointing you to the summary post which has links to the individual posts in the series. I was surprised this was so popular and I think we partly have Randy Seaver to thank for highlighting it in his weekly Best of the Genea-Blogs.
2. Metadata, Image Files and Migration. Something we will want to think more about with some of our projects this coming year for The 21st Century Organized Family Historian (see #8 below). Nira Porter Chambliss of The Door Keepers provided a link in the comments to a really helpful article.
3. 98th  Edition of COG - Document Analysis! Bessie Maud Passmore Birth Certificate. This post was actually published in October 2010 and for some reason continues to remain high on the hit list with readers. I did go a little overboard with my creative use of metaphor but why it's so popular is a mystery to me. Maybe there are a lot of Passmore researchers out there? Thanks go to Jasia, and her Carnival of Genealogy, for providing the topic for a popular post and one that has put me in contact with a distant cousin.
4. Mt. St. Helens Eruption - Disasters. A topic that surely is high in search hits, this was part of Amy Coffin's (We Tree Blog) 2011 series, 52 Weeks of Personal Genealogy & History.
5. How Do You Organize Your Blog Reading? A topic I still am tinkering with, I'm glad it generated interest.
6. When is it OK to Throw an Old Photo Away? Sorting Saturday. There was some excellent discussion in the comments on this post and I suspect we will continue to ponder and discuss it in the New Year (see #8 below).
7. A Look at a Cash Entry Land File - The Summary. I'm pleased you Wonderful Readers have taken an interest in land files. It's a topic I'm finding very interesting and productive as far as making progress in my research. I haven't yet covered the ever popular Homestead Files. Look for that series in 2012. I'm putting a different spin on it.
8. Introducing the 21st Century Organized Family Historian (#21COFH). I am shocked, pleased, humbled and a little intimidated to see that this one post in the last few days of 2011 made the top 12 for the year! There has been a debate raging in my mind for the last several months as to whether or not to do this series as I wasn't sure if there would really be much interest. Considering that this one post generated an all time high in daily hits to The Turning of Generations, I would say there is some pent up interest in the community! My hope (besides getting this family archival mess straightened up) is that we all can learn from each other by going through this process. Let's get it done!
9. Treasure Chest Thursday - The Time Capsule - Part 2. This series is from 2010 and while I'm not sure why this one post from the series popped up as number 9 but I'm really glad. Examining and preserving the contents of a suitcase of my great grandmother, Frances Lowe, was a favorite project. I've updated the post to include links to the other articles in the series.
10. The Green 1964 Chevy Impala. This was another 52 Weeks of Personal Genealogy & History, the topic of which was - cars. Classic cars are always fun.
11. COG-Scrapbooking Your Family History! Frances Lowe Another  Carnival of Genealogy topic, scrapbooking of any kind is always fun.
12. Progress on the Archival Closet on Sorting Saturday. This is the perfect post to end your list of top choices from 2011. Progress has been made! More progress will occur in 2012. I think I see an Archival Room in my future!

Have a safe and Happy New Year!

© 2011, copyright Michelle Goodrum

Using Indirect Evidence to Identify a Photo - Summary

For the last several days, we have been examining this photo for clues and researching to see if we can answer the question, "Is the woman in the photo Mary Ann (Ballenger) Woods?" I believe the answer to be yes. Let's summarize and see if you agree.

The clues provided in the photo:

• The photo was taken in Denver.
• The photographer is G.R. Appel, 1579 Larimer Street, Denver, Colorado.
• On the back of the photo, Frances (Robinson) Lowe wrote "Walt Wood's mother." Frances is the daughter of Nancy Robinson mentioned below.

1. Using the prior series, about Mary Ann Ballenger,  I was able to link Mary Ann to her parents, and 2 siblings, Nancy and John via a census record. And have linked her to Boulder, Colorado (the home of the Ballenger family in the 1860's, 70's and possibly early 1880's). Using the previously discussed newspaper article, which is transcribed below, we can link Mary Ann to Boulder, Colorado and to her sister Nancy. 

Returns After Many Years.

Mrs. Milton Y. Woods, of Telluride, is in the city, accompanied by her three children. They are domiciled at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Dan Robinson. Mrs. Woods is a sister of Mrs. Robinson, and in her girlhood days was well and favorable known as Miss Mary Ballinger. She comes to spend a short time with her relatives and friends, all of whom receive her cordially. It is about fifteen years since the visitor chose the southern part of the state as her home.

2. In Part 1 of this series, we linked Mary and her husband Milton to their son Walter W. Woods(possibly the person named on the back of the photo)  by using the 1900 and 1910 Census. In 1900, they are living in Telluride which is in the southern part of Colorado (consistent with the newspaper article).

3. We tie Walter Woods to Frances (Robinson) Lowe (former owner of the photograph) in Part 3, by using the 1920 and 1930 census and a get well card and note sent to Frances from Walt and Maude.

4. We can complete the circle by tying Frances (Robinson) Lowe to Nancy (Ballenger) Robinson as her daughter. We haven't discussed it in this article so you will have to take my word for it that I have Family Bible photographs showing Frances' birth in Boulder, her marriage also in Boulder, Frances' death certificate naming Nancy Ballinger as her mother, photos of Nancy that Frances labelled with Nancy's name and identified Nancy as her mother, the 1880 census showing Frances with her parents Dan and Nancy, and much more.

Clues from the photo that are important were discussed in Part 2, and the comments through out this series. The fact that the photo was taken in Denver (or at least the photographer had his studio in Denver) links the woman to the state of Colorado. The puffy sleeves date the photo around the mid 1890s. The photographer was in business at the address listed on the card during the same time frame. Thank you to Brett of Photo Sleuth blog and Sue at Family Folklore blog for your assistance in dating the photo!

What do you think? Is the woman in the photo, identified only as "Walt Wood's mother," Mary Ann (Ballinger) Woods?

Links from this series:
Using Indirect Evidence to Identify a Photo:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

Elusive Mary Ann Ballenger
Mary Ann Ballenger Woods Continued

Photo Album Archiving & Digital Sorting - Part 1
Photo Album Archiving & Digital Sorting - Part 2
Photo Album Archiving & Digital Sorting - Part 3
Photo Album Archiving & Digital Sorting - Part 4

Sources:

1900 U.S. census, Montrose County, Colorado. Population schedule, California Precinct 10, sheet 13 B and 14 A, dwelling 229 & family 250, Milton Y. Woods family; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 21 February 2010), citing National Archives microfilm publication T623, roll 127.

1910 U.S. census, Montrose County, Colorado. Population schedule, Precinct 106 sheet 6 B, dwelling 139 & family 129, Walter Woods; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 26 November 2011), citing National Archives microfilm publication T624, roll 123.
1920 U.S. Census, Rosebud County, Montana. Population schedule, District 121, sheet 1A, family 11, Walter Woods family; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 26 November 2011), citing National Archives microfilm publication T625, roll 975.

1930 U.S. Census, King County, Washington. Population Schedule, North Bend, sheet 4B, Walter Woods family; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 26 November 2011), citing NARA microfilm publication T626, roll 2490.

Ballenger & Richards, …Annual Denver City Directory…(Denver: Ballenger & Richards, 1892), p. 114, for “Appel, Gustaf R, photographer.” See also Gustaf’s entries under “Appel” in Denver City Directories for subsequent years with varying subtitles, specifically: ( 1894) 120, (1896) 121, (1899) 123.

“Returns After Many Years,” Boulder Daily Camera (Boulder), 7 December 1893, p. 1; digital images, Colorado Historical Newspapers (http://www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.) : accessed 30 November 2011.

Walt and Maude, letter, 14 June 1949, get well card and note; Lowe Family Papers, Privately held by Michelle Goodrum, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Mesa, AZ.
Walt Woods mother. Photograph. Original, privately held by Michelle Goodrum, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE]. 2010.

© 2011, copyright Michelle Goodrum

Using Indirect Evidence to Identify a Photo - Part 2

In Part 1, I hypothesized that the woman in this photograph is Mary Ann Woods.

Reader Brett Payne of Photo-Sleuth blog left a comment on yesterday's post stating that the size of the sleeves on the woman in the photograph indicate it was taken in the mid 1890s. What a great clue!

The Denver Public Library has many Denver City Directories digitized and on its website. Brett's clue allowed me to hone in on the directories published in the 1890s. The photographer, G. R. Appel of 1529 Larimer, is first listed in the Denver City Directory in 1892! He continued at that address at least until 1899. I stopped searching at that point.

It seems logical that Mary Ann Woods might have stopped for a portrait in Denver on her trip to Boulder from Telluride in December of 1893.

Tomorrow we will get back to the provenance of the photograph. Today was a short but necessary detour. Thank you again Brett!
Sources:

Ballenger & Richards, …Annual Denver City Directory…(Denver: Ballenger & Richards, 1892), p. 114, for “Appel, Gustaf R, photographer.” See also Gustaf’s entries under “Appel” in Denver City Directories for subsequent years with varying subtitles, specifically:  ( 1894) 120, (1896) 121, (1899) 123.

Walt Woods mother. Photograph. Original, privately held by Michelle Goodrum, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE]. 2010.

“Returns After Many Years,” Boulder Daily Camera (Boulder), 7 December 1893, p. 1; digital images, Colorado Historical Newspapers (http://www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org) : accessed 28 September 2007).


© 2011, copyright Michelle Goodrum

Using Land Records to Solve Genealogical Problems -Summary of William Ballenger's Military Warrant File

We have reviewed and analyzed the Military Land Warrant of William Ballenger and the deed of sale of the property to Jeremiah J. Ballenger. Today it's time for the "final report".

Each document in the file represents one of the steps in obtaining the land.

Step 1: A warrant was issued to Christopher Rian for his service in the Mexican-American War on 20 March 1848. See Part 7.

Step 2: Christopher Rian sold the warrant to William H. Ballenger on 17 February 1849. See Part 8.

Step 3: William located the property he wanted in Mahaska County, Iowa, took the warrant to the Land Office in Iowa City on 10 April 1849 and filled out the appropriate paperwork to notify them of his intention to claim the property. See Part 4 and Part 5.

Step 4: The patent, which granted William ownership of the land, was subsequently issued. The patent was not actually in the file obtained from NARA but is available for viewing at Bureau of Land Management(BLM), General Land Office (GLO) Records Automation web site.

We can use some of the information from the file to fill in William Ballenger's timeline from 1848 to 1856 more thoroughly.

Remember this TIP: Click on the image to view a larger version and then click on the back arrow button to return to this post. If the larger version isn't big enough try this: Windows users: hold down the Control key (Mac users hold down the Command key) and press the plus key to make it even bigger (minus key makes it smaller).

Numerous questions still beg an answer:

1. Who is Christopher Rian?
2. Is William associated or related to Christopher Rian somehow?
3. Why does William want property in Iowa? What's the push or pull factor?
4. Who are Jeremiah J. Ballinger and Samuel Ballinger?
5. When did William leave Scott County, Illinois for Mahaska County, Iowa?

I hope examining this Military Land Warrant File has helped you to understand the kinds of information that can be obtained by obtaining one from NARA. We have gained some valuable information about the life of William Ballenger by examining this file. It hasn't directly answered my question of, "Who were William Ballenger's parents?" but many valuable clues have been unearthed and I am confident they will eventually help to answer this question when combined and correlated with other data.

Note: My timeline format is a slightly modified version of one that Miriam Robbins Midkif of Ancestories uses. She wrote about it in her post, Using Timelines.

For a full list of posts in this series, go to Using Land Records to Solve Genealogical Problems Compendium.

© 2011, copyright Michelle Goodrum

Using Land Records to Solve Genealogical Problems - Part 9

After a short break, today we return to the William Ballenger/Christopher Rian Military Land Warrant File. If you want to review the posts to date, check out the Using Land Records to Solve Genealogical Problems Compendium. We have reviewed the documents in the file as well as the deed of sale when William later sold the property.

In Part 1, when we looked at the Bureau of Land Management website, there were some other Ballinger/Ballengers listed in Mahaska County, Iowa. Today let's look at the legal description of their land and map their property in relation to William's.

First, here are the legal descriptions. Remember this TIP: Click on the image to view a larger version and then click on the back arrow button to return to this post. If the larger version isn't big enough try this: Windows users: hold down the Control key (Mac users hold down the Command key) and press the plus key to make it even bigger (minus key makes it smaller).

Here are the properties plotted out. I have bolded the dividing lines between the different ranges and townships and included arrows to point out which is which. Remember the viewing TIP from above.

I immediately note the proximity of the various Ballenger/Ballingers to each other. To me this indicates a possible relationship between some or all of these men. Using the various censuses to look for additional clues to analyze and correlate this information might be helpful. Perhaps in another future series...

We're almost done. Stay tuned just a little bit longer.

© 2011, copyright Michelle Goodrum

Using Land Records to Solve Genealogical Problems - Part 8

Today we look at the last document in William Ballenger's Military Land Warrant File. First we will look at  a clue and what I learned. Below that section you will find a transcription that basically says Christopher Rian sold his warrant to William H. Ballenger. For an image of the document, look at the very bottom of this post.

Clues:

• Christopher Rian did not know how to write his name.

What I learned:

• William purchased the warrant for 160 acres on 17 February 1849 at Winchester, Scott County, Illinois.

Question:

• William didn't actually sign this document. So does this put him in Winchester, Illinois on 17 February 1849 when the transaction occurred?

Transcription:
For value received I do hereby sell and assign


unto William H Ballenger all my right and
title to the within certificate or warrant No. 12389
for 160 acres of land . Witness my hand this 17th day
                                                    his
of February AD 1849 Christopher X Rian
                                                   mark
Acknowledged before me this 17th day of February
AD 1849
Attest Joseph H Berry
Jos. H Berry Justice of the Peace Scott County
D Johnson Illinois


State of Illinois
                       SS I Ornshe Wayrice[?] Clerk of the County Commis
Scott County
sioners Court and Recorder of Civil Commissions within and for Said County
Do hereby certify that Joseph W Berry Esq Whose name appears
to the above acknowledgments was on the date thereof an Acting
Justice of the Peace, within & for Said County of Scott duly Elected
and Commissioned and as Such full faith & credit is and Should
be given to all his official acts as Such
In testimony whereof I have hereunto Set
my hand and affixed the Seal of Said Court
at my office in Winchester this 17th day
of February AD 1840
Ornshe Wayrice[?] Clerk
C.C.C.S.C



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© 2011, copyright Michelle Goodrum

Using Land Records to Solve Genealogical Problems - Part 7

After getting slightly out of order, I am back on track (I think).

So today we look at the next document in William Ballenger's Military Land Warrant File.

First the transcript, then the clues gleaned from the document. An image of the original will appear at the bottom of this post.

WAR DEPARTMENT,

Office of the Commissioner of Pensions.

IT IS HEREBY CERTIFIED, that the Land Warrant No. 12389 for 160 acres
has been issued in the name of Christopher Rian, Private
in Captain Montgomery's Company -
1st Regiment Illinois volunteers,
under the date of March 20th, 1848 - and will be deposited
in the GENERAL LAND OFFICE, at the Seat of Government, and that,
pursuant to the provisions of the subjoined ninth section of the Act of Congress,
approved on the 11th day of February, 1847, entitled "An act to raise for a limited
time an additional military force, and for other purposes," this Certificate of right
to locate said warrant on any quarter Section of land subject
to private entry, will be received at any of the Land Offices of the United States,
under the regulations and restrictions set forth in the accompanying statement of the
Commissioner of the General Land Office.


After the location of this Certificate, it is to be surrendered to the General
Land Office, whence the PATENT will issue.


GIVEN under my hand, at the Pension Office,
this 20th day of March, 1848


J. S. Edwards [signature]
Commissioner of Pensions.
By F[?] S. Evans

[notation below is to the left of the signatures]
Claimant
Winchester
Scott - Co:
Ills:

Clues:

• On 20 March 1848, Christopher Rian’s land warrant was issued for his military service.
• The notation “Claimant Winchester Scott – Co: Ills:” is a big clue since William and Lucinda Ballenger’s marriage return was filed in that location in November 1849.

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© 2011, copyright Michelle Goodrum

Using Land Records to Solve Genealogical Problems - Part 6a

Looks like I did an oops and got slightly ahead of myself! I stated in my last post that we were finished with William's Military Land Warrant File. There were two more documents we have not yet examined! Hang in there...I'm trying to!

Photo by Thundafunda

© 2011, copyright Michelle Goodrum

Using Land Records to Solve Genealogical Problems - Part 6

We have been reviewing the documents in the Military Land Warrant File of William H. Ballenger. While we are finished with that file, there is much more to look at in relation to William's property, particularly as it relates to answering the question of who were William's parents. Today we take a look at what William did with this particular piece of property by looking at the deed recorded at the time of the sale. I will start with a summary of what information was gleaned from this deed and follow with a transcription.

Summary

• On 7 March 1854 William H. and Lucinda Ballenger sold 160 acres, with the same description as the land acquired in the file we have been studying, to Jeremiah J. Ballenger.
• Price was $300.
• Samuel Ballenger was the witness.
• The deed was filed on 20 April 1854 and recorded 22 April 1854.

The significance of his transaction lies in who the land was sold to (Jeremiah J. Ballenger) and who the witness was (Samuel Ballenger). My theory is they are brothers or possibly some other relation.

Transcription

[left hand margin is written “34-76-15”]



Wm H Ballenger etux
To Deed
JJ Ballinger

Filed for Record April 20th 1854 at 1
O'Clock PM & Recorded April 22nd 1854

For the consideration Three hundred dollars we hereby convey
unto Jeremiah J Ballinger the following tract of land Situated
in the County of Mahaska in the State of Iowa. Viz: the South
East Quarter of section Thirty four in Township Seventy six No

[page] 557


of Range fifteen West containing one hundred and Sixty acres
And we warrant the title to the same to the said Jeremiah J Ballinger
against all Persons whomsoever. Executed this Seventh day of March
AD 1854 in presence of
Samuel Ballinger

W H. Ballinger
Lucinda Ballinger


State of Iowa, Mahaska County ss
Before me Samuel Kirby a Justice of the Peace in and
For said County personally appeared the above named William H.
Ballinger and Lucinda Ballinger personally known to me to be the
identical persons whose names appeared in the foregoing Deed as grantors
and acknowledged the above instrument to be their voluntary act
and deed for the purposes there in expressed. Given under my
hand this 1 day of April AD 1854
Samuel Kirby
Justice of the Peace


Henry Blackburn recorder Mahaska County Iowa.

Source:

Iowa. Mahaska County. Deeds, 1853-54, Volume E.  County Recorder’s Office, Oskaloosa. FHL microfilm 972968. Family History Library, Salt Lake City, UT.

Note: When I obtained the copy of this deed, at the Family History Library, the copy was made on an 11x17 piece of paper which is difficult to scan, especially considering the quality of the original isn't that good. So I haven't attempted to put an image in this post.


© 2011, copyright Michelle Goodrum

Using Land Records to Solve Genealogical Problems - Part 5

We have been going through the Military Land Warrant File of William H. Ballenger to see what information this type of file contains and how it might help solve genealogical questions, particularly that of who are William's parents. If you would like to review or need to catch up, you can go to the Using Land Records to Solve Genealogical Problems Compendium of William H. Ballenger for a list of links.

Today we look at the Land Warrant Certificate which is the next document in William's file. Today I'll start with what I learned from this document, then the transcription and finally an image of the original.

What I learned

• William inspected his property on or about 6 April 1849. Then on the 10th he went in to the Iowa City land office and filed this particular certificate. This puts William in Iowa the first half of April 1849.
• He requested his land patent to be sent to Oskaloosa, Iowa which is in Mahaska County where his property is located. It's probably the nearest post office.

Transcription:


LAND WARRANT CERTIFICATE, NO. 12,389


I William H Ballenger being desirous of locating
the South East quarter of Section No. fifteen West
5th Mer, in the District of lands subject to sale at the Land Office at Iowa City
Iowa with the attached Military Land Warrant Certificate, No. 12,389 issued under
the provisions of the ninth Section of the Act of Congress, approved February 11th, 1847,
do solemnly swear that from my own knowledge of the fact, after actual inspection of
the said tract of land, on or about the 6th day of April
A. D. 1849, there was not at that time, an actual settlement and cultivation upon any part
of said land, nor was there any person or persons
residing upon it; And I do
verily believe that there is no actual settlement and cultivation
or any person or persons residing upon any part of said land at this time.


Subscribed and sworn to before me, this
10th day of April A. D. 1849                     William H Ballenger [signature]


Register of the Land Office
Charles Nealley [signature]


I request my patent to be sent to Oskaloosa, Iowa
William H Ballenger [signature]




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© 2011, copyright Michelle Goodrum

Using Land Records to Solve Genealogical Problems Compendium

Here is a list of posts in the series Using Land Records to Solve Genealogical Problems in which I am going through the Military Land Warrant file of William H. Ballenger document by document to see what can be learned, particularly as it relates to my search for William's parents.

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
Part 8
Part 9
Summary

© 2011, copyright Michelle Goodrum

Using Land Records to Solve Genealogical Problems - Part 4

We have been going through the Military Land Warrant File of William H. Ballenger to see what information this type of file contains and how it might help solve genealogical questions, particularly that of who are William's parents. If you would like to review or need to catch up, you can go to the Using Land Records to Solve Genealogical Problems Compendium of William H. Ballenger for a list of links.

Today we look at a receipt of sorts from the Iowa City Land Office in the case of William H. Ballenger's Military Bounty Land Warrant. The transcription is shown below. So let's take a look at the transcription and then review clues and what I learned from this document. (The image of the original is at the very bottom of this post.)


Register and Receiver's

No. [number is smudged]


                                                           10th
LAND OFFICE, Iowa City Iowa April [^] 1849
WE HEREBY CERTIFY that, the attached Military Bounty Land Warrant No. 12389 was on this day
received at this office, from William H Ballenger, of
Mahaska county, State of Iowa
Charles Nealley [signature] Register.
Enos Lowe [signature] Receiver.

I, William H Ballenger, of Mahaska county, State of
Iowa, hereby locate the South East quarter
of Section No. thirty four in Township No. Seventy Six N of Range No.
fifteen West 5th Mer in the District of Lands subject to sale at the Land Office at
Iowa City, Iowa containing 160 acres, in satis-
faction of the attached Warrant numbered 12,389
Witness my hand this 10th day of April A.D. 1849
Attest
Charles Nealley [signature] Register.
                                                              William H Ballenger [signature]
Enos Lowe [signature] Receiver.

Land Office Iowa City, Iowa May 10 1849

WE HEREBY CERTIFY that the above location is correct, being in accordance with law and instruction.
Enos Lowe Receiver.
Charles Nealley Register


Clues

1. The statement, "I, William H Ballenger, of Mahaska county, State of Iowa..." indicates that William was at living in Mahaska County by 19 April 1849, the date of this document. This is interesting and could be important because his marriage return dated 8 November 1849 was recorded in Scott County, Illinois on 8 November 1849.

What I learned

1. This particular parcel of land was 160 acres (although that could also have been inferred from the legal description of the land).
2. William himself signed this document. In this particular case, obtaining his signature was helpful because it eliminated any question as to whether this William H. Ballenger is the same man who settled on land in Boulder County, Colorado in December 1864 and August 1869. I have the Land Cash Entry File and the Homestead File for those transactions which also contain his signature and they are a match.

Part 5 is coming up...

Tip: Click on the image to view a larger version and then click on the back arrow button to return to this post. If the larger version isn't big enough try this: Windows users: hold down the Control key (Mac users hold down the Command key) and press the plus key to make it even bigger (minus key makes it smaller).

For a full list of posts in this series, go to Using Land Records to Solve Genealogical Problems Compendium.

 
© 2011, copyright Michelle Goodrum

Using Land Records To Solve Genealogical Problems - Part 2

In Part 1, I explained how I located and ordered a land record file for my ancestor William H. Ballenger in Mahaska County, Iowa. In the next several posts, we will go through the file page by page.

As a side note, NARA now gives the option of ordering files like this in paper form or on a CD. I opted for the CD version since I'm trying to keep get the piles of paper under control. I was pleased with how quickly I received it.

The first document explains the law under which William obtained his property. In a nutshell, William Ballenger got his Iowa land under the February 11, 1847: ScripWarrant Act of 1847 (9 Stat. 123). The portion of this act that applies here basically states those who served in the Mexican American War received a warrant or certificate for 160 acres.

You can read the entire document if you are so inclined. Click on the image to view a larger version and then click on the back arrow button to return to this post. If the larger version isn't big enough try this tip I learned from Dick Eastman's article, "Are You Still Printing Everything?" For Windows users: hold down the Control key (Mac users hold down the Command key) and press the plus key to make it even bigger (minus key makes it smaller).

In Part 3 we'll get into the meat and potatoes of William's file.

For a full list of posts in this series, go to Using Land Records to Solve Genealogical Problems Compendium.
© 2011, copyright Michelle Goodrum

Madness Monday - William Ballenger -Census Mis-index

Last week I wrote about starting to look for other Ballenger families in Mahaska County, Iowa in the Iowa State Census Collection during the 1850’s. One of the names that had appeared on an 1854 special census was that of Willard Ballenger. You can see by looking at the image below that Willard is really William. I let Ancestry know and they say they have included the alternate (correct) spelling.

So, the count for this household is as follows:

line 7 William Ballenger 2 males, 2 females, 0 colored male, 0 colored female, 1 voter, 1 militia, 0 aliens, 4 Total

The William Ballenger household would have been composed of William, Lucinda (wife), John H (son), and Nancy (daughter).

This fills in another year on the family’s timeline! Of course it also raises some additional questions such as are there any voter or militia records available for the area? Who are the Samuel and JF Ballenger families? How are they associated with William? Where is their property located in relation to William’s?

 

Next week we’ll look at some more Mahaska County, Iowa records and see what we can glean from them. Stay tuned…

Note: I did check the preceding pages for additional Ballengers and there were none. What you see in the image is the last two pages for the Mahaska County listing.

Source:
1854 Iowa State Census, Mahaska County, Iowa, Adams Township, no page number, line 7. William Ballenger; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed April 2010), citing microfilm of Iowa State special censuses 1854 obtained from the State Historical Society of Iowa via Heritage Quest.
© 2010, copyright Michelle Goodrum

Madness Monday - Collateral Lines Anyone?

One piece of advice often heard regarding brick wall ancestors is to research collateral lines.  In the case of my brick wall, William H. Ballenger, I haven't even been able to identify a collateral relative to research.  So in his case I thought I'd try identifying potential collateral lines.

William's last three known residences of Nye, Montana, Grand County, Colorado and Boulder, Colorado haven't turned up any potential Ballenger relatives.  However, when he was living in Mahaska County, Iowa, I noticed that surname so I decided to start looking there.

Initially I am focussing on the 1850-1859 time period, since I know that my William Ballenger was living in Mahaska County then.  In reviewing the Iowa State Census Collection, 1836-1926 on Ancestry, the following Ballenger family groupings turned up:

John F. Ballinger

• Two Johns-with one being much older than the other.
• The younger John appears in the various years as Ballenger, Ballinger and Ballanger.

Landon Ballinger
Thomas Ballinger
Samuel & Jeremiah Ballenger (young men listed, at times, in the same house with the older John F. Ballinger).
William H. Ballinger (click here to read a little about William)
Willard Ballenger

The listing for Willard Ballenger was for 1854 and caught my eye right off the bat so we will be taking a look at him next week. Can you guess where this discussion is headed?


© 2010, copyright Michelle Goodrum

Madness Monday - Mary Ann Ballenger Woods - continued

Last week for I introduced one of the oldest children of William and Lucinda Ballenger - Mary Ann Ballenger who was initially identified from an article in the Boulder Daily Camera, December 1893.

The next step I took in looking for answers to my questions about Mary, was to look in the 1900 Census where I found her with her husband and 3 children.  After some more census research the following timeline has been compiled.

Circa 1855 - Mary Ann is born - see 1856.

1856 - Mary Ann Ballinger is living with her parents William and Lucinda and siblings Nancy and John in Black Oak, Mahaska County, Iowa. She is one year old and listed as residing in Iowa for 0 years. Go figure. (Iowa State Census 1856 - Ancestry.com)

November 1866-February 1867 - She is listed as attending Central School in Boulder, Colorado with her sister Nancy Ballenger ("Items About Boulder's Early Schools," Boulder Genealogical Society Quarterly, February 1975).

Circa late 1870s - Mary Ann moves to the southern part of Colorado. One wonders why? (Boulder Daily Camera, 7 December 1893, front page).

1880 - A Mary Ballinger is listed in the Federal Census in Rico, Ouray County, Colorado.  She is living with the Walter Higgins family.  I can't be sure if this is my Mary or not.  Her age is 22 putting her birth year around 1858 and her birthplace is listed as Illinois.  This Mary is living in the part of Colorado that would be consistent with the Boulder Daily Camera article and at the right time.  Her birth year is close.  The state is not the same but close.

December 1893 - Mrs. Milton Y. Woods and her 3 children visit her sister, Mrs. Dan (Nancy Ballenger) Robinson, in Boulder. The article states that Mrs. Woods in her "girlhood" was known as Mary Ballinger. (Boulder Daily Camera, 7 December 1893, front page).

1900 - Mary A. Woods is living with her husband, Milton, and their 3 children, Blanche, Walter and Hazel in California Mesa, Montrose County, Colorado.  The federal census lists Mary's birthplace as Iowa and her birthdate as August 1860 which is slightly different from the 1856 Iowa Census.  It also states she is the mother of 4 children 3 of whom are living.  This is consistent with the Boulder Daily Camera article in 1893 which stated she was visiting Boulder with her 3 children.  The census also states Mary and Milton have been married for 18 years which gives me a time frame to go on when I look for a marriage record.

1910 - Mary, Milton and their daughter Hazel are listed in the federal census in Montrose County, Colorado.  Mary does not seem to be aging properly - her age is listed as 47 which would put her birth year at about 1863.  This is both Milton and Mary's first marriage and they have been married 30 years.  Again she is listed as mother of 4 children 3 of whom are living.

1920 - Mary and her daughter, Hazel, are living in Ouray County, Colorado.  Her age is listed as 58 and birthplace of Iowa.  She is widowed according to the census.  Mary works as a cook in a "mine boarding house." Hazel is a waitress in the same place.

I need to find Mary and Milton's marriage record and death certificates for both.  At least now I have more clues to guide me in that search.

Copyright 2010, Michelle Goodrum

Madness Monday - Elusive Mary Ann Ballenger

This Ballenger daughter has been a bit on the elusive side. If it wasn't for the Boulder Genealogical Society website, Colorado Historical Newspapers and Ancestry.com, I would have absolutely no information on Mary Ann. She is a great illustration of how a little piece of information here and another bit there can get you started in researching an individual. So I want to talk about some of these sources and the methodology you can use to get going on a project.

The Boulder Genealogical Society, among the many ambitious projects they have taken on over the years, has published abstracts from the local newspapers in their Quarterly. This has proven to be a goldmine of information on my various Boulder families. While the abstract itself is usually immensely helpful, I like to get a copy of the entire article.

What I have done is searched the BGS Quarterly's annual surname index for the names I am interested in. That takes me to the appropriate article or abstract in the BGS Quarterly. My local Family History Library has the Quarterlies on microfiche. You can also check local libraries with genealogical collections for items like these.

The Colorado Historical Newspapers has been the next stop in my searches. Once I find an abstract, the first place I check is this website. They don't always have the article I want but it's worth a try since it's quick and I don't have to physically go anywhere. I have also spent quite a bit of time searching and browsing for my Boulder families on this site with great results.

Remember too there are numerous commercial websites with digitized newspapers such as Ancestry.com, worldvitalrecords.com and genealogybank.com

Another option would be to request a copy of an article through interlibrary loan which I have also done successfully.

The next stop has been onsite searching of newspapers at the Boulder Public Library and the University of Colorado Archives. Even though I don't live in Colorado, I have been fortunate enough to be in the Boulder area in recent years and have taken advantage of their resources on my trips. This has been particularly helpful since some of the newspaper articles I was interested in, I was unable to get economically through interlibrary loan.

A basic timeline outlines what little I know about Mary Ann Ballenger:

Circa 1855 - Mary Ann is born - see 1856.

1856 - Mary Ann Ballenger is living with her parents William and Lucinda and siblings Nancy and John in Black Oak, Mahaska County, Iowa. She is one year old and listed as residing in Iowa for 0 years. Go figure. (Iowa State Census 1856 - Ancestry.com)

November 1866-February 1867 - She is listed as attending Central School in Boulder, Colorado with her sister Nancy Ballenger ("Items About Boulder's Early Schools," Boulder Genealogical Society Quarterly, February 1975).

Circa late 1870s - Mary Ann moves to the southern part of Colorado. One wonders why? (Boulder Daily Camera, 7 December 1893, front page).

December 1893 - Mrs. Milton Y. Woods and her 3 children visit her sister, Mrs. Dan (Nancy Ballenger) Robinson, in Boulder. The article states that Mrs. Woods in her "girlhood" was known as Mary Ballinger. (Boulder Daily Camera, 7 December 1893, front page).

So from these 3 tidbits I have been able to link Mary Ann to her parents William and Lucinda and 2 siblings, Nancy and John via a census record. And have linked her to Boulder (the home of the Ballenger family in the 1860's, 70's and possibly early 1880's) and again to her sister Nancy through two newspaper articles.

So, even though I haven't "proven" anything, I do have a very basic outline and lots of questions:

Where in southern Colorado did the Milton Y. Woods family live?
Who were the 3 children that visited Boulder with their mother in 1893?
When and where did Mary Ballenger marry Milton Y. Woods.
When and where did they die?
The list goes on.

Next week we'll look into this case a little deeper.

Copyright 2010, Michelle Goodrum

Wordless Wednesday - William & Lucinda Ballenger

This is a photo of my ggg grandparents William Harrison and Lucinda Ballenger (or Ballanger or Ballinger) taken in Boulder, Colorado.

My great grandmother was great about identifying people on the back of pictures. Here she has written:
Grandpa & Grandma Ballenger
Grand Parents of
Frances E. Lowe

Copyright 2010, Michelle Goodrum

Madness Monday-William Harrison Ballenger

When I first started researching William Ballenger, I thought this would be an easy project. My mom and uncle helped me put together their side of the family when I did my pedigree chart for a junior high social studies project years ago . What they found among family papers was that William was born in 1821 in Maysville, Kentucky. He married Lucinda Cambell (or Campbell) and they had 12 children. There also was a picture of William and Lucinda taken in Boulder, Colorado which is where several other branches of the family also lived at one time.

What I most wanted to learn about William was:
1. Who his parents were.
2. Verify his birthplace. As you will see in future postings there is a big question mark on his birthplace.
3. Identify William and Lucinda Ballenger’s children and verify whether they had 12 children.

This is were easy ended. The first thing I discovered was there is no consistency, even within the family, as to how his name was spelled. I have seen Ballanger, Ballenger, Ballinger and many other variations. When I add in all of the potential spelling errors, I am ready to pull out my hair! Even one person would spell Ballenger differently over a period of time.

A logical next step was to check out the US Federal Censuses. Unfortunately, I have yet to find William in one single Federal Census over the course of his life. Through other research I have been able to put together a pretty extensive timeline of William's life. So I know pretty close, if not exactly, where he was living for the various federal censuses. What happened every year when the census taker came along? Did he and the family go into hiding? Did he come out and run the census taker off? Have I somehow missed this family every ten years due to spelling errors? I really believe the man had some "privacy" issues!

The good news is that William and his family are listed in 2 state censuses and this has turned out to be a huge help.
• 1856 - Black Oak, Mahaska County, Iowa he is listed with his wife Lucinda and their three children: Mary, Nancy and John.
• 1885 - Grand County, Colorado. William and Lucinda are listed with 6 of their children Stephen, S., Wm., M., Lewis and John. There were also two boarders in the house: John Gibbons and Henry McGuffey.

I keep holding out hope that William will eventually turn up in a federal census but I am not holding my breath. In the meantime, I keep looking for alternative sources to search and try not to let it drive me to madness.

I will be writing more on this family. I started out with a single photo of William and Lucinda, taken in Boulder, Colorado and the basic information I mentioned. From there I have been working to compile an extensive outline of the family. A photograph is a good home source to illustrate how you can take an item found in the family home (or that of another relative) and tie it in to your family history and come up with a more complete and interesting story.

Copyright 2010, Michelle Goodrum