Back To Work

Ok after a little over a month of sadness I am back. I decided to just work on my dads side untill I can figure out if my mom is really adopted. I am so ready and willing to start working on other peoples genealogies. I think it would be so much fun to just start over. See what interesting facts I can find out about someones history.
Any how Found something interesting tonight!! I am related to a famous person. First one I actually know for sure. It is John Kerry. I found this page while searching for info on my ggrandfather William Backus. (http://www.wargs.com/political/kerry.html) And well with all the names and the way it is set up I had trouble figuring out how far away in relation we are cause I am not sure which William they are speaking of, but it has to be one of the many I am related to. So finally I found one. That is something cool.

Death of Genealogy ADOPTION(we deserve to know)

Well all I can do is cry. A few years back my somewhat insance mother mentioned she might of been adopted. That was a laugh. I almost forgot about it. I have been doing my genealogy for a year and a half now. Put lots of work and research into it. Never thought twice that the dead people I longed to hear about were not really who I thought they were. I put tons of work into my suposive grandfather Richard Lee Brileys side. And today when I sat down to my research, something just came to me.
I suddenly remembered what my mother said. I laughed, got a little curious and with the internet right at my finger tips. Searched for free adoption records. which came up with ancestry.com which isn't free, at least not all the info. I put in my moms first and last name and birthday. She has always said she was born in California, and my grandpa was in the Navy, I have pics and all. But this record popped up for a Mary K Briley adopted out of Alameda California the year my mother was born. First one on the list OMG I was shocked. So wish I had an ancestry.com membership at the moment. Just to know if it is my mom. If all that work, is not for real, is not my blood.

So I read a few articles This was interesting

ADOPTION LAWS THREATEN DEATH OF GENEALOGY In 4 Generations, Half of Americans' Ancestry Will be Bogus --by [Attorney] Brice M. Claggett

In "Adoption Laws Threaten Death of Genealogy," an article by Attorney Brice M. Claggett in the National Genealogical Society (NGS) Newsletter, Claggett describes how genealogical research, whether for medical purposes, sociological studies, or hobby purposes, is becoming increasingly impaired with each passing generation by secrecy laws.

In most states, secrecy laws have been adopted in this century which cause the original birth record of an adopted child to be replaced by a bogus record. The bogus record names, as the parents, the newly adoptive parents, and does not reveal in any way that they are not the birth parents. Thus, the researcher has no way of knowing that the apparent ancestry of the child as shown in public records is bogus.

The effect is similar to compound interest in reverese. Attorney Claggett estimates that IN ANOTHER 4 GENERATIONS OR SO, ABOUT HALF THE ANCESTRY OF THE AMERICAN POPULATION WILL BE BOGUS.

Genealogical researchers, as well as medical and other researchers, need to take action to correct this Orwellian practice. Surely all people, whether adopted or not, have a right to be able to trace their ancestry in public records.

[NOTE: The above article and complete newsletters are available from The National Genealogical Society Newsletter is at 4527 - 17th Street North, Arlington, VA 22207-2399.]

After talking to my mother a little more. She said she was adopted from one of her moms cousins, from her adopted moms moms side, yeah something like that. So I am looking for a child of William T. O'donnel of Winnetka who had a child who adopted out their child. This is gonna be a long and painful investigation and I have no clue on where to start.

My Briley Roots

My mothers name is Mary Katherine Briley. She is the daughter of Richard Lee Briley. Navy man in pic below. Bottom left is her brother Richard Briley Jr, and then her grandparents, my great grandparents, Elmo Briley and Mary Birdie Uttinger.

>>Ok now this is kind of a timeline of the life of my great grandma Mary Birdie Uttinger.

Then some pics of her parents. Andrew Uttinger and Eva Ada.
Some interesting things about the family hmm. Well my grandfather like I said was in the Navy. He was born here in Kansas city, Ks where I live now. But I was born in Orlando Florida, which is where my mom spent part of her teen years. Because they moved all over. She was born in California. My grandfather according to my mother lived in atleast 5 different states. My grandfather when he died, was cremated and his ashes were scattered over the ocean.

My great grandmother Mary Uttinger. She was a great woman. She told me interesting stories of her childhood. About picking cotton, working hard, living hard. She was a collector of owls. Had hundreds of them. She died here in Kansas city Kansas.

My ggggrandfather James Briley did some interesting things. The info I got from rootsweb says,
James was a substantial farmer in Sumner county Tennesse. He owned 600 acres of land. He also served throught the war of 1812 under general Andrew Jackson. Also fighting with him was James second wifes grandfather William Durham. William and Frances Durham were amoung the first settlers of Sumner county Tennesse. Over 3000 Sumner countians were soldiers of the civil war and many of the first were trained at camp Trousdale near Portland.

My Briley line surnames:
Bandy, Bedford, Brooks, Cummings, Case, Colclough, Drew, Durham, Flydane, Garderner, Greene, Jennings, Knowlton, Lewis, Majors, Nickson, O'donnell, Osborn, Payne, Pat, Phelps, Rockwell, Rogers, Senter/Center, Sisson, Swain, Townes, Uttinger, Wilbur, Wright, Wood

Amidon Family

Well the Amidon family branches into my family with Maranda Amidon born May 1 1826 in Hayfield, Pennsylvania. She married my ggggrandfather Abner Newton Keep who was born and died in Keepville Pennsylvania.
Her father was Elijah Amidon who was born in Connecticut. And then Jacob Amidon born 1764 in Connecticut and then Henry Jr and Henry Sr.
Henry Jr married Sarah Doubleday and he was in the Revolutionary War. The 1790 Census lists him Head of Household in Willington, Connecticut. Now Henry Amidon Sr. was born in Rehoboth, Bristol, Massachusetts but died in Conneticut.
Phillip Amidon or Amidowne is as far as I have got back on my line. I found a little info about him on Rootsweb.
Here it is:
Name: Philip Amidon
Sex: M ALIA: Philip /Ammidowne/
Birth: 26 JAN 1669 in Rehoboth, Bristol, Massachusetts 1 2
Death: 15 MAR 1747 in Oxford, Worcester, Massachusetts 3 4 2
Occupation: Farmer and cooper 2
ELEC: 1730 selectman at Oxford, Massachusetts 2 _
ELEC: 1735 constable at Oxford, Massachusetts 2 Note:

From Frank Best's: 6. PHILIP AMIDOWN (ROGER1) was born at Rehoboth, January 26, 1670. He resided at Rehoboth until after the death of his first wife, when he removed to Mendon, Massachusetts. In 1704 his minister's rate at Mendon was one shilling and he had a share in the sixth division of the lands there in 1713. In 1717 he removed to Oxford, Massachusetts, where he died March 15, 1747. He was a farmer and cooper. In 1720 he and his wife became members of the church at its organization in Oxford. In 1730 he served as Selectman and as Constable in 1735. He married, first, at Rehoboth, May 27, 1698, Mehitable, daughter of Samuel and Mary (Millard) Perry. She was born at Rehoboth, April 30, 1680, and died there July 4, 1699. He married, second, September 16, 1700, Ithamar Warfield, who survived him. She was born March 28, 1676, daughter of Deacon John Warfield, of Mendon, and his third wife, Hannah Randall.

Will of Philip Amidown: Will allowed M)iy 12, 1747. In the name of God, Amen, this sixteenth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fourty three, I, Philip Amidown of Oxford in the County of Worcester, in the province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, yeoman, being advanced in years and in a weak and low condition. Do make this my last will & testament, as follows, viz: - First and principally I commit my soul into the hands of Almighty God, my Creator, hoping in his mercy thro the merits Death & Passion and prevailing intercession of Jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour and my body I desire may be decentiy interred at the discretion of my executor hereinafter named in faith of the resurrection of it at the last day and as touching such temporal estate as God has betrusted me with (after my just debts and funeral charges are paid) I will and bequeath the same as follows: - That is to say Impr. I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Ithamar Amidown the improvement use profit and incomes of one quarter part of my farm whereon now I dwell in quantity and quality, as also my house which we now occupy, and the equal half of my barn together with all my moveables of the within doors as well as without to be possessed and enjoyed by her during her natural life, and at her decease the said quarter part of my farm house and barn to be to my son Ephraim Amidown his heirs and assigns forever as his and their proper estate and inheritance, and my moveable estate and goods to be distributed as hereafter expressed in this my last will and testament. Item, I give and bequeath unto my sons Henry Amidown, Roger Amidown, Ichabod Amidown, Philip Amidown and John Amidown to each of them three pounds in Good public bills of credit or good current lawful money of New England, each and every pound equal to six shillings and eight pence in bills of credit of the new tenor of the said province to be paid to each of them for their respective heirs and assigns before or at the expiration of one year after my decease. Also my carpenter's tools to be divided equally between them, my said sons and their respective heirs and assigns having already given unto my said sons their full part & portion of all my estate real & personal. Item. I give and bequeath unto the heirs of my son Ithamer Amidown three pounds of money as above specified to be paid to them their heirs and assigns at the expiration of one year after my decease. The said Ithamer Amidown having in his life time received his part & portion of my estate real and personal. Item. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary Chamberlain three pounds in money as above specified to be paid to her and the heirs begotten of her body at the expiration of one year after my decease and one moiety of my household goods after the decease of my said wife to be possessed and enjoyed by her and her aforesaid as above expressed. Item. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Hannah Wheelock three pounds to be paid unto her her heirs and assigns at the expiration of one year after my decease in money as above specified and also the other moiety of my household goods after the decease of my said wife, having already given to my said daughters their part & portion of my estate. Item. I give, grant and devise unto my son Ephraim Amidown his heirs and assigns all my real and personal estate whatsoever together with all my buildings profits, incomes of my said real estate after the decease of my said wife Ithamar Amidown appointing and ordaining the said Ephraim Amidown sole executor of this my last will & testament and to pay all my just debts & legacies in manner as is above expressed. In witness whereof I, the said Philip Amidown have hereunto put my hand and seal the day and year first hereinbefore written. PHILIP AMIDOWN. (Seal) Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of us by the said Philip Amidown and by him declared to be his last will & testament. BENJ. DAVIS, DUNCAN CAMPBELL, JOHN CAMPBELL. Worcester, ss, Probate Office.

April 20, 1747. The Revd. Mr. John Campbell and Duncan Campbell two other witnesses to this within instrument personally appearing made oath that they saw Philip Amidown the testator sign and seal and heard him publish pronounce and declare the same instrument to be and contain his last will and testament and that when he did so he was of sound disposing mind according to those deponants best deeming & that then with Benjamin Davis the other witness set to their names as witnesses thereof at the same time in said testators presence. Sworn before me John Chandler, Judg. Prob. Oxford, May 12, 1745. These lines may notify you that I am satisfied with the will of my husband, to witness my hand. her ITHAMER X AMIDOWN. mark The old homestead owned by Philip Amidown in South Oxford now belongs to Franklin H. Clark. The transfers being as follows: April 24, 1717, Joseph Chamberlain to Philip Amidown; December 15, 1743, Philip Amidown to his son Ephraim, three-fourths with a new house; November 2, 1793, heirs of Ephraim Amidown to Elisha Davis; 1795, Elisha Davis to Joseph Davis; January 10, 1807, Joseph Davis to Abijah Davis; 1810, Abijah Davis to Silas Fitts; May 6, 1868, executor of estate of Silas Fitts to Sylvanus Robinson; August 1, 1868, Sylvanus Robinson to Mary J., wife of Abel M. Chaffee, who took down the old house and built the present one; April 6, 1884, Mary J. and Abel M. Chaflee to George A. Kimball; June 16, 1885, George A. Kimball to Horace Shepardson; June 20, 1885, Horace Shepardson to Franklin H. Clark. The other quarter of the land owned by Philip Amidown is now owned by Lucinda Morse. CHILDREN. ( First wife.) • 9—Henry, born February 8, 1699. ( Second wife.) • 10—Roger, born February 6, 1702. • 11—Ichabod, born May, 1704. 12—Mary, born March 30, 1706. She married, July 18, 1728, Benjamin Chamberlain and resided in Oxford. • 13—Philip, born in 1708. • 14—Ephriam, born in 1710. • 15—Ithamar, born April 25, 1712. • 16—John, born May 19, 1713. 17—Hannah, born February 2, 1717. She married Samuel Wheelock, of Hardwick, Mass. Their daughter Mary, born 1738, married Caleb Cheney, of Mendon. They resided in Milford, Mass., where he was Town Clerk, Selectman, and served in the Revolutionary Army with, the rank of Lieutenant. They (Caleb and Mary Cheney) had twelve children, one of whom was an ancestor of Gen. A. B. Underwood, U. S. A. Father: Roger Amidon b: ABT. 1614 in France Mother: Joanna Harwood b: 10 OCT 1642 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts Marriage 1 Mehitable Perry b: 30 APR 1680 in Rehoboth, Bristol, Massachusetts * Married: 27 MAY 1698 in Rehoboth, Bristol, Massachusetts 3 5 2 Children 1. Henry Amidon b: 8 FEB 1699 in Rehoboth, Bristol, Massachusetts Marriage 2 Ithamar Warfield b: 28 MAR 1676 in Mendon, Worcester, Massachusetts * Married: 16 SEP 1700 in Rehoboth, Bristol, Massachusetts 3 5 2 * Event: Intentions of Marriage 30 AUG 1700 in Rehoboth, Bristol, Massachusetts 5 2 Children 1. Roger Amidon b: 6 FEB 1702 in Mendon, Worcester, Massachusetts 2. Ichabod Amidon b: 1 MAY 1704 in Mendon, Worcester, Massachusetts 3. Mary Amidon b: 30 MAR 1706 in Mendon, Worcester, Massachusetts 4. Philip Amidon b: 1708 in Mendon, Worcester, Massachusetts 5. Ephraim Amidon b: 28 MAR 1710 in Mendon, Worcester, Massachusetts 6. Ithamar Amidon b: 25 APR 1712 in Mendon, Worcester, Massachusetts 7. John Amidon b: 19 MAR 1714 in Mendon, Worcester, Massachusetts 8. Hannah Amidon b: 2 FEB 1718 in Oxford, Worcester, Massachusetts Sources: 1. Title: Vital Records of Rehoboth, Massachusetts 1642-1896 Author: Arnold, James N. Publication: Narragansett Historical Pub. Co., Providence, R.I. 1897 Note: If VR citation text and page # are present, they were transcribed by Ryan M. Amidon. Repository: Note: Ancestry.com Media: Book Page: pg 523 2. Title: Amidon.FBK Repository: Media: Other Text: Date of Import: May 14, 2007 3. Title: The Amidon Family Author: Best, Frank E Publication: 1904 Chicago, Illinois Note: A Record of the Descendants of Roger Amadowne of Rehoboth, Mass. Repository: Note: Ancestry.com Media: Book 4. Title: Vital Records of Oxford, Massachusetts to end of the year 1849 Publication: Rice, Franklin P., Worcester, Mass. 1905 Note: If VR page number and text are present they were transcribed by Ryan M. Amidon. Repository: Media: Book Page: pg 267 5. Title: Vital Records of Rehoboth, Massachusetts 1642-1896 Author: Arnold, James N. Publication: Narragansett Historical Pub. Co., Providence, R.I. 1897 Note: If VR citation text and page # are present, they were transcribed by Ryan M. Amidon. Repository: Note: Ancestry.com Media: Book Page: pg 10
Rebohoth Massachusetts

Backus Family

The Backus Family links in with my ggrandfather Carlton Keep. He married Sallie Backus who was possibly born in West Virginia or some where around there. Her father is William Backus who died in Harrison County West Virginia in 1814. This is what I found on rootsweb. It includes his will and some other info.
His will was written 4-13-1814, unknown when probated.
Record from copy of Last Will and Testament dated 4-3-1814, Book 1, page 543 Harrison County Court House.
Devisees: Mary, wife 1/3 of all property, real and personal for her lifetime. William, 2nd son $2.00, Nancy Swiger and Eleanor Swiger, daughters $2.00 each.
Sanford & Thomas youngest sos, all lands equally, Sallie and Sarah, youngest daughters, $40.00 each; Henry eldest son, $20.00 and Thomas, son and Sallie and Sarah, all other personal property, Witness: Jacob Israel, David Tichenal, Mordicai Madden and Benjamin N. Maden.
William joined the PA Militia in Westmoreland Co., PA to fight in the Rev. War. After the war he received a War land grant for 400 acres in what was then Harrison Co., VA.
The name was intermittantly spelled Backus, Baekuss, Barnes. The Name Backus means, "worker in a bakehouse".


Then the line goes up through Samuel Backus the 3rd, Samuel Backus Jr., Samuel Backus Sr., Joseph Backus, up to William Backus born in 1620. This is the info I found on rootweb about him.
Origins

Everett F. Bingham, in NEHGR 142:253-254, says: "William Backhouse (sic) was listed as an apprentice to William Nutt of Grimesthorpe, near Sheffield, [Yorkshire] had been given his freedom in 1627, and in 1631 was admitted to membership in the Sheffield Culters Company. This placed him as a member of that company at the same time as Thomas Bingham, Sr., husband of Anna (Fenton), and father of Thomas Bingham, Jr. (the immigrant ancestor of Binghams in America.)"


<<<(left pic) The Cutlers' Feast at Sheffield



A company still in business today!!! interesting

Births for the five children of William Backus who immigrated to America are listed in the Sheffield, Yorkshire parish registers, burials of two more children who died young in England, and the burial of his wife, Elizabeth (last name unknown) in 1643.

There can be little doubt this William Backhouse is the William Backus of Saybrook, Conn because he used a unique "trademark" for his signature, which was a W directly over a B, likely used to "sign" his cutlery products. This same mark is found on papers he signed in England as well as on his will, in Connecticut. Additionally, the names of the children recorded in the parish register match the names of the children of the American William Backus. These facts, coupled with the man in Norwich referred to his cutlery tools in his will leaves no doubt that the person referred to in the three locations and records are the same man.

See his English Origins - Sheffield, West Riding, Yorkshire

The Children of William Backus - In register format, a posting I made to GenForum

The Immigrant

*
1) Elizabeth (last name unknown), md by 1628, she was born by 1610, buried at Sheffield, Yorkshire, England February 9, 1643, age about 33. Seven children, two died young.

2) Mary (Fenton) Bingham, widow of Thomas Bingham, Sr. and mother of Thomas Binghams, Jr, American immigrant in 1659 in Saybrook, Conn. Late-life marriage, he was probably in his mid-fifties. No children. She died May, 1670, in Norwich.



William Backus, English immigrant was a cutler. He settled in Saybrook, Conn, as a widower with grown children, by 1659. He was on the list of the original 35 settlers who paid Uncas, the Mohegan chief, 70 pounds, for the nine square mile parcel of ground to become Norwich, Connecticut.

Born: "Probably about 1606" (NEHGR 142:254, 1988), Note that 18 years before youngest child's birth would be 1610.

Immigrated: By 1659, ship unknown (The William Backhouse immigrant of 1637 either died soon after arrival, or if that immigrant was William, returned to England soon after. The 1637 immigrant was likely a different man. There is no record in America after 1637 of a William Backus until the reference to our William Backus in Saybrook in 1659 (Bingham genealogy say 1657.). The later kids of our William Backus were born in England after 1637.) Arrived as a widower, kids in 1659 would have been 19-31 years of age.

Spouses:

Occupation: Cutler, worker with steel, probably especially knives. Work records for the Sheffield Company have been found in England, and he referred to his cutlery tools in his will.Founder of Norwich, Conn: The Backuses were founders of Norwich. William, Jr., Stephen and step-son Thomas Bingham are all listed as founders of Norwich in most lists that are made of that prestigious group. William, Sr acceded the "official honors", of being a first time land owner to his younger son Stephen.Died: Probably shortly before June, 1664, when the inventory of his estate was taken, at Norwich, Conn, age about 60.
OK I found some very interesting info on this site while searching for photos of early Norwich. This is the link if you want to check it out yourself. It talks about William Backus being a founder of Norwich. There were these rocks in Norwich they called the meeting place. Neat pics. Anyhow the site is listed under the Calkins family. Hugh Calkins who was of relation to Phebe Calkins who was Samuel Jrs wife. (http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~calkinsfamilyassoc/reunion2000.html)

















Estate: He left a will, dated Jun 12, 1661, inventory taken June 7, 1664. (New London Probate, 1646-1666, 143-4). All of his children are named, corresponding with the baptism records in Sheffield, Yorkshire, England, some 30 years earlier.


Immigrant William Backus - A Time-Line Biography

William Backus Will is on-line at the Ulrich Page.

Notable Kin


Notable Backuses include American Express founder Timothy Chapman Backus, Revolutionary War General Jedidiah Huntington, and Inca explorer and historican and early aviator and Connecticut Governor Hiram Bingham, and General George McClellan - Union Army Commander-in-Chief. Sketches on Notable In-laws, many of whom are ancestors of branches of Backuses, include Jonathan Edwards, Aaron Burr, Benjamin Silliman, the father-son Jonathan Trumbulls, and many others.


Notes, Questions, Errata
Identity of First Wife of Immigrant William, the Father

Apparently no progress has been made over the years in identifying the ancestry, and surname, of William's first wife, Elizabeth. Savage (Dictionary of New England Genealogy) used the name Sarah Gardiner for her, but the consensus of researchers now is that Sarah Charles was the first wife of William's son, William. See next note.


Who is Sarah Charles the Wife of?

There are some earlier genealogies out there that have an error that is being repeated. It is now proven and known that Sarah Charles was the first wife of William Backus, Jr., the son of the elder immigrant. Some genealogies report her as the wife of the elder immigrant. This is based on both the wills of Sarah Charles father and William Backus, Jr. This error is from repeating the work of Savage, whose published work predated the Civil War. His work is a valuable aid in New England genealogy, but it does have errors, and this one of them. (For example, see NEGHR, Vol 142, p. 253-4, 1988)


When Did William Migrate?

Reports continue to persist that William migrated in 1637 without any explanation for son Stephen being born in England in 1641 and his baptism recorded there, and his wife's burial recorded there in 1643. I think it more likely that he migrated after his wife's death. The Bingham genealogy speculates that the Bingham's were Cromwellians and came over after the death of Cromwell in 1658-9, as the pro Anglican/Catholic forces took charge in England again. Among other reasons, Saybrook was a Puritan town, and an Anglican might more likely migrate to Virginia during that period of time. If that is so, that might be a plausible explanation for William also, as he worked with Thomas Bingham at the Cuttler's Company in Sheffield as cutlers. Might they not share the same beliefs?

Notwithstanding the reports that he migrated in 1637, the first record of William Backus is reported in the Bingham Genealogy of 1927, pg 75, when Backus is a name listed as present at a Saybrook town meeting on January 7, 1657.


Name of Second Wife of William, the Father

The Bingham work of 1927 consistently uses the name "Stenton" for Thomas Bingham's second wife, who later married William Backus. A Backus researcher reports in Vol 143 of the NEGHR, Pg 24, that the correct name is Fenton. He cites a misunderstanding of the double "ff" in olde English style writing for "st" as the source for the misunderstanding. This lady is the matriarch of all Binghams in America eminating from Thomas Bingham, as she was his natural mother.

The first name is of some confusion also. The name used in English church records is "Anna". The name on her son's tombstone in Windham, CT, a photograph of which appears pg 157a of Bingham's genealogy, is "Mary". The genealogies I have seen have discounted the Mary and use Anna instead. I submit that many people, even of that time, used more than one name, and favored one name over another at different periods in their lives. I think rather than "Mary" being outright "wrong" as the Bingham genealogy claims, that she probably used both names in her lifetime.

Bingham Notes

Although in-laws to me, the Bingham genealogy is tied in with ours, so might comment on one issue. There apparently is confusion on the death date of Thomas Bingham, the father of the 18 year old American immigrant in 1659-60. The 1927 Bingham work makes a case for him dying on the ocean voyage in 1659-60. The author cites a family tradition and then adds that it is a nice explanation that "fits". The later Backus update in Vol 142 of the NEHGR indicates that Mr. Bingham died in February, 1648, and cites Hale, House, 452; which I have not seen.

Subsquent Generations


The Backus Iron Works at Norwich - Supplying the colonies with metal items from nails to anchors.

Major branches coming from the first generation will have surnames of: Backus, Reynolds, Crane, and Bailey.

So basically without reading all this, William was the William of Saybrook Conneticut. Very interesting how just the way he wrote his signature was how they traced him back to England. And that he made knives.

Helpful Genealogy Tips and Sites

Well for all beginners let me state the obvious..............Ask Your Family!! Ask for birthdays, names, stories, places, any and everything you can get out of them. List as far back as you can on 4 main surnames.
Either your husbands dads last name and mothers maiden and your parents. Or do your grandfathers last names and grandmothers maiden names. Either way start with a basic 4 lines of research. Pick one to go with and..............Start A TREE.

Always make sure to list obvious info first. Full name, birth and death dates and places.
Then go back and do more details, occupations, marrige dates, war info, medical history and all that. Immigration, passenger lists and all that stuff that soon gets majorly complicated and makes your brain hurt, BUT You Still LOVE It!!!

Ok now for some helpful links............you can start a free tree on ancestry.com
you can also subscribe to the site or get the free trial. I haven't but I would if I could afford it. But there are also lots of other great FREE sites.
My heritage.com has a great tree program you can dowload for free it is awesome and the one I use now.
As far as research I think Rootsweb.com is really starting to move up. Seems most of there info is on target and lists valuable citations, or resources. And has some stories. It brings up websites and you can search by county and what not.
Others worth mentioning genforum.com, accessgenealogy.com, usgenweb.org.

And don't forget to search the person on google, search the town they were from, find out all the juicy interesting stuff. Find famous ancestors, find people of your past who did great things. It completes you. Thanks for reading if anyone does. There will be much more.

My Keep Roots

My name is Natasha Keep. My father was Stephen Carl Keep. My Keep line goes all the way up to John Keep of Longmeadow. These are the surnames associated with my current research on my keep line.

Abell, Amidon, Atwell, Backus, Butler, Burdick, Calkins, Chandler, Cheney, Colton, Comptom, Covel, Champlin, Clarke, Davis, Doubleday, Easton, Fiester, Fanning, Hebe, Hewit, Huntington, Inks, Keep, Kline, Kepner, Lam, Leonard, Lawton(Laughton), Mosher, Nash, Newton, Perry, Pool, Pratt, Palmer, Rishel, Reynolds, Royce, Russell, Randall, Segar, Spaulding, Stephens, Starkley, Sachevall, Short, Slack, Smith, Thurston, Tracy, Torrey, Utter, Verney, Whittbecker, Wedge, Welch, Wolcott

Wow that was a lot for me LOL

From my research so far I have found out a lot of interesting things. John Keep came from England to Massachusetts. I would like to find out when, and what part of England but I will get there some day. It seems that most of the Keep men were farmers. From Abner Newton Keep to Marsena Sr.
I found something telling about Abner Hunting Wolves and Bears for a boutny.(interesting) There is even a special museum, the Keep Homestead Museum dedicated to my own acestors, that is awesome. Keepville Pennsylvania was named after my gggggrandfather Marsena Keep Sr.

History of Erie Co., Pennsylvania
Chicago: Warnerm Beers & Co., 1884 Keepville consists of a post office, store, Methodist Episcopal Church, schoolhouse, cheese factory, shingle mill, and several residences, at the intersection of two roads, near Conneaut Creek, two and a half miles southwest of Albion Borough. It was named after Marsena Keep, Sr., who settled there in 1808.

Killed by Indians
John Keep and his wife Sarah Leonard and their son Jabez were killed by Indians.
John Keep of Longmeadow, Massachusetts. (A southern suburb of Springfield.) There is no certified proof of where in England he came from. It is recorded that he was in Longmeadow on 18 Feb,1660. He died 16 years later: 26 Mar, 1676. He, his wife Sarah, and one son, Jabez, were killed by the indians as the family was going to church. The surviving children, Sarah 9, Hannah 2, and Samuel 5, went to live with their mother's family, the Leonard's. Sarah & Samuel & Hannah all married and lived out their lives in the Longmeadow area.
John Keep 1640England 1676 Massachusetts

Well I have been spending a lot of time on research. Finding out history is a new love of mine. I have major plans to organize and research and write. I want to do a few biographies. Find the important people of my past. I am also interested in medical history and criminal history. Everything that tells who my ancestors were, physically, mentally, spiritually, so I can figure out better who I may be.

Springfield MA 1879












Marsena Keep's grave in Keepville PA