On This Day in History ... October 19th

Earlier this month I wrote about my 2^nd Great-Grandmother, Dollie (VAUGHAN) HOWERTON. Today I want to write about her husband William Henry “Kerry” HOWERTON. Born October 19^th, 1869 in Williamson Co., Illinois, USA. Unfortunately, I don’t know much about him. The first record I can find for him is his marriage¹ to Dollie on December 11^th, 1891 in Muskogee, Oklahoma, USA. And as expected in the 1900 & 1910 US and the 1916² & 1921³ Canadian Censuses.

According to my Great Uncle Chuck, Dollie & Kerry’s grandson, Kerry was named after his father William Henry HOWERTON. Kerry’s mother’s first name is unknown but her maiden name is believed to be GREGORY.

The 1900⁴ US Census indicates his father was born in Indiana and his mother was born in Illinois. The 1910⁵ US Census contradicts this stating both his parents were born in Illinois. This type of inconsistency is not unusual from one census to the next. Especially with regards to second-hand information, such as parent’s birth places.

Everything else I know about Kerry’s parents comes from family stories. They divorced when Kerry was quite young. Kerry being raised by his mother.

In one of the many conversations my aunt had with her Uncle Chuck he told her a few things about Kerry. I am incredibly grateful that my aunt wrote these down and shared them with me.

Note taken by my aunt. 
Wm Henry Howerton (Kerry)
 his mother & father divorced
 mother remarried last name
 possibly Jennings.
Wm Henry married under
Jennings last name.
married second wife under
 Howerton last name
was second marriage
legal

It helped me confirm that I did have the correct family in the 1900 US Census. I had struggled to find them until I had used the trick of searching on only the first name. Doing so brought up a record for a Nettie Jennings, female, Age 6, born Indian Territory. Father’s name Kery C, Age 31, born Illinois. Mother’s name Dollie, Age 25, born Arkansas. Johnie & Jessie, age 3 & 1, born Indian Territory were also listed. There were 3 more individuals in the household. Criss Vaughn, male, age 23, born Arkansas. Agnes Vaughn, female, age 14, born Arkansas. And Enzy Vaughn, female, age 12, born Arkansas. Brother and sisters-in-law of the head-of-household, Kery. These match 3 of Dollie’s known siblings.

These names pointed to it being the right family, but I did not understand why they were listed as Jennings and not Howerton. The notes from my aunt gave me an idea of where the name Jennings came from. Although not why they were using it at the time. I might not ever solve that mystery.

            To the second half of my aunt’s note about Kerry marrying twice. Once under Jennings and again under Howerton. The 1910 US Census does show ‘Cary’ is in his 2^nd marriage. I have found a marriage license and certificate⁶ in Fort Smith, Sebastian, Arkansas, USA for Mr. Cary W. Jennings or Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory, age 19 years and Miss Amanda E Boothe of Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory, age 18. Dated 4^th February 1888. I have not been able locate this couple in other records.

            There is a record of a Cary W Jennings, b. 1869 in Illinois marrying Maggie F. Baird in Clay Co., Illinois in 1892⁷. They appear in subsequent censuses.

            In the 1910 US Census⁸ this Carey is listed as being in his 1^st marriage, which would indicate he was not the Carey from the 1888 Arkansas marriage. But it does not prove my Kerry is either. 

            I wish I had more answers when it comes to Kerry’s background. But it seems that every answer I find comes with more questions.

I am afraid traditional genealogy is not going to be enough to solve who Kerry’s parents are. But I have been working with DNA over the last 3 years and I think I may have narrowed down the possibilities. There is still a lot of work to be done before I can confirm my suspicions, but I do believe I have found Kerry’s maternal grandparents. And have a family to focus on for his paternal side.

                It is an ongoing process. Each time I get a new DNA match that connects to those families adds another piece to the puzzle.

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[1] "Oklahoma, County Marriages, 1890-1995", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVP6-9PKG : accessed 1 November 2015), Carey N Howerton and Ada Ann Elizabeth Vaughn, 1891

[2] "Canada, Prairie Provinces Census, 1916," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KMPD-2KR : 11 March 2018), William Hanarton, Saskatchewan, Canada; citing p. 10, line 6; Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,434,952

[3] "1921 Census of Canada." database on-line], Ancestry.com,(https://search.ancestry.ca/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=CanCen1921&indiv=try&h=7628230) Reference Number: RG 31; Folder Number: 152; Census Place: 152, Kindersley, Saskatchewan; Page Number: 7 Original data: Library and Archives Canada. Sixth Census of Canada, 1921. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada: Library and Archives Canada, 2013. Series RG31. Statistics Canada Fonds.

[4] "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MST3-1D8 : accessed 21 October 2020), Kery C Jennings, Township 4 N. R 20 E., Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 95, sheet 6A, family 33, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,851.

[5] "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MLQB-BHB : accessed 21 October 2020), Cary Howartan, Wayne, McClain, Oklahoma, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 191, sheet 4A, family 64, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1261; FHL microfilm 1,375,274.

[6] "Arkansas Marriages, 1837-1944", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FQYG-NNG : 11 January 2020), Cary W. Jennings, 1888.

[7] "Illinois Marriages, 1815-1935", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HS7Q-4DZM : 14 February 2020), Carey W. Jennings, 1892.

[8] "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M2YH-C7F : accessed 21 October 2020), Cary W Jennings, South Fork, Howell, Missouri, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 89, sheet 7B, family 132, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 784; FHL microfilm 1,374,797.

On this Day in History... October 6th

Born Ada Ann Elizabeth VAUGHN on October 6th, 1875[1] in Spring Valley Arkansas[2]. She was the second child and first daughter of Christopher Columbus VAUGHN and Martha Jane CARROLL. 

I've never been able to figure out how she got the nickname Dollie. The earliest known use is 1900 US Census[1]. The 1910 US Census[3] and the 1916 Canadian Census[4] also show her as Dollie. I suspect it is a nickname given to her by her husband, William Henry HOWERTON (also known as Cary/Kerry), but I could be mistaken. 

Cary and Dollie were married on Dec 11, 1891[5] in Muskogee, Oklahoma, USA. Between April 1894 and March 1914 they had 9 children. In the fall of 1915, they decided to follow their oldest daughters, Nettie Belle and her husband Elijah Claude BRUCE (my great-grandparents) and Johnnie May and husband Worthy ORR, north to Canada. Together with their 7 younger children arrived in Manitoba in mid-October.

They settled in the district of Kindersley, Saskatchewan. Specifically, South Battleford, where we find them in the 1921[6] & 1926[7] Canadian Censuses. Later moving to the Surrey/Langley area of British Columbia. 

Dollie, along with daughter Nettie, offered a sewing service. They advertised in the local newspaper at least twice. Once in January 1946[8] and again in November 1947[9].

After Kerry died in 1949, Dollie married a man by the name of James JONES. Reportedly older than Dolly by several years. They lived on a farm outside of Cloverdale. 

Dollie departed this earth 84 years and 10 days after she arrived, on October 16, 1959^[2]. The informant on her death record is her daughter, Josephine Kronebusch. 

In the mid-90s the wife of her great-grandson put together a book with the descendants of Dollie and Cary. I know from that book and my own research she has 35 grandchildren, 91 great-grandchildren, 101 great-great-grandchildren and 15 great-great-great-grandchildren. I know there are probably more 2nd and 3rd great-grandchildren that were born after the book was distributed but that is the count I have right now. I am sure she probably has a few 4th great-grandchildren too.

Her 9 children were, Nettie Belle(b.1894), Johnnie May(b.1897), Jessie May(b.1900), Herbert Elwood(b.1902), Clifford Major(b.1904), Josephine Addison(b.1907), Iona Charlotte(b.1909), Barbara Grace(b.1912), and Clara Laska(b.1914).

A photo of Dollie and 5 of her children, 1950s.
Standing(from left to right): Iona, Jessie, and Dollie. 
Seated(from left to right): Nettie, Clifford, and Johnnie.


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[1]"United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MST3-1DD : accessed 7 October 2020), Dollie Jennings in household of Kery C Jennings, Township 4 N. R 20 E., Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 95, sheet 6A, family 33, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,851.

 [2]  "British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FL5G-LS9 : accessed 01 Apr 2014), Ada Ann Elizabeth Jones, 16 Oct 1959; citing Surrey, British Columbia, Canada; British Columbia Archives film number B13244, Division of Vital Statistics, Victoria; FHL microfilm 2033301. Image available at BC Archives, http://search-collections.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/Image/Genealogy/6c2f4fd7-43c0-43dd-be83-f0842a68d853

[3] "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MLQB-BH1 : accessed 7 October 2020), Dollie Howartan in household of Cary Howartan, Wayne, McClain, Oklahoma, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 191, sheet 4A, family 64, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1261; FHL microfilm 1,375,274.

[4] "Canada, Prairie Provinces Census, 1916," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KMPD-2KT : 11 March 2018), Dolley Hanarton in household of William Hanarton, Saskatchewan, Canada; citing p. 10, line 7; Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,434,952.

[5] "Oklahoma, County Marriages, 1890-1995", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVP6-9PKG : accessed 1 November 2015), Carey N Howerton and Ada Ann Elizabeth Vaughn, 1891. (Dec 6^th is when the marriage bond was issued but the marriage took place on Dec 11^th)

[6] Ancestry.com. 1921 Census of Canada [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2013. Reference Number: RG 31; Folder Number: 152; Census Place: 152, Kindersley, Saskatchewan; Page Number: 7. Original data: Library and Archives Canada. Sixth Census of Canada, 1921. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada: Library and Archives Canada, 2013. Series RG31. Statistics Canada Fonds. https://search.ancestry.ca/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&dbid=8991&h=7628231&ssrc=pt&tid=25288441&pid=5047288339&usePUB=true

[7] "Canada, Prairie Provinces Census, 1926," database with images, FamilySearch  (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QP5G-2KDZ : 24 September 2020), Dolly Howerton in household of William H Howerton, South Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada; citing Census, South Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa.

[8]Langley Advance, Langley, British Columbia, Canada. 17 Jan 1946, Thu. Page 10  https://www.newspapers.com/clip/44599927/ad-for-sewing-services-dolly-howerton/

[9]Langley Advance, Langley, British Columbia, Canada. 27 Nov 1947, Thu. Page  6  https://www.newspapers.com/clip/44599973/ad-for-sewing-services-from-dolly/

On This Day in History...May 14th

One hundred twenty-five years ago today (May 14^th) Pearl Viola Winfield[1] was born near the small town of Zephyr, Ontario.

She joined her parents, Percival and Sophia (nee McKelvey) and two older brothers, Edgar George (b.1882) and Wesley Wilton (b.1889), in a 2 storey (3 room) framed house. She was Percival and Sophia’s 6^th and last child. They had lost 3 children before Wesley and Pearl were born. A daughter, Ethel Lillian, to tubercular meningitis in 1877. She was only 8 months 14 days old. And a daughter, Edith Charlotte[2] (b.1878), and son, Oscar[3] (b.1879), in 1883 to Scarlet Fever.

Pearl is my great-grandmother. The only one of my great-grandparents I knew. She lived close by and my family would visit her often.

In 1981 my father had the foresight to interview her and record their conversation. Those tapes have proven to be helpful. I was not only able to use them to trace her journey across Canada, from Zephyr, Ontario to Langley, B.C., but they also helped me learn about her life.

Until recently the only format the recordings were in was cassette tapes. That changed when I bought a tape to MP3 converter and transferred them to a digital format. I am working on transcribing them to have a written copy of the information[4].

The tapes go from Pearl’s early childhood until her own children’s graduation in the late 1930s’, right before the 2^nd World War. A good 40 years of information. Which, as it turns out, is less then half of her life.

I’m going to try to share some of the information in those records and intersperse them with official documents and facts. I’ll have to split it up into multiple posts as there is a lot of information packed into each tape.

The house Pearl was born in was heated using a wood stove primarily from wood of the 100-acre property. The property was half bush, mostly flat with no creeks or streams. Selling firewood was one of the ways her father supported the family. They also tapped maple trees to make maple syrup. One of the memories Pearl had of that time is her mother making dozens of lemon pies for the sugaring off.

Another memory is riding on the handlebars of her parent’s bicycle going to church. About 4 miles.

I found the family in the 1901 Canadian Census living in the Township of Georgina, County of York North, Ontario, Canada.[5] The official date of the Census was March 31, 1901 but she was not enumerated until April 18^th-19^th according to the Census image.[6] She is listed as Pearl V, Female, White, Daughter, Single, May 14^th, 1895, Age 5, born in Ontario of English origin, Methodist, attending school for 3 months and could read, write, and speak English.

I have explored Ontario Land records but there is a steep learning curve.[7] I think I’ve determined that Percival purchased the east half of Lot 6 Concession I from David VanNorman, etux for $500 in December 1872. In February 1873 he sells the south-east quarter (50-acres) to a James Lake. In 1875 he sells the north half of north-east quarter (25 acres) to a George Winfield[8]. And then it gets confusing because it appears that in 1879, he sells the entire 50 acres of the north-east quarter to his mother-in-law, Charlotte Rawson.

The Canadian County Atlas Project[9] compiled my McGill University shows Percival[10] as owning 50 Acres on Concession I Lot 6 in 1878. Using the map provided on that site and the University of Toronto Ontario Historical County Map Project’s[11] interactive map I was able to pinpoint roughly where the property would be on a modern map. I believe it is the south-west corner of Park Rd and Old Shiloh Rd.[12]. You’ll notice that Google Maps shows that area as Cedarbrae. Farther evidence that I have the correct location is her brother, Wesley, lists Cedarbrae, York Co., Ontario as his place of birth on his Attestation Papers in 1916. 

When Pearl was 7 years old, she moved with her family to the slightly larger town of Mt Joy, Ontario. The railroad separated Mt. Joy from Markham, but the shopping and other social activities were mostly in Markham, while the school was in Mt. Joy. During that time, the Winfield’s boarded many children that attended the school in Mt. Joy whose families lived out of town.

It was a large brick house on Peter Street and according to Pearl was still standing when she last visited with her husband. I have not been able to obtain an address so don’t know if that still holds true.

Pearl remembers her father buying her a new suit and hat when she passed the entrance exam into high school when she was 14. However, she did not start her high school career right away. Sometime in the next year her father died[13]. And her mother decided to follow her sons to Manitoba.

The first tape stops right around this point and this post is getting rather long, so I think I’ll continue Pearl’s story at a later date. Stay tuned for her life in Cypress River, her teaching career and maybe even how she meets my great-grandfather.

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[1] "Ontario Births, 1869-1911," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FMWP-SSZ), Pearl Viola Winfield, 14 May 1895; citing Birth, Georgina Township, York, Ontario, Canada, citing Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 1,846,558.

[2] Pearl speaks of having 2 sisters and 1 brother who died before she was born. I have found a birth record for an Edith Winfield but not for Charlotte. The 1881 Canadian Census shows a Charlotta Winfield but no Edith. I have not found a death record under either name but if she/they died during an epidemic it is possible a proper death record wasn’t created.

[3] No birth record for Oscar has been found. He is in the 1881 Canadian Census with his parents and Charlotta. His death record does not list a date of death only that his death was registered on September 8^th, 1883.

[4] If you are a family member and would like a copy of the digital files and transcript, please email me at jodi.familytree@gmail.com, and I’ll send you a copy when they are done.

[5] "Canada Census, 1901," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KHP9-DS4 : accessed 15 May 2016), Pearl V Winfield in household of Percival Winfield, C, York (north/nord), Ontario, Canada; citing p. 10, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa.

[6] Image available at http://data2.collectionscanada.ca/1901/z/z003/jpg/z000118326.jpg

[7] Even the OnLand.ca website suggests contacting a legal professional, such as a solicitor or title searcher.

[8] Not sure if this is his father, brother, or cousin.

[9] http://digital.library.mcgill.ca/countyatlas/projectoverview.html

[10] http://digital.library.mcgill.ca/countyatlas/showrecord.php?PersonID=58679

[11] https://utoronto.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=8cc6be34f6b54992b27da17467492d2f

[12] https://goo.gl/maps/zTUaRYo9pG2bSDjq5.  

[13] No records have been found to confirm this. There are various family stories of what happened to him. Ranging from getting caught in a snowstorm to running away to start a new life somewhere else.