OTDIH - September 14th

September 14th, 1816 - According to "A Genealogy of the Duke-Shepherd-Van Metre Family", published in 1909 by Samuel Gordon Smyth. My 4th Great-Grandmother, Mary Hester (Sweetland) Strickland was born on this date in Botetourt Co., Virginia, USA. Daughter of Eleazer Sweetland and Sallie Hawkins Van Metre. This is the only source I can find for this date. The book is supposed to be compiled from civil, military, church and family records and documents but they are not included in the book. 

OTDIH - September 4th

 Just one event today.

September 4th, 1897 - The death of my 3rd Great-Grandmother, Euphemia Ann (Latimer) Stewart, in Dundalk, Grey, Ontario, Canada. She was 88 years old. 

"Canada, Ontario Deaths, 1869-1937 and Overseas Deaths, 1939-1947," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JDFW-HJF : 2 March 2021), Euphemia Stewart, 4 Sep 1897; citing Dundalk, Southgate, Grey, Canada West, British Colonial America, , Registrar General. Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm .

OTDIH - September 3rd

Our most active day in September, with 4 events (3 births and 1 marriage). 

September 3rd, 1810 - Unconfirmed as I am not able to find any records for the time but this date has been long associated with the birth of my 3rd Great-Grandmother, Margaret (Shaver) Grant, in Stormont,  Upper Canada. She is the daughter of Peter Shaver and Catherine Otto.

September 3rd, 1812 - In Rockbridge Co., Virginia, USA my 5th Great-Grandparents, William Anthony Strickland and Christiana Hart were joined in holy matrimony by D. Blain. 

September 3rd, 1837 - We cross the pond to Poplar, London, England for the birth of another 3rd Great-Grandmother, Jane Caroline (Walker) Clare. Daughter of James Walker and Sarah (Kicks) Walker. We have two documents that confirm her date of birth. The first is her actual birth registry. It wasn't registered until February 20th, 1838. 

Poplar Registration District, West Yorkshire, vol. 2, p. 262, no. 321, birth entry of Jane Caroline Walker, 3 September 1837, photocopy of birth entry in register; General Registry Office, Southport, England. [a Digital image from the GRO website]

So it is fortunate that on her baptism record the minister included her birth date and we can be extra sure it is her actual date of birth.

September 3rd, 1855 - And finally we have a 2nd Great-Grandmother, Catherine Marie (Cameron) Grant, in Canada West. Now Ontario, Canada. Daughter of Alexander Cameron and Catherine Link. Interestingly, she is the daughter-in-law of Margaret (Grant) Shaver above. The only record I have that shows her birthdate clearly is her death record in 1943. Her daughter, Florence Agnes (Salmon) Grant was the informant. The 1901 Canadian Census does ask for date of birth but the enumerator most have been confused because you can tell he wrote over the day and it isn't clear what number he was trying to write. 

OTDIH - September 2nd

September 2nd, 1793 - Christening of my 4th Great-Grandfather, James Clare, in Longbridge Deverill, Wiltshire, England. The son of James and Hannah Clare. England did not require births, marriages, and deaths to be registered until 1837. Prior to that Church records are usually the only source available for that information. If you are lucky the minister would note the child's date of birth but that did not happen here. 

This image was taken from the "Wiltshire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812" collection on Ancestry.com. It was compiled from the Longbridge Deverill Parish Registry.

OTDIH - September 1st

Slight change of pace. Instead of focusing on one individual for my 'On This Day In History' posts I'm going to do a quick overview of the events that happened on that day. 

September 1st, 1776 - The birth of my 5th Great-Grandfather, Samuel Vaughn, in North Carolina at the time but is now known as Russel Co., Virginia, USA. He is the son of William Patrick Vaughn and Fereby Benton.

The date comes from his grave marker. I don't know when the grave marker was placed or by whom but I believe it was more recently. It does not have the appearance of a 170 year old stone. 

There is a mention of his date and place of birth in the "History of Hindsville, Arkansas : the town, the area, and the people" by Joy Anderson Russell, Christy Russell, and Madison County Genealogical & Historical Society, published in 2001. 

I have not been able to locate an earlier record but 18th century USA research is one of my weak areas. 

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/