Disappearing Christmas Tradition?

In my family, it has always been a Christmas tradition to tape all of the Christmas cards we receive around the kitchen doorway.  It’s like having a very colorful and festive garland around the door and I could look at the family photos that were included and remember fun times and pray for the families as I wash dishes or cook dinner.

But this year seems to show a dramatic decrease in Christmas cards! Several people have sent e-cards, but I can’t put those around the doorway. I wonder if the reason is a lack of time – everyone is busier than ever – or if it’s a cost cutting measure due to tight budgets? I wonder if the ability to stay in touch through Facebook, Google+ and Twitter has made the yearly greeting through Christmas cards seem unnecessary?

It makes me sad that this tradition may be coming to an end, but who knows, perhaps the cards are yet to come!

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Microfilm Strategy

I’ve been researching the Smith family in the Harrodsburg, Kentucky area.  Fort Harrod was the first permanent settlement in Kentucky and several Smith men were there from the beginning (based on land documents).  My theory is that my “brick wall” – John M. Smith, from Russell County, Kentucky – was a descendant of one of these men.

So I’m turning to land deeds to see if I can make a connection. I ordered 5 microfilms of land deeds from the FHL and received them this week, but one of those is on backorder.  I still may not have all of the information I need for what I want to do.  Fort Harrod was settled around 1776 and land grants started being given around 1780, but the films that I ordered begin with deeds in 1787 because that’s when Mercer County was formed. So I may need to order at least 1 more film from Mercer’s parent count, Lincoln County, but the FHL site is giving me an error whenever I click on the film link so that will have to wait.

I’m attacking these deeds from both ends.  Beginning in 1787, I’m scanning every deed with a land transfer involving a Smith. I can only spend a couple of hours at the library at a time and each scan takes quite a bit of time, so I feel like it’s going to take me a year to get through these. Yesterday, over a 2 hour visit, I scanned 11 deeds (about 30 pages). As I scan, I take a break every 10 scans or so and print out what I have.  As I continue to scan, I write the film info on the back of each page and do a quick read through to see if anything jumps out at me. So far, I have wives names for 4 Smith men. The wives names are widely available on other genealogy sites, but I like having a source from an actual document as opposed to “so and so said so”. Some Smith names in the deeds, I don’t recognize – perhaps because they weren’t in the Harrodsburg area of Mercer Co, but I need to analyze the area more. Lots of analysis ahead!

From the other end of the time spectrum, I found a deed for a John Smith selling land in 1826, just before MY John Smith appears in Russell County.  I plan to follow this piece of land backward to see if I can find any Smith relationships mentioned that might help me make a connection.

The timing for this is pretty good for me.  This is exam week at school, which means no lessons to prepare in the evenings.  Most of my Christmas preparations are complete, so I can spend an hour or so at the library each evening.  I can read the deeds while students take the exams and I can write all kinds of notes and questions to follow up on.  It isn’t often that you’re forced to sit in a silent room for 2 hours at a time!

This isn’t the first time I’ve attempted to gather information on every person with a certain surname and the challenge always becomes, How do I organize this? A file folder for every family? A binder with all of the deeds and some type of table of contents? What about the digital images? I have to rename each file, but again, how to organize? Family folders? Chronologically? Perhaps I’ll have time to ponder that during exams!

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Music to My Ears!

Yesterday, my daughter (a high school junior) told me that her history teacher is giving extra credit to whoever brings in the “biggest, gnarliest family tree” (you have to know the guy) – which they have to make themselves.  For years, I’ve been teased by my daughter about my genealogy research, but suddenly, she’s asking for information and as she began to make her chart, she told me that if she gets the extra credit, she’ll never make fun of my genealogy again.

Using the information I have, she’s attempting to create a NINE-gen chart on a 6 foot scroll of paper.  So far, she’s spent an hour and half just drawing the lines.  It should be a bit more interesting for her when she starts adding the names and dates.  And who knows, maybe she’ll catch a bit of the bug?  Probably just the opposite, but stranger things have been known to happen!

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George Smith Warrant and Grant

This is the mysterious George Smith.  I don’t know how he related to the other 3 Smiths, but I suspect that if MY John M. Smith is related to anyone, he comes through George’s line.  I can find very little on George Smith, so I’m hoping for some treasures in the land records that I’ve ordered.

Warrant:

Kentucky County (pct?)

We do hereby certify that George Smith is entitled to four hundred acres of land in the district of Kentucky on account of settlement made and raising a crop of corn in the county in the year 1776 lying on the waters of Harrods Run joining Capt. Harrods land on the northwest and that the said George Smith is also entitled to the preemption of one thousand acres of land adjoining the said settlement given under our hands at the Falls of Ohio this 18th day of November 1779.

Grant:

Grant Book 1, pg. 623
George Smith 1000 Acres

Kentucky

Benjamin Harrison Esquire Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, to all to whom these presents shall come greeting.  Know ye that in consideration of the sum of two hundred and forty pounds paid by George Smith into the Treasury of this Commonwealth there is granted by the said Commonwealth unto the said George Smith a certain tract or parcel of land containing one thousand acres, surveyed the 7th day of October 1780 four hundred acres of which is by virtue of a certificate in right of settlement lying and being in the County of Kentucky on the waters of Harrods Run adjoining the land of James Harrod on the north, and bounded as followeth, to wit, Beginning at a sugar oak and hickory tree a corner to Harrod’s and Bowman running from thence north one hundred and sixty poles to two Elms and black oak tree, thence west forty two poles to an Ash and White Oak tree thence north ninety two poles  crossing the river to two white oak trees thence west fifty eight poles crossing the run to a white oak and sugar tree, thence South forty poles to an Ash and Elm tree a corner to Quirk, thence west with his line two hundred and one and a quarter poles crossing the run to a mulberry and ash tree, thence south two hundred and twelve poles to two sugar trees in Harrods line, then East with his line three hundred and one and a quarter poles crossing the run to the Beginning, the residue six hundred acres on a preemption treasury warrant No. 953(?) and issued the 28th day of June 78- adjoining the Settlement on the west and Bounded as followeth, to wit, Beginning at a Mulberry and Ash tree a corner to the settlement lands, running from thence west twenty and three quarter poles to two sugar trees and an ash, thence north two hundred poles to two white oak trees, thence west two hundred and twenty two and a half poles to a sugar tree and two ash trees on the side of a small branch, then south four hundred and twelve poles to two ashes and sugar trees, thence east two hundred and forty three and three quarter poles to two sugar trees a corner to the settlement lands, thence with a line of the same north two hundred and twelve poles to the beginning with its appurtenances to have and to hold the said tract or parcel of land, with its appurtenances to the said George Smith and his heirs forever. In witness of the said Benjamin Harrison Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, hath here unto set his hand, and caused the lesser seal of the said Commonwealth to be affixed at Richmond on the first day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty two and of the Commonwealth the sixth.

Benjamin Harrison

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Adam Smith Warrant and Grant

This one confuses me a little.  I had found the grant quite awhile back.  When I found the warrant, the database also contained a link to the grant.  When I click on the grant link, it does not take me to the correct one.  In the database, it lists “Cain Run” as the watercourse, but Cain Run is not part of the grant you get with the link. For the grant that I have, Adam is an assignee of John Bowman instead of having a warrant of his own.  Until I have time to really sit down and analyze these, I’m just going to post what I have.

Adam Smith is the oldest of the 3 Smith brothers.

Warrant:

Kentucky County (pct?)

We do hereby certify that Adam Smith is entitled to a settlement of four hundred acres of land in the district of Kentucky on account of raising a crop of corn in the County in the year 1776 lying on Cain Run to include a Mill Seat and adjoining the lands of Harlan V William Bryan Heir to David Bryan dec’d to include his improvement and that the said Smith is also entitled to the Preemption of one thousand acres of land adjoining the said settlement given under our hands at (S Araph) this 25th day of April 1780.

Grant:

Grant Book 1, pg. 161
Adam Smith 400 acres Lincoln 

Benjamin Harrison Esquire Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia to all to whom these presents shall come Greeting.  Know ye that in consideration of the sum of one hundred and sixty pound paid by Adam Smith into the Treasury of the Commonwealth There is Granted by the said Commonwealth unto the said Adam Smith assignee of John Bowman, a certain tract or parcel of land containing four hundred acres Surveyed the thirtieth day of May, one thousand, seven hundred, and eighty one or part of a preemption Treasury Warrant number five hundred and sixty and issued the first day of April, one thousand, seven hundred and eighty, lying and being in the County of Lincoln, adjoining John Bowman’s settlement on Harrods run, on the side and bounded a followeth, to wit, Beginning in Harrods line at a white oak and honey locust, running from thence with Bowman’s line North three hundred and twenty poles crossing Harrods run to a white oak and two Buckeyes in McBrides line, thence, with him East ninety poles to two white oaks and honey locust thence with said McBride, South ninety nine poles to four white oaks all from one root, thence with said McBrides line East two hundred and thirty poles crossing Harrods run twice to a (post) oak, white oak, and Walnut, in Adam Fisher’s line thence South ninety poles with Fishers to a sugar tree and small Walnut the corner of Zachariah Smiths land thence with in Smiths line West eighty poles to an Elm and Ash near Harrods run, thence South thirty two degrees West, one hundred and fifty Eight poles with said Smiths line and corner with him to two sugar trees, and white oak, thence West one hundred and sixty poles with said Smiths and Harrods lines to the beginning with its appurtenances, to have and to hold the said tract or parcel of land with its appurtenances to the said Adam Smith and his heirs forever. In witness whereof the said Benjamin Harrison Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, hath hereunto set his hand and caused the lesser seal of the said Commonwealth to be affixed at Richmond on the first day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty two and of the Commonwealth the seventh.

Benjamin Harrison

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Zachariah Smith Warrant and Grant

Warrant:

Kentucky County pct

We do hereby certify that Zachariah Smith is entitled to a settlement of four hundred acres of land in the district of Kentucky on account of raising a crop of corn in the county in the year 1776 lying on Harrods Run known by the name of Crows Mill Seat about three miles Major Harrods and two miles from Dicks River and that the said Zachariah Smith is also entitled to the preemption of one thousand acres of land adjoining the said settlement Given under our hands at Harrodsburgh this 28th day of January 1780.

Grant:

Question: Why is the grant NOT 1000 acres?

Grant Book 1, p. 638
Zachariah Smith
880 acres Lincoln Co

Surveyed for Zachariah Smith 880 acres of land in Lincoln County on the waters of Dicks River 400 acres of which is by virtue of a certificate from the commissioners of this district for settlement. Beginning at A two shugartrees & white oaks running from thence N 32 E 158 poles crossing Harrods Run to a elm & ash standing near the run thence E 80 pole with John Bowmans line & corner with him & Adam Fisher to a shugartree & small walnut thence S 45 E 260 pole with S. Fishers line crossing Harrods Run to two Doggwood & Hickory thence E 40 pole with S. Fishers line to a shugartree hickory & doggwood thence S 137 pole passing a bend of welcome run to a shugartree white oak & hickory thence W 67 pole with Jn. Isaack line & corner in the same to a shugartree thence N 60 W 370 pole crossing a branch to the beginning.

Also 480 acres by virtue of a preemption warrant adjoining his settlement on the south & west side beginning at A two shugartrees & white oak running from thence W 124 pole with John Bowmans line to James Harrod corner to two white oaks & hickory thence S 290 pole with Harrods Line & corner with him to a spanish oak white oak & shugartree thence N 100 pole to a shugartree & ash thence E 118 pole with Isaacks line to the corner of the settlement to a shugartree thence N 60 W 370 pole with said settlement line  to the beginning. Variation 3 degrees E.  March 28th 1781

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John Smith Warrant and Grant

John Smith was the youngest of the 3 Smith brothers that I’ve found in the Harrodsburg area. John did not earn this warrant himself, but it became his about the same time as the other Smith men.

Warrant:

Kentucky County (pct?)

We do hereby certify that James Willy is entitled to four hundred acres of land in the district of Kentucky on account of settlement made in the year 1774 and raising a crop of corn in the year 1776 lying at a sinking spring about three miles from the place and nearly and east course joining Jacob Freemans land to the south and that the said James Willy is also entitled to the preemption of one thousand acres of land adjoining the said settlement given under our hands at Harrdosburgh this 27th of October 1779. (Eventually to John Smith, Nov 1779)

Grant:

Grant Book 1, pg. 513
John Smith 1400 Acres
Kentucky

Benjamin Harrison Esquire Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, to all to whom these presents shall come greeting.  Know ye that in consideration of the ancient composition of two pounds sterling and the sum of four hundred pounds paid by John Smith into the Treasury of this Commonwealth there is granted by the said Commonwealth unto the said John Smith assignee of James Willey a certain tract or parcel of land containing fourteen hundred acres, surveyed the 23rd day of October 1780 four hundred acres of which is by virtue of a certificate in right of settlement lying and being in the County of Kentucky on the waters of Cain Run and joining Richard Hogan and Azor Rees on the North and bounded as followeth, to wit, Beginning at a small swamp white oak saplin in a small draft in Hogans line, and running north one hundred and twenty poles to a black oak and Elm saplin north west corner to Hogan’s settlement, thence with his line East one hundred poles to two cherry tree saplins, thence north two hundred and twenty poles to 3 white oaks, thence west two hundred and twenty four poles thence south three hundred and forty poles to Azor Rees’s line thence with his line East one hundred and twenty four poles to the beginning. Also one thousand acres on a preemption Treasury Warrant No. 33 and issued the 19th day of February one thousand seven hundred and eighty and bounded as followeth, to wit, beginning at a Hickory and Buckeye in his settlement line and running from thence north forty five degrees west two hundred and fifty three poles along John Grisham’s line to a Black oak, white oak corner to said Grishams land, then west two hundred ____ sixty poles to two white oaks, then south five hundred and twenty poles to two Spanish oaks and ash in Azor Rees’s line, then with his line East two hundred and eighty six poles to the corner of the said settlement, then with the settlement line north three hundred and forty poles, then east one hundred and forty nine poles to the beginning with its appurtenances to have and to hold the said tract or parcel of land, with its appurtenances to the said John Smith and his heirs forever. In witness of the said Benjamin Harrison Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, hath here unto set his hand, and caused the lesser seal of the said Commonwealth to be affixed at Richmond on the first day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty two and of the Commonwealth the (smeared)

Benjamin Harrison

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Prepping for Land Records

Last weekend, I was able to order 5 land deed films to help in my research of Smiths in Mercer County, Kentucky. (BTW, I LOVE the new online ordering from FHL!!!)  My plan is to “follow the land” to see who the original settlers sell/give their land to over time.

So today, I transcribed the land warrants for the first 4 Smith men in the Harrodsburg area.  I’ve had the land GRANTS for quite awhile, but I had never taken the time to find the land warrants until today.  I do find them interesting because the warrants give the reason that the land is being granted.

Of the 4 Smith men, I know that 3 are brothers – Adam, Zachariah and John. It appears that all 4 men came to the area about the same time.  I do not know how George fits in yet, but I’m hoping that the land records will provide some clues. Looking at those land records will be my “free time” activity over Christmas break.

So beginning tomorrow, I’m going to post my transcribed warrants followed by the grants.  I’m planning to post 1 man’s records each day. If you see any clues you think are important for my search, please post a comment.  I’m far, far, far from feeling confident when reading land records and would appreciate any help I can get!

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Are You a Mac User?

My job is to create and give training on MacBooks to teachers and students in our school – oh, and I throw some Algebra in there too.  Because of the 1-to-1 laptop program that began in our school this year, I have had a MacBook Pro since May and I LOVE IT!

I’ve been looking at the stats for my blog and it appears that the most popular posts are ones that I’ve written to show how to use Excel to create your own Genealogy forms.  Now that I’m a Mac lover, I’m wondering if anyone would find it helpful to have similar posts using the Mac software?

I told Santa that all I want for Christmas this year is an iPad and I daydream about the different genealogy things I’d love to be able to do with it.  My Macbook is not genuinely mine – it belongs to the school – so all Mac related files that I create will be stored on my iPad.  I’m curious if others are doing this as well and how that is working for you?

Please give me comments with your thoughts!

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