The saying goes, if you’re easily embarrassed or afraid of what you’ll find, don’t start doing genealogy. Because eventually we will find all manner of relatives — heroes, villains, successes, failures, role models, and scoundrels.
Although the black sheep of a family might be embarrassing, especially to the generation who knew him, other relatives removed by time and distance often find these characters to be among the most interesting of relatives.
The website blacksheepancestors.com is devoted to helping genealogists locate their family misfits and scoundrels. The site has sections for research in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and across international boundaries (which includes pirates and buccaneers). Most of the links are to convict and prisoner lists, court records, insane asylums and public executions. The databases are by no means complete. The site also contains biographies of notorious criminals.
The website points out that insane asylums were sometimes used in the past by a husband to get rid of a troublesome wife. Wives or daughters who did not obey the men in their lives, who were perhaps menopausal, depressed, or just went against the norms of society, could be put away in an institution by their husband or father. So if you have a missing woman in your family tree, don’t forget to check out the local and state mental hospitals.
There are links to several prison databases in Indiana and Illinois, including the state prisons at Michigan City; Alton, Ill.; and Joliet, Ill. Also included are the Southern Illinois Penitentiary and the Illinois State Reformatory as well as indexes for several city and county jails in 1930.
One link leads to a website called “Before the Needle.” This site is devoted to the subject of capital punishment from pre-colonial times to about 1972, when the U.S. had a hiatus of the death penalty for several years. The user can click on a state to get a list of all of the people executed in that state, their charges, some personal information like age, sex, race, and occupation, and the date and method of their execution.
Indiana has executed a total of 132 men (no women) from 1814 to 1981. Of those, 72 were hanged and 61 were electrocuted. All were convicted of murder. The first known execution was of a Knox County man named Slaughter who was hanged for murder in 1814.
The first Vigo County man to be executed was Henry Dyas on July 5, 1844. Other Vigo County executions were Oliver Morgan, a 26-year-old white blacksmith, hanged in 1869; Matthew Alexander, a 28-year-old black shoeshiner hanged in 1903; Benjamin Springs, a 34-year-old black laborer, and Jerry Duggins, a 28-year-old white butcher, both hanged in 1904. Harry Raisco, a 35-year-old white laborer from Vigo County was the first person in the state to be electrocuted — on Feb. 20, 1914.
The information for Illinois shows that the state executed 348 people between 1779 and 1962. Two were women. 249 were hanged, 89 were electrocuted, and one was burned at the stake. The burning was actually the first Illinois execution, which took place on June 5, 1779, before statehood. Manuel, a slave, was convicted of witchcraft and burned to death in Randolph County. The first female to be executed by Illinois was Elizabeth Reed, a 40-year-old white housewife who was hanged for murder in 1845 in Lawrence County. The other woman executed by Illinois was Marie Porter, a 38-year-old white boarding house owner who was electrocuted in 1938 in St. Clair County for conspiracy to murder.
Go to these websites at your own peril — you may find a scoundrel relative you didn’t even know you had.
History
GENEALOGY: Genealogy isn’t for the easily embarrassed
- History
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Historical Treasure: The 1947 Terre Haute Phillies and the history of baseball in America’s Crossroads
As another spring blossoms, it is time for another season of baseball to descend upon the city of Terre Haute.
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: George Lance dominates intercity golf rivalry in 1927
What was expected to be a close match between two Terre Haute golfers for the 1927 Indiana Amateur Golf championship turned out to be a cakewalk.
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GENEALOGY: Follow ‘Tips on Caring for Documents and Photographs’
I recently read an article called “Tips on Caring for Documents and Photographs,” by Tamara Hemmerlein, Hoosier Heritage Alliance Coordinator for the Indiana Historical Society
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LOOKING BACK: 1988: Teachers issued rubber gloves to use in management of blood, other body fluids
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
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Historical Perspective: Wabash Valley is home to prominent comedy opera stars
Comic opera, a genre consisting of light hearted musicals, was introduced in Europe during the 17th century.
In the 19th century, several female vocalists from the Wabash Valley, earned national celebrity by using that art form to excel. -
Looking back: In 2003, Storm rips off half of Honey Creek Fire Department’s roof
A Saturday morning storm ripped off half of the Honey Creek Fire Department’s roof and caused heavy damage in Allendale. Wind gusts topping 60 miles an hour brought down power lines and trees throughout the county. Hail almost an inch thick and 1.5 inches of rain fell in less than an hour.
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Abundance of shoe stores existed downtown
Spring to me means putting away heavy winter sweaters and bringing out fun lighter sundresses. It also means the possibility of shopping for a new dress or even new shoes.
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Genalogy: Handwriting in 1700s-1800s Copperplate or English Round Hand
The primary style of old handwriting in the mid 1700s through the 1800s is sometimes called Copperplate or English Round Hand. This style of writing is much more recognizable and readable than the older Secretary Hand style discussed last week, and it is much less ornate as well.
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The death of Irish Kate Preston
The lifeless body of Catherine Preston, commonly referred to as “Irish Kate,” was found Saturday morning, Oct. 5, 1895, on a sandbar at the western edge of the Wabash River wagon bridge.
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Looking back: 2003: Sherertz sets nine-hole school record
Terre Haute North Vigo High School’s nine-hole record at Hulman Links was broken by golf team member Matt Sherertz who shot a 4-under-par 32 in a team-record win over Northview.
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Historical perspectives: Railroads were models of innovation and growth in Haute
Railroads have played an important part in the building of our nation and in the history of Terre Haute. It is no small wonder that these amazing machines were turned into children’s toys, as well as models for the more mature train enthusiast.
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‘Foreign’ letters to confuse a genealogist
Any serious family researcher will at some time or another encounter old documents in an older handwriting style that need to be read and deciphered.
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1988: 700 teachers unite in protest
At least 700 teachers were absent from their Vigo County School Corp. schools as part of a job action to protest lack of progress in contract negotiations.
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Genealogy: Vigo County Gold Star Honor Roll
FamilySearch International recently announced “the release of significant new enhancements to its web services that allow visitors to collaboratively build their family tree online, preserve and share precious family photos and stories, and receive personal research assistance–all for free.”
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‘Far-sound’ rings in a new era
This week’s Historic Treasure is an invention that changed life, as we know it in a great way, the telephone.
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Historical perspective: Venard: soldier in the War of 1812
His name was Stephen Venard. For more than 50 years he resided in Terre Haute, without fanfare, with his wife and a daughter. Much of that time was spent in the 400 block on N. First St.
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Looking Back: 2003: Mark Cook brings blues home
Mark Cook returned to Terre Haute to play with fellow musicians in the Cook-N-Blues group at Brazil and Terre Haute.
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Historical perspective: Attempted carriage-jacking thwarted
Nineteenth century newspapers covered several topics that might astonish current readers. For example, the front page of the Terre Haute Weekly Gazette on Nov. 16, 1878 – 135 years ago – reported on the bold attempt by four “villains” to rob two women riding in a carriage immediately west of the fairgrounds at Brown and Wabash avenues:
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Genealogy: Dutchman seeks family of missing soldier
Query: I live in the Netherlands and recently I have adopted the name of American PFC Joseph P. Nelson at the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten. He was killed in action on Dec. 5, 1944, and his name is on the Walls of the Missing.
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Sewing Society keeps hospital in linen, supplies
When Tracy Pruitt came across a small box of old ledgers and receipt books recently, his first impulse was to throw it away. But he decided to sit down and examine its contents. In doing so, he discovered a story.
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Looking Back: 1963: Officials prepare for disaster
City officials were studying survival plans in case of a natural disaster or attack by an enemy source. Gilbert Leonard was the director of Vigo County Defense.
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Genealogy: Gold Star Honor Roll: Vigo County
This week continues with the Gold Star Honor Roll (those who died in WW I) from the Wabash Valley. The Vigo County list is long and will be run in three parts.
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River boat models capture glory of former culture
In the River portion of the latest exhibit at the Vigo County Historical Society museum are two models of river paddle boats created by Alfred F. Nehf.
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Historical perspective: Babe Holland: advocate for equality
Wherever Terre Haute native William Sylvester Holland roamed, he made an impact.
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Historical Perspective: Terre Haute’s architectural heritage
Much more than is commonly recognized, Terre Haute has a rich and diverse legacy of landscapes designed by some of the nation’s most talented architects.
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Genealogy: A search for names from broken stones
This week there is a query about an old cemetery in Parke County, that is believed to have been destroyed:
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Hidden treasures: Laborers phased out by machines
Today’s historical treasure will intone to many people an early experience of practical labor. For others, this artifact might lack a contextual notion.
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Looking back: 2003: Two men rob Terre Haute First National Bank
Two men robbed Terre Haute First National Bank’s banking center at Southland Plaza, South Seventh Street and Margaret Avenue. It was the first bank robbery in Terre Haute since November 2000.
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Interurban makes city Crossroads of America
Electric transportation is not a new technology. With the arrival of the electric car we are reminded that electric technology has a long history in Terre Haute.
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The tale of the Wabash River
On March 14, 1913, the Indiana General Assembly adopted “On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away,” by Terre Haute native Paul Dresser, as Indiana’s state song.
- More History Headlines
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Historical Treasure: The 1947 Terre Haute Phillies and the history of baseball in America’s Crossroads
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