TERRE HAUTE —
Family historians use a variety of forms, such as the pedigree chart and the family group sheet, which are very useful in helping to organize your information. But one of the most useful forms, which you can create all by yourself, is an individual timeline. It just takes a blank piece of paper.
Timelines are good to use at almost any point in your research. If you’re just beginning, they are a good way to set up the facts you know and add to them as you are doing more research. If you have hit a brick wall on an individual, setting up a timeline is an excellent way to see the summary of all of your research so far and to examine the gaps that require further research. Unlike a biography, a timeline is a fast and easy way to lay out the facts of a person’s life quickly and without having to d a lot of organizing, arranging and writing.
For my timelines, I use only documented, proven facts that I’ve discovered about a person’s life, and place them in chronological order. I usually don’t include speculations, theories or family legend (even if I believe it is true). Each entry on a timeline should include the date and location of the documented event.
Here is an example of the timeline I did for my 6x great-grandmother’s mystery child, Simeon Shields: I first encountered his name on an 1812 Henry County, Ky., deed in which Simeon is named as an “infant heir” of Patrick Shields, in the division of deceased Patrick’s lands. Now I had Simeon’s name as of one of Patrick’s children. By looking back on the 1810 census of Henry County, I found two males aged 10 to 16 living in Patrick’s widow’s household. I knew that one was William, who was born in 1794 and would have been 16 in 1810, so the other must be Simeon, a bit younger. Since his father Patrick died in 1797, and William was older, Simeon must have been 13 to 15 years old in 1810. I used this census as my first entry on his time-line. Simeon was there in the household in 1810. The second entry was the 1812 deed where he was named and the third entry an 1813 deed.
I couldn’t find evidence of Simeon on the 1820 census. He should have been over age 21 at that time. No marriage records could be found (as for his brother William) and no person of his age category was living with his then re-married mother. But he wasn’t dead. He was named in an 1824 Henry County deed as an heir of Patrick Shields. This was my next entry on his timeline. He couldn’t be found on the 1830 census. Still no marriage records. Where was he? Was he dead?
No. In 1839 the heirs of Patrick Shields got together to sell off the inherited land. Simeon was still on the list of heirs. As sellers, all heirs had to sign the deed. But Simeon didn’t. Instead, his mother and her second husband agreed to warrant and defend against the claim of Simeon Shields or any person claiming under, by or through him, and should the purchasers of the land be interrupted by any person claiming through Simeon Shields, the parents bound themselves to refund the money paid. Alive, but not present at the signing. What did this mean?
The next deed entry I had was one in 1844 showing the brother William named as an heir of Simeon Shields. So Simeon was dead by 1844. But he had never married or been enumerated on any census that I could find. Where had he been? I had several theories, but no evidence for anything. This was a brick wall for many years. Then, one day it was all explained when a fellow researcher was going through the Henry County court records and ran across the 1841 “idiocy” hearing of Simeon Shields. He had been under the care of the county, who charged his mother for his care.
History
GENEALOGY: Individual timeline one of most useful genealogy forms
- History
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Looking back: In 1988, the drought caused water shortages in Parke and Vermillion counties
The drought caused water shortages in Parke and Vermillion counties. Both Montezuma and Cayuga were selling record amounts of water to farmers and residents of neighboring towns.
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Federation of Genealogical Societies conference in August
The Federation of Genealogical Societies will stage its 2013 conference Aug. 21-24 at the Grand Wayne Convention Center in Fort Wayne.
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Historical perspective: Engraver Fahnestock among local headlines in 1856
While perusing antique Terre Haute newspapers, the following story by editor-publisher Robert N. Hudson in the April 2, 1856 issue of the “Terre Haute Daily Express” attracted attention:
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Terre Haute fortunate to have a fine symphony orchestra
We are fortunate in Terre Haute to have a fine symphony orchestra as one of our entertainment venues.
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Looking back: In 1988, the Children’s Science and Technology Museum of Terre Haute opens in Central Christian Church
Eighty persons attended the opening of the Children’s Science and Technology Museum of Terre Haute, housed in the lower level of Central Christian Church, 720 Larry Bird Ave.
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Genealogy: Any community can take advantage of cultural tourism
Cultural tourism is a subset of the tourism industry that focuses on a region’s cultural heritage, lifestyle, history, geography, art and architecture. We may think of it as something elaborate and grand, like traveling to Europe or Africa to experience the culture of our ancestors, but it can take place in almost any community.
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Historic treasure: Fold-up map fit in glove box of Model T
My maternal grandparents used to love to tell the story of how they decided on the driver/navigator orientation on their road trips after their retirement.
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Histori9cal perspective: Mace and Hyde included among significant educators
Since this column was launched in January 1995, it has emphasized notable accomplishments of past and present Wabash Valley residents.
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Historical perspective: The death of newspaper publisher George M. Allen
The name of George Murdoch Allen, editor and publisher of the Terre Haute Express for 16 years, is rarely mentioned today.
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Genalogy: Gen Gathering site a great opportunity to volunteer
Gen Gathering is a website that aims to match volunteers who have access to resources and are willing to do someone a favor, with researchers who need help.
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Looking back: In 2003, Terre Haute Police Department resumes bicycle patrols downtown
In 2003, members of the Terre Haute Police Department resumed bicycle patrols in the downtown area.
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Historical treasures: Horses, buggies and the Fouts and Hunter Carriage and Manufacturing Company
In her history of the Fouts and Hunter Carriage and Manufacturing Company, Mae Hunter Weinstein wrote that her father, William Robert Hunter, always had a song in his heart. Maybe that joyful spirit helped Hunter and his son keep the company going from the Civil War through World War I.
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GENEALOGY: Info sought on people buried in Clay County
This week, we have several queries.
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: O.C. Simonds’ ideas launched Fairbanks Park
Among the first serious efforts to beautify the landscape near the Wabash River in Terre Haute occurred early in the 20th Century.
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LOOKING BACK: 1988: The Waffle House closes after 21 years
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 Treasure: Davis Gardens: Once one of the largest greenhouses in world
Another rainy spring day kept me out of the garden so I decided to research some gardening history at the Vigo County Historical Museum.
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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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