This morning I’m on my way to Salt Lake City for a few days of research this week and the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy course “Advanced DNA Analysis Techniques for Genealogical Research” next week.
Narrowing down the research to tackle at the Family History Library can be difficult considering the volume of material available. I’ve decided to work on some problems I’ve avoided for a long time. They’ve been avoided because they are tough. Or I anticipate they are tough. Maybe that isn’t the case. I haven’t done more than a cursory look online for any of them. They could be easy to solve with some research…and the right DNA results,
Who were the parents of Rebecca?
Rebecca was my 3rd great-grandmother through my paternal grandmother Verda Waller Hankins.
She married Jesse Thomas probably before 1828. They lived in Murray County, Georgia in 1840 and 1860 and in neighboring Lumpkin County in 1850. They had at least six children. Rebecca moved to Logan County, Kentucky by 1869 and lived near her daughter Margaret’s family in 1870. That isn’t absolutely everything I know but it’s close. I don’t know where or when Rebecca and Jesse were married. I don’t know her parents names. I don’t even know her maiden name. But I have a clue about the parents.
The clue came in the form of an email from someone who suspects she’s a sister to one of her husband’s ancestors. I’m not ready to name names yet, but it is promising.
Who were the parents of Polly Y. Smith?
Polly was my 3rd great-grandmother through my paternal grandfather John William McCauley.
She married James Lanier 29 July 1810 in old Randolph County, Georgia (which became Jasper County in 1812). By 1830 they lived in Meriwether County. Their eight children were born in Jasper or Meriwether Counties.
With 30 Smith households in Jasper County in the 1820 census, there is no shortage of potential parents and family for Polly.
Who were the parents of Rachel McFarland?
Rachel was my 3rd great-grandmother through my maternal grandfather Elmer Dennis Hopkins.
She married Stephen Hopkins around 1822. They lived in Claiborne County, Tennessee in the area that became Hancock County in 1844. Their 12 children were all born in Claiborne or Hancock. After the Civil War, Rachel and Stephen and most of the children moved to Harlan County, Kentucky.
There are nine McFarland households in Tennessee in the 1820 census but none of them in the area near Claiborne County. Identifying Rachel’s parents looks to be more difficult than finding Rebecca’s and Polly’s.
Progress (or not) reports will be shared later.
