Family and Forebears

 

I have uploaded my autosomal DNA to three of the big DNA testing companies. This year, they have updated their ethnic breakdowns. I thought I would create a chart to show the difference in my results between the three. I have tested with Family Tree DNA (they were the first for me), AncestryDNA, and I uploaded my raw data to MyHeritage as well.

Here is a chart outlining the differences between the three companies

Scleroderma (systemic sclerosis) is an autoimmune rheumatic disease that can cause hardening of the skin, circulation problems, scarring of the lungs, organ failure, stiff joints and digestive issues. In the worst cases, this chronic connective tissue disease can lead to death.  More research is needed to help find a cure.

I've included a few links that have a lot more information about this rare disease.  There are many more depending on where you are in the world, these links focus on North America.

I have made some updates to Family and Forebears "Family Pages".  The biggest change that I have made are new ancestor charts.  I have updated all eight of the charts with updated information and I've also standardized them to four generations.  I have embedded these from my Google Docs, so you will be able to zoom in and out to view the information more clearly.

Most of these charts go back a little further than four generations in my database.  If you are looking for an old chart that had more info please contact me - I can send you an email with what you are looking for.  Why did I limit it to four generations? Two reasons, it looks nicer, but also because the further I go back the greater the chance of errors.  So, to make sure I don't provide inaccurate information I've only included the ancestors I'm confident about.  All of these charts start with one of my Great Grandparents.

You can have a look at the new charts by hovering over "Family Pages" in the top bar and select a surname, or you can click one of these links.

The Barnes and Howell Family Page

The Davidson and Liscombe Family Page

The Hoogland and van der Mee Family Page

The Warren and Shepherd Family Page

My goal in the next few months is to create biography posts.  I would like to take the information I have collected in my database and share it though a blog post dedicated to one person at a time.  If you would like to follow updates and new posts you can subscribe to emails.  Just enter your email address under "Follow by Email" in the right sidebar.

Until next time...

If you are like most serious genealogists, you've likely had a DNA test done.  I have, and I've tested both of my parents and both of my Grandmothers.  I have also tested my sister, my husband and my In-Laws.  Why so many?  I'm a bit obsessed with proving my research with genetic links to see if the paper trail I've been following (for years!) is the correct fork in the road.  I also use those tests to connect with cousins because they almost always know something about the family that I don't.  It has been a HUGE help with my research, but it has also brought up some ethical issues.

The biggest issue has been possible non-paternity events.  EVERY family tree will likely have a few, but when it's within the last few generations it can cause a lot of stir.  I have discovered a couple already, and even though I want to tell the match something isn't adding up I have to bite my tongue.  Take for example my Grandmother, she seems to have a few mystery cousins lately.  All her family is back in Holland aside from her descendants here in Canada.  Some of  her DNA matches (1-3rd cousins) don't share any of the same surnames in her pedigree but show they also match cousins with confirmed links.  My Grandmother is 93, she lived through WWII in the Netherlands and her parents lived through WWI.  There could be lots of possible scenarios as to why these matches don't share any surnames.  Were they the product of wartime romances?  Is their research wrong?  Is my research

I've been fascinated with my Great Great Grandfather, Duncan Barnes ever since I started researching my roots back in 2005. I hope to get to Newfoundland one day to find out more and visit the places he lived but for now, I'll have to settle for online research. Today I would like to share some information about my seafaring ancestor.

Duncan Barnes was born on Friday, March 20, 1863, in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland. He was the son of Ebenezer Webber Barnes and Jane Pike (possibly Parsons, I have conflicting information) and was baptized at the Methodist Church in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland on May 16, 1863.

Duncan was a Master Mariner that shipped cargo around Newfoundland and also took sealers up to the ice fields for their hunts. For a time he was the Captain of the S.S. Aggie, a steamer that took lumber and other supplies, as well as passengers around Newfoundland.

Duncan had three wives in total but also had an illegitimate child. As far as I can work out the mother

By the mid-1800's Sewickley, Pennsylvania had grown to be a large village of about 500 inhabitants and wanted to become a Borough.  On April 8, 1853, they presented to the grand jury a petition of a majority of freeholders and a majority of the legal voters that were within "the present limits of the Borough of Sewickley who are desirous of being regularly incorporated as a Borough and forming a

My 3x Great Grandfather Joseph W. Warren was a resident of Sewickley, Pennsylvania.  During my research, I found that he was referenced along with my 5x Great Grandfather, Nathan McPherson in the book "The Village of Sewickley" by Franklin Taylor Nevin, published in 1929.  Much to my delight, I was able to find an original copy from an online bookseller a few years ago.

There is a lot of great information in this book and it also includes some valuable information that may interest other genealogists.  I have transcribed the following as it appears in the book.  Hopefully, it helps someone with their research.

While researching my great-great-grandfather, Duncan Barnes - A Newfoundlander from Harbour Grace -  I came across this great register in the Ancestry.com Card Catalog called "England, United Grand Lodge of England Freemason Membership Registers, 1751-1921".

My Dad told me that his grandfather and his uncle were Freemasons.  I thought maybe his great-grandfather was too.  Sure enough, he shows up in this register twice.  The first mention is on folio number 275 under Avalon Lodge in St. John's, Newfoundland (1).  Duncan Barnes "Date of
Initiation" was September 27, 1905.  He is 42 and living at Pilley's Island (where most of his children are born).  I know all of this information is accurate but I have his occupation as a "Master Mariner" in my family tree and this register lists his profession as "Trader". This gives me a little more detail about what he may have done on those ships.




The second mention of Duncan shows up on folio number 71 (2) but mentions that he " Resigned Dec 1919".  In 1920 Duncan left Newfoundland with his 3rd wife Theresa and purchased a house in

FINISHED!  PicMonkey worked great to piece together the nine scans I took of my great-grandfather Wentworth Barnes, WWI - "D" Company, 134th Overseas Battalion, C.E.F (Highlanders) photo.  With PicMonkey it only took about 30 minutes for me to figure it out and complete it.  I wasn't able to get it as large as I wanted, which limits the zoom, but it's enough to see the faces clearly.

Edith Ann Lloyd & Celia Regretta Lloyd Orphanage Photo - 1906 - England

I took a risk on this marriage record from England.  I'm so glad I listened to my gut because I'm sure now that it is the marriage entry for my 3x great-grandparents, James Byron and Margaret Mahon.  James and Maggie were born in Ireland and moved to England where their son called Matthew was born in 1862.  Because I knew their eldest son was born in England I cross-referenced the English marriage index and found a James Byron that possibly married a Margaret Mahon. I was hoping it was the record I wanted to see. I'm so glad I took a chance on it. Now I have a marriage date and place, I have confirmation James father was also Matthew, I have occupations to

I'm back at the Irish research and I'm looking for more information on the Reardon / Riordan / O'Riordan family from Macroom, Co. Cork in Ireland.

My 4th Great Grandparents were John Reardon and Mary Shea.  They were married on March 3, 1835, in Macroom, Co.Cork, Ireland.  Witnesses to their marriage were Denis Denahy and John Downy (spelling may be off on these).  Together they had 6 children that I have found.

Daniel Reardon - b. May 21, 1836, in Clondrohid, Co. Cork, Ireland
Denis Reardon - b. April 1838 in Macroom, Co. Cork, Ireland
Margaret Reardon - b. April 25, 1840, in Macroom, Co. Cork, Ireland
Mary Reardon - b. March 29, 1842, in Macroom, Co. Cork, Ireland
Catherine Reardon - b. December 8, 1843, in Macroom, Co. Cork, Ireland
John Reardon - b. October 17, 1849, in Macroom, Co. Cork, Ireland

Denis Reardon, their son, is my 3rd Great Grandfather. His residence at the time of Baptism is

While researching my HOWELL family I found a record for my Great Great Grandfather, Isaiah HOWELL.  This record is the "Application For Registration of Birth" created in 1935.  It tells me that he was born February 18th, 1862 - Cobbler's Island, Newtown (Bonavista Bay), Newfoundland and that his parents were Willliam and Mary (SAINSBURY).  It also tells me a few bits of information that interests me.

1. His father was a School Master.
2. There are "...records of the Howell family (are) kept very carefully and treasured in the old family Bible."

I would love to see the family Bible that is mentioned.  Please contact me if you know more about this family treasure.



To see a few branches of Isaiah Howells family tree visit The Barnes & Howell Family Page.  You can also have a look at the Index of Names to see other Howells I have in my family tree.

I am happy to say that I have FINALLY completed the transfer from "Lisa's Family Pages" (www.lisasfamilypages.weebly.com) to this new blog.  A fresh new look AND I was able to do some "housekeeping".

In addition to my posts, I have added the "Family Pages" to Family and Forebears.  The links below will take you to pages with information on the families and a pedigree chart that you can view.  The family trees can be enlarged within the page or you can click on the arrow in the top right corner (hover your pointer) and that will take you to the original file.  You can find these pages in the top drop-down menu called "Family Pages" as well.

Barnes & Howell Family - Harbour Grace, Notre Dame Bay, Bonavist Bay - Newfoundland, Canada

Davidson & Liscome Family - Caledon, Toronto & Pickering - Ontario, Canada & England

Hoogland & van der Mee Family - Friesland, Leiden, Amsterdam - Holland

Warren & Shepherd Family - Pennsylvania, New York, Maine, California - USA & England


Check out the INDEX as well.  This lists all of the names in my current database (update coming soon!!)

If you would like any more information on any of these families contact me using the contact form.

Image courtesy of pixabay.com 

I am almost finished transferring all of the information from www.lisasfamilypages.weebly.com to this new site!  I'm very happy! I have transferred the important and popular blog posts from 2013-2017 to this site already, I'm just working on finishing up a few of the new family pages.  Please check back soon!!  If you are looking for anything, in particular, please check out the original website for now.

*UPDATE*
The old site is no longer running.  If you are looking for something, in particular, please contact me.

Illustration by Scott Garrett

Original Post 8/29/2016 (Lisa's Family Pages)

Original Post 8/21/2015 (Lisa's Family Pages)

I have been working for a few months trying to find out more about my 3x Great Grandfather Joseph Wormwood (aka Joseph W. Warren).  I have discovered so much more about him thanks to a few books and a few newspaper articles found in the Sewickley Herald Newspaper in Pennsylvania.