Research source for Berks county

This research does not concern the Carrolls, but if it could be handy to anyone, all the better.And since my principal stomping grounds are in Philly, this "touches" the area and could be of interest for Philadelphia researchers.Because yes, branches do move and spread around...

My search for online sources to work in Berks Co PA led me to here :

http://www.co.berks.pa.us/rwills/cwp/view.asp?a=2148&Q=482800&rwillsNav=|

This is an online BMD ( Birth,Mariage & Death) research motor at the Register of Wills. So, it is a genuine website

Just link into the above page, click on SEARCH OUR RECORDS. You will then arrive at a second page where you choose the type of certificate, and continue your research there.

It is not a complete answer to online research, but could be a godsend for someone who neads a lead. And if you are ever lucky, you can order a certificate will all the details. Click on "Fee schedule" on the left hand margin to find out more.

My great-great grandfather Hansen was born in Reading a few years before civil registration even began. Which will mean another research in time to even know which were the churches in Reading in the 1800's and how to access these sources. An e mail to the local Genealogy society as to how to search the pre- civil reg era said "try churches,wills,cemeteries etc".

Now why didn't I think of that ?? I got my work cut out for me, people.

This only the second time that my research goes outside Philadelphia county ( the first time being with Schuylkill co, where I had a very ungratifying time writing to church parishes).So I'm coming to the idea that writing to these religious institutions are not always the best way to continue one's research.

I wonder what would have happened if I showed up on their doorstep??

So, Berks County cousins, be aware of the Register of wills source. It's a good one- Use it well !

Good luck to all ;)

Comment moderation begins today

I'm sorry ; I'm had to put in comment moderation and now everyone who comments here has to copy the odd ball words before being published :)

I don't have a huge number of commenters at this blog. So, I had a surprise today when looking at thie dashboard. I found over 20 comments for a single post. Of course, you could already guess it- spam. Of the Asian type. I don't even have the slightest idea what was written .

It is getting harder not to have comment moderation. I also have switched on my personal blog to comment moderation for the same darn reasons.

Thank you for your understanding.

The Irish in Quebec city, Canada

My research on my own Carroll lines being slow at this time, I prefer to share with everyone a Historical finding.During a vacation trip in September to Quebec city, my husband & I had an interesting find.

We had the "luck of the Irish" to stumble upon the former Irish quarter in Quebec city. The area happens to possess some fascinating historical signs that we photographed.Also, a church and other commemorative markers.
Lets take our time to discover this.

Do click on each photo ! You will be able to read the print and appreciate the detail better. :

1) Irish roots in Quebec :




This recounts briefly the beginnings of Irish immigration to Quebec, and also about Irish institutions. There is also an excellent map, with important sites marked so anyone can find them today.


2) The Irish settle and Flourish :



Short topics on the percentage of Quebec residents having Irish blood, The Shipfront jobs & Irish and prominent Canadians with Irish blood.



We found a beautiful Celtic cross...





It is a gift from James Callery and the National Famine Museum In Roscommon, Ireland.




Saint Patrick's church.






Plaque dedicated to the Irish ( French version)



Same plaque with Irish Gaelic ( left) and English translations.

Finding these wonderful lanmarks comforts me in the path that will lead me to go to Ireland next year. I'm getting closer each day to my goal.

Happy hunting everyone !

Trying to fill in the blanks

It's the time of year that always makes me feel studious...
I feel like taking a fresh sheet of ruled paper and a number 2 pencil, to start something new.

So I have decided before hopping off for a brief holiday,to start a new list.

I have elaborated about my Carroll ancestors all through these blog pages.Including the information that is known to me.My idea is that I do not own information,seeing that I'm not the only one out there who could benefit from it.
But, that's great when I have something to share.

And when I don't ?
I go "fishing".Often it's by combing online documents or going to genealogy boards
But because I also operate a blog, this gives me yet another tool to work with.

Below is my "to find" list.

Writing this out will be like sending a "bottle to the ocean". Because you know that Mr Googly picks up a lot of names and details that someone might research one day.
I have had almost all of my information requests like this, when someone scrolled in a name on a search engine, and came up with a page on this blog.

If anyone has any information on these ancestors,or you think that we may belong to the same family, please drop me a line at:
barb92(at)gmail(dotcom).

And I'll be happy to get back to you.


I'm placing these ancestors by couple/family for clarity.

CARROLL Andrew- MY great-great grandfather.
When exactly did you pass away ?
No tombstone was found neither any record (so far) detailing a date of death.

BURKE, Catherine- My great-great grandmother who was married to my ancestor Carroll ( Andrew Carroll).

Where in Ireland were you born and what exactly was this date? Who were your parents? Did they come to the US with you ?.

*********

HANSEN Gerry- My great-great grandfather(paternal Grandmother's line)

When & where did you pass away?

Sometime before 1935 when his son,(my great-grandad), Christian Hansen remarried.But, I have no exact date & place He lived in Reading PA/ the area.

HANSEN, Christine- Gerry's wife.Likewise, I have no death info for her.

**********

MORRIS, Catherine "Kate"- My great grandmother( My grandmother Hansen's mother). Spouse to Christian HANSEN.

Where in Ireland were you born in March 1867 ? And who were your parents ? And where in the USA ( you immigrated in 1888) were you & Christian married?

No, not in Phila( already checked).

********
MC ENTEE, Patrick.- Also my great-great- grandfather ( line of my great-grandfather Carroll's wife, Jennie McEntee).

Where in Ireland were you born? Who were your parents ? Where and when were you married?.
Did you become a US citizen ??

HAINES, Agnes - My great-great-grandmother.
Where were you born ? And who were your parents?

It is said in some records that you were English born,others say Irish.

My lines go no further than my great-great grandparents for the time being( same for my Carroll line)..

Thanks in advance for any information,advice or tips that anyone would have to pass on. I greatly appreciate this.

Have a great day !

Break time !

I just to let everyone know that I will not be posting this week here. Only exception made to my personal blog to download some photos this weekend
Here's the chance to check out my second blog if you only know me here :

Home in France

This is my blog where I just talk about what's happening with me in France in general. Sometimes it about events, other times writings,photos,musings. Genealogy may occasionally "poke" it's nose in there, but I try and keep the two areas seperate.

I have a friend who is now in Paris( she's from England). This week is earmarked for a few days of R &R with her and other friends . Then the other days, I'll becleaning,organizing and organizing a trip. Because I'm soon to be on vacation ! Yeah !!

I'm going to try and sneak in one last post here, before I leave with my husband on vacation 7 September. I will be back 18 September.

So, there will be a lot of comings and goings in September, and you will know why if it seems a little quiet :)

Have a good return back to your September jobs & schooling.

Cheers to all !

Hats off to Genealogy volunteers !

Say the words "genealogy volunteer" to a genealogist, and note the twinkle in his/her eyes...

Because genealogists are all hungry for new information of all types.
But, there are many obstacles to finding information.One of these is distance. Finding information or documents when you live far away, or are physically or even financially unable to do a research trip is a big challenge.

Enter stage left, the genealogy volunteer, who does this just to help others, and advance their genealogy.

I have a many a reason to use their kind services ( and I will share my fav websites);First being that distance reason... I live in France and my research is East coast based ! I very rarely have the possibilty to do my research in Schuylkill county or Philadelphia.

Some volunteers can go to town hall and make a copy of a certificate; yet others do look ups on microfilm for newspaper obits or go to cemeteries to take photos of gravestones. Still other can do copies of genealogy books that can contain valuable information.

All do incredible services for either free or at minimal costs because these people live in or near your research areas.

Just a practical note to keep in mind : Volunteers will not do your genealogy research in your place. Just search information on a punctual basis.
And your success with volunteers will depend a lot on the information that you provide them. You will need complete dates to order certifcates, and likewise to do a newspaper obit search.
I don't know how many volunteers would have the patience to go through a whole month's or year's newpapers or birth registers, with just a sketchy date in hand.

As for photographing a gravestone, if you are not sure of plot information, write to the cemetery office in question before asking for a grave photograph. Having the exact plot number will avoid a lot of unescessary plodding about, esp in the often large urban cemeteries.

Here are my favorites which have helped me more than once : RAOGK ( Random acts of Genealogical kindness).

The top of it's kind, which has volunteers in all 50 states and overseas.
Click on the above link and follow their online instructions to see if a volunteer could help you.


If you are searching for a newspaper obit, you must try the Obituary look up volunteers page by Rootsweb. Click on the state that interests you, then scroll down to see the available counties.Follow the instructions, including number of requests.

I have had some good luck with both these genealogy services.

Another volunteer website that I found ( but have no direct experience with) is at Genlookups.

If you are just beginning your research and have little information, these may not (yet) be what you need.
If you are courageous to research by yourself( Congratulations !), you are better beginning with ancestry dot com or going to the National archives, to start accessing US census records. Logicically starting with the generations NEAREST to you- 1930 is the most recent US Census year, which corresponds to the generation of either your parents/grandparents.

Otherwise, hire a serious genealogist who will do the first steps for finding family records.

I think it's wonderful for these genealogy volunteers to give some of their spare time for the rest of us. Don't forget a "Thank you" also, even when s/he has researched and finds nothing; We all love to win but it doesn't happen all the time...

Barbara says :
"Better to have searched and have a negative result, than not trying and never knowing "

Once again, "hats off to you all, wonderful genealogy volunteers ! "

Happy 100th !

Here we are at 100 + 1 posts... I have hit ( and passed) my 100th post point !

Happy 100th to Our Carroll family Genealogy ! Wooo !

I know that this is such a tiny and rather sporadic operation.I do not blog about Genealogy on a daily basis, like many of my colleagues. I go with my flow and the research that I may be doing . This sometimes means no Genealogy at times, and no findings to share.

But, I do prod on and hope to continue this blog, which has become my online Genealogy journal.

Just throwing out a few Thank you's :
Thank you to :

Family,friends,fellow Carrolls, and even the curious passersby.
If you have enjoyed what you have read and maybe learned something, then I'm very glad.

Because Genealogy is not my job, nor is it something that I 'am obliged to do. It is above all for me a PASSION.
I'am passionate about my family history and have a great pride for the people, places and lives, (of both past and present ) who make up my family history.

Now to the minus side of this operation, this is a very quiet blog.
So please, if you like what you are reading, drop me some FEEDBACK in the comments !

Clap,rant,share,discuss, debate whatever -be a part of this adventure too ! Even if you just leave an anonymous comment, it is still a voice. And I will be very grateful.

Have a great day and happy ancestor hunting to all :)