SNGF: Semi-Random Research

Randy from Genea-Musings has sent us on a mission again. Since I haven't participated in quite awhile in Saturday Night Genealogy Fun, and my goal is to blog more, I figured I would get back into the swing of participating.

Your mission, should you decide to accept it (cue the Mission Impossible! music) is to:

1)  We're going to do a little bit of Semi-Random Research tonight...

2)  Go to your family tree database of choice (you know, like RootsMagic, Reunion, Ancestry Member Tree), and determine who the very last person on your list of names is.

3)  What do you know about this person based on your research?  It's OK to do more if you need to - in fact, it's encouraged!

4)  How are you related to this person, and why is s/he in your family tree?

5)  Tell us about it in a blog post of your own, in a comment to this blogp ost, or in a Facebook Status post or Google+ Stream post.

The very last person in my RootsMagic database is Alice Zimmerman. Alice was the wife of my second cousin 3x removed, George L. Avers. George was the son of Albert S. Avers and Elizabeth M. Phelps. Elizabeth was the daughter of Joseph Putnam Phelps and Agnes Emma Pemberton. Agnes was the sister of my 3x great-grandfather, John Pemberton. 

Alice Zimmerman was born 27 Jan 1898 and died 3 Apr 1982 in Port Huron, St. Clair, Michigan. George and Alice married in 1967. They married late in life, and no children are mentioned in George's obituary. My source for Alice's birth and death date/place is the "Michigan Deaths, 1971-1996" at Ancestry.com. My source for the marriage date is George's obituary. Looks like I need to further research in death and marriage records to find more info. 

The very last person in my old Family Tree Maker database is William Young. William was supposedly my 6th great-uncle. My notes say he was born abt 1731 and died abt Dec 1811. Do you really want to know my source? You guessed it....unsourced family trees on the Internet. Do you see why I've abandoned this database? He was supposedly the son of Peter Young and Anna Eve Fox. William's brother, Peter Warren Young, is supposedly my 6th great-grandfather. Peter Warren Young supposedly married Anna Margaret Serviss, and they had a daughter named Elizabeth Young. Elizabeth supposedly married my 5x great-grandfather, Jacob Crysler. Obviously, I don't have much faith in this tree. The only thing I know for sure on this line is that my great-grandmother was Mabel Ellen Crysler, her father was Ernest George Crysler, and his father was George Calvin Crysler. From there, more research needs to be done.

Pemberton Obituary Project: Joseph Putnam Phelps

Joseph Putnam Phelps was the husband of Agnes Emma Pemberton, the fourth child of Jeremiah Pemberton and Susanna Jermyn. His obituary is below:

From The Port Huron (Michigan) Times Herald, "Algonac," 18 Mar 1919, p. 7:

Joseph Phelps passed away at his home west of town on Saturday evening after a lingering illness. He was 80 years of age and has lived here for many years. The following relatives survive him, his aged wife, two sons Joseph and Norman, and four daughters, Mrs. Henry Aspenleiter, Mrs. Wm. Taft, Mrs. Albert Avers, of Algonac, and Mrs. Bert Basney of Detroit. Mr. Phelps was an old civil war veteran.

Again, Henry and Nellie (Phelps) Aspenleiter are listed as residents of Algonac, although I've found them in Detroit for the 1910-1930 censuses. Makes me wonder if they frequented back and forth between Algonac and Detroit. Perhaps Algonac was their summer home.

According to his pension index card, Joseph was a lieutenant with Co. E's 9th Regiment of the Michigan Infantry. His brother-in-law, John Pemberton, fought with Co. C's 1st Regiment of the Michigan Cavalry. I have always wondered if they knew each other from the Civil War or not. Agnes married Joseph after he returned from the war in 1867. I will have to do more research on their regiment's battle histories.

It is interesting that this obit does not mention the funeral services or the burial. I'm assuming they had already happened by the time this obit was published. I should also check to see if there are more details in an Algonac newspaper, if one survives.

Pemberton Obituary Project: Agnes Emma (Pemberton) Phelps

Continuing the Pemberton obituary project, here is the obituary of Agnes Emma (Pemberton) Phelps, the fourth child of Jeremiah Pemberton and Susanna Jermyn:

From The Port Huron (Michigan) Times Herald, 30 Dec 1931, p. 12

Funeral services for Mrs. Phelps will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in the Church of Christ. Rev. Ralph R. Woodard, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in Oaklawn cemetery.

Mrs. Phelps is survived by four daughters, Mrs. William Taft, Mrs. Albert Avers, Mrs. Henry Aspenleiter, all of Pointe Tremble; and Mrs. Burton Basney, Detroit, and one son, Joseph Phelps, Pointe Tremble. There are 31 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was born in Ontario, March 16, 1845. She married Mr. Phelps shortly after the close of the Civil War. She had been a member of the Church of Christ since her marriage.

This is the first of many references to the Church of Christ in this family's obituaries. This is probably the Church of Christ in Algonac, where Agnes lived from 1880 (probably earlier) to 1930. This obit was listed under the River District News, which includes Algonac and other towns south of Port Huron along the St. Clair River.

Her daughters listed are Sarah J. (Phelps) Taft, Elizabeth M. (Phelps) Avers, Nellie A. (Phelps) Aspenleiter, and Anna Essie (Phelps) Basney. Agnes also had a second son, Norman Angus Phelps, who was the twin brother of Nellie. He died in Detroit in 1928, just three years prior to Agnes' death. I have found his obituary, but I still need to find his death record. I am curious as to why he died so young.

Pointe Tremble is an unincorporated area just west of Algonac and east of Pearl Beach. Googling Pointe Tremble brings up a link for Pointe Tremble Elementary School on Phelps Road! The Phelps family must have been pretty prevalent in Pointe Tremble.

What's also interesting is that a Google search for the Algonac Church of Christ brings up the church's website, which shows several Avers family members who are still active members. I know these are probably not direct descendants of Elizabeth (Phelps) Avers, though, because she only had two children, neither of whom had any children of their own, according to their obits.

It seems as if Nellie (Phelps) Aspenleiter may have moved back to the Algonac area after living in Detroit for the 1910-1930 census. I don't see her listed on the St. Clair County death index, so I wonder if she moved back to Detroit before her death. Or it's also possible that the newspaper got her place of residence wrong.

I can only seem to account for 15 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren who were alive in 1931. Hmm...looks like I may be missing 8 great-grandchildren.

This is the only source I have found that states Agnes' date of birth directly. Of course, it is still a secondary source, since it was not created at the time of her birth.

I will have to remember to share this obit with a newfound cousin on Ancestry.com. She is married to Agnes' great-great-grandson.

Stay tuned for the obit of Agnes' husband, Joseph Putnam Phelps.

Grandchildren of Jeremiah Pemberton and Susanna Jermyn

As most of you know, I just returned from a trip to Michigan. It made me think of cousins, so I decided to do a blog post listing my great-great-grandfather and all of his first cousins. Jeremiah Pemberton is the farthest ancestor I've found on my maternal grandfather's side. I figure this exercise may also help me to see naming patterns, which could help in finding Jeremiah and Susanna's parents.

Grandchildren of Jeremiah PEMBERTON and Susanna JERMYN

William FINKLE (18 Mar 1866-12 Sep 1948)
Son of David FINKLE and Eliza Jane PEMBERTON

Burton FINKLE (22 Mar 1868-29 Nov 1909)
Son of David FINKLE and Eliza Jane PEMBERTON

Sarah J. PHELPS (3 May 1868-8 Aug 1942)
Daughter of Joseph Putnam PHELPS and Agnes Emma PEMBERTON

Essie Anna PHELPS (15 Dec 1869-22 Aug 1945)
Daughter of Joseph Putnam PHELPS and Agnes Emma PEMBERTON

Eva FINKLE (Mar 1870-?)
Daughter of David FINKLE and Eliza Jane PEMBERTON

Burton J. PEMBERTON (23 Jul 1871-30 Jan 1955)
Son of John PEMBERTON and Mary Ann COOMBS

Jeremiah M. FINKLE (12 Dec 1871-17 Apr 1927)
Son of David FINKLE and Eliza Jane PEMBERTON

Sarah Ella PEMBERTON (Sep 1872-16 Jan 1955)
Daughter of William Thomas PEMBERTON and Hannah Jane WINTERS

Reuben W. FINK (22 Sep 1872-24 Aug 1920)
Son of Jacob E. FINK and Elmira PEMBERTON
 
Elva M. PEMBERTON (30 Sep 1873-19 Feb 1941)

Daughter of John PEMBERTON and Mary Ann COOMBS

Walter Samuel PEMBERTON (29 Mar 1874-?)
Son of William Thomas PEMBERTON and Hannah Jane WINTERS

Herbert FINK (6 May 1874-?)
Son of Jacob E. FINK and Elmira PEMBERTON
 
Elizabeth M. PHELPS (24 Nov 1874-12 Nov 1949)
Daughter of Joseph Putnam PHELPS and Agnes Emma PEMBERTON

John PEMBERTON (Abt 1874-?)
Son of Samuel PEMBERTON and Ellen MCCOY

Mary Pearl MORRISON (Aug 1875-1962)
Daughter of Reuben MORRISON and Sarah Maria PEMBERTON

Grace Mary PEMBERTON (25 Mar 1876-1909)
Daughter of John PEMBERTON and Mary Ann COOMBS

Benjamin Franklin FINK (17 Apr 1876-28 Aug 1945)
Son of Jacob E. FINK and Elmira PEMBERTON

Essie Maud PEMBERTON (Sep 1876-?)
Daughter of Samuel PEMBERTON and Ellen MCCOY

Martin Robertson PEMBERTON (6 Oct 1876-2 May 1965)
Son of William Thomas PEMBERTON and Hannah Jane WINTERS

Hayes Wheeler FINKLE (6 Jun 1877-1953)Son of David FINKLE and Eliza Jane PEMBERTON

Reuben MORRISON, Jr. (Abt 1877/78-30 Apr 1896)
Son of Reuben MORRISON and Sarah Maria PEMBERTON

Lovell Hugh PEMBERTON (14 Jan 1878-23 Mar 1952)
Son of John PEMBERTON and Mary Ann COOMBS

Archie FINK (6 Sep 1878-?)Son of Jacob E. FINK and Elmira PEMBERTON

Joseph Roiden PHELPS (1 Oct 1878-3 Nov 1944)Son of Joseph Putnam PHELPS and Agnes Emma PEMBERTON

Henry Isaac PEMBERTON (28 Dec 1878-30 May 1956)
Son of William Thomas PEMBERTON and Hannah Jane WINTERS

William W. PEMBERTON (4 Sep 1879-?)
Son of Samuel PEMBERTON and Ellen MCCOY

Francis E. FINKLE (Dec 1879-?)
Daughter of David FINKLE and Eliza Jane PEMBERTON

Whitfield PEMBERTON (1 Jun 1880-?)
Son of Charles PEMBERTON and Blanche POOLE

Myrtle Lavina PEMBERTON (12 Jul 1880-22 Aug 1959)
Daughter of John PEMBERTON and Mary Ann COOMBS

Guy FINK (Aug 1881-?)
Son of Jacob E. FINK and Elmira PEMBERTON

Beatrice L. PEMBERTON (Dec 1881-1968)
Daughter of William Thomas PEMBERTON and Hannah Jane WINTERS

Susanna PEMBERTON (3 Nov 1882-27 Jan 1969)
Daughter of Charles PEMBERTON and Blanche POOLE

Chester Arthur FINK (18 Mar 1883-22 Jul 1949)
Son of Jacob E. FINK and Elmira PEMBERTON

Norman Angus PHELPS (7 May 1883-Sep/Oct 1928)
Son of Joseph Putnam PHELPS and Agnes Emma PEMBERTON

Nellie A. PHELPS (7 May 1883-?)
Daughter of Joseph Putnam PHELPS and Agnes Emma PEMBERTON

Leslie D. PEMBERTON (27 Aug 1884-4 Jun 1958)
Son of William Thomas PEMBERTON and Hannah Jane WINTERS

Mary PEMBERTON (13 Apr 1885-14 Feb 1917)
Daughter of Charles PEMBERTON and Blanche POOLE

Roy D. FINKLE (5 Jun 1885-Abt 1962)
Son of David FINKLE and Eliza Jane PEMBERTON

Grover Cleveland FINK (7 Jun 1885-11 Nov 1932)
Son of Jacob E. FINK and Elmira PEMBERTON

Charles PEMBERTON (30 Sep 1886-3 Oct 1914)
Son of Charles PEMBERTON and Blanche POOLE

Cordelia May FINK (22 May 1887-23 Nov 1914)
Daughter of Jacob E. FINK and Elmira PEMBERTON

William Thomas PEMBERTON (25 Feb 1888-6 Sep 1958)
Son of William Thomas PEMBERTON and Hannah Jane WINTERS

Albert Earl PEMBERTON (15 Oct 1888-19 Nov 1947)
Son of Samuel PEMBERTON and Ellen MCCOY

Martha PEMBERTON (25 Jan 1890-22 Jan 1955)
Daughter of Charles PEMBERTON and Blanche POOLE

Lillian FINK (8 Jul 1890-?)
Daughter of Jacob E. FINK and Elmira PEMBERTON

Albert Wesley PEMBERTON (18 Dec 1892-29 Mar 1974)
Son of William Thomas PEMBERTON and Hannah Jane WINTERS

Jeremiah PEMBERTON (25 Dec 1893-3 Nov 1918)
Son of Charles PEMBERTON and Blanche POOLE

Harold Clifford PEMBERTON (2 Nov 1895-18 Mar 1977)
Son of Samuel PEMBERTON and Ellen MCCOY

Floyd Wesley PEMBERTON (28 Mar 1896-7 May 1919)
Son of Charles PEMBERTON and Blanche POOLE

Brott PEMBERTON (27 Jun 1896-13 Aug 1967)
Son of William Thomas PEMBERTON and Hannah Jane WINTERS

Dewey R. PEMBERTON (10 Sep 1899-2 May 1977)
Son of Charles PEMBERTON and Blanche POOLE

Nellie A. PEMBERTON (Abt 1901-29 Apr 1959)
Daughter of Charles PEMBERTON and Blanche POOLE

Wow, it looks like there were 52 grandchildren - 33 boys and 19 girls! And I thought my grandparents had a lot with 31.

Naming Patterns:
2 Jeremiah's, presumably after their grandfather

2 Burton's, some sources give grandfather Jeremiah's middle initial as "B."

2 Albert's, not sure who this could be

2 Wesley's, not sure who this could be

1 Susanna, presumably after her grandmother

2 Nellie's, not sure who this could be

3 William's, William Thomas is named after his father, William Thomas PEMBERTON; the other two William's could be named after the same man (who would be their uncle)

1 John, possibly named after his paternal uncle, John PEMBERTON, or his maternal grandfather, John MCCOY

Looks like several of Elmira's sons were named after presidents or other prominent figures in American history (Grover Cleveland, Chester Arthur, Benjamin Franklin)

It's possible that Eliza's son, Hayes, was named after Rutherford B. Hayes. Maybe she was competing with her sister for presidents' names.

2 Reuben's, Reuben MORRISON was presumably named after his father; Reuben FINK was presumably named after the same man, his maternal uncle

1 Charles, presumably named after his father, Charles PEMBERTON

1 Henry Isaac, presumably named after his maternal grandfather, Isaac H. WINTERS

1 Martin Robertson, presumably named after his maternal uncle, John M. ROBERTSON

2 Essie's, not sure who this could be

2 Sarah's, probably both named after their aunt, Sarah Maria PEMBERTON

1 Ella, presumably named after her paternal aunt, Elmira PEMBERTON. Several sources give Elmira's nickname as Ella.