Remember to Check Your Sources

Several months ago I learned a valuable lesson about researching my family tree.  I had thought I was related to James and Hannah Morse.  This was mainly due to not double-checking that my ggg grandfather, William Morse, was born in 1834 and not 1826.  This discrepancy was pointed out to me by the lovely researchers of the Morse Society.  I provided them with my research on the Morse line and they worked with me to clear up some confusion I’d had. 
Apparently my ancestors are descendants of John DeMorse who was originally from Ireland and had intended to join William Penn’s Colony.  As the story goes, he became shipwrecked and though all the passengers were saved, their belongings were lost.  They landed near Mount Desert Island in Maine and he eventually settled in Meduncook which later became Friendship.   Based on the information provided to me it seems that he was one of many who signed a petition protesting the actions of the British government in 1774.
This nudge in the right direction has led me to discover all kinds of interesting ties to the settling of America.  I learned of ancestors that were killed by Indians and others who acted as interpreters for Indians.  I’ve definitely learned some caution though in getting excited about these leads.  At this point in my research I am going through and generation by generation confirming that the census information I’m referencing is in fact for the right person.  It’s quite easy when you use a website like Ancestry to get carried away in the excitement of those little bouncing leaves that suggest new clues to your family tree.  I’d much rather know the real people I’m descended from than the random possible matches of an algorithm.  In the meantime, I’ll continue my searching for my people.

Clifford Family Revelations & Morse Breakthroughs

Earlier this month I was fortunate to have my dad come and visit.  I don't get to see him very often so I appreciated the fact that he drove the 6 hours to see me.  It was great catching up and getting the chance to see photos that he'd gotten from my Uncle Tom's apartment.  We sat down and went through them and I heard last names that I'd never heard before and saw relatives that I'd never seen.  It was pretty cool and exciting for me as I considered all the new information I had to process now.  I borrowed the photographs overnight and scanned like a mad woman throughout the day on Saturday.  I still need to wrap up organizing it all, but I was able to scan all that I wanted so that my dad could take the photos back with him and send them on to relatives in California. 

Dad shared a number of interesting stories while we were going through the photos.  In one story, a relative was reprimanded for leaving his post to rescue a tail gunner who was clinging to the tail section of his plane. I’m sure that guy was pretty glad that he was rescued. Another relative served her country and worked as a stenographer at the Nuremberg trials.

In other genealogical news, I've finally found my Morse family's census records from Maine.  I'm planning a vacation up in Maine and thought it would be interesting to do some family research while I'm up there.  For the past two years I had been trying to find what I thought was my ancestor by the name of Frederick Morse.  I then realized that perhaps that wasn’t really his name.  So I searched for the wife and discovered that his name was actually William G. Morse (ca. 1834-1880).  He and his wife Anna Stevens (ca. 1834-1924) lived in Thomaston, Maine in 1860.  In about 1865 they moved to Chicago and eventually settled in Muskegon, Michigan.  William worked as a mariner and his sons followed in his footsteps. 

I emailed the Thomaston Historical Society and was thrilled to get a detailed response with information regarding when my ancestors were engaged and married.  More details on their parents’ names were included and so much more.  I’m thrilled that I’ll be going there and may actually see a gravestone and will see the town where they lived.

Guest Blog Post!

Since you may not be aware, I was recently invited to submit a blog post to the Jewish Gen blog.  Since I was just wrapping up my Beginner's Genealogy Class that they offer that was my topic.  If you'd like to read it you are welcome to visit my  Guest Post.

In other news, I'm going on a vacation!  Hurrah!  Yes, I'll be traveling up to beautiful Maine and hoping to do a little side research on my Morse family that is originally from there.  I've got some leg work to do ahead of time, but with the hot weather that has sprung up I do believe I'll have time over the next few weeks.

Sadly, I must share that my Uncle Thomas Clifford passed away this week.  He was always such a staple at holiday events that I'm sure I'll miss him when Thanksgiving comes and he isn't there.  Tom served in the Navy during the Korean War.  He worked as a clerk in a number of different stores over the years.  He had three older sisters who all passed away before him.  He lived to be 78 years old and for the most part had a pretty active and healthy life.  He was always one to get around by either walking or taking local transit.   I hope that he is at peace now and is reunited with the rest of his Clifford family.