In 2017, I wrote about my 4th great grandmother, Neoma Pearce (maiden name unknown). Neoma, or Anna, was the mother of Harriet (Pearce) Boren. Three years later, I am still searching for clues as to Neoma’s parentage. I’ve said this before: the further back in the time you go, the harder genealogical research becomes. The lack of records pointing you in a direction can make it difficult to get somewhere. But, I’ve just learned a valuable lesson TWICE: paying closer attention to the records you do have and leveraging your DNA (i.e., your DNA matches) might just fill in some gaps.

About three months ago, I made a discovery researching DNA matches whose ancestors resided in or were born in Lawrence County, Tennessee. Unfortunately, that discovery should have happened some time ago had I been paying attention to the written records. “Live and learn” as they say. In March, I wrote about finding multiple DNA matches (now 17!) who descend from the Byrds of Robertson and Lawrence. At the time, I thought I had stumbled upon clues potentially revealing Neoma’s heritage. Not so. It’s funny how the brain works but, out of the blue, I remembered that I had seen the name “Byrd” associated with one my ancestors: Absalom Boren! Alford or Alfred Byrd was Absalom’s co-signer on the marriage bond that was filed when he married Harriet Pearce. Duh. Thus, the Byrd connection appears not be on the Pearce line, but the BOREN line. More about that later.

Getting back to Neoma, it occurred to me that I had potentially overlooked a connection with someone in her F.A.N. club, too. Indeed, I had. In that same 2017 post, I referenced a man named Barnabas Gabel who became the guardian of Neoma’s minor children after her death. Daughter Harriet would have been about 20 years old when she died so I think she was likely in her late 30s or early 40s. Undoubtedly untimely, tragic for sure.

I’ll cut to the chase. I’ve now identified six DNA matches who are descendants of Barnabas Gabel. It would appear Barnabas was not some kind, random neighbor who took on the task of raising Neoma’s orphaned children. He was related. Broadening my search to other DNA matches with the surname Gabel (or Gable) in their trees revealed a plethora of folks whose Gabel ancestors hailed from Pennsylvania, having migrated there from Germany. According to the 1850 census, Barnabas was born in Pennsylvania.

Two discoveries, both of them rooted in DNA, both from overlooked individuals who knew my ancestors. I am going to call this a win even if it wasn’t a timely one.

Kenfolk: Trantham
Relationship: 4th great grandmother
Common ancestors: I am circling the airport hoping to land soon