The first rule of genealogy I learned is “search for research done by others”. That lesson continues to yield phenomenal results! Searching for Hambleton and Womack research I came across a four-volume work compiled by Edward Pleasants Valentine, who, incidentally, is a distant cousin! Published posthumously in 1929, Edward’s tome of abstracted colonial court records on 34 family surnames includes… More →
Author: K Trantham
Show Me Womack
Skepticism runs rampant through my Missouri-born blood vessels. I can’t help it. Yesterday, 2 hours and 45 minutes into my Saturday morning Library of Virginia research routine, I happened upon the last will and testament of Martha Hambleton, my 7th great grandmother. Martha belongs to my newly-discovered Sims line which has taken me to pre-Revolutionary War Cumberland County, Virginia. Written… More →
Uncle “Judy”
I’ve always wanted an Uncle “Judy” and now I’ve found him, although I doubt seriously that anyone ever called him that during his lifetime. Uncle “Judy” was Judith Sims, my 4th great granduncle, one of the newly-discovered Sims-of-Montgomery-County,-Tennessee relatives who now hangs from my family tree. “Judith” was certainly not a common name for boys in the 19th century but… More →
Utter Sims-plicity
My string of good luck continues! I expected that researching all 12 of the John Sims enumerated in the 1787 census would take some time. I’ve talked about the FAN principle here before – when seeking genealogical evidence, examine your ancestor’s Friends, Associates and Neighbors. Sometimes it doesn’t yield diddly squat; but, in this case, it payed off big time!… More →
John Sims of Virginia 1787 (all 12 of them)
Thomas Edison once said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Although Edison was not likely referring to genealogical research when he said this, I think it applies – especially as a I begin my search for John Sims, my newly-discovered 5th great grandfather. According to the 1850 census, John’s son, Alexander Sims, my 4th… More →
Early Gifts
My genealogical drought ended a few days ago and I couldn’t be happier. Having run out of places to search online for documents that might shed light on the elusive parents of John Boren, I decided to turn my attention to another branch – one that I’ve been dreading to touch. Alexander Sims, my 4th great grandfather, was, according to… More →
Tinker Traits
My father loved to tinker with mechanical things. If something could be improved with electricity, he’d find a way to do it. The house I grew up in was riddled with mystery switches. After his passing, it was a bit of an adventure to figure them out. When he was a child, he received a broken toaster for Christmas, or… More →
S is for Spencer
It’s been more than a year since I discovered that Harriet (Pearce) Boren, who is my 3rd great grandmother, was the daughter of Spencer Pearce. That brick wall came tumbling down after two years of intensive research. Since that time, I have suspected that the “S” in John S. Boren, who was Harriet’s son and my 2nd great grandfather, stood for… More →
Sarah Austin
Modern conveniences aren’t always convenient. I just bought my first house here on the East Coast. I’ve been here for 10 years so I figured it was time to put down some roots. Everything was running smoothly until it was time to get my cable and internet installed. I never imagined it would take SIX WEEKS. I’ll spare everyone the… More →
Re-Joyce It’s Joss
I have a love/hate relationship with Facebook. I love keeping in touch with my former classmates, family and friends. I hate the politically-motivated false news that pops up too often these days from both sides. That said, I never imagined that Facebook would or could help me with my genealogical research. But it has. A few months ago, Facebook present… More →