Writing & revising a family history. Part 1. Content & format.

November 29, 2017 / Susan M. Posten Ellerbee / Leave a comment

This blog post is the first of three posts about revising a previously written family history. The focus of this post is Content and Format. The next post discusses Citation of Sources. The third post, Evaluating Sources, includes types of sources. Examples from my own work are incorporated throughout.

When I grew serious about genealogy 10 years ago, one goal stood out– to write and publish a history of dad’s paternal family, Posten. Writing the family history became more important following Aunt Grace’s death in 2011. Aunt Mary, dad’s youngest sister, is the only one of Dad’s siblings still alive. I finally completed the history in 2012 and sent copies to a few people, including Aunt Mary. The original manuscript[1] traces our family back to Thomas Postens (1782-1854), dispels an oral family tradition about Thomas’ parents and grandparents, mentions family histories of several women who married Posten men (maiden names of Richards, Fulkerson, LaCoe) and discusses our possible relationship to Poston/ Poste/ Posten families found in late 1700s/ early 1800s Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The document represents over 20 years of genealogical research.

The format of the first edition is relatively informal. Yes, I presented facts and noted sources. I also included information about the research process, such as moving forwards and backwards in time to discover the names of all 8 children of one family and the mother’s maiden name. Journal type entries are common. I documented process as well as results. In essence, I created a working document rather than a finished piece.

My sister commented that the history was ‘confusing’. When I read the document again in 2014, I realized what she meant. It all made perfect sense to me! But, it may not make sense or seem logical to others. For example, in each generation, I began numbering individuals again with number 1. My reasoning? I thought it would be easier for my elderly aunt, and others, to understand. While that may be true, random numbering does not meet any genealogical standard. Over the years, I have read and consulted multiple published family histories. Each one seems to have its own numbering system!

How important is it to follow a genealogical standard for numbering? Some may consider this irrelevant. I respect their opinion, especially if the system is logical and easily followed by readers. Identifying your readers guides your choice of numbering. A sequential numbering system in which each person has a unique number, starting with ‘1’, is one possibility. However, if you plan to submit part or all of your work for publication elsewhere, such as an historical society journal, follow the guidelines for that journal. A recognized numbering system improves the quality of your work in the eyes of others. An item added to my research toolbox is the 2008 summary by Joan Curran, Madilyn Crane and John Wray, Numbering your genealogy. [2]

Since 2012, I attended several workshops and webinars about publishing and consulted with a professional genealogist. Participation in the Genealogy Do-Over[3] helps me to refine research skills and extend my research toolbox. I began to look more critically at each piece of data and each document. Right now, I am still stuck on finding my great-grandfather, Daniel S. Posten (born 1859) and his parents, James D. Posten and Meriam Mills, in 1870 census. This particular objective has been temporarily put aside. See how my thought processes work? Not always in a straight, linear fashion!

Back to writing, revising, and eventual formal publication of the Posten family history. Based on what I have learned, recommendations include:

Choose and follow a specific numbering convention for lineage. Rationale: Follow a specific, recognized genealogical numbering system.
Reorganize content, start with Dad and work backwards in time. Include facts and stories about direct ancestors with only 1-2 paragraphs about collateral and ‘possibly related families’. Rationale: Less confusing while still acknowledging real and possible relationships.
Describe research process as addendum to relevant chapter or section. Rationale: readers can choose to read or skip this information.
Add family group sheet at end of each chapter, as relevant. Rationale: provides overview of family, including siblings of direct ancestor.
Write articles about collateral families (surnames of women who married Posten men) and other ‘possibly related families’. Delete most, if not all, appendices. Rationale: Less confusing to readers. Shows readers that additional information is available, if they are interested.
Insert footnotes at bottom of each page in addition to a reference/ source list at the end of each chapter. Rationale: When readers copy individual pages, they often copy only that page and may not also copy or refer to the list of references at the end of the chapter.
Revise entries for footnotes and reference/source lists. Rationale: Follow recognized system with complete and accurate citation of sources, recording the “specific location of each piece of data” and “details that affect the use or evaluation of that data.”[4] Location does not necessarily refer to the library where you found the item but to the item itself. (Citation of sources, including footnote entries, will be addressed in another post).
Locate print copies of as many sources as possible. Whenever possible, cite the print item rather than online image. Rationale: This is a personal preference. I prefer to handle the actual book or journal article or document. The original item sometimes has additional information that is not included online. If print copy is not readily available, use online copy of the original source, such as online copy of print book.
Locate original sources for online images and indexes, as needed. Consult and reference the original sources/ repositories. Rationale: Many online images are from sources other than the website on which found. Online indexes use other sources to create the index. Example: The National Archives & Records Administration (NARA) is the repository for U.S. Federal census records, not online websites which show images of those records and/or provide an index of the names on the original census record. However, if using an online website, acknowledge the website as the place where you found the record as well as citing NARA as the original repository.

Here’s the original sequence of chapters and proposed changes:

	Original	Proposed revision
Chapter	Working Manuscript- 2012	Proposed Changes- 2017
1	Posten Name	The Posten name: origins, derivative spellings, history of Pennsylvania county formation & relevance
2	Family origins- original immigrant. (moved to Chapter 8 in proposed revision)	Daniel Richard Posten (1917-1998) & Eunice Bertha Tucker (1919-2007)- my parents. Include info about meeting George Avery Posten in 1980s. Add brief info about Tucker family.
3	Pennsylvania Posten families early 1800s. Summary of Poston histories (moved to Chapter 8 in proposed revision). Pennsylvania county formation (moved to Chapter 1 in proposed revision).	John Ray Posten (1898-1948) & Jennie A. Richards (1884-1964) – my grandparents. Brief info about Richards family.
4	Jacob Postens. Includes descendent list from 1700s to 1900s. (revision – brief mention in ‘who’s the daddy’ chapter).	Daniel S. Posten (1859-1918) & Elizabeth Phoebe Fulkerson (1860-1938). Brief info about Fulkerson family.
5	Richard, Samuel, William Postens (included summary of Samuel Posten descendants in New Jersey). (revision – moved to ‘who’s the daddy’ chapter)	James D. Posten (1829-1914) & Meriam Mills (1834-1897). Brief info about Mills family.
6	Thomas Postens	Thomas Postens (1784-1852) & Esther Brown (1790 -1841). Brief info about contradictory information for children of their daughter, Phoebe. Mention Elihu Posten as caretaker of Thomas’ deaf son after Thomas’ death.
7	James D. Postens	Who’s the daddy?’ of Thomas Postens. Evidence for & against each possibility. Omit detailed descendant lists.
8	Daniel S. Posten. Includes Fulkerson/ Fulkerson.	Beginnings. Original immigrant. 1700s – early 1800s. Poston family histories. Summary of PA Posten families in other parts of the state, specifically Huntingdon county.
9	John Ray Posten. Includes Richards & LaCoe.	Summary. Include complete descendant list for Thomas Postens.
10	Daniel Richard Posten	Not needed.
Appendices	Appendix A. Benjamin Avery Posten, Missouri	Omit appendix. Ancestor of George Avery Posten. Article for Oklahoma Historical Society journal. Refer to article in relevant chapter.
	Appendix B. Elihu Postens, Monroe Co, PA	Omit appendix. Brief mention in Thomas Postens’ chapter as caretaker of Thomas’ son deaf son after Thomas’ death. Article for Monroe County Historical Society.
	Appendix C. William Poste/ Posten of Bucks & Huntingdon counties. Included info about other Posten families in Huntingdon county. Proposed lineage & link to James Posten & Rhoda Shafer of Iowa.	Omit appendix. Brief mention about William in ‘Who’s the daddy’ chapter. Series of articles: 1) William & Peter Poste to Huntingdon County PA Historical Society. 2)Other Posten families in Huntingdon County PA. 3) James Posten & Rhoda Shafter to Cass County, Iowa Historical Society. Possibly a ‘how I did this’ article.

Progress to date: chapter 1 revision – done, following the above recommendations. Revision process begun on Chapter 2. To anyone who hasn’t compiled your research yet, start small, with one or two stories or generations. Writing these blog posts has helped me.

reflection-swirl-green-color-hi REFLECTION: took more time than I expected. Went to library for print copies of many books which I had accessed online. Pleased to find that Oklahoma History Society library has a complete set of the Pennsylvania Archives series plus other books that I used. Somewhat discouraged that I didn’t see duplications and confusing sections earlier.

What helped: writing down a plan for the revision. Print copy of 1^st edition as well as copy of 2nd edition on computer screen for easy comparison of both versions as I edit. Time away from 1^st edition allowed me to see it from a different perspective. Glad that I didn’t send 1^st edition to county historical societies. Constructive criticism from relatives who have a copy of 1^st edition. Research tools obtained from participation in Genealogy Do-Over. Attending a week-long webinar series about writing family histories and receiving additional input from an expert. Further refinement of proposed family history.

What didn’t help: Not being able to locate some sources again. Some files are still not organized. I have begun to use various tools more consistently so this problem should be minimized in the future.

What I learned: One step/ chapter at a time. Read previous chapters again before starting on next one. End product will be more reader-friendly with minimal duplication of information.

[1] Susan Posten Ellerbee, “Posten Family of Northeast Pennsylvania” (Yukon, Oklahoma: Susan Posten Ellerbee, [address for private use, ] Yukon, Oklahoma), 2012.

[2] Joan Ferris Curran, Madilyn Coen Crane & John H. Wray. Elizabeth Shown Mills (Ed.). Numbering Your Genealogy: Basic Systems, Complex Families and International Kin. Special Publication No. 97. (Arlington, Virginia: National Genealogical Society, 2008).

[3] Thomas MacAntee, The Genealogy Do-Over Workbook. (CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2016); download from Amazon.com

[4] Elizabeth Shown Mills, Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace, 3^rd ed. (Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company, 2015), 43.

Civil War Veterans- Confederate and Union

November 10, 2017 / Susan M. Posten Ellerbee / 2 Comments

WARNING: This post contains information about men who fought in the Civil War for both Confederate and Union armies. Some readers may be uncomfortable with the content. My children inherited genes from both Confederate and Union soldiers. This post shares the stories of their great-great-great grandfathers: James T.L. Powell, a soldier in the Confederacy, and Jeremiah Tucker, a Union soldier.

Display in our living room. Civil War soldiers were cross-stitched by my sister from a pattern issued during Civil War Centennial, ca. 1961.

James Thomas Lafayette Powell

James T.L. Powell is my husband’s paternal great-great- grandfather. James T. L. Powell was born on May 13, 1835[1], in Georgia, probably Calhoun County, tentatively identified as the child of Hilliard Powell and Laney Faircloth.[2] James married Deborah A. C. Daniel on June 28, 1857,in Sumter County, Georgia. [3] By 1860, James, school teacher, and Deborah moved to Calhoun County, Georgia, apparently with no children. [4]

James T.L. Powell enlisted in the Confederate States Army on March 4, 1861, in Morgan, Georgia and served as a private in Company C, 25^th Regiment, Georgia Militia. By 1864, he achieved the rank of 2^nd lieutenant. At the Battle of Nashville on December 15 – 16, 1864, captured Confederate soldiers included Lieutenant Powell. [5] Transported first to the nearest military camp at Louisville, Kentucky, James’ journey north continued four days later, on December 20, 1864, to a final destination of Johnson’s Island, near Sandusky, Ohio. The 500-mile journey from Nashville to Johnson’s Island probably consisted of travel by both train and on foot.

Three of 18 records found in James T L Powell’s Civil War records files

The Prisoner of War Depot at Johnson’s Island consisted of 40 acres and held prisoners from April, 1862 to September, 1865. [6] Less well known than the infamous Andersonville Prison in Sumter county, Georgia, conditions at over-crowded Johnson’s Island were similarly desperate. Ill-clad Confederate prisoners of war also suffered because of not being used to northern winters.[7] Arriving in December, James shared the same raw conditions as other prisoners.

‘Discharged or paroled’ from Johnson’s Island on June 17, 1865, [8] James made his way back home to Georgia and reunited with his wife, Deborah, in Calhoun County, Georgia. The 900-mile trip home coiled through Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee. James and Deborah had three children: Alonzo ‘Alvey’, born about 1866 in Georgia ; James M. born about 1868 in Georgia, and Peter, born about 1871 in Texas. [9] Deborah probably died in Texas.

On April 22, 1877, James married Catherine Brown, 17-year-old daughter of R.L. Brown and Marguerite Puckett in Cherokee County, Texas.[10] They had three children: Katherine Deborah , born August 15, 1879, in Cherokee County, Texas ; William B. , born February 19, 1882 in Texas and Jessie , born January, 1889 in Cherokee County, Texas. [11] The younger Katherine and her husband, James Walter Ellerbee, are my husband’s paternal great –grandparents.

James T. L. Powell died on September 27, 1890, and is buried in DeSoto Parish, Louisiana. [12]

Find A Grave Memorial ID #67392240. Photo by Jerry Bohnett, taken ca 2011.

He may have been visiting his children when he died. His widow married Elias Barker on September 1, 1892, in Cherokee County, Texas. Mr. Barker died on August 20, 1900, leaving Catherine again a widow. Catherine Brown Powell Barker died on March 8, 1944, in Port Arthur, Jefferson county, Texas. [13]

See also: Johnson’s Island Civil War Military Prison, Friends and Descendants of Johnson’s Civil War Prison: https://johnsonsisland.heidelberg.edu/index.html

Jeremiah Tucker

Jeremiah Tucker is my maternal great-great grandfather. Jeremiah Tucker was born on September 23, 1839 in New York, child of Thomas W. Tucker and Lavinia Clearwater.[14] Jeremiah married two times, possibly three – to Margaret, surname either Irwin or Collins, and Allie Traver. (See Blog posted on April 24, 2017, for some information about Margaret and Allie; report pending).

Jeremiah served as a private in the 56^th New York Infantry Regiment, Company I. [15] His unit defended Washington, D.C., then fought in battles at Yorktown and Williamsburg, Virginia. In July, 1863, they reinforced the black soldiers of the 54^th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry at the Fort Wagner, [South Carolina] siege, memorialized in the film, Glory. [16] From there, the 56^th New York continued south to Charleston, South Carolina, where the men mustered out. [17] During the war, Jeremiah reportedly lost vision in one eye.

Partial service record for Jeremiah Tucker

After discharge, Jeremiah returned to his home in Greene County, New York, where he married a woman named Margaret in 1867.[18] Together, they raised five children: William Frederick, born 1868; Millie, born 1870; Augusta, born 1872; Mary E., born 1874; and Thomas George, born 1877. Their oldest son, William Frederick Tucker, and his wife, Bertha Traver, are my maternal great-grandparents. Another child, Lavinia, born in 1862 and recorded as ‘daughter’, resided with Jeremiah and Margaret as late as 1880. [19]

Original photograph given to my uncle, Esbon, from my great-aunt Viola.

After the Civil War, Jeremiah became a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of Union veterans. Jeremiah died on April 16, 1914 at the age of 74 years, 6 months, and 23 days and is buried in his home town of Greenville, Greene county, New York., [20]

Interesting similiarities:

Both men married for a second time after the Civil War.
The first child born after the Civil War became our (my husband’s and mine) great- grandparents.
After the war, both men faced a journey of about 900 miles to return to their homes. I expect that James’ journey was much more difficult than Jeremiah’s.

reflection-swirl-green-color-hi

Reflection/ Journal entry

This post will be seen by some as not politically correct, especially in light of recent events surrounding statues and images of Confederate leaders. I was disturbed this summer by the acts of vandalism against statues of Confederate leaders. Destruction of property is a crime. I understand that some are offended and/or uncomfortable with these images and the beliefs represented. However, the Civil War is part of our American experience, whether we like it or not. Brave men and women fought for their beliefs on both sides, much as men and women fought in the American Revolution and wars since. History cannot be erased and is often retold. Sometimes, we judge our ancestors’ actions according to current morals and ethics. This can lead to the retelling of history according to standards different than those of the actual time period in which the historical event occurred. I believe that the perspectives of the actual time period should be considered.

Some may say, “But, your viewpoint is skewed because your husband’s ancestors fought on the side of the Confederacy.” Perhaps. I want my children to be proud of their heritage, all of their heritage! So, we proudly display pictures of both Confederate and Union soldiers in our home. When we visit the grave of James T.L. Powell, we will place a Confederate flag because he is a Confederate veteran. And, my children know that they have both Confederate and Union blood flowing in their veins.

Enough of the soapbox. What did I learn? The horrors of Johnson’s Island prisoner of war camp. My husband’s family includes others who fought and died for the Confederacy. The number of slaves owned by my husband’s ancestors varied widely from one to thirty or more. I learned about the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R, veterans of the Union Army). I was surprised when I looked up the location of Fort Wagner and immediately made the connection with the film. I have no information about my mother’s family’s views about black persons although I do not recall ever hearing her say anything discriminatory or derogatory.

A federal law granting benefits to Confederate Civil War veterans passed in 1958. Information and misinformation abounds concerning the language and intent of this law and earlier, related legislation. If you are interested, here are three of many websites with information on this issue:

Confederate veterans benefits: https://www.truthorfiction.com/confederate-soldiers-are-considered-u-s-veterans-under-federal-law/

“Confederate soldiers were not United States veterans.” Blog posted August 24, 2017 by James Howard. Presents both sides of arguments about Confederate veterans and pardons for them. https://jameshoward.us/2017/08/24/confederate-soldiers-not-united-states-veterans/

National Center for Preservation Technology and Training. National Park Serive, Department of the Interior. “Confederates in the Cemetery: Federal Benefits & Stewardship” : https://www.ncptt.nps.gov/blog/confederates-in-the-cemetery-federal-benefits-stewardship/

What helped ? Access to online and print sources. Careful review of documents revealed new information and insights. Being open to the stories. Searching for evidence to support conclusions.

What didn’t help? My negative reaction to those who seem to want to erase the Civil War from U.S. history, or water the history down to a version that is ‘politically correct’ according to today’s standards. This formed the impetus for me to write this post. Incomplete sources and citations.

Summary: This post describes two ancestors –men who fought for the Confederacy (Ellerbee family) and Union (Tucker family). Individual stories grew from genealogical and historical records. The post ends with a short rant about recent attacks on statues of Confederate leaders. I realize that genealogy blogs are not the usual place for political commentary and I recognize my own subjectivity on this subject.

[1] Find A Grave, database and images (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed & printed 29 November 2012), memorial page for J.T.L. Powell, Find A Grave Memorial # 67392240, citing Wallace Cemetery (Evelyn, De Soto Parish, Louisiana), memorial created by Jerry & Donna Bohnett, photograph by Jerry & Donna Bohnett.

[2] Coolnethead, “Powell Family Tree,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/42063713/person/20387548981/facts : accessed 9 November 2017); “Hilliard Powell”, birth and death data undocumented.

[3] “Sumter County, Georgia Marriage Book, 1850-1857”, marriage record for James TL Powell & Deborah A. C. Daniel, Book 3, page 218. Marriage Books, Sumter County Ordinary Court, Georgia Archives (http://vault.georgiaarchives.org/cdm/compoundobject/collection/countyfilm/id/289112/rec/3 : accessed, downloaded & printed 24 March 2017), citing The Georgia Archives, Morrow, Georgia.

[4] 1860 U.S. Census, Calhoun county, Georgia, pop. sch., 3rd District, p. 47 (penned), dwelling 335, family 335, James T.L. Powell age 25; digital images, Fold3 (http://www.fold3.com : accessed, downloaded & printed 8 November 2017); citing National Archives & Records Administration, Washington, D.C. microfilm publication M653_113.

[5] “Carded records showing military service of soldiers who fought in the Confederate Organizations, compiled 1903-1927, documenting the period 1861-1865; ” entry for James L. L Powell (18 pages); digital images, Fold3 (http://www.fold3.com : accessed, downloaded & printed, 8 November 2017); ; citing National Archives & Records Administration, Washington, D.C., microfilm publication M266, record group 109, state Georgia, roll 0386.

[6] Depot of Prisoners of War on Johnson’s Island, Ohio. (http://www.johnsonsisland.org/history.htm : accessed, printed & downloaded 14 Nov 2011).

[7] James I. Robertson, Jr. The Civil War: Tenting tonight. The soldier’s life. (Alexandria, Virginia: Time-Life Books, 1884), 113, 115.

[8] Widow’s Application for Confederate Pension, Catherine Barker, widow’s pension file no. 50567, Civil War, Confederate, Texas State Library and Archives Commission, Austin, Texas. Carded records, compiled service record, James T. L. Powell, Lt., Co. C, 25^th Regiment Georgia Infantry, Civil War, RG 109, NARA-Washington, D.C.

[9] 1870 U.S. Census, Calhoun County, Georgia, pop. sch., Militia District 626, p. 55 (penned), p. 585 (stamped), dwelling 510, family 486, Jas T L Powell; digital images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed, downloaded 9 November 2017); citing National Archives & Records Administration, Washington, D.C. microfilm publication M593_138.

[10] Widow’s Application for Confederate Pension, Catherine Barker, widow’s pension file no. 50567, Civil War, Confederate, Texas State Library and Archives Commission, Austin, Texas.

[11] Death certificates for Katherine Deborah Powell & William B. Powell, personal files of Susan Posten Ellerbee. “Jessie Booker”, step-daughter listed with ‘Elide & Catherine Booker” in 1900 U.S. Census, Cherokee county, Texas, pop.sch., Justice Pct 8, p. 284 (stamped), dwelling 16, family 16, Jessie Booker; digital images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 9 November 2017); citing National Archives & Records Administration, Washington, D.C., microfilm publication T623, roll 1619.

[12] Find A Grave, J.T.L. Powell, Find A Grave Memorial # 67392240.

[13] Jefferson county, Texas, death certificates, death certificate #14269 (1944), Mrs. Catherine Barker, 8 March 1944; digital images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed & downloaded 9 November 2017); citing Texas Department of State Health Services, “Texas Death Certificates, 1903-1982”, Austin, Texas.

[14] Jeremiah Tucker, death certificate (copy of original certificate stamped ‘for genealogical research only’), no. 22078 (16 April 1914), New York Department of Health, Vital Records Section, Genealogy Unit, Albany, New York.

[15]“Abstracts from original muster rolls for New York State infantry units involved in the Civil War: 56^th Infantry,” New York State Archives; entry for Jeremiah G. Tucker; Fold3 (https://www.fold3.com : accessed 9 November 2017); citing New York State Archives, Digital Collections, Records of Military Service, Civil War, (http://digitalcollections.archives.nysed.gov/).

[16] Glory, directed by Edward Zwick (1989, Hollywood, California: TriStar Productions).

[17] “56^th Infantry Regiment, Civil War,” NYS Division of Military and Naval Affairs, New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center (https://dmna.ny.gov/historic/reghist/civil/infantry/56thInf/56thInfMain.htm: accessed 8 November 2017 ); citing The Union army: a history of military affairs in the loyal states, 1861-65 — records of the regiments in the Union army — cyclopedia of battles — memoirs of commanders and soldiers. Madison, WI: Federal Pub. Co., 1908. Volume II.

[18] 1900 U.S. Census, Greene county, New York, pop. sch., Greenville, enumeration district (ED) 78, p. 8A (penned), dwelling 189 , family 196, Jeremiah Tucker; digital images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed, downloaded, printed 8 November 2017); citing National Archives & Records Administration, Washington, D.C., microfilm publication T623_1039.

[19] 1880 U.S. Census, Greene county, New York, pop. sch., Greenville, enumeration district (ED) 81, p. 2B (penned), dwelling #1, family #1, Lavinia Tucker age 18; digital images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed, downloaded and printed 8 November 2017); citing National Archives & Records Administration, Washington, D.C. microfilm publication T9, roll 836.

[20] Jeremiah Tucker, Greenville, Greene county, New York; death certificate no. 22078 (16 April 1914).

How many children did Phoebe Postens & Ludwig Brutzman have?

November 5, 2017 / Susan M. Posten Ellerbee / Leave a comment

My last post introduced Esther Brutzman Lee, daughter of Phoebe Postens and Ludwig/Lewis Brutzman. The 1850 census for Hamilton Township, Monroe County, Pennsylvania also listed 10-year-old Alexander Bertyman [Brutzman] with Phoebe and Esther . [1] Did Phoebe and Ludwig have other children? brick wall Children Phoebe Ludwig According to a Brotzman/ Brutzman family history[2] published in 1968, the answer is ‘Yes’. But, the Brotzman history does not list either Esther or Alexander.

Ludwig Brotzman/ Brutzman, born on May 9, 1815 to John Brotzman and Suzanna Meyers, “married Phoebe Poston of Pocono Township, Monroe County. Later moved to Luzerne County, near Shickshinney.” [3] Again, Phoebe’s maiden name is given with no mention of her parents. Five children are listed for Ludwig and Phoebe in the Brotzman history [4]: (transcribed as written; each person was given a specific number. Asterisk (*) indicates that more information was given about that person).

Phoebe Ludwig children from Brotzman history

Church records and an interview with a descendant are the sources given. Church records are usually considered reliable and valid. Interviews may or may not be reliable, depending on the age of the person and the distance in time from the events being related. Personal bias may also color one’s memories. Unfortunately, I have not seen the church records and do not currently have access to them.

The 1900 county history[5] reads: ” In 1853, he [Philip S. Lee] married Miss Esther Brutzman, who was born in 1830, daughter of Lewis Brutzman, a well-known resident of Stroud Township, and his wife, Phebe (Posten), who now resides with our subject at the advanced age of eighty-two years.”

Do these two documents refer to the same Ludwig (aka Lewis) Brutzman and Phoebe (aka Phebe) Poston(aka Posten/ Postens)? Names are similar enough to warrant a positive response. Residences in Monroe county, Pennsylvania, are also consistent. Inconsistent are the reported names of Ludwig and Phoebe’s children. Only Esther and Alexander, who are not named in the Brotzman history, are recorded as living with Phoebe in 1850. Esther died in 1901[6], eight years before her husband, Philip[7], so cannot be confused with Emily, who was apparently still alive in 1930.

Combining information from all documents yields 7 children for Ludwig and Phoebe:

Esther, born 1836.
David, born 1837.
Alexander, born 1838.
John, born 1840
James.
Jacob, born 1848.
Emeily.

For the moment, assume that all seven children were born to our Ludwig and Phoebe. Questions shape my to-do list:

Why are Esther and Alexander not listed in the Brotzman family history? Speculation: Esther and Alexander were baptized in a different church than the other children or not baptized. Was Ludwig the father of all the children? To do: Search other church records. Locate and search records of same church as referenced in Brotzman history.
Where were the other children (David, John, James, Jacob and Emily) in 1850? Speculation: Ludwig died between 1848 and 1850. Phoebe cannot care for all of them, so they were sent to live with other relatives. To do: Search for other children in 1850, 1860 and later census records in Monroe County, Pennsylvania. Locate Emily Stair in 1930 census, then follow her back in time. Confirm Ludwig’s death date. Search for more information about Ludwig and Phoebe in other documents, such as other county histories and newspapers. Seek help from others, such as Daughters of the American Revolution in Monroe County.

For the moment, the search for more information about this family is a BSO (bright, shiny object) to be explored later. I am thoroughly frustrated but still intrigued! Still looking for document/s that name Phoebe’s parents.

Sources:

1]1850 U.S. census, Monroe County, Pennsylvania, population schedule, Hamilton Township, p. 17B (stamped), dwelling 220, family 220, Phebe [Phoebe] Bertyman [Brutzman]; image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 3 May 2017); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm M432, roll 789.

[2] (Compiler), Mary H. Forbes (compiler). Descendants of Johan Frederick Brotzman and Maria Barbara Brotzman, 1738-1968. Laceyville, Pennsylvania: C.A. Christian, 1968. Repository: Monroe County Historical Society, Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

[3] Ibid, p. 78, person #352.

[4] Ibid, pp. 78-79. Persons 833-837.

[5] Commemorative Biographical Record of NortheasternPennsylvania including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and many of the early settled families. (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1900), 150; digital images, WayBackMachine (http://www.archive.org : accessed 5 May 2017).

[6] Find A Grave, database and images (http://www.findagrave.com : viewed & downloaded 4 November 2017), memorial page for Esther A. Brutzman Lee, Find A Grave Memorial # 84801350, citing Stroudsburg Cemetery (Stroudsburg, Monroe county, Pennsylvania), memorial created by P. Fite.

[7] Find A Grave, database and images (http://www.findagrave.com : viewed & downloaded 4 November 2017), memorial page for Philip Shrawder “Big” Lee, Find A Grave Memorial #158026280, citing Stroudsburg Cemetery (Stroudsburg, Monroe county, Pennsylvania), memorial created by P. Fite.