Cinderella Vankirk was born in May 1855 in Virginia to Arthur Vankirk of Ohio and Elonvia (maiden name unknown) of Virginia. The surname Vankirk is, according to Ancestry.com, 100% German. Cinderella is my third great-grandmother through my paternal side. The lineage is as follows: Cinderella Vankirk was the mother of Mary J. Woodruff, who was the mother of Thelma Clotine Sayles, who was the mother of my grandfather, who was the father of my father, who is the father of yours truly.
Cinderella married Cornelius C. Woodruff on February 24, 1876 in Sangamon County, Illinois. They had two children (according to the 1900 census): Mary J. in 1887 and Marion in 1891. The 1900 federal census places Cindrella in Champaign, Illinois at the age of 45. I have yet to find a record of her death, but she may have died between 1900 and 1910.
In the 1904 directory for Champaign, Illinois I discovered an entry for Cornelius Woodruff, electrician, living with Mary Woodruff (who would have been 17 years old at the time.) I then discovered a Nov. 1903 document from the "Judge's Miscellaneous Journal" that states Cinderella Woodruff was committed to a hospital for the insane in Kankakee, Ill in November of 1903. After that, she disappears off the grid. There is no record of her death in the state of Illinois.
I will add to this entry if I find anymore information. I'm currently (yes, like right now!) searching through the 1910 census record for the Kankakee State Hospital. Sometimes genealogy is detective work...
Saturday, August 17, 2013
May Lindley Nelson diary continued
Here are a few more entries from the Nelson diary. I couldn't help transcribing the events of the 1885 summer months.
June 1885
Davis* called (he is sergeant and wore his uniform) and said he was disappointed in me.
*Davis appears in several earlier entries as a family friend. I assume he is close in age to May, perhaps a few years older. He features in many routine entries, especially ones concerning school dances, driving around town with friends, and parties.
June 1885
L. wants me to marry him--never saw anyone so passionate and jealous in my life. Uncle D. won’t let L. come anymore says he is wild and I can’t go with him. He says he loves me “above heaven and Earth.” And talks dreadful. (I don’t like the way he talks.) says I am his first, best and only darling, etc. says will get married at the parsonage and [defer] Uncle’s folks. and my people too. he says Papa and Mamma wouldn’t approve of him and I don’t truly suppose they would.
June 1885
I told L. not to come as it was best not to, since they all objected to him I think I spoke ladylike and nice. but he--well he swore at me and threatened me! dared to. I called Uncle & he came in to show him out and behold! he was no where to be seen.
June 5 1885
Went driving with Richard. he told me to be afraid of L. that he was dreadful. asked me to write to him.
June 1885
C. came up & bid me farewell and asked to write to me etc. etc. and gave me his photo. talked sentimental! (he’s that kind.)
June 1885
Anna and I attend Regents Reception. L. came up to me (he lives in Atlanta, Georgia) and asked me to shake hands and forgive him before he went away. also Anna, whom he had talked about because she told me about him. and dear old U of I. Good bye, his bad ways.
July 1885
Maplewood again.
I receive the largest package of letters each week or so. Received a box of confectionary from C.W. Foster of Chicago__the violinest.
Aug 1885
Have not answered Mr. C.’s last letter, think I shall not--he is so very irreligious and kind of cynical. Mamma thinks I ought to stop writing so I will.
Aug 1885
Received such a lovely gold bangle with my initials on one side and June 5 ‘85 on the other also the most loving, boyish, trusting letter I ever received saying “I can trust you dearest--I feel sure you will be true to me” etc. (I never promised anything though.) I wish to enjoy myself--not to get married for a long--while.
Nov. 1885
We attend the Beacher lecture. I go with Mr. G. jolly time and Oh. how fine the lecture was.
Dec. 1885
Albert sent me some flowers from New Mexico. We have sleighing parties here often from Urbana to Philo.
Christmas
A dear, quiet day at Maplewood.
New Years 1886
A nice day Arie and Ruth are here.
Feb 1886
Chas Parkman and sister organized a society and wish me to belong. it is the H.L.S.
Feb 1886
Oh the fun we have at the H.L.S. ! Our paper and dialogues, etc. And the time L.H. fell over in the chair and broke it! I laugh and laugh all the time when I think of how he looked!
Feb 1886
Anna wrote a letter to me. (we correspond I think of her as next-to-Nell in my affections. a dear friend indeed and always was such.) telling me not to have anything to do with Albert Richards as her brother who was with him in Mexico knew something against him. I asked for all my letters back--they were truly friendship letters still I would like them back. he is not the dear nice boy I thought him so I will have nothing to do with him. Anna would know best about him anyway. He wrote a terrible letter and said Anna had lied and that he was coming back to find out.
*Transcribed from the Anna May Lindley Nelson diary located at the Champaign County Historical Archives of The Urbana Free Library. Materials are to be used for educational purposes and are not meant to infringe upon copyright laws. Permission is required before using these materials for publication.
June 1885
Davis* called (he is sergeant and wore his uniform) and said he was disappointed in me.
*Davis appears in several earlier entries as a family friend. I assume he is close in age to May, perhaps a few years older. He features in many routine entries, especially ones concerning school dances, driving around town with friends, and parties.
June 1885
L. wants me to marry him--never saw anyone so passionate and jealous in my life. Uncle D. won’t let L. come anymore says he is wild and I can’t go with him. He says he loves me “above heaven and Earth.” And talks dreadful. (I don’t like the way he talks.) says I am his first, best and only darling, etc. says will get married at the parsonage and [defer] Uncle’s folks. and my people too. he says Papa and Mamma wouldn’t approve of him and I don’t truly suppose they would.
June 1885
I told L. not to come as it was best not to, since they all objected to him I think I spoke ladylike and nice. but he--well he swore at me and threatened me! dared to. I called Uncle & he came in to show him out and behold! he was no where to be seen.
June 5 1885
Went driving with Richard. he told me to be afraid of L. that he was dreadful. asked me to write to him.
June 1885
C. came up & bid me farewell and asked to write to me etc. etc. and gave me his photo. talked sentimental! (he’s that kind.)
June 1885
Anna and I attend Regents Reception. L. came up to me (he lives in Atlanta, Georgia) and asked me to shake hands and forgive him before he went away. also Anna, whom he had talked about because she told me about him. and dear old U of I. Good bye, his bad ways.
July 1885
Maplewood again.
I receive the largest package of letters each week or so. Received a box of confectionary from C.W. Foster of Chicago__the violinest.
Aug 1885
Have not answered Mr. C.’s last letter, think I shall not--he is so very irreligious and kind of cynical. Mamma thinks I ought to stop writing so I will.
Aug 1885
Received such a lovely gold bangle with my initials on one side and June 5 ‘85 on the other also the most loving, boyish, trusting letter I ever received saying “I can trust you dearest--I feel sure you will be true to me” etc. (I never promised anything though.) I wish to enjoy myself--not to get married for a long--while.
Nov. 1885
We attend the Beacher lecture. I go with Mr. G. jolly time and Oh. how fine the lecture was.
Dec. 1885
Albert sent me some flowers from New Mexico. We have sleighing parties here often from Urbana to Philo.
Christmas
A dear, quiet day at Maplewood.
New Years 1886
A nice day Arie and Ruth are here.
Feb 1886
Chas Parkman and sister organized a society and wish me to belong. it is the H.L.S.
Feb 1886
Oh the fun we have at the H.L.S. ! Our paper and dialogues, etc. And the time L.H. fell over in the chair and broke it! I laugh and laugh all the time when I think of how he looked!
Feb 1886
Anna wrote a letter to me. (we correspond I think of her as next-to-Nell in my affections. a dear friend indeed and always was such.) telling me not to have anything to do with Albert Richards as her brother who was with him in Mexico knew something against him. I asked for all my letters back--they were truly friendship letters still I would like them back. he is not the dear nice boy I thought him so I will have nothing to do with him. Anna would know best about him anyway. He wrote a terrible letter and said Anna had lied and that he was coming back to find out.
*Transcribed from the Anna May Lindley Nelson diary located at the Champaign County Historical Archives of The Urbana Free Library. Materials are to be used for educational purposes and are not meant to infringe upon copyright laws. Permission is required before using these materials for publication.
Friday, August 16, 2013
May Nelson's diary
Anna May Lindley Nelson, ca. 1870-1931
Brief Description:
May Lindley Nelson's diary begins as that of a young girl recounting some of her earliest and fondest memories. Her diary entries date from 1877-1909. The first half of the diary describes silly, girlish activities, such as the number of callers she has received over a single summer. She also recounts heartbreaking tragedy, like the loss of her eldest brother (24 years old) and her youngest sister (7 years old) within two months of one another. Both frivolity and tragedy are depicted with a young girl's fervor and vivacity making the diary a fascinating historical artifact for the reader's immersion into late nineteenth century life.
Brief Bio:
Anna May Lindley was born in 1870 or 1871 to Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Lindley, who were early pioneers of the Philo, Illinois Township. She married Urbana jeweler John R. Nelson in 1890 and the two resided in Urbana until 1920 when they moved to Hollywood, California. She died in 1931 in Hollywood, California at the age of 60 after a battle with stomach cancer.
A few early entries transcribed:
September 1877
I remember farther back than this, but not very well. One of the things I remember was riding a big sled through deep, deep snow, cuddled up close and warm to Mamma, also Papa used to sing me to sleep on his breast with some old fashioned church song, Old Langsyn [sic], and how he told us stories--the “eagle story” for one, and always took our part when we were naughty and deserved punishing. I also remember when Josie was born. One thing I cannot forget is how extremely mischievous and full of pranks, romantic, exciting and otherwise I was. The dear old Christmas times, how we hung our little stockings and the lovely things old Santa Claus gave us, that wonderful feeling of mystery and joy. I remember those times well. And when I attended beautiful festivals and wanted to stay in Papa’s arms the entire evening because I was afraid. I use [sic] to speak some and can remember yet how gratifying the applaus [sic] was, I was so little then. And dear Aunt Mattie and her stories and many, many other things, after all, but I will commence at Sept. 1877 with our dear old Pickwick Society. I read of it in “Little Women” and straightway organized a society--Nell Edwards my one dearest and best chum with her sister Minn, and my sisters Bert and Josie with myself constituted the society and what fun we had.
Sept 1880
Our brother Melville died. Ah, it seemed terrible.
Melville Watson Lindley--died
5 o’ clock a.m. Mond. Oct. [?] 1880.
(he died a Christian.) Aged--24.
Nov. 1880.
Josie Lindley--died. Thur Nov. 16. 1880
aged. 7. yrs.
The darling baby of the family. truly. This year is terrible for us all!
Sept 1884
My people say I can go to College if I will give up on M., they think it is all for my good. M. asked me to elope (think of it.) with him. I told him I knew nothing of housework, how to run a house I mean, so he would not like me but he said he did not want a housekeeper but a wife to love. He also said he would love me...and be a help to me through my life and that I should have all the joy, pleasure and love that he could give “God help him” he said. I told him to wait and maybe I would love him after I had been away and had a chance in the world, but he said when I saw others I would forget and that if I gave him up it would be almost death to him as he had never loved anyone else so well he begged me so hard. I hardly knew what to say.
Feb 1885
M. has gone out west he wrote a not very complimentary or kind letter first.
May 1885
Mr. Piper called to bid me goodbye and coaxed so hard for my photo said if I would write to him, etc, etc, would bring down the loveliest ring he could find in Chicago to me if I would take it. And a lot more. but I couldn't let him have the photo. I like him because he is a thorough gentleman.
The boy said he loved me and was going to ask me___for he told one of them so, etc. but, I at least never gave him any cause to think I was in love with him I never never will again do as I did with Mr. P. and then have them accusing you and calling you that dreaded thing "a flirt"!
All transcribed material was retrieved from original documents housed at the Champaign County Historical Archives of The Urbana Free Library. Duplication is provided for educational use and is not intended to violate copyright laws.
Brief Description:
May Lindley Nelson's diary begins as that of a young girl recounting some of her earliest and fondest memories. Her diary entries date from 1877-1909. The first half of the diary describes silly, girlish activities, such as the number of callers she has received over a single summer. She also recounts heartbreaking tragedy, like the loss of her eldest brother (24 years old) and her youngest sister (7 years old) within two months of one another. Both frivolity and tragedy are depicted with a young girl's fervor and vivacity making the diary a fascinating historical artifact for the reader's immersion into late nineteenth century life.
Brief Bio:
Anna May Lindley was born in 1870 or 1871 to Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Lindley, who were early pioneers of the Philo, Illinois Township. She married Urbana jeweler John R. Nelson in 1890 and the two resided in Urbana until 1920 when they moved to Hollywood, California. She died in 1931 in Hollywood, California at the age of 60 after a battle with stomach cancer.
A few early entries transcribed:
September 1877
I remember farther back than this, but not very well. One of the things I remember was riding a big sled through deep, deep snow, cuddled up close and warm to Mamma, also Papa used to sing me to sleep on his breast with some old fashioned church song, Old Langsyn [sic], and how he told us stories--the “eagle story” for one, and always took our part when we were naughty and deserved punishing. I also remember when Josie was born. One thing I cannot forget is how extremely mischievous and full of pranks, romantic, exciting and otherwise I was. The dear old Christmas times, how we hung our little stockings and the lovely things old Santa Claus gave us, that wonderful feeling of mystery and joy. I remember those times well. And when I attended beautiful festivals and wanted to stay in Papa’s arms the entire evening because I was afraid. I use [sic] to speak some and can remember yet how gratifying the applaus [sic] was, I was so little then. And dear Aunt Mattie and her stories and many, many other things, after all, but I will commence at Sept. 1877 with our dear old Pickwick Society. I read of it in “Little Women” and straightway organized a society--Nell Edwards my one dearest and best chum with her sister Minn, and my sisters Bert and Josie with myself constituted the society and what fun we had.
Sept 1880
Our brother Melville died. Ah, it seemed terrible.
Melville Watson Lindley--died
5 o’ clock a.m. Mond. Oct. [?] 1880.
(he died a Christian.) Aged--24.
Nov. 1880.
Josie Lindley--died. Thur Nov. 16. 1880
aged. 7. yrs.
The darling baby of the family. truly. This year is terrible for us all!
Sept 1884
My people say I can go to College if I will give up on M., they think it is all for my good. M. asked me to elope (think of it.) with him. I told him I knew nothing of housework, how to run a house I mean, so he would not like me but he said he did not want a housekeeper but a wife to love. He also said he would love me...and be a help to me through my life and that I should have all the joy, pleasure and love that he could give “God help him” he said. I told him to wait and maybe I would love him after I had been away and had a chance in the world, but he said when I saw others I would forget and that if I gave him up it would be almost death to him as he had never loved anyone else so well he begged me so hard. I hardly knew what to say.
Feb 1885
M. has gone out west he wrote a not very complimentary or kind letter first.
May 1885
Mr. Piper called to bid me goodbye and coaxed so hard for my photo said if I would write to him, etc, etc, would bring down the loveliest ring he could find in Chicago to me if I would take it. And a lot more. but I couldn't let him have the photo. I like him because he is a thorough gentleman.
The boy said he loved me and was going to ask me___for he told one of them so, etc. but, I at least never gave him any cause to think I was in love with him I never never will again do as I did with Mr. P. and then have them accusing you and calling you that dreaded thing "a flirt"!
All transcribed material was retrieved from original documents housed at the Champaign County Historical Archives of The Urbana Free Library. Duplication is provided for educational use and is not intended to violate copyright laws.
Diaries and Journals
I'm currently working on an article for the Champaign County (Illinois) Genealogical Society's quarterly publication about using diaries and journals as a resource for family history research. For the past two months I have been constructing two artificial collections for our county archives, one consisting of diaries and the other other autograph albums. I can't believe I get paid to look at these awesome pieces of history!
Diaries are a great source for family history information if you are lucky enough to inherit one. The diaries I have been working with in the archives span the years 1857-1958--that's over a century of diary entries! I've chosen three diarists to focus on for my article, all three of whom were either Champaign County pioneers or descendants thereof. Due to intellectual property rights, I can't publish the article here, but I can share my research. I will post a few highlights from these collections soon!
Diaries are a great source for family history information if you are lucky enough to inherit one. The diaries I have been working with in the archives span the years 1857-1958--that's over a century of diary entries! I've chosen three diarists to focus on for my article, all three of whom were either Champaign County pioneers or descendants thereof. Due to intellectual property rights, I can't publish the article here, but I can share my research. I will post a few highlights from these collections soon!
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Tabitha Dale, 1769-1849
Pedigree and brief bio
Tabitha Dale is my fifth great grandmother on my mother's side. Here is the pedigree: Tabitha Dale, mother of John West, father of Barney West, father of James West, father of Cora West, mother of my grandmother, mother of my mother, mother of yours truly.
Tabitha Dale was born on August 12, 1769, in Snow Hill, Maryland, the daughter of John and Tabitha Melbourne Dale. She married Thomas West on November 30, 1791, in Sussex, Delaware. They had one child--that I know of--during their marriage, John Franklin West, in 1796. She died on March 2, 1849, in De Kalb, Tennessee, having lived a long life of 79 years, and was buried in Alexandria, Tennessee.
Records and using Find A Grave
Since Tabitha was born in the eighteenth century, there are no federal census records to verify her birth, life, and death. One tip I often give to beginning genealogists is to work backwards, in other words start with the ancestor's death date and work back towards their birth. I often begin these types of searches on FindAGrave.com. This website is growing from the addition of tens of thousands of entries daily. Researchers can search for a grave or memorial by the peron's name, date of birth and/or death, and location. Researchers can also volunteer and add information to the site in the form of memorial creations or by adding photos. Members also request photos and those requests are filled by volunteers. Once you find out when and where a person died (and often his or her birth date and family relations), you can continue your search for vital records.
Tabitha Dale is my fifth great grandmother on my mother's side. Here is the pedigree: Tabitha Dale, mother of John West, father of Barney West, father of James West, father of Cora West, mother of my grandmother, mother of my mother, mother of yours truly.
Tabitha Dale was born on August 12, 1769, in Snow Hill, Maryland, the daughter of John and Tabitha Melbourne Dale. She married Thomas West on November 30, 1791, in Sussex, Delaware. They had one child--that I know of--during their marriage, John Franklin West, in 1796. She died on March 2, 1849, in De Kalb, Tennessee, having lived a long life of 79 years, and was buried in Alexandria, Tennessee.
Records and using Find A Grave
Since Tabitha was born in the eighteenth century, there are no federal census records to verify her birth, life, and death. One tip I often give to beginning genealogists is to work backwards, in other words start with the ancestor's death date and work back towards their birth. I often begin these types of searches on FindAGrave.com. This website is growing from the addition of tens of thousands of entries daily. Researchers can search for a grave or memorial by the peron's name, date of birth and/or death, and location. Researchers can also volunteer and add information to the site in the form of memorial creations or by adding photos. Members also request photos and those requests are filled by volunteers. Once you find out when and where a person died (and often his or her birth date and family relations), you can continue your search for vital records.
More to come soon!
After a one-month hiatus to finish out the summer, I'm back! I plan to post a lot this fall and spring, and forgive me if I post about graduate school related topics as well as genealogy in general. Here are some commitments I am making to the Tracing Your Roots blog:
-beginning in September I will be attending monthly genealogy society meetings and will blog about special topics addressed during those meetings
-I will post about an "ancestor of the day" at least once per week
-I will discuss current and ongoing projects at the Champaign County Historical Archives
-I hope to attend at least one conference this fall/spring and will blog about that experience and any tips I learn from panels and/or workshops!
-beginning in September I will be attending monthly genealogy society meetings and will blog about special topics addressed during those meetings
-I will post about an "ancestor of the day" at least once per week
-I will discuss current and ongoing projects at the Champaign County Historical Archives
-I hope to attend at least one conference this fall/spring and will blog about that experience and any tips I learn from panels and/or workshops!
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