Immersed in DNA

I have been immersed in DNA for the past few months! I am ready to start blogging again, but here's a quick update:

January/February: Worked with an adoptee to locate his biological father.

with Blaine Bettinger in Austin "immersed" in DNA

May: Attended a 2-day workshop with Blaine Bettinger in Austin and learned how to do Visual Phasing, use some advanced DNA tools, and more! 

June: Started working with other "unknown parentage" cases and DNA Detectives as a "Search Angel" (meaning without charging).

with CeCe Moore at GRIP in Pennsylvania

July: Spent a week at GRIP in Pennsylvania taking "Advanced Genetic Genealogy" with CeCe Moore, Blaine Bettinger, Dr. Tom Jones, and genetic counselor Brianne Kirkpatrick of WatershedDNA.

Come hear me speak on "Only Half My Genes: The Search for a Biological Father"

August: This weekend, I will be giving my first presentation - based on DNA and adoption - outside of my local genealogical society. If you're near Huntsville, Texas, I hope you can come and join us! My presentation is at 11:30 on Saturday morning. The event is the Frances Sprott Goforth Memorial Genealogy Weekend and you can find a flyer by clicking here.

I am excited about the field of Genetic Genealogy and where it is headed!

GRIP vs IGHR

Have you ever attended a week-long genealogy institute? For the past four years, I have attended an institute each summer: three years at GRIP in Pennsylvania and last year at IGHR in Georgia. Here's a quick comparison:

ROOMS

Room at GRIP

• GRIP - Most people stay in the dorms on campus. They provide a set of sheets (if I remember correctly), a thin pillow, and one towel. Most people bring their own sheets - I put their sheets under mine as the mattresses are quite thin! I also bring my own blanket, pillow, towels, and toiletries. The room has a small fridge and a desk. I have had issues with the internet connection in my room and with air conditioners that didn't work - twice! Some people choose to stay at a nearby hotel, but they need their own transportation to and from classes.

  

  Room at IGHR in Georgia

• IGHR - Most people stay on site in the Georgia Center where the classrooms are located. Although small, these rooms are typical hotel rooms with all of the regular amenities including a small fridge and a desk.

 FOOD

Cafeteria at GRIP - it gets packed & noisy

• GRIP - If you're staying in a dorm room, three meals a day at the campus cafeteria are included. The food is pretty good, and individual items are marked for food allergies. Meal times are a great time to meet new people or catch up with your friends. The "scoop your own" ice cream is always a big hit!
• IGHR - Meals at IGHR are expensive and the food choices are quite limited. Although you go through a buffet line to choose your food, there are waiters who bring you drinks, remove your plates, etc. You can also buy food to keep in your room and eat outside in the courtyard for lunches and/or dinners.

OFF CAMPUS

• GRIP - There are two places I love to visit from campus:

  

  Sisters of Divine Providence cemetery

• The Sisters of Divine Providence is located next to the campus and is a nice place to go for a walk. Both the sisters and mothers are buried at a wonderful old cemetery at the top of a hill and I've enjoyed walking there each year.





GRIP - North Park - getting ready to kayak

• North Park is located only a few minutes drive from campus. It's a beautiful park where people walk, run, bike, and get out on the lake. Two years ago, some of us rented kayaks while others chose to walk around the park. It was a wonderful break to sitting behind a desk all week! 
• IGHR - Athens, Georgia, is a small college town. I only left campus once to go out to lunch with some friends. 

COST

• GRIP - Early bird tuition (before May 1) is $460 for a course; regular tuition is $485. At La Roche College (Pennsylvania) a single room is $410; a double room is $310 per person. At Daemen College (the new campus in New York), an "apartment-style private bedroom, shared kitchen, dining, and living room" is $475. Fifteen meals are included at either location.
• IGHR - Early bird tuition (by March 10) is $560 for a course; regular tuition is $600. A classic room with one queen or king bed is $89 per night. The cost is the same for a room with two custom beds. Select rooms with two queen beds or two double beds is $109. That would make a 5 night stay - Sunday through Friday - cost between $445 and $545. Meals are extra and the costs are not posted at this time.

REGISTRATION

• GRIP - Registration begins February 14th with three weeks to choose from
• IGHR - Registration begins January 13th 

CHOOSING AN INSTITUTE

Since I live in Texas and have to fly to either institute, I chose the course based on both content and instructors. This year, my first choice will be at GRIP from June 24th-29th in the "From Confusion to Conclusion: How to Write Proof Arguments" which is coordinated by Kimberly Powell. The other instructors are: Catherine Desmarais, CG, Harold Henderson, CG, Melissa A. Johnson, CG, and Karen Stanbary, CG.

Hope to see some of you at GRIP in June! And, if you have any comments or questions, please let me know.

GRIP: A Perfect Midweek Break at Nearby North Park

Before heading to GRIP (Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh), I organized an informal outing to nearby North Park. I'd went last year with some friends and we had walked around the lake. This year, I was hoping to go kayaking.

The day started out quite chilly, but thankfully the wind died down and the sun peeked out and Zola and I had a wonderful time on the lake.

Five other GRIP attendees also headed to the park. We all enjoyed some much needed outdoor time... a little nature and a little exercise.

Last year, I'd fallen in love with the gorgeous old boathouse which has been renovated into a restaurant. It is also where you get your rentals. Beware! Online it says the last rental is at 7:00 p.m., but they gave us a hard time when we showed up at 6:53. Thankfully, they ended up letting us go out.

The weather was perfect for kayaking! We saw two tricolored herons who let us get quite close without flying away, and many gorgeous plants along the shoreline. 

Here's the group from GRIP who went out to the park that evening: Don, Denise, Debbie, Beth, Lisa, Zola, and me. (I hope I got everyone's name correct!) I think a trip to the park is a perfect midweek break to sitting in class hour after hour!

GRIP: A Week in Review

This past week, I had an amazing week at GRIP: Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh!

I took "Fundamentals of Forensic Genealogy" which was primarily taught by Michael Ramage, J.D., CG; Kelvin Meyers; and Catherine B. W. Desmarais. Besides these three, Bethany Waterbury also taught two lectures. All four instructors were wonderful and I am already applying things I learned during the course.

GRIP offers three evening lectures each week to the public. This photo is from Thursday night's lecture by F. Warren Bittner, CG, titled "Understanding Illegitimacy: The Bittner Bastards of Bavaria." (Bittner is still being introduced at this point.) This lecture hall was being reconstructed last year, so it was nice to have it finished and available for us to use. I'm usually too tired, "brain-dead," and have homework so I haven't attended very many lectures. But, Bittner's lecture was great.

This photo of the cafeteria was taken at the beginning of breakfast on the last day of GRIP and the crowds have not gathered yet. I've really enjoyed the food the past two years, but didn't think this year's food was as good. The ice cream, however, was great as always! The acoustics in here are horrible; you have to practically yell to be heard even across the table. But, this is a great place to meet "old" friends and start "new" friendships, and I enjoyed doing both.

Taken in the lecture room, this is my friend Jill and me. We were in the same class three years ago and roomed together last year. Since she lives in Pennsylvania and I live in Texas, GRIP has become our yearly get together. When I came the first year, I didn't know anyone. Now, a big part of GRIP is getting to catch up with the friends I've made over the years.

Although the week started out unusually hot, a cool front came in Wednesday and the weather was amazing. In fact, most of Wednesday was actually quite chilly! I love being in Pennsylvania in the summertime, and the Texas heat was quite a shock when I stepped out of the airport on Friday.

Now to decide what course to take next year...

"Nothing Great was Ever Achieved..."

We just finished our first day of classes at GRIP... (& I'm thankful for air-conditioning that works this year!)

An "enthusiastic" quote for the "enthusiastic" genealogist 

One of my favorite parts of GRIP is being with my genealogy friends - both old and new. I have been pleasantly surprised to have four different ladies come up and tell me they have been reading and enjoying my blog. You don't know how much this means to me, so thank you! One of these ladies told me she'd thought of me when she saw the above quote and handed it to me. I (enthusiastically) love it!

Rose speaking before sharing a poem at GRIP

Going back to last night, I was thrilled when they announced that Rose, who sat at the information desk last July session, was going to read one of her poems. I often spoke with this sweet, happy lady last year, who is now proudly 84 years old. She shared stories and photos of her ancestors with me and read me a few poems. The poem last night was about the fact that she is an American. In her veins flows the blood of both Africans and Cherokees, and she is proud to be an American. It was a beautiful poem, and I believe it touched many of us.

My first time meeting the eldest of my dad's first cousins

Lastly, I mentioned that I came a few days early to spend some time with my dad's first cousins (all but one of whom I'd never met before) and do a little genealogy. This is the oldest of the cousins. She was born in 1931 and just turned 85. (And, she informed me she recently took a DNA test!)  She was such a joy to be with and we shared stories, information, photographs, and a lot of laughter. We actually had corresponded back in 1999 when I had just started out on my genealogy journey.

The more I get involved in genealogy, the more I love it.

Our Ancestors' Huge Headstone

Yesterday, I drove to Clinton County, Pennsylvania with three of my dad's first cousins. One of them, Tom, I had met last year. But, his two sisters, Sally and Ellen, I had just met. We spent part of the day at the Ross Library in Lock Haven, and also 'toured' three cemeteries looking for our ancestors headstones.

Robert & Frances (Quigley) Stewart's headstones at Dunnstown Cemetery in Clinton Co, PA

While I'd seen a photo of the headstone for my 4th great grandparents, Robert and Frances (Quigley) Stewart, I was surprised at the size of it! Laid to rest in one far corner of the cemetery, their two headstones are set into a giant slab of concrete.

Robert's epitaph appears to say:

Farewell my wife and children all
From you a father Christ doth call
Mourn not for me, it is vain
To call me to your sight again.

My room at La Roche for GRIP 2016

P.S. I checked in at La Roche College for GRIP (Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh) and am ready for a wonderful week!

Gearing Up for GRIP!

Next week I'll be attending GRIP (Genealogical Research Institute in Pittsburgh) for the third year in a row. This year I'm taking "Fundamentals of Forensic Genealogy for the 21st Century."

Room at GRIP (La Roche College in Pittsburgh)

Unfortunately, the past two years when I've checked in to my room the air conditioning was broken. Both times, they moved me, but the first year I didn't get moved until the second day. So, I'm hoping for a cold room on the first try this year!

North Park - minutes away from GRIP

I'm also organizing one or two trips to North Park which is just a few minutes away from GRIP. Last year, a small group of us went to this beautiful park and walked around. This year, I hope to kayak around the lake. It's gorgeous!

I'll also be taking a short genealogy trip before GRIP starts which includes some cemetery visits and meeting some of my dad's cousins and one of his uncles! Plus, we hired a local researcher to make some copies of documents and we will be picking those up from her. It's going to be a wonderful week.

P.S. If you're staying at the dorm, here's a link to a great packing list posted by Tina Lyons at GenWishList.

Tip: I am used to a fan at night, but I fly so can't pack one. My solution? I have someone drive me to a pharmacy or grocery store the first night and pick one up for about $10. Then, on the last day, I leave it on the "give away" table. For me, it's definitely worth the money to get a good night's sleep!

Staying on Campus at GRIP

Summer is basically over as school is back in session this week. I had a wonderful summer with lots of travel, but it's nice to be home now and getting back to a more regular schedule.

Unfortunately, with all of the craziness of summer, I haven't been blogging much! So, I hope to rectify that and blog regularly.

One of my trips this summer was to Pennsylvania where I spent a week at GRIP: the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh. In this post, I'll share about my dorm room experience. In later posts, I'll share about other aspects of my week at GRIP.

Bold Hall at La Roche College

This is the main door to Bold Hall: the dorm room where many GRIP students and teachers make their home for the week. Since I'd been to GRIP before, I didn't have to wonder about where to go. The first stop is through these doors where we started the check in process and got our room assignments. (The rooms are reasonable with private rooms costing $330 and double/shared rooms costing $275. This includes your meals for the week!)

Room showing one of two beds, one of two dressers, refrigerator,
microwave, and one of two 'closets'

Although last year I stayed in a room by myself, this year I roomed with one of my friends I'd made last year: Jill. Jill actually picked me and another lady up at the airport and drove us to La Roche College. At check in, we got our room keys, class notebooks, name tags and more. Then, Jill and I got our luggage and headed up to the 3rd floor.

When we opened the door to our room... it was HOT! Now, Pittsburgh was having their hottest day of the summer at that point. I think it was around 90 degrees. But, our room's air conditioning was definitely not working. Our room was a lot hotter than the hallway. It was unbearable.

Bathroom area - plenty of space to store toiletries for two

We went back to the sign in desk to 'complain' and were told that a lot of the rooms on the 3rd floor were having a/c issues and someone was on their way to fix it. At that point, we decided to wait until after dinner to try to move in.

After dinner, we met one of the custodians in the hallway and he'd 'bled' our line and said it was better. It did feel a little cooler. By bedtime, it was bearable, though still slightly uncomfortable.

Unfortunately, as we were getting ready for class the next morning, our room started getting warmer. By lunch time, we knew our a/c was definitely not working. Before dinner that evening, we got new rooms on the first floor. It wasn't fun packing everything up to move down 2 floors and to the other end of the building. But, we were thankful for the a/c!

Frustratingly, the staff was never able to get our internet connection working properly in our new room. While taking classes with homework, that is definitely an issue! We ended up doing our homework either in the main building or on Bold Hall's first floor's common area.

Adding to the frustration of this year's a/c and internet issues, last year I had a similar problem with the a/c in my room. Like this year, they couldn't get my a/c fixed and I had to pack up all my belongings and move to a different room on the second day.

Oh, and the beds? Not comfortable! My first bed I felt like I was sleeping on chain mail. My second? More like a trampoline. I didn't get a good night's sleep until the 3rd night when I finally was tired enough that I had to sleep.

Will I stay in the dorms again?

The answer: probably. Although I've been frustrated with both the a/c and internet issues, having a room so close to the classes, dining room, and even other friends is a definite plus. But, I wish they could get these issues fixed!

5 Dorm Room TIPS

1. Bring your own pillow. One is provided, but it is very flat and not very comfortable.
2. Bring your own sheets. Then, use the sheets provided as a mattress pad.
3. Bring your own blanket. One is provided, but it is kind of stiff and not fluffy. Also, if you 'happen' to get one of the cold rooms, you might appreciate having two blankets!
4. Bring an extra bath towel, hand towel, and washcloths. You are only provided one of each for the entire week.
5. Bring your own toiletries. It's a dorm room, so nothing is provided but the toilet paper. You might even bring your own toilet paper!

Guest Interview with Michael D Lacopo: author, lecturer, and "Hoosier Daddy?" blogger

On Saturday, I returned from my second summer at the week-long genealogy institute in Pittsburgh known as GRIP: Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh. This year, I enjoyed a course taught by Michael D. Lacopo, DVM and Sharon Cook MacInnes, PhD titled "Pennsylvania: Research in the Keystone State." 

While trying to decide which course to take, I recognized Dr. Lacopo's name from his blog, "Hoosier Daddy?" I wondered how this Indiana native could be an expert on Pennsylvania research. I was pleasantly surprised!

Michael, a former veterinarian, now works full time as a genealogy researcher, writer, blogger, and lecturer. He has graciously allowed me to interview him about his first experience teaching at GRIP, Pennsylvania research, and his fascinating blog. 

Dr. Michael D Lacopo with me and two other friends at GRIP
July 2015

You co-taught “Pennsylvania: Research in the Keystone State” last week at GRIP in Pittsburgh. What did you enjoy most about the experience?

Anyone who has seen me lecture knows that I get rather excited about the topic of genealogy, especially my Pennsylvania ancestors. And of course, the biggest complaint I receive of my teaching style is that I speak too quickly. But it’s all a manifestation of my excitement and passion. So I think the biggest enjoyment for me is sharing my knowledge and experiences and hoping that my enthusiasm is contagious. Any hey, we’re all colleagues with the same kind of goals. We all “get” each other. Who else spends a week in the summer in the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh learning about courthouse research in Pennsylvania?

 

How long have you known your GRIP co-coordinator, Sharon Cook MacInnes, and how did the two of you decide to teach a course specifically about researching in Pennsylvania?

I believe Sharon began publishing her Early Landowners of Pennsylvania book and CD series in 2004. I was made aware of her presence then, and we met shortly thereafter at a national genealogy conference. Of course, the shared passion for Pennsylvania research made us very quick allies. The credit for the birth of the Pennsylvania GRIP course lies squarely on Sharon’s shoulders. She proposed the course to the administrators at GRIP, and started the ball rolling. She asked me shortly thereafter to join forces with her. I eagerly accepted.

While the course focused on research in Pennsylvania, many of the techniques would be valuable for research in any state. Are there unique aspects of researching in the Keystone State?

You are exactly right! When I discuss finding treasures in manuscript collections, I can highlight certain Pennsylvania repositories, but we ALL should be digging into those types of records regardless of where our ancestors lived! My teaching style is more of a “thinking” style. I will show you how to access things, and I will help you think outside the box, but it is up to you to do the digging. I want people to be broader, more creative thinkers. There is an enormous amount of information out there for us to find, but if you are constantly thinking surname, surname, surname, you are going to miss it all.

I think the lecture I gave on the county courthouse offices of Pennsylvania and the records found within them was the most Pennsylvania-specific lecture. I mean, really, who doesn’t raise an eyebrow in confusion when you talk about Prothonotaries and Courts of Oyer and Terminer? Even now, Microsoft Word tells me all those are misspellings. It makes Pennsylvania a “scary” state to research for newcomers. The terminology does not make sense intuitively for those walking into their first Pennsylvania courthouse to do research.

For those who are researching their Pennsylvania ancestors but aren’t able to travel to the state to do research, can you share a favorite site or tip?

I tell all genealogists that they should hug an archivist every day. There are tremendously amazing things nestled in archival and manuscript collections. Not only are they grossly underutilized, but they are usually within the jurisdiction of archivists and librarians who LOVE to share them with people. So although it takes travel to access the things you find in archives, I do love poking through the online finding aids of the Pennsylvania State Archives or of the Genealogical and Historical Societies of Pennsylvania. I can also spend hours throwing random search terms into ArchiveGrid to see what goodies are lurking in other repositories.

You live in Indiana where you write your blog, “Hoosier Daddy?” While living out-of-state, how did you become an expert on Pennsylvania genealogy?

I have said this to people before, and I try to do it without sounding too flaky. Although born and raised in northern Indiana, I have always felt at home in southeastern Pennsylvania. Although I have poked around the entire state doing research, the bulk of my Pennsylvania ancestors are in the corridor between Philadelphia and Harrisburg. Many of them are colonial Germans, and they reach out to me. They are my “favorite” ancestors, and I cannot give you a real reason why. I have been fascinated with the 18^th century immigration of Germans to Pennsylvania since beginning my research in 1980. It doesn’t hurt either that Pennsylvania didn’t experience the record destruction of, say, Virginia. So it has spoiled me.

You’ve left your blog readers with a cliffhanger as you’ve been recounting the tale of searching for and finding your grandfather. How are your house repairs going? And, do you have an idea of when you’ll be able to continue telling your incredible story? 

Let me just tell my readers this… there is a LOT more to the story. Finding my grandfather seems like it was a wild ride, but you have no idea what you have in store for you! From the history behind my grandfather’s life, his own amazing journeys and adventures, and the aftermath of the reunion, the story rivals any work of fiction you can pluck off the shelf at the nearest bookstore. But now that I am dealing with the living, and the here and now, there are unique issues regarding how I tell the story. That is one hurdle.

The second hurdle is that the story is still unfolding. I keep uncovering tidbits of my grandfather’s past that he has kept secret to all those in his life. As genealogists, we all understand the concept: “let me find one more thing…” We research and research and research, and we postpone writing. I need to deal with that.

And thirdly, the last blog ended with the destruction of my office and home from water. The office is back in working order, but the remainder of the house is not. There are still insurance battles, re-flooring, and remodeling in my near future. Combined with travel and lectures, it has significantly cut into my writing time. The light is visible at the end of the tunnel, but all I can do now is beg a wee bit more patience from my readers. I should be back at it very soon.

It will be worth it.  J 

The Notorious Brawdy Family, Part 4 (Robbed & Beaten)

This is a series of posts about the startling discoveries we made at GRIP (July 2014) in the Intermediate Genealogy class. Our head instructor, Paula Stuart-Warren, chose a random Pittsburgh will for us to research and see what we could uncover about the family. She had no idea of the amazing stories we would find..

Here's another newspaper clipping about the 'notorious Brawdy family' from the Penn State University Libraries online collection.

"Pittsburgh Daily Gazette and Advertiser", March 2, 1868.

Another Brawdy [?ease] Case - A Man Robbed of $200 and Severely Beaten

We have but little sympathy for the man who, in consequence of frequenting any of the vile dens of prostitution with which our city is so well supplied, is robbed of his money, or even if he receives a sound "body beating," yet this does not prevent us from protesting against the tolerance of these places by the city authorities. It is for the purpose of calling attention to the matter only that we give publicity to such cause as the following: James Hallman, yesterday made information before Alderman McMasters charging Martin Brawdy with felonious assault and battery, in which he stated that on Friday night he visited a den of infamy on Pennsylvania avenue, kept by John Langdon, and that during his stay he was drugged and robbed of two hundred dollars. He left the premises the next morning in a semi-drunken state, and consequently did not discover his loss until he arrived at his hotel. He immediately returned to the house and demanded his money, when he was set upon by Martin Brawdy, who beat him with an iron poker, inflicting seven cuts on his head and face. He then returned and made the information as above, and also against John Langdon, Carry Fisher, Mary Acr[e], a girl named Alice, and Martin and Thomas Brawdy, charging them with keeping a disorderly house. The mother of two of these defendants is now in jail serving out a sentence for the same offence, and if the facts in this case be as stated her sons should keep her company.

The Notorious Brawdy Family, Part 3 ("Keeping a Bawdy House")

This is a series of posts about the startling discoveries we made at GRIP  (July 2014) in the Intermediate Genealogy class. Our head instructor, Paula Stuart-Warren, chose a random Pittsburgh will for us to research and see what we could uncover about the family. She had no idea of the amazing stories we would find...

The larceny articles I shared yesterday from 1868 were about Martha's brother, Tom. It mentions that the mother (Barbara) is currently in jail for "keeping a bawdy house" or brothel. So, let's head back to Penn State's "Pennsylvania Civil War Newspapers" and Elephind and search the Pittsburgh Daily Gazette and Advertiser to see what we find. (I don't know why, but I get different results with the two search engines.)

On October 30, 1867 we find: Mrs. Brawdy Again

Mrs. Barbara Brawdy, the proprietress of an infamous den on Liberty street, which has frequently been "venillated" [?] through the city papers, still continues to prosper in her infamous business, it appears, notwithstanding the vigilance of the police, and the frequent expressed intention of the authorities to break it up. But a short time since she was before His Honor the Mayor, charged with keeping a bawdy house, and, we believe, was held to bail for her appearance at Court. This was all the Mayor could do in the matter. But some one else must be at fault, as we have not yet noticed in the Court proceedings any account of her trial. The character of the woman, and the reputation of the house she keeps, have so frequently been published, that every body must be familiar with it, and it is therefore [useless?] to speak of it here in a general manner; but as there is always more or less interest attached to particulars connected with such characters, we will relate an incident which is alleged to have taken place at the iniquitous establishment kept by this "virago," Monday evening, from which our readers can form some idea of her manner of conduction business, while it may also serve to teach strangers the impropriety of taking lodgings at what are termed "cheap boarding houses," unless they know the reputation of the houses at which they stop.

Monday evening two men, Mr. McIntyre and Mr. Anderson, from New Brighton, arrived in the city, and at the Union Depot inquired for a "cheap boarding house." The inquiry was heard by one of that class of men with whom our city is cursed to a considerable extent at present, who are too lazy to work, and to poor to live without it, and consequently resort to any means of obtaining a living without labor. It appears he was a "runner" for Mrs. Brawdy's house, to which he conducted them. Shortly after their arrival they discovered the character of the place, and resolved to leave it, but upon signifying their intention to do so, the door was locked and a demand of five dollars each made upon them. They refused to comply with the demand, when the door to an adjoining room was opened and half a dozen "roughs," armed with knives and pistols, confronted them and enforced the payment of the money, when they were allowed to depart.

Mr. Anderson yesterday morning appeared before Alderman McMasters and stated the case, when a warrant was issued for Mrs. Brawdy on  charge of keeping a bawdy house, upon which she was arrested, and after a hearing held in five hundred dollars bail for her appearance at Court.

Anderson and McIntyre are both respectable, hard working men and were led into the "trap," which is always open for the uninitiated, in the manner above stated. We rather think Mrs. B. will be brought before the Court this time, as the prosecutor has no desire to effect a compromise. His motives for prosecuting were not for the purpose of extorting money, or even receiving his own, but to bring the offender to justice. 

And on December 29, 1863 we find: Sentenced

Barbara Brawdy, for keeping a bawdy house, was sentenced to pay a fine for $200, and undergo one month's imprisonment in the county jail.

The Notorious Brawdy Family, Part 2 (Accused of Larceny)

This is a series of posts about the startling discoveries we made at GRIP  (July 2014) in the Intermediate Genealogy class. Our head instructor, Paula Stuart-Warren, chose a random Pittsburgh will for us to research and see what we could uncover about the family. She had no idea of the amazing stories we would find...

I already posted about how we tracked down the original will on FamilySearch. With quite a bit of effort, we eventually found the census records for 1850 (Baldwin Twp - surname transcribed as "Brandy" on Ancestry), 1860 (Pittsburgh, Ward 5 - father transcribed as "W Brandy" on Ancestry - all family members listed by first initial ) & 1870 (Borough of East Birmingham - mother transcribed as "Barbara Brady" on Ancestry) where Martha was living with her parents, Martin & Barbara, & her siblings. She also has her 8-year-old daughter, Jenny Cornita living with her. Remember, her name was listed as Jennie C Brawdy in the will, but here it is Jenny Cornita.

Photo posted by Liz Freeman on FindAGrave

We never found any other information about Martha's daughter, Jenny. But, we were able to find quite a bit more about the rest of the Brawdy family including:

• more census records for various family members
• a will for her brother, Martin
• two city directory listing for her mother, Barbara, listing her as a widow in 1865 & 1866
• a marriage record for sister Maria Jane who married Walter E Barnett before marrying Valentine Green (probable first marriage)
• a marriage record for brother Thomas M who married Catharine R Fitch
• a death certificate for sister Maria Jane who married Valentine Green (I believe this is a second marriage)
• tombstones for her mother, Barbara, & her brother, Martin
• possible death record for her mother, Barbara, at FamilySearch - however it says her parents are born in Ireland where others state Germany & it says she's only lived there 6 months & her previous residence was Chicago

But, the most interesting 'finds' were the newspaper records! Unfortunately, I can't take credit for these finds. But, another group found some incredible articles using a site I wasn't familiar with: Elephind.

Elephind states it's purpose: to make it possible to search all of the world's digital newspapers from one place and at one time. Elephind.com allows you to simultaneously search across thousands of articles using key words and phrases. 

The first article I'll share is from the Pittsburgh Gazette Gazette and Advertiser dated Monday, April 6, 1868. It is titled "Alleged Larceny of $200 - The Accused Committed for Trial."

Catherine Salzmen, the proprietress of  tavern in East Birmingham, made information before Justice Ammon on Saturday, charging John Schafer and Tom Brawdy with larceny. She alleges that the accused, who frequented her house, and were well acquainted with its arrangement, came in to the bar-room Saturday morning, and remained until she was called out, when they entered an adjoining room and took two hundred dollars from a bureau drawer. Brawdy and Schafer were arrested, and after hearing, were committed for trial in default of five hundred dollars each for their appearance at Court. The Brawdy family are becoming quite notorious in criminal affairs. The mother was, a short time since, convicted on a charge of keeping a bawdy house, for which she is serving a term of imprisonment. Subsequently a son was arrested and committed to jail to away trial on a similar charge, and now the third one of the family is committed on a charge of larceny.

Two months later, in a paper dated June 10, 1868, we find the results of the trial:

The Jury in the case of the Commonwealth vs. Thomas Brawdy, Jno Bell, and John Shaffer, indicted for the larceny of $185 from Mrs. Salzman of East Birmingham, reported yesterday, returned a verdict of not guilty and the accused were discharged.  

The Notorious Brawdy Family, Part 1 (The Russell Index)

This is a series of posts about the startling discoveries we made at GRIP  (July 2014) in the Intermediate Genealogy class. Our head instructor, Paula Stuart-Warren, chose a random Pittsburgh will for us to research and see what we could uncover about the family. She had no idea of the amazing stories we would find...

Our will was for Martha Jane Brawdy who died in Birmingham, Allegeheny County, Pennsylvania. A classmate quickly realized that this was a copy of the will written in the court book and not the actual will. So, we all headed over to FamilySearch to look for the actual will.

Here are the steps to finding the will:

1. Go to familysearch.org
2. Go to "search" then "records"
3. Click on the U.S. on the map and then "Pennsylvania" on the list
4. Click "start researching in Pennsylvania"
5. Go to the last item, "Pennsylvania, Probate Records, 1683-1994"
6. Click on "browse through 3,200,560 images (this number could change)
7. Click on "Allegheny" to get to the correct county
8. Click on "Estate index 1788-1971 surname B, first names K-Z" since the surname "Brawdy" starts with "B" and "Martha" starts with "M"
9. Image 6 is a Russel Index which shows how to locate the person you are searching for

Russell Index image from familysearch

I'd never seen a Russell Index before & it took a little while for me to understand it. I got some help and I was finally able to understand. So, let me try to talk you through it.

We are in the file where all of the surnames start with "B". This particular page is showing you how to locate first names that start with "K", "L", or "M". We need "M" for Martha Jane.

You start with the surname, in this case Brawdy. After the initial letter, B, you mark off any letters that aren't on the key - L, M, N, R or T. In our case we only have the "R" left. (If you have more than two letters left, you still only use the first two.) We are looking for just "R" in the first column. Once you locate the correct letter(s) in the first column, you use the second column if the first name starts with a K or L & the second column if the first name starts with an M. Ours is M (Martha), so we need to look for section 1140.

Now you have to kind of jump around the various images to locate the section where pages are numbered 1140. I first went to image 400 which was record 1415, BUT the first names started with R. I have went way too far. Image 220 is labeled 2013. I need to keep going back. Image 160 is labeled 1143. I'm getting close! Image 140 is labeled 1141. So, I'm just going to page back from here. (By the way, if you 'jump' to an unnumbered page, just scroll forward or backward a page or two until you see a number.)

from FamilySearch

I found the first page of the 1140 series on image #124 of 818. (Under the 1140 you will see a 1 for the first page in the series.) On the first page of a series, you'll find a list of commonly seen names and the 'special' pages these are located on. "Brawdy" is actually listed on this page and it says you can find the "Brawdy" surname on 2017.

Now, we need to find 2017 the same way - kind of jumping around until we land on the correct series. Remember to watch the first names and make sure you don't get out of the names with the first name starting with an M! (I found the first page of 2017 on image #228 of 818.)

from FamilySearch

We find "Brawdy, Martha J" as the 5th person on this page. It lists her residence as "Birmingham" and her Personal Representative as "Wm C Moreland Exr". Lastly, it tells you were to find the proceedings index: Volume 12, page 220, block 1.

Our next step is to go back to the "Allegheny" probate records & look for the "Proceedings Index" volume 12. (The entire title is "Proceedings index 1788-1971 vol 11-12.) Remember, there are TWO volumes here so you need to be looking in the later half of the images! Once again we will 'jump around' until we find page 220. I found it on image #690 of 929.

And, we have found Martha J Brawdy as the first image! It lists her executor, Wm C Moreland. It lists three documents, including the will which is located in Will Book #15 on page #68. This is where we'll start for Part 2.

Home from GRIP 2014!

Last night I got back from GRIP (Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh) in Pittsburgh where I attended the "Intermediate Genealogy" course. What a neat week!

GRIP was held at La Roche College in the outskirts of Pittsburgh. It's a very nice, small campus. The building on the left was the main dorm building and on the right is the building where we had classes, meals, larger gatherings and even Maia's Books. As you can see, it is only a short walk if it rains - which it threatened to do but never did! In fact, the last two days were BEAUTIFUL with temperatures in the 60's in the mornings and highs only in the 70's! Gorgeous!

I stayed in a "double" room in the dorms, but used it as a private room. The rooms are a nice size for a dorm room and have a microwave, fridge, & a private bathroom! You can bring an ethernet cable and access the internet for free. Unfortunately, the a/c in my first room was broken and I ended up changing rooms after two days because they couldn't find a part. This room had actually been kind of dirty (hair in the bathroom drawers & some kind of gooey stuff in the cabinet under the sink). The second room was cleaner, but it was a handicapped room so I had less storage space. The beds weren't very comfortable and the pillow was very thin. They provided us with linens & a towel, floor towel, hand towel & one washrag (yes, one for the week!). Thankfully, a friend who lived in town brought me some more washrags!

Each day included several breaks and sometimes we would sit outside or walk around and enjoy the flowers and benches that are scattered around the college grounds. This amazing hibiscus was as large as a dinner plate!

Next door to the college is Sisters of Divine Providence, which I believe is a catholic church and convent. The first morning I slept with the windows opened since I didn't have air conditioning and I heard the chimes at 6 am, but I didn't hear it the other mornings when my windows were shut. We took several walks on these beautiful grounds.

We found a series of statues which, I was told, were the Stations of the Cross. As a protestant, I wasn't familiar with these though I've heard that phrase before. The angel is holding a cross which says, "In Cruce Salus" which means "salvation in the cross." Their are 14 stations which depict events of Jesus' crucifixion from his condemnation to being laid in the tomb. I wish I would have taken a photo of the station where Veronica wipes the face of Jesus & his face is left imprinted on her veil. I have written about the artwork of "Vernoica's veil" on another blog.

At the top of a hill was a beautiful cemetery for the nuns. I was amazed at how long many of the nuns lived, and also how many died each year. Often, there were four or five a year! I'm wondering how many nuns live in the convent, or if this is where some go to retire.

On the Sisters website was a neat article about the six pioneer sisters who immigrated from Germany in 1876 to teach German immigrants first in Ohio and later in Pittsburgh. As a genealogist, I loved how the article on the site ends: "The difficulties the pioneer sisters faced were many--insufficient housing, insufficient food, the challenges of learning a new language, adapting to a new culture, and more. Through it all, they maintained a firm trust in God's providence."

First Evening at GRIP!

I'm now in Pennsylvania at GRIP (Genealogical Research Instituted of Pittsburgh) where I'll be taking the week-long course, "Intermediate Genealogy: Tools for Digging Deeper", taught by Paula Stuart-Warren along with Debbie Mieszala and Joshua Taylor.

I got a private dorm room and it's pretty nice though a little dirty and my air-conditioning isn't working. I'ts about 8 pm, though, and it's cooling off and I have my window open so I should be OK through the night. And, I hope they get it fixed tomorrow!

I'm on the 'meal plan' so I get three meals a day in the cafeteria. Tonight we had salad, chicken parmigiana, ziti & marinara sauce, garlic bread, green beans & some dessert. It was pretty good for cafeteria food.

We also had our opening session where we met the coordinators & the teachers & some door prizes were given away. And, no, I didn't win any!

I've met several people and am enjoying hearing their stories. I also met Karen from "Karen's Genealogy Oasis" as I was walking back to my room from getting a snack!

My class starts at 8:15 and I have to get breakfast first. It's an hour later here so 8:15 will feel like 7:15. It's a good thing I'm an early riser!

Going to GRIP in July!

This week I signed up for my first genealogical institute! It's called GRIP (Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh) and will be in late July in Pittsburgh. I'm taking Paula Stewart-Warren's "Intermediate Genealogy: Tools for Digging Deeper."

Besides the daily classes and the evening lectures, we will also have one evening where we can spend time researching at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. About half of my family comes from Pennsylvania and I've never been there before, so I hope I find something at this library!

I'll be sleeping in a private dorm room and eating cafeteria food. I'm excited to learn, make friends, and spend an entire week devoted to genealogy!

Do we share common ancestors? I'd love to talk! Please write me at drleeds@sbcglobal.net