Prolific Family

This article was printed in the Lexington, Missouri, Intelligencer on December 29, 1888, p 3. I recommend viewing on a computer. A transcription is also included here, with the children numbered in order of birth except for the triplets (number 11) and the twins (number 13.)

Lexington, Missouri Intelligencer, December 29, 1888, p. 3

“In the parish of Haddington a very extraordinary instance of longevity is recorded to have occurred in one family. Mr. Alexander Maitland and Catherine Cunningham, his wife, were married August 6, 1657. The ages of nine of the children of this marriage amounted to no less than 738 years. Another circumstances remarkable of this marriage is, that the eighteenth year of it produced twins; and the twenty-first year trines, or three infants at a birth. (These three dined together in the house where they were born on their seventieth birthday.) The ages of the trines amounted to 256. This fact is ascertained beyond all possibility of doubt, as it was communicated to the clergyman of the parish by his intimate friend, Mr. Robt. Keith, a gentleman of the strictest honor and probity, and who was himself the son of Isobel, one of the trines.” The above is an excerpt from an old book, “the Beauties of Scotland,” printed in 1805, the author being Ro. Forsyth. A more particular chronology of the family is as follows: — “Alexander Maitland and Catherine Cunningham were married on the 6th of August, 1657. 

1. Patrick Maitland, their eldest son, was born on the 8th of September, 1658, and died in infancy. 
2. Elizabeth Maitland, their eldest daughter, was born the 26th of July, 1660. 
3. Mary Maitland, the second daughter, was born on the last day of December 1661; died 1747. 
4. Charles Maitland, second son, was born the 29th day of July, 1663; died 1723. 
5. Elizabeth Maitland, third daughter, born the 29th of August, 1664. 
6. Janet Maitland, fourth daughter was born the 15th of June, 1665; died in 1758. 
7. Isobel Maitland, fifth daughter was born the 5th of June 1668. 
8. Jean Maitland, sixth daughter, was born the 4th of May, 1670. 
9. Catharine Maitland, seventh daughter was born the 23d of May, 1672, died in 1768. 
10. John Maitland, third son, was born the 28th of June, 1673. 
11. Anna, Isobel and Richard Maitland were all born at one birth on Wednesday, the 23d of August, 1675; Richard died 1749, Isobel died 1764; 
12. Alison Maitland, tenth daughter, was born the 13th of January 1677. 
13. Sophia and John Maitland were born at one birth on the 20th of February, 1678; John died 1765.” 

The above is a copy of an old record copied from the family Bible in the possession of Mrs. Anna Maitland, of the three at a birth. From this register it appears that the family consisted of 16 children, five sons and eleven daughters. That several of them lived to a great age. Their united age amounting to upward of 600 years. Of the three born at one birth, the first died at 74 years, the second at 89 and the third past 91. The father of this remarkable family was warden of the mint, and factor to the Duke of Lauderdale. The longest lived of the children were, Mary died at the age of 86, Janet at 92, Catharine at 86, Richard at 74, Isobel at 89, John at 87, Anna at 97, total 605 years. Mr. Alexander Maitland from the Charles Maitland of this record who was born in July, 1663, and died 1728.

Copyright 2010-2017, ACK for Gene Notes

Farewell, Miss Ruth.

My neighbor died Sunday as a result of smoke inhalation from a small fire in her house. She was elderly, but very aware of life.

In 2005, we bought the lot where our house now sits from her. But we didn't meet her then. Or at closing, since we did that long distance. We met her in late 2007 after we actually moved here. In early January 2008, construction was started on our home. She was so gracious, letting the contractors park in her extra driveway, never complaining about the early work habits, the debris or anything that I heard. She was generous and such a wonderful neighbor.

We had conversations in that extra driveway many times. I learned she lived in the Detroit area for a long time before heading back to Tennessee. Her husband died long before we heard of this little college town, and she missed him.  I could see the frailty set in over the last few years. And yet was surprised at her age.

I will miss her husky voice and friendly demeanor. Farewell Miss Ruth!

Copyright 2010-2017, ACK for Gene Notes

A Bit of Color

Every so often, you come across a newspaper tidbit that makes you laugh or cry or just wonder, what? This article refers to my great grandfather John Henry Percival, mostly known as Henry since a baby. He was the younger of two sons of John Stearns Percival, Jr and his wife Susan E. Davidson.

Copyright 2010-2017, ACK for Gene Notes

The Black Sheep, Part Three

Leo makes the Cincinnati Enquirer again! This time, it's probably the best he could expect.

Pretty much this is all I know of him. His sister, Mary, was not very forthcoming about him post jail, other than he died in 1989. My mother said he lived with a woman named Babe, and may have married her, but I can find no other marriage record for him other than his first marriage to Adele Kasten. I always want to know more.

Copyright 2010-2017, ACK for Gene Notes

The Black Sheep, Part Two

 I don't know who Leo had as a lawyer, if any, but he 'fessed up. As you can see, it made the Cincinnati, Ohio Enquirer.

Remember, Leo was caught about September 24th. It made the Lansing State Journal (Michigan) on the 25th [see Saturday's post.] He was sentenced on October 16th. That's just over three weeks! I wish today's justice was just as swift.

Copyright 2010-2017, ACK for Gene Notes

The Black Sheep of the Family

I am sure there were more than just this one black sheep in our family, but this is one my mother knew. He was her first cousin. His name was Leo Zimmeth.

Leo was the eldest surviving child of George and Julia (Blust) Zimmeth. He was born in 1907 and had two sisters who also survived until adulthood. He had 9 brothers and sisters who did not.

George Zimmeth was my grandfather's brother and the brother closest to him in age. George died in October 1918. Julia, George's widow remarried in June of 1925. She was dead by the end of the year. Leo was 18 and his sisters were 15 and 12.

In 1929, Leo married Adele Kasten who was from Missouri. It took me a long time to find a marriage record (it was noted in Leo's baptismal record) but I finally found it in Ohio. I presume there was a divorce somewhere along the line as Adele remarried in 1946.

Many years ago, I remember my mother telling me she visited Leo in jail before he was sent to Jackson (Michigan) prison. She was terrified. My grandfather also was slightly scared of Leo. He never really said why, he just was. I have a copy of his prison record. But I was really glad to find some actual reports of his - um - activities. Here is the first one.

Copyright 2010-2017, ACK for Gene Notes

For Sale!

It's not often you can find a home for sale ad for one of your ancestor's homes. Below is the home that was build by my great-great grandfather, John Parker Bowman. In 1880, his widow, Mary Elizabeth Chinn Bowman put the house up for sale or exchange. She was downsizing. The picture of the house was taken by me in 1996 or 1997 on our trip to Lexington, Missouri. Legend has it that a cannon ball passed through it during the battle of Lexington, Missouri in September, 1861. Quite a few of my ancestors were members of the Missouri State Guard that defended Lexington. 

Copyright 2010-2017, ACK for Gene Notes

Who Was Lucy Booth Grolton's Second Husband

In Lucy Grolton Everett nee Booth's death notice, her husband was named as C. Walter Everett. In the publication that they applied for a marriage license, his name is just listed as Walter. How would I find his first name and ergo other information on him.

I did an Ancestry search. I simply put in his name as Walter Everett, and a birth year of 1887 (he was 62 in January 1950 when they applied for their license.)

The Ancestry search led me to Cecil Walter Everett of Camden, New Jersey, on a World War II draft registration. Could I prove it was him?

The simple answer was yes. Both the marriage license and the draft registration had the same address: 2861 Tuckahoe Rd.

It also gave me a little tidbit besides his birthdate of May 3, 1887. He was born in Yorkshire, England. So it would seem. However, I show a Cecil Walter Everett born in 1889 in the England birth records.

To further complicate things, his death notice says he was 91 when he died on December 4, 1977. And of course there are typos and then there are little things like his daughter Edith Glolton. I wonder if it should read Grolton. Since that was the name of his stepson's wife - Edythe Grolton.

And the reason I am working on this line at all? Lucy Ann Booth was the daughter of Dr. Hillary A. Booth and Margaret Maitland, and Margaret was the eldest daughter of my great-great grandparents  Alexander and Mary Oliphant Maitland. Alexander was a first cousin of Charles Maitland whose bibles I now own!

Copyright 2010-2017, ACK for Gene Notes

Lucy Booth Grolton Everett

For years, I looked for death records for Lucy Booth Grolton. It's an unusual name, so I couldn't understand why I didn't find her. Fortunately for me, someone had posted a tree on Ancestry, which lead to The Social Security Applications and Claims database. I love that her name is listed as follows:

Lucy Ann Everett
[Lucy A Everett]
[Lucy Ann Booth].

All right! Now I have her correct name, but still couldn't find her. So I went into Newspapers.com and did a search for Lucy Grolton. Bingo. I found her letter to the Washington Missourian on September 14, 1944. Lucy Booth Grolton was a WAAC. Well, where was her husband Walter Grolton in all this?
I went back to the 1940 census. I found Lucy Trolta aka Grolton (indexing error) living with her sister and brother-in-law and family. Also with Lucy was her son, James, age 12. Lucy's marital status was D for Divorced. Ok.

A quick check of Fold3 shows no military record or WAC record even though they're supposed to have something. Someone on MyHeritage has an N Lucy A Grolt. Research can be frustrating. However, I have more than I did two days ago, so I am a happy researcher.

Copyright 2010-2017, ACK for Gene Notes

Headstone Issues

I hate headstones like this. I think it's self explanatory. However, there are other problems besides her lack of identity.

1. It's a huge stone. Yes, Booth is large.
2. Why did they cram everything on two lines. She died first, why not Margaret Booth 1874-1930 on one line and Dr. H. A. Booth 1857-1934 on the next. 
3. Yes, I know it was during the depression, but it's essentially just one more letter.
4. It offends my sense of proportion.

Copyright 2010-2017, ACK for Gene Notes

One of My Other Lines

I was trying to contact a Percival researcher whom I had met some years ago at a Western Wayne County (Michigan) Genealogical Society meeting. I think it was before I went back to work, so would have been prior to 1996. Finally, he got in touch with me and we have been exchanging info. At the time of our first contact, I was unsure whether or not we were connected. Well, we are! The power of the internet!

Copyright 2010-2017, ACK for Gene Notes

Looking Around

I hate when I'm researching a family and there are blanks. One such blank was Robert James Peebles Maitland, son of Charles Maitland and Mary Gardyne. Born January 7, 1862 in Alloa, Clackmannanshire, Scotland. But no death date. Now, the information I did have until last week, was stuff people had shared with me. Today, I found the 1900 US Census in Newark, New Jersey, where Robert was a foreman in a beer bottling plant. How appropriate since I am sure he learned at his father's knee the brewing business.

The next document I came across was the 1907 Citizenship paperwork in which Robert becomes a United States citizen. Also attached with this was his 1895 application. He came to the US in 1892, and apparently decided to stay.

Find-a-grave shows he is buried in Clifton, New Jersey. They have him married, but the headstone shows he is buried with his niece Louisa Jean Maitland who died in 1910. I tried to contact the contributor to get permission to post the photo. Since this person does not allow any email, I'll just post the picture. If you look closely you'll see that the stone designates that they were natives of Alloa, Scotland.

Copyright 2010-2017, ACK for Gene Notes

Scottish Birth Certificates

As a family researcher, I am always happy to come across vital records. Usually, they come through my own research, after paying lots of money, and are either certified or uncertified copies, images, etc.

In with the bibles that I received on Wednesday, were five birth certificates for just five of the children of Charles Maitland and Mary Gardyne. These were birth certificates issued shortly after birth.

For instance, this is the birth certificate for Charles William Gorrie Maitland, born March 8th, 1855 in Alloa, Clackmannanshire, Scotland. The record was extracted on March 28th, 1855. Thus, what I have are the original certificates issued to Charles Maitland. The second image is the reverse side, in which Charles William Gorrie's death is noted by none other than his father, who outlived his son by seven years. Someday, I would like to know the circumstances of Charles William Gorrie Maitland's death at age 36.

Alas, the three elder children were all born before 1855, but were found in the Old Parochial Records.

Copyright 2010-2017, ACK for Gene Notes

Don't Be Deceived By the Dates

I found this gem in the packet. The dates are not birth-death dates but dates for their office as Earl or Duke. So, John, the 1st Earl of Lauderdale was the father of John, the Duke of Lauderdale. The duke died without issue, so his brother, Charles became the third Earl of Lauderdale. His son Richard, the 4th Earl died without surviving issue, so his brother John became the 5th Earl. The 6th Earl was his son Charles.

Lonely Alexander on the right was probably the Honorable Alexander Maitland. No substantial title and it is from him that I descend.


Copyright 2010-2017, ACK for Gene Notes

A Long Time Ago I Hoped

On December 20, 2011, I was contacted by Michael Clark of Alloa, Scotland in regards to an inquiry about Charles Maitland. This particular Charles was the brother of my great-great-great grandfather Alexander Maitland (born in 1813) and the son of Dr. Alexander Maitland and Jean Wilson. Charles was the brewer at Bass Crest Brewery.

This first email started a conversation about Charles, his family and eventually led to a man who was at one time an accountant of Charles' granddaughter Mary Gardyne Maitland Cummings and her husband Ian. This man had Charles' family bibles, and papers that were in the bibles. For a few years, I tried to convince him to send me the bibles, always stating that I would be happy to pay for the postage.

The years went by and while the bibles were always at the back of my mind, I had other things to do. Eventually this man's cousin got involved and prodded at him to send me the bibles. Nothing happened.

In April, the cousin contacted me again, asked if I had heard from his cousin, and said that he was going to go get the bibles, and send them to me. In the back of my mind, I'm really excited, but trying not to get my hopes up again. The next thing I heard was that this nice man, the cousin, had the bibles and was preparing to pack them up and send them to me.

Today, I received them almost five and a half years after my initial contact.  I promised I would take a picture with them. My elbow is resting on sheets of genealogy information. The newspapers behind the envelope are from Edinburgh with a recent date.

I really can't thank all of them for helping me find the bibles, and finally to have them. While not ancient, they do date from 1852. For my Percival cousins who traveled to Scotland, there is a lineage handwritten by Charles Maitland tracing the Lauderdale Lineage to my Alexander Maitland (my great-great grandfather.) I hope to have more on the treasure trove as time allows!

Copyright 2010-2017, ACK for Gene Notes

I Still Can't Believe It!

I made the move from Windows to Mac OS this week. After months of dealing with updates from Windows that would routinely leave my computer in a StopCode state aka Blue Screen of Death, I couldn't take it any longer and started researching what would be the ramifications if I switched to a MacBook. The biggest concern was my genealogy. Since moving back to RootsMagic in 2015, I discovered that I could install it on a Mac! And I think that was the deciding factor. Indeed, I've managed to transfer my database, via restoring a backup, and transferring my genealogical photos and fixing the links. Last December, I moved from Android to iOS or from a Samsung Nook to an iPad mini 4. That went really well. In February, DH and I both switched to iPhones. After getting used to those, I knew I could deal with a MacBook.

So last week, I ordered a MacBook Pro and a CD/DVD drive. The drive came last week and the laptop on Monday. Since that time I have been migrating files to the Mac. I'm also learning a new email as I have started using the Apple mail app. I like their Smart Mailboxes. I still have to go through the old email on Thunderbird and make sure I've gotten everything important. I've even gotten used to having a clean desktop on the Mac. I can use a little less chaos!

Copyright 2010-2017, ACK for Gene Notes