Syracuse and the Mesa Library

It has been a busy couple of weeks, with travel and research. Somewhat frustrating, but overall good things were accomplished. Syracuse was fun - mostly because I got to spend time with my husband. We went to a basketball game, a play, had a nice Valentine's dinner and tried many new restaurants. We had dinner with a friend and her husband Saturday night at their home and then I spent a day with said friend and had a great time - thank you, Lauren!  Enjoyed getting to know Syracuse better too. They have great old houses - lots of history - oh, and it was cold! But not much snow, which helped with traveling around the area. I was able to do some research, especially in the town of Oswego where the county records are. Unfortunately, I got hit about 4 days into the trip with a flu/cold bug and had to slow down a bit. But, next time....

I am still having trouble nailing down anything concrete about Ezra Lane and a connection to his father, Roswell Lane, and exactly where they were in 1810. We have really quite overwhelming circumstantial evidence that they have that relationship, but it would be nice to find it "on paper."  I did pick up deeds to land in Oswego County by a couple of Ezra's children, including my ancestor, Roswell, but other than names, no relationships were revealed.  I stopped in and talked to the County Historian, Justin White. I have corresponded with him quite a bit in the past and he has been most helpful. It was fun meeting him and we talked about other possibilities for research. A real disadvantage to those doing New York research is that they did not require records for births, deaths and marriages until 1881, but every town and county in New York has a historian and they are always very helpful. Ezra had two daughters, Almira and Laura, who married brothers, James M. and Richard P. Watson, who all remained in the Skaneateles area (pronounced "skinny-atlas" for those of us NOT in the know) of Onondaga County, about 10 miles from Syracuse. I did find a few more pieces of information on them. I do wish I could confirm all the children they had, with names and dates. The next step will be church records.

Then yesterday, back in Phoenix, the GenieGirls study group had their long awaited field trip to the Mesa Library. It is second only to the Salt Lake City LDS library in size, and about 45 minutes from our general area of Phoenix, but several of the members had never been. Those who had, were a bit intimated and didn't know where to begin, how to use it and hadn't stayed long. We started with a great tour by one of the volunteers to familiarize us with what they have, how it is set up and how best to use it. That was a huge help. Then we all started doing the research that each had prepared for. Lunch, of course, was a fun break and then back to work! We stayed until about 3, before heading back home. Everyone seemed to accomplish something, even if it was getting more familiar with the library and feeling better about going alone in the future. I think, in general, it enthused everyone to continue with their research.

Syracuse on the Horizon

The new coat is on it's way (check the previous post)! The weather in Syracuse seems to be cooperating with not much snow this year. Let's hope that continues for at least another two weeks. I am getting excited about my trip. I am also going to see a former high school classmate and enjoy a day with her, which should be fun.

I have heard from a few new "relatives" this past couple of weeks  The first was a woman in Michigan who is descended from the Muirs. Andrew and Mary Donaldson Muir, born in Scotland, arrived in America in 1828 and arrived in Michigan within the year. They are my 3rd great-grandparents. I had written an article on them entitled: "Early Settlers of Augusta and Superior Townships." This woman found my website, read the article and then emailed me. She is descended from this same couple, through a different daughter. This article (Winter 2010) and a more recent one on my Hazelton family (Winter 2011), can be found at:     

     http://www.ypsilantihistoricalsociety.org/publications/gleanings.html

Then I heard from a young man who is my first cousin, once removed on the Beckington side of the family. He is the son of a cousin. He was searching the web and came across my website and contacted me. It is always exciting when someone from the younger generation shows an interest. 

But, of course, the last couple of weeks have been mostly about getting organized for my trip. Ezra Lane, my 4th great-grandfather, was born in Connecticut and eventually migrated with his family, to New York (bringing along his father, Roswell). He and his wife, Sarah Chapman, had eleven children. The first seven were born in CT, the last four children in NY. By the 1860s, most of the sons had migrated to Michigan or Kansas. It appears that several of the daughters married and stayed in the NY area. It is not always easy to follow daughters. Two of them, Almira and Laura, married brothers, James M. and Richard P. Watson, respectively. Ezra's son, Roswell, my 3rd great-grandfather (named after his grandfather), married Jerusha Rhoads and stayed in NY. They are buried in Ira, Cayuga County, NY. I hope on one of these trips to visit their grave sites. I assume the elder Roswell, Ezra and Sarah might also be buried there, but there are no stones or records that prove that. I guess I am thinking I will see a "space" where they might be.

Anyway, I have done a great deal of research over the last several years through the mail, email and phone calls. The various organizations: historical societies, town historians, libraries, have been a great help. But, what can I do while I have "boots on the ground" that I haven't been able to do from a distance? I emailed some of the more experienced genealogists I know and asked for recommendations. I got some good suggestions and am following them. Apparently the court house may have records that have never been filmed. Libraries may have newspapers to browse - hopefully, some will have been indexed. I could visit cemeteries, but that may happen on a later visit. And, I need to travel to other small towns nearby - again, that may have to wait.

I would love any suggestions that someone would consider sharing on research in an area one is visiting. Back to organizing!