I started this blog in October, 2011. I have not published anything since July, 2018. Hopefully, I can get start again to inform my extended family and like-minded family history friends of interesting stories I find, mostly concerning my ancestors and my experiences, involving the hunt for information on them and others. But, if anyone has an interesting story they would like to share….
Lineage societies - I have talked about them before. I enjoy my memberships in the various organizations, especially the women I meet. But I also enjoy the research needed to become a member. The documentation a person needs to be approved, is satisfying in that you KNOW you have proved the connections between the generations. As some of you know, my great-grandmother, Mary Ella (Hazelton) Childs, (1857-1941) was very involved in genealogy and was a member of several lineage societies in Michigan. She was a Charter member of the Ypsilanti DAR Chapter, which was founded in 1896 and the 4th Chapter of the NSDAR (National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution) in Michigan. After her original application for Pvt. Samuel Hitchcock (MA) was approved, she submitted five additional supplements: Capt John Noyes (NH), and Pvts Joseph Hazeltine (NH), Roswell Lane (CT), David Rhoads/Rhodes (MA), John Chapman (MA). She was a member of several other organizations including NS Daughters of War of 1812 and the Society of Mayflower Descendants in Michigan.
My goal, years ago, was to re-prove Mary Ella’s patriots (this was necessary because of the number of years since hers were processed and a lot has changed). Pvt. Samuel Hitchcock, her original patriot, is the only one left for me to do. He will take a little extra work. I have also added several she was not eligible for as they were not in her direct line of ancestors, but are in mine. These include Pvts. Robert FitzRandolph (NJ), Benjamin Wilson (NJ) and Robert Clarkson (NJ) – all from the Beckington side of the family. I have recently applied for both Pvt. Benjamin Halstead/Halsted (NY) and Ens. David Wisner (NY). Benjamin’s son, also named Benjamin, was married to David Wisner’s daughter, Anna. These men are on my father’s side, in the McDougall family. Both men are already recognized as patriots in NSDAR, as with most of my soldiers, so it is just a matter of linking my lineage to someone already approved. It will probably take more than a year for the approval process. Possibly David Wisner’s father, Thomas, will be another. Research is ongoing for him at this time.
The younger Benjamin Halstead was in the 1812 war. He was a prisoner on a ship for quite some time during the war. I will write more on him in another article.
The other societies I am a member of are: ADEAW (Associated Dau of Early American Witches), through Nicholas Disborough of Connecticut. He was accused, but not convicted, of being a witch. He survived, so got lucky; CSDIW (Continental Society Dau of Indian Wars); NSCDXVII (NS Colonial Dames XVII Century); NSDAC (Dau of the American Colonists); NSDCH (Dames of the Court of Honor); NSUS Dau 1812 (NS United States Dau of 1812); NSNEW (New England Women); NSDCW (Dau of Colonial Wars); and DUVCW (Dau of Union Veterans of Civil War).
I am eligible for many others but I am happy with what I have. I would like to re-prove the Mayflower Society membership – some day! I have also gotten a COA (Coat of Arms) through the FitzRandolph family proving us back to Charlemagne. For most of these organizations, I have used the same ancestors as mentioned above. The FitzRandolphs are perfect for organizations like Charlemagne, the Magna Carta and Lady Godiva. But, at this point, I am just happy knowing that I qualify.
