Colorado DAR State Convention

Excitement is in the air as Colorado Daughters of the American Revolution gather for State Conference this weekend. I can tell you that I am one excited duck, or rather Daughter. 

Our special guest this year is President General Merry Ann Wright. I met her when I was in Washington, D.C for Continental Congress in 2010. She is so very gracious and has worked so hard for our society. 

So being in true form, I flew up to greet her as her plane came into the beautiful State of Colorado. It was a little tough trying to catch her plane. Truth be told, I fell off a few times as I am not used to flying so fast. But many of you know me...try, try again I did. Actually, I think she was a little shocked to see me at first. When she saw my DAR pins, she knew she was being properly welcomed and smiled back. Getting down from the plane was a whole other story. 

I am excited this year to go to State Conference. I will have lots of pictures to show you when it is all over. 

Christine

 

Grave Symbolism - A Depth of Meaning

I have been taken by genealogist who spend hours, if not days traveling from cemetery to cemetery recording the grave markers of famous people they are researching or for family members. Several member of my family do most of this kind of work. Until recently, I pretty much left it up to them. Then I spent some time on a tour in old Riverside Cemetery in Denver. There were grave markers that went back to the early days of Denver's history. Symbolism was absolutely everywhere, so I decided to learn more.

Eternal Life - Butterfly and Flowers - Eternal Life

It didn't take long before I was hooked. My next trip was to another of Denver's oldest cemeteries, Fairmont. My Father is buried there and most of the time I only go out to pay my respects to him.
My husband happened to be with me this time. We walked the cemetery and could not get over the great detail that went into most of the graves. Tiny little things came up, like the use of lambs or angels for the graves of small children. It was then that I realized that quite a bit could be gleamed about a person by their grave marker.

Indicative of a great loss - broken branch of family
and so close to the trunk.

This one above stuck out in my mind as I am also a Day. I remember when my Grandfather died back in the late 70's. It felt just like this grave marker indicates. A beautiful soul had died and the branch of family was broken as well. My Grandfather was the root of our family and the marker seemed to portray that as well. The broken branch is near the trunk.

Shows a journey to the other side.

This grave marker is full of symbolism. It shows the journey one makes from this life to that place where many of us feel our loved ones go. Life is a journey and perhaps these people felt their loved one was continuing the journey on.

In taking hundreds of pictures of both Riverside and Fairmont Cemeteries now, I have come to appreciate the beautiful artwork that is so carefully placed on grave headstones. Looking towards the part of the cemetery where the markers were set down into the ground, I feel at loss for the people buried there. Although still hallowed ground, the messages are often not included on such a small marker. It feels somehow empty with only the name, DOB and DOB on these graves.

I encourage you to walk your local cemetery some day and spend some time reflecting on the distinct messages each of the older graves have incorporated. It gives one a sense of appreciation for people you never knew.

Here is a link to some common grave symbolism. Take the link and remember them the next time you are in a cemetery.

Grave Marker Guide



 

New York in the American Revolution - A Source Guide for Genealogist and Historians

What are you reading? 

This book is exceptional and I highly recommend it. New York in the American Revolution - A Source Guide for Genealogist and Historians.  It is so pack full of information, I hardly know where to begin. A must have for anyone working in the New York area, or just interested in Colonial New York. The book is now available in printed version or as a PDF download through the DAR Store, visit dar.org/darstore or call the store toll-free at 888-673-2732 to order your copy. Enjoy and happy hunting!






Link Here

Consanguinity - The Degree of Genealogical Relationships

So you found someone famous in your family line have you? You turn to your friends and family and then have to proceed through a complicated description on just how you are related. Sounds easy at first, until someone's eyebrows scrunch, and a puzzled look come across their face as they try to process this new narrow, but worthy path you have just forage in relationships. 

Hoping that no one asks question we try to use the right words to help them understand the unique relationship you, or they have. If they understand or are family with the common language of relation sanguinity. It makes your job easier. 

So the statement that Daniel Boone is your the great-uncle of my great-great-grandfather's third cousin, shouldn't be a problem.  Right? I will give you a pen and watch you chart that relationship. No, you say? 

Hard to conceptualize? A bit confusing, right? Don't worry you are not alone. 

It is easier to think of what your shared ancestors would call you both - if your closet shared direct-line ancestor is your great-great-grandparents, and they call you both "great-great-grandchildren," then you have no removal, you two are second cousins. Once, Twice, Thice Removed...Have I lost you? Well hang on a bit. 

Actually, it is only by being familiar with the system we use in designating these relationships, that you can see there is a consistent formula to the kinship titles we assign to various family members. In English-speaking societies, we classify family relationship based on gender, generation, and consideration of consanguinity (direct descendants) and by what is called, immediate afinal (in-law) relationships. Our common familiarity is with immediate family and direct lines – brother, sister, cousins, aunts/uncles and the (great) grandparents. It starts to get confusing when differentiating between the “degrees” and “removals” of cousins. 

Something I am sure most of you will agree with as we all have wrestled with this system at one time or another. 

First, Second, Third Cousins?  What Does it Mean? The ordinals in this system, “first cousin”, “second cousin”, “third cousin”, all describe the degree of the cousin relationship or the number of generations to their closest ancestor. For example, your second cousin is a person you share great-grandparents with and is not your direct sibling. 

Table of Consanguinity Showing Degrees of Relationships

The secret is in the generations. When the cousins are not in your same generation then they are “removed. “First cousins once removed” declares that either one of you are one generation away from being first cousins. For example, if your first cousin has kids, they are your first cousins once removed – the closest common ancestor shared are your grandparents but are “once removed” from the level of first cousin (held by their parents). 

Here is the confusing part: there are two instances in your family tree that can share this title. This is a reflection of what cousins refer to each as. Up until now, each relationship in your family tree has inverse titles for each other. You are your aunt’s niece or nephew; you are your great-grandparents grandchild. Cousins refer to each other as cousins, but because of this, your first cousin’s kid is your first cousin once removed and you (the parent of their second cousin) are also their first cousin once removed – you each refer to each other as the same. This means that the child of your first cousin and the parents of your second cousin are both “first cousins once removed” despite each of them being generations apart. 

Here is the breakdown: 

FIRST COUSINS: Non-siblings that share grandparents 
SECOND COUSINS: Non-siblings that share great-grandparents 
THIRD COUSINS: Non-siblings that share great-great-grandparents 
FIRST COUSINS ONCE REMOVED: Two people for whom the first cousin relationship is    one generation removed. 
FIRST COUSINS TWICE REMOVED: Two people for whom the second cousin relationship is two generations removed. 

If this is still confusing, take a breath and remember they are not going anywhere and will still be your ancestor or relative tomorrow. You will in time and practice understand this classification system. Practice also always makes understanding so much easier. Try to use the chart with someone you are closer in relation to,  and you will find it easier each time you use it to classify your unique blood relation to people more distantly related.  Remember you can always pull out your file proving lineage and really impress everyone with your verifiable work. Because the proof is in the detailed genealogy work that you do anyway. 

Good luck and enjoy your newly discovered relatives!


 

Marriage Law for Genealogist - The Definitive Guide

Marriage Law for Genealogists: The Definitive Guide. By Rebecca Probert. Published by Takeaway Publishing. Copies are obtainable directly from the author at books@takeawaypublishing.co.uk or on Amazon. 2012. 160 pp. Illustrations, index. Softcover. $14.99.

The book is the definitive guide to understanding marriage law in England and Wales, from 1600 to the present. This book is written for genealogists and it is not a legal text. It is not a light read, but it is clearly written and is certainly worth the effort in reading all the way through to get a complete, accurate picture of marriage laws before it is used as a research tool to look up specific questions. 

Ms. Probert is a genealogist and Professor of Family Law at Warwick University and a leading authority of the history of marriage laws of England and Wales. She strongly disputes the writings of other historians such as John Gillis, Lawrence Stone and Brian Outhwaite who have all written extensively on marriage laws and practice, divorce, cohabitation, and children out of wedlock. Their books have guided many genealogists, including me, who write and research marriage laws. Probert contends that the errors and assumptions of these authors create confusion for genealogists. I would absolutely agree with her. In my personal opinion, she succeeds in clarifying the changing rules of marriage from 1600 to the present.

The book addresses five questions.  (1) “Whether and Why” your ancestor married deals with the likelihood of any given couple having gone through a valid ceremony of marriage. (2) “Who” examines who could marry, and whom they could or could not marry. (3) “How” examines the formalities required for a valid marriage, plus what that means for Roman Catholics or Protestants. (4) “When”  looks at the age at which couples could and did marry, when parental consent was required and who could object; plus it examines the seasons, days and hours when marriage could be and were celebrated. (5) “Where” moves beyond the legal requirements to large scale genealogical studies that provide guidance to family historians on where they may need to look for the marriages of their ancestors. Throughout the book there is a continual discussion of important key conditions (changing over time) that make a marriage valid, void, and voidable. Additionally there is frequent discussion about what in the law was required versus what was directory. Included in the text are sample questions typically raised by genealogists, and these are answered clearly. This is a must have book for all Genealogist. 

This book will greatly add to your understanding of marriage laws and help you in your research. It is a must for anyone seeking to understand the laws or struggling to find a particular marriage ancestor’s marriage. (Unique laws apply in Scotland and Ireland so don’t apply the laws here to other places, but make use of the framework presented here as an excellent structure for examining marriages in other locations.) If you think you know everything you need to know about English marriage laws then take the author's quiz

Find Here on Amazon


Find Here with Barnes and Noble

Princeton Battlefield Society - Tactical Reenactment

It is my great pleasure to share an exceptional upcoming event taking place April 6th and 7th 2013. The Princeton Battlefield Society of New Jersey will offer a tactical reenactment of the Battle of Princeton held on the site showing General Mercer's portion of the battle. Attending units will participate in a reenactment of General Hugh Mercer’s Brigade’s attack on, and defeat by, the British 4th Brigade, along with the subsequent rallying and counterattack of the American forces lead by General Washington.

The Princeton Battlefield Society will be offering a special tour of the battlefield. Refreshments will be available for purchase throughout the two day event. There will be militia drills, games and stories for the kids and for those young at heart. If you are interested please contact by email - Brianjkovacs@aol.com to confirm your attendance or ask any additional information about this event. Donations are welcome.

Find the Princeton Battlefield Society Here 

If you like to use Facebook and would like to follow or contact them, below is the link. Link to the Princeton Battlefield Society on Facebook

Children of the 18th Century

CHILDREN IN THE 18TH CENTURY from guido verelst on Vimeo.

A recreated look into the lives of children of the 18th Century.

Enjoy! 

Now for a reality check, which most of you are probably crying for after seeing this? Why? Because most of our ancestors did not live a life anywhere like this. 

There is an outstanding book, yes you still need to get your history there sometimes too. It was written by Alice Morse Earle, 1851-1911. It is called Child Life in Colonial Times and was republished by Dover Publications, Inc., in 2009. It is a newly reset, unabridged republication of the work originally published as Child Life in Colonial Days by The Macmillan Company, New York, in 1899. 

In this well written book, author Alice Morse Earle really describes what life was like for children in the colonial period. She also authored another great book, you should also own, Home Life in Colonial Times. Both literally are a treasure trove of customs and facts found no where else so complete. I have both of these in print and also on my iPad. I enjoy reading both of them. Every serious student of American Colonial History, or reenact or should have copies. 

Chatelaines - Châtelaines - Helper's

18th Century 
Chatelaines - Châtelaines

The word "Chatelaine" actually has two meanings. One is of course the tool that this lens is about, and the other means the mistress of a castle, mansion or house. The word in French literally means "kepper of the keys." A Chatelaine is a decorative belt hook or clasp worn at the waist with a series of chains suspended from it. Each chain is mounted with a useful household appendage such aas scissors, thimble, watch, key vinaigrette or perhaps a household seal. 

Since women of antiquity did not have a lot of pockets and they had to move around a large area, carrying these helpful items around with her kept her on task. The use of chatelaines dates all the way back to the Elizabethan Era. They were of course used during the American Revolutionary Period as the above picture represents one that was in service to it's mistress. There have been many times I wished I had a chatelaine even today. Not all of my clothing have pockets or ones big enough for what I need to carry around with me for the day. 

Below is a link to my collection of Chatelaines on Pinterest. 

Enjoy,

Christine

Chatelaines on Pinterest

Colonial Recipes - Making Wassail

COLONIAL HOT CIDER PUNCH, AKA "WASSAIL' 

1 Gallon heated apple cider 
1/2 ounce brandy flavoring 
1/2 ounce rum flavoring OR (even better) 1/2 quart light rum 
3 sticks cinnamon 
3 to 6 whole oranges small bag of whole cloves 


Simmer mixture with 3 sticks whole cinnamon to melt--DO NOT COOK. Allow to cool, pour into punch bowl. Separately stick whole cloves around entire surface of 3 to 6 whole oranges. Place oranges into baking pan with 1/2 inch of water, and bake at 350° for 45 minutes. Place oranges into punch bowl Serves 40 Serve with pound cake, nut cake, or cheese and crackers. 

Enjoy!

Christine