Casefile Clues

This blog has moved

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 15:24:00 +0000

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For Our New Subscribers--some of our philosophy

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 14:06:00 +0000

It has been a little while since I posted anything to the blog about our philosophy here at Casefile Clues and since we have some new subscribers I thought I would.

Casefile Clues is not geared towards the totally new genealogist. There already is a great deal of basic how-to information on the internet and in print form. Our audience is the experienced genealogist. Our focus is also on the process, why certain things were done, what worked, and most importantly what did not work.

Michael only writes about families he is actually researching. That does limit the scope somewhat, but my children have a fairly diverse background so there is variety. Suggestions for ideas are welcome, but unless you are related to me (as one gentleman in Topeka was), I'm probably not going to write about your family.

Casefile Clues does not accept any advertising, either in the PDF version of the newsletter or on the Casefile Clues website. This is partially because what time I do have for the newsletter is I want to devote to researching and writing. I don't want to have to worry about advertisers, ads, etc. And...since Casefile Clues has no advertisers there is no one to worry about irritating. We really don't get controversial in Casefile Clues, but this way I don't have to worry if an advertiser won't like that I "left out" their site, book, etc. I also don't want readers to think I'm writing about a certain site or service in an attempt to promote it. I write about how I actually research. It is that simple. And suggestions are always welcome if you think I have overlooked something, because sometimes I do. Everyone does.

Some blogs, newsletters, and websites write about vendors or sites in hopes that their blog, newsletter, or website generates traffic to that site and generates them income. I'm certainly not opposed to income and I'm certainly not opposed to advertising (I use it on my Rootdig.com site just to be upfront about it), but I really want Casefile Clues to be completely about the research.

There was a good response to Casefile Clues at the Topeka Genealogical Society Seminar I lectured at this past weekend. I appreciate their support and the suggestions I got from attendees.

If you've found Casefile Clues helpful to your research, consider:

mentioning it on your website/blog
sharing information about the newsletter with others

It really does help and I do appreciate it.

And your positive comments and support are also appreciated. There are a few taped up in my office for motivation when deadlines are looming.

The Michael's Not at NGS discount on Casefile Clues

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 01:53:00 +0000

This week is the annual National Genealogical Society Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. Work and other travels prevents me from going to NGS. I know some Casefile Clues subscribers are going to NGS, but I know quite a few others won't be able to for a variety of reasons.

Vendors often offer discounts at the NGS conference. Casefile Clues is offering a discount on a combination of all the back issues (1-39) and a year long subscription. Normally this would cost over $35. This week, through Saturday when the conference is over, we are offering all 39 back issues and a year long subscription for $30!

Click here to process credit card payment or email me for information on other payment options (mjnrootdig@gmail.com).

I'll be working this week and would love to have fans and blog readers take advantage of the "I'm not at NGS" offer.

Back Orders Processed

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 23:46:00 +0000

All orders for back issues and missing issues received as of 6:00 p.m. CST have been processed. If you still have missing issues or have ordered back issues and have not received them, please let me know so I can take care of it.

And if you'd like to order back issues, please let me know!

Thanks!

Casefile Clues Past Topics

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 09:00:00 +0000

Here are recent Casefile Clues article topics (this page will be updated as time allows):

39--Multiple Marias--Analyzing more than one 1893 obituary for a Swiss immigrant in Iowa.
38--From their Mouth to Your Screen. Discusses all the "filters" information passes through.
37--Pullman Car Company Employment Records. Discusses several employment records from the Pullman Car Company in Chicago. Discusses William Apgar, Thomas Frame, Louis DeMar.
36--Where are they in 1840? Analyzes an individual who is "missing" from an 1840 census. Includes a discussion of how he was "found" and how land records actually solved the problem. Discusses Abraham Wickiser.
35--A 1910 Birth. Analyzes primary and secondary sources for a date and place of birth in 1910 and how differences might not be all that different. Discusses Ida Trautvetter.
34--Ready to Go? Discusses some things to contemplate regarding your genealogy material before you die.
33--Where there is a Will there is Confusion. Analyzes an early 19th century will from Maryland and what the different bequests likely mean and what potentially brought them about. Also discusses different ways some things can be interpreted. Discusses John DeMoss.
32--When There is No Probate. Some things to think about when there is no probate file.
31--Analyzing the Mortgage. Discusses an 1870 era mortgage in Illinois. Discusses John Ufkes and Rolf Habben.
30--Behind the Scenes Chaos. Discusses the importance of thinking about what "caused" a record to be recorded.
29--Un-American Activity. Discusses an invesigation by the fore-runner of the FBI into a German-American family in World War I. Discusses the Fecht family.
28--Do You Ear What I Ear? Discusses things to remember about how things are heard.
27--Analyzing Andrew Trask. Discusses work on an Mass. native (born ca. 1814) who lived in St. Louis, southern-Illinois, and western Illinois where he died in the 1880s. Focuses on analyzing and working on later records to discern patterns, etc. Discusses Andrew Trask.
26--Using Google Books.
25--Finding Valentine. Steps in locating a man whose only real mention is in an 1870 era estate settlement. Discusses how I organized my search for him.
24--The Brick Wall is in Your Head. Talks about ways you may have made your own genealogical brick wall.
23--You Ask and I Wonder. Things that pop in my head when a person asks a certain genealogical question.
22--Crossing the Pond.
21--One Clipping Leads to More.
20--Organizing 1870 Census Search
19--Public Sale
18--Analyzing the Biography
17--Working with the Professional. Getting started with the professional genealogist who is performing Chicago area work for me.
16--A Lot from Barbara's Lot. Clues from a series of records on a small lot in a town in rural Illinois betwen 1856 and 1905.
15--Finding Gesche's Girls. Tracking down an "evaporating" German native who "condensed" somewhere in the United States.
14--Jumpstarting Your Research. Just some ideas to get you started.
13--Brick Walls and the Census Taker
12--The Heirs Complete the Homestead
11--Is the Wrong Name Correct?
10--Connecting the Iras. Working to determine if two men of the same name are the same man.
09--Pre-1850 Census Analysis. Analzing pre-1850 census records for a family to determine the household structure. Discusses Thomas and Sarah Sledd.
08--Platting Out Thomas Sledd's Heirs. Platting out the estate division of the Thomas Sledd estate in Kentucky in the 1830s. Discusses Thomas Sledd family.
07--Looking for Ira's Lucretia. Working on my "brick wall" Ira through his sister Lucretia. mid-to-late nineteenth century work.
06--The Civil War Pension file of Riley Rampley. An overview of a Union Civil War pension record.
05--Finding a Chicago Christening. How a 1913 era Chicago christening record was found. Discusses Anna Apgar.
04--Multiple Parents
03--Preemption Claim. The Missouri pre-emption land claim of John Lake. Discusses John Lake.
02--Passport Records. Discusses an early twentieth century passport application. Discusses Robert Frame.
01--Lessons from an Estate Record. Analyzes an 1870 era Illinois set of estate records.

Want to order back issues? These are the current prices. We will honor any other prices on the site obtained via PayPal links that have not been removed.

Issue 39 PDF version out

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 21:18:00 +0000

The PDF version of Issue 39 "Multiple Marias" has been sent. The in email version will go out later this evening.

Thanks and Spread the News

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 02:01:00 +0000

I wanted to thank all of you who have supported Casefile Clues since I began self-distribution in July. I also appreciate the suggestions and comments I have recevied. They have been really helpful.

And if you know anyone who would be interested in Casefile Clues....please let them know!

Thanks!

Michael

About Casefile Clues

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 23:06:00 +0000

Every week Casefile Clues brings you one or more of the following:

Sources--Some weeks Casefile Clues focuses on a specific source or type of record, discussing how that source can be accessed, researched, and interpreted.
Methodology--Some weeks Casefile Clues works on one of Michael's problems. Many times these problems are "in progress," and Casefile Clues reflects that by explaining what was researched, why it was researched, and where to go next (and why).
Case Studies--Some weeks Casefile Clues focuses on a specific record on a specific person and analyzes that record, discusses what it says (and what it does not) and where to go next based upon that person and the specific record.
Citations--Casefile Clues includes citations of sources and records. Articles can easily be read without them, but we include citations for those who prefer to have them and we do try and model citations in the style of Evidence Explained.
Reasons--Casefile Clues tries to give you insight into why certain research avenues were pursued over others. Often the genealogist simply does not have time or money to locate every piece of paper available. Sometimes it is necessary to go with what likely will give us the "most bang for the buck."
Readable--We work very hard to make Casefile Clues readable. Columns are not "fluff" or generic "how-to" pieces.
Coverage--Casefile Clues covers all American time periods and records. All families discussed come from the ancestry of Michael's children who lived in a variety of states and countries. All examples are from actual families on which Michael has worked or is working. If you are subscribing when Casefile Clues begins discussing Philip Troutfetter, you'll see that you just can't make this stuff up.

Upcoming

We have several topics coming up over the next several months:

Continuation of our "hiring a professional" series.
Discussion of whether Michael should get pension, bounty land, and service records on three War of 1812 veterans.
Continuation of Michael's search for the parents of Ira Sargent, born ca. 1846 in Canada and dropped off by the UFO into Illinois in 1880.
A continuation of our series on the Frame/Apgar-Demar family of Chicago, including name changes, "evaporating husbands," and more.
Work on Sarah [---] Willis Hudson Rush Turberville who died in Orange County, Virginia, in the 1760s.

Join us and get in on the fun! An annual subscription to the weekly Casefile Clues is only $17. Casefile Clues is delivered weekly to your email inbox as an attached PDF file. Casefile Clues is unique and won't break your genealogical piggy bank!

Issue 39 Discusses two Obituaries

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 10:24:00 +0000

Issue 39, scheduled to go out this weekend, discusses two obituaries for a woman who died in Davenport, Iowa, in 1893. Several lessons in the text of the article and quite a few clues in the obituaries as well.

Also included are some general search techniques for searching newspapers. Subscribe now and get it on the discovery.

Google Map for Issue 39

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 09:46:00 +0000

This is a Google Map I created of the locations mentioned in the obituaries of Maria Cawiezell discussed in issue 39 of Casefile Clues. Subscribe now and get in on the discovery and analysis.

View Marie Cawiezell Locations in a larger map

1880 Christian Troutfetter

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 20:08:00 +0000

This is the 1880 census enumeration (in part) for Christian Troutfetter and his family. He was living as a butcher in Alexandria, Clark County, Missouri, right across the Mississippi River from his Trautvetter relatives in Hancock County, Illinois.

The infamous Philip is listed as fourteen in this enumeration. This entry completes every census entry for Christian between 1860 and 1910.

I'm working on an article on Philip for an upcoming issue of Casefile Clues. Subscribe now and get in on the fun.

My work on Christian himself might generate an article at a later date.

Careful readers might notice that Christian is listed as Troutfetter and the rest of his family is listed as Trautvetter. I'm not certain what caused him to use a slightly different spelling from his relatives who stayed in Illinois.

Working on Philip Troutfetter at Kansas Historical Library

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 19:57:00 +0000

I'll be spending part of Friday at the Kansas State Historical Society in Topeka, the day before my seminar.

The main thing I'll be doing there is newspaper work on Philip Troutfetter. To be perfectly honest with blog readers, I decided this last night while walking the dog. Consequently I am not as prepared as I could or should be. I already have several newspaper clippings about Philip which I obtained from Ancestry.com, Genealogybank and other online sources. Some of these newspaper items mention various events in Philip's life. I wanted to see what if anything his hometown paper had to say about these events. I made a quick, down and dirty chart of events I had. It is not sourced completely, but with enough detail that I can go back and clean up the chart (which I plan on doing for a future issue of Casefile Clues).

Sometimes we can't always be quite as organized as we want to be, but I think it is important to see how things progress and how one can try and be organized, even at the last minute. The chart is attached to this blog post as a PDF file. The completed chart (cleaned up with citations, etc.), and the original (for comparison) will appear in a future issue of Casefile Clues.

philip_ks_historical.pdf--this is the file.

I may do periodic updates while researching or I may just make one post at the end of the day.

Off to Topeka

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 03:53:00 +0000

I am off to Topeka to lecture at the annual conference of the Topeka Genealogical Society on Saturday. On Friday, I'll be at the Kansas State Historical Society doing research. The society has a folder on Philip Troutfetter, my relative, who traversed the western hemisphere between the late 1890s and 1901 or so.

He owned the newspaper in Thomas County, Kansas before he started globetrotting and I've decided to review the microfilm of the newspaper for key events in his life to see how they were mentioned. Philip made national news several times and hopefully his local newspaper had more to say about him.

Stay tuned....I don't think I'm done with the Philip story yet.

John Habben 1880 Census enumeration two

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 20:49:00 +0000

This is the second 1880 census enumeration for a John Habben in Prairie Township, Hancock County, Illinois. In issue 40 of Casefile Clues, we'll see how the two John Habbens compare and see what the "real deal" was.

In the issue, we'll cite each census enumeration and discuss both entries--there's more to this story than just the two Johns. Subscribe now and get in on the fun.

1895 Kansas Census Index Entry for Christian Troutfetter

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 13:51:00 +0000

Some names are easier to read incorrectly than others, especially when the census taker uses a creative spelling.

This screen shot is from the 1895 census index entry for Christian Troutfetter in Thomas County, Kansas.

He's indexed with a last name of Tronttefitter. He was found by searching for men whose name started with "Chris" in Thomas County, Kansas.

I submitted an alternate spelling for Ancestry.com on this one. If the name really does look like "Tronttefitter" then Troutfetter is not a correction. We don't correct the census. We note that that the name was not spelled the way the family usually spelled it.

Of course, it the census actually said "Troutfetter" then changing it from "Tronttefitter" to "Troutfetter" would be a correction and should be done.

Regular readers of Casefile Clues have seen the name Trautvetter before. For reasons that are not known, Christian and his descendants use the Troutfetter spelling.

1880 Census for John Habben

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 20:42:00 +0000

This is one of the 1880 census enumerations for John Habben that we will be discussing in issue 40 of Casefile Clues. There's another John Habben on an adjacent page.

In the issue, we'll cite each census enumeration and discuss both entries and see what really was going on underneath the surface. Subscribe now and get in on the fun.

Christian in 1880

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 16:57:00 +0000

I'm working on part of an upcoming article today and am missing one census entry for a Christian Troutfetter and cannot seem to find him.

I am looking for Christian Troutfetter, born Sept 1831, Saxony (from the 1900 Census) and his wife Elizabeth (born Oct 1835 in Germany) for an upcoming Casefile Clues column on his son, Philip. I have Christian in the following years and places.

1860-Wilcox, Hancock County, Illinois, page 84.
1870-Warsaw, Hancock County, Illinois, page 4.
1880-??
1895--Colby, Thomas County, Kansas, page 12.
1900-Morgan Township, Thomas County, Kansas, Sheet 2B
1910-Colby City (3rd "class), Thomas County, Kansas, Sheet 7A

These are not complete citations--just enough to help someone else find him.

The problem is locating him in 1880. He probably was in Illinois, but I am not certain. His occupation varies from a farmer to a butcher.

Any suggestions from readers with a little time on their hands? A more complete summary on him and the searches will appear in an upcoming issue of Casefile Clues. His likely location in Illinois would have been in either Montebello, Warsaw, Wilcox, or Rocky Run Townships.

Issue 39--Names and Identities

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 17:44:00 +0000

There is no title to issue 39 as of yet, but it deals with differentiating between two individuals and merging individuals together. The family discussed is German, but don't be put off because you don't have any Germans. The concept of similarly named individuals being "merged" into one person happens in many backgrounds.

We'll also see how naming conventions created problems as well.

Subscribe now and get on the list.

Getting Ready for Topeka

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 13:37:00 +0000

I'll be making four presentations for the Topeka, Kansas Genealogical Society's conference this upcoming Saturday, April 24th. The conference will focus on female ancestors, which cover half of the family tree--quite a bit of ground for one day.

The society is still accepting registrations for the conference--email me at mjnrootdig@gmail.com & I can put you in contact with the society representative. We'd love to have you join us.

I'm going to research the family Philip Troutfetter at the Kansas State Historical Library Friday, hoping to find some information for the newsletter.

Issue 38 completely sent

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 05:02:00 +0000

All copies of issue 38 have been sent. Please let me know if you haven't received yours. If you aren't a subscriber, join now and I'll start your subscription with issue 38.

Issue 38 has been sent

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 19:33:00 +0000

PDF subscribers have been sent issue 38. In text emails are next.

Issue 38 getting ready to go...

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 15:34:00 +0000

Issue 38 being finalized for distribution into cyberspace. Susbscribe before I send it out and I'll put your name on the distribution list. 38 is a piece to get you thinking about the "flow" of information to your computer screen. You can subscribe here

http://www.casefileclues.com/subscribe.html

Our Proofreader: Sue Hawes

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 13:14:00 +0000

Sue Hawes, a genealogist based in Portland, Maine and Massachusetts native, has served as the very able proofreader for Casefile Clues since September 2009. Her genealogical education includes the National Genealogical Society's (NGS) American Genealogy Home Study Course and Advanced Methodology and Analysis at the Institute of Genealogy & Historical Research (IGHR). In May 2010, Sue will lead a group of Rev. William Crain (1802-1884) descendants to southern Hancock County, Illinois for cemetery and other family research. When she is not busy with genealogy or her full-time job in technical support, Sue enjoys camping and spending time with her husband and teenage daughter.

Michael's Note: Sue always keeps me on my toes, but readers should remember that any errors, omissions, or general "boo-boos" rest at my feet, not hers. Her help in getting Casefile Clues off every week is greatly appreciated.

Facebook Fans--Combo Offer

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 19:20:00 +0000

Are you a fan of Casefile Clues on Facebook?

Get issues 1-38 of Casefile Clues and a year of upcoming issues for only $29! (That's a $6 savings)

Click here to process payment.

Offer good on 18-19 April 2010 only.

Past topics are here. But come back to THIS page to get the discount rate.

Want to Join Michael in Salt Lake this May?

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 00:29:00 +0000

Anyone who wants to join me in Salt Lake at the Family History Library in late May...check out my group trip page:

http://www.rootdig.com/slctrip.html