WEST Surname y-DNA Family Reunion

 

FamilyTreeDNA

West Surname y-DNA Project

Family Reunion

St. Louis. MO

2013

 

 

Becky & I attended this year's y-DNA reunion.  We are Group # 5 in the West Surname Project at FamilyTreeDNA (known as the leader with the largest database of participants). We now have Y-DNA results for 310 WEST-surnamed males, identifying 113 unrelated WEST lines. We are a very diverse genetic group. Our surname was adopted many times by people in different locations. As more WESTs participate in the project, the benefit to all WEST researchers increases. We have 39 unrelated groups.  West is a somewhat common name.  We have learned that odds are not in our favor that we are related when we meet someone new by the name of WEST.

We stayed at the Renaissance Airport Hotel.  We were welcomed and honored by the city of St. Louis with a plaque, special cake, flowers and a very nice reception in the city hall.  Our reunion was covered on TV and in the newspapers.  We were treated as celebrities and everyone we met knew we were in town.  You would think we were some kind of very large International Convention.  There were about 20 or so of us.  We are a "colorful" and interesting family as we were described.  We all had a great time and discussed a lot of genealogy!

- submitted by JGWest

Happy Birthday, America!

Have you wondered...

if you had a Revolutionary War Patriot or Soldier in your ancestry?  Dick Eastman posted on his newsletter a good article that may be of help. [Not mentioned was the 1840 U.S. Federal Census list those living in the household that are getting military pensions.  - JGW]

See his article at: http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2013/07/how-to-find-a-revolutionary-war-patriot.html

Happy July 4th.!

From TSGS

- Graphic created by Steve Oberlin, copyright 2009 by the Indiana Society Sons of the American Revolution.

TSGS Hall of Shame - Destroyed Cemetery

From the Minnesota Public Radio web site:
MOORHEAD, Minn. — The last time anyone was buried in the Boerner family cemetery in Grant County was in 1892. For about 20 years before that, it was where early settlers laid at least 10 family members to rest. A small grove of trees at the cemetery was gone. When investigators got a search warrant they found evidence of what Minnesota's state archeologist says is a growing concern, the destruction after years of abandonment of one of the state's thousands of small cemeteries.  The farmer whose field included the cemetery acknowledged clearing the cemetery... damaging a cemetery can be a felony under Minnesota law even if it's abandoned. Even though the farmer owns the land, the cemetery is protected.

 

Top left cluster of trees has been removed in the lower photo... the Boerner Cemetery WAS in those trees!

Photo below are photos of grave markers that were in this cemetery!!!

 

 

Read more about this shameful act of disregard of human dignity and respect:

Pioneer cemeteries fall under plow's threat          by Dan Gunderson,

Minnesota Public Radio                                       

December 28, 2012

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2012/12/28/human-interest/lost-cemetaries/

TSGS Cruiser Blog reported this article from the Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter (EOGN).

ENGINEER'S REPORT – Tech Info

 

This morning, as I do each morning, I checked my email and the many newsletters and other formats of info that comes in my email inbox hourly.  I found this very interesting new advancement in "electronic genealogy."  It has been called "Digitising the Deceased!"  This comes from Dick Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter EOGN

 

http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2012/09/digitising-the-deceased.html

"Radio4 in the UK has an interesting report about placing QR Codes on tombstones. (See the picture to the right for a typical QR code.) Edward Stourton of the Sunday morning religious news and current affairs programme, recently interviewed Steven Nimmo, a funeral director from Dorset, to find out how digital 'quick response' codes are being placed on gravestones. Scanning the code with a smart phone directs people to a webpage where they can find a wealth of information about the deceased.

You can listen to the audio from the radio programme at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00z02tn."

 

This audio link is worth about 2.42 minutes of listening... it is a really cool way to remember love ones.  It is similar to the "Memorial Madallions" we heard about in the last few years.  Technology and genealogy marches on!

 

- Compiled by Indiana Bones

TSGS Meeting Notice!

Tri-State Genealogical Society
(TSGS) Meeting Notice! When: Tuesday 11 Sep 2012 - 7:00 PM
Where: Willard Library - 2nd. Floor
What: Monthly Meeting

[Photo credit: Becky West - Artwork: Chris Lantaff]

Guest Speaker for the September Meeting of the Tri-State Genealogical Society will be Indiana Bones. He will present stories about some of his adventures concerning cemeteries. The Evansville Courier & Press has dubbed TSGS Vice-President John G. West as a "Self-proclaimed Cemetery Geek!" a title he is proud of with his very active pursuit of genealogy over the last 50 years.

 His wife, Becky, gave him the name of "Indiana Bones" and the character evolved to help share his interesting and oftentimes humorous tales about cemeteries and other related genealogy subjects. Whether you are a family historian, genealogist, a history buff or just like to listen to story tellers... you should enjoy these "Adventures of Indiana Bones - Cemetery Stories!" You do not need to be a member to attend TSGS meetings - everyone is welcome!

John G. West (AKA: Indiana Bones)

 [Photo credit: Don Counts]

A drawing for an attendance prize will be awarded at the close of the meeting... you must be present to win.

The Tri-State Genealogical Society will have a brief business meeting that anyone can attend.

 

- Donald R. Counts, TSGS President

Tombstone Thursday - Norton

Oak Hill Cemetery

Evansville, Indiana

James Earl Norton

1915-2003

Frances Helen McBride

1920-2001

Married for 65 years!

(Section D, Lot 2, Graves 8 &9)

 

Great Grandparents of Ryan Lurker who works with JGWest.

 

- Photo taken by Indiana Bones.

 

[Tombstone Thursday is dedicated

in memory of Donald G. West 1952-2000]

Tribute Tuesday

 

Evansville's largest and one of the very oldest cemeteries

has been recognized by the

Indiana Department of Natural Resources

as a Historic Cemetery!

Oak Hill Cemetery

Established 1853 

 

- Photo taken by Indiana Bones

Local DAR News in the Courier

 

 

News about

The Captain

Henry Vanderburgh

 NSDAR Chapter

(Evansville, Indiana)

 

[Click on photo for larger image to read caption]

 

[from The Evansville Courier & Press 09/02/2012, Page D07]

- Submitted by Don Counts

Tombstone Thursday - Wood

 

 

St. Joseph Cemetery

Evansville, Indiana

Patrick H. Wood

1903 - 1958

My mother's Uncle Pat, brother to her mother.  I just barely remember going to the funeral home (I was about 11 years old).  He was only 55 years old... the same age that my father was when he died.

[Tombstone Thursday is dedicated

in memory of Donald G. West 1952-2000]

- Photo taken by Indiana Bones

Tombstone Thursday - Woodis

New Ebenezer Church Cemetery

Christian County, Kentucky

Harry and Maude Woodis

This is part of my Woodis family.  The name has several variations in spelling: Wooddis, Woodas, Woodus... sometimes with 2 "d's" and/or 2 "s's"  This line goes back to Littleberry (Barry) Woodis and wife, Luvana Blalock who were both born in the 1780's in North Carolina.  Harry is their great grandson.  Littleberry's granddaughter was Margaret G. Woodis who married Joseph Phipps in 1864 in neighboring Todd County, Kentucky and they are my Great, Great Grandparents.

- Photo taken by JGWest

Marker/Plaque/Monument Monday

New Ebenezer Church Cemetery

Christian County, Kentucky

John William West

And His Wife

Hester Ann Martin

Great Grandparents of John G. West

 I was in the 5th. Grade of school when I first saw this memorial monument to my great grandparents and it and the Civil War marker for another great grandparent in Owensboro, KY was a strong motivator to learn more about my family history!  Seeing their photo made the fact that they once were living and raised a family seem more real to a kid like me.

- Photos taken by JGWest

1833 Eagle Map of the USA

'
This is a really cool map that can be viewed by zooming-in on it!

Accessible Archives

The Eagle Map of the United States engraved for Rudiments of National Knowledge by Isaac W. Moore c1833.  Relief shown pictorially. Shows the image of an eagle superimposed on the United States.  Entered according to act of Congress in the year 1832 by J. Churchman in the Clerk's Office of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.  Explore the full map at http://zoom.it/bQKe

NOTE: the link to Accessible Archives takes you to their Face Book Timeline site that has many, many interesting photos to enjoy & share.  They provide full-text searchable access to vast quantities of archived early American historical publications for an annual fee.

Tombstone Thursday - Brewer

Waubonsie Cemetery
Mills County, Iowa

Candis Brewer

Wife of Amos Williams

1807 - 1873

Candis Brewer is the grand daughter of John G. West's ancestor Thomas West, Jr. and her husband Amos Williams was the brother of John G. West's ancestor James Williams, Jr. 

Amos and Candis were married in 1826 in Christian Co., KY and both died in the 1870's in Mills Co., Iowa.

- Photos taken by Kay Baldwin and K. Hyland Smith that were posted on Find-A-Grave Memorial # 15002827.

[Tombstone Thursday is dedicated

in memory of Donald G. West 1952-2000]

Indiana Bones Shares Cemetery Stories

Indiana Bones Presents

"Cemetery Stories"

at the Kuhlenschmidt/Hartig Family Reunion

Indiana Bones had just cautioned everyone that he was not Indiana Jones eventhough he lookes almost exactly like Harrison Ford... the 40+ crowd seemed to think that statement was funny!  Bones read about 5-6 short cemetery tales that were modified versions of some of the TSGS Cruiser Blogs.  Indiana Bones has become quite popular on the speakers circuit lately.  TSGS will have him as the monthly meeting program for September and the Daughters of the American Revolution have requested him to speak in April 2013.  Who would have known that a "cemetery geek" could become so sought after!

- Photo taken by Warren Deutsch.

Marker/Plaque/Monument Monday

Plaque in the Fellowship Hall

McCutchanville Methodist

Community Church

William Atcheson, Jr.

 [Click on Photos to get larger image.]

Photo of William Atcheson, Jr.

- Photos taken by Indiana Bones



Tombstone Thursday

New Ebenezer Church Cemetery

Christian County, Kentucky

Rufus Melvin Ewing

04 Jan 1927 - 27 Feb 1927

(Son of John Henry & Gladys Jones Ewing)

- Photo taken by Indiana Bones.

[Tombstone Thursday is dedicated

in memory of Donald G. West 1952-2000]

Interesting Revolutionary War Timeline!

Cool Timeline!

http://www.americanrevolutioncenter.org/collection

- From Mark Kreps.

Plaque/Marker/Monument Monday

'

Mesker Park Zoo and Beetles...

 [Click on photos to get a larger image to read plaque above.]

Collection of M.C. Berry of Evansville, Indiana

The Entomology Collection is in the Discovery Center at Mesker Park Zoo.

- Photos taken and submitted by JGWest.

Marker, Plaque, Monument Monday

'

Revolutionary War

Memorial

Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West

Hopkinsville, Kentucky

[Click on photos to get larger images]

Front side of the SAR marker listing 71 men of

Christian Co., KY who participated

in the establishment of our country

during the Revolutionary War.  

On the Fourth of July, I attended the unveiling and dedication ceremony of the 9-foot tall granite monolith memorial to the Revolutionary War Patriots and Soldiers who lived in Christian Co., KY. I am directly descended from Thomas West of North Carolina that is etched on this marker along with 70 other men being honored. Several of these other men are related to me, but are not of direct lineage.

Back side of this large marker. 

There were several hundred people present including many of my cousins (along with their families) from my father's side of the family: Tommy Henderson, Eddie Deason, Barbara Oatts Smith, Joan McCarty, Chad Word... there were more that I met for the first time. This was such a thrill to know that my ancestor will be remembered for his involvement in establishing our independent nation!

 Cousin Eddie Deason pointing to our

common ancestor Thomas West.

 Dressed in a dark suit is Bob Fears, President of the John Manire SAR Chapter and Master of Ceremonies.  He is holding a proclamation from the Kentucky Governor.  To his left (right side of photo) is Major General McConville that gave the Keynote Address, William Turner (County Historian, publisher), and 3 members of the Manire SAR Chapter.  Next to Pres. Fears on the left side of photo is my cousin Chad Word, behind him is cousin Eddie Deason, next is KY State Representative Tilley, then finally me, John G. West, representing the Ohio Valley SAR Chapter of the Indiana Society - and my ancestor Thomas West.

 Cousin Tommy Henderson (left), who organized and directed the entire ceremony and was rushing around the whole morning, taking a moment to pose with Indiana Bones (right side of photo)!

Next to the Colonel John Green Chapter NSDAR wreath is my cousin Barbara Oatts Smith along with several other members of her DAR chapter. 

- Compiled by JGWest.

- Photos taken by Eddie Deason, Indiana Bones, and others.

"Digging Up Info About Premature Burials"

'

Recently,

my friend Mark Kreps

posted a photo of a neat little child's coffin from the Ft. Vallonia, Indiana Museum with a small wooden top that slid to one side and you could view the child thru a glass cover. I pointed out that besides the viewing that it might also provide evidence if the child had not actually died because the inside of the glass would fog over if the little one was still alive, even with the faintest of breathing. This would be similar to using a mirror to see if it would fog-up from someone that was believed to have died.

Before embalming became the norm, there existed enormous fear by some people of premature burials or being buried alive... this fear is known as taphephobia. The fear was increased by the tales of people being found in coffins that were clawed on the inside and splinters from the wooden coffin under the “victims” finger nails! Those with this fear went to great expense to have a safety coffin made that would help against a premature burial. Many of these coffins would involve a string tied to their hand and would be attached to a bell or to a spring loaded flag that could be activated by the “deceased” if they should awaken after burial. Some would be designed to signal others before burial.

I had said in my comments to Mark's photo that this was where the phrase “grave shift” came from. With my recent “digging up” of some facts about all of this, I learned that my statement might not be true, even-though it clearly stands to reason that if you had a safety coffin, that you would have secured people to watch and listen for your signal. The “graveyard shift” originated, as some believe, to refer to the work shift between the hours of Midnight and 8AM when there was more chance of accidents, etc. I had heard many years ago that the shift was so named because it was harder on people to work those hours or that they would not get as much rest as the more “normal” hours would provide and thus could send you to an early grave. Since, I have pointed out the possible incorrect origin for “graveyard shift,” I feel like I have the obligation to point out 2 other myths. “Dead Ringer” is believed to not have anything to do with a safety coffin or a premature burial. Instead it has to do with horse racers where a substitute or “ringer” was put in that looked very similar to another horse to fool the horse betting bookies... “dead” was added like in “dead on” and people would say things like “Bob is a dead ringer for his Uncle Ralph!” The second myth is “saved by the bell” which came from boxing, not someone from the grave ringing to be saved! The boxer was about to get knocked completely out but the bell was rung for the end of the round just in time!

Here are a few links to some sites that I got information for this blog or has interesting stories:
10 Horrifying Premature Burials

Just Dying to Get Out - Snopes.com

Premature Burial – Wikipedia

Wake Ceremony – Wikipedia

Funeral Customs – Contents (chapters)

Funeral Customs – Chapter IV “Wakes, etc.”

- Written and compiled by JGWest.