Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Record Search Pilot Is Coming To An End...

And with that end, comes the full release of Record Search! Recently, there was a "Record Search Beta" that I participated in, to test and send feedback on the final release of Record Search. As of today, this Beta version has ended. The final release of Record Search is planned to be released next week, including some new databases not previously published in the Pilot version. I've been waiting a long time for this, and I hope they continue to add German and Hungarian records. :)

Here is the full message I received today:

"The Record Search Beta has ended. Thank you so much for your help in testing this new release. We received some great feedback are now working to fix the issues you reported. The beta site might be available for a few more days if you want to continue to use it, however we will not be contacting you when it is no longer available.

What is our plan going forward:

Our plan (which always seems to change) is to release this new version of Record Search next week. Shortly after this release you will see some new collections published that were not part of the beta test and have not previously been available. This release expands our capacity to publish records and we hope to continue to publish new collection every week, so please keep checking the Record Search web site to see what is new.

Thank you again for all of your help.

Record Search Beta Team"

Friday, April 09, 2010

Follow Friday - 09 Apr 2010

This Friday, I want to share a new and promising blog to the genealogical community. It was created by my friend Nuccia, and it's purpose and goal is to be focused on Italian research and resources. She already has some interesting blog posts and some neat books in the "Books" section. If you have Italian ancestry, you should check it out. It can be found here: http://gentedimareitaliangenealogy.info/

What's Been Going On Lately

I've been neglecting my blog really bad lately.. I want to say sorry to my faithful readers out there. You know who you are. :)

I've been busy and preoccupied with a few things going on lately. First is my cousin's Bat Mitzvah, which is tomorrow. There's been months of set up and preparation and I'll be happy when it's over. The other reason I've been busy is I've been doing a lot of research lately.

Last week today, I went to the Newberry Library in Chicago with my friend Cathy. That place is amazing! I didn't even get through half the list of books I wanted to look at, but I found so much information and great leads on my brick-wall Howell family. My Howell's are dead-ended with a Hiram Howell and wife Rachel. They were born in the 1780's-1790's and lived in Western TN and finally Tippah County, Mississippi in the last years of their lives. Hiram was actually murdered in 1853! Hiram and Rachel were married sometime before 1810 in Tennessee and I believe they had somewhere around ten children, eight boys and two girls. One of the girls was Temperance, my 4th-great-grandmother. She was married to George W. Vance about 1844 (place and date unknown) and they had seven children, before George suddenly died in 1859-1860. He was only about 33 when he died... another possible murder? Hopefully further research will yield those answers.

I've also been pretty busy researching my Hungarian nobility. Through my 9th-great-grandmother, Margit Berzeviczy who married István Horváth de Perlak, I descend from many large and old noble families of Hungary.. some with very powerful connections. Here are some of the families I descend from through Margit's ancestry. If you descend from any of these please contact me, we're cousins!

*Bánffy de Gara (garai Bánffy) - genus Drusma
*Bárczay de Bárcza (bárczai Bárczay)
*Berthóthy de Berthót (berthóti Berthóthy) - genus Aba
*Berzeviczy de Berzevicze (berzeviczei Berzeviczy)
*Bocskay de Bocskó (bocskói Bocskay) - genus Boksa
*Buchai de Bucha (buchai Buchai)
*Cseley de Csele (cselei Cseley) - genus Bogáth-Radván
*Csúzy de Csúz és Puszta-Szent-Mihály (csúzi és puszta-szent-mihályi Csúzy)
*Garay de Gara (garai Garay) - genus Drusma
*Gombos de Gombosfalva (gombosfalvai Gombos) - genus Tekele
*Haraszthy de Haraszt (haraszti Haraszthy)
*Istvánffy baranyavár és Kis-Asszonyfalva (kis-asszonyfalvai és baranyavári Istvánffy)
*Izdenczy de Izdencz és Komlós (izdenczi és komlósi Izdenczy)
*Kapy de Kapivár (kapivári Kapy)
*Lipcsey de Nagy-Lucse (nagy-lucsei Lipcsey)
*Macedóniai de Macedónia (macedóniai Macedóniai)
*Merse de Szinye (szinyei Merse)
*Nekcsey de Nekcse (nekcsei Nekcsey) - genus Aba
*Ostffy de Asszonyfalva (asszonyfalvai Ostffy) - genus Osl
*Soós de Sóvár (sóvári Soós) - genus Boksa
*Szilágyi de Horogszeg (horogszegi Szilágyi)
*Szini de Teresztény (teresztényi Szini)
*Zombory de Zombor (zombori Zombory)

I've also been working on something for my website Hungary Exchange that I hope a lot of people will find useful. It's guides on how to read and decipher church parish records. It explains how to read baptism, marriage and burial records and I'm doing three records of each of those events for each of the religions in Hungary. There's the Civil Registration, Evangelical, Greek Catholic, Jewish, Reformed and Roman Catholic. So there would be a total of nine (9) guides for each religion, totaling 54 pages of guides when I'm completely finished. At the moment I have 100% of Reformed complete, 2/3 of Greek Catholic complete and 2/3 of Jewish complete. I hope to have it up soon.

All you Hungarian genealogists, please visit my website and submit the surnames you're researching in Hungary. The Surname Database already has 125 Hungarian surnames posted, so check it out!

Saturday, April 03, 2010

The Search For My Howell's: Fayette County, Tennessee marriages, 1838-1871

Fayette County, Tennessee marriages, 1838-1871
By: Sistler, Byron

Carter, Stephen L.
Howell, Nancy
05 Feb 1851
no return

Garrison, M.
Howell, Marinda
24 Jun 1869
30 Jun 1869

Howell, Charles C.
Carpenter, Frances E.
21 Dec 1847
23 Dec 1847

Howell, George S.
Bankhead, Agnis M.
24 Apr 1841
30 Apr 1841

Howell, Joel C.
Carpenter, Ann J.
13 Sep 1851
no return

McKnight, Thomas R.
Howell, Margaret A.
12 Dec 1850
no return

Robertson, Joseph J.
Howell, Fatis C.
12 Apr 1845
15 Apr 1845

The Search For My Howell's: Land Deeds of Tippah County, Mississippi, 1836-1870

Land Deeds of Tippah County, Mississippi, 1836-1870
By: Martini, Don

B367
22 Nov 1838
Angus & Margaret M. Gillis of Marshall County, Mississippi to Hugh Davis
Wit: H. B. Howell, Samuel McCorkle

D452
08 Jan 1841
Josiah Alexander to David Howell of Fayette County, Tennessee
Wit: James Thompson, Milton Alexander

F97
24 Feb 1845
G. W. Vance to Simon R. Spight
Wit: Charles G. Yancey, Richard Shelton, James Embrey

F259
16 Jan 1843
Littleton C. Meeks to Johnathan Howell
Wit: P. N. Black, A. C. Nelms, J. M. Marthcross

G165
13 Jul 1846
Andrew Prather to daughter Jane G., wife of David B. Vance

G597
06 Jan 1847
George Street & Agnes M. Howell of Marshall County, Mississippi to James Howell
Wit: John C. Howell

G598
25 Jan 1847
James C. & Elizabeth Ann Howell to James Hurley

H197
03 Apr 1848
David & Parthene Howell to Hiram Howell

I198
09 Jun 1849
B. F. & Mary F. Scott to David Howell

J188
17 Aug 1850
Thomas & Charity Haley to Johnathan Howell

J567
26 Nov 1850
David & Parthenia Howell to F. W. Vance (G. W. Vance?)

K41
26 Jun 1851
John & Margaret E. Wright to Patrick H. Vance

K193
13 Oct 1851
George & Elizabeth Shankle to David Howell

K318
17 Jan 1852
G. W. & Temperance Vance to T. J. Davidson

M231
03 Dec 1852
Reece & Lugonia Howell to William Robinson

M576
11 Apr 1853
Orlando & Martha Davis to Reece Howell

N246
26 Jun 1854
Reece Howell to Rachel Howell

O325
04 Apr 1855
Reece Howell to O. F. Philbrick

P369
03 Nov 1855
Johnathan & Mary Howell of Studdard County, Missouri to Matthias Nelms

Q231
25 Jan 1855
Elizabeth Ann, widow of James C. Howell to James S. Roundtree

W735
01 Feb 1869
David Howell to son W. Y. Howell

The Search For My Howell's: Land Deed Genealogy of Lincoln County, Tennesse, Vol. 1-3

Land Deed Genealogy of Lincoln County, Tennesse, Vol. 1-3
By: Marsh, Helen Crawford

10 Feb 1816
Reg. 12 Nov 1816
Deed from Reace Howel of Lincoln County, Tennessee to Philip Koonce of same place for 10 acres of land in Lincoln County on the head waters of Stewart's Creek, a South branch of Elk River and adjoining a tract of land in the name of David Howel. Signed. Reese Howel.
Witnesses: John Smith, James Messr

25 Jul 1816
Reg. 02 Sep 1816
Deed from Armstead Dodson of Allen County, Kentucky to Philip Koonce of Lincoln County, by survey dated 06 Jul 1813, lying in the 2nd district on the waters of Stewart's Creek, a south branch of Elk River and adjoining North of David Howell's line.
Witnesses: Andrew McCartney and James Messer.

13 Sep 1816
Reg. 14 Nov 1816
Deed from David Howel of Lincoln County, Tennessee to Joshua Dodson of same place for 50 acres of land in Lincoln County, Tennessee on south side of Elk River and the waters of Stewart's Creek and adjoining a tract in name of Robert Kennedy. Said land being part of a certificate no. 31 dated 14th May of 1808 issued to John Gowen and entered 20th feb 1809 by no. 1188.
Witnesses: W. J. B. Coker and Nelson Yarborough

14 Dec 1816
Reg. 25 Feb 1817
Deed from Benjamin Clements of Lincoln County, Tennessee to Andrew McCartney of same place for 25 acres of land in Lincoln County on the waters of Stewart's Creek a south branch of Elk River and adjoining a survey in the name of Robert Kennedy. Said land being the one half of a 50 acre tract originally granted to William Fish and Benjamin Clements by the State of Tennessee.
Test: David Howell and Alexander McCullough

02 Jan 1817
Reg. 01 Dec 1817
Deed from Martin Shofner of Bedford County, Tennessee to Mary Howell of Lincoln County, Tennessee for 120 acres of land in Lincoln County, Tennessee and on the waters of Mulberry Creek and adjoining Joseph Morgan's corner on John Bailey's line and John Whitaker's line.
Test: Christopher Shofner and Jonathan Howell

07 Oct 1817
Reg. 30 Jul 1818
Deed from William B. Higgins of Town of Fayetteville, Tennessee and containing 1/2 acre, being the same lot whereon Thomas Howel lived at the date of the bond and whereon said Francis Smith now lives.
Test: Bennett ? Higgins and Thomas Kercheval

27 Jan 1818
Reg. 17 Oct 1818
Deed from John A. Chapman of Lincoln County, Tennessee to Reese Howel of Same place for a tract of land in Lincoln County on the east fork of Mulberry Creek north side of Elk River and adjoining William Douglass' 640 acre survey. In all 108 acres.
Witnesses: William Whitaker and Thomas Pully

29 Dec 1818
Reg. 16 Feb 1819
Deed from David Howel of Lincoln County, Tennessee to George Koonce of same place for a tract of land in Lincoln County on the head waters of Stewart's Creek a south branch of Elk River and adjoining lands of Robert Kennedy. Containing 26 agres.
Witnesses: William B. Koker and William Davis

20 Nov 1819
Reg. 18 Dec 1830
Deed from George Koonce of Lincoln County, Tennessee to Reece Howell of same place for 26 acres of land in Lincoln County on the head waters of Stewart's Creek a south branch of Elk River and adjoining the west boundary line of a 400 acre tract in the name of Robert Kennedy.
Witnesses: Griffin ? and Walter Harkins

22 Dec 1820
Reg. 16 Aug 1821
Bill of Sale - I, Robert Lackey of Lincoln County, Tennessee sold to John Street of same place one negro girl by name of Jane, age 8 years old. This 22nd Dec 1820
Test. A. Mabley, Tunstall Gregory and Reese Howell

02 Feb 1822
Reg. 14 Mar 1823
Deed from John Jones of Lincoln County, Tennessee to Joel Howell of same place for 90 acres of land in Lincoln County, Tennessee on north side of Elk River on the 2nd creek that empties into said river above the mouth of Mulberry Creek adjoining a tract in the name of William B. Robertson.
Witnesses: William F. Mason and Frances Porterfield

03 Feb 1824
Reg. 18 Mar 1826
Deed from Joel Howell of Lincoln County, Tennessee to Henry Renagar of same place for 90 acres of land in Lincoln County lying on Elk River above the mouth of Mulberry Creek and adjoining said Howel's tract. Said land was granted by the State of Tennessee to William B. Roberts by Grant No. 3662 and dated 21st Jan 1812
Witnesses: John Moorehead and John Loyd

31 Jul 1824
Reg. 27 Nov 1827
Deed from Samuel Howell of Lincoln County, Tennessee to James Lingo of same place for 60 acres of land lying on the head waters of Streets branch and adjoining a 640 acre tract of landin the name of Robert Buchanan and containing 30 acres, it being a tract of land that was granted by the State of Tennessee to Reese Howell by Grant No. 15846 and dated 02 Oct 1812. Also one other tract of land adjoining the above described land and adjoining Robert Buchanan's 640 acre tract and a tract of land in the name of Brice M. Garner, and a 2500 acre tract in the name of George Doherty. Said tract containing 30 acres, it being granted by the State of Tennessee to James Bright by Grant No. 14507 and dated 19 Apr 1820.
Witnesses: George W. Dennis and Elijah Mayfield

31 Mar 1825
Reg. 14 Sep 1825
Deed from Joel Howell of Hardeman County, Tennessee to John and Richard Webb of Lincoln County, Tennessee for 90 acres of land in Lincoln County in the 5th range, 5th section, lying on the second creek that empties into Elk River on the north side above Mulberry Creek and adjoining lands of Joseph Graham. Said land was granted by the State of Tennessee to William b. Roberts by Grant No. 3663 and dated 1st January 1812.
Witnesses: James B. Hill and Eben. Hill

Reg. 16 Jan 1826
Deed - Whereas Reuben Chinalt in his lifetime gave his bond, to wit, I, Reuben Chinault of Lincoln County, Tennessee am bound unto John Smith of same place for two hundred dollars to be paid to said John Smith on 22 Dec 1813. The condition of the above obligation is to make over to said John Smith a deed to a certrain tract of land granted to Reuben Chinault by the State of Tennessee for 20 acres of Lincoln County being on the road leading from Fayetteville to Winchester and is the same tract of land whereon the said Reuben Chinault now lives.
Witnesses: Walter Harkins and John Chinault. This 18 Apr 1823
Now on ? day of ? 1825, between Elizabeth Chinault, administratrix of the estate of Reuben Chinault, deceased, to Thomas McCullock and Alexander McCullock for the said tract of land in Lincoln County, Tennessee being on the road leading from Fayetteville to Winchester and on the waters of Lees Creek a south branc of Elk River and adjoining a tract of land in the name of Samuel Howell. Containing 20 acres. Reg. 16 Jan 1826

23 Feb 1828
Reg. 18 Sep 1829
Deed from Andrew McCartney of Lincoln County, Tennessee to David Howell of same place for a tract of land in Lincoln County on the head waters of Stewart's Creek a south branch of Elk River adjoining William McGee's west boundary line, and Joshua Dodson's south boundary line. Land containing 48 1/2 acres. Also one other tract adjoining the above tract and containing 10 acres. Also one other tract of land adjoining the above tracts containing 10 acres.
Witnessess: Morgan B. Hinkle and Joel Dodson

21 Apr 1828
Reg. 25 Jun 1830
Deed from Stephen Alexander of Lincoln County, Tennessee to John B. Smott (Smoot) of same place for a tract of land containing ? acres in Lincoln County whereon the said Smoot now lives on Mulberry Creek near the said Alexander's mill and adjoining Henry Warren's corner.
Witnesses: Reese Howell and George W. Street

23 Oct 1828
Reg. 17 Feb 1832
Mortgage Deed - Thomas Howell to Brice M. Garner. Said Thomas Howell sold and conveyed the following property, to wit, four head of cattle, two bed steads and furniture, two chairs, one table, one churn, nine chairs, five crocks, one dozen knives and forks one and a half dozen plates, three pitchers, one half dozen cups and sauces, one sugar dish, one spinning wheel, chest of carpenter tools, one grind stone, two axes, one broad axe, two hoes, one plough, two ?, and one pair of fire irons.
Witnesses: Enoch Rust and T. S. Williams

06 Apr 1829
Reg. 15 Sep 1829
Deed from David Howell of Lincoln County, Tennessee to George Koonce of same place for 4 acres of land in Lincoln County on the head waters of Stewart's Creek a south branch of Elk River adjoining a 120 acre tract of David Howell.
Witnesses: Joshua Dodson and Elijah Dodson

04 Nov 1831
Reg. 12 Sep 1832
Deed from John Watkins of Madison County, Alabama to Joseph Whitaker of Lincoln County, Tennessee for two tracts of land in Lincoln County on the east fork of Mulberry Creek containing about 108 acres, being the same tract which was conveyed to said Watkins by Reece Howel dated 05 Jan 1820. Also one other tract of land on the east fork of Mulberry Creek and which is partly described in a deed of conveyance for the same from James Cowley to said Watkins dated 30 Jul 1825. Also one other tract of 72 acres laying on the waters of the same creek, being the same land granted to said Watkins by Grant No. 8494 and dated 28 Aug 1828.
Witnesses: Samuel Garland and Abner Steed

06 Jan 1832
Reg. 10 May 1833
Deed from James Cole of Lincoln County, Tennessee to David Howel of same place for 45 acres of land in Lincoln County on the waters of Stewart's Creek adjoining the north boundary line of Robert ? tract of 150 acres, and the south boundary line of David Howel's tract of 15 acres.
Witnesses: T. Barnes and John Edmiston

21 Aug 1832
Reg. 04 Dec 1832
Deed from David Howel of Lincoln County, Tennessee to James Phillips of same place for 68 1/2 acres of land in Lincoln County on the head waters of Stewart's Creek a south branch of Elk River and adjoining William McGee's west boundary line.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

My Connection To Queen Elizabeth II

Recently, I was able to connect my ancestor, Margit Berzeviczy, into the very well documented and very old noble Berzeviczy de Berzevicze family. Through the Berzeviczy's I also descend from several other very large and well-known noble families from Hungary. They're the Bárczay de Bárcza, Merse de Szinye, Soós de Sóvár and Sziny de Teresztén families.

Interestingly enough, the current reigning monarch of England, Queen Elizabeth II, is 1/16 Hungarian! Queen Elizabeth II's 2nd-great-grandmother was Countess Klaudina Zsuzsánna Rhédey de Kis-Rhéde. She was born on 21 Sep 1812 in Erdőszentgyörgy, Transylvania to Count László Rhédey de Rhéde (1773-1835) and Baroness Ágnes Inczédy de Nagy-Várad (1788-1856). On 2 May 1835 in Vienna, Austria, Klaudina was married to Duke Alexander Paul of Württemberg.

All of Klaudina's ancestors are of Hungarian nobility. She descends from many well-to-do and powerful Hungarian families, but the one that interests me the most is the Kapy de Kapivár family.. my family! My common ancestor with the Queen & Klaudina is György Kapy de Kapivár and his wife Klára Bárczay de Bárcza. That would make me 12th cousins, twice removed with Queen Elizabeth II! Not much is listed about György in Iván Nagy's book "Magyarország Családai", other than his father was living in the 1520's and his children were living in the 1530's.