Always Learning...Even in Surprising Ways!

I love learning anything I can regarding genealogy, family history, and history in general. There are many times that I can be seen leaving the library where I work with some genealogy books or a Family Tree magazine.

Here are my latest finds!

But, sometimes, the learning happens when you least expect it!

We had just recently gotten all four seasons of Finding Your Roots on DVD at my library, and my husband and I were watching a few episodes a night.

I don't know how many times I had to pause the DVD to right down a source I wanted to remember!

Also, I would be watching an episode, and realize the celebrity's ancestor would have something in common with my ancestors! For example, Bryant Gumbel's German ancestor had sailed to America from Hamburg on the Germania? So did my 2x- great grandfather, Henry (Henri, Heinrich) Haessig!

And, of course, the researcher in me has to always go and look up what I can on the Germania! Below, is a description I found on theshipslist.com that tells a little more about this passenger ship:  

"GERMANIA 1870 
Built in 1870 by Caird & Co, Greenock for the Hamburg America Line, the GERMANIA was a 2,876 gross ton ship, length 330ft x beam 39ft, straight stem, one funnel, two masts(rigged for sail), iron construction, single screw and a speed of 11 knots. There was accommodation for 150-1st, 70-2nd and 150-3rd class passengers. Launched on 24/12/1870, for the New Orleans service, but made her maiden voyage from Hamburg to New York on 4/5/1871. She commenced her fourth and last voyage on this service on 26/10/1872. She was chartered to the Hamburg South America Line in 1876 and was wrecked at Bahia, Brazil on 10/8/1876. [North Atlantic Seaway by N.R.P.Bonsor, vol.1,p.390]"

A week or so ago, I had started reading this book just because it had sounded like a good book I would enjoy. It is part house history and part family history. I was not wrong; it is a good book that I am enjoying immensely.

But, again, I am learning so much about German history, and more specifically, Berlin's history. It covers almost 100 years from World War II and the Berlin Wall through to the present.

DAR Patriot Index &
1820 Federal Census for Indiana

And last, but not least, a local library was discarding these two gems and I was able to snag them for myself. I did check my library's shelves first to make sure we owned them already!

I have only had a chance to glance through the DAR book to ensure my known Patriot (Daniel Pearce/Pierce) was in there. He was!

But, it was the 1820 Census book that had really caught my attention. Even though everyone but Adam is only represented by a a number in a column, it still told gave me another little piece of their story.

My 4x-great grandparents, Adam and Judith (Smith) Moore, had travelled from Maryland to southeastern Indiana in 1818.  The census was taken only two years later in 1820. The fact that they had 5 children 10 years old or younger means that they had to have travelled with at least three to all five of these young children, along with a few older children.

Traveling, across the Cumberland Road until they reached the Ohio River. And then, down the Ohio River to just past Cincinnati...with all these children, mostly 10 or under! 

Just Wow!! 

Also, there were a lot more Moores in Dearborn County in 1820 than I ever realized. ADAM was the one that started the little town of Moores Hill in Dearborn County. How many other family members had travelled with him?

Since I know nothing of his family in Maryland, this might help break down a brick wall or two?

All this learning that happened accidentally is in addition to my research into DNA. I have been tested by 23andme.com and have found cousins through GEDmatch.com, but still don't understand it all very well. 

So, this book is going to teach me all I need, right?

I have heard from several reliable sources that Blaine Bettinger is not only one of the most knowledgeable onmy the subject of DNA, but he makes it much easier to understand.

So, tell me, what are you learning these days, purposefully or accidentally?

Hoosier Roots Run Deep in Indiana

Good news for this Hoosier Lady!

When starting a blog, one of the more difficult tasks is coming up with a name. It is a good idea to find something catchy, but it should also speak volumes about the blog itself.  I chose the name “This Hoosier’s Heritage” not only because I am a born-and-bred Hoosier, but also because I knew my roots grew deep in the state of Indiana.

Several weeks ago, I sent off my application to the Society of Indiana Pioneers.  If they can verify that you have ancestors in the state of Indiana before 1840, you are then welcome to join the Society and your ancestors will be added to their database.

Carrie (Hillman) Haessig on the left, Ethel
(Haessig) Schrader on the right 

My paternal grandmother, Ethel Haessig, has roots that run deep in Dearborn County.  Her mother, Carrie Hillman, was born in the small town of Moores Hill to Thomas Hillman and Anna Moore.

Thomas Hillman and Anna (Moore) Hillman

Anna Moore has a very rich heritage in Dearborn County, and much has been written about her grandparents' and great-grandparents' accomplishments and pioneering spirits. Her grandfather, Adam Moore, and his wife, Judith Smith, travelled from Maryland, and established the town of Moores Hill. The town was supposed to be named Moore’s Mill; but, through an error by the postmaster, it was mistakenly, and forever, named Moores Hill.

Adam Moore's will (naming Levin, and his siblings)

Anna Moore is the daughter of Levin Moore and Mary Sparks. Although Levin’s father, Adam, played a pioneering role in the founding of Moores Hill; Mary’s side of the family played an even bigger role in the history of Dearborn County.

Elijah Sparks' Life in Indiana

Her grandfather, Elijah Sparks, brought his wife, Elizabeth Weaver, and children (including Mary’s father, Hamlet) from Kentucky into Indiana Territory in 1806. He became a Territorial Judge for Dearborn County, until his death in 1815. Although Elijah helped to settle this southeastern corner of the Indiana Territory, he was not fortunate enough to witness its statehood.

I was waiting on pins and needles for a reply from the Society of Indiana Pioneers, and was delighted with their answer. According to their genealogist, "I will have no problem, whatsoever, in approving your application for both Elijah Sparks and Adam Moore."

My next step is completing the membership requirements for the Society, which is just a few small details on my part.

However, as all family historians are well aware...half of the fun is digging up the facts and stories.  The other half is in verifying whether they are indeed facts, half-truths, or legend. 

When an organization, such as the Society of Indiana Pioneers, verifies your research is in fact true, you breath a sigh of big relief.

Ahhh, now to continue digging deeper!! 

Those Darn County Lines!

Great-great Grandpa Thomas Hillman

Location, location, location!

They always tell us how important it is, but it takes on a whole new meaning to genealogists.

All my life, I knew that my great-grandmother, Carrie, grew up in Moores Hill, Indiana. It is a little town on the west side of Dearborn County.

But, It was very perplexing to me that it was hard to find Carrie, and her family, on census records.

So, I decided to put my sleigh cap on, and do some detective work.

I started with the most recent census records that I could find under her parents' names, Thomas and Anna Hillman. So, I began with the 1920 census. I found them almost immediately within the town of Moores Hill.

This was an excellent beginning, but I knew it was only the beginning.  Thomas and Anna were much older. Carrie and most of her siblings were married, or at the least, already adults. I still understood that she had grown up in Moores Hill.

So, onwards to 1910.

Nowhere to be found in Dearborn County. I then decided to leave the county off of the search filters.

Bingo!! Found them...But right over the county line in Ripley County. Not only that, but I also found him there in 1900, 1870 and 1860.

Which means...? The most exciting part for me...

Breaking through a brick wall that has been there forever. I had a first name with a question mark for his father's name. Now, I had mother, father and brothers.

Moral of this story...If you have a brick wall, you might want to look in the neighboring areas. In some places, just living across the road could mean that you live in a different county as your neighbor.