The Problem Finding the birth and parents of Ann Hall, wife of Henry York.
Ann Hall Ann Hall and Henry York were married 5 Jul 1830 in Monks Kirby, Warwickshire, England (England Parish Records, Monks Kirby, Warwickshire Marriages 1830 p.69). It is not clear why Henry and Ann were married in Monks Kirby rather than Claybrooke or Long Buckby. Henry had left home and was working in the northern part of Leicestershire. Ann may also have left home and could have been employed in Monks Kirby. The date of their marriage is consistent with family records, which do not include the location.
Henry's residence on the marriage record is given as Sharnford. Henry's occupation then of teamster, would explain a different residence as would his work on building the London-Birmingham Railway, and before that working on building a roadbed. However, there is no railroad near Sharnford. There are no Yorks in Sharnford records.
Henry and Ann had five children: Frederick, Mary, John, Sarah and Henry Jr. See The Descendants of Thomas York and Mary Dickens for details about the children and their descendants. Also included are Henry's siblings and their descendants. See The Descendants of Thomas York and Alice Boreman for his father's siblings and their descendants.
In 1841, Henry and Ann lived in the same part of Long Buckby as his parents (1841 ENG Henry York). However as the years passed and he became responsible for a family of five children besides his wife and himself, his cramped economic condition in England looked less and less promising. He looked to the West (Canada) which held more promise for his growing family.
Henry, Ann and the five children left London on 29 Jun 1844 in the Cairo and were two months at sea. Henry's letter of 4 Jul 1844 describes many details of the voyage. Note that the last sentence is "Please to send this or a copey to Claybrooke." Since Henry's parents and his siblings were living in Long Bucky at the time, this is most likely a reference to Ann's family.
The next surviving letter, dated 25 Dec 1844, describes their arrival in Canada and Anne's death on 24 Sep 1844 at the quarantine station on Grosse Ile, Quebec (Québec (Anglican) Travelling Mission 1844). This letter mentions "wifes mother, brothers and sisters". In the same letter, "Fred sends his love to his uncle Richard". There is no Richard in the York family in Long Buckby.
After Ann's death, Henry and the children went on to settle in Ontario. Henry married again and had nine more children.
Ann's Birth There are two clues to Ann's birth date. One is her age in the 1841 census where she was listed as 25 years old. However, in 1841 the ages of people over 15 years old were usually rounded down to the nearest 5 years. So she was probably between 25 and 29 years of age, and born about 1812-1817. Another consideration is that she was married in 1830 and since it was by banns, she was at least 18 years old - and thus born in 1812 or earlier.
Two possible birth places were explored: Monk's Kirby, where Ann and Henry were married, and Claybrooke, where, according to Henry's 4 Jul letter, her family was living in 1844. There were many records with a surname of Hall in Monk's Kirby, but none that fit Ann.
In the 1841 census, there was a Hall family in Claybrooke of the right ages to be Ann's parents and her brother Richard (1841 ENG Timothy Hall). A child, Mary Willford, also resided in the household. Her connection to the family has never been found.
Ann Hall's baptism was also found in Claybrooke - she was born 15 Jun 1812 and baptized 10 Jan 1813 (England Parish Records, Claybrooke, Leicestershire Baptisms 1813 p.1 no.2).
Summary The information supports the conclusion that Ann Hall was the daughter of Timothy Hall and Ann Palmer of Claybrooke.
Go to Ann Hall in the Hall Descendant Chart
Friday, November 25, 2011
Friday, October 21, 2011
The parents of Rebecca (Stevens) Avery
The Problem One of the first brick walls I encountered when I began genealogy research was the identity of the parents of Rebecca Stevens, the wife of Abraham Avery. Acccording to an Avery Genealogy (Averys of Groton, p.331), Rebecca and Abraham were married 27 Nov 1771 in Montville, New London Co., Connecticut. (The only record that I have found of the marriage is in the Glastonbury records (Early Connecticut Marriages 5:104 (Glastonbury). Barbour records for Montville do not begin until 1786.)
Abraham and Rebecca were living in Montville in 1779 when Abraham was a member of the church there, and its collector. They moved to Glastonbury about 1787 where Rebecca died in 1792.
Both the Avery Genealogy and The History of Montville, p.51-52 named her grandfather, Rev. Timothy Stevens of Glastonbury, but neither named her parents. The old FHL Ancestral File provided a birthdate of 1746 but did not name her parents.
The Error Many years later (1992), I found Rebecca in Virkus' Compendium, 6:237. There her birthdate was 1748 and her parents were named - Timothy Jr. (Rev. Timothy was Timothy Sr.) and Hannah. The birthdate given matches the one on Rebecca's gravestone (Find-A-Grave: Green Cemetery, Glastonbury CT).
By that time, I should have known better, but I blithely assumed that Timothy Jr. and Hannah were Rebecca's parents and went on to gather information about them. The Glastonbury Records (Barbour) mentioned two children, Timothy and Martha.
All went well until I got back home and was entering the information in my database. I was stopped by an edit which pointed out that if Timothy died in 1746 and Rebecca was born in 1748, then Timothy couldn't be Rebecca's father.
Since the date I was using for Rebecca's birth had not been verified, I looked for other sources that might name Rebecca as Timothy Jr.'s child. I located the probate for Timothy Jr (Digest Early CT Probate 3:658) which named wife Hannah and the two children, Timothy (who at age 3 chose his guardian) and Martha who was born after her father died. One possibility I considered was that "Martha" became "Rebecca." The only likely source to verify this possibility would have been a probate for Hannah or her second husband, Joseph Smith, but none could be found.
Starting Over I backed up to grandfather Timothy. His will named three sons, Timothy, Joseph and Benjamin (Digest Early CT Probate 3:579-80). I could find no record of a daughter Rebecca for any of them.
An Important Clue In Salt Lake City, with microfilms at hand, I decided to start hunting. My first idea was to go through all of the Stevens probates in Hartford District and read any that were from Glastonbury and were after 1750.
The first one I came to was Epaphras Stevens (Hartford District, Connecticut #5213 - FHL film 1022253). He died intestate, probably late 1777 (administrator's bond dated 31 Dec 1777). Apparently he was not married. He owned several parcels of land that were distributed to his brothers and sisters (Distribution 29 May 1779): William (administrator), Isaac, George, Benjamin, Alice Miller (wife of Matthew), and Rebekah Avery, wife of Abraham. No clue was given regarding their parents, and the group of children did not match anything that I had for the grandchildren of Rev. Timothy Stevens.
Two Definitive Records for Rebecca's Father The next likely step was to check the land records to determine how Epaphras obtained the land, in case he had inherited it. Once into the land records, the first record I came to was a quit claim dated 13 May 1789 to William Stevens from Abraham and Rebecca Avery for "all the right title interest and demand that we or either of us have to the estate of Benjamin Stevens, late of Glastonbury." (Glastonbury CT Land Records Vol.10, p.291, FHL Film 1022252)
Back to the probate records to look for Benjamin Stevens. And there he was, will #5211 dated 31 Mar 1764, probate 25 Jun 1767. The will and the distribution both name: wife Dorothy (co-executor), eldest daughter Alice Miller, daughters Rebecca and Dorothy, Benjamin (eldest and co-executor), Epaphras, William, George and Isaac. (Hartford District, Connecticut #5211)
Rebecca's Mother The Glastonbury Records (Barbour) show the 2 Feb 1737/8 marriage of Benjamin Stevens, son of Rev. Timothy, to Dorothy Olmstead, daughter of Nehemiah. Children listed for Benjamin and Dorothy: Allice b. 23 Dec 1738, and her 5 Mar 1761 marriage to Matthew Miller; George, his 6 Feb 1783 marriage to Jerusha Goodrich.
Glastenbury for 200 Years p.54 lists an earlier marriage for Benjamin Stevens: an 11 May 1732 marriage to Deborah Dickinson, at Glastonbury. Two children from this marriage are named: Benjamin b. 22 Jan 1734 and Deborah b. 5 Feb 1736. No other mention has been found of Deborah Dickinson. If the child Deborah was born in 1736/7, the mother probably died in childbirth, since Benjamin remarried almost exactly one year later. No other mention has been found for the child Deborah.
Summary Since her birth is clearly well after the date of Benjamin's second marriage, Rebecca was the daughter of Benjamin Stevens and Dorothy Olmstead.
Go to Rebecca Stevens in the Richardson-Rand Tree
Abraham and Rebecca were living in Montville in 1779 when Abraham was a member of the church there, and its collector. They moved to Glastonbury about 1787 where Rebecca died in 1792.
Both the Avery Genealogy and The History of Montville, p.51-52 named her grandfather, Rev. Timothy Stevens of Glastonbury, but neither named her parents. The old FHL Ancestral File provided a birthdate of 1746 but did not name her parents.
The Error Many years later (1992), I found Rebecca in Virkus' Compendium, 6:237. There her birthdate was 1748 and her parents were named - Timothy Jr. (Rev. Timothy was Timothy Sr.) and Hannah. The birthdate given matches the one on Rebecca's gravestone (Find-A-Grave: Green Cemetery, Glastonbury CT).
By that time, I should have known better, but I blithely assumed that Timothy Jr. and Hannah were Rebecca's parents and went on to gather information about them. The Glastonbury Records (Barbour) mentioned two children, Timothy and Martha.
All went well until I got back home and was entering the information in my database. I was stopped by an edit which pointed out that if Timothy died in 1746 and Rebecca was born in 1748, then Timothy couldn't be Rebecca's father.
Since the date I was using for Rebecca's birth had not been verified, I looked for other sources that might name Rebecca as Timothy Jr.'s child. I located the probate for Timothy Jr (Digest Early CT Probate 3:658) which named wife Hannah and the two children, Timothy (who at age 3 chose his guardian) and Martha who was born after her father died. One possibility I considered was that "Martha" became "Rebecca." The only likely source to verify this possibility would have been a probate for Hannah or her second husband, Joseph Smith, but none could be found.
Starting Over I backed up to grandfather Timothy. His will named three sons, Timothy, Joseph and Benjamin (Digest Early CT Probate 3:579-80). I could find no record of a daughter Rebecca for any of them.
An Important Clue In Salt Lake City, with microfilms at hand, I decided to start hunting. My first idea was to go through all of the Stevens probates in Hartford District and read any that were from Glastonbury and were after 1750.
The first one I came to was Epaphras Stevens (Hartford District, Connecticut #5213 - FHL film 1022253). He died intestate, probably late 1777 (administrator's bond dated 31 Dec 1777). Apparently he was not married. He owned several parcels of land that were distributed to his brothers and sisters (Distribution 29 May 1779): William (administrator), Isaac, George, Benjamin, Alice Miller (wife of Matthew), and Rebekah Avery, wife of Abraham. No clue was given regarding their parents, and the group of children did not match anything that I had for the grandchildren of Rev. Timothy Stevens.
Two Definitive Records for Rebecca's Father The next likely step was to check the land records to determine how Epaphras obtained the land, in case he had inherited it. Once into the land records, the first record I came to was a quit claim dated 13 May 1789 to William Stevens from Abraham and Rebecca Avery for "all the right title interest and demand that we or either of us have to the estate of Benjamin Stevens, late of Glastonbury." (Glastonbury CT Land Records Vol.10, p.291, FHL Film 1022252)
Back to the probate records to look for Benjamin Stevens. And there he was, will #5211 dated 31 Mar 1764, probate 25 Jun 1767. The will and the distribution both name: wife Dorothy (co-executor), eldest daughter Alice Miller, daughters Rebecca and Dorothy, Benjamin (eldest and co-executor), Epaphras, William, George and Isaac. (Hartford District, Connecticut #5211)
Rebecca's Mother The Glastonbury Records (Barbour) show the 2 Feb 1737/8 marriage of Benjamin Stevens, son of Rev. Timothy, to Dorothy Olmstead, daughter of Nehemiah. Children listed for Benjamin and Dorothy: Allice b. 23 Dec 1738, and her 5 Mar 1761 marriage to Matthew Miller; George, his 6 Feb 1783 marriage to Jerusha Goodrich.
Glastenbury for 200 Years p.54 lists an earlier marriage for Benjamin Stevens: an 11 May 1732 marriage to Deborah Dickinson, at Glastonbury. Two children from this marriage are named: Benjamin b. 22 Jan 1734 and Deborah b. 5 Feb 1736. No other mention has been found of Deborah Dickinson. If the child Deborah was born in 1736/7, the mother probably died in childbirth, since Benjamin remarried almost exactly one year later. No other mention has been found for the child Deborah.
Summary Since her birth is clearly well after the date of Benjamin's second marriage, Rebecca was the daughter of Benjamin Stevens and Dorothy Olmstead.
Go to Rebecca Stevens in the Richardson-Rand Tree
Monday, September 19, 2011
Catherine (Baer) Parma Research Notes
The Problem No conclusive records (such as birth or immigration) have been found for Catherine prior to her marriage in Cincinnati, Ohio. None of the U.S. records found provide a name of her hometown.
Catherine (Baer) Parma's Family Catherine and Francesco Parma were married 1 Jun 1841 in Cincinnati, Ohio (Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Cincinnati, Ohio Parish register for 1841). For Francesco's information, see Francesco Parma Research Notes. For their children, see Children of Francesco and Catherine (Baer) Parma.
Catherine Baer As with her husband, there are several versions of her maiden name.
After her husband's death in 1865, Catherine remained in Covington where for a time she continued in the confectionary business (Covington City Directories). She died 5 Nov 1880 in Covington KY, Cincinnati Daily Commercial
6 Nov 1880 - Pg 5:1:
There is a lot in the St. Mary's Cemetery in Covington that is in her name. Several of her children are buried there, but no record has been found of Catherine's burial. On 29 Jul 1881 the Daily Commonwealth reported that "Mary M. Parma was appointed and qualified as the administratrix of Catharine Parma, deceased."
Relatives in Cincinnati? Several records have been found that may all be the same person. He has not been found in the 1850 census.
Possible Immigration Records Some possible immigration records for Catherine were found on Ancestry.com. Results from a "Baer" surname search:
Possible Births From the census records, we learn that Catherine was born in France about 1821 or 1824. In the 1920 census for some of her daughters, her birthplace is Alsace Lorraine.
Several records that possibly were our Catherine were found in the old IGI, but are not in the current FamilySearch:
Alsace-Lorraine "Alsace-Lorraine (French: Alsace-Lorraine; German: Elsaß-Lothringen) was a territory disputed between the nation states of France and Germany. ... The territory, composed of Alsace and parts of Lorraine, originally belonged to the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation since the year 921, but was gradually annexed by France since the Peace of Westphalia in 1648." (http://www.dvhh.org/research/alsace-lorraine.htm)
" ... Alsace-Lorraine, an ethnic German enclave that is, today, in France, but has at times been ruled by Germany. The history of the region is complex, so for the purposes of genealogy, it might be best to simply consider it a "country" in and of itself, without placing it in either Germany or France. If a formal country must be used, then its current location dictates that it be placed in France, not Germany. ... 1648-1871 ruled by France. ...
"ALSACE ... consolidated into provinces of Bas-Rhin and Haut-Rhin [France] after 1789 and under Napoleon; LORRAINE ... permanently French from 1766; its chief cities Metz and Nancy; a province in revolutionary France, divided later into departments of Meuse, Moselle, Meurthe-et-Moselle, and Vosges." (http://dgmweb.net/Ancillary/Geog/Europe/Alsace-Lorraine.html)
Next steps Possible sources at FHL:
The Alsace emigration book [944.38 W2s v.1&2]
Die Kirchenbücher von Elsaß-Lothringen Parish register inventory of Alsace-Lorraine, France/Elsaß-Lothringen, Germany. [943 B4m v. 9-10 & 10, 944.38 K23k]
Reichart, Constance M. "Passenger Ship List of the Brig Apollo." In Missouri State Genealogical Association Journal (Columbia, MO), vol. 4:3 (Summer 1984), pp. 128-130. Page: 128 [FHL US/CAN Book 977.8 D25m v. 4]) (Catherine Bauer p.128)
Registres de l'état civil, 1794-1882 Civil registration of ten-year indexes, births, marriages, deaths for Keskastel, Bas-Rhin, France. [Tables décennales 1794-1839 768151, Tables décennales 1794-1872 1767603 Item 3, Naissances 1794-1839 768152, Mariages 1794-1862 768154, Décès 1794-1862 768155]
Lineage book for Keskastel, Bas-Rhin, France. [1761553 Item 1]
Go to Catherine (Baer) Parma in the Shahan-Coward Tree
Catherine (Baer) Parma's Family Catherine and Francesco Parma were married 1 Jun 1841 in Cincinnati, Ohio (Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Cincinnati, Ohio Parish register for 1841). For Francesco's information, see Francesco Parma Research Notes. For their children, see Children of Francesco and Catherine (Baer) Parma.
Catherine Baer As with her husband, there are several versions of her maiden name.
| Parr: | baptism of son Daniel (one of his sponsors was Joseph Parr); her children's death records | |
| Baer: | her marriage record | |
| Beer: | baptism of daughter Cecilia | |
| Behr: | baptism of son Francesco | |
| Pere | baptism of daughter Rosena | |
| Père: | baptism of son Charles |
After her husband's death in 1865, Catherine remained in Covington where for a time she continued in the confectionary business (Covington City Directories). She died 5 Nov 1880 in Covington KY, Cincinnati Daily Commercial
6 Nov 1880 - Pg 5:1:
PARMA - In Covington, Ky, November 5, 1880, Catharine Parma, aged 59 years. Funeral Monday at 9 AM from her late residence, corner Eighth and Scott streets, with Requiem High Mass at St mary's Cathedral. Friends respectfully invited.
There is a lot in the St. Mary's Cemetery in Covington that is in her name. Several of her children are buried there, but no record has been found of Catherine's burial. On 29 Jul 1881 the Daily Commonwealth reported that "Mary M. Parma was appointed and qualified as the administratrix of Catharine Parma, deceased."
Relatives in Cincinnati? Several records have been found that may all be the same person. He has not been found in the 1850 census.
- Josephus Parr, one of son Daniel Joseph's baptismal sponsors in 1847
- Joseph Bahr, Hamilton County Ohio Citizenship Records 1837-1916 Age: 25 [b.c.1824], Country: Baden, Departure Port: Havre, Arrive Entry: New Orleans, Declaration: T (Declaration of Intention to Naturalize) 12/??/1849, Naturalization: F (Vol 23, Page 35, Folder F). I had no success with the site's search engine and had to use the browse feature. Joseph is record 627. There are others with similar surnames (records 601-625, 1101-1125), but all German, as is Joseph.
- Joseph Bahle, 1849-50 Cincinnati City Directory: lab. s. w. c. I5th and Liberty
Possible Immigration Records Some possible immigration records for Catherine were found on Ancestry.com. Results from a "Baer" surname search:
- Philadelphia, 1800-1850 Passenger and Immigration Lists Catharine Beer, Arrival Date: 8 Sep 1827, Age: 6 [b.c.1821], Female, Port of Arrival: Philadelphia, Port of Departure: Havre de Grace, Place of Origin: France, Ship Name: Benjamin Morgan (Family Number: 205261, National Archives' Series Number: 425, Microfilm Number: 41)
- Philadelphia, 1800-1850 Passenger and Immigration Lists Catharine Beer, Arrival Date: 8 Sep 1827, Age: 2 [b.c.1825], Female, Port of Arrival: Philadelphia, Port of Departure: Havre de Grace, Place of Origin: France, Ship Name: Benjamin Morgan (Family Number: 205249, National Archives' Series Number: 425, Microfilm Number: 41)
- Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s Catherine Bauer, Year: 1838, Age: 13 [b. abt 1825], Place: Baltimore, Maryland (Source Publication Code: 7247, Primary Immigrant: Bauer, Catherine, Annotation: Date and port of arrival from Bremen. Country of origin and occupation also provided., Source Bibliography: Reichart, Constance M. "Passenger Ship List of the Brig Apollo." In Missouri State Genealogical Association Journal (Columbia, MO), vol. 4:3 (Summer 1984), pp. 128-130. Page: 128 [977.8 D25m v. 4])
Possible Births From the census records, we learn that Catherine was born in France about 1821 or 1824. In the 1920 census for some of her daughters, her birthplace is Alsace Lorraine.
Several records that possibly were our Catherine were found in the old IGI, but are not in the current FamilySearch:
- Catharina Baer, Birth: 22 Dec 1821 Keskastel, Bas-Rhin, France; Christening: 25 Dec 1821 Keskastel, Bas-Rhin, France; Father: Johann Philipp Baer; Mother: Sophia Margaretha Reeb
- Catherina Elish Baer, Birth: Before 1819 Neewiller-Pres-Lauterbourg, Bas-Rhin, France
Alsace-Lorraine "Alsace-Lorraine (French: Alsace-Lorraine; German: Elsaß-Lothringen) was a territory disputed between the nation states of France and Germany. ... The territory, composed of Alsace and parts of Lorraine, originally belonged to the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation since the year 921, but was gradually annexed by France since the Peace of Westphalia in 1648." (http://www.dvhh.org/research/alsace-lorraine.htm)
" ... Alsace-Lorraine, an ethnic German enclave that is, today, in France, but has at times been ruled by Germany. The history of the region is complex, so for the purposes of genealogy, it might be best to simply consider it a "country" in and of itself, without placing it in either Germany or France. If a formal country must be used, then its current location dictates that it be placed in France, not Germany. ... 1648-1871 ruled by France. ...
"ALSACE ... consolidated into provinces of Bas-Rhin and Haut-Rhin [France] after 1789 and under Napoleon; LORRAINE ... permanently French from 1766; its chief cities Metz and Nancy; a province in revolutionary France, divided later into departments of Meuse, Moselle, Meurthe-et-Moselle, and Vosges." (http://dgmweb.net/Ancillary/Geog/Europe/Alsace-Lorraine.html)
Next steps Possible sources at FHL:
The Alsace emigration book [944.38 W2s v.1&2]
Die Kirchenbücher von Elsaß-Lothringen Parish register inventory of Alsace-Lorraine, France/Elsaß-Lothringen, Germany. [943 B4m v. 9-10 & 10, 944.38 K23k]
Reichart, Constance M. "Passenger Ship List of the Brig Apollo." In Missouri State Genealogical Association Journal (Columbia, MO), vol. 4:3 (Summer 1984), pp. 128-130. Page: 128 [FHL US/CAN Book 977.8 D25m v. 4]) (Catherine Bauer p.128)
Registres de l'état civil, 1794-1882 Civil registration of ten-year indexes, births, marriages, deaths for Keskastel, Bas-Rhin, France. [Tables décennales 1794-1839 768151, Tables décennales 1794-1872 1767603 Item 3, Naissances 1794-1839 768152, Mariages 1794-1862 768154, Décès 1794-1862 768155]
Lineage book for Keskastel, Bas-Rhin, France. [1761553 Item 1]
Go to Catherine (Baer) Parma in the Shahan-Coward Tree
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Francesco Parma Research Notes
The Problem No records (such as birth or immigration) have been found for Francesco prior to his appearance in Cincinnati, Ohio. None of the U.S. records found provide a name of his hometown.
Francesco Parma's Family Francesco and Catherine Baer were married 1 Jun 1841 in Cincinnati, Ohio (Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Cincinnati, Ohio Parish register for 1841). For Catherine's information, see Catherine (Baer) Parma Research Notes. For their children, see Children of Francesco and Catherine (Baer) Parma.
Events for Francisco and Catherine Parma and their children center on three cities:
Covington is at the northern tip of Kentucky, just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati. In 1866, the first bridge was built between the two cities. Until then, people crossed by ferry.
Traveling to Memphis TN was a different matter, since it is in the far southwest corner of Tennesse. Initially, probably the only feasible way to travel was by river boat, down the Ohio River to the Mississippi and then down the Mississippi to Memphis. It is likely that their move in the early 1850s to Tennessee was made that way. An 1843 map shows steam boat trips. By 1860 there were railroads going through Cincinnati that crossed lines that went to Memphis.
Francesco Parma The name and birthplace of Francesco Parma (Italy) was initially found in the records of his children. In the 1850 and 1860 censuses, we learn that he was born c.1809 and was a confectioner (candy-maker). The earliest record that has been found for him is the 1839-40 Cincinnati City Directory. He does not appear in any passenger lists (Ancestry.com). He is not listed in Cincinnati in the 1840 census. As a single man, he was apparently included in someone's household.
His surname varies between Palma, Palmer, and Parma. His given name was variously called Francesco, Francis and Frank.
His wife and children (except for Daniel) used the surname Parma for themselves and for him on their records after he died. On his probate record Francesco is Francis Palma, which presumably matches the name he used on his will. Attempts to read his will were unsuccessful because of the poor quality of the microfilm
Francesco died 3 Dec 1865 at Covington KY, Cincinnati Daily Commercial 6 Dec 1865 - Page 7:4:
Italians in Cincinnati Immigrants from the same home town often settled in groups. This may be the situation in Cincinnati. The (1839-40 Cincinnati City Directory includes the place of origin and lists 19 people from Italy. Other sources have provided the birthplaces of four of them, but none of those birthplaces match the records that have been found in Italy. All four were different. Two family members were sponsors of Francesco and Catharine's first child.
Italy The search for Francesco in Italy is complicated by the lack of information in the U.S. No immigration or death record has been found for him. His age is consistently reported in the 1850 and 1860 censuses, but census ages are often not correct. The ages of his children in the census vary dramatically. A range of five years either way from 1809 was used for searching records.
Other than the nobility from Parma, Italy, only one Francesco Parma was found in Italy in the IGI, but that Francesco was born too late and died age 10 (Francesco Parma, Birth: 7 Jun 1830 Caminata, Genova, Italy, Death: 1840 Caminata, Genova, Italy, Father: Pietro Parma, Mother: Julia Maria Parma)
Some possible births have been found for him. They are all variations of Palma/Palmer. A search for "Parma" did not provide any hits. The sources searched (on Family Search) included Family Search Collections: Italy Births and Baptisms, 1806-1900, Italy Marriages, 1809-1900, and Italy Deaths and Burials, 1809-1900. None of these collections are complete.
Summary It is difficult to draw conclusions based on incomplete databases.
Possible sources at FHL (need translation assistance):
Estratti dei registri dello stato civile di Toscana (Regione), 1745-1865, starts with film 1137508
Registri dello stato civile di Lonigo (Vicenza_), 1806-1909, starts with film 1687535 (Vault)
Registri ecclesiastici di Arco (Trento), 1531-1923, starts with film 1448124 (films I need are in Vault)
FHL does not have records for:
Milano at the province level and Balbiano is not listed
Vicenza at the province level, church records for Lonigo are only for 1859
Brescia at the province level at the town level for Brescia
Go to Francesco Parma in the Shahan-Coward Tree
Francesco Parma's Family Francesco and Catherine Baer were married 1 Jun 1841 in Cincinnati, Ohio (Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Cincinnati, Ohio Parish register for 1841). For Catherine's information, see Catherine (Baer) Parma Research Notes. For their children, see Children of Francesco and Catherine (Baer) Parma.
Events for Francisco and Catherine Parma and their children center on three cities:
- Cincinnati OH
- Covington KY
- Memphis TN
Covington is at the northern tip of Kentucky, just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati. In 1866, the first bridge was built between the two cities. Until then, people crossed by ferry.
Traveling to Memphis TN was a different matter, since it is in the far southwest corner of Tennesse. Initially, probably the only feasible way to travel was by river boat, down the Ohio River to the Mississippi and then down the Mississippi to Memphis. It is likely that their move in the early 1850s to Tennessee was made that way. An 1843 map shows steam boat trips. By 1860 there were railroads going through Cincinnati that crossed lines that went to Memphis.
From the time of their marriage until about 1852, Francesco and Catherine resided with their children in Cincinnati, Ohio where Francesco was a confectioner (Cincinnati City Directories 1846/1849-50; 1850 census).
About 1852 the family moved to Tennessee where their daughter Linda was born on 1 Mar 1853. As there were few railroads at that time, they probably traveled by steamship. By 1855 they were back in Cincinnati (Cincinnati City Directories 1856/1857/1858/1859/1860).
Late in 1859 or early in 1860, the family moved across the Ohio River to Covington, Kentucky (1860 census). The bridge between the two cities wasn't built until 1866, so they would have crossed the river by ferry. Both Francesco and Catherine apparently remained in Covington until their deaths (no information has been found for the Civil War years).
Francesco Parma The name and birthplace of Francesco Parma (Italy) was initially found in the records of his children. In the 1850 and 1860 censuses, we learn that he was born c.1809 and was a confectioner (candy-maker). The earliest record that has been found for him is the 1839-40 Cincinnati City Directory. He does not appear in any passenger lists (Ancestry.com). He is not listed in Cincinnati in the 1840 census. As a single man, he was apparently included in someone's household.
His surname varies between Palma, Palmer, and Parma. His given name was variously called Francesco, Francis and Frank.
| His use of the surname: | ||
| Parma: | his marriage record; Cincinnati city directories 1839-40, 1842, 1843 | |
| Palmer: | 1850 and 1860 censuses; baptism of daughters Rosena and Philomena; Cincinnati city directories 1846, 1851-52, 1856, 1858, 1859, 1860; Covington city directories | |
| Palma: | baptisms of sons Francesco, Daniel and Charles, daughter Cecilia; Cincinnati city directories 1849-50, 1850-51; Covington city directories 1861 | |
| Parmer: | Cincinnati city directories 1857 | |
His wife and children (except for Daniel) used the surname Parma for themselves and for him on their records after he died. On his probate record Francesco is Francis Palma, which presumably matches the name he used on his will. Attempts to read his will were unsuccessful because of the poor quality of the microfilm
Francesco died 3 Dec 1865 at Covington KY, Cincinnati Daily Commercial 6 Dec 1865 - Page 7:4:
PALMA - Suddenly, on Sunday evening, December 3, in Covington, Ky of disease of the heart, Mr Francis Palma, aged 58 years.
Italians in Cincinnati Immigrants from the same home town often settled in groups. This may be the situation in Cincinnati. The (1839-40 Cincinnati City Directory includes the place of origin and lists 19 people from Italy. Other sources have provided the birthplaces of four of them, but none of those birthplaces match the records that have been found in Italy. All four were different. Two family members were sponsors of Francesco and Catharine's first child.
Italy The search for Francesco in Italy is complicated by the lack of information in the U.S. No immigration or death record has been found for him. His age is consistently reported in the 1850 and 1860 censuses, but census ages are often not correct. The ages of his children in the census vary dramatically. A range of five years either way from 1809 was used for searching records.
Other than the nobility from Parma, Italy, only one Francesco Parma was found in Italy in the IGI, but that Francesco was born too late and died age 10 (Francesco Parma, Birth: 7 Jun 1830 Caminata, Genova, Italy, Death: 1840 Caminata, Genova, Italy, Father: Pietro Parma, Mother: Julia Maria Parma)
Some possible births have been found for him. They are all variations of Palma/Palmer. A search for "Parma" did not provide any hits. The sources searched (on Family Search) included Family Search Collections: Italy Births and Baptisms, 1806-1900, Italy Marriages, 1809-1900, and Italy Deaths and Burials, 1809-1900. None of these collections are complete.
Summary It is difficult to draw conclusions based on incomplete databases.
Possible sources at FHL (need translation assistance):
Estratti dei registri dello stato civile di Toscana (Regione), 1745-1865, starts with film 1137508
Registri dello stato civile di Lonigo (Vicenza_), 1806-1909, starts with film 1687535 (Vault)
Registri ecclesiastici di Arco (Trento), 1531-1923, starts with film 1448124 (films I need are in Vault)
FHL does not have records for:
Milano at the province level and Balbiano is not listed
Vicenza at the province level, church records for Lonigo are only for 1859
Brescia at the province level at the town level for Brescia
Go to Francesco Parma in the Shahan-Coward Tree
Friday, July 22, 2011
Daniel Joseph Parma Research Notes
The Problem No census record has been found for 1900 for Daniel or his wife Kate Edna Robinson, and no death records have been found for them. It is not certain whether some of the city directory records that appear to refer to him are correct.
Daniel Daniel Joseph Parma, son of Francesco Parma and Catherine Baer, was baptized 23 Dec 1847 (St. Peter Cathedral, Cincinnati, Ohio Parish register for 1847 p.145 #289). He was also known as Joseph Daniel Parma. He lived in quite a few places:
His occupation as stated in the censuses and city directories varied:
The dramatic change in occupation after that raises the question of his identity or of some incident that changed his life dramatically:
Two significant points about the above:
In most records, she is called Margaret or Maggie W., but from her baptism record and her first child's birth record we learn that the W. stands for Wilhelmina.
She died on 21 Sep 1943 in Hot Springs AR, and was buried in San Diego CA. According to the death record, her usual residence was San Diego, so she was apparently visiting or touring when she died. The informant on the death record was George C. Baxley, 806 21st Ave., Birmingham AL.
Margaret's sister was baptized Louise Catherine Palmer. Later records generally refer to her as Katie. She was one of the members of the household of James and Margaret in 1910. She was born 1 Feb 1884 and baptized 25 May 1884 in Galveston TX (St Mary Cathedral baptismal register Vol.3).
Katie is recorded in the Memphis City Directory in 1903 (boarding with L.F. Baxley, 823 Linden) and 1904 (boarding with Mrs. K.E. Baxley 713(41) Florida Ave.). Possibly there is a connection between these Baxleys and the George C. Baxley who was the informant on Margaret's death record, but none has been found.
In the 1909 Memphis City Directory she was a saleslady at Washburn Drug Co. and boarding at 1260 S. Orleans (also the address of James and Margaret Coward).
Katie was married, 21 Sep 1910 in Memphis, to Edward Lohman (Shelby Co. Tennessee Vital Records 1910 Marriage Book F-1 p.279). In 1930 they lived in Chicago IL and were both working in a candy factory.
Go to Daniel Parma in the Shahan-Coward Tree
Daniel Daniel Joseph Parma, son of Francesco Parma and Catherine Baer, was baptized 23 Dec 1847 (St. Peter Cathedral, Cincinnati, Ohio Parish register for 1847 p.145 #289). He was also known as Joseph Daniel Parma. He lived in quite a few places:
From birth until about 1852, he resided with his parents and siblings in Cincinnati, Ohio where his father was a confectioner (Cincinnati City Directories 1846/1849-50; 1850 census).
About 1852 the family moved to Tennessee where his sister Linda was born on 1 Mar 1853. As there were few railroads at that time, they probably traveled by steamship. By 1855 they were back in Cincinnati (Cincinnati City Directories 1856/1857/1858/1859/1860). Late in 1859 or early in 1860, the family moved across the Ohio River to Covington, Kentucky (1860 census). The bridge between the two cities wasn't built until 1866, so they would have crossed the river by ferry.
Daniel continued to live at home in Covington (Covington City Directories 1861/1866-67/1868/1871/1872-73/1879/1880-81; 1870 and 1880 censuses). During that time both of his parents died, his father in 1865 and his mother in 1880. He and Kate Edna Robinson were married in Covington on 18 Apr 1881 (Kenton Co. Kentucky Vital Records & Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption Records).
Daniel and Kate moved to Galveston, Texas where their daughters Margaret (St Mary Cathedral baptismal register Vol.3) and Kate (St Mary Cathedral baptismal register Vol.3) were born . About 1886 Daniel was probably in Memphis, Tennessee (1887 Memphis City Directories), then in Houston, Texas (1889-90 Houston City Directory), and then back to Memphis (1890 Memphis City Directory). It is not clear whether his wife and children were with him.
No further record has been found for him.
His occupation as stated in the censuses and city directories varied:
1869 Covington: clerk; 1870 census Covington: Clerks in store (the only employed person in the household); 1872-73 Covington: clerk; 1880-81 Covington: law student; 1880 census Covington: lawyer (the only employed person in the household); 1881 (marriage record) Covington: atty at law; 1882-83 Galveston: attorney.
The dramatic change in occupation after that raises the question of his identity or of some incident that changed his life dramatically:
1886-87 Galveston: lab [laborer]; 1887 Memphis: driver Mem. City Ry Co.; 1889-90 Houston: street car driver; 1890 Memphis: D. J. Parma & Co. (D.J. Parma & H.H. Wilson) grocers
Two significant points about the above:
- Although her baptismal record and the Galveston city directories indicate that Daniel's daughter Margaret was born in Galveston, her death record gives her birth place as Houston, suggesting that she may have lived there as a child.
- In the 1890 City Directory, Daniel was a grocer in Memphis. His daughter Margaret and her husband were later grocers in Memphis.
In most records, she is called Margaret or Maggie W., but from her baptism record and her first child's birth record we learn that the W. stands for Wilhelmina.
She died on 21 Sep 1943 in Hot Springs AR, and was buried in San Diego CA. According to the death record, her usual residence was San Diego, so she was apparently visiting or touring when she died. The informant on the death record was George C. Baxley, 806 21st Ave., Birmingham AL.
Margaret's sister was baptized Louise Catherine Palmer. Later records generally refer to her as Katie. She was one of the members of the household of James and Margaret in 1910. She was born 1 Feb 1884 and baptized 25 May 1884 in Galveston TX (St Mary Cathedral baptismal register Vol.3).
Katie is recorded in the Memphis City Directory in 1903 (boarding with L.F. Baxley, 823 Linden) and 1904 (boarding with Mrs. K.E. Baxley 713(41) Florida Ave.). Possibly there is a connection between these Baxleys and the George C. Baxley who was the informant on Margaret's death record, but none has been found.
In the 1909 Memphis City Directory she was a saleslady at Washburn Drug Co. and boarding at 1260 S. Orleans (also the address of James and Margaret Coward).
Katie was married, 21 Sep 1910 in Memphis, to Edward Lohman (Shelby Co. Tennessee Vital Records 1910 Marriage Book F-1 p.279). In 1930 they lived in Chicago IL and were both working in a candy factory.
Go to Daniel Parma in the Shahan-Coward Tree
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Margaret Parma Research Notes
The Problem No census record has been found for 1900 for Margaret or her husband James Thomas Coward, and no marriage record has been found for them. James first appears in the Memphis (TN) City Directory in 1903. Their oldest known child, William Clarence Coward, was born about 1903 in Tennessee, probably in Memphis. Margaret and James moved to San Diego CA some time after the 1930 census. James was a grocer in Memphis and in San Diego.
Margaret She was born 18 Mar 1882 in Texas. This date is consistent on her baptism record (St Mary Cathedral baptismal register Vol.3) and on her death record (Arkansas Vital Records 1943 Deaths no.194300372). However, the baptism took place in Galveston, and that record indicates that she was born there. Her death record shows her birth place as Houston.
In most records, she is called Margaret or Maggie W., but from her baptism record and her first child's birth record we learn that the W. stands for Wilhelmina.
She died on 21 Sep 1943 in Hot Springs AR, and was buried in San Diego CA. According to the death record, her usual residence was San Diego, so she was apparently visiting or touring when she died. The informant on the death record was George C. Baxley, 806 21st Ave., Birmingham AL.
Go to Margaret Parma in the Shahan-Coward Tree
Margaret She was born 18 Mar 1882 in Texas. This date is consistent on her baptism record (St Mary Cathedral baptismal register Vol.3) and on her death record (Arkansas Vital Records 1943 Deaths no.194300372). However, the baptism took place in Galveston, and that record indicates that she was born there. Her death record shows her birth place as Houston.
In most records, she is called Margaret or Maggie W., but from her baptism record and her first child's birth record we learn that the W. stands for Wilhelmina.
She died on 21 Sep 1943 in Hot Springs AR, and was buried in San Diego CA. According to the death record, her usual residence was San Diego, so she was apparently visiting or touring when she died. The informant on the death record was George C. Baxley, 806 21st Ave., Birmingham AL.
Go to Margaret Parma in the Shahan-Coward Tree
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