vol. 18, no. 1 $6.95 Spring 2017 American Ancestors by New England Historic Genealogical Society OUR EXPERT GUIDE TO Early Cape Cod AmericanAncestors.org/american-ancestors-magazine • Do not reproduce without permission of NEHGS. Don’t let your research findings fall victim to the sands of time . . . Publish a Genealogical Article! NEHGS Summer Institute for Instructors include: Advanced Researchers: Publishing a Genealogical Article July 11–July 15, 2017 Ensure your genealogical legacy by publishing a scholarly article and contributing to the genealogi- Henry B. Hoff, cg, fasg cal canon. During this immersive, week-long pro- Editor of the Register gram the writing and publishing experts at NEHGS will help you craft your research into a polished and compelling article for submission to a scholarly jour- nal or study project. Some pre-requisites apply. Program includes: • One-on-one consultations with expert researchers, authors, and editors Christopher C. Child Editor, Mayflower Descendant • Lectures pertaining to advanced research, proof analysis, writing, and editing • Homework assignments and hands-on activities • Writers group sessions • Welcome reception and group dinner • Preparatory webinar and program webpage Lynn Betlock Learn more and register at Managing Editor, AmericanAncestors.org/Education American Ancestors Magazine [email protected] | 617-226-1226 AmericanAncestors.org/american-ancestors-magazine • Do not reproduce without permission of NEHGS. NEHGS staff members Beth Brown and Molly Rogers examine the new Roman Catholic Spring 2017 Archdiocese of Boston Records, 1789–1900, on AmericanAncestors.org. © Pierce Harman Photography. (For more information on this VOL. 18, NO. 1 collection, see page 18.) 26 Our Expert Guide to 43 Pilgrim Robert Cushman Columns Early Cape Cod and The Cry of a Stone Research Services: Case Files  54 Alicia Crane Williams, fasg Michael R. Paulick Connecting an NEHGS Member to Alexander Hamilton’s “Second” 31 A Glimpse into the Captain 46 Bringing the Armenian Andrew Krea Bangs Hallet House in Genocide to Light Jewish Heritage Center Spotlight  56 Yarmouth Port Ann Goolkasian O’Donnell Finis le Guerre: November 11, 1918, Marcia Young from the Perspective of Two World 50 The Ancestry of President War I Jewish Soldiers 32 Manuscript Resources for Donald John Trump: Stephanie Call Cape Cod Genealogical An Initial Exploration Focus on New York  59 Identifying the Original Owner of an Research Alexander Bannerman, Ulster County Account Book Timothy G. X. Salls Julie Helen Otto, and Joan de Vries Kelley Gary Boyd Roberts From Our Collections  62 34 The Cape Cod-Cambridge Desdemona’s Struggle Connection 52 A Underground Reunion at Curt DiCamillo Peggy M. Baker the Bleecker Vault Jim Boulden View from the Family Tree  3 38 Gallows Hill Project: In this Issue  5 [Re-]Discovering On the cover: Detail of “A Map of Cape Branches of Our Family  6 Cod” by Coulton Waugh, 1926. Courtesy of Proctor’s Ledge David Rumsey Historical Map Collection. Ask Our Genealogists  8 Marilynne K. Roach Seashell © Lisagerrard | Dreamstime.com. News  10 Programs & Tours  20 Staff Profile  25 Family Focus  64 How to . . . Genealogies and other books recently Get in touch with NEHGS page 2 published, family associations Visit NEHGS page 17 1-888-296-3447 AmericanAncestors.org AmericanAncestors.org/american-ancestors-magazine • Do not reproduce without permission of NEHGS. How can we help you? Call toll-free 1-888-296-3447 Answers to some frequently asked questions I’m not able to visit NEHGS very often. How can I improve my research skills and learn more about genealogy? NEHGS Directory Our Education team has developed a variety of tools and resources to at a glance help you with your family history research. Our free webinars address a wide range of topics and are a great way to expand your genealogical expertise—from home and on your own schedule. New members will find Ask A Genealogist “Using AmericanAncestors.org” and “Get the Most from NEHGS . . . from AmericanAncestors.org/ Home!” helpful for navigating our website and obtaining the best results from database searches. Experienced researchers will benefit from subjects Services/Ask-a-Genealogist like “Organizing and Preserving Your Family Papers” and “Ten Steps to Writing and Publishing Your Family History.” We also provide subject Bookstore guides, created by our experts, on a variety of topics ranging from the 617-226-1212 basics of genealogical research to specific regions and resources. [email protected] Want to take your research to the next level? Check out our in-depth online courses (exclusively for NEHGS members). These classes give Education and Programs you the opportunity to interact with our experts, chat with other gene- 617-226-1226 alogists, and download helpful resources. [email protected] Visit AmericanAncestors.org and navigate to “Education” and then to “Learning Resources” to view all our offerings. Jewish Heritage Center 617-226-1245 I’m having trouble logging into [email protected] AmericanAncestors.org. What should I do? Library From AmericanAncestors.org, click “Log In” at the top right corner of the 617-226-1239 page. When the login page appears, click “Forgot Password.” Enter the [email protected] email address associated with your account, and click the “Submit” button. An email with a prompt to reset your password will be sent to you, and Member Services after following the instructions you can log in with your new password. 1-888-296-3447 ext. 1 [email protected] I want to follow what’s happening at NEHGS. Do you have a social media presence? Research Services [email protected] We regularly post information on events, share pictures from our col- Webmaster lections, and update our followers on exclusive insights into NEHGS on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Follow us on Facebook: @nehgs; [email protected] Twitter: @AncestorExperts; and Instagram: @american_ancestors. 2 Need help? Call 1-888-296-3447. AmericanAncestors.org/american-ancestors-magazine • Do not reproduce without permission of NEHGS. Administration View from President and CEO D. Brenton Simons Vice President and COO Ryan J. Woods Vice President for Development and Member Services Edward G. MacMahon the family tree Assistant to the President Susan Harrington Board of Trustees Chairman Treasurer David H. Burnham (MA) Bill Griffeth (NJ) Most often in genealogical Vice Chairman Secretary research, we are busy delv- Nancy S. Maulsby (CT) Nancy Clay Webster (NE) Class of 2017 ing into the past. At the New Andrew P. Langlois (CT) Frank C. Ripley (VA) England Historic Genealogical Harold Hunter Leach, Jr. (MA) Diana M. Smith (AZ) Society, we also have an eye on Jo Anne C. Makely (NJ) Morrison DeS. Webb (ME) the future of our field. We are Class of 2018 John M. Fleming (CA) Kristin L. Servison (MA) keenly interested in cultivat- William R. Marsh (NE) Jonathan Buck Treat (MA) ing and supporting the next Jonathan W. Montgomery (NY) Lynn Bryan Trowbridge (CA) generations of family histo- Class of 2019 rians through youth-focused Stephen H. Case (NY) Linda A. Pescosolido (CA) Judith Waite Freeman (LA) Peter C. Steingraber (RI) and community outreach David W. Kruger (NH) programs. Last December we hosted Brenton Simons Councilors an “Open House” at our Class of 2017 James Rollinson Boulden (UK) Susan Armstrong Henry (NY) research headquarters in Boston. Throughout the day our Dennis C. Brimhall (UT) John A. Herdeg (PA) experts gave lectures on a variety of topics, including Irish Ann N. Brown (DC) Marjorie Turrell Julian (NY) research and DNA testing, and we hosted a panel discus- Nordahl L. Brue (FL) Joan Bennett Kennedy (MA) Ronald C. Curhan (MA) Cleon Talboys Knapp (CO) sion on early New England families. Our doors were open Barbara L. de Mare (NJ) Stephanie Jones Martineau (MN) to all, and we provided a number of engaging activities Frank J. Doherty (NY) Carol R. Mc Gee (IL) for children, including “photo hunts” that used historic Sharon M. Donahe (NY) George Marshall Moriarty (MA) David Hackett Fischer (MA) Elizabeth McCaslin Passela (TX) images from our archives and family tree and heraldry Elizabeth Goddard (KS) M. David Sherrill (NY) coloring projects. The event was a wonderful opportunity Priscilla C. Greenlees (WA) David N. Smith (AZ) for families and young people, in particular, to become Thomas Bailey Hagen (PA) Mary Anne Z. Wheeler (MI) Edward M. Hawley (CA) Justin L. Wyner (MA) acquainted with some of our many resources. Class of 2018 One of my favorite days of the year is “Free Fun Friday,” Bruce R. Bartlett (CA) J. Phillip London (VA) a summertime event. It, too, focuses on introducing Herbert J. Boothroyd (FL) John C. MacKeen (MA) visitors to what we do. For many years, our friends at the Sara Stewart Champion (CT) Jocelynne McCall (TN) Jane M. Conlan (NC) Ailsie McEnteggart (CA) Highland Street Foundation have generously sponsored Donald R. Friary (MA) Mark Kimball Nichols (MA) a day of no-cost admission to many treasured cultural Thomas F. Gede (CA) Robert Russell Perry (CT) venues in Massachusetts, including NEHGS. This year we Sarah E. Gunderson (TX) Karen Lynne Pogoloff (VA) Patricia Sezna Haggerty (NY) Patricia R. Reed (TX) offered free consultations with our experts, lectures on Deborah Campbell Hale (MA) Bonnie A. Reilly (IL) “Getting Started in Genealogy,” and activities for children, Beverly M. Hector-Smith (MA) Eric B. Schultz (MA) including family-focused arts and crafts projects and an Robert F. Hendrickson (NJ) Christopher M. White (MA) Joseph Swan Junkin (MA) Jack L. White (CA) “Archivist for a Day” exhibit featuring historic letters from John F. Keane (MA) Thomas R. Wilcox, Jr. (CT) our collections. We hosted over 500 visitors and provided Class of 2019 135 consultations, delivering a rewarding experience for Vernard I. Adams (FL) Peter M. Small (MA) all who attended. Helen H. Berkeley (NY) Marjorie P. Snelling (PA) Although many of our constituents did not develop an David A. Bruce (MA) Lionel B. Spiro (MA) Mary M. Carter (MA) Edward J. Sullivan (NH) interest in genealogy until mid-life, some family histo- Arthur M. Geoffrion (CA) Bryan Sykes (UK) rians start young. In fact, our Chief Genealogist, David Gladys P. Gifford (MA) Mary M. Tedesco (MA) Allen Lambert, joined NEHGS at age 17, and Senior Virginia Whitman Koster (MA) Kathleen A. Van Demark (MA) Stephen J. McCarthy (MA) Diana E. Warren (MA) Genealogist and Editor Christopher C. Child began using Olivia Parker (MA) Brenda Williams (MA) our library at the tender age of 11! Through these special Eric D. Roiter (MA) Albert J. Zdenek, Jr. (NY) programs, we hope to encourage many more young Trustees Emeriti people to find the joy we all have experienced when dis- Rodney Armstrong (MA) Kenneth E. Haughton (CA) Judith Avery (CA) James T. Larkin (CT) covering our ancestors’ stories. Richard H. Benson (FL) John A. Moore (CA) John G.L. Cabot (MA) Meriwether C. Schmid (CT) William M. Crozier, Jr. (MA) Alvy Ray Smith (CA) Abbott Lowell Cummings (MA) Robert C. Stevens (NY) Allis Ferguson Edelman (FL) John Lowell Thorndike (MA) Brenton Simons William M. Fowler, Jr. (MA) Helen Schatvet Ullmann (MA) Virginia M. Hamister (OH) President and CEO Honorary Trustees Emeriti Henry Louis Gates, Jr. (MA) George Putnam (MA) Spring 2017 American Ancestors 3 Beverly Haughton (CA) AmericanAncestors.org/american-ancestors-magazine • Do not reproduce without permission of NEHGS. Administration President and CEO D. Brenton Simons Vice President and COO Ryan J. Woods Vice President Edward G. MacMahon Assistant to the President Susan Harrington Development and Member Services Director of Constituent Relations Meghan Walsh Senior Manager of Member Services Sarah Liebenrood Manager of Gift Planning Steven L. Solomon Senior Development Officer Beth A. Brown Visitor Services Representatives Valerie Beaudrault, James Heffernan Member Services Coordinator Kathleen Mackenzie Member Services Representatives Jenna LaRiviere, Savannah Renaud Development Coordinator Danielle Torres Director of Annual Giving Robin Wolfe Education and Programs Director of Education and Online Programs Ginevra Morse Education Coordinator Tricia Labbe Finance Controller Jeremy Bento Senior Accountant Michael Forbes HR/Accounts Receivable Coordinator Michelle Major Accounts Payable Associate Megan Peterson Accounts Receivable Associate Emma Brightbill Fine Arts Curator of Special Collections Curt DiCamillo Information Technology/Facilities Director of Information Technology Steven Shilcusky Building and Maintenance Assistant Michael McIntyre Library Library Director Jean Maguire Library Patron Services and Consultations Manager Alice Kane CONNECT WITH Chief Genealogist David Allen Lambert Senior Genealogists Marie E. Daly, Rhonda R. McClure Genealogists Jeanne Scaduto Belmonte, Tom Dreyer, Ann G. Lawthers Manager of Manuscript Collections Timothy G. X. Salls Archivist Judith Lucey Curator of Digital Collections Sally Benny US ONLINE! Technical Services Manager Anne Meringolo Technical Services/Metadata Librarian Emily Baldoni Technical Services Assistant Olga Tugarina Conservation Technician Deborah Rossi Library Assistant Brigid Black Marketing and Sales Director of Marketing and Sales Jim Power, Jr. Marketing Manager Henry S. Hornblower The Vita Brevis blog Sales Coordinator Rick Park Jewish Heritage Center at NEHGS Interested in thought-provoking explorations of genealogical Director Judith A. Garner Collections Management Archivist Stephanie Call topics? The Vita Brevis blog offers the opportunity to engage Archives Assistant Kelsey Sawyer with scholars and professionals who share their unique Archivist Lindsay Sprechman Digital Archives Assistants Jessie Xu perspectives and insights. Visit us at vita-brevis.org. Publications Publishing Director Sharon Inglis Editor-in-Chief Scott C. Steward The Weekly Genealogist enewsletter Assistant Publishing Director Cécile Engeln Managing Editor Lynn Betlock Eager for some genealogical news in your inbox each Editor and Creative Director Carolyn Sheppard Oakley Associate Editor Jean Powers Wednesday? The Weekly Genealogist highlights the latest Publications Design Manager Ellen Maxwell Editor of the Register Henry B. Hoff, cg, fasg NEHGS databases and online content, and includes a spotlight Senior Genealogist, Newbury Street Press, and on resources around the country, “Ask a Genealogist” questions Editor of Mayflower Descendant Christopher C. Child Senior Genealogist of the Newbury Street Press Kyle Hurst and answers, stories of interest, a survey, and more. Visit Genealogist of the Newbury Street Press Eileen Pironti AmericanAncestors.org for more information. Research Services Director of Research Services Lindsay Fulton Researchers Jason Amos, Nancy Bernard, Danielle Cournoyer, Michelle Doherty, Zachary Garceau, Pam Guye Holland, Kathleen Kaldis, Our Facebook page Julie Wilmot Senior Researchers Sheilagh Doerfler, Katrina Fahy, Andrew Krea, Want to participate in our community and keep up-to-date on Meaghan Siekman our latest news? Join our more than 35,000 friends and follow Research Services Coordinator Mollie Braen Volunteers us on Facebook at facebook.com/nehgs. Volunteer Coordinator  Helen Herzer Website Development Director of Digital Strategy Claire Vail Twitter Front-End Developer Andrew Hanson-Dvoracek Web Content Assistant Kelsey Jarboe Prefer to keep up with us on Twitter? Follow us via Database Search Specialist Don LeClair Digitization Assistant and Facilities Coordinator John Phlo @ancestorexperts for news, bookstore specials, publication Digital Database Coordinator Molly Rogers announcements, and genealogy-related points of interest Digital Collections Administrator Samuel P. Sturgis III Genealogist Alicia Crane Williams shared by our staff. 4 Need help? Call 1-888-296-3447. AmericanAncestors.org/american-ancestors-magazine • Do not reproduce without permission of NEHGS. In this issue American Ancestors In this issue of American Ancestors, shared her Salem witch trial expertise we explore Cape Cod history and genea- with us in several previous articles. logical resources. Alicia Crane Williams, Last year, after she and others in the fasg, a Mayflower scholar and the lead “Gallows Hill Project” received nation- genealogist on our Early New England wide publicity for determining the To advance the Families Study Project, authored our execution site of the Salem witch trial study of family cover story on early Cape Cod and victims, Marilynne offered to write history in America compiled a list of essential genealogi- about that research and submitted and beyond, NEHGS cal resources that extend well beyond a fascinating account. Jim Boulden, educates, inspires, the seventeenth century. As part of our a 15-year member and NEHGS and connects cover theme, Manager of Manuscript Councilor who also previously contrib- people through Collections Timothy Salls contributed uted articles, asked whether the story our scholarship, collections, and an article on our significant and unique of his “underground” family reunion at expertise. holdings for Cape Cod. Peggy Baker Trinity Church Wall Street in New York wrote about the network of Harvard City would resonate with our readers; College graduates on Cape Cod, and the answer was “yes”! Marcia Young provided a glimpse into Since 1989, this magazine and its [email protected] the home of a Yarmouth sea captain. predecessors have treated the ancestry Both Alicia Crane Williams and of recently-elected Presidents—George Managing Editor Lynn Betlock Timothy Salls are NEHGS staff mem- H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. bers. For each issue of the magazine we Bush, Barack Obama, and now Donald Editor and Creative Director Carolyn Sheppard Oakley rely on in-house experts like Alicia and Trump. For this most recent article, Tim to write feature stories and regular Gary Boyd Roberts—known for his Associate Editor Jean Powers columns. Other staff authors featured work on notable kinships—explores the within these pages are senior gene- new president’s ancestry with Alexander Assistant Editor Gary Boyd Roberts alogist Andrew Krea, Jewish Heritage Bannerman and Julie Helen Otto. Center collections management Last year, perusing the Brookline Genetics Editor Christopher Challender Child archivist Stephanie Call, and curator of Adult & Community Education catalog, Contributing Editors special collections Curt DiCamillo. I spied an interesting lecture by Ann Robert Charles Anderson, fasg; Our magazine also depends on Goolkasian O’Donnell. Intrigued by her Henry B. Hoff, cg, fasg authors from outside our organization Armenian family story, I contacted her Editors Emeriti sharing their perspectives and knowl- and she agreed to share her poignant D. Brenton Simons; Scott C. Steward edge. We connect with these writers in account with American Ancestors Proofreaders a variety of ways, and how we find our readers. Valerie Beaudrault; Cécile Engeln; authors may interest readers. Member Joan de Vries Kelley tran- Linda Rupnow McGuire; When I discussed the Cape Cod scribed an eighteenth-century Ulster Scott C. Steward; Leslie A. Weston theme with Alicia Crane Williams, County, N.Y., account book—and Indexer she suggested that I contact Peggy determined the original owner. She sug- Steve Csipke Baker, editor for the General Society gested an article and we accepted her of Mayflower Descendants Silver manuscript for our New York column. Books project and Director Emerita of Many of our articles are written by the Pilgrim Society and Pilgrim Hall members—of all experience levels— Museum. Peggy then kindly agreed to who contact us with a good proposal. write on Harvard-Cape Cod connec- Our strength as a magazine is due tions. Our article on the Bangs Hallet to our wide network of authors who House also resulted from a personal generously share their expertise, discov- contact; Publishing Director Sharon eries, and insights. Our thanks to all of Inglis recommended I contact Marcia them—and to all of you for being part This publication is also funded in part Young, who had written profiles of of our community. by the Francis G. and Ruth (Wellington) historic houses. Finally, a discussion Shaw Memorial Fund. with director Brenton Simons about the Lynn Betlock reprint of Robert Cushman’s The Cry of Managing Editor a Stone led to an article by the book’s [email protected] editor, Michael R. Paulick. Marilynne K. Roach—an NEHGS member for more than 25 years—has Spring 2017 American Ancestors 5 AmericanAncestors.org/american-ancestors-magazine • Do not reproduce without permission of NEHGS. branches of our family David & Diana Smith: The thrill of a shared pursuit A co-worker who once asked Dave about his genealogy learned about Dave’s ancestors who came to America with database remarked, “You have so many grandparents!” Dave John Winthrop. On the “New England Captives Carried to responded, “We both have the same number; I just know Canada” tour with Donald Friary, we discovered that Diana’s more of mine.” French-Canadian ancestors came south into Massachusetts Since marrying 50 years ago, we have loved solving good to capture Dave’s noble and peace-loving English settlers and mysteries together—and genealogy fit right into that shared their neighbors! interest. We started doing serious research twenty years ago, The diversity of experiences of our ancestors has and soon noticed that NEHGS was often referenced as having been a revelation. Dave’s ancestors include Puritan and one of the country’s most robust collections of genealogical Congregational ministers, a president of Harvard, and a horse material. As good detectives, we knew that we needed access thief. One of Diana’s French-Canadian ancestors was born in to the books, manuscripts, and materials at NEHGS that might Massachusetts and, at about age five, traveled with her family hold answers to our quest. to Minnesota in a covered wagon in the early 1880s. As we Our family research has taken us on many adventures. learn more, both of us continue to appreciate the true grit When we began, we thought a few trips to the towns associ- and determination of our ancestors, several of whom faced ated with our families would be enough. But we found we enormous risks and uncertainties. One of the joys of our enjoy visiting places where our ancestors lived, worked, and research has been discovering, at various ancestral gravesites, worshiped, because it “brings to life” the surroundings and medallions commemorating military service. circumstances under which they lived. Many of these discoveries were made possible through our We had no idea how often our ancestors moved during involvement with NEHGS. We admire the commitment of their lifetimes. We traveled with Robert Charles Anderson the NEHGS staff and leadership to serve current members on his “Great Migration” tour to Bury St Edwards, where we by bringing old books and genealogical manuscripts into the digital age. NEHGS’s inclusiveness and new partnerships with groups such as the American Jewish Historical Society David and Diana Smith and the Boston Catholic Archdiocese recognizes the rich and diverse heritage of our forefathers. Although we live far from NEHGS in Arizona (we’re not fond of New England winters!), we feel connected to the organization and are always in touch by telephone and email. Diana serves on the NEHGS Board of Trustees and David serves as a Councilor, and we attend at least three Board meetings each year. We are honored to play a role in the growth and development of NEHGS. Through our work on the Board as well as our contributing membership as a Life Member Couple, we can draw on the resources of the Society while also helping to replenish this well of knowledge for future generations. Both David and Diana Smith are members of NEHGS under the newly created “Life Member Couple” program. Diana was elected to the NEHGS Board of Trustees in 2013, and David was elected Councilor at the same time. Before he retired, David followed a career in corporate finance, holding posi- tions as CFO of the Tennessee Valley Authority and AMTRAK. Diana was active in various civic, arts, and historical orga- nizations, while managing their family business, Scottsdale Airpark News, as its editor and publisher. They can be reached at [email protected] and [email protected]. 6 Need help? Call 1-888-296-3447. AmericanAncestors.org/american-ancestors-magazine • Do not reproduce without permission of NEHGS. What does family • relationships • involvement Life Membership belonging • mission • support mean to you? commitment • priority • connection “I believe in philanthropy, and, by being a Life Member of NEHGS, I am able to provide consistent support to the organization that gives so much back to me. NEHGS represents the very best in genealogy, and it is my privilege to be a part of it in this way.” —NEHGS Life Member Nancy Maulsby Call today NEW! Life membership for couples now available at a discount. Life Membership Life Benefactor $5,000 $7,500 $3,395 tax deductible $4,415 tax deductible for age 62 or higher no age restriction To learn more, contact our Member Services team at 1-888-296-3447 or membership@nehgs. oSprrgin.g 2017 American Ancestors 7 AmeArmicaenriAcanncAesntcoersst.oorrgs./oarmg/earmicaenri-caannc-easntcoersst-omras-gmazaignaez i•n e D •o nDoot nreopt rroedpuroced uwcieth woiutht opuetr mpeisrsmioisns oiofn N oEfH NGESH.GS. ask our genealogists Tom Dreyer is a specialist in New England, New York, and Midwestern I am looking for the birth record and the names of the parents of my ancestor, genealogy. He has an interest in Northern Christine Louise Russell. I believe she was born in Boston in 1848. In 1869, she Germany and DNA testing and results. married George Franklin Mortimer in St. Paul, Minnesota, and had six children there. She died in 1893. Boston births in this time period often matched my criteria but one name went unreported. The city was growing appeared when I searched the 1855 rapidly and doctors and clerks had dif- Massachusetts state census—John N. ficulty keeping up with the paperwork. Russell. However, he did not have a Without a birth record, we have to rely daughter in his household and his on other sources for this information. wife was born in Ireland, not Sweden. I find it helpful to begin these types Estimating that Christine’s father of searches by reviewing census records was about 22 when she was born, after a birth, looking for the father’s I searched Massachusetts Petitions surname. Narrowing the search crite- for Citizenship—part of the Boston ria helps to limit the number of “hits” U.S. Circuit Court records held at the returned. In this case, I learned from the Massachusetts Archives in Boston and 1880 U.S. federal census taken in St. Paul available on Ancestry.com—for any that Christine was born about 1846 in Russell born about 1826 in Sweden who Massachusetts, with both parents born was living in Massachusetts. John N. in Sweden. Russell appeared again but he did not View of St. Paul, Minnesota, 1874, by I then searched the 1850 census arrive in the United States until 1849, Geo. H. Ellsbury and Vernon Green. records for people with a Russell which was further confirmation that Retrieved from the Library of Congress, surname who were born in Sweden your Christine was not his child. loc.gov/item/75694648. and living in Massachusetts. No one However, a second candidate for Christine’s father also appeared on the list of Petitions for Citizenship. A Henry Russell arrived in the United States in 1842 and was living in Boston in 1852. This Henry Russell was born in Gefle, Sweden, on August 9, 1821. With a given name and birth date, I was able to search specifically for Henry and then link him to your Christine. I found Henry listed in the 1860 federal census in St. Paul with his wife, Mathilda, also born in Sweden, and three children, including daugh- ter “Christian,” born in Massachusetts about 1846. 8 Need help? Call 1-888-296-3447. AmericanAncestors.org/american-ancestors-magazine • Do not reproduce without permission of NEHGS.