Surname Saturday - Surname Does NOT Exist - Tolinda

OK.  You are probably wondering what I'm doing writing on Surname Saturday about a surname that does not exist.  This is a major problem for me, and I'm really hoping that someone comes up with an idea on how to deal with it.

William Severs, one of my direct ancestors, was born about 1797 in Tennessee, according to the 1850 and 1860 census records in Newton County, Missouri.  His wife was Matilda, also born about 1797 in Tennessee, according to those same census records.  None of the children lived until at least 1900 so I don't know where they may have said where their parents were born. 

So, what is the problem?  I would like to have Matilda's maiden name since she is a direct ancestor also. 

A bigger problem is that all of the online trees either have her listed as Matilda Tolinda, with Tolinda as her maiden name;  OR they list her as Matilda Tolinda with NO last name and Tolinda as her middle name.  After contacting most of these researchers, they are unable to tell me where the name Tolinda came from other than an "ancestry family tree".  These researchers aren't even sure which family tree.  Many of these "researchers" have posted trees with no sources, no documentation, no notes, etc. and so they have no idea where any of the information came from.   

Now, another problem.  It finally occurred to me to see how many Tolindas may have been in Tennessee in the late 1700s and early 1800s.  Well, you guessed it.  NONE!!!!  There are a few people with the last name of Tolinda in the 1885 Iowa State Census, and it states that some of them were born in Ohio.  Well, 1880 census doesn't have any Tolindas listed. 

So, do you have any ideas as to where to look next?  Or what spelling variation I could try that would might help.  I've used all of the normal ones, I believe, since this is not a new problem. 

I would really appreciate any help.  I'll be at Jamboree next week.  So, if you have any suggestions, please send me an email, respond to this blog, OR catch up with me at Jamboree.  Thank you so much.

52 Ancestors: #22 - Daniel Severs (abt 1823 TN to 1876 MO)

Daniel Severs was born about 1823, although some researchers indicate he was born about 1828.  The 1850 census for Missouri shows that Daniel was 21 while the 1860 census, also in Missouri, shows that he was 37.  Then in the 1870 for Arkansas he is 41.  So, which is correct?  Daniel does not appear in the 1880 census. 

Daniel’s parents were William Severs and Matilda, whose last name is unknown. 

Family lore states that Daniel was bushwhacked in 1876 and was buried in Newton County, Missouri.  On a trip to that area, I met a cousin who showed me broken pieces of headstones, one which was Daniel’s.  Through “witching” she was able to determine that this marker was for the Daniel Severs, son of William and Matilda.  She also determined that he died in 1876.  I have no further confirmation of this.

Daniel married Elisa Thurman sometime around 1853-54, probably in Missouri.  I believe they had seven children.  At least these are the names of children living with them when the census was taken, even if there were no indications of relationships.

John Severs (1855 MO – aft 1910) married Sarah Jane Crabtree

Sidney Parala Severs (1855-abt 1877) She is interesting because a girl was enumerated in one census as     Sidney and another as Parala.  I believe she married Jacob Kiser/Kaiser/Kizer, etc. in 1874 in Arkansas.

Frances Severs [female] (1859 MO-1908 MO) married Tilman Akers in 1875 in Missouri.  Sometimes his name is spelled with two “l”s.   

Daniel Severs (1863 MO-aft 1870 MO) I was unable to find another Daniel with the correct age in the 1880 census.  No death or marriage information has been found for him.

Jacob Henry Severs (1867 MO-1950 KS) who married Mary Olive Teague who died in childbirth in 1906.  He then married Dollie Gertrude Collins, or Stenfield, in 1924. 

Eliza Jane Severs (1869 AR – 1938 CA) who married James Snow about 1883 in Missouri.  Even though Eliza died in California, it appears that she was buried in Missouri. 

Nathan Payne Severs (1875 KS – 1964 OK) married Luella O’Bannion in 1902 in McDonald County, Arkansas.  Luella died in 1913 and Nathan married Stella, whose last name is unknown but she had been married to a Joseph Fitts, or Felts, or…. before she married Nathan in 1915, also in Arkansas.

I have copies of some documents related to these children, but most of the information was gained from online searches, mostly finding images. 

If you are researching any of these people, I would like to collaborate with you. 

California: Here I Come (1 Week Until Jamboree 2014)

Jamboree - Only one week to go - And I'm excited.  But I still have SOOOO much left to do.

I'm still trying to understand DNA.  Perhaps a light bulb will "light up" soon.  I certainly hope so.  But I'm getting some of the books ready to take with me.  (Perhaps I can get a few of them autographed by the authors.)  Fortunately I'm not flying so weight and size aren't an issue.  Of course, if I wasn't driving, I'd probably be flying Southwest and they still offer two checked bags FREE. 

But what else am I looking at.  Well, of course the weather.  It's not going to be in the 100s, so I need to remember a sweater or jacket for mornings when I walk across the street to Starbucks for my latte.  And I'll need something light-weight in the actual conference rooms in case they are cooler than I'm comfortable with or I'm sitting under a "blower". 

My mail and newspaper stops have been scheduled.  I still need to check that all of my sprinklers are working.  I don't want any dead plants when I return because one of the drip lines became clogged.  I'll probably even give each system an extra watering, just to make sure that the plants are cared for.  This week the house plants will need an extra deep soak. 

I've been to Jamboree before and I have comfortable shoes.  I also have a special conference bag, that's ready to go. It's an old Jamboree bag that I modified by putting a couple of pockets on the inside.  I have a new tablet this year, so I can carry it instead of a heavy laptop during the day.  I'm looking forward to seeing how it works.  I still need to figure out if I want to take notes on it, or on paper.  But I'll bring a stylus as well as notepad. 

Oh, yes.  I need to print off business cards.   I need to modify the old ones since I'm no longer an officer of a local genealogical society.  I am having trouble finding a photo in my file that I want to use.  And I'm not sure I have time to take a couple and modify them.  We'll see.  I still have 7 more days. 

I hope to see you there.  While I won't have bells on, I'll have on long skirts, and probably some Indian jewelry.  Please say Hello.

Memorial Day Thought

My son returned.  He posted this on his facebook page to honor all of those who did not come home; those he knew and those he didn't know.  Please remember all of them.

SCGS Jamboree LIVE-STREAMING

Are you unable to attend Jamboree in Burbank this year?  SCGS has announced their live-streamed sessions (14 of them), all FREE. Click here for the schedule of speakers and the times. This is a wonderful opportunity to hear some fantastic speakers from the comfort of your own home. 

If you are interested in DNA, there are live-streamed sessions on Thursday, June 5.  Unfortunately, SCGS does not have a sponsor for that day and therefore must charge for these.  But go to the same link as above and see what $30 for one session or a discounted price for all five.  AND, you can then watch them anytime before July 5.  What an opportunity!!!

52 Ancestors: #21 - Jacob Henry Severs (1867-1950)

Jacob Henry Severs was born in 1867 in Newton County, Missouri.  His parents were Daniel Severs and Eliza Thurman.  Since there are numerous men named Daniel Severs, it is difficult to know which of them was the father of Jacob Henry. 

Jacob Henry marked Mary Olive Teague in 1891 in Newton County, Missouri.  They had six children.  Unfortunately, Mary Olive died in 1906 as did the newborn daughter, Mary.  The surviving children were:

Emma Mae Severs (1892 OK -1967 KS) who married William Buford “Boots” Bumgardner about 1910 and then Robert James Hatcher about 1926

Elijah Daniel Severs (1896 OK – 1971 WA) who married May Lucille, last name unknown, about 1921.

Mattie Neicie Severs (1896 OK – 1975 KS) who married Leander Hudgin in 1914 in Arkansas.

Jess Harlan Severs (1901 KS – 1968 CA) who married Katherine Trice.

Mary Severs (1906-1906 KS) who died after ten days.  Her mother died immediately after giving birth. 

In 1924, Jacob married Dollie Gertrude.  The wedding record states that her last name was Stenfield, but her maiden name appears to have been Collins.  Dollie was much younger than Jacob since she was born in 1903.  Jacob and Dollie had two children.

James Delbert Severs (1922 KS – 1985 KS)

Naomi Ruth Severs (1925 KS – 1995 WA)

Dollie and Jacob divorced at some time before 1940 and Dollie married William Franklin Christian sometime after 1940.  She died in 1947.  

If you are researching any of these people, I would really like to collaborate with you.  I have NO photos of Jacob Henry Severs, Mary Olive Teague Severs, or any of the children except for Jess Harlan Severs.  I believe I have a photo of Dollie, but it has not been confirmed.  Therefore, if you are willing to share information or photos, I would be grateful.  

California: Here I Come (2 Weeks Until Jamboree 2014)

Two weeks from today - I'll be in California.  Last week I talked about the process of actually getting there.  Well, there is a lot of work to do here first.

I have printed off new "business" cards, to share with new friends.  And I put surnames on the back.  Hopefully, I'll run into some cousins and we can work together on some of these problems.  Son and daughter-in-law know that we'll be arriving in Anza on Tuesday, the 2nd, but that Walt will drive me to Burbank on Wednesday.  But then, after Jamboree, we'll have more time to visit and watch the last week of youth baseball. 

I still need to do all of the usual things like stopping the newspaper, scheduling the mail vacation hold, etc.  BUT, more importantly in my mind right now, is getting up to speed on my DNA stuff.  And, oh, do I need help!!!

Last year I attended the DNA day.  I was overwhelmed.  Well, this year I'm a little better prepared.  I've sent in all of the DNA tests and received some of the results.  But I'm very confused about what they are and what to do with them.  So, I'm getting them ready.

I bought or borrowed many of the books regarding DNA that were on last years SCGS Jamboree DNA Day syllabus, and I've been reading them.  Some are fairly straightforward.  Some are still very much over-my-head.  I'm also fortunate to be going to GRIP and I am in the DNA Course there.  So, I have the recommended books for GRIP and I'm trying to read them.  Again, some are fairly easy and entertaining; some are a real challenge.  Anyway, I'm preparing and I know I have two weeks to read/skim them, write down questions, get my DNA numbers organized so that I can, hopefully, understand how to make comparisons before the end of Thursday, June 5.

As I said, there is a lot of work to do here before I leave, but most of it is my preparation for DNA day.  I hope to see you there.  And perhaps we'll find out that we're cousins. 

52 Ancestors: #20 - Jesse Harlan Severs (1901-1968)

Jesse Harlan Severs was born on 14 Jul 1901 in Sumner County, Kansas.  This parents were Jacob Henry Severs and Eliza Teague.  Eliza died in 1906 after the birth of Mary Severs, the daughter born after Jesse. 

Jess was married to Katherine Trice in 1925 in Pittsburgh, Kansas.  They had two daughters, born in 1927 and 1930.  About 1933 the entire family drove from Kansas to California.  They had taken out the back seat of their car.  They then stacked household goods in there and the two girls sat on them. They averaged 400 miles each day and made the trip in 6 days.  I even have a page out of my Grandmother's notebook that recorded the daily mileage and all expenses for this trip.  From that time own they lived in Los Angeles County, in Southern California. 

Jess died in 1968 in El Monte, California, after working in many jobs, including farmer, truck driver, plumber, and school custodian. 

If you are interested in researching this family, I would love to collaborate with you.

These weekly stories were inspired by a blog by Amy Johnson Crow.  As she noted in her introduction,

"In January 2014, I issued the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge. The premise: write once a week about a specific ancestor. It could be a story, a biography, a photograph, a research problem — any that focuses on that one ancestor. The next week, write about a different ancestor. In 52 weeks, you’ll have taken a closer look at 52 people in your family tree… and maybe learned a little bit more about them in the process. (Oh, yeah, and hopefully develop a regular writing habit in the process!)" 

No Story Too Small

Please also note that every Wednesday Amy posts a recap of all of the blogs that posted for the week.  You can search for a surname and see if someone has been writing about one of your ancestors.  Thank you, Amy.