Just Moved Here

Well, I made this blog originally for my FDREL 261 Intro to Family History Class, and I really only posted on it for assignments. However, seeing the use that some of my friends have made of their blogs, I've decided that I'm going to expand on mine a bit, with a move to Blogger to Wordpress being a part of that. I just didn't enjoy their interface as much.

I'm still going to be posting quite a bit about family history because the research is incredibly rewarding and sometimes I just want to tell people about it!

So yeah, to that end, I've just moved all of my posts from my old blog over. And hopefully I'll be posting more here than the old one.

A Break from the Riddicks, on to the Hurdles!

Well, I decided to take a break from the confusing Riddick line and start taking a look at the just-as-confusing Hurdle line. They're also on my dad's side, Riddick is my paternal grandfather and Hurdle is my paternal grandmother.

The person that I've been focusing on this last week is John William Hurdle. He's an interesting fellow. First of all, we aren't even sure that William is his middle name, that's just a suggestion from records passed down orally. Until this last summer, about July of 2013, we didn't even know for certain that he was the father of my fifth-great-grandmother Julia Ann Hurdle. However, we were able to locate his will - from 1827 - wherein Julia Ann was listed (last) as one of his daughters.

Excerpt from John Hurdle's Will, the names of his children are visible here.

Here's an excerpt from the Will. Easily readable is "my children William(,) John, Armisa, Josiah, and Julia Ann Hurdle."

Since that confirmation that he is my sixth-great-grandfather, I've been trying to find out what I can about him and his family. In so far, I haven't had a great deal of luck placing major dates in his life. I hope for that to change soon, I'm combing through the census records and tax lists in Perquimans and Gates counties for that time period and before. There's a general assumption that he was born sometime around 1780 in Perquimans county to William Hurdle Jr. and his wife Elizabeth.  I've found mention of wills for several William Hurdle's and we'll see if any of those belonged to him. I have been able to find the rolls for militia called in 1821 and 1826 in reaction to slave rebellions. John Hurdle is listed on both of them. While it doesn't narrow anything down datewise, it is pretty stinking cool!

1821 Perquimans Militia Roll

1826 Perquimans Militia Roll

First is a portion of the 1821 Militia Roll, where John Hurdle served under Captain Joel Stallings. His name is at the bottom of the list.

Second is a portion of the 1826 Militia Roll, where John Hurdle served under Captain John B(H?)ogue. His name is the third from the bottom.

Moving on to his family. John Hurdle's will mentions wife Milicent; sons William, John, and Josiah; and daughters Armisa and Julia. Milicent appears on the 1830 census - John died in 1828 - and then a marriage certificate appears in 1831 for her - or another Milicent Hurdle - and she subsequently disappears from the historical record. 

I've been able to find marriage and census records for people named William, John, and Armisa Hurdle but their ages seem a bit high for Milicent Stanton to have been their mother. Without a confirmed marriage date, there doesn't seem to be much that I can do here.

At least not yet! I've got more to go through, and, as trudging as this work can be, there are undeniable blessings that come as you do it. There really is help that comes to you from both sides of the veil.

An Update and a Few Laughs

Well, currently I'm having fun perusing legal records from 18th century Virginia, pursuing information about Lemuel Riddick. He was a prominent Virginia politician, and an early member of the revolutionary movement in America. He passed away - likely from old age - in late 1776, and thus isn't as well known as many of his contemporaries, among whom were the Lees, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, and George Washington. Unfortunately, they weren't terribly original with names in 18th century Virginia, and there at least two - possible more - Lemuels in his immediate area, and their deeds and histories are often conflated by well-meaning genealogists.

So, again, having fun with that right now. I'll leave off with a good genealogy comic I spotted the other day. Tis an oldie but a goodie!

Genealogy Quotes for the Day

Help from the Other Side

“Brother Widtsoe reaffirmed that ‘those who give themselves with all their might and mind to this [family history] work receive help from the other side. Whoever seeks to help those in the other side receives help in return in all the affairs of life’” (Boyd K. Packer, The Holy Temple, 252).

“Remember that the names which will be so difficult to find are of real people to whom you owe your existence in this world and whom you will meet again in the spirit world. … Their hearts are bound to you. Their hope is in your hands. You will have more than your own strength as you choose to labor on to find them” (Henry B. Eyring, “Hearts Bound Together,” April 2005 General Conference).

Spiritual Protection

“Do you young people want a sure way to eliminate the influence of the adversary in your life? Immerse yourself in searching for your ancestors” (Richard G. Scott, “The Joy of Redeeming the Dead,” Oct. 2012 General Conference).

“I promise you will be protected against the intensifying influence of the adversary. As you participate in and love this holy work, you will be safeguarded in your youth and throughout your lives” (David A. Bednar, “The Hearts of the Children Shall Turn,” Oct. 2011 General Conference).