Tuesday, March 26, 2024

All Things Clara Bow

 


When You Have the Coolest Clients EVER!
One of my clients in the business of restoring and sharing silent films shared one of his newest projects: "Pill Pounder" with Clara Bow.  Well, he's actually sharing it with the world. 

This previously-thought-to-be a "lost" silent film will be seen for the first time in 101 years. How do we get everything, even the stars to line up to fall into such a find?

Clara Bow's Tie to Kansas City
Read Taylor Swift’s New Album Includes the Song ‘Clara Bow,’ and Swifties Are Already Drawing ConnectionsGlamour Newsletter, 6 Feb 2024; Image Getty
Glamour Newsletter, 6 Feb 2024; Image Getty
  1. It's tie to KC.  A KC man woke up and said I'm going to Omaha to look at this parking lot filled of crates of film! March 2024 
  2. Taylor Swift: Tortured Poets Department opened our eyes to Clara Bow. Ok, many of you knew Clara Bow way before knowing Taylor Swift but I'm highlighting the KC Connection here! 
My mantra? Nothing is ever lost in the universe. Oh, and my other one: all things have historical relevance and connections. ALL!

Visit Geneastar.org for more ancestral information on Clara Bow.
Family Tree Image from Geneastar
Not vetted by the Tracing Ancestors Family: linktr.ee/hittinthebricks

More Info Needed? 

Image: Casper Star-Tribune, 7 Feb 1925, pg4, Casper, WY

Here are a few resources if you have no idea what I'm talking about : 

Kathleen Brandt
a3Genealogy@gmail.com

Monday, March 18, 2024

Spring Cleaning Newsletter: DNA Must Do

We say "test as many as we can, but wisely." This has been the a3Genealogy and the DNA Community mantra since about 2009. Now it's time to do some Spring Cleaning.

Don't Lose Your DNA Testing Results
I've heard many of you have not securely saved or downloaded you Raw DNA. You will want to do that and here's why...

If you have tested, or have had elder relatives tests, be sure to download your Raw Data to your personal computer. Why, because if  a company goes defunct, so might the DNA testing results along with the RawData on that company - never to be retrieved again. A good example is that I would want to preserve my deceased mother's DNA results.

Why Mention Now?
Have you been keeping up with the 23andMe Security Breach Debacle? 

Wired: 5 Dec 2023
Wall Street Journal, Rolfe Winkler, 31 Jan 2024 
FastCompany, 31 Jan 2024
  




Will they recover? The stock shares are now, at best, Penny Stocks. Will they survive? If they fail, will the DNA Raw Data of your loved ones be accessible?  

What Can You Do?
In addition to downloading your DNA Raw Data to a secured file, you will want to upload your Raw Data to MyHeritage and FamilyTreeDNA.  Besides expanding your cousin matches to analyze, you will receive additional resources.  

How to download from 23andMe?
You can access your raw genetic data within your 23andMe account one of three ways:
First: Login to 23andMe

  1. Navigate directly to you.23andme.com/tools/data/
  2. Click on your profile name on the top right-hand corner of your homepage, and select Resources from the dropdown menu.Then select “Browse Raw Genotyping Data” and then “Download” at the top of the page.
  3. Visit your Account Settings and click on “View” under 23andMe Data.

Here are full instructions if needed: Accessing Your Raw Genetic Data

Upload to MyHeritage
linktr.ee/hittinthebricks
Once on your computer, you can upload this data for free on MyHeritage.com.  Just create a free account and follow these instructions:Upload DNA Data to MyHeritage.

By the way did you know our partner Hittin' the Bricks with Kathleen podcast are giving away a Free MyHeritage Complete Package for a year (value $300). To learn more about the Free MyHeritage Complete Package Giveaway, just subscribe to the linktr.ee/hittinthebricks site. It's a monthly drawing, no newsletters, no selling, just a drawing for our subscribers. 

Upload to FamilyTreeDNA
Go to this link to Upload your DNA data

What About AncestryDNA
Note: You cannot upload to ancestryDNA.  
But, you should download your Raw Data from the AncestryDNA kits also and store in a secured place for a backup. Here Is that Downloading DNA Data from AncestryDNA instructions. 

Be sure to share this post with your DNA testing cousins. 

Kathleen Brandt
a3Genealogy@gmail.com

Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Revolutionary War Research - Ridiculous Mistakes



Many of you have asked how to see the North Carolina original records of Ned Griffin, our subject of the Hittin' the Bricks Podcast Episode:  Finding Ned: Church Records, Court Papers & Contracts. Let's be reminded that there are tons of paper waiting for your discoving.  Here are out top 5 Revolutionary War research go to record collections: 

1) Land Records.
Edward Griffin: Revolutionary Soldier, Proquest

One way to prove parentage and ancestral lines is to prove land inheritance. This was used in uncovering Ned Griffin's movements. These records can show when and where land was probated and to whom. Land records often name children, spouse or siblings. If not close ties to others in the community. They too should be researched. Minor children may be named and guardians.

2) Guardianship Records. Mothers were not usually granted guardianship of their minor children during the Revolutionary War Era, but if they did, it usually was through the court system. So a guardianship record should be available for any minors. These records would list minor heirs and guardians and maybe even other inventory and probated information.

3) Church Records. During the Revolutionary War Era churches kept a lot of family records to include children baptism, christening, marriage banns, and licenses. You are doing a disservice if you haven’t researched these genealogical gems.

4) Newspapers and Journals. Don’t forget newspapers and journals. Don’t underestimate the holdings at Local public libraries and State Archives.

5. Other Court Records. Early American court records are the best. It took Ned from 1783 to 1784 to get his case tried, heard and settled from the North Carolina General Assembly. But it allowed plenty of time form the court to gather depositions, statements, affidavits and a law changing decision.

The court record, that is popularly known as An Act for Enfranchising Ned Griffin, Late the Property of William Kitchen, and was recorded in 1784 April 19, 1784 - June 03, 1784; Volume 24, Pages 543 - 649.

In 2000-2004 when seeking this record, there was not yet a digitized copy, but I wanted to avoid abstracts or transcriptions. I know, early records are challenging to read, but so much can be lost, or typos can lead to misinterpreting using abstracts or transcriptions of court records. Be sure to get at minimum a full image of the original record (with any sidebar scribbles).

Three More Life Lines  
  •  State Archive
  •  NARA State Collections 
  •  Congressional Serial Set 

 

Colonial and early American records are most assuredly, if extant, held in the State Archives, but don't forget the State Collections held within the National Archive and Records Administration (NARA).  And one of my favorites, the Congressional Serial Set records hold a wealth of information on the colonies as laws were being made for new Colony and later states.  

But Don't Rely on Abstracts 
Absracts usually address someone else's genealogical question.  Although we are greatful for them, the abstractor (is that a word?) had an agenda. You are looking for the citation! Where was the resource held at the time of abstraction? Which book, volume, and  page can I find the information. When the date of abstract took place helps us guide the repository when the book was spotted at their repository. 

Ned Griffin's full 17 page NC General Assembly Session Records of case, has now been digitized on the North Carolina Digital website with witness statements and hearing information, but that was not the case in 2000-2002 during my initial search.

Let's look at issues with his Abstract at that Time
The North Carolina Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), published the story of Ned in abstract form in 1932.  So many details were missing. The first being that he was a man of color, but they also used the name Edward Griffin, Pvt, to describe him. If we only relied on secondary sources or artists interpretations, we would be missing the facts. Here are a few: 

1)  Ned was considered mulatto, and mixed blood.  The statue that honors him does not capture that description.
2) Wm Kitchen was a deserter in 1781, and needed a substitute.
3) Ned served Griffin's stead from Jun 1781  - Jun 1783
4) Ned not only got his freedom but 640 acres of land in 1783.
5) For his freedom, Ned was required to serve the remainder of Wm. Kitchen's term.
6) Ned entered into service as a free man.
7) Wm. Kitchen "seized" and resold Ned Griffin to Abner Roberson.




As mentioned in the podcast, Ned was supported by the community and military. There were several affidavits and secured states to inlcude 1) Lt. Col Murfree of Camp near Bacon Bridge, in Jul 1782,
2) Joseph Fort's affidavit of Edgecombe County dated March 1784, who was able to recall a 1781 conversation between Ned's original enslaver, William Griffin & William Kitchen 3)William Griffin, the earlier enslaver.

Kathleen Brandt
a3genealogy@gmail.com