Winchester Beginnings in America

Entry of Winchesters to the American Colonies in the early 1600’s was apparently through two ports: Jamestown, VA and Boston, MA where two different John Winchesters arrived in the 1630’s. Records show Winchesters continue arriving in Jamestown and New England throughout the 1700’s. Their descendants are extensively documented.

William Winchester arrived in 1729 in Baltimore,MD and some of his descendants went west, particularly Gen. James Winchester, an early settler of Tennessee.

In the mid 1700’s Willoughby Winchester was among the first settlers of the Craven (Ninety Six District) of SC upcountry and one or more Thomas Winchester is found in deeds and court records of Lunenburg & Halifax Co, Virginia as well as Orange Co, NC.

In the late 1700's John Winchester is listed in the 1768 NC Rowan Co Tax list among the Haw River settlement (now Guilford/Rockingham Co, NC). A William and Thomas Winchester are listed in the 1766 Mecklenburg Co, NC Militia. William and Daniel are listed in the Revolutionary War NC Militia of Mecklenburg, NC (later Union Co). Francis Winchester and several sons are listed in 1800 and later Burke Co, NC census. There is no documentation that connects the Guilford, Mecklenburg or Burke Winchester families together.

Winchesters are documented by the mid 1800’s settlements of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, Canada. Some of these arrive from England and some from New England.

The connection of these Winchester groups with one another is unproven. We are fairly certain these three North Carolina groups did not come from Kent Island, MD, but possibly came from New England via Philadelphia or close-by ports. English, German, Scottish, Irish settlers used the Great Wagon Road in the1760’s through Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley to settle the Piedmont areas of North and South Carolina. Beginning in the early 1800’s all these eastern seaboard Winchester families supplied several generations of migrations into the deep south and westward across the Appalachian Mountains into western NC, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Texas and the Plains states.

source: Winchester Family DNA Project - Background
(accessed: 24 Oct 2011)

Y-DNA 12

Will be receiving the DNA test soon to compare with members of the 3 NC groups of WINCHESTERS. Results will be forthcoming. This could certainly put a big hole in my brick wall.

The following is from the Winchester DNA Project at http://www.familytreedna.com/public/winchesterfamilyDNAproject/default.aspx

Background

Entry of Winchesters to the American Colonies in the early 1600’s was apparently through two ports: Jamestown, VA and Boston, MA where two different John Winchesters arrived in the 1630’s. Records show Winchesters continue arriving in Jamestown and New England throughout the 1700’s. Their descendants are extensively documented.

William Winchester arrived in 1729 in Baltimore,MD and some of his descendants went west, particularly Gen. James Winchester, an early settler of Tennessee.

In the mid 1700’s Willoughby Winchester was among the first settlers of the Craven=>Ninety Six District of SC upcountry and one or more Thomas Winchester is found in deeds and court records of Lunenburg & Halifax Co, Virginia as well as Orange Co, NC.

In the late 1700's John Winchester is listed in the 1768 NC Rowan Co Tax list among the Haw River settlement (now Guilford/Rockingham Co, NC). A William and Thomas Winchester are listed in the 1766 Mecklenburg Co, NC Militia. William and Daniel are listed in the Revolutionary War NC Militia of Mecklenburg, NC (later Union Co). Francis Winchester and several sons are listed in 1800 and later Burke Co, NC census. There is no documentation that connects the Guilford, Mecklenburg or Burke Winchester families together.

Winchesters are documented by the mid 1800’s settlements of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, Canada. Some of these arrive from England and some from New England

The connection of these Winchester groups with one another is unproven. We are fairly certain these three North Carolina groups did not come from Kent Island, MD, but possibly came from New England via Philadelphia or close-by ports. English, German, Scottish, Irish settlers used the Great Wagon Road in the1760’s through Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley to settle the Piedmont areas of North and South Carolina. Beginning in the early 1800’s all these eastern seaboard Winchester families supplied several generations of migrations into the deep south and westward across the Appalachian Mountains into western NC,Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Texas and the Plains states.

To My Genealogy Friends: Genealogical Proof Standards

Much has been made about President Obama, and his eligibility for the office. Though I recall seeing the first birth certificate that he made public during his campaign, I didn't really study it, and, like many others, accepted it at face value. In the meantime, others dismissed it as a "photoshop" modification, insisting that it was, for unknown reasons to me, NOT a "real" certificate. I've not done much research into this, but as a Genealogist myself, it has become an interesting topic.

As a genealogist, I tend to remain neutral on the subject of whether or not President Obama is a Natural Born Citizen, because frankly, I have just not spent enough research time on this. Yet the issue is becoming more and more interesting to me as time goes by.

Awhile back, the president released another certificate. I think it's called a "Certicifate of Live Birth". Though I haven't paid attention, I imagine theories still abound about its authenticity.

So, I wanted your views on the general acceptacnce of Birth Certificates as Genealogical Proof Standards.

An original birth certificate would be one which was made at the time of birth, and given to the parents. A record of this birth would be stored at the locality of birth, with a copy sent to the state.

It has always been my understanding, and experience as a researcher, that "Original" Birth Certificates DO NOT exist at the state or county levels of government. For someone to have an original, it would have to be in the custody of some interested individual. Mind you, I've not researched every state in the U.S., and I understand that all states have different rules, but isn't it a general practice for states and counties to keep records of birth only in bound books, and that when someone requests a certificate, the registrar will type out a new certificate? Or is it that original certificates are, in fact, still extant in some locales?

This latest Certificate of Live Birth of Barak Obama, located at the White House website looks like an original certificate, as the name of the doctor delivering the baby is shown in signature form (not typed in by a registrar, or clerk). The signature of the Parent, the Doctor, and the Local Registrar is included on this certificate, and dated 1961. How could this be? The parent signature is that of Obama's mother (I assume), and she has died.

What say you?

Orville Redenbacher: Proving a Surname

The famous popcorn maker has made it into the family. Although I have no blood ties to him, his descendants and grandchildren are my 3rd cousins.

Orville was born, according to most sources, 16 July 1907 in the Clay County Indiana town of Brazil. His first wife, and mother of his three daughters, was Corinne Strate. His daughter, Sue, married my 3rd cousin once removed, Dewey Gourley (This is from my maternal grandmother's side of the family).


I'm currently attempting to locate information that Orville's grandson, Gary, did indeed share his surname, or if perhaps he was credited as such for advertising purposes. "Gary Redenbacher" appeared with his grandfather in later television commercials (in the 1980s). As yet, I've found no evidence that Mr. Redenbacher had a son, so the surname of this grandson is indeed interesting.

Of course, I've by no means done an extensive search on this family, so I'm going on the assumption (until otherwise proven false) that information does exist.

According to all reports that I've found for Mr. Redenbacher, he was a staunch supporter of his family, made vacation trips from California to Evansville every year, and loved his family dearly. As a young man, he grew up farming, and found the American Dream of success though honest, and hard work. I'm honored to be able to include this gentleman as an important part of my kinship.

Mr. Redenbacher died on September 19, 1995 in Coronado, California.

Suggestions for TSGS

Here is a suggestion that I have for increasing membership, and retaining new members. The president should bring this idea to the Board of Directors ASAP.

The Society should take the primary lead in assisting new and potentially new members in genealogical education. This should be separate from the current practice of "lectures" or "classes". The lectures and classes are great, especially when there are several persons interested, and they should be continued, but one-on-one assistance should also prove beneficial in retaining new members. Advertising this service on the TSGS website would have the potential of bringing in new members.

The current practice of primarily relying on Willard Library's librarian in onsite research assistance should be discontinued. TSGS should have a few members appointed to this task so that members of TSGS can see a substantial benefit in membership. This idea does not replace Lyn Martin in her current role in helping new visitors. Rather, it works with her in providing extra time that she may not have to devote to members in a one-on-one personal capacity.


Terry Winchester
Evansville

Marshall County, Kentucky Genealogical and Historical Society

Benton, the County Seat of Marshall County, KY is a lovely old town. Perhaps so, partly because I'm used to a city of 130,000+, and it was a pleasant novelty from the same-ole-same-ole rituals of Hometownsville, but this old town was alive and bustling with folks out and about the main streets of town. On the way in, there was a Festival running that is part of their annual Tater Day Celebration.

Ed Whitfield, U.S. Representative for Kentucky's 1st District, submitted the following description of this seemingly unique festivity:

The Library of Congress, Kentucky, Local Legacies: Tater Day Festival http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/legacies/KY/200003055.html, (retrieved: 2 April 2010)

Possibly the only celebration of the humble sweet potato, this three- day festival is held in Benton, Kentucky on the weekend before the first Monday in April. One of the oldest indigenous festivals in the state, it grew out of the county court day first held in 1843, when farmers would take advantage of the opportunity to sell or trade their livestock, produce -- including their extra sweet potatoes--and farm equipment in the town square. Today's festival is highlighted by a large parade with floats, marching bands, and a beauty queen. The event has a long and colorful history that is documented in 14 pages of text, two videotapes, photographs, news clippings, and a collection of handbills.

The Courthouse is at 1101 Main Street, and the Marshall County Genealogical Society is located in the basement. There, the volunteer staff maintains the Archives of the County Clerk's historical, as well as current, records.

The security, and care, with which these records are maintained is very formal and strict. The area in which the Archives are housed is in immaculate condition. Every record location is filed in either cardboard filing boxes, or metal filing cabinets. The original marriage records, with consents, where applicable, are enclosed in plastic sheets, keeping them in as pristine shape as is possible. The staff, this day consisting of Clara Creason and Evelyn (Pfingston) Dismore, demands that only they physically obtain the original records for the researcher.
Of course, there are published records and indexes galore, in book form.

Marshall County is but one of 8 counties making up the Jackson Purchase Area of Kentucky, and the Genealogical Society has the published books, and microfilm on each of these counties.

The material in this county is abundant. The staff were very friendly, helpful, and extremely knowledgeable of the material available. I would recommend membership in this society to anyone who has research interest in any of the counties in the Jackson Purchase Area, in general, and Marshall County, in particular.

You can contact the Marshall County, Kentucky Genealogical and Historical Society by
email at: marcoky@ky.gov, or
by phone at 270-527-4749, or
by mail at: MCGHS
P. O. Box 373
Benton, KY 42025

Their hours of operation are Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10am-3pm. If you plan a trip for a Thursday, you should call first, as they sometimes aren't able to open on that day.

Journey of the Unaware

What a trip!

Debbie and I took a drive down to one of the Kentucky Jackson Purchase counties yesterday, and it was an experience; heading back, that is.

We started out from Evansville at 8:30 Thursday morning for Marshall County, Ky., which is in the south-west portion of the state. We arrived, as planned, at about 10:30am.

We spent the next 4 hours at the Benton courthouse, and the Marshall County Genealogical Society archives, digging through vital records, court records, etc., and at about 2:30, we left, and took a sight seeing tour around Benton, and the now Ky. Lake watered-over town of Birmingham; more about that later.

After some extra time shopping in antiques stores, we finally headed out of town, in route home, at about 5:30.

We had such a wonderful time researching my side of the family, and shopping, and the nice trip down there, that, on the way back home, we chatted on endlessly about what all we had seen, and done, and accomplished; so much so, that either we were simply distracted and missed our exit off the Western Kentucky (W. K.) Parkway East, onto the Pennyrile North, or else the exit simply wasn't there.

At one point, I had noticed a sign that said Louisville was just 75 miles. I wondered, aloud, about how we could be just 75 miles from Louisville. After a few moments, I had decided that it was simply a shorter trip from W. K. Parkway than from Evansville to Louisville. No more was thought about it.

After several, PLUS, hours of driving on the W. K. Pkwy (when it should have been only about 1 hr), we realized that we had missed our turn. No problem, we can’t be that far out of the way, I thought. I can turn around, and head back west.

Well, when we seen the sign that stated we were just 38 miles to Louisville, we realized we were definitely clueless, and unaware.

Now, one would think that we'd simply follow our directions down there, backward, or in reverse. After all, for the mechanically inclined (as which, I like to think of myself), it's a well known fact that "installation is the reverse of removal".

No, No, No! ALWAYS print out directions from MapQuest, or your favorite map site, for the return trip, Debbie informed me, in a panic induced state of demeanor. You see, apparently, the Exit numbers going back aren't going to be the same as they were going down. argh!

"BUT, I exclaimed, in vain, shouldn't there have been a sign that indicated an exit for the Pennyrile Pkwy?"

"ALWAYS print out directions from MapQuest, [or your favorite map site], for the return trip", Debbie informed me, once again, this time, in a more pronounced and determined tone of voice.

Instead of an actual driving time of about 4 hours, it turned into about 8 hours; we got back in Evansville a bit before 10pm.

We stopped at Denny’s, and had a nice, late, breakfast, and calmed our nerves quite a bit. While eating, and comparing everything that happened, we’d decided it had still been a good trip. We had a nice time digging through old records, and seeing a lovely, old, small, but very active town, and doing a bit of antique shopping. Sure, we got off the beaten track a bit, but, there was a lesson learned:

"ALWAYS PRINT OUT THE BLEEPIN DIRECTIONS FROM MAPQUEST, [or your favorite map site], FOR THE RETURN TRIP HOME"