The Newsletter of W.I.S.E. Family History Society

Volume 2, No. 4

Finding the Unfindable - part 2

Part 1 of this article was printed in Vol. 2 No. 3, Jul-Aug-Sep 2001 issue of W.I.S.E. Words.

The artiicle has been reprinted, with corrections, and with permission from Vol. 15, No. 3 of the ISBGFH Newsletter (July-Sept 1993) pp. 38, 44-45.

Advice for Welsh Researchers

To succeed in Welsh research, you must be prepared to deal with their patronymic system

of names, and you must not be afraid to tangle with the enigmatic Welsh language. Sure, it's difficult, but with a little help, you can learn

enough to recognize names of people and places. For example, Charles MARK is also in

the Dictionary of Welsh Biography as MARC,

("C" is always pronounced "K" in Welsh), SI-

ARL. "SI" is pronounced like our "SH," so

SIARL sounds like the French pronunciation

of Charles (SHARL) that does not include the final "S." From that, you can see the resem-blance of Richard to Ithisiard or Rhisiart. It's

not easy, but the more you work with it, the easier it gets. Many words that look horrible aren't so bad if you can sound them out. Welsh is a phonetic language with no silent letters.

IN THIS ISSUE:

Finding the Unfindable —Part II

President's message

Member Profile—Ann Lisa Pearson

W.I.S.E. Tips

New Books—Denver Public Library

Program Schedule

Books Reviews

Front

26

27

28

29

30 31

Oct-Nov-Dec 2001

by: Elizabeth E. Brown

You must learn when using gazetteers and dictionaries that

letters like "LL" and "RH" are separate letters, so all "LL's" come

after all the plain "L's" and all "RH's" came after all the "R's."

And "W" can be either a consonant or a vowel. And mutations

where the initial letter or the ending of a word may change, de-pending on what comes before or after the words, are frustrating but not so frightening once you learn about them (e.g., fardd is a

mutation of bard. I have decided to try to learn enough of the

language to be able to find pertinent information in the Welsh

literature. I got a good start at Welsh Heritage Week

Welsh Heritage Week has been sponsored annually by the

Welsh Harp and Heritage Society of North America for 21 years. It's a wonderful way to be introduced to the Welsh language, music, literature, dancing and customs. Normally, it is held on a college or university campus in the U.S., but it has gone to Wales three times: in 1992, 1996, and 2000. There it is held at the Na-tional Language Center at Nant Gwrtheyrn. The number of peo-

ple who can be accommodated is very limited, but anyone who appreciates Welsh customs and wants to learn to speak Welsh will enjoy this rewarding, stimulating experience. I'll probably never be proficient and I still can't get my mouth to make all the sounds come out right, but I'm beginning to understand what I hear and to recognize mutations in what I see so I can use a Welsh dictionary with success.

Letter to a Welsh Relative

Oh yes — I forgot to mention that in 1990 when I returned home from Wales, a letter was waiting for me from another cousin in Wales, also a descendant of Charles MARK. How did she fine me? She, too, joined the Gwynedd Family History Soci-ety. She saw my name listed for researching Mary CHARLES, whom she recognized as a daughter of Charles MARK. She can handle publications in Welsh and generously translates for me when she sends information. Although I missed meeting her then in Wales, we have since met and visit each other.

So, I'm no expert, but I'm making progress. In spite of the fact that I knew nothing about the Welsh language when I started and

(continued on page 27)

VOLUME 2, NO. 4 W.I.S.E. 414969)0J PAGE 26

From the President •••.•••.••.••••••••.•••••••••••.• How Many of You Read this Message?

Just curious. However, since my last message, I have had a couple of

trips that I thought would be of genealogical interest to you.

The first one was to Davenport, Iowa for the Federation of Genealogical

Societies Conference. I drove with three other friends and we arrived on

Monday afternoon, September 10. This was early for the conference as I had

a NGS Board meeting on Tuesday morning. The others went to do research

at the Davenport Library. That is where we were when the attack hap-

pened.

Considering the situation, the conference went very well. Some pre-

registered attendees and a few speakers were not able to come. A couple of

lectures were cancelled, while other speakers filled in for those who were missing. Other speakers made supreme efforts to come. The camaraderie

and fellowship in the Convention Center and town were remarkable. It was

a good place to be when the attack happened. There are many stories about

the many genealogists who pitched in and made the Conference a good one.

It is nice to be a part of this community.

The second trip was to Salt Lake City for The British Institute sponsored

by the International Society for British Genealogy and Family History.

There were three courses offered this year: England, Ireland and Scotland

Research. There were thirty-three in attendance. The course lectures were

given in the mornings, Tuesday through Saturday, and research and consul-

tations in the afternoons. It was possible to meet and visit with most atten-dees. The small class sizes also helped the researchers and instructors. The

evaluations were very complementary and the format of using the Family

History Library further enhanced the learning experiences. This is a unique

W.I.S.E. Family History Society

Dedicated to research in Wales, Ireland, Scotland, England, the Channel Islands and the Isle of

Man. Interest in emigration and immigration of these people as well as heraldry and family

studies.

Officers & Board Members Newsletter Staff

President .Ann Lisa Pearson

Vice President/programs James K Jeffrey

Editor

Country Editors:

Gordon Gray

Wales Fli7abeth Brown

Secretary .Paul Kilburn Ireland Terence Quirke, C.G. Scotland Paul Kilburn

Secretary .Paul Kilburn England George Forby

Treasurer ...... ......... ...Tommie Geer Composers .Janice Prater Ann Lisa Pearson

Membership Services ...... open

Directors Flirabeth Brown Terence Quirke, C.G.

format of this Institute. So, next year, plan to attend The British In-stitute. Next year The British Insti-tute will be 14-19 October.

The Family History Library is under major renovation. The Brit-ish Isles floor, 2B, was almost com-pleted with other floors in various stages of partial completion. The new computers are the largest addi-tion to each floor, all with comfort-able office chairs with arms. There are at least 20 computers on each floor, all with access to the LDS spe-cial CD publications, Library Cata-log, IGI, Ancestor File, etc. There is a time limitation on the computers on the first floor, U. S. & Canada, but not on the other floors. There will be fewer microfilm readers and you will not be able to leave your materials at the readers more than 45 minutes. (No lunch breaks!) There are lockers in some of the same places, so you should place your research there before you go to lunch. The quietest times in the Li-brary were after 6:00 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. When the reno-

vations are completed, it will be great. One day when we were there, the elevators were filled with new chairs for the microfilm reader stations. What an improvement from the wood straight chairs. There were many new copy ma-chines, too, so you can get good copies of the records you find.

The Holidays are rapidly ap-proaching so I am sending you my very best wishes for you to have

great ones.

See you in 2002!!!

roue Lida Peaftdoe

VOLUME 2, NO. 4 W.I.S E. iono,r PAGE 27

Finding the Unfindable - part 2 (continued from the front page)

tried to find a place that doesn't exits, I've (1) found and

visited the area my emigrants came from, (2) obtained

copies of records from the original parchment Bishops'

Transcripts records I was allowed to handle at the Na-

tional Library of Wales, (3) located and met descendants

who live in Wales, and (4) I've also found four cousins in

this country who share my descent from Richard THO-

MAS and Mary CHARLES (two of them also from their

son, John Richard THOMAS), but that's another story for another time. I still have lots of work to do: What ship did they sail on? What port did they sail from? I only

know that they landed in New York. Can I find the re-cords for that patronymic string? (Richard's father was Tomos, Tomos' father was Evan, Evan's father was To-mos Prydderch) or, to put it in a form that is more under-standable, but not likely to be found in the records: Richard THOMAS, Thomas EVAN, Evan THOMAS, Thomas RODERICK. Can we find the father of Charles MARK, Mark (who?)?

I know I've been lucky to receive such wondrous help. I can do no better than to pass along the advice of the experts: If you're haing trouble getting started, but know the county (shire) in England or Wales your ancestors came from, see if there is a Family History Society in that area which may assist you. I hope your experience will equal mine where the Society's members are delightful people who used their knowledge and skills to help me find a fascinating family heritage and wonderful relatives I didn't know I had. And— believe it or not- the only informations for which I've ever been asked for reimbursement is for the 1766 marriage record in Bryncroes.

The author of this article, Elizabeth E. Brown, is a retired librarian/ information specialist who has been researching her family's history for nearly two decades. She is a member of several genealogical and family history societies, including the W.I.S.E. Family History Society. She resides in Denver, CO.

21-c3 E65-icainbc....... 1,46;61.40,1

Member Profile: Ann Lisa Pearson By Betty Brown, Director, W.I.S.E.

Member Profile is an opportunity to get to know your fellow W.I.S.E. members.

Ann Lisa Pearson is well-known in genealogical cir-

cles. Not only is she our energetic, hard-working President of W.I.S.E., but she is also President of the International Society for British Genealogy and Family History, the immediate Past President of the Colum-bine Genealogical and Historical Society and a Direc-tor of the National Genealogical Society.

A native of Casper, WY, she is the eldest of three children of James Harold Mills and. Elizabeth Anne Wiederhold, with one brother and one sister. Residing in Wyoming, Florida, Ohio and Colorado, she at-tended three high schools, graduating from the Cas-per, WY High School. She holds a B.A. in Business from the University of Colorado. Her work experience saw her move from typist and PBX operator for the Intermountain Rural Electrification Association in Littleton to accountant for the United American Life Insurance Company in Denver and the Connecticut General Insurance Company to Accounting Manager for the Writers Manor Hotel. In 1959 she married Willard Jackson Pearson, Jr.

Her interest in genealogy began in 1973 when she helped Shirley Sterz work on her family history. Ann Lisa then began the serious, on-going study of her own genealogy in 1975. Major surnames she researches in-clude MILLS, PEARSON, WIEDERHOLD, DEICHMANN, HAY, LOWR(E)Y, SIMPSON, AND WOODBURN.

Do you realize how useful name-tags can be for re-search? She found a researcher whose families were neighbors of her Pearsons by paying attention to the name-tags at a National Genealogical Society confer-ence in Nashville.

In addition to the societies already mentioned, she belongs to or has been active in others, including the Colorado Genealogical Society (and its Computer In-terest Group), the Council of Colorado Genealogical Societies (Treasurer) and Palatines to America. We are very fortunate to have the benefit of her talents and experiences.

Editor's note: In each issue of W.I.S.E. Words, (beginning with Vol. 2, No. 3) we have been presenting profiles of our members.

VOLUME 2, NO. 4 PAGE 28 W.I.S.E. 4POW11,1

W.I.S.E. _Ai by Donna J. Porter

To keep up on what is going on in the UK, subscribe to these magazines:

Family Tree Magazine (no connection with the American magazine also named Family Tree.)

Practical Family History Magazine

Both are well worth the money.

The Family Tree Magazine website: w-wiamily-tree.co.uk>

Family Tree is $64.50 airmail or $47.50 surface.

Some of the contents for July 2001 issue:

- Pitfalls & possibilities in Family History - Census Returns on CD-ROM - The Parliamentary Archives (Anthony Camp

says "This is one of the most interesting record offices in London")

- Book Reviews - Questions & answers column

- and many more.

There is a computer section where you can keep up on Windows tips, piloting the 1901 census and latest British CDs.

Practical Family History contents for July 2001 were:

- Articles on Immigration Records at the PRO - Poverty maps of Victorian London - Trades of the past - World War I medals and awards

- and many more interesting articles.

Practical Family History is $55.50 airmail or $43.50 surface.

Both magazines have a pull out sheet of books and forms for purchases.

Both magazines can be ordered from:

Mrs. F. Rand 1062 North Buhach Road Merced, CA 95340

Or

Family Tree Magazine 61 Great Whyte, Ramsey, Huntingdon Cambridgeshire PE26 1HJ, England

If you want to see an issue before ordering, look at them at Denver Public Library in the Genealogy Department.

Census on-line: Access an on-line index with a direct image of the 1891 census returns for Norfolk. This is a pilot project to give you a preview of the service provided when 1901 census goes on-line on 2 January 2002.

For more information on the 1901 census project you can e-mail:

1901census@pro.gov.uk Or write:

1901 Census Team Public Records Office, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 4DU, England

VOLUME 2, NO. 4 W.I.S.E. WebtO,f PAGE 29

New Book Bibliography Denver Public Library

By: James K. Jeffrey

Reprints of maps originally published in Memorial Atlas of Ireland: Showing Provinces, Counties, Baronies, Parishes, etc. Philadelphia: L. J. Richards & Company, 1901. from Quintin Publications, Pawtucket, Rhode Is-land, 1999.

Each map has been encapsulated and is housed in the genealogy map collection, closed stacks 1, (vault). Re-searchers will need to request these maps from the WHG reference desk.

County Antrim, Province of Ulster, Ireland G912.4161 Q46co

County Carlow, Province of Leinster, Ireland G912.41882 Q46co

County Cavan, Province of Ulster, Ireland G912.41698 Q46co

County Cork, Province of Munster, Ireland G912.4195 Q46co

County Clare, Province of Munster, Ireland G912.4193 Q46co

County Donegal, Province of Ulster, Ireland G912.41693 Q46co

County Down, Province of Ulster, Ireland G912.4165 Q46co

County Dublin, Province of Leinster, Ireland G912.4183 Q46co

County Fermanagh, Province of Ulster, Ireland G912.4163 Q46co

County Galway, Province of Connaught, Ireland G912.4174 Q46co

County Kerry, Province of Munster, Ireland G912.4196 Q46co

Map of County Kildare, Province of Leinster, Ireland G912.4185 Q46map

III

nom, Cry

-1441:\, )\

^

County Kilkenny, Province of Leinster, Ireland G912.4189 Q46co

Kings County, Province of Leinster, Ireland G912.4186 Q46co

County Leitrim, Province of Connaught, Ireland G912.4176 Q46co

County Londonderry, Province of Ulster, Ireland G912.4162 Q46co

County Longford, Province of Leinster, Ireland G912.41812 Q46co

County Mayo, Province of Connaught, Ireland G912.4173 Q46co

County Tyrone, Province of Ulster, Ireland G912.4164 Q46co

VOLUME 2, NO. 4 W.I.S.E. 41)626t0,1 PAGE 30

Program Schedule

Programs-Fourth Quarter 2001

December Saturday, 8 December 2001, 1:30 - 4 p.m.

Weaving: the Warp and Woof of Your Ancestors Lives

Featuring Judith Dickinson

Join Judi Dickinson as she demonstrates weaving tech-niques and discusses the role of weaving in our ancestor's lives. Fig leaves may have been the earliest covering our ancestors used but it was not long before they were array-ing themselves in cloth. As we read estate settlements and appraisals from past generations we see that our families owned looms, spinning wheels, cards and spindles, bundles of flax, bales of wool, along with large pots for dyeing fibers and finished materials. Mrs. Dickinson will share with W.I. S.E. her knowledge of weaving, which will enhance our un-derstanding of what life was like in ages past.

Judi Dickinson and her husband Bob are members of W.I.S.E. Family History Society. She is a member of the Colorado Weavers Guild and has participated in weaving demonstrations at craft fairs, and wool markets throughout the Rocky Mountain region. She is a retired public school teacher from the Jefferson County School District where she lovingly taught Spanish and Home Economics. She and

Note From the Editor.

This issue of W.I.S.E Words is late and please accept my apolo-gies. I will turn over the new leaf for 2002 with a renewed com-mitment to have each quarterly issue published on time.

Also, this issue was short on articles, thus the "white" spaces and a number of Celtic Designs.

Articles to the newsletter are always welcome and should be sent to me at the following address:

2920 Bonne Vista Drive Colorado Springs, CO 80906-5834 Or

via e-mail: g,grayOleaol.com

The deadline is the first of the middle month of each quarter, for consideration in the subsequent quarterly issue.

Gordon Gray

James K. Jeffrey, Program Chairman

Bob are avid genealogists and enjoy traveling and binding.

W.I.S.E. normally meets the fourth Saturday of most months. The November and December meet-ings are combined and held in early December. This year we are meeting on Saturday, 8 December, the second weekend of the month. As this is our Holiday program all members are encourage to bring a plate of cookies to share with others. This session will be held at

Central Denver Public Library

10 West Fourteenth Avenue parkway

7th Floor Training Room

Denver, Colorado

This event is free and open to the public.

VOLUME 2, NO. 4 W.I.S.E. fliMAT PAGE 31

BOOK REVIEWS By: Zoe Lappi

Folding facts into fiction in Canada

Johnston, Wayne, The Colony of Unrequited Dreams, To-ronto: Vintage Canada, 1999, and Alfred A. Knopf of

Canada, 1998.

Newfoundland, Canada's 10th and last province, was

founded by Welsh, Irish, Scottish and English fishermen

in the 18th century, and for a time was an independent nation. It became a province in 1949, in a brilliant bit of political maneuvering led by Joseph "Joey" Smallwood (1900-1991), who became its first premier. He held the post for 23 years.

The stories of Newfoundland and of Smallwood are equally gritty and dramatic, and Johnston cleverly weaves the two together in this novel that covers Smallwood's life. Johnston says it "is not biography or history, it is a novel, fiction, a work of the imagination in part inspired by historical events. ... I decided I would not change or omit anything that was publicly known. I would fill in the historical record in a way that could have been true, and flesh out and dramatize events that, though publicly known, were not recorded in detail." The most important invention was Sheilagh Fielding, a writer and a cynic who was the unconsummated love of Smallwood's life.

Even though few of us came from Newfoundland, we WISE members — always on the lookout for details to flesh out our heritage — will like this tale. It's a fine bit of literature that examines the human character and emo-tions that can be masked by events and by the written record we call "history."

Making memories into history

White, Richard, Remembering Ahanagran, Storytelling in a Family's Past, New York Hill and Wang, 1998.

The author, now a professor of history at Stanford, does what Frank McCourt fails to do in Angela's ashes: He strives to separate his Catholic mother's Irish memo-ries from the facts, and in the process produces a unique approach to family history.

As he says, and as any genealogist knows, memories and history often are enemies. But White does a master-ful job of research and writing to put each in its proper place. His mother, Sara Walsh, was born in townland

Ahanagran, County Kerry, in 1919. Her father, Jack

Walsh, went to America to earn money to save the f am-

ilyslarm. Later, he had his daughters Nell and Sara

join4 him so their Chicago jobs could provide even

more money to send home. When Sara came in 1936, she

was an innocent abroad, indeed, and she never did be-

come fully an "American girl." World War II set the rest

of her life in motion, for without it she never would have

met the handsome soldier Harry White, the son of Rus-

sian Jewish immigrants, whom she married in 1943.

Sara's fourth grade education stands in stark contrast to

her husband's Harvard degree, but their passion is un-

disguised.

The best part of the book are Sara's stories and her

son's revamping of them based on the facts. Often, how-

ever, White wanders into the deadly dull thickets of his-

torical philosophy, which may explain how I happened

upon a hardback copy for $1 at Barnes and Noble. Still,

for those of us always interested in one man's way to tell

his family's story as well as details of the poverty-stricken Irish, this little book (303 pages) provides a lot to think about.

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Want to learn more?

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W.I.S.E. Wales, Ireland, Scotland, & England Family History Society P. 0. Box 48226 Denver, Colorado 80204-8226