Photos

Early Cabinet Cards, Hancock and Adams County, Illinois

Margaret Forsyth's Photo Collection: Today we will begin looking at cabinet cards taken at photography studios in Adams county, Illinois. ... Continue Reading

Climbing Trees

The Humphrey Family

Tracing the ancestry of my grandmother, Minnie Elizabeth Humphrey, to John Plantagenet, King of England. ... Continue Reading

A Gerhard Mayer Discovery

On tracking down the parents of Gerhard Mayer and other interesting facts. ... Continue Reading

Genetic Mysteries

Reconstructing Hugh Humphrey

The article discusses the research that led to proving that my great great grandfather Hugh Humphrey, originally of Great Barrington, Massachusetts was the son of Levi Humphrey and Nancy Fargo. The proof covers his collateral ancestors, discussing at length their migrations from New York to Massachusetts. ... Continue Reading

Reconnecting Families

The Compton Family of Smith's Clove (Supplement 2)

Recently, I was informed by Ancestry.com that I have a "DNA connection" with the family tree of one the children of Mr. Paul F. Smith. When I looked at "Smith's Family Tree", I did not find a common ancestor, but I did notice that one his ancestors was named Abraham Compton. In the article, "Reconnecting with the Compton Family of Smith's Clove", I researched a family of Comptons that I also had a DNA connection to. Since I also had a DNA connection to this Abraham Compton, I thought the prospects that he might be of this family were high. So with that good news, I went searching for a connection. ... Continue Reading

Reconnecting Families

The Compton Family of Smith's Clove (Supplement 1)

The article discusses four sources that refer to the family of William Compton Jr. of Orange County, New York. None of the sources listed should be considered reliable except perhaps over a very narrow range of claims. Some of them are quoted often, so I've written this supplement primarily so that I can dispel some of their myths. ... Continue Reading