Sue Waite-Langley over at Waite Genealogy is still administering the Waite DNA Project that I wrote about in August, and we’re still looking for participants!

The 37-marker test is normally $149 for our test group (and $169 if you’re flying solo), but for a [...]]]>

Good news!  Family Tree DNA has just put their DNA test kits on sale!  Yessss!!!

Sue Waite-Langley over at Waite Genealogy is still administering the Waite DNA Project that I wrote about in August, and we’re still looking for participants!

The 37-marker test is normally $149 for our test group (and $169 if you’re flying solo), but for a limited time it’s only $119!  This kit will get us in the door, so to speak.

The 67-marker test is normally $239 for our test group (and $298 if you’re flying solo), but it’s now only $209!  This kit is ideal for our test group, because it will show who the TOP ancestor is on the tree.

Don’t have the Y-chromosome?  Can’t afford to foot the entire bill?  Does cheek-swabbing creep you out?

Then Chip In!

Under my photo at the top left part of my site, you’ll see a tally of our donations thus far.  When you contribute to this cause, your donation will be sent to me via PayPal and will be earmarked for this project alone. I will update the meter as we progress to our goal.

FTDNA’s sale is going on through the end of the year.  Let’s raise $209 by New Year’s Eve and get the ball rolling! If 21 people donate $10 each, then we’re in!  That’s pretty painless.

Want to be part of the study?  Not afraid of swabs?  Contact Me and I’ll put you on the list of volunteers for this project.

If more than one person volunteers, we’ll pick the first participant at random.

Thank you in advance for your support!

James WAITS is my 5th great grandfather. In other words, he’s my grandfather’s grandfather’s great grandfather!

James was born in Berkeley County, Virginia (which is now West Virginia).  His tombstone says he was born in 1760, but a deposition that I read in his Revolutionary [...]]]>

James WAITS is my 5th great grandfather. In other words, he’s my grandfather’s grandfather’s great grandfather!

James was born in Berkeley County, Virginia (which is now West Virginia).  His tombstone says he was born in 1760, but a deposition that I read in his Revolutionary War Pension file says that he was born in March of 1762.

In May 1777 when James was 17, he joined the American Revolution.  He enlisted in the militia of Washington County, Pennsylvania and served six months under the command of Colonel Springer.  During this time, he was “engaged in several skirmishes with the Indians at Garrets Fort and on the waters of Whitely.”  He served again in 1778 out of Fayette County, Pennsylvania.

James applied for his pension in April 1833 and was eventually awarded a pension in March 1834 in the amount of $54.65 per year for his service in the War of Independence.

In 1781, he married Margaret Livengood in Washington County, Pennsylvania.  She was born 3 Sep 1763 in Greene County, Pennsylvania.  I don’t yet know who her parents were.  James and Margaret raised eleven children and were married for 74 years.  Neither knew how to read or write and signed papers with an X, known as their “marks.”  Although they didn’t write out their names, their marks are definitely unique.  James wrote his as an “and” sign like I use.  Margaret used an X with swirly tips.

James WAITS signature, aka: "his mark"

Margaret Waits signature (aka: "her mark")

In 1782, James volunteered for military service again.  This time, he fought in Sandusky.

In 1799, James and Margaret moved to Clermont County, Ohio along with his brother Charles who was also in the Revolutionary War.  According to an article in the Clermont Courier, (July 1, 1885), James lived in Williamsburg and was always out for the Fourth of July celebrations.

In 1838, he is listed as owning 118 acres in Sterling Township, Brown County, Ohio.  Nearby, were his brother Charles as well as James’ sons Charles (my 4th great grandfather) and Jacob.

James and Margaret lived in Sterling, Brown, Ohio for the remainder of their lives.  James died on March 2, 1855 at the age of 95.  He is buried at Taylor Chapel Cemetery in Sterling, Brown, Ohio.  Section 1, Row 5, Grave 9.

After the death of her husband, Margaret filed for her widow’s pension at the age of 92.  She died the following year on July 14, 1856.  I’m not sure where she is buried.

I’d like to take a trip to Ohio soon, so I can visit his grave and find hers.  Also, there is a book at the Batavia library in Clermont County that apparently has a wealth of information about James and his brother Charles as well as their families.

I’d also like to thank Footnote.com for blessing me with 58 pages of his pension file!  Without them, who knows how long it would have taken me to see his X. It’s a remarkable experience to see an image that he touched so many years ago.  Thank you!

For my first Treasure Chest Thursday, I thought it would be appropriate to post a photo or two of… well… my treasure chest! 

This is the metal suitcase that all of my old photos were kept in.  I’m not sure where it came from or who originally [...]]]>

For my first Treasure Chest Thursday, I thought it would be appropriate to post a photo or two of… well… my treasure chest! 

This is the metal suitcase that all of my old photos were kept in.  I’m not sure where it came from or who originally owned it or where it’s been.  Although it’s pretty dented up, you can see on the left side there that it has remained relatively glossy on the surfaces that weren’t used much.  What surprises me about this suitcase is that it’s remarkably sturdy, yet light at the same time!  I think it must be aluminum because I can lift it easily.

The lock is long gone, but the clasps that keep the lid shut are completely functional.  There are metal corners to reinforce the structure and I must say that they’ve done their job well!  The handle is also missing, but someone had the presence of mind to tie one dandy rope handle up.  My Dad was in the Navy, so I wonder if he may have been the one who tied this fancy one up.  Do they still teach sailors how to tie all of those knots or is that pretty much a useless skill now-a-days? 

Inside the chest, you’ll find a wooden box inside of a metal box.  The inner box is covered in this lovely brown and blue flowered wallpaper.  At least it looks like wallpaper to me.  There is one hinge on the right side that keeps the top open remarkably well.  And blue ribbons tied at the top to keep things somewhat organized for trips. I can only imagine that it must have been pretty, bright, and cheerful in its day.

Whenever I open my treasure chest, I always flash back to the first time I found it.  My Dad had just passed away and we were cleaning out his house so we could put it up for sale.  I’d lived on my own for a really long time, so I wasn’t interested in any of the day to day items.  Everything else was just “stuff” to me… except this.  I was immediately drawn to it and when I popped the top open, I knew why.  Hidden inside this beat up old suitcase were piles and piles of old photos.  Sadly, some of them are in pretty bad shape from sliding around in there rubbing against each other.  Thankfully, there was a smaller box inside that contained more photos, so they are in much better condition.  I had no idea who any of the people were, but something inside me was insisting that I find out! 

It’s been five years since Dad died and I inherited this beat up old suitcase.  I’ve moved a few times and keep purging unwanted belongings by the carloads, but still have my treasure chest.   I call it Grandma’s trunk because that’s just the vibe that I get from it.  I don’t know when it was made or how far its traveled.  But I get the feeling that sooner or later I’ll be going through photos with someone and there it’ll be… sitting in all it’s former glory… and the mystery of its owner will be unraveled.  Until then, it will stay perched on the top shelf of the closet in my office.  Safe and sound.