Date: 01 Mar 96 19:14:03 EST
From: "Elizabeth W. Knowlton" <75013.1446@compuserve.com>
Subject: Indiana/Arkansas Knowltons
Recently someone was trying to trace a great, great grandfather, William Dexter Knowlton. All she had to go on was his daughter's obituary that stated she was born in Churubusco, Whitley Co., IN, in 1898. Also, William had died in Logansport, Cass Co., IN, and it was felt he had lived there since around the turn of the century. The researcher had done all her previous genealogical work in published sources or from family materials and did not know where to find out more about William.
For any of you who are just beginning (or are not beginning but have done little research in primary sources), I cannot stress too much the importance of our U.S. census, particularly for the period between 1920 and 1850. You notice that I reverse the dates and with good reason. Always begin with the period closest to you, the most recent census open (right now, 1920), and work back. Something new is always learned. In this case, the soundex turned up William's family immediately, living in Logansport in 1920. It revealed his wife and daughter Alma, already known, and also gave the street address, his other children's names, their ages, all their occupations (lots of working women here), and the place of birth for each person and his/her parents. If any of the people had been of foreign birth, it would have given their year of immigration to the U.S.
Immediately we could see that William's father had been born in Arkansas! What a surprise as we had assumed the traditional westward migration from New England. This was confirmed on the 1900 census. At that time the family was living further south in Carthage, Rush Co., IN, and all the children were still at home. The parents reported that they had been married for 18 years and had had six children, all living. Month as well as year of birth was given. I checked the 1880 Indiana census, since William was born in Indiana too, but his family was not indexed--probably because that census is indexed for only families with children ten and under, and his family did not qualify.
At this point the researcher has many options. She can check the cemeteries in Logansport for year of death for William and his wife Lavisa and then order the death certificates from the state's vital records. These may give correct names of their parents--or may not. She can write the state library, archives, or genealogical society for 1870 and 1860 census index pages for Knowltons as these are not generally available out of state. We can check the 1910 census (which I ought to have already done but was in a hurry) for more information. Because Knowlton is an uncommon name, I could scroll through Knowlton neighborhoods in counties where some were found in 1880 and see if they are there. When we know where William and Lavisa were in 1882, the researcher can send for their marriage record.
Since the family spent many years in Logansport, IN, it would be worthwhile to contact the historical societies there and see what other information is available on these Knowltons. Someone may have done a history years ago or there may be a family file of newsclippings or others' reasearch. It will not be long at all until we are moving on to Arkansas, but we need to thoroughly examine the Indiana records first. It is possible that William's father was born in the South during a brief stay there by his parents and they left few records behind.
Meanwhile, I am following up a lead from Bob Magnan, a subscriber, to find out more about Knowltons who did immigrate across Alabama, Mississippi, and Arkansas before the Civil War. That person, not a genealogist, will get back to us next week with what his family knows.
From: LARRY_DRANE.parti@ecunet.org
Subject: DRANE CONNECTIONS
Date: Sat, 2 Mar 96 20:00:07 EST
I am looking for any descendants of the following marriage:
Charles Knowlton m. at Marion Co., GA Julia Agusta Drane b. 10 Oct 1834, Talbot Co., Georgia. Their children:
Beulah and her brother Jack lived in Montgomery, Alabama.
Julia Augusta Drane was the dau. of Hiram and Eleanor (Magruder) Drane. Hiram is my 3rd gguncle.
Larry David Drane, publisher of the annual DRANE
FAMILY NEWSLETTER
PO Box 20578, Billings, Montana 59104
INBOX: Larry_Drane@ECUNET.ORG
Date: Sat, 2 Mar 1996 13:05:02 -0500
From: Ken McEvoy <kenm@benetech.com>
Subject: Message I received re Rex Knowlton et al.
I received the following message personally from someone unrelated to me ... I'm posting the details just in case anyone recognizes any names:
I am the son of Thomas Eugene and Kathryn Elizabeth (Larison) Knowlton. My father's birth date/marriage date are unknown to me; my parents were divorced when I was 7 and I have had no reason to contact him. He was the son of Rex (Reginald?) Knowlton (and I believe Rex's wife was Mary ... maiden name unknown to me... possibly Kinney).
My father had several brothers and sisters, among them, Edward, Linda, and Betsy (others I don't know; I have not seen any of my fathers family since they were divorced... this is all from barely remembered information my mother once told me...)
If anyone does have any information, I'll pass it
on.
Ken McEvoy
Date: 02 Mar 96 23:37:08 EST
From: "Elizabeth W. Knowlton" <75013.1446@compuserve.com>
Subject: Charles Knowlton, GA
Timothy J. (Jack) Knowlton of Sumter, SC, is the grandson of Charles and Julia Drane Knowlton of Talbot Co., GA. Larry Drane may know this as Jack has been in touch with Drane researchers. Other descendants are Frances Knowlton Williamson and Joe Davis.
As of about 1994 no one had been able to trace Charles' father, Hiram Knowlton, to his place of origin (born NY ca. 1807 according to various censuses) before he entered Georgia through Augusta around 1828.
If Jack's address is needed, please e-mail me.
Elizabeth W. Knowlton
Date: Sun, 3 Mar 1996 17:11:11 -0500
From: Ken McEvoy <kenm@benetech.com>
Subject: Redesigned Web Site
I decided the Knowlton web site didn't have enough pizazz, so I spent the weekend redesigning it (instead of doing useful stuff like working around the house, or spending time with my family ... :-)
Have a look; comments, as always - as well as content - are appreciated.
http://www.lglobal.com/benetech/knowlton.html
Note: the current address is http://www.benetech.com/knowlton/
Regards, Ken M.
Date: Mon, 18 Mar 1996 00:10:43 -0400 (EDT)
From: Deborah Elliott Davis <Davisd@snycorva.cortland.edu>
Subject: Mary Knowlton
Looking for anyone who has any information on my Mary Knowlton who married Samuel Abbe on October 12, 1672. She was the daughter of William and Elizabeth ? Knowlton. Her brothers were: Thomas, William, John. Samuel, Benjamen, and Joseph. I am interested in Mary's date/place of birth, her mother's maiden name and the country of origin of this family. Mary Knowlton Abbe is my 9th great grandmother and I descend from her son, Ebenezer Abbe and his wife Mary Allen. I welcome any and all information on this family.
Thanks, Debbie
Date: Wed, 20 Mar 1996 21:39:21 -0500
From: Michael Knowlton <swat@inch.com>
Subject: Richard Drake Knowlton
Hi this is Michael Knowlton, from Brooklyn NY. I e-mailed earlier today. I might have some information to add to your endeavour, I will be going down to visit Richard Drake Knowlton, from the Binghamton New York area, (My grandfather) in a week or so and will talk to him...I would like you to add my web-page to a link if you are interested... the url is: www.inch.com/~swat
thanks
Date: Sun, 24 Mar 1996 23:32:22 -0500
From: Douglas Scruton <dscruton@star.net>
Subject: Agusta Dorcas Knowlton
Born 10/27/1836 died 7/3/1926 interned in Ayer MA Married Charles W. Scruton
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