52 Weeks To Better Genealogy - Challenge #1

Amy Coffin of the fabulous We Tree blog has developed 52 Weeks To Better Genealogy: a series of weekly prompts that are geared towards those new to the field of genealogy and family history as well as those who want to brush up on some skills which might be a bit rusty.

I decided to attend this event through  the Genea-bloggers group on Facebook.

Week 1: Go to your local public library branch. Make a note of the genealogy books in the collection that may help you gain research knowledge. Don’t forget to check the shelves in both the non-fiction section and the reference section. If you do not already have a library card, take the time to get one. If you have a genealogy blog, write about what you find in your library’s genealogy collection.


Okay, here we go:

I loaded up my tote bag with my library card, a spiral notebook, pencil and pen. It was a lovely day here on the Central California Coast, and I decided to get a walk out of the deal.

Los Osos is a tiny little town, which is reflected in the size of its library.

The genealogy section contained six books, listed in order of age:

In Search of Your European Roots: A Complete Guide to Tracing Your Ancestors in Every Country in Europe by Angus Baxter (1985 edition)
On May 23, 2001, the Midwest Book Review of Oregon, Wisconsin had this to say:
"the premier guide for the novice genealogist seeking trace ancestors in any and every country throughout Europe. The location of each country's national and municipal archives is recorded, in addition to the location of church records, census returns, the system of civil registrations of births, marriages, and deaths, along with pertinent recommendations on finding and using such records as foundling books, orphans' lists, certificates of domicile, guild records, internal passports, confirmation records, and vaccination lists."
That might well be true, but England did not appear in the Table of Contents, so I left it on the shelf.

The Complete Beginner's Guide to Genealogy, the Internet, and Your Genealogy Computer Program by Karen Clifford (2001)
I didn't spend much time with this one, as the Internet of 2001 no longer exists.

The Genealogist's Question & Answer Book by Marcia Melnyk (2002)

Genealogy Online by Elizabeth Crowe (2003)
Five years ago on the Internet?

The Family Tree Problem Solver: Proven Methods for Scaling the Inevitable Brick Wall by Marsha Hoffman Rising (2005)
I checked this one out, immediately seeing topics of interest. "helps intermediate to advanced researchers break through these "brick walls" by breaking down each researcher's common problem into a chapter with straightforward solutions." I think I can learn a thing or two from this one.

Getting Started in Genealogy Online by William Dollarhide (2006)
This seems to be a list of websites for the beginning researcher, but it least the internet spoken of was recognizable.

Don't get me wrong, I love my library...they do a great job for this little town. And a while back, they told me about HeritageQuest Online, where you can search 26,000 books of local and family histories, search the Census and Persi. Your librarian can tell you how to access this invaluable resource.

1736 Maryland

1736- William Drury born to John Drury and Susannah Hayden in Maryland.

(William Drury is my 4th great grand uncle. Our common ancestors are John Drury and Susannah Hayden.)

Maryland, A Middle Temperament: 1634-1980 (Maryland Paperback Bookshelf)

1737 Maryland

1737- Mary Brady born in Charles County, Maryland.

(Mary Brady is my 4th great grandmother. Mary Brady would marry John Worland III in 1773, becoming the daughter-in-law of John Worland who figures in the following court case.)

December 21, 1737- Charles County Court Records, March 1737/8 Court, Liber T#2, Page 422.
Pursuant to order of last November Charles County Court, Commission issued to examine witnesses touching the bounds of a tract of land called Dockers Delight, in possession of George Scroggin.

Commissioners appointed: Messrs Robert Yates, John Howard, Joseph Douglass, and John Maddox (not being any way related to the Petitions contiguous Proprietor, nor interested in the said land). Dockers Delight is in Charles County. The purpose of the Commission is to examine witnesses to prove and perpetuate the memory of the bounds of the said tract of land.

And now here, at March Court, Robert Yates and Joseph Douglas, return to this Court the Commission with the following depositions and certificate thereto annexed -
Charles County. The deposition of Edward Ford, age about 49, who says that George Thomas and he, being together, said Thomas showed him a bounded white oak standing on the head of a small branch near the house where said Ford now lives, which said Branch falls into the Head of Pickiawaxon Creek, and each of them then living on the said land, and since understands the said land was called Dockers Delight. Signed - Edward Ford.

The deposition of George Thomas, age about 65, who says that after he had bought part of that tract of land called Dockers Delight, that some of the old people then living (but who can't charge his memory with) told him that up a branch near some black haw trees stood a bounded white oak which, when this Deponent sought for, he found it according to description given, said branch falling into the head of Pickiawaxon Creek, & found that it should, in his judgment, be the 1st bound tree of said land. Signed - George Thomas.

The deposition of Edward Ford, age about 49, who says that the said Thomas brought him from the white oak in the above deposition, to a bounded poplar standing on the side of a branch and a fresh run that falls into the head of Pickiawaxon Creek, and further says that the said Thomas put his back against the said poplar and said he ran to a bounded white oak standing and a hill. Signed - Edward Ford.

The deposition of Geo:rge Thomas, age about 65, who says that after he had bought part of that tract of land called Dockers Delight, that some of the old people then living (but who can't charge his memory with) told him that on the side of a hill and near a fresh run, there stood a bounded poplar which, when this deponent looked for, found according to description given, the said fresh run falling into the head of Pickiawaxon Creek, and found that it should, in his judgment, be the 2nd bound tree of Dockers Delight. Signed - George Thomas.

The deposition of Richard Smith, age about 50, who says that he had several times seen a bounded white oak standing on a hill, but thought it to be a bound tree of Mr. John Courts'.

The deposition of John Worland, age about 50, who says that his father showed him a bounded gum standing on a branch near a fresh rum, the said run falling into the head of Pickiawaxon Creek, which said tree he told him was a bound tree of Dockers Delight. Signed - John (1W his mark) Woreland.

The further deposition of the said John Worland, age about 50, who says that his father showed him a bounded white oak standing in the woods near a small swamp and the land of Edward Ford, which tree is now cut down and stands a bounded locust post, and that his father further said it was a bound tree of Dockers Delight, which he had then in possession. Signed - John (1W his mark) Woreland.

The deposition of Edward Ford, age about 49, who says that George Thomas showed him a bounded white oak standing in the woods near a small swamp where now stands a bounded locust post, and said it was a bounded tree of the land they then lived on, and since has understood it to be the land called Dockers Delight. Signed - Edward Ford.

The deposition of William Jenkerson, age about 40, who says that George Thomas Sr told him that a white oak (now down) standing on a hill, which tree is now dead, to be a bound tree of the land that he had rented of George Thomas. Signed - William (I his mark) Jenkerson.

The deposition of George Thomas, age about 65, who says that on a small point of a hill and a branch on each side and fresh run, he found as aforementioned, a bounded white oak which he thought to be a bound tree of Dockers Delight. Signed - George Thomas.

We, being qualified before John Briscoe, have examined the witnesses brought to us this Dec 21, 1737. Signed - Robert Yates, Joseph Douglass.

(John Worland II is my 5th great grandfather.)

Colonial Records of Southern Maryland: Trinity Parish & Court Records, Charles County; Christ Church Parish & Marriage Records, Calvert County; St. Andrew¿s & All Faith¿s Parishes, St. Mary¿s County