As I embark on the second year of this project, I need to tell you that I have a serious regret: I started my genealogy research and this blog too late to include the voice of my grandparents' generation. And because of that, this blog will forever have a hole.
Of my four grandparents, three have passed away and my grandfather is suffering from dementia. And none of their siblings are alive. In fact, what is truly sad is how close I was on at least one side of the family as my Nana - Elizabeth Cheney (nee Paulus) - passed away only two years ago (one year before starting this project).
I have many questions for my grandparents and their generation, and their answers would have contributed some great stories and information. I wish I could have asked Grandma (Helen Keenan) about life on the farm, teaching, and what she knew about her ancestors and Ireland. And I wish I could have asked Nana (Elizabeth Cheney) what she knew about her families from Germany and Wales as well as when and why her parents moved from Scranton to Wharton. I would have also asked her what it was like working at Picatinny. And these are just a few examples.
To be clear, it is more than just about the research. If I had asked these questions, it would have provided some great memories and great bonding with my grandparents. Now in some cases, my grandparents told us stories without us asking. I will try to include those, with the major caveat that the stories were told a long time ago and my memory might not be perfectly accurate.
The bottom line though is that a lot of oral history from my family is lost. But hopefully other families can learn from my mistake. Start genealogy soon and make oral history a big part of it. Ask your oldest living relatives to tell you about their lives and take good notes. You'll thank me later.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Friday, February 17, 2012
DNA: The Cheney Line
Last year I wrote about the genographic project at National Geographic. Well I am happy to announce that Genealogy Torch received a generous grant to participate and learn about my paternal (Cheney) line's migration paths from thousands of years ago.
If this goes well, I might also pay to learn about my maternal line (ie Mary Enright's mother's line). By looking at my paternal and maternal lines, we'll probably be seeing English and Irish decent. I am also curious about the German (Paulus) line as well as my wife's side, particularly the Ukrainian and Italian lines. But much of that would require other people to submit DNA, which in some cases might not be realistic.
I sent in my DNA a couple weeks ago and it is already in process. In case you are curious, here is what the Genographic Project says is happening to my DNA:
If this goes well, I might also pay to learn about my maternal line (ie Mary Enright's mother's line). By looking at my paternal and maternal lines, we'll probably be seeing English and Irish decent. I am also curious about the German (Paulus) line as well as my wife's side, particularly the Ukrainian and Italian lines. But much of that would require other people to submit DNA, which in some cases might not be realistic.
I sent in my DNA a couple weeks ago and it is already in process. In case you are curious, here is what the Genographic Project says is happening to my DNA:
DNA ISOLATION
The cells are broken open by incubation with a protein-cutting enzyme overnight. Chemicals and the samples are transferred into deep well blocks for robotic DNA isolation. The blocks of chemicals and samples are placed on the extraction robot. The robotic DNA isolation uses silica-coated iron beads. In the presence of the appropriate chemicals DNA will bind to silica. The robot then uses magnetic probes to collect the beads (and DNA) and transfer them through several chemical washes and finally into a storage buffer, which allows the beads to release the DNA. At this point the beads are collected and discarded.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
150 Years Ago: To Albany!
Judson Cheney
Born: May 11, 1838, Hopkinton, St. Lawrence County, New York
Died: September 29, 1864, Chaffin Farm, Virginia
Relation to Author: 2nd Great Grand Uncle
On (or about) this day 150 years ago Judson Cheney and the 98th NY Regiment were mustered and inspected, and left camp in Malone and headed for Albany. Kreutzer tells us:
Kruetzer goes on to talk about the shopping they did, though he is likely talking about his fellow officers and not the enlisted soldiers like Judson who probably didn't have money to spend. But for the next month, Judson and the 98th NY will be in Albany.
Born: May 11, 1838, Hopkinton, St. Lawrence County, New York
Died: September 29, 1864, Chaffin Farm, Virginia
Relation to Author: 2nd Great Grand Uncle
On (or about) this day 150 years ago Judson Cheney and the 98th NY Regiment were mustered and inspected, and left camp in Malone and headed for Albany. Kreutzer tells us:
About the middle of February the different companies arrived at Albany and went into barracks at camp Rathbone. The quarters had been occupied by thousands before; they were fearfully filthy and dirty...I try to picture Judson walking with his fellow troops through Albany. I assume it was the biggest city he had seen.
To many it was a treat to visit the city, the large stores, the saloons, the Delavan [hotel], the capital, the legislature. Hundreds came to visit us daily. We saw a great many officers flitting about in gay uniforms, and were forcibly reminded that fine feathers make fine birds...
Kruetzer goes on to talk about the shopping they did, though he is likely talking about his fellow officers and not the enlisted soldiers like Judson who probably didn't have money to spend. But for the next month, Judson and the 98th NY will be in Albany.
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