RELEASE DATE: APRIL 20, 2008
KINSEARCHING
by
Marleta Childs
P. O. Box 6825
LUBBOCK, TX 79493-6825
[email protected]
Vital statistics play an important part in genealogical research since it is difficult to trace families without having some idea of when individuals were born, lived, or died. Because relatives often reside in different sections of the country, keeping up with details about kinfolks can take quite a bit of time and effort. The 10 January 2008 issue of The Perryton Herald, published in Perryton, TX, offers helpful data about people in that area. It lists 144 births and 67 deaths of residents that occurred in Ochiltree Co., TX, and Balko, Beaver Co., OK, in 2007. For births, the paper provides the names of the parents and child, the sex of the child, and date of birth. For deaths, the newspaper furnishes the name of the deceased, age, and date of death. After obtaining these facts, researchers can look for further information in such resources as obituaries.
The following death notice is found on page 3, column 5, of the 18 Feb 1836 (Vol. XIII, no. 12) issue of the Staunton Spectator and General Advertiser, a newspaper published in Staunton, VA. (Surnames are capitalized for emphasis.) "Died, very suddenly, on Monday night last at the house of Dr. ALLEN, in this county, the Rev. Dr. Conrad SPENCE, for many years Pastor of the Augusta church...."
This week we continue with information from the publication by the U. S. Congress, {House of Representatives} REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF PATENTS FOR THE YEAR 1853. AGRICULTURE (Washington: A. O. P. Nicholson, Printer, 1854).
p. 18 - Joshua S. KELLER, Orwigsburgh, Schuylkill Co., PA - Interestingly, he says that "Formerly the butchers bought all the calves, especially the largest and fattest, which is fast going out of practice; for the farmer now sees his advantage in keeping the best, and killing or selling the inferior ones...."
John EICHAR, Greensburgh, Westmoreland Co., PA
Joseph PARKER, West Rupert, Bennington Co., VT - His report states: "The expense of keeping neat cattle the first two winters, is about one and a half tons of hay to each, valued at $7 per ton; the third winter, two tons, amounting , say to $31.50...."
pp. 18-19 - H. W. LESTER, Rutland, Rutland Co., VT - He remarks: "The horned cattle of Vermont are mostly of a red color, well made, of fair size, and perhaps better milkers than any foreign breed...."
p. 19 - William SMOOT, Boone Court House, VA - He reports: "Our cattle, like our horses, are not of the improved or imported kind...."
Raleigh W. DYER, Prillaman's, Franklin Co., VA
Henry M. PRICE, Nicholas Court House, VA - He relates: "Cattle command the chief attention of our farmers. They are chiefly raised by 'browsing,' having little attention given them besides regularly salting during the summer. In winter, if kept over, they are fed with hay upon the meadows and open grass lands...The farmer here but seldom sells his hay, which is decidedly a wise policy...."
(To be continued)