I received a package today, a package of genealogy stuff - the best kind of package to receive!
In 1995 a man named Albert Smith along with his wife (I believe), wrote a book called THE GAMBLIN FAMILY HISTORY Mid and Southern America. I've been on the lookout for the book for a couple of years now, but have been told it was only printed in a limited addition and is no longer available.
Lo and behold a couple of months ago whilst perusing genealogy websites, I came across a man named Dennis West who was offering to do look-ups from his copy of the book. I was so excited I emailed him and asked where I could get a copy - he said nope, no can do, I have the last copy that was printed. But, he offered to photocopy any info that was of the Gamblins (there are a few other families in the book that are the authors direct relatives) and mail it to me.
Today I received the photocopies.
There is really not a lot that I learned from it, most of the info I have already found from a dozen different sources, but it is co-ordinated. However, there are some glaring mistakes too, such as my 5x great grandfather James is listed as being the son of James Gamblin of Tennessee, he is not he is the son of Joshua of North Carolina/Kentucky. It also says he moved to Texas with his second wife and children - I don't think so. I believe he is buried in Graves Co. Kentucky with his first wife and that his 2nd wife is buried in Ripley Co. Missouri.
The really interesting part is the last few pages he photocopied for me, they are my own family research from 1981! He does mention my name as well as the name of a cousin up here and a woman named Lucille Owings. I sent Lucille a copy of the chart years ago, she must have passed it on to Albert.
Anyway I am going to photocopy the entire package and mail it on to my cousin Debbie in Chicago!
Friday, October 2, 2009
Monday, September 7, 2009
Jesse
This is Jesse Gough Gamblin, he was born in 1871 in Gamburg, Ripley Co. Missosuri. He was the youngest son of Milo Gamblin and his second wife Margaret Gough, and was named (I would imagine after her brother Jesse Gough. I have to admit we do have some good looking men in our family!
His life has been on my mind lately - he got married at the age of 39 in April of 1910 to Margaret Crowley who was 23 years old and he was dead a year later on June 6, 1911.
He was killed in a Railway accident in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, I haven't been able to find any information on the particulars....yet! Considering it was not written up in any detail in any local newspapers, I am beginning to think it was an accident in the yard rather than on the line. He was an engineer and was supposedly scalded to death by the steam of the engine, a horrific way to die.
He didn't have any children that I know of but in a coincidence almost exactly 24 years later - July of 1935 Jessie Gamblin (a girl) was hurt in a railway accident in Poplar Bluff, Missouri! I haven't figured out who she was yet, but was probably his neice and maybe named after him. I have contact with some of the decendents of Milo's family I hope that one of them can fill in the missing pieces.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Milo's Family
I received some photos today from Susie Patton, a cousin in Washington. They are Milo's children. The first one is Francis Caroline Gamblin Allen (1850 - 1935), she is about 10 years old here.
Next is her sister Emily Alice Gamblin Slayton (1860 - 1934) on the left and Francis Caroline on the right. I'm guessing this is taken in the late 1890's.
Last Emily on the left Asher King (1862 - 1939) their brother and Francis Caroline, this must have been in the late 1920's or early 30's in Poplar Bluff, Ripley Co., Mo.
Next is her sister Emily Alice Gamblin Slayton (1860 - 1934) on the left and Francis Caroline on the right. I'm guessing this is taken in the late 1890's.
Last Emily on the left Asher King (1862 - 1939) their brother and Francis Caroline, this must have been in the late 1920's or early 30's in Poplar Bluff, Ripley Co., Mo.
They were all born in Graves County, Ky., but moved to Ripley Co., Mo. when the children were young.
Francis had a daughter - Eve Nina, who's daughter Lucille got me really interested in my family genealogy. It was Lucille who sent me a letter 30 years ago and urged me to get in touch with Susie, as she had lots of family information. Sadly she didn't tell me how to get in touch with her and eventually I gave up trying. Because of the internet Susie saw a message from me and contacted me a couple of months ago!
Friday, July 24, 2009
More musings
I have gone through all the info I have on both Sion's oldest son who is listed as Joshua (born 1808) on his marriage certificate in 1832 and Josiah, who is James' son (born 1828) and brother to my 5x great grandfather.
I think that Sion also had a son named Josiah in abt. 1827/8 but he is not listed on the 1850 census because he was on the way to California or already there somewhere. Although he was able to write maybe he didn't or if he did it was sporadic and he eventually lost contact with the family and through the passing of generations he was forgotten and therefore not listed on any family trees. Forgotten except as "somebody" who went to California and didn't return, lore passed down through the generations.
A letter from a cousin in Illinois I received 30 years ago says that James had a brother "Young" that went to California and was never heard of again. James' brother "Young" was Joshua Younger and his life is well documented. The letter also says that James died early in life as the result of lifting a heavy log at a barn raising - not true James lived until he was in his late 60's early 70's and had a couple of wives and numerous kids. As most things were passed down by word of mouth and an occasional note in the family bible, I think it was "Young" who's name was Josiah (possibly), who died as a result of lifting the log and he was not James's brother but rather his son.
In 1848 James had another son with his second wife and he was also named Josiah, I have often wondered if James fell out with his two eldest sons after the death of their mother, so he just named another kid Josiah. Then again information on census records can be and is transcribed wrong. If the first Josiah did die from the accident, he would have died sometime between 1850 and 1860 in Graves Co. KY. - another grave to look for!
Ewwwww! Crit just asked to be let in and brought me a present - a dead mouse - got to love those kitties and their gifts! Anyway back to my musings.
As that generation were all first and second cousins and some of them probably could write, they may have passed information on to each other. Somehow with the passage of time, Sion's son Josiah and James's son Josiah have become confused. A hundred and fifty years later, I'm confused!
I think I've obsessed about this man long enough, time I turned my attention to the rest of James' children and what happened to them after his death.
I think that Sion also had a son named Josiah in abt. 1827/8 but he is not listed on the 1850 census because he was on the way to California or already there somewhere. Although he was able to write maybe he didn't or if he did it was sporadic and he eventually lost contact with the family and through the passing of generations he was forgotten and therefore not listed on any family trees. Forgotten except as "somebody" who went to California and didn't return, lore passed down through the generations.
A letter from a cousin in Illinois I received 30 years ago says that James had a brother "Young" that went to California and was never heard of again. James' brother "Young" was Joshua Younger and his life is well documented. The letter also says that James died early in life as the result of lifting a heavy log at a barn raising - not true James lived until he was in his late 60's early 70's and had a couple of wives and numerous kids. As most things were passed down by word of mouth and an occasional note in the family bible, I think it was "Young" who's name was Josiah (possibly), who died as a result of lifting the log and he was not James's brother but rather his son.
In 1848 James had another son with his second wife and he was also named Josiah, I have often wondered if James fell out with his two eldest sons after the death of their mother, so he just named another kid Josiah. Then again information on census records can be and is transcribed wrong. If the first Josiah did die from the accident, he would have died sometime between 1850 and 1860 in Graves Co. KY. - another grave to look for!
Ewwwww! Crit just asked to be let in and brought me a present - a dead mouse - got to love those kitties and their gifts! Anyway back to my musings.
As that generation were all first and second cousins and some of them probably could write, they may have passed information on to each other. Somehow with the passage of time, Sion's son Josiah and James's son Josiah have become confused. A hundred and fifty years later, I'm confused!
I think I've obsessed about this man long enough, time I turned my attention to the rest of James' children and what happened to them after his death.
I Got It! I Got It!
I received the package from California on Josiah Gamblin. Sadly I don't know any more now than I did before...........lol! In fact I now have more questions. It is 84 pages of court documents about the sale of his property which was a quartz mine, but there is his obituary. It's really hard to read so I'll write it out rather than scan and post a copy.
******
The Death of honest Josiah Gamblin
Josiah Gamblin died on Saturday January 14th at his home at Fairplay, aged 62 years. The subject of the notice was born in Georgia and became a miner at a very early age. He came to California in 1850 and engaged in mining near Forest Hills, Placer County. About 30 years ago he lost the use of his left arm by injuries created by a mine caving in on him. He came to El Dorado county 25 years ago and had an interest in the Crystal mine and failed owing a large sum. He went to Calayerus county and there had better luck and sent back $3500.00 to pay his debts, although they were all outlawed. His debts ranged form 25 cents up to large amounts, but he knew just how much each account against him was and paid all. He was a member of the I.O.O.F. of Fairplay, the members of which gave him every attention necessary during his illness. Mr Gamblin could have drawn benefits for the past 30 years from the Lodge, but refused to accept any and kept to work with one hand until he paid all his debts. He owned a quartz mill and mine at Fairplay which he willed to the Lodge. Joshia Gamblin was an honest man and his death is sincerely mourned by a large circle of acquaintances, and particularly by the Odd Fellows. His funeral was on Monday.
*****
There is a hand written note on one of the sheets that says he never married and that he came to California in 1852 not 1850.
My questions are:
If he was born in Georgia was he Sion's son? I have Sion with a son named Josiah, but he was born earlier and he was married and had lots of kids. It is possible that that son's name was Joshua and maybe later he did have a son named Josiah.
Or... did James and Nelly (my direct ancestors) move to Georgia for a time and that's where their son Josiah was born? This is the one that family lore says went to California and was never heard from again.
Were there 2 Josiahs who moved to California? Maybe one died early and the other went on to drive me to distraction!
Who ever he was I am proud to be related and I'm got giving up till I find all the answers.
******
The Death of honest Josiah Gamblin
Josiah Gamblin died on Saturday January 14th at his home at Fairplay, aged 62 years. The subject of the notice was born in Georgia and became a miner at a very early age. He came to California in 1850 and engaged in mining near Forest Hills, Placer County. About 30 years ago he lost the use of his left arm by injuries created by a mine caving in on him. He came to El Dorado county 25 years ago and had an interest in the Crystal mine and failed owing a large sum. He went to Calayerus county and there had better luck and sent back $3500.00 to pay his debts, although they were all outlawed. His debts ranged form 25 cents up to large amounts, but he knew just how much each account against him was and paid all. He was a member of the I.O.O.F. of Fairplay, the members of which gave him every attention necessary during his illness. Mr Gamblin could have drawn benefits for the past 30 years from the Lodge, but refused to accept any and kept to work with one hand until he paid all his debts. He owned a quartz mill and mine at Fairplay which he willed to the Lodge. Joshia Gamblin was an honest man and his death is sincerely mourned by a large circle of acquaintances, and particularly by the Odd Fellows. His funeral was on Monday.
*****
There is a hand written note on one of the sheets that says he never married and that he came to California in 1852 not 1850.
My questions are:
If he was born in Georgia was he Sion's son? I have Sion with a son named Josiah, but he was born earlier and he was married and had lots of kids. It is possible that that son's name was Joshua and maybe later he did have a son named Josiah.
Or... did James and Nelly (my direct ancestors) move to Georgia for a time and that's where their son Josiah was born? This is the one that family lore says went to California and was never heard from again.
Were there 2 Josiahs who moved to California? Maybe one died early and the other went on to drive me to distraction!
Who ever he was I am proud to be related and I'm got giving up till I find all the answers.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
New Relatives!
Please meet Myrtle Ann Whitaker Gamblin (1886 - 1977)
Edmon Gamblin (1883 - 1955)
I created two memorials on Find A Grave a couple of weeks ago for Edmon Gamblin (my grandfathers brother) and his wife Myrtle Ann. I went back to check on them and found two lovely pictures some one named Liz had posted on the memorial. I checked on who the contributor was and found she was Elizabeth Bowers , checked my family tree and found she was their granddaughter! Her mother and my dad would have been cousins.
I contacted her via email and we had a good chat, seems when my parents and I were in Missouri in 1979, we stayed with her mother for a night. I just love it when I connect with family.
Friday, July 3, 2009
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