Sunday, October 16, 2022

Ancestry's New Sideview Feature

Two thumbs way, way up for Ancestry's new Sideview feature, which separates your AncestryDNA matches into maternal or paternal groups! This feature will be a game changer, particularly for people who are searching for clues about their birth parents.

Right now I have  88,831 DNA matches on Ancestry-- an overwhelming number-- and although I have worked diligently over the last few years to attribute my AncestryDNA  matches to my ancestors, there are literally thousands of matches that I could never place.  Now, with the ability to learn whether those matches are on my maternal or paternal side, there is a much better chance that I will be able to figure out how I am connected to those matches. 

Since the update, when you go to your AncestryDNA matches the website will immediately show you the "By Parent" feature (BETA).  At first, you will only see "Parent 1" and "Parent 2" as choices;  you will have the opportunity to edit each parent to represent either your maternal or paternal side.  In most cases, this should be pretty easy; a list of surnames and matches is provided to help you decide. **Hint** if you don't see anything definitive in the surname list, check out the matches. 

For me, it was extremely easy to discern which Sideview parent was paternal! 



As I have written many times before in this blog, I have a HUGE number of DNA matches to my paternal FRAZIER family, through the Quaker THOMAS FRAZIER Sr b 1725 North Carolina (and his wife MARY PUGH), down through his male descendants,  to my paternal great grandmother CAROLINE AMELIA "CRAMELIA" FRAZIER HUBER. So attributing Parent 2 to the Paternal side was not a challenge!

Once I chose Parent 2 as Paternal, Ancestry marked my Parent 1 matches as Maternal. I was able to verify this by checking the DNA matches associated with Parent 1.  It is fortunate that I have a few known close cousin matches on my maternal side, because the surname list was "generic" and would have offered no clues.



I am particularly excited to know which matches are Maternal in my list, since DNA matches for that side of my family tree have been few & far between (smaller families in general, fewer descendants).  This tool will allow me to really hone in on my maternal ancestors who were "DNA providers."

Another great feature of Sideview is that it helps you correct your errors. Several matches I had previously marked as possibly related to BOTH my mother & father. Sideview has shown that those matches are actually on my Maternal side. At this time I have no DNA matches on Ancestry that are related to both parents.  

If Ancestry disagrees with a parental designation that you had previously added to a match, it is marked in red. This allows you to go back & re-evaluate the match.

Overall, I am finding this feature to be a significant improvement for AncestryDNA. How could it be made even better? By adding a chromosome browser and/or showing segment & chromosome data for each match.   

I have spent a lot of time cross-referencing my AncestryDNA matches with DNA matches on other testing websites & Gedmatch, and have added chromosome data to my AncestryDNA matches whenever  possible.  But finding those matches by cross-referencing doesn't happen frequently, and there are still thousands of matches in my list that are still unknown. 

5694 of my AncestryDNA matches are currently marked "Unassigned".  Looking forward to the next update!


Have a great day!

Betty

© Betty Tartas  2022


Friday, July 1, 2022

Happy 4th of July 2022!

 Here is a list of my 33 Revolutionary War Ancestors, updated  from 2011!




Revolutionary War 1776-1783




Mother's lineage

JEREMIAH MARTINE b 1734 Tarrytown, Westchester Co New York;  died bef 1797 in New Hempstead, Orange Co New York; lived mainly in Haverstraw, Orange Co NY. Married in abt 1760 Rachel BAREE or BARRE. Signed the Association petition against taxation without representation. Supposedly fought in Rev War, but so far no records have been found. Was not present in 1790 census, but his sons were still in Haverstraw, NY. Source: New York Historical Manuscripts: Revolutionary Papers, Volume 1, p 5-7. My great x4 grandfather. ( 🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)

ABRAHAM BROWN II b May 8, 1753 Nottingham or Epping, New Hampshire; died March 8, 1824 Northfield, NH; married on May 27, 1777 in Epping NH, Mary BUTLER born March 30, 1760 Nottingham, NH, (Mayflower descendant) daughter of Rev Benjamin BUTLER & Dorcas ABBOTT of Andover, MA & Nottingham, NH. Abraham Brown II served several terms of duty; defended West Point under Capt. Daniel Gordon in 1780. His widow Mary received his Rev War Pension in 1832; she survived him by over 20 years dying in 1846. Source: Abraham Brown II's Rev War Pension Record (Footnote.com), DAR records, DAR Patriot Index (1966) & bios/genealogies from "History of Northfield NH" by Lucy Cross; "History of Town of Canterbury NH" by James Otis Lyford; "History of the Town of Andover, NH" by John R Eastman, and more. My great x4 grandfather (🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)

THOMAS MILLER b March 20, 1754, Goochland Co Virginia, d 1819 LaVallee Plantation, Goochland co Virginia as per his will. Married Constance MASSIE. Was a prominent and very wealthy landowner, often listed in records as "gentleman". At his death he owned numerous plantations in Goochland, Prince William, and Spotsylvania Co VA, according to his will. Was said to have been a Lieutenant in Revolutionary Army. Stlll searching for records. DAR Patriot index (1966) shows only his father William Miller who married Mary Heath, and who would have likely been too old to fight in the Rev War. My great x4 grandfather (🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)

Capt CHARLES WOODSON b Dec 30, 1759 Cumberland Co Virginia; Capt Charles Woodson was at the battle of Charleston SC, and apparently was captured and imprisoned. He and 30 of his comrades escaped and walked home to Virginia, an extremely slow and hazardous endeavor. Upon his return home, he married Judith LEAKE, daughter of Josiah Leake below. They settled at "Rosebank" Plantation, Cumberland Co VA, a large tract of land given to him by his father "three miles in circuit, skirted by the Willis River". He died 1 Dec 1830. Source: DAR Patriot Index (1966), and "History & Genealogy of the Woodsons" by Henry Morton Woodson, which has a large section on Capt Charles Woodson including several interesting stories & letters. His wife Judith applied for his Rev War pension in 1843.  My great X 4 grandfather (🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)

JOSIAH LEAKE b March 19 1730  Rocky Springs Plantation, Goochland Co Virginia; died Sept 21, 1795; married 1st) Ann FENTON; 2nd) Ann Minter, 3rd) Mrs Anne Foster. Joined the VA Militia, and attained rank of Captain in July 1777. Source: DAR Patriot Index (1966) and "Virginia Militias in the Revolutionary War" by McAllister. My great x 5 grandfather (🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)

Lt ROBERT PETER MOSELEY my great x4 grandfather b 14 Feb 1731  Henrico Co Virginia; died 30 Jan 1804 Willow Lake Plantation, Buckingham Co Virginia. Married Mary Magdalene GUERRANT on 23 Sep 1756. Served as Lt. in the Rev Army along with his two sons Thomas and Capt Arthur Moseley, and his wife's brothers, Jean John Guerrant and Pierre Peter Guerrant. All survived. Source: Moseley family records, and DAR Patriot Index (1966) (🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)

THOMAS SAUNDERS/SANDERS b abt 1735 Goochland or Cumberland Co Virginia; lived Buckingham Co Virginia, then late in life moved to Tennessee; married Mary MITCHELL; died Nov 28, 1812 Davidson Co TN as per his will.  Father of Mary "Polly" Saunders b 1774 VA who married William Francis Moseley (my great x3 grandparents) DAR Patriot Index (1966). My great X 4 grandfather. (🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)

NATHANIEL MASSIE Sr  b Aug 2, 1727 New Kent Co Virginia d 1802 Goochland Co Virginia; married Elizabeth "Betsey" WATKINS. Served as a Captain in the Goochland Co VA Militia in the Revolutionary War, alongside his son Nathaniel Massie Jr, who in 1796 founded the town of Chillicothe, Ohio. Source: DAR Patriot Index (1966), The Story of Goochland, by Wight publ 1935; and "A Catalogue of Descendents of Thomas Watkins of Chicohominy" by Francis Watkins. My great X 5 grandfather. (🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)

JONATHAN SCOFIELD Jr b abt 1748 Stamford, Fairfield Co Connecticut; died Feb 15, 1788 Stamford Fairfield Co Connecticut. Married Jemima FINCH. Was a private in Rev War, Connecticut Militia, under Capt Silvanus Brown, in Col David Waterbury's Regiment. Jonathan Scofield died at age 40, and in 1799 his son Reynolds Finch SCOFIELD chose Selleck SCOFIELD as guardian. Source: Stamford, Fairfield Co CT records, copy of muster rolls (Footnote.com) and "A Scofield History". My great X 4 grandfather. ( 🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)

JONATHAN DIBBLE b abt 1747 Fairfield Co Connecticut; died aft 1820 Pound Ridge, Westchester Co New York. Married Rachel SLASON. Revolutionary War Soldier, private in Poundridge, Westchester Co New York Militia, under Capt Stephen Delavan. Gave an account of the attack on Ward's house by Major Campbell to J.M McDonald, which was subsequently quoted in Bolton's "History of Westchester" and later in Otto Schufeld's "Westchester During the Revolutionary War". Source: copy of muster rolls (Footnote.com); DAR Patriot Index (1966). ( 🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)

Maj STEPHEN GALE II b 1736 New Hampshire, grandfather of Phebe Gale my great x3 grandmother. Married Mrs Phebe PAGE; 2nd) Mehitable PLUMER . He was one of the first men to scale the walls at Fort Ticonderoga, and was promoted to the rank of Major for his gallantry. Source: DAR records, DAR Patriot Index (1966). My great X 5 grandfather.

ANDREW JEWETTb abt 1750 Stratham, Rockingham Co New Hampshire, Married Mary PIPER. He served on the Safety Committee of Sanbornton, New Hampshire Source: DAR records, DAR Patriot Index (1966) My great X 5 grandfather

Rev BENJAMIN BUTLERb 6 Apr 1729 Windham, Connecticut (his great great grandfather Nicholas Butler originally settled at Martha's Vineyard); died 29 Dec 1804 Nottingham, New Hampshire: father of Mary Butler who married Abraham Brown listed above. Rev Benjamin Butler was a graduate of Harvard, and a descendent of John Howland, a Mayflower passenger. He married Dorcas ABBOTT of Andover, Massachusetts. Rev Benjamin Butler signed the Association Test of Nottingham NH against taxation without representation and was on the committee to hire soldiers for the Revolution. Source: DAR records, DAR Patriot Index (1966), and "A History of Martha's Vineyard" by Dr Charles Banks. My great X 5 grandfather.   ( 🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)
NOT the father of IGNATIUS BUTLER b 1755 Monongalia County, Virginia. https://bettysgenealogyblog.blogspot.com/2016/10/ignatious-butler-born-oct-2-1755.html

DANIEL BOLTON Sr b July 1, 1747 Reading, Middlesex Co Massachusetts; died aft 1790 Maine. Fought in Rev War on frontier of Lincoln Co Massachusetts, which later became Lincoln Co Maine. Daniel Bolton married Reliance (Pratt) HOVEY, widow of Ebenezer Hovey who died 1777 in the Revolutionary War. Daniel Bolton was also administrator of the will of Ebenezer Hovey, which was probated 1785 in Hallowell, Lincoln Co Maine (NOTE: I have not completely verified this individual as grandfather of my gg grandmother, Sarah Jane Bolton of Cumberland Co Maine, but it seems quite likely. Use at your own risk!).

EBENEZER MORTON b abt 1758 Gorham, Cumberland Co Maine; died before 1820 Standish, Cumberland Co Maine, married Susannah IRISH. As per book, "History of Gorham Maine" by McClellan; Served in the Revolutionary Army Capt Jenkins' company, 12th Massachusetts. McClellan notes that when he enlisted, he was little more than a boy. Apparently lived all of his life on Standish Neck. My great X 4 grandfather ( 🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)

THOMAS IRISH b Jan 29, 1737 Falmouth, Cumberland Co Maine, died Aug 14, 1832 Gorham, Cumberland Co Maine; married Deliverance SKILLINGS. DAR Patriot Indexs hows him as a Sgt in Massachusetts, wife Deliverance Skillings. Thomas was a soldier of the Revolutionary War, enlisting in 1775. In 1779 he was a sergeant in Capt. McLellan's Company, Col. Mitchell's Regiment and took part in the Penobscot Expedition. My great x 5 grandfather (🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)

ALBERT CAMPBELL b abt 1748 Clarkstown, Rockland Co New York; died aft 1799 Rockland Co, New York; married Catharina VAN HOUTEN. Albert is named on list of enlisted men from Clarkstown, Rockland Co, New York; he was listed as "Albert Cammel "(Cammel being a common Dutch misspelling of Campbell). Source "History of Rockland Co New York".  NOT to be confused with OLIVER CAMPBELL, a United Empire Loyalist who emigrated to Nova Scotia, Canada in 1783.  My great X 4 grandfather. ( 🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)


ELEAZER SLAUSON/Slason/Slosson/Slawson b abt 1728 Stamford, Fairfield Co Connecticut; died abt 1790 Salem, Westchester Co New York; married Sarah RAYMOND. Served in the Westchester Militia, 4th Regiment, during the Rev War, along with his son Eleazer Jr. DAR Patriot Index (1966). My great X 6 grandfather.

SOLOMON BROWN b abt 1746 Pound Ridge, Westchester Co New York; died abt 1821 Pound Ridge, Westchester Co NY; married Sarah SLASON. Revolutionary War Westchester NY Militia, listed in 3rd Regiment. DAR Patriot Index (1966) My great X 5 grandfather.

GABRIEL PALMER  b 1752 Greenwich, Fairfield, Connecticut; died bef 1800 Dutchess county, New York; married Abigail LOUNSBURY. Unverified as yet by me, but his service was mentioned in later bio of his grandson, SHERWOOD HANMER PALMER.  ( 🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)




Father's lineage

JAMES WHITECOTTON  b 1755 Stafford Co Virginia; married about 1770 an unknown 1st wife; married 2nd  after 1795 in Kentucky (as per court deposition records)  Ruth Newton HUDSPETH; he died age 99 years on June 7, 1849 Pleasant Run, Marion Co Kentucky. Enlisted 1776 in Captain William Fountain's company, which marched to Charlottesville Virginia to join the regiment commanded by Col Woodford & Lt Col Charles Scott. This unit marched to Williamsburg VA and on to "Long Bridge" where the regiment met & defeated the British. James re-enlisted in 1778. Later was posted at Kaskaskia, Illinois to help defend settlers from Indians, under George Rogers Clark. Later lived Hampshire Co Virginia, which part became Hardy Co West Virginia, then later still migrated to Washington, Mercer and Marion Co Kentucky. Source: James' Rev War pension records; DAR Patriot Index (1966). My great x 5 grandfather ( 🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)

MICHAEL STUMP II b 8 April 1744 Tulpehocken, Lancaster Co Pennsylvania;  Moved to Hampshire Co Virginia bef 1763 where he married Sarah HUGHES., was a Lt Col in the VA Militia, but resigned this post and was commissioned as Captain in the Continental Army. He raised a company of soldiers and marched them to join the forces fighting Cornwallis. He was in the final battle of Yorktown. By 1782 he lived in Hampshire Co Virginia, which part eventually became Hardy Co West Virginia. Died 1799 Hardy Co WV. Source: JW Neff Research, DAR records, DAR Patriot Index (1966). My great x 5 grandfather ( 🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)

SIMON SIMONSE VAN ARSDALE b April 18, 1726 New York or New Jersey;  died March 17, 1791 Southampton, Bucks Co Pennsylvania; married Elsje KROESEN; no records as yet, but service mentioned in "History of Bucks Co Pennsylvania" by Davis publ 1905. Great grandfather of Nancy Van Arsdale Frazier. My great x 5 grandfather ( 🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)

MATTHIAS FENTON b 1745 Bucks Co Pennsylvania;  married  23 Aug 1770 Rachel HARDING; served as private in Southampton, Bucks Co Pennsylvania; by 1779 owned the Red Lion Inn in Bensalem. Died 10 Dec 1781 Bensalem, Bucks, Pennsylvania. Source: DAR Patriot Index, which shows wife incorrectly as "Rachel Hardy" (1966) and "History of Bucks Co PA" by Davis publ 1905.  Great grandfather of Nancy Van Arsdale Frazier. My great x 5 grandfather.

ISAAC THOMAS THOMPSON b abt 1750 near the Dan River in Virginia (possibly Pittsylvania Co); moved to Rowan (later Burke) Co North Carolina with his family as a very young child. Isaac is the father of my ggg grandfather Joseph Thompson b abt 1797  Burke Co North Carolina, as per recent DNA evidence. Isaac fought in Rowan Co North Carolina which part became Burke Co North Carolina, and lived in the same area all of his life. Several spouses, as yet unknown, but census shows many children. Rev War pension applied for March 7, 1833 in Burke Co NC, age 79, showing that Isaac was a private in the North Carolina militia. Pension records indicate he died June 1, 1839 in Burke Co North Carolina. "Revolutionary Soldiers of Western North Carolina:Burke Co Volume I" by Emmett White, p 278 indicates birthplace & death date, and that Isaac was living in Rowan Co NC in 1776 at beginning of Rev War; three tours of duty during the Rev War 1) in John Hardin's company of Col Christopher Beekman's regiment from Rowan (later Burke) Co NC. 2) Capt Thomas Lytle's Co of McDowell's Burke Co NC regiment;  3) Capt Thomas Kennedy's company of McDowell's Regime. My great x 4 grandfather. ( 🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)

JOSEPH BALLEW II; b abt 1756 Buckingham or Albemarle Co Virginia; d 1845 White Co Arkansas; married abt 1771 Elizabeth CONNELLY in Rowan (later Burke) Co North Carolina; served in Burke Co North Carolina; 1780 Capt Thomas Kennedy's company of McDowell's Regiment; summer 1780 Capt James McFarland, McDowell's Regiment, including Battle of Kings Mountain Oct 7, 1780; March 1782  Henry Highland's Co of Col Joseph McDowell's Regiment. Source: his Rev War Pension Application. My great x 5 grandfather ( 🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)

DAVID BRUTON Sr b abt 1736 Virginia or North Carolina; died 1816 Spartanburg, South Carolina; married bef 1760 in Anson Co North Carolina a 1st wife, name unknown; married 2nd abt 1770 in Anson Co North Carolina Susannah Unknown, who had been previously married. He was said to have fought in the Rev. War in South Carolina, along with his son Major George Bruton who married Sarah Addington. No verification or documentation as yet. David lived in Anson Co North Carolina prior to and at the time of the Revolution; and by 1785 purchased land on the Tyger River, which area became Spartanburg Co, South Carolina. Actually it appears he may have been living in the same place all along, and the state/county changed around him. The area in which he settled endured many name changes in the 1700s. My great x 5 grandfather ( 🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)

ROBERT SCOTT b abt 1760 York Co Pennsylvania or Virginia, died 1835 Connersville, Fayette Co, Indiana. Lived for many years in Fayette and Pulaski Co Kentucky, owning land along Pitman Creek in the latter county. He married Grace, whose maiden name may have been Allen. He was grandfather of Lavina Scott Bruton, my gg grandmother, as per bio of her brother William W Scott. Robert Scott signed the marriage license of Thomas Scott & Elizabeth Jones (1802 Pulaski Co KY) Fought as private in Virginia.Source: Rev War Pension. My great x 4 grandfather. (🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)

NICHOLAS JONES b abt 1761 Bertie Co North Carolina, died bef 1830 Lincoln Co Tennessee; married 8 Aug 1782 Martha "Patsy" MOORE in Granville Co North Carolina;  then lived in Caswell Co North Carolina, Madison & Pulaski Co Kentucky, and Rutherford Co Tennessee. He was the  grandfather of Lavina Scott Bruton, my gg grandmother, as per bio of her brother William W Scott, and the marriage license of Thomas Scott & Elizabeth Jones (1802 Pulaski Co Kentucky). Apparently fought in Virginia, unverified by me. Source: Moore family records. My great x 4 grandfather ( 🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)

JOHN WOFFORD Sr b 1730 Prince Georges Co Maryland, m Eleanor Sarah BUSHROD (maiden name unverified); settled in Spartanburg, South Carolina; father of Dorcas Wofford who married Enoch Bruton, my gx4 grandfather b 1766 SC. .John was said to have served as an enlisted man in the 6th Carolina Regiment, enlisted June 1, 1778--Sept 11, 1778 in W Henderson's & Capt John Buchanan's Company. Several of his brothers also enlisted. He was called "Stompin' John" because he was a preacher who would stomp his feet to emphasize points from the Bible in his sermon. Source: "History of Spartanburg SC " by Dr. J.B. O Landrum, published 1900, DAR Patriot Index (1966), and website/research of David Foster. My great x 5 grandfather

JACOB HUBER b abt 1750, Pennsylvania or  Germany;  died Oct 8, 1803, Berlin, Somerset Co Pennsylvania; married (possible 2nd wife) Magdalena unknown. Lived possibly in Eastern Pennsylvania, Maryland or Western Virginia prior to 1790; migrated to Berlin, Brother's Valley twp, Bedford (later Somerset) Co Pennsylvania by 1793, when he begins to show up in Lutheran church records there. Also listed in the 1800 census there.   Father of William/Wilhelm Huber b abt 1779-1780 Hampshire Co Virginia who married Anna Elizabeth Keffer in Somerset Co Pennsylvania. Unverified as yet, no Rev War records. My great x 4 grandfather  ( 🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant of his son WILLIAM/WILHELM HUBER)

JOHANN JACOB KEFFER/Keefer/Keifer b June 3, 1734 Zeselberg, Germany; died May 1802, Berlin, Brother's Valley Twp, Bedford (later Somerset) Co Pennsylvania; married Anna Maria "Mary" NASS in Germany. Listed in the DAR Patriot Index as "Jacob Keefer" Pvt Pennsylvania (1966 edition). My great X 5 grandfather. ( 🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)

FREDERICK WILLIAM SHRIVER (Friedrich Wilhelm Schreiber) b Feb 8, 1744  Anne Arundel Co Maryland; married in 1770 Frederick Co Maryland Maria Elizabeth BIERLE/BEYERLE; died Feb 27, 1820 , buried St John's Lutheran Church Cemetery, Creagerstown, Frederick Co Maryland. According to land deed records, he was living in York Co Pennsylvania near the time of the Revolution. Later lived at Thurmont, Emmitsburg and possibly Creagerstown, Frederick Maryland, as per census, Lutheran church, land and other records. Unverified as yet, no Rev War records, but it seems highly likely, since other siblings in his family did fight in the Revolutionary War. My great X 4 grandfather. ( 🧬 I am a direct DNA descendant)


Have a great day!


Betty




© Betty Tartas  2022