We Will Remember the Children!

The past few days have not been

the time to blog. 

It is a time to grieve.  And a 

time to mourn for those who have lost

family, mostly children, in the Connecticut shooting.

I hope you will join me in Love, in Prayer and in Remembering the families during this time. 

Seeking John W. Festervan or Andrew Jack Festervan descendants

We continue to be on a brick road with our 

ancestor John W. FESTERVAN, born Holland in ca. 1818, a/k/a Festervand, Festebaun and a jillion other ways you can think to spell his name. 

Son: Andrew Jackson FESTERVAN

born 1839-MS, died aft 1910-Claiborne LA.

Below, my Great-great-grandmother

Martha Ann FESTERVAN MARTIN BEASLEY

with her husband that my dad and others 

called "Grandpa Ike" (Isaac Elijah BEASLEY)  He was not dad's "real" Grandpa as we descend from her William W.MARTIN husband.

Grandpa Ike Beasley and Martha Ann 

Festervan Martin Beasley

Because after years of searching for John W.'s parents 

and we have no clues, I am seeking a Festervan

male cousin who has the "Festervan" or other variation 

name to do the Y-DNA testing while it's on sale.

I attending the Family Tree DNA conference a week or so ago.  
On November 11, 2012, as the 8th Annual Genetic Genealogy Conference 

was coming to a close, FTDNA announced that several 

conference participants had asked when there would be a year-end sale.

In answer to that question, FTDNA announced "immediately".
See prices below. 

As we ended our 8th Annual Genetic Genealogy Conference, several conference participants asked us to start our year-end sale as soon as possible. In answer to those requests we decided to start it immediately:

New Kits Current Price SALE PRICE Y-DNA 37 $169 $119 Y-DNA 67 $268 $199 mtDNAPlus $159 $139 mtFullSequence (FMS) $299 $199 SuperDNA (Y-DNA 67 and mtFullSequence) $548 $398 Family Finder $289 $199 Family Finder + mtDNAPlus $438 $318 Family Finder + mtFullSequence $559 $398 Family Finder + Y-DNA 37 $438 $318 Comprehensive (FF + FMS + Y-67) $837 $597 Upgrades Current Price SALE PRICE Y-Refine 12-25 Marker $59 $35 Y-Refine 12-37 Marker $109 $69 Y-Refine 12-67 Marker $199 $148 Y-Refine 25-37 Marker $59 $35 Y-Refine 25-67 Marker $159 $114 Y-Refine 37-67 Marker $109 $79 Y-Refine 37-111 Marker $220 $188 Y-Refine 67-111 Marker $129 $109 mtHVR1toMega $269 $179 mtHVR2toMega $239 $179 mtFullSequence Add-on $289 $199

To order this special offer, log in to your personal page and click on the Order An Upgrade button in the upper right corner. A link to the login page is provided below. ALL ORDERS MUST BE PLACED AND PAID FOR BY MONDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2012 11:59:00 PM CST TO RECEIVE THE SALE PRICES.

If you're a Festervan researcher and have a male relative that will test, please contact me.  
Always Happy Hunting, 
Revis 

It's Election Day! VOTE!

V O T E 

Blessing to You and Yours on election 
day - voice your freedom and Vote! 

Revis 

Julus/Julius Ziegenfuss to America 1893

As I continue the search for my gr-gr-grandfather Gottlieb Ziegenfuss and wife Fredrika Sophia Louise/Louisa Trenkman/Frankman's parents, 

I am also on a quest to identify one young man by the name of JULIUS ZIEGENFUSS. 

Julius and family arrived in America (New York) on 8 Sep 1893 on the ship Normannia.  Departure Port: Hamburg via Southampton.  Julius was age 24, Male, born about 1869 in Germany, and the ship's manifest lists him as a Merchant, able to read and write, and his native city Blanbenern.

His Transit Code states he was "staying in the USA" and 

his destination "Arlington, TX", Travel Compartment: Steerage.

Traveling with Julius are his wife and young child: 

Henriette Ziegenfuss, age 20 (b. ca. 1873), Female, German; 

and daughter Juliane Ziegenfuss, age 9m, Female, German.

This record can be found at Ancestry.com and here:

(1) Ellis Island records

and is Batch Number: P00283-7

Page Ref: 1401

Page Line No.: 0030

(2) German Immigrants 1890's

Record id: 1275428

Now, as to why I am interested in Julius Ziegenfuss.

Stories in my "Z" family stated that Gottlieb had a

"brother named Julius who came to America, but 

didn't come to Texas".  So I started my search to find

a Julius Ziegenfuss coming to America.  And so I found

young Julius and family.  Too young to be old Gottlieb's brother.

But what caught my attention about Julius was WHERE his destination was.  Arlington, TX.  That's where Gottlieb brought his family when they came to Texas.  And Gottlieb died and is buried at Arlington, Tarrant County, Texas (Find A Grave link).

Coincidence?  
As a person who has been doing genealogy for about 10 years, I am a stickler for having "proof" and "documentation".
But something about this "coincidence" has me thinking it very well could be something (such as Julius being an older son or nephew of Gottlieb's).

For now, though, I'll continue to look for Julius, Henriette and Juliane Ziegenfuss on a census after coming to America in 1893. 

Happy Hunting, 

Revis 

Reposting Roberta Estes' blog on the X chromosome

This is a great blog posted by Roberta Estes on the X chromosome.  

Worth reading if you have X chrom. matches at 23andMe or at GedMatch. 

Roberta Estes' blog on the X chromosome

Hope you are having a great weekend!
It is raining in Texas!

Revis

Their Name Was Ziegenfuss - Part 2

I got a few tips on the Trenkmann's and Ziegenfuss' in Prussia after I posted about my Z's not long ago.  I found out there are some families with these names that live near where my family lived before they came to the United States.  The search continues! 

Today I am going to post some more photos of the Ziegenfuss'.  The pictures include my great-grandmother, Helena Olivia Ziegenfuss Cauble and some of her siblings.  

My great-grandparents, Helena "Lena" Z. and Pa Jim Cauble

Some of the "Z" siblings: Ernest, Helena, Rose, Hugo

Bruno Hugo Ziegenfuss had a nursery in Oklahoma.  
Wine, anyone?

Otto Ziegenfuss

Otto and wife Dora A. Ziegenfuss (b. Lampasas Co., TX., daughter of Americus Sidney Dial and Andrew Williams)

Harvey Ziegenfuss

Happy Research and Thankful Thursday to you!

Revis 

Remembering Sept 11, 2001

                                                Sept. 11, 2001

Do you remember where

you were the day it happened?

I do. 

I could let you know what I was

doing, where I was, who called me, what my 

co-workers thought, etc., but

today I just  feel -  like -  being - SILENT! 

Won't you join me in a time of silence for

those that lost their lives (and for their families),

                                         and for our leaders and our Nation? 

Revis

Their Name was ZIEGENFUSS - part of my German heritage

I have always had a special place in my

heart for my German ancestors.  Mainly because

I grew up near my Great-grandmother whom we 

called Bum-Bum.  She was born at (or near) Magdeburg

and came to Texas as a child.  

Her parents were Friedrika Sophie Louisa Trenkmann/Frankmann

(or other various spellings) and Gottlieb a/k/a Lee Ziegenfuss.

To this day we are still searching for Friedrika and

Gottlieb's parents.  Though with the help of Y-DNA

testing (Ziegenfuss Surname Project) we know that 

Gottlieb is kin to the Ziegenfuss lines that come from

Odenwald and Eichsfeld.  Gottlieb's line is the 3rd "Z"

line known as the North German line.  One line remains in Germany; one came to PA in the 1700's; and  the North German line to TX in 1885 on the Ship Moravia.  Genealogist

Marco Born of Germany has extensive "Z" research.

Somewhere within his research we feel sure are the

parents or grandparents of Gottlieb.  Now Friedrika is

another story.  Who is she?  Where did she come from?
Family records show "Trenkmann" and "Frankman"
for her maiden name.  

Friedrika Sophie Louise Trenkmann Ziegenfuss 

b. ca. 1846-probably Prussia

 Gottlieb "Lee" Ziegenfuss

 Gottlieb was born 1819-1821 at or near Leipzig, Prussia.

d. 20 Jan 1890-Tarrant Co., TX.

He probably served as a jaeger-hunter and was then a 

"forester" - either Royal or Civil.  We know that the Cauble family

knew he was in the military and the Ziegenfuss double-cousins stated he was in the forestry service.  In order to be a forester, young men had to serve as a jaeger-hunter first 
(from what I'm told).  

Here is Gottlieb once more:

And another picture in his old age. 

Daughters of Gottlieb & Friedrika

Helena, Mathilde and Louisa Ziegenfuss

More on the Z's in my next post. 

Happy Hunting (for Ancestors)!
Revis

Roberta Estes' blog - article about Ancestry's Consent Form (AncestryDNA test kit)

For those of you considering testing at 

Ancestry with their AncestryDNA test kit, 

Roberta Estes is chronicling her testing 

there, and I thought you might find it interesting.

She recently blogged about registering
her kit and what the Consent Agreement
entailed.  Happy Reading!  She is a great
writer and genetic genealogist!! 

DNAeXplained - Genetic Genealogy

Have a Fantastic Friday 
and a great weekend!

Revis 

Football - what does that have to do with genealogy?

Football.  Did you have ancestors that 

played football?  Or any other sports way
back when...like baseball?  Have you
found pictures or rosters [etc] that have
helped you in your search for an "elusive" 
family member?  

I thought I'd share with you 

this old photo of the University of 

Texas Longhorn football team.  My husband's 

grandfather, Harry, and great-uncle Offie

played for the Longhorns during the years 

of 1908 to 1911.  

Front left: Harry N. Leonard, son 
of an Irish immigrant, Professor William
Robert Leonard, who came to San Augustine, Texas
 ca. 1872-74, and was a school teacher.  He married 
Bettie Thomas of San Augustine and W.R. would teach 
at the old Henry College at Campbell, Texas, 
and then go on to be the superintendent of the school 
for the blind (Blind Institute) at Austin, Texas.  I am told that one of Bettie Thomas Leonard's brother's had a son that lived/attended the Blind Institute.  One day I hope to find out how W.R. got to America  (which ship, etc.) and who his parents were. 

Blessings to you, 

Revis

Roberta Estes and CeCe Moore-DNA Bloggers Extraordinaire!

Today I am going to make my post short.  I want to pass on to you some
genetic DNA info relating to the new Geno 2.0. test.   I call these two ladies
extraordinaire (did I spell that right?  You will let me know, I hope!).  I'm linking
you up with Roberta Estes and CeCe Moore.  They are some of the individuals who
keep those of us that are "into" genetic DNA testing up-to-date on current happenings.   

Roberta Estes' blog shares "Geno 2.0 - Q & A with Bennett Greenspan. 

Mr. Greenspan is President and CEO of Family Tree DNA 

Your Genetic Genealogist, CeCe Moore has also posted
about Geno 2.0.

Hope you enjoy the reading!  And have
a wonderful "generific" weekend!

Revis

It's Time for the Dennis Family Reunion (Texas)

In a few days, the descendants of our brick-wall ancestor, Marion Washington DENNIS, whose male descendants have the Y-DNA of the men by the name of FREEMAN, and are Haplogroup Q1a3a, will invade Coffee Creek RV Resort near Mineral Wells, Texas.  The Dennis Family Reunion is hosted by the children of Eva Nell STUART and John Aubra T. DENNIS and their children and grandchildren.  Since the Fisher County, Texas STUART'S no longer have a family reunion, many of them attend our reunion.  Among the many attendees at the Dennis Reunion are the descendants of Eva Nell STUART DENNIS' parents, Mamie TEEL and Jeff Davis STUART.

While at the reunion, many of us (especially those that live a long ways off) will drive a few miles over to see the fabulous store of my aunt and uncle, Sherry and Larry Dennis, Texas Hill Country Furniture.  And maybe grab a bite to eat at uncle Roy's Natty Flats Smokehouse.  If you are at the Smokehouse and there are Fried Pies, I say "go for it"...my Grandmomie made the best friend pies and cousin DeiAnn is following that tradition.

My great-grandfather, Oran Martin DENNIS, 

born in Guadalupe County, Texas; died

at San Angelo, Tom Green County, Texas. He 

was Marion Washington DENNIS' oldest son with

first wife, Elizabeth Della WRIGHT.

Golly, isn't he handsome?  No wonder, Miss
Nina Ada BALDRIDGE of Gonzales County,

Texas, took a liking to him! 

Unknown's of the DENNIS family 

Rockers and hat/hall tree!  Just some of 
the kind of auction items that our 
reunion auction usually consists of.  
We also have a silent auction and the 
kids love to bid on those items.  Last year
I think we had over 55 silent auction items on the tables.


Well, it's a "Truly Good Thursday"; 
and I hope yours is a good day, too! 
Revis

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Marion Washington Dennis - "Where ARE YOU hiding"

My mother's great-grandfather, MARION WASHINGTON DENNIS, remains a mystery to us today as do his parents.  Even after 5 years of Y-DNA testing and learning that he is descended from a FREEMAN male as far as my uncles' Y-DNA, we still cannot pinpoint where or when the name change came about.

Here's some of what we know about Marion and his younger life as written by his daughter Hallie DENNIS NUGENT to her half-sister, Mary Washington DENNIS GARDNER.  Be warned, she was not real literate and it has been transcribed as she wrote it with little punctuation:

"The Dennis family ar Grandfather Marion Washington married Mary Bell had 2 sons Joseph Marion  (spaces left between these words)   William their father did in the Civil War their mother died when Papa was 7 and Uncle 9.  I don’t know what part of Fla it was where they grew wheat and apples.  2 of the farmers each taken the boys, they were 30 miles apart got to see each other twice a year.  Uncle left home to come to Texas when he was 16 came to see Papa wanted him to come with him   that was the last they saw each other       When Papa was 16 he came to Texas taken a week to come by boat, no train or telephone them days.  When they got Galveston men came to haul the freight.  One man let Papa work on his wagon to Prairie Lea.  Man by name of Mooney gave  him a home and he went to school stayed with them 7 years   Then married my mother.  Grandpaw gave them some land, Papa built a house and dug a well after I (end of page).

Hallie went on to speak about the SMITH FAMILY (Grandpa Willie – William C. SMITH), Grandma Edna Pinglim (Edna Pendley) and others.  

And she also mentions that Marion Washington DENNIS had been married 3 times.  The only marriages we know of for him are that of my great-great-grandmother, his first wife - Elizabeth Della WRIGHT, daughter of Isophena MIEARS and Geo. Washington S. WRIGHT; and 2nd wife - Laura SMITH, daughter of Edna PENDLEY and William C. SMITH. 

I grew up not too far from my DENNIS family at San Angelo, TX.  All I ever heard was that they were "Irish".  Imagine my surprise when Y-DNA testing revealed that we were FREEMAN'S in surname and that our haplogroup was Q1a3a, which is a Native American Indian Haplogroup. 

Here is the only picture I have of Marion Washington DENNIS, 

born ca. 1855-FL or AL.  He may be the 14 year old Marion Dennis

living in the household of Benjamin ASHELEY (ASHLEY) in

1870-Elmore County, Alabama.  This Marion Dennis I cannot disprove being our Marion!  By 1880 he is married to Elizabeth 
and my gr-grandfather, Oran Marion Dennis is born in 
Guadalupe County, Texas.

Marion Washington Dennis, 
would you please show up somewhere 
ca. 1854 to 1870, please? 
Your loving gr-gr-grand-daughter, 
Revis 

Family Tree DNA Specials

Right now Family Tree DNA is offering specials on their DNA testing.  Prices below...and sale ends July 15, 2012. 
www.familytreedna.com

NEW KITS Current Group Price SALE PRICE Y-DNA 12 $99 $59 Y-DNA 37 $149 $129 Y-DNA 67 $239 $199 Family Finder $289 $199 mtFullSequence (FMS) $299 $219 FF+ Y-DNA 37 $438 $328 FF + mtDNAPlus $438 $328 Comprehensive (FF + FMS + Y-DNA 67) $797 $617 SuperDNA $518 $428 UPGRADES 12 to 37 $109 $70 25 to 37 $59 $35 25 to 67 $159 $114 37 to 67 $109 $79 37 to 111 $220 $188 67 to 111 $129 $109 mtHVR1 to Mega $269 $209 mtHVR2 to Mega $239 $199

You are welcome to blog about this, or send an email to your distribution list, but when it’s over, it’s over. Orders must be in and paid for by 11:59PM on Sunday July 15th, to receive this offer.  Order An Upgrade Order A New Kit

COMING SOON! THE SEARCH FOR KATE PETELL!

Brand new genealogy blog for me.  Coming soon, more information on the search for some of my female (and male) ancestors.  The ever-elusive Catherine "Kate" PETELL, who family stories say had a COCHRAN mother, and who is found in the household of Henry COCKRUM and wife Elizabeth LACKEY PETELL JONES COCKRUM before and after Henry is hung in the Gainesville, TX hangings. She married Thomas A. TEEL of MO/TX and they lived in OK and TX.  The almost as elusive Suzanna/Susanna WHEELER, who looks to be a daughter of a VILLE PONTEAUX of Charleston, SC, and is the wife of John WHEELER.  Both died in Bibb Co., AL.   Marion Washington DENNIS, b. ca. 1855 in FL or AL is more mysterious than ever.  His Y-DNA of descendants match with those of the FREEMAN'S of VA and TN (Roane Co.), Wright Co. MO and the AR lines, and we (Freeman's and the Dennis') can claim our male ancestor as that of a Native American Indian thanks to having the Haplogroup Q1a3a of the Y.