First of all, I want to say that I won’t be here next week.  We are taking Spring Break and heading out on the open road – no reservations or anything.  Some people might call us crazy, but we think it’s more fun that way.  We’ll be driving a loop around New Mexico and Arizona in about 6 days hitting Santa Fe, the Grand Canyon, Phoenix, Tucson, and Tombstone (among many other places) along the way.  Maybe camping, maybe staying in hotels.  Not sure yet, but it should be fun!!  I’m looking forward to getting out of town for a bit, especially since I found out that we’re probably going to be staying here in El Paso for another year or two (when I had thought that we’d be leaving in June).  Such is life.

On the genealogy front, I have done even more Swedish research and am starting to wonder if the man I think is my ancestor really was a step-father to my great-great grandmother instead of her father.  She was born out of wedlock, so I’ve been having a hard time confirming it and have been trying to find the family in the household examinations, but it’s been taking a long time.  A very long time. 🙂  I’ll keep at it though!!

I also received a precious death certificate in the mail yesterday, which really fleshed out the life of my husband’s English ancestor.  I will post more on that in a few days.

On to some of my favorite finds this week:

And a few pictures to share from this past week:

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I promise that I”m not trying to make all of you non-Swede researchers jealous.

But I had to show you what a Swedish household register looks like.  They are really amazing.  Really.

The household registers changed formats over the years, but I’ll show you a couple from my own personal research, just so you can get an idea of what kind of information they showed.

First, here is a family in 1789:  Yes, in 1789 they listed everyone in the household, each year!!

And in1831-1835.  It lists their full birth dates.  When they moved in or out of the parish (and where to/from).  And their occupation among other things.  Also, if they died, then it usually gives the death date.  Isn’t it wonderful??

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This is from the 1861 census in England.  I thought that the variety of occupations here was so interesting. Maybe it’s because most of my American ancestors were listed as farmers.  Not that there’s anything wrong with being a farmer, of course – but variety is the spice of life!

Here are some of the occupations listed on one  page of the census :

Bone turner -I believe may have had something to do with making things out of bone on a lathe – please correct me if I’m wrong
General chandler – I believe this was someone that was a retailer of supplies, groceries, etc. although a chandler could also be a candlemaker
Scholar – sounds so much nicer than a student
Walking Stick Maker – now that’s a specialized trade!
Carpenter and joiner – I believe this is my husband’s ancestors (it runs in the family too!!)
Book Binder
Parchment Maker
Laborer at Docks
Hammersmith
Laundress – With 5 kids, I often feel like this is my job!!
Carver

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I always love looking at my ancestor’s probate records and seeing what they owned. I feel like it’s a little window into their life.
Sophia (Ross) Pottgen was my 4th great-grandmother. She died in Alton, Illinois in 1877.
Besides some real estate, this is the list of her property:
Oh, what I wouldn’t give for her rocking chair or one of those quilts!!  It always makes me wonder what line some of these family heirlooms may have passed down.  It obviously wasn’t mine!!

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Lyman and Mary (or Addie M. as she signed her name) were siblings to my husband’s great-great grandfather, Peter Henry Weeks (1842-1928). They lived in Douglas County, Kansas.

This Indenture, made this the first day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and Seventy Seven, between Lyman P. Weeks of Baldwin City in the County of Douglas and State of Kansas of the first part, and Mary Weeks of the second part. Witnesseth, that the said party of the first part, in consideration of the sum of Fifteen hundred $1500.00 Dollars to him duly paid has sold and by these presents does grand and convey to the said party of the second part her heirs and assigns all that tract or parcel of land, situated in the County of Douglas and State of Kansas and described a: follows to wit: the North west quarter (1/4) of the South East quarter (1/4) of Section number fifteen (15) in Township Number Fourteen (14) in Range Number Twenty (20), with the appertenances, and all of the estate, title, and interest of the said party of the first part therein, and the said Lyman P. Weeks does hereby consent and agree that at the delivery hereof he was the lawful owner of the premises above granted and seized of a good and indefeaseble state of inheritance therein  free and clear of all incumbrance and that he will Warrant and Defend the name in the quit and peaceable possession of the said party of the second part her heirs and assigns forever against all persons lawfully claiming the same.

In Witness whereof, the said party of the first part has hereunto set his hand and seal the day and year last above mentioned.  Signed Sealed and Delivered in the presence of S.N. Walker.

Lyman P. Weeks
Addie M. Weeks

State of Kansas, County of Douglas} SS

Be it Remembered that on this first day of January A.D. 1877 , before me, a Notary Public, in and for said County and State came Lyman P. Weeks and Addie M. Weeks to me personally known to be the same person who executed the foregoing instrument and duly acknowledge the execution of the same.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and applied by official seal on the day and year last above mentioned.

S.N. Walker Notary Public

Received May 30, 1877 at 2:20 P.M.

[? his name] Register of Deeds

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