As we celebrate Christmas 2025, I’m reminded of my father’s memory of his mother Elizabeth Lillian (Lizzie) Gotto Reed singing Silent Night * in German at this time of year to her children. I believe that she may have learned the words and tune from her mother, Margaretha (Maggie) Fromm who had immigrated from Germany to America in 1864, one year after the arrival of her husband Mathias Gotto in 1863. Of course, I’ll never know for sure. More research in 2026!
* Warner Classics Youtube recording of Diana Damrau singing Silent Night in German.
Family History Update – Today I added a record of land purchase to my 2nd great grandfather Ezekiel Reed (1812-1891) described as “the southeast quarter of section thirteen, of Township twenty-nine north, of range seven east in the district of lands subject to sale in Fort Wayne, Indiana containing one hundred and sixty acres according to the official plat of the survey of said lands returned to the general land office by the surveyor general which said tract had been purchased by Ezekiel Reed”. I use Family Tree Maker, resident on my computer and sync with my Ancestry.com tree.
Ezekiel Reed of “Cass County, Indiana” on the “20 March 1837” Now to find out how much he paid for these “public lands” Just learning how to research land records to document ancestors. Hoping to find a plat or map to add to the family tree as well.
I’ll keep researching and keep my commitment to posting weekly on Friday,
This interesting article may offer clues as to why Marion William Reed moved his family from the USA into Calgary, Canada in the early 1900s to follow the promise of a better wheat harvest. However, the 1921 Canadian census records indicate that his occupation was as a custodian in St Mary’s school in Calgary, CA, perhaps to supplement his income or for employment in the off season.
After much time recuperating from medical issues, feeling lost in a jumble of words but unable to put them together in a coherent way, I’m starting over. Please bear with me as I relearn how to find my way out of the maze and focus on an ancestor or genealogy topic.
Today’s subject is transcription of documents, something I have sorely neglected in the past. I have found that it is vital to understanding both the content of the records and the life of the person they are attached to. I believe it is hard for me because I never really liked to do book reports, aka literature reviews. I was good in reading the book, but restating the important parts was never my forte.
Last week, for the first time, I transcribed a census record for an ancestor. It was tedious and time consuming (contrary to my fast food mentality) but when it was done, I really felt that I had accomplished something! Three paragraphs that brought me closer to that person and signified a Win, Win for my daily tasks!!! I’m all about little victories 🙂
If you also have had little victories, share them with us for a worldwide celebration!!!
Marion William Reed was born in Indiana on January 30 1870, the second of 12 children and first son of Thomas Reed and Mary Eleanor Mullett Reed.
According to the 1870 US Census, (Taken in Noble Township, Wabash Co. Indiana on July 18, 1870) Others in the household included his father Thomas 26,, mother Ellen 21, sister Alice 2 and John Mullett, 13, brother of his mother, Mary Eleanor Mullett.
In the 1880 US Census, the family is living in Bell Crrek, Washington County, Nebraska. Marion is listed as Mariane, female age 10. Others on this record include his father Thomas 37, mother Ellen M. 31, older sister Melle 12, and younger siblings Minia 8, Thomas 6, Florence 4, Harry 2, and Clarence as a female age 5 months.
The 1885 Nebraska State Census lists the family living in Eden Precinct of Antelope County Nebraska: Tom 43, Ellen 36, Nelli 17, Marion 15, Minnie 13, Tom 11, Florence 9, Harry 7, Walter 3 and Elsie 7 months. Thomas and Marion were again listed as farmers, and the other children were At School or too young.
The 1900 US Census records his family living in district 0074 of Logan Township,, Dixon County Nebraska. His birth is noted as January 1870 in Indiana. His father Thomas as July 1843 born in Indiana, mother Ellen October 1845 Indiana, sister Minise April 1871 Indiana, Brother Thomas January 1874 in Nebraska, Florence December 1875 in Nebraska, Henry F. February 1877 in Nebraska, brother Clarence February 1879 in Nebraska, Walter W. September 1881 in Nebraska, Elsie November 1884 in Nebraska, Lloyd May 1890 in Nebraska, Russell on August 1896 also in Nebraska.. Father Thomas, Marion, brother Thomas and Henry all listed as farmers. Sisters Minise and Florence listed as Teachers. Elsie and Lloyd are listed as At School and Russell was not old enough to attend school.
1910 US Census lists Marion and Elizabeth L (nee Gotto) married for five years (19 Oct. 1905 in Bristol, aurora, South Dakota) with two daughters: Margaret E age 3 and Helen B age 1, both born in Nebraska. Marion was listed as working on his Own Account as a farmer and paid rent. Elizabeth is listed as born in Minnesota whose parents were from Germany.
The 1916 Canada Census of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta shows Marion W, 46, Elizabeth L., 34 Margaret E. 9, Helen B.7, Marian K. 5, Elizabeth L. 3 and William W. 1 at 219 18 Avenue West, next door to the rectory of St. Mary’s Church (now Cathedral) which is currently located at that very address. I was told that Marion worked as a custodian for St. Mary’s school during the time they lived in Calgary. I’m not sure what took them outside the US border, but we have a letter to the Canadian consulate asserting that they did not intend to stay in Canada but were just there to work. They are listed as Roman Catholic. Although all are listed as born in the United States, Marion and all the children are of “Irish: race and Elizabeth is listed as “French.”
According to the US Census of 1920, the family “immigrated” back to the US in 1919 and were residing in Spokane, Washington where he worked in a Gas Plant. Once again, Marion’s father’s nationality iand language are listed as Irish (his mother as German). Elizabeth is listed as having a French born mother who spoke French. Children are Margaret, Helen, Marian, Elizabeth, Willard and Anna M. age 1 1/2.
US Census of 1930 finds the family living on a farm in Pleasantview, Boulder County, Colorado with Marion 61, Lillian L. 49, Willard W 14, Anna M. 11, Thomas E. 8 Colorado, James R. 5 months Colorado. The family did own a radio In this census, Marion’s father’s birthplace is listed as Ohio.
In 1940, Marion was living with 15 year old son Jimmy Reed on a farm in Pleasantview, Boulder County, Colorado.
In 1950, the US census records 80 year old Marion a widow living with daughter Anna May 31 at 612 Mapleton St. in Pleasantview, Boulder County, Colorado. Wife Elizabeth Lillian Gotto Reed died 23 August 1941 in Boulder County, Colorado.
Marion was an avid beekeeper and passed away on 23 June 1951 after a fall which occurred while he was trying to remove a swarm of bees. He is interred in Green Mountain Cemetery in Boulder, Colorado.
The information on her death certificate says that my great Aunt Nora Beauchamp McQueen, my maternal grandfather Charles Lessley Beauchamp’s sister, was born in Rockwell (Rockwall?) Texas on March 27 1886. However, the 1900 US Census lists Norah Beauchamp born in Indiana in March 1888. The 1910, 1920,1930, 1940 and 1950 US Censuses also give Texas as her birthplace.
Since she lived most of her adult life in Pulaski County, AR, I’m curious as to why her parents Steven (Stephen) Ross Beauchamp and Ada Ann Thompson Beauchamp were in Texas at the time of her birth. This seems Out of Place and bears more research.
My first step will be to talk with my cousin who is Nora’s granddaughter and who lived in Arkansas near her grandmother. I will also sketch out a time line to get a feel about how Nora’s family moved from place to place during her lifetime.
I’d like to meet myself as I grew up to understand myself as I am now. While I go through photos over the years, I’ve always wanted to know what was going on behind those brown eyes and in that little head. I’ll be adding photos as I come across them and seeking answers in their context. And I love this photo of me and my mother!
Tomorrow, through the magic of technology and hosted by FamilySearch, I will realize a dream, being at rootstech Connect.
Today I will select the livestream and videos that interest me and add them to my Playlist. If I cannot watch them over the next few days, they will be available for access for the entire next year!!!
I’m especially interested in the Show My Relatives feature, a sort of matching program that will let participants know if another attendee’s tree shows ancestors you may share in common. This should be exciting!
Please let me know if you are joining this amazing event as well. I hope rootstech Connect will be a springboard and inspiration for genealogists, family historians, story tellers and record keepers throughout the world!
In Roman mythology, Janus was the god of doors, gates, and transitions. What is unusual about the god Janus is his iconic image. As the god of transitions and dualities, Janus is portrayed with two faces—one facing the past, and one facing the future.* As such, he is the ideal namesake for the first month of the Roman calendar, January.
Looking back on the year 2020 with its enforced lockdowns and quarantines, I have found time to plan my genealogy “do-over” following Thomas MacEntee’s outline of attack. In going through boxes of notes and photos, I’ve discovered several documents and followed several hints to intriguing scenarios.
Looking ahead to 2021, I’m inspired to examine my ancestors more closely and to climb further up my family tree. I’m certain that I’ll be finding duplicates, misinformation, unrelated individuals and maybe even surprises. In addition, I may begin to break through my brick walls and solve a few mysteries.
In any event, I’m excited that 2021 will be a year that I finally commit my time, energy and words to my AncesTrees blog.
As I watched our grandson practice “long tones” on his clarinet, I realized what an important place music has had in our family over the generations. Musicians in our family have hummed, whistled and sang through the years. They have played a long line of instruments including guitar, ukulele, drums, xylophone, violin, recorder, flute, clarinet, saxophone, piano and accordion. It’s so true, music unites our family 🎼
As I watched our grandson practice “long tones” on his clarinet, I realized what an important place music has had in our family over the generations. Musicians in our family have hummed, whistled and sang through the years. They have played a long line of instruments including guitar, ukulele, drums, xylophone, violin, recorder, flute, clarinet, saxophone, piano and accordion. It’s so true, music unites our family 🎼 
AncesTrees 