GenTips Has A Google PageRank Of 4!

If you look to the right, you'll see that Google now sees GenTips as having some authority in the field of genealogy and family history research and has bestowed us with a Google PageRank of 4. That is fairly good and means that this blog is seen as better than some and worse than others. Obviously what I would prefer is a higher PageRank, maybe a 6 or 7, but that will only be attained with time and an increased number of interesting, informative articles.

I should mention that securing a higher PageRank is not the primary goal of this blog, but a nice side effect. The goal remains to provide readers with good content that is helpful to those trying to get further in their family history research. What is done here is that articles are written for both general and much more specific genealogy interests. Articles will continue to include those trying to find out more about genealogy on a country-wide and world wide basis as well as a narrow focus on smaller units such as state-wide, province-wide, as well as information related to counties and individual cities and parishes.

If there is an genealogy area you would like to see more information written on, don't hesitate to leave a comment.

Genealogy Resources For Baldwin County Alabama

The map shows the location of Baldwin County, which is at the extreme southern end of the state of Alabama bordering the Gulf of Mexico. The county also borders five other counties, Monroe County to the northeast, Escambia County, Alabama to the east (as well as Florida's own Escambia County), Mobile County to the west and Washington and Clarke counties to the northeast. Baldwin County was a part of the Mississippi territory up until 1817 when it was joined with the state of Alabama and was deemed a county from 1809.

The population of Baldwin County was relatively small according the US census data, with 2,300 living within its borders in 1830. By 1860, Baldwin had 7,500 residents and finally broke the 10,000 mark by 1900, when 13200 lived there. Since then Baldwin County has had steady growth up until recently when it exploded. By 1990 there were 98,000 people but just ten years later, the 2000 census reported that the county's population had more than doubled to 200,000. The 2010 census should be interesting to see if it has experienced similar growth since 2000.

Census Records For Baldwin County

As mentioned, Baldwin County was at one time a part of the Mississippi Territory and there were a number of residents way back in 1816. Residents of Baldwin County could also be found enumerated in neighboring Mobile County. Here are the names of those listed in the 1816 Baldwin County census and the 1816 Mobile County census.

The 1820 Census for Baldwin County shows about 1,500 people living in the County.

The 1830 census is broken down in two parts, first by families led by men in alphabetical order and then those families led by women, again alphabetically - 1830 Census for Baldwin County.

The 1840 Census for Baldwin County show the families again broken down into age brackets with only the head of household listed by name.

Finally, in the 1850 U.S. census, all residents in a home were named. Baldwin County's population was 4,414, which made up only 0.5 percent of Albama's total population of 771,000 people back in 1850. Here's a link to the 1850 Census for Baldwin County which lists 15 pages of census returns for that year showing 105 families in Baldwin County.

And the 1860 Census for Baldwin County broken down into 10 pages listing Baldwin County's 7,500 inhabitants just prior to the outbreak of the American Civil War. Ancestry.com offers searchable census records for Baldwin County (and the entire United States) from 1790 to 1930 for a membership fee, although you can check the 1880 Alabama census at no charge at Familysearch.org.

Cemetery Records For Baldwin County

Individual Cemeteries:
Community Cemetery, Orange Beach
Montgomery Hill Baptist Church Cemetery, Tensaw
Bankester Cemetery, Bromley
Blakeley Cemetery, Blakeley
Chastang Cemetery
Cook Memorial Presbystian Chapel Cemetery,
Bromley
Crossroads Cemetery
Durant Chapel Cemetery
Magnolia Cemetery, Brady
Saluda Hill Cemetery
John H. White Cemetery

The USGenWeb Archives Project - Alabama has many, many more transcriptions, including photographs of cemeteries in Baldwin County

Another highly recommended site for cemetery transcriptions that includes gravestone photographs is Find A Grave as they have information on about one hundred different cemeteries in Baldwin County.

Ordering Birth, Marriage and Death Certificates for Baldwin County Online

You can order certificates of birth, marriage or death that occurred in Baldwin County (anywhere in the USA actually) through VitalChek.

A copy of the original birth, marriage and death certificates can help the family history researcher go further in tracing their family tree. Getting copies of the BMDs records help ensure the accuracy of your information.

What About Wills and Land Records For People From Baldwin County?

There is a searchable database for Baldwin County, Alabama Will Testators, broken down into three sections, from 1811-1884, 1881-1916 and 1913-1935, which gives the Name of Testator, Place of Residence and County number, Volume number, Page number. As well as there Deed and Records search page from the Baldwin County Judge of Probate office.

A good article about Land Records in Alabama is a good first step when doing research into Baldwin County Land Records.

Check for your ancestor's name at Land Patent Search which provides free online access to Federal land conveyance records for the Public Land States and provide image access to more than three million Federal land title records for Eastern Public Land States, issued between 1820 and 1908. They are currently adding images of Military Land Warrants which were land patents were issued to individuals as a reward for their military service. Images related to survey plats and field notes, dating back to 1810, are added to the site state-by-state as each state's documents are completed.

Baldwin County Biographies

A dedicated Alabama family historian (Ann Anderson) took the time to transcribe hundreds of biographies from the books Memorial Record of Alabama published way back in 1893. You can find these Baldwin County Biographies, which shows a number of past Autauga County residents.

A second excellent webpage for Baldwin County Biographies is hosted at Baldwin County, AL Genealogy Trails.

Military Records for Baldwin County

Residents of Baldwin County fought in every conflict up to the present day and although more current military records are kept confidential, older records are available for search. Ancestry.com of course has a fine collection of U.S. Compiled Revolutionary War Military Service Records, 1775-1783.

As far as the Civil War Military Records for Baldwin County there are a number of online sources you might want to take a look at:

Muster Roll, Company C, 15th Regiment, Confederate Cavalry, CSA

Some Confederate Soldiers In Baldwin County Alabama

This is really just scratching the surface of what is available to genealogists researching ancestors from Autauga County Alabama. If anything was missed that you feel should have been included, feel free to leave a comment so it can be brought to the attention of others who may be doing family in the same area.

Genealogy Resources For Autauga County Alabama

As seen on the map to the right, Autauga County is located in the middle of the state of Albama. The county is bordered by Chilton County to the north, Elmore County to the east, Montgomery County to the southeast, Lowndes County to the south and finally Dallas County to the west. The county was created in 1818, one year prior to the state being admitted into the union. At that time the county also included Elmore and Chilton counties within its territory, but they were split off to form their own counties shortly after the Civil War.

The population according to the US census was 3800 in 1820, growing to 16700 in 1860 just prior to the Civil War but declined sharply afterwards until 1900 when the county had a population of 17900. As of the 2000 census, Autauga County had 43600 residents.

Census Records For Autauga County

The 1830 census, 1840 census, 1850 census, and the 1860 census are all searchable online by at least surname, but the result show only the name and page number the name is listed on for 1830 and 1840. The 1850 and 1860 provide more details, but you will still want to consult the census returns for fuller details.

The census records are also searchable for a fee at Ancestry.com from 1820 up until the 1930 census. Familysearch.org also allows free search of the 1880 Alabama census (as well as all the then United States in 1880).

There is also the 1866 Alabama State Census Colored Population Autauga County which is available online.

Cemetery Records For Autauga County

There is a searchable online database of Autauga County Cemetery Records. You can check by surname alone or full name. It appears that most of the records also provide a date of birth for the individual, but of course all information would need to be double checked to make sure you have the right person.

Individual Cemeteries:
Bethel Baptist Cemetery (Spigner Cemetery)
Boone Chapel Cemetery
Jones Baptist Cemetery
Liberty Baptist Cemetery
Marbury Baptist Cemetery
Milton Baptist Cemetery
Pleasant Valley Cemetery
Wadsworth Baptist Cemetery

Ordering Birth, Marriage and Death Certificates for Autauga County Online

A copy of the original birth, marriage and death certificates can provide additional information such as dates, locations, parents, spouses, or other information that the family history researcher requires to go further in tracing their family tree. It is highly recommended that you get copies of the vital statistics records to ensure the accuracy of your information.

You can order certificates of birth, marriage or death that occurred in Autauga County (anywhere in the USA actually) through VitalChek.

What About Wills and Land Records For People From Autauga County?

There is a searchable database for Wills and Estates for Autauga County, as well as the Commissioners Court Records.

Check for your ancestor's name at Land Patent Search which provides free online access to Federal land conveyance records for the Public Land States and provide image access to more than three million Federal land title records for Eastern Public Land States, issued between 1820 and 1908. They are currently adding images of Military Land Warrants which were land patents were issued to individuals as a reward for their military service. Images related to survey plats and field notes, dating back to 1810, are added to the site state-by-state as each state's documents are completed.

Autauga County Biographies

A dedicated Alabama family historian (Ann Anderson) took the time to transcribe hundreds of biographies from the books Memorial Record of Alabama published way back in 1893. You can find these Autauga County Biographies, which shows a number of past Autauga County residents.

Military Records for Autauga County

Residents of Autauga County fought in every conflict up to the present day and although more current military records are kept confidential, older records are available for search. Ancestry.com of course has a fine collection of U.S. Compiled Revolutionary War Military Service Records, 1775-1783. As far as the Civil War Military Records for Autauga County there is a short list of Civil War pensioners at List of Pensioners on the Roll January 1, 1883 and there's also a great website called Autauga at War which is about Autauga County, Alabama during the Civil War.

This is really just scratching the surface of what is available to genealogists researching ancestors from Autauga County Alabama. If anything was missed that you feel should have been included, feel free to leave a comment so it can be brought to the attention of others who may be doing family in the same area.

Wardwell Family of Oxford Maine Family Bible Links To Revolutionary War Hero

The descendants of Joseph Hemingway Wardwell may want to take a look at the family bible that is up for auction at eBay. Originally published in 1828 by C. Ewer, T. Bedlington and J. H. Frost of Boston, the book is in remarkably good condition because it was stored in an oak box (which is included in the purchase price). The family history information is laid out in very ledgible handwriting starting with Joseph H. Wardwell, born October 5th, 1795.

Online, there is a wealth of information about Wardwell's family. He was apparently the son of Joseph Wardwell (1759-1849) and Sarah Hemmenway. Joseph Wardwell (1759-1849) was in the Revolutionary War having served with General Lafayette. There is a lot of information about the Wardwell family at History of Rumford, Oxford County, Maine, from its first settlement in 1779, to the present time. An excerpt: "This town was granted to inhabitants of Andover, Mass., and neighbor-ing towns, and was largely settled by people from Andover. The early Merrills, Poors, Adamses Wardwells and Abbots came from there, while others came from Newbury, Amesbury and Bradford."

Or this: "Joseph Wardwell was born in Andover, Mass., January 29, 1759, and was the son of Joshua and Mary Wardwell of that ancient town. He entered the Colonial service at the beginning of the Revolution, a mere boy, and served through the war. He entered as a private but was promoted to a Lieutenancy and served in the corps commanded by General Lafayette. He was in all the great battles of the long war, and gained an enviable reputation for gallantry and bravery. A sword presented him by General Lafayette for conspicuous bravey at the siege of Yorktown is still preserved in the family..."

Online information shows that Joseph Wardwell senior was the sone of Joshua Wardwell (1728-c1805) and Mary Sanders (1727-1805) of Andover and the line goes back several generations in colonial America.

Take a look at this excellently perserved family bible at eBay using item number 120525297328.

1854 HEATH family from INDIANA Leather Bible Possibly Listed To Wiltshire, England

There's another interesting old family bible listed on eBay that may be of interest to Heath family researchers. Published in 1854 in New York by Carleton and Phillips, the book has a soft leather cover and is reportedly in fair condition.

The names show a George A. Heath who died October 4th, 1876. It appears Mr Heath was the son of Ralph and Mary Heath and the bible also has their vitals. Ralph Heath, born November 24, 1792, died May 14th, 1861. Mary Heath, born January 20th, 1798, died May 20th, 1876.

Checking online, it looks like this would George Allen Heath, born 23 Jul 1835, Muncie, Delaware, Indiana to Ralph Heath and Mary Tomlinson. Ralph Heath and Mary Tomlinson married 23 Nov 1815, Guilford County, North Carolina. The Heaths had seven children:
Albert HEATH (1816-1909)
John Wright HEATH (1819-1903)
James Waford HEATH (1821-1875)
Ada Cameline HEATH (1823- )
Ada Camiline HEATH (1824-1825)
Jacob Watson HEATH (1824-1902)
George Allen HEATH (1835-1876)

Ralph Heath's parents listed as Jacob Heath (1747-1816) born Roxberry, Mass., and Mary Smith. Ralph listed as one of seven children of Jacob and Mary. Jacob Heath (1747-1816) one of six children of John Heath (1702- ) and Lydia Bradley. John Heath married twice, secondly to Temperance Avery and had a further eight children.

John Heath (1702- ), listed as the son of John Heath (1674-1713) and Hannah Haynes or Hains. The line continues as John Heath (1674-1713) son of John Heath (1643-1708), son of Bartholomew Heath, etc. back to another John Heath described as Of Salisbury, St. Martins, Wiltshire, England. Obviously more work would need to be done to ensure the accuracy of the information, but it looks like this Heath family connects back to early colonial times.

To take a closer look at the family bible, the eBay item number is 160400492079.

eBay Auction: Family Bible For Ely Family of Simsbury, Connecticut

The seller of this family bible appears to be a descendant of the family who owned the bible which was printed in 1861 in New York City by the American Bible Society.

The book itself looks a little worn, but it does have genealogy information that will be of interest to family historians of the Ely family in the area of Simsbury, Connecticut.

The bible has a newspaper article about the death of Benjamin Ely in 1852 that has been glued into the book. Looking on Familysearch.org, there is a Benjamin Ely who died 26 AUG 1852, spouse of Polly Pettibone, born 19 Sept 1776, died 17 June 1850 (married 14 APR 1796). She is listed as the daughter of Dudley Pettibone and Mary Lattimore.

Benjamin was born 18 JUL 1767 at Lyme, New London, Connecticut and was the son of Ezra Cullick Ely and Anna Sterling. Ezra Cullick Ely (1728-1793) was listed as the son of Richard Ely and Elizabeth Peck, while Anna Sterling is listed as born 19 OCT 1739 Lyme, New London, Connecticut, the daughter of Daniel Sterling and Esther Colt.

There are also nine children of Benjamin Ely (1767-1852) and Polly Pettibone (1776-1850)
Ezra Stiles Ely (1797- )
Edwin Dwight Ely (1798-1831)
Mary Anne Ely (1800-1875)
Henry Ely (1802-1849)
Seth Ely (1805-1828)
Nathan Ely (1807- )
Rosetta Ely (1809-1831)
Nancy Ely (1812-1877)
Dudley Pettibone Ely (1817- )

A webpage over at Colonial Ancestor Profiles says that "Ezra Cullick Ely was the great grandson of Richard Ely ("The Emigrant") of Plymouth, England..." and gives info about the family's landholding.

This family bible is available up til February 9th, 2010. To take a closer look, the eBay item number is 260547511505.