Category Archives: Ancestor Sketch

Research into the four family Lines, Roberts, Brown, Howell, and Darling.

Death of Bert Allen Roberts

Posted on May 1, 2024 by Don Taylor

The Elwood Call-Leader, dated 2 May 1949, chronicled the horrific death of my paternal grandfather, Bert Allen Roberts. Continue reading →

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Timothy Daly (1867-1923)

Posted on April 15, 2024 by Don Taylor

Timothy Daly, born in 1867 in County Cork, Ireland, arrived in Boston in 1882 at the young age of 15. This emigration was part of a larger wave following the Great Famine (1845-1851) and the Land War, which created harsh economic conditions in Ireland. Like many others, Timothy sought opportunity in the United States. He eventually settled in Biddeford, Maine, where he would live the rest of his life. Continue reading →

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Hefti – Surname Saturday

Posted on March 16, 2024 by Don Taylor

Darling-Huber-Trümpi-Dürst-Hefti LineDarling-Huber-Trümpi-Dürst-Streiff-Hefti LineDarling-Huber-Trümpi-Becker-Wichser-Zweifel-Hefti LineBy Don Taylor Name Origin[i] Family Search indicates that Hefti is a Swiss German surname from Middle High German heftec or heftic, meaning ‘strong, durable.’ “Hefty” is an Americanized form of Hefti. Geographical In the world, Forebears … Continue reading →

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Rufus Harry Darling in the Censuses

Posted on February 11, 2024 by Don Taylor

Genealogist Don Taylor revisits the life of Rufus Harry Darling, born 1857, raised by his mother after his father’s early death. He details Rufus’ residencies from 1860-1910 across U.S. censuses, noting discrepancies in reported marital status and ages. Taylor outlines steps to validate Rufus’ life events, including verifying the death of Rufus’ first wife and confirming secondary sources. He aims to provide a robust, accurately sourced genealogical profile, reconciling census data with family lore and historical records. Continue reading →

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Busby (Busbee) – Surname Saturday

Posted on January 20, 2024 by Don Taylor

The Busby surname, potentially originating in Yorkshire or Carmunnock, has 31,000 bearers globally, with 21,000 in the US mainly in Texas, California, and Mississippi. Ancestor Elnora Busby’s lineage traces back to Virginia and North Carolina, with minimal historical presence in these states. Continue reading →

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