Category Archives: Family Lines

John Michael Gleason’s Birthdate: Untangling Nine Conflicting Sources

Posted on August 20, 2026 by Don Taylor

John Michael Gleason has nine different birthdates across the records — from 1850 to 1854. Here’s how weighing census math against an exact death date narrowed the field to one preferred date, with a likely alternate held in reserve. Continue reading →

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Confirming Uncle Russ’s Military Service

Posted on July 29, 2026 by Don Taylor

Brown-Montran LineBy Don Taylor When I set out to confirm Russell’s Korean War service, my search on Fold3 turned up only his draft card — no service record at all, which genuinely surprised me given how confident I was about … Continue reading →

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Russell Erwin Kees (1927–2016)

Posted on July 24, 2026 by Don Taylor

Ancestor SketchFamily line: Brown-MontranBy Don Taylor Identity Question How did Russell Erwin Kees — born Russell Erwin Clark Amsterdam to Madonna Mae Montran and Samson Clark Amsterdam, and later known by an unofficial surname taken from his mother’s partner (a … Continue reading →

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Charles B Hazelton (1890-1951)

Posted on July 18, 2026 by Don Taylor

Welch-Harris ProjectWelch-Hazelton Line — Ancestor #10By Don Taylor Charles Bernard Hazelton was born on 13 December 1890 in Biddeford, York County, Maine.[1] He was the son of Thomas Hazelton and Margaret Clare. The family surname appears in early records as … Continue reading →

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Faces from the Past — Howell

Posted on July 15, 2026 by Don Taylor

This installment of “Faces from the Past” shares two photos from my wife’s Howell family line: a mystery-filled reunion portrait and a 1977 snapshot of Sara McCarley (Nance) Howell and her daughter “Bookie.” Continue reading →

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