Ancestry Updated Ethnicity Estimates & DNA Communities

Posted on September 26, 2021 by Don Taylor

DNA
Roberts-Brown Ancestors
By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.Ancestry has updated their Ethnicity estimates once again. Ancestry likes to look at your DNA from a world perspective, but I find the “DNA Communities” much more interesting. Besides showing you where ancestors may have settled in the United States, it shows possible ancestors from that place and “featured matches,” people who also are in that group and are DNA matches. In my case, I fit into five DNA Communities.

  • My DNA Communities

    Early Connecticut & New York Settlers

  • Southern Minnesota and Northwestern Wisconsin Settlers
  • Central Appalachia Settlers
  • Delaware Valley, Chesapeake, and Midwest Settlers
  • Lower Michigan & Virginia Settlers.

Looking closer at one of the Communities, “Early Connecticut & New York Settlers – 1700-1975,” all four ancestors suggested are from my tree, and all have entries placing them in the location during the period suggested.

Sarah Blackhurst (1847-1928)

2nd Great-Grandmother – Born in England in 1847, immigrated to New York in 1850, located to Michigan in 1860, where she died.

Nelson Barnes (1816-1884)

2nd Great-Grandfather – Born in New York in 1816, moved to Indiana about 1845, where he died.

Chester Parsons (1799-1887)

4th Great-Grandfather – Born in Massachusetts, moved to New York for a short while, located to Michigan by 1826, where he died.

Madonna Montran (1893-1976)

Grandmother – Born in Michigan, lived in New York on and off during her vaudeville career from 1919 to 1930. She lived in Chicago, Michigan, and Minnesota after 1930; she died in Minnesota.

As I look at these “communities,” I wonder if Ancestry really looked at DNA matches or if they only looked at my tree and grouped various individuals into their community based solely upon my tree entries. Likewise, the “Featured Matches” included only people that have trees with the same people that I have in my tree that I do share at least some DNA with.

I guess the bottom line is that I am not impressed with the DNA Communities. That causes me to circle back to looking at Ancestry Ethnicity Estimates.

I did a Birthplace Chart/Spreadsheet about five years ago because it was “all the rage.” It had the potential to help me see what my ethnicity was. Of my 16 2nd great-grandparents, only one was an immigrant. Two were unknown, and the other 13 were all born in the United States. So, from it, I learned I was at least 6.25% from Great Britain.

I recently had a cousin who asked if I knew exactly what “Heinz 57 Variety” we were. I told him I hadn’t determined that because most of our ancestors have been in the United States for many generations. Looking at my skin tone, I figure I’m of northern European ancestry. But, after texting with my cousin, I thought it might be fun to add another generation to my Birthplace chart/spreadsheet from five years ago and see if anything new pops up after five years of further research.

No changes. I’m still 6.25% English.

My Illinois-born 2nd great-grandparents’ parents came from a mix of Tennessee, Illinois, and Kentucky. My Ohio 2nd great-grandparents’ parents came from Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, and my Ohio 2nd great-grandparents’ parents came from a mix of New Hampshire, New York, and Michigan. There are still 18% of my ancestors that are unknown, but a whopping 2/3 of my 3rd great-grandparents were born in the United States. So, ethnically, I am definitely an American with a smidgen of English.

My “unknown” ethnicity places are known “brick walls.” My great-grandfather, John Montran, parentage is still unknown. I have a project to watch for all Montran’s I can find and learn more about their locations in hopes I can eventually connect John to immigrant ancestors. Likewise, My 2nd great-grandmother, Elisa Jane Fannin, parents have been elusive. I know she was born in Kentucky; I’ve looked at her several times looking for her parents. I need to do more research to try to find her parentage.

My Ethnicity map per Ancestry 2021

Ancestry indicates my ancestors are between 62 and 100% from England, Belgium, and the Channel Islands. Probably true; I have nothing in my pedigree research to disagree with that assessment. Still, it is always nice to receive confirmation.

 

Posted in Brown-Montran, Roberts-Barnes, DNA | Tagged | 1 Comment

Ethel Wight Collection – Part 47

Posted on September 24, 2021 by Don Taylor

Gilman (nee Miller), Gogan, Gokey, Golder, & Goldman

Photo Friday
Ethel Wight Collection
By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.This week, for Photo Friday, I identify the people in five more envelopes from the Ethel Wight Studio Collection[i]. The envelopes contain the names who paid for the photos, not necessarily of the individual portrayed in the image. As such, it is vital to analyze the pictures and information to identify the individual therein.[ii] Ultimately, my goal is to reunite the photos with family members who may have never seen the image.

Anna Goldman, circa 1936

This negative envelope says, “Miss Anna Goldman, 88 Vesper At, Portland #761.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Anna Goldman, circa 1936

    The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Anna Goldman as a teacher at 116 Pearl, residing at 88 Vesper.

  • The 1936 Portland City Directory indicates that Anna moved to New York City.
  • The 1931 Portland High School Yearbook, The Totem, includes a photo of Anna Goldman. It appears to be the same person as in this photo.
  • The 1930 US Census indicates Anna Goldman, the daughter of Aaron and Rose Goldman, living at 93 Federal in Portland. Anna was 16 years old and born in Russia.

I believe this to be a photo of Anna about 1936 before she moved to New York.

Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Anna or her parents. Although identified by her married name, Anna Levine appears in three Ancestry Family Trees.

I have added her photo to Dead Fred.

Virginia Gokey, circa 1937 [??]

The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Virginia Gokey, St. Barnabus Hospital, #568.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Virginia Gokey, circa 1937

    The 1937 Portland City Directory lists Virginia Gokey, a student nurse at 231 Woodford (St. Barnabas Hospital) residing at 20 Norwood.

  • Virginia Garnette Gokey was born 23 January 1915, daughter of Garnet Murray. and Bernice Katherine (Mills) Gokey.

This photo appears to be of Virginia Gokey about 1937 when she graduated from nursing school.

Family Search identifies Virginia Garnette Gokey, born 23 January 1915, as ID LKDC-5KY. Virginia is also found in 13 Ancestry trees.

I have uploaded a photo of Virginia to her Family Search Memories.

Another researcher confirmed the facts are correct, however, after checking with a few other people, the photo does not appear to be of Virginia. 

Virginia Golder, circa 1937

This negative envelope says, “Miss Virginia Golder, ME Gen Hospital #561.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Virginia Golder, circa 1937

    The 1936 Portland City Directory lists Virginia Golder, a student nurse at 22 Arsenal (Maine General Hospital).

  • The 1939 Portland City Directory lists Virginia Golder as a nurse at 812 Congress.
  • The 1940 US Census lists Virginia P. Sanburn, a registered nurse at Bath Memorial Hospital, living with her mother, Mary C. Golder. It mentions that in 1935, she lived in Portland.
  • The 1930 US Census lists Virginia Golder, born about 1916, as the daughter of Scott M. and Mary C. Golder, living in Bath, Sagadahoc County, Maine.
  • Virginia Pauline Golder was born 20 June 1915 in Bath, Maine, the 4th child of Scott and Mary (Miller) Golder.

This is a photo of Virginia about 1937 when she graduated from Nursing School at Maine General Hospital.

Family Search identifies Virginia P. Golder, born 20 June 1915, as ID L4H8-DD8.

There are 38 trees at Ancestry.Com that refer to Virginia Pauline Golder.

I have uploaded two photos of Virginia to her Family Search Memories.

Merrill Gogan, circa 1936 (Age 4)

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. Geo Gogan, 457 Cumberland Ave, Portland #988.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Merrill Gogan, circa 1936 (Age 4)

    The 1937 and 1938 Portland City Directories list George (and Leora) Gogan as living at 45 or 60 Huntress Ave, South Portland.

  • The 1936 Portland City Directory on Ancestry is missing page 378, which should contain Gogan.
  • The 1940 US Census lists George and Leora Gogan living at 7 Burnwell in South Portland. With them is their 8-year-old son, Merrill, who was born in Vermont. Thirty-year-old Leora was born in Maine, and 40-year-old George was born in New Hampshire.

This photo was taken about 1936 when Merrill was about four years old.

Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Merrill Gogan, nor do Ancestry Trees. However, eleven trees on Ancestry refer to Merrill’s father, George Gogan.

I have uploaded a photo of Merrill Gogan to Dead Fred. 

Maude Gilman, nee Miller, circa 1936

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. Henry Gilman, 499 Ocean Ave, Portland #545.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Maude Gilman, nee Miller, circa 1936

    The 1937 Portland City Directory lists Henry Gilman, a dentist, living with his wife, Maude M., at 499 Ocean Ave.

  • The 1940 Census lists Henry Gilman and his 68-year-old wife, Maud, at 499 Ocean.
  • The 1910 Census indicates Henry and Maude had been married for three years.
  • This information leads to Maude Hellen Miller, born 28 August 1871 and who married Henry Gilman on 20 June 1906.

This photo set is of Maude about 1936 when she was about 65 years old.

Family Search identifies Maude H. Miller, born 28 August 1871 and married Henry Gilman in Portland in 1906, as ID M4X3-3Z9. There are four trees at Ancestry include Maude Helen Miller.

I have uploaded two photos of Maude to her Family Search Memories. I also uploaded two additional photos to my Flickr photostream.

Conclusion

  • I fully identified all five individuals. Three had Family Search profiles, so I posted their photos to Family Search Two did not appear to have Family Search Profiles, so I posted those photos to Dead Fred. There were four photos in the photo set of one individual; consequently, I posted those two additional photos to my Flickr Photostream.

For all posts regarding the Ethel Wight Collection analysis, please see here.

Final Note

If any of these photos are of your family member, I would love to hear your reaction. Especially if this photo is of a loved one for whom you hadn’t seen this photograph before.

Endnotes

[i] The Wight Studio was in Portland, Maine. Many thanks to Ethel Wight’s family for access to and permission to use the collection of their great aunt.

[ii] These images were converted to positives using a lightbox, a Nikon camera and computer software.

Posted in Ethel Wight Studio, Faces from the Past | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ethel Wight Collection – Part 46

Posted on September 17, 2021 by Don Taylor

Gibb(3), Gilman, McGann, & Quirk

Photo Friday
Ethel Wight Collection
By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.This week, for Photo Friday, I identify the people in five more envelopes from the Ethel Wight Studio Collection[i]. The envelopes contain the names who paid for the photos, not necessarily of the individual portrayed in the image. As such, it is vital to analyze the pictures and information to identify the individual therein.[ii] Ultimately, my goal is to reunite the photos with family members who may have never seen the image.

Dr. Henry Gilman, circa 1936.

The envelope this negative was in says, “Dr. Henry Gilman, 499 Ocean Ave, Portland #570.”

Dr. Henry Gilman, circa 1936

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1937 Portland City Directory lists Henry (wife Maude M) Gilman as a dentist at 192 State whose home was at 499 Ocean.
  • Henry’s World War I draft registration card indicates he was born 10 August 1873 and lived at 499 Ocean in 1918.
  • This photo, taken about 1936, is of Dr. Henry Gilman when he was about 63 years old.

Family Search identifies Henry Gilman as ID 9MJR-ZXW. He appears in 16 trees at Ancestry.Com.

I have uploaded two photos of Henry to his Family Search Memories. I also uploaded two additional photos of him to my Flickr photostream.

Dorothy M. McGann, circa 1936.

This negative envelope says, “Miss Dorothy McGann, 412 Ocean Ave, Portland #487.”

Dorothy M. McGann, circa 1936.

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Dorothy M McGann as a maid at 22 Arsenal and residing at 412 Ocean Ave.
  • The 1930 US Census enumerated Dorothy M McGann as the 17-year-old daughter of James and Mina D. McGann.
  • This photo is of Dorothy about 1936 when she was about 23 years old.

Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Dorothy M. McGann, born 22 October 1912 in Houlton, Aroostook County, Maine. However, there seem to be four public trees at Ancestry, which refer to Dorothy M. Mcgann, the daughter of James Henry and Almina D. McGann.

I have added two photos of her to Dead Fred.

Mae Louise Quirk, circa 1936

The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Mae Quirk, St. Barnabas, Portland #297.”

Mae Louise Quirk, circa 1936

  • Why I believe this to be the individual.
  • The 1934 Portland City Directory lists Mae Quirk, a student nurse at 231 Woodford and residing at 20 Norwood. The directory also indicates that St. Barnabas Hospital is located at 231 Woodford.
  • The 1935 and the Ancestry copy of the 1936 Portland City Directory do not mention Mae Quirk. However, the 1937 Directory indicates that Mae L. Quirk, nurse, married Raymond T. Abbott.
  • There was a Raymond T. Abbott, the 14-year-old son of Arthur W and Mary J Abbott living in Portland during the 1920 Census. He was born on 7 May 1905. Raymond appears in Family Search as id L1DC-PGQ. However, no spouse is listed for him. Raymond’s World War II Army Enlistment Record indicates he was a widower without dependants.
  • Mae Louise Quirk Abbott, born in 1915, died 5 April 1940 at 25 years of age.
  • I am sure this photo is of Mae Louise Quirk about 1936 before she married Raymond Abbott.

Sadly, Mae Louise Quirk does not have a Family Search Profile. I have been unsuccessful in finding Mae’s parents in any records. There are two trees on Ancestry that refer to Mae; however, both indicate her husband’s parents as her parents.

I have uploaded two photos of Mae to her memorial at Find-a-Grave. I also uploaded one additional photo of Mae to my Flickr photostream.

Alexander Stoddart Gibb, circa 1936

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mr. Alexander Gibb, 168 Neal St, Apt 8, Portland #535.”

Alexander Stoddart Gibb, circa 1936

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Alexander S. Gibb Proprietor at 739a Congress living with his wife, Evelyn G., at 168 Neal, Apt 8.
  • The 41-year-old Alexander and his wife, Evelyn, appear in the 1940 Census still on Neal street. Other researchers suggest his surname might be Gibbs and Gibby as notes regarding his name on Ancestry.
  • According to his Naturalization Record, Alexander Stoddart Gibb was born on 12 January 1898 in Scotland. He married Evelyn Grace Coffin on 22 June 1929 in Milford, NH. His two children were Richard Howard, born 156 Feb 1931, and Elain Audry, born 12 November 1933; both were born in Portland, ME.

Family Search identifies Alexander Gibb, born 12 January 1898 in Scotland, as ID G3SB-5R8. I am quite sure this is Alexander about 1936. There are seven trees at Ancestry.Com that refer to Alexander Stoddart Simpson Gibb.

I have uploaded two photos of Alexander to his Family Search Memories. I also uploaded one additional photo of him to my Flickr photostream.

Richard Howard and Elain Audry Gibb, circa 1936 (ages 5 & 2)

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mr. Alexander Gibb, 168 Neal St, Portland #509.”

Richard Howard and Elain Audry Gibb, circa 1936 (ages 5 & 2)

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Alexander S. Gibb living with his wife, Evelyn G., at 168 Neal, Apt 8.
  • According to his Naturalization Record, Alexander Stoddart Gibb was born on 12 January 1898 in Scotland. He married Evelyn Grace Coffin on 22 June 1929 in Milford, NH. His two children were Richard Howard, born 16 February 1931, and Elain Audry, born 12 November 1933; both were born in Portland, ME.
  • This photo, taken about 1936, is of Richard Howard and Elain Audry Gibb when they were about 5 and 2 years old, respectively.

Family Search does not appear to have a profile for either child, and there are no Ancestry trees that refer to either child. However, their father, Alexander Stoddard Gibb, appears in seven trees at Ancestry.Com.

I have uploaded a photo of Richard and Elain to Dead Fred. I also uploaded two additional photos of them to my Flickr photostream. 

Conclusion

    • I identified all of the individuals in this set.
    • I uploaded two of their photo sets to their Family Search
    • Four of the individuals did not have Family Search Profiles. I uploaded three of them to Dead Fred. Furthermore, I uploaded one to Find a Grave.

For all of the Ethel Wight Collection analysis, please see here.

Final Note

If any of these photos are of your family member, I would love to hear your reaction. Especially if this photo is of a loved one for whom you hadn’t seen this photograph before.

Endnotes

[i] The Wight Studio was in Portland, Maine. Many thanks to Ethel Wight’s family for access to and permission to use the collection of their great aunt.

[ii] These images were converted to positives using a lightbox, a Nikon camera and computer software.

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Ethel Wight Collection – Part 45

Posted on September 10, 2021 by Don Taylor

Gardner (2), Garnett, Gass, & Giardino

Photo Friday
Ethel Wight Collection
By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.This week, for Photo Friday, I identify the people in five more envelopes from the Ethel Wight Studio Collection[i]. The envelopes contain the names who paid for the photos, not necessarily of the individual portrayed in the image. As such, it is vital to analyze the pictures and information to identify the individual therein.[ii] Ultimately, my goal is to reunite the photos with family members who may have never seen the image.

Marietta Rachela Giardino, circa 1936

The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Marrietta Gardner, 80 Moreland St., Roxbury, Mass #851.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

Marietta Rachela Giardino, circa 1936

  • I was unsuccessful in finding a Marrietta Gardner, of the appropriate age, in any records from 1930 to 1940.
  • I did find a Marietta R Giardino, a hairdresser who lived at 80 Moreland, Roxberry, in the 1936 Boston City Directory. The directory indicates that Nicola G. Deluca, Frank L Giardino, and Lilian Saia lived at the address.
  • Marietta R Giardino was born on 25 April 1913 in Boston. She lived in Portland, Maine in 1932, and married Melville Benjamin Young ib 12 May 1936,
  • Ancestry Trees include a 1939 photo of Marietta and her daughter. That photo appears to be of the same woman here. I am convinced this is a photo of Marietta Richela Giardino before she married Melville Young in 1936.
  • I believe the surname written on the envelope was incorrect.

Family Search identifies Marietta Rachela Giardino, daughter of Frank Louis and Concettina (Maggio) Giardino as ID GSRF-LCS. There are eight family trees at Ancestry.Com that refer to Marietta.

I have uploaded two photos of Marietta to her Family Search Memories.

This photo identity was confirmed by a niece of Marietta.

Sallie Gardner, R.N., circa 1937

The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Sally Gardner, ME. Gen. Hospital #922.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Sallie Gardner, R.N., circa 1937

    The 1937 Portland City Directory lists Sallie Gardner, a student nurse at 22 Arsenal (Maine General Hospital).

  • The 1938 Portland City Directory lists Sallie O Gardner, a student nurse who married Samuel J. Oppedisano.
  • The Maine, U.S., Marriage Index, 1892-1996, shows Sallie and Samuel married on 25 December 1937.
  • The 1940 US Census shows Samuel and the 23-year-old Sally Oppedisano living at 95b Moody Street.

Family Search identifies Sallie Gardner, daughter of Benjamin and Sarah (Osgood) Gardner, as ID L14G-GT6. I am pretty sure this is Sallie about 1937 before she married Samuel. There are nine trees at Ancestry.Com that refer to Sally Gardner, born 23 February 1917 in Calais, Washington County, Maine.

I have uploaded two photos of Sallie to her Family Search Memories. I also uploaded one additional photo of her to my Flickr photostream.

Ralph Gardner, circa 1934

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mr. Ralph Gardiner, Woodfords, Portland, #45.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

Msd

  • Woodfords is a neighborhood in Portland, Maine.
  • The 1930 US Census lists 47-year-old Ralph Gardiner living at 66 Glenwood Ave with his wife Florence and son, Donald. That address is in the area that would be called Oakdale/Woodfords.
  • The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Ralph S Gardner as an accountant at 45 Forest Ave. and living at 104 Coyle. Again, 104 Coyle is in the Woodfords neighborhood.
  • Ralph Sidney Gardner died 30 June 1937 at the age of 55.
  • Based on the photo ID number (#45), I believe this to be Ralph Gardner about 1934.

Alternative individuals?

The 1930 US Census lists a Ralph Gardiner, age 28, living with his brother-in-law Ralph Bragdon in Westbrook. This Ralph Gardiner would be too young to be the subject of this photograph.

Family Search identifies Ralph S Gardner, husband of Florence Scott, as ID LBPR-BX4. There are 24 trees at Ancestry.Com refer to Ralph Sidney Gardner (1882-1937)

I have uploaded two photos of Ralph to his Family Search Memories.

Carol Garnett, circa 1936 (age 3 or 4)

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. Carroll Garnett, 301 Cumberland Ave, Portland #326.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

Carol Garnett, circa 1936 (age 3 or 4)

  • The only Carroll Garnett listed in the 1935 Portland worked at a barbershop at 1206 Forest Ave and lived at 111 Woodlawn Ave. His wife is Clarissa.
  • The 1936 Portland city directory is missing the page, which would include Carroll Garnett. However, in the address to name section of the directory, at 301 Cumberland Ave. lives Mrs. Lena Frost
  • The 1937 Portland City Directory lists Carroll L (and Clarissa M.) Garnett living at 17 Warren ave.
  • Likewise, the 1938 Portland City Directory lists Carroll and Clarissa still at 17 Warren Ave.
  • The 1940 Census finds Carroll and Clarissa Garnett living with their two children, 14-year-old Harry and seven-year-old Carol.
  • This photo was taken about 1936 when Carol was about three years old. The child in the photograph appears to be about three or four years old. Consequently, I believe this to be a photo of Carol

Family Search identifies Carol Garnett, born 3 August 1932 to Carroll and Clarissa (Whitney) Garnett, as ID LRQ9-7D1. I am pretty sure this is Carol about 1936. There are seven trees at Ancestry.Com refer to Carol M. Garnett (Rutter).

I uploaded one photo of Carol to her Family Search Memories.

Betty L. Gass, circa 1937 (age 7).

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. G. E. Gass, 25 Bolton St., Portland #842.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

Betty L. Gass, circa 1937 (age 7)

  • The 1937 Portland City Directory lists Garland E (and Bertha L) Gass living at 25 Bolton.
  • The 1940 US Census lists Garland and Bertha Gass living at 71a Whitney Ave. Living with them is their 10-year-old daughter Betty.
  • Based upon the Photo Number (#842), I estimate this photo was taken about 1937.
  • Betty L. Gass was born on 19 February 1930; I believe this is a photo of her when she was about seven years old.

Sadly, one of the two negatives I have of Betty is out of focus, and the second negative is a profile.

Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Betty L Gass; however, her father is Garland E. Gass, ID: L21Q-6MH. However, Betty L. Gass is found in six public trees at Ancestry.Com

Because Betty does not have a Family Search profile, I have added her photo to Dead Fred. I also uploaded the out-of-focus photo of her to my Flickr photostream.

Conclusion

  • I identified four individuals with Family Search profiles, so I posted their photos to their Family Search
  • I identified one individual who did not have a profile on Family Search, so I uploaded her photo to Dead Fred.

Final Note

If any of these photos are of your family member, I would love to hear your reaction. Especially if this photo is of a loved one for whom you hadn’t seen this particular photograph before.

Endnotes

[i] The Wight Studio was in Portland, Maine. Many thanks to Ethel Wight’s family for access to and permission to use the collection of their great aunt.

[ii] These images were converted to positives using a lightbox, a Nikon camera and computer software.

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Follow-up on Samuel Pankey

Posted on September 5, 2021 by Don Taylor

Howell-Pankey Line
By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.One of my regular steps in researching ancestors is to “Find BMD Records for each of the children.” In the case of Samuel Pankey’s children, I wanted to pay particular attention to which children had which mother’s. I believed Samuel had eight children, five by one wife and three by a second wife; I wanted to confirm that.

As I began searching for sources, I found an amazing treasure-trove of information in a book, John Pankey of Manakin Town, Virginia, and His Descendants: Descendants and Connections of his Son Stephen Pankey, Sr., of Lucy’s Springs, Chesterfield County, Virginia by George Edward Pankey.

John Pankey of Manakin Town is Samuel Pankey’s grandfather and Stephen Pankey, Sr., is Samuel Pankey’s father. I ordered the book via inter-library loan through my library and it came in just a couple weeks. Wow!. Three volumes of material about the Pankey family – eight pages just about Samuel Pankey and his children. There is just so much information it was overwhelming. Volume 2 is about the descendants of Stephen Pankey’s brother and Volume 3 provides corrections to Volume 1 & 2. Anyway, the book will be so useful I bought a copy on E-Bay.

Thanks to page 49 of Volume 1, I was able to fill in much of the information about Samuel Pankey, his wives, and his children. I learned that Mary Ann and Marion were the same person. I thought that was the case, but I wasn’t certain. Likewise, I learned that Betsey Kinsey was actually an Elizabeth. Again, I thought so, but was very happy to have my thoughts confirmed. I’m also certain his second wife was Martha Burton and not Martha Belford. Pretty much everything I had was confirmed by this book.

Also, it is clear that Samuel and the children of his first wife became estranged. In his will he gave everything to his second wife and the children of that marriage and gave the children of his first marriage one dollar each. A clear sign there was a bad relationship between Samuel and his five children with Betsey.

Updated Spouse and Children List

1st Marriage

Samuel Pankey married Elizabeth “Betsy” Kinsey Binford in 1759. They married in “Henrico County.” However, the county name was somewhat flexible as Henrico County became Goochland County, then Cumberland County. Finally, Powhatan county was formed from Cumberland County in 1777.

Samuel and Elizabeth “Betsey” had five children
Updated information in Green.

Child Name Born Married – Spouse Died
Marion 1761 Shaldrake Broaddus
William Stuart
George Stewart[i]		 1831
Philip 16 February 1763 Ann Brown
Polly Bogs		 Dec 1819
Thomas Armstrong. c. 1764 1783 – Rebecca Hall
1785 – Martha Cannon		 Jun 1829
Judith Elizabeth 1767 Joseph Sallee Oct 1818
Elizabeth “Betsey” Kinsey 1770 1787 – Mordecai Warriner
1796 – George Walton		 1816

2nd Marriage

Samuel married Martha Burton about 1775. They had three children.

Child Name Born Married – Spouse Died
Samuel Hardin 1777 1878 – Mary Burton Sep 1817
Lelah 1782 (never married) Aug 1812
John 1787 1808 – Frances Kidd 1862

I am really excited to continue my review of John Pankey of Manakin Town, Virginia, and His Descendants. I expect to find many more facts regarding my wife’s Pankey ancestors.

Property transfers involving Samuel Pankey[ii]

  • 1759 – Received 80 acres – From Peter Depp, Jr.
  • 1774 – Conveyed 80 acres – To his son Philip Pankey.
  • 1790 – Conveyed 60 acres – To John Depp.
  • 1798 – Received 60 acres – Back from John Depp.
  • 1801 – Received 60 acres – Back from John Depp and his wife Elizabeth
  • 1797 – Conveyed 35 acres – To John Pemberton
  • 1804 – Conveyed 97 & 3/4 acres – to his son, Samuel H. Pankey

Endnotes

[i] It is not clear if Marion’s husbands William Stuart and George Stewart were two people or one person. Further research is needed regarding Marion’s husbands (or husband).

[ii] Updated 22 October 2021 – Source: JOHN PANKEY of Manakin Town, Virginia, and His Descendants, Volume One, by George Edward Pankey, Ruston, Louisiana, 1969, pages 49 & 50.

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