Well, that is the title of a new presentation in the works. I have noticed that a number of my ancestral lines just start or just end. Some of my genealogy colleagues call this a brick wall. I, on the other hand, am speculating that they were either dropped as UFO babies or were just beamed up to a ship.
No, I am not serious, but I like to have fun in the creation of a presentation — and hope the fun is transferred on to my audience. If you are not having fun while doing your genealogy research, why are you doing it?
Anyway, today I am starting a specific search for my great-great-great grandfather who was apparently dropped from a space ship around 1812 in rural Pennsylvania:
Robert Allen, my GGG Grandfather, was born on 8 May 1812 in Pennsylvania. On 3 June 1834, he married Mary Miller, the daughter of Fredrick Miller and Mary Fausler Miller, in Stark County, Ohio. By profession, Robert was a blacksmith. The couple were the parents of nine (9) children:
- William H., born 22 December 1834, in Tuscarora County, Ohio
- Mary Ann, born 15 June 1836, in Stark County, Ohio
- Rebecca, born 24 August 1838, in Ohio
- Levi, born 20 August 1840, in Stark County, Ohio
- Mahala, born 4 March 1843, in Stark County, Ohio
- Haman, born 9 November 1845, in Stark County, Ohio
- David, born 26 August 1849, in Merkle, Huntington County, Indiana
- Alfred, born 8 November 1852, in Merkle, Huntington County, Indiana
- Eutera Elura, born 29 Aug 1856, in Merkle, Huntington County, Indiana
Robert died 11 March 1857, in Merle, Huntington County, Indiana.
The only record of his date of birth appears to be an entry on Find a Grave that also, claims the following as his headstone:
Which reads Robert husband of Mary Allen Died Mar 11, 1857 Aged 44y.10m.3d
Date calculation of 44 years, 10 months and 3 days before March 11, 1857 provides the birth date of May 8, 1812.
The 1812 birth date is supported by the entry in the 1850 US Population Census which records the family in Huntington, Indiana, and head, Robert, a blacksmith, at age 38.
On 20 June 1854, Robert was appointed Postmaster in Markle. On 23 June 1855, Benjamin F Miley was appointed to the position. Since the listing appears to have a new Postmaster every year, there is nothing I am reading into Robert’s short tenure.
In the 1860 US Population Census, Mary is listed as the head of the household and widowed.
So, that still leaves me with finding proof of Robert’s Pennsylvania birth in 1812.
A Tree Grew in Oakland 