Working in the Mills

An aspect of researching my family history that really interests me is the occupations of my ancestors. A common occupation that crops up again and again is working in various types of mills. My Harris family has a long history in the mills. Ezekial Harris owned a saw mill in Bedford, NY in the the [...]

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Family Matters | LYSANDER ORMSBY

Lysander Ormsby was born in Massachusetts and lived there until April of 1837, when resolving to see something of the great West, he started out and made his way by team to Albany, NY, the nearest point to the Erie Canal, and then by canal to Buffalo. After arriving in Buffalo, Lysander had to wait [...]

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Today’s Tidbit | June 15, 1798 – John Earl Harris

On this date, in 1798, my 3rd great grandfather, John Earl Harris, was born in Greenfield, Saratoga Co., NY. Unfortunately, I don’t know for sure who his parents are. John married Nancy Ormsbee in 1820. They moved to Pierpont, OH, Porter Co., IN, and eventually to Cato, WI.

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Dr. Caleb Ormsby and the SS Central America – New Page

I’ve added a new page telling the story of my cousin, Dr. Caleb Noble Ormsby, the California Gold Rush, and the SS Central America. Please click on this link to read the entire story.

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Surname Saturday | ORMSBY/ORMSBEE

My Ormsby ancestry in America dates to the late 1630′s when Richard Ormsby came from England and settled in Maine. The family name was often times spelled Ormsbee. Richard made his way to Massachusetts. His descendant, Isaac, was born in Rhode Island. He served in the Revolutionary War and was with General George Washington at [...]

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Thanksgiving Thursday

The Thanksgiving season, and these next several months, are a special time of the year in the history of my family. My 9th great grandfather, William Bradford, came to America on the Mayflower in November of 1620. The ship left England in September and, after a grueling 66-day journey marked by disease, which claimed two [...]

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This Week’s Family Anniversaries | August 9 – August 15, 2009

William Salisbury, Jr. – Born August 14, 1659 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts Bay Colony. He married Anna Cole on July 30th 1664 in Swansea, Bristol, Massachusetts Bay Colony. William is my 7th great grandfather. Joseph Benjamin, III – Born August 15, 1699 in Preston, New London, Connecticut Colony. He married Deborah Clark on April 3, [...]

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This Week’s Family Anniversaries | July 5 – July 11, 2009

Elmo “Bill” Linal LeVan – Born July 11, 1903 in North Greenfield, Zane Twp., Logan Co., OH. He came to Michigan and worked clearing the land for the Ford plant in Ypsilanti. He later worked in a saw mill in Waterloo Township. He married Zella Bradley McConnell on March 28, 1925. Elmo died on February [...]

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This Week’s Family Anniversaries | June 28 – July 4, 2009

Elizabeth Cooke – Born June 30, 1678 in Preston, New London Co., Connecticut Colony. She married Joseph Benjamin on August 25, 1698 in Preston. Elizabeth died in abt. 1738 in Preston. She is my 7th great grandmother. Richard Ormsby – Died June 30, 1664 in Rehoboth, Bristol Co., Plymouth Colony. He was born on July [...]

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This Week’s Family Anniversaries | June 21 – June 27, 2009

On June 24, 1675, William Salisbury and his son John are the first colonists killed in King Philips War. Four days earlier, William had killed an indian warrior who entered his home at Kickemuit, MA. The indians killed William and John in retribution. William is my 8th great grandfather. Isaac Ormsbee – Born June 21, [...]

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