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NY Brickwall

NY Brickwall

Posted: 31 May 2012 2:12AM GMT
Classification: Query
I've had a brick wall in Washington County, NY from the early 1800s for over a decade. I am on the emailing list from the NE Historic Genealogical Societ and see about their databases.

Please know I am absolutely sincere in my questioning because I cannot afford the $900 estimates by professionals, how good are the databases? The research subscription is $80. Is it worth it? I know there's no way to guarantee success, I'm just wondering if anyone can please give me feedback as to the databases and resources available through the society?

Thank you very much!

Re: NY Brickwall

Posted: 8 Jun 2012 1:41PM GMT
Classification: Query
www.familysearch.org is free - you could try there first

Have you checked out the NEHGS - to make sure the info you want is there before subscribing?

what are you looking for? do you want some help?

Margaret

Re: NY Brickwall

Posted: 8 Jun 2012 11:39PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Waller, Hill
Hi Margaret, thank you for responding. I've tried Family Search but have not had any break throughs. I have not checked NEHGS, I wasn't sure if it was of any help.

I'll try to summarize what I'm doing. I hope it isn't overwhelming.

I have been trying to locate the parents of my great-great-great grandfather, Comfort Babcock Waller. He was born July 24, 1813 in Washington County , New York . Further research shows me that his father was born in NY (1880 Census) and mother was Sarah (maiden name unknown). Comfort’s father, according to an obituary, “died when he was quite young”. Sarah married David Hill and they moved to Medina,Orleans County , NY (then Genesee County ). Sarah was born in 1783 in Massachusetts (1860 Census). David Hill does not appear to have had any children or been previously married. He died in 1850. Both he and Sarah died in Wisconsin .

It has strongly been suspected that Comfort had a brother Milton E., born August 7, 1807 in Washington County and a sister, Mary, born April 14, 1809. Those appear to be his only siblings. Milton would marry Polly Coon in Orleans County in 1826.

Research of the probate records in Washington County , NY turned up documents regarding a Comfort Waller that died in February 1813. This means that it is possible that Comfort may not have been born yet, but that Sarah was pregnant and named her son after her recently deceased husband. One of the papers refers to minor children, which could be Milton and Mary. The name of the widow was Sally, which apparently can be “interchangeable” with Sarah. Another sign this may be the correct lineage.

A distant cousin found a piece of paper that is in the home of one of the direct descendants of Comfort at whose home he died. It is believed to be a transcription of a family bible. It states “A John Waller married Sally born March 4th 1783 – Died April 24, 1864. John died and Sally married a David Hill…”. This paper was unknown to me and matches exactly what I have for Sarah’s information. It is the conflict of Sarah vs. Sally and the introduction of John Waller instead of Comfort Waller. This is where my trouble begins.

The paper also stated: “Sally Waller’s children: Milton…Mary…Comfort Babcock Waller. Married a Nancy Batchelder (born April 26, 1814) on March 28, 1833 in Batavia , NY . Nancy had an uncle that fought in the Revolutionary War.

It makes me question what I’m missing, as you can see I’m certainly on to the right path never knowing this paper existed until last summer. Also, among the children listed on the paper for Comfort and Nancy, was an infant son, John. This makes me wonder if Comfort’s father was John. But all the other information referring to Sally makes me think that Comfort (who died in 1813) may have been the father. I’m stuck and simply need help breaking through this once and for all. Thank you for any suggestions or help you might have.

Re: NY Brickwall

Posted: 9 Jun 2012 12:10AM GMT
Classification: Query
I have seen the Sarah/Sally name interchange.

www.usgenweb.org - haven't used the site in ages but when you go there, on the left hand side of the screen is all the states listed - you could try New York and Massachusetts - but if you don't know where in Massachusetts any of this happened you're not going to know what county to choose - but there are some 'old' recs that people have been adding into a database.

archives@sec.state.ma.us - that's the email for the Massachusetts Archives - they might be able to help you.

go to NEHGS and look at all their databases - you don't have to be a member just to look and see what they have - I noticed that there were some NY databases.

or

Post another message with specifics that you are looking for.

Have you 'googled' the names or info you want? I did that once for a family member and I found info - I believe it was at Amazon books or something like that - info came up because this relative owned a company and it was listed in a Massachusetts book.

I wish I could've help you more.

Margaret

Re: NY Brickwall

Posted: 9 Jun 2012 3:49AM GMT
Classification: Query
Not at all Margaret. Thank you very much. I will definitely try some of these things. Google hasn't been able to be of much help unfortunately. I'm thinking I'm going to have luck when I'm able to turn over some old record that no one has seen in awhile.

Thank you again.

Re: NY Brickwall

Posted: 16 Aug 2012 4:17PM GMT
Classification: Query
Just throwing this out there, but might'n Comfort been named after a recently deceased grandfather just a pausible as being named after a recently deceased father?

Re: NY Brickwall

Posted: 16 Aug 2012 4:30PM GMT
Classification: Query
Just perused my Washington Co., NY cemetery books and the Wallers seem to be clustered in the Town of Hartford. There are over 50 Waller burials in Old Hartfred, East Hartford and Morningside Cemeteries, and one in Townsend Cemetery. I don't see a Comfort and the only John (John H.) died in 1948 so he's not helping.

Re: NY Brickwall

Posted: 16 Aug 2012 10:43PM GMT
Classification: Query
The grandfather thing is certainly plausible. You're seeing my biggest problem. I'm sure of the relation, it's finding the actual connection. Thanks for the input!

Re: NY Brickwall

Posted: 13 Jan 2013 5:22PM GMT
Classification: Query
This doesn't solve your brick wall, but Sarah (Sally)'s maiden name might be Babcock, which was often a naming tradition for middle names. I have a James and Sarah Babcock line in Westerly, RI, from the 1660's. Maybe one of the grandkids moved to MA and birthed your Sarah?
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