Archi’s father, according to the DAR application, is purported to be James LINDSEY born Londonderry, Ireland, 1680; died Nutfield (Londonderry) New Hampshire, 1774 and, was married to Ann Gypson (widow). However, nowhere in the application are there any source citations provided as to how they “know” that James Lindsey of Londonderry, Ireland and Londonderry, Rockingham, New Hampshire is Archi’s father. Let alone, how they know that he emigrated from Ireland and more specifically, Londonderry.
Before I delve into the specific subject of this post – the Tale of Three James – a little background is needed.
I began the research of my LINDSEY ancestry in 2013; starting from my Grandfather, Walter Galloway LINDSEY and working backward. In 2014 I hit a “bump in the road.” Archibald LINDSEY was purported to be my third Great Grandfather, Edwin G LINDSEY’s father. And, the son of James LINDSEY. But there appeared to be nothing more than hearsay, to support that assertion. I first learned of this “relationship” from Margaret Isabella Lindsay’s book “The Lindsay’s of America.2” More research followed and I learned of an Archibald LINDSEY who served during the American Revolutionary War as a Private, from Massachusetts, September 1777 – October 1777. Armed with that information, I went to the DAR website and searched for applications that may have been submitted listing Archi as their Patriot. I found three, an original and two supplemental applications. All three sorely lacked source citations.
A lot of assertions and assumptions were made based on, as far as I can tell, hearsay. The original application was clearly reviewed; you can see several notations throughout. But, again, no source citation is provided, nor anything indicating where the information was derived. This has been my research focus ever since.
I have been able to prove, to my satisfaction, that my third Great Grandfather, Edwin Galloway LINDSEY and all his siblings named in both sources previously mentioned here, are indeed the descendants of Archibald LINDSEY. I have since obtained actual pay and muster rolls documenting Archi’s service during the Revolutionary War. More on that research and my findings in a future post. So, now it was time to focus the research on, and to document, Archi’s parentage.
A note to the reader: I affectionately refer to Archibald LINDSEY as “Archi” throughout.
As I mentioned, the initial DAR application, dated 4 November 1953, asserts that James LINDSEY was born in 1680, Londonderry, Ireland and died in 1774, Londonderry, Rockingham, New Hampshire. The application also asserts that Ann Gypson (widow) was his wife. There are no citations provided and no original documents included in the applicant package. So, where did this information come from? What information, documents, research was used to substantiate it?
I needed to learn more about what information was out there; what documents did James create during his life? What documents were created about or for James, during his life? Did anyone else who descended from James LINDSEY, his son Archi, or another of his children (Archi’s siblings) have information, and more specifically, documentation that would support or refute their connection? Sadly, every single tree and message board, etc. that I found, simply provided the same flimsy resources that I’ve noted here. Everyone cites, attaches and refers to the DAR application which asserts that James is Archibald LINDSEY’s father. And, Ann Gypson was his wife. To support the Ann Gypson connection, everyone cites the New England Historical & Genealogical Register, 1847 – 2011, which states, “James Lindsey (bachelor, married an Ann Gypson (widow), 16 January 1727/8."3 In addition, all cite the Find-a-Grave memorial for James which notes that he is buried at Forest Hill Cemetery, East Derry, Rockingham, New Hampshire.4
SLOW; proceed with CAUTION!
It would appear, that the information within the New England Historical & Genealogical Register was a compilation of historical ministerial records from throughout New England. The specific notation, reference James Lindsey’s and Ann Gypson’s marriage, comes from the Hon. Samuel C Adams, of Newfield, Maine. He notes that he is “in possession of the original record of Mr. Adams [Reverend Hugh Adams], and believing it may afford some interest . . . I send a copy of the record of marriages, baptisms, admissions to the church, etc.”
James is a common given name and Lindsey a common surname. There is not enough identifying data in this entry in the cited register to definitively conclude that this James Lindsey is Archi’s father. The entry doesn’t tell me where either party are from. It doesn’t include birth date; birth place; nor where either party lived at the time of marriage. There is nothing, nothing at all, to distinguish this James Lindsey from any other male by the same name. As this historical and genealogical register records marriages, baptisms, admissions to the church, etc. from throughout New England, I took the time to browse the book. That is, I looked from its cover and at all 504 pages (518 images) of it. Scouring the pages for any other mentions of the LINDSEYs. There were only two: Joel Harvey Linsley (page 88; image 97) and James LINDSEY (page 180; image 191). There was nothing else in the register that shed light on just who this James Lindsey was.
Yet, every tree, message board, etc. that I’ve come across cites this as their source – their only source – making the connection between this James Lindsey and Ann Gypson to Archi. Really? How’d they make that leap? Because it was recorded on an approved DAR application? Because it is on another family tree? Because others believe that they descend from James LINDSEY and repeatedly quote this connection?
Let’s take a look at that Find-a-Grave memorial. James LINDSEY is buried in the Forest Hill Cemetery, located in East Derry, New Hampshire in section K Lot 61. However . . . there are couple of things that should immediately jump right off the page for any discerning genealogist or family historian.
1. The memorial page includes the name of his spouse, Martha Lindsey
2. A VERY IMPORTANT note left by the photographer, DJ Goldman. DJ notes that this is “an unusual stone in that his wife, Martha, is on the other side of the stone. This is not commonly seen in gravestones of this era.”
Transcription: Here lyeth the body of Martha Lindsay wife to James Lindsay who died on the 29 of January Anno Domini 1743. Aged [the age is not visible]
Did no one see that there is clearly something rotten in the Province / state of New Hampshire? We have a James LINDSEY said to be married to an Ann Gypson in 1727/8 and who they attach to their family trees. And, we also have a James LINDSEY buried with his wife Martha in the Forest Hill Cemetery, whose Find-a-Grave memorial they also attach to their trees.
Did no one ask themselves . . . was James married more than once? Did Ann die? Did Ann and James divorce? Did James remarry; when? What happened to Ann? Where is she? Is there more than one James Lindsey in the area?
My goal was to determine if there really was a connection between James Lindsey and Archibald LINDSEY as noted on the DAR application. In order to do this however, I needed to untangle this new mystery . . . is there one James who was married first to Ann and then Martha? Or, is there more than one James Lindsey in the Londonderry, Rockingham, New Hampshire area and surrounding local?
It so happens at this point, I was scheduled to travel to New England, specifically Massachusetts, New Hampshire and New York, on a research trip. I planned to focus on my LINDSEY family. Specifically, Archi. And, I was hoping to really dive into research on James as well. In preparation for this trip, I went back over every single piece of evidence that I had on Archi to this point. From Archi “forward” I had not been as successful in untangling which of Archi’s wives were the mother of which of his children. More on this in a future blog. But while doing this, I came across hints (shaky leaves) or clues when searching other parts of the LINDSEY line that were either new to me, or I just hadn’t really focused on them before.
One clue was particularly interesting, and I came across this about a week before my trip. This ended up being the best time to run into it, because it was fresh and foremost in my mind when I traveled to New Hampshire. The Clue? The US and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s – 1900s.5 This abstract from the original record says that a James LINDSEY and his wife, Martha arrived on these shores, in New Hampshire, in 1720. Now, this is an index; an abstract, and it clearly notes “date and place of first mention of residence in the New World extracted from several sources, mainly ‘New Hampshire Provincial Deeds, 1641 – 1771,’ which are on microfilm at the New Hampshire Historical Society.” Well, isn’t that convenient. It just so happened, that a week after finding this, I would be in New Hampshire visiting the New Hampshire State Archives. The New Hampshire Historical Society was now added to my list of places to visit.
So, here’s the thing, the DAR application, and everyone thereafter, has been recording that James LINDSEY was married to an Ann Gypson (widow) 16 January 1727/8. This abstract alone, calls that information into question. First, note the year James arrived in New Hampshire; 1720. Note who he arrived with; wife, Martha. Now, go back and look at that headstone in the Forest Hill Cemetery and attached to the Find-a-Grave memorial. Do you see a problem? Martha and James were married when they arrived on these shores in 1720; the Rev. Hugh Adams’ records included in the New England Historical and Genealogical Register, 1847 – 2011, mentioned above, records a James Lindsey marrying an Ann Gypson (widow) 16 January 1727; and, Martha Lindsey, according to the headstone that she SHARES with her husband James LINDSEY, didn’t die until 1743.
So, are we looking at the same man, James LINDSEY, married twice and buried, at the time of his death in 1774, with his first wife, Martha? Or, are we looking at two different men? Time to look at those deeds mentioned in this latest clue.
The Royal Town Charter for Londonderry, in the new Province of New Hampshire, dated 1 June 1722.6
Samuel Shute, Esq., Governor; and Commander and Chief, Province of New Hampshire, on 1 June 1722, signed the Royal Town Charter, which granted “. . . equal shares unto sundry of our beloved subjects whose names are entered unto a schedule hereunto annexed that inhabit or shall inhabit. . . .”
James LINDSEY was among the sundry [many] granted equal shares of land.
To view the Londonderry Royal Town Charter, click here. Note, this novice blogger is using Google Docs for the first time, so fingers crossed that it works “as advertised.” If it doesn’t, I am sure that it is 100% operator error on my part.
The fourth and fifth page of the Royal Town Charter provides a “Schedule [list] of Names of the Proprietors of Londonderry. A list of approximately 122 “neighbors” of James LINDSEY. This will be helpful later.
I learned from the staff that the New Hampshire County Registries of Deeds has digitized the land deeds for Rockingham County and those records can be found on their website.. When I returned from my trip, land deeds were my sole focus. Remember, the Passenger and Immigration index noted “Provincial Deeds, 1641 – 1771.” I wanted to search both the “Verified Grantor” and “Verified Grantee” lists for 1629 to present. I searched for James LINDSEY using all known variants of the surname to include the four most common spellings I’ve seen throughout my research: LINDSEY; LINDSAY; LINSEY; and LINZEY.
I then set about reading and transcribing each deed – every single one. Forty-one deeds from 1722 – 1771. Then I went back and read through them again. I wanted to pick out pieces of information from each deed that I thought may be helpful in learning more about James and I took notes. I was looking to identify James’ FAN Club. That is, I was looking for his Family / Friends; Associates; and Neighbors. People that lived, worked, and associated with James and his family on a daily basis; people, that if found in a given place and time with a James LINDSEY, would later help me identify whether there was only one James Lindsey or whether there might be more than one. So, to that end, I made note of who James purchased land from or sold land to. Whether his wife was mentioned in the deed as relinquishing her dower and power of thirds. The boundaries - that is, who the neighbors were. And, I noted both who witnessed James’ signature and who signed as Justice of the Peace. I then took my notes and created an excel spreadsheet which would greatly assist in helping me to contrast; compare; and document my findings. Again, I was looking to learn whether there was one James LINDSEY or more than one.
To view the resulting spread sheet click here.
Okay, before getting into what I found, keep in mind we are wanting to determine if there is one James Lindsey, married twice? Or, whether there is more than one James Lindsey, in the same geographical area during the same time? And, we are looking to confirm, or deny, the assertion by many that James Lindsey is Archi’s father.
In the deed dated 15 June 17307 (see image below), James LINDSEY and his wife, Martha, sell property to their daughter, Jenat and son-in-law, John Wallace. The witnesses to this transaction were John Anderson and John McMurphy. James Mckeen, Justice of the Peace.
“To all Christian people to whom these presents shall come, greeting. Know ye that I James LINDSAY of Londonderry, within his Majesty’s Province of New Hampshire in New England for and in consideration of love and good will and affection which I have and do bear to my son, John Wallace, of the Town and Province aforesaid . . .”
“ . . . that Jenat Wallace the wife of the aforesaid, John Wallace, out live or survive her husband, John Wallace, that the aforesaid lands with all the improvements that shall or may be upon the same at his decease shall return and fall unto the said Jenat Wallace, wife to the aforesaid John Wallace and DAUGHTER to the aforesaid James LINDSEY . . .”
“. . . and Martha, the wife of the said James Lindsay, doth hereby give grant yield up and surrender all my right of dower and power of thirds . . .”
“ . . . Margaret, the wife of the said James Lindsay, doth by these presents give, grant, yield up, and surrender all her right of dower and power of thirds . . .”
“To all people to whom these presents shall come, greeting. Know ye that I James Lindsey of Canterbury in the Province of New Hampshire in New England, Cordwainer, for and in consideration of the paternal love and affection which I bear to MY DEARLY BELOVED DAUGHTER AND ONLY CHILD Elizabeth Lindsey of Canterbury aforesaid, spinster.”
“To all people to whom these presents shall come, greeting. Know ye that I James Lindsey of Canterbury in the Province of New Hampshire in New England, Cordwainer, for and in consideration of the love and affection which I bear to my beloved DAUGHTER-IN-LAW ELEANOR GIPSON, the daughter of my present wife by her first husband . . .”
What we have:
- A James LINDSEY, an early resident of Londonderry, Province of New Hampshire. (Royal Town Charter, dated 1 June 1722)
- A James LINDSEY and his wife, Martha, of Londonderry, Province of New Hampshire, selling land to their son-in-law, John Wallace (15 June 1730)
- A James LINDSEY and his wife, Margaret, of Londonderry, Province of New Hampshire, selling land to James Rodgers
- A James Lindsey, of Canterbury, Province of New Hampshire, transferring land to his beloved daughter and only child, Elizabeth (16 October 1749)
- A James Lindsey, of Canterbury, Province of New Hampshire, transferring land to his beloved daughter-in-law [step-daughter], Eleanor Gipson, the “daughter of my present wife by her first husband” (12 June 1750)
Out of forty-one land transactions James LINDSEY of Londonderry, Rockingham, Province / State of New Hampshire, bought and sold land from 1722 – 1767, a total of 12 times. And, all within Londonderry or Windham which was a part of Londonderry from 1719 – 1742. His land transactions never took him outside these two locals.
We have two James Lindseys of Canterbury, who both bought, sold, or “transferred” land. One James Lindsey “transferred” land to his only child, Elizabeth, 1749. And, in 1752, James purchased land from his daughter, Elizabeth and her husband, Nathaniel Perkins. Both transactions were within Canterbury.
The other James Lindsey on 12 June 1750, “transferred” land to his step-daughter, Eleanor Gipson. The land sold was located in the town of Canterbury. And, the deed notes that both Eleanor and her step-father, James Lindsey, were both from the town of Canterbury.
I have found no transaction for the purchase or sale of land outside of Canterbury for either of these James Lindseys.
So, as you can see, we do, in fact, have more than one James LINDSEY living at the same time in the same geographical location. There was indeed a James Lindsey married to an Ann GIPSON. A James Lindsey buying and selling land with his first wife, Martha and then after Martha’s death in 1743, with his second wife, Margaret. And, there was also a James Lindsey, selling land to his beloved daughter and only child, Elizabeth.
So, who is Archi’s dad? Well, I know who his father isn’t. It isn’t the James Lindsey who had only one child, a daughter, Elizabeth!
I’m scratching my head. These records were created in the 1700’s; they were witnessed, recorded and filed. And, they aren’t the only records that existed for that time and place for either of the three James LINDSEYs, For instance . . .
The History of Windham in New Hampshire (Rockingham County), 1719-188311 which records the Officers of the Provincial Government.
James LINDSEY of Londonderry is serving as a Town Officer of Londonderry / Windham in 1722. Now, I could be wrong, but I’d think, business, at the Provincial level, on a fairly regular basis would be taking place. And, the Government would be creating, recording and filing records. All of which “could” lead to information about James and his family.
Just in this one snippet, James LINDSEY is surrounded by his FANS. James McKeen and John McMurphy, Judicial Officers (Justice of the Peace) whom James appeared before to acknowledge that the transaction was his “free act and deed. James McKeen, John Goffe, James Gregg, Samuel Graves, Samuel Moore, James Alexander, John Cochran, all were not only witnesses to James Lindsey’s, Martha’s and Margaret’s signatures on the various land transactions from 1722 – 1771, but they also frequently bought land from and sold land to James Lindsey as well.
Our ancestors didn’t live in a vacuum, without any connection to other people or events. All of these records were available in 1953, when the first applicant applied to DAR for membership, citing Archibald LINDSEY as their Patriot Ancestor. They were available, when DAR’s genealogist reviewed, examined, and vetted the application and the supporting evidence, or as we’ve seen, the lack thereof. Yet, as far as I can see, to a person and organization, what was included in that application was taken as, and promulgated in every family tree, story, and conversation, as gospel. The irony is – without getting too involved with this analogy – that no matter your personal beliefs, we all know that there are many that would argue the validity of what Christians refer to as the Gospel (the Bible). They cite that it is just a collection of stories; that there is seemingly no documentation, nothing to support it’s accuracy, etc., etc. Yet, many a genealogist and family historian take what they see in print and online, in DAR applications; authored genealogies; family trees; family lore, etc. with no supporting evidence, or at least none cited, as . . . “gospel.”
Can James Lindsey be added to the family tree? Which James Lindsey? NOT MY FAMILY TREE!!! Not yet! There is nothing, nothing to substantiate the claim. And, I am not in the habit of adding anyone to my family tree that hasn’t been thoroughly researched and “proven” to a reasonable degree of certainty.
SLOW; PROCEED WITH CAUTION!!
We now know which James Lindsey is not Archi’s father, but we have two remaining candidates. The first, James Lindsey married to Martha, who was in Londonderry, Rockingham, New Hampshire as early as 1720; who remarried after Martha’s death in 1743. His second wife is known to be Margaret.
And, then there is the James Lindsey of Canterbury, who, as we’ve seen is indeed married to the widow Ann Gypson, and is the father of his beloved step-daughter Eleanor.
Two James Lindsey’s and three potential women that could be Archi’s mother. Ann Gypson; Martha; or Margaret. That will have to be a future blog post.
A lot more research required.
I am not a fan of lineage societies as a whole, but what I find particularly troubling about DAR is, they have, since their founding in 1890, set themselves apart by restricting membership to those who can “prove” their descent from an American Patriot. That is, an applicant must provide documentation proving relationship from the patriot down to themselves. DAR also sets themselves apart, insisting before an applicant is approved, a DAR genealogist must review and vet the submitted information and genealogies for accuracy. Unfortunately, and what is maddening, is this leads everyone to falsely conclude that if an applicant is admitted into the prestigious ranks of the Daughters of the American Revolution, their lineage is “golden” – err, proven. And, DAR does nothing to discourage this.
DAR allows for an applicant to “piggy back” on a so called, proven Revolutionary Ancestor with whom they share a “proven” common lineage. So, unless an applicant has anything to add . . . but, why would they? Why do research when it has already been done for you, right? Why go back and review what had been previously submitted; to oh, I don’t know, check on that pesky and glaring discrepancy mentioned above – you know Martha? Ann? Three James Lindseys? Why they should is obvious to any seasoned and discerning genealogist and family historian. However, the reality is, many, far too many, don’t and these errors persist causing tree rot.
And, therein lies the root – pun intended – of my problem. I’d be far more impressed with DAR if they stopped the practice of allowing new applicants to “piggy back” onto an existing application; an application that as we’ve seen can be with error. I’d be far more impressed if they’d insist that an applicant must do their own research or hire a professional to do so, of their genealogy and lineage back to the Patriot ancestor. If an applicant wishes to use the approved application package of a former member and the information contained within, they may do so with the knowledge that they be used as hints only. There will be nothing from the existing package accepted as “proof” that cannot be duplicated by research today. And, I’d be very impressed if they were a little more obvious then they currently are, that their “proven” patriots and lineage files are not without error, some more glaring than others. Far too many are susceptible to the notion that if an application has been approved by DAR the lineage is “proven” and without error. Well, it has to be, right? Or, DAR wouldn’t have accepted it. That is the perception DAR promotes when it states that only applicants with a “proven” lineage will be accepted for membership to their august organization.
As you research your family, strive to review everything with a critical eye. There are tools, from the simple, such as the excel spreadsheet I’ve linked above - they need not be fancy, it can be as simple and basic as pencil and paper - to the technical. . And, there are best practices and standards - the Genealogical Proof Standard - that are available to guide the novice to the professional. Insist on knowing where the information came from. As we’ve seen, just because it is in print or accepted by a prestigious and established organization and lineage society does not mean that the information is full-proof. Humans created the documents; humans assessed the documents and humans are not without error! And, lastly, even if supporting documentation is available, you / we should all read through it, transcribe it, critically review it and make our own determination as to the accuracy of the information. And, as to the information in toto.
Yes, this means hours upon hours of work. In some cases creating spreadsheets, or what have you, to contrast and compare. Collecting documents not only on who we believe to be our ancestor, but as you’ve seen, collecting documents created by their FANs and most importantly, in the case of our ancestors with common names, collecting documents that were created by any person with the same name, in the same general local, and really reading them; transcribing them; dissecting them; comparing the information they contain, against what we’ve learned about others with the same name; creating a timeline to see where there are gaps, overlaps, impossibilities and probabilities. ALL of this will help to find OUR ancestor and document them. And, of course, it will ultimately help us climb OUR family tree and not someone else’s!!!
A note to the reader: To learn more about the Genealogical Proof Standard, I highly recommend viewing a series of YouTube videos put together by Ancestry’s Corporate Genealogist, Crista Cowan. They are no more than 30 minutes in length and are choc full of information, tips, etc. Crista’s presentation style is such that the novice to the professional can all learn something; they are not collegiate and you feel as though Crista is in the room and talking directly to you. The series is free and I highly recommend saving them to refer back to. Here is a link to the series.
Crista also has an excellent video presentation on the “FAN Club” method of research. That is researching the Family / Friends, Associates, and Neighbors of our ancestors. Here is the link.
Another professional genealogist and speaker that I highly recommend is Mr. Warren Bittner, CG. I first heard him speak at the 2014 NGS Genealogy Conference in Richmond, Virginia. He was AWESOME!!! If you ever get the opportunity to hear him speak in person, GO to hear him!! Do NOT pass go; do not collect $200.00, go directly to hear his presentation!! You will not regret it. Warren Bittner, during his 2014 NGS session, presented a very interesting topic reference proving identities, and did so in an entertaining way. What I got out of that presentation was better understanding of what is meant by a reasonably exhaustive search. Hint . . . the research that I’ve done and what I have written about here is just the beginning phases of my foray into a reasonably exhaustive search on James LINDSEY. As they say . . . I’ve only just begun!
For those that have a Legacy Family Tree Webinars subscription, you can access archived presentations by Warren in their webinar library.
I challenge each of you, as you research, to go SLOW! And, PROCEED WITH CAUTION!
What similar challenges have you had in researching your ancestors and how did you ultimately resolve the conflict? Or, is the “jury still out?” I look forward to learning what worked for you. I am all about “collecting” tips and tricks that will help me and others further their research and ultimately documenting all of our ancestors.
Tracy
Copyright © 2017 Family Preserves; Tracy L Meyers
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SOURCES:
1Membership application, Frances E Whitney, National No.336908, on Archibald Lindsey (1744 – 1835), approved 4 November 1953; Daughters of the American Revolution, Washington, DC
2Margaret Isabella Lindsey, The Lindsays of America, (1889; reprint, Westminster, Maryland: Heritage Books, Inc, 2008), pages 141 – 143
3Ancestry.com. The New England Historical & Genealogical Register, 1847 – 2011 (database online). Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Image 191
4Find A Grave, database with images (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 6 April 2014), memorial 18369952, James Lindsey (1680 – 1774), Forest Hill Cemetery, East Derry, Rockingham, New Hampshire; gravestone photograph by D J Goldman
5Ancestry.com and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s – 1900s [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc. 2010. COPELY, WILLIAM. “Scotch-Irish Settlers in New Hampshire, 1719 – 1776.” In Historical New Hampshire (New Hampshire Historical Society, Concord), Vol. 50:3/4 (Fall/Winter 1995), pp. 213-228 (page 221)
6”New Hampshire, Royal Town Charter, Province of Londonderry, 1722,” Land Deeds, New Hampshire State Archives, Concord
7“New Hampshire County Registries of Deeds,” database, nhdeeds.com (http://www.nhdeeds.com : accessed 26 August 2017) entry for James Lindsey, Rockingham County Registry of Deeds; citing verified Grantor 1629 – 2017, digital images, volume 0017:360-361
8“New Hampshire County Registries of Deeds,” database, nhdeeds.com (http://www.nhdeeds.com : accessed 23 August 2017) entry for James Lindsey, Rockingham County Registry of Deeds: citing verified Grantor 1629 – 2017, digital images, volume 34:117-119
9“New Hampshire County Registries of Deeds,” database, nhdeeds.com (http://www.nhdeeds.com : accessed 23 August 2017) entry for James Lindsey, Rockingham County Registry of Deeds: citing verified Grantor 1629 – 2017, digital images, volume 70:340-342
10“New Hampshire County Registries of Deeds,” database, nhdeeds.com (http://www.nhdeeds.com : accessed 23 August 2017) entry for James Lindsey, Rockingham County Registry of Deeds: citing verified Grantor 1629 – 2017, digital images, volume 40:274-275
11Ancestry.com. The History of Windham in New Hampshire (Rockingham County), 1719-1883 : a Scotch Settlement (Commonly Called Scotch-Irish), [database online], Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations Inc. 2005
Tracy,
ReplyDeleteWhen you say that the DAR applications had no source citations, how exactly do you know that? Did you actually view the applications and the supporting documentation that was submitted with them?
The original application filed was done in 1953. Long before the rigid standards of documentation that DAR requires today. However the application was submitted with documentation and the source citations are clearly on the application:
1) For his service as a private in Capt. Jennings Co, the source cited is: Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors in the War of the Revolution, Vol 9, pg 827
For the lineage (again, the source citations (heavily abbreviated) are on the application:
1) The Lindsey Association of America, pg 70
2) The Lindsey's of America by Margaret Isabella Lindsey, pp 44-45
3) The Biographical Review of Livingston and Wyoming Counties, New york, pg 401
Tombstone photos from Maxon and Lindsey cemeteries at Atica, Genesee County, New York - applicant's personal family genealogy collection - Benjamin Lindsey and Archibald Lindsey
A photocopy of a page of a book that belonged to Benjamin Lindsey - contains date of marriage of Benjamin & Abigail, the date of their daughter Roxanna birth, date of birth for Benjamin
A photocopy of a letter written in 1821 by Hiram Moore and his wife Deborah to their daughter Abigail and her husband Benjamin Lindsey
The following two applications for DAR membership, using Archibald as their patriot ancestor are very clearly up to todays DAR standards for documentation.
All of the following records were used to document the lineage: Probate records, Court records, Census records, Tax records, obituaries, Civil War pension file, death certificates, marriage certificates, birth certificates.
DAR allows a new applicant to piggyback off of another previously submitted application ONLY IF THAT APPLICATION HAS BEEN (OR ALREADY IS) BROUGHT UP TO THE CURRENT RIGID STANDARDS OF DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED BY DAR TODAY.
It is really unfair of you to criticize DAR's policy on acceptable documentation to prove a lineage without being a little more informed or educated about this issue.
Sheri, thank you for visiting Family Preserves. I appreciate your taking the time to comment.
DeleteYes, indeed I did look at the applications and the complete file to include the "supporting documentation" for the original applicant in 1953.
I don't dispute what you've typed here about the Soldiers and Sailors, et al. However, the Soldiers and Sailors info. was one sentence: Archi's name, "unit" he served in; name of person he served under and dates of service, September 1777 - October 1777. When taking a look at the Soldiers and sailors book quoted, I find no so source for the information included within its covers. So, as far as I'm concerned, it's record and, the application citing it as a source, and DAR's acceptance thereof is flimsy. Now, as I stated in the initial paragraphs of my post, I have since, found actual documents that support Archi's service, his payroll and muster cards. However, those were not cited in the application; nowhere by DAR in their handwritten comments on the application and certainly nowhere else that I have found.
The subject of today's post is that nowhere in that application or anywhere else is anything cited about how the connection between Archi and James being his father was made.
The Book the Lindsays of America I too cited within this post and as I noted, no source citations were provided by the author Margaret Isabella Lindsay. It is however noted that she contacted ALL known Lindseys across America and took at face value the information she received. And, in some instances when she did not here back from a person or persons, took what she was told by others at face value. I too find this problematic and it is clearly seen here in this post why.
As to the rest of your comments, yes, I don't dispute that those things were mentioned. But none of them provide more than inference as to connection and most don't do that. They simply restate what has been stated before.
As I noted in the beginning paragraphs of this post, I was able to, using the clues within both the DAR applications AND Margaret Isabella Lindsay's The Lindsays of America, substantiate with actual documents that were in existence since pre-1953, my lineage back to Archi. But my issue, and it is my personal opinion, that both the applicant and the DAR genealogist(s) at the time, should have noted some problems, as noted here about Archi's father and should have been able to provide substantiating evidence other than inferences.
Today's post however was about the problem of the leap that has been taken, largely due to DAR's acceptance of the application having "proven" lineage, that James Lindsey, married to Ann Gypson is Archi's father.
As I have proven, we don't know that. There is more than one James and more than one possible female that could be his mother. To make a definitive statement that the James Lindsey married to Ann is his father is problematic. And, quite possibly not accurate. More research is needed.
Tracy, I loved your analysis unto it turned into an (unfair) rant about DAR applications. Yes, in the early days, all it took was "Daddy or Grandpa told me. . ." but today's standards are very stringent and proof must be provided if it wasn't included in an earlier application. 1953 standards were very different to today's requirements. There have been close to a million DAR members. No new members would ever get approved if the genealogists had to spend all their time researching the old lines. However, those old lines - and even some fairly recent lines - get closed all the time because they are disproved when someone tries to join through an ancestor proved years ago. There is even a committee who works to prove or permanently close these "cold cases."
ReplyDeleteLinda, thank you for visiting Family Preserves and taking the time to comment.
DeleteMy opinion of DAR was not a rant. It was an opinion born out of my personal observation. The observation that, as I stated when a researcher finds an approved membership application package, they unfortunately falsely conclude that lineage has been "proven." And, while I do understand that DAR recognizes today that there are many so called "proven" packages that aren't without error and wouldn't pass muster today, the perception remains that if an application was approved it is indeed "proven." I just personally do not feel or believe that enough is said by DAR to discourage this.
The package on Archibald Lindsey, my ancestor is an example. It has not been flagged and it is indeed with problems. While my post was not about Archi, I did note that I used the so called sources within the package - my view of them is that it was information provided by others but no actual record document - and therefore, hearsay and a clue only. But, nonetheless, they can be used and I did use them to actually research and document, with actual record documents - my lineage from myself to Archi. And, my point . . . I was able to do that. And, I until I had received a copy of the entire 1953 applicant package, I had been under the impression just like many others before and many who will come after me, that DAR did the review and verified the research - ie they researched - the validity and accuracy of a package. So, I have been scratching my head since I started this journey as to why they didn't. The records are there. I found them on Archi.
A different story with James. James is provided as Archi's father on the application. But I have seen nothing as to how or why that leap was made. And, that was the subject of my so called "rant." Clearly as noted and demonstrated within the post, records - the land deeds alone - clearly indicate that there is more than one James Lindsey, so how did they the applicant and subsequently DAR by its approval of the application determine that James, husband of the widow Ann Gypson was the father? And, oh by the way, how was James birth and origin determined?
DAR does very good works both in the community at large and for the genealogy community at large. I don't dislike DAR. I've been to their DC facility and I've learned from the present genealogist that Archi's file will not be flagged unless and until a descendent were to submit a package and then of course it will be up for review. I find that maddening and unfortunate. Because until it is flagged with notations as to the problems it contains, anyone researching that line; that family will continue to be under the false notion that it is "proven." And, this is why I blogged about this subject. This descendent will not be applying to DAR, I simply have no desire to do so. But I don't dislike them, I just wish and encourage more forthright acknowledgement and transparency that these records in many cases have issues and/or outright error. If you or other proponents of DAR take exception to my personal opinion. So be it. It is my opinion.
DAR application papers are like online family trees - buyer beware as some are 100% correct and others totally wrong. As I already said, I really enjoyed your analysis and if you were going to get sidetracked by DAR apps, it should have been in a separate post. It took away from your excellent work.
ReplyDeleteLinda, again thank you. I truly do appreciate your comments and perspective.
DeleteHowever, I was not "distracted" by DAR within this post. This post was specifically about James Lindsay, not one but three!! And, the fact that while the DAR "approved" application accepted him as part of the so called "proven" lineage, it was, as I've shown to be in error. Both were the subject of this post and neither, in this blogger's opinion, could be discussed separately.
We will simply have to agree to disagree.
Agreed. :)
ReplyDelete