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Surnames: Carden, Cardin
Classification: Query
Message Board URL:
http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/FgH.2ACIB/357
Message Board Post:
Hi Everybody,
I am relatively new to this but by sheer tenacity, dumb luck and relying on the research
of others–thanks to everyone by the way--as well as investigating my own family archives,
I have managed to trace my lineage to Ansel L. Carden (whom I will designate as A1), b. in
NC in about 1798, and who by 1830 had established himself in Carter County Tennessee. I
have, as have other people before me from my line, now hit the proverbial brick wall, as I
cannot definitively trace Ansel to anyone in particular.
However, I have noted the following: the name Ansel/Ancel etc., appears in other Carden
lines from time to time in Tennessee post-1830, suggesting that perhaps people were naming
their sons after A1–he does appear to be a prominent citizen in that area. I have also
found the name Leonard Ansel in several Carden lines that precede A1, including a child
born in NC in 1798 named Leonard Ansel to John Carden and Sara Fuller. However, this
person appears to have moved to Alabama. I am curious as to when Ansel or one of its
derivatives (Ancil, Ansil, Anselm etc.) first appeared as either a given or middle name in
the NC/Va Carden lines. If I can find this out perhaps I can hazard a reasonable guess as
to whether A1 was named after one of his ancestors.
The 1800 Federal Census for NC reveals several Cardens living in Orange and Granville
counties who have young sons under 10 at that time. I’m thinking that A1 must be one of
them.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Byron Pearson