It's been along trip and its sure good to be home. I goofed and didn't
turn off my html on my laptop, so my progress reports did not go
through.So here is my progress in a nut shell. (Big Nut)
Rome, GA to photograph my Grandfather and family gravesites. Then
to Cobb Co. GA. Not much found, seems that the family moved on after
1880 Cobb Co. Census with the exception of GF and brother Joe and will
have to look at adjouning states. Atlanta Archives not much help, but
found research done on GGF and wife. Also found Medical Licenses for
three of GGF brothers. Off to Blairsville, Union Co. GA where family
of Barney settled from TN. Old Courthouse in town square now home of
Union Co. Histerical Society (I know it's Historical). Bought book
"History of Union Co. GA" that has a lot of good familiy histories.
Also bought 1996 calender that features home of Dr. William Casteel.
Home is soon to be listed as state Historical Landmark. Home recently
purchased by son of GA State Supreme Court Justice and was told that
he did a quite of bit of research into Casteel Family. I have his
phone number and will contact him. There are two Casteel Cemeteries
listed in Union Co. The first has about fifteen depressions with no
markers and the second lists one female Casteel which i will post
soon. Found the Drs. Home and photographed it. Went to Antiock Church
and Cemetery and photographed about 10 gravesites most decendants of
Robert and Rachel Casteel, will post list. Off to Nashville Archives
where the information is more than we could glean in the time we had.
The people were extremely helpful and we took down as much as we could
in the time we had. (More time is needed and next year we will
schedule more time) Next stop Harrisburg. PA, Not alot was found and
it was on to Philladelphia and The Philladelphia Free Library where i
contacted Walter Stock that i had previous Email disscussion with.
Walter was extremely helpful with the history of the family. We found
a listing for the wills of Edmond and Christian and Walter said that
they were on file with City . I couldn't believe that i was able to
handle the actual document. Copies were paid for and they were here
upon my return home. I will post them as soon as i get them
deciphered. Also have copy of an eight part acticle done in the Boston
Times (I think) in 1938 and if you wish will post it . It starts in
1404 with Giles Du Chastel and follows the line into the 1700's. While
it does not tie Edmond to an exact family line it does however state
that he is from this line. It pictures his family seal from his ring
(Not the family crest) and shows the family line into the late 1700's
and has exerpts from his will. I will post other information found in
Philladelphia later.
Next stop Maryland Archives (OOPS Closed on Monday), off to
Andrews Air Force Base. If it hadn't been for an Air Force Sergeant at
The Visitor Center i would have not been allowed on base for you have
to be sponsored to get a pass. After several different trys, he said
call Public Affairs and tell them you are doing RESEARCH. The lady in
Public Affairs sponsored me. The Church (Shown as a PGC Historical
Landmark) had only 35 gravesites most from the late 1800's forward and
none of the names we were researching. While in the area i checked
out all of the area cemetries and "No Cigar". What i did find out from
a caretaker was that most of the headstones were made from limestone
in that period and didnot stand up to time and weather.
Back to Annapolis and the Public Library. Found some tidbits, but
nothing exciting. Next morning to MD Archives, I was told not expect
much except land and tax records and maybe marriage records. she was
right.
Additional Information, I have a copy of Shadrack Casteels will,
which i will post as soon as deciphered . A history of Thomas Casteel
from Garrett Co. MD to Bedford Co. PA, listing children and marriages
and births of children and some of their marriages.
On file at the State Capitol in Trenton, NJ is the original document
signed by Queen Anne commissioning Edmond Du a Captian and giving him
command of the Sloop Resolution. (I was not able to get this document
by my get it by writting for it, I'll try)
Gotta get some sleep (8300 miles of driving does a thing to your body)
Dennis