Laurie's posting re Elias Koser was so interesting. It proves no matter how difficult
we shouldn't give up the search for missing ancestors. And look in a lot of what
might seem like unlikely places.
I want to mention another place to look that most genealogists probably don't
consider. The Shakers had villages in several parts of the east, founded in the early
1800's, as early as 1805. I used to wonder how our ancestors could be there because
Shakers were celibate until I learned more about the Shakers and their villages. Shakers
took in families and orphans all during the 1800's and these people took a vow of
celibacy, but many didn't stay in the village. In fact, there was such a thing as
"winter Shakers", folks who took refuge there during harsh winters, or when they
didn't know where else to turn. Some stayed, but some left inthe spring or stayed a
few years, then went back to "the world". The Shakers also took in orphans.
Sometimes parents would leave the children when they couldn't provide and sometimes
other relatives would place children there when the parents had died. These children
would have a home there until they were able to choose whether they wanted to stay and
always had the freedom to leave at any time. Many did when they reached maturity. So you
see, this could effectively help one of our ancestors "disappear off the face of the
earth" for as much as 20 years in the case of an infant. The Shakers did not
paticipate in the "ways of the world" so their records are not in the places we
would usually look. The children were schooled in an excellent manner and quite equipped
to go out on their own if they did choose to. Many married couples with children did stay
in the villages for long periods of time, then leave sometime later and resume family
life. So it's another place to look.
Recently, the Village at Pleasant Hill, a completely restored village, has begun printing
for sale some of their early Journals which detail the comings and goings of some of their
people. I have bought two and will be going there next weekend and hope to buy more.
These journals are for sale in the gift shop at the Village. It would be wonderful if
they could be put online.
Below is a wonderful website with info on the Shakers done by a researcher who FOUND her
ancestor through research at the Village. I believe the site also lists other locations of
Shaker settlements. Good luck to everyone in your searches.
http://reddys.homestead.com/shaker.html
Ann in Ohio