Hi, everyone,
On a recent trip back east, had a wonderful opportunity to blitz into
Lafayette on our way from Indianapolis to Chicago. Had about only an
hour--we stretched it to two--and we headed to the Tippecanoe County
Historical Association's library to see what we could find. The library
assistant, Kim, was wonderfully helpful, and we came away from there not
believing how much we could find in such a short time! We can't wait to go
back, though it will take some doing and probably won't be for another year
or so...
Shock of shocks--we were able to actually handle marriage documents from the
1860s, blitz through obit and legal indices with supporting documents
conveniently arranged. We found a declaration dated Aug 4, 1851, showing my
husband's g-g-g'fa John STEVENS' intention to become US citizen, indicating
his travel route from Liverpool, England, through New Orleans, LA, up to
Lafayette, IN, with arr date in New Orleans Dec 1850. It shows he was b
County Mayo, Ireland--my first indication of where the STEVENS family
originated in Ireland!
Also found a dec (dated Oct 10, 1854) for a Hugh STEVENS, aged 33, also from
County Mayo, who traveled the same route from Liverpool to New Orleans in
Dec 1852, and then to Lafayette. Don't know if he is a relative of our John
STEVENS yet, but will check into it.
Found a marriage entry in a Lafayette journal dated Nov 27 1860, for John
STEVENS and Eliza MURDOCK. Eliza was probably the step-mom for my husband's
g-g'fa John Kelly STEVENS. His mother was Catherine KELLY. We have not been
able to find either John or Catherine in the 1850 or 1860 census, and now I
know why: he (possibly both of them?) were on board ship headed for New
Orleans *after* the 1850 census, she passed away abt 1858, leaving him
single for the 1860 census (even though I still can't find him!) bef his
marr in November.
Finally, found the John STEVENS (listed "STEAVENS" 1813-1893) grave in
Lafayette, also courtesy of the Historical Assn's well-organized maps of all
cemeteries there. Good thing, too--the weather was terrible that day...think
we were being followed by a tornado, which did indeed touch down that day
farther south in the state. What a day for traveling, but what a great
harvest for our own personal family history!
If you ever get a chance to be in the area, pls consider checking out the
Historical Assn's library. It certainly turned out to be a great way to
efficiently use our limited research time!
And...if anyone on this list is researching either the MURDOCK or STEVENS
line, I'd love to hear from you. Also anyone with any clues about my mystery
man, Hugh STEVENS.
Jacqi