Hello All & Happy Thanksgiving!
I've been working on a new database which can be built by submissions
from genealogists nationwide.
I would appreciate it if you would take the time to look at it and make
suggestions for improvement.
I've intended it to be available to anyone to make submissions with the
end result being (hopefully) that we could track a circuit rider (or a
teacher, lawyer, miller, doctor, undertaker, etc.) from one community to
the next and thus possibly find the place where they were laid to
eternal rest, and left some type of estate record.
The database is called "Circuit Rider / Pioneer Professionals Database"
and can be found at:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~ohauglai/index.htm
The format will allow for submissions with a credible source - I'm
hoping this will keep erroneous information to a minimum. If you find
this database a useful tool, I would appreciate it if you could create a
link to it for genealogists to find easily.
I came up with the idea because I believe one of my ancestors was a
Methodist Minister ca 1850 in Fairfield / Pickaway / Hocking Co. In the
1850 Census, my great great grandfather, William Steel(e) is listed in
the household of James Steel as follows:
1850 CENSUS:
Fairfield County:
Steel, James, Age 50, Laborer, $100/Real Estate b. 1800
, Eliza, Age 52, b. 1798
, Silas, Age 13, b. 1837
, John, Age 8, b. 1842
, James, Age 7, b. 1843
, Lewis, Age 18, b. 1832
, William, Age 23, b. 1827, Laborer
And then we found this, as well as other references to Rev. James Steel,
and Rev. J. Steel of the Methodist Church (Fairfield Co.):
Memorandum Book of Semiramis Buchwalter: Saturday eve. March
6th 1852, Adelphia Rev. J. W. Steele's text 1st Corinthians 2nd
chapter, 8th verse. And another entry: Was married to Mr. Thomas
Patterson by the Rev. J. W. Steele of the Methodist Church April 8,
1851, on Tuesday afternoon, 2 o'clock. Mrs. Semiramis B.
Patterson.
We have not yet been able to find any type of death record or estate
record in the four county area for this James Steel (who may be a son or
grandson of the Revolutionary War Soldier who applied for a pension in
Fairfield Co., OH). I've begun to believe that this James Steel moved
on to another Methodist Church.
So, you can see that originally my idea came from the hope of personal
gain - but I'm hoping that others will also be able to benefit from the
results of this database. Look forward to suggestions and input.
Thank you - and have a wonderful family-filled Thanksgiving Day!
Rachel Meyer
--
buzmeyer(a)bright.net
Home Page:
http://www.bright.net/~buzmeyer/
Auglaize Co. OHGenWeb:
http://www.genweb.brightusa.net/index.html
Pickaway Co. OHGenWeb:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~ohpickaw/index.html
Circuit Rider / Pioneer Professionals Database:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~ohauglai/index.htm