2024 WikiTree Challenge 5: Research for Randy Seaver is happening now

Question

Hello WikiTreers!

In the WikiTree Challenge, we research together to make discoveries for a special genealogy guest star. We research their family out to seven degrees in all directions. 

Challenge #5 is a going to be a good one! We're partnering with long-time friend of WikiTree, Randy Seaver. He is a native San Diegan. His ancestry is mainly colonial New England and Upper Atlantic, with some colonial German, French and Dutch forebears, and several 19th-century English immigrants. He has been pursuing his elusive ancestors since 1988, and has been online since 1992. Randy blogs daily about genealogy subjects at Genea-Musings (www.geneamusings.com) and the Chula Vista Genealogy Cafe (http://CVGenCafe.blogspot.com).

Countries that we know will be involved so far: Canada, England, Germany, United States (Connecticut, Illinois, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Vermont, New York).

Our week begins Thursday, May 2, at noon EDT (4pm UTC) and ends May 9, at noon EDT. You don't need any particular skills to participate, so everyone is welcome to join us! 

If you would like to help, all you need to do is post an answer below letting us know you are interested. You'll receive an email shortly before the challenge week starts with details on how to get involved.

Let's do this!

• May 2 Noon EDT/4pm UTC Kickoff - https://wikitree.zoom.us/j/82381469335
• May 4 Noon EDT/4pm UTC Weekend Chat - https://wikitree.zoom.us/j/86213610372
• May 9 Noon EDT/4pm UTC Wrapup - https://wikitree.zoom.us/j/81985504089
• May 16 8 PM EDT/4pm UTC Reveal - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3TaxCgDnOE

Comments

P.S. Share the , spread the word!

Challenge 5 Media Outreach

Answer 1

Connection #1: Frank Walton Seaver

Comments

I connected Frank to the big tree through his wife's tree to Bryant-17786 who was already in wikitree. (I think there is a closer connection as well.)

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Good job, Fran!

Answer 2

Connection #2: Hattie Louisa Hildreth

Comments

Ive just made a connection through the Brigham Line but its kinda around the houses. Maria Wilder Brigham I added her Father Stephen B Brigham and then connected his Father Samuel Brigham. Think you have to go back a long way for the connection Thomas Brigham born circa 1603 - curiosity got the better of me because both families end up in Boylston, Massachusetts

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This is the profile for Aurelius Brigham who was born in Sterling, Massachusetts and died there, but lived for a time in Boylston, Massachusetts

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I have connected Hattie (Hildreth-78) to the big tree through her ggrandfather's brother's wife's sister's husband who was already in Wikitree. Peter Manning (Manning-10177)

Answer 3

Connection #3: Thomas Richmond

Comments

I've connected Maria Richman-443 to her existing husband, William Henry Haney-979.

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Nice! Good work, Chris.

Answer 4

Connection #4: Juliet White

Answer 5

Connection #5: Henry Austin Carringer

Comments

I have linked Henry Austin Carringer to the big tree through his 1st cousin, 1X removed, Julia Ann (Carringer) Williamson (Carringer-191) who already in the tree.

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Awesome, Robin!

Answer 6

Connection #6: Abbie Ardell Smith

Answer 7

Connection #7: Charles Auble

Comments

I connected Charles to the big tree through his sister's (Auble-6) husband's (Buntin-310) brother (Buntin-93) who was already in Wikitree. https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Buntin-93

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Good work!

Answer 8

Connection #8: Georgianna Kemp

Comments

I have connected her through her sister's (Kemp-184) husband, Andrew Cropp's (Cropp-299) grandfather (Cropp-190) who was already in Wikitree. (https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Cropp-190)

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Well done!

Answer 9

These brick walls were mentioned specifically by Randy. You can work on them any time during the week and if you break one you will get bounty points for it. Comment on this answer if you do break one!

Bonus Brick Walls:

1. Who are 2nd GGF Devier James Smith's (1839-1894) parents? He was adopted by Ranslow and Mary (Bell) Smith in Jefferson County NY after birth and had his last name officially changed from Lamphear to Smith in 1866 in Wisconsin. I'm pretty sure his grandparents were Isaac and Rosina (Laun) Lanfear of Lorraine, Jefferson county, NY, but I don't know which Lanfear child was Devier's parent, and who the other parent was. I have DNA matches with descendants of Isaac and Rosina Lanfear.
2. Who are 4th GGM Hannah Smith's (1768-1827) parents? She married Josiah Sartell in 1789 in Amherst MA and resided with him in Brookline NH And Townsend MA.
3. Who are 5th GGM Hannah Brown's (1725-1774) parents? She married John Phillips in 1749 and resided in Southboro and Shrewsbury MA.
4. Who are 4th GGM Sarah Fletcher's (1802-b1850) parents? She married Abraham Kemp in 1818 probably in Prince Edward County, Ontario. I have a Bible record for a name, birth and marriage date, but no other record.
5. Who are 4th GGM Mary Palmer's (c1790-c1845) parents? She married James Vaux in 1808 in South Petherton, Somerset, and migrated to the US and died in Aurora, Erie, NY.
6. Who are 3rd GGF William Knapp's (1775-1856) parents? He was in Dutchess County NY and married in 1804 and resided in Newton NJ for decades.
7. Who is 5th GGF Stephen Feather's (c1736-c1804) wife? He was from Germany and settled in New Jersey and then Westmoreland County, PA.

Comments

I found Mary Palmer’s father,

Ann

Answer 10

Brick Wall #1: Paul Schaffner (parent)

Comments

Added parents.

Father - Herman Schaffner https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Schaffner-435

Mother - Mary Ann Paul

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Paul-11045

Answer 11

Brick Wall #2: John Brocke (parent)

Answer 12

Brick Wall #3: Jessie Brown (parent)

Comments

Jessie's parents, Aaron and Julia Baker Brown are in!

Answer 13

Brick Wall #4: Ethel Judson (parent)

Comments

Ethel's parents, Lucy and William Judson are in!

Answer 14

Brick Wall #5: Anne Natvig (parent)

Comments

Anne's parents were Elling Eriksen Natvig (Natvig-7) and Anna Ellingsdatter (Ellingsdatter-274).

Answer 15

Brick Wall #6: Benjamin Peterson (parent)

Comments

Benjamin Peterson's parents were Bert Peterson (Peterson-19980) and Anna Maria Järdings (Järdings-1).

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Connected Anna Maria Jardings as Benjamins mother

Answer 16

Brick Wall #7: Dean Yale (parent)

Comments

Dean Rich Yale's parents were Milo Yale (Yale-801) and Ella May Rich (Rich-8802)