Geiszler Genealogy

Tessa Keough discussed the basics of a One-Name Studies in her One-Name Study entitled "Who Does That?" An Introduction to One-Name (Surname) Studies. I loved the title and the question "Who Does That?" My answer is, "I do! Well, sort of." In quickly researching the concept of searching for the occurrences of one name in one place and best practices for the process, I have found several One-Name Study organizations. That is a little more intense than what I'm seeking to accomplish I simply want to see if any other Townsends in Franklin County, Ohio are possibly related to William James Townsend, my 2nd great-grandfather. If I find a Townsend living in Franklin County who is not likely to be a relative, I will stop researching that line rather than become an expert knowing all the migration and back story. For those who seek to have guild approved studies, I wish you all the best in your endeavors. Given that William James Townsend is in the 18...

Last time, I shared the fact that I'm starting a one-name study of Townsends in Franklin County, Ohio. Prior to digging into the study, I shared what I know about William James Townsend's family. I have been as reasonably exhaustive as I am able within the constraints of time, location, and funds. However, there is something I could do and that is research all the Townsends in Franklin County, Ohio. I am limiting my scope to those families I find in the 1880 US Census all because of William's daughter Ida. Ida Jane Townsend was born on 25 April 1867 in Hamilton Township, Franklin County 1 , Ohio. She is the second oldest of William and Mary (Clabaugh) Townsend's 10 children. Here are some other facts I know about Ida: 1870 resides in Hamilton, Franklin, Ohio 2 1880 is not listed in the home of her parents 3 14 Nov 1885 marries Lawrence (or Loren) Sanborn in Franklin County, Ohio 4 13 Nov 1889 her father William Townsend dies 5 by this time, Ida has had th...

Howdy Folks! I'm going to get genealogy crazy. I'm trying to crack through a brick wall for my Civil War ancestor William James Townsend. Starting in January of last year, I shared William's pension file and the things I learned and the questions I still had . William Townsend Pension Declaration The pension file gave me a few new pieces of information and the story of how William became blind. Unfortunately, no siblings or parental information was found. How can I find these pieces of information? Start with What You Know William James Townsend born abt 1842 in Ohio 1, 2, Birth records don't become available until 1867 1860 resides in Madison Township, Franklin County, Ohio 3 Single, farm laborer, boarding in the home of Robert Henderson June 1863 Madison Township, Franklin County, Ohio 4 Civil War Draft Registration Single, farm laborer Recorded same time as John Townsend, married, age 27 of Madison May 1864 - August 1864 Serves in ...

With a common name like John Long, it would be easy to confuse two people as one. However, I'm 95% certain that my 3rd Great Grandfather John Long has two stones. Here's what I know about John W Long: b. 16 February 1805 in Lycoming, Pennsylvania d. 8 October 1870 in New Haven, Huron, Ohio The recorded family story by John's granddaughter Elizabeth Long (the family historian of sorts) is this: On 8 Oct 1870, John W. Long was stricken with a heart attack.  He did not die immediately so William, his third oldest son, was able to get home before he died. William had taken grain to the mill earlier in the day. In a letter from Elizabeth, she said her grandfather was buried in New Haven. The Cemetery is believed now to be called the New Haven Cemetery in Willard, Huron, Ohio. I found this stone in the cemetery: John W and Charles Long Gravemarker New Haven Cemetery Memorial # 97722636, Photographer  SavingRecordsForOurFuture The inscription is hard to read but the name does s...

Genealogy is kind of addicting. Sometimes, I get rather lost in the branches. As such, I run into mysteries that I can't seem to solve from the top down. I figured the genealogy community is awesome and may have ways to help me solve a mystery. Otherwise, perhaps a Karlsberger from Franklin County, Ohio might stumble upon my blog and help me solve this problem. My potential 3rd great-grand uncle George Paul Karlsberger was born on 10 August 1825 in Bavaria. Another researcher suggested his connection to my 3rd great-grandmother Anna Magaretha Karlsberger who married Christian or Christopher Hoppe. Margaretha was born 29 February 1824. There are no definitive records linking George and Margaretha. And Margaretha's parents were not recorded, though parents for George were suggested. As you can see, I am about to head down a twig on the tree that might be gnarled, or legitimate. George Karlsberger had six children born in Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio to his wife Maria Elizabeth...

Last week, I shared all the rich knowledge that I learned from the Civil War Pension file for William James Townsend and his wife Mary Clabaugh of Franklin County, Ohio. This week, I'll recap all the questions the file generated. Marriage Certificate for William Townsend and Mary Clabaugh It seems that when one question is answered, more questions arise. Perhaps this makes me a sleuth. Perhaps this makes me a little too curious for my own good. Hopefully I can answer some of the questions on my list. Perhaps they'll forever remain unanswered. It's nice to know I have a To Do list that is never ending. QUESTIONS TO ANSWER: William Townsend Pension Application William's last name is spelled Townson. Later records change the last name to Townsend. Does this provide clues as to how his name was pronounced, or perhaps an earlier version of the spelling? Or is this simply a mistake? A W Shearer of Alton, Franklin County, Ohio was his attorney. (Question: how was Mr. Shearer ...

It all started with this grave marker. For the past 23 weeks, I've shared portions of my Great Grandfather William James Towsend (or Townson)'s Civil War Pension file. He served with the Ohio Infantry 143rd Regiment Company K. I'm so thankful for the genealogy blogging community pointing me in the direction of hiring a professional genealogist to go to the National Archives and look up the case file. Having the specific record citation for William and his wife Mary Clabaugh made the research easy. In a few short months, and for an expense far less than what the Administration charged, I had 38 scanned images of information to enlighten my understanding about a great-grandfather and his wife. Did I break down any brick wall? Short answer. Nope. Did I find out any new information to add to my family tree? Nope. Did I learn more about the story of William and Mary Townsend of Edwards Station, Franklin, Ohio? Yes. And isn't that what a family historian...