Jul 30, 2011

Andrew P. Renstrom's 1923 Passport and Photo






In 1923 at the age of 65, a widow for already 15 years, Andrew P. Renstrom went on a third mission to his native land of Sweden. What an example of selfless loving service this man is. It is very exciting to find his passport for this trip because not only does it include vital information, but it had a physical description and a photo of him at this age and also his handwriting. This is one of my favorite things to study in family history. I love viewing the original records, studying their handwriting (paleography) although I am out of practice now, and deciphering what they themselves wrote and thus revealed to us. The continuous search for more documents in the hope of uncovering another clue to the history of our families is a passion for me. I love the puzzle and collecting the pieces and finally fitting a few of them together. It is very exciting and a driving force within me.






From this document we learn:
in the "State of Utah

County of Salt Lake

I, Andrew Renstrom, a Naturalized and Loyal Citixen of the United States, hererby apply to the Department of State, at Washington, for a passsport.

I solemnly swear that I was born at Viksta, Sweden

on December 30th, 1857; that my father,

Eric Pehrson, was

born in Sweden and is now deceased;

that I emigrated to the United States, sailing from Stockholm about

June, 1873; that I resided 50 years, uninterruptedly, in the United States,

from 1873 to 1923 at Huntsville Utah; that I was

naturalized as a citizen of the United States before the Judicial Dist

Court of Utah at Ogden, Utah,

on May 27th, 1882, as shown by the Certificate of Naturalization presented herewith;

that I am the IDENTICAL PERSON described in said Certificate; that I have resided outside the United

States since my naturalization at the following place for the following periods:

Sweden, from 1883 to 1885,

Sweden, from 1889 to 1891,

and that I am domiciled in the United States, my permanent residence being at Huntsville,

in the State of Utah, where I follow the occupation of Farmer.

My last passport was obtained from Have had none on

- I am about

to go abroad temporarily, and intend to return to the United States within 2

years with the purpose of residing and performing the duties of citizenship therein; and I desire

a passport for use in visiting the countries hereinafter named for the following purpose:

Sweden .... Minister of Religion

I intend to leave the United States from the port of New York

sailing on board the Scandinavian - Am. Line on About June 27th, 1923


OATH OF ALLEGIANCE

Further, I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United

States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same;

and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; So help

me God. Andrew Renstrom

Sworn to before me this 28 day

of April, 1923

John (W. Cl...ty)

Clerk of the US Dist. court at Salt Lake, Utah

(unknown name)"



DESCRIPTION OF APPLICANT

Age: 65 years Mouth: Medium

Stature: 5 feet, 10 inches, Eng. Chin: pr...ced (pronounced?)

Forehead: High Hair: Light gray

Eyes: Blue Complexion: Fair

Nose: Large sraight (straight?) Face: Med Long

Distinguishing marks Slight scar o...(over?) right eye


IDENTIFICATION

April 28, 1923

I, Tillman D. Johnson, solemnly swear that I am a native citizen

of the United States; that I reside at Salt Lake City; that I have known

the above-named Andrew Renstrom personally for 10 years and

know him to be the identical person referred to in the within-described certificate of natural-

ization; and that the facts stated in his affidavit are true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Tillman D Johnson

US District Judge Ut

Sworn to before me this 28th day

of April, 1923

John W Cl...ty

Clerk of the US Dist Court at Salt Lake Utah

(same unknown name)

Applicant desires passport to be sent to the following address:

Andrew Renstrom

Huntsville.

Weber County, Utah ...?"


Photograph of

Andrew P. Renstrom

at age 65




APPLICATION FOR AMENDMENT OR EXTENSION OF PASSPORT

I, Andrew Renstrom, the person to whom passport No. 280262

was issued on may 3rd by the Secretary of State at Washington, do hereby apply for its

EXTENSION FOR six months

Andrew Renstrom (signature)


Sworn to before me this 22nd day of April, 1924.

R F Fe...d (signature and title of official)

Consul of the United States of America at Stockholm, Sweden.

MEMORANDUM OF ACTION TAKEN

Amended as requested/as shown by corrections.

Extended for six months, first extension to November 3, 1924."



Mar 2, 2011

History of Gustava Sofia Johnson


History of Gustava Sofia Johnson
from the book Dedicated Faith The Journals of Herman F. F. Thorup 1879-1929 compiled by Renee Blackburn Jacks great granddaughter.

"Gustova Sofia Johnson, Known to the family as Aunt Sofie, was born December 12th 1845 in Kyrkafalla, Brevik, Skaraborg County, Sweden, the daughter of Johannes Jonsson and Kajsa Lisa Andersson. Only little is known about the childhood and youth of her father. He served his term in the Army as required by law. He learned his father's trade, tailoring. He was about 5ft 10in tall, weighed around a hundred and seventy pounds, and was very erect in his posture and in walking. He had blue eyes and dark hair and was a very good looking man. The mother, Kaja Lisa Andersson, was born August 10th or 19th, 1820 In Fagersanna, Ransberg, Skaraborg, Sweden. Her mother died when she was only about 2 years old, so she was raised by an aunt, Maja Jonsson.

Johannes and Kajsa were married in Kyrkefalla July 2, 1842, and to this union there were 8 children born. Anders Gustave, Gustava Sofia, Krtstina Charlotta, Carl Johan, Anna Lovisa, Euima Wilhelmina, Frederich Valdemar, and Peder Dijon. The first six were born in Sweden, and the last two in Denmark. At first Johannes followed his trade of tailoring. In those days it was the custom for the tailor to do his work at the homes of his customers, receiving his dinner and whatever the customer gave him. So his earnings were small, and he had to take up farming to increase his income.

When the Mormon missionaries came to Skaraborg County, Johannes' father, Jonas Nilsson, was the first in his town to open his home as a place where the Elders could preach the new gospel. He was one of the first, if not the first, to join the church. Both of his daughters and a son-in-law were baptised about this same time. Johannes and Kajsa were also converted, but Johannes hesitated about being baptized. Kajsa was more determined, and arranged to be baptized. As she came up out of the waters her husband was standing there waiting to be baptized. They then had the desire to gather to Utah, and the persecution which was waged against them encouraged them to do so. So they sold all they had, moved to Denmark until they could collect on the sales, and make the final arrangements for the trip. Their history tells of the trials, thefts, disappointments and sickness that hindered them. Finally, it was decided that the oldest son, Gustave should come to America alone, and this he did. The rest of the family remained in Denmark, working and saving for their turn to come to Zion. In 1868, Sofia and her sister said farewell to their father and mother and younger brothers and sisters as they sailed for America. This journey was full of trials and hard experiences. They were traveling on the last sailing ship that Mormon emigrants used--the "Emerald Isle." Sickness took the lives of many. But it was a happy reunion as father and mother met Gustave who had made his home in Grantsville, Utah for the past 8 years. The whole family stayed in Grantsville for a while, and then came an invitation to move to Spring City. This then became the new home for the Johnson family. The ground had to be cleared of sagebrush, fences put up, irrigation water to be arranged, and there was plenty to be done.

So it was here at this home in Spring City that the family was living in 1871 when at age 24, and her sister Charlotte, age 22, finally came to Utah. They had saved their money and paid their own way. They arrived at Long Island, New York, July 4th, and celebrated July 24th at a dance in Provo. Here their father met them with a borrowed mule team and wagon and brought them to their new home in Spring City. However, they had to walk all the way from Provo to Spring City as they were so poor they couldn't pull the wagon, baggage, and passengers. But this was another time of rejoicing, as most of the family was together again. Gustave stayed in Grantsville, and spent the rest of his life there. Charley was away working, and did not locate at Spring City, though he visited there. When he finally married he settled first at American Fork, then Springville, Utah, and then in Hobble Creek canyon near Springville, all in Utah County. In 1897 he moved to Downey, Idaho. He married Elenor Dorcas Kendall at Springville, Jan. 24, 1877. They were blessed with 12 children and nine grew to maturity. He died Dec. 11, 1937, and was buried in the Downey Cemetery Monday, Dec. 13, 1937.

Sofia had previously met a young man in Denmark named Herman Frederick Ferdinant Thorup. He too had come to America with his family, and they met again in Provo at the 24th of July dance already mentioned. They were married May 28, 1872 in the Endowment House. The couple made their home first in Provo, and then moved to Salt Lake City where Herman was a florist at 752 East and 8th South.

Sofia and Herman became the parents of four children-Marie Josephine, Albert Moroni, Christine Sofie, and Sofie Christine. Sofia died Oct. 3, 1878, the result of incompetent care by the midwife at the birth of their fourth child. Three children survived but all were carried away in the 13 days in December 1884 in a diphtheria epidemic. After Sofia's death, Herman had left the baby, Sofie Christine, with the Grandparents in Spring City while his own parents cared for the two older ones. But when he remarried Herman wanted his children together again, regardless of the pleadings of the grandparents to have the children remain with them. The grandmother always felt if he had left the baby there, perhaps at least one might be saved."

Feb 20, 2011

HNPP - A Genetic Condition to Watch For

HNPP
Hereditary Neuropathy with liability to Pressure Palsis



Almost two years ago my oldest daughter who was six at the time suddenly lost some of the use of her left hand. It was instant and without apparent injury.

She could not lift her her hand at the wrist, could not make a fist, could not spread her fingers and had a very weak grip. I thought she had just slept on her hand funny and that it would come back. She later told me that it had actually stopped working the night before when she was listening to her Aunt read her a story. She was doing nothing at all, just resting her head on her hands propped up on her elbows It didn't improve and upon visiting the doctor he rushed us to Primary Children's Hospital for immediate tests which all came back normal. A relief, but she was obviously not normal so the tests continued. Over several months she had X-rays, CAT scans, MRIs with and without contrast, ultrasounds, a nerve conduction test, numerous physicals, and so on. All that was determined was that she did have nerve damage and they had no idea why. We were so sick of doctors and tests with no answers and she wasn't getting any better. One symptom she did not have was pain, thankfully. There was mention of a possible genetic nerve disorder being the cause by the pediatric neurologist. She said that this disease allows the nerves to be injured more easily but I completely dismissed it. She wasn't DOING anything. How could that injure the nerves, more vulnerable or not. Plus, I had never heard of anything at all like this happening in my family or my husband in his. The only option they gave us for help was surgery on her elbow to move her nerves. My husband and I were not comfortable with this especially when it wasn't clear why or how the nerve damage occurred and requested that we try physical therapy. We were referred to a wonderful group of therapists and the actual type she received is called occupational therapy. Her therapist began aggressive treatments. We would visit several times a week at first where he taught her at home exercises to do and he would shock her muscles in the hand and arm to force contractions. She had almost complete atrophy at this point. Her progress was very slow in the beginning but once she regained some muscle her movement and ability improved very quickly and within a few more months she had complete recovery except for a small section of her arm that still has no feeling. It was bizarre but we were very thankful and thought we were done with that. Almost exactly a year after the first injury she was playing a boxing game on the wii when suddenly she lost strength in her right hand, arm, shoulder and back. I immediately took her into the therapists and he was shocked by the second injury and even more that it was with the other hand. He did some work with her but said we needed to go back to the doctors. I really didn't want her to go through all of that again but we went back to the pediatrician who sent us back to the neurologist. To my surprise, the neurologist said with almost complete certainty that it was the genetic nerve disease causing the problem. I had expected more confusion but this second injury had brought more clarity. All she needed was a blood test to confirm and we would go from there. I took down the name of the disease this time and began my own research. Unfortunately, there is not a lot of information out there and because it is so rare in the general population, most doctors have not even heard of it. This is the reason it took so long to get it diagnosed and is also the reason many people with this disease get improper treatment if any at all and will often go undiagnosed. It is rare in the general population but anyone that has it will find it very common in their family. This is because you cannot be a carrier of this disease. You either have it or you don't. If you do, there is a 50% chance that you will pass it on to each child. Since our daughter was confirmed to have this disease, it meant that either my husband or I did have it, and then one of our parents and then one of theirs, and so on, not to mention any number of extended family members that inherited it as well. I was able to find one good website with information that has just been compiled by those who also have experience with this disease hnpp.org After studying these pages I came to understand how varied in severity this disease can be and that it can affect any part of the body. I came to recognize the symptoms and once I had learned what questions to ask I began interviewing our families about their related medical history. I was amazed at how easily I was able to find those with the disease. Even my own husband's injuries, which he had had, we thought were not at all connected until we began studying about HNPP. For example, my husband had weakness in his arms when he would hold them above his head. This finally bothered him enough that he went to a doctor which referred him to a therapist. The therapist did some testing on him and was very confused by it. He said that based on where he lacked movement and strength he had all the symptoms of someone who had torn their rotary cuff except he had no pain. He gave him some exercises to do which helped and that was the end of it. An example of one of his milder symptoms is when he gets his blood pressure checked his entire arm goes numb for about five minutes. Most people who are bothered enough by an HNPP related nerve injury to see a doctor never make it far enough along to get to a neurologist, which are the only doctors that would even know to look for that as a cause. This disease is not too bad if you must have a disease. It is labeled as a nuisance disease because the injuries are usually mild in nature and the weakness is often regained over time as the nerves heal. It also doesn't usually express in children. Because our daughter has already had two "severe" injuries the neurologist suspects she has a severe case of the disease. It is not life threatening and if you know what to watch for and are careful in your activities, you can avoid a lot of injuries.

Who Has It?:
We have learned it has been passed through the Renstrom line at least as far back as Andrew Renstrom. There is even one line of cousins that is already aware of this disease and had already been tested and confirmed to have HNPP. I have not been able to trace it beyond but Andrew's grandson believes these nerve problems were common in the village he came from in Sweden.

Why Should I Watch for it?
Surgery will not help a nerve injury in someone who has HNPP and most likely will only cause more nerve damage. It is important to be aware of this family condition to potentially prevent unnecessary tests, doctors bills, surgeries and injuries.

How Does Having HNPP make nerves more susceptible to Injury?
The myelin coating that covers the nerves acts as a rubber band and coating to keep them protected and in place. With HNPP the myelin has lost its "elasticity" and once a nerve is stretched, it is left exposed and vulnerable. Normal daily activities can cause nerve injury to someone with this disease.

How Do I Prevent an HNPP Related Injury?
The nerves being extended too far, worn from repeated movement, or have too much pressure applied can cause injury. As a mother this is frustrating because it sounds like there is no way to protect my daughter. But the best way is to avoid repetitive movements by changing up what you are doing often, avoid pressure by changing how you are resting or sitting often, and avoid over stretching by not pushing your body to the limits of its ability.

I am not a doctor and am simply sharing what I have learned through our experiences with our family and from my research and our daughter's doctors. Each person will vary greatly on how their body reacts to stress placed on the nerves. If you do have this disease, get to know your limits and do not push them. I wanted to put this information out there so any possible family members that may have related symptoms can get properly diagnosed.

Hollis Done Smith 1922-2011



My Grandfather died January 30, 2011 at the age of 88 due to complications related to a fall in his home. His father died when he was only an infant and he and his brother and sister were raised by their mother and grandparents. He is one of the Smiths from Smithfield Utah and we spent a few family reunions camping in the woods up there. I remember my Grandpa walking us along the creek where he used to play, the fields where he used to work with his Grandfather and to an old barn falling over that belonged to him. They were very poor and worked terribly hard for many years, but because of this hard work they were eventually blessed with enough money for his mother to purchase a large home in Smithfield. She moved her parents in with them to thank them for all the help they had given her with her little family. The family was always very self reliant and she kept a large garden in their back yard and worked for many years at the local post office. There were times of plenty and times with very little but they made it through and she raised a fine family. My grandpa served in the Navy during WWII and after served as a missionary in the North Eastern parts of Texas, the same area where my parents later settled and I was raised. One of my brothers married the granddaughter of a man that had helped house Grandpa Hollis while he was serving there and they named their first son Hollis after him. After his mission he married my very beautiful and accomplished grandmother Florence. Together they had eight children which they raised in the Salt Lake valley. My Grandpa worked for Union Pacific Railroad most of his life and my own father for a little while. I still smile whenever I see the UP symbol. My grandpa was very tall and always spoke softly and with kindness. He had an easy smile and a quiet peace about him. He was a hard worker and always serving others. He loved spending time with his family and always enjoyed a family musical concert. Grandpa is very loved by all the family and will be greatly missed.

Apr 12, 2010

Journals of Herman F. F. Thorup



I want to thank all of the distant cousins who have contacted me and made it possible for our family to track down the journals of Herman F. F. Thorup. My mother obtained a copy of this wonderful book Dedicated Faith, compiled by Renee Blackburn Jacks. It is a compilation of his journals as well as family photos, biographies, time lines, articles and more. My mother has the original journal that is contained in this book on pages 11-34. He titled it "My first mission from Utah to Europe," and he gave it to his daughter Lizzie, my mother's grandmother. In this book I was also able to find the biography for Herman's first wife Sofia which I have been looking for for some time. I am so thankful for all that has been preserved of the lives of our ancestors. I am thankful that I have the genealogy bug as well. It is such a blessing to know our ancestors, what their lives were like, why they chose to live the way they did, their thoughts, feelings and circumstances. How sad it is to be forgotten. Every life has value and meaning. The everyday man has little influence beyond his own family. His parents, his spouse and any children will remember him and what he taught and who he was but then he is gone. Time goes on and in time we all move on, learn to live without them and he is lost to the next generation. What a wonderful blessing it is to do your family history. Through the records they are alive again. We see their struggles and their examples. There is a legacy left for us to follow and learn from. They are known and remembered and loved again. It is a gift to know them and to know that their story goes on.

Feb 4, 2010

Images from Sweden

A wonderful fellow genealogist cousin in Sweden has contacted me and we have been sharing information on our Renstrom / Pehrson line. She has sent me many photos as well as some details on the family that remained in Sweden. I am excited to share some of what she has sent me.
From Barbro:

Eric Pehrson, father of Andrew Pehrson Renstrom or Pehrsson, "bought farms for all his children to have one each so he died and they left Sweden. The yellow house is in Rangsta and the last people of that family built a museum of tractors."
She has provided a photo of the old farm house and a link to an article about the tractor museum.
One of the Eric Pehrson Farm houses Rangsta, Viksta, Sweden


Article Translated into English using Google Translate.

I found several photos from the Viksta Traktormuseum posted on Picasa as well.

Here is a photo of Erick and Catherine's (Chatarina's) home in Tibble, Bjorklinge pre-1870.

Pehrsson Farm in Tibble, Bjorklinge, SwedenTheir house stood until August 2009 when it was torn down.

Pehrsson home torn down 2009Barbro collected all the old wallpaper she could find while she was here in Tibble taking this photo and has included a scrap of some of the oldest she found.

Wallpaper from Pehrsson home in Sweden
When Eric Pehrsson's wife and children immigrated to Utah from Sweden, two of his daughters remained in Sweden, Greta Stina (or Margareta Kristina) and Anna Maria. The photo below is of Anna Maria (far Right sitting) with her husband Per Larsson (left sitting) and their two daughters, Ingrid (far left) and Nina (right standing) and Nina's husband Johan Viktor Johansson(left standing) with Ajax the dog. This was taken at Ingrid's confirmation in 1898.

Larsson and Johansson family
This photo was taken in Old Uppsala. Nina Larsson Johansson is the woman in the white hat in the middle.

Womens group in Old Uppsala

Margareta ErikssonThis photo is of Margareta Persdotter Eriksson (I also have a record giving her married name as Ersson) born 1799. She is mother to Catherine Christina Erickson who is the mother of both Andew Pehrsson Renstrom and Anna Maria.







Anna Maria Larsson This photo is of Anna Maria Larsson.









Here is the headstone for Greta Stina, the oldest sister of the Pehrsson/Erickson/Renstrom family. It is located in the Viksta cemetery

Greta Stina headstone VikstaI am working on a few research projects in relation to this line that I hope to add soon as well as more information from my dear cousin who is so kind to help. There were several letters of correspondence between the family in Utah and the family in Sweden. I am so excited to read in the first person what they had to share with one another all those years ago.

Jul 21, 2009

The Garvins of New York

Here is a map of the Nothern New York Counties.
We will be focusing on Jefferson and St. Lawrence County.
I have been working on this dead end in my family line for almost a year now. We are researching the ancestry of Jeremiah Garvin, aka Jerry, Jeremy, Gerry. I have been able to collect several land records, his naturalization record, his marriage record and a photograph of his headstone. I have several census records that provide family clues. I am confident that he is related to the other Garvins of Jefferson and St. Lawrence county New York but the final document linking them is still evading me. I have been researching these other families that I believe to be his siblings in the hopes that I will find a link back to his family in the process. I will post here what I have found that leads me to believe that it is probable that Jerry Garvin is a brother to these other Garvins I am researching. Maybe someone out there has what I need to place the final link in the chain.


Here is some of the information I have collected on the Dr. James Garvin lateral lines:


Dr. James Garvin had a first wife, Maria Ehle who died young at age 28. I have not found any record of children for this couple.



I have attached a photo of her headstone that is in Edwardsville Cemetery in Morristown, NY. (http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~stlawgen/CEMETERY/Edwardsville/Edwardsville.htm) I can only make out the words "Maria wife of" but hopefully I can obtain a better image at some point. A transcription of the headstone is recorded on the website above as "Maria, wife of James Garvin, MD; died Nov 24, 1856; AE 27 yrs"



Newspaper accounts of James Garvin's first and second marriages and his first wife's death:(http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nystlawr/1860_VR_ViTALS.htm)


Garvin, James
married in Morristown at the residence of the bride's father on Black Lake, (no date given) by Rev. Mr. Clerihew, James Garvin to Miss Maria Ehle, both of Morristown
11
June 20, 1854



Garvin, James (Dr.)
married in Edwardsville Jul. 18, 1858 by Rev. C. Francisco, Dr. James Garvin to Miss Mary Brewer, daughter of John Brewer of Edwardsville
11
Jul. 20, 1858




Garvin, Maria (Mrs.)
died of consumption in Morristown near Black Lake Nov. 24, 1856, wife of Dr. James Garvin and daughter of John and Margaret Ehle, ae 28.
11
Dec. 2, 1856




Source:
11
St. Lawrence Republican
A Tuesday paper from Ogdensburg, on microfilm at the Ogdensburg Public Library. There are only two or three missing issues for the entire decade.


__________________________________________________________





I have attached the newspaper with the obituary for John Garvin with "one brother, Dr. James Garvin of Morristown and one sister, Mrs. Jerry Carroll of Sterlingville."This is from The Northern Tribune, Gouverneur, NY Wednesday February 19, 1908.








(http://news.nnyln.net/)___________________________________________________________






I have included the death certificate for Thomas Garvin, died 1891, with the parents listed as John Garvin and Mary McCann(from the NY Department of Health). These are the same parents as Dr. James Garvin of St. Lawrence County. His obituary only listed his wife and children, no siblings. From The Watertown Herald in Watertown, Jefferson Co, NY, Saturday, August 8, 1891











(http://news.nnyln.net/)___________________________________________________________




In the 1860 US Census for Antwerp, Jefferson County, NY





Thomas Garvin is living next to Mrs. Jerry Carroll (Catherine Garvin Carroll).Living with Thomas is an elderly woman named Mary, 70yrs old from Ireland and named as Mother.





In the 1870 US Census for Philadelphia, Jefferson County, NY




We find the Jerry and Catherine Carl (Carroll) with an elderly woman named Mary Garvin living with them, age 70 from Ireland. I believe the Garvins' mother, Mary McCann Garvin, immigrated to the US with her children. Even though the age seems to be off with these two census records, I believe her to be the same woman and their mother.











(Census source: Ancestry.com)_____________________________________________________________








I have included a photo of the headstone for "Mary, wife of John Garvin, died June 9th 1870, in the 90th year of her age"In the 1970 Census she is living in Philadelphia with her daughter and it was taken in June of 1870, although the record shows it was recorded on the 28th of June and Mary had died on the 6th, I still believe this to be her headstone.






Burial Information:
Mary Garvin
Date of Death: ** 06-09-1870
Age: 90y
Spouse: John Garvin
Inscription: Mary, wife of John Garvin, died June 9th 1870, in the 90th year of her age
Cemetery (name/alt/alt): Savage-Varley Cemetery / Sterlingville (Catholic)
Village: Fort Drum
Town / County: Philadelphia, Jefferson County
Photo Number: 252-083 (available by email)
Burial ID: 57953




(http://www.nnygenealogy.com/pages/cemetery/cemetery.php)__________________________________________________________________




I have included the headstones of:


Dr. James Garvin, Pine Hill Cemetery, Morristown, NY

Jerry and Catherine Garvin Carroll and children in Sterlingville Village, Fort Drum, Jefferson, NY



____________________________________________________________


Our Ancestor, Jerry Garvin md Margaret Adderley and they are living next to Thomas Garvin in the 1870 US Census of Antwerp, Jefferson Co. NY. He immigrated the same year as John Garvin (according to John's obituary and Jerry Garvin's naturalization record). There is also another Garvin living near them in the 1870 census. A Margaret Garvin from Ireland with two laborers which in another census are listed as her sons. From headstones I have found I believe this Margaret may be the widow of Patrick Garvin who is buried in the same cemetery as Mary McCann Garvin and died soon after immigrating to the US (died 1853). I have collected several news articles on the Garvins in Jefferson and St. Lawrence county and some land records for Jerry Garvin. I believe that there is enough circumstantial evidence to assume Jerry is another brother in this family and I am progressing in my research along the Dr. James Garvin line in hopes of finding a link to him and thus to his ancestry in Ireland. If anyone has information that could help me, I would appreciate it. I would also like a historical document stating the parents of Dr. James Garvin. I found a short bio written about him that listed his parents but I have been unable to find where I put it or to find it again on line. I may eventually order his death certificate too if I can't find it.


These are some of the Garvins and Garvin relations that I have records on. I hope to post all of the records I have collected and what they tell me as I can get to it.

Here is a summary of some of their information and relationships:


Jeremiah Garvin: An Irish immigrant that arrived in New York in 1848 and settled in Antwerp, Jefferson County, New York. Lived with the William Adderley family and worked as a minor. Married their daughter Margaret Adderley and became a farmer. They had nine children together and the youngest was an infant when he died in Jefferson County in 1873. (marriage record from St. Mary's Church Marriage Records and the land records I have for Jerry were supplied from Jefferson County).

Thomas Garvin: A brother to Dr. James Garvin, born in Ireland, who immigrated and settled in Jefferson County, New York. He married a woman named Catherine also from Ireland and he worked as a farmer here until his death in 1891. His obituary says he was 75 yrs when he died, had been a resident of Antwerp for many years and left a wife and four daughters. See references to him above for more data and sources.

Dr. James Garvin: An Irish immigrant of Kings County that arrived in New York 1848. He studied medicine with a local doctor, Dr. William Robinson, in Antwerp, Jefferson County before moving to Woodstock, VT to attend medical school and graduated in 1853. He then moved to Morristown, St. Lawrence, NY (a neighboring county of Jefferson) and set up practice. He was married twice and raised a family with his second wife, his first wife having died early in their marriage. He resided in St. Lawrence county until his death in 1913. (from The History of St. Lawrence County available on ancestry.com)

John Garvin: A brother to Dr. James Garvin. His obituary lists Dr. Garvin as his surviving brother as well as Mrs. Jerry Carroll as his surviving sister. It also says that John died at age 82, in 1908, was one of the oldest and best known citizens of Antwerp, immigrated from Ireland to America in 1848 and is survived also by his widow and three children. See above reference for the obituary.

Catherine Garvin Carroll: Listed as a sister to Dr. James Garvin in the obituary for John Garvin of Antwerp. She is found living next her brother Thomas Garvin and mother Mary in the 1860 census in Antwerp and in the 1870 census in Philadelphia, Jefferson County, Mary Garvin is living with her family. I have not researched the Carrolls yet.

Mary McCann Garvin: Mother to Thomas, James, John and Catherine all of Ireland and settled in either Jefferson or St. Lawrence County New York. Probable mother to Jerry Garvin, but no link has been found yet. Born in Ireland and buried in Philadelphia, Jefferson Co., NY. Her headstone is pictured above.

Durkins: The oldest daughter of Jerry Garvin and Margaret Adderley, Mary Ann, married Joseph Durkin, a Canadian immigrant, in New York. They settled in Park City, Utah as did some of Mary Ann's brothers. Those that came to Park City worked in the mines. I have several news articles from The Park Record (available through Utah Digital Newspapers) on these families that settled here and their descendants.

Adderleys: A family from England that settled in Jefferson County, New York. The oldest daughter of William and Ann Adderley, Margaret, married Jerry Garvin in Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence, New York on 30 April 1850 in St. Mary's Church. Margaret lived in Jefferson County until her death in 1899. I have the probate record for William Adderley Sr. that discusses the distribution of his assets and lists the married names of his daughters and has his son as executor. There is a sister of Margaret, Mary Adderley who married a Gorman, but I have also found a headstone for a Mary Adderley of about the same age and in the area who married a Garvin. I do not how these individuals tie in and who they are exactly. I have the film number for Wm Adderley's will, but have not looked it up yet. (FHL US/CAN film # 895396 the probate record was supplied by Jefferson County)