The Heritage Gazette
Copyright 2012 Burks-Blake Company
Finding Ancestors
Washington and Lincoln
Two of our greatest presidents were born in February. George Washington was born in Westmorland
County, Virginia on February 11, 1732 (by the Julian Calendar which was used until about 1752). The Gregorian calendar, which
is the calendar used since 1752 puts his birthday as February 22nd. Abraham Lincoln was born in Hardin County (now
Larue County), Kentucky on February 12, 1809. Both men came from different backgrounds but each was passionate
about America.
Georgia Washington's great-grandfather, John Washington, came
to colonial America from England about 1656 and started to acquire land and positions in local offices. George Washington'sfather, Augustine Washington, inherted land as well as bought land, was active in the tobacco trade and held public offices
too.
Abraham Lincoln's ancestor, Samuel Lincoln who was a weaver,
was also from England and immigrated to Massachusetts in 1637. Abraham's ancestors moved west to Virginia where
his father, Thomas, was born and his paternal grandfather served as a captain in the Virginia militia during the American Revolution.
The family then moved to Jefferson County, Kentucky. Thomas earned money as a carpenter.
George
Washington never had any children of his own. As of 1986, Abraham Lincoln did not have any direct living
descendants. Abraham
Lincoln's son, Robert Todd Lincoln, was
his only progeny to live to adulthood. Robert Todd had a daughter,
Jessie Harlan Lincoln Beckwith who had two children with the last one dying in 1985. Neither of them had children.
Often we have a hard time keeping tract of the ancestor we are researching. We know the name
is right and general location is correct but can't find documents for him. By looking for his neighbors name, his associates
names, in-laws family and other names the ancestor is known to be linked to can help guide us in finding more information on
him.
For instance, if you found your ancestor on a census you might take a look at the
names above or below where his name is listed on the census. These people usually lived near by or were neighbors.
Do a little research on those names. You might find that they did business together and, perhaps, sold or bought land from
each other. You might find the neighbors name on a listing for deeds that shows who they bought from and sold to.
Your ancestors name could be one of those. If your research on the neighbors show that they use to live in the same area
as your ancestor and moved to the same area about the same time as your ancestor, then chances are high
that they are related and all decided to move together. You can then go back to where they moved from and look for
documents with the neighbors name on it and perhaps they signed or were witnesses for business transactions for your ancestor.
Not only did people do business with their own family and neighbors, they also did business or lived
by their spouses relatives. Knowing what a wives maiden name was can be very helpful. If you find that maiden name living
by your ancestor, then there could be a multitude of clues waiting to be explored. Also, a person that is married
to your ancestor's
sister, brother or cousin might be found witnessing a document, paying for a marriage bond, joining the
same military regiment, selling land or
doing buiness with your ancestor. By researching these other names
your ancestor's family is connected to just might help you find the
information you need.