Research Challenges - and a touch of sadness
One of the interesting things about publishing found data on the internet is that it gets to be reviewed, challenged, and authenticated by a number of previously unknown sources. This is good in my opinion, because as works are challenged, then previously propagated errors can be corrected. Hopefully through this process my genealogical records are becoming more accurate.
I have long been suspicious of the Thomas Beard connection in Staunton. An article published in the Pocahontas Times in 1931 by Georgina Dunlap Arnold discussed the Beard legacy, dating back to Thomas Beard. Some of the information contained there, and even in William Price's history, seems to be clearly wrong; specifically William Price's "there were a number of daugthers.. who went to Kentucky.." and Arnold's description of Elizabeth Beard marrying Robert Ramsey. These all have been disproven in later research.
In addition, the connection of Thomas Beard back to John Beard and Rebecca Sterrett Beard has also been challenged. Although it cannot be disproven the connection (which was reported by Pauline Beard Cooney in her book of the Beards), it is generally believed that Thomas, son of John and Rebecca Beard, was a different John Beard.
However, there are families and locations that arise again and again in my research; these remain unexplained. For example, Robert Ramsey who married Thomas's daugther, Margaret; his mother was Isabella Baird! And it is clear through Thomas Beard's will that he thought a lot of Robert Ramsey even though Margaret had died by that time; and also Robert was teste of the estate and involved in the legal affairs of the Beards (per the Chalkey chronicles). The locations which arise are Staunton, VA; and Cumberland, PA.
There is no firm record that Thomas ever lived in Cumberland, but there is a lot of circumstantial evidence; and indeed the exact Thomas Beard mentioned above (son of John and Rebecca) is thought to have moved to Cumberland!
Also, the strong connection my DNA hit had with the New England (Worchester, Mass.) Beards remains unexplained.
Lots to ponder and research going forward.
A sad note today, Kenneth Hunter, my uncle (my mother's sister's husband) passed away yesterday on 19 Jan 2008, about 2AM, in his sleep. He was born 03 Aug 1921 in Millom, Cumberland, England, and lived primarily in State College, PA; where he was a professor at Penn State University. He was 87.
I will always remember Ken as a very intelligent man, who was always kindly to his nieces and nephews. We would get together at Thanksgiving usually. He gave my brother his first car, a 1960 Anglia (look up the Harry Potter movie) which I cut my teeth on repairing and maintaining (and boy did that thing require a lot of repairing and maintaining).
A story of Ken Hunter follows --- When I was in 7th grade, I became crazy for chess. My birthday was always kind of special, because it happened around Thanksgiving, and around the time we would get together with the Hunter family for Thanksgiving dinner. That year, I got a chess game for my birthday.. I remember it as one of the coolest gifts, it had hand carved wooden chess pieces ! So I was playing everyone I could find. My uncle agree to play me, and I remember craftily sneaking my piecies around the board, laying a trap; and then was able to checkmate him. I was so darn proud.. told everyone how I beat my smart uncle at chess. Then life gives you one of those little lessons of pride.. my father told me.. well. maybe he let you win...
God speed Ken. Will miss you.
I have long been suspicious of the Thomas Beard connection in Staunton. An article published in the Pocahontas Times in 1931 by Georgina Dunlap Arnold discussed the Beard legacy, dating back to Thomas Beard. Some of the information contained there, and even in William Price's history, seems to be clearly wrong; specifically William Price's "there were a number of daugthers.. who went to Kentucky.." and Arnold's description of Elizabeth Beard marrying Robert Ramsey. These all have been disproven in later research.
In addition, the connection of Thomas Beard back to John Beard and Rebecca Sterrett Beard has also been challenged. Although it cannot be disproven the connection (which was reported by Pauline Beard Cooney in her book of the Beards), it is generally believed that Thomas, son of John and Rebecca Beard, was a different John Beard.
However, there are families and locations that arise again and again in my research; these remain unexplained. For example, Robert Ramsey who married Thomas's daugther, Margaret; his mother was Isabella Baird! And it is clear through Thomas Beard's will that he thought a lot of Robert Ramsey even though Margaret had died by that time; and also Robert was teste of the estate and involved in the legal affairs of the Beards (per the Chalkey chronicles). The locations which arise are Staunton, VA; and Cumberland, PA.
There is no firm record that Thomas ever lived in Cumberland, but there is a lot of circumstantial evidence; and indeed the exact Thomas Beard mentioned above (son of John and Rebecca) is thought to have moved to Cumberland!
Also, the strong connection my DNA hit had with the New England (Worchester, Mass.) Beards remains unexplained.
Lots to ponder and research going forward.
A sad note today, Kenneth Hunter, my uncle (my mother's sister's husband) passed away yesterday on 19 Jan 2008, about 2AM, in his sleep. He was born 03 Aug 1921 in Millom, Cumberland, England, and lived primarily in State College, PA; where he was a professor at Penn State University. He was 87.
I will always remember Ken as a very intelligent man, who was always kindly to his nieces and nephews. We would get together at Thanksgiving usually. He gave my brother his first car, a 1960 Anglia (look up the Harry Potter movie) which I cut my teeth on repairing and maintaining (and boy did that thing require a lot of repairing and maintaining).
A story of Ken Hunter follows --- When I was in 7th grade, I became crazy for chess. My birthday was always kind of special, because it happened around Thanksgiving, and around the time we would get together with the Hunter family for Thanksgiving dinner. That year, I got a chess game for my birthday.. I remember it as one of the coolest gifts, it had hand carved wooden chess pieces ! So I was playing everyone I could find. My uncle agree to play me, and I remember craftily sneaking my piecies around the board, laying a trap; and then was able to checkmate him. I was so darn proud.. told everyone how I beat my smart uncle at chess. Then life gives you one of those little lessons of pride.. my father told me.. well. maybe he let you win...
God speed Ken. Will miss you.
posted by Alan Beard at 6:36 AM
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