Saturday January 7, 2012 Update

If you didn't know, most of the research I do is done on weekend mornings.  I am an early riser and love to get up and search for stuff.  I do some during the week but not as regularly as the weekends. 

This week though, has been a good one, as I received an email from a family member seeking to exchange info on a line of the tree that I had limited info on, which should lead to another good addition to the tree and also I had several Find A Grave photo requests fulfilled.  I have a link to the virtual cemetery which has now grown to over 550 memorials.

This morning, I stumbled upon another relative, who appears to have just become a member of the Ancestry.com website, they also were from a branch I had been seeking more info on.  Two good leads. 

On Tuesday Jan. 3 we moved to less than 90 days to go until the release of the 1940 census.  I have a link posted to a countdown clock to this event.  I'm compling a list of dead ends through the 1930 census I have, that hopefully the release of this info will assist me to uncover some real family mysteries.  I plan on posting some of these mystery stories regularly in the future.

Vincent D. Morford 1920-2011

Wanted to pass along my condolences to the family members of Vincent "Vince" D. Morford who passed away on November 30 at him home in Spring Lake, Michigan.  At the time of his death, Vince was the fourth oldest living descendant.

Vince was the brother of a longtime acquaitence and recently discovered relative of mine, Wayne A. Morford of Kentwood, Michigan.

Wayne and I first met while I was in high school in Middleville, Michigan in the early 1970's.  He was an avid chess player earning Master's status from the United States Chess Federation, which is no easy feat.  He was a neighbor of mine at the time. He founded a nice chess club in his basement and a couple of buddies of mine from the neighborhood and I became quite interested and were members. I always wondered back then if we were possibly related, but could never make a connection, although my mother always said that we must be, and just this year I was able to make the connection and prove her right. 

I contacted Wayne this summer by phone after the discovery.  We figured it had been since 1975 since we had last seen each other.  Had a great conversation catching up and filling him in on my research.  In the small world department, I find I am working for the same company as his daughter.

I have added a link to the recent obituaries.  Sounds like Vince had quite a life.

The numbers are in!

Sorry for not posting as much as I'd like recently, had a big home project  I was trying to finish before Christmas that was taking up my weekend time since Thanksgiving. 

One thing that I have been able to complete though, was to recalibrate the family tree numbering.  I use the Ahnentafel System.  I have now identified over 2900 descendants of the two brothers as of December 25.

I have discovered 1874 descendants for Garret Sr. and 1032 for William Lane, making the combined total 2906 to date.

This is a time consuming project these days as the tree grows, so I now usually only recalibrate twice a year.  I especially want to start the new year off with a current and updated draft.

I will attempt to post something daily to the best of my ability in the future.  I appreciate those taking the time to check this site.

Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays to All.

William Lane Jr. and Frances Louise Morford, Greenwood Cemetery, Emmet County, Michigan

Grave markers for William Lane Morford Jr and Frances Louise (Dickerson) Morford

William Lane Morford Jr. (11)

          William Lane Jr. MORFORD (11)

Born on Feb. 2, 1835 in Niagara County, New York.  Died on June 8, 1901 in Resort Township, Emmet County, Michigan.  Buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Emmet County, Michigan. Married Frances Louise Dickerson (9/28/1846-6/6/1916) in 1860 in Barry County, Michigan.  William Lane Jr. and Frances had three children.

44*     I         Clyde Henry MORFORD

45*     II        Edwin Alfred MORFORD

46*     III       Etta Alma MORFORD

Frances Louise Dickerson is the sister of Henry Lewis Dickerson who married Emily Hortentia Morford (13).

John Martin and Mary Ann Kipp, Banfield Cemetery, Barry County, Michigan

 Grave markers for John Martin Kipp and Mary Ann (Morford) Kipp

Mary Ann Morford (10)

          Mary Ann MORFORD (10)

Born in 1833 in Niagara County, New York.  Died in 1887 in Michigan.  Married John Martin Kipp (3/31/1837-11/16/1909) on Feb. 4, 1859 in Barry County, Michigan.  Buried in the Banfield Cemetery, Barry County, Michigan.  John and Mary had three children.

41      I         Clyde B. KIPP

42      II        Ernest Allison KIPP

43*     III       May Alma KIPP

John Martin Kipp was the brother of Abram I. Kipp, who married Garret Morford Sr.'s (Vol. I) daughter Eunice Morford.  Their sister, Hannah Kipp, also married Garret Morford Sr. son Horton Morford.

Elkanah Morford, Bay Township Cemetery, Charlevoix County, Michigan

Grave marker for Elkanah Morford

Elkanah W. Morford (9)

          Elkanah W. MORFORD (9)

Born on Jan 3, 1830 in Niagara County, New York.  Died on Jan 3, 1898 in Resort Township, Emmet County, Michigan.  Buried in the North Bay Cemetery, Charlevoix County, Michigan.  Married Caroline C. Blanchard (1832-3/13/1885).  Veteran Civil War. Elkanah and Caroline had one child. 

40      I         Lella C. MORFORD

The wedding of Elkanah and Caroline is noted historically as the first ever in Baltimore Township, Barry County, Michigan. Elkanah is also considered a true Pioneer in Emmet County, Michigan.

Fanny Maria (Morford) Ball, Oak Grove Cemetery, Branch County, Michigan

Grave marker for Fanny Maria Ball

Fanny Maria Morford (8)

          Fanny Maria MORFORD (8)

Born on Sept. 20, 1929 in New York.  Died on March 16, 1886 in Branch County, Michigan.  Buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery, Branch County, Michigan.  Married Anselm William Ball (9/28/1830-7/20-1892) on April 17, 1844 in Johnstown, Barry County, Michigan.  William and Fanny had four children.

36*     I         Cynthia A. BALL

37      II        Marilla A. BALL

38      III       Effa Delphine BALL

39      IV       William P. BALL

Ardin and Hannah Morford, Banfield Cemetery, Barry County, Michigan

Grave Markers for Ardin Barker Morford and Hannah (Poor) Morford

Ardin Barker Morford (7)

          Ardin Barker MORFORD (7)

Born Sept. 29, 1827 in Niagara County, New York.  Died on Jan 29, 1895 in Hastings, Barry County, Michigan.  Buried in Banfield Cemetery in Barry County, Michigan.  Married Hannah Eleanor Poor (8/31/1831-5/16/1914) on March 5, 1854 in Barry County, Michigan.  Veteran Civil War.  Ardin and Hannah had seven children.

29*     I         Aylmer D. MORFORD

30*     II        Ada Arabella MORFORD

31*     III       Dora E. MORFORD

32*     IV       Cora Luella MORFORD

33*     V        Nora Ellen MORFORD

34      VI       Albert A. MORFORD

35      VII      Bethtranah H. MORFORD

Ashley and Caroline Morford, Banfield Cemetery, Barry County, Michigan

Grave markers for Ashley and Caroline Morford

Ashley Morford (6)

Ashley MORFORD (6)

Born on April 25, 1824 in Niagara County, New York.  Died on June 25, 1854 in Michigan. Buried in Banfield Cemetery, Barry County, Michigan.   Married Caroline.  Ashley and Caroline had one child.

28      I         Wallace L. MORFORD

Ira and Mercy Mumford, Blackmar Cemetery, Hillsdale County, Michigan

Grave Markers for Ira Mumford and Mercy (Morford) Mumford

Mercy Morford (5)

          Mercy MORFORD (5)

Born on Nov. 28, 1822 in New York.  Died on Sept. 12, 1889 in Hillsdale County, Michigan.  Buried in the Blackmar Cemetery, Hillsdale County, Michigan.  Married Ira Edgar Leroy Mumford (1805-12/24/1888) on April 25, 1841 in Hillsdale County, Michigan.  Ira and Mercy had six children.

22      I         Mary Abigail MUMFORD

23      II        Maria Alzina MUMFORD

24*     III       Ira Edgar Leroy Jr. MUMFORD

25*     IV       Esther Uretta MUMFORD

26*     V        Alecia S. MUMFORD

27      VI       Ida May MUMFORD

Lucy F. Morford (4)

          Lucy F. MORFORD (4)

Born abt. 1820 in New York.  Died on March 26, 1894 in Michigan.  Married Philo M. Shaff (11/20/1826-10/2/1902).  Philo and Lucy had two children.

20*     I         Orlando Parden SHAFF

21*     II        William George SHAFF

Philo was a Civil War Veteran serving in Company F of the 11th Michigan Cavalry Division and lost his left leg in battle.  Philo's death Certificate and census documents indicate that he had five children, but only two were still living at the time of his death.

Lydia C. Morford-Cowles-Bresee, Banfield Cemetery, Barry County, Michigan

Grave marker for Lydia C. (Morford-Cowles) Bresee