| Vol. 1, No. 1 | February 1991 |
The heavy outline defines the patent of James Finley (1739-1804), a stonemason of Bucks Co. PA., who moved to Harford Co., MD in 1778 and appropriated land which was abandoned by deposed British loyalists.
Under the laws of the newly formed government of the United States, he applied to the State of Maryland, Western Shore Land Office in 1787 to purchase the 165 acres of Confiscated British property on which he now lived and paid taxes.
His patent was composed of three parcels: 1). Armaugh (on the north side of Route #23) leased from the Lord's Baltimore in 1742 by Nicholas Sauer; 2). Sauer's Refuse (between Schuster Road and Route #23) leased from the Lord's Baltimore in 1743 by Joseph Butler; and 3). Vacant, unowned land between Armaugh and Sauer's Refuse.
The house was built by Nicholas Sauer on Armaugh 1742-1750. An addition was added by the Deets family in 1840 and again in 1880. In 1938 the original Sauer part was torn down because of age. There have been 12 owners since it was built.
James Finley finally received the patent for the land 19 April, 1795 (7 years after he applied for it). He called it "Honesty is the Best Policy".
Most people in the Jarrettsville area know it as the "Breidenbaugh Farm".
I know from experience that there are many historical books in the hands of private citizens who are unwilling to tell anyone for fear of losing them. Most of these books contain information that is vital to Harford County research.
Rest assured that unless we are told otherwise the ownership and location will be held in strictest confidence.
We are currently looking for these two books:
1). "The Land-Holders Assistant and Land Office Guide" by John Kilty Pub. in Baltimore by Dobbin and Murphy, 1808
2). "The Rocks of Deer Creek, Harford County, Maryland, Their Legends and History", by Thomas T. Wysong of Shirley, near the Rocks, Pub. in Baltimore by the Press of Sherwood & Co., 1879
Need information on John DECKER, tinsmith b. Maine 1810, married 1835 Mary ? b. Ireland 1811, ch: Richmond b. 1835 N.Y., d. 1856 bur. Christ Episcopal Ch., Forest Hill,MD; Amanda b. 1837 Bel Air; Sarah J. 1833 d. 1860 bur. Christ Episcopal Ch.; Andrew b. 1840 Forest Hill; Alice J. b. 1845 d. 1861 bur. Christ Episcopal Ch.; Frances b. 1847.
Need information on George W. SMITH, tinsmith b. 1828 N.Y. d. 1904 Whiteford, MD. bur. Watters Memorial Ch. Cooptown, MD. Moved to MD 1836 lived in Forest Hill, m. 1836 Martha Ellen DURHAM b. 1829 Cooptown, d. 1907 Whiteford, bur. Watters Memorial Ch. Cooptown. ch: Joanna Belle b. 1852 Cooptown, m. John Thomas NORRIS; Henry Clay b. 1856 Cooptown, m. Sarah Olivia DURHAM of Cooptown; William Abraham b. 1859 Cooptown m. Louisa Christine FINK of Cooptown; Edwin H. b. 1861 Cooptown m. Belle ??.
Before we start there are some preliminary preparations.
First, decide to do it. Once you make that decision I can promise you that it will be an exciting journey.
Next, set a goal. - What is it that you want to find out? Write it on a 3x5 card and keep it where you can see it while you do your research, it will keep you from getting side-tracked.
Then, be honest. Chances are pretty good that you are not related to the King of England or a descendant of one of the Mayflower families. In fact, your great great grandfather may have been a horse thief. Who cares? These are the things that make you unique.
You are the product of generations of people from different walks of life, religions, nationalities and experiences. Your research may give you some insight into your looks, feelings and attitudes.
Now it's time to answer the questions I asked at the beginning.
Where and how do you start?
Start the journey into your family's past in a place where you are the unquestionable expert. Start with yourself.
Take 3x5 card and load it with information about you: your full name (last, first and middle) on the top, birthday, place of birth, father's full name, mother's full maiden name, spouse's full name, date and place of marriage and the full names of any children.
The last and most important thing that you should put on this (and every other) card you ever fill out, is where and when you got the information you just wrote down. This is your SOURCE and you will find it to be a very important part of your work.
Do you hire a genealogist? - No! not after you got such a great start. We're expensive and should really be used as a last resort. After all, why give us all the fun?
What equipment do you need? Well, like I said let's keep it simple. If I were you I'd get a sharp pencil, a couple of packs of 3x5 cards and an empty shoebox (doesn't sound too glamorous does it?). You can get fancier as time goes on.
Now, sharpen your pencil, find a nice quiet place to work, clean off the table, get some coffee and let's get to work. Fill out a 3x5 card for each and every relative that you know. Don't forget to put the SOURCE on each card.
File your card in the shoebox by last name and then first name so that you can find them later. Don't worry about putting parents with children, we will discuss how to handle that in the future, first things first.
Please don't think that you can skip the cards if you have a computer. My computer is great but my 3x5 card file is the backbone of my research.
That's step number one and it will take you awhile. So while you do that I'll work on my cards and see you next issue with step 2.
First, they're expensive. Second, only kids can run them (ask any parent). Third, they're expensive. Fourth, they are hard to learn and you don't have any time. And fifth, they're expensive.
Now that we've established that "they're expensive" you should get one that will do more for you than play games or run a genealogical program.
My recommendation would be to get a computer that was compatible to the IBM system (Mac users, please don't call).
Most of the people you will come in contact with will be using IBM equipment. Some will have programs to trade or data to exchange. I'm speaking from experience when I say that there will be more doors open to you with IBM compatible hardware.
But, if you have a computer, no matter what kind it is, there is 'family tree' software for it. The software will range in price from free to over $600. Just remember, you get what you pay for.
As a rule of thumb, the more expensive the program the less work the computer operator does. This is not always the case, but it is close.
One major problem with the inexpensive programs is that if you start with one and later advance to a better one, the data may not be transferrable. It means that you stick with the first software or enter the data all over again. I've re-entered data into three new family tree programs. I'm hard headed.
There are literally hundreds of 'family tree' software programs on the market today.
Here is some preliminary information on four of the programs that I have used;
1). FT-ETC, from Pine Cone Software P.O. Box 1163, Columbus, IN 47202-1163. ($35 is requested). However, Ft-Etc. is a shareware program that you can get from most genealogical bulletin boards at no cost. The $35 is to insure that you get the latest program and be kept up to date with all future changes. It's easy to use and does alot of the genealogical basics.
2). BROTHERS KEEPER from John Steed, 6907 Chilsdale Road, Rockford, MI 49341 is another shareware program. It's a little more complicated but gives more in return. $40 is requested by John.
3). PERSONAL ANCESTRAL FILE, $35 from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Family History Department, Ancestral File Operations Unit, 2WW, 50 East North Temple Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84150.
4). ROOTS III, probably the most popular of all the "family tree" programs. Available at most computer stores. Retails for around $325.
I will discuss each in detail in later issues.
For more information you can contact Kaye Starnes, Director, Community Education for Harford Community College, 401 Thomas Run Road, Bel Air, MD 21014, or call 879-8920.
For more information, questions, answers or queries, contact;
Everette Smith
E.C. Smith, Incorporated
Genealogical and Historical Research
3818 Belmont Drive
Jarrettsville, MD 21084
(410)557-6473
(410)557-6475 (24 Hr. Fax)
