For 30 years, my ancestor chart was stuck at 1850, but in a matter of three
days, I was able to get back to 1615. How? By DNA testing. Let me explain.
I became curious about my family tree about 30 years ago. Remember, this was
before the Internet. My sources were county histories, county court houses and
the state archives in Charleston, WV. My paternal line is Walker, and I was
unable to get back farther than 1850 because the head of household is the only
person named in those early Census records.
I knew that there were four Walker families in Nicholas County in the early
1800s. When I found out about DNA testing about five years ago, two of those
families had already been tested. So I decided to convince my brother and a
descendant of Elverton P. Walker (the other Walker family that had not been
tested) to participate. None of the four families matched, which was
disappointing, but at least I knew that I could give up on that line of
research and move on to new territory.
In the 1820 Nicholas County Census, Ira Walker, born prior to 1800, is listed
as head of household, with two older women and four teenagers living in the
home. By comparing the ages of the residents of the household, I guessed that
these were two women living with their children. I found a Nicholas County
marriage bond for Eliza Walkers marriage to John Mosbarger. Her mother, Leah,
gave her permission for the marriage, and Solon Walker signed the bond. This
record told me that Elizas father was not available to sign the document for
whatever reason, and that Solon is probably her brother.
Ira Walker died in 1832, and his estate lists two volumes of militia law, a
regiment coat and a saber. Ira was too young to serve in the War of 1812, so I
presumed that these possessions had been his fathers and that his father may
have died in that war, or soon after. That would explain why Leah, his widow,
was living with her son.
Seth, Iras brother, later moved to Indiana, and in the Census records there I
found that he reported that he had been born in New Hampshire. I was excited
to find a new lead, but with only the first name Leah to go on, I didnt get
very far.
BUT last week I was notified by e-mail that Eugene Walker is a perfect match
for my brothers DNA sample. And it turns out that Eugene descends from the
New Hampshire Walkers. At last, the missing link! Eugenes ancestor is Samuel
Walker of Woburn, Mass., who was born in England in 1615 and came to the
Colonies when he was about 21 years old.
Working forward, Eugene and my other research cousins, Joy Moore and Neva
Adams, have helped me find Leahs husband Solomon, which connects the West
Virginia line to the New Hampshire line. Without DNA testing, I NEVER would
have found this link!
Ella Walker May, 8/20/04
days, I was able to get back to 1615. How? By DNA testing. Let me explain.
I became curious about my family tree about 30 years ago. Remember, this was
before the Internet. My sources were county histories, county court houses and
the state archives in Charleston, WV. My paternal line is Walker, and I was
unable to get back farther than 1850 because the head of household is the only
person named in those early Census records.
I knew that there were four Walker families in Nicholas County in the early
1800s. When I found out about DNA testing about five years ago, two of those
families had already been tested. So I decided to convince my brother and a
descendant of Elverton P. Walker (the other Walker family that had not been
tested) to participate. None of the four families matched, which was
disappointing, but at least I knew that I could give up on that line of
research and move on to new territory.
In the 1820 Nicholas County Census, Ira Walker, born prior to 1800, is listed
as head of household, with two older women and four teenagers living in the
home. By comparing the ages of the residents of the household, I guessed that
these were two women living with their children. I found a Nicholas County
marriage bond for Eliza Walkers marriage to John Mosbarger. Her mother, Leah,
gave her permission for the marriage, and Solon Walker signed the bond. This
record told me that Elizas father was not available to sign the document for
whatever reason, and that Solon is probably her brother.
Ira Walker died in 1832, and his estate lists two volumes of militia law, a
regiment coat and a saber. Ira was too young to serve in the War of 1812, so I
presumed that these possessions had been his fathers and that his father may
have died in that war, or soon after. That would explain why Leah, his widow,
was living with her son.
Seth, Iras brother, later moved to Indiana, and in the Census records there I
found that he reported that he had been born in New Hampshire. I was excited
to find a new lead, but with only the first name Leah to go on, I didnt get
very far.
BUT last week I was notified by e-mail that Eugene Walker is a perfect match
for my brothers DNA sample. And it turns out that Eugene descends from the
New Hampshire Walkers. At last, the missing link! Eugenes ancestor is Samuel
Walker of Woburn, Mass., who was born in England in 1615 and came to the
Colonies when he was about 21 years old.
Working forward, Eugene and my other research cousins, Joy Moore and Neva
Adams, have helped me find Leahs husband Solomon, which connects the West
Virginia line to the New Hampshire line. Without DNA testing, I NEVER would
have found this link!
Ella Walker May, 8/20/04
Comment