Poolside Genealogy has moved

January 25, 2020

In 2018 I began this Poolside Genealogy blog as an experiment. I had never blogged before and was looking for a way to share my family's stories. I found the process cumbersome and time consuming however so I stopped adding new posts in 2019.

Recently I launched Poolside Genealogy as a Facebook Page and have begun posting new stories there.

I hope you'll take the time to stop for a visit and follow me if you like what you see. 

https://www.facebook.com/PoolsideGenealogy/

Regards,

Kathi Nielsen-Jacobs

RECTOR, VICAR, CURATE…OH MY!

Over the past several months, I’ve shared the stories of William Browne (1534-1613), Joseph Browne (1561-1633), and William Browne (1585-1650) who were members of the clergy during the Protestant Reformation. Trying to make sense of the Reformation’s impact on the church and to understand the various levels of clergy, however, nearly drove me batty.  

William Browne (1585-1650) – Curate, Schoolmaster & Merchant

Before my 10^th great grandfather William Browne was even born his future was seemingly laid out before him. Browne men, after all, were educated at Cambridge and spent their lives serving as the rector or vicar of a parish church. 

Joseph Browne (1561-1633) – The Rector of Rusper

Joseph Browne was the eldest son of William Browne and his wife Magdalene, whose story I recounted last month. Like his father before him, he was educated at Cambridge University and became a member of the clergy.

William Browne (1534-1613) - The Rector of Horley

In my previous post I told the story of Phebe Browne, my 9^th great grandmother, her journey to and life in America. Now it’s time for me to tell the story of her forefathers and the religious turmoil that impacted their lives.

Names Behind the Numbers - Nielsen & Westlund

My paternal grandparents, my Dad’s parents, were immigrants to America. My paternal grandfather, George Martin (née Jørgen Martinus) Nielsen, emigrated from Denmark in 1890.  My paternal grandmother, Ida Maria Westlund, emigrated from Sweden in 1900. Besides the obvious language barrier, tracing the names of my ancestor’s in these countries presents unique challenges not faced when tracing my Creger & Blayden families.

Phebe Browne (1620-1664) - The Immigrant

It was surprising for me to see how many historians and genealogists have written about my 9th great grandmother, Phebe Browne. A Google search for her name returns nearly 50,000 results—a staggering number for a woman who lived in the 1600s. 

Names Behind The Numbers - Creger & Blayden

My childhood was filled with my Mom’s family: her parents, her siblings and their children, her aunts and uncles, her 1st and 2nd cousins. They came to our home for visits and we went to visit them. We saw each other at holiday gatherings and family reunion picnics. They sent Christmas cards with newsy letters. Their names are familiar. These are my people.

Louis J. Houlette (1764-1841) - The Immigrant: Finding Louis

Numerous descendants, myself and my parents included, have spent countless hours trying to find records in France for Louis J. Houlette, my 4X great grandfather. Despite our efforts, we all came up empty handed. Will recent discoveries finally break down this brick wall?

How many ancestors do we have?

Constructing your family tree is simple enough. You simply put your name in the box at the bottom and then enter each preceding generation—parents, grandparents, great-grandparents. great-great-grandparents, etc.—into the preceding boxes creating an ever expanding upside down pyramid.

Helen Pauline Creger (1915-2012) - In Her Own Words

My Mom, Helen Pauline (Creger) Nielsen, lived a long, full life. We were blessed to have her with us until her death at the age of 96 on 18 June 2012. She is missed every day.

George Edgington I (1707-1791) - The Immigrant - Part Five: The Rest of the Story

George Edgington built a sizable farm on Dillon’s Run in the backcountry of western Virginia. Here his wife Margaret gave birth to their eight children. Six of those children would wed and start families of their own there. Despite such deep roots, George, Margaret, their children and grandchildren would all move away.

George Edgington I (1707-1791) - The Immigrant - Part Four: The Land Owner

We resume the story about George after he has returned home from having been captured by Indians and held by the French for three years during the early days of the French and Indians Wars. George and his wife Margaret have settled back into their lives. Soon they would welcome their sixth son, Jesse, in 1759, followed by daughters Hannah in 1760 and Jemima in 1765.

George Edgington I (1707-1791) - The Immigrant - Part Three: The Indian Years

George and Margaret Edgington left Philadelphia around 1743/44 for the western frontier of Virginia. They were likely part of a larger group of settlers that were heading to the region.

George Edgington I (1707-1791) - The Immigrant - Part Two: The Young American

Last month we determined that George likely arrived in America as a stowaway at the age of 14.  So, what happened to him next?

George Edgington I (1707-1791) - The Immigrant - Part One: The Stowaway

George Edgington's life reads like an adventure novel.  It is said that he arrived as a stowaway, lived as a frontiersman, was kidnapped and taken to Canada, his wife married another man, and he fought in a war.  But what, if any, of this true?  Join me as we take a deep dive into his life.

Louis J. Houlette (1764-1841) - The Immigrant - Post 1 Arrival?

I’ve been struggling with what I should write about in this first blog. As luck would have it, a new discovery simply cries out to be shared. Thus it is that I start with Louis J. Houlette, my 4x great-grandfather.

Introduction

John Robert and Helen Pauline (Creger) Nielsen, my parents, were the first genealogists in our family. While it began simply enough for them, it ultimately became the center of their retirement years. Never did they imagine that genealogy would take them back to the very beginning of our country, that they would work on it for over 30 years or that they would write a book that to this day is cited by today's genealogists.