David Sanders and the Battle of New Orleans

This post is a response to a challenge by a family history blog group. I think it was on facebook. It might have been an "event." The topic was "write a blog about an ancestor who participated in a famous battle."

My Ancestor David Sanders of Tennessee went with General Andrew Jackson down the Mississippi River and participated in the Battle of New Orleans. In fact, he was wounded and died a few days later.

A few years ago, I read The Battle of New Orleans by Robert V. Remini. I am pretty sure that was the book. It was very interesting. I was not able to learn anything specific about my ancestor but I learned a lot about how important the Battle of New Orleans was to United States History. It was the first time such a diverse group of Americans fought together. Even though the War of 1812 was officially over and they didn't know because the news of the treaty being signed in France hadn't reached them yet, the impressive victory let the British know that the USA was strong and capable and should be left alone.

As a result of this challenge I want to read up some more on the history of Andrew Jackson and the Battle of New Orleans and see if I can find out more about David Sanders and his role.

My sister sent me an email today letting me know that she has discovered newfamilysearch. Her ward explained the program in the 5th Sunday combined Relief Society/Priesthood meeting on Sunday. She was able to sign in and start making corrections to the family search version of our family history. New Family Search is not available in my temple district yet. So I can not sign in yet. I am so excited that she has started doing this!!!

I am my own Grandpa - Ray Stevens

Here is the link to a music video that will be of interest to genealogists.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=be19HmqwZRQ

New Computer

My new computer has arrived. I hope to get it set up today and then I can install Legacy and really get started on family history work (as I have time, of course).

I am excited to start a new adventure of research and compiling what I have.

Genealogy 101 by Barbara Renick

Yesterday I received a new book in the mail. It is Genealogy 101 - How to Trace Your Family's History and Heritage by Barbara Renick. It is published by Rutledge Hill Press in Nashville, Tennessee, copyright 2003 by National Genealogical Society and Barbara Renick.

I attended two classes by Barbara Renick at the BYU Family History Conference and also heard her when she was a guest on Relatively Speaking on KSL Radio. If I lived in southern California I might take a class from her at the Orange County LDS Family History Center. I am excited to read this book. She has included many personal examples of research done by herself in the book and it appears to be a comprehensive guide to the task of discovering your family tree.

Actually this book is now out-of-print, but I was able to purchase a copy on eBay (actually half.com). It appears to be a brand new copy.

World Vital Records Membership

Yesterday I was listening to the August 10th "Relatively Speaking" on KSL. I listened to it by going to the KSL website and listening over the Internet. I can't listen on Sundays because of church meetings. The guest was the president of World Vital Records, actually this is just one of a group of companies. I heard some pretty exciting stuff. So when the offer was made of a two-year membership of the U.S. records for only $39.95 I decided to take advantage of the offer. The sale is good until next Sunday at www.worldvitalrecords.com/ksl If you are a relative or friend of mine, you are welcome to use this service at my home on my computer. It should be very interesting. Hmm, I wonder if in two-years time we could trace all of our lines back to before their United States or colonial days.

Searching for Irish Ancestors

This last week I have not posted on my blog because I have become possessed with one of my ancestral lines which goes into Ireland. Eventually I do want to write more about what I learned at the BYU Family History Conference.



My ancestor whose parents and grandparents go back into Ireland is John Mills born 14 January 1816 in Belfast, Antrim, Ireland. His father was Thomas Mills and his mother was Alice or Alica MacDonald or McDonnell. He married Elizabeth Hall who was born 10 November 1816 in Chatham, Kent, England. Their daughter Elizabeth Mills was born 7 March 1839 in Douglas, Isle of Man, England. It has been very interesting to learn a few things about this family.



The mystery I have been considering today is this. How did John Mills born in Ireland meet Elizabeth Hall born in Kent? Where did they marry and why did they settle on the Isle of Man? I have learned that before John and Elizabeth and their children immigrated to America they visited Elizabeth's family in Kent, so I believe it is accurate that she was from Kent. It just seems unusual that two people who were born so far apart were able to meet and marry.