Monday, February 6, 2012

The Research Process

1910 U.S. Federal Census - Joneses boarding with John and Caroline Zins, 2416 Eastern Ave.

As noted in previous posts, I am fortunate to have records that were written by ancestors who took the time to write down my family's history.  Without this information, my task would have been so much more daunting.  However, lineage groups such as Settlers and Builders of Hamilton County require "proof" of the claims made when trying to get your family certified.  The process has taught me a lot.  To demonstrate the process, I made a chart comparing what my Aunt's documentation said vs. what the research indicated. I also included the sources of this documentation.


Clues from Margaret Ann
Results of Research
Sources of Evidence
Norine’s Name
Norine Augusta Cronin Jones
Norine L. Dailey Cronin Jones

I believe that Norine’s name at birth was Norine Lucy Cronin.  Since her mother’s name was Lucy, I think that’s what the “L” represented.  Lucy Probert Cronin was always a Cronin following her marriage to John Cronin.  However, extensive research shows that John Cronin died two years before Norine’s birth.  See related documentation in Jones Family Matters Blog.  http://jonesfamilymatters.blogspot.com


Norine, was in fact called Augustine and is listed that way in the 1910 Census when she was living with the Sisters of the Good Shepherd in northern Kentucky.  She was given the name “Augustine” when she was baptized, apparently in honor of her Godfather whose name was August.  See baptismal record in Jones Family Matters.

Norine gave her name as “Norine Dailey Cronin” on her marriage license application.  Norine listed her father as “William Dailey.”
Norine was born in Mt. Sterling, Ky, moved to Lexington, Ky and later to Cincinnati where her brothers owned a saloon and grocery.
Norine was born in Mt. Sterling.  Lexington City Directories list Lucy Cronin, widow of John living in Lexington in 1890.  Norine is listed in Cincinnati City Directories by 1903.

Listings in Cincinnati City Directories
1903 326 E. 6th St. (with siblings Addie and Albert)
1904 – Living at 711 Main St.
1905 – Living at 711 Main St. (brother, Joseph, listed as having a grocery at 711 Main St. but rooming at 625 Main St.)
1906 – 3641 Floral Ave., Norwood
1907 and 1908 – check clerk at 17 W.  5th Street, res Norwood
1909 – 2953 Gilbert Ave.
1910 – Married – 2416 Eastern Ave.
Renting from Zins family.
Lexington City Directory – 1900, Cincinnati City Directories  – 1903-1909.
U.S. Federal Census 1900
Copy of Baptismal Record from Archives for Diocese of Covington, Kentucky.

Married Charles Frederick Jones in 1909 at St. Xavier Church.
Margaret Ann’s initial notation listed marriage location as St. Rose Church.  This was accurate.
Copy of Marriage License on file with Hamilton County.
Copy of marriage record at St. Rose Church.  See blog.
Lived for a while on Dandridge, then moved into Zins home.
First lived with Zins family and then moved to Dandridge.
Cincinnati City Directories and birth records for Edith and Charles.
Rachel Wainright Jones buried in Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky.
Rachel Wainright Jones buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Newport (Southgate) Kentucky
Evergreen Cemetery Record.
Picture of gravesite in Jones Family Matters blog.


If an item is not included in this table, then I have not been able to find any evidence to contradict what is stated in the letter.  What I've learned over the last 11 years is that most records I inherited are based on the "truth" as the writer understood it.  However, there are usually some facts that need clarification. Should a descendant of mine choose to continue my research, remember not to accept everything as presented.  After all -- that is both the challenge and the fun of genealogy.  Make that family your own.

4 comments:

  1. I've found this too. My mother wrote out information for me about her grandmother's sisters and brothers. She got some of it mixed up but with the information I was able to find so much I haven't been able to with the lines where nobody wrote out anything.

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  2. So true. The details may be off, but the narrative gives you roadmap.

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  3. Love this reminder to everyone to document their oral histories with other sources. Who knows where it might lead you?!

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  4. Interesting how people use their baptism/confirmation name for awhile as a legal name (as my mother did too). Love your travels in search of proof of the oral/written down history in your family. Very informative process. Thanks for sharing, Kathy.

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