Finding Records of the Past

Although it's been almost a year since I have posted to my Genealogy blog, I have still been doing research. With an upcoming trip to Maryland and Virginia, I have been focusing on my Nutter Ancestors who settled a good part of the Virginias and Maryland. I recently purchased a book called Stepney Parish Records of Somerset County, Maryland. This book contains birth, deaths, marriages and confirmation records for the period of 1709-1889 from the churches of St. Bartholomew's at Green Hill and St. Mary's at Tyaskin.

Inside are records for John Huett Nutter and Ann Nutter, my 6th great grandparents as well as their son Matthew Nathan Nutter, my 5th great grandfather.

As is the case with this record, sometimes it brings up more questions than answers. Ann Nutter was a second wife. Was she a cousin and her maiden name actually was Nutter or did they make an error in the records, forgetting perhaps to list her by her maiden name? Based on the time period, it was not unusual for cousins to marry and my hunch is that Ann's maiden name was Nutter and she was a cousin from another Nutter line. I have added this to my "questions to be answered, proof needed" list. That list is long. Really, really long.

One of the features at Ancestry.com is the "relationship" tree, showing exactly how you are related to someone way down the line. I've got over 1100 people currently in my family tree so it's helpful to have a way to view the relationship easily.

John Huett NUTTER (1705 - 1760)

is your 6th great grandfather

Matthew Nathan Nutter (1737 - 1811)

Son of John Huett

William Nutter (1782 - 1825)

Son of Matthew Nathan

Isaac W Nutter (1811 - 1874)

Son of William

Mary E. Nutter (1854 - 1919)

Daughter of Isaac W

Claude Everett Gaskill (1890 - 1962)

Son of Mary E.

Billie Louise Gaskill (1919 - 1966)

Daughter of Claude Everett

Larry Clare (1940 - )

Son of Billie Louise

Laura Clare

You are the daughter of Larry

In addition, I found this burial record for a Bridgett Spelman from 1660. 1660! It's so amazing that the paper is still intact and legible! She was buried at St. Mary in Ealing, England. One of these trips to England needs to be strictly an ancestral research trip! I have a Bridgett Spelman in my tree who is my 12th Great Grandmother but she died 100 years earlier.  Could this be a direct descendent of hers? Or could this actually be from 1560 and not 1660? The only way to find out, is to travel and check out the original for myself! Some day!

Bridgett Spelman (1515 - 1560)

is your 12th great grandmother

Edward Mumford (1540 - )

Son of Bridgett

Barbary Mumforde (1579 - 1624)

Daughter of Edward

Samuel Smith (1600 - 1642)

Son of Barbary

Mary Smith (1636 - 1677)

Daughter of Samuel

Hannah Endicott (1676 - 1737)

Daughter of Mary

Benjamin Gaskill (1709 - 1776)

Son of Hannah

Samuel Gaskill (1749 - 1821)

Son of Benjamin

Thomas Gaskill (1788 - 1850)

Son of Samuel

Timothy Sewell Gaskill (1811 - 1870)

Son of Thomas

Asbury S Gaskill (1844 - 1925)

Son of Timothy Sewell

Claude Everett Gaskill (1890 - 1962)

Son of Asbury S

Billie Louise Gaskill (1919 - 1966)

Daughter of Claude Everett

Larry Clare (1940 - )

Son of Billie Louise

Laura Clare

You are the daughter of Larry

So, with renewed enthusiasm I continue to search for documentation and records of my ancestors. What information will be uncovered when I get to Maryland and Virginia? The adventure continues...