Let Kelley Amstutz, Professional Genealogis, tell your Ancestors' story!

The Genealogy Investigator Blog

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TIME TRAVEL in Toledo, Ohio -- WEEK of May 1st - May 5th 2023

The Bigley Family

This week we are traveling BACK IN TIME through a BRANCH of MY OWN FAMILY… the BIGLEY FAMILY branch. This branch is connected to me through my paternal side and has roots in East Toledo, Ohio.

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CRIME TRAVEL in TOLEDO, OHIO -- Murder and Self Defense

Our first story takes place is Toledo, Ohio when a negro man, William Hibbett is arraigned in court for murdering Bertha Moore, a white woman, and William names his alleged accomplice, Harry Brown.  The case takes an interesting turn, as Hibbett is arraigned, but Harry Brown is convicted and awaiting electrocution.

Our second story also takes place in Toledo, Ohio in 1909 surrounded by the murder of Hugh Christy by the hand of Frank McHugh, a fighter who claims Mr. Christy threatened him causing him to protect himself in self-defense.

I choose some lighter crime for tonight’s episode after our two-part graphic case that I am sure still has some of us reeling, me for one!

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CRIME TRAVEL in TOLEDO, OHIO -- PART TWO - Double Murder (the Williams Family)

Part Two - Double Murder

We continue with the trial of Wesley Johnson, the murderer of George Williams and his wife, Isabella Williams, hearing his account of what happened, witness accounts, as well as learning the details of his execution.  Buckle up, this case is not for the weak, as it has twist and turns of a twisted individual with little to no remorse for his actions. Join me in the conclusion of the Double Murder Near Wauseon.

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CRIME TRAVEL in TOLEDO, OHIO -- A Terrible Tragedy - The Murder of Mr. John Harmon

John Harmon, a highly respected citizen is shot and killed in cold blood by Peter D. Cole on Main Street in the town of Deshler, Ohio just outside of Toledo, Ohio. Several witnesses were present in the six shot murder, including Mr. Harmon’s young son, as he is gunned down, traumatizing both families involved, as well as the town for one last time.

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CRIME TRAVEL in TOLEDO, OHIO -- A Strange Disappearance | Murder without a Clue

A Strange Disappearance and Murder Without a Clue- Our story begins in 1887 when Mrs. Margaret Ellis disappears after a night at the theater in Toledo, Ohio.  The only items found were her shoe and an article of clothing.  
This strange case was brought to light and dimmed out just as quick, as we look at the circumstances and try to draw some of our own conclusions as to what happened to Mrs. Margaret Ellis. 
The second story takes place in 1894 when the home of Mr. and Mrs. Seiner is entered, and both are brutally murdered. Their son is missing, and their barn is set on fire.  The details around this story are hazy and it is said that the murders were done in a cruel manner.  No clue was left behind. 
And, finally, we are in 1897 when a suspected suicide is investigated further, after witnesses proclaim to have seen two men with the deceased, Mrs. Alonzo Bennett. We are led through twists and turns for this Who-Done-It crime to try to catch a killer. 

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CRIME TRAVEL in TOLEDO, OHIO -- DRUNK MAN'S DEED

Join me, Kelley Amstutz, The Genealogy Investigator, as we learn about the man inflamed by liquor and jealousy, shooting dead eighteen-year-old Caroline Hunt, and her family because she refused his affections due to him being married. 

This case is full of bad decisions, which come to light as we move through the twists and turns to learn the fate of the Drunk Man's Deed.  

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CRIME TRAVEL in TOLEDO, OHIO -- THROUGH THE HEART

Our first case takes us back to 10 Jan. 1889, with the Horrible Murder and Suicide of M. Shaffer and Mary Jane Valentine in East Toledo, Ohio on Front and Platt Streets.

Our second case takes place on 15 Apr. 1900 when two aged women, Kate and Joanna Sullivan, the Sullivan Sisters, are robbed in their Toledo, Ohio farm home and one is murdered and the other sister goes insane.

Join me, Kelley Amstutz, The Genealogy Investigator, as we hunt for the killer(s) of this notorious murder mystery.

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CRIME TRAVEL in TOLEDO, OHIO -- GET A MURDERER

GET A MURDERER

We dive into the 1884 murder of Mrs. Gottlieb Stahl, a saloon keeper on Monroe Street in Toledo, Ohio who was robbed and murdered by strangulation on 20 Dec. 1884.

This is a real who-done-it and we investigate the various characters who come into play in this gripping tale of murder, manipulation, and misidentified suspects. 

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Genetic DNA Test Tips

Once anyone finds out I'm a professional genealogist, and I specialize in DNA, the questions start pouring in about what test to take, what are my privacy rights, or just advice on what to do next...

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Cluster & Collateral Research

I want you all to stop and think for just a minute. Think about all the friends, coworkers, and neighbors you see each and every day. How many of those people will show up on your family tree one day? It's a good question, right. Something we don't often think about. And probably a few of those surnames might pop up in your tree. But, it's important to remember that you're part of a bigger community, one that shapes who you are and the decisions you make, just as much as your blood relatives.

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Genealogy, Home, Latest, ResourcesKelleryn Amstutzcluster, collateral, research, arrival, American Ancestors, american records, abstracts, business, build, business builder, break down brick walls, brick walls, census, conclusion, citizenship, collections, cite, custom lists, correspondence, church records, court docket, Deeds, date and port of arrival, DNA, debts, databases, declarations of intention, discover, detective, death certificates, death records, Death Record Map, destroyed records, identify, administrator, Old Photos, indexes, orders, estate, enumeration, executor, emigration records, petitions, Family, family history, Family History Library, fresh perspective, goal, guardianship, Genealogy, Genealogy Journey, genealogy services, genealogy and kids, guardianship records, organic, immigrants, History, how, history, historians, heir, Historical Society, high taxes, important, Information Review, immigration, immigration passenger lists, investigative tools, investigator, wills, citations, cite sources, city directories, Military Records, Microfilm, citizenship records, Vintage Photographs, journey, work at home, work from home, check out my course, framework, land records, list of attached records, place of birth, moms working from home, mom life, newspapers, Newsletter, nobility, naturalization, naturalization petitions, national archives, oaths, online sources, online records, course, paper trail, passenger lists, port of embarkation, probate, question, Research, review, relative, Results, research trail, Resources, record search, resource list, trace your ancestors, summary, solve problems, State and County Offices, source citation, uncover, further research, Funeral Records, Church Records, write as you go, Family Tree, naturalization recordsComment
Start Your Immigration Research With These 10 Steps

American history was made with our immigrant and ethnic ancestors. Everyone has immigrant ancestors. It doesn't matter if your ancestor came to America in the 1900s, the 1600s, or were here to meet the rest of the settlers, all American ancestry leads somewhere else.

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HOW TO: Land Records & Genealogy Research

Land records are one of the most underutilized resources in genealogy, believe it or not. What once brought immigrants to America, the ability to obtain land, is often completely forgotten in research. Established countries, like Europe, almost all land had been titled for years, even centuries. Laws of primogeniture (inheritance by only the FIRST SON) ensured that properties wouldn't be split up into smaller parcels, but that also meant that other children couldn't inherit the land.

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Civil War Genealogy Research

The Civil War produced huge amounts of documentation with over 3.5 million men (and a few hundred women) fighting for both the Union and Confederacy. But... because military records do not fit familiar patterns of most genealogical research you will conduct, vital records, passenger lists, and so on... these records can be overwhelming to a first-time researcher. But, by understanding a few key facts and having some great resources in your toolbox, you can start with a wealth of information about your Civil War ancestor before you even start digging!

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16 Money (& Time) Saving Hacks for Genealogy

Here are some of my favorite genealogy hacks that help you figure out what websites can do... that you didn't even know was possible, to speed up your research, and even streamline websites and tech tools. Some of these hacks can even save you money (which I love the most) on subscription websites, by helping you weed out free records or pay as you go.

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5 Tips to Level Up Your Genealogy Research

Family history research can be full of obstacles... and your genealogy journey might seem like it's laced with pitfalls, vast expanses of water... and those brick walls that seem to come out of nowhere at every twist and turn. If you focus your family-history training regimen on conquering the five challenges outlined here, you'll get better at building your family tree and even level up your Genealogy Research!

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How to Create a Genealogy Source Citation

Whenever I talk about citing genealogy sources, I swear I can hear someone physically sigh... and I get it! There is no other area of genealogy that stirs less excitement than the topic of citing! Creating accurate genealogy source citations can be DULL and let's be honest... it takes up so much time... but it's so important!

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Research Log & Family History -- 6 Things to Use in Your Genealogy Research Log

Have you ever visited an online research site (or physical archive) and thought about the vast collection of records that were just within your reach... but you had no idea where to even start? Or, maybe you've spent hours researching one single person only to lose... or worse... forget most of what you've learned and/or where you learned it. Maybe you've even walked away from your research for a few weeks and when you sat back down were left completely confused about where to pick it up again...

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10 Historic Weather Events & Our Ancestors

Our weather is something that seems to always be a topic of conversation day in and day out. We always want to know what tomorrow will hold... especially with global warming being a hot topic. Weather is a worldwide subject of daily conversations, and it's also a great way to break the ice in awkward moments of silence.

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Social History Use in Genealogy - Issue #16

Our ancestors' lives were influenced by society, events, and external forces. Everything from the lands where a family lived to the social causes they endured could affect how our ancestors made decisions about where to settle down, where to start a family, and where to work. These values and motivators go far beyond traditional genealogy records, and can help you break down your brick walls!

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Genealogy Projects with Kids

It's summer vacation... and as a Professional Genealogist, running my own business, working for myself... that means I have two eager kids fighting for my time in between projects. We decided to set out and see Ohio this summer, taking in the History, learning about the land through visits to local battlefields, a trip to the public library and a tour of the Genealogy archives, and even some historical home tours that aren't too far from our home.

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