Things to watch out for with DNA testing

I was very excited to learn that a fellow Godwin researcher might have found a relative to submit DNA to test against other conflicting or proposed lines.  She is descended from a family that often gets mixed up with my own family, or at least the family I am trying to prove relation to.
 
Our two Nathan Godwins were born in the mid to late 1700s and resided in Sampson Co., NC prior to the turn of the century.  My colleague’s Nathan Godwin is reported to be the son of Jonathan and Rachel (Bullard) Godwin, also of Sampson Co., NC.  He wrote a will in 1821 and died in Sampson Co., NC in 1823. He was the older Nathan. I believe, however that it is actually MY Nathan Godwin who was the son of Rachel and Jonathan and I have a deed to back it up. My Nathan Godwin removed to Randolph Co., NC about 1800, following the death of Jonathan in 1791 and the sale of his lands by his widow Rachel, and Nathan and Dred Godwin in 1795.

DNA analysis would help us to determine which of the two Nathan Godwins was the real son of Jonathan and Rachel Godwin. First we would need to find a definite descendant of Jonathan and Rachel who has a paper trail, to compare our DNA to.  Then we would need two additional samples – one from my colleague’s line and one from my own line. My family’s DNA has already been submitted and has matched up with 6 other NC Godwin lines. How exactly they are related is yet to be determined. I got my colleague to agree to submit her family’s DNA.

However, then I remembered something:  Her ancestor was reported to be descended from the older Nathan Godwin who left a will in 1821. In the will, he mentioned her ancestor’s name – Handy Godwin – a grandson, son of Nathan’s daughter, Tressie Godwin. I found court documents against this Tressie Godwin for 4 children she had out of wedlock.  In 3 of the 4 cases, the fathers were named, however, the children were not named. One of those men named did happen to be a Godwin, but we are not sure if he sired my colleague’s ancestor or not.

When finding family members to participate in DNA studies you must make sure that they are a true descendant of that surname. In this case, meaning their father must have been a Godwin. It is not enough that my colleague’s ancestor, Handy was a Godwin. He had been given his mother’s surname.  We don’t know who his father was. Of course, if my colleague were interested in finding out who Handy’s father was, she could go ahead and get the DNA submitted and compare it against possible surnames (perhaps against the two other men mentioned in the court cases).

So now I need to locate another heir of the older Nathan Godwin’s line to compare my family’s DNA against in order to prove or disprove relation to him and/or to Jonathan and Rachel Bullard Godwin.

Our Godwin DNA Test Results

This is a letter I sent out to all of the descendants of Elijah Godwin (1801-1884):

Update on my grandfather’s Godwin DNA test (to the descendants of Elijah Godwin):
As you know back in Nov my grandfather, Larry Godwin, submitted his DNA to the Goodwin/Godwin DNA Surname Project. I just wanted to remind everyone that all of the descendants of Elijah Godwin are represented by his DNA test. You do NOT have to submit your own test because if you are a Godwin male, then you will have the same exact y-chromosomal DNA as he does! Y-chromosomal DNA is what is passed from father to son each generation. Each family has its own set of mutations that occur that also get passed from generation to generation – these mutations are tested and recorded by companies like family tree DNA and they distinguish between family lines.
My grandfather’s 25-marker DNA test was a 100% match to the DNA of the FIRST group of Godwins in the results table http://www.worldfamilies.net/surnames/goodwin/results. Our ID number is G-43

Group 1
G-4   Descendant of David Godwin b. c1740 of Bladen Co., NC
G-29 Descendant of Samuel Godwin b. c1742 of Johnston Co., NC
G-30 Descendant of Thomas Godwin b. c1745 of Johnston Co., NC
G-32 Descendant of Thomas Godwin b. c1745 of Johnston Co., NC
G-34 Descendant of Nathan Godwin b. c1807 NC (possible grandson of Nathan b.
c1760 of Sampson Co., NC thru his son Jonathan)
G-8   Descendant of Alexander Godwin b. c1795 NC d. 1881 St. Clair, AL
G-43 Descendant of Elijah Godwin b. 1805 NC d. 1884 Lawrence Co., AR

For a 25 marker test match, there is a 90% probability that the descendants of Elijah Godwin share a common ancestor in the last 10 generations with the other 5 lines above.

Elijah is the last known ancestor we can prove to be descended from. It is my belief that Elijah was the son of Nathan Godwin who was the son of Jonathan Godwin, b. 1740, md. Rachel Bullard, however this is widely disbelieved by other Godwin researchers.

So now all we have to do is try to find paper trails of familial connections with these other 5 Godwin lines of NC.

There is one other Godwin who submitted a 37-marker test to this project. My grandfather can upgrade his test to a 37 marker test and compare against the other Godwin to tighten the window of relationship. If the two 37-marker tests come back with a 100% match, then there is a 95% chance we share a common ancestor in the last 7 generations, 90% chance it is within the last 5 generations and 50% that it is within the last 2-3 generations.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

We are still looking for descendants of Wilkinson, Dred, and Wilson Ulysses Godwin to participate in the surname project to see if we can connect them to our line.

A Peek into the NC State Archives: Loose Documents of Estate Records

In a previous post, I outlined how to search for wills that are housed at the NC State Archives. In this post, I’d like to talk about another collection that is part of the NC State Archives: “The Series of Original Loose Documents of Estate Records.” This collection contains a serious of documents pertaining to the estates of deceased persons in NC. This collection is sorted by county, then alphabetical by last name.

Documents contained in these files include administrator bonds, affidavits, inventory and estate sales receipts, legal proceedings, division of assets to legatees, etc. These files can be reviewed out by filling out a call slip. The call numbers start with a 3-digit prefix assigned to the county of interest. Randolph County’s 3-digit prefix is 081. Then the next 3-digits are assigned to document type. For estates, that number is always 508. The last number of the call number is the box number that contains your ancestor’s file. This last number is left blank on the call slip. You will put your surname on the call slip instead. They will bring you the box that contains the surname for the county of interest. For example, I might find the loose documents of the estate of Abiah Godwin in Randolph County using the following call number: 081.508.5. Box 5 containing the surname Godwin.

Below is an example of documents contained in the file of Abiah Godwin, Randolph Co., NC (In order of appearance in the file):

Receipt of money brought forward from the sale of estate of Abiah Godwin

Page 1 illustrates how much money the administrator of the estate brought before the judge, probably from the sale of items in the estate. The administrator brought in 79 pounds, 3 shillings, and 11 pence. 39 pounds, 6 shillings, and 8 pence were awarded to the administrator for his duties as administrator leaving 39 pounds, 16 shilling, and 3 pence to be divided between Abiah Godwin’s 7 legatees…5 pounds, 13 shilling, 7 pence awarded per legatee.

Settlement of the Estate of Abiah Godwin, Deceased

Page 2 is a scan of what was on the back of the first page. It reads “A settlement of the estate Abiah Godwin, Deceased.”

Receipt of monies owed administrator

Page 3 is a receipt of monies owed to Samuel Godwin from the estate for his duties of administrator.

Inventory of estate of Abiah Godwin, page 1

 

Inventory of estate of Abiah Godwin, page 2

Pages 4 and 5 contain an inventory of the estate of Abiah Godwin taken on 4 Feb 1796, consisting of furniture, pots, farm stock, kitchen goods, etc.

Affadavit of Administrator, Samuel Godwin

Page 6 contains the affidavit of Samuel Godwin who presented the inventory to the courts.

 

Related Posts:

NC State Archives: Original Wills

Lou Ella Godwin Otten (1882-1947), Part III

 

In Part I of my series, “Who was Louella Otten?” I presented 3 sets of documents that outlined the history of my 2^nd great grandmother, Louella Otten.

1.       Marriage record from Sharp Co., AR: Ella DAVIS married Alvin GODWIN, 1899

2.       1900 Sharp Co., AR census report: Lou A CARPENTER, daughter of Wm CARPENTER (step-sister Osieola DAVIS, daughter of Wm CARPENTER’s second wife, Dora NIX DAVIS, was also enumerated)

3.       Obituary of Ella Otten:  survivors included 3 CARPENTER brothers – Marlin, Ernest, and Willie; one half-sister, Nellie CARPENTER ECKERT, and one sister, Osieola DAVIS CLARK.

These sources put together indicate that Lou Ella was either a DAVIS or a CARPENTER.  At first I thought she was a Carpenter because that is what the census report indicated and I have a bad habit of putting lots of stock in what census reports say. I learned my lesson this time.

I received a copy of Ella Otten’s death certificate obtained from the OK Department of Health this week. It clearly states that Ella’s father was Bill DAVIS and her mother was Dora NIX. 

So lessons learned: Don’t believe everything you read!

Related Posts:

Lou Ella Godwin Otten (1882-1947), Part I

Lou Ella Godwin Otten (1882-1947), Part II

Davis Family Death Certificates

Lou Ella Godwin Otten (1882-1947), Part II

 Lou Ella Godwin Puzzle, Part II

Previously, I posted information on Lou Ella Otten, 1882-1947. This post is a continuation of the question of who are Lou Ella Otten’s parents?

Recap: Lou Ella DAVIS married Alvin GODWIN in Sharp Co., AR in 1899, therefore I predicted that Lou Ella’s surname was DAVIS. However her obituary of 1947 stated she had 3 brothers with the CARPENTER surname. I then went on a quest to determine if Lou Ella was a DAVIS or CARPENTER. Most of the evidence presented below lean towards her being a CARPENTER. However I still have to ask the question of why her marriage record stated her last name was DAVIS. One might simply answer that she was previously married to a DAVIS prior to marrying my Alvin GODWIN (at the age of 19). However, in the census report of Lou Ella’s family we find a step sister by the name of Oscielo DAVIS and a marriage record between Lou Ella’s father, William Carpenter, and a Dora DAVIS. Therefore, I am inclined to believe that the mixup was with Lou Ella and her step mom’s family.

I found Lou Ella’s family in the census reports. I have listed them chronologically, and you will see Lou Ella’s “Carpenter brothers” in the 1900 census report with her. Nellie Carpenter, her “sister” who married Roy Eckert, did not show up until the 1910 census report. Their father was William Carpenter, b. abt 1844:

1870 Douglas Co., MO census report:
William Carpenter, 28 yo (abt 1842), farmer, value of personal estate: $1238, IL
Catharine Carpenter, 26yo (abt 1844), Keeping house, IL
Ellenora Carpenter, 5 yo (b. abt 1865), IL
George M Carpenter, 3 yo (b. abt 1867), IL
Franklin Carpenter, 1 yo (b. abt 1869), MO

William and Catherine Carpenter moved from Douglas Co., MO to Izard Co., AR between 1870 and 1875. According to the 1880 Izard Co., AR census report, the two youngest children, George and Franklin, moved with them, three more children were born, and Ellenora, the oldest, was no longer living in the household – she would have been only 15 years old:

1880 Izard Co., AR, Lafferty Creek Township, enum 84, July 5 1880, Lines 59-60
William Carpenter w m 38 yo (b. abt 1842) farmer IL TN TN
Catharine Carpenter w f 31 yo (b. abt 1849)   wife m khouse IL VA VA
George B.Mc. Carpenter w m 13 yo (b. abt 1867) son s works on fm IL IL IL
Franklin Carpenter w m 11 yo (b. abt 1869), son s works on fm MO IL IL
Charles Carpenter w m 9 yo (b. abt 1871), son s works on fm MO IL IL
Wm. S. Carpenter w m 5 (b. abt 1875), son s AR IL IL
Sherwood Carpenter w m 1 (b. abt 1879) son s AR IL IL
- So far William and Catherine have at least 6 Carpenter children
———————————————-
On 12 Feb 1890 in Sharp Co., AR, William Carpenter is remarried to Dora C. DAVIS and they are enumerated on the 1900 Sharp Co., AR census report:

1900 Sharp Co., Highland Twp AR census report:
Highland Twp., ED 119, enumerated 4-5 June 1900, T623, Roll 77, p 44

William Carpenter, head, white male, b. sept 1844, 55 yo, Married 10 years, IL, Unk Unk, farmer, owned free farm
Dora C Carpenter, wife, b. June 1864, 35 yo, married 10 years, 6/8 children living, TN TN TN
1. Lou A Carpenter, daughter, white female, b. Feb 1882, 18 yo, single, AR IL IL –  Born before Wm married Dora, so probably daughter of Wm and Catherine Carpenter and probably my Louella. Her father’s birthplace, IL, matches with that of William Carpenters’; My Louella was also enumerated with her husband of 1 year, Alvin Godwin, in the 1900 Fulton Co., Pleasant Ridge, AR census report.
2. Oceola DAVIS, step-daughter, white female, b. Jan 1885, 15 yo, single, AR TN TN –  Also born before Wm and Dora were married in 1890, so probably Dora’s from a previous marriage as this child has the same surname that Dora had before marrying Wm Carpenter
3. Acy Carpenter, son, white male, b. Jan 1892, 8 yo, single, AR IL TN
4. Willie Carpenter, son, white male, b. July 1894, 5 yo, single, AR IL TN
5. Marlin Carpenter, son, white male, b. Oct 1896, 3 yo, single, AR IL TN
6. Ernest Carpenter, son, white male, b. May 1899, 1 yo, single, AR IL TN
* There are 6 children listed in this census report.
Willie, Marlin, and Ernest Carpenter are the 3 “brothers” listed in Lou ella’s obituary   

1910 Sharp Co., AR census report:
Dora Carpenter, head, 45 yo (b. abt 1865), widow, 6/6 children, TN TN TN
Willie Carpenter, son, 15 yo (b. abt 1895), single, AR IL TN
Marlin Carpenter, son, 13 yo (b. abt 1897), single, AR IL TN
Ernest Carpenter, son, 10 yo (b. abt 1900), single, AR IL TN
Nellie Carpenter, dau, 5 yo (b. abt 1905), single, AR IL TN

Here are links to copies of the Carpenter census reports for 1870 – 1910:

1870 Douglas Co., MO Census Report for William and Catherine Carpenter

1880 Izard Co., AR Census Report for William and Catherine Carpenter, p. 1

1880 Izard Co., AR Census Report for William and Catherine Carpenter, p. 2

1900 Sharp Co., AR Census Report for William and Dora Carpenter

1910 Sharp Co., AR Census Report for Dora Carpenter

According to Lou Ella Otten’s obituary, she had 3 “brothers” –  Willie, Marlin, and Ernest Carpenter –  Assuming Lou Ella is the “Lou A. Carpenter, 18 yo, b. Feb 1882” listed in the 1900 census report and is really a child of Wm Carpenter and his first wife, Catherine, then the 3 boys must actually be half brothers (they were children of Wm and 2nd wife Dora).

The “half sister” Mrs. Roy Eckert, mentioned in Lou Ella Otten’s obituary is actually Nellie Carpenter, daughter of Wm and Dora (2nd wife) Carpenter and sister of the 3 boys, but truly a half sister of Lou Ella, so that part of the obit is correct.

 

Mrs.  Ed Clark of Los Angeles was Osceola Davis. She was listed as an actual “sister” to my Lou Ella Otten but she was probably a step sister. She was listed in the California Death Records: Oceola Clark: b. 20 Jan 1885 in AR; d. 22 Mar 1955 in Los Angeles, CA; Mothers maiden name was Nix. Father’s name was Davis.  (no social security number given). 

According to all of the above information, it looks as though Lou Ella Otten was a Carpenter, and the daughter of William Carpenter and his first wife, Catherine Warner. Lou Ella was born 26 Feb 1882, therefore she could not be the daughter of William and his second wife, Dora Carpenter because Dora did not marry William Carpenter until 1890.

If these assumptions are correct, then why does Lou Ella’s marriage record say Lou Ella Davis?

And why does her obituary state that Mrs. Ed Clark (Osciala Davis) was a “sister” when she would have really been a step sister?

And why does it say the 3 Carpenter men were “brothers” instead of half brothers, especially when it states that Nellie (Mrs. Roy Eckert) was a “half-sister?”

Related Posts:

Lou Ella Godwin Otten (1882-1947) Part I

Lou Ella Godwin Otten (1882 – 1947) Part III

Lou Ella Godwin Otten (1882-1947), Part I

Lou Ella Godwin Puzzle

According to Joyce Hambleton Whitten’s transcribed Arkansas Marriage Records, an Ellce or LouElla Davis, 19 yo, of Hardy, Sharp Co., AR married Allen or Alvin Godwin, 22 yo, also of Hardy, Sharp Co., AR on 14 Mar 1899. The marriage was officiated by W. E. Dark, witnessed by J. N. Pully.

In the 1900 Fulton County, Pleasant Ridge Township, AR census report taken 2 June 1900, Alvin Godwin was enumerated with his wife, Looeler? Godwin. Alvin Godwin was 21 years old, born Jan 1879, married 1 year, 0 kids, born in AR with father born in AR and mother born in MS. “Looeler?” Godwin, wife, was 18 years old, born Feb 1882 in AR, both parents born in TN.

This census report corroborates the approximate date of marriage and ages of Alvin and LouElla Godwin listed in the marriage record.  

Alvin and Ella Godwin were enumerated again in the 1910 Fulton Co., Mammoth Springs, AR census report with their two children, Laura and Arvil Godwin:
Godwin, Alvin T. Head, 30 yo (b. abt 1880) Married 11 years (abt 1899), AR AR AR
Ella Wife, 30 yo (b. abt 1880), Married 11 years (abt 1899), 2 / 4 kids living AR TN AR
Laura 8 Daugh AR AR AR
Arvil 6 Son AR AR AR

Alvin and Ella divorced sometime between 1910 and 1920. By 1920, Alvin was back living with his parents in Mammoth Springs at age 40, was divorced and an Ella “McGee” was found in Shawnee, Pottawatomie, Co. OK. The census states she is married, born in TN around 1886 (34 years old) with two kids – Lorine O, 17 born in MO and Orvale L, 15, born in MO. The children’s ages match up, however, Ella’s age is off and the census lists the kids’ birthplace as MO instead of AR.

By the time the1930 census was enumerated, Lou Ella was married to Nace Robert Otten. They were listed in the 1930 Shawnee, Pottawatomie Co., OK census report: N Robert Otten was 42 yo, married, b. in MO; railroad conductor; WWI vet, Ella Otten, was wife, 44 yo, married, b. TN, both parents born in TN;

This past fall we found the obituaries of both Lou Ella and Nace Otten at the Shawnee public library, as well we photographed the headstones placed on their graves in Fairview Cemetery, Shawnee, OK. The obituaries brought up some interesting questions about exactly who was Alvin Godwin married to? The marriage record said Alvin Godwin married Lou Ella DAVIS. However according to the obituaries, Lou Ella had 3 brothers with the last name of CARPENTER. So did Alvin Godwin marry Lou Ella Davis or Carpenter? Was Lou Ella married to a Davis before marrying Alvin?

Here are the transcripts from the death notices and obituaries:

Shawnee (Okla.) News-Star, Friday, July 18, 1947
Deaths
Funeral Pending For Mrs. Otten, Railroader’s Wife
Mrs. Ella Otten, 62, of 431 North Aydelotte, died Thursday at 4:15 p.m. in a local hospital as result of a heart attack suffered about 10 days ago.
She was the wife of N. R. Otten, Rock Island conductor.
Funeral services are being arranged by Gaskill’s.
Mrs. Otten came to Shawnee in 1910 from Hardy, Ark. She was a member of the first Presbyterian church and the Ladies Auxiliary to the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen.
Surviving besides her husband are one son, Orville Godwin of Tulsa, one sister, Mrs. Ed Clark, Los Angeles, a half sister, Mrs. Roy Eckert, Shwanee, and three brothers. The brothers are Ernest and Marland Carpenter of Hardy, Ark., and Willie Carpenter, Los Angeles. Mrs. Otten also leaves nine grandchildren.
[Microfilm No. XVI-378-406 from the Shawnee, OK public library]

Shawnee (Okla.) News-Star, Sunday, July 20, 1947 (p. 2A)
Deaths
Otten Services Set for Monday
Funeral services for Mrs. Ella Otten. 62. 431 North Aydelotte, who died Thursday in a local hospital will be held Monday at 2 p. m.
Services will be held in the Gaskill chapel with Rev. Claybron Derring in charge. Burial will be at Fairview cemetery.
Mrs. Otten was a member of the Central Presbyterian church and the Laides Auxiliary to the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen. She had lived in Shawnee since 1910, coming from Hardy, Arkansas.
Bearers will be Henry Martell, O. Beeson, Wallace Doss, Robert Freeman, Edmond Kitchell and Sam Hewlett.
[Microfilm No. XVI-378-406 from the Shawnee, OK public library]

I did find the three brothers listed in the obituary as children living in the household of William Carpenter in Highland Township, Sharp Co., AR in 1900:
Highland Twp., ED 119, enumerated 4-5 June 1900, T623, Roll 77, p 44
William Carpenter, head, white male, b. sept 1844, 55 yo, Married 10 years, IL, Unk Unk, farmer, owned free farm
Dora B or E Carpenter, wife, white female, b. June 1864, 35 yo, married 10 years, 6/8 children living, TN TN TN
Lou A Carpenter, daughter, white female, b. Feb 1882, 18 yo, single, AR IL IL
Oceola Davis, step-daughter, white female, b. Jan 1885, 15 yo, single, AR TN TN
Acy Carpenter, son, white male, b. Jan 1892, 8 yo, single, AR IL TN
Willie Carpenter, son, white male, b. July 184, 5 yo, single, AR IL TN
Marlin Carpenter, son, white male, b. Oct 1896, 3 yo, single, AR IL TN
Ernest Carpenter, son, white male, b. May 1899, 1 yo, single, AR IL TN

1910 Sharp Co., AR census report:

Dora Carpenter, head, 45 yo (b. abt 1865), widow, 6/6 children, TN TN TN

Willie Carpenter, son, 15 yo (b. abt 1895), single, AR IL TN

Marlin Carpenter, son, 13 yo (b. abt 1897), single, AR IL TN

Ernest Carpenter, son, 10 yo (b. abt 1900), single, AR IL TN

Nellie Carpenter, dau, 5 yo (b. abt 1905), single, AR IL TN

However, as I mentioned earlier, my Lou Ella Godwin was enumerated with Alvin Godwin in Pleasant Ridge, Fulton Co., AR, 2 June 1900. She was born Feb 1882 according to both census reports, so it is possible she was enumerated twice. There is mention of a DAVIS living in the family’s household in 1900, she was Ocealo Davis, 15 years old, born about 1885, step daughter of William Carpenter. 

So what should I do with this information? Should I attach my Lou Ella to William Carpenter? Did she marry a Davis before marrying my Alvin Godwin at the age of 19? Or is it more than a coincidence that she had a step sister with the last name of Davis? Was she really Dora Davis’ daughter and William Carpenter’s step daughter?

Continued on Part II

My work was published without my permission or acknowledgment!

This weekend I had about 4 hours to work on my genealogy stuff. I was going through some online rootsweb files and I saw that someone had posted information that I had provided to her and did not acknowledge my work. She posted that Nathan Godwin was the father of Elijah Godwin of North Carolina. There are many descendants working on this line and none of them have ever tried to look past Elijah to find his parents. I’ve been working for 2 years on trying to prove who his parents were. And I’ve shared information on the Godwin-Whitlow myfamily.com website hoping to get feedback from folks. Unfortunately, even though the owner of the site has explicitly reminded people NOT to post other people’s information without their permission first, I’m still finding my information posted to the world. I’m not ready to have this information posted and even if I were, I would want to post it myself. So I spent this weekend updating my files, trying to get them presentable to post to the rootsweb worldconnect project for others to view. I like that people are able to post their family trees and that they are backed up on a secure server, but many people don’t put their sources up and that’s frustrating. What good is having the information if you can’t back it up with sources? And then on top of all this, she didn’t even acknowledge my work!