RUSSELL « Genealogy Addict

WEEK 52 – YOU

December 27, 2019 by Leanne

This week in Amy Johnson Crow’s 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks, the prompt is “You”.

Writing or talking about myself is something I usually don’t like to do, but I will try my best to give a quick overview of who I am.

I was born in 1972 in Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia. I am the only daughter, and oldest of 3 children, born to John McConnell and Lynette McKenzie.

My family has been in the Warrnambool area for a long time, beginning in about the 1850s. The majority of my family still live within 30 minutes of Warrnambool.

Growing up, my weekends were spent visiting family, going to Football and Cricket games, or fishing. My school holidays were divided between my 2 grandmothers, Rhoda (Absalom) McKenzie and Florence (Russell) McConnell.

In 2000, I moved to the U.S. and married my American husband. Since then, I have spent most of my free time researching his family tree, as his family is scattered across the U.S., and some of his lines are completely unknown to him and his parents.

I grew up close to family, having spent time with both sets of grandparents and 2 of my great grandparents, the others passing before I was born. I think I spent more time with my cousins than I did with my friends, and some of my cousins I classed as friends, rather than just as family.

I have 3 children, 2 of whom still live at home. My oldest has her own apartment, and my son is graduating high school this year. My days are spent helping my husband with our computer business, helping the kids with their online schooling and doing genealogy, when time allows.

Just while writing this blog post, I realize that I do not spend enough time writing about family or about myself, which I must remember to put on my To-Do List for next year. Thanks for listening!

Tags: #52Ancestors, Absalom, McConnell, McKenzie, Russell
Posted in 2019, 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks, ABSALOM, McCONNELL, McKENZIE, RUSSELL | No Comments

WEEK 16 – OUT OF PLACE

April 19, 2019 by Leanne

This week in Amy Johnson Crow’s 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks, the prompt is “Out of Place”.

I was looking at a list of my immigrant ancestors (and some of my collateral lines), and everyone moved to Australia, except one. Margaret Russell, a child of my 3rd great grandparents. She was one of at least 8 children, and she moved to a country where we had no prior connections.

Margaret was born in about 1836 in County Donegal, Ireland, to Robert Russell and Elizabeth Mitchell.

When Margaret was about 16 years old, she immigrated to the United States. As far as I know she came here alone. I am still looking for her immigration details. Her brother Robert, immigrated to Australia in 1857.

In about 1859 she married James Crawford and they eventually made their home in Redfield, Oswego County, New York.

In 1860, James and Margaret were living in Osceloa, Lewis County, New York, with their 2 sons William and Robert. Both children were born in Vermont. I have found William’s birth record but I am still looking for Robert’s.

In 1862, another three of her brothers immigrated to Australia. In 1863, Margaret’s parents immigrated to Australia, with the last of her siblings.

In 1870, James and Margaret were living in Redfield, Oswego County, New York. They had 8 children living with them.

In 1880, James and Margaret had added another 2 children to their family.

By 1900, all the children had moved out or died. Margaret was listed as being a mother to 12 children, 7 still living. I can only account for the 10 children in the 1880 census, so there are 2 still unknown to me. These 2 children, as well as 3 from the 1880 are probably the 5 listed as being deceased by the 1900 census.

In 1905, James and Margaret are still living in Redfield with their youngest son David.

By 1910, I cannot locate James or Margaret. I have not found a death date or burial for them either.

Family lore says that Margaret had sent money for her parents to move to the U.S. a couple of times but they kept refusing to relocate at the time.

I wonder what made Margaret want move to the United States at such a young age all by herself? What attracted the rest of her family move to Australia instead?

Tags: #52Ancestors, Crawford, Mitchell, Russell
Posted in 2019, 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks, MITCHELL, RUSSELL | No Comments