New Ethnicity Breakdowns at 23andMe: Some New Leads for My Dad

Varmland, Sweden, and County Wexford, Ireland.  Possible leads for Gustav Andersson and Hester Patterson?

Two of my dad's recent ancestors (Dad's great grandfather Gustav Andersson, c. 1850 - ?, and also Dad's 2nd great grandmother Hester Patterson, abt 1800 - 1856) have been brickwalls for me for a long time.

Gustav Andersson (as Andersson Bergstrom) and Hester Patterson in situ on my father's tree.

Gustav Andersson Bergstrom

According to Dad's grandmother Mette Karine "Mary's" birth record, her father was railworker/roadworker Gustav Andersson Bergstrom (Andersson Bergstrom in the image above) from Lidkoping, Sweden.

Counties to focus on for Dad's great grandfather Gustav Andersson Bergstrom.  I have already been following some promising leads in Varmland and Vastra Gotaland counties in DNA matches.

Hester (Patterson) Rittgers

As for Hester Patterson, I've only been able to determine that she had a few Patterson siblings who had descedants that Dad matches to on Ancestry.  There was a Samuel Patterson in 1820 in the Fairfield County, Ohio area where Hester married and was living in 1830, and her first son with Jake Rittgers was Samuel Rittgers (oldest brother of Esther Loretta Rittgers, who was my grandfather George Hartley's grandmother).  Maybe Samuel Patterson was her father??

Hester Patterson's children who lived to the 1880 US Census and beyond put the following as mother's place of birth (note that her husband Jake Rittgers (the "father" in the following list) was definitely born in Virginia):


Daughter Esther Loretta:

1880: Father--PA, Mother--Virginia


Son Samuel G. S. Rittgers:

1880: Father--PA, Mother--England
1900: Father--VA, Mother--Ireland


Son John A. Rittgers:

1880: Father--PA, Mother--Ohio


Son Israel Patterson Rittgers:

1880: Father--PA, Mother--Ohio


Daughter Margaret Rittgers:

1880: Both parents from Ohio
1900: Father--Ohio, Mother--Ireland
1910: Both parents from Ohio


Son Jacob R. Rittgers:

1880: Father--PA, Mother--VA
1910: Both parents from Germany
1920: Father--PA, Mother from Ireland


Son Eli D. Rittgers:

1880: Both parents from VA
1900: Father--PA, Mother from England


Son Perry C. Rittgers:

1880: Both parents from Pennsylvania
1900: Father--PA, Mother--Scotland


Daughter Sarah Rittgers:

1880: Father--VA, Mother--PA
1900: Father--Ohio, Mother--PA
1910: Both parents from Virginia


Son Peter M. Rittgers:

1880: Father--PA, Mother--??
1900: Father--PA, Mother--Ireland
1910: Father--PA, Mother--Ireland
1920: Father--PA, Mother--Ireland


Son Henry Charles Rittgers:

1880: Father--PA, Mother--Ohio
1900: Father--VA, Mother--Ohio
1905: Father--Germany, Mother--Ireland
1920: Father--Germany, Mother--Ireland
1930: Both parents from VA


On the 1850 Census Hester (Patterson) Rittgers was listed as born in Maryland lol

From all this I gather that Hester was likely at least somewhat Irish, and may have been born in the East (Maryland or Pennsylvania) or was born in Ireland (or possibly England).

23andMe estimated that Dad has ancestry in the past 200 years from only one county in Ireland (County Wexford).  Dad has only one known suspected Irish ancestor in the past 200 years, Hester Patterson.  Could this be a big clue for Hester's origin??  I hope so.

© 2019 Copyright, Christine Manczuk, All Rights Reserved.

From the Probate Files: Ann Sill - Allegheny County, Pennsylvania - 1851

Ann Sill, one of the daughters of William Sill (and therefore my fifth great aunt), signed her will on November 28, 1850, and it was presented in court on February 4th of the following year.

In the name of God Amen, I Ann Sill of
the Borough of McKeesport, County of Allegheny
State of Pennsylvania, being weak in body
and of sound mind memory and understanding
but considering the uncertainty of this transitory life do make and publish this
my last will & Testament in manner and form following, to wit; First,
It is my will, I do order, that all my just debts and funeral Expenses be duly
paid and satisfied as soon as conveniently can be after my decease Second,
I give devise and bequeath to my sister Jane Penny and my niece Margaret
Miller my farm of land situate in Versailles Township, containing one hundred
acres, or thereabouts, which is now in the occupancy of John Gray to them
the said Jane Penny and Margaret Miller  their heirs and assigns forever
share and share alike, Subject however to the payment of the sum of Fifty
dollars each as set forth in the following bequests Third - If the congregation
worshiping in the Presbyterian Meeting house in this Borough should within
the period of four years from the time of my decease, erect a new meeting house
I give and bequeath unto the Trustees of the same the sum of One Hundred Dollars
for the purpose of assisting in paying the expense of erecting the same
which sum is to be paid by my sister Jane Penny and my niece Margaret
Miller viz Fifty Dollars each when the said building is finished, which
sum I have left as a lien upon the farm above bequeathed to them. Fourth, I
give and bequeath unto my brother Jesse Sill the sum of Tow hundred Dollars
and my watch Fifth I give and bequeath unto my nephew John Penny son of 
William the sum of Two hundred Dollars - Sixth - I give and bequeath to the
American Bible Society the sum of One hundred Dollars, to be applied to
the uses and purposes of said society. Seventh - My nephew John Penny
has in his hands the sum of Five hundred Dollars of my money, out of which
is to be paid the foregoing legacies to my brother Jesse Sill, and The 
American Bible Society: which it is my will that he may retain 
      
              

the same, in his hands for the term of one year after my decease without paying
interest therefor; and if at the expiration of that period, he is unable to pay
the said legacies, it is my desire, and I order that he be not distressed therefor
but that he have further time, not exceeding Three years, to pay the same
he giving the Legatees security, and paying them lawful interest annually
for the time he retains the same in his hands after the first year above
mentioned. His own Legacy he may retain in his hands; and what shall
remain of the other one hundred Dollars after defraying my funeral expenses
etc he shall pay out to my residuary Legatees hereinafter named, in the
same manner as the above mentioned legatees are to be paid. Eighth - 
I give and bequeath to Rachel Miller, daughter of Margaret Miller one of
my beds and bedding. Ninth. I give and bequeath to her sister Caroline
Miller my Bureau.            
                                            Tenth - I give and bequeath to her sister Martha
Miller one set of chairs. Eleventh. I give and bequeath to Mrs. Jane Webb, one
of my Beds and Bedding - Twelfth. I give and bequeath to Martha Houghton all
the articles contained in my cupboard, consisting of Plates, Dishes etc
Thirteenth - I give and bequeath to Mrs Jacobs (wife of my Pastor) my saddle
bridle and whip Fifteenth I give and bequeath unto Ruth Penny and Marga-
ret Penny, all that shall remain of my personal estate, after paying my just 
debts, funeral expenses and the foregoing Legacies to be divided between
them, share and share alike. Lastly, I nominate constitute and appoint
Hezekiah Gamble to be the Executor of this my last will, hereby revoking
all others, by me heretofore made, and declare this and no other, my
last will and Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Twenty eighth day of November A.D. one thousand eight
hundred and fifty                                                     Ann Sill {seal}
Signed sealed and delivered by the said Testator as her last will and
Testament in the presence of us, who have subscribed in the presence of each other
The words son of William being first interlined between the 20th and 21st lines
from the top of the first page                                John Patterson
                                                                              Alex Miller

[All the above are from "Pennsylvania Probate Records, 1683-1994," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G991-MTMH?cc=1999196&wc=9PMX-ZNL%3A268499101%2C281889701 : 3 July 2014), Allegheny > Wills 1845-1854 and 1888 vol 6-7 > image 436 of 724; county courthouses, Pennsylvania.]

                               Be it Known that on the 4th day of Feby. A.D. 1851 person-
ally came before me John Scott Register etc in and for the County aforesaid John Patterson&
Alex Miller Ergo the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing instrument of writing who being
by me duly sworn did declare and say that they saw & heard the Testatrix Ann Sill
sign publish and declare it as being her last will and Testament. That at the time of so
doing she was of sound mind, memory and understanding to the best of their observation &
belief and that at her request and in her presence they subscribed their names as witnesses thereto
     Given under my hand the above           John Scott  Register
Allegheny County    }
                                 } Be it Known that on the 4th day of Feby 1851 Letters testamen-
tary with the will annexed on the estate of Ann Sill were granted to Hezekiah Gamble
Executor in said will name who was duly sworn to administer the goods and chattels rights
& credits which were if said decd. to make a true Inventory & appraisment of the personal
property & file the same in the Registers office in one month to settle an account of his
administration in one year or when thereto legally required and to comply with the provisions of an
act of assembly of this commonwealth entitled an act relating to collateral Inheritances
        Given under my hand etc                       John Scott  Register
Recorded Feby 5th 1851

It's clear from these clippings from the Pittsburgh Daily Post dated April 28, 1853, that Mr. Gamble complied with his instructions to comply with the provisions of the law pertaining to "collateral inheritances":*

[Newspapers.com]

Looking back at her father's 1841 will, we see that Ann retained the property he left to her (and that John Gray was still residing there).

I haven't been able to determine whether McKeeesport's Presbyterian congregation built a new meeting place in time to receive Ann's bequest but I learned that The American Bible Society is still in existence.


 *Here's a description of Pennsylvania's inheritance taxes: "Traditionally, the Pennsylvania inheritance tax had two tax rates. A rate of six percent applied to assets that passed to so-called lineal descendants, such as children, grandchildren and stepchildren. A rate of 15% applied to so-called collateral beneficiaries. This included brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews and all others."




© 2018 Copyright, Christine Manczuk, All Rights Reserved.

Some Notes on Samuel Patterson in Pleasant Township, Fairfield County, Ohio in the 1820 Census

Easter Rittcher (Esther Patterson Rittgers), born about 1803 in Maryland.  She and her husband had moved the family to Hocking County, which neighbors Fairfield. 1850 U.S. census, Hocking County, Ohio, population schedule, Marion township, p. 428 (stamped), dwelling 213, family 219, Jacob Rittcher; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 12 Aug 2017); citing NARA microfilm publication M432, roll 695.  

My 3rd great grandmother, Easter or Esther Patterson (1802-1856) married Jacob "Jake" Rittgers (1800-1879) in Fairfield County, Ohio on December 16, 1822.  Their daughter Esther (Rittgers) Nosler (1844-1887) was my great grandmother Minnie Nosler's mother.

The Rittgers have a ton of descendants, including the children of this couple, and large amount of work from others, notably Joyce Rorabaugh in "Those Roving Rittgers" but I have yet to figure out anything definite about Esther Patterson's parents and origins.  In her one named appearance on the census she was listed as born in Maryland.

Her various children listed her as from Ohio, Virginia, Scotland, or Ireland, but never Maryland.  I suspect from this that her parents likely came from the British Isles in the late 1700's (maybe earlier).

One clue I have pursued to a limited degree is the presence of a Samuel Patterson in Pleasant Township, Fairfield, Ohio in the 1820 Census.

Samuel Patterson in the 1820 Census in Pleasant Township, Fairfield, Ohio. 1820 U.S. census, Fairfield County, Ohio, population schedule, Pleasant Township, p. 90 (stamped), Samuel Patterson; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 August 2017); citing National Archives microfilm publication M33, roll 87. 

He is gone by the 1830 Census, and Jacob Rittgers (and presumably Esther Patterson) are living in the same township.

A little hard to read, but it is Jacob Rittgert or Rittgers.  Note there are different neighbors than Samuel Patterson had, but it is in the same township.  1830 U.S. census, Fairfield County, Ohio, Pleasant Township, p. 249 (stamped), line 5, Jacob Rittgers; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 Aug 2017); citing National Archives microfilm publication M19, roll 130.  

What happened to Samuel Patterson, and where did he go?  And who the heck was he?

Inspired by the National Genealogical Society (NGS) Magazine, July-September 2015 (Volume 41, No 3, pp 50-56) article, "Which way did the census taker walk or ride his horse?" I have begun correlating the names on the 1820 Census with the BLM data as presented in HistoryGeo, and have narrowed down where Samuel Patterson likely was.

I first tried to get a list of transcribed names from Ancestry, restricting the search to people in "Pleasant, Fairfield, Ohio" in the 1820 Census, but there was no elegant way to print the results.  Fortunately they aren't the only game in town:

Thanks to the Ohio Genealogical Society, Fairfield Chapter, the 1820 Federal Census for Pleasant Township, Fairfield County, Ohio has been transcribed (and some blessed soul even numbered them).  Ignore my scribbles.

Using the numbers in the name transcriptions, I tried to figure out where Samuel Patterson's neighbors were (so perhaps where he was) in 1820.  I used the HistoryGeo site, although you could also use BLM if you don't have a subscription.  From the list and the map I would guesstimate that Samuel was somewhere in the axis of 985/982/994, possibly bordered by the modern roads of Lancaster Thornville Rd NE, Rainbow Dr NE, and Mud House Rd NE.

I need to do the same thing with the 1830 Census to determine if Jacob Rittgers was living near where his (possible) father-in-law was, or maybe it was a different part of the township.


© 2017 Copyright, Christine Manczuk, All Rights Reserved.

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 3: Esther Loretta Rittgers

Esther Loretta Rittgers was born May 28, 1844, likely in Marion Township, Hocking, Ohio, the 12th child and 5th daughter of Jacob "Jake" Rittgers and Esther/Hester Patterson.

She first appears as "Easter Rittcher" in the 1850 Census, age 6, living with her parents and siblings in Marion, Hocking, Ohio.  It is unclear to me why she (and her mother) are listed as Easter instead of Esther?  Was it pronounced like the holiday?  The neighbors were other Rittgers relations and farmers of largely German stock.

[Year: 1850; Census Place: Marion, Hocking, Ohio; Roll: M432_695; Page: 428A; Image: 136]

About 1852, when Esther was about 8, the family moved to Polk County, Iowa.

Although she is not listed directly in this 1854 Jefferson Township, Polk, Iowa census, I am assuming Esther (then about 10) is one of the 3 females who live in J B Rittgers' home.  Daniel Rittgers (her uncle) is nearby, and John Nosler (her future father-in-law is on the other side of the page).

[1854 Iowa Census in Jefferson, Polk, Iowa. Ancestry.com. Iowa, State Census Collection, 1836-1925 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007. Original data: Microfilm of Iowa State Censuses]

Esther is listed as age 11 in the 1856 Jefferson Township, Polk, Iowa census.  Because she is not yet 12 I suspect this census was taken before May 18, 1856, when she turned 12.  Her mother Esther/Hester had died in January, and her father had not yet married his second wife, Anna Catherine Schleigh.  There are various relations and Noslers in the area.

[1856 Iowa Census in Jefferson, Polk, Iowa.  Ancestry.com. Iowa, State Census Collection, 1836-1925 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007. Original data: Microfilm of Iowa State Censuses]

I can not find Esther (or her brother Perry C Rittgers for that matter) on the 1860 Federal Census.  She was 16 that year, and it may be that she wanted to live away from home as her father had remarried by this time and was starting a new family with his second wife (this is speculation on my part, though).  Esther's brothers John and Israel were living in Paskenta, Tehama, California, and I doubt that she would have traveled to California at that age.  Since her brother Perry is next seen in Paskenta county I think he may have been on the move to California during the 1860 Census.  Most of her other siblings were in the Polk County, Iowa area.  Her sister Margaret Mantz was in Union, Boone, Iowa.  Brother Eli Rittgers was in Grove, Morris, Kansas Territory.

Esther is mentioned numerous times in the diary of James Milo Nosler (her future brother-in-law), and some notable examples are nicely summed up in user Rorajoyce's entry on Esther Rittgers.  From those tidbits I've been able to guess that she became involved with William Nosler (1840-1914) at least as early as October 1863, when she was 19.  James and William served together for the Union during the Civil War, and would come back occasionally to Polk County, Iowa to visit family.

On January 10, 1864, James Milo Nosler noted that he took a sleigh ride with Esther and her first cousin Malinda "Linnie" Rittgers (daughter of Esther's uncle Daniel Rittgers).  While away in the Army, James wrote on February 15, 1864, that he would "Send Valentines to Misses Sallie and Ella Snyder and Linnie (Malinda) and Esther Rittgers [Sallie Snyder was his future wife]."  While back in Polk County, Iowa on furlough on April 30, 1864, James mentioned that "Tonight William goes to see Esther Rittgers."  On May 4, 1864, James wrote that he went to Mrs. Rittgers (I'm assuming Esther's stepmother, Anna Catherine (Schleigh) Rittgers).  "There is quite a number of youngsters there. Wm., Esther, Sallie, and I take a walk.....We talk until 11 o'clock and finally Sallie and I agree to get maried tomorrow. Wm and Esther - Sunday."  According to Rorajoyce:

The next day they went into Des Moines and, after a recital of the day, they [James Nosler and Sarah Snyder] were married at 8 o'clock at the Des Moines House by Mr. Barbee of the M.E. Church. On the 8th of May Will tries to get a minister, but can't so they can't get married. 9 May They all go into Winterset [Madison County, Iowa], where Will and Esther are married. They arrive back in Des Moines on the 10th and Will and Esther stay at the Des Moines House.

Esther was (almost) 20 when she got married.

Esther was 22 when her first son, Alva Asbury Nosler, was born (8 Jan 1867), likely in Polk County (possibly Dallas County), Iowa.

A mere 13 months later Esther's second child, Oscar Lawrence Nosler, was born (27 Feb 1868), in Iowa.  Esther was 23.

Her third child, Sarah Anna Nosler, was born in Iowa on 27 Oct 1869.  Esther was 25.

Esther appears in the June 20, 1870 Federal Census with her husband William (who was working as a teacher) and their three children.  Esther was 26.

[Year: 1870; Census Place: Dallas, Dallas, Iowa; Roll: M593_385; Page: 549A; Image: 368; Family History Library Film: 545884]

When Esther was about 27 (about 1871) they went by covered wagon to Coos County, Oregon.  According to the Bureau of Land Management records, William bought 167.5 acres of land in Riverton, Coos, Oregon on March 20, 1875 (BLM Accession Nr: ORRAA 038102).

Her son, Samuel M. Nosler, was born 19 Aug 1872 in Riverton, Coos, Oregon (she was 28).  Mary Charlotte Nosler was born in Coquille, Coos, Oregon on 13 Nov 1874 (Esther was 30).  Israel "Iz" Rittgers Nosler was born 10 Sep 1876 in Oregon (not sure where), when Esther was 32.

Husband William Nosler represented Coos County in the Oregon State Legislature in 1878 (when Esther was about 34).

According to Rorajoyce, Esther and William had a son John Charles Nosler (16 Jun 1878 - 12 Apr 1879), although I don't know where the source of that information is.  This must have been a terrible blow for them.  Esther was almost 35 when he died.  I think they were in Mendocino, Sonoma, California at that point, as that is where William was registered to vote (California State Library, California History Section; Great Registers, 1866-1898; Collection Number: 4 - 2A; CSL Roll Number: 132; FHL Roll Number: 978587).

Esther (now almost 36) had her next child, Alberta "Birdie" Evaline Noser (6 Feb 1880) in Healdsburg, Sonoma, California.  I was lucky enough to find a newspaper announcement for this:

Daily Alta California, Volume 32, Number 10897, 14 February 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 [ADVERTISEMENT]
Nosler search on http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc
Born
Nosler--In Healdsburg, February 6, to the wife of Rev. W. H. Nosler, a son.
[Note:  it was actually a girl, Alberta "Birdie" Evaline Nosler, lol]

They must have been going through a lot of hardships at that point.  William is listed as a carpenter who had been unemployed for about 6 months.

[Year: 1880; Census Place: Healdsburg, Sonoma, California; Roll: 84; Family History Film: 1254084; Page: 190C; Enumeration District: 128; Image: 0382]

Esther gave birth to her next child, Minnie Etta Nosler (10 Jan 1883), my great grandmother, in Healdsburg.  She was 39.

At some point after this Esther and her family moved to San Diego, California, as she had her last child, Eugene "Gene" Elmer Nosler there on Oct 12, 1886.  Esther was 42.

A year later, William Nosler ran for councilman in San Diego's 3rd ward, on the Workingmen's Ticket [Date: Saturday, November 5, 1887 Paper: Daily San Diegan (San Diego, CA) Page: 11.Source: GenealogyBank.com].  I don't see any evidence that he won, and tragically, Esther died on November 14, 1887, in San Diego, nine days after this election.  She died at the age of 43.  She left a husband and 9 surviving children to mourn her.

This was a pretty sobering write up for me.  I am the same age as she was when she died.  She seems to have had a hard life, giving birth every 1-2 years, and caring for many babies and children while moving around a lot.  I do not know what caused her death, but I wonder if it was sheer exhaustion?




© 2014 Copyright, Christine Manczuk, All Rights Reserved.