Samuel E Huyck letter dated 17 November 1865

Betty-Lu Burton

Dear Myrtle is doing a Wednesday morning HOA (hangout on air) on the Quick Lessons of Elizabeth Shown Mills. I know I have not done many of these lessons, but I need to just do what I can and keep plugging along. This week is:
Elizabeth Shown Mills, “QuickLesson 5: Analyzing Records,” Evidence Explained: Historical Analysis, Citation & Source Usage(https://www.evidenceexplained.com/content/quicklesson-5-analyzing-records : accessed 30 Sept 2015).   

Last week was on records from the National Archives of the United States. So this week I will analyze a record I received from NARA.

In my 2great-grandfather Samuel E. Huyck there is a letter that he wrote. I will be looking at this letter.
A copy of the letter follows my analyst of the record.
Although the letter itself does not provide a lot of genealogical information, it does tell us something about Samuel E Huyck. He had very good handwriting. It appears he was well educated by the spelling found in the letter. Even by today's standard he had a good command of spelling and the use of language.
He was discharged on June 2nd 1865, and then arrested at home on the 15 September. He was charged with taking a blanket from the Hospital at camp Dennison. He had been a patient at the Hospital, thus giving another set of records that we might want to look at; Civil War medical records.
He was imprisoned at Relton Barracks in Cincinnati. He felt he was wrongfully imprisoned and he is requesting help. He did not receive a speedy trial and is asking Major General Cose for help in either receiving a trial or being release.
He also shows concern for his family.
So even though we do not find out much genealogical information about Samuel E Huyck, we did find out something about him. He is educated, was wounded, was discharged 2 June 1865, and he had concerned for his family. 

Samuel E. Huyck, letter dated 17 November 1865 from Camp Chase, Ohio to Major General Cose, Commanding District: compiled Military Records (Enlisted, Private, Company E, 38 Regiment, Ohio Volunteer, Infantry) Military Records obtained from NARA, Washington D.C.: copy of records in possession of Betty-Lu Baker Burton

            Camp Chase Ohio

                                                            November 17th 1865

                        Major General Cose

                        Commanding District

General!

                                     I most respectfully

tender this my humble application to

You with the view to draw Your kind

attention to my case.  ~~~~

                     After being honorably

Discharged from the service of the U.S.

on June 2nd 1865 I suddenly was

arrested at home on the 15th of September

by ordre of Brevel Lind Colenel M Dermont

and charged with stealing a Goverment

blanket from the Hospital at Camp

Dennison, where I was a patient suffering

under the effects of wounds received

at the battle of Jonesboro Ga. 1st day

of September 1864.

               I was then forwarded

to Relton Barrarks Cincinnati and

kept in close confinement from there

sent to this Post ,, Guardhouse and

my confinement continnued, without

me ever having received neither a trial

nor a hearing.

               My property being

destroyed by conlfagration lately and

in consequence thereof my family cast

into the world home and penniless

they depending upon my support, while

I am confined under false charges

[page 2]

without there being  hope of ever being

released and restored to liberty and a

suffering family, I most heartly and

respectfully request You Sir to interceed

in my affairs and either order my

trial to come on or be released

     Hoping soon to learn from You

                 I remain Sir

             Very respectfully

             Your obeient servant

                   S.E. Huyck citizen

             of Williams County

                            Ohio

                 Prisoner

[On Bottom and sideways]

Camp Chase Ohio                           Hd. Qrs. Dist. of Ohio

Nov 17 1865                                     Columbus Ohio 21st 65

___________                                 _____________________

Huyck S E                                     Respectfully referal to

Citizen                                           comdy. Offical of Camp

___________                               Chase O. to know whether

Makes application                          Charges have been made

to be released from                        against this man. and

confinement                                   for all the raeonl (?) then

_____________                           is against him.

                                                            By Command of

                                                            Maj Genl. J D Cox

                                                            M C Wilkinson           

                                                            Capt A D C     

Betty-Lu Burton

Dear Myrtle is doing a Wednesday morning HOA (hangout on air) on the Quick Lessons of Elizabeth Shown Mills. I will try to participate as much as possible, but I have some healthy issues that are trying to make my life difficult so I am not sure how much I can do. This week is on:

QuickLesson 2: Sources vs. Information vs. Evidence vs. Proof    
Elizabeth Shown Mills, “QuickLesson 2: Sources vs. Information vs. Evidence vs. Proof,”
 Evidence Explained: Historical Analysis, Citation & Source Usage (https://www.evidenceexplained.com/content/quicklesson-2-sources-vs-information-vs-evidence-vs-proof :accessed 20 March 2016

Sources are the container for the information on them, and citations are the way we locate the source or container. We tend to put a degree of reliability on the information based on the source. For instance we tend to believe a birth record for a birth because the source or container is called a birth record. True one would expect to find birth information on a birth record, but that does not mean all the information on that record is correct or accurate or even complete. There are birth records that have the wrong name because the parents decided they wanted to call the child something else after they filled out the record and some do not have a name on them at all.

For example my grandmother had a sister named Pearl who was born in 1910 and died 7 days later. I have both of these records and neither of them has her name on it. Yet all the family records give the child a name. So in order to prove that this child is Pearl I need to look at other sources and find additional information, Thankfully my grandmother left a written record of her family that lists Pearl with the exact birth and death dates of this unknown child.

Another example of having to look for additional information is citizenship records. I have been indexing these records for a while for FamilySearch. The page with the Oath of Allegiance does not list the place of birth, but it does list the country the person was a citizen of prior to becoming a US citizen. Some people do not realize the information about the prior allegiance is not necessarily the birth place. A person born in England, Ireland, Scotland, Australia, Canada and other British countries will denounce their allegiance to the Queen or King of Britain and yet Britain is not the country of birth. In these cases people are misinterpreting the information. They did not understand that one needs additional information in order to determine place of birth.

In both of these examples one needed to look in several sources in order to obtain enough evidence to complete the information being sought after.    

John Elere Bionaz birth information

I have been participating in Dear Myrtle's study group "Tracing Immigrant Origins". If you would like to watch these videos you can view them on YouTube. Here is the link to her playlists: https://www.youtube.com/user/DearMYRTLE/playlists . You can see she has done a lot for the genealogy community.

The assignment for the last week of the session was to talk about the things we have learned. Instead of telling you, I am going to post a proof summary of the information I have found in the United States for my great-grandfather, John Elere Bionaz, that will help locate him in Italy.

John Elere Bionaz is believed to be the one on the right.

When was John E Bionaz born?

Right now I am not expecting to determine exactly when John E Bionaz, my great-grandfather, was born. That would take actually doing research in Northern Italy. However, before going to Italy I need to know as much as possible in order to have some idea as to where to look in Italy.

Below is a table that shows the birth date information that I have found.

Name	Event	Date of Event	Birthday	Birth year	Age	Possible Birth Year
Jean Brona[1]	Ship Passenger List	16 Apr 1894			24	1870
John Bionaz[2]	1900 Census	21 Jun 1900	Feb	1868	32
John There Bionaz[3]	Marriage Record	24 Nov 1900			32	1868
John Hario Bionaz[4]	Ship Passenger List	3 Jan 1903			36	1866
John Ellere Bionaz[5]	Petition for Naturalization	21 Sep 1908	27 Feb	1866
John E Bionay[6]	1910 Census	26 Apr 1910			42	1868
Giovanni Bionaz[7]	1912 Passenger list	21 Sep 1912			46	1866
John Beonza[8]	1920 Census	5 Jan 1920			54	1866
John Beonza[9]	Death Record	25 Oct 1924	27 Feb	1866	58 Years 7 mo 28 days

---

From these records there is 2 possible birth dates; both dates include the birth month of February and the day of 27. So was he born 27 Feb 1866 or 27 Feb 1868.

The 1900 and 1910 census and his marriage record are all records that were recorded with his wife, Orpheline Boche, family present. He was living in with the family in 1900. The 1903 and 1912 Ship Passenger List and his Petition for Naturalization was given without any of the Boche family around.

The 1920 census and his death record would come from the information given at the time he entered the Sanatorium for Tuberculous.

My conclusion is John Elere Bionaz was born 27 Feb 1866, since that is the date he would have given without much bias. He may have lied and tried to look younger when he went to board with the Boche family and that information continued into the marriage Certificate and 1910 Census.

As for what town in Italy he came from both the 1903 Passenger List and his Petition for Naturalization states Brisogne which is in the region of Aosta.

His parents’ names are only found on 2 records, his marriage certificate and his death certificate. Both of these records indicate his father’s name was Pierre Bionaz. The 2 records do not agree on his mother’s name: the marriage certificate indicates her name was Duchia Bionaz, but the death certificate indicates her name was Maria Garra or Gana; it is possible that his mother’s name was Maria Duchia or Duchia Maria.

The next place to look is the microfilm: Liste di leva del circondario di Aosta, 1792-1904. Draft lists. The date of the volume generally indicates the date of birth of the draftee. There are 2 films listed for 1866.

1.     Lista di leva della regione d'Aosta 1865-1866 Film #1924333

2.     Lista di leva della regione d'Aosta 1866 Film #1924335

If he is not on either one of these films than next I would look at the Film for 1868. Film #1924337.

Foot notes

1.  Year: 1894; Arrival: New York, New York; Microfilm Serial: M237, 1820-1897; Microfilm Roll: Roll 625; Line: 23: Ship La Bretagne; left from La Havre; Steerage Passenger. Accessed 30 October 2015
2.  "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M394-NVX : accessed 1 November 2015), John Bionoz in household of Peter Bush, Adams Township, Cambria, Pennsylvania, United States; citing sheet 26A, family 473, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,241,387.
3. "Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-159316-186008-67?cc=1589502 : accessed 1 November 2015), 004460980 > image 791 of 820; county courthouses, Pennsylvania.
4.     .      Year: 1903; Arrival: New York, New York; Microfilm Serial: T715, 1897-1957; Microfilm Roll: Roll 0316; Line: 2; Page Number: 119: Ship La Lorraine; left from Havre 27 Dec 1902: third time entering USA, 1893 and 1902. Accessed 30 October 2015
5.            United States Of America Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization Division of Naturalization, "Petition For Naturalization" (court of Common Pleas, Cambria County Pennsylvania, 21 September 1908.) copy privately held by Betty-Lu Baker Burton, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE], 9 November 2015
6.            "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-23065-15879-57?cc=1727033 : accessed 1 November 2015), > image 1 of 1; citing NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.). line 87
7.            Year: 1912; Arrival: New York, New York; Microfilm Serial: T715, 1897-1957; Microfilm Roll: Roll 1938; Line: 1; Page Number: 142: Ship La Savoie; left from Havre. Accessed 30 October 2015
   8.     Year: 1920; Census Place: Mahoning, Montour, Pennsylvania; Roll: T625_1603; Page: 4B; Line 86 ;Enumeration District: 58; Image: 536: Ancestry.com: State Hospital for the Insane
   9.     Pennsylvania (State). Death certificates, 1906–1963. Series 11.90 (1,905 cartons). Records of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Record Group 11. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Accessed 30 October 2015
8. 
   

1. 
   

Another Passenger List that lists John E Bionaz as a passenger

I said in a previous post my great-grandfather John Elere Bionaz made several trips back and forth to Italy. This passenger list if for 1912 and gives is naturalization information.

Year: 1912: Arrival: New York, New York: Microfilm Serial T715, 1897-1957; Microfilm Roll: Roll 1938; Line 1; Page Number:142; Ancestry.com. New York, Passenger Lists, 1820-1957 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Accessed 31 October 2015

List of United States Citizens

(For The Immigration Authorities)

S.S. La Savoie sailing from Havre (no date on page)

Line 1 Bionaz, Giovanni, age 46, male, married, Naturalized; Naturalization Information - 4th January 1909, State of PA, Cambria County: Address in United States - Box 116, South Fork PA, Beaverdale

I know the name is not John Elere, but Giovanni is an Italian form of John. The Naturalization date matches the date on his citizenship papers and the papers say John Ellere Bionaz. Also John E Bionaz's family was living in Summerhill Township, Pennsylvania in the 1910 Census.

Beaverdale is a town in the Valley of South Fork in Summerhill Township, Cambria County, Pennsylvania. In fact his son John C Bionaz birth record lists the place of birth as South Fork. 

TRACING IMMIGRANT ANCESTORS 

I enjoy participating in Dear Myrtle's HOA (Hang Outs on Air). Now we are studying Tracing Immigrant Ancestors and the assignment was to basically make a timeline for an ancestor and share it. So I decided to continue with my great-grandfather John E Bionaz. This timeline contains the records that have been located that mentions his immigration. While doing this assignment I was able to find his first arrival into the USA and my sister-in-law Lisa Trimbull Baker was able to find his death certificate.

John E Bionaz Date of Immigration

Name	Age	Event	Event Date	Year of Immigration	Birth Date	Occupation	Foot note
Jean Biona*	24	Passenger List	16 Apr 1894				1
John Bionoz	32	1900 Census	30 Jun 1900	1894	Feb 1868	Coal Miner	2
John There	32	Marriage	6 Nov 1900				3
John Hario*	36	Passenger list	3 Jan 1903			farmer	4
John Ellers Bianaz***		Naturalization Papers	21 Sep 1908	27 Mar 1893	27 Feb 1866		5
John Bionay	42	1910 Census	26 Apr 1910	1895		Coal Miner	6
John E	54	1920 Census	5 Jan 1920	1904		None	7
John Beonza	58	Death Certificate	25 Oct 1924	1894	27 Feb 1866		8

*Biona (or Brona), Jean age 24, arrived 16 Apr 1894 on the ship La Bretagne from the port of La Havre.

** 1903 Passenger List states this is his 3^rd time entering USA. The other times he came 1902 and 1894. He is headed to Dunlo PA to return to family, wife Maria Bionaz. He is traveling with Maria and Bernado Boche, who are visiting their brother Placidi Boche in Dunlo, PA.

*** Birth place listed as Brisogne

Footnotes 

1. Year: 1894; Arrival: New York, New York; Microfilm Serial: M237, 1820-1897; Microfilm Roll: Roll 625; Line: 104; Ancestry.com. New York, Passenger Lists, 1820-1957 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.; Original data: Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at New York, New York, 1820-1897. Microfilm Publication M237, 675 rolls. NAI: 6256867. Records of the U.S. Customs Service, Record Group 36. National Archives at Washington, D.C.: Accessed 25 October 2015
2.  "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M394-NV7 : accessed 26 October 2015), Peter Bush, Adams Township, Cambria, Pennsylvania, United States; citing sheet 26A, family 473, line 42, in Family of Peter Bush (Boche). NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,241,387. Accessed 25 October 2015
3. Marriage Certificate: 6 November 1900: State of Pennsylvania: Cambria County: Certification of Excerpts from Marriage License Record; 6 November 1900; Marriage License Docket, vol 19, page 375. Groom: John There Bionaz, age 32; Bride: Orpheline Boche, age 16. Copy in possession of Betty-Lu Baker Burton.  
4. Year: 1903; Arrival: New York, New York; Microfilm Serial: T715, 1897-1957; Microfilm Roll: Roll 0316; Line: 2; Page Number: 119; Ancestry.com. New York, Passenger Lists, 1820-1957 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.: Original data: Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at New York, New York, 1820-1897. Microfilm Publication M237, 675 rolls. NAI: 6256867. Records of the U.S. Customs Service, Record Group 36. National Archives at Washington, D.C..: Accessed 25 October 2015
5. Petition for Naturalization; United States of America; Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization: Court of Common Pleas in Cambria County, Pennsylvania: 21 September 1908; John Ellers Bionaz, born 27 Feb 1866 in Brisogne, Italy. Copy in possession of Betty-Lu Baker Burton.
6. Year: 1910; Census Place: Summerhill, Cambria, Pennsylvania; Roll: T624_1325; Page: 18B; Enumeration District: 0155; line 87, Family # 345;  FHL microfilm: 1375338; Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006. Accessed 25 October 2015. 
7.  Year: 1920; Census Place: Mahoning, Montour, Pennsylvania; State Hospital for the Insane; Roll: T625_1603; Page: 4B; Enumeration District: 58; Image: 536; Line 86; Ancestry.com. 1920 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch. Accessed 25 October 2015
8.    Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. Original data: Pennsylvania (State). Death certificates, 1906–1963. Series 11.90 (1,905 cartons).: Certificate # 100316. Records of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Record Group 11. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Accessed 25 October 2015