Posts

Happy Pioneer Day July 24! John Lebrecht Bear (John L. Bear/Baer, Johann Bar) 1838-1919, Progenitor of the Bear Family of Cape Cod - An Introduction

Image
Among my father's belongings was a Morman bible.  The bible is marked by notes and, unfortunately, some child had been at it with a pen, but still what was this doing in my father's stuff?  Luckily for me and my family (and other John L. Bear ancestors) we have the luxury of an autobiography.  John L. Bear tells us much about his early life living in Switzerland, about the spiritual path that lead him to leave his family in 1860, and his overland travel by wagon to Utah to join the Church of Latter Day Saints.  What a journey he had.  You can read John's autobiography  here . Johann Lebrecht Bear ( Bar/Baer)  was born in Alfoltorn Am Albis, Switzerland on 9 September 1838. His parents were Johann and Anna (Steger) Bar.  He was christened 23 September 1838 at Affoltern (more than likely reformed church/Protestant as Zurich was mostly Protestant at this time).  He was the youngest of ten children. If I am to believe what recorded informati...
Post a Comment
Read more

It's Not All Black and White: Alexander Black and Lydia White of Yarmouth, MA (1761-1849)

Image
I stumbled upon records for Alexander Black while researching another family of the same last name from Yarmouth.  I had to look into Alexander's family a bit in order to properly identify individuals and their places in the correct family trees.  Here is some information on Alexander Black and his family I have gathered.  Research is ongoing. Mr. Alexander Black, aged 88, died at the Alms House (West Barnstable) in May 1849.  This date of death and reported age suggest a birth year of 1761. After looking back over Mr. Black's life, I have to wonder if his last days at the almshouse were not a result of unfortunate circumstances, but support that the Alms House may have served as a hospice and last respite for the town's most infirm and aged citizens.  His place of burial is currently unknown to me. According to the Rhode Island Historical Cemetery Association website, his wife Lydia, is buried in Rhode Island where she died 21 December 1830 at the age of 66. Re...
Post a Comment
Read more