My Tangent - Arlene Is Keeping Me Cooler - For The Short Spell

Morning from the humid and hot, almost depths of Central Florida.

The sky is overcast and the humidity is still 82%. We're still without the AC and searching for the 18% that has to be certainly less damp and sticky.

Presently we are under the far-reaching "overcast-ness" of Tropical Storm Arlene. She's keeping the Heat Index hovering at about 80°F (27°C)... and this is Day Number 4 without the life-cooling, ever pleasant air conditioning.

As the time drags on, I find myself slowing down, more and more. It is becoming a chore to deal with this lack of cool house environment. The clamminess and constant sweating takes one hell of a toll on one's psyche. I have been forcing myself to think about my research of my genealogy, at least to keep my mind somewhat pre-occupied.

And then I think that our own personal disaster is nothing compared to what has most recently happened in other parts of the world... But I can honestly say that I would not know how to react should a disaster such as an earthquake, a tsunami, a fire, a flood, or such other major force of nature hit me.

Yesterday we discovered another after effect of the lightning strike at Interlake Drive was that the computer boards on the refrigerator were also fried. They got zapped. So taking toll, at this point of the week, damages include the cooling fan and a mother board in the air conditioning unit; two coils and two component boards of the refrigerator; two of the pool lighting systems control boards fried; four lights of the landscape lighting gizmo; a control board in the garage door operating contraption; and the satellite nuclear alarm clock is now on the fritz. And believe it or not this house is protected.

My thoughts of my research and search for the origins of ggg-grandfather James Smith as well as our quilting efforts, currently on Colored Windows II have certainly slowed down to a snail's pace.

Last evening, in the darkness of the night, with the drone of ceiling and floor fans I spent a couple of hours playing my piano. Praise be that the ZapCap surge protector worked on my Baby Grand.

And looking at the bright side, that is in this overcast weather of gloom and doom, I have composed and written this My Tangent completely with Ubuntu. I have broken the shackles of Windows.

Enjoy,

Jim

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Part 539b – Brunhammer Doherty Genealogy – Comparing 23andMe Autosomal DNA Results

Evening, and still no AC,

Well an examination of 23andMe results is the discussion. We decided to use two Brunhammer candidates to see if we could understand exactly what 23andMe is trying to do. The candidates are brother and sister of the Brunhammer clan, and as we know, both have the same parents, Eugene John and Myrtle Frances Gertrude (née Doherty) Brunhammer.

The first results are included with the Ancestry Painting. The Ancestry Painting “feature takes a look at the more recent heritage of your chromosomes, segment by segment. It identified the pre-colonial home continent – Africa, Asia or Europe… of DNA along the 22 chromosomes that are inherited from both parents.”

This does not include the sex chromosomes. These are the autosomes. AB’s autosome inheritance is identified as >99% Europe and <1% Africa. KBF’s are identified as 100% Europe. Somewhere in time a minute indication on a segment of AB’s chromosome #4, there is an ancestor who may have passed on the information that he or she may have originated somewhere in Africa. This is that <1% indicator.

The next 23andMe tool is the Compare Genes function. Accordingly 23andMe will take the Genome-Wide Comparison of 928693 SNPs (Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms) and compare them between clients to determine the percent similarity. AB’s and KBF’s similarity is observed at 86.22%.

As you can see in the top diagram, comparing the top 1 to the bottom 2 there is one SNP that is different. Of the over 928693 SNPs of ABs and KBFs that were compared approximately 800719 SNPs are similar. This is a very high correlation. This is a comparison of all 22 pairs of autosomal chromosomes excepting the sex chromosomes. This definitely proves that there is a chance that AB and KBF are siblings. And of course we know that AB and KBF are siblings…same parents, same house, same city, same state. The question is what would be the similarity percentage between the other brothers and sisters?

The next 23andMe offered tool is Relative Finder. The results between AB and KBF are: 1. Predicted Relationship – Sibling; 2. % DNA shared – 46.14%; and 3. # Shared Segments – 46. And exactly what do these mean?

Well, number 1, the Predicted Relationship – Sibling, I am glad to say is correct. This certainly puts to rest the old tales that AB was told by his older siblings that he was “adopted from the lower part of Jersey” and that he was “really was from China”. At least 232ndMe got the Sibling Relationship right. The next closest 23andMe Predicted Relationship to AB in the possible 868 Results from the database is a gentleman who may be a 4th Cousin.

The next sets of results are the % DNA Shared – 46.14%. And this means? 23andMe defines this as “The percentage of identical DNA shared between you and a potential relative.” The 23andMe table summarizes the average % of DNA Shared for different types of cousins.

Based on date provided by on RootsWeb and the Degrees of Relation and Number of Genes Shared. Parents, siblings, children, and fraternal twins may share about 50% of their DNA with each other. Bingo on AB and KBF at 46.14%.

Number 3 states that the number of DNA Segments shared between AB and KBF is 46. Here is a visual plot as presented by 23andMe.

Well a cM or CentiMorgan, according to 23andME, is a measure of how easily a particular segment recombines. And this means? Well that’s the next discussion.

Enjoy,

Jim

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My Tangent - Extra Protection - A False Sense of Security - Hah!

I would say good morning, but...

It is now Day Number 4 without air-conditioning in the drones of Tampa. Current temperature at 8:23 am is 74°F or for you in the reaches of the Arctic Circle, that is 23.33°C. Wouldn’t be so bad if the humidity was not hovering at 80%. And exactly what does 80% humidity mean?

Well I know that I would be soaked at 100% humidity. So I was wondering what part of me, what 20% of me doesn’t feel sticky and clammy? The definition I just found for humidity is “the state or quality of being humid”. It can also mean the “dampness, especially of the air.” Well, hell… translated I would suppose it would mean here in Tampa, how fast the clothes you have on get soaked. And without air-conditioning that means that the humidity factor just quadruples.

So let’s see, what exactly did the lightning strike take out on our house? And you must remember that this house has the best of all supposed protection. The house has ZapCap surge protection. We pay for that. There are strip surge protectors throughout the house. We pay for those. There is homeowners insurance… and we definitely pay for that. And we are prepared… but not for this.

The strike destroyed the cooling fan and a control board in the air conditioning system. It zapped the pool lighting boards on both the in pool and the optical light systems. It half-fried the garage door opener which now does not want to stay closed. The lightning strike blew out at least four major lights in the front garden and part of the back garden lightning systems. And at this point I am not sure if that is all that has been affected, especially since Google Chrome browser seems to be taking its own sweet time to churn a functional search.

And our house is protected!!! It is hot! It is damp! It is clammy! And I am not a naturist! And just think about all the paper work and phone calls that I have had to and will have to complete. There is no such thing as having the proper protection… and this is a repeated occurrence since 2007.

Enjoy,

Jim

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Part 538s – Smith Robertson Genealogy – 1796 William Smith – Last Will and Testament – The Logie Connection!

Good Hot Evening,

In the heat of the day, with the lack of the precious commodity of air-conditioning, I have been able to stumble upon a prize Document. This Indenture is the Last Will and Testament of William Smith.

Is this William Smith a connection to my ggg-grandfather James Smith? That I cannot answer… but there are a number of answers that are revealed from the script of this 1796 Last Will and Testament.

In the body of the Will is the reference “As for all the rest and Residue of my Estate and Effects of whatsoever nature or kind I give and bequeath the same to my dear Brother James Smith living at Logie in Scotland…” James Smith! Brother! Living at Logie in Scotland! This is a connection that I have been searching for, the detail that will connect Smiths of Logie, Scotland to Grenada.

I introduced in Part 178s a James Smith, a Weaver from Logie in Scotland who in 1803 is searching for information regarding his brother William Smith’s estate. Accordingly it is written that the brother William Smith was a Merchant in Grenada.

This looks to be the Last Will and Testament of the “lost” brother, William. As the LWT was written on 1 December 1796 and sworn to on 3 December 1796, it would appear that William Smith passed away sometime between the 1st and the 3rd. The Saint George Parish Death Registration, in Part 440s “1491 Mr. William Smith, Merchant; was buried on the 2nd day of Decbr. 1796” is the next confirmation.

Examining William Smith’s 1796 Last Will and Testament there does not appear to be any mention of any direct family inheritance, that is, the only immediate relative that is mentioned in the text of the Will is his brother James Smith of Logie. There are notices of bequests to others but I cannot conclude that there are any gifts given to any direct relative save that to his brother.

In the 7 June 1803 entry of the Power of Attorney by James Smith, the Weaver of Logie, it is indicated that “Whereas William Smith of the Island of Grenada Merchant died lately without iʃsue and whereas James Smith late of St. Georges in the same Island according to the best of my Information died sometime before the said William Smith…”. (See Part 178s.) This means, of course, that I need to now search and find any documentation that may lead me to William Smith’s nephew James, son of James Smith the Weaver of Logie.

William Smith’s Last Will and Testament was found in the 1796 Grenada Registers of Records, Volume F, pages 329 – 331. The same copy is downloaded from the microfilm FHL [1563320]. Here are the images –

My transcription –

329

Entered 6th December 1796.

Grenada
In the Name of God Amen I William Smith of the Town of
Saint George in the said Island Merchant do make this my last Will and Testament
in manner and form following (to wit) First I desire that all my just Debts to be fully
paid and satisfied Item I give and bequeath unto Felicité Boisfermé free Mulatre∫s
my House keeper the five Negroes hereinafter named Viz, Sam, Romeo, Jack, John, Tweed

and

330

and Sally and also the Sum of Sixty Joes in Cash as a Reward for her constant
Care and Attention towards me. Item I give and bequeath the Sum of twenty
Joes in Cash to Betsy Bridgwater Housekeeper to Mr. George Campbell of this
Town. Item I desire my Executors hereinafter named to make free and manumit
as soon as po∫sible my Negro Slave Dick and for the Expence to be paid out of my
Estate. As for all the rest and Residue of my Estate and Effects of whatsoever
nature or kind I give and bequeath the same to my dear Brother James Smith
living at Logie in Scotland And for the Execution of this my Will I request my
Friends
William Stiel William Shaw George Campbell and George Henry Horsley
to take upon themselves that trouble and I hereby appoint the said William
Stiell William Shaw George Campbell and George Henry Horsley Executors of this
my last Will In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this first
day of December On thousand ∫even hundred and ninety Six.

Wm. Smith (LS)

Signed ∫ealed published and declared }
by the said Testator William Smith as }
and for his last Will in the presence of us }

Alex Cockburn __ R Mitchelson __ Edward Nichols

Grenada

Before His Honor Alexander Houston Esquire Lieutenant
Governor and Commander in Chief in and over the Island of
Grenada and it’s Dependencies Chancellor Ordinary and Vice
Admiral of the same.

Personally appeared Edward Nicholls of the Town of Saint George Mariner one of
the subscribing Witne∫ses to the within Paper Writing purporting to be the Will of William
Smith late of the said Town Merchant deceased, who being duly sworn on the holy Evan
gelists of Almighty God maketh Oath and ∫aith that he was present with Alexander
Cockburn and Robert Mitchelson the other subscribing Witne∫ses thereto and did see
the said William Smith the Testator sign and ∫eal the same and also heard him publish
and declare the same as and for his last Will and Testament. And the Deponent
further Saith that in Testimony of such Execution as aforesaid the said Alexander
Cockburn Robert Mitchelson and the Deponent did in the presence of the said Testator
at his request and in the presence of each other severally subscribe their Names as
Witne∫ses to the said Will. And the Deponent lastly saith that at the time the said

Testator

331

Testator so executed his said Will as aforesaid he was to the best of this Deponents
Judgment and belief of sound and disposing Mind Memory and Understanding

Edward Nichols

Sworn to before me }
this third day of }
December 1796 }

Alexander Houstoun

And as a part of the Item gifted in the will are "Joes". I had to find out what a "Joe" is/was? It appears that it is a slang term for a Johannes, a Portuguese coin. At about the time some of the currencies used in Grenada and the Windward Islands included a Spanish doubloon which passed for $16 and a half joannes or joes for $8. (From The Shipmaster's Assistant and Commercial Digest by Joseph Blunt, 1851, New York.) That resolves that issue.

And now to search for the son and nephew James Smith. Could this be a connection to ggg-grandfather James?

Enjoy,

Jim

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Part 537rs - Smith Robertson Genealogy – Updated DNA Haplogroup Ascendancy Chart

Good Morning,

And a very wet good morning… without air-conditioning good morning to all. The positive thing is that it is overcast and should remain this way all day, and so I cannot complain… much.

With the release of the new Deep Clade results of our Robertson Y-DNA, I have updated the Smith YDNA and mtDNA Ascendancy Chart.

Please note that the close results between the Smith and the Robertson YDNA Haplogroup classifications. Interesting, if I say so myself.

If you have questions and ideas please feel free to contact me.

Enjoy,

Jim

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Part 536r – Smith Robertson Genealogy – Robertson Deep Clade Tests Results Returned – R1b1a2a1a1a*

Good Afternoon,

The next set of the Robertson Y-DNA Deep Clade Tests results have been returned. Following up with Part 482r our Robertson Y-DNA, (thank you GR), Haplogroup was predicted at R1b1a2. At that point the Robertson shorthand classification was M-269 marker.

As of today a portion of the Deep Clade Testing has been completed testing for the U-106 marker which has tested and confirmed positive. What this means is that the eight subclades or branches above the U-106 are presumed positive. Those eight branches are: L23; L150; L51; L11; L151; L52; P310; and P311. The P312 test is confirmed negative. This means that the new confirmed Robertson Haplogroup is R1b1a2a1a1a*.

I have included an attempted cut and pasted image of the Family Tree DNA Y-Haplogroup for our Robertson Line.

Now we have to wait for some more Deep Clade Test results, actually 8 of 9 more. One, L48 has returned as negative, which means that, based on the results our Robertson Haplogroup Subclade is not included in the R1b1a2a1a1a4* series. The other eight will determine, whether they are positive or negative which will indicate what a deeper Robertson branch may be.

Here is the Color Key as provided by Family Tree DNA.

The following are a couple of terms with Family Tree DNA definitions that may help.

Deep Clade – A Y-DNA Deepclade test is a test for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that determine a male's place (branch) on the ancestral tree for all mankind. Deepclade testing offers in-depth information about the ancient ancestry and historic migrations of your direct paternal line.

Haplogroup – Y-chromosome DNA (Y-DNA) haplogroups are the major branches on the human paternal family tree. Each haplogroup has many sub-branches.

Subclade – A sub-branch of a haplogroup.

Haplogroups and their subclades (branches) mark human migrations.

Marker – Also SNP or single nucleotide polymorphism. Some Y-DNA sub-branch markers, SNPs, are restricted to a single family that is related in genealogical times (1 to 15 generations).

We now sit and wait for the additional results of the eight remaining Deepclade tests.

Enjoy,

Jim

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Part 535s - Smith Robertson Genealogy - Indenture Research - 1801 James and Robert Smith - Saint Patrick

Good Morning,

The Transcription Project continues. This current Document is the first Indenture of Grenada Registers of Records from Item 3 of the microfilm [1563378].

There are two Smiths included in the Indenture but I would chance an opinion that neither is, or at least I should say that there is no apparent filial connection indicated to ggg-grandfather James. The two Smiths are: Robert Smith, an Attorney to Marthé Cornette Victoire de St. Cyr Scott; and James Smith of Bassinghall Street, London.

I have discovered that neither of these two Smiths are/were listed in the Index of the Volume of the Registers. Neither of the two of them are either of the two principal parties executing the transaction as prescribed by the Indenture. The only way that I discovered the two Smiths was by reading and/or scanning the Indenture looking for the written name “Smith”.

A critical issue that is key when reviewing and comparing the Indexes to the actual Indentures or collection of documents is that the Index may only provide a single name. There actually may be more than two parties involved in the transaction. In this case this Indenture includes:

For the One Part –

• William Lusington of the City of London, Merchant
• Sir Charles Kent of Chandor Street, Cavendish Square, Middlesex County, Baronet
• Dame Mary, his Wife
• Ann Verelst of Aston, York County, Widow, ecetera and ecetera… The inset portrait is of Ann (née Wordsworth) Verelst.
• Ann Wordsworth of Wadworth, Widow, ecetera
• James Law of the City of London, Merchant
• Alexander Scott, Son, Heir at Law, of the Island of Grenada
• Marthé Cornette Victoire De St. Cyr Scott of Wolfenbuttel in the Dutchy in Lower Saxon, Widow

and for the Second or Other Part –

• Townley Ward of Henrietta Street in the Parish of Saint Paul Covent Garden, Middlesex County

And there are more names included in the text of these three pages; a wealth of finds. Bottom line, you cannot depend upon Indexes provided. You still have go through the documents and the pages, line by line, page by page… and who know what you may find.

Here are the images of Pages 1, 2 and 3.

And my transcription -

1

Examined

Entered 2nd April 1801.

This Indenture made the twenty third day of July in the fortieth Year of
the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the third by the Grace of God of Great Britain France and
Ireland King Defender of the Faith And in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred
Between William Lushington of the City of London Merchant Sir Charles Kent
of Chandor Street Cavendish Square in the County of Middlesex Baronet and Dame Mary
his Wife and Ann Verelst of Aston in the County of York widow (which said Dame
Mary the Wife of the said Sir Charles Kent and Ann Verelst are the Coheire∫ses at Law of
Josias Wordsworth late of the City of London Merchant deceased and are also Coheire∫ses
at Law of Ann Algehr Sister of the said Samuel Wordsworth formerly the Wife and afterwards
the Widow of Peter Chris Algehr of Leytonstone in the County of E∫sex Esquire deceased Ann
Wordsworth of Wadworth aforesaid Widow Administratrix with the Will annexed of the Goods
Chattels Rights and Credits of the said Samuel Wordsworth unadministered by the said Josias
Wordsworth who was the only Executor of the Will of the said Samuel Wordsworth James Law
of the City of London Merchant Alexander Scott Son Heir at Law and Devisee named
in the last Will and Testament of Michael Scott late of the Island of Grenada in the West
Indies Esquire deceased Marthe Cornette Victorie De St. Cyr Scott of
Wolfenbuttel in the Dutchy of Brunswick in Lower Saxony Widow of the said Michael Scott
of the One Part and Townley Ward of Henrietta Street in the Parish of Saint Paul Covent
Garden in the said County of Middlesex Gentleman of the other Part Witne∫seth that the
said William Lushington Sir Charles Kent and Dame Mary his Wife and Ann Verelst Ann
Wordsworth Alexander Scott Marthe Cornette Victoire de St. Cyr Scott and James Law for and
in consideration of the sum of five shillings of lawful money of Great Britain to them in hand
well and truly paid by the said Townley Ward at or before the sealing and delivery of these
Presents the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged Have and each and every of them Hath
bargained and sold and by these Presents Do and each and every of them Doth bargain and
sell unto the said Townley War his Executors Administrators and A∫signs All that Sugar
Plantation Piece or Parcel of Land commonly called or known by the name of Madey’s situate
lying and being in the Parish of Saint Patrick in the said Island of Grenada containing by
estimation two hundred and forty Acres of Land be the same more or le∫s with all and singular
the Lands added to the Original Purchase thereof and now worked and occupied as part of the
same Plantation butted and bounded by the Great River of Saint Patrick in the rear
by the Lands now or heretofore of the Heir of William Snell Esquire deceased on one side by the lands
now or heretofore Me∫ss Rucker and Harvey and on the other side by the lands of the Plantation
called Lafortune now or late in the Occupation of William Irvin Esquire or howsoever otherwise
the said Plantation of Madey’s may be butted or bounded lying or being And also all that
Tract of Woodland and Provision called Levera lying in the said Parish of Saint Patrick and
containing by estimation one hundred and twenty eight Acres of Land more or le∫s And also
all that other Coffee and Sugar Plantation (formerly St. Lawrents) heretofore purchased by the
said Michael Scott and called or Known by the name of Belvedere situate lying and being in
the said Parish of Saint Patrick containing by estimation two hundred and twenty Acres of Land
were the same more or le∫s butted and bounded towards the North and North East by Lands now
or heretofore Lands of Rucker and Harvey towards the East and South East by Mount Rose

Plantation

2

Plantation now heretofore belonging to the Heirs of Herbert towards the South by Mount
Riche Plantation now or hereto fore belonging to the said Duncan Davidson and towards the West
by Snell Hall Plantation now or heretofore belonging to the Heirs of William Snell deceased or howsoever
otherwise the said Plantation of Belividere may be butted or bounded lying or being together with all
ways paths pa∫sages waters watercourses rights easements profits privileges commodities and heredita-
ments to the same Plantations or any of them belonging or in anywise appertaining or therewith or with
any or either of them commonly used deemed taken or known as part parcel or member thereof together
with all and singular the Me∫suages or Dwelling Houses outhouses Mills boiling houses curing houses
Stillhouses Cisterns Cellars Negroehouses and all the Edifices and erections of what nature or
kind soever on the said Plantations hereby bargained and sold intended so to be erected built standing
or being with all and every Copper Boilers Stills Worms and other fixtures thereon or thereupon
And also all and every Negroe and other Slaves now upon the said Plantations or either
of them And all and every the Horses mules horned cattle other live stock thereon with the future
i∫sue and increase of the females of the said Slaves and live Stock And also all & singular the
Plantation Stores implements utensils furniture and dead stock to the said two several Plantations
hereby bargained and sold or intended so to be or to the building thereon respectively belonging or uses
or kept for the purposes of Cultivation or Manufacture And the reversion and reversions remainder and
remainders yearly and other Rents I∫sues and Profits thereof To have and to hold the said
two several Plantations Pieces or Parcels of Land Me∫suages Buildings Fixtures Negroe and other
Slaves live and dead Stock Plantation Utensils and all and singular the Hereditaments and
Premises hereinbefore mentioned and intended to be hereby bargained and sold and their and every of
their Appurtenances unto the said Townley Ward his Executors Administrators and A∫signs from the day
next before the day of the date of these Presents for and during and unto the full end and term of one whole
year from thence next ensuing and fully to be compleat and ended Yielding and Paying
therefore tunto the said William Lushington Sir Charles Kent and Dame Mary his Wife and Ann Verelst
Ann Wordsworth Alexander Scott Marthe Cornette Victoire de St. Cyr Scott and James Law their Heirs
A∫signs the rent of one Pepper Corn only on the last day of the said Term (if the same shall be lawfully
demanded) To the intent and Purpose that by virtue of these Presents and by force of the
Statute made for transferring Uses into Po∫se∫sion the said Townley Ward may be in the actual Po∫se∫sion
of the said Hereditaments and Premises hereby bargained and sold and be thereby inabled to accept and
take a Grant and Release of the Reversion and Inheritance thereto to him and his Heirs and A∫signs
To the Use of the said James Law and Townley Ward and the heirs and A∫signs of the said Townley
Ward for ever Neverthele∫s as to the Estate and Interest of the said Townley Ard therein In
Trust for the said James Law his heirs and A∫signs for ever In Witne∫s whereof the said Parties
to these Presents have hereunto set their Hands and Seals the day and year first above Written

W (LS) Lushington Ann (LS) Wordsworth Marthe Cornette (LS) Scott by her
Charles (LS) Kent James (LS) Law Victorie de St. Cyr
Mary (LS) Kent Alexr (LS) Scott Attorney Robt Smith
Ann (LS) Verelst

Sealed and delivered by the within named William Lushington in the presence of

William Brown --- Robert Lanning

Sealed and delivered by the with named Sir Charles Kent and Mary his Wife in the Presence of

Jo. Solly Town Clerk of Sandwich
Thos. Cro∫se Clerk to Me∫sr Bleasdale & Alexander London

3

Sealed and delivered by the within name Ann Verelst in the presence of

James Hall --- Joseph Robinson

Sealed and delivered by the within named Ann Wordwsorth (being first duly Stamped) in the presence of

Geo. Broadrick Town Clerk Doncaster --- W. Stephenson his Clerk

Sealed and delivered by the within named James Law in the Presence of

William Brown --- Robert Lanning

Sealed and delivered by the within named Alexander Scott in the Presence of

James Smith Bassinghall Street London --- Robert Lanning

Sealed and delivered by the within named Marthé Marie Cornette de St. Cyr Scott by Robert Smith
her Attorney by virtue of a Power of Attorney bearing date the twenty seventh day of November
One thousand Eight hundred in the presence of

William Brown Robert Lanning

And I continue…

Enjoy,

Jim

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