George and Martha named their oldest daughter, Duddthga. When I searched the internet, I could find no reference to this name. Could it have biblical or Native American origins?

George Riley Adams

Born: 17 JUN 1840 in Mansfield, Cattaraugus County1, New York, USA

Father: Albigence Adams (1801 to 1867)
Mother: Diana Lattin (1799 to 1845)

Spouse: Martha Hiner (1852 to 1932)

Married: 3 JAN 1871 in Harlan, Fayette County, Iowa, USA

Children:

George Chet Adams (26 NOV 1872 to 18 MAY 1948)
Duddthga Clarinda Adams (21 JUL 1874 to 13 DEC 1924)
Bertha Cecilia Adams (9 JUN 1877 to 5 JAN 1938)
Clarence Custer Adams (29 MAY 1879 to 21 FEB 1949)

Died: 11 JUN 1911 in Maynard, Fayette County, Iowa, USA

Burial: Long Grove Cemetery, Maynard, Fayette County, Iowa, USA

Timeline:

1845 Rock County, Wisconsin, USA
1845 Death of mother, Diana
1850 Rock, Rock County, Wisconsin, USA
1855 Whiteside County, Illinois, USA
1860 Lyndon, Whiteside County, Illinois, USA
1867 Death of father, Albigence
1870 Harlan, Fayette County, Iowa, USA
1880 Harlan, Fayette County, Iowa, USA
1885 Harlan, Fayette County, Iowa, USA
1895 Death of sister, Clarinda
1900 Harlan, Fayette County, Iowa, USA
1905 Death of brother, Leander
1907 Death of brother, Abner
1910 Harlan, Fayette County, Iowa, USA
1911 Death and Burial

Occupation: farmer

Records:

1850 to 1880, 1900, and 1910 United States Federal Census Records
Iowa, U.S., State Census Collection, 1836-1925
Iowa, U.S., Grand Army of the Republic Membership Records, ca. 1866-ca.1950
Iowa, U.S., Death Records, 1880-1904, 1921-1952
The U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current

Variations of Surname: none

Internet Archive has a publication entitled “Past and Present of Fayette County Iowa“. You can read the biographical sketch for George on Page 1370. His brother Leander’s biography appears on Page 1057.

Daughters:

Duddthga Clarinda Adams:

Duddthga was born on 21 JUL 1874 in Maynard, Fayette County, Iowa, USA. She died on 13 DEC 1924 in Rochester, Olmsted County, Minnesota, USA. Duddthga was buried in the Long Grove Cemetery in Maynard, Fayette County, Iowa, USA.

I could not find the origins of the given name, Duddthga. When I typed the name into my search engine, it kept bringing up articles about Buddha. Could this name have biblical origins?

If you know the answer to this question, please contact me. My email address is dlwakenight@yahoo.com. You can also leave a message in the Comments Section of this post.

Duddthga went by the nickname of Gussie.

Duddthga married Samuel Lincoln DeLong on 1 MAR 1896 in Harlan, Fayette County, Iowa, USA. Three known children were born to this marriage:

Ethel Mae DeLong (1897)
George L DeLong (1903)
Zella DeLong (1904)

Samuel Lincoln DeLong was born on 16 MAY 1872 in Greeley, Delaware County, Iowa, USA. He died on 30 DEC 1934 in Maynard, Fayette County, Iowa, USA. Samuel was buried in the Long Grove Cemetery in Maynard, Fayette County, Iowa, USA.

After Duddthga died, Samuel married a widow, Ellen Daphne Leddy Phillips, on 24 FEB 1929 in Winterset, Madison County, Iowa, USA. They were both 56 years old when they married.

The Death of Samuel DeLong:

On 30 DEC 1934, Ellen said she heard a gunshot at the other end of the house. When she went to investigate, Ellen found her husband dead.

The coroner ruled Samuel’s death a homicide. He said there was no way Samuel could have shot himself while lying on the couch. Ellen was charged with murder.

On 4 MAY 1935, a jury convicted Ellen of murdering her husband. She was sentenced to ten years in prison.

Ellen served three years in the women’s reformatory at Rockwell City. In 1938, she was paroled.

I could not find Ellen in the 1840 US Census. The 1950 US Census shows that she was living with her son, Howard, in Ames, Story County, Iowa, USA. Ellen had reverted to her first married name of Phillips.

Ellen Daphne Leddy:

Ellen Daphne Leddy was born in 1873 in Wyoming, Jones County, Iowa, USA. She died in 1958 in Ames, Story County, Iowa, USA. Ellen was buried in the Winterset Cemetery in Winterset, Madison County, Iowa.

Ellen had previously married Daniel H Phillips on 12 FED 1892 in Maquoketa, Jackson County, Iowa, USA. Five known children were born to this marriage:

Howard G Phillips (1893)
Ruth Phillips (1898 to 1898)
Kenneth Phillips (1899 to 1900)
Donald L Phillips (1901)
Macx John Phillips (1908)

Daniel H Phillips was born in 1866 in Jones County, Iowa, USA. He died in 1922 in Winterset, Madison County, Iowa, USA. Daniel was buried in the Winterset Cemetery in Winterset, Madison County, Iowa.

Sidebar:

As I was researching Daniel’s family, I came across a unique situation. It had to do with the accuracy of the printed record.

Daniel’s brother, James Phillips, was born in 1864 in Wyoming, Jones County, Iowa, USA.

In 1885, he married Lydia Edwards in Temple Hill, Jones County, Iowa. The marriage record listed his parents as George Phillips and Anna Lamey.

Lydia died in 1889 at the age of 20 years old.

In 1895, James married Lillie May Heath in Maquoketa, Jackson County, Iowa. The marriage record listed his parents as George Phillips and Anna Lamey.

What Happened?

When I looked for a death record for James Phillips, I found two different entries:

The first entry was a text-only document that showed James died on 17 MAY 1887.

A publication on Archive.org entitled “Cemetery Records for Jackson County, Iowa” shows this same date. This book is probably where Ancestry.com got this information.

I then found a Find A Grave memorial #188381442 for James Phillips. It shows that he was buried in the Holy Trinity Catholic Cemetery in Baldwin, Jackson County, Iowa.

As James had married his second wife in 1895, I thought this date had to be incorrect. I wondered if he could have died in 1897 instead of 1887.

I performed another search using the year 1897. I found another Find A Grave memorial #65904919 for James Phillips. This one shows that he was buried in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Maquoketa, Jackson County, Iowa.

As noted above, Maquoketa was the city where James and Lillie were married. The fact that both marriage records listed James’ parents also confirms that he did not die in 1887.

My Ongoing Search:

I have been in contact with the manager of the Find A Grave memorial #188381442 in Baldwin. She said the headstone does include James’ name, birth, and death dates. She also noted that the headstone is very worn from time and weather.

The manager of the other memorial #65904919 is currently not an active member of Find A Grave. I have taken over the management of this memorial. I have also requested a photo of the headstone.

On 23 AUG 2022, I sent two email inquiries:

The first email was sent to the Jackson County, Iowa, records office. I asked for verification that James was buried in the Holy Trinity Catholic Cemetery.

The second email was sent to Father Austin of the Sacred Heart Church in Maquoketa. I also asked for verification that James was buried in their cemetery.

As soon as I receive replies to these inquiries, I will update this post.

Update, 24 AUG 2022:

I received replies to both emails:

Mary from the Jackson County Records Office directed me to contact the Sacred Heart Church. She said that they were taking care of the Holy Trinity cemetery.

Kelli at the Sacred Heart Church in Maquoketa could not find a burial record for James Phillips in Maquoketa.

My Opinion:

The 1895 marriage record confirms that James Phillips could not have died in 1887. Kelli verified that he was buried in the Holy Trinity Catholic Cemetery in Baldwin, Jackson County, Iowa, USA.

Confirmation of Death, 24 AUG 2022:

I discovered a probate record for James Phillips dated 4 AUG 1897. This document shows that he was living in Monmouth, Jackson County, Iowa, USA.

A guardianship paper for James and Lydia’s daughter confirms James died in 1897.

What I think happened:

There are two possible reasons why the death date on the headstone appears as 1887 instead of 1897.

The engraver of the headstone made a mistake or the “9” is so worn on the headstone that it looks like an “8”.

Bertha Cecilia Adams:

Bertha was born on 9 JUN 1877 in Maynard, Fayette County, Iowa, USA. She died on 5 JAN 1938 in Maynard, Fayette County, Iowa, USA.  Bertha was buried in the Long Grove Cemetery.

Bertha married Oliver M Kern on 5 DEC 1913 in Allegan, Allegan County, Michigan, USA. No known children were born to this marriage.

Oliver M Kern was born on 8 JAN 1867 in Indiana, USA. He died on 2 JUL 1935 in Maynard, Fayette County, Iowa, USA. Oliver was buried in the Long Grove Cemetery.

Oliver had previously married Lottie A Kelsey in 1888 in Cass County, Michigan, USA. No known children were born to this marriage.

Lottie A Kelsey was born on 30 MAY 1862 in Michigan, USA. She died on 2 MAY 1905 in Elkhart, Elkhart County, Indiana, USA. Lottie was buried in the Grace Lawn Cemetery.

George’s Wife:

Martha Hiner:

Martha was born on 1 AUG 1852 in Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio, USA. She died on 27 JAN 1932 in Oelwein, Fayette County, Iowa, USA. Martha was buried in the Long Grove Cemetery in Maynard, Fayette County, Iowa, USA.

Martha’s father was Isaac Hiner. He was born in 1820 in Pennsylvania, USA. He died on 7 AUG 1864 in Ustick, Whiteside County, Illinois, USA. Isaac was buried in the Union Grove Cemetery in Union Grove, Whiteside County, Illinois, USA.

Isaac was 44 years old when he died. The memorial on the Find A Grave includes an announcement of his death:

The Whiteside Sentinel, 12 Aug 1864:

“During the thunder shower on Friday evening last, Mr. Isaac Hiner of the town of Ustick was struck by lightning and instantly killed. When the shower came on in the dusk of the evening, Mr. H. started to go to the neighbors for his wife, who it seems had also started for home as soon as it commenced raining, and had got near enough to see her husband struck down by the fatal bolt.”

Martha’s mother was Elizabeth Wengert. She was born on 29 NOV 1831 in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, USA. She died on 15 AUG 1896 in Sedgwick, Harvey County, Kansas, USA. Elizabeth was buried in the Hillside Cemetery.

Martha had six known brothers and sisters:

Mary A Hiner (1850 Ohio)
Catherine Hiner (1854 Indiana)
Sarah Hiner (1856 Indiana)
Leonard Hiner (1858 Illinois)
Elizabeth Hiner (1860 Illinois)
Isaac Wengert Hiner (1863 Illinois)

After Isaac died, Elizabeth married Oliver Perry Gray on 8 APR 1879 in Morrison, Whiteside County, Illinois, USA. No known children were born to this marriage.

Oliver Perry Gray was born on 29 JAN 1821 in Ohio, USA. He died on 18 OCT 1907 in Morrison, Whiteside County, Illinois, USA. Oliver was buried in the Grove Hill Cemetery.

Oliver had previously married Sarah Jane Young on 4 FEB 1844 in Pleasant, Fulton County, Illinois, USA. Seven known children were born to this marriage:

Marietta Gray (1845)
Florence T Gray (1851)
Alice Gray (1855)
William H Gray (1860)
John Gray (1863)
Hattie R Gray (1866)
Mabel M Gray (1869)

Sarah Jane Young was born on 17 JUL 1829 in New York, USA. She died on 2 JAN 1876 in Sedgwick, Harvey County, Kansas, USA. Sarah was buried in the Hillside Cemetery.

After Elizabeth died, Oliver married a widow, Mary E Thomas Baker, on 7 OCT 1897 in Morrison, Whiteside County, Illinois, USA. Oliver was 76 years old and Mary was 50 years old when they married.

Mary E Thomas was born in 1846 in Ohio, USA. She died on 26 MAY 1909 in Morrison, Whiteside County, Illinois, USA. Mary was buried in the Grove Hill Cemetery.

Mary had previously married Resolved Melville Baker on 28 DEC 1862 in Whiteside County, Illinois, USA. Seven known children were born to this marriage:

Diana A Baker (1864 to 1864)
Ella May Baker (1865)
Alice Bell Baker (1866 to 1867)
Sarah Tryphenia Baker (1868)
Eva Elizabeth Baker (1870)
Harry Melville Baker (1872)
Lillie B Baker (1873)

Resolved Melville Baker was born on 23 SEP 1835 in Essex County, New York, USA. He died on 21 SEP 1909 in Mount Pleasant, Whiteside County, Illinois.

Resolved’s father was Henry M Baker. He was born in 1809 in New York, USA. He died on 23 JUN 1854 in Garden Plain, Whiteside County, Illinois, USA. Henry was 45 years old when he died. He was buried in the Minta Cemetery.

Resolved’s mother was Tryphenia W Tripp. She was born in 1808 in New York, USA. She died on 5 DEC 1877 in Union Grove, Whiteside County, Illinois, USA. She was buried in the Union Grove Cemetery.

Resolved had five known brothers and sisters:

Mary B Baker (1832)
Reuben S Baker (1834 to 1850)
Merritt B Baker (1836 to 1858)
Jason Lee Baker (1837 to 1877)
Harvey P Baker (1840 to 1895)

Did You Notice?

Resolved lived to be 73 years old. Yet, his father and three brothers died before they reached 50 years of age.

His father died when he was 45 years old.
Reuben died when he was 16 years old.
Merritt died when he was 22 years old.
Jason died when he was 40 years old.

I do not know if their deaths were caused by illness or injury. It could have been a genetic issue that affected the male offspring. If you know the answer to this question, please contact me.

Tryphenia’s Second Husband:

After Henry died, Tryphenia married Duncan Kier on 12 DEC 1857 in Whiteside County, Illinois, USA. Tryphenia was 49 years old and Duncan was 53 years old when they married.

Duncan Kier was born on 16 SEP 1804 in Muthill, Perthshire, Scotland. He died on 15 AUG 1871 in Union Grove, Whiteside County, Illinois, USA. Duncan was buried in the Union Grove Cemetery.

Duncan had previously married Catherine McCallum in 1830. I do not know where they were married. Ten known children were born to this marriage. The eight oldest children were born in Canada. The two youngest children were born in Illinois.

Christine Kier (1832)
John Kier (1833)
William Kier (1836)
Duncan Kier (1837)
James C Kier (1840)
Jennie Kier (1842)
Katherine Kier (1844)
Thomas B Kier (1847)
Alice Kier (1848)
Malcom Kier (1851 to 1859)

Catherine McCallum was born on 16 APR 1814 in Scotland. She died on 7 DEC 1851 in Union Grove, Whiteside County, Illinois, USA. Catherine was 37 years old when she died. She was buried in the Union Grove Cemetery.

Family Histories:

As a family genealogist, I have found that every family has a unique history that should be memorialized.  The use of websites like Find A Grave and Newspapers.com provided a great deal of information on the families related to George Riley Adams.

Do you have a story to tell about your own ancestors?  The event may be good or bad, happy or sad, as Al Green’s 1971 song tells us.  Making your family history available to your descendants is the key to keeping your family memories alive!

Notes:

John Adams (1595 to 1633) was the first person with that English surname to immigrate to North America from England. In 1621, John boarded the Fortune. This was the second ship, after the Mayflower, to bring puritans to North America. In late November of that year, the Fortune arrived at Plymouth Colony. John was the progenitor of all the Adams descendants listed in these posts.

Creating Your Family Tree

Interested in building a great family tree? Remember these important steps:

Look in your photo albums. You may have old pictures that your parents or grandparents gave you. Or, ask them for copies of photos that they have in their possession. Many people will write names and dates on the backs of photographs. Letters, diaries, and family bibles are also excellent sources for births, marriages, and deaths.

Talk to your older relatives to find out about your ancestry. They may relate stories about an ancestor that you can add to your family tree. Family history is usually not found in newspapers. It is more of a verbal memory that is passed down from generation to generation.

Find the right family tree builder that suits your needs. You can choose one that has a paid subscription like Ancestry.com. There are also free sites like FamilySearch.org.

When you start building your family tree, add documentation to your ancestor’s profile. The records can include birth, marriage, death, census, military, city, and county directory listings. Any information that you can find will help create a life story about your ancestor.

If you have a unique surname, like Wakenight, you may find databases on the internet that are useful in your search. I use SurnameDB.com for my English surnames. There are many others on the internet for other countries like Ireland, Italy, and Germany.

Genealogy is the study of a person’s “line of descent.” As you create your family tree, you would typically start with one individual and go “back into time.” You would add their parents, grandparents, and so on.  There are also family trees that go “forward into time.”  Many of these family trees start with a famous person, such as a president or royalty, and move forward into the present time.  The purpose of this type of pedigree is to establish a person’s bloodline with that famous person.

There is no limit on how big your family tree can grow. The blank canvas is there for you to use. Cherish your family history, and it will be there for generations to come!