Thanks to COVID, the National Genealogical Society transitioned its annual conference from in-person to virtual. I always earmark the date in the hopes that my work schedule will allow me to attend, especially if its in a city where I have research interests. But it never works out for me (except one year). This year really irked me because COVID cancelled all my work travel which freed up my availablity, but then it also caused the NGS to cancel the in-person conference which was scheduled to take place in Virginia – just a drive away. Aww nuts, right? Well, then it went virtual and I jumped on it. Anywho…long story. So I’ve spent much time during our lock-down year going back to school by watching the presentations online.
For many genealogist, these annual conferences count as continuing education if they happen to be certified genealogist. For serious hobby genealogist, it is an opportunity to expand on thier skill and learn “advanced” techniques for breaking down that brick wall. This year, I focused my topics from the NGS conference to skill building courses that discussed DNA match techniques, overlooked records, and analytical techniques.
If you’ve been reading my musings you will know that I have begun to explore the DNA aspect of knocking down brick walls. This has been fruitful with at least two lines, the Rhoades and the Stockfords. What about some others? Those with the tallest and thickest walls? DNA alone will not help if there are not enough matches and published trees to compare with. So, I switched things up a little bit on my Weigle/Wygle line. Traditional records are not very forthcoming and, well, broken record and all – we’re gypsies. Every generation moved a significant number of miles from home, so records are just sparse. This time, I started with DNA.
Mary Wiegle. We know her name through her children who recorded it on Daniel’s funeral cards. But they spelled it two ways. Weigle and Wible. In Pennsylvania there were Wagle’s, Wygle’s, Wigle’s, and Weigle’s. And all three can be found in Westmoreland, Pennsylvania. But there is no birth or baptism records that I have found to make this family’s make up clear to me. (Ok, I need to go back and look. I’m sure I have, but as I write this, I question my memory and my records are at “the other” house – I’m in the middle of moving…still).
I am still in the middle of putting Mary’s puzzle pieces together. I am hopeful.
Our Many Pasts 