Issue 7.11
I have an x-cousin in Kentucky. You probably wonder how I can have an x-cousin, so I will explain. Hugh is a Sullivan, we both had ancestors from Kentucky and North Carolina. We worked together to try to solve the mystery of the missing great grandfathers. When we discovered DNA testing, Hugh was tested and I had my brother tested. Having my brother tested was necessary since I don’t have any Y-DNA and that is what is needed to trace the male or paternal lineage. Hugh and my brother, Shayne, do not match at all, not even close. So, that is how I ended up with an x-cousin who is now my genealogy research friend.
He sent me a funny email the other day; I thought you might enjoy his thoughts: It’s difficult to track the Sullivans in Duplin, Halifax and Johnston Counties, NC. We all know that but have you ever wondered WHY? As Robert Browning said, “Let me count the ways…”
1. I have found Sullivan spelled 152 ways – and counting. On adjacent tombstones in AL the husband has the (t), SULLIVANT the wife doesn’t SULLIVAN.
2. No Sullivan appeared on a census between 1790-1830 in Caswell, Edgecombe, Granville and Warren Cos. NC although several were there at various times of the census!
3. Bertie Co. NC had 17 male Sullivans in the 1790 census – in 1800 only 1 remained. Trying to track them I was surprised not to find CROATAN carved on the tree. They are just as lost.
4. Some, many or all early records in VA from the following counties were destroyed: Brunswick, Charles City, Elizabeth City, Henrico, James City, Nansemond, Prince George, Surry and Warwick.
5. Records in NC were partially or completely destroyed in the following counties: Anson, Guilford, Hyde, Lenoir, Pitt, Wake, Warren and Wayne. (Items 4. and 5. are not a complete listing – just the counties that might be of interest to us.)
6. I find a number of records where Sullivans were declared insolvent. I doubt those kinfolk left many deeds or wills. But they left lots of kids.
7. When people could no longer take care of their kids for various reasons, relations often stepped in. There was rarely any record to indicate why one family disappeared and another increased disproportionally.
8. Every Tom, Dick and Harry seemed to be named Daniel, John or William.
9. Baseborn children often took the name of the mother – but not the DNA. So a Smith might be a Jones and a Jones might be a Smith. Heavens to Murgatroyd – as if it wasn’t bad enough already.
If any of this sounds remotely familiar, hang in there! Where there is a will, there is a way, now we just need to find that will!
Shanna Sullivan Jones is a professional genealogist. For additional information, Shanna can be reached at (435) 628-4900 or shannasjones@msn.com
I am a descendant of John and Martha Sullivan who both died in Jihnston County, NC,somewhere between 1810 and 1815.
I have traced my roots to there and hit a brick wall. I don’t not know how they died but they left some underaged children and I belive they were placed with Jesse Sullivan(t).
Any help would be appreciated