the home to the 2019 sheldon family reunion!
TRANSCRIPT
The Sheldon Family Association Quarterly
The Gateway to the West!
The Home to the 2019 Sheldon Family Reunion!
Make your plans now!
Founded 1939 Summer 2019 Vol.33 No. 3 Page 1,373
The Sheldon Family Association Quarterly
Table of Contents
Published quarterly by the Sheldon Family Association, Inc. (hereinafter SFA), and distributed by Michelle Masson.
As a general repository for Sheldon Family lineage in the U.S.A., SFA serves as a central source of information and study for Sheldon lineage researchers. By means of this publication, members are informed of discoveries in Sheldon lineage research, and dates and locale of the annual reunion and meeting. Information in this publication is obtained by research in major libraries and repositories of public records, by correspondence with Sheldon descendants and mem-bers, and independent researchers’ submissions of articles. The editor reserves the right to edit or excerpt submitted articles to fit space requirements of each issue. Articles should be of general interest to members. Pieces too long for the quarterly may be serialized or considered by the publication sales department to make them available to members. Since it is not possible for SFA to vouch for the accuracy of the content or opinion, the reader should understand that SFA in no way implies blanket verification and certification. Libraries do not have permission to place SFA Quarterlies on the internet without prior approval of the SFA. ISSN: 1063-956X
To submit articles, or information for an article, Contact: SFA Quarterly Editor Michelle Masson P.O. Box 2102 Cornelius, NC 28031 [email protected]
President VP Secretary Betty Knopf Open Judy Sheldon
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Treasurer Genealogy Chair Quarterly Editor Sue Sheldon Genealogy Committee Michelle Masson
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Publications
Membership/Database Administrator
Webmaster
Wayne E. Nelson Sue Sheldon Marvin Parsons
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Reunion Committee DNA Administrator Social Media Administrator
Alberta Dunn Kelly Wheaton Judy Sheldon
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
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Editor’s Note 1375
President’s Message 1375
Reminder SFA Elections 1375
Extra Activities in St. Louis 1376
Mayflower 400 Plans (Article from the Boston Globe) 1377
SFA Marketplace Lapel Pins 1377
Host Wanted and DNA Update 1378
Mayflower Connections 1379
Meeting Schedules 1379
Memorial Plaque Application Story 1380
Database Drawer and Reunion Tentative Schedule 1381
Membership Musings 1382
SFA Marketplace Publications 1382
SFA Reunion Registration 1383
The Sheldon Family Association Quarterly
A Note from the Editor
Welcome, cousins, to the Summer edition of the SFAQ! The SFA is very glad that you have decided to read our Quarterly publication. We hope that you enjoy the information in this issue regarding our 2019 reunion and what to do in St. Louis. Please feel free to contact any of the above email addresses in order to ask any questions or sub-mit any information for future articles. We would like very much to hear from you! I would like to thank the mem-bers who have sent information to me for review and publication.
President's Message Betty Shelden Knopf, Ed.D.
Summer is here so September cannot be far away. Our 2019 Reunion is coming, and I hope you are coming to Mis-souri in September. The St. Louis and St. Charles areas are chock full of many different activities. Our local Reunion planner, Libby Wilson, has been so diligent in making arrangements and finding resources. Please keep checking our website, Sheldonfamily.org, for updated information and a registration form. Also, please remember I will auction off two Sheldon pewter cups from the estate of Dr. George Sheldon that were given to me by his three daughters.
I can remember going to a genealogy seminar a few years ago on publishing a family tree. The big question asked was, "Is it appropriate to add people that are living and their basic information to a published family tree?" In addition, if it is appropriate, "Should a release/permission form be gathered from each of the people and/or guardian?" How do you feel? We know that Ancestry blanks out the names and information of living relatives even on publicly shared trees. How is this handled where you publish family tree information?
Well, now fast forward with new DNA ethical issues and family trees. While on a recent trip I read a letter to an advice column, “The Ethicist,” in The New York Times International Edition, published May 25-26, 2019. The letter’s writer used a popular genealogy program for family research and discovered several "non-traditional," and unexpected rela-tionships that resulted in "new" relatives. The question the writer asked, "Should a living relative who had no knowledge of these ‘new’ relatives be told this information?" Looking back, I can remember being in about third grade when my grandmother, Carlotta Lichtenwalter Shelden (1889-1967), clearly stated, "Children should not hear of such things" when referring to her parents’ bitter divorce in 1901. Well, here we are now in 2019 dealing with new emerg-ing DNA issues.
I would like to hear from members with their responses to this new DNA ethical topic and hope we can chat about this at our Reunion.
I am looking forward to meeting SFA members in September!
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Important Reminder: Elections Are Coming!!!!!!
At our Reunion in September, our bylaws require we have an election of officers and directors. Leadership is vital for our association to continue! SFA members have a wide variety of life-skills, genealogy skills, interests, and backgrounds. These are the attributes the SFA looks for in our leadership.
Elected positions that are open: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Directors-at-Large
Appointed positions that are open are, chairs, co-chairs and committee members: Archives, Bylaws, Database, DNA, Finance, Genealogy, Membership, Nominating, Publications, Quarterly, Reunion, Social Media, Webmaster
It is time to share your abilities!
The Sheldon Family Association Quarterly
Extra Activities in St. Louis
Libby Wilson
For those who would like to do genealogy research while in St. Louis this summer, here is a list of librar-
ies that you may find interesting. Their websites will give you more information on what types of materi-
als they have along with their hours, and directions on how to get there.
St. Louis Public Library - (City) http://www.slpl.org
St. Louis County Library - http://www.slcl.org
Missouri Historical Museum, Library and Research Center - http://mohistory.org/lrc-home
Mercantile Library of the AMStL - http://www.umsl.edu/mercantile
State Historical Society of Missouri - http://shs.umsystem.edu/index.shtml
Also, in St. Louis are the National Archives and National Personnel Records Centers with millions of records on file. To find out more about what they offer search : https://www.archives.gov/ST-LOUIS and
https://www.archives.gov/personnel-records-center Happy researching!
For those of you who would like to do something a little different while in St. Louis, I will recommend two
of my family's favorite places.
Grant's Farm is a fun outing for all ages. In 1855, Ulysses S Grant built a four-room, two-story cabin on the
property, naming it “Hardscrabble.” The cabin was moved and reassembled approximately one mile from
its original location, and in 1977, Anheuser-Busch restored it to its present condition. Now, a variety of
exotic animal species from around the world, including bison, blackbuck, antelope, and zebra roam free
in their natural setting. In the Tier Garten you can feed the goats and parakeets, ride a camel or the car-
ousel, see an animal show, or just hang out with a variety of animals including tortoises, wallabies, le-
murs, and elephants. And don’t' leave the park without trying a complimentary sample of Anheuser-
Busch products in the hospitality room. German for “farmstead”, The Bauernhof was built in 1913. It sur-
rounds a beautiful courtyard typical of a 19th century Bavarian farm, complete with stables, a carriage
house, and offices and quarters for those who lived and worked there. Today, it houses the Busch family’s
world-renowned carriage collection and stables. Friday thru Sunday in September from 9-5 (Parking is $15,
admission is free)
Across the street from the farm is the Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site. This is where General
Grant lived off and on during his adult life, it is now open for tours daily from 9:30-5 pm. The grounds in-
clude 5 restored historic buildings and a Visitors Center.
I also recommend all the museums in Forest Park, just west of downtown St. Louis. There you will find
great museums, all with free admission. Special exhibits may have an admission fee. The world-famous
zoo is in Forest
Park and admission is free there as well, though the parking lots do charge a fee. Besides the Zoo, we have
an Art Museum, History museum with both local and national themed exhibits, and Science Center with
Omnimax theater and Planetarium. So, go out and explore St. Louis!
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Plans for the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower have been announced.
Here’s what’s happening.
By Christopher Gavin updated on March 18, 2019
When the Pilgrims sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to the Massachusetts shore in 1620, the impact of their journey would extend far beyond the history of the New World. But Amanda Lumley doesn’t think people know the true story. And now, with the 400th anniversary coming up next year, Lumley says telling the breadth of all of it — from the Pil-grims’ time across the pond to their first interactions with the Wampanoag tribe — will be a core focus of a series of commemorative events. “We want people to understand it was not as straightforward as a lot of people wanted to leave and they got on a ship,” said Lumley, chief executive of Destination Plymouth, in Plymouth, England. Organizations in four nations — the U.S., England, the Netherlands, and the Wampanoag Nation — will tell that story through dozens of events and projects slated to kick off next month and run throughout next year, organizers said this week. Together, each will highlight the voyage of the Mayflower and the Pilgrims, including how some aboard the famed ship originated from Holland before setting sail on Sept. 16, 1620 from Plymouth, England, officials said. Their journey would ultimately lead them to Cape Cod, modern-day Provincetown, on Nov. 21 that year. “That day the settlers wrote the Mayflower Compact. Signed by 41 men on board, the compact was an agreement to cooperate for the general good of the colony,” a statement from Plymouth 400 said. “They would deal with issues by voting, establish constitutional law and rule by the majority. This was later claimed to be the foundation of American democracy.” Anniversary celebrations in Massachusetts include a maritime salute in Plymouth, a traveling regional exhibit on Wampanoag history, and a weeklong series of festivities leading up to Thanksgiving, among other events. To see the full article in the Boston Globe and a list of events scheduled thus far, visit the website below: https://www.boston.com/culture/events/2019/03/16/400th-anniversary-mayflower-eventsBottom
Sheldon Family Association Lapel Pin
The attractive SFA lapel pin is approximately 3/4 inch wide and 1 inch long. The background is teal-blue. The top says “Sheldon Family Association”, the Shel-don logo is in the center and the ribbon at the bottom carries the letters SFA.
Show off your heritage and wear this pin with pride!
The cost of this pin is $10.00 (including postage).
The Sheldon Family Association Quarterly
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WANTED
Host for the 2020 SFA Reunion
We need a host to plan (with help) our 81st Annual Reunion in the eastern part of the USA. You should live in the vicini-
ty of the site you propose for the reunion (or at least be close enough to be familiar with the area). A Sheldon connec-
tion in the area is always a plus but not a necessity. The interest all year has been that the 2020 SFA Reunion be held in
Plymouth, MA in order to visit the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower landing festivities. The date will be set to accom-
modate hotel availability at the best price as well as weather concerns and host time constraints.
Michelle Masson, our SFAQ editor, has been a host before and she says that it is not as difficult as it may seem. Sure,
there are things to arrange, hotels to visit, negotiations to be made with tours, and phone calls to make, but it is all
worth it when you arrive, and your guests are there to enjoy their visit!
Interested possible hosts should contact Alberta Dunn at [email protected] as soon as possible. We would
like to be able to announce the 2020 location at this year’s annual meeting in September.
DNA Update Michelle Masson
The Sheldon Family DNA Project is moving along quite well. The SFA has set aside some funds for DNA kits to use when needed in order to help clarify information we are working on with the ancestry of Sheldons in England. “We do have a couple of unused kits that we have purchased and are holding for Sheldons from England that would help with Groups A, B, C or D. We offer them to someone who has current English ancestry and is willing to share their tree and results with us. I believe we have done this for 3 people. (One resulted in a Group A match and proved the Derbyshire connection; the other two matched each other.)” Kelly Wheaton The SFA has more DNA testing kits to use, if anyone has a family member in England or someone with a good connec-tion to a Sheldon in England, it would be greatly appreciated if you would reach out to the Association. The SFA would then assist in getting a free kit to our potential ancestor, and when the results show which group they belong, it would be more solid information for the research of the SFA. These kits are expensive to test; therefore, we offer assistance to those who would be assisting us in getting solid answers. We also have testing options available directly through FTDNA which are at a lower cost to the tester. If anyone is interested in finding out which group they are by DNA testing, the SFA Genealogy committee would be very glad to assist. If one has an idea who their family reaches back to then our Genealogy committee may be able to look at the previous testers to find out which group for certain.
“The SFA is currently talking to an adopted Sheldon in England whose uncle is a born Sheldon and hoping he will test.” Kelly Wheaton For more information regarding anything you would like to know about DNA please see Kelly Wheaton’s website below: https://sites.google.com/site/wheatonsurname/beginners-guide-to-genetic-genealogy
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Mayflower Connections
Michelle Masson
If anyone should recall, in the Spring issue I had mentioned that I found two conflicting stories regarding the par-
entage of Content Soule who married George Sheldon.
I have since found the correct parents for Content Soule, while perusing through the internet and landing on fami-
lysearch.org. Her parents are Timothy Soule (1714-1770) and Elizabeth Allen (1710-1770). The other couple men-
tioned in the Spring issue were George Soule and Avis Tibbitts; this George is Timothy Soule’s brother. Their par-
ents are Nathan Soule (1678-1736) and Mary Gifford (1683-1772).
The story gets more interesting as we find that Content Soule’s spouse, George Sheldon, is the son of Thomas
Sheldon and Harriet Winters. Thomas Sheldon is the son of Isaac Sheldon and Susanna Potter. Susanna Potter is
the family member that I have been trying to connect to the Mayflower passengers for quite some time now.
Based upon these findings, Susanna Potter is the grandmother of George Sheldon who married Content Soule and
Content is the great-great-granddaughter of George Soule (Mayflower passenger) and Mary Buckett.
While researching information sent to me by another SFA member, Nita Seneca, I have come across some more
connections; not only showing Nita’s connection to the Mayflower passengers, but also her connection to the
Potter family, as well. I was searching for one of her Mayflower ancestors, and found two: Resolved White and
George Soule. Nita is the ninth great granddaughter of Resolved White. Her grandmother is Ethel May Dow (1899-
1980). Ethel’s parents are Chauncey Herbert Dow (1862-1933) who is the 6th great grandson of Resolved White;
and Carrie E. Sheldon (1869-?) who is the fourth great granddaughter of George Soule. Family trees are usually
very interesting when one searches to generations far in the past.
SFA Reunion 2019, St Charles, Missouri
Meeting Agendas
Wednesday, Sept. 18 - Sunday, Sept 22
Best Western Plus "The Charles Hotel"
1425 South Fifth Street, St Charles, MO 63301
SFA Board Meeting - Wed., September 18, 2019, 4 o’clock, Lewis & Clark Room
• Minutes of the SFA Board Meeting held in 2018
• Minutes of the SFA General Membership Meeting held in 2018
• Treasurer’s Report
• Membership Report
• DNA Committee Report
• Nomination Report
• SFA Quarterly Report
• Reunion update and proposal
The Sheldon Family Association Quarterly
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SFA Memorial Plaque Application Process Michael Sheldon
Do you have someone in your family that you feel should be enshrined into the history of the Sheldon Family Associa-tion (SFA)?
A few years ago, a family member thought that the amount of effort put forth by a relative (Marie Sheldon Hine) sig-nificantly moved forward the purpose and efforts of the SFA. Marie hosted two very successful Sheldon Reunions in Bennington, Vermont, a task that is a major effort given the rich and overwhelming family history in the area.
The family took it upon themselves to create a memorial plaque and had it inscribed with Marie’s name. They then contributed the plaque to the SFA. Their intention being to display the plaque at the SFA Annual Reunions and to have either the Board of Directors (BOD) or other members to place additional names on the plaque to make a sort of Hall of Fame list.
This year the SFA Board decided to make the “Memorial Plaque” a reality. As a starting point the members looked at similar programs and their processes. The SFA Board has adopted a process and put it in place in order to achieve the mission set forth by Marie’s family.
Like other memorials such as putting a stone with a name on a walkway, a plaque with a name on a park bench or a name on a wall, SFA is asking families to nominate their individual by submitting a completed application along with a gifted contribution to help underwrite the costs. The SFA Board has the responsibility to review the application for all the proper criteria and when approved will add the name to the plaque, as well as, post the information about the honoree on the SFA website.
Soon you will see on sheldonfamily.org the form to use along with step by step instructions on what and where to sub-mit the information.
Like the Sheldon Family Association, the focus of the memorial is to recognize the efforts of an individual who has ad-vanced the cause and history of the Sheldon name either by their research work or a lifetime achievement. The indi-vidual you want to memorialize can be a worthy deceased Sheldon or Sheldon relative such as a spouse, cousin or im-mediate in-law.
So, give it some thought about someone in your family or someone you know that helped the Sheldon history.
SFA Annual Meeting – Sat., September 21, 2019, 9am-11am, Lewis & Clark Room
• Moments of Remembrance
• President’s Remarks (and auction)
• Minutes of the SGA General Membership Meeting held in 2018
• Presentation of the Annual Report
• Treasurer’s Report
• Approval of Slate of Officers
• Reunion update
• Transaction of other business
• Reunion photograph
The Sheldon Family Association Quarterly
Database Drawer
Sue Sheldon
At our Salt Lake City reunion last year, we had some exciting discussions about the SFA database. It was unani-
mous that we want to make it available to SFA members! This has been a dream for many years, and we are now
actually making it a reality.
Currently, the tree is uploaded to Ancestry. You do not need to have an Ancestry subscription in order to view
and edit your part of the tree, however, you will be able to “do more” if you do have one.
When you request to have access to the tree on Ancestry, you will be asked to agree to our “Ancestry Tree Policy”.
You will be agreeing to edit only the records of seven (7) generations; up through your great- grandparents and
down through your great-grandchildren. This includes all the siblings and spouses of each generation. You may
add new individuals, add or correct facts, and add stories and photos. If you have an Ancestry subscription, then
you will also be able to review hints.
Those members who have been testing out the system have found it to be a rewarding experience. With all the
new descendant information we are getting, our tree is more accurate and current.
If you’d like more information about this project, please contact me at [email protected]
2019 Reunion Schedule! Here are the tentative plans…
Wednesday, 9/18
4 pm Board meeting - open to all at the hotel
Dinner - on your own
7:30 - 9 pm welcome reception at the hotel with dessert/coffee (decaf!) and local wine
Thursday, 9/19
Free day to sightsee, shop, research – Dinner on your own or in groups.
Friday, 9/20
Group outing/carpooling to St. Louis, leave the hotel at 9 am 10:00 tour Sheldon Concert Hall
11:15 tour Central Library, see books by Walter Sheldon
12:15 - 3:00ish Gateway Arch/lunch/tour museum/ride to the top of the Arch (purchase your tickets online for the top of the Arch)
Afternoon plans may also include stopping at the Cathedral Basilica to see the wonderful mosaics or at Ted Drewes for St. Louis's favorite frozen custard treats
Dinner on your own
Saturday, 9/21
9 am -10:30 SFA Annual Meeting at the hotel (open to all)
Free day to sightsee, shop, research
6:00, Dinner at Tony's on Main.
Sunday, 9/22
Breakfast at the hotel – Safe journey home
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Publications for Sale
The Sheldon Family Association (SFA) encourages research and the collection of data that may contribute to the greater understanding of the extended SHELDON family. After careful consideration of such works, SFA may choose to publish selected materials and to make them available to its members. However, it is not possi-ble for SFA to verify the accuracy of the content or opinion, the reader should understand that SFA in no way implies blanket verification and certification of these publications.
All prices US dollars.
These publications are provided in file download form through this website. After completing checkout you
will be emailed a download token and link to retrieve your purchased downloadable file(s). Please be sure
your email address has been entered correctly. If you have not received your email shortly (check your spam
folder just in case) please contact us regarding your order. Thank you.
Here is the link to 38 publications we have on our website:
https://sheldonfamily.org/marketplace/publications
Membership Musings
Sue Sheldon
Those wascally dues are due again!
On August 1st, all 2019 Annual Memberships will expire. And due to increased costs for nearly everything, the dues will be increased to $20 for an annual membership. But - if you renew BEFORE August 1st, you can still get the 2019-2020 year for $15! Those of you lucky enough to have Life Memberships can merrily go on about your summer business. The rest of us will need to renew. The easiest way is to click on this link RENEW and use our Stripe pay-ment method with your credit/debit card. You do not need to fill out the Membership Form - since you are already a member. PLUS, you can add multiple years at $15 by just clicking “Add to Cart” multiple times. You could then guarantee $15 dues for 2,3 or even 5 years—as many as you would like! The second way to renew would be to mail a check for $15 - (postmarked prior to August 1st) or $20 (postmarked after August 1st). (Check made out to SFA) Sue Sheldon PO Box 1575 Shelton, WA 98584 We really value your membership in our family association and hope to see your renewal AND to see you in person in St. Louis on September 18th for our 80th reunion and annual meeting. If you have any questions about your membership, please contact me at [email protected]
The Sheldon Family Association Quarterly
80th Annual Sheldon Family Association Reunion
Wednesday, September 18 - Sunday, September 22, 2019
A block of rooms has been reserved at Best Western Plus, The Charles Hotel at 1425 South Fifth Street
in St. Charles, Missouri. The special room rate is $105+ tax. Call to make your own reservations at this
number:
Hotel Direct: 636-946-6936 Be sure to say you are attending the Sheldon Reunion.
Cutoff date for reservations at this price is August 18, 2019.
A full continental breakfast is included with your room. All other meals will be self-pay on location. On
Friday, lunch will average about $6.50 - $12.95 at the cafes by the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. The price
for the farewell dinner at Tony’s on Saturday night will be in the $21+ range. Admissions for sites we
will visit in St. Louis are free. If you want to visit the top of the Arch that costs $13 for the tram ride up
and back.
Due to the cost of insurance which we must now carry on reunions, the registration fee is $15 PER PER-
SON. You may register online at Sheldonfamily.org or by completing this form and sending it with your
check made out to Sheldon Family Association. Send to Sue Sheldon, Treasurer, PO Box 1575, Shelton,
WA 98584.
SFA REUNION REGISTRATION FORM
NAME(S) ___
ADDRESS ___
PHONE ___
E-MAIL ___
EMERGENCY CONTACT (Name +phone#) ___
REGISTRATION FEE: $15 Per Person
NUMBER ATTENDING __________________
TOTAL ___________________
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The Sheldon Family Association Quarterly
Sheldon Family Association, Inc.
Distributor: Michelle Masson P.O. Box 2102 Cornelius, NC 28031
Celebrating 80 Years!
Sheldon Family Association
Dues Renewal/Membership Form
Indicate Category:
Annual Membership $15.00 (before Aug 1, 2019)
Annual Membership $20.00 (after Aug 1, 2019)
Life Membership $300.00 once
Sheldon No.: (if known) S#
Email Name Street
City _State Zip Phone
Membership term renews in August each year
Send Dues and Address Changes to:
Sue Sheldon, PO Box 1575 Shelton, WA 98584
New Members please join Sheldon Family Association at: https://sheldonfamily.org/membership/join-our-membership
Five Colonial Sheldons
S0004 Godfrey Sheldon
Scarborough, ME
S0005 Isaac Sheldon
Windsor, CT
S0008 John Sheldon
Providence, RI
S0013 John Sheldon
South Kingstown, RI
S0022 Richard Sheldon
NJ & NY City
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