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Genealogy-Chasing Ghosts

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 Hello and Welcome to my web page.  I have been updating                          
some information and I hope you find it useful.

The following families are the ones that I am researching.                         
I will try to add as much information as possible to help                          
anyone out.  Hopefully you'll see something that you can                          
use.  I am willing to share any information that I have and                         
will gladly accept any information to post here on the page.                         
If you have a question that I can't answer I will be happy                          
to post it here so maybe someone else can answer it.                         

Related Surnames: Gragg,Coffey,Shedd,Godfrey,Cragg/Craig,Marcus,Philyaw,

Singleton,Hall,Carter,Charlemagne,Eller,Hunnicutt,MacGregor,                         
Henkle,Goettge,Chastain,Hedden,Biffle,Patton,Parker,Meyer,                         
Measel,Straub,Bachman,Abron,Hartman,Dietz,Koke,Seleske(y),               

 

Froelich and Fischer.



These families are from Germany,Canada,Scotland,Ireland,                         
Maryland,Michigan,Pennsylvania,North Carolina,Tennessee and                          
the Roman Empire.



I will list the information on the families starting with                          
the ones I have the least on on hopes that someone can give                         
 me a boost and get the search going again.          




Straub:

    Edwin Warfield Straub was my grandfather.  My grandparents                          
were divorced when my mother was a child.  The last time                          
she really saw him she was 17 years old.  I found out last                         
 year that he had died around 1994 in Perry Hall,Maryland.                          
 I have tried to find some relative of his through many                          
phone calls but was unable to find anyone related to him.                           
Here is the info on the Straub family that I have:

Edwin Warfield Straub born 18 October 1903 maybe in Maryland                         

 

. Son of Charles Straub and Sophia Abron. He was married to                          
Mildred Marie Meyer b.29 June 1903, Baltimore,Maryland                          
d. 25 August 1969. She was the daughter of August Meyer and                         
 Mary Bachman.  I don't know when Edwin and Mildred  were                         
 divorced but my mother was about 6 I think.  That would                          
make the time frame around 1930.



Edwin had a number of siblings they were:

George R. Straub b. May 1888

Catherine E. Straub b. Dec 1889

Murriel W. Straub b. Sep 1896

Evelyn Straub

Mabel Straub b. after 1903



Charles Straub was listed in the 1900 census as living at                          
1819 Ensor Street and that he was born July 1867 in Maryland.          




Meyer:

Fredrich Adolph Meyer b.14 Mar 1833 Germany m. Johanna Josephine Hartman/Koke b.23 Sep 1832 Germany d.27 Mar 1890 Baltimore MD

children:

1.Henry Meyer b. Germany

2.Lena Meyer

3.August Adolph Heinrich Henry Meyer b.30 Jan 1866 in Hamburg,                         
Germany. Christened 8 April 1866 in Salzuflen,Lippe Co.                          
Germany,d. 30 Dec 1932 Baltimore Maryland,m.30 Dec 1891 to                         
 Mary Bachman b.13 May 1873 d.1 Mar 1924 Baltimore, Maryland                         
Daughter of Theodore Bachman and Hienmi Dietz.

    children of August and Mary Bachman Meyer:

    Herbert J.Meyer b. 16 sep 1892 Baltimore MD d. 2 Jan 1965 m. Eva Glasser

    Harry August Meyer b. 11 Mar 1893 Baltimore MD d. 18 Dec 1940 m. May ?

    Fannie Meyer b. 10 Apr 1895 Baltimore MD d. 24 Mar 1980 m. Harry Lambert Fader

    Alfred Meyer b. 6 Dec 1896 Baltimore MD d.6 Jul 1897

    Lillian Meyer b.15 Jan 1898 Baltimore MD d. 14 Feb 1974 m. Joseph Krebach

    Elmer Meyer b. 1 Apr 1902 d. 8 Apr 1902

    Mildred Marie Meyer b. 29 Jun 1903 Baltimore Md d. 25 Aug 1969 Baltimore MD m. Edwin Warfield Straub

    Henry Meyer

4.Mary A. Meyer

5.Lilly Meyer

6.Alfred Meyer

7.Charles F.Meyer

8.Edward C. Meyer          




Measel

Godfrey James Measel was a molder in Ontario Canada.  I don't know where or when he was born.  He just showed up 

with his family in Kincardine,Ontario,Canada abt. 1890. He died in 1929 in Detroit,Wayne Co. Michigan.

He married Anne Froelich b.? d. 1933 Detroit,Wayne Co.,Michigan.

children of Godfrey and Anne Froelich Measel:

1.Nelson James Measel b. 13 Mar 1891 Kincardine,Ontario,Canada d.24 sep 1969 Eloise Hospital

  Wayne Co.,Michigan. m. Florence Anne Seleske daughter of Joseph Selesky and Anne Fischer.

  children of Nelson and Florence Anne Selesky Measel:

  Marcella Mary Measel

  Giblert James Measel b. 12 Feb. 1918 Detroit,Wayne Co.,Michigan d. 18 May 1984 Plantation,Florida

  m. Mary Ruth Straub(see above Straub's).

  children of Gilbert and Mary Ruth Straub Measel

   Francis James Measel

   Gilbert James Measel Jr.

   Marie Anne Measel

   Claire Ruth Measel

   Kristine Mary Measel

  Lorraine Philomena Measel

  Shirley Bernadette Measel

2.Maude Measel          




Seleske(y)

Joseph Selesky b. 1858 Germany d. 1930 Michigan (he was about 17 when he immigrated to America)

m. Anne Fischer b. 1869 Michigan? d. 1922 Michigan?

children of Joseph and Anne Fischer Seleske(y)

1.John Selesky b. 31 Oct 1891? d. Apr 1963

2.Frank Selesky

3.George Selesky

4.Albert Selesky b. 12 Feb 1894 d. Jan 1979 Melvindale,Michigan

5.Clarence Seleske b.22 Aug 1903 d. Oct 1983 Eastpointe, Michigan

6.Ed Seleske b.6 Aug 1897? d. Sep 1974 Wyandotte,Michigan

7.Ella Seleske

8.Philomena Selesky

9.Florence Anne Selesky b. 6 May 1898 Detroit,Wayne Co.,Michigan d.19 Jun 1961 Ft.Lauderdale,Fl.m.

  Nelson James Measel (see above Measel's)          




Gragg

The Gragg family are descendents of the Clan MacGregor of Scotland.  This is the Clan MacGregor

Lineage to my family:



           Scots

Picts(Celtic)

Fergus Mac,Son of Erc (fifth century)

Angus MacFergus (eighth century)

First King of Scots in Scotland (Pictish King Hungus)

Desc. to Achaius(_____m._____)Fergusa(dau./MacFergus)

Alpin King of Scots m. a Pict Noblewoman



Descent from Alpine to Tony Gragg

Numbers indicate generations from Alpin

1.Gregor of the Standard-killed in battle with Danes ,961

2. Dounmgheal,Son of Gregor(Dongallus)

3.  John of the Standard-died in battle 1004

4.   Grgor Garbh-of the Stout of Glenorchy

5.    Malcom

6.     Laird John MacGregor-died 1113

7.      Sir Malcolm-died 1164

8.       William,Lord MacGregor-died 1238

9.        Gregor of Glenorchy-died 1266

10.        John de Glenorchy-Tenant of the Campbells-died 1336

11.         Malcolm-died 1374

12.          Laird John Chem of Glenorchy-died 1390

13.           John Dhu(Doef Black(Dow)) of Glenstrae

14.            Dubh of Glenstrae-died 1415

15.             Malcolm-died 1440

16.              Patrick-died 1461

17.               Black(Dubh)John Coat-of-Mail of Glenstrae-died 1519

18.                John MacGregor (received "Cain")

19.                 David

20.                  John

21.                   John Gragg(ca.1690-1758)m. Nancy Wood

22.                    William Gragg b. 1735 d.1769

23.                     William Gragg Jr. b.1758 d.1847 m. Nancy Coffey

24.                      Indiana Isabelle Gragg b.1834

24.                       Edmund Paza "Peyton"Gragg b.1850 d.1920 m. Mahuldy Vasty Cragg

25.                        Elijah Lee Gragg b.1878 d.1958 m. Missouri Montana Shedd

26.                         Ernest Lee Gragg b.1919 m. Lena Louise Hunnicutt

27.                          Tony ELijah Gragg b. 1956 m. Kristine Mary Measel b. 1962

               

 

MacGregor               
"S Rioghal Mo Dhream-My Race is Royal               
This is on the MacGregor Clansman's Badge.               
No tribe of the Highlands was more proud of its ancient name than the MacGregors.               
The motto of this clan claims a Royal descent, the tradition being that their founder was Gregor,               
brother of Kenneth MacAlpin.  Their ancestors possessed Glenorchy, held in 1292 by John de Glenorchy,               
whose line however failed, when the headship passed to a junior branch.               
The Clan Gregor traces its ancestry and takes its name from Gregor(Griogar), third son of Alpin, King of Scots                
in the latter part of the eighth century.  A highland proverb says:"The Hills, the MacAlpins, and the Devil came into               
the world at the same time.               
The MacGregors were a very powerful clan.  King David II realized that their strength was a threat to his own security.               
He set out to destroy the clan.  So wit the Clan Campbell's aid they took the land that the Clan MacGregors had held for over               
100 years from them.  By 1442, the MacGregors were without an acre of land held free of the crown.               
The chiefs of the clan made the mistake of sticking to the old Allodial system of independent ownership, and were determined to keep               
their land as their ancestors had, by right of the sword.               
With the persecution of the clan by the crown and the Campbell's the MacGregor's turned to lawlessness to protect their rights.. These               
unlawful acts brought the clan to the end of the law.  King James VI, through privy council, put a bounty on the head of any MacGregor               
The Earl of Argyle tried his best to oblige the King.  He asked the MacGregor Clan Chief to go with him to the court of King James in                
England.  Argyle promised to protect the clansman and to get a pardon for him from the King.  However as soon as the MacGregors crossed               
the tweed, they were arrested and carried back to Edinburgh.  He was executed along with 30 of his clansmen.                 
In April 1603, under the threat of death all with the name MacGregor had to take a new Surname. A death sentence would also be carried out if 4 of them met                
together. Anyone that brought in a MacGregor either the man or his head, the were rewarded with the MacGregor's holdings or they received a               
payment of blood money.  As of 24 May 1611 any wives or children of a MacGregor fugitive was branded "with a key upon the face".  In 1613 a law               
was passed that had any fugitive MacGregor child under the age of 14 would be "scourged and burnt upon the cheek. Any child over the age of 14                
would be hanged at once.  All these laws against MacGregors stayed in affect until 1774.               
"Glenorchy's proud mountain,Coalchurin and her towers,               
Glenstrae and Glenlyon no longer are ours;               
We're landless, landless,landless, Grigalach               
But doomed and devoted by vassel and lord,               
MacGregor has still both his heart and his sword;               
Then courage, courage, courage, Grigalach!               
If they rob us of name and pursue us with beagles,               
Give their roofs to the flames and their flesh to the eagles               
Then Vengeance, vengeance,vengeance,Grigalach!"               

 

Clan Gregor Names               
From Clans,Septs,and Regiments of the Scottish Highlands by Frank Adam:               
Black, Caird, Comrie, Dochart, Fletcher, Gregg, Gregor, Gregorson,Gregory, Greig,               
Grewer,Grier, Grierson, Grigor, Gruer, King, Leckie, Lecky, MacAdam, Macara,                
Macaree, MacChoiter, MacConachie, MacCrouther, MacGrewer, MacGrowther,               
MacGruder, MacGruther, Macilduy,MacLeister, MacLiver, MacNee, MacNeish,               
MacNie,MacNish, MacPeter, MacPetrie, Malloch, Neish, Nish, Peter, White,Whyte.               

 

Gragg          
John Gregg born about 1690 is believed to be the first Gregg/Gragg to come to the New World.  Although this is          
not documented it is assumed.  Robert Gragg is thought to be the son of John Gregg.  According          
to family tradition, John Gregg was the father of Thomas, John, Robert, William and Margaret.          
This branch of the Graggs came from Scotland by way of Ireland.  They came from Ireland to           
Cumberland County, Pennsylvania; John Gregg married Nancy Anne Wood, daughter of William Wood.          
They moved to Augusta County, Virginia in 1750, John died in Augusta County, in 1758.          
John Gregg had 5 known children:          
A)Thomas Gragg born 1715 in Northern Ireland died 1773.  Thomas Gragg came from Ireland with his sons:          
   Henry and William, and was of Scottish ancestry.           
   Thomas Gragg had the following children and grandchildren:          
       1) William Gragg Sr. born 1737,established by Augusta County, Virginia, court records, married Mary          
       Dunkle and Margaret Johnson.William Gragg Sr. died 24 January 1795.          
       children of Mary Dunkle and William Gragg Sr.          
          a.William Gragg Jr.          
          b.Hannah Gragg          
       child of Margaret Johnson and William Gragg Sr.          
          c.Samuel Gragg married 1785 to Ann Black daughter of Walter Black.          
       2)Henry Gragg, according to court records removed to Nickolas County Kentucky and died there in 1819.          
B)John Gragg, little is known about John Gragg, son of John Gragg but he was probably born in Northern Ireland.          
   children and grandchildren of John Gragg and Jane McCullock:          
         a.John Gragg          
           i.John F.Gragg          
          ii.Permelian Gragg          
         iii.Hiram Gragg          
          iv.Elisha Gragg          
           v.Washington Gragg          
          iv.William B. Gragg          
          b.Samuel Gragg          
          c.Robert Gragg          
Augusta County court records show that John and his family moved to Pulaski County,Kentucky in1756.          
C)Robert Gragg          
D)William Gragg          
E)Margaret Gragg          

 

My Gragg Connection          
William Gragg, son of John must have been born about 1735, in Northern Ireland.  He married Elizabeth Martin.           
William Gragg Sr. died in Albemarle County, Virginia in 1789.  In his 1789 will he named Elizabeth and the follow-          
ing children:          
1)William Gragg Jr. married Elizabeth Pulliam and Nancy Coffey          
2)Sarah Gragg married John Shope          
3)Elizabeth Gragg married Phillip Shope          
4)Susanna Gragg          
5)Beniah Gragg married Jane Early Kyle(mcDonnah)          
6)Robert Gragg          
7)Nancy Gragg m. Benjamin Bryant          
8)Mary Gragg married Arch Campbell          

 

William Gragg Jr. and Nancy Coffey          
William Gragg and Nancy Coffey are the members of the Gragg line that I am Following.  William Gragg was born  in Augusta           
County, Virginia 15 April 1758.  After the death of his first wife he married Nancy Coffey, 4 July 1837.  They left Johns River           
and settled on Wilson's Creek.  He later moved to a place near Montezuma, where he died, 20 October 1847 at the age of 89.           
William and Nancy Coffey Gragg had two children:          
   A)Indiana Isabella Gragg          
   B)G.L.Taylor Gragg          
Nancy was just 21 when she and William married.  William was 79 years old.  That they had children was surprising to me.          
After William Gragg died another child was born to this Gragg family.  In 1850 Edmund Paza Peyton Gragg was born.            
The parentage of this Gragg child is in question.  Edmund would never talk about his mother or father although through a           
research and questions asked to professional genealogists this is my theory on his parentage.          
On Edmund's death certificate it listed Nancy Gragg and W.E.Philyaw as his parents.  The problem I had with this is two fold.          
First; If he would never talk about his parents to anyone how did they come up with this combination.          
Second; W.E.Philyaw would have been 18 years old when Edmund was born and Nancy would have been 36.  I talked with several          
genealogists and they said this was highly unlikely.  Now Nancy's daughter Indiana would have been about 14 (depending on what date          
you go by for her birth date).  The genealogists I talked to said it was more than likely Indiana and WE Philyaws child.          
Remember this is pure speculation on my part.  An uncle had a professional genealogist do a full research on this family but wouldn't let          
anyone see the findings.  Now he's dead and the report is lost.          

 

Edmund "Paza" Peyton Gragg          
Edmund "Paza" Peyton Gragg was born 5 March 1850 near Grandfather Mountain, in North Carolina.  He moved to Rabun County,Georgia           
at the same time that W.E.Philyaw came to the county.  W.E.Philyaw was the first ordinary of Rabun County.  He was a preacher and is now          
buried on the edge of Lake Burton in a small cemetery.  Although he was married and had other children he is buried by himself, with no apparent          
family near him.          
Edmund Gragg married Mahuldy Vasty Cragg. Mahuldy"Hulda" Cragg was born in 9 February 1852.  It is possible that they had known each           
other in North Carolina, since the families came from the same area.  The story goes that as Hulda was about to marry another man Edmund           
rode up and stole her away.           
Edmund and Hulda had the following children.          
Margaret born 1872 married Henry Jones and Henry Taylor          
John Newton born 1873 died 1961 married Della Rose Gosnell          
Daniel Luther born 1874 died 1963 married Texas Anne Shedd          
Albert born 1882 married Sarah Benfield          
Elijah Lee born 1878 died 1958 married Missouri Montana Shedd          
Dock Clinton born 1891 died 1924 married Lizzie Brock          
Burgess G. born 1888 died 1970 married Oma Smith          
Miles McKinney Gragg born 1884 died 1949 married Lizzie Brock Gragg. widow of Dock Clinton Gragg.          

 

Elijah Lee Gragg and Missouri Montana Shedd          
Elijah Lee "Peyton" Gragg was born 13 February 1878 in Flat Creek, Rabun County Georgia.  He died 16 March 1958          
in Clayton,Rabun County Georgia and is buried at the church that his father established on Flat Creek.  Elijah married          
Missouri Montana Shedd(daughter of James Shedd and Sarah "Sally" Godfrey).  Missouri was born 29 March 1882 in           
North Carolina.  She died 2 March 1954 in Clayton and is buried next to Elijah in the Flat Creek Cemetery.          
Elijah and Missouri had the following children:          
Manona Gragg born 1904 died 1975 married Lester Free          
James Harley Gragg born 1905 died 1998          
Chester Edmond Gragg born 14 March 1907 died 16 March 1981          
Ora Marie Gragg born 1909          
Ralph Phillip Gragg born 1908 died 1947          
Virginia Gragg born 1911          
Hubert Vernon Gragg born 1913          
Bertha Ellen Gragg born 1915 died 1980          
Sally Ethel Gragg born 1917          
Ernest Lee Gragg born 1919          
Burlis Howard Gragg born 1921 died 1985          
Lily Pearl Gragg born 1924 died 1926 in a terrible fire.          

 

This is all I have for now on the Gragg line.  For privacy reason I won't list Ernest children.  His is the line that I am           
related.  If you need more information about the allied family lines feel free to email me.  I have alot of information on           
the related lines as well as the direct lines.          

 

Thank You for Visiting Family Web Site.            

                                                                              

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