Confusion and the Proof Standard

For years my grandmother, father, and I have had the same Riggin brick wall, which stopped at John C Riggin, my four times great grandfather. Family lore said he came to Illinois from Tennessee and that his father was a minister, who rode a circuit, preaching at several churches on rotating Sundays. What we could never figure out were the names of his parents or any siblings.

After researching John C Riggin's descendants more thoroughly, and definitively proving he settled in Madison County, soon after Illinois became a state, I purchased a used copy of the two-volume Centennial History of Madison County. I was hoping there would be profiles of prominent citizens of the county. The book did include those profiles, but my known ancestor was not among them. However, I did discover this lovely snippet in the section about Troy:

My "new" books, Centennial History of Madison County

I was still a rank amateur family historian and didn't realize the significance of finding out the names of two of his siblings. Instead, I kept banging my head against the brick wall that was John C Riggin. However, earlier this month, I started researching John's brothers -- Harry and James. I still haven't learned much about James, but Harry was a goldmine!

"Troy" from the Centennial History of Madison County

I found an article entitled Three Rs in Lincoln's Education: Rogers, Riggin, and Rankin, by James T. Hickey, which appeared on pages 195-207 in the Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society, Volume 52, Number 1, Lincoln Sesquicentennial (Spring 1959). Hickey was one of the foremost authorities on Lincoln, especially his time in Illinois. The article had this to say about Harry and James Riggin:

"The Riggin brothers were sons of the Rev. James Riggin, a Methodist preacher of Sevierville, Tennessee. Originally Catholic, the Riggin family had renounced Catholicism when they came to America from Ireland."

An extensive history of Harry Riggin's life was also included. It seems he knew Abraham Lincoln when Lincoln was a student at New Salem, learning under Mentor Graham, and opposed Lincoln in the 1838 state legislature elections.

From Mr. Hickey's article, photograph courtesy of the
Illinois State Historical Society

With that clue I was able to trace the Riggin family, through the Reverend James Riggin, back to Somerset County, Maryland, when the first Riggin -- Teague -- arrived sometime in the 1650s as an indentured servant. A book of Somerset County wills and land records proved invaluable.

Like my Scottish Muir line, the Riggins faithfully named their sons and daughters after parents and grandparents. I currently have eight ancestors, all born within a few years in age of each other, named Teague Riggin in my family tree.

Map of Somerset County, Maryland, circa 1795

It was at this point in my research that I confused myself beyond reason. Several of these Riggin ancestors were of an age to serve in the Revolutionary War. A review of those records, showed no one named Riggin with which I was familiar. So I went to the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) website and searched for a Riggin patriot. I found three, named Francis, Stephen and James. I do not believe at this time, that the James who fought for a Delaware regiment is my James Riggin. But I did download the three applications that used Stephen Riggin as their patriot ancestor as he fought in the Somerset County Militia.

For several days I traced the lineages provided by the three ladies who became DAR members using Stephen Riggin as their patriot ancestor, gathering source citations to validate their research along the way. As I worked backwards, I was, of course, trying to connect them to my Riggin extended family in Somerset County.

When I got to John Riggin, last person on their lineages, all I learned was he wrote a will in 1747. At first I believed this John Riggin did not tie into my tree but rather was a descendant of a possible brother of the original Teague Riggin, who may have also come to the American colonies, but the records are in no way definitive on his existence.  Now I believe this John Riggin to be the John I have in my tree who was born about 1708 and wrote a will in 1747 which was probated in 1757. The date the will was written and the place it was filed being the only "proof" of that connection. In the sea of early Riggin genealogies on the Internet, I would be the only person making that connection, which is the source of my confusion.

Augustus Kerr Riggin, son of Harry Riggin;
image from the Past and Present of Menard
County by Robert Don Leavey Miller

Have I got it right or am I completely lost?

I have been researching how to think through and write a genealogical proof standard but have never done one before. I'd love to hear your thoughts on proof standards as I am in uncharted waters.

"Hello, hon!" from Maryland

This is such an exciting undertaking! Thanks to Julie Goucher. What a great opportunity to share the history of Maryland along with my genealogy adventures.

Baltimore's Inner Harbor

Where to start? How about the beginning?

I am Deborah, Debbie. Deb. Growing up with seemingly thousands of girls with that name. Yes, it was very popular back in the day.

Most girls were named after Debbie Reynolds or Deborah Kerr. Not this chickie. This Debbie? In honor of my parents car. That my friends, is a story for another post.

I am a child of the 50's (aka a Boomer), born and raised in the "Old Line State" of Maryland. Hence the "hon" reference. I was the oldest of seven children, in a neighborhood where a big family was the norm. We had tons of playmates and never the chance to say "I'm bored!"

I was blessed with a Dad who loved history. His favorite subject to discuss? The American Civil War. Dad did his best to share that passion. Encouraging us to read and taking his broad on historical road trips.

Most weekends the van was loaded with children, snacks and a map to the nearest historical site. Gettysburg, Antietam, and Harpers Ferry were as familiar to us as Disney was to our friends. They would tell us about Donald and Mickey, we would tell them about John Brown and Picketts Charge. Made for very interesting conversations.

Dad with my daughter, Starr
abt. 1989
Antietam National Battlefield
(Grandpop sharing the history love)

But ... there was not much discussion about our heritage. In fact, until I was much older the subject meant very little in day to day life.

Fast forward ... Deb grows up ... meets future hubby ... has four children ... works for local public library. Life becomes hectic for many years.

Babies turn to teenagers. Then become adults flying from the nest. Hubby accepts a job away from home Monday to Friday. House is suddenly silent! Life comes to a screeching halt! What should Deb do?

At this point our library system began a new initiative. Introducing the staff to various types of technology and social networking. Twitter, Facebook, flickr and Goodreads to name a few. To help track progress, we each created a blog.

What happened next? I feel in love with technology and writing! Where had all this cool "stuff" been hiding?

When the new "experience" came to a conclusion, I wanted to keep learning and growing. How would I use these new tools? I wanted to keep blogging, but what would be my focus?

Into the Google search I typed "blogs" to get an idea or two. Wow! Pages and pages of hits. First up, crafting blogs. Nope. Can barely sew on a button. Next. Gardening. Seriously! Never met a plant I can't kill. Next. Genealogy. Maybe read a couple. That was that, my friends. Hook, line and sinker.

Adventures in Genealogy - born 8/22/10
Content by Deb Ruth
Design by her daughter, Starr

That was the beginning of "Adventures in Genealogy". Where I share frustrations and triumphs, while traveling the road to family discovery. Growing from newbie to slightly more seasoned researcher. Connecting with new found cousins and making friendships with other genealogy bloggers.

Over the years, these friends have been a large part of the learning process. With their encouragement I have become an avid webinar attendee, Twitter user and Facebook group participant.

I even got over my fear of public speaking. Dove in head-first with a presentation at the local library. Now? Talking to the world! Yes indeed, having some serious fun.

What do I hope to contribute with my posts?

Share my family history. Majority of the lines are recent  (late to mid 1800's) immigrants to Maryland. I will share the difficulties finding information on ancestors that melted into a large city.

The other end of the spectrum, my husband's family line. Each coming to America during the late to mid 1700s. Most residing in rural and farming communities. Information bonanza!

Also, the opportunity to share history and interesting (sometimes odd) facts about my Maryland.

Last by not least, make new friendships.

Julie, thank you for the opportunity to stretch my family history muscles.