George Washington Parker

[Randall Clair Root]

Above  was born 11/09.1831 and died 11/18/1905 in Rochester, PA.  I seek the names and vital info on his PARENTS and his ancestry (based on family stories)  to Captain John Parker.of Lexington/Concord.  Pennysylvania does not maintain death records prior to 1906. They, in turn,  referrred me to the Beaver County Register of Wills office, They reported their records DO NOT show his parents.

The 1900 Census shows his mother as French Canadian. The 1880 and 1890 Census shows his birth place as New York. Deceased daughter Nettie  said it was near Jamestown  BUT a newly discovered 1870 census lists his birthplace as NEW JERSEY. Unverfied info shows father's birth around 1805 and mother's around 1810. Both apparently died in 1830's  likely in Chautaqua County New York, leaving him orphaned. I have provided FORMAL GENEALOGICAL INQUIRY to FENTON HISTORY CENTER in Jamestown, N.Y. on George Washington Parker. But after months they cannot locate much beyond the above. Any suggestions on how to approach this brick wall?

Again my ultimate goal is to establish the ancestrial connection to Captain John Parker, a family story I was told throughout my life.

[Steven Charles Kratz]

Listed at the top of the next page is Sarah Hannah age 78, born NJ. George Parker is listed at the bottom of the page before in the 1870 Census. There names are right next to each other one at the bottom of the page the other at the top of the next page. George Parker born NJ. A few pages after George Parker is listed a Jesse Hannah Steam boat Captain. George Parker is listed as Steamboat Man. A few pages after George Parker also list Steamboat pilot. Are the Hannahs connected to the Parkers, I do not know. Same state, same occupation, possibility. Wondering if there is a list somewhere of Steamboat captains, Steamboat man, Steamboat pilot. FamilySearch.org also has many people interested in the same person, the father of George Washington Parker. They have the father dying in 1876. Wondering if there is a guardian record for George Washington Parker.

[Randall Clair Root]

Can you either specifically identify/or provide a link to the FamilySearch.org page or section where others expressed an interest in identifying the father and mother of George Washington Parker?

[Randall Clair Root]

You are a great resource. My working theory is that the Hannah's took him in after he was abused as a "bound child." He he helps them on their canal boat, Jamestown N.Y. is only about 130 miles from Beaver PA. So G.W. Parker likely was a boatman in this area for his entire life, The New Jersey birth notation perhaps can be explained if Mrs. Hannah simply answered the census for everyone in her family, treating G.W> as a relative. His other census responses clearly suggest N.Y. as his birthplace.I have just procured a copy of his "Bridgewater Ferry Company" Charter. The genealogical society in Beaver suggests little hope in finding parents. You mention the FamilySearch.org section/link where others are searching for G.W. Parker's parents. Can you provide or specify the exact link? Sorry I am somewhat of an amateur and cannot find it. Thanks again for all you assistance!!!

[Steven Charles Kratz]

There are state censuses in New York for the years 1825, 1835, 1845, 1855, 1865, 1875. These Censuses are done on a county by county basis I believe. Here are the names of the researchers from Familysearch.org. I do not know how to do the link or even if it will let me do the link. Brian R Bingham, Margery Webb, Cecelia Ruth Mackenzie, SM7676, Randall 545. The info includes the names of all the children of George Washington Parker.