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What Became of John Schiltz?

  John N. Schiltz, a third great-granduncle, was a bit of a "man of mystery" to my cousin Mary Ann, who I met last year on a research trip to New York and Canada. (Mary Ann and I share 4th great-grandparents, Peter Schiltz and Anna Marie Cailteux; John was their son.)  Mary Ann knew that John had served in the Civil War, and wondered what transpired in his life afterwards. Never one to shrink from a mystery, I researched John after I returned from my trip and uncovered his Civil War service as well as his life after the war.  I wrote about John for Historical Wyoming , the quarterly of the Office of the Wyoming County Historian  in New York. The article was just published in their Spring issue. Thanks to Wyoming County Historian Kevin Proper, who graciously permitted me to reprint "What Became of John Schiltz," here. If you are a Schiltz relation and have anything to add to this story, do reach out at ngcintx@gmail.com.   Note : Historical Wyoming's style does...
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A Research Trip is Just the Ticket

Image by rawpixel.
 

This week's post will be brief. I am busy preparing for a research trip later this week. 

My paternal grandmother's ancestors are my focus. Mary Josephine Baker (1911-1981) had Belgian, Irish, German, and Scottish roots with families that first settled in the Buffalo/Sheldon/St. Catharines, Ontario areas. I've spent a good part of the past two years researching their stories and am anxious to set my feet on the ground where they lived:

  • Buffalo, Erie, New York - Cassidy, Sheridan, and Coats families
  • N. Evans, Erie, New York - Sheridan family
  • Grantham/St. Catharines/Port Dalhousie, Ontario - Becker/Baker, Schiltz, Cassidy, Darragh, Dyer, Manley families
  • Sheldon, Wyoming, New York - Schiltz, Becker/Baker, Cailteux lines 

Each of these locales is within easy driving distance from Buffalo, so that will be my hub with day trips out to the various locations.

I've set an ambitious schedule and am gathering visit info, making arrangements with my contacts, scouring library websites for resources I might want to check, and making lists of questions I hope locals can answer. Libraries with local genealogy collections, local historical museums, ancestral churches, and cemeteries are all on the agenda.

More than anything I hope to get a feel for the places they called home—something that can only be accomplished in person.  

I'll send some "postcards" from my trip with news, finds, and photos in the next couple of weeks—and maybe a few tips on planning and executing a research trip that might be helpful to readers.

Until next time...

© Nancy Gilbride Casey, 2025. All rights reserved. 

 

 

 

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  1. Marian B. WoodJuly 9, 2025 at 8:32 AM

    Best of luck finding lots of great info with boots on the ground research!

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  2. Diane HenriksJuly 9, 2025 at 12:29 PM

    The perfect genealogy activity for summer. Have a great trip! :)

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  3. AnonymousJuly 9, 2025 at 12:33 PM

    Looking forward to seeing the postcards.

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  4. Colleen G. Brown PasqualeJuly 9, 2025 at 4:42 PM

    Good luck with your research.

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  5. Nancy Gilbride CaseyJuly 9, 2025 at 8:23 PM

    Yay! Sandra, thanks.

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  6. Lisa S. GorrellJuly 9, 2025 at 8:25 PM

    I know you'll have a great time. I just did this in Kentucky and Indiana. It's so wonderful to be in the place where they lived.

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    Replies
    1. Nancy Gilbride CaseyJuly 10, 2025 at 7:12 AM

      Getting started today. Stay tuned...thanks for reading.

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  7. AnonymousJuly 15, 2025 at 2:10 AM

    Hello Nancy. I am jealous. Thank you for keeping us informed of your discoveries. If you could find a photo of our common ancestor Anne Marie Cailteux, that would be wonderful. Sorry I’m putting pressure on you. I'm as excited as you are. Thank you again. Daniel

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    Replies
    1. Nancy Gilbride CaseyJuly 15, 2025 at 1:14 PM

      Bonjour Daniel. I wish such a photo existed, but given that she passed away in the 1860s it's not very likely that one exists. I think the only chance that we find one is to ask other descendants. I know nothing came down through my family, sadly. Wish I could help on this one, but that's my best idea.

      Delete
    2. Nancy Gilbride CaseyJuly 15, 2025 at 1:14 PM

      Bonjour Daniel. I wish such a photo existed, but given that she passed away in the 1860s it's not very likely that one exists. I think the only chance that we find one is to ask other descendants. I know nothing came down through my family, sadly. Wish I could help on this one, but that's my best idea.

      Delete

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