Case Study using the Genealogical Proof Standard, GPS: William Long/Lange/Lang

 

 

 

 

 

Research is more than one document, one website, one letter, or one memory. This case study started with family lore of a Civil War soldier wounded in battle. William Long or Lang (1846-1928) married Louisa Elsner (1849-1931) on March 1, 1867 in Frankfort, Will County, Illinois. When researching, the family historian must have a specific goal. In this case study, the goal: what is the correct spelling of William’s surname. Using the Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG) standards, I plan to write a short narrative. The Genealogical Proof Standard, GPS, consists of five steps.

In the first step, the family historian conducts a reasonably exhaustive search for all information pertinent to the case study. This research starts with family lore and includes census records, Union Civil War medical records, service records, pension application and obituary. The records of Company F, 64th Illinois U.S. Infantry will offer insight into his daily activities. The family lore conveys that William, a recent arrival to the United States, enlisted in the Union Army. He was wounded, but rejoined his unit. His obituary relates of his activity in the battle of Atlanta and Sherman's march to the sea. At the end of the war, he returned to Frankfort and married Louisa Elsner. William and Louisa along with several other farm families moved to Remsen, Plymouth County, Iowa. The U.S. census population schedule records confirm their relocation and the names of their growing family. His Civil War documents relate his medical conditions and multiple attempts for a pension.

 The second step reads that the genealogist will provide accurate citations for all sources. Write citations for each piece of information as each is found. Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace by Elizabeth Shown Mills is an excellent reference.

·         Family lore relates that William immigrated to Frankfort, Will County, Illinois, with his sister Sophia at the age of 16. Shortly after arriving, he joined the Union Army. After the war, he married Louisa Elsner. Due to the scarcity of farmland, several families moved to Iowa. A citation for an interview would read, "Interview with Mildred (Schuler) Kampe by Selma Blackmon, 12 June 1998, subsequent undated interviews and letters through 2007. Transcription held in 2007 by Blackmon (address private). Norcross, Georgia."

·         According to Illinois Civil War records, two other men from Frankfort joined the same day, John Herbst and Christopher Near. The citation will read, "Illinois Secretary of State, 'Illinois Civil War Muster and Descriptive Rolls Database.' CyberDriveIllinois. (https://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/databases/idphdeathindex.html : accessed 24 July 2014), entry for William Long, 'PVT [Co.] F, 64 IL US INF,' Joliet, Will County." The citation for John Herbst would be the same except instead of William Long John's name would be inserted.

·         After the war, John Herbst married Sophia Elsner and William Long married Louisa Elsner. A citation for a marriage certificate from the county court house would read, "Will County, Illinois, marriage certificate no. 2830 (1 March 1867), William Long & Louisa Elsner; County Clerk's Office, Joliet." A citation from one of the online services would include the name of the website, the URL and date accessed. John Herbst and William Long married sisters, Sophia and Louisa Elsner. Citations for this data would be derived from records such as census records, ship records, church records, obituaries and wills.

·         Every census image offers different clues. These clues include dates, family information, residence, occupation, nativity, and military service. The family historian should locate the family in every census available. William and his family have been located in the 1900, 1910 and 1920 U.S. population schedule. A citation for the 1900 census reads "1900 U.S. census, Plymouth County, Iowa, population schedule, Meadow, enumeration district (ED) 103, sheet 5A, dwelling 64 family 65, William Lang; digital images, Heritage Quest Online (Gwinnett County Library : accessed 8 July 2014); T623 roll 453. National Archives. Washington, D.C."

·         The Civil War records for William include his medical, service and pension files. The citation for each textual record would be separate. The researcher will complete an abstract or transcription of each record type. The citation for his pension files reads "William Long (Pvt. Co. F, 64 Reg't, IL Inf), certificate no. 198.111 & widow certificate no. A6-23-28; Case Files of Pension Applications based on Service; Civil War and Later Pension Files, Record Group 15; National Archives, Washington, D.C."

·         Obituary information may be found on multiple websites including newspapers and cemeteries.  William’s newspaper obituary would read, "BODY CIVIL WAR VET. CONSIGNED TO GRAVE, Remsen Bell Enterprise, Remsen, Iowa, 11 March 1929, page 1, column 3." Since the article was posted on a website, the following would be added: FindAGrave.com, Remsen Cemetery, Created by: Mona, Record added: Nov 13, 2012 and Find A Grave Memorial# 100679331.

 

The third step is to examine these details for content and quality or analysis and correlation of data.

The following terms help with the evaluations: direct or indirect evidence, primary or secondary evidence and original or derivative source.

The terms will be explained using William Long's death certificate as the example. The source may be original such as newsprint, letter, or document. A derivative source is a digital image or copy. William Long's death certificate is a derivative or copy of the copy sent in with the widow pension application. Direct evidence answers the research question. William Long's death certificate offers direct evidence with a birth date of May 7 1846 and death date of March 16, 1928. Other information such as his birthplace, Germany, and the cause of death, cerebral hemorrhage are examples of direct evidence. An example of indirect evidence on the death certificate is that Mr. Long was in the U.S. 65 years. This leaves the researcher to surmise that he arrived in the U.S. about 1863. Indirect evidence leads to assumption of facts not given. Primary evidence assumes the informant has firsthand knowledge of the event. On Mr. Long's death certificate, A.H. Jastram, M.D. would have firsthand knowledge of the cause of death and the date of death. Secondary evidence consists of secondhand knowledge. On Mr. Long's death certificate, John Long, his son, provided the personal particulars such as date of birth, birth place and the name of William's father. John would know this information as something passed down in the family.

For a more detailed study, read Thomas Johnes Mastering Genealogical Proof. The author writes, "No genealogical source bears a credible guarantee of accuracy... Consequently we must test our sources, information, and evidence." page 53. By following the examples in his text, the reader will cover all research bases. When analyzing data, questions will arise.

 

 In step four, evidence is presented to resolve conflicts. In our case study, I attempt to resolve the surname conflict. Is it Long or Lang or Lange? William's Volunteer Enlistment papers read as "William Lange born in Germany aged Eighteen years and by occupation a farmer." On January 21, 1864 the enlistment date, William could not sign his name nor probably read the form. English was not his first language. For his pension deposition in 1888, William stated, "My real name in German is Lang but the office got it Long. But I am the same man who is known as Long and resided in Will County, Illinois..." He signed his name William Lang. Future war records including his discharge and pension list his last name as Long. William states that Lange is the German spelling. Future census records and his obituary interchange the last name. It appears that Lange is German and Long is American.

 As with most records, more questions beg for answers. Since William Long is a collateral relative by marriage, the questions will be deferred for another time. Read his 100 plus page pension application and medical records and formulate your own questions and research plan. Write your conclusions.

 The fifth step is to write a narrative. William Lange mustered in as a Private in the 64th Reg't Illinois Infantry on January 21, 1864. William was born May 7, 1846 in Rakow, Mecklenburg, Germany. What was it like to not write or speak the language and get caught up in a civil war? What enticed this 16 year old and his sister Sophia to travel to Illinois two years earlier?

His service took a toll on his health. John Herbst watched William being carried away wounded on July 22, 1864. Frank Kitzerow may have been in the Marietta, Georgia hospital at the same time. William was out of action for five weeks with a slight wound, fever and intestinal distress. July 22 was the same day as the Battle of Atlanta and General James B. McPherson died; shot in the back.

After the war, he returned to Frankfort, Will County, Illinois, acquired a wife, started a family and worked as a farmer. Also, he learned to speak English and write his name, at first Wilem and later William always Lang.

Timeline:

• 1864 - resided in Frankfort, Will County, Illinois
• 1867 March 1 - married Louisa Elsner in Will County, license number 2830
• 1868 May 4 - birth Anna eventually married Tenhoff
• 1870 January 15 - birth Mina eventually married Koerner
• 1873 January 26 - birth Will or W.C.
• 1876 March 15 - birth Fritz or F.W.
• 1879 - resided Monee, Will County, Illinois
• 1880 March 30 - birth Ludwig or Louis deceased by 1915
• 1882 - resided Matteson, Cook County, Illinois
• 1883 March 27 - birth Emma eventually married Copps
• 1886 - resided Plymouth County, Iowa
• 1888 - resided Remsen, Plymouth County, Iowa
• 1888 May 23 or 27 - birth John
• 1916 July 10 - son, John F. enlisted at Ft. Logan, Colorado, 4th Co., Coast Artillery; 1920 July 10 discharged at Ft. Douglas
• 1922 March 19 - extended stay in Sioux City, Iowa hospital with surgery
• 1926 January 12 - applying for pension increase due to mental weakness and unable to care for self, poor hearing
• 1926 February 9 - "Loss of memory so that he has to be told and shown what to do, " wife continues, "He need aid in changing clothes. He does not know his own clothes from those of another person. His mind is very dull."
• 1928 March 16 - Died at Remsen, Iowa of cerebral hemorrhage and arteriosclerosis. He was buried in the Remsen Cemetery.
• 1931 - Louisa, William's widow dead

The above information was gleaned from: Disposition of Claimant, 23 June 1928, Louisa Long, widow's pension application no. 1609472,certificate no. a6-23-28 service of William Long (Pvt., Co. F. 64 IL Infantry, Civil War.) Civil War and Later Pension Files; Department of Veterans Affairs; Record Group 15; National Archives, Washington, D.C.

 Other narratives for William Lange/Long/Lang are found on genealogicalhistoryresearch.blogspot.com. 

Final thoughts, William Long and John Herbst joined and fought together. After the war, they married sisters. John married Sophia Elsner and William married Louisa Elsner. In 1888, along with several other families, they moved from Will County, Illinois to Remsen, Plymouth County, Iowa. The war brought these families together as lifetime friends.