Richard Searle born 5/11/1866 in Reno, Venango Co.
Richard Searle's Mother, Elizabeth/Betsy Searle married Joseph Whitaker same month Richard was born (5/11/1866), but I'm not sure if new husband was Richard's bio father. Child wasn't living with mother & step-father in any census I found (1860 Deerfield, Pa & 1870 Warren, Pa). Trying to find where child was between birth & 18 or 19 y/o when he connected with and assumed his step-father's name of Whitaker. Not sure if formal adoption or just a casual name change, but would like to see if maybe there was an adoption that would it include Richard's bio father's name. Maybe, step-father was actually his bio father, since Richard was born the same year & month his mother married his step father, Joseph Whitaker??? Thx, please respond to cas575@aol.com
Answers
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Have you tried checking in the Probate records for a mention of this adoption? https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Pennsylvania_Probate_Records
Some probate records are available online through FamilySearch. I do not know if the records for this county are available online. I have loved having the ability to search some of these from home. Other records require us to have access from a Family History Center.
Does anyone want to take a peek and see if they can find any of these names mentioned? I am curious what some of our super sleuths can find!
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Yes but no luck. Just in case anyone is able to help, and you run across these names ... I might add, while still living in UK, Betsy Searle married Wm. Lidstone in 1858. After coming to US she lived in Cuyahoga, Ohio as Betsy Lidstone and then she changed to Elizabeth Searle, gave birth to Richard n then married Joseph Whitaker the same year she gave birth to Richard..1866.and then became Elizabeth Whitaker. Tangled web..she was a bigamist. Still married to Lidstone in 1866. He filed for divorce from her in 1868 in Ohio. All this well documented and a long story.
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Have you checked the FultonSearch.org? This is a newspaper site that mainly focuses on New York, but I have found articles of interest to my family from many surrounding states. You might find information of interest. Let us know if you do.
Does anyone else have any suggestions for how to find more about this family?
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Thank you, I will work there tomorrow.
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