SAMPLE RESEARCH REPORT

Hanna/Hannah Research Report

Your Hanna line has been extended back four additional generations to Thomas Hanna, born about 1720 in Ireland. He married Elizabeth Henderson and immigrated from Northern Ireland in 1763, landing at New Castle, Delaware. They later settled in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Thomas Hanna died in 1764, shortly after their arrival in Pennsylvania. Thomas and Elizabeth were members of the Society of Friends, i.e. they were members of the Quaker religion. In addition to your Hanna line, your Beistel line has been extended back two additional generations to John and Margaret Beistel of Pennsylvania.

Contrary to your records, census records reveal that your wife's mother, Sarah Margaret Hanna, was actually born 12 Mar 1900 in Wooster, Wayne County, Ohio. She was the daughter of Charles Edward Hanna, born Mar 1858, also in Wooster.

Charles Edward Hanna married Wilhelmina, maiden name Pape according to your records. The 1900 census of Ohio lists that they were married in 1882/3, probably in California or Oregon where their first child, Edna A., was born in Jun 1884. Wilhelmina Pape was born in Oct 1862 in California. Her parents were born in Germany and appear to have immigrated to California.

Charles' mother, Margaret E. Beistel, was born in 1833/4 in Pennsylvania, the daug- hter of John Beistel, a cabinet maker of Wooster who was born in 1807/8 in Pennsylvania. John Beistel's wife, Elizabeth, was born in 1808/9 in Pennsylvania. John and Elizabeth Beistel moved from Pennsylvania to Wayne County, Ohio, between 1834 and 1841.

Charles' father was William W. Hanna, a carriage maker in Wooster. William and Margaret E. Beistel were married on 14 Apr 1852 in Wayne County, Ohio. William was born in 1822/3 in New York but appears to have been raised in Wooster, Wayne County, Ohio, the son of Thomas Hanna and Prescilla Goading. Thomas and Prescilla were married on 16 Mar 1820 in Wayne County, Ohio. Prescilla Goading was born 1796/7 in Pennsylvania.

According to the age of his wife, Prescilla Goading, and census records, Thomas Hanna/Hannah appears to have been born about 1800/1, probably in Pennsylvania. Subject to further research, name and residence patterns indicate that Thomas was the son of Alexander Hanna who was born between 1770 and 1780, probably in Pennsylvania. Alexander appears to descend from the same ancestors as the Hanna families of Columbiana County, Ohio.

According to a Hanna family history of the Hanna families of Columbiana County, Ohio, the majority of Hanna families residing in the area, which includes Wayne County, descend from Thomas Hanna and Elizabeth Henderson, the Irish immigrants who are listed above.

Research began with reviewing the information which you sent to us. We then con- ducted a survey in order to ascertain what previous research has been conducted on your wife's Hanna surname. Though we found no related listings, we did locate several family histories for the Hanna surname. Most of the Hanna immigrants came from Ireland and settled in Pennsylvania and Ohio where your wife's ancestors resided (Doc.#1).

In order to determine if your wife's ancestors are included in any of the above Hanna family histories, we began tracing her Hanna line through the Federal Census records. Though we were unable to locate related families in the 1920 and 1910 censuses, we located your wife's mother, Sara/Sarah Margaret Hanna, listed as a child with her brothers and sister in their parent's household in the 1900 census for Wooster City & Township, Wayne County, Ohio:

1900 FC, Grant Street, Wooster City & Township, Wayne County, Ohio, ED-166, sh.4 (Doc.#2) (Rel.=Relationship to household head)

According to this census, Sara, listed as Sarah in the census, was born in Mar 1900, which corresponds within a year of the records which you sent to us (your records list that Sara was born on 12 Mar 1901). Since the census was enumerated on 4 Jun 1900, a year prior to the date of birth which you have listed for Sara, the census information appears most accurate. Hence, Sarah Margaret Hanna was born on 12 Mar 1900 in Wooster Township, Wayne County, Ohio.

In addition to the information listed above, Sarah's father, Charles Edward Hanna, is listed as having been born in Mar 1858 in Ohio. His father is listed as having been born in New York, and his mother in Ohio. Sarah's mother, Wilhelmina, listed as Minnie above, maiden name Pape according to your records, was born in Oct 1862 in California. Her given name, Wilhelmina, and the census listing that her parents were born in Germany, reveals that she is of German descent. Further research in California should enable us to locate her as a child in her parent's household and then continue to extend her parent's lines back to Germany, etc. German research is usually very productive. Parish records allow us to extend German lines back to the 1500's in many cases.

The 1900 census also lists that Charles and Minnie had been married for seventeen years and that they were the parents of three children. Their oldest child, Edna A., is listed as having been born in Oregon. Hence, Charles and Wilhelmina Pape appear to have been married in 1882/3 in California or Oregon where their first child was born. Future research should focus on locating the parents of Wilhelmina Pape in California and then locating the marriage record for her and Charles Edward Hanna which probably occurred in the county of residence for Wilhelmina Pape and her parents.

Since Charles was born in 1858, we searched the 1860 census for Wayne County, Ohio, and located only one male child named Charles. He was age one and born in Ohio, and hence was of the right age to have been your ancestor. He was residing in the household of William Hanna, a carriage maker born 1823/4 in New York, and his wife, Margaret, born 1833/4 in Pennsylvania.

1860 FC, Wooster P.O., Wooster Township, Wayne County, OH, p.120 (Doc.#3) (RE$ = Value of Real Estate; PE$ = Value of Personal Estate)

The fact that this was the only Hanna family listed in Wayne County, Ohio, with a child named Charles, whose father was born in New York as listed in the 1900 census above, and who were residing in the town of Wooster, strongly indicates that William and Margaret were the parents of Charles. However, one discrepancy is noted from the fact that in 1900 Charles listed that his mother was born in Ohio, while the 1860 census lists she was actually born in Pennsylvania.

In 1850, we located William Hanna, age 27, as single and working as a carriage maker. He was residing next to John Beistel who had a daughter named Margaret E., age sixteen born in Pennsylvania, who was of the right age to have been William Hanna's future wife. They were residing in Wooster Township, Wayne County, Ohio:

1850 FC, Wooster Township, Wayne County, OH, p.231 (Doc.#8)

Acording to his age and birth place listed in the 1860 and 1850 censuses, William W. Hanna, was born in 1822/3 in New York, but was raised in Wooster, Wayne County, Ohio, where his parents were married and resided. The fact that William is listed as having been born in New York in 1860 and 1850, indicates that his parents resided in New York for a short while after they were married before returning to Wooster.

According to these census records, William Hanna was quite wealthy for his age, as was John Beistel, who resided next to him. A search of the marriage records for Wayne County, Ohio, confirmed that William W. Hanna married Margaret E. Beistel on 14 Apr 1852. The marriage was performed by Thomas Barkdull, a minister of the Gospel (Doc. #6). Additional research of the church records where Minister Barkdull officiated may reveal additional information about your ancestors, such as birth and christening dates, etc. Hence, we recommend searching the church records where your ancestors resided.

In addition to the marriage of William and Margaret, there were several other mar- riages listed for the Hanna/Hannah surname dating back to as early as 1820 which appear to be related to William (Doc.#6). Since William W. Hanna was age 27 in 1850, he would have been born in 1822/3, hence his parents would have married prior to that date. Ac- cording to Wayne County marriage records, only a Thomas Hanna and a Priscilla Goading were married early enough to have been the parents of William.

Along with William W. Hanna and his future father-in-law, John Beistel, we located "Precilla" Hanna residing in Franklin Township in 1850

Precilla Hanna Household
1850 FC, Franklin Township, Wayne County, OH, p.208 (Doc.#8b)

Residence and name patterns obtained from the 1850 census records as well as the marriage records of Wayne County, Ohio, confirm that "Precilla" Hanna is the mother of William W. Hanna, and the same person listed as Priscilla Goading who married Thomas Hanna in 1820 as listed above.

Prior to 1850 censuses list only the head of household and age groupings for males and females in the households. Though we located no record of Thomas Hanna in 1840, we located Thomas Hanna listed as Thomas Hannah in the 1830 and 1820 censuses of Wayne County, Ohio, where he married Priscilla Goading in 1820;

Thomas Hannah Household
1830 FC, Wayne Township, Wayne County, OH, p.104 (Doc.#12)

Alexander Hannah Household
1830 FC, Wayne Township, Wayne County, OH, p.104 (Doc.#12)

These censuses reveal that Thomas Hannah and Alexander Hannah were residing in the same county and were probably related. According to the age groupings, Thomas was born between 1800 and 1810, while Alexander was born between 1770 and 1780. Hence, Alexander was old enough to have been the father or uncle of Thomas. Notice that according to the 1850 census of Franklin Township, Wayne County, Ohio, that Thomas' widow, Prescilla Hanna, was listed with a son named Alexander. Hence, name and residence patterns indicate that Thomas Hanna was the son of Alexander Hanna /Hannah. Further research of the deeds and cemetery records for Wayne Township, Wayne County, Ohio, should reveal additional information on Alexander Hannah and his wife and family, etc.

Unfortunately, no wills or probate records for Thomas or Alexander, are listed in Wayne County records prior to the estate of William W. Hanna in 1882. Though there was a James Hanna estate listed, case #171, dated 1 Feb 1853, naming administrators Tobias Miller and Erastas C. Haskins, his estate records do not list a son named Thomas. Phebe Hanna was listed as James' widow along with Samuel and Royal Hanna, probably sons, in a case versus the administrators over the selling of a portion of the land in James Hanna's estate. This James Hanna was of the right age to have been a brother to your ancestor, Thomas Hanna.

In 1820, we located the following for Thomas Hannah in Wayne County, Ohio:

Thomas Hannah Household
1820 FC, Prairie Township, Wayne County, OH, p.156 (Doc.#13)

In 1820, the only Hanna/Hannah household listed in Wayne County was for Thomas Hannah. In 1820, this Thomas was listed in the 16-26 age group, indicating that he was born between 1794 and 1804. When this information is compared with the above census, your ancestor, Thomas Hanna, appears to have been born between 1800 and 1804. Since he married in 1820, he was probably born around 1800/1801.

Cemetery records of Wooster reveal that William W. Hanna died on 21 Feb 1881. He is buried in the Wooster Cemetery (Doc.#7b). The cemetery is located on a 125 acres on Madison Hill located in the south east section of Wooster. In addition to cemetery records, we located probate records for William W. and his wife, Margaret E. Hanna, recorded in Wayne County, Ohio (Doc.#5a). Though William died intestate, his widow Margaret left a will. Their estate and will records reveal the following (Doc.#16,17):

Wayne County, Ohio, Probate Court:

25 Feb 1881, N. L. Baumgardner made Application for Letters of Administration for the estate of William W. Hanna, a resident of Wooster who died on or about the 21st of February 1881, and that there is not, to the knowledge of this affiant, any last Will and Testament of said decedent; that the said William W. Hanna died leaving the following persons his only heirs at law:
Margaret Hanna, widow, resident of Wooster Sarah[Sade] Bau[m]gardner, daughter, " " Ella Hanna, " " " Charles [Edward] Hanna Son " " Mattie [Martha] " Daughter " " Nettie [Jeanette] " " " " That Nettie Hanna was under age fifteen at the time of William W. Hanna's decease. N. L. Baumgardner asked to be appointed administrator of the estate, the amount of personal property valued at about $200, no real estate listed (Doc.#16am).

According to this document, N[ewton] L[uke] Baumgardner, who appears to have mar- ried William's daughter, Sarah, applied for the administration of the estate for his father- in-law, William W. Hanna. Notice that your wife's ancestor, Charles E. Hanna, is listed as a son of William W. Hanna. Notice also that two of Charles' sisters, Jeanette and Martha, are listed by their nicknames. Sarah is also listed as Sade Baumgardner in her mother's will which is listed below.

25 Feb 1881, N.L. Baumgardner appointed administrator in the estate of William W. Hanna.
16 Aug 1882, First and Final account of N. L. Baumgardner, administrator of the estate of William W. Hanna, deceased, was filed. Hearing was on 4 Sep 1882. (Doc.#16b)

Aside from the above information, several other documents (Doc.#16c-16al) list the inventories and estate holdings of William W. Hanna.
In addition to the estate papers of William W. Hanna, the will of his widow, Margaret Elizabeth Beistel, reveals the following:

Will of Margaret E. Hanna

Be it remembered that at the Probate Court within and for the County of Wayne and State of Ohio, and on the 14th day of December, A.D. 1894, was filed in paid cause the Last Will and Testament of Margaret E. Hanna, in the words and figures following to wit:
In the name of the Benevolent Father of All, I Margaret E. Hanna, being weak of body but of sound and disposing mind and memory, do hereby make and publish this my last will and Testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me heretofore made.
First. I desire all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid out of the proceeds of the sale of my real estate.
Second. My household goods I desire to be divided equally among my five children, share and share alike, excepting the following items which I hereby give to the ones named: One lace shawl to my daughter Sade. One shawl each to my three daughters, Ella, Martha, and Jeanette, Ella first making her selection. My watch and lace handkerchief to my daughter Martha. My gold watch chain to Jeanette. The bedstead in my bedroom to Martha and Jeanette and also such carpets and chairs they may desire, excepting the Patent Rocker which I give to my son Charles All my clothing excepting the shawls above mentioned and my silk circular, I give to my daughter Martha and Jeanette, the circular I give to my sister Ann Woods. All of my china and glass ware I give to my daughter Jeanette. My News Veiling veil and a bonnet, I give to my sister Emma Seigenthaler. The two china plates given me by my sister Ann and my niece Edith, I desire to be given to them.
Third. I hereby nominate and appoint my daughter Jeanette Hanna, as the sole executrix of this my Last Will and Testament, and herby request the Probate Court to require of her no bond, and that no inventory of my personal property be required or made. I expressly authorize my said Executrix to sell at public or private sale my private real estate and to execute and deliver deed in fee simple to the purchaser. After payment of all my debts, the balance of the funds remaining from the sale of said real estate, together with the funds on hand or due and owing to me, shall be divided as follows: One half to my daughter Martha, and the balance to be equally divided among my other four children, Sade Baumgardner, Ella Spooner, Charles E. Hanna and Jeanette Hanna.
In the testimony whereof I hereunto subscribe my name this twenty seventh day of November, A.D. 1894. Signed: M.E. Hanna
Signed in our presence by the said Margaret E. Hanna who declared the foregoing to be her last will and testament and signed by us in her presence and in the presence of each other the day and year last above written. Zella Woolbaugh M. L. Spooner
And afterwards to wit on the 14th day of December A.D., 1894, was filed in said cause in this Court, the proof of will which is in the words and figures following to-wit: The State of Ohio, Wayne County ss.

The information in this will confirms that Margaret E. Hanna was the widow of William W. Hanna, whose children are listed in his estate records above. However, by the time Margaret made her will, in addition to her daughter Sarah, listed as Sade Baumgardner, her daughter Ella had maried a Mr. Spooner, who appears to have been the same person as M.L. Spooner who was a witness to the above will. Hence, we recommend searching the Wayne County marriage records for the complete names of spouses and the dates of marriage for whom Charles' sisters married.

This will also lists several of Margaret's sisters (which correspond with the 1850 cen- sus information listed above for the household of John Beistel) and their married names. Hence, a search of the marriage records of Wayne County should also be conducted in order to locate the full names of the spouses for Margaret's sisters and their dates and places of marriage, etc.

Margaret made out her will on 27 Nov 1894, and it was proved on 14 Dec 1894, in- dicating that she died between those dates, probably about 12/13 Dec. 1894 in Wooster.

Since William W. Hanna died in Wooster in 1882, he should be listed in the 1870 and 1880 censuses for Wayne County, Ohio. Hence, these censuses should be searched during our next research session. Charles Edward Hanna should also be located in the 1920 and 1910 Federal Censuses during our next research session.

A search of Wayne County, Ohio, histories and biographical records discovered that William W. Hanna served as a guard and as a sentinel in the local Masonic Lodge (Doc. #4b).

After exhausting the available records for Wayne County, Ohio, and extending your Hanna line back three additional generations to Thomas Hanna, we searched the Hanna family histories again with particular focus on The Book of Benjamin Hanna..., which was privately printed in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1938. According to this book, Benjamin Hanna and relatives resided in the same general area as your ancestors, particularly in Columbiana County, Ohio, which is next to Wayne County, Ohio, where your ancestors resided.

Hence, subject to further research, name and residence patterns indicate that your Thomas Hanna appears to have been the son of Alexander Hanna, a descendant of Thomas Hanna and Elizabeth Henderson, the Irish Immigrants. They immigrated from Northern Ireland landing at New Castle, Delaware, in 1763, and settled in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Thomas Hanna was born about 1720 and died in 1764 (Doc.#11d). They were members of the Society of Friends, i.e. the Quaker religion.

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