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John Madison Clemons Family - Canada ca. 1908
Photo courtesy of Kevin Olund
Preface
This manuscript will assist future generations to quickly pickup, verify and continue our history. This lineage is difficult to research especially with the lack of wills and headstones in early times. The spelling of the original name Clement, i.e., Clements, Clemens, Clemmons, Clemons, etc., was subject to the ear and hand of early census takers, record keepers and our ancestors' and future descendants' desires. The spelling of Mozingo was found in limitless variations. Additionally, the common use of nicknames, especially in females, presented another challenge. Some examples found: Nelly for Ellen, Polly for Mary, Milly for Amelia, Sally for Sarah, Peggy for Margaret. Please excuse the various British, German, and American forms of the Latin “Clement” used throughout this manuscript. During my initial research efforts, an elderly and wiser distant cousin stepped forward correcting "my misguided" internet posts pointing me in the right direction. He also shared with me that his recent ancestors purposely corrected the spelling of their surname in stages from Clemons to Clemens to Clements. Perhaps, just to correct the spelling to the proper British form [Clemens being German form].
Please take a moment to read the following guidelines from the National Genealogical Society before you jump to conclusions.
========================================= Genealogical Standards Standards For Sound Genealogical Research Recommended by the National Genealogical Society Remembering always that they are engaged in a quest for truth, family history researchers consistently— * record the source for each item of information they collect.
* test every hypothesis or theory against credible evidence, and reject those that are not supported by the evidence.
* seek original records, or reproduced images of them when there is reasonable assurance they have not been altered, as the basis for their research conclusions.
* use compilations, communications and published works, whether paper or electronic, primarily for their value as guides to locating the original records, or as contributions to the critical analysis of the evidence discussed in them.
* state something as a fact only when it is supported by convincing evidence, and identify the evidence when communicating the fact to others.
* limit with words like "probable" or “possible" any statement that is based on less than convincing evidence, and state the reasons for concluding that it is probable or possible.
* avoid misleading other researchers by either intentionally or carelessly distributing or publishing inaccurate information.
* state carefully and honestly the results of their own research, and acknowledge all use of other researchers’ work.
* recognize the collegial nature of genealogical research by making their work available to others through publication, or by placing copies in appropriate libraries or repositories, and by welcoming critical comment.
* consider with open minds new evidence or the comments of others on their work and the conclusions they have reached. © 1997, 2002 by National Genealogical Society. Permission is granted to copy or publish this material provided it is reproduced in its entirety, including this notice. =========================================
Today’s new research tool is Y-DNA testing. The results do not identify you as a person, but can tell if you are related to another family group that has also been Y-DNA tested. DNA testing of males is extremely useful, because each father passes an identifiable and unique gene to their male children and so on through the generations. There are several testing facilities in the United States. There is also a private Clement DNA group to share your findings at FamilyTreeDNA. Some in our lineage have hinted of a [previously thought impossible] ancestry to Samuel Clemens [Mark Twain]. DNA testing, above the 12 marker test, now can begin to solve such issues. or create new challenges by finding out your true blood line in the case of adoption. But, don’t be naive, DNA testing can also unexpectedly show that one of the mothers up your legal paper lineage was unfaithful causing your DNA results not to match your legal surname [my case]. In this case, more volunteers must be found for testing until two, of different sub-branches, are found to match each other before you can try to match another lineage. Family history should always be a work in progress, so check my findings with original source documents before you decide to use them and check back here, in case, I must change some text in the e-book. If you find me wrong, make a note of it, and accept my congratulations. I hope you find this manuscript even the smallest bit helpful on your journey to your past. Ronald Allen Clemons Sr. © 2010, an e-book revision in-progress. All rights reserved.
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