Another Biography of Elijah Pickrell McKnew and Jane (Whittle) McKnew From Google NotebookLM

The Google NotebookLM AI tool  Studio offers features to the user that go beyond being just a Large Language Model, including:

• Audio Overview
• Video Overview
• Mind Map
• Reports
• Flascards
• Quiz
• Infographic
• Slide Deck

The Google NotebookLM AI tool  Reports tool offers a number of reports - as listed in the graphic below:

The available options are:

• Create Your Own - Craft reports your way by specifying structure, style, tone and more
• Briefing Doc - Overview of your sources featuring key insights and quotes
• Study Guide - Short answer quiz, suggested essay questions, and glossary of key terms
• Blog Post - Insightful takeaways distilled into a highly readable article
• Historical Narrative - A biographical narrative of the McKnew and Whittle families in the 19th century
• Research Monograph - An analysis of primary source documntation for the McKnew and Whittle families
• Explantory Article - An introduction to the family histories of Elijah McKnew and Jane Whittle
• Biographical sketch - A summary of key life events for Elijah McKnew and Jane Whittle.

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For this blog post, I chose the "Historical Narrative" to determine how it compares to the earlier Anthropic Claude narrative in ABC Biography of Elijah Pickrell McKnew (1836-1912) and Jane (Whittle) McKnew (1847-1921) Family of San Francisco, California.

Here is the Google NotebookLM Historical Narrative (which used the same genealogical sketch as the Claude biography):

From Sea to Sierra: The Story of Elijah McKnew and Jane Whittle in 19th-Century California

Introduction: A Tale of Two Migrations

The story of Elijah Pickrell McKnew and Jane Whittle is a quintessential 19th-century American epic, written not in literature but in the public and private records of their lives. Their individual journeys began on opposite sides of the world—one in the established society of Maryland, the other in the fledgling British colony of Australia. Their lives converged in the rugged Sierra foothills of California, a meeting that reflects the powerful currents of global migration, frontier settlement, and urban development that defined the era. Their union forged a new American family, whose story provides a remarkable lens through which to view the social and economic transformations of the American West.

This document synthesizes genealogical data into a rich historical narrative, tracing the McKnew and Whittle families from their disparate origins to their establishment as the progenitors of a large and resilient San Francisco family. By following their path, we can better understand the forces that drew people to California and the adaptability required to build a lasting legacy in a new land.

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1.0 Separate Origins, Converging Paths

To fully appreciate the remarkable confluence of Elijah McKnew and Jane Whittle's lives, one must first understand their distinct origins. His story is rooted in the American East Coast, a product of generations settled in the Maryland and Washington D.C. area. Hers is a narrative of international migration, spanning three continents in a single generation. These separate threads, spun from vastly different circumstances, were destined to be woven together in the dynamic landscape of the American frontier.

1.1 The McKnew Lineage: An East Coast Foundation

Elijah Pickrell McKnew was born on March 29, 1836, in Prince George's, Maryland, to Jeremiah McKnew and Frances Allethia Pickrell. He was the second son in a large family deeply embedded in the region. His parents had married in Washington D.C. in 1829, and his siblings—Jeremiah, Catherine, Elizabeth, Benjamin, and Maria—further solidified the family's local ties through marriages contracted in Maryland and the District of Columbia.

Elijah's early life took a decisive and mysterious turn away from this established path. On January 5, 1855, he enlisted in the First Dragoon, Company A of the United States Army in Baltimore, a unit active in the exploration and policing of the American West. His military career, however, was brief and ended abruptly. Just over a year later, on January 20, 1856, he deserted. This act marks a pivotal break from his past, a moment that severed his ties to both the military and his East Coast origins, preceding his migration westward to forge a new identity in California.

1.2 The Whittle Family: A Global Journey to the Golden State

Jane Whittle’s journey to California was far more circuitous. Her parents, Alexander Whittle and Rachel Morley, married in Lancashire, England, in 1840 and emigrated to Australia that same year. Jane was born on August 2, 1847, in Sydney, New South Wales. Life in the colony was marked by hardship, as several of her siblings—William, John, and Margaret—died in infancy.

The promise of the California Gold Rush prompted another major migration for the family. Jane's father, Alexander, set out for California first in 1850. By 1852, her mother, Rachel, had followed with the surviving children. The 1852 California State Census provides a concrete record of their arrival, capturing the family's early settlement in San Francisco. The record lists Rachel "Wadle," age 32, and her children: Eliz (13), Jos (9), and Jane (5), noting the two youngest were born in New South Wales (NSW). This census entry documents the final leg of an international journey that brought the Whittle family from the industrial heart of England, through the distant port of Sydney, to the bustling shores of Gold Rush-era San Francisco.

Their separate pasts—one defined by a flight from an established home, the other by a multi-stage global quest for opportunity—had now brought both Elijah McKnew and Jane Whittle to the same golden shore, setting the stage for their shared future.

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2.0 A New Beginning in the Gold Country

By the 1860s, the initial frenzy of the Gold Rush had subsided, but its legacy endured in the mining districts of the Sierra Nevada. Tuolumne County was a landscape of transition, where mining was still a viable, if challenging, way of life. It was a crucible for social and economic reinvention, where individuals from across the nation and the world could converge. For a former soldier from Maryland and a young immigrant from Australia, this was where their new life together would begin.

2.1 The Miner and the Young Immigrant

The 1860 United States Census for Township No. 2 in Tuolumne County captures a telling snapshot of Elijah and Jane just before their lives intertwined. In one household, we find "Elijah Picrell," a 26-year-old miner from Maryland. The record indicates he likely used his middle name as a surname during this period, perhaps as a way to distance himself from his past.

In a remarkable coincidence of enumeration, just two lines above his entry, the census lists the household of W.B. Ray, the husband of Jane's older sister, Elizabeth. Living with them is 13-year-old Jane, recorded as Jane "White," born in Australia. This document places Elijah and Jane not just in the same small mining community, but as near neighbors, highlighting their proximity in the years leading up to their marriage.

2.2 Union and Early Family Life

On November 12, 1865, Elijah Pickrell McKnew and Jane Whittle were married in Tuolumne, California, formally uniting their paths and beginning their shared life. They soon started a family in the rugged Sierra foothills, where their first four children were born:

• Allethia Jane McKnew (1867)

• Alfred Rodney McKnew (1869)

• Henry Lee McKnew (1870)

• Alice Louise McKnew (1872)

The 1870 U.S. Census for Tuolumne County provides a portrait of the young family. It lists E.A. McNew, age 34, a miner with $1000 in real property and $100 in personal property, and his wife Jane, age 23, who was "keeping house." With them were their first two children. The record, with the typical inconsistencies of 19th-century census-taking, incorrectly listed their daughter Allethia (A.J.) as male, a small but telling example of the clerical errors common in such documents. This record establishes them as landowners and a growing family, carving out a life in the demanding environment of the mining districts.

Their time in the Gold Country was foundational, but it was not to be their final destination. The family was poised for another significant move, one that would take them from the rural, resource-based economy of the mountains to the burgeoning urban center of San Francisco.

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3.0 Building a Life in San Francisco

In the late 19th century, San Francisco was a powerful magnet, drawing people from California's interior and beyond. As the financial, shipping, and cultural capital of the West Coast, it offered a different promise than the played-out goldfields. The McKnew family's decision to relocate reflects a broader American pattern of internal migration, as families moved from rural frontiers to dynamic urban centers in search of economic stability and a different way of life.

3.1 An Urban Transition and Economic Adaptation

Sometime before 1876, the McKnew family moved to San Francisco, establishing a long-term residence in the area of 19th and Castro Streets. Voter registers from this period document not only their arrival but also Elijah's economic transformation. His last registered occupation in Tuolumne County in 1868 was Farmer, a final tie to a land-based, rural existence. In San Francisco, he embarked on a series of purely urban, and likely more precarious, roles. Between 1876 and 1898, he worked as a Teamster, Driver, Salesman, Merchant, Fruit dealer, and Oysterman. This variety of trades speaks to a profound economic adaptability, illustrating the resilience required to provide for a growing family in a competitive city. Notably, despite their clear presence in the city, a concerted search has found the family absent from the 1880 U.S. Census, a common frustration for genealogists of this period.

3.2 A Growing Family on 19th Street

The family's move to San Francisco coincided with a period of significant growth. Seven more children were born in the city, expanding the household considerably: Lilly M. (1876), George Morgan (1879), Belle Alberta (1882), Edna Catherine (1884), May Jane (1886), Leland Joseph (1889), and Gladys Hazel (1892).

By the 1900 U.S. Census, the family was well-established at 4131 19th Street. The census record paints a picture of a full and bustling household. Elijah, now 63, and Jane, 52, lived with their five youngest children, who ranged in age from 8 to 18. This record contains a particularly remarkable detail: it notes that Jane had borne 11 children and that all 11 were still living. In an era when infant and child mortality rates were high, this was a testament to fortune, resilience, and care.

3.3 Resilience in the Face of Disaster

On April 18, 1906, the McKnew family faced the greatest test of their lives: the Great San Francisco Earthquake. The family and their home at 4131 19th Street survived the initial quake, but the true threat came from the fires that raged across the city for days. The flames advanced relentlessly, stopping just one block away from their home.

Their survival is immortalized in what the family history describes as a "priceless photograph." The image captures family members on the street with their stove and other household belongings, a powerful and iconic scene of domestic life upended by disaster. This photograph serves as a tangible symbol of their resilience, proof that they endured one of the most destructive urban disasters in American history.

Having survived the cataclysm that leveled much of their city, the McKnew family entered the new century poised to see their children and their community rebuild from the ashes.

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4.0 The Final Chapter

The final years of Elijah and Jane McKnew's lives were a period of legacy. Having weathered global migration, frontier hardships, economic uncertainty, and catastrophic disaster, they entered the 20th century as long-time residents of San Francisco, the respected heads of a large and established family. Their story now transitioned from one of building a life to one of seeing that life come to fruition through their children and the stability they had achieved.

4.1 The Twilight Years

The 1910 U.S. Census captures the McKnew household in its twilight years. Elijah, age 74, and Jane, age 62, had been married for 44 years. They owned their home on 19th Street free of a mortgage—a significant accomplishment and a symbol of their lifelong labors. Illustrating the common fallibility of census records, the 1910 enumeration states Jane had borne 12 children—a discrepancy from the 11 noted a decade prior—though it confirms all 11 known children were still alive at that time. The once-crowded house was now quieter. Only their youngest daughter, Gladys, still lived with them, along with a lodger. This relative emptiness was a sign of success, as their other children had grown and started lives of their own. Their son Leland and his wife Agnes had even established their own home nearby at 4135 19th Street, demonstrating the family's continuing presence in the neighborhood.

4.2 Legacies and Farewells

Elijah Pickrell McKnew passed away on April 4, 1912, at the age of 76. His death notice in the San Francisco Chronicle memorialized him as a patriarch, the center of the sprawling family he and Jane had created. The notice reads:

"McKNEW -- In this city, April 4, Elijah P., dearly beloved husband of Jane McKnew, and devoted father of Alfred H., Henry L., George M., Leland J., and Gladys Hazel McKnew, Mrs. A. Runnels, Mrs. P.D. Hayes, Lily Olsen, Mrs. G.F. Samwell, Mrs. P.F. Schaffner and Mrs. W.C. Kenealy, a native of Baltimore, Md., aged 76 years and 6 days (Tuolumne county papers please copy)."

Jane lived her final years as a widow, remaining the matriarch of the family. The 1920 U.S. Census lists her as the 72-year-old head of household, still residing on 19th Street. Jane (Whittle) McKnew died on February 7, 1921, at the age of 73. Her death notice also speaks to the continuity of the family, listing her surviving children and confirming her Australian origins:

"McKNEW--In this city February 7, 1921, Jane, beloved wife of the late E.P. McKNEW and loving mother of Alfred R., Henry L., George M. and Leland J. McKNEW, Allethia J. RUNNELS, Mrs. P.D. HAYES, Mrs. C.A. GARDINER, Mrs. G.F. ROSE and the late Mrs. W. C. KENEALY, a native of Australia, aged 73 years, 6 months 5 days..."

The notice's reference to her daughter as "Mrs. C.A. Gardiner" rather than "Lily Olsen" from Elijah's notice nine years prior subtly marks the family's ongoing evolution. Elijah and Jane are inurned together at Cypress Lawn Cemetery in Colma. Their shared final resting place is a quiet testament to a partnership that spanned more than four decades, two continents, and the founding of a Californian family.

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Conclusion: A Californian Legacy

The lives of Elijah McKnew and Jane Whittle chart a remarkable course across the 19th-century world. From the shores of Maryland and the port of Sydney, their paths led them to the Sierra foothills and, ultimately, to the streets of San Francisco. Their story is one of profound transformation, both personal and societal.

Through their experiences, we witness the core themes of the American narrative: the courage of global migration, the grit required for economic adaptation, and the resilience needed to overcome immense hardship. In raising eleven children to adulthood and establishing a permanent home in a city that rose from its own ashes, they built an enduring family. Their story is more than just a family history; it is a microcosm of the Californian and American experience in an era of unprecedented change, a powerful example of how disparate lives can converge to create a lasting legacy.

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My first impression is that the narratives are very similar.  The most noticeable difference is the section and sub-section numbering in NotebookLM.  The historical context is somewhat different because NotebookLM and Claude probably are pre-trained on a different set of resources, or use a different vocabulary set to express themselves.

I had already accessed the Audio Overview and Video Overview in the ABC Bigraphy noted above.

Next, I tried the "Timeline" feature from the Studio:

How great is that?  I will be using this feature routinely.  Thank you to Diane Henriks for discussing it on the Facebook Genealogy and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Group. 

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Links to my blog posts about using Artificial Intelligence are on my Randy's AI and Genealogy page. Links to AI information and articles about Artificial Intelligence in Genealogy by other genealogists are on my AI and Genealogy Compendium page.

Copyright (c) 2025, Randall J. Seaver

The URL for this post is:  

Please comment on this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post. Share it on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest using the icons below. Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com. Please note that all comments are moderated, and may not appear immediately.

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ABC Biography of Elijah Pickrell McKnew (1836-1912) and Jane (Whittle) McKnew (1847-1921) Family of San Francisco, California

  Using the ABC method described in Using Artificial Intelligence In the Ancestor Biography Creation (ABC) Process, here is another ancestor biography using the Anthropic Claude Sonnet 4.5 AI tool.

1) I wrote genealogical sketches for almost every known ancestor back through 9 generations in blog posts based on 38 years of genealogical research in my 52 Ancestors/Relatives Biographies series. The genealogical sketch for my wife Linda's great-grandparents, Elijah Pickrell McKnew and Jane (Whittle) McKnew, including family members, record abstracts and sources, is in Genealogical Sketch of the Elijah Pickrell McKnew and Jane (Whittle) McKnew Family of San Francisco, California.

(Elijah McKnew Family in San Francisco in 1906 - from family sources)

2) For the Claude AI biography, I attached the PDF of the genealogical sketch for the specific ancestor using the plus (+) icon, and then prompted the AI tool with:  "You are an expert genealogist and family historian. Please create a biography based on information in the attached file for the Elijah McKnew and Jane (Whittle) McKnew family. Including parents, siblings, spouses and children (with birth and death dates and places). Summarize life events, add historical events as appropriate, but do not add or embellish any extra genealogical details. Use section headings. Expand the information in each section to add more details. The tone should be engaging and suitable for family members."

3)  The Anthropic Claude Sonnet 4.5 biography (lightly edited) is:

The Lives of Elijah Pickrell McKnew and Jane Whittle: A Family History

Early Life and Family Background

Elijah Pickrell McKnew

Elijah Pickrell McKnew was born on March 29, 1836, in Prince George's County, Maryland, into a family with deep roots in the Mid-Atlantic region. He was the second son and fourth child of Jeremiah McKnew and Frances Allethia Pickrell, who had married in Washington, D.C. in 1829. Growing up in Maryland during the antebellum period, Elijah was part of a large and close-knit family.

His parents, Jeremiah and Frances, raised six children together before tragedy struck with Frances's death in 1845, when Elijah was just nine years old. His siblings included his older brother Jeremiah (born 1831), and sisters Catherine Louisa (born 1832) and Elizabeth Jane (born 1835). After their mother's passing, the family also included younger siblings Benjamin Pickrell (born 1840) and Maria Louise (born about 1842).

Jane Whittle

Jane Whittle was born half a world away on August 2, 1847, in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. She was the daughter of Alexander Whittle and Rachel Morley, who had married in Bolton-le-Moor, Lancashire, England in 1840 before embarking on the long voyage to Australia later that same year. Jane's early childhood in Sydney was marked by both the excitement of colonial life and profound family losses.

Jane's siblings included her older sister Elizabeth Morley (born 1839 in England), and brothers William Alfred (who died in infancy in 1842) and Joseph (born 1843). Tragically, her brother John died before the age of seven, and her baby sister Margaret lived only from 1849 to 1850. These losses were compounded when Jane's father, Alexander, died in 1853 when she was just six years old, followed by her mother Rachel's death in 1861.

Journey to California

Elijah's Path West

Elijah's journey to California was preceded by a brief and troubled military career. On January 5, 1855, at age eighteen, he enlisted in the First Dragoon, Company A of the United States Army in Baltimore, Maryland. However, his military service was short-lived—he deserted just over a year later on January 20, 1856. What prompted this decision remains unknown, but it set him on a path that would eventually lead him westward.

By 1860, Elijah had made his way to California, joining the thousands drawn by the promise of the Gold Rush. Interestingly, he appears to have used his middle name, Pickrell, as his surname during this period, perhaps to distance himself from his military desertion. The 1860 census found him in Township No. 2, Tuolumne County, working as a miner and living with fellow prospector Lewis B. Pratt. Each man claimed $200 in personal property—a modest stake in the goldfields.

The Whittle Family's California Adventure

The Whittle family's journey to California began when Alexander left Sydney for the goldfields in 1850, caught up in the same gold fever that had drawn so many others. By 1852, his widow Rachel had followed with her surviving children, making the arduous voyage across the Pacific with Elizabeth, Joseph, and young Jane, who was only four or five years old at the time.

The 1852 California State Census captured the family shortly after their arrival in San Francisco, where the surname was recorded as "Wadle." Rachel, then 32, was listed as coming from Manchester, England, with 13-year-old Elizabeth (born in England), 9-year-old Joseph, and 5-year-old Jane (both born in New South Wales). For young Jane, California would become her true home, though she never lost her connection to her Australian birthplace.

A Mining Country Romance

By 1860, fate had brought Elijah and Jane to the same corner of California's gold country. In the census that year, Jane, listed as Jane "White," age 13, was living with her brother-in-law W.B. Ray (married to her sister Elizabeth) in Tuolumne County—remarkably, just two lines above where Elijah McKnew was enumerated. Whether they knew each other then or met later, the proximity hints at the small-world nature of mining communities.

On November 12, 1865, Elijah Pickrell McKnew, age 29, married Jane Whittle, age 18, in Tuolumne County. She was young, but such age differences were not uncommon on the frontier, where women were scarce and families formed early. It was a union that would span 47 years and produce a remarkably large family.

Building a Family in the Goldfields

The young couple began their married life in Tuolumne County, where Elijah continued working as a miner. By 1868, he had registered to vote as a farmer in Tuttletown, suggesting he may have been transitioning from mining to more stable agricultural pursuits. The 1870 census found them still in Township 2, Tuolumne County, with Elijah now listing real property worth $1,000—a significant achievement—and $100 in personal property.

Their family was growing quickly. Their first child, Allethia Jane, was born on November 25, 1867, named after Elijah's late mother. Alfred Rodney followed on February 23, 1869, and Henry Lee arrived in December 1870. By this census, young "A.J." (Allethia Jane) was three, and "A.R." was listed as a two-year-old female (likely a census error, as Alfred was male).

The household reflected the diversity of California's population—Elijah, born in Maryland; Jane, born in Australia with parents of foreign birth; and their California-born children, representing the meeting of three continents in one family.

A New Life in San Francisco

Sometime between 1870 and 1876, the McKnew family made a significant move from the rural mining counties to San Francisco, California's bustling metropolis. They settled near the intersection of 19th Street and Castro Street, an area that would remain their home for the rest of their lives. This move coincided with the decline of easy gold pickings and the rise of San Francisco as the commercial and cultural capital of the West Coast.

In the city, Elijah pursued various occupations to support his growing family. Voter registration records reveal his shifting employment: teamster in 1876, driver in 1880, salesman in 1882, back to teamster in 1886, driver again in 1888, merchant in 1890, fruit dealer in 1892, and oysterman by 1896 and 1898. These changes reflect both the unstable nature of working-class employment in the era and Elijah's willingness to adapt to find work.

The family continued to expand in San Francisco. Alice Louise was born on December 24, 1872 (still in Tuolumne), followed by Lilly M. on August 15, 1876—their first child born in San Francisco. Then came George Morgan (January 2, 1879), Belle Alberta (February 17, 1882), Edna Catherine (March 7, 1884), May Jane (May 1886), Leland Joseph (June 6, 1889), and finally Gladys Hazel (August 22, 1892). In all, Jane bore twelve children, with eleven surviving to adulthood—a testament to both her strength and better fortune than many families of the era.

Life at 4131 19th Street

The McKnew home at 4131 19th Street (later renumbered to 4103 and then 4137) became the family anchor. Voter records from 1892 provide a rare physical description of Elijah: he stood 5 feet 7¼ inches tall, with a fair complexion, brown eyes, medium-colored hair (later turning gray), and a distinctive mole by his right eye. By 1898, when he was 63, his complexion was recorded as dark, his eyes as hazel, and his hair fully gray—the weathering of a working man's life.

The 1900 census captured the family in a moment of relative stability. Elijah, now 63, owned the home with a mortgage and listed no occupation, suggesting he may have retired or was supported by his older children. Jane, at 52, had been married for 35 years and had borne eleven children, all of whom were still living—an extraordinary achievement for the time when childhood mortality was high. Still at home were Belle Alberta (18), Edna Catherine (16, working as a milliner), May Jane (14), Leland Joseph (10, in school), and Gladys Hazel (8, also in school). The older children had begun making their own way in the world.

Surviving the Great Earthquake

On the morning of April 18, 1906, at 5:12 a.m., the McKnew family experienced one of the most catastrophic events in American history: the Great San Francisco Earthquake. The massive 7.9 magnitude quake and the devastating fires that followed destroyed much of the city, killing an estimated 3,000 people and leaving more than half the population homeless.

The McKnew family at 4131 19th Street survived, though their home was damaged. The fire burned to within one block of their house before finally being stopped. In the chaos that followed, the family evacuated their home, bringing their stove and other household items into the street—a scene repeated across the city as residents fled the advancing flames. A treasured family photograph captured this moment, showing family members standing on the street with their rescued belongings, the house number "4131" visible above the front door. This image would become a priceless piece of family history, a reminder of their resilience in the face of catastrophe.

The house was subsequently repaired, and the family remained at their Castro Street address. The earthquake marked a turning point for San Francisco, and the McKnews, like so many others, rebuilt their lives in the city's recovery.

The Later Years

Elijah's Final Years

By 1910, Elijah was 74 years old and had been married to Jane for 44 years. The census that year found them at 4103 19th Street (the street renumbering had occurred), with Elijah owning the home free of mortgage—a significant accomplishment. He listed his source of income simply as "own income," suggesting he may have had savings, investments, or support from his children. Living with them was their youngest daughter, 18-year-old Gladys, who worked as a stenographer in an office, and a lodger named Robert J. McKnew, age 24, from North Carolina—perhaps a distant relative. Next door at 4135 19th Street, their son Leland lived with his wife Agnes.

Elijah Pickrell McKnew died on April 4, 1912, at the age of 76 years and 6 days. His death notice in the San Francisco Chronicle the following day reflected the large and devoted family he left behind: his wife Jane; sons Alfred H., Henry L., George M., and Leland J.; daughters Gladys Hazel McKnew, Mrs. A. Runnels (Allethia), Mrs. P.D. Hayes (Alice Louise), Lily Olsen, Mrs. G.F. Samwell (Belle Alberta), Mrs. P.F. Schaffner (Edna Catherine), and Mrs. W.C. Kenealy (May Jane). Interestingly, the notice listed him as "a native of Baltimore, Md.," though he was actually born in Prince George's County—perhaps a simplification, or perhaps how he had come to identify himself after decades in California.

Jane's Widowhood

Jane lived another nine years as a widow. The 1920 census found her at 4137 19th Street (another renumbering), now 72 years old and heading her own household. She owned the home with a mortgage and listed no occupation, likely supported by her children. Seven of her eleven surviving children were still living in the San Francisco area, providing a network of family support.

Jane (Whittle) McKnew died on February 7, 1921, at the age of 73 years, 6 months, and 5 days. Her death notice, published in the San Francisco Chronicle on February 9th, described her as "beloved wife of the late E.P. McKNEW and loving mother" of her sons Alfred R., Henry L., George M., and Leland J., and daughters Allethia J. Runnels, Mrs. P.D. Hayes, Mrs. C.A. Gardiner (Lilly, who had remarried), Mrs. G.F. Rose (Gladys, who had married), and "the late Mrs. W.C. Kenealy"—their daughter May Jane had died in 1918 at just 32 years old, predeceasing her mother. Friends were invited to attend funeral services at her late residence, 4137 19th Street, with interment at Cypress Lawn Cemetery.

Legacy

Elijah Pickrell McKnew and Jane (Whittle) McKnew are interred together at Cypress Lawn Cemetery in Colma, San Mateo County, California, just south of San Francisco. Their remarkable journey—from Maryland and Australia to the California goldfields and finally to San Francisco—embodied the spirit of westward expansion and immigrant ambition that defined 19th-century America.

Together, they raised eleven children who survived to adulthood, all of whom married and many of whom had children of their own, ensuring that the McKnew family line would continue in California. Their children became milliners, stenographers, and merchants; they married and established their own families throughout the Bay Area. From Elijah's service (however brief) in the U.S. Army to his years in the mines, from teamster to oysterman, he supported his family through changing times. Jane, for her part, made the extraordinary journey from Sydney to San Francisco as a young child, lost both parents before reaching adulthood, and went on to bear and raise a large family through decades of change, hardship, and ultimately stability.

Their story is one of resilience, adaptation, and family—a testament to the countless immigrant and migrant families who built their lives in the American West during one of its most transformative periods.

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4)  A poem and song lyrics were created using Anthropic Claude Sonnet 4.5, and are presented in "The Ballad of Elijah and Jane" -- A Family History Poem and Song. The song created by Suno.com can be heard below:

5) An Audio Overview (essentially a podcast) created by the Google NotebookLM AI tool) describing and celebrating the lives of Elijah and Jane (Whittle) McKnew can be heard here (click on "Audio Overview" and wait for it to load).

The Video Overview discussing Elijah and Jane (Whittle) McKnew's lives created by the Google NotebookLM AI tool is:  

6)  I edited the Claude biography text to correct minor inconsistencies and errors. Every large language model (LLM) AI tool writes descriptive text much better than I can write. I was an aerospace engineer in my former life, and my research reports and genealogical sketches reflect "just the facts gleaned from my research." The AI tools are very perceptive, insightful and create readable text in seconds, including local and national historical events and social history detail when requested.

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Links to my blog posts about using Artificial Intelligence are on my Randy's AI and Genealogy page. Links to AI information and articles about Artificial Intelligence in Genealogy by other genealogists are on my AI and Genealogy Compendium page.

Copyright (c) 2025, Randall J. Seaver

The URL for this post is:  https://www.geneamusings.com/2025/11/abc-biography-of-robert-seaver-1608.html

Please comment on this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post. Share it on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest using the icons below. Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com. Please note that all comments are moderated, and may not appear immediately.

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Added and Updated FamilySearch Record Collections - Week of 15 to 21 November 2025

 Each week, genealogy record collections are added, removed, and/or updated on FamilySearch and listed on the Historical Record Collection list at https://familysearch.org/search/collection/list. In addition, I try to keep track of the number of Full-Text Search collections (indexed, searchable) and the Images collections (browsable but not searchable) - see Sections 2) and 3) below..

1)  As of 21 November 2025, there are 3,405 historical record collections on FamilySearch (an increase of 1 from last week) on the Signed In screen (and 3,405 on the Signed Out screen).

 The added, deleted, and updated collections this week from FamilySearch (from a list supplied by Marshall Clow):

--- Collections Deleted ---

--- Collections Added ---

*  Italy, Pistoia, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1809-1903 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3002341); 498,067 indexed records with 172,802 record images, ADDED 17-Nov-2025

--- Collections Updated ---

Bolivia, Catholic Church Records, 1566-2020 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1922463); 9,833,650 indexed records with 1,649,601 record images (was 9,836,627 records with 1,649,601 images), UPDATED 19-Nov-2025
Colorado, Naturalization Records, 1876-1990 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2285702); 3,594 indexed records with 259,357 record images (was 1,787 records with 259,357 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Germany, Lutheran Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1500-1971 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3015626); 76,097,816 indexed records with 13,806,705 record images (was 76,097,837 records with 13,806,705 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Germany, North Rhine-Westphalia, Paderborn, Catholic Church Records, 1612-1909 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3219562); 2,342,154 indexed records with 266,792 record images (was 2,352,574 records with 266,792 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Honduras, Baptisms, 1730-1930 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1520634); Index only (160,997 records), no images (was 160,997 records with 0 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025

Honduras, Civil Registration, 1841-1968 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2135627); 4,346,497 indexed records with 337,976 record images (was 4,346,497 records with 337,976 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Italy, Agrigento, Agrigento, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1942 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1946817); 40,037 indexed records with 852,371 record images (was 31,052 records with 852,371 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Italy, Agrigento, Sciacca, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1861-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043548); 19,928 indexed records with 226,482 record images (was 16,616 records with 226,482 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Italy, Alessandria, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1800-1865 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2197595); 12,535 indexed records with 5,433 record images (was 13,182 records with 8,072 images), UPDATED 14-Nov-2025
Italy, Ancona, Ancona, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1862-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2046896); 843,996 indexed records with 2,361,451 record images (was 766,506 records with 2,361,451 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025

Italy, Arcidiocesi di Palermo, Catholic Church Records, 1392-1927 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000127); 156,749 indexed records with 15,633 record images (was 1 records with 39,842 images), UPDATED 19-Nov-2025
Italy, Asti, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1803-1814, 1911-1935 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2146198); 69,235 indexed records with 279,461 record images (was 69,739 records with 279,461 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Italy, Avellino, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1809-1947 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2484771); 2,325,004 indexed records with 3,099,458 record images (was 2,333,014 records with 3,099,458 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Italy, Bari, Bari, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043445); 279,177 indexed records with 1,626,044 record images (was 142,084 records with 1,626,044 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Italy, Benevento, Benevento, Civil Registration (Comune), 1861-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1482870); Browse 35,560 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 35,560 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025

Italy, Bergamo, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1866-1903 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1986789); 2,538,066 indexed records with 2,514,754 record images (was 2,554,208 records with 2,514,754 images), UPDATED 17-Nov-2025
Italy, Bologna, Bologna, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1943 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1947797); 887,656 indexed records with 5,914,917 record images (was 859,877 records with 5,914,917 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Italy, Bologna, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1806-1899 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2185174); 956,942 indexed records with 334,997 record images (was 480,689 records with 294,377 images), UPDATED 14-Nov-2025
Italy, Brescia, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1797-1943 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2158242); 312,884 indexed records with 620,801 record images (was 313,254 records with 620,801 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Italy, Brindisi, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1809-1955 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2328379); 1,707,697 indexed records with 827,330 record images (was 1,195,607 records with 820,994 images), UPDATED 14-Nov-2025

Italy, Cagliari, Cagliari, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1934 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043426); 633,890 indexed records with 1,791,108 record images (was 631,847 records with 1,791,108 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Italy, Caltanissetta, Caltanissetta, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1910 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1946840); 57,122 indexed records with 466,327 record images (was 29,517 records with 466,327 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Italy, Campobasso, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1809-1918 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1968528); 1,836,917 indexed records with 2,171,605 record images (was 1,897,477 records with 2,171,605 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Italy, Caserta, Santa Maria Capua Vetere, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043630); 1,341,457 indexed records with 1,097,228 record images (was 1,337,435 records with 1,097,228 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Italy, Catania, Arcidiocesi di Catania, Catholic Church Records, 1515-1941 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2013622); 1,160,421 indexed records with 1,762,909 record images (was 997,817 records with 1,762,909 images), UPDATED 19-Nov-2025

Italy, Catania, Caltagirone, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1861-1941 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1483039); 275,000 indexed records with 1,252,189 record images (was 272,343 records with 1,252,189 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Italy, Catania, Catania, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043496); 754,311 indexed records with 434,962 record images (was 740,833 records with 434,962 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Italy, Catania, Diocesi di Acireale, Catholic Church Records, 1560-1950 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2016233); 513,399 indexed records with 283,415 record images (was 437,362 records with 283,415 images), UPDATED 19-Nov-2025
Italy, Catania, Diocesi di Caltagirone, Catholic Church Records, 1502-1942 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1493344); 855,789 indexed records with 554,541 record images (was 700,099 records with 554,541 images), UPDATED 19-Nov-2025
Italy, Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1910 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043789); 84,671 indexed records with 193,658 record images (was 73,436 records with 193,658 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025

Italy, Como, Como, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043815); 1,233,545 indexed records with 1,475,606 record images (was 1,225,105 records with 1,475,606 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Italy, Cosenza, Paola, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1910 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043464); 247,354 indexed records with 270,197 record images (was 239,334 records with 270,197 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Italy, Cuneo, Alba, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1941 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1483030); 8,723 indexed records with 373,052 record images (was 4,696 records with 373,052 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Italy, Cuneo, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1795-1915 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1392991); 114,792 indexed records with 267,978 record images (was 121,405 records with 267,978 images), UPDATED 14-Nov-2025
Italy, Diocesi di Caltanissetta, Catholic Church Records, 1539-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000377); 316,014 indexed records with 35,855 record images (was 229,354 records with 25,673 images), UPDATED 19-Nov-2025

Italy, Diocesi di Piazza Armerina, Catholic Church Records, 1553-1964 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000379); 839,409 indexed records with 117,545 record images (was 753,854 records with 88,233 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Italy, Diocesi di Trapani, Catholic Church Records, 1504-1913 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000375); 242,399 indexed records with 50,786 record images (was 122,943 records with 23,734 images), UPDATED 19-Nov-2025
Italy, Enna, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1866-1944 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2068343); 1,840,389 indexed records with 837,356 record images (was 1,863,222 records with 837,356 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Italy, Florence, Archdiocese of Florence, Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Catholic Church Records, 1450-1900 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000378); 728,802 indexed records with 50,958 record images (was 682,408 records with 48,102 images), UPDATED 19-Nov-2025
Italy, Foggia, Lucera, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1910 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043436); 25,880 indexed records with 706,597 record images (was 15,280 records with 706,597 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025

Italy, Genova, Chiavari, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1941 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1482818); 697,735 indexed records with 650,745 record images (was 693,473 records with 650,745 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Italy, Grosseto, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1866-1942 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2015751); 149,409 indexed records with 393,814 record images (was 149,409 records with 393,814 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Italy, Grosseto, Diocesi di Grosseto, Catholic Church Records, 1521-1983 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000381); 175,966 indexed records with 88,318 record images (was 155,988 records with 84,594 images), UPDATED 19-Nov-2025
Italy, Ivrea Diocesi di Ivrea, Catholic Church Records, 1474-1950 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000373); 939,251 indexed records with 176,188 record images (was 924,801 records with 172,620 images), UPDATED 19-Nov-2025
Italy, L'Aquila, Camarda, Parrocchia di San Giovanni Battista, Catholic Church Records, 1606-1941 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1927832); 11,056 indexed records with 2,116 record images (was 7,245 records with 2,116 images), UPDATED 19-Nov-2025

Italy, L'Aquila, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1809-1944, 1911-1943 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1937372); 134,901 indexed records with 2,754,472 record images (was 135,343 records with 2,754,472 images), UPDATED 14-Nov-2025
Italy, Lecce, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1901-1941 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2310702); 832,026 indexed records with 3,307,040 record images (was 352,223 records with 3,307,040 images), UPDATED 18-Nov-2025
Italy, Lecco, Lecco, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2046897); 399,332 indexed records with 646,060 record images (was 389,539 records with 646,060 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Italy, Lucca, Lucca, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043811); 131,582 indexed records with 1,335,192 record images (was 122,621 records with 1,335,192 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Italy, Macerata, Macerata, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043838); 686,485 indexed records with 792,563 record images (was 678,137 records with 792,563 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025

Italy, Mantova, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1496-1906 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1934580); 1,103,300 indexed records with 855,316 record images (was 1,105,961 records with 855,316 images), UPDATED 14-Nov-2025
Italy, Massa e Carrara, Massa, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043539); 132,923 indexed records with 513,674 record images (was 111,416 records with 513,674 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Italy, Messina, Messina, Civil Registration (Comune), 1866-1910 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1967753); 113,373 indexed records with 205,459 record images (was 91,265 records with 205,459 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Italy, Messina, Patti, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1823-1941 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1946858); 142,082 indexed records with 891,170 record images (was 136,791 records with 891,170 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Italy, Milano, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1866-1942 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2537277); 2,382,904 indexed records with 1,064,143 record images (was 2,382,705 records with 1,064,144 images), UPDATED 19-Nov-2025

Italy, Milano, Milano, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000032); 1,220,160 indexed records with 472,131 record images (was 1,194,022 records with 452,562 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Italy, Napoli, Acerra, Civil Registration (Comune), 1809-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1482817); 37,319 indexed records with 51,022 record images (was 33,840 records with 52,514 images), UPDATED 14-Nov-2025
Italy, Napoli, Calvizzano, Civil Registration (Comune), 1809-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2046907); 7,416 indexed records with 3,387 record images (was 3,189 records with 1,050 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Italy, Napoli, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1809-1866 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1937990); 5,113,220 indexed records with 12,795,172 record images (was 5,224,806 records with 12,795,172 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Italy, Napoli, Mugnano, Civil Registration (Comune), 1810-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1482814); 18,283 indexed records with 14,686 record images (was 12,741 records with 14,686 images), UPDATED 14-Nov-2025

Italy, Napoli, Pomigliano d'Arco, Civil Registration (Comune), 1809-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1482873); 9,873 indexed records with 40,595 record images (was 1,102 records with 40,595 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Italy, Napoli, Qualiano, Civil Registration (Comune), 1836-1909 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2046904); 4,159 indexed records with 1,883 record images (was 1,554 records with 412 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Italy, Napoli, San Giorgio a Cremano, Civil Registration (Comune), 1809-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2046901); 4,358 indexed records with 19,324 record images (was 0 records with 19,324 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Italy, Napoli, Torre Annunziata, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1900-1911 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1947578); 114,540 indexed records with 41,398 record images (was 110,305 records with 41,398 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Italy, Oristano, Oristano, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1941 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1947719); 632,863 indexed records with 342,194 record images (was 629,521 records with 342,194 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025

Italy, Padova, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1621-1936 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2120751); 156,146 indexed records with 601,344 record images (was 158,373 records with 601,344 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Italy, Padova, Padova, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1871-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1946877); 1,207,981 indexed records with 1,745,536 record images (was 1,171,155 records with 1,745,536 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Italy, Palermo, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1820-1947 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2608509); 1,912,567 indexed records with 4,331,932 record images (was 1,900,320 records with 4,331,932 images), UPDATED 18-Nov-2025
Italy, Palermo, Diocesi di Monreale, Catholic Church Records, 1531-1998 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2046915); 1,050,963 indexed records with 431,296 record images (was 1,033,778 records with 431,296 images), UPDATED 19-Nov-2025
Italy, Palermo, Palermo, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1910 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2051639); 82,559 indexed records with 557,472 record images (was 62,250 records with 557,472 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025

Italy, Pavia, Voghera, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2057676); 32,348 indexed records with 165,651 record images (was 6,738 records with 165,651 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Italy, Perugia, Perugia, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1861-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043831); 49,670 indexed records with 405,632 record images (was 13,925 records with 405,632 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Italy, Pescara, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1809-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2013532); 1,150,062 indexed records with 2,022,109 record images (was 1,162,394 records with 2,022,109 images), UPDATED 14-Nov-2025
Italy, Pescara, Pescara, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1865-1910 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043788); Browse 421,992 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 421,992 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Italy, Pisa, Pisa, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1935 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043812); 159,625 indexed records with 618,446 record images (was 133,941 records with 618,446 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025

Italy, Pistoia, Pistoia, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1937 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1493462); 38,410 indexed records with 834,726 record images (was 33,668 records with 834,726 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Italy, Potenza, Archdiocese of Potenza, Catholic Church Records, 1572-1900 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000374); 84,153 indexed records with 6,435 record images (was 73,961 records with 5,681 images), UPDATED 19-Nov-2025
Italy, Potenza, Potenza, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1910 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043547); 295,522 indexed records with 298,330 record images (was 284,873 records with 298,330 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Italy, Reggio Emilia, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1769-1944 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2388826); 1,330,799 indexed records with 643,483 record images (was 830,575 records with 643,483 images), UPDATED 17-Nov-2025
Italy, Rovigo, Rovigo, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1871-1937 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1482864); 828,557 indexed records with 1,082,856 record images (was 827,461 records with 1,082,856 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025

Italy, Siracusa, Siracusa, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1900-1942 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2110810); 354,875 indexed records with 275,840 record images (was 354,875 records with 275,840 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Italy, Teramo, Teramo, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1940 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1947829); 192,012 indexed records with 425,736 record images (was 187,804 records with 425,736 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Italy, Torino, Diocese of Torino, Catholic Church Records, 1801-1899 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000113); 1,978,261 indexed records with 761,652 record images (was 1,970,133 records with 758,733 images), UPDATED 19-Nov-2025
Italy, Torino, Torino, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1899 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1967801); Index only (3,652,548 records), no images (was 3,631,222 records with 0 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Italy, Trapani, Poggioreale, Civil Registration (Comune), 1836-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2185166); 4,139 indexed records with 11,008 record images (was 1,673 records with 11,008 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025

Italy, Trento, Diocesi di Trento, Catholic Church Records, 1548-1937 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1430983); 1,986,927 indexed records with 86,924 record images (was 635,924 records with 86,924 images), UPDATED 19-Nov-2025
Italy, Treviso, Treviso, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1871-1941 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1947831); 324,325 indexed records with 427,232 record images (was 321,679 records with 427,232 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Italy, Venezia, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1806-1817 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1928858); Browse 254,674 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 254,674 images), UPDATED 14-Nov-2025
Italy, Venezia, Venezia, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1871-1930 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043809); 1,090,029 indexed records with 628,744 record images (was 1,078,694 records with 628,744 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Italy, Vercelli, Archdiocese of Vercelli, Catholic Church Records, 1839-1899 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000274); 336,668 indexed records with 149,478 record images (was 268,467 records with 134,860 images), UPDATED 19-Nov-2025

Italy, Verona, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1630-1946 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2016225); 641,228 indexed records with 2,976,910 record images (was 207,584 records with 2,976,910 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Louisiana, Confederate Pensions, 1898-1950 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1838535); 96,050 indexed records with 199,883 record images (was 97,279 records with 199,883 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Mississippi, Confederate Veterans and Widows Pension Applications, 1900-1974 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1936413); Browse 117,637 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 117,637 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Netherlands, Births and Baptisms, 1564-1910 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1778468); Index only (1,571,557 records), no images (was 1,593,461 records with 0 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Netherlands, Census and Population Registers, 1574-1940 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2018408); Browse 2,668,403 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 2,668,403 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025

Netherlands, Drenthe, Church Records, 1580-1911 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2037882); Browse 21,918 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 21,918 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Netherlands, Drenthe, Civil Registration, 1811-1942 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2026974); Browse 1,156,354 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 1,156,354 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Netherlands, Friesland, Church Records, 1543-1911 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2040000); Browse 257,078 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 257,078 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Netherlands, Friesland, Civil Registration, 1811-1950 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2026975); Browse 3,205,907 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 3,205,907 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Netherlands, Gelderland Civil Registration, 1800-1952 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1949343); 183,873 indexed records with 3,936,452 record images (was 131,012 records with 3,936,452 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025

Netherlands, Gelderland, Church Records, 1405-1966 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2038506); Browse 388,400 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 388,400 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Netherlands, Groningen, Church Records, 1595-1864 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2037901); Browse 514,562 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 514,562 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Netherlands, Groningen, Civil Registration, 1811-1940 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2026219); Browse 2,545,581 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 2,545,581 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Netherlands, Limburg Parish Register Transcripts, 1562-1822 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1404156); Browse 77,056 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 77,056 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Netherlands, Limburg, Church Records, 1542-1910 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2037001); Browse 131,396 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 131,396 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025

Netherlands, Limburg, Civil Registration, 1792-1963 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2026214); Browse 2,487,392 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 2,487,392 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Netherlands, Marriages, 1565-1892 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1500716); Index only (458,225 records), no images (was 457,126 records with 0 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Netherlands, Noord-Brabant, Civil Registration, 1811-1942 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2026223); Browse 3,699,681 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 3,699,681 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Netherlands, Noord-Brabant, Population Registers, 1820-1930 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1392827); Browse 77,539 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 77,539 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Netherlands, Noord-Holland, Church Records, 1523-1948 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2037985); Browse 671,725 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 671,725 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025

Netherlands, Noord-Holland, Civil Registration, 1739-1951 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2020117); 1,979,771 indexed records with 6,635,049 record images (was 1,981,371 records with 6,635,049 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Netherlands, Overijssel, Church Records, 1542-1893 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2037905); Browse 128,910 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 128,910 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Netherlands, Overijssel, Civil Registration, 1811-1960 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2026211); 2,085 indexed records with 2,643,454 record images (was 2,085 records with 2,643,454 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Netherlands, Passenger Lists Holland-America Line, 1900-1974 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1916283); Browse 113,050 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 113,050 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Netherlands, Utrecht, Church Records, 1542-1955 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2037906); Browse 433,502 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 433,502 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025

Netherlands, Utrecht, Civil Registration, 1811-1950 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2023934); Browse 1,650,247 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 1,650,247 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Netherlands, Zeeland, Church Records, 1527-1907 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2036997); Browse 1,076,611 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 1,076,611 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Netherlands, Zeeland, Civil Registration, 1796-1940 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2026206); Browse 1,754,410 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 1,754,410 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Netherlands, Zuid-Holland, Church Records, 1367-1916 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2037907); Browse 730,286 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 730,286 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Netherlands, Zuid-Holland, Civil Registration, 1679-1942 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1576401); 155,686 indexed records with 5,466,146 record images (was 155,686 records with 5,466,146 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025

Netherlands, Zuid-Holland, Leiden, Notarial Records, 1591-1806 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2212581); Browse 86,888 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 86,888 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Prisoners of War, 1715-1947 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4459223); 2,434,805 indexed records with 283,791 record images (was 2,434,874 records with 283,791 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Saba, Civil Registration, 1876-1996 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000229); 5,898 indexed records with 3,256 record images (was 8,587 records with 3,256 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Sint Eustatius, Civil Registration, 1869-1980 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000165); 6,100 indexed records with 2,871 record images (was 7,564 records with 2,871 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Sweden, Baptisms, 1611-1920 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1520594); Index only (7,060,829 records), no images (was 7,114,328 records with 0 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025

Sweden, Blekinge, Church Records, 1612-1916; index 1646-1860 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1978771); Browse 646,020 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 646,020 images), UPDATED 19-Nov-2025
Sweden, Burials, 1649-1920 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1520597); Index only (1,159,598 records), no images (was 1,159,714 records with 0 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Sweden, Gotland, Church Records, 1582-1940; index 1655-1860 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1978340); Browse 339,850 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 339,850 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Sweden, Gävleborg, Church Records, 1616-1908; index 1671-1860 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1978770); 38,916 indexed records with 468,207 record images (was 38,916 records with 468,207 images), UPDATED 19-Nov-2025
Sweden, Göteborg och Bohus, Church Records, 1577-1932; index 1659-1860 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1978769); 56,762 indexed records with 503,512 record images (was 56,762 records with 503,512 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025

Sweden, Household Examination Books, 1874-1931 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2790465); 46,977,151 indexed records with 87,177 record images (was 46,977,151 records with 87,177 images), UPDATED 21-Nov-2025
Sweden, Jämtland, Church Records, 1582-1928; index 1642-1860 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1978136); Browse 163,075 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 163,075 images), UPDATED 19-Nov-2025
Sweden, Jönköping, Church Records, 1581-1935; index 1633-1860 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1930273); 271,744 indexed records with 721,027 record images (was 271,744 records with 721,027 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Sweden, Kalmar, Church Records, 1577-1907; index 1625-1860 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1930243); 22,970 indexed records with 619,894 record images (was 30,025 records with 619,894 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Sweden, Kopparberg, Church Records, 1604-1900; index 1628-1860 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1977549); 50,227 indexed records with 497,445 record images (was 50,227 records with 497,445 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025

Sweden, Kristianstad, Church Records, 1585-1910; index 1646-1860 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1978124); Browse 856,990 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 856,990 images), UPDATED 19-Nov-2025
Sweden, Kronoberg, Church Records, 1589-1921; index 1612-1860 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1978118); 70,984 indexed records with 605,173 record images (was 70,984 records with 605,173 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Sweden, Malmöhus, Church Records, 1541-1918; index 1646-1860 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1974200); Browse 1,639,027 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 1,639,027 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Sweden, Marriages, 1630-1920 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1520596); Index only (1,713,651 records), no images (was 1,724,294 records with 0 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Sweden, Norrbotten, Church Records, 1612-1923; index 1658-1860 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1978781); 17,474 indexed records with 131,422 record images (was 17,474 records with 131,422 images), UPDATED 19-Nov-2025

Sweden, Skaraborg, Church Records, 1612-1921; index 1625-1860 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1978775); Browse 585,498 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 585,498 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Sweden, Stockholm City Archives, Index to Church Records, 1546-1927 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2057674); 1,184,472 indexed records with 59,224 record images (was 1,230,919 records with 73,195 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Sweden, Stockholm, Church Records, 1556-1939, index 1634-1860 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1979433); Browse 1,284,720 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 1,284,720 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Sweden, Södermanland, Church Records, 1604-1900; index 1640-1860 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1647693); 233,580 indexed records with 617,735 record images (was 233,581 records with 617,735 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Sweden, Uppsala, Church Records, 1308-1901; index 1613-1860 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1647598); 205,325 indexed records with 693,757 record images (was 205,325 records with 693,757 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025

Sweden, Västernorrland, Church Records, 1501-1940; index 1650-1860 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1949331); 62,972 indexed records with 273,798 record images (was 62,972 records with 273,798 images), UPDATED 19-Nov-2025
Sweden, Västmanland, Church Records, 1538-1901; index 1622-1860 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1978777); 43,976 indexed records with 480,952 record images (was 43,976 records with 480,952 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025
Sweden, Älvsborg, Church Records, 1642-1897; index 1681-1860 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1978773); 39,335 indexed records with 649,515 record images (was 39,335 records with 649,515 images), UPDATED 19-Nov-2025
Sweden, Örebro, Church Records, 1613-1918; index 1635-1860 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1647578); 826,516 indexed records with 647,469 record images (was 826,516 records with 647,469 images), UPDATED 19-Nov-2025
Switzerland, Burials, 1613-1875 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1520590); Index only (142,767 records), no images (was 142,767 records with 0 images), UPDATED 20-Nov-2025

--- Collections with new images ---

Argentina, Military Records, 1911-1936 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000280); 1 indexed records with 2,926,816 record images (was 1 records with 2,926,815 images), last updated 31-Oct-2024
Austria, Carinthia, Gurk Diocese, Catholic Church Records, 1527-1986 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2718009); 3,695,256 indexed records with 752,084 record images (was 3,695,256 records with 748,849 images), last updated 18-Aug-2025
Brazil, Alagoas, Civil Registration, 1876-2023 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4469403); 1 indexed records with 454,006 record images (was 1 records with 454,005 images), last updated 07-Jun-2024
Brazil, Maranhão, Civil Registration, 1827-2022 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4469402); 1 indexed records with 905,566 record images (was 1 records with 905,550 images), last updated 07-Jun-2024
Find a Grave Index (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2221801); 260,518,646 indexed records with 206,309,778 record images (was 260,518,646 records with 48,080,055 images), last updated 18-Sep-2025

Italy, Ancona, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1544-1945 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2310701); 201,763 indexed records with 148,260 record images (was 201,763 records with 148,240 images), last updated 13-Nov-2025
Italy, Foggia, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1809-1902 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2821290); 2,897,985 indexed records with 1,428,270 record images (was 2,897,985 records with 1,392,272 images), last updated 10-Nov-2025
Italy, Vercelli, Vercelli, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1802-1813, 1838-1942 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1939214); 70,053 indexed records with 1,500,370 record images (was 70,053 records with 1,496,945 images), last updated 17-Sep-2025
Luxembourg, Church and Civil Registration, 1601-1923 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000012); 2,925,642 indexed records with 1,023,288 record images (was 2,925,642 records with 1,011,719 images), last updated 13-Oct-2025
Netherlands, Archival Indexes, Population Registers (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2821274); 20,361,614 indexed records with 20,391,487 record images (was 20,361,614 records with 20,391,486 images), last updated 22-Feb-2018

Philippines, Church Census, 1542-1980 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000216); 4,340,954 indexed records with 100,995 record images (was 4,340,954 records with 94,219 images), last updated 17-Oct-2025
United States, Census, 1950 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4464515); 157,892,854 indexed records with 52,722,300 record images (was 157,892,854 records with 52,721,339 images), last updated 16-Jun-2024
West Virginia, Births, 1853-1930 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1417341); 1,047,139 indexed records with 1,288,274 record images (was 1,047,139 records with 1,288,232 images), last updated 11-May-2022

--- Collections with images removed ---

England, Manchester, Miscellaneous Records, 1700-1916 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2075052); 10,600,413 indexed records with 15,777,770 record images (was 10,600,413 records with 15,918,751 images), last updated 22-Sep-2025
England, Somerset, Church Records, 1501-1999 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4380193); 4,532,246 indexed records with 4,776,791 record images (was 4,532,246 records with 4,834,219 images), last updated 23-Sep-2025
Italy, Vercelli, Varallo, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1866-1922 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2068939); 111,204 indexed records with 88,265 record images (was 111,204 records with 90,781 images), last updated 29-Oct-2025

--- Collections with new records ---

--- Collections with records removed ---

England and Wales, Birth Registration Index, 1837-2008 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2285338); Index only (132,174,239 records), no images (was 132,174,242 records with 0 images), last updated 02-Oct-2014
Texas, Birth Index, 1903-1997 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1949342); Index only (17,102,115 records), no images (was 17,102,116 records with 0 images), last updated 17-Feb-2012
United States, Public Records, 1970-2009 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2199956); Index only (875,600,997 records), no images (was 875,601,010 records with 0 images), last updated 30-Oct-2025
United States, Residence Database, 1970-2024 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000290); Index only (413,859,609 records), no images (was 413,859,657 records with 0 images), last updated 22-Jun-2024

===================================

My friend and SDGS colleague, Marshall, has come up with a way to determine which collections are ADDED, DELETED or UPDATED, and to alphabetize the entries in each category. Thanks to Marshall for helping me out here!

Marshall notes that there are:

• 0 removed entries
• 1  added entries 
• 150 updated entries
• 16 entries with more or fewer images 
• 4 entries with more or fewer records

The FamilySearch website says there are 3,405 total entries on the list (after signing in). Marshall's list says there are 3,405 (after signing in).  They are definitely in-sync this week.

2)  There are now 6,151  searchable image collections on FamilySearch Full-Text Search this week, an increase of 40 from last week. There are over 1.595 Billion "results" in the collections. It is not possible to see which collections are new.  

3)  There are now 25,143 browsable (but not indexed or transcribed) image collections on FamilySearch Images this week, a decrease of 72 from last week. There are over 5.857 BILLION images in these collections.  2,100 collections from the United States, 7,054 from Europe and 225 from Canada.  It is not possible to see which collections are new. 

See previous FamilySearch-related blog posts in   https://www.geneamusings.com/search/label/FamilySearch

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Copyright (c) 2025 Randall J. Seaver

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