Re: Robbins-Starling/Sterling
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In reply to:
Robbins-Starling/Sterling
Christina Riemke 12/26/04
Christina;
Don't think there is any direct connection with my Robbins line down in Jefferson Co, IN, but did spend some time trying to come up with some ideas for you.
1) Sterling as a middle name for a male could mean this was his mothers maiden name. I have seen this naming convention in some of my Starling family ancestors.
2) If that was the case, then there would have to be a Robbins-Sterling connection somewhere in your family ancestory. Part of what I looked for was to see if the two families were in close proximity going back from your grandfather's generation (Frank "Sterling");
3) There are alot of "Robbins" ancestors to sort through to try to track who was great grandfather, and his father..but gave it a shot...
I searched for both "Edward" and "Ebenezer". Found some references to both..but don't know if they are the one's you are searching for...
Assumptions used in doing research:
1. Your grandfather - Frank Sterling - is the "Frank" born 1894.
2. Jenny Dora Godfrey was "Edward / Ebenezers" wife (is it possible she was his 2nd wife? If so, perhaps the first wife was a Sterling? something to check out). Also the marriage reference below for Ebenezer, his wife's first name "Jennie" matches up with your reference - but the last name isn't Godfrey. But you may have some idea why the difference, but I have no idea, this is just what is in the records.
3. The Robbins family seems to have been settled/centered in the Indiana counties of Cass, Carroll, White, and Tippecanoe. (I did find Ruby in 1910 census in Mishakawa, in St.Joseph County)...
Anyway: Two references to Ebenezer:
1. 1860 US census, Burnetteville, White Co, IN;
Family:
Jesse (father) age 39, b. Ohio, - shoemaker
Mary (wife)age 36, b. Ohio
Wm M. (son)age 17, b. Ohio
Ebenezer(son)age 15, b. Ohio
Mary (dau)age 11, b. Ohio
Lyda (dau)age 5,b. Ohio
2. Indiana Marriage Reference:
Ebenezer H. Robbins m. Jennie Slemmons, 18 Feb 1892, Cass Co, IN.
References for Edward:
1. Indiana Birth Records:
A. Father: "E" Robbins
Mother: Dora Godfrey
Child:Female (No name listed)
B-Date: 6 April 1896(Marie Josephine?)
Place:Cass Co, IN
B. Father: "ED" Robbins
Mother: Godfrey
Child:Male Robbins (no name specified)
B-Date: 4 Feb 1900 (Basil Darell?)
Place:no reference listed, IN
Census Records:
1880 US census, Washington Twp, Cass Co, IN
Edward Robbins, age 33, Day Laborer, OH, PA, OH
Mary J. (wife)age 26,IN, TN, IN
John H. (son)age5,IN, IN, IN
Amos M. (son)age3,IN, IN, IN
1850 US census, Tippecanoe Co, IN
John Robbins,b. 1799, PA
Edward (son)b. 1839, Iowa
(didn't list entire family)
OK, I can't find a positive reference that ties the Robbins & Sterling families together, but I can put them in virtually the same place at the same time...you'll have to take it from there....
1850 - Robbins families in Tippecanoe and Cass Co, IN; No Sterlings in the area.
1860 - Robbins family (Jesse / Ebenezer ) in White Co, IN
- Thomas Sterling family now in Deer Creek, Carroll Co, IN; Porter Sterling family now in Jackson, Carroll Co, IN.
1870 - Isaac Robbins family in Deer Creek, Carroll Co, IN
- Joseph Sterling family in Deer Creek, Cass Co, IN
(Deer Creek is on county border between Carroll and Cass counties...you'd have to check local historical society to see where exact farm locations were, but this now puts the two families very close to each other.)
In trying to trace where Joseph Sterling came from in Ohio, I found him in Licking Co, OH (just east of Columbus) in 1860. I also found James Sterling family in 1850 in Franklin Co,OH, just SE of Columbus. Ironically in 1850 there is a John Robbins family also living in Franklin Co, OH. James has a son Joseph, b. PA which matches up with our Joseph who shows up in Deer Creek, Cass Co, IN. This needs more investiation, but I am seeing Robbins & Sterlings in Cass, Carroll, White, Tippecanoe Co, IN who migrated to this area from Ohio and Pennsylvania. Good possibility there is a family link there somewhere in the past.
Anyway, this is an intriguing investigation. I found no traces of "Ebenezer", in the 1910-1920 time frame...anywhere in Indiana. I did find a reference to a Ralph Frank Robbins - 1910,20,30, and WWI draft registration, but don't think he is your "Ralph"?? He was machinest who seemed to move around alot in NW Indiana...had a wife named Mabel. If this sounds familiar I'll pass that info on as well.
Also found Basil and family in 1920 census.
So, sorry I couldn't be of much help, but maybe this will give you some new leads to chase down.
Good Luck;
Mike
More Replies:
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Re: Robbins-Starling/Sterling
Christina Riemke 4/25/05