HAMRICK

Several interesting stories emerged from my searching for Carol's Hamrick ancestors. We knew that a James Hamrick married a Barbara Rainsberger. A family Bible had written pieces of information relative to the Hamricks, a few dates but little else. It turned out that a framed certificate on the wall in our computer room was for James Hamrick’s volunteer service and is "signed" by Abraham Lincoln. An Ohio census record showed a Floid Hamrick with a child named James. A search of the Civil War pension record for James disclosed that this "Floid" may really have been Loyd. The experience of the census or clerk varies and may result in a different name depending upon their hearing/phonetics of the name. Unfortunately, a check of census records etc did not disclose any Hamricks with either name in the general time period.

I posted a note on GenForum about Floyd Hamrick, and received a reply from a JR McKinney, who has a Hamrick website. He provided the missing link. As it turns out, I previously had been in contact with him and he had requested additional information which, at that time, I did not have. This time he was able to confirm that the name was Lloyd and state that Lloyd was born in Frederick, VA to James Hamrick and Charlotte Shull. The web site provides information back to a Patrick Hamrick, who is believed to be the entering ancestor. It is most interesting to observe that as I move back in time with this family, I find others who identify a common ancestor, and frequently, only with the name. And no further information is known about that particular ancestor. The common name, along with the relationship in a family, provides confirmation that the person really did live and that the initial information may be correct.