A lesson in genealogical patience

Family history research is a journey.  Like a roadtrip, sometimes it's smooth, fun and scenic. But sometimes it's bumpy and you hit major roadblocks. Not every ancestor leaves behind a rich paper trail, and not every cousin responds with a treasure trove of memories. 

Case in point: my great-grandmother Martha Goesch Sullivan.

Family member name: Martha E. Goesch Sullivan
Years of life: 1900-1976
Places lived: Nebraska
Tree branch: Goesch
Relation: My great-grandmother (my mom's mom's mom) 

The elusive Martha Goesch Sullivan

I never met Martha, but I’ve spent a lot of time over the past few years trying to learn more about her. I’ve followed leads, sent messages, written letters, and made phone calls. Here are the 5 methods I've tried so far:

1. Ancestry Messaging Spree
   I sent a dozen messages through Ancestry.com's messaging app, reaching out to members of the Goesch family, asking if anyone remembered visiting or hearing stories about Martha. Only one cousin responded—and while he didn’t know anything himself, he gave me the name and email address of his aunt, who he thought might remember her.

2. Emails, a Letter, and... Crickets
   I sent two thoughtful, photo-filled emails to the aunt. When I didn’t hear back, I looked up her address and mailed a handwritten letter with family tree sketches and more photos. Still no reply!!  I followed up with the cousin again, who let me know his aunt didn’t remember Martha, which is why she hadn’t responded. I wonder what prevented her from just briefly replying to say "Sorry, no"? 

3. Another Cousin, Another Dead End
   A lovely cousin named Rob contacted me about a different shared Goesch ancestor, and I took the opportunity to ask about Martha. Unfortunately, he didn’t know anything about her either.

4. Cemetery Management Silence
   I reached out to the town cemetery where Martha was buried in Nebraska.  Sometimes there are records that include who paid for the burial. I didn’t get a response, but I reached out during the pandemic, so it’s possible there was limited staff at the time.

5. Hospital Records—But Not Yet
   I contacted the hospital where Martha lived for many years, hoping for medical records. At first they just said "no" with no further information. But after I peppered them with questions, they informed me the records will be made public 50 years after her death. Which is in 2026. Another year to go.  But at least there's hope of forward progress!!

This hasn’t been easy, but it’s part of the process. Sometimes you hit a wall (or five), and the only thing to do is keep chipping away. I still have a couple of cousins to contact and will try the historical society again. I know there's more to learn about Martha. I’m not done looking.

1820s Pinterest Goals

When I found out that my ancestor’s home was not only still standing, but welcomed visitors as a bed and breakfast, I was so excited. I HAD to go stay there! 

I really didn't think about what I would learn or how I would feel when I arrived. I just wanted to stand in their shoes for a moment. I never considered that I would learn about my ancestors through how they decorated their home!  Here's the story.

Family member name: Nicholas, Ozni and Hannah Hall
Years of life: 1753-1835

Places lived: Falmouth, Maine

Tree branch: Pearson
Relation: My 5x great-grandfather, his son and daughter-in-law

On February 5, 1823, my 5th great-grandfather Nicholas Hall sold the family home in Falmouth, Maine, to his youngest son, Ozni Hall, for $2,000. How do we know?  That information was included in a document from 1977 regarding the nomination of Hall's Tavern (as it used to be called) into the National Registry of Historical Places.

After the sale, the house was redecorated, as often happens.  Since home décor is usually overseen by the woman of the house, I am attributing the improvements to Hannah Hall, Ozni's wife.  Of course they could have acted as a team, we just can't be sure.

Hannah transformed the house, enlisting a local artist to decorate the walls with stunning stencils. These intricate designs turned a simple home with white walls into a work of art and give us a glimpse of Hannah's personality and creative vision.  

Who was the artist?  This is the subject of much interest to American folk art enthusiasts.  Experts who examined the designs agree that they are in the style of Moses Eaton or his son, Moses Eaton, Jr.  Moses Eaton is now remembered as a renowned artist.  In fact, his stencils and artwork are in museums!  The experts aren't 100% sure, but since Moses was from the local area, it is probable the stencils were done by him.

Bold floral and geographic stencils

These are the original 200-year-old paintings most likely done by Moses Eaton.

So, Hannah turned the house into a masterpiece!

I was fortunate to stay overnight in Hannah’s home in October 2016. Then operating as the Quaker Tavern Bed and Breakfast, the house still carried the warmth and charm that Hannah must have envisioned when she chose the bold pastoral and floral stencil designs. Walking through its rooms, I could picture my ancestors living there, surrounded by the vibrant art that reflected their creativity and love for beauty. Knowing that these walls once held their daily lives was a moving experience for me.

Their beautiful home is a tangible link to my family’s past, a reminder of their hard work, creativity, and vision. Nicholas’s decision to pass the house to Ozni set the stage for Hannah to transform it into something extraordinary—a space that is as much a part of American folk art history as it is my family history. 

This journey reminds me that our ancestors were more than just names on a tree; they were creators, dreamers, and storytellers whose legacy still speaks to us today.

Sources:

* Ancestry.com for the National Register of Historic Places: Inventory--Nomination form

* Proprietor's oral history of Quaker Tavern BnB

* Wikipedia: Moses Eaton, Jr. 

* Antique Homes Magazine article: Hospitality at the Quaker Tavern Inn