Meet our Members: Marsha Richardson

Question

Hi everyone!

It's time to meet another one of our wonderful WikiTreers. This week's member is Marsha Richardson.

Marsha has been a Wiki Genealogist since 2013 but rediscovered WikiTree earlier this year. She is a Team Leader in our Scotland Project, helping to oversee Clan Forsyth.

What surnames and locations are you currently researching?

I am researching  Brooks, Cain, Cason, Croy, Forsyth, Hurst, Irvine, McDonalds, Oaks (aka Carvalho), Rhodes, Smith, Thornton and Yancey, to name a few. While my dad’s side of the family are all from the southeast U.S. as far back as I’m able to trace them, my mother’s  are from the Azores, Ireland and Scotland.

When and how did you get interested in genealogy and family history?

My interest began when my son was applying for college scholarships and one was available to descendants of Confederate soldiers. The hunt started then and I was soon hooked.

Tell us about a brick wall you hope to bust through.

The Confederate soldier that started my genealogy addiction, Garland Yancey, is also part of my biggest brick wall. While I know who his father is, and have pretty good evidence that his grandparents are Charles and Mary Yancey of Grandville, North Carolina, I cannot find proof of who his parents are. Autosomal DNA does connect us to that line, but Y DNA testing does not. So my guess is his mother was an unmarried daughter of Charles and Mary Yancey. Big Y DNA has given some clues, but so far no luck in breaking down the brick wall.

Who is your favorite ancestor and why?

I guess my favorite ancestor would be my maternal grandfather,  James McDonald Forsyth. I was only about 12 years old when he died, but I can still hear him calling me his lassie with his beautiful Scottish brogue.  

What are some of your interests outside of genealogy?

In addition to genealogy I enjoy reading, gardening and traveling with my husband. I’m also the Clan Forsyth Society USA newsletter editor. We put out a quarterly 18 page newsletter so this does take much of my free time. In addition I co-manage the Forsythe Y DNA project.  

(interview continues in comments)

Comments

How long have you been on WikiTree and what do you spend most of your time doing?

Earlier this year I was looking into WikiTree for a possible place to do a one name study for Forsyth and much to my surprise I found that apparently back in 2013 I had uploaded my gedcom and then promptly forgot about it and never added complete sources. Since my discovery I’ve been working on adding sources and making corrections. I took the Tartan Trail because I thought this would be a good way to learn how to do this properly and it was a great learning experience. I’ve adopted the Forsyth/Forsythe Surname History page and also started working on the Clan Forsyth page.

What is your favorite thing about WikiTree?

I like the idea of WikiTree and everyone working together. It seems everyone here is vigilant on trying to prevent duplicates and requiring that facts are supported with sources. I am somewhat hesitant in that the same feature I like about WikiTree could become the feature I don’t like, if someone changes something I have proven and doesn’t show good cause.

What is an example of how WikiTree has helped you with your genealogy?

WikiTree, the Tartan Trail and especially Jen Hutton has pushed me to add complete sources. I’ve always added my sources, but only put enough information so I would know where it came from.  

Any tips for someone just starting out on WikiTree?

My suggestion is that new WikiTree users should not add their tree using a gedcom file, but do them one at a time. It is much easier to enter it correctly than having to go back and fix things.

Answer 1

Nice to meet you :)

Name study link is wrong, should probably be https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Space:Forsythe_Family_History

Comments

Thanks, you are correct.  Not sure if this is something I can correct, or if Eowyn needs to do it.

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Fixed. Thanks for noticing.

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Thanks for the fix

Answer 2

Congratulations, Marsha, and thank you for all you do for our tree.  Your Forsyth work is fascinating and it was great to learn about William and the forsythia.  It's good to meet you.

Comments

Thank you.  Lots more work to do on the Forsyth pages.

Answer 3

Congratulations Marsha on being nominated for Wonderful WikiTreer of the week.

Nice that we share a lot of hobbies like gardening, reading and travelling.

Comments

Thanks, Nice to meet you.

Answer 4

Another dynamite interview with a seasoned WikiTree member. I have seen Marsha around and so glad to get to know her 

Comments

Thanks

Answer 5

I am delighted to learn of another WikiTree contributor with roots in County Clare. I have added some notes to your O'Gorman ancestors to clarify the parishes in which they were married and had their children baptised.

Comments

Thanks, I've been working my way back updating and correcting each generation and had not gotten to Thomas and his wife yet.   In my notes I have that he either married his 1st cousin or the 1st cousin of his first wife.  Does that sound correct to you, based on what you find?

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The marriage record says consanguinity, not affinity, so they were blood relatives, not in-laws. "Second degree" is ambiguous, and first cousin would be the most likely relationship if the dispensation came from the local bishop. The pontifical reference puzzles me, as I haven't come across it for a first cousin marriage before. Perhaps it is a power that was delegated by the pope to local bishops after 1843.

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Thanks.

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Ditto,  though my Gorman origins in Clare are not proven. We also share McDonald Marsha

Answer 6

Hi Marsha, great to get to know you and read about you! Perhaps one of these fine days I will do the Tartan Trail. I learned so much from the England Project's Orphan Trail! My daughter's paternal side has a long line of Scots ancestry including Thom and Phyfe. It is really neat to hear that you are the Clan Forsyth Society USA newsletter editor. I checked and it turns out we are distant 19th cousins 4X removed through MRCA Margaret (Fiennes) de Mortimer! Thank you for all that you do!

Comments

Well hello, cousin.  I really did enjoy the Tartan Trail as it helped me learn more about using WikiTree.  i'm sure the England Trail was good also.  I love how everyone helps everyone here on WikiTree.  I hope to help others more once I get my own ancestors updated.

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Hi Marsha, thanks for your response! Yes, the England Orphan Trail was beyond helpful. I wish all 'newbies' to WT would take the opportunity to do at least one of these trails to help encourage their WT learning. And, yes, I love the collaboration. You take care and stay safe, cousin.

Answer 7

Greetings!! I used the Wikitree connection finder which currently shows us as 19th cousins, once removed!

Thank you for all of the genealogy work you have created for people worldwide!

I enjoyed learning a little about you and your work! The Scottish accent of your ancestor is a lovely remembrance. Thank you for sharing!

Comments

Thank you, always nice to hear from cousins near and far.