[CLIENT]
Houston1506 C1506042
1 September 2015
Research Highlights
GOALS
Research and identify the parents and origins of Andrew Jackson Houston, Sr., who died
1887 in Schuyler County, Missouri.
Use genetic genealogy in conjunction with traditional genealogy methods.
PROGRESS
Determined the likely migration pattern of Andrew Jackson Houston from Kentucky to
Illinois and eventually to Missouri. Also determined the likely migration pattern of
Andrew Jackson Huston’s other Huston relatives from Pennsylvania to Kentucky.
Identified north-central Kentucky as the most likely area where Andrew Jackson
Houston was from based on the distribution of professional basket makers in the 1880
Census.
Confirmed the identity of a direct-line paternal match, [LIVING3], at Family Tree DNA
and traced his family to Jesse Huston born in 1812 in Ohio, but whose parents were
likely from Pennsylvania.
Identified several genetic matches at 23andMe and Family Tree DNA with the Houston
or Huston surnames reported in their ancestry. Confirmed that at least some of these
individuals also descend from Andrew Jackson Huston and Nancy Lodgston.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Perform autosomal DNA tests on additional descendants of Andrew Jackson Houston
from distinct family lines in order to connect with more possible relatives.
2. Research Houston families in North Central Kentucky in the early 1800s using online,
microfilm and on-site records.
3. Research Houston families in Columbiana County, Ohio in the early 1800s that may
include the relatives of Jesse Huston, the ancestor of the client’s Y-DNA match.
4. Search for an heirloom basket among the descendants of Andrew Jackson Houston to
determine possible local origins of the design.
5. Continue research on the ancestry of all genetic matches who report the Houston
surname in their family trees.
2
Research Report
During this research period, we were asked to use both genetic genealogy and traditional
genealogical methods to identify the parents of Andrew Jackson Houston who was born in
Kentucky in 1809 and who died in 1887 in Schuyler County, Missouri. We began this
research period by first reviewing the DNA test profiles for the client.
Investigation of Y-DNA Test Results
[LIVING], one of the direct-line paternal descendants of Andrew Jackson Houston, has
taken a 111-marker Y-DNA STR test at Family Tree DNA. Short Tandem Repeats (STRs) are
sections of DNA where a motif of 2-5 genetic bases (A,T,G, and C) is repeated several times
in sequence. These sections of DNA are prone to mutation. Sometimes the cellular
machinery responsible for copying DNA will make a mistake as it is reading and copying
these regions. It may add an extra copy of the motif, or it may miss one. As a result there
can be differences from generation to generation of how many times a specific motif is
repeated on a DNA strand. Once a mutation is introduced into a Y-chromosome lineage, it
will be passed onto all descendants of that same paternal lineage unless one of the
descendants has a mutation back to the original value.
Y-DNA STR marker tests report the number of times a motif is repeated at different sites on
the Y-chromosome. When two individuals share the same numbers, it indicates that they
most likely share common ancestry, particularly if they share all the same values for a
higher level marker test with 67 or 111 markers tested. When they differ from each other,
it suggests that their common ancestry is more distant.
3
From this test result, we observe that [LIVING] matches several individuals who carry the
Houston or Huston surname. This suggests that there were no illegitimacies or
undocumented adoptions between [LIVING] and his direct-line paternal ancestor, Andrew
Jackson Houston. [LIVING]’s kit has been added to the Houston Surname project at Family
Tree DNA, allowing easier comparison of his STR values to those of his matches.
Although additional testing will often identify the closest matches of a test subject by
identifying additional locations where two individuals do not match, in order for this to be
helpful, there must be other family members who have also tested at higher levels. Since
[LIVING2] is the only other member of the Houston family blue group that has tested more
than 37 markers, he is the only match with the Houston surname at the 67-marker level
where three genetic differences separate him and the client. However, the most significant
match for [LIVING] is, in fact, a 37-marker match named [LIVING3]. When we analyze the
STR values at Family Tree DNA, we observe that [LIVING3] and the client have a genetic
distance of just one and that they also share a unique mutation in common.
Since [LIVING3]is the only member of the Houston family surname project that has a
genetic distance of 1 at the 37-marker level, and since he spells his surname without the o
we were able to clearly identify his kit as number 133680 on the project site. Here we
observe that [LIVING] has a mutation at loci DYS570 from a value of 18 to 17. This
mutation appears to be unique to [LIVING]’s line, as it is not shared in common with any of
the other project participants. This result is not surprising, since DYS570 is a fast mutation
marker and if there were to be differences between [LIVING] and his direct line paternal
relatives, this is where we would expect to see them.
4
Additionally, [LIVING] shares a mutation in common with [LIVING3] in the CDY region of
the Y-chromosome. Whereas most other members of the project group have a marker value
of 36-36 or 37-38 at this marker, [LIVING] and [LIVING3] have a marker value of 37-37.1
There are several possibilities in this case: 37-37 could be the ancestral state value for this
marker, or it could be 37-38. Even though 37-38 is the most common value for members of
this group, there are a significant number of matches who report a value of 36-36 at these
same loci, each of which also share a mutation to 14-15-17-17at DYS464, which indicates
closely shared ancestry. CDY is a particularly fast mutation marker, so even though a
situation where the ancestral state at CDY was 37-38 would require multiple mutations to
account for the existence of the 36-36 CDY group, this is quite likely since 37-38, 35-38, and
38-38 are found in the marker values of several other matches with additional mutations
along their lines. If this is the case, then [LIVING] and [LIVING3]share a common ancestor
who was the founder of the 37-37 mutation.
Since [LIVING] and [LIVING3] share a unique mutation and only differ from each other on
one locus which is also fast mutating, it is likely that they are related within the
genealogical past. A TiP analysis of their test results reveals that there is a 50% probability
they are related within the last 6-7 generations, a 95% chance they are related within 13
generations, and 99% chance they are related within 17 generations.2
In the client-provided information, we learned that Andrew Jackson Houston used the
Huston spelling on his marriage license dated 1832 in Morgan, Illinois. In the past,
orthography was not as exact as we insist on it being in the modern age; however, if
[EMAIL]@gmail.com, [EMAIL]@gmail.com, and [EMAIL]@charter.net, Houston and Huston Family
Surname Project – Y-DNA Colorized Chart. STR profile comparison between kit
([LIVING3]) and
B12028 ([LIVING]), http://familytreedna.com, accessed August 2015. DOCUMENT 1.
1
2 Y-DNA TiP Analysis, TiP comparison between [LIVING] and [LIVING3] given no relationship
within 5 generations and showing probabilities for every generation, htps://familytreedna.com, subscription
database, accessed August 2015. DOCUMENT 2.
5
Andrew Jackson Huston reported this spelling, then this could be indicative of a personal
preference and use of spelling. Since [LIVING3] also maintains this same spelling, it may be
suggestive of closer shared ancestry.
We obtained an original copy of the marriage license return register and found that the
Huston spelling is correct to the original document.3 We also found that Andrew Jackson
and Nancy Logston [sic] were married by Thomas Bristow. Unfortunately we were unable
to determine the religious affiliation of Thomas Bristow and his origins, however, these
details might be investigated at future date since they may shed additional light on the
origins of Andrew Jackson Huston.
Investigation of Andrew Jackson Houston
In order to learn more about the origins and whereabouts of the family of Andrew Jackson
Houston, we began by performing a census survey. Since no census records for his
immediate family were included as part of the client-provided information, we attempted
to locate all census records where Andrew appeared. In genealogical research, it is crucial
to have citations for all proposed facts, as well as a thorough and clear understanding of
what the historical records do and do not say.
In the case of census records, these were provided for by the Constitution, and have been
kept every decade beginning in 1790. On the earliest such enumerations (1790-1840), the
census takers were instructed to only name the head of household (usually male) and
indicate all others in the home by a check mark in an age category alone. The census taken
in 1850 was the very first one to list each member of the household by name, and each
successive enumeration included more and more information. Thus, we found Andrew and
his wife Nancy, and seven children enumerated in the 1850 Census living in Adair,
3
Morgan County (Illinois) County Clerk, Marriage Record v. A-C 1827-1887, Marriage of Andrew
Huston and Nancy Logston, 14 April 1832, FHL microfilm 1317641. DOCUMENT 3.
6
Missouri.4 It is important to note that one of the details this 1850 Census did not provide
was the relationships between each individual; however, age and birthplace and shared
surnames can often provide clues where such information is not explicitly stated. In this
particular case, we can assume that the children listed in this family belonged to Andrew
and Nancy.
Locality
1850, Adair, Missouri
Enumeration Date
18 October 1850
Description
Page
20B
Real
Birth
Estate
Place
House
Family
Name
Age
Sex
Occupation
287
286
Andrew J. Huston
42
M
Basketmaker
Nancy Huston
36
F
John Huston
17
M
Nancy J Huston
13
F
IL
Andrew J Huston
10
M
MO
Polly A. Huston
8
F
MO
Pleasant G. Huston
5
M
MO
Frances M. Huston
2
M
MO
3m
F
MO
Armilda Huston
KY
IN
Laborer
AR
In this record, we observe that the first two children were born in Arkansas and Illinois,
after which point all the remaining children were born in Missouri. Therefore, we know
that sometime between the marriage of Andrew Jackson Huston and Nancy in 1832 and the
birth of their first child in about 1833, they were residing in Arkansas. Between the birth of
John in 1833 and Nancy (Martha) in 1837, the family relocated to Illinois. Between the
birth of Nancy (Martha) in 1837 and the birth of Andrew Jackson Huston Jr. in 1839, the
family had relocated once again, this time to Missouri. From this record we also learn that
Andrew Jackson Houston Sr. was working as a basket maker and that neither he nor his
wife, Nancy could read or write. If this is true, it would remove some of the significance of
41850
U.S. Census (Populations Schedule) Adair County, Missouri, sheet 20B, household 287,
household of Andrew J. Huston, https://ancestry.com, accessed August 2015. DOCUMENT 4.
7
him spelling his surname Huston on his marriage license – such a spelling would likely
then have been the interpretation of the clerk, rather than an indication of Andrew’s actual
preference.
In 1860, we once again found the family of Andrew Jackson Huston – this time living in
Pettis, Adair, Missouri.5
Locality
Date
1860, Pettis, Adair, Missouri
7 July 1860
House/
Page
149
Description
Value of Estate
Occupation
Family
Name
Age
Sex
1198
/990
A. Hughston (sic)
57
M
Nancy
46
F
MD
Nancy J.
23
F
IL
Andrew J.
20
M
Polly A
18
F
MO
Pleasant G
14
M
MO
Francis
12
M
MO
Armilda
10
F
MO
James H
8
M
MO
James J
6
M
MO
Urial C
3
F
MO
Angelett
1
F
MO
Basket
Maker
Day Laborer
Real
Birth
Pers.
150
Place
KY
MO
From this we learn that the remainder of their children were born in Missouri. The oldest
son of the family had left the household by this time, but was living next door with his wife,
Elvira, and their three-month-old son. In addition to Andrew and Nancy, we observe that
51860 U.S. Census (Population Schedule), Pettis, Adair, Missouri, sheet 149, household 1198, family
990, household of A Hughston, https://ancestry.com, accessed August 2015. DOCUMENT 5.
8
their next two oldest children Nancy A. (Martha) and Andrew Jackson Jr. likewise were
unable to read or write.
A further ten years later in 1870, we found Andrew and his family living in nearby
Chariton, Adair, Missouri.6 Even though the township of their residence changed between
1860 and 1870, this may be reflective of boundary changes or the process of enumeration
rather than relocation by the family.
Locality
Date
1870, Chariton, Adair, Missouri
10 August 1870
House/
Page
160B
Description
Value of Estate
Occupation
Real
Pers.
Birth
Family
Name
Age
Sex
105/
105
Andrew Houston
61
M
Basket
Maker
Nancy Houston
56
F
Keeping
house
Indiana
Francis M Houston
22
M
Basket
Maker
Missouri
Jonas W Houston
18
M
working on
farm
Missouri
Jonas Ira Houston
14
M
working on
farm
Missouri
Maria C Houston
13
F
at home
Missouri
Angetell M Houston
11
M
at home
Missouri
George W Houston
8
M
225
Place
Kentucky
Missouri
That year, Nancy J (Martha), Polly A. and Pleasant G. Huston had all left the household,
though Pleasant (Greenefield) Houston was living next door to the family with his wife
Adaline and three children, Nancy, Marion and Louisa. Andrew Jackson Houston Jr. was
also living nearby with his wife Ann Elira [sic] and three children: Andrew J., Jonas A, and
Emma J. Their child found in the previous census was not enumerated this time, and
61870 U.S. Census (Population Schedule), Chariton, Adair, Missouri, sheet 60B, household 106, family
906, household of Andrew Houston, https://ancestry.com, accessed August 2015. DOCUMENT 6.
9
therefore may have died in childhood. We see that the entire family was unable to read and
write and that one son, Francis, followed in the steps of his father and became a basket
maker. Such trades were often passed down in earlier centuries from father to son, and if
Andrew Jackson Houston Sr. learned this trade from his father, we may be able to use this
detail to better identify his origins in Kentucky. In the 19th and previous centuries, a unique
occupation is a crucial clue and helpful identifier when other details are scarce.
We searched the 1880 Census in the hopes that it would provide more detail regarding the
origins of Andrew Jackson Houston Sr.’s parents, since the
Census was the first in
which individuals were asked about the birthplace of their parents in addition to their own.
We found Andrew Jackson and three of his children living in Benton, Adair, Missouri.7
Strangely, however, this census record provided no information regarding the parents of
Andrew Jackson Houston – or indeed, of Andrew himself. This would suggest that it was
not Andrew or his wife or maybe even any members of his household providing the data to
the census taker.
Locality
ED, Sheet No.
Date
1880, Benton, Adair, Missouri
146, sheet 81A
24 June 1880
Location
Description
House
Family
341
346
Name
Birth Place
Sex
Age
Relationship
Andrew J Houston
M
73
Head
Basket
maker
--
--
--
Nancy Houston
F
60
Wife
Home
--
--
--
Wm Geo
M
18
Son
basket
maker
MO
--
--
Ira
M
24
Son
basket
maker
MO
--
--
Milligan
M
21
Son
basket
maker
MO
--
--
71880
Occupation
Self
Fath
Moth
U.S. Census (Population Schedule), Benton, Adair, Missouri, ED 146, sheet81A, household 341,
family 346, household of Andrew Houston , https://ancestry.com, accessed August 2015. DOCUMENT 7.
10
In this census enumeration we find that all of the children except George, Jonas Ira, and
Angetell Milligan Houston had left the household by 1880, and none of the other children of
the family were living in the surrounding houses. In this census record, Angetell Milligan
was enumerated as a male as opposed to all other census records where she was
enumerated as a female.
As mentioned, the birthplaces for the parents were not reported and all children remaining
in the household were working in basket making. Both parents were reported to be
illiterate, but none of the children carried this designation in their enumerations. Based on
the scant information provided in this census record, it may be that the enumerator asked a
friend or neighbor about the family rather than asking the questions of the family himself.
This would help explain some of the inaccuracies and discrepancies between this record
and previous enumerations.
Based on these census records, we expect that Andrew Jackson Houston was living in
Missouri by 1840 since Andrew Jackson Houston Jr. was born there in 1839. We searched
the 1840 Census for the family and found an enumeration that may refer to the family in
Saline, Miller, Missouri.8 The head of this household enumeration was A.M. Houston.
However, there are several discrepancies that suggest otherwise.
Locality
Pg.
117
1840, Saline, Miller, Misouri
Head of Family
A M Houston
0
to
4
5
to
9
M
1
2
F
1
10
to
14
15
to
19
20
to
29
30
to
39
40
to
49
50
to
59
60
to
69
70
to
79
80
+
Slaves
1
1
1
81840
U.S. Census (Population Schedule), Saline, Miller, Missouri, page 118 household of A. M.
Houston, https://ancestry.com, accessed August 2015. DOCUMENT 8a-b.
11
With the information we have currently on the family of Andrew Jackson Houston, we
know of only three children who were born before 1840, whereas this household contained
five. Since Andrew Jackson and Nancy were married in 1832, we would expect that all of
their children would have been under the age of 8 during the 1840 Census. We would
expect the enumeration of one male under the age of 4, one female under the age of 4 and
one male between the age of 5 and 9. There possibly may have been one more child born
between 1833 and 1837 of whom we are unaware since there is a gap in the known birth
dates. However, we would not expect the inclusion of a female between the age of 10 and
14 in the household, unless this was a daughter from a previous marriage, an illegitimate
relationship, a servant, or some other relative. The enumeration of the head of household
would also place A.M. Houston’s birth between
and
rather than the later
expected date of 1809. In this household, there was only one individual reportedly engaged
in agricultural labor. Since Andrew Jackson Houston Sr. was enumerated as a basket maker
in every other census, he would more likely have been enumerated as engaged in
manufacturing. It is unlikely that this record refers to his family; however, no other clear
candidates were found in the 1840 Census in Missouri.
Follow-Up on Clues
From these census records, there are several clues that could help to pinpoint the origins of
Andrew Jackson Houston. The information provided by the client and corroborated by the
census records provides a clear indication of Andrew Jackson Houston’s migration pattern.
He left Kentucky and possibly passed through part of Indiana, where he may have met his
wife and married in 1832 in Morgan County, Illinois, near Springfield. From there the
couple immigrated south into Arkansas, where their first child was born in 1833. Their
next child was born somewhere in Illinois, and the remainder of their children were born in
Missouri. During future research, we might explore common migration patterns from
Kentucky to Illinois and determine Andrew Jackson Houston’s likely origin. If he came from
Kentucky to Illinois, it is likely he took the wilderness trail, passed through Louisville and
12
perhaps rode the Ohio River into Illinois. If Andrew Jackson Houston’s family originated in
Pennsylvania or Maryland, then they may have taken the Ohio River to arrive in Kentucky
and probably would have settled in the north central part of the state.9
In all census records after 1850, Andrew was identified as a basket maker. In later census
records we discovered that several of his children also adopted this craft, suggesting that it
may have been a family business. This would also demonstrate the claim of one historian
that the majority of traditional basket making was perpetuated through family
networks.
10
Basket making may have begun in the family as a source of additional income
and eventually developed into a full-time occupation for the family. However, if Andrew
Jackson learned this trade from his family and if basket making was their primary
occupation, then we might expect to see several individuals enumerated as manufacturers
in the 1820 and 1830 Census records in the household to which he belonged. Traditional
basket making was common throughout frontier Kentucky, but the most traditional forms
still practiced today are particularly common in south-central Kentucky.11 Depending on
the style of baskets that the family made, we may be able to trace their origin to a specific
region of Kentucky. Since all member of the family were consistently reported as illiterate,
it is unlikely that they ran their own formal business, but they may have worked with
another businessman to sell their wares. It is also possible that they ran a road-side stand.
Through a search of the 1880 Census in Adair County, Missouri, we found that there were
only seven individuals engaged in basketry as a profession in the area; five of them were
members of the Houston family. Future research should include investigation of the basket
styles that they used. This could be determined by speaking with members of the family
9
C.H. Pygman and John Prater, Exploring Illinois (Chicago: Follet Publishing Company, 1955), Map B
1, Routes of Early Pioneers Into Illinois, p.15, mypage.siu.edu, accessed August 2015. DOCUMENT 9.
10 Overly, Betty K., Baskets in Kentucky: History, Construction, Collecting, Care and Preservation,
University of Kentucky, College of Agriulture, Cooperative Extension Service, www2.ca.uky.edu, accessed
August 2015.
VanWinkle, Tony N.,
W Basket Makers Project- Comprehensive Report, Mammoth Cave Basket
Makers, www.mammothcavebasketmakers.com, accessed August 2015.
11
13
and descendants who may have received or seen such baskets. We also might search the
advertisements, classifieds, and home making sections of local newspapers to determine
which types of baskets were being made in this area at this time.
We performed a survey of all basket makers reported in the 1880 Census in Kentucky to
determine where this craft was most often practiced as a profession. Of the128 individuals
in Kentucky who reported their profession as basket making in the 1880 Census, 45 lived
in Jefferson County, 16 lived in Boone County, 15 lived in Campbell County and 6 lived in
Kenton County. Other basket makers were well distributed across the central region of the
state. The high concentration of basket makers in the neighboring and relatively small
counties of Boone, Campbell and Kenton and the high concentration of basket makers in
and around Louisville suggest that Andrew Jackson Houston was probably from northcentral Kentucky or at least that his migration brought him through this area.
Finally, the naming patterns for the family suggest that a significant individual in Andrew
Jackson’s family history was a man named John William. Andrew and Nancy’s first three
children were named John William, Nancy Jane and Andrew Jackson Jr. This daughter is
also an important matter of correction. Although the client-provided information indicated
that the couple’s second child and first daughter was named Martha Jane, in every original
record found to date, she has been called Nancy Jane instead. Nancy Jane was probably
named after her mother, Nancy. Likewise, Andrew Jackson Jr. was probably named after his
father. If these assumptions are true, then we might expect that one of Andrew Jackson’s
relatives may have been named John, William, or John William – the namesake of their first
child.
Investigation of Autosomal DNA matches with Houston Ancestry
We next investigated the client’s autosomal DNA matches at Family Tree DNA and
23andMe. The client only has two matches at 23andMe who report the Houston surname
14
among their ancestral surnames: [LIVING4] and [LIVING5]. Both of these matches are
estimated third to distant cousins to the client, but they do not share DNA in common with
each other, which would ordinarily be helpful to us in our investigation.12
At Family Tree DNA, [LIVING] had two close matches who report the Huston surname
spelling in their ancestry: [LIVING6] and [LIVING7]. Both individuals are estimated 2nd-4th
cousins.13 Additionally, there are 8 more individuals who are estimated 3rd-5th cousins who
report the Houston surname in their ancestry including [LIVING8], [LIVING9], [LIVING10],
[LIVING11], [LIVING12], [LIVING13], [LIVING14] and [LIVING15].14 Details regarding each
of these individuals are discussed in more detail below.
The client is a second cousin once removed with [LIVING], and since [LIVING12] appears as
a genetic match to both of them, we know that she is a relative of one of their common
ancestors: John W. Houston (1833-1889) and his wife, Elvira Hubbard. Not only does
[LIVING12] match both descendants, but she matches them on the same 13-15cM segment
on chromosome 10 between base pairs 108 million and 119 million.15 When three
individuals match each other on the same segment of DNA, then their common segment can
most often be assigned to their most recent common ancestor. This process of identifying
shared segments and tracing common ancestry is called triangulation. In addition to the
Houston surname, [LIVING12] also reports the Lodgson surname in her ancestry and
12 DNA Relatives, Genetic match list for [CLIENT], matches who report the Houston surname,
http://23andme.com, subscription database, accessed August 2015.
Family Finder – Matches, Genetic match list for [LIVING] who report the Huston surname,
http://familytreedna.com, subscription database, accessed August 2015.
13
Family Finder – Matches, Genetic match list for [LIVING] who report the Houston surname,
http://familytreedna.com, subscription database, accessed August 2015.
14
15 Family Inheritance Advanced, Chromosome segment comparison between [LIVING12] and
[CLIENT], chromosome 10, https://23andme.com, subscription database, accessed August 2015. DOCUMENT
10; and,
Family Finder – Chromosome Browser, Chromosome segment comparison between [LIVING] and
[LIVING12], chromosome 10, https://familytreedna.com, subscription database, accessed August 2015.
DOCUMENT 11.
15
reports that her Houston and Lodgson ancestors came from Missouri, suggesting that she,
too, is a descendant of Andrew Jackson Houston and Nancy Logsdon.
[LIVING13], a 3rd-5th cousin match at Family Tree DNA, appears to be a close relative of
[LIVING12] since he reports all of the same surnames and has a similar relationship
estimate. He also overlaps [LIVING] on the same segment of chromosome 10.16 He may be a
sibling to [LIVING12] and is likewise a descendant of Andrew Jackson Houston and Nancy
Lodgson.
[LIVING6] reports the Huston surname among his ancestors. A review of his public tree at
Ancestry.com revealed that his great-grandmother, Mary Elizabeth Houston was born in
Kentucky in 1819. She was the daughter of Jonathan Houston and Lydia Harp and the
granddaughter of John Houston (who was born about 1754 and died in 1811 in Nelson
County, Kentucky) and his wife Mary. He shares a large 20cM segment of DNA with
[LIVING] on chromosome 11; however, no other individuals match the client on this
segment, therefore it cannot be used for the absolute triangulation technique which would
require another person.17
[LIVING7] has published and attached a family tree to his genetic profile at Family Tree
DNA. He was the second great-grandson of Catherine Huston who died in Jefferson County,
Illinois. She in turn was the daughter of Robert Huston who died in Trigg County, Kentucky
and the granddaughter of John Huston who died in 1831 in Todd County, Kentucky.
[LIVING7] overlaps with [LIVING] on chromosome 20 on a 19cM long segment.18 There are
two other individuals who also match on this same segment: [LIVING16], and [LIVING17].
Rob Warthen, Autosomal DNA Segment Analyzer ADSA report for [LIVING], threshold 10 cM,
dnagedcom.com, accessed August 2015. DOCUMENT 12j.
16
17 Rob Warthen, Autosomal DNA Segment Analyzer ADSA report for [LIVING], threshold 10 cM,
dnagedcom.com, accessed August 2015. DOCUMENT 12k.
Rob Warthen, Autosomal DNA Segment Analyzer ADSA report for [LIVING], threshold 10 cM,
dnagedcom.com, accessed August 2015. DOCUMENT 12s.
18
16
Although we might expect [LIVING16] to be related to the [LIVING13] mentioned above,
there is no indication that this is the case.
Due to time constraints, we were unable to research the other matches with reported
Huston ancestry at this time. However, they should be investigated at a future date. We
have performed a DNA GEDCOM analysis on [LIVING]’s results and they are included in the
documents section of this report. These tables can be used to identify groups of matches
who are related to each other and who likely share a common ancestor.19
Investigation of the Ancestry of [LIVING3], the client’s Y-DNA match at Family Tree
DNA
Since the client and [LIVING3] share a common Y-chromosome signature which has a
unique identifying mutation, we know that they share a direct-line paternal ancestor.
[LIVING3] reports that his most distant known paternal ancestor was Jesse Huston who
died in 1879 in Richland County, Ohio. He also identified his most distant known maternal
ancestor as Margarita Powell who also died in Richland County. It seems, however, that
[LIVING3] mistakenly interpreted this part of his profile as asking for the wife of his most
distant known paternal ancestor. (He should instead have reported his own mother’s most
distant female relative.)
The death record of Jesse’s son, James Huston, reports that the deceased’s mother, and
Jesse’s wife, Margaret Powell, was born in Richland County, Ohio. It also specifies that Jesse
was born in Columbiana County, Ohio.20 We found the 1850 Census for Jesse Huston and
19 Rob Warthen, Autosomal DNA Segment Analyzer ADSA report for [LIVING], threshold 10 cM,
dnagedcom.com, accessed August 2015. DOCUMENT 12a-t.
20
Ohio Deaths, 1908-1953 (index and images), Death Certificate for James Huston, 29 April 1923,
Greenwich, Huron, Ohio, https://familysearch.org, accessed August 2015. DOCUMENT 13.
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his family living in Franklin, Richland, Ohio which reported that Jesse was born in about
1812 in Ohio.21
An obituary was also found for James Huston which described his death on 29 April 1879
in Shiloh, Ohio. Jesse Huston, an old and highly respected citizen of this place, was
instantly killed today by being thrown from his wagon.
22
The obituary did not include
information about Jesse’s origins or parentage, stating only that he left a wife and a large
family of grown children.
Fortunately, we found an entry for one of Jesse’s grandsons, Charles Henry Huston, in A
Centennial Biographical History of Richland County, Ohio which provides more information
regarding Jesse’s origin:23
Jesse Huston, the grandfather of the immediate subject of this review, was of good
old Scottish stock and was a native of the Keystone state, emigrating from
Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, to Ohio, when a young man of twenty years,
locating first in Weller township, Richland county, and later removing to Jackson
township, where he was a successful agriculturist for many years. He married
Margaret Thrush, and his death occurred in the year 1879, at which time he had
attained the venerable age of seventy-five years. Jesse and Margaret Huston were
the parents of two sons and four daughters, James, the father of our subject, being
the youngest in order of birth. The others are noted as follows : Ira Huston, of
Blooming Grove township; Mary, the wife of David Bowls, of Mifflin township;
Maggie, the wife of David Sampsel, of Butler township; Nancy, the wife of John
Wolfe, of Cass township ; and Elizabeth, who married Shannon Weaver, of Blooming
Grove township, now deceased.
21
1850 U.S. Census (Population Schedule), Franklin, Richland, Ohio, page 315A, household of Jesse
Huston, http://ancestry.com, accessed August 2015. DOCUMENT 14.
22 Shiloh, Ohio. Fatal Accident, Cincinnati Enquirer, 30 April 1879, Newspapers.com, accessed
August 2015. DOCUMENT 15.
Baughman, A.J. A Centennial Biographical History of Richland County, Ohio,” (Chicago: The Lewis
Publishing Company, 1901), archive.org, accessed August 2015.
23
18
This record stated that Jesse Huston came from Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, even
though all contemporary records suggest that he was born in Ohio. Even if this narrative is
not entirely correct regarding Jesse’s origins it could suggest that the family had a tradition
of their ancestors migrating from Pennsylvania – a reasonable expectation given Richland
County’s proximity to the Pennsylvania border.
Though there are several public trees at Ancestry.com and other sites that report various
parents for Jesse Huston, there does not appear to be any strong consensus among
researchers. In future research we might investigate Jesse Huston’s ancestry further and
then search for descendants of his ancestors who immigrated to Kentucky in order to
better identify the origins and ancestry of Andrew Jackson Huston.
Conclusion
Through this research period we were able to identify the client’s ancestor Andrew Jackson
Houston in several census records, each of which confirmed that he was born in Kentucky.
Based on his profession, we were able to map his likely origins to north-central Kentucky
through a survey of all basket makers enumerated in the 1880 Census in the state. We also
determined a likely migration pattern from Kentucky to Illinois and later to Missouri which
would have placed Andrew Jackson Houston in the central part of the state and possibly in
the areas surrounding Louisville.
Next, we found several genetic matches both in the client’s Y-DNA test results and in her
autosomal DNA test results who report the Houston surname in their ancestry. Several of
these individuals also reported descent from Andrew Jackson Houston and Nancy
Lodgston. Many of the matches of [LIVING] reported descent from Houston families in
Kentucky or Pennsylvania. By tracing additional records regarding the client’s closest YDNA match at Family Tree DNA, [LIVING3], we determined that his most distant known
paternal ancestor, Jesse Huston, was born in Ohio, but likely had ancestry in Pennsylvania.
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Though we were not able to identify the parents of Andrew Jackson Houston during this
research period, we did uncover several clues that could lead to their identification in the
future.
We enjoyed the opportunity to work on this project and look forward to pursuing
additional research in the future, according to your direction.
PAW/keb
©2015 Legacy Tree Genealogists
https://legacytree.com
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