Van Amber - Van Amber Family Letter - page 1

     I am not sure where I found this letter. I believe it was written by  Mrs. Florence VanAmber Gaffaney. I believe she died in 1982. I must have received it from a relative of hers. I am trying to find the relative that must have posted the information about her on line on various genealogy forums. In the upper right hand corner it reads $3.25 for the document.

FORWARD

     In the beginning, my intention was to work on the , I visited Gladys Hutton, of Redwood, N.Y. and a James VanAmber, at Syracuse, N.Y.. We visited at Alexandria Bay, on the St. Lawrence River, and viewed the Thousand Is, I also saw VanAmber graves at So. Lawrence River, and viewed the Lewis family "tree" -- my paternal grandparents' ancestors. I have always been curious, and proud of my heritage.

     Several years ago, after our family was grown, I began genealogy work as a boggy. I visited the library in Alexandria, and found much information on how to go about researching a family "tree". I sent for books pamphlets, wrote to Clerk of Courts, Historical Societies, churches, relatives, anywhere I might get the smallest clue to our ancestors. Because many records were not kept years ago, and many have been destroyed by fire, etc., searching can be a tremendous job. But, I find genealogy a fascinating and educational hobby. All of the "pieces of the family tree will never be complete, but the "disease" of hunting and researching is in my system, and I believe it is there to stay. Even as I write this, I am awaiting the mail, in hopes of some information.

     My intentions are to make copies of the family tree to give to the Minnesota Hist. Society, as well as the one at Alexandria Bay, New York. Some day, I intend giving my Civil War letters and papers to the Minn. Hist. Society in St.Paul, under the heading "VanAmber-Lewis-Cook: papers.

     In recent years, I have been corresponding with VanAmber cousins, descendents of James VanAmber, the Methodist Minister, brother of my grandfather, George Wesley VanAmber. In the summer of 1972, I visited Gladys Hutton, of Redwood, M.Y. and a James VanAmbers, at Syracuse, N.Y.. We visited at Alexandria Bay, on the St. Lawrence River, and viewed the ThousandIs, I also saw Vanamber graves at Plessis, M.Y.. William Wallace VanAmber, son of James, is buried there, along side of James' wife. After James' death, his wife re- married, and the inscription on her stone reads "Mary Ann Ivers (1816-1874), former wife of James VanAmber".

     I also correspond with another James' descendents, Mrs. Ethel Scott, in Columbus, Ohio.

     VanAmver cousins in NewYork State inform me there is a "VanAmber" Road in Naumburg, New York, named after the VanAmbers of that area. Naumburg is near Watertown, New York.

      Only recently, I was given the name of a Hiram VanAmber in Maryland. He is 90 yrs of age, and in a rest-home, but his daughter, Helen Johnson, answered, and gave me the family tree. Also, Hiram's brother, Wilbur, lives in Sarasota, Florida. I have written his daughter, and am awaiting a reply. These VanAmber ancestors were born at Alexandria Bay, and Watertown area, so we can easily assume they are relation. They inform me the original name was VonAmburg,  and gradually changed to VanAmber. I shall have to look into that! Beckwith VanAmbber, the grandfather of Hiram and Wilbur could be the brother of my grandfather, George, and his brother James. Helen VanAmber Johnson also said there is an "old VanAmber cemetery" near Carthage, New York.

     As I finish the following history, with data, I expect to have more to add. In the meantime, I go on with the renewed spirits every time I go to the mail box, and come back with a letter. The thrill of the discovery of an ancestor, or descendant, and the history that goes with it is there!

NOTE: Typed this October, 1973, at our farm home in Hudson Township, 12 miles South East of Alexandria, Minnesota.

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