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Cowgill Cousin Newsletter |
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Notes from our President What a great time in Indianapolis! So now I am looking forward to Charleston, WV in 2009. Karen and Mark Mappes did a super job making the reunion a success. Slim Karen at the wheel of one of the two big vans was a sight to behold. Our special thanks to them for their time and effort in hosting the flock in Indianapolis... an interesting city. Someone once asked me if the purpose of the reunion was a genealogical session or a social gathering. The answer, of course, is a bit of both. Many of us attend to visit with the long-time friends we've made of "many-times-removed cousins" who we've met at earlier reunions. It's always a pleasure to see regulars ... Mary from Cambridge, Jack from Texas, Barbara from California, Raye and Carolyn from Nebraska among others. A geographic spread! Each reunion features some interesting first-time attendees, such as the families from Kentucky and Michigan. We look forward to a growing list of returning cousins in West Virginia. Reunions do have genealogical value. For those not into family research my computer can spot all lines and provide an overview of new finds for the Cowgill family tree. Several of the first time attendees provided much needed corrections and additions. And, there were several who came with questions that we were able to answer. (For more on DNA discoveries see below) What was amazing was the number of Daniel Cowgill descendants who came to the reunion - that's a first! We "John-ies" were outnumbered by "Ralph-ies" for probably the only reunion ever! Perry Cowgill, President |
A good time in Indianapolis. Conner Prairie is a fascinating historic site covering many acres where one can see circa 1886 farm life at Liberty Corner ... or walk in the shoes of a pioneer in 1836 Prairie Town ... meet baby animals and tour the Connor homestead ... strike a deal with the fur trader at the Lenape Indian camp. Fortunately, the rain came down only while we were eating our box lunch under a large awning which we shared with an Amish family group. The sky cleared as the Cowgill group spread out on this historic venture. There was so much to see starting with dioramas in the museum building. The banquet in the new church hall gave everyone a chance to witness the 2006 trip to Yorkshire thanks to Perry's slide presentation. Again, we were able to see the UK Cowgill cousins that have been identified by male Y-Chromosome DNA with their spouses. Rev. Michael Cowgill of Sutton-in-Craven and Harry Cowgill in Waddington. We also saw the Carr family at Lee Gate farm that long ago was Cowgill House. On a walk through the cow pastures one could see in the distance Cow Gill Cote, a sheep station in the 1400s, that belonged to the Cistercian monks of Fountains Abbey that Dr. George Redmonds states was the origin of our surname. Officers Elected Perry Cowgill: President |
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Our happy group included:
Parker Cowgill,
Altadena, CA |
DNA proves a link ... What happens when you're about to host a Cowgill reunion and you don't have proof that your Cowgill line exists? You find a male Cowgill cousin for the DNA project. As Carl Eugene Cowgill (Gene) writes: "I received an e-mail addressed "Dear Sonny', a name not used since I was seven, from a Karen Mappes. If my first cousin's name were not in the subject line I would have deleted it as spam." Gene found the DNA project really interested him as he had had very little contact with the Cowgill side of the family while growing up. There was even a question by some that he was a Cowgill. Having contacted Rod Cowgill a few years ago, Gene had a genealogy on paper, down from Ralph, but no proof... until the Family Tree DNA (familytreedna.com) 25 marker test results came back. Gene says, "Not only did I confirm who I am, but I have now established contact with a family member I didn't know. It's great to be a part of a wonderful family!". Welcome Gene! So the line is: Ralph's second wife Susannah, Isaac, George, Daniel, George, Daniel L., Walter Daniel and William Clement. Living in Tuscan, AZ Gene was not able to get to the Indianapolis reunion. On the other hand ... a Cougle from Nova Scotia (yes we have Loyalist cousins) who had a line on paper down from John contacted Perry. He took the 25 marker DNA test. The first 12 marker test results showed a match, but with the 25 marker test results the lines of the Cougle and Cowgill family had obviously branched off. That's why the 25 marker or 37 marker test is important. Albert Thomas Cowgill, who attended the reunion with his family, has also participated in the Cow-gill DNA project with a 12 marker test. He has been able to trace his Cowgill line with the help of Beatrice's genealogy. |
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On to Charleston, West Virginia Gayle Cowgill Vest and her husband Ben have graciously offered to host the next Cowgill Cousins gathering in 2009. In this case. Gayle's father. Clyde (who was at the last reunion at 90+) has taken the Cowgill DNA 25 marker test and has a match! This reunion will be a wonderful opportunity for those of us not familiar with West Virginia to make the trip. Gayle is asking cousins to offer suggestions or, better yet, volunteer to help in 2009. (153 Oakwood Ests., Scott Depot, WV 25560 - mountainib@suddenlink.net Gayle suggests that Christmas cards to the family include a note about the 2009 reunion! |
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In Memorium ... Willie Frances Cowgill writes that her husband Oscar Cowgill died in March 2007 at the age of 94, a long life. From Houston, Texas they enjoyed attending several reunions. Lynn Cowgill wrote with the sad news that Tom Cowgill had lost his courageous battle with cancer. Tom and Lynn were on the first Cowgill trip to Yorkshire in 1993, a great contribution to a congenial group. Also Tom was the first "Ralph" to take the DNA test! Tom, you are missed. Even more tragic, Tom and Lynn learned before he died that their daughter Paula Cowgill Gmelch had been killed by an out of control SUV in San Francisco. Paula was a member of the 2006 Cowgill trip to Yorkshire. Her enthusiasm was delightful. She had many admirers. A Memorial Garden has been established in her name at Iowa State University, College of Human Services. If you Google Paula Cowgill Gmelch you will see what has been created in her memory. |
Dues for 2008 Please send a check for $10 written to Cowgill Cousins and addressed to: Carolyn Cowgill Fillipis, 912 Avon Drive #6, Cambridge, OH 43725 Name: .......................................................................... Address: ...................................................................... City: ................................... State:........ Zip................ Your E-mail Address Please! .............................................. |
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