A Reasonably Exhaustive Research is Never Complete

The Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS) is standard for genealogist and family historian developed in the late 1990’s to ensure credibility in the research process and lineage documentation.

There are 5  elements to the Genealogist Proof Standard. The Standard can be read in it’s entirety at: http://www.bcgcertification.org/resources/standard.html

The first element of the GPS is - a Reasonably exhaustive research

I have been researching my family surnames for 40 years and spent a great amount of this time researching the Davis-Rivers families of South Carolina. Over those 40 years I have collected a massive amount of data and documents on these families and I would say that I have definitely completed a Reasonably exhaustive research of theses families.

Yet after all the effort over the past 40 years, yesterday on-line I found a key document related to the Rivers families and it’s been available for the past 176 years. When I think of the number of individuals doing research on these Chesterfield County families I cannot fathom how this newspaper notice had not been found prior to my find yesterday. It’s just totally unbelievable and why I say: A Reasonably Exhaustive Research is Never Complete. 

A little background and history. In 1975 when I first became interested in my ancestors I had just arrived via the Air Force at the local Air Force Base in Ogden, Utah. I had never heard of the LDS Library and knew absolutely nothing about Genealogy. I quickly learned that I had a 3rd Cousin twice removed, a descendant of Mark Rivers, b. 1824 in Chesterfield, South Carolina living in the local area. Betty Lee and I became dear friends until her death in August 2015.

Her researched help jump start my Rivers research and for the next 39 years we shared all our research.
Sometime between 1830 and 1840 several families migrated from Chesterfield to Hinds County, Mississippi.  Among those families with Moses Holifield and his wife Amelia Rivers. Along with Moses and Amelia was her brother Mark S. Rivers and his wife Irena Catherine Hancock.   Also among the group was a Dryman family. Mark, Elizabeth, and Amelia Rivers were joined by their brother Luke Rivers and his family between 1850 and 1860. For years I have known that this family was related to the Rivers families but it wasn’t until yesterday that I learned the Mother of this family was Elizabeth Rivers and her husband John Dryman. Elizabeth Rivers Dryman is the sister of Amelia  and Mark Rivers.

Yesterday, while browsing Chronicling America newspaper I found this newspaper clipping on these families.



SOUTH CAROLINA,
Chesterfield District.
John B. Rivers applicant vs Ann Rivers (Widow), Wm. Rivers and wife Elizabeth, Moses Holifield and wife Amelia, Matthew Rivers, John Dryman and wife Elizabeth, Mark Rivers, Luke Rives and Samuel Rivers Defendants.
It appearing to my satisfaction that Ann Rivers, Moses Holifield and wife Amellia, Matthew Rivers, John Dryman and wife Elizabeth, Mark Rivers, Luke Rivers and Samuel Rivers reside without this State, it is ordered that they do appear and object to the division or sale of the Real Estate of Mark Rivers deceased on or before the 12^th day of April next or their consent, will be entered off record.
T. Bryan
O.C.D.
January 27, 1831
[Farmer Gazette and Cheraw Advertiser, February 03, 1841, page 47, image 3]

SHERRIF’S SALE
By Order of the Court of Ordinary will be sold at Chesterfield Court House on the first Monday in June next within the legal hours the real estate of Mark Rivers deceased, in said District consisting of one tract of land containing forty acres, more or less, lying on Clay Creek, bounded on the North by the state line, west and south by Wm. Carter, and east by lands belonging to the estate of Thomas Horne.
Conditions: - As much cash as will pay the expense of this sale, with a credit until the first day of January next on the balance, purchaser giving bond bearing interest from the day of sale, with good personal security and mortgage, if required to the Ordinary. Purchases paying for necessary papers.
John Evans
Shff. C. D.
Chesterfield C. H. May 11, 1841
[Farmers’ Gazette, and Cheraw Advertiser, May 26, 1841, Page 112, Image 4]

This is the Estate lands of Mark Rivers, b. between 1780-1784 and married 3 times, Sarah Brown, Elizabeth York and Annie Parker.  The children mentioned above are children of Mark Rivers and Annie Parker.

Is this the last piece of information in a lengthly exhaustive search. I think not, there more to be found making a Reasonably exhaustive research never ending. 

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[1] Chronicling America website - http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/
[Farmer Gazette and Cheraw Advertiser, February 03, 1841, page 47, image 3]
[Farmers’ Gazette, and Cheraw Advertiser, May 26, 1841, Page 112, Image 4]