While the large internet web sites can be full of mistakes, they do make available images of the United States Census reports. Although they can have incorrect spelling or errors from the interviewed family members, they are fairly close to primary sources. In the 1860 census I first found Lucy Durham in Beloit, Wisconsin. William Clark Durham’s account of our family history fleshed out this entry for me.
He had told me that she had been born June 13, 1853, in Beloit, Wisconsin, the 12th child of Benjamin and Elizabeth, attended Beloit High and then went to Chicago to the Chicago Art School. Here she took special training and stayed in Chicago from 1873 until 1892 working as an artist. For the next ten years “she gave herself to missionary labors among the Chinese in San Francisco, learning the language and preparing herself for work abroad.”
From these two initial bits I was given an opportunity to explore her life further. First, what was the “Chicago Art School” in 1873? Secondly, where would she have been for those ten years in San Francisco? My current primary source research is exploring those two openings.
I have located the school of the Chicago Art Institute, perhaps the forerunner of the Chicago Art School. The internet provides access to numerous archives, such as that of the Art Institute, and I am currently connecting with the archivist there to see what was offered in 1873 and also what “special training” might have entailed. I enjoy the connection with my own history of years teaching at a museum connected art college.
I also found an address in the 1900 census for Lucy in San Francisco. Using Google to locate the address, I learned that it is currently the home of the American Chinese Presbyterian Church. It also now houses the American Chinese Presbyterian Missionary Society. This would seem to validate the comment about the “missionary labors among the Chinese in San Francisco.” Now to ask the archivist at the American Chinese Presbyterian Missionary Society what they may have somewhere about Lucy Durham.
The first time I read Durham’s book I had merely skimmed over these details. Looking back now I see the first two major clues pointing me toward further pieces of the story of my great-great-Aunt Lucy. As you can tell from this post, there is nothing quick about research. But I delight in the work and look forward to being able to resurrect more of the story of this intriguing woman.
Saved By Words 
What an adventure to piece together the history of your great-great aunt! I may endeavor to trace some of my more colorful ancestors in the future and I’m happy you’re sharing your methods along the way.
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It is a slow process for sure. But, it is so exciting when you find gold.
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It is especially rewarding since she had no children to carry on her story.
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Well done!
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So exciting!
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I love that anyone finds research exciting. I clearly live in the right corner of the blogging world.
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This must be a lot of work but so satisfying!
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Perhaps you could get the immortal Chinese American detective Charlie Chan to help in the American Chinese Presbyterian search in San Francisco. You may think Charlie is long dead, but because he’s fictional, he lives on forever! 😀
Kidding aside, this is great stuff. Looking forward to the next ‘episode.’
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Great idea!!
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It is amazing what you can track down and the seemingly relative institutions that exist to this day. It will be fascinating to see where this search takes you.
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I am learning a lot about China. Previously I knew nothing about it.
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I do not know much about China either. Maybe I will learn something from your research. 🤗
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I enjoy reading about your research.
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Thanks. Even though it isn’t your family, I hope to remain engaging.
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Your research is slow and detailed, and that is how it should be done. As such, you have gained much information about Lucy. I hope you find out more about the school, and her 10 years in San Francisco before going abroad.
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I am now having to learn about the mission in San Francisco in 1900. Who knew?
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Yes, who knew!
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It must be thrilling to add more pieces to that jigsaw, and watch them fit together nicely.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Rather like the research process you do for your serials I think.
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It is quite an adventure!
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For sure!
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One of the issues my family has with tracing our ancestry is that surnames changed every generation once we get back to 19th century Sweden. But I have a cousin who is doing what you’re doing and she has added valuable information to our family history.
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So interesting & yes it’s a slow journey of discovery with Family history.
Blessings,
Jennifer
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That sounds fascinating. Thank you for sharing.
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