Haunted and Historic Stateline – Genealogy of Haunted Houses

 

Haunted and Historic Stateline –

Genealogy of Haunted Houses

12-4-2018

By Vicki Ruthe Hahn

SGS – self described Stateline Genealogy Sorter

Beloit Public Library hosted a Halloween Program October 29, 2018 with 54 attending.  I don’t even know how I have been assigned to host these programs every year, but it has given me insight into some angles of genealogy that I never considered before the last few years.  I really don’t like this aspect of Halloween, but attending and hosting the programs has been interesting.  You may have read my companion posting “Other Travelers – Part 1 – Genealogy Psychic Abilities and Me. Do Folks with Psychic Abilities Have an Easier Time Doing Genealogy?”

This year,  paranormal investigator and local historian Kathi Kresol, and spirit medium Sara Bowker joined us for local ghost stories:

Sara Bowker, Vicki Ruthe Hahn, and Kathi Kresol

Sara Bowker and some of her fans.

 

Kathi has written some books about the topic which we have at the Beloit Public Library to check out:

Haunted Rockford, Illinois

Publisher Haunted America, Publication Date 2017

133.109773 KRESOL

Murder & Mayhem in Rockford, Illinois

Publisher The History Press,Publication Date 2015

977.331 KRESOL

Kathi and Sara talked about many things that go bump in the night!  They explained that spiritual is tied to the land, and that Native American Indians had a lifestyle that honored that.  Spirits thus are found near Indian Mounds.  Other geographical features that influence the attraction of spirits are running water, and limestone.  Now, can you say “Rockton IL, Rockford IL, and Beloit WI?

Fear and charged emotions can feed spirits strong attraction to a location.  Historic war re-enactments can trigger spirits activity as well.  They mentioned that even a piece of antique furniture from a troubled situation, or a rock from Alcatraz Island Prison can be haunted.

Paranormal research groups have studied the Stephen Mack house in Macktown (Pecatonic) IL, Tinker Swiss Cottage in Rockford IL, and Hanchett-Bartlett Homestead (an 1857 Victorian farmstead house) in Beloit WI.  All three have been tested as having paranormal activity, and ghosts.

A trio of ghosts – presumed to be Stephen Mack, his wife Honnenegah, and their son who died young, have been sighted walking together by the Macktown house in the cemetery where they are buried.  Several young child ghosts have been sighted at the Beloit Homestead – one even having a mischievous personality that matches one of the families son who died early.

These ideas may spark some interesting insights on doing genealogical research on a house.  Even if you you are not “sensitive” to the presence of spirits, you may want to be aware that there are people who do feel that.

I am not, but even I could feel a profound sadness and something strongly while visiting the Battleground of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.  So many thousands of men killed in War there in three days of battles.

At any rate, this is just one very small angle of “How to do the Genealogy of a House”, which will be the subject of the program  that I am researching for the Stateline Genealogy Club @ Beloit Public Library to present on December 13, 2019.  Be looking for the complete list of 2019 Stateline Genealogy Club @ Beloit Public Library Programs soon!

Preparatory Schools Were the Early High Schools

Preparatory Schools

Were the Early High Schools

Vicki’s note – This information about the Beloit Seminary/Preparatory/Academy is quoted from the online Beloit College Archives site. 

Hints:

-We can often find information about the local history of a locality at a college near that community. If you are lucky, the information may be on-line.

-The locations of institutions may change locations  from one building/address to another through it’s history.

-Depending on the time period, you may have to look for alternatives for where your ancestor went to “high” school. “Many preparatory schools were opened across the country due to the lack of public high schools in certain areas. Once high schools were built many preparatory schools closed. “

-There is a lot of information in print that you will not find on-line i.e. “approximately 6 linear feet (10 boxes, including oversize flat boxes, loose documents)”.

-An institution may have it’s origins very early in the history of a community, and it may not have actually been established right away.  I.E.  Beloit was first settled in 1836  – “The origins of the Academy stem from the Beloit Seminary, an institution that itself began life in the form of a charter written in 1837, but did not actually form until 1843.”

– Women may have combined or separate schools; and nearby communities (even across state lines) may have organizational connections.  “…1849. However, after it became the Academy women were no longer allowed to attend. At that time the Rockford Female Seminary (Rockford, Illinois) was opened.”

 

 

“The Beloit Academy, also called the Preparatory Department, evolved from the Beloit Seminary in 1849. However, after it became the Academy women were no longer allowed to attend. At that time the Rockford Female Seminary (Rockford, Illinois) was opened. Classes were held in the basement of a new church nearby until the chapel was completed on campus. The Academy prepared men for entrance into Beloit College or other colleges. Many preparatory schools were opened across the country due to the lack of public high schools in certain areas. Once high schools were built many preparatory schools closed. Until the Academy closed in 1910, enrollment in the Academy usually exceeded the college enrollment.

Beloit College Academy Records (AC 16) Beloit College Archives:

https://www.beloit.edu/archives/documents/archival_collections/beloitacademy/

This collection contains Beloit Academy (also called the Preparatory Department) administrative materials such as student registers, grade books, and catalogues, as well as publications (Junta Climax) and alumni correspondence and other materials created by Academy students.  Additionally, there is a compilation of transcripts of articles and meeting minute excerpts concerning the Academy, gathered by Beloit College Professor Robert K. Richardson.

The Beloit College Academy, at one time called the Preparatory Department, was a preparatory school for Beloit College from around 1848 to 1910. It originally focused on study of the classics, and then grew to also include courses in business, English, and science.

The origins of the Academy stem from the Beloit Seminary, an institution that itself began life in the form of a charter written in 1837, but did not actually form until 1843…”