Family Tracks and Tales

Like many budding genealogists, I started by looking at direct ancestors, seeking to build a linear tree back through generations. But a great great great uncle, Isaac E. Lanier, posed a tantalizing mystery I am still exploring.

Ingersoll’s Lanier compilation states that Isaac was born in 1817, “went to California in 1849 and disappeared”. However, a family copy of this book has a pencilled note, crossing out “California” and substituting “Australia”. No further information is provided, nor have any further family stories of Isaac survived.

Of course, if he did go to California in 1849, he was not alone. The Gold Rush drew hordes of people westward. And having reached
California, perhaps he might have continued to Australia.

My strategy has been as follows:

1. Look for any available Tennessee records (birth, census, probate) for Isaac and his immediate family.
2. Look for any available evidence of an Isaac E. Lanier in California starting in 1849.
3. Look for any relevant California vital records.
4. Look for any other evidence of his whereabouts prior to 1849.
5. Find out if he could have traveled from California to Australia after 1849, and if so, what Australian records might exist.
6. Seek to distinguish him from other contemporary Isaac Laniers.

To be continued…