Person:Axtah Finch (1)

The Van Gorders (Axtah, William) along with William's sister, Thirza and her two young sons, left Michigan in 1878. While crossing Iowa, Thirza fell terribly ill and was sick for several weeks, thus halting the trip westward. While Thirza was recuperating, William had staked a claim and built a home for them. While in Iowa, the Van Gorders had two more children, Alice May and Florence Lena. After four years, the Van Gorders packed up and headed west once again. They would not arrive in Sheridan until 1890. Often, when near Indian settlements, the Van Gorders would be offered blankets, beads among other things in exchange for Alice, who the Indians adored as a result of her blonde hair. After realizing the danger to Alice, the Van Gorders hid her among the blankets whenever Indians were near.

(Research):Problem: Unable to find Axtah and Joseph Finch in any census, in particular the 1860 and 1870 censuses.

Previous research: 1. Searched censuses for Joseph Finch and Axtah through Ancestry.com with no positive results. Tried various spellings of Axtah and Finch with no positive results. As a consequence of not having information that I felt was entirely accurate. Previous information conflicts saying that Axtah was either born in Canada or Handy, Livingston, MI.

Research, 12/2/2006 1. Looked through the 1860 census for Handy, Livingston, Michigan (unsure of how I came about this information) page by page and located Joseph Fench with (presumably his daughters) Mary, age 6, and Achsa, age 8.

The information from the 1860 census suggests that Joseph may have been born in New York State, which conflicts with previous information that suggests that Joseph was English. The census does confirm the possibility that Axtah was born in Canada. This might suggest that Joseph and family migrated to Michigan from New York through Canada.

It also indicates that Joseph is without a wife, which is a feeling that I have had for some time, in part because of the lack of any positive results in finding this family in any records.

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 (i)Collected notes of Cecil Lupton(/i).
2. ↑ ^2.0 2.1 Sheridan County Genealogical Society, (i)Sheridan Municipal Cemetery(/i).
3.   JOSEPH FINCH 1822 CANADA,NY,MICH,md Lucy; Finch name forum, genealogy.com, (http:/genforum.genealogy.com/finch/), message number 738, J.
4. ↑ (i)Mrs. William Van Gorden obituary, Sheridan Press, Sheridan, Wyoming, 25 October 1918, page 7, column 1.(/i).
5.   JOSEPH FINCH 1822 CANADA,NY,MICH,md Lucy; Finch name forum, genealogy.com, (http:/genforum.genealogy.com/finch/), message number 738, J.

   She is listed as Exie.

6. ↑ She is listed as Achsa.
7. ↑ Axie Van Gorder, age 27, keeping house, born Canada, father born Ireland, mother born Ireland
8. ↑ Axtah Van Gorder, age 32, born Canada, married
9. ↑ «i»Dies at Boulder
   A message has just been received telling of the death of Mrs. William Van Gorden, which occured at Boulder, Colorado, Wednesday night. Deceased formerly resided in Sheridan county and the remains will be sent here for interment. Funeral arrangements have not been made but the services will be held at the Champion & SHannon chapel.«/i»