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Maria Grimly Keely Family
Prepared using Family Search Data
See notes below the Fan Chart
Challenges of Family History Research
The Grimly and Keely families illustrate several challenges frequently encountered in genealogical research.
Sisters Elizabeth? Apparently
Maria’s mother, Elizabeth Weinacht Reimer (1738–1821), appears to have had an older sister of the same name (1716–1802). Reusing the name of a deceased child was common in the eighteenth century, but in this case available evidence suggests that both Elizabeths may have lived at the same time. Clarifying this question will require closer examination of church baptismal and burial registers, probate files, and other contemporaneous records.
Solomon After Solomon After Solomon
Another common source of confusion is the repeated use of given names across generations. In the Grimly family, several men were named Solomon, making it difficult to distinguish individuals without careful comparison of land deeds, tax lists, wills, estate inventories, and church records. Additional primary research in these sources is needed to determine how Maria Grimly Keely’s grandson came to bear the surname Grimly.
We are fortunate Maria’s grandson Solomon K Grimly included this family information.
“She was a born Grimly the Daughter of Solomon Grimly and Elizabeth Grimly (Born Elisabeth Reimer daughter of Frederick Reimer.) Said Mary or Maria Grimly was Born April the 11th 1763. And married to Valentine Keely son of Henry Keely and Anna Margaretha Held August 14th 1787 by Rev J Thd Faber.”
From the introduction written by Maria’s grandson, Solomon Grimly
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