Oops! A Lesson Learned
As someone who prides himself on his genealogical research, I got a lesson in fact-checking a few years ago.
All my life, my parents and grandparents had told me that my ancestor Lorenzo Van Cleve had done much of the carpentry and cabinetwork in the Texas capitol, which the State Preservation Board describes as “an extraordinary example of late 19th century public architecture … widely recognized as one of the nation’s most distinguished state capitols.”
As a young boy, I was always proud to say my great-great-granddaddy built the capitol in Austin. When I had children of my own, I took them to the capitol and pointed with pride at the work our ancestor had done.
In 1988, the state of Texas held a Centennial celebration on the capitol grounds to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the dedication of building in 1888. When I realized for the first time that the capitol was built in 1888, I knew I had a problem. My second great grandfather – Lorenzo Van Cleve who was supposed to have done much of the carpentry and cabinetwork in the building – died in 1858!
Then I did the research I should have done long before. I found a receipt made out to Lorenzo Van Cleve and signed by Mirabeau Lamar, President of the Republic of Texas, for work done at the capitol – the original capitol building in Austin that was described by one Austin visitor as “without any pretensions to architectural beauty.” It was a small, plain, one-story building of approximately 800 square feet located several blocks away from today’s capitol building. Lorenzo Van Cleve had done minor repairs on an existing building.
I learned, however, that he did build a platform for a ceremony at noon on February 19, 1846, when the last President of the Republic of Texas, Anson Jones, lowered the flag of the Republic of Texas for the last time, saying, “The Republic of Texas is no more.” Then James Pickney Henderson, the first governor of the state of Texas, raised the same flag again – this time as the state flag of the 28th state in the United States.
Though I tried to correct the error with as many people as possible, who knows how many childhood schoolmates, family friends … even strangers were misled because I failed to follow the most basic rule of genealogy: research and document everything!
[tags] genealogy, research, Texas Capitol, Lorenzo Van Cleve[/tags]
Writing the Westward Sagas » Blog Archive » Sharing Family History with Cousins I Didn’t Know I Had
[...] Margaret Smith Cleve, her husband John’s ancestors. An Internet search led her to my post Oops! A Lesson Learned, in which I talked about my ancestor Lorenzo Van Cleve. She left me a comment, and we started to [...]
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Thank you for the information, Becky. I will respond privately to you in e-mail.
Becky Van Cleve
David,
Hello! I am Becky Van Cleve married to John B. Van Cleve of New Braunfels, Texas. I have worked on Van Cleve Geneology since before my husband and I were married. My father-in-law was Archie Van Cleve. For us the Van Cleve line from Lorenzo is: Lorenzo Dow Van Cleve, Alfondy Van Cleve, Wesley Van Cleve, Archie Van Cleve, John B. Van Cleve and our son JonMikel B. Van Cleve. Alfondy and your Elnora Van Cleve Brown were brother and sister.
I have also researched Lorenzo Van Cleve who worked on the Capital Building of Texas. He, as you found out, built a lot of the furniture for the “original – FIRST – Capital of Texas” and for some of the congressmen and senators. I have many copies of the receipts for this work. He also had one of the first Cabinet Shops in Austin and built a rocking chair that was mentioned in a book by Ima Hogg, daughter of Govenor Hogg.
While he may not have contributed to the current capital building, I feel that he was a major contributor to our great state. He was there!! He was a part of the beginnings of our great state, for whatever reason he chose to come here. I understand that he also built a bed that he traded to Anson Jones that is on display (?) at the Anson Jones museum.
Anyway, years ago, Dennis Kulvecki mailed me copies of the family pages of Elnora’s Bible that he got from you (I think?). Is is still in good enough condition that maybe I could get those copies again – maybe e-mailed to me – ? The copies I received were not real good. I thought that maybe you might be able to scan them on your computer.
Anyway, nice chatting with you and yes, it is important to, as you say, do your research….before telling the story. I’ve never had time to go to Austin to see if any of the furniture he built still exists today. Once, the librarian at the State of Texas Library told me that it is possible.
Also, did anyone in your family ever know for sure just where Margaret “Peggy” Smith Van Cleve died and was buried. Lorenzo is supposed to be buried in or near Bastrop, according to some of Caswell Bell Van Cleve’s children.
Thanks for your page,
Becky Deal Van Cleve
Lillie Ammann
What a funny story, David!
Knowing that you juggle a business, writing, speaking, genealogy, and lots of volunteer activities, I’ve tagged you for a meme. I wrote a post on my blog about life balance, and at the suggestion of another blogger, I’ve turned it into a meme.
Here are the instructions on my blog:
To participate, write a post about balance in life and link back to this post: http://lillieammann.com/blog/?p=133. Answer any or all of the following questions or simply share your thoughts about life balance.
How do you achieve balance in your life?
What is your biggest challenge in balancing your life?
What are your priorities?
How have your priorities changed over time and why?
What advice can you share to help all of us balance our own lives?
Thanks for participating.