Family Histories Collection – Jacob and Mary Frances Bingman

This week we highlight another article from our Family Histories Collection from RICIGS member, Judi McDowell. Judi found that she did have Rock Island County connections! Cemeteries, obituaries, and Find A Grave, oh my!

Jacob and Mary Frances Bingman

By RICIGS member, Judi McDowell

When I first joined the Rock Island County Genealogical Society, probably in the 1990’s; I did so to learn more about research techniques.

Most of my maternal ancestors migrated from the East through Ohio and Indiana, passing through Illinois on their way to Iowa and further West. I was quite sure I did not have any Rock Island County connections. But, in 2012 I found an obituary for my Great Aunt, Mary Francis (Alexander) Bingman, sister to my great-grandfather.

She died in Rock Island and was buried in Chippiannock Cemetery. I added her to Find a Grave, and in 2014 I visited Chippiannock to find her headstone. I found her, her husband, and several children in the family plot. I added the children to Find a Grave but for some reason did not add her husband.

In 2016, a woman added Mrs. Bingman’s husband, Jacob Bingman, to Find a Grave and included a photograph of him and his wife along with a photo of his newspaper obituary. I was delighted and surprised when I saw the photo because I had that same photo as part of my collection of “unknown” people. That photo also alerted me to another photo in my collection of unknowns taken by a Rock Island photographer of a family in the late 1880’s, a husband, wife, and 5 children. I am not usually good at recognizing people from photos, but there was no doubt in my mind this was the Bingman family.

The obituaries of this couple provided information about them living in Rock Island for many, many years and gave me my Rock Island County connection. It also made me thankful for Find a Grave and the people willing to share photos and information.

Left: Bingman Family Members (Not in Order)

Jacob F. Bingman (1839-1914), Mary Francis (Alexander) Bingman (1848-1921), Mary Belle Bingman (1865-1940), Milton Bingman (1870-1938), Freeman Bingman (1872-1939), Sandy Alexander Bingman (1875-1956), Maud Estella Bingman (1882-1904), Deceased prior to photo: Nettie Bingman (1868-1880)