Bertrand
I haven't had much luck with the Bertands. This report starts at my brick wall, Francois Xavier Bertrand, born 1862, and his wife Delia Senecal, born c. 1884. Do you have any idea how many men there were named Francois Xavier Bertrand? born in Canada? Alot.

Billings
This report begins with William Billings in 1677. He married a woman named Sarah in 1696 and that's when it all began. This report is a remarkable change from the last one I printed. That report started with John Albert Billings who was born in 1878 in St. Thomas, Ontario. He was my grandfather's father and was the earliest known relative. 
 

Bromell
This report needs updating. In the past 3 years, I have found a bit more Bromell history. This starts with William Bromell, born 1793 in Sutcome, Devonshire, England, and his wife, Susanna. I haven't gotten much farther back, but I have fleshed out more details, like census records and maiden names, and will publish a new report soon.

Lang
Patrick Lang was born between 1802 - 1805 in Ireland, and died December 01, 1875 in Franklin Mine, Houghton County, Michigan.  He married Ann before 1841. I haven't been able to find her maiden name. Their son, James's death record said "unknown." Ann was born in 1809 in Ireland, and died between 1884 - 1900 in Calumet, Houghton County, Michigan. The Lang family before Patrick and Ann is a brick wall.

Lawlor
John Lawlor was born 1815 in County Kerry, Ireland, and died 1892 in Houghton, Michigan. He married Honora Reardon between 1837 - 1845 in Ireland.  She was born 1817 in Ireland, and died 1899 in Huron Township, Houghton County, Michigan.

Bradley/Ostrander
OK, so I lost the family files in the big computer meltdown; until I re-enter all 1500 or so Ostranders, here's something to hold you over.

Palmer
From Reuben Palmer to the present. I only have source records for Coleman to the present, at this time.

Rushton
George Rushton was born June 11, 1816 in Colne, Lancashire, England, and died December 29, 1902 in Brantford, Ontario, Canada.He married Ann Hartley March 05, 1837 in Colne, Lancashire, England, daughter of Unknown Hartley and Unknown Sutcliffe.Ann was born January 18, 1814 in Colne, Lancashire, England and died October 13, 1889 in Brantford, Ontario, Canada. There were many Rushtons and Hartleys in Colne, and I have been unable to pin down George and Ann's parents. I am also unable to find the family in the 1841 census.

Schmachtenberger
[The following information was given to me by a Schmachtenberger cousin, Pat Kiel]
The story goes that the first Schmachtenberger to come here from Germany was in 1745. The couple had a son born en route. The parents died on the ship and were buried at sea. The son was taken in by another couple aboard and settled in Baltimore, Maryland. The family kept the baby's name as Schmachtenberger in case any family might come looking for him.

The boy sired a large family of which 7 were sons who served with distinction in the American war of the Revolution. One son was Adam and he was Adolph’s father. There is a relative in Germany, a Philipp, that published a history in the "Frankisches Volksblatt" back to the original Schmachtenberger, Hermann, who lived from about 1280 to 1350 at Westheim near Wurzburg.

I haven't been able to find these elusive brothers, but I believe I have followed the paths of all of Adolph's children as they crossed America in the second half of the 1800's.

Watson
I need to update this report. I have found a few generations back since I first published this one. "Jack" is Alexander Watson, and I have found his parents, siblings, grandparents and more. I have also discovered that his wife was not Mary Ellen "Mason," but Mary Ellen Kelman, and I have found information on many of her ancestors as well. A new report is coming soon...