Parts of the never published,
handwritten fourth volume
by Edmund Janes Cleveland
are displayed.
What does “Finding the Cleveland 600” refer to?
The website FindingtheCleveland600.com has two missions, one very serious, one very trivial, that many would consider impossible. History shows that what once was thought impossible, (ex. Going to the moon, splitting the atom, women’s voting rights) can be obtained with the help of others.
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- First: We are seeking 600 volunteers to help identify where communities most need-and would most support-a 100% scholarship, residential, three-year trade college preparing graduates for new-collar jobs.Every family eventually asks their graduates: “What’s next-get a job, or go to college?” I am asking our broader Cleveland family-those who share the name, and the communities of Cleveland Cities, Cleveland High Schools, Cleveland businesses, and Cleveland families everywhere- to help shape the answer. By joining this effort, you will be building the next generation of opportunity for your community..The Cleveland story began in 1635, when the first family members arrived in the British Colonies. For nearly four centuries, Clevelands have served as ministers, attorneys, entrepreneurs, a Revolutionary War general, countless public servants, and even a President of the United States. This legacy is proof: Clevelands lead, serve, and build. Now it’s our turn to create new opportunities for the generations that follow.
- Second: In 1899-1900, 600 numbered copies of the “Genealogy of the Cleveland and Cleaveland Families” were published. Help find all 600 numbered copies. Submit photos and write tributes about your relatives. If you can only help with one mission, choose the easier one.
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First: Education & Jobs
The Problem
But without the right education and skills, those dreams are out of reach for many people.
Meanwhile, funding for college scholarships is 10X greater than for trade or apprenticeship programs even though many of today’s bet-paying jobs are in the trades.
But without the right education and skills, those dreams are out of reach for many possible.
Our Plan
Locate, fund, & build, 100% scholarships, free room & board, three year Trade Colleges in the United States where there is a need and community private & public support. Schools will admit ~ 100 students per year per campus. Current focus area includes Texas, North Carolina and Ohio.
Training for high-demand skilled jobs – where a four year degree is not required.
Campuses funded through two stage fundraising to focus on small and large donations. 600 volunteers needed to help with site location, grassroots donations and build momentum for larger donations.
Organized by the Family of Cleveland Communities – 10 Cities, 17 High Schools, hundreds of Cleveland Businesses, thousands of Cleveland families, and other interested parties.
Your Role
“Ask, not what your country can do for you –
ask what you can do for your country”
– John F. Kennedy
You can help make the American Dream Possible for the next generation.
Click button above
Second: Cleveland Family Specific
Who are the current owners of the original 600 numbered copies of “The Genealogy of the Cleveland and Cleaveland Families”. Do you or anyone in your extended family know the location of any of the numbered copies? An example of the page for copy 89, is shown below. I plan to create a map showing
I plan to create a map showing the City and State location of the copies. I currently know the location of five (5) copies. The Record of Purchase, serves as a starting point for the 245 original owners of the genealogy. See 3 examples. Below.
Who Are the Remarkable Clevelands in Your Family?
Back in 1899, the Genealogy of the Cleveland and Cleaveland Families highlighted 70 incredible relatives with portraits and tributes are shown on the following pages. They were pioneers, leaders, and dreamers who left their mark. But here’s the thing — the story didn’t end there.
Since 1899, generations of Clevelands have lived through history. Some fought in The Great War, others carried their families through the Great Depression, always holding onto the promise that “prosperity is just around the corner.” Many chased The American Dream—building homes, raising children, and carving out futures.
Our family helped “make the world safe for democracy” in WWII, stood strong during Korea, and endured the heartbreak of Vietnam in hopes of “stopping the domino effect.” We saw loved ones go to the Gulf to “liberate Kuwait,” and others serve in America’s longest war in Afghanistan, “fighting terrorism” after 9/11.
And yet — wars are only part of the story. Between the battles and headlines, life kept moving forward. People graduated, worked hard, bought homes, built businesses, and inspired others. Some lived quietly remarkable lives of kindness, faith, creativity, philanthropy or determination. Others became leaders in their communities or innovators in their fields.
👉 Now it’s your turn.
Who are the remarkable Clevelands in your family? Who deserves to be remembered — whether they’ve passed on or are still with us today? Tell us their story. Share their photo. Let the world know about the people who made a difference — not just in history books, but in our families, our schools, our towns, our businesses and our lives.
Because people deserve to be remembered.
Click on Photos
I had no idea any of this existed. Finding the current owners of the original 600 copies and finding role models for our youth is an inspiring concept. The handwritten Volume IV of the Cleveland genealogy shows the tremendous amount of work by Edmund Janes Cleveland. Seeing the name “Frederick Law Olmstead” on page 102, was surprising. We visited the Biltmore Mansion in North Carolina and saw the magnificent landscaping he created.
I also enjoyed looking at the displays from Volume IV, especially “5. Utah Pioneers” , “6. 10 Posing” , and “12. Mark Twain” Very interesting and high quality photos.
It looks like a huge job, good luck. I will let others know of the idea.
I was so thrilled to find this website! I discovered my Cleveland roots about 5 years ago when I started doing genealogy; didn’t previously know anything about that part of the family. Coming across my 3rd-great grandmother’s name in the Cleveland genealogy unlocked a lot of information for me. Somewhere Edmund Janes Cleveland is smiling knowing that his 21st-century relative Gregory Cleveland is carrying on his work (and that of Horace Gillette Cleveland). I could not believe the quality of the photographs of the never-published Vol. IV and immediately purchased the whole set of pages. I found a few updates for my relatives in Vol. IV, but just seeing those beautiful handwritten pages, imagining EJC (as I call him) knee deep in letters and newspaper clippings while he memorialized all he had learned about his extended family, made me smile. Kudos to Greg Cleveland for preserving this legacy and making it available to a wider group than those able to visit the Connecticut state archives. ~ Deb H.
Greetings and Thank you for your interest in history. I’m grateful for digital access to these volumes, newly discovering Vol III, which I have not yet read.
I am the only child of Theodore Sedgwick Cleveland (1907-1960) and was raised by my parents in Cleveland, Ohio. My father was named for Theodore Sedgwick Gold (entry 8847) pictured on page 1820 in Vol II.
My great grandfather Thomas Gold Cleveland (1825-1873, entry 8853 p 1825) was a Civil War doctor, son of Daniel Cleveland (1799-1867), who was the son of General Erastus Cleveland (1771-1857). Their lineage is through Moses, Aaron, Aaron, Moses, and Lt. Moses 1745-1818 (father of Erastus). Dr. Thomas Gold Cleveland is buried in Woodland Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio. He served several tours of duty as a military surgeon (41st Reg. Ohio Volunteer Infantry) in bloody battles in the Civil War. According to our family, he was at Shiloh and Antietam on Sept 17, 1862, the bloodiest day in American history when 22,727 were found to have dead, been wounded or went missing on both sides. Despite that experience, when those remaining alive were allowed to return home, Thomas Gold Cleveland stayed in the military until the end of the war. After returning home, he taught medicine at the College of Wooster in Ohio. Many of his students were Civil War veterans. My grandfather was Dr. Cleveland’s youngest son, Darwin Burton Cleveland (listed on p1825 as ‘a subscriber to this genealogy). I do not know of a copy belonging to him remaining among his three children, of whom my father was the eldest. I was raised with pride in our family’s public role, especially Thomas Gold Cleveland’s selfless service. My grandfather ‘DB’ was only two when his father died, so his father’s legacy was very important to him. He raised my father with a strong sense of public service. My father was a diplomat, serving in the American Consulate in Buenos Aires under Pres. Hoover; and he was a soldier, serving during WWII in King George’s Army in Canada when the US military refused his offers to serve, due to reasons of his age and health. After the war, he met my mother Sylvia in New York, and eventually our family settled in Cleveland, where my father had been raised. He and my mother operated a translation business there out of our home, as he was fluent in Spanish and French and she was fluent in French. A passionate amateur musician, my father purchased a historic harpsichord (made by Thomas Haxby of York, England in 1775 and restored by Robert Goble of Oxford, England) in 1957. My father had ill health due to having had scarlet fever as a child. He died in 1960 at age 52 of coronary complications stemming from that illness.
Mary, Thanks for your comments. According to Ancestry.com, you are my 9th cousin and you have a birthday coming up in September. I see there is a Mary Warbasse on Ancestry.com however there is no family tree. Warbasse is not a common name so I assume that may be you. Is that correct? I hope all is well for you and your family. FYI, according to records, Hon. Theodore Sedgwick Gold received copy 165 of the Cleveland genealogy.
This is nuts. My grandmother was a Cleveland and just passed away. I knew NONE of this. Just floored!
Mark
Boston, MA
I hope you enjoyed it. If you need help tracing your grandmothers ancestry, let me know and give me a few basic genealogy facts.
600 Books published wow! My 2nd great grandfather James Butler Cleveland published ” A Genealogical Register of the Descendants of Moses Cleveland of Woburn, Mass”. On a copy the family has he hand wrote the line leading to his daughter, my great grandmother. I’ve seen many but I didn’t know there were so many.