Daniel Webster Blaylock 1882-1958 Missouri, Illinois, Ohio, Maryland

I'm not sure how I got started on looking for newspaper items for Daniel Webster Blaylock. Daniel went by D. W., and while hacking around in Newspaper Archives, I happened upon more than 100 newspaper entries for D. W. Blaylock in Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois. Most of these entries are for Mrs. D. W. Blaylock (Mary Zulu (McKinley) Blaylock). Mary played bridge, directed local theatrical events, and was an Eastern Star. Here are the family details.

Daniel Webster Blaylock (FAG 82726831)
b. 22 Dec 1882 Millheim, Perry County, Missouri
d. 25 Nov 1958 Bethesda, Montgomery County, Maryland
m. 23 Apr 1919 Tilden, Randolph County, Illinois
Mary Zulu McKinley (FAG 80968687)
b. 4 Jun 1893 Lakewood, Cuyahoga County, Ohio
d. ?? Mar 1989 Silver Spring, Montgomery County, Maryland

Child 1:
Living Blaylock
b. 6 Oct 1929 Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois
m. 20 Jun 1952 where?
Living Adams
b. 27 Mar 1931

I haven't had much luck in identifying D.W.'s parents. However, among the newspaper articles was a death announcement for his mother.

The Edwardsville Intelligencer, Edwardsville, Illinois, 7 Dec 1933

Mrs. J. M. Blaylock Dies.
Mrs. J. M. Blaylock, 68, mother of D. W. Blaylock of this city died yesterday in Flat River, Mo. Funeral services will be conducted tomorrow in that city. Mr. and Mrs. D. W, Blaylock will attend the service.

          Note: Flat River is in Saint Francois County, Missouri.

Here's a timeline for D. W.

1882 ( 0) born Millheim, Perry County, Missouri

1890 ( 8)

1900 (18) living Indian Territory, Missouri  Source: cens (Boarder)

190? (2?) attending Rolla School of Mines Source: newspaper

1910 (28) living Edwardsville, Madison County, Ilinois Source: cens

1918 (36) living Glen Carbon, Illinois (Mining Engineer) Source: WWI record

1919 (37) married Tilden, Illinois

1920 (38) living Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois Source: cens w/Mary

1920 (38) listed in Am. Inst. of Mining, Metallurgical... Chief Mining Engr. Source: Google books

1930 (48) living Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois Source: cens w/Mary

1935 (53) moves to Bethesda, Maryland Source: city directory

1940 (58) living Lakewood, Ohio Source: newspaper

1942 (60) living 1055 Sylvan Avenue, Lakewood, Ohio Source: WWII (Defense Plant Corp)

1950 (68) living

1955 (73) living Lakewood, Ohio Source: newspaper

1956 (74) living Lakewood, Ohio Source: obit

1958 (76) died Maryland...no obit in Washington Post; however, there was one in Illinois

The Edwardsville Intelligencer, Edwardsville, Illinois, 26 Nov 1958

D. W. Blaylock
Word was received here Wednesday morning of the death earlier of D. W. Blaylock of Bethesda, Md., a former resident and mining engineer for the Madison County Coal Co., whose main office was located at Glen Carbon for many years.
The deceased, who suffered a stroke two weeks ago, is survived by his wife, a son, D. W. Blaylock, Jr., and two grandsons.
Funeral services and burial will be held Saturday afternoon at Marissa. The time is 2 o'clock.

Here's a smattering of the newspaper articles.

=====
The Edwardsville Intelligencer, Edwardsville, Illinois, 20 Oct 1928, Page 3
D. W, Blaylock attended an Alumni banquet of the Rolla School of Mines , in St. Louis, last evening.
According to Wikipedia: Missouri University of Science and Technology was known as the University of Missouri–Rolla and originally Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy. The school is an institution of higher learning located in Rolla, Missouri and part of the University of Missouri System.
=====
The Edwardsville Intelligencer, Edwardsville, Illinois, 30 Oct 1928, Page 2
Move Into Residence,
Mr. and Mrs. D. W. Blaylock have moved into the Barnsback residence on St. Louis street,
=====
The Edwardsville Intelligencer, Edwardsville, Illinois, 8 Jul 1932, Page 1
Rushed to Hospital.
D. W. Blaylock of this city was rushed to St. Elizabeth's Hospital at Gianite City this morning.
=====
The Edwardsville Intelligencer, Edwardsville, IL, 1 Dec 1933, Page 3
Mr. and Mrs. D. W Blaylock and son, Danny, spent Thanksgiving Day with Mrs. Blaylock's mother, Mrs J. H McKinley at Marlssa, Ill.
=====
The Edwardsville Intelligencer, Edwardsville, IL, 2 May 1935, Page 3
Bridge awards were given to Mrs. A. E. Stolze, Mrs. D. W. Blaylock and Mrs. R. I. McKee. A light luncheon was served the guests during the latter part of the afternoon.
=====
The Edwardsville Intelligencer, Edwardsville, Illinois, 22 May 1937, page 2
Returning From Meeting.
D. W. Blaylock, a mining engineer of this city, returned Fnday night from Cincinnati, O, where he attended a four-day session of the American Mining Congress.
=====
The Edwardsville Intelligencer, Edwardsville, IL, 10 Aug 1940, Page 3
Mrs. D. W. Blaylock and son, Danny, of Cleveland, Ohio are spending the week-end here with Dr. and Mrs. O R. Keenan at their home on East Park street.
=====
The Edwardsville Intelligencer, Edwardsville, IL, 13 Feb 1948, Page 4
Mrs. D. W. Blaylock spent several days in Marissa, as guest of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. McKinley.
===== 
The Edwardsville Intelligencer, Edwardsville, Illinois, 16 Aug 1955, Page 3
Mr. and Mrs. D. W. Blaylock, former residents, now of Lakewood. 0., were weekend guests of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Wollbrinck.
=====

During the last years of their lives, the Blaylocks seem to split their time between Lakewood and Bethesda. Living descendants of this family live in the Bethesda, Maryland area.

Nancy Susana (McKee) Goodbar 1889-1927 Illinois, Missouri, Texas

I've had a pretty good handle on the children of Lemuel M. McKee and his wife Mary Elizabeth Blair. Only one child, a daughter, Nancy McKee (child 3) has remained a mystery. I knew from obituaries that she had married a Mr. Goodbar. From the 1900 census, I knew she had been born in Jul 1889. However, this too little information hasn't allowed me to get very far. 

As is so often the case, an event precipitated the posting of information on Ancestry.com. Nancy's granddaughter, Sharon Blair (Goodbar) Hetchler, died on 3 Feb 2011. A researcher posted information that has provided significant leads. Here's what I've been able to confirm so far.

Nancy Susana McKee (FAG memorial 82413173)
b. 17 Jul 1889 Illinois
d. 1 Apr 1927 Dallas, Dallas County, Texas
m. abt 1918 (where? date?)
James Horace Goodbar
b. 23 Jan 1889 Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee
d. 23 Mar 1973 Dallas, Dallas County, Texas

Child 1: Horace Blair Goodbar (FAG memorial 34633269)
b. 20 Jan 1919 Dallas, Dallas County, Texas
d. 9 Sep 1966 Dallas, Dallas County, Texas

Child 2: James Horace Goodbar
b. 21 Jan 1919 Dallas, Dallas County, Texas
A certificate for this child exists. I'm assuming they are twin boys born late at night. However, the certificate may also be a mistake. The researcher on Ancestry.com doesn't not mention this child.

Horace Blair Goodbar went by Blair. Blair married twice and had four children. Here is their information.

Wife 1: Edna Vermelle Holmes
b. 6 Feb 1919 Greenville, Hunt County, Texas
d. 19 Mar 1986 Dallas, Dallas County, Texas (died as Mrs. Phelps)

Child 1: Sharon Blair Goodbar (FAG memorial 79294482)
b. 30 Oct 1942 Dallas, Dallas County, Texas
d. 3 Feb 2011 Garland, Dallas County, Texas
m. Living Hetchler

Wife 2: Living Reid
b. 25 Aug 1920 Wichita County, Texas

Wife 2 and Blair had two daughters and a son, all of whom are living.

I'm still tracking information for members of this family. I've used Facebook to send a message to one of Blair's daughters to see if anyone in the family is interested in the project/information. I'm hoping that they are willing to fill in the blanks I still have.

I'm going to keep looking for info for this family. As always, if you're reading this blog and you're interested in this family please email me.

The State Historical Society of Missouri...Part 3

OK...now SHSM is getting positively speedy. I sent for Jesse Lemuel McKee's obituary about 48 hours ago and here it is.

Piedmont Wayne County Journal-Banner. 11 Feb 1971, Page 2 Columns 4 and 5

J. L. McKee Rites Held in Williamsville

Jesse Lemuel McKee, the son of Jesse and Rosa Noble McKee, was born in Wayne County, Missouri, on January 6, 1890.

Mr. McKee was converted early in life and attended the Assembly of God Church for many years.

On November 1, 1913, he was united in marriage to Miss Lillie Grable. Mr. and Mrs. McKee made their home in Detroit, Michigan, where he worked as a tool and die maker for General Motors Corporation until his retirement. Mrs. McKee passed away on May 29, 1959. On December 21, 1960, he was married to Mrs. Nellie Mae Frazier who survives.

Other survivors include a step-daughter, Mrs. Gloria Salamore of Harvey, Illinois; two sisters; Mrs. Julia Hillis of Dexter, Missouri and Mrs. Alice Howard of Jackson, Missouri; three-step grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Mr. McKee passed away at the Doctors Hospital, Poplar Bluff, Missouri, on February 4, 1971 at the age of 81 years and 21 days.

Funeral services for Mr. McKee were held in the Assembly of God Church, Williamsville, Missouri on February 7, 1971 with Rev. Lester Freeman officiating. Music was furnished by the church choir, with Mrs. Floyd Gurley at the piano. Serving as casketbearers were O. L. Holmes, William Cradic, Charles Tinker, Sam Willard, Gene Manns, and Donald Murray.

Interment was made in the Holladay Cemetery at Williamsville. Coder Funeral Home of Williamsville, in charge of arrangements.

As you can see from the obit, I now know his mother's name, including her maiden name. So I should be able to click right along finding information for her. We'll see.

I'm getting to be positively enthusiastic about The State Historical Society of Missouri. So much so, I'm going to have to revisit their website to order my next obit and see what other info they might be able to provide me with. If I unearth anything of interest, I'll be sure to post it. But for now, I'm off in pursuit of all things Rosa Noble.

The State Historical Society of Missouri...Part 2

I've persevered with sending obituary requests to The State Historical Society of Missouri. The most recently received obituary has turned out to be a blockbuster...for a brick wall I didn't know I had! Here's the layout of the family unit that I had before I had the obituary.

Jesse Alexander McKee
b. 25 Jul 1956 Coulterville, Randolph County, Illinois
d. 1 Sep 1911 Williamsville, Wayne County, Missouri
m. 4 Dec 1890 Butler County, Missouri
Celia Adeline Skief
b. 13 Dec 1872 Clay County, Arkansas
d. 4 Feb 1954 Dexter, Scott County, Missouri

Child 1: Mary J. McKee
b. Aug 1888 Missouri

Child 2: Jesse Lemuel McKee
b. 6 Jan 1890 Williamsville, Wayne County, Missouri
d. 4 Feb 1971 Williamsville, Wayne County, Missouri

Child 3: John Alexander McKee
b. 26 Nov 1891 Moark, Clay County, Arkansas
d. 28 Aug 1914 Williamsville, Wayne County, Missouri

Child 4: Jesse Franklin McKee
b. 19 Feb 1894 Moark, Clay County, Missouri
d. 30 May 1956 Saint Louis, Saint Louis City, Missouri

Child 5: Julia Ann McKee
b. Jan 1895 Missouri
d. 1972

Child 6: Alice Mae McKee
b. 11 Oct 1896 Williamsville, Wayne County, Missouri
d. 16 Feb 1976 Jackson, Cape Girardeau County, Missouri

Since Child 1 and Child 2 were born before the McKee/Skief marriage, I knew I was missing info...or an interesting story. The obituary I received cleared up the status of Child 1 and Child 2; however, it also introduced another wife for Jesse. Here's the obituary.

Dexter Messenger, 11 Feb 1954, Page 5, Column 4

CELIA ADELINE HILLIS BURIED SUNDAY

Celia Adeline Hillis, daughter of John and Winnie Edwards Skief was born on December 13, 1872 and departed this life on February 4, 1954, at the age of 81 years, 1 month and 22 days.

In 1886 she was married to John Stuart, who preceded her in death. To this union a daughter was born, who also preceded Mrs. Hillis in death. On December 4, 1890 she was united in marriage to Jesse A. McKee, and to this union five children were born. Mr. McKee and two children preceded her in death. Surviving this marriage are Mrs. Julia Hillis of Dexter, Jesse F. McKee of St. Louis, and Mrs. Alice Howard of Neeley's Landing, Mo.

On May 18, 1913, she was married to Samuel Hillis, who preceded her in death. Surviving are one step-daughter, Pearl Skief, Kennett, and one step-son, Jesse L. McKee, Pontiac, Mich. Also surviving are 25 grandchildren, 62 great grandchildren, a number of nephews and nieces, and many other relatives and friends.

Mrs. Hillis was born in Ill., and later moved to Williamsville, where she spent the greater portion of her life. She lived her last nine years in Dexter.

She was converted in the General Baptist church at an early age, then affiliated with the Assembly of God church in 1925 and lived a consistent Christian life, having won the respect of all who knew her.

Funeral services were conducted at the Assembly of God church, Dexter, Sunday afternoon, February 7, Rev. W. P. Campbell officiating. The remains were then taken to Williamsville where short graveside services were conducted by Rev. Morgan. Interment in Williamsville cemetery.

Stricland-Rainey service.

As you can see from the obituary, Celia also had a previous marriage (John Stuart) and a daughter (Child 1 Mary J. Stuart...shown as McKee on census records...thus the confusion).

In addition, the obituary lists Child 2 Jesse Lemuel McKee as a step-son. This fact introduces a new (unknown) first wife for Jesse Alexander McKee.

When the McKee/Skief marriage occurs, they are a blended family. The remainder of the children shown for Jesse and Celia are correct. The obituary also notes one missing child who preceded Celia in death...more details to chase down.

Going forward, I've sent for Jesse Lemuel McKee's obituary to see if it by chance lists his mother's name. Finding it in an obituary could short cut a long expensive search to breakdown this brick wall. If the obituary provides enlightening details, I'll be sure to post it.

So all in all, I'm glad I didn't give up on The State Historical Society of Missouri. The society's services have turned out to be faster and better than my first brush with them. So first impressions aren't always right...sometimes it's worth just going with the flow to see what happens.

The State Historical Society of Missouri

The demise of Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness has severely slowed down my acquisition of obituaries. Random Acts provided lots of contacts with local volunteers who could go into local libraries and get copies for free or for a minimal sum of money. Sans Random Acts, I've been forced to dig deeper for newspapers.

In the case of Missouri, The State Historical Society of Missouri seems to have swept up all of the newspapers in Missouri and you have to go to them to get almost anything you want from a newspaper in Missouri. The Saint Louis Public Library has the Post Dispatch, but if you want anything outside of Saint Louis, you have to go through the society.

Until recently, I've resisted in part because when you read about the process it seems so drawn out. You can make only one request at a time. You must wait until they answer your current request before you can make your next request. They notifying you via email with an obit or a note of regret that they couldn't find it.

Obituaries for non members are $15 and $5 for members. Membership is $25. I have more than a few obituaries to pursue in Missouri; therefore, being a member would save me lots of cash. I just needed to be prepared to order the obits as quickly as possible. So I joined up and sent my first request.

The response took quiet a bit of time. I immediately started counting weeks and looking at how many obits I had to order. At the slow rate of response, my membership would run out before I had exhausted my list of needed obituaries. But I had already joined, so I sent in my second request. Turnaround time was about a week and half for the second request. The third request had a similar response time...much improved!

So if I had to characterized my experience, I have to say a slow start but rapidly improving. I'm still not sure I'll get all the obits I need during my one year membership but I'm more hopeful than I was.

To see details from the most recent obit, go to the Find A Grave memorial for William Robert McMillan (82016524). Meanwhile, I'm typing up my next request.

Esther S. (Anderson) Rich, 1885-1943, England, Maine

Just when I think I've wrung everything possible out of the Google News Archive, I strike pay dirt...or in this case an obit...again.

The Lewiston Daily Sun, Monday, 11 Jan 1943, Page 2

MRS. ESTHER RICH

NORWAY--Mrs. Esther Rich, 57, died Thursday at the home of her brother, Henry Anderson of Biddeford, where she had been since Thanksgiving. She had been ill for several weeks. She came here in 1908, and married Odell C. Rich.

She is survived by her husband, two daughters, Mrs. Gordon Eastman of Lovell, Mrs. Eleanor Marcotte of Norway, one son, Odell C. Rich Jr., of West Paris, her mother, two brothers and three sisters, all of Biddeford.

Never ever give up...just rewrite your search terms...you never know...just keep typing...

Lillie May (Burns) Lawrence, 1896-1975, Texas, Arkansas

Lillie May Burns (b. 27 April 1896 in Hopkins County, Texas) was the daughter of William "Bill" B. Burns and Sarah "Sally" C. Booth. Lillie was the youngest child in her family and only two when her mother died. After Sally's death, Bill seems to disappear. He's difficult to locate in records. Lillie appears to have been raised by her older brother Henry.

Lillie marries young--she's a month short of 17--when she marries Charles Elon Lawrence on 9 March 1913 in New Boston, Bowie County, Texas. Charles was born 28 March 1895 in Detroit, Red River County, Texas, the son of Samuel Patton Lawrence and Mary Idella Campbell. Lillie and Charles have the following children.

Child 1:
Ennis Alvin Lawrence
b. 12 Sep 1914 New Boston, Bowie County, Texas
d. 6 Mar 1996 Horatio, Seiver County, Arkansas (FAG 46197105)
m. Where? When?...before 1938
Myrtle Leona Lincoln
b. 26 Jun 1916 Bowie County, Texas
d. 7 Apr 2003 Texarkana, Bowie County, Texas (FAG 7364244)

Child 2:
Leona Virginia Lawrence
b. 27 Aug 1919 New Boston, Bowie County, Texas
d. 1 Oct 1992 Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana
m. Where? When?...before 1952
Howard Franklin Collins
b. 23 Nov 1912 Texarkana, Bowie County, Texas
d. 7 oct 1984 Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana

Child 3:
Loyd Elon Lawrence
b. 9 Jul 1923 Bowie County, Texas
d. 21 Dec 1971 New York City, New York

Child 4:
Mandy Lawrence
b. 1925 New Boston, Bowie County, Texas
d. Before Apr 1930 New Boston, Bowie County, Texas

Child 5:
Della May Lawrence
b. 28 Dec 1936 Texarkana, Bowie County, Texas
d. 28 Aug 1950 Taylor, Columbia County, Arkansas (FAG 67532136)

Child 6:
Living Lawrence
b. 29 Dec 1936 Texarkana, Bowie County, Texas
m. When? Where?
Joseph Oscar Hood
b. 26 Mar 1926 Plain Dealing, Bossier Parish, Louisiana
d. ?? Nov 1985 Plain Dealing, Bossier Parish, Louisiana

At some point, Charles becomes a reverend, and sometime in the 1930's the family moved to Arkansas. Losing three children must have tested the faith of both Charles and Lillie. The loss must also have caused them to cling tighter to their living children.

Both Charles and Lillie die in Horatio, Sevier County, Arkansas. Charles dies 27 June 1974 with Lillie following on 23 Feb 1975. Both are buried in Horatio Cemetery, Horatio, Sevier County, Arkansas.

I'm missing obituaries for Lillie and Charles. The obituaries would of course provide more detail about lives of Lillie and Charles. The demise of Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness closes the door on one possible route to these obits. My next best bet is to see if a local library offers a look up service. If I strike pay dirt, I'll post a follow up. In the meantime, if you're researching this family I'd like the opportunity to trade info with you. Please post a comment.

William Stewart, 1854 to before 1910, Ireland, Illinois

I've spent another fruitless night searching for information on William Stewart and his family members. Here's what I know.

William Stewart (s/o unknown Stewart and Ann unknown)
b. Aug 1854 Ireland...came to U.S.A. at age 6
d. Before 1910 possibly in Illinois but who knows?
m. Where? When?
Ella Jane McKinley (d/o Robert W. McKinley and Sarah McKee)
b. 12 Apr 1863 Randolph County, IL
d. 10 Jan 1910 Iola, Allen County, KS

William and Ella had the following children:

Child 1:
Ruana Stewart
b. 8 Apr 1882 IL
d. 6 Mar 1915 Vega, Oladham County, TX
m. 5 Sep 1900 Prosperity UP Church, Sadowa, Randolph County, IL
Herbert Glenn Green (s/o Benjamin Parker Green and Sarah Gette or Getting)
b. 27 Feb 1876 Saint Clair County, IL
d. 23 Feb 1949 Vega, Oldham County, TX

Child 2:
William Melvin Stewart
b. 30 May 1884 Pickneyville, Perry County, IL
d. 17 Apr 1979 Hereford, Deaf Smith County, TX
m 22 Aug 1912 where?
Margaret Carrie Taylor
b. 1 Jan 1891 Gainesville, Cooke County, TX
d. 25 Sep 1977 Deaf Smith County, TX

Child 3:
Robert Blanchard Stewart
b. 14 Jul 1886 Swanwick, Perry County, IL
d. 18 Oct 1967 Freeburg, Saint Clair County, IL
m. 5 Jun 1912 Belleville, Saint Clair County, IL
Ella Winterbauer (d/o Charles A. Winterbauer and Rosa C. unknown)
b. Mar 1894 Illinois
d. 14 May 1979 Red Bud, Randolph County, Illinois

Child 4:
Wesley James Stewart
b. 18 Aug 1887 Swanwick, Perry County, Illinois
d. before Oct 1967 perhaps in Texas...Can you help?
m. Where? When?
Lela G. Eshelman (d/o William Eshelman and Olive E. Blanche French)
b. Feb 1891 Indiana
d. Where? When?

Child 5:
Ella Ethel Stewart
b. Jul 1893 Illinois
d. Where? When?
m. 5 Jan 1915 Wichita Falls, Wichita County, TX
George Hal Shirey (s/o George H. Shirey and Mary Gates)
b. 28 Oct 1888 Loogootee, Martin County, IN
d. Where? When?

The first time I can pick up William Stewart is on the 1880 census. He's living with his brother Samuel and his mother Ann in Grand Cote, Perry County, IL.

William marries in 1881 and the children are all born between 1882 and 1893...during the dead zone created by the burned 1890 census.

The next time I'm able to find something on William is the 1900 census. The family is living in Marissa, Saint Clair County, IL.

I'm speculating that William dies between 1900 and 1910 because Ella dies on 10 Jan 1910 in Iola, Allen County, KS. She appears to be living with her son Wesley and his wife Lela. Wesley and Lela appear on the 1910 census in Iola and no other family member lives in the area. According to an index Ella is buried in Tilden, IL.

To date, I haven't found an obituary for William or Ella Stewart...and it's not for lack of trying. Notice that many of the children are in Texas. William and Ella's son, William Melvin Stewart leads the move south to Texas, moving to Deaf Smith County, TX in 1908. His sister Ruana and her family are in Deaf Smith County by the 1910 census. Youngest sister Ella Ethel Stewart is also in Texas by 1910. Wesley is in Iola, KS; however, the 1920 census placed Wesley in Cement City, Dallas County, TX. Only Robert Blanchard Stewart stays in the Illinois area. Robert works in his Uncle Lemuel's business, L. R. McKinley and Sons Chevrolet Company.

The scattering of the children at such an early age speaks to William Stewart's early death. I can't tell if he dies in Illinois, Texas, or Kansas...my best guess is Saint Clair County, Illinois. I've looked in all three places with no luck. Unless someone reading this posting has more information, I'm assuming finding a death date and location for William will have to hold until I am able to get to the Randolph County Genealogical Society library in Steeleville, Illinois. Even then I'm not assured of success. When William's wife Ella Jane dies in 1910, it's her father Robert McKinley who pays her passage home and pays for her burial...somewhere in Tilden, IL. Alas, under the circumstance, William might be anywhere. If you have more information, I'd love to hear from 'ya.

Sorry to have disappeared...

I've been steeped in work for the Florida State Genealogical Society. Their annual conference is this weekend in Maitland. I've been working on the conference syllabus and banquet program. I'll be sure to tell you how the documents turned out.

Also, my presentation partner, Pattie, and I are doing two presentations and we've been working on them too. I'm sitting here tonight cutting 100 CDs with handouts, presentations, etc. for attendees. Hopefully, we'll have someone to give the CDs to! We're doing presentations on using Paint to create graphics from webpages (kinda backdoor PDFing) and conducting a family survey (sort of a cold mailing to people you don't know but think you're related to).

Another item of note...I received an email today with a PDF of an article of mine that's going to be in Internet Genealogy. Exciting stuff! The article is on how to use Joliprint to create PDFs from webpages.

Pattie and I have also decided to go to RootsTech...so I'll diappear in February for a week too. RootsTech should be lots of fun...probably somewhat of a mystery at times.

Anyway, things should be back to normal next week and I'll start posting regular research postings again.

Edna Irene (Woodside) Monia, 1876-1956, Illinois to Nebraska to California to Oregon

Medford Mail Tribune, 23 May 1956, Page 15

MRS. EDNA MONIA

Funeral services for Mrs. Edna Monia, 80, who died Monday in Jacksonville, will be held in Conger-Morris chapel at 1 p.m. Thursday. The Rev. William Piper of the First Christion church will officiate. Committal will be in Brownsboro cemetery.

Mrs. Monia was born Feb 4, 1876, in Coulterville, Ill. In 1898 at Guide Rock, Neb., she was married to Jacob Monia, who preceded her in death in 1926. She was a member of the First Christian church.

Survivors include two sons, Clarence Monia, Medford, and Bill Monia, Central Point; three daughters, Mrs. Mary Charley, Central Point, Mrs. Velda Dahlke, Medford, and Mrs. Donna Charley, Crescent City, Calif.; one brother, Albert Woodside, San Bernardino, Calif.; 17 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Another son, Ivan Monia, preceded her in death.

The details that get included in an obituary vary based on the time, location, and newspaper. They can also vary based on who provides the information. Here are the vitals on Edna and her family.

Edna Irene Woodside d/o James Martin Woodside and Mary Agnes Campbell
b. 4 Feb 1876 Coulterville, Randolph County, Illinois
d. 21 May 1956 Medford, Jackson County, Oregon
m. 27 Apr 1899 Red Cloud, Webster County, Nebraska
Jacob Monia Jr.
b. 1 May 1857 Berne, Switzerland
d. 6 Apr 1926 Medford, Jackson County, Oregon

Child 1:
Mary Estella Monia
b. 3 Mar 1900 Guide Rock, Webster County, Nebraska
d. 6 Aug 1982 Central Point, Jackson County, Oregon
m. 23 Oct 1917 Roseburg, Douglas County, Oregon
Floyd Sharpe Charley
b. 30 Apr 1892 Brownsboro, Jackson County, Oregon
d. 10 Oct 1965 Central Point, Jackson County, Oregon

Child 2:
Clarence Vernon Monia
b. 5 Nov 1901 Beaver Creek, Webster County, Nebraska
d. 5 Sep 1967 Medford, Jackson County, Oregon
m. 22 Jun 1930 probably in Oregon but have no proof
Dorothy Eleanor Wilhite
b. 1912 Oregon...need complete info
d. Don't know where or when...Can you help?

Child 3:
Ivan Russell Monia
b. 18 Jan 1904 Beaver Creek, Webster County, Nebraska
d. 20 Jan 1919 Brownsboro, Jackson County, Oregon

Child 4:
Velda Evelyn Monia
b. 17 Aug 1906 Guide Rock, Webster County, Nebraska
d. 29 apr 1992 Medford, Jackson County, Oregon
m. 1926...need complete info
Henry Frank Dahlke
b. 2 Aug 1899 Hokkah, Houston county, Minnesota
d. 31 Dec 1962 Medford, Jackson County, Oregon

Child 5:
Eldred Eugene Monia
b. 28 Feb 1910 Long Beach, Los Angeles County, California
d. 8 Sep 1982 Central Point, Jackson County, Oregon
m. 9 Dec 1936 Medford, Jackson County, Oregon
Opal Adell Charley
b. 17 Feb 1919 Climax, Jackson County, Oregon
d. Don't know where or when. Can you help?

Child 6:
Donna Lucille Monia
b. 2 Dec 1914 Eagle Point, Jackson County, Oregon
d. 15 Dec 2007 Central Point, Jackson County, Oregon
m. 27 Dec 1935 Medford, Jackson County, Oregon
Lincoln Stanford Charley
b. 27 Dec 1914 Climax, Jackson County, Oregon
d. 27 Dec 2008 Medford, Jackson County, Oregon

I'll write more about this family...there's lots to write about...they are an interesting ranching family with deep roots in Jackson County, Oregon.

Earl Renwick McMillan 1893-1982 Illinois, Washington, California

Every family tree has its black sheep and its stars. Earl Renwick McMillan is a family star. Here are the vitals:

Earl Renwick McMillan
s/o Randle S. McMillan and Nancy Harriet McKinley (d/o Robert McKinley and Sarah McKee)
b. 12 Dec 1893 Marissa, Saint Clair County, Illinois
d. 1 Dec 1982 Sacramento, Sacramento County, California
m. Where? When? Can you help?
Anna Shampaign
d/o Charles E. Shampaign and Margaret Cavanaugh
b. 21 Feb 1896 Saint Louis, Saint Louis City, Missouri
d. 22 Feb 1989 Sacramento, Sacramento County, California

Earl and Anna had two children: Edward and Margaret.

As you'll see from Earl's obituary, this family spent the majority of their lives in the Seattle area.

So why is Earl a star? I'll give you a hint before you read his obituary. Earl is personally responsible for countless hours of summer time family fun around a barbecue. Ready for his obituary?

The Seattle Times, Wednesday, December 15, 1982, Page F15

Rites for Earl McMillan, 89, inventor of charcoal briquettes

Memorial services for Earl R. McMillan, 89, former mining engineer, will be at 2 p.m. next Wednesday at the Bellewood Presbyterian church in Bellevue. He died Dec. 1 in Sacramento, where he has lived the past several years.

McMillan was the manager of coal operations and the chief mining engineer for Northern Pacific Railroad from 1946 to 1962, when he retired. Prior to that, he worked for the firm’s subsidiary, the Northwestern Improvement Co., managing coalmining operations in Roslyn and Cle Elum from 1930 to 1945.

He was part owner of the Northwest Briquetting Co., which made briquettes out of coal, a method he invented. He also served as a mining consultant and was assistant superintendent for the Bureau of Mines here.

McMillan, a 1917 civil engineering and geology graduate of the University of Missouri, received honorary mention on the All American football team and was captain of the school’s championship baseball team.

He also received an advanced mining degree from the University of Washington in 1919.

He was past president of the West Coast Minerals Association, past chairmen of the North Pacific section of the American Institute of Mining Engineers and an elder of the Laurelhurst and Bellewood Presbyterian churches.

He was also a member of Seattle Rotary, the Arctic club and was a Mason. He served in the Army during World War I.

Surviving are his wife, Anna; a daughter, Margaret Ann, Sacramento; a son, Edward, Bainbridge Island, and a sister Bessie Orr, Springfield, Ill.

Remembrances are suggested to the Seattle Rotary Foundation or to Bellewood Presbyterian Church.

So the next time you pull out a hibachi and fire up the coals, be sure to hoist a beer in tribute to Earl.

Notice that there's no burial spot for Earl mentioned in his obituary. His wife's obituary also contains no burial location. Therefore, there are no Find A Grave memorials...yet. So I guess I'll be sending for death certificates (if I can) to see if they include burial information. I've already written to Earl's son and he indicated that the family has no interest in this project.

On another front, if you've never looked for patents or scholarly papers, you should. You might be surprised to find an inventor or two in your family. In Earl's case, his name appears on many patents based on his work and his published scholarly papers are cited. You can do a general Google search and many of these types of items will be included in the returns. However, you should also check Google's dedicated searches. On the Google home page, click the More link, and then click Even more. A list of dedicated searches sorted into groups displays.   

I had occassion to point out the patent search during a presentation. The next time I went to a meeting a lady walked up to me and told me that a relative of her's had a dozen patents. She wouldn't have looked had I not mentioned the patent search in passing.

Based on my experience, it's always worth a quick check while I'm watching TV.

While I've been hacking and coughing...

I've had the worse cold this week, including a burning chest and eyes. As a result, I haven't gotten squat done. The one interesting thing that has happened is an email exchange with a Booth descendant. She emailed me at an old AOL account that I've kept because I still have people find that address and contact me.

Here's Alicia's line: granddaughter of William Bailey Uptergrove and Cora Sue Henderson; great grandaughter of Hezekiah Othnell Henderson and Lucinda Ann Booth; great great granddaughter of Ananias Jackson Booth and Mary Jane McKee, great great great granddaughter of Joseph G. McKee and his unknown first wife.

I've sent Alicia a gedcom so she can cross check and explain the error of my ways to me. When working with the Booth's, I'm using documents only. While that usuallly works, wierd stuff can happen. For example, a Booth contacted me about a Find A Grave location. Turns out that I was right about the original burial location...I had all the documents...except that afterward, the family had the body moved. You can't beat firsthand knowledge. Needless to say, I fixed the Find A Grave memorial.

Find A Grave (FAG) Bullies

After spending an absolutely wonderful day at a genealogy conference (John Philip Colletta, PhD...adore the man's mind), I find myself being hounded via email by what can only be described as a FAG bully. She has one family member that married into my family (a second marriage with no children yet!) and she's sending me "corrections" for problems that I've resolved long ago.

Don't get me wrong. I love FAG. But every once in a while you encounter some driven individual who seems not to understand that when you write you adopt a tone. This woman is sending me emails that all but scream, "Do what I tell you NOW!"

I decided to visit her profile. Low and behold...it's filled with tone too. I haven't lost my temper yet; however, I'm just about to ask her who at FAG appointed her hall monitor.

So wish me luck (and self-control!) in dealing with this unwelcomed intrusion into an otherwise lovely day.


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Another Encounter with a Kind Librarian

I asked and Deb delivered.

Late (too late) last night, I emailed The Millicent Library asking about the procedure for requesting an obituary, and if there was a fee, could I send it electronically. I've learned from past requests to include the details of what I'm looking for. In this case it was an obituary for Alfred John Chasse.

Before noon today I had the scanned obituary in my email.

Fairhaven Star, Fairhaven, Massachusetts, 25 Jun 1964

ALFRED J. CHASSE

Funeral services for Alfred J. Chasse, 69, of 14 Harbor View avenue took place Friday morning at the Fairhaven funeral home. Mr. Chasse died June 16 at Union hospital, New Bedford.

A native of Biddeford, Me., he had lived here for the last 27 years. Prior to his retirement, he was employed by Revere Copper & Brass, Inc., New Bedford. He was a veteran of World War I.

He leaves his widow, Mrs. Sarah Jane (Anderson) Chasse; a son, John A. Chasse of this town; a daughter, Mrs. Homer Gracia, also of Fairhaven; a brother George Chasse of Staten Island, New York City; five grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.

Again I have no burial location. I've created a Find A Grave memorial for Sarah (76103139) and I requested a photo, hoping to get a shot of a double stone with Alfred. I'm assuming he was buried back in Biddeford with Sarah. I'll check with the funeral home if possible too but I haven't had much luck with that method. The other option, since I now have a complete date of death, is to look for a death certificate and see if the burial location is on it. I'll update when I find out more. 

Puzzling Your Way Through to Answers

When you start researching the spouses of sixth cousins, the chances of actually knowing the person (or your cousin for that matter) are pretty slim. Don't get me wrong, I have introduced myself to extended family via mail, phone, and Facebook. Facebook is particularly fun because you get a window into distant relatives' worlds and they get to peek into your world too. I have several distant cousins in far flung places who have become Facebook friends.

When I search, my usual modus operandi is to do wide and then targeted Google searches and Pipl searches. Between the two websites, I can usually match up someone who is still living (or recently dead) and lots of time I end up with contact info in case I want to contact the person. These types of searches rarely fail. However, when they do, it can be a long slog to finding the info you need.

The search for Harold Iverson was one of those rare failures. I had a problem...too little information and too many search returns. A Google search returned several results for Harold Iverson...but no hint on which Harold is the right one.

When I started, here's what I knew: Harold Iverson was married to Consuelo D. Mangano b. 22 Sep 1931 Saint Louis, Missouri. Consuelo is a McKee cousin of mine via her mother. Consuelo's parents were:
Roy O. Mangano
b. 18 Feb 1917 Saint Louis, Missouri
d. 26 Jan 1996 Saint Louis, Missouri (FAG 60855895)
Mildred H. McKee
b. 12 Aug 1911 Central Township, Saint Louis County, Missouri
d. 14 Mar 2006 Saint Louis, Missouri (FAG 60062371)

Roy's obituary said that Connie was married to Harold Iverson but it gave no location for the Iversons. Mildred's obituary said that Consuelo was married to Hal Iverson and it also gave no location. However, I still had a new piece of information. Consuelo and Harold went by the nick names Connie and Hal. When I searched for Connie and Hal Iverson, I found an obituary...and a location...Lakewood (Pierce County), Washington.

Robert Gene Iverson 1953 - 2002
Bobby left this life on March 20th to meet Grandpa Roy. He left behind countless memories of love and beauty with his mom and dad, Connie and Hal Iverson of Lakewood, WA; his twin sister, Betty Jean Ashby-Iverson of St. Louis, MO; his sister, Karen Porras of Aurora, CO; his brother Steven of West Palm Beach, FL; his brother Kenneth of Tacoma, WA; and his beloved partner, Michael Lyons of North Bend, WA. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 PM Monday, April 1 at the Bonney-Watson Funeral Home, Capitol Hill, 1732 Broadway, Seattle; (206) 322-0013. Cremated remains will be committed to the waters near The Dry Tortugas, FL at a later date.
Pub Date: 3/29/2002 Tacoma News Tribune 

Other circumstances (Grandpa Roy and the Saint Louis connection) gave me the confidence that I had the right family and the right location. From this point forward, finding an address in city directories was easy. I could match the addresses for Hal and Connie. In addition, the city directories included Hal's date of birth, 19 Aug 1928. 

Having a date of birth meant that I could search the social security death index. I found that a Harold Edward Iverson b. 19 Aug 1928 had died in Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington on 23 Jul 2006. Lakewood, Washington is a suburb of Tacoma. In addition, the index noted that the social security number had been issued in Wisconsin before 1951. Perhaps Hal was born in Wisconsin. 

For cross confirmation, I checked the Tacoma newspaper (The News Tribune) and found a death notice that said the Harold E. Iverson of Lakewood had died 23 Jul 2006...no birth location. 

I'm continuing to work on tracing information for the Iverson family, including hunting for a burial location. If I get too antsy, I can always contact Connie. However, from my point of view, I still have lots of work to do before I try contacting Connie. I'll post an update when I find more to say about the Iverson family. 

In the meantime, the point of this post is to examine what you know and see if you can put the puzzle pieces together. The most benign pieces of information--in my case, nick names--might be just the thin trail of info you need for success. 

Staying Connected Pays--Hinerman Update

When we last left Catherine Agnes (McKinley) Hinerman, I had requested a death certificate. Requesting the certificate was the suggestion of a kindly stranger, who sent me the address for an ordering spot. The objective was to see if the certificate included the name of the cemetery where Catherine is buried. It did!

You can find Catherine's memorial on Find a Grave (76781021).

So with a little hint and $9.00, I was able to change Catherine's custom ID from O for obituary to FO for Find A Grave and obituary. If you missed the posts about the custom ID field, I use a series of IDs in a custom ID field that my software includes to help me target my searches.

Find A Grave Bonus

Well, what I didn't get on the two obits that came in today, I did get from a Find A Grave photo request. I asked for a photo of the grave site of Elsie M. (Beane) Anderson (74316732).  The volunteer added Elsie's husband's info since he also appears on the grave marker. I've asked the volunteer to transfer the memorial to me.

Edward Michael G. Anderson
b. Dec 1901 Ashton Under Lyne, County Lancashire, England
d. 1964 probably in Massachusetts, possibly in Palmer but maybe in Springfield (FAG 76508332)

I can't find a social security death index entry for him...the quick and easy way to death info. However, with at least a year of death, I can begin to search for more records.

Pitfalls of Obits with No Burials

I tracked down two more obituaries. The problem is that neither one includes a burial location so that means no Find A Grave memorial...yet. My next best bet is to write to the funeral home, which is in the obits, to see if someone there can look up where they are buried. I'll post again when I figure this out.

• Janet (Chasse) GraciaNew Bedford Standard Times, New Bedford Massachusetts, 21 Apr 1990, Page 5 B
• Homer Gracia
  New Bedford Standard Times, New Bedford, Massachusetts, 7 Sep 1993

Staying Connected Pays--Hinerman Update (29 Aug Post)

When you create a blog with few restrictions on it and start posting, it's like putting a message in a bottle and dropping it off a cliff into the sea. You have no idea what the results might be.

In addition to maintaining my own blog, I follow several of them, I'm active on Facebook, and I'm a member of a genealogy group on LinkedIn. I'm a great believer in posting info anywhere and everywhere because you never know where a person might be searching. Also, posting anywhere and everywhere improves your chances of having your entry turn up in a general search using a search engine...any search engine.

Responding to a Question Pays Off in Unexpected Way

The LinkedIn group is particularly active. Members of the group post questions. I read them and the responses, and occasionally post a comment myself. One post that came through recently was asking for tips on newspaper research.

If you've read just a few posts on my blog, you'll see I'm in constant pursuit of obituaries along with other newspaper articles so that I can post information on Find A Grave. In response to the LinkedIn question, I posted a comment with links to examples of successes in my blog. I've been told that part of the value of my blog is that I tell readers how I'm doing what I'm doing rather than simply reporting my successes...sort of case studies on the go.

Well my email this a.m. brought an unexpected result. A fellow researcher and LinkIn genealogy group subscriber (Betty) seems to have read my post on LinkedIn and followed the links to read the posts that I included as examples. One of the examples was the Hinerman post. In that post, I lamented that I have all of this info about Hinerman but I can't add it to Find A Grave because all I know is that she's buried in Belleville, Illinois. I did a quick look for an index in Illinois but didn't find much that would help. Since I do zero research in Minnesota where Hinerman died, I moved on to other searches.

In her email, Betty sent me an address for the Minnesota Historical Society, which has a death certificate index. For $9.00, you can order copies online (I ordered). As Betty pointed out to me in her email, death certificates frequently include burial locations or the local funeral home that might be able to tell me where Hinerman is buried.

Betty also suggested I try Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness for a volunteer. Again, if you've read my blog, you know that RAOGK is near and dear to my heart. However, I decided that $9.00 was cheap enough that I just ordered the certificate. The $9.00 is also a passive way to donate to a historical society...another activity I try to engage in as much as I am able.

Upshot of this Post

Responding to other people's questions--attempting to help--frequently is returned in kind. However, no one will know about your questions/problems unless you're out there and engaged in the give and take of information. My advise to any genealogist is to get involved in technology. Being engaged in technology allows you to advertise your project and your challenges. Kind strangers...who sometimes turn out to be distant relatives...will help you when they know what you're looking for. You can see that truth time and again in posts on my blog. Creating a blog is easy, interactive, and fun. So if you've hesitated, you might want to reconsider and get in on all the action.

Sarah Jane (Anderson) Chasse 1892-1979 England, Maine, Massachusetts

The McArthur Public Library in Biddeford, Maine comes through again.

BIDDEFORD--Sarah J. Chasse, 89, of 179 Hill St. died sudenly Wednesday at the Webber Hospital.

She was born in England, April 9, 1890, daughter of Joseph and Julia Pierce Anderson, and came here when she was two years old. She attended Biddeford schools.

She and her husband Albert Chasse had lived in Massachusetts for more than 40 years. Mrs. Chasse retired to Biddeford 10 years ago, after his death.

Mrs. Chesse was a member of Christ Episcopal Church.

Survivors are a son, John Chasse of Fairhaven, Mass.; a daughter, Janet Gracia of Rochester, Mass.; a brother, Richard Anderson of biddefore; two sisters, Elizabeth Anderson and Jessie Anderson, both of Biddeford; and several grandchildren.

Calling hours will be held tonight from 7 to 9 at the Dennett and Craig Funeral Home, 365 Main St., Saco.

Friday calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Fairhaven Funeral Home, 177 Main St.

Services will be held Saturday at 9 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Fairhaven.

Here are Sarah's details:

Sarah Jane Andersonb. 9 Apr 1892 Ashton Town, Ashton-Under-Lyne, Lacanshire, England
d. 29 Aug 1979 Biddeford, York County, Maine
m. Before 1920 (I don't have exact date or place)
Alfred John Chasse (Albert in obit but that's an error)
b. 4 Oct 1895 Biddeford, York County, Maine
d. Jun 1964 Fairhaven, Bristol County, Massachusetts

Child 1:
Janet Chasse
b. 31 Dec 1920 Biddeford, York County, Maine
d. 31 Mar 1990 New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts
m. (I don't have date or place)
Homer Gracia
b. 27 Aug 1915 Where?, Massachusetts
d. 5 Sep 1993 New Bedford Bristol County, Massachusetts

Child 2:
John Anderson Chase
John and his family are still living as near as I can tell.

I've created a Find A Grave memoral for Sarah (76103139) and I requested a photo. I'm hoping she has a double stone so that I can find Alfred too. I've also started seaching for obit and buial info on Sarah's daughter and son-in-law. I'll post updates when I find out more.

Frances A. (Rich) Eastman, 1910-1985, Maine

France A. (Rich) Eastman FAG memorial 75991662.
Gordon M. Eastman, Sr. FAG memorial 75991557.
Gordon M. Eastman, Jr. FAG memorial 75989267.
Patricia Lorraine (Eastman) Bryan FAG memorial 75992026.

If you are looking for information on this Eastman family, be sure the check http://network.mainegenealogy.net, which is the Maine Genealogy Network. Gordon (Sr.) was a Lovell Selectman and he gave several interviews through his life, which you can find at this website.

I've added basic info and linking to the Eastman memorials and I've requested photographs. I've been parked on the Maine Genealogy Network and have lots of info to add to Gordon's FAG memorial...but it's late. So this task will have to come at a later date.

OK...new rule...

I don't normally research in North Carolina (NC). However, I do have two people who died there. Luckily, NC has transcribed death records on both Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org. I assumed (never a good idea) that the transcriptions on both sites were the same. I found the record I was looking for on Ancestry first. Later, on a whim, I decided to see if the same record appeared on Family Search. It did...and there were additional details in the Family Search transcription. In addition, the Ancestry.com transcription included details that the Family Search transciption did not include.

I do cross check for other states (Texas most notably); however, with this recent experience, I have a new rule: When you find a record on one site, you cross check it with at least one additional site. So there! A new lesson learned. Now, if I can just remember who else out the 1,700 people in my database died in NC, I can impliment my new rule.

Public vs. Private

When I think of my genealogy work, I think of it in terms of public and private.

The public aspect of it includes entries in this blog and posting lots and lots of info at Find A Grave. My objective is to put as much info in public spaces so that anyone searching in the future won't have to go far to find what they are looking for...and perhaps contact me. I also maintain a website that is in great need of an update, and two books that I've been picking at for quite a while.

The private part of my genealogy involves the info in my database, which encompasses so much more than I've been able to place in public spaces. In addition, there are a couple of special cases, where I have some information to place in a site like Find A Grave but not as much as I need. Case in point is Catherine Agnes McKinley (Mrs. Charles Philip Hinerman). I have her obituary, but no place of burial, except Belleville, Illinois. Belleville has several cemeteries with no indexes that I'm aware of.

Minneapolis Morning Tribune, Monday, 7 Oct 1957, Page 1

Mrs. Hinerman, Pastor's Wife, Dies at 37

Mrs. Catherine A. Hinerman, 37, wife of the Rev. C. Philip Hinerman, pastor of Park Avenue Methodist church, died Sunday.

Services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Park Avenue church, with the Rev. Blaine Lambert, assistant pastor, officiating. The body will be at the church after 2 p.m. today. Burial will be in Belleville, Ill.

Survivors include her husband; a son Philip Christian; a daughter, Karen Susanne, Minneapolis; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. L. R. McKinley, Belleville, and three brothers. L. Dean, W. Wayne and Leland C. N. McKinley, all of Belleville.

 Here are the vitals:

Catherine Agnes McKinley
(d/o Lemuel Ranson McKinley and Catherine Louella Stevenson)
b. 8 Jan 1920 Tilden, Randolph County, Illinois
d. 6 Oct 1957 Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota
m. 8 Jul 1941 (Don't know where)
Charles Philip Hinerman
b. 20 Jun 1918 Huntington, Cabell County, West Virginia
d. 22 Mar 2001 Greensboro, Guilford County, North Carolina

Charles and Caterine had two children: Karen Suzanne and Philip Christian.

As you can see, I know a whole lot that I would love to post to Find A Grave...except I have no burial location. So my next best option is to post the details here and see what happens next.

Royce Allen Burns, 1932-2007, Texas

I'm the worst about concentrating on chasing obituaries in newspapers. However, there's so much more that you can find in newspapers. While trawling for info on NewspapersArchives.com, I ran into this wedding article for Royce Allen Burns (Find A Grave memorial 75585024). I didn't have a marriage date for Royce and the Texas marriage index on Ancestry.com doesn't pick up until 1966. So finding this article was a nice way of getting to the date, location, and so much more.

The Paris News, Paris, Texas, 26 Dec 1956, Page 9 Paris News Service

ROSALIE - Royce Allen Burns, Rt. 1, Bogata, and Miss Imagene Cagle, Rt. 3, Clarksville, were married Saturday morning by the Rev. Hoyt Briniee, Bogata Baptist pastor, at the home of the bridegroom's brother-in-law and sister, Mr. and Mrs. Maxie Lewis. The attendants were Gerald Burns and Miss Betty Butler.

The bride wore a blue faille dress with full skirt and fitted bodice, with boat-shaped neckline and short sleeves, her small hat with veil being rhinestone-trimrned.

After the ceremony, a three tiered cake, trimmed in blue, was cut and served with punch by Mrs. Juarez Jordan and Mrs. Lewis. The table was spread wi th lace over blue, Christmas decorations being used elsewhere in the rooms.

Miss Reba Joyce Robinson had charge of the register, and Mrs. Jim Robinson and Mrs. Gene Burns were also in the houseparty. Guests included Mrs. R.S. Rice, Bobbie Rice and Bobby Lee Yenable, all of Denison; Carl Henry Burns, New Roads, La.; Gene Burns and Burl Robinson.

The bride, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Cagle, Rt. 3, Clarksville, is a Clarksville High School senior, while the bridegroom is employed by Griff in and Dickson Construction Company. He is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Gene Burns, Bogata.

After a trip to Arkansas, the couple will be at home in Bogata.

Now if I only had a wedding picture...

Digging for Esther’s Husband

Joseph and Julia (Pierce) Anderson had a total of nine children. I’ve written about this family in this blog many times. I had tracked down info on all of them except child number two, Esther S. Anderson. In looking at the obituaries for Esther’s mother and older sister (Mary Hannah Anderson), I noticed that the list of pallbearers had a few familiar names and a few repeating names. Many other family members have obituaries but none of them include the pallbearers.

Julia’s Pallbearers (1956)

Odell Rich
John Chasse 

Gordon Eastman

Francis Marcotte

Roy Duross

Homer Garcia

Mary’s Pallbearers (1967)

Leo Machell

John Chasse

Guy Anderson

Maurice Duross

Roy Duross
Thomas Garcia

In a shot in the dark move, I decided to trace all of the pallbearers to see if any of them lead me to Esther. I knew that Esther was alive in 1912 at the time of the death of her younger brother, William Joseph Anderson. William’s obituary mentions that he is survived by three brothers and five sisters, which means he was the first of the nine children to die. In 1912, Esther was 27 and it seemed a reasonable assumption that she was married. The Maine marriage index had no marriage for her. So I began to systematically look up each of the pallbearers.

Since Roy Duross appeared on both lists, I started with him. I found that he worked at the Saco-Lowell Machine Shops, which is also where Frank Anderson worked. I assumed that Roy and Maurice Duross were family friends.

I could identify Guy Anderson as Frank’s son and John Chasse as Sarah Jane (Anderson) Chasse’s son.

I took a stab at Odell Rich and found that he was married to an Esther. But was it my Esther? I did the general survey search that every genealogist does and I found the following items:

• A New Hampshire Marriage Record for Odell C. Rich and Esther Anderson. Esther’s parents were listed as Joseph and Julia Anderson. Odell’s Esther was indeed my Esther.
• A 1920 census entry listed three children for Odell and Esther: Frances (b. Mar 1910); Odell (b. Apr 1912), and Eleanor (b. Oct 1913).
• A marriage record for Frances A. Rich to Gordon M. Eastman.  Gordon was one of Julia’s pallbearers.
• A marriage record for Eleanor E. Rich to Francis L. Marcotte. Francis was one of Julia’s pallbearers.

All circumstances point to my having tracked down Esther’s marriage. So here are all of the vitals.

Esther S. Anderson

b. Aug 1885 Ashton Under Lyne, Lancashire, England
d. Before 1943 (If you can help, I’d love to hear from ya’.)
m. 4 Jul 1909 Somersworth, Strafford County, NH
Odell Cleveland Rich
b. 26 Dec 1882 Norway, Oxford County, Maine
d. After 1943 (If you can help, I’d love to hear from ya’.)
Odell marries a second time in 1943 to Ida Dunham Sweatt. I’m assuming that Esther dies while still married to Odell.

Child 1: Frances A. Rich

b. Mar 1910 Norway, Oxford County, Maine
d. 4 Jul 1985 Bridgton, Cumberland County, Maine
m. 10 Jun 1939 Norway, Oxford County, Maine
Gordon M. Eastman
b. 15 Dec 1916 Lovell, Oxford County, Maine
d. 12 May 2006 Lovell, Oxford County, Maine

Child 2: Odell Cleveland Rich

b. 18 Apr 1912 Norway, Oxford County, Maine
d. 26 Apr 1973 Norway, Oxford County, Maine
m. 17 Dec 1938 Maine
Gertrude C. Mann
b. Oct 1918 Paris, Oxford County, Maine
d. If you can help, I’d love to hear from ya’.

Child 3: Eleanor E. Rich

b. 5 Oct 1913 Norway, Oxford County, Maine
d. 21 Feb 2001 Norway, Oxford County, Maine
m. 30 Jul 1942 Norway, Oxford County, Maine
Francis L. Marcotte
b. 17 Oct 1918  (If you know where, I’d love to hear from ya’.)
d. 13 Oct 2005 Norway, Oxford County, Maine

Future Research

I’m on the hunt for obituaries and burial locations. The Sun Journal seems to be the preferred newspaper for the obituaries. I’ll post an update when I learn more. In the meantime, if you're hunting for a wayward husband, you might want to examine the pallbearers in family obituaries to see if any of them look promising as a possible mate. 

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John James Anderson...Continued

Find A Grave memorials:

John James Anderson = 75132315 (based on obit)

Anne Ellen (Doran) Anderson = 75134150...She went by Annie; however, the burial record shows Anne.

The McArthur Public Library in Biddeford, Maine rocks! I had John's obit in about 12 hours. 

John James Anderson; 1873-1925; Ashton Under Lyne, England; Biddeford, Maine

John was the son of Alexander McKee Anderson and his wife Esther Ann Pollard. He was born 18 Oct 1873 in Ashton Under Lyne, County Lancashire, England. He grew up in Ashton Under Lyne. You can find him on the 1881, 1891, and 1901 English censuses.

While living in England, John marries Annie Ellen Doran in the winter of 1897.  Annie was born in September of 1871 in Birkenhead, County Cheshire, England, the daughter of Patrick Doran and Mary May.

In 1904, John came to the USA, joining his family in Maine. You can find him as a passenger on the Canada, arriving in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada in March 1904. John's mother and brother (Joseph Anderson) had already moved to the Biddeford, York County, Maine area in the early 1890's. Many members of the Anderson family work in Maine's cotton mills.

During the course of their marriage John and Annie have ten children (according to census info). However, only two of their children seem to survive to adulthood: Edward Michael G. Anderson (b. Dec 1901) and Norman F. Anderson (b. 1906). Currently, I have information on four of the ten children only. Two additional children (James and Agnes), twins born in Jan 1912 die within a few days of each other in Feb 1912. When Annie comes to the U.S.A. following John about a year later, she brings only one child with her...Edward.

By the 1910 census, the family is together, living in Saco, York County, Maine. In 1912, a naturalization record shows the family living at 74 James Street, Saco, Maine. According to the 1920 census, John becomes a citizen in 1914. As a citizen, John registers for World War I. I haven't sent for his records to find out if he actually served.

John's naturalization records should be in the court district of Maine with an action date of 4 Mar 1912 in Volume IV Number 92. If anyone reading this blog has the ability to look this up, I would appreciate a copy of the document.

For several years the family is settled in at 15 Fall Street, Biddeford, Maine. John is working as a machinist for SLM Company. You can find the family at this address in the 1920 census and a 1923 city directory. Also noted in the 1923 city directory is son Edward's move to Worcester, Massachusetts. Edward lives and works in the Hampden County area of Massachusetts for the majority of his life.

By the time of the 1930 census, John is no longer with the family. In the 1930 census, Annie and Norman have joined Edward in Massachusetts. The family is living at 783 Liberty, Springfield, Massachusetts. Back tracking through the Biddeford and Saco City Directory, I was able to isolate a probable death date for John between 1923 and 1926.

As it so happens, Google News Archive includes copies of the Biddeford Weekly Journal, which is one of the newspapers that covers the Biddeford area. I searched for Anderson in that newspaper from 1923 to 1926 and found the following entry:

Biddeford Weekly Journal, Biddeford, Maine 18 Dec 1925, Page 7

Norman Anderson, a senior, was relieved of his school duties because of the death of his father, John J. Anderson. The senior class sent a beautiful floral piece and also extends sympathy to the family.

The newspaper had a weekly column that reported high school news on a weekly basis. My summation is that John died the week of 18 Dec 1925.

The following year (18 Jun 1926) the same column in the Biddeford Weekly Journal lists Norman as one of 52 high school graduates. He graduates with honors.

My next task is to see if I can locate an obituary for John, mostly because I'd like to find out where he is buried. I suspect he is in Woodlawn Cemetery, Biddeford, York County, Maine. However, I have to have more than a guess before I add a memorial and request a grave site photograph from a Find A Grave volunteer. Hopefully, I'll be able to get the obit from the Biddeford library. They've been kind and helpful before and I hope I haven't worn out my welcome.

John's wife Annie lives out her life in the Hampden County, Massachusetts area. Using city directories, I can track her up to 1946 when she moves in with her son Edward at his home (26 Maynard, Springfield, Massachusetts). So I know she died after 1946. Another researcher states that she died in Chicopee, Hampden County, Massachusetts. I haven't proved or disproved the location; however, I am continuing to research.

Edward marries Elsie M. Beane (13 Sep 1925 in Biddeford) and they have four children that I know of. Elsie dies 5 May 1969 in Springfield (FAG memorial 74316732) and her obituary notes that Edward preceded her. With four surviving children, I perhaps have an opportunity to write to these distant cousins and have them fill in lots of blanks for me. We'll see.

Norman marries Madeline Unknown. My informaton on him is limited. He seems to stay in the Hampden County area of Massachusetts. I am continuing to research.

Please contact me if you have an interest in this family.

Samuel Smith Continued...

With the discovery of the obit for Samuel and his two brothers, I decided to plunk down some cash for Find My Past so that I could get at the images for the 1911 English census. Here's what I found.

William Smith + Agnes Eleanor Anderson had the following children on the census:
Jane Anderson Smith b. 1893 (d. 1961 as Mrs. Issac Henshaw)
Esther Ann Smith b. 1894 (d. 1971 as Mrs. James William Bailey)
Dinah Smith b. 1895 (d. 13 Oct 1979 as Mrs. James Taylor Kay)
John William Smith b. 1897 (d. before 1957)
Ada Hannah Smith b. 1899 (d. 1899)
Samuel Smith b. 1900 (d. 23 Apr 1957...see previous post)
Clara Smith b. 1902 (d. Aug 1946)
Mary Smith b. 1903 (d. 1903)
Eleanor Smith b. 1903 (d. 1903)
Richard Smith b. 1905 (d. after 1957)
Annie Smith b. 1907 (d. 1908)
Harry Smith b. 1908 (d. after 1957)

I could confirm all of the births at the Cheshire BMD site. So, I returned to the Tameside page to search burials and hit paydirt again. Clara Smith never married and Cheshire BMD has both a birth and death record for her. In addition, I was able to find her on the Tameside site. The big surprise is that she's buried with her mother, Agnes Eleanor (Anderson) Smith.

Agnes Eleanor (Anderson) Smith
b. Apr/May/Jun 1869 Ashton-Under Lyne, Lancashire, England
d. Feb 1922 Ashton-Under Lyne, Lancashire, England
buried 9 Feb 1922 Dukinfield Cemetery and Crematorium, Dukinfield, Cheshire, England

So for about $40 U.S., I've been able to flesh out lots more of the Smith family. I've continued poking around in Find My Past. It's easy to use; however, its holdings are not as extensive as Ancestry.com.

In addition to the many Smith children, I also found more Dodd children.

Albert Dodd + Mary Jane (unknown maiden name):
Sarah Jane Dodd (b. 1891)
Albert Dodd (b. 1893)
John William Dodd (b. 1895)
Alice Dodd (b. 1898)
Nellie Dodd (b. 1900)
Alfred Dodd (b. 1901)
Unknown Dodd (b. 1905)
Harry Dodd (b. 1908)

So the same $40 bought me lots more research leads...and I still have a few more credits that are good for one year. All in all, I would say that Find My Past was a good investment.

Samuel Smith, 1900-1957, Ashton-Under-Lyne, England - Monson, Hampden County, MA, USA

Samuel is the son of William Smith and Agnes Eleanor Anderson. He was born Apr-May-Jun 1900 (no certificate yet). At age 23, Samuel sails from Southampton to New York City aboard the Olympic. He arrives in NYC 5 Sep 1923. He is going to live with his uncles' families (Joseph Anderson and John James Anderson).

Initially, he went to his Anderson relatives in Biddeford, Maine, but eventually moves on to be near Anderson relatives in Springfield, Massachusetts. The 1930 census shows him living with his aunt (Anna (Doran) Anderson). He's working at the Assembler Auto Company. The following year a city directory shows him living on his own at 790 Liberty, Springfield, Massachusetts. He is working for Westinghouse.

In a stroke of luck, while searching for something else entirely, I found his obituary.

The Springfield Union, Springfield, Massachusetts, Wednesday, 24 Apr 1957, page 29

SAMUEL SMITH

Monson, April 23--Samuel Smith of Stebbins Rd. died this afternoon in the home of his nephew, Edward Anderson. He was born in England, son of William and Agnes (Anderson) Smith and had lived here many years. He was a veteran of World Wars I and II, serving with the British Army in the first war and with the United States in the second. He was a member of the Notre Dame Club in Springfield.

He leaves two brothers, Richard and Harry, and three sisters, Mrs. June Henshaw, Mrs. Dina Kay, and Mrs. Esther Bailey, all in England, and two nephews, including Edward, with whom he made his home. Funeral will be Friday at 9 with Rev. Johnathan Morrill, pastor of St. Mary's Episcopal Church, officiating at the parlors of Palmer Funeral Service. Burial will be Woodlawn Cemetery, Biddeford, Me. Calling hours at the funeral home will be Wednesday and Thursday from 2 to 5 and 7 to 10.

I have information on all three of his sisters; however, his brothers were a complete surprise. So it's back to Cheshire BMD or Lancashire BMD to see what I can find. And then there are the military records...so much to look for courtesies of one lucky newspaper search.

Lucy Jane (Booth) Laramore Russell, 1901-1973, Texas

Lucy is the daughter of Ananias Jackson Booth, Jr. (FAG 45484379) and Salena Ann Elizabeth Atkins (FAG 45484502). Here are her stats:
b. 29 Aug 1901 Springs, Edwards, Texas
d. 30 May 1973 Erath County, Texas (no burial location or obit)
m#1. 21 May 1915 unknown place (divorced between 1920 and 1930 censuses)
Charles Elonzo Laramore
b. 19 Dec 1887 Livingston, Polk County, Texas
d. 28 Apr 1948 Abilene, Taylor County, Texas (no burial location or obit)

One child:
Nathaniel L. Laramore
b. 25 may 1916 (unknown place)
d. 15 May 1976 Kilgore, Gregg County, Texas
(FAG 58406494; his Laramore grandparents (Enoch and Ella) are also in the same cemetery)

m#2. Unknown date and place
Thad Allan Russell
b. 9 Jun 1896 Bluffdale, Erath County, Texas
d. 9 Oct 1991 Andrews, Andrews County, Texas (no burial location or obit)

Two children: Thad Allan, Jr. (FAG 48885335) and William Jackson.

The Abilene Reporter-News, Abilene, Texas, 22 Feb 1953, Page 11
Mrs. Lucy Russell...oil helps income
Oil Royalty Checks Are Help South Taylor Woman Asserts
By LILLIAN HURD
Reporter-News Correspondent

TUSCOLA, Feb. 21 -One 13th of one eighth percent doesn't sound like very much of anything, but in oil royalties it can mean a great deal. To Mrs. Lucy Russell of Tuscola it was like "finding dollar in a pig's track" when she got her first oil check, as she never expected to profit from the small amount of mineral rights reserved when the estate of her !ate pioneer parents was sold.

From one producing oil well on the property, Mrs. Russell and other heirs are getting a fair monthly income, much better than an old age pension, and more wells are in prospect. The land, now owned by Ed Grnham of Abilene, is about 15 miles south of View and west of Buttertield highway. Judge J. R. Black of Abilene owns the land joining the Graham property and the two men are brothers-in-law.

Did Not Know Oil

When the late Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Booth came west by covered wagon back in 1904 and bought 480 acres of ranch land west of Lake Abilene community, the only thing they knew about oil was that axle grease used in the hub of their wagon wheels was made from crude oil. They never dreamed that Taylor County would someday be dotted with oil wells from one side to the other from north to south.

A nephew of the pioneer settlers, John Atkins of Guion community south of Ovalo, said that his parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. G. T. Atkins came to Taylor county in 1900 and bought ranch land west of Lake Abilene area. When the Booth family decided to come west, Atkins went back to Erath county to help move the family. With a covered wagon train carrying the family and their household goods, Atkins and other menfolk of the family rode horseback and drove 50 head of cattle to the new location in the west. Going first to Big Spring, the Booth family soon came back to Taylor county, "where they had stopped and looked around a bit", enroute to Big Spring.

With twelve brood mares besides the cattle, the Booths were looking for good grazing land and they found it on the ranch they bought. For many years they lived on the land and raised saddle horses and cattle. "Not many oldtimers in Taylor county that had not ridden a stock horse raised on the Booth ranch", Atkins said. Sheep and goats were unheard of in this area then and cattlemen hated them, he stated. Atkins, who is constable of the Guion precinct, where the family lives, has watched the changing times in the county with interest during his 53 years as a citizen. No mineral rights were reserved when his parents estate was sold.

Good Old Days

Mrs. Russell recalled the good times the neighbors had back in the early days of Taylor county when people had time to visit each other and to have weekly comnunity gatherings at the old Elm Grove schoothouse, Mrs. Russell, her cousins, and a large number of other children in the neighborhood learned their three R-s in the old one-room schoolhouse, and also went to church and Sunday school in the building. She staled the cominunity was thickly populated at that time and every community meet was well attended. The 'literary society programs", presenting local talent, and spelling bees made up special entertainment. "Some of the best singers in the county and many of the best fiddlers, lived in the community," Mrs. Russell said.

Inkum Post Office

The nearest postoffice was Inkum, still remembered as a gathering place for the settlers when the mail came through by stagecoach. Names of some of the pioneers recalled by Mrs. Russell and Atkins are the Youngs, still residents of the area, the Andersons, Pruitts, Kings, Knights, Perrys, Hallmarks and Sirathers, who have long since died or moved to other areas.

Mrs. Russell had four brothers and sisters. Living are Mrs. Emma Smith, Snyder; Armour Booth of Welch. Children of the deceased will share in the benefits of the oil royalties. The Booth children are among the few-heirs of pioneer settlers reserving oil royalies, in Taylor County.

Mrs. Russell's husband is T. A. Russell, an oil driller, now employed at Lubbock. They own 160 acres of land two miles northwest of Tuscola where the family home is located. The couple has two sons, Thad Jr., student at Texas Technological "College" at Lubbock and soon to enroll at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Jack is a student at South Taylor high school at Tuscola, High were star football players at South Taylor last year.

Other than Nat Laramore, I have no burial locations for members of this group. If someone can send me the locations, I can set up a Find A Grave memorial and link family members.

In addition to burial locations, I'd like to find obits, which can provide so much information about a person and their family.

Also, for the Russell marriage, I'm missing the date and place the event occurred.

So if there's a Booth researcher out there with the info, I have bunches of Booth info to trade.



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