Rootbound in the Hills #26: 22 Mar 1988

by Rocky Macy

This week the postman brought a letter from Mrs. Anna COOPER (P.O. Box 272, Wheaton, MO 64874). She is researching the family of George Washington NICHOLS and Martha OAKS (OCHE). George Nichols was born in 1827 and died in 1897. He is buried in the Rocky Comfort Cemetery in Hiwasse, AR. George's wife, Martha, was born in 1829 in Kentucky and died in 1908. She is buried in Cherryvale, KS. The couple's children were Milar, Jane, William, and Tom. Mrs. COOPER's husband is a descendant of the NICHOLS family. She would appreciate any assistance which Rootbound readers may be able to offer.

Here is another query from Raymond E. JEFFERIES (c/o Jeff-Gen Research, P.O. 369, Pea Ridge, AR 72751). He is seeking information about Dr. Israel STANIFORD and Amanda HUFFACRE who were reportedly married at or around Neosho, MO, year unknown. Dr. STANIFORD may be buried in the vicinity of Bella Vista, AR, and Amanda is reported to be buried around Southwest City, MO. Perhaps some of our Neosho readers will be able to help with this one.

Mention was made in last week's Rootbound of the Northwest Arkansas Genealogical Society and its excellent quarterly publication, The Backpacker. Persons desiring more information about this group may write to the Society at P.O. Box K, Rogers, AR 72757. Membership dues are $9 per calendar year, and copies of The Backtracker may be purchased individually for $2.50 each. Not only do members get The Backtracker free, but they are also entitled to three fifty-word queries in each issue at no charge.

Rootbound's good friend, Naomi F. MILLER ORTIZ of Bartlesville, OK, forwarded a copy of a genealogy column which appears in The Daily Oklahoman each Saturday. The column welcomes brief, free ancestral queries from or about Oklahomans, with priority to those citing specific people, places, and times. Queries should be sent to Mary GODDARD, The Daily Oklahoman, Box 25125, Oklahoma City, OK 73125. And when you write, tell Mary that you read about her column in Rootbound!

Vera H. MURPHREE (778 Dorothy St., Chula Vista, CA 92011) appears to be tracking the same POE line that spawned Comfort POE ROARK, matriarch of most of the ROARKs in this area. She believes, as do I, that Comfort was the daughter of William POE. William had a twin brother named Johnson POE. Unsubstantiated information that I have collected from other researchers indicates that William was born 15 April 1778 in NC and died on 16 April 1855 in Allen County, KY. William was married twice. His first wife was Sarah ROARK, and wife number two was Delaney AUSTIN. It is unclear as to which wife would have been the mother of Comfort. William and Johnson were probably sons of Benjamin POE who was born on 14 Aug 1749 in Culpepper County, VA and died in late 1839 in Allen County, KY. Do any of our readers have a family Bible or other documents which might shed some light on all of this speculation? If you do, please share it with Rootbound.

Rootbound Shortcut: Prepare a list of surnames that you are researching, and stuff a copy in each genealogical letter that you send out. I sent my surnames list to Annabelle E. CHANDLER of Meadow Vista, CA, after running her BRUNNER query in Rootbound a few weeks ago. She noticed a couple of names of interest and wrote back. It turns out that we share a good bit of common lineage. She has provided me with information about our BRACKIN and STALCUP lines that I didn't have, and it looks as though I also have data which she needs. And it all began with a surname list! (When you get your surname list put together, send it to Rootbound and we'll publish it!)

Happy trails!

Rootbound in the Hills #25: 15 Mar 1988

by Rocky Macy

Edythe HALL RILEY of Noel has accumulated an extensive amount of genealogical information on the HALL family of Benton County, AR, and McDonald County, MO. With her kind permission, the following is submitted to the readers of Rootbound:

1. Randolph HALL was born 9 Jan 1796 in VA and died in 1896. He married Polly CANADY who was born on 5 June 1805 and died in 1891. Their children were: Catherine E. (born 13 July 1825, married John Emmel BEASLY); Martha Jane (born 19 June 1827, married Jake YEARWOOD); Judah Ann (born 12 May 1829, married Patrick DUNCAN); Thomas Burrell(born 13 Nov 1830, died young); James Fanning (born 1 June 1832, died young); Jefferson Monroe (born 13 Aug 1834, died young); John Randolph (see below); Albert Eli (born 12 Apr 1838, married _____ SPICER); Mary Malinda (born 6 Dec 1839, married Ed ZUMBRO); Levander Turrett (born 19 Dec 1841, went to Texas); Marmon Ro (born 16 Feb 1844, married Leatha June BULLARD); Lambert Carney (born 2 Sep 1846, married Martha BIVINS); Jarman C. (born 23 July 1848); and Nancy Mahalia (born 9 Sep 1850, married Frank JONES).

2. John Randolph HALL was born 28 Jul 1836 in Rutherford County, TN, and died on 27 Oct 1912 in Noel, MO. He married Louisa Penelopy Jane "Jennie" CHRISTENBERRY on 17 Apr 1868. She was born on 16 Dec 1848, the daughter of John Edd CHRISTENBERRY and Terzey MITCHELL. Their children were were Mahala (born 1869, died young), Randolph (born 3 June 1872 in TN, died 22 Mar 1894 in AR); Joseph Samuel (born 10 Apr 1874 in TN, 29 July 1903 in AR); Ivan (born July 1875 in TN, died 25 July 1957 in CA, married Anne Dixion McCULLOUGH); John Edward (see below); Lillie Mae (born 13 May 1883 in TN, married Walter MALONEY); and, Mack Clarance (born 2 Nov 1890 in TN, died 1948 in Noel, MO, married Hazel CAMPBELL).

3. John Edward HALL was born 28 July 1880 in Bedford County, TN, and died on 24 June 1954 in Noel, MO. He married Ina E. DEAN in Pineville, MO, on 29 Aug 1907. She was the daughter of Henry E. DEAN and Adelia Maria WASSON. "Edd" and Ina had six children, one of whom was Mrs. RILEY.

An interesting note is that Hall Ridge Road in Noel was named after descendants of Randolph and Polly HALL. Our thanks to Edyth HALL RILEY for sharing her research with our readers.

Raymond E. JEFFERIES (c/o Jeff-Gen Reasearch, P.O. Box 369, Pea Ridge, AR 72751) has sent a couple of nice letters after noticing the recent mention of Rootbound in the Hills in The Genealogical Helper. Mr. JEFFERIES has been doing professional genealogical research in Washington and Benton Counties for the past fifteen years, and doe limited work in the usrrounding counties. Far a complete listing of Mr. JEFFERIES' resource materials and information about Jeff-Gen, send a long SASE to him at the above address.

Mr. JEFFERIES is a past president of the Northwest Arkansas Genealogical Society. He reports that the Society has placed over $25,000 worth of materials in the Bentonville Public Library. The Society also publishes an excellent quarterly called The Backtracker. (I was a member of the group in 1980 and received one of the most significant genealogical breaks that I've ever had as a result of a query in The Backtracker.)

The following query was submitted by Raymond E. JEFFERIES:

"Seeking information on Dr. Israel STANIFORD, a physician who was born in Indian Territory. The 1880 census of Benton County, AR, Mt. Vernon Township, lists Dr. STANIFORD as being 39-years-old. His wife, Amanda (HUFFACRE) was listed as being aged 38 and born in Missouri. Her parents were both born in Tennessee. Their children at that time were Ira W. (16), Rhoda A. (14), John (11), Wm. H. (9), Laura B. (8), Ide E. (5), Edward (1), and Norman (4 months). The first four were born in Kansas, and the last four were natives of Missouri. The parents apparently died in 1892 as the younger children all had guardians at that time."

Many thanks to Raymond E. JEFFERIES for his information and query.

Until next time...happy trails!

Rootbound in the Hills #24: 8 Mar 1988

by Rocky Macy

Rootbound in the Hills received a nice mention in the most recent issue of The Genealogical Helper, a national magazine dedicated to "helping more people find more genealogy." One of the people who read the piece was Helen HEWITT (6900 S.E. 33rd, Mercer Island, WA 98040. She asked for more information about the column and mentioned that her great-uncles, Robert WANN and Emsley WANN, lived in this area, as did her great-aunt, Jane WANN HUTSON, wife of Benjamin HUTSON. Anyone working on WANN or HUTSON lines should drop a note to Helen.

Rootbound received a second letter from Naomi F. MILLER ORTIZ (707 South Cherokee Ave, Bartlesville, OK 74003). Her query which appeared in the 9 Feb 1988 column sought information on the siblings and parents of her great-grandfather, William Henry GRIFFITH, who was born in Pennsylvania, lived in Ohio and Missouri, and died in Oklahoma. Naomi has sent her four-generation chart which contains the following surnames and locations: MILLER (MO), GRIFFITH (KS, MO, OK, OH, PA), HOOD (MO), WILSON (IA, MO), EASTER (KY), ENGRAM (MO), CLINE (MO, PA), TERRIL (no state given), GABRIEL (KY), and RAMEY (VA). She would, I am certain, enjoy hearing from anyone who might be a twig on one of her branches.

Judy ROBERSON (1239 Willowbrook Dr. #8, Huntsville, AL 35802) is seeking information on her husband's grandfather, __________ ROBERSON, who possibly worked for the railroad at one time. Grandfather ROBERSON died circa 1907 in Kansas City, MO, or Kansas City, KS. His wife was Mary Elizabeth THIEMANN. She was born on 22 Oct 1882 in Fayetteville Twp., IL, and died 27 Jan 1953 in Walla Walla, WA. They were the parents of Frank Edward ROBERSON who was born on 9 Mar 1907 in Kansas City, MO, and died on 8 Jan 1955 in Raytown, MO. Mother and son were on the 1910 census living with a Siras WELDY family in Kansas City, MO, and she was listed as a widow. Mary Elizabeth married Walter HEMBREE after 1910. Please contact Judy ROBERSON at the above address if you have information regarding her line of research.

My children's maternal grandfather was Edwin Seville ROBERSON. A native of Paonia, CO, Edwin went on to become a journeyman printer, working for The Paonian and The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel in Colorado, and eventually joining the Arkansas Democrat in Little Rock, AR. According to his mother, Edna Bashaba GOODENOW ROBERSON HULSE, Edwin was at one time the youngest printer-engraver in the U.S. Another interesting family note is that Edwin's cousin, Georgia DAVIS, was the wife of comedian Red SKELTON.

This past week the mailman brought the first issue of Genealogy Friends Newsletter, the new publication of Neosho's Genealogy Friends of the Library. The impressive newsletter contained a wide variety of information of interest to family tree researchers as well as several queries of local relevance. Issue #2 will provide a list of members and surnames that each is researching. I'll have my list in - and maybe a couple of queries to boot!

Happy trails!

Rootbound in the Hills #23: 1 Mar 1988

by Rocky Macy

Here's another genealogical tidbit for the ROARK file: William Carroll ROARK and Comfort POE, the progenitors of most of our local ROARK lines, were probably married in Allen County, KY, on 10 Nov 1838.

I received that piece of information from a fellow researcher several years ago. Unfortunately, he provided no documentation. This past week a letter came from Mr. William L. THOMAS of Smith's Grove, KY, which verified the earlier report. He sent a xeroxed page from Early Allen County, Kentucky, Marriages by Oliphant which listed William Carroll ROARK and Comfort POE as being married in that county on 10 Nov 1838. The marriage was performed by Levi ROARK.

Mr. THOMAS mentioned in his reply that the ROARKs and POEs were generally in Monroe, Allen, and Warren Counties, with some spilling over into Simpson County and adjoining Tennessee counties.

The next step in my research will be to contact the the county clerk in Allen County to see if an official record of the marriage exists. (Mr. THOMAS stated in his letter that the original courthouse was burned and many records were lost.)

In case you missed it, the Rootbound column of 8 Dec 1987 dealt exclusively with William and Comfort and their children. I would be glad to forward a copy for an SASE.

Mrs. Annabelle E. CHANDLER (817 Cole Road, Meadow Vista, CA 95722) has written seeking information on her g-g-g-grandfather, William THOMAS, Sr, who was born in PA in 1777. He married Lydia BRUNER in 1801 in Mercer County, KY. William was the son of Abraham and Susannah SMITH THOMAS. Lydia was the daughter of of Peter BRUNER. Peter BRUNER's children married people with the following surnames: BANTA, THOMAS, HARRIS, MAGOFFIN, VOORHIES, and DEMARRE. Mrs. CHANDLER's lines extend into Mercer, Washington, Breckenridge, and Shelby Counties in KY. She would like to exchange information with anyone doing related research.

Jack P. WILLIAMS (626 Cherry Ave, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110) who has written previously about the surname PERRY and Crowder College, has forwarded a "thank you" for a brochure on Crowder College that I mailed to him. In his most recent letter, Jack states:

"The brochure arrived. Crowder appears to have a very attractive campus. It is certainly different that the way I remember Camp Crowder. I best remember it for the depth and abundance of its mud since the moment ground was broken for construction it started to rain, and it rained and continued to rain. I recall our cars had to frequently be towed from the parking lot since the mud was so deep it was impossible to move otherwise.

"The brochure arrived in the same mail as the current issue of Smithsonian magazine, and I was startled to find mention of Crowder College in the magazine. The issue has an interesting article on the Australian solar car race, and I was surprised to read that the college had an entry. It is regretable that the entry was overturned by high winds, but the fact there was even an entry by a community college is amazing. Everyone in the project is to be congratulated, and I hope their next car is even more successful."

So do I, Jack. Our corner of the Ozarks is indeed fortunate to have a quality community college like Crowder.

Leonard L. DAMRON (Rt. 1, Box 118, Sulphur Springs, AR 72768) postulates that our area was part of the normal migration route from the East to Arkansas and Texas. He suggests that our ancestors crossed the Mississippi, passed through Springfield, Sarcoxie, and Carthage, and moved on to the area of Southwest City. From there they took advantage of the first break in the Ozark Mountains west of the Mississippi River and headed south to Siloam Springs, Ft. Smith, and beyond. A few, of course, stayed in the Ozarks - lucky for us!

Happy trails!

Rootbound in the Hills #22: 23 Feb 1988

by Rocky Macy

My good friends, Fred and Margaret ANDERSON SMITH, of Goodman, MO, sent me a wonderful little book this past week. Ozark Trails and Tales: A Collection of Memories by Fred Wellington SMITH is a delightful account of a trip that Fred and his father took to Chicago in 1922. It is supplemented with many vignettes of life in and around Goodman in the 1920's. The book was compiled and edited by Fred's son as a surprise for his father.

Fred's parents were James Van Etta SMITH and Caroline Estelle STAIGER SMITH. The family moved from Kansas City to Goodman in 1911 after taking advantage of an offer from Kansas City Southern Railway to provide free round trip transportation to anyone who wanted to look for property along the rail line. Fred was only four-years-old when they arrived in Goodman.

Here is a small sampler from Ozark Trails and Tales:

"Do you remember how the Civil War vets would come to town on the 4th of July waving the Yankee and the Confederate hats?

"Two Civil War vets that I knew real well were J.A. BRAY and C.R. EDDINGS. They both bought Model Ts about the same time.

"Mr. EDDINGS learned to drive his after having his right leg amputated. That was because he had bought a pair of aluminum shoes about a year before and developed a bunion on his right foot. Actually they were like snow shoes with spikes on the soles for walking on ice and aluminum capped toes. They had pretty good leather and were supposed to last a long time. I guess the right one did."

Fred's humor is also evident in his poetry. This selection is entitled "Hotel Goodman":

"Did you ever eat dinner in the old Goodman Hotel?
And listen to the stories that the old timers would tell?
Or drink from the wooden bucket at the old Goodman well?
If the man before you chewed tobacco, how the water would smell!"

Persons desiring more information about Ozark Trails and Tales may write to Fred SMITH at P.O. Box 276, Goodman, MO 64843.

Several weeks ago I mentioned the fine genealogy collection at the City-County Library in Neosho. This week I received a letter from Phyllis CHANCELLOR HOLLEY, chairperson of Genealogy Friends of the Library, a support group for the City-County Library. She explained that the group was formed to share genealogical materials for the library.

Genealogy Friends of the Library meet the second Monday of each month in the genealogy room of the City-County Library. They publish a bimonthly newsletter for members. Membership dues are $7 per year. For further information, please contact Genealogy Friends of the Library, 507 W. Hickory, Neosho, MO 64850. My check is in the mail!

I have also recently joined the Missouri State Genealogical Association (P.O. Box 833, Columbia, MO 65205). $10 annual dues entitle members to issues of its newsletter and quarterly journal. Members may submit information for publication and free queries of up to fifty words. The organization also collects and publishes four-generation charts of its members.

I'm still waiting to hear from Rootbound readers about the possibility of establishing a genealogical group in this area. Share your thoughts on this idea - please!

Rootbound in the Hills #21: 16 Feb 1988

by Rocky Macy

Nomah HAWK is seeking assistance in tracing the lineage of her great-grandmother, Elizabeth MILLS WELLS. Elizabeth was born on 19 March 1837 or 1838, and died on 30 Jan 1909. Elizabeth, who was married to Elbert WELLS, lived in the vicinity of Corsicanna, MO, and is buried at the Corsicanna Cemetery. Nomah is also researching her great-great-grandfather, Charles I. PRICE. He had a daughter, Mary Modean PRICE, who married James D. WOOTENON on 16 Sep 1860, possibly in Barry County, MO. Anyone having information about these individuals should contact Ms. HAWK at Rt. 4, Box 186, Bentonville, AR 72712.

This week's Rootbound mailbag also had a nice letter from Rylen M. RUDY (143S. High St., Neosho, MO 64850). Mr. RUDY, a respected genealogical researcher, has a line which connects with the NOEL family. I have forwarded his query on to Harold and Dorothy Jane SCHIFFERLI, the kind people who provided the NOEL family material for Rootbound's previous article. Basically, Mr. RUDY is interested in learning the parentage of Bill NOEL who was born on 29 Dec 1878 in McDonald County. Bill was married on 10 Dec 1905 to Priscilla "Puss" B. HARMON of Erie Township, McDonald County. He died on 12 June 1954 and is buried at the Noel Cemetery. Rylen would also like to know Bill NOEL's complete name. Who can help?

In addition to his query, Rylen RUDY sent along a copy of his four generation chart. His parents were Earl Rylen RUDY (b. 2 Feb 1885 in Neosho, MO) and Clifford Eve MARTIN (b. 24 Dec 1884 in McDonald County, MO); grandparents were Rylen Barnett RUDY (b. 24 Feb 1861 in Tolona, IL), and Ada Elizabeth CAMPBELL (b. 14 May 1862 in Smithville, AR), Horace Tong MARTIN (b. Feb 1860 in McDonald County, MO), and Christine Ann MAYFIELD (b. 17 Jan 1861 in McDonald County, MO); and, great-grandparents were Perlonzo Conduit RUDY (b. 2 July 1834 in Edgar County, IL), Virginia E. BARNETT (b. 1835 in Jessamine County, KY), William Hugh CAMPBELL (b. 7 Aug 1829 in Lawrence County, TN), Louisa Jane HOLT (b. 9 Apr 1828 in TN), John MARTIN (b. 1837 in TN), Mary Catherine MORRIS (b. 1838 in TN), John Franklin MAYFIELD (b. 23 Apr 1835 in KY), and Elizabeth HARMON (b. 6 March 1836 in Greene County, TN).

Mr. RUDY has generously offered to assist anyone who ties in with any of his lines.

Carole HUFF (7730 Hoff Lane, Knoxville, TN 37938) is trying to locate information on her husband's great-great-grandfather, William HUFF. He was born in Kentucky circa 1823, and married in 1844 in Campbell County, TN. She would appreciate any assistance which our readers may offer.

I have a HUFF line also. Mary E. "Polly" HUFF was born on 9 Apr 1790 in Breckenridge County, KY. She married William MASEY on 9 Jan 1813, and died in Breckenridge County on 12 May 1883. They had twelve children, including a son, Charles (MACY), who migrated to Newton County, MO.

Special thanks to Mrs. COLLIE and her assistant at the McDonald County Library for coordinating and supervising the final exam for my genealogy correspondence course. The test was a real ego bruiser. I'm glad to have it behind me!

Until next week - happy hunting!

Rootbound in the Hills #20: 9 Feb 1988

by Rocky Macy

Phyllis CHANCELLOR HOLLEY (507 West Hickory, Neosho, MO 64850) has written seeking assistance from our readers. Her letter follows:

"Dear Mr. Macy,

"Please accept my query for your genealogy column. I am seeking information about Mary Ann TRICKETT, born ca. 1835, possibly in Virginia. She married Patrick Henry CHANCELLOR on 22 Aug 1858 in Benton County, MO. They also lived in Arkansas and Indian Territory before settling in Newton County, MO. I would like to correspond with anyone researching TRICKETT families."

Naomi F. MILLER ORTIZ (707 South Cherokee Avenue, Bartlesville, OK 74003) is attempting to identify the parents and siblings of her great-grandfather, William Henry GRIFFITH. He was born on 18 March 1828 in Warren County, PA, and died on 15 May 1915 in Marland, OK. William Henry married Sara Ann "Nancy" CLINE on 8 July 1847in Pancoastburg, OH. She was the daughter of Henry CLINE and Catherine RAMEY. William Henry GRIFFITH was a physician in the Civil War. He and Nancy were the parents of Joshua GRIFFITH who was born 1 May 1866 in Unionville, MO, and died on 13 Sep 1949 in Marland, OK. Joshua married Mary Jane WILSON on 5 Aug 1891 in Lamar, MO.

Hopefully somebody out there in Rootbound-land will be able to help Phyllis and Naomi in their quests.

I also have a GRIFFITH line. My great-grandmother, Etta Orvilla GRIFFITH NUTT was the daughter of Orville GRIFFITH. Etta was born in Sarcoxie, MO, on 17 Aug 1873. All that I know about Orville is that he probably lived near Pierce City, MO, at one time.

I had a nice letter from Jack WILLIAMS (626 Cherry Avenue, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110) who ran a query a couple of weeks ago regarding the surname PERRY. Here is an excerpt of what Jack had to say.

"I read your paper with great interest since I was born and raised in Joplin. Can you tell me a little about Crowder College. Is it, by any chance, on the site of Camp Crowder? I was with the engineering firm that did the design work for the construction of Camp Crowder prior to going into the Air force in World War II."

Perhaps some of you would like to respond to Jack's interest in Camp Crowder and Crowder College.

A Sulphur Springs reader wrote in asking about how to get a birth certificate from the state of Texas. Here is the address for birth and death certificates: Bureau of Vital Statistics, Texas Department of Health, 1100 West 49th St, Austin, TX 78756. The latest information that I have lists a fee of $5 per document.

Is there any interest out there in trying to start a local genealogical society? I'd like to hear from the readers of this column regarding the feasibility of forming a local group, and on the types of goals that could be pursued. What can we do to preserve history and make digging easier for ourselves and future family researchers? Your thoughts, please.

Rootbound in the Hills #19: 2 Feb 1988

by Rocky Macy

This week's column begins with a query on one of the hardest surnames to research: SMITH. Mrs. I.D. HARPER (Box 172, Anderson, MO 64831) has submitted the following letter:

"Dear Mr. Macy,

"I would like to learn of any descendants of Charles Porter SMITH and his wife, Lovina H. BIBLE. Charles Porter SMITH was born 20 Aug 1843 in Cocke County, TN, son of Lewis SMITH and his wife, Mary __________. Lewis and Mary are buried in Warren Memorial Gardens Cemetery in McDonald County, MO. The cemetery is located an estimated four miles northeast of Pineville just off of Big Sugar Creek. I do not know where Charles Porter and Lovina are buried or when they died. There is a small account of Charles Porter SMITH in Goodspeed's 1888 History of McDonald County. Below is that account:

"'Charles Porter SMITH, a farmer and stock raiser of Sulphur Springs, McDonald County, was born in Cocke County, East Tennessee, on 20 Aug 1843, and is a son of Lewis SMITH, deceased. Charles P. secured a good common school education and chose farming as a vocation. He served two and one-half years in the Civil War, in the Federal Army, as a member of Company A, 7th Indiana Volunteer Cavalry, and among other engagements, participated in the battles of Okalona and Guntown. After the war he returned to his native county, but came to Missouri in the spring of 1869, settling in Lawrence County (where he had numerous kin living). In the fall of 1870 he moved to McDonald County, locating on Big Sugar Creek, and came to Sulphur Springs in February of 1888. His marriage with Lovina H. BIBLE was celebrated on 9 May 1866, and to them have been born two children, Frances L. and David L. Mrs. Smith is a daughter of Lewis BIBLE (deceased) and both she and Mr. SMITH are zealous members of the Baptist Church.'

"'The 1876 Agricultural Census of McDonald County, MO, states that Charles Porter SMITH was born in 1843 in TN, Luvinia (Lovina) was born in 1845 in TN, Frances L. was born in 1867 in TN, and David L. was born in 1875 in MO.'

"I need to know where Charles and Lovina died and where they are buried. I would also like to know who Farnces L. and David L. married, and learn more about their families."

If any of our readers can help Mrs. HARPER, please write to her at the above address. I have two SMITHs and one JONES in my lineage, and understand well the difficulty of tracking common surnames.

I had a nice letter from Mrs. Barbara REINING (4 Grover Court, Grafton, OH 44044). She is researching early Quakrer lines from Nantucket (SWAIN, WEARE, PADDOCK, COFFIN, MACY, FOLGER, WORTH, BARNARD, GARDNER, MILLS, HOPCOTT, SHATTUCK, AUSTIN, and HOBBS), Randolph County, NC (LARRANCE, LAWRENCE), and Vermillion County, IL (LAWRENCE, MILLS, MILLIKAN, MENDENHALL, and MARSHALL). Mrs. REINING and I share many ancestors. If any of our Rootbound readers are working with Quaker lines, please drop a card to Barbara or myself.

Brigham Young University has an excellent correspondence program in genealogy which can lead to a certificate or a degree. I am in the process of completing the basic course. For more information and a catalogue, write to Brigham Young University, Department of Independednt Study, 206 Harman Building, Provo, UT 84604-9989. They stress organization, accuracy, and thorough research. I have been very impressed with the first course, but, like most good educational experiences, it has been a lot of hard work!

Happy trails!

Rootbound in the Hills #18: 26 Jan 1988

by Rocky Macy

Noel civic activist Mary SHINGLETON MEEK received the following letter recently as a result of her being mentioned in an article on the Christmas City that was carried nationally by the New York Times News Service. Mary has graciously shared the letter with Rootbound in the hope that some of our readers may be able to assist its author.

Dear Ms. MEEK,

This past Christmas I read with interest an article in our newspaper (The Ventura County Star and Free Press) about your town, Noel. As I read, your name jumped out at me. I am involved in doing my genealogy and I have a MEEK line in my family. I have enclosed a copy of my MEEK line and would appreciate your looking to see if in any way we might have a connection. I look forward to hearing from you.

Hopefully yours,

Arlene CHRISTENSEN
150 S. Arnaz Ave.
Ojai, CA 92023

Ms. CHRISTENSEN's MEEK line follows:

1. Samuel MEEK was born in 1757 in Maryland. He died in 1838 in Brooks, VA. His wife, Polly WELLS, was born circa 1761 in Brooks, VA. Their children included Elizabeth, Susana, Robert, Nancy, and Joseph.

2. Robert MEEK was born in 1789 in Brooks, VA, and died in 1878 in Springfield, MO. On 21 April 1814 he married Esther McCOMB. She was born in 1792 at Tuscarawas, OH, and died on 11 Nov 1871. Their children were Joseph, Mary, Marian, Samuel, Thomas Allen, Susanah, Nancy, John William, Robert, James Bruce, and Anderson D.

3. Marian MEEK was born 8 October 1817 in Tuscarawas, OH, and died on 10 March 1875 in Washington, IA. She married John Lindsay KILGORE on 15 March 1838. The KILGORE children included Robert M., David Shiloh, Joseph Martin, Esther M., Janette, Thomas Allen, George Vincent, John Scott, Nancy Jane, and Jeremiah.

I had lunch in Monett last Sunday with my mother's cousin, Mary SREAVES CLOTFELTER, her daughter, Ruth CLOTFELTER CAMENISCH, and their husbands. Ruth is an experienced genealogist who does family research almost daily in the Shepherd Room of the Greene County Public Library in Springfield, MO. (I've worked in the Shepherd Room on occasion. It's a first-rate genealogical facility.)

Mary gave me a two-page handwritten letter that my grandmother had sent to her brother-in-law in 1918. It had been stored away in a box of old correspondence in an attic for decades. The simple letter, written in pencil, is a treasure!

How many of you have treasures stored in your attics? Those old letters and photos that are clutter today will be priceless tomorrow. Save, save, save!

Rootbound Short Cut: Review your family photo albums and snapshot collections periodically to be sure that the pictures are labeled. Photographs lose their significance if no one remembers who the subjects were. If you have old photos that are unlabeled, work with senior family members to make identifications while there is still time. Your children and grandchildren will thank you for it.

Happy trails!

Rootbound in the Hills #17: 19 Jan 1988

by Rocky Macy

This week the postman brought a letter from the state of Washington:

"Dear Mr. Macy,

"I am contacting you at the suggestion of Mrs. Zella COLLIE of the McDonald County Public Library in response to a request for information on my great-grandparents in the library archives

"I would very much appreciate it if you would include my query in your column, Rootbound in the Hills.

"I am searching for information on William B. PERRY, his wife, Permelia (BOLDING) PERRY, and their children: Henryetta (b. 1864, IA), William Littleton (b. 1865, IA), Viola (b. 1868, IA), Earl B. (b. 1870, IA), James (b. 1874, MO), Charles L. (b. 1876, MO), and Nathaniel (b. 1879, MO).

"The family lived in the Pineville area in 1880, having moved there from Washington County, Iowa, 1870-1874. William B. PERRY was born in Virginia in 1834. Permelia BOLDING was born in Iowa or Illinois in 1848.

"William Littleton PERRY, my grandfather, relocated to the Joplin-Galena area ca. 1890 and died in Joplin in 1921.

"I would be happy to correspond with anyone having information on the family or their descendants.

"Sincerely,
Jack P. WILLIAMS (626 Cherry Avenue, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110)"

I have checked a few of my sources and not snagged your family line, Mr. WILLIAMS. There are several PERRYs buried in McDonald County, but none seem to be tied to William and Permelia.

Mertie PERRY HARMON, a lifelong resident of Noel, loaned me a copy of The Perry and Allied Families by Eugene R. PERRY of San Diego, CA. Again, I could find no tie-in with your line. Perhaps some of our Rootbound readers can help.

Thanks for writing - and best of luck in your search! (Thank you, too, Zella, for spreading the word about Rootbound!)

As long as I had access to the PERRY book, I decided to extract a genealogical sketch of the Noel branch. With Mertie's kind permission, the following is submitted to the readers of Rootbound.

1. Evan and Malinda (GOSS) PERRY were residing on her family's plantation in Dawson County, GA, on 23 June 1856 when their son, William Nathaniel PERRY, was born. Evan's father, also named William, was a Georgia farmer.

2. William Nathaniel PERRY married Sarah Jane (Jennie) WEAVER. They had four children: Charles Eli (b. 2 Jan 1880 in Noel, MO), Claude Hamilton (b. 8 Mar 1884), Emory Allen (b. 1 Aug 1886 in Lawrence County, MO), and Rosa Myrtle (b. 21 May 1889 in Lawrence County, MO).

3. Claude Hamilton PERRY married Elsie Zona HARMON. She was born on 4 April 1893 and died on 23 Aug 1957. He died on 10 Mar 1961. They had six children, including the good lady who loaned The Perry and Allied Families to Rootbound.

Thanks, Mert!

Remember, folks, if you need a boost up your family tree, write to Rootbound. Help may be as close as your mailbox!

Rootbound in the Hills #16: 12 Jan 1988

by Rocky Macy

Harold and Dorothy Jane (WILSON) SCHIFFERLI have provided Rootbound with a very interesting sketch of the NOEL family, the good people for whom the Christmas City was named. The story begins in France:

1. Jaque NOEL was born in the mid-1500's. He married Jeanne VINTIER of Sedan Ardennes, France.

2. Pieter Pierre NOEL, son of Jaque and Jeanne, married Elizabeth DENAULT in Sedan, France, on 1 September 1596. One of their children, Jacob, was born in Sedan in 1599.

3. Jacob NOEL married Trijnt CORNELIIS in Leiden, Holland. Their first child died, and the second, Cornelius, was born in 1640.

4. Cornelius NOEL married Elizabeth PAGE of London, England, and they came to America about 1665. One of their children was James NOEL. Cornelius died in 1699.

5. James NOEL was born in 1680 and died in 1740. He married Elizabeth EVANS. They had fifteen children, number nine being Richard NOEL.

6. Richard NOEL married Mary GARNETT. One of their children was Thomas.

7. Thomas NOEL married Drucella __________. One of their children was Benjamin.

8. Benjamin NOEL married Sara __________. They were the parents of Dudley who was born in 1780.

9. Dudley NOEL married Lucretia Love HERREN in August of 1806. Their children were Sara, Smith B., Horace, Lucinda, Joel, Mary, Emily, Willis Bridges, Berry (Shelt), Larkin, and E.L.

10. Willis Bridges NOEL was born on 15 November 1818 in Casey County, KY. He died on 16 October 1896 in Noel, MO, the community which bears his name. Willis Bridges NOEL married Eliza MANN who was born on 16 December 1826 in Kentucky. Their children were Clark Wallace, William Jasper, Elizabeth Ellen, Jacob Elias, Willis Uriah, Eliza Mann, Beauregard, Lloyd Lee, and Henry Young.

11. Elizabeth Ellen NOEL was born in 1849 and died in 1934. After the death of her first husband, Edward BROWN of Pineville, she married George COOMBES. They were the parents of Mabelle.

12. Mabelle COOMBES married Edward Aloise SCHIFFERLI of Kansas City on 4 March 1914. They were the parents of Harold and Bob SCHIFFERLI. Their family moved to Noel in 1918 and opened the Noel Hardware Company.

13. Harold SCHIFFERLI married Dorothy Jane WILSON. Their children are Joann SCHIFFERLI ELLIOTT and Debra SCHIFFERLI POWELL.

The SCHIFFERLIs report that descendants of Willis Bridges NOEL are scattered throughout the United States, and that many returned to the Christmas City for last year's centennial celebration. They credit Lilly ROBERTS and Marjorie BAKER of Edmond, Oklahoma, with providing much of the NOEL family genealogy. Many thanks, Harold and D.J., for sharing your family history with our Rootbound readers.

Mary Jo HARDNG (P.O. Box 720, Jay, OK 74346) is seeking information on Benjamin Tyrone HARDING who was born on 8 April 1834 in Tennessee or Kentucky. He married Martha Elizabeth COX on 24 December 1856. Benjamin was a Confederate officer. He died on 16 February 1916 in Arkansas. Martha was born on 6 March 1839 and died on 1 November 1930 in Arkansas.

Mary Jo is also researching John Newton Brown HEPLER who married Malinda Harriett JAMISON. He was a Baptist preacher who rode the circuits between 1840-1860 in Polk County, MO. Some of these HEPLERs are buried in family cemeteries in Shady Grove and Bellefonte, AR.

Good luck with your root-digging, Mary Jo. I hope that some of our readers will be able to lend a hand.

Rootbound welcomes queries, lists of surnames, and brief family histories. Several of our correspondents have reported favorable results from their queries. Some eager reader may have just the information that you need to solve a genealogical mystery. So, like the lady on TV says about those magazine sweepstakes, "C'mon, send it in!" Rootbound is waiting to help!

Rootbound in the Hills #15: 5 Jan 1988

by Rocky Macy

Maggie BARKER (Route 7, Box 313, Neosho, MO 64850) is researching the Indian ancestry of her husband's half-brother, Dewey BARKER, who may have lived in Seminole, OK, at one time. Dewey BARKER apparently had a scroll number. Maggie's husband and Dewey BARKER were both sons of William Wylie BARKER, who was a territorial lawman in Oklahoma during his younger days. Please contact Maggie at the above address if you can offer any assistance.

Also from the week's mailbag, Don LEGG (1845 Van Ness, Reno, NV 89503) had this to say:

"A friend recently sent me several copies of ROOTBOUND IN THE HILLS, and, yes, I have the 'Genealogy Bug.'

"I was born at Saratoga and have recently bought back the old LEGG farm there. I am planning on moving back there to retire.

"Could you send me what information you have on the LEGG family and the WARE family?

"Thank you for any help you may be able to give."

The material that I have on the surnames LEGG and WARE is in the mail, Don. Perhaps some of our ROOTBOUND readers will also be able to help.

Congratulations on the retirement move - the Ozarks are a great place to live!

Mary Jo HARDING (P.O. Box 720, Jay, OK 74346) is researching Thomas Gilford CLARK who was born on 8 October 1862 in Madison County, AR. He married Mary Jane PATRICK on 20 March 1890 in Coombs, AR.

Speaking of Madison County, AR, I am still looking for information on my g-g-grandparents, William J. ELLIS and Matilda J. COOK, who resided around Huntsville after the Civil War. Their daughter, Mary Jane ELLIS, married my g-grandfather, Alexander SREAVES, in Washington County, AR, on 15 January 1888.

I've found another good place to do genealogical research. Bill CLEVELAND, Rootbound's best friend in Lanagan, McDonald County, MO, recommended the City and County Library in Neosho. I spent most of this past Tuesday there and was very impressed with their genealogical room. The library has a good selection of census microfilm (Missouri counties complete for 1900 and 1910), records of the Newton County Courthouse on microfilm, and a large LDS microfiche collection. Numerous books and other printed materials are also available. Their hours of operation are convenient. The City and County Library is open from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays; on Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays.

The attention that all of our local libraries have begun paying to genealogy is wonderful. Let's all resolve to hug a librarian sometime during 1988.

Happy trails!

Rootbound in the Hills #14: 22 Dec 87

by Rocky Macy

Still searching for a last minute Christmas present for that difficult-to-please friend or relative? May I suggest the Noel Centennial Book which arrived last week. I have my copy, and it is great! What a storehouse of local and family history. The book, a hardbound edition of over three hundred pages of text and priceless photos can still be purchased for only $25.00 by contacting Mary MEEK. It's a treasure!

I had a phone call the other day from Claude BROWN of Noel who had information on the STARNS (STARNES) family mentioned previously in ROOTBOUND. He will share what he has with Anna Lee PARISH EMANUEL. Mr. BROWN related that he had been tracing his roots for over thirty years. He plans to provide our readers with some of his family research.

Mary Jo HARDING (P.O. Box 720, Jay, OK 74346) has sent in several queries. I'll run two this week and the rest as space permits.

Mary Jo is seeking information on James MILLER who married Mary CHRISMAN. She was born on 11 December 1884 and died on 13 January 1918. Apparently the MILLERs were originally from Maries County, MO. Mary Jo is also tracking William Green FOLEY, born 24 October 1827 in Boone County, MO, and who married Ana Liza Catherina WILLIAMS in Cooper County, MO.

I wrote to Mary Jo informing her that a William G. FOLEY is listed in the Southwest City, Prairie Township section of the 1890 Special Federal Census of Union Veterans. His listing reads: MSM. Her William G. FOLEY appears to be buried in the Fairview Cemetery in McDonald County. His tombstone reads: 24 October 1827 -21 Janaury 1911. Other FOLEYs in that cemetery include: Hazel (20 Aug 1902 - 5 May 1903), May (12 July 1900 - 21 October 1905), and W.B. (31 January 1874 - 15 February 1901).

How about it, ROOTBOUND readers - who can help Mary Jo?

CHRISTMAS PAST: Nathan W. ROARK, the progenitor of the ROARK family in Anderson, MO, married Margaret MEADER on Christmas Day, 1866, in Newton County. Was she widow of Francis MEADOR who was born circa 1836 in IL, and did she bring two young children, John and Mary, into the marriage with Nathan. Let's hear from the ROARK researchers.

CHRISTMAS PRESENT: May you all have a warm and joyous holiday season rooted in family and steeped in love. Merry Christmas from ROOTBOUND!

Rootbound in the Hills #13: 15 Dec 1987

by Rocky Macy

The first letter out of the mailbag this week is a general information query on the UNDERWOOD surname. Juanita M. JONES (4413 55th Street, Lubbock, TX 79414) had this to say:

"My mother, Buena Vista, was the youngest child of Thomas Levi UNDERWOOD and Mary Isabel LAWRANCE. Their other children were Florence, W.T., May, Eda, and Donnie.

"Thomas Levi was born in Missouri in 1840 to Cyrus and Fanny. In 1845 the family moved into Texas, and Cyrus was scalped by the Indians that year. There were several children."

If any of our readers can help Juanita, please respond to the address above.

Letter number two is from Anna Lee PARISH EMANUEL (Route 1, Box 39-D, Sulphur Springs, AR 72768):

"Dear Rocky,
Thank you for the Benton County Pioneer. I do have a copy in my files, but what a wealth of information it has. Also my thanks to Dorene for sharing her copy.

"You are doing the community a great service with your ROOTBOUND section.

"I would appreciate any help your readers could give me on the STARNS family. My great-grandmother was Melinda J. STARNS. She married John L. PARISH in 1871. She died in 1876 and he later married Mary L. COFFEE.

"1860 McDonald County Census for Rutledge Township
STARNS, Alexander - age 38 - farmer - born VA
Charlotte A. - 36 - TN
John N. - 12 - MO
Melinda L. - 11 - MO
Adam C. - 7 - MO
Margaret M. 5 - MO

"1870 McDonald County Census for Pineville Township
STARNS, Alexander - 52 - farmer - VA
Margaret - 24 - keep house - KY
Lottie A. - 3 - MO
Mary - 5/12 - MO
Melinda - 20 - MO
Margaret - 19 - MO
Adam - 16 - MO

"John must have been married in 1870 because he was not listed with family, but separately:
STARNS, John - 22 - farm laborer - MO
Sarah - 21 - MO
Mary - 4/12 - MO

"There is no hurry on this - just when you can best fit it in."

Well, Anna Lee, it's in. I'm glad that you weren't in a hurry because I only have one speed! Can anyone provide Anna Lee with information on her McDonald County pioneers?

Leonard L. DAMRON (Rt. 1, Box 118, Sulphur Springs, AR 72768) responded to "Dear Aggie's" query about the surname CATES in the Stigler, OK, area. He had some personal information on the name and the town which sounds promising. (Leonard also suggested that Aggie contact the Senior Citizens Center in Stigler. What an excellent idea for any researcher seeking information from a particular community!) I've forwarded the letter on to Aggie. Leonard, if your leads pan out, maybe she'll cross your palm with some no-bake Christmas cookies!

ROOTBOUND SHORTCUT: Christmas - a time of celebration and family gatherings. Why not use the opportunity to visit with the senior generation and harvest those historical family tidbits that otherwise soon will be lost? The generations to come will thank you for it!

Rootbound in the Hills #12: 8 Dec 1987

by Rocky Macy

This column is dedicated with respect and love to the memory of my mother, Ruby Florine SREAVES MACY, who passed away one year ago today. She was, as are so many others in this area, a descendant of the pioneering ROARK family that first came to Newton and McDonald Counties in the 1850's.

All of us make trails in life. The wagon ruts left by the ROARK family as they trudged across the Missouri wilderness have been buried beneath pavement and progress. The paper trail that the family generated, however, exists today, winding ever backward to a simpler time. What follows are a few of the signposts scattered along that trail.

William Carroll ROARK and his wife, Comfort POE ROARK, arrived in Missouri sometime between 1853 and 1855. They were residing with their family in Granby Township, Newton County, when the 1860 census was taken. Family members are identified by name, age, gender, and state of birth:

William C. ROUARK 38 M TN
Comfort 36 F KY
Francis* 18 M KY
Nathan 16 M KY
Joseph 13 M KY
William 11 M KY
Henry 7 M KY
Samuel 5 M MO
Mary 1 F MO
Nancy 1/12 F MO

*Francis was probably Camily Frances, a female, who later married William KELLY.

Note: An older daughter, Martha, was married to Henry REYNOLDS and living elsewhere in Newton County.

Most of the family had moved on to McDonald County by the time the next census was taken in 1870. I have not read that particular census report, but I do have information on the two grown children who remained in Newton County (Buffalo Township).

Henry REYNOLDS 33 M GA
Martha (ROARK) 29 F KY
Mary 11 F MO
George 9 M MO
William 3 M MO
Amanda 2 F MO

Nathan W. ROARK 25 M KY
Margaret 27 F TN
John* 11 M MO
Mary* 9 F MO
William 3 M MO
James V. 1 M MO
(*Step-children to Nathan?)

William Carroll ROARK died on 21 Feb 1888. One week later probate proceedings were initiated in Newton County. Comfort relinquished her right to administer the estate to her son Nathan. The following children were listed in the probate records alsong with their places of residence:

Martha REYNOLDS - McDonald County
Francis (sic) KELLY - McDonald County
N.W. ROARK - McDonald County
J.A. ROARK - Newton County
W.R. ROARK - McDonald County
H.D. ROARK - McDonald County
S.J. ROARK - McDonald County
A.C. ROARK - Newton County
Mary J. COOK - State of Idaho
Sarah Matthews - McDonald County
The widow, Comfort POE ROARK, was listed on the same document as living in Newton County, MO.

The next signpost along the trail is a mention of Nathan in the 1890 Special Federal Census of Union Veterans. The McDonald County entry reads: RUARK, Nathan W., 15 MO Cav.

The children of William and Comfort ROARK sold two lots from the estate of their father to Grant PRITCHARD in 1892. The warranty deed named ten children and their spouses:

Mary E. REYNOLDS - William REYNOLDS
Camiley Frances KELLY - William KELLY
Nathan W. ROARK - Jennie ROARK
Joseph A. ROARK - Siotha T. ROARK
William R. ROARK - Samantha ROARK
Henry D. ROARK - Rebecca ROARK
Samuel J. ROARK - Nancy ROARK
Mary J. COOK - John W. COOK
Albert ROARK - Julia ROARK
Sarah E. Mathews - Edward H. Mathews

Nathan W. ROARK became prominent in the berry business in Anderson, Missouri. What follows is an obituary on Nathan which was found in McDonald County Deaths and ETC, a collection of old, photocopied death notices. The grammatical errors are extensive, but, in the interest of historical accuracy, I have decided to print the piece as is.

Obituary: Nathan W. ROARK was born March 22ond 1844 in the state of Kentucky and died Dec. 13th 1908 and was in his 65th year leaves a wife and 13 children living. all present at the funeral, and two dead making 15 in all. Has 5 brothers and 4 sisters living. Lived on his home place about 28 years, was a member of the Baptist church in good standing for about 40 years was a member of the Grand Army Post, was the pioneer of the Berry Business in Anderson the funeral held at Baptist Church Monday, was attended by between 450 and 500, people. Which shows how much he was Esteemed by all who new him. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. M.G. ELLIFF and the body laid to rest by comrades of the Grand Army of the Republic. The family have the sympathy of the entire community.

Nathan ROARK is buried in the Anderson Cemetery. The information on his tombstone reads:

N.W. ROARK 3/22/1844 - 12/13/1908
Martha J. ROARK 5/10/1862 - 9/27/1938

William and Comfort and seven of their children are buried at Swars Prairie Cemetery in Newton County. Their tombstones detail the following:

William C. ROARK 9/19/1820 - 2/21/1888
Comfort ROARK 11/11/1822 - 2/18/1902

Henry D. ROARK 6/7/1852 - 6/29/1927
Rebecca V. ROARK 11/10/1859 - 9/15/1935

S.J. ROARK 2/25/1855 - 11/30/1925
N.A. ROARK 5/28/1857 - 7/2/1935

W.R. ROARK 5/28/1849 - 8/29/1909
Samantha A. ROARK 2/10/1858 - 2/19/1941

Edgar H. Mathews 1864 - 1919
Sarah E. Mathews 1866 - 1951

Henry REYNOLDS 4/20/1836 - 6/12/1907
Martha E. REYNOLDS 10/2/1839 - 7/1/1920

Joseph A. ROARK 1846 - 1922
Tennessee ROARK 1851 - 1939

John W. COOK 2/20/1858 - 4/8/1931
Mary J. COOK 9/16/1857 - 12/19/1923

My mothers' line comes down through Samuel James ROARK and his wife, Nancy Anthaline SCARBROUGH. Their daughter, Nancy Jane ROARK, married Daniel Alexander SREAVES, and they were my Mom's parents.

I have personally verified all of the information in this column. Variations in name spellings, dates, etc., reflect the way they were originally recorded on the various documents and tombstones. I have a considerable amount of additional ROARK information which will appear in ROOTBOUND after it is checked for accuracy. There are, as you can see, numerous avenues open for further research among the roots and branches of this most interesting family.

Rootbound in the Hills #11: 1 Dec 1987

by Rocky Macy

Dear Sir,
I need help finding information on Steven PEREGOY. He was born 19 June 1834 and died in 1883. He was in the Rocky Comfort, MO, area in 1878.

Also, I need information on John Henry MORGAN. He had a son named John Wesley MORGAN who was born in 1858 and died in 1945.

I enjoy your articles and have often found them useful.

Very truly yours,

Bill CLEVELAND
P.O. Box 26
Lanagan, MO 64847

Bill, I hope some of our Rootbound readers can help track down your elusive ancestors. Thanks for writing.

Leonard DAMRON (Rt. 1, Box 118, Sulphur Springs, AR 72768) has written again. He is currently putting together a book on the FERGUSONs. His line includes Captain Champ FERGUSON, a colorful Confederate officer. Leonard also mentions that the Confederates had a colonel with the same first and last name. He may excerpt the portion of the book which deals with Captain Champ FERGUSON for special publication in Rootbound. Hope so!

And is anyone reading Rootbound? Leonard had this to say about that:

"You have apparently a number of readers as I have received mail from some of them. I was stopped at Noel several times by people asking questions on how to research a family. These individuals had not connected me with genealogy until reading your column."

We'll have some advice from Leonard in the weeks to come on tracing Indian ancestry.

This newspaper's own "Dear Aggie" (Agatha DOERPINGHAUS ROBERSON CATES PARK FARMER) has submitted a query. She is doing research on Charles Clinton CATES who was born 20 May 1901 in Stigler, OK (Indian Territory). His father was Wiley CATES, mother's name unknown. Please direct any correspondence to Aggie at this newspaper. Leonard DAMRON, could you help her out on this one?

Mary Jo HARDING (Delaware County Friendship Home, P.O. Box 720, Jay, OK 74346) phoned me at the newspaper office seeking information on several surnames. The names that Mary Jo desires help with are FOLEY, MILLER (Maries County, MO), HARDING (KY or TN), JAMISON (AR), CHRISSMAN (Lew, Gibb, and Tom of the Jay, OK area), and CARR. Please drop Mary Jo a line or two if you have any information on her names.

I'd like to see more readers following Mary Jo's example of submitting a few surnames for publication. It isn't necessary to have a specific problem to solve, just let us know the names you are working with, and perhaps Rootbound can put you in touch with others who are climbing the same tree. Drop me a card at this newspaper.

Special thanks to the young lady at the Recorder's Office in the Newton County (MO) Courthouse for putting up with me last Wednesday afternoon when she probably would have rather been getting her shop closed down for the Thanksgiving holiday. She was very courteous as I kept dragging out volume after volume of land deeds to be copied. Some of what I found will be included in next week's Rootbound.

Happy hunting!

Rootbound in the Hills #10: 24 Nov 87

by Rocky Macy

The Rootbound mailbag this week had a nice letter from Lynda DAVIS(DUNLAP) MOORE (118 New York, Holton, KS 66436) concerning ancestors of hers who once lived in the Southwest City area.

Lynda's g-g-grandparents were John DUNLAP and Sarah NICHOLS DUNLAP. Their son, William James DUNLAP, was born in Southwest City on 5 November 1851. He married Minerva Jane READ in or around Webb City, MO, on 2 September 1875. John DUNLAP (the g-g-grandfather) may have had a brother or a son named Joseph. Lynda's DUNLAPs left tracks in Southwest City, Webb City, Joplin, and Clinton, MO, Fayetteville, AR, and Holton, KS.

I have found two tidbits that might be of help to Lynda. The 1890 Special Federal Census of Union Veterans had one entry from Webb City's 4th Ward:

DUNLAP, John 3 CO Cav

The second tidbit is that there are two DUNLAPs buried at the Southwest City Cemetery:

DUNLAP, JE 31 January 1833 - 8 September 1907
DUNLAP, Helen A. 4 October 1837- 26 March 1902

Could J.E. be Joseph, a brother to John?

Our good readers in Southwest City need to help Lynda on this one. Perhaps someone from the NICHOLS family can provide information on her ancestry.

Dorene STILES, one of the best people in Noel, brought by a booklet which contained information on the PRITCHARD family. The booklet, actually a magazine, is titled Benton County Pioneer (Vol. 7, No. 5, July 1962) and was published by the Benton County, AR, Historical Society. The particular article that Dorene wanted to share is Old Spanish Treasure Cave, Part II by Pauline BLANKENSHIP PRITCHARD CARNELL. (Mrs. CARNELL, a resident of Jane, MO, is well known throughout McDonald County and the surrounding area for her interest in local history.)

The article by Mrs. CARNELL focuses not only on early Sulphur Springs, AR, (1908-1911), but on several early families in Benton County as well. Prominently mentioned are Jacob and Mary Jane (BEACH) HARRIS and family, William and Eliza Jane PRITCHARD and family, and members of the SHAIN and GRINSTEAD families.

Mrs. CARNELL's PRITCHARDs aren't connected to mine, but they do seem to belong in the line of Anna Lee PARISH EMANUEL who wrote a couple of weeks ago. I'm sending her a copy of the piece in case she doesn't have one in her family file.

Thanks, Dorene, for sharing this information. Thanks also to Pauline CARNELL for doing such a thorough job in preserving this important local history.

More Noise:
Last week I was a bit critical of the Missouri Legislature (class of 1981-82) for raising the fee for copies of death certificates by 400%. No sooner had my harangue gone to press than I received a letter from Margaret W. EMERSON, President of the Joplin Genealogical Society. Margaret informed me that the state of Missouri has placed another obstacle on the path of genealogical research. It now appears that when you order a copy of a death certificate (at $4.00 a whack!) from Jefferson City, a new, short form certificate is supplied unless you specifically request a long form.

The shorter version leaves out much necessary information such as names of the deceased's parents and place of burial. As such, it is nearly worthless for genealogical purposes. That means (please stay with me here) the unsuspecting researcher may spend $8.00 for one certificate - $4.00 for the short form, and another $4.00 for the one they should have received in the first place!

Margaret comments, "It would seem that our policy makers dreamed up this short form just to make extra work and deprive genealogists of the information we need. I think is is something that needs checking into. Before long there will be no proof for individuals desiring to join the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution), SAR (Sons of the American Revolution), or other lineage based organizations."

Margaret, something does need to be done. I'm sending a copy of your letter and one of my own to the legislators that I know. Perhaps your members and some of our readers will do the same. (Those too bashful to write should clip this column and send it. They'll get the idea!)

Happy hunting!

Rootbound in the Hills #9: 17 Nov 1987

by Rocky Macy

Dear Mr. Macy,

I am currently researching the SHERMAN family history.

In the October 27, 1987, edition of your newspaper, I read your article concerning surnames listed in the 1860 McDonald County Census.

Could you send me any entries you have in the SHERMAN name? Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Sandra SHERMAN
Rt. 2, Box 2540
Anderson, MO 64831

Sandra, there is only one SHERMAN family listed in the 1860 census of McDonald County. They resided in the Elk River Township (Noel area). (The number and letters following each name refer to age and state of birth.)

Abner (33, OH)
Mary (32, KY)
Mo (11, MO)
Danl (6, MO)
Sarah F. (3, MO)
Mary E. (7/12, MO)

Abner and his wife, Mary, are buried at Cummings Cemetery. There are also SHERMANs buried at these other McDonald County cemeteries: Pineville, Tracy, Lanagan, New Bethel, May, and Anderson.

I checked the Goodspeed's 1888 History of McDonald and Newton Counties for SHERMAN entries. There were none in McDonald County, but Newton County had a biographical sketch on William H. SHERMAN who was superintendent of the Newton County Poor Farm at that time.

If you'll let us know who your specific SHERMANS are, some of our readers may be able to help. Thanks for writing.

I have received a couple of phone calls this week about where to write for copies of birth or death certificates. For those of you who would like to have called but didn't, the following area states are provided:

Arkansas:
Division of Vital Records
Arkansas Department of Health
4815 West Markham Street
Little Rock, AR 72201
Birth Certificate: $2.00
Death Certificate: $3.00

Kansas:
Bureau of Registration and Health Statistics
Kansas State Department of Health and Environment
6700 South Topeka Avenue
Topeka, KS 66620
Birth or Death Certificate: $3.00

Oklahoma:
Vital Records Section
State Department of Health
Northwest 20th Street and Stonewall
P.O. Box 53551
Oklahoma City, OK 73152
Birth or Death Certificate: $2.00

Rootbound Noise:
In 1980 when I was just getting serious about genealogy, copies of Missouri death certificates were $1.00. Two years later the state legislature kicked that fee up 400%. California, in 1980, was $4.00 per certificate. Today their fee is $11.00. I have become wary of politicians who vow to never raise taxes. It seems like when a legislative hand is pulled from one pocket, it slips quietly into another. When licenses and fees go up, we are, in effect, paying more taxes.

I guess if there's a moral to this story, it would be to get out and acquire your genealogy documents today before our Midwestern legislators follow those from California - out into the sunset and over the brink!

Happy hunting!