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!
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