Monday, April 28, 2008

Rootbound in the Hills #69:
17 Jan 1989

by Rocky Macy

Here's some big news for Ozark researchers: The records of the Bigham Funeral Home of Neosho for the years 1916-1945 have been transcribed and compiled into a two-hundred-and-forty page book. Violet CARRICK and Vi WILBANKS of the Genealogy Friends of the Library spent hundreds of hours on this important preservation project. Copies may be purchased for $13 each plus $1.25 postage and handling by sending requests to Genealgoy Friends of the Library, 507 W. Hickory St., Neosho, MO 64850. Remember to mention Rootbound when ordering.

James KUTZ (135 Riders Lane, Fairfield, CT 06430)subscribes to one of the seven newspapers that carry Rootbound. He wrote:
"I was astounded when I saw an inquiry from my town of Fairfield, CT, recently. The letter was from a lady who lives about one mile from my home."

It's a small world! James is interested in the following individuals: John KUTZ (born 1852 Germany, died 1933), Karl FOUSKE (died ca. 1910, Pierce City, MO), Anna GISKE KUTZ, Rose FENNER FOUSKE, James BOLLING (resided in Paducah, KY, mid-1800's), Joseph HAGGDORN (born 1842, died 1912 in St. Louis, MO), Mathias HENNEMANN (born 1830, died 1911 in Pierce City, MO), Mary NASENCAST WITT (born 1835 PA, died 1897 in Pierce City, MO), and Ferdinand WITT (resident of Pierce City, MO). It sounds as though James might have a great deal of genealogy to share with his Ozark cousins. Get in touch!

Rootbound was recently mentioned in the Family Tree column of The Dallas Morning News. That opened a floodgate of mail from from Texas. Here's a sampler:

Burch LOVELY (3617 Douglas, Garland, TX 75041) is tracking the following surnames: COPELAND, COPELIN, FORREST, GRAHAM, KEESEE, SNOW, and STEADMAN. He reports that family members are known to have lived around the Ozark towns of Protem, Noel, Blue Eye, and Green Forest. Who can help with this one?

Also from the Lone Star State: J.E. (Gene) WHEELER (1501 Brazos Trail, Plano, TX, 75075) is working these lines which were in Greene and Christian Counties (MO) in the 1800's and early 1900's: BERRY, HORN, MOORE, REESE, WHEELER, and WILKES. Gene is waiting by the mailbox in Plano.

Former Rootbound correspondent Janet K. PEASE (10310 W. 62nd Place, Apt. 202, Arvada, CO 80004) has forwarded several queries which we will run as space permits. She is seeking information on William POINTS who was born in Kentucky in 1837. In 1880 Mr. POINTS was living in Ash Township, Barry County, MO, and he died in 1917 at Mt. Vernon in Lawrence County, MO. William had a daughter, Mary E. POINTS who was born in 1861. She married a Mr. YOUNG and was a resident of Barry County, MO, in 1917. Mr. POINTS also had a son, Arthur, (born 1866) who married Dona McELHANEY in Greene County, MO, in 1888. Arthur was in Carthage, Jasper County, MO, in 1917. Janet would be pleased to exchange information with any of our readers.

The following surnames are of interest to Martha SCHAEFER (43642 N. Dejay St., Lancaster, CA 93536): ALGIERS, LITTLE, PROVOST, SPRAGUE, and ZOGG. Generally speaking, unusual surnames, such as these, are easier to work. Any takers?

Billie D. HARDY (2911 Kircaldy Court, Arlington, TX 76015) is on the trail of James S. HARRIS of Boone County, MO, and his second wife, Mary Ann CHAPMAN / CHATMAN. Their son, Theodore, was born in Jasper County, MO, in 1867. The family may have lived somewhere in Arkansas before moving to Hays County, TX, about 1875. Are their cousins still in the Ozarks?

Rootbound Style: We love the mail - especially queries that are brief and to the point, as well as legible (carefully printed or typed). We'll spell Grampa's name right - if we can read it. Thanks!

Mrs. COLLIE at the McDonald County Library in Pineville now has a complete collection of past Rootbound columns on file. Drop by and give it a look-see - and tell her that Rootbound sent you!

Happy trails!

No comments: