Saturday, June 7, 2008

Rootbound in the Hills #121:
16 Jan 1990

by Rocky Macy

Rootbound has recently acquired a copy of the Official Directory and Handbook of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Columbus, Kansas, for the years 1918-1919. The booklet contains a history of the church with names of many of the founding members, as well as a complete list of the names and addresses of several hundred resident and non-resident members. Anyone chasing ancestors through southeast Kansas might do well to check this source. Just send the names of those Kansans that you are after to Rootbound in the Hills in care of this newspaper - and we'll let you know if they're mentioned in the handbook. (Please remember to include that all-important self-addressed, stamped envelope.)

Mary Ellen BOWMAN (4075 South 500 East, Columbia City, IN 46725) is seeking information on Adam William JOHNSON (born 1831, died circa 1871) and his wife, Julia Ann MINNICK (born 1836, died circa 1866). They were married in Allen County, IN, in 1855. Adam was a farmer, and he owned and operated a sawmill. Supposedly Adam and a partner in the sawmill business had a difference of opinion, causing Adam to sell his share of the business and move his family to Missouri.

Some of the children of Adam and Julia Ann JOHNSON were James Andres (1856-1924; married Emma Louise PLACE in 1880), Almeda M. (1864-1914; married Cyrus A. WALTENBERGER in 1889), Washington (1858-1903; married Fay SPENCER in 1900). Laffette (1860-1869), Alwida (1862-1862), and Alsinas (1866-?). Mary Ellen would be pleased to exchange material with any of our readers that might be working one of those lines.

Rootbound's good friend Kay ROBERTS MARTIN (Rt. 4, Box 440-1, Oak Grove, MO 64075) has forwarded several queries which will run as space permits. Kay would like to swap information with anyone researching the SORRELS, SLAUGHTER, LOFTIN, or DOUGLAS families of Oregon, Missouri, Arkansas, or Oklahoma. All help will be acknowledged and appreciated.

Debbie BURRELL (1402 Snowden, Memphis, TN 38107) reports that she is looking for data of her g-g-grandfather, Frank Andrew WILSON, who was born 16 Oct 1857 in Neosho, Newton County, Missouri. His wife, Martha Cerepta SMITH, was born 9 May 1857 in Delan, Perry County, IL. Frank died on 18 June 1931, and Martha passed away the following year on 20 March. Both are buried in Shawnee, OK.

Frank Andrew WILSON's parents were Frank WILSON (from TN) and Learah CLINTON (from AL). Learah was supposedly half Cherokee. Martha's father was Jason SMITH. Debbie BURRELL is waiting by the mailbox in Memphis, anxious to learn more about her ancestry!

Anne H. KELLAM (14333 Aldengate Road, Midlothian, VA 23113) will answer all correspondence relating to the lineage of Julia Franklin WEBB HOLLAND and her children. Julia was the daughter of Theoderick F. and Julia (PATTERSON) WEBB. She was born circa 1858 in Franklin County, VA. It is unclear when she married Mr. HOLLAND, a native of Colorado. Anne would appreciate any leads that our readers could provide.

Those hard-to-find pieces of family puzzles can often be located through an assist from some of the more than three thousand genealogical or historical societies of the United States. And a good place to begin in that regard is with the new book, Genealogical Societies and Historical Societies in the United States, 1989-1990. this comprehensive and well-organized source book is available from Summit Publications (P.O. Box 222, Munroe Falls, OH 44262) for just seven dollars plus one dollar for postage and handling. This is a book that will be used again and again!

Need a boost up the old family tree? Write to Rootbound in the Hills in care of this newspaper - we're here to help!

Happy trails!

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