Monday, July 21, 2008

Rootbound in the Hills #192:
28 May 1991

by Rocky Macy

It may not be the Pulitzer, but we're mighty proud anyway! Please read on...

Two years ago Rootbound won third place in the column writing contest sponsored by the Council of Genealogy Columnists. Last year's entry won no prizes (Could it have been lost in the mail?), and this year...second place! We're moving right on up the old ladder of success!

In a letter announcing the winners, it was noted that the judges felt Rootbound in the Hills exhibited "good, solid reporting," and that they particularly liked the column on the WEEMS family Bible. It's nice to be honored by your peers. Some things are better than a paycheck! (First place went to Lesta WESTMORE and her column, Family Trails, which runs each week in the Omaha newspaper.)

Florence ESTES (1134 Olwsnup Avenue, Gridley, CA 95948) is seeking information on Hiram ESTES (born 1820) and his wife, Pernina FARMER (born 27 Feb 1823). Hiram, a son of Hiram ESTES (born 1790) and Mary Jane DOYLE (born 1796, TN), was residing with his family in Newton County, MO, in 1860. Hiram's brother, Thomas Doyle ESTES (born 1818) married Rhoda FARMER. Do any of our readers have information to share with Florence?

Mildred WAGNER (Rt. 1, Box 124, Mulberry, AR 72947) is tracking her SMITH lineage through northwest Arkansas. Her g-g-grandfather, John B. SMITH, was born in Tennessee and came to Crawford County, AR, around 1820. Some of his cousins were known to have settled around Mound City, KS, and at least one cousin, Nelson SMITH, lived near Prairie Grove in Washington County, AR.

John B. SMITH (above) married a lady named Tennessee. Their children included Vandy (born 1820), Elizabeth (1820), Albert (1822), Allen (1825), Sarah (1827), Alford (1828), M.A. (1831), unknown (1833), Lillian (1836), Delilah (1838), N.B. (son, 1841), and Jimmy or Tinny (1841).

Albert SMITH (above), the great-grandfather of our correspondent, married Phoebe SPURLOCK. Their children included Mary Jane (born 1846), Allen (1847), Henry (1852), Burton (1853), Clinton (1854), Calvin Clay (1858), and Erwin "Doc" (1861).

Mildred WAGNER is the granddaughter of Calvin Clay SMITH. She would enjoy hearing from any of our readers who could help her sort out the SMITHs of northwest Arkansas.

Evelyn Lee MARTIN (1292 N. Walnut, La Habra, CA 90631) wishes to exchange information with anyone researching a PARCELL line. Do we have any takers?

Cynthia McMULLEN (Rt. 3, Box 621, Huntington, TX 75949) wants to learn more about Samuel VAUGHAN (born circa 1776; died circa 1853), a resident of northwest Arkansas. One of his daughters married Stephen HOLMESLY. Their daughter, Didamie (born 9 Jan 1835); died 16 Dec 1920), married William David BURNETT. Cynthia would appreciate help in tracing this lineage.

Stefano FERRO and Katarina DAIDONE were born in Camporeale, Sicily, in the early 1800s. They had several children including a son, Salvatore, who came to the United States. Salvatore FERRO's children settled in various parts of this country, and one of his sons, Dominico FERRO, resided in Kansas City, MO. Now Raymond FERRO (90 Gelpi Avenue, Kenner, LA 70065) is trying to locate descendants of this family. Did any of them make it to the Ozarks?

E.A. HOUSER (P.O. Box 25872, Tamarac, FL 33321), the founder and publisher of HOUSER Hunters, has announced publication of the most extensive chronicle of the HOUSER family in America. The book, Descendants of john HOUSER (1709-1763), contains data on over 17,000 people in its 600 pages. For more information on this volume, please contact the compiler at the above address.

Congratulations to Rootbound's good friend and newest competitor, Raymond JEFFERIES, on the advent of his genealogy column, Back Pedaling, which recently premiered in an area newspaper. Ray, your first issue looks great! And the competition will keep us on our toes here at Rootbound!

Until next week...happy hunting!

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