When looking for Missouri ancestors make sure you check the Missouri State Archives website for online records. They have Death Certificates online from 1910-1958. Some can be viewed online also. I was researching my Bilyeu Family in Miller County MO and found the ones listed in this resource. Here is a listing of the Bilyeu Death Records from Miller County:
Andrew F. Bilyeu January _, 1952 Miller 2039
Arthur A. Bilyeu January _, 1951 Miller 1867
Daisy S. Bilyeu July 18, 1957 Miller 25423
Fielding Bilyeu December 22, 1928 Miller 41711
John H. Bilyeu December _, 1955 Miller Iberia 41378
Lizzie E Bilyeu May 10, 1958 Miller 19030
Louaddie Eveline Bilyeu April 12, 1930 Miller 13356
Lowell Gene Bilyeu August 28, 1928 Miller 27924
Margaret E. Bilyeu January 16, 1933 Miller 2379-1
Mariah Bilyeu August 03, 1927 Miller 24902
Martha Ann Bilyeu July 03, 1922 Miller 21660
William Bilyeu February 26, 1915 Miller 5435
William H. Bilyeu February _, 1944 Miller 7769
William Washington Bilyeu June 03, 1912 Miller 20698
This gives the name, Date of Birth, County, and Certificate Number
Go to the website and see what you can find on your ancestors. www.sos.mo.gov/archives
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Place to research
There are so many places to do research on the internet but there is nothing like going to a courthouse in the county of your ancestors. While you are there try just looking around a little this paid of for us when we went to the the courthouse in Washita County OK. They had pictures up on the wall of migrant workers in the cotton fields in the 1930's and they had one that said do you know these people and there in the front was a picture of a woman that looked just like my Grandmother. She had always told me they picked cotton and she did even when she was 9 months pregnant with my mother. These pictures were proof that they really did pick cotton in this county in the time frame she had said and though I can't prove it I am sure that was my Grandmother in that picture.
Things you want to remember to check while at the courthouse are marriage records, deeds, and any court records you can look at. Make sure you look for the ancestor you are there looking for but also be sure to take note of records of the same surname. Like in the marriage records copy in a notebook all the ones you find for the surnames you are looking for whether you think they are in your tree or not. The reason is that you might find later that they fit in to your tree and if they do you already have the dates copied down to go back to. I did this when researching my Capp line in Monroe County MO and was glad about a year later that I had because I found that one I didn't think fit in did from one of the brothers to my ancestor. I also have not done this and wished I had later when I found that the person in question was in my line. It just saves time to do it while you are there. Also make sure you check deeds closely. Probate records and wills are also necessary to look at while there. Again check for all you can at the time you are there.
Be sure when going into the courthouses to be courteous and not demanding. I went into one and they said they had bad experiences with people coming in doing genealogy because they were rude and demanding. This makes it bad on the ones coming in after and will limit how willing they are to help you or let you look at records. Most importantly just go and learn about the county and what it was like when your ancestors lived there.
Things you want to remember to check while at the courthouse are marriage records, deeds, and any court records you can look at. Make sure you look for the ancestor you are there looking for but also be sure to take note of records of the same surname. Like in the marriage records copy in a notebook all the ones you find for the surnames you are looking for whether you think they are in your tree or not. The reason is that you might find later that they fit in to your tree and if they do you already have the dates copied down to go back to. I did this when researching my Capp line in Monroe County MO and was glad about a year later that I had because I found that one I didn't think fit in did from one of the brothers to my ancestor. I also have not done this and wished I had later when I found that the person in question was in my line. It just saves time to do it while you are there. Also make sure you check deeds closely. Probate records and wills are also necessary to look at while there. Again check for all you can at the time you are there.
Be sure when going into the courthouses to be courteous and not demanding. I went into one and they said they had bad experiences with people coming in doing genealogy because they were rude and demanding. This makes it bad on the ones coming in after and will limit how willing they are to help you or let you look at records. Most importantly just go and learn about the county and what it was like when your ancestors lived there.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Old Movies
We all got together for Father's day at my Mom and Dads and my sister brought us all a DVD that she had made off a VHS tape my Dad had given us years before that he had made from some of the old family movies. This is such a great way to preserve family memories. We played it and I really enjoyed watching it. I think everyone was getting a kick out of me because I would be watching and then someone would be on there and I would say look, look its so and so. I then would think now stop that but I couldn't help myself when the next one came on and I would do the same. I really think everyone that has old movies or slides or vhs tapes of the family should think about putting them on DVD's and share them with the whole family. This is another way to pass on our family history.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Cemetery Sleuthing
I was out at the cemeteries for Memorial day and thought I would remind you that when you go you should take pictures of the headstones for your records. This is a good way to share with others but also in case of the older ones being damaged or lost you will have a record of them. Where my great grand parents are buried we can no longer go there because of where it is located it is not a safe neighborhood and it is over run. We were able to go there when I first started my family history sleuthing and didn't follow this rule so now we don't have a picture to refer too. It was also not unusual when you went to that cemetery that headstones would be broken, moved or even stolen. Don't be like me, remember to document your ancestors headstones with a picture and if possible a rubbing on the older headstones.
When you are at the cemeteries look around and take note of others buried around and make sure you take down the names and dates of any that you aren't sure if they are family or not. We went last fall to Monroe County Mo to one of the cemeteries and did just that. It was a cemetery on a farm and even though we weren't sure on some of the names we took them down and that way if we find they are in the family later we will have it.
Always make sure to make a map of the way to cemeteries when they are older and located in rural areas or on farms so that if you ever go back you will be able to find it again. We have one cemetery in Buchanan County MO that we for years would just have to guess where it was and after driving around would finally find it. Now we have written down directions to it and we find it easier. We also have written down what row and exactly where the grave is for the ancestors I was looking for and we can find them easy now. This is such a simple thing to do but so easy to not remember to do. Make a map of where your ancestors are buried in the cemetery for future reference. These little steps now will be helpful in the future if your memory like mine isn't good.
Another tip is to research and see if you can find the history of the cemeteries if you can. I have one in Brown County KS that my ancestors are buried in that is on a farm and they held the deed for it and were the trustees for it for years. The one in Buchanan County we found out was part of my ancestors farm at one time and he donated the land for the cemetery. We found that most of the people buried in it are related in one way or another also. Do as much research on the cemetery as you can and you just never know what you might find out about your family.
Remember that if the cemetery is on private land to get permission before you go in to it from the owners. Also check on line and see if the records of burial have been put online yet.
We use to on our vacations take time to go and find our ancestors resting places and it was an adventure in sleuthing that we were glad we had done. So get out there and find your ancestors.
When you are at the cemeteries look around and take note of others buried around and make sure you take down the names and dates of any that you aren't sure if they are family or not. We went last fall to Monroe County Mo to one of the cemeteries and did just that. It was a cemetery on a farm and even though we weren't sure on some of the names we took them down and that way if we find they are in the family later we will have it.
Always make sure to make a map of the way to cemeteries when they are older and located in rural areas or on farms so that if you ever go back you will be able to find it again. We have one cemetery in Buchanan County MO that we for years would just have to guess where it was and after driving around would finally find it. Now we have written down directions to it and we find it easier. We also have written down what row and exactly where the grave is for the ancestors I was looking for and we can find them easy now. This is such a simple thing to do but so easy to not remember to do. Make a map of where your ancestors are buried in the cemetery for future reference. These little steps now will be helpful in the future if your memory like mine isn't good.
Another tip is to research and see if you can find the history of the cemeteries if you can. I have one in Brown County KS that my ancestors are buried in that is on a farm and they held the deed for it and were the trustees for it for years. The one in Buchanan County we found out was part of my ancestors farm at one time and he donated the land for the cemetery. We found that most of the people buried in it are related in one way or another also. Do as much research on the cemetery as you can and you just never know what you might find out about your family.
Remember that if the cemetery is on private land to get permission before you go in to it from the owners. Also check on line and see if the records of burial have been put online yet.
We use to on our vacations take time to go and find our ancestors resting places and it was an adventure in sleuthing that we were glad we had done. So get out there and find your ancestors.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Success with Civil War Ancestors
I am like so many others who have ancestors who fought in the Civil War on both sides. I have heard family stories and seen records of many of them. When looking for your Civil War ancestors make sure you try as many of the resources as possible.
I start with 1.family stories, then go to 2.county records, then 3.state archives, then websites like 4.ancestry.com and the National Parks Service Soldiers and Sailor database which gives you what unit your ancestor was in and then can give you info on the units as well as some info on some of the battles the units fought in, the website address for this is www.civilwar.nps.gov/cwss/and then I go to the 5.National Archives website and order the ancestors military and pension records, web address is archives.gov. All of these are very important places to look for the info on your ancestors civil war experience.
First talk to those in the family who might know or who have heard stories about your ancestors who fought in the civil war. My Grandma Snodgrass use to tell me that her Grandpa Vincent fought for the Union side because the Confederates had killed his brother. He hid out in the woods and then went and signed up with the union army. Now her Grandpa Thomas E Vincent did serve on the Union side and he did have a younger brother that died but it was of disease according to court records. He did serve from Monroe County Mo. that was mostly Confederate at that time but I found no proof that he had to hide in the woods from them. The story he told her and she passed down to me did give me a place to start looking though. Another family story was that one of my ancestors was fighting for the Confederate side from Monroe County MO. and was killed at the battle of Corinth in 1864. This gave me a place to start looking because of the story.
Next make sure you check county records to see what they might have on CW ancestors. I found in the Court records where the brother of Thomas E Vincent had died and his siblings were claiming his pension. It listed all of his living siblings and told how he died of disease.
The third place to look is the State Archives of the state your ancestors served from. They should be able to give you some insight on when and what unit they served in.
The fourth place to look is at ancestry.com because they have some records on pensions and if they served or not. I found just recently the ancestor that was killed at Corinth and it gave when and what unit he served in when he was killed. I then went to the National Parks site and looked him up and got more info on when he was killed and what units he was in and what battles they fought in. I then looked up info on the unit. This is a valuable site that many overlook.
Last I go to the National Archives site with the info I have found and send for the pension and military records of my ancestors. I always ask for all records even though this costs more because I want to see everything they have and not just what they think is important. It is well worth the money to get these records.
I start with 1.family stories, then go to 2.county records, then 3.state archives, then websites like 4.ancestry.com and the National Parks Service Soldiers and Sailor database which gives you what unit your ancestor was in and then can give you info on the units as well as some info on some of the battles the units fought in, the website address for this is www.civilwar.nps.gov/cwss/and then I go to the 5.National Archives website and order the ancestors military and pension records, web address is archives.gov. All of these are very important places to look for the info on your ancestors civil war experience.
First talk to those in the family who might know or who have heard stories about your ancestors who fought in the civil war. My Grandma Snodgrass use to tell me that her Grandpa Vincent fought for the Union side because the Confederates had killed his brother. He hid out in the woods and then went and signed up with the union army. Now her Grandpa Thomas E Vincent did serve on the Union side and he did have a younger brother that died but it was of disease according to court records. He did serve from Monroe County Mo. that was mostly Confederate at that time but I found no proof that he had to hide in the woods from them. The story he told her and she passed down to me did give me a place to start looking though. Another family story was that one of my ancestors was fighting for the Confederate side from Monroe County MO. and was killed at the battle of Corinth in 1864. This gave me a place to start looking because of the story.
Next make sure you check county records to see what they might have on CW ancestors. I found in the Court records where the brother of Thomas E Vincent had died and his siblings were claiming his pension. It listed all of his living siblings and told how he died of disease.
The third place to look is the State Archives of the state your ancestors served from. They should be able to give you some insight on when and what unit they served in.
The fourth place to look is at ancestry.com because they have some records on pensions and if they served or not. I found just recently the ancestor that was killed at Corinth and it gave when and what unit he served in when he was killed. I then went to the National Parks site and looked him up and got more info on when he was killed and what units he was in and what battles they fought in. I then looked up info on the unit. This is a valuable site that many overlook.
Last I go to the National Archives site with the info I have found and send for the pension and military records of my ancestors. I always ask for all records even though this costs more because I want to see everything they have and not just what they think is important. It is well worth the money to get these records.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Snodgrass Family Stories, Okay I should of listened
How many times have you heard your relatives reminiscing and not really paid attention and then later when you are trying to learn your genealogy you wish you still had that relative around to ask questions? I am sure that this has happened to us all. We should all pay more attention to the stories and even jot them down or record them for future use and future generations. I wish when my Grandparents were still alive that I had done a better job of this but I wasn't doing my genealogy then I just liked hearing the stories. Then when I started doing the genealogy I only had one Grandmother and my husbands Granddad left to ask questions of. I did have a few great Aunts and Uncles and tried learning what I could from them at that helped but oh how I wished I had recorded or written down all the stories that they would tell and now are lost to me and my children. Lesson is pay close attention and write them down.
Another thing is no matter how far fetched you think a story is write it down or record it because you may just find out that it is true. An example of this is when I talked to my Grandmother about my Mom's dad's side Grandma told me things I just didn't think were true but I took note of them and found out she was right.
I found that my Grandma and Grandpa Snodgrass got married in Kansas City, KS and that they had lied about there age by a couple of years. She said that during the depression they lived on a side room of Grandpa Snodgrass's dad's house in Oklahoma City and that the room was made out of used thrown out lumber because none of them had money. Then they went to Cordell OK and picked cotton in the fields which I figured was her remembering wrong until we went to the courthouse in Washita County, OK and they had pictures of migrant workers picking cotton in there county back in the 1930's. In fact they had a picture on the wall that asks do you know these people and it looked like a younger picture of my Grandmother in the fields. Ok so the story she told was right.
Next she told me that Grandpa Snodgrass's mother changed her name from Sallie Ann to Cleo Ruth and that she was married to a man named Crews when she died. She also said that she was buried in OK somewhere. Now why she changed her name she didn't know but they never got along so Grandma didn't care to know either she said. Well I once again was skeptical but in the 1920 Census I found that she had changed her name to Cleo Ruth and was married to Simon Nix. I know it is her because my Granddad Emmett Snodgrass and his sister Snow are living with them. Okay now I knew that she had changed her name next to find if she had married a man name Crews and where she was buried. Sure enough she is buried where Grandma thought at the Lookeba Cemetery which is located ½ mile north of Lookeba Ok. in Caddo County, OK. So two stories she told me were true but I still haven't been able to proof the last story and that is that Grandpa Emmett Snodgrass is part Indian. His mother Sallie Ann/Cleo Ruth is suppose to be half Indian and her mother full blooded Indian but so far I haven't been able to prove this. I have been told by Emmett's other two daughters that we found two years ago that they were told the same story and that a cousin of theirs from Snow Snodgrass told it too. We are still looking and I have this story written down so that when I prove it one way or another and can give Grandma credit again.
The thing is we need to listen and record everything we are told whether we think it is possible to be true or not and then research to find the truth. I hope to find more interesting stories and truths so I keep looking through our tree.
Another thing is no matter how far fetched you think a story is write it down or record it because you may just find out that it is true. An example of this is when I talked to my Grandmother about my Mom's dad's side Grandma told me things I just didn't think were true but I took note of them and found out she was right.
I found that my Grandma and Grandpa Snodgrass got married in Kansas City, KS and that they had lied about there age by a couple of years. She said that during the depression they lived on a side room of Grandpa Snodgrass's dad's house in Oklahoma City and that the room was made out of used thrown out lumber because none of them had money. Then they went to Cordell OK and picked cotton in the fields which I figured was her remembering wrong until we went to the courthouse in Washita County, OK and they had pictures of migrant workers picking cotton in there county back in the 1930's. In fact they had a picture on the wall that asks do you know these people and it looked like a younger picture of my Grandmother in the fields. Ok so the story she told was right.
Next she told me that Grandpa Snodgrass's mother changed her name from Sallie Ann to Cleo Ruth and that she was married to a man named Crews when she died. She also said that she was buried in OK somewhere. Now why she changed her name she didn't know but they never got along so Grandma didn't care to know either she said. Well I once again was skeptical but in the 1920 Census I found that she had changed her name to Cleo Ruth and was married to Simon Nix. I know it is her because my Granddad Emmett Snodgrass and his sister Snow are living with them. Okay now I knew that she had changed her name next to find if she had married a man name Crews and where she was buried. Sure enough she is buried where Grandma thought at the Lookeba Cemetery which is located ½ mile north of Lookeba Ok. in Caddo County, OK. So two stories she told me were true but I still haven't been able to proof the last story and that is that Grandpa Emmett Snodgrass is part Indian. His mother Sallie Ann/Cleo Ruth is suppose to be half Indian and her mother full blooded Indian but so far I haven't been able to prove this. I have been told by Emmett's other two daughters that we found two years ago that they were told the same story and that a cousin of theirs from Snow Snodgrass told it too. We are still looking and I have this story written down so that when I prove it one way or another and can give Grandma credit again.
The thing is we need to listen and record everything we are told whether we think it is possible to be true or not and then research to find the truth. I hope to find more interesting stories and truths so I keep looking through our tree.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Ancestor Charles Jester
Charles A Jester has been one of my stumbling blocks in my family research. I know he was suppose to be born in Washington County, IA according to his death certificate and his head stone says 1868 though other things have him being born in 1866 or 1869 also. He died in 1942 in Wyandotte County Kansas City, KS in 1942. He married Hattie Jane Anderson in Cloud County KS but she was born and lived in Brown County Kansas. They had 6 children Laura, Bessie, Susie, Daniel, Jesse and James all born in Horton, Brown County KS. Susie died as a young girl in Brown County KS and Daniel died in Aug. 1902 two months after he was born. He was a twin to my grandfather Jesse and they were born May 10, 1902. Daniel also died in Horton Brown County, KS. They moved to Kansas City KS in the late 1920's they are listed in the 1930 census as living in Wyandotte County, Kansas City, KS. I have yet to find out anything on Charles childhood or who his parents are. My granddad and my Great Uncle Jim did know much about his family either when we shared before they both died. Children of the other children of Charles and Hattie don't seem to know anything either. He is a very elusive ancestor and the search is on going to find his parents and more about Charles. The picture above is of Charles and Hattie's headstone at Highland Park Cemetery in Kansas City, Wyandotte County, KS. The search is on going and I will some day find out more about him.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Finding the hard to find
When we start searching our family trees we sometimes have trouble finding people. When I started searching my Snodgrass family all I knew is what my Grandmother had told me which didn't amount to much since her and my Grandfather separated when my Mother was very little. I searched with what I knew and soon found my Mom's half sisters names by way of an obituary but it took a few years to actually find the half sisters themselves. Sometimes its just a matter of timing. I had gone through all the phone books for the area and had done people searches on the net and I did not have any luck but I just kept trying and every so often I would check them again. One day my daughter and I were talking and I gave her all the information I had and she did exactly what I had done but then she found one of the sisters. We got in contact and them and 2 years ago my Mom and the rest of us got to meet her half sisters face to face. It is great to get to know them and the moral to the story is never quit looking. Even if you have looked in that same place before revisit it and see if you might have missed something or someone that can help. It is a matter of never saying I can't find them and forgetting about them it's a matter of I will keep looking. Sometimes if we get away from a line in our family tree and then go back to it later you will find something that you missed before and that line will open up just a little more. Always keep going and never stop looking when you are searching for the next clue in your family tree. We added two more people to our family just by following these rules.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Genealogy is my Passion
I started this blog to document my search for my ancestors. I have been doing it for a long time and like everyone I have hit some brick walls but like any good sleuth you never quit you keep trying and eventually you will find who you are looking for. Never give up but never give in to the temptation of guessing either. Make sure you have the facts to back up your deductions. I have had a couple of big success stories and I will share them later but for now I will get back to my research I am trying to find the elusive Charles A Jester today.
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