Genealogy Family History Expo in KC July 29-30th

I've never been to one of these but they are held all over the country and I would love to attend.  See details at the link below.

http://www.familyhistoryexpos.com/viewevent.aspx?eid=35

Remember? I did say this blog was about genealogy, too! 

M. Jeff Thompson's letter to President Jefferson Davis volunteering his services

The following letter was sent to the President of the Confederate States by St. Joseph's former mayor, M. Jeff Thompson, to offer his services to the South. It pre-dates his discussion with the new St. Joseph postmaster (which I posted yesterday) by about three weeks and was sent immediately after the fall of Ft. Sumter.

Saint Joseph, Mo., April 15, 1861.

His Excellency Jefferson Davis,

President of the Confederate States, Montgomery, Ala.:

Sir: 

 

M. Jeff Thompson

Not knowing the name of your adjutant-general or any other proper person to make the inquiries of which I desire, I have taken the liberty of addressing you direct.

I am anxious to know whether the Confederate States desire volunteers from the border States, and if there is any regular arrangement for their reception, or whether it is necessary to have any authority from your Government before volunteers should be raised.

My object in asking is that, should Missouri refuse to join her Southern sisters, I desire and intend to move South, and I can, if acceptable, bring one, two, or three companies of as good and true men as the Southern sun ever shone on, if I can assure them that their officers will be confirmed and commissioned by your Government.

I would respectfully refer you to Hon. Luther Glen, commissioner from Georgia to Missouri, or Hon. _______ Russell, commissioner from Mississippi to Missouri, or his Excellency C. F. Jackson, Governor of Missouri.

Yours respectfully,
M. Jeff Thompson,
Colonel, Inspector Fourth Military District Missouri Militia

p. 684, Series I, Volume I, Official Records of the War of the Rebellion

St. Joseph MO postmaster reports on meeting Jeff Thompson in early days of the Civil War

Two weeks after Ft. Sumter fell, the newly appointed postmaster for St. Joseph, MO, chanced upon former St. Joseph mayor M. Jeff Thompson while traveling on the river. Mr. Thompson seems extraordinarily loose-lipped in this account, but here's the story of the meeting with its tales of Fort Leavenworth given over to Secessionists. It's taken from Series I, Volume I, p. 679, Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, 1880.

Washington, May 2, 1861.

Hon. Secretary of War:

                Sir: Mr. J. L. Bittinger, recently appointed postmaster at Saint Joseph, Mo. Arrived here yesterday, and gave me information in regard to secession movements in that State, which I take the liberty of conveying to you.

 

He states that while descending the Missouri River he met with a Mr. Jeff. Thompson (right), who informed him, not supposing that he was in favor of the Union, that Lieutenant Cooke, now at Fort Leavenworth, had told him (Thompson) confidentially that the dragoons stationed at that post had pledged themselves to co-operate with the secessionists in whatever schemes they might determine upon, and he remarked that he himself—their commander—intended to head them in the project. Lieutenant Cooke further observed that it was his determination, in case Missouri seceded, to do all he could to transfer the Government property in his charge to the State authorities, and in the event that Missouri did not secede, that he would resign his commission and offer his services to the South.

Mr Bittinger says that the disunionists in Saint Joseph are organized, have possessed themselves of Government arms, and are meditating the capture of Fort Leavenworth. There are now in Saint Joseph, he states, three hundred and seventy-four Union men, who form four companies, which will be placed at the disposal of the Federal administration. They have no arms, however, although they have applied for some—to Major Van Vliet, I believe; but they were refused on the ground that the persons applying had no order from the Secretary of War. The Union volunteers of Saint Joseph beg that you will give them such written authority as will enable them to procure the necessary arms and equipments without any further delay.

Having fulfilled what I deem my duty in imparting to you the above information, I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,

John R. Atkinson.

Frank James New Venture-from a newspaper clipping

Found in the same newspaper clipping as a family obituary dated 1894. The Smithville paper copied it from the Kansas City Star.

Childhood stories of Frank and Jesse James

I grew up hearing stories of Frank and Jesse James and how ancestors on both sides of my family had known him. I thought that highly unlikely, but as I grew older and asked more questions I found out it was mostly true.  Frank and Jesse had friends in Platte County who helped them when they could. When I asked an older resident why Frank and Jesse frequented this area he told me, “I don’t think they were hunting them too hard here.” 

Frank James New Venture

Kansas City Star.

St. Louis, Sept. 25.--At the door of the Standard theater last night taking tickets was Frank James, the once noted outlaw. He said:  "I have abandoned the race course forever. There is no money in it. It has ceased to be profitable. I have a son who is 17 years of age, and it is natural to suppose that if I had continued in the business he would have drifted into it also.  I do not say that the business is disgraceful; oh, no, not that, for I have met hundreds of gentlemen on the track. Some of my best friends are there. But of course, there are bad ones to be found on a race course, and somehow or other, you can't tell why exactly, but these are the kind a young man generally falls in with.  I have, therefore, forsaken a following that has afforded me much amusement and entertainment for his sake.  In the future I will be in the theatrical line--not on the stage, but in the business office, or at the door, or somewhere near about where the money is taken in.  I have commenced at the bottom round, and expect to work my way gradually up. There is money in the business when you work it right."

"So you will never go on the stage?"

"Never. I have no merit in that line and no sort of practice would make me an actor. I have had plenty of opportunities to go before the footlights.  Immediately after my acquittal and vindication I was offered $52,000 a year by a New York company, but declined it. In the future my home will be in St. Louis. I am tired of roaming around. I shall try to find my son a place in a commercial house and we will live together. To make a quiet, steady, sober man of him is now my highest ambition.”

Smithville Herald, pg. 1 

Herald Supplement
Sept. 28, 1894

Martha Jesse Fletcher obituary 1894

Taken from the Smithville Herald of Sept. 28, 1894

Obituary.

Died. At her home, in Smithville, on the evening of Saturday, Sept. 22nd, 1894, of hemorrhages resulting from typhoid-pneumonia.  Mrs. Martha, wife of G. W. Fletcher, Aged, 31 years.

"The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away; blessed be the name of the Lord."

It seems hard at times to become reconciled to the will of the Lord, and especially when one loses a good, kind, and estimable wife, or a loving mother, as in this case, where Mr. Fletcher has lost as kind and loving a wife as ever man espoused; a good mother, an esteemed neighbor, and one beloved by all who knew her.

She leaves a sorrowing husband, and five little children to mourn her departure from this life.

 

Sorrowing father, try and forget your grief in the performance of the double duty which now devolves on you--that of being both father and mother to your bereaved little ones, Do you miss her? How much more will your children miss the one who was accustomed to minister to their every pleasure and desire. Make their less as light as possible, and may the God of peace lighten you burdens, and smooth the pathway of life for the little ones.

---------------------

This scanned clipping from a northwest Missouri newspaper was among the papers of my grandmother.  I wanted to share it with family members interested in genealogy.

1893 Camden Point Missouri Christian College Student Writes Home to Her Sister

I thank Dick Williams, KC MO, for his permission to publish his mother's (Helen Williams) letters written by her mother, Nellie Moore Lewis. This has been linked from the Platte County Historical Society's Facebook page as it wouldn't all fit on PCHS's wall.

Letter #1

Camden Point, MO

Jan. 20, 1893

Miss Jennie Moore,

Dear Sister,

I will write you a few lines this evening. We have been moving this eve   have just got settled down. We moved in No. 5, on the north side of the building so we can see you all now when you come down.  

[Note: The first term was completed around the end of January and some girls left while new ones enrolled for the next session.  Which explains why the girls were moving to a different room.]

Well Jennie how is the Hackle(?) by this time  I rec. a letter from Ella Isray this morning. She said Charlie Lewis was married we were surprised to hear that but we hear of a wedding every time any of us get a letter.

Laura Jeffers said you all were going to have an entertainment at the school house. How is it getting along.  I expect it will be grand.

How did Pa and Anna’s mother get home last Sunday night? Anna is well now has been able to be in chapel nearly all week. I was afraid her mother was going to be sick she had such a head-ache but Pa would not stay all night.

I liked my new dress ever so much   it fits very well. What did you think of my pictures I did not like them a bit they looked too mad and they were too black. Did you go to Mrs. Bells party -Ella said she was going to have one I didn’t know whether it was Mrs. Albert Bell or not-I thought if it was you would go sure.

The military boys had an entertainment last Friday night. We all went and of course it was grand.  I guess you know about how boys would do just by themselves they had two or three pieces and a song. They came over here Sat. night to our Society and of course ours was the best or at least we thought so.

[Note: The military boys were the students attending the new Camden Point Military School on a hill across town. This was one of the first years it was in session. According to a history of the military school the first years were rocky without an experienced military officer to take charge of it. Once an officer was teaching in the school, it prospered for several years.]

Well January will soon be gone and we have five more months to stay here. There has been about five girls went home since Christmas and three new ones come in  the School is not quite as full as it was before Christmas but they think there are more girls coming after a while. I had never heard those two pieces you sent in your last letter but thought they were real good  think I will send them to Charley I told you I was going to have it put in the paper but you didn’t believe it Jennie

The Mary Allen Society is going to have an entertainment in about a month  You and Maud can come then I do not know when the teachers will have their entertainment. The Mary Allen Society is the one Nellie and I belong so you know it will be good. But you must come whether  we have anything or not Lulu Wiff? has been looking for Addie down the last two or three days but has not come.

Nellie Isray said to tell you she would answer your letter soon. Well I have written about all I know so I will close hoping to see you soon.

                                                                                                                 

Your loving sister

                                                                                                                

Nell

Tell John and Ben to write to me.

Letter #2

Camden Point MO

Feb. 20, 1893

Miss Jennie Moore

Dear Sister:

I rec. your letter to-night  will now try and ans it. I was very sorry you did not get the letter in time to come. We looked for you all day to-day.

The play was just grand  I know it would just  have suited you for it was a regular novel.

I guess you all went to the Commencement at the Medical College to-day.  Nellie got a card, I wouldn’t have cared to have been there myself so long as you all did not come down.

The Mary Allen Society is going to have an open session but I do not know when it will be  you can come down then if you will, I will try and let you know in time.

Mrs. Bell seems to be getting quite prominent.  She must have about three Balls a week don’t she  I am afraid she will run herself down as she is so delicate anyway.  I would love to see he(r) dance with Mr. Fisher  I imagine she would be quite graceful on the floor.

I rec. a letter from Anna the other day  haven’t answered it yet  She said she was going to send me the Ladies Home Journal soon, and she said they had their mail brought up to the door  now I should think that would be right nice.  I guess Charley must be working hard he never does write anymore.  Anna said to tell her brother to ans her letter  she wants to go to Perrin next Sunday.

Well all my examinations are over but one that is Physiology  the teacher is waiting on one of the girls to get well  she has been very sick. They sent for her mother yesterday.

Tell Pa they would like to have the money for our books as soon as possible.

Well I have written all I know so I must close  I will send you one of the bills of the entertainment.

                                                                                                                 

Write soon

                                                                                                                 

Nell

Grandma's Quilt Block

Discovering Kyle Family Heritage

A local church was celebrating its150th anniversary in the summer of 2010. I stopped on my way home to visit with friends, see the Pony Express re-enactor, and look at the quilts on display. As I rounded the corner to see the quilt display, I stopped in my tracks. There directly in my line of sight was a quilt block with my grandmother's name embroidered on it.

What was the cause of my amazement? Grandma died a year before I was born and yet here was something she had made decades ago. Her hands had not held me but they had held and worked this quilt square in front of me. I stood staring and contemplated how much more enriched my life might have been with her in it. I slowly reached out and gently touched that physical link to Grandma.

The feeling of wonderment continued as I left the church and stopped to talk with friends. I mentioned how gobsmacked I was to find my grandmother's signature on a quilt. "I remember her," one woman told me when I finished my story. "She gave me piano lessons."

My grandmother graduated from the Maryville Music Conservatory in 1916. When she came home, she taught local students. My grandfather once told me she would have had her granddaughters playing 'Yakka Hula Hickadoola' if she had lived. (This was evidently one of his favorite songs.)

"She gave lessons around 1944-45 at the high school; I think because her sister was teaching there. She charged $1 for an hour or maybe 30 minutes," she continued.  "But I didn't like playing at recitals. So Mrs. Kyle would cut my recital piece until it was just the part that I knew." We laughed and I thought my grandmother must have been an understanding teacher to cut a little girl's recital piece to be just what she could play.

Serendipity
Driving home that afternoon I continued to marvel at how a scrap of fabric and a chance stop on a summer day made a grandmother I never knew come alive.

Beginning my Family Genealogy for the Last Time

In the last thirty years I've started my genealogy research at least four times. And for the umpteenth time I’m starting again, but this time I'm planning ahead and organizing as I go.  I'm sure there are myriad ways of doing this but I've found one that works for me. 

Managing a Genealogical Project by William Dollarhide is the step-by-step, practical guide I needed years ago.  This book, along with Genealogy Starter Kit by Dollarhide, is extremely useful for forms, instructions, and research suggestions.

All too often I know I have unique family records....somewhere.

With Dollarhide's suggestions I am organizing those records so I CAN find them when I want them and then easily return them to where they belong.

Not only does Dollarhide's Manage book explain the different types of genealogy projects that can be done; it gives sample forms for each. The most helpful part of the book for me was Section 2: Collecting References and Solving the Paper-collecting Problem. From Dollarhide’s suggestions I created a personalized pre-printed form for every piece of evidence supporting my family research.  I now have a notebook for every family surname and within that the names are sorted by place. Every page has an index number using the Ahnentafel Numbering system (German for ancestor table.) 

I use a pedigree chart with me as #1, my dad is #2, and mom is #3. I then number their parents in the same fashion starting with dad's dad as #4, dad's mom is #5, mom's dad is #6, mom's mom is #7 and so on back through the years. This forms the basis for my Ahnentafel Numbering system for indexing. 

For now, that's enough to get me going again on my family history. If you're stuck or starting over, I highly recommend William Dollarhide's down-to-earth booklets on Managing a Genealogical Project and Genealogy Starter Kit. I found them through my local library.

Use Mid-Continent Public Library's forms

I also recommend downloading Mid-Continent Public Library's genealogy forms.  I've used several different forms through the years but MCPL’s seem the most practical to me.  Download yours free by going to http://www.mymcpl.org/genealogy/family-history-forms.  With Dollarhide’s advice and MCPL’s forms your family research just got easier.