When you think of your family dynamics, who has the power? Looking into the future, I would say it is my niece that has the power to keep her generation of the family together. Looking back, I would have to credit my grandmother, Winnie Letha Currey Crawford, with being the force of power in the family.
When Winnie was ten years old, her mother died. The family had recently moved to Olathe, Kansas from Rooks County, Kansas. Her father may have been a teamster at the time. The family included
Herbert, age 18
Myrtle, age 14
Mary, age 12
Winnie, age 10
Ernest, age 7
Alma, age 1
My grandmother wrote about what happened to the family after her mother’s death in one of her letters. The dates are off, but I believe the story of what happened to the family is correct.
Mother died in May. We went to the Children’s Home Jun 11. Herb didn’t go and Myrtle wasn’t there long till she went to Aunt Mary’s in Denver Col. Mary and I stayed together till she got married. But to go back The Court took Littens License away. So Dad had to take us back till Mary & I finished grade school. Then He was going to put us back into a Home. I got Aunt Joe De Shazer to take Alma and found a Home for Earnest – then Mary and I lied about our ages & went to Work. I alway kept track of the kids As I do now
Most of the details of this story remain unproven. I did find Alma Jean Curry in a DeShazer household on the 1920 census living in Franklin County, Kansas. By 1925, Alma was living with her father in Gray County, Kansas. Gray County borders Ford County, where Myrtle and Winnie were living in 1925.
In terms of the children’s home, I did find an entry for Rev.Charles Litten in the 1913 directory for Kansas City. According to this entry, he was the ‘sec and genl mgr Conserving Assn of America’ at 2610 Cleveland in Kansas City, Missouri. (See blog post, U – Unknown Genealogy / PhotoADay)
The Aunt Mary mentioned in the letter is likely Mary Currey Spears. Unfortunately, I can’t place Mary and her husband John in Denver, Colorado. By 1920, Mary and her husband were living in Los Angeles, California. At this time, I don’t have a census record or city directory for them between 1900 and 1920.
According to another letter, my grandmother traveled from the Kansas City area to Dodge City to help her sister, Myrtle with her new baby. Based on the above letter, that means that Winnie was in the Kansas City area until her sister, Mary was married. All of this does fit a timeline for these events in the sister’s lives.
Myrtle married in Dodge City at the age of 18 in March of 1917
Myrtle’s first child is born in Dodge City in Feb 1918
Mary married in Kansas City at the age of 17 in Feb 1919
Winnie is married in Dodge City at the age of 16 in December 1919
Whether I prove the details in the letter or not, I do believe that my grandmother and at least some of her siblings were in a children’s home after the death of their mother. I believe my grandmother’s strong sense of family was forged during this time of her life.
For anyone interested in cowboys or the old west cattle drives a trip to the Boot Hill Museum in Dodge City, Kansas is a ‘must see’ destination. Housed in a replica of ‘Front Street’, Boot Hill offers a combination of history and entertainment, complete with gunfights and shows at the Long Branch Saloon.
As a genealogist, Boot Hill has proven to be a source of information about my family. As a child, I remember a photograph or postcard that was on display in the building at the top of the hill. This photo was taken of early Dodge City from the Boot Hill area looking toward downtown. My memory says that the house my grandparents lived in was in that photo. Later, while touring the displays housed in the ‘Front Street’ buildings I discovered a minute book for the Ford County Agricultural Society that just happened to be opened to a page mentioning my great great grandfather, Richmond Fisk Hammond.
On a trip to Dodge to visit my grandmother, she encouraged me to visit Boot Hill to see if they had any photographs. Thinking I might find the photo from my childhood memory, I went. Even though I didn’t locate that photo, I did come away with a marvelous find: the only known photo of my great great grandfather, Washington Marion Crawford.
In addition to obtaining his picture, I found a group picture that included my great grandfather, Judson Crawford and another group picture containing Judson’s brother, Nelson Crawford.
If you want to find an unusual source for genealogical information, it would be Boot Hill for me. I never imagined that I would find these photos at Boot Hill. I am thankful that they are preserving the early history of Dodge City.
Last week, I re-looked at the 1920 census data across my tree. In the process of looking at that information, I was struck at how young my grandmother was, especially where she was a recent bride at the time. Thus, I decided this Valentines Day to look at the marriage ages of my ‘grandmothers’ in my tree.
Grandmothers:
Winnie Letha Currey – married at age 16
Pauline Edith Mentzer — married at age 19
Great Grandmothers:
Josie Winifred Hammond – married at age 16
Winnie Mae Hutchinson — married at age 20
Frances Artlissa Ricketts – married at age 21
Nettie Adell Wells – married at age 20
Great Great Grandmothers
Mary Foster — married at age 17
Sarah Ellen Ralston – married at age 17
Angelina Jane Burke – married at age 19
Julia Harding – married at age 19
Sarah Jane Thompson – married at age 23
Rachel Elmeda Christy – married at age 21
Emeline Minnick – married at age 18
Salome Adell Crandall – married at age 24
3rd Great Grandmothers
Martha Smith – married at age 18
Caroline Ostrander – married at age 18
Louisa Fisk – married at age 18
Nancy Jane McCormick – married at age 18
Rachel Harris – unknown birth date
Elizabeth Ann Bland – married at age 21
Sarah Merry – unknown marriage date
Elizabeth Fowler — married at age 26
Sarah Rush – married at age 20
Polly Ann Evans – married at age 21
Orinda Matilda Reed – married at age 18
Lyda Gallmore – married at age 17
Orinda Miles – married at age 18
Elizabeth Mary Jones – married at age 34
Mary Kennedy – married at age 19
Almira Nafus – unknown birth date
As I was compiling the above information, I wondered whether some of my ‘grandmothers’ could have had previous marriages since their marriage age seems a bit high. Thus, this information might be a clue for further research.
weekend trips to spend with my grandmother, Winnie Crawford, in Dodge City
my grandmother’s curiosity about her own family history; a family history filled with lots of unknowns – questions needing answers
my grandmother’s collection of family photos and memorabilia from both her CURREY family and her husband’s CRAWFORD family
my mother-in-law teaching me how to create a pedigree chart and a family group sheet — and giving me some blank forms
my grandmother Briles’ collection of photos and family memorabilia for the BRILES and MENTZER sides of the family
paper, envelope and stamps to write letters — and learning to enclose a SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope)
my first genealogy how-to book: The Researcher’s Guide to American Genealogy by Val Greenwood, copyright 1973
a great aunt, Gladys Crawford, who had compiled our Crawford genealogy
copies of pages from family Bibles — Crawford, Currey, Mentzer
a cousin, Max Briles, who had compiled a genealogy of the BRILES family
a subscription to Genealogical Helper — and thus needing more envelopes and stamps
likely my second genealogy book: The Handy Book for Genealogists — and a need for more stamps
a librarian’s knowledge of card catalogs, periodicals, microfilm and manuscripts
access to Kansas census and newspapers at the research center for the Kansas State Historical Society – and more forms – forms to record census information this time
Census indexes – big clunky books with small type — and 1920 Census Soundex – an index to the 1920 census records based on how names sounded.
more trips to Dodge City — not only to see my grandmother, but for research at the Kansas Genealogical Society library – which also housed the Kansas DAR library, and research at the Kansas Heritage Center and at Boot Hill
two bus trips to the LDS library at Salt Lake City with Ruth Keys Clark and genealogists from around Kansas and a family vacation with a couple of days at the library
research trips to the public library at St. Joseph and the Northwest Missouri Genealogical Society library for access to records for the grandmother’s Hutchinson and Harding lines
day trips to Independence, Missouri to access U.S. census records at the genealogy library hosted by the Mid-Continent Public Library in Independence and Kansas City, Missouri (now the Midwest Genealogy Center)
PERSI – index of all of those genealogical society publications
access to microfilm of a large variety of records delivered by the mail man to my house courtesy of the American Genealogical Lending Library – need for a larger postage budget
Father Wempe and his push to form a genealogy society in Nemaha county, Kansas
our first computer and the genealogy program: Personal Ancestral File (PAF)
compact discs (CDs) of records
And then came the Internet
Genealogy.com and its access to census records and message boards
Heritage Quest – searchable digital versions of county histories
Email — and less need for those SASE
Roots-L mailing Lists — can get help for just about anything genealogy related by joining a list and reading the emails
RootsWeb — including the ability to create web sites – particularly for counties
Yahoo GeoCities — site to create my own FREE web site – and Heartland Genealogy was born (Thanks to Google, I found my old URL – http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/3208/. Thus, the wayback machine shows my site going back to 1999.)
Shutterfly and similar resources to share family photos and stories
And now we have DNA and all of the tools associated with it to help us identify ancestors.
Even though the tools have changed over the years, the foundations that my mother-in-law taught me over 40 years ago are still needed today. I don’t know where my genealogy research will go in the future, but it has been a fantastic ride to get here.
Washington Marion Crawford1 was born on 21 Apr 1838 in Warren, Indiana, United States.2–9 He was the son of Nelson G. Crawford and Martha Smith.10
Marion Crawford was listed on the 1850 census in the household of Nelson Crawford. Marion was listed as a 12 year old male born in Indiana.11 In 1859, he bought the land being the W1/2NW1/4 S24T22NR10W containing 80 acres from Nelson G. Crawford and Martha his wife for $1000 in Warren, Indiana, United States.12
He married Mary Foster on 4 Mar 1860 in West Lebanon, Warren, Indiana, United States.4–5,8,13–20 In 1860, Washington Marion Crawford was listed on the census as a 22 year old head of household living in Jordan Township, Warren County, Indiana. Also listed in the household was his 17 year old wife, Mary.21
Washington began military service as a Sergt in Co. H 2nd Regiment New York Cavalry Volunteers on 3 Aug 1861 .22–23 The 2nd New York Cavalry was better known as the “Harris Light Horse”.4,6,24
On on 18 Dec 1862, Ida Kate Crawford was born in Warren, Indiana, United States.20
He was last paid for military service on 30 Jun 1863 .23 On 22 Sep 1863, he was captured in Liberty Mills, Orange, Virginia, United States.23,25 Washington was imprisoned between Sep 1863 and Mar 1864 in Belle Isle, Lancaster County, Virginia.23,26 He was imprisoned between Mar 1864 and Nov 1864 in Andersonville Prison, Macon County, Georgia.23,26–27 He was converted by Boston Corbett and John McElroy while imprisoned.26 In Nov 1864, Washington was imprisoned in Charlesteon, South Carolina.23 In Dec 1864, he was furloughed home for sixty days to live in Warren, Indiana, United States.26 He was paroled on 7 Dec 1864 in Florence, Florence, South Carolina, United States.4,23,26,28 On 8 Apr 1865, Washington was mustered out as a Sergeant in New York, New York, United States.29–30
On 22 Jun 1865, he was named in the will of his father, Nelson Crawford, in Warren, Indiana, United States.31 He was a life member of the Illinois State Association of Union Prisoners of war.32 According to his request for a pension, Washington lived in Jordan Township, Warren, Indiana, United States in 1866.23
He became the parent of Judson Foster Crawford born on 15 Apr 1866.20
According to his request for a military pension, he still lived in Washington Township, Warren, Indiana, United States in 1867.23 Washington joined the M.E. Church in West Lebanon, Warren, Indiana, United States.26
He sold land being the west half of the northwest quarter of Section 24 Township 22 North Range 10 West for $2400 to James H Crawford on 18 Jan 1868 in Warren, Indiana, United States.33 On 24 Jul 1869, he was granted a pension for his military service during the civil war .34
On on 10 Feb 1870, Carrie A Crawford was born in in Warren, Indiana, United States.
Washington was granted a ‘Certificate to Disability of Soldier’ on 25 Feb 1870 in Chambersburg.35 He lived in Pike Township, Warren, Indiana, United States between 1871 and 1873.23,36
On on 22 Dec 1871, Lida A Crawford was born in in Warren, Indiana, United States.20
According to his application for a military pension, he lived in Washington Township, Warren, Indiana, United States in 1873.23 Washington was a member of the Fleming Post #316 in Indiana, United States.37 Marion Crawford was listed as the head of household on the 1880 U.S. Census. According to the census, Marion was a 42 year old farmer who was born in Indiana. Also in the household with him were his wife, Mary; son, Judson; and daughters, Ida, Carrie and Lida.38 In Oct 1880, he was a member of the Illinois State Association of Unioin Prisioners of War in Illinois City, Rock Island County, Illinois.39
On 29 Oct 1881, Nelson Garfield Crawford was born in in Warren, Indiana, United States.20
On 21 Nov 1883, in Macon, Illinois James Miller submitted an affidavit regarding confinement in Andersonville and resulting disability for him.40
His brother, James H. Crawford, expected him to move to Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States.41–43 He paid $2 at Garden City, Kansas land office toward SE 1/4 S31 T28S R26W containing 160 acres on 31 Mar 1885 in Ford, Ford, Kansas, United States.44
Washington was accepted as a member of Lewis Post of the Grand Army of the Republic on 6 May 1885 in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States.26,37,45 On 30 Jul 1885, he commenced building the foundation of a boarding house, north of his present location on 2d Avenue in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States.46–47 He donated $1 to Home of the Friendless in Leavenworth on 8 Apr 1886.48
Washington witnessed the death of Carrie A Crawford on 20 Jul 1886 in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States.7,49–56 He purchased lot no. 37 in Prairie Grove Cemetery on 23 Jul 1886 in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States.57
He was an officer of the Lewis Post of the Grand Army of the Republic in Dec 1887 in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States.37 In 1888, Washington was on the membership roles of the Lewis Post G.A.R. in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States.58
On 12 Sep 1888, he purchased lots 6, 7 block 47 from W. J. Fitzgerald in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States.57
He lived in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States in 1889.59 On 31 Jul 1889 Washington was a selected to look after the soldier’s home in Fort Dodge, Ford, Kansas, United States.26,60–64
He made his final payment for SE 1/4 S31 T28S R26W or 6th PM containing 160 acres on 12 Aug 1889 in Garden City, Finney, Kansas, United States.65
He died on 23 Aug 1889 in Fort Dodge, Ford, Kansas, United States at the age of 51 .2–5,7,9,20,57,66–72 Washington was buried on 27 Aug 1889 at Maple Grove Cemetery in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States.7,9,22,70,72–74
He received pension in 1889 .75 Homestead Certificate No. 1180 Application 4505 for the SE 1/4 of Sect 31 Twp 28S R26W containing 160 acres was filed on 27 May 1890 in Garden City, Finney, Kansas, United States.76–77 Land title was transferred from the United States to Washington M. Crawford for the SE 1/4 of 31-28-26 on 27 May 1890 .57
1. Nelson G. Crawford entry, June 1865 Probate File Warren County Indiana, (Crawford.IN.053), . Hereinafter cited as Probate File Warren County Indiana.
2. Tombstone, Maple Grove Cemetery, Dodge City Kansas read by Marcia Philbrick, 1996, Marion Crawford tombstone (CRAWFORD.Washington.NOTEBOOK)
3. Obituary, Dodge City Times, Dodge City, KS, 29 Aug 1889, 5, col. 4 (Crawford.Washington.Notebook).
4. “Warren Republican”, (Warren County Indiana), Obituary of Marian Crawford 5 Sept 1889;
5. Washington Marion Crawford family, The Holy Bible containing the Old and New Testaments with the Apocrypha (Philadelphia: John Edwin Ptter, 1865); Marcia Philbrick, Seneca, KS. Hereinafter cited as Family Bible Washington M. Crawford.
6. Ancestry.com, New York, Civil War Muster Roll Abstracts, 1861-1900 (Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011), New York State Archives, Cultural Education Center, Albany, New York; New York Civil War Muster Roll Abstracts, 1861-1900; Archive Collection #: 13775-83; Box #: 754; Roll #: 410.
8. Yates Publishing, U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 (Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004), Source number: 7.000; Source type: Electronic Database; Number of Pages: 1; Submitter Code: MP1.
9. Find a Grave, database and images, Find a Grave (www.findagrave.com : viewed online March 2019), memorial for Washington Marion Crawford (1838-1889), Find a Grave Memorial no. #110358581, created by Marcia Philbrick, citing Maple Grove Cemetery, Dodge City, Kansas; accompanying photograph by Tim Tompkins, Washington Marion Crawford.
10. Warren County Historical Society (Warren County Ind.), Combined Atlas of Warren County, Indiana: illustrated 1877 (Mt. Vernon, IN: Windmill Publishers, 2001), Nelson G. Crawford.
11. 1850, Warren County Indiana, Population Schedule, Washington Township, p. 177 (image 6 of 13) Image [Image] of [ImageTotal], household 41, family 42, Nelson G. Crawford; digital image, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : viewed 13 February 2016); NARA microfilm publication M432
12. Warren County Indiana Deeds, Vol. 19, page 142.
13. Certified Copy of Marriage License, Warren County, Indiana, Washington M Crawford / Mary Foster.
14. Indiana WPA, compiler, Index to Marriage Records Warren County, Indiana 1853-1920 (: , 1939), book 4, page 377 (Crawford.IN.042).
15. Marriage Record, (Crawford.IN.094).
16. U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 database, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7836/). Yates Publishing. U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 : viewed online 2005.
17. Washington M. Crawford, Military and pension record of Washington M. Crawford (: U.S. Government), Affidavit of Cobrath Hall.
18. “Indiana, Select Marriages Index, 1748-1993,” database, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online October 2017), Washington Crawford.
19. “Indiana, Marriage Index, 1800-1941,”Ancestry.com, (www.ancestry.com : viewed online (December 2018), Mary Foster.
20. “Death Message,” Journal and Courier (Lafayette, Indiana), 26 January 1929, page 11; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online August 2019).
21. 1860 U.S. Census, Warren County, Indiana, population schedule, Jordan Township, Warren County, Indiana, page 23, household 161, Washington Crawford; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017); NARA microfilm publication M653
22. Headstones Provided for Deceased Union Civil War Veterans 1879-1903 (Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 2007)
23. Washington M. Crawford, Military and pension record of Washington M. Crawford, (Crawford.Washington.Notebook).
24. Obituary Marion Crawford, Dodge City Times, Dodge City, KS, 29 Aug 1889, page 5.
25. New York State Archives, “New York Civil War Muster Roll Abstracts, 1861-1900,” database, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed onlne June 2016), Washington Crawford; Collection #: 13755-83, Box #: 754, Roll #:410.
26. “Warren Republican”, (Warren County Indiana)
27. Washington M. Crawford, Military and pension record of Washington M. Crawford, Affidavit of James A Miller.
28. Death, Dodge City Times, Dodge City, KS, 29 Aug 1889, Page 5, Dodge City Times.
29. New York State Archives, “New York Civil War Muster Roll Abstracts, 1861-1900,” database, Ancestry.com, Crawford, Washington.
30. Crawford Family Papers; privately held by Marcia Philbrick, Seneca, Kansas, 2016. Military Discharge Certificate for Washington M Crawford. passed down to Marcia Philbrick by Winnie Crawford.
31. Indiana, Indiana, Wills and Probate Records, 1789-1999, will of Nelson G. Crawford (image 287 of 634), 16 March 1864; database with images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed online August 2016).
32. Membership certificate Illinois State Association of Union Prisoners of War, (Crawford.Washington.Notebook),
33. Indiana, Warren. Deed Records, 1827-1901. Film #1977156 DGS 8071885. Washington M Crawford, 1868 26: 445; digitized images, Family Search http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online March 2019.
34. U.S., Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934, Crawford, Washington, 24 July 1869; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed online June 2017).
35. Washington M. Crawford, Military and pension record of Washington M. Crawford, Officer’s Certificate to Disability of Soldier.
36. Washington M. Crawford, Military and pension record of Washington M. Crawford.
37. Grand Army of the Republic – Kansas, “Kansas, Grand Army of the Republic Post Reports 1880-1940,” database and images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : online October 2015), W. M. Crawford; citing Original data located in collection of Kansas Historical Society; Loose papers, 104 boxes.
38. 1880 U.S. Census, Williamsport, Warren, Indiana, population schedule, Washington Township, Warren County, Indiana, ED 64, page 20, household 223, Marian Crawford; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017); NARA microfilm publication T9
39. Crawford Family Papers; privately held by Marcia Philbrick, , Seneca, Kansas, 2016. Membership Certificate – Illinois State Association of Union Prisoners of War. passed down to Marcia Philbrick by Winnie Crawford.
40. Washington M. Crawford, Military and pension record of Washington M. Crawford, Affidavit by James H Miller.
41. Dodge City Times, Dodge City, KS, 12 June 1884 pg. 4, col. 1.
42. [ArticleTitle], Dodge City Times, Dodge City, KS, [Date], [Page], Thursday, 12 June 1884, page 4, col. 1 (Doc. #: Crawford.KS.091).
43. “Local News,” Dodge City Times (Dodge City, Kansas), 25 September 1884, page 4; Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online April 2018).
44. Washington M. Crawford file (Crawford.Washington.Notebook); ; .
45. Kansas, Grand Army of the Republic Post Reports, 1880-1940, W M Crawford, 1885; database with images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed online October 2018).
46. Local News, Dodge City Times, Dodge City, KS, 30 Jyul 1885, page 4 col. 1.
47. “Local News,” page 4.
48. Local News, Dodge City Times, Dodge City, KS, 8 Apr 1886, page 4, (Doc. #: Crawford.KS.091).
49. Tombstone, Maple Grove Cemetery, Dodge City Kansas read by Marcia Philbrick, 1996, Carrie A. Crawford tombstone (CRAWFORD.Washington.NOTEBOOK).
50. Obituary, Dodge City Democrat, Dodge City, KS, 24 July 1886, Page 3, col 3, (Doc. #: Crawford.KS.015).
51. Tombstone, Maple Grove Cemetery, Dodge City Kansas read by Marcia Philbrick, 1996, (Doc. Crawford.KS.151).
52. “Miss Carrie Crawford …,” digital image, Dodge City Times (Dodge City, Kansas), 22 July 1886; digital image, Chronicling America (chroniclingamerica.loc.gov : viewed online April 2017).
53. Find a Grave, database and images, Find a Grave (www.findagrave.com : viewed online November 2016), memorial for Carrie A. Crawford (?-1886), Find a Grave Memorial no. #112673752,
54. “Dust to Dust,” page 5.
55. “Miss Carrie Crawford,” page 4.
56. “Dust to Dust,” The Dodge City Globe (Dodge City, Kansas), 27 July 1886, page 5; digital images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online November 2019).
57. Ford County Kansas, , [VolumePage]; [ItemOfInterest], [RecordDate]; Register of Deeds, Dodge City Kansas.
58. Kansas, Grand Army of the Republic Post Reports, 1880-1940, Marion Crawford, 1888; .
59. Ancestry.com, Kansas, Grand Army of the Republic Post Reports, 1880-1940 (Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010).
60. Marion Crawford, Ford County Republican, Dodge City, Kansas, 31 Jul 1889, Page 3 Col. 2.
62. Dropped Dead, Ford County Republican, Dodge City, Kansas, Aug 21 1889.
63. “City News,” Ford County Republican (Dodge City, Kansas), 31 July 1889, page 3; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online November 2019).
64. “Local News,” Ford County Republican (Dodge City, Kansas), 31 July 1889, page 3; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online November 2019).
65. Washington M. Crawford photocopy (Crawford.Washington.Notebook); ; Homestead Record File; Bureau of Land Management, .
66. Dropped Dead, Ford County Republican, Dodge City, Kansas, Aug 21 1889, Aug. 21, 1889, vol. 3 no. 43,.
67. Report of Coroner’s Inquest in death of Washington M. Crawford: Report of Coroner’s Inquest (Crawford.Washington.Notebook), (23 Aug 1889). Hereinafter cited as Coroner’s Inquest Death of Washington M. Crawford.
68. “United States Records of Headstones of Deceased Union Veterans, 1879-1903,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/DGS-004763357_00251?cc=1913388 : accessed 12 February 2016), Cooper, A. D. – Dery, Edward > image 251 of 876; citing NARA microfilm publication M1845 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
69. Resolution, Dodge City Times, Dodge City, KS, 29 Aug 1889, 5, (Crawford.Washington.Notebook).
70. Ancestry.com, Headstones Provided for Deceased Union Civil War Veterans, 1861-1904 (Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007), The National Archives at Washington, D.C.; Washington, D.C.; Card Records of Headstones Provided for Deceased Union Civil War Veterans, ca. 1879-ca. 1903; NAI Number: 616171; Record Group: Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General; Record Group Number: 92; Series Number: M1845; Roll: 5.
71. “Mustered Out,” The National Tribune (Washington, District of Columbia), 17 October 1889; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online February 2019).
72. Ford County Republican (Dodge City, Kansas), 21 August 1889, page 4; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online November 2019).
73. Computer Printout for Maple Grove Cemetery (Dodge City, KS: Dodge City, Kansas, 5/29/1985), Record # 13018 Z2 Lot 6 Block 60 WGAR (Crawford.KS.080)
74. Obituary, Dodge City Times, Dodge City, KS, 29 AUg 1889, page 5.
75. Kansas, Enrollment of Civil War Veterans, 1889, Washington M Crawford, 1889; database with images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2019).
76. Crawford Family Papers; privately held by Marcia Philbrick, , Seneca, Kansas, 2016. Homestead Certificate No. 1180. passed down to Marcia Philbrick by Winnie Crawford.
77. United States Bureau of Land Management, “General Land Office Records,” database with images, BLM.Gov (http://glorecords.blm.gov : viewed online 2019), Washington M Crawford.
To start, I used RootsMagic to create an Ahnentafel chart showing my ancestors. Then I searched my blog to see what I have written about those ancestors.
I’m happy to admit that I have successfully blogged about my 3rd and 4th generation ancestors. However, this review also shows that I wasn’t successful with my 5th generation, all of whom I have already researched.
Generation 3
4.Leon Russel Crawford: born 6 Feb 1894 in Newton, Harvey, Kansas, United States; married 24 Dec 1919 in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States; died 3 Oct 1976 in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States.
6. Edward Osmond Briles: born 21 Jun 1891 in Burlington, Coffey, Kansas, United States; married 29 Oct 1915 in Yates Center, Woodson, Kansas, United States; died 28 May 1956 in Emporia, Lyon, Kansas, United States.
8. Judson Foster Crawford: born 15 Apr 1866 in Warren, Indiana, United States; married 24 Dec 1890 in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States; died 19 Feb 1949 in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States.
10. Hiram Miles Currey: born 23 Oct 1866 in Missouri, United States; married 13 May 1891 in Kansas City, Jackson, Missouri, United States; died 15 Sep 1943 in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States.
12. Edward Grant Briles: born 18 Jul 1869 in Coffey, Kansas, United States; married 19 Feb 1890 in Woodson, Kansas, United States; died 23 Jul 1951 in Emporia, Lyon, Kansas, United States.
13. Frances Artlissa “Artie” Ricketts: born 7 Apr 1868 in Clinton, Indiana, United States; died 28 Apr 1947 in Yates Center, Woodson, Kansas, United States.
14. Charles Oliver Mentzer: born 1 Jul 1869 in Kewanee, Henry, Illinois, United States; married 18 Oct 1893 in Yates Center, Woodson, Kansas, United States; died 15 Aug 1955 in Emporia, Lyon, Kansas, United States.
16.Washington Marion Crawford: born 21 Apr 1838 in Warren, Indiana, United States; married 4 Mar 1860 in West Lebanon, Warren, Indiana, United States; died 23 Aug 1889 in Ford, Ford, Kansas, United States.
18. Richmond Fisk Hammond: born 20 Nov 1840 in Licking, Ohio, United States; married 1 Jan 1867 in Knoxville, Knox, Illinois, United States; died 8 Apr 1928 in Sawtelle, Los Angeles, California, United States.
19. Sarah Ellen Ralston: born 11 May 1849 in Armstrong, Pennsylvania, United States; died 18 Oct 1892 in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States.
20. Hiram M. Currey: born 13 Aug 1835 in Peoria, Peoria, Illinois, United States; married 3 Aug 1856 in Weston, Platte, Missouri, United States; died 2 Mar 1901 in Lansing, Leavenworth, Kansas, United States.
21. Angelina Jane Burke: born 30 Oct 1836 in Kentucky, United States; died 26 Mar 1901 in Lansing, Leavenworth, Kansas, United States.
22. Albert Hutchinson: born abt 1838 in Northhampton, Fulton County, New York; married 14 Sep 1859 in Black Hawk, Iowa, United States; died 22 Jul 1896 in Doniphan, Doniphan, Kansas, United States.
23. Julia Harding: born 1840 in New Brunswick, Canada; died 4 Jan 1892 in Doniphan, Doniphan, Kansas, United States.
24. Noah Washington Briles: born 1840 in Randolph County, North Carolina; married 9 Aug 1866 in Ottumwa, Wapello, Iowa, United States; died 14 Jul 1879 in Coffey, Kansas, United States.
25. Sarah Jane Thompson: born 7 Aug 1843 in Warrick, Indiana, United States; died 17 Aug 1930 in Neosho Township, Coffey, Kansas, United States.
26. James Marshall Ricketts: born 28 Nov 1847 in Clinton, Indiana, United States; married 12 Jul 1866 in Frankfort, Clinton, Indiana, United States; died 28 Nov 1920 in Liberty Township, Woodson, Kansas, United States.
27. Rachel Elmeda Christy: born 28 Apr 1845 in Clinton, Indiana, United States; died 27 Jan 1927 in Iola, Allen, Kansas, United States.
28. George Mentzer: born 12 Jun 1838 in Stow, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States; married 1 Jan 1868 in Kewanee, Henry, Illinois, United States; died 19 Jan 1912 in Yates Center, Woodson, Kansas, United States.
29. Emeline Minnick: born 6 Aug 1848 in Pittsburg, Franklin County, Pennsylvania; died 13 Sep 1927 in Woodson, Kansas, United States.
30. Thurston Kennedy Wells: born 26 Feb 1821 in Sullivan, Madison, New York, United States; married 20 Mar 1861 in Van Buren, Iowa, United States; died 3 Jun 1893 in Woodson, Kansas, United States.
31. Salome Adell Crandall: born 24 Jun 1836 in Ohio, United States; died 30 Aug 1893 in Woodson, Kansas, United States.
In my defense, I have a LOT of blog posts about my research of the various Crawford families in early Lincoln, Madison and Garrard counties, Kentucky. However, I haven’t done as well with my own ancestors. I guess one of my goals for 2021 should be to create blog posts for each of these 5th generation ancestors. Hopefully, that is one goal that I can accomplish!
Last week’s ’52 Ancestors’ prompt was ’12’ Based on that prompt, I decided to try and figure out what 12th generation ancestors I had identified. I have 7 generations identified on all lines. However, do I have any 12 generation ancestors.
I was somewhat surprised to find that I do have TWELVE generations for a few of my lines.
Hammond Line
Thomas Hammond (1603-1675)
Henry Kingsbury – father of Joseph Kingsbury, grandfather of Nathaniel Kingsbury (1684-1763)
Briles Line
Martin Breuel (1622-1691)
Anna Duerr (1600-1682)
Ricketts Line
Thomas Ricketts Sr (1659-1722)
Margrit _____ (? – 1707)
John Nicholson (abt 1651-?)
Rebeckath_____ (1655 – ?)
These lines are NOT the lines I slave over trying to find information. Instead they are lines others slaved over – and either published or shared their research.
Does your family throw a big parties? Have you had the good fortune to celebrate Golden Anniversaries in your family?
My first exposure to a Golden Anniversary celebration was for my grandparents: Leon and Winnie Crawford.
My grandparents celebrated with a reception held in the church.
Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Crawfordrequest the pleasure of your companyat a Reception in honour of theFiftieth Wedding Anniversary of their parentsMrs. and Mrs. Leon R. CrawfordSunday, the twenty-eight of Decembertwo o’clock in the afternoonUnited Methodist ChurchDodge City, Kansas
Clipping from Dodge City Globe saved by Winnie Crawford:To Have Open House — Mr. and Mrs. Leon Crawford,911 Second Ave., who are celebrating their Golden Wed-ding Anniversary, will be honored at an open houseDec. 28 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the First United MethodistChurch parlor. The couple was married Dec 24, 1919.Hosts for the occasion will be their son and family, Mr.and Mrs. Eugene Crawford, Marcia, David and Terry ofEmporia. The honorees request no gifts.
Leon R. Crawford, aged 25, and Winnie Curry, aged 16, applied for a marriage license in Dodge City, Kansas on the 22nd of December, 1919. Consent for Winnie Curry’s marriage was given by H. M. Curry. They were married on the 24th of December, 1919.
Their Marriage was reported on page one of the Dec. 26, 1919 issue of the Dodge City Daily Globe. Dodge Young Folks Wed
Miss Winnie Currey became the Bride
of Leon Crawford Wednesday
Leon R. Crawford and Miss Winnie Currey were married here Wednesday. The ceremony was performed at the home of the bride’s brother at 712 Military avenue by the Reverend C. M. Gray at 7 o’clock Wednesday evening.
Mr. Crawford is the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Crawford of 504 Avenue G. He has lived here since boyhood, was educated here and a few months ago was discharged from an honorable service with the army in the World War.
The bride is well known among the younger set here and is greatly admired by all her acquaintances.
Only relatives of the couple witnessed the ceremony Wednesday evening, but since that time they have been receiving many congratulations from their numerous friends here.
Do you enjoy some of the online genealogy prompts to look at your data from a different viewpoint?
I know I do. Two of my currents sources for blogging prompts are Amy Johnson Crowe’s #52ancestors and Randy Seaver’s #SaturdayNightGenealogyFun.
As I was working on a blog post about love, I found I have several of my ancestors who celebrated 50 years of marriage. Thus, I thought it would be fun to suggest a ‘Saturday Night Genealogy Fun’ challenge:
1) How many of your ancestors were married for FIFTY years? 2) What is the longest marriage in your tree?
I’m approaching my 45th wedding anniversary and my parents were married for over fifty years.
Grandparents:
Leon Crawford and Winnie Currey — married Dec 1919; They were married 56 years before Leon passed away in Oct. 1976.
Edward Osmond Briles and Pauline Mentzer were married Oct 1915. They were married 40 years when Edward passed away. Pauline never remarried.
Great Grandparents
Judson Crawford and Josie Hammond were married Dec 1890. They were married 58 years when Judson passed away.
Hiram Currey and Winnie Hutchinson were married 22 years when Winnie passed away. Hiram never remarried
Edward Grant Briles and Frances Artlissa “Artie” Rickeets were married in Feb 1890. They were married 57 years when Artie passed away.
Charles Mentzer and Nettie Wells were married in Oct 1893. They were married 46 years when Nettie passed away.
2nd Great Grandparents
Washington Marion Crawford and Mary Foster were married in March 1860. They were married 29 years when Washington Crawford passed away. Mary Crawford never remarried.
Richmond Fisk Hammond and Sarah Ellen Ralston were married in Jan 1867. They were married 25 years when Sarah passed away. Richmond married Mary McClure in 1897. In 1906, Richmond married Mary Reynolds.
Hiram M Currey and Angelina Jane Burke were married in 1856. They were married 44 years when both Hiram and Angelina passed away.
Albert Hutchinson and Julia Harding were married in 1859. They were married 33 years when Julia passed away in 1892. Albert passed away in 1896.
Noah Briles and Sarah Thompson were married in August 1866. They were married 13 years when Noah passed away. Sarah married J. D. Davis but later divorced him.
James Marshall Ricketts and Rachel Christy were married Jul 1866. They were married 54 years before James passed away in 1920. Rachel passed away 7 years later.
George Mentzer and Emeline Minnick were married in 1867. They were married 45 years when George passed away in 1912. Emeline never remarried.
Thurston Kennedy Wells and Salme Adell Crandall were married in May 1861. They were married 35 years when they both passed away. This was Thurston’s second marriage after the death of his first wife, Sarah Hall.
3rd Great Grandparents
Nelson G. Crawford and Martha Smith were married in 1833. They were almost married 32 years when Nelson passed away. Martha never remarried.
Zebulon Foster and Caroline Ostrander were married in 1833. There were married 38 years when Caroline passed away. Zebulon then married Juliet Fleming.
Horatio Hammond and Louisa Fisk were married in 1825. They were married 49 years when Louisa passed away in 1874. Horatio died in 1879.
James Barr Ralston and Nancy Jane McCormick were married in 1836. They were married 68 years when James passed away in 1904. Nancy died three years later.
Hiram M. Currey married Rachel Harris in 1824. Death dates are unknown since records cannot be found for 1850 or later.
Henry F Burke married Elizabeth Bland in 1835. They were married 10 years when Henry passed away. Angelina may have remarried but documentation has not been found.
William G Harding and Elizabeth Fowler were married in 1830. They were married 16 years when Elizabeth passed away. William then married Eliza Henderson.
Alexander Briles married Sarah Rush in 1836. They were married 36 years when Sarah passed away. Alexander then married Elizabeth Ellsworth.
William Taylor Thompson and Polly Ann Evans were married in 1842. They were married 46 years when Polly passed away in 1896. William died in 1898.
John Lewis Ricketts and Orilda Reed were married in 1846. They were married 42 years when John passed away in 1888. Orilda died in 1900.
Samuel Christy and Lyda Gallimore were married in 1842. They were married 22 years when Lyda passed away. Samuel then married Mariah Burk and Mary Susan Amos.
Phillip Andrew Mentzer and Orinda Miles were married in 1816. They were married 29 years when Phillip passed away.
John Minnick and Elizabeth Mary Jones were married before 1850. They would have been married at least 16 years when Elizabeth passed away. John then married Phebe Tripp in 1870.
Ozias Wells and Mary Keneedy were married in 1818. They were married 14 years when Ozias passed away.
A marriage date for Lewis Crandall and Almira Nafus is unknown at this time. Almira passed away prior to 1846 when Lewis Crandall married Anna Tuttle.
Counting my parents, I have SIX sets of ancestors married for 50 years. The longest marriage in my tree was for James Barr Ralston and Nancy Jane McCormick.
It’s Super Bowl Weekend in America – the whole country (well, almost) will watch the game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots on Sunday afternoon at 6:30 p.m. EST (3:30 PST).
Your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to:
1) What is your favorite National Football League team? …
In our house, Super Bowl Sunday isn’t much different than many other Sunday. My husband and I will be watching the game, but each of us will likely be doing other stuff (like genealogy) while watching.
I started writing for this topic yesterday, saying that the Kansas City Chiefs were my favorite team. However, I realized that even though they are my favorite team, I don’t have answers for most of these questions. So I decided to not write on this topic.
Then I went to church today and got inspiration: teamwork and legacy.
In our local church, the children’s sermon was about teamwork. Carla did a great job of demonstrating to the children how being part of a larger team can help one carry a burden.
Prior to going to church this morning, I was watching the service at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection online. They have been doing a sermon series, “Lessons from Football for the Game of Life.” I’ve really enjoyed this series as they’ve intertwined different aspects of football into how our faith is practiced. Today’s sermon is on the concept of ‘Victory’. [Today’s sermon isn’t archived yet.]
Instead of talking about all of the fame and glory that society associates with Victory, the sermon focused on ways the influence of different players is impacting children living in poverty. Highlighted during the sermon were two different programs founded by members of the Kansas City Chiefs.
The first is the ‘3rd and Long Foundation’ founded by Derek Thomas, Neil Smith and Otis Taylor. The goal of this foundation is to help battle illiteracy among urban youth.
The second is ‘Team Smile’ founded by Dr. Bill Busch and Dustin Colquitt. The purpose of this foundation is to provide free dental care to children living in poverty.
One of the points of the sermon was that we can define victory by how much we give of ourselves.
So, how can I apply this to my genealogy life?
Even though I live in a small rural community, I can still be part of the ‘genealogy’ team.
Participate in various genealogy groups on Facebook
Share other genealogy bloggers posts via Twitter and Facebook
Join a local genealogical society — even when I don’t have ancestors in the area — and participate in their programs
Join a genealogical society where my ancestors lived — even though I can’t participate in their programs
Leaving a legacy is easy for most genealogists! We leave our life’s work.
My life’s work may have errors, but I’m still going to share it.
My life’s work isn’t ‘done’, but I’m still going to share it.
