This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: bsherrid Surnames: Beckwith, Beckwourth Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.beckwith/39.42/mb.ashx Message Board Post: I don't have access to my notes right now, however, I know that Jim Beckwourth was a son of Sir Marmaduke Beckwith and the slave mistress with whom he had several children. Marmaduke's legal wife died sometime after 1790 and his second family probably started after her death, based on ages of children. Jim was the oldest. The family moved from Virginia to Missouri sometime before 1810. Marmaduke filed several documents in Missouri to manumit these children. They were literate. In 1822 Jim joined one of the first fur trading expeditions from St. Louis. He lived extensively among the Indians and was famous as a Civil War scout. There is a pass named for him in California. There is a documented biography available (again, I don't have my notes with me) that includes a photograph of him. Let me know if you want citations when I have access. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.