This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: gates, langford Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/BOY.2ACIB/1379 Message Board Post: Looking for the Thomas Gates & Mayme (or Mamie Langford)connection for the family tree. They were the parents of my paternal grandfather, Willis D Gates ("Bill"). I'm on a quest. BIRTH: According to Gloria Hayes, Willis Gates daughter, his original name at birth was Willis Dellard Gates, and that it was not until his son was born that he began using Willis Donald. I am in posession of his Death Certificate, and his name is stated as Willis D. Gates there. FAMILYORIGIN: Although Willis D Gates Death Certificate shows his father, Thomas Gates, to have been born in Iowa, I believe that Thomas Gates was born in Missouri or Kentucky. The death certificate shows Willis' second wife Fern to be the information reporter. However, on the 1930 US Census, where Willis was head of household, listed with his first wife and two children, the information there is that his father Thomas was born in Missouri. The 1920 Census show Willis Gates' father as being born in Kentucky. This is information that would have been reported by Willis' maternal side of the family. FAMILYORIGIN: 1930 US Census, Hennepin County, Minneapolis Minnesota shows: Willis Gates/ Head/ 25y /21yo when married / Born in Iowa /Father born in Missouri /Mother born in Iowa/ Occupation: Porter in a Barber Shop Oscar /Wife /21yo /17yo when married /Born in Tennessee /Father born in Tennessee/ Mother born in Tennessee/ Occupation: Attendant at a Billiard Parlor Gloria /Daughter/3 and a half yo/ Born in Iowa Donald/ Son/ 6 months old/ Born in Minnesota They lived at 918 Bryant Ave. North. ED:27-47, SD: 6, Sheet 11-A FAMILYORIGIN: 1920 US Census, Polk County, Des Moines Iowa shows: At 1720 Maple Street that Hattie Langford was Head of Household, 40 years old, B (Black), widowed, born in Missouri, both her mother and father born in Kentucky, working as a cook in a private house. Willis Gates, grandson, 14 years old, B (Black), born in Iowa, father born in Kentucky, mother born in Iowa, working as a baker in a baking company. Arthur Gates, grandson, 12 years old, B (Black), born in Iowa, father born in Kentucky, mother born in Iowa, not working. Note: Although Hattie is presented as the grandmother, family members have told me that she was the maternal aunt. FAMILYORIGIN: According to 1930 Census, Arthur Gates was living in Minnesota at that time with his wife Stella and 4 year old son, Arthur. Census states that his job was a Bell Hop at a Club House. He was 22 yearss old at that time, as was Stella. It states that they were both 19 when they married, that they are both from Iowa, as were both of their parents. Census shows 4 year old Arthur to be born in Minnesota. All three listed as Negro \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ Mamie or Mayme Langford was the mother of Willis D Gates and wife or partner for a minute (???) of Thomas Gates. Hattie is sister of Mamie, I believe. \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ I have been told that some members of the family ended up in Minneapolis or St. Paul Minnesota. ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// My grandfather Willis's sibs that I know of are Viola, Celest (sp?) or Celestia (?), and Arthur. /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// My online family tree... http://awt.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=:2621986&id=I455 /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// additional search terms: black, colored, negro, mulatto