hi, I don't know the occupations of any of my Ross's, so I don't know if there's any connection. I have been unable to trace most of the descendants and all of the ancestors of my Ross's. I descend from James Franklin CROSS and Stella PEARSON, daughter of John Young PEARSON and Cynthia ROSS. Frank and Stella had Helen May, Ruth Elizabeth, Margaret Matthew and Theodorah (I don't know why they gave Margaret a masculine middle name). Ruth is my grandmother. Stella had two sisters; Mary PEARSON m. Albert HOEFFER. Mary and Albert had at least three children, Marie, Albert and Frederik. in 1910, the family has removed to Hammonton, New Jersey, but they disappear again by 1920 Minnie PEARSON m. J. Wright HILLIS. Mary and Wright had a son Ross who m. Effie HAYLES, and Ross and Effie had a son Albert. I cannot find these people on the census. George BUNNELLE and Mary ROSS had Emma Priscilla, Ross Leland, Paul Allen, and Frank Curtis. these children were born 1873-1899 in Hudson, Summit Co., OH. Emma m. Hugh MacNEIL, Ross m. Margaret Jean McALLISTER, Paul m. Leila WASSELL. Frank died in his 19th year. George had several siblings; Charles, Chester, Frank, Mary, Ada and William. I only know George's descent and a couple of William's children's names. I've checked census, but these people seem to have scattered, no-one knows where. if anyone knows these two related lines, please let me know. Cornelia At 11:59 AM 8/4/99 -0400, you wrote: >There was a Dr. Ross in the 60's in Franklin, Butler CO.(or Warren) Ohio. >-----Original Message----- >From: Cornelia Warner <[email protected]> >To: [email protected] ><[email protected]> >Date: Wednesday, August 04, 1999 3:23 AM >Subject: [GEN-UNSOLVED-MYSTERIES-L] William & Cynthia Ross > > >>This is one of my brick walls. I have been unable to trace the Ross family >>either in Ohio or on the east coast, even though there is a related Azariah >>Ross (that should stick out like a sore thumb, but the only Azariah Ross I >>can trace came from New York. maybe they're one and the same, but I just >>can't dig up enough info on them to be sure of anything. >>hope someone has an idea of how to find people who leave no real >>trail-tombstones don't talk, and nothing else exists for them-in fact, >>William and Cynthia have no tombstones, only a mention in a death >certificate. >> >> (CT or MA) >> Unk. Ross b. abt 1765 >> | >> (Summit Co.? OH) | (Portage Co., OH) >> |-----------------------------------------------------| >> unk. Ross (Colchester, England) William Ross >> unk. spouse Joseph & Hannah Smith Cross Cynthia Ross >> | | | >> Mary Ross William Cross Cynthia Ross >> Ira Bunnell Elizabeth Atkinson John Y. Pearson >> | | | >> | | (Stark Co., OH) >> | |-------------------------- | | >> | | | | >> Geo. Bunnell-Mary Jane Cross James F Cross-Stella Pearson >> >>from what I know of this family from sources as varied as census records, >>family papers and vital records-sources in parenthasis; >> >>Bunnell/Ross relationship to the Ross/Pearson line (family papers & >>marriage records) >>William Ross was b. about 1795 in CT or MA. died in Jan/Feb 1857. his >>funeral was held in Stark Co., OH (family diary, daughter's census records) >>Cynthia Ross, Sr. was b. in CT or MA and may have had the maiden name of >>Ross (daughter's census records, daughter's death certificate) >>Mary Ross b. abt 1821 in Ohio (census records) >>Ira Bunnell b. abt 1821 in Ohio (census records) >>Ira and Mary's marriage (Summit Co. OH m. record) >>George Bunnell(e) b. (Bible record) >>Mary Jane Cross b. (family papers) >>George and Mary's m. (Summit Co. OH m. record) >>Joseph and Hannah's m. (Colchester, England Wesleyan Methodist Church >records) >>William and Elizabeth's m. (William's Civil War pension records) >>personal knowledge of Helen Matthew Cross, a daughter of James Franklin >>Cross and Stella Morn Pearson >> >> >>==== GEN-UNSOLVED-MYSTERIES Mailing List ==== >>To contact the owner use, [email protected] >> >

I have been watching messages for several weeks and will now take a shot at one of my unsolved mysteries ... maybe more of a needle in the haystack. My deceased father-in-law, Kemper Kelsey Guynn, was either born in Southern Ohio or in West Virginia. His Social Security record does not state a birth place but says it could be Ohio or North Carolina. None of his brother's descendents have a clue to where their parents were born,either. My wife's brother thinks his father was born in London, West Virginia which I guess is near Charleston. There is a family legend that 6 or 7 Guynns emigrated to North or South Carolina during or before the Civil War ... and worked in a canon ball factory. I'm not sure where to start on this as it seems like all of the births may be unrecorded. Alan Campbell Mentor, Ohio _____________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Free instant messaging and more at http://messenger.yahoo.com

I have a mystery that I have been trying to solve for about 10 years or so. This family seems to have vanished, I can find nothing on them. I am looking for info and or relatives of SAM or JOHN FOSS. He was born abt 1887 in Serbia/Austria. His wife unknown, was born in 1888 also in Serbia/Austria. She was in Omaha Nebraska on January 7-10, 1915. John listed his residence in 1915 as Council Bluffs, Iowa, but worked at a freight house in St. Paul, Minnesota. They might (probably) have had a daughter, Olga Foss, who was born 1914 in Minnesota. They also had a son, Richard Foss, who was born in Omaha Nebraska on January 7 or 10, 1915. <A HREF="http://hometown.aol.com/JAnth76724/index.html">GENEALOGY RICHARD FOSS</A> The family could have been in Iowa in 1914-1915. They were of the catholic faith. Parent's were said to have been married in Milwaukee, WI in 1909. Another name connected with this family is JAMES FOSS, 18 years old in 1915, born in Austria, might have been a brother to SAM, JON or JOHN FOSS. If you know anything about this family, no matter how slight, please contact me. Thanks .... Jane [email protected]

In a message dated 8/4/99 8:48:29 AM Central Daylight Time, [email protected] writes: << So! Can anyone help me? I have checked all the existing rolls, talked to family members, some in their 90's, read and reread the family history of both Bowen's and Smith's. Talked to Smith and Bowen researchers, and I'm no closer to solving this mystery than the day I originally read those names on the Dawes Commission archives. HELP!!! Sincerely, Jeannie Frazier [email protected] >> You might try sending this to OK Genweb queries. Barbara

This is one of my brick walls. I have been unable to trace the Ross family either in Ohio or on the east coast, even though there is a related Azariah Ross (that should stick out like a sore thumb, but the only Azariah Ross I can trace came from New York. maybe they're one and the same, but I just can't dig up enough info on them to be sure of anything. hope someone has an idea of how to find people who leave no real trail-tombstones don't talk, and nothing else exists for them-in fact, William and Cynthia have no tombstones, only a mention in a death certificate. (CT or MA) Unk. Ross b. abt 1765 | (Summit Co.? OH) | (Portage Co., OH) |-----------------------------------------------------| unk. Ross (Colchester, England) William Ross unk. spouse Joseph & Hannah Smith Cross Cynthia Ross | | | Mary Ross William Cross Cynthia Ross Ira Bunnell Elizabeth Atkinson John Y. Pearson | | | | | (Stark Co., OH) | |-------------------------- | | | | | | Geo. Bunnell-Mary Jane Cross James F Cross-Stella Pearson from what I know of this family from sources as varied as census records, family papers and vital records-sources in parenthasis; Bunnell/Ross relationship to the Ross/Pearson line (family papers & marriage records) William Ross was b. about 1795 in CT or MA. died in Jan/Feb 1857. his funeral was held in Stark Co., OH (family diary, daughter's census records) Cynthia Ross, Sr. was b. in CT or MA and may have had the maiden name of Ross (daughter's census records, daughter's death certificate) Mary Ross b. abt 1821 in Ohio (census records) Ira Bunnell b. abt 1821 in Ohio (census records) Ira and Mary's marriage (Summit Co. OH m. record) George Bunnell(e) b. (Bible record) Mary Jane Cross b. (family papers) George and Mary's m. (Summit Co. OH m. record) Joseph and Hannah's m. (Colchester, England Wesleyan Methodist Church records) William and Elizabeth's m. (William's Civil War pension records) personal knowledge of Helen Matthew Cross, a daughter of James Franklin Cross and Stella Morn Pearson

You didn't mention the death dates. Perhaps Mary Ann lived long enough that it would be possible to ship her body back by train which would be the only practical way in those days. I imagine that taking a body from Kansas to Ohio in a wagon would be out of the question. Maybe the others would have been buried in Ohio too if it had been possible. Nancy Custer -----Original Message----- From: Kathleen Burnett <[email protected]> To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Date: Tuesday, August 03, 1999 7:09 PM Subject: [GEN-UNSOLVED-MYSTERIES-L] Missing Grave! What happened to Mary Ann Daggett Loomis >Mary Ann Daggett, daughter of Orlean Daggett and Elizabeth Rima was born >in Four Corners, Huron Co., OH in 1819. By 1836 She was married to >Ephraim Harrison Loomis. They moved to Kansas to raise their family >along with Mary Ann's parents. When her mother died she was buried in >Breckenridge Co., KS, Her father was also buried in Kansas. When her >husband Ephraim Harrison died he was buried in Chase Co., KS and when >her baby daughter died she was also buried in Kansas . > >The family has always felt that Mary Ann was also buried in Kansas, but >without a stone. While visiting Kansas I decided to check out the >Funeral Home records and and much to my surprise her record statedthat >Mary Ann's body was shipped back to Ohio. > >Any thoughts out there as to why. > >Kathleen Burnett > > >==== GEN-UNSOLVED-MYSTERIES Mailing List ==== >Support Rootsweb! Visit http://www.rootsweb.com ! >To contact the owner use, [email protected] >

Mary Ann Daggett, daughter of Orlean Daggett and Elizabeth Rima was born in Four Corners, Huron Co., OH in 1819. By 1836 She was married to Ephraim Harrison Loomis. They moved to Kansas to raise their family along with Mary Ann's parents. When her mother died she was buried in Breckenridge Co., KS, Her father was also buried in Kansas. When her husband Ephraim Harrison died he was buried in Chase Co., KS and when her baby daughter died she was also buried in Kansas . The family has always felt that Mary Ann was also buried in Kansas, but without a stone. While visiting Kansas I decided to check out the Funeral Home records and and much to my surprise her record statedthat Mary Ann's body was shipped back to Ohio. Any thoughts out there as to why. Kathleen Burnett

Hello! This is my first time on this list, so if I am making any mistakes in posting my query or mystery, please bear with me. My mystery started about 6 months ago. My name is Jeannie Frazier and I am a direct descendant from Moses Bowen/Rebecca Rees, through their son John Bowen/Lillian McIllhaney, through their son, Lt. Rees Bowen/Margaret Louisa (Levisa) Smith. These people were born between 1654 and 1741. And here is the mystery.: When I first started researching my family tree, all I had were names on my grandmother's DAR papers. My immediate family are all gone, my VA family not yet found. I was wondering through a battery of Historical data bases and I came across the Dawes Commission Rolls. Out of curiosity I entered several surnames that belong to my family. Ward's and Bowen's. You can imagine my surprise when up popped several Surnames with my family name patterns. The Bowen's have a very unique naming pattern and it very seldom matters what the Surname is, there always recognizable. I noted the names and didn't pursue it any further. 4 month ago, I made contact with my VA family. A second cousin, Robert Perry, (His grandfather, my grandmother, sister and brother), and a battery of other cousins several times removed. One cousin, Judy Anderson, author of "Ward's and Thompson's of VA and TN" and I correspond on a regular bases. Not to long ago she was approached by someone with information about possible Cherokee heritage in my family. It consisted of several applications for Cherokee citizenship throw the Dawes Commission. She had written to me as well as my cousin Robert Perry, our family historian, asking if we had any knowledge of this, because she had never heard such a story. It was a total shock to Robert. He lives in Bluefield, Tazewell CO., VA, not far from Ft. Maiden Springs, which is where Lt. Rees Bowen/Margaret Louisa Smith, built their first home and founded the fort. In fact, a Rees Bowen has been in constant residence in the home for over 225 years. I'm explaining all this because I wish for all to understand that this is the heart of where all my ancestors who are involved in this mystery lived and died, and that from generation to generation, still are. Robert began contacting all the family members closest to the applicants and would have knowledge of any kind of lineage. Nothing. Big fat zero. Judy sent me copies of the Applications, and what was the biggest shock was WHO the applicants where citing was the source of the Indian heritage. It was Margaret Louisa (Levisa) Smith. What is so unusual about her being named is that her father was Capt.>Col. John Smith, renowned for his heroism during the French and Indian War and along with Col James Patton settled the James River area. He was born and bread in England, as was his wife, Margaret and most of their children. In fact, the only one born in VA., was Margaret Louisa, in 1741. The family is so well documented, there is absolutely no hint of Cherokee or any other Indian heritage mentioned. The living family knows nothing about it either. It would appear the Indian representative, Chief S M Mayes, didn't believe the applicants either. He demurred, stating that the applicants did not prove their heritage and cited the fact that neither the applicants, nor their parents nor anyone associated with the family had ever made applications, nor let be known in any way, that they were of Indian Lineage. The Applicants were, Charles Ward, Rufus Ward, Rees B. Ward, also Rees T. Bowen (of which there are many in my family), and Reece M Bowen. All applicants denied. The denial, however, is not the end of the mystery. As I have begun to examine other family records of collateral line's, there appears to be mysterious hints of other members having Cherokee heritage. One in example, Rebecca Bowen, who was the daughter of Rees Bowen/Margaret Louisa Smith, married as a second husband, one Britain Smith. In history of Britain's descendants it is stated, "There is a tradition in the Smith family that a wife of Britain was Cherokee. These traditions do not pertain to Rebecca Bowen, whose ancestry is known.". I have not been able to trace the author of these notations, but if her knowledge of Rebecca's ancestry is of modern origin, no there would be no history of Indian heritage. If the history is old, it could very well mean Rebecca. Of further note: One of the sister's of Charles Ward, a Rebecca "Sallie" Ward, was noted to have died in 1896, in Chelsea, Indian Territory, OK. at the age of 81. How did she get there? Did she marry someone with Indian heritage? Or did she file at a later date and was accepted? Was the Indian Ancestry really from Margaret Louisa Smith, or were these applicants opportunists. Seeing the chance to aquier new land, submit a false application? That's what the Indian representative thought. But, why all the other little "histories" of there being Cherokee heritage in other segments of the family? I realize that after they moved from VA., that many entered into mixed marriages, especially those who moved to AR and OK. But my family has remained for the most part, where they originally immigrated too, Tazewell CO., VA. In fact the first to move were my grandparent's in 1920's, to Kennewick, Washington. So! Can anyone help me? I have checked all the existing rolls, talked to family members, some in their 90's, read and reread the family history of both Bowen's and Smith's. Talked to Smith and Bowen researchers, and I'm no closer to solving this mystery than the day I originally read those names on the Dawes Commission archives. HELP!!! Sincerely, Jeannie Frazier [email protected]

Hi everyone, Ever read to the end of a detective story and still not known "who-dun-it"? I have a disappearance with no apparent way of solving it. You see, my maternal Gran had 3 uncles and 1 aunt on her dad's side of the family. Her father Alfred Jackson was born 23/07/1874 in Manchester England. His parents - Richard Matthew Jackson and Isabella Parsons were both born in London. They had 5 children - he was the youngest - and he was the only one not born in London. He often told my Gran about when he lived in Boston USA. In fact, he wanted to take his family to live there as an adult, his wife wouldn't go. In 1881, according to the census his family were split up - the two oldest children living with their paternal grandfather, the youngest two in and industrial school and the middle one with his mother in a workhouse. No trace can be found of Richard Matthew at all - was he still in America. That's not the mystery though. The oldest son Richard, also went to America in later life. His son William by this time was married, and stayed here. Father and son communicated regularly by letter, until the last letter arrived in 1915. Richard told William in that letter that he would be returning to England on board "The Lusitania". Everyone knows what happened to that ship on that voyage, but no-one knows what happened to Richard, his wife or her mother travelling together. What is known is that they were not mentioned among the people who perished, nor amongst the survivors, nor were they ever seen nor heard of since. If Richard did not perish aboard the Lusitania, where did he go, and why did he never contact his son after that last time? A true mystery - any ideas anyone? Good Luck and Happy tree climbing, love Beverley

Hi, I am new to the list. It looks exciting! We have had a mystery in our family for a long time. It involves a man named Gilbert QUIGLEY, who was probably born between 1858 and 1864, probably in Michigan, the son of Charles James QUIGLEY and Mary O. WATTERS. He left home and went to Texas when he was a young man. The mystery is that we have two family stories about his death. The first is that he was shot in the back by sheep rustlers while he was herding the sheep. The second is that he was shot in the back while he was trying to rustle the same sheep. We have been told that this happened in Texas or Mexico but have found no clues to his death. He may have been about 21 when he died. Thanks, Jim Moses

Hi Been watching the list for quite some time, and have decided to put my Unsolved Family Mystery to you all. My grt grt Grandfather Joseph G. Master was born in Boston,Mass. in 1820 he married Catherine Shearer April 28 1842 in Petersburg, perry Co Pa. They had four children, the son was my great grandfather, and three girls. It seems that Joseph was a heavy drinker and sometime after 1848 he either abandoned the family or died somewhere where he was not known. In 1853 Grandmother Catherine was granted a divorce on grounds of abandonment. She remarried to one Levi Sellers who was some twelve years younger than she and bore him three children. I have not been able to locate his parents or any siblings, and with the exception of my Grandfather Leander S. Masters, have no clue as to what happened to his sisters. I have searched and searched without one shred if evidence. Maybe some one can help me? Thanks Kathy

Hello, Does anyone know anything about a Tom and Mary or Molly Rice who had a son, Joe, born Feb. 20, 1874, in Hopkinsville, Ky. Joe rice was my great grandfather and would never talk about his family. Some of his kids said that he came from Georgia. Thank you, Charlotte

ANY information on ANY being called DONYES from ANY era and ANY location. The few we know about came from ?Germany? on one record and ?France? per famly lore. Then to Illinois then to California. Thanks Daun DONYES via [email protected]

Good for you, Dean! We need to hear that some of our mysteries do get solved . It feels great to find any information but when a brick wall comes tumbling down it feels fabulous!!!! Jane

I was able to get ahold of the microfilm census report of Wadena County for the year 1880. I found everybody I was looking for....and then some. Harrison and Stephan Lyons were "Millie" Lyons (I thought it was Nellie) Brothers. Harrison b. 1841, Stephan b. 1839 and Millie b. 1848. All were born in N.Y. That would make Harrison and Stephan Brothers in Law to John J. Cameron who was fabled to have 5 "Brothers who were killed at Gettysburg. He had two Brothers in Law who were both wounded at Gettysburg. I also found my GGGGrandparents Lyons, Alexander H. Lyons b. 1806 and Eliza A. Lyons b. 1812. They also were born in New York AS WERE BOTH OF THEIR PARENTS! That would mean mid to early 1700's 13 Colonies stuff. I also learned the names of Harrison and Annie Lyons children if anybody out there needs it. One other very important new development. John and Millie had 4 children. I only knew of three previously. The 4th Child was named Frank C. Cameron. This is significant in that Amos (Fred) Cameron named his 1st Son Frank E. Cameron. My guess is that some tragedy fell upon young Frank C. and that Fred honored his little brother by naming his Son after him. John J. Cameron was born in 1841 in (I believe) McNab Township Renfrew County Canada. I have more documents on the way that should detail more facts about these people. I am happy to keep sharing these findings if ya'll are interested. Thanks, Dean Cameron

Unless the family was CERTAIN that the letter received was in Gertie's handwriting (and remember that because of the method to teach penmanship many people had a very similar penmanship style), you might try looking at newspapers in the counties between the area where she worked and lived. Foul play did occur in the 1920s, also, and unidentified bodies discovered at the time of her disappearance or later would have made the newspaper. The letter could have been a hoax from someone who knew the story and wanted to cash in. She may have given birth to a illegitimate or legitimate child during that time and that could be another area to explore. Other suggestions would be to see if she is listed in a city directory or state marriage index. Of course there is the 1920 census and the 1930 census will be released in a few years. Good luck.

Have you checked into sending a letter via the Social Security Administration? They will forward one if she is still alive, which could be possible since she still has living sisters. Just a thought.......................

Cynthia Ross appears on record for the first time in the 1850Atwater, Portage Co., Ohio census, living at the home of John and Nancy Whittlesey. it is known that her father William died in 1857. it is presumed that her mother died before him. I have never found any record on Cynthia's parents beyond a note regarding William's funeral, written in Cynthia's husband's diary, Cynthia's death certificate, which says her parents were William Ross of Massachusetts and Cynthia Ross of Massachusetts, and two census records of the younger Cynthia's, one which states her parents were born in Massachusetts, the other which states they were born in Connecticut. as these census's were the 1900 and the 1910, there is no shifting county boundery problem-yet I cannot seem to find these Ross's anywhere. I also can't figure the Whitlesey connection, nor can I find out why Cynthia isn't with her parents on the 1850 census-much less where they were. perhaps that is when her mother died. Also, I have yet to find a tombstone for them, and John Pearson's (Cynthia's husband) family did not have tombstones. so maybe Cynthia's didn't, either.

Gertrude "Gertie" Birlew, approximate age 16, was living in Springfield, Greene Co., Missouri and working for the Albert D. Squires family, 1919-1921. She lived with the family and took care of the children while the parents worked. When she had time off from her job she would take the train to Low Wassie, Shannon Co., Missouri to visit with her parents & siblings for the weekend. Since the family did not have a telephone, they never knew when she was going to arrive. One day the Squires family arrived at the Birlew home in Low Wassie. They had come to find out if Gertie was sick. They said they had put her on the train in Springfield for a visit home, 2 weeks prior, but she had not returned when expected. Gertie was very close to her siblings and parents, and there had been no type of disagreement among them. About a year later a letter arrived from her. She did not explain anything, and requested that some money be sent to her at a Sikeston, Missouri post office box number. Gertie's father was in poor health at the time and he asked a son-in-law to go to Sikeston, watch for Gertie to come to the post office and collect her mail, talk to her and try to get her to come home. The son-in-law reported that he never saw her. When he grew up, became employed, and had the money to do so, Gertie's only brother hired a private detective in St. Louis, Missouri to try to discover something about her disappearance. This would have been about 1940 and 20 years after the fact. Nothing was discovered. Gertie has 2 very elderly sisters still living......one is 94. They want so badly to know what became of her. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Gloria (Birlew) Hursey

I am searching Isaac Carter from Fauquier Co. and we cant seem to locate his parents or siblings I hope someone will help me or give me suggestions where to look, I know his children's names .. Jan