I have been researching my great-grandfather, James W. O'Brien, who lived in Norton County (sometime before 1880 until the summer of1885). I recently received a copy of his homestead file from the National Archives. On one 1885 document, his post office address is listed as Handback, Norton Co., Kansas. The file included a copy of a notice that was printed in the Norton Courier in 1885 (stating his intention to make final proof for his claim), and the city was listed as Hanback, Kas. I know exactly where the land was (Sec. 7) but have not found Hanback or Handback on any old Norton County maps. I am interested in learning more about this town--and its correct spelling. Cutler's 1883 history of Kansas lists 19 post offices in Norton County, and none is even close in spelling to Hanback or Handback. I'd appreciate hearing from anyone who has information on this former Norton County town. Thanks! -- Kerry

Hi Gayle I was born in Norton and my family was from there. I wasn't born until 1935 tho so I am not familiar with a picture in 1880. However, Norton has a genealogy room in their library. They publish a 5 page genealogical newletter called "The Tracer". They do free reasonable research for members who subscribe to the newsletters. If you could get a picture scanned of the picture you have and send it to them they might be able to let you know something about it. They also have a museum in the old library. All of the old newspapers are on microfilm at the Kansas State Historical Society in Topeka. Hope some of this helps. Judy gayle wrote: > We have a large photo of 30 or 40 children and two or three adult women > (teachers?) and it appears they are out in a pasture, perhaps a Sunday > School or end of the school year picnic -- no one is identified, that may > well have been taken in Norton County in the 1880's. Anxious to find > identification, if anyone else has a similiar photo. > > Our family is William and Elizabeth Jane STONEKING HELLYER came from > Schuyler/McDonough Co IL and were in Norton County in the 1880's. Two or > three of their children died and are buried on a farm there. In the early > 1890's they moved to Missouri for a short while where Elizabeth died and is > buried. William then married Caroline Moody and the family moved to > Hartford, Kansas (on the Lyon & Coffey counties line). > > Gayle > gayle1@wheatstate.com > > ============================== > Search more than 274 MILLION NAMES and find your ancestors at Ancestry.com! > Get started today at http://www.ancestry.com/rootswebtext.asp

We have a large photo of 30 or 40 children and two or three adult women (teachers?) and it appears they are out in a pasture, perhaps a Sunday School or end of the school year picnic -- no one is identified, that may well have been taken in Norton County in the 1880's. Anxious to find identification, if anyone else has a similiar photo. Our family is William and Elizabeth Jane STONEKING HELLYER came from Schuyler/McDonough Co IL and were in Norton County in the 1880's. Two or three of their children died and are buried on a farm there. In the early 1890's they moved to Missouri for a short while where Elizabeth died and is buried. William then married Caroline Moody and the family moved to Hartford, Kansas (on the Lyon & Coffey counties line). Gayle gayle1@wheatstate.com

Looking for MILES family. Ellis MILES and wife Henrietta(Nettie)Johnston MILES. Also John MILES and wife Anna KLUSENER MILES. Would appreciate any info. Thanks, Sharol Barnett sharolb@jps.net The years were 1880 thru 1930