Does anyone have lookup materials for Wills in MS (particularly Itawamba and Lafayette)?

I am posting this to several different lists in the hope that someone can point me in the right direction. My father was Rayford Andrew WELLS; b. 01-05-1929;d. 01-30-1982. His parents were James Andrew(Jimmie) WELLS; b.01-04-1879; d. 03-25-1952 and Mary Alice PRINCE; b. 07-14-1890; they were m. 08-10-1903. This information I can prove through birth and marriage records. According to a Bible that belonged to Mary Alice, that I have in my possession, James Andrew WELLS was the son on John L. WELLS; b.06-05-1851; d. 01-24-1916 and Jane RUNNELS; b.07-18-1851; d. 09-13-1900. Mary Alice PRINCE was the daughter of William PRINCE; b.?; d.? and Arville ?; b.?; d.?. Though it does not state this fact in the Bible, I am almost certain that Arville's maiden name was MATHIS. I knew my grandmother, Mary Alice, and I am certain that she always said that her mother was a MATHIS. Also, I have a copy of a land patent that was granted to Arvila M. PRINCE, widow of William PRINCE. So it is very likely that her maiden name was MATHIS. Please notice the different spellings of Arvilla. The Bible has it as Arville. The land patent has Arvila. Mary Alice's oldest child was named Lillie Arvilla. Mary Alice was b. in the Cohay swamp area of Smith Co. MS. This I know from conversations with her before she died. I do not know where James Andrew was b. but it is likely he was born in Smith Co, also. There may be connections in Smith, Simpson, and Covington Counties in MS. I have some suspicions as to the parents of John L. WELLS, Jane RUNNELS, William PRINCE, and Arvilla MATHIS. I cannot prove anything. And that is why I am posting this msg. If anyone can help me, feel free to email me directly or post to the list that you read this msg from. Any help will be deeply appreciated. Jill WELLS DAVISON djilly21@aol.com

Eugenia, Although I have not experienced that situation in a courthouse, I do know that many locations that store archived material are no longer allowing copies on traditional copy machines due to the damage that is caused. Damage includes problems with the spines of the ledgers and flaking of the pages. Highly copied pages are being destroyed. Handheld scanners can be purchased for less than $100. Digital cameras work as do traditional cameras. Let's all be aware that these documents are fragile. I want them to still be there for those who come after me. MVQ -----Original Message----- From: Eugenia [mailto:genaerber@usa.net] Sent: Thursday, February 01, 2001 9:15 AM To: MISSISSIPPI-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [Would-be NOXUBEE CO. MS RESEARCHERS] WARNING TO OTHER RESEARCHERS!!!! This is to forewarn and maybe save time and trouble, researchers needing information from probate records in Noxubee Co. MS. A congenial deputy clerk showed me to the record room. I had done my homework and knew book and page of the instruments needed. I proceeded to locate the old book which contained the Will of my gr-gr-gr-grandfather Brown, consisting of four pages of that book. I took the book to the deputy and explained I would like to get a copy of that instrument, and she turned to the Chancery Clerk, Mary Shelton and told her what I had requested. Ms. Shelton then in a very condescending manner informed me they did not make copies of these old records because the books cannot be taken apart as the more modern books do. Gasping with disbelief, I asked how I would go about getting a copy of this instrument, and she shrugged and said "I don't know unless you bring a camera and make a copy of it." I explained I have been researching in Courthouses for about 50 years and have never encountered this problem. After a long discussion, she finally agreed to makde copies of those four pages, but told me she would not make any further copies from the old books. Needless to say, there was little reason for me to spend time looking at more records, which incidentally, are probably the more disorganized I have encountered. To save others who travel even further distances than I in the expectation of getting copies of your ancestors probate records, I suggest you take a camera, or prepare to spend endless hours hand copying what you need. I do not understand how an elected public official can refuse to allow copies to be made of public records, but Ms. Mary Shelton did! However, to be fair to the people of Noxubee County, the Circuit Clerk and her deputies in Noxubee County as among the most cordial and cooperative that I have met anywhere. Have other researchers found the same conditions in the Chancery Clerk's office in Noxubee County? I have dealt with and communicated with the Genealogical Society in that county for several years, and they are always pleasant and helpful. Seems if we need copies of these old probates, we will have to have an expensive camera or wait until the people in that county can have another election!!!!! I trust this warning will be of help to other researchers. Eugenia ____________________________________________________________________ Get free email and a permanent address at http://www.netaddress.com/?N=1 ____________________________________________________________________ Get free email and a permanent address at http://www.netaddress.com/?N=1 ==== MISSISSIPPI Mailing List ==== Visit the Mississippi-L Website at http://www.rootsweb.com/~mississi where you can both SUBSCRIBE and UNSUBSCRIBE with a click of the mouse. ============================== Visit Ancestry's Library - The best collection of family history learning and how-to articles on the Internet. http://www.ancestry.com/learn/library

In doing my research of my home state of Ms. where I also reside I too have encountered the same problems. In Neshoba county the circuit clerk Patty Duncan Lee absolutely refuses to let you take pictures or copy the marriage license of Neshoba. the same goes for Sunflower Co. On the other hand when I go home to Bolivar Co. the clerk is very cordial and says no matter how old and even if they are hand sewn we can copy them. I applauded her. Leflore County is always nice to and never charge me. I don't believe I have paid any thing in Bolivar either. I requested divorce records on my grand father and first wife and also on his oldest son and first wife. Lauderdale Co. copies them and mailed them to me right away. I sent a check back to cover the cost. I think the Clerks that refuse to help us need to be voted out of office. How else will we get our records together if they don't understand Genealogy? I did write another county asking for copies of the marriage license and this county does not copy but turned it over to a researcher with out my consent and she copied and sent me a bill.

I do much research in our county courthouse, and they have a photo copy machine that takes a picture from above the book, thus saving the records from having to be removed from the book. It is a wonderful machine and makes accurate copies. Perhaps it would help to mention this to the records supervisor, or some one in authority. Ethel.

WARNING TO OTHER RESEARCHERS!!!! This is to forewarn and maybe save time and trouble, researchers needing information from probate records in Noxubee Co. MS. A congenial deputy clerk showed me to the record room. I had done my homework and knew book and page of the instruments needed. I proceeded to locate the old book which contained the Will of my gr-gr-gr-grandfather Brown, consisting of four pages of that book. I took the book to the deputy and explained I would like to get a copy of that instrument, and she turned to the Chancery Clerk, Mary Shelton and told her what I had requested. Ms. Shelton then in a very condescending manner informed me they did not make copies of these old records because the books cannot be taken apart as the more modern books do. Gasping with disbelief, I asked how I would go about getting a copy of this instrument, and she shrugged and said "I don't know unless you bring a camera and make a copy of it." I explained I have been researching in Courthouses for about 50 years and have never encountered this problem. After a long discussion, she finally agreed to makde copies of those four pages, but told me she would not make any further copies from the old books. Needless to say, there was little reason for me to spend time looking at more records, which incidentally, are probably the more disorganized I have encountered. To save others who travel even further distances than I in the expectation of getting copies of your ancestors probate records, I suggest you take a camera, or prepare to spend endless hours hand copying what you need. I do not understand how an elected public official can refuse to allow copies to be made of public records, but Ms. Mary Shelton did! However, to be fair to the people of Noxubee County, the Circuit Clerk and her deputies in Noxubee County as among the most cordial and cooperative that I have met anywhere. Have other researchers found the same conditions in the Chancery Clerk's office in Noxubee County? I have dealt with and communicated with the Genealogical Society in that county for several years, and they are always pleasant and helpful. Seems if we need copies of these old probates, we will have to have an expensive camera or wait until the people in that county can have another election!!!!! I trust this warning will be of help to other researchers. Eugenia ____________________________________________________________________ Get free email and a permanent address at http://www.netaddress.com/?N=1 ____________________________________________________________________ Get free email and a permanent address at http://www.netaddress.com/?N=1

WARNING to other researchers!! This is to forewarn and maybe save time and trouble, researchers needing information from probate records in Noxubee Co. MS. A congenial deputy clerk showed me to the record room. I had done my homework and knew book and page of the instruments needed. I proceeded to locate the old book which contained the Will of my gr-gr-gr-grandfather Brown, consisting of four pages of that book. I took the book to the deputy and explained I would like to get a copy of that instrument, and she turned to the Chancery Clerk, Mary Shelton and told her what I had requested. Ms. Shelton then in a very condescending manner informed me they did not make copies of these old records because the books cannot be taken apart as the more modern books do. Gasping with disbelief, I asked how I would go about getting a copy of this instrument, and she shrugged and said "I don't know unless you bring a camera and make a copy." I explained I have been researching in Courthouses for about 50 years and have never encountered this problem. After a long discussion, she finally agreed to make copies of those four pages, but told me she would not make any further copies from the old books. Needless to say, there was little reason for me to spend time looking at more records, which incidentally, are probably the more disorganized I have encountered. To save others who travel even further distances than I, the expectation of getting copies of your ancestors probate records, I suggest you take a camera, or prepare to spend endless hours hand copying what you need. I do not understand how an elected public official can refuse to allow copies to be made of public records, but Ms. Mary Shelton did! However, to be fair to the people of that county, the Circuit Clerk and her deputies in Noxubee County is among the most cordial and cooperative that I have met anywhere. Have other researchers found the same conditions in the Chancery Clerk's office in Noxubee County? I have dealt with and communicated with the Genealogical Society in that county for several years, and they are always pleasant and helpful. Seems if we need copies of these old probates, we will have to have an expensive camera or wait until the people in that county can have another election. I trust this warning will be of help to other researchers. Eugenia ____________________________________________________________________ Get free email and a permanent address at http://www.netaddress.com/?N=1 ____________________________________________________________________ Get free email and a permanent address at http://www.netaddress.com/?N=1

Pat, from Betty Wiltshire's book "Holmes County, Mississippi Pioneers" these WILLIS: Will Book 1 - page 9 will of John WILLIS sons-Joseph, Thomas, Jeremiah daughters-Nancy, Elizabeth, Mary, Hannah, John, Sarah diated Mar 1835 witnesses John JAMES & M. C. BLANCOE slaves-Pompey, Caley Joyce

Check out the Allen Co. LA Query Forum in Allen Parish, LA. Randy Willis has lots of info posted. He also has Willis info on the archives of Rapids Parish, LA Ethel.

Can someone on the list tell me where I might locate a list of MS marriages during the period of 1825-1880? Is anything posted on the nternet that I might access? Holmes county is of particular interest. Looking for the marriage of Charles Monroe Willis and Sarah A ? about 1820's-30's and Lorenzo Dow Willis and Martha Brantley about 1875. Thanks for your help. Pat pacone@txk.net

Hello: Hoping that this is not inappropriate, I thought I would write to the lists that I belong to see if anyone on these lists are researching the surname JOSEY, because we are having a family reunion in NC in April and thought you might want to contact me for further details. Also, I thought some of you might be able to give me some ideas of where to look for or what to get for inexpensive goodie (goody) bags to pass out to everyone at the registration table at the reunion. Thanks much. Jackie BAKER/BARLOW/BARNETT/BLUNT/CARTER/COLLINS/DAVIS/ HELFRICH/HERR/HUBBLE/JOSEY/McCOY/PHILYAW/SIMS/SPRUNG Please visit my web page: http://joseynewsletter.bizland.com <A HREF="http://joseynewsletter.bizland.com/">2001 Jossey/Josey Home Coming</A>

It is in Lincoln Co. I found it on this site. Go to: http://mapping.usgs.gov/www/gnis/gnisform.html and put in Hartman, MS. Linda C Kennedy wrote: > Does anyone know where Hartman, MS is located? > Thanks > Linda > > ==== MISSISSIPPI Mailing List ==== > Help yourself to some data at http://www.rootsweb.com/~mississi in the database, and be sure to leave a little for others. > > ============================== > Shop Ancestry - Everything you need to Discover, Preserve & Celebrate > your heritage! > http://shop.myfamily.com/ancestrycatalog

Does anyone know where Hartman, MS is located? Thanks Linda

Seeking info on ELLA SIGLER who m. JOHN MARTIN on Jan 20, 1899 in Sunflower Co., MS. Any data would be appreciated. Wanda

I am needed some help looking for ancestors. I would like to ask someone to do a census index look up for the year 1850 to locate the father. Here's the family: Gideon Worth (have seen it as J.W. and G.W.) Craddock b. 1825 Mississippi Mary Smith or Baygents (have seen both) Craddock b. 1831 Mississippi Joseph M. b. 1852 Mississippi Alphoso B. (sp??) b. 1856 Mississippi Amanda Jane b. 1858 Mississippi. The family, father and children, appear in 1860 in Caldwell Parish, Louisiana. The census information indicates they were all born in Mississippi. I have been unable to find any reference to a Gideon Worth, G.W., or J.W. Craddock prior to 1860. Other information that I have is that Amanda Jane Craddock married Wiliam Felix Mitchell in 1876 Caldwell Parish. He is the son of Rev. Richard Floyd Mitchell and wife Sara Hargrove Mitchell. They eventually all move to Texas and are buried there in Atoka Cemetery, Coleman Co. Texas. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Lisa Collins

Does anyone have info on the surname Boughton, probally from Scott co area. Thank you Judy DOMESTIC ABUSE IS CHILD ABUSE, JUST ASK A CHILD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! http://community-1.webtv.net/JUDYFROMNY/Judysworld/ Thank-you Judy Thayer Surnames I am researching,Butler,Gregory, Sullivan,Henry,Shoemaker,Bowden,Bradrick,Thames Smith and surrounding co. of Ms.

Can you tell me if any of the Mississippi Census are on line? I am searching for a John B. Burt and W.W. Burt. Believe they may be from Mississippi. They had daughters Mary Ann Burt married John Jackson Lamb and Carrie married his brother Isaac Lamb. Thanking you in advance for your help. Donna (Lamb) Crabb

You can go here to see: http://www.rootsweb.com/~cenfiles/ms/ or here: http://www.census-online.com/links/index.html or here: http://censuslinks.com/ I have transcribed the 1850 Wilkinson county, MS census and it is posted on my web site. I will even include your own data, if you find a relative listed here: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~thall good luck, Tina Hall ----- Original Message ----- From: "Donna Crabb" <docrabb@telepath.com> To: <MISSISSIPPI-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, January 28, 2001 6:46 AM Subject: Re: MISSISSIPPI Census > Can you tell me if any of the Mississippi Census are on line? I am > searching for a John B. Burt and W.W. Burt. > Believe they may be from Mississippi. They had daughters Mary Ann Burt > married John Jackson Lamb and Carrie married his brother Isaac Lamb. > > Thanking you in advance for your help. > > Donna (Lamb) Crabb

Do you have anything on a Simon West and Nancy Thompson, parents of my Mary J. West, b. 1832 in Itawamba County, MS (Mary was my gggrandmother). --- Mary Hill <hillsters@bwoodtx.com> wrote: > I am working on a new lead for James WEST, born 1794-1798, and hope > that someone might recognize some of the names I have noted in this > post. > > My James WEST, age 56 which I can verify first shows up in the 1850 > Itawamba Co. MS census with wife Sarah, age 36, Frances, age 16, > Nancy age, 14, Uriah age 12, Martha age, 10, Sarah E. age 8, Mary > 2, James 1. > > According to an interview by James the youngest son in this census, > he states that His father had five children from a previous > marriage, his mother Sarah had five children from a previous > marriage, then James and Sarah had five children of their own. The > first five children in the 1850 census are children from Sarah's > marriage to Joel TUCKER, m. Aug. 25, 1833 in Stewart Co. GA. James > Jr. goes on to say that he dosen't know what happened to his older > brothers (children from the first marriage) that they must have > stayed behind in TN. Giving the clue that they were in TN at one > time, I have come up with the following scenerio: > > > 1830 Wayne Co TN list a James WEST as head of household, 1 male > under 5, 2 females 5-10 years, 1 female 10-15 years, and 1 female > 40-50 years. That would fit the ages for his wife and four of the > children, however another child would have to be born after 1830. > If this is my James West, he would have married sometime after 1810 > but before 1820 giving the age of the oldest child on the Wayne Co. > 1830 census. I believe that the James WEST that is listed in the > 1830 Wayne Co. MS census, is my James WEST who was married to first > unknown wife, and had five unknown children. He married second, > Sarah Jane Jincy TAYLOR TUCKER sometimes between 1842-1848. My > James WEST died about 1861-62 in Lafayette Co. MS. > > Wayne Co. TN 1836 Tax List a James WEST. > > In the Wayne Co. TN 1850 census, there is a Samuel WEST and an Isom > WEST listed, both in their 20's. It is possible that these two > West are the two boys of James WEST that stayed behind. > > MS tax list has the following people. Some of these people listed > in the MS tax list were also in Wayne Co. TN. Jacob LEE as living > by James WESt in 1830 Wayne Co. TN Census, so I believe that these > people are connected in some way through marriage. > > Jacob LEE > SE 31-10-10 > 2-16-1839 > Chain carriers: John WARDIN, James WEST (The Wardin > is a misprint - it has to be John HARDIN) > > Zachariah ALLEN > NE 31-10-10 > 2-16-1839 > Chain carriers: John HARDEN, James WEST > > James WEST > NW 28-10-10 > 8-5-1841 > Chain carriers: Simeon WEST, Josiah LINDSEY > > Simon H. WEST > SW 38-10-10 > 8-5-1841 > Chain carriers: James WEST, Thomas THOMPSON, Aaron MAY > > NE 28-10-10 > 8-5-1841 > Chain carriers: Thomas THOMPSON, Jeremiah ? > > > Does anyone has any info on these people or have a West marriage > show up in any of these names. One clue is there is a John LINDSEY > that married an Elizabeth WEST who could possibly be related to the > Josiah LINDSEY that shows up in the Wayne Co. Tax List. Elizabeth > would most like be an aunt to James WEST if they are related giving > the ages. > > If any of these names look familiar to anyone, please notify me at > hillsters@bwoodtx.com or mhill@hputx.edu I would love to find a > connection. > > Best Regards, > Mary > > > > ==== MISSISSIPPI Mailing List ==== > Visit the Mississippi-L Website at > http://www.rootsweb.com/~mississi > where you can both SUBSCRIBE and UNSUBSCRIBE with a click of the > mouse. > > ============================== > Add as many as 10 Good Years To Your Life > If you know how to reduce these risks. > http://www.thirdage.com/health/wecare/hearthealth/index.html > ===== Edye Higgins Byhalia, MS ====== Friends are angels that lift us to our feet when our wings forget how to fly. Get up to $45 FREE postage with Stamps.com! Click here: Stamps.com http://service.bfast.com/bfast/click?bfmid=27893756&siteid=35532320&bfpage=stamps_com __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Auctions - Buy the things you want at great prices. http://auctions.yahoo.com/

I am working on a new lead for James WEST, born 1794-1798, and hope that someone might recognize some of the names I have noted in this post. My James WEST, age 56 which I can verify first shows up in the 1850 Itawamba Co. MS census with wife Sarah, age 36, Frances, age 16, Nancy age, 14, Uriah age 12, Martha age, 10, Sarah E. age 8, Mary 2, James 1. According to an interview by James the youngest son in this census, he states that His father had five children from a previous marriage, his mother Sarah had five children from a previous marriage, then James and Sarah had five children of their own. The first five children in the 1850 census are children from Sarah's marriage to Joel TUCKER, m. Aug. 25, 1833 in Stewart Co. GA. James Jr. goes on to say that he dosen't know what happened to his older brothers (children from the first marriage) that they must have stayed behind in TN. Giving the clue that they were in TN at one time, I have come up with the following scenerio: 1830 Wayne Co TN list a James WEST as head of household, 1 male under 5, 2 females 5-10 years, 1 female 10-15 years, and 1 female 40-50 years. That would fit the ages for his wife and four of the children, however another child would have to be born after 1830. If this is my James West, he would have married sometime after 1810 but before 1820 giving the age of the oldest child on the Wayne Co. 1830 census. I believe that the James WEST that is listed in the 1830 Wayne Co. MS census, is my James WEST who was married to first unknown wife, and had five unknown children. He married second, Sarah Jane Jincy TAYLOR TUCKER sometimes between 1842-1848. My James WEST died about 1861-62 in Lafayette Co. MS. Wayne Co. TN 1836 Tax List a James WEST. In the Wayne Co. TN 1850 census, there is a Samuel WEST and an Isom WEST listed, both in their 20's. It is possible that these two West are the two boys of James WEST that stayed behind. MS tax list has the following people. Some of these people listed in the MS tax list were also in Wayne Co. TN. Jacob LEE as living by James WESt in 1830 Wayne Co. TN Census, so I believe that these people are connected in some way through marriage. Jacob LEE SE 31-10-10 2-16-1839 Chain carriers: John WARDIN, James WEST (The Wardin is a misprint - it has to be John HARDIN) Zachariah ALLEN NE 31-10-10 2-16-1839 Chain carriers: John HARDEN, James WEST James WEST NW 28-10-10 8-5-1841 Chain carriers: Simeon WEST, Josiah LINDSEY Simon H. WEST SW 38-10-10 8-5-1841 Chain carriers: James WEST, Thomas THOMPSON, Aaron MAY NE 28-10-10 8-5-1841 Chain carriers: Thomas THOMPSON, Jeremiah ? Does anyone has any info on these people or have a West marriage show up in any of these names. One clue is there is a John LINDSEY that married an Elizabeth WEST who could possibly be related to the Josiah LINDSEY that shows up in the Wayne Co. Tax List. Elizabeth would most like be an aunt to James WEST if they are related giving the ages. If any of these names look familiar to anyone, please notify me at hillsters@bwoodtx.com or mhill@hputx.edu I would love to find a connection. Best Regards, Mary