This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: johnson3612 Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.missouri.counties.jackson/6746.2.1.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: You have quite a history in your family, how cool. And what a database!!! By any cahnce, is the Fleming you mention the same Fleming as in Fleming Park? The Everett Johnson you speak of I may know of, though not personally. He is, or was on my last visit, listed as a care taker of the Chiddix/Johnson cemetery, north of Grain Valley. I have a cousin, a Robinson, that speaks of him as well, but that is as far as I can help with that. As I said, I was born and raised in Oak Grove. I spent a fair amount of time in Sni Mills, and I'm not aware of any Johnson's there, nor of the story you shared, with the exception of what I'm sure to be my gg grandfather, Elihu, buried in Koger. Neither am I aware of any kin in the Pleasant Hill area. The closest connection I can make there is Alice DeAtley, marriage to George Schoonover, Mother of Bryan Schoonover in the 1930 Census. Alice & George had two sons, Lyman Hanilan, (Father of Bryan 1930 census) & Benjamin F Schoonover, Husband to my Gertrude Belle Johnson. Here's what I can tell you. My family of Johnson's were'nt too big on talking unfortunately, hence my search for my roots. I've always been told that Elihu Johnson, (Father of Gertrude) married a women that was either all or part American Indian. In fact I remember my g grandfather saying that he himself, was 1/4 Cherokee. I've yet to prove or disprove this. They also said that most people disagreed of this "interracial" mariage, and therfore they were shunned and stayed to themselves. I suppose it's possible this could have something to do with what that man told you. Do you recall his name, his age, when or where this took place? Even a guess might help me help you. Other than that you have all I have, sorry. I'll keep looking though, and I'll let you know if I find something. I really appreciate your help with the church records. I think I need to clear some things up though. The people I would be looking for would be Johnson's not Schoonover's. If what I have is correct, it goes as follows. >From Elihu's obit. from the Oak Grove Banner: "Mr. Johnson was a member of the New Liberty Church and was a good man... he left a wife, three sons, and two daughters..." He died 24 April, 1905. >From Gertrude's obit., aka Gertie, from the Oak Grove Banner: "Mrs. Belle Schoonover, wife of B F Schoonover died at her home in this city Saturday morning, April 9th, 1909, after an illness of only a few days." I may have already said this, but I belive she gave birth to Mamie G Schoonover April 4th, 1909. She was adopted by Elmer & Sallie Robinson later the same year, continuing: "Miss Belle Johnson, daughter of Elihu... was born near New Liberty church, August 24, 1872....maried B F....August 29, 1879....united with the New Liberty Baptist church....laid to rest at Koger graveyard...services conducted by Rev. J.D. Thomas of Blue Springs." Notice the difference of "New Liberty church" & "New Liberty Baptist church", are they one in the same? I have an 1880 census showing Elihu 1840, Mary 1842, Cyrus 1867, Gertrude 1872, Edgar 1874, David 1876, Susan 1879 in Fishing River, Clay, Missouri. If this is accurate then she could not have been born where we have been talking about, or did the church move, change it's name????????? 1900 Gertrude, Benj. F and son, Walter D Schoonover, Clay, Lafayette. 1900 Elihu, Mary and daughter, Susan Johnson, Van Buren, Jackson. I Googled New Liberty Baptist church or New Liberty church not sure which now. What shows up is on the east side of F highway in Lafayette county. Could this be part of the confusion? I know this is allot of stuff. I truly appreciate your patience and help. Thanks, Charlie 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.