Susan, Lawrence County Tombstone Inscriptions, Vol. 5, Buck Prairie Township, p. 42, Marionville IOOF Cemetery, Old Part, Block 5, Lot 12: Sparks, Verne, 7 Mar 1904 - 4 Nov 1918, son of E. C. & H. J. Henry J., 1863 - 1950 Virginia, 1857 - 1933 (same stone as Henry J.) It appears that Verne is the son of Henry by his first wife, Emma C. Seamans from whom he was divorced by the 1920 census. Usually the father's initials are listed before the mother's on such tombstone inscriptions, but the opposite appears to be the case this time. Perhaps Virginia is his second wife whom he married after 1920. Here are some of the published transcriptions of records on him: Lawrence County, Missouri, Marriage Records, Vol. VII, 1897-1900, p. 46: Sparks, H. J., 32, Marionville, to Emma C. Seamans, 23, Liberal, Barton Co., 28 Dec. 1899, by J. A. Boster, J. P., at Mt. Vernon, Book H, p. 268. As you will note in the 1900 census record below, even though he and Emma were apparently married 28 Dec. 1899, she apparently was not living with him at the time of the census. Perhaps they married secretly at the justice of the peace in Mount Vernon and she was still living at home with her parents in Barton Co., Mo., not far away. 1900 Census, Missouri, Lawrence Co., Buck Prairie Township, Marionville: 8. Sarah Sparks (f) Aug 1843-56 Yr. 7-6 Ga. Ga. Ga. Wd. Laundry Henry J. (m) Jun 1863-36 Yr. N.C. Ga. Ga. Day lab Fred M. (m) Jan 1880-20 Yr. Mo. Ga. Ga.Salesman D-g There is not a published transcription of the 1910 census, but that should show Henry, Emma, and Verne. 1920 Census, Missouri, Lawrence Co., Buck Prairie Township, Town of Marionville: 90. Henry J. Sparks 61-yr N.C. Ga. Ga. Div. Sarah 76-yr Ga. Ga. Ga. Wd. The Lawrence County Historical Society, P. O. Box 406, Mt. Vernon, MO 65712, has published census records 1850-1880, and 1900, Marriage Records volumes through 1912, nine volumes of all known tombstone inscriptions in the county, and many other books which you can order. Check out the Society through the Lawrence County web site: http://www.rootsweb.com/~molawre2/index.htm You will probably be able to find records on the other members of the Sparks family who stayed in the area. Ross Cameron >>> Susan Sparks <susansk@netscape.net> 06/27 4:55 PM >>> Ross, You mentioned that Henry J. Sparks wife and son were buried at the Marionville IOOF cemetery. Do you have their names and birth and death dates? Susan Sparks susansk@netscape.net Researching: ABEL, BARTON, BLACKETER, FOX, AND SPARKS ____________________________________________________________________ Get your own FREE, personal Netscape WebMail account today at http://webmail.netscape.com.