This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: jkeane5263 Surnames: Watson, Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.missouri.counties.washington/2956.1.1.1.1.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: I'm so excited that you responded. I stopped in Missouri in 1995, Margie (Ross's wife was still alive but suffering from Alzheimer's disease) Ross was alive at that time and I think it was Bobby who stopped in. From that point I was curious of the Watson side. We had many questions, some told us we had Indian blood in us and that one relative road with Jesse James. Of course the internet was just starting up and we didn't have the tools we have today. My father enlisted in the Army just before WWII broke out, he was stationed at Fort Dix, NJ. One weekend one of his buddies asked him home to Brooklyn, NY. They had stopped in a local bar, my mother who was a beauty with black hair and the bluest eyes walked in to get her sisters. My dad, they called him Pete. Took one look at her and told his buddy she is going to be my wife. HIs response "You wish Hillbilly, she won't even look at you." My dad offered to walk them home with the excuse that three beautiful women shouldn't be out so late., the joke in our family is that he had to put his boots back on; my mother always said she met him barefoot. From that day until he shipped out to Europe, he would spend as much time with her as possible. They married and my mother was pregnant to my sister Louise when he left. He didn't get to see her till she was over a year old. The war was hard on him, he was in major battles and liberated two concentration camps; he asked me ! never to forget what happened and be on guard that such atrocities like that never happen. My parents went back and forth from NY to Missouri over the years but always returning to NY. The last time my parents lived in MO was 1968-1975. I only visited three times in my life time. My dad liked his beer, but managed to keep us well fed, clothed, and a roof over our heads. He died in 1990, in PA. My parents moved to PA to be close to my youngest sister Maryann, it was affordable for them. My mother passed away 2010 in KY where my sister Maryann lives now. All of us are spread around the country. Louise Florida, Carol Texas, Maryann Kentucky and me NY (Long Island). My brother lived with me, but passed last September. So needless to say, I find this all so fascinating. Now that I'm retired, next year my husband and I are planning cross country trip and I hope to visit MO and learn about our heritage. My mother's family came from Sicily, Italy; both her parents immigrated here and their family still have relatives in Sicily and Naples. Look forward to sharing details. My nephew, Eric has done a lot of research and told me the great grand parents= Louis & Luisa parents died during the civil war. He also told me that some of his research goes back to 1000 years, I plan to talk to him soon. Thanks for sharing. Would love to know where the Indian heritage came from. I think my nephew had DNA tested and it showed no Indian blood. Best Regards, JoAnn Watson Keane 51 Smith Rd, Shirley, NY 11067 [email protected] 631-399-5134 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. <br>