Dog Tags Found In Viet Nam On a recent "Today Show" there was a story about two men who went to Hanoi on a business trip. The men encountered a guy selling old GI dog tags from US servicemen who were killed during the Viet Nam War. They were disgusted by the thought of this man profiting from the sale of these tags. Upon returning to the U.S., they decided to go back to Viet Nam and purchase ALL the dog tags. They did so, paying 19 cents per tag! They brought home several hundred tags. The plan is to return the tags to surviving family members, when they can find them. The process has already begun with one set being turned over to a grieving Mom on July 4th, (coincidentally, it was on her birthday)! These two men have set up a website, "http://www.founddogtags.com" listing the names of all those whose tags they purchased. If you lost friends, family, or know of someone who lost a loved one in Viet Nam, I suggest you check out this website. If you recognize a name, there's an e-mail address to contact these two men and to help in their efforts to return the dogtag to it's rightful survivor. I'm sure a family member would be eternally grateful to have such an important item returned. Please help by checking this website. And please send the website address to everyone you know. The more people who see the lists, the greater the chance of returning ALL the tags to those who lost loved ones in Viet Nam! Linda "Friends are God's way of taking care of us."

Hi folks, Nothing important really, just a thought I wanted to pass on to you all. Most of you may already be aware of this, but it came across to me almost unexpectantly. I was just answering some mail and thought about it and wanted to pass it on to you all. I have been posting marriage, after marriage record. I know that some folks will grow bored with seeing the announcements posted so much. But here is the kicker. You may only be researching say a few names, directly related to you. One of the reasons I place each surname mentioned on the record, into the announcement is to catch your eye so you don't disregard the message simply due to the two that are marrying. Example on how they can work for you: My Willis G. CRANFORD who I have documented from 1850 upwards in time to 1880, I lost him after the 1880 census. Figured he had died sometime after the census taking. No known gravesite, etc. 1890 census being not available, I only had that to work with. I had resigned myself to never knowing when he died. Then lo and behold! A marriage record that Lea Morris and I copied on my last trip to Montgomery County, showed my Willis as being still alive when one of his daughter's married. Also I find him as a witness to a marriage later than 1880 census, in a early 1890's marriage record. So that not only helped me to realize that he was still alive after the 1880 census and that he was still able to get around somewhat, to attend a marriage in the early 1890's. So what I am trying to get across to those like myself, who never thought to check out the witnesses so closely, or folks who may be new to all this, is to check out the witnesses closely. My own Willis G. Cranford signed earlier then that to a marriage record for a black couple, as witness. Confusions on how to spell our surname has always been an issue, but never have I come across a misspelling by a CRANFORD themselves! Sure enough, he spelled his name wrong, Willis G. CRAFORT. Did he sound it out how he said it, himself? Who knows. So that is another thing that we need to make ourselves aware of. How folks spell names by how they sound to them when they speak them. I mangle the surname of Ailstock (with a vengeance, haha, but that is another story) but I lose the A in the speaking of it. I speak is as "Elstock, or Lstock" and that is my southern speaking pattern coming forth. So if you don't find your person under the correct spelling pattern, try other forms of spelling, sometimes the not so obvious will be the key, as in CRAFORT. By the way... I say the name Cranford as Cranferd. Good thing I was never a census taker..... Sorry if this is a repeat to most of you, but I wanted to get this out to some who may find it of use. Plus the fact that you will see me trying to make sure I am listing the names correctly when I title the pages that I am making up for the list. Always feel free to jump in and discuss anything that comes to your mind concerning genealogy on the list. Again, this is our list, not mine. We are here to help each other as much as possible, and what might be deemed not important to one person may be the key to opening up someone else's research further. Answers back to the list when concerning genealogy is a wonderful avenue for folks to learn more, I think. Others may be sitting on the list just waiting for the answer to come forth. On the marriages, I will start adding two marriages per post, to keep from bombarding the list with one after another. So keep an eye to the subject line to see the main surnames mentioned. But this will not help you in the other surnames that are mentioned in the records, as you will have to open the message to see those names. I am also about to make a Death Page. In order to add some death records that have been sent to me for the list. If you have some that you would like added, you can send by email or snail mail. Just contact me off the list. They can be transcribed or copies of the originals. Either will be just fine. Now your long winded page maker, list keeper will hit the send button before she thinks of something else to talk about. Good luck folks, Cathy Cranford-Ailstock pastseeker@nc.rr.com http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~cranford/cathy1.html Listowner for Montgomery County, NC http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~cranford/montinfo.html Listowner for The A*I*L*S*T*O*C*K, B*R*U*T*O*N, C*R*A*N*F*O*R*D, F*O*X*H*A*L*L, H*A*T*H*C*O*C*K,J*U*R*Y & O*Z*I*E*R Lists *** To see one's self more clearly One needs to seek the past. C.C. Ailstock

I am looking for the marriage of James Wesley SMITH (b. 1-3-1854) to Mary Catherine HOWARD (b. 5-4-1859). I have a son born in 1881, James Marvin Smith. James Marvin and his sister Lydia both later married in Stanly County, but I can't find James Wesley and Mary Catherine there. Or in Union County, or on the Anson County brides list.... Could it possibly be in Montgomery County? Mary Catherine's parent's were James Thomas Howard and Rebecca Jane Allen. I do not know James Wesley Smith's parents. I do have a picture of James Wesley and Mary Catherine Smith with their children. 2 sons, James Marvin and Ray, both became Baptist ministers. I promised my mother-in-law I would find this so she could use it for her entry in the Stanly County history book, but I didn't know how elusive they would be. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Paula

Greetings, Cathy, could that be Callis which may or may not be a variation of Kellis? I haven't seen Cellis, but Kellis and Callis are surnames that have been in the Montgomery County area for over 200 years. Mr gggg grandfather was Louis Kellis, born in Montgomery County about 1808. Another gg grandfather, Henry Clay Solomon, was born in Montgomery County about 1837. I have a great deal of information on the Kellis side, very little on the Solomon side. Have you run across any information on Henry Clay Solomon? Thank you. Kellis R. Solomon

To all of you who sent articles to our book we thank you. Just want to let all of you, who have ordered books, we have gone to press, as of now we do not know for sure when it will be ready. Thanks to all, be patient, the books will be ready sometime this fall, I am sure. We are still taking orders, email me for details. . Thanks, Lea Morris Montgomery Co. NC lea@ac.net Contact me about the new 1860 & 1880 Montgomery Co., NC Census Books

The following records are now online: W. Clarke HALTOM To Amanda HARRIS 1891 Marriage Record Image Surnames Mentioned In Record Are: SUGGS, HALTOM, HARRIS, SCARBORO, HENDERSON, THAYER, RUSSELL Can be seen at: http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~cranford/mont0352.html AND: Robert E. LISK To Bettie MCDONALD 1891 Marriage Record Image Surnames Mentioned In Record Are: LISK, MCDONALD, SCARBORO, MCLEOD, PERRY, MCKINNON Can be seen at the following URL: http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~cranford/mont0354.html Enjoy! Cathy Cranford-Ailstock pastseeker@nc.rr.com http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~cranford/cathy1.html Listowner for Montgomery County, NC http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~cranford/montinfo.html Listowner for The A*I*L*S*T*O*C*K, B*R*U*T*O*N, C*R*A*N*F*O*R*D, F*O*X*H*A*L*L, H*A*T*H*C*O*C*K,J*U*R*Y & O*Z*I*E*R Lists *** To see one's self more clearly One needs to seek the past. C.C. Ailstock

We all collect something, I suspect. I collect Russell and Russel information from Montgomery and Southwest Randolph County. Haven't found my guy yet and maybe never will. I have information on every name in your 30 July 2001 request. We agree on some things and disagree on others so we need to share and compare our sources. I have made 2 trips, of a week each to NC Archives and History in Raleigh, 2 trips to the Ashboro-Randolph Library and 1 trip to the Montgomery Library. I also have info on the Russells from the area who went to TN, AR, IN and GA. I am willing to share with all Russell and Russel researchers. If you have information to add to my database please contact me.

Hi folks, Need help with this one. I think the record state CELLIS but could be GILLIS? Does anyone know for sure? I have put CELLIS, but if indeed it is GILLIS, then I need to correct it. William H. CELLIS To Mattie MANESS 1891 Marriage Record Image Surnames Mentioned In Record Are: BLAKE, CELLIS, MANESS, SCARBORO, WOOLEY, MONROE can be seen at: http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~cranford/mont0350.html Thanks! Cathy Cranford-Ailstock pastseeker@nc.rr.com http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~cranford/cathy1.html Listowner for Montgomery County, NC http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~cranford/montinfo.html Listowner for The A*I*L*S*T*O*C*K, B*R*U*T*O*N, C*R*A*N*F*O*R*D, F*O*X*H*A*L*L, H*A*T*H*C*O*C*K,J*U*R*Y & O*Z*I*E*R Lists *** To see one's self more clearly One needs to seek the past. C.C. Ailstock

Hi folks, Dudley D. BRUTON To Sudie E. WADE 1893 Marriage Record Image Surnames Mentioned In Record Are: MUNN, BRUTON, WADE, SCARBORO, PERRY, BALDWIN Can be seen at: http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~cranford/mont0345.html AND: Sherman BENNETT To Anna RUSH 1891 Marriage Record Image Surnames Mentioned In Record Are: BENNETT, RUSH, SCARBORO, BALDWIN, ALMOND, MCRAE, MCLENDON Can be seen at: http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~cranford/mont0348.html Have fun folks! More coming later today. Cathy Cranford-Ailstock pastseeker@nc.rr.com http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~cranford/cathy1.html Listowner for Montgomery County, NC http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~cranford/montinfo.html Listowner for The A*I*L*S*T*O*C*K, B*R*U*T*O*N, C*R*A*N*F*O*R*D, F*O*X*H*A*L*L, H*A*T*H*C*O*C*K,J*U*R*Y & O*Z*I*E*R Lists *** To see one's self more clearly One needs to seek the past. C.C. Ailstock

Hi folks, Thanks to Jeanne Sugg Gildea I was able to add the following records tonight: John ALLEN To Martha ALLEN 1870 Marriage Record Image Surnames Mentioned In Record Are: ALLEN, MORRIS, JORDAN Can be found at: http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~cranford/mont0344.html AND George Washington ALLEN To Utah Jane LEACH 1873 Marriage Record Image Surnames Mentioned In Record Are: ALLEN, LEACH, MORRIS, CAMPBELL, WALLACE Can be found at: http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~cranford/mont0342.html Good Luck folks! Cathy Cranford-Ailstock pastseeker@nc.rr.com http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~cranford/cathy1.html Listowner for Montgomery County, NC http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~cranford/montinfo.html Listowner for The A*I*L*S*T*O*C*K, B*R*U*T*O*N, C*R*A*N*F*O*R*D, F*O*X*H*A*L*L, H*A*T*H*C*O*C*K,J*U*R*Y & O*Z*I*E*R Lists *** To see one's self more clearly One needs to seek the past. C.C. Ailstock

Gabriel RUSSELL is my GGG Grandfather and a tough brick wall to overcome...Born abt 1764 he married first a Margaret (Hearne?) and had: Gabriel b NC m Margaret (?) d. Randolph, NC Isiah b 1785 m Nancy LOFLIN d. 1844 Randolph, NC John b 1792 NC m Tempy (?) d. 1868 Randolph, NC After Margaret, Gabriel married a Candis (aka Patsy) UNKNOWN (she married a BELL after Gabriel's death...they had Harris b. 13 Sep 1799 NC married Leah STEED d. 10 May 1873 Carroll, Ga. (my gg grandfather) Ansley b. abt 1802 NC m. Sarah d. bef 5 Mar 1860 Zebedee b. 19 Apr 1805 m Prudence HOPKINS d 25 Jun 1883 Montgomery, NC Eli b. abt 1809 Elijah Wiley ...would appreciate any information on these RUSSELLs you have...I'm willing to share what I have...Sam Russell

Who was the father of Duncan Parsons who was 24 in the 1850 census? His wife was Miranda and in 1850 he had 2 children, John A., age 2 and Joshua age 2 months. Thanks, Linda Smith "Friends are God's way of taking care of us."

Hi folks, I have added the following marriage: William G. LISK To Annie DUNN 1891 Marriage Record Image Surnames Mentioned In Record: LISK, DUNN, SCARBORO, MCLEOD, SHORE (If I have made out the name correctly, it is SHORE, but of this I am not certain.) Can be seen at: http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~cranford/mont0340.html Having some problems with my mail server so am not sure that the last message went out so if it did, this may be a repeat. At any rate, just in case: John A. COLE To Annie HARRIS 1891 Marriage Record Image Surnames Mentioned In Record Are: COLE, HARRIS, SCARBORO, MCCALLUM Can be seen at the following URL: http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~cranford/mont0338.html Hope it may be of some help! Cathy Cranford-Ailstock pastseeker@nc.rr.com http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~cranford/cathy1.html Listowner for Montgomery County, NC http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~cranford/montinfo.html Listowner for The A*I*L*S*T*O*C*K, B*R*U*T*O*N, C*R*A*N*F*O*R*D, F*O*X*H*A*L*L, H*A*T*H*C*O*C*K,J*U*R*Y & O*Z*I*E*R Lists *** To see one's self more clearly One needs to seek the past. C.C. Ailstock

Hi folks, I have now added the following marriage record: John A. COLE To Annie HARRIS 1891 Marriage Record Image Surnames Mentioned In Record Are: COLE, HARRIS, SCARBORO, MCCALLUM Can be found at the following URL: http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~cranford/mont0338.html Cathy Cranford-Ailstock pastseeker@nc.rr.com http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~cranford/cathy1.html Listowner for Montgomery County, NC http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~cranford/montinfo.html Listowner for The A*I*L*S*T*O*C*K, B*R*U*T*O*N, C*R*A*N*F*O*R*D, F*O*X*H*A*L*L, H*A*T*H*C*O*C*K,J*U*R*Y & O*Z*I*E*R Lists *** To see one's self more clearly One needs to seek the past. C.C. Ailstock

Hi folks, I have to thank Carolyn Kimrey once more for the following Record. Thanks Carolyn! This record comes in 6 parts for ease in loading. CRANFORD, MORRIS, REYNOLDS, HALL 1914 Deed Record Image Surnames Mentioned In Record Are: CRANFORD, MORRIS, REYNOLDS, HALL, MULLINIX, HURLEY, BARRIER, LISK, DAVIS Can be seen at the following URL: http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~cranford/mont0022.html Cathy Cranford-Ailstock pastseeker@nc.rr.com http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~cranford/cathy1.html Listowner for Montgomery County, NC http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~cranford/montinfo.html Listowner for The A*I*L*S*T*O*C*K, B*R*U*T*O*N, C*R*A*N*F*O*R*D, F*O*X*H*A*L*L, H*A*T*H*C*O*C*K,J*U*R*Y & O*Z*I*E*R Lists *** To see one's self more clearly One needs to seek the past. C.C. Ailstock

Hi folks, Many thanks to Jeanne for this record! Wyle SUGGS To Chrisitan SIMMONS 1856 Marriage Bond Image Surnames Mentioned In Record Are: SUGGS, LASSITER, SIMMONS Can be seen at the following URL: http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~cranford/mont0330.html *** ALSO: Many thanks to Carolyn Kimrey for the following Deed Image: William HURLEY To Martin B. CRANFORD 1875 Indenture Image Surnames Mentioned In Record Are: HURLEY, CRANFORD Can be seen at: http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~cranford/mont0329.html The later record is fairly long, so some with slower machines may have to let the page load in its entirety, then hit the refresh button or Reload Button if the page does not load completely the first time. Little trick of the trade here folks, let a hard to load image, load, then hit the refresh/reload button to force it to load completely the second time around. Happy Hunting! Cathy Cranford-Ailstock pastseeker@nc.rr.com http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~cranford/cathy1.html Listowner for Montgomery County, NC http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~cranford/montinfo.html Listowner for The A*I*L*S*T*O*C*K, B*R*U*T*O*N, C*R*A*N*F*O*R*D, F*O*X*H*A*L*L, H*A*T*H*C*O*C*K,J*U*R*Y & O*Z*I*E*R Lists *** To see one's self more clearly One needs to seek the past. C.C. Ailstock

Hi list: Thought I would share some links to on-line geneloagy classes offered through our community colleges. Look under Personal Enrichment Courses: Randolph Community College <http://www.ed2go.com/rcc2go/> Guilford Technical Community College <http://www.ed2go.com/gtcc2go/> Gaston College <http://www.ed2go.com/gaston/> Bob Moyer Instructor

Hi folks, Many thanks to Jeanne Suggs Gildea, we now have the following Marriage Record Image: Isaac SMITH To Eliza ROBINSON 1878 Marriage Record Image Surnames Mentioned In Record Are: SMITH, ROBINSON, MORRIS And it can be seen at: http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~cranford/mont0327.html Enjoy! Cathy Cranford-Ailstock pastseeker@nc.rr.com http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~cranford/cathy1.html Listowner for Montgomery County, NC http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~cranford/montinfo.html Listowner for The A*I*L*S*T*O*C*K, B*R*U*T*O*N, C*R*A*N*F*O*R*D, F*O*X*H*A*L*L, H*A*T*H*C*O*C*K,J*U*R*Y & O*Z*I*E*R Lists *** To see one's self more clearly One needs to seek the past. C.C. Ailstock

Hi folks, The following marriage record is now online: J.F. DEATON To Lucinda MANESS 1891 Marriage Record Image Surnames Mentioned In Record Are: DEATON, MANESS, SCARBORO, MCCASKILL, HUNSUCKER, PETTY Can be seen at: http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~cranford/mont0324.html Cathy Cranford-Ailstock pastseeker@nc.rr.com http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~cranford/cathy1.html Listowner for Montgomery County, NC http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~cranford/montinfo.html Listowner for The A*I*L*S*T*O*C*K, B*R*U*T*O*N, C*R*A*N*F*O*R*D, F*O*X*H*A*L*L, H*A*T*H*C*O*C*K,J*U*R*Y & O*Z*I*E*R Lists *** To see one's self more clearly One needs to seek the past. C.C. Ailstock

Hi folks, The following Marriage Record Image is now online: D.M. DENNIS To Elizabeth L. HUNSUCKER 1890 Marriage Record Image Surnames Mentioned In Record Are: DENNIS, HUNSUCKER, SCARBORO Can be seen at the following URL: http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~cranford/mont0322.html Enjoy! Cathy Cranford-Ailstock pastseeker@nc.rr.com http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~cranford/cathy1.html Listowner for Montgomery County, NC http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~cranford/montinfo.html Listowner for The A*I*L*S*T*O*C*K, B*R*U*T*O*N, C*R*A*N*F*O*R*D, F*O*X*H*A*L*L, H*A*T*H*C*O*C*K,J*U*R*Y & O*Z*I*E*R Lists *** To see one's self more clearly One needs to seek the past. C.C. Ailstock