List Members, I am in the process of researching the unknown family of Joseph Elmer Devere who was born May 1881(source is his draft registration form) or 1873 (source is his obituary) in Jamestown or Johnstown Pennsylvania (still trying to find the right location). I am told that when he left his home as a young man, after an arguement about religion, he never returned nor did he ever talk about his past with his wife and children. It is a possibility that he could have also changed his name. His daughter tells me that he left Jamestown, Pennsylvania in 1906 and cut all ties with his family. She states that all records were lost in the flood and so the family has been unable to find anything on her father. He died when she was only 18 mos. old. He is what we do know. Joseph Elmer Devere is said to have served in the US Navy aboard the USS Olympia (General Dewey's flagship) during the Spanish-American War. I have seen one website that contains a list of the men on board after a battle in the Philippines and he is not listed there. In 1908 he married Jeanette Reid in Cle Elum, Kittitas, Washington. They had nine children. I do have copies of the 1910, 1920 and 1930 census showing his family in Cle Elum, Kittitas, Washington. He died 4 Jan 1932 in Cle Elum. I am desperate for any information or advice where I might further my research. I would be happy to contact any local groups or societies but don't know if they exist at this time. Does anyone know if the records that were actually lost in the flood of 1889 were ever reconstructed? Was mining the primary occupation at that time? Are mining records available? Joseph was probably a high school student in 1889, how many high schools were destroyed in the flood? Thank you for your time and any suggestions you may be able to offer in this search, Renaye