This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Roper Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/kgDBAEB/759.1.1.1.1.1 Message Board Post: I would recommend that you first study the RootsWeb / USGEBWEB web pages for Ashley, AR, at: http://www.rootsweb.com/~arashley/ The adminsitrator of those pages probably has a pretty good handle on what resources are available for family historians in that county. Please bear in mind that I have NEVER SET FOOT in Ashley County, AR, and that this is NOT my ROPER line, so I only know what I have been readily able to look up on your behalf. One note I found states: Created: 30 November 1848. Parent Counties: Chicot, Drew and Union. County Boundary Changes: Line with Chicot changed by Act of 19 January 1861, part annexed from Bradley by Act of 21 January 1859. County Records: A courthouse fire in 1921 destroyed most of the county's records. http://www.anythingarkansas.com/arkansas/county.html#ashl Accordingly, there are going to be some records problems. I would also recommend to you the Arkansas state web site at: http://www.arkansas.gov/ I cannot seem to find a web site for this county. They are probably NOT only yet. Usually local LIBRARIES are very good sources of information on local history. And there is nothing quite as effective as visiting in person and walking the local ground. Invariably, you gain insights into geography, institutions and local color that cannot be readily garnered from online sources. The County Courthouse is usually a place that you WILL want to visit, too. But bear in mind that courthouses have other pressing business BESIDES genealogy and you will usually get a better recption and more help at the local library. There also may very well be a local genealogical society. These very often publish a newsletter and occasional compilations of local data. Many such societies have busy inventorying the cemetery grave markers, etc., and sometimes publish local compilations which may be found in the local library and may be sold to a small group interested in those records. Membership is usually inexpensive. Please SHARE the information you find. You will find that you WILL become acquainted with others interested in the family history of YOUR line. The more information you SHARE the more you empower others to be helpful and supportive. And you help economize effort, by allowing other family historians to focus on what is UNKNOWN.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/kgDBAEB/759.1.1.1.2 Message Board Post: The place of death for Willie Goodwin would be in Chicot County AR (Eudora). There is a list on the Ashley County Ledger under obits of the Cemerery that these family members are buried in order of last names. This may even be helpful to many of the Roper's looking. Think you for your time and effort of helping me out. It is a really nice feeling to know just where you came from.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Roper Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/kgDBAEB/759.1.1.3 Message Board Post: It may also be of interest to you that the burial place of John W. ROPER appears to be DryBayou Cemetery. THere are also several other ROPERs buried here: DRY BAYOU CEMETERY Ashley Co. Arkansas ROPER, Bonnie Marie 27 Oct 1925 - 18 May 1929 ROPER, John W 29 Jan 1865 - 02 Sep 1924 ROPER, Mary 18 Feb 1875 - 28 Oct 1961 ROPER, Mike Jr No dates FHM Source: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/ar/ashley/cemeteries/drybayou.txt Also, you will note that at this same cemetery you will find these additional graves which may be of interest: GOODWIN, Belle R 06 Apr 1901 - 16 Apr 1991 GOODWIN, George 09 Oct 1931 - 19 Aug 1996 GOODWIN, George Kent Sr 10 Sep 1899 - 15 Mar 1985 GOODWIN, George Porter - 24 Aug 1872 - 03 Jul 1904 WOW GOODWIN, Kent 'Doddie 29 Dec 1928 - 08 Nov 1973 GOODWIN, Ouida Bell 02 Oct 1903 - 02 Jan 1948 GOODWIN, Porter W 15 Feb 1925 - 19 Mar 1986 GOODWIN, Wanda Taylor 07 Sep 1930 - 14 May 1999 GOODWIN, Willie 12 Jul 1892 - 02 Apr 1977 Though I do NOT see it marked expresslyon this map, if you follow the directions given in the USGENWEB Post -- "From Hamburg AR take Hwy 8 east to Parkdale, Turn South on 165, then Hwy 52 east towards Wilmot. Turn right on County Road 39, just passed bridge # 3.37, then turn left on 1st gravel road to left. Cemetery will be on the right, in between cotton fields." -- it should take you near here: http://terraserver-usa.com/image.aspx?T=2&S=12&Z=15&X=799&Y=4569&W=3

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/kgDBAEB/759.1.1.1.1 Message Board Post: Thanks for the information. Is it possible that I could go to the Ashley County Court House and get further info????

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Roper, Roaper Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/kgDBAEB/759.1.1.2 Message Board Post: The 1910 Census record of John W. ROPER was a bit challenging to locate. John's name is shown as "ROAPER" in the record and in the index. But the record gives us some additional valuable genealogical information, as it becomes clear that Mary P. ROPER was NOT John W. ROPER's first wife: United States Census -- 1910 Mill Creek Township, Ashley County, AR (Enumeration District 12), Page hand numbered "6541" 18 Apr 1910 Line 30, Dwelling 24, Famliy 24, ROAPER, John W., Head, Male, White, Age 45?, Married (2nd Marriage), Married 6 Yrs, Born AR, Father Born MS, Mother Born MS, Public Work, Log Camp Line 31, Dwelling 24, Famliy 24, ROAPER, Mary P., Wife, Female, White, Age 35?, Married (1st Marriage), Married 6 Yrs, 2 Children, 2 Children Living, Born AR, Father Born MS, Mother Born MS, None Line 32, Dwelling 24, Famliy 24, ROAPER, Bell, Daughter, Female, White, Age 9, Single, Born AR, Father Born AR, Mother Born MS Line 33, Dwelling 24, Famliy 24, ROAPER, John W., Son, Male, White, Age 3, Single, Born AR, Father Born AR, Mother Born MS Line 34, Dwelling 24, Famliy 24, ROAPER, Mary, Daughter, Female, White, Age 2, Single, Born AR, Father Born AR, Mother Born MS [Image 4 of 41 at the Ancestry.com presentation of the 1910 Census data for this jurisdiction.] * You will note that the record clearly indicates both that John W. ROPER was previously married AND that John W. ROPER and Mary P. ROPER seem to have been married for about 6 years married abt 1904]. The Census records for the children are a bit inconsistent with respect to the place of birth of the parents. It seems most likely that John W. ROPER, age 3, and Mary ROPER, age 2, are children of John W. and Mary P. ROPER, and that Belle is a child of the previous marriage. But John W. Jr and Mary are also shown to have a mother born in MS, while Mary P. ROPER's 1910 Census record says that she was born in AR. But bear in mind that Mary's 1920 and 1930 Census record shows her to have been born in MS, so it appears that the ascription in 1910 that she was born in AR was in error. Hopefully, we will be able to find the identity of John W. ROPER's first wife in the 1900 Census record. You will probably want to check the Ashley County, AR, records for a marriage record showing John W. ROPER's marriage to Mary about 1904.

Hi Folks, Greetings from Toronto, Canada. Joseph Fowler ROPER (1844 - 1906) was born in Delcombe Farm, Milton Abbas, Dorset, England. He was a son of Joel ROPER and of Mary Gapper Fowler. In 1867 he married Sarah MAYO (1847 - 1919) in Warmwell, Dorset. Sarah was a daughter of William MAYO and Rebecca STONE, farmers in Poxwell Manor, Dorset. Joseph Fowler and Sarah farmed in Woodcutts, Dorset; in Tollard Royal, Wilts; in Piddlehinton, Dorset; and in Knighton Farm, Broadchalke, Wilts; Joseph and Sarah were both buried in the churchyard of Netherhampton, Wilts; they had issue: 1. Mary ROPER (1868 - >1901), born in Woodcutts, Dorset; Mary married Horace Leonard SYMES in 1897, they lived in Swyre, Dorset, and had issue; 2. John ROPER (1869 - 1916), born in Woodcutts, Dorset; John married Mabel Dorothy LAWRENCE in 1906 and they farmed in Middle Chase Farm, Bowerchalke, Wilts, where they had issue; 3. Minnie ROPER (1871 - >1905), born in Tollard Royal, Wilts; Minnie married Charles Montague BROWN in 1905 and they had issue; 4. Charles ROPER (1872 - 1926), born in Tollard Royal, Wilts; he married Florence WARD in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, in 1907; they lived in Alberta and in Wiltshire and had no issue; 5. Kate ROPER (1878 - 1956), born in Piddlehinton, Dorset; she died unmarried and was buried in Broadchalke, Wilts; 6. Joseph ROPER (1880 - 1917), born in Piddlehinton, Dorset; Joseph was killed in action, in World War I; he has a memorial in Netherhampton, Wilts, churchyard; 7. Frank ROPER (1881 - 1937), born in Piddlehinton, Dorset; Frank farmed in Stoke Farm, Broadchalke; he married Phyllis MUSSELWHITE and they had issue; 8. Robert ROPER (1891 - >1954), born in Broadchalke, Wilts; in 1922, he married Elsie Blanche PENTON; they farmed at Wilton, Wilts; they had no issue. I have oodles of ancestral and lateral family tree information on both the ROPER and the MAYO families. I would like to contact any relation or researcher of this family and to exchange family tree research notes. Best wishes. Peter.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Roper, Goodwyn, Goodwin Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/kgDBAEB/761.1.1.1.1.1 Message Board Post: When we speak of whether we come from the SAME ROPER line, the question is somewhat relative. Dr. L. David ROPER's ROPER DNA study has already demonstrated that MOST of the ROPERs in the Southern United States who can trace their lineage to a Colonial era ROPER ancestor ARE in fact genetically from the SAME ROPER family and that these ROPER families are also of the SAME ROPER family which settled in the early Colonial period in Massachusetts. More recently, it has been demonstrated that this "Majority USA ROPER Family" (MUR) is genetically the SAME ROPER famliy as an ancient ROPER family in Norfolk/Suffolk, England. I have shown in earlier Posts on the ROPER Message Boards that the earliest identifiable ROPER in America, Thomas ROPER, who died at Jamestown without issue is from a London ROPER family with Lancashire antecedents. And there is similarly now substantial evidence that the earliest ROPER in Colonial Virginia, Captain William ROPER, was from the armigerous ROPER family of Kent County, England. I believe that Captain WIlliam ROPER was probably the second son of Christopher ROPER, 2nd Baron Teynham. The connection between Captain William ROPER and subsequent ROPERs found in Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina, is still far more speculative. But circumstantial evidence exists linking my line of ROPERs in Charles City County, with William ROPER, of Anne Arundel, MD, and with Captain William ROPER. The ROPER Plantation on the Chickahominy was clearly already occupied by 1704, as John ROPER is shown in the Quit Rent Rolls that year. The Plantation was Patented in 1714. The Plantation came down my branch of the family and was devised by Will by David ROPER to his sons in 1808. I believe that MANY of the ROPERs in the South are descended from Charles ROPER (b abt 1720) and Anne GOODWYN. There is some evidence that this Charles ROPER came to America from England. But since Charles ROPER's desendents closely MATCH MY DNA tests and the DNA tests of ROPERs in Norfolk/Suffolk, it is apparent that his appearance in America represented another more recent migration from the SAME ROPER family. So while it seems unlikely that your ROPERs are from my own line (unless they are descended from a son of David ROPER OTHER THAN Rev. David ROPER, we are still propbably researching different branches of the SAME ROPER family. Incidentally, if you are in touch with ANY of the male ROPER-surnamed descendents of John H. ROPER, you might want to encourage them to participate in Dave's study. Take a look at the ongoing results and findings at: http://www.roperld.com/RoperGenetics.htm

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Roper, Goodwin Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/kgDBAEB/759.1.1.1 Message Board Post: Amy: With the additional information you furnished, we can readily see that Sarah Belle Roper GOODWIN is the individual shown inthe Social Security Death Index ("SSDI") as "Belle GOODWIN" with SSN 431-82-1777. The SSDI shows that this SSN was issued in Arkansas and gives her date of birth as 06 Apr 1901 and date of death of 16 Apr 1991, as you indicated in your most recent Post. THe SSDI also shows Belle GOODWIN's last residence as Eudora, Chicot County, AR, with Zip Code 71640. Bear in mind that you may order a copy of Belle GOODWIN's Form SS-5 from the Social Security Admiistration, which will give the NAMES of her parents as SHE furnished them at the time of her original application for a Social Security Number. There are a number of online resources to assist you in making such a request. I do NOT find a corresponding SSDI record for Willie GOODWIN, though the reord for a William GOODWIN (b16 Sep 1892, d May 1977 - Mobile, AL), with SSN 419-03-3540, is very close in some of the genealogical details. The SSDI is NOT complete for deaths in the 1970s, so the omission is unsurprising. (When the electronic SSDI was first compiled the emphasis was on making records of persons who died while collecting benefits, and Social Security coverage was FAR from universal in the early days.) In 1930, Willie and Belle GOODWIN were enumerated in Wilmot Township, Ashley County, Arkansas. Her brother John and Mother are shown heading households enumerated in the immediately ADJACENT Census records: United States Census -- 1930 Wilmot Township Ashley County, AR (Enumeration District 1-26), Sheet No. 13B 23 Apr 1930 Line 60, Dwelling 215, Family 241, GOODWIN, Willie, Head, Male, White, Age 38, Married at Age 25, Born AR, Father Born AR, Mother Born AR, Farmer, General Farming Line 61, Dwelling 215, Family 241, GOODWIN, Belle, Wife, Female, White, Age 24, Married at Age 16, Born AR, Father Born MS, Mother Born MS Line 62, Dwelling 215, Family 241, GOODWIN, Noble, Son, Male, White, Age 12, Single, Born AR, Father Born AR, Mother Born AR Line 63, Dwelling 215, Family 241, GOODWIN, Linnie S., Daughter, Female, White, Age 7?, Single, Born AR, Father Born AR, Mother Born AR Line 64, Dwelling 215, Family 241, GOODWIN, Porter W., Son, Male, White, Age 6?, Single, Born AR, Father Born AR, Mother Born AR Line 65, Dwelling 215, Family 241, GOODWIN, Vera, Son, Daughter, White, Age 3, Single, Born AR, Father Born AR, Mother Born AR * Line 66, Dwelling 216, Family 242, ROPER, John, Head, Male, White, Age 23, Married at Age 16, Born AR, Father Born AR, Mother Born MS, Farmer, General Farming Line 67, Dwelling 216, Family 242, ROPER, Cara, Wife, Female, White, Age 20, Married at Age 14, Born LA, Father Born LA, Mother Born LA Line 68, Dwelling 216, Family 242, ROPER, William, Son, Male, White, Age 6, Single, Born AR, Father Born AR, Mother Born LA Line 69, Dwelling 216, Family 242, ROPER, Felton, Son, Male, White, Age 1, Born AR, Father Born AR, Mother Born LA * Line 70, Dwelling 216, Family 242, ROPER, Mary F.?, Head, Female, White, Age 52, Widow, Married at Age 24 [abt 1902], Born MS, Father Born MS, Mother Born MS, Farmer, General Farming Line 71, Dwelling 216, Family 242, ROPER, Modie, Son, Male, White, Age 17, Single, Born AR, Father Born MS, Mother Born MS, Farmer Line 72, Dwelling 216, Family 242, ROPER, Jewel, Daughter, Female, White, Age 13?, Single, Born AR, Father Born MS, Mother Born MS Line 73, Dwelling 216, Family 242, ROPER, Mike, Son, Male, White, Age 11, Single, Born AR, Father Born MS, Mother Born MS [Image 26 of 37 at the Ancestry.com presentation of the 1930 Census data for this jurisdiction.] * You will note that the three children shown in Mary's household are shown to have been born in ARKANSAS to parents BOTH BORN IN MISSISSIPPI. John ROPER, age 23, enumerated in an adjacent record seems to THINK that his father was born in ARKANSAS, but Belle GOODWIN, age 24, believes that BOTH her parents were born in MISSISSIPPI. Also, you will note that the 1930 Census record represents that Mary ROPER, age 52, first married at age 24, about 28 years earlier (abt 1902). If you do not have access to this Census record, please let me know and I will e-mail you a copy! * * * Checking the 1920 Census, we find the household of John W. ROPER, residing in Wilmot Township, Ashley County, AR: United States Census -- 1920 Wilmot Township, Ashley County, AR 12 Feb 1920 Line 45, Dwelling 679, Family 695, ROPER, John W., Head, Male, White, Age 55, Married, Born AR, Father Born AR, Mother Born LA, Farmer, General Farming Line 46, Dwelling 679, Family 695, ROPER, Mary I. F. or T., Wife, Female, White, Age 44, Married, Born MS, Father Born AR, Mother Born MS Line 47, Dwelling 679, Family 695, ROPER, John W. Jr., Son, Male, White, Age 13, Single, Born AR, Father Born AR, Mother Born MS Line 48, Dwelling 679, Family 695, ROPER, Mary, Daughter, Female, White, Age 11, Single, Born AR, Father Born AR, Mother Born MS Line 49, Dwelling 679, Family 695, ROPER, James M. or H., Son, Male, White, Age 9, Single, Born AR, Father Born AR, Mother Born MS Line 50, Dwelling 679, Family 695, ROPER, Mode F., Son, Male, White, Age 6, Single, Born AR, Father Born AR, Mother Born MS * [next page] Line 1, Dwelling 679, Family 695, ROPER, Allie J., Daughter, Female, White, Age 3 2/12, Single, Born AR, Father Born AR, Mother Born MS Line 2, Dwelling 679, Family 695, ROPER, Mike G., Son, Male, White, Age 1 1/12, Single, Born AR, Father Born AR, Mother Born MS [Images 64, 65 of 67 at the Ancestry.com presentation of 1920 Census data for this jurisdiction.] * * * Mode ROPER would appear to be Modie Franklin ROPER (b 12 Oct 1912 - AR, d 09 Sep 1966 - Wilmot, Ashley County, AR) according to the ROPER family history files of Dr. L. David ROPER. I am going to go out on a limb here and SPECULATE that this is probably the Mike G. ROPER shown in the SSDI with SSN 500-14-0058 with DOB 08 Sep 1918 and DOD 14 Oct 1997 - Mobile, AL. Bear in mind that this is a SPECUALTIVE ascription, but seems to well conform based upon dates and geography. (The 1920 Census record also DOES appear to me to say Mike "G.", but the "G" is a little ambiguous! To this I would add that the appearance of Mike G. ROPER in Mobile might cause us to re-evaluate whether the William GOODWIN who is shown in the SSDI to have died with last residence in Mobile might have been your Willie GOODWIN. * * * This has pushed the lineage back one generation and given you some fairly robust data to gain new traction in your investigation. I will take another look at the data after lunch.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/kgDBAEB/761.1.1.1.1 Message Board Post: You are awesome!!!! I never expected to get so much info on my Ropers. I am sorry we are not researching the same Roper family. Thank you for your clues to further my search. Since i live in Virginia, I would be more than willing to look up anything you need for your research. I am close to NARA and also to the Virginia Room of the Fairfax Library which has an rather extensive genealogy collection. The next time I go home to visit Mansfield I wil visit Eliza ropers grave and get a picture of her tombstone. Again, Thanks a million and let me know if I can be of any help to you.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/kgDBAEB/759.1.1 Message Board Post: Belle Rope Goodwin was born April 6,1901. She sies April 16,1991. Her husband Willie Goodwin was born July 12, 1892, he died April 2,1977

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Roper, Raper, Rogers, Rodgers, Rope, Rape Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/kgDBAEB/760.1 Message Board Post: Jonathan: I am completely unfamiliar with the Berry ROPER, of Bibb County, Georgia, whom you cite in your Post. And I am also unfamliiar with the record you seem to cite. I find NO ROPERs in the 1850 Census enumerated in Bibb County, Georgia. I DO find the following RAPER families indexed at ancestry under "RAPE": United States Census -- 1850 520th Militia District, Bibb County, Georgia 26 Sep 1850 Line 1, Dwelling 91, Family 95, Milton RAPER, Age 35, Male, Laborer, Born NC Line 2, Dwelling 91, Family 95, Adeline RAPER, Age 33, Female, Born SC Line 3, Dwelling 91, Family 95, Martin RAPER, Age 8, Male, Born GA Line 4, Dwelling 91, Family 95, Mahala RAPER, Age 2, Female, Born GA Line 5, Dwelling 91, Family 95, Peter RAPER, Age 2/12, Male, Born GA Line 6, Dwelling 91, Family 95, Peter J RAPER, Age 20, Male, Born GA [Image 13 of 23 at the Ancestry.com presentation of 1850 Census data for this jurisdiction.] * United States Census -- 1850 520th Militia District, Bibb County, Georgia ?? Sep 1850 Line 25, Dwelling 67, Family 71, John RAPE, Age 32, Male, Farmer, Born NC Line 26, Dwelling 67, Family 71, Charity RAPE, Age 24, Female, Born GA Line 27, Dwelling 67, Family 71, Franklin RAPE, Age 3, Male, Born GA Line 28, Dwelling 67, Family 71, Mary RAPE, Age 1 Female, Born GA [Image 9 of 23 at the Ancestry.com presentation of 1850 Census data for this jurisdiction.] * * * Though ROPER and RAPER receords are sometimes confused due to poor penmanship, it has been demonstrated that there were at least two genetically distinct RAPER families in Colonial Corth Carolina. * * * Nor is there any great trace of ROPERs in Bibb County revealed in the 1860 Census enumeration. That year, there is a Sarah ROPETER, age 80, enumerated in Macon, County, who seems to be the head of a household which includes several unrelated persons. [Image 130 of 136 at Ancestry.com] There is a Mary E. ROPE, who appears most likely to be the dhild shown at age 1 as Mary RAPE in household of John RAPE in 1850. IN 1860, she was residing in Rutland, Bibb County, Georgia, in the household of Middleton McDonald, a Primitive Baptive Minister who was residing adjacent to the RAPE family in 1850 [Image 19 of 26]. In 1860, the Milton RAPE/RAPER household persists and there are several other RAPEs who appear, including a Taylor RAPE, age 13, residing in the household of William R. BUSBY, age 30, and Jackson RAPE, age 28, residing within the household of Elizabeth BUSBY, age 70, but no other ROPERs. * * * The Census record which would APPEAR to be most relevant to your inquiry is the 1850 Census record of a Berry ROGERS: United States Census -- 1850 Macon, Bibb County, Georgia 12 Aug 1850 Line 22, Family 24, Berry ROGERS, age 50, Male, Planter, RE $10,000, Born GA Line 23, Family 24, Mrs. J. ROGERS, age 47, Female, Born SC Line 24, Family 24, Wm S. C. ROGERS, age 14, Male, Born GA * * * THis same individual seems to be enumerated in 1860 as Berry RODGERS: United States Census -- 1860 Macon, Bibb County, Georgia 07 Jul 1860 Line 36, Dwelling 621, Family 644, Berry RODGERS, Age 60, Male, Farmer, RE $30,000, Pers Estate $40,000, Born SC Line 37, Dwelling 621, Family 644, Jane H. RODGERS, Age 58, Female, Born GA Line 38, Dwelling 621, Family 644, William RODGERS, Age 23, Male, Born GA [Image 84 of 136 at the Ancestry.com presentation of the 1860 Census data for this jurisdiction.] * * * * * I am INCLINED to believe based upon Mr. Berry RODGER'S' wealth and fortune that it is most likely that his name is at least close to properly spelled as ROGERS/RODGERS. Can you share with us the basis for your belief that there was ever a Berry ROPER in Bibb County and more particularly identify children, siblings or parents of this Berry ROPER?? Absent discovery of some confirming record actually showing a Berry ROPER in Bibb County, I am most inclined to believe that a grant, deed or other purchase of Mississippi land might have misidentified Berry ROGERS/RODGERs as Berry ROPER.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Roper, Stanley Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/kgDBAEB/761.1.1.1 Message Board Post: Julia: My congratulations on a very thorough investigation to date!! No, this is NOT my ROPER line and I have no speciifc information about about these ROPERs readily available. I am descended from a David ROPER (b 1744, d 1808), of Charles City County, Virginia. The old ROPER Plantation on the Chickahominy in Charles City County, first Patented in 1714, came down my line through Rev. David ROPER, of Richmond, Virginia, though he sold his interest in that plantation to his brother when he settled in Richmond. I am descended from Rev. David ROPER through his son Benjamen Eliscus ROPER, who migrated from Virginia, briefly through Hinds County, MS, to Harris County Texas about 1848. But I certainly AM willing to help to the extent that I am able. I have quite a few notes on various ROPER families and am also knowledgable and skilled at using various available online resources. * I want to begin by REVIEWING some of the information you have Posted. I like to get a firm grounding in the facts before trying to leverage those facts in further investigations. You mention the 1850 Census record and assert that it shows John H. ROPER residing with a wife you identify as E. May A. ROPER. I read that name DIFFERENTLY. Thename I believe appears in teh 1850 Census image is Cintha A. ROPER. Here is what I perceive the Census record to actually sayL United States Census -- 1850 DeSoto Parish, LA (Page 382, following the page imprinted "191") 10 Oct 1850 Line 25, Dwelling 459, Family 445, John H. ROPER, Age 36, Male, ?? Right, Born TN Line 26, Dwelling 459, Family 445, Cintha A. ROPER, Age 26, Female, Born TN Line 27, Dwelling 459, Family 445, Martha P. ROPER, Age 12, Female, Born MS Line 28, Dwelling 459, Family 445, Eliza A. ROPER, Age 10, Female, Born MS Line 29, Dwelling 459, Family 445, Leonora ROPER, Age 4, Female, Born MS [Image 20 of 43 at the Ancestry.com presentation of the 1850 Census data for this jurisdiction.] * This may be a very minor point, but as you are looking for a marriage record or other records, I think you should be looking for a "Cintha"! Check the underlying image or if you do NOT have ready access to these images let me know and I will e-mail that Census page to you. * * * I AGREE with you that the place of bith of the children suggests that the place to find John ROPER in the 1840 Census is in Mississippi. And the Census record you identified in Madison County, MS, rather precisely matches the age and gender distributions we find in the 1850 Census record, EXCEPT that the female in the household is then shown to be age 20 to 30 and we find Cintha A. ROPER to be age 26 in 1850. I would call your attention to the fact that the eldest child Martha P. ROPER would seem to have been born when Cintha was only about age 14, which is a little on the early side even in those times in the South. I would call your attention to the six year age gap between Elizabeth and Leonora and suggest to you that it is more likely that Cintha is the SECOND wife and that the first wife died in Childbirth after 1840. Cintha more than likely married John H. ROPER in Mississippi about 1845. * John H. ROPER owned no slaves in 1840 and the Census record says one member of his household engaged in "Agriculture" and another engaged in "Commerce". It seems that John ROPER and his young wife both worked. * * * It is perhaps noteworthy that there are only FIVE (5) ROPER households enumerated in Mississippi in 1840, including that of "Jno. H. ROPER". Two other ROPER households were in Attala County, MS. One of these was headed by Charles B. ROPER, who died that same year. Daniel C. ROPER is shown in Attala records to have administered his estate on 04 Aug 1840. My ROPER ancestor arrived in Hinds County a couple of years later, but was already in Texas by the date of the 1850 Census. It appears that John H. ROPER was following the migration along what was known as the "Natchez Trace". * I think that it is quite LIKELY that the land record you see which says John W. ROPER may very well be John H. ROPER. Sometimes in older handwriting an H. can look like a "W". In fact, for some years I had difficulty locating either my great grandfather's or my great-grandmother's death certificates in Texas because they are indexed as "George W. ROPER" and "Mrs. George W. ROPER", though my great grandfather's name was George Henry ROPER! When I finally received the death certificates, I could see how this mistranscription had happened. I would encourage you to obtian the land grant cited. I think that you are likely to find that it really says "John H. ROPER". * Similarly, I would encourage you to take a look at the DeSoto DEED records. * However, there is also an argument AGAINST this land transaction applying to John H. ROPER. That is the fact that NO REAL ESTATE is shown to be owned by J.H. ROPER in his 1860 Census record. * * * As you point out John H. ROPER is enumerated in Mansfield, De Soto Parish, LA, in 1860. His Census record is at Line 14 on the page numbered "897". This is image "57" of "99" at the Ancestry.com presentation of the Census data for this jurisdiction. I am inferring that Mary L., age 14, is Mary Leonora ROPER. I read her age as "14" rather than "16", but would agree that the handwriting is a little ambiguous. Since Cintha ROPER is NOT shown in the 1860 Census record, I am a little uneasy with the assertion that an Eliza A. May Roper lived to 13 DEC 1890. If this is actually the case, I would be inclined to suspect that this was John H. ROPER' THIRD wife. * One record that might deserve some further scrutiny is the 1880 Census record of a Mrs. M. E. ROPER, age 64, born LA, residing with daughter Kate, age 16, in Natchitoches Parish, LA. She is shown to be widowed. The AGE is NOT prcisely correct, nor is the birthplace, but this may simply reflect the fact that someone else (such as the daughter) may have answered the questions for the Census enumerator. There are really NOT very many ROPERs over age 55 residing in LA in 1880. * I have a very SPECULATIVE possibility for Mary Leonora ROPER in the 1870 Census. There is a Mary MATHUS, age 23, born MISSISSIPPI, enumerated with her husband, John MATHUS, age 26, and children, Cintha, age 6, and Charlie, 7/12. John MATHUS was a grocer. There are only thirteen white (13) Marys residing in De Soto Parish in 1870 who were born in Mississippi. Only four of these are about the right age, of which only ONE resides d in Mansfield. This one HAPPENED to have a daughter named Cintha, which I would say is one heck of a coincidence if she is NOT Mary Leonore ROPER. This is something that you can probably invesitgate further. There is als a Kate ROPER, age 16, on this same Census page who seems to be attending a boarding school run by Charles and Lizzie STEWART. [See Image 10 of 21 for Mansfield, De Soto Parish, LA.]

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Roper, Foster Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/kgDBAEB/764.1 Message Board Post: Mr. Ludlow: Please bear in mind that DATES are enormously IMPORTANT in an investigation such as the one you are undertaking. It is imperative that you ground the specifics as to identity with a few specifics with respect to TIME. Even if you are unable to furnish precise dates regarding Elmer ROPER/FOSTER, it is important that you DO furnish the dates that you DO readily know or can estimate based upon the subsequent generations. For example, you assert that Mark FOSTER was your grandfather. Is he still living?? If NOT, when and where did he die? WHat was his precise or approximate date of birth. The SEQUENCE and approximate ages of Mark FOSTER's brothers and sister could also be very helpful in finding his household in one or more Census enumerations. PLACES are also very important. You mention that Elmer ROPER/FOSTER was from the AR/LA area. But you neglect to mention the PLACE of birthof your grandfather Mark FOSTER or his brothers and sisters. This tells us WHERE we should be searching for information! The more specifics you are able to furnish, the easier it will be to help you! By answering several of the questions posed above, we may be able to quickly locate records which are helpful to you in determining just how your Elmer ROPER fits into the ROPER family. If you review several of my other recent Posts, I believe that you will find that I have often been of some assistance where more specific information is available.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/kgDBAEB/737.2 Message Board Post: Does any of your history show an Elmer Roper that was born sometime between 1800 and 1900. He would have married a Lucy Shipley. He was taken in by a family named Foster, when he was young, his brother was sent to another family his name is unknown to me. He took the foster name after being taken in, therfore all of my history stops at him, with Foster because I know nothing of the Roper history. I know his parents were killed in a wagon accident, that is why he was taken in by others. He is my great grand Father and I would love to be aboe to follow my roots back can you Help Me Please! Heather

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/kgDBAEB/764 Message Board Post: I am looking for and Elmer Roper that was later know as Elmer Foster, from around the Ark. Louisiana area. He had a brother that was sent to another family in Tallulah and he kept the Roper name. Elmer married a Lucy Shipley. They had many sons and daughters Mark Foster, David Foster, Dollie Foster, Mildred Foster, Dean Foster, Francis Foster. Mark Foster was my grandfather, Elmer Roper/ Foster my gr grandfather, any info would be much appreciated. We know next to nothing past Mark Foster.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Roper, Graham Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/kgDBAEB/763.1 Message Board Post: I am unfamiliar with the basis for the ascription of Mary V. GRAHAM as a daughter of James Mc and Jane P. GRAHAM. I am inclined to place the father as John McB GRAHAM, as the grandson Caswell G. ROPER is found in his grandfather's household in the 1900 Census enumeration: United States Census -- 1900 Ridge, Williamsburg County, SC (Enumeration District 117), Sheet 9B 15 Jun 1900 Line 87, Dwelling 147, Family 149, GRAHAM, Jas, Head, Black, Male, born Mar 1840, Age 60, Married 35 Years, Born SC, Father Born SC, Mother Born SC, Farmer Line 88, Dwelling 147, Family 149, GRAHAM, Rachel, Wife, Black, Female, born Jun 1850, Age 50, Married 35 Years, 11 Children, 8 Children Living, Born SC, Father Born SC, Mother Born SC Line 89, Dwelling 147, Family 149, GRAHAM, John McB, Head, White, Male, born Dec 1840, Age 59, Married 39 Years, Born SC, Father Born SC, Mother Born SC, Farmer Line 90, Dwelling 147, Family 149, GRAHAM, Ella J., Daughter, White, Female, born Dec 1873, Age 26, Single, Born SC, Father Born SC, Mother Born SC Line 91, Dwelling 147, Family 149, GRAHAM, Sam McB, Son, White, Male, born Mar 1876, Age 23, Single, Born SC, Father Born SC, Mother Born SC Line 92, Dwelling 147, Family 149, ROPER, Caswell G., Gr Son, White, Male, born Oct 1889, Age 10, Single, Born SC, Father Born SC, Mother Born SC [Image 18 of 28 within the Ancestry.com presentation of 1900 Census data for this jurisdiction.] * * * I am inclined from this record to ascribe the grandfather as John McB. GRAHAM as is indicated in the Census data. James GRAHAM appears to be a black GRAHAM (probably a freed slave) living next door. * * * John McB. GRAHAM, age 39, is enumerated in Ridge, Williamsburg County, SC, with wife Jane P., age 39, in 1880. Mary V. GRAHAM, age 13, is the eldest child then residing in the household. * * * In the 1880 Census, there is a William ROPER, age 22, who is enumerated at Paris Mountain, Greenville County, SC, along with his brother Timothy, age 20. It is unclear to me whether this is the father, William ROPER. * * * In the 1880 Census, there is a William ROPER, age 22, who is enumerated at Paris Mountain, Greenville County, SC, along with his brother Timothy, age 20. It is unclear to me whether this is the father, William ROPER. * * * Dr. Dave ROPER's ROPER Family History files show an a William B. ROPER (b abt 1859 - SC) who married a Mary V. GRAHAM (b 04 Jan 1867 - WIlliamsburg, SC, d 21 Oct 1891). He shows a son named Caswell Graham ROPER. This would seem to AGREE with the Census data shown above for the household of John McB. GRAHAM in 1880 and 1900. I believe that he e-mailed you this data directly. His files also ascribe William B. ROPER's father as John Caswell ROPER (b 14 Nov 1829 - North Clio, Marlboro, SC, m 10 Jan 1850, d 15 Aug 1872). This seems to be very consistent with the information of John Caswell ROPER's 1870 Census record: United States Census -- 1870 Red Bluff Township, Marlboro, SC 30 Aug 1870 Line 8, Dwelling 13, Family 13, ROPER, Caswell, Age 43, Male, White, Farmer, RE $750, Pers Estate $400, Born SC Line 9, Dwelling 13, Family 13, ROPER, Margaret, Age 38, Female, White, Keeping House, Born SC Line 10, Dwelling 13, Family 13, ROPER, John, Age 20, Male, White, Farm Laborer, Born SC Line 11, Dwelling 13, Family 13, ROPER, Laurance, Age 13, Male, White, Farm Laborer, Born SC Line 12, Dwelling 13, Family 13, ROPER, William, Age 11, Male, White, Attending School, Born SC Line 13, Dwelling 13, Family 13, ROPER, Benjamin, Age 7, Male, White, At Home, Born SC Line 14, Dwelling 13, Family 13, ROPER, Robert, Age 3, Male, White, At Home, Born SC Line 15, Dwelling 13, Family 13, ROPER, Martha, Age 1, Female, White, At Home, Born SC Line 16, Dwelling 13, Family 13, McLAURIN, Catharine, Age 68, Female, White, Farmer, RE $1,250, Pers Estate $90, Born SC * * * The 1860 Census record gives us a further confirming fix on William ROPER's year of birth: United States Census -- 1860 Bennettsville, Marlboro District, SC (Page Imprinted "187") 10 Aug 1860 Line 7, Dwelling 746, Family 746, Caswel ROPER, Age 33, Male, Farmer, RE $2,750, Pers Estate $3,792, Born SC Line 8, Dwelling 746, Family 746, Margaret ROPER, Age 28, Female, Born SC Line 9, Dwelling 746, Family 746, John J. ROPER, Age 9, Male, Born SC Line 10, Dwelling 746, Family 746, Laurin B. ROPER, Age 3, Male, Born SC Line 11, Dwelling 746, Family 746, William ROPER, Age 1, Male, Born SC Line 12, Dwelling 746, Family 746, Catharine McLAURIN, Age 55, Female, Born SC [Image 91 of 139 at the Ancestry.com presentation of 1860 Census data for this jurisdiction.] I believe that ages are usually particularly RELIABLE for the younger children. I believe that we can reasonably surmise that William was actually born in 1859. * * * Caswell ROPER's 1850 Census record shows Caswell ROPER and young wife Margaret residing in Catharine McLAURIN's home without any of the children: United States Census -- 1850 Marlboro District, SC 02 Aug 1850 Line 6, Dwelling 41, Family 41, Catharine McLAURIN, Age 45, Female, Born SC Line 7, Dwelling 41, Family 41, Caswell ROPER, Age 22, Male, Farmer, RE $1,000, Born SC Line 8, Dwelling 41, Family 41, Margaret ROPER, Age 18, Female, Born SC Line 9, Dwelling 41, Family 41, W. L. Bethea, Age 20, Male, Schoolmaster, Born SC Caswell and Margaret are shown to have been "married within the year". * * * Dr. Dave ROPER's ROPER Family History Files currently show the death of John Caswell ROPER as occuring on 15 Aug 1872. That information appears to be IN ERROR. Note the following Census record from 1880: United States Census -- 1880 Red Bluff Township, Marlboro County, SC (Page Imprinted "488") 01 Jun 1880 Line 13, Dwelling 3, Family 3, ROPER, Caswell, White, Male, Age 57, Farmer, Born SC, Father Born SC, Mother Born SC Line 14, Dwelling 3, Family 3, ROPER, Christian, White, Female, Age 48, Wife, Keeping House, Born SC, Father Born SC, Mother Born SC Line 15, Dwelling 3, Family 3, ROPER, Benjamin F., White, Male, Age 17, Son, Laborer, Born SC, Father Born SC, Mother Born SC Line 16, Dwelling 3, Family 3, ROPER, Robert B., White, Male, Age 12, Son, At School, Born SC, Father Born SC, Mother Born SC Line 17, Dwelling 3, Family 3, ROPER, Martha J., White, Female, Age 10, Daughter, At School, Born SC, Father Born SC, Mother Born SC Line 18, Dwelling 3, Family 3, FAGIN Lucinda, White, Female, Age 29, Aunt, Keeping House, Born SC, Father Born SC, Mother Born SC [Image 1 of 49 for the Ancestry.com presentation of the Census data for this jurisdiction in 1880.] So Caswell ROPER is rather clearly still alive in 1880! * * * It is less clear where William ROPER is that year. THe Census record cited above showing a William ROPER and Timothy ROPER at Paris Mountain, Greenville, SC, seem NOT likely to be the correct record. There is NO TRACE of a brother named TImothy in the household in the other Census years. * But I do NOT find another record which seems to identify this William ROPER in 1880. * * * Of course the 20 year interval between the 1880 Census and the 1900 Census leaves a rather large gap. I think you are going to need to find a Will, Administration, and/or Guardianship record to obtain additional information. ANd you are definitely doing the right thing to be inquiring of the GRAHAM family! * * * Willim's brother Lauren B. ROPER seems to have died in Williamsburg County, SC, at age 61, on 07 Feb 1919. Lauren B. ROPER may be a basis to gain some further traction, too, as he seems to have also settled in Williamsburg County, SC: United States Census -- 1900 Ridge, Williamsburg County, DC 20 Jun 1900 Line 39, Dwelling 199, Family 200, ROPER, Lauren B., Head, White, Male, Born May 1857, Age 43, Married 24 Yrs, Born SC, Father Born SC, Mother Born SC, Farmer Line 40, Dwelling 199, Family 200, ROPER, Pochahontas, Wife, White, Female, Born Nov 1849, Age 50, Married 24 Yrs, 3 Children, 3 Children Living, Born SC, Father Born SC, Mother Born SC Line 41, Dwelling 199, Family 200, ROPER, Mary, Daughter, White, Female, Born Oct 1880, Age 19, Single, Born SC, Father Born SC, Mother Born SC Line 42, Dwelling 199, Family 200, ROPER, Margaret, Daughter, White, Female, Born Nov 1883, Age 16, Single, Born SC, Father Born SC, Mother Born SC Line 43, Dwelling 199, Family 200, ROPER, Martha, Daughter, White, Female, Born Sep 1886, Age 13, Single, Born SC, Father Born SC, Mother Born SC [Image 23 of 28 at the Ancestry.com presentation of Census data for this jurisdiction in 1900.] * * * * * Hope this HELPS!! Please let us know what else you uncover!

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Roper Graham Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/kgDBAEB/763 Message Board Post: I am looking for information on William Roper b abt 1857-1860 SC and Mary V Graham b abt 1867 SC (James MC and Jane P Graham). They may have been married 1874-1877 in SC. Mary died 1891. Daughter also named Mary V born 1891 died 1892. Any information? Were there other children?

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/kgDBAEB/761.1.2 Message Board Post: OOPS! I had a typo. Ida was born in MARCH of 1859.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/kgDBAEB/761.1.1 Message Board Post: My husband and I are from DeSoto Parish in Louisiana. In the process of researching his Stanley family I came across Eliza Ann Roper. This is the info I have on her: Eliza Ann Roper was born about 1839 in Mississippi to John H. Roper and Eliza A.May Roper. Eliza married Stanford Stanley in DeSoto Parish 28 JAN 1856. Stanford was born abt. 1834 in Alabama. They had a daughter Ida Stanley born 4 PAR 1859 in Louisiana; died 23 JUL 1935 in Stanley, DeSoto, LA. Ida is buried in the Mt. Olivet Cemetery in DeSoto Parish, LA. In the 1840 Census Madison County MS John H. Roper was listed with: 1 male 20-30, 2 females under 5, 1 female bet. 20-30. In the 1841 & 1845 Censuses of Madison County MS: Eliza A.May Roper was still in Madison County, MS. In the 1850 cenus of Desoto Parish, LA they are listed as: John H. Roper 36 b. TN E.May A. 26 b. TN Martha 12 b. MS Eliza A. 10 b. MS Lenora 4 b. MS In the 1860 census Desoto Parish LA: John H. Roper 45 Farmer b. TN Mary L 16 b. MS The info I have on Eliza A.May Roper says she was born 5 DEC 1823 TN;died 13 DEC 1890 in Grand Cane, LA and that she is buried in the Old Mansfield Cemetery in Mansfield, LA. This is an old cemetery that dates back to before the Civil War. the newer one is called the Highland Cemetery. She must have been living with her daughter in Grand Cane. at the time of her death. In the Confederate Pension Applications Index Database I found : Reel: CP1-Microdex 1-Sequence 26 Applicant Inofrmation: Stanley, Eliza Ann (Roper) Parish: DeSoto-Pages 2 Soldier Information & variations: Stanley, Stanford Unit: Cobb's Light Horse Regiment Company: Denson's Co. State: LA Branch: Calvary Unit: 6th Regiment Company: CO A Also in the 1860 Census of DeSoto Parish LA they are living in Mansfield (which is my hometown) Stanford Stanley 26 b. AL Eliza Ann 20 b. MS Augustus 8 b. LA Ida 2 b. LA (my husband's Great Grandmother) Alice 8 mo. b LA Marriage Records 1837-1860 Vol. X No. 3 July 1976 Page 126-139 Stanford Stanley married Eliza ann Roper DeSoto Parish Marriage Transcripts 1837-1860 28 JAN Stanford Stanley m. Eliza Roper-1856-Page LP103 WWI Draft Card Registration for DeSoto Parish lists Eliza Ann Roper Stanley as wife of Stanford Stanley. I found a land grant in Natchitoches, LA which is the parish from which part of DeSoto Parish was taken. It says John W. Roper and I don't know if that is a misprint or another relative. That is all I have found so far. I would love to have a little more of the MS background if you have any to share. How are you related to these Ropers? Do you have any old pictures of them? Thanks for responding to my email so promptly. Julia

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Roper, Goodwin Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/kgDBAEB/759.1 Message Board Post: Amy: Could you please furnish a few additional details that would give us a bit of better traction. Other than the fact that Sarah Belle Roper GOODWIN was your great-grandmother, you have given us VERY LITTLE inidication of the TIME FRAME we are to consider. Bear in mind that we have amongst the ROPER genealogical community family historians ranging in age from teenagers to octogenarians. And time between generations varies widely within branches of the family and intergenerationally. If you are in your teens with very compressed generational time, your great-grandmother might have been born as recently as the 1930s and even MORE recently if we were looking at some matrilinear lines. If you are in your seventies and the generational time was extended in your branch of the family, your great-grandmother might have been born in the 1830s! Tell us what you DO know about these ancestors -- precise or estimated dates of birth; precise, or estimated dates of marriage and precise or estimated dates of death. Also tell us the PLACES you KNOW. I have had a great deal of success helping ROPER genealogists discover a great deal about their roots. Somtimes I can push a line back several generations using online resources and my own notes in a matter of several hours. But I need sufficient SPECIFICS to FOCUS my research and to make economic use of my time!