Please if anyone has any lookups, be sure and email Vera Wimberly at vmeekie@cox-internet.com . She says things have been really slow lately, and it sure makes her feel useful. That is about all she can do lately since her health is failing. For you newbies, Vera is the one that has transcribed most all the Montgomery County books, and seems like is about 146 of them.....So please, let's keep her busy. thanks, Jane Keppler sponsor for Montgomery County www.rootsweb.com/~txmcghs/index.htm

Hi All and Jane, I'd like to thank everyone for their info and offers of help, how grateful I am! Jane, you are a blessing, the Glenda you suggested did indeed marry a Runnels from my particular branch (what are the odds!?) and now I will have access to info on my father's family that I could only dream of before. Thank you, Thank you, Audrey

ALSO: ACREMAN, LOGGINS, CHAISTAIN, Jane Keppler sponsor for Montgomery County TX www.rootsweb.com/~txmcghs/index.htm

Hello All, I'd like to thank everyone who contacted me and contributed to my small database of knowledge concerning my Runnels side. How very grateful I am for the info that was sent to me, and hopefully, I will be able to start to trace my family from what I now have. I am sorry to have so little info to offer, as my father, who was an only child, passed in 1970 and my grandmother, Anna T. Runnels, passed in 1967, I was so young then, I didn't have a chance to ask any questions, all of your help has been terrific, thank you! Audrey

Hi Everyone, I have just recently started to try to research my father's family, as he passed away years ago and left me with almost no info on them. I finally 'found' my family in the 1920 San Augustine, Texas census and when the 1930 census came out, I found them again, this time in Conroe City, Montgomery County, Texas. At this point, the evidence suggests most of my family probably stayed here. My great Grandfather was named James G. Runnels born about 1885 in Texas, he married a woman named Ella, according to the census forms, I have no idea what her maiden name was, she was also born about 1885. I believe they married about 1907 according to the birth of their first child named Prince E. Runnels, mentioned on the 1920 census as born about 1908, but he was not mentioned on the 1930 census. My Grandmother was one of their daughters named Anna T. Runnels, there is evidence she may have married a man named Thomas Andrew Walker and gave birth to my father, an only child, named James Neil Walker, later changed to Cook when my Grandmother married my Grandfather, Kenneth Everett Cook. There were a couple more sons in this family, a Hiram , Willie James and a Nolan G. and several girls, my father mentioned to me once that he remembered an Aunt Bessie. I would love to have an obit on my Great Grandparents, however, their death dates are unknown to me, I know nothing about this family and would love to know so very much, if anyone has any info or knows of any descendants, please contact me, as all of my known family has passed away and I would truly love to know a little more about this side. Thanks to all, Audrey

Gilbert Henry "Chris" Christmas GILBERT HENRY "CHRIS" CHRISTMAS, 92, passed away on Thursday, April 17, 2003. He was born July 21, 1910. He is preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Mary Lee York; his grandson, Chris Mitchel Bruns; his brothers, Louis, Luby, Harold and Woodrow Christmas and his sister Laura Matchett. He is survived by his daughter, Kathryn Bruns of Pearland; grandson Ronald David Bruns, great grandchildren, David Paul and Megan Lewis-Bruns of Houston; brother Ray Christmas of New Caney, numerous nieces and nephews, and a host of friends. Chris was born on a farm in Montgomery County. He moved to Houston as a young man where he worked for Wyatt Metal and Boiler Works during World War II. He owned and operated Christmas Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Service until the mid sixties when he moved to Tennessee to work for KFC in Research and Development. He retired in 1975 to Beaumont, Texas where he resided until his death. Chris lived life to the fullest. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed boating and boat racing. He was a charter member of the Bayshore Boat Club and the Houston Chapter of Refrigeration Service Engineers Society. Chris loved his family and respected his fellow man. He enjoyed meeting and making new friends. He always had a smile and a helping hand for whoever needed it. He was loved by all who knew him and he will be truly missed. Graveside services will be at Woodlawn Garden of Memories in Houston on Monday, April 21, 2003 at 1pm. Visitation will be Saturday at Forest Lawn Funeral Home in Beaumont, from 2pm to 4pm. The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to the staff of Hotel Beaumont for the love and care they have shown to Dad and Mom during these past two years. For those desiring, donations may be made to the Lighthouse of Houston, 3602 West Dallas, Houston, Texas 77006 or Hotel Beaumont, 625 Orleans Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701. Forest Lawn Funeral Home 4955 Pine St. Beaumont, Texas 77703 Published in the Houston Chronicle from 4/19/2003 - 4/21/2003.

Hi, I looked on ancestry.com and didn't find any McFarlands on a census in Montgomery county in that time period, but they didn't have the 1840 Republic of Texas census. >From the 'Texas tax list index 1840-1849': Andrew Jackson McFarland, Fannin County, 1845 Rebecca McFarland, Fannin County, 1843 William McFarland, Harris County, 1849 J.B. McFarland, Nacogdoches County, 1841 >From the 'Texas tax list index 1830-1839': Nancy A. McFarland, Austin County, 1834 and 1838 Thomas S. McFarland, Nacogdoches County, 1838 James McFarland, San Augustine County, 1835 and 1838 Simie McFarland, San Augustine County, 1835 and 1838 Thomas McFarland, San Augustine County, 1835 and 1838 William McFarland, San Augustine County, 1835 and 1838 In the 'Texas land title abstracts' they had 29 McFarlands including this one: District: Montgomery County: Walker Grantee: James P. McFarland Certificate: 3913 Patentee: James P. McFarland Patent Date: 11 Feb 1846 Patent #: 360 Patent Volume: 3 Acres: 320 Class: Mont. Bty. File: 82 Hope this helps.

Jean, I for one will miss you as the editor of the Herald. I know you have spent many hours just on a single edition. May your health improve, Jane Keppler

Happy Easter Everyone, Just wanted you all to know that I've resigned as The Herald editor for the Montgomery County Genealogical & Historical Society. Because of health problems last year and a new business venture this year, I find that I do not have the time necessary to devout to The Herald. Mr. Paul Martin will be the editor in the interim until a new editor is appointed. He can be reached at plmartin55@yahoo.com or via the Society email mcghs@yahoo.com. Jean Huot Smoorenburg jeans@hal-pc.org

Happy Easter Everyone, Just wanted you all to know that I've resigned as The Herald for the Montgomery County Genealogical & Historical Society. Because of health problems last year and a new business venture this year, I find that I do not have the time necessary to devout to The Herald. Mr. Paul Martin will be the editor in the interim until a new editor is appointed. He can be reached at plmartin55@yahoo.com or via the Society email mcghs@yahoo.com. Jean Huot Smoorenburg jeans@hal-pc.org

I got this from another list. > > SB 174 sponsored by Senator Jane Nelson of Flower Mound will impede > genealogical research in TX. You can check out the details and sign a > petition at the following website > > http://www.ethical-business.com/default.asp?ect=detail&pet=551 >

Does anyone have a list for Montgomery County 1840 Census? Would like to know if there are any McFarland's on it.

I'm in the process of doing some updates to the cemetery pages. Since I moved to Austin, I cannot physically do any transcribing of the cemeteries, so I am transcribing from records/books the ones I have permission to transcribe to get online. My goal is to get the unmarked graves finished first, then there are several cemeteries around the Magnolia area that I will be getting online (in my spare time). Hope it will help someone. Jane Keppler www.rootsweb.com/~txmcghs/index.htm Montgomery County TX

Great program, she has done this in Montgomery County before. Jane Keppler <<<<<<<<<<< FOUNDED IN JUNE 1965 THE WALKER COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY P O BOX 1295 HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS 77342 VOLUME Seven #4 2003 REGULAR MEETINGS: Third Saturday of each month except December, June, July, and August at 9:30 A. M. We meet at the Forrest Masonic Lodge #19 at 1030 Twelfth Street unless otherwise announced. MEETING THIS MONTH: Saturday, April 19 at 9:30 "To a Stake in the Prairie: Using Land Records in Genealogy" Presenter: Mrs. Emily Croom WALKER COUNTY PIONEER, WALKER COUNTY FIRST FAMILY, AND FIRST POLISH FAMILY CERTIFICATE APPLICATIONS MAY BE PICKED UP AT THE HUNTSVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE A MEMBER OF OUR SOCIETY, DUES ARE $10 PER INDIVIDUAL AND $15 PER COUPLE. ANNUAL DUES ARE PAYABLE IN MAY. Please send your dues to: Linda Parrish, Treasurer 31 FS Road 214 New Waverly TX 77358 936 295-9570

For those of you who are doing research around the town of Montgomery and Dobbin, there is a column every week in the Montgomery County News www montgomerycountynews.com written by Narcissa Martin Boulware that you can read online. I just went online and you can read all her columns back until Aug, 2000. Just thought this might help someone. Jane Keppler sponsor for Montgomery County

Thanks to Kaye Applewhite Brouse for permission to reprint the Corgey Cemetery that she transcribed in 1986. http://www.rootsweb.com/~txmcghs/corgey.htm Jane Keppler

Does anyone know how to get a hold of Celeste Graves or Kaye Applewhite? I heard Kaye change her name. She is an attorney and may still live around the Magnolia area. Jane Keppler

How do I find information on family members living in Willis, Texas during the time period of 1880-1900? The 1890 census no longer exists. My grgrandparents and family living in Willis from 1880 - 1900. Several children died there. No tombstones seem to be found with their names. How do I find out information on the family? Was there any type of City Directory? Are there school records that might identify the children? Church records that might identify funerals, births, etc?? Does anyone have any advice on how to research this family? John A. Boykin, & wife, Caroline Brown Boykin. Thank you for any help. Stephanie Bertani email: sclbert@aol.com

Announcing a NEW Waller County Genealogical Soceity Wanted: Genealogy enthusiast for a new Waller County Genealogy Soceity. If you are interested in being a part of or would like to have more information on the new society please e-mail me at shaharris@ev1.net or send me your name, address, and telephone number. I look forward to hearing from you.

Jane Thank you for sending along the news about Mrs. Joy Montgomery. I visited with her several years ago when I was in the Huntsville area looking for family roots. She was very gracious, inviting me to her home on the basis of a phone call, and gave me a book she and her husband had written about the Foster family and one her son Robin had written. Her late husband was the grandson of the cousin'/foster brother of my great-grandmother. The data she gave me was a big boost in my genealogy search. She told me where the house is, in the Loma community, where my great-grandmother grew up. It is much changed, but still stands today -- and that was in the 1850s and 60s. Would you please pass along to her son Robin my sympathy, and thanks for his mother's kindness. Thank you love joan rose Broken Arrow, OK For this is the day that the Lord hath made Join me in rejoicing in it, and let us be glad!