Hello, all: Well, I'm back from my trip to West Virginia. And I have a bone to pick with somebody: WHO ORDERED UP ALL THAT RAIN???? It started raining in the wee hours of Saturday morning and didn't let up until early Sunday morning! Now how am I supposed to clean up a cemetery in a downpour? (At least I didn't have to worry about snakes. They had all drowned!) My brother and I, however, are not ones to sit around moping and looking out a window saying "if only". So by early afternoon we said "What the heck...", jumped in the truck, and headed down to Mulberry. We figured we could at least take a look at the Radford Cemetery and get a good idea of what we're up against now that it's the height of summer and everything has come up. When we got to where we needed to ford the creek the first time (there are 2 crossings), we decided to park the truck as the water was rising. We figured to hike through the woods as the cemetery is on the same side (the road crosses the creek once and puts you on the opposite bank, and you cross the creek the second time to get back on the right side). We got lucky and found a pretty good deer trail, although the deer probably don't mind the occasional briar patch as much as we do (my expensive plastic rain poncho from Oak Hill's K-Mart that cost me $3 now has air conditioning). I'm happy to report our instincts were pretty good: we didn't overshoot the cemetery and end up on Laurel Creek. In fact, when we left the deer trail and came down the hillside, we came down pert near right into the cemetery. Fortunately for both my brother and I, we are not allergic to poison ivy. How green is that cemetery, and its all periwinkle and poison ivy. It was just as well anyway, because there wasn't anything we could really do in the rain (my glasses kept fogging up and I think my t-shirt got wetter from wiping my glasses on them than the rain coming through my air-conditioned poncho.) We are going to make another attempt this fall when things have died back a bit: cut the bushes/saplings/briar patch out and do some raking. Then come spring, as much as I don't want or like to use poisons in our environment, I guess we will hit the whole thing with 3-4 gallons of Roundup (if anyone has an alternative option, I'm all ears). I would like to share what my brother found to be most hilarious. We decided to walk down the road and see if we could ford the creek instead of going the woods on the way back. We come to the first return crossing and it is shallow with one somewhat narrow deeper section. My brother says "Geronimo", runs and leaps it. I say "Okey-dokey", run, leap....and land with one foot in up to my calf. Leave it to my brother to be laughing too hard to offer a hand (not that I needed one. It wasn't as deep as we thought and should have taken the truck on up the road.) Of course, the biggest laugh was the look on my aunt and uncle's faces when we showed up on their doorstep after our trek up Mulberry. I don't think they thought we were acting our age (52 and 45, me being the younger.) I'm sure after relating this story, I'll never get anyone else to go up Mulberry and help me in the cemetery. No doubt, like my aunt and uncle, you think my brother and I are probably certifiable. <LOL> Best wishes, June P.S. We also checked in on the McKinney-James Cemetery up Beards Fork. Although the loggers are very near--I will not repeat the expletive my brother uttered when we pulled off where they have torn up part of the old road leading to the cemetery--they seem to be respecting the cemetery's boundaries and leaving a fairly wide berth.

Anyone out there working on this family? This was a second marriage for John W. Dempsey. I may have found his first marriage and would like to discuss this with someone from this Dempsey line. Don't want to go into the ifs and maybes before I know that there is someone on the list who descends from John W. Dempsey. Thank you Cathy

Hello - I am searching for my gg grandparents marriage data. I do not have my gg grandmother's maiden name. Groom: Michael Christopher born Ireland 1826 Bride: Elizabeth Unknown born Va 1833 Marriage: circa 1850 The couple resided in Kanawha County but were not married there. Thanks. Rick Stewart

Hello list, Can someone tell me where a cemetery is on Saturday Road near Leander. I see two Saturday Roads on my map. Any help is appreciated. Lana Self

Hello, all: As you may recall, Sarah Kincaid and I visited this cemetery last November. If the weather remains good, I plan to go to WV this weekend. On Saturday I'm going to make an attempt to revisit this cemetery. If anyone else is interested in accompanying me, please send me an e-mail (as a word of warning: work gloves, a machete and other jungle equipment might be needed. <G> But I hope by next spring to have it cleaned off and to begin regular maintenance of this small family cemetery.) June

I am wanting to ask David Fridley a question. The email address I have keeps coming back. David could you please email me at [email protected] ? Thanks Pat Worlledge

Hi list, I'm writing on behalf of my mother, the former Almeta Boothe of Mt. Hope. She asked me if I could help her track down some information about Mt. Hope. One is about some murders she said that happened there in the late 1930s and 1940s--she doesn't remember names, but has some recollection of the third murder there in the 1940s. Does that jog a memory for anyone? The second is about a ceramics company called Clay Art. It produced ceramic masks, and has apparently gone out of business. She is particularly admiring of their clay masks and wonders what became of them and their work. Thanks for any clues! David

Does anyone know where I can find out who or what might have the burial records for McDonald Cemetery? Would it be the county? and would it be in the register of deeds or where? thanks for any help on this! tanya __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Sign up for SBC Yahoo! Dial - First Month Free http://sbc.yahoo.com

Hi List, Could use some help with the above couple. From the Fayette County site I have that they were married 12 Octoer 1846. If anyone has a marriage book with further information I'd appreciate the lookup. "Maria Foster" is Mariah Foster d/o Peyton Foster and Sarah Sims. I'd like to know the names of Jordan Hudson's parents and his age if listed. I've got more questions but will be happy to get this one answered first. Thank you. Cathy

I am looking for Viola Burr McAvoy, daughter of Minnie and Ezra Burr, born abt 1919, wife/div. to James McAvoy. Had a daughter by the name of Vicky, nicknamed Bylo. Any help would be appreciated! __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! - Official partner of 2002 FIFA World Cup http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com

I'm traveling and will call you when I get home.

In a book prepared by the Fayette-Raleigh Genealogical Society of Fayette County Cemetery Records Vol 1 Pg 125, MacDonald Cemetery, Mt. Hope, there is listed as follows: Haines, Anna M. D 19 Apr 1910 Haines, William H. D 3 Feb 1913 (shared headstone) Hope this helps. In a message dated 6/15/02 8:01:53 PM Pacific Daylight Time, [email protected] writes: > X-Message: #1 > Date: Sat, 15 Jun 2002 07:05:43 -0700 (PDT) > From: Tanya Mai <[email protected]> > To: [email protected] > Message-ID: <[email protected]> > Subject: [WVFAYETT] Haines buried in MacDonald Cemetary > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii > > I was wondering if anyone was going to the courthouse, > if they could look up 2 death certificates for me. The > people I am looking for are W.H. Haines(Haynes) born > in Ohio abt May 1845 and died 2/3/1913 in Fayette > Co.WV and is buried in MacDonald Cemetary in Mt. > Hope., and Anna M. Haines(Haynes) born in GA abt > December 1864 and died 4/19/1910 Fayette Co.WV and > also is buried in MacDonald Cemetary in Mt. Hope. I > have tried sending for the death certificates, but the > clerks seem unable to find them. > > OR does anyone know how I can get cemetary records? or > does anyone have any suggestions on how to go about > finding any records on this couple? PLEASE HELP! > >

Seeking more information on James Berry (age 18) married to Nancy Jane Smith (age 21): 4 May 1877, Fayette Co, WV (Larry G. Shuck, Fayette County, [W]VA Marriages 1832-1853 & 1865-1903, page 19) Wedding information has his father as James Berry, no mother listed. I have found (on familysearch.org)- James Berry born 1860 Fayette Co, WV, son of James Berry and Mrs. Eleander Berry. Also have this information: >From "History of Fayette County, West Virginia, 1993" Fayette County, Chamber of Commerce: pages 286-287 "James and Nancy Jane Smith Berry had four children named: Virginia Frances, Hays, Elizabeth, and Nancy Ann. Son, Hays Berry, was born at Backus, WV and married Ollie May Bennett on May 17, 1897 at Beury Mt. She was born at Sewell, WV on Sept 18, 1880. They had nine children named: John William, Howard Ephriam (J), Elmer, Albert (Bus), Frank, Arnett, Zella Esdrow, Fred O'dell, and Goldia Catherine. Hays was a coal miner and Ollie was a homemaker. They lived at Beury Mt. until the mid 1920's when they moved to Locust Lane (on the old Clifftop road before you get to the cemetey). They moved to Brackens Creek about 1927 where the men of the family worked in the mines. Zella, the only living child of Hays at this time, stated she was attending school at Divide and quit school in the 7th grade to help out at home. Hays and son Howard bought land in Maplewood and moved there in 1930. Hays retired as a coal loader in June 1944 from the Landisburg Coal Co. at Landisburg, WV. He died at his home in Maplewood on May 16, 1952. Ollie died at the Beckley Hospital on Jan. 24, 1956. Both are buried at the "End of the Trail" Cemetery at Clintonville, WV." Any help, leads, clues appreciated! Janet

I was wondering if anyone was going to the courthouse, if they could look up 2 death certificates for me. The people I am looking for are W.H. Haines(Haynes) born in Ohio abt May 1845 and died 2/3/1913 in Fayette Co.WV and is buried in MacDonald Cemetary in Mt. Hope., and Anna M. Haines(Haynes) born in GA abt December 1864 and died 4/19/1910 Fayette Co.WV and also is buried in MacDonald Cemetary in Mt. Hope. I have tried sending for the death certificates, but the clerks seem unable to find them. OR does anyone know how I can get cemetary records? or does anyone have any suggestions on how to go about finding any records on this couple? PLEASE HELP! __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! - Official partner of 2002 FIFA World Cup http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com

Hello: Is there anyone out there searching Saunders and Fairfax? I have hit several brick walls. My line is African American and I am stuck.... I have a David in Montg County WV and Samuel and Preston in McDowell Co WV {SAUNDERS, SANDERS} I have William and W.S. Grant Fairfax in Fayette County. Their siste Erma married a Morgan and moved ot Fayette Co. Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Angela

You may have already received this reply off list, but in the "History of Fayette County West Virginia 1993" by the Fayette Chamber of Commerce there is a list of WWI and WWII soldiers among other things. It is a great book! When I got mine a few months ago, they only had a few left. There are also a few Wilson family submissions in it if you are interested. Janet WWII Servicemen (there is a note that this may not be a complete list) page 267 Wilso, Nathaniel A. Wilson, Aiden E. " Arnold " Audrey J. " Avril O. " Casper " Charles " Clarence T. " Clifford J. " Dewey C. " Don C. " Don L. " Donald R. " Edwin T. " Elmer J. " Ermel J. " Frank M. " Frederick M. " Grover A. " Jr, Harry A. " Harvey F. " Joe L. " III, John A. " John L. " Johnny A. " Kenneth E. " Lawrence A. " Lewis " Lon B. " Louis E. " Marion P. " Marlton R. " Martin E. " Maylon Tracy " McDonald G. " Myron C. " Nathanial A. " O'Dell F. " Raleigh O. " Ralph W. " Raymond W. " Richard W. " Robert O. " Jr, Thos. R. " Walter S. " Wm. C. " Wm. J. " Wm. L. ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, June 08, 2002 6:46 PM Subject: [WVFAYETT] Wilson in WWII > Hi list, > I need some help, but I have very little to go on. > > I had a great uncle Howard Wilson, born 1915 in Fayette Co WVa. He never > married. He was suppose to have been in WWII. I don't know anything else > about him. > > Does anyone know of a list of WWII soldiers for Fayette County I could > access? > > I am trying to document all my war vets from Fayette and Raleigh, I hate to > think they will be forgotten. > > Thanks in advance. > George E. Stover >

Hi Cousins, The way I understand this (not that I am an expert) is people can obtain certain releasable information through the "Freedom of Info Act". There are various sample "Freedom of Info Act" letters out there. If someone was in the military, his file is obtainable including ex-Presidents, musicians, anybody. You would be requesting Military Personnel Records (201 File). Supposedly the most important thing is you have to be able to provide the date of birth but the more you can provide them the better. There are certain things they won't provide you. They have certain rules as to exactly who is next of kin & they mean next of kin. I believe the address is: National Personnel Records Center 9700 Page Boulevard St Louis, MO 63132 Website for info is: http://www.archives.gov/facilities/mo/st_louis/military_personnel_records.ht ml I would contact them for more information. I hope this is helpful. If not contact me, & I will see if I can be more clear. Warm Regards, Debby Bolen --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.368 / Virus Database: 204 - Release Date: 5/29/02

I remember from years back, someone once told me that you could obtain military records through St. Louis. I don't remember if you needed their "Dog Tag" numbers or not. Everything prior to WWI is housed at the National Archives, but everything from WWI and forward is found in St. Louis. If I am wrong . . . someone please correct me. Lynn GG Granddaughter of Benjamin Townsend of Mountain Cove, Fayette, WV. ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, June 08, 2002 3:46 PM Subject: [WVFAYETT] Wilson in WWII > Hi list, > I need some help, but I have very little to go on. > > I had a great uncle Howard Wilson, born 1915 in Fayette Co WVa. He never > married. He was suppose to have been in WWII. I don't know anything else > about him. > > Does anyone know of a list of WWII soldiers for Fayette County I could > access? > > I am trying to document all my war vets from Fayette and Raleigh, I hate to > think they will be forgotten. > > Thanks in advance. > George E. Stover > > ______________________________

Hello: Is there anyone out there searching Saunders and Fairfax? I have hit several brick walls. My line is African American and I am stuck.... I have a David in Montg County WV and Samuel and Preston in McDowell Co WV {SAUNDERS, SANDERS} I have William and W.S. Grant Fairfax in Fayette County. Their siste Erma married a Morgan and moved ot Fayette Co. Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Angela

Hi list, I need some help, but I have very little to go on. I had a great uncle Howard Wilson, born 1915 in Fayette Co WVa. He never married. He was suppose to have been in WWII. I don't know anything else about him. Does anyone know of a list of WWII soldiers for Fayette County I could access? I am trying to document all my war vets from Fayette and Raleigh, I hate to think they will be forgotten. Thanks in advance. George E. Stover