Tombstone Tuesday

This is the Tombstone of my grandparents on my father's side.  The grave is located in Ashland Cemetery, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri.  I apologize for the glare - I have got to return soon and take a better picture!

MODRELL

Harry H

Oct. 24, 1903

Jan. 21, 1982

Maxine W.

May 24, 1907

Sept. 17, 1967

Grandparents Harry H. and Maxine W. Modrell
Ashland Cemetery, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri

Census Sunday

This is the 1940 Census for Harry House Modrell.  Below the image is the information for each of the columns.  Harry House is my grandfather on my father's side.  My father is listed as son.

I just can't wait for the 1950 Census!  Census images give me look at life in a different time and place.  I enjoy learning information from all records created in the past.

State - Missouri; County - Buchanan; Township - Washington; Incorporated Place - St. Joseph City; Ward of City - 2; Block No. - Blank; Unincorporated Place - Blank; Institution - Blank; Supervisor's District No. - 3; Enumeration District No. - 11-22; Enumerated By Me On - May 4, 1940 (however, along left side is the date May 6, 1940); Sheet - 66A; Enumerator - Donald W. Gulick (can't read last name, this is just a guess).

Line No.15
Column 1 - N. 29th Street; 2 - 418; 3 - 460; 4 - Rented; 5 - 13; 6 - No; 7 - Modrell, Harry House; 8 - Head; Code - Blank; 9 - M; 10 - W; 11 - 36; 12 - M; 13 - No; 14 - C-2; 15 - Missouri; Code - Blank; 16 - Blank; 17 - Same Place; 18 - Blank; 19 - Blank; 20 - No; Code  - Blank; 21 - No; 22 - No; 23 - No; 24 - Yes; 25 - Blank; Code - Blank; 26 - Blank; 27 - Blank; 28 - Clerk; 29 - Packing House; 30 - PW; Code - Blank; 31 - 52; 32 - 1612; 33 - No; 34 - Blank

Line No. 16
Column 1 - N. 29th Street; 2 - Blank; 3 - Blank; 4 - Blank; 5 - Blank; 6 - Blank; 7 - Modrell, Maxine W; 8 - Wife; 9 - F; 10 - W; 11 - 32; 12 - M; 13 - No; 14 - H-4; 15 - Missouri; Code - Blank; 16 - Blank; 17 - Same Place; 18 - Blank; 19 - Blank; 20 - No; Code - Blank; 21 - No; 22 - No; 23 - No; 24 - No; 25 - H; Code - Blank; 26 - Blank; 27 - Blank; 28 - Blank; 29 - Blank; 30 - Blank; Code - Blank; 31 - 0; 32 - 0; 33 - No; 34 - Blank

Line No. 17
Column 1 - N. 29th Street; 2 - Blank; 3 - Blank; 4 - Blank; 5 - Blank; 6 - Blank; 7 - Modrell, Jerry E; 8 - Son; 9 - M; 10 - W; 11 - 11; 12 - S; 13 - No; 14 - 4; 15 - Missouri; Code - Blank; 16 - Blank; 17 - Same Place; 18 - Blank; 19 - Blank; 20 - No; Code - Blank; 21 - Blank; 22 - Blank; 23 - Blank; 24 - Blank; 25 - Blank; Code - Blank; 26 - Blank; 27 - Blank; 28 - Blank; 29 - Blank; 30 Blank; Code - Blank; 31 - Blank; 32 - Blank; 33 - Blank; 34 - Blank

Grandma Scott

Cora Viola Main was born December 1, 1897 according to the Social Security Death Index, her tombstone and also a funeral brochure I received when I attended her funeral.  She was born in Amos, Vernon County, Missouri according to the “Scott-Mayes” book and was known to everyone as Viola.  Her parents are John Lewis Main and Diana Anna Louisa Austin (Polly).  Her siblings are: Reuben Erwin, Sarah Elizabeth, George Sylvester, Ida Nevel, Clark Brewster, Jason Archie, Nettie Diantha and an unnamed brother who was either stillborn or died the same day he was born.  I need to locate a record to prove her birth place information.

Photo provided by an aunt and uncle.
The Main Family
Back - Sarah, Clark, Jason, George, Nettie
Front - John, Cora, Polly

Viola married Guy Calvin Scott on July 18, 1919 in Butler, Bates County, Missouri.  Their children are Evelyn, George William, Leona Frances (my mother) and two (2) living sons.

After Guy passed away, Viola was moved to a Care Home in Denver, Colorado.

Viola passed away on June 20, 1981 and is buried at Grandview Cemetery in Fort Collins, Colorado.  Her funeral brochure provided the following information:

            Time of Service:  Tuesday, June 23, 1981 at 10:30am

            Officiating:  Dr. Joseph Laughlin

            Organist:  Mrs. W. J. Fredling

            Soloist:  Mr. W. J. Fredling

            Escorts:  Living Scott, Living Green, Living Barber, Living Scott, Living Gallegos, Living Alcaraz (name is spelled wrong on Funeral Brochure, see Correction for updated information).

            Arrangements:  Russell Funeral Chapel

Grandpa Scott

Guy Calvin Scott was born January 20, 1893 in Oakley, Logan County, Kansas according to his WWI Draft Registration Card.  He is the son of Thomas Green Scott and Susan Mayes.  His siblings were Benjamin, Ida Sue, Marybelle (Mollie), William Roy, Levi Thomas, George Elmer and Ara Elsie.

                                 

Cpl. Guy Scott served in WWI October 3, 1917 until March 27, 1919.  After November 5, 1917 he served in the Battery B 336^th Field Artillery, 87^th Division until discharged.  I have acquired copies of 35 letters he wrote home, unfortunately to another woman, not my grandmother.  These letters are stored at the WWI Museum in Kansas City, and imagine my happiness when I discovered their existence after typing his name into Google.  The information in reference to the war is invaluable.  I will be sharing some of that information in a later post.

Guy married Cora Viola Main on July 18, 1919 in Butler, Bates County, Missouri.  Their children are Evelyn, George William, Leona Frances (my mother) and two (2) living sons.

I have a copy of a book that was written by two (2) descendants of Thomas Green Scott and Susan Mayes which is titled “Scott – Mayes”.  They interviewed several family members and have provided some information and stories about family members listed in this book.  According to that book, at one point in the lives of Guy and Cora (known to everyone as Viola), they owned and operated an apartment house in North Platte, Nebraska.  They also owned two (2) different restaurants at Brighton, Colorado.  I am not personally aware of these facts, but several family members have backed this information up and spoke to me about it.

Guy passed away on December 21, 1973 at Wellington, Larimer County, Colorado.  He is buried at Grandview Cemetery at Fort Collins, Colorado.

Getting Back On Track

I have to apologize for not having any posts recently.  I attended the Genealogy Conference last weekend and my head was spinning with all the information that was provided.  It was a great conference and the speaker was wonderful.  She provided me with so much information that I didn’t know where to start upon returning home.

I was able to locate a Plat Map of Wabaunsee County in 1902 from the Kansas Memory website which shows where my Great Grandparents land was near Eskridge, Kansas.  I only wish I knew how to overlay that with a current map so I can see where that land is located in relation to what is there today.  I am also gearing up to go to the Courthouse in St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri in search of documents she spoke about to try and obtain more information about my Grandparents who lived there.

I am trying to get back on track and devote some time to my genealogy and this blog.  I am preparing more posts as I continue “searching for ancestors”.  So – stay tuned!

A Learning Opportunity

I am the type of person who loves to learn.  I don’t read any fiction of any kind (books or magazines).  With that said, I enjoy going to Genealogy Conferences as it is a great opportunity to learn new things as well as meet some very well-known (and not so well-known, but knowledgeable) speakers.

Our local Genealogy Society is holding its 43^rd Annual Conference celebrating their 50^th year on Friday and Saturday this week.  Friday afternoon has breakout sessions (new this year) and I will be learning about NARA Records that Genealogists Aren’t Using, Getting the Most from FamilySearch, Scanning Tips and Tricks and Treasures at the Courthouse.  Just the type of information I need!

On Saturday, our Speaker will be Jana Broglin, CG, OGSF (whom I have never heard of before) and she will be talking about black sheep ancestors and how there may be clues in unusual records that lead to locating more records, alternative Civil War records, newspaper research including how to add social history to your ancestor’s lives, and organization of your home office (which I could use more than anyone could imagine!).

I can’t wait for Friday to get here – these topics are all of interest to me!!  I sure hope I can learn some valuable information and find more records from all the sources I will be learning about!

Grandma Modrell

Maxine W. Eneau was the only child of Perry B. Eneau and Carrie Alice Young.  She was born May 24, 1907 according to the St. Joseph, Missouri Record of Births.  My father had told me her middle name was Wilhelmina, however, he had told my stepmother it was a different middle name so I guess there is some debate there.  I have nothing stating what her middle name is.  I will update my information when I find something (if I ever do).

She graduated in 1926 from Lafayette High School in St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri in 1926.  Her High School Yearbook states “Humor is my philosophy of existence”.  It went on to say “Maxine is a prominent member of the orchestra.  She says she is going to be a stenographer but we are inclined to believe she will be a musician and maybe a professional.  Glee Club, ‘Gypsy Rover’ and ‘College Days’.”  I can only assume the latter two (2) are plays she was in.  I have a violin that she had played, but I am unsure if it was one she played in High School or one she acquired thereafter.

Harry House Modrell and Maxine W. Eneau
in front of our house in Grandview, Missouri

She married Harry House Modrell on July 8, 1927 in St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri.

I don’t have any memories of her other than they used to have a bird in a cage (maybe a parakeet).

She died September 17, 1967 and is buried at Ashland Cemetery, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri.