The Internet Does Not Have Everything (Yet)!

Genealogists are told that the Internet does not have all the information we may need for our family history.  I had always thought it had more to do with specific records and not just general information.  I was so wrong!

I have read lots of information on how to get the most out of my searches, how to conduct search parameters to locate information I may need, and how to use wild cards to expand my search.  I tried hundreds of searches over the last two (2) weeks to try and find some information.  I have had absolutely no luck at all.  Let me explain what I was looking for.

Leona Frances Scott (my mother) graduated from Tunas High School in Tunas, Missouri on April 30, 1953.  I wanted to find out more about the High School, see an image of it, and learn the history of the school so I could provide information in this blog post, and not just an image of the diploma my mother received.  Unfortunately, since I found nothing about the school, I have no information of any value to add.

The 1940 U.S. Federal Census is the last one available to the public.  It shows Leona’s family located in Howard County, Missouri (which later became Bates County), which includes the town of Hume, which is where they lived.  I always wondered why she went to Tunas High School in Tunas, Missouri since it is located about 20 miles northeast of Butler, Missouri which is 31 miles northeast of Hume.  Seems like a long way to go just to get to school.  I called a living uncle last weekend to see if he remembered why she went to a school that was almost 60 miles away from home, and I learned some enlightening information.

At some point after the 1940 U.S. Federal Census was taken, they moved to Brighton, Colorado.  Then, at some point prior to her graduation in 1953, they moved to Butler, Missouri (he thought they lived there a couple of years prior to her graduation).  This makes a lot more sense since Tunas is only about 20 miles away!  I just assumed (and we all know what that means), that they still lived in Hume!

Since there was no information on the school to be found on the World Wide Web, I will need to go to the local library or historical society to see if they have any information that can be gleaned from local records.  When I find additional information, I will be sure to pass on the information, which will hopefully also include a photo of the school, in a later post that will link back to this one.  Below is a photo of the diploma she received.

Leona Frances Scott
High School Diploma
April 30, 1953

Guy Calvin Scott/Cora Viola Main-1930 US Federal Census

The 1930 Census tells us whether or not each family had a radio.  Can you imagine life without a radio these days?  Radio = Music and music plays an important role in most of our lives.  Stay tuned to see if Guy and Viola Scott had a radio (see column #9).

This census also tells us whether each person is able to read and write (see column #17).

This census is very interesting in that it also provides whether or not the person was a veteran of the US Military or Naval Forces mobilized for any war or expedition and which war or expedition (see columns #30/31).  Guy Calvin Scott was in WWI, however, the information provided to the Census Taker states he was not a veteran.  We can't always rely on information to be correct.  In the case of the census - it all depends on who provided the information.  Did that person not know he was in WWI or did they just opt to not provide that information?  We will never know.

Also, if you notice, my mother (Leona Frances Modrell) is not listed in this census as she was not born yet.

I enjoy looking at the census information.  Sometimes you learn a little something about your ancestors and sometimes you see erroneous information (as in the veteran status).  Stay tuned to find out more about my Grandpa and Grandma Scott.

1930 US Federal Census
Guy Calvin Scott and Cora Viola Main

State - Missouri; County - Bates; Township - Howard; Incorporated Place – Blank; Ward of City – Blank; Block No. - Blank; Unincorporated Place - Blank; Institution - Blank; Supervisor's District No. - 10; Enumeration District No. – 7-13; Enumerated By Me On – April 29, 1930; Sheet – 4A; Enumerator – Mrs. Bertha Riley.

Line No. 27

Column 1 - Blank; 2 - Blank; 3 – 85; 4 - 85; 5 - Scott, Guy E.; 6 - Head; 7 – Rented; 8 - Blank; 9 - Radio; 10 - Yes; 11 - M; 12 - W; 13 - 37; 14 - M; 15 – 27; 16 - No; 17 - Yes; 18 - Kansas; 19 - Kansas; 20 - Kansas; 21 - Blank; Code - 70, Blank, Blank; 22 - Blank; 23 - Blank; 24 - Yes; 25 - Farmer; 26 - Farming; Code - Blank; 27 - O; 28 – Yes; 29 – Blank; 30 - No; 31 - Blank; 32 - 84

Line No. 28

Column 1 - Blank; 2 - Blank; 3 – Blank; 4 - Blank; 5 - Scott, Viola.; 6 - Wife; 7 – Blank; 8 - Blank; 9 - Blank; 10 - Blank; 11 - F; 12 - W; 13 - 32; 14 - M; 15 – 22; 16 - No; 17 - Yes; 18 - Missouri; 19 - Missouri; 20 - Kansas; 21 - Blank; Code - 66, Blank, Blank; 22 - Blank; 23 - Blank; 24 - Yes; 25 - None; 26 - Blank; Code - Blank; 27 - Blank; 28 – Blank; 29 – Blank; 30 - Blank; 31 - Blank; 32 - Blank

Line No. 29

Column 1 - Blank; 2 - Blank; 3 – Blank; 4 - Blank; 5 - Scott, Thomas.; 6 - Son; 7 – Blank; 8 - Blank; 9 - Blank; 10 - Blank; 11 - M; 12 - W; 13 - 8; 14 - S; 15 – Blank; 16 - Yes; 17 - Yes; 18 - Kansas; 19 - Kansas; 20 - Missouri; 21 - Blank; Code - 70, Blank, Blank; 22 - Blank; 23 - Blank; 24 - Yes; 25 - None; 26 - Blank; Code - Blank; 27 - Blank; 28 – Blank; 29 – Blank; 30 - Blank; 31 - Blank; 32 - Blank

Line No. 30

Column 1 - Blank; 2 - Blank; 3 – Blank; 4 - Blank; 5 - Scott, William.; 6 - Son; 7 – Blank; 8 - Blank; 9 - Blank; 10 - Blank; 11 - M; 12 - W; 13 - 3; 14 - S; 15 – Blank; 16 - No; 17 - No; 18 - Missouri; 19 - Kansas; 20 - Missouri; 21 - Blank; Code - 66, Blank, Blank; 22 - Blank; 23 - Blank; 24 - Blank; 25 - None; 26 - Blank; Code - Blank; 27 - Blank; 28 – Blank; 29 – Blank; 30 - Blank; 31 - Blank; 32 - Blank

Line No. 31

Column 1 - Blank; 2 - Blank; 3 – Blank; 4 - Blank; 5 - Scott, Jason.; 6 - Son; 7 – Blank; 8 - Blank; 9 - Blank; 10 - Blank; 11 - M; 12 - W; 13 - 1; 14 - S; 15 – Blank; 16 - No; 17 - No; 18 - Missouri; 19 - Kansas; 20 - Missouri; 21 - Blank; Code - 66, Blank, Blank; 22 - Blank; 23 - Blank; 24 - Blank; 25 - None; 26 - Blank; Code - Blank; 27 - Blank; 28 – Blank; 29 – Blank; 30 - Blank; 31 - Blank; 32 - Blank

Grandpa Modrell Fails School?!?! But Wait - There's More...

I was researching at the Northwest Missouri Genealogical Society Library in St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri.  They have some great records and I highly encourage anyone who is researching their roots from Northwest Missouri to go and see the very nice and extremely helpful staff of this small library – but don’t let the size fool you because they have records on three levels, however, you need to ask assistance for the records on the top and bottom levels.

I happened to inquire about old school records since both my grandparents on my father’s side went to school in the area.  I didn’t know which school my grandpa attended, but I had discovered that my grandma attended Lafayette High School, but didn’t know where she went prior to that.

The Librarian went to the basement and came back with a very large book that says School Record 1921 (written in marker on side), and she informed me it was located on the east side of the basement (in case I want to look at it again).  I thumbed through that massive, moldy smelling and fragile old book until I located a page that provided the following information:

School is Ebenezer

Harry Modrell

Age 15

Address is Saxton

Spelling - 57

Reading - 25

Writing - 80

Arithmetic - 55

Grammar - 75

Physiology - 64

Geography - 68

US History - 53

Average - 59 5/8

Remarks - F (Failed)

I was so shocked!!  We are taught that our elders know everything – right?  I was so intrigued that I had to keep turning the pages to see if he quit school at that point.  So, I finally found the following information which answered my question:

School is Ebenezer

Harry Modrell

Age is 16

Address is Saxton

Teacher is Ruth Dyer

Spelling - 75

Reading - 80

Writing - 87

Arithmetic - 89

Grammar - 75

Geography - 83

US History - 80

Agriculture - 81

Average - 81

Remarks – Passed

How awesome is that?!?!  He not only continued with his school, but his grades improved immensely (look closely at the reading and arithmetic scores for both years)!  I also found a photo in the 1923 Wakitan (the Central High School Yearbook for his Junior Year) of the Mathematics Club - and he is in it!!  And that is not all - according to the 1940 US Federal Census, after graduating from Central High School in 1924, he completed two (2) years of college!!  I am so excited for him – I only wish he was around to ask which college he went to and what he was studying.  Just another record I need to try and find in my quest of Searching For Ancestors…

1924 Central High School Yearbook
Harry House Modrell, Senior

1923 Central High School Yearbook
Harry House Modrell, Junior

More Organization

I am continuing my quest to get organized.  I have gone through some documentation I found on the Internet in reference to the Modrell Family and created Family Group Sheets for everyone.  I also have a copy of the Scott/Mayes book that descendants have compiled.  The only issue with both sets of information, is that I don't know where the documentation came from since most of the information provided does not contain sources for the information.  I will be compiling those Family Group Sheets for the Scott/Mayes families as well.  Once finished, I will be able to find holes in the information I have from both sides of my family and continue my search to find the necessary documents that back up the information provided, and will then be able to provide sourced and documented evidence since much the information is from unknown (to me) sources.

Family Group Sheets help me to see the big picture since the parents and children are listed as well as birth, marriage and death dates, and room for place information on each event and a 2nd page for miscellaneous notes (such as Census information, all source documentation for information provided on 1st page, name of hospital/nursing home for birth or death information, etc).  Family Group Sheets are truly a great source of information.  If you have any missing areas, you see at a glance which documents you need to find to complete the information for each family group.  There should be a sheet for each person as both a child and parent (if they are a parent) or spouse or partner (if living with another individual).  The form I have is in a Word Document so I can change form fields if needed when I have a "Partner" situation instead of "Husband/Wife" or "Spouse/Spouse" for same sex marriages instead of "Husband/Wife".  It can be customized for whatever situation I come across.

I have saved the form I use to Google Docs and by clicking this link you can see the form I am speaking of.  I can't remember where I got this form, but I found it somewhere on the Internet.  There are a lot of forms out there and you can google Family Group Sheet and add Word Document or Excel Document for those forms that are fillable on the computer.  Ancestry.com and Family Tree Magazine also have many free documents which can be downloaded and used by anyone.

Another set of very helpful forms that can be found on the Internet are the Census Forms that date back to the first census in 1790 with readable column headings so you know what information was asked.  When I provide census images and information on my blog, I will provide the information for each column, but that information won't mean anything if you don't know what the headings are (which reflect back to the questions asked by the census taker).

I also need to put tab dividers in my binder to divide each family surname in an effort to make it easier to place information I find.  Then, I will need to create a Table Of Contents for each section so I don't duplicate the documentation I have (which has happened many times before with my complete and total disorganization).  The key will be to remember to update the Table Of Contents when I find new documentation to add to a specific person or family.

I will be back to providing family information in blog posts shortly.  Thank you for being patient during my respite from "searching for ancestors"!

Correction To Grandma Scott

One of my cousins pointed out to me that I had the spelling wrong on one of the names associated with the Pall Bearers (referred to in the post as Escorts) in an earlier post titled "Grandma Scott".

I have corrected that post and wanted to provide the information separately for those who may have seen the earlier post and also noticed the misspelling.

To set the record straight, I looked back at the Funeral Brochure for Cora Viola (Main) Scott and the name is actually spelled wrong there, which consequently led to me misspelling the information on my blog post.

The correction is as follows:  I had "Living Alvarez" as an Escort and it should be "Living Alcaraz".

Please see Grandma Scott (posted on May 12, 2015) for the complete post and to see that the above information has been updated.  I do apologize for the error, but I was typing what the Funeral Brochure stated and as we all know, we as humans are not perfect and we do make mistakes.  In the genealogy world, we are used to names being spelled wrong which leads us to search in records for many variations of each surname - and we still find new variations just when we thought we had it all down pat.

Thank you cousin for pointing out the misinformation, and I do apologize to you and the rest of your family for this mistake.

Organization

I am taking a short respite from by blog while I organize my documents.  Why you ask?  Well....

I realized when I spent over 12 hours writing this post about Perry Eneau that I did not have all my ducks (uh...docs) in a row.  I had to look in several places to find the different pieces of information that is referred to in that post.  I now have all that information together, despite the fact that some of that information may be tossed out as I work through that brick wall - although, I have worked with that information for about 5 years and still have not come to any conclusions.  I know there is a missing piece of information that I will find someday that will make all that information come together and my brick wall will tumble!  How I look forward to that day!!

I have spoken before about the fact that I absolutely love to read.  I read two (2) genealogy magazines (Internet Genealogy and Family Tree Magazine) as well as History Magazine.  History Magazine provides me with information about Military Conflicts, Weather Disasters, Heroes and Heroines, Villains and Outlaws, and much more that I can then relate to my ancestors during their lifetime. With each magazine, I mark articles as I read them that have information which I may need later (websites, international research, etc.) and I then tear those articles out and throw away the rest of the magazine.  Those articles are then separated according to content and placed in a page protector which is then placed into a binder.  I have binders for: International Research, State/City Research, Specific Record Categories (Census, Obituary, Church, Land, Military, etc.), History Articles, Specific Website Tutorials, and the last one has miscellaneous articles broke down by category (organization, photo identification, social media/apps, etc.).

I also use binders for my genealogy research.  I have a binder for my proven family members and another for my possible family members.  Once I find a document that confirms their relationship, those documents are then moved into my proven family member's binder.  Despite the number of years I have been conducting research, I only have up to some of my great-grandparents confirmed. Many people have hundreds of names by now, but I want to be careful and make sure my family really is my family and not people that others have linked to my family with no proven sources. There are too many stories out there of unconfirmed family members and I started this research wanting no part of that.  I don't want living family members "thinking" they are related to someone just because I decided to take the word of someone else, instead of finding the information that would prove/disprove that family relationship.

I want to include a Family Record Sheet for each family, as well as a Research Log for each person. That way, I will have information at the touch of a finger for everyone who is related to each other and how they are related, as well as a log for each person showing the searches I perform and whether or not I am successful in finding anything.  I also want to keep a running list of the documents/information that I need to find in order to provide more information about each ancestors life.

Please bear with me as I find a place for everything and put everything in it's place.  Who knows if I will get the entire task completed, but I hope to get the majority of it done so I can concentrate most of my time and energy on what I love doing most - "Searching For Ancestors"!!

Census Sunday (Scott, Guy Calvin)

This is the 1940 Census for Guy Calvin Scott.  Below the image is the information for each of the columns.  Guy Calvin Scott is my grandfather on my mother’s side.  My mother is listed as daughter.

For Occupation – this census states he is a tractor man for the W.P.A. (columns 28 and 29).  W.P.A. stands for Works Project Administration.  I need to find out more about what that means.  My understanding is that the government put people to work in different occupations, but I need to confirm that by doing some research on the Works Project Administration and what Tractor Man consisted of.

Column 27 states duration of unemployment in weeks for Guy Calvin Scott was 96 weeks.  Since he wasn’t working, is that what constituted him working for the W.P.A.?  Column 30 states GW which indicates Government Work.  Again, need to research this.

 

1940 US Federal Census
Guy Calvin Scott Family, Howard, Bates County, Missouri

State - Missouri; County - Bates; Township - Howard; Incorporated Place – Blank; Ward of City – Blank; Block No. - Blank; Unincorporated Place - Blank; Institution - Blank; Supervisor's District No. - 6; Enumeration District No. – 7-13; Enumerated By Me On – April 15, 1940; Sheet – 4B; Enumerator – Paul Jennings.

Line No.54

Column 1 - Blank; 2 - Blank; 3 – 97; 4 - Rented; 5 - Blank; 6 - Yes; 7 – Scott, Guy C; 8 - Head; Code - Blank; 9 - M; 10 - W; 11 - 47; 12 - M; 13 - No; 14 - 8; Code – Blank; 15 – Kansas; Code - Blank; 16 - Blank; 17 - Same House; 18 - Blank; 19 - Blank; 20 - Yes; Code - Blank; 21 - No; 22 - Yes; 23 - Blank; 24 - Blank; 25 - Blank; Code - 2; 26 - Blank; 27 - 96; 28 – Tractor Man; 29 – W.P.A; 30 - GW; Code - Blank; 31 - 19; 32 - $486; 33 – Yes; 34 - 86

Line No. 55

Column 1 - Blank; 2 - Blank; 3 - Blank; 4 - Blank; 5 - Blank; 6 - Blank; 7 – Scott, Cora V; 8 - Wife; Code – Blank; 9 - F; 10 - W; 11 - 42; 12 - M; 13 - No; 14 - H-2; Code – Blank; 15 - Missouri; Code - Blank; 16 - Blank; 17 - Same House; 18 - Blank; 19 - Blank; 20 - Yes; 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 - Blank; 32 - Blank; 33 - Blank; 34 - Blank

Line No. 56

Column 1 - Blank; 2 - Blank; 3 - Blank; 4 - Blank; 5 - Blank; 6 - Blank; 7 – Scott, Tommie L; 8 - Son; Code – Blank; 9 - M; 10 - W; 11 - 18; 12 - S; 13 - Yes; 14 – H-3; Code – Blank; 15 - Missouri; Code - Blank; 16 - Blank; 17 - Same House; 18 - Blank; 19 - Blank; 20 - Yes; Code - Blank; 21 - No; 22 - No; 23 - No; 24 - No; 25 - S; Code - Blank; 26 - Blank; 27 - Blank; 28 - Blank; 29 - Blank; 30 Blank; Code - Blank; 31 - Blank; 32 - Blank; 33 - Blank; 34 – Blank

Line No. 57

Column 1 - Blank; 2 - Blank; 3 - Blank; 4 - Blank; 5 - Blank; 6 - Blank; 7 – Scott, William G; 8 - Son; Code – Blank; 9 - M; 10 - W; 11 - 13; 12 - S; 13 - Yes; 14 – 6; Code – Blank; 15 - Kansas; Code - Blank; 16 - Blank; 17 - Same House; 18 - Blank; 19 - Blank; 20 - Yes; 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

Line No. 58

Column 1 - Blank; 2 - Blank; 3 - Blank; 4 - Blank; 5 - Blank; 6 - Blank; 7 – Scott, Jason; 8 - Son; Code – Blank; 9 - M; 10 - W; 11 - 11; 12 - S; 13 - Yes; 14 – 5; Code – Blank; 15 - Kansas; Code - Blank; 16 - Blank; 17 - Same House; 18 - Blank; 19 - Blank; 20 - Yes; 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

Line No. 59

Column 1 - Blank; 2 - Blank; 3 - Blank; 4 - Blank; 5 - Blank; 6 - Blank; 7 – Scott, Leona Frances; 8 - Daughter; Code – Blank; 9 - F; 10 - W; 11 - 5; 12 - S; 13 - Blank; 14 – Blank; Code – Blank; 15 - Missouri; Code - Blank; 16 - Blank; 17 - Same House; 18 - Blank; 19 - Blank; 20 - Yes; 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