The Family Snoop

Sunday, February 12, 2017

Walter Grey Woodard, 1890-1952, Pearl River County, MS

Walter Grey Woodard, son of Thomas Riley Woodard and Mary Minerva Warden Woodard, was born 22 February 1890 in Mississippi and died 29 November 1952 in Pearl River County, Mississippi. He married Gertrude Scarborough, daughter of Edward Scarborough and Mary Hartfield. She was born c. 1898.

In 1910, 20 year old Walter resided in the household with his mother, Minerva and his sister Mary. Also listed in the household were W.G. Snelgrove, a boarder and Robert Parker, Minerva's grandson.

1910 Lamar County, Mississippi, Beat 4, Dist 0091

Walter and Gertrude apparently married after the census of 1920 because that year Gertrude was listed in the household with her widowed mother. According to the census, Gertrude was widowed, and employed as a Sales Lady in the dry goods business. There are no children listed for Gertrude. Gertrude's siblings Ethel, Clifton and Helen resided in the home.

I have been unable to locate the 1930 census for Walter and Gertrude. The next record I have available is the 1940 census. Walter is then listed as widowed with children Louis, James, Mattie, Jake, Carrie Lee and Hazel Jean. The family resided on Columbia Road. Walter was employed as a carpenter in building construction. Louis was a laborer with the C.C.C. Company and James was a helper in the business of road work. I am presently unaware of the date of Gertrude's passing or where she is buried.

1940 Pearl River County, Mississippi, Beat 1, Dist 55-3

I have no explanation why Gertrude was listed as widowed and living in the household with her mother on the 1920 census, IF the year of birth for sons Louis and James are correct (1918 and 1920, respectively). These dates present conflicting information.

Another piece of conflicting information is on the application for a social security number made by Walter in 1941 which listed his father as Samuel R. Woodard and mother as Minerva Worden. Walter was very young (probably 2 or 3 years old) when his father passed away so maybe at the time of application, he couldn't remember his father's name, Thomas Riley Woodard. It leaves me to speculate, however, who Samuel R. Woodard is.

Walter passed away on 29 November 1952 in Pearl River County, Mississippi. He was laid to rest in the Oak Hill Cemetery.

Children of Walter Grey Woodard and Gertrude Scarborough:

1. Louis Edward Woodard- born 6 November 1918, died 9 June 1997 in Pearl River County, Mississippi; married Zora Mae Sellers on 17 November 1945.

2. James Thomas Woodard- born 2 February 1920, died 6 February 1998 in Pearl River County, Mississippi; married Viola Pagle.

3. Mattie Woodard- born abt. 1923, no further information

4. Jake Woodard- born abt. 1924, died 1990, no further information

5. Carrie Lee Woodard- born abt. 1927, no further information

6. Hazel Jean Woodard- born abt. 1930, died in 2010, no further information

Some of the children's information obtained from Billy Wayne Martin's Family Tree on Ancestry.com

Saturday, February 11, 2017

William "Riley" Woodard, 1879-1960, Pearl River County, MS

William, or Willie "Riley" Woodard, son of Thomas Riley Woodard and Mary Minerva Warden Woodard, was born 7 September 1879 in Mississippi and died 20 December 1960. He is buried in the Beall Cemetery in Pearl River County, Mississippi. On 18 July 1904, he married Martha Elizabeth Seal, daughter of Robert Henry Seal and Susan Dubose. She was born 1 October 1882 in Mississippi and died 27 February 1951. She is also buried in the Beall Cemetery.

In 1910, Riley and Martha resided in Pearl River County, Mississippi. The census listed their 3 children- daughter Lilly (Lula) and sons Alvis and Lennis. Martha's mother, Susan Seal, was widowed and lived with them. Riley's occupation was listed as a Fireman. He owned his own house which was debt free. He and Martha had been married 5 years.

1910 Pearl River County, Mississippi, Beat 2, Dist 0108

The World War I draft registration card (1917-1918) listed Willie Riley Woodard as a resident of Lumberton, Miss and his birth date. He worked for Edd Sotl ? as a tie cuter (cutter). His nearest relative is Martha Woodard (his wife). The card was signed with an X for Riley's mark which indicated that he didn't write. The back side of the card which included a brief physical description of the registrant, stated that Riley was "tall and slender". No further details were listed.

By 1920, Riley and Martha had two more children- daughter, Alice and son, Joseph. Their household consisted of Riley W., wife Martha, their 5 children and Martha's mother, Susan. Riley's occupation was then listed as a Farmer, in the logging industry.

1920 Pearl River County, Mississippi, Beat 2, Dist 0120

According to the 1930 census, Riley and Martha had just 2 of their 5 children still residing at home- Joseph and Lennis. Their two daughters, Lula and Alice, and their eldest son, Alvis, were probably married by then. Martha's mother, then 83 years old, remained in the household with them. Riley was still farming. The census area was listed as "Hillsdale and Red Creek Road" in Pearl River County. During the 1920's and 1930's, radios were gaining popularity and generally if the family wanted one and could afford one, it was in their house. On the census that year, families were asked if they had a radio set. At that time, Riley's household didn't have one.

1930 Pearl River County, Mississippi, Beat 2, Dist 0003

By 1940, Martha's mother had probably passed away because she is not listed in their household. Their 2 sons- Joseph and Lennis remained with them. Joseph took care of the family farm and Lennis worked in a saw mill. Riley was a laborer and worked for the "W.P.A." industry. The Works Progress Administration (WPA) was authorized in April 1935 to put unemployed workers back to work on public projects. The WPA not only created manual labor jobs in construction and other industries, it also created jobs for white-collar workers and helped those in the performing and fine arts.

1940 Pearl River County, Mississippi, Sheet #7B, House #122

Riley's wife, Martha passed away on 27 February 1951. She lies in rest in the Beall Cemetery located in Pearl River County, Mississippi.

Martha's Obituary:
Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon for Mrs. Martha C. Woodard, 71, wife of Riley Woodard, who died in a Laurel hospital where she had been a patient for two days. The services were conducted at the Beall cemetery about three miles southeast of Lumberton, with the Rev. W. R. Murray, pastor of the Lumberton Methodist church, officiating. McDonald Funeral Home in charge.

Mrs. Woodard was Miss Martha Seals, native of Harrison county, but had resided in Pearl River county, Route No. 3, Lumberton, for the past 42 years.

She is survived by her husband, one daughter, Mrs. Florin Ladner, and two sons, Alvis and Lennis Woodard, all of Lumberton, Route No. 3. Posted in The Booster, Purvis, Lamar County, Miss., Friday, March 2, 1951.

Riley passed away on 20 December 1960 and he was laid to rest in the same cemetery. His headstone:

Children of William Riley Woodard and Martha Elizabeth Seal Woodard:
1. Lula Mae Woodard- born 23 July 1906, died 1 January 1944; married Floren Ladner
2. Alvis Woodard- born 7 February 1907, died 8 September 1956
3. Lennis Woodard- born 6 December 1910, died 6 July 1970; married Annie May LNU
4. Alice Woodard- born abt. 1913
5. Joseph Woodard- born 4 April 1918, died 11 February 1949; married Edna LNU

LNU= Last name unknown

Friday, February 10, 2017

Thomas Riley Woodard, c.1849-

I'm perplexed by my Woodard ancestors, all but Grandma Harriet. I hit a brick wall when I search beyond her. I've been trying to find more information on her father, Thomas Riley Woodard. This is what I have so far:

1. Harriet's death certificate states that her parents were Thomas Woodard and Minervia Wardeen.

2. A land record connects Harriet's mother, Minerva to Thomas R. Woodard.

3. A record of the 1850 census of Jackson County, Mississippi shows Riley Woodward, age 1, in the household of Derias Woodward.

4. Family sources state that Harriet's father was Thomas Riley Woodard.

5. A social security number application made by Mary Woodard Smith, Harriet's sister, listed parents as Thomas Woodard and Mary M. Warden.

1850 Jackson County, Mississippi, Family #246

Since I don't know the birth or death dates for Thomas, I'm unable to request a birth or death certificate. I'm not certain where he or his wife, Minerva are buried. One family record states that he is buried in the John R. Lee Cemetery, but an online search doesn't show his name, so he may be in an unmarked grave.

Using the census record above, it's estimated that his birth year is abt. 1849. It is estimated that he died between 1890 - 1893. I've been told that Thomas' parents were Jeriah (or Derias) Woodard (or Woodward) and Eliza Dubose.

If you have any information about the Woodard family, I would appreciate your assistance. You may reach me by email at susanbourgoyne@yahoo.com. Thank you.

Thursday, February 9, 2017

Mary "Minerva" Warden, c.1854, Marion & Lamar Counties, MS

On July 25, 2012, I wrote about how my cousin Elaine and I finally found the parents of Minerva Warden in census records. For years, we had searched for a family connection through census records on microfilm but came up with nothing. Click here to read that blog post. I finished that blog post with a promise that I would write more about Minerva and her family. Here is what I know so far...

In the blog post mentioned above, I wrote "The William Warden family is enumerated in House #45 on the above census [1850 Marion County, Mississippi]. It is my belief that M. Warden, age 4, is our Minerva Warden because the age stated would be about right, placing her year of birth about 1846. I don't understand why she wasn't listed with the William Warden family on Ancestry, but she could have been mistaken for one of their other daughters, Martha or Mary. I then looked back at the 1910 census record that I had saved for Minerva (Mrs. Menervia Woodard), then listed in Beat 4 of Lamar County (county lines had changed by then)- she was listed as age 64 (supporting an 1846 birth year)."

1850 Marion County, Mississippi Pg 369, House #45

I've come to find out that Minerva Warden wasn't the M. Warden, age 4 that I previously thought. That person was Martha Warden. The 1850 Warden household here included William Warden, his wife Martha, daughter Nancy, son James, daughter Martha and son John Wesley. Minerva was born after this census.

1860 Marion County, Mississippi, Pg 47, Family #317

The first names were listed on the 1860 census. William Wardin's (Warden) household included his wife Martha and children James, Martha, John W., Mary, Harriet and Daniel. I can't explain why, but I felt certain that Mary, age 6 was the connection to my Minerva.

The next census record that I could find on this family was the 1880 census of Marion County, Mississippi. That census showed William Worden (Warden) as head of household with wife Martha, Harriet, D.J. (David Jefferson) and N.B., an unidentified 18 year old female. I assume that Mary had moved out by then, since she would have been about 26 years old.

Searches for Minerva on the 1870, 1880 and 1900 census records have thus far produced nothing. Family sources informed me that Minerva married Thomas Riley Woodard and he died young, about the year of 1890. Minerva is connected to Thomas by a land record, dated 24 July 1894 whereas she completed payment for 159 acres. The land record recorded "Manery [Minerva] Woodard, widow of Thomas R. Woodard, deceased of Marion County, Mississippi"...

The next census record that I've found with Minerva listed is 1910 Lamar County, Mississippi. That year Mrs Menervia Woodard, age 64, is listed as head of household with son Walter, daughter Mary, boarder W.G. Snelgrove and grandson Robert Parker.

1910 Lamar County, Mississippi, Beat 4, Sheet #13B, Family #166

I'm not certain where Minerva was in 1920, but according to the 1930 Lamar County census, she was living with her nephew, John Lee. Other members listed in that household were Susan Sumral (Sumrall), John's daughter, and Arbella Cagles, John's niece. Minerva was listed as 86 years old and that she was 27 years old at first marriage. Using these numbers, she would have been born c. 1844 and married c. 1871. But, using numbers from previous census records, Minerva was born c. 1854 (by the 1860 Marion County census). If she had been born in 1844, she should've been listed on the 1850 census, but she wasn't.

1930 Lamar County, Mississippi, Beat 2, District 0004, Family #24

A connection to the name "Mary" was discovered while browsing on Ancestry.com. An application for an original social security number filed by Mary Woodard Smith (Minerva's daughter) listed Thomas Woodard as her father and "Mary M Warden" as her mother. From this information, it's logical to assume that she was born Mary Minerva Warden.

Summary of available information:

Mary "Minerva" Warden was born c. 1854 in Mississippi, USA, the daughter of William M. Warden and Martha Patsy Spikes Warden. She married c. 1871, Thomas Riley Woodard, son of Derias or Jeriah Woodward and Eliza Dubose Woodward. From their union, 6 known children were born:

1. William Riley Woodard, born 7 Sep 1879, died 20 Dec 1960; married Martha Elizabeth Seal on 18 Jul 1904.
2. Harriet Woodard, born 13 May 1883, died 14 Sep 1952; married (1) Simon Peter Smith (2) James El Simmons (3) Robert Johnson
3. Walter Grey Woodard, born 22 Feb 1890, died 29 Nov 1952; married Gertrude Scarborough
4. Mary Woodard, born 22 Sep 1895, died 13 May 1970; married Simon Peter Smith
5. Ada Woodard, no information available at present
6. Annie Woodard, no information available at present

I still don't have any information regarding Minerva's death and burial. There's so many questions that remain about her.

I now wonder if Mary Woodard's (Minerva's daughter) birth date is incorrectly listed on her headstone. Her birth date is listed as 22 Sep 1895, however; we know from the land record that Minerva was widowed by July 1894. That doesn't add up. Looking at census records, Mary's birth year varies from 1892 to 1898. Census information is often unreliable, so Mary's actual birth year remains a mystery to me since I don't have any proof. Just another piece of the big puzzle to be filled.

I'll post an update when more information becomes known to me. If you have information that you believe would benefit my research, please email me- susanbourgoyne@yahoo.com. Thank you!

Forever Our Dad

I just completed a gift book for my dad, Frank Dalton Powell Sr. It includes photographs and memories through his life. About ten years ago, I convinced Dad to write down some of his childhood memories including the loved ones he grew up with- his parents, grandparents, siblings, so forth. It's been my intention for several years to do this book for him, but I didn't get around to it, until the last 2 months of 2016.

Forever Our Dad

Dad was thrilled to receive it. Inside are photographs that capture every aspect of Dad's life- his childhood, family, years in the Navy, marriage to our Mom, his children, grandchildren and some of his favorite vacations. You may browse the book by clicking on the title below the photo.

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

The 2 "Bertha's"

In my post dated Friday, July 20, 2012, (click here to read blog post) I wrote about Harriet Woodard, my maternal great-grandmother. I also had questions regarding her daughter, Bertha. I assumed that Harriet had a daughter named Bertha who had died between 1901- 1910 because this Bertha wasn't listed on the 1910 census. I was confused because my late mother and a cousin had given me information for Harriet which included a daughter named Bertha from her marriage to Simon Peter Smith and a daughter Bertha from her marriage to James El Simmons. I wondered why Harriet would name 3 daughters "Bertha". I still don't have the answer to that question, but I'm happy to say that my confusion over all the Bertha's has been cleared up, with help from a cousin.

There were, indeed, at least two Bertha's. The photograph above includes Annie Bertha Smith (standing on left), Bertha Lollita Simmons (standing on right) and Luella Smith (sitting). Annie Bertha Smith and Luella Smith were the daughters of Harriet and Simon Smith. Bertha Lollita Simmons was the daughter of Harriet and James El Simmons. I remember her as "Aunt Bert". It's her daughter, Sylvia Elaine (Herrin) Knight that helps me with the family history and helped me to clear up this confusion. Thanks, Elaine!

Monday, February 6, 2017

Thanksgiving Celebration 2016

Some of our family members met for Thanksgiving dinner in November 2016 at the Pleasant Hill church fellowship hall in Foxworth, Mississippi. We had a wonderful time together although the time passed all too quickly. (Yes, I know that was over 2 months ago- I'm doing better, grin)

Lydonia (Jones) Randall was the official turkey carver.

Jennifer Lynn (Powell) Blanchard and her mother, Terry Lynn (Lucas) Powell.
In the background are Pamela Kay (Powell) Boleware and Channing Dion Powell.