Example of a Paid Query
By Kathie Donahue, AG
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Querist: Peggy
Date of Query: 20 September 2005
Peggy read the instructions for submitting a query on the Query Page
Then, she composed the following query and posted it on the American Indian Genealogy Forum. Over the next six days, she and I corresponded back and forth by email as I helped her by answering her research questions and boosting her over the brick wall that had stopped her research.
In the process, Peggy took action on several basic genealogy strategies and learned more about the standard operating procedures for genealogical research. Establishment of families in time and place is essential in discovering the relationship of those families to Indian tribes. Both the Indian tribe, or Indian individual and the white family must be in close proximity for alliances to be established.
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Note: This is a great query because it gave me the kind of information I need to compose an almost immediate response. KD
Peggy's Query
I am looking for info on my gr gr grandmother, Minnie (Harrison) Hand b 1877 or 1879 in Clark Co, Missouri. Family information leads to 1877 but the date on her headstone is 1879. d 1908. Once again, family info states she died in Clark, Co Missouri but she is buried in Greer Co, Oklahoma in the Hand family plot with her mother-in-law and father-in-law so I am not sure on the place of death.
Minnie Harrison m Asbury Hand 1894/95 in Clark Co, Missouri, possibly Alexandria. Minnie and Asbury had two sons
1) Alfred David Hand b 15 February 1896 in Clark Co, Missouri d ca 1948
2) Samuel Hand b( ) d( )
I believe Minnie's father to be Theodore Harrison b 1841 in Missouri d 1915 in Clark Co, Missouri. I came across a very old report card belonging to Minnie among my grandfather's things, it was signed by a Theo Harrison but not much else was discernable on it. No school name etc. After inquiring on-line, I came up with the rest of this information. Her mother was Sarah McConnell b 1847 in Ohio d( ) They married 1866 more than likely in Missouri as well.
The names of the children I have come across for Theodore Harrison and Sarah McConnell are listed below. Whether or not these are actually the parents or siblings of my Minnie Harrison, I have no definitive proof. The only thing I know for sure is the info on Minnie and Asbury and the report card, family photos and photos of Minnie's headstone and the Hand family plot containing David Hand and Hannah LaMaster (Asbury's parents) as well.
1)Belle S. b 1866 Clark Co, MO d 1881 St Francisville, Clark Co, MO buried Sand Cemetery Clark co, MO
2)Edward E, b 1869 in Missouri d ( ) St. Francisville, Clark Co, MO buried Sand cemetery Clark co, MO
3)Alice Amanda b 1871 in Clark Co, MO d 6 July 1961 in St Joseph Hospital, Keokuk, Lee Co, Iowa
4)William Robert b 1874 in St Francisville, Clark Co, MO d 15 July 1957 in a vehicle accident on Hwy 136 Kahoka, Clark Co, MO. I have a copy of a newspaper article with this information. Buried Ashton Cemetery Kahoka, MO
5)Rosa M. b 1876 Clark Co d 1911 Clark Co
6)Sarah b 1876 unknown d( ) unknown location
7)Cora b 1880 MO d( ) unknown location
8)Hattie b 1883 MO d( ) unknown location
9) Ann Myrtle b 25 July 1885 Clark Co, MO d 14 March 1894 St Francisville buried Sand cemetery Clark Co, MO
10)Jesse J. Harrison b 24 September 1887 Clark Co, MO d 3 August 1889 St Francisville buried Sand cemetery Clark co, MO
11)Fannie Harrison b( ) d ( )
As far as tribal affiliation, I have no clue whatsoever, which is making my search harder than even normal. I have a picture of Minnie that hung in my grandparent's bedroom for as long as I can remember. On the back it is inscribed "full blood Indian" but lists no Nation. I was often told of my grandmother's Native American heritage and so always thought that Minnie's photo was of my grandmother's grandmother since my grandmother's name was also Minnie. It wasn't until after my grandfather's death that I learned Minnie Harrison was his grandmother.
My grandfather, Thomas Asberry Hand, was 6' with blond hair and blue eyes so to find out this woman who was dark complexioned with very dark eyes and wore her hair in braids in one photo I saw, was his grandmother was shocking. After asking around on-line, I came across the woman who gave me all the information I listed above on Minnie's siblings and parents. I believe this to be the correct family because she also sent me pictures, among then a picture of William Robert Harrison and he and Minnie look very similar.
Several years back a family member told me that my great Aunt Irene Hand (grandfather's(Thomas Hand) sister) had traced the family line and felt she had everything in order to apply for citizenship but this relative could tell me no more than that. Unfortunately Aunt Irene passed away unexpectedly and due to a bad relationship between Aunt Irene's children and her boyfriend, the family was not allowed to collect any of her belongings after her death.
Thank you for any and all help!
Peggy
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Note: Before answering any query, I "map" the information I am given on a Pedigree Chart and/or Family Group Record, so that I can see all the facts plainly and quickly. Sometimes I have to ask for further information but Peggy's query was very complete to begin with. KD
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Kathie's Response to Peggy's Query:
Dear Peggy:
There probably is not yet enough documented information on your ancestry, yet, to pinpoint a tribal affiliation. In order to shore up each generation, I would do the following:
1. Check the US Census; gather and document each generation beginning with those living in 1930 and working backward, census-by-census to 1850. Remember that the 1890 US Census was destroyed and only fragments plus the Vets schedule remain.
2. You should be able to find Minnie Harrison as a child, with her parents in the 1880 US Census. A copy of that census is available free of charge at http://www.familysearch.org as well as at http://www.ancestry.com The 1880 census will show the birthplaces of her parents. Judging from their ages, etc., you can then go to the 1870 Census and continue back.
Following is a copy of the 1880 Census Index from Ancestry.com with entries for Minnie Harrison shown. I've added the given name of the father and county of residence in MO in parenthesis at the end of each listing.
1. Minnie Harrison - 1880 US Census/
Missouri Dau Gender: Female Birth: <1874> MO (G.P. Johnson Co)
2. Minnie L. HARRISON - 1880 United States Census / Missouri Dau Gender: Female Birth: <1874> MO (Ezra Scott Co)
3. Minnie HARISON - 1880 United States Census / Missouri Dau Gender: Female Birth: <1879> MO (Wm. St. Francois Co)
4. Minnie HARRISON - 1880 United States Census / Missouri Dau Gender: Female Birth: <1878> MO (Jno. F. Audrain co)
5. Minnie HARRISON - 1880 United States Census / Missouri Dau Gender: Female Birth: <1878> MO (Wm. Lafayette Co)
6. Minnie HARRISON - 1880 United States Census / Colorado Dau Gender: Female Birth: <1877> MO (NA)
7. Minnie L. HARRISON - 1880 United States Census / Missouri Dau Gender: Female Birth: <1868> MO (John L. Ray Co)
8. Minnie HARRISON - 1880 United States Census / Missouri Wife Gender: Female Birth: <1856> MO (NA)
9. Minnie HARRISON - 1880 United States Census / Missouri Dau Gender: Female Birth: <1877> MO (Joseph Wayne Co)
As you can see, you already have a problem with your information. First of all, none are in Clark Co; and secondly, none are daughters of Theodore Harrison.
She may not have appeared in this search because her name, Minnie, is a nickname and she was actually christened some other name such as Minerva or Myrtle or.....?
In 1900, we see the following:
10th Dist, Clay, Clark, MO
22-22
Berry Hand Head W M Aug 1873 26 M 6 MO IN IN Farm Laborer R H
Berry, Minnie W F Jul 1877 22 M 6 2-2 MO MO MO
Alfred b. 1896 MO
Samuel b. 1898 MO
Pickering, George Boarder 1844 52 Wd MO TN TN
Now, since she died young, you have quite a big problem. She may not appear in the 1880 census in MO because she may not have been born in MO. Indian people more often than not, do not accurately report their birthplaces, either their own or their parents'. She may have been born in Oklahoma.
I did not see a Theo or Theodore Harrison with wife Sarah in 1900 or 1910 in Missouri but he may have been under another name. Indian people were apt to use different names at different times because of their own naming traditions.
I did not see Theo or Theodore Harrison in the 1880 or 1890 Cherokee Nation Census in Oklahoma.
When conditions are like this in a search, you will need to try to find out as much as you can about Minnie's short life by looking for her marriage record and other records in Clark County, itself. Try to answer the question of why she was buried in Greer Co., OK. Was family living there?
Write back when you can. Let's discuss some of these questions and see if we can improve your chances on this search.
Thanks for letting me help you with this,
Kathie
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Note: As you can see, from the following, Peggy was energized by our discussions so far. It prompted her to action and she did a great job on the next portion of the research challenge. KD
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Peggy's Response:
Hi Kathie,
Whew, so frustrating and exciting all at once. Reading your response had me on the phone to my mom who I just spent the last hour chatting with about Minnie.
Mom got into her hope chest and pulled back out the report card and there was a lot more information on it than I remembered. The report card is written out to Minnie Harrison and is from the St Francisville public school for the period starting 16 September, 1889 to 8 March, 1890 for Primary Grades and is signed by Theo Harrison. That would put Minnie at about the age of 10 depending on which birth date is correct 1877 or 1879.
I am not sure why Minnie is buried in Oklahoma but I know this to be true because I visited her headstone this past summer on a trip out for a family reunion. The plot is a HAND plot with HAND clearly marked on the entrance to the plot. I also have photos of David and Hannah's (Asbury's parents) headstones.
I am wondering if possibly David and Hannah had moved from Missouri to Oklahoma and Asbury and Minnie were visiting or something similar since David and Hannah are buried in the same plot with Minnie but didn't die until after her. Any ideas on where to check the 1900 census for MO and OK info on David and Hannah?
On a side note, Asbury was often referred to as Berry and/or B.B. Hand, so I wasn't surprised to see that in the census info you posted on he and Minnie.
As for Minnie and her maiden name. The back of the picture I have says Minnie Harrison Hand and the report card is made out to Minnie Harrison so I just went from there but that is really all the proof I have. I have called Missouri records and was told that records were not really kept until 1910 so am not sure where to go from there to find proof on Minnie and Asbury.
Thank you so much for all your help!
Peggy
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Peggy wrote again with some further research results.
From what I can tell of Theodore's other children, all the females married and none married a man named Asbury so I don't think Minnie is actually one of the others. While digging for this info I came across something very interesting though.
I couldn't find Theodore listed in the 1900 census so I searched for Sarah and found her as well as Robert and Hattie and another I believe, due to the birthdate, to be Cora but the name is smudged out. The reason I couldn't find it when I searched Theodore is because the name of the head of household has been crossed out but all of his other info is listed.
I then decided to check out the 1910 census to see what children are listed for it, if any and once again, could not find Theodore. I finally decided to broaden my search for any states and came across a Theodore Harrison in Illinois who matches age, birthplace and birthplaces for both parents, but get this.... this Theodore Harrison is listed as an inmate!!! He is also listed as widowed. I searched Sarah also in the 1910 census and come up with nothing.
Peggy
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My Response to Peggy:
Hi:
Suppose Sarah died and Theodore, who had always been very sick from his military service, had to be put somewhere because no one was there to care for him anymore. Adams Co., IL, is just across the Mississippi and south of Clark County a ways. Does it say Soldiers and Sailors Home? If you think this is plausible, check to see what institutions were in IL at the time. A history of Illinois or of Adams Co., would tell you that.
The individual you found was 68 years old; born in about 1842....just a perfect age to have served in the Civil War. If he is your Theo, CW Service means .....MORE WRITTEN RECORDS. Check the Civil War Pension Apps and service records. Have you ever checked those? Ancestry has a search and the index is also at the US Parks Service site. Input US Parks Service in Google and if you hunt around you'll find it. Are you using ancestry.com at home or at the Family History Center? He may have applied for a pension.
In the 1900 census where you found the smudgy entry, does it say anything unusual about Theo such as if he was blind or sick in some way?
Also, I would check to see what records are available at your local Family History Center (FHC) for Clark Co., MO. You can find the catalog online at http://www.familysearch.org Click on Library and then on Family History Library Catalog. Input Clark, part of Missouri. You can search for the Soldier's Home in Adams Co., IL, the same way.
The site will show you a lot of topics. My favorites when opening a search are Cemetery, Biography, Vital Records, Land Records, Military Records, Probates. As you click on the clickable subjects, the program takes you to more and more details information. But remember it's only a catalog to records you can order at your local LDS FHC.
I haven't looked at it for you yet. However, I have seen the entry for 1900 and believe I can make out the name Theodore. Someone has written statistical information over the names. Many items in the census for Vernon are smudged out. Very odd.
As to Indian tribe, since we now know the birthplaces of Minnie's parents. Virginia can denote Delaware and Cherokee. OH can denote Miami, Delaware, Algonquin, Potawatomie. There were many of those groups who came west. Just keep tracing using the census, etc. You should find a Harrison family in MO in 1850 with a son, Theodore. But don't forget the censuses in between.
Remember that genealogy without proof is mythology. So be sure to keep an up-to-date electronic database of your history and add pertinent documentation as you go. Take it from one who knows, documentation is a real pain but doing it long after you gather it is a worse pain. So document as you go. Putting it off only makes it worse. If you don't already have a database, there's a free one at the LDS site (above) called Personal Ancestral File 5.21. It's the one I've used for years and years.
Let me know how you get along. If the census doesn't work for you, it may be because the family was in the Indian Territory.
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Peggy's Final Message: - 26 Sep 2005
Hi Kathie,
I just wanted to take the time to say Thank you. The amount of time you put in to answering my e-mail as well as helping me with my search is mind boggling for the small fee you charge. I am so glad I stumbled across your website!!
Peggy
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Epilogue
Now, you are probably thinking...."Hey, you didn't prove the Indian blood. In fact, none of the records showed the family to have been Indian at all!" Okay, okay, don't get strident. No, we didn't prove they were Indian yet but we found out that the earlier generations were from Ohio and Virginia and we named the tribes that were in those areas. Also, Peggy learned how to "push" the records to get out of them further information. I believe she learned some important things about research that will serve her further as she continues her search.
Research in mixed blood Indian families where no known relative is or was enrolled can be very time-consuming. I've discovered that research into Cherokee Nation lineages, for instance, takes either five minutes or five years. While that may be an over-simplification, it is to the point. There are many records which can be quickly accessed for Cherokee families with records of enrollment the same as there are for most of the tribes of the Great Lakes and those west of the Mississippi River.
But when the genealogical findings point to mixed blood families before 1850 in states and regions east of the Mississippi River, where there are few detailed Indian records, the genealogical process becomes longer, deeper and more detailed. In my view, it takes sustained effort and the very best genealogical style to successfully navigate the trail back to the original Indian ancestor. It means looking at court, land, military, historical and tax records. It means getting out from behind the computer and walking to the nearest library, archives or courthouse.
Alternatively, it means hiring help in the places where the records of the pre-1850's Indian families lived. It means keeping good records and maintaining a solid range of documentation and correspondence. It's not an easy process and sometimes records cannot be found. After all, if you are a member of a family which has identified with so-called white society for generations; and which has successfully hidden the fact they are mixed blood Indian; you may be out of luck in trying to prove the Indian ancestry.
So, should you try? Yes. Is it worth it? Yes. Will you get enrolled? I don't know. Will you get part of the casino money? I don't know.
Whether or not it's worth it depends upon why you are searching. If all you want is a part of the casino money from the tribes, you will probably be disappointed....even if you succeed in getting it.
The happiest genealogists are the ones who simply love their ancestors, no matter what color or culture they were, for the overwhelming sacrifices they made in order to launch and nurture new generations in times when life wasn't quite so easy as it is today....way back before 911, penicillin and x-rays...way back before flush toilets, disposable diapers and automatic washers...way back before SUV's, ON-STAR and cell phones.
So, what's your research problem? E-mail me now.
