Locating information on Willie Mae Womack 1938 - 2009 - Daughter of Ras Womack and Maud Harris

The sheer thought of calling a Funeral Home to ask questions...my ears were listening but my heart was aching. I have not always been a person that attach to death to easy. Yes, I know I have heard it all including no one is prepared for death. Well, it has nothing to do with being prepared for death but it has everything to do with the fear of death. I, like everyone else as a specific/particular fear of something, and that is death. Okay, let's cut to the chase, I called to ask questions regarding my ancestor Willie Mae Womack and I was so nervous that I could not get my questions out. I had to hang up, regroup and then call back with my questions written down. Once I got passed the questions, I gathered a great deal of information such as what to do for archived files at the Golden Gate Funeral Home in Dallas, Texas.

The funny thing to this story...is, I am not afraid of visiting grave sites. It is one of those things that is strange and unexplained all in the same sentence. I have certainly ask in prayer that all fears be removed, death is something that has to happen. So, I have sent the $10.00 off to the Funeral Home for the archived records for Willie Mae Womack, who departed this earth in 2009. A pretty easy process. I am not sure what all is included in the $10.00, according to the young lady that assisted me "it included all that is allowable to the public". I did not go into any details because anything that will give me more clues will be greatly appreciated. I am curious as to who the informant was and her last known job (?) more was than anything. It seemed she moved from Marshall, Harrison, Texas to Dallas, Texas and never began a family.

The Life of Willie Mae Womack - Daughter of Ras Womack and Maud Harris

 

I searched and searched for a birth record for Willie Mae Womack using all of the variations I could think of. I even tried using those same variations with a male gender and just Texas, no results found. I did however, find a 1940 Census. She was born about 1938, Marshall, Harrison, Texas to Ras Womack and Maud Harris. On this 1940 Census she was 2 years of age. Being that the 1940 Census was the last to be released, there was no further history found on her. It was like she was 2 years....and then...??

 

I am sure she lived a great life. I only wish that I would have known her. She was right here under my nose until the year 2009. Rest In Peace, Willie Mae Womack.

 

 

 

...doodling and research

 

She seemed to have moved a few places in her life time. According to the Death Index, she got established a SSN in 1956, state of Texas. It could have been Marshall or Dallas, Texas. In 1956, she would have been 18 years of age. I wonder what sparked her interest to move away from home (Marshall, Texas). Anywhoos, her last know address was in Desoto, Texas.

 

 

She passed on in 2009.

 

 

Obituary found in the Dallas, Morning News.

 

 

 

 

 

 



The Life of Ras Womack, Junior - Son of Ras Womack and Maud Harris

This was certainly no April Fool prank, Ras Womack, Junior was born on April 1st, 1931 to Ras Womack and Maud Harris, Marshall, Harrison, Texas. Yes, another child added to the family. Ras was delivered by Jane Mitchell. She also delivered his brother Sam/Samuel Womack in 1935. His B/C shows that there were three children born and three children living.

 

 

 

I am sure that the limitation are there as far as the Census goes, 1940 was the last Census released. So, with that being said, I found very little about Ras, Junior. Seemed he fought in the Korean was and moved back to Marshall, Harrison, Texas. I did not find any marriages or children.

 

 



 

1940 Census - age 8, Marshall, Harrison, Texas

 

F. Ras Womack, age 52

 

M. Maud Harris, age 42

 

(Though his birth certificate five years earlier shows that Ras, Senior was age 46 and Mother Maud was age 34.)

 

also in the home:

 

Sam Womack, Brother, age 5

 

Willie M. Womack, Sister, age 2

 

 

It appeared he resided with his parents at 1609 Arkansas Street, Marshall, Texas in 1951 which was have made his 16 years of age. Unfortunately, Census for that year has not been released. On a 1935 - 1993 City Directory he was living at 1307 Elysian Fields Avenue, Marshall, Harrison, Texas 75670.

 

 

Ras Womack, Junior passed away in 1996.

 

 

 

The Life of Sam/Samuel Womack - Son of Ras Womack and Maud Harris

 

Sam/Samuel Womack

 

b. 1935

 

F. Ras Womack

 

M. Maud Harris

 

Marshall, Harrison, Texas

 

...the birth of Sam/Samuel Womack


Sam seemed to not have a lot going with his  life. Being the Census is only up to 1940, there is not much else found but City Directories and I did not find all of them. Though he married in 1966, there is no record of children. I searched all name variations of both first and last name.

...doodling and research

 

 

 

1940 Census - age 5, Marshall, Harrison, Texas

F. Ras Womack

M. Maud Harris Womack

also in the home:

Ras, Junior, Brother, age 8

Willie M., Sister, age 2


According to the Fold3 site, he was in the Army enlisted date 1953 to the departed date 1955.

1953 City Directory, residing with his parents...

 

1959...still residing with his parents, working a Laborer

 

 

 

 He married Dorothy Marie Carter in 1966.

 



 

 

Sam/Samuel Womack died 1983 in Marshall, Harrison, Texas.

Marshall, Texas Public Library - response Bernard Wilson - Permer Bernard Payne

 

I received a ton of information from the Marshall, Texas Public Library and unfortunately it was some of the same information (military and the 1940 Census) that I already had. I really appreciate all of the work put into gathering the information. I will continue using their services.



Longview and Marshall, Texas Searches, continued searching

Bernard Wilson
B. Wilson
B. Wil*
Wilson, black male
Wilson, Father, black male
Bernard Lewis
B. Lewis
B. Lew*
Lewis, black male
Lewis, variations - Louis
Permer/Palmer Payne
Permer/Palmer B. Payne
Permer/Palmer Pay*
Payne, Father, black male
Pain, Father, black male
P. B. Payne
P.B. Lewis

 

Harrison County Genealogy

Harrison County Genealogy

UPDATE - Bernard Wilson - Permer Bernard Payne

 

Time is definitely of the essence..

 

 

We all know that research takes time. I don't have an update on Bernard Wilson - Permer Bernard Payne. However I did go back to see any little detail that may be missed. I mentioned early on that it is not good to research too many family members at one time because you can miss something, it can be can become overwhelming and you can forget what request are sent and to where.

 

The Beginning - Bernard Wilson - Permer Bernard Payne - 1st Link

 

Update - I visited the Dallas National Cemetery but unfortunately it was not during visiting hours. I will be returning on my next available day. You talk about beautiful, OMG! Visiting a cemetery is not on the top of my list but the grounds there are really well kept. I can't wait to go back to see the area in which my relative is buried in. I re-wrote the military. As I mentioned had done my family tree before, so I decided to go back and see in what name I requested look up for and it was only Permer Bernard Payne, the only name I knew at the time. When I began research before the 1940 Census were not available. When I re-wrote the military (Army) I requested research for the following names:

 

• Bernard Wilson

 

• Permer Bernard Payne, it is unfortunate that supposedly he entered the military as "Bernard Lewis" but was buried in the name "Permer Bernard Payne". I am guessing that records are not resumed and check. How they knew he was military under that name, I have not a clue.

 

• Bernard Lewis

I will be re-writing the Washington D.C. National Archive and Records Administration for a progress update.
 

 

Bernard Wilson - Permer Bernard Payne - Clue#2

 

I will be forwarding a second letter to the Washington D.C. Archive and Records Administration for a progress update. I will just add to the letter "second request" and "progress update". I assumed in the beginning that the holidays caused some delays but it's been a few days. The other factors that I consider is the amount of request they get a day, what the have to do to research and whether or not the request has to be approved for any reason. Besides, his name is very confusing...perhaps they are researching all of the above names for comparison and assurance.

 

I had a wild idea because you never know...going back to see what updates to do.

 

I am going to write the Longview, Texas Public Library since he lived there a short spell. They may have some sort of information on him. Though, he served our Country (well appreciated trust me!) he seemed to have had a sporadic course in his beginning years. Then I thought, Dallas, Texas burial...uhm! I should write The Dallas Morning News - Obituary Archives and Records. Though, I have an obituary, I am in search of another picture.

Letters of request:

 

Longview Public Library 222 W. Cotton St. Longview, TX 75601

My name is Jacqueline of Texas. I am currently doing family tree research. I am writing your site to see if you all have any information on a relative of mine.

He could have lived there under a few names:

Bernard Wilson

Bernard Lewis

Permer Bernard Payne

If you could please assist me with my research it would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you in advance,

 

Jacqueline

______________________________________________________________

 

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS
508 Young St.
Dallas, TX 75202

Dear Obituary Archive Department,

 

 

My name is Jacqueline of Texas. I am currently doing family tree research. I am writing your site to see if you all have any archived obituary information on a relative of mine.

He could have been listed under a few names:

Bernard Wilson

Bernard Lewis

Permer Bernard Payne – though the Dallas National Cemetery buried him under this name.

Thank you in advance,

 

Jacqueline

 

Bernard Wilson - Permer Bernard Payne - Clue#5


I have not received anything from the Army as of his date. I am going to wait a little bit before writing them a third notice. Though, I did write the Marshall, Texas Public Library another letter. Just from doing research on my own, I clearly understand that research does not happen overnight.

Okay, I had another wild idea. Since the 1940 Census in the last Census released, I wrote ancestry.com (360 West 4800 North, Provo, Utah 84604) to see if they can assist me with researching his birthplace and his parents. I did receive a response letter from the Dallas National Cemetery.




Bernard Wilson - Permer Bernard Payne - Clue#7


Letter to Marshall School District (Archive Records Department)
Waiting on a reply...

Marshall High School

502 West Pinecrest Drive

Marshall, Texas 75670

 

Dear Records Department,

 

My name is Jacqueline of Fort Worth, Texas. I am currently researching my family history. I am requesting information about Bernard Wilson. I do know that lived in Marshall, Texas on the 1940 Census with my Great Grandmother Maggie Womack Payne on Star Street at the age of 7 years. I am not exactly sure how he is related. It is my understanding that he was my biological Mother’s brother.

b. March 1933
He was born Bernard Wilson, but later changed his name to Permer Bernard Payne. Again, I am trying to see if he had any school records there in Marshall, Texas for any year. According to the 1940 Census, he was not in school at age 7 years.

 

Thank you sincerely

 Jacqueline

 
 

Bernard Wilson - Permer Bernard Payne - Clue#8
Waiting on a reply...

  

Spinks Airport, Human Resource Department

13451 Wing Way, Suite 109

Fort Worth, Texas 76028

 Dear Human Resource Department,

My name is Jacqueline of Texas. I am currently doing family tree research and am in need of any information on my family members as I can get. I am researching "Permer Bernard Payne"(deceased name)/Bernard Lewis (military name)/Bernard Wilson(birth name). I am not sure what name he would have used while employed with your company. He was b. March 1933, as far as I know. He married Dorothy Robinson Payne in 1991. I attempted contacting her and unfortunately she has passed on. I was adopted as a child, so I am unaware of any other family members. I slightly remember him, because when he was married to Irma Simpson they both cared for me until he left the home. He passed on August 2003. If you could please assist me some information on him it would be greatly appreciated.

 

 

 Thank you sincerely,

 Jacqueline

  








 



Hannah/Hanah Womack - Hillard- Hubbard - Womack - Daughter of John Womack

I continued looking for my relative Hanah/Hannah Womack-  Hillard - Booker. I researched her name first, then attempted looking up ‘Hillard’/Marshall, Harrison, Texas, ‘Hillard/Texas USA. I was able to find a little more information than I already had. You’ve probably guessed by now that I need a little assistance from someone, somewhere for verification. So, I begin with writing the Marshall, Texas School (Archive Records Center), Census show that she completed up to the sixth grade. Then I wrote the Marshall, Texas Public Library to see if they can find any Census or City Directory.

 

Behind the name Hannah

http://www.behindthename.com/name/hannah

Variations

Hannah -- Hanah, Hanna, Hanner

The 1940 Census suggest that she had a sixth grade education, Marshall, Texas

 

 

Letter to the Marshall, Texas School (Archive Records Center):

Marshall High School

502 West Pinecrest Drive

Marshall, Texas 75670

Dear Archive Records Department,

My name is Jacqueline Thomas of Fort Worth, Texas. I am currently researching my family history. I am requesting information about Hannah/Hanah Womack. I do know that lived in Marshall, Texas on the 1940 Census with Ocatavia/ie Roland. The 1940 Census notes that she attended school up to the sixth grade.

b. 1872

Assistance with this would be greatly, greatly appreciated.

Thank you sincerely,

Jacqueline

 

The Letter Sent to the Marshall, Texas Public Library:

Marshall Public Library

300 South Alamo Boulevard

Marshall, Texas 75670

Dear Genealogy Department,

My name is Jacqueline of Texas and I am currently researching my family tree. I am a little confused about Hanah/Hannah Womack (Hillard, Booker) of Marshall, Texas. He was supposed to be born 1872 (abt) and was married to a ‘Booker’ and widowed by the 1940’s. She died a ‘Booker’. I am trying to any other Census other than the 1880 Census (age 8) and the 1940 Census (Hannah Booker, residing with Octavia Roland).

 

Thank you sincerely,

Jacqueline

Searches included:

Hanah/Hannah/er Womack

Hanah/Hannah/er Wom*

Hanah/Hannah/er Wamack

Hanah/Hannah/er Wam*

Hanah/Hannah/er W.

Han* Womack

Han* Wamack

Han* W.

H. Womack

H. Wamack

and black

and Marshall, Harrison, Texas

and Texas, USA

 

After reading the death certificate a little closer I came up with a few more clues.

 

If you will notice her death certificate says "Brooks", the 1940 Census says "Booker".

 

I searched 'Han* Booker/Texas and found a City Directory with...

 

 

Booker, Hannah (wid Chas) r 709A 6th

 



 

The 1940 Census noted her residing with her sister Octavia/ie Womack Roland (died 1946) on Lizard Loop Street during the May 3, 1940 Census period. On Hannah/Hanah's death certificate, Ras Womack was the informant. So, I researched  any Census and City Directory that included Ras and found that he did not live on the same street as her death certificate note (Mauldin Street). He lived at 1609 Arkansas, Marshall, Texas at the time of Hannah/Hanah's death ( in 1949). After learning that, I  re-researched the name 'Booker'/Texas. I read carefully and closer this time and notice Chas Booker's (Hannah/Hanah's husband) death certificate ( Chas died 1930) and on his death certificate Hannah/Hanah Booker was the informant. There was not a address noted, but they resided in Fannin County. Though she was living with her sister Octavia/ie on the 1940 Census, Octavia/ie died 1946, Hannah/Hanah was not deceased until 3 years later and she had to be residing somewhere. Seems she never had children.

 



Harrison County, Texas to Fannin County today is about 2 hours and 45 minutes.

 

 

The Beginning - Ellen Evans Payne/Pain

So, I came across the Slave Narrative...I have been trying to cipher through what was given by her. That is the beauty of it all. I will be breaking down everything that may be of meaning as far as research goes to figure things out. All I know as of now is that she is my maternal Great Grandmother.

“Ellen Payne, 88,” – The narrative was release in 2011, I have not found a death certificate or index for her. Later in the narrative she mentioned that her husband and children were no longer living. Who the informant would have been I am not sure and if they knew anything about her. Informants as we all know give just what they know of the person.

David Payne/Pain's Mother, my Grandfather

Searches are:

Ell*, Ellen Evans, Ellen Pain, Ellen Payne, Ellen Lewis (she mention was her Father’s name, not sure if a slave name and if it changed), Ell* spouse Nelson, Ell* spouse Nelson Pain/Payne, Ell* spouse N Pain/Payne, Ellen spouse Nelson Pain/Payne, Ellen spouse N Pain/Payne, Ellen black child David Pain/Payne, E Pain/Payne, E Evans Pain/Payne slave black spouse Nelson Pain/Payne and all search in Marshall, Texas where she state she was born

“was born a slave of Dr. Evans, pioneer physician of Marshall, Texas, and father-in-law of former Governor Clark.” – I searched slave records using the above searches and was unsuccessful. I also searched for “Dr. Evan’s plantation” and the only thing that came up was a book called “Grass Roots Reconstruction in Texas 1865 – 1880”, by Randolph B. Campbell. I also searched “a list of Marshall, Texas plantations” and was not successful. I suppose that would be a good question to the ask the National Archive center or the Marshall, Texas Public Library.

“She married Nelson Payne when she was twenty-five,” – The 1880 Census shows that she was 28 years of age (1852) and married to Nelson Pain/Payne.

“and they farmed in Marshall for fifty-two years. Since Nelson's death eleven years ago, Ellen has operated the farm herself and has always made a crop. She lives alone on the Port Caddo Road.” – I cannot find a death certificate for either of them.

"My name is Ellen Payne now, but in slave times it was Ellen Evans, and I was born on the old Mauldin place right here at Marshall and belonged to old Dr. Evans. Dr. Evans loans the Bible what had all our ages in it and never got it back, so when he freed us they guessed our ages.” – I tried researching the beginning of the slave narrative project to get kind of get an idea of what age she was. The narrative was released in 2011, she was 88 when they interviewed her. I could take the year minus the 88 years of age, only if I had any idea. This would probably give more clues of her birth. Speaking of birth I emailed the Washington D.C. National Archives Center  requesting assistance for finding her birthdate.

 

“My mistress say I was 'bout sixteen years old when surrender come,” – So, I used the 1880 Census and subtracted 16 years of age and got 1848. I used the above searches and 1848 and was still unsuccessful in finding her birthdate.
“and my daddy and mammy was Isom and Becky Lewis. Mammy come from Tennessee and they was seventeen of us chillen.”  - I did find a “voter’s registration” for "Isom" in Marshall, Texas. Unfortunately, it does not specify the race. Using name variations and dates of birth, I was not successful in finding a census. On a more extended Slave narrative I find that she listed some of her siblings: Caroline, Henry, Calvert, Frances, Alfred, Allen, Lucy, Easter, Mattie, Katie, Adeline and Josephine. I tried searching for sibling and the mother (Becky/Rebecca) to locate and a census and was unsuccessful in doing so. 17 siblings, this makes for a huge family. God knows I would have love to have met each and everyone of them. Because of His Graces and Will, I am able to at research and find as much as possible for my children.

Reminder of the narrative:

"Master Evans lived in a big brick house on the north side of Marshall and run his farm four miles from town, and I stayed on the farm, but come in town some with my mammy to work for Mistress Nancy. The niggers on other farms had to sleep on 'Damn-it-to Hell' beds, but we didn't have that kind. We had good wood beds and hay mattresses with lowell covers. I mostly minded the calves and chickens and turkeys. Master Evans had a overseer but he didn't 'low him to cut and slash his niggers and we didn't have no hard taskmaster. They was 'bout thirty slaves on the farm, but I is the only one livin' now. I loved all my white folks and they was sweet to us. The hands worked from sun to sun and had a task at night. Some spinned or made baskets or chair bottoms or knit socks. Some the young'uns courted and some jest rambled round most all night. On Saturday was the prayer meetin' in one house and a dance in another. On Sunday some went to church and visitin', but not far, 'cause that was in patterroller times.” They was allus plenty to eat and one nigger didn't do nothin' but raise gardens. They hunted coon and possum and rabbits with dogs and the white folks kilt deer and big game like that. My daddy allus had some money, 'cause he made baskets and chair bottoms and sold them, and Master Evans give every slave a patch to work and they could sell it and keep the money. We didn't know nothin' but what went on at the place. Us slaves didn't carry news 'cause they wasn't none to carry and if the white folks want to send news anywhere, they put a boy on a mule to take it. Master Evans had a old woman what tended to us when we was sick, and he give us quinine and calomel and castor oil and boneset tea. That tea was 'nough to kill a mule, but it done us good. Some wore esfidity bags round they necks to keep off sickness. My young mistress married Master Clark and they lived close, and my mammy and me used to spent part the time workin' for her. Master Clark got to be governor 'bout time war started and moved to Austin. I still got the Bible he give me. I 'member the white southern men folks run off to the bottoms to git 'way from war, but I never seed nothin' of the war. When we was freed my old master calls us up and say, 'You is free, and I'm mighty glad, but I'm mighty sad.' We stays on till Christmas, then mammy and me leaves and hires out. I stays workin' with her till I'm twenty-five and then I marries Nelson Payne. My young mistress sends me a blue worsted dress to marry in, and we's married at mammy's house and she give us a nice supper. He was a farmer and we kep' on livin' on the farm fifty-two years, till he died. We loved farm life. I raised four boys but none of them is livin' now. When Nelson died first one then 'nother holps me and I has made a crop every year till now. I'm too old now, but I still raises some corn and peas and garden stuff. They gives me a $15.00 month pension, but I likes to be doin' somethin'. I still shouts at meetin's. I don't have nothin' to do with it. It hits me jes' like a streak of lightning, and there ain't no holdin' it. I goes now to camp meetin's clost to Karnack and tries to 'have, but when I gits the spirit, I jest can't hold that shoutin' back. The young folks makes fun of me, but I don't mind. Style am crowded all the grace out of 'ligion, today."

 

Genealogy Blog Roll - check it out!

There are a ton of genealogy/ist and related Bloggers out there. Just by clicking on one of the Blog you may find more of what you are looking for. Some of them are doing family research as myself and others are teaching you the ropes. Click on the link below to see what you may find.

 

Genealogy Blog Roll

In search of Bernard Wilson - Permer Bernard Payne

 



Note to self - it reminds me that I am waiting on a reply and other things...

I am searching for my uncle Permer Bernard Payne - b. Bernard Wilson about 1938. I have search up and down for him using the different name variations including the cities he had lived in (Fort Worth, Texas and Longview, Texas as far as I know). Since he has seemed to have fallen of he face of he earth between 1940 and 1968 when he married Irma J. S. in the Tarrant County area. From looking at the City Directories that ancestry.com provided on their site, he seemed to have moved from Longview to Fort Worth, Texas.

 

 

Letter to the Dallas National Cemetery

 

 

As I mentioned he was b. Bernard Wilson. I searched for "Bernard Wilson" in Longview, Texas and Marshall, Texas. So, at this point I am not sure if "Payne" was given to him by Great Grandmother, Maggie Womack Payne because the 1940 Census show that he resided with her or if he was my Grandmother's biological child by a different Father.

 

 

According to the family and where he was buried it is believed that he served time in the military (searched by "permer bernard payne"). I can not find any record of that other than the place in which he was buried. Only those that served in the military is buried there.

 

 

Pictures that were copied from the findagrave.com website.

 

 

Unfortunately, I can not contact his last wife, Dorothy Robinson (Payne) of Fort Worth, Texas. She passed on in 2009. I attempted searching for children and to was unsuccessful. The things my Auntie shared with me were some of the same things that was noted on ancestry.com. It was well appreciated because I never would have put the two names together (Wilson/Payne). I have always thought it was 'Payne' growing as a child. 

 

 

Another stumbling block, but only for know. Persistence surely pays off.

 

Quick link at the bottom of this Blog