African American Family History Research: Breaking the 1870 Wall

Mother And Child - Lifetime Movie - it's about adoptiion

This is a great movie! Do you have family that has been adopted? It does not necessarily incomplete the family tree if you are unaware of it. I mentioned early on that I am an adopted child (not legally) but yes, adopted. I was one of the lucky ones, my name never changed.

Octavia/ie Womack Roland - Daughter of John Womack

This Census show that there was a ?baby girl born in that year. The name is not list. Elize/a Montague Walton is Nellie's (Montague Womack) sister. Octavia/ie's death certificate shows that "John Womack" and Eliza/e Walton is Octavia/ie's parents. It thought that Octavia/ie is the unnamed child on this Census. Perhaps, just perhaps John Womack and Nellie raised Octavia/ie as their child.

Bernard Wilson - Permer Bernard Payne - Clue#8

I was rummaging through my things and guess what I found. A newspaper obituary. Oh what information you can gather from obituaries, though they are much like death certificate, the informant gives just what they know about the person. It is not always an informant is close. Yes, he married Dorothy Robinson (Payne) in 1991, but using the name Permer Bernard Payne.

 

So here's the deal, He was born Bernard Wilson, according to ancestry.com, he entered in as Permer B. Payne.

 

 

The previous entry for his search states that I forwarded letters to Marshall, Texas Public Schools for any school record that they may have and the National Archive Center for Census that may give more clues about when and why he changed his name.

 

 

As you read on the obituary he worked for "Spinks Aircraft". So, I looked "Spinks Aircraft" up and found that it opened in 1988 and it is a general aviation reliever airport for the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex...so on and so forth. I wrote them a letter to see if they would release any information about him.

 

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 you 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.

 

 

Slave Narrative Collection from Alabama to Virginia

Slave Narrative Collection

Ellen Evans Payne/Pain - Clue#1

I mentioned earlier on that I sent an email to fc@nagov in regards to Ellen Evans Payne/Pain, my Great Grandmother of Marshall, Texas. I am trying to confirm her parents that she mentioned I the 'slave narrative' and her birthdate. Well, the email was 'undeliverable' so I wrote a letter to the:

National Archives and Records Administration Center
700 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington D.C. 20408-0001

This is just the beginning, the suspense has me sitting on the edge of my seat each and every day. I will definitely update when this information is received or otherwise.

The foot work is certainly well worth it!

'undeliverable' email -

The form downloaded from , www.archives.gov. There is a small fee needed for research. They form instructions states that research can not be done with the fee included.

 

Request Letter sent -

 

National Archives and Records and Administration

700 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Washington D.C. 20408-0001

My name is Jacqueline Texas and I am currently researching my family history. I came across your website after the email I sent to was ‘undelivered’. On your website I saw several request forms but none for what I was requesting. I was not sure if you go beyond what the forms request. What I am looking for is the parents of my Great Grandmother Ellen (Lewis), born name as far as I know, Evans, her first slave name, Payne/Pain, her married name (to David Payne/Pain). She mentioned in the slave narrative I reviewed on line that her parents were Isom and Becky Lewis. I am trying to confirm that her parents were Isom and Becky Lewis and find a Census with that information noted. If you could please assist me with this request it would be greatly appreciated. I included my credit card number on the ‘0027 NATIONAL ARCHIVES ORDER FOR COPIES OF CENSUS RECORDS’ Form. Please credit the amount needed for my request. If you have any questions my phone number is included on the form as well.

 

Thank you sincerely, 

Jacqueline

 
 
 
 

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."

 

Journey, jus'a quote

"to know me is to know my journey"

Consider illegitimacy...

Consider illegitimacy...

 

Illegitimate children were given their mother's surname until 1926, when they could be re-registered with the father's name if the parents married after the birth. Seems in this case my Great, Great Grandmother Nellie Montague Womack had a child before marrying John Womack. I don't find any Census regarding another marriage or resident for Nellie Montague Womack, but W.B. Smith's parents on his death certificate is John Womack and Nellie Montague.

 



Hannah/Hanah Womack Hubbard Hillard Booker

 

Hanah/Hannah Womack Hubbard (Hillard)/Booker

 The daughter of John Womack, she appeared to be the oldest child by

Nellie Montague Womack.

 

1880

 

Hannah Womack

age 8

b. 1872

Birthplace - Texas

Precinct 3, Harrison, Texas

Father - John Womack, Georgia

Mother - Nellie Montague Womack, Texas

(Nellie would have been 15 years of age)

 

 

1900

 

Hanah Womack

age 24

b. 1886

Birthplace - Texas

Precinct 3, Harrison, Texas

Father - John Womack, Mississippi

Mother - Nellie Montague Womack, Mississippi

(Nellie would have been 31 years of age)

 

Though the 1910 Census recorded her name as Hillard/Hubbard, I can not find anything other then the Census. I searched for City Directories, the informant on her death certificate to see if it may have been her husband, to see if she had any children, et cetera. On the 1910 Census

(age 38), it shows that she resided with her sister, my Grandmother Maggie Womack Payne.

 

 

I did find a picture of her as a servant.

 

 

 

Hannah resided with her sister, Octavia at the time of her death (1940 Census).

 

 

In search of John Womack.

 

 

 

In serach of John Womack - Clue#5

Digging and digging some more...

 

 

I am very excited! Not the excited as if I have not ever had anything in life, but the kind of excitement that opens more and more doors to who my ancestors are. Interesting.

 

 

So, as I was digging I came across this document called "Selected U.S. Federal Census Non Population Schedules 1850 - 1880" and found one that was attached to my Great, Great Grandfather, John Womack.

 

 

I guess I am understanding this correctly, John Womack worked for/with Frank Montague, his father-in-law, It shows that Frank Montague was the owner - Production of Agriculture. Cool!

 

Quick link at the bottom of this Blog

 



Like us - The Black Tree Search Facebook

"finding your roots one day at a time"

 

 

Encouragement. Assistance searching. Learning about African American family tree search. Excitement. Final results. Memories. Keepsake. by Jackie Thomas

 

Thank you in Advance!



My ameture me...

I love taking photos of old buildings.

 

 

History is awesome!

 



Jumping the Broom...

Jumping the Broom



African American Families in the 18th Century

Prison Records and Search

 

I had to unfortunately begin locating my biological Father in the prison system. Once I wrote the prison it did not take long. They sent a great deal of information, no questions ask. I also have a link to a list of prisons in the United States (by the state).

 

 

Court, Government and Criminal Records

 

Prisons and Penitentiary Records

 

 

 

 

My Great, Great Maternal Grandfather

Earl Wilson

 

In search of John Womack - Marshall, Texas #2 Clue

So, in the mean time I searched and searched some more for my Great, Great Grandfather John Womack. Unfortunately, to find this 1920 Census I had to tweak the 'search' just a little. On this 1920 Census, I learned a few more things:

Reference back to this post:
 

 

 John Womack - Post, update

1920 Census, found.

 

 

 

The 1900 Census showed him as being b 1835 (65 years of age), now it shows him being b 1850
(7- years of age), which is a fifteen year difference. The 1900 Census also showed him and Nellie Montague being married for twenty-nine years, which would have made him marry at the age of 6. We all now this is a piece of the puzzle not fitting.

 

Now they live on Frog Town Street, still renting their home (dwelling as they called it)

 

Same b place, Mississippi

 

Father b place the same, Mississippi

 

Mother b place changed from Mississippi to North Carolina

 

The only child living in the home is Octavia (Womack) Roland, married to John H. Roland.

 

Now a laborer, brick mason

 

Eliza 'Liza' (b 1883), his daughter according to the 1900 Census is married to Sol Walter is listed on this 1920 Census.

One more step closer to finding my Womack/Payne/Lewis roots.


I emailed the Marshall, Texas Public Library at info@easttexaskin.com.

Quick link at the bottom of this Blog


In search of John Womack - Marshall, Texas

 

This BLOG entry is the beginning of my family tree search (Womack of Marshall, Texas). I have done a big portion of my family tree search but because I was ask a number of times that same question; "where did you start?", I decided to begin again showing step by step - how to's - links to sites - letter of request  and - results. I am starting with my Great, Great Grandfather John Womack b abt 1835. As we know at great deal of 1890 Census was destroyed. We also know that Census Records are the foundation for building out family trees. As you can see below that my Great, Great Grandfather's birth parents were supposedly from Mississippi, but sometimes this is not always the case. Unfortunately, there were two negro John Womacks in that time period that resided in Marshall, Texas and he too was supposedly born in Mississippi. Because I don't have a whole lot of information on my Great, Great Grandfather I have to start with the 1900 Census.

 

 

The information I learned from this 1900 Census:

 

12th Census of the United States

Lived on East Border Street

The term 'black'

b March 1835

Married 29 years, 1900 - 29 = 1871

(To Nellie Montague)

Father b Mississippi

Mother b Mississippi

He was b Mississippi

read/write, no

Rented, house

I also learned that there were other Womacks on this Census

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

There was not a whole lot to learn on the death certificate but the year of his death:

 

 

I have researched the letters on his headstone to see what kind of organization he was in but it was a dead end. I will continue to research that. This is something that I did not figure during the first search. It is kind of on the back burner as far as research is concern (I will keep you updated).

 

 

So, the beginning of search is an email to the Marshall Public Library to see if they can find any information on when and where he was born. In the mean time I will continue to do research. I mentioned in other BLOG post that sometimes it take a couple of request before getting a reply, and that's okay.

 

Quick link at the bottom of this Blog

 

 

 

 

 



Black Family Reunion kicks off with parade, concert downtown...

Genealogist - African American

Genealogist - African American