Response from the Marshall Public Library - Clue#10

Harrison County Genealogical Society easttexaskin@yahoo.com	3:28 PM (4 hours ago)
to me

 

I will pass this on to R****** who works on Thursdays.  He  is our Confederate Army expert.  He won't be in this week; but he will be here the following week.  I did find a John Womack who died in 1924 who is buried in Nichols Cemetery.

 

B*******, Museum Library Volunteer

____________________________________________________________________

 

Above is the response email from the easttexaskin@yahoo.com, I wrote them some time ago requesting information about the actual name my Great, Great Grandfather joined the Civil War/registered as. Just from dong my research I had come across several names. I could not decipher rather he was just unable to spell his name which was common or if he just registered in a previous slave name or what. Hopefully hearing from the Marshall Library assigned member/volunteer I will get some more clues.

In search of Healon/Helen Womack Shars Shears - The daughter of John Womack??

 

1910 Census - age 12 - Marshall, Harrison, Texas

 

abt. 1898

 

Healon Womack, age 12, daughter

 

F. John Womack, Alabama

 

M. Emma (?) Womack, Texas

 

listed as the daughter of John and Nellie

 

others in the home:

 

 

John Womack, 56, Alabama, Father

 

Emma (?) Womack, 50, Texas, Mother

 

(I also searched for Nellie 'Emma' Montague, no results found)

 

Ras, 14, Texas, Brother

 

Henry, 9, Texas, Brother

 

Octavia, 2, Texas, Sister

 

 

 

 

1920 Census - age 21 - Marshall, Harrison, Texas

 

abt. 1899

 

Helen Womack, age 21, daughter

 

F. Henry Womack, Texas

 

M. Gertrude (?) Womack, Texas

 

listed as the daughter of Henry and Gertrude

 

others in the home:

 

 

Henry Womack, 56, Texas, Father

 

Gertrude (?) Womack, 50, Texas, Mother

 

James, 15, Texas, Brother

 

Rube, 10, Texas, Brother

 

Gertie, 4, Texas, Sister

 

 

 

I did not  found any record of John Shears and Helen being married, though the death certificate states 'married' and her last name is 'Shars'.

 

 

I searched for the marriage record under John Shears/Shars name only.

 

I did not find any record of her having children. I searched using the above list of searches. When I search John Shears name is showed that he had children with someone else. 'Ardell Shears', John's son was the informant on Healon/Helen's death certificate. I am not sure why, John was still living.

 

City Directory confirm that they resided together at some point in the relationship.

 

 

 

...then there where City Directories that showed she may have been single in the beginning. The funny thing is, John's body was removed from Dallas to Marshall upon his death. Though one his son (Ardell) was born in Marshall, Harrison, Texas, I did not find any Censuses that showed him residing in Marshall, Texas.



John Womack - Clue#8 - Marshall, Texas Public Library (3rd request via mail/email)

 

I have not received anything from the Marshall, Texas Public Library as of this date. I resent a letter and email in regards to my search. This will be the third request. I do understand that a great deal of 1890 Census were destroyed. Hopefully, I will soon receive a reply from the Marshall, Texas Public Library that will give me further clues about my Great, Great Grandfather John Womack of Marshall, Harrison, Texas.

Copy of email forwarded to Marshall, Texas Public Library 300 South Alamo Blvd. Marshall, Texas 75670

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

  








 



Bernard Wilson - Permer Bernard Payne - Clue#7

I am searching for records to show where and why Bernard Wilson changed his name to Permer Bernard Payne. I wrote the Marshall, Texas School District (Archive Center) in hopes that he had some acquired school records. This will maybe give me another clue.

 

Letter to Marshall School District (Archive Records Department)

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

 

In search of John Womack - Clue#7 - his wife Nellie

Nellie Montague Womack – Timeline

I am searching for John Womack, in order to do that I had to break down his in-home family members to understand him more. Census shows that John Womack, my Great, Great Grandfather married Nellie Montague in 1871. You have to be careful not to miss the reference. It is very easy to overlook a name, especially if you have been searching for a long time. Researching Nellie Montague Womack tells me that John Womack was married in 1871. I found a 1860 slave schedule with him on it at the age of 5 years of age, Texas (Slave owner, John F. Womack) which means he should have been b. about 1854. John Womack died in 1924. I am still waiting to hear from the Marshall, Texas Public Library. I figure the delay is because of the holidays.

1871, marriage - 1860, slave schedule = 17 years of age.

 

Nellie Montague Womack, Father – Frank Montague/Mother – Hannah ?
,information gathered according to Nellie's death certificate

1880 Census – 1856 (24) (John 1845 at the age of 35)

The census shows that she was b. in Texas and that she was a Housekeeper.

Father – Mississippi

Mother – Mississippi

Married to John Womack, recorded 1871 at 15 years of age

Hannah – 1872 Father – Georgia Mother – Texas, had her at 16 years of age

Levi – 1875 Father – Georgia Mother – Texas, had him at 19 years of age

Henry – 1878 Father- Georgia Mother – Texas, had him at 22 years of age

James – 1879 Father – Georgia Mother – Texas, had him at 23 years of age

 

Note - "all persons will be included in the Enumeration who were living on the 1st day of June 1880 (Census completed June 14th, 1880). Children born since June 1st, 1880 will be omitted. Family members who have died since June 1st, 1880 will be included."



 

1900 Census – 1845 (55) (John 1835 at the age of 65)

Father – Georgia

Mother – Georgia

Married to John Womack

Hanah – 1876 Father – Mississippi Mother – Mississippi, had her at 31 years of age

Eliza/Elize – 1883 Father – Mississippi Mother – Mississippi, had her at 38 years of age

Ras – 1884 Father – Mississippi Mother – Mississippi, had her at 37 years of age

Maggie – 1887 Father – Mississippi Mother – Mississippi, had her at 42 years of age

Octavia/Octavey – 1891 Father – Mississippi Mother – Mississippi, had her at 56 years of age

 

1920 Census – 1851 (69) (John Womack 1850 at the age of 70)

Father – North Carolina

Mother – Mississippi

Married to John Womack/widowed by now (John Womack died in 1924)

The only child that was left in the home is Octavia. Though the 1910 Census is missing, the age difference is by 1 year, she should be around 29 years of age. By now Octavia Womack Roland is married to John H. Roland (b 1880 Father – Texas Mother – Texas) and two children are shown to live in the house that is listed as Nellie’s (Montague Womack) grandsons. Wilbert Womack b 1901 and Nathan Roland b 1912. Nellie’s death certificate shows that she was born in 1854 and died in 1939, which made her 85 years of age. I did not see any slave schedules for Nellie.

Nellie died in 1939.

 

 

Quick reference at the bottom of this blog.

 

In search of David Payne/Pain - Clue#3

 

As you all saw, I had a hard time finding my Grandfather David Payne/Pain because of the spelling. Though he seemed to be missing at some part of the search I found a lot during my search. I knew before finding his parents that he was married to my Grandmother Maggie Womack of Marshall, Texas and that they had two children together.

 

1900 Census - 18 years of age

 

 

 

1910 Census - 28 years of age

 

married to Maggie Womack

one child, Virgie Belle Payne - age 4

 

 

He was drafted February 1918, married to Maggie Womack Payne

 

 

1920 Census - 40 years of age

 

married to Maggie Womack

two children, Virgie Belle Payne - age 13/ Myrtle Payne - age 5

 

 

Though there was not a death certificate or a social security of death (even with name variations), he had to have passed on between the 1920 Census and the 1930 Census. Only Maggie Womack Payne - widowed and Myrtle Payne - daughter were listed on the 1930 Census.

 

 

 

 

 Though I don't have a picture of my Grandfather I learned from the 'registration card' that he was a medium built man, black eyes and black hair. His Mother Ellen Evans Payne/Pain was very short. Perhaps his build and height came from his Father, Nelson Payne/Pain. I can only imagine.

 

 



In search of David Payne/Pain - Clue#1

Okay! ...I am kind of excited right about now!! More then you can ever imagine. I love finding pieces of my history. My Mother was born Brendel Lewis the daughter of Carey Lewis and Myrtle Payne, Marshall, Texas. Myrtle Womack (Payne) married David Payne. David Payne is the son of...get this, Nelson Payne and Ellen Evans Payne of Marshall, Texas.

She is mentioned in this book, Slave Narrative:

Freedom of Slavery, purchase on eBook

I learned that their first slave owner was E.B. Clark, a former Governor of Marshall, Texas.

They later were slaves of William F. Evans, and when you read the 'slave narrative' Ellen mentioned that her name was "Ellen Evans during slavery and now it is Ellen Payne".

Is she a doll?!

My Great Grandmother Mrs. Ellen Evans Payne

 

Quick link at the bottom of this Blog



 

In search of John Womack - #3Clue/LFR


As I mentioned early on I am redoing my family tree for readers to see the process of searching for family members. I came to a dead end with my Great, Great Grandfather John Womack of Marshall, Texas so I emailed the Marshall, Texas Public Library for a helping hand in my search. There was not ever a reply to the email, so I wrote a letter to mail (attaching the email). I will also call on Wednesday, to confirm the receipt of the letter. Dead ends should not stop your researching. Though, it is not good to research more then one to three people because it can (for me) become over whelming and confusing. It can also cause you to miss something during the search.


Letter forwarded to the Marshall, Texas Public Library at 300 South Alamo Boulevard Marshall, Texas 75670



Quick link at the bottom of this Blog