Just some info:

Please keep in mind that I have lots of time and money invested in this project. Many of the names are family members... some a few (not usually very far) generations down the line. Others are names in my husband's family, brothers-in-laws families and my sons-in-laws families and daughter-in-laws families. Some are related to others in my family tree but not directly to me. All information I have personally gathered. I did not use any information from the Mormon Church's many sites. I have researched everything. Most photos belong to me directly, except the ones that I have given credit too.

My family lines are (note: the * are in my family tree {I still have many to mark.}) Jones, Pugh, Knowles, Prothero, Painter, Owens, Nash, Albright, Watkins, Hall, Edgerton, Willoughby, Draper, Charinsky, Aikin, Moore, Meers, Morgan, DalValley (DalVallee), Monson, Klaman, Breeden, Dora, Russell, Williamson, Arnold, Chism, Siddell, Weindenburner, Gill, Ames, Wallis, Chantos, Keller, Davis, Wilcox, Cox, Pate, Gruber, Palmer, Sullivan, Douthit, West, Butler, Reese, Balsley, Smallcomb and the list goes on.

Some folks, on this blog, are friends or friends' parents. Others are individuals that are on the same page as one of my family.

I am willing to do research for others, however I do charge for extensive research and for the cost of research items. To check in some of our local cemetery records they do charge. Birth and Death records also cost. Before I do that search I will require a deposit in my paypal account. Please ask ahead if I will be charged to help you. Also all of the articles I have, I have paid to make copies of .

Give me a Shout-out About Family History

I am not only looking for and posting my own family history, but others that I have found.



Blank lines means the individual is still living at the time that I post the article. I try not to publish any names of living individuals. This is not always possible, as some folks may still be alive and I don't know them. Sorry if I have posted a name of someone you know for sure is still living. Contact me and I will make their name a blank line.
I have the complete obit if you are related and need more information. Please state how you are related in your email.


Have Genealogy you would like to share?

Contact me at genealogist53@gmail.com



Sunday, January 23, 2011

Mrs. Glayds E. (Knowles) Nolan

Danville Commercial News - March 19, 1973
Mrs. Glayds E. Nolan

Mrs. Glayds E. Nolan, 71, formerly of 513 W. Fairchild, died at 5:38 p.m. Sunday (March 18, 1973) at Lake View Memorial Hospital, where she had been a patient for four days. She had been in failing health for 12 years.
She was born Feb. 16, 1902, in Golden Gate, Ill., the daughter of Alpha and Ida Ellen Painter Knowles. She married Jesse Omer Nolan May 18, 1922, in Danville, and he preceded her in death in August of 1937.
Survivors include a son, Charles A. Nolan of Danville, two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, three sisters, Mrs. James (Hazel) Duncan of Cairo, Ga., Mrs. Elmer (Elizabeth) Nolan of Tallahassee, Fla., and Mrs. Paul (Ruth) Bell of Sarasota, Fla. She was preceded in death by a brother and a sister.
She had worked for a time as a clerk at the old Golden Rule Department Store before her marriage. She was a member of Lincoln United Methodist Church.
Services will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday at the Pape Memorial Home. The Rev. M. Thomas Swantner will officiate, and burial will be in Spring Hill Cemetery.

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Della Foshier Weidenburner - 1928*

Danville Commercial News - July 28, 1928

Long Illness is Ended by Death
*Mrs. Della Forshier Weidenburner is Survived by Eight Children
Mrs. Della Foshier Weidenburner, 45, wife of Frank Weidenburner, coal miner, died at 8:30 o'clock Saturday morning at her home, 819 East North Street. She had been in ill health for a year, suffering from a complication of disease.
Surviving Mrs. Weidenburner are her husband and the following children: Mrs. Wommock of Warrington, MO.; Joseph of Hammond, and Willie, Robert, Edith, Albert, Leona and baby, Eugene, at home; five brothers, Capt. Claude Forshier of the soldiers home; Charles F. of Danville; James and Harold, of Hoopeston, and Bert of Terre Haute; two sisters, Mrs. A. C. Goodson, of Plainfield, Ill., and Mrs. Harry Gustin, of Chicago, and a grandson, Jackie Wommock, of Warrington, MO.
The body has been taken to the Pape funeral home. Funeral arrangements will be announced later.

Bernice Fuller Owens - 1956*

Danville Commercial News - May 18, 1956
*Mrs. Owens Dies at 75
Mrs. Bernice Owens, 75, of 408 Anderson St., died at 1:45 a.m. Friday (May 18, 1956) in St. Elizabeth Hospital, where she had been a patient since April 23.
She was the widow of Thomas Owens, former city health inspector who died in 1949.
Mrs. Owens was born to Heston and Elizabeth Fuller, Aug. 8, 1880 in Collinsville. She had resided in Danville 56 years.
Surviving are a granddaughter, Mrs. Charlotte Carpenter of Danville, and one great-granddaughter. In addition to her husband she was preceded in death by a son, Charles, in 1940.
The body is at the Jones-Sullivan Funeral Home. Arrangements are incomplete but burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery.

Wilbur "Squib" Griffith

Danville Commercial News - May 22, 1986

Wilbur "Squib" Griffin

Wilbur "Squib" Griffin, 69, of Danville, died at 1:04 p.m. Wednesday (May 21, 1986) at Lakeview Medical Center. He attended Sidell, Ill., and Danville schools. He worked for Consolidated Products in Danville, and later as assistant manager of the Vermilion Service Company for 20 years, retiring in February of 1976. He was a member of the Central Christian Church for about 40 years. He was a charter member of the Danville Jaycees. He was a coach and manager for kid league, little league and pony league baseball. He was a member of the Elks Lodge 332, Boat Club, Vermilion County Museum and the United Commercial Travelers. His hobby was bowling. Born Sept. 4, 1916, at Horace in Edgar County, Ill., son of Frank and Evalo Darnell Griffith. He married Margaret L. Jones on Nov. 22, 1939 in Danville. She survives. Other survivors: a son, ___________________.; a daughter, _____________; two granddaughters, ______________________; a grandson, ___________________; a brother, Stephen "Fuzzy" Griffith of Danville; four sisters, Helen Rupert of Danville, Donabelle _______ of Apache Junction, Ariz., Marjorie ______________ and Mrs.Faye Hillary, both of Oakwood, Ill; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded by a sister and a brother. Services: 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Pape Memorial Home and Gardens; Officiating: Rev. Dr. Jerry Martin; Burial: Oak Ridge Cemetery in Catlin, Ill.; Visitation: 5-8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home; Memorials: Renal Dialysis Unit at Lakeview Medical Center or Central Christian Church.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Sara Ann (Davis) Reese

Dec. 21, 1915 Danville Commercial News

South Side's Aged Resident

Sara Ann Reese, 93 years old, Passes Away at Home of Son Tuesday A.M.

Mrs. Sarah Ann Reese, the South Side's Oldest resident, passed away at home of her son, Daniel Reese, former state mine inspector, 216 South Railroad street. Death was due to infirmities, she being 93 years old.
Mrs. Reese was the sister of late John E. and William Davis, pioneer coal operators.
She was born Sarah Ann Davis at Mononshire, Wales, April 3, 1927, one of ten children of Thomas and Ann Davis. The parents and children, with no other families, came to this country in 1836 on the sailing vessel Theaborts. The ship sprung a leak at sea and it required six months to complete the voyage. The Davis family settled at Onovina, Md. where Sarah was united in marriage to David M. Reese. He died there forty-seven years ago. Mrs. Reese was the mother of ten children, but leaving six of them in Maryland, she accompanied her brothers here with four children and had made her home here ever since. The surviving children of the ten are Daniel of South Side, David of Des Moines, who arrived Monday, when informed that his mother could not survive long.
The other two children who accompanied their mother from Maryland, Mrs. Sarah Van Horne and W. D. Reese, late of Seattle, Wash., died in recent years.
Funeral services for Mrs. Reese will be held at 2 O'clock Thursday afternoon from the home of her son, 216 South Railroad street. Interment will be at Spring Hill cemetery.

Planning....

I am now available to do some research. I have been busy on a couple of projects, which I have completed. If you have research you would like to have done, please contact me and I will give you a quote of about how much it will cost.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Other Watkins Twin Died Wednesday* - 1916

Danville Commercial News March 29, 1916

Other Watkins Twin Died Wednesday
*Donald Followed Brother Delbert To Grave Within Four Days Time
Donald Watkins, the surviving twin baby of Mr. and Mrs. Bert Watkins, of Jefferson street, South Side, succumbed to an attack of measles and pneumonia at the family residence early Wednesday morning. The baby was ill at the time that the other one passed away last Saturday, but it was believed for a time that it would recover.
Surviving are the parents and five young sisters. On account of the health regulations the funeral services will have to be private and the body will be taken to Springhill cemetery for burial at an hour not made public.
Donald was barely nine months old.

Delbert Watkins Burial Information*

Danville Commercial News - March 27, 1916

*Private services were held for the infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Bert Watkins of 104 South Jefferson street, South Side, Monday afternoon. Interment was private. The babe, Delbert Watkins, passed away at 6 o'clock Saturday morning at the family residence, following an attack of measles, followed by pneumonia. On account of the health regulations the public was not admitted. The babe was a year and nine months old and one of twin sons. The survivors are the parents, sisters, Florence, Marian, Mildred, Ruth and Vivian and the surviving twin brother, Daniel.

Infant Watkins Dies*

Danville Commercial News March 25, 1916
*Infant Watkins Dies
Delbert Watkins, one of the twin infant sons of Mr. and Mrs. Bert Watkins, 104 South Jefferson street, South Side, died at 6:00 o'clock Saturday morning of a complication of pneumonia and measles. He was one year and nine months of age. The parents, five sisters and a twin brother survive. On account of the nature of the aliment, no services can be held and a private funeral will take place some time Monday.

Eli Douthit, 82; Discovered Dead*

Danville Commercial News May 1, 1932
*Eli Douthit, 82; Discovered Dead
Former Indian Fighter and Jackson School Janitor Succumbs in City.
Eli Douthit, 82, formerly employed as a janitor at Jackson school, was found dead in bed at his home, 917 Jewell street, about 4:30 o'clock Saturday afternoon by a neighbor, A. G. Dokey. Dokey, who said that he had seen the aged man alive about 3:30 o'clock Friday night, became alarmed when he did not see him about Saturday and investigated.
Coroner John D. Cole was notified and made planes to conduct an inquiry. Late Saturday night it had not been determined at what time the deceased died but it was believed that it was early Friday night.
The body was removed to the Edmund & Dickson funeral home where services will be held at 2:30 o'clock Tuesday afternoon. Burial will be in Springhill Cemetery.
Surviving the aged man are two sons, Elmer Douthit, Danville, and William, Urbana. His wife preceded him in death about twelve years ago.
Eli Douthit was born March 18, 1850, in Pleasantville, Ind., and had resided in this city the last 50 years. He was formerly a member of the United States regular army and fought in the Indian ________ after the Civil War.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Mrs. Bracewell Dies at Home of Daughter*

Danville Commercial News Feb. 28, 1947
*Mrs. Bracewell Dies at Home of Daughter
Mrs. Jessie L. Bracewell,80, widow of Edwin Bracewell, died at 4:10 a.m. Friday at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Russell M. Johnson, 103 S. Jefferson St.
Mrs. Bracewell was a member of the First Congregational Church and the Ladies Social Union of that church. She was born Aug. 14, 1866, in Catlin, a daughter of Joseph and Melvina Blakney Anderson.
Surviving with the daughter are three sons, Albert, Roy and Dwight Bracewell, all of Danville; seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren and one sister, Mrs. E. Golding, Belleville, Ill. She was preceded in death by her husband and five sisters.
The body was removed to the Berhalter Funeral Home, to be returned to the daughter's home Saturday morning. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in First Congregational Church with the Rev. R. E. Emmert officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery.

Mrs. Ethel (Pate) Spencer

Danville Commercial News March 16, 1983

Mrs. Ethel Spencer

Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Lakeside Funeral Chapel for Mrs. Ethel Spencer, 95, a former resident of 116 W. Bridge St. She died at 2 pm Tuesday (March 15, 1983) at the Vermilion Manor Nursing Home. She had been a resident there since Jan. 14, 1980.
The Rev. Phillip Button will officiate. Burial will be in Spring Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with Eastern Star services at 7 p.m. Thursday.
Educated in Tilton, Ill.schools, she was a member of the First Congregational Christian Church were she active in Social Union, Willing Workers groups and also worked with the Cradle Roll.
She was a 50-year member of Order of Eastern Star Iris Chapter 307, receiving her 50 year pin in September 1976. She was a past member of YWCA and member of Entre Norus Group of Senior Citizens.
She enjoyed her home, family, church, friends and flowers.
Born June 30, 1887, a half mile west of Tilton, she was a daughter of William and Henrietta Smallcomb Pate. She was married March 15, 1910, in Springfield, Ill. to Norman Spencer, who died May 8, 1962.
Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Prince (Margaret) O'Herron of the Central Park community south of Danville; a grandson __________________ of Tilton; and twin great-grandsons.
She was preceded in death by two daughters in 1915.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Watkins Birth Records - Sullivan County, Indiana

I found these birth records at the Danville Public Library. They were found in a book: Index to Birth Records Sullivan County, Indiana 1882 - 1920 Vol. 2 M - Z
All original records can be found at the County Clerk office of Sullivan County, Indiana.
Child's name- father's name- mother's maiden name - sex - color- date of birth - book - page
Watkins, Banus E. / William / Maud Alsman / M / W / April 20, 1912 / H-16 / 33
Watkins, Edna L. / Wm C./ Lola B. King / F / W / Dec 23, 1912 / H - 8 / 94
Watkins, Gibb / Wm / Maud Alsman / F /W/ Oct. 24, 1907 / H - 7/ 2
Watkins, Joy A. / Jas R / Flora Anderson / F/ W / Jan. 17, 1919 / H - 11/ 61
Watkins, Kenith C / William / Maud Alsman / M / W / April 8, 1910 / H - 16 / 21
Watkins, Richard A. Jr / Richard A. / Ethel Stepheson / M / W / Nov. 6, 1918 / H - 17/1
Watkins, Robert K. / Wm E. / Lola King / M / W / Sept. 4, 1916 / H - 10 / 68
Watkins, Ruth / Brooks / Effie Pinkston / F/ W / Aug. 21, 1914 / H - 9 / 81
Watkins, Virgil B. / Wm. / Maud Alsman / M / W / July 23, 1919 / H - 17 / 4
Watkins, Alice J. / William / Maude Maham / F/ W / June 4, 1917 / H - 10/ 102

Watkins Marriges

From the book: Index to Marriage Record Sullivan County, Indiana 1850 - 1920
Vol. III O - Z

All original records can be found at the County Clerk office in Sullivan County, Indiana.

Watkins, Brooks m Effie Pinkston on Nov. 28, 1899 book 11 page 342
Watkins, Clarinda m Peter W. Troutman on Nov. 1, 1855 Book 1 page 350
Watkins, Elijah m Matilda Neal on Dec. 24, 1857 Book 1 page 514
Watkins, Elijah m Lydia M. Hawk on July 16, 1868 book 3 page 322
Watkins, Helen m Thomas W. Dailey on Feb. 23, 1920 book 16 page 563
Watkins, John M. m Hester French on Nov. 23, 1851 book 1 page 102
Watkins, William m Maude Allsman on Mar. 27, 1907 book 13 page 413

Claude R. Sullivan*

*Danville Commercial News ~ March 26, 1965
Claude Sullivan Sr.
Claude R. Sullivan Sr., 72, a resident of 102 Delaware since 1926; died at his home at 3:35 a.m. today (March 26, 1965). He had been in ill health since 1942.
Born March 23, 1893, in Spring Garden, Ill., he was a son of George R. and Ida Cook Sullivan. His schooling was at Mt. Vernon after which he was employed in a lumber mill near Mt. Vernon and later a saw mill in Missouri
He came to Danville in 1919 and was later employed at the old Soldiers Home.
Mr. Sullivan was an Army veteran of World War I.
He married in Oakville, Ky., Sept. 17, 1919, to Iva Ogles, who preceded him in death in 1921. He was married in April, 1924, to Estella Douthit who survives.
Also surviving are two sons, _____________ of Ponca City, Okla., and Claude R. Jr. of Danville; three sisters, Mrs. Nora Bumpus of Almyra, Ark., Mrs. Pearl Moore of Sherrill, Ark., and Mrs. Iva Robertson of Chesterfield, MO.; a brother, Perry of Gessie, Ind.; 11 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a step-mother, two sisters and a brother.
He was a member of the East Park Church of Christ, the National Association of Retired Civil Service Employees, Woodmen of the World, and a charter member of World War I Veterans, Danville Chapter 453.
The body is at the Pape Memorial Home where friends will be received 7-9 p.m. Friday and 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The body will be taken to the East Park Church of Christ at noon Monday for services at 1:30 p.m., with Billy Ringold and the Rev. Arthur Buck officiating. Burial will be in Spring Hill Cemetery.
Members of World War I Veterans will hold memorial services at 7 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Mary Jones Bracewell

Danville Commercial News ~ Feb. 18, 1925
PIONEER RESIDENT OF CITY IS DEAD
Mrs. Mary Bracewell, 85, Passes Away; Funeral Thursday Afternoon.
Mrs. Mary Bracewell, 85, widow of James Bracewell, residents of the South Side for 40 years, and herself a resident there since 1866, died Tuesday afternoon at 4:45 o’clock at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Mary Watkins, 208 South Railroad street. Death followed a long illness, which began early last summer when she suffered a stroke of paralysis. Her health had been gradually failing since that time.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 o’clock Thursday afternoon at (cannot read) in which organization she had been a member since its inception. At that time it was known as the Welsh Reformed church. The pastor, Rev. W. C. Reeder will officiate, assisted by Rev. James Hayes, former pastor of the church. The interment will be at Springhill cemetery at the side of the husband, who died Nov. 18, 1902.
Mrs. Bracewell, formerly was Miss Mary Jones, daughter of Rev. Enoch Jones, one of the early ministers of the South Side. She was born at Brierly Hill, Staffordshire (cannot read), Sept. 9, 1839 and came to America with her parents in the spring of 1842. They first settled in Pennsylvania, but after a brief residence removed to Richmond, Va. Where they lived for seven years, then removed to (some place) Ohio. It was there that she met and married James Bracewell, also a native of England. The date of the marriage was May 18, 1856. Ten years later they came to Danville and located on the South Side. In 1865 she joined the Methodist congregation that built the Kimber church, but a few years ago, with the organization of the church on the South Side, she transferred her membership.
She was the mother of a large family, of whom five are living. They are Edwin and Harry Bracewell, Mrs. Jessie Comrie, Mrs. Lillian Bracewell and Mrs. Emily Watkins. There are also eleven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. A sister Mrs. Emma De Laney, also survives.

Frances Delvallee

Danville Commercial News ~ Dec. 28, 1982
Mrs. Frances Delvallee
Graveside services will be at noon Thursday at Sunset Memorial Park in Danville for Mrs. Frances L. Delvallee, 83, of West Terre Haute, Ind. She died at 7:45 p.m. Monday (Dec. 27, 1982) in Regional Hospital at Terre Haute.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. EST Thursday at Bedino Chapel of the Valley in West Terre Haute. The Rev. Alvin Ricklefs will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 – 9 p.m. EST Wednesday at the funeral home.
She was a member of Bethany United Church of Christ and served on the deaconess board six years.
Survivors include two daughters, _____________ and Frances Jones, both of West Terre Haute; two sisters, Anna Ruf of Hammond and Caroline Rothfermel of Broadlands, Ill.; six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Alfred.

Alfred J. Delvallee

Danville Commercial News ~ March 23, 1976
Alfred J. Delvallee
Alfred J. Delvallee, 79, of West Terre Haute, Ind., died at 5:20 p.m. Monday (March 22, 1976) at the Canterbury Convalescence Center, where he had been a patient a short time.
He was the father of Mrs. Frances Z. Jones of Danville.
Born Jan. 27, 1897, in France, he was the son of Alphonse and Zelia Delvallee. He married Frances L. Spickard, who survives.
Survivors include another daughter, _____________ of Terre Haute; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
He was a retired coal miner.
Services will be at 1 p.m. EST Thursday at the Bedino Chapel of the Valley in West Terre Haute with the Rev. Alvin Ricklefs officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Park in Danville, with graveside services at 3 p.m.
Visitation will be after 3 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Edwin Enoch Bracewell*

Danville Commercial News ~ June 15, 1943
*Retired Miner Dead at 82
A retired coal miner, Edwin Enoch Bracewell, 82, died at 7 p.m. Monday at the family residence (cannot read) South Danville, after a year’s illness. He had been bedfast the past five weeks.
He was born April 12, 1861, in Middleport, Ohio the son of James and Mary Jones Bracewell. After coming to Danville he worked in many mines in the locality, the last being the Black Diamond Mine.
Surviving are the widow, Jessie; three sons, ______, ______ and ________, all of Danville; one daughter, __________, Danville; two sisters, Mrs. Emma Watkins and Mrs. Jessie Comrie, both of this city; six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
The body was taken to the Berhalter Funeral Home and then to the family residence Tuesday afternoon. Funeral services are to be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday in the First Congregational Church with the Rev. R. E. Emmert officiating. Burial in Greenwood Cemetery.