Homestead: On My Blakey WHITE Family Connections

 Where Was The Homestead?

As I grew in years, I became curious about where my ancestors originated from. I asked some relatives. And they said, Africa, But still, I wondered even more.

Where did my ancestors come from?
It’s not known were my early ancestors they came from or traveled in their days in America.. Some ancestors on my 2nd great grandparents; on his father’s father’s side came from Virginia. They were the enslaved in the United States of America. They were later brought to Missouri. There were some ancestors were taken to Mississippi during the late 1858 to 1860’s .

Eventually, the family moved back to Chariton and Howard Counties in Missouri circa 1880’s where some family members were living. Some of the ancestors choose to remain in the Forest Green, Missouri area. While some of their descendants began to move northward and westward near and after the 1900’s. And some descendants moved throughout the United States as years and decades past.

I posted a blog series about the article: Slavery Descendants to Have First Reunion. This one I wrote January 23, 2013. It was part 6 in a series of 12 blogs. I have updated some of what I have discovered through the years.

They found worked on farms. And lived in Forest Green, Missouri area.
They kept their own surnames. White and Blakey.
They were employed and made their homes in Forest Green, MO.

Where did they work? As farmer or as farm hands?
Some owned their land. Some worked on a tobacco farm.

What names did each family member take?
The mother in this article was unknown but was found in 1989.
Her name was Julia.

What names did each family member take?

Andrew WHITE, the father wasn’t mentioned the the article. He was born around 1818 in VA.
His name was mentioned on three of son’s death certificates. And a enslaved Ad in 1858.

Julia (Finney) WHITE, the mother .She was born around 1820 in Virginia.
She was the mother of 11 or 12. She was said to have passed in Forest Green, Missouri.

Isaac BLAKEY, (1845 – 1917)
He passed in Shannondale, Missouri. He was married twice. He was the father of 20.

Spencer WHITE ( 1852 – 1929)
He moved to Moberly, Randolph Missouri and passed there. He was the father of 3.

John WHITE (1858 – 1918)
The article stated that John carried the Blakey surname. He passed in Salisbury, Missouri.
His surname was WHITE. He was the father of 11.

Josh WHITE He was born in 1860. It’s not known when he passed.
He had daughters and a son John BLAKE.

Martha “Matt” or “Mattie” WHITE (1862 – 1947)
She was said to have passed in Forest Green, Missouri. There is no death certificate of her in Missouri with the name Mattie / Martha White. She was the mother of 5.

Richard “Dick” WHITE (1866 – 1946)
He passed in Glasgow, Missouri,. He was the father of 13.

It appears that Isaac was the only one in this family that choose the BLAKEY surname. Why? Not for sure. Perhaps that was the name he used when he enlisted into the Civil War in 1863. Isaac kept the surname. However, Isaac did use the WHITE surname at some time.

Perhaps Isaac was with the BLAKEYs for a time; they may have helped him to his freedom. Two of the former slave owners gave affidavit of who Isaac was. Isaac applied for his pension records in 1890’s.

Also for the mother Julia, Did she have other children? Yes. She had about 11 or 12 children. Some of the children may have passed away before the turn of the century. Some of the family members may not have know about them.

The article states that “Matt” Martha WHITE never married. As I searched for Mattie White, I came up with her as a widow at 18 year old. She was the mother of 5 children. (It’s sad that this information was lost through the years.)

The big mystery to this part of the article:
Who was the great grandmother? Was the writer in this article speaking of Ted Blakey’s great grandmother? The mother of the enslaved  or the mother’s husband, Andrew’s mother?

The mother, Julia was believe to have passed and was buried in Forest Green, MO. Most those who passed this family were buried in Forest Green, MO and area. There are some descendants who still live in the Forest Green and Glasgow areas in Missouri.

It’s good if we have the opportunity to visit some of the places where our ancestors once lived. Perhaps, we should do some research to find where our family history began. We as their descendants are the story teller of our ancestors.

We are living out the family history. My family connections journey began during the mid 1970’s . And I continue to search as long as I can.

May we continue on the journey to know who our ancestors were. May we leave a legacy for the next generations to come May we see that what we do will impact our future.

Thanks for reading.
Homestead: On My Blakey WHITE Family Connections

I posted a blog like this on  April 24, 2020. I edited this one and made updates during August and September of 2024. I did take the DNA test. It was interesting: Nigeria!.

This blog was posted on one of my other sites. 
 I added the In Memory of some members in  Blakey Blakley WHITE Family Connections
to this blog. 

Peace be with you
God bless you.
S.A. Blakley

Week 39 ~ Amy Johnson Crow’s #52Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge in 2024

The theme for Week 39 is “Homestead.” Is there a home you think of when you think of your ancestors? For me, it’s my Grandma’s tiny post-WWII era house that somehow fit all of the extended family on Christmas. What does “homestead” make you think of?

Blakey Siblings Sought Freedom In South Dakota

 In the early 1900’s a few Blakeys in Missouri mind up their minds to move northward to South Dakota. They were seeking freedom like they have never seen anywhere. What drove them from Missouri?

According to Theodore “Ted Blakey, son of Henry Blakey Sr. and Mary Elizabeth (Fristoe) Blakey, his father and Uncle Isaac Blakey moved to South Dakota to seek freedom. They were encouraged by a man by the name of Tom Douglass.

In 1904 Henry Blakey was fed up with racial abuse in Missouri. So, he took the next step to better himself by moving northward. This lead the way for other family members followed afterward.

The article was published on page 14 on Monday, January 17, 1994 in the Argus-Leader Sioux Falls, South Dakota . This was some of what Ted Blakey shared in that article.

When Henry and his brother Isaac arrived in Yankton, Tom Douglass had promised them “shacks” and that they could live there free of rent until they got on their feet. He line them up with jobs. Six months went by and Tom didn’t accept a dime from them.

The Blakey brothers experienced freedom like never before. They worked and received the same pay as the white workers. They sat together and ate together at the same table with white workers. Each Saturday they were paid 1 1/2 cent for each bushel they picked.

Henry worked at state cement plant until 1911. And by in 1915 Blakey saved up money to purchased 40 acres of land. It was 2 miles East of Yankton. The Blakeys found friends along with their found freedom. The Henry Blakey farm was in the family from 1915 – 1978.

The photo was from the Argus-Leader Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It was published on Monday January 15, 2001 on page. Here’s some more of what Ted Blakey shared…

Isaac Blakey Jr. and Henry Blakey paved the way for others family members to experience this freedom. And there came 14 other siblings that made the journey to South Dakota. There were 13 children of Private Isaac Blakey Sr. and Rachel (Lephridge / Jackson) Blakey.

Isaac Blakey Jr. in 1905. And later came his wife Maggie with their two children.
Henry Blakey Sr. with his fiancé, Mary Fristoe in 1905

Spencer Turner Blakey in 1906. And he later married L. Mary Kinney.

Jordan Blakey in 1911.
He later moved to Ann Harbor Michigan with wife Rubenia (Holt) Blakey around 1930’s.
Mary with her husband, Rev Ollie Green in 1912

Martha “Dot” with her husband Ernest Hayes in 1913
Lillie “Susie” with her husband Edward Hayes in 1913
Ernest and Edward Hayes were brothers.

Edna Mae (Blakey) Jackson came around 1916.
She and her husband Richard Bentley moved to Sacramento.

Ollie “Dek” Blakey with his wife Margaret around 1920.
And later moved to Sacramento CA.

Archie Blakey came with Ollie and Margaret around 1920.
And later moved to Sacramento CA. around 1927.

Lawhorn “Doc” Blakey came around 1924.
And later moved to Sacramento CA.

As for the others siblings their years isn’t known
Beecher Blakey passed before 1915 in South Dakota.

Annie Mae Blakey
She was mentioned in the Slavery Descendants article in 1971, one who came to Yankton.

Isaac Blakey Sr. had a son named John Blakey Blakley; he made the journey to Yankton.
He was preparing a place for his wife, Jennie and family to come but, he passed in Yankton in 1918. His mother was Martha (Scott ) Blakey. And John was my grandfather.

Thanks for reading.
Blakey Siblings Sought Freedom In South Dakota.
They found freedom like they had never seen anywhere, before.

This posted  was poste on May 15, 2024 by Susan Ann Blakley on anther website.

The In Remembrance was added to this blog. 

Blakey Blakley WHITE Family Connections: In Memory  For June

God bless you.
S.A. Blakley

Week 20 ~ Amy Johnson Crows’ #42Ancestors In 52 Weeks Challenge for 2024

The theme for Week 20 is “Taking Care of Business.” Many of our ancestors ran businesses, either as their full-time occupation or on the side. “Taking care of business” can also be a euphemism for getting things done. Who does the phrase remind you of? 

Known Daughters Of John And Katherine (Estill) White

 John White (1859 – 1918) and Katherine “Katie” (Estell) White (1863 – 1923) were the parents of eleven children. There’s no known records of six of them. As for the one son and four daughters who were known, it was a challenge to discover something about them.

The crop photo was taken from the 1900 United States Federal census for Chariton County Missouri. The census taker was Mr. Henry Locke. He recorded the household of John and Katie White on June 15, 1900. Here’s the list of their four known daughters recorded on the 1900 census. The following information is some of what I’ve can say about them.

Lee Bertha White (1884 - ? )
The name “Leburter” was her second recorded name by an indexer. I discovered a little more about her as I started searching for information on John’s and Kate’s grandchildren on the 1910 and 1920 censuses. Who were the parents of Louise White and Leo Kayson / Leo White?

Louise White was the daughter of Ernest White. She passed in 1928 at the age of 17. Louise’s mother was Katie (Nichols ) White. She passed in 1911.

Leo White was also known as Leo / Leon Cason. His mother was the sister “Leburter” ~ the name that is unreadable on the 1900 census. Her name was Lee Bertha White Cason (or Lebertha.) The spelling of her first name came from her son Leon “Leo” Cason’s 1979 obituary.

Irine / Irene White (1892 – 1926 )
I’m not for sure how her first name was spelled. It’s Irene or Irine. Her name was Irine White Patterson on her 1926 death certificate which listed her parents’ names as John White and Kate Estelle.

I was searching on Find A Grave for Ernest White who died in 1950 due to an accident. And I discovered that this Ernest was buried in the same cemetery as John’ and Katie White’s granddaughter, daughter, Louise White. This was how I found Irine (White) Patterson’s memorial. This was the confirmation that I was looking for.

Irine Patterson was living at the same address of 310 Kansas in 1926. This was where Ernest White had lived or was living and where Ernest’s daughter, Louise White lived. This was how I made the connections that Ernest White was the same Ernest who passed in 1950. Clues kept adding up.

Alice White (1893 – ? )
I can’t be located anything else about Alice. The 1900 census was the only record of her. She perhaps passed after the 1900 census was taken and before the 1910. I haven’t located a death certificate on her. Perhaps. she could have had a different surname, married and or passed in another State.

Erma / Irma White (1897 – ? )
She was listed on the 1900, 1910, and 1920 Missouri censuses. I think I may have found some leads on Irma White or Erma White. The clues are connected with the place where she lived and to whom she was related too. There is an Irma White who had a nephew named Robert E. White who lived in Omaha, Nebraska. And she once lived in Excelsior Springs Missouri. Hmmm!!! My search continues.

Thanks for reading.
Known Daughters Of John And Katherine (Estill) White
Part 3 ~ Blog: Were This Ernest White And This Irma White Siblings?

How did I tracked down information on the known children?
It was by searching through censuses records, old newspapers and looking for whosoever lived at the addressees where the siblings or relatives once lived. Find A Grave was a good place to search as well.

God bless you
S.A. Blakley

May In Remembrance Blakey Blakley WHITE Family Connection

 Posted on March 13, 2024 by Susan Ann Blakley on other site. 
The In Remembrance was added to this blot. 

Week 11 
Amy Johnson Crow’s #52Ancestore In 52 Weeks Challenge in 2024.

The theme for Week 11 is “Achievement.” There are many forms of achievement, whether it’s winning an award, winning a race, or accomplishing what it was you set out to do. This week, celebrate an achievement (great or small) that one of your ancestor’s made.

Ernest White: Son Of John And Katherine (Estill) White

 John White (1859 – 1918) and Katherine “Kate” (Estill) White ( 1863 – 1923) were the parents of eleven children. Six of them are unknown. As for the ones who were known, it was a challenge to locate information about them.

The crop photo is of the 1900 Unite States Federal census for Chariton County Missouri. The census taker was Mr. Henry Locke. He recorded who was in the household of John White on June 15, 1900.

This list of John’s and Katie’s five children were found on the 1900 Census for Chariton County Township in Missouri. Here’s some of what I’ve discovered about their known son, Ernest White. I will share more on the known four daughters in another blog.

Ernest White (1881 / 1888 – 1950)
There is a question about Ernest’s birth year. He was older than his sister ” Leburter” on the 1900 census. However, the 1900 census states that he was born in Aug of 188. One the World War II and World War I registration cards: one date of Dec 16, 1888 and the other of Dec 18, 1881.

There was another Earnest White. He was born on April 18, 1878 and he passed on May 19, 1967 in Clay County Missouri. Which Ernest White was John’s and Katie’s son? He’s not the one born in 1878. His parents were Harry and Susan White.

About the other Ernest White who was in a car accident in 1950., he later passed on March 11, 1950.. There was little information on this Ernest White’s death certificate. The informant, Mrs. Anna Brooks of Kansas City didn’t know much about him. This Ernest was about 60 and born in Forest Green, Missouri. He lived in Excelsior Springs for two days.

At first, I thought that this Ernest White who passed n 1950 could have been the son of John and Kate. But, now, I believe that this Ernest White was their son. Where’s the evidence?

When Ernest’s mother Kate passed on March 15, 1923, Ernest was living in Excelsior Spring, Clay County Missouri. On the 1920 Missouri census, he was listed at 310 Kansas. This address was a clue to more discoveries of who Ernest White was and along with other relatives.

I came across more clues that lead me back the Ernest White who passed in 1950. I later discovered that this Ernest had a son named Robert White who lived in Omaha, Nebraska. I was wondering, who was the son’s mother.. I did locate Ernest and his wife Grace on the census together on the 1920 Missouri census but, without their son. Where was their son? I believe that I have located him on that census. 

Ernest White lived at 316 E. Kansas. And I noticed that at 319 E. Kansas was the address where Robert E. White was living . He was with Norman Page and Nora (Lewis) Page. They were the uncle and aunt of Robert E. White. I’m still searching for information on Robert E. White.

I discovered a notice in a 1941 Omaha news paper, that a Grace White filed for divorce against Ernest White. This could be Grace and Ernest. I lost track of Ernest. I’m not for sure when or if he moved to Omaha, Nebraska. He was listed as living in Excelsior Springs, Missouri in 1950. I l was wondering if there were other relatives living there. I believe so.

Thanks for reading,
Ernest White: Son Of John And Katherine (Estill) White

Part 2 of this blog: Known Daughters of John and Katherine (Estill) White

April In Remembrance: Blakey Blakley WHITE Family Connections

God bless you
S.A. Blakley

I posted this blog on March 7, 2024 by Susan Ann Blakley on my other website. I added the in Remembrance. 

I changed the theme and wrote about what I wanted.

Week 10 ~ Amy Johnson Crow’s #52Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge in 2024
The theme for Week 10 is “Language.” This is a theme where you can let your creativity shine! While you might want to write about an ancestor who spoke a different language than you, you could also explore someone who worked with like (perhaps as a writer or teacher). Any relatives who liked word puzzles?

How Some Blakeys Celebrated Their Birthdays

How about celebrating birthdays!!! We should always celebrate our birthdays and join in celebrating others on their special days. I was searching the news papers looking for relatives birthday announcements. How did they celebrate their birthdays?

Photo of Mrs. Margaret (Cason) Blakey ~ Also known as “Aunt Mike” (1895 – 1972)
This photo appeared in The Sacramento Bee ~ Sacramento, California • Tue, Jul 19, 1966 ~ Page 36

Miss Margaret Cason was the soon to be daughter in law of Isaac Blakey Sr. and Rachel (Lephridge) Blakey. She married Deacon Ollie Blakey in July of 1916. Margaret’s birthday is on March 17th..

Margarte’s 21st birthday announcement appeared in The Kansas City Sun ~ Kansas City, Missouri  on Saturday, March 25, 1916 on Page 8 ~ Ironically, this section appeared right after Mrs. Rachel Blakey’s obituary. Rachel passed on March 17, 1916.

Great Aunt Margaret went all out on her 21st birthday. Several hours greeting and there was a five-course luncheon served. What a gathering this much have been!!

Another Blakey Birthday Celebration:
Jordan Blakeyy who was one of Margaret (Cason) Blakey’s brother in law.
Jordan, the twin of Julia were born on March 1, 1878 to Isaac and Rachel (Lephridge) Blakey.
Julia passed as an infant. Jordan passed in 1964.

This was what was published in The Afro American on March 9, 1935 via Ann Harbor Michigan News “Jordan Blakey celebrated his fifty-seventh birthday quietly at home with a dinner and his usual birthday cake.”

We celebrate our birthdays differently. Weather if it’s with a group of family and friends with all the works or a simple quiet gathering with close friends with a cake. Indeed we can celebrate our special days the ways that we want.

Thanks for reading.
How Some Blakeys Celebrated Their Birthdays

I added In Remembrance Blakey Blakley WHITE Family Connections. 

S.A.Blakley

This was a repost from my word press site
Week 29 ~ Amy Johnson Crow’s #52Ancestors in 52 Week Challenge in 2023

The theme for Week 29 is “Birthdays.” Is there an ancestor with whom you share a birthday? (My dad and his sister shared a birthday — and, no, they weren’t twins!) You could write about an ancestor that had a lot of birthdays or a memorable birthday party. Don’t forget newspapers. Small-town newspapers especially would have stories about birthday parties or “milestone”

Piecing A Puzzle Together: Broken Branch

 In Remembrance: February Blakey Blakley WHITE Family Connections

For years, I’ve been on a mission to discover more about my family connections. I’m making some progress. My journey continues.

On the 1920 United States Federal Chariton County Missouri census, I came across a Kate White age 50, the widow of my Great Uncle John White listed with two of her daughters, Irene White, age 25, and Emma White, age 22 and grandchildren, Leo WHITE , age 16 and Louise WHITE, age 9. 

The crop photo is of the list of Kate White’s household on the 1920 U.S Federal census for Chariton County Missouri. This is the second page. Note that I discovered who Leo White’s parents were. This blog is about Louise White and her family connections.

As I look back over my journey searching, I’ve been thinking. I feel like I’ve been “piecing a puzzle together” stories. It’s very hard to figure out who’s who with a common surname such as White; without having specific clues to follow up on.

I figured that one of John’s and Kate’s five children on the 1900 Missouri census was the parent(s) of their granddaughter, Louise White. I started searching for Earnest / Ernest White. I had a time figuring out who he was. There were two Earnest Whites in the same city. I couldn’t determine if I had the correct Ernest.

For years, I had wondered who were Leo’s and Louise’s parents. On Friday, May 6, 2022 made the discovery and found Leo / Leon Moline CASON’s obituary. He was the son of Lebertha (White) Cason and Sidney “Sid” Cason. I was excited about that discovery.

In the beginning, I started to search everything that I could on John and Katie’s five known children of eleven. Once I narrowed down their children, I could somewhat figure out who’s child was who’s. I went back to search more information on Ernest / Earnest White.

I found a clue on Ernest’s mother, Kate White’s 1923 death record. Ernest was the informant on the certificate. He was living in Excelsior Spring, Missouri. I searched city directories and military records. I did have some luck.

I’m not for sure when Earnest was born It was either Dec of 1881 or 1888. Another Earnest matches this one. Birthdays: Dec 16 and Dec 18 and lived in Excelsior Spring, Clay County MO. According to Katie White’s death record informant, Lon / Son White lived in Excelsior Springs in 1920.

On the 1920 census.
There was an Earnest listed as related to Head of household as a Roomer; Residence Marital Status: Married. He was listed as living at 310 Kansas in Excelsior Springs, Missouri. Head of household was Catherin Doxey, Roomers, Earnest White and Grace White.

This address, 310 Kansas was the same address of LOUISE WHITE who passed on August 19, 1928 in Excelsior Spring Clay County Missouri. Earnest White who lived at 310 Kansas was listed as father of Louise White. Louise’s mother was Katie (Nichols) White who passed in Dec of 1911. I knew about this death certificate for some time. And I couldn’t make the connections.

Still a mystery: When Did Ernest / Earnest White Passed?

I’ve seen a 1950 death record of Ernest White , single, born about 1890, born in Forest Green, MO. He was in an car accident. No record of family, only SSC# 490 34 5866. Mrs. Anne Brooks from KC MO was the informant, Also there is an article of Ernest’s accident.

Info.
There was an Earnest born in Forest Green, MO. The other Earnest White born in 1878, his father was, Harry White and Susie Patrick. This Ernest was the husband of Susie Brooks. ? if related to Mrs. Anne Brooks from Kansas City, Missouri.

There is no other Ernest White matches with the one who was in Excelsior Spring Missouri then the one born Dec 16, 1888 in Salisbury, Missouri, USA. There was one black Ernest who married to Susie White. Saline Clay, County Missouri. .

It took me a while to see the family connections. I reviewed everything that I had discovered about Earnest and his parents and siblings. Which in all, it wasn’t every much to go on. However, every little clue built up and lead me to the discoveries about Louise White and her family connections. .

It appears that my journey to discover more on John’s and Katie’s lineage as come to an end. I haven’t discovered any more of their descendants. I thought maybe there were some. I don’t think Leo / Leon Cason had children.

May we learn to review every little detail on whatever we stumble across about our relatives. May we keep pressing in and search every thing we can think of. Amen. Who knows, that little clue has been there all along. And we didn’t see it then. .

Thanks for reading.
Piecing A Puzzle Together: Broken Branch ~ Week 25 In 2022

God bless
S.A.Blakley

Repost from my blog on word press  Posted on June 24, 2022 by Susan Ann Blakley

Week 25 ~ Any Johnson Crow ~ Generations Café #52Ancestors 52 Weeks ~ facebook

After the storms that blew through my area last week, it seems appropriate that this week’s theme is “Broken Branch.” Have you had to trim a branch from your family tree after you figured out it wasn’t the right line? Are you researching a branch that it feels like there is nobody else in the world who is researching them? What about a collateral line that seems to have gotten lost?

Finding Joy And Strength In The Pursuit Of Searching

  Welcome to a New Year! Happy 2024!!!

I thank God for the joy and strength He brings, especially when I’m on my journey for new finds. I’m amazed! I’m thankful for those who were before me. They took the time to record what information they were told or knew.

As I’ve been searching through old newspapers, I noticed that some newspapers published church news, mentioning who attended funerals, those who called upon others and those who visited their relatives and friends. What a clever way for searchers to find clues. It takes time to sort through things. But it’s worth it.

It’s so exciting to come across new leads. And I’ve found much joy when I see confirmation. It makes me want to search more. This brings hope.

In the beginning of my search, I didn’t know much about my family connections. I only knew what my parents shared with me. And I wrote down what they shared.

Recently, I started to re read some of what my parents told me. There are things that I have forgotten about. Now, as I look back, my older adult self sees more into what I was recording.

The photo is of one of the first book I purchased on family history. I started filling out my information about my ancestors. The book was printed in 1977. I wrote to the future generation on August 2, 1990.

“Dear future generation,
May you all be proud of who your ancestors were and who you really are in life for you and your children’s children which follows.”





I have found strength through seeing the progress I have made. It wasn’t until the Summer of 2004, when I got hooked up with the internet. This was when my desire for “digging for my roots grew deeper. It was like I had “an exploration of information” coming at me.

I’m thankful that I took the DNA test. I have so many DNA matches. I don’t know how this works. But there were some DNA matches to where I connected the dots and a miracle happened. And through time, I saw the connections. Yes, I thanked God.

I can draw strength and joy from what I know about my family connections. I have come a long way since my beginning during the mid 1970’s. I’m looking forward to the joy and strength that are waiting for me to discover.

I’ve said this before: “We need the want and the desire to want to know about our ancestors, perhaps there will come those clues that will spark the flames that keeps us going. ~ I believe that there is more out there. My joy and strength comes from the LORD.

Thanks for reading.
Finding Joy And Strength: In The Pursuit Of Searching

Blessings,
S.A.Blakley

Here are the January In Remembrance:
 The Blakey Blakley WHITE Family Connections

   Posted on August 18, 2023 by Susan Ann Blakley except the In Remembrance 

Week 33 ~ Amy Johnson Crow’s #52Ancestors In 52 Weeks Challenge 2023

The theme for Week 33 is “Strength.” Strength comes in many forms: physical, emotional, spiritual, just to name a few. What ancestor do you think of when you think of strength?

Great Grandfather Private Isaac Blakey, (1845 – 1917)
Civil War Vet who was wounded during the War. (1863 – 1866)

In Memory of Mrs. Anna Janie (Herfard) Wiley Nance

My Newest Discovery

Actually, I have three, no, five new discoveries that began during late July and during the beginning of the first week of August in 2023. And two more came on August 19 – 20, 2023. But, my recent “newest discovery” before yesterday came around August 7, 2023. I was on a hot pursuit after following leads.

Oh, how amazing new discoveries are. I’ve been reviewing this hot pursuit discovery. I’m making sure things match up. There could have been others with the same names living in the same city with my relatives. I’ve come across cases like this lots of times.

What is this discovery?

I was on the hunt, to find something on a Jane White who was the daughter of Martha “Mattie” White from Chariton County Missouri. The only source I had on Jane was on the 1900 Missouri census. She black female at about 11 years old and listed as a washwoman.

According to the 1910 census, her mother, Mattie had 5 children and four children were living. The one child that passed was Mattie’s son, Patrick “Pat” White. He was killed on October 5, 1906.

I’m thankful for others who have helped me on this search. I reached out to two ladies who are sisters in law. They live in the Forest Green, Missouri area. They shared with me that Jane’s sister, Oressia Hereford would visited Jane in Kansas City.

It wasn’t until I started searching African American newspapers, where I made the connections with other relatives. I explored some newspapers from Minnesota and some from Missouri. It was “The Call” publication that shed some light into my new discoveries and to locate Jane.

I tried to search for Jane White. I had no luck. This was like searching for a needle in a haystack. So, I began to search for Oressia Hereford. I did find Oressia who was living in Forest Green. But, no leads on Jane. I believed that Jane was married.

I kept searching, typing in the various ways to spell Aressia / Oresia and the Heriford / Heryford surname. I keep at it. Until one day, when I told myself, I shouldn’t be on my computer this late. I kept going and then I saw something that clicked: And before my see I read….”Mr. and Mrs. Nance of Kansas City visited her sister, Miss Oressia Herriford.” They were in Forest Green, Missouri.

The Discovery:

The Call ~ Kansas City, Missouri • Fri, Nov 2, 1956 on page 17. ( There was a 1955 article mentioning of a “Mrs. James Nance from Kansas City who was a dinner guest of her sister, Miss Oressia Hayward).

This little information was all I needed to discover that this Mrs. Nance was Jane. And she had a son. I began to search for Jane, her husband and their son.

I searched for a death certificate first. Yes, I have found the correct Janie L. Nance. But, as I searched for more records, I wasn’t for sure what her first name was. I was very surprised that she lived in St. Joseph, Missouri. WOW!!

She had two obituaries published in St. Joseph, Missouri paper on the same day of March 30, 1967.
This proves that she was the same person by her husband’s name, relatives and places listed.

She was listed as Mrs. Janie Wiley Nance on page 7 and

She was listed as Mrs. Anna Wiley Nance. on page 2

She was listed as Mrs. Janie Louise Nance in the Kansas City, Missouri’s newspaper
Her obituary appeared in the paper on Tuesday, March 28, 1967 on page 18

Who Was She?

She was born the daughter of Martha “Mattie” White (1862 – ca 1947) and Robert “Bob” Hereford on November 30. 1888 in Forest Green, Missouri. She had one brother Patrick White (1882 -1906). She had three sisters, Alice White (1884 – ?) Mrs. Bob Ella (Bentley) Carr (1884 – 1923) and Miss Oressia Hereford (1904 – 1976).

She married with the name of Miss Anna J. Heffard of St. Joseph, Missouri to Scott O. Wiley of St. Joseph, Missouri on August 21, 1922 in St. Joseph, Missouri. They applied for their marriage license on August 18, 1922.

Scott and Anna had a son named Melvin Wiley born in St. Joseph, Missouri on February 2, 1920. I’m not for sure if Scott moved with Anna to Kansas City, Missouri with their son about 1924. However, Anna carried her maiden name when she remarried. I’m still searching city directories for leads.

She married with the name of Anna Herfard , age 34 to Clarence Nance, age 24 on February 16, 1934 in Jackson County, Missouri in Kansas City. They applied for their marriage license on February 2, 1934.

At some point, Anna’s son, Melvin took the surname Nance. He went by Melvin Wiley Nance and Melvin W. Nance (1920 – 1993). He was an elder to the church.

On the 1920 Missouri census recorded her as Anna Wiley living in St. Joseph, Missouri. She was living with S. O. Wiley as his wife. They both were listed as mulatto.

On the 1940 and 1950 Missouri censuses in Kansas City, Missouri she was listed as Louise Nance . In 1940 she was living with her husband Clarence, son Melvin and Mattie Craig. In 1950, she was listed with her husband, Clarence, son Melvin and daughter in law Catherine and grandchildren: Samuel, Marie and Emanuel Nance.

I’m so happy that Anna / Janie Louise Nance has been located. I have added her names along with what information I have on her and her family. Thank You, Jesus!

R.I.P. cousin Anna / Janie Louise

I’m wondering. How many more long lost relatives are out there? I believe that there are more missing links to our family connections. Where are they?

At the timing of this blog, I found another new discovery. Martha’s daughter Allice or Ollie White. She was alive in 1910. She must have been married. I can’t locate her or Anna / Janie Louise on the 1910 census.

I want to keep searching. Perhaps others are searching for their family connections. And just maybe, we will find one another, some day. Wouldn’t this be something?

Thanks for reading.
In Memory of Mrs. Anna Janie (Herfard) Wiley Nance
 
BLAKEY BLAKLEY WHITE Family Connections

Blessings
S.A. Blakley

This post was posted on August 21, 2023 by Susan Ann Blakley on word press.
The November  Blakey In Memory was added to this bog. 

Week 34 ~ Amy Johnson Crow’s #52Ancestors In 52 Weeks Challenge 2023

The theme for Week 34 is “Newest Discovery.” What is the newest discovery you’ve made in your family history? Mine was discovering that an ancestor’s brother served in the Civil War.

Images Of My Dad: Ghost Stories, I Think Not

 During the early to mid 1990’s, in the early morning hours, I was sleeping on the couch in the front room in the family home. When all of a sudden I happed to wake up. In my view, I was looking in the direction of the dinning room. That was where I saw a dark image standing by the china cabinet.

Although the dinning room was dark, I was aware of what I was seeing. And even though, I couldn’t see the blotted out face, I knew who the person appeared to be. And I knew that it wasn’t my dad because he had passed years before.

While I was looking at this image, I felt fear come upon me. The first thought that came to me was to say to it, “I know that my dad is died and that you’re not my dad.” then I told whatever this was, to leave in the Name of Jesus! And so it left.

Another Story
I was laying on the couch in the front room. The dinning room was next to the kitchen so, I was able to see a direct view through the kitchen doorway. Again, I was awaken for no reason. I saw my dad standing near a kitchen cabinet.

This time, my dad was in living color. And there was a glow about his appearance. He had a pleasant look on his face. He was wearing his red plaid jacket that he would always wore. He kept motioning and pointing upward at the kitchen cabinet.

I didn’t do anything but, kept looking on as I was laying on the couch. I was aware that this image of my dad, appeared to be trying to tell me something. During this time, I had no fear whatsoever. I was calm and in wonder of what I was seeing. I felt no need to get up to see what “he” wanted me to see.

I can’t recall how long this image was there. But, after a while the image just vanished in thin air before my eyes. There was a night light in the kitchen. And where the image was, that area became darken after the image left. ( The next day I did go and searched in the area of the cabinet. I did find a card from my mother Lula’s sister, “Jenny.”)

After Thoughts:
When these incidents occurred, I was wide awake. I was in my right mind. I can’t explain what caused the images to appear. However, to me, all the incidents appeared very real to me. I was aware that I was aware of what I was witnessing.

Even in the darkness of the stillness of the night, the LORD has been with me. And I’m thankful for that. I wonder about paranormal experiences. I can’t disprove that this phenomena doesn’t existence. I believe that there are unexplained things that are there; crossing over into our realm to where we are allow to see things.

The LAST time I saw my dad, David Sr. alive on the earth.
That day was on Friday, October 6, 1989. That was a long day. He was moved from the hospital to a place where he had to stay until he was better to return home. He wasn’t happy to be there. He wanted to go HOME.

When I was leaving his room, my brother Isaac and his children were there with him. Our dad was sleeping. I went home to rest so I could come back the next day. And so, I thought.

By the end of the day, I was getting ready for bedtime. I had no trouble falling asleep in my room. Some how in the middle of the night, I awaken for no reason. It was dark and in my view this time was in the direction on my closet.

And while I was looking, I saw a glowing orang-ish white figure, like a ball of light, floating in my direction. I said “Oh, my GOD!” in a matter of fear and unbelief. Then, I closed my eyes. That’s all I recall.

I remember hearing the phone ring, in the early morning hours of October 7, 1989. I got up to find out who was calling. My sister, Mary came to tell me. She had to tell me twice because I didn’t get it the first time. She said that our dad didn’t make it.

When I heard ….didn’t make it, it was as though something that was on my shoulders left me. It was like a relief of some sort. Our dad was going through a lot of suffering, And I saw it.

About that glowing ball: I don’t think that was a ghost. I don’t know what it was. It wasn’t my imagination. Yes, it scared me. My goodness.

Eleven days before my dad’s passing: He was laying in his bed at the hospital. I was with him.( Later on,) I came to realize that he was talking out loud to the LORD. My dad said in a calm voice that he was dying.

I thought he was dreaming and talking in his sleep, because his eyes were close. So, I walked over to the other side of his bed to wake him up. But, his eyes opened before I could do so. He had a surprising look and smile on his face, looking above my head. And he was saying with a calm voice, Look at all my people. Look at all my people. Then he closed his eyes. I started crying hard and went in the bathroom. My eyes were blood shot red.

Then when I composed myself, I went back to his bedside. He asked me about the birds flying above his head. I told him that I didn’t see them. He was wanting me to take the jinx out out of him. I knew something was going on. I have never seen my dad like this. (My dad was yelling at the nurses on the day the I saw him last. He told them to get out. )

With all the things that my dad was saying, seeing and doing, this got me to thinking. I asked God, if my dad was dying, prepare us, the family for his passing. (I believe that God hears our prayers.)

Within these eleven days, I manage to go back to see my dad in the hospital. While I was there, with a few of my siblings, our dad asked me if I saw the people walking outside on the roof . And while he was saying this he said, they were gone, now.

I believe that my father was seeing was in the spirit realm. They said it was the medication that he was on. As for the “things” that I saw with those images, I wasn’t on any medication. I was aware of what I saw and what appeared to me. I can’t explain these happenings.

One Final Story
I did see my dad in a vision during the late hour of January 14 or in the early morning of January15, 1994. I was laying in my bed. I had finished praying. I was fully awake but, with my eyes closed. I couldn’t sleep. I was waiting in the silence.

While in the silence, I saw in the colored vision of my dad laying in his coffin as I saw him when he was on the earth. However, suddenly, I saw my dad’s eyes opened. I was asking God, what is this? What is this? Then my vision faded into the darken skies with the stars. Then I drifted off to sleep. I remember the vision.

In Loving Memory of my dad, David W. Blakley Sr.
We shall meet again face to face in person when the time comes.

Thanks for reading.
Images Of My Dad: Ghost Stories, I Think Not ~ Week 45 In 2022
R.I.P. Daddy Dave

Photo of my dad, David

 

  The blog was posted on November 12, 202 by; Susan Ann Blakley ~ expect for the In Memory link

In Memory of some members in  Blakey Blakley WHITE Family Connections

God Bless
S. A. Blakley

Week 45 (Nov. 8-14): Ghost Story
Amy Johnson Crow ~ Generations Café ~ #52Ancestors 52 Weeks ~ facebook group

This week’s theme is “Ghost Story.” Any haunted houses in the family or an ancestor who is supposed to be haunting one? Let your imagination run with this one!