Family Connections: The Church ~ Religious Traditions

 Mrs. Anna Laura (Washington) Allen Walters was a member of the church community. She was affiliated with the Holsey Chapel Church, New Hope (Baptist Church) and St. Paul C.M.E. Church. ~ Here is an article about the church moved at 1718 Holman in 1935. Holsey C.M.E. at 3rd and Rubidoux

The Church And Holy Matrimony
Anna Laura was the daughter of William / John Washington and Susan (Leach) Washington. Her parents, Mr. William Washington and Miss Susan Leach were married by John M. Wilkerson, a minister of the Gospel and founder of the A. M. E. Church ~ Ebenezer A. M. E. Church.

William and Susan were married on Thursday, September 20, 1866 in  St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri. Susan passed at age 58 on Thursday, January 9, 1890. Her funeral was held at the A.M.E. Church. William death day is unknown.

Susan’s mother Mrs. Delilah Lewis was a member of the Baptist church and had been for fifty years. She was joined the Baptist Church in 1837. And she was active with the church until her death on Thursday, April 14, 1887.

Anna Laura and her first husband William Allen application license to marry was dated on Monday, December 24, 1888 in  St. Joseph , Buchanan, Missouri. Those listed on the marriage license were Miss Laura Washington and Wm Allen. (George Fermon who was a witness.) ~ The deputy was Dave ? and the recorder was Thos ? Their surnames unreadable.

The names on the marriage license : Miss Laura Washington and Wm Allen.
The marriage took place on Wednesday, March 6, 1889 in St Joseph, Buchanan, MO
They were married by Rev Alexander C. Terrell of Ebenezer Chapel
The church located at 311 Antoine.

(The crop photo is a part of the 1947 handwritten obituary of Mrs. Anna Laura Walters.
She passed on Tuesday, February 11, 1947 in St. Joseph, Missouri at the age of 79.
It was about four months from he 80th birthday.

As I looked back over Anna’s obituary, I read that she was active in most of the aux- doing what was asked of her during her good health. In the funeral booklet, there were names and the order of the service. The Rev W. A Holmes and Rev Horning were over the service. It took place at the Alexander Funeral Home on Friday, February 14, 1947 at 2 pm

The Scripture was from John 14

The Music played…

Let The Lover Lights By Burning
God Will Take Care Of You
There is a Fountain
Just A Closer Walk With Thee

Thanks for reading
Family Connections: The Church ~ Religious Traditions
I believe that most of my ancestors called upon Jesus Christ as their Savior.

Who was Anna to me?
She was my Great Grandmother Anna and my mother’s Grandma Anna.

Posted on another site dated  July 31, 2025 by Susan Ann Blakley

God bless
S.A.Blakley

Amy Johnson Crow’s #52Ancestors In 52 Weeks Challenge in 2025
The theme for Week 30 is “Religious Traditions.” Have you explored religious records for any of your ancestors? Do you have an ancestor who was active in his/her place of worship?

Who Attended Mr. And Mrs. “Eddie” Dade Family Reunion?

 I came across a news article that was published in The Call in Kansas City, Missouri on Friday , January 19, 1951. It was on page 16. There was a special occasion that took place on Christmas Day. It was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Dade. They lived in La Grande, Lewis County in Missouri ; South on U.S. Highway 61 and East..

I sorted through the names. Who were Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Dade and their children in this article?

Mr. Eddie Dade was Isaac Edward “Eddie” Dade. (1898 -1983)
He was the son of Bandy / Benjamin Dade and Mary Etta (Range ) Dade. .

Mrs. Eddie Dade was Eddie’s 2nd wife. (1900 – 1982)
Her name was Mrs. Minnie (Coin ) Dade. She was the mother of nine children.

Isaac’s and Minnie’s children; The Family Reunion.

Who was not there?
Mrs. Goldie Harris was Goldie Leota (Dade) Harris, wife of Louis Harris of New York City.

Who was there?
Mr. Leo Lewis and his wife Mrs. Eleanora Juanita Mae Dade Lewis
with their 5 children Leo Larry Lewis Jr., Juanita Mae Lewis, Harry James Lewis,
and Alice Darlene Lewis and. Loretta Ann Lewis who was in her mother’s womb
all from La Grande, Missouri.

Wade Dade from La Grand, Missouri
James Otis Dade from La Grand, Missouri

Mrs. Carmelte ( Dade) Garr, wife of Harry Lewis Garr
with her son Junior, Harry Lewis Garr from La Grande. Missouri

Mr. Archie Humphrey and his wife Mrs. Roberta Virginia ( Dade) Humphrey
with their 6 children, Willard L. Humphrey, Edward Eugene Humphrey, Phyllis M. Humphrey, Danny “Dannie” L. Humphrey, Linda Kay Humphrey and Darrel K. Humphrey all from Quincy, Illinois.

Mrs. Sylvia (Dade) Lewis, wife of Ralph Milton Lewis with son Ralph Lewis, of Rock Island, Illinois.

Thanks for reading.
Who Attended Mr. And Mrs. “Eddie” Dade Family Reunion?

Posted on May 31, 2025 by Susan Ann Blakley on another website.

God bless
S. A. Blakley

Week 22: Amy Johnson Crow’s #52Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge for 2025
The theme for Week 22 is “Reunion.” Whether it’s a family reunion, a class reunion, or some other commonality that brings people back together, it’s an opportunity for connection and context. What reunions can you think about in your family tree?

Mr. Vernon W. Johnson, Not Forgotten: Overlooked

 I first came across Vernon Johnson on the 1900 Missouri Census. He was listed as a boarder in the household of Robert Louis Lankford. They lived in St. Joseph, Missouri. With this new discovery, I wondered! Was Vernon a relative?

Back Story:
I was searching the Lewis County Missouri index records for Lankfords marriages. I came across a Miss Annie Lankford who married Westley Johnson. I found Lewis Lankford who married Miss Charlotta Dade. They were my great grandparents.

I started searching for Annie (Lankford) Johnson. I discovered a 1914 article that mentioned a R. L. Lankford from St. Joseph, Missouri. He attended Annie’s daughter’s wedding in Kansas City, Missouri.

I also discovered that Anna “Annie”(Lankford) Johnson was born in Washington County, Kentucky. And so was Robert Louis Lankford. Isn’t this a coincident?

New Discoveries:
In early January of 2025, I began to search for Vernon Johnson, again. I was thinking. What happened to him? The only information I found on him was on the 1900 Missouri census.

I search and come up with no leads. However, I finally came across a family tree on ancestry. This linked a Vernon Johnson as the son of Wesley Z. Johnson and Anna / Sarah (Langford) Johnson. They lived in Iowa.

Yes, this is the same Anna / Sarah in whom I’ve been searching for. I began to search old newspaper for all of Anna / Sarah ‘s children. I located some of them in Des Moines Iowa. This led me to search for Fort Madison, Iowa and Burlington, Iowa.

Then things began to click. Bert and Vernon Johnson’s names were listed together in a short news clip. I kept searching. And I found Vernon’s obituary. I read that Vernon passed due to tuberculosis.

The crop photo is of Vernon Johnson’s 1905 obituary. This was the link to discover who he was. And that he did live in St. Joseph Missouri. .

The newspaper clip was published on page one of the The Bystander in Des Moines, Iowa on Friday, March 3, 1905. I believe that Vernon was born in La Grande, Lewis County Missouri. Because on the 1880 Missouri census, the family was living in La Grande, Lewis County, Missouri.

A question from Amy Johnson Crow
Who is someone in your family tree who you haven’t researched very much?

It appears that not many are searching for Vernon W. Johnson. (1878 – 1905)

At first, it was hard to find information on Vernon Johnson. The clues came from searching his siblings. This linked me to discover who Vernon was. I’m still wondering how Anna / Sarah (Lankford) Johnson Lankford. I believe that she was a relative to Robert. That’s another blog.

 I posted this blog on January 23, 2025 by Susan Ann Blakley on another site.

Thanks for reading.
Was Mr. Vernon W. Johnson Forgotten? Overlooked

God bless you,
S.A. Blakley

Week 4 Amy Johnson Crow’s #52Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge for 2025

“The theme for Week 4 is “Overlooked.” It’s close to impossible to research everyone equally. Who is someone in your family tree who you haven’t researched very much? You could also consider those ancestors for whom it feels like you are the only person in the world searching for them.”

When And Where Did My Journey Begin? In The Beginning

 On Friday, November 7, 1975, my maternal Grandmother Mary (Allen) Lankford / Lankfard. passed. She was the only grandparent I had the honor to met face to face. And during the following year, photos were discovered in her home and were later given to me.. I held on to those photos and began to wonder about my ancestors.

As I look back on my quest, I wouldn’t have imagine that my grandmother’s house being one of the stepping stone in my journey. And those photos, I still wonder about today. Who were these people?

The photo is of the Lankford / Lankfard House in the 1960’s.

As I pondered about my genealogy journey: I was wondering. What really sparked my interest? I believe that it happened well before I began my six grade class assignment at Mark Twain Elementary School. Each student had an oral presentation to present to the class about our family history.

It was a special thing. I even remember wearing red. I told my audience that I was one of nineteen children; we have the same mother and father. And that we had Indian blood in us. (I recall that the principle came to listen in.)

In 1976, I was watching TV and I heard about the book “Roots” written by Alex Haley was going to be made into a mini series in 1977. I was excited and wanted to see that. And so I did.

I started asking my mother Lula and my father David questions about their ancestors. I started looking at old family photos. I started reading books about how to search our roots. I didn’t know what I was getting myself into.

In my beginning years, I didn’t know what I was searching for. I didn’t about the facts nor dates of my ancestors. As I continue to keep searching and compiling what I could, I obtained information . This data was showing me who my relatives were. And since the beginning, I’ve been uncovering more about my ancestors as I go along the way…

Thanks for reading.
When And Where Did My Journey Begin? In The Beginning
… a seed was planted and it began to grow and grow and grow into something amazing.

God bless
S.A. Blakley

.
Week 1 ~ Amy Johnson Crow’s #52Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge for 2025

This week’s theme is “In the Beginning.” (According to “The Sound of Music,” the beginning is a very good place to start.) Who was the first person you wanted to find when you started your genealogy journey? Was there a family member who sparked your interest, maybe by giving you a bunch of genealogy “stuff”? This would be a great week to write about them!

Who was the first person you wanted to find when you started your genealogy journey?

Isaac Blakey, because he was in the Civil War. I received his pension records in the early 1980’s. What a treasure this is. 

Was there a family member who sparked your interest, maybe by giving you a bunch of genealogy “stuff”?

I wrote about this in my last blog for December of  2024. I believe it was what my parents told me and that I wanted to know more about what they knew.

Since The Beginning Of The Journey: It Has Been Challenging

 It’s been about five decades since I began my family connections journey. My curiosity began to blossom during the Summer of 1976. I started asking my parents questions about their ancestors. I started a journal to record that they shared with me.

What Sparked My Family Connections Quest In My Early Years?
One of my siblings gave me some photos that were discovered in our Grandmother, Mary’s home. I read an article about “Slavery Descendants to Have First Reunion”. (On my father’s side) I watched the original mini series “Roots” on television. And by the early 1980’s, I was really into my family history and wanted to know more.

And Through Those Years And Beyond:
I began to seek, search and find other sources. I wrote letters to relatives, court houses, historical societies, The National Archives and etc. I explored old newspapers. I’m so glad that I did. I began to see some things that I didn’t realize. I thank God for the tool of old newspapers, publishers, publications and the reporter who reported the news.. News articles can set a tone that brings more into the lives our ancestors and relatives. New article adds to their journey.

What A Journey This Has Been Becoming!
There were so many “aha moments of surprises.” The joy of finding things that I didn’t even expect to find. It’s a great feeling. What a legacy to leave behind.




I’m amazed by how far I’ve come on my family history discoveries. I believe that it’s the striving to want to know more that drives me to keep searching. This couldn’t have come about without the leading of the Holy Spirit and other searchers who came along to help me. I wouldn’t be where I am now. Glory be to God.

The searching itself is a great challenge. It’s the gathering of what’s heard or read about; to find what looking for. It takes that want to know and to keep on with the search in order to makes the progress. It becomes an adventurous. I still believe that there’s more information out there waiting to be discovered. And I don’t know where to search, either. Still I’ll keep searching.

Milestone:
I posted this i a blog on October 30, 2020  ( 2024 is the 43th years on since that journey.)

I love discovering my family history. The more I come across leads, it encourages me to keep searching.  And this gives me a good feeling inside. It leaves me to think that I’m on the right track. Oh, the mystery!

It was 39 years ago, Friday, October 30, 1981, I took a journey to Sioux City Iowa with my sister, Mary and her boyfriend and future husband, Roger. We were heading to Yankton South Dakota on Saturday, October 31 to visit our Great Aunt L. Mary Blakey and some cousins. They were going to share some things about our family history.

Saturday, October 31, 1981 was the day I was told that Isaac Blakey was my Great Grandfather. I thought John Blakey was. Isaac fought in the Civil War. That blew my thinking.

As I reflect back over my 1981 journey, I’m thankful that we went. I’ve come along ways. I have reconnected with some of my Sioux City and South Dakota relatives on facebook and found more long lost relatives.

Then when I started connecting with some DNA relatives, the journey has become more and more interesting. I’ve been contacted by DNA cousins since October 24, 2014. There are many we’re trying to discover how we are related.

I have had some surprising on my journey to discover my family connection. I have a DNA match with my brother in law’s sister, Terri. We stayed at her house in 1981. What a small world we live in. Yes, my brother in law is my distant cousin. We don’t know who our common ancestors are.

My quest continues. I’m so thankful for all that I have stumbled across on my lineage. I’m still digging for my roots. And I’m discovering more lost relatives even to this day.

Thanks for reading.
Since The Beginning Of The Journey: It Has Been Challenging
Thank God for all who have encouraged me along the journey.

 #52Ancestors In Week 44

Posted on October 31, 2024 by Susan Ann Blakley

God bless you
S.A.Blakley


Week 44 ~ Amy Johnson Crow’s #52Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge for 2024
The theme for Week 44 is “Challenging.” Some ancestors are easy to research. Others, not so much. Who has been challenging to research? Another way you could approach the prompt is an ancestor who challenged something in their life.    

Jennie Bartlett Lyles and Mary Anna Lankford: Friends

 My mother, Lula mentioned to me that her mother, Mary Anna Lankford and Jennie Blakley Lyles were friends. Later, I discovered that Mary and Jennie were neighbors. I could only imagine that their children grew up together and attended the same school.

I began to search the city directories to see where the early Blakleys / Lyles and Lankfords were living. around the 1900’s to the teen years. I noticed that they lived not to far from one another. I wondered, when could they have met?

As I searched the directories and located where the Blakleys and Lankfords were living in 1911. The Blakleys lived at 751 S 28th Street. The Lankfords were living at 2722 Mary Street. That’s about less than six houses a part from the next block. They could have met then.

Where did the early Blakleys and Lankfords come from?
Jennie Bartlett was born in Carrollton, Missouri in May of 1883 while her husband John Blakey Blakley was born in Woodville Mississippi on June 21, 1871 with his twin Andrew Blakey. Jennie was in St. Joseph, Missouri around 1902. And after Jennie married John, he came to St. Joseph from Carrollton, Missouri in 1902.

Mary Anna Allen was born in St. Joseph on December 21, 1889 while her husband Leo Lankford / Lankfard Sr. was born in Canton, Missouri on May 31,1884. Leo Sr. made his way to St. Joseph with his family when he was about 4 years old. I’m not for sure if Leo was paralyzed on the left side of his body before or after coming to St. Joseph.

What my mother mentioned to me about what her mother told her about Mrs. Blakley?

Mrs.. Blakley was a hard worker.
Mrs. Blakley looked like Mrs. Iona Mae Hedge.
Mrs. Blakley had 19 children.

Jennie’s husband John left and moved to South Dakota.
He was very sick and had to move northward. That was where his siblings were living.
It was more likely John moved to northward and didn’t want his family to catch what he had.
John passed on July 10, 1918 in a covered wagon near his brother Henry Blakey Sr’.s home.
Jennie marred Chelton Lyles in 1920 in St. Joseph, Missouri.

Mrs. Blakley called for her daughter, Mary Jane to come as she was dying.
Mary Jane didn’t make it in time before her mother passed.
Jennie Bartlett Lyles passed on Wednesday, December 29, 1926.

I’m not sure if Jennie would have known that she would become in laws with Mary.
A few years after Jennie passing, her son Isaac Blakley would marry Anna Charlotte in 1928 who was Mary’s first born. And Lula, Mary’s daughter would marry David Blakley, Jennie’s son in 1937.

As for Mary, she was giving the honor to see Jennie’s sons come apart of the Lankford / Lankfard family. Mary and Jennie shared 21 Blakley grandchildren and their off springs. Mary passed in November 7, 1975. Mary’s husband Leo Sr. passed on September 14, 1954.

Thanks for reading
Jennie Bartlett Lyles and Mary Anna Lankford: Friends

R.I.P. Grandma Jennie and Grandma Mary
R.I.P Grandpa John and Grandpa Leo

I posted this blog on another website October 20 2023.


Week 42 ~ Amy Johnson Crow’s #52Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge in 2023
The theme for Week 42 is “Friends.” We all get by with a little (or a lot) of help from our friends. What about the friends of your ancestors? What about a friend who has helped you with your genealogy?

Week 43 (Oct. 22-28): Dig a Little Deeper
Week 44 (Oct 29-Nov. 4): Spirits

Preserving Family History For Future Generation

 Happy Family History Month!

Preserving Family History For Future Generations Repost 

Posted on October 7, 2022 by Susan Ann Blakley

I’m thankful for the paper trail that my ancestors left behind. I’m thankful for those who recorded information for future use. I wish more records could have been preserved. I wish that there were more sources for the enslaved with their full names.



I took the photo of that tree during the Fall of 2018 somewhere on the East coast.

I’ve been compiling information on my family for decades. I’ve been thinking of what accumulated. What Now? What am I working on and how am I preserving my family history? Where is this information housed? How am I keep things up?

Here are some of my ideas that I have created over the 40+ years of searching.
I began in the mid 1970’s but didn’t get into searching until in the 1980’s.
I began to get hooked in 2007 with a wealth of new discoveries.
I continue to stumble across more discoveries as I keep searching.

Paper Space
Notebooks: In the beginning of my journey notes and questions
Notebooks: Searching for Records and The Replies

Notebooks: Copies of Death, Marriage, Land etc.
Notebooks Compiled Family Groups Sheets

Notebook: Oral History
Notebooks: Handwritten stories of “The Stories We Tell…”
Notebooks: Family Reunions: Lankford and BBW

Military Records: Civil War folder: Private Isaac Blaker a.k.a Isaac BLAKEY
Funeral Booklets: Obituaries, etc.

Hard Cover Books: Family History fill in the blank books.
Scrip Books: news clippings
Photo Albums: Paper printed photos

Notebooks of Letters , Cards, and etc. from relatives and people
Notebooks of some of my siblings’ children’s drawings when they were kids.

Calendars: Desk size to record what doing and making new discoveries.
Calendars: In Remembrance per family connections branch
Calendars: For events of current year.

Notebooks: My Grade Cards, Awards, Birthday Cards, Printed Blogs and etc.
Notebooks; Misc. Church Info, etc.

Submitted some of deceased family members information to publications
Submitted other information to other publications in the 1980’s and 1990’s

Digital Space:
Created Social Media Accounts: Sharing family connections
Created Family Connections Page and Groups on Social Media facebook
DADE, ~ BARTLETT, ~ Blakey Blakley WHITE, and TIVIS

Created Online Blog websites: Journaling about Family Connections (Future Post)
Created Find A Grave Memorials of loved ones and non family members.
Created Family Trees on Ancestry.com, Family Tree and other websites.

Video, Cassette Tapes,
Cellphone Data

DNA Data accounts on Ancestry and 23 And Me
Created DNA accounts: Download / Uploaded DNA for free
Connecting with relatives ~ and for future use

What can I continue to do to preserve my family connections?
With all that I have, I have been sharing some of my discoveries. I can’t remember when I came up with the idea to honor those in my family connections who have passed. I began posting them when their anniversary birth and passing dates come. I continue to do so as the years come to past.

I’m keep reviewing my family tree.
I continue to keep updating when possible
I continue to sharing with others.

October is Family History Month.
What better way to start preserving family records.
I’m taking inventory of what I have accumulated.
Now I ‘m needing to get more organized.

How are you preserving your family history? Hope you have started.
I encourage you to write and record your family history and preserve it for your family.
With all the avenues of today’s tools and technology you’re bound to come up with something.

Think about those who are not born yet. They may wonder how we lived and what we did. Some of our future generations will be thankful. I’m thankful for those who left their paper trail.
.
Thanks for reading
Preserving Family History For Generations To Come.

I add the  October In Remembrance: to this blog

The Dade Family Connections

The Bartlett Family Connections

 The Blakey Blakley WHITE Family Connections

God bless
S. A. Blakley

Week 40 ~ Amy Johnson Crow ~ Generations Café #52Ancestors 52 Weeks ~ facebook group

The monthly theme for October and Week 40 is “Preservation.” Think for a moment about all of the records you’ve used in your family history research and what it took to preserve them. What are you thankful that was preserved (or what do you wish had been preserved)? What are you working to preserve?

Decorator Den “Dennie” / Dan” Dade: The Tradesman

What have I discovered about Den Dade, the tradesman? I had to search the censuses records, city directories and news papers to from Den at work. It was in Lewis County, Missouri where he did most of his service.

In 1900 ~ His occupation was listed as manufacturer motion.
In 1910 ~ His occupation was listed as a laborer who did odd jobs.

He started placing advertisements in the news paper around 1911.
He had an ad for a quick good wall paper hanging and to call phone number 331 in 1915.

The ad below was published in The Canton Press ~ Canton, Missouri • Fri, Jul 11, 1919 on page 3.
This was the first time I’ve seen Den listed as a decorator. He listed his prices… Butting the paper is 30c, Lapping nice paper 25c, common 15c Cleaning and scraping the wall.

In 1914
There was a demand for paper hangers
Den hung paper in people’s homes
He hang paper at the home of Mrs. Ed A. Horn.

In 1917 – 1918
He was listed as a paper hanger.
He help paint a Methodist Church

In 1920
He was listed as a paperhanger: expert painter: his industry was house.
He hung paper for Mrs. Horn and Mrs. Ned Thompson.

In 1925 and 1926
He did work for the Court House, hanging paper etc.
I found some notices in the news paper that Den was paid $15.30, $ 1, $104.95, $21 for his services.

In 1928
The Gem Theatre needed a fresh coat of paint.
The Million resident on Lewis Street, owned by J.W. Lillard
He went to Galesburg ( Illinois ) to contract of painting and decorating a large resident

In 1930
His occupation was listed as a decorator

In 1940
His occupation was listed as a paper hanger.

In 1950
His occupation wasn’t listed.
Sometime in the early 1960’s Den moved to Iowa.
His son Louis “Louie” Dade, the well known golfer was living in Iowa.

Who was Den “Dennie / Dan” Dade?
He was born Nora Den Dade and went by Den. He was the twin of Duana Dade , also known as Anna Winfrey. Duana ran away at the age of 11 and never heard of again until after she passed. That’s another blog.

Den and his twin Duana were born on June 26, 1877 in Canton, Missouri. They were the children of Louis Newtown “Old Bone” Dade and Mary (Vernoy) Dade. Louis and Mary had 11 children.

Nora Den Dade married Louetta Robinson on June 2, 1897 at the age of 19. They had 12 children. Den passed on January 15, 1975 in Fort Madison, Iowa at the age of 97. ( Louetta passed in 1920 at age 43.)

My connections with Nora Den Dade
Den was the nephew of my Great Grandmother Charlotta (Dade) Lankford / Lankfard.

R.I.P. cousin Den

Thanks for reading.
Decorator Den “Dennie” Dan” Dade: The Tradesman

In Remembrance: 

Dade Family Connections
Bartlett Family Connections

Blakey Blakley Family Connections
WHITE Family Connections

NOTE: This post was posted on September 5, 2023 by Susan Ann Blakley on another website. The in Remembrance was added to this blog and it hasn't been updated. 

Blessings,
S.A. Blakley

Week 36 ~ Amy Johnson Crow’s #52Ancestors in 52 Week Challenge for 2023

The theme for Week 36 is “Tradesman.” Monday is Labor Day in the US. This is a good week to write about someone in your family tree who followed a trade. (Or, if you want to be more in the spirit of Labor Day, write about someone involved in the labor movement.)

Mrs. Anna Laura (Washington) Walters: In Her Adversity

                            
Mrs. Anna Laura (Washington) Allen Walters: She was a daughter, a sister, a step sister, a step daughter, a cousin, a wife, an in law, a step auntie, a child of God, a mother, a step mother, a friend, a grandmother, a great grandmother, and two times a widow. ~ As for her occupation, she was listed as a laundress (a wash woman) and a domestic worker.

In Her Adversity: Only if we could imagine.

Anna Laura Washington was born on Thursday, June 13, 1867 in St. Joseph, Missouri. She was the daughter of the formerly enslaved William Washington and Susan (Leach) Washington.

The first known address of the Washington family was at 1801 Mulberry Street to where at least three generations lived. Some were born there and some died there. Susan’s mother Mrs. Delila Lewis. (1790 – 1887) came to live with the family in 1878. Delila was formerly enslaved born in Tennessee, then was moved to Kentucky and Missouri.

Anna, also known as Miss Laura Washington at age twenty one married William “Wm” Allen on Wednesday, March 6, 1889. Four months later, on Sunday, July 7, 1889, her 16 year old brother James “Jim” Washington was swimming in the middle of the stream near the bridge where the water was deep in the 102 River. He began to cramp and before help could research him, he drowned at 1:30 pm. His body was found the next day.

On Saturday, December 21, 1889, Anna Laura gave birth to her first born, Mary Anna Allen at 1801 Mulberry Street. Then 19 days later on Thursday, January 9, 1890, her mother, Susan passed at age 55 at the family home. Susan had been ill for a little over a year.

Anna was left to care for her daughter and her sisters. And by Wednesday, December 17, 1890, Anna’ ‘s father marries Mrs. Mahalah Winn (1841 – 1921) who became Anna’s step mother.

There is no record of what happened to Anna’s husband William. Assuming that William passed around 1890. Anna married Thornton Walters in the 1890’s. There were two Walters children born between 1890 – 1894.

Anna’s second husband Thornton lived a rough life before marrying Anna. He was in fights and was in trouble with the law. He served time in prison. Thornton became paralyzed on one side of his body for several years prior to 1903..

On Tuesday evening, of August 18, 1903, Thornton with the company with his family and Dan Gamon at Lake Contrary in St, Joseph, Missouri. Thornton and his friend, Dan Gamon got in a boat to go fishing across the lake. Dan was rowing the boat.

Thornton was “trying to adjust the line” and lost his balance, felling overboard. His friend couldn’t swim…. Thornton drowned in the bayou at the lake at 9pm. The water was twenty feet deep. His body was found the next day. ~ Thornton Walters (1858 – 1903)

Anna was left to care for three children: 1903 – 1909.
Mary / Bonita Walters was most likely to have been Anna’s step daughter. Bonita born around 1890. She gave birth to her son John Nelson on Saturday, August 24, 1907. On the birth noticed, she was listed as “B.O” Walters having a son.

On the 1920 census, John, at the age 13 was living with his Grandmother Laura. There is no record of what happened to Bonita. She was listed as Mary Walters, a widow on the 1910 census with her mother, Laura, and siblings. John was listed as a nephew of Laura which wasn’t the case.

Anna’s son, Joseph Walters could have been her biological son. Joseph was in trouble with the law. He didn’t get along with his brother in law Leo Lankford. In 1910, Joseph at age 16 was charged with assault and attempt to kill Leo who was paralyzed on the left side of his body since the age of four. Joseph did serve time in prison on other accounts. He passed at age 31 of TB.

Anna’s biological daughter, Mary married Leo Lankford Sr. on Friday, April 16,1909. Mary’s name was Mary Walters on the marriage license. Leo and Mary were listed on the 1910 census with Laura. Mary / Bonita was listed as daughter and Joseph as son of Laura Walters.

Throughout Anna’s lifetime, despite all that she went through, she kept on living .

On Anna’s February 1947 obituary
Anna had a daughter, Mary, 12 grandchildren (which included John Nelson, Mary Lankford had 11 children.) 14 great grandchildren, one son in law, Leo, some cousins and two step siblings, Townsend Winn and Ella (Buckner) Lewis who were living at the time of her passing.

Four sisters and one brother, James were mentioned by numbers. There is little known about three of her sister. Nannie, Amelia and Lillie. Her sister, Virginia passed in 1897. The Washington siblings did have a half brother name William Washington Jr. Little is know about William Jr.

Thanks for reading.
Mrs. Anna Laura (Washington) Walters: In Her Adversity

Anna passed at her daughter Mary’s home at the age of 79.
R.I.P. Great Grandmother Anna Laura

Blessings
S.A. Blakley

Week 38 ~ Amy Johnson Crow’s #52Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge for 2023

The theme for Week 38 is “Adversity.” All of our families have had to face adversity at some point. Recognizing their struggles helps us recognize their humanity.

 This post was posted on September 21, 2023 by Susan Ann Blakley

 I added the In Memory to this blog:

Dade Family Connections

Branch Mrs. Louisa Jane (DADE) WASHINGTON

 Branch of Louis And Mary Ann (VENOY) DADE

Branch of Robert and Charlotta (DADE) LANKFORD / LANKFARD

                                                 Branch of Elias W.  Bartlett   Family Connections

                                         Branch of Blakey Blakley WHITE  Family Connections

Uncle Fred With His Parents: One Of My Favorite Photos

 “Tell the story of a favorite photo: Who is in it, when and where it was taken, and why it was taken. (That last part is often left out!) ” Amy Johnson Crow

This is a photo of my material grandparents Leo and Mary with their son First Class Private Frederick William Lankford. The photo was taken in the family home on Locust Street in St. Joseph, Missouri. I’m assuming the year was in 1951. (The elderly man in the background photo is unknown.)


Indeed, each photo has a story behind it. I don’t know the story behind this photo. But, I believe that this snapshot was during the time the Lankford family had a get together. It appears that Fred came home to visit while he was serving in the military of the United States.

Frederick enlisted into the army on April 26, 1951. His basic training was at Camp Roberts in California. He was a member of the battery A 17th Field Artillery Battalion IX Crops. He had been overseas since October 10, 1951.

What makes this photo one of my favorites?
This snapshot brings the family history alive. Also a photo can help piece together some of our stories that we share. We can see how our relatives lived and the styles of their time.

I noticed that Grandma Mary was wearing her polka dot dress in another photo with six of her seven daughters. I think that this photo was taken on the same day. I think that polka dots must have been in style back in the days. Even Grandpa Leo was wearing his polka dot tie.

I noticed that Uncle Fred was wearing his military uniform in another photo sitting by a man. I was told the man was my Uncle Willie. In that photo, Uncle Willie’s face was partial cut off. I believe that that photo was taken on the same day as this one.

Sadly to say, Fred was reported as missing in action. He drowned on July 19, 1952 while serving in the Korean War. Fred’s body was recovered….and had a military escort back to St. Joseph where he was laid to rest. He was due home from the serve in August of 1952.

His father Leo passed in September of 1954. And Mary passed in November of 1975. Mary was laid to rest between her son, Fred and her husband, Leo.

May we search other sources so that we can bring our family photos to life. Old newspapers are a good source to learn more about our relatives. I’m thankful that I’ve made more discoveries about Grandpa Leo and Uncle Fred through the news papers. It’s amazing!

Thanks for reading.
Uncle Fred With His Parents: One Of My Favorite Photo.

What makes this photo one of my favorite?
I do remember this photo from my childhood. There’s something about this photo that brings a smile. Just think, when the time comes, we shall have our family get together with the whole family.

R.I.P. Grandma Mary, Grandpa Leo and Uncle Fred.

Blessings
S.A. Blakey

Family Connections: In Remembrance:
DADE 

BARTLETT Family 

Blakey Blakley WHITE 

This blog was posted on January 17, 2024 by Susan Ann Blakley.
The in remembrance were added to this blog. 

Week 3 ~ Amy Johnson Crow’s #52Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge in 2024
The theme for Week 3 is “Favorite Photo.” This is one of my favorite prompts. Yes, I’ve used it in previous years, but it’s too good to not use again! Tell the story of a favorite photo: Who is in it, when and where it was taken, and why it was taken. (That last part is often left out!)