Tracing The Lankford / Lankfard Surname Through Leo

Who was Leo Lankford Sr. / Lankfard?

He was the son of Robert and Charlotta (Dade) Lankford / Lankfard. 

He was born on May 30, 1884 in Canton, Missouri.

He passed on Sept 14, 1954 in St. Joseph, Missouri.

 

Leo Lankford Sr. / Lankfard
(1884- 1954)

On the 1900 census

He was 16 listed as Sea Sankford

LIVED with parents at 2413 Edmond

 

Age 17 in 1901

 he was Listed as Leo Lankford;

Address 2413 Edmond: Job Tmstr

 

Age 18 in 1902  

Listed as Leo Lankfard;

Address 2411 Edmond: Job Tmstr

Age 20 in 1904

Leo Lankfard lived at 2413 Edmond

 

Age 21 in 1905 

Leo Lankford lived at 2412 Edmond listed as a tmstr

 

Age 25 in 1909 

Leo Lankford lived at 2412 Edmond

On April 16, 1909 

Mary WALTERS married Leo LAUKFORD on index

 

On the 1910 Census  

Listed as Lea Lankford / Can't read place where LIVED

Age 26 in 1910

Leo Lankford lived at 2413 Edmond

 

Age 27 in 1911

Listed as Leo Lankfard; no c after name mentioning that he was colored.

Address 2722 Mary; Job Tmstr

 

Age 28 in 1912

Listed as Leo Lankford at 2414 Sylvanie

Age 29 in 1913

 Listed on other directory Leo lived at 2616 Locust:

Surname spelled Lankfard

 Age 30 in 1914

 Listed Leo Lankford at   2616 Angelique as a tmstr

On the 1930 Census

listed as age 46

 Leo Lankford lived at 2622 Locust with wife Mary.

He was a teamster.

 

Age 53 in 1937 

 Listed as Leo Lankford 2616 Locust

Age 55 in 1939

 Listed with Surname spelled Langford on census record

LIVED at 2616 Locust

Age 55 in 1939

listed as a Hauler

On the 1940 Census as age 55,

Listed as Leo (Mary) Lankford

lived with wife and children at 2616 Locust.

 As 57 in 1951

 listed as Leo Lankford at 2616 Locust

Age 59 in l953

listed as Leo Lankford lived with wife at 2616 Locust St

Age 70 in 1954

LIVED at 2616 LOCUST 

Surname spelled LANKFORD on death record
Surname spelled LANKFARD on his tombstone

Tombstones at Ashland Cemetery 

St. Joseph, Missouri.

The family surname has been spelled Langford / Lankfard.

However, only one child  of Leo and Mary, Robert, spelled his surname LANKFARD

His off spring carried on with the LANKFARD spelling also.
 

There is no doubt that Leo used the LANKFORD surname majority of his life.
It's ironic that his surname on his tombstone is spelled LANKFARD.

Leo and Mary Allen LANKFORD / LANKFARD have descendants with both spellings.

 

Thanks for reading.

S. A. Blakley

Doc Snap: Leo Lankford / Lankfard

Leo Lankford Sr. with one of his mules.
Year unknown.
 

Entry date: Dec 1, 1984

Grandpa (Leo) Lankford (Lankfard) was nicknamed Doc Snap; because he use to doctored up horses.

The Descendants Of Leo And Mary (Allen) LANKFORD / LANKFARD

========================================

The Descendants Of

Leo and Mary (ALLEN) LANKFORD / LANKFARD

===========================================================

 

Leo Lankford / LANKFARD

Mr. Leo Lankford Sr. / Lankfard

1884 - 1954

===========

Leo was born on May 30, 1884 in Canton, Missouri.

He was the son of Robert and Charlotta (DADE) LANKFORD / LANKFARD.

Leo Sr. died on September 14, 1954 in St. Joseph, Missouri.

Leo married Mary Allen on April 16, 1909 in Savannah, Andrew County MO.

 

=========================================================

Miss Mary F. ALLEN

 

Mrs. Mary Frances LANKFORD / LANKFARD

1889 - 1975

==========

Mary was born on Dec 21, 1889 to Anna Laura (Washington) and William Robert Allen.

Mary died on November 7, 1975 in St. Joseph, Missouri.

When Mary married Leo Lankford in 1909,

her name on the marriage license was Mary Walters.

Leo's surname was spelled LAUKFORD.

Mary's mother remarried to Thornton Walters.

 

Perhaps Mary took the Walters surname.

Mary had a half sister, Mary (Bonita) WALTERS and

a brother half, Joseph WALTERS.

 

Leo and Mary had 11 children.

Anna , Robert, Leola, Mary , Lula, Sarah Belle, Leo Jr.,

Addison , Betty, Frederick and Josephine Lankford.

All their children were born in St. Joseph, Missouri.

 

======================================



Anna "Annie" C. LANKFORD

 

Mrs. Anna C. Blakley

1909 -  1974

==========

Anna was born on Sept 27, 1909.

Anna married Isaac "Ike" Blakley.

They move to South Dakota and than later to St. Paul, Minnesota.

Isaac and Anna had two sons.

Richard "Dicky" Blakley and Robert "Bobby" Blakley Sr.

Anna passed away on Feb 4, 1974 in Minnesota.

Isaac and Anna were buried in Minnesota.

 

================================ 

Robert L. LANKFARD

 

Mr. Robert Louis / Lewis Lankfard Sr.

1911 - 2000

==========

 

Robert was born on July 13, 1911.

Robert married Grace Lee Smith.

In 1941, Grace died leaving a daughter

Roberta Lankford.

Robert remarried to Irene Amanda Blakey.

Robert and Irene had two children:

Robert L. Lankfard Jr and Patricia Lankfard.

Robert Sr. had a son, Donald.

Robert Sr. was married to a Jerline ?

Jerline Lankford

1922 - 1972

Robert Sr. resided in Minneapolis Minnesota.

He died on 3 July 2000.

Robert Sr. served in the military.

Robert Sr. was buried in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

 

====================================== 

Leola LANKFORD

Mrs. Leola Farmer

1915 - 1994

==========

Leola was born on June 25, 1915.

She lived in St. Joseph, Missouri most of her life.

Leola married William "Willie" Farmer Jr. in Omaha, Nebraska.

They returned to St. Joseph, Missouri.

Leola had two sons.

Melvin Washington

He was born in 1932 and died as an infant.

 Robert Leon Farmer Sr.

Leola died on Sept 12, 1994.

"Willie" and Leola were buried in Ashland Cemetery in St. Joseph, MO.

 

===================================================

Mary  Virginia "Jennie" LANKFORD

 

Mrs. Milton Vernon Thomas

1918 - 1990

===========

Mary was born on Feb 11, 1918.

Mary married Milton Vernon Thomas.

Mary was the mother of two children.

Richard Thomas and Mary E. Thomas

Mary "Jennie" died on March 21, 1990.

Milton and Mary were buried in Ashland Cemetery in St. Joseph, MO.

 

===================================================

Lula "Lu" Marguerite LANKFORD

Mrs. David W. Blakley Sr.

1920 - 2000

==========

Lula was born on April 21, 1920.

Lula married David W. Blakley on March 28, 1937 in Troy, Kansas.

David and Lula had 19 children.

David Jr., Donnie, Paul, L.J, Johnnie, Danny, Lula,

Eddie, Charlie, Richey, Freda, George, Bobby,

Iky, MaryRuth, Ronnie, Roger, Mike, and Susie.

Lula passed away in her sleep on April 1, 2000.

David Sr. and Lula were buried in Ashland Cemetery in St. Joseph, Missouri.

 

=======================================================

Sarah Belle LANKFORD

Mrs. Alie J. Johnson

1922 - 1995

============

Sarah was born on March 14, 1922.

Sarah married Rev Alie J. Johnson on Jan 14, 1953 in St. Joseph, Missouri.

Sarah was the mother of 9 children.

She raised most of her children on Locust Street.

Daniel "Pete", Sharon, Virginia, Marilee, Eddie Lou,

Wilbur, Betty, Christina, and Josephine.

Sarah passed away on May 9, 1995.

Rev. Alie and Sarah were buried in Ashland Cemetery in St. Joseph, Missouri.

 

=========================================================

Leo LANKFORD Jr.

Leo "Sam" Lankford Jr.

1924- 1964

=========

Leo was born on March 6, 1924 in St. Joseph, Missouri.

Leo Jr. married Lois Stewart and lived on Locust Street.

He served in the military. He was awarded the Purple Heart on June 2, 1945.

Leo Jr. and Lois had the father of 5 sons.

Gary, Leo III, Clarence, Louis and Samuel "Scott" Lankford.

Leo Jr. passed away on May 19, 1964.

Leo Jr. and Lois were buried in Ashland Cemetery in St. Joseph, Missouri

 

======================================================

Addison LANKFORD

 

Addison "Ad" Lankford

1926- 1979

=======

Addison "Ad" was born on Jan 27, 1926 in St. Joseph, Missouri.

He was known as the Sheriff of Locust.

Ad married Alice ? from MN.

Later they divorced.

"Ad" had no children.

"Ad" passed away on June 16, 1979.

"Ad" Addison was buried in Ashland Cemetery in St. Joseph, Missouri.

 

====================================================

Betty  Marie LANKFORD

Mrs. James WESTON Jr. 

1928 - 2012

==========

.

Betty was born on Feb 7, 1928.

Betty married James "Jim" Weston.

In 1949, James died at an early age leaving Betty a widow.

Betty had no children.

Betty passed on in July 22, 2012.

She was buried in Ashland Cemetery in St. Joseph, Missouri.

 

==============================================

  Frederick William LANKFORD

Private  Frederick "Fred" William Lankford

1930 - 1952

===========

Frederick "Fred" was born on Feb 17, 1930.

Fred never married and had no children.

He served during the Korean War.

Fred passed away on July 19, 1952 while in the service.

Frederick's body was returned to St. Joseph, Missouri .

Fred was buried in Ashland Cemetery.

 

 

==================================================

 

The youngest of Leo's and Mary's children

Josephine  "Josie" Louise   LANKFORD

.

Mrs. James WILSON

Josephine was born on Aug, 30.

Josephine married Comezelle  Z / Walker Sr. who died on May 19,1964.

Josephine later married James Wilson.

 

James and Josephine live in St. Joseph, Missouri.

Josephine is the mother of 6 children

. Comezelle  Z. Walker Jr., Clinton Walker and Earl Walker.

Calista Wilson, Carla Wilson and Helen Wilson.

 

 

===================================================

 Photo of Leo Sr. and Mary (Allen) Lankford

In their home at 2616 Locust in St. Joseph, MO.

The Lankford Home

Mary F. Lankford with Six of  her 7 Lankford Daughters

Back row left to right

Mary, Betty , Mary (Allen) Lankford, Lula

Front row left to right

Josephine, Leola and Sarah

Daughter, Anna not in the photo.

====================================

 

 

Leo Lankford Sr. with three of his four Lankford Sons

From left to right

Father, Leo Lankford Sr., Robert Lankfard, Leo Lankford Jr. and

Addison "Ad" Lankford

 

 

================================================

Mary (Allen) Lankford, center with daughter, Anna
 Anna is on right.

Mary Richardson is on the left

Anna was married to Isaac Blakley

"Ike", Mary Richardson and "Dave" Blakley were siblings.

Anna "Annie" and Lula "Lu" were sisters.

So that made Anna and Lula, sisters and sisters in law.

And Isaac and David, brothers and brothers in law.

 

 

============================================

 

Three Lanford Brothers

Left to right

Leo "Sam" Lankford Jr., Addison "Ad" Lankford and Frederick "Fred" Lankford

 

=========================================================

Precious Memories

As clear as a loving word or touch

of a hand so warm and clear

Are the memories of our loved ones that

we treasure and hold near.

A favorite song or picture often causes

us to recall, the many special times

that were the dearest ones of all.

And although time will heal the loss

we will never be far apart

Because God's gift of memory will always

 

be a treasure in our hearts.

May the special memories of all the deceased members

of the Lankford / Lankfard Family always live in our hearts.

======================================================

The First Generation

Robert Louis and Charlotta (Dade) Lankford / Lankfard

Photo on the left Robert Louis LANKFORD / LANKFARD

Photo on the right Charlotta DADE LANKFORD / LANKFARD

======================================================

 



(1852- 1919)

(1854- 1924)

 

=====================================================================

                                  

Robert and Charlotta were the  parents of the Second Generation of Lankfords.

 

James Andrew LANKFORD,

Jennie LANKFORD,

Lula Mae MADISON,

Frederick "Fred" A. LANKFORD,

Louis "Add" Adward LANKFORD,

Leo LANKFORD,

Anna Alice SMITH,

 

Charles Edward LANKFORD,

Still born Female LANKFORD,  

Nymadula "Nym" LANKFARD,

Isabelle V. NICKERSON

and an un named LANKFORD child.



Clues From The Past: Part 3 ~ Mrs. Anna Laura Walters' Step Siblings

A part of Anna Walter's obituary in 1947 

Mrs. Anna Laura Walters was survived by a daughter Mrs. Mary Lankford of the city
which was St. Joseph, Missouri.

Anna's stepsister was Mrs. Ella LEWIS (1871 - 1954) of St. Joseph, Missouri.
 Mrs. Ella (BUCKNER) LEWIS  was the wife of  Mr. Wilbur Lewis. 

Anna's stepbrother was Mr. Townsend WYNNE (1862- 1956)
Mr. Townsend WYNNE of Cleveland, Ohio.
I'm not for sure if WYNNE was Townsend surname.
He was listed as Townsend BRUKINS on a record.
I can't find the source of the WYNNE Family surname.
His mother may have married a WINN. Townsend took that surname.

Townsend's 1st marriage in 1880 to Miss Mary A. WOODWARD
and their children. Surname spelled in varies ways. WYNNE, WYNN, WINN.

Mr. Harry Jackson WYNNE, b) 1880
He married Miss Viola BROWN in 1907.

Mrs. Cora A. (WYNNE) STEWART b) 1883
She married Mr.Worley Alonza STEWART in 1905.

Mr. Royal Sylvester "Roy" WYNN b)  1884
I'm not for sure may have passed in 1947 Jackson County in Missouri.
There is a Roy WINN listed on the Missouri death record.
This Roy age about 61. cira born 1886.
Not much was known about this Roy WINN.

Mrs. Anna L. (WYNNE) PEYTON (1886 - 1910)
She married Dr. Wade Hampton PEYTON Jr. in 1905.

Mrs. Callie J. (WYNN) DAVIS (1896 - 1951)
She married Mr. Watkins DAVIS in 1914

Townsend 2nd marriage in 1919 to Louise JONES.

-------------
Townsend and Ella's mother was
Mrs. Mahala "Mahalie" (HILL) BRUKINS BUCKNER WINN WASHINGTON

Mahala was married to
1st    Slave marriage ? BRUKINS ~
2nd   James BUCKNER ~ 3 Brukins children listed on marriage record in 1869.
3rd    ? WINN
4th   John / William WASHINGTON in 1890

Note: Mrs. Mahala WINN was her name when she married Wm WASHINGTON

"Mahalie: was born in Missouri in 1841.
She was the mother of 7;
Two children were living during the time the 1910 census was taken.
Her parents were from KY

-------------
 Anna's survivors continues

12 Grandchildren: Included
Leo and Mary  (Allen) Lankford's 11 children
Mary (Walters) Nelson's son

14 Great Grand children

1 son in law who was named Mr. Leo Lankford Sr.

A numbers of cousins
d a host of friends mourned her passing.

Mrs. Walters is survived by

Build a house a fence of trust
Just around today
Fill the place with loving deeds
and therein stay
Look not through the sheltering bars.

----------------------------
Some Thoughts
----------------------------
I took note that Anna had cousins. Either on her father's Washington side or her mother's Leach side.  I think it was more likely on the Washington side. There were a lot of Washington in St. Joseph.

Also, Anna didn't have any nieces or nephews.
All her Washington siblings passed on early in life.

I did search for Anna's death announcement in the newspaper.
I discovered that she passed at her daughter, Mary Lankford's home.

Thanks for reading.
S. A. Blakley

Remembering The Past: Honoring Memories:Leo Lankford Sr.

In Remembrance Of Leo Lankford Sr.

Leo Lankford Sr. about the age of 8 in 1892.

Leo Lankford / Lankfard was born in Canton, Missouri on May 30, 1884.
He was the son of Robert Louis / Lewis and Charlotta (DADE) Lankford / Lankfard.
Leo was the husband of Mary F. (ALLEN) Lankford / Lankfard. 

 

Mr. Leo Lankford Sr.
a.k.a Mr. Leo Lankfard
(1884 - 1954)

Mr. Leo Lankford Sr. in his home in St. Joseph Missouri.

 

The 130th Year Since Leo Lankford / Lankfard's Birth

Leo Lankford Sr was born in Canton, Missouri on May 30, 1884.  

 He was the son of Robert Louis / Lewis Lankford / Lankfard and

Charlotta (Dade) Lankford / Lankfard. 

Leo was the husband of Mary (Allen) Lankford.

Leo Lankford Sr: Occupation

Note that the name M.B. Morton at the right side of page.
The Morton connections with the Lankford Family.




Leo Lankford with one of his mules.
He hauled trash with horse and wagon.

128 Years Since Leo Lankford Sr.'s Birth



          Leo Lankford Sr was born in Canton, Missouri on May 30, 1885.

          He was the son of Robert Louis / Lewis Lankford / Lankfard and

                                                  Charlotta (Dade) Lankford / Lankfard. 

                                 Leo was the husband of Mary (Allen) Lankford.

Leo Lankford Sr: Son Of Robert and Charlotta (DADE) LANKFORD

Leo Lankford Sr.
1884 - 1954

Leo Lankford was born on May 30, 1884, to a Charlotta Dade Lankford and Robert Louis Lankford in Canton, MO. He was one of 10 or 11 children. James Andrew, Jennie, Lula May, Fredrick A. Louis A,  Alice Anna, Charles Edward, Sillborn female, Nymadula, and Isabelle V. Lankford.

I don't know why the Lankfords. Leo would have been less then 10 when the arrived in St. Joseph before 1890.  Leo was a laborer, trucker and hauler. He had a business of hauling trash.

Leo married Mary Allen a.k.a. Mary Walters on April 16, 1909 in Andrew County MO. To this union there came 11 children: The daughter with their married names: Anna C.  Robert, Leola, Mary V., Lula M., Sarah B., Addison, Leo Jr., Betty M., Frederick W. and Josephine L. Lankford.

Leo's and Mary's Lankford surname was spelled at least two other ways. On some census records, it was Langford. Other spellings Lankford and Lankfard. Lankfard is the one on their tombstones.

I've seen photo's of Leo. He would be standing with a cane. I don't know the story about why he had to use a cane. Perhaps he was born with some thing that effected him when he grow older.

Leo passed away on Sept 1954. A Morton family member attended his funeral. Leo was buried at Ashland Cemetery in St. Joseph, Missouri.

I was searching for Grandpa Leo's World War Draft Reg Card. I see that his name was spelled LANKFARD. Also there was something about Grandpa that I didn't see before.



Grandpa Leo was paralyzed in his left hand and leg since the age of four. I had seen photos of Grandpa.
I thought that he hurt himself and had a bad leg.

According to one of my aunts, Grandpa may have had polo. They did not know back in those days. Grandpa had to live with what he had.

Staying On The Family History Journey,
Hope to find more info on Leo Lankford Sr and his family.

Thinking About My Ancestors Through Photos

It would have been my mother's father, Leo Lankford Sr's 127th birthday. He was born in Canton, MO on May 30, 1884. I've found a lot more information about my ancestors on my mother's side. I found more this week!

Leo Lankford Sr.
(1884- 1954)

Over the years of research on my family history, I've been thinking about my ancestors as I'm looking through some photographs. It's interesting to see these photos. A picture can say a thousand words.

I have thought...the more that I can piece together what some of my ancestors did, their lives become more real. When I look a my family's pedigree chart, I can see how some things are connected. It's good to know where our kin folks came from.

It's not just that they lived in an era before I did. It's that they went through life with different and similar issues I have faced in life.

I am on the other side of what majority of my ancestors wanted. I'm living their dream of freedom from bondage. They were human beings too.

Yeah, I've been looking at old photographs. It makes my mind wander. How they lived in the time that they did. They had less opportunities to do a lot of things.

But there was something that they had, that is offered to all generation even behind today. They had their life that was given to them by the grace of God. Some believed on Jesus as their LORD and Savior.

Jesus was in their days too. Just think, we all have or had the opportunity to serve the same God but in different time periods. How awesome!

I am thankful that some of our ancestors took time to pose in from of a camera. I've been looking at how my ancestors dressed. They choose nice cloting for the photos. It's like they had on their Sunday's best.


It gives me the assumption that they cared so much about how they would look. They thought about being in their best outfit. They were sending a message to the viewers.

I wander how they thought about issues that they faced? I could image how some who never saw freedom from slavery could have wanted so much to be free. The dreams of what they could never see because of their skin color.

This photo was found in my Grandpa Mary's house. She was married to Grandpa Leo. I don't know when my Grandparents were married around 1908.

But the people in this photo were believed to be relatives. Perhaps a husband and wife with their four daughters. The elderly lady could have been an in law or mother of the man or woman.

I notice in most of the photo that I was looking at, the people were dressed up. They rarely a smile on their faces. In two of the photos, some one had a book in a person's hand. It must have meant something.

Most of my slavery ancestors learned how to read and write. Most of them were farmers. They had and came from large families. Grandpa Leo was one of about 12. Grandma Mary was one of three children. She had a half brother and half sister.

As for me, my parents came from large families. My parents had 19 kids together. I got interest in my family history about 30+ years ago.

I am finding more information as the years past by. I am putting together some things. There were things that I have not thought of. But through the years, some things are clarified.

I am recording things for the future generations. I have no off springs, but I do think about the future generations. Wonder what they will ask? Wonder about the ones before them?

Staying On The Family History Journey,
Susan

The Chronicles of Susan

On My Journey Of Transformation

Thinking About My Ancestors Through Photos

What an after thought!

We will get to meet some of our ancestors after the resurrection of our bodies.

Psalm 150:1

Let everything that lives sing praises to the LORD!
Praise the LORD!

LBJ Street

Leo and Mary Lankford Sr. with son, Frederick Lankford.

That was the name that we called our street when we were growing up. Most of the people on our block were kinfolks around the 1900s to 1990's. Lankford, Blakley Johnson families lived on this long block. My Mother's parents' lived there.

My Mother, Lula was born in her parents' house. She grew up on this street. A few years after she married my Father, David, they moved back in the neighborhood in the house on the hill. My Father's parents lived not to far from my Mother's parents.

My Mother told me that her Mother, Mary and my Father's Mother, Jennie were best friends. There were a lot of kids on this two block street. When I was growing up, I remember that there were a lot of dogs on our block too. 

Leo and Mary Lankford's Home
The place where some of their children were born and married.

My Mother's Father, Leo Lankford thought the world of my Father. My Mother told me that her Father would put out the flag on the flag pole on my Father's birthday. That was on November 13th. My Father's brother, Isaac married my Mother's sister, Anna. Yeah, my double Uncle, my double Auntie and my double cousins.

Another view of L.B.J. Street. This was about 1984.

Some of us kids at times would played baseball in the road. There was a hill at the top. It we called the "dirt road"; with small rocks. We made the three sewers bases. We had to make a second base.

Yes, we had to stop when cars came by. It would be real dusty at times when cars came over the road. Also at times we kids played ball with the neighbor kids on top on the dirt road. It was a real street that we played on.

Then we played basketball across the street. There was our Father's red truck bed. We made that area out to be a basketball court. We would watch others play basketball.

When the winter times came (with the snow), some of us would sled ride from the hill of the dirt road and turn to go down the other street. It was fun! Yes, we had a look-out-person for when cars would come.

Yeah, we played "Hide in Seek". We played "Simon Says" and "Red Light Green Light" in the middle of the street. When the 4th of July came around, we shot off our fire works in the street too. We cleaned up as we went along.

What I am aware of on my journey of transformation.
As I have been reflecting back over my up bringing, I did not realized some things. It has been as I am growing in years that I can see things in a new way. There are some memories of the past that are alive in my heart.

When I was growing up I was a tom-boy. I have a lot of scares on my knee. I can look back and see how what we did as kids was pass down to the next generations who either grew up there or came on LBJ Street. My parents' children's children came to play as where we once did.

I don't know who thought to name our street LBJ. Perhaps that was the time when our U.S. President L.B. Johnson was in office. But now there are a very few of us who are related left on LBJ Street.

Many relatives have pass on while others have moved. But in all, many who have moved away do return to LBJ Street. Some bring their spouse and off springs with them.

LBJ Street was where us kids grew up. You know what, the basketball goal is still there. But there are something new. There are a lot of Stray Cats in our neighborhood.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From my Book of Thanks and Blessings. Father God, I am so thankful for the gift of FAITH that is in me to grow. I am thankful for memories that are alive in my heart. I am so thankful that I grow up around some of my relatives. I am so thankful for the DOOR of HOPE that is in my heart. I am so thankful for my SALVATION in Jesus Christ, the LORD of my LIFE. I am thankful for New Insights as I am going about my days in Jesus' name Amen!

Be Hopeful,
Staying On The Journey,
Susan

Leo Lankford And Mary Walters aka Mary Allen

On April 16, 1909,
Leo Lankford and Mary Walters were married in Andrew County Missouri.

Mr. Leo Lankford Sr.



Miss Mary Allen
a.k.a Miss Mary Walters
Mrs. Leo Lankford Sr.



                                     To this union were born 11 children
                                             The Lankford Connection

Family History Update: Mystery

I find this very strange. I've been searching for my mother's parents' Leo and Mary, my mother grand parents Robert and Charlotta and Great grandparents William and Susan on the 1900 census. I can't locate them any where.

I believe that they all lived in St. Joseph, Mo. They were listed on the 1880, 1910 and 1920 census in St. Joseph, MO. I don't see why they would have moved.

I am thinking that their surnames were spell incorrectly. I don't know what else it could be. Well, they could all have been not been counted on the census. But I find that odd too.

I will continue to search the census. I won't give up on the search. I can't want for the 1940 census to come out in April 1, 2012.

May this journey of family history search continue. May new lead follow. May those who search for information don't grow weary during the search.

On The Journey: Family History Update: Mystery

I believe that there is more out there.
But where?

Correct Name Spelling Matters

Yes, it does when searching for family history. I have come across that during my research. The surnames are spelled differently.

I have been trying to find my mother's mother and my mother's mother's mother marriage records and on the 1900 census. I have some breakthrough on my grandma's marriage records. It was a name thing.

My Grandma was born Mary ALLEN according to her birth record. Her mother was Anna Laura WASHINGTON. She with by Laura in some records.

What a mystery that I came across on May 27, 2009. I discovered that marriage records for Missouri were online on ancestry.com. So I started searching for my ancestors.

I typed in their names. I had no luck. So I typed in the name Mary WALTERS. Walters was Grandma Anna Laura's last surname. She had a step daughter named Mary WALTERS. Yeah, two Mary's. There other an ALLEN.

After I made the discovery that my Grandma Mary ALLEN was believed married with the name Mary WALTERS. I notice when I saw her husband Leo's sure name was spelled incorrectly. It appeared to be LAUKFORD. As for the actually record, I saw it as LANKFORD.

Things matched up as I did some more searching. I asked my aunt who is my Grandma Mary's daughter. She said that WALTERS was a name. My mother told me that her mother went by WALTERS as times. My mother did not know way.

Here is what I assume through the research that I have been doing.

Mary ALLEN aka Mary WALTERS was born on 21 December 1889 in St. Joseph, MO to a William ALLEN of Georgetown MO and an Anna Laura WASHINGTON of St. Joseph MO.

Mary's father is unknown. There is no record of his death. Not much was spoken about him. I assume that he died when Mary was young.

I found a marriage record of a Mary WALTERS married to a Leo LAUFORD on 16th April 1909. That's about the year that they were married according to the 1910 census.

It's the record on the top right hand corner.

I found their surname as LANGFORD. It's them. Mary's mother's name was Leona Nathan with children Mary, and Joseph Nathan. It was a miss print on the records behalf in typing.

As for Anna Laura WASHINGTON ALLEN WALTERS is was remarried between 1890 - 1900. Her second husband was Thornton WALTERS. He later drowned in August of 1903.

I can assume that Anna help raised Thornton's children because they were on the 1910 census. Mary WALTER was a widowed. Joseph WALTER died in 1937. He was listed as Anna's son.

So I can assume that between 1901 - 1909 my Grandma Mary was raised as an WALTERS. Her mother carried the WALTERS surname.

At the time of Anna Laura WALTERS' death, she was listed with one child Mary who later passed in November of 1975. Anna had a step brother Townsend WYNN and a step sister Ella BUCKNER.

There was no mention of other children nor first marriage. Only the marriage of Thornton WALTERS was mentioned.

I am still searching for my Grandma Mary and her mother Laura Anna  on the 1900 census. It could be that their names were misspelled. Perhaps they could in another State.

Correct name spelling matter. What names we use does make a different. I notice in my research that some of my ancestors used their middle names.

May we learn to correct people when they spell our name wrong. It will help in the long ran. Future generations will appreciate the correct spelling. Besides they can locate what they are searching easier.

On The Journey...
Correct Name Spelling Matters

It brings a lot of stress when searching for ancestors.
But when things click, things are better.

The Chronicles of Susan