At The Cemetery: What I Found Interesting To Know

 During the late 1980’s, I began to search for my ancestors’ gravesites. I mailed a list of names and dates to Ashland Cemetery which is located in St. Joseph, Missouri. I was wanting to know where my relatives were buried. Someone at the cemetery did reply to my letter.

During the 1990’s, as more of my relatives passed, I started to discover more gravesite. I attended funerals and then went to the cemetery. As I walked by graves, I continue to come across more relatives. Kinfolks were buried near one another..

I became more aware of things by searching for information about people. And found out that they were long lost relatives. Some how the family lost connections through the generations. I walked by many tombstones not knowing that they were kin. How surprising!!

What I have found interesting to know.
In my early years of searching, I remember to take pictures of tombstones and the areas where my ancestors were buried. I’m so glad that I did. Especially for the earlier ancestors and relatives who were buried in different sections. Now days, I can get lost trying to find their sites.

Through time, many trees have been removed. Some of the tombstones have sunk into the ground. Some I can’t find. Some tombstones have been replaced with a new ones..

What so special about this cemetery?
It’s the place where most of my ancestors, relatives and friends were laid to rest. I don’t know which relatives started the traditaion of being buried there. The traditation continues.

Back in the days, prior to 1913, the cemetery was called Oakland Cemetery. I did discover from a news clip that my Step Great Grandfather Walters was buried somwhere in this cemetey. He drowned at Lake Contray in August of 1903.

In my early days of searching, I attempted to make a map of where my “people ” were buried and the location in the cemetery. Most were buried in the older part of the cemetery. (It’s a good thing to have a map and to know the sections. It can be hard to find the grave. )

I’ve been searching for my family connections.
Now, I know something about some of the ones who have passed. I can came to some of their gravesites having a better appreciation of what the names, dates, and dashes mean.

It’s not just a tombstone or marker that stands before me. It’s knowing something about the person’s life; some of their story. Those who have gone on before us could have shared “the same space” with us, but in differnt times spand while living on the earth. Imagine that!

And when I go to this cemetery, while I’m still alive, I see the cemetery area as recurrection ground. Resurrection Day will come for those who have falling asleep in Christ Jesus. Amen!

Thank you for reading.
At The Cemetery: What I Found Interesting To Know

We may have entered the gates to a cemetery to visit our loved ones and friends.
Remember, each gravesite has a story. We should know some of those stories.

God bless you.
S.A. Blakley

Posted on May 16, 2026 by Susan Ann Blakley on onther website.

Brick Wall Revisited ~ Hannah Hooper? or Hannah Buffington?

 I first came across the name Hannah HOOPER on the 1880 Missouri census. The census was taken on Tuesday, June 22, 1880 in South Carrollton, Carroll, Missouri, United States Of America. A census taker came to the household of Elias Bartlett Sr. and recorded who lived at the Bartlett residence.

What caught my attention on this census was that there was a Hannah HOOPER listed at the age of 115. She was born about 1765 in South Carolina. She couldn’t read or write. Her parents were from Virginia. (Photo cropped from the 1880 Missouri census. Hannah’s name. )

On Wednesday, March 25, 2026, I made another discovery. This news clip verifies the age listed on the 1880 census. This information was recorded in The Republican-Record Carrollton, Missouri, on Saturday, August 28, 1880 on page 3.

Hannah was on the 1870 Missouri Census as Hannah B. HESLIN with her granddaughter Harriett and her three children Sallie, Charles and Lucy. They all had the surname of Heslin. But, that wasn’t their surname. They were listed in the household of William Heslin. He was a widower. I believe that the household was related.

I came across Hannah again in a news clip published in St. Louis Globe-Democrat St. Louis, Missouri on Thurday, November 20, 1884 on page 10. She had a different surame. Which surname is correct? Hannah Hooper Buffington, Hannah Buffington Heslin or Hannah Buffington Hooper?

Other records of Hannah’s granddaughter Harreitt was listed with the HOOPER surname on death records of two of Harriet’s children. I believe that Harriet’s maiden name was Bufflington.

The Buffington surname was according to Harriet’s daughter Lucy E. (Bartlett) Horan.. Lucy, Charles and Sallie had different father then other latter Bartlett siblings. The Hooper surname may have been the maiden name of the mother or was the father’s surname.

Thank you for reading
Brick Wall Revisited ~ Hannah Hooper? or Hannah Buffington?
I’m thankful that that someone recorded Hannah’s death.

How am I connected to Hannah?
Harriet (Buffington) Bartlett’s daughter was my Grandmother Jennie Bartlett Blakley Lyles.

God bless you.
S.A. Blakley

Blog Mrs. Hannah B. Hooper, age 115 in 1880 

Posted on April 1, 2026 by Susan Ann Blakley on another website. 

How Searching For My Relatives: Changed My Thinking

 As I’m discovering information about my relatives, I noticed a pattern. Then again, I’ve learned that this method works in some cases. And in the case of Mrs Mary Dade’s obituary, it provided new clues. What a discovery that was!. It led me to something else.

Mrs. Mary Ann Dade was the wife of Louis Newton “Old Bone” “Lew” Dade, who was an enslaved person. Mary was born on Saturday, May 1, 1847 in Marion County Missouri. She was an enslaved person and the property of Mary Vaughn until the end of the Civil War. She passed on Thursday, August 19, 1915 in Canton, Missouri. (Louis and Mary were well known and respected in Canton, Missouri,)

I was online, searching through old newspaper. I came across Mary’s 1915 obituary. As I read it, I noticed some things about her survivors.. The names of her sons were Den “Dan” Dade, George Dade, Golden Dade, Mone Dade and John Wesley Dade.The obituary mentioned three daughters but, not by their names .

Mary’s daughters’ names were Miss Mary Belle Dade, Mrs. Margaret Elizabeth Dade and Miss Duana Dade. What clicked in my thinking was the daughter Duana. She was STILL living!! I thought she passed. I couldn’t find any clues on her. Until, I read her mother’s obituary.

The source of the news clipping was published in The Canton News Canton, Missouri , Friday, August 20, 1915 page on 5.

For years, I was couldn’t find clues on Duana Dade. The only record of Duana was on the 1880 Missouri census. She and her twin Den were listed as 3 years old. They were born in June of 1877. Mary’s obituary brought Duana back into my searching

I started to searching for Duana. And I found new clues by accident. I was searching for each Louis and Mary Dade’s family members one by one in different news papers. I was shock to discover what happened to Duane. I wrote about that discovery, I will share more in the next blog theme: A Turning Point.

Thanks for reading.
How Searching For My Relatives: Changed My Thinking

How am I connected to Mary Ann (Venoy) Dade?
Her husband Louis Newton Dade was the brother of my Great Grandmother Charlotta Dade Lankford / Lankfard.

God bless you
S.A. Blakley

Posted on March 13, 2026 by Susan Ann Blakley on another website. 

An Ancestor I Admire; Mrs. Delilah Lewis

 The more I discover about my 3rd Great Grandmother Delilah Lewis, the more I come to admire her. I recently stumble across a news clip noting her death. She was “well known as a woman of more than ordinary intelligence and experience.”. She must have been an remarkable woman. According to a news article, Delilah was the oldest woman in Missouri at the time of her death on April 14, 1887 at age 113.

I first learned about Delilah from the 1880 Missouri census. Her name was Lillie Lewis, a widow. Her parents were from Kentucky. Lillie was listed living with William Washington (and Susan and family) in St. Joseph, Missouri: Her relation to Head of House was mother-in-la., Delila’h’s age 93 and birth year about 1787.

The postcard photo
The elderly lady seated on the right is believed to have been of Delila Lewis. In the middle 1970’s, I wondered, who were the people in the photo postcard with Delilah for years.. I would stare that the photo. I discovered that I resemble one of the ladies in the photo. Delilah’s granddaughter Anna Laura. Sh’e’s the older one behind her father William.

It was decades later when I came across Delilah on the 1870 Missouri census. Her residence was Post Office: Brownsville. Her was Delila Louis, age about 60, in Blackwater, Born about 1810. She was living with the Tivis family and two other elderly ladies.

I wondered if this Delila Louis was the one born in 1773. She turned out to be her.The year of births are different. The Tivis family moved to St. Joseph, Missouri as well.

The St. Joseph, Missouri newspaper recorded Delilah’s death with an unusual obituary.Whoever recorded the information listed Delilah’s former enslavers and her journey to Missouri in 1878. Delilah left us a paper trail. She lived about 22 years after being enslaved. She’s not forgotten. I came across a newspaper that reconized her death 30 years after she passed.

R. I. P. 3rd Great Grandmother Delila

Thanks for reading.
An Ancestor I Admire; Mrs. Delilah Lewis
She was on my material lineage: Delilah, Susan, Anna, Mary, Lula and me, the 6th generation.

God bless,
S. A. Blakley

The Discovery Of Delilah Lewis’ Family Connections ~ Memorable

 What‘s Memorable About The Discovery of Delilah Lewis’ Family Connections? I can’t explain it in words. I believe it came by the grace of God. Every found discovery about Delilah’s lineage came to be a Thank You, Jesus moment!

The crop photo is a list of names. I added the dates and names from sources that I found through the years..and whited out and made corrections. I scribbled down names that my mother , Lula knew near the edge of the page 21.

Here are a few names that my mother Lula spoke of, on her mother’s side.
The clues that I followed up on were the names: Bertha Reynolds, Naomi Powell, Prudence Hill, and The Southside Stillmans.

I created a Browning / RUCKER and TIVIS Family Tree from what sources that I found. And made the discovery that the trees were connected. In 2019, came the discovery of Delilah’s 1887 obituary published in the newspaper. And in 2020 more breakthroughs came by connecting the dots with Tivis Family Connections.

What was it that made this discovery more interesting? The DNA matches with cousins who didn’t know that we were cousins. Thanks for DNA matches and a deeper search, this mystery was solved and in 2022 more connections came.

Mrs. Delilah Lewis’ Family Connection:
Delilah was the mother of Susan (Leach) Washington. Susan married William Washington on Thursday, September 20, 1866 in St. Joseph, Missouri. They had 6 children that carried the Washington surname.

The names of William’s and Susan’s children were Laura Anna (Washington) Allen Walters, Nannie, Amelia, James A., Virginia F. and Lillie Washington. William Washington was listed as son of , William Jr. not sure if Susan was his mother. Susan passed on Thursday, January 9, 1890 in St. Joseph, Missouri.

William Washington married Mrs. Malaha Wynn on Wednesday, December 17, 1890. Her children. Townsend Wynn and Ella (Wynn) Lewis appeared on Laura Anna (Washington ) Walter’s 1947 obituary.

Delilah had other children. One is believed to have been Sarah J. Tivis or Sarah’s husband, George Tivis. They had about 12 children. The Tivis Family came from Saline County in Missouri. The Browning, Ruckers, Southside Stillmans are from this Tivis lineage.

What have I learned that some of my ancestors were well known? Relatives made the news paper. William Washington Sr’s. popularity led me to Susan’, and her mother’s obituaries along with other’s death notices in th newspaper.

Delilah and her lineage shouldn’t be forgotten: The older descendants know who were kin.They shared with family. I’m so thankful.. Without pursuing what my mother shared with me, I wonder if the connection would have been lost. Praying that more connections will come.

Thanks for reading.
The Discovery Of Delilah Lewis Family Connections

Where am I one Delilah’s Family Connections?
I’m on the material lineage of Delilah through, Susan, Anna Laura, Mary Anna, and Lula, my mother. They all passed in St. Joseph, Missouri. May they all rest in peace.

 God bless, 
S. A. Blakley

Quitman Daniel Fludd III ~ Dancer, Choreographer, Director

 Quitmam Daniel Fludd III

“What a talent! Singer, dancer, pianist, songwriter, arranger, actor.” via Michael Green

Following info from The Tennessean [Nashville, Tennessee] Friday December 22, 1989 on page 39.
Services Set For Quitman Fludd III

A talented dancer, he trained at the Julliard School in New York, from which he went directly into his professional work as dancer and choreographer.

On Broadwayhe was one of the dancing waiters in Hello, Dolly!, one of the four tap dancing train porters; in the show-shopping scene in On the Twenty Century and stand-by for Ben Vereen in the role of Leading Player in Pippin.

He toured nationally in Hello, Dolly and appeared in summer stock producions of musicals that included West Side Story, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Oklahoma, The King and I, My Fair Lady, Cole, and Jesus Christ Super star. He also served as musical director and choreographer for the Chicago and London companies of Godspell.

Photo from The Tennessean Nashville, Tennessee: Tuesday, December 12, 1989 on page 24.

Family Information
Quitman Daniel Fludd III was born on Leap Day, Sunday, February 29, 1948 in Nashville, Tennessee. He was the son of Mr. Quitman “Jack” Daniel Fludd Jr. (1922 – 2008) and Mrs. Thomas Sarah (Peyton) Fludd Anderson (1926 – 2013). He passed on Saturday, December 9, 1989 in San Francisco California.

Thanks for reading.
Quitman Danekl Fludd III ~ Dancer, Choreographer, Director

Family Connections to Quitma Daniel Fludd III
His mother Thomas Sarah ( Peyton) Anderson’s Grandmother Sarah (Bartlett) Peyton was the sister of my Grandmother Jennie (Bartlett) Blakley Lyles. I have a DNA match with my Great Aunt Sarah’s lineage on branch of Wade Peyton Jr’s sister Mrs. Myrtle (Peyton) Younger (1883 – 1956) her daughter Uldene Francis (Younger) Duke Ervin (1904 -1991)

R.I. P. cousin Quitman III

God bless
S. A. Blakley 

Katherine “Kate” TIVIS- JAMES ~ Katie MOORE: Multiple Surnames

 Mrs. Myrtle Younger of Chicago was visiting her daughter Mrs. Uldene Peters in St. Paul, Minnesota. From Topeka, Kansas, Carrolton, Missouri, St. Joseph, Missouri, St. Paul, Minnesota., Chicago back to St. Paul; the mother and daughter were on their journey.

Myrtle was born in Topeka, Kansas on Wednesday, December 12, 1883. She was the daughter of Wade Hampton Peyton and Sarah Shaw / Bartlett. After both parents passed, Myrtle moved to Carrollton Missouri and lived with her Grandmother Harriett Bartlett and family. Then the family moved to St. Joseph, Missouri around the early 1900’s.

Myrtle Peyton married William Younger on Wednesday, December 9, 1903 in St Joseph, Buchanan, Missouri by the Rev E. M. Cohron , the Pastor of Francis Street Church, in St. Joseph. Myrle’s Aunt Lucy Mossell was a witness to the marriage.

To this union there were two daughters. Uldene Frances (Younger ) Irvin (1904 – 1991) and Gaynell S, (Younger) Calie (1907 – 1978). Uldene lived in St. Paul. Their father, William passed there. Gaynell lived in St. Paul then later moved to Chicago.

The news clip was from the St. Paul Recorder Minneapolis, Minnesota. It was published on Friday, September 12, 1952 on page 7, The mother daughter reunion;

Myrtle divorced William and later married Earl Charles Miller on Monday July 7, 1919  in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. According to the marriage record, it stated that Myrtle was married once. Her married name was Younger. Her first husband was deceased.( However, he passed in 1941 in St. Paul. ) Myrtle’s parent’s names were listed, as Wade Peyton and Sarah Shaw.

Myrtle lived in St. Paul in the 1920’s then moved to Chicago around 1935. Her daughter Gaynell was living in Chicago. About four years after the mother daughter reunion , Myrtle passed on Saturday, August 4, 1956 in Chicago, Illinois. She was 72 years old.

Thanks for reading.
Mrs. Myrtle And Mrs. Uldene: Mother And Daughter Reunion
Uldene passed on July 14, 1991 and they were reunited in heaven..

How am I related to Myrtle and Uldene?
Myrtle’s mother Sarah was the sister of my Grandmother Jennie (Bartlett) Blakley Lyles.
R.I.P. cousins
Myrtle, Udlene, Gaynelle and William.

God bless
S.A. Blakley

Posted on November 8, 2025 by Susan Ann Blakley on another blog site. 

Same First and Last Names: Mary Dade ~ Given Or By Marriage

 Given Name

Mary Ann Dade, the daughter of Isaac Dade Sr. and Francis “Frankie” (Covington) Dade. She was born on Wednesday, November 16, 1836 in Lewis County Missouri. She married George Madison and became Mrs. Mary Ann Madison on Tuesday, July 25, 1865. According to the 1900 Missouri census, they were married since 1857. She was the mother of 7. Mary Ann Madison passed in Canton, Lewis County Missouri on Sunday, December 24, 1921 at the age of 85.

Mary Dade , the daughter of Benjamin Dade and Lucy (Sampson) Dade. According to the 1880 Missour census, living in Dickerson, Lewis, County Missouri, she was listed at age 14 and born in Missouri. She wasn’t listed on her mother Lucy’s probate and will on March 1, 1907. Mary Dade most likely passed in Lewis County Missouri before March of 1907.

Mary Alice Dade, the daughter of Nor Den “Dennie” Dan Dade and Louetta / Etta (Robinson) Dade. She was born on Sunday, December 14, 1902 in Canton, Lewis County Missouri. Mary Alice Dade passed in Canton on Saturday, June 13, 1914 at the age of 1 year 6 months and 10 days.

Mary Elizabeth Lizzie “Tickley” Dade, the daughter of Isaac Edward Dade and Ida Belle (Hazelwood). Dade. She was born on Wednesday, January 17, 1917 in Maywood, Lewis County Missouri. She married Isaac ” Ike” Tate and became Mary Tate on Saturday, September 8, 1934. She was the mother of 6. Mary Elisabeth Tate passed in Kirksville, Adair County Missouri on Monday, June 30, 1980 at the age of 62.

Mary Belle Dade, the daughter of Louis Newton “Lew” Dade and Mary Ann (Venoy) Dade. She was born on Saturday, July 6, 1872 in Canton, Lewis County Missouri. She was the mother of 3 children. Mary Belle Dade passed in Canton, Lewis County Missouri on September 26, 1949 at the age of 77.

Crop photo from Mary Belle Dade’s 1949 Missouri death certificate. Her mother Mary Ann’s maiden name was Venoy. .

By Marriage

Mary Ann Venory was born on Saturday, May 1, 1847 in Marion County Missouri. She married. Louis “Lew” ” Old Bone” Dade in 1869 and became Mary Ann Dade. She was the mother of 11 children. Mary Ann Dade passed in Canton, Lewis County Missouri on Thursday. August 19 , 1915 at the age of 85.

Mary Beatrice Tate was born on Friday, September 11, 1931 in LaGrange, Lewis County Missouri. She married Charles Edward Dade Jr. and became became Mary B. Dade on Saturday, July 9, 1949. She was the mother of 6. Mary Beatrice Dade passed in Quincy, Adam County Illinois on Sunday February 25, 1996 at the age of 64.

Mary Daisy Tate was born on Wednesday, January 2, 1929 in Lewis County, Missouri. She married George Edward Dade and became Mary Daisy Dade on Wednesday November 5, 1941. She later divorced George. They had no children. She married Franklin Steven Mallory in 1952 . Mary Daisy Mallory passed in Davenport, Scott County Iowa on Monday, May 7. 2001 at the age of 73.

NOTE: Mary Daisy Tate married George Edward Dade. They were cousins. Mary is on the branch of David Washington Sr. and Louisa (Dade) Washington and George is on the branch of Benjamin Dade and Lucy (Sampson) Dade.~ Louisa and Benjamin were siblings.

Thanks for reading.
Same First and Last Names: Mary Dade ~ Given Or By Marriage
May all the Mary DADEs R.I.P.

How am I connected with these Mary DADEs.?
I’m on the branch of Charlotta (DADE) Lankford / Lankfard. Her siblings were Louisa (DADE) Washington, Benjamin DADE Mary Ann (DADE) Madison., Louis “Lew” DADE,. They were children of Isaac DADE Sr. and Francis “Frankie” (COVINGTON) DADE.

This blog was posted on another website by Susan Ann Blakley on November 20, 2025.

God bless
S.A.Blakley

And I believe that there are other Mary DADEs out there.

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

The theme for Week 47 is “The Name’s the Same.” Chances are there are some people in your tree who have the same name as someone else. This is a good week to write about the people who carry a family name or a time when you’ve had to sort out two unrelated people who happen to have the same name. 

Corporal Isaac DAYD: Served During The Civil War

 Isaac Dayd, also known as Isaac Dade was born into slavery in Dec of 1844 in Missouri. He was the son of Isaac Dade and Francis (Ovington) Dade. He enlisted into the military September 11, 1863  in St. Louis City, St. Louis, Missouri.

His name in the army was Isaac DAYD.
His rank Private: D 60 USCT

Isaac served on the Union side during the American Civil War.
Branch Army, Company D, Unit 60th US Colored Infantry

Rank Changed Date on Aug 1, 1864
Rank Changed Rank 8th Corporal

Rank Changed 2 ~ Date: Aug 10, 1864
Rank Changed 2 ~ Rank: 7th Corporal;

Discharged on Oct 15, 1865 at the close of the Civil War
Photo of Isaac Dayd’s Find A Grave tombstone

Isaac Dayd married Louisa Monson on Sept 16, 1866.
Louisa / Lucinda Monson Dayd (1844–1924)

Residence 1870 • Canton, Lewis, Missouri
Isaac was listed as born about 1850. Surname was spelled DADE. He was a day laborer.

Isaac’s and Louisa’s children
Louis DADE, (1865 – 1895)
Laura Elizabeth (DADE) THURMAN (1868 – 1952)
Oscar DADE, (1869- 1916)
Albert DADE (1870 – 1943)
William DADE. (1875- )

Residence 1880 • Saint Louis, St Louis (Independent City), Missouri, USA
Marital Status: Married; Relation to Head: Self
3342 Franklin Avenue with wife Russell Dayd
Occupation ~ Musician ~ Isaac Dayd

Residence 1899 • Listed in  St Louis, Missouri, USA
Lucinda Dade: the widow of Isaac Dade. Were there two Isaac’s? The one was a musician who was disabled in the Hospital in Illinois . Lived on LaBelle, same address area as Laura Wilkerson …she was DADE. 3229 LaSalle

Residence 1900 in St. Louis MO.
Isacc Dayd in Listed born in Dec 1845
Marital Status: Married; Relation to Head: Head~ Address was 820 N 12th with wife Lena Dayd ~ Occupation ~ Violinist ~ Isaac Dayd

Isaac Dayd had other wives?
He was married to Lena in 1893. She passed in 1902.
He was married to Russell who passed in 1901.
Note that Louisa was listed as a widow in 1900. ~ Same ~ Isaac Dayd

Info About Cemetery 1907
Danville National Cemetery Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois, USA
PLOT 4, 826 R-3 ~ Isaac Dayd passed in the hospital.
Death on May 26, 1907 • Danville, Vermillion, Illinois, USA

Surname Spelling 1907
Louisa Dayde’s death record in 1924, his daughter Laura spelled her father Isaac’s surname and mother’s last name as DAYDE.

Residence 1913  in St Louis, Missouri, USA City Directory
Lucinda Dadye was listed as the widow of Isaac Dayde.

Source of info from
Missouri Censuses,
U.S. Civil War Soldiers, 1861-1865
U.S. Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles
The City of St. Louis , Missouri Directories,
U.S. National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, 1866-1938
U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007

Thanks for reading.
Corporal Isaac DAYD: Served During The Civil War

Isaac was the brother of my Great Grandmother Charlotta (DADE) LANKFORD / LANKFARD.
R.I.P Great Uncle Isaac

God bless
S.A. Blakley

This blog was  Posted on May 23, 2025 by Susan Ann Blakley

Week 21: Amy Johnson Crow’s #52Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge for 2025
The theme for Week 21 is “Military.” Who is someone in your family tree who served in the military? Who was a civilian whose life was affected by the service of a family member? This is a great week to write about them.