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Our Family History

Family history

Open Questions

Research gaps and unresolved questions, organized by priority. Updated as questions are answered.

Critical Priority

38. Who was Gale's biological father? (NEAR-CERTAIN: EDWARD AWALT)

Ruled out: Earl Mead Cowden (Clay Fulghum AncestryDNA, 2026-03-28: zero Cowden matches).

Leading candidate: Edward Awalt, known as Charles E. Awalt (b. 25 Nov 1893, Bastrop Co, TX; d. 28 Feb 1940, buried Leavenworth National Cemetery, KS).

Identity confirmed by: Three WWI military transport records (service number 2202228) naming father "Geo H Awalt, Karnes, Tex." (= George Henry Awalt, 1860-1934) and sister "Mrs. Dotter Drake, Henderson, Tex." (= Dottie D. Awalt, 1888-1963). Edward enlisted under the name "Charles E. Awalt" on 3 Aug 1914; "Charles" from uncle Charles Franklin Awalt (1861-1915), "E" for Edward.

Circumstantial case for paternity:

  1. Only known Awalt man in Kansas City during Gale's conception (~May 1922). Awalt has ~1,200 bearers in the entire US.
  2. Unmarried in 1920 (Fort Worth census) and likely until Dec 1922 marriage. Clara Loyd was also unmarried.
  3. Married Anna Mae Pollard Dec 23, 1922, 58 days before Gale's birth (Feb 19, 1923).
  4. Machinist at Armour (1920, Fort Worth). Armour had plants in both Fort Worth and KC. Likely transferred to KC 1921-1922. By 1930, mechanic at a typewriter company (would service office machines at businesses like the mail order house where Clara clerked).
  5. Funeral at 2825 Independence Blvd, in East KC near Clara Loyd's neighborhood.
  6. "Awalt" appears in Clay Fulghum's paternal DNA surname clusters.
  7. "Banales" (Hispanic surname in DNA clusters) may reflect a Charles Harold Awalt descendant's tree: Charles Harold (Gale's half-brother if Edward is the father) married Ana Maria Amelia Cardenas Jinoco (b. ~1922, Mexico City; parents: Armando Cardenas + Rosa Jinoco de Cardenas) on 13 May 1949 in Cuauhtemoc, Mexico City (Mexico DF Civil Registration, FamilySearch ark:/61903/1:1:QG42-Z539). Earlier secondary sources rendered her name as "Anita Tinoco Cardenas"; "Jinoco" is the correct maternal surname per the primary Mexican civil record, and "Ana Maria Amelia" is her full given name. Banales could appear in their tree through the Jinoco/Cardenas side. Hypothesis, not confirmed.

Life arc: Born Bastrop Co, TX → motherless at age 1 (Mary Emma Scarbrough d. 1895) → raised by father George Henry and stepmother Anna Belle Osteen → 1910 census: Karnes Co, TX, age 17 → enlisted as "Charles E. Awalt" Aug 1914 → Sgt., Co D, 529th Engineers, France → discharged Apr 1919 → 1920: Fort Worth (machinist, Armour, living with sister Bertha/Gene Wright) → KC by 1922 → married Anna Mae Pollard Dec 1922 → 311 N. White Ave, KC → typewriter mechanic → died Feb 28, 1940 → buried Leavenworth National Cemetery (Wadsworth, KS).

Still possible: Clinton "Jack" Orrill (unconfirmed; no Orrill DNA comparison done).

Other DNA surname clusters (deep dive 2026-03-28): Systematic investigation of all non-Awalt paternal surname clusters. Bargo: zero KC presence, all time; Susan Bargo (1816, KY) found in mdozier71 tree (77 cM), connected via KY family network. Barrington: zero in KC; Raymond Barrington (1905) in Callahan County, TX by 1910 (adjacent to Runnels Co where Awalt uncle Charles Franklin lived); corroborates Awalt via TX geography. Atchison: 24+ Atchisons in mdozier71 tree, a KY → KS family (William Perry Atchison, 1815, Bath Co, KY → Elijah Atchison → Allen Co, KS), intermarried with Dozier/Butler/Gibson network; not a KC individual. Speck: 4 Specks in mdozier71 tree (Margaret Speck, 1874, KC; Edgar Samuel Speck, 1869, MO), potentially connected to Eva Speck who married Michael Abraham Awalt Sr. in 1778. Hill, Baldwin: noise (too common). Abrahamsdr: uninvestigated (small Swedish community, wrong KC neighborhood). All clusters either corroborate Awalt or are explained by intermarriage within a KY → MO → KS family network. No alternative paternity candidate emerged. Anderson and Arnold separated as likely maternal matches.

DNA corroboration (2026-03-28): Clay's paternal DNA matches include multiple Scarbrough/Scarborough bearers (Kimberly Scarbrough Hagbom, 11 cM paternal; tarahscarbrough, 10 cM paternal) and 15+ more paternal matches with Scarbrough in their trees (up to 29 cM). Edward Awalt's mother was Mary Emma Scarbrough (1865-1895). Additionally, mdozier71 (77 cM paternal, 1,106-person tree) contains Speck individuals in Kansas City/Missouri; Edward's great-great-grandmother was Eva Speck (m. Michael Abraham Awalt Sr., 1778, Mecklenburg Co, NC). Three independent Awalt branches match Clay paternally (Sophia Awalt via James Thomas at 55 cM, Jacob Edward Awalt via Kristina Stage at 18 cM, plus Scarbrough matches up to 29 cM). All other paternal surname clusters (Atchison, Bargo, Barrington, Hill, Baldwin) either corroborate Awalt through deep ancestry or are explained by intermarriage within a KY → MO → KS family network; none produced an alternative paternity candidate. Confidence: Near-Certain.

Top unresolved paternal matches: G. F. (174 cM, managed by jennifer fontanesi, tree private), Merry Murphy (170 cM, no tree), jballas4 (137 cM, no tree). These are Clay's closest paternal matches and could provide definitive confirmation if their trees become accessible.

Cross-platform corroboration (2026-04-15): Jordan Fulghum's 23andMe results show JL as a Half 2nd Cousin (1.65%, 7 segments, no "Mother's side" label). This is almost certainly the same J.L. who matched Clay at 11 cM on AncestryDNA (paternal, private tree, found during "Arth" surname search 2026-03-28). JL matching both Clay and Jordan on the paternal side is the first cross-platform DNA corroboration for the Awalt line. Additionally, Jordan has 7 new unlabeled "half" matches (likely paternal), the strongest being Marlene Fishman (Half 1C1R, 3.56%, 9 seg). See Q58.

Resolution path:

  1. DNA comparison with Awalt descendants. Best path: Vicki, Mark, or Brett Arth (Polly Nan's children, all KC area as of 2014). Expected shared DNA with Clay at half-1C1R level: ~100-200 cM. Check Clay's AncestryDNA matches for "Arth" surname first. Also: Charles Harold's descendants via Ana Maria Amelia Cardenas Jinoco (San Antonio/Mexico City). Definitive test.
  2. Kansas death certificate for Charles E. Awalt (d. Feb 28, 1940): would confirm parents.
  3. 16th Circuit Court adoption records (Patricia Becker): may name the father.
  4. VA pension file 258-063 (NARA): extensive personal data.
  5. Click into Kimberly Scarbrough Hagbom's and tarahscarbrough's trees to see if they connect to the Bastrop County, Texas Scarbroughs.
  6. Investigate Marlene Fishman (Jordan's 23andMe, Half 1C1R, 3.56%): check shared matches, search for Fishman in Clay's AncestryDNA, attempt contact via 23andMe. See Q58.
  • Solvability: HIGH | Payoff: HIGH

39. How did Infant Lloyd reach the Orrill household? (SUBSTANTIALLY RESOLVED)

Resolved (2026-03-30): The official adoption record (Case AD-12551, Circuit Court of Jackson County, released March 2026) answers the core question. The court investigator's summary states: "they had secured this child from a mother whom a cousin recommended to them." The petition (signed by Fred and Sybil) states they had "entire care and custody of said infant since he was 2 weeks of age" (~early March 1923). The biological mother was last seen at the 2-week handoff and last heard from when the child was one year old (~February 1924). She "is the sole parent" (no father identified). By the time of the petition (~1943), the Fulghums believed the mother had "departed this life" (incorrect; Clara lived until 1984).

What this tells us: The transfer was arranged in advance through a family intermediary. Clara gave birth February 19, 1923, handed the baby to Clinton and Sybil around early March, married Earl Mead Cowden on March 30, and started a new life. The plan was in motion before the birth. Sybil had lost both children from her first marriage (Leo Eugene Orrill, plus a second unidentified child), and a doctor had advised against further pregnancies.

Still open: The identity of the cousin. See Question 56.

Additional details from the record:

  • Fred and Sybil married in Wichita, Kansas, 1927. Moved to Independence, MO, 1929.
  • Fred: French descent, born New Paris, OH. Sybil (Dora Sybil Holt): Irish parentage, born Wilmot, KS.
  • Both Presbyterian Church. Fred was Superintendent, Gas Service Company.
  • Petition filed ~1943 (Fred 48, Sybil 42). Amended birth certificate filed Jan 28, 1946.
  • Mother's name redacted in released document (nonidentifying information per statute 453.121).
  • Guardian ad Litem requested.

Source: Gale_Fulghum_Adoption_Record_AD12551

  • Solvability: RESOLVED (mechanism known; cousin identity still open)

56. Who was the "cousin" who connected Clara Lloyd to the Orrills?

The question: The adoption record (Case AD-12551) states the Orrills "secured this child from a mother whom a cousin recommended to them." This cousin knew both Clara Francis Loyd (19, unmarried, working as a clerk in KC) and the Orrill/Holt families (recently arrived from Cowley County, Kansas). Who was this person?

What we know about the cousin:

  • Knew Clara Lloyd in Kansas City (or knew of her pregnancy)
  • Knew that Sybil and Clinton wanted a child (Sybil had lost both of hers)
  • Was in a position to broker the connection, probably in KC
  • The word "cousin" most naturally refers to a cousin of Sybil or Clinton, not of Clara
  • The transfer happened ~early March 1923 (Gale was 2 weeks old)

Leading candidate: Rachael Naomi Holt Lanier (1896-1940)

  • Sybil's first cousin (daughter of John William Holt, brother of Sybil's father Noah)
  • Married Jesse Homer Lanier (1895-1982) of the Cowley County Lanier family
  • Buried at Wilmot Cemetery (FaG #38121389). Died 17 Jan 1940. This means she returned to the Cowley County area before death, but does not rule out a temporary KC residence in 1922-1923.
  • Children: Opal Esther (1918), Irvin Dale (1919), Lola Mae (1924), Norma (1930). Notable five-year gap between Irvin (1919) and Lola Mae (1924), covering exactly the period of interest. The other children are spaced 1-2 years apart.
  • If she was in Kansas City temporarily during 1920-1923, she would have been 26-27 and in a position to know a young woman looking to place a baby.

Second candidate: Arletha Velma Holt Henderson (1891-1950)

  • Also Sybil's first cousin (another daughter of John William Holt)
  • Married Roy Henderson
  • Also not buried in Cowley County
  • But was still in the Atlanta, KS area as late as 1948, making a KC connection less likely

Eliminated candidates:

  • The other 10 children of John William Holt: all confirmed lifelong Cowley County residents (buried at Wilmot or Atlanta cemeteries, occupations and biographies documented in Heritage Book)
  • Price Vinton Orrill: was in KC by spring 1922 (son Clarence born Jan 1923 in MO), but he was Clinton's brother, not a "cousin"
  • The Lewis family (Fern Lewis, called "a cousin of the Orrills"): deep Wilmot roots, shared Warwickshire, England origins with Orrills, but no KC connection found

Key context:

  • John William Holt had 12 children, giving Sybil a large pool of first cousins
  • Price Orrill was already in KC by spring 1922, which is likely why Clinton and Sybil moved there
  • Clara Loyd lived on Independence Avenue, Ward 16, KC (1920 census). Edward Awalt lived at 311 N. White Ave, 1-2 blocks off Independence Ave. The Orrills were in the Independence/Sugar Creek area.
  • The Loyd family has no known connection to Cowley County or to the Holt/Orrill families

Actionable next steps (ranked):

  1. Missouri death certificates (free, s1.sos.mo.gov): Search for "Rachael Lanier" dying ~1940 in Missouri. If she died in Jackson County, that's the answer.
  2. 1920 federal census: Search for Jesse and Rachael Lanier. If not in Cowley County, where were they?
  3. 1930 federal census: Search for Jesse and Rachael Lanier to confirm location.
  4. KC city directories (Fold3, FamilySearch): Search for "Lanier" in 1920-1925.
  5. Sybil's second dead child: The adoption record says Sybil had "2 children of that marriage but they both died." Only Leo Eugene Orrill (9-15 Mar 1922) is documented. Search Kansas vital records (Sedgwick County, Cowley County, 1920-1923) for a second Orrill birth or death.
  6. Contact Cowley County Historical Society (620-221-4811): ask specifically where Rachael Holt Lanier and Jesse Lanier ended up.
  • Solvability: MODERATE (depends on whether census records place a Holt/Copeland cousin in KC) | Payoff: LOW (the mechanism of custody transfer is already known; the cousin's identity is a detail, not a missing link)

High Priority

42. Mason Loyd's parents and Virginia origins (PARTIALLY RESOLVED)

  • Resolved (2026-03-24): Mason Loyd's origin is Bedford, Virginia (confirmed by 1850 census, 1860 census, and 1844 marriage record, all primary sources). Married Mary S. Walker 15 Jan 1844, Bedford, VA. 1850 census: Southern Division, Bedford, VA (dwelling 1152), farmer, with brother John H. Loyd (27) in household. 1860 census: Danville, Montgomery Co, MO, with infant "Edward" (4/12) = Reeves. Probate 5 Apr 1869, Vernon Co, MO.
  • Still open: Parents. An Ancestry user-generated tree claims Henry Jr Loyd (1785-1875) and Nancy Ann West (1788-1879). Not confirmed by primary sources. Henry Jr was not in Mason's 1850 household. A brother Woodford Loyd (1809-1841) is also claimed.
  • Next steps: Search 1850 Bedford County census for Henry Jr Loyd near dwelling 1152. Search 1820-1840 Virginia census for Loyd households in Bedford County. Mason's probate (obtained 2026-03-24) is Letters of Administration only; does not name heirs or parents. Additional probate packets (inventory, settlement, guardian appointments for minor children) may exist in Vernon County records.
  • Solvability: MODERATE | Payoff: MODERATE

43. Mary S. Walker Loyd's parents (PARTIALLY RESOLVED 2026-03-27)

  • Father: William I. Walker Jr. of Bedford County, Virginia. Per marriage bond (15 Jan 1844).
  • Mother: Sarah P. "Sally" Hopkins (b. ~1804, Bedford Co, VA), daughter of Price Wiley Hopkins and Elizabeth Turner. Married William I. Walker Jr. on 4 Nov 1822, Bedford Co. Source: Bedford County marriage bonds + WikiTree Hopkins-6019.
  • Maternal grandparents: Price Wiley Hopkins (c. 1777-1845, Bedford Co) + Elizabeth Turner (10 Jul 1781-11 Jul 1810, Bedford Co). Elizabeth was daughter of Rev. James Turner (Presbyterian minister) and Sarah Frances "Sally" Leftwich (1762-1834). Price's parents: Francis Hopkins (1737, Amelia Co-1804, Bedford Co) + Jane Cox (c. 1740). Price later remarried to Frances G. Claytor (1812).
  • Complication: William I. Walker Sr. (= William Jones Walker, 1761-1850, from Dinwiddie Co) reportedly had no children from either marriage. How "Jr." relates to "Sr." is unclear. May be nephew, adopted son, or the "no children" claim may be wrong.
  • Still needed: Mary's 1915 MO death certificate (sos.mo.gov, free) would confirm her parents from a primary source. 1830/1840 Bedford County census for William I. Walker Jr. household.
  • Solvability: HIGH | Payoff: MODERATE

44. Reeves Edward Loyd's death certificate

  • Status: Listed in his Ancestry profile sources (Missouri Death Certificates 1910-1969) but not yet downloaded. Would confirm parents Mason Loyd and Mary Walker from a primary source, plus exact birthplace.
  • Priority: Download during Ancestry trial.

34. Smothers / Walle line verification (PARTIALLY RESOLVED)

  • 4 of 8 claims independently confirmed. Remaining need direct database access:
    • 1910 Census for George W. Smothers household
    • 1920 Census for Nettie Hyatt in Carl Hyatt household
    • Nettie Walle Smothers death certificate (Dec 1911)
    • George W. Smothers death (Feb 1936, Spokane, WA)
  • Solvability: HIGH | Payoff: MODERATE

35. Eggers Hamburg line verification (PARTIALLY RESOLVED 2026-03-27)

  • John H. Eggers death confirmed: Missouri Death Index (Reclaim the Records, 1954-2024) records JOHN H. EGGERS, d. 05/22/1972 (record MODI-1970-1979-126138). This independently confirms John Henry's existence and death date.
  • Correction: Hinrich Eggers (1840-1879) never emigrated; he died in Hamburg. It was John Henry who emigrated. Search Hamburg Passenger Lists for John/Johann Eggers departing ~1890-1904.
  • "Hamburg-Orndorf" placename for Marie Heins's birth: no such place in modern Hamburg geography. Likely a corruption of Ohlsdorf, Ochsenwerder, or Osdorf.
  • Still needed: MO death certificate for John Henry Eggers (sos.mo.gov, free, browser required) would name parents and confirm Hamburg birthplace. Also: Amanda Eggers d. 1951 (same database). MO naturalization records for John Eggers (same site).
  • Solvability: HIGH | Payoff: MODERATE

36. Kenny Vaughan of Independence (RESOLVED 2026-03-27)

  • Resolution: "Kenny Vaughan" is W. Kenneth Jones (1832-1904), known as "Kenny Jones." Gary conflated the Jones surname with the Vaughan surname that entered the family one generation later (Blanche Jones married Roy Vaughan). Every detail matches: died ~1903/04 in Independence, prominent farmer, newspaper piece (Jackson Examiner obituary, 22 Jan 1904), migrated from a border state (Tennessee, not Kentucky). Gary already possesses the obituary (kenny_jones_obit.heic).
  • Bonus find: The History of Jackson County, Missouri, Illustrated (1881) contains a published biography of W. K. Jones with new data: marriage date (1 May 1864), Marinda's birthplace (Clay County, MO), Colorado trip in 1860, all five children named including Maudie E. (the previously unidentified fifth child). Source: genealogytrails.com/mo/jackson/bio_j.html

Moderate Priority

8. Maude Dickinson's parents (RESOLVED 2026-03-23)

  • Resolution: Full name Maude Estrella Dickenson. Parents: Walter Hogan Dickinson (d. 16 Mar 1888) and Anna LaFleur (b. 1841). Sister Anna Dickinson (d. 16 Jan 1887). Married John II Giles in 1897. Children: Ivy (18 Jul 1898), Ira (28 Dec 1902), Iva M (1903, male), Francis June (13 Jun 1908). Resided St. Louis City (1900), St Louis Ward 24 (1910, 1920).
  • Source: Ancestry.com compiled tree and timeline (secondary). Confidence: moderate until confirmed by Maude's 1946 MO death certificate (sos.mo.gov, free) or Frances Giles's 1908 MO birth register.
  • New findings: Iva M Giles (b. 1903, male) is a previously unknown sibling of Ira. Ancestry lists Maude's death as "Unknown" despite FaG/death cert giving 25 Jul 1946.

26. Abraham Spooner's English identity

  • Known only from daughter Sarah Spooner Giles's FaG bio. Estimated birth ~1800-1810, England. Confidence: stub.
  • Next steps: Ancestry/FindMyPast for English census/parish records. Sarah's MO death certificate (d. 1907) would name parents/birthplace.
  • Solvability: MODERATE | Payoff: MODERATE

27. Nancy Henry Harris: single-source person

  • Only source: FaG #155435248. Searched extensively with no results.
  • Next step: 1860 census for James W. Harris household, Jackson County, MO (Ancestry).
  • Solvability: MODERATE | Payoff: LOW

28. Marinda Wrightsman Jones (RESOLVED 2026-03-23)

  • Resolution: Corroborated via 1870 US Census (Blue Twp, Jackson Co: "Merinda R Jones," age 30) and 1880 US Census (same: "Marinda R. Jones," age 34). Now has 3 independent sources. Confidence upgraded to moderate.
  • New findings from 1880 census: Claudine M. Jones (age 7, daughter) = Claude M. Jones Lynch (was female, name "Claudine"). Maud Jones (age 2) = previously unknown fifth child, likely "Maude Coldsnow" from Jonathan R.'s 1945 obituary. Fannie Beets (age 19, niece) confirms Anna Beets maiden name. Ann Jones (age 74, mother of William K.) = Anna Beets Jones, alive in 1880, died 2 Apr 1881.
  • Discrepancy: Jonathan R. Jones's middle initial is "K" in 1880 census but "R" on FaG. Marinda's age understated by ~8 years in 1880 census.

32. John Anderson Sr.'s wife: Sarah Crossey or Sarah Carney? (MOSTLY RESOLVED)

  • "Carney" supported by multiple compiled marriage databases. "Crossey" only in DAR application. Pension file S30826 would be definitive but is behind Fold3 paywall.

29. Sophia Choice/Kirby birthplace (EFFECTIVELY RESOLVED)

  • Virginia, not Scotland. Will of Tully Choice Sr. (Henry Co, VA Will Book 1) names "Sophia Kirby." Marriage: 18 Mar 1778, Henry County, VA. Pension file W9489 on Fold3 would confirm definitively.

47. Nancy Fitzgerald Stokes' parents (RESOLVED 2026-03-27)

  • Resolution: Nancy Ann Fitzgerald (b. 16 Jul 1939, Evergreen Park, IL). Parents: Patrick Fitzgerald (~1910, Chicago) and Sarah Rita "Sadie" Adams (b. 26 Oct 1912, Chicago; d. Aug 1993). Marriage: 30 Jul 1938, Cook County. Confirmed by Cook County Marriage Index, Cook County Birth Certificate #713, NUMIDENT, and multiple census records.
  • Susan Stokes's grandmother's formal name: Sarah Rita Adams (went by "Sadie").

48. William J Adams: which funeral home? (PARTIALLY RESOLVED)

  • Confirmed: Susan Stokes Mullaney confirms William J Adams (the grandfather) owned a funeral home. After William died, his son Harold took over but was "a terrible business man" who "destroyed the business."
  • Still open: Which funeral home? Adams-Feldhoff & Whitesel at 1811 W 103rd St (Beverly border) is geographically plausible.
  • Next steps: Check William's occupation on 1920/1930 census images. Ask Susan if Adams-Feldhoff rings a bell. Newspapers.com for Adams funeral home ads in Beverly area.
  • Solvability: HIGH | Payoff: LOW (biographical color)

49. William J Adams's Canadian-born father

  • The question: 1920 and 1930 censuses both list William's father as born in Canada. Mother born Illinois. No names for either parent.
  • Next steps: Find William in 1900 or 1910 census to identify his parents' household. Search Cook County birth certificates for William J Adams (~1879). Illinois marriage index for William Adams + Mary Danaher.
  • Solvability: HIGH | Payoff: MODERATE

50. Patrick Fitzgerald's parents

  • The question: No information on Patrick's parents. Born ~1910, Chicago.
  • Next steps: Cook County birth certificate for Patrick Fitzgerald (~1910). 1940 census image may show more detail. Catholic parish records in Beverly area (St. Barnabas likely).
  • Solvability: MODERATE | Payoff: MODERATE

51. Mary Danaher Adams's parents

  • The question: Both parents born Illinois per census. No names.
  • Next steps: Cook County birth certificate for Mary Danaher (~1880). Illinois marriage index for Adams + Danaher. Catholic cemetery search (Holy Sepulchre, Mount Olivet).
  • Solvability: MODERATE | Payoff: MODERATE

52. Harold Adams (~1906): funeral home succession and dates

  • Partially resolved: Susan Stokes Mullaney reports Harold took over the family funeral home after William's death but mismanaged it and "destroyed the business." This explains his absence from the 1930 census (had left home by ~age 24) and confirms he survived to adulthood.
  • Still open: Harold's birth/death dates, when William died, when Harold took over the business, when the business closed.
  • Next steps: Illinois Death Index for William J Adams and Harold Adams. Newspapers.com for funeral home closure or Harold Adams obituary.
  • Solvability: MODERATE | Payoff: LOW

Low Priority

45. Reeves Edward Loyd newspaper article (KC Times, 3 Mar 1915)

  • Ancestry index shows a "Human Interest" article about Reeves Loyd in the Kansas City Times, dated 3 Mar 1915. Full text behind Newspapers.com paywall (image #653664228). Nature of article unknown.
  • Next step: Newspapers.com free trial, or library access.

46. Reeves Edward Loyd burial at Elmwood Cemetery

  • FaG confirms burial at Elmwood Cemetery, Kansas City, Jackson County. FaG gives birth as "Apr 1860" vs Ancestry's "Aug 1859." Minor discrepancy to resolve via death certificate.

53. Maternal DNA surname clusters: peer descendant identification

Clay's closest maternal DNA matches show these surname clusters:

Tier 1 (closest matches): Jelinek, Eggers, Warnke, Ahner, Amick Tier 2 (more distant): Andrejczyn, Bartoska, Beliebe, Bodnaryk, Buranicz

Placed: Eggers (direct line), Warnke (Adeline's father), Jelinek (Adeline's mother Louise). Unplaced: Ahner, Amick, Andrejczyn, Bartoska, Beliebe, Bodnaryk, Buranicz.

  • Ahner: Saxon Lutheran family deep in St. Louis (Kirkwood/Des Peres, 1838 onward). Same German Lutheran milieu as Eggers and Warnke. No direct connection documented yet.
  • Amick: German (Alsatian) origin. Mostly rural MO, not St. Louis metro. No connection found.
  • Bartoska: Czech surname. May connect through Jelinek line in Saline County, NE (Czech community).
  • Eastern European cluster (Andrejczyn, Bodnaryk, Buranicz): Ukrainian/Polish. No St. Louis presence found. May connect through Jelinek/Kozlovsky Czech line further back.

Goal: Identify the shared ancestors (peer ancestors) for each surname, then trace lines down to the living DNA matches. Next steps:

  1. Resolve remaining 8+ Jelinek siblings. Adolph married Nespory; trace descendants.
  2. Resolve remaining 3-5 Warnke siblings. John Jr. married Cordes; trace descendants.
  3. Research Anna Kozlovsky (Louise Jelinek's mother) for Czech connections.
  4. Check Ahner family for intermarriage with Eggers, Saul, or Warnke through LCMS church records.
  5. Nebraska State Historical Society: Czech Reminiscences collection (RG1606.AM) for Jelinek family.

54. Josef Jelinek's full family: Anna Kozlovsky and all children

Josef Jelinek (1838-1930, Mezna, Bohemia) and Anna Kozlovsky had at least 11 children. Only three names known: Adolph (1866), Louise (~1870), Frank J. The remaining 8+ children's names, marriages, and descendants are needed to identify which DNA matches trace back to this couple.

  • Next step: FamilySearch search for Josef Jelinek in Saline County, NE census records (1870, 1880, 1900). Nebraska State Historical Society Czech collections.

55. John and Sophia Warnke's full family: all children

John Warnke (1828-1898) and Sophia Kuchenmeister (1835-1922) had 6-8 children. Only three names known: Caroline (1858), John Jr. (1857), William John (1868). The remaining 3-5 children's names, marriages, and descendants are unresolved.

  • Next step: FamilySearch/Ancestry search for John Warnke in Saline County, NE census records. FindAGrave #116101202 (Sophia) lists 6 children.

57. Where does the 14.9% Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry come from?

Jordan Fulghum's 23andMe results (2026-04-15) show 14.9% Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry. No documented family line has known Jewish heritage. The chromosome-level ancestry painting shows Ashkenazi segments on both parental chromosome copies, indicating contributions from both the Fulghum/paternal and Eggers/maternal sides.

What ~15% implies: At least one great-grandparent with substantial Ashkenazi heritage (~60%), or smaller contributions from multiple lines on both sides.

Candidate sources:

  • Eggers line (Hamburg, Germany): Hamburg had one of the largest Ashkenazi communities in Northern Europe. Johann Henry Eggers (1870-1972) was born in Hamburg. His parents Hinrich Eggers (1840-1879) and Marie Heins (1839-1908) both from Hamburg area. If either had Ashkenazi ancestry, it would appear on the maternal chromosome copy.
  • Jelinek/Kozlovsky line (Bohemia/Czech): Both surnames are found among Czech Jews as well as non-Jewish Czechs. Josef Jelinek (1838-1930) from Mezna, Bohemia; Anna Kozlovsky of Czech origin. If either was of Jewish descent, it would appear on the maternal copy and would also explain the J1c maternal haplogroup (common among Ashkenazi).
  • Fulghum paternal side (unknown): Ashkenazi on the paternal copy is harder to place. The Awalt line is German-Texan (Pennsylvania German), the Loyd line is English-American. Neither is an obvious source. Could reflect an undocumented ancestor.
  • Saul line: Amanda Anna Saul (1876-1951) married John Henry Eggers. "Saul" is a surname found among both Jewish and non-Jewish populations. If Amanda had Ashkenazi ancestry, it would also appear on the maternal copy.

Marlene Fishman note (2026-04-15, updated): Jordan's strongest unlabeled DNA match, Marlene R. Fishman (Half 1C1R, 3.56%), is born Marlene R. Gunta (Jan 1947, KC area). "Fishman" is a married name. Her documented ancestry is fully Italian (Giunta/Bonadonna + Barone, all Italian-born grandparents). Jordan has zero Italian ancestry. The 3.56% match requires a non-paternity event (NPE) somewhere in Marlene's line; her biological connection to Jordan is through a non-Italian ancestor who connects to the Awalt/Loyd/Vaughan/Jones lines in KC. See Q58 for full analysis. The Marlene match does not explain the Ashkenazi ancestry. The Ashkenazi question remains independent of the Gunta/Barone investigation.

Resolution path:

  1. Check Clay's AncestryDNA ethnicity estimate for comparison (Clay is one generation closer to the Fulghum/Awalt lines). If Clay shows Ashkenazi, it comes through Gale's parents.
  2. If Jordan's mother (Teresa Eggers) has tested or can test, her results would isolate the maternal Ashkenazi component.
  3. Research Hamburg civil records for Hinrich Eggers and Marie Heins for any Jewish community connections.
  4. Research Josef Jelinek and Anna Kozlovsky in Bohemian records for religious affiliation.
  5. Research Amanda Anna Saul's family for possible Jewish heritage.
  6. Investigate Marlene Fishman's shared matches on 23andMe to determine if the connection is paternal or maternal (see Q58).
  7. Check which chromosomes Jordan shares with Marlene: compare against chromosome painting to see if shared segments are Ashkenazi-painted.
  • Solvability: MODERATE | Payoff: HIGH (reshapes understanding of family origins)

58. Who are Marlene Fishman's biological parents? (SEALED ADOPTION, KC)

Jordan's 23andMe (2026-04-15) shows Marlene Fishman as a Half 1st Cousin Once Removed, 3.56% shared DNA, 9 segments. No "Mother's side" label, making her likely paternal (Fulghum). Her 23andMe profile lists birth year 1947.

FULLY IDENTIFIED (2026-04-15):

Marlene R. Gunta (b. Jan 1947, Kansas City area). "Fishman" is a married name.

  • Father (documented): Salvatore M. "Sal" Gunta (7 May 1921, KC, MO; d. 21 Sep 2002, KC, MO). Tec 5, US Army, WWII (Normandy). Carpet and tile industry. Parents: Santo "Sam" Giunta (1886-1950, born Italy) + Rose Bonadonna (1900-1989, born Italy). Siblings: Pat Giunta, Alex Giunta (d. before 2002), Ann Wallace, Carm Shangler. Buried Mount Olivet Cemetery, Raytown, MO. FaG #138554344.
  • Mother: Elizabeth Ann "Betty" Barone (9 Feb 1918; d. 29 Nov 2015, Phoenix, AZ, age 97). Born Missouri. Parents: Sam Barone (~1885, born Italy) + Josephine (~1894, born Italy). 1920 census: Kansas City Ward 5, "Campland" street. Siblings: Sadie (~1910), Minnie (~1914), Joseph (~1916), Antonio (~1920). Married Salvatore for 57 years (1946-2002). Marlene is Elizabeth's only child. Obituary: McGilley State Line Chapel; mass at St. Thomas More Catholic Church; burial Mt. Olivet alongside Salvatore.
  • Education: St. Teresa's Academy, Kansas City (yearbook ~1965).
  • Marriage: James Patrick Albrecht (May 1975, Grandview, MO). Children: Courtney, Jake, Coleen Albrecht. 3 grandchildren + 4 great-grandchildren as of 2015. Listed as "Marlene Albrecht" in both Salvatore's 2002 obituary (Cave Creek, AZ) and Elizabeth's 2015 obituary. No "Fishman" mentioned in either obituary.
  • "Fishman" name: Ancestry public records show Marlene R. Fishman at Leawood, KS addresses 1985-2020. The name appears on 23andMe. Origin unclear; could be a later marriage, a privacy alias, or a name from a brief marriage not reflected in family obituaries.
  • Salvatore + Elizabeth married 24 Apr 1946, Holy Rosary Church, KC (Rev. Louis Donagan). License dated 20 Apr 1946. Address: 405 Prospect. Recorder: John P. Sherrod.

ADOPTION CONFIRMED (2026-04-15): Jim Albrecht (Marlene's husband of 52 years) responded to Jordan's email: Marlene was adopted. She was told by her adoptive parents (Salvatore and Elizabeth Gunta) that she was adopted, but was raised as an only child and given no information about her biological parents. The adoption was a sealed adoption from St. Anthony's Orphanage in Kansas City. Marlene has Alzheimer's disease and cannot participate in the research.

This resolves the "Italian ancestry" puzzle: Marlene has NO biological connection to the Gunta, Giunta, Bonadonna, Barone, or any Italian family. They were her adoptive family. Her biological parents are unknown and connect to Jordan's Awalt/Loyd/Vaughan/Jones lines in the KC area.

Parallel to Gale Fulghum: This is a striking echo of Gale's own story. Both were born in KC, both placed through institutions (Gale through a "cousin" intermediary, Marlene through St. Anthony's Orphanage), both raised by families with no biological connection, both had sealed records, both were told they were adopted but given no details about their biological parents.

Who are Marlene's biological parents? At Half 1C1R / 3.56% shared DNA with Jordan, one of Marlene's biological parents is almost certainly a child or close relative of Edward Awalt or Clara Loyd (or possibly connected through the Vaughan/Jones lines). Marlene was born January 1947 in the KC area. Her biological mother would have been pregnant in spring/summer 1946.

Candidates for Marlene's biological parent (ranked):

Theory 1 (LEADING): Polly Nan Awalt is Marlene's biological mother.

  • Polly Nan was born August 1929, KC. She was 16-17 when Marlene was conceived (spring 1946) and 17 at birth (Jan 1947).
  • She was in KC (born there, father Edward buried at Leavenworth National Cemetery).
  • An unwed teenage pregnancy in a Catholic community in 1946 KC, placed through St. Anthony's Orphanage: textbook for the era. St. Anthony's was Catholic; the Arth family (Polly Nan's later in-laws) had Catholic burial.
  • Her first documented marriage to William James Rudder is not precisely dated. Her first documented child, Vicki Nan Rudder, was born November 1948, just 22 months after Marlene. If Polly Nan had Marlene at 17, placed her through St. Anthony's, then married Rudder and had Vicki at 19, the timeline is clean with no gaps.
  • Marlene's BeenVerified records list a previous address in Leavenworth, KS, where Edward Awalt is buried and the Awalt/Pollard family had ties. Possibly coincidence (Leavenworth is also a military town; Jim Albrecht could have been stationed at Fort Leavenworth), but worth noting.
  • If true, Marlene is Gale's half-niece (Edward Awalt is grandfather to both Gale and Polly Nan's children, through different mothers). The DNA amount (~237 cM / 3.56%) is within the expected range for this relationship (half 1C2R to Jordan: expected ~25-316 cM, average ~106 cM; Marlene is on the high end but within range).

Theory 2: Charles Harold Awalt is Marlene's biological father.

  • Charles Harold was born October 1926, KC. He was 19-20 when Marlene was conceived.
  • He was in KC (born there, father died there 1940).
  • He married Ana Maria Amelia Cardenas Jinoco in Mexico City in May 1949, three years after Marlene's birth. If he fathered a child with a KC woman in 1946, that could have contributed to his leaving KC. He later settled in San Antonio, TX.
  • The biological mother in this scenario would be an unknown KC woman. Marlene's original birth certificate would name her.
  • Same DNA math as Theory 1.

Theory 3: One of Clara Loyd's Cowden children is Marlene's biological parent.

  • Clara had 7 children with Earl Cowden. The older ones (Ralph, Richard, Robert) would be in their early-mid 20s in 1946. Eleanor, Mearl, John, and Merle would be younger.
  • The Cowdens moved from KC to Atchison, KS → Anderson County, KS → Ordway, CO. Whether any of them were in KC in 1946 is uncertain.
  • If true, Marlene would connect to Jordan through Clara Loyd (shared grandmother with Gale). Similar DNA math.
  • Weaker than Theories 1 and 2 because the Cowden family's presence in KC in 1946 is not confirmed.

Why Theory 1 is favored: Polly Nan is female (more likely to place a baby through a Catholic orphanage than a young man), she was a teenager (the demographic most associated with adoption placements in the 1940s), she was demonstrably in KC, the birth-to-marriage timeline fits, and the Leavenworth address is suggestive. The Catholic institutional channel (St. Anthony's) aligns with the Catholic milieu of the Awalt/Pollard/Arth family.

Corroborating evidence from Clay's AncestryDNA: Clay has three Fishman matches on his paternal side (Len Fishman 9 cM, pfishman11 8 cM, Alexandra Fishman 8 cM). Also b_annunziata1 (9 cM, paternal), an Italian surname. The pfishman11 tree is fully Ashkenazi (Fiszman/Bernstein/Wolf/Weiss), so those small Fishman matches are likely Ashkenazi endogamy, separate from the Marlene connection.

Geographic overlap in KC:

Person Address/Location Period
Edward Awalt 311 N. White Ave, KC ~1922-1940
Clara Loyd Independence Ave area, KC 1920s
Santo Giunta family KC (Italian community) 1910s-1950
Sam Barone family "Campland" St, KC Ward 5 1920
Salvatore Gunta 611 Forest Ave, KC 1942
Elizabeth Barone KC born ~1918
Gale Fulghum Independence, MO 1929-2007
Polly Nan Awalt Arth KC area ~1929-2014
Marlene Grandview, MO → Leawood, KS 1975-2020+

Resolution path:

  1. St. Anthony's Orphanage records. If records survive, they may name the biological mother. St. Anthony's was a Catholic institution in KC; records may be held by the Archdiocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joseph, or the Missouri State Archives. Missouri statute 453.121 (same law that released Gale's adoption record) may apply.
  2. Check shared matches on 23andMe between Jordan and Marlene (requires connection acceptance; Jim may be able to do this on Marlene's account). If she shares matches with JL or the Awalt cluster, the connection is through the Awalt/Scarbrough line.
  3. Check which chromosomes Jordan and Marlene share and compare against Jordan's ancestry painting.
  4. Search Clay's AncestryDNA for matches who are also in Marlene's match list. Jim could check Marlene's 23andMe or Ancestry matches and compare names.
  5. Jackson County birth records, January 1947: search for female births that might correspond to Marlene's original name before adoption.
  6. Polly Nan Awalt was 17 in 1946 (b. 1929). An unwed teenage pregnancy placed through a Catholic orphanage is historically consistent. If Marlene is Polly Nan's biological daughter, she would be Gale's half-niece, and Jordan's half-1C1R, exactly matching the 23andMe prediction. Check if Polly Nan had any gap in her timeline ~1946-1947.
  • Solvability: MODERATE (sealed records, but Missouri law may allow release) | Payoff: VERY HIGH (identifies Marlene's biological parents and their connection to the Awalt/Loyd family)

59. New unplaced 23andMe matches (paternal)

Six additional unlabeled (likely paternal) "half" matches from Jordan's 23andMe need placement:

  • Noel Ewing (Half 1C2R, 1.75%, 6 seg)
  • Amy Cheuk (Half 2C, 2.25%, 8 seg)
  • Lauren Cain (Half 2C, 2.01%, 8 seg)
  • Jennifer Kaufmann (Half 2C, 1.32%, 6 seg)
  • Loren Reif (Half 2C, 1.05%, 7 seg)

Resolution path: Check each surname against Clay's AncestryDNA match list and Awalt/Loyd/Scarbrough family trees. Cross-reference shared matches on 23andMe if available.

60. New unplaced 23andMe matches (maternal)

Two new maternal-side matches need placement:

  • Gregory Queen (Half 1C1R, 3.22%, 11 seg): "Half" indicates connection through only one of Jackie or Walter's ancestral lines. Could connect to unplaced maternal clusters (Ahner, Amick, or Czech surnames).
  • Jodee Reeland (2C1R, 1.36%, 5 seg)

Data Discrepancies

Person Source A Source B Note
Joseph Gibson Vaughan marriage year 1870 (FaG memorial) 1872 (newspaper obit of Sarah) Minor discrepancy
Sarah Bell Harris birth 7 Jun 1852 (headstone) Different date on MO death cert Per FaG bio notes
Sarah Bell Harris middle name "Bell" (headstone) "Belle" (death cert) Spelling variant
Minerva Gibson Vaughan's name "Minerva Gibson" (George's FaG) "Mary Vaughan" (Matilda's FaG) "Minerva" supported by census
Walter Vaughan birth date 2/2/1873 (Anderson DAR app) 3/2/1873 (Kirby DAR app) Both handwritten; day uncertain
John A. Kirby & Sarah Johnson marriage 10/3/1872 (marriage record) 10/13/1872 (Doris's lineage sheet) Marriage record is primary
Bailey Anderson's mother Sarah Carney (multiple sources) Sarah Crossey (DAR app only) "Carney" favored
John Anderson Sr. birthplace Pennsylvania (DAR) Isle of Skye, Scotland (Lale 1976) May conflate John with father Rev. James Anderson
Bailey Anderson Jr. birth year 1781 (Gillmore Carter) 1788 (Lale 1976) 1788 more plausible
Reeves Edward Loyd birth Apr 1860 (FaG) Aug 1859 (Ancestry) Death certificate would resolve
Jonathan R. Jones middle initial R (FaG #52670030) K (1880 census) Census enumerator error likely
Marinda R. Jones age born 1838 (FaG headstone) age 34 in 1880 (born ~1846) Women commonly understated age on census

Data Acquisition Priorities

Priority Record Location Expected Yield Status
1 16th Circuit Court adoption records (Infant Lloyd) Patricia Becker, (816) 435-4788 Father, circumstances, intermediary Gary eligible; not yet requested
2 Reeves Loyd death certificate (d. Oct 1938) Ancestry (MO Death Certs 1910-1969) Parents, birthplace On Ancestry; download during trial
3 Mary S. Walker death certificate (d. 1915) Ancestry or sos.mo.gov Parents, birthplace On Ancestry; download during trial
4 Annie Haines death certificate (d. 3 Jul 1915) Ancestry or sos.mo.gov Parents, birthplace (confirm Loudoun Co) On Ancestry; download during trial
5 Mason Loyd in 1850/1860 census Ancestry Parents, household, Virginia origins OBTAINED 2026-03-24
6 Maude Dickinson death certificate (d. 1946) sos.mo.gov (free) Parents Free; requires browser
7 John Henry Eggers in MO Death Index Ancestry or missourideathindex.com Confirms existence, death date Search during trial
8 1860 census: James W. Harris, Jackson Co, MO Ancestry Corroborates Nancy Henry Harris Search during trial
9 Jesse Kirby pension file W9489 Fold3 / NARA Sophia's testimony Fold3 subscription
10 Bailey Anderson pension file S30826 Fold3 / NARA Original deposition Fold3 subscription

Obtained Records

Record Date Key Yield
Gale Fulghum birth certificate (File No. 916) 2026-03-23 Mother: Clara Lloyd. No father listed.
Clara Lloyd identified as Clara Francis Loyd 2026-03-23 Full family: Reeves E. Loyd + Annie Ashby Haines. 7 siblings. Married Earl Cowden 39 days later.
Reeves Loyd parents (Ancestry) 2026-03-23 Mason Loyd (1820, VA) + Mary S. Walker (~1826, VA)
Annie Haines parents (Ancestry) 2026-03-23 Thaddeus W. Haines (1836, Leesburg) + Catherine A. Torreyson (1836, Hillsboro)
Thaddeus Haines parents (Ancestry) 2026-03-23 Thomas Haines (1810, Loudoun Co) + Margaret Gardner (1812-1861)
Thomas Haines father (Ancestry) 2026-03-23 William Stacy Haines (b. Monmouth Co, NJ; d. 1826, Loudoun Co)
Catherine Torreyson parents (Ancestry) 2026-03-23 Lewis Torreyson (1797, Baltimore) + Catherine Tavenner (1803, Loudoun Co)
Evelyn Virginia Jones death cert (#63-039974) 2026-03-23 Father: "Edward Reeves Loyd." Mother: "Annie Haines." Primary source confirmation.
Mason Hanes Loyd profile (Ancestry) 2026-03-23 Clara's birth date: 30 Jul 1903. Mason's dates: 26 Nov 1893 - 16 Jan 1968.
1880 census: Reeves Loyd household 2026-03-23 Mary Loyd (54, head, born VA). Father born VA. Siblings James, Mildred, Fanny.
Maude Dickinson parents (Ancestry) 2026-03-23 Walter Hogan Dickinson (d. 1888) + Anna LaFleur (b. 1841). Also: sibling Iva M Giles (b. 1903).
Anna LaFleur parents (Ancestry) 2026-03-23 Joseph LaFleur + Eugenia Virginia Tesson (b. 1805). Missouri French colonial line. 8 LaFleur children.
Eugenia Tesson parents (Ancestry) 2026-03-23 Michael Honore Tesson (1774-1835) + Genevieve Menard. Tesson dit Honoré. Sisters incl. Lucinda (1796-1868).
1870 census: W. Kenneth Jones household 2026-03-23 Blue Twp, Jackson Co. Wife "Merinda R," sons Arthur (5), John R (3).
1880 census: W. Kenneth Jones household 2026-03-23 Full family: Claudine M. (7), Maud (2), Fannie Beets (19, niece), Ann Jones (74, mother).
1850 US Census: Mason Loyd, Bedford, VA 2026-03-24 Mason (29), Mary S. (27), Ann E. (3), Chas A. (1), John H. Loyd (27). Southern Div, Bedford, VA. Dwelling 1152.
1860 US Census: Mason Loyd, Danville, MO 2026-03-24 Full household incl. Edward (4/12) = Reeves. John Halse (67), Hanna Halse (50) in household. $600 personal estate.
Virginia Compiled Marriages: Mason Loyd 2026-03-24 Mason Loyd m. Mary S. Walker, 15 Jan 1844, Bedford, Virginia. Primary source.
Vernon Co Probate: Mason Loyd (5 Apr 1869) 2026-03-24 Died intestate. Mary S. Loyd appointed Administratrix. Clerk: Alex R. Patterson. Confirms marriage from legal record.
DAR application (Jesse Kirby, A065510) 2026-03-20 Full Kirby lineage, 6 generations
DAR supplemental (Bailey Anderson, A002346) 2026-03-20 Anderson lineage to Scotland
FaG #54908995 (Walter John Eggers Sr.) 2026-03-22 b. 14 Sep 1905, d. 18 Dec 1949. Correct Eggers family confirmed.
Smothers/Walle marriage (St. Clair Co index) 2026-03-22 G W Smothers + Nettie Walle, 26 Jan 1901
Clay Fulghum AncestryDNA results 2026-03-28 Zero Cowden matches (Earl Cowden ruled out). Paternal surname clusters: Hill, Abrahamsdr, Atchison, Awalt, Baldwin, Banales, Bargo, Barrington.
Charles E. Awalt 1930 census (Jackson Co, MO) 2026-03-28 311 N. White Ave, KC. Mechanic, Typewriter Co. Age 36, b. ~1893. Wife Anna Mae, son Harold (3).
Charles E. Awalt death notice (KC newspaper) 2026-03-28 "Charles E., age 45, 311 N. White ave." d. Feb 28, 1940. Interment Wadsworth, KS.
Charles E. Awalt headstone application (NARA) 2026-03-28 Sgt., Co D, 529th Engineers. Enlisted 8-3-14, discharged 4-5-19. Pension 258-063. Buried Leavenworth National Cemetery, Sec 38 Row 5 Site 6.
Charles E. Awalt SS-5 index 2026-03-28 Born 25 Nov 1893, Wadsworth, KS. Died 28 Feb 1940. SSN 335052777.
WWI transport records x3 (service no. 2202228) 2026-03-28 Confirmed Edward Awalt = Charles E. Awalt. Father: Geo H Awalt, Karnes, TX. Sister: Mrs. Dotter Drake, Henderson, TX. Ships: Von Steuben (Jun 1918), Orizaba (Nov 1918), Finland (Nov 1918).
1920 census: "Evert Awalt," Fort Worth, TX 2026-03-28 Edward (27), single, machinist at Armour. Living with sister "Gene Wright" (= Bertha Awalt) + brothers George (24) and Charles (17).
1910 census: George H Awalt, Karnes Co, TX 2026-03-28 Edward Awalt (17) in father's household.
1900 census: George H Awall, Bastrop Co, TX 2026-03-28 Edward Awall (6) in father's household.
MO Birth Index: Awalt births 2026-03-28 Charles Harold (10/05/1926), Polly Nan (08/08/1929), others.
MO Death Index: Awalt deaths 2026-03-28 Anna M Awalt (12/03/1983). Charles E. Awalt not in MO death index (died in KS).
Mexico DF Civil Registration: Charles Harold Arvalt Pollard marriage 2026-03-28 Married Ana Maria Amelia Cardenas Jinoco, 13 May 1949, Cuauhtemoc, Mexico City. Father: "Charles Edward Arvalt." Mother: "Anna Mae Pollard de Arvalt." Bride's parents: Armando Cardenas + Rosa Jinoco de Cardenas. FamilySearch ark:/61903/1:1:QG42-Z539.
DNA surname cluster deep dive 2026-03-28 All non-Awalt paternal clusters investigated. Bargo: zero KC presence. Barrington: zero KC; TX geography corroborates Awalt. Atchison: KY → KS family in Dozier network. Speck: in mdozier71 tree (77 cM), potential link to Eva Speck (m. Michael Abraham Awalt, 1778). No alternative paternity candidate found.
VA Master Index: Charles Edward Awalt 2026-03-28 Full name "Charles Edward Awalt." Born 25 Nov 1892 (sic; other sources say 1893). Residence: Kansas City, MO. Discharge 5 Apr 1919. FamilySearch ark:/61903/1:1:QP88-9ZFP.
Charles Harold Awalt NUMIDENT 2026-03-28 Parents: Charles E Awalt + Anna M Pollard (independent confirmation from son's own SS-5). Born 5 Oct 1926, Kansas City, MO. Residence: San Antonio, TX. Died 25 Apr 1998. FamilySearch ark:/61903/1:1:6KW4-FQXZ.
Polly Nan Awalt Arth obituary (KC Star, 29 Nov 2014) 2026-03-28 Married Firman Arth (~1954). Children: Vicki, Mark (Maria), Brett (Emily), Gregory (deceased). 7 grandchildren. Parents: Charles and Anna Mae Awalt. Brother Harold (deceased). Burial: St. John's Cemetery, Dover, Lafayette Co, MO. FaG #139359880.
AncestryDNA surname search: "Awalt" 2026-03-28 James Thomas (55 cM, paternal, Sophia Awalt 1803 NC in tree); Kristina Stage (18 cM, paternal, Jacob Edward Awalt 1806 in tree: separate branch). Three independent Awalt branches on Clay's paternal side. Confidence upgraded to Near-Certain.
AncestryDNA surname search: "Arth" 2026-03-28 J. L. (11 cM, paternal, private tree). Too distant for close Arth descendant. No Polly Nan descendants appear to have tested.
Firman A. Arth obituary (d. 14 Jun 2017) 2026-03-28 Corrects family structure: Greg and Mark are biological sons; Brett is Greg's son raised by Firman/Polly. Met Polly at Lake City Ammunition Plant. Married 1955. Living: Mark Arth, Brett Arth.
Polly Nan Awalt Ancestry profile 2026-03-28 Two marriages: (1) William James Rudder (1926-2009), daughter Vicki Nan Rudder (13 Nov 1948 - 2017); (2) Firman Arth (m. 18 Mar 1955), sons Gregory Allen (19 Dec 1958 - 11 Jul 2013) and Mark (Private/living). Northeast HS yearbooks. Greenwood MO residence 1996. Charles Harold d. San Antonio confirmed.
George Henry Awalt profile (Ancestry) 2026-03-28 b. 26 Apr 1860, Bastrop, TX; d. 5 Oct 1934, Lockhart, TX. Parents: William Michael Awalt (1834-1874) + Caroline Soules (1840-1921).
Philip M. Awalt profile (Ancestry) 2026-03-28 b. 1 Apr 1847, Bartholomew Co, IN; d. 27 Jun 1908, Sumner Co, KS. Civil War veteran. Father: Jacob Awalt (1822-1886). Caldwell, KS branch.
Robert S. Awalt soldiers' home record (NARA) 2026-03-28 Philip's son. Admitted Wadsworth 1932. Nearest relative: J. P. Awalt, Dallas, TX. Confirms Kansas-Texas Awalt family connection.
Jordan Fulghum 23andMe reports summary 2026-04-15 100% European. 70.7% British & Irish, 14.9% Ashkenazi Jewish, 9.1% Western European, 3.1% Central & Eastern European. Maternal haplogroup J1c, paternal R-P311.
Jordan Fulghum 23andMe ancestry composition CSV 2026-04-15 Chromosome-level ancestry painting at 0.5 confidence. Ashkenazi segments on both parental copies.
Jordan Fulghum 23andMe family tree JSON 2026-04-15 Computed tree structure (anonymized). One great-grandparent node with 3 partners producing most half-relative clusters.
Jordan Fulghum 23andMe DNA matches 2026-04-15 7 new unlabeled "half" matches (likely paternal/Awalt): Marlene Fishman (3.56%), Noel Ewing, Amy Cheuk, Lauren Cain, JL (cross-platform match with Clay's AncestryDNA), Jennifer Kaufmann, Loren Reif. 2 new maternal matches: Gregory Queen, Jodee Reeland.

Resolved Questions Archive

Condensed summaries. Full research trails preserved in earlier git commits.

# Question Resolution Date
36 Kenny Vaughan of Independence W. Kenneth Jones (1832-1904). Gary conflated Jones surname with Vaughan (entered family via Blanche Jones + Roy Vaughan marriage). 1881 county history biography found. 2026-03-27
47 Nancy Fitzgerald Stokes' parents Patrick Fitzgerald (~1910) + Sarah Rita "Sadie" Adams (1912-1993). Cook County Marriage Index, NUMIDENT, census x3. 2026-03-27
37 Who was Clara Lloyd? Clara Francis Loyd (1903-1984). See Clara_Lloyd. 2026-03-23
40 Reeves Loyd's parents Mason Loyd (~1820, Bedford, VA) + Mary S. Walker (~1823, VA). Via Ancestry + 1880 census. 1860 census confirms infant Edward in household. Marriage: 15 Jan 1844, Bedford, VA (primary source). 2026-03-23
41 Annie Haines's parents Thaddeus W. Haines (1836) + Catherine A. Torreyson (1836). Via Ancestry. Loudoun Co, VA. 2026-03-23
23 Gale's biological mother Clara Lloyd, per birth certificate File No. 916. 2026-03-23
3 Gale's birth certificate Obtained. "Infant Lloyd," General Hospital, KC. Mother: Clara Lloyd. No father. 2026-03-23
8 Maude Dickinson's parents Walter Hogan Dickinson (d. 1888) + Anna LaFleur (b. 1841). Per Ancestry compiled tree. 2026-03-23
28 Marinda Wrightsman Jones Corroborated via 1870 + 1880 census. 3 sources. New children found. 2026-03-23
24 Eggers paternal line Corrected. Wrong family removed. Jeff's line: Hinrich (Hamburg) → John Henry → Walter John Sr. 2026-03-22
25 Jean Eggers birth family Nettie Emma Smothers, adopted as Jean Hyatt. Per Jeff Eggers. 2026-03-22
18 "Fern Orille" Fern Lewis, cousin of the Orrills. 2026-03-22
7 Henry Dan Eggers VOIDED. Wrong family (Jefferson Co, unrelated). 2026-03-22
1 Jack and Sybil Orille Clinton "Jack" Orrill + Sybil Dora Holt. "Orille" = Orrill (phonetic). 2026-03-20
2 Blanche Jones Vaughan's parents William Arthur Jones + Maude Samples Jones. 2026-03-20
2a DAR patriot ancestors Bailey Anderson (A002346) + Jesse Kirby (A065510). 2026-03-20
4 Jean Eggers identity CORRECTED. Was not Alma Schmidt. See #25. 2026-03-22
5 Adeline Warnke's parents William John Warnke + Louise J Jelinek. 2026-03-19
6 Fred Fulghum origins Fred Forest Fulghum (1895-1966), New Paris, OH. 2026-03-20
9 Holt family connection Noah and John William Holt were brothers. 2026-03-20
10 Bob Fulghum Robert Edgar Fulghum (1924-2003), Fred's son with Margaret Parsons. 2026-03-20
11 Kaye Vaughan Charles Kaye Vaughan (1931-2023), Canadian Football HOF. Male. 2026-03-20
12 John Kirby + Sarah Johnson John Abner Kirby (1842-1884) + Sarah Johnson (1853-1899). DAR lineage. 2026-03-20
13 George Albert Vaughan's parents Woody Vaughan + Sarah Baugh Farrar. 2026-03-20
14 Clinton Orrill cause of death Tar still explosion, Standard Oil, Sugar Creek, MO. 2026-03-20
15 Leo Eugene Orrill Born 9 Mar 1922, died 15 Mar 1922 (6 days). 2026-03-20
16 Frederick Orrill's parents William Tebbett Orrill + Eliza F. Miller Chitwood. 2026-03-20
17 Mary Alvira Woodward's parents Edwin Benjamin Woodward + Sarah Ellen Wells. "Aura" name from uncle. 2026-03-21
19 William A Jones William Arthur Jones (1865-1927). 2026-03-20
20 Maude Samples Maude Samples Jones (1866-1941). 2026-03-20
21 W. K. Jones W. Kenneth Jones (1832-1904). Parents: Jonathan Jones + Anna Beets. 2026-03-20
22 Charles Jackson Samples Parents: Charles Samples (1792, Russell Co, VA) + Ann Young. 2026-03-21
30 Sarah Baugh Farrar Father: George Farrar III. Mother: Elizabeth Boyd (Scotland). Jefferson connection. 2026-03-21
31 Rev. James Anderson Father: James Anderson, Bailie of Fortrose, Scotland. Per Lockhart 2008. 2026-03-21
33 John Anderson Sr. birth year Bible: Jan 13, 1723/24, New York. Primary source. 2026-03-21