Family history

Open Questions

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

Open Questions

23. Gale Fulghum's biological mother

  • The question: Gary Vaughan Fulghum (Gale's son) reports that Gale told him Sybil Dora Holt was not his biological mother, and possibly Clinton "Jack" Orrill was not his biological father either ("maybe on Jack"). Gale had an envelope labeled "do not open until my death" that revealed the identity of his biological mother. Gary is currently locating this envelope.
  • Source: Oral testimony from Gary Vaughan Fulghum (2026-03-20), relaying what Gale told him directly.
  • Implications: If confirmed, this reopens the fundamental question of Gale's parentage. The WikiTree profile (Orrill-24), the 1920 Wichita marriage record, and the memoir's references to "Jack and Sybil Orille" may describe legal/social parents rather than biological ones. The Holt line connection through Sybil may not be a blood relationship to Gale. The birth certificate (see #3 below) becomes even more critical, as it would show who was listed as mother at birth.
  • What we know so far: WikiTree lists Clinton and Sybil as parents. Gale's memoir calls them "assumed biological parents" (photo caption, Fairmount, MO, 1925), a phrase that now reads differently in light of this testimony. Gale was born Feb 19, 1923, in Kansas City, MO.
  • Next step: Locate the envelope. Once found, its contents will either confirm or reframe the entire Orrill/Holt research.
  • Solvability: HIGH (envelope exists; Gary is locating it)
  • Payoff: CRITICAL (redefines Gale's parentage and potentially invalidates or redirects multiple research lines)

3. Gale Fulghum's birth certificate

  • The question: What does the Missouri birth record say? Gale was born Aura Gale Orrill on 19 Feb 1923 in Kansas City, MO. Previously assumed biological parents were Sybil Dora Holt and Clinton Woodward "Jack" Orrill, but Gary Fulghum reports Gale said Sybil was not his biological mother (see #23). The birth certificate may list the actual birth mother, or may list Sybil if she was the legal parent at birth.
  • Research attempted (2026-03-19): Missouri Birth Index returned no results for "Gale Fulghum" born 1923.
  • Next step: Search Missouri Birth Index for "Gale Orrill" or "Aura Orrill" born 1923 in Jackson County. Request certified copy directly from Missouri DHSS ($15).
  • Solvability: HIGH (record exists; requires direct request)
  • Payoff: CRITICAL (may reveal biological mother's name; now the most important vital record to obtain)

8. John Giles and Maude Dickinson ancestry

  • Ira Mollett Giles' parents (confirmed by death certificate). Dates now known: John Giles (1867-1930), Maude Dickenson Giles (1878-1946), per FaG #159877974. No birthplaces or further ancestry known.
  • Research attempted (2026-03-19): Searched web for John Giles + Maude Dickinson/Dickenson in St. Louis. Found that "Giles Dickenson (1790-1865)" exists on FamilySearch, but the page did not render genealogical data. The Mollett surname is confirmed present in both Scott County, VA and Giles County, VA (Nathan R. Mollett, 1786, Giles, VA; Elias Mollett Sr., ~1783, Scott County, VA), supporting the hypothesis that "Mollett" is a maternal surname connecting Giles and Mollett families in southwest Virginia.
  • Next step: Search 1900/1910 census for John Giles household in St. Louis. Search Missouri marriage records for John Giles / Maude Dickinson (~1897).
  • Solvability: MODERATE
  • Payoff: LOW

27. Nancy Henry Harris: single-source person

  • The question: Nancy Henry Harris (1833-1868) has only one source: Find a Grave #155435248. No census record, marriage record, or other independent source has been located to corroborate her existence and vital dates.
  • Research attempted (2026-03-20): Searched Find a Grave, FamilySearch, colonial-settlers databases, 1860 Jackson County census indexes. No independent source found.
  • Next step: Search 1860 census for James W. Harris household in Jackson County, MO (Nancy should appear as wife). Request Jackson County marriage records (~1850).
  • Solvability: MODERATE (census records are indexed; marriage record may exist)
  • Payoff: LOW (confirms existing data)

28. Marinda Wrightsman Jones: single-source person

  • The question: Marinda Wrightsman Jones (1838-1905) has only one source: Find a Grave #14518939. No census record, marriage record, or other independent source has been located.
  • Research attempted (2026-03-20): Searched FamilySearch, Missouri vital records, Salem Cemetery records, Jackson County marriage indexes. No independent source found.
  • Next step: Search 1870/1880 census for W. Kenneth Jones household in Jackson County (Marinda should appear as wife). Check Missouri marriage records for Jones/Wrightsman.
  • Solvability: MODERATE (census records are indexed)
  • Payoff: LOW (confirms existing data)

22. Charles Jackson Samples ancestry

  • Father of Maude Samples. Born 1828, died 1906. Wife Mary Laura Taylor (1838-1866) died the year Maude was born. He likely remarried (daughter Elizabeth B. born 1878). Born possibly in Indiana (Maude born in Indiana).
  • Next step: Search FaG and census records. Large family (8 children) makes census identification easier.
  • Solvability: HIGH
  • Payoff: MODERATE

11. Kaye Vaughan of Knowlton, Quebec

  • First cousin of Doris Vaughan Fulghum. If Kaye is a first cousin, she would be a child of a sibling of either Roy Wallace Vaughan or Frances Blanche Jones Vaughan. Roy had one known sibling: Walter Kirby Vaughan (1906-1976). Kaye may be Walter Kirby's daughter, which would explain the Vaughan surname.
  • Research attempted (2026-03-19): Searched web for "Kaye Vaughan" Knowlton Quebec. No results found.
  • Solvability: LOW (Canadian records, limited online access)
  • Payoff: LOW

17. Mary Alvira Woodward's parents

  • Gale's paternal great-grandmother. Born 16 Jul 1866; died 3 Aug 1950. Married Frederick Thomas Orrill ~1894.
  • Next step: Search for Woodward family in census records. WikiTree shows her as "Mary Alvira (Woodward) Wickham," suggesting a possible prior or subsequent marriage to someone named Wickham.
  • Solvability: MODERATE
  • Payoff: LOW

24. Eggers paternal line corrections needed

  • The question: Jeff Eggers (son of Walter J Eggers III and Jacqueline Britt Eggers) reports that there are errors in the Eggers paternal line, specifically around "Papa's father and going back from there." Jeff believes the AI made assumptions that are incorrect.
  • Source: Jeff Eggers, oral feedback (2026-03-20).
  • What we currently have: Walter Henry Eggers Sr. (1895-1955) → Henry David Christian Eggers (1861-1943) → Henrich Eggers (1837-1908, Germany) + Maria E. Gronholt (1844-1918).
  • How we got here (audit trail):
    • Walter III's 2023 obituary (Legacy.com/Kansas City Star) named his parents as "Walter and Jean Eggers" in St. Louis. No dates, no middle names.
    • We searched for Walter Eggers in St. Louis and found a Geni.com profile for Henry Dan Eggers (1861-1943) listing a son "Walter H. Eggers." We matched this to Walter III's father based on: (a) the "H" middle initial, (b) St. Louis geography, (c) timeline plausibility.
    • 2026-03-20 update: Found FaG memorial #14767572 for Walter Henry Eggers (25 Feb 1895 - 12 Sep 1955), buried Cedar Hill Cemetery, Jefferson Co, MO. This memorial independently lists Henry David Christian Eggers + Henrietta Rose as parents, and Alma C. Schmidt as spouse (= "Jean"). Also lists 3 children: Florine Ida (1924), Walter Henry Jr. (1927-1936, died age 9), Marie Caroline (1932). Walter III and Jim are not listed (alive when memorial created 2006). This is the same contributor "Missouri Duv" who created Henry Dan's (#14767570) and Henrietta's (#14767563) memorials.
    • The Walter Jr. discovery explains the "III" suffix: Walter Sr. (I), Walter Jr. (II, died 1936), Walter J (III). Different middle initial (H vs J) but same family convention.
    • Henrich Eggers (1837-1908) and Maria E. Gronholt (1844-1918) as Henry Dan's parents come from FaG #14767570 and are listed by the same "Missouri Duv" contributor.
  • Henry Dan → Walter Sr. link: CONFIRMED by primary source (2026-03-20). The 1920 US Census (Meramec Township, Jefferson Co, MO; FamilySearch ark:/61903/1:1:M8HR-388) lists Walter H Eggers (age 24, single) as "Son" in the household of Henry D Eggers (age 58, head, born Missouri, parents both born Germany) and Henrette Eggers (age 54, born Germany). This is definitive. The household also includes two daughters, Ella and Freda (both 13, born ~1907, Missouri), previously unknown.
  • DISCREPANCY FOUND (2026-03-20). Henry Dan Eggers' Missouri Death Certificate #8250 (d. 27 Mar 1943, St. Louis City) lists:
    • Father: "Henry Eggers," born Germany. Consistent with "Henrich Eggers" (German form of Henry).
    • Mother's maiden name: "Grupe" (per death cert), born Germany. This does NOT match "Maria E. Gronholt" from FaG/Geni. "Grupe" and "Gronholt" are not plausible variants of each other.
    • Birthplace: Dittmer, MO (not Hillsboro as FaG states).
    • Informant: Mrs. Frieda Hersby (daughter Freda Eggers from 1920 Census), 2317 Russell Blvd.
  • This is likely the error Jeff reported. The mother's maiden name in our tree ("Gronholt") contradicts the death certificate ("Grupe"). The death certificate is a primary source; the FaG/Geni entry is user-contributed.
  • FULLY EXPLAINED (2026-03-20). Further research resolved the entire chain of errors:
    1. "Gronholt" = garbled "Gruenholtz." Margaret Gruenholtz Grupe (1839-1918, FaG #32689333) is buried at Saint Martins UCC Cemetery in Dittmer. She married Christian J Grupe (1839-1922). Their death year (1918) and location (Dittmer) match the FaG entry for "Maria E. Gronholt (1844-1918)." The FaG contributor confused Henry Dan's maternal grandmother's maiden name with his mother's maiden name.
    2. "Henrich Eggers (1837-1908)" is the wrong person. FaG #41494583 is buried in Becker County, MINNESOTA. He served in the Ohio 22nd Infantry. Maria E. Gronholt (FaG #154831082) is buried in Adams County, NORTH DAKOTA. These are a completely different family.
    3. Henry Dan's actual parents: Henry Eggers (born Germany) and Mary Grupe (born Germany), confirmed by death certificate #8250 and corroborated by 1880 Census (Meramec Twp, Jefferson Co, MO showing Henry, Mary, and children including Henry Dan, Fritz, Matilda, Lizzie, Emma).
    4. Henry Dan's actual siblings: Fritz, Matilda, Lizzie, and Emma Eggers (per 1880 Census/Geni), NOT the Frederick/Matilda/Emma with MN/ND dates from the FaG memorial.
    5. The Grupe family in Dittmer (Christian J Grupe + Margaret Gruenholtz) attended Saint Martins UCC, same church as the Eggers family. Mary Grupe was likely their daughter.
    6. Saint Martins UCC baptism records (1857-1907) are digitized on FamilySearch (catalog 776869) and would contain Henry Dan's 1861 baptism, definitively naming his parents.
  • Remaining: Ask Jeff to confirm. Search Saint Martins baptism records on FamilySearch. Henry Dan's father's dates and burial location are unknown (not at Saint Martins or Cedar Hill).
  • Solvability: MOSTLY RESOLVED; church records would complete it
  • Payoff: HIGH (corrected wrong ancestry across 2 generations; tree now accurate)

25. Jean Eggers (Alma Caroline Schmidt) adoption and birth family

  • The question: Jeff Eggers reports that his paternal grandmother Jean Eggers was adopted very young. We identified her as Alma Caroline Schmidt (b. 1899, d. 1989) per 1930 Census and FamilySearch. If she was adopted, "Schmidt" may be her adoptive family, not biological. Jeff has done his own research and believes he has identified her birth family, but has not yet shared details.
  • Source: Jeff Eggers, oral testimony (2026-03-20).
  • Implications: This means the Schmidt ancestry (if any was traced) may not be Jean's biological line. Our resolved question #4 identified her maiden name as Schmidt, which now may be her adoptive name.
  • Next step: Get Jeff's research on Jean's birth family. This could open an entirely new branch.
  • Solvability: HIGH (Jeff has research to share)
  • Payoff: HIGH (new biological ancestry line)

26. Jackie (Nana) Eggers' Spooner family connection

  • The question: Jeff reports that Jackie (Jacqueline Britt Eggers) has family connections going back to the Spooner family in England. Not connected to Rev. William Archibald Spooner (of "spoonerisms" fame). No details yet on which line this connects through (Britt? Giles? Warnke?).
  • Source: Jeff Eggers (2026-03-20).
  • Next step: Get details from Jeff on the Spooner connection and which line it comes through.
  • Solvability: HIGH (Jeff has the information)
  • Payoff: MODERATE (extends English ancestry)

18. "Fern Orille" identification

  • Gale's memoir (photo caption #2, 1927) shows "Fern Orille, 'Grandma Orille'" in Wichita, KS. Clinton's mother was Mary Alvira Woodward (not Fern). Either "Fern" is a misremembering by 4-year-old Gale, a nickname for Mary Alvira, or a different relative.
  • Solvability: LOW
  • Payoff: LOW

Data Discrepancies Found in Research

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) Likely error on Matilda's memorial; "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; lineage sheet likely misread
Bailey Anderson's mother Sarah Carney (Lale 1976 / Boddie) Sarah Crossey (DAR application) Unresolved; possibly misread handwriting. Pension file S30826 may clarify.
John Anderson Sr. birthplace Pennsylvania (DAR application) Isle of Skye, Scotland (Lale 1976) May conflate John with his father Rev. James Anderson (born Scotland, emigrated to PA)
Bailey Anderson Jr. birth year 1781 (Gillmore Carter Allied Families) 1788 (Lale 1976) Unresolved; 1788 more plausible given his 1832-1865 activity
Walter Henry Eggers Sr.'s parents Henry Dan Eggers + Henrietta Rose (Geni.com + FaG #14767572) Jeff Eggers reports errors (2026-03-20) Now corroborated by FaG memorial for Walter Sr. himself (#14767572), which independently lists same parents. Same contributor "Missouri Duv" for all Eggers memorials. Death cert (d. 12 Sep 1955) would be definitive. See #24.
Henry Dan Eggers' mother's maiden name "Maria E. Gronholt" (FaG #14767570, Geni) "Grupe" or similar (MO Death Cert #8250, primary source) DISCREPANCY FOUND. Death certificate reads "Grupe" (per death cert), NOT "Gronholt." Informant was daughter Freda. Death cert is primary source. This is likely the error Jeff reported. See #24.
Henry Dan Eggers' birthplace Hillsboro (FaG #14767570) Dittmer (MO Death Cert #8250) Death cert corrects FaG. Both in Jefferson County, ~10 mi apart.
Walter J Eggers III siblings Only Jim (per obituary) 3 additional siblings per FaG #14767572 Florine Ida (1924-2021), Walter Henry Jr. (1927-1936), Marie Caroline (1932-2003). Walter Jr.'s existence explains the "III" suffix.

Data Acquisition Priorities

Priority Record Type Location Expected Yield Cost
1 Missouri Birth Certificate (Aura Gale Orrill, 1923) Missouri DHSS Would confirm parents' names as registered $15
2 Jesse Kirby pension file (S*W9489 / National #317665) NARA / Fold3 Sworn depositions with family details; widow Sophia's testimony Fold3 subscription or NARA request
3 Bailey Anderson pension file (S30826) NARA / Fold3 Lale (1976) quotes extensively from this deposition; obtaining the original would verify Lale's transcription and may contain details he omitted (mother's maiden name, wife's identity). Filed Aug 27, 1833, Natchitoches Parish, LA. Fold3 subscription or NARA request
4 Blanche Jones Vaughan death certificate (MO, 1997) Missouri State Archives Parents' names (Jones line, though already known via NUMIDENT) $15
5 1880 census (Pike County, IL, Orrill household) FamilySearch (free images) Frederick Thomas Orrill's parents Free
6 1900 census (St. Louis, John Giles household) FamilySearch Giles/Dickinson family details Free
7 Henry David Christian Eggers death certificate OBTAINED Missouri State Archives Father: "Henry Eggers" (Germany). Mother maiden name: "Grupe" (Germany). Contradicts "Gronholt" from FaG/Geni. Free

Obtained Records

Record Date Obtained Key Yield
DAR application (Jesse Kirby, A065510, M511175) 2026-03-20 Full Kirby lineage, 6 generations
DAR supplemental (Bailey Anderson, A002346, M511175) 2026-03-20 Anderson lineage, 3 more generations to Scotland
DAR supporting documentation (10 documents) 2026-03-20 5 marriage bonds/licenses, Hardcastle research note
Henry D. Eggers death certificate (MO #8250) 2026-03-20 Father: Henry Eggers (Germany). Mother maiden name: "Grupe" NOT "Gronholt." Birthplace: Dittmer (not Hillsboro).

Resolved Questions

1. Who were Jack and Sybil Orille? RESOLVED (2026-03-20), PARTIALLY REOPENED (2026-03-20)

  • Answer: "Sybil Orille" was Sybil Dora Holt (b. 29 Jul 1900, Wilmot, KS; d. 27 May 1989). "Orille" was a phonetic misspelling of Orrill. She married Clinton Woodward "Jack" Orrill on 24 Nov 1920 in Wichita, KS. Parents: Noah Caswell Holt (1869-1935) and Dora L. Copeland (1872-1940). The Holts were not unrelated foster family; Noah and John William Holt were brothers.
  • Reopened: Gary Fulghum reports that Gale said Sybil was not his biological mother and Jack may not have been his biological father. Identities of Jack and Sybil are confirmed, but their biological relationship to Gale is now in question. See Open Question #23.

2. Frances Blanche Jones Vaughan's parents RESOLVED (2026-03-20)

  • Answer: Father: William Arthur Jones (1865-1927). Mother: Maude Samples Jones (1866-1941). Per NUMIDENT on FamilySearch.

2a. DAR patriot ancestor identification RESOLVED (2026-03-20)

  • Answer: Patriots were Bailey Anderson (A002346) and Jesse Kirby (A065510), through the Kirby line. Full lineage proven in DAR applications (National Number 511175). 10 generations documented from Doris to Rev. James Anderson (1678, Scotland).

4. Jean Eggers maiden name RESOLVED (2026-03-20), PARTIALLY REOPENED (2026-03-20)

  • Answer: Alma Caroline Schmidt (b. 1899; d. 1989). "Jean" was a nickname. Per 1930 Census and FamilySearch tree.
  • Reopened: Jeff Eggers reports Jean was adopted very young. "Schmidt" may be her adoptive family name, not biological. Jeff believes he has identified her birth family. See Open Question #25.

5. Adeline G Warnke's parents RESOLVED (2026-03-19)

  • Answer: William John Warnke (1868-1943) and Louise J Jelinek Warnke (1870-1961). Per Find a Grave.

6. Fred Fulghum origins RESOLVED (2026-03-20)

  • Answer: Fred Forest Fulghum (b. 21 Sep 1895, New Paris, IN; d. 20 Dec 1966, Kansas City, MO). Parents: Calvin A. Fulghum and Eva Eleanor Wiley. Bob was Fred's biological son (with Margaret Parsons); Gale was Sybil's biological son (with Clinton Orrill).

7. Henry Dan Eggers ancestry RESOLVED (2026-03-19), FLAGGED FOR REVIEW (2026-03-20)

  • Answer: Henry David Christian Eggers (1861-1943). Father: Henry/Henrich Eggers (Germany), confirmed by death certificate. Mother: death certificate #8250 says maiden name "Grupe" (not "Gronholt" as FaG/Geni claimed). The FaG entry of "Maria E. Gronholt" is contradicted by primary source.
  • Correction applied: Mother's maiden name changed from "Gronholt" to "Grupe" (pending further verification of handwriting). See Open Question #24.

9. Holt family connection RESOLVED (2026-03-20)

  • Answer: The Holts were Sybil's birth family. Noah Caswell Holt (Sybil's father) and John William Holt ("Grandfather Holt") were brothers.

10. Bob Fulghum RESOLVED (2026-03-20)

  • Answer: Robert Edgar "Bob" Fulghum (1924-2003). Fred's biological son with Margaret Parsons, not Sybil's.

12. John Kirby and Sarah Johnson ancestry RESOLVED (2026-03-20)

  • Answer: Full name John Abner Kirby (b. 7 Jul 1842, Warren Co, KY; d. 1884, Jackson Co, MO). Wife Sarah Johnson (b. 18 Jul 1853; d. 21 Jan 1899). DAR applications prove full Kirby/Anderson lineage: John Abner → Wyatt → Major William Kirby → Jesse Kirby (DAR A065510) → through Lavinia Anderson → Bailey Anderson (DAR A002346) → John Anderson Sr. → Rev. James Anderson (1678, Scotland).

13. George Albert Vaughan's parents RESOLVED (2026-03-20)

  • Answer: Father was Woody Vaughan (1772-~1813), not James Washington Vaughan. Mother: Sarah "Sally" Baugh Farrar (1788-1845). Grandfather: Capt. Reuben Vaughan Sr. (1732-1817, DAR A118329).

14. Clinton Woodward Orrill RESOLVED (2026-03-20)

  • Answer: Clinton "Jack" Orrill (1900-1926) was killed in a tar still explosion at Standard Oil refinery, Sugar Creek, MO. Gale's birth name was Aura Gale Orrill.

15. Leo Eugene Orrill RESOLVED (2026-03-20)

  • Answer: Born 9 Mar 1922, died 15 Mar 1922 (6 days old), Wichita, KS.

16. Frederick Thomas Orrill's parents RESOLVED (2026-03-20)

  • Answer: William Tebbett Orrill (b. 1834, Warwickshire, England) and Eliza F. Miller Chitwood (1842-1921). English immigrants via Pike County, IL.

19. William A Jones RESOLVED (2026-03-20)

  • Answer: William Arthur Jones (1865-1927). Parents: W. Kenneth Jones (1832-1904) and Marinda R. Wrightsman (1838-1905).

20. Maude Samples RESOLVED (2026-03-20)

  • Answer: Maude Samples Jones (1866-1941). Parents: Charles Jackson Samples (1828-1906) and Mary Laura Taylor (1838-1866).

21. W. K. Jones RESOLVED (2026-03-20)

  • Answer: W. Kenneth Jones (1832-1904). Parents: Jonathan Jones (~1805, TN) and Anna Beets (~1807, TN). Per 1850 Census.