Virgle E. Griffith

It isn't always direct lineages we find when looking for our family history.  Last week, I came across a record on www.findagrave.com that made me sad, but supported a theory I had from an incorrect census record.

You see, James & Stella Griffith had a son named Virgil.  He was born April 18, 1900, and passed away September 1, 1900.  He's buried in Little Flock Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, Coalmont, Clay County, Indiana.  I want to give a heartfelt "Thank you" to Miss Amanda Trill who originally photographed his burial location, then posted it on Find A Grave.  When I contacted her regarding the dates originally listed on the web page, she went back through her pictures and confirmed his dates for me.  She then transferred his memorial page to me so he can be with family.

Virgil was only five months old when he passed away.  The 1900 US Census had him living with his mother and father.  Sadly, he's listed incorrectly on that same Census as being born in 1880, but only 1/12 (1 month old) - the same year his father was born.  I've been looking for confirmation of exactly when he was born.  Thanks to Miss Trill, we now know.  Had it not been for that incorrect census, my curiosity wouldn't have been aroused, and I wouldn't know who he is or what happened to him after that census.

You can view his memorial page by clicking here.

One little boy made his mark on the world, and now, Great Great Great Uncle Virgle, you can rest easy.

Image Courtesy Amanda Trill.  Aug. 14, 2010

William Jackson Griffith & Catherine Sigmon

We're now entering the somewhat murky waters of my family history.  The information you find below HAS NOT been completely sourced.  I'm posting it in hopes someone out there knows anything that may help.  Because of the prevalence of the name "William Griffith" and "William Jackson Griffith" (and it's variations) during this generation AND the previous generation, tracking has been very tedious, and at times, downright impossible.  It doesn't help that during this and the previous generation, migration to other states was HUGE.  I'll include what I have, what I know, what I speculate, and appreciate any corrections/errors or additional information that you'd like to point out and share.  This is where the "elusiveness" of my Griffith's begins.

Thomas Griffith & Mahala Hutchinson

Image Courtesy John C. Anderson 5/27/2010

The image to the left was found at Find A Grave.  It is actually listed under "Mahalia Griffith" and it reads "With Thomas".  On Thomas' page, it only lists his birth & death dates.


Thomas and Mahala GRIFFITH are my paternal 4th great grandparents.

Joshua D. Griffith & Sarah Jane Cottingham

Image Courtesy John C. Anderson 5/27/2010

The image to the left was found at Find A Grave.  It's a wonderful website.


Joshua and Sarah GRIFFITH are my paternal 3rd great grandparents.

James Griffith & Stella Sheets

James GRIFFITH and Stella SHEETS are my paternal 2nd great grandparents.

Speculations:
James is listed with wife Stella in the 1910 Census, but by the 1920 US Census, Stella is listed with Will OWENS as wife.  I originally assumed that James had died.  Apparently, my memory had forgotten that many years ago, I was contacted by a cousin related to me through my great father Harley's brothers - Lester GRIFFITH and Oley GRIFFITH.  My great Aunt Mary Lou had told me the same thing many, many years ago.  But James & Stella didn't have children named Lester and Oley.  The only conclusion?  James didn't die, he "ran off", got remarried, or something that produced, at the very least, those two boys AND someone stayed in touch because the older family members knew of them.  Do I have written proof?  Not a shred.  But I do have a missing father on a 1920 Census, and the memory of a Great Aunt.

Harley Griffith & Zedith Dowdy

Harley and Zedith Griffith are my paternal great-grandparents.  Sadly, I don't know much about them aside from their statistical information.

A Few Notes About Harley:
1.) A few years back, I met a woman through a message board named Donna Phillips who had a relative who was in one of the wars with Harley.  She sent me a black & white photograph and her relatives "war story" that he was doing for a magazine or some such.  However, that piece of information AND the picture has gone MIA in my house, and I can't find it anywhere.  Once I find it, I'll post up the accurate information for this note.