Matanuska Susitna - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

Re: Maxine DeVILBISS - Palmer, AK

skblg5890 — 2013-04-18 07:20:14Z

To Paul David Curtis - relation to Rev. JW DeVilbiss

Perhaps I can reach you via ancestry.co.uk since I tried your email address and it "bounced" -

I see you have made remarkable amount of research on the DeVilbiss family. I am from a branch from JW DeVilbiss, through Isaac Lemuel, brother of Thomas Alexander DeVilbiss (and brother of yet another John Wesley DeVilbiss).

Please reply to skblg58@yahoo.com at your convenience April 18, 2013

Re: John J. Tully - Request for photo id's and resources I can tap

kfzello — 2013-04-15 04:19:39Z

Hello: I am the granddaughter of Rupert D Baird. I may have some information for you. I live in Palmer. My email is kfzello@yahoo.com.

Re: John J. Tully - Request for photo id's and resources I can tap

RBestrom7380 — 2013-01-03 03:35:36Z

RE: Township... You are more than correct. This is the first time (to my knowledge that I typed Township instead of the correct Section). In fact I looked at a couple of recent postings to make sure that I had not typed in the incorrect name.

The Fact you are aware of this... again identifies you as a bonifide researcher.

Re: John J. Tully - Request for photo id's and resources I can tap

ktjquest — 2013-01-02 22:46:36Z

Thank you for your efforts to assist with my query.

I do have a tree on Ancestry. It is private at this time. I realize that access to the information I already have would help to target the assistance of people like yourself. Good point.

I have the probate records relating to Grandfather’s death in 1955.

Your assessment of the land patent is puzzling. A township is 36 square miles. Townships are divided into (36) sections. Each section is one square mile. Each of the squares with a red number on the link you provided is a section, not a township.

If you look in the upper right corner of the page in your link, you will see Section 10. Grandfather’s homestead was located in that section. Seward Meridian, Township 17N, Range 2E, Section 10, Lots 1, 2, 3, and 4. These lots are aligned north to south along the western shore of the Matanuska River. The total is, as you said, is just over 113 acres.

Kris

Re: John J. Tully - Request for photo id's and resources I can tap

ktjquest — 2013-01-02 21:20:23Z

Judy, Thanks so much.

You provided some information I did not have. I definitely will contact the museums and other historical societies to see if they can help identify people in the photos. Good contacts.
Kris

Re: John J. Tully - Request for photo id's and resources I can tap

RBestrom7380 — 2013-01-01 23:20:27Z

Kris,
Between your post here and the Anchorage Board, you seem to have ALL the basics covered. I looked for a posted family tree, but you don't appear to have one. If you do, post the link to the person in the tree that you are researching. In that way you don't get information you already have and can prevent getting wrong information or questions.

I did find one family tree containing him; but, you probably have all this basic information:
http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/47806713/person/20031896643?s...=
If you don't have a membership, you could probably access this tree at your local library using their computers with your library card to access.

I checked all the online digital archives (15) without success.

I did find he had a probate court case in 1955:
http://archives.alaska.gov/pdfs/collection_guides/probate_in...
Page 298, or use the "find" block. The middle initial shown as "T" is probably a mistranscription of his "J."
I did attempt the search for this record at:
http://www.courtrecords.alaska.gov/eservices/?x=Mp63bk4tqBEa...
however, the date is prior to the 1990 records. This probate case would be in Anchorage. Here is records:
http://www.courts.alaska.gov/ctrecs.htm#anc
Based on the probate index, it would be case number 8-204 in 1955.

You identified having the documents for his land patent. I did look it up on the BLM patent site. For others, it was issued on 1/11/1939 under the May 14, 1898 Patent law for Alaska (30 Stat. 409). It was 113.61 acres in Township 17 North, Range 2 East, Section 10. It was in four lot/tracts.
This land is in the McLoud Lake area, the red colored "17" is Township 17:
http://dnr.alaska.gov/QMI/QMI?sourceurl=http://quadpicker.la...
On the left side you can zoom in/zoom out
The full Anchorage area map:
http://dnr.alaska.gov/Quadpicker/framesets/anc.html

I looked at the links provided by the other... Highly doubt these will have any information.

Re: John J. Tully - Request for photo id's and resources I can tap

judyartley53 — 2013-01-01 07:47:05Z

Hi,

In 1900 Elyria, Valley, Nebrska
John I Tully, b. PA Jan 1843, farmer
Vena H., wife, b. IL Sept 1855, had given birth to 10 children but only 7 alive in 1900
Harlan G., b. IL May 1880, farm laborer
Frank, b. IL Aug 1882, farm laborer
John G., b. IL, Sept. 1884, farm laborer
Bashie, dau, b. Sept 1886, IL
Ida, b. NE Dec 1890
Ety, son, b. NE Jan 1894
Linna Furtak, servant

1910 Elyria
John Tully, b. IL, 24, general farmer, marr 1 yr
Eva, b. NE, 19
William Sningle, hired man
Sidney Warner, hired man

He doesn't appear in any Census in 1920 and 1930.

1940 Palmer, third Judicial Division, Alaska
John J. Tully, b. IL, 54, single, education=8th grade, carpenter house building
Waldo A. Fox, lodger

John Jackson Tully
Born: 12 Sept 1885, Cambridge, Illinois
Residence: Palmer, Alaska
Mailing Address: General Delivery, Anchorage
Nearest Relative: Bernice Weaver, ord, NE
Employer: C. A. A., Anchorage
Source: U. S. World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942

You might want to contact the following organizations:

Palmer Historical Society, www.palmerhistoricalsociety.org/colonyhouse.htm

Palmer Museum & Visitor Center, www.palmermuseum.org/palmer-history/

Wasilla-Knik-Willow Creek Historical Society, 323 Main, Wasilla, AK 99687, 907-376-2005

Talkeetna Historical Society, PO Box 75, Talkeetna, AK 99676, 907-733-2487
Successful Searching!

John J. Tully - Request for photo id's and resources I can tap

ktjquest — 2012-12-16 18:35:39Z

MY REQUEST is to find out about resources I can tap and also to identify people in photos taken at a pig roast in 1936.

I’d like to document my Grandfather John Jackson “Johnny” Tully’s life in Anchorage and Palmer. He divided his time between the two locations. I want to pin down the dates.

Born 12 Sept. 1885 Cornwall, Henry, IL. The family moved to Elyria, Valley, NE in about 1888. Died 16 June 1955 in an Anchorage hospital. Buried in the Pioneer Cemetery in Palmer. I have the obituaries from Anchorage and Palmer papers.

Possibly, he went to AK sometime between 1902 and 1909 for a “look-see,” and he arrived for good in the 1920’s although he made long visits to family in NE. He made his living working as a trapper, working on the roads, working in construction, homesteader, bought and sold land, and he opened the Arctic Circle Trailer Court in Anchorage. He was a ship’s carpenter going from AK to Honolulu (don’t have dates). He had a homestead patent for 113 acres along the Matanuska River in Palmer (application 7 Nov 1932; patent issued 24 Feb 1939). Proof and testimony witnesses were Harry Morehouse and Rupert D. Baird. I have the papers for that. He was not one of the Colonists, although he probably helped with construction both before and after they arrived. He also bought land and then sold it to the agency that was creating the homesteads for the Colonists. He was friends with Colonist Waldo Fox, and provided meat for the winter for Waldo and his two sons.

In Anchorage, for the buildup to WWII, he worked construction for Ft. Richardson and Elmendorf AFB. He also helped build the Mountain View neighborhood and lived there for a short time. Even when he worked and lived in Anchorage, he loved Palmer, had close friends there and considered it his home. I’m trying to pin down dates.

Were there any lists of people living in Palmer before 1940? Are there pay records for people who worked on roads or on the buildup for the Colonists?

I also have a number of photos of people taken in Palmer in 1936 when my Mother visited Grandfather. I’d like some help identifying them.

Thanks so much for any help. I have already posted on the Anchorage message board. Kris

Mat-Su Valley Orphanages 1940s - 1950s?

BessyAK49 — 2012-07-12 05:17:11Z

Hi. I am trying to find out the names of the orphanages that were in operation in the Mat-Su Valley (particularly Palmer and Wasilla) in the 1940s and 1950s. I know that one was the Lazy Mountain orphange.

Re: Lookup for Microfilm located in the Wasilla Library

Gwilanne — 2011-11-10 16:09:43Z

yes I did get it

thank you

Re: Obit lookup - Thomas Tuttle d. 4/5/2008

northwestpioneer — 2011-11-10 12:57:17Z

Yes, thank you, I was able to find a copy.

Re: CLESTER, in Wasilla, BIg Lake, 1949-59

coleenmielke1 — 2011-11-10 07:20:25Z

I do not need this information, but thank you.

Re: CLESTER, in Wasilla, BIg Lake, 1949-59

GeneConnect — 2011-11-10 05:29:11Z

Did you get this record yet? I am in Wasilla and can do this lookup for you. Please message me back if you still need it.

Joy

Re: Obit request: Clarence, Martin, and Thurman BETTS of Wasilla, AK

GeneConnect — 2011-11-10 05:28:20Z

Did you get this record yet? I am in Wasilla and can do this lookup for you. Please message me back if you still need it.

Joy

Re: Wilbert Jack Minnick

GeneConnect — 2011-11-10 05:26:01Z

Did you get this record yet? I am in Wasilla and can do this lookup for you. Please message me back if you still need it.

Joy

Re: Obit lookup - Thomas Tuttle d. 4/5/2008

GeneConnect — 2011-11-10 05:22:40Z

Did you get this record yet? I am in Wasilla and can do this lookup for you. Please message me back if you still need it.

Joy

Re: Obit Lookup in Wasilla, AK

GeneConnect — 2011-11-10 05:18:56Z

Hi aggiboy!

Did you get this record yet? I am in Wasilla and can do this lookup for you. Please message me back if you still need it.

Joy

Re: Lookup for Microfilm located in the Wasilla Library

GeneConnect — 2011-11-10 05:17:29Z

Hi Gwilanne!

Did you get this record found? I am in Wasilla, and will do this lookup for you if you don't have it yet.

Joy

Lookup for Microfilm located in the Wasilla Library

Gwilanne — 2009-06-22 22:09:44Z

Hello:

I am looking for a baptism record for Adam Burns that is located on film # Births of Girvin, Ayr Scotland 1753-1854, Church Records, 0102833 page 604

This film is apparently located in the Wasilla library. I have not been able to find this film anywhere else.

Looking for
Birth/Christening of Adam Burns May 1851 Girvan Scotland Father James Burns
and
Jane Burns Jul 1852 Girvan Scotland Father James Burns

I will pay for copying and postage for these two items.

Any help would greatly be appreciated

Obit Lookup in Wasilla, AK

aggieboy — 2009-04-14 16:56:05Z

I'm looking for an obituary for my cousin Fay Ellsworth Dennison who died on 27 Dec 2006 and was reported to be living at Wasilla at the time.

Re: Obit lookup - Thomas Tuttle d. 4/5/2008

marlenesteinerann_1 — 2009-02-27 03:33:12Z

i found a thomas tuttle in the anchorage newspaper.. if it is ok i can forward the link.. my email is marlene_ann_s@yahoo.com

Obit lookup - Thomas Tuttle d. 4/5/2008

northwestpioneer — 2009-02-22 00:06:42Z

If you can find an obit for Thomas Tuttle, died April 5, 2008, or if you could tell me what papers it might be in. I am not sure if he was living in Matanuska Susitna when he died, but the SSDI said his last residence was Palmer. He is buried in a cemetery in Tacoma, WA. Thanks

Wilbert Jack Minnick

sweetbabe1966 — 2007-06-09 01:39:20Z

I am a distant cousin of Wilbert Jack Minnick through his father, Robert Oliver Minnick. I would be interested in finding any info on Wilbert and any family still living. I would like to know more about Wilbert's work on the Alyeska Pipeline in Wasilla, AK. Thank you! I look forward to sharing my family tree with any living relatives of Wilbert Jack Minnick.

Obituary: Rev. Paul David Curtis

pdcurtis — 2007-03-20 14:16:20Z

Rev. Paul David Curtis, age 71, of Stone Mountain, DeKalb Co., GA, died at his home Saturday, February 24, 2007. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Thelmarie Curtis; daughter and son-in-law, Shahna and Darren Duerksen of India; sons and daughter-in-law, Paul David Jr. and
Thomsa Curtis, of Livonia, MI, Gregory Curtis of Kansas City, MO; grandchildren, Ciera, Rebecca, Mariah, Isabella, Elizabeth, Michael, Ethan; nieces and nephews. Rev. Curtis was the son of Alonzo Harvey Curtis and Mildred Jeanette Higdon of Pearsall, Frio Co., Texas. He was the Grandson of
George William Curtis and Mary Hixie DeVilbiss and Jasper Emmet Higdon and Ruby Verna McGraw all of Pearsall, Frio Co., Texas . Rev. Curtis was a native of Pearsall, Frio Co., Texas and grew up in Anchorage and later Palmer, Matanuska-Susitna Co., Alaska where he attended the Palmer
Elementary School. He moved back to Pearsall, Frio Co., Texas in his teenage years where he grew up on a ranch outside of Pearsall. He was All State in Football and attended the University of Houston [Texas] on a Basketball
Scholarship. He transferred to Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie, Ellis Co., Texas and received his BA in ministry. He married Thelmarie "Thel" Alexander in Houston, Harris Co., Texas on November 12,1960 and they traveled extensively through out the world as a ministry and
missionary team. He was Director of Teen Challenge in Los Angeles and Chicago and Director of the CBN-700 Club in Atlanta, GA. He was a journalist, photographer, worked for several newspapers and taught high school and college journalism. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March
3 [2007]at 6pm at Wages Snellville Chapel [Snellville, Gwinnett Co., Georgia] with Rev. Roger Brumbalow, Rev. Dennis Lacy and Rev. Dave Hunt officiating. The family will receive friends Saturday from 4 until service time at the funeral home. Graveside services and burial will be held
Saturday, March 10 [2007] at 11am at Brookside Memorial Park, Houston,Harris Co., Texas. The family will receive friends Saturday, March 10 from 10am until service time. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Urban Ministries International, 465 Sherwood Circle, Stone Mountain, GA 30087, in memory of Rev. Paul David Curtis. Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, Inc., Snellville Chapel, 770-979-3200. www.wagesfuneralhome.com Published in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on 3/1/2007. ===== For further information,
please contact me, Thelmarie "Thel" Curtis at thelcurtis@ix.netcom.com or pdcurtis@ix.netcom.com

Raymond Haven Green

2006-10-06 08:19:28Z

Looking for information on Raymond Haven Green, b. 30 APR 1898 in Oklahoma; d. 15 oct 1961 in Palmer, Alaska; I believe buried in Anchorage. Any information on his death or family would be appreciated.

Re: Obit request: Clarence, Martin, and Thurman BETTS of Wasilla, AK

lierley — 2006-08-21 02:15:35Z

Hello, there is a BETTS family that lives near us. (also a street in Wasilla) Did you ever get your info? My email is incorrect it is articmom2000@yahoo.com.

Re: Palmer Cemetery online

2006-04-27 16:22:46Z

It will be nice to have someone to host a better AKMATANU rootsweb site. You can see my own Mat-Su research at:

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~coleen/south_centra...

Re: Palmer Cemetery online

2006-04-27 16:18:30Z

I have not done the Catholic cemetery. I have the one that is on Wasilla Fishhook Road already online, it's called Aurora, I just updated it last week.

Re: Palmer Cemetery online

GeneConnect — 2006-04-27 09:49:29Z

Hi Coleen!

Your name keeps popping up when I'm looking at the Alaska Gen pages. I'm also in Wasilla, and working toward my Certified Genealogist. I've written Ray Ensing and will be volunteering for this valley.

I notice you'd done work on three Palmer cemeteries. Are you or have you done any work on the Wasilla ones? I notice there is Sacred Heart, as well as the main Wasilla one up Fishhook Road.

So that I don't double your work, can we coordinate on these projects? I look forward to hearing from you.

CLESTER, in Wasilla, BIg Lake, 1949-59

2006-02-02 07:31:42Z

Does anyone remember the CLESTERS: Hal and Ethel, who lived in the Big Lake and Wasilla areas 1949-59,(maybe longer) Ethel died n 1959 and is buried in Palmer Cemetery.. I don't know about Hal after that.
Interested in corresponding with anyone who might have info..or know if there is a 'pioneer' biography around somewhere.
thanks

CLESTER, in Wasilla, BIg Lake, 1949-59

2006-02-02 07:31:30Z

Re: Pioneers/Colonists

2006-01-31 16:48:40Z

Thank you to Coleen for her wonderful web site which includes information about the colonization of the Matanuska Valley!

Pioneers

mjgene1 — 2006-01-31 05:54:10Z

Looking for information on the 1935 Pioneers. I believe my family (Nelson, Church, & Wanner) were among them. Is there a good web site to reference? What about a listing of the original settlers?

Pioneers

mjgene1 — 2006-01-31 05:17:58Z

Looking for information on the 1935 Pioneers. I believe my family (Nelson, Church, & Wanner) were among them. Is there a good web site to reference?

Anniversary of the Original Colonists in 1935

apeterson11 — 2005-12-20 02:22:52Z

2005 is the 70 year anniversary of the settling of the Matanuska Valley by the colonists from Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. Does anyone know if there will be any kind of celebration? My parents were part of this project and I was just an infant. Please let me know if any special activities are planned for this summer (2005). Thanks!

New Church

2005-04-18 06:28:56Z

Experienced United Methodist Pastor seeks to establish a non-denominational community church. If interested, email Rev. Clemens at Clemens 2@verizon.net.

Re: Anniversary of the Original Colonists in 1935

2005-02-14 04:09:04Z

Yes, the celebration takes place on June 10th,11th and 12th. Please contact Marcella Hartley @ (907)376-5552 or Wayne Bouwens @ (907)745-3681

Re: Anniversary of the Original Colonists in 1935

serkku — 2004-12-02 01:12:44Z

I can't find anything online at the moment that directly mentions a celebration of this anniversary. I suggest writing the Greater Palmer Chamber of Commerce, which also runs the Palmer Visitor's Center. They should know if anyone does!

Website: http://www.palmerchamber.org/
Email: info@palmerchamber.org

-- Mel (in Anchorage, AK)

Re: UPDATE -- Maxine DeVILBISS - Palmer, AK

pdcurtis — 2004-12-02 01:05:02Z

UPDATE INFORMATION -- Maxine DeVilbiss has been in contact with me. Thank you to everyone who tried to help. --

Re: Maxine DeVILBISS - Palmer, AK

pdcurtis — 2004-12-02 01:02:03Z

Thank you for your reply -- Maxine DeVilbiss has been in contact with me. -- Paul Curtis

Re: Maxine DeVILBISS - Palmer, AK

serkku — 2004-12-02 00:53:02Z

Paul, she is listed publicly in the phone book -- I will send her phone number to you by email.

-- Mel

Maxine DeVILBISS - Palmer, AK

2004-12-02 00:50:14Z

Ralph Paul DeVilbiss married Maxine Peabody on June 13, 1942 in Yakima, Washington. Ralph Paul DeVilbiss was the son of Clarence Raymond DeVilbiss and Nora May Stotts. My wife, Thelmarie, and I had the privilege of meeting Maxine DeVilbiss in July, 2004 in Palmer, Alaska where she lives. I am related to Maxine's late husband, Ralph Paul DeVilbiss. My Grandmother was Mary Hixie DeVilbiss Curtis. Her Father was Thomas Alexander DeVilbiss -- His Father was (Rev) John Wesley DeVilbiss - His Father was Alexander DeVilbiss. Ralph Paul DeVilbiss was descended from Alexander DeVilbiss also. We have lost Maxine DeVilbiss's email address. If you know Maxine DeVilbiss in Palmer, Alaska, please give her this email and ask her to contact me. -- Thanks -- Paul David Curtis -- pdcurtis@ix.netcom.com

Obit request: Mae (TRAFTON) OMARY, d. 20 Apr 1987, Wasilla, AK

KHam8156 — 2004-09-24 00:49:11Z

Looking for Obit for Irva Mae [Trafton } OMary
Born in Maine 07-04-1922, and she
Died in Wasilla, Matanuska Susitna, Ak on 04-20-1987.
Any help, greatly appreciated.

Thank you to Scott O'Mary

KHam8156 — 2004-09-24 00:47:52Z

Just wanted to send a BIG THANK YOU to Scott O'Mary for an answer to my posting.
Keith

Lookups offer (census only) for Matanuska-Susitna Borough

ahillcoat — 2004-09-24 00:47:07Z

I will do FREE lookups for Matanuska and counties in the lower 49 states.

Lookups offer: clarification

ahillcoat — 2004-09-24 00:46:13Z

I truly apologize to the users of this site but my offer
of free lookups was for census only. I will honor all
requests for other types of lookups made prior to 4/3/01.
Again I am sorry for not making myself clear.

Palmer Cemetery online

2004-09-24 00:45:37Z

I am in the process of gathering information on the three main cemeteries serving the Matanuska Valley. I have the first one done and posted on my web page at:
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~coleen
Just look for the cemetery link.

Mat-Su census (1900-1930) online

2004-09-24 00:44:55Z

Check out the 1900-1930 US Census for the Mat-Su area at:
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~coleen/matanuska_su...

Obit request: Clarence, Martin, and Thurman BETTS of Wasilla, AK

2004-09-24 00:43:45Z

Hello: I have 3 people found in the SSDI-all from Wasilla; would like to get obits if possible & find the cemetery name (not in thePalmer listing). Willing to pay for help.
Clarence BETTS (25 Dec 1907-Aug 1974)
Martin BETTS (14 Jan 1918-Feb 1982)
Thurman BETTS (14 Apr 1915-May 1976)
Thank you in advance...additional names welcome.
Dianna