Gertrude "Gertie" BIRLEW was born 1903-1904 Winona, Shannon Co., MO. Her family moved to Low Wassie, Shannon Co., MO. and Gertie went to work there for the Albert D. & Lois (COLLINS) SQUIRES family, helping to take care of the children.

The SQUIRES family relocated to Springfield, Greene Co., MO. about 1920. They wanted Gertie to go with them, live with them, and to continue working for them. She did so.

Gertie would take the train from Springfield to Low Wassie to visit her family on occasion. In 1921 she left Springfield for one of these visits home, but never arrived there, and she never returned to Springfield.

Nothing has ever been discovered about what became of Gertie. Out of the 10 sibling that Gertie had, there are still 2 of them living, and they so greatly wish to know what became of her. One of them is 94 years old, and she and Gertie were very close while growing up.

If you have any information about this disappearance, or any suggestions that might help to discover something, please email me direct. Any help will be so greatly appreciated.

Gloria (Birlew) Hursey
Ghursey2@aol.com