My GGrandmother was Lena M. Zieseniss, she was born October 24, 1891 in Cowgill, Missouri. Her mothers name was Mary Elizabeth but she went by Bettie sometimes, not sure of her maiden name. I believe that her father may have been Martin Luther Zieseniss. Since birth records for that period are not available I am looking for someone that may have some addition information. Does anyone know if a Zieseniss Family bible may exist? I am not sure what church the family may have attended, maybe someone out there may have some ideas?

I assume you have the marriage information that shows Lena M. Zieseniss, age 19 married Harry C. Shores, age 23, Feb 18, 1911, in Jackson County, Missouri. This marriage information is from Missouri Marriage Records, 1805-2002 on www.Ancestry.com.
On the Social Security Death Index there is the following:
Name: Lena Shores, SSN: 496-28-9980, Last Residence: 63383 Warrenton, Warren, Missouri, USA, Born: 24 Oct 1891, Died: Feb 1980, State (Year) SSN issued: Missouri (Before 1951).This also is from www.Ancestry.com.
Perhaps you can obtain a copy of her death certificate which should show her mother's maiden name, that is if the informant giving the information for the death certificate knew this information regarding Lena's birth mother and father. Hope this helps in some way.
Janice

You may already have this information. It appears that your Lena M. is living with Mary E. & Fenton Cullumber. Mary E. & Fenton were married about 1897. Lena is living with them and is listed as a step-daughter. [So possibly Mary E.'s first husband died?] They lived in Caldwell County in 1900 and later moved to Miller County, Missouri.

Martin Luther Zieseness appears to go by Luther, he is living with his twin brother Henry & sister Lena in the 1900 census. He is listed as "widowed". His sister Lena's real name is Mary M (from Henry Ziesness bio).

It appears Luther remarried about 1901 to a Mary; in 1910 Ada is living with them, listed as daughter, born in 1896. [His death certificate indicates an Ada Stephenson was the informant-possibly his daughter?] Ada lived with an uncle in the 1900 census in Caldwell County.

If Luther is your Lena M's father, you would think she would have moved back in with him when Ada moved back when Luther was remarried???

I'm not related to this family, just had a little bit of information. Good luck!

I'm thinking that the Lena Zieseniss living with Fenton & Mary Cullumber on the 1900 Caldwell County, MO census is Luther's daughter. She is shown as Fenton's step-daughter and he and Mary had only been married for 3 years in 1900. I wonder if there is a divorce record for Mary and Luther?

I did find a marriage record on ancestry that is probably that of Luther and Mary.

Name: M. L. Zusines
Spouse: Mary E. Bryant
Marriage Date: 18 Dec 1890
County: Ray
State: MO

Jeanne

This website has a death certificate for Fenton Cullumber showing that he died in Excelsior Springs, MO in 1941. His wife, Mary Elizabeth was still living.

http://www.sos.mo.gov/archives/resources/birthdeath/

Jeanne

As Fenton Cullumber died in Excelsior Springs, Mo in 1941, I find a marriage license in Lafayette County, Mo issued to John Roach of Excelsior Springs, Clay, Missouri, over 21 yrs, Excelsior Springs, Mo and Mary E. Cullumber, over 18 yrs, Excelsior Springs, Mo and they were married March 18, 1943 in Lafayette County, Missouri. Maybe Mary remarried after Fenton's death.