Hi,
My name is Dave Moore and I live in Washington, DC. After a family get-together recently, my relatives and I came to the realization that none of us really knew anything about our ancestry. The bad thing is, there aren't but two or three of the older members left in my family, and though they know a name here and a name there, THEY don't know our lineage before my great grandfather and great grandmother. Even my great grandparents' information is kind of sketchy but I believe it to be accurate. Anyway, we figured it was time someone tried to find out who and where our family came from. I guess I was elected....LOL
I've just begun my research and I honestly don't know what I'm doing, but a friend of mine told me about the Rootsweb message boards and the ones on GenWeb. I've gone to both already and posted a few messages, yet haven't had many responses so far - especially ones that have given me anything to go on. I'd certainly appreciate some help if you have any you can offer me.
I guess the best place to start is what I DO know about my family, which, isn't much. I know my dad was Curtis Moore Jr. and he was born in 1939 in Delbarton, WV - Mingo County. He had a brother named Greenway, and two sisters - Kay and Sandra.
My grandparents were Curtis Moore Sr. and Madge Evans. Someone posted to one of my queries asking me if my grandmother's name at birth could have been Eavins instead of Evans. Although I couldn't truthfully answer yes or no, I guess anything's possible, but as far as I know, it's Evans. Though I wrote and told them this, I never heard back from them.....LOL
Curtis Moore Sr. was born in 1915 and died in 1969 in Delbarton. My dad was named after his father and my Uncle Greenway was supposed to have been name after Curtis Sr.'s dad. Curtis Sr. had a sister named Dolly (Dollie) and she was married to a man with the surname Smyth.
My grandmother Madge (Evans) was born in 1923 and died in 1993. She had a sister named Virginia who lived in Delbarton also. I don't know if either Curtis Sr. or Madge had any more brothers or sisters other than the ones I just mentioned, but I figure they probably did.
The oral history of my family says that my great grandfather Moore was named Greenway Moore and that my great grandmother was named Hazel Baker. That's what the older folks say, anyway. Again, it could be true or not. I don't know one way or the other. Greenway was said to have been born in Mingo County. One of my older aunts says she believes he was born in Wayne County, WV instead. She also said she grew up hearing that the earlier family used to be in Lawrence County, KY.
Madge's parents are pretty much known to be James Evans and Welthy (Wealthy) Runyon. James' last name COULD also be spelled Eavins and Welthy's surname might also have been spelled Runyan or Runnion at one time.
A cousin of mine has a piece of paper that was given to her a couple of years ago that CLAIMS to know the names of my older ancestors. What it says is this:
Greenway Moore (b. circa 1892) - Parents are: Thomas Patterson Moore Jr. bn. 1834 and either Hannah Ross or Naomi (Naoma) Williamson.
Greenway's wife, Hazel Baker - Parents are: Joe Baker and Rebecca (Unknown).
Thomas Patterson Moore Jr. - Parents are: Thomas Patterson Moore Sr. (b. circa 1793) and Elizabeth Stephenson (bn. circa 1802).
Hannah Ross, Parents are: Elihue "Hugh" Ross and Delilah Waggoner.
Naoma (Naomi) Williamson - Parents are: Wiley Williamson and Letie (Lettie, Letty) Cook.
I know this all very confusing - at least it is to me. Every time I look at it for very long my head begins to spin. My wife says that that's because my head isn't securely attached to my shoulders in the first place...LOL
Let me just list everyone in sections, which might be a little easier to read and understand. It will begin with my dad, Curtis Moore Jr., and be seen from MY perspective.
This is what I know for CERTAIN:
Father: Curtis Moore Jr.
Grandparents: Curtis Moore Sr. and Madge Evans
G Grandparents: Greenway Moore and Hazel Baker, James Evans and Welthy Runyon
---------------------------------------------------------------
The following people HAVE NOT BEEN confirmed as being in my direct lineage:
GG Grandparents: Thomas P. Moore. Jr. and (either) Hannah Ross or Naomi Williamson, Joe Baker and Rebecca Unknown (Don't know about the Evans or the Runyon families)
GGG Grandparents: Thomas Patterson Moore Sr. and Elizabeth Stephenson, Hugh Ross and Delilah Waggoner, Wiley Williamson and Letie Cook
I'm sure I've botched that attempt to make things "a little easier" and have succeeded only in complicating matters further for you all. But hey, folks, I did say I was an amateur - and now you've seen that firsthand....LOL Let me just say this: If any of these people look familiar to you and you can tell me whether I'm headed in the right direction or not, please do. Otherwise, I'll just be sitting here spinning my wheels and continuing to go nowhere fast.
I HAVE attempted to verify certain things, and I can't. I've sent for the birth certificates of some of these people but was told that many were so long ago that birth records weren't issued at that time. I've tried to get the death certificates of some but find that, for one ridiculous reason or another, I can't get those PARTICULAR certificates. It kind of seems like the deck is stacked against me every time I turn around.
Anyway, thanks so much for listening to such a long, drawn out plea for help, and again, I sure appreciate whatever information you can offer me. You can reach me directly at:
TheSpiritFarmer@aol.comBlessings to you and yours,
Dave