James Family Archives News and Developments
Larry James, Senior Research Historian - Sunday, February 28, 2021:
We have been informed by Connie Lynn James of Inola, Oklahoma of the passing of her
niece, Markayla Hope James, on February 23, 2021, following a long standing heart
condition. Markayla was born on August 28, 2000, to Marc and Karyl McMillin James
of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She was the granddaughter of Melvin N. James (1923-2013)
of Miami, Ottawa County, Oklahoma and a descendant of George Washington James (1869-1944)
of Arcadia, Kansas and Arizona Dameron (1883-1960) of White House, Kentucky. Markayla
was best described by her good friend Katelynn Bannister as, "an amazing friend.
Being so smart and beautiful, she was someone I always looked up to in high school.
When I think of Markayla I think of late night football games and hours and hours
of band practice. I think of how she always came to visit us, no matter how busy
in college she was. I think of the amazing light she spread to anyone she was near.
Markayla came from the Virginia Line of the James family which originated in Bedford
County, Virginia. Markayla’s obituary can found at Dignity Memorial of Oklahoma City.
Larry James, Senior Research Historian - Saturday, February 27, 2021:
That sounds like a fantastic idea Lynn. Let us see if we can gather up all the stakeholders
in the preservation of Radnor United Methodist Church together over a Zoom meeting
in the near future and pool our ideas and resources. This past week I have spoken
with District Superintendent, Rev. Evelyn Kent Clark for the Eastern Pennsylvania
Conference of the United Methodist Church. I have also spoken with the new pastor
at Radnor UMC, Rev. Michael Johnson as well as David Deblius of AmeriSpec Inspection
Services. They have given the green light for David and his team to return to Radnor
UMC to inspect the roof of the historic church building and work up an estimate for
the replacement of the roof to its original historic appearance with cedar shakes.
We have much to discuss at our family Zoom meeting tomorrow at 4:00 pm, Pacific
Time. See you there!
Lynn Ellis, Vice President, Radnor Historical Society - Friday, February 26, 2021:
Hello, Larry! Today I talk to David Tatgenhorst, pastor of St. Luke's Methodist Church
in Bryn Mawr...the next town over. He thought we should put a Community Board together
for our project to save the Church. There is a local woman who has an office in
RUMC who also wants to save the Church. I think the Board would be able to bring
local people together for the cause so people will not be spinning their wheels &/or
overlapping efforts. So this is our new project. I told him what the James Family
is doing & he was very happy & relieved about that. Let me know if you'd like to
reach out to David. Thank you for all you do, Lynn
Al McLemore - Fairfield, California - Wednesday, February 24, 2021:
Steve, I am located just down the road from [Larry] in Fairfield CA. My youngest
brother, Kevin, is our family historian and he has done yeoman work in researching
both sides of our family. The job that I have taken on is to try and put all of
this information into a readable format…which is turning out to be a much bigger
challenge than I first imagined. However, I am becoming more competent at delving
into the Internet and gleaning information from my computer! I can provide you with
what I have on my mother, Alice Ann James. The son of her sister, Juanita James,
lives in Santa Barbara, CA and I can see if he wants to be involved. Thanks for
yours and Larry’s response. Cheers, Al McLemore
Larry James, Senior Research Historian - Friday, February 19, 2021:
The James Family Archives has scheduled its Virtual Winter Family Meeting via Zoom!
This will be a nationwide gathering of the family over Zoom on Sunday, February 28,
2021, 4PM Pacific Time (7PM Eastern Time - U.S. & Canada). Special guests include
Reverend Joseph DiPaolo, Senior Pastor of Wayne United Methodist Church in Pennsylvania
and David Debelius, Inspector and Owner of AmeriSpec Inspection Services who will
be providing us an update on our ongoing efforts toward the historic preservation
of Radnor United Methodist Church. We will also have reports on fundraising efforts
and special projects being pursued by the James Family Archives. If you wish to receive
an invitation with an online address and passcode, send your request to info@jamesfamilyarchives.net.
In the subject box enter, "Me Too." Instructions on how to join our nationwide meeting
will then be sent to you!
Larry James, Senior Research Historian - Monday, February 15, 2021:
We have been informed by Dr. Douglas B. Cook of Weatherford, Oklahoma of the passing
of his maternal aunt, Deloris Sandra McCrary Merriman on February 8, 2021 in Ardmore,
Oklahoma. Deloris, or “Sandy” as she was known by her immediate family, was born
on March 9, 1950 in Vinita, Craig County, Oklahoma and was the third of three children
of Lola B. James (1918-1996) of Big Cabin, Craig County, Oklahoma and the only child
from Lola’s union with William Clifford McCrary (1908-1962) of Eastland, Eastland
County, Texas. Sandy graduated from Capitol Hill High School in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
in 1968. She married Andy Merriman on July 28, 1972. She was a hairdresser for
thirty-one years and then owned and operated her own flower shop in Newcastle, Oklahoma.
She was recently preceded in death by her sister Rebecca Suzanne Hicks Higgins (1937-2020),
the mother of Dr. Cook, on December 8, 2020. Sandy is survived by her older brother
Roy Leon Hicks of Grove, Oklahoma, many loved ones and friends. This side of the
family descends from George Washington James (1812-1864) and Elizabeth West of Bedford
County, Virginia through their grandson George Washington James (1869-1944) of Arcadia,
Kansas and Emma M. Logston (1872–1919). The children of Lola B. James represent the
side of the family that migrated from Pennsylvania to Virginia following the Revolutionary
War and then onward to Kansas and Oklahoma during the great westward migrations of
1849. Thank you Dr. Cook for notifying us of your aunt and mother’s recent passing.
Much work was accomplished during 2020 on this side of the family with the help
of Donna Hicks Williams of Mulvane, Kansas.
Larry James, Senior Research Historian - Friday, February 12, 2021:
Back on November 8, 2020, Janetrose Sue Frederick of Des Moines, Iowa sent us some
very interesting photos of her great grandfather Lowen Lewis James (1875-1907). We
have finally been able to circle back around and follow-up with Janetrose concerning
her generous contribution. Lowen Lewis James was the second of five children of
Israel B. James (1850-1924) of Hardin County, Ohio and Elizabeth Ann Capehart (1844-1933)
of Harrison County, Ohio. This side of the James family descends from Evan James
(1715-1794) and Margaret Jones (-1790) of Radnor Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania
through their son Samuel James (1750-1812) and represents the side of the family
that migrated from Pennsylvania into the Ohio Valley. Thank you Janetrose for your
contribution. We look forward to learning more about your side of the family.
Larry James, Senior Research Historian - Tuesday, February 9, 2021:
We have been informed by Sean James of San Antonio, Texas of the passing of his mother,
Laura Jane Lollar James on January 21, 2021. Laura, or “Jane” as she was known by
her immediate family, was born November 25, 1941 in Abilene, Texas to Grover Loyal
Lollar (1911-1977) and Ruth Pauline Merritt (1914-2011). She was also the wife of
the late Carlton Dwayne James (1936-2011) of Trent, Taylor County, Texas. Jane was
a beloved wife and mother. She was very active in her Church and is survived by
her biological son Michael Sean James and her three adopted children, Tamara James
Doty, Shara Joann James Ozuna and Christopher Johnathan James; by her siblings, Gene
Lollar, David Lollar, Sallie O’Carroll and Paul Lollar; by her grandchildren, Ashlynn
Long, Corey, Natalia, and Tiffany James; by her great-grandchildren, Claire, Piper,
and Blake Long; and by her loving family members and friends. Jane’s husband, Carlton
Dwayne James, was the son of Marvin Leftrich James (1895-1969) and Eula Georgia Maynard
(1898-1959). This James family’s genealogy can be located on Page 81 of the Genealogy
Section, Children of Marvin Leftrich James (1895-1969) of Hunt County, Texas and
Eula Georgia Maynard (1898-1959) of Forrester, Terry County, Texas. Laura Jane James”
virtual memorial can be located on the Find-A-Grave website at Memorial ID No. 222518462.
There, members of the family can pay their respects, read her obituary, place virtual
flowers or leave a message.
Larry James, Senior Research Historian - Monday, February 8, 2021:
Thank you Steve for clearing up the error on Page 56 concerning the photo of Sarah
(James) Tindle (1834-1913). I am very grateful to Al McLemore of Edmond, Oklahoma
for bringing this to our attention. I agree with you, it is always wonderful to meet
another James family cousin who shares our passion for accurately recording our family’s
history. Over the weekend the following additions to our Library and Genealogy Sections
were also made. These are a tribute to our late cousin, Teddy "Ted" Edward Luke
(1924-2013), formerly of Lafayette, California - a James family historian whom in
the 1990’s was responsible for organizing the bi-annual James family reunion in Pleasant
Hill, California for the descendants of George Washington James, Jr. (1846-1919)
of Bedford County, Virginia and Alice Ann Burcham (1865-1944). In memory of all the
incredible work of Ted Luke we have added the following pages to our James Family
Archives website: Page 179 in the Library Section - George Washington James Family
Reunion & Picnic, City Park, Pleasant Hill, California (June 29, 1996); and, Page
230 in the Genealogy Section - Children of Maggie Alma James (1893-1978) of Mulberry,
Crawford County, Kansas and Edward “Ted” Luke (1882-1969) of Bayonne, Hudson County,
New Jersey.
Steve James, Senior Research Historian - Friday, February 5, 2021:
The lady in the photo that is referred to [on Page 56] as the “mother of George,
Jr. and Noah” is not correct. She is Sarah (James) Tindle (1834-1913). She was the
sister of George, Jr. and Noah. She died at Arcadia, Kansas but is buried with her
husband in Andrew County, Missouri. I am somewhat familiar with [Al McLemore], the
person who has corresponded with you. He is the cousin of Reba Ward whom I corresponded
with many years ago . I am glad we have another cousin who has located the Archives.
Hope everything in going well with you.
Larry James, Senior Research Historian - Friday, February 5, 2021:
Thank you for your letter Al. We am familiar with your line and aware that your
mother, Alice Ann James, was the daughter of Walter William James (1896-1963) of
Mulberry, Crawford County, Kansas. The picture you are referring to is believed
to be that of George Washington James, Jr. (1846-1919), his wife Alice Ann Burcham
(1865-1944) and brother Noah James (1850-1928) standing behind their mother Elizabeth
West. This photo appears on Page 56 of the Genealogy Section in our website under
the Children of George Washington James, Sr. (1812-1864); Elizabeth West of Bedford
County, Virginia; and, Martha Patsy Whoberry (1829-1879) of Mercer County, Kentucky.
It was provided to us by Steve James of Fort Worth, Texas. Based on the period
clothing and the manner in which the four are groomed, we estimate the photo to have
been taken between 1890 and 1900. This means that George is likely to be between
the ages of 44 and 54. Alice is likely to be between the ages of 27 and 37; and
Noah is likely to be between the ages of 40 and 50. Elizabeth is estimated to be
between the ages of 70 and 80. You are correct there is a striking resemblance between
this photo and the photo of Mary Susan (James) Claunch (1836-1905), the older sister
of George Washington James, Jr., appearing on the same page. You raise a very good
question whether the photo of Elizabeth West with her children is, more likely than
not, a photo of Mary Susan Claunch with her younger siblings. You rightly point
out that Elizabeth West is reported to have died circa 1850 before the family reached
Missouri. Furthermore, George Washington James, Sr. had already entered into his
second marriage by 1855 to Martha Patsy Whoberry (1829-1879) of Mercer County, Kentucky.
It's highly unlikely that G.W., Sr. would have brought an ex-wife with him from
Kentucky along with his second wife to Missouri. I will forward your inquiry to
Steve for his opinion. Steve is much more knowledgeable about this side of the family
and the photos in question.
Al McLemore - Fairfield, California - Thursday, February 4, 2021:
Hello. My mother was Alice Ann James, grandfather was Walter William James, great-grandfather
was George Washington James Jr. While researching my family history, I came across
this photo [Genealogy Section, Page 56] in the James Family Archives. The picture
identifies George Washington James Jr. and Alice Ann Burcham, my great-grandparents.
It also identifies the older woman seated as Elizabeth West, their mother. This
would make her my great-great grandmother. However, my previous research led me
to believe that Elizabeth West died in about 1854 during the family’s move from Virginia
to Missouri. So my question is “how sure are you that the woman pictured is, in
fact, Elizabeth West? (the mother of George Washington James Jr. and the wife of
George Washington James Sr.) Thank you for any help that you can provide. Regards,
Al McLemore.
Larry James, Senior Research Historian - Wednesday, February 3, 2021:
Thank you Jean for sharing with us the passing of Dorothy Seibel Davidson (1923-2021),
the daughter of Dorothy Dudley Seibel (1896-1989), and the granddaughter of Lena
Thompson James Dudley (1871-1952). Dorothy was born in Hannibal, Missouri on August
14, 1923 to Dorothy Dudley and Frank Seibel. She served during World War II in the
Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) and lived a remarkable life
following the war. Dorothy died in Estero, Lee County, Florida on January 21, 2021
at the age of 97. She was buried at Providence Cemetery in Marion County, Missouri.
Her virtual memorial can be located on the Find-A-Grave website at Memorial ID No.
221502081. There, members of the family can pay their respects, read her obituary,
see her grave and place virtual flowers or leave a message. Dorothy was a descendant
of Major Asa James (1821-1909), Confederate States Army, of Loudoun County, Virginia
and Susan Virginia Clayton (1828-1908) of Marion County, Missouri. She was also
the niece of U.S. Navy Rear Admirals James Rogers Dudley (1898-1993) and Clayton
Rodes Dudley (1904-1995). Her James family genealogy can be traced beginning at
Page 228 of the Genealogy Section of our website under Children of Lena Thompson
James (1871-1952) and Claudius Cabell Dudley (1870-1933) of Marion County, Missouri.
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