Why can’t I find record of my GGGrandFather’s death?
Stephen P. Williamson was born in 1856 Arkansas. I found him in a census in 1860 with his family there. I found him in 1876 when he married in Texas. I found him in 1880 with his wife and some of his children in Texas Montague. I was told by my Father he died in Del Rio, Texas and then his wife, my GGGrandMother Betty (Welch)Williamson moved on to Bisbee, AZ. But I cannot find any record of his death. I believe he would have to have died after 1919 according my findings.
Since Val Verede County is on the Mexican border, do you suppose that he could have died over the border in Mexico?
Wow, this family really is a challenge.
The first thing I found was a death certificate for Fonc Williamson, son of Steve Williamson and Betty Welch. He was born feb 19, 1883 in Arkansas and died May 4, 1940 in Wellbon, Yuma County, Arizona. I thought that this was a unique name so i thought i would try to follow him through the census. Here is a link to his death certificate:
http://genealogy.az.gov/azdeath/063/10630535.pdf
His name is mistranscribed in the World War I draft cards. He is indexed as "Ford" rather than Fonc. The cards were completed in 1917-1918 and he was in Cochise county, Arizona proving that he was in the state before 1920.
World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
about Ford Williamson
Name: Ford Williamson
City: Not Stated
County: Cochise
State: Arizona
Birth Date: 19 Feb 1882
Race: White
Roll: 1522348
DraftBoard: 0
I couldn’t find him in 1930, but I did find him living with his mother in 1920 in Cochise county, Arizona. Also in the house hold is his sister Maud. It clearly states that Mary E. (Betty a nickname for Elizabeth) is widowed.
Source Citation: Year: 1920;Census Place: McNeal, Cochise, Arizona; Roll: T625_46; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 9; Image: 800.
Indexed as Fanc S Williamson
Williamson, Fanc head male white 37 years old single born in Arkansas
Williamson, Mary E mother female white 60 years old widowed born in Texas
Williamson, Maud L sister female white 28 years old.
From this census, we would have to surmise that the family was there before 1920 and that Stephen P Williamson died prior to that.
I can’t find the family in 1910. I do find his brother Noat in Menard county, Texas with wife Belle and two kids Steven L. and Olie. Steven was born in New mexico in 1904 creating yet another place to look for answers.
Source Citation: Year: 1910; Census Place: Justice Precinct 6, Menard, Texas; Roll: T624_1574; Page: 9A; Enumeration District: 162; Image: 1331.
By the time of the World War I draft cards, Noat was in cochise county too with brother Lonc. His card was signed on September 12, 1918.
World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
about Noat Arch Williamson
Name: Noat Arch Williamson
City: Not Stated
County: Cochise
State: Arizona
Birth Date: 5 Nov 1879
Race: White
Roll: 1522348
DraftBoard: 0
Virgil was also there in Coshise county according to his draft card completed on the same day, September 12, 1918.
World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
about Virgil Mair Williamson
Name: Virgil Mair Williamson
City: Not Stated
County: Cochise
State: Arizona
Birth Date: 17 Jul 1884
Race: White
Roll: 1522348
DraftBoard: 0
As you can see, you have several different directions you can go in. I’m pretty well convinced that Stephen died before 1920 because it seems like his family was in Arizona by 1918.
I think that finding him in 1910 may be key. He is definitely in Val Verde in 1900. Source Citation: Year: 1900; Census Place: Justice Precinct 3, Val Verde, Texas; Roll: T623 1675; Page: 5B; Enumeration District: 75.
He is not indexed by first name because it is illegible, but Noat for example is indexed as Notie A and Betty is indexed as Elizabeth.
I could send you any of the images listed above if you would like to have them. Just e-mail me through my profile.
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