USA > Minnesota > Wright County > History of Wright County, Minnesota > Part 31
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61
268
HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY
steaded the land where a part of St. Paul now stands, and her father, Joseph Pepin, was one of the first white children born in Fort Snelling.
Harry Allen, soldier, traveler and guide, is one of the notable figures in Annandale life. He has done service on the bloody battlefields of two continents, and has had experiences sneh as seldom fall to the lot of man. He was born in Onondaga, N. Y., January 10, 1840, son of John and Sarah Allen. John Allen was a fisherman on the Great Lakes, and from the time he was able to handle a net until he was sixteen years old, Harry Allen worked with him. Then he started out for himself as a sailor on the Great Lakes. He was thus engaged when the Civil war broke ont. He first enlisted in the First Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and when his term there had expired, in the Seventeenth Wiseon- sin Volunteer Infantry. Among the engagements in which he participated may be mentioned the battles of Corinth, Champion Hills, Vieksburg, Trinity, Big Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta (July 21, 24 and 28), Jonesboro, Lovejoy Station, Millidgeville, Savannah, Columbia, Charleston, Kingston, Ben- tonville and Raleigh. He was wounded in the left leg at the Round-Away Bayou, Louisiana; and at Atlanta he was wounded in the left leg and the left arm, and lost his left eye. In 1865 he again became a sailor on the Great Lakes. This oeenpation he followed until 1880, when he opened a repair shop in Chicago. It was in 1882 that he went to Egypt and enlisted in the English army for seven months under "Chinese" Gordon. The faet that he had been sent with the siek to Cairo saved him from being destroyed with his company at the battle of Khartoum. After his term of enlistment expired he again returned to Chicago and condneted a repair shop. In 1887 he came to St. Paul and found employment in the lumber woods in the northern part of the state. His residenee in Wright county dates from 1896, sinee which time he has been a guide and a keeper of a resort. Mr. Allen was married in 1891 to Viola Lee, daughter of William and Betsy Lee, of Cokato, this county. Mrs. Allen died in 1902, leaving three children: Caroline, Benjamin and Harry.
Martin Koepke, now deceased, was for many years one of the respected and substantial citizens of Albion township. He was born in Germany, November 13, 1858, and was there reared and edueated. In 1878 he set out for America to seek his fortune in the new country. By working hard and saving his money he was enabled in 1880 to purchase eighty acres in section 34, Albion township. Ile cleared all the land, built a log house 16 by 24, with a shingled roof and board floor, and became in time a successful farmer. Ile died March 27, 1897, and his death was sincerely mourned. Mr. Koepke was married October 27, 1881, to Caroline Schultz, who was born in Germany April
MR. AND MRS. PATRICK BUTLER
269
HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY
18, 1865, and came to America with Michael Ferchmien, a family friend. Mr. and Mrs. Koepke had eight children. Hulda, the oldest, died in infancy. Rudolph was born February 26, 1887. Reinhold was born JJanuary 28, 1889. Hledwig was born in August, 1893; Olga died in 1903; Martin was born July 27, 1897; Robert and Martha died in infaney. Rudolph and Reinhold are both successful farmers of this township. Hedwig was married January 1, 1911, to William Uecker, and they have two children ; Edwin and William. Mrs. Caroline (Schultz) Koepke was mar- ried in October, 1899, to Fred Uecker, and they live in seetion 27, Albion township. They have four children: Bernard, born August 6, 1900; Esther, born June 2, 1903; Olga, born May 15, 1906, and Annie, born July 26, 1909.
Rudolph Koepke, an energetic young farmer of Albion town- ship, was born on the old homestead in section 34, son of Martin and Caroline (Schultz) Koepke. He attended the district schools, was reared to farm pursuits and remained with his parents, and after his father's death took charge of the home place with his brother Reinhold. In 1913 he bought his present place of 120 acres in sections 26 and 23, where he carries on general farming and stock raising in a successful manner. Mr. Koepke was mar- ried, September 20, 1911, to Tina Elfmann, and they have a son, Alvin, born February 11, 1913. Tina Elfmann is the daughter of Edward and Molly (Kranz) Elfmann, of section 36, Albion township. Mr. Elfmann died February 26, 1915.
Patrick Butler came to Wright county in 1860, and preempted 160 acres in seetion 27, Maple Lake township. He erected a log house, 10 by 14 feet, with a bark roof and a board floor, and started to clear the land. During the maple sugar season the Indians camped around the house, their teepees covering many acres. When the news came of the Indian uprising the family fled to Monticello for safety. So great was the fright that they left their lamp burning on the table. After the danger was over they returned and again took up their work of developing the farm. Patrick Butler died in 1886 at the age of sixty-one. His wife, Catherine Malone, died in Maple Lake village in 1909. In the family there were seventeen children. James, Mary, Mar- garet, Elizabeth, Thomas, Catherine, Patrick, Della, Jennie, Lucy and Ellen are alive, and William (first), Catherine, Patrick, Franeis, John and William (second) are dead. James lives in Albion township. He married Julia O'Loughlin, and they have three children, Catherine S., Mary Lillian and Paul Francis. Mary is the wife of Henry Gorman, of Maple Lake, and they have eleven children : William, Joseph, Patrick, Annie, Mary, Virginia, Catherine, Lillian, Esther, Genevieve and Earl. Mar- garet is the widow of John Moore. Elizabeth is now the wife of G. A. Cunningham. of Spokane, Wash., and they have four chil-
270
HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY
dren : Luella, who is living, and Lillian, Clarenee and Catherine, who are dead. Thomas lives in Spokane, Wash .; Catherine, Patrick and Della live in Maple Lake, the last named being assistant eashier in the Maple Lake State Bank. Jennie lives in Crosby, N. D., and Luey lives in Maple Lake. Ellen is the wife of James Woodfill, of Maple Lake, and has two children, Franeis and Catherine.
James Butler, a respected farmer of Albion township, was born near Davenport, Iowa, July 22, 1857, oldest of the seventeen children of Patriek and Catherine (Malone) Butler, the early settlers. He attended the distriet schools, learned farming from his father, and remained at home until twenty-seven years of age. In 1884 he started out for himself by purchasing eighty aeres in seetion 1, Albion township. No house had at that time been ereeted. He developed the place and put up a frame house 16 by 26, with a good basement, a barn 36 by 40, with eighteen- foot posts, several sheds and some neat fences. He can house twenty-four head of cattle, six horses and forty tons of hay. In 1891 he bought forty aeres more, and this he has likewise developed. He carries on general farming, and makes a specialty of Poland China hogs and Plymouth Roek and Rhode Island Red chiekens. Aside from being a sneeessful agrieulturist, Mr. Butler is a popular fraternity man and has been secretary of the Catholie Order of Foresters at Maple Lake. Mr. Butler was married January 6, 1897, to Julia O'Loughlin, daughter of James and Catherine (Shea) O'Loughlin, the pioneers, and they have three children : Catherine S., born October 24, 1897 ; Mary Lillian, born September 18, 1899, and Paul Franeis, born November 18, 1902.
James O'Loughlin, retired, now living in Maple Lake village, was born in County Claire, Ireland, February 15, 1836. In 1853 he came to America, and was for several years employed on publie works in Ohio, Illinois and Pennsylvania. It was in 1860 that he came to Wright county and settled on eighty aeres of railroad land in seetion 31, Maple Lake township. The land was covered with timber, and in its development Mr. O'Loughlin underwent all the toils and privations of pioneer life. He eleared, grubbed and broke the land and brought it to a high stage of cultivation. As time progressed he ereeted suitable buildings, and to his original eighty aeres he added another eighty. For many years he sueeessfully followed general farming and beeame a prominent man in the community. In 1911 he retired, purchased two lots in Maple Lake village, and ereeted the pretty cottage where he now resides. While living in the township he was supervisor of the town for two years. Ile also served on the school board of his distriet. His family faith is that of St. Tim- othy Roman Catholic Church. Mr. O'Laughlin was married in 1864 to Catherine Shea. To this union there were born ten
MR. AND MRS. S. B. HOWARD
271
HISTORY OF WRIGIIT COUNTY
children : Mary (deceased), Annie, Cecelia, Catherine, Agnes, Julia, Sarah, John, James (deceased), and Bernard. Catherine (Shea) O'Loughlin died and Mr. O'Loughlin married Mary Sullivan.
Martin C. Hackbarth, a substantial resident of Albion town- ship, was born in Germany, January 13, 1861, son of Wilhelm and Wilhelmina (Ristow) Hackbarth. He was reared in Ger- many, and came to America in 1879. For three years he worked in New York. Then he came to Wright county and for one year lived in Howard Lake. It was in 1884 that he eame to Albion township and secured sixty-eight acres in section 15. The tract was covered with timber, no clearing had been made, and no buildings had been constructed. He erected a log house, 16 by 30 feet, with a shingle roof and a board floor. He also built a log barn 16 by 24 feet. Ile started with a cow, two pigs and ten chickens. He purchased a pair of steers and broke them to assist in the farm work. By hard work he has prospered, and he now has as good a farm as is to be found in the township. Mr. Hackbarth was married November 15, 1881, to Angusta Bobrow- ski, danghter of John and Sophia (Yonke) Bobrowski, farmers of Vietor township. Mr. and Mrs. Hackbarth were the parents of fourteen children. Wilhelm assists in operating the home farm. Ile married Martha Newmann, and has two children. Marie married Peter Sehoen. Emma married Benjamin Hartman. Bertha married Albert Neusteller, who died March 6, 1915. Henry is in South Dakota. Ida is at home. Emil, Martha and August are in North Dakota. Karl, Ernest, Lillie and Margaret are at home. One died in infancy. The mother of these children died March 3, 1905.
Samuel B. Howard, an influential resident of Albion town- ship, was born near Brewer, Me., November 2, 1833, of English ancestry. His father, Jesse F. Howard, was born in Maine, June 11, 1804, and devoted his early life to lumbering. In 1863 he came to section 2, Albion township, and took a homestead. He died in 1881. His wife was Martha Robishaw. Samuel B. How- ard was reared in Maine, and from his earliest childhood was interested in the lumber business. As early as when he was twelve years old he started work in a shingle mill, and from then until 1856 he was in the himber business in Maine continuously, in the mills, in the woods and on the rivers. In 1856 he went to Forest, Mich., where he followed the same line of industry until 1865. In that year to eame to Minnesota and bought fifty-seven acres in section 2, Albion township, from his father, who had previously located here. Samuel B. Howard was a true pioneer, and was intimately acquainted with many of the prominent characters of the early days. At one time he was in the employ of Major Morrill, at the Crow Wing Agency, and frequently met
272
HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY
Hole-in-the-Day and other famous Chippewas. He had an under- standing of Indian character and never had any trouble with them. He cleared up his place in Albion township, using an ox team for seven years. His first home was a log house, 18 by 28 feet, with a board floor and a roof of oak shakes. He still lives on his original elaim. He has developed and improved it, erected good buildings and brought it to a high stage of cultivation. Mr. Howard is known far and wide as a hunter. In the early days he used a Smith & Wesson earbine. Now he uses a Henry rifle, a sixteen shot pump gun, and the young men eagerly come to him to learn the fine points of deer hunting. In the early days he usually killed from eighty to ninety-five deer each fall. The eustomary price he received from the saddles of venison was ten eents a pound. In recent years he has killed as many as the law allows. In the fall of 1913, at the age of eighty, he brought down a splendid buek which was the envy and admiration of the younger hunters. He has also taken a deep interest in township matters, and for twelve years served as road overseer. Mr. Howard was married February 13, 1862, to Christina Lansear, danghter of Joseph and Mary Ann Lansear, who came from New York state and located in Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Howard have had ten children. Aliee is the wife of William Perkins, who lives in South Side township, about three miles from South Haven. Jarvis lives at Lewis, Wis. William lives about three miles north- west from Annandale. Rolie lives on the home farm. Arthur also lives on the home farm. Dora married Milton Smith, and died in 1895 at the age of twenty-six, leaving two children. The other four died in infancy.
Staven Cowett, a highly esteemed resident of Albion town- ship, was born in Hennepin county, this state, October 30, 1864, son of Isaae and Susan (Goodwin) Cowett. Isaae Cowett eame to Minneapolis from Canada in 1852. In 1876 he eame to Wright county, eamping the first night on the present site of the court- house at Buffalo. He came to Chatham township and bought 160 aeres on the banks of Rock Lake. The traet was entirely cov- ered with woods. He ereeted a cabin of hewed logs, twelve feet high, set on end. The roof was of "shakes," while the lower floor was of basswood slabs. The furniture was manufactured on the place. The plow used in breaking was brought from Minneapolis, a wooden-toothed harrow was improvised from small trees and saplings. Gradually, however, the country was settled up, the comforts and conveniences of life were available, and the family prospered. Twelve boys and ten girls were born, thirteen of whom are now living. Of these children, Staven was the fifth. With the rest of the family he went through the privations of pioneer life, and has many interesting tales to tell of the early days. He tells with special relish the story of the
STAVEN COWETT AND FAMILY
-
MR. AND MRS. SAMUEL RAICHE
273
HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY
time when as a fourteen-year-old boy, he and another boy, John Haverty, went to a dance with but one pair of shoes between them, taking turns at using the shoes, while the other waited. Mr. Cowett worked at home until some time after attaining his majority, and then worked around on different farms for some four years. In 1891 he bought forty acres in section 25, Albion township. He eleared this land and ereeted a cabin 16 by 20 feet, of hewed logs, with a shingled roof and basswood floor. The furniture was homemade. Fortunately he had a cow. But it was three years before he got a team and six years before he seenred a wagon. By working early and late and giving to his farm work his best energy and intelligence, he has now reaped that measure of success that he so riehly deserves. He owns 165 acres of good land, has a house 16 by 24 feet, with fourteen foot posts, and a 16 by 24 feet ell, a large barn, and the usual sheds and the like. He carries about thirty-seven eattle through- out the year and does considerable dairying. In addition to this he devotes considerable time to raising Poland China and Jersey Red hogs, Plymouth Roek and Buff Orpington chickens, and bronze turkeys. Mr. Cowett was married December 30, 1889, to Barbara Hessel, born in New York June S, 1873, daughter of John and Barbara (Ertelhardt) Hessel, early settlers. Mr. and Mrs. Cowett have had six children : Matilda, John, Mary, Rose, Helen and Joseph. Matilda lives at Plenty Wood, Mont. She was born August 6, 1890; was married June 14, 1911, to James Crosby, and has one son, Gerald, born April 25, 1912. John was born January 9, 1892; Mary was born September 14, 1893; Rose was born May 24, 1894; Ilelen was born April 24, 1897; and Joseph was born April 15, 1899. The family are members of the Catholic Church.
Samuel Raiche, an extensive land owner and leading eitizen of Albion township, was born in Canada, October 26, 1844, son of Ameble and Adelaide (Intra) Raiche. He was reared and edueated in Canada. and at the age of twenty-one came to the United States and secured employment making railroad ties in St. Joseph, Mo. Then he did railroad work out of St. Paul for a year. In 1867 he came to this county and lived three years on a farm one mile and a half east of Buffalo. At the expiration of this period he bought forty acres in section 35, Albion town- ship. Ile erected a log house, 16 by 20 feet, with a shingled roof and a board floor, and began to establish his fortunes. He worked hard early and late, he put his best energy and intelligence into his toil, from time to time he added to his possessions, and as his means permitted he ereeted modern buildings. He now owns 400 acres of as good land as is to be found in the township. The land is well tilled, the fences and buildings are well kept, the live stock is of good breeds, and everything about the place
274
HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY
bespeaks the thrift, hard work and modern ideas of the owner. Mr. Raiehe was married July 22, 1873, to Bridget Doherty, dangh- ter of Patriek and Ellen (Flaherty) Doherty, of Minneapolis. Mrs. Raiehe died October 14, 1906, leaving seven children: John, born January 17, 1876; Samuel J., born October 20, 1878; Franeis, born June 8, 1880; Mary, born March 12, 1882; Margaret, born October 19, 1883; Edwin, born October 30, 1885; Elizabeth, born December 15, 1887. The family worships at St. Charles Roman Catholic Church in Chatham township.
John A. Raiche, an enterprising farmer of Albion township, was born in Canada November 2, 1855, son of Ameble and Ade- laide (Jutra) Raiche. At the age of sixteen John A.' came to Concord, N. II., and started work in a briek yard. It was in 1872 that he came to Wright county. The following year he purchased forty acres in seetion 35, Albion township, but at onee went north to the pine country and for seven years was engaged in the timber woods winters, and on the river, rafting, during the summers. Then he returned to Albion township, sold his farm to his brother, Samuel, and bought 120 aeres in section 23, Albion township. His father died in March, 1879, and John A. went to Canada and got his mother, who spent the remainder of her life with him and died at his home, July 8, 1903, at the age of eighty-four. When Mr. Raiehe purchased the place in section 23, it was covered with timber. He erected a house of hewed logs, set upright, with a shingle roof and a board floor. He owned a stove, but most of the furniture was made on the place. With this beginning he has become a prosperous farmer. He has a well-improved place, with good buildings, and an excellent equip- ment, and suecessfully earries on general farming and stoek raising. Mr. Raiehe was married April 12, 1882, to Mary A. Archambault, daughter of Joseph and Julia (O'Shea) Archam- bault. Mary A. Archambault was the oldest of ten children. Her father came to Wright county during the Civil war, and located on section 13, Albion township, where he died in Novem- ber, 1909. Her mother now lives in Maple Lake village. Mr. and Mrs. Raiche have had eleven children. Joseph A. was born March 11, 1883, was married October 3, 1904, to Catherine Mona- han, and has two children: Michael, born August 15, 1905, and Victor A., born November 22, 1908. Adelaide was born October 28, 1884, and died January 21, 1887. John was born May 14, 1886, and lives at home. Annie was born April 6, 1888, was mar- ried September 14, 1910, to Oscar Werneke, and has one ehild, Edna, born June 22, 1911. Franeis B. was born March 2, 1890; Anzebe A. was born January 22, 1892; Julia was born January 22, 1894; Le Roy was born July 29, 1898; Walter was born July 3, 1900; Loretta M. was born October 3, 1903; and Sidney L. was born January 13, 1911. Mr. Raiche has served as director of
MR. AND MRS. EMIL OELSCHLAGER
275
HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY
school district 72 for eight years. The family are communicants of the St. Timothy's Catholic Church at Maple Lake.
Emil F. Oelschlager, a well-to-do farmer of Albion township, was born in Germany, August 12, 1864, son of Ferdinand and Caroline (Wohlgemuth) Oelschlager, and was there reared. Ilis stepfather, Peter Georke, and his mother, with the children of the family, came to Chatham township, this county, in 1880, and purchased 120 acres of land. Emil F. came with them, and remained until he was twenty-four years of age. In 1888 he rented eighty aeres of land in section 36, Albion township, and three years later he bought it. A log house, 16 by 20 feet, with a board roof, had already been ereeted. Not much clearing had been done. With a yoke of steers and an old farm wagon, he started the work of bringing the place to its present high state of development. Ile has a sightly house, 18 by 22 feet, with a story and a half kitchen, 14 by 16 feet, and a large basement. The new barn, 32 by 60 feet, with eighteen-foot posts, is built along modern lines, and has room for twenty cattle, eight horses and sixty tons of hay. The farm is well feneed and well tilled, and the livestock is of a good grade. Mr. Oelschlager was mar- ried February 11, 1890, to Minnie Morohn, daughter of Michael and Dora (Berg) Morohin. Mrs. Oelsehlager died Dec. 15, 1910. In the family there are nine children: John, born February 5, 1892; Walter, born October 24, 1893; Dora, born December 2, 1895; Robert, born Dee. 20, 1896; Harry, born January 16, 1900; George, born February 7, 1902; Esther, born March 11, 1904; Jennie, born Dee. 25, 1905; Martha, born November 29, 1907.
Joseph P. Hannon, a respected resident of Albion township, was born on seetion 23, in the township where he still lives, December 14, 1878, son of Michael and Bridget (MeNulty) Hannon. He remained at home until twenty-six years of age. and then purchased forty aeres in seetion 11, Albion township. Five years later he rented the home farm in the same seetion. He has a good farm of 160 acres, with good buildings and excellent equipment, and here he successfully carries on general farming and stoek raising, paying especial attention to growing Minne- sota No. 13, Yellow Dent corn. In the affairs of the community he has taken his part, and he is well regarded throughout the township. For three years he was road overseer. Sinee 1905 he has been a member of the school board of distriet No. 62, and in 1912 and 1913 was town assessor. He is a member of the Catholie Order of Foresters. Mr. Hannon was married Novem- ber 23, 1904, to Margaret O'Neil, daughter of Patrick H. and Catherine (Ryan) O'Neil, and they have the following children : Catherine A., born October 13, 1905; JJames O'Neil, born June 16, 1907; Timothy W., born December 23, 1908; Thomas Milford, born November 3, 1911 ; and John Paul, born .January 5, 1914.
276
HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY
Patrick H. O'Neil, of Albion township, was born in Ellsworth, Me., July 15, 1850, son of Patrick and Margaret (Desmond) O'Neil, the pioneers. Patrick O'Neil was born in County Cork, Ireland, and was there married. As a young man he came to America, and took up lumbering in the state of Maine. It was in 1857 that he came to Wright county, and located on section 31, Monticello township, where he lived until his death in 1859. The members of the family erected a two-story log cabin and started clearing the land. In 1859, the year the father died, they had little to eat but corn meal. In 1862 they fled to the stoekade in Monticello township to escape from the Indians that were sup- posed to be coming. Patriek H. O'Neil received his edueation in the district schools, and as he grew to manhood took charge of the home farm. In 1895 he took up his father's old occupation of lumbering, going for this purpose to the woods in northern Minnesota. Since 1903 he has lived with his son-in-law, Joseph P. Ilannon, of Albion township. lle is an estimable man, and has served as a member of the school board for four years. Mr. O'Neil was married April 19, 1881, to Catherine Ryan, daughter of Luke and Catherine (Smith) Ryan, natives of Ireland. Mrs. O'Neil died December 24, 1894, leaving six children: William, of Willmar, Minn .; Frederiek, of Drake, N. D .; Margaret, wife of J. P. Hannon; Mary F., wife of George Welton; Aliee, wife of Conrad Behrenbrinker, of Melrose, Minn .; and Catherine, of Minneapolis. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic Church.
John Cantin, a prosperous citizen of Albion township, was born in Quebec, Canada, February 19, 1859, son of Louis and Lucy (Boneher) Cantin, the former of whom died in April, 1897, at the age of seventy-three years, and the latter in 1895 at the age of sixty-nine years. John Cantin left home at the age of twenty, and for thirteen years worked in the Iron river region in Michi- gan, as a miner and woodsman. In 1892 he came to Wright county, and for nine years rented various farms in Albion town- ship. In 1901 he bought 174 aeres in section 24. A house, two stories, 16 by 22, with a kitehen 14 by 14, stood on the place. In 1913 he ereeted a good barn 32 by 50, with sixteen-foot posts, having accommodations for twenty-four cattle, seven horses and fifty tons of hay. Mr. Cantin earries on general farming, and makes a specialty of stock, fowl and fruit raising. Throughout the year he keeps about twenty-four cattle, four horses, thirty-five swine, seventy-five ehiekens and fifty turkeys, and his orehards contain many apple and plum trees, aside from a good quantity of berry bushes and the like. Mr. Cantin has been on the school board of distriet 116 for twelve years. He is treasurer of St. Charles Catholic Church in Chatham township, and belongs to
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.