My wish is that I could get my Johnson line started. My grandfather was Joseph O JOHNSON born 29 Aug 1928 in Iowa. I believe he died 7 April 2005 in Iowa City, Johnson county, Iowa. I think his parents are Joe E and Mary B JOHNSON.

I do know that his first wife was Katherine Joann FERGUSON and he had at least three children. My uncle Larry Johnson, whom I never knew, has been reported to have died in Nashville, TN at the Grand Ole Opry. Due to a family splitt, my mother doesn't have much information to help me. I know that this branch will be hard to prove anyway but no info to go on makes it impossible.

Donna

My Johnson line is hard too. My dad's father left after he was born. He didn't know much abt him and Grandma never talked abt him either. Dad's birth certificate only says that his father's name is/was Alvin Johnson and he was 21 when dad was born in Oct 1949. It was only after my dad's death in 2005 that my mom told me that Alvin Johnson and my grandma, Sarah Stowell were married. Apparently, she was visiting her brother and sister-in-law, in Segoville, TX. They adopted her first child. I don't know if he was a friend of her brother or how they met. One of these days, I'd love to be able to find a marriage and/or divorce record for them. I'm not sure how much info I would need to get one. I don't know exactly when the marriage or divorce took place.

Good luck, Shawn. Maybe one of these days we'll find we're related

My mom did tell me once that she was related to my grandmother's brother-in-law, Val Johnson, but she didn't remember exactly how. I have heard that his wife Betty had traced his side way back but unfortunately both Betty and Val have passed on and I don't know any of their family.

Donna

Good luck w/ your search as well!

Donna, have you obtained Joseph's marriage certificate yet? Surely that would show his parents' names...? Also, did he ever serve in the military? Military service records might give some insight.

Wendy,

No I haven't. I don't know the marriage date. This is a hard line because my mom knows zilch. Or at least she doesn't share much. Maybe I can get it with an estimated date.

Thanks for the suggestion

Donna

I am not sure about town halls in Iowa, but I have found that most in New England are willing to look something up if you have:

Name of person
Name of spouse (bride or groom in a marriage cert)
Approximate year

I generally utilize the same type of form letter to all town halls (I also keep a separate address book specifically for genealogy, which includes not just addresses and telephone numbers, but also costs and other items, such as "requires money order; does not accept personal checks").

Try something like this:

Dear __________:

I am writing to request the following record for genealogical purposes:

The marriage certificate of Joseph O. Johnson, my grandfather, and Katherine Joann Ferguson. Joseph was born in Iowa, in 1928. Katherine was born in _____, in (year). The marriage occurred approximately (year to year).

Enclosed is a check in the amount of (whatever their fee is) and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to facilitate this request. Thank you for your time and assistance.

Sincerely,


The SASE is a must, as I am sure you know. Then the folks in the Town Clerk's office (or county office or county courthouse - wherever you must write), know they are dealing with a considerate and knowledgeable genealogist.

An approximation won't deter them from checking. I've had many people check approximations for me, sometimes as small as 1925-1935, and sometimes as large as 1800 - 1930!

Good luck. I have my fingers crossed for you.