My husband’s great grandmother was named Effie May Stinson Banks. I have found plenty of genealogical information about her life. Her father, on the other hand, has been a brick wall. I didn’t have too much trouble finding the family in the 1900 census. They were living in Washita county, Oklahoma. The family consisted of;
James T(?) Stinson born Aug 1850 in MO both of his parents were said to be from MO, and he is a mechanic.
Tenessee – wife – born 1866 in Ky, parents from TN and KY
Effie – born 1885 in TX
Oliver – born 1888 in MO
Emma – born 1894 in Ark
By 1910 James is gone but he had a daughter in 1901 named Lena. Tenessee is remarried and has more children, the first one born in 1906 so James disappeared between 1901 and 1905. Knowing that Effie was born in Texas and was the first child I looked in Texas for James and Virginia Tenessee Gainer’s marriage license. I had a few clues about Effie’s birth to narrow down the counties and found it in Wise County under the names J.T.Stinsere and Miss Tennie Gainer, June 25, 1884.
So this is what I know
He was born about 1850 in Missouri to parents from Missouri. He married Tennie in 1884, moved around a lot and had four children before dying (or disappearing) between 1901-1905. I have searched (even in person) for a death certificate, obit, and/or a tombstone without any luck. I can’t find him as a young child in Missouri – at least not with the correct spelling and there are several that match with different spellings.
I traveled to Washita County, Oklahoma several years ago but I have since learned alot about research so I am hoping to make another trip down there sometime. Until then, unless I can find another relative that knew more about him he will continue to remain a brick wall.
