Willis - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

Sally Willis (1784-1865)

Plummeretal — 2012-05-21 22:06:24Z

Looking for parents of Sally (Sarah?) Willis who married Moses Balch about 1805. (She is noted as being from Weathersfield, VT or NH. In 1814 she probably married Silas C Crosman (Crossman) and died in Johnson, Lamoille County, VT.)
Can you provide any clues as to her parents?

WILLIS Ledell - Vietnam Wall section 8E

t42Vietnam_ParkerCoTX — 2012-05-16 14:00:00Z

WILLIS Ledell - Vietnam Wall section 8E

Honor our Veterans. This is one of many photographs of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Parker Co, TX. Feel free to use this picture for your personal records. This is one of the 227,290 photos free at http://teafor2.com where they are listed in order by state(Texas), county(Parker), cemetery(Vietnam) and Surname.

If you know more about this person please reply here instead of contacting me because this is not my family.

Re: Frank Willis faked it

joeldavis1962 — 2012-05-13 22:28:28Z

Frank was my great,great grandfather! He is buried in Logan (Panola County)Texas in Adams Cemetary, and his wife is buried in Tatum Texas. This whole side of the family would be very interested.

Re: Frank Willis faked it

joeldavis1962 — 2012-05-13 22:20:28Z

frank was my great,great grandfather!

Willis in Oklahoma

lhhicks55 — 2012-05-13 21:00:12Z

Hi!

I am looking for any information about the Willis family that lived in Oklahoma. My Great-Grandmother was Frankie Willis b. 1911 in Burrnett, OK. She married O'Brien Howerton around 1934-35.

Her father was John Emory Willis b. 1888 in Texas and her mother was Jessie Lee Morris b. 1894 in Indian Territory, OK. The 1910 census has Jessie listed as living in Township 1 in Chickasaw Territory, OK. I believe that Jessie's mother Selina McClure b.1868 was Chickasaw her father was Tecumseh McClure b. 1830. Selina married Frank Morris b. 1856 in Texas.

I am looking for information on any of these people. This is the least researched branch of my family tree and I have not been able to find much information about them. I would like to be able to research this line back farther.

thank you!

Leslie Howerton-Hicks
lhhicks@gmail.com

Re: Willis line back to 1680's in NJ

shrp6 — 2012-05-02 08:04:01Z

David,

This is getting better all of the time. Seems, actually, now I had read years ago about relating a "bloomery" to iron ore; however, it is excellent to learn that the Willis family was in the business. The Henry Willis family that settled Southold were Welsh; the Welsh were miners as well.

I have wondered if my Pearce family in Sussex Co. were employees of someone else as their name did not appear on deeds in Sussex but could find no proof they were miners. I suspect it was that plus farming. I know there were Ogdens in the Sussex Co., area - maybe mining near Vernon.

I think I had read somewhere that a Willis worked for an Ogden in his smelter but I couldn't find a Pearce. It would not have been unusual to find Pearces in this line of work.

Thank you again.

Re: Willis line back to 1680's in NJ

drwillis61 — 2012-05-01 21:47:57Z

Actually, a bloomery is a type of furnace once widely used for smelting iron from its oxides. The bloomery was the earliest form of smelter capable of smelting iron. A bloomery's product is a porous mass of iron and slag called a bloom. This mix of slag and iron in the bloom is termed sponge iron, which is usually consolidated (shingled) and further forged into wrought iron. (Wikipedia)
Many of the Willis families in NJ in the late 1600's and through the 1700's were in the iron trade - mining, smelting, and blacksmithing.

Re: Willis line back to 1680's in NJ

shrp6 — 2012-05-01 03:40:01Z

Linda,

Thank you. I come across the Ogden name often. I help research in a collateral family whose Ogden line traces to Gov. John Ogden of MA. They intermarry with a Pearce family that lived adjacent to a Willis family in Scotch Plains, Essex Co., NJ. I take it that a "bloomery" was a flower business? The Willis family I think I trace to goes to Southold LI and may have escaped to CT when their land was claimed by the Crown. They were a large family. I only have come across the descendant trees of a couple of sons; that may be the snafu. I think there were more than that who went to NJ. Additionally, as to the western NY lands, speculators from the so. NY/CT/LI area purchased that land and resold it amongst their own, I believe.

Re: Willis line back to 1680's in NJ

lindadwillis1 — 2012-04-30 19:47:52Z

There might have been two Willis families in both MA and NJ that were in close proximity to each other, before and after the Revolutionary War. My line in Morris Co., NJ is from William and Bathsheba BROMLEY Willis, who married in CT and moved to Northern New Jersey. I think most of their children were born in CT, though some of them might have been born in NJ. My uncle did the Y-DNA test at Ancestry, but they have not correctly posted the test results. William Willis had a son named Joseph who served in the Revolution along with several of his brothers. Most of them worked in the bloomery first owned by a Mr. Ogden. There is a Joseph in Ancestry's list on the Y-DNA results page, but that Joseph is different from my line. I don't know if the two lines are ultimately related, in MA and/or England. Anyway, there might have been two Joseph Willis men in Morris Co., NJ at the time of the Revolution. Willises are in several counties adjacent to Morris Co. after the Revolution. It is this time period that becomes confusing because of the proliferation of men with the same name. Some of this Willis family and relatives moved to Western New York State after the Fevolution. There is certainly material here for a book or two, but it is true that records were burned and/or lost. It would take some digging to sort all this out. Everyone seems to have at least found information that is searchable at Ancestry in the 1850 census and on.

Re: Looking for Willis lineage pre1800 Falstead, Essex, England

felsteadwillis — 2012-04-29 20:41:25Z

Thank you Gwyn. I apologize for the tardy reply...getting refocused. I would definitely like to compare notes. I have a couple leads to pursue and will get back to you within the week. My greatgrandfather Thomas Willis was born in Felstead and emigrated to Canada. Feel free to review my family tree and please do not hesitate to ask any questions. Regards, Randall Willis

John Willis B 1818 Felstead D Jan 1902 married Sophia Perry Children: Joesph, Mary, William,Edward, Arthur, and Thomas(1853-1909)

Re: Willis-Dittman of Cortland/Onondaga Co., NY

jammable1 — 2012-04-29 18:57:38Z

Thanks for responding. I had a family bible that I was trying to get to a family member but when no one responded, I sold it. Wish I could have connected earlier

Re: Willis-Dittman of Cortland/Onondaga Co., NY

JmPnk — 2012-04-29 18:10:49Z

My great-great grandfather was George W.Willis born 1836 near Syracuse. Sorry I can't be more specific.

Florence Willis

juanita4444 — 2012-04-29 13:50:44Z

I looking for family members of Florence Willis Born about 1878 in Louisiana. Her parents are Allen and Minda Willis.

WILLIS Watson - Vietnam Wall section 5E

t42Vietnam_ParkerCoTX — 2012-04-28 13:00:48Z

WILLIS Watson - Vietnam Wall section 5E

Honor our Veterans. This is one of many photographs of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Parker Co, TX. Feel free to use this picture for your personal records. This is one of the 227,289 photos free at http://teafor2.com where they are listed in order by state(Texas), county(Parker), cemetery(Vietnam) and Surname.

If you know more about this person please reply here instead of contacting me because this is not my family.

Augustus Willis died 1915 in Manatee Florida

BarbaraCox147 — 2012-04-24 14:29:08Z

from index card which source was Jacksonville Florida Times Union of 9 May 1915. Willis, Augustus Sovereign, Woodsman of the World died prior to 7 June 1915 in Manatee Florida. Burial was in Manatee- Bradentown Cemetery, Manatee, Fl. No survivors mentioned. From report of unveiling of a memorial to him at the cemetery on 7 June 1915; adresse conducted by Elder TR Hicks, assisted by Miss Vera Harkey, with Judge Ira J Carter delivering eulogy to his memory.

Re: William John Willis m. Ann Johnston

jwillis724 — 2012-04-21 23:59:50Z

I am a decendant from William John Willis. From the Harvey line..I am looking for any information for Williams father and beyond. I can help you out with the line from Harvey if anyone is interested.
Thanks, Julie Willis

Margaret Jane Willis living in Hancock Co, WVA in early 1900's

marycda — 2012-04-20 16:45:12Z

Margaret Jane Willis, widowed, children Richard, Holly, Lizzie, Nancy, Joseph, George. They lived in Empire, Ohio, then moved to New Cumberland or Chester, WVA. Father of children was James or John Willis. Was told the family may be part indian. Margaret Jane Willis b. 1863, died Apr 11, 1936. Her maiden name may have been Crawford,Martin or Mathers. Looking for info to trace family back. I belive she may have been my gg grandmother. Have birth and death for George, my grandfather.

Re: Looking for my half brother and sisters, HELP PLEASE!!!!!!!

dawfor — 2012-04-15 03:26:30Z

oh my goodness, I am so excited to talk more with you, if you would like you can email me directly at dawfor@msn.com

Re: velma inez nations willis

dawfor — 2012-04-15 03:21:34Z

Hello, I just got your e-mail, please let me know what all you know so we can determine if indeed we have the same father.
Thank so much, excited to hear from you.
Dawn

Re: velma inez nations willis

rayney4 — 2012-04-14 17:03:58Z

dawn i think i am your sister , i was born in 1963 please contact me ..... thanks .. carroll

Re: velma inez nations willis

rayney4 — 2012-04-14 17:01:19Z

i am kenneths daughter my name is carroll peters

Re: Looking for my half brother and sisters, HELP PLEASE!!!!!!!

rayney4 — 2012-04-14 16:55:51Z

my father was kenneth c peters and was born to velma willis who later changed his name to peters, contact me ,

Re: William Alexander Willis, Jr.

JJMOY — 2012-04-14 12:20:11Z

He was born in California in 1924. His maternal family name was Gies.

Re: William Alexander Willis, Jr.

shirleyturpin1945 — 2012-04-14 01:26:16Z

Hello: saw your info on William A. willis, I have several William's in my line of Willis' do you know where he is from,how old he was at time of death, where he was born also, his parents names grandparents name & great grandparents names? That would help me to determine if he belongs in my Willis line. Thanks so much. shirleyturpin@att.net

William Alexander Willis, Jr.

JJMOY — 2012-04-13 16:16:34Z

I am looking for the descendants of Lt. Commander William A. Willis whose plane went down in the Atlantic in 1956. I have photographs of his grandparents and great-grandparents and would like to return them a family member.

Re: looking for pearl m. willis family from columbus ohio

CindyLowe000 — 2012-04-06 18:00:07Z

Pearl M. Willis b. April 5, 1906 Portsmouth, Scioto Co. Ohio d. June 30, 1980 Columbus, Ohio, daughter of Elmer Warden and Martha "Mattie" Peck of Greenup Co. Kentucky.

1930 Census Scioto Co. OH Census New Boston 2124/549/678
Warden, Elmer 53 KY TN TN Carpenter Building Contractor
Martha 53 Wife KY VA US
Charles 25 son OH KY KY Assembler Stone Foundary
Blosser, Pearl 23 daughter divorced OH KY KY Saleswoman Notion Store
Blosser, Frank 8 grandson OH OH OH
Blosser, Jean 6 grand daughter OH OH OH
Blosser, Carl 4 grand son OH OH OH
Blosser, James 1 grandson OH OH OH
Warden, Arnold 21 son OH KY KY Sander Shoe factory

Would love to see photos related to Pearl! (researching the Warden family)

Cindy Lowe hiramlong@mchsi.com

WILLIS Richard C 1988 1991

t42ValleyView_CookeCoTX — 2012-04-05 23:24:44Z

WILLIS Richard C 1988 1991

DaveStrickland photographed this gravestone in the Valley View Cemetery, Cooke Co, Texas . Feel free to use this picture for your personal records. This is one of the 226,415 cemetery photos free at http://teafor2.com where they are listed in order by state(Texas), county(Cooke), cemetery(ValleyView) and Surname.
If you know more about this person please reply here, instead of contacting me because this is most likely "not my family".

WILLIS Katheryne I 1900 1971

t42ValleyView_CookeCoTX — 2012-04-04 19:58:28Z

WILLIS Katheryne I 1900 1971

DaveStrickland photographed this gravestone in the Valley View Cemetery, Cooke Co, Texas . Feel free to use this picture for your personal records. This is one of the 226,415 cemetery photos free at http://teafor2.com where they are listed in order by state(Texas), county(Cooke), cemetery(ValleyView) and Surname.
If you know more about this person please reply here, instead of contacting me because this is most likely "not my family".

Re: Looking for Willis lineage pre1800 Falstead, Essex, England

blaengwynfi — 2012-03-25 15:27:55Z

My Willis family are from around the Felstead area but primarily from Finchingfield and Wethersfield. I do have some John Willises in the tree but no Edwards. If you want to compare notes please contact me via the message board.

Gwyn Bailey

Pitman Henry Willis (MI)

calamityjane313 — 2012-03-25 03:26:44Z

hello, i am the great grand~daughter of Pitman Henry Willis B: Sept 10 1878 in Michigan. he was the son of Archibald Willis and Esther Aldred of MI and Canada. he had sisters named Rhoda Ann, Ida Jane, and possibly 2 adopted sisters named Pearl Morrison and Myrtle. he had brothers named Robert Reuben, James Benjamin, Elmer and Asa.
in my oral history of my family; Pitman was known as Henry P Willis. he was married to my Great Grandmother Eliza Jane Ridley in 1902. they had a daughter named Hazel May in 1910.
i have found most of the brothers and sisters but not Pitman Henry or Elmer. the last listing i have for Henry is from My GR' Uncle Benjamin James OBIT in 1933 and it says Henry of the West. by the time Henry's sister Rhoda passed, there was only one brother listed Elmer in Pontica.
Please if you are related to Archibald & Esther (Aldred) Willis, any of their children or their grandchildren or their Gr'grandchildren, can you please tell me what happened to Henry P Willis//Pitman Henry Willis? the last thing that my family can remember he is abandon my GR Grandmother Dollie and their daughter Hazel about 1920 - 1926 (about the time my grandma hazel graduated high school)
please i must have Willis family out there some place.
can you help please?
thank you

Jean L. (Willis) Puglia - Ohio

Lace_Lynch — 2012-03-19 22:15:22Z

YOUNGSTOWN - Jean L. (Willis) Puglia, 74, died March 17, 2012, at her residence.

Mrs. Puglia was born Oct. 29, 1937, in Senecaville, Ohio a daughter of Raymond and Sara Purdum Willis.

She was a 1955 Woodrow Wilson graduate and was a homemaker. She owned Jean’s Candy, which she operated out of her home for 40 plus years.

Jean enjoyed cooking, crocheting , and gardening.

She is survived by her husband of 25 years, Fred Puglia, whom she married Jan. 20, 1987; children, Mark (Penny) Jones of Lowellville, Karen (Ray) Jones of Youngstown, Ohio, Debbie (Ron) Palmer of Minerva, Ohio, Diane (Jack) DeMatteo of Lordstown, Ohio, Tracy (Wes) Morris of Mt. Jackson, Pa., Fred T. Puglia Jr. of Mt. Jackson, Pa., and James (Nancy) Puglia of Bessemer; a sister, Martha (David) Hawkins of Stow, Ohio; a brother, Raymond (Sue) Willis of Youngstown, OH; 18 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and a cousin who was like a sister, Shirley Gasior.

Besides her parents, Jean was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Jennifer Untch.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Davidson-Becker Funeral Home, Struthers, Ohio.

Friends may call Tuesday from 4 to 6:45 p.m. at the funeral home.

Visit www.beckerobits.com to send condolences.

Re: Looking for Willis Family

davidwillis — 2012-03-19 17:44:14Z

My name is David Willis, I live in Mt. Clemens Michigan. When I have some time I am going to do some checking re: Lewis Willis. Any further information would be appreciated.

Email: evad7@comcast.net

Re: Henry Willis Family - Aberystwyth, Wales/Hendon, London

1_neilwillis — 2012-03-19 04:15:29Z

Hi KMEricksen
Henry Willis of Aberystwyth was my great-grandather, Richard Edward Willis my grandfather was the son of Eliza Jane Willis (nee Sadler)

William Austin Willis, born 1808, North Carolina

pollywillis — 2012-03-17 23:40:03Z

Still searching for parents/siblings of William Austin Willis, b 1808, NC. Four eldest children born in GA between 1835-1842. He may have been in Henry Co., GA on 1840 census.
He first appears, for sure, on the 1850 New Madrid Co., MO census.
I have lots of FamilyTreeDNA Willis matches in Virginia and North Carolina but can't make a direct connection. Anyone interested can go to www.willisdna.com and click on the test results tab and scroll down to "The Southern Group". There are 22 of us representing this family.
I have FamilyFinder DNA matches to Stephen Willis, 1725, Rutherford, NC; Edward Willis 1760 Lunenburg, VA as well as Hames,Meador/Meadows,Humphries in VA; Pool(e)in Laurens, SC.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Re: Need Help with Willis Info

dwmc2 — 2012-03-17 21:32:29Z

I am descended from Drury through his son James and James' son Squire. James moved from Madison County to Anderson Co, KY and I believe he died there. I can provide more information if useful. There has been quite a bit of research on that lawsuit and there is still controversy.

Re: Willis Genealogy Book of Joel Willis descendants

sharons1950 — 2012-03-13 22:10:28Z

name willis illinous cherokee decent

Allen Willis

juanita4444 — 2012-03-12 23:52:21Z

Hi I'm lookin for some info on Allen Willis born 1854 in
Alabama.
He's in the 1880 census in Louisiana

thanks for any help

Re: James E. Willis

FOURNIER_LEE63 — 2012-03-10 08:22:15Z

I believe James is related. Jane Rosannah Short was from Litchfield, IL or Hillsboro, Il. Sister, I believe to Florence Short Little. I need to gather my info that I have and see if this matches. The family is VERY small.
Lee

WILLIS Harold E - Vietnam Wall section 4E

t42Vietnam_ParkerCoTX — 2012-03-09 12:35:48Z

WILLIS Harold E - Vietnam Wall section 4E

Honor our Veterans. This is one of many photographs of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Parker Co, TX. Feel free to use this picture for your personal records. This is one of the 225,469 photos free at http://teafor2.com where they are listed in order by state(Texas), county(Parker), cemetery(Vietnam) and Surname.

If you know more about this person please reply here instead of contacting me because this is not my family.

Re: Josiah Willis

THOMASNIXON53 — 2012-03-09 03:13:35Z

I just run this message. This josiah freeman Willis,who did he marry?

Re: Photographs of Unknown Willis family from Michigan

calamityjane313 — 2012-03-07 01:47:53Z

thank you, my gr'grandfather was Pitman Henry Willis born sept 1878. i have done some looking in the family tree section and found him thru his parent's names: Archibald Willis and Esther Aldred. they had 6 children

Re: Photographs of Unknown Willis family from Michigan

dolly68 — 2012-03-06 22:24:39Z

I never got the photographs identified. I don't believe any of our Willis clan were in Sanilac County. Our family was Eaton County, Michigan.

Re: Photographs of Unknown Willis family from Michigan

calamityjane313 — 2012-03-06 02:29:06Z

dolly68, did you ever get those photos IDed? my gr'grandfather was Henry Willis married to Dollie (Eliza Jane) Ridley. they had daughter, my gr'mother, who was Hazel May Willis born in May 1910. Henry Willis abandoned my gr'grandmother and her daughter when my gr'mother was in high school. they lived in Carsonville, Sanilac Co, Michigan area. my grandmother never would talk about her father, because; i believe, it painful hurtful thing for her remember.

Re: William John Willis m. Ann Johnston

jfc62 — 2012-02-29 06:35:50Z

I am also looking at this line. My wife is descended from William's daughter Elizabeth "Betsy". Have either of you made any progress beyond William? I'm stuck there. I tried tracking my own Willis line down from Agerton Willis brothers and uncles of NC and Mass.to see if they connect, without any luck.

Thanks,
Johnny

William W. Willis

Dianne4265 — 2012-02-28 22:18:06Z

Looking for information re: William W. Willis b. abt 1835 in Philadelphia, PA. Married Adeline King in Massachusetts. I believe he moved to Massachusetts as a young boy, but am unable to prove his birth or death which I believe between 1870 and 1880.

Re: looking for Isabella Willis Finstad and Robert Willis

sstanger1 — 2012-02-20 21:49:39Z

Hi, What time frame are you researching -
Isabella adopted by Edith [HICKEY] FINSTAD.
Isabella m. Robert WILLIS - When? Where.
Children born When? Where?

Re: Willis Genealogy Book of Joel Willis descendants

thebeemer1 — 2012-02-16 17:15:41Z

Lucinda Willis is buried in Bergman Arkansas with her husband James.
I wish I could figure it out however.
THe stone is now broke at grave site in the Willis Cem. I need to go back in the Spring and redo it.

Obit of Donald L "Donnie" Willis, Jr.

wcr1951_1 — 2012-02-08 16:33:40Z

The News Herald
Morganton, NC

February 8, 2012

Donald Willis, Jr.

NEBO Mr. Donald L. "Donnie" Willis, Jr., 45, of Marion, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012 at the McDowell Hospital. A native of McDowell County, he was born July 7, 1966 and was a son of Donald L. Willis, Sr. of Marion and the late Jewell Ledford Willis. Donnie was a very sweet, generous man who always lived his life putting others before himself. He loved his wife, his family and his friends and lived his life as an example to be followed. Loyal, honest, and fair, are all words that describe this man who was always there for his family and friends. He loved to fish and was a lifetime member of the North American Fishing Club. He was a former member of the Dysartsville Volunteer Fire Dept. The greatest memory he leaves his family, however, was his love for the Lord as exemplified in his daily devotion to Bible study and his daily prayers offered up for his loved ones. Saddened by the loss of Mr. Willis, in addition to his father, are his wife of 13 years, Sarah Brenda Thompson Willis of the home; four children, William Zachary Willis of Weaverville, Holly Leighann Willis of Marion, Shianne Willis of Morganton and Melissa Treasure of the home; two step-children, William Hoover of Marion and Crissy Teaster and her husband, Todd of Black Mountain; one brother, Toby Willis and his wife, Dawn of Nebo; three sisters, Sandy Vess and her husband, Keith of Old Fort, Jenny Willis and Angie Willis, both of Marion; and seven grandchildren. A funeral service for Donnie will be held Thursday, Feb. 9, at 3 p.m. in the Chapel of Westmoreland Funeral Home with the Rev. Rich Maghuson officiating. The family will receive friends from 2 to 3 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment will be in McDowell Memorial Park. Those desiring to make a memorial donation in Mr. Willis's memory are asked to consider, American Heart Association , P.O. Box 5216, Glen Allen, VA 23058. An online register is available under OBITUARIES at westmorelandfuneral home.com.

Re: Long lost brother

SueSheldon55 — 2012-02-06 03:07:09Z

I know a Jason Willis who is in his early 30's. Lived in Shelton, WA. You can email me sue@sheldon.com and we can talk about it.

Re: Long lost brother

keithnuttle — 2012-02-05 13:46:16Z

Have you tried doing a Google search on your brother's name?

Many times you can get hits that can be traced to an address or telephone number, rarely and email address.