Submitting a Query
Please use the Query Form to post queries to this page. Queries must mention a connection to Lewis County, WA. For best results, include as much information as you can in your query - for example, approximate time periods, locations within Lewis County, etc. Please note that queries are not automatically posted to this page. I generally update the site on weekends, so your query will appear no later than the first weekend after I receive your query. I will notify you as soon as your query is posted.
[2000] [1999] [1998] [1996 - 1997]
Zachary Pilz 7 Aug 2010
My mother's side of the family (Anderson and Brown) homesteaded or settled Adna, Deep Creek, Bunker Creek areas. in the mid to late 1800's. My father's side of the family (Pilz and Crocker) homesteaded or settled Pe Ell, Doty, Dryad areas in the mid to late 1800's. Most of my family moved into Washington during this same timeframe. I also have connections to the Winlock area and others. I am researching the following surnames. Please let me know if you are connected: My Mother's side: Andersen, Anderson, Brown, Bunce, Deeds, Omey, StonerMy. Father's side: Crocker, Damitz, Friend, Godfrey, Lusk, Pilz, Turner, Whipple. Below are some specific names in my family tree. Keep in mind that all names are maiden names: Arnold Turner Anderson 1894-1978; Grace Anderson; Lorena Anderson; Ethel Johanna Anderson; Allen Cornelius Anderson; Wallace "Hiball" Anderson; Stella Anderson; Alta May Anderson; Russell Anderson; Walter Anderson; Earl H. Anderson; Minnie Helen Brown 1898-1994; Myrtle Jane Brown; Thomas Jackson Brown; Charles Montgomery Brown; William Brown; Harold Walter Brown; Earle Brown; Gordon James Brown; Mary Brown; Ivan W. Deeds 1909-1993; Mabalas Olive Deeds; Clarence Deeds; Hazel Deeds; Glen George Deeds; Gerald R. Deeds; Geraldine Virginia Bunce 1937-1992; Mickey Bunce; Eva Lucile Bunce; Daphne Adele Bunce.
Katie Cline 6 Aug 2010
I'm a collector of old photos that I find in antique & junk stores. Recently I purchased a photo postcard that has a picture of 2 men standing on a log (I think that's what they're on!). Anyway, on the back is handwritten "James Blankenship & John Moore, Morton, Lewis Co., Wash." If these men are part of your family, please let me know. I dream of giving all my "rescued photos" a real home one day!
Juanita O'Shea 29 Jul 2010
I am looking for more information on Tom Chastain. I have some material that he resided in Veness, Lewis,WA 1920. He married Maggie Lee Benedict and living at Prescott, Lewis,WA in 1930. SSDI stated he died in WA January 1964. Need help as I think I have hit a brick wall, does anyuone have anything on him?
Brenda Conner 24 Jul 2010
I would like to make contact with my Binion cousins in the area of Lewis County. My father's uncle William (Willie) Binion and his Wife Armintra's Family. Willie had a twin brother named Charlie who died in Ohio. Wiliie and Charlie's parents are John and Martha Sparks Binion. They were born in Elliot County Ky.
Laurie Cullom Buscher 23 Jul 2010
Hello, my family moved to Vader in the early 1900s and lived there for 55 plus years. I graduated from Vader Grade School as did my two older brothers. My father Arlyn K. Cullom (known by everyone as PEE WEE) lived with my mother, Lorene for 55 years by the school and owned the gas station, a saw mill. My grandfather had a machine shop that my father took over and ran in town. He was good friends with all the Finns, on Finn Hill and used to drag a big sleigh behind his truck, with flares and bales of hay to sit on and all the kids in town would go sleighing and singing carols when it snowed enough to get out the sled. This was when the HWY would be closed and we kids would get hot chocolate at the barber shop, bon fires lit the route and the whole town would come out and sled down the hill from the top of the hill at Red Hollingers place down to the old bank bld. opposite my Dad's 2 business on opposite corners across from the post office. I hate to lose all this old Vader history, even the photos of KKK marching in our May Day Parade. Yep! My father was the justice of the peace and volunteer fireman, an active Mason and a good , well liked man. A town senior, one might say. He logged and fished to support our family until beginning work in Longview in his later years. for most of the 55 years in town. He and his father owned a lumber yard where the "the Litttle Crane Cafe" stood when I was a child there.Long story short... I have old photos, artifacts, etc. that may be of interest. My grandfather, Otto J. Cullom and his wife Mae were pioneers there. My father owned several businesses and employed many folks there. I moved to Vader ( was born there) in 1954. My Grandparents and parents were considered "old timers" back then...I am dying and in the process of moving to CA. in the next few weeks. If there is a historical society with items on display I would like to donate many years of photos of Vader, boy scouts, Maypole dances on disc, my mother recorded 55 years of Vader history and my Grandmother longer than that. If there is a way to honor them by donating some wonderful old photos, films and whatever as we keep unpacking, I would love hearing from someone there.Thanks you.
Kirk Lutz 23 Jul 2010
I am researching my mother's family the Grandos. I beleive they moved to Vader in the early 20s. My grandparents' names were Matt and Anna Grando; they both came from Yugoslavia. Their children's names were Jimmy, Mary, George, Nora and Violet. They were fishermen and owned and ran a hotel in Vader in the 20s, 30s and 40s. I am particulary interested in my uncle George who until recently, I knew very little about. I recently discovered that he was killed WW2 10/31/1944 and was a hero, [Distinguished service cross] all news to the family. Thank you for any help you can give me.
Dale Powell 20 Jun 2010
I am looking for information regarding Joseph Gilmore, died 1949, and Mollie Carter Gilmore, died 1973. Both are buried in Fern Hill cemetary and are my wife's grandparents. Any information regarding their history would be appreciated.
Diane L. Johnson 14 Jun 2010
I am researching my family from the Lewis Co Area. They are Francis (Frank) Hendricks 1845-1890, married to Anna Owing 1850-1881, parents of Margaret, Leven Nelson & Jessie Delilah Hendricks. I have photos and more information to share and would love to hear from other Hendricks family members.
Neil Virnig 4 May 2010
Regarding Evedene Bennett's query below: Henry Virnig and Goldie Irene's other son's name was Fredrick (died 6/20/2003), rather than Frederick. He married Michele. They have 2 children, Neil and Kathleen (Katy). Neil married Erin, no children as this time. Katy married Derrick Burns, no children as this time. Darrell's children: Chris married Robyn (both deceased). They had Lyndenn, Hannah and Kohlbe (Kohlbe died along with Chris and Robyn). Lisa married Rod Sawin, they have a daughter Ava.
Robert Hunt 4 May 2010
William Jasper Baker; A picture and any information, please. Morgan Hunt; My Great Grandfather. I have never seen a picture of Morgan. Does anyone have one? Please. Thank you so much for your time.
Rebecca McCartney 17 Apr 2010
In 1920 Census I located Joe W. Pine living in Morton and working as a physician in general practice. He is part of a family tree my mother's cousin and I are working on. In the 1920 census Joe is still listed as single. The only other information I can locate is that in 1930 he was an "inmate" at Camp Fremont, US Public Health Service Hospital #24, San Mateo, California. I don't know what happened to place him there. The 1930 census indicates he is married but his age at first marriage is marked "unknown."I realize that could be a mistake; I looked through the marriage records linked to on your site and did not find any record.I wonder if there is any other mention of Joe that you might have access to. Might the arrival of a new doctor in Morton have merited mention in a newspaper of the time?Joe's background was not in Washington. He was born in January, 1890, in Eureka, Humboldt County, CA to Norton H. Pine and Jennie L. Pine. His only sibling was Ruby Pine, born about 1898, his adopted sister (1900 census). By 1910 Joe's father had passed away and he was working as an "undertaker," probably in the Sanders Funeral Home in Eureka owned by his Uncle, Robert J. Sanders. We have a picture of Joe in uniform which is labeled, "Joe Pine in France, 1916." Since the US had not officially entered WWI at that time he may have been a volunteer; there were a number of volunteer ambulance drivers in France, then, though many of them hailed from Harvard and I don't know how a humble mortician from Eureka might have become an ambulance driver in France. Joe's 1917-1918 WWI draft registration lists him as a medical student at the osteopathic college in Los Angeles, CA with a financially dependent mother and no previous military experience (though volunteer service might not have counted). After the 1930 census I can find no record of Joe at all. I did not check cemeteries in your area because his family was all in Humboldt and Sonoma Counties in California.Thank-you for your consideration and input.
Evedene Bennett 10 Apr 2010
LARSEN cousins are coming from Denmark in Aug/Sept & hope to recontact Larsen descendants of brothers Ole Christian (Charlie) who settled 1888-90 in the Harmony area & Lars (Louis) settled in Chehalis. I am from the Louis line, & met these kinfolk in Denmark in 1983, but I have lost contact with the Charlie descendants who these Danes hope to meet as they met Alma Mullens when she took Charley back to Denmark before he died. The brothers married Core sisters & so Cores there would probably know of them. Alma Larsen MULLENS' 2 children are James; & Elizabeth who md John BRENNON & had Alfred Michael & Nelda Sharlee Brendon.Charley & Lizzie's other ch.b 1900-1914 who had children @1930s-1950s were:Alvin Carl md a Pearl & had 1-Lloyd had several ch in Prineville OR, 2-Donald Hamilton had Rob, Cathy, Doug, Debra & Greg; 3-Bonnie md a CULLEN & had Connie, Candie, Kevin, Charles & Shane Cullen, 4-Jack had Lee & Todd, & 5-Joe had Jill & Roy LARSEN.(These later generations b 1950s-70s.Laura Leona md Charles E. MONTGOMERY & had 2 ch: Ardell md a ?Burden? & had Lynda, Darrell, Sandy, Charles & Becky. Eugene md Myrtle Thompson & had John, Ronnie, & Brenda MONTGOMERY. Goldie Irene md Henry VIRNIG & had 2 ch: Darrel who had Chris & Lisa VIRNIG. Frederick - nothing more on him. Alice Rose md Ray DODRELL, don't know about kids, both dead by 1976 when I met & interviewed Melvin J Core, retired teacher in Silvercreek. Hoping someone in your group might know at least one of these. I thank you for whatever help you can be in reuniting these Danes with at least 1 cousin.
Dan Miller 10 Apr 2010
My wife is descended from Albert HARMS, son of Henry August HARMS. Albert is brother to Theodore W Harms. Searching for more information on Henry August Harms and wife Louis Godheart and their other children.
Robert F. Phillips 2 Apr 2010
My great grandfather, John W. Phillips was originally buried in Riffe Cemetery. The records indicate that when Riffe was flooded, he, and, I believe his daughter A.M. Phillips were both moved to Doss Cemetery in Mossyrock. A.M. Phillips is listed as buried there, but J.W. Phillips isn't listed. I do not live close enough to research this, but would like to know if he is buried at Doss Cemetery. Thanks.
Donald W. LeBaron 2 Apr 2010
My research on Clarence and Evangeline (Eva) LeBaron has hit a wall. Census records, (obituaries), and news paper documents reveal that they had 5 children (4 living)in 1900. My grandfather Ivan was born in Centralia in 1901. Eva died on 3/15/43 and Clarence died 7/27/31. The 5th child (not listed in any of the census records) died after only a few days/weeks and is buried at the downtown cemetary (across from Edison elementary school). The marker for this baby is a small slab (6"x10") engraved "BABY". The records for this cemetary are at Centralia Parks Dept. The information shows 4 plots. Three family members intered there: Clarence/Eva/Baby Eva. It would appear that the baby's name was Eva, but some thought the baby was a boy. My father passed in 1995 and had hoped to place a marker for this baby. Thank-you for your time and consideration.
Mel Fuller 25 Mar 2010
I am looking for a contact to see if the Bozarth Family reunion is being held. My mother went when she was young and would like to go again if one is being held.Thanks for your help.
Diane Lorenzo Martin 28 Feb 2010
ADOPTION - I am looking for Baby Girl Paterson born on October 5, 1956. She was born in Centralia Washington, supposedly attached through a home for unwed mothers. It was a private adoption. I have a cousin out there somewhere that i would like to meet.
Carol Coleman Pearce 20 Feb 2010
I am looking for information on my Grandmother, Rosa Coleman. My Father, Ralph Floyd Coleman, I think told me there was a Blankenship connection, although he told about a lot of people and the names do tend to get confused. He mentioned Maude Swartz--a cousin?Any information will be greatly appreciated. I have grandchildren now and would like to leave as clear a picture of their ancestry. Thank You.
Patience Northern 29 Jan 2010 (updated 20 Feb 2010)
Looking for connections to Durin Davis, Mark Davis and Lanny Davis. Going back to those generations they are connected to my Coomes family as Amanda Davis married James T. Coomes. Particularly interested in information on the Coomes family from Grayson Co., Va.
In reply to Colette Sexton (Query #443): We are searching for information to verify our connection to Durin Davis of Lewis Co., Washington. Several families of Grayson Co., Va. moved to Grays Harbor, then to Lewis Co., Washington. Our James and Bealy Coomes were 2 heads of families who made the move. Jameses mother was Amanda (Davis) Coomes. We feel that she may be the sister of Durin Davis and that they may be the children of John and Sidney Davis. Also in 1870 James Tucker Coomes and wife Amanda (Davis) Coomes were careing for John Davis. According to the placement in the census they were living in John Davis' home and were listed as head of household instead of John. Sidney Davis was dead. Sidney was not listed so supposed dead. Also living there was an older Lydia Davis. We would like to know who she was and her connection with the family. John and Sidney Davis raised Amanda's first 2 daughters, Elizabeth b 1852 and Edna b 1854. Amanda married James T. Coomes in 1857.Any help to untangle this family will be more than welcome.
Tina 20 Feb 2010
I am trying to find information on an ancestor. the name is Pauline (Bieniek) Gronka. she was born in 1857 and died in 1929. her family lived in Lewis County. I am trying to find an Obituary or something with her parents names. I am researching my family history. any information will help. Her husband was Martin Albert Gronka.
Jean Morrison 20 Feb 2010
I am searching for someone who descends from the family of Eva Trout Stover who was in the 1930 Lewis Co. census with her 2nd husband Louis Maynard and her children, Fredierick Stover, Raymond R. Stover, Elaine H. Stover, Majorie B. Stover and Eda Stover or for someone who knows more about this family.
Katie Montanez 5 Feb 2010
My great-aunt, Elizabeth Gilbert Stone Santhuff, came to Adna on Oct. 7, 1911 to run the Plymouth Hotel. She and L.E. Young, a blacksmith in Adna, had been corresponding for a couple of years and he had arranged for her to lease hotel. The next night there was a fire that destroyed the Plymouth Hotel, the Adna Hotel, which was next door; the Field general store, and the homes of Henry Allen, Ed Harris, B.W. Blake, M. Bodine and L.B. or W.H. Smith. She was unable to escape from the burning building and she died. L.E. Young, who also was staying at the hotel, was able to escape. He originally denied that he had been at the hotel that night and to bolster this claim he told people that Elizabeth had left Adna on the evening train to go back to Tukwila. When her body was discovered it was thought she had been murdered and the fire set to destroy the evidence. L.E. Young was arrested and charged with her murder. However, eventually all charges were dropped due to lack of evidence. He said he lied about his whereabouts that night because he wanted to protect his previously good reputation with the people of Adna. So, what I'd like to know is: Does anyone have any photographs of the Plymouth Hotel before the fire or any Adna street scenes circa 1911? Does anyone have any family stories or histories about this fire? I'd love to hear what people might have written or said about this event. Does anyone know anything about L.E. Young? Apparently he'd only been in Adna for about 4 months prior to the fire. I haven't even been able to find out his first name. I've read some newspaper articles in the Centralia Weekly Chronicle and the Chehalis Bee Nugget about this fire plus some legal documents pertaining to the inquest that was held and I think that Elizabeth was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. I don't believe L.E. Young had anything to do with her death, he just made the mistake of not telling the truth to begin with. Any help would be very greatly appreciated and thank you in advance for any information -- big or small! I'd also be glad to help with any postage or copying expenses.
Nicki Luth 29 Jan 2010
Looking for living ancestors of Mark Floyd Davis...His great Aunt Amanda Davis is my gggrandmother (I think). Have correspondence with Lanny and a sister of his from several years back. Please help!
Jan Warford Fisher 22 Jan 2010
I am researching my grandparents, Alice and Lucian Warford, who lived in Dryad from about 1908 to 1914. My great grandfather, Anderson Warford, and my grandfather, Lucian, ran the store in Dryad when it was owned by the mill. After that mill was privatized, it was bought by my uncles, Frank Mitchell and Bob Workman. They lived in Dryad and ran the store until they retired. Bob Workman was the last of the family to leave Dryad and that was sometime in the mid-40s.
Delania Workman 22 Jan 2010
My family lived in Riffe and Cosmos. Their names were Annie Workman (now Stamper, she married Tom). I have been trying to find out as much as I can. She has told me wonderful stories but if I can find out more that would be great.
I am also trying to find out as much as I can about Windom, Lewis Co., WA. In the little bit I have found out, My family had relatives that lived there and I have not been able to found out anything else. My relatives were James and Elizabeth Workman.
Sandra Fullington 22 Jan 2010
My grandmother, Hilda Landi nee Cook or Kuk was divorced from Gustav Cook or Kuk in 1914 or 1915. I believe they were living in Vader,WA. Could you find the date for me?
Sharon Truax 15 Jan 2010
Interested in information about George D McCormick, McCormick Lumber McCormick, WA.