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Follow the money! Realize the dream!

By Brenda Kellow

Published: Wednesday, February 8, 2012 1:05 PM CST

John Greer and Ruth Steele finally realized their dream to prove George W(ashington) Smith from Collin County did move into the state during the time of the Republic of Texas--1835-1845. Ruth tried several years ago to have her papers accepted in the society using her bloodlines back to a woman already approved as a descendant of Smith. Because about 25 years ago the various lineage societies, including DRT, discovered the papers submitted with older submittal dates did not include the proper proof to establish their proper connection to a person or family who established residence during that period in Texas history, her papers were rejected until further proof could be submitted. Once again, Smith's descendants began the hunt to find the required proof.

George W. Smith and his wife Elizabeth had four daughters but they were all married before the 1850 census. Censuses between 1790 and 1850 listed only the head of household and age range for the rest of the family. His wife and their four daughters appear in several books on Collin County, commonly called "mug books" by researchers. Unfortunately, there was no further proof of this Smith family--a common surname as you already know--by earlier researchers.

Later the researchers found a George W. Smith on the 1871 Collin County Tax rolls, but only Elizabeth Smith is on the 1872 tax rolls, commonly indicating her spouse had died.

The Blue Ridge cemetery holds Smith's remains. However, his death date on the Texas Historical Marker at the cemetery shows his death date over two years later. Tombstone records and even on occasion a historical marker have incorrect information showing incomplete research on the part of those submitting the information. Both are considered secondary proof because these appeared after the fact. By using the tax records as an indication Smith dropped from the tax assessors' records before Elizabeth appeared alone in 1872, we can give an estimated death for Smith as "about 1871-1872.

When researchers reach a brick wall in their research, we widen our research for clues. There are three rules investigators use to break through the barrier. They are: (1) "examine target and family wills; (2) "follow the money;" (3) if the subject was a landowner, "search deed books until the land is transferred to another owner." The transfer of title may be many years after the owner's death. When Greer was conducting extensive research on this family, the Collin County records were not microfilmed and in the genealogy library collection. Greer used the original deed books in the County Clerk's Office, which are easier to use and much faster to examine. Knowing the Smith owned land and he died without leaving a will, examiners must follow the trail so to speak. Early deed records contain a plethora of information and thoroughly examined for any clue. In this case, the land was transferred in 1878, six years after Smith's probable date of death. The deed record reads: "the following heirs of George W. Smith deceased 1872, ..."

Finding a legal document showing the deed transfer as well as naming the heirs of Smith is the only known document and considered primary proof. Greer sent the document to Ruth who submitted her lineage application and the newly acquired deed to the society registrar who accepted it. Ruth is now a bona fied member of the DRT.

Was documenting George W. Smith's tax information, death date and land transfer quick and easy? No. It took several tries by different researchers over a number of years to break the barricade and unlock the hidden secrets. Nevertheless, John Greer and Ruth Steele finally accomplished their dream. What these two scholars accomplished is the makings of a professional historian. The next step is for Greer to submit his papers for acceptance in the Plano chapter of the Sons of the Republic of Texas (SRT).

Brenda Kellow has a bachelor's degree in history, teaches, and lectures on genealogy. Before retiring to publish her family's histories in 2007, Brenda held certification as a Certified Genealogist and as a Certified Genealogical Instructor. Send reunion announcements, books to review, and genealogy queries to: TracingOurRoots@gmail.com.

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