Is Joshua Hodges in Texas my ggggGrandfather?

In Chapter 24 of my book "Johanna Hodges and Beyond" I make an analysis of all the records I have been recording of evidences of the life of Joshua Hodges with the purpose of determining whether the Joshua Hodges who family members have been tracing is our ggggGrandfather.

Get your own copy of Chapter 24: "Johanna Hodges and Beyond" here:

CHAPTER 24: "Johanna Hodges and Beyond"

Get your own copy of the spreadsheet where I make my final analysis here:

Joshua Hodges analysis

I have concluded Joshua Hodges in Texas is our man.  What does that mean?

If we research his children in Texas it is a possibility one of the them will mention the name of their mother who would also be the mother of Johanna.

THAT WOULD BE A MAJOR BREAK THROUGH!!

Ruth Maxine Cooper

With Brenda's help I completed a life story of RUTH MAXINE COOPER entitled "Mother in Zion".  If you are a family member and want to download a PDF copy of the story to your computer or your ipod, ipad or other electronic device for viewing or to print your own copy, please send me an email and I will give you the link to Drop Box to be able to do that.  Only family members will be permitted to download the story.

Sarah ??????

Sarah ????  PID L443-4PT

Download the documents related to Sarah and familiarize yourself with what we know. 
A good place to start looking is in Moniteau, Missouri.  She was alive and with the family in 1850, but was not there in the 1860 census nor in the Probate record for her husband Samuel McDonald in 1869. 
Look for marriage records for Samuel McDonald and Sarah ???? married about 1822 probably Moniteau, Missouri.  You might look to see what was happening in Moniteau, Missouri in 1820---were there white men even living there at that time?  What were the migration routes---look there.
If you can solve this mystery, it will open up a huge amount of descendancy research.

Charles C. Conway

Charles C. Conway:  PID  R9-WL9

Father of Jane Conway (wife of John Odle). 
Please download my documents and document extract to familiarize yourself with what we know at this time.  Charles C. Conway died in Moniteau, Missouri.  His probate mentions Jane, the wife of John Odle so we have a pretty definite connection to Charles C. Conway as our direct ancestor, but we need more information to be able to resolve a major looping problem in nFs.  The looping results because Charles C. Conway father's name was likely Charles C. Conway.  People have him sealed to the wrong spouse.  Elizabeth Roberson is shown as both his wife and his mother.  There isn't much reason to try to resolve the looping until we have documentation to justify our request.   Let me know what you find.

David's Searchology

This is a spreadsheet with macros to facilitate research on the web.  The spreadsheet was prepared by David.  Give it a try!
GENEALOGYSEARCHOLOGY

Research Forms

As you do research it is a good idea to use some method to keep track of your records.  Many different kinds are available.

I use xcel spreadsheets to good advantage for this purpose because of their ability to sort by any desired order in 3 levels of search (or more if you are using a later version of xcel) and because it is easy to do searches.

If I am searching in a given geographic area for example, I will copy every person I find into a spreadsheet with documentation.  Later as I continue to research it is very easy to find people later by sorting or searching.

Here is a link to my blank research forms.

RESEARCH FORMS

Why I do genealogy

Family History efforts can be both fun and frustrating.  I worked for years off and on and in 2000 I started searching for my ancestors in earnest because I wanted to take those names to the Temple.  I searched in vain and one night I threw my papers across the room, closed my computer down and told the Lord I was done.  That night I slept peacefully and in the morning as clear as a bell I had these thoughts which have motivated me ever since.
1.  "The worth of souls is great in the sight of God.  If I should labor all the days of my life and bring save it be one soul into the Kingdom of God--it is worth the effort--great shall be my joy".  Family history research is difficult, but worth it!
2.  Because of the miracle of newfamilysearch, I can join with others to present a Book Worthy of All Acceptation of the Lord.  That is, I can start with myself and go back one person at a time improving the pedigree of the family of Adam.  This means, that even if the Temple ordinances are completed I can go one person at a time doing the following:

• Correcting incorrect information in nfs
• Adding new "events" and documentation to each event in nfs
• Putting a "Watch" on those people I do research on so I can begin to collaborate with others.

3.  Learn as much as I can about each person going back in my pedigree.  Things about their life, the events of history of the times in which they lived, and the forces that were moving my ancestors for here to there.  When I die, I will know something about my ancestors and be anxious to converse with them.

Also, I believe participating in family history work, sparks the Spirit of Elijah in my life and the lives of my children.  I and my children will have greatter faith in God and be more willing to keep his commandments becuase we will want to be worthy to receive inspiration and to be able to participate in the saving ordinances in the Temple.
So why do I do family history research:

1. Because of the worth of the souls of my ancestors as well as my own.
2. To assist in preparing a record worthy of acceptation to the Lord.
3. To increase my knowledge of and appreciation history, places, and people of times past.
4. Because I know I and my children will be more worthy and faithful by participating in this work.