Hi Linda,

My grandfather George OLIVER (b 1875 in Nashville) and his mother Louise WILLIAMS wound up in Topeka (Shawnee County) from TN - but my grandfather arrived earlier then his mom to Wabaunsee County (Maple Hill)(1895) to live with some relatives - before his mother migrated. Haven't figured our how he is related to the family he was with however. His mom was married 5 times, so I have a very confusing set of connections

My dad's half brother Jewell OLIVER was born in Topeka KS in 1899.

On the other side of the same family, my grandmother, my dad's mother (my grandfather's second wife) was also from Kansas. Researching them has been interesting because my grandmother was white. It was illegal to be married to a black man in KS in 1915 so my grandparents left and wound up in Chicago.

Needless to say, her family washed their hands of her (with one exception) for many years. They were from Lyon County. Since I started researching them, I have, by accident, become reunited with their descendants, my cousins.

Growing up with my grandparents as a small child I learned very little about my grandfather's family. He died when I was around 7.
I still haven't found out what became of his first wife, Mary OFFICER, who may have remarried, but have traced her ancestors.

The whole complicated story is on my website. Little by little I'm making headway, didn't know my great grandma Louise's maiden name until last year.

I keep on plugging away at KS research and hope to someday make a trip there and to TN.

Denise