Copy of a mail From Nancy Shope Fitzgerrell August 3, 2002
Return to home page

Hi David,

I just checked an Ellis genealogy chart Lynn Ellis Thurmond, Mimi's brother Bill's daughter, brought to the reunion. Some information on the back of the picture Fitz just sent has to be wrong. The old man has to be Wesley Mack Porter, May 13, 1817-March 18, 1912. (His son was Wm Porter, the name on the back of the picture, and he died in 1906). Wesley's daughter is Mary Jane Porter Madden, November 10, 1845-March 28, 1927. Her daughter is Serena Josephine Madden (called Josie), June 18, 1873-April 1939. (I think I can find her exact day of death somewhere but it's not on the genealogy chart, which has quite of few gaps and some inaccuracies.) Josie's daughter is Helen Madden Ellis, April 11, 1903-Aug. 25, 2001.

The picture couldn't have been taken in 1915 either. Assuming the old man was 94, the picture would have been taken sometime after May 1911 and before March 1912. Mother would have been 8 years old (looks about that age in picture), her mother, Josie would have been 38 years old, and Mary Jane would have either been 65 or 66 years old.

Isn't this all interesting? But it can get so confusing, too. I've been so busy this summer getting ready for this reunion and the MN Celebration of Mimi's life, that today is the first day I've had time to get to the computer and think about your questions and interest in genealogy. I feel like I'm finally on vacation for the first time all year! Tom left yesterday and Bob today, so now we're just down to Alan, Fitz and me. We're going to close up the cabin this weekend and head back to CO. Once there, I'll have time to make corrections and additions to Lynn's chart (your Dad already did his branch of the family) and send the info back to Lynn. We're all hoping for a corrected version later this year. And if you'd like, I'll copy it and send to you.

Love, Nancy