Contra Costa County, California
Queries - 2008 to Present

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General/Historical Queries
(These are queries not related to specific surnames but are of general or historic interest. If you can answer historical queries, please respond to the sender and to the county coordinator so the information can be added to the site as appropriate.)

Unknown Grave - Who is buried in the gravesite on Lime Ridge open space at Generals Point above the trailhead by Cowell Road and Montecito Drive, Concord.  The inscription is "Gone but not forgotten." Thank you. John Gorbunoff - 5 August 2011

Queries

A B C D E F G H I J K L
M N O P Q R S T U V W X-Y-Z

A
ABBOTT
ABBOTT, Fred and Hazel I. lived for years in Brentwood. He sold insurance. They both died in Feb of 1973. I am interested in an obit, especially looking for survivors and burial info. Because they are an uncle and aunt the county will not give me death info. Thank you!! Jan Schmutte - 17 November 2008
ARMSTRONG
My aunt died in 1950 she is buried in sunset view cemetery in El Cerrito. I live in Washington. Please it would mean a lot to me if you could email whatever info you can. Her name is Donna Lou Armstrong, mother's full name was Maudie lavel Dopp. Brother's name Jack Armstrong. Sister's name Sue Armstrong, now Brown. Pease help. I’m really stuck. Jared Armstrong 3 August 2008
B
BROWN
WARREN B. BROWN - I am looking for an obit or death for this gggruncle. He established the Thinkograph Magazine published in San Francisco for two years then moved to Richmond in 1916. He was a school teacher and also practiced medicine. He established the Santa Fe Times he moved his plant to the vicinity of Macdonald Avenue and published the Terminal. I have a photo of Uncle Warren and family. Would like to know their names. - Sandra J. Roark, Whitestown, Indiana, 23 April 2008
C
CRUIKSHANK
CRUIKSHANK, Annie, born 1825 Ohio, wife of William Thompson Cruikshank (born 1822 Troy New York) died in 1872 either in Contra Costa County or Monterey County, and is buried in an unmarked grave in the Los Burros Mining District in Monterey County. Annie and William (and William's two brothers John and James) lived in Contra Costa County in 1870. We are trying to find out Annie's maiden name and her parents' names. She may been Finch or Dugay. Any information at all would be greatly appreciated.

CRUIKSHANK, Arnold, born 1795, appears suddenly on the 1870 Martinez US census living with my g-g uncle William Cruikshank and William's wife Annie and their two children. I can find no record of an Arnold Cruikshank in the family tree nor in any other census or other historical records. It may be that the last name is incorrect; that Arnold's last name might actually be Finch or Dugay (less likely) or some other name; and might be Annie Cruikshank's father or other relative. I am trying to find out how Arnold "Cruikshank" fits into the family tree! Any information at all would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Nancy Hargiss 24 February 2008

D

DONNOLLY

DONNOLLY, THOMAS born San Francisco in 1877. Died in 1932, buried Sun Set Cemetery. Lived in Richmond, Contra Costa Co. in 1918 when he registered for the draft. He was a foreman at Pacific Potash. I am trying to locate any descendents who may have the family bible. Florence Bryson - 5 August 2011
E
F
FAUVE
I don’t speak in the language of Shakespeare (my English is very basic), therefore I ask you to kindly accept my apologies because I write in french. Thank you in advance. I started my genealogy there are over twenty years ago (spaced stops and times). Finaly, I also really not put more I started to recover all information concerning the surname "FAUVE 'name I bear. My research lead me in California, more precisely CONTRA COSTA, and ALAMEDA.

Thanks to the internet, I found FAUVE Désiré who died in 1945 (July or August) CONTRA COSTA, and his wife FAUVE Rose died in 1962 (December) ALAMEDA. I would like to have more details on these two people [date and place of birth, marriage, perhaps naturalization, their occupation(s), child (ren) ]

Can you help me ? Or tell me what I do? I reiterate my gratitude and address to you my cordial greetings.

Madeleine FAUVE - 11 November 2008

G
GOINS
I'm trying to find relatives of  EVERETT F. GOINS who died in Walnut Creek on 12 Oct 2005. His mother Mary Wilson Goins was an older sister to my gr-grm Minnie Lea Wilson Havner. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you, Debbie - 10 April 2009
H
HASSING

Seeking information on Ruth Ellen Hassing, nee Egnell, b. 09 Nov 1924 Bisbee, AZ ; d. 08 Jul 2000 Concord, Contra Costa, California. Her father and my grandmother were brother and sister. Inviting any of her descendents to make contact with me.

Anne Livingston - 10 April 2009

HEAD
My grandmother, May Beatrix HEAD, was born on 22-May-1889, apparently in the small town of Byron, in east Contra Costa County. Unfortunately, neither the county nor the state has a copy of her birth certificate (after I paid $30 in requests!), and I have been unable to find a newspaper announcement of her birth. Does anyone reading this have any research tips on how I might be able to determine who her father was? In a 1901 obituary for her grandfather, George DONALDSON, May Head's mother was referred to as Mrs. George Head, but other than his name, I know nothing about my g-grandfather. Thanks for any help! swn1@comcast.net 17 November 2008
I
J
K
KNUTSON
Lucille Knutson died in 1986 in Antioch, Ca. They buried her in South Dakota. She is part of my King relation. I was looking for an obit.
Virginia - 17 November 2008
L
LEWIS
Researching the HARRY THOMAS LEWIS family. Have the following info HARRY THOMAS LEWIS 18 July 1892 - 27 June 1958, HELEN ELMA FENDER LEWIS 06 Aug 1895 - 07 Feb 1967 she was living in Walnut Creek area prior to her death. HELEN MARIE LEWIS DARSOW 24 Nov 1928 - 23 Jan 1986 she was living in the Lafayette area prior to her death.

HARRY THOMAS LEWIS Jr. son of HARRY and HELEN, believed to have been born after 1930 as he does not appear in 1930 census. Checked CA birth and death records no information found. Spoke with step-brother Dr. JOHN CHEREDES prior to his death and he said last he heard years ago, HARRY JR. was residing in the Lafayette area. Jim Lewis. 25 July 2008

LOPEZ
Looking for information on the death and burial place of Valentina Lopez ca 1904 in Mexico. Died after 1955 in Pittsburg, Ca.

Thank you, K Smith - 24 April 2008

M
MARTIN
Hello from Sheila in Southport Merseyside England. I am hoping to find an OBITUARY entry in any local Newspaper for area : ANTIOCH, CONTRA COSTA, CALIFORNIA. JAMES PRESTON MARTIN died 24 DEC 1995. JAMES was with USAF d.o.b. 8 May 1933.U.S.A.
------------------------------------------------
I am looking for my friend's BIRTH FATHER. One of my leads has brought to California Social Security Death Index. Can you help me locate this OBITUARY as mentioned in the above please?
  
Many thanks, Sheila  and ZELDA daughter of JAMES - 10 November 2008
MORGAN
 I am wanting to learn more about the Benjamin P. (1877-1959) and Marie Doyle Morgan Family who settled in Contra Costa County.  I am also looking for descendants.  I am a distant cousin and can shed some light on the Morgan side.  Actually, there is some historical signifance.
 
Benjamin's father, prior to settling in Missouri, was born in South Carolina.  The family moved to Burke County, NC shortly after 1850.  Benjamin's uncle, Andrew Morgan (1839-1921), was my ggg-grandfather. 
 
I understand Benjamin and Marie had several children: Mary, Benjamin T., Vivian, Frank, Mayberd, John, Jess, Lola, Albert, Dorothy, and William.  I understand Mayberd married a Gregorie and Vivian married a Mayer.
 
Thank you,
L. Omar McCourry
in Marion, NC - August 2010
N
NORRIS
 NORRIS, Wendell Bryant, Jr. (birth: 30 May 1941 death: 2 Nov 1979). I am searching for any obituary listing for my father, Wendell Bryant Norris Jr. - Bryant T. Norris Thorpe - 5 August 2011
O
P
PATO
 Hi, please let me know if you have any information on the PATO family from Oakley, CA.  I'm looking for information on Martha PATO (died on approximately July 28, 1981 I believe).  Martha was my aunt, and I'm trying to begin a genealogy tree.  Martha's husband was Victor PATO.  Thanks in advance, Harold Morales - 28 January 2011
Q
R
READ
Josie READ is my Grandmother's sister who left her husband and son in Texas and took Opal with her. I am really searching for Josie who apparently went by Myrtle WHITE according to Opal's social security application in California in 1936 (San Francisco). Any help or suggestions appreciated. Lela Will - 17 November 2008
RICHARDS
I am looking for information on Francis RICHARDS, who was born 18 November 1868 in Cambourne Cornwall England. His wife was named Mary and was born in Gwinear Cornwall England on 25 September 1862.

I know that he died in March of 1935 from my great grandparents papers, but I do not know where. As of the 1930 census, he was still living in Richmond, Contra Costa County and working in a Paper mill. He was a miner by trade, and came to Richmond from where he was working as a Shifter for Cananea Consolidated Copper Company S.A. His passport dated 1918 lists the Richmond address as his home.

I would like to know where he and Mary are buried, if there is a possible obituary, and if there were any children.

Thank you in Advance for your help. - Diane Eaton Hacker - 24 April 2008

ROBBINS
Hi I 'm looking for howard Russel Robbins passed away in 1973 in contra costa county. Leigha Robbins - 5 August 2011
RONALD
I am looking for the descendants of Lena RONALD, a distant cousin of mine. Lena was born on 22 December 1885 in South Dakota. Her first husband was Amandus Fahlenkamp. After his death, she married a Ronald and moved to California. Lena died 4 February 1982 in Martinez, Contra Costa, CA.

I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has information on Lena and her family. Thanks for reading this query. G. Richards - 7 October 2008

S
SLIGER
SLIGER, HARRY CHARLES, b September 03, 1907 in Lansing, MI on d December 25, 1968 in Contra Costa, California. I'm looking for information as to what county he may have lived in. I would like to order a death certificate & obit.

Any one with information on him please email me - Sam, 23 April 2008

SMITH
My great grandfather AMOS CARVER SMITH married for third time to Mary or Myra WILSON in Martinez, Contra Costa Co. Cal on Feb. 6, 1925. His first marriage was to my great grandmother Mary ANDERSON in 1894 in Medford, Oregon. She divorced him after he abandoned her and took their son for almost a year. His second marriage was to Emily ALLEN in Idaho in 1900. She died in 1918 in Gerber, Cal. He abandoned the four kids in 1920 and later married Mary WILSON in 1925. I would like to find more info on their marriage. I think they were only married a short time. I have never found where or when he died but on Cal. death records I did find an Amos Smith born 05/12/1871 in Colorado (I have he was born 1869 in Colorado) 1870 census. The record says his mothers maiden name was Griffin which is correct. Died in Sonoma on 05/30/1948. Sure would appreciate any info on his third marriage or his death.
Thank you so much for any info.
Eileen Smiley - 5 August 2011
SORENSON
In 1939 my parents stopped in Pinole/span> CA to purchase a headstone. The person I think it was for is Julia Sorensen - died between 1937 and 1939. Born in Denmark and that is just about all i know about her. It's important to me because I believe she left enough money to my parents to pay off their house which leads me to believe she probably never married and probably had no children. what I am looking for is a listing of cemeteries near Pinole so that I can begin to search for her. Also, if you have any leads as to how to get California Death information for persons who died between 1935 and 1939 I would love that also. Thank you so much. Greetings from the Camwood Genealogy Society (Stanwood WA) Ain't genealogy fun?? Judith Pieper - 5 August 2011
STOKES
My Great Uncle Adlai Stevenson Stokes died in Antioch, Contra Costa County 1968.  Would like date & cemetery.

Sandra Munyon - 6 August 2010

T

TRASK
 TRASK, HARRY ERVIN -- From the California Deaths vital search confirms his death as 4-26-1926 in Contra Costa Ca.

My dad told me that his uncle Harry died in an explosion at a gunpowder factory near Oakland CA. I have searched the web for some record of that explosion, but found nothing. If you could help me to find information on the explosion, or where I might find an obituary, it would be greatly appreciated. I don't think that he had any family in the immediate vicinity, and the 1920 census shows him as living in Oklahoma. I'm not sure how long he lived in Contra Costa, so I'm not sure if there would be an obituary. He was a WWI veteran if that helps. Ronald Trask - 5 August 2011

U

URQUHART
 Looking for the final resting place of:  Anna L. (Smith) URQUHART.  Last found in the 1930 Census for Contra Costa County, Richmond.  She had a son Davis Lorraine Urquhart.

 Thank you,
 Catherine Nagy - 6 August 2010
V
W
WHEELER
I saw an obit listing for "D J Wheeler 3/11/1893" that may appear in the Contra Costa County Gazette. Could you look this up for me. Daniel was my great grandfather.
Jim Wheeler 3 August 2008
WILLIAMS
 Name: WILLIAMS, John Wesley
Last Residence: 94518 Concord, Contra Costa, California, United States of America
Born: 4 Aug 1912
Died: 8 Jun 1985

I'm trying to find where he was laid to rest. He left my Grandmother in Vallejo about 1955 and lived in Richmond Ca for a short time. He was a Private in the Army and was stationed at Hamilton AFB. His death index says he died in Concord California at the age of 72. He was a Skilled mechanics and repairmen, motor vehicles in the Army. I'm trying to find if there was an obituary for him and place of adress. I have his last zip code as 94518 Concord, Contra Costa, California, United States of America. Thank you for your help. Ken Williams - 5 August 2011
WILLINGHAM
I am looking for any info on my dad, George Leon WILLINGHAM. I was born in Martinez, CA, in 1964. I was told he was in the Navy. Also, my grandparents names were Clarence & Lorraine PETERMAN and they adopted my mom, first and middle names: Carol Ann. Any info would help. I just want to know my dad and his side of the family. Please help before it's too late. Keith - 10 November 2008
WILSON
Could you help me find the newspaper obituary for Peggy L. WILSON who died in Costa Contra County 25 Nov 1976. Thank you.  TSgt. Robert B. Heer (U.S.A.F. retired) - 28 January 2011

WILSON, Mary/Myra - see SMITH, Amos Carver
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Linda Brown elldabee@prodigy.net
This page was last modifed 5 August 2011.
C. 1998 - 2004 Laurel L. Egenberger; 2004 - 2011 Linda Brown
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