American Kindred

Originally published in The Arkansas Family Historian, Summer 2025

The Arkansas Genealogy Society Family History Writing Contest Winner –First Place 2024-2025

Dorothy Helen McWilliams was born on 19 January 1916, in Helena, Phillips County, Arkansas, to Emma Merrit and James McWilliams. ^[1]Arkansas State Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Delayed Birth Certificate (unnumbered) (20 November 1958), Dorothy Helen McWilliams. Her brother, James Carlise McWilliams, was born two years later on 24 March 1918. ^[2]Arkansas, Birth Certificates, 1914-1922, database with images, Ancestry (http:ancestry.com: accessed 05 November 2020), certificate image, James Carlise McWilliams, 24 March 1918, no. 2509; citing … Continue reading That same month of James’ birth, marked the first documented case of the Spanish Flu in the United States. This was the start of one of the deadliest pandemics in history, claiming the lives of millions, and impacting the lives of those who survived.

The 1918 flu pandemic had very high mortality rates for young adults. Emma Merrit, who was only twenty-one years old at the time, caught the flu, and subsequently died of pneumonia on 29 October 1918. ^[3]Keeshan-Lambert Funeral Home, book 1, as transcribed in Tri-County Genealogy 3, Spring 1988, p.p. 37-41 Tragically her son, James also lost his life during the 1918 pandemic. ^[4]“Rosa Bell Chesnut,” obituary, Newton Press (Newton, Illinois), 11 March 1952, p.1 col. 4.

Emma’s mother, Dorothy’s maternal grandmother, Rosa Bell Richey, was living in Jasper County, Illinois, when Emma died. ^[5]Jasper County Assessor’s Books, Accession Number 5/0081/01, Wade Township 1912, Illinois Regional Archives Depository, Booth Library, Charleston, Illinois According to family lore, when Rosa Bell received word that her daughter Emma died, she took a train to Arkansas, and brought Dorothy home with her. ^[6]Rosalie Watkins (Newton, Illinois) to author, email 02 February 2007; Rosalie Watkins, now deceased, was a granddaughter of Rosa Bell Richey. Following her relocation to Illinois, Dorothy lost contact with her father, and wondered what happened to him. Did he remarry? Did she have any other siblings?

Background: Dorothy’s Maternal Family

Dorothy McWilliam’s mother, Emma Elizabeth Merritt was born in 1897 in Arkansas to John Marion Merritt and Rosa Bell Richey. Emma was three years old in 1900 and was living in La Gru, Arkansas County, Arkansas, with her parents, and twin cousins. Rosa Bell appeared in the 1900 census under the name Richie Merritt, reflecting both her birth and married names. Rosa Bell separated from John Merritt by May 1904. She then filed for divorce from John Merritt on 25 February 1905, in Sunflower County, Mississippi The divorce was granted on 19 December 1905. ^[7]Sunflower County, MS, Chancery Court Divorce Case File, case no. 1302, Merritt vs Merrit, 1905.

Table 1: John M. Merritt Household – 1900 Federal Census

Locality	1900, La Gru Township, Arkansas
ED, Sheet, Line	Enumeration District 4, Sheet 14, Line 22
Enumeration Date	16 June 1900

Name	Relationship	Sex	Birthdate	Age	Birthplace	Mother’s Birthplace	Father’s Birthplace
John M. Merritt	Head	M	Jun 1869	30	Arkansas	Arkansas	Arkansas
Richie Merritt	Wife	F	Feb 1881	19	Arkansas	Arkansas	Arkansas
Emma Merritt	Daughter	F	Sep 1896	3	Arkansas	Arkansas	Arkansas
Essie Crisp	Daughter	F	Apr 1891	9	Arkansas	Arkansas	Arkansas
Jessie Crisp	Son	M	Apr 1891	9	Arkansas	Arkansas	Arkansas

The 1918 flu pandemic had very high mortality rates for young adults. (p. 2) Emma Merrit, who was only twenty-one years old at the time, caught the flu, and subsequently died of pneumonia on 29 October 1918. ^[8]Keeshan-Lambert Funeral Home, book 1, as transcribed in Tri-County Genealogy 3, Spring 1988, pp. 37-41 Tragically her son, James also lost his life during the 1918 pandemic.

Emma’s mother, Dorothy’s maternal grandmother, Rosa Bell Richey, was living in Jasper County, Illinois, when Emma died. ^[9]Jasper County Assessor’s Books Accession Number 5/0081/01, Wade Township 1912, Illinois Regional Archives Depository, Booth Library, Charleston, Illinois According to family lore, when Rosa Bell received word that her daughter Emma died, she took a train to Arkansas, and brought Dorothy home with her. ^[10]Rosalie Watkins (Newton, Illinois) to author, email 02 February 2007; Rosalie Watkins, now deceased, was a granddaughter of Rosa Bell Richey Following her relocation to Illinois, Dorothy lost contact with her father, and wondered what happened to him. Did he remarry? Did she have any other siblings?

Background: Dorothy’s Maternal Family

Dorothy McWilliam’s mother, Emma Elizabeth Merritt was born in 1897 in Arkansas to John Marion Merritt and Rosa Bell Richey. ^[11]Keeshan-Lambert Funeral Home, book 1, as transcribed in Tri-County Genealogy 3, Spring 1988, pp. 37-41. Emma was three years old in 1900 and was living in La Gru, Arkansas County, Arkansas, with her parents, and twin cousins. Rosa Bell appeared in the 1900 census under the name Richie Merritt, reflecting both her birth and married names. ^[12]1900 U.S. Census, Arkansas Co., Arkansas, population schedule, La Gru Township, enumeration district (ED) 4, sheet 14 (penned), dwelling 263, family 268, J.M. Merritt household; digital image, … Continue reading

Rosa Bell separated from John Merritt by May 1904. She then filed for divorce from John Merritt on 25 February 1905, in Sunflower County, Mississippi The divorce was granted on 19 December 1905. ^[13]Sunflower County, MS, Chancery Court Divorce Case File, case no. 1302, Merritt vs Merritt, 1905.

Table 2: 1910 Census, Sunflower, Mississippi

Locality	1910, Beat 5. Sunflower County, Mississippi
ED, Sheet, Line	Enumeration District 95, Sheet 14b, Line 63
Enumeration Date	14 May 1910

Name	Relationship	Sex	Age	Birthplace	Mother’s Birthplace	Father’s Birthplace
William A. Chesnut	Head	M	27	Illinois	Missouri	Illinois
Rosa Chesnut	Wife	F	28	Arkansas	Georgia	Virginia
Emma M Chesnut	Daughter	F	12	Arkansas	Arkansas	Arkansas
Mabel Chesnut	Daughter	F	5	Mississippi	Illinois	Arkansas
Alexander Conley	Boarder	M	28	Mississippi	Arkansas	Arkansas
Beatrice Richie	Sister-in-law	F	27	Arkansas	Arkansas	Arkansas

Rosa Bell was pregnant when the census was taken on 14 May 1910 in Sunflower, Mississippi. (p. 4) She gave birth to a son, William Aubrey Chesnut, on 4 November 1910. ^[14]United States World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940,” digital image, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org: accessed 31 March 2025), card for William Aubrey Chesnut, serial no. 57: local … Continue reading By 1912, William and Rosa Bell Chesnut relocated approximately 450 miles north from Sunflower, Mississippi to Wade Township, Jasper County, Illinois, where William Alva Chesnut appeared in the township assessor’s records. ^[15]Jasper County Assessor’s Books, Accession Number 5/0081/01, Wade Township 1912, Illinois Regional Archives Depository, Booth Library, Charleston, Illinois. A year later, in March 1913, their youngest son, Cecil Chesnut, was born in Jasper County. ^[16]The Decatur Herald, Decatur, Illinois, 27 March 1976, page 22, Obituary of Cecil M. Chesnut; image, Newspapers.com (http://newspapers.com: accessed 08 February 2024).

Paternal Family: Th Elusive James McWilliam

One of the challenges of tracking down James McWilliams and his family was determining his correct middle name. Given the large number of individuals with the same name in the area, having few details made the task even more difficult. (p. 4) Establishing his middle name was essential for distinguishing him from other James McWilliams and ensuring the correct records were located.

For many years, Dorothy believed her father’s name was James Edward McWilliams, which was listed on her birth certificate. ^[17]Arkansas State Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Delayed Birth Certificate (unnumbered) (20 November 1958), Dorothy Helen McWilliams Even though Arkansas started recording births in 1914, Dorothy McWilliams did not have an original birth certificate. A delayed birth certificate was her step-grandfather, William Chesnut.

Emma and James’ marriage certificate listed the couple as James E. McWilliams and Emma E. Merritt. Since the majority of other records list his middle initial as a “C”, it can be speculated that the Lee County, Arkansas clerk made a mistake when creating the record. Two years later, the society page of the Helena Daily World mentioned that Mr. & Mrs. Jas. C. McWilliams entertained a few friends to celebrate their wedding anniversary. ^[18]The Daily World, Helena, Arkansas, 08 March 1917, p. 3, col. 5, Celebrate Third Wedding Anniversary; image, Newspapers.com (http://newspapers.com: accessed 06 March 2024); (The society page was … Continue reading

While Dorothy was not issued an original birth certificate, an original birth certificate was located for her brother who was born two years after her. (p. 5) James Carlise McWilliams, Jr., born 24 March 1918 in Helena, Arkansas to James C. McWilliams and Emma E. Merritt. ^[19]Arkansas, Birth Certificates, 1914-1922, database with images, Ancestry (http:ancestry.com: accessed 05 November 2020), certificate image, James Carlise McWilliams, 24 March 1918, no. 2509; citing … Continue reading Since he was listed as a junior, it would imply that his father was James Carlise McWilliams Senior. Dorothy never saw her brother’s birth certificate. However, she knew from oral history that she had a brother who died in infancy. She told her family that her brother’s name was James Gurney McWilliams.



James was also identified as a junior in a letter to Dorothy (McWilliams) Hopper by Helena, Arkansas attorney, Douglas Heslep. (p. 5) Attorney Heslep was investigating the estate of Emma’s father, J.M. Merritt. The attorney writes:

I am told J.M. Merritt had only one child, namely, Emma Merritt, that she married J.C. McWilliams, and from such marriage, there were two children born, namely J.C. McWilliams, Jr.., who died in infancy, and Dorothy McWilliams who was the granddaughter referred to in the will of J.M. Merritt as his granddaughter, Bertha McWilliams.

In the 1917 City Directory for Helena, Arkansas, James is listed as follows: McWilliams, Jas C (Emma), clk JM Merritt, h 129 College. James McWilliams was working for his father-in-law, John M. Merritt, who owned a grocery store. ^[20]“U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995,” database, Ancestry.com (ancestry.com: accessed 17 Feb 2024), entry for Jas C McWilliams household; imaged in “U.S. City Directories, … Continue reading

On 12 September 1918, James McWilliams, registered for the draft as required by law.

Table 3: World War I Draft Registration, 12 September 1918

Name	Date of Birth	Address	Nearest Relative	Occupation
James Conard McWilliams	07 Dec 1883	Walnut Street, Helena, AR	Emma	Sales Man

On his World War I Draft registration card, he lists his full name as James Conard McWilliams. He is living a mile away from the address recorded in the 1917 City directory.

James McWilliams faced significant hardships in 1918. After registering for the draft in September, he suffered the devastating loss of his wife and son during the influenza pandemic The emotional and practical toll of these events likely weighed heavily on both James and his young daughter, Dorothy. (p. 6) Recognizing the need for stability, his mother-in-law, Rosa Bell, soon stepped in to care for Dorothy, offering James some much-needed relief during an incredibly difficult time.

By 1920, James was found living in a boarding house on York Street in Helena, Arkansas. ^[21]1920 U.S.Census, Phillips Co., Arkansas, population schedule, Helena Ward 3, enumeration district (ED) 185, sheet 8A, (penned), family 294, J. C. McWilliams household; digital image, Ancestry; citing … Continue reading According to present-day maps, York Street intersects with Walnut Street and was a very short distance from the previous address.

By 1930, James McWilliams was likely residing around 200 miles south of Helena, Arkansas, in Jackson, Mississippi. The 1930 Census for Jackson lists James C. McWilliams as being 37 years old, suggesting a birth year of approximately 1893. ^[22]1930 U.S. Census, Hinds Co., Mississippi, population schedule, Jackson, enumeration district (ED) 25-14, sheet 13N (penned), p. 248 (stamped), dwelling 344, family 353, Dave A. Willis household; … Continue reading His occupation was recorded as a painter, which at first seems to conflict with earlier records indicating he worked as a clerk or in sales. However, family members informed Dorothy that her father did indeed work as a painter, aligning with this later record.

Table 4: 1930 Census, Jackson, Mississippi

Locality	1930, Jackson City, Hinds County, Mississippi
ED, Sheet, Line	Enumeration District 25-14, Sheet 14, Line 71
Enumeration Date	14 April 1930

Name	Relationship	Sex	Age	Marital Status	Birthplace	Mother’s Birthplace	Father’s Birthplace	Occupation
James C. McWilliams	Border	M	37	Widow	Arkansas	Arkansas	Arkansas	Painter

James Conrad McWilliams filed an application for Social Security on 10 April 1940, while living in Natchez, Mississippi. (p. 7) He listed his parents as James W. McWilliams and Georgia McCarow. He was unemployed at the time. ^[23]James Conrad McWilliams, Social Security Number 426-26-3612, 10 April 1940, Application for Account Number (Form SS-5), Social Security Administration, Baltimore, Maryland.

Census, marriage, and death records have been searched, but no additional information has been found on his parents.

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) inquiry was made for the Social Security number assigned to James Conrad McWilliams. The Social Security Administration was not able to provide any additional information because his claim file was destroyed in accordance with their records retention schedule. ^[24]Mary Ann Zimmerman, Freedom of Information Officer to author, letter 12 March 2021: author’s files.

Seven months later, another Social Security application was filed in Jackson, Mississippi, for what initially appears to be a brother of James McWilliams. ^[25]Joe Cary McWilliams, Social Security Number 425-28-8406, 13 November 1940, Application for Account Number (Form SS-5), Social Security Administration, Baltimore, Maryland

The application was for Joe Cary McWilliams, a painter living in Jackson County, Mississippi. The parents are the same, James W. McWilliams and Georgia Adeline McCarow.

An inquiry was made to the Social Security Administration, and they were able to provide a date of death of April 1955. A search at the National Archives, Access to Archival Databases (AAD), provided additional details. ^[26]C, Prickett, Correspondence Clerk (SSA, Baltimore, Maryland) to author, letter dated 13 December 2007; author’s files. It showed that a life claim was filed on 9 December 1955. The name in the claim file for the Social Security number for Joe was not Joe Cary McWilliams, but rather James E. McWilliam, born on 07 December 1885. ^[27]“Social Security Claim Files 1936-2007, (Last Names M through Q),” database, National Archives: Access to Archival Databases, James McWilliams, reference number 66231190176. The claim file listed the field office for the claim as Vicksburg, Mississippi. A statewide search of death records in Mississippi was performed for the time period, but no death record was located. The Social Security application for Joe Cary McWilliams raises more questions than answers it provides.

Conclusion Part 1
Extensive research was conducted, including the examination of census records, death certificates, and newspaper archives, to trace the paternal lineage of Dorothy McWilliams Hopper. While these sources provided valuable information, significant questions remained unanswered. The identity of James McWilliams, in particular, continued to elude discovery. With the traditional paper trail nearing its end, the next logical step was to turn to DNA evidence, hoping it could provide the missing pieces to complete the puzzle.