Chasing the Shadows

Simon Schama wrote, "Historians are left forever chasing shadows, painfully aware of their inability ever to reconstruct a dead world in its completeness however thorough or revealing their documentation. We are doomed to be forever hailing someone who has just gone around the corner and out of earshot."

Family historians can identify strongly with those words, and, yet, we continue the pursuit. And sometimes those shadows we are chasing take form and substance and we can at least sneak a peak into the lives of our ancestors. It's worth the chase.

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Friday, October 8, 2010

EMMA GROOM, daughter of Samuel Dabney Groom and Lucinda Thompson Groom





















Emma (Louisa) Groom (1862-1935) was the youngest daughter of Samuel Dabney Groom and Lucinda Thompson Groom.  She was the niece of William Groom who was the second husband of Laurilla M. Record Bernard Groom, sister of Lovina Jane Record Carson.


In 1870 seven year old Emma Louisa Groom was living in Hallock, Peoria County, IL, with her birth family.  Some time between 1870 and 1875, Emma and her birth family made the trip south to Cowley County, KS, settling in Richland Township, as evidenced by the 1875 Kansas State census.


Emma lived with her birth family until around 1906.  At that time 42 year old Emma Louisa Groom married Indiana born, 46 year old William Sample (1910 US Census).  It was the first marriage for both. (1930 US census)  William was a mail carrier with a rural route in Cowley County, KS.  They lived at Rock Creek. By the 1930 US Census, William had retired and the couple were still living at Rock Creek, Cowley County, KS.  They owned their home but did not own a radio.  


Both Emma and William died 5 years after the 1930 US census was conducted.  They are buried at Wilmot Cemetery, Cowley County, KS.  Their headstone can be viewed at www.findagrave.com.


Emma was 17 when she signed the autograph book of Lovina Jane Record Carson.



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