Madness Monday - Jerry Roe Mystery Solved!
In 2009, I initiated the Madness Monday movement, focusing on genealogical challenges. One of my enduring puzzles was Jerry Roe, my great-great-grandfather. For years, I tirelessly searched for his parents, believing this mystery would never unravel. However, today I am elated beyond words. I excitedly shared with my daughter the documents that have finally connected all the dots, bringing down the brick wall that stood in my family's history.
Back in 2008, I wrote about my great-grandfather Frank Roe, noting my surprise at discovering his parents, Jerry and Rachel Roe, residing on an Indian Reservation in Ote, Oklahoma, in the 1910 census. At the time, I was startled to learn of Rachel's claim of Chippewa ancestry, a myth later dispelled by DNA and further research.
In 2011, the journey continued when Jeanette Perrin Coaly, a cousin of my husband's and mine, unearthed significant clues that teased me for the subsequent six years. Her discovery led to finding Jess Roe and eventually the marriage record of Jerry Roe and Rachel Mason, which became available online. Despite these breakthroughs, the ancestry of Jerry and Rachel continued to evade me for years.
Then, in the spring of 2017, my mother underwent DNA testing, marking a turning point in my research. I meticulously combed through her DNA matches, focusing on the Roe connections that could potentially lead me to Jerry's lineage. This painstaking effort led me back to Jeremiah Roe, born around 1750 in Ireland and later immigrating to Pennsylvania. Though daunting, this lineage provided a promising lead that I pursued over the following year.
My approach included scrutinizing DNA matches with surnames associated with Jeremiah Roe's descendants. Two of Jeremiah's sons particularly stood out due to strong DNA connections and shared surnames with their wives.
The first, Jeremiah Roe II, had multiple wives and several sons, including George. Despite tracing George's line, I found no direct link to my great-grandfather. Similarly, my exploration of Jeremiah's son, Johnathan Roe, married to Lucretia Van Valkenburg, uncovered intriguing Scandinavian DNA matches that had previously perplexed me.
Johnathan and Lucretia's tragic deaths in 1838 and 1839, possibly due to a flu outbreak, added a layer of complexity to my search. Among their sons, Michael Van Valkenburg Roe stood out initially, but subsequent research pointed me towards Johnathan Roe's other sons: Joel, Richard, and Jonathan.
Joel Roe, born in 1832, emerged as a pivotal figure in my quest. His relocation to Iowa and marriage to Julia Ann Richardson provided a clearer path. Their children, including Josiah, born in 1859 in Iowa, captured my attention. Despite the tantalizing clues, Josiah's trail grew cold in adulthood, mirroring the difficulty I faced in uncovering details about Jothanan "Jerry" Roe prior to his marriage to Rachel Mason in Missouri.
A breakthrough came when I revisited records associated with Pier Roe's delayed birth certificate. This document, initially suspicious due to its delayed filing, contained a crucial detail: the name "Jothanan Jossiers Roe." I scoured further and discovered that the certificate was signed by Jennie E. Norton, identified as Pier's aunt—a pivotal revelation that tied together many loose ends.
Through DNA and meticulous research, I now confirm my descent from Jeremiah Roe, born circa 1750 in Ireland, who immigrated to Pennsylvania. This journey, spanning over a decade, underscores the importance of scrutinizing original sources over transcriptions, ensuring a complete and accurate understanding of our ancestors' stories.
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