Researching civil war gravesites.....

[zaweiss]

Hey all,

For nearly 200 years, my family has shared a small burial plot with 4-5 other families. I was there yesterday and I noticed the grave of a Civil War soldier that I have never really paid much attention to over the past few years.

I cannot remember the gentleman's name, but he was a soldier in the 4th Missouri Cavalry. (4 MO CAV)

(EDIT: The Guy's name was William Z. Evans)

What advice would any of you guys / gals offer to a person who was just beginning to research gravesites?

Would the city have records of the burial?

Zach

[funkman]

not sure about the city, but I know when I was doing genealogical research for my family tree I went to the cemetary office and they had internment cards for the gravesites and also had listed who else was buried in the grave. They should be able to find the record by the person's name and should also have a map of the cemetary to verify that this is the same grave you are looking for info on.

Hope this helps.

Funkman


p.s. see a dentist...LOL

[Gypsy Heart]

You can look his name up on a family website ...such as Genforum.com
They are a wealth of information.

The Civil War records for him are also a big lead...If you give us a name of your soldier and the town where he is buried ,there are many of us who could help you research .

[zaweiss]

I will drive up there today to get the name.....

P.S. Those are not my real teeth!

[zaweiss]

William Z. Evans, 4th MO CAV

(The grave is located in the Mayberry Cemetery in the tiny villiage of Avon, Missouri.)

[stoney56]

They were a busy bunch.
http://home.usmo.com/~momollus/MOREG/C012.htm

Still researching the name.

[stoney56]

Wonder if it's the same one. Info from 1880 Federal Census

Name: William Z. Evans
Home in 1880: Saline, Saint Genevieve, Missouri
Age: 38
Estimated birth year: abt 1842
Birthplace: Missouri
Relation to head-of-household: Self (Head)
Spouse's name: Ruth C.
Father's birthplace: MO
Mother's birthplace: MO
Occupation: Farmer
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Gender: Male

[Gypsy Heart]

I think its the same one Stoney,as these are the inscriptions from the cemetary
Evans, Nellie A., b. 6 M ar 1874, d. 30 Jul 1890, d/o Wm Z & R.C. Evans
Evans, Ruth C., b. 13 Feb 1842, d. 6 Mar 1895, w/o Wm Z. Evans
Evans, Stella May, d. 10 Jun 1945, age: 32y, w
Evans, William Z., b. 18 May 1842, d. 13 Mar 1907, Married to Ruth C. Boyd 10 Mar 1869, GAR Co C 14th MO Cavalry, Also has a military stone that reads CPL Co G 14 MO Cav Civil War

[zaweiss]

Yep...that's it!

The cemetery is actually located near the "Little Saline Creek" in the outskirts of Sainte Genevieve, MO!

[stoney56]

I believe he was a member of Snider's Battalion Co. B 4th Missouri Calvary. It was also nicknamed the "Northeast Cavalry Battalion"

http://www.missouridivision-scv.org/...iderbatcav.htm

[stoney56]

Gypsy,

[River Rat]

Zach,

I see that Gypsy and Stoney are a big help in this research ...I was doing some research too but got disrupted in the middle of it.

Per my researching for LA Civil War soldiers, I was able to find much in the State Archives...so I went to the Missouri State Archives to look for William Z. Evans.

There are 2 Evans...

Search Details Name: EVANS, WILLIAM Z.
Rank: Private
Conflict: Civil War
Side: Union
Type of Unit: Cavalry
Organization: Missouri Volunteers
Name of Unit: 14th Regiment Cavalry Volunteers
Alternate Unit Name:
Company: C
Period of Service:
Commander:
Note:
Record Group: Office of Adjutant General
Series Title: Record of Service Card, Civil War, 1861-1865
Box: 26
Reel: s832
Image: View Record



Search Details Name: EVANS, WILLIAM Z.
Rank: Private
Conflict: Civil War
Side: Union
Type of Unit:
Organization: Provisional Enrolled Missouri Militia
Name of Unit: 8th Regiment Provisional E.M.M.
Alternate Unit Name:
Company: L
Period of Service:
Commander:
Note:
Record Group: Office of Adjutant General
Series Title: Record of Service Card, Civil War, 1861-1865
Box: 26
Reel: s821
Image: View Record

I believe the 1st Evans is the person you are looking for...I always find the State's Archives a wealth of information.

http://www.sos.mo.gov/archives/resources/civilwar/

RR

[zaweiss]

thank you guys, you have really helped me out alot!

[zaweiss]

Gypsy,

I actually went to the cemetery and located all of the other graves of his wife and daughter....fascinating!

I talked to an old farmer and he showed me where they used to bury black folks (slaves?).

Are there any special records or archives that would be intended specifically for blacks of the era?

Zach