My 3 gr grandfather James Coleman Jimison has proved to be one of the most elusive to research. It is said that he once bragged to one of my grandmothers that no one would ever be able to trace his lineage. According to his obituary (Iroquois County Democrat, Watseka, Illinois May 17, 1907), he was born 30 Jan 1834 in Pike Co, Missouri. On March 22, 1855, he married Mary L Ashworth. He was living in Watseka, Illinois at the time of his death. He does not mention any parents. There were 4 surviving children: Paulina Johnson, William H Jimison (my gr gr grandfather), Ellis Lee Jimison and Ely T Jimison. I did obtain a record of his marriage from Schuyler Co, MO. It was recorded/transcribed under the name Joneson. I know that other members of the family have used the name Jamison and Jemison at various times but so far I have found nothing to indicate who his parents were.
Monday Madness: Researching the Elusive James Coleman Jimison
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Do you have him in the 1850 U.S. Census? There’s one shot where he would be with his parents before marrying in 1855. How many 16 year olds named James with a variant of Jimison/Jameson/etc. born in Missouri are there?
Looks like he’s the James Jameson in the household of Mitchell Jameson and his wife Polly. They have a daughter called Paulina, which your James in turn used as a name. They are in Schuyler Co. Missouri
Thanks. I have actually searched the 1850 census but missed this. At least I have a place to start now.