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From: "Matt & Tracy Adams" <>
Subject: [WVTAYLOR] Charles Patrick Curtis & Ada Bessie Weaver
Date: Wed, 06 Feb 2008 20:24:59 -0500


Please let me apologize for the lengthy message. I am in need of help with
my "BRICKWALL" and hope that one or more of you will be able to assist me in
my search. It is quite an interesting story. I have been able to locate
several source documents but have not yet been able to complete the puzzle.

I am searching for any information on these to individuals and any family
that may be tied to them. The two married in Taylor County, West Virginia on
November 13, 1912. I suspect that Ada is the daughter of a William Curtis
and may have a brother by the name of Thomas Curtis but nothing proven as of
yet. I have no idea who the parents of Pat Curtis are.

The two had 6 children that I know of and it is my understanding that each
of these children were "contracted" out to other families as Pat was busy in
the mines and Ada spent quite a bit of time in Weston State Hospital in
Lewis County where she eventually died in 10/1954 after spending 30 years
there. My biological grandmother was one of their children. She was named
Ada Bessie Curtis.

She was contracted out to Forest and Cora (Wilson) Fisher who were married
in Taylor County February 17, 1904. My grandmother was born September 8,
1923 in Grafton, Taylor County West Virginia. Grew up in Nitro, WV and knew
herself to be named Ada Mae Fisher. She married James Gilbert Bays in
Charleston, WV 4/23/1942 and on June 4, 1943 had a son, Kenneth Allen Bays.
James and Ada divorced in 11/1948. According to her brother, Orbert Charles
Curtiss, Ada finds the contract in an old trunk and discovers that the
Fisher's are not her biological parents.

Eventually in the mid 1950's Ada comes to live with Forest and Cora Fisher
in Parkersburg, WV where her brother Obert lives and where her father,
Forest Fisher dies in 1955 and the following year she gives birth to my
father out of wedlock on 3/25/1956 at Camden Clark Hospital. Attorney George
Shedan handled the adoption and my grandparents, Harry and Edna McPherson
take my dad home from the hospital. Dad found out after his parents death
that he was adopted and the search began.

I have the adoption order and Dad's father is unknown. His mother and
Kenneth lived in Belpre for a time taking care of Cora until Cora was placed
in a home in Canton. I next find Ada and Kenneth in Florida, first in Miami
and later in Orlando. She remarries for a short time to a Bert Nelson but
that lasts only a few years. Ada dies 8/4/1996 in Orlando Florida known
before we can locate her. She kept her name Ada Bays as this was listed on
the adoption order and on her death certificate. As of this date have been
unable to contact Kenneth although we believe he still lives in Orlando.

Looking for any information. Specifically the following:

1)Place and Date of Death of Charles Patrick Curtis ( have his WWI
draft card says he was born in Barbour County (although have found other
sources listing him born in Lewis County and even Ireland) - he may have
died in Maryland or Pennsylvania - believe he died after the 1950's)
2)Parents of Charles Patrick Curtis and Ada Bessie Weaver
3)There may be additional children - several different names of
mothers on birth/death certificates of their children
4)Any information on my grandmother Ada Bays and Kenneth Bays
5)Anyone who knew any of my family who may have leads.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my post.

Tracy Adams



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