Rolandus Aurlean Watkins 1853-1929

Rolandus Aurlean Watkins our great grandfather. He was the youngest of four, born in 1853 in Grant County Wisconsin to Stephen Decatur Watkins and Florinda Hirst.  Ginevra the oldest was named for the da Vinci  paintingwhich is considered his first masterpiece. Rolandus took his first name from Florinda's brother. He w

Rolandus' biography will eventually be online. Suffice it to say now that it was he who endured over many years collaborating with Walter K. Watkins the Watkins family researcher of record at the New England Historical and Genealogical Society in Boston. He also sought out many primary sources for both Watkins and Clark lines. He was most supportive of Ellen our great grandmother, keeping her and her siblings and their history connected.

In August of 1901 he as consicentiously researched and searched out Oklahoma lottery farmland, making notes in the red leather notebook which we treasure. It yet is misshapen from his sweaty pocket. Our father was born on this land

It certainly is to "Rolla" that we owe the greatest debt of gratitude but we also owe Aunt Dora his sister appreciation for much of the identifying and indexing of the letters. Indeed we have often turned to her original notes and listing of each letter.

This section contains the largest volume of letters, those of the parents and family of Rolandus as well as a large percentage of the R. A. Watkins genealogical research correspondence.

The Stephen D. Watkins and Florinda Hirst Watkins family letters. Most are those received and some authored. Other surnames in this group are Ayres, Howard, Senter, Honey, Norris and Badger.
Ths group also includes Letters from Orenus Hart, Stephen's one time guardian and family friend.

(Navigation Tips -- Click arrows to more between family descent trees, Click "N" to read notes and access Surname index by clicking "index"

Letters pages 1-100: Mostly Hirst & Watkinsm

Letters pages 101-200:   Clark Watkins, Oklahoma Years

Letters pages 201-299: Research and J. G. Clark Bio

Photographs

Time Line


 For researchers and hopeful cousins, please feel free to query Prairietree if you believe we have information to share, or just comments to make. ~ wlw -- contact Prairietree with queries

(Much of this is password protected until the print publication is anticipated , sometime in the fall of 2006)

To review Descent Trees: Left Click Here

For Narrative History:  Left Click Here

For researchers and hopeful cousins, please feel free to query Prairietree if you believe we have information to share, or just comments to make. ~ wlw