My great grandmother, Josephine Adeline Winchell, was born November 29, 1876 in Denison, Grayson Co., Texas, according to the 1900 federal census and her death certificate (June 27, 1943 in Dallas, Texas). Josephine married my great grandfather, John Theodore McClain, on August 24, 1893 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Denison, Grayson Co., Texas. They were divorced on September 25, 1899 in Grayson Co., Texas. Her other husbands included Samuel V. Geary, Herford C. Hightower, and Harry F. Brown.

Josephine is living with husband, Samuel Geary, during the 1900 federal census. Both her children, my grandfather, Bernard, and his sister, Anne, are enumerated with their mother and stepfather. By the 1910 federal census, Josephine is married to Herford C. Hightower and living with her sister, Molly, and Molly's husband, D. H. Wager, and their children. Bernard is not listed as living with the family, however, Anne is living with her mother on this census. I am still trying to locate Bernard in 1910 and Josephine and Anne in 1920.

Thomas Henry Winchell and Elizabeth Doherty or Dunseith were Josephine's parents. Thomas was from New York or Germany. Elizabeth was from Ireland. According to the 1870 federal census (New Orleans, Lousiana, 2nd Ward, p. 204), Thomas and Elizabeth had four daughters at this time: Sarah Jane, who does not appear on any future census; Annie E. ("Sally"); Rachel, who also does not appear on any future census; and, Margaret "Maggie". I located the birth record for Mary Elizabeth "Molly" which indicates Elizabeth's last name as Dorherty. A marriage index indicates Thomas Henry Winchell married an Elizabeth Dunseith on 22 May 1861. At the time the 1880 federal census was enumerated, the family is living in Denison, Grayson Co., Texas, and Josephine (a/k/a Cora on the census) is listed.

Thomas died 10 June 1889 and is buried at Oakwood Cemetery, Denison, Texas. Elizabeth died 9 March 1898 and is buried alongside her husband.

My Family Database at WorldConnect/Rootsweb.com

Winchell Bits & Pieces

Winchell Surname Links