This chapter follows Michael James Morrison and Barbara Kunkel in Chariton County, Missouri, and the records behind the search for Michael’s Irish origins.
The family line
Michael James Morrison (1886–1968), also remembered in the family as Mikel, was born in Ireland. His Missouri death certificate records his birth as August 26, 1886, names his wife as Barbara Morrison, and identifies his father as Michael Morrison. His mother’s maiden name was reported as unknown. Barbara supplied the information for the certificate.
By 1950, Michael and Barbara were living in Chariton County, Missouri. The original census records Michael as a 63-year-old farmer born in Ireland and marks him as naturalized. His death certificate describes his later home as Wayland Township, where he had lived for 21 years. He died on March 12, 1968, and the certificate records his burial at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Salisbury on March 14.
Michael and Barbara’s younger son
Michael and Barbara Morrison also had a son named Michael. The 1950 census lists him in their household. His Missouri death certificate, under the name Michael Morrison Jr., records his birth on December 18, 1933, at Bynumville and describes him as a plumber. He died on March 13, 1956, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Kirkwood.
The certificate records removal to Wien on March 14, but it does not name a cemetery or establish his final burial place.
People, places, and stories
The family story that Michael James Morrison traveled as a stowaway is still unproved. The recollections that he worked for a railroad and Barbara was a Harvey Girl also remain family history awaiting contemporary records. These stories are kept separate from the facts recorded in the census and death certificate.
Photographs and documents
Bridget Morrison Roling with her father, Mike Morrison.
Source: Family photograph with an accompanying handwritten note. The owner confirmed the note-photo association and identified Bridget with her father, Mike. Date and location remain unverified.
People’s stories can be linked to photographs and documents, with names, dates when known, captions, and the source of each item. Uncertain identifications will be labeled clearly.
Newspaper stories
A planned section for newspaper clippings and stories connected to a particular person or family.
Contributors will be asked to identify the person or family, newspaper name, publication date, page number when known, and the source or link.
An upload form is not available yet. Submissions will be reviewed for identification, privacy, and permission to share before publication. An uploaded clipping will not be treated as permission to republish it.
Sources and confidence
Sources and how to read them explains how records, recollections and unresolved questions are presented.
M1. Michael James Morrison’s 1968 Missouri death certificate, state file 68-00007081. The certificate records his birth, wife, father, occupation, death, and burial. It is marked “AMENDED”; the amended field has not yet been identified.
M2. 1950 U.S. census, Chariton County, Missouri, ED 21-29, sheet 3, with the household continuation on sheet 4. The census records Ireland as Michael’s birthplace and marks him naturalized; a naturalization court record has not been established here.
M3. Family recollections about stowaway passage, railroad work, and Barbara’s Harvey Girl employment. These remain unverified stories, not independently documented events.
M4. Michael Morrison Jr.’s 1956 Missouri death certificate. The archive filename ends in 1956_00011779.PDF; an earlier reading transcribed the state file number as 11781. This discrepancy remains unresolved. The certificate records removal to Wien but does not identify a cemetery.
M5. 1930 U.S. census, Bee Branch Township, Chariton County, Missouri, ED 21-1, sheet 5A, dwelling 94, family 94, lines 40–46, Michael J. Morrison household, enumerated April 14, 1930. NARA microfilm publication T626; FHL microfilm 2340917; Ancestry image 4660334_00275. Michael’s immigration year and naturalization status are both entered as “Un.” The 1930 enumerator instructions, paragraph 50, define “Un” as unknown. The 1950 census records him as naturalized, but these census entries do not establish when his naturalization occurred.
Research questions
Where in Ireland was Michael James Morrison born? When did he arrive in the United States, through which port, and on which ship? Can a naturalization record identify his Irish town or parish? What contemporary records could test the employment and stowaway stories?
Privacy
Personal details about living relatives are left out of this draft.