About Me
I have been interested in genealogy for some time now – and have been researching our collective family roots seriously for the past four years. The family names that we are most interested in include: Curbow; Ham; Atwood; Grantham (most of these families are from various southern states – who eventually settled in Texas); Montoya (New Mexico and Utah); Spencer, Gardner, Elmer (Mormon pioneers – most from England to Utah); Geier and Lipsdorf (my German family).
On this blog you will be able to read stories and view photographs and documents about our family which will hopefully bring the past alive to you.
The details of which I will write about on this blog are probably of no interest to the majority of humanity. However, I know that with the passing of time, the faces of our ancestors will begin to fade from memory and will therefore be lost to future generations. Each week I will attempt to showcase a different ancestor – who they were – who their immediate family was – and where and how they lived their lives. This process of family discovery has been somewhat like looking through an old file cabinet – I never know what I’m going to find!
If you are interested in learning more about any of our family lines – I would be delighted to hear from you. If we have a family connection, I would love to add your family to my ancestry database and document them with birth, marriage and death records along with their photographs or any other type of data that will help us fill in the gaps and break through brick walls.
When I am not sitting in a library, poring over a microfilm or dragging my husband through the cemeteries of Texas – I work as a legal assistant for a law firm in Austin, Texas. My husband and I have been married for 31 years – we have one awesome son, a lovely daughter-in-law and the cutest little grandson.
Genealogy is a labor of love – I hope you enjoy your time on this blog.
Curbow-Montoya Family 
Paul Drahn
February 11, 2011 at 5:10 pm
Hi, Judy. Been a year or more since we emailed. If you remember, my Great Grandmother was Frances Curbow in Missouri.
I enjoyed reading your Blog. A couple of comments about things. You mentioned someone dying after surgery in a hospital. My Grandfather did the same. The reason is they were kept flat in bed for many days and they sere never able to breathe properly and clear their lungs. That is why, now, as soon as you leave the recovery room, there is someone there, a respiratory therapist, getting your to breathe deeply. And as soon as possible, you are helped to your feet and made to move about.
Also a comment you made about someone in Texas buying property with gold. That was the only medium of exchange at the time. Banks were illegal by state law, and no one trusted paper! Also why almost all men were armed for self protection.
Will continue to watch your Blog for new postings. You are certainly an interesting writer!
Best regards,
Paul Drahn,
Redmond, Oregon
Judy Curbow
February 12, 2011 at 8:59 am
Yes Paul! I do remember you! It’s good to hear from you. We have come a long way in our Curbow research…but still have a lot of unanswered questions. It is good to hear from you. Judy
Ted Atwood
February 14, 2011 at 6:51 pm
ran into your post at ancestry. My database shows William James and Elizabeth Miles and their 10 children. I hope you can find some of that data helpfull. Just visit my site and check the database and do a search for ‘Miles’. I have some hints to the James & Mary who were their parents, but nothing substantial yet. (I have it narrowed down to maybe redfern or turner (Mary’s name)) still checking. holler back or drop me an email or a contact from the site
Ted
Mike Corley
March 2, 2011 at 3:46 pm
Thank you for visiting my blog The Expositor and for reading my post on Texas. I love your blog and plan on reading more about your wonderful family. Both sides of my family hail from west Louisiana (around Ringgold) and from east Texas around Lufkin and Rusk. My dad’s mothers people last names were Rusks and I still have quite a few relatives over that way. I was born in northeast Louisiana but several years ago I moved to Athens, Texas and for the first time in my life I felt like I was at home. Family and work-related situations made in necessary for me to move back to Mississippi, but one day…one day…I will return to my beloved Texas, and if the Lord allows, will live out my days there. God bless you and thank you again.
Kent Pettus
June 8, 2011 at 5:34 pm
My S.C. Ham (Samuel Calvert Ham) is in the Titus County 1860 Census along with the Joel Ham family. Do you think they were kin?
Judy Curbow
June 8, 2011 at 8:12 pm
Hi Kent – thank you for your comment. I just sent you an email at your private email address – I would love to brainstorm this with you to see if we have a connection.
Lori
July 23, 2011 at 11:34 am
Hi Judy
I just wanted to commend you on a job well done. I’ve really enjoyed reading through the blog and learning a lot more about my ancestors than I previously knew. I’ve been doing family history research for years, but its nice to see some “flesh on the bones” instead of just the usual charts. We’re connected through my ancestor, Rachel Spencer Cloward (parents John Spencer and Jerusha Elmer).
Keep up the good work
Lori
Judy Curbow
July 25, 2011 at 11:28 am
Hi Lori…thanks for stopping by! When I first started genealogy – I thought all the names and dates were just boring…so I started digging into the lives of ancestors. I am facinated by how they lived them, the decisions they made, the tragedies they endured, etc., etc. Stop by often!
Judy
Kelsey Payne
January 29, 2013 at 2:57 pm
Judy please email me at k.possible2016@gmail.com.
I am a descendent of Annias Martin!
Judy Curbow
February 5, 2013 at 2:38 pm
Hi Kelsey – thanks for stopping by the website and taking the time to comment here. I will send you an email under separate cover. Best regards, Judy
Barbara Lively
January 21, 2013 at 5:16 pm
Judy,
I see you have a “Panona/Panini Lawson” in your tree. She is my 4th Great-Grandmother. I have some information on her but not much. One thing I don’t have is her maiden name. I was wondering what your relationship to her is and if you have any documentation you could share on her maiden name of “Lawson”/
Barb
Judy Curbow
January 24, 2013 at 2:40 pm
Hi Barb: Thanks for stopping by the website and taking the time to comment. Panini Lawson Rawls was also my husband’s ggg-grandmother – through her daughter Jemima Clemintine (Mamie) Rawls (born 1821 in Winnsboro, Fairfield County, SC). Jemima’s daughter Tabitha Clementine Kennady married into the Ham family. My husband’s grandmother was Allie Ernestine Ham…and we do Ham research. I will have to look back on my notes to see how I came upon her maiden name. I do not know who her parents were but I must have a record somewhere that indicates a maiden name. I will get back with you shortly. Thank you again. Judy
Esmeralda Lucero Reyna
September 17, 2014 at 4:57 pm
I stumbled on your web page and am glad to report that my great great grandmother on my dad’s side was Ascencion Montoya, daughter of JustomMontoya and Deluvina Valdez.
Judy Curbow
October 2, 2014 at 7:32 pm
Hi John – thanks for stopping by the website and for sending me note. I think that Justo Montoya was a brother to my gg-grandfather Jose Ylario Montoya – but I’m having a hard time proving it! Any information on this family that you’d like to share would be appreciated. Thanks again.
Kelly
February 15, 2015 at 3:49 pm
Hello. Does your family Curbow have relation to the Curbo family from Mississippi and Tennessee?
Judy Curbow
February 18, 2015 at 1:29 pm
I think that all Curbow/Curbo families are related but it’s hard to untie the mystery on some of them. My husband descends from Tilman P. Curbow who was born in Georgia around 1821. He came through Mississippi and Arkansas before settling in Texas. Most people who spell their name without the “w” (Curbo) are descended from Nathaniel Curbo – who was born a little later and who came through Georgia and Tennessee and then on in to Texas. Tilman and Nathan are either uncle and nephew or cousins. I don’t have enough information to figure it out. Thanks for stopping by the website and for taking the time to leave this note. Best regards, Judy Curbow
Gay L. Henderson
September 12, 2015 at 9:43 pm
Hi Judy,
I am looking for information on my grandfather David Charles Curbow. He married Maxine Laverne Courtney (my grandmother) and from this union my father was born, David Charles Curbow Jr, however they divorced, she remarried and her second husband, Joel Larkin Edwards adopted the child, renaming him Charles David Edwards. My Dad never heard from his father, but we were able to find out that he died around 1961. Do you have any info you could share about this side of our family? My Dad and I enjoy geneology and would be interested to have some insight into his roots. Thank you for any help you can provide.
Gay Henderson
ghenderson_05@yahoo.com
Judy Curbow
September 13, 2015 at 11:16 am
Gay – thanks for the comment. I sent you an email. Thanks !
Paul Granthon
July 16, 2017 at 5:08 pm
Hello Judy,
I’m from Lima, Peru.
My grandfather told me about his great-great-great-grandfather (or something similar) who was English and his name was Richard Grantham.
One reason why my last name is spelled differently is because in my country we speak Spanish and the pronunciation in English is very different from how it is written, therefore the surname was modified by generations.
A second reason, it is estimated that that ancestor, to stay legally in the country, had to marry and change his surname.
I am a photographer and I am currently working with the assistant of the Jan Mulder Photography Collection.
I was surprised to find 3 portraits of my ancestors in this collection.
With several relatives we tried to identify them without positive results.
I believe that perhaps you can have some clue of this lost Grantham in the time that helps us.
The only information we have of the first ancestor is that he died in 1882 and was 75 years old.
I hope to find an answer from you.
Best regards
paulgranthon@gmail.com
Judy Curbow
July 17, 2017 at 10:17 am
Paul – thanks for stopping by the blog and taking the time to post here. What an interesting history you have! I know that the Granthams came from England; however, I have not traced my husband’s family back that far. You mentioned that your ancestor died in 1882 and that he was 75 years old. Do you know where he died? I wish you good luck on your search! Best regards, Judy
Gay L Henderson
July 17, 2017 at 10:55 am
I am interested in any information and/or photos from the Curbow side of the family. My Dad, who passed away a year and a half ago had some info but we can’t find it. He, Charles David Edwards, was adopted by his step dad, Joel Larkin Edwards, and was raised by him and his real Mom, Maxine Laverne Courtney Curbow Edwards. We are interested in finding out information about the Curbow family, starting with my Dad’s real Father, David Charles Curbow. Any help would be appreciated, thanks!
Have a great day!
Gay L Henderson
Judy Curbow
July 17, 2017 at 1:42 pm
Hi Gay – thanks for stopping by the blog and taking the time to leave a comment. I visited with your dad via email on several occasions. I am sad to hear of his passing. I sent you a private message via email. Thanks again and best regards, Judy
Rachael Nelson
July 6, 2019 at 8:22 am
David Kerbows site can be found via the wayback machine:
https://web.archive.org/web/20040324131335/http://kerbow.com/
Might want to save it off to your disk (Right click-> Save As)
Judy Curbow
July 9, 2019 at 11:11 am
Hi Rachael, thanks for this. I have been in contact with David Kerbow over the years. He is not our direct line; however, all Curbows/Kerbows seem to be related. We just need to figure out the relationships. Thanks for the archived link. It has a lot of great information on that branch of the family. Best regards, Judy Curbow
Sheri Hudgins
December 8, 2020 at 7:07 pm
I have a photo that I got from an estate sale that is a picture of Dock Singleton Kerbrow and Virginia Park Kerbrow. I would love to return them to your family if you are interested. I am not sure how to send a message privately.
Judy Curbow
December 9, 2020 at 9:36 am
Sheri – this is so great of you – and very much appreciated! I sent you a message on email. Thanks for your thoughtfulness! Judy
Rebecca Pohto
March 24, 2021 at 2:12 pm
Hi Judy I just found your blog today. My mother’s maiden name was Curbow. I have a hard copy of a family tree written by a couple of her uncles back in the early 1980’s. In it they trace the family back to Joh Curbow who married Ann Phillips in 1755 in Queen Anne County, MD. It appears we may be relatives. I loved reading blogs 1 – 3 about John Curbow and most of your info matched up with what I was given. Do you have further blogs about John and his family once they moved further south? I have traced my Curbow’s to North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee (where I was born). I will keep watching your blog.
Judy Curbow
March 26, 2021 at 11:56 am
Hi Rebecca, thanks for stopping by the blog and for taking the time to send this comment. John Curbow died in North Carolina in 1783 timeframe. Which son do you descend from? Joseph went to Georgia; William and John went to Jackson County, Tennessee; James died early on – and I don’t know much about him. Other sons are attributed to John and Ann – but not proven. Please feel free to contact me at jlcurbow@att.net – would love to talk to you more about your Curbow branch. Thanks again! Judy Curbow
Rebecca Pohto
March 26, 2021 at 12:49 pm
My mom Pauline Curbow Johnson, and then up her Curbow tree – John Lee Curbow – John Bartley Curbow – Joseph Bartley Curbow – Daniel Curbow- Joseph Curbow – then John Curbow our ancestor
Douglas Blithe
December 29, 2021 at 5:34 am
Hello Judy, I’m a cousin of yours from Wheatland, Douglas Blithe ( Muck Spencer) I have a question I think you might be able to answer, on my thru lines on ancestry.com it shows a photo of, our 3rd grt grandfather Richard Spencer and on your find a grave site it shows the same photo as John Elmer the one I think married to a kibble, that your 2nd grt grandfather John Spencer married, I wish I could download the web pages to show you, who do you think the photo belongs to, Elmer or Spencer ? Thanks
Larry Magill
August 31, 2022 at 6:31 am
Both of my parents were dead by the time I was 11yo. I never knew anything about Magill lineage until I retrieved my Father’s death certificate. On it listed Samuel Patton Magill. I simply googled his name and Curbo Montoya internet page from 2012 popped up listing my Grandmother, father and his brother’s. From there I traced my roots back to 1650 Robert Magill, Scotland. Thanks to your internet page I now everything about my lineage. THANKS SO MUCH. Larry
Thomas Franklin Smith, Sr.
May 3, 2023 at 11:17 am
Thank you for all your hard work, dedication, time and money that you have invested in your research and your eagerness to share. I descend from the Atwood family who moved from Laurens District of South Carolina to the area around Atlanta, Georgia, in what is now DeKalb County in early 1820’s. We know that many of these family members moved west to Texas, Oklahoma and California. My paternal great-great grandfather is James H. Atwood b. abt. 1839 in Georgia. We confidently believe that he has an older brother (William M. Atwood) who lived and died in the same area. Both are buried in the same cemetery in Sandy Springs, GA, (Cross Roads Cemetery) northeast of Atlanta. James is a dead end to our research, but we suspect a connection to another Atwood family who moved from Laurens Dist., S.C., Thomas Jefferson Atwood (b. 1802 Laurens, SC, died 1883 in Bristol, Ellis County, Texas. We suspect that Thomas Jefferson Atwood may be a fraternal uncle of James H. Atwood and that both are connected to James Atwood b. abt. 1769 in Rowan County, N.C. and died in January 1816 in Laurens Dist, S.C. This James left a will in 1816 naming his wife, “Polly” (probably Mary) unknown maiden name, a son, William Atwood, and a son-in-law, William Ball, as heirs. Since James died at 47 years of age, he probably had other children who had moved away. Perhaps Thomas Jefferson Atwood and our James H. Atwood were two of them A lot of speculation and best guesses, while somewhat helpful, will not get us to where we want to go. Do you have a public tree on ancestry.com that we can see? We have a private tree there with all that we know about the Atwood family and would be happy to share it with you. Thomas
Thomas Franklin Smith, Sr.
May 3, 2023 at 3:52 pm
Hi Judy! Thomas F. Smith from Georgia here again. Sorry, I failed to see your family tree attached to your blog. Now I have all the data you have. Thanks.
Gary
June 14, 2023 at 9:02 am
Ilooking for relatives of Elmer Curbow . I have picture of him taken in Vietnam 1967 .
Will send it to you if you are a relative.