Genealogy Chat

Can anyone help me in how to obtain a death certificate from the USA? I am searching for a record of Martha Soffe who died 11 Sep 1854. Buried City Cemetery, St Louis. She had traveled from Liverpool England to New Orleans arriving in March 1854 with her husband Nimrod Soffe. Nimrod later went on to Salt Lake City being documented as a Pioneer of Utah and later took 2 further wives. Martha was only 25 when she died and I am trying to find what her cause of death was. Any help would be appreciated. Julie

St. Louis City Death Records, 1850-1908 about Martha Soffe Name: Martha Soffe Death Date: 11 Sep 1854 Birth Place: England Cemetery: City Cemetery Address: Hicks St Volume: D Page: 23 County Library: RDSL 2 Missouri Archive: C 10360 SLGS Rolls: 301

New Orleans Passenger Lists, 1820-1945 about Martha Soffe Name: Martha Soffe Arrival Date: 18 Mar 1854 Age: 24 Gender: Female Port of Departure: Liverpool, England Ship Name: Golconda Port of Arrival: New Orleans, Louisiana National Archives' Series Number: M259_39

New Orleans Passenger Lists, 1820-1945 about Martha Soffe Name: Martha Soffe Arrival Date: 18 Mar 1854 Age: 24 Gender: Female Port of Departure: Liverpool, England Ship Name: Golconda Port of Arrival: New Orleans, Louisiana National Archives' Series Number: M259_39

It might not give cause of death, but have you tried the local USA newspaper and see if there is an obituarty for her. I was amazed how much americans use them in their family reasearch. I have just got one for an uncle who died in USA and found it most informative I used the 'rootsweb' web page to find the local family reasearch group and they helped me. Also look up the local library in the area and e-mail them ( especially as you have a full death date.) It costs about $5 for them to post the obituary on to you if they find it. (they all accept visa) Karen

It sounds like you already have this information, but thought I would pass it along in case you don't. http://www*mormonhistoricsitesfoundation*org/publications/ nj_fall1998/NJ10.2_Slaughter.pdf (replace * with .) 'Soffe, Martha (StLD, p. 6, #168); died at St. Louis, 5 Sep 1854, age 25 years; native of England.' StLD - St. Louis Branch records, death recorded 1849-62 (FHL film 0001945) Many people were crossing the country at that time - the cause of her death may not have been known, or if known, perhaps not written down.

Could this be Martha's brother's family? Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel, 1847–1868 (The number shown in parentheses next to each name is the age of the pioneer at the time of the journey.) John Banks Company (1856) Soffe, Martha (infant) Soffe, Mary Ann Harris (32) Soffe, Nimrod George (30) http://www*lds*org/churchhistory/library/ pioneercompanysearchresults/1,15792,4017-1-60,00.html If so, perhaps one of his descendants might have information about her. Maybe you can find some clues here: Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel, 1847–1868 Soffe, Nimrod George Birth Date: 1 May 1826 Death Date: 19 Aug. 1883 Gender: Male Age: 30 Company: John Banks Company (1856) Pioneer Information: and family; from England; surname is 'Soofe' in Journal History Sources: 'Immigration to Utah,' Deseret News, 15 Oct. 1856, 254. Read Trail Excerpt 1860 Utah Census, Salt Lake Co., West Jordan, p. 288 45th Quorum, Biographies, 1857, vol. 1, in Seventies quorum, records 1844-1975. Journal History, 3 Oct. 1856, p. 6 Have you tried looking for Martha Soofe?

Saint Louis County Office of Vital Records can issue certified copies of birth and death certificates for the entire state of Missouri. The years that are available for birth are 1920 to present. The years that are available for death are 1883 to present, however death events that occurred prior to 1980 must have occurred in St. Louis County. St. Louis, Missouri's official online site for : http://www.stlouisco(.)com/doh/vitals/vitals.html Remember to remove the ( ) from the address. Judy

Thank you all so much for this information, it is most welcome and appreciated. In response to Lisa J about Martha's bothers family? This is infact Martha's husband Nimrod with his second wife Mary who he married after Martha's death. There first child was called Martha. It was these 3 who took the journey to UTAH with the John banks Company. I will start searching all the resources you all have provided. Once again, many many thanks. Julie

Julie, once again you may have this information, but.... Soffe, Mary Charlotte Jacobs, The Story of My Life, [1933], 11-20. Trail Excerpt 'Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel, 1847–1868 Source: Soffe, Mary Charlotte Jacobs, The Story of My Life, [1933], 11-20. Full Text: So we wher on our way to Utah in Jhon [John] Murdock & hatch Company & we had Somthing to eat & plente of Senery & fresh ari[air]. When 2 weeks out we Came to a wire [very] depe [deep] & wide rever[.] they had to ferre the wagens[,] all of us over but that could walk had to wade fram the ferre[.] in the I Shallow wather a women & a girl came to gether to dry land & Sat down to wait for the wagens then left my Shose [shoes] & Stocking waded out to se if the wagins wher caming[.] not yet so I Came bak & the women both wher gon & So wher my Shoas [shoes]. I herid [hurried] & to catch them but not til knight did I find them. why did you take of shoes & not the Stockings, dont you Say I take them with me and was ther but you to no one pasedt [passed] me[.] She was going to meak [make] it hot fore me So I had no Shoas but I found Some old coats & pants at old camping pleaces & Mother mead me Some cloth shoes for it was to ruf to go baire footed. I Shure found we had theves along....' http://www*lds*org/churchhistory/library/pioneercompanysources/0,16272,4019-1-217,00.html Could this be 'your' Mary? PS Is there an LDS Centre near you? You might be able to order some records for the Soffe's in America. When my dad volunteered for his local centre, he found quite a bit about our family, that isn't on line (family group sheets?). Lastly, have you tried contacting any of the people on the LDS site who have submitted information about Nimrod? Perhaps they may know something about his first wife.