Category Archives: Knapp

James Knapp choose an unusual and infamous bride, Elizabeth Brau or Brandtt. Elizabeth not only came with a history of being the sole survivor of her family after an attack by Native American Indians, but the small child was allegedly rescued by the James Brothers, the famous Frank and Jesse James. Together, they had 7 children until James Knapp’s death, then she married again and had 6 more children until his death, then she married again, this time to Charles Knapp, her first husband’s brother. The descendants of the Knapp children began their colorful backwoods life in Wisconsin, then migrated to Oregon and Washington State where some married into the famous Chief Seattle (Sealth) family, which in our family tree is now known as the Elwell family.

The Myths and Mysteries and Hunt for Nicholas Knapp

The Myths and Mysteries and Hunt for Nicholas Knapp

A source I return to every few years as I dive into my Knapp family history is Sandie’s Genealogy Pages site by Sandra L. Reynolds-Owens. While my family Knapps closer to my generation came from hardy loggers, she traces the … Continue reading


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Sharon Knapp Lee 1944-2014

It is with great sadness that I share the news of the death of my dear cousin, Sharon Knapp Lee. The following is her obituary from the Skagit Valley Herald. Sharon Mae Lee of Mount Vernon, born, Sharon Mae Knapp, … Continue reading


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Seattle Coast Guard Museum – The History of the Coast Guard and Pacific Northwest Maritime

Seattle Coast Guard Museum - The History of the Coast Guard and Pacific Northwest Maritime

There is a Coast Guard Museum in Seattle, Washington. This will be invaluable as I dig more into the lives of my father and his father, both serving in the Coast Guard in the Pacific Northwest and Pacific Ocean. The … Continue reading


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Find an Image that Defines the Life of a Family Member

The New York Times is launching a new project, “The Lives They Lived: Share Your Photos,” asking the public to contribute a photograph representing the life of a family member or close friend who died this past year. For our … Continue reading


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Knapp Family Gallery 1920-1930

The following are images from our collection for the James Asa Knapp and Emma Knapp family in Taylor Rapids, Wisconsin, from circa 1920-1930. For stories and information on many of these people, see our Knapp category. For a list of … Continue reading


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West and Knapp Families Featured in the Everett Herald, Snohomish County, Washington

This morning, an article in the Everett Herald in Everett, Snohomish County, Washington, was published about this blog and my research into my family’s history in the Everett and Snohomish County area of Washington state. Titled “Blogger digs into her … Continue reading


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Visualizing the Peshtigo River and Impact on the Knapp Family

Visualizing the Peshtigo River and Impact on the Knapp Family

In The Peshtigo River, Marinette County’s Greatest Remaining Natural Resource was put together by Jim Frink on the High Falls Flowage site, a site about the lake and surrounding land and rivers, based upon a report in “The Water Powers … Continue reading


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Reverend Seneca Primley (1871-1966)

Reverend Seneca Primley (1871-1966)

Rev. Seneca Primley (1871-1966) died at age 94 in Winona Lake, Indiana. He was a retired Church of God minister, member of the Warsaw Church of God and American Legion, and Spanish-American War veteran. He was born in Green Bay, … Continue reading


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Taylor Rapids, Wisconsin, The Town That Vanished

Taylor Rapids, Wisconsin, The Town That Vanished

A reader just pointed me to “The Rotarian’s article, “Wisconsin Goes Wild”, by William F. McDermott in Google Books. The article in the Rotarian describes Taylor Rapids, Wisconsin, as “snuggled down in the northern Wisconsin wood” and refers to it … Continue reading


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Ezra O. Knapp (1838-1916) of Riley Township, Illinois

Ezra O. Knapp (1838-1916) of Riley Township, Illinois

According to the History of Riley, Illinois, of McHenry County, my ancestor, Ezra O. Knapp was the first white child born within the township of Riley, son of Charles Sidney Knapp and Laura White, from our Nicholas Knapp Descendents and … Continue reading


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