rwmcmains

The Ancestry of Burchell Robert McMains

The Descendants of Jesse McMains: A Broken Branch Family

During my research, I obtained a picture postcard which has an obituary taped to it. The deceased is Burchell Robert Mcmains, son of Robert W. McMains. He was born in 1905 and died in 1946. I have not yet identified a connection to our McMains family, although I have identified a link to Kentucky. I suspect that the picture on the postcard is of a McMains family, but I don't know for certain. My research has lead me to the creation of a tentative lineage of Burchell McMains, tracking backwards from California to Ohio, and finally to Kentucky. If this family shares our McMains heritage, it is in Kentucky where the connection likely exists. If you know anything about this family, contact me.

INDEX
PostCard and Obituary	Detail Map	McMains and the Gold Rush	Genealogy Report
1860 Census, Yuba County, CA	1870 Census, Butte County, CA	1880 Census, Butte County, CA	1900 Census, Butte County, CA
1900 Census, Colusa County, CA	1910 Census, Plumas County, CA	1910 Census, Butte County, CA	1920 Census, Yuba County, CA

B.R. McMains Of Gridley Dies
     After a long illness Burchell Robert McMains, 41 of Gridley, died Sunday morning at his home. Mr. McMains was born in Oroville in 1905. He had been in the grocery business in San Francisco for many years before coming to Gridley.
      He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Mildred McMains; a son, Burchell Robert McMains, Jr.; his parents Mr. and Mrs. R.W. McMains of Gridley; and a brother Vernon McMains, of Gridley.
      Funeral Services will be at Block Funeral Home in Gridley Tuesday at 2 p.m. The Rev. Mrs. E.B. Carey of the Presbyterian church will officiate. Burial will be in the Gridley cemetery.

Front of Postcard With
Family Picture

Obituary Transcription
Unknown Newspaper
November 19, 1946

Back of Postcard With Obituary Taped to It

Detail Map

Jesse McMains and
The Gold Rush

Click on the Green Areas for McMains Details	In January of 1848, James Marshall discovered Gold in the American River, near Sacramento. As word quickly spread about the discovery of gold, the California Gold Rush began.About 500,000 people left their homes in search of Gold in the northern hills and streams of California. By 1852, the annual gold production in California had reached an all time high of $81 million. By 1864, the rush was over. Gold could no longer be found on the surface or in streams. Although gold mining persisted into the 20th century, only underground mining yielded any substantial results.1
Jesse McMains, born about 1796 in Kentucky, and his two sons, Alfred and Martin are first found in the 1860 census in New York Township, Yuba County, California. They are all lumbermen, which means that they were among the many who moved into the area to support the growth brought about by the gold rush. Exactly when Jesse first entered California is not known. From this beginning, I have created a proposed lineage, which I can not yet prove conclusively, but which I suspect to be true.

Click on the Green Areas
for McMains Details

In January of 1848, James Marshall discovered Gold in the American River, near Sacramento. As word quickly spread about the discovery of gold, the California Gold Rush began.About 500,000 people left their homes in search of Gold in the northern hills and streams of California. By 1852, the annual gold production in California had reached an all time high of $81 million. By 1864, the rush was over. Gold could no longer be found on the surface or in streams. Although gold mining persisted into the 20th century, only underground mining yielded any substantial results.1

Jesse McMains, born about 1796 in Kentucky, and his two sons, Alfred and Martin are first found in the 1860 census in New York Township, Yuba County, California. They are all lumbermen, which means that they were among the many who moved into the area to support
the growth brought about by the gold rush.
Exactly when Jesse first entered California is not known. From this beginning, I have created a proposed lineage, which I can not yet prove conclusively, but which I suspect to be true.

Descendants of Jesse McMains A Theoretical Lineage Based on Research
Generation No. 1 1. JESSE MCMAINS was born Abt. 1796 in Kentucky, and died Deceased. He married ?1. She was born Unknown in Indiana, and died Deceased. More About JESSE MCMAINS: Census: 1860, New York Township, Yuba County, CA2 Occupation: Lumberman Children of JESSE MCMAINS and ? are: 2. i. WILLIAM MCMAINS, b. Abt. 1822, Ohio; d. Deceased. ii. ALFRED MCMAINS3, b. Bet. 1823 - 1825, Ohio; d. Deceased. More About ALFRED MCMAINS: Census 1: 1880, Ophir (Oroville), Butte County, CA4 Census 2: 1860, New York Township, Yuba County, CA5 Occupation 1: 1880, Owner of Ferry Occupation 2: 1860, Lumberman 3. iii. MARTIN MCMAINS, b. January 1830, Ohio; d. Bet. 1900 - 1910, California. Generation No. 2 2. WILLIAM MCMAINS (JESSE)6 was born Abt. 1822 in Ohio, and died Deceased. He married DORCELLA ARCHER. She was born Abt. 1829 in Missouri, and died Deceased. More About WILLIAM MCMAINS: Census: 1870, Ophir (Oroville), Butte County, CA7 More About DORCELLA ARCHER: Census: 1870, Ophir (Oroville), Butte County, CA7 Children of WILLIAM MCMAINS and DORCELLA ARCHER are: 4. i. ALFRED MCMAINS, b. Abt. 1849, Ohio; d. Deceased. 5. ii. ROBERT WILLIAM MCMAINS, b. October 01, 1879, California; d. April 15, 1950, Butte County, CA. 3. MARTIN MCMAINS (JESSE)8, 9 was born January 1830 in Ohio, and died Bet. 1900 - 1910 in California10. He married DRUCELLA. She was born December 1849 in Missouri, and died Deceased. More About MARTIN MCMAINS: Census 1: 1860, New York Township, Yuba County, CA11 Census 2: 1900, Wyandotte Township, Butte County, CA12 Occupation 1: 1900, farmer Occupation 2: 1860, Lumberman More About DRUCELLA: Census 1: 1900, Wyandotte Township, Butte County, CA12 Census 2: 1910, Wyandotte Township, Butte County, CA13 Occupation: 1910, farmer Children of MARTIN MCMAINS and DRUCELLA are: i. ELIZABETH3 MCMAINS, b. August 1882, California; d. Deceased. More About ELIZABETH MCMAINS: Census: 1900, Wyandotte Township, Butte County, CA14 ii. EVA MCMAINS, b. August 1885, California; d. Deceased. More About EVA MCMAINS: Census: 1900, Wyandotte Township, Butte County, CA14 Generation No. 3 4. ALFRED MCMAINS (WILLIAM, JESSE) was born Abt. 1849 in Ohio, and died Deceased. He married ?. She was born Unknown in Missouri, and died Deceased. Child of ALFRED MCMAINS and ? is: i. ALFRED C. MCMAINS15, b. Abt. 1875, California; d. Deceased; m. ?; b. Unknown, Missouri; d. Deceased. More About ALFRED C. MCMAINS: Census: 1910, Beckwourth Township, Plumas County, CA16 5. ROBERT WILLIAM MCMAINS (WILLIAM, JESSE)17 was born October 01, 1879 in California, and died April 15, 1950 in Butte County, CA. He married EMMA J. SHARP18,19. She was born December 28, 1878 in California, and died July 05, 1975 in Butte County, CA. More About ROBERT WILLIAM MCMAINS: Census 1: 1920, 12th Precinct, Marysville, Yuba County, CA20 Census 2: 1900, Grand Island Precinct, Colusa County, CA21 Occupation: Blacksmith More About EMMA J. SHARP: Census: 1920, 12th Precinct, Marysville, Yuba County, CA22 Children of ROBERT MCMAINS and EMMA SHARP are: 6. i. BURCHELL ROBERTS MCMAINS, b. February 13, 1905, Oroville, Butte County, CA; d. November 17, 1946, Gridley, Butte County, CA. ii. VERNON WILLIAM MCMAINS23,24,25, b. October 28, 1909, California; d. February 13, 1986, Butte County, CA. More About VERNON WILLIAM MCMAINS: Census: 1920, 12th Precinct, Marysville, Yuba County, CA26 Generation No. 4 6. BURCHELL ROBERTS MCMAINS (ROBERT WILLIAM, WILLIAM, JESSE)27,28 was born February 13, 1905 in Oroville, Butte County, CA, and died November 17, 1946 in Gridley, Butte County, CA. He married MILDRED MARY29,30. She was born February 07, 1903 in California, and died August 29, 1978 in Butte County, CA. More About BURCHELL ROBERTS MCMAINS: Burial: November 19, 1946, Gridley Cemetery, Gridley, Butte County, CA Census: 1920, 12th Precinct, Marysville, Yuba County, CA31 Child of BURCHELL MCMAINS and MILDRED is: i. BURCHELL ROBERT MCMAINS, JR.32, b. Abt. 1925. Endnotes 1. John Hewes, Note, Research Notes, 2004, A spouse is not enumerated for Jesse Mcmains in 1860. Based on later census enumerations of Alfred and Martin, their mother was born in Indiana. It is not known if she died previous to this, or stayed behind in Ohio. 2, 5,11 U.S. Census Bureau, 1860 U.S. Census Yuba County, CA, (On-line images, Genealogy.com), 3. John Hewes, Note, Research Notes, 2004, Alfred Mcmains, born in Ohio (father from Kentucky, mother from Indiana) is probably a brother to William McMains. In 1880 he is found operating a ferry in Ophir (later known as Oroville). He was boarding at a local facility. 4. U.S. Census Bureau, 1880 U.S. Census Butte County, CA, (On-line images, Ancestry.com), 6. John Hewes, Note, Research Notes, 2004, William McMains, born in Ohio, is living in Ophir (later known as Oroville) with his wife, Dorcella. She was born in Missouri. Alfred Mcmains, probably an older son is living with them. He also was born in Ohio. 7. U.S. Census Bureau, 1870 U.S. Census Butte County, CA, (On-line images, Genealogy.com), 8. John Hewes, Note, Research Notes, 2004, In 1860, Martin, born in Ohio, lives in New York Township, Yuba County, CA, with his father, Jesse, and brother Albert. It appears that Martin is the property owner. 9. John Hewes, Note, Research Notes, 2004, In 1900, Martin is farming in Wyandotte Township, Butte County, CA. He is married to Drucella from Missouri. They have two daugthers, both born in California. 10. John Hewes, Note, Research Notes, 2004, In 1910, Drucella is widowed, living by herself in Wyandotte Township, Butte County, CA. This suggests that Martin died between 1900 and 1910. 12,14 U.S. Census Bureau, 1900 U.S. Census Butte County, CA, (On-line images, Genealogy.com), 13. U.S. Census Bureau, 1910 U.S. Census Butte County, CA, (On-line images, Genealogy.com), 15. John Hewes, Note, Research Notes, 2004, In the 1910 census, Alfred C. McMains, born in California, is working as a carpenter in Beckwourth Township, Plumas County, CA. He is listed as divorced. His father is from Ohio, his mother from Missouri. I can't say for certain if he is the son of Alfred Mcmains, but I suspect that he is. 16. U.S. Census Bureau, 1910 U.S. Census Plumas County, CA, (On-line images, Genealogy.com), 17. California Death Index, On-line database, Rootsweb.com, MCMAINS ROBERT WILLIAM 10/01/1879 ARCHER MCMAINS M CALIFORNIA BUTTE 04/15/1950 567-16-9307. 18. California Death Index, On-line database, Rootsweb.com, MCMAINS EMMA J 12/28/1878 F CALIFORNIA BUTTE 07/05/1975 566-10-1096 96 yrs. 19. Social Security Death Index, On-line database, Rootsweb.com, EMMA MCMAINS 28 Dec 1879 Jul 1975 95948 (Gridley, Butte, CA) (none specified) 566-10-1096 California. 20,22,26,31 U.S. Census Bureau, 1920 U.S. Census Yuma County, CA, (On-line images, Ancestry.com), 21. U.S. Census Bureau, 1900 U.S. Census Colusa County, CA, (On-line images, Genealogy.com), 23,27,29,32 Unknown Newspaper Clipping, Butte County, CA: Nov 19, 1946, "Obituary of B. R. McMains," Taped to picture postcard with picture of a woman, a boy and a girl. 24. Social Security Death Index, On-line database, Rootsweb.com, VERNON MCMAINS 28 Oct 1909 Feb 1986 95948 (Gridley, Butte, CA) (none specified) 559-09-2489 California. 25. California Death Index, On-line database, Rootsweb.com, MCMAINS VERNON WILLIAM 10/28/1909 EARP M CALIFORNIA BUTTE 02/13/1986 559-09-2489. 28. California Death Index, On-line database, Rootsweb.com, MCMAINS BURCHELL ROBERT 02/13/1905 SHARP MCMAINS M REST (OTHER) BUTTE 11/17/1946 41 yrs Add. 30. California Death Index, On-line database, Rootsweb.com, MCMAINS MILDRED MARY 02/07/1903 F CALIFORNIA BUTTE 08/29/1978 546-09-8784 75 yrs.
The ancestral connections suggested in this report have not been conclusively proven beyond that provided by the obituary. Such connections should be seen as "tentative" until such time that conclusive proof can be obtained.

Descendants of Jesse McMains
A Theoretical Lineage Based on Research

Generation No. 1

1. JESSE MCMAINS was born Abt. 1796 in Kentucky, and died Deceased. He married ?1. She was born Unknown in Indiana, and died Deceased.

More About JESSE MCMAINS:
Census: 1860, New York Township, Yuba County, CA2
Occupation: Lumberman

Children of JESSE MCMAINS and ? are:
2.    i.    WILLIAM MCMAINS, b. Abt. 1822, Ohio; d. Deceased.
    ii.    ALFRED MCMAINS3, b. Bet. 1823 - 1825, Ohio; d. Deceased.

More About ALFRED MCMAINS:
Census 1: 1880, Ophir (Oroville), Butte County, CA4
Census 2: 1860, New York Township, Yuba County, CA5
Occupation 1: 1880, Owner of Ferry
Occupation 2: 1860, Lumberman

3.    iii.    MARTIN MCMAINS, b. January 1830, Ohio; d. Bet. 1900 - 1910, California.

Generation No. 2

2. WILLIAM MCMAINS (JESSE)6 was born Abt. 1822 in Ohio, and died Deceased. He married DORCELLA ARCHER. She was born Abt. 1829 in Missouri, and died Deceased.

More About WILLIAM MCMAINS:
Census: 1870, Ophir (Oroville), Butte County, CA7

More About DORCELLA ARCHER:
Census: 1870, Ophir (Oroville), Butte County, CA7

Children of WILLIAM MCMAINS and DORCELLA ARCHER are:
4.    i.    ALFRED MCMAINS, b. Abt. 1849, Ohio; d. Deceased.
5.    ii.    ROBERT WILLIAM MCMAINS, b. October 01, 1879, California; d. April 15, 1950, Butte County, CA.

3. MARTIN MCMAINS (JESSE)8, 9 was born January 1830 in Ohio, and died Bet. 1900 - 1910 in California10. He married DRUCELLA. She was born December 1849 in Missouri, and died Deceased.

More About MARTIN MCMAINS:
Census 1: 1860, New York Township, Yuba County, CA11
Census 2: 1900, Wyandotte Township, Butte County, CA12
Occupation 1: 1900, farmer
Occupation 2: 1860, Lumberman

More About DRUCELLA:
Census 1: 1900, Wyandotte Township, Butte County, CA12
Census 2: 1910, Wyandotte Township, Butte County, CA13
Occupation: 1910, farmer

Children of MARTIN MCMAINS and DRUCELLA are:
    i.    ELIZABETH3 MCMAINS, b. August 1882, California; d. Deceased.

More About ELIZABETH MCMAINS:
Census: 1900, Wyandotte Township, Butte County, CA14

    ii.    EVA MCMAINS, b. August 1885, California; d. Deceased.

More About EVA MCMAINS:
Census: 1900, Wyandotte Township, Butte County, CA14

Generation No. 3

4. ALFRED MCMAINS (WILLIAM, JESSE) was born Abt. 1849 in Ohio, and died Deceased. He married ?. She was born Unknown in Missouri, and died Deceased.

Child of ALFRED MCMAINS and ? is:
    i.    ALFRED C. MCMAINS15, b. Abt. 1875, California; d. Deceased; m. ?; b. Unknown, Missouri; d. Deceased.

More About ALFRED C. MCMAINS:
Census: 1910, Beckwourth Township, Plumas County, CA16

5. ROBERT WILLIAM MCMAINS (WILLIAM, JESSE)17 was born October 01, 1879 in California, and died April 15, 1950 in Butte County, CA. He married EMMA J. SHARP18,19. She was born December 28, 1878 in California, and died July 05, 1975 in Butte County, CA.

More About ROBERT WILLIAM MCMAINS:
Census 1: 1920, 12th Precinct, Marysville, Yuba County, CA20
Census 2: 1900, Grand Island Precinct, Colusa County, CA21
Occupation: Blacksmith

More About EMMA J. SHARP:
Census: 1920, 12th Precinct, Marysville, Yuba County, CA22

Children of ROBERT MCMAINS and EMMA SHARP are:
6.    i.    BURCHELL ROBERTS MCMAINS, b. February 13, 1905, Oroville, Butte County, CA; d. November 17, 1946, Gridley, Butte County, CA.
    ii.    VERNON WILLIAM MCMAINS23,24,25, b. October 28, 1909, California; d. February 13, 1986, Butte County, CA.

More About VERNON WILLIAM MCMAINS:
Census: 1920, 12th Precinct, Marysville, Yuba County, CA26

Generation No. 4

6. BURCHELL ROBERTS MCMAINS (ROBERT WILLIAM, WILLIAM, JESSE)27,28 was born February 13, 1905 in Oroville, Butte County, CA, and died November 17, 1946 in Gridley, Butte County, CA. He married MILDRED MARY29,30. She was born February 07, 1903 in California, and died August 29, 1978 in Butte County, CA.

More About BURCHELL ROBERTS MCMAINS:
Burial: November 19, 1946, Gridley Cemetery, Gridley, Butte County, CA
Census: 1920, 12th Precinct, Marysville, Yuba County, CA31

Child of BURCHELL MCMAINS and MILDRED is:
    i.    BURCHELL ROBERT MCMAINS, JR.32, b. Abt. 1925.

Endnotes

1. John Hewes, Note, Research Notes, 2004, A spouse is not enumerated for Jesse Mcmains in 1860. Based on later census enumerations of Alfred and Martin, their mother was born in Indiana. It is not known if she died previous to this, or stayed behind in Ohio.
2, 5,11 U.S. Census Bureau, 1860 U.S. Census Yuba County, CA, (On-line images, Genealogy.com),
3. John Hewes, Note, Research Notes, 2004, Alfred Mcmains, born in Ohio (father from Kentucky, mother from Indiana) is probably a brother to William McMains. In 1880 he is found operating a ferry in Ophir (later known as Oroville). He was boarding at a local facility.
4. U.S. Census Bureau, 1880 U.S. Census Butte County, CA, (On-line images, Ancestry.com),
6. John Hewes, Note, Research Notes, 2004, William McMains, born in Ohio, is living in Ophir (later known as Oroville) with his wife, Dorcella. She was born in Missouri. Alfred Mcmains, probably an older son is living with them. He also was born in Ohio.
7. U.S. Census Bureau, 1870 U.S. Census Butte County, CA, (On-line images, Genealogy.com),
8. John Hewes, Note, Research Notes, 2004, In 1860, Martin, born in Ohio, lives in New York Township, Yuba County, CA, with his father, Jesse, and brother Albert. It appears that Martin is the property owner.
9. John Hewes, Note, Research Notes, 2004, In 1900, Martin is farming in Wyandotte Township, Butte County, CA. He is married to Drucella from Missouri. They have two daugthers, both born in California.
10. John Hewes, Note, Research Notes, 2004, In 1910, Drucella is widowed, living by herself in Wyandotte Township, Butte County, CA. This suggests that Martin died between 1900 and 1910.
12,14 U.S. Census Bureau, 1900 U.S. Census Butte County, CA, (On-line images, Genealogy.com),
13. U.S. Census Bureau, 1910 U.S. Census Butte County, CA, (On-line images, Genealogy.com),
15. John Hewes, Note, Research Notes, 2004, In the 1910 census, Alfred C. McMains, born in California, is working as a carpenter in Beckwourth Township, Plumas County, CA. He is listed as divorced. His father is from Ohio, his mother from Missouri. I can't say for certain if he is the son of Alfred Mcmains, but I suspect that he is.
16. U.S. Census Bureau, 1910 U.S. Census Plumas County, CA, (On-line images, Genealogy.com),
17. California Death Index, On-line database, Rootsweb.com, MCMAINS ROBERT WILLIAM 10/01/1879 ARCHER MCMAINS M CALIFORNIA BUTTE    04/15/1950 567-16-9307.
18. California Death Index, On-line database, Rootsweb.com, MCMAINS EMMA J 12/28/1878      F CALIFORNIA BUTTE    07/05/1975 566-10-1096 96 yrs.
19. Social Security Death Index, On-line database, Rootsweb.com, EMMA MCMAINS 28 Dec 1879 Jul 1975 95948 (Gridley, Butte, CA) (none specified) 566-10-1096 California.
20,22,26,31 U.S. Census Bureau, 1920 U.S. Census Yuma County, CA, (On-line images, Ancestry.com),
21. U.S. Census Bureau, 1900 U.S. Census Colusa County, CA, (On-line images, Genealogy.com),
23,27,29,32 Unknown Newspaper Clipping, Butte County, CA: Nov 19, 1946, "Obituary of B. R. McMains," Taped to picture postcard with picture of a woman, a boy and a girl.
24. Social Security Death Index, On-line database, Rootsweb.com, VERNON MCMAINS 28 Oct 1909 Feb 1986 95948 (Gridley, Butte, CA) (none specified) 559-09-2489 California.
25. California Death Index, On-line database, Rootsweb.com, MCMAINS VERNON WILLIAM 10/28/1909 EARP    M CALIFORNIA BUTTE    02/13/1986 559-09-2489.
28. California Death Index, On-line database, Rootsweb.com, MCMAINS BURCHELL ROBERT 02/13/1905 SHARP MCMAINS M REST (OTHER) BUTTE    11/17/1946    41 yrs Add.
30. California Death Index, On-line database, Rootsweb.com, MCMAINS MILDRED MARY 02/07/1903      F CALIFORNIA BUTTE    08/29/1978 546-09-8784 75 yrs.

The ancestral connections suggested in this report have not been conclusively proven beyond that provided by the obituary. Such connections should be seen as "tentative" until such time that conclusive proof can be obtained.

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