We're not in Kansas any more!

But, some of my ancestors used to live there.

In Johnson County. Olathe to be precise.

That was where Edson McClure Blakesely (#34) filed for his Civil War pension in the late 1800s.

Well, thanks to our friends at the NEHGS, I was made aware of a (new?) site on the history of Johnson County.

I haven't had a chance to fully explore the site, yet. But, did find this photo of a group of Civil War veterans. The fellow seated second from the left in the second row looks suspiciously like old Edson . . .

Some new peregrination starting points from this find:
* I didn't see any Blakesley listed in the list of online bios. But, are they searchable? Perhaps, Edson--or his wife Mary Elizabeth Blakesley (#35)--might be mentioned in someone else's bio . . .
* Search the obituary database.
* There is a ton of cultural info available on this site. While it may not provide specific information on the Blakesleys, it certainly offers a lot of context to help understand what life would have been like during their time in Olathe.
* Pull out Edson's pension file, and see if he gave a specific address. There are maps and atlases on this site, as well as photos.
* Also from the pension file, get the names of the physician who completed his medical examination and witnesses, etc. They may be included in some of this material.