09 June 2025, Sulphur, Oklahoma, to Halstead, Kansas (Key West, Florida Trip)

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I was up early today. I had to be at the First Baptist Church in Stonewall around 9:00 AM to meet with Belinda Griffin. She is going to pull the church record books to see if they have a record of my Grandma Griffin’s baptism. I’m going alone while Barry gets the RV ready. We are leaving Sulphur today when I return from Stonewall.  

The drive was nice, but it was strange driving in Oklahoma by myself. I don’t know why, but it was. Once I arrived at the church and was inside, Belinda found the books, and I began my page-by-page search. It wasn’t too long before I saw Grandma. She was listed under 20 May 1945. Uncle Richard did say she was baptized while Grandpa was serving in World War II. Did you see me doing the GENEALOGY HAPPY DANCE? I have so many questions: why did she want to get baptized while Grandpa was away? Why only her and not any of her children? Any other family in attendance? I’ll never know the answers to these questions. I finished looking through the rest of the books and took photos of some other names that may be related: Gray, Lamb, Roan, Cradduck, McCurdy. Belinda and I discussed how we might be related, given that her last name is Griffin, which is a common surname. We exchanged contact information, and hopefully, we will connect again someday. 

The drive back was the same: fields of nothing but grassy fields. Barry was ready when I returned. I pulled the jeep up behind the RV, he hooked it up, and we were off to our next adventure in Halstead, Kansas. 

We crossed into Kansas at about 3:30 PM. Pulled into our home for the next few days, Spring Lake RV Resort. Our site was not level, so it was challenging to get the RV as level as possible. This park features approximately four ponds, each home to dozens of geese. I was surprised there were no other ducks or birds, but most likely, the geese chased them away. 

 

My Grandmother, Bertha Griffin's Baptism Record


Stack of Church Records I Went Through

 

Kansas State Entry Sign







Copyright © 2026 by Jacqueline Threet Henderson, Jacqueline's Jaunts. All rights reserved.

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