Homepage for Cynthia Smetter

My name is Cynthia(Sykes)Smetter. I am looking for Sykes family history. My parents are no longer living and I don't have much information. I do know that my great-great-grandparents John and Elizabeth Brooks were both born in England and so were three of their children. Their oldest daughter Augusta Rebecca married my great grandfather George Sykes in April 1871 in the state of Nebraska. They had nine children,seven boys and 2 girls. Their son Jess Robert was my grandfather,he was born January 26 1877. My father's name was Alva Robert Sykes born Feburary 22, 1900. I know that grandpa and grandma Brooks homesteaded in Firth, Nebraska which still exists today. GreatGrandpa Sykes and his brother hauled the first load of lumber for the first state capitol of Nebraska. Grandpa and Grandma Brooks son John William was a Drummer Boy during the civil war. He was the youngest drummer boy on history. Since both of my parents are both gone I am short on information. I know that all of grandpa Jesse Sykes siblings lived out their lives in Nebraska. If any of this information sounds familar to anyone out their I would sure like to hear from you. I think it is important for my children and step-children to have this information. My e-mail address is:[email protected]

This is some additional information I received from an older cousin, it was from Grandpa George Sykes' family Bible. It states that his father passed away on March 5,1864. Also this cousin wrote a tribute to Grandpa George Sykes. She wrote that they lived in and around Huddersfield,Yorkshire England and it was a textile manufacturing area,very smoggy and treeless. She said they were there on a rainy day and she kept thinking no wonder grandpa left. They were of the Quaker religion and very true to that. Grandpa said his mother was a very gentle and loving person. A brother Jim came from England to America too. He was in the Civil War. Later on a brother Samuel also came to America and lived in Walla,Walla,Wa and Iola Kansas. Grandpa lived in Illinois and worked on a farm before coming to Iowa and then on to Nebraska. When I find out more I will add it to my web page.I have not gotten much more for my Sykes family. I just had shoulder surgery and when I am fully recovered from that I will add the new information that I have. Please note I have a new e-mail address.

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