Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Black Jack Nelson

I have heard that I'm related to John Nelson, a.k.a. Black Jack Nelson, the infamous stagecoach robber of Logan, Utah. He lived many years ago, maybe late 19th century. I don't know much about him so I went to the internet to look him up. I guess he's not as infamous as I thought. I could only find three websites that even mentioned him:

The first site I found is a blog of a family that purchased the home of Black Jack's parents. It's kind of interesting to hear about his story from someone else. Apparently he has some hidden buried treasure somewhere near Malad. How cool would that be to find it?

The second site I found was a "this-day-in-Cache-County-history" type of website run by the Cache County Sheriff's Office. You have to scroll down a little bit until you get to 1865. From this site I learned that Black Jack started his criminal career in 1865.

And, finally, the third site I found was the Family Search site. I used the information I had to look him up(father's and mother's name and place of birth). I guessed his birthday was within 10 years of 1845 (that would make him maybe around 20 when he started his life of crime). It came up with this:
I think this is him. Maybe not. If it is him and the Sheriff's site is also correct, that means that he was 10 years old when he started his life of crime. Do the brackets mean that it's an approximation? And does anyone know how I can find out how I am related to him? I think I could find out on this site...if I had my membership number. But I don't. Maybe I'll get it on Sunday. Anyway, it was pretty fun to take a break from studying for 20 minutes to do some genealogy.

*Warning: If you decide to Google "Black Jack Nelson" be prepared to get lots of websites related to Willie Nelson's song, "Blackjack County Chain."

11 comments:

Kathy Haynie said...

Call Chris at the jail and ask him. He knows how to answer all kinds of questions about criminals.

Chris said...

1- i have found that same site about the house.
2- i have a new.familysearch.org account. neener neener neener. you can get your info from your ward clerk. thats what i did.

Polly @ Pieces by Polly said...

I found another site for you that mentions him... http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=f9c61f26d596b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1

It gives a book where you can learn more about him...I bet they have it at the BYU library.

Polly @ Pieces by Polly said...

Here's another one: http://library.usu.edu/specol/photoarchive/p0249.html. Mostly it's about his brother.

Karen Wong said...

Black Jack Nelson was my great grandfather. My grandfather was his son, Matthew. I would be interested in talking to you.

Karen Wong said...

Here is a link to an article about Black Jack Nelson. http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~utcache/nelson/Nelson-John-W.pdf

Jim said...

I am black jack's great grand son. My grandmother was his daughter Isabel.

Jim said...

I am black jack's great grand son. My grandmother was his daughter Isabel.

Jim said...

I am black jack's great grand son. My grandmother was his daughter Isabel.

Unknown said...

check our website fp or play online casino
บอลออนไลน์
ทางเข้าsbo
sbobet mobile

Unknown said...

I am too.