Uncovering Aunt Emma Burns
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| Emma Burns Roscoe Warren |
Recent discoveries about my great-aunt Emma Burns (1892–1969), older sister of my great-grandfather, James Lee Burns, have illuminated her place in our family’s story. Through a DNA match with her grandson and records from FamilySearch.org, we’re piecing together Emma’s life and her deep ties to our Burns family across generations and places.
Emma’s Origins and Family Ties
Emma Burns was born in 1892 in Mississippi according to her death record from Cook County, Illinois. As far as birth order she's younger than Bessie Lewis Butler and James Etta (Jeanette) Smith Brown who were born in 1888 and 1890 respectively. Emma was older than her younger brother Turner Burns. Her story, once unknown to us, has emerged through diligent research and family accounts. Her death record names her father as Steve Burns, corroborated by Turner Burns’ Social Security records and a Hinds County, Mississippi, marriage record for Aggie Andrews. This suggests Steve, possibly also known as Willie, and the former Aggie Andrews were her parents. A DNA match with Emma’s grandson confirms a close familial link, solidifying her place in our lineage.Life in Mississippi
Emma’s early life unfolded in Sunflower County, Mississippi, a key hub for our family. In 1913, she married Amos Roscoe there, as documented in local records. Notably, James Lee Burns settled in Lombardy, Sunflower County, in 1916, according to his obituary. Could he have known his sister was nearby? Could there also have been a broader presence of Burns relatives in the area? This connection suggests our family’s deep roots in the county, with other relatives tied to nearby towns.Emma’s Marriages
Emma’s life was marked by two marriages. In 1913, she wed Amos Roscoe in Sunflower County, Mississippi, as documented in local marriage records. Later, she married Albert Warren, though the details of when and where this marriage took place are still being explored. There were children from both of these unions.
Life in Chicago and Later Years
Emma’s path eventually led to Chicago. According to Emma's grandson, his uncle Prince Albert Warren brought Emma to the city. According to her death record out of Cook County, IL her address was near 50th and Princeton in an area of aging frame and brick homes. Tragically, a fire presumably at this now-vacant lot claimed her life in 1969. This death record lists Turner Warren (or could it be her son Turner Roscoe), as the informant. I wonder if cousin Turner was named for his uncle Turner Burns.Restvale Cemetery: A Family Legacy
Emma’s final resting place ties her to our family’s legacy. According to her death record, she was buried at Restvale Cemetery in Alsip, Illinois, alongside her sister James Etta (Jeanette) Smith Brown, which was also uncovered through FamilySearch.org for her death record. Our tribal matriarch, Lucyrene Burns Robinson, Emma’s niece, and her son, Charles Spencer Robinson, Emma’s great-nephew, are also buried there.My distant Jenkins relatives buried at Restvale further intertwine the distinct Burns and Jenkins lines.
Custodian's Notes
I extend heartfelt thanks to Emma Burns Roscoe Warren’s grandson for sharing invaluable details about his grandmother. His responses to my many questions about her life and roots have been crucial, and he should know more questions may come as we learn about our tribal chief’s siblings.The records cited in this post, including Aunt Emma’s Cook County, IL death record, her marriage to Amos Roscoe, and the Hinds County marriage record for Aggie Andrews and Steve Burns, were found on FamilySearch.org, a treasure trove for unique family records.
I also invite relatives to share memories, photos, or records about Emma, James Lee Burns, or others via email
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This post was crafted with the assistance of AI to help organize and refine our family’s historical research.