Perhaps you can help me.  Or, tell me where else to search or whom to contact regarding what I am looking for.  I ask your patience as I try to explain.  My great-grandparents lived in the area from 1905 to 1919.  My great-grandfather was a woodsman who worked in the camps.  He was killed in a tree accident at Blanchard's Camp #6 in Alba.  This was only a few months after he lost his wife and four of his five children to the 1918 Flu.  They died at Camp #35, according to the death certificates and obits in the Mancelona Herald.  My grandmother, the only survivor, is now 93 and we have never been able to determine where he is buried.  He is not with the rest of the family at Fairview Cemetery.  I have left no stone unturned to try and solve this mystery.

 

I am wondering if perhaps you have any old records pertaining to the Antrim Iron Company, which I am told operated the camps.  They must have kept some sort of accounting for deaths and work related injuries.  Since there were no adult survivors, the possibility of the "Company" finalizing arrangements could be a possibility. Or perhaps buried in a company owned plot. The hospital where he died has no records, the funeral home had a fire and no records, the State of Michigan says they can't help me as well as the Michigan State Library.  I even tried the Probate Court and they have no records for my grandmother's guardianship. 

 

I treasure the only three pictures that my grandmother has of her family.  One of her father, one of four of the children and one of many folks with her mother, standing beside what looks like a church. 

 

The family name was Elam.  His name is spelled on his death record as Elain which is incorrect.  He was 34 and she was 30 at the time of their deaths.

 

Any help, clues, ideas or information is deeply appreciated.

 

                                                            Sincerely,

                                                             Kendra Wernke

                                                            Phoenix, AZ