Question

I am looking for information on parentage and/or slave owner of William Grandstaff, born March, 1840 in Alabama.

Answer 1

Is your WILLIAM GRANDSTAFF the same that is listed on the 1900 East Glenwood, Garfield Co., Colorado Census?

Head of household, WILLIAM GRANDSTAFF, age 60, black, widowed, born Jan. 1840 in Alabama, parents born in Louisiana, occupation is "coal miner"; he owns his home free of mortgage.

Listed in the 1889 Leadville Colorado City Directory is:

WILLIAM GRANDSTAFF, miner, boards 231 E. th

Listed in the 1890 Leadville, Colorado City Directory is:

WILLIAM J GRANDSTAFF, miner, residence 124 Harrison Ave.

Listed in the 1891 Leadville, Colorado City Directory is:

WILLIAM J GRANDSTAFF, miner, residence 124 Harrison Ave.

I live in Alabama and am very familiar with all the resources.  I tried every trick I knew and could find nothing on WILLIAM GRANDSTAFF (even tried GRANSTAFF) before the 1900 Census.  Also tried "white" GRANDSTAFF'  slave owners in Alabama, with no luck.

I'm sorry I couldn't answer your question but hope that what I did find helps you in some way.  Sincerely, Melinda

Answer 2

I'm also doing research on Grandstaff, and was involved in a long-term effort to have the name Negro Bill Canyon in Moab, Utah, changed to William Grandstaff Canyon. I've learned some things about his life which are probably true, but hard to verify, including whether the Utah Grandstaff and the Glenwood Springs Grandstaff are indeed one and the same. There is also a William Grandstaff who was a member of the Black Brigade of Cincinnati in 1862, but again, is it the same person? Likely, but I haven't been able to verify it yet. Also, I've sadly not been able to find out anything about his parentage. One census says he was born in Alabama and they were born in Louisiana; another census says they were all born in Virginia. If you know anything more, I would be seriously interested!