I have an obituary notice that lists the name Tyre Asbell as the brother of my grandfather, Harry Milton Asbell, Sr. My father, Harry Milton Asbell, Jr., lives in the Joplin MO area. I haven't interacted with him in many years, but I do know he is still living. He may be able to give you some information. If you have a fax number, I would be happy to fax a copy of the obituary to you. I don't know how much of what I have heard about my family is true, but the story my father told me was that my grandfather's parents were Jewish and that my grandfather actually attended a local yeshiva. However, at some point in his early youth, his mother converted to Christianity. In the list of names of children in the obituary, the earliest are names that are often found within Jewish families. Her last daughter, however, was named Mary Magdalen Asbell, which would indicate that perhaps the stories have some truth. I contacted the local synagogue many years ago to see if I could locate any information and received no reply. I contacted their parent group in Philadelphia and was informed that, if there had been some type of separation, that it might be difficult to find local information. I never pursued the matter further. Please feel free to e-mail me if you would like to have the information from the obituary.

Sherry