John Russell and his descendents

Virginia to Missouri to Kansas to the West

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Pix of men

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Alexander Warren Russell - Generation 5

Alexander Warren5 Russell (James4, Abraham3, Joseph2, John1) was born on 31 Jul 1873 in New Albany, Wilson, Kansas. He died on 30 Oct 1938 in Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri and is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Galena, Cherokee County, Kansas. He married 10 Sep 1891 in Blendville, Jasper, Missouri, Nina Lillian McCoid who was born 19 Oct 1877 in Iowa and died 21 Mar 1958 in Denver, Colorado. She was the daughter of James McCoid and Martha E (Kirk) McCoid. They divorced in 1900. He married 3 Jan 1901 in Galena, Cherokee, Kansas Rosa Etta Daniel who was born Mar 1873 in Jasper Co, Missouri. She died 16 February 1927 in Galena, Cherokee, Kansas and is buried with Alex. She is the daughter of Issac Danel and Annis (Scott) Danel.

Early Years

pix of Alex

Alexander Warren Russell was born 31 Jul 1873 in New Albany, Wilson County, Kansas.1,2 His parents were:3

Alex grew up in Wilson County, Kansas, the second to the youngest child in a family of 6, with only one sister younger than he. He was 6 years old in the 1880 census, living with his parents and siblings. His grandfather, Samuel H Gill, also lived with them.8

Alex moved to Galena, Cherokee County, Kansas before he was 20. He lived the rest of his life in Galena.

Marriage and Children

Alex married Nina Lillian McCoid on 10 Sep 1891 in Blenderville, Jasper, Missouri.9 Because they were both underage, both their fathers signed the marriage license. Alex and Nina had two children.

  1. Flora Blanche b 30 May 1893 in Joplin, Jasper, Missouri d 10 Jun 1912 in Galena, Cherokee, Kansas10
  2. Clarence Earl b 16 Jul 1895 in Galena,Cherokee, Kansas d 15 Dec 1971 in Boise, Ada, Idaho.11
    1. married Ruth Ann Davis 2 Apr 1916 in Galena, Cherokee County, Kansas.12
    2. married Geneva B 14 May 1938 in Skamania County, Washington.13
    3. married Arlie Colleen Mulherin 17 Aug 1943 in Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon.14

Alex and Nina divorced in 1900, when Blanche was 6 and Clarence was 4 years old.15 Alex filed for divorce and in the papers, stated that Nina's whereabouts were unknown. The following is an exerpt from the divorce petition:

...the Said Defendant associated with women with bad characters and with bad men whose names are unknown to this plaintiff. That on ... Jan 1898 the Said Defendent without any just cause or provocation left the House Bed and Board of this Plaintiff and has absented herself and refused to live with him and still refuses and remains away from home. And this Plaintiff avers that this absence and misconduct of the Said defendent was not caused by reason of any acts of his as he always treated her with all the kindness and consideration that a husband should a wife.

And this Plaintiff avers that the Said defendant is not a fit person to have the care and custody and control of Said minor children.

Alex was granted a divorce on 21 Apr 1900 and received full custody of their two children, who were, at that time, living with his sister and her family.

Alex with Ettie and family

Alex, Ettie, and some of their family (about 1916 or 1917). Clarence is not present in this picture.25

Alex married Rosa Etta Daniel (also spelled Daniels or Danel) on 3 Jan 1901 in Galena.16 The newspaper announcement said:17

E. W. Russell and Miss Etta Harris were married last night at 7:30 o'clock at the home of the bride, No. 1012 Bellvue avenue, Rev. B. T. Berry officiating.

Ettie was the widow of Benjamin Frank Harris, who died in Jul 1899 in a mining accident.18 She brought three children, Stella Harris, William Harris, and Anna Harris, to the marriage.19

Alex and Ettie had eight children:

  1. Mabel Mae, born in 1902 in Galena, Cherokee County, Kansas.20
    1. married William Raymond Jackson 3 Apr 1920 in Carthage, Jasper, Missouri.21
    2. married Rodger B Swaney about 1939.22
  2. Freda Elizabeth, born 17 Aug 1903 in Kansas.23
    1. married Herschel M Weaver 30 Sep 1920 Cherokee County, Kansas.24
  3. Harry W, born 16 Mar 1905 in Galena, Cherokee, Kansas.26
    1. married Mildred Lindsay on 5 Jul 1926 at Joplin, Jasper, Missouri.27
  4. John Wesley, born 4 Feb 1906 in Galena, Cherokee, Kansas.28
    1. married Serena Mae Danel 6 Jul 1927 Miami, Ottawa, Oklahoma.29
    2. married Mildred about 1944.30
  5. Cecil Warren, born about 1909.31
  6. Rosetta, born 25 Nov 1912 in Galena, Cherokee, Kansas.32
    1. married Truman Cecil Pliler before 193833
    2. married Joseph Benjamin Ajdrna 3 Sep 1947 Miami, Ottawa, Oklahoma.34
  7. Walter Orval "Jiggs", born 29 Dec 1916 in Galena, Cherokee, Kansas.35
    1. married Elizabeth Libbye Wood on 1 Jul 1935 at Joplin, Jasper, Missouri.36
  8. Minnie Alice, born 20 Mar 1917 in Galena, Cherokee, Kansas.37
    1. married Leon C Daniels before 1938.38

In Kansas

Alex lived his entire adult life in Galena. Since his first child, Blanche, was born in Missouri in 1893 and his son, Clarence, was born in Kansas in 1895, he must have moved to Kansas between 1893-1895. For most of his life, he was a miner. On his draft notice in 1918, he said he was a lead and zinc miner, working for the Beaver Mine.39 On his draft notice, his address is 1218 Belvieu in Galena.

For a brief time--8 months--he was the chief of police for Galena. This was during the time when E. B. Morgan was mayor of Galena. The date when he was police chief is unknown. He also was a night officer for an unknown period of time.40

It seems clear that Alex valued home and family a great deal. When he was divorced, with 2 small children, he married a woman with 3 children of her own, making an instant family of seven. Alex and Ettie proceeded to have eight children of their own. In addition. they took in Ettie's niece, 4 year old Oma Daniels,40 when her widowed mother died in 191442 and she needed a family. He also provided a home for two grandchildren for a short period of time--Hershie Weaver in 192543 and Opal Weaver in 1928.44

Alex lived in the same town his entire adult life. In fact, he lived mainly in the same home. When he married Ettie, he moved into the rental home where she was living, at 1012 Bellevue Ave.45 They lived in this home until at least 1913.46 Some time before 1918, he bought a home at 1218 Bellevue.47 They still lived in this home in 1925.48,49 In 1930, when he was a widower, he lived at 1211 Chicago Ave, a home he owned.50 Perhaps he sold his home and moved into a smaller one. He was living in this home when he died.51

Alex experienced tragedies with his children. His son, Cecil, died when he was 3 years old.52 The newspaper notice said:

The boy was three years old and had been suffering for some time from a complication of ills.

In addition, his daughter, Freda, also died before he did. Freda married Hershel Weaver in 192053 and died on 5 Oct 1923, leaving one son, Herschell Jr.54 The cause of death is not mentioned in her obituary. In 1925, Hershie Weaver is living with Alex.55

In 1927, Herschel Weaver, widower of Freda Russell Weaver, married Oma Daniels,56 Alex's foster daughter who is Ettie's neice. In 1928, Oma and Herschel had a daughter, Opal Mae Weaver. Herschel Weaver died in 1928.57 At that time, Alex petitioned for guardianship of Oma and Opal Weaver, who were minors.58 In the petition, he described himself as the foster father of Oma and the foster grandfather of Opal Mae, aged 2 months. At the same time, Herschel's mother petitioned for guardianship of Hershel Weaver Jr.59

It seems likely that both these petitions were granted. By 1930, Herschel Jr is living with his paternal grandparents in Baxter Springs, Cherokee County, Kansas.60 Oma married Richard Chester in 1929,61 and in 1930, Opal is living with Richard and Oma.62

Ettie died 16 Feb, 1927, at the age of 53.63 She died at home of a paralytic stroke. The services were held in the First Baptist Church, with Rev. Roy Wade officiating.

In the 1930 census, Alex was a widower. His three youngest children were living with him.64

Nina's life after Alex is less well known. She is found in 1910 in Pawhuska Ward 4, Osage, Oklahoma, living with her father.65 She is listed as a widow, but this is clearly not true. She is next found in her sister's, Sarah Elizabeth (McCoid) Miller Blossom, obituary in Feb, 1940.66 She is listed as Nina Russell living in Denver. In 1947 and 1948, she is listed in the city directory for Denver with a husband, Harvey Wallace Henryes.67,68 Her brother's obituary in Apr 1957 mentions that Moses Arthur McCoid, is survived by his sister Nina, in Denver, Colorado.69 She died 21 Mar 1958 and is buried in Riverside Cemetery in Denver.70

Death

Alex died 30 Oct 1938, at the age of 65, in Joplin, Jasper County, MO at St. John's hospital.71 His death certificate was issued by Missouri. However, he did not live in Joplin; he still lived in Galena. Joplin is just the closest hospital.

The death certificate says he died of a cerebral hemorrhage. His obituary says he had a paralytic stroke two weeks earlier, and was taken to the hospital in Joplin three days before his death when his condition became worse.72

Alex is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Galena, together with Ettie and others of his family, including Freda. The headstones no longer survive, but the cemetery records make it possible to locate the graves.73

Sources

  1. United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 12 Sep 1918; difital image, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : accessed 6 Feb 2013); citing United States, Selective Service System. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. M1509, 4,582 rolls.
  2. Missouri State Board of Health death certificate No. 35977 (1938), Alex W Russell; digital image. Missouri Death Certificates Misouri Digital Heritage (http://www.sos.mo.gov/images/archives/deathcerts/1938/1938_00035983.PDF : accessed 20 Jan 2013)
  3. Missouri death certificate No. 35977 (1938), Alex W Russell;
  4. 1850 U.S. census, Miller County, Missouri, p. 41B, line 1, James Russel; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : accessed 4 Feb 2013); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm M432_406, page 441B, image 371.
  5. 1850 U.S. census, Marshall County, Tennessee, Elizabeth Gill; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : accessed 10 Feb 2013); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm Roll: M432_890; Page: 125A; Image: 247.
  6. 1860 U.S. census, Marshall County, Tennessee, Elizabeth Gill; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : accessed 10 Feb 2013); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm Roll: M653_349; Page: 439; Image: 439.
  7. Find A Grave memorial no 83753688, database on-line, Elizabeth Russell, Fairview Cemetery, Joplin, Jasper, Missouri. (http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=83753688 : accessed 10 Feb 2013).
  8. 1880 U.S. census, Wilson County, Kansas, Alexander W Russell; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : accessed 6 Feb 2013); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm Roll: 399.
  9. Jasper County, Missouri, Marriage Books, Alexander W Russell-Ninia Leota McCoid, 10 Sep 1891; digital images Missouri Marriage Records, 1805-2002, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com " accessed 10 Feb 2013), source: Missouri Marriage Records. Jefferson City, MO, USA: Missouri State Archives. Microfilm.
  10. Kansas State Board of Health death certificate no 55 (1912), Laura Blanche Russell; Division of Vital Statistics, Topeka, Kansas.
  11. Idaho Department of Health and Welfare death certificate No. 5647 (1971), Clarence E Russell, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Boise, Idaho; obtained 1 Feb 2009.
  12. Cherokee County, Kansas, marriage license no 8891, Clarence E Russell-Ruth A Davis, 2 Apr 1916, Office of the Probate Judge of Cherokee County, Columbus, Cherokee County, Kansas.
  13. Skamania County, Washington marriage records document no swskmmcbook8_748, Clarence E Russell-Geneva B Remillard, 14 May 1938, database on-line, Washington State Digital Archives, (http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Record/View/650359BB1CE7C97E323A3A1F98D7CA84 : accessed 9 Feb 2013).
  14. "Clarence E Russell" Obituary, Idaho Stateman 17 Dec 1971, pg 3-D; obtained from Boise Public Libary, online request (http://www.boisepubliclibrary.org/research/obituaries-local-history/obituary-request/ : accessed 9 Feb 2013).
  15. Petition for Divorce, E. W. Russell vs Nina Russell, Case No. 6291, filed 23 Feb 1900, District Court of Cherokee County, Kansas; obtained from Cherokee County Kansas Genealogical-Historical Society, Columbus, Kansas.
  16. Cherokee County, Kansas, marriage license no 1728, Mr. E. W. Russell-Mrs Ettie Harris, 3 Jan 1901, Marriage Book I, Pg 156, Office of the Probate Judge of Cherokee County, Columbus, Cherokee County, Kansas; obtained from Cherokee County Kansas Genealogical-Historical Society, Columbus, Kansas.
  17. "About the City" announcement of the marriage of E. W. Russell and Etta Harris, Galena (Kansas) Evening Times 4 Jan 1901 pg 5 col 2; obtained from Cherokee County Kansas Genealogical-Historical Society, Columbus, Kansas.
  18. "Up to his Chin – Frank Harris Covered to His Chin in a Mine by Falling Dirt", Galena Evening Times28 Jul 1899 pg 4.
  19. 1920 U.S. census, Cherokee County, Kansas, Rose Harris; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : accessed 11 Feb 2013); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm Roll: 474; Page: 20A; Enumeration District: 0021.
  20. Find A Grave memorial no 64745422 headstone, database on-line, Mabel Mae Swaney, Forest Park Cemetery, Joplin, Jasper, Missouri. (http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=64745422 : accessed 10 Feb 2013).
  21. Cherokee County, Kansas, divorce petition no. 15903, Raymond Jackson vs Mabel Jackson, 29 May 1936; District Court of Cherokee County, Kansas, Columbus, Kansas.
  22. Michael McKean to Janet Russell Valade, document received via email, 20 Mar 2011, Russell Family. File Russell, Mabel 1902; privately held by Janet Russell Valade, Glendora, CA. McKean obtained the family information from his wife's mother, who is Mabel's granddaughter.
  23. Find A Grave memorial headstone 26417493 database on-line, Freda Elizabeth Weaver, Lowell Cemetery, Lowell, Cherokee County, Kansas. (http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=26417493 : accessed 11 Feb 2013).
  24. Cherokee County, Kansas, Marriage Card File, Hursell Weaver-Freda Russell, 30 Sep 1920. Cherokee County Courthouse, Columbus, Kansas; obtained from Cherokee County Kansas Genealogical-Historical Society, Columbus, Kansas.
  25. Photograph provided by Michael McKean, from the collection of Mabel Russell's granddaughter.
  26. "Harry Russell" obituary, unknown newspaper, 2 Oct 1970, received from Rachael Smith, a family researcher on 11 Apr 2010.
  27. Jasper County, Missouri, Marriage Books, Harry Russell-Mildred Lindsay, 5 Jul 1926; digital images Missouri Marriage Records, 1805-2002, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com " accessed 6 Feb 2013), source: Missouri Marriage Records. Jefferson City, MO, USA: Missouri State Archives. Microfilm.
  28. Find A Grave memorial no 52354044 headstone picture, database on-line, John Wesley Russell, Little Sioux Cemetery, Little Sioux, Harrison County, Iowa. (http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=52354044 : accessed 12 Feb 2013).
  29. Petition for Divorce, John W Russell vs Serena Mae Russell, case no. 17449, filed 2 Feb 1944, District Court of Cherokee County, Columbus, Kansas.
  30. Rachael Smith to Janet Russell Valade, message on Ancestry.com, 19 Apr 2009, "John Wesley Russell" Smith is the great granddaughter of Serena Mae Russell
  31. Cecil Warren Russell" obituary, Galena (Kansas) Evening Times, 29 Apr 1913, p 3
  32. "Rosetta Ajdrna" obituary, Galena Republican, 18 Feb 1927.
  33. "Gary C Pliler" obituary, Idaho Statesman 9 May 2004. [mentions his parents, Truman and Rosetta Pliler]
  34. "Joseph B Ajdrna" obituary, Galena Sentinel 10 Apr 1985, pg 2.
  35. "Walter Russell" obituary, [unknown publication and date], received from Rachael Smith, Russell family researcher, on 9 Apr 2010.
  36. Jasper County, Missouri, Marriage Books, Walter Orval Russell-Elizabeth Wood, 1 Jul 1935; digital images Missouri Marriage Records, 1805-2002, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com " accessed 6 Feb 2013), source: Missouri Marriage Records. Jefferson City, MO, USA: Missouri State Archives. Microfilm.
  37. Missouri State Board of Health Death Certificate No. 2651 (1939), Minnie A Daniels; digital image. Missouri Death Certificates Misouri Digital Heritage (http://www.sos.mo.gov/images/archives/deathcerts/1939/1939_00002651.PDF : accessed 11 Feb 2013)
  38. "Mrs Minnie Alice Daniels" obituary Joplin Globe, 11 Jan 1939.
  39. United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 12 Sep 1918; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com.
  40. "Former Officer Here Dies Following Stroke" Obituary, Galena (Kansas) Times-Republican 4 Nov 1938, pg 1, Col 4.
  41. 1915 Kansas State census, Cherokee County, Kansas, A. W. Russell; Kansas State Census Collection, 1855-1925; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : accessed 7 Feb 2013); citing 1915 Kansas State Census. Microfilm reels K-1 – K-271. Kansas State Historical Society.
  42. Missouri State Board of Health death certificate No. 8821 (1914), Mrs. Lillian Daniels; digital image. Missouri Death Certificates Misouri Digital Heritage (http://www.sos.mo.gov/images/archives/deathcerts/1914/1914_00008772.PDF : accessed 11 Feb 2013)
  43. 1925 Kansas State census, Cherokee County, Kansas, Elica Russell; Kansas State Census Collection, 1855-1925; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : accessed 7 Feb 2013); citing 1925 Kansas State Census. Microfilm reels K-1 – K-177. Kansas State Historical Society.
  44. Petition for Letters of Guardianship, A. W. Russell for Oma and Opal Weaver, filed 25 Apr 1928, District Court of Cherokee County, Kansas; obtained from Cherokee County Kansas Genealogical-Historical Society, Columbus, Kansas.
  45. "About the City" Galena (Kansas) Evening Times 4 Jan 1901 pg 5 col 2.
  46. Cecil Warren Russell" obituary, Galena (Kansas) Evening Times, 29 Apr 1913, p 3
  47. United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 12 Sep 1918; difital image, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com).
  48. 1920 U.S. census, Cherokee County, Kansas, Alexander Russell; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : accessed 7 Feb 2013); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm Roll: T625_526.
  49. 1925 Kansas State census, Cherokee County, Kansas, Elica Russell; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com).
  50. 1930 U.S. census, Cherokee County, Kansas, Alex Russell; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : accessed 7 Feb 2013); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm Roll: 696.
  51. "Former Police Chief at Galena Succumbs" Obituary, Joplin (Missouri) News Herald 31 Oct 1938.
  52. Cecil Warren Russell" obituary, Galena (Kansas) Evening Times, 29 Apr 1913, p 3
  53. Cherokee County, Kansas, Marriage Card File, Hursell Weaver-Freda Russell, 30 Sep 1920. Cherokee County Courthouse, Columbus, Kansas; obtained from Cherokee County Kansas Genealogical-Historical Society, Columbus, Kansas.
  54. "Weaver Funeral Sunday" Obituary, Galena (Kansas) Evening Times 11 Oct 1923, pg 1, Col 5; obtained from Cherokee County Kansas Genealogical-Historical Society, Inc., Columbus, Kansas
  55. 1925 Kansas State census, Cherokee County, Kansas, Hershie Weaver; Kansas State Census Collection, 1855-1925; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com).
  56. Cherokee County, Kansas, Marriage Card File, Hursell Weaver-Oma Daniels, 14 Jun 1927. Cherokee County Courthouse, Columbus, Kansas; obtained from Cherokee County Kansas Genealogical-Historical Society, Columbus, Kansas.
  57. "Hurscell Weaver Dies" obituary, Baxter Springs Citizen 29 Mar 1928.
  58. Petition for Letters of Guardianship, A. W. Russell for Oma and Opal Weaver, filed 25 Apr 1928, District Court of Cherokee County, Kansas; obtained from Cherokee County Kansas Genealogical-Historical Society, Columbus, Kansas.
  59. Petition for Letters of Guardianship, Jennie Weaver for Herschell Weaver Jr, filed 9 Apr 1928, District Court of Cherokee County, Kansas; obtained from Cherokee County Kansas Genealogical-Historical Society, Columbus, Kansas.
  60. 1930 U.S. census, Cherokee County, Kansas, Herschell Weaver Jr; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : accessed 7 Feb 2013); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm Roll: 696.
  61. Petition for Divorce, Oma Chester vs R. Chester, case no 3382, filed 5 Jul 1934, District Court of Cherokee County, Kansas; obtained from Cherokee County Kansas Genealogical-Historical Society, Columbus, Kansas.
  62. 1930 U.S. census, Cherokee County, Kansas, Richard Chester; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : accessed 7 Feb 2013); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm Roll: 696.
  63. "Death of Mrs. Russell" obituary The Galena (Kansas) Republican, 18 Feb 1927 pg 7 col 5.
  64. 1930 U.S. census, Cherokee County, Kansas, Alex Russell; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com).
  65. 1910 U.S. census, Osage County, Oklahoma, Nina Russell; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : accessed 7 Feb 2013); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm Roll: T624_1268; Page: 26A; Enumeration District: 0166.
  66. "Blossom" obituary, Sarah Elizabeth Blossom Denver (Colorado) Post 19 Feb 1940, pg 25
  67. U.S. City Directories 1822-1995, Denver, Colorado City Directory 1947, Nina L Henryes, p 782 on paper copy; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : accessed 24 May 2017); p 393
  68. U.S. City Directories 1822-1995, Denver, Colorado City Directory 1948, Nina L Henryes, p 580 on paper copy; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : accessed 24 May 2017); p 249
  69. "M. McCoid Rites Set" obituary, Moses Arthur McCoid Mason City (Iowa) Globe Gazette 24 Apr 1957, pg 14, Col 1.
  70. Find A Grave memorial no 23353992, database on-line, Henryes, Nina Lillian, Riverside Cemetery, Denver, Denver, Colorado. (http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid= 23353992 : accessed 24 May 2017).
  71. Missouri death certificate No. 35977 (1938), Alex W Russell;
  72. "Former Officer Here Dies Following Stroke" obituary, Alexander Russell Galena (Kansas) Times-Republican 4 Nov 1938, pg 1, Col 4.
  73. Find A Grave memorial no 52283002, database on-line, Alexander Warren Russell, Oak Hill Cemetery, Galena, Cherokee, Kansas. (http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=52283002 : accessed 11 Feb 2013).