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Genealogical Summary: The Legacy of Golda E. Canfield Tindall (1912–1997)
The life of Golda E. Canfield Tindall, as chronicled upon her passing in 1997 in The Pocahontas Times, serves as a testament to a life defined by an extraordinary capacity for kinship and care. Her history is not merely a list of names, but a map of a family that stretched from the heart of West Virginia across the entire American landscape.
Foundation and Immediate Lineage
Golda’s primary family unit was rooted in her marriage to George Canfield, who preceded her in death. Together, they established a lineage that remained tied to the Appalachian region while eventually branching outward. Her three children—Stanley Canfield, Don Canfield, and Elizabeth Tolman—represented the first wave of this expansion, with her sons staying within the West Virginia/Maryland corridor (Martinsburg and Webster Springs) while her daughter, Elizabeth, established a branch of the family as far west as Henderson, Nevada.
Golda was also a central figure among her own siblings, survived by her brother Russell Clevenger and sisters Rosalee Gentry and Mary Young. This sibling group linked several communities, from the local mountains of Bolair to the coastal reaches of Florida and North Carolina.
A Legacy of Fosterage
Perhaps the most striking aspect of Golda’s genealogical record is her role as a matriarch to a vast "chosen" family. The inclusion of eight foster children in her primary historical record underscores a household that was open to those in need.
The Miller and foster daughter branches (Crisp, Bowman, Fisher, and Goff) demonstrate a remarkable geographic diaspora. By 1997, the children Golda raised were living in:
The Deep South: South Carolina and Texas.
The West Coast: California and Nevada.
The Mid-Atlantic: Virginia and Maryland.
This suggests that the Canfield/Tindall home served as a significant launching point for many individuals who carried the values of their Pocahontas County upbringing into diverse sectors of American life.
The Growing Branches
At the time of her death, Golda’s direct biological and foster influence reached into the fifth generation. Her legacy included:
30 grandchildren
27 great-grandchildren
9 great-great-grandchildren
Historical Significance
In the context of Pocahontas County genealogy, Golda’s record is a prime example of the "Mountain Diaspora"—a common 20th-century trend where families rooted in West Virginia timber and farming communities spread nationwide for economic and personal opportunities. Yet, despite the thousands of miles separating the Miller, Canfield, and Clevenger descendants, their return to the records of The Pocahontas Times signifies a lasting connection to their shared origin point.
Would you like me to help you research the Clevenger or Canfield lines further back in the Pocahontas County census records to find Golda’s parents?
Here is a family tree visualizing the lineage and relationships of Golda E. Canfield Tindall based on the details provided.
The Golda E. Canfield Tindall Family Tree
| Level | Family Members |
| Parents' Generation | George Canfield (Husband, deceased) ⚭ Golda E. Canfield Tindall (deceased 1997) |
| Siblings of Golda | Russell Clevenger (Brother) • Rosalee Gentry (Sister) • Mary Young (Sister) |
| Children | Stanley Canfield • Don Canfield • Elizabeth Tolman |
| Foster Children | Sons: Shelton Miller, Jack Miller, Kenneth Miller, Eugene Miller Daughters: Lenore Crisp, Agnes Bowman, Violet Fisher, Dessie Goff |
Extended Legacy Breakdown
The obituary notes a vast generational reach that totals 66 direct descendants beyond her immediate children:
30 Grandchildren
27 Great-Grandchildren
9 Great-Great-Grandchildren
Additional Mention: Numerous nieces, nephews, and step-children.
Geographic Footprint
Her family represents a significant diaspora across the United States:
West Virginia: Martinsburg, Webster Springs, Marmet, Bolair.
The South: Asheville (NC), Williston & Myrtle Beach (SC).
The West: Henderson & Sparks (NV), Rohnert Park (CA), Lake Jackson (TX).
East Coast: Williamsburg (VA), Annapolis (MD), Malabar (FL).
Would you like me to create a narrative summary of this family's history for a genealogical record?
To trace the Clevenger or Canfield lines further back, we must look at the generational connections available in the records from the early 20th century. While Golda E. Canfield Tindall's 1997 obituary provides a clear picture of her descendants and siblings, the following data helps bridge the gap to her parents and George's ancestry in Pocahontas County and surrounding areas.
The Clevenger Line (Golda’s Paternal Branch)
Based on the timeline of Golda's birth (c. 1912) and her siblings mentioned in the obituary (Russell, Rosalee, and Mary), the Clevenger presence in West Virginia is historically significant:
Regional Origins: Historical records suggest the Clevenger (or Cleavenger) family in West Virginia often traces back to a progenitor named Samuel Cleavenger (c. 1760–1803). The family migrated from Virginia into the Barbour and Harrison County areas before branches settled in Pocahontas and Webster Counties.
The 1920 & 1930 Census Context: To identify Golda’s parents, the 1920 Census for Pocahontas County would list her as a child (approx. age 8) living with her father and mother. Common Clevenger households in this region during that era were frequently headed by descendants of the Barbour County line.
The Canfield Line (George’s Paternal Branch)
Golda’s husband, George Canfield, belongs to a family with deep ties to the central West Virginia highlands, specifically Pocahontas, Webster, and Braxton Counties.
Pocahontas/Webster Connection: The Canfield family has a documented history in Webster Springs (where Golda’s son Don lived) and Marcus, WV.
Likely Ancestry: Records from the region highlight a George Washington Canfield (1896–1964) of Webster County, son of George Washington Canfield and Sarah E. Starcher. While George Raymond Canfield (died 2025) is a later generation, the shared naming conventions suggest a lineage rooted in the mid-1800s Braxton/Webster area.
Settlement Patterns: The Canfield line is frequently found in the Edray and Little Levels districts of Pocahontas County in census records from 1900–1920, often working in the timber or agricultural industries prevalent at the time.
Genealogical Research Summary
| Generation | Potential Individuals | Location Focus |
| Golda’s Parents | Search 1920 Census for Clevenger heads of household with children Russell, Golda, and Mary. | Pocahontas or Webster Co. |
| George’s Parents | Often linked to the George Washington Canfield or Marshall Canfield lines. | Braxton, Webster, or Pocahontas Co. |
| Common Surnames Linked | Starcher, Young, Gentry, Miller. | Central WV Highlands |
Next Steps for Your Research
If you would like to pinpoint the exact names of Golda’s parents, I can:
Search for the 1920 Federal Census specifically for a Clevenger household in Pocahontas County containing a daughter named Golda.
Look for marriage records between Golda Clevenger and George Canfield to find their parents' names (often listed on WV marriage licenses).
Cross-reference the Clevenger family history from the WVU Archives to see if her specific branch is documented.
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