Essex Society of Genealogists, Inc.Queries
August 2011
August 3
Surname: Ruff & Robinson
Query submitted by: Rosanne Palombi
Primary Goals: To learn more about relatives
Time Period: 1700's or earlier
My grandmother was Alma Ruff. My grandfather was Fred Robinson. They are both buried at Elmwood Cemetery in Methuen, although I don't know where their gravesite is. I also have no history as my grandmother died of tuberculosis when my mom was 4 years old (1938) I also know that my grandfather worked at the Wood Mills in Lawrence/Methuen area, and that he died at Tewksbury State Hospital in approximately 1962 or 1963. I am trying to gather as much information as I can about both of them. Thank you for offering this service. I am hopeful you can find information for me.
Response on August 13 by Rachel: The 1930 census led me to believe that Fred Robinson was a Jr. Son of Fred and Annie Robinson. Looking back at the 1910/20 census' it shows the family living in Lawrence. It also shows that he was born in Rhode Island. Rhode Island birth records have him born Oct 28 1898 in Providence,RI to Fred and Annie Higgenbottom. Social Security has him dying in Feb 1965. 018-17-0538 in Massachusetts. Keep in mind that since there is no day attached he may have died at the very end of Jan and it wasn't reported until the beginning of Feb. You might want to stop into your local Social Security office for Alma. They started issuing numbers I think in the early 30's but didn't start the Index until the 60's. They might have date of birth/death, parents, etc.
According to Fred's WWI registration his middle name was Hobson. Was working as a Filling Carrier at Washington Mills. Was living on Lawrence St, Lawrence. Listed his Dad as contact. Dated Sep 12 1918. 1900 census has them on Putnam St in Providence, RI states both parents born in England. They had 7 kids, only 2 living. Married for 11yrs. Fred Sr b. Mar 1864 Annie b. Jul 1867. Fred Sr arrived 1891 and was Naturalized. Annie in 1892. Annie must have died sometime between the 1910/20 census.
Alma C. was the daughter of German Immigrants Henry and Pauline (Kuenstler) Ruff. The 1900c. has them living in Lawrence. Alma's b. Dec 1897 in MA. Henry b. Nov 1864 Pauline b. Mar 1863 4 kids, 4 living. Married for 7 years. Henry arrived 1888 and was naturalized. Pauline arrived 1881. Henry was a sausage maker. Go figure! 1910c. they are still in Lawrence,MA. 1920c. she's listed under Elma living with her Aunt and Uncle in Lawrence. I believe she was born in Lawrence because she has siblings before and after her that I can find born/died in Lawrence. Just can't find her yet. Henry (Heinrich) parents Jacob and Sophia was married to Pauline, parents Gottfried and Christine, in Lawrence Oct 8 1892. .
Well that should get you started. I wish I could have come up with a confirmed death date for Alma.
Rachel Cerasuolo
Answer Query rosannehopedesigns@gmail.com
6 August
Surname: Dwinell or Dunnell
Query submitted by: Ann Jones
Primary Goals: To share information, To learn more about relatives, To identify sources of specific information
Time Period: 1900's, 1800's, 1700's or earlier
dwinell or dunnell I would like to know where the first Michael came from. possibly france...thank you
Answer Query angeleyesani@comcast.net
10 August
Surname: Chamberlain/Wymond/O'Brien
Query submitted by: Michael O'Brien
Primary Goals: To share information, To identify sources of specific information
Time Period: 1900's
I am writing a book on Americans who served in the British Army in the First World War. 3 of the men I have identified came from Salem and I will be grateful for any information. They are
(1) Arthur Chamberlain of p70 Salem Street. KIA 09/28/1916.
(2) George Joseph Wymond of 11 Turner Street KIA 08/10/1917.
(3) Roy Oberall O'Brien of 22 Osgood Street (aged 16) died of illness 06/29/1919.
Answer Query michael.ob@virgin.net
August 11
Surname: Riker
Query submitted by: Diane Lewey
Primary Goals: To share information,
Time Period: 1800's, 1700's or earlier
My father (a stonemason) was digging up an old set of brick/granite steps at an old colonial house on Federal St in Salem, Ma. to re-build them. He found a silver ?sugar spoon with the engraved name of RIKER and a small hand mirror in a small cloth covered sleeve. That discovery was made back in the 70's. The family living there at the time was not RIKER. I have always meant to track down the family name and just recently came across the items in my jewelry box.
Answer Query d.lewey@gmail.com
Aug. 12
Surname: Crouch
Query submitted by: Deborah Stephens
Primary Goals: To learn more about relatives
Time Period: 1700's or earlier
David Crouch; b. 14 Apr 1775 in Ipswich, Essex Co., MA
He would be my great-great-great-great-great-grandfather. I'm stuck at the census records for the state of TN. Thank you for anything you may find.
Answer Query debstephens714@hotmail.com
Response by Betty Mattingly on September 17, 2013 - According to my records David Crouch Jr m. Rhoda Gowen in 1799 in Nashville Tn. He would be my gggrandfather on my mothers side. Let me hear from you,.,
Aug. 19
Surname: Jeffords
Query submitted by: Jerry Jeffords
Primary Goals: To share information, To learn more about relatives, To identify sources of specific information
Time Period: 1700's or earlier
John Jeffords, born 1766 Essex County, married Phoebe Sherman.
Answer Query jjeffords37@charter.net
Aug. 26
Surname: Ballard
Query submitted by: Susan Morse
Primary Goals: To learn more about relatives, To identify sources of specific information
Time Period: 1800's
Charles E. Ballard born 1852 in Salem died in 1874 as a US consul in Zanzibar -- I would like to know where he is buried and what ship he had sailed on and what he was doing in Zanzibar. Thanks for your help
Answer Query cahillmorse@aol.com
Aug. 26
Surname: Brown
Query submitted by: Rhonda Ford
Primary Goals: To learn more about relatives
Time Period: 1800's
Wondering if you have any information on James F. Brown, born June of 1839 in Massachusetts, had at least one child, Timothy Joseph Brown, born March 1864 in Marblehead, Essex County. Wifes name Catherine or Kathleen, no info known about her. Thank you
Response 7 September 2011 by Barbara Beake: find in Marblehead in the 1870 census: James F Brown, 31, shoemaker, b. in Ireland; with Catherine Brown, 28, b.in Ireland; Peter Brown, 8; Timothy Brown, 6; and James F. Brown, 2; all b. in Mass.; and Henry Flood, 15, shoemaker, b. Mass. I don't find Timothy's birth in the Marblehead Vital Records [Mass. Vital Records 1841-1910 on NewEnglandAncestors.org]. There is a birth record for Peter Brown at Marblehead, b. 18 Nov 1861, son of James Brown, cordwainer [shoemaker], and Catherine Brown, maiden name Grady, both b. Marblehead [sic]. - I don't find their births recorded at Marblehead, either. Also a birth record for James F. Brown at Marblehead, b. 18 April 1868, son of James F., cordwainer, and Kate (Greely), both b. Marblehead. There is a death record for James F. Brown at Marblehead, died 23 May 1872 of congestion of lungs, age 31, shoemaker, b. Ireland, son of Peter & Sarah (Slaven ?), both b. Ireland. Also a death record for Catherine (Grady) Brown at Marblehead, died 15 March 1874 of intemperance, age 29, widow, born at Marblehead, daughter of Terrence [sic] & Bridget, both b. Ireland.
In the 1880 census, I find Timothy Brown, age 17, b. Mass., both parents b. Ireland, a farm worker, living with a Crasman family at Swampscott. Peter Brown, age 19, b. Mass., both parents b. Mass., is working in a shoe factory, living with a Fogg family at Lynn. James F. Brown, 12, nephew, is living at Lynn with Patrick Sullivan, 43, and wife Ellen, 47, and six of their children [several born while they lived on Nelson St., the later ones at Hood St.]. Ellen Sullivan's death is recorded at Lynn, 25 July 1907, age 73, b. Ireland, maiden name Grady, husband Patrick Sullivan [they were married 24 Feb 1857 at Lynn], her father was Timothy Grady b. Ireland, mother Bridget Ryan, b. Ireland. A Bridget Grady died at Nelson St., Lynn, 24 July 1863, widow, aged 60, b. Ireland, parents Thomas Ryan and Ellen Ryan. Timothy Grady died at Lynn 1 June 1859, age 72, married, b. Ireland, parents William & Catherine Grady. I hope these clues are helpful - Brown is a pretty common name, but these pieces seem to fit with the information you gave.
Response by James R. Brown on August 12, 2012:
Re: James F. Brown of Marblehead Mass. He was my great grandfather. Timothy Brown left Mass. And went to Washington D.C. and became one of the first fire Department Captains. He was killed in action Oct. 1911. He was my grandfather. My father’s name was James F. Brown (after my great grandfather!) James F. came from Ireland at age 18 with his 15 year old sister.
Answer Query nynlyvs@aol.com