52 Ancestors: Troublemaker - Emery McAboy

This week's blog prompt brought to mind my "black sheep ancestor", William Warren McAboy, who I wrote about HERE nearly 10 years ago.  But as I pondered on it further, I thought about his young son who was once the "troublemakerED" (I made up a new word) - Emery James McAboy.

Emery was born 22 Jan 1870 in Clinton, Illinois.  I am guessing his first name comes from his grandfather and one of my favorite ancestors, Emery Waller.  If you've been with me awhile you'll remember that it was Emery Waller who I was able to obtain a headstone for.  You can read about that HERE.  And, perhaps, his middle name came from his paternal grandfather, James Robert McAboy.  Emery was the third child of Rebecca (Waller) and William Warren McAboy and the older brother of my great grandmother, Mabel (McAboy) Fitzgerald.  

Emery's father assaulted him on 11 Sep 1889 and the event made several newspapers on 13 Sep 1889.

The Clinton Public, Friday, September 13, 1889, page 3

Decatur Daily Dispatch, Friday, September 13, 1889, page 2

Clinton Register, Friday, September 13, 1889, page 3, part 1

Clinton Register, Friday, September 13, 1889, page 3, part 2

And then the courts got involved - I can imagine the feeling in the city was bitterness against William.

The Clinton Public, Friday, September 20, 1889, page 3

And finally, just two weeks after the incident, William was fined $200 for striking his son for going to a ball game without his father's consent.  

Clinton Register, Friday, September 27, 1889, page 3

Fortunately, from what I can tell Emery went on to live a meaningful life but I do wonder how this incident affected him.

Today I found new information - Emery was married to Nellie Hatch on 12 October, 1893 in Clinton, Illinois and at some point in 1900 the couple relocated to Fresno.  I believe that together they had a daughter, Laverne McAboy.  I knew about Laverne before today but I had no idea Nellie existed until I found Emery and Nellie's divorce record from 5 April 1906.

Tulare-Advance Register, Thursday, April 5, 1906, page 3

Now what made this even more interesting is that Emery was then married to India Slawson just two days later, on 7 April, 1906 (California, County Birth, Marriage and Death Records 1849-1980).  It looks like Emery and Nellie had been separated for awhile, especially when I found that Nellie was married to Thomas Key on 14 April, 1906 (California, County Birth, Marriage and Death Records 1849-1980)  Boy wouldn't I love to know the story behind the divorce and those two marriages.

Together Emery and India had two more daughters, Eloise in 1907 and Maurine in 1912, and stayed in Fresno throughout their married lives.

And then, as it always happens, Emery died on 18 Feb 1929 at the age of just 59 years old.

Fresno Morning Republican, Wednesday. February 20, 1919, page 16

The second obituary puzzles me for two reasons.

Fresno Morning Republican, Tuesday, February 19, 1929, page 9

M'Aboy???  Where did that come from?  From now on when I search for the name McAboy I'll have to also use M'Aboy - no wonder it was nearly impossible for me to initially find this obituary.

And Emery JOHN?  Everything I've seen shows his middle name as James so where did this come from?  

Emery was cremated and I have been unable to find any information on his final resting place.  I'll need to contact Lisle funeral home, who has taken care of arrangements for many of my family members over the years, to see if they can give me any information.  Or, maybe the death certificate will show it so I'll order that.

While Emery was not the actual troublemaker, he sure had to endure his troublemaker father.  

52 Ancestors: Small - Tuxedo

This week's blog prompt had me puzzled at first - what could I write about that fit in the category of small?  And then it came to me - this tuxedo!

If you've followed my blog over the years, you'll remember that back in 2012 I Got Stuff - lots and lots of stuff.  So much stuff I'm still going through it and for things I have gone through, I can't keep track of everything I have.  But one thing I do remember is this very small tuxedo.

When I found the tuxedo, it was wadded up and I don't remember if it was in a box, a bag, or just where it was but I loaded it into the car and brought it home.  It wasn't too long before I realized I needed to do my best at preserving it so I (reluctantly) took it to the dry cleaners and had them clean it for me.  And then I hung it in the closet for all these years.  Until I saw this blog prompt and remembered it and thought it would be the perfect time to share my discovery.

Also, if you've followed my blog you know that my paternal grandfather, Sigmund Levy, was small.  So small, in fact, that he talked about it in the letter of November 9, 1918 that he wrote to his future wife (my grandmother) about his time as a Flying Cadet.

From now on I fly every morning so wish me luck.  I have the same instructor every day.  I can't reach the rudder control without stretching a lot so I am having a pillow seat made.  They seem to think that I won't have any trouble flying and there are a lot of pillow aviators down here.

Who knew there were pillow aviators?  And then this from November 12, 1918.

I know you will be glad to hear this.  This morning I was taken temporarily out of the air on account of my height.  I have been flying fine but my instructor, who is a prince, and I had a serious talk on the field yesterday and he advised that I quit because I'll not be able to reach the controls.  I quite agreed with him so he took it up with the Major and this morning I was told verbally that I needn't fly this morning.

When he registered for World War II, he was listed as 5 feet 1 inch.  So yeah, I'd say he was pretty short. 

The National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; World War II Draft Cards (4th Registration) for the State of California; Record Group Title: Records of the Selective Service System; Record Group Number: 147

Although I can't be certain, the fact that this tuxedo is small and was kept all those years by my packrat grandparents, I have to believe it was Sig's tuxedo.  Try as I might I haven't found a photo of him wearing the tuxedo but with so many things to go through, I might still find something.  In his letters to my grandmother right before their wedding he did talk a bit about buying a suit for their wedding but since he commented that it was brown, I don't think this was his wedding suit.  But maybe it was for a different wedding?

Let's take a closer look.  Here's the jacket.

And a close up of the label inside.

Hart Schaffner & Marx was founded in 1877 by two brothers, Harry and Max Hart, in Chicago and was the first company to introduce suits tailored for different body types - in this case, small.  The date confirms that it could have been Sig's since he wasn't born until 1888.  I'm going to contact the company and see if they can give me any information about this garment.

The vest looks pretty small.

I don't know why this looks blue

And a close up of the lapels.  One side looks pretty good.

The other side not so much.

I'm not giving up on finding a photo of Sig in this tuxedo but even without the "proof", I feel fairly confident that it was his.  Thanks again, Grandma & Grandpa, for being packrats!

52 Ancestors: Large - Marks Schwartz

Marks Schwartz was the older brother of my great grandmother, Bertha Schwartz Gunzendorfer.  According to this news article, he was born on 22 March 1870.

Santa Cruz Weekly Sentinel
March 26, 1870, page 2

But according to his headstone, he was born on 23 March 1870.

Marks Schwartz
Brother Colman Schwartz
Home of Eternity Cemetery
Oakland, California

Marks Schwartz died at the age of just 7 years old.  So why, you might be thinking, is she focusing on a young boy of 7 with the blog prompt of LARGE?

Marks Schwartz has been LARGER than life for me this past week as I've learned a lot about him quite accidentally.  As part of my Top 10 Genealogical Finds of 2017, I wrote about my #1 find which was a book written about the Jews of Santa Cruz.  You can read about it HERE.  What a thrill to read about my peeps and the more I research, the more some of the other Jewish families are taking shape for me.

The author of the book, George Fogelson, has been working on a new book about the cemeteries in Santa Cruz and although my 'direct' ancestors aren't buried there, we've had some conversations about the history of the cemeteries.  So a week or two ago, George sent me a draft of his book and asked for any comments or revisions - I was thrilled to be able to help.

We've all had a case of Genealogical Serendipity and the day after George sent me the draft, a friend of my sister's posted on Facebook about her ancestors who were prominent in Santa Cruz and who were buried in the cemetery.  What?  Here I had the draft in my hand (okay, computer screen) and as she described her ancestors I WAS READING ABOUT THEM IN THE BOOK!  How's that for timing?  I was able to connect her with George, she shared new information with him, and he quickly added her information to the book.

Now you're probably wondering how that relates to Marks Schwartz?  George and I 'discussed' Marks which caused me to look closer at his headstone - why after all these years and a personal visit to his grave did I think he was born in 1873 when it clearly states 1870?

One thing led to another and George discovered that Marks was included in the document Voices of the Heart: Memorial Poems from the Diphtheria Epidemic of 1876-1878 by Phil Reader.  But it hadn't connected with him because he was listed as Marksey Schwartz!  So this told me that Marks did, in fact, die from Diphtheria.

I wish I had a photo of Marks.  The Schwartz family seemed to take more photos than most of that time and I have a few which are unidentified - could this young boy be Marks?

I have a photo from 1890 of Marks' brother, Colman.

Colman Schwartz, 1890

I also have this unidentified photo from the same studio and looks to be the same clothes - could this be Marks and then Colman wore the same clothes in 1890?  Or is it Colman?

Sadly, I'm not sure I'll ever know but I'll keep hoping.

Marks Schwartz, you are not forgotten.

52 Ancestors: Multiple - Love Letters

As I've mentioned over and over, I have multiple (more like hundreds) of love letters between my grandparents, Sig Levy and Loraine Gunzendorfer, as they were courting from 1916 until their marriage in February, 1919.  I have spent the last many YEARS transcribing these letters and I'm close to the finish line.  I could go on and on about these letters but with more than 300 letters between them, there is just too much to say.

This weekend I have been busy transcribing the letters from the last few weeks of December, 1918 as they prepare for their February, 1919 marriage.  But the "flu" is fierce and is taking it's toll.  Sig had already contracted the disease and spent some time in the hospital.  Thankfully, he survived or I wouldn't be writing this today.

But what really strikes me as I continue with this project is the similarities to what we're facing today.  It's amazing to me that history has repeated itself more than 100 years later.  

On December 10, 1918 Sig wrote:

The “flu” is breaking out again down here – but they are not wearing masks.  Instead all homes that have it are tightly quarantined.  I hope it has calmed down up there – but be ever so careful sweet and being that you are in the store please lover, use those little tablets.  Not that I am frightened but just as a precaution.  

And then on December 12, 1918:

Our city is getting somewhat frightened again over the “flu” so naturally business is a trifle uncertain.  It is getting so that we can’t show houses but I have all I can do to get things back to normal at the office.  Don’t worry my dear girl about me running myself down as I am watching my step and trying not to go too hard, but keeping in good condition.  

Sig wrote on December 15, 1918

Had a phone a while ago that girl number three from the office went down with the flu.  I wonder when its going to stop.  I am wearing my mask believe me.

And then on December 17, 1918

Fresno is a different city tonight as almost every place is closed.  The flu has surely got them guessing now but they are doing what they should have done a long while ago.  The enclosed clipping will tell you all about it.  That all you can hear down here but at that the streets were crowded today and we were very busy although the real estate market took a big drop.  We couldn’t show many houses anyhow as hundreds of them are quarantined.  And listen dear, the Goodman boy died this morning – with the sister and father still in bed - its too sad to talk about.

Loraine wrote on December 19, 1918

What a shame the "flu" is flaring up again in Fresno.  Masks should have been worn all over long ago and especially in S.F., but the people there don't want them on again.  We are still wearing ours but may take them off the first of the week.

Sig:  December 22, 1918

The flu is still running wild and they are talking of severe measures.  Some small-pox has also broken out but just a couple of cases.  At that the town was crowded yesterday but the real estate market is dead and will be until the sickness clears up.  All the business is just Xmas shopping.

Sig:  December 23, 1918

No other news excepting that the weather is bitter cold and the flu still rages but the crowds come out just the same – I am very careful and now that your masks are off sweetheart be al the more careful, please.  They shouldn’t take them off yet.

Loraine:  December 24, 1918 

We discarded the masks yesterday.  I think it is too bad they were done away with as the "flu" will doubtless be at its work of destroying lives again in short order.  The wearing of the masks had a great tendency of making the Xmas business very slow, so the officials here decided to improve it if possible.  Love, is it good for you to go to the club and come in close contact with a lot of people?  Don't forget - you are not entirely immune and I don't want you to take chances.  I'd rather you'd write me from the office while it is so bad there.

Sig:  December 26, 1918

The flu is still getting worse.  Two of our girls still out were worse today.  One of them, a wonderful girl, who has been with us for years had to be removed from her home to a sanitarium – she was so low.  The other one phoned in to the office at about 5 P.M. and told me that her fever was going up and if it didn’t change she would go crazy.  Can you imagine that – roaming around the house & phoning in that condition.  I told her to go back to bed and stay there and be a good girl.  She promised she would – but I hope she calms down, and don’t get “nutty”.

Loraine:  December 28, 1918 

I am so sorry that the "flu" is still very bad in Fresno and hope the authorities get it under control in short order.  I won't like you to be in the thick of it so much and please don't go to see people who have had it until they are entirely over it.  We don't hear any more about it here, only hope that it doesn't break out again.

Sig:  December 30, 1918 

They are having a big meeting here tonight and the program is to close everything tight – even street cars and newspapers.  And they plan to quarantine strictly – not to let anybody in or out of the city – wouldn’t that be awful.  I can’t realize what it will mean but they must stop the epidemic as it is spreading like wildfire and many are dying.  Sweetheart I am very careful.  It was alright to go to that funeral, as it was in the open air and I stood away out of the outskirts.

Loraine:  January 1, 1919 

It is a fright the way the flu is spreading and I do wish they could be able to stop it from ravaging in Fresno.  Remember, love, even though you've had it you can get it again so be as careful as possible and I don't like the idea of your eating down-town in restaurants and coming in contact with all sorts of people.  

I could go on and on and on but I think you get the idea.  Unfortunately, I haven't been journaling or blogging my feelings during this 2020 pandemic but if I had, I can't imagine it would have been much different than what they were saying then.  

Once again, thanks for being a packrat, Grandma!

52 Ancestors: Solo - Rosalind Steen

This week's blog prompt, Solo, reminded me of someone who was an only child.  My mother and mother-in-law both fit that description but I wanted to focus on someone I have not researched much - Rosalind Steen.  Rosalind was my first cousin, 3 times removed - her father, Samuel, was the brother of my 2x great grandmother, Rebecca (Steen) Schwartz.

Rosalind was born in San Francisco on 10 May 1885.  At the time of her birth, she was not an only child as her sister, Hazel, was just one year old when Rosalind was born.  I can imagine the girls spent many hours together and kept their parents busy.

Since the 1890 census is unavailable, the only "proof" I have of Rosalind alive is the 1900 Federal Census when the family lived at 310 Hyde Street.  Interesting that the family was enumerated as the Samsteen family.

1900 United States Federal Census, San Francisco, California
Roll 105, Page 9A, Enumeration District 0188, FHL Microfilm 124105

Sometime later in 1900, the family moved to 1276 Eddy Street in San Francisco.  And on 17 April 1902, in that house, Rosalind was gone.

California, County Birth, Marriage, and Death Records, 1849-1980

At the age of 16 years, 11 months, and 8 days Rosalind Steen died from acute pulmonary tuberculosis.  Of course more than 100 years later, we can't even fathom anyone dying from tuberculosis but I'm sure it was not abnormal then.

Rosalind was buried in Hills of Eternity Memorial Park in Colma, California.  At the time of her death, she was buried near her aunt, Dena Steen (sister of my 2x great grandmother Rebecca (Steen) Schwartz) but she was, for the most part, solo.

Hills of Eternity Memorial Park, Plot A, Sec. 5, Lot S/9

You can see behind her another stone inscribed with STEEN - this is where her aunt, Dena, now lies with her mother and Rosalind's grandmother, Hannah (Plotzky) Steen, who died in 1909.

Years later Rosalind's parents and sister were all interred in Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland leaving Rosalind "solo" from her immediate family.

Rosalind, you are not forgotten.  Rest in peace.

Father's Day 2020 - Memories of Dad

Today is Father's Day - the 15th without my dad.  As I've done in years past, I want to get some more (and maybe some of the same) memories documented for his descendants.  I've previously shared memories HERE.  2012   2013   2015   2016

My dad was quite a character.  Just when you thought you'd seen and heard it all, he'd come up with something new.  Sometimes funny, sometimes stern - boy did he have a lot to say.

As I was making dinner last night and preparing the corn-on-the-cob, I was reminded of Dad's insistence that corn was much sweeter and more tender if you cut the kernels.  Not cut them off the cob, but after it was cooked just cut them down the middle like this.

Props to me for holding the knife and taking the photo at the same time

I don't know how that came to be but the practice has been handed down to at least one of his grandchildren.  Thanks for the tip, Dad!

I don't remember exactly how long it went on but there was a period where Dad liked to smoke a cigar.  I really only remember him smoking in the car (ick) as we traveled home from dinner somewhere.  But based on this photo, I'd say he was ready at most any time.

Check out the cigar in his pocket!

Dad was a busy guy and it was difficult for him to break away if we participated in an after school activity.  Boy was I thrilled when Dad showed up to the high school near his office so he could watch me swim in a meet.  I wasn't the fastest kid on the team but since we raced in groups based on our speed, I was able to stay competitive and sometimes even made the medal stand, although I have no idea if we received an actual ribbon if we placed.  But Dad came and even took pictures!

That's me in the middle

One of the drawbacks of swimming in groups by speed is that you had to finish within the designated time period.  I don't remember the groupings but what I do remember is that while I finished first, I SWAM TOO FAST SO WAS DISQUALIFIED!  I'll never forget Dad saying (over and over and over again) "I can't believe you won the race but swam too fast".  In fact, while I got over it, I'm not sure he ever did.

I've mentioned before that Dad liked to wear hats - maybe he felt like it kept his naked head warm.  But this is one I don't remember ever seeing!

Crazy hat day?

Speaking of crazy hats, what the heck was this?  I wish I knew the story but, sadly, that died along with my dad.  WAIT - could that have been Crazy Hat Night at Family Camp and he was posing at the interior door of the cabin we stayed in?

I don't remember the specifics of why but the first Christmas I was married my parents and brother were going to Mexico (I think?) for the holiday.  But for some reason Mom and brother went first and Dad met them there after Christmas.  So it was time for me to become an adult and fix the Christmas dinner.  I remember Mom gave me instructions, which I wrote down, and Dad, sister and some of my husband's family came to our tiny apartment to share the meal.  Of course, Dad had to kibitz but as I recall, the meal turned out pretty good.

Dad, me (4 months pregnant), sister

That refrigerator must have been pretty small because we are not a tall family.  :-)

Back to crazy hats!  Although it seems that this "hat" was the fashion of the day.

In 1982, Dad was awarded the Legacy Medal, an award given annually by the San Jose Hospital Foundation.  The hospital was a pretty special place as all three of us kids were born there and a few years before this award was given, Dad spent a lot of time there recovering from first a heart attack and then a quintuple bypass.  But that special night included a surprise visit from Willie McCovey, the legendary First Baseman for the San Francisco Giants.  I don't remember if it was before or after this event but one of Dad's only hole-in-ones was in the Willie McCovey golf tournament.

Dad and Willie McCovey

Dad loved to play the organ and took lessons for many, many years.  In his younger days he played the piano, accordion, and some instrument which I think was a melodica.  He was pretty good but I took for granted the music drifting through the house.

Dad's organ - he loved to play!

One of my favorite memories I have of Dad was during a visit we made in the late 1990's to Snoqualmie Falls and had lunch (Dad's favorite thing to do) at the coffee shop there.  I don't think this was that time but the photo seemed appropriate since he was sitting in a restaurant.  Is that a beer on the table?

Anyway, this was during the Wayne's World craze days and we often would say "no way" to which the others would reply "way".  Dad just couldn't quite get it and thought we were all crazy for the shenanigans.  But we kept working on him.  Finally, that day at the restaurant someone said "NO WAY" and we all looked at him to prompt him for what came next.  He got a big grin on his face and yelled "KWIGH" (pronounced like high with a KW).  I don't think any of us had ever laughed that hard before and probably not since.

Funny enough on it's own but a few years later I bought a new car.  When the license plates showed up in the mail the first letters were KUY.  I thought of my dad every time I got in my car.

Yes, he was definitely one of a kind and I miss him every day!  And as Dad would say "WELL I DO"!

52 Ancestors: Handed Down - Twin Mystery

This week's blog prompt, Handed Down, immediately brought to mind many of the items that have been handed down to me by my ancestors.  But since I've written about those so many times, I thought I'd focus on a story that was handed down to me over the years by my mom.  Mom often declared "twins run in the family because my grandmother had twins three times".  And then she would add that each time either neither or just one of the babies survived.  So down the rabbit hole I went to find something - anything - that pointed to that statement being true.  Mom really didn't seem to know much about her family, particularly on her father's side, so was this accurate?

First up, my mother's maternal grandmother, and the only great grandmother I knew, was Mabel Viola (McAboy) Fitzgerald.

Mabel Viola (McAboy) Fitzgerald, c. 1952

The 1910 census is a great place to start.  In fact, it may be the only document that shows the number of children born and the number living in 1910.  I can't be sure if the number "born" includes still births but my gut tells me it would.

1910 United States Census, Township 3, Fresno, California,
Roll: T624_76; Page: 14B; Enumeration District: 33; Image: 485.

That's a little small (you think?) so I cropped it.

And it checks out.  All three children had been born by 1910 (that's my grandmother, Clara) and it shows that Mabel and Edward had been married for 8 years and she had 3 children, all of whom were living.  So, I don't think it was this grandmother.

Next up was Mom's paternal grandmother, Frances Maria (Brooks) Martin.

Frances Maria (Brooks) Martin, c. 1930

Frances was the daughter of William Brooks who was killed in the Civil War at Fredericksburg - I'm sure she had a lot of stories to tell.  But would she have said she had twins three times?

1910 United States Census, Township 3, Fresno, California
Roll: T624_76; Page: 9B; Enumeration District: 33; Image: 475.

Too small again but before I move on, it surprised me to see that not only were they in the same Enumeration District as the Fitzgeralds, they were only five pages away - they were neighbors!

And it checks out.  8 children born and 8 children living.  That's my grandfather, Earl(e), at the bottom.  So based on this, I'd say it wasn't Frances that gave birth to twins three times.

I decided to go back another generation, although some of those women were not living at the 1910 census.

Mabel's mother was Rebecca Moriah (Waller) McAboy.

Rebecca (Waller) McAboy

Both Rebecca and her husband, William Warren McAboy, were still living in 1910.

1910 United States Census, Township 3, Fresno, California
Roll: T624_76; Page: 26B; Enumeration District: 29; Image: 362.

While not in the same Enumeration District, they WERE in Fresno!

Again, this checks out.  6 children born and 5 living in 1910 as their oldest son, William L. McAboy, died in 1881 at the age of 17.  So I don't think Rebecca had twins three times.

Edward Fitzgerald's mother was Julia Horgan.  While Julia had seven children, she died in 1885 so no chance to see anything about her in the 1910 census.  And I have been unable to learn much from the children's birth records, when they do exist.  So did Julia have twins three times?  I'm not sure I'll ever know.

Frances' mother was Sarah Jane (Miller) Brooks Anderson.

Sarah Jane (Miller) Brooks Anderson

While Sarah was alive in 1910, I can't find her anywhere in the census.  I'm fairly certain she was in Fresno and I've checked with each of her living children to see if she was living with them - no luck.

I can account for seven children - four with her first husband, William Brooks, and three with her second husband, John Hayward Anderson.  But I can't be sure if any of those were multiple births.  I need to find her in the 1910 census!

And last, but not least, was Earle's paternal grandmother, Millicent Emilene (Moore) Martin.  Since Millicent died in 1884, I have nothing to go on in 1910.  I know that she had eight children overall but nothing to confirm whether any of those were multiple births.

So where does that leave me?  Not much farther along than I was before.  But I'll keep working on it!