#52Ancestors - Week 8 - Roy William Westboy - Cattle Buyer, Farmer, Needlepoint Artist?? Found in Chicago, IL

Week number 8 of the 52 Ancestors Challenge, started by Amy Johnson Crow.  This week I've chosen to write about a man who has been the biggest mystery in all my research...Roy William Westboy.



Earliest photo I've found of him.
Not sure where or when it was taken.

Who was Roy William Westboy???  Was he from Norway, or was he born in the US??  Was he born in 1880 or 1888?  I've been researching him for 14 years, with little luck.  Who was this cattle buyer, farmer, gardener, and needlepoint artist????  Yes, I said needlepoint!  He did needlepoint and was very good at it.  I have several things that were passed down to me, that he created.  One that used to hang behind my grandmother's couch was a copy of Thomas Gainsborough's Blue Boy.  That one is now in the hands of another family member, but it was a beautiful piece!  I've shared a few pictures of his artwork.  If you scroll down, you can see them at the end of this post.

My grandmother didn't talk much about her father, but she did mention a couple of interesting things.  She said he was born in Norway, and was adopted out of England, prior to coming to the US.  She also said that he was a "perpetual liar!!"  That last comment threw me, but at the time, I didn't think to ask any further questions.  Now I'm kicking myself!!  Years back, I asked my Aunt Kathie and my father about him, but they just said the same thing.  No one knows anything about him!

Up until a couple of years ago, I had only seen one picture of Roy.  It was a picture of him walking, and was in a photo album my grandmother made for my father.  It wasn't a great picture, and I really couldn't make out what he looked like.  However, that all changed when I received all of my grandmother's pictures from my Aunt.  It was a wonderful gift!!  I can not express how much it meant to me to see these photos.  I carefully scanned each one, and made several digital copies so my family, and myself, would always have them.  I was very surprised to see just how many pictures my grandmother had of her father!!

 So, here is what I do know about Roy Westboy...

 

Roy Westboy and Wilhelmina Johnson
Wedding photo

There are several documents with info on him, unfortunately, none can be found prior to 1916.  The first record we can find is his marriage record dated February 10, 1917, in Chicago, Cook County, IL.  He married Wilhelmina Albertina Johansson/Johnson (she went by the name Minnie).  According to their marriage record, Roy was 29 and Minnie was 41.  Quite an age difference!!

I found his WWI draft card.  This document was dated June 5, 1917 and says he was 30 years old, residing in Thompsonville, Benzie County, MI.  His birth date is listed as "Jan 1 1887."  His residential status was Alien, and he was born in Christiana, Norway.  It shows he was a self-employed farmer working in Springdale, Manistee County, MI.  Item 9 on the card asks: "Have you a father, mother, wife, child under 12, or a sister or brother under 12, solely dependent on you for support (specify which)?", and he replied "Wife child. 1."  He was married, but my grandmother wasn't born yet, so this answer seemed odd to me.

Then, on March 16, 1918, was the birth of their daughter Judith Helen Wilhelmina Westboy in Chicago, Cook County, IL.  The birth record states he was a "Farmer," born in Norway, was 31 years old, and currently lived in Thompsonville, Benzie County, MI.

According to Google maps, Thompsonville, MI is about 300 miles by car, if you drive around Lake Michigan.  I'm not sure what type of ferry, or boat, would have been available at that time.  Its my opinion, that Minnie may not have been living in Thompsonville, but was living in Chicago.  The 1920 federal census also shows Minnie and Judith living on Berwyn Avenue, Chicago, Cook County, IL, but Roy is not listed in the household with them.

In my grandmother's scrapbooks, there are a few photos of her and her mother on a farm in Indiana when she was very young (age 2-6).  In the scrapbook its written "South Haven."  The same page had a photo with an older man chopping wood.  On the back of this photo it said "Granddad."  In another picture on this page, is a picture of Roy with my grandmother around the same time.  Wondering if Roy had family in South Haven, Indiana??

Sometime in 1920, Minnie and Judith went back to Tegnaby, Sweden to visit Minnie's family.  I don't know how long they stayed, but they returned in 1926 through New York.  After arriving back in Chicago, Minnie took a job as a housekeeper for Mr. Olaf Christopherson.  She and Judith lived with Mr. Christopherson on Roscoe Street in Chicago for many years.

Then we have the 1930 census...this gets a bit more interesting.  Minnie and Judith are shown living on Roscoe Street with Mr. Christopherson.  Minnie is shown as a housekeeper/servant and divorced.  Then, we have another entry, this time on Otis Road in Barrington, Cook County, IL.  Roy is shown living here with Minnie and Judith listed in the household.  Now, Roy is listed as age 50 (this would mean he was born about 1880), and he was born in Louisiana!!!  His parents birth places are listed as South America!!  It also shows he was working as a gardener for a private house.

In all of my research, I have not been able to find any divorce records for Roy and Minnie, nor have I been able to find any naturalization paperwork on Roy.  Minnie filed for naturalization.  Her Declaration for Intention was filed May 31, 1929.  At that time, the document stated that she did not know where Roy was residing.  On August 26, 1931, her Petition for Citizenship was filed.  On this form she still did not know where Roy was, but she listed him as being born January 1, 1886 in Oslo, Norway. 

The picture on the right is one from my grandmother's scrapbook.  On the back is written "Min Man och dotter" in Minnie's writing.  This means my husband and daughter.  My grandmother also wrote on the back "Taken of Judy in the year 1931 age 13."  So they must have known where he was by 1931.

By 1934, I know Minnie and Judith made their way back to Tegnaby, Sweden, and I know they lived there with one of Minnie's sisters for an extended period of time.  I do remember my grandmother saying she lived in Sweden with an aunt and cousins.  Roy did not go with them.  They stayed until June of 1935 and returned back to Roscoe Street in Chicago.  Where Roy is at this time, again I do not know for sure.

A couple of years ago the 1940 census was released to the public.  I couldn't wait!!  I looked daily to see if I could find this family somewhere.  I was able to find Minnie prior to the census being indexed.  She was still living on Roscoe Street, with Mr. Christopherson.  This time, she is listed as his sister and single.  She was not his sister, I know that for a fact.  By this time, Judith was 21 and had moved out on her own.  She was living with a friend Vernace M. Schroeder (or Vern as my grandmother called her).  She was living on Winthrop Avenue in Chicago, Cook County, IL and working as a typist for a manufacturer.  It wasn't until the census was indexed for Michigan that I was able to find Roy.  He was living alone in Springdale, Manistee County, MI.  Here he is listed as married, about 58 years old, and born in New Mexico!  It says he was living at this same residence in 1935 as well.

 

During WWII another draft was done.  Roy also filed for this.  We can see his registration card below.  Notice he is sticking with the New Mexico birth, this time we have the city of Deming.  Roy is still living in Springdale when this was filed in 1942.  His birth date is listed as January 1, 1880, and his person of contact is Minnie living on Roscoe Street in Chicago.



The final document I have on my great grandfather is his death certificate.  Roy William Westboy died July 21, 1953 at Grant Hospital of Chicago from Coronary Thrombosis.  His date of birth given on the form is January 1, 1880, and his birthplace given is Illinois.  "Cattle Buyer" is shown as his usual occupation.  Here, they have names for his parents: John Westboy and Mary Gonzales.  It also lists Roy as a widow, which is odd considering Minnie did not die until 1955.  My grandmother, by the time of Roy's death, had been married with children, and was living in California.  The person who filled out the paperwork for Roy's death record was someone who worked at the hospital.  I'm not sure how accurate the information she gave was.  Roy was buried July 24, 1953 at Irving Park Blvd. Cemetery in Chicago.

I've researched the names of John Westboy and Mary Gonzales, but I've come up with nothing.  Again, I'm not sure these names are correct.  My theory is that he may have come from Norway, possibly at a young age.  He may have been an orphan as well.  His name could have been changed if he was from Norway...possibly could have been Westby?  I believe he may have not had the paper trail to rely on and was unable, or just didn't want to, obtain U.S. citizenship.  This may have been the reason for the changes in his birthplace.  Maybe he was afraid the U.S. would deport him??  I really don't know.  But I do know I'll keep looking into it.  Only 8 more years until the 1950 census is scheduled for release!!  I wonder what his birthplace will be on that??

Below are some of the pieces of needlepoint I have passed down from Roy.

One of my favorite pieces by Roy.  My grandmother gave this to my parents years ago.

Another by Roy.  I remember asking my dad when I was young about it and he said his grandfather made it.  I didn't believe him at first, I thought it must have been his grandmother, but it was Roy.

A purse Roy made for my grandmother

This final picture is of Roy working on one of his pieces.

If you have any questions, or concerns, about the information in this post, please leave me a message.  I'd be happy to answer any questions or share what information I have on the individuals listed above.  Thanks for reading!!

#52Ancestors - Week 7 - Who is Alexander Gibson from South Carolina to Missouri?

Again, its time for the 52 Ancestors Challenge.  I am just throwing this post together...I'm a little behind this week.  This time, I'm going to finish up my Gibson Family line.  I'll show what I do know, then discuss what connections I think might be possible.

What we do know...

The earliest known Gibson ancestor I can verify is Alexander Gibson, born about 1804 in South Carolina and died between 1870 and 1880 in, or near, Jefferson County, Missouri.  His wife was named Melinda, but have not been able to locate her maiden name.  We believe Alexander and Melinda had the following children:

• William H. born 1832 in South Carolina
• Margaret or Martha E. born 1834 in Tennessee
• Herod born 1836 in Tennessee
• John A. born 1839 in Tennessee
• James J. born 1841 in Tennessee
• Jefferson (or Green BJ) born 1843 in Tennessee

We believe Alexander and Melinda were probably married in South Carolina based on census records and the state listed for the birth of their first child, William.  They must have moved to Tennessee sometime between 1832 and 1834.  They resided in Gibson County, Tennessee according to the 1840 census.  Gibson County, TN was named after Colonel John H. Gibson, who served in the war of 1812 and the Creek Wars in 1813.  He was in the Tennessee militia and was from Bedford, TN.  I have nothing supporting a relationship between Alexander Gibson and Col. John H. Gibson of Tennessee.

1850, the family is shown living in Carroll County, TN, which is next to Gibson County, TN.  But, by 1860, the family had moved about 200 miles to Ste. Genevieve, Missouri.  Then 1870 Alexander and Melinda are living in Central Township, Jefferson County, Missouri.  Sometime before 1880, Alexander must have passed away.  Melinda is seen on the 1880 census living with Herod, their son,
in De Soto, Jefferson County, MO, and listed as a widow.  Melinda died November 12, 1889 and is buried next to her son, Herod, in the De Soto City Cemetery.  I do not know where Alexander would have been buried.

Here are possible connections...this might get a bit confusing

Doing research online, I've found a Gibson Family DNA Project hosted by WorldFamilies.net.  On this site, you will find a kit submitted by a descendant of William Frank Gibson, Alexander's great grandson.  Who submitted this, I don't know.  The kit, or ID, number is GX-3.  Alexander is listed under Gibson Lineage VIII on the Patriarch's page.  Here we see another Gibson, George Washington Gibson, born June 17, 1800 in Union County, SC.  I'm not a DNA expert, but I would guess that these two Gibson men would be related in some way...how, I don't know??

By clicking on the kit number, you are taken to the Y-results page.  Here we see Alexander listed under the Haplogroup R1b - Lineage XVI.  What this means, I'm not sure.  However, there are other Gibson men listed in this group:

• Jos... (years ago, I saw this online and my notes have it listed as Joseph Gibson of Union County, SC who died in 1804, but currently, it just says "Jos...")
• Alexander Gibson b.1804
• George Washington Gibson b.1800 SC
• Mr. Samuel Gibson b. 1850
• Robert Gibson 1853-1934
• William L. Gibson 1846-1905

Could these people all be related?  Still not sure.

Further research into the census records of Union County, SC we find the following names:

• 1790: Robert, John
• 1800: Gideon, John, Joseph, Robert (2), William
• 1810: George, Herod, Robert, Salley, Soloman, William
• 1820: Herod, John (2), Matthew, William
• 1830: James, John (3), Martha, Washington, William, Herod

Also, research online into estates in Union County, SC we find the estates of Joseph and Juda (Judith) Gibson in 1804, William Gibson in 1820, George Gibson in 1827, and John Gibson in 1837.  We see there is a Herod Gibson as the executor of the estate of John Gibson.  There is also paperwork showing a John Gibson who fought in the Revolutionary War.  This John Gibson entered the war while residing in Bedford Co., VA and  was living in Union County, SC when filing for a pension around 1833.  The age listed is 84 years, and he received $20 per year.  I believe the Revolutionary War John is the same as the John Gibson who died in 1837.

There is also a John Gibson living in Union Co., SC, born about 1801 in SC.  In the 1850 census, we see him in Union County and in his house is a 13 year-old Alexander.  This John Gibson is shown as the son of Herod Gibson of Union County, SC on some family trees online.  This Herod is also listed as the son of John Gibson who died in 1837 in Union County, SC.  Of course, this is just what people have put online, and I don't have absolute proof of it.  I'm using it as a starting point.

I've had a lot of luck in the past with different lines by using naming patterns to locate family members.  By looking at records of names shown often in the family, we've been able to find the paper trail leading to our ancestors.  By looking at the names of Alexander's children, we can assume he had family members by the names of William, John, James, Herod...all of which show up often in the Union County, SC records.  This compiled with the DNA results, I am leaning toward the assumption that our Alexander Gibson came from this area.  Of course, this is all theory. 

Could Alexander be the son of Herod of Union County, SC.  Based on naming practices, the first son would have been named after the mother's father.  So, could Melinda's father be named William???  The second son would be named after the father's father.  This is what I'm basing my theory on.  Hopefully, I can find the paper trail to prove, or disprove, that Alexander is the son of Herod Gibson of Union County, SC, and possibly the grandson of John Gibson, Revolutionary War veteran, who died in Union County, SC.

If you have any questions, or comments, please feel free to leave them.

#52Ancestors Challenge - Week 6 - Herod Gibson - Gibson County, TN to De Soto, Jefferson County, MO

Well, I've had a bit of a dilema on who to write about this week.  Originally, I thought I would alternate each week from my maternal side of the family to my paternal side.  However, I think I'm going to stick to one side for a while.  This way I can just keep researching the same line as I go instead of jumping back and forth.

With that said, we'll continue the 52 Ancestors Challenge that was proposed by Amy Johnson Crow.  Last week, I wrote about William Francis Gibson.  This week, we'll take a look at his father, Herod Gibson.

Herod was born October 10, 1836 in Gibson County, Tennessee.  He was the son of Alexander Gibson and Melinda (unknown).  Both of his parents are believed to be from South Carolina.  It is my guess that they may be from Union, South Carolina, but that is speculation at this point.  We believe his possible siblings were:

• William H. - b.1832 in South Carolina
• Margaret (or Martha) - b. 1834 in Tennessee
• John A. - b. 1839 in Tennessee
• James J. - b. 1841 in Tennessee
• Green B.J. (or Jefferson) - b. 1843 in Tennessee

In 1840, we can find the family of Alexander Gibson living in Gibson County, Tennessee (at this time, I do not know if they are related to Col. John H. Gibson, who the county was named after).  There are 2 boys under the age of 5, one age 5-10, one girl age 5-10, one adult male age 20-30 and one adult female age 20-30. 

The 1850 census has the family living in District 2, Carroll County, Tennesee.  Here we see Alexander and William working as farmers.

By 1858 we know the family moved to Missouri.  There is a marriage record for Herod Gibson and Sarah Jane Patterson.  They were married on August 15, 1858 in Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri.  We aren't sure who Sarah's parents were, however, there is a James Patterson and a Sarah A. Patterson living in Madison County, Missouri (Madison is near Ste. Genevieve).  This James and Sarah A. have a daughter named Sarah J M Patterson, and she is the same age as the Sarah who married Herod.

In 1860, we find Herod and wife Sarah living in the household of Alexander Gibson in Ste. Genevieve Township, Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri.  We also see their first child, William Francis, living with them at the age of six months.

In 1861, we can see Herod enlisted for the Confederacy, as a private in Company C, of the 5th Regimental Infantry, 1st Division, Missouri State Guard.  He enlisted for the term of 3 months and 21 days.  His brother John also enlisted in the State Guard.  On Fold3.com, there is a "Union citizen File" on John A. Gibson.  Apparently, John was "arrested upon the charge of giving aid and comfort to the enemies of the United States, and of other acts of disloyalty."  This was signed by John, Herod, and William (Herod's older brother) on June 25, 1862 in Ste. Genevieve.  Herod and William were acting as security for the sum of $1,000, and John was instructed not to leave the county of Ste. Genevieve.  We can see by the signatures that Herod and John signed with a mark, while William signed his name.  Herod could not read or write.

Also found on Fold3.com, we find Herod was drafted into the Union Army on September 22, 1864.  He is shown in Company H of the 18th Missouri Infantry.  They describe him as having a dark complextion, brown hair, brown eyes, and 6 feet 1/2 inch.  He was enlisted in Ironton, Missouri for the term of 1 year.  We also see he filed for pention on July 15, 1890.  According to his obituary, he was in "Sherman's march to the sea.  He served until the close of the war and was honorably discharged from the service."  According to The Civil War Archive, online, the 18th MO Inf. was mustered out July 18, 1865 from Louisville, Kentucky.

Between his time in service with the Confederacy and Union Armies, Herod and Sarah had 2 more children: Ida Ann born December 17, 1863, and Mary Emma born March 20, 1864.  Unfortunately, Ida Ann died on July 5, 1865, just prior to Herod's discharge.  After he returned, the couple had one more child, Sarah Jane born October 9, 1866.  However, just after the birth of their daughter Sarah Jane, Herod's wife Sarah passed away (possibly due to complications of the birth), on October 19, 1866.  Now Herod, just back from war and ready to carry on with his life, was left widowed with 3 small children.

In 1980, in De Soto, Missouri, there was a Gibson family reunion.  There was a wall with different stories posted, the following was one of those posts, by Olive Gibson (Herod's granddaughter):

"Great Grandfather Herod Gibson was in the fields a working and one of the little Gibson children (a girl) was left to watch the baby.  She was sitting before the fireplace, holding the baby, and it tumbled from her lap and rolled into the fireplace and it died."

The infant that died was the youngest, Sarah Jane.  She died November 5, 1867.  She would have been just over one year.  The girl watching her might have been Mary Emma, however, it could have been a Gibson cousin, we just aren't sure.  Mary Emma would have only been 3 years old, so I hesitate to believe she would have been watching her younger sister.

1870, we find Herod, William Francis, and Mary Emma living in Central Township, Jefferson County, Missouri.  They're living next door to William, Herod's brother, and his family.  Both Herod and William are shown working on the railroad.

By 1880, we see Herod and his 2 children living on Lewis Street in De Soto, Jefferson County, Missouri.  This time, Herod's mother, Melinda, is shown living with the family.  Herod is listed as working as a laborer.  Melinda died just nine years later on November 12, 1889.

By 1900 both William Francis and Mary Emma married and had children of their own.  On the 1900 federal census, we see Herod living in the household of William Francis on Cedar, in Valle Township, City of De Soto, Jefferson County, Missouri.  I'm not sure how big the house was, but I'm guessing it would have been busy.  The census shows 14 people living in the house: William Francis, his wife, their 9 children, Herod, Mary Emma (Herod's daughter), and Mary Emma's two daughters.  Mary Emma was widowed by this time.  Her husband, William H. Brown, died in a caboose accident.  Herod was shown working as a day laborer in 1900.

If you recall my previous post on William Francis Gibson, then you know he and his wife died of "consumption" (tuberculosis) in 1904, leaving behind 9 children.  By 1910, we see Herod living on East Main Street in De Soto, Jefferson County, Missouri with his daughter Mary Emma Brown and her two daughters Cleo and Ethel.  He was working as a laborer for the railroad.  The family was still living on the same street (possibly the same house) in 1920, but Herod was not working anymore.  He could have retired, he was 83 years old at this time.

The picture to the right is of Herod.  The 3 women in the photo are unknown to me, but I'm guessing it is Mary Emma and her two daughters.  Mary Emma Gibson Brown died in 1923.  She is buried in the City Cemetery in De Soto, MO.

According to notes that were given to me from other family members, Herod was living with Ethel and Homer Milhouser (Ethel was Herod's granddaughter), at 1906 Missouri Avenue in St. Louis, MO, when he died July 13, 1926.  Cause of death was chronic bronchitus, non-tubercular, brought on by old age.  The note said he was 87 years 9 months and 3 days (but that does not match with the birthdate we have in our family records).  Herod is buried next to his mother, Melinda, in the City Cemetery, De Soto, MO.

Herod did indeed live a very long life.  He outlived his parents, his wife, all four of his children, and 2 grandchildren. 

#52Ancestors Challenge - Week 5 - William Francis Gibson - Ste. Genevieve and Jefferson Counties, Missouri

It's week 5, and I'm continuing the 52 Ancestors Challenge that was proposed by Amy Johnson Crow on her blog No Story Too Small.  This one is going to be about my great, great grandfather, William Francis Gibson.

William Francis Gibson was born February 7, 1860 in Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri to Herod Gibson and Sara Jane Patterson.  He was their oldest child, and only son.  On the 1860 census we can find him listed as Francis at the age of 6 months, living in Ste. Genevieve County with his parents.  The family was living in the household of Alexander and Melinda Gibson, Herod's parents.  Because most records show his name as Francis, that is how we'll reference him in this post.

In 1861, Francis' father enlisted in the Southern Army and served in the Missouri State Guard for a short time.  After being honorably discharged and returning home to his family, he was then drafted into the Union Army.  I'll discuss this more in another post about Herod.

Back to Francis...we aren't sure where he and his mother were living during the war, but I'm guessing they were probably living with Herod's family.  Francis' parents had 3 more children, all girls: Ida Ann b. 1863 and d.1865, Mary Emma b. 1864, and Sara Jane b. 1866 and d. 1867.  In 1866, after giving birth, Sara Jane, Francis' mother, died. 

In 1870, we find Francis at age 11 and attending school.  He is living with his father, Herod, and sister, Emma, in Central Township, Jefferson County, Missouri.  Next door to them is Herod's older brother William and his family.  His father was working on the railroad, and his uncle was a foreman for the railroad.

By 1880, the family can be found in De Soto, Jefferson County, Missouri.  At this time we see Melinda Gibson, Francis' grandmother, widowed and living with the family as well.  Both Francis and his father, Herod, were listed as laborers.

Years ago, my grandfather came back from a visit to Missouri with copies of marriage and bible records.  To the right is a copy of the marriage record of Frank Gibson and Louisa N. Cotner.  This is William Francis Gibson and Louisa Nancy Carolyn Cotner.  They were married June 24, 1881 in Plattin, Missouri, about 9 miles east of De Soto.  Louisa was born January 11, 1862 in St. Francois County, Missouri.  She was the daughter of Hezekiah Cotner and Mary Elizabeth Griffaw/Griffard (who will both be written about on a later post...tons of information on these two and their families).

Francis and Louisa went on to have 9 children:

• Claude Percy (1882-1956)
• Francis Pearl (1884-19510
• Leslie Lee (Lester) (1886-1898)
• Emma Clyde (1888-1981)
• Olive Louisa (1890-1986)
• Hazel Mae (1892-1988)
• William Frank (1895-1965)
• Isaac Herod (1897-1978)
• Stella Laura (1900-1923)

Years back, my Great Aunt Vicki sent my mother some copies of some notes she had from Betty Tracy Thayer, daughter of Emma Clyde Gibson, and granddaughter of Francis and Louisa.  In it Betty wrote about a fond memory her mother, Emma, had:

"She (Emma) recalled the times when she was a child that her father would rent a carriage (rig) with horses, and they would all pile into it, kids and mother and father, and drive out to the "Plattin" to her grandfather and grandmother Cotner's farm for the day, she said it was "great fun."

I believe this would have been their grandmother Mary Elizabeth Griffaw Cotner's place.  She was living in Plattin in 1880 with Louisa and Louisa's older brother Isaac, before Louisa married Francis.  Mary was also living in Plattin with her brother John Griffaw on the 1900 census.  Mary's husband, Hezekiah Cotner, died sometime before 1870 (the last record we can find of him is the 1860 census). 

The 1900 census we find Francis and Louisa, with 8 of their children, living in Valle Township, City of De Soto, Jefferson County, Missouri.  Also in the household are Francis' father, Herod, his sister, Emma Brown (she was listed as a widow), and Emma's two children: Cleo and Ethel.  Francis was working as a switch man for the railroad.

In 1980, there was a Gibson family reunion.  At that reunion was a wall, or mural, with notes from family members.  One note from Emma, Francis and Louisa's daughter, talked about the death of her brother Leslie.  The note I was given says "Leslie was found hanging in the shed by his mother.  He had been playing in the rafters and had his book strap round his shoulders and he fell and the strap caught on something and broke his neck.  He was 12 years old."  The note also says "Another story says he hung himself accidentally while putting up a swing.  November 4, 1898."  How very sad to lose a child, especially in this way.  I can't imagine what Francis and his wife must have went through.  But, unfortunately, the bad times don't end there...

On January 8, 1904, Louisa passed away.  Her obituary stated that she suffered from the disease "consumption" for 3 years before it took her life.  Consumption was what they called Tuberculosis.  She wasn't the only one to suffer it in the family.  Later that same year, on December 29, Francis died of the same disease.

The children were left without their parents.  Some were grown, but some were still very young.    In the note written by Betty Tracy Thayer, she also stated the following:

"Emma, Mom, also recalled that after her father, Wm. Frank Gibson died, her mother having preceded him in death by a year, she and her brothers and sisters were left alone in their home in De Soto.  She recalled that they "had no sens of money," and when the "rag man" came by at various times, calling "old rags and bottles" the children blithely sold articles of value to the man - I.E. down comforters for 10 cents each!  Later, they were taken care of by their Aunt Em Brown, who had lost her husband in a tragic caboose fire sometime before.  Aunt Em had 2 girls Ethel and Stella.  The good times were over thereafter!!" (The note says Emma's daughters were Ethel and Stella, but I think she meant Ethel and Cleo).

Not sure how long the children stayed with their Aunt Emma, but the 1910 census has them living in another part of town, with Claude as the head of household.  Writing this post, I did some additional research, and found that the Jefferson College Library has a searchable Probate File Index.  Listed on the index are two case numbers (6717 and 4841) for "Gibson Minors."  At this time I haven't contacted them to obtain a copy.  Hopefully in the near future.  I'm sure there must have been some court proceedings to determine who would take care of the minor children.  The youngest would have only been 4 years old.  Francis and his wife Louisa had such a short life.  At the ages of 44 and 42, they left so much behind.

The picture to the right was found online on Ancestry.com in the Gibson/Stockdale Family Tree.  I'm not sure when it was taken.

 

 

 

#52Ancestors, week 4 - My First Experience With Genealogy Research - Caspar Glesener - Binsfeld, Weiswampach, Luxembourg to Chicago, IL

It's another week, and I'm writing another post for the challenge brought by Amy Johnson Crow, 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks.  This has been an interesting adventure for me, and I'm finding I have much more to write about then I originally thought!  I started this hobby 13 years ago, but it wasn't until 2003 when I actually branched out past what was available online at the time.  This week my topic is about my Luxembourg ancestors, and how I went about finding them.



Casper Glesener

Casper Glesener, also known as Gaspard, was the first family line I successfully traced past the 1800s.  He was born on June 22, 1862 in Luxembourg.  For a long time, all I knew was my great, great grandfather's name and that he married Caroline (Lina) Grote in Chicago, IL.  I knew he was from Luxembourg, but where??  Ordering his death certificate from Cook County, IL gave me his parents names, but no city, town, or area to search in Luxembourg.

Success came from the message boards on Genealogy.com!!  In 2003, I posted the little bit I knew about Casper, his name, date of death, and the names of his parents listed on his death certificate.  The next day, I received a reply from a Mr. Bob Olson with the names of his parents, date of their marriage, and the town they were married in!!  Thank you! Thank you Mr. Olson!!  That little nugget of information helped to get my research going!

That same post I made in 2003 also offered a suggestion from someone to contact the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota.  They have two databases, the Luxembourg Parish/Civil Records 1600-1890 and the Tables Decennales 1853-1863.  I contacted the school and, for a small fee, I received birth records for Casper, his parents, and most of his siblings!!!


Birth record of Gaspar Glesener dated June 22, 1862,
Binsfeld, Weiswampach, Luxembourg

This information led us to find Nicolas Glesener, Casper's father, born January 15, 1830 in Hosingen, Luxembourg, and was the son of Georgius Glesener and Anna Glesener.  We also learned Anna Elisabetha Theis, Casper's mother, was born March 21, 1837 in Binsfeld, Weiswampach, Luxembourg, and the daughter of  Jean Theis and Marie Hamus.  Their marriage record was also included!  They were married March 2, 1859 in Hosingen, Luxembourg.  Unfortunately, There was also a death certificate for Anna, which showed she died May 1, 1864 in Binsfeld, just a few weeks after giving birth to Casper's younger sister Margaretha.  Margaretha only lived 6 days.  Casper would not have yet turned two.  This leaves Nicholas to raise Casper and his older sister, Marie (born June 1, 1860) by himself.

But not for long.  On November 9, 1867, Nicolas married Maria Theresia Schmitz in Weiswampach.  After that came 12 more children: Anna Catherina (b.1868, d.1868), Maria (b.1869), Margaretha (b.1870, d.1871), Nicolas (b.1872), Margaretha (b.1873, d.1873), Peter (b.1875, d.1875), Nicolas (b.1876), Johann (b.1877), Peter (b.1878), Anna Catherina (b.1879), Georges (b.1881, d.1881), and Marguerite (b.1883).  Of these 12 children, only 7 made it to adulthood.  Unfortunately, this was not uncommon at this time.

After receiving this information from the University of St. Thomas, I decided to take a trip to their library to do some research on my own.  With help from the librarian, and the use of their German to English dictionary, I was able to trace the family back another 2 generations from Nicolas' father Georgius (notice the different spellings of Glesener...It changed many times!):

• Nicolas Glesener (b.1830 Hosingen, Luxembourg, d.1916 Binsfeld, Luxembourg)
• Georgius Glesener (b.1792 Hosingen, Luxembourg, d.1855 Hosingen, Luxembourg)
• Jacques Gloessener (b.1771 Dahl, Luxembourg, d. after 1820)
• Jean Georges Glaessener (b. 1734 Roullingen, Luxembourg, d. 1787 Dahl, Luxembourg)

My search didn't end there, though.  I tried pulling the LDS church records for the area of Dahl in Luxembourg, but didn't find much.  So what did I do?  I went to the message boards again!!  I posted on Genealogy.com again, and again received more!!  Mr. Rob Deltgen gave me the names of Jean Georges parents.  Not only that, he led me to his website where he has hundreds of names indexed from Luxembourg!!  You can find a list of surnames at http://www.deltgen.com/pubtng/surnames-all.php?tree=Deltgen.  I don't have copies of the actual certificates for these people, but I have names.  One day I hope to obtain actual copies of the records.  But that will come in time.  For now, the names of the next 3 generations of Gleseners after Jean Georges Glaessener b. 1734 are:

• Jean Nicolas Glaessener (b.1711 Dahl, Luxembourg, d.before 1788)
• Jean Georges Glessener (b.1686 Dahl, Luxembourg, d. unknown)
• Sondag, or Dominique, Glesner (b.1660 Dahl, Luxembourg, d. unknown)

It was an interesting journey, tracking this Glesener line.  I had never read German before, and trying to decipher the many records was challenging.  Not to mention, the script variations in the German alphabet!!  I went out and purchased the same German to English dictionary that I used when visiting the library in St. Paul.  If you are translating old German documents, I highly recommend the "German - English Genealogical Dictionary", by Ernest Thode.  It was very helpful and worth the money.  However, the records aren't just in German.  Some I found were in French.  I had to lean on the 2 years of french I took in high school. 

Back to Casper - Heading for the U.S.

I'm not 100% sure, but I do believe Casper sailed from Bremen to New York aboard the Saale, arriving July 16, 1887.  The name listed is Casper Gessner.  Not sure what made him want to leave Luxembourg.  Maybe having such a large family, he felt it necessary to make his own way?  We'll probably never know for sure.

The first we see Casper in the U.S. is on a marriage record.  September 11, 1889, Casper married Lina Grote, also known as Caroline Grote.  Lina was the daughter of Wilhelm Grote and Augusta Rheinfels, born December 24, 1867 in Celle, Germany.  Lina came to the U.S. via Hamburg, Germany to New York and arrived less then a month after Casper in 1887.  How they met, we don't know.  Did they meet in Chicago?  Or could they have possibly met in New York on their way to Chicago?  Who knows??  So many questions!!

This marriage brought 3 children:

• Frederick William (b.1889 Chicago, IL, d.1947 Chicago, IL)
• Charles (b.1891 Chicago, IL, d.1967 Corpus Christi, TX)
• Helen (b.1893 Chicago, IL, d.1963 Chicago, IL)

According to the Federal Censuses taken in 1900, 1910, 1920, and 1930, Casper and his family lived at 1906 Cornelia Avenue, Chicago, IL.  He made a living as a varnish cooker in a varnish factory, or furniture factory.  Below is a picture of Casper and Lina, taken probably around the late 20s or early 30s.  I'm guessing this is their home on Cornelia Avenue that they are standing in front of.  Don't they look like a cute couple??

October 2, 1931, Casper passed away at his home.  He was 69 years old.  The death certificate says he was buried at St. Lucas Cemetery in Chicago, IL.  Below is a copy of his Obituary that was found in the Chicago Daily Tribune, through Ancestry.com.  It states he was a member of "Imperial Council, N. U."  I've tried looking this up, but haven't found much online.  Again, I went to the message boards, this time to Ancestry.com.  According to the replies I got, "it refers to the Imperial Council No. 427 of the National Union."  His wife, Lina, went on to live almost another 15 years before passing on January 11, 1946 in Chicago, IL.

Afterthoughts...

 

Just this week, while reviewing my notes and research to write this article, I did a little follow-up research.  Family Search has many of the documents from Luxembourg online!!  They aren't indexed, but I was able to locate Casper living with his family, on the 1880 and 1885 censuses for Luxembourg.  What I find interesting as well, is he and his brother, Nicolas, are listed on the 1900 census for Luxembourg too!!  However, they are listed on another page as absent from the household.  Were they expecting them to come back?  As far as I know, Casper and his brother Nicolas did not move back to Luxembourg.  In 1908, their brother Peter, or Pier, also came to the U.S.  I have not been able to find if he stayed, or went back to Luxembourg. 

 

As of the date of this posting, I haven't been able to search all the records from Luxembourg on familysearch.org that I'd like to.  Planning on doing that when time permits.  But what a great resource!!

 

If you have any questions about the people listed in this article, or on any of my other posts, please leave me a comment!!  Happy hunting!



 The headstone says he died in 1930, but the death record from Cook County says he died in 1931.

#52Ancestors Challenge - week 3 - "I Am Blind, I Can Not See" - Francis Marion Lock(e) - Missouri, Arkansa, Texas

"I Am Blind, I Can Not See," is a song my great-great-grandfather used to carry around with him.  It was found in the belongings of his daughter, Mamie Estelle Locke Holcomb.  The words of the song were written by J.W. Neill, and the music by G.H. Ramsey, and it was "Dedicated to the blind wherever they may be."

 

Imagine going through life without being able to see.  Now imagine you're living in the late 1800s.  What a struggle that must have been!!  That was the life of my great-great grandfather Francis Marion Lock(e), or F.M. as I will refer to him.  He is my subject for week three's 52 Ancestors Challenge.

We know from stories that his daughter Mamie told, he played piano, and traveled around preaching and teaching piano to children in orphanages.  She used to drive him around in the "buckboard" because he could not see.  But who was this man?  Where did he come from?

We know from pages of a family bible that F.M. was born February 22, 1855.  I believe this entry was written by one of his daughters.  However, over time, the page had ripped, and at some point, someone taped it up and wrote over it with a blue pen (just the last number of the year was written over, not the whole birthdate).  We think it may have actually been 1859, but just can not be sure. 

We do know that F.M. spent most of his childhood at the Arkansas School for the Blind (ASB), in Little Rock, Arkansas (The school says it was located in Little Rock at this time, but on the 1870 & 1880 census, its has them in Big Rock).  We found him listed on both the 1870 and 1880 federal census.  He's shown as age 10 and blind in 1870, and then shown as age 21 and blind in 1880.  In 1880 they add the birthplace and parents birthplaces, and it is here we can see he was born in Missouri and his parents both born in Indiana.

Upon contacting the ASB, we were given copies of biennial reports that were issued by the "Board of Trustees & Superintendent of the Arkansas Institute for the Education of the Blind to the Govenor of the State of Arkansas."  These reports show F.M. as follows:

• Reports from April 1868 - September 10, 1876 show: Francis M. Locke, residing in Little Rock, cause of blindness: sore eyes
• Reports from October 1876 to September 30, 1880 show: Francis M. Locke, residing in Little Rock, cause of blindness: Athropy optic nerve

In all of these reports it shows him born about 1859.  It also shows that he probably stayed at the school, and did not return home like some of the other students.  Most students listed another residance on these reports besides Little Rock.  Did his parents give him up because they could not care for him?  Did something happen to them, and he was orphaned?  Also, was he blind at birth, or did he become sick?  Did he get injured during the Civil War?  He was just a small child, but could have been caught in some crossfire.  Or was it just an accident?  We may never really know.

All of the information above leads us to speculate who his parents might be.  The 1860 census has a Lock family living in Morris Township, Texas County, Missouri.  This family has a 3 month old listed as Francis M.  This census is dated June 14th.  If we take the month and day of the family bible as February 22nd, and the year he was born from the records of the school, then our F.M. would indead be 3 months old!!  This is not 100% accurate, and I wish I had more of a papertrail, but we take what we can, I guess!  The census is listed below with the names of the family members.

You can read the father is listed as John Lock, and the mother is Sarah.  This family is also shown in the 1850 census living in District 98 of Texas County, Missouri.  Living next door to them is an Elias Martin, and Nancy Jane Martin, both born in Indiana.  Indiana Marriage Collection, 1800-1941 shows a John Lock marrying a Sarah Martin in Green County, Indiana on December 28, 1837.  Further research suggests Sarah may be the daughter of Hiram Martin and Peggy Cloud, who, in 1840, were residing in Green County, Indiana. 

 

Not sure who John Lock is related to.  The Lock(e) family name is very popular.  However, through message board posts and comments, it has been suggested that John Lock may be the son of Jonas Lock who lived in Lincoln County, KY and then moved to Orange County, Indiana.   I can not prove this, however, if you look at John's children's names, you see the oldest named Hiram, after Sarah's father, and the second son named Jonas, which could be after John's father.  There are several DNA tests that have been done on the Lock(e) families of the U.S., but without a direct male, Lock(e) descendant to do the test, we aren't able to be included.  The last male Lock(e) in our line is Grover William Locke, F.M.'s son, but we do not know what happened to him.  According to Mamie, we believe he died sometime during WWI.

 

Finding this Lock family after the Civil War has become next to impossible!!  With help from kind people on the Ancestry.com message boards, we can find Nancy Jane Lock marrying Spencer W. Tate in 1867 in Texas County, MO.  We also find William Lock marrying Mary E. Wommack in 1874 in Texas County, MO.  However, I haven't been able to find out what happened to their parents.  According to ozarkscivilwar.org, after the Civil War, most of Texas county was "depopulated."  We may never know!!

 

Anyway, back to F.M. and what we do know!! 

 

Things were looking a little better for him.  Online research also leads us to find in 1882 he was listed on the "Roll of Distinction." You can see his name if you visit the Alumni page for ASB. It means he finished his course work and received a certificate or diploma.

 

Then, on October 14th, 1883, F.M. Locke married N.E. Vines.  This is Nancy Elizabeth Vines, daughter of John H.M. Vines and Elizabeth Miles.  She was born July 21, 1851 in Tallapoosa County, Alabama.  Her mother and siblings moved to Arkansas after 1870.  Elizabeth's father died of sickness in the Civil War, and her mother was left with 7 children to raise (I'm hoping to do another post dedicated to her parents).

 

Together, F.M. and Nancy Elizabeth had 4 children

• Grover William born March 12, 1885 Rosebud, White County, Arkansas - died unkown
• Mamie Estelle born June 15, 1888 Rosebud, White County, Arkansas - died April 4, 1972 Baldwin Park, Los Angeles County, California
• Vida Gertrude born August 30, 1890 Arkansas - died June 6, 1974 Lufkin, Angelina County, Texas
• Pearl born May 26, 1892 White County, Arkansas - died December 1975 Macomb, Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma

We think this is a picture of F.M. and Nancy Elizabeth with their oldest daughter, my great-grandmother, Mamie Estelle Locke.  Its a tin-type photo that was found in my grandmother's belongings.  If it is, then it would probably date back to the 1890s.

In 1890 we also find a "F.M. Locks" on the tax rolls for White County, Arkansas.  He was living in Kentucky Township at this time.  No occupation was listed.

Unfortunately, the family can not be found on the census records for 1900 and 1910.  However, we do have a few clues as to where they could have been.  Mamie had an autograph book that was given to her by her parents around 1898.  In it are several signatures of friends she had over the years.  Many people also dated their signatures and put down the town they were in.  Now, we aren't certain the family lived in these towns, but may have traveled back and forth.  Since her father traveled, they may have moved around a lot.  Below is just some of what we found in the book:

• 3/9/1898 - Peaster, Parker County, Texas - written by her mother and father, Nancy Elizabeth Vines and Francis Marion Locke
• 1/26/1903 - Stephenville, Erath County, Texas - written by her brother Grover Locke
• 2/15/1903 - Morgan Mill, Texas - written by Abbie Davis
• 1/19/1904 - Stephenville, Erath County, Texas - written by Zuela Evans

 

I've been told, these pictures featuring F.M. are him with some of the students he was teaching.  We do not have any names for these people, and have no idea where they were taken. 

We have a letter that was type-written from F.M. to Nancy Elizabeth, dated October 31, 1911 in Gilmer, Texas.  In it he wrote that he was going to "Pritchett today where I will preach a series of docternal sermons which will probably last till Sunday night."  The picture below is of F.M. and Nancy Elizabeth.  We believe it was taken some time between 1910 and 1920, possibly closer to 1920.  We do know that Nancy Elizabeth was sick for some time.  Mamie said that she was so weak, that they cut her long, thick, hair to take some of the weight off her head and give her strength.  They kept it long around the bangs, sides and neck so they could "plaid" it (braid it), and wrap it around her head. 

 

 

On the 1920 Federal Census, which was dated February 19th, we see him living in Haskell County, Texas with his son-in-law C.H. McAlister and his daughter Vida.  He is listed as 60 years old, married, working as a "Minister of the Gospel," and blind.  Nancy Elizabeth is not living with them.  We aren't really sure where she was at this time.  However, she may have been living with Mamie or Pearl.  Their families are on the 1920 census in Shackelford County, Texas.  The date on the census for them is March 20.  Per the family bible pages we have, it says Nancy Elizabeth died March 19, 1920.  No death records have been found for her, nor do we know what cemetery she was buried in.

According to our bible records we also see that on November 23, 1923, F.M. died.  We aren't sure where he died or where he was buried.  Several attempts to find a death certificate, or record, have been made, but it just can't be found.

The search goes on though!  One day I hope to find the paperwork to either prove, or dispove, who this man was and where he came from. 

#52Ancestors Challenge - Week 2 - Wilhelmina Albertina Johansson

This week I'm continuing the 52 Ancestors Challenge that was proposed by Amy Johnson Crow on her blog No Story Too Small.  I've chosen to write about my great-grandmother Wilhelmina Albertina Johansson (or Johannesdotter, Johnson).  Get ready...this might be a very long post!!!

I never met Minnie.  My grandmother didn't talk much about her either, except that they lived in Sweden for a couple years while she was a young girl.  Minnie's granddaughter, my Aunt Kathy (who's not with us anymore - and I miss dearly), told me once that she remembered her as a very strict and religious woman.  From this picture shown, you might think that.  But when I inherited my grandmother's photo collection some years back, it showed her in a whole new light!!  So many photos of her in beautiful dresses, and pictures of her travels, makes me think she had a bit of an adventurous side to her as well!!


Minnie was born June 7, 1875 in Tegnaby, Kronobergs, Smaland, Sweden.  The house, or property, was called Norregard.  Minnie was the first born child to Johan Wilhelm Petersson and Helena Sofia Petersdotter.  Her 8 siblings are listed below:

• Henrik Hjalmar 1877-1956
• Hulda Ellen Sofia 1878-1966
• Carl Anton 1880-1961
• Gustav Herman Reinhold 1883-1975
• Nanny Teresia 1887-1976
• Alida Linea 1890-1979
• Teckla Vicktoria 1892-1979
• Astrid Nina Ingeborg 1896-1980

I don't know much about her early life in Sweden, except that the family owned a farm and it was located just Northwest from Tegnaby Lake.  Someone in the family, or close to the family, owned the property next door, Sofiaro.  These are some pictures of the two properties and the lake c.1930s.

Google maps has current street views of the two houses.  If you plug in the address 56.817036,14.908243 it will take you to Sofiaro.  Norregard is just north of it on Billavägen.  Both homes are still there!!

Minnie left Sweden in 1896. Years ago, my grandmother gave me the swedish to english dictionary that was given to Minnie before she left. It was inscribed: "Gåvra of morbror Frans den 24 September, Till Welhelmina vid avresa från Sverige 1896."  Translated, I believe, this means "Given from Uncle Frans the 4 of September, To Welhelmina at her departure from Sweden 1896."

 

She sailed from Goteborg on September 4, 1896 to Boston, MA.  I believe this is a photo taken of her prior to her journey.  The year 1896 is handwritten on the backside. 

From photographs I've inherited, I know Minnie didn't stay long in Boston.  She must have traveled back to Sweden around 1900.  We have a family portrait of Minnie with her siblings and parents.  The youngest child looks to be about 4 or 5 years old, which would date the picture about 1900 or 1901.  Below is that picture, Minnie was probably 24 years old.

In this family picture, starting at the back row from the left: Nanny, Ellen, Minnie, Henrik, Reinhold, Anton.  Front row from the left: Alida, Johan, Ingborg, Helena, and Tekla. 

According to my research, Minnie traveled from Sweden to the U.S. at least 2 more times in the next 10 years.  In 1902 and 1910 she went back to Boston.  In 1910 she listed Chicago as her final destination, and listed a cousin, Tillie Hornburg, as her contact in the U.S.  Tillie lived in Spokane, WA with her husband Eric August Hornburg.  Not sure how she is related though?

Between 1902 and 1912, several of her siblings traveled to the U.S. too.  Henrik went to Minnesota in March of 1902.  He ended up back in Sweden, and I'm not sure where he lived.  He married a woman by the name of Edith, but I can't find a record of when or where, and I don't know her maiden name.

Ellen came in 1902 the same time as Minnie.  This photo was taken in Boston by Carl J. Horner, I'm guessing around 1902 (I have several photos of Minnie taken by C.J. Horner in Boston).  Ellen married Edward Kettell and lived in Arlington, MA.  She died January 17, 1966 in Massachusetts.

Rienhold also made his way to the U.S., but I haven't had much luck finding him on a ship manifest.  However, he eventually made his home in the Chicago area.  He married twice - first to Clara (unknown surname) July of 1930, and then to Martha Anderson, probably after Clara's death in 1948.



Nanny came over in 1912.  She Married Richard Taylor, and we can find them and their two children, Lilah and Sears Richard, living in Portal, Burke, ND on the 1920 census.  Richard died in 1920 and is buried at South Cemetery in Portal, ND (per findagrave.com).  Sometime after his death, Nanny, Lilah, and Sears moved back to Sweden.  As far as I know, Nanny and Lilah remained in Sweden.  Sears went on to be an Olympic bicyclist for Sweden and competed in the 1936 Berlin Olympics.  He eventually made his way to the U.S. in 1937, and settled in the Chicago area.  This is a picture of Nanny and her children in Tegnaby, Sweden, probably the late 1920s.

Eventually, Minnie settled down and married Roy William Westboy.  He's is definitely my biggest brick wall!!!  But I'll dedicate a whole post to him on another week...too much to discuss here!!

Roy was born either 1880 or 1886 (conflicting records).  Either way, he was a bit younger then Minnie.  On February 10, 1917 they married in Chicago, IL.  According to their marriage record, they were married by Bengt M. Johnson, minister of the Gospel.  Then on March 16, 1918, their first and only child was born, Judith Helen Wilhelmina Westboy. 

On the 1920 Federal Census, Minnie and Judith are living on Berwyn Avenue, Chicago, but Roy is not shown with them.  According to Judith's birth record, he was a cattle buyer living in Thompsonville, MI.  He may have gone back and forth, but again...he's a mystery!! 

Through pictures, I know Minnie, Roy and Judith spent some time in the early 1920s in Southhaven (Michigan or Indiana...I don't know??)  But sometime before 1926 Minnie and Judith made their way back to Sweden.  They are shown arriving in New York on May 3, 1926. 

May 31st, 1929, Minnie filed a Declaration of Intention to become a citizen of the U.S., and according to the application, she did not know where Roy was.  However, at this time, Roy had moved to a house in Barrington, IL.  They must have found him, because I do have pictures of Judith with him in Barrington.  In the 1930 census Roy, Minnie, and Judith are shown living together in Barrington, but Minnie and Judith are also listed as living with Olaf Christopherson (Mr. Christopherson as my grandmother called him).  Minnie is listed here as divorced.  I haven't found any divorce papers, but I do know that my grandmother and Minnie lived with Mr. Christopherson at 1449 Roscoe Street in Chicago for several years.  Minnie was his housekeeper.

In the 1930s Minnie and Judith made another trip to Sweden.  Not sure when they arrived there, but my grandmother said they did live in Sweden for a short time (about a year or two I'm guessing).  She remembered living with an aunt, who was "very strict."  Although the photos I have of this time show happy gatherings with family and friends.  They stayed until 1935, and arrived back in New York on June 20th.  This photo is of Minnie, Roy, and Judith probably mid to late 1930s.  On the back it is written "Mr. and Mrs. Westboy and Judith."

On the 1940 census, we see Roy living back in Thompsonville, MI listed as married but living alone, and Minnie living on Roscoe Street with Mr. Christopherson.  This time she is listed as single and as Mr. Christopherson's sister.  Census records aren't always correct...who knows where they got that info from???  By this time, Judith had taken a job as a typist and moved in with a close friend, Vern (Vernice M. Schrieber).  She was living on Winthrop Avenue in Chicago.

Judith moved to California in the early 1940s.  There are pictures of Minnie visiting her.  They had relatives living in Los Angeles, Algina (possibly Alice) Rose (Minnie's aunt), and Eva Sjogren.  I don't know the direct relationship.  Judith stayed in the L.A. area for a couple of years before moving back to Chicago and marrying Howard Glesener on July 17, 1943.

From what I know, Minnie remained in the Chicago area until her death on January 21, 1955.  Her death record states she was living at 353 Bellwood Avenue in Marshall, IL***.  But it also states she died at Johnson's Nursing Home in Chicago, and had been there for 2 years.  Her status is listed as widowed.  Roy died in 1953, so I don't believe she got a divorce, but just maybe lived apart.  She is buried at Irving Park.

I hope you enjoyed this post!  Hundreds of pictures have helped me shed some light on this woman I knew nothing about.  I'm so happy that my grandmother took the time to make scrapbooks with these photos, listing the names and places.  These scrapbooks are crumbling due to their age.  I've scanned all the photos and made digital copies and I'm currently dismantling them and placing all of the photos into archival photo albums so my children can see who these wonderful people were!  If you are a relative of this woman, or anyone else listed above, I'd be happy to share these pictures.  Just let me know!!

**After posting this, I was browsing through some old photos.  On the back of one of the photos of Sofiaro, it says "Fars lilla stuga," which means Fathers little cottage.  Johan Wilhelm Petersson must have owned both properties at one time.

***Another thing I noticed...Her death certificate says she lived in the city of "Marshall" at "353 Bellwood Avenue."  However, I've been looking through my grandmother, Judith's scrapbooks, and she has a photo of the house where her and her husband lived from 1949 to about 1952.  The address she wrote in her scrapbook was 353 Marshall Avenue, Bellwood, IL.  Could Minnie have lived there as well?  Maybe she moved into the nursing home when Judith and her family moved to California?