Susan “Susie” Anne Gillespie, my maternal great grandmother, was born 18 Jul 1860 in England. She is the daughter of Joseph Gillespie & Susan Burgess. She was the eldest of 3 siblings; William Henry (1862-1911), Elizabeth (1865-1948) and Louise (1866-1950).
Susan immigrated to the U.S. from England with her parents and infant brother, William, in December 1862. This is documented in the book Passage to America 1851-1869 – the record of Richard Elliott, Passenger Agent, Detroit, Michigan. The family is shown on page 68. This book is available on Google Books - Passage to America and on Amazon Passage to America.
Susan’s obituary is very short, but does contain good genealogical information.
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| Obituary published in the Detroit Free Press, 14 Nov 1947, page 33 |
Transcription
SMITH - Nov 12, Susie Milne, beloved wife of the late Clyde, dear mother of Joseph A. Milne and Mrs. Irene Milne Roe, sister of Mrs. James B. Verney and Mrs. James Forsyth. Leaves 4 grandchildren. Funeral services from McCabe Funeral Home, 18570 Grand River, at Glastonbury, Saturday at 2 p.m. Interment Woodmere.
Susan became a widow when she was a few months pregnant with her daughter, Irene. Her first husband, Andrew C. Milne, died of Consumption at the age of 36, in 1892. She did remarry 12 years later to Clyde J. Smith, in 1904, but was widowed again in 1927.
I have many photos of Susan. One from when she was a young girl about 16, and many from the time she spent with her son, Joseph and family.
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| Left – photo of Susan at age 16, circa 1876 (according to back of photo) On the right is a picture of Susan with her infant daughter, Irene and her son, Joseph circa 1894 |
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| The headshot on the left was cropped from a group photo from about 1911-1912. The photo on the right is from 1934 and in it are L-R – my maternal great grandmother Florence Hunter Bowden Bell, my grandmother Florence Bowden Milne, and on the right is Susan Gillespie Milne Smith. |
I created a digital scrapbook page to honor Susan and her husband Andrew, and tell their story.
Susan lived 87 years. Her mother lived 92 years. My maternal grandmother, Florence Bowden Milne lived 98 years and my own mother Patricia A. Milne lived to be 91. Based on this genetic propensity I am trying to take good care of myself.
OTHER POSTS THAT MAY BE OF INTEREST
CENSUS SUNDAY~ My 2nd great grandparents Joseph & Susan Gillespie–1900–Detroit, Michigan
If you are related to or connected to anyone in this blog post, please get in touch. Let’s exchange information.
Happy hunting,
Michigan Girl
Wonderful pictures. Great article.
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