COUSINS ~ What treasures can you find when you visit your cousins?

 

I can never say enough about how wonderful cousins are.  Why?

·       They are often your very first friends outside the family circle.

·       If you are an only child, they may be as close as a sister or brother.

·       Later on you can talk about family stories and share memories and photos with each other.

·       If you meet these cousins later in life via your research or DNA or whatever method, they might provide very valuable information about your ancestors.

·       As bloggers, we often call our blogs “cousin bait.”

Here’s my cousin story for this week.

My cousin Paula lives about 3 hours up the coast from me, here in California.  She and I reconnected in 2003, well into our adulthood.  We had last seen one another in 1966.  Since then we have become very good friends and fellow family researchers.  It’s been an interesting journey, with discoveries on both her side and mine.

Our grandmothers were sisters, which makes me and Paula 2^nd cousins.

It had been a couple of years since I’d been to Paula’s home and I knew we were overdue for a visit.  When I spoke to her, she told me that her sister, Shirley, was coming into town for a couple of weeks.  Most of our family still lives in Michigan, including Shirley.

I knew right away that I should make the drive up there, as I had never been able to spend much time with Shirley. 

We cousins enjoyed one another for 3 days. 

A surprise during the visit was that Paula and Shirley’s grand nephew was in town from Michigan.  We were able to have dinner with him.  I’d not met him before.  What a nice young man.  In the scheme of family relationships, he is my 2^nd cousin, twice removed.

During my stay, Paula brought out an envelope of photos that she had gotten during her last trip to Michigan, from her other sister.

As we looked through these mostly black and white photos, we all found treasures.  For me it was pictures of my own grandmother, Marie Lindsay Gould and my grandfather Harry W. Gould sharing moments with Marie’s sister’s family. Additionally, it was seeing a picture of my granduncle Bill Lindsay’s wife Matilda Vera Ena KIDD for the first time.

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Matilda Vera Ena Kidd Lindsay

Left to right - Marie Lindsay Gould (my paternal grandmother), Shirley Hockster, Edith Curry Jessop, Elizabeth "Betty" Hockster, Paula Hockster, Mary Ortell Hockster and Bessie Lindsay Hockster (Marie's sister)
Shirley, Betty & Paula are my 2nd cousins and Mary is their mother

Back row - William "Bill" Lindsay, Bessie Lindsay, Everett Hockster, Joyce Lindsay, Robert McConnell, Harry W. Gould - Middle row - Marie Lindsay Gould, Matilda Kidd Lindsay, Ellen Hockster McConnell, May (in her lap is Betty Hockster) - Front row - Patricia McConnell, Shirley Hockster and Ralph Hockster

I’d call those things great finds.  Thanks Paula!

Any photo find is always a bonus.  I’m going to put this out there right now.  If you are LINDSAY descendant, belonging to our particular line, and you have photos, we’d love to see them.  We are willing to share any of our own photos with all the cousins out there.

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
Copyright ©  2010-2022   Diane Gould Hall
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

WEDDING WEDNESDAY ~ William “Bill” Lindsay & his many wives–the story of my Granduncle Bill

Marriage index for Wm. Lindsay & Gertrude Watson - 1912 - Canada

Marriage register for William Lindsay & Vera Allen - 1919 - Detroit, Michigan

Marriage license & record for William Lindsay & Vera Kidd - 1928 - Lucas Co., Ohio

William Lindsay is my paternal granduncle

William Lindsay was the youngest child born to William Wallace Lindsay (1859-1931) and Elizabeth “Bessie” Fitzcharles (1864-1914).  He is a brother to my paternal grandmother, Marie Wallace Lindsay.

 

My grandmother always spoke fondly of her brother “Bill.”  He was alive well into my 20’s, but I never recall meeting him.  If I did, it would have been when I was a young child living in Detroit.  Bill had three older sisters; Ellen (1887-1927), Marie (1888-1970) and Bessie (1892-1971).  The family grew up in Detroit, Michigan.

Here he is as a little boy, with his parents & sisters.  He isn’t officially a Jr., but the photo has been labeled that way for clarity.

 

Bill is reported to have been married several times.  I am in touch with my cousins who are descended from his sister Bessie and another cousin, one generation removed.  Several of us are genealogists and we have put together a picture of Bill’s life as best we can.

He was born in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan probably in 1894 (the exact month & day varies depending on the record).  I have the following records to document his life:

1900 U.S. census – age 5, living with his parents and siblings in Detroit

1910 U.S. census – age, 15, living with his father in Detroit and working as a Packer

Question I asked myself – why are Bill and his father, William enumerated without any other family members?  I think I know the answer, based on my research.  I located Bill’s mother (William’s wife) working as a Housekeeper just north of Detroit, in Mt. Clemens, Macomb, Michigan.  She is enumerated as Mrs. Elizabeth Lindsay.  Just two years later a divorce was finalized between William Lindsay and his wife Elizabeth.  They must have separated by the time the 1910 census was taken.  He filed for the divorce on the grounds of “cruelty.”  The divorce was granted on 18 May 1912.  I have the divorce record and published it in another blog post.  You can read about it here 52 ANCESTORS IN 52 WEEKS ~ Week #3–My great grandfather–William Wallace Lindsay 1859-1931 (a bit of a mystery)

Now back to Bill.  He married Gertrude May Watson 10 Feb 1912 in Windsor, Essex, Ontario, Canada.  Gertrude was born in Canada 8 Aug 1895 and immigrated to the United States in 1909.  I have no idea how Bill & Gertrude met each other.  However, their son, William Harold Lindsay was born 3 months after their marriage on 10 May 1912 in Detroit, Michigan.

Interesting note about this family of Lindsay siblings.  Ellen was the oldest and she married her husband James Frederick Pickard in Detroit in 1906.  ALL three of the other siblings, Marie, Bessie and Bill married their spouses in Canada.  I wonder if there were laws in place in the United States or Michigan in particular, that influenced their decision to marry in Canada? 

Why is this significant?  If you take a look at the marriage records of those three siblings and compare them to the births of children or the status of the sibling getting married, there are some details that stand out.  Such as: children born within a time frame considerably less than 9 months (two of the siblings, Marie and Bill).  And for Bessie, she listed herself as a Spinster for her second marriage, when in fact, she was still married to her first husband.  We have the documents for all of this information.  Certainly a colorful group.  My cousin Paula often speaks of her grandma Bessie being a bit wild.

When you find facts, like those listed above, about your family, don’t let it bother you.  People are people and history is history.  What we uncover are just the facts and most of it will not change relationships we have formed or memories we share.

1916 - Gertrude and Bill divorced just four years after their marriage on 4 Dec 1916.  Bill is listed in the Detroit City Directory in 1916 as again living with his father, William and working as a Chauffeur.

1917 – I have a World War I Draft Registration Card for Bill.  He lists himself as single, working as an Auto Driver for Detroit Public Works and having a child, age 5.  That must be his son, William Harold Lindsay, born in 1912.

1919 – Bill married for a second time to Vera Violet Allen (1902-1991) on 23 Sep 1919.  They were married in Detroit.  I believe there was a son born to this couple in 1927.  Robert Lindsay.  I have not researched little Robert since 2010, so I have no further information on him.

1920 – Bill and his wife Vera are actually living with my grandparents and my Dad on Lothrop Ave. in Detroit.  He was a taxi driver at this time.

1928 – Bill and his wife, Vera, divorce on 19 Jul 1928 in Detroit.

1928 – Less than a month after his divorce from Vera Allen Lindsay, Bill marries for a 3rd time, to another Vera.  This time Vera Kidd who also went by the name Matilda.  On the marriage record for this couple Bill states he has never been married.  I guess those first two wives don’t count.  His parents names are correct on this marriage record as is other vital information for him, so I have no doubt it’s him.

1930 – Bill and “Matilda” are living in Detroit, renting a home and he works as a Repair Foreman for automobiles.  No children are listed in the residence.  His children must be living with one of the other wives.

1940 – I have not been able to locate William “Bill” Lindsay in the 1940 federal census.

1942 – Bill is registered in the World War II Draft Registration – he is living at 8589 Mendota in Detroit.  He is 47 yrs. old, born in Detroit on 5 Jul 1894.  He is working for the Civil Service Commission/City of Detroit/Div. of Motor Transportation.  His physical description if 5’6”, 155 pounds, blue eyes, brown hair and light complexion, no scars.

1948 – Bill and his 3rd wife, Matilda Vera obtain a divorce, granted on 23 Oct 1948 in Detroit, Michigan.

1950’s – By the mid 1950’s Bill has either remarried or has a girlfriend named Alice Marie Penn.  They can be seen at the dining table at the home of Everett & Mary Hockster.  Also at this table are Bill’s sister Bessie and Everett & Mary’s daughters Betty & Paula.

Going around this table from left to right – Paula Hockster, Betty Hockster, Mary Ortell Hockster, Alice Penn Lindsay, William “Bill” Lindsay, Bessie Lindsay Hockster (Bill’s sister) and Everett Hockster – Detroit, Michigan

 

I find no other public records for William “Bill” Lindsay until his death on 10 Apr 1976 in New Port Richey, Pasco, Florida.

In researching this blog post I located both a death notice and an obituary for Bill.  The obituary states that he had moved to Florida 24 years prior to his death, which would have been 1952.  He was apparently a member of the Baptist church and the BPOE 2284 of New Port Richey, Florida.  I also notice there is no mention of his two sons, only of his nephews, which would be Everett Hockster and my father, Harry Norman Gould.

 

 

My question – What does BPOE stand for.  I figured it was some sort of organization.  I Googled it and found this definition: “Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. ... The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE; also often known as the Elks Lodge or simply The Elks) is an American fraternal order founded in 1868 originally as a social club in New York City.” 

I haven’t yet located a marriage record for Bill’s 4th and final wife, Alice Marie Penn, but I’ll keep on looking.  She died on 21 Jul 2001, 25 years after him.  They are buried together at Meadowlawn Memorial Gardens in New Port Richey, Pasco, Florida.  You can visit their memorials here: Bill #33361388 and Alice #33361389.

Here, used with permission from David England is their headstone.

Conclusion – It seems that Bill finally settled down with one woman, Alice, his fourth wife.  There are family rumors that he had more than four wives, but I have no evidence of that.  I hope he was happy in those last 25 or so years of his life.  I do wonder why his sons, William and Robert weren’t mentioned in his obituary.  I’ve heard from one family member that his son William didn’t like him and spoke poorly of him.  The reasons for that may forever remain unknown to us.  Those that are gone take their secrets with them to the grave.  I do know that my grandmother, Marie Lindsay Gould always spoke with love when talking about her brother Bill.

If you are related to anyone mentioned in this story, please contact me, I’d love to hear from you.

Happy hunting,

Michigan Girl 

Copyright ©  2010-2017   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

52 ANCESTORS IN 52 WEEKS ~ Week #3–My great grandfather–William Wallace Lindsay 1859-1931 (a bit of a mystery)

Headshot of William W. Lindsay cropped from group photo

Today’s post is about my great grandfather, William Wallace Lindsay. 

Thank you to Amy Johnson Crow who writes No Story Too Small, for this theme.

William Wallace Lindsay was born on 18 Oct 1859 in Dundee, Forfarshire, Scotland to William Lindsay (abt 1830 - 4 Jul 1898) and Mary Wallace (abt 1832 – 17 May 1895)

Here is his birth record from Scotland

Birth record for William Lindsay - Scotland, 18 Oct 1859

There were 6 known children born to William & Mary as follows:

1. Robert (1852-1911)
2. Mary Ann (abt 1853 – bef 1898)
3. John (abt 1856 – bef 1901)
4. Elizabeth “Betsy” (1857-1931)
5. William Wallace  - my great grandfather
6. Richard “Dick” (1862-1937)

I find my William living with his family, in Dundee, Angus, Scotland, in the 1861 & 1871 Scottish census.  His father worked as a Linen Weaver.  By 1881 William is living as a boarder in the Euphemia Lamb household, aged 22, unmarried, with no occupation listed.

In the 1882 Detroit City Directory I located William W. Lindsay boarding at 19 Elizabeth e., working as a clk at Am Nat Bank.  Three entries above him on the page is Robert Lindsay, boarding with John McRobbie (Robert was married to an Isabella McRobbie for a short time, but we don’t know much about that family)

(CLICK ON ANY IMAGE TO ENLARGE IT)


My question when I look at city directories, is always, who else is living at the same address as my ancestor?

In this case I find a Jane Lindsay (wid James) also boarding at 19 Elizabeth e.  How is Jane Lindsay?  How might she be related to us?  I have no James and no Jane in my database.

I don’t have an immigration record for my grandfather, William and his brother Robert for the time period preceding this city directory listing.  My information has him coming to the U.S. in 1886.

Further research has me coming to the conclusion that the William W. listed in this directory is not my William W.  I have excluded him after finding a U.S. census record for 1880 that lists Jane Lindsay and her son, William W., bank clerk.  Every record I have for my William W. gives his parents names as William & Mary (not James & Jane).
   
NOTE:  Sometimes we can go down a wrong path because names and dates are close matches.  In this case I was able to come to a negative conclusion and eliminate the incorrect information.

On 28 Apr 1886 I have a ship manifest for William Lindsay on the ship State of Indiana.  Also on this same ship, on another page is Bessie Fitzcharles.  I know that Elizabeth Fitzcharles went by the name “Bessie” and I have several records showing that nickname, including her headstone.

Here are the ship manifests showing William and Bessie.

Ship manifest for William Lindsay 1886

Ship manifest for Bessie Fitzcharles 1886

William & Bessie were married in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan on 21 May 1886, just 24 days after their arrival in the U.S.

Marriage record for William Lindsay and Bessie Fitzcharles - 1886, Detroit, Wayne, Michigan

My records originally indicated 4 children born to this couple.  However, I later discovered they may have had 5 children.  While I was growing up, I was only aware that my grandmother had 2 sisters and one brother.  That fifth child may have been stillborn or died shortly after birth.  However, since a court record and one census record list 5 children born to the couple, I have included this child as “unknown” in my database.

The known children were: Ellen W. (1887-1927), Marie Wallace (my grandmother) (1888-1970), Bessie (1892-1971) and William “Bill” (1894-1976).

Here is a family photo showing William & Elizabeth with their 4 children.  This is the only photo I have of my great grandfather, William Wallace Lindsay.  Although my family took lots of pictures throughout the years he was alive, I haven’t found any others of him.

The William Lindsay family - circa 1896  Standing in the back are Ellen & Bessie Lindsay - seated is William W. Lindsay holding his son William Lindsay - the girl in the front on the right is my grandmother, Marie and behind her is Bessie

I find William & Elizabeth with four children in the 1900 census in Detroit.  He is working as a Machinist.
 
In the 1910 census I find William Sr. age 49 and his 15 year old son, William, Jr. living in the Roller household in Detroit.  This is evidence that there might have been trouble in the marriage as I find his wife, “Mrs. Elizabeth Lindsay”, working as a housekeeper in the home of Christ Hough and living in Mt. Clements, Macomb, Michigan.  Two doors from her is Charles Hart who is connected to my Gould family.  This is also one of the records that lists her as the mother of 5 children, of whom 4 are living.

On 18 May 1912 my great grandparents divorce was made final.  It was William who filed for the divorce and the grounds were “cruelty.”

Divorce record for William & Elizabeth Lindsay - 18 MAY 1912 date of final judgement

Michigan, Divorce Records, 1897-1952
Name:William Lindsay
Marriage Date:21 May 1886
Marriage Place:Detroit, Michigan
Decree Date:18 May 1912
Decree Place:Wayne, Michigan, USA
Spouse Name:    Elizabeth Lindsay
State File Number:40,660
Number of Children:5
Divorce Status:Granted

I next find William listed in the 1914 Detroit city directory.  Working as a Machinist and living on Labadie Ave.  I also located William in the 1916, 1918, 1919 and 1920 city directory listing for Detroit.  He is working as a Machinist or Operator in each listing.

I cannot locate him in the 1920 U.S. Federal census, but not for lack of trying.

Both my cousin, Paula, and myself believe that we have located a marriage record for William in the Ontario Marriages on 8 Jan 1912.

This would have been prior to his divorce from Bessie.  
Here is the record we found.

Marriage record for William W. Lindsay and Sarah Fearnley - 8 Jan 1912

I have created a red box around identifying items on this record.  I have indicated with a red star items in conflict with what we know.

List of identifying items:
Name – William W. Lindsay
Place of Birth – Mich. (William W. Lindsay was born in Scotland)
Nationality – Amer. (this could be true as he applied for citizenship)
Bachelor or Widower – W (indicating he is a widower, which he isn’t)
Age 49
Religious denomination – Pres.
Name in full of Father – Wm. Lindsay
Rank or profession of Father – Machinist
Name and maiden name of Mother – Mary Wallace
Status in #5 on this form – Widower (again, he is not a widower)

NOTE: It seemed to be a Lindsay family tradition, in some cases, to go over to Canada from Detroit to get married.  But, it seems that was only the tradition if the marriage was somehow questionable.  Two of William’s daughters, Bessie and Marie were married in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.  One listed herself as a spinster, when she wasn’t, and we believe the other one was pregnant at the time of her marriage in 1912.

I have tried to locate any other record with William & Sarah in it and I am unable to.

William’s ex-wife, Bessie, died on 11 Jul 1914 in Detroit.  Her cause of death was carcinoma of the jaw.  She was 49 years old.
 
The last record I have for William when he was living, is the 1930 census.  He is living with his daughter, Bessie and her family at 9416 Burnett in Detroit, Michigan.  He is listed as a widower.

William died on 23 Apr 1931 in Detroit.  His cause of death was Cerebral hemorrhage.  He is buried in Woodmere Cemetery in Detroit along with other Lindsay family members.  

His ex-wife Bessie is buried at Grand Lawn Cemetery with her daughter Marie Lindsay Gould and other Gould family members.

Here is his death certificate.  This was provided to me by the State of Michigan and was the best copy they could offer.

Death certificate for William W. Lindsay - 1931

I have an obituary and a funeral notice for William Wallace Lindsay.  These were shared with me by my cousin, Marian.
 


There is a memorial on FindAGrave for William, but no photo of his headstone.  My cousin, Marian and I have been to Woodmere Cemetery to the Lindsay section.  At that time we could not locate a headstone.  I later learned that it was buried 12” down.  A member of the cemetery staff found it.  It has not been photographed.

His cemetery card states that he was buried on 25 Apr 1931 in the South Lake Section, Lot 16.  No grave number is listed.

FindAGrave #21178174

My thoughts – I used to hear my grandmother, Marie, William’s daughter, talk about her family.  I don’t remember her talking much about her father.  Why?  Was there a lot of bitterness after he divorced Bessie?  William had at least 8 grandchildren, most of whom were in Detroit, including my father.  Why is he not seen in any of our family photos?  I’d like to know more, but maybe I never will.

If you are connected to this family in any way, I’d love to hear from you.

OTHER POSTS THAT MAY BE OF INTEREST

Breaking Down a Brick Wall - Finding Elizabeth Fitzcharles' Parents - my 10 year search ends

Birth Records with Incorrect Names - What Would You Think?

Happy hunting,

Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2010-2017   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

WEDDING WEDNESDAY–Ortell & Warchol - 1908

LADISLAUS “WALTER” ORTELL & SOPHIE WARCHOL

Walter and Sophie Ortell are the grandparents to my 2nd cousins on the Lindsay side of our family.  Walter & Sophie had 11 children: John, Chester, Helen, Mary, Adolph, Ladislaus, Alois, Henry, Bernice, Anthonia and Eleanore.

Here is a family view from my Legacy database. Please click on image to enlarge it.

My cousins are doing the research on this part of the family.
 
However, if you think you might be related to anyone mentioned here, please contact me and I will get in touch with them.

Happy hunting,

Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2015   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

FUNERAL CARD FRIDAY–BESSIE LINDSAY HOCKSTER

   

Bessie was a colorful lady.  Certainly the documents we have concerning her marriages and the births of her children give evidence of her not being your traditional grandma.

But, it’s the more colorful members of our families that it’s fun to hear about.

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The William & Elizabeth Lindsay family - children are left to right, Ellen, William "Bill", Marie (my grandmother) and Bessie

Relationship to me:  Grandaunt – my paternal grandmother, Marie’s sister.
Born: 11 Nov 1892 in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan to William Wallace Lindsay and Elizabeth “Bessie” Fitzcharles.  She had two sisters, Ellen & Marie and one brother, William.
Married first to William Bryant Curry on 11 Sep 1911 in Windsor, Essex, Ontario, Canada.  They divorced 14 Oct 1915.  William Bryant Curry died at Camp Taylor in Kentucky while serving during World War I.  He was a victim of the 1918 influenza.

Marriage record for William B. Curry and Bessie Lindsay, 11 Sep 1911

Married second to Stewart Frances Hockster on 19 Jul 1913 in Windsor, Essex, Ontario, Canada.  

Marriage record for Stewart Hockster & Bessie Lindsay, 19 Jul 1913

Yes, the marriage to Stewart Hockster took place before the divorce from William B. Curry.  Also of note, is that Bessie is listed as a "spinster" meaning never been married.  We know that's not exactly true because she was married to William B. Curry in 1911.  Interesting what we find out when we do our research.

Children born to Bessie:

• A son, Everett William Hockster born 21 Sep 1910 in Michigan, died 9 May 1985 in Farmington Hills, Michigan.  He married Mary Sophie Ortell.
• A son, Oliver G. who was adopted by a family named Cline.  Oliver was born 23 Jun 1912 and died 10 Aug 1977 in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
• A daughter, Ellen Marie born 14 Nov 1914 in Michigan, died 9 Jun 1990 in Los Angeles, California.  She married Robert Boice McConnell.
• A son, Stewart Hockster, Jr. who was born 1 Jan 1917 in Michigan and died just 10 days later on 11 Jan 1917 in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan.

Stewart Hockster & Bessie - the young man standing is her son, Everett and the little girl is their daughter, Ellen.

Bessie & her family lived in Detroit, Michigan.  

Stewart Hockster and Bessie were divorced in 1935.  Bessie never remarried.  

Stories from her granddaughters say that she was very social and enjoyed dating and having a good time.

Bessie had 9 grandchildren and lived to be 78 years old.  She died on 28 Oct 1971 from “pulmonary embolus.”

Bessie is buried at Grand Lawn Cemetery in Detroit, Michigan.  When one of her granddaughters went to the cemetery in recent years, she found there was no headstone for Bessie.  Her granddaughter ordered one and it is now placed on the site.  She is buried with her sisters, Marie & Ellen and several other family members.  



I wish I would have gotten to know my grand aunt Bessie.  I know I met her when I was young, but I don’t remember her.  Fortunately, I have reconnected with her granddaughters and am very close to one of them.  I’m thankful for that.

Tell me about some colorful characters in your family.  Either by leaving a comment or writing about it in your blog.

OTHER POSTS THAT MAY ALSO BE OF INTEREST


BREAKING DOWN BRICK WALLS - FINDING ELIZABETH FITZCHARLES LINDSAY'S PARENTS

LOTS OF NEW LINDSAY INFORMATION

LEGACY 8 SEARCH FUNCTION - WHAT CAN YOU FIND? FEATURING RICHARD LINDSAY

Happy hunting,

Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2014   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

WEDDING WEDNESDAY–Things are not always what they seem….or what they say

When we evaluate records we know that we have to take all evidence we find and combine it with other evidence in order to come to a conclusion.  

We also know that our ancestors weren’t always truthful when they gave information to be entered on forms or when they talked to enumerators.  

Here is a perfect example.

Bessie Lindsay is my Grandaunt on my paternal side.  She was my grandmother’s younger sister.  She married William Bryant Curry, Jr. on 11 Sep 1911 in Windsor, Essex, Ontario, Canada.  Her status on the marriage record is listed as spinster (what we now call single).

MARRIAGE OF BESSIE LINDSAY TO WILLIAM CURRY - 1911

Now look at her marriage to Stewart Frances Hockster on 19 Jul 1913 in Windsor, Essex, Ontario, Canada.  

MARRIAGE OF ELIZABETH AKA BESSIE LINDSAY TO STEWART HOCKSTER - 1913

What is her status listed as?  Spinster.  Not divorced or widowed.

And her name is listed as?  Lindsay….not Curry.

We learned that Bessie did divorce her first husband, William Curry and gained full custody of their minor child.  

Why did Bessie aka Elizabeth say she was a spinster when she appeared before the magistrate for the second marriage?  Was it because back in those days it wasn’t considered desirable to be a divorced woman?  This is not the first incident of this kind that I have found in my family.  Or was there another reason?  We may never know.

TIP:  Always look at all the details on any document.  Never believe everything you see on any document.  With good research techniques you can combine evidence and come to a solid conclusion.

Other posts you may be interested in:
WHERE WERE THEY MARRIED WEDNESDAY?  

Happy hunting,

Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2014   Diane Gould Hall