FRIDAY FINDS ~ The image for my Granduncle William Lindsay's marriage to Gertrude Watson in 1912

Finding my granduncle’s marriage record to his first wife.

Whether these items were missed by you, the researcher, or came online after your last search, it pays to keep going back.

That’s just what I did for my granduncle, William Lindsay’s marriage record to his first wife Gertrude Mae Watson.

I had located his other 3 marriage records, but not this one.  I had a note that the image “was not available” in the dataset I checked back in 2013.  I did find the index for it though.

To read about William’s other marriages WEDDING WEDNESDAY ~ William “Bill” Lindsay & his many wives–the story of my Granduncle Bill

Here is the marriage index I downloaded in 2013.

You can click on any image to enlarge it

Today, I checked that same dataset on Ancestry.com – Ontario Marriages, 1869-1927, and located the image I'd been wanting to see.

As we all know, it’s always better to see an original image, than just to rely on a transcription/index.  Mistakes can and are made and interpretations can vary.

Did I learn anything new from seeing this image? Yes! 

  Here is what the index didn’t tell me…

• Places of birth for both William & Gertrude – U.S. for both

• Their nationality – Scottish for him and Canadian for her

• Religious denomination – Protestant for him and Methodist for her

• Residence for each – Detroit, Michigan

• Occupation of their fathers – Machinist for William’s and deceased for Gertrude’s.  That’s a big clue about her father.

• Names & addresses of witnesses

• That he was a Bachelor and she a Spinster (meaning both were previously unmarried)

• That they were not being married in Windsor for any purpose of evasion or other improper purposes.

• The name of the person solemnizing the marriage – not very readable on this document.

That is a LOT of missing information when compared to the index.

Do those additional items help me to be certain I have the correct couple?  Absolutely! 

There is a noticeable error on both the index and the actual document.  That is the maiden name of William’s mother.  It is listed as Fitzgerald and should be Fitzcharles.  Did William speak with a Scottish accent, since both his parents were born & raised in Scotland?  Was he misunderstood or was he simply misheard?

All together with my research, I can confidently conclude that this is my William’s marriage record.

I’m very glad to have this original document in my database now. 

Have you gone back & located items that were not available to you earlier? I’d love to hear about them.

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

 

ANCESTORS IN THE NEWS ~ Richard Lindsay to become Grand Patriarch of the Odd Fellows organization - 1914

Another in my series of news articles about my paternal great granduncle, Richard Lindsay (1862-1927).

Here are the other blog posts written about Richard Lindsay, so far.  My blogging has taken a hit during this Covid-19 situation.  It’s been difficult to focus and do any research or writing.  Instead, I’ve been cleaning and organizing various areas in my house. Have any of you found it difficult to conduct your research as well?  Or, have you been able to do more?

ANCESTORS IN THE NEWS ~ Will a sprig of heather from South Africa bring victory to Richard Lindsay at the polls?

FOLLOW UP FRIDAY ~ Did my great granduncle, Richard Lindsay, win that election I wrote about last month?

This particular news article is about a meeting of the Odd Fellows organization.  The meeting took place in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan in May 1914.

I wondered what exactly was the Odd Fellows?  Are they similar to Masons?  I know that Richard Lindsay belonged to both organizations, as mentioned in other articles about him and his obituary.

I used our friend Goggle and found this Wikipedia explanation of the Odd Fellow organization.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odd_Fellows  The answer to my question about them being the same as the Masons would be, they are similar organizations.

Here is the full page of the article which includes photos.  Richard Lindsay being second from the left.

Here is a transcription of the portion of the article about Richard Lindsay.  He was slated to become the Grand Patriarch.

“Reward Detroit Man – There is but little doubt of the re-election of Richard Lindsay, of Detroit to the highest office in the state organization, that of grand patriarch, to succeed Thomas Conlin of Crystal Falls, the present incumbent.  The election of the grand high priest to grand patriarch follows in the natural order of advancement of officers, this being the system adopted by the Grand Encampment in the election of its officers.  Mr. Lindsay is the present grand high priest.  He is a member of Western Lodge of Detroit, one of the strongest in the state.  He is a past grand of that lodge and past chief patriarch of Enterprise Encampment of Detroit.”

Did you have ancestors who belonged to organizations such as these?  I have many in my family who were members of Masonic Lodges and one family involved in Canadian Order of Foresters and Companions of Foresters, among others.

Happy hunting,

Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2010-2020   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

FOLLOW UP FRIDAY ~ Did my great granduncle, Richard Lindsay, win that election I wrote about last month?

Last month I wrote about my paternal great granduncle, Richard Lindsay, receiving a sprig of heather from a family member in South Africa.  This was to wish him good luck in his bid to win an election to City Clerk in the City of Detroit.  You can read that post here ANCESTORS IN THE NEWS ~ Will a sprig of heather from South Africa bring victory to Richard Lindsay at the polls?

Did he win?  Yes!

Detroit Free Press, 7 Nov 1912, page 1

This article from the Detroit Free Press lists election results for Mayor and City Clerk of the City of Detroit.

CITY CLERK

(162 Precincts)

Lindsay (Rep)………………………….27,205

Nichols (Pro)…………………………..17,327

Henderson (Dem)……………………..16,029

Transcription of the last paragraph in the article:

Another surprise came in the “whopping” run of Lindsay, for clerk.  He led City Clerk Nichols by 10,000 and Henderson, Democratic by 11,009.  Nichols drew more than twice as many votes as Earle and yet was behind his victorious opponent by a figure almost as large as that by which Marx defeated Thompson in the mayoralty race. Thus doth the busy voter wield the ax.

Did that sprig of heather from South Africa play a part in Mr. Lindsay’s victory?  We’ll never know.

Richard was still the City Clerk when he was enumerated in the 1920 census.

 

To read more about this interesting family member please read this post 52 ANCESTORS in 52 WEEKS ~ Post #1 - Meet Richard Lindsay (1862-1937) , my paternal great granduncle–He was City Clerk, Estimator at Large and temporary Mayor of Detroit

Please get in touch with me if you have any questions or are related to anyone mentioned in this post.

Happy hunting,

Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2010-2020   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

ANCESTORS IN THE NEWS ~ Will a sprig of heather from South Africa bring victory to Richard Lindsay at the polls?

I will be writing a series of posts about my paternal great granduncle, Richard “Dick” Lindsay, throughout the year.  I heard a lot about him growing up, as we spent a lot of time with my grandmother, Marie W. Lindsay Gould, who was his niece.

To see my first post you can click here.

This article appeared in the Detroit Free Press on 10 Oct 1912.  It concerned by great granduncle’s run for City Clerk in Detroit.  He received an envelope containing a sprig of white heather.   White heather is considered a talisman of luck to a Scotchman.  The lucky heather had been sent, along with a note from his nephew.

HERE’S THE ARTICLE

Detroit Free Press, 10 Oct 1912, page 16

Here is my transcription

PERHAPS IT WILL BRING HIM VICTORY AT POLLS

Richard Lindsay Receives White Heather in Detroit from nephew in South Africa

Richard Lindsay, the Republican candidate for city clerk, is pretty certain that a letter he received Wednesday from Cape Town, South Africa, contained the limit in surprises.

When he opened the envelope something dropped out which Dick was surprised to find was a genuine white heather.

To the Scotchman, white heather is as great a talisman of luck as finding a horseshoe and along with the silent message it conveyed from that most unexpected corner of the world was a brief note from a nephew of Lindsay informaing him that he had just read a copy of The Detroit Free Press for which he paid 25 cents at Cape Town, informing him of the result of the August primaries in Detroit.

Did the heather bring Uncle Dick the victory? Stay tuned.

Who was the nephew in South Africa?  Seems I have research to conduct.

Stay tuned throughout the year as I continue to write about my Great Granduncle, Richard Lindsay, known to family as Uncle Dick.

OTHER POSTS THAT MAY BE OF INTEREST

THOSE PLACES THURSDAY ~ Woodmere Cemetery, Detroit, Wayne, Michigan - the Lindsays

Happy hunting,

Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2010-2020   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

52 ANCESTORS in 52 WEEKS ~ Post #1 - Meet Richard Lindsay (1862-1937) , my paternal great granduncle–He was City Clerk, Estimator at Large and temporary Mayor of Detroit

I will be writing a series of posts about my paternal great granduncle, Richard “Dick” Lindsay, throughout the year.  I heard a lot about him growing up, as we spent a lot of time with my grandmother, Marie W. Lindsay Gould, who was his niece.

Richard Lindsay at his desk - unknown year

Background – Richard Lindsay is the son of William Lindsay (abt 1830-1898) and Mary Wallace (abt 1832-1895).  He was born in Dundee, Forfarshire, Scotland, the youngest of 6 children.  He began working in the printing industry while living in Dundee. 

According to the records I’ve located Richard came to the United States in 1885 on the ship Circassia.  From that point on, he is found living in Detroit, Michigan.

 

He continued working in the printing industry, finding employment at the Detroit Free Press, according to the 1890 Detroit City Directory.

By 1893 he was elected to the office of Estimator at Large for the City of Detroit.  Five years later, in 1898,  he was appointed as the Clerk of the Justice Court for Detroit. It appears that he held that job until 1912.

In Nov 1912 he was elected as City Clerk for Detroit.  This article was published regarding his election to this office.  Richard would have been 50 years old at the time of this election.

Richard Lindsay elected as City Clerk - Detroit Free Press, Nov 1912

Here is my transcription of the article.

LINDSAY AND INGALLS A CHANGE FOR THE BETTER
The election of Richard Lindsay insures for the city of Detroit a business-like and careful administration of the city clerk's office, a thing the municipality has not possessed in several years.  Under the Nichols incumbency the office, so far as its chief is concerned, has been little more than a political headquarters for the hatching of plots to build up machines.  The real work for which the city created it has been left to a few clerks.
Though Mr. Lindsay has held public office for a good many years, he never has been a politician in the objectionable sense of the word, and his election at this time is largely a tribute to his personal popularity and a recognition of the fact that he appears to belive it his duty to give value received for any remuneration acquired in the public service.
In selecting Guy L. Ingalls for his deputy clerk, Mr. Lindsay begins well.  It is a matter of record that Ingalls as a journal clerk under Nichols took charge of practically all the office routine during the months in which the city clerk and his deputy were running here and there, chasing after the Bull Moose rainbow, and that whatever efficiency the office developed was chiefly due to Ingalls' willingness to do hard work.

There is every reason to expect that Lindsay and Ingalls will be honest and conscientious and capable public officials, who will devote their best energies to making their place of trust a credit to Detroit and themselves.

My great granduncle went on to serve the City of Detroit, in various capacaties, until shortly before his death in 1937.

 

I find no record of him every marrying or having children.  I do find that he and his older sister, Elizabeth (she was five years older than him) were enumerated in every census from 1900, until her death in 1931.  She also never married.

Of the six siblings in Richard’s family 4 of them made new lives in America, all settling in Detroit, Michigan. 

• Robert Lindsay, Sr (1852-1911) appears to be the first to immigrate, in 1875.  He became a Detroit city Firefighter.  It’s through his line that I’m connected to one of my cousins, Marian, whom I’m close to.
• Mary Ann Lindsay (abt 1853 – ?)  I don’t know what became of Mary Ann after the 1871 census where she is enumerated with her family, in Dundee.
• John Lindsay (abt 1856 – ?) He married Catherine Milne Oct 1879 and they had four children.  However, I’ve not been able to find his death record.  I believe John did come to the U.S. in 1886 and is recorded in the 1887 and 1888 Detroit City Directory listing.  After that, I have no idea.  I did find his wife and children, back in Scotland by 1891.
• Elizabeth Lindsay (1857-1931), spinster sister who lived with Richard.  They came to the U.S. in 1886.
• William Wallace Lindsay (1859-1931) came to American on the ship State of Indiana in 1886.  His, soon to be, wife, Elizabeth “Bessie” Fitzcharles was on the same ship.  They married in Detroit, one month after their arrival.  They are my great grandparents.

Because of his active involvement in the City of Detroit, there are many newspaper articles featuring or mentioning my great granduncle Richard Lindsay.  I will be writing about them this year.

I’m very grateful to be friends with Lindsay cousins and other descendants from this family.  Several of us are genealogists and we share what we find with each other.  That's me standing in the back in this cousin reunion photo.

Stay tuned to learn more about my interesting great granduncle.

OTHER POSTS THAT MAY BE OF INTEREST

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

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

Happy hunting,

Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2010-2020   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

FRIDAY FINDS ~ The obituaries for both sons of my Granduncle, William “Bill” Lindsay–Let’s talk about William Allen Lindsay and Robert Richard Lindsay

My grandmother, Marie Wallace Lindsay had 3 known siblings; Ellen W. Lindsay (1887-1927), Bessie Lindsay (1892-1971) and William “Bill” Lindsay (1894-1976).  There was probably another sibling, based on census and divorce records stating there were 5 children in the family.  However, I’ve only ever found names of 4. Those four are the children of William Wallace Lindsay and Elizabeth Fitzcharles.

I’ve written a lot about my Lindsay family because it’s my paternal grandmother’s line and because I keep finding more information.

Today let’s concentrate on my Granduncle, Bill Lindsay’s two sons.

 

William Allen Lindsay and Robert Richard Lindsay were Uncle Bills’ sons by the 2nd of his four wives, Vera Violet Allen.  They married in 1919 and divorced in 1928.

 

I never heard any talk about these nephews of my grandmother.  Perhaps I was too young to listen to anything being said, or perhaps, after the divorce when the children were young, they never saw them again? I do know that Vera & the boys moved to Massachusetts, from Detroit, and it appears that’s where the two boys stayed.

 

I’m proud to say that these young men, William & Robert are my 1st cousins, once removed.  Both of them served during World War II.  I found this out when I located their obituaries on newspapers.com just a couple of days ago.

Here is my transcription of Robert Richard Lindsay’s obituary, published in The Berkshire Eagle 22 Feb 2000, page 8

Robert R. Lindsay, 73, World War II veteran
LEE, BERKSHIRE Co., MA - Mr. Robert R. Lindsay, 73, of 197 East Center St. died yesterday at Berkshire Medical Center. 
Born in Athol on Sep 30, 1926, son of William and Vera Allen Lindsay, he moved to Lee at the age of 12 and attended local schools including Lee High. 
He served in the Army during World War II. 
After his military service, Mr. Lindsay was employed by GE for more than 40 years. He retired in 1988. 
He was a communicant of St. Mary;s Church. 
His wife, the former Helen M. Vecchia, whom he married Nov 14, 1953, died Jan 27, 1995. 
He leaves two sons, Richard R. Lindsay of Lee and Scott W. Lindsay of Greenville, SC.; two brothers, William Lindsay and Lawrence Aiken, both of Pittsfield, and two grandchildren.  

FUNERAL NOTICE - Included survivors are his loving grandchildren, Zachary R. and Alexander J. Lindsay, and devoted daughter-in-law, Carla Lindsay, all of Lee.  The funeral will be Thursday at 11:15 from KELLY FUNERAL HOME in Lee, with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at noon at St. Mary's Church celebrated by the Rev. David M. Darcy, associate pastor.  Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery. Visiting hours at the funeral home will be Wednesday from 4 to 7.  In lieu of flowers, friends wishing may make donations to St. Mary's School Library in care of Kelly Funeral Home, 3 Main st., Lee, MA 01238.

Here is my transcription of William Allen Lindsay’s obituary – published in The Berkshire Eagle, 10 May 2002, page 10

William A. Lindsay, 77, World War II veteran
PITTSFIELD - William A. Lindsay, 77 of 11 Wahcohan Heights died Thursday at the Center for Optimum Care, where he had resided since Jun 2000.
Born in Detroit on Oct. 31, 1924, son of William and Vera Allen Lindsay, he attended schools in Lee and Waltham.
An Army veteran of World War II, he was assigned to the 343rd Military Police Escort Guard Company.
He was employed as a truck driver by Berkshire Gravel for 30 years and retired in 1973.  Previously, he had worked for the William and Newton construction companies.
Mr. Lindsay was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 448 and a 15 year volunteer at the Neighborhood Health Center.  He was a citizens band radio oerator and enjoyed country western music.
He and his wife, the former Edith A. Sidebottom Plude, would have celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary May 29.
Besides his wife, he leaves a stepson, William L. Plude of Pittsfield; two stepdaughters, Sheila M. Groat and Kathleen J. Farrar, both of Pittsfield; a brother, Lawrence Aiken of Pittsfield, 10 grandchilden and 11 great grandchildren.

FUNERAL NOTICE - The funeral for William Allen Lindsay, who died Thursday, May 9, 2002, will be Saturday, May 11 at 10 from Dery Funeral Home, with Rev. William D. Furey, pastor of Berkshire Union Chapel, officiating.  Burial will follow in Fairmount Cemetery in Lee.  Calling hours at the funeral home will be Saturday from 9 until the time of the service.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one's choice in care of the funeral home, 54 Bradford St., Pittsfield, MA 01201.

Not only did I learn of the brother’s service in World War II from these obituaries, I also learned they have another brother Laurence Aiken.  Since their mother, Vera, was married to a man named Laurence Aiken, after her divorce from William Lindsay, this must have been their child and he would be a half brother to the two men. More research to do.

If you are related to anyone mentioned in this post, please contact me.  I’m sure there must be cousins out there.  Do any of you have photos of these two men or their families?  I’d love to see them.

OTHER POSTS THAT MAY BE OF INTEREST

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

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks – Week #1 – Vera Violet Allen 1902-1991 – wife of my granduncle

Happy hunting,
Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2010-2019   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

TOMBSTONE TUESDAY ~ Hazen P. Ward and Elizabeth “Lizzie” Lindsay–Woodmere Cemetery, Detroit, Michigan

Elizabeth “Lizzie” Lindsay is my 1st cousin twice removed.  This makes her the granddaughter of my 2nd great grandparents, William Lindsay and Mary Wallace.

I learned more about Lizzie when I connected with my 3rd cousin, Marian.  She is a descendant of Lizzie’s parents Robert Lindsay, Sr. and Catherine “Kittie” Erb.

Elizabeth “Lizzie” Lindsay was born 22 Jun 1893 in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan. She was a twin.  Her twin brother was Robert Lindsay (1893-1977).

Lizzie was married four times.  First to Robert Bruce on 16 Oct 1912, divorced in 1922; 2nd to Thomas A. Bollman on 30 Jul 1923, divorced in 1933; 3rd to Frederick Ollson 26 Sep 1935 who died 21 May 1950 and last to Hazen P. Ward.  I haven’t located the marriage record for Lizzie & Hazen as of this date.

I plan to write a follow up post about Lizzie’s marriages and life.
 
She is buried at Woodmere Cemetery in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan.  Her fourth husband, Hazen P. Ward is buried alongside her.  They are in the South Lake Section, Lot 429, Spaces 7 & 8.  You may visit their memorials here – Hazen #194746445 and Elizabeth “Lizzie” #194746577.

If you are connected to any of the people mentioned in this post, I’d love to hear from you.

Happy hunting,




Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2010-2019   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks–Week #1–Vera Violet Allen 1902-1991–wife of my granduncle

Amy Johnson Crow began this theme several years ago.  Many bloggers participate.  I have tried before and only got to week 9.  My goal this year is to try very hard to get all 52 weeks done.  Wish me luck.  It’s week one and here we go.

Amy supplies us with a word that we can build a theme off of for each week’s post.  We decide how to interpret the words and how we’ll use them.

This week the theme is “first.”

I’ve decided to just make it my “first” post this year.

I thought I would randomly go into my Legacy database and pick the person who has RIN 100.  RIN stands for Record Identification Number.

That person is Vera Violet Allen who was the second of four wives married to my granduncle William “Bill” Lindsay.  I’ve written about his marriages in this post William "Bill" Lindsay & his many wives - the story of my granduncle Bill

What do I know about Vera Violet Allen?

• A birth record from Rockingham, Vermont indicates she was born 16 Feb 1902 to Almon F. Allen & Minnie Luella Fisher¹

• The marriage record for Vera & my granduncle Bill from 23 Sep 1919 in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan gives her parent's name and they match the birth record.²
• In the 1910 census Vera is living with her divorced mother, Minnie Allen and her siblings.
• By 1920 she is living with her husband, William “Bill” Lindsay whom she married on 23 Sep 1919 in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan.  They, in fact, are living with Bill’s sister Marie (my grandmother) and Marie’s husband Harry Gould and my young father who was 7 at the time.
• In about 1927 a son, Robert Lindsay was born in Massachusetts.  I don’t have any details on him at this time.  However, I do have the divorce record for Vera and Bill, filed in Detroit, Michigan and granted on 19 Jul 1928.³ 

• In the 1930 census, Vera is listed as divorced and living in Waltham, Middlesex, Massachusetts with her sister, Christine, brother-in-law, Henry Vear and their young daughter Gwendolyn.  Also in the household is Robert Lindsay age 3 1/2 and William Lindsay, age 5. 
• NOTE: This is why I love blogging.  I taking another look at the divorce record for Vera & Bill, I see that both sons, Robert and William are listed as their children and it gives ages and middle initials for them.  This should help me learn more about those two little boys.  How did I miss those clues before?
• In the 1940 census I have located Vera living with her two sons, William and Robert and a husband, Laurence Aiken.  Laurence died in 1953.
• In the 1960 Berkshire, Massachusetts city directory Vera is listed as Vera Aiken widow of Laurence Aiken.
• I have located a FindAGrave memorial for Vera.  The memorial lists her as Vera Violet Allen Lindsay Aiken Marlow #190733872.
• I haven’t yet located a marriage to anyone named Marlow, but will continue to look.

Good things always come from my blog posts.  I end up doing more research on a particular person or family and the end result is enhanced information, more records and better sourcing.  In this case I was able to find additional information about Vera & Bill Lindsay’s sons, William & Robert.  They married and at least one of them had children.  Perhaps now I can connect with descendants of my granduncle Bill Lindsay?

I’m hoping I can keep up with the 52 Ancestors in 52 weeks theme.  I look forward to sharing even more about mine and my husband’s ancestors with you.
 

Here’s a link to my other 52 Ancestors posts from 2017.


Sources: 1 - State of Vermont. Vermont Vital Records, 1871–1908. New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, Massachusetts.  2 - Michigan Marriage Records, 1867-1952  3 - Michigan Divorce Records, 1897-1952

Happy hunting,
Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2010-2019   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION