FUNERAL CARD FRIDAY ~ Gordon Charles Hall (1917-1966)

 

This is the front of the funeral card for Gordon

As I continue to go through my office after our move to Montana, I keep running across ancestor items I haven’t seen before.  That’s a good thing because now I can save them and hopefully pass them down to descendants.

My recent finds were 2 funeral cards from Ron’s side of the family. 

Today I will share his father’s card.

I can never bring myself to share a funeral card or other death record without sharing something about the person who died.

Here is a short biography:

Gordon Charles Hall was born 29 Jul 1917 in San Diego, San Diego Co., California.  He was the youngest of 3 children born to Charles Schuyler Hall and Daisy Fern Bright.  He was also the only child born in California.  His older siblings, Dorothy Louise Hall, born 1905 and Robert Walton Hall, born 1907, were both born in Pennsylvania.  In 1913 Charles moved with his wife and 2 children to San Diego. Gordon came along four years later. 

Gordon attended San Diego High School and San Diego State College. As a young man Gordon worked at a gas station.  This would have been in the 1940’s when they still pumped our gas.

In May 1945 Gordon enlisted in the Army and was honorably discharged in Nov 1946. 

On 22 Aug 1948 he married Dorothy Beatrice Fink in Lynwood, Los Angeles, California.  By 1950, according to the census Gordon was working as a Field Representative for Pacific Finance Corp. and living at 4339 35^th St. in San Diego, with his wife and infant son.

Gordon was very proud of his son, an only child. He participated in his son’s school and extracurricular activities. 

Sadly, on 12 Jan 1966, Gordon died suddenly while at work.  The cause of death was listed as a massive heart attack. He was only 48 yrs. old.

This left his wife, Dorothy a widow with a 15 yr old son. They managed with the help of family and friends. Dorothy worked at the old Sears on Cleveland Ave. in San Diego, at the candy counter.

Gordon is fondly remembered by his son and many other family members.

Here are some other posts I’ve written about this family that may be of interest:

WEDDING WEDNESDAY ~ Gordon Hall & Dorothy Fink Brown

ANCESTORS IN THE NEWS ~ Gordon Charles Hall – my father-in-law, makes news in high school – San Diego, CA-1935

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 ©  2010-2024   Diane Gould Hall
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

 

JEREMIAH HALL house built 1727 in Wrentham, Colonial Massachusetts

Jeremiah Hall home built in 1727
Located at 588 Franklin St. in Wrentham, Massachusetts

I’m always happy when I am contacted by someone who has read my blog posts and either wants to share information or has questions.  Afterall, it’s really why we write our blogs. 

In this case a woman named Jody contacted me and said she lived in a house built by my husband’s 5^th great grandfather, Capt. Jeremiah Hall (1697 – 1789)

Here is what she said and she attached a photo of the house.

 “Hi Diane - I stumbled across your ancestry blog and wanted to reach out. My family recently moved into the house Jeremiah Hall built in Wrentham, MA and it is such a stunning home with lots of rich history. I would love to connect and share info”.

Of course I emailed her right away and said I’d love to have anything she is willing to share, and would be willing to share whatever I have that would be helpful to her. How do I even thank her for this kind gesture?

BACKGROUND

This house was built in 1727.  The new owner, Jody, doesn’t know the family history, but has some documents that might tell us more about the origin of this home.

Jody sent me this information: “According to deeds pertaining to 588 Franklin St., Wrentham, Massachusetts, Benjamin Hall was a husbandman (Farmer) and one of the first selectmen of Wrentham in 1713. Benjamin married Sarah, and their son Jeremiah was born May 23, 1697. He was a Miller. Benjamin deeded land to Jeremiah in 1721. Benjamin died in Aug 1726.  The house was built in 1727.”

Here is the plaque that hangs by the front door of the house

That information matches the family history I have as to Jeremiah Hall being the son of Benjamin Hall and Sarah Fisher.

I have 5 Benjamin Halls in my database, all from Massachusetts and all from the 17^th & 18^th century.  I believe I have them sorted out as to who is connected to whom.

Additionally, I have 7 Jeremiah Halls in my database.  Again,  all from Massachusetts in the 17^th & 18^th century.

When I first began researching my husband, Ron’s family, I had quite a time figuring out who was who.

Here is the descendancy from the original Hall immigrant, Edward (7^th great grandfather) down to my husband.

 Edward HALL (abt 1611-1670) m Esther THAYER (abt 1619-abt 1674)

Benjamin Hall, Sr. (1668-1726) m Sarah FISHER (1668-1751)

Capt. Jeremiah Hall (1697-1789) m Dorothy HILL (1698-1753)

Jesse Hall (1734-1808) m Achsah CLARK (1735-1808)

Cornelius Clark Hall (1776-1815) m Elizabeth CONICK (1783-1859)

Rev. George Hall (1804-1878) m Almira ROSETTE (1806-1858)

Thomas C. Hall (1845-1897) m Cora BROWN (1854-1933)

Charles Schuyler Hall (1878-1953) m Daisy BRIGHT (1882-1953)

Gordon C. Hall (1917-1966) m Dorothy FINK (1913-1993)

My husband Ron

Next week I will share photos of the inside of this lovely colonial home.

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

 

CORA'S SCRAPBOOK ~ Charles & Daisy Hall move their family to San Diego in 1913 - Cora also went with them

Today’s entry from Cora’s Scrapbook is a newspaper article about Charles, Daisy and their daughter and son moving from Tarentum, Pennsylvania to San Diego, California.  Cora, who is Charles’ mother, moved with them.

Here is the newspaper article.  You can see how yellowed that original page from the scrapbook is.  I cropped out the articles and display them below the original page.

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Transcription - St. Barnabas Church Parish hall on Fourth avenue was the scene of a very pleasant affair last evening, when the people of the parish gathered for a farewell reception to Mr. and Mrs. Charles S. Hall and Mrs. Cora Hall.  The reception was very informal and everyone enjoyed the evening. Mr. Hall has been a lay-reader in the parish for the whole of his stay in this vicinity, a matter of _____effecient service in assisting the different rectors at the regular services and taking the full order of services during interims between rectors and vacation periods. Mr. Hall has also been the director of the Brotherhood of Saint Andrew for eight years. He was also church organist and secretary of the Sunday School. Impromptu speeches were made by T.N. Gummert, C.F. Colls, Mrs. C.L. Leydic and the Rev. H. G. Bulsch, all appreciative of the long and faithful service of Mr. Hall. In token of their love and good wishes the parish gave to Mr. Hall a sterling set of knives, forks and spoons, made by Gorham. The parish wishes him Godspeed and prays that he may be the recipient of God's blessing in whatsoever he may do.  St. Barnabas' loss is the gain of whatsoever parish in the city of San Diego, California Mr. Hall may connect himself.

I am always curious as to how two people meet.  I wish I had the story for my own grandparents and how they met.  In this case I wonder how Charles, from Saratoga Springs, New York met Daisy Bright, who was born and raised in Tarentum, Pennsylvania.  The distance between the two cities in 489.6 miles 

In 1900 Charles was a Bookkeeper for a railroad, still living in Saratoga Springs.  The couple married three years later, in Oct 1903. 

Their daughter, Dorothy Louise Hall was born 2 Jun 1905 in Pennsylvania.  Their son, Robert Walton Hall, Sr. was born 7 Jun 1907 in Tarentum, Allegheny, Pennsylvania. 

Charles worked as an Assistant Superintendent for a Steel Work company according to the 1910 census.  Daisy was a homemaker, and Charles’ mother, Cora (the author of our scrapbook) was living with the family.  She had been widowed in 1897.

What prompted Charles & Daisy to pick up their household and family and move all the way to the west coast?  I know that Cora’s brother Albert Walton Brown moved to San Diego from Saratoga Springs.  Did he precede them?

NOTE: My question prompted me to go and look for city directories from San Diego for the years 1913 onward.

I always love it when I am writing a blog post and a question I have prompts me to dig further.  In this case I was rewarded for my efforts.

As it turns out Cora’s brother, Albert W. Brown is listed in the San Diego city directory in 1912 and 1913 and forward.  So, he DID precede Charles & Daisy & family to San Diego.

In fact, in viewing the 1913 San Diego directory I see Charles working at the same company as Albert Brown.  And another interesting fact – they are working for a company called Hazard-Gould & Co.  Gould as you know, being my maiden name.  Charles is listed as a Dept. Mgr. and Albert is listed as an Elev Opr.

On the left is the directory listing for Albert W. Brown (Cora's brother) and on the right is Chas S. Hall - you can see they are working for the same company

By 1914 Charles, his family, his mother, Cora and his Uncle Albert (reminds me of a Beatles song) are all living together at 1813 Altura Place.

I have taught a couple of classes about blogging. I always tell people that blogging can make us better researchers.  Or, at the very least lead us to new information about our ancestors.  When we are preparing a blog post we want to present the most thorough information possible.  This is not the first time that a blog post has encouraged me to dig deeper.

There are many more items in Cora’s scrapbook, so stay tuned.

To read all my previous posts from Cora – please click here Cora’s Scrapbook.

If you have any information to add to this post or are connected with any of those mentioned here, 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

 

 

TOMBSTONE TUESDAY ~ My husband’s grandparents–Charles S. Hall (1878-1953) and Daisy F. Bright (1882-1953)

Charles Schuyler Hall born 5 Mar 1878 in Saratoga Springs Co., New York to parents Thomas Cornelius HALL and Cora E. BROWN.  He was the only known child born to this couple.  He married Daisy Fern BRIGHT born 19 Apr 1882 in Tarentum, Allegheny, Pennsylvania on 15 Oct 1903.  They were married in her birth place as that was where the Hall family had moved to from New York.

Daisy was born to Ellmer Bright & Malissa HUNT.  She was the only surviving child of 3 born to this couple.  By the age of 10, Daisy had lost her twin (died at birth), a younger sister, and both parents.  You can read her story here Surname Saturday – Who was Daisy Bright?

Charles Hall & his wife Daisy had 3 children, 2 boys and a girl; Dorothy Louise, Robert Walton and Gordon Charles (my husband’s father). 

Charles died on 25 Mar 1953 in San Diego, San Diego Co., California.  He had just turned 75.  Had he lived just 7 more months, he and Daisy would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

Daisy, sadly, died just 7 months after Charles, on 23 Oct 1953, at the age of 71.

I imagine it was a sad time for their 3 children, extended family and friends.

Charles and Daisy are buried together at Mt. Hope Cemetery in San Diego, California.  My husband and I have been to their gravesites to visit them.

You may visit their memorials here – Charles #31821717 and Daisy #31837077

OTHER POSTS THAT MAY BE OF INTEREST

Appropriately for upcoming July 4th holiday here’s a previous post that mentions the Hall family

DR. JEREMIAH HALL WRITES TO GEORGE WASHINGTON ~ Celebrating Our Founding Fathers

CIVIL WAR PENSION FILE ~ Cora E. Hall widow of Thomas C. Hall ~ What gems does it contain?

Happy hunting,
Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2010-2019   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

HOW DNA LED ME TO CHANGE MY HUSBAND'S DIRECT LINE

I consider myself a novice when it comes to DNA.  Although I've taken many classes and seminars, I still have a lot to learn. I'm getting there......slowly.

One of the most Aha! moments I've had came when I was looking at my husband's DNA on GedMatch.   This was the number one match on his One to Many list.

(CLICK ON ANY IMAGE TO ENLARGE IT)

This match has a total cM of 75.6 with a 3.8 MRCA (most recent common ancestor).  That would mean the match is at about the 3rd cousin level, sharing 2nd great grandparents.  Other possibilities are 3rd cousin once removed or even 3rd cousin twice removed.  For any of those it would mean sharing 2nd great grandparents.

The exciting thing was that I noticed there is a Gedcom associated with this match.  That means I can go into the Gedcom and try to find those 2nd great grandparents and see if I can locate the match.  

NOTE: When I click on the GED link a screen comes up with "Individual Detail Display"  This gives me some information on the specific match, but not what I'm looking for.  So, I always click on "Pedigree." 

This pedigree is pretty full, which is exciting.  I count back from the point person to the level of 2nd great grandparents.  I browse down that level in the pedigree chart to see if I recognize any names.  BINGO!  There is a surname I immediately recognize as being associated with my husband's line, CUPPS.  And the location in Pennsylvania also fits.

I immediately go to my Legacy database and find the only Cupps entry I have, which happens to be the first wife of my husband's 2nd GREAT GRANDFATHER.  Now that's exciting as it is in line with what the shared DNA indicated.  

I didn't even know that my husband's 2nd great grandfather, William W. Bright (1835-1916) had a first wife until I received his Civil War pension file.  I only knew about his second wife, Mary Jane Flynn, which is whom I thought my husband descended from, based on dates and other records.  
Mmmmm..........could I be wrong?  I'm certainly anxious to find out.  

Was my husband's great grandfather, Ellmer E. Bright the son of Mary Jane Flynn or Catherine Cupps?

I set out on a research mission to find out all I could about the CUPPS names listed in that Gedcom file that was a match to my husband's DNA. 

The first thing I did was try to find the 2nd great grandparents listed on that Gedcom in GedMatch, Henry Cupps and Catherine Strauss.   I went over to Ancestry.com, where my husband's DNA is located.  I immediately found a public tree with the same pedigree as the one on GedMatch.

There are Henry Cupps and Catherine Strauss and two of their children, Sarah and Catherine.  

That, of course, isn't good enough for me, but it's surely a strong indication.  

I located Henry Cupps and his wife Catherine in the 1850 census and guess who two of the children were......that's right, Sarah and Catherine Cupps.  Further proof. 

Next, I began reviewing the dates of marriages for William W. Bright and his two wives and the dates of death of both women.

We all know that prior to about 1900 anything is possible.  You may or may not find records.  A strong indicator of when William's first wife Catherine Cupps died is in his Civil War pension file. In his deposition he states that she died "during the war."  That puts her death between 1861 and 1865.  Also in the pension file is the date of the marriage of William to Catherine Cupps, 1853 in Sharpsburg, Allegheny, Pennsylvania.  Further reading in the pension file gives her death date of August 1862.  Also listed in that pension file are the names and years of birth of all of William's children from both marriages, including Ellmer E. Bright (my husband's direct line), who is said to have been born in 1861.  I had a year of birth for him of 1859.  Either way, he was born prior to Catherine Cupps death and prior to William marrying his second wife in Feb 1864.

I have more research to do to bring out all the details for this family.  

CONCLUSION:  

• First of all, I didn't look closely enough at the Civil War pension file.  I read though it a couple of times and caught, what I thought, were most of the details. 
• I didn't consider or look closely enough at the years of birth for all six children born to William W. Bright.   I don't have a death certificate or register of death, but I do have an obituary and a probate record for Ellmer.  The obituary gives his age at death of 29 years and 5 months.  Given his date of death that would indicate he was born in November 1859.
• This family was one of the very first I worked on back in 2003-2004.  Not an excuse, but certainly a reason for all of us to review ALL of our work.
• I have officially changed my husband's direct line and now have Catherine Cupps as his 2nd great grandmother instead of Mary Jane Flynn.  

This has been a LOT of fun and really points out the value of our DNA tests.  Not only that, but making sure your DNA is uploaded to every possible site.  
This match showed up as the first hit on GedMatch.
On Ancestry it is buried several pages down with the 4th - 6th cousin matches.

I have yet to check on MyHeritage and FtDNA where my husband's test is also uploaded.

Have you had similar experiences?  Are you using your DNA matches to verify or disprove your paper trail?  

OTHER POSTS THAT MAY BE OF INTEREST 
AMANUENSIS MONDAY - The Last Will & Testament of Ellmer E. Bright

SURNAME SATURDAY - Who Was Daisy Bright? (my husband's grandmother) 

If you are connected with the families mentioned here, I would love to hear from you.

Happy hunting,

Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2010-2017   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

SUNDAY’S OBITUARY ~ ELMER E. BRIGHT and his wife MALISSA HUNT–1889 & 1892 - Week #4

Elmer/Elmer E. Bright and his wife, Malissa Hunt are my husband’s great grandparents on his paternal side.  They are two of the first people I researched when I began this ancestor hunt nearly 15 years ago.  They were the parents of 3 children, one was a twin who died at birth, another was a little girl who lived to 10 months and the third was the other twin, Daisy Bright, who thankfully grew to adulthood and became my husband’s grandmother.  I’ve written Daisy’s story and you can read it here Surname Saturday – Who Was Daisy Bright?

Elmer E. Bright did at age 29 of Consumption (Tuberculosis).  Malissa, his wife, died a little over 3 years later of “possible heart failure.”  These events and the death of those two siblings left Daisy an orphan at the age of 9.

Here are the transcriptions of the obituaries:

DIED – BRIGHT – On Wednesday, April 24 at 6:40 a.m., Elmer E. Bright, aged 29 years and 5 months.
Funeral from his late residence, Breckenridge Ave., Tarentum, Pa., TO-DAY at 2 p.m.  Friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend.

DIED – BRIGHT – On Tuesday, February 16, 1892, at 8:30 p.m., Mrs. Melissa, relic of the late Elmer Bright, aged 30 years, suddenly of heart disease.
Funeral from her late residence, Brackenridge Avenue, Tarentum, Friday, February 19, at 10 a.m.

It doesn’t say much in the obituaries, but Elmer was survived by his parents and several siblings.  Malissa was survived by 3 siblings.

I plan to visit their graves and many other locations around Allegheny County, PA this fall.

Happy hunting,

Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2010-2017   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION