Missing Ancestor Report - UPDATE

Female ancestors are hard enough to trace when you only have their married name and their maiden name is unknown.  Typically in those cases you look to obituaries, death certificates, marriage licenses, and census records (hopefully their is an in-law living in the home).  But, my situation is different.  I’d call it unique, but I’m sure, while I feel alone in this, there are many that have also come across a situation or two like mine.

BACKGROUND

My Great Grandparents Walter Cleveland LINDSEY and Marguerite Ethel LEARN divorced in April 1919.  They had four children: Mary, age 11; Walter, age 10; William (Bill), age 9 and Maretta, age 6.  Theirs was not an easy “Mayberry” childhood.  They lived in rural central Pennsylvania and their economic status was very lean.  While I only once met my Great Grandmother, Marguerite, before her death, I grew up hearing my Grandfather’s stories of his tough childhood.  The two older children – Mary and Walter were, as my Grandfather described it, “farmed out” to neighboring farms to live, work and earn their keep – room and board.  And, the two youngest – Bill and Maretta – were relinquished to the care of the Children’s Home of York and York County.¹    The children were never re-united with their parents.  Mary and Walter continued working the farms earning their room and board until adulthood.  Bill lived in the Children’s Home until the age of 18 and Maretta was adopted by Milton Henry and Katherine Elizabeth Bailey of Shrewsbury, York, Pennsylvania, sometime shortly after she was placed in the care of the children’s home.

In 2013 I '”reported” the disappearance of my Grand Aunt, Mary LINDSEY, and posted this Missing Ancestor Report. Recently some new, albeit scant tantalizing clues have come in, so I’m filing posting this update.

Click to enlarge

My unique challenge in 2013 was, and now, is:

• Where did Mary go?
• Did Mary marry?
• Was Mary married more than once?
• Did Mary have children?

These challenges make the “traditional” search for female ancestors, well, challenging, and it’s why, back in 2013, I embarked on a different and somewhat unique approach and filed posted a Missing Ancestor Report asking the genealogy community for help in finding Mary.
In the past month, as I mentioned, new tantalizing clues were discovered . . .

• Maretta’s Grandson, Michael, an Ancestry subscriber uploaded a photo of Mary dated [. . .mber] 18, 1926

Written on the back of this photo appears the following information:  Mary’s name. Once as Mary LINDSEY, age 18.  Once as Miss Mary LINDSEY, Machincsburg (sic), PA.  And, written next is what I believe the mailing address [201 6th] . . . "[Miff . . .].  “I was born July 10, 1913” is also written on the back.

The writing appears to have been written by three different hands.  Having nothing more to go on, at this point, other than these scant clues written on the back of this photo and my own knowledge and research of the LINDSEY family, I believe the following.

__ Mary sent the photo of herself and the return address, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, is hers

__That Mary was sending her photo to someone by the name of “Maryf. . .” who resides in “[Miff. . .],” Pennsylvania.

Based on my research, I know that the LINDSEY family predominately lived in York and Cumberland counties throughout their lives.  During the specific time period of interest, for this research, Mary and her brother Walter were in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania; working and living on separate farms.  The family, the Crones, that Mary lived with during the 1920’s continued to live in Cumberland County until their deaths in 1957 and 1965.

The mailing address, "[Miff . . .]” could be Upper Mifflin, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.  Or, it could be Mifflinville, Columbia County, Pennsylvania.  The corner of the photo is torn, as you’ll see, so I have nothing more to go on right now other than my “geni senses” and my knowledge of the family.  My “geni senses” have me leaning fairly strongly in the direction of Upper Mifflin.  Why?  Mary grew up and lived, since the age of 12, in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, strongly “suggesting” that whoever she was sending her photograph to was residing in nearby Upper Mifflin.  While Mary had maternal family living in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, I think it unlikely that she was sending any of them her photograph.  Mary and her siblings are not known to have ever connected with their mother’s family.  However, because she did have family in Columbia County, Mifflinville, cannot be ruled out.

The birthdate mentioned, July 10, 1913, is Mary’s sister, Maretta LINDSEY’s birthdate.  It is unknown by her Grandson, Michael, how Maretta came to have this photo in her possession.

FAN Research

One of my favorite research strategies is Family/Friends, Associates, and Neighbors (FAN) research.  Often when an ancestor is elusive or goes missing, it is helpful to research all known family, friends, associates and neighbors, as often,your missing person didn’t go far afield from them.  Keeping that in mind and now using these recent clues, I set out to see what I could learn about the Crone family that Mary lived with in 1920.

US Federal Census Records

__ In the 1920 Census²,Emanuel Crone and his family are living in Upper Allen Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.  Emanuel is aged 42; Minnie, his wife, aged 43; Laura, their daughter, aged 21 and Chester Lancaster, their Grandson, aged 8.  Emanuel is a manager of a local fruit farm.

__ In the 1930 Census³, Emanuel Crone and his family are living in Upper Allen, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.  Emanuel is aged 52; Maria, his wife, aged 53; and Chester Lancaster, their Grandson, aged 19; Rhoda E Smith, aged 13, is listed as a servant and Chester M Weaver, aged 24, is listed as a sibling to the Head-of-Household. Laura Crone and Mary LINDSEY aren’t listed.  Emanuel is a local fruit farmer.

__ In the 1940 Census⁴, Emanuel Crone and his family are still living in Upper Allen Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.  Emanuel, aged 62; Maria, aged 63; and Rhoda E Smith, aged 23 and now recorded as the Crone’s foster child.  Their Grandson, Chester Lancaster and Chester M Weaver aren’t listed.  Emanuel is a local farmer.

Note: Curious about the name “Minnie” recorded in the 1920 census and the name “Maria” recorded in the 1930 and 1940 census, I GOOGLED and learned that “Minnie” is traditionally a nickname for Mary.  And, “Maria” is the Latinised form of the name “Mary.”

Death Certificates

__ I next learned that Emanuel and Maria’s daughter Laura Crone married Paul Moyer Sipe and that Laura died young, aged 28.  Paul, Laura’s husband, was the informant for her death certificate⁵ and he indicated that he lived at RD #3, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.  The Death certificate provides the place of death as Cumberland County, Upper Allen Township.

__ Emanuel Crone died in October 1957.⁶  Maria was the informant and she provides her current address as RD #3, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.  The death certificate provides the deceased’s usual residence as Pennsylvania, Cumberland County, Upper Allen Township, Mechanicsburg, RD #3

__ Maria Crone died December 1965.  Lulu May Klinedinst was the informant and provides her current address as RD #3 Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.  The death certificate provides the deceased’s mailing address as RD #3, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

Note:  Emanuel and Maria’s Grandson, Chester Lancaster, married into the Klinedinst family.

Knowing that my Grandfather – having formed a bond -  kept in touch with the farming family he lived with, worked for and alongside, well after he came of age, married and started a family of his own, I suspect; I’m hoping, that Mary too formed a bond with the Crones.  Working with that as my hypothesis, I strongly believe a case can be made that Mary continued to live with, or near, the Crones at least until 1926.  The recent photo uploaded to Ancestry was dated “. . .mber” 18, 1926 with “Mechanicsburg” written on the reverse. I strongly believe that Mechanicsburg is Mary’s return address.  My research, as presented above, shows that Emanuel and Maria Crone, their daughter Laura Crone and her husband, and their Grandson, Chester Lancaster, all reside in Mechanicsburg and still continued to do so long after Mary turned 18 in 1926.

Circumstantial?  Yes.  But, right now, it is what I have to work with.

The search continues . . .

City Directories

Unfortunately, US City Directories for Upper Allen Township, Cumberland County; Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County; and Upper Mifflin, Cumberland County are not online at Ancestry, Find My Past, or FamilySearch for the 1900’s.

I took a look at the FamilySearch.org’s online catalog and found the following reference:

• Hauck’s Centennial Directory of the Borough of Mechanicsburg (Cumberland County, PA); Film #6045222

This collection is on microfilm and only available to view at a local Family History Center.  However, due to the FamilySearch digitization project, I believe that I will now have to wait until that project is complete and the directory is made available online.  So, no help there.  I did search both the Internet Archive and GOOGLE Books websites for the centennial directory with no luck.

I’ve taken a look at the Cumberland County Historical Society Website to see if they had city directories in their collection.  I did not see them listed, I do however still want to call their research department to be sure that I didn’t miss something.  The Cumberland County Public Library has in their catalog the “Guide to 1930 Pennsylvania City and County Directories.”  I need to contact the Librarian to learn more.  I am hoping to find City Directories for 1925 – 1927 for Cumberland County  in the hopes of perhaps finding Mary.

The problem is, I don’t know if Mary married.  In 1926 she was 18 and it would not be uncommon for her to have married and started a family.  But, I just don’t know.  IF she married, I have no chance of finding her in the city directories, as I don’t know what her married name would be.

Mary could have, at the age of 18, continued to live with the Crone family. IF so, I’m guessing it isn’t likely they she will be listed in the city directory under her full name Mary LINDSEY.  So again, the likelihood of my finding Mary is, well, unlikely.

However, Mary could have set out on her own and still be living in Mechanicsburg near the family she grew up with.  And, perhaps, thought of Emanuel and Minnie as parental figures and their daughter, Laura, and Grandson, Chester, as siblings.  If this is the case, it might be possible that she is listed in the city directories under her name . . . Mary LINDSEY

Lastly, I posted a query to the Cumberland County PA Genealogy Facebook Group, 10 August 2019, inquiring if any were aware of where else I might look for the Hauck’s Centennial Directory?  Or, for Cumberland County city directories for the 1925 – 1927 timeframe?  As of this date, I have not received any reply or suggestions.  Unfortunately it doesn’t appear that this group is very active, the most recent post before mine is dated 22 May 2019.

Year Books

The recently discovered photograph of Mary at age 18, looks like it could be a school photo – senior photo . . . maybe?  I GOOGLED Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania High Schools and learned that there are two.  Mechanicsburg Area Senior High School, also referred to as Mechanicsburg Hight School, and Cumberland Valley High School.  WiKipedia tells me that the Mechanicsburg Area Senior High School serves several communities, including the boroughs of Mechanicsburg and Shiremanstown, Upper Allen Township and the villages of Grantham and Bowmansdale.  The School was founded and held its first commencement in 1875.⁷

I looked at E-Yearbook.com, a subscription site, to see what they might have for the Mechanicsburg Area Senior High School.  While they do have yearbooks online for the school, sadly they do not have one for the mid-1920’s.  In fact, the only yearbook they have online for the 1920’s is, the 1920 yearbook

I also looked at Classmates.com.  While they have a handful of Mechanicsburg High School yearbooks online, they, like E-Yearbook.com only have the 1920 yearbook available to view.

My next steps are to contact the Mechanicsburg High School; the Mechanicsburg, public library and/or the genealogical or historical societies to see if they may have yearbooks for the 1924 – 1926 timeframe.  I don’t want to restrict myself to 1926; I don’t want to miss “snaring” Mary in my “geni net.”

Newspapers

Next up?  I’ve looked at the following newspaper websites Newspapers.com; genealogybank.com and Chronicling America.  I did not find an obituary for Laura Crone Sipe.  But, did locate a very brief death notice.  Unfortunately it did not mention surviving family members nor any persons who may have been in attendance at her funeral.  No mention of Mary.

I was unsuccessful in finding an obituary, death notice or funeral announcement for Emanuel Crone who died in 1957.

I did find the following mention of Mr. and Mrs. Emanuel Crone in the Harrisburg Evening News:

• 17 October 1941 – Barbara Kay Lancaster, daughter of Chester Lancaster celebrates her first birthday

The birthday announcement notes that Barbara is the great-granddaughter of Emanuel Crone of Mechanicsburg, RD #3.

Note: this is the same address listed for both Laura Crone Sipe and Emanuel Crone on their  1926 and 1957 death certificates.

Photographs

As I noted in the 2013 Missing Ancestor Report my Grandfather had three photographs of Mary.

1. Photo with the 35 Andrew Street, South Beach, Staten Island, New York (undated)
2. Photo dated 21 April 1946 and simply labeled “Mary”
3. Photo labeled “Mary” (undated)

With these photos and the new photo that Michael, the Grandson of Mary’s sister, Maretta, uploaded to Ancestry, I’ve created a “photo line-up,” if you will.  While asking if these could be all of the same person is subjective, I’m wondering about your thoughts.

Note: photo #4 used with Michael's permission

Here is the line up; I’ve included the reverse side of each photo and the shared thoughts of a geni friend.

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Such tantalizing clues. 

1. The likelihood that Mary LINDSEY was living in Mechanicsburg with or near the Crone family she grew up with 
2. Photo of Mary at 18 (1926) sent from Mechanicsburg to “Maryf . . .” in “Miff. . .” – Mifflin, most likely.  Perhaps a school – graduation – photo?
3. Photograph of Mary a few years later with her address, 35 Andrew Street, South beach, Staten Island, New York, written in my Grandmother’s hand on the back.  My Grandmother simply labeled the photo “Mary LINDSEY”

But, Mary is still missing.  While I follow up on these tantalizing leads, hoping to locate city directories and high school yearbooks for the 1924 – 1926 timeframe, I file post this Missing Ancestor Report (UPDATE), in the hopes that someone with information on the “whereabouts” of Mary LINDSEY will see it.  

IF YOU KNOW “where” Mary is or have any information that can help the investigation research, please contact me immediately.

If you are a Crone descendant and have information about about Mary; if you went to school with Mary and have any information that may lead to the discovery of what became of her; or, if you are a descendant of Mary LINDSEY, I’d LOVE to hear from you!!!!!

I also welcome comments, thoughts, suggestions, or information from anyone in the genealogy community – anything that may ultimately help re-unite Mary Telthia LINDSEY’s leaf with her family tree.

Tracy

Copyright © 2019 Family Preserves; Tracy L Meyers

__________________________________________

SOURCES

¹ 1920 US Census, York County, Pennsylvania, population schedule, York & York County, enumeration district (ED) 120, sheet 17, house 300, William G Lindsey; NARA microfilm publication T625

² 1920 US Census, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, population schedule, Upper Allen Township, enumeration district (ED) 43, sheet 42B, dwelling 42, family 42, Mary Lindsey; NARA microfilm publication T625

³ 1930 US Census, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, population schedule, Upper Allen Township, enumeration district (ED) 21-49, sheet 10A, dwelling 224, family 236, Emanuel Crone; NARA microfilm publication T626

⁴ 1940 US Census, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, population schedule, Upper Allen Township, enumeration district (ED) 21-58, sheet 9B, house 174, Emanuel Crone; NARA microfilm publication T627

⁵ Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Health, death certificate no. 68615 (1926), Laura Catherine Crone Sipe; Bureau of Vital Statistics

⁶ Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Health, death certificate no. 117814 (1965), Maria T Crone; Vital Statistics

⁷Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Health, death certificate no. 89504 (1957), Emanuel Crone; Division of Vital Statistics

⁸ Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mechanicsbug_Area_Senior_High_School)

⁹  Mary Lindsey Photograph, . . .mber 18, 1926, unidentified photographer; privately held by Michael, 2019, personal collection

Lost (3) and Found (2)

BACKGROUND
Walter Cleveland LINDSEY and Marguerite (aka Margaret) Ethel Learn were united in marriage¹ in the bride’s home, Nescopeck, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.² 



Between 1908 and 1913 the LINDSEY family grew to include four children.  Mary, born 2 January 1908³; Walter Galloway, born 2 December 1909⁴; William Gordon, born 5 November 1910⁵; and Maretta Grace, born 10 July 1913⁶.



By 1919 Walter and Margaret were divorced⁷ and by 1920 the children were scattered.  Mary working for room and board on a farm located in Upper Allen, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania and owned by Emmanuel Crone⁸. And, Walter G, working for room and board on a farm located in Cumberland, Adams County, Pennsylvania and owned by Beard O Sharretts. ⁹



The younger children . . . William G was placed in the York County Children’s Home located off of Clark Avenue and Home Alley, York, Pennsylvania.¹⁰

What became of Maretta Grace?


LOST (3)
What became of Mary, William and Maretta LINDSEY after 1920?


FOUND (2)
Since 2003, I have been a user and subscriber of ancestry.com; my family tree is public, which pays dividends in ‘cousin bait.’  And, my LINDSEY research has benefitted. 
In November 2014 I received, via Member Connect, on ancestry.com, a message from a fellow user . . .


“Maretta Grace Lindsey, born 10 July 1913, was adopted by the Bailey’s.  Maretta G Bailey shows up in the 1930 Federal Census.  Then Maretta G Bailey married my Grandfather on my maternal side, Ralph Sylvester Ziegler.  Together they had my mother [name omitted for privacy] (still living) who married my father [name omitted for privacy].  My mother told me about her Uncle Bill that was a truck driver for Lakeshore Motor Freight out of Newark, NJ.  If you need more information contact [email omitted for privacy].”


Yes!  Clues!  The email mentioned “Uncle Bill,”  I couldn’t get so lucky that Uncle Bill, was my Grand Uncle William (Bil) Gordon LINDSEY, could I?  The first thing I did was to reply and thank the user for contacting me and sharing the information they had on Maretta G LINDSEY. 

This user provided information, gave sufficient enough clues on Maretta that I felt I could follow up on, but, I was most curious about the “Uncle Bill” mentioned and if they had any further details.  Was this “Uncle Bill,”  William Gordon LINDSEY?  What further information did they have on him?  What became of him? 


That same day, in November, I received further information on “Uncle Bill” which confirmed that he was both her Uncle and my Grand Uncle, William Gordon LINDSEY.  Yes!  I’d – with the help of a ‘cousin’ – found him!  The information shared . . .


“1920 Census for York County Children’s Home shows William G LINDSEY, 8 years old, which he was born 5 November 1910.  He was really 10 years old.  The last time I saw Uncle Bill was between 1974 – 75 when he drove an 18-wheeler to our farm to see my mother, [name omitted for privacy], and us kids.  He was a driver for Lakeshore Motor Freight.  He had gone to the home when Grandma Maretta was adopted by Milton Henry Bailey and family.  Why did their parents leave them behind?”


The email, as I said, confirmed what I already knew about William (Bill) Gordon LINDSEY and that we were indeed discussing my ancestor.  It also provided some research clues.  He was still living in 1974 – 75, so I’d find him in the 1940 census; question is where?  Pennsylvania?  New Jersey?  He worked for a trucking company, Lakeshore Motor Freight, located in Newark, New Jersey.  Does the company still exist?  If so, do they have personnel records archived?  And, could I obtain a copy of Bill’s file?  He worked out of New Jersey; did he live in New Jersey or commute from nearby Pennsylvania?  Philadelphia?


So, it was off to see what I could find.  Initially I did a global search for William Gordon LINDSEY on both ancestry.com and familysearch.org; wanting to see what hits were returned.  Nothing.  I then shifted from ‘residence’ to a global search for marriage and had several hits that were possibilities.  However, only one, really fit.  And, it was the only one that had William’s middle name (Gordon) spelled out.  I just had a gut feeling; I can’t be the only genealogist that has those visceral reactions can I?  I just knew this was my guy.  But, my gut isn’t proof, so I ordered the marriage license from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  And, waited.


January 2015, the license arrived.  My gut was right, the license was for my guy, William (Bill) Gordon LINDSEY and it confirmed his parents were Walter Cleveland LINDSEY and Margaret E LEARN, my Great Grandparents.  William married Lillian Mae REEVES in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on 3 September 1938.  The license provided his address at the time of his marriage as 1628 N Sydenham Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.¹¹ 


Okay, so Bill was living in Philadelphia in 1938, could he have been in Philadelphia in 1930?  Yes.  According to the 1930 census, Bill was now living with his Mother, Margaret Ethel (LEARN) and her third husband, Robert J HARRIS, at 1816 Camac Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.¹²


By 1940, Bill and Lillian are living with their daughter, Lillian, aged 1, at 1536 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia Pennsylvania.  Bill was employed as a retreder for a tire company.¹³


And then, the trail goes cold.  I have, thus far, been unable to find a military record, death record or obituary for William Gordon LINDSEY.  I recently tried searching for death records for his wife Lillian Mae.  One possible hit; Find-a-Grave.  However, it provides very limited information and no picture of the headstone.  The volunteer who created the memorial provided . . .


Lillian LINDSEY
Birth: Unknown
Death: September 1994
Burial: Rosedale & Rosehill Cemetery, Linden, Union County, New Jersey
Plot: WIN4T – 11 – 16 / SD¹⁴


Not enough information for me to determine if this is Bill’s wife, my Grand Aunt, Lillian Mae or not.  I need to contact the cemetery.  If it is her, she would have been about 75 at the time of her death.  And, too, I am still unsure if William and Lillian ever lived in New Jersey.  My searches in Pennsylvania, however, have come up negative.



Another avenue to pursue is a public tree on ancestry.com.  The user’s surname is REEVES and he does have Bill on his tree, although a date of death is not provided.  And, the spouse and descendants are marked as private.  I am not sure whether this indicates that Lillian Mae is still living?  It’s a possibility, she’d be approximately 96, today.  Or, if the user has his / her reasons for keeping it private.  I need to communicate with the user and see if they are willing to work with me.


Using the death date and location noted on the Find-a-Grave search result, I went to genealogybank.com to see what could be found there.  Negative results.  Google search – two possible candidates, both buried in Pennsylvania - on further inspection, they were not the Lillian LINDSEY I was looking for.  First, both of their birth years were way off and they both were married to someone other than William Gordon LINDSEY.  And, the volunteers who had added these memorials to Find-a-Grave provided pictures of the tombstone, so it was clearly evident that these two Lillian LINDSEYs were not my Lillian.


I next searched fultonhistory.com, with negative results. The search continues. 


So, while I was not able to locate further information on William and Lillian Mae LINDSEY after 1940, I at least have learned that he resided in the York County Children’s home from 1920 until he turned of age, briefly lived with his mother in 1930; married in 1938 and by 1940 had a child, a daughter, and was gainfully employed as a retreder for a tire company and later, according to my ‘cousin’s’ email above, as a truck driver for Lakeshore Motor Freight out of Newark, New Jersey.  I know too, that in the intervening years, he located his baby sister Maretta LINDSEY Bailey Ziegler, and had a relationship with her and her family.  All good!


Being of a curious nature, I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall when Bill and his mother reconnected in 1930.   I don’t imagine that it could have been an easy reunion, after all, she had, I presume, given up her parental rights when she, placed him in the children’s home.  I wonder if they stayed in contact with each other for the remainder of her life?  His mother, my Great Grandmother, passed away in 1972.



My search for what became of Bill and his family after 1940 will continue.


Since receiving the initial email about Maretta Grace LINDSEY, I have, using the information about her adoption by the BAILEYs, been able to learn more. . .


Maretta Grace LINDSEY, according to both the email above and subsequent confirmation from her daughter, [name omitted for privacy]. was adopted in 1920 by Milton Henry BAILEY and his wife, Katherine Elizabeth.  Maretta Grace was 6. 


By 1932 Maretta was married to Ralph Sylvester ZIEGLER and had a son.  The family, by 1940, were living in Shrewsbury, York County, Pennsylvania with their two children.¹⁵   She and her family, along with her adoptive parents, Milton and Katherine BAILEY and her in-laws, the ZIEGLERs, were members of the Bethlehem Steltz Reformed Church, Glen Rock, York County, Pennsylvania.  Maretta was a choir member and in 1968 was employed by the church; this information is documented by her application (SS-5) for her Social Security Card.¹⁶



Maretta’s husband, Ralph, passed away circa 1969 and was followed by Maretta, 10 August 1982.¹⁷  Both are buried in the cemetery at the Bethlehem Steltz Reformed Church, Glen Rock, York County, Pennsylvania.¹⁸


While researching Maretta’s life, I wrote a letter to the Bethlehem Steltz Reformed Church.  I cannot say enough about the very helpful, courteous, warm and friendly folks there.  Immediately after receiving my letter Stuart, Jane and others went to work trying to honor my request for information and possibly a photograph.  And, an additional blessing, Maretta’s daughter phoned and she and I had a lovely conversation.  Both the church and Maretta’s daughter have sent a photo of Maretta in the choir and a photo of Maretta and her family (ZIEGLER) that had been previously published in their church directory. 



I cannot thank the church and Maretta’s daughter enough for receiving a request from a distant relative, yet complete stranger, and being gracious enough to not only honor the request but to be so open to contacting me and sharing some of Maretta’s life and history with me.
That leaves Mary.  Two years ago I took a bit of unique approach to trying to find Mary by publishing a Missing Ancestor Report.  That post continues to attract attention; exactly what it was designed to do.  And, every now and then, I repost it on a genealogy facebook page, in the hopes that a reader will see it and perhaps be able to offer a tip or better yet a clue.


One such clue recently came in . . .


A member of the Staten Island NY Genealogy (Richmond County NY) Facebook Group sent me a private message . . .


“Lindsey Mary
Apr 08
1905 127
Richmond
Found this marriage information for a Mary. The 127 is the record number. Not sure if this helps”


Yes!  That looks promising.  The Name, Surname, year of Birth were at ‘first blush’ accurate; the month and day were off.  Mary was actually born 2 January 1908.  I quickly emailed my research collaborator back and asked how she had found Mary?  Where did she find Mary?  . . .



”I looked on Italian genealogy.org  It shows this MARY MARRIED A FRANK J HILL. I'm still searching for you. Sadly it didn't mention parents but maybe searching frank might help? I love to have records as proof as my rule of thumb three records or more. Anyhow let me dig a bit more see if anything comes along:)”


Italiangenealogy.org?  I had heard of this site; my understanding was that it was a site that was exclusively geared toward New York City and its five boroughs.  Being geographically challenged and not being from New York, I never realized that Staten Island, Richmond County, was part of New York City and its five boroughs.  I know, I know. Lesson learned . . . the hard way!


So promising was this clue, I excitedly phoned a genea buddy in California and told her that we’d found Mary!  And, the next morning, I went online to find the appropriate form – Italiangenealogy.org, had it on their site – to complete and mail in to request a copy of the marriage license.  And, then . . .



While filling out the form, I suddenly and disappointedly realized this was NOT my Mary.  The year of the license wasn’t included in the initial information I was sent, but prior to filling out the form, I had searched for Mary on Italiangenealogy.org and learned that the marriage took place in 1920.  Back to filling out the form, and that’s when it sunk in . . . 1920?  Nope, that couldn’t be my Mary.  My Mary LINDSEY was 12 in 1920.  And as noted above, she was living on a farm earning her room and board in Upper Allen, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.  Drats!  She is still lost!


The search for Mary continues.  My hope is, if you are reading this post, you will also take a few moments to read the Missing Ancestor Report and if anyone has information on Mary please contact me.  Contact information can be found under the Surnames and Location Tab at the top of this page.  Or, leave a comment here.  And, I of course, welcome any suggestions, tips and tricks, that might aid my in finding Mary.


Two leaves restored; returned to the LINDSEY branches of the family tree.  I’ll continue to search for Mary’s ‘leaf,’ in the quest to bring four siblings together. 


Tracy

____________________________________________________________
Sources:
¹Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/KHFF-YYT : accessed 4 March 2015), Walter L Lindsey and Margaret E Miller, 30 Jan 1907; citing Marriage, Pennsylvania, county courthouses, Pennsylvania; FHL microfilm 2,260,850.


²The Democratic Sentinel. http://apa3.olivesoftware.com/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib:LowLevelEntityToSaveGifMSIE_BLOOMSBURGD&Type=text/html&Locale=english-skin-custom&Path=DES/1907/02/05&ChunkNum=-


³Ancestry.com, 1910 United States Federal Census (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006.Original data - Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910 (NARA microfilm publication T624, 1,178 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Was), Ancestry.com, http://www.Ancestry.com, Year: 1910; Census Place: York Ward 1, York, Pennsylvania; Roll: T624_1435; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 0114; Image: 50; FHL microfilm: 1375448. Birth date:  1908
Birth place:  Pennsylvania
Residence date:  1910
Residence place:  York Ward 1, York, Pennsylvania. http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=1910uscenindex&h=123204164&ti=0&indiv=try&gss=pt.


⁴York, York, Pennsylvania, Birth Certificate, No. 28822, File No. 189736, Registered No. 1032, 2 December 1909, Walter G LINDSEY; Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Health Vital Statistics.


⁵Cindy Lobach, York, Pennsylvania to Tracy Meyers, e-mail, 25 June 2012, LINDSEY Family Information, LINDSEY Binder. William Gordon LINDSEY, born 5 November 1910, baptized 24 March 1911., Baptismal Records; privately held by Cindy Lobach, York, Pennsylvania.


⁶Cindy Lobach, York, Pennsylvania to Tracy Meyers, e-mail, 25 June 2012, LINDSEY Family Information, LINDSEY Binder. Maretta Grace LINDSEY, born 10 July 1913, Baptized 14 June 1914, Baptismal Records; privately held by Cindy Lobach, York, Pennsylvania.


⁷York, Pennsylvania, Protonotary Court Files, Protonotary 93, April 1919 Docket Entry, scanned copy. 3 March 1919 Walter C LINDSEY vs Margaret E Lindsey, reference divorce from Margaret Ethel LEARN.


⁸Ancestry.com, 1920 United States Federal Census (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.Original data - Fourteenth Census of the United States, 1920. (NARA microfilm publication T625, 2076 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Reco), Ancestry.com, http://www.Ancestry.com, Year: 1920; Census Place: Upper Allen, Cumberland, Pennsylvania; Roll: T625_1557; Page: 2B; Enumeration District: 43; Image: 533.


⁹Ancestry.com, 1920 United States Federal Census (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.Original data - Fourteenth Census of the United States, 1920. (NARA microfilm publication T625, 2076 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Reco), Ancestry.com, http://www.Ancestry.com, Year: 1920; Census Place: Cumberland, Adams, Pennsylvania; Roll: T625_1507; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 9; Image: 200.


¹⁰Ancestry.com, 1920 United States Federal Census (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.Original data - Fourteenth Census of the United States, 1920. (NARA microfilm publication T625, 2076 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Reco), Ancestry.com, http://www.Ancestry.com, Year: 1920; Census Place: York Ward 2, York, Pennsylvania; Roll: T625_1669; Page: 17A; Enumeration District: 120; Image: 220.


¹¹Marriage Indexes, License Number:  694566    "Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Marriage Indexes, 1885-1951," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-11754-82532-88?cc=1388247 : accessed 25 December 2014), 1917-1938 > L > image 154 of 245; citi. Proves that Margaret Ethel LEARN and Walter Cleveland LINDSEY are William (Bill) G LINDSEY's parents


¹²Ancestry.com, 1930 United States Federal Census (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2002.Original data - United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1930. T626,), Ancestry.com, http://www.Ancestry.com, Year: 1930; Census Place: Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Roll: 2116; Page: 10A; Enumeration District: 0721; Image: 111.0; FHL microfilm: 2341850


¹³Ancestry.com, 1940 United States Federal Census (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.Original data - United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1940. T627), Ancestry.com, http://www.Ancestry.com, Year: 1940; Census Place: Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Roll: T627_3694; Page: 2B; Enumeration District: 51-222.


¹⁴Ancestry.com. U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012, Original data: Find A Grave. Find A Grave. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi.


¹⁵Ancestry.com, 1940 United States Federal Census (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.Original data - United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1940. T627), Ancestry.com, http://www.Ancestry.com, Year: 1940; Census Place: Shrewsbury, York, Pennsylvania; Roll: T627_3644; Page: 6B; Enumeration District: 67-83.


¹⁶Ancestry.com, Social Security Death Index (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010.Original data - Social Security Administration. Social Security Death Index, Master File. Social Security Administration.Original data: Social Security Administration. Social Security D), Ancestry.com, http://www.Ancestry.com, Number: 183-44-9305; Issue State: Pennsylvania; Issue Date: 1968-1969


¹⁷Ancestry.com, U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current (Provo, UT, USA, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012), Ancestry.com, http://www.Ancestry.com.


Ancestry.com, Social Security Death Index (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010.Original data - Social Security Administration. Social Security Death Index, Master File. Social Security Administration.Original data: Social Security Administration. Social Security D), Ancestry.com, http://www.Ancestry.com, Number: 183-44-9305; Issue State: Pennsylvania; Issue Date: 1968-1969


¹⁸Bethlehem Steltz Reformed Church (EPC), Alphabetical Listing of Internments, Database, Bethlehem Steltz Reformed Church (EPC) (http://www.bethlehemsteltz.org/cemetery : accessed 7 March 2015), database entry for Maretta Grace Ziegler (1913 – 1982).