This is Chapter Three of Three, being the last chapter in the history of the Caswell / Patton line. Because she carries the family line forward, the initial portion of the chapter will focus on the daughter Sabina Patton. We met her briefly in chapter one, and then she was mentioned in relation to the 1870 and the 1880 censuses.
To Pull Something Out Of Your Hat
This ancestor liked to be called by many names during her lifetime. We have pondered why she changed her name every so often, and believe that perhaps it was her way of creating a solution to whatever was going on in her life at that time. Think of it as her creative way to produce a surprising solution, idea, or success right when you need it most, especially during a hard time. Americans generally understand this idea as — To Pull Something Out Of Your Hat.
We are organizing each portion of her life with this idea, (generally by Census dates), but first we need to do a brief review of where she has been mentioned previously. (1)
The 1870 Census for Cleveland, Ohio
In chapter two, we learned that there were seven children in the Hugh and Margaret Patton home, five of whom are Syloyna Patton’s siblings. Syloyna is the youngest one on this Census, born in November 1869.
As the youngest, she is noted as being 6/12 months old, adnd her birth month is noted on this Census as the previous November 1869. Her name is recorded as Syloyna Patton, but soon she will be known as Sabina. We wonder if that odd spelling could be a colloquial Irish name, or maybe, the Census enumerator was just trying to puzzle it out as he went along?
Her birthdate is recorded as January 8, 1870, but this is likely when the birth registration was completed. Again, as per the June 1870 Federal Census, her actual birthdate is in November 1869. (2)
The 1880 Census for Cleveland, Ohio
Daughter Syloyna, at the age of 10, is now noted as being named Sabina.
“The name Sabina has roots in ancient history and is derived from the Latin word ‘Sabinus,’ which refers to the Sabines, an ancient Italic tribe that lived in the central Apennines of Italy. The Sabines are known for their role in early Roman history. (Ancestry) “Sabina (feminine) used in Ireland. Translates the Irish Saidhbhin, ‘goodness,’ a diminutive of Sadhbh, which is Sive, in English. Derived from the Latin, ‘Sabine woman.’ Also used to Anglicize Sile, a Gaelic form of Cecilia, Sheila.” (Live Journal)
We know from records in chapter two that the family relocated from Cleveland’s Ward 8, to Ward 18 circa 1874. It is in Ward 18 (also known as the Iron Ward), where she spent most of her childhood. (3)
Binia A. Patton and a Marriage in 1888
Sabina married Charles Perry Caswell on December 16, 1888. She had just turned 19 years old, and now she recorded her name as Binia A. Patton. With this marriage the Patton surname gave way to Caswell.
We do not know how they met, but we do know that at the time he married, he was living with his brother John Henry Caswell at 105 Clinton in Cleveland. He was from Jefferson County, New York State. He sometimes also changed his name — now and then he went by the nickname Commodore, and he frequently used his middle name Perry, rather than his first name Charles.
Going from the 1890s forward, we have much new information on Binia.
in Washington, D.C. (Image courtesy of Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness – raogk.org).
The 1890s Census
Unfortunately, the 1890 Census was destroyed by a fire in 1921 at the Commerce Department Building in Washington, D.C. Actually, there was more than one fire, the first one occurring in 1896. First with these fires, then with the further catastrophic damage from the water used to put out the fires, then improper storage of the tatters that remained — the 1890 Census is considered to be utterly lost.
Through the discovery of this record, we learned that Sabina (Patton) Caswell had decided to change her first name from Sabina, to Myrtle. On July 28, 1890, Perry and Myrtle Patton had their first child and named her Edna. She was born at home as they were living at 1444 Pearl Street. The ages of both parents are incorrect: Myrtle was 20, and Perry had just turned 28 (as per his Find-A-Grave file). Edna eventually carries the family line forward.
Sabina’s new first name of Myrtle was a very popular girls name during this period. Comment: We don’t know why she made this abrupt name change, but perhaps she wanted a name that was a bit more fashionable?
“Myrtle has been used as a given name since the late 19th century, particularly in English-speaking countries. It gained popularity during the Victorian era, a time when flower names and nature-inspired names were fashionable among the middle and upper classes. The name Myrtle was often associated with traditional values and femininity, reflecting the social norms of the time. Historically, the name Myrtle saw a peak in popularity in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. According to United States Social Security Administration data, Myrtle was among the top 100 names for girls from the 1880s until the 1920s.’ (Ancestry)
About fourteen months later the family welcomed another child, a boy who they named in honor of his father, C Perry Caswell, Jr*. He was also born at home, but they had moved, and lived at 315 Washington Street.
*Even though this document does not reflect his full name, this son went by both C. Perry Caswell and Commodore Perry Caswell. To avoid confusion, we are adding Jr. when we write about him, because his records are not clear. On the 1910 Census he is recorded with the nickname Commodore P, and his wife used Commodore Perry Caswell on his death certificate.
An odd discrepancy we saw on this record is that both parents are recorded as being born in New York State. Only father Perry was born in New York State; mother Myrtle was born in Cleveland, Ohio. Myrtle must have liked the perceived distinction of New York, because she insisted for much of her life that she was born in New York, when she was really born in Ohio. (4)
The 1900 Census for Cleveland, Ohio
Around 1900, people were both excited and alarmed by all of the technical and cultural change that had been occurring. The world was ripe for both invention and reinvention…
When the new century was arriving, writers gazed into the future and commented. From PBS.org —“Comparing 1900 to 1800, Americans were reminded that at the beginning of the 19th century there were no railroads, telegraphs, steamboats, electricity, kerosene, telephones, reapers, plumbing, or photography. The world had changed more over those 100 years than ever before. And change was happening at such a rate as to make many people uneasy. Historians speak of people being made to feel small in the face of systems that confounded their intelligence. Opinion varied as to what the most beneficial legacy of the 19th century would be.”
Instead of invention, this family got reinvention.
On this 1900 Census, we find these people living in their home on Claremont Street: Myrtle (28*), Edna (9), Perry Jr. (8), Emma Kaufman (26), a boarder. Myrtle is working as a schoolteacher.
*Myrtle is actually 30 years old.
Clearly, husband Perry Sr. is not living in the home. We do not know what happened to this marriage, but Myrtle states that she had been married for 11 years. Since she married Perry Sr. in 1888, that implies that the marriage was finished by 1899 (11 years). She indicates that she is still married, and technically she may still have been. However, we know that Perry was living in Michigan with Edith Whitmarsh.
We also observed that for some reason, she continues to tell people that she was born in New York. As far as we can determine, she had been maintaining this idea in her mind since at least 1891 when Perry Jr. was born. (5)
The 1910 Census for Cleveland, Ohio
There is much to unwrap on this 1910 Census. Myrtle seems to have tired of the name Myrtle, so she now uses the first name of Emma. We do not know why, but we ponder this: 10 years earlier on the 1900 Census, Myrtle had a boarder named Emma Kaufman living with her. (Is this possibly why we see the name Emma in 1910? Did Myrtle take a fancy to this name and was she giving it a trial run?)
Or, was she aggrieved because her husband had remarried in 1908, and she wanted a new identity to show the world? She also reports that she is now a widow. This is odd because Perry was alive and well with a new wife and family in Chicago, Illinois. She was not a widow, BUT A DIVORCEE. (See chapter one.)
‘Emma’ states that her age is 34, but she is actually 40. Her Son Perry Jr. she names as ‘Commodore’ even though he did not use this nickname, and that he is 17, when he is actually 19. She states that she is the mother of 3 children, with 2 now living. (We have not discovered a record for this third child.)
Clinging to an idea, she continues to insist that she was born in New York. Finally, it appears that she is no longer a teacher, but a landlord who runs a boarding house. In 1910, she has five male boarders, and one female boarder. (6)
The 1920 Census for Cleveland, Ohio
Ten years later, our ancestor Syloyna / Sabina / Binia / Myrtle / Emma is remarried, to Orwell Fordham, so now she has two new names. Her first name is now Marie, and her married surname is Fordham, so now she is known as Marie Fordham. When she married Orwell, her married surname of Caswell gave way to the new surname of Fordham. Refreshingly, she admits to being born in Ohio.
Thus, if you were to list her names, they would be like this —
First name: Syloyna, Sabina, Binia, Myrtle, Emma, Marie
Family surnames: Patton, Caswell, Fordham
We do not know how Marie and Orwell met. He is listed in the Cleveland Business Directories in 1912, 1917, and 1920. In 1922, he is listed again and she is listed as Mrs. Marie G. Fordham in the same directory. (We thought her middle name began with an ‘A’ when she was Binia, so we are not sure what that ‘G’ stands for, or if it is a typesetting error made by the business directory people.)
Orwell Seeley Fordham
There is a long history for a man named Orville Seeley Fordham that exists online where he appears to have lived most of his life in New York State. From 1912 until 1917, we wonder if he had a regional office in Cleveland, Ohio when he was employed as a Railway Postal Clerk? Or did he reside in New York State and travel back-and-forth?
1920 to 1923 —
In 1920, Orwell is residing at 7505 Everett Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio, the address that is reconciled to the 1920 Census. In 1922, he is noted as a clerk, who resides at 1639 E 73rd Street, Cleveland, Ohio. At some point Orwell and Marie are divorced. Unfortunately, we have not yet found a marriage record, nor a divorce record. (Records about them are very scarce). By 1923, he is married to another woman, Adah Louise Widdowson, in New York State.
Marie seems to have been a bit of a dreamer, with a rather elastic approach to her reality. By the time of the 1930 Census, she had certainly reinvented herself much throughout her life — from being born as Syloyna A. Patton, to eventually becoming Marie G. Fordham. Her age was whatever she wanted it to be. Her roles in life were daughter, sister, mother, teacher, landlord, and nurse. She insisted right up to the end that she was born in New York, even if it was only a dream. (7)
Sabina / Myrtle / Marie Fordham’s death
Marie died on June 23, 1935, at 65 years of age. On her death certificate, she is noted as divorced, and that her last husband Orwell Fordham, is listed as William Fordham.
The people attached to her obituary are listed as follows —
Mrs. Harris W. Roberts (daughter Edna), Perry Caswell (son), Mrs. William Rhodecker (sister), Mrs. Kate Boyd (sister), Mrs. Helen Douthitt (sister), Jack [John] Patton (brother), Tom Hart (brother) William Patton (brother).
As we know, Marie had two children, her daughter Edna and her son called (Commodore) C. Perry Caswell Jr. Most of the time he was known simply as Perry. We will learn about Perry Jr. first and then circle back to Edna, who carries the family line forward. (8)
Son Perry Jr.’s Military Service in Yvré-l’Évêque, France
As we learned earlier, he was born at home in 1891. In the 1910 Census, at about the age of 19, he is listed as doing clerical work in a private office . Then…By the time, World War One came around…
By the time, World War One came around, Perry enlisted as a Private on June 14, 1917 and was part of Company E of the 329th Infantry. Initially, he was assigned to the Medical Department at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana until August 26, 1917; then transferred to the Medical Department at 323 Field Artillery until March 23, 1918.
He became a Private, First Class October 19, 1917, as part of the American Expeditionary Forces. He sailed June 12, 1918 to France for duty where he was deployed as part of the 83rd Division in the region around Yvré-l’Évêque. This Division was utilized primarily as a depot and training organization — it sorted new troops arriving from America, and sent trained troops to replace casualties in frontline units. Depot division troops could also be assigned to combat positions if its infantry division suffered substantial losses. Privates were stationed in training and staging areas, managing logistics, and area security.
In 1919, the 329th Infantry arrived at the port of New York on February 1, 1919 on the troopship SS Minnekahda and was demobilized on February 15, 1919 at Camp Sherman, Ohio, and then honorably discharged from duty the same day. (See footnotes).
By the 1920 Census, he had changed careers and was no longer a clerk, or a soldier. He was working as a mechanic in theatrical productions, and those connections would change the trajectory of his life. (9)
Perry Caswell Jr.’s Marriage
In the 1920 Census, Perry Jr. was listed as a mechanic in theatrical productions. By the time he married on November 8, 1922, he was listed as a stage carpenter, and then he became an electrician. Perry Jr. worked at the Loew’s State Theater 1519 Euclid Avenue for two years, and also at the RKO-Palace Theater at 1615 Euclid Avenue for 9 years. Both theaters are in downtown Cleveland, Ohio and part of the famous Playhouse Square district.
His wife is named Mildred Frances Bucy and she was part of a theatrical troupe, so that is quite probably how they met. She grew up in Newark, Ohio, so being in Cleveland when it was America’s 6th largest city, and in show business — everything must have seemed like Bright Lights!, Big City!
Her stage name was Mildred Coziene, which to our thinking sounds just slightly exotic and maybe a little bit French. It was the golden age of vaudeville and silent movies, so naturally it was the style to have slightly foreign-sounding, memorable names. We have seen records that she was a stage actress, dancer, and singer.
Mildred would have been very aware of these Hollywood actresses (shown above), all of whom were very popular during this period. Some of them also had exotic names as this provided a mystique to attract movie-goers. A few made a successful transition to ‘talkies’, but some did not, and their fame just faded away. (See footnotes). (10)
Perry Caswell Jr.’s Death
and Mildred (Bucy) Caswell’s Death
About a year after his mother Marie Fordham died, ‘Commodore’ Perry Caswell Jr. died of a heart attack at his residence, which was compounded by bronchial pneumonia. The date was October 31, 1936, and he was 45 years old. (We took note that the nickname ‘Commodore’ was used on his death certificate, but not on his marriage certificate).
Just four years later, on September 10, 1940, his wife Mildred Bucy Caswell died from anemia. She was near her 39th birthday. Neither one of them lived very long lives. (11)
Reintroducing The Roberts Family
Now we return to the Caswell daughter Edna, who as we wrote earlier, carries the family line forward. We met her when she was born in 1890, and then saw her again in the 1900 Census. (The 1890 Census is lost).
Edna did not appear in the 1910 Census with her mother ‘Emma’ or her brother ‘Commodore’ Perry Jr. because on September 28, 1908 she married Harris Williams Roberts in Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio.
We do not know why Toledo was chosen as the location, but it was about the halfway point between Cleveland, Ohio where her mother Marie lived, and Chicago, Illinois where her father Charles Perry Caswell Sr. lived with his new wife Edith Whitmarsh. With this marriage, the Caswell surname gave way to the Roberts surname.
– – – – –
Please note that this map is not quite accurate, because Cleveland is actually located further east.
(Image courtesy of the David Rumsey Map Collection).
Edna could have been living in Toledo, or just visiting, we really have no way of knowing. But, this location seems to support the idea that perhaps she was able to maintain a relationship with her father Perry even after his marriage to her mother Myrtle / Emma / Marie had ended.
It is noteworthy that the 1908 marriage record for Edna and Harris, is only nine days after her father married his new wife. (Observation: Could they have attended each other’s weddings?)
We first met Harris Williams Roberts at the end of The Williams / Harris Line, A Narrative — Twelve, when he was adopted and renamed by Joseph A. Roberts and Augusta (Young) Roberts. His original birth name was Benny H. Williams. (12)
World War One Draft Registration for Harris Williams Roberts
It’s not very often that you learn about some of the physical details of one of your ancestors, but draft registration cards sometimes provide a few clues. In 1918, HWR was considered tall, had dark hair, and blue eyes. At 29 years of age, he was able to claim an exemption from the draft, because he was supporting his wife Edna, his mother Augusta, and three children.
Interestingly, he records that his birthday is August 19, 1888. This date varies by being one year earlier from what was recorded on the 1900 Census (it stated August 1889). However, he is consistent with the 1888 date throughout his life. (13)
The Harris Family Children
Harris Williams Roberts made his living for many years working in the advertising departments for the two local Cleveland newspapers, first at the Plain Dealer, and then later at the Cleveland Press. He must have made a good living because he was able to support a large family, and weather the Great Depression of the 1930s fairly well.
(Please see the footnotes for credits).
They lived in the community of Shaker Heights, Ohio a suburb in Cleveland renowned for its remarkable homes and urban planning. In earlier decades, it had historically been the home of members of the Shaker religious sect, but eventually the group dispersed and released the property for sale. “In 1905, the land was bought by [the real estate developers, the] brothers M.J. and O.P. Van Sweringen who envisioned the first garden styled suburb in Ohio for the site. The brothers constructed homes, set aside land for churches and schools, and planted trees. Originally referred to as Shaker Village, the community was incorporated in 1912 and reached city status in 1931.” (Wikipedia)
The family of Harris Williams Roberts and Edna (Caswell) Roberts is shown in its most complete state with the 1930 Census. Joseph A. Roberts, Harris’ adoptive father was living in the home at that time. (14)
- Harris Williams Roberts (Sr.), August 19, 1888 – April 1968
- Edna (Caswell) Roberts, July 28, 1890 – July 14, 1963
- Joseph A. Roberts, c. March 1850 – March 3, 1930
- Stanley Caswell Roberts, 1910 – July 4, 1964
- Marian Elvira (Roberts) Dougherty Orris, November 7, 1912 – November 9, 1970
- Edna M. Roberts, 1917 – unknown date
- Harris William Roberts (Jr.), January 24, 1919 – September 1, 1985
- Allan Howard Roberts, January 24, 1926 – January 30, 1990
The Departures
In this marriage Edna passed away first, on July 14, 1963, at about 72 years of age. She was followed by her husband, Harris Williams Roberts, who died in April 1968, a few months short of 8o years. He was residing in Tampa, Hillsborough, Florida, at the time of his death. (15)
Merging With The Stars
We feel that all of us, indeed everyone, is here because of the lives of our ancestors, those who came before us. They had dreams, blessings, sacrifices, tragedies, and triumphs. — These deeper histories we all carry, we choose to celebrate them within this blog. The above painting by artist Mia Bergeron is remarkable in the way that it captures this feeling. At the same time it reminds us of those who have departed fairly recently.
A personal note from Thomas, one of the authors of this blog —
We had a brother who passed away in May 2022, and in April 2023, I moved to Lisbon, Portugal with my husband. After a year of acclimating to living in Europe, we went to the St. John Festival in the city of Porto, north of Lisbon.
This event, also known in Portuguese as Festa de São João do Porto, features a celebration reminiscent of the Mia Bergeron painting. I took this 20 second home movie, which features the tradition of lighting a lantern (locally called a balão in Portuguese). Then one lets it ascend — the balão ever so slowly disappears by merging with the stars in the evening sky. In this way, you both honor and release, those who have come and gone before you. (16)
Following are the footnotes for the Primary Source Materials,
Notes, and Observations
(1) — one record
The Free Dictionary
Expression: to pull (something) out of (one’s) hat
https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/pull+out+of+your+hat
Note: For the data.
The 1870 Census for Cleveland, Ohio
(2) — two records
Silhouette artwork(s)
The various black and white portraits created for our ancestor were sourced, and then modified from multiple internet resources.
1870
Hugh Paton
Census – United States, Census, 1870
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M6KL-GLX?lang=en
Ohio, 1870 federal census: population schedules: Cuyahoga. Census 1870 | Cleveland. Census 1870
Book page: 33, Digital page: 57/458, Lines 24 through 30.
Note 1: They are living at 100 Spruce in the 8th Ward.
Note 2: Two individuals, Margaret (age 14), and Bridget (age 11) are recorded in this Census as residing with this family. However, we believe that they are likely related, but not the children of Hugh Patton and Margaret Nicholson.
Note 3: Sabina, as the youngest, is noted as being 6/12 months, additionally, her birth month is noted as the previous November 1869.
1870
Sabina Patten
Birth – Ohio, County Births, 1841-2003
Index to Birth Records: Cuyahoga. Birth Record Indexes 1890–1908 #004016933 > Item 2
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VRM4-MNP?lang=en
Book page: 39, Digital page: 98/345, Entry line 142, near the center of the page.
Note 1: Her birthdate is recorded as January 8, 1870, but this is likely when the birth registration was completed. As per the June 1870 Federal Census, her actual birthdate is in November 1869.
Note 2: Her parents are Hugh Patten and Maggie Nicholson.
The 1880 Census for Cleveland, Ohio
(3) — four records
1880
Margaret Patton
Census – United States, Census, 1880
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M8MS-SWG?lang=en
Book page: 63, Digital page: 781/799, Lines 5 through 10.
Note 1: Hugh has already passed on by the time of this census.
Note 2: The children are: William, Mary, Sabina, Katherine, and John.
Note 3: Every one of their neighbors on Elizabeth Street are Irish.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:F0440_Louvre_JL_David_Sabines_INV3691_rwk.jpg
Ancestry
Meaning of the First Name Sabina
https://www.ancestry.com/first-name-meaning/sabina
Note: For the text explaining the name Sabina.
Live Journal
Celtic Names—S Chapter (Sabia-Sheenagh)
https://larainefan.livejournal.com/4650.html
Note: For the text explaining the name Sabina.
Binia A Patton and a Marriage in 1888
(4) — eight records
C. Perry Caswell [Sr.]
Marriage – Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-2016
#004016938 > Item 1
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939K-BPST-NW?view=index&personArk=/ark:/61903/1:1:XD29-KJW&action=view&cc=1614804&lang=en&groupId=M9DC-F1J
Note: For December 16, 1888 marriage to Binia A. Patton.
1890
Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness
Fate of the 1890 Population Census
https://raogk.org/census-records/1890-fire/
Note: For illustration and historical information.
Meaning of the First Name Myrtle
https://www.ancestry.com/first-name-meaning/myrtle
Note: For the text.
1890 (Daughter Edna’s birth)
Perry Caswell
Mentioned in the Record of Caswell (Perry Caswell’s Daughter)
Vital – Ohio, Births and Christenings, 1821-1962
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XDYS-3M7?lang=en
Book page: 189, Digital page: 538/758. Follow Entry #62.
Note: This is a filmstrip > link here: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9R2Y-6VQ?view=fullText&keywords=Caswell&lang=en
and
Cleveland. Birth Records January 1890–September 1890
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-XC6Q-SDP?view=index&personArk=/ark:/61903/1:1:VRMC-LT5&action=view&cc=1932106&lang=en&groupId=Digital page: 5,097/6,616
Digital page: 5097/6166
Note 1: For their daughter Edna, born on July 28, 1890.
Note 2: The family is living at 1444 Pearl Street.
1892 (Son Perry’s birth)
Cadwell
Ohio, U.S., Births and Christenings Index, 1774-1973
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2541/records/2420191?tid=87760659&pid=392284810852&ssrc=pt
and
Ohio, U.S., Births and Christenings Index, 1774-1973
Cleveland. Birth Records July 1891–March 1892
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-65S9-SWS?view=index&personArk=/ark:/61903/1:1:VNWC-VFL&action=view&cc=1932106&lang=en&groupId=
Digital page: 2,580/6,760
Note: Perry’s birthdate is October 2, 1891.
The 1900 Census for Cleveland, Ohio
(5) — three records
1900
PBS.org
Dawn Of The Century (illustration)
“New inventions meant exciting prospects for the 1900s”
Sheet music illustration by Edward Taylor Paull
From the article: Summing Up, Looking Forward and The Paris Exposition
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/1900-forward-exposition/
Note: For the illustration and text.
1900
Myrtle Caswell
1900 United States Federal Census
Ohio > Cuyahoga > Cleveland Ward 19 > District 0081
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7602/records/39395728
Book page: Sheet 16, Digital page: 32/45, Lines 80 through 83.
Note 1: Myrtle states her age as 28, (she is actually 30), she is also a school teacher.
Note 2: Myrtle (28), Edna (9), Perry Jr. (8), Emma Kaufman (26), a boarder.
Note 3: Myrtle states that she was married for 11 years and has 2 children.
Note 4: Why does she state her birthplace and that of her kids was New York?
Note 5: They live on Claremont Street.
1905
Myrtle Caswell
in the U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2469/records/314565473
Book page: 226, Digital page: 110/976, Left page in the lower right column.
Note: Starting in this 1905 Cleveland Directory, she is listed as being the widow of Commodore P. He was not dead, but out of the picture because he had a relationship with Edith Whitmarsh in Michigan starting before 1902.
The 1910 Census for Cleveland, Ohio
(6) — three records
1910
Emma C Caswell
in the 1910 United States Federal Census
Ohio > Cuyahoga > Cleveland Ward 10 > District 0168
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7884/records/21409042?tid=&pid=&queryId=9f9679da-f0be-44f8-b139-2cdc4297aac2&_phsrc=kaf12&_phstart=successSource
Book page: 12B, Digital page: 23/25, Lines 84 and 85.
Note 1: 10 years earlier on the 1900 Census, Myrtle had a boarder named Emma Kaufman living with her. (Is this probably why we see the name Emma in 1910?) Was Myrtle giving the name Emma a trial run? Or, was she aggrieved because her husband had remarried (or abandoned her)?
Note 2: Myrtle states her age as 34, (she is actually 40).
Note 3: Myrtle states that she is a widowed.
Note 4: Her son, Commodore Perry is noted as 17, (he is actually 19).
Note 5: Indicates that she is the mother of 3 children, with 2 now living. ???
Note 6: She appears to be running a boarding house. She has five male lodgers and one female lodger.
1910
Myrtle A Caswell
U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995
The Classified Business and Directors’ Directory of Cleveland, Ohio, 1910
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2469/records/1344245482
Book page: 247, Digital page: 829/1,879, Right page, left column center.
Notes: Listed as the widow of ‘C. P.’ and she resides at 1252 Superior av NE.
Columbus Metropolitan Library
Ball Game in Brookside Park, Cleveland, Ohio, circa 1909
Vintage postcard
https://digital-collections.columbuslibrary.org/digital/collection/postcard/id/12550/
Note: For the 1909 postcard image.
The 1920 Census for Cleveland, Ohio
(7) — eight records
1920
Orwell Fordam
Census – United States, Census, 1920 Census for Cleveland Ohio
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MD1X-FF3?lang=en
Book page: Sheet 14A, Digital page: 738/1183, Lines 16 through 24.
Note: They live at 7505 Everett, Cleveland, Ohio, in Ward 20.
1920
Orwell C. Fordham
U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995
Ohio > Cleveland > 1920 > Cleveland, Ohio, City Directory, 1920
https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2469/images/4165159?ssrc=&queryId=64c75ae3-e3e3-438c-bdbe-75491c3b3832&usePUB=true&pId=315008031
Book page: 582, Digital page: 285/1262, Left column, lower portion.
Note 1: He is residing at 7505 Everett Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio
Note 2: It is reasonable to assume the the C. listed with his name is an error by the person gathering the data. His middle name of Seeley, can be misunderstood phonetically when spoken. This link is proof of his middle name:
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60525/records/67645846
1922
Orwell S Fordham
U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995
Ohio > Cleveland > 1922 > Cleveland, Ohio, City Directory, 1922https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2469/records/290889363?tid=&pid=&queryId=dde4b288-1024-4393-bfc2-0b6ec67fd2e7&_phsrc=mmA10&_phstart=successSource
Book page: 1085, Digital page: 565/1703, Right page, right column, lower portion.
Note 1: He is noted as a clerk, who resides at 1639 E 73rd Street, Cleveland, Ohio.
Note 2: An implied wife named Mrs. Marie G. Fordham is listed at the same address.
Observe that in years other than 1920, the middle initial is written as an ‘S’ —
Note 1: For the year 1912, he is listed as a postal clerk living at 1532 Payne Avenue NE, Cleveland, Ohio —
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2469/records/1349416459?tid=&pid=&queryId=4946000f-b1a6-4f8f-bdbf-ea695b8a3ab7&_phsrc=mmA6&_phstart=successSource
Note: For the year 1917, he is listed as a postal clerk living at 7504 Lexington Av., Cleveland, Ohio —
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2469/records/315654229?tid=&pid=&queryId=c18f4e16-04ff-4f1f-a736-fd9410851e0e&_phsrc=mmA8&_phstart=successSource
1923
Adah Louise Widdowson
New York, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1847-1849, 1907-1936
Genesee > 1911-1926
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61377/records/900087380
Note: For the data.
Marie G Fordham
1930 United States Federal Census
Ohio > Cuyahoga > Cleveland (Districts 251-500) > District 0405
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6224/records/73767808?tid=&pid=&queryId=4f265682-c23a-40c4-a8ba-fa723a1d5ba6&_phsrc=FIc3&_phstart=successSource
Book page: Sheet 3A, Digital page: 5/42, Line 39.
Note: For the data.
Sabina / Myrtle / Marie Fordham’s death
(8) — three records
1935
Marie Fordham
Death – Ohio, Deaths, 1908-1953
Ohio. Death Certificates 1935
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X8CV-YXM?lang=en
Digital page: 848/3,287
note 1: On her death certificate, she is noted as divorced, and that her last husband Orwell Fordham, is named here as William Fordham.
Marie G Patton Fordham
Obituary – United States, GenealogyBank Historical Newspaper Obituaries, 1815-2013
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4C1J-WD3Z?lang=en
Note: The people attached to this document are listed as follows —
Mrs. Harris W. Roberts (daughter Edna), Perry Caswell (son), Mrs. William Rhodecker (sister), Mrs. Kate Boyd (sister), Mrs. Helen Douthitt (sister), Jack Patton (brother), Tom Hart (brother) William Patton (brother).
The Genealogist
The Many Faces of Death
by Paul Matthews
https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/featuredarticles/discover-your-ancestors/bookazine/3/the-many-faces-of-death-7226/?
Note: For the reference.
Son Perry Jr.’s Military Service in Yvré-l’Évêque, France
(9) — five records
This text was synthesized by combining these three sources:
Settimo Sorci
July 4, 1893 – April 28, 1989
World War I
https://www.cem.va.gov/docs/wcag/legacy/UCF-VLP-Packet-Settimo-Sorci.pdf
Note: For the text on page two.
and
329th Infantry Regiment
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/329th_Infantry_Regiment
Note: For the text.
and
Perry Caswell
Ohio, U.S., Roster of Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines in World War I, 1917-1918
The Official Roster of Ohio Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines in the World War 1917-1918
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7895/records/29356
Book page: 2719, Digital page: 2718/23340, 8th listing from the top.
Notes: As recorded on the Ancestry file, (and being similar to the actual record document) —
– Medical Department Fort Benjamin Harrison Indiana to 26 Aug 1917.
– Medical Department 323 Field Artillery to 23 March 1918.
– Co E 329 Infantry to Discharge Private, First Class 19 Oct 1917.
– American Expeditionary Forces 12 June 1918 to 31 Jan 1919.
– Honorable Discharge
Perry Caswell
U.S., Army Transport Service Arriving and Departing Passenger Lists, 1910-1939
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61174/records/2427157?tid=87760659&pid=392284810852&ssrc=pt
Book page: Sheet 7, Digital page: 228/733
Note: Prior to his marriage in 1922, he listed his mother as his contact. Her name is now Marie Fordham.
Perry Caswell
U.S., Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1861-1985
Perry Caswell in U.S., Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1861-1985
1925-1941 > Carter, Tellef E-Chak, Peter
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2375/records/1589831
Note: For the reference.
Perry Caswell Jr.’s Marriage
(10) — seventeen records
Mildred Frances Bucy
https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/102459736/person/320016879056/facts
Note: For the data.
Mr Perry Caswell
Cuyahoga County, Ohio, U.S., Marriage Records and Indexes, 1810-1973
1901-1925
Reel 070 > Marriage Records 1922 Jun – 1922 Dec
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1876/records/1326718?tid=87760659&pid=392284810852&ssrc=pt
Book page: 334, Digital page: 853/1019, 4th entry from the top.
Note 1: His bride is named Mildred Bucy.
Note 2: Their marriage date is November 8, 1922.
Note 3: He is employed as a stage carpenter, and she as an actress.
Marriage of Bucy/Casewell
Newspapers.com
The Newark Leader, Newark, Ohio
https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-obituary-for-c-parry-ca/177895793/?xid=637
Note: Published November 17, 1922, page 2.
Newspapers.com
The Newark Advocate
October 9, 1937 issue
https://www.ancestry.com/mediaui-viewer/collection/1030/tree/102459736/person/320016879056/media/3b3913cb-a8b1-4b8c-9565-e8275f7e95aa?queryId=54ed480c-3aa1-4bb9-878f-406577ca17e1&searchContextTreeId=&searchContextPersonId=&_phsrc=bcy1&_phstart=successSource
Note: On page 3, Mildred (Bucy) Caswell is mentioned.
Various Theater Collage Illustration credits, as follows —________________________
Center Image:
From the 1921 Cleveland Plain Dealer newspaper supplement —
Calameo
The Cleveland Plain Dealer
Loew’s State in Cleveland
https://www.calameo.com/read/0002479289bb200e6c10f
Note: February 5th, 1921 issue celebrating theoopening of the new Loew’s State Theater in Cleveland, Ohio was a 10 page supplement to the Cleveland Plain Dealer newspaper.
________________________
Top Row One, Banner:
Franks’s Place via Blogspot
Friday, February 5, 2016
Loew’s State Theatre, Loew’s State 1921-2021 – 100th Anniversary – update!
http://frank-dutton.blogspot.com/2016/02/loews-state-theatre.html
Note: For the Loew’s State Theatre graphics banner
Extracted from the advertisement for The Mark of Zorro, starring Douglas Fairbanks, published on in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, on February 13, 1921.
________________________
Row Two, left:
Facebook
Ohio Road Trips
Weekend itinerary for couples in downtown Cleveland
Note: From the comment by reader Ron Nagy — “Cleveland’s Playhouse Square downtown is the nation’s 2nd largest theater district after Kennedy Center in NYC. It has the world’s largest annual broadway play subscription. The State Theater there has the world’s longest theater lobby for a single theater (photo).” (We cropped the photo image).
and
Row Two, center:
Currents
Playhouse Square’s Iconic Palace Theatre As It Was In 1922
by Jeannie Emser Schultz
https://www.currentsneo.com/playhouse-squares-iconic-palace-theatre-as-it-was-in-1922/
Note: For the Keith building image (where the Palace Theater was located), with this caption —“it was the largest electrical sign in the world (1922) atop the Palace Theatre’s Keith Building.”
and
Row Two, right:
Cleveland Memory.org
Interior of the State Theatre Shortly After Opening
https://clevelandmemory.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/press/id/6240/rec/16
Note: “The interior of the State Theater on February 15, 1921, ten days after it first opened.”
________________________
Row Three, left:
Flickr
Loew’s State Theatre, Cleveland, OH
from the photo collection of Brad Smith.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/brad_smith/7143035531/in/set-72157623906403776
Note: Photo by George Mann of the comedy dance team, Barto and Mann, from January 30, 1931.
and
Row Three, center:
Ebay
Cleveland Ohio Playhouse Square Loew’s State Theatre Postcard (Cropped)
https://ebay.io/m/vJRvDb
From this seller: Postcard-p-Purveyor
and
Row Three, right:
Facebook
Restoration of Palace Theater in Cleveland
Cleveland Streets – Then and Now, News and Nostalgia
Todd Sommerfeld
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ClevelandStreets/posts/1920491875212912/
Note: For the image of the RKO-Palace theater interior.
________________________
Row four, bottom:
Cinema Treasures
Connor Palace Theatre
https://cinematreasures.org/theaters/1114
Note: This is the first photo found at the beginning of the article. We cropped and colored it to suit our purposes for the RKO-Palace graphics.
Five Silent Film Actresses
These actresses photos were sourced from:
IMDB
The Internet Movie Database
Theda Bara (born in Ohio)
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000847/?ref_=ls_t_3
and
Lillian Gish (born in Ohio)
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001273/?ref_=ls_t_4
and
Alla Nazimova (born in Russia)
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0623417/mediaviewer/rm1029281792/?ref_=nm_ov_ph
and
Vilma Bánky (born in Hungary)
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0126566/mediaviewer/rm1155945216/?ref_=nm_ov_ph
and
Renée Adorée
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0012395/mediaviewer/rm1567477248/?ref_=nm_ov_ph
Perry Caswell Jr.’s Death
and Mildred (Bucy) Caswell’s Death
(12) — seven records
1936
Deaths: Lucas. Death Certificates October 1936–November 1936
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:9392-G137-6T?view=index&personArk=/ark:/61903/1:1:XZHB-FZZ&action=view&cc=1307272&lang=en&groupId=
Digital page: 2,737/3,203
Note: Son Perry’s death certificate of October 31, 1936.
Obituary for C Parry Caswell
newspapers.com
The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio
https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-obituary-for-c-parry-ca/177895793/?xid=637
Note: Published November 1, 1936, page 12.
Perry C Caswell
U.S., Find a Grave Index, 1600s-Current
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60525/records/228658374
and
Perry C Caswell
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/257588261/perry-c-caswell?
Notes: Caswell: C. Perry, beloved husband of Mildred Frances Bucy, brother of Edna C. Roberts, son of the late Mrs. Marie G. Fordham, suddenly Saturday. Services at the R. S. Bennett Co. Funeral Home, 11212 Euclid ave., Monday, Nov. 2, at 2:30 p.m.
1940
Obituary for Mildred Caswell
The Newark Advocate, Newark, Ohio
https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-newark-advocate-obituary-for-mildred/177895485/?xid=637
Note: Published September 11, 1940, page 15.
Mildred Caswell
U.S., Find a Grave Index, 1600s-Current
Birth: November 20, 1901
Death: September 10, 1940
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60525/records/33592427?tid=87760659&pid=392284809739&ssrc=pt
and
Mildred Bucy Caswell
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/77745987/mildred-caswell
Note: For the data.
Reintroducing The Roberts Family
(13) — eleven records
Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness
Fate of the 1890 Population Census
https://raogk.org/census-records/1890-fire/
Note: For the reference.
1908, Marriage
Edna C. Caswell
in the Ohio, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1774-1993
Lucas > 1906 – 1909
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61378/records/903394923
Digital page: 614/1,315
Note 1: September 28, 1908 marriage record for Edna C. Caswell and Harris W. Roberts.
Note 2: This marriage record is nine days after her father C. Perry Caswell married Edith Whitmarsh in Michigan.
Observation: Was she living in, or visiting Toledo, Ohio at this point because it was an approximate halfway point between her father and her mother?
1900
Joseph Roberts
Census – United States, Census, 1900
12th Census of Population 1900: Cleveland. Census 1900
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MMZV-V46?lang=en
Book page: 6B, Digital page: 199/619, Lines 58 through 60.
Note 1: Joseph states that his birthplace is in Ohio in March 1850, and that both of his parents were born in Wales.
Note 2: This is the first census son Harris appears in, because the 1890 Census is lost. Harris’s birthdate of August 1889 is noted, and his age is 11.
1900
Ha**s W Roberts
Census – United States, Census, 1900
12th Census of Population 1900: Cleveland. Census 1900
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MMZV-V4F?lang=en
Book page: 6B, Digital page: 199/619, Lines 58 through 60.
Note 1: This is the first census he appears in because the 1890 Census is lost.
Note 2: His birthdate of August 1889 (?) is noted, and his age is 11. However, on his World War One draft registration card, he states that his birthday is August 19, 1888.
See this file below, Harris Williams Roberts
U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
Ohio > Cleveland City > 18 > Draft Card R —https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6482/records/19877873
He also recorded the same 1888 birthdate with Social Security —
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/3693/records/52493866?tid=&pid=&queryId=ca2761f1-bfa0-4559-8cec-d1103882d293&_phsrc=vmF13&_phstart=successSource
1910
Harris W Roberts
Census – United States, Census, 1910
1910 population census schedules – Ohio: Ohio. National Population Census 1910
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MLDT-Z7N?lang=en
Book page: 6A, Digital page: 16/1,238, Lines 3 through 5.
Notes: He is living in Cleveland. His mother Augusta is living with them. Harris Sr. reports his occupation as advertising.
1920
Harris W Roberts
Census – United States, Census, 1920
1920 population census schedules – Ohio: Ohio. National Population Census 1910
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MDB6-HGZ?lang=en
Book page: 14A, Digital page: 738/1,183, Lines 3 through 9.
Notes: Harris Sr. 30, Edna 29, Stanley 9, Marian 7, Edna Jr. 4, Harris Jr. 1-6/12s. Edna’s brother Perry Jr. is there too. Augusta is not living there…
1930
Harris W Roberts
Census – United States, Census, 1930
United States. Census 1930 | Ohio. Census 1930
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X4QN-6V3?lang=en
Book page: 13B, Digital page: 727/1,133, Lines 77 through 84.
Note 1: Harris Sr. 41, Edna 39, Stanley 19, Marian 17, Edna M. 13, Harris W. Jr. 11, Allan H. 4-3/12s, Joseph A. 79. His father Joseph A. is living with them.
Note 2: This is very curious, (Joseph dies in March 1930 and this census was conducted in April.)
David Rumsey Map Collection
Map of the Burlington Route and Connections
by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, 1907
https://www.davidrumsey.com/luna/servlet/detail/RUMSEY~8~1~24568~900059:Burlington-Route-USA-map-
Note 1: For the map image demonstrating a railroad route between Cleveland > Toledo > Chicago.
Note 2: Cleveland should be located further east.
eBay
Birdseye Aerial View, Toledo, O. (1910 Postcard)
via seller Smiths Castle
https://www.ebay.com/itm/126641891524
Note: For the image; eBay file name is —
Toledo Ohio 1910 Postcard Birdseye Aerial View
WW1 and WW2 Information for Roberts
(14) — two records
Harris Williams Roberts
U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
Ohio > Cleveland City > 18 > Draft Card R
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6482/records/19877873
Digital page: 380/642
Note 1: He records that his birthday is August 19, 1888. This date varies by being one year earlier from what was recorded on the 1900 Census (it stated August 1889). However, he is consistent with the 1888 date throughout his life.
Note 2: At 29 years of age, he was able to claim an exemption from the draft, because he was supporting his wife Edna, his mother Augusta, and three children (Stanley, Marian, Edna M. Jr).
Harris Williams Roberts
U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942
Ohio > Rauh, Charles Michael – Schliepp, Albert Frank > Roberts, Clifford Charles-Rockow, Paul Arthur
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1002/records/6710247?tid=&pid=&queryId=621e951f-599d-4b1f-aaf1-5e13c63d8c2a&_phsrc=vmF4&_phstart=successSourceDigital page: 495/6329
Note: At 53 years old, he is registered for the draft on a special card that is headlined: Registration Card — (Men born on or after April 28, 1877 and on or before February 16, 1897). Comment: How did they come up with those specific dates?
The Harris Family Children
(15) — thirteen records
Pinterest
Poster Merchant
The New Union Terminal Cleveland Vintage Ad Poster
by Artist Unknown, circa 1930
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/260927372145505233/
Note: For the artwork.
Cleveland Historical, via the Shaker Heights Historical Society
Pamphlet, 1929
by Artist Unknown
https://clevelandhistorical.org/files/show/669
Note: This is a page from a Van Sweringen Company pamphlet put out in 1929 to attract residents to their Shaker Heights development.
Shaker Heights, Ohio
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaker_Heights,_Ohio
Note: For the text.
Looking@Cities
Looking @ Shaker Heights
by Charles P. Graves
https://lookingatcities.info/2018/05/15/looking-shaker-heights
Note: For the map, Shaker Heights, 1922.
Stanley Caswell Roberts
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/161577882/stanley-caswell-roberts
and
Stanley C Roberts
Vital – Ohio, Death Index, 1908-1932, 1938-1944, and 1958-2007
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VKL6-3MG?lang=en
Marian Elvira (Roberts) Dougherty Orris
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/78109892/marian_elvira-dougherty
> First marriage is to Frederick P Dougherty until his death in 1951:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/78109887/frederick_p-dougherty
>> Second marriage is to Frank Holmes Orris until her death in 1970:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KDMH-YBJ?lang=en
Edna M. Roberts
No documents available.
Harris William Roberts (Jr.)
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/2573438/harris-william-roberts
Allan Howard Roberts
Vital – Ohio, Death Index, 1908-1932, 1938-1944, and 1958-2007
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VKGD-9LS?lang=en
1930
Harris W Roberts
Census – United States, Census, 1930
United States. Census 1930 | Ohio. Census 1930
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X4QN-6V3?lang=en
Book page: 13B, Digital page: 727/1,133, Lines 77 through 84.
Note 1: Harris Sr. 41, Edna 39, Stanley 19, Marian 17, Edna M. 13, Harris W. Jr. 11, Allan H. 4-3/12s, Joseph A. 79. His father Joseph A. is living with them.
Note 2: This is very curious, (Joseph dies in March 1930 and this census was conducted in April.)
(Image courtesy of the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art via the Wall Street Journal), via
https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/books/the-meteor-frederic-edwin-churchs-premonitory-painting-09ad2f93
The Departures
(16) — twelve records
1963
Edna C Roberts
in the Ohio, U.S., Death Records, 1908-1932, 1938-2022
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/5763/records/2958370
Note: For the data.
Edna Caswell Roberts
U.S., Find a Grave Index, 1600s-Current
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60525/records/132005926
and
Edna Caswell Roberts
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/161577853/edna-caswell-roberts
Note: For the data.
1968
Harris W Roberts (Sr.)
Florida, U.S., Death Index, 1877-1998
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7338/records/1273378?tid=&pid=&queryId=a388d0c4-b94d-47f6-864f-5f568b04170a&_phsrc=vmF10&_phstart=successSource
Note: He was residing in Tampa, Hillsborough, Florida, at the time of his death.
Harris W. Roberts (Sr.)
Tampa Bay, Florida, U.S., Obituary Index, 1855-2006
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/63076/records/262184?tid=&pid=&queryId=bb5be011-c958-49f2-824f-3f4353694095&_phsrc=vmF11&_phstart=successSource
Note: He was residing in Tampa, Hillsborough, Florida, at the time of his death.
Harris Williams Roberts
U.S., Find a Grave Index, 1600s-Current
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60525/records/132005927
and
Harris Williams Roberts
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/161577854/harris_williams-roberts
Note: Death in April 1968.
Harris Roberts
U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/3693/records/52493866?tid=&pid=&queryId=ca2761f1-bfa0-4559-8cec-d1103882d293&_phsrc=vmF13&_phstart=successSource
Note: As on his World War One draft registration card, his birthday is recorded as August 19, 1888. See —
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MMZV-V4F?lang=en
Ancestors (2021)
Painting by American artist Mia Bergeron (b. 1979)
https://www.miabergeron.com/
> Portfolio
https://www.miabergeron.com/portfolio.html
Note: This painting is from her portfolio.
Personal Family Movie
MP4
IMG_5105.MOV
2024-06-23T22:01:52+0100
Created in Porto, Portugal
From the chapter: “I took this 20 second home movie, which features the tradition of lighting a lantern (locally called a balão in Portuguese). One then lets it drift up, ascending slowly — the balão slowly disappears by merging with the stars in the evening sky. Thereby, you both honor, and release this ancestor.”
Our Ancestors, Our Narratives 
