How can I trace my orphaned grandmother born in the U.S. around 1899-1900, but no census info till 1920?
I know she was born at the turn of the century in Michigan, her eldest sister was born in France and came over with their parents as an infant. A brother and 2 more sisters were also born in Michigan, but there are no birth records for any of them that I can find. I've found what I do know through census records, but they do not seem to have existed prior to 1920 (the records I need were lost in the fire). All I know of the parents is their surname: Laurie. I believe they were in a Chicago area orphanage or boarding house of some kind, as the eldest daughter took them out one by one as she could afford to on her nurse's salary, and by the 1920 census they were all living with her in Chicago. I've exhausted ancestry.com's resources and keep coming back to that lost period before 1920. Does anyone have any ideas on how to research orphans' records? I never heard how the parents died, don't know their first names either, and of course everyone is gone now. Any help is extremely welcomed!! OMG-I almost fell off my chair just now when I saw your post! Yes you have the right children; Raymond was the youngest and the 1920 census lists him as born in MI. By then Annabelle had her own 2 sons (born in IL: Jack-4yrs/4mos. and Richard-3yrs/6mos.) and was already widowed. So I presumed they had all been in Chicago for some time by then. You're right--the 1890 census is not relevant--I got confused since I was trying to trace both of my grandparents at the same time. (They were living right next door to each other in 1920 and married soon after!) I could not find them for 1900 or 1910 in either state. Genevieve was the only one who died before I was born, but I don't know when because I can't find anything after 1930. I don't remember any talk of MI and didn't know that they were born there. And YES -- I completely forgot that part until you said it --I believe it WAS a Catholic orphanage! I remember my grandma referring to the "sisters." I am sooo excited to hear from you!! I don't know if this will help or not, but just in case - I noticed that the girls' names changed a bit over time: census 1920-Annabel; 1930-Annabelle; 1920-Genevieve; 1930-Jennie; (and I always heard her referred to as Jean); 1920-Katharine (my grandma); 1930-Katherine; and I always saw her use Catherine; and Raymond stayed the same. Hope you're still out there Wendy, coz I can't get past this brick wall! :) One more thing - I was thinking that since my grandma named her first son (my dad) Robert Laurie (Johnston), she may have named him after her father. I have unsuccessfully tried looking for Robert Laurie in the past though...
Genealogy - 2 Answers
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It is hard to do any research without knowing names.
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if I have the right children.. no, the 1890 census is not relevant, since Annabelle was born 1891 and immigrated 1892. Brother Raymond seems to show up in the ssdi as born in Aug 1900 (which would still show 19 in 1920, since age is normally used AS OF 1 June). Thus, the parents were still alive as of that date (at least, mom was.. dad may have died between conception and birth). All children being born in Michigan.. the family should be there in 1900 but yes, I am having issues finding that census. Sisters Genevieve and Katherine SHOULD be findable in 1900. Were they Catholic? If yes, I am well aware of a orphanage in Chicago at that time frame, my mother was there. It was sT Hedwigs, I believe. Orphanages are usually enumerated just as any other place, but the name can be garbled. IF they were actually there in 1910..since you don't have exact date for death of the parents. This is, if you are CERTAIN the orphanage was in Chicago and not Michigan. Death records for any of the younger children MAY indicate their exact place of birth. Raymond registered for the ww1 draft, but it does not show his birth place. Genevieve's mom (poster, not your Genevieve) is expert in Michigan records, and if she picks up this trail, she may well find the key. It can take a few posts.. hang in with us..
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