US BDM's

[JBee]

Have found a family in the 1940 US census in Massechussets but don't know how to find any marriages or their deaths after 1940. Can anyone point me in the right direction - thanks.

It's been a long struggle trying to find my G.Aunt Sarah as I knew where she lived but not which year - but have found her at that address in both 1930 and 1940 and proved she's the right one which is great.

[kiterunner]

It depends on which state they got married / died in, some (for instance, California) have lots of records online but others have hardly any. I would try ancestry and FamilySearch and then look the state up on Cyndi's List to see what else is available. Or if you post up / PM what you're looking for, I'll have a go.

[JBee]

Thanks Kite

It all Massechusetts - looked on their vital records on ancestry but no luck.

Never thought of deaths/marriages so late on family search.

Will also have a look on Cindi's - must admit don't look there usually.

Would be grateful for any help - they are

Sarah Donnelly (Donely) b 15 Mar 1868 in Jarrow, Durham, England (varies between 1868-1874 in census).
Walter Leo Donnelly b 9 Aug 1898 Boston Mass.
Francis Donelly b 23 Aug 1901 Boston Mass.
Winifred Mary Conway? b 6 May 1900 Boston Mass -

Winifred married between 1930-1940 but couldn't see it - not sure if its Conway or Conroy on 1940 census.

All are living at 28 Morrill Street, Boston in 1940 census.

Thanks

Julie

[kiterunner]

It doesn't look as though ancestry have any 20th century BMD records for Massachusetts except perhaps a few for various counties or towns. FamilySearch doesn't appear to have any marriages for Mass after 1915 but it does have deaths after 1970, but with a big gap before then.

Of course there is also the SSDI (Social Security Death Index) which is national but I think it only has people born after a certain date, will need to check.

Anyway - FamilySearch has the death of Winifred M Conway 13 Jul 1981 Boston, Mass, date of birth 5 May 1900, birthplace Massachusetts, on the Massachusetts Death Index. Also listed on the SSDI with no middle name shown but dob shown as 6 May 1900.

[JBee]

That's brilliant - thank you Kite.

I just found the death for Walter on family search 9 feb 1985.

So G.Aunt Sarah died between 1940-1970 so aged between 70 and 100!!! lol

Thank you - another step forward.

[kiterunner]

The US City Directories beta on ancestry has Walter L Donnelly listed at 28 Morrill in the 1940 Boston directory, electn J & M Brown Co Inc. Still there in 1942, 1948, 1951, 1956, 1959, then in 1962, 1966, 1971, 1977 he is listed as Donelly.

Oh yes, and his death is on FamilySearch in the Massachusetts Death Index too - Walter L Donnelly born 9 Aug 1898 Massachusetts, died 9 Feb 1985 Boston.

[kiterunner]

Just realised I should have looked for Francis at the same time as Walter! He is listed as Francis J on the 1938 Boston directory, also an electrician.

[JBee]

I have Francis returning from Cuba in 1940 - which was great as it had his address in Morrill Street, so knew I had right family.

[kiterunner]

In 1942 Francis J is listed as fireman FE. Sarah is also listed in the directory, as widow of Thomas. In 1944 Francis J is listed as BFD (= Boston Fire Department?), same in 1947. In 1948 Francis J is marine eng FE 31. Sarah is listed in 1948 but not in 1951 so I guess she probably died between those dates. Francis J is listed in 1951 still at the same address but I can't see him after that.

[JBee]

That's fantastic Kite - really appreciate it.

Just wonder why I can't get US city directories on ancestry when I do search all records - I have world.

Ok found it now - have found Winfred up to 1959 still at 28 Morrill Street.

[kiterunner]

Now looking at Conways, Winifred M is listed as wid Francis in 1937 and 1941. Nearest I can see in 1936 is CONWAY Frank A (Winifred) clk died Jan 20, 1936. Frank A (55 Clarkson) died Jan 20, 1936. In 1935 it has CONWAY Frank A (Winifred) clk 71 Chester. In 1934 he is listed as lab Ferry Service at 55 Clarkson, no wife's name shown, so I would guess they got married around then.

[kiterunner]

That's fantastic Kite - really appreciate it.

Just wonder why I can't get US city directories on ancestry when I do search all records - I have world.

Try searching for Walter L Donnelly (using the old search) with "exact matches only" ticked and spelling = exact. Don't you get some matches in the Schools, Directories & Church Histories section, in US City Directories 1821-1989 (Beta)?

If not then this is the direct link to it:
http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=2469&enc=1

Don't try selecting a state from the drop-down list in the search bit because that doesn't work although you can select one to browse. Usually best to put the name of the city in the "keyword" field or just browse.

[JBee]

Thank you for showing me - I'd never thought of looking there for some reason - senior moment perhaps!!

Off to look for all the siblings now - thanks again.

[Janet]

Francis was a fireman until 1950.

http://www.bostonfirehistory.org/bfdpersonnellist-d.pdf

So then he was retired, and it's anyone's guess where he went after 1951.

Don't know how he can fail to be on SSDI but I can't find him. I saw a Frank Donnelly with DOB 24 Aug 1901 who died in Philadelphia but that doesn't seem likely.

Seeing your man's cruise-ship history, I wondered if he's still sailing round and round the world. Guess not, though, he'd be 111 years old in a few days' time!

[JBee]

Thanks Janet and Kite.

His cousin also worked on cruise ships for awhile from this side of the pond - I wonder if their paths ever crossed. It was a greetings card from my g.aunt to my uncle which had G.Aunt Sarah's address on that led me to this family.