Evan Griffith USA

[wendythomas]

I'm looking for information about my great grandfather's brother Evan Griffirth born at Hendy,Sarn Meillteyrn near Pwllheli North Wales in1871the son of John and Laura Griffith.He went to live in America sometime in the 1890's to Rome Utica New York.He married Amy Jones in June 1902.I know he had a daughter called Ellenwho married a Hugh Lloyd Jones.Any information would be appreciated.

[kiterunner]

So we have somewhere to start from, here is the family on the 1881 Welsh census:
1881 census on ancestry (http://interactive.ancestry.co.uk/8059/CAERG11_5554_5559-1155/700027?backurl=http%3a%2f%2fsearch.ancestry.co.uk% 2fcgi-bin%2fsse.dll%3fMS_AdvCB%3d1%26db%3duki1881wales%2 6rank%3d1%26new%3d1%26so%3d3%26MSAV%3d2%26pcat%3d3 5%26gss%3dms_r_db%26gsfn%3devan%26gsfn_x%3dXO%26gs ln%3dgriff*th*%26gsln_x%3dXO%26msbdy%3d1871%26msbd y_x%3d1%26dbOnly%3d_F00027B9%257c_F00027B9_x%26dbO nly%3d_F0003039%257c_F0003039_x%26dbOnly%3d_F00030 3A%257c_F000303A_x%26dbOnly%3d_83004006%257c_83004 006_x%26dbOnly%3d_F00032DB%257c_F00032DB_x%26uidh% 3dvm5%26msbdp%3d2&ssrc=&backlabel=ReturnSearchResults)
Hendy, Meilltyrn, Caernarvonshire
John Griffith Head Mar 60 Farmer born Carnarvonshire Meilltyrn
Laura Griffith Wife Mar 45 Farmer's wife born Carnarvonshire Aberech
Laura Griffith Daur 14 born Meilltyrn
William Griffith Son 12 born Meilltyrn
Evan Griffith Son 9 born Meilltyrn
Sarah Griffith Dau 6 born Meilltyrn
Eliza Griffith Dau 2 born Meilltyrn

I'll see what else I can find now...

[ElizabethHerts]

There is an Evan Griffith leaving in 1888. Despite the information here, it says he was from Wales.

Name: Evan Griffith
Arrival Date: 20 Feb 1888
Birth Date: abt 1870
Age: 18
Gender: Male
Ethnicity/ Nationality: British (English)
Place of Origin: Wales
Port of Departure: Liverpool, England and Queenstown, Ireland
Destination: Pennsylvania
Port of Arrival: New York, New York
Ship Name: Servia
Search Ship Database: Search the Servia in the 'Passenger Ships and Images' database

[kiterunner]

On the 1891 Welsh census, William is the only one still with John and Laura:
1891 Welsh census on ancestry (http://interactive.ancestry.co.uk/6897/CAERG12_4652_4654-0278/702253?backurl=http%3a%2f%2fsearch.ancestry.co.uk% 2fcgi-bin%2fsse.dll%3fMS_AdvCB%3d1%26db%3duki1891wales%2 6rank%3d1%26new%3d1%26so%3d3%26MSAV%3d2%26msT%3d1% 26gss%3dms_db%26gsfn%3dl*ra%26gsfn_x%3dXO%26gsln%3 dgr*f*th*%26gsln_x%3dXO%26msbdy%3d1836%26msbdy_x%3 d1%26gskw%3dca*rn*%26gskw_x%3d1%26dbOnly%3d_F0007E C5%257c_F0007EC5_x%26dbOnly%3d_F0007B58%257c_F0007 B58_x%26dbOnly%3d_F0005C4F%257c_F0005C4F_x%26dbOnl y%3d_F0005E11%257c_F0005E11_x%26dbOnly%3d_F0005906 %257c_F0005906_x%26dbOnly%3d_83004006%257c_8300400 6_x%26dbOnly%3d_F0007EC6%257c_F0007EC6_x%26dbOnly% 3d_F00079A7%257c_F00079A7_x%26uidh%3dvm5%26msbdp%3 d5&ssrc=&backlabel=ReturnSearchResults)

[kiterunner]

There is an Evan Griffith in Rome, Oneida, New York, on the 1940 US Census (and Google seems to say that this is the same Rome as Rome, Utica) but his wife is Margaret, and he says he was born in New York:

1940 US Census on ancestry (http://interactive.ancestry.co.uk/2442/m-t0627-02701-00919/8273549?backurl=http%3a%2f%2fsearch.ancestry.co.uk %2fcgi-bin%2fsse.dll%3frank%3d1%26new%3d1%26MSAV%3d1%26ms T%3d1%26gss%3dangs-g%26gsfn%3devan%26gsfn_x%3dXO%26gsln%3dgriffith%26 gsln_x%3dXO%26msypn__ftp%3dRome%252c%2bOneida%252c %2bNew%2bYork%252c%2bUSA%26msypn%3d11198%26msypn_P Info%3d8-%257c0%257c1652393%257c0%257c2%257c3244%257c35%257 c0%257c2231%257c11198%257c0%257c%26cpxt%3d0%26catB ucket%3dr%26uidh%3dvm5%26cp%3d12%26pcat%3dROOT_CAT EGORY%26h%3d8273549%26db%3d1940usfedcen%26indiv%3d 1%26ml_rpos%3d1&ssrc=&backlabel=ReturnRecord)

214 N Washington St, Rome, Oneida, New York
Griffith Evan Head age 64 married, born New York, lived in same house in 1935,
Margaret Wife age 66 born New York, lived in same house in 1935

The 1926 Rome City Directory lists an Evan J Griffith boarding at that address, an employee at RB&C, no wife's name listed.
The 1894 directory has an Evan I Griffith at 318 W Whitesboro, but he is also listed there (as householder) in 1885 so can't be your Evan.
In 1929 Evan J Griffith and wife Margaret are at 202 W Park, and his occupation is labeller.
So I think this is the same Evan J Griffith who is age 50 on the 1925 New York State Census and his birthplace is US on there too. So it looks as though I am barking up the wrong tree here! Back to the drawing board... (sorry for mixed metaphor)

[kiterunner]

The Evan Griffith who Elizabeth found on the 1888 passenger list is with an Edmund Griffin age 16 but there was no Edmund with the family on the 1881 census so may not be the right person.

[kiterunner]

There is an Evan Griffiths age 22, farmer, Welsh, last residence Llandovery, final destination New York, arriving in Philadelphia Apr 1895 on the "Lord Gough" but I think it says he is going to join his uncle John Griffiths so probably not the right person either:
Passenger list (http://interactive.ancestry.co.uk/8769/PAT840_22-0604/285766?backurl=http%3a%2f%2fsearch.ancestry.co.uk% 2fcgi-bin%2fsse.dll%3fMS_AdvCB%3d1%26rank%3d1%26new%3d1% 26MSAV%3d2%26msT%3d1%26gss%3dangs-c%26gsfn%3devan*%26gsfn_x%3dXO%26gsln%3dgr*ff*th*% 26gsln_x%3dXO%26msbdy%3d1872%26msbdy_x%3d1%26msady %3d1890%26msady_x%3d1%26cpxt%3d0%26uidh%3dvm5%26ms bdp%3d2%26msadp%3d10%26cp%3d12%26pcat%3d40%26h%3d2 85766%26recoff%3d7%2b8%26db%3dphiladelphiaPL%26ind iv%3d1%26ml_rpos%3d7&ssrc=&backlabel=ReturnRecord)

[kiterunner]

Oh wait, just found a Rootschat thread about these people; I think we will need to read through it before doing any more searching:
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=692824.0

[kiterunner]

Right, that thread helped a lot. So it looks as though what you are trying to find out is what happened to Evan after his wife's death in 1909, is that right?
These are Ellen and Richard, the twins, with their aunt and uncle on the 1910 US census:
1910 US Census (http://interactive.ancestry.co.uk/7884/4449906_00985/19463840?backurl=http%3a%2f%2fsearch.ancestry.co.u k%2fcgi-bin%2fsse.dll%3fMS_AdvCB%3d1%26db%3d1910USCenIndex %26rank%3d1%26new%3d1%26so%3d3%26MSAV%3d2%26msT%3d 1%26gss%3dms_db%26gsfn%3dric*%26gsfn_x%3dXO%26gsln %3dgr*ff*%26gsln_x%3dXO%26msbdy%3d1909%26msbdy_x%3 d1%26gskw%3drome%26gskw_x%3d1%26dbOnly%3d_83004006 %257c_83004006_x%26dbOnly%3d_83004005%257c_8300400 5_x%26uidh%3dvm5%26msbdp%3d1&ssrc=&backlabel=ReturnSearchResults)

[kiterunner]

And this link is to the report of Evan and Amy's wedding, taken from the Rootschat thread. Evan's name is Evan J Griffith in the report:
http://fultonhistory.com/Newspapers%2023/Rome%20NY%20Daily%20Sentinel/Rome%20NY%20Daily%20Sentinel%201902/Rome%20NY%20Daily%20Sentinel%201902%20-%201020.pdf

[kiterunner]

I think this is Evan on the 1910 census but his name is down as Eve (it does show male though):
1910 US Census on ancestry (http://interactive.ancestry.co.uk/7884/4449906_00745/19459056?backurl=http%3a%2f%2fsearch.ancestry.co.u k%2fcgi-bin%2fsse.dll%3fMS_AdvCB%3d1%26db%3d1910USCenIndex %26rank%3d1%26new%3d1%26so%3d3%26MSAV%3d2%26gss%3d ms_r_db%26gsfn_x%3dXO%26gsln%3dgr*ff*%26gsln_x%3dX O%26msbdy%3d1872%26msbdy_x%3d1%26msrpn__ftp%3dRome %252c%2bOneida%252c%2bNew%2bYork%252c%2bUSA%26msrp n%3d11198%26msrpn_PInfo%3d8-%257c0%257c1652393%257c0%257c2%257c3244%257c35%257 c0%257c2231%257c11198%257c0%257c%26msrpn_x%3dXO%26 msrpn__ftp_x%3d1%26gskw%3dw*l*s*%26gskw_x%3d1%26db Only%3d_83004006%257c_83004006_x%26dbOnly%3d_83004 005%257c_83004005_x%26uidh%3dvm5%26msbdp%3d5&ssrc=&backlabel=ReturnSearchResults)
East Dominick St, Rome, Oneida, NY:
Jones George Head 40 married 14 yrs, no children, born New York parents born Wales, farmer
Jones Saraha Wife 37 married 14 yrs, no children, born New York parents born Wales
Griffiths, Eve, border, male, age 35, widowed, married 7 years (this is crossed out), born Wales, parents born Wales, year of immigration 1875, laborer for milk pedler
I can't make out what it says for alien or naturalised.

[wendythomas]

Evan had a brother called John Griffith who had gone to America a few years before him,perhaps it is him that they refer as his uncle.Can you find anything out about Ellen's twin Richard,did he marry and have children?Ellen had a son called name removedwhich is probably still alive, I would like to be able to trace him.When did Evan die and where is he buried?

[kiterunner]

Sorry Wendy but our forum rules say not to post the details of people who are or may still be living without their permission, so I have removed the name from your post. If people want to help they can PM me or Wendy for the name.

[kiterunner]

The Rootschat thread says that Ellen's twin Richard William Griffith was born 15 Mar 1909 and died 19 Mar 1995 with last residence of St. Petersburg, Florida, according to the SSDI. And they found a likely 1940 census entry for him in Cortland City, New York, single, working as manager for a telegraph company.
I can't find him listed in a city directory for St Petersburg at the moment to see if he has a wife listed. Another possibility would be if we can find an obituary for him. I will have to look tomorrow as it is getting late now. I was looking for Evan's death earlier on but not found anything yet.

[kiterunner]

Here is Evan on a passenger list travelling back to the US Nov-Dec 1913:
New York Passenger Lists on ancestry (http://interactive.ancestry.com/7488/NYT715_2235-0226/4014572914?backurl=http%3a%2f%2fsearch.ancestry.co m%2fcgi-bin%2fsse.dll%3fdb%3dnypl%26so%3d2%26pcat%3d40%26M S_AdvCB%3d1%26rank%3d1%26new%3d1%26MSAV%3d2%26msT% 3d1%26gss%3dangs-c%26gsfn%3devan*%26gsfn_x%3dXO%26gsln%3dgr*ff*%26g sln_x%3dXO%26msydy%3d1911%26msydy_x%3d1%26cpxt%3d0 %26uidh%3dvm5%26msadp%3d2%26msydp%3d2%26cp%3d12&ssrc=&backlabel=ReturnSearchResults)
List of United States Citizens
SS Caronia sailing from Liverpool 29 Nov 1913, arriving at Port of New York 7 Dec 1913
Griffiths Evan Jones age 40, widower, naturalized at Common Law Court, Rome, NY, 30 Jul 1896. Address in United States Rome, NY.

[kiterunner]

I've found this on the Fulton History site:

Daily Sentinel, Rome, NY, Sat May 27 1950
Funeral
Evan J Griffiths
Funeral services for Evan J Griffiths, a former Roman who died in Chicago, Ill, Tuesday, were held at 2 pm today in the Martin J Nunn Funeral Home, 418 N George St, with the Rev Caradoc Ph Williams, pastor of Bethel Presbyterian Church, officiating.
Bearers were Evan J and Owen W Hughes, John and David Davies and Robert T Williams, all of Rome, and William T Roberts, Utica. Interment was in the family plot in Wright Settlement Cemetery where Mr Williams conducted committal services.
Flowers were received from Chicago friends, the Commercial Telegraphers' Union, Rochester; Western Union Employees, Rochester, friends, relatives and neighbors.
Services were held Thursday evening in Chicago with the Rev William T Jones, Chicago, officiating.

Utica Observer-Dispatch Thurs May 25 1950
Obituaries
Evan J Griffiths
Rome - Evan J Griffiths, 78, Chicago, former Rome milk dealer, died May 24, 1950. He had been in ill health for the past two years.
He was born Nov 21, 1871, in Lleyn, North Wales. He married Amy Jones in 1903 in Rome. Mrs Griffiths died in 1909.
He had lived in Chicago for 26 years.
While in Rome he was a member of the Bethlehem Presbyterian Church, and Madoc Lodge, American True Ivorites.
He leaves a daughter, Mrs Hugh L Jones, Utica, a son, Richard W Griffith, Rochester, a grandson, ... Jones, Utica, and several nieces and nephews.

I would definitely recommend that you search the Fulton History site for exact phrase Evan J Griffiths and then for exact phrase Evan J Griffith, as it will come up with loads of newspaper articles etc which may be about the right family, as was mentioned on the Rootschat thread. I haven't looked through them all myself.

[wendythomas]

Somebody told me about the Fulton history site but I've had no luck with it,do you have to be a member of ancestry or find my past to access it,no proper words come up on it when I try or am I doing something wrong.Would you be able to find out what was Evan's occupation in Chicago?His son in law Ellen's husband Hugh Lloyd Jones came here to North Wales between 1950_1955 could you find out which year it was and what was Hugh Lloyd Jones occupation.

[kiterunner]

You don't have to be a member of ancestry or FMP to use the Fulton History site and it is free. I hadn't come across it before I saw it on that Rootschat thread. Just click on the link below and when the page loads, click where it says "Enter" or "Press here". Then you should see a page with search boxes on the left and you can enter the name you are looking for, and it might work best if you select "the exact phrase" from the dropdown menu. Then click on "Search" and you should get a list of newspapers that it has found matches in, and you can click each one in turn to see the newspaper page containing the article.

http://fultonhistory.com/Fulton.html

[kiterunner]

I haven't managed to find Evan in Chicago on the 1930 or 1940 census yet to see what occupation is shown, nor in the Chicago city directories, although his obituary suggests that he moved to Chicago around 1924.

[ElizabethHerts]

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/KWTL-68Q

There is this one in 1940 in Chicago.

Name: Evan Griffiths
Titles and Terms:
Event Type: Census
Event Date: 1940
Event Place: Ward 1, Chicago, Chicago City, Cook, Illinois, United States
Gender: Male
Age: 67
Marital Status: Widowed
Race (Original): White
Race: White
Relationship to Head of Household (Original): Lodger
Relationship to Head of Household: Lodger
Birthplace: Wales
Birth Year (Estimated): 1873
Last Place of Residence: Same House
District: 103-41
Family Number: 150
Sheet Number and Letter: 62A
Line Number: 38
Affiliate Publication Number: T627
Affiliate Film Number: 921
Digital Folder Number: 005459662
Image Number: 00820


Household Role Gender Age Birthplace
Elsie Jones Head F 55 Wales
George Gaveni Lodger M 64 Iowa
Tom Mohar Lodger M 78 England
Amanda Dumas Lodger F 57 Illinois
Mary Polahan Lodger F 61 Illinois
Evan Griffiths Lodger M 67 Wales
Margaret Mcgrath Lodger F 70 Ohio
Kern Neppie Lodger M 24 Illinois
William Thayer Lodger M 76 Illinois
Frederick Sherman Lodger M 77 Illinois
Anna Darby Lodger F 77 Maryland
Mary Ryan Lodger F 70 New York
Estelle Dykes Lodger F 33 Illinois



Citing this Record:
"United States Census, 1940," index and images, <i>FamilySearch</i> (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/KWTL-68Q : accessed 30 Aug 2014), Evan Griffiths in household of Elsie Jones, Ward 1, Chicago, Chicago City, Cook, Illinois, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 103-41, sheet 62A, family 150, NARA digital publication of T627, roll 921.

[kiterunner]

Ah, ancestry have that one down as Gaffiths. I will put in a correction.
No occupation shown for him.

[Janet]

Personally, I think the easiest way to search fultonhistory is simply to Google in any browser using the keyword "site:" as in

"Evan J Griffith" site:fultonhistory.com

Note that there is no space after the colon following the word site.

You can use any search syntax you normally would use with Google, including in this case my use of the quotation marks to indicate that I only want to see that exact phrase.

[kiterunner]

His son in law Ellen's husband Hugh Lloyd Jones came here to North Wales between 1950_1955 could you find out which year it was and what was Hugh Lloyd Jones occupation.

Just for reference, Hugh was born about 1902 according to the 1940 census, and his occupation in 1940 was machinist. I haven't found him on the passenger lists for the 1950's yet but will look some more tomorrow. If he didn't put his full name down there are quite a few possibles to look through.

[wendythomas]

Thanks Janet

[kiterunner]

Sorry but I couldn't find Hugh's arrival on the passenger lists.

[wendythomas]

Do you think he could have flown over?

[kiterunner]

Do you think he could have flown over?

Could well have done.