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Research in Other Countries => United States of America => US Lookup Requests => Topic started by: Diane101 on Tuesday 09 October 07 08:35 BST (UK)

Title: Swallow family
Post by: Diane101 on Tuesday 09 October 07 08:35 BST (UK)
My grandfather's aunt, Julia Swallow (1892-) went to the US, arriving on the St Louis on 20 September 1913 from Southampton.  We think she lived in New York, she gave her destination as W.A.Swallow of 1274 Atlantic Avenue Brooklyn.  She had a brother Walter (1881- ) and a Walter Swallow arrived at Ellis Island on the Arabic from Liverpool on 16 December 1907 with his wife.  Another brother, Frank (1888- ) moved to New York in 1912.  Then they all seemed to disappear.  Julie visited her nephew (my grandfather) up until 1952.  I assume she married, but don't know how to find a marriage in New York.  I tried writing to all the Swallows in the current New York phonebook, but no replies.  Any assistance or direction gratefully received.
Diane
Title: Re: Swallow family
Post by: shellyesq on Tuesday 09 October 07 14:58 BST (UK)
In the databases at italiangen.org, there is a Walter A. Swallow who married a Marcia A. McDonald in Manhattan on 26 Feb 1932.  See here:  http://www.italiangen.org/NYCmarriageresults.asp?kind=exact&Esurname=swallow&Efirst=&CertNbr=&StartYear=&EndYear=&B1=Submit  There are also a number of Swallows on the death index at Italiangen - maybe see if any of them match Walter or the wife you found on the passenger list.

Do you have exact dates and places of birth for Walter and Frank?  Also, middle names if you know them.  If they stayed in the US and were still living, there would likely be WWI and/or WWII Draft Registration cards for them, given their ages.
Title: Re: Swallow family
Post by: indiapaleale on Tuesday 09 October 07 15:37 BST (UK)
Well,
I've found what happened to Walter and Ellen.

In 1910 they are in Brooklyn, New York but the image is unreadable. They have 2 children - can't read the names!

In 1920, they have moved to Connecticut and are living on Calhoun Drive in Greenwich.
Walter is 34, was naturalized in 1915, born in England, working as a chauffeur for a private family.
Ellen Ann is 34, born in Wales
Catherine is 11 yearsold, born Connecticut
Eleanor is 5 yrs 6 month born Connecticut
Walter Jr is 4 months born Connecticut

Will type 1930 next.

Indi

Title: Re: Swallow family
Post by: indiapaleale on Tuesday 09 October 07 15:56 BST (UK)
1930

Greenwich, Connecticut,
Greenwich Ave
Walter Swallow, pays $50 a month rent, age 49, age at first marriage 27, born England, emigrated 1908?, chauffeur for taxi  co.
Katherine Swallow, Daughter, age 21, born New York, Nurse.
Elenor Swallow, Daughter, !4, born connecticut
Walter Swallow, Son, 10, born Connecticut

No sign of Ellen.

Frank is in Greenwich too.......I will type him.

Indi
Title: Re: Swallow family
Post by: indiapaleale on Tuesday 09 October 07 16:03 BST (UK)
1930
Greenwich, Connecticut

Frank F. Swallow, pays $50 a month rent,age 42, age at first marriage 32, born England, emigrated 1911, chauffeur with private family.
Mabel F. Swallow, age 38, age at first marriage 28, born England, emigrated 1911.
Lillian E. Swallow, Daughter, age 8, born Connecticut
Frank F. J. swallow ,Son, 2yrs 2 months, born Connecticut.


Title: Re: Swallow family
Post by: indiapaleale on Tuesday 09 October 07 16:14 BST (UK)
Draft Registration card for Walter:

Dated September 12, 1918

Walter Newcome Swallow
Calhoun Dr, Greenwich, Fairfield Co, Connecticut
Age 37, DOB Oct 6, 1880
White, Naturalized citizen
Chaufferand Gardener. Employers Name F. E.Turner
Place of employment: Callhoun Dr., Greenwich, Conn
Description: Medium Height, Medium Build, Eyes Brown, Hair Brown
Title: Re: Swallow family
Post by: aghadowey on Tuesday 09 October 07 16:18 BST (UK)
Diane- next step it to contact Greenwich Library:
www.greenwichlibrary.org/vlibrarian.asp
The local newspaper (Greenwich Time) is indexed for births, marriages and deaths. If you send them the details you have ask them to check for newspaper articles on the family.
Also, about 20 years ago, or more, they did an oral history project and there should be an index to that collection which would be worth checking. Also have a good collection of city directories (almost complete) which might track the family.
If the library won't help (sorry I don't have any contacts there now) see if someone on RAGK will do some searching for you.
Greenwich High School published a directory of graduates a few years ago and will check that for you as some of the children might have attended that school (it is now the Town Hall).

P.S. Greenwich Avenue is not far from the library.

Title: Re: Swallow family
Post by: indiapaleale on Tuesday 09 October 07 16:30 BST (UK)
There are tons of entries for Walter, Frank and their sons in Greenwich Directories.......going all the way to the 50's....too numerous to mention but PM me if you want some!
Look at deaths on Social Security Index (familysearch)you should be able to see Frank Jr. 2004 in Connecticut.....so one presumes (arggg) the family may still be in the area.

Indi

Title: Re: Swallow family
Post by: shellyesq on Tuesday 09 October 07 21:04 BST (UK)
If Walter Newcome Swallow is the right guy, he got married in 1920 in Westchester County, New York.  See the index here:  http://www.westchestergov.com/wcarchives/  If you go through and look for someone with the same certificate # and year, you should be able to find his wife's maiden name.

I live fairly close to Greenwich, CT, so if you have no luck getting information from other routes, I can probably stop at the library for you at some point.
Title: Re: Swallow family
Post by: Diane101 on Wednesday 10 October 07 08:16 BST (UK)
Wow, thank you everyone, I am a bit overwhelmed.  I am not sure about Walter Newcome Swallow, he might be a son of my Walter.  They were very unimaginative.  But I am fairly sure that that is Walter and Frank, Indi, but is Greenwich far from New York.  It sounds it.  That Walter getting married in 1932, that could be him if his first wife died.  No sign of Julia?  I wonder if she moved to Greenwich too.  She was the baby of the family, so I wonder if the boys looked after her.
Again, thank you so much for your help.  I will see what I can follow up on.
regards
Diane
Title: Re: Swallow family
Post by: Diane101 on Wednesday 10 October 07 08:21 BST (UK)
Sorry aghadowey, what is RAGK please?  I have emailed the library, eagerly waiting results
regards
Diane
Title: Re: Swallow family
Post by: aghadowey on Wednesday 10 October 07 09:06 BST (UK)
RAGK is Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness. If you google it site should come up, then click Connecticut and see if there's anyone in the area.
Got information from Greenwich High Alumni directory last night but then I couldn't get into Rootschat at all so finally gave up. My father said he knew/knows Walter Swallow but haven't had a chance to see what else he knows yet. Will send a pm with details from directory as these are living people mentioned.
Title: Re: Swallow family
Post by: Diane101 on Wednesday 10 October 07 09:25 BST (UK)
I continue to be amazed, I have never heard of RAGK, but it is just the sort of thing that goes on.  How amazing your father knew Walter Swallow.  The world does seem to be getting smaller and smaller.  and thank you so much for your kindness.  The website seems to have been down lately, but thankfully back up again.
regards
Diane
Title: Re: Swallow family
Post by: shellyesq on Wednesday 10 October 07 13:41 BST (UK)
Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness is at http://www.raogk.org/  They have the O in there too.  It took me a while to remember that, since I always switch the letters around.

Greenwich is literally right next to New York state.  It's less than an hour by train (these days) from New York City.  Lots of people commute from there (and much further) into NYC.  It's a very wealthy town, so the chaffeur for a private family job would make sense. 
Title: Re: Swallow family
Post by: aghadowey on Wednesday 10 October 07 14:50 BST (UK)
Thanks Shelly, I did forget the 'o'- usually just use google to get the site.
Diane- more information from my Dad- will send pm.