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Research in Other Countries => United States of America => Topic started by: Dannemois on Friday 09 October 09 19:52 BST (UK)
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When 33 year old Francis Sargent sailed on the SS Cedric from Liverpool on 17 Oct 1912 heading for New York, he was travelling as a member of the Gwent Glee Singers, a choir of twenty-one Welsh coal miners on tour to sing for the Welsh American communities. The event was reported in the New York Times as follows
The New York Times published Oct 17, 1912:
“The Gwent Male Glee Singers, a famous Welsh choir, will sail from Liverpool on the Cedric to-day. They will make their first appearance in America at Carnegie Hall on Monday evening, Oct 28, together with Cristeta Goni, the juvenile Spanish violinist.”
When a native of our community namely Ernest Hares departed for America in 1922 the manifest recorded that he was visiting friend Frank Sargent, Indiana. So it begs the question, did Frank (Francis) Sargent remain in America or did he leave with the choir only to return another day?
How long were the choir in America, at what venues did they perform, I would appreciate anything on the Gwent Glee singers on this tour and information on Francis Sargent in particular would be a bonus.
Thanks in advance
Roy
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I found newspaper articles about the Gwent Glee Singers in the years 1912 through 1917. And covering a multitude of states: New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Iowa, Wisconsin.
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Here's a Frank Seargent that might fit:
1920 East Chicago, Lake County, Indiana
Frank Seargent, age 40 born abt 1880, England, both parents England, married, immigration year 1912 millworker, steel mill
Florence Seargent, age 34 born abt
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Hi Merjones
Thanks for your reply; are you saying the Glee singers were in America for the period 1912 through to 1917. If that is the case then boy that was some tour. Regarding Frank Sargent [Seargent] the age fits, I wonder if his wife was American?.
Any other info you unearth will be gratefully received.
Regards, Roy
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Daily Free Press, July 28, 1915 Carbondale, Illinois
Members of Royal Gwent Glee Singers were on Torpedoed Liner - Lusitania
The Gwent Singers are all native Welshmen and it was after a year spent touring America that they had returned to their native heath and were again en route to America that the great disaster was staged.
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It appears Frank Sargent survived the Lusitania and continued on the America in 1915. Also, his wife's name is Florence.
Arriving New York July 12, 1915 on the "St. Paul"
Members of the Gwent Glee Singers
Frank Sergent age born abt 1881, vocalist, address in Wales: Florence Sergent, 116 High Street, Blackwood
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The 1920 Census says that Florence was also born in England and immigrated ind 1918. There is a record of Frank going back in 1922:
August 6, 1922 passenger from New York to Southampton
Frank Sargent age 44, steel worker, traveling to visit 1 Railway St. Newport
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1930 CENSUS East Chicago, Lake County, Indiana
Frank Sargent, born Wales, shipping clerk at steel mill
Flora Sargent, born Wales
Gwendolyn Sargent age 10
It looks like their daughter went to Wales:
July 9, 1938 traveling from Montreal, Canada to Liverpool, England
Gwen Sargent age 18, student going to address: 1 Railway St. Newport, Monmouth.
October 22, 1939 traveling from Southampton to New York
Gwendolyn Sargent born June 14, 1920 living at 1909 136th Street East Chicago, Indiana
Gwendolyn J. Sargent, born June 14, 1920 died May 31, 2006 Highland, Lake County, Indiana
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SS Death Index
Frank Sargent,Last Residence:46312 East Chicago, Lake, Indiana, United States of America
Born: 18 Jun 1878
Died: Mar 1968
From "The Times" March 3, 1969 Hammond, Indiana
In Memoriam
In loving memory of our beloved husband and father, Frank Sargent, who departed this life one year ago, March 3, 1968. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord. WIFE AND DAUGHTER.
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Hi,
Good morning, Iv'e just switched on the computer to find your latest post; I am really thrilled at the picture your findings are building of Frank Sargent and can not thank you enough. I am most grateful for your help and appreciate your time and efforts.
Located their marriage, details below:
Marriages Mar 1914
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Fitzgerald Florence Sergent Newport Mon, Wales. 11a 401
Sergent Frank Fitzgerald Newport Mon, Wales. 11a 401
Best Regards
Roy
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Hi
In your reply #5: Quote [It appears Frank Sargent survived the Lusitania and continued on the America in 1915. Also, his wife's name is Florence. Arriving New York July 12, 1915 on the "St. Paul"]
I have not been able to find any details for the 'America' in 1915 or the St Paul in 1915 I would appreciate any details.
Regards
Roy
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July 12, 1915
Frank Sergent, born at 1881 Welsh, age 34 port of departure Liverpool, port of arrival New York, Ship's name "St. Paul" , birth location Blackwood, address in country traveling from: Florence Sergent, 116 High Street, Blackwood
His wife was not with him on this trip.
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Sept 27, 1918
Florence Sargent, born abt 1883, age 34
Port of Departure: Southampton
Port of Arrival: New York
Ship Name: Aquitania
Birth Location: Newport, Mt
Address in country traveling from: Brother, Thos Fitzgerald, 5 Lynn Rd Newport Mon Wales
Address traveling to: Husband Frank Sargent, 3507 Grape Vine St. Indiana Harbor
Plans to stay permantly, 5'2" brown hair, hazel eyes, mark on left ear
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Social Security Death Index:
Name: Florence Sargent
Last Residence: 46312 East Chicago, Lake, Indiana
Born: 10 Aug 1882
Died: Dec 1972
State (Year) SSN issued:Indiana (1967)
Note the year she was issued a Social Security Card was the year Frank died.
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1901 Wales Census Newport, Monmouthsire -
Holy Trinity Parish
80 Baldwin Street, Newport
Blanche Fitzgerald 49, widow, born Somerset, Bristol
Thomas Fitzgerald 24, mariner, born Newport
Arthur Fitzgerald 20, gas works laborer, born Newport
Florence Fitzgerald 19, servant (domestic), born Newport
James Fitzgerald 11, born Newport
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In 1901 Frank Sargent's family lived at 9 Bailey Street which is 1.2 miles from the Fitzgeralds.
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1881 St. Woollos, Monmouthshire
Thomas Fitzgerald, born 1848, Ireland, Wagon Fitter (Rail)
Blanch Fitzgerald, born 1854, Puckle Church, Goucester
Thomas Fitzgerald, born 1877, Newport, Monmouthshire
Arthur Fitzgerald, born 1881, Newport, Monmouthshire
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Hi
Many many thanks for your help on this topic and what an interesting story for the descendants of Frank Sargeant. Several voyages crossing the ocean in the majestic steam ships of the day, surviving the Lusitania tragedy and the musical circles.
For the past three years I have been researching my home village of Brithdir in the Rhymney Valley of South Wales, UK from its humble beginnings to present times- a project that could not be accomplished without the help of many friends on this chat-site to whom I am very grateful for their contribution.
In my introduction to this topic I made reference to a native of our village namely Ernest Hares naming Frank Sargant on the ship manifest as his friend and contact in America. On seeing this I immediately thought who was Frank Sargant?, another Brithdir boy?, and so my interest.
Ernest Hares, at the age of 18 years emigrated to America from our coal-mining community. Already a very gifted musician, he went on to great heights in the musical world of America. Eventually his parents and siblings joined him leaving many friends behind to venture on a new beginning in the US. The family never forgot their roots and with the help of family members and due to Ernest’s successful musical career I have been fortunate to accumulate much on his life.
Through your endeavours of which I truly appreciate I now know Frank Sargant was not a native of our village. Newport and the village of Brithdir although not neighbouring communities are within a thirty mile radius to each other and the only assumption I can make is that Ernest and Frank very probably became friends through the Glee singing communities of Wales and their love of music.
Yes, I’m disappointed in the fact that Frank Sargant was not a Brithdir boy but rest assured your time and efforts will not be wasted; for his story will figure in the tale of Ernest Hares’s life. Thank you again for your help and I sincerely hope you don’t feel aggrieved at my explanation.
Best Regards
Roy
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Here is an article that does indeed link Frank Sargent and Ernest Hares:
January 22, 1924 New Castle, Pennsylvania
"The Royal Welsh Singers presented by Frank Sargent a notable concert manager and survivor of the Titanic (Lusitania?) will give a concert Tuesday evening at 8 o'clock in the First Baptist church under the auspices of the Men's Bible class of the Sunday School.
There are four members of the company and all are artists of ability. D. Edgar Davies, baritone. Is considered one of the greatest vocalists ever brought to this country. He has obtained the highest achievement in his art by winning "National Wales".
Grift Howell, tenor, Ernest Hares, boy concert pianist, and Miss Gladys Smith, soprano and reader are considered among the best Welsh artists on the platform today."
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That is absolutely marvelous, thank you so much, I really do appreciate you sending the article contents. Was this is a local newspaper?. If you come across anything else on Ernest Hares it would be much gratefully received.
Kind Regards
Roy
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I happened upon this post by chance while performing a search I do regularily. Frank (Francis) Sargent was my great grandfathers brother, so that would make him my great uncle?
Both brothers were in the choir, and after returning back to Newport, Frank chose to emmigrate to America. He had one daughter, Gwen, she never married and passed away a few years ago. Since then I've been trying to collate information I know about the Gwent Glee Singers...but haven't got too far yet! You can see the information and a picture I have here:
www.an-aim-ation.co.uk/gwentglee/indexb.htm
I believe Ernest would be on the picture, if it was taken during the tour (I think it was). I am always looking for new information or stories though, so if anyone knows anything they would like to share, please e-mail me.
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Hi
Just to say I'm pretty sure the fellow sitting front centre is young Ernest Hares [pianist]. I have sent an e-mail to his son in America asking to confirm my thoughts, when I get a reply I will come straight back to you.
Until then, best regards,
Roy
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Hi
I'm afraid my earlier thoughts that the fellow sitting front centre of the photograph of the Gwent Glee Singers looked very much like Ernest Hares is incorrect. I have attached a photo for your interest; this is what Ernest Hares [at the piano] looked like in 1923.
Regards for now
Roy