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Research in Other Countries => United States of America => US Lookup Requests => Topic started by: ceitidh. on Friday 05 February 10 20:16 GMT (UK)
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Hello all,
I am looking for more information on a Mary MacMaster [or McMaster, its interchangeable] who according to US census records was born in New York around 1911-1912. The census records do not specify where in New York she was born. Her parents were Angus MacMaster and Hanna Larson; Angus was from Scotland and Hanna was from Sweden - they were married on April 4th 1910 in Manhattan County, New York. Basically, the only information I have about Mary is from the 1920 and 1930 US census', I have failed to find her thereafter but it is entirely likely that she married and thus changed her name. I believe that Angus and Hanna both died in the 1950's in Los Angeles, I wonder if perhaps this was where Mary was living as it is a long way to move.
I have looked on Ancestry and come up with nothing, but I wonder if any kind soul can direct me to any other online resources or lend any advice/suggestions.
Many Thanks,
Ceitidh.
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To confirm there is a California Death Record for Hanna A MacMaster (Hanna A Larson) Born 8 Jan 1881 Died 30 Dec 1958. (Mothers maiden name Johnson).
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A real longshot but since you have nothing else............... maybe you've already seen this and ruled it out ???
California Death Records has
MARY MARGARET HOLEWINSKI Born 04/05/1911 Mother: MACMASTER Father MACMASTER says she was b. in CANADA died in Los Angeles on 06/09/1991 @ age 80 SSN 156-03-4820 was issued in New Jersey
Could be whomever gave her information when she died was not sure where she was born as they didn't know her Mother's maiden name either.
:-\ lissaM
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I believe I looked at that reference and thought it unlikely that it was my Mary because of the place of birth. However, it may be worth investigating further as I've learnt not to trust as gospel the information that some records contain! I actually found a birth date for Mary from her mothers Naturalization Record which puts her birth date as January 12 1911 in New York. I'm not sure what to do, it would be different if the records were easily accessible for me but as I live in Scotland it means sending away for them and they may not even be what i'm looking for. However, nobody ever said this was easy!
dettori28; I believe that the death record in the Hanna MacMaster whose daughter I am searching for. Perhaps her death certificate will shed more light as to Mary's wherabouts.
Ceitidh.
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Nope not ever easy!!! HAH!...... and I'm looking for a McPhee in California -- and no better luck on that myself!
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Based on that birthdate, I found something potentially interesting.
On www.italiangen.org, there is a Mary A. MacMaster who married Russel E. Ratcliff on 28 Jun. 1936 in Manhattan. I checked the Social Security Death Index for women named Mary who were born on 12 Jan. 1911. One of them is Mary Ratcliff, whose Social Security number was issued in New York before 1951. She died Jan. 1973 and last residence was Inglewood, Los Angeles Co., California. The California Death Index has Mary A. Ratcliff with this birthdate who died 14 Jan. 1973 in Los Angeles. Her and her mother's maiden name are not listed, but she was born in New York.
I may be barking up the wrong tree, but it seems like a possibility. I see a Russel E. Ratcliff showing up in the Los Angeles Co. voter registrations from 1936 to 1952. The only time I see another Ratcliff with him at the same address is 1942, when there's a Mrs. Plezza M. Ratcliff, who is a homemaker. Could be a wife, but could instead be his mother or grandmother or other female relative?
The SSDI has a Russell Ratcliff born 25 Dec. 1897, died Oct. 1973, last resided in Inglewood, and SSN issued in New York before 1951. California death index has Russell E. Ratcliff born 25 Dec. 1896, died 23 Oct. 1973 in Los Angeles, and born Ohio. This Russell appears to be on a 1931 passenger list - he's listed as married, there's an Elaine Ratcliff born 1900 in San Francisco and a possible daughter with him, and they were living in Jackson Heights, New York (which is in Queens, one of NY City's 5 boroughs).
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Also, Russell is buried in Los Angeles National Cemetery and was a WWI Navy Veteran. I don't see Mary buried with him.
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This Russell appears to be with mother P.M. Ratcliff in Inglewood, California in the 1930 Census. Russell is listed as divorced, and P.M. is listed as a widow. In the 1900 Census, Russell E. Ratcliff appears to be with parents Charles E. & Plessie M. in Cincinnati, Ohio. Russell's birth date is Dec. 1897, and he was born in Ohio.
I wish I could find something one way or the other to rule in or out this Ratcliff possibility, but no luck so far.
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Hmm. This does look to be the most promising so far, although its by no means conclusive. I also decided to trawl through the Social Security Death Index for any Mary's who were born Jan 12 1911, though I didn't get as far as you did. I found a couple of possibilities but this Mary Ratcliff appears to be the best so far, especially given the link to Los Angeles as this would explain why her parents moved there. I daresay I could just try to order the marriage certificate for this couple and go from there.
Many thanks for your effort and time, this seems to be the best lead yet!
Ceitidh.
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removed --- shelly already posted same info
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Hi
Just thought I would take a look in the Swedish records and found Hanna in Sköllersta....
Larsson, Lars Petter b. 1828 - Father
Jansdotter, Johanna Albertina b. 1838 - Mother
Oskar b. 1874
Alma Regina b. 1877
Hanna Augusta b. 1881 Jan 08
She travelled to New York from Gothenburg on 13 Aug 1902. Her brother Oskar went to USA 1900.
Ian