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Research in Other Countries => United States of America => Topic started by: whoissylvia on Saturday 05 May 12 12:54 BST (UK)
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Philip, from Clerkenwell London, travelled to Framlingham, Massachusets in about 1912 [?]. Met Elisabeth from Ireland. They married and ended up in Los Angeles in the 1930's as roominghouse keepers on 4th Street . They were naturalised American, and Philip died in 1955, Elisabeth a year or so later. Philip was my grandfather and I woud love to know more about him, if any one can help, please. Sylvia
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Hi Sylvia
California Death index gives his name as Philip Edward McGiffin, born 29 March 1874, died 21 December 1955 (so we know we are on right track, does that accord with your understanding of his dates?)
Assuming we have the right man:-
Mother's name is given as Taylor
His WW1 draft registration card gives the same birthdate and he was living at 28 Union Street, Framingham, Middlesex, Mass in September 1918. He is definitely married to Elizabeth by September 1918 as she is next of kin.
His eyes are grey and his hair is brown.
Job is a "Dye Stamper" for the US Government
His naturalisation records give him naturalised US Citizen on 25 February 1944
His school records in the UK say he attended Rosebery Street School in Camden, admitted on 13 June 1881 and left on 13 July 1881 to go to another school (doesn't specify which). The School before Rosebery Street looks like Dome School. The register confirms the birthdate of 29 March 1874.
It also gives his father's name as Robert so we have parents of Robert McGiffin marrying (someone) Taylor
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Sylvia - was Philip married twice?
There is a Philip McGiffin marrying an Annie Peacock on April 18th 1897, son of Robert at St James, Clerkenwell.
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Thank you so much for swift reply. Yes this is the guy! He was married to Annie [Hannah] Peacock. My father, also Philip, was born in 1897, a brother, Frederick, that we did not know anything about unitl I started this, born 1899. There was, I think a daughter, but she must have been born and died between census. Obviously there was tension between them and the families. My father was brought up by a neighbour, Elisabeth Hodges and Frederick was living with his uncle William McGiffin in another part of London. Annie went on to marry Walter Brennan [Not the actor!] and had 3 more children. So. 2 bigamists ! I found a Philip in WW1 but could not be sure if it was him as he was am immigrant. His father was married to Elisabeth Taylor, a lot of Elisabeths! Could there have been children? Many thanks Sylvia
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Wow ;D
Complicated ....
Will see what else I can find....I did wonder if you were from the first marriage as I couldn't find any children for Philip and Elizabeth in the US.
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Philip McGiffin/Annie Peacock children :-
Philip Edward born 29 March 1897, christened 25 July 1897 @ St James, Clerkenwell
Frederick Samuel born 25 October 1899 , christened 12 November 1899 @ St James, Clerkenwell
I can't see any other children for them being christened at St James' and Frederick Samuel,seems to have died in 1927
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Thank you so much for swift reply. Yes this is the guy! He was married to Annie [Hannah] Peacock. My father, also Philip, was born in 1897, a brother, Frederick, that we did not know anything about unitl I started this, born 1899. There was, I think a daughter, but she must have been born and died between census. Obviously there was tension between them and the families. My father was brought up by a neighbour, Elisabeth Hodges and Frederick was living with his uncle William McGiffin in another part of London. Annie went on to marry Walter Brennan [Not the actor!] and had 3 more children. So. 2 bigamists ! I found a Philip in WW1 but could not be sure if it was him as he was am immigrant. His father was married to Elisabeth Taylor, a lot of Elisabeths! Could there have been children? Many thanks Sylvia
Interestingly his war record says his mother is the neighbour Elizabeth Hodges.
I can't see Philip Snr leaving the UK though (yet)
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Yes, Elisabeth Hodges and her husband Christopher, took my dad in as their son.I do not think there was anything formal as he is described in various papers as, son, adopted son and Elisabeth as mother, stepmother and guardian. Christopher does not seem to have taken much part in this! According to my mother, Philip was spoilt rotten by Elisabeth. Philip Sen. was always regarded as the villain, leaving his family, but as he had a long relationship with Elisabeth Healey, maybe Annie gave him a bad time as she was very quick to unload her boys. But of course we do not know the circumstances and there was no ''Benefits Agency'' then. Frederick did die in 1927, but what of we do not know, illness probably, he was in WW1, in the navy, I think. Sylvia
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Me again! Could you find anything about the Los Angeles connection. I have them in 4th St. as Roominghouse keepers. Could there have been children? All this stuff is fascinating. I also found out that my mother Florence Shacklady was illegitimate and her father is not known. He is down as Percy Shacklady but in spite of many searches he has not been found. There was a Percy Edwards living nearby, but I doubt if it was him that got my grandmother 'with child'. Thankyou for your help. Sylvia
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The 1949 San Pedro, California city directory has this:
McGiffin, Phillip E. (Eliz L), home 298 W. 4th
This looks like the same address that they were at for the 1930 Census. Interestingly, the census doesn't seem to address any prior marriage, because Phillip is listed as age 56 and Elizabeth was age 53. Phillip's age at 1st marriage was listed as 43, and Elizabeth's was 40. Given Elizabeth's age & the length of their marriage, it doesn't seem likely that they had any childen. Or at least none that survived childhood.
The 1940 Census has been released, but hasn't been fully indexed yet. It's available for free here: http://1940census.archives.gov/getting-started/ The 1930 Enumeration district is 19-591, if you want to try to find them
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Fredrick Samuel's service record for the navy can be downloaded for a small fee (£3.50), but this contains no family information. However, if he died while still in the navy you will have advanced your knowledge a little.
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7194043&queryType=1&resultcount=2
Martin
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Sorry, been away from the laptop for a few days over the bank holiday, Thankyou for all the sterling work everybody has done on my behalf. I had a feeling there might not be children for Philip and Elisabeth. I will see if I can find the address on Google. Many thanks to all. Sylvia
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Hi, taking a chance on you reading this!? Philip McGiffin (born Ireland 1816-1861) is my great great great grandfather. His son Robert, was married to Elizabeth Taylor. One of their son's was Samuel and he had a daughter called Nellie . . . who was my grandmother. I have read a notice which suggests that Philip (master of a workhouse) was in a relationship with a resident and as such had to spirit her away to England. No evidence that this is true though.
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Hallo, who are you ? I am still in the search for any news of McGiffin ancestors. I know as much as I can about the USA years, such a shame that Dad never knew his father was still alive up to 1955. So what have you found out ? I think the Workhouse was in Portadown ? Sylvia
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Good afternoon Sylvia,
Lovely to hear from you. I live in Betley which is South Cheshire/North Staffordshire. I've used Ancestry to do a family tree (Willis family tree) - could you look at that? I was adopted and the people on this tree are my birth ancestors. Really interested to learn about Philip Sen, being based in Portadown workhouse, how did you find that out? I wonder; does this mean we are distantly related via Robert, Philip and Samuel? So many questions . . . .
Hope to hear from you soon, Chris
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Have you had a Google on Carol McGiffin and Mr Bumble. Yes she is one of us . I have never contacted her. Her grandmother [?] was called Nellie ! Our esteemed ancestor also had an older son... Sargeant McGiffin who went to Liverpool. [?] Have you found him. If I knew this would be secure I would give you my email address. I am also on Genes Reunited.
Sylvia
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Have you had a Google on Carol McGiffin and Mr Bumble. Yes she is one of us . I have never contacted her. Her grandmother [?] was called Nellie ! Our esteemed ancestor also had an older son... Sargeant McGiffin who went to Liverpool. [?] Have you found him. If I knew this would be secure I would give you my email address. I am also on Genes Reunited.
Sylvia
If you click on the name of postie1 - on the next screen click on send pm - this will take you to a personal message screen where you can send private messages or exchange e-mail addresses.
Hope this helps
Sandra