Illegitimate birth

[johnnyboy]

Hi Silas: I heard back from the library in Bergenfield. The only information the reference librarian was able to dig up was a listing in the 1926 city directory confirming that "Mr. & Mrs Joseph M. Wigglesworth resided at 150 West Clinton Avenue" in Bergenfield. In 1947, she said, the house was occupied by two families, but she didn't name them.

If I learn anything else, I'll post it.

Regards,
John
 

[Silas]

Johnnyboy - thank you very much for that info.  I wonder if it was my Joseph and his 'wife'.  What do you think?

Silas.

[katherinem]

Some interesting news, a friends credits were due to expire with SP, and asked if I needed anything.  So naturally, I jumped at the chance

Anyway, we have looked up the marriage entry in 1900 and it is Joseph Wigglesworth, a bricklayer journeyman to Elizabeth Gillespie and the parents of Joseph are given as Richard Wigglesworth, bottlemaker and Sarah Wigglesworth (maiden name Morris).

Haven't got time to write more, but I had to let you know this straight away.  I'll get back with more info later.

Kath

[Silas]

Kath - thank you so much, what a turn-up !!  Wonder if he was divorced from Emily when he married Elizabeth.  The marriage to Emily was 1894.  I would have thought it was difficult and expensive to get divorced at that time.  Anyway, thank you for taking the trouble to look for me - I'm thrilled !!

Silas

[johnnyboy]

Hi all: Congratulations on the marriage in Scotland news. The question now becomes one of determining what happened in Joseph Wigglesworth's life in the 11 years between 1906, when Lizzie Wigglesworth arrived in the U.S. with her daughter (who by the way is identified also as Lizzie on the passenger manifest) and 1917, when his WWI draft registration lists wife as Julia.

One possible search involves a divorce of Joseph and Lizzie in either New York or New Jersey, or the death of Lizzie. Then there's a remarriage in either New York or New Jersey with Julia.

I'm trying to find where these records are. Whereabouts of records for New Jersey naturalizations after 1906 are a mystery. I'll post as I find something.

It's also wise to keep in mind the possibility that we're dealing with two different Joseph Wigglesworths here.


Regards,
John

[Silas]

It was definitely my Joseph though that married Elizabeth Gillespie in 1900 - his parents are the correct ones, plus his father Richard's occupation, so we're right that far.

[katherinem]

Hi,
I would hazard a guess, that Emily and Joseph weren't divorced, but you never know
On the marriage entry Joseph is down as 'bachelor' and they were married in Partick,on the 29 Dec 1899, the entries were made in 1900, if you would like a copy of the entry, send me a PM of your e mail address and I'll get it off to you.
Elizabeth Gillespie jnr was born illegitimately to Elizabeth on the 16 Sep 1897, wonder if she was Joseph's, if she was, why did they wait so long to marry?
Catherine Green Wigglesworth, (Green was Elizabeth's mother's maiden name), whom was on the 1901 died aged 4 in Partick.
It is going to be interesting to see what John manages to find out for you.
Kath

[Silas]

Thank you for that info Kath.  I doubt he was divorced from Emily either.  How did folk bigamously marry in those days, because I believe it was quite a common occurrence.  How did they get away with it - I would be interested to know. If he was down on the marriage entry as bachelor - surely he was lying, because the correct description would have been divorcee or 'previous marriage dissolved' ?

[Boongie Pam]

Census info from Scotland...
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=193105.msg957994#msg957994

I am locking the Scotland thread as we don't want duplication of effort on a pay per view website.

Great detective work