Illegitimate birth

[johnnyboy]

Hi Silas and others: I checked around for Joseph Wigglesworth's naturalization record, but have been unable to find out where they might be archived. The  New Jersey State Archives have naturalizations only until 1906; Bergen County, where Joseph appears to have been naturalized (naturalized in 1919; residing Bergenfield at least 1917-1930), doesn't seem to have them archived.

I did look at Joesph's WWI draft registration again. He lives in New Jersey, but says his employer is in Maryland (Annapolis, Anne Arundel County). Could be just the head office is there. But on his passenger manifest in 1904, he says his ultimate destination is Baltimore. Have no idea if that is significant.

His wife Julia, I noticed from the census, is of German ancestry. On the draft registration her name is not readable. Valda thought it might be Minow(?). I think it might be Arnow, but there is no crossbar for the A.

At any rate, I noticed on Lizzie Wigglesworth's manifest that husband Joseph Wigglesworth's address was given as 1489 Avenue A, Manhattan. That address would be 1489 York Avenue today, I think, as the name of part of Avenue A was changed years ago to York Avenue. That would place the address in what in 1906 was a predominantly German American neighborhood. Have no idea if that is significant either, except that it would have given Joe the opportunity to meet Julia, a German American.

John

[Silas]

Hi Johnnyboy this gets curiouser by the day - so Julia could be of German origin then.  Wonder what happened to his 2nd 'wife' Elizabeth then and whether he ever legally married anyone after poor Emily.  I do know that his grandaughter whose mother was Ellen - the illegitimate child, is still living and in Australia (named Doreen), but I know little about her and in fact am trying to find out her birthdate.  Anyway, thank you for the extra information.

Silas

[Silas]

Well folks I think we've got as far as we can with this research now - what a lot you have all turned up for me and I can't thank you enough.  Thanks to Kath, Valda, Pam and Johnnyboy - especially you Johnnyboy with all the American research.  Don't hesitate to contact me though if you find out any more about the terrible Joseph.  Thank you all.

Silas

[hmpollard]

I happened to come across this thread while doing some genealogical research.  Amazing what google comes up with sometimes!  I am a descendant of Joseph Wigglesworth, born in Castleford and who settled in NJ.  I've done a bit of research on him and would be glad to answer any questions if I can.  It will take me a little while to make my way through this thread.  As far as I knew, my Joseph had only two marriages, to Elizabeth Gillespie and Julia Kinow.  Would be interested to find out more of what you know.

Heather

[hmpollard]

The daughter Lizzie who immigrated with Elizabeth was born in 1905 - she was 8 months, not 8 years.  I assume she died young because I know nothing else about her.  Their daughter Mary was born in 1906.   

Elizabeth died in 1914 and is buried in New Jersey with Joseph and 2nd (or 3rd?) wife Julia.

The marriage to Julia Kinow took place 4 Jul 1915.  They had three daughters, Alice, Edna, and Ruth.  Edna was my grandmother.  Julia died in 1928, probably from complications of childbirth. 

Joseph built their house on Clinton Ave and later lost it during the Depression.  He also helped to build the Empire State Building.  He died in 1950.

I am very interested to find out about the 1894 marriage and Ellen (edited to correct name).
Thanks!

[Silas]

Well, I have established that hmpollard's Joseph and mine are one and the same person - we have been communicating by email to each other. Still not sure though whether Joseph ever divorced Emily before he married Elizabeth Gillespie.

[hmpollard]

I wouldn't mind trying to get the Scottish marriage certificate for Joseph and Elizabeth, if it isn't too much $$...  I don't know the date though, only that it was 1900.  Maybe it will state if he was divorced or not, however it does appear that he was trying to escape the situation by leaving the country.

Do you think Ellen may have a baptism record in the Castleford parish registers?  Maybe it will list her father's name.  Castleford Parish Church of England?  I could take a look at the LDS films.

Could Joseph and Emily possibly have had a pre-arranged marriage?  I'm having trouble wrapping my mind around his apparent actions...  Was it just a really terrible moment of weakness?  Did he flip out after tying the knot and realizing it's implications?  Was he regretful?  Did he and Emily try to work things out or did he run in shame?  As far as I know, he conducted himself well after this major scandal.   

I have written to Ruth's son Steve, who has also done a bit of genealogical research, though his is more focused on living relatives.  Ruth is Joseph's only surviving daughter (that I know of  ).  I am wondering if Steve will find out if she knew anything about this.

[katherinem]

Hi hmpollard,

I may still have the Scottish marriage cert for Joseph and Elizabeth, I will check this evening when I am back from work.

Kath

[hmpollard]

Kath,

That would be great!  And sorry, I realize now that not too far back in this thread you said you had taken a look at the certificate, and that he reported himself to be a bachelor.  This is a long thread and I am still playing catch-up!  Nonetheless, I'd still love to have a copy of it if you still have it.  If not, it is no big deal.  Thank you!

I wish there were some way I could understand or know the circumstances surrounding the situation.  That is the problem with genealogy, when something is uncovered, it always brings up so many more questions!!

This whole story is truly mind-boggling.  I am pretty sure no one in my family knew of this.
I wonder if Joseph told anyone.  He brought Julia, my grandmother Edna, and her sister Alice to visit Castleford in 1927.  I think he must have visited his parents whom he had not seen since the situation over 30 years before.  I wonder if anyone brought up the incident.  It must have taken some courage to go back.  His parents both died a few years after their visit, so I think it must have been nice for him to see them again.  I wonder if he knew Ellen was no longer living in Castleford.