Mary Olivia Symonds

[lancs.fox]

Can anyone kindly help?

I'm trying to trace the death of Mary Olivia Symonds (formerly Simonds and nee Fox).  She was born c.1851 in Atherstone, England, and emigrated to the USA in 1903/05 (depending on which census you rely).

In 1930, Mary Olivia was living in Linwood borough, Atlantic county, New Jersey, as the head of the family, a widow, and with her were her son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren.  She was then aged 79.

I would like to discover when and where she died if at all possible.

Thanks in anticipation.

Richard Fox (Lancashire)

[shellyesq]

I came across a WWII Draft Registration card for a William Wilfred Symonds, who I thought might be Mary's son based on the 1920/1930 Census records.  He was living at 703 Lake Street, Richardson Park, New Castle Co., Delaware.  He was born 22 Dec 1896 in Staffordshire, England.  The name of the person who would always know his address was Mary Symonds at the same address.  (Not sure if that's her or another Mary.)  He was working for painter Robert A. Reed at 700 French St., Wilmington, Delaware

The Social Security Death Index has a William Symonds born the same day who died Aug 1962 and his SSN was issued in Delaware before 1951.  Perhaps, if you were able to get an obituary for him, it might give you a clue about Mary or the whereabouts of other relatives.

[lancs.fox]

Hi shellyesq,

Thanks a lot for that information.

The Mary Symonds who was mentioned on William Wilfred's draft card is the right person. 

I wasn't aware that the World War 2 draft cards are online until you mentioned that you had seen the one for William Wilfred, so I have now had a look myself and found the cards for two of Mary's other sons as well.  The cards are fascinating as they give such a good description of the person - weight, height, complexion, hair colour etc.  I only wish such records were available here for residents of the UK.

Since the original posting I have been advised by one of her descendants in the States that Mary Olivia Symonds died around 1944, aged in her 90s, and is buried at the Old St. James Episcopal Church in Delaware.  I have not yet been able to ascertain her exact date of death or burial (I might try writing to the Church, if it is still consecrated and practising - if that is the right term).  I have had a look at the Social Security Death Index online but not been able to find her there - maybe it only records deaths from some date after Mary Olivia's death.

I was interested to see that William Wilfred gave his date of birth as 22 December 1896 to the authorities in the States, but I suspect that in reality it was two years earlier as I have found his Staffordshire birth registration index reference which would indicate an earlier date of late 1894/early 1895.

Thanks again for all your help.

Richard

[shellyesq]

Yes, most of the entries in the SSDI are from the 1960's and thereafter. 

You might want to take a look at the volunteers on www.raogk.com - sometimes there are local people who will do look-ups for vital records or obituaries or will take pictures of headstones. 

[lancs.fox]

Thanks, again, shelleyesq for that information.

I'll have a look and see whether raogk.com might be able to help me.

[jdsykes]

While this is a rather old posting, I am hoping that it is still active.  I am a hospice volunteer and am frequently visiting ^(*), who is the daughter of Mary Leach.  ^(*), who is living in the US state of Delaware and is in her nineties, has memories of her mother and early roots in England.  Do you have more information that I might share with her?

Many Thanks,
John

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[aharris]

To shelleyesq:  I am fairly certain that Mary Olivia Symonds was my great grandmother.  She came to the US early in the 20th century with her then adult sons Albert (my grandfather) and George, and a daughter whom I believe was named Isabelle.  She may have had other adult children who remained in the Atherstone area.  I don't recall a William Wilfred, but I have a vague recollection of hearing about an Uncle Bill.  Mary lived for a while with my grandparents in Richardson Park, Delaware.  My mother remembered her as short, plump, and full spirit -- for example, when she heard on the radio that King Edward abdicated to marry Wallace Simpson, my great grandmother tore his picture off the living room wall and stomped on it.   I also believe that she was a member of Old St. James Church, which is also where my grandfather and grandmother are buried.  George joined the US Army where he built his career and rose to the officer ranks, was decorated in WW2, and is buried in Arlington. 

To John:  ^(*) is my aunt.  Her full name is ^(*). 

To Richard:  If your last name is Fox, I think you're one of my distant English cousins.  Was your Dad named Peter?

^(*) Moderator Comment:
Edited in accordance with RootsChat policy of not publishing details of living people here, or details of people who may still be living. This is to protect all concerned from spam, identity abuse, internet abuse, etc, etc.
Please use the Personal Message (PM) system for exchanging personal data.  New members must make at least three postings before being allowed to use the PM facility.
See Help-Page:  http://www.rootschat.com/help/pms.php