Family of Gordon Armstrong Michigan Look up

[pollyflinders]

hi every one
I have traced the emigrating of my great uncle Gordon Armstrong to Drayton, Newaygo, Michigan as far as I can. He left Weardale in England in Dec 1906 on the Majestic. Thereafter he found work on the farm of William and Leida Parker who themselves were originally from England and had moved to Michigan via Canada. In the 1920 census it appears that Gordon had married the parkers daughter Waltha ( also spelled Weltha) and had taken over the farm.  By 1930 they had 3 children, Irene, Jean and Bonnie.  After that time my grandfather lost touch with Gordon but it is possible that local records might reveal descendants that I might contact, not to make a nuisance of myself but just to complete the story. Any ideas where to start?
thanks
Yvonne

[KathMc]

To start with, it looks like this could be your Weltha Armstrong.

http://www.kindredkonnections.com/cgi-bin/ssdirslt?-1+0+000000+English+0-0+/sym/dbusa_ssdi/ssdia.dat+135293640

Her last residence was Hersperia, Oceana, Michigan. You can start by contacting the local library there and in Dayton, MI. An obit will hopefully give living relatives.

There is also a death for a Gordon Armstrong Dec 1970 in Fremont, MI, born on 22 Jan 1885. do you know if this is his birthdate? You could try his obit also.

Unfortunately for researching, it looks like they had only daughters. Once they marry, it is so hard to trace them. The obits will be your best bets. they are usually free or very cheap, as in a couple American dollars. You can find the libraries by searching online, and usually you can contact them via email.

Good luck and let me know if you need any help. I love finding living relatives.

Kath

[shellyesq]

I think you have the right birth date, Kath. 

WWI Draft Registration Card
Gordon Armstrong
R2, Fremont, Michigan
born 23 Jan 1885
White, alien declarant, British
occupation - farming, employed by self
nearest relative - Weltha Armstrong, same address
Medium height & build, brown hair & eyes.

Gordon & Weltha's marriage record is here:  http://labs.familysearch.org/  She is transcribed as "Welthy".

According to the Michigan Death Index, Weltha Armstrong died 21 Oct 1972 at Sherman, Newaygo, Michigan.  Her residence was Dayton, Newaygo, Michigan.

[KathMc]

An obit is the way to go on this then, I think. It looks like the family stayed put for quite a while. You could even contact a small town library like that or the post office, and you could get someone who actually knew them. It is population about 2000. How cool would that be? 

Kath

[pollyflinders]

*COMPLETED*
Hello KathMc and Shellyesq
many, many thanks for your helpful suggestions and all the information you have uncovered, and so quickly!!.It certainly looks like the right family, Gordon's birthday was definitely early 1885 ( I actually don't know the exact date, just the quarter) I will follow up on the Obits and libraries ASAP. Incidentally you've solved another mystery - one of the last postcards we received was addressed as Fremont but Gordon's copperplate handwriting made it look like 'Friesmont', no wonder I couldn't find it on Google!!!
thanks again
Yvonne

[shellyesq]

This shows where Gordon & Weltha are buried:  http://newaygo.migenweb.net/jewceme.htm

Gordon's obit is listed here:  http://www.fremontlibrary.net/Local%20History/obitsa.asp

Daughter Jean's obit is here:  http://fremontlibrary.net/Local%20History/obitsj.asp

There's an anniversary listing for Jean here:  http://fremontlibrary.net/Local%20History/Anniversary.asp

[KathMc]

Perfect Shelly. Gives married names of the sisters, and some children's names. 

Now you can start looking on White pages or some other site and find some addresses Yvonne. Let me know if you need any help with that.

Kath

[pollyflinders]

Many thanks once again - I have been away on a short walking holiday and have just got back so have not had time to digest all of this info just yet. Will have more of a chance next week & will be in touch
thanks again
Yvonne