William H Smith (1869-?) Philadelphia

[Londinium]

I've been trying to track down my great grandfather's movements in the states for a while now but I've hit an annoying roadblock. He was born in Liversedge, Yorkshire in 1869 and was resident in England right up until 1901/1902.

He then moved to the States in roughly 1901/1902 from information on censuses. He moved to the states with his two sons Norman and Cyril and I believe his wife Sarah Ann was pregnant as I found a record for a baby Mable Smith born in Philadelphia in 1902 who unfortunately died. He ended up in Philadelphia by 1910 (may well have started there aswell,, his daughter being born there suggests he was) and appears in the 1910, 1920 and 1930 censuses as being resident in Philadelphia. He had my grandfather in 1926 (when he was 57!) in Philadelphia with a new wife after his first wife had died in 1921 (I found her funeral notice in the Philadelphia Inquirer). Also he apparently naturalised as a US citizen in 1918 according to the 1920 US census, although I've been unable to find the actual documentation for this.

What I'm struggling to discover about him is how he entered the United States and what became of him. I didn't find any reference to him on the Ellis Island website so that makes me think that he came through Philadelphia but I'm not sure how to check Philadelphia passenger lists? Also how would I go about trying to find out about his death in Pennsylvania?

Any help on this would be much appreciated.

[Lisa in California]

I don't see their arrival at any port, however, they still might be found.

Do you know if their last residence was Liversedge, please?

[*Sandra*]

New York Passenger List

Norman Smith. Born about 1899. Aged 8 years.
Port of Departure: Liverpool, England to New York On the Carmania. Arriving 3 Oct 1907
Also travelling Sarah Ann Smith. Aged 38 years and Cyril Smith aged 10 years.
It says United States Citizens. Going to 439 Walnut Lane. Rosaboro  Philadelphia. Pennsylvania.

[*Sandra*]

Family must have travelled a few times - UK Incoming Passenger List

Cyril Smith. Born about 1897 Aged 10 years
Port of Departure: New York, New York to Liverpool. On Umbria - 19 May 1907
British Subjects Sarah Smith 38 years and Norman 8 years
 

[Lisa in California]

Great finds, Sandra.

According to an online site, a neighbourhood in Northwest Philadelphia was Roxborough.

[Lisa in California]

A possibility?
Sailing on the Haverford from Liverpool to Philadelphia, arriving 24 September 1905:
William H Smith, age 35, married, Chandelier Maker, nationality English, last permanent residence Aston,  final destination Phila.
Whether ever before in the U.S. (if so, when and where):
1901 (4 years?)
1905 Phila
Joining relative or friend: home 4819 Hawthorne St. Phila

[Londinium]

Thanks for the help guys. His last residence in the UK was indeed Liversedge, Yorkshire during the 1901 UK Census, he then emmigrates to the United States shortly after.

Seems strange that they're listed as American citizens in 1907 as the 1920 US census doesn't mention William H Smith being naturalised as an American citizen until 1918.

I'm not sure that last one is my William H Smith mind, as Aston is in Birmingham which is a fair distance from Liversedge in West Yorkshire.

[Lisa in California]

Do you know where any of the family members are buried in the states?

[Lisa in California]

I wonder why I haven't found a WWI draft reg card for Cyril?  Perhaps he was too young for it to be mandatory for him to register?