William H Smith (1869-?) Philadelphia

[Londinium]

I also found that rather odd that Cyril's WW1 draft card isn't around considering I found his WWII draft card, you can see it here: http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/4056/cyrilsmithww2regcard.jpg

He's definitely in the States just after the Great War as he appears in the 1920 US Census living with parents and his brother. You can see their listing here:  http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/5986/1920census.jpg

What made me question the earlier listing of them as American citizens is that cleary states that William H Smith didn't naturalise until 1918 and it appears his two sons naturalised through what looks to be the Army. There's a suspicion that this might be Norman, as it tallies up with his military experience, where he lived in 1920 and 1930 and his listing as a clerk for a telephone company in the 1930 census:

Philadelphia Inquirer, The (PA) - July 10, 1988
Deceased Name: NORMAN SMITH, OF FOX CHASE
Norman Smith, 89, a decorated veteran of World War I, died June 29 at his home in Fox Chase.
Mr. Smith, who was retired, had spent most of his career working in the real estate offices of Bell Telephone Co.
Mr. Smith was an Army cavalryman and rode into battle with the first U.S. contingent to enter the fighting in France in 1917. He took part in a number of major campaigns, including the Battles of the Marne and the Argonne Forest.
He was a Mason.
He is survived by his wife, ^(*); two sons, ^(*) and ^(*); a daughter, ^(*), and six grandchildren.
Services were private. Funeral arrangements were by Fletcher Funeral Home, 9529 Bustleton Ave.
Edition: PENNA
Page: N06
Copyright (c) 1988 The Philadelphia Inquirer

Other than that I have no knowledge of what happened to Norman and William H. Smith. Their last appearance is in the 1930 US Census. This is one of the mysteries I'm trying to solve. Firstly how and when did William get into the States and secondly what ultimately became of them, other than my grandfather who I know came back to England served in the military in some form and died here in the early 80s.


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[shellyesq]

If Cyril was already in the military at the time, he wouldn't have been required to fill out the draft card.  So that might be why it can't be found.

[johnnyboy]

Anc...ry.com might have naturalizations from the eastern part of Pennsylvania in one of their naturalization databases.

I know the following doesn't help you across the water in the U.K. But you might be able to find the naturalizations done in U.S. federal courts (as opposed to state or local courts) on microfilm at the U.S. National Archives Mid-East Region branch in Philadelphia. You should read the City of Philadelphia's page on locating naturalizations done in the city, whether in a federal or a state court. Very informative. It's at http://www.phila.gov/phils/Docs/Inventor/natz.htm.

Philadelphia's city's archives has copies of naturalizations done in state and local courts. Go here to read about it: http://www.phila.gov/phils/Docs/Inventor/natinstr.htm

William H. Smith's death certificate would be held by the State of Pennsylvania. As a member of the extended family, you are eligible to order a copy. Unfortunately, multiple year searches get expensive. A search of ten years costs $34. Go here to read about it: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/death_certificates/14122 

Hope this helps.

Regards,
John