HELP - Thomas Vernal Dobson Massachusetts

[Debbie1161]

Hi I'm new to this and am really struggling to find one of my ancestors Thomas Vernal Dobson.  He was born in Bradford, West Yorkshire England in 1886.  He married Nellie Harriet Greenfield in 1906 and migrated to Boston Massachusetts in 1910.  Nellie followed him in 1911 with their 2 daughters Jennie b1908 and Edith b1910.

Thomas seems to have dropped the Thomas and is now known as Vernal for some reason. They lived in Lawrence Ward 1, Essex, Massachusetts and by 1920 had at least another 2 children Mildred b 1915 and Walter b1920.

I can find no trace of him after this and am wondering if he died because it seems that the family have split up by 1930 as Walter is then living with an uncle Frederick Gibson (no idea who this is) in Chichester, Merrimack, New Hampshire.

I'd love to know what happened to them all and would really appreciate some help with this one please.

[*Sandra*]

HI Debbie 1161,

Jennie seems to be in  the Massachusetts Memorial Hospital as a patient in 1930

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XQRS-955

Vernal and Nellie appear in City Directories up to 1920 but can't see nothing later so far.

The birth record for Mildred, gave a birth date of 8 th November 1915. The following death record would have a matching birth date - possibility. 

Mildred H. Freedman. Born 8 th November 1915 and died 16 th August 2004
Last Residence: 01970  Salem, Essex, Massachusetts. 
SSN was issued in Massachusetts (1953-1955)

Sandra

Added:- Having read the obituary for the above - only one reference to a sister by the name of Ruth, so unlikely it is the correct match 

[Debbie1161]

Thanks for looking Sandra it's strange that they seem to disappear isn't it?

[*Sandra*]

Definately - could be Spanish Flu I suppose and they have both died 
Still looking.

Sandra

[Debbie1161]

I think you're right it would make sense and could explain why Jennie is in hospital.  Also,  I've just found Edith living as a lodger in 1930 in Washington, District of Columbia

[*Sandra*]

A couple of Washington District of Columbia - City Directory entries for Edith M N Dobson in 1931 and 1932. Perhaps she married after that year 

1931 - Edith M N Vet Bu r 1330  L nw

1932 - Edith M N  sten - Geol Sur Int Dept  - r 1610  16th nw

Sandra

[*Sandra*]

The year is out by 1 year and the middle initial is E not M N but they are not always correct. Right place as of 1930 - Possibility perhaps 

Edith E. Fields
Born 2 March 1911 and died 29 December 2002
Last Residence: 20009  Washington, District of Columbia, District of Columbia,
SSN was issued in District of Columbia (Before 1951)

Sandra

[*Sandra*]

Something else to bear in mind - a marriage of Edith Mary Dobson in District of Columbia 30 July 1938 to Jack Furman Freshour 

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/V64P-66G

Sandra

[*Sandra*]

Still clutching at straws but IF the above was correct, then Edith could have remarried as Jack died in 1957

Jack Furman Freshour. 19 April 1907 and died 7 th January 1957. Interment 10 January 1957 - Arlington National Cemetery  - C/O Director Arlington, VA 22211
Buried At: Section 31 Site 8205
Service Info.: PVT CO B 1ST BN Finance Dept USA


http://www.rootschat.com/links/0lgk/

Sandra