William Stewart-Ellen Mc Donald marriage or census record?..

[DTavoian]

My great-great-grandfather was Charles Stewart, born about July 1845 in Scotland, died in New York City in August 1907. According to his death record, he came to America in about 1867. I have been unable to locate his immigration record.

I am looking for information on his parents. They were William Stewart and Ellen McDonald. I have been looking on ScotlandsPeople and cannot find a marriage record, nor do I find them listed in the available census records. I cannot even be sure if they came with him, or stayed behind. I find no record of them in either Scotland or New York City.

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated. In two weeks my husband will be in England for business and I would love to give him a "project" for the weekend that he will be there!

[JustJean]

Hi Diane...and Welcome to TalkingScot!

I hope that you can spare a little more info. I had a look at the 1900 US census expecting to find him in NY but none look likely (unless his age was really diminished!) Was looking to corroborate the estimated birth date info you stated. Did Charles always live in New York? Also.....would you guess that he married in Scotland or over here?.....and his wife's name too please.....and any idea if he had siblings?

So far only one Charles in the IGI and that one doesn't look promising ......so we have to drag out the heavy artillary

Best wishes
Jean

[DTavoian]

Long family story: my grandfather, William Robertson Stewart (born 2 Apr 1893 in NY), was the oldest son of William H. Stewart (born about 1874 in in NY) and Lizzie Robertson (born about 1875 in Scotland). I have never located their marriage record. According to Lizzie's death certificate, she came to America about 1889. Their years of birth have been estimated based on the ages listed on their sons' birth certificates.

From documents at the Children's Aid Society and SPCC, we know that William H. Stewart's father's name was Charles (this is the one I am seeking). A couple of addresses are listed for him, both in the Manhattan area. An uncle Charles Stewart, brother to the boys' father William is mentioned. An Aunt Maggie Sweeney is mentioned as housekeeper for the patriarch Charles. An Uncle Robert is mentioned, but it is not clear from the letters if Robert is a Stewart or a Robertson. Further information leads me to believe that the Robert mentioned is a younger Stewart brother.

My grandfather (William Robertson Stewart) and his brother (Hector Stewart) are turned over to the Five Points House of Industry in 1899, as the father William H. Stewart has deserted the family and the mother Lizzie is unable to care for all the children. The youngest son Charles is handed over to Maggie Stewart Sweeney and her husband William.

William and Hector can be found in the 1900 census listing for the Five Points House of Industry. I have never found any of the other family members in the 1900 census. (Their father William H. Stewart is hiding from authorities at this point).

I have found Maggie and husband William in the 1910 census at 112 Pearl Street in Manhattan. This is the address given for patriarch Charles Stewart in the letters from the Children's Aid Society and the SPCC, as well as the address listed on his death certificate for his last residence.

On this same death certificate I finally learned the names of his parents: William Stewart (born in Scotland) and Ellen McDonald (born in Scotland). There are no dates for them.

My information for the birth of the older Charles Stewart comes from 2 sources: first, his death certificate lists him as age 62 at his death in 1907, a widower, and having lived in the US for 40 years. Then, in the 1880 census, state of New York, Manhattan area, there is a Charles Stewart (born 1845 in Scotland) with wife Margaret (born about 1851 in NY) and two sons are listed: William (born about 1874 in NY) and Charles (born about 1877 in NY). This is such a close match that it almost must be them.

Their mother Lizzie dies on 1 Jan 1904 at the age of 29 (exhaustion is listed as the cause). At this point the two older boys are "released" to be sent west on an orphan train. They are both adopted by related families in Iowa.

Patriarch Charles Stewart death date is 28 Aug 1907. He is buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery, same as daughter-in-law Lizzie. Only a short time later, the uncle Charles Stewart is hit and killed by a train in Fishkill, NY on 9 Oct 1907. Age at death matches the 1880 census family. He, too, is buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery. His death certificate lists his mother's name as Margaret Maloney (matching the first name in the 1880 census). (His death was first reported in a newspaper as Robert Stewart, based on a letter found in his pocket).

I have looked for other records, to no avail. I am currently waiting for a death certificate for a William H. Stewart that died in 1921. It may or may not be the boys' father. The greatest mystery right now seems to be: what family member had enough money to have them all buried in the same mausoleum in Queens???

Good grief, this has turned into a long post. I do not know if it will give anyone enough more information to be of help!

Thanks, all!

[Andy]

Think that William's brother, Charles can be found in Manhattan in 1900. Born New York, father born Scotland, Mother New York.

He was married to an New York born Rose whose father was Irish and mother New York.

They had 4 children, two living. Rosie born 1899 and Maggie 1894 the parents had been married for 6 years Charles was an Awning Maker.

In 1871 there is a 30 year old Scottish born Chas. Stewart staying with a Helen Stewart 52 also born Scotland.

A couple of doors away is a Scottish William 31 wife Helen 32 and three year old William.

Back to 1900 there is a William Stewart of exactly right for the son's age boarding with a family in Monroe, Rochester. Wife? Beatrice (they'd been married five years). He and his mother were born in New York but his father was Scottish. The couple had no children.

Do you have William R, Hector and Charles birth dates? In case you don't:

Wm. R. 02 Apr 1893
Hector 10 Jan 1896
Charles there are five possibilities

[DTavoian]

Think that William's brother, Charles can be found in Manhattan in 1900. Born New York, father born Scotland, Mother New York. He was married to an New York born Rose whose father was Irish and mother New York. They had 4 children, two living. Rosie born 1899 and Maggie 1894 the parents had been married for 6 years Charles was an Awning Maker.

The occupation of awning maker matches the occupation listed on the death certificate for Charles. Date of birth would be a bit off, so I would hesitate to be sure this is the right Charles without at least one more substantiating detail. His occupation and the naming of the second daughter listed lead me to believe that this is the right guy, though.

In 1871 there is a 30 year old Scottish born Chas. Stewart staying with a Helen Stewart 52 also born Scotland. A couple of doors away is a Scottish William 31 wife Helen 32 and three year old William.

This one is new to me - very interesting. What listing is this? Again, the age would not be accurate for my Charles. But, it would be very easy for Helen to have been misinterpreted as "Ellen," or vice versa. Did it show the address? I'll also tuck away a note on the William a few doors away.

Back to 1900 there is a William Stewart of exactly right for the son's age boarding with a family in Monroe, Rochester. Wife? Beatrice (they'd been married five years). He and his mother were born in New York but his father was Scottish. The couple had no children.

A lot of details match, but he is unlikely to be my William H. Stewart, as William and Lizzie were still together in Brooklyn and youngest son Charles was born 2 Feb 1897. Unless he had a second life going on.......

I appreciate all this searching on my behalf! It is a warm feeling to know that someone, many miles away, can want to help me in my search. Thank you so much.

[Andy]

The reference for Chas. Stewart in 1870 is New York Ward 20 District 6 (2nd Enum), New York, NY

No address is given.

[DTavoian]

I found the family you mentioned. The address is actually listed on the document, on the left side and reading vertically. Interesting address - I think it may be one of the addresses listed in the documents from the Children's Aid Society, but I will have to verify that when I am at home. It may just be hopeful thinking on my part.

There are 6 families living in the building, so the William listed is in the same building, making it even more likely that he is related to the Charles and Helen there.

If, when the census taker came knocking, and a family was not at home, did they simply ask the neighbors to supply the answers?