Any San Francisco experts out there?

[marypryde]

I have traced two brothers and their mother to San Francisco, CA, NLT 1930. Have lost the thread at that point. Here are the facts I have:

Background: John Burnside Thomson immigrated from Scotland to the state of New York in 1911. He was accompanied by his second wife, Elizabeth Jamieson Thomson and their two young sons. John the elder died some time before 1930, presumably in New York. I then find his widow and sons in California as follows:

Elizabeth Jamieson Thomson, b. 22 September 1885 in Scotland. Death 15 March 1969 in Redwood City, CA. (California death index)

John Burnside Thomson, the younger b. 2 February 1907 in Scotland: Death in August 1981 in San Francisco, CA (California death index)

Robert Jamieson Campbell Thomson b. 14 December 1908 in Scotland shows a U.S. Naturalization Record on Septembe 8, 1930 when he had reached 21 years of age. His address is given as 218 Eureka Street, San Francisco, CA. Also his death in San Francisco, CA in December 1989 (California death index).

Any suggestions on places to look for this family other than the death index? I don't know what took them to California in the first place. I think my best clue is Robert's address.

All suggestions are welcome, Mary

[SarahND]

Hi Mary,
Have a wander around this site: http://www.sfgenealogy.com/
There is a wealth of information here-- lots of old San Francisco newspapers, etc. Much of it may be too early for your family, but there may be something.

All the best,
Sarah

[marypryde]

Thank you, Sarah. I have already found some confirmation on that site and may find something new by the end of the "wander." I much appreciate your expert knowledge. Mary Ellen

[momat]

Hi Mary,
Have you tried this site.
http://www.footnote.com/

[mrscdrew]

Re: Background: John Burnside Thomson immigrated from Scotland to the state of New York in 1911. He was accompanied by his second wife, Elizabeth Jamieson Thomson and their two young sons. John the elder died some time before 1930, presumably in New York. I then find his widow and sons in California as follows:
Elizabeth Jamieson Thomson, b. 22 September 1885 in Scotland. Death 15 March 1969 in Redwood City, CA. (California death index)
John Burnside Thomson, the younger b. 2 February 1907 in Scotland: Death in August 1981 in San Francisco, CA (California death index)

Mary, John Burnside Thomson and Elizabeth Jamieson Thomson are my paternal grandparents. I am the youngest daughter of John Burnside Thomson, born in Scotland in 1907 and died in San Francisco in 1981. I have contacted you via another web search, and will be happy to provide you with the information you are seeking.

Victoria

[SarahND]

Hello Victoria and
How nice that you have already found a relative on Talking Scot! We look forward to hearing about your brick walls in Scotland and trying to puzzle them out

All the best,
Sarah

[marypryde]

We're having a ball off-line, Sarah. Will post a success story once the smoke clears. Have been looking for them for years!
Mary Ellen

[mrscdrew]

Thank you, Sarah, for the warm welcome. We're pleased to be able to provide the information Mary is seeking. My mother has been our family historian, tracing her family back to the 1500's, and also compiling information on my father's family. She is 101, and her research days are behind her, but her enthusiasm was at a high level today when I read her the emails received from Mary. I spent the day pulling information/pictures from her records to answer Mary's questions.

Victoria

[LesleyB]

Hi mrscdrew & Mary Ellen

She is 101, and her research days are behind her, but her enthusiasm was at a high level today when I read her the emails received from Mary. I spent the day pulling information/pictures from her records to answer Mary's questions.

I love it when Talking Scot plays a part in sparking off something like this; connections which were just not possible in the days before the internet! It is a wonderful feeling when some of the family jigsaw pieces fall into place and I'm really delighted to hear your mother is enjoying it too. I think for family historians, it is always a good to know that the torch will be carried on into the future and that your research will be referred to and added to.

Best wishes
Lesley