$0.00(0 items )

No products in the cart.

2015 Listings

Query Number: 1505-4

Requested Information

Lester Harvey Van Koughnet (also spelled Van Koughnett, Vanconant, Van Conant, etc.) is Carmella’s great-great-grandfather. According to the death certificates of some of his children, their mother was Melissa/Malissa Seeley. Carmella would like to find Melissa’s birthplace and parents. Melissa is buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Saginaw, MI. Carmella included some records but was not sure whether they were all records for Melissa. She also had an obituary for Melissa, but it gave no information on her parents, siblings, nor birthplace.

SGS Response:
1860 census Kimball, St. Clair, MI
Vanconant, Lester, age 31, b, CAN, farm laborer
Vanconant, Melissa, age 25, b. CAN
Vanconant, George, age 2, b. NY

1861 census Lennox and Addington, Canada West
Vancoughnet, Lester, age 44, b. CAN West, farmer, absent in MI
Vancoughnet, Mindwell ,age 50, b. USA
Vancoughnet, Philip, age 22, Jno., age 20, Lester, age 14, all farm laborers b. CAN West

1865 census Schroeppel, Oswego, NY
Kirtland, Asa O., age 44, b. VT, farmer
Kirtland, Orphany, age 36, wife, b. Warren Co. NY, 3 children
Kirtland, Melvina L., age 19, Emma, age 16, both b. Oswego Co., NY; Jenny, age 9, b. IA
Seeley, Clarence, age 6, ward, b. Onondaga Co., NY
Kirtland, Amelia E., age 17, boarder, b. Onondaga Co., NY

Next family in same house
Van Koughnett, Lester, age 45, b. CAN, farmer, md. twice
Van Koughnett, Melissa, age 30, b. CAN, 5 children
Van Koughnett, Phillip, age 25, John, age 22, both b. CAN, both farmers
Van Koughnett, Alice, age 4, b. MI; Lottie, age 11 mos., b. Oswego Co., NY

A couple of houses later there is a Henry Seeley, age 34, b. CAN, farmhand for Charles W. Candee
1870 census Riley, St. Clair, MI
VanConant, John, age 28, b. NY, farm laborer
VanConant, Mar,y age 27, b. NY
VanVomnant, Roland, age 6, David, age 4, Jame,s age 1, all b. MI

Next house
VanConant, Lester, age 50, b. CAN, farmer, cannot read or write
VanConant, Malissa, age 32, b. CAN
VanConant, Alice, age 9, Mimmi, age 3, both b. MI; Willard, age 1, b. NY

2 houses further
VanConant, Cyrus, age 50, farmer b. CAN, cannot read or write
VanConant, Elizabeth, age 48, b. CAN, cannot read or write
Van Conant, Hannah, age 16, b. NY

1880 census Grant, Clare, MI
Vankoughnett, Lester H., age 64, farmer, b. CAN, CAN, CAN, cannot read or write
Vankoughnett, Malissa, age 44, b. CAN, CT, CT
Vankoughnett, Mimi, age 12, Willard, age 10, both b. NY, CAN, CAN; , age 6, Lena M., age 3, Alice, age 19, all born MI, CAN, CAN

WA Marriage
Lena Skyring, living Aberdeen, WA, age 32, divorced, b. MI to H. Van Koughnett. b. MI. and M. Seeley, b. CAN, md. to James A Daley, cook, age 27, of Aberdeen, single, b. MI, to James A. Daley, b. CAN, and Mary McHugh, b. CAN, md. 7 Oct 1916, Montesano, Greys Harbor, WA

MI Marriage
Willard Vanconant, age 22, of Lake Station, laborer, b. NY to Lester Vanconant and Malissa Seeley, md. 23 Feb 1892, Harrison, Clare, MI, to Lillie Alexander, age 21, of Lake Station, b. MI to William Alexander and Deborah Bartley

I have not been able to identify Melissa Seeley in any census before 1860. If you can find her, let me know.

Requester

Carmella Van Koughnet | Camella.VanKoughnet@DignityHealth.org

Query Number: 1505-3

Requested Information

Lisa was born in 1977 to Joseph Seleno? Seeley, b. 18 Oct 1905, CA, and Nellie Lorraine Higgins. Joseph died shortly after Lisa was born, 1 November 1978, New York City. Lisa has two older siblings, Sean and Lola. Her parents never married, and the children are surnamed Williams (Nellie was the widow of a Mr Williams). Lisa has been told that Joseph’s mother was named Louise and that she moved from Panama to CA before he was born. Joseph and Nellie met in NY. At that time he had a son named Joseph. Lisa has also been told that Joseph had several other children, possibly a Marietta or Henrietta, and a brother named Con? It is also possible that Joseph was born in Panama. Lisa also says he was a mercenary.

SGS Response:
I have not been able to find anything about Joseph except his SSN death information in NY. His birth is not listed in the CA Birth Index, and I cannot find him in any census record. If you recognize this family, get in touch with Lisa and send me a copy of your information.

Requester

Lisa Seeley Williams McClelland | lelemcclelland@gmail.com

Query Number: 1505-2

Requested Information

Neal was in touch with us to “try to bridge the gap between his grandmother’s great-grandfather, Samuel Seeley, and the ‘legendary’ Robert (1602-1667).” Neal descends from Samuel’s son Lyman James, b. 1821, d. 1901, both in Cambridge, Lamoille, VT.

SGS Response:
To begin with, Samuel is not a descendant of Robert, according to a DNA test done by a descendant. See http://www.seeley-society.net/sgs-research-SeeleyDNAResults.html, note 21 under those not matching the Nathaniel nor Obadiah DNA profiles. I did some more research on this family to expand upon earlier efforts. I found the following children for Samuel and his wife Charlotte, based on census records, birth, marriage, and death records, obituaries, and a biography: Abel Hildreth, b. 1820, Alford M., b. 1829, Laura A., b. 1842, Lyman James, b. 1821, Miriam M., b. 1839, Sarah J., b. 1835, Spellman Samuel, b. 1833, and William Henry, b. 1824, all b. Cambridge, Lamoille, VT. There is confusion over Charlotte’s last name: a biography of Alford M. has his mother as Charlotte Moore; a marriage record for William Henry calls her Charlotte Morey; his death record lists her as Charlotte Mowry; Spellman’s death record calls her Charlotte Macre.

Here is the information on Samuel:
1840 census Cambridge, Lamoille, VT
Samuel Seley: 1 male age 5-10, 1 male age 10-15, 2 males age 15-20, 1 male 20-30, 1 male 40-50; 2 females under 5, 1 female age 20-30, 1 female age 30-40

1850 census Cambridge, Lamoille, VT
Seeley, Samuel, age 57, b. VT, farmer
Seeley, Charlotte, age 48, b. VT
Seeley, Samuel S., age 17, Sarah J., age 15, Marium M., age 11, Laura A., age 8, all b. VT

1860 census Cambridge, Lamoille, VT
Seley, Samuel, age 65, b. VT, farmer
Seley, Charlotte, age 58, b. VT
Seley, Solomon S., age 26 b. VT, farmer (In later census and Civil War records this is Spellman S.)

Findagrave.com
S M Seley, d. 23 Feb 1870, age 77, bur. Jeffersonville Cemetery, Jeffersonville, Lamoille, VT

In two obituaries Samuel and Charlotte are noted as being among the first settlers of Cambridge. A biography of Alford states that they were both born in NY, although a census record shows them born in VT. I found a death record for Gilmore Seeley, b. Cambridge, d. there 5 Nov 1865, age 74, single. He is listed in Cambridge in 1860 as Gilman Seeley, age 73, b. VT, one of four paupers living with Hartson and Emily Perry. He is listed as a private from Jericho, Chittenden, VT, during the War of 1812. I do not know how (or if) he is related to Samuel, but Jericho is only two townships away from Cambridge. If anyone wants all the information I have on Samuel and his descendants, please ask. I would also love any information on Samuel’s ancestors.

Requester

Query Number: 1505-1

Requested Information

In researching an obituary for the SGS website Chris stumbled upon a strange set of records.

Here is the obituary:
“Catherine A. Vondran November 2, 1919-October 6, 2014 Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania Age 94
“Loving Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother Catherine A. Vondran (née Seeley), age 94, of Drexel Hill, PA, passed away on October 6, 2014. Born in Philadelphia and grew up in Atlantic City, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Violet Seeley (née Albertson). Catherine was employed as a Transcriptionist in the Radiology Department of Delaware County Memorial Hospital. She was the beloved wife of the late Joseph J. Vondran and the loving mother of Dorothy J., Joseph J., Jr. (Lori), Dennis C. (Christine), and Kevin E. (Careena) Vondran. She is also survived by her 9 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Relatives and friends are invited to her viewing Sunday, October 12, 2014, 7:00-9:00 PM, and Monday, October 13, 2014, 9:00-10:00 AM, Donohue Funeral Home, 8401 West Chester Pike (cor. Lynn Blvd.), Upper Darby, PA, (610) 449-0300, and to her Funeral Mass 10:30 AM, St. Bernadette Church, 1035 Turner Avenue, Drexel Hill. Interment SS Peter & Paul Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38104, or Presbyterian Inspired Life, 2000 Joshua Road, Lafayette Hill, PA 19444, would be appreciated.” (Published online by The Donohue Funeral Home.) Chris found the following records:
1940 census Atlantic City, Atlantic, NJ
Seeley, Charles, head, age 40, b. PA, 1935 same place, truck driver, private ice co.
Seeley, Violet, wife, age 39, b. PA, 1935 same place
Seeley, Cathrine, daughter, age 20, b. PA 1935, same place, secretary school
Frances H Moore, lodger, age 30, b. NJ, 1935 same place, ice helper, private ice co.

1930 census: Atlantic City, Atlantic, NJ
Burkett, George, head, age 56, age at 1st marriage, 22, b. Phila, PA, Phila, PA, Phila, PA, proprietor, ice truck engineer
Burkett, Julia, wife, age 37, age at first marriage, 21, b. Perth Amboy, NJ, Hungary, Hungary
Burkett, Charles, son, age 29, age at first marriage, 17, born Phila, PA, Phila, PA ,Phila, PA, helper, ice wagon
Burkett, Violet, daughter-in-law, age 29, age at 1st marriage, 17, born Phila, PA, Phila PA, Phila, PA
Burkett, Catherine, grandchild, age 10, b. Phila, PA, Phila PA, Phila, PA
Burkett, Dorothy, grandchild, age 9, b. Atlantic City NJ, Phila PA, Phila PA
Burkett, Mary, mother, age 83, widow, b. Phila, PA, Wilmington, DE, Wilmington, DE

PAMIndex
Catherine A. Seeley, female, md. to Joseph J. Vondran, male, Philadelphia, PA, 1947, marr. lic. # 833464

US Public Record:
Catherina A. Vondran, b. 2 Nov 1919, resided Agnew Dr., Drexel Hill, PA, 1974 and 1993

The question is are Charles Burkett and Charles Seeley the same person, and, if so, is he a Seeley or a Burkett?
SGS Response: PADI
Charles Aloyisius Seeley, husband of Violet Albertson, son of George Seeley and Margaret Nelson, b. 23 Apr 1899, Philadelphia, PA, d. 26 Apr 1957, Philadelphia, PA

WWI Draft Registration
Charles A. Seeley, living Philadelphia, b. 23 Apr 1898, driver, names father George Seeley, Atlantic City, NJ, as next of kin
James A. Seeley, living Philadelphia. b. there 15 Feb 1896, names father George Seeley, Atlantic City, NJ, as next of kin

WWII Draft Registration
James Anthony Seeley, b. 15 Feb 1897, Philadelphia, resides Philadelphia, works at shipyard in Philadelphia, names George Seeley, Atlantic City, NJ, as next of kin.

1920 census Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Albertson, Chas., Sr., age 48, b. PA, PA, PA, paper hanger
Albertson, Ray, wife, age 49, b. PA, PA, Pa
Albertson, Chas. Jr., age 12, Helen, age 10, both b. PA, PA, PA

Ceeley, Catherin, granddaughter, age 9 mos., b. PA, PA, PA
Ceeley, Chas., son-in-law, age 21, b. PA, PA, PA, milkman
Ceeley, Violet, daughter, age 19, b. PA, PA, PA

1920 census Atlantic City, Atlantic, NJ
(Entries for this family all have a line drawn through them; however, they are also listed at another address with same information except that George is 42, Margaret is 20, and John is 16.)
Burkett, George, age 43, b. PA, PA, PA, widowed, teamster, ice co.
Burkett, Margaret, age 19, John, age 17, both b. PA, PA, PA
Thompson, Edna, age 33, md., roomer, b. NJ, NJ, NJ

1910 census Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Sweley, George, age 34, b. PA, PA, PA, driver, ice wagon, md. 14 yrs. to
Sweley, Margare,t age 32, b. PA, IRE, IRE, borne children, 5 living
Sweley, James A., age 14, drug store errand boy, Charles A., age 11, Margaret, Jr., age 9, Mary H., age 7, John J., age 5, all b. PA, PA, PA

SSDI
James Seeley

SSN: 198-03-3635 (issued in PA bef. 1951)
Last residence: 19018 Clifton Heights, Delaware, PA
B. 15 Feb 1897, d. Jan 1983
John Seeley

SSN: 156-18-5032 (issued in NJ bef.ore 1951)
Last residence: 8232 Pleasantville, Atlantic, NJ
7 Aug 1904, d. Mar 1966
PADI
George Burkett Seeley, b. 9 Nov 1872, d. 4 Nov 1953, bur. 7 Nov 1953, Philadelphia, PA; father, William Seeley, ice business, widowed, d. Old Man’s Home, bur. Laurel Memorial Park, Pomona, Atlantic, NJ
Margaret Seeley, b. abt. 1876, Philadelphia, d. 16 Feb 1915, Philadelphia, PA, md., father, James Nelson, parents b. IRE
William Burkeitt, b. Philadelphia, PA, abt. 1833, d. 9 Apr 1890, Philadelphia, age 57, cigar maker, bur. Mount Moriah Cemetery, md.

1880 census Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Burkeitt, William, age 48, b. PA, PA, PA, cigar maker
Burkeitt, Mary A., age 42, wife, b. DE, DE, DE
Winsor, Mary, age 23, step-daughter, b. PA, DE, DE
Burkeitt, Geo, age 8, son, b. PA, MD, PA; Hannah E., daughter, age 4, b. PA, PA, DE

I also found William Burkeitt/Burkett in the 1850, 1860, and 1870 censuses for Philadelphia. If anyone can find out how/why/when George Burkeitt became George Seeley, please get in touch me.

Requester

Submitted by Chris Havnar | chris.havnar@gmail.com

Query Number: 1502-3

Requested Information

Douglas has traced his ancestry with actual documents back to Captain William Sprats, the renowned Connecticut architect, who married Elizabeth Seelye. He visited our website and found Elizabeth Seelye as SGS# 303, daughter of Justus Seelye and his second wife, Phoebe Bissell. Douglas wants to know our sources, so he can verify Elizabeth’s parentage and help his sister be admitted to the DAR.

Requester

Douglas Drake | capndrakedav@konacondo.biz

Response Information

Elizabeth was born in 1763 in Litchfield, Litchfield, CT, died May 17, 1800, and is buried at Carver Falls Cemetery, West Haven, VT, wife of William Spratt. We list no children. Our information states that Justus’s will mentioned his wife, Phoebe, “and all my children” and that he was insolvent, so that is no help. None of the other sources listed seems likely to have the data that Douglas needs (birth/baptismal record, marriage record listing parents, transfer of property, etc.). If you have (or can find) any information substantiating Elizabeth as a daughter of these parents, please send it to Douglas and send me a copy as well.

Responder: SGS Query Editor: Feb 2015

Query Number: 1502-2

Requested Information

Suzanne’s ancestor, Maria French, married Edwin Collier/Colyer in 1842 in Wallingford, CT. They lived in Woodbridge and New Haven, CT. The first mention Suzanne has ever found of Maria was in the Catalogue of Members of the Congregational Church, North Haven, CT (1718 to 1871), which Maria joined in 1840, prior to her marriage. Older than her husband, she was b. 1808-1817 (her age differs by document). Suzanne found out information about Maria French, SGS# 1168, daughter of Charity/Charra Seeley, SGS# 380d, who was a daughter of Michael and Sarah Denton Seeley of Stratford, CT. Our information simply states that Maria married a Mr. Collier. Suzanne also found information on Julia Ann French (b. 1808-1810), who married William E. Waterbury in New Haven in 1833. This seems to correspond to Maria’s sister, SGS# 1169. The Waterburys lived in New Haven, CT, and NYC. Mr. Waterbury died in NY, and his wife and son (George S.J. Waterbury) had returned to live in New Haven by 1853. Because Julia disappeared from city directories in the late 1870s, after living in New Haven for a couple of decades with her son, Suzanne assumes she probably died about that time, but she has not found any obituary or death record. Given the time period, it is unlikely that her parents’ names would have been recorded on a death record. One of Maria French Collier’s children was named George WATERBURY Collier, perhaps after her brother-in-law? She also named her first-born child Julia and another child Joseph, perhaps after her sister and brother?

While Suzanne has found some references to other children of Michael Seeley, she has not been able to locate information on Charity nor her husband Joseph B. French. She asked about our sources, hoping for a lead.

Requester

Suzanne Garbarini | dsagarbarini@gmail.com

Response Information

I have not been able to verify any of our information, using the sources listed in the SGS volumes that I can access. There is no exact birth or baptism date recorded for Charity nor exact marriage date nor birthdates for any of her children. Suzanne is going to try to find the St John’s Church records mentioned as a resource. Please get in touch with me if you have any other information about these Seeley descendants.

Suzanne also wonders whether there are any Seeley descendants who have done an autosomal DNA test. She has been gathering results of tests on her family members and would like to compare them to see whether there are some matches that would help narrow the search field.

Responder: SGS Query Editor: Feb 2015

Query Number: 1502-1

Requested Information

SGS President Kathie Olsen received a request for help locating descendants of a Joseph Seeley who had an interest in an oil and gas field in California as early as 1933. The oil and gas field is near Bakersfield, CA. There is also an Elsie B. Seeley, believed to be connected to Joseph in some way, either as wife or daughter. Her trust also had interest in the oil and gas field. If this Joseph has died, then there would be an inheritance for descendants.

Requester

Kathie Olsen | katherinemolsen@gmail.com

Response Information

1920 census San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
– Seeley, Joseph, age 54, b. NY, ENG, ENG, president lumber co.
– Seeley, Ella, wife, age 45, b. CA, NY, MA
– Seeley, Joseph, Jr., age 22, b. CA, NY, CA, office work for a stock broker
– Seeley, Harold S., age 24, son-in-law, widowed, b. CA, TN, US, ins. adjuster
– Smith, Eva, age 40, single, sister-in-law, b. CA, NY, MA

In 1910 in San Francisco the family included Joseph, age 44, md. 18 yrs. to Ella, age 37, borne 2 ch., 2 living, Joseph, Jr., age 12, Ruth B., age 10, Eva Smith, age 33, and Ella Teresa Higgins, servant, age 28, b. IRE. I wondered if the census taker in 1920 had been sloppy: I doubted that Harold was really a Seeley.

Next I found a marriage announcement: “The marriage of Miss Ruth Seeley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Seeley, and Harold Gladstone Snodgrass, son of the late David F. Snodgrass, a pioneer banker of the San Joaquin valley, took place last Saturday afternoon at the home of the bride’s parents.

“Miss Seeley is a graduate of one of the private schools in this city and was a student of the University of California. Snodgrass was also a student at the University and had passed the examinations at the naval school for his commission when the armistice was signed. He is a member of the Sigma Epsilon fraternity.

“Mrs. Glenn Knight attended the bride as a matron of honor, and Walter Frederich was best man, taking the place of Joseph Seeley, Jr., who is still in France with the postal service at Chaumont. The ring bearer was Walter Trefts Jr. and the ribbon bearers were Kenneth Gerrard and Philip J. Eisenmann. Rev. Frederick Clampett read the marriage service.

“The decorations at the Seeley home were unusually beautiful. The ceremony took place in the conservatory, which had been converted into a bower of Woodwardiaferne, with an altar at one end. Tall flowering rose trees that were thick with pink blossoms were on either side of the altar. Baskets of spring flowers here and there added to the attractive effect.

“Mr. and Mrs. Snodgrass are enjoying a honeymoon in Southern California and will be absent a fortnight” (published in the San Francisco Chronicle, April 14, 1919: 6).

The next question was “Why is Harold Snodgrass widowed so soon after his marriage?” I then found another article and thank Chris Havnar for accessing both of these for me: “Daughter of Joseph Seeley Shot by Guest/Rifle supposed not to be loaded ends life of Mrs. Harold G Snodgrass/Blights Naval Romance/Dead Girl Won During War by University of California Student

“Mrs. Harold Gladstone Snodgrass, a bride of three months, was accidently shot and killed by Charles Fleishman, a guest, during a dinner party last night at the home of her father, Joseph Seeley, vice president of the Union league Club, at 152 Central Avenue. Young Fleishman and Snodgrass, who was recently discharged from the Navy, were executing the Naval manual of arms with a high-powered Springfield rifle the husband won in the service.

“Guest Did Not Know Rifle was Loaded.

“Fleishman did not know the rifle was loaded. He pulled the trigger and the bullet [ricocheted off] the wall of the living room and lodged in the neck of Mrs., Snodgrass seated in an adjoining room, severing a big artery and causing death virtually instantaneously. Mr. and Mrs. Seeley and Mr. and Mrs. Martin Fleishman and Miss Genevieve Fleishman, parents and sister of young Fleishman, were in the house when the tragedy occurred. Mr. and Mrs. Snodgrass and the Seeleys were giving a dinner in honor of Miss Fleishman and Julius Rosenthal, a young importer from China, who[se] marriage is to be celebrated this week. Other guests were Dr Alfred Roncovieri, Superintendent of Schools, Dr Louis Roncovieri, his son, and Miss Dorothy Clieve.

“Whole Company Hysterical When Policeman Arrives

“The whole company was hysterical with grief when policemen entered the home to investigate the tragedy. The shooting took place a few minutes before midnight. The guests assembled early in the evening to celebrate the betrothal of Miss Fleishman and Rosenthal. As a final bit of the evening’s entertainment young Snodgrass exhibited the high-powered rifle he had won and went through the evolution of the manual of arms. ‘Let me try it,’ young Fleishman asked. The rifle was handed to him. Mrs. Snodgrass had gone to an adjoining room for a moment. Fleishman brought the rifle to his shoulder. He pointed it at the wall and, laughing, pulled the trigger. There was a report. A look of wonder and fear came to the young man’s face. There was a moan from the next room.

“Husband and Parents Find Young Woman Dead

“There her husband and her parents found the lifeless body of Mrs. Snodgrass.

“Mrs. Snodgrass was 19 years old. Hers was a romance of the war. When Snodgrass, formerly a student at the University of California, was in a training camp for naval officers last September the engagement of the young couple was announced.

“Snodgrass sailed away. He returned and was discharged from the service last April and the marriage took place at the home of the Seeleys April 12. Mrs. Snodgrass was Miss Beatrice Ruth Seeley. She attended the University of California and was prominent socially there and in this city. Snodgrass is a son of the late Mrs. David Snodgrass of Bushnell Place. He is a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. Seeley is president of the Wendling-Nathan Company, wholesale lumber dealers of 110 Market Street. One night during October 1918 Seeley met 27 children singing patriotic songs on O’Farrell Street.

After listening to the school children sing for a short time, Seeley gave to the woman that was caring for them $1350, with instructions to buy a Liberty bond for each child” (Published in the San Francisco Chronicle, July 27, 1919: 1).

An article in the next day’s paper gives further details, including the fact that young Fleishman was only sixteen years old. Apparently, he and Snodgrass thought that all cartridges had been removed from the rifle, not realizing that one remained in the magazine. The young men looked in the barrel, which was empty, but did not know that upon closing the rifle a cartridge was automatically loaded. Fleishman was charged with manslaughter and remained under arrest until the findings of the coroner’s jury were announced.

I also found death certificate transcriptions and obituaries for both Joseph Seeley and Joseph Seeley, Jr., on the SGS website. They indicate that Joseph was president of Italo Petroleum Corp. as well as Wendling-Nathan. Joseph’s death certificate indicates that his wife is Elsa, though she appears as Ella everywhere else, including her own death certificate. He died in 1936.

Joseph, Jr., died in 1946. His obituary mentions his wife, Dorothy, but no children. Chris found an earlier marriage for Joseph, Jr., to Maybelle May Mansfield in 1923. They are together in the 1930 census, but Joseph, Jr., is divorced in 1940.

There is an Elsie B. Seeley listed in CA vital records, but she does not seem to be related, having been born in MO in 1892.

I have not been able to identify Joseph in any census record before 1900.

1900 census, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
– Seeley, Joseph, b. Jun. 1866, MI, unknown, MI, blacksmith, md. 3 yrs. to
– Seeley, Ella, b. Nov. 1872, CA, NY, MA
– Seeley, Joseph, b. Nov. 1897; Beatrice, b. Mar 1900, both b. CA, MI, CA
– Davis, Charlotte, b. Sept. 1878 CA, WV, LA, black servant

We would love to discover the origins of Joseph. Was he born in Yonkers, Westchester, NY, as his death certificate says, or in Michigan? Who were his parents?

Perhaps he had siblings with descendants who would benefit from the oil and gas trusts. If you have any leads, please get in touch with me or Kathie.

Responder: SGS Query Editor: Feb 2015

Looking to pay for the 2023 SGS International Reunion fees online? Learn How