ERNEST GUSTAV MELLEN

Ernest Gustav Mellen

ERNEST GUSTAV MELLEN, of Pasadena, Los Angeles, California. Born Thursday, July 28, 1892, in Stora Tuna, Dalarna, Sweden. The third child born to Edla Sophia Persdotter, age 34, and Carl Gustav Andersson Melin, age 35.  He left Sweden from Copenhagen, Denmark, July 24, 1913, aboard the S.S. United States; and immigrated to the United States at Ellis Island, New York City, New York; arriving on August 05, 1913.  He did not travel alone. Celebrating his 21st birthday at sea upon the Atlantic ocean.  He made the journey with Erik Svensson, also from Stora Tuna. Just four days out at sea.

Ernest Mellen and his older
brother Carl Melin.
C. 1917 New Haven, CT.

Warm end of July nights, and heading to America. I bet these two young men were having the time of their lives with hopes and dreams just within reach. The entire sea voyage took twelve days, and included two weekends; but then what is a weekend when you are aboard a steam ship heading for America? When Ernest arrived at Ellis Island he declared he held $25, and stated also that he was joining his brother Karl Melin who already resided in the United States at 447 West 43rd Street NY. NY. When Ernest moved from Sweden to the United States it was at a time when immigrants were expected to quickly assimilate into American society and the American way of life.  He was not a farmer like so many immigrants, but a trained and skilled machinist; a highly sought out skill needed in America.  He began work right away as a toolmaker in the casting department for Marlin Fire Arms in New Haven, Connecticut. 

Miss Annie Oakley
Shot with a Marlin
(1860-1926)

Marlin Fire Arms was founded in 1870 by John Mahlon Marlin, and is still in business today; being acquired in 2007 by Remmington Arms. However, manufacturing has been moved to Kentucky.  Here I believe is where he met his bride Esther Alida Andersson.

As she it turns out she also worked at Marlin Fire Arms at the same time producing bullets on the

Esther Alida Andersson C. 1921

assembly line.

Ernest began his petition for U.S. citizenship on December 01, 1916 and it was finalized on February 18, 1920.  

Looking at all the documentation, I believe I counted at least six witnesses over the four years. 

Here is part of the oath he swore:  

Seventh. I am not a disbeliever in or opposed to organized government or a member of or affiliated with any organization or body of persons teaching disbelief in or opposed to organized government.  I am not a polygamist nor a believer in the practice of polygamy.  I am attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States, and it is my intention to become a citizen of the United States and to renounce absolutely and forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, and particularly to Gustav V, King of Sweden of whom at this time I am a subject and it is my intention to reside permanently in the United States.

KING of SWEDEN
Gustaf V
Reign: December 8th, 1907 - October 29, 1950

Bethesda Lutheran Church
New Haven Connecticut

Ernest married my grandmother Esther Alida Andersson on Saturday, February 10, 1917 in New Haven Connecticut.  They were joined together by Reverend Carl H. Nelson in the Bethesda Lutheran Church at State and Franklin Street in that city.  During that decade the Church membership was 300, and Rev. Carl H. Nelson held services in
Swedish every-other Sunday. 

The alter painting by: Herman Sodersten
Born in Filipstad, Sweden July 12, 1862. He died July 02, 1926.
Another notable fact is that Herman also  painted Elizabeth Hosmer Kellogg Chase and Steven Wright Kellogg both distant cousins in our family tree related by 7X Great Grand Father on my paternal line Lt. Joseph Kellogg (1626 - 1704)

It is probably a good thing that the process to citizenship for Ernest took so long.  If it hadn't and he became a U.S. citizen right away, he probably would have been sent to France during WWI, and I might not be here today.  On the World War One U.S. draft registration card.  Ernest claimed exemption do to whole support of his wife, and munitions maker in support of the war effort.  I believe both my grandparents, Ernest and Esther did their part in the war producing guns and bullets which were used to bring about peace to the world. 

Edla Sofia persdotter
(1857-1917)
Great Grand Mother

His mother had died during the same year.  His mother, Edla Sophia Persdotter died Saturday, December 01, 1917 in Stora Tuna, Dalarnas, Sweden at the age of sixty years.  From the Swedish death index it appears she died of dropsy.  Today this is known as edema.

From the city directories and government documents I now begin to trace out his residence. 

1917: I found Ernest living near Yale University at 15 Audubon St. New Haven. His brother just living a few blocks away.  

June 5th, 1917 he and his new bride moved to 319 Norton Street. 

Google Image today c. 2016
100 years later!
319 Norton Street. New Haven, Connecticut

Then in 1918-1923, they are living in a home apartment. The home owned by Axel L. Kruckenberg, 49, a house painter, and his family: wife, Helma, 53, both of Sweden. Their son 20, and daughter 12, both born in Connecticut.  The home was at 166 1/2, Peck Street. 

Google Image Aug. 2015
166 1/2 Peck St. New Haven, CT.
My grandparents and my Uncle Ivar as a baby
lived here for five years prior to moving to California.

ISSUE to Ernest & Esther: Also see prior MELIN story.

1) My uncle: Ivar Ernest, b. 21 May 1920, New Haven.

2) My mother: June

C. 1921  Little Ivar Mellen looks as though he is barely sitting up.  Since he was born in May of 1920, I dated the photo c. 1921.  His mother Esther Alida is to his left, and his father Ernest Gustav Mellen is behind him.  I am not positive who the young woman holding the dog is, but I know who she isn't if that makes sense.  After many years of looking back and forth over images, I am 98% sure that this is Anna Matilda (Melin) Jonsson.  However, she has very similar looks to my mother, and to that of Eshter in this photo.  Esther had a younger sister Anna Karonlina who married Helmer Emanuel Brobeck in 1915.  So, I am fairly sure she didn't travel to America.  The dog also rules that out. 

I didn't locate them in 1924, but I found a mention in the New Haven city directory that they removed to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I still need to follow that lead further.  Then in 1925 I located them living on Grant Hill, at 440 27th Street at Island Avenue, San Diego California.
That house is no longer standing.

Ivar Mellen as a baby, and his parents Esther and Ernest Mellen.
The confusion here is that this photo album page says San Diego, California, U.S.A.
Obviously Ivar was not a four year old child in this photo.  Possibly these two photos are of different dates.
Little Ivar is bundled up, and there are no leaves on the tress.  I must assume then it is fall of 1921 in Connecticut. The photo on the right of Esther and Ernest Mellen is possibly even earlier looking at both their ages. Again I have to go with a guess. I searched, and found a rose garden in both New Haven Connecticut, (Pardee Rose Garden), and in Grant Hill, San Diego.
Comparing the photo of them with the dog C. 1921, and the photo above, I think this photo is C. 1917.
circa 1917 - 1925.

1928 they are living at 325 N. La Fayette Park Pl., Los Angeles, CA.
There is a new home now at this location.  

1930, 367 N. Reno Street, Los Angeles CA. According to the U.S. census, they owned that home.  They were no longer renters.  The value of the home was shown as $5,500, and they lived there with my uncle Ivar, their son.  They were also shown at 353 N. Reno St.  Both are gone now, replaced with HWY 101.  

1932-1939 the family moved to 516 N. Coronado St. Los Angeles, California, then 616 N. Coronado St. then 528 N. Coronado St.  All of these are gone now, replaced with HWY 101. 

1940, 6200 Roy Street, Los Angeles, CA.  @Corner of Eastview Drive.

Ivar Ernest Mellen with his sister June Margurite Mellen C. 1943
908 N. Avenue 65, Los Angeles, California.
Ivar listed this as his address in 1941 when he married Jane Louise Miller.

1941-1943, 908 N. Ave 65 Los Angeles, CA.  That is a really nice Spanish Style home.  

908 N. Ave 65, Los Angeles California

What a beautiful home in the Highland Park neighborhood.  You can still see the stair rail where my mother and my uncle Ivar sat for the photo above back in 1943.

In the 1940's my grandfather Ernest was working for Adel Precision Products Corporation, at 1077 Van Owen Street., Los Angeles, CA.  At that time, the United States was now involved in WWII.
He was a machinist there building parts which were used in the building of highly top secret military aircraft. Ernest was then in his 50's.
I found some old collectible employee badges online from this company and era, but none were of my grandfather.

I also found online this old 1938 stock certificate.

I also found these magazine ads online from 1943.

My uncle Ivar E. Mellen joins the U.S. Army, WWII.

Google image Oct. 2014
620 N. Chester Avenue, Pasadena, California.

1944 - 1954, This next home is on the historic register in Pasadena.  620 N. Chester Avenue, Pasadena, California.  This home is in the bungalow heaven of Pasadena, next to Orange Grove Blvd.  Ten years of enjoying the Rose Parade going by their house annually on New Years Day. This is the home I believe as the story was told, that had a house fire.  Prohibition was 1920-1933.  My grandfather was known for making his own "Rootbeer" in the garage. Some how there was an accident and the fire started.  Some rabbits were also being raised in cages in the garage at the time and perished in the fire.  My mother just remembers that her bike that she worked so hard to earn the money for, had also burned in the fire.  Thank goodness no one was seriously injured.

Ernest & Esther Mellen C. 1950

Ernest & Esther Mellen C. 1950

The two photos above of Ernest and Esther Mellen are actually the same photo, I just enlarged, and clipped the photo.  The shake style front to the house and the window behind the two unknown men looks to me to be the 620 N. Chester Ave house above.  A closer view of the window bellow clearly defines this house and the era.

C. 1953 Ernest Gustav Mellen, Pasadena California
620 N. Chester Avenue

Ernest Gustav Mellen past away, Monday, July 27, 1953 at the age just one day shy of his 61st.  He was laid to rest at Mountain View Cemetery and Mausoleum in Altadena, Los Angeles, California.  Also on that day Armistice ended.  The Korean war began June 25, 1950, and ended July 27, 1953.  My grandfather through his line of work as a machinist helped to support World War I, World War II, and the Korean War.

Ernest Gustav Mellen C. 1910

The final image is of a very young Ernest G. Mellen.  Probably just prior to immigration. He appears to be about 18 years old, so I gave this photo a date of C. 1910.  The Melin family was living in Islingby, Stora Tuna, Dalarna, Sweden at that time.

I would like to add information regarding the siblings of Ernest, and all his cousins, but I have run out of time.

HONEST LAWYER

I think I must have had writers block.  It has been a very long time since my last post.  I have been very busy with genealogical research and keeping up with correspondence.  Our family tree has now passed 30,000 names, and it is growing exponentially. This blog you are reading now gets over 1,000 hits a month.  I do my best!  It keeps me busy, and out of trouble.  I recently phoned my aunt Jeanette Howie to wish her a Happy 94th Birthday!  She expressed to me; "that, genealogy is not for her, just looking at all those names and dates!"  Henry Ford is quoted for saying, "History is Bunk."  Myself, I just can't get enough.

     The family connection to the story I am about to tell you begins with a set of my nine-times great-grand parents Simon Hoyt and Deborah Stowers in the late 16th and early 17th century in the hamlet of West Hatch, Somersetshire England.  An image of Castles, Lords and Ladies should now be filling your head.  In 1628 Simon, accompanied by his family, his brother-in-law Nicholas Stowers and the Spragues all arrived in Salem Massachusetts.  The voyage was on one of the 17 ships in the Winthrop fleet.  Probably on the Mary & John.  In 1629 we find them living in Charlestown Massachusetts.  Then on May 18, 1631 Simon took the oath of Freeman, and the family were permitted to reside in the Massachusetts Colony.  However, they didn't stay in Massachusetts very long. They learned from the Indians that there was fertile soil along the Connecticut river, so they soon removed to Windsor, Connecticut. We find them on a document written in the hand of Rev. Ephraim Huit in that town. The first Church of Windsor and the grave marker of Rev. Huit still exist today. I descend from his son John Hoyt (1614-1687).  The Honest Lawyer descends from Walter Hoyt (1616-1698), a younger brother of John.  There are many source documents, but the one I chosen to show here the hand written, Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) application of James Humphrey Hoyt, the son of James Madison Hoyt, "The Honest Lawyer" dated on May 11th, 1893.

SAR Application

James Humphrey Hoyt was born in Cleveland Ohio on November 10th, 1852 to James Madison Hoyt and Mary Ella (Beebe) Hoyt.  He too was a prominent lawyer in Cleveland like his father. It turns out there were many attorneys on this family branch.

James Humphrey Hoyt c. 1917

In 1913 J.H.H was living at 2445 Euclid Ave. in Cleveland Ohio.  Euclid avenue was known then as Millionaires Row.  Many authors have written books about this area and the era.  Wonderful images which captured small glimpses of that period are all that remains today.  A Notable neighbor you might have heard of was John Davidson Rockefeller.  Founder of the Standard Oil Company of Ohio and the first billionaire in the United States.  Known still today as the wealthiest American in modern history.  He lived to be 97 years and his final resting place is Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland Ohio.  The Hoyts and President James A. Garfield are also buried there.

The Rockefeller's, John D. Sr & Jr.

Many of the homes I have learned from my research were no smaller than 20,000 square feet.  I probably should not describe them as mere homes, since these were actually mega mansions.

In 1860 James Madison Hoyt was forty-five years old, a lawyer living with his family, consisting of his wife and five children.  His second child, and first daughter Mary Ella Hoyt named after her mother had past away in 1854.

James Madison Hoyt was born in Utica, Oneida, New York on Monday, January 16, 1816 to David Picket and Mary Barnum.  James was first an attorney then a real estate developer.  He graduated from Hamilton College in 1884.  He began his career in the field of law in Cleveland in the office of Andrews & Foote.  In 1837 he was admitted to the Ohio Bar, and he became a named partner, the firm then became known as Andrews ~ Foote ~ Hoyt.  In 1848 it became just Foote & Hoyt after Andrews went to the bench of the Superior Court. When his first daughter Mary Ella died in 1854 he left the firm and became licensed to preach the Gospel.  He took on the role of President of the Ohio Baptist Convention that same year, and was unanimously re-elected to the role for the next twenty years.   He was also president of the American Baptist Home Mission Society, along with the national organization for Baptist missions in North America. James concentrated all of his efforts into real estate.  He purchased large tracts of land, and then sub-divided them into divisions and lots.  He sold over 1,000 acres of land and is responsible for the naming of over 100 streets in Cleveland.  In the 1860 U.S. Census James owns and lives on a large tract of land in Newburgh Heights Cleveland.  The family as you can see was living next to Ellery G. Williams who created the first railway in Cleveland called the Kinsman Street Horse Rail.

1860 Census Newburgh Heights,  James M. Hoyt & Ellery G. Williams

Ellery G. Williams was also born in New York.  He graduated from Yale and was also an attorney for many years before he started the Kinsman Street Railroad.  After his death the railroad became the Cleveland & Newburgh "DUMMY" Railroad.

In the 1870 U.S. Census, James is listed as a Capitalist.  Although I clipped out his neighbor Talmadge W. Leek, I still want to mention him.  Talmadge was a native of Scoharie County New York.  He came to Cleveland with his family in 1858 and established the wholesale notion business of Leek, Doering & Co.  Talmadge was most known as a solid Republican and an ardent advocate for the abolition of slavery.

1870 Census ~ Ward 6 Cleveland Ohio, Possibly Euclid Street ~ James Madison Hoyt

1870 and the value of his home is now $171,000. He has two Irish parlor maids, and line #26: John Brown the Coachman!

The mansions of Millionaires' Row are all gone now.  The depression of the 1930's saw the end to an era.

Another neighbor was George Worthington, also of New York.  He was a prominent banker and businessman.

The 1880 Census still has them living on Millionaires Row, Euclid Avenue with many of the same neighbors.

James Madison Hoyt died Sunday, April 21, 1895. Prior to the decline of Euclid Avenue.

C. 1900 Era Reform and Challenges.  Euclid Avenue. Left to right: 2445, residence of Charles Bingham; 2525, residence of Harry Devereux; 2605, residence of Samual Mather; 2717, residence of Leonard Hanna.

The above photo I was fortunate enough to find online at The Cleveland Memory Project.

Further looking into the 1900 U.S. Census I was able to locate Harry Devereux and wife Mildred living a few houses down from James Humphrey Hoyt who I know lived at 2445 Euclid Ave.  So, I am not sure their research has the correct names, or possibly the same time period.  Anyway, it is a great find, and I didn't have to travel to Cleveland to dig through photo archives.

The next two images are from the 1900 U.S. Census Euclid Ave.

1855 Cleveland Ohio

To the right is a map I found of Cleveland
from 1855.

Unfortunately it does not show the mansions.

If you have further interest in the era or in Millionaires Row there are many books and web pages out there.  Many scandals and murders made by the rich.  Hence another reason that James Madison Hoyt was called the HONEST LAWYER.

James Madison Hoyt was my 6th cousin 4X removed on my paternal line. The reason that John Madison Hoyt stood out in the family tree and became to me more that just a fancy name and a couple dates was a letter I found on eBay!  Well, actually I didn't find the letter.  The person selling the letter on eBay found me, and contacted me to see if I was interested.

Master John C Hoyt, Utica NY

The letter is dated November 16th, 1836.  It isn't the full letter, but one page front and back.  It is addressed to Master John C. Hoyt of Utica NY.  That would be another cousin; John Comstock Hoyt.
I wish it was the entire letter.  But it is amazing that this letter remains at all.   Next week this letter will be 181 years old!  I have read it a couple times, and have transcribed here for you:

or find fault with Elizabeth, and always remember that it is better suffer wrong than to do wrong.  You will always find as I have done that is never of any use to get out of patience and that you will be a great deal happier to control all fretful feelings.  I will tell you a little story dear John about myself which will show you how foolish and useless it is to get provoked, and you may tell it to Libby.  When I was in New York I sent to the boats that carry merchandize a box containing Mary Ellia’s things and directed it to go by the way of Oswego to Cleveland.  I arrived here and waited weeks and weeks but saw nothing of the box.  I went to all the ware houses but could find nothing of it.  At last a vessel came with George’s goods and the bareass and stout…

shipped at Uttica.  And the Captain had on his bill of lading a box which he could not find.  We thought it was the very one I was expecting.  The Captain said he was going to Detroit and would there unload and if he found it under his loading would bring it back in a few days.

So I waited sometime and at last the vessel came back and my box was not to be found.  By this time I had got perfectly out of patience I went home really provoked.  Told Mary Ella that we should never see the box, and declared that I never would send a six-pence worth of goods by the Oswego way again.  If I could help it and that if it cost me three times the worth of the box that I would have the full value of it of the negligent forwarders who had lost it.  Well that very afternoon the long lost box came to light.  George was talking with a man on the sloop of a tavern here and as it was

to look in saw a box with my name marked on it.  He went up to it and found tho his great surprise that it was the very box shipped at N.Y.  We found upon inquiring that it had been there two weeks that it was brought there by a man boarding there with some of his goods by mistake, and he had been negligent about sending it back to the ware house.  So it proved that as forwarders whom I had blamed so much had done all they could and it was the other man who caused the delay.  I felt very cheap after it as all persons do who get vexed unnecessarily but I hope it will teach me a valuable lesson, and if you remember this, it may you also Johnny.  But I must close now I have written you a long letter and I shall soon expect one in return. be a good boy and be very careful to respect dear mother and father and never act disrespectfully if you wish to be happy.  If you write soon it will not be long if nothing happens before you may hear from me again.  In the mean time strive all you can to improve, and you will have the love normally of all your dear friends at home but also of your ever affectionate brother.

                                          J Madison Hoyt

Master John C. Hoyt

Uttica,

Nov 16th 1836

From James, Cleveland

Master John C Hoyt

Utica N.Y.

Tell Dear Libby that I have intentionally to have written her a long letter but Mr. Pomeroy 

leaves sooner than I expected and I have not time.  I will do so the first opportunity, 

Love to all dear friends.  I am waiting to hear from Utica

Her Mr. Pomeroy

🙏  His "honesty" and personality shine in this letter, however brief.  At the time in 1836 he was just 21 when he wrote the letter, and was still a newly wed.  Having just married Mary Ella Beebe, August 30th, 1836.  His brother, Master John C. was just fourteen years of age at the time.

What is confusing about the letter to me is when he tells Johnny to respect mother and father.  Their parents were David Picket Hoyt (1772-1828) and Mary Barnum (1784-1875).  While their mother was still alive at that time, their father was not.  I'm sure I will figure this all out one day soon.  So, from the single page of a letter written by an older brother to a younger one hundred and eighty-one years ago.  The story of the lost package has traveled five centuries, from the 16th to the current 21st!  I did my best to find photos to help tell this story.  I found no portraits of either James Madison or his brother John Comstock.  Maybe one of their grand children will read this story and share some family photos.

Happy 92nd Birthday to our 41st President!

Hello, this is Richard Howie, and I thought I should get spiffied up for the birthday.  George Herbert Walker Bush was born ninety two years ago, on June 12th, 1924 to Prescott Sheldon Bush and Dorothy Walker.   There probably isn't much I can tell you about about our former President, than you don't already know.  He was the second of the five children born to Prescott & Dorothy. His father came from Columbus Ohio and his mother from Walker's Point Maine.  His father moved to New Haven Connecticut to get an education at Yale University.  Prescott and Dorothy got married August 6th, 1921 in Kennebunkport, Maine.  The P.S. Bush family lived on Grove Lane, in Greenwich Connecticut for over twenty years. In 1940, at sixteen years of age we find that young George has left home for Phillips Academy in Andover Massachusetts.  Not sure if this was by choice, or his fathers wishes.  Anyway, you have to love sending your son off to boarding school that advertised Chesterfield cigarettes in the yearbook of that day.  Another image I found interesting in the yearbook of his senior year at the academy was the arial image of the campus which clearly showed a cemetery. When I researched the Phillips Academy Cemetery I discovered the final resting place of

Harriet Elizabeth Beecher Stowe, the American author of the famous anti slavery novel titled Uncle Tom's Cabin.  You may see her virtual memorial and read more of her bio by clicking on the link in her name above.  I find this notable because she had died just forty years before George attended the Academy.  So I would think he might have taken at least one break from the books to gander over to her final resting place.
The years that George spent at the Academy helped prepare him for the journey to The White House.  Browsing through the yearbook it appears that every boy was accepted to an Ivy League school of higher learning.  Harvard, Yale, Princeton.

Phillips Academy Andover Massachusetts 1940

After graduation from the Academy, George H.W. Bush at the age of 18, then went on to join the United States Navy on his birthday June 12, 1942.  Where he served aboard the aircraft carrier the USS San Jacinto cvl 30.

15 July 2010 Pres. GWH Bush aboard the USS San Jacinto

Above is a tribute to President George Bush aboard the aircraft carrier.  In January 1945 he and Barbara got married. He was discharged September 1945.  He and Barbara then moved to Midland Texas to begin their family and oil business.  The rest is history.

Now I am sure you want me to get to the point of how our 41st President of the United States is also our 8th cousin.  We both descend from Nathaniel Richardson (1673 ~ 1729).

Nathaniel Richardson of Woburn, Middlesex, Massachusetts is my 7X Great Grandfather and George's 8X Great Grandfather.  I probably don't share much dna with George H.W.Bush, even if they were to make his dna results public.  We both share this match through our paternal line.  Paternal lines are great for blue bloods, making Kings, and sharing of family crests and surnames, but horrible for passing along dna.  I would share more with Barbara Bush, and their four sons. Well, this isn't a study of mitochondrial dna, so I will end here.

Well this was just a quick journey, to say Happy Birthday to both of the Bush's, George & Barbara Bush. I hope you enjoyed it!

The Bush's ~ Happy Birthday Barbara!

Hello!
Happy Birthday to my Bush cousins.
This is Richard Howie, coming to you live from Austin Texas, making stories great again in 2017!
I just heard on the news tonight that one of our cousins, Barbara Bush is celebrating her 92nd birthday, and our other cousin, George Herbert Walker Bush will soon too. Though he will be celebrating his 93rd!  As I am sure you remember from a prior post, both Barbara Bush & our former 41st President, George Herbert Walker Bush are our 8th cousins on different family tree branches.  They were both born in the 20's, married in the 40's and now share together their 90's!  Happy Birthday to our cousins, The Bush's!

2017, Barbara & George Bush celebrate their 90's!

Born Barbara Pierce on June 8th, 1925.  The daughter of Marvin Pierce and Pauline Robinson.  Her father Marvin Pierce you probably didn't know, was the president & publisher of Redbook & McCall's Magazine.  Very famous women's magazines.

Here is Barbara Pierce on her wedding day to George, with her mother and father.

Marvin Pierce, Barbara Pierce & Pauline Pierce. C. 1945

Shortly after George Bush and Barbara Pierce~Bush married in 1945, her parents Marvin and Pauline were in a tragic automobile accident. Marvin had got distracted, while driving, as he reached over to grab a cup of coffee. This all happened on the 23rd of September, 1949, at approximately 8AM; he lost control of the vehicle that he and Pauline were riding, and he was the driver.  The car struck a tree, and the coroners pronounced Pauline Pierce dead at 8:12AM.

Barbara's mother was just 53 years of age at the time of her death.

The folks at Wiki have Barbara incorrectly born in Rye, New York.  Actually that location comes from the 1930 U.S. Census.  She was actually born in Flushings!  Yes, our Barbara, our cousin, and former first lady, was born in Flushing, Queens, New York.

8th cousins

Barbara (Pierce) Bush and I, are eight cousins; both descending from Captain Thomas Thayer (1664-1738) of Mendon, Worcester, Massachusetts.  He was our 7th Great Grand-Father.  As you can see from the branch above.  This connection was on my paternal line, through the "Rider" family branch.  On this coming Monday, I hope to also post a BIG Happy Birthday to President George H.W. Bush.  Another connection, yet on a different branch, that joined together.

My love for statistics comes from college.  This is absolutely amazing when looking at it statistically to have two cousins living into their 90's, and joining in marriage for over seventy-two years!  I don't think you will see this too often in many family trees.

Barbara Bush c. 1945

Happy 92'd Cousin Barbara!