#52Ancestors – No. 24 – Ernest Anderson

This post is number 24 in the series of the #52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge where a group of us blog about a different ancestor for each week of the year.  To learn more about the 52 Ancestor Challenge visit Amy Johnson’s site at Amy’s website.

A life too short – a Father gone too soon

My great grandfather, Ernest Anderson lived from 1882 to 1925.  Born to Canadian immigrants of Irish and English descent, in Bad Axe, MI. That’s near the tip of your thumb on your right hand if you need a visual reference.  He was only 42 years of age when he died from a fall working at a plant in Zilwaukee, Michigan.

Ernest married Minnie White in 1902.  His occupation is listed as farmer on the marriage index.  Subsequently, he becomes a laborer at a foundry.  Ernest’s states he is a fireman working at the Michigan Light Company on his WWI Registration Card.  The Michigan Light Company could be the plant he was working at when he died.

Ernest Anderson World War One Military Registration Card

Ernest Anderson World War One Military Registration Card

At the time of his death in January 1925, there were eight children. Ranging in age from 27 to 3 years old.  My grandmother Mildred (Edith) is eight years old.  A ninth child, Betty Jane Anderson was born after he died.  His daughter, Doris, the subject of Doris Anderson #14 52Ancestors died in 1927.

Minnie remarries in December 1926 to William O’Neil.  They have one daughter, Rosetta May O’Neil.  Betty Jane and Rosetta are placed for adoption or possibly with other families by Minnie sometime after the 1930 Census.  Some of the sisters find Rosetta years later.  Rosetta now goes by the name Peggy and marries Robert W. Black.  I don’t have information on Betty Jane.

Ernest’s father, Gordon Anderson was born near Wilmot Township in Ontario, Canada.  Gordon’s parents, immigrated from Ireland in the early 1840’s.  Ernest’s mother is Elizabeth Woods, born in Blenheim, Ontario. Her father James Woods is from England.

Sources

“Michigan, Death Certificates, 1921-1952,” index, Ernest Anderson, 13 Jan 1925; citing Zilwaukee, Saginaw, Michigan, United States; 02844; FHL microfilm 1973077.
Public Libraries of Saginaw:  http://obits.netsource-one.net/

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