Answers

I haven't been able to do much work this week, but I did get answers to two of the questions I had floating around cyberspace.

The first was an email to a cousin...

• Do you know what the ^E means in the 1872/1873 Brooklyn Directory?
• ^E Blanchard Edward, carpenter, 204 Freeman

Answer

• ^E stands for Eastern District of Brooklyn, namely Williamsburg and Greenpoint

The second question was posted on a message board in May 2009...

• I am looking for the birth/baptismal record of George Blanchard. I have a date of 26 February 1864. I am not sure if this is his birth or baptismal. I have been to the online baptismal index but it is not there. I was wondering how would I go about getting in touch with St. Simon St. Jude, Tignish. Or could anyone go to the parish and look up the record for me?

Answer

• You could also call the Tignish parish house at (902) 882 2049. They have a staff person who answers requests for genealogical information. 

Thanks Suzanne and Ron for the help!

William Blanchard

William Blanchard was born 20 April 1858, Tignish, Prince Edward Island.  He was baptized Roman Catholic, 23 May 1858, at St. Simon and St. Jude Church, Tignish, Prince Edward Island.  His parents were Stephen Blanchard and Catharine Ferris.  In the 1861 Canadian Census, William was living with his family in Tignish, Prince Edward Island.

William married Elizabeth Kidd, 7 December 1879, at St. Anthony of Padua Church, Brooklyn, New York.  After his marriage, William lived at 179 Freeman Street, Brooklyn, New York.  By 1884 William, Elizabeth, and his children Stephen (1880- ), William (1882-1883), Francis Joseph (1883- ), and Helen (1885-1886) were living at 58 North 10th Street, Brooklyn, New York.

The next moves for the family were to 45 and 43 Franklin Street, Brooklyn, New York.  Here William's family grew to include Edward J Blanchard (1892- ) and William Blanchard (1896-1941).  While William was living on Franklin Street he joined the New York City Police Department (25 March 1892).

In the 1910 United States Census and 1920 United Stated Census William's address was 128 Calyer Street, Brooklyn, New York.  It is while living at this address William retired from the Police Department (5 December 1913).   

In the 1930 United States Census William was living in Queens, New York at 41-23 53rd Street.  He died at this address on 15 April 1932.  The cause of death was cerebral hemorrhage.  William was buried in St. John's Cemetery, Middle Village, Queens.  He was buried with his wife Elizabeth, and his son William (1896-1941).

To complete my research on William, I need to find his immigration records.

Ferris Update

I searched the Brooklyn City Directories from 1867/1868-1875/1876.  I looked for a couple different people, but for purposes of this post I will stick with Catharine.

1872/1873
Blanchard Kate, wid 204 Freeman

The directory gives Catharine a new documented date, the earliest found in New York.

Sophia

Sophia M Blanchard was born 1 April 1856.  She was baptized, Roman Catholic at St. Simon and St. Jude Church, Tignish, Prince Edward Island.  Her parents were Stephen Blanchard and Catharine Ferris.  In the 1861 Canadian Census, Sophia was living with her family in Tignish, Prince Edward Island.

On 24 December 1876 at Church of St. Michael, Manhattan, New York, Sophia served as godmother to her sister Elizabeth's daughter, Mary Ellen Delaney.  In the 1880 United Stated Census, Sophia was living with her mother Catharine, and her brothers Edward, Stephen, and George.  They were living in Brooklyn, New York at 595 Lorimer Street.  In 1887, Sophia M Blanchard, a teacher, was living at 148 Meserole Avenue.  

On 25 June 1888, Sophia married Thomas P Colahan at St. Anthony of Padua Church, Brooklyn, New York.  In the 1900 United Stated Census Sophia and Thomas were living at 105 India Street.  Also living in the household were the couple's three children, Mary Cecilia (1889-1979), Stephen John (1891-1973) and Francis Ambrose (1892-1938).  By 3 January 1915, Sophia and her family were living at 821 Lincoln Place.  Sophia lived at this address until her death, 28 February 1948.  Sophia and her husband, Thomas, were buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York.

Like all Blanchard children, to complete my research on Sophia, I need to find her immigration records.  Unlike the other children, Sophia's family can be traced to present day, and it is through their generosity that I have a picture of her.

Sophia M Blanchard

Annie

Anne was born to Stephen and Catharine Blanchard abt November 1853.  She was baptized Roman Catholic, 8 March 1854, St. Simon and St. Jude Church, Tignish, Prince Edward Island.  In the 1861 Canadian Census, Anne was living with her family in Tignish, Prince Edward Island.

On 10 December 1871, Anne was a witness at her sister Elizabeth's wedding.  The wedding took place at the Church of St. Michael, Manhattan, New York.  On 24 June 1877, Anne married John O'Brien at the same church.  John was a tailor.

Unfortunately this is the only information I have for Anne.

Edward H Blanchard

Edward Blanchard was born 2 October 1851, Tignish, Prince Edward Island.  He was baptized Roman Catholic, 21 October 1851, at St. Simon and St. Jude Church, Tignish, Prince Edward Island.  His parents were Stephen Blanchard and Catharine Ferris.  In the 1861 Canadian Census, Edward was living with his family in Tignish, Prince Edward Island.

In 1874-1875 Edward was living in Brooklyn, New York, at 180 Green Street.  In 1877 he was living at 140 Huron Street, Brooklyn, New York.  In 1879-1880 Edward was living at 179 Java Street, Brooklyn, New York.  In the 1880 United States Census Edward was living at 595 Lorimer Street, with his mother Catharine, his two brothers, Stephen and George, and his sister Sophia.  His occupation was listed as a stair builder.  In 1881 Edward was still living at this address.  In 1894 Edward was living at 183 Eagle Street, Brooklyn, New York.  In 1897 he relocated to 116 Eagle Street, Brooklyn, New York.  In 1900 Edward was living at 190 Freeman Street, Brooklyn, New York.

In the 1900 United States Census Edward was living with his wife, Ellen Easton, at 152 Java Street, Brooklyn, New York.  On 3 December 1900, The Brooklyn Daily Eagle stated, Edward Blanchard of 153 Eagle Street, was promoted to bridge tender on the Blissville Bridge.  His salary was $839.50.  Two years later (7 February 1902) the paper reported Edward was dismissed.  In 1910 the United States Census stated Edward was living at 130 Huron Street, Brooklyn, New York, with his wife, Ellen.  On 2 September 1915, Edward H Blanchard fell down a flight of cellar stairs at 236 West 144 Street, Manhattan, New York.  He died from a fracture, at the base of his skull.  Edward was buried in Calvary Cemetery with his wife.

To complete my research on Edward I need to find his immigration and marriage records.   Also Edward was listed as having two children in the 1910 Census, Edward (17) and Edith (12) Blanchard.  This was the first and last time they were mentioned.

Helen = Storyteller

Family members that change their name, place of birth, and age with great frequency are the hardest to track down.  In one census they might list their age as 41; twenty years later they say they are 50.  This leads to a lot of frustration and uncertainty.  In my family tree, "lying" people all seem to share a common trait, the name Helen, or Ellen, or Nellie, etc.  For a name that means light, they turn it off.

Helen Blanchard (1849-1927)

Helen was born in May 1849.  She was baptized Roman Catholic, 3 June 1849, St. Simon and St. Jude Church, Tignish, Prince Edward Island.  Her baptismal certificate lists her parents as Stephen Blanchard and Catharine Ferris.  Helen, or Ellen as she commonly referred to herself, lived in Tignish, Prince Edward Island, along with her family in the 1861 Canadian Census.

The next time Ellen was documented was 16 May 1891.  She was listed as the mother of Michael Joseph (abt 1884-1891), on his death certificate from that date. At the time of his death Ellen and her family were living at 81 Avenue C, Manhattan, New York.  She was still living there 9 November 1891, when her husband, Michael Lyons (abt 1850-1891), was admitted to the New York City Asylum for Insane, Wards Island, New York.

In the 1900 United States Census Ellen was living on Ocean Parkway, Brooklyn, New York, with her daughter Helen (abt 1880-1893) and her niece Catherine Blanchard (1896-1965).  In the 1910 United States Census she was living at 83 Third Street in Queens, New York.  She was living with her daughter Helen and Helen's family, as well as Catherine Blanchard.  In 1918 Ellen was listed as Daniel Joseph's (1876- ) mother on his World War I Draft Card.  Her address was 26-84 12th Street.

In 1920 Ellen was living at 912 Crescent Street, Queens, New York.  She was living with her husband, John Ryan.  Ellen died on 30 November 1927 in Wyckoff Heights Hospital from appendicitis.  At the time of her death she was living at 76 McComb Place, Queens, New York.  Ellen was buried in St. John's Cemetery, Queens, New York.

There are so many things I need to do to complete my research on Helen.  My first to do is figure what Ellen was doing between the years 1861-1891.  Obviously she immigrated, married, and had children, but I do not have records on any of these events.

Daniel Blanchard

Daniel Blanchard was born 7 September 1847 to Stephen Blanchard and Catharine Ferris.  He was baptized Roman Catholic at St. Simon and St. Jude Church, Tignish, Prince Edward Island, 17 September 1847.  Daniel was living with his family in Tignish, Prince Edward Island in the 1861 Canadian Census.

These are the only facts that I have on Daniel.  I don't know if Daniel came to New York with Catharine, or stayed in Canada with Stephen and John.  I have searched the Prince Edward Island Public Archives and Records Office.  I have also searched New Brunswick Vital Records and Nova Scotia Vital Records.  The name Daniel Blanchard doesn't appear in any of these databases.

The clues I have to help me find Daniel are...

A Daniel Blanchard appears as a sponsor on a baptismal record from Tignish, Prince Edward Island, dated 5 December 1863.  The record is for a Stephen Blanchard whose parents are listed as Stephen Blanchard and Catharine Tennessy.  Unfortunately there is no way to tell if this is my Daniel.

The name Daniel does not appear in the Blanchard family.  Therefore I am assuming the name Daniel comes from the Ferris side.

Elizabeth and the Delaneys

Elizabeth Blanchard was born circa 1846.  She was living with her family in Tignish, Prince Edward Island, in the 1861 Canadian Census.  Elizabeth married William Delaney, 10 December 1871, at the Church of St. Michael, Manhattan, New York.  Her marriage certificate lists her parents as Stephen Blanchard and Catharine Ferris.  After her marriage, Elizabeth lived at 444 West 37 Street.  She was listed at this address in both the 1880 and 1900 United States Censuses.  Elizabeth and William had eight children.

William Joseph Delaney (abt 1872-1908)
Thomas Delaney (abt 1874-1878)
Mary Ellen Delaney (1876-1897)
Catherine Delaney (1879- )
Joseph Delaney (1881 - )
Anne Delaney (1883-1907)
Elizabeth Delaney (1888- )

Elizabeth Blanchard Delaney died 18 January 1901, from pulmonary phthisis.  Elizabeth is buried with family members in Calvary Cemetery.

To complete my research on Elizabeth and her family I need to find, and/or follow up on quite a few things

• Elizabeth's baptismal record.
• Immigration records for Elizabeth.
• William Joseph Delaney and Thomas Delaney's birth records. The Church of St. Michael's searched their records for 1872, 73, 74 and 1874, 75, 76 respectively, but couldn't find anything. updated Tuesday, March 30, 2010
• Joseph Delaney's baptismal sponsors were George Blanchard and Mary Kennedy. The Kennedy name appears on numerous Blanchard family documents.
• Elizabeth Delaney's baptismal sponsors were William J Delaney and Ellen Ferris.
• I do not have any records on Catherine, Joseph, and Elizabeth Delaney after 1900.
• I only have records for seven Delaney children.  updated Tuesday, August 17, 2010
• William Joseph Delaney had at least two living children when he died in 1908, William Delaney (abt 1901- ) and Edward Delaney (abt 1906- ).

John Blanchard

John Blanchard (1843-1867) was Stephen and Catharine's eldest son.  He was born 14 August 1843.  John was baptized Roman Catholic, 27 August 1843, in St. John the Baptist, Miscouche, Prince Edward Island.  His sponsors were Donald Ferris and Catherine McNeil.  In the 1861 Canadian Census, an 18 year old John was living with his family in Tignish, Prince Edward Island.  John married Ann Cook, 27 June 1867, in Halifax, Nova Scotia.  They were married in an Episcopal Church.  John died 26 November 1867.  He died in Halifax, Nova Scotia, from disease of the heart.

Due to John's short life, I think I am finished researching him.  The one name I would like to follow up on is Donald Ferris.

Catharine Ferris Blanchard

Catharine Ferris Blanchard is one of the more interesting stories in my family tree.  She married very young and had quite a large family.  She appeared to be living a rather normal life; however things changed.  For reasons yet unknown Catharine left her husband, her home, and everything she knew in Canada,  to start life over in the United States.  Here, with most of her children by her side, she lived to become a very "old lady."

Here is Catharine's story...

On 29 September 1839 Catharine Ferris (abt 1825-1915) married Stephen S Blanchard in Bathurst, New Brunswick.  On 27 August 1843 her son John (1843-1867) was baptized in St. John Baptist Church, Miscouche, Prince Edward Island.  In September of 1847, Catharine gave birth to her son Daniel (1847- ).  He was baptized at St. Simon and St. Jude Church, Tignish, Prince Edward Island.  Catharine's children Helen (1849-1927), Edward (1851-1915), Anne (1853- ), Sophia (1856-1948), and William (1858-1932) were also baptized in this Church.  In 1861 Catharine was still living with her family, in Tignish, Prince Edward Island.  She was listed with them in the 1861 Canadian Census.  In 1877 Catharine was living at 140 Huron Street, Brooklyn, New York.  From here she moved to 179 Java Street, and in the 1880 United States Census she was living with Edward, Sophia, Stephen (abt 1861-1936), and George (abt 1864-1940) at 595 Lorimer Street.  During the next twenty years some of her addresses included 692 Leonard Street and 148 Meserole Avenue.  In the 1900 United States Census, Catharine was living with Sophia's family at 105 India Street.  Catharine died 3 January 1915.  Her cause of death was listed as bronchial asthma and pleura-pneumonia.  At the time of her death Catharine was living at 147 Twelfth Avenue, Queens, New York.  Catharine was buried 5 January 1915 in Calvary Cemetery.  

Those are the facts, but there is plenty I still need to learn.

When was Catharine born?
Her year of birth ranges from 1825 in the 1900 United States Census to 1832 in the 1880 United States Census.  In the 1861 Canadian Census she was listed as 21 to 45, which puts her birth between 1816 and 1840.  Considering she was married in 1839 and John was born in 1843, Catharine was probably born closer to the 1825 date.

Where was Catharine born?
Catharine states she was born in Ireland in the 1861 Canadian Census and the 1900 United States Census.  In the 1880 United States Census she states she was born in Massachusetts.  Her children list her birthplace as Ireland, Nova Scotia, England, or Canada depending on the child and the year of the census.

How did Catharine wind up in New York?
Catharine was living in Canada in 1861.  She was probably living there when Stephen and George were born as well, but right now I do not have those records.  In 1877 Catharine is living in Brooklyn, New York.  She is actually living in New York earlier; however I need to double check my source.  Last time I went to NYC Department of Records  I found Catharine in an earlier directory.  She was living at 204 Freeman; however I did not write down the exact year.  I wrote Freeman Street, 1872/1873.  I am going to have to verify what directory this is from next time I go.  updated Tuesday, March 30, 2010  I have yet to find immigration records for Catharine or her family.

As to why Catharine left Canada we may never know; however we can speculate...My speculations will be in another post.