A Brief Biography of Robert Walton

by Frederick E. Walton
Copyright (C) 2014, 2015

Robert Walton was born on May 26, 1895, in Madison, New Jersey.^{1, 2}  His father, George, was 30 and his mother, Wilhelmina Constance (Long), was 25, They had been married seven and a half years.³

Robert was born into a household who may have still been mourning the loss of their three year old son, Albert Ernest,  who died barely a year earlier.^{4, 5}

A first, unnamed son died in childbirth, probably about 1888.

Their second child, George Arthur, was born in 1889 ⁶ and was only eighteen months old when he died in 1890.⁷

 Older brother, William Edward, born in 1892⁸ was the Walton's third child and only surviving son when Robert was born.

Robert was their 4th child, and second eldest surviving son.

Little is known of his childhood with the exception that new siblings arrived about every two years and the family moved from New Jersey to Tarrytown,  New York, probably about the same time Robert was born.

The first census Robert appears in is the 1900 U. S. Federal Census⁹, enumerated on June 1, 1900. He is listed as the five year old son of George Walton, Coachman.  This census specifically confirms his birth date: May 1895 (spaces provided for only month and year) and birthplace: New Jersey, although later documents and censuses don't always get this right. Joining his older brother William, now age 8, are new additions Harry, born in August 1986, and infant Charlie, born Sept 1899.  They have moved across the Hudson river and at the time of the census live at 166 East 38th St., Manhattan, New York, New York. At this time George is most likely employed by John D. Archbold who had an estate in Tarrytown, but was often in New York City for business as Vice President of Standard Oil.¹⁰

In the 1905 NY state census¹¹ the family has grown to seven children with the addition of two daughters and another son: Constance (4), Frank (3) and Lillian (7/12).

Robert, age 11, is listed "at school (6)".  I think this indicates he is presently in the sixth grade since the census was enumerated on June 1, 1905. They live at 195 South Broadway near the estate of John Archbold, George's employer.(see Map)According to the census records, many of their neighbors are also servants, probably for the numerous estates lining the Hudson at this time.

Map of Tarrytown N.Y. showing Walton home in relationship to employer John Archbold.

In the 1910 Federal Census¹², enumerated on Aptil 25, 1910 the Walton family has reached its zenith with the addition of the final two boys, Jack and Freddie.  Robert, age 15 is still listed as a student, but I imagine that will change shortly because this is the year his father George died at the young age of 46.¹¹ I have been unable to locate any school photos or records relating to Robert the student.

It is interesting to note in this census record that widower William Long, the father of Constance Wilhelmina, has also joined the household.  (His age is listed as 87, but it should  probably be 78 since other records indicate his birth year is 1832) Another interesting fact is that older brother William, age 18, lists his occupation as working in a tinsmith shop, a profession later taken up by Robert.

There are not many details of the family at the time of Georges death, however my grandfather, youngest child Fred, recalled that everyone in the family had to pitch in.

We next find Robert in the "Tarrytown Directory 1914-15". Robert is listed as a "Tinner" at 10 White Street in Tarrytown, down near the Hudson river, just off Main and Bird. Listed at the same address are his mother, lder brother William, a "Chauffeur" and his grandfather William Long.¹³

The 1915 N. Y. State Census, enumerated June 1, 1915 shows the Walton's have moved, again, to135 Main street in Tarrytown, a multi-family or apartment house (since another family is listed at this address). W. C. Walton (Wilhelmina Constance) is listed as head of household for the Walton family. She is a 45 year old widow who listed her occupation as "housework" I am guessing that Wilhelmina Constance is a typical, widowed housewife rather than employed as a "cleaning lady" since other married neighbors in this census also list their wive's occupation as "housework".  She has somehow managed to keep her large family together under one roof. Eldest son William, 23, lists his occupation as a chauffeur, carrying on the family "trade". Robert, 20 is working as a tinsmith helper. Harry, 17, and Charles, 15, are also working. Harry is an Electricians helper and Charles is a laborer.  The five youngest children, age 6 to 13 are still in school.¹⁴ William Long is not listed because he died on March 9, 1914.¹⁵

In 1915, newspapers were reporting on the war in Europe and the 1915 sinking of the Lusitania threatens to drag America into the war. By 1917 America has caught war fever. Robert is exactly the right age and on June 5, 1917 filled out his draft registration card.¹⁶


















This card is filled our in Robert's own hand and signed by the 22 year old.  He lists his home address as 135 Main Street and confirms his birthdate as May 36, 1895 in Madison, N. J. He lists his occupation as a "driver" for Rose Bacigalupi¹⁷, a 46 year old Italian widow who lives down the block on Main street and owns a retail fruit business. Since he calls himself a "driver" and not a "chauffer" I will make the assumption that Robert was a delivery driver, however there is nothing to document this with.

Here, on his draft card, we have our first physical description of young Robert: medium height, "stout", Brown Eyes and Brown Hair. We also have a sample of his handwriting and signature:

Robert had three bothers that also filled out draft registration cards. Oldest brother William filled his out on the same date, June 5, 1917¹⁸, but submitted it in "J. C" (Jersey City), N. J. where he resided and worked as a railroad brakeman.    

Robert's younger brothers waited until 1918. Harry, 21, living in Dalton, Mass.  submitted his in August of 1918¹⁹ and Charles, 19, living in Tarrytown, completed his in September 1918²⁰.

Robert Walton and Sister Lillian circa 1918.
photo courtesy of  great-granddaughter Marnie Caleen

Robert enlisted in the U. S. Army on May 16, 1918 and served until April 19, 1919. Sadly, WWI era personnel files in the custody of the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) were destroyed in a devastating fire there in 1973.  I was unable to locate Robert's service records so can not tell you what he did or where he served, but a family oral tradition, recently related to me by his grand-daughter, is that he was run over by a truck while in the Army and had a broken back when he was discharged. While more evidence needs to be gathered to document his injury, it is well known by family members that knew him, that Robert was hunched over. His granddaughter told me he loved the swimming pool because it was the one place he regained most of his mobility. 

It is not long after his discharge that 23 year old Robert wed 19 year old Helen Papp (handwritten name looks like Popp on Marriage License).  I found a copy of their Marriage License when visiting the Westchester, N. Y. Archives²¹. They where married on the 24th of September 1919 in Tarrytown, N.Y. He lists his occupation as "Chief Metal worker". Helens lists hers as "nurse". Helen lists her father as Steve Popp of Austria and her mother as "unknown". The Popps resided at 132 Wildey street, Tarrytown, N.Y. but I was unable to find this address in the 1915 census. (adresses skipped from 131 to 135, 136, etc)

Granddaughter Sharon Cherny told me that Helen was raised by her grandparents in Budapest, Hungary. (My father remembers his aunt Helen as reminding him of a gypsy). When Helen was 11 she was sent to the USA to live with her mother Sophie DuBois (DuBoif?). Papp was her step-fathers name. I have been unable to find any record of her arrival in the USA, although the 1920 Census lists her arrival in 1910 and the 1930 census lists her arrival in 1908. Family oral history connects Helen to the "Carpathian", of Titanic fame, owned by Hungarian-American Line CUNARD. More research needs to be done to identify where Helen came from or how they met. If she arrived after 1910 she would not be found in that Census and she was married by the 1920 Census. At this time I have not found her or her parents in the 1915 NY Census. 

By 1920 Newlyweds Robert and Helen had  rented an apartment in a three family house at 30 Hudson street²², not far from his mother and younger siblings at 211 Main street about 3/10 of a mile away. They share the house with two other families. Interestingly enough, one is a young couple named Papp! Peter (38) and Mary (35) Papp are both of Hungarian descent. They have 4 sons and two daughters. Could this be Helens brother (or step-brother)? Laborers Peter and Steven Papp are listed at this address in the 1914 and 1916 city directory.  More investigation is needed before I can make this claim, but what are the chances.... 

Robert lists his occupation as "tinsmith" for an auto company. My Dad recalled his Uncle Robert worked at the Tarrytown GM plant. My grandparents would sometimes go to Irvington to visit, but I have not found any evidence of a close relationship. Dad told me that when I was a baby (in the 50's) he would take me to the park near the GM plant because I loved watching the big trucks full of shiny new cars chug up the hill as they left to make their deliveries.

I have not found many historical references to Robert Walton and his family so the census must be relied upon to fill in the blanks. The 1925 New York State census gives us the next snapshot view. The Walton's moved to 34 Franklin Street, Tarrytown. (Peter and Mary Papp are still at 30 Hudson Street in 1925).  30 year old Robert lists his occupation as a "tinsmith". They have three children, Dorothy (age 4) , Constance (age 2) And Robert (no age given).  34 Franklin street is now part of the site of the Washington Irving Middle School in Tarrytown, so the house no longer exists.²³

The Robert Walton Family circa 1926
photo courtesy of  great-granddaughter Marnie Caleen

By 1930, one more child has joined the family, Virginia F [Francis] (age 04/12). Since the census was enumerated in April 12, 1930²⁴, we can guess Virginia was born in January of 1930 (although I found a SS Death index, that I believe is hers, that lists her birth date as 17 Nov 1929 in Tarrytown, New York and her death as 10 Jun 2007 - Port Saint Lucie, Saint Lucie, Florida.)²⁵  Robert has moved his family to nearby Irvington village. Their new address is a rental home at 116 East Sunnyside lane. (In an odd coincidence, Roberts father, George, lived in a house named "Sunny Side" in Cheddleton England! I visited it while doing research in England in 2011.) 

"Sunny Side", Cheddleton, England. Home of George Walton
Photo by Frederick Walton, Copyright (C) 2011

Here we find a minor confirmation of the oral family history about Roberts back injury. The 35 year old lists his occupation as a "disabled soldier" Helen (written as Helena) lists her occupation as nurse. (She had previously listed her occupation as none in 1920 and housework in 1925).

Undated photo of Nurse Helen Papp Walton
photo courtesy of  great-granddaughter Marnie Caleen

Roberts mother died on December 12, 1931. Her death certificate²⁶ lists 116 Sunnyside Lane as her address and Robert is listed as providing the details. In the April 1, 1930 U. S. Federal Census she is listed as living with daughter Lillian Halpin and family. Constance Wilhelmina Walton spent the last 4 days before her death in the hospital in Valhalla, but this record suggests she may have lived with Robert's family in the days and months previously. 

Wilhelmina Constance Long Walton
photo courtesy of  great-granddaughter Marnie Caleen

Connie Walton circa 1926
photo courtesy of  great-granddaughter Marnie Caleen 

Constance Wilhelmina lived in nearby Tarrytown or White Plains in the years before her death and it would have been easy to visit Robert's Family in Irvington.  Lumber piled in the background of the undated photo of Robert's mother can also be seen in the circa 1926 photo of Robert's daughter Connie, suggesting both were taken at Robert's house. 

 There was no New York State census for 1935, in fact none after 1925, so we skip from 1930 to 1940, The last census available for researchers until the 1950 census is released in April of 2022.

39 year old Robert Walton in 1934
photo courtesy of  great-granddaughter Marnie Calee

The 1940 census²⁷ Shows a  move for the Walton family to Hudson Ave in Irvington. The map shows this to be a residential area off Sunnyside Lane. The enumerator failed to record any house numbers but does note that the Walton's own their home. It is worth $6,000 and is probably close to the end of Hudson Ave, considering the enumerator generally goes in order from door to door. This Census indicates they had lived at this address on April 1, 1935  so they moved here sometime after December 1931 and before April 1935. 

I have a copy of Roberts 11/28/1936 Social Security application²⁸ which also lists a Hudson Ave residence. His employer is "Chevrolet of Tarrytown, Division of General Motors". It also lists yet another confirmation of his 1895 birthdate as May 26, 1895 in Madison, N. J.

The 1940 census lists Robert still working at the Auto Factory, but his occupation is now listed as a "Watchman". Helen lists no occupation and is engaged in "housework", but 19 year old eldest daughter Dorothy lists her occupation as a model at an art school. The other 3 children are attending school. This census asked detailed questions about education and Robert lists the highest grade completed as 8th Grade.

Since no other census information has been released at this time, we lose this method of peaking into Roberts life between 1940 and his death in 1973. I am hopeful that his direct descendants can help me fill in the blanks. 

53 year old Robert and wife Helen appears in a family photo with his siblings in 1948, previously discussed in this blog. In fact they caused a bit of confusion when we tried labeling the photos since they are posing with someone other than each other. Helen is next to younger brother Charles and Robert is next the Charle's wife, Beatrice, Although from the grin on Charles face, and Helen's hands throttling his neck, he may be the instigator of this mix-up.

Robert retired and moved to Florida with Helen. I do not know exactly when, but in the 1950's and 1960's it was common to work until age 65, which would have been around 1960 for Robert. I have found no evidence of either date. 

I know he died in Florida on January 23, 1973²⁹. His Florida address was 3492 53rd Street North, Saint Petersburg FL.  He is buried at Memorial Park Cemetery in St. Petersburg. I know little else about this period in his life. I don't recall ever meeting Robert or Helen in the 1960's or 1970's , although my father recalls him from his childhood. My grandfather rarely spoke of his siblings and I don't recall them visiting. While Robert's four children are now deceased, he still has a large number of Grandchildren, Great grandchildren and more than a dozen Great Great Grandchildren living.  I hope this article will help them learn about their ancestor and perhaps they can help me learn about the final decades of Robert Walton's Life.

Grave marker at Memorial Park Cemetery in St. Petersburg
photo courtesy of  great-granddaughter Marnie Caleen

Suggestions for additional research by direct descendants

1. Obtain the official state of N.J. birth certificate for Robert Walton to confirm his Birthdate. 
1. Note: I have searched for Robert's birth certificate and find it listed through Ancestry.Com as shown following. There seems to be a decrepancy with the year. Every other reference including U. S. Federal Census records and a draft card filled out by Robert himself indicate his birth year is 1895. I has ordered the FHL microfilm (1/2/2015) to see exactly how and where the date is recorded and will update this when the information becomes available. 

NAME:	Walton
GENDER:	Male
BIRTH DATE:	26 May 1894
BIRTH PLACE:	Morris, New Jersey
FATHER'S NAME:	George Walton
MOTHER'S NAME:	Constance Long
FHL FILM NUMBER:	494230

1. Search for Robert's school records
2. obtain his WWI service record and confirm his back injury
3. Track down family oral history about how Robert and Helen Met.
4. Obtain genealogical details about his spouse Helen
5. Obtain valid genealogical details about each child
6. determine when Robert and Helen moved to Florida.
7. Obtain additional details and family stories about his life, particularly after moving to Florida.

---

NOTES: 

1. Walton, Robert, xxx-xx-8724, N. Y., Social Security Death Index, Ancestry.com. U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2011.
Original data: Social Security Administration. Social Security Death Index, Master File. Social Security Administration.

2. Walton Robert, Registration Card No. 60, Registration State: New York; Registration County: Westchester; Roll: 1819127; Draft Board: 2,Ancestry.com. U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005.
Original data: United States, Selective Service System. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. M1509, 4,582 rolls. Imaged from Family History Library microfilm.

3. Walton-Long Marriage, 3 November 1887, Grace [Episcopal] Church Madison [Madison, N. J.], Diocese of Newark, Photocopy of certificate in procession of author. Supplied Sept 2000 by Molly Lewis, granddaughter of George and Constance Walton who inherited papers, including this document, from her grandmother Constance Walton. 

4. Shaw, Viola E. and Barbara S. Parker, "Madison, NJ Presbyterian Church Vital Records, 1747-1900", "Walton, George; son Albert E., d. Apr 7, 1894 age 3 yr; grandch of Mr. Long",  buried in Hillside Cemetery in Madison, N. J.

5. Birth, Baptism, Marriage and Burial Records of Grace Episcopal Church, Madison, N. J. transcribed by author on 4 April 2002. "Burials,Albert Ernest Walton, 3yrs 49 days, April 6, 1894, residence- New York, Place of Burial- Madison, N.J." 

6.  Birth, Baptism, Marriage and Burial Records of Grace Episcopal Church, Madison, N. J. transcribed by author on 4 April 2002, Baptism for George Arthur Walton: Born 20 June 1889, Madison, N. J., Baptised 14 July 1889, Witness: Chas A. Long

7. Madison, N. J. Health Dept records book, listing for George [no middle name] Walton, Died 2/16/1890. Record discovered by Maria Fenton, Madison, N. J. working on behalf of the author.

8. Birth, Baptism, Marriage and Burial Records of Grace Episcopal Church, Madison, N. J. transcribed by author on 4 April 2002, Baptism forWilliam Edward Walton: Born 27 June 1892, Madison, N. J., Baptised 14 August 1892, Witness: Janus Long 

9. Twelfth Census of the United States, 1900. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1900. T623, 1854 rolls.; Census Place: Manhattan, New York, New York; Roll: 1105; Page: 19A; Enumeration District: 0510; FHL microfilm: 1241105, Walton- Line 29-34

10. 1896-97 Tarrytown directory lists  George Walton's home at the same location as John D. Archbold 

11. "New York, State Census, 1905,"New York State Archives; Albany, New York; State Population Census Schedules, 1905; Ancestry.com. New York, State Census, 1905 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA;  District: A.D. 02 E.D. 03; City: Greenburgh; County: Westchester; Robert Walton; Page 19, Line 25

11. Walton, George, 16 June 1910,  record of Deaths in the Village of Tarrytown, Register No. 1722, Copy in possession of author. 

12.  Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910 (NARA microfilm publication T624, 1,178 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.; Census Place: Greenburgh, Westchester, New York; Roll: T624_1090; Page: 5B; Enumeration District: 0036; FHL microfilm: 1375103, page 09, Walton Family found on line 61-72.

13. Tarrytown, New York, City Directory, 1914-15, Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA; Long: page 69; Walton: page 105.

14. "New York, State Census, 1915," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/K958-YG8 : accessed 13 January 2015), Robt Walton, Greenburgh, Westchester, New York, United States; from "New York, State Census, 1915," index and images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : 2012); citing state population census schedules, 1915, p. 03, line 10, New York State Archives, Albany.

15. Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Tarrytown, New York The interment records at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery read as follows for William Long: William Long – page 184 – entry # 13827 81 years 11 months 10 days, date of death: 3/9/1914, interred: 3/11/1914, Cause Cerebral Apoplexy, lot 1859, Place of death: Tarrytown.  

16. Ancestry.com. U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA; Registration State: New York; Registration County: Westchester; Roll: 1819127; Draft Board: 2; W; Robert Walton; scan 27.

17. Fourteenth Census of the United States, 1920. (NARA microfilm publication T625, 2076 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C. Year: 1920; Census Place: Greenburgh, Westchester, New York; Roll: T625_1276; Page: 10B; Enumeration District: 31; Image: 26.;Line 59- Rose Bacigalupi.

18. Ancestry.com. U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA;Registration State: New Jersey; Registration County: Hudson; Roll: 1712208; Draft Board: 04;W;William E. Walton; scan 99. 

19. Ancestry.com. U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA;Registration State: Massachusetts; Registration County: Berkshire; Roll: 1684877; Draft Board: 2; W; Harry Walton; scan 44.

20. Ancestry.com. U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA; Registration State: New York; Registration County: Westchester; Roll: 1819127; Draft Board: 2; W; Charles Walton; scan 25.

21. Westchester County Archives; Marriage License; Walton,Robert; certificate: 29174;1919

22. Fourteenth Census of the United States, 1920. (NARA microfilm publication T625, 2076 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C. Year: 1920;  Census Place: North Tarrytown, Westchester, New York; Roll: T625_1276; Page: 4B; Enumeration District: 67; Image: 554;Waltons on line 65 & 66.

23. "New York, State Census, 1925," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/KSCZ-W1R : accessed 13 January 2015), Robert Walton, Greenburgh, A.D. 04, E.D. 01, Westchester, New York, United States; from "New York, State Census, 1925," index and images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : 2012); citing state population census schedules, 1925, p. 19, line 47, New York State Archives, Albany.

24.  Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1930. T626, 2,667 rolls. Census Place: Irvington, Westchester, New York; Roll: 1660; Page: 11B; Enumeration District: 0145; Image: 328.0; FHL microfilm: 2341394; Family Number: 429

25. Social Security Administration. Social Security Death Index, Master File. Social Security Administration. Ancestry.com. U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2011.

26. Death Certificate for Constance Wilhelmina Walton, Grasslands Hospital; Registered No. 558; issued 13 Dec 1931, filed with town clerk, town of Mount Pleasant, NY, Stamped copy in possession of author. 

27. Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1940. T627, 4,643 rolls. Census Place: Greenburgh, Westchester, New York; Roll: T627_2804; Page: 13B; Enumeration District: 60-64; Walton- Line 49-54

28.  U. S. Social Security Act application for account number for Robert Walton submitted 11/28/1936. Copy in possession of Author.

29. Robert Walton Death Certificate. Registrar of Vital Statistics, Pinellas County Health Dept, St. Petersburg, Fla., issued 13 Feb 1973. Copy in possession of author. 

Calling all Cousins...welcome to the family!

Tonight I had a delightful conference call with two cousins that "found" me through this blog. They wondered if there were any Waltons left and, as we chatted, it turns out that at certain times, like me, they lived within close proximity to other branches of the Walton family and never knew it. Chances are we could have crossed paths in the grocery store and never knew we where related.

My new acquaintances are descendants of Robert Walton, the second (surviving) son of George and Wilhelmina Constance Long Walton.

Sharon Cherny is the daughter of Robert and Helen's daughter Constance Charlotte.  Marnie Caleen is Sharon's daughter. They have graciously agreed to share some of the family history of their line with me and my readers.

Since I started researching our Walton family,  I have discovered (or been discovered by) cousins that descend from five of the seven children of George and Constance that had descendants. The missing two lines are eldest brother William and sister Lillian Halpin. If you're out there, please let me know, I'd love to make your aquaintance.

Sharon and Marnie have already been helpful in identifying family members in a photo published in an earlier blog. In fact it was this photo of her great-grandmother that caught her eye!

I had gotten this photo from cousin Alice Kearins, a descendant of Charles Walton. Her Grandfather, pictured,  had moved to Florida (I think).

Marnie told me that the house pictured was the house where Helen lived in St. Pete, Fl. Helen's  daughter Virginia (Gin) may have taken the picture as it looks like her husband, Jimmy, and daughter, Char, are the two unnamed people in the photo.

Helen died in 1978 making this photo is earlier than that. Robert died  Jan 23, 1973. Since he is not pictured this was probably have been after his death.  I had originally guessed mid-70's.

I look forward to learning more about the Robert Walton line (Sharon said his nickname was "Walnut")

So Yes, Sharon, there are still Walton's out here, and now you're one of us!

Calling All Cousins

George and Constance 
Wilhelmina Walton

According to an 1882 job reference, George Walton “… is leaving me on the 6th inst.  in order that he may join his  brother in America, where  he thinks he may be able  to do better for himself than  if he remained in England”

Thus  began a lifelong journey, resulting in an American wife, a dozen children and, for many of you reading this blog, our very existence, in part, because of that decision George Walton made 129 years ago while working at an estate in Wales.

During his lifetime George collected at least six job references. The fact that our family holds these 19^th century documents is remarkable because they are, in reality, mere scraps of scratch paper that some employer had handy when George asked for a reference when moveing on to a different and perhaps more prestigious employer. The words are part standardized formula… “Honest and sober...etc” ... but also include heartfelt sentiment, reflecting the man they described.

1882 Job Reference from employer in Wales

 To George Walton, these scraps of note paper, from a wealthy man’s desk, were his passport to future jobs. He preserved them carefully.  After his death, they continued to be preserved and passed down. Today they are written evidence of the character of a man none of us knew, but many are descended from.

Why are Vital Records so Important? 

 

 Certain documentation is important because, as Joe Friday might have appreciated, it gives us the facts….just the facts.

So called “Vital records”:  Birth, Marriage and Death records, have been recorded by church or civil authorities for centuries and clearly identify important facts about our ancestors. It is the “who, when and where.”  While we may remember a grandparent’s birthday or anniversary, a vital record certificate is bona-fide evidence of that event that is fairly indisputable.

For example, George Walton’s death certificate clearly states that he died on June 16, 1910. This is believable because the issuing authorities had a respected Doctor (J. C. Todd) who was willing to sign an affidavit attesting to this fact.

 

 

BUT the death certificate also provides George's birth date as July 9, 1860. This fact is literally “chisled in stone” on his grave. It’s wrong!

Does this mean you can’t trust vital records? No, but it means you have to use a large dose of common sense. Ask yourself Who provided the authorities issuing the death certificate the birth date. Not George! So whoever it was may have gotten it wrong.  I didn’t figure this out for 20 years. For many years I couldn’t find George in England because I was looking for an 1860 birth date.

In July 2010, cousin Gayle Judd sent me a copy of George’s birth certificate, dated July 3, 1864. With the help of cousins Claudia Shuttleworth and Gayle Judd, I “found” George in an 1881 English census. I had previously dismissed this George Walton record because I thought the age was wrong. Once I made this connection the floodgates opened and we now have ton’s of information about our English ancestors.

As special as we Walton’s are, there are lots of Waltons in the world sharing our names. John, George, Frederick, Charles, Frank, William, Constance…etc...they show up everywhere when you Google them. Of course most of the results are either for someone unrelated or are otherwise completely useless. Having accurate vital records can help us narrow down the search results and lock in on our specific ancestors.

To accomplish this I have added a vital records matrix to the tabs at the top of this blog. Please check it out. I hope you finds it useful. My first pass is to identify what records I have, which also identifies those records we need. The Matrix may be incomplete as you read this, but keep checking back...it is a work in progress. If you have additions or corrections, PLEASE let me know. Perhaps you already have these records for your direct line ancestors. If you do, would you be willing to send me a copy for the Walton Archives so we can preserve them in a central location and add them to the matrix?

Calling All Cousins

Claudia recently asked me how many cousins we have made contact with. Here is the breakdown- George and Constance Walton had nine siblings that survived to adulthood.

Three children have no living descendants:

1. Oldest son William had one daughter Gertrude, who never married and is now deceased.
2. Oldest Daughter Connie had one daughter who died in infancy.
3. Jack, the eighth child, never married.

The remaining six children, all had children and many had grandchildren and great grandchildren. Of these six, we have connections to five of the lines:

1. Robert Walton- Four children. We Need to do more research to locate living family members.
2. Harry Walton- In contact with grandchildren Claudia Shuttleworth and Craig Walton.
3. Charles Walton- In contact with his daughter "Pip" (Beatrice) and grandchildren Alice Kearins and Cheryl Frost.
4. Frank Walton- In contact with grandchildren Sharon Woods Walton, her sister Donna and Cathy Wright, widow of Grandson Billy Wright.
5. Lillian Halpin- In contact with Daughter Connie & Walter Ludwig in Fla. 
6. Fred Walton- My grandfather,  in contact with my siblings and cousins in Idaho.

I am hoping to make connections to all six lines and expand our contacts to other cousins within the lines we have already established. I know there are other cousins out there who may be interested and may have information that would be helpful to us.

Please pass this web link on to all your cousins and ask them to contact me to join us on our journey to document the Walton Family.

Checking the Walton Vitals

Now that I have wrapped up the 1940 census project for my grandfather and his eight Walton siblings, I thought it would be a good idea to use the momentum to start gathering their vital records (Birth/Marriage/Death). I have been doing this for the English Waltons and since I took a break back in March , I thought it might be worthwhile to finish up this first American generation, before going back to my English research.

The first generation American Waltons and their Spouses in 1948

When I took my first genealogy course in 1991, there was no such thing as the internet, at least not in my household (and I was an engineer working for IBM at the time). My instructor carried cartons of books to the class that we could use to find information. That is, not information about our ancestors, but information to make contacts to get information...maybe...about our ancestors. Nothing was easy!

After conducting family interviews with my parents and discovering that my grandfather was probably born in Tarrytown, I mailed a letter to the town clerk and a couple of months later received a reply containing the birth certificate I had requested. This was the first step in a long, slow chain of discoveries that has led me to where I am today.  If you have ever been through this process, you know what I mean. What amazing changes have occurred in Genealogical studies. Today, with a few keystrokes, you might find your ancestors entire history. But knowing that it is the correct history takes some additional good old fashioned detective work. And If you want that birth certificate...you still need to send the town clerk a letter. You generally won't find it on the internet unless someone like me put it there.  It probably takes just as long to get a copy, and will be more expensive than it was in 1991!  

My first Genealogical record obtained manually in 1991

 
All these changes got me thinking...Have you ever thought about the world our grandparents lived in?  Imagine having to get through the day with no cell phone, no texting, no email, no laptops or tablets, no internet, no satellite TV...all the things we take for granted. Things that have now been integrated into our lives.  It would be more than inconvenient to lose them, we have come to depend on them.  And yet, twenty short years ago...in 1992, most of those things either didn't exist or were in their infancy.  And, 10 years before that in 1982 when all but one of the Walton siblings had died, all of those things were unheard of.

Harry's brother William and Mother Constance vising Dalton, Mass. in 1925

(Photo Courtesy of Claudia Shuttleworth)  

Ironically, we are instantly connected through email, texting and cell phones.  We have hundreds of "friends" on facebook, but we're more alone than ever. When is the last time you spent the afternoon with your extended family? Nowadays my favorite coffee shop is as quiet as a library. Although packed with customers, they are all siting alone hunched over a cell phone, thumbing messages into a tiny keyboard...maybe to a friend sitting across from them! 

Walton Brothers and sisters in the 1970's, Bob Walton is probably behind the Camera
(Photo courtesy of Alice Kearins)

We only need to look at our family photos and remember our own youth to recall how earlier generations connected with their families. Our grandparents still lived in the "real" world... unplugged.  When they weren't working, they spent time with their family and friends. Look at the photos, see the family gatherings. On a hot summer night, they didn't retreat into an air conditioned "media room" to be mesmerized by some mindless dribble on the boob tube. They sat on the patio with a cold beer and warm conversation.  Were our grandparents poorer than us because of their lack of technology?  They wouldn't think so. They probably thought they lived in an amazing world.  When they were born, the world traveled with horse drawn carriages, their father was a coachman and spent his life working with horses.  His children saw the introduction of the automobile, the airplane and by the time they were our age, man walking on the moon. 

Walton Siblings pay a visit to brother Fred's family in Mahopac, 1963
 (Photo Courtesy of Frederick Walton)

They witnessed jet aircraft breaking the sound barrier. (remember when you were outside playing and heard it? We knew we were living in the space age!)  They watched telephones and "wireless" radios find a place in every home.  They saw a grainy black and white image on a tiny cathode ray tube usurp radio and then watched it flourish into color on bigger and bigger screens, some as large as 25 inches!

They could take their own private automobile and drive several towns away to visit friends or family, a trip that may have previously taken hours on a train or bus.

Charles Walton and his Automobile
(Photo courtesy of Alice Kearins)  

None of them lived in the 21st century, but they lived in a truly modern age, these first generation American Waltons.  And, they would be completely baffled by the way we live today.  No, there are still no flying cars and we still grill our steaks on the back deck. The cell phone and texting wouldn't truly amaze them...after all Dick Tracey had this sort of technology strapped to his wrist for years! But our world is more complex, more intense, more hurried...and harried! We are more connected, but more alone.

In August, I will be traveling through New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Jersey on a combination business trip and family visit. I will be carrying the Walton family Archives with me, and hopefully adding to them. 

Rick's parents, siblings, spouses and children in 2003 family reunion

 As I start gathering the first Generation American Waltons Vital records, I may call on you to see if you already have something I need so I don't waste time collecting information you can provide me. I may also have some existing records about your branch of the family that I would be happy to share. In some cases my travel schedule is limited, but If I am nearby, I would love to meet you even if it's just for a quick hello. 

I hope we can connect on my upcoming trip to NY and New England.  It would be nice to remember the old days... with a cold beer and a warm conversation. (OK... we can sit in the air conditioned room if you promise to turn the T. V. off!)

The NEW YORK Walton's in the 1940 Census

Wrapping up a slice of 1940 Walton History

George Walton (1864-1910) and Constance Wilhelmina Long Walton (1869-1931) produced a total of  12 children, of which 9 survived to adulthood. Only one child, John (Jack), remained single. The rest of the siblings married and  produced families of their own.¹

 By 1940, George and Constance were both long gone, but their many children and grandchildren had spread beyond the borders of Tarrytown, the family home place. Most had stayed in lower New York. Son Harry was raising his family in Massachausetts while his widowed sister Connie remained in Arkansas City, Kansas where she lived with her husband before his unexpected death.

Constance Walton McMonagle in the 1940's

The 1940 Census gives us a unique look into these families and helps us see the roster of grand-children's names of this second generation of Walton's in America. For many readers, this generation is our parents or grandparents.


Back in March, I started looking for the "Westchester Walton's" in preparation for the release of the 1940 Census in April. Using the 1930 census as a starting point I located many of the siblings, but a few eluded me and Frank Walton absolutely refused to be found.

Starting with my grandfather, Fred Walton, the youngest sibling I located his census (see "The other side of the Street") and solved the genealogical mystery surrounding it (see "What became of Aunt Agnes?"). This was both challenging and rewarding. It took a little detective work to locate the proper record. I followed up by flexing my genealogical muscles and locating oldest sibling William, then, in birth order, I found Robert and Harry.

The next sibling, Charles, was in White Plains in 1930, but had moved by 1940 making him difficult to locate, so I skipped on to the next sibling, looking to harvest the "low hanging fruit" first.

I got stuck on the next sibling, eldest daughter Constance. She was no longer at her 1930 address either, but I had some clues that led me to a 1938 address in  Arkansas City, Kansas². A newpaper article I have showed her in WWII WAC uniform and described her as being from Arkansas city. Presumably this is after 1940 so I started searching through all the Census sheets for Arkansas City. I have gone through hundreds of pages and just found her this week. The remaining siblings had been on hold until I found Connie.

That changed last week. I learned Ancestry.com now has several states indexed, including New York. This makes searching so much simpler. I quickly and easily found three of the four remaining New Yorkers: Charles, Frank and Lillian.

John eluded me. He was living with Lillian in 1930, but had moved on by 1940, I suspected he was"hidden" amongst hundreds of John Walton's listed on Ancestry.com. This would take a little more investigation. I remembered he was in the Army, so I thought maybe he enlisted prior to 1940 and was away from home. Nope, his enlistment date wasn't until 1942. I went back and tried searching from many different angles, always getting the same result. No match for our John Walton (1906-1997).

In a way, it was almost too easy to find Charles, Frank and Lillian. I had enjoyed the mental workout of doing it the "old fashioned" way, looking through page after page of names until I felt like I was getting to know their neighbors. There is a certain thrill when you finally came to the name you were looking for, but enough is enough! where are you hiding John? Then it hit me...He isn't John! Well... he is John, technically, but everyone called him Jack. So I searched for Jack and Bingo! He is listed as a porter in a hospital in White Plains.

 I have now found my grandfather and ALL his siblings in the 1940 census. I  updated their links on the summary page "The Waltons of Westchester 1940 Census Summary" on this blog. I hope YOU will use these links to find your Parents and Grandparents.See what you can learn, beside the names. Did they own a house or rent? What was their rent, or the value of their home? What was their occupation? How much did they make?

The next step is to fill in the blanks. YOU can help me with that. Do you have family photos from the 1940s? Newspaper articles? Pictures of the family home? Stories? If you have anything you would like to share, I will gratefully accept your contributions. My goal is to create a page or more for each sibling to tell their story. How much detail we find about each sibling is up to you.


Notes:
1 Connie and E. J. Mcmonagle had a child in 1926 that died shortly after birth- source: newspaper article in Arkansas city newspaper and personal cards of condolence to Connie, now in the author's collection.

2. Connie's address when her husband died was 2403 N. A St. Arkansas City, Kansas on February 17, 1938. (Source:Diamond Grove Cemetery, located at 1601 South Lincoln Avenue, Jacksonville, Illinois)

Sad News

copyright (C) 2012 Rick Walton
This week I received some sad news from cousin Claudia Shuttleworth about the passing, on June 12, 2012, of 93 year old Daisy Mae Walton Smith. Our Sincere Condolences to the Family.

Original Photo courtesy of Claudia Shuttleworth.
Photo editing and text by Rick Walton

Daisy was a granddaughter of George Walton, daughter of Harry Walton (1897-1981) and Sarah Mae Adams (1900-1977) and sister of Claudia's mother, Barbara Simmons.

Her obiturary was published in the Berkshire Eagle on June 25, 2012 and is reproduced in full here:

Daisy M. Smith, 93, passed away on June 12, 2012 at Good Shepherd Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, in Jaffery, N.H.

She was a life long resident of her beloved Dalton,[Massachusetts]. 

Some of her favorite things to do were puttering in her yard, walkingon York Beach and taking care of her family. 

 She was predeceased by her husband Roswell W. Smith Jr. (1977), a brother, Harry Walton and a sister Ruth Gaudette. 

Daisy leaves two daughters Cheryl Smith of Marlborough, N.H., and Susan Smith of Fitzwilliam, N.H., a granddaughter Michelle Amodia of Lancaster, Mass., three great grandchildren, Jade 13, Jasmine 13, Elijah 5, a sister, Barbara Simmons of Washington, Mass., and many wonderful Nieces and Nephews. 

There will be no services. She will be interned in Main Cemetery [Dalton, Mass.] at the convenience of the family. Donations may be made in her memory to Dalton Rescue, Flansberg Ave, Dalton MA.

Visit to California in May

Copyright(C) 2012 Rick Walton

I took a break from my 1940 Census project in May, combining business and pleasure, to travel to California. While there, I met our cousin Gayle (Walton) Judd and her husband Evan.

Gayle invited me to visit her lovely home in Saratoga, California where we traded stories and documents of our Walton family genealogy conquests and triumphs.Gayle has been researching the Walton family since the 1960's and is responsible for many Walton records available on the Family Search Website.

Gayle's grandfather, John William Walton, is George Walton, my great-grandfather's, older brother. Many of you reading this are descended from George. John and George are both son's of John and Eliza Walton.

Apparently John William came to America between 1880-1882, although we have not pinned down his exact departure and arrival dates. It is amazing how many John Walton's there where in that time period...he may as well have been John Smith! 

The Walton Brothers In America
John William Walton (1862-1936)	George Walton (1864-1910) Photo Circa 1887

We can conclude that George arrived in America around 1882 because of a job reference¹ from the Danyrallt estate in Llangadocks (modern day LLangadog), South Wales, where he was employed as "a groom under a coachman for somewhat more than a year." The job reference further states: "He is leaving me on the 6th instant [November 6, 1882] in order that he may join his brother in America, where he thinks he may be able to do better for himself than if he remained in England [signed] John Peel, 4th November 1882."

Is it signed H or S. L. Breese?
 Let me know your opinion.

A job reference² dated 1883 has George working as a groom for S. L. Breese (or possibly H. Breese). Unfortunately there is no address and, so far, I have been able to locate anyone of that name in the census or city directories in the U. S. or England. I don't know for sure if George made it to America in 1882 as planned. I do know, from a highly complimentary  job reference³ dated 1886, that George Walton  had been working as a groom for George E. Dodge of 72 Wall Street, New York City since 1884. Dodge was a successful Lumber merchant, Philanthropist and horse fancier. His glowing remarks about George Walton’s ability with horses is especially significant coming from someone who knows and appreciates horses like Mr. Dodge did.

The only brother unaccounted for in the 1881 English census is John William. coupled with the information in the job reference, it is an easy conclusion that John is the brother George is going to join. John's absence from the 1880 U. S. census leads us to conclude that John probably arrived after the census, but before the job reference was written, so he most likely arrived within the 1880 to 1882 time period. Anyone who can provide conclusive evidence of either brothers departure or arrival will be very much appreciated!   
 

Rick visiting Gayle and Evan Judd in California , May 17, 2012

 Like me, Gayle traveled to England and walked the same streets as our ancestors in search of clues.She related many interesting and funny stories, including an experience in Cheddleton. She traveled to England with her husband who was part of a choral group and decided to take a side trip to Cheddleton while her husband's group traveled to Scotland for a concert.She had taken a bus from nearby Stoke-on-Trent and traveled throughout Cheddleton on foot visiting many of the same places that I did, including the church. As daylight waned, she was trying to get in as much site seeing as possible before the bus was scheduled to depart. She asked some local women for directions to Sunnyside, The Walton family house, which is about a mile from the church. The local ladies offered to drive her over and a friendship was soon struck up. Although complete strangers, they ended up offering her the grand tour of the town the following day and convinced her to miss the bus and stay overnight with them.

Like two kids swapping baseball cards, we flipped through an amazingly similar set of photos taken a decade apart, trading stories and observations.That evening, Evan treated Gayle, my wife Ruthann and I to dinner at a favorite restaurant where we enjoyed a wonderful meal and good company. Genealogy talk had to take a break because Evan and Ruthann voted to ban the topic after a short time, allowing for more general conversation as we got to know each other a little better. This encouraged Gayle and me get together for an unplanned second day to discuss more genealogy "on our own time". 

 Gayle and I spent the whole next day together looking through several notebooks of documents she had compiled on her genealogical research. Given the short time window, we focused on the English Walton documents that were a common denominator. I helped Gayle set up a digital archive on her computer and we scanned in 22 documents, mainly English Civil Registration documents, that she has collected since the 1960's. I saved copies to my hard drive and was able to carry this treasure trove home to my archives.

As the hours ticked by, I was so absorbed in scanning and discovering... that I probably overstayed my welcome. I know I made poor Gayle miss lunch and I appreciate her patience with me.

As a result I have the following documents available and thanks to Gayle's permission, I am happy to share them with you by your request. Many of these will be explored in future blogs as we continue to document the Walton's of Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Staffordshire. 

First Generation (Children of John and Eliza Walton of Cheddleton)

Father	John Walton	1852 English Civil Registration Marriage Certificate
		1890 English Civil Registration Death Certificate
Mother	Eliza Walton	1893 English Civil Registration Death Certificate
1.1	Emily Walton	1853 English Civil Registration Birth Certificate
1.2	Elizabeth Walton	1855 English Civil Registration Birth Certificate
		1861 English Civil Registration Death Certificate
1.3	Jane Ann Walton	1857 English Civil Registration Birth Certificate
		1868 English Civil Registration Death Certificate
1.4	Mary Walton	1859 English Civil Registration Birth Certificate
1.5	John Joseph Walton	1860 English Civil Registration Death Certificate
1.6	John William Walton	1862 English Civil Registration Birth Certificate
1.7	George Walton	1864 English Civil Registration Birth Certificate
1.8	Edwin Walton	1865 English Civil Registration Birth Certificate
1.9	Louisa Walton	1867 English Civil Registration Birth Certificate
1.10	Rose Walton	1870 English Civil Registration Birth Certificate
		1937 English Civil Registration Death Certificate
1.11	Frederick Walton	1872 English Civil Registration Birth Certificate
1.12	Charles Walton	1874 English Civil Registration Birth Certificate

Note: Brothers John and George, the subject of this article, are highlighted

Second Generation (Children of George & Wilhelmina Constance Walton)  

1.7.5	Robert Walton	1936 SS Application
1.7.7	Charles Walton	1900 Baptism Certificate
		1937 SS Application
1.7.12	Frederick Walton	1936 SS Application

Footnotes:
1. Peel, Robert, Job reference for George Walton, 4 November 1882, Danyrallt estate in Llangadocks (modern day LLangadog), South Wales, from the personal papers of George Walton passed on to daughter Constance Walton McMonagle and then passed on to grandaughter Mabel (Molly) Walton Lewis who provided copies in 2000 to current holder and transcriber Frederick Walton, Raleigh, NC.

2. Breese, S. L., Job reference for George Walton, 1883, location not stated, from the personal papers of George Walton passed on to daughter Constance Walton McMonagle and then passed on to grandaughter Mabel (Molly) Walton Lewis who provided copies in 2000 to current holder and transcriber Frederick Walton, Raleigh, NC.

3. Dodge, George E., Job reference for George Walton, 1 Feb. 1886, 72 Wall St., New York, New York., from the personal papers of George Walton passed on to daughter Constance Walton McMonagle and then passed on to grandaughter Mabel (Molly) Walton Lewis who provided copies in 2000 to current holder and transcriber Frederick Walton, Raleigh, NC.