Ernest Alfred Olesen

   

United Kingdom Birth Records 

     I am slowly working my way through my Olesen Family.  It appears I have not spent any quality time researching my paternal great granduncle, Ernest Alfred Olesen.  He was the youngest child born to Christian Invart Olesen and Ferdinanda Weiss Olesen.  Ernest was born on April 19, 1891  in West Hartlepool,  Durham County, England.  He joined five other children in the Olesen family.  One brother, George Invart Olesen, died in 1888, three years before Ernest was born.  Ernest was still a baby when his father died in 1892.  He was raised by his mother, a single parent.

Northern Daily Mail, West Hartlepool, England
Friday, August 17, 1894, page 3

      I have no idea how Ferdinanda paid for her family's living expenses during the 1890's while her children were still young, although children did work in England during those years.  There is a newspaper article dated August 17, 1894 that gives me a peek into the family life.  Ernest's oldest brother, Frederick, attacked his mother, Ferdinanda and was sent off to two months hard labor.  At that time, Frederick had not worked for two years, so he was not providing for the family and during the inquest, in a question and answer session, Ferdinanda says she is working; however, the occupation is not given. Various newspaper articles show that  Frederick Olesen was a occasionally in trouble in West Hartlepool before and after he joined the army in 1898.  His attestation papers list that he was employed as a laborer and continued to make his home with his mother.  Ernest grew up in a family with an older brother who was causing havoc in the family and community.

1901 United Kingdom Census
Durham County, West Hartlepool, All Saints Parish
RG13/4641

     The family suffered a loss on January 24, 1901 when Ernest's brother, Adolph Heinrich Weiss Olesen died at age fifteen.  Later that year the 1901 UK census for the family shows that the Olesen family is making their home at 7 Bolton Street.  The family has been at 7 Bolton since Christian's death in 1892  Ernest is age 9 and probably in school.  An older brother, William, age twenty one, is working at a sawyer (a person who saws wood) and his sister, Emily, age seventeen, is apprenticed as a dress maker.  My paternal great grandmother and Ernest's oldest sister, Elizabeth Ferdinande Olesen Hughes, was married and raising a son, my paternal great grandfather, George Henry Hughes, in West Hartlepool.  Frederick is not at the house for the enumeration and could be still serving in the army.

     In 1906, Ernest's sister, Elizabeth Olesen Hughes, and her family immigrated to the United States. I have no knowledge as to the reason why my paternal great grandmother and her family left West Hartlepool for the United States; however I am sure the move across the ocean to a new country was met with hope and anxiety for both the Olesen and Hughes families.  Ernest would have been age fifteen.  Unbeknownst to the Olesen family all but Frederick would follow Elizabeth in the upcoming years.

     In 1910, Elizabeth Olesen Hughes crossed the ocean to West Hartlepool.  At this time, William (Bill) Olesen decided to immigrate to the United States and he accompanied his sister back to Elizabeth's house on the South Side, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  I do not have any records to show whether Bill stayed in the US or if it was a visit; however, he is not enumerated on the Olesen 1911 census.

     The Olesen family was making their home at 73 South Parade in West Hartlepool by the 1911 United Kingdom Census.  They have a page all to themselves and Ernest provided and signed the report.  Ernest is age twenty and is working as a clerk in an estate office.  Also on the census is his sister Emily and her husband, Rowland Richards.

     Another family member left West Hartlepool in 1914, Emily's husband, Rowland Richards, immigrated to the US and stayed with the Hughes Family in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  Certainly in the West Hartlepool Olesen family a seed has been planted that life was better in the United States and conversation around the dinner table undoubtedly revolved around that issue.

     I have digressed a bit from the story of Ernest Alfred Olesen to provide insight into the family and the family dynamic he was living in as a child and young man.

 This photo was identified in an  album, by my paternal grandmother, as a photo of "Uncle Ernie World War I".  Uncle Ernie, Ernest Alfred Olesen, was her husband's uncle and would have been known in her family as Uncle Ernie.  She would have been able to identify him as she had met him and his wife, Annie.  

     From 1914 to 1920 Ernest had several life changing events.  Between 1914-1915 he enlisted the 22 Manchester (7th City) Battalion during England's participation in World War I.  I found a Manchester Batallion website that listed the soldiers number and Ernest's falls within those that fought with the battalion called 7th City.  His record shows he was a private, saw military conflict and received a silver badge for his service.  Shame on me, I found him also listed as a Lance Corporal; however, I did not save the website.  I will add it if I ever find it again ;-)  I do not know how many years he served with the 22 Manchester.

1915M4-O-0218

      In 1915, Ernie married Ann Wanless in a ceremony at Christ Church, West Hartlepool, England.  Ann, also known as Annie, was born on February 16, 1890 in West Haartlepool, England,  She was the daughter of Robert William and Annie Wanless.  The actual date of the marriage I have not been able to find; however, it was in the last three months of the year.  Whether Ernest was on leave from his military service or had mustered out is also unknown. 

1916B4-O-0111

     The couples only child, a son, Oscar Ernest Olesen, was born on September 28, 1916 in West Hartlepool, England.  The date of his birth has been taken from his United States records; however, the record in England lists that his birthday fell during the last three months of the year.

1920 Olesen Immigration Records

     On February 26, 1920, Ernest, Annie and Oscar boarded the SS Baltic in Liverpool, England.  They sailed tourist class and their passage was paid by the shipping broker, Simpson, Spence & Young, where Ernest would be an accountant.  The SS Baltic, also known as RMS Baltic, was one of four the big four ocean liners of the White Star Line.  I found an SS Baltic video on YouTube which shows numerous photos of this ship that primarily sailed between Liverpool and New York City. 

     On July 24 1920, Bill Olesen returned to the United States with his mother, Ferdinanda Weiss Olesen and his sister, Emily Maud Olesen Richards.  The final portion of the family traveled aboard the Cunard ocean liner, SS Aquitania, from Liverpool, England to New York City.  YouTube has an interesting video of the history of the SS Aquitania.  I have no idea if Bill Olesen returned to England to pick up his mother and sister or if he had returned years earlier and was living with them.

891 East 14th Street, Flatbush, New York in 2018
This may have also been the first home to the Ernest Olesen Family in 1920

     The immigration record lists the intended destination, of the final three Olesens,  is brother and son (Ernest) who was in 1920 was living in an apartment located in the neighborhood of Brooklyn, 891 E 14th Street, Flatbush, New York.

     Although the immigration record shows that the family of Ernest Olesen planned to be in the US for only six months, I believe that they came and stayed. The only US records for them from their arrival until a vacation cruise in 1924, is that they made their first home in Flatbush after they arrived.  I have not located any documents of Ernest becoming a US citizen.  In the 1930 and 1940 US census, Ernest and family do list 1920 as the year they immigrated; however, there is no NA (naturalized) after the date.  Instead, there is an AL, "AL: The immigrant had not yet naturalized or even begun the process.  Not every immigrant naturalized."  (Family Search United States Naturalization and Citizenship)  Perhaps they lived in the US until their deaths, but never became citizens.  I have also not located any US passport applications, which would probably make sense if they never naturalized. 

     Sometime between 1920 and 1924 the Olesen's purchased a home at 228 Broadway, Lynbrook, New York.  From searching on Google maps, it appears that the house no longer exists or has been renumbered.  The family lived at this address from 1924 until 1933 taken from a 1925 New York Census, the 1928 New York City Directory, the 1930 United States Census for New York and several passenger lists from cruises and vacations out of the country.

     During the period of time from 1924 to 1933 there were eight passenger records for either Ernest alone or for the family.  These records have proven invaluable.

1924

    On October 4, 1924 the Olesen family sailed aboard the ocean liner, SS Fort St. George, from Hamilton, Bermuda arriving at the port of New York City on October 6, 1924.

1925

     1.  On March 23, 1925 Ernest Olesen returned to New York City from a trip to Hamilton, Bermuda.  There is no other information as the first page of the passenger list is missing. 

     2.  On September 25, 1925 the Olesen family sailed aboard the ocean liner, SS Fort St. George, from Hamilton, Bermuda arriving at the port of New York City on September 26, 1925.

     3.  On November 11, 1925 the Olesen family sailed aboard the ocean liner, SS London Mariner, from New York City to London, England.  The London Mariner was a ship owned by Furness, Withy & Company.  Ernest gave his address in London as the office of Furness, Withy & Company.  The family left London, England on the SS London Commerce arriving at the port of e York City on December 4, 1925.  The name and addrsess of Ann's mother was given on the incoming passenger list  Perhaps the Olesen's traveled from London to West Hartlepool to visit with family during their trip.

     The Olesen family took a cruise on a Furness ship in 1924 and It appears that by 1925 that Ernest Olesen had left the shipping broker Simpson, Smith & Young and joined the British transport business of Furness, Withy & Company as an accountant.  The address given as a person in the United States who knew Ernest on the 1925 Bermuda trip is the address of Furness, Withy & Company and the family sailed on Furness, Withy & Company ships to and from England along with going to the firms office in London.  Oddly, the company began in Hartlepool, England and I would assume that Ernest was well acquainted with it before he left for the United States in 1920.

1927

     On September 10, 1927 the Olesen family sailed aboard the ocean liner SS Fort St. George from Hamilton, Bermuda arriving at the port of New York City on September 12, 1927

1929

     On September 24, 1929 Ernest and Annie Olesen sailed aboard the ocean liner SS Bermuda from Hamilton, Bermuda arriving at the port of New York City on September 26, 1929.

1931

     On July 11, 1931 the Olesen family sailed aboard the ocean liner SS Fort St George on a cruise to Halifax, Nova Scotia and St. John's, Newfoundland arriving at the port of New York City on July 23, 1931.

1933

    

     On March 1, 1933 Ernest Olesen sailed aboard the SS Monarch of Bermuda from Hamilton, Bermuda arriving at the port of New York City on March 3, 1933.

1930 United States Census Report cropped

     

     The first United States census report for the Olesen family is 1930.  They continue to live at 228 Broadway, the village of Lynbrook, in Nassau County, New York.  Ernest owned his home with a value of $12,000.00.  I was able to calculate the cost of the house in 2018 using DollarTimes which factors in inflation and came up with a little over $171,000.00.  An interesting article, The 1930 Census in Perspective, gave me some insight into a few of the new questions found on the census.

     The family owned a radio.  A question that was added as a consumerism and mass communication question.  Ernest lists his father as having been born in Denmark and his mother as having been born in Germany--two facts that I already knew; however, it is confirmation.  All three family members are listed as having immigrated in 1920 and are still aliens.  Ernest is the only family who is employed and he works as an accountant with a shipping company.  This census asked if anyone was a veteran of a war and which one.  Ernest lists World War I.

     I would like to momentarily digress to compare Ernest's lifestyle with his siblings who were at that time living in two different cities in Butler County, Pennsylvania.  His sister, Elizabeth Olesen Hughes, brother Bill Olesen and mother, Ferdinanda Weiss Olesen were living together in a Jones and Laughlin company house located in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania renting it for $35.00 a month.  Bill was supporting the family as a locomotive engineer with the J&L steel company.  The inflation factor computes $35.00 per month to $501.00 in 2018.  Ernest's other sister, Emily Maud Olesen Richards and her husband, Rowland Richards owned a home in Monaca, Pennsylvania valued at $5,000.00 which would be valued at a little over $71,000.00 in 2018.  Rowland was a laborer at a steel mill.  Both households did own a radio.

     Ernest's mathematical ability as an accountant with a large international shipping company afforded him a much more comfortable lifestyle than his siblings.

1940 United States Federal Census cropped 

     The primary record for the family during the 1940's is the census report.  

     The Olesen's moved to a new house at 316 Broadway, in the village of Lynbrook sometime between 1930-1935.  Basically they moved a couple of blocks down the street. They owned the house and the cost was $7,000.00 which translates to 2018 value as $123,000.00.  The house still stands today and is pictured on Google map.  It was built in 1920 and is a lovely two story home on a residential street.  Zillow lists the current price, if it was for sale, would be almost $488,000.00.

1942 World War II Draft Record for Ernest Alfred Olesen

     The records and documents from 1940 on are somewhat limited.  I would imagine that the Olesen's continued to travel outside the United States.  There is a World War II draft document dated 1942 for Ernest showing his employment, still with Furness Withy and living at the house pictured above.

     I have not intentionally ignored my paternal great grandaunt, Ann (Annie) Wanless Olesen; however the records I have found are either for her husband or the family.  In the late 1940's I have several for her.   

     Rummaging around in my "baby box" I found the little card above signed by Great Great Aunt Ann.  I was born in 1947 and was the first great grandchild of Ann's sister in law, Elizabeth Olesen Hughes.  I am going to digress here to share a difference in nomenclature.  Ancestry calls Ann my great great aunt, while searching in Google, I have found great grandaunt.  I have decided to use great grandaunt and uncle.
   

     In June 1949, Annie traveled to Canada, perhaps alone.  I located a Boarder Crossing document for her crossing from Canada to Detroit on June 22, 1949.  Of interest:  Ann is listed as a British citizen.  I was also excited to have a photograph of her.

     I have two photographs of Annie that were identified by my Aunt Faith, who is pictured with Annie in one and another of Annie with her sister in law and my paternal great grandmother, Elizabeth Olesen Hughes.   Faith's relation to Annie Olesen would be her grandaunt.  I would like to mention that when I interviewed my Aunt Faith her comments regarding Ann Olesen were, " Ann Olesen, wife of Ernie Olesen. Aunt Ann was a fun lady.  Class lady.  She had a lovely British accent.  Faith remembers that she visited in Florida and visited in Avalon."   

1952 New York Death Record for Ernest Alfred Olesen

Obituary for Ernest Alfred Olesen
Hartlepool, England

     On January 12, 1952, at age sixty one, Ernest died at his home in Lynbrook.  I was, once again, fortunate to have access, for a brief time in 2016, to the newspapers of the UK and found an obituary for Ernest Alfred (Ted) Olesen in the Hartlepool newspaper.  It was interesting to find that he was nicknamed, Ted.  To date I have not located an obituary in the United States or where he is buried.

     In October 1966, Annie Wanless Olesen died in Lynbrook, New York at the age of seventy six.  As with Ernie, I have not , to date, found  her obituary or burial place.

  
   

I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. All comments are welcome; however, if they are inappropriate, they will not be published.  PLEASE post your e-mail in the comment section if you would like to network about a particular surname or topic. I will capture it for my use only and not include it when I publish your comment.

© 2018, copyright Linda Hughes Hiseree



Ferdinande Weiss Olesen

Ferdinande Weiss Olesen
circa 1870
West Hartlepool, England
carte de visite

     I seem to be finally getting around to blogging about my Olesen roots.  To be fair, I have only had bits and pieces of research until recently, especially on the two who remained in West Hartlepool, England.

     This lady, Ferdinande Weiss Olesen, did immigrate to the United States and lived with several of her adult children in Aliquippa and Monaca, Beaver County, Pennsylvania area.  She is my paternal great great grandmother.

     So many names.  It is somewhat difficult to actually know what her first name was.  I have seen Ferdinande, Ferdinando, Ferdinanda.  Nickname--Ann, Anne, Annie.  Comparing the documents I have found to date, it appears that my great great grandmother was called Ferdinande in England and it changed to Ferdinanda when she lived in the United States.  When she signed her marriage license, it was Ferdinande.

    Ferdinande was born on November 14, 1855 in Hamburg, Germany.  Her parents were Frederick Heindrich Adolph Weiss and Ferdinande Lehman. She joined brother, Adolph Herman W. Weiss. I do not know when the Weiss family immigrated to England, and in particular to the town of Hartlepool, They are enumerated as residents there on the 1861 census.  Oddly, Ferdinande is listed as 18 months old on that census, which would make her birth date about 1859 and not 1855.  Later census reports and her marriage license show her birth year to be 1855.

      Ferdinande's father was employed in various shipping positions in Hartlepool, which was an important business industry during the Victorian era to this active port town.  It also appears that the Weiss family had boarders in their home for additional income.  The boarders were also involved in the shipping industry.

     On November 27, 1870, when she was fifteen, Ferdinande's father died.  To provide income for the family following his death, son Adolph was employed as an apprentice to an outfitter and Ferdinande worked as a dressmaker.  Additionally, three male boarders were living in their home on Victoria Station, Stranton, West Hartlepool, England.  One of the three, Christian Invart Olesen, married Ferdinande four years later.

Marriage License for
Christian Invart Olesen and Ferdinande Weiss
1874

     

     On August 30, 1874 Christian and Ferdinande married at Christ's Church, West Hartlepool, England.  The marriage license gives a glimpse into my family genealogy.  Both of the father's names are listed for the newly weds.  The two people who signed as witnesses are Ferdinande's brother, Adolph Weiss, and Mary Middlemass  This couple married two years later.  Both Christian and Ferdinande were literate and could spell their name.  Of note:  My paternal great great grandmother's name is spelled Ferdinande with the final e written over.

     Seven children were born to Christian and Ferdinande:

1. Frederick Adolph Olesen, March 4, 1875-after 1946.
2. Elizabeth Ferdinande Olesen, October 16, 1876-October 11, 1961.  Married John George Hughes.  My paternal great grandparents.
3. Christian William Olesen, March 18, 1880-December 1, 1946.
4. Emily Maud Olesen, April, 1883-July 25, 1958.  Married Rowland Richards and Peter Leo Brown.
5. Adolph Heindrich Weiss Olesen, April 27, 1885-Jan 24, 1901.
6. George Invart Olesen, December 4, 1887-December 1888.
7. Ernest Alfred Olesen, April 19, 1891-After 1947.  Married Ann Wanless.

     From various newspaper articles found in both Hartlepool and Middlesbrough, England, it appears that Ferdinande did not lead a calm domestic life.  Her husband, Christian's ship chandler business, was bankrupt by 1877.  Several articles indicate that he had a volatile temper that lead him to serve time doing hard labor.  Her eldest son was also in trouble with the law, brought before the local court and served time doing hard labor. One 1894 article exposed him as threatening her and the police were summoned. She also had to deal with the sorrow of losing to young sons.

     Ferdinande's husband died on October 17, 1892 from somewhat mysterious circumstances.  From newspapers articles, he left for work in good health, stopped at the Victoria Hotel for a whiskey while waiting to catch a train for Middlesbrough.  Before he could enjoy his drink he dropped over dead. The cause of death was ruled syncope.

     On March 19, 1898, George Henry Hughes, Ferdinande's first grandchild was born, in West Hartlepool, England, to her daughter Elizabeth Ferdinande Olesen Hughes and her husband John George Hughes.  This is my link to the family.  George Henry Hughes is my paternal grandfather and John George Hughes and Elizabeth Olesen Hughes are my paternal great grandparents.

     The Olesen family lived at two different residences on Bolton Street during the 1890's and early 1900's.  To provide for the family, Ferdinande worked outside the home.  Son, Bill was employed as a sawyer (a person who saws lumber) and daughter Emily, a dressmaker.

Ferdinande Weiss Olesen
West Hartlepool, England
Photo post card
Circa 1899

 
     My guess is that this photo was taken in the front yard at 7 Bolton Street in West Hartlepool.  Unfortunately, Bolton Street no longer exists, so I was not able to see the house when I visited in 2003.

Immigration of the Olesen's to the United States

     On May 8, 1906, Ferdinande's daughter, grandchild and son in law (the Hughes family) left Liverpool, England for the United States.  Bill, Emily, Ernest were still living at home.  A year later, Elizabeth and nine year old son, George Henry returned to West Hartlepool for a visit.  In July 1910, Elizabeth Hughes returned to West Hartlepool and her brother, Bill Olesen accompanied her back to the United States. At that time Ferdinande was living at 73 South Parade in West Hartlepool.  

    On February 26, 1920, son Ernest (Ernie) along with his wife Ann and young son, Oscar sailed from Liverpool, England for the United States and made their home in the New York City area.

     Bill Olesen crossed the pond and prepared for the final crossing of the Olesen's.  This included Ferdinande, her daughter Emily Olesen Richards accompanied by Bill Olesen aboard the Aquitania on July 1920 leaving Liverpool and arriving in New York City on July 24, 1920.  Emily was detained due to illness.  The family stayed with Ernest Olesen and family in Brooklyn until Emily was well and able to travel to Woodlawn (now Aliquippa, Pennsylvania).  Son, Frederick Olesen remained in England.

     It must have been a full house at 131 Spring Avenue, Woodlawn, Pennsylvania.  The house was owned by Jones Laughlin Steel Company (a company home) and rented to John George Hughes.  In the house lived, John, Elizabeth and George Hughes; Bill Olesen; Ferdinande Olesen; Emily Olesen Richards and her husband Rowland Richards.

     Following the death of John George Hughes on May 20, 1921, the Olesen family remaining at 131 Spring Avenue were Elizabeth Olesen Hughes, Bill Olesen and Ferdinande Olesen.  From the 1940 United States census, it appears that the group remained at the home in Aliquippa at least until 1935. Bill Olesen was also employed by J&L Steel.

My Dad with his great grandmother Olesen

     By the 1940 United States census the family had moved to 1298 Washington Avenue, Monaca, Beaver County, Pennsylvania.  Stories and memories of this house have been supplied to me by my Aunt Faith, who lived here from about 1946-1950.  She does remember both her great grandmother Ferdinande Weiss Olesen, her Grand Uncle Bill Olesen and Grand Aunt Emily Richards/Brown.

     

Map showing where the Olesen's moved after
leaving Aliquippa, Pennsylvania

     On February 15, 1942, Ann Olesen died at home in Monaca, Pennsylvania at the age of 87.  She is buried in the Hughes family plot, Woodlawn Cemetery, Aliquippa, Beaver County, Pennsylvania.

Other Blogs on Flipside for Ferdinande Weiss Olesen:

-Tombstone Tuesday--Ferdinande Weiss Olesen

-Ferdinande Weiss Olesen with family dog in West Hartlepool, England

-Marriage Record of Christian Olesen and Ferdinande Weiss

-Ferdinande Weiss Olesen Psalms Bible

Other Olesen Blogs on Flipside:

Christian Invart Olesen--Anne husband

Frederick Adolph Olesen, son of Christian and Ann Olesen

Elizabeth Ferdinande Olesen Hughes, daughter of Christian and Ann Olesen.  Search for her too.

William Christian Olesen, son of Christian and Ann Olesen

Emily Maude Olesen Richards Brown, daughter of Christian and Ann Olesen

Ernest Alfred Olesen, son of Christian and Ann Olesen

 

I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. All comments are welcome; however, if they are inappropriate, they will not be published.    PLEASE post your e-mail in the comment section if you would like to network about a particular surname or topic. I will capture it for my use only and not include it when I publish your comment.

© 2016, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser



And the Whole Hughes/Olesen Gang was together Crossing the Pond in 1920

          Have I mentioned how much I am loving having access to the English records on Ancestry....just about every other blog recently...LOL  Here is yet another find.

     Years back I located an application for a passport for my paternal Hughes great grandparents.  It was filed on November 6, 1919 and I figured that since John George Hughes, in particular, had not traveled back to West Hartlepool, England since he and his family crossed the pond in 1906, that he was due.  As it turned out, he made it over to visit about a year before his death.  

     A bonus from the passport application, was a photo of my paternal great grandparents.

     My paternal Hughes great grandmother, Elizabeth Olesen Hughes, crossed the pond twice before the 1920 voyage.  Traveling in 1907 to West Hartlepool accompanied by her young son and my paternal grandfather, George Henry Hughes.  This crossing was about fifteen months after the family arrived in the United States.  When I visited Hartlepool in 2003, John Marsh, a Hughes cousin, recalled that whenever Elizabeth would visit, she would leave with a trunk a full of Hughes and Olesen "stuff".

     A second time Elizabeth traveled alone to England.  Her brother, Bill Olesen, accompanied her back to the US in 1910.  I will admit that I need to follow Bill Olesen's travel records.  I do not think he remained in the United States.  He was there for a visit.    

UK map showing itinerary and Olesen home in Seacombe

         

     From other travel records, it appears it took about a week to cross the pond.  John George and Elizabeth Hughes sailed from the Port of New York around December 30 or 31.  They arrived in Liverpool, England on January 6, 1920.  First stop was Elizabeth's mother's home, 39 Clarence, Seacombe, located in a town directly across from Liverpool.  Her mother, my paternal great great grandmother, Ferdinande (Ann/Annie) Weiss Olesen moved from West Hartlepool to Seacombe sometime between 1911-1920.  I have tried to track down who else lived with Ann Olesen.  My guess is, her married daughter, Emily Olesen Richards and her son, William Christian (Bill) Olesen.  Emily's husband Rowland Richards had immigrated in 1914 and was living with John George and Elizabeth Hughes in Woodlawn, Pennsylvania.

     No wonder I was not able to locate my paternal great grandparents on the 1920 census--they were in England....lol.  Years back I wondered where they were as someone else living in their company house, 131 Spring Street, Woodlawn (now Aliquippa), Pennsylvania.

Hughes Green Grocer
70 Florence Street
Longhill, West Hartlepool, England

     John George and Elizabeth stayed in England for over six months.  Certainly a portion of the time was spent in West Hartlepool, probably staying with John George's parents.  There were countless Hughes relations to visit as well as many friends.  Both John George and Elizabeth Hughes were born in West Hartlepool.  

     Years back I had located the immigration records for my Great Great Grandmother Olesen.  She, her son Bill and daughter Emily all traveled from Liverpool on July 17, 1920 to the Port of New York on the S.S. Aquitania arriving on July 24, 1920.  Emily was on medical call on arrival for a possible illness, but discharged at 10:15am.  Her husband, Rowland Richards, had traveled from Woodlawn, Pennsylvania to welcome her to the United States.

      The immediate Olesen and Hughes Family destination was Ann's youngest son's, Ernest Alfred Olesen, home in Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York.

     The information that was found when I added foreign exploration to ancestry was that my paternal great grandparents were also coming back to the United States on the same ship.  Departing on the SS Aquitania on July 17, 1920 from Liverpool and arriving at the Port of New York on July 24, 1920.  The Hughes and Olesen's all traveled back together.  Once everyone returned to Pennsylvania, they all lived together, for a time, at 131 Spring Street, Woodlawn, Pennsylvania.

     Amusing to me.  While John George and Elizabeth Hughes were overseas, their son, and only child, George Henry Hughes, my paternal grandfather, married Sarah Margaret VanGilder.  In a ceremony on June 5, 1920, in Fairmont, West Virginia my paternal grandparents began over fifty years of married life together.  It is said Elizabeth Hughes never wanted her son to marry and I have been told by those who were witnesses, that she was very nasty to my grandmother.  Perhaps one reason is that they married when Elizabeth was too far away to stop the wedding.

Olesen Family Blogs on Flipside

Ferdinande (Annie) Weiss Olesen--wife of Christian Invart Olesen and mother of Elizabeth, Frederick, Bill, Emily and Ernie Olesen.

William (Bill) Christian Olesen

Emily Maude Richards Brown

Frederick Adolph Olesen

Christian Invart Olesen--husband of Annie Olesen and father of Elizabeth, Frederick, Bill, Emily and Ernie Olesen

Ernest Alfred Olesen

   

   

I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. All comments are welcome; however, if they are inappropriate, they will not be published.    PLEASE post your e-mail in the comment section if you would like to network about a particular surname or topic. I will capture it for my use only and not include it when I publish your comment.

© 2020, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser



Christian Invart Olesen--A character from the Dark Side of my Tree

    

Christian Invart Olesen
Carte de visite

Back of Carte de visite

     My paternal great great grandfather, Christian Invart Olesen, has been mentioned in numerous blogs on Flipside; however I have not spent the time putting together his story....until now.  Frankly, he has been somewhat elusive.  He died rather young and his widowed wife and several of his children, who crossed the pond, did not speak of him.  At least not to anyone who could have passed a story or two along to me.  Another stumbling block has been that he lived and died in West Hartlepool, England and obtaining records across the pond can be difficult.

     Fortunately, I do have a good genealogy friend, Heather, who lives about 10 or 15 miles away from Hartlepool.  She has sent me "bits and bobs" about my Durham County family over the years. There is also a fellow who lives in Hartlepool, who occasionally sends me family information that he finds in newspaper and church records.  The Olesen file begins to fill.

     A month or so ago, Heather emailed me to say that there is now a website with a search engine of numerous UK newspapers.  She decided to sign up for one month to access the records.  Without paying the search engine will find the names, although you only get a snippet of the article.

     She has located numerous articles about my West Hartlepool relations and the ones she sent to me on the Olesen Family has filled in some gaps in my research....enough so, that I think I can finally do a blog on Christian Invart Olesen.

     Christian was born about 1844 in Denmark, the son of Ole Tonne Olesen, a master mariner.  To date I have not found the actual date of his birth or what city or town in Denmark he was from. Christian also followed his father's lead in a seafaring life.  His primary occupation was that of owning a ship chandler shop in West Hartlepool.  He was also listed as a seaman, a clerk for a ship broker and a ship's steward over his lifetime.

1871 United Kingdom Census
Ferdinande Weiss Family and Boarders

     The first record of my great great grandfather in West Hartlepool, England is the 1871 United Kingdom census.  He is a boarder in the home of Ferdinande Weiss on Victoria Terrace, Stranton, West Hartlepool.  Christian is employed as a clerk for a ship broker.  My interest in this census report is not only Christian.  Ferdinande Weiss is the widow of Frederick Heindrich Adolph Weiss and the mother of Adolph and Ferdinande.

      Three years after the census, on August 30, 1874, Christian Olesen, age 30, married Ferdinande Weiss, age 19, at Christ Church, West Hartlepool, England.  Ferdinande's brother, Adolph Weiss and Mary Middlemass were the witnesses.  Two years later Adolph and Mary married in Hartlepool.

     The Olesen's first child, Frederick Adolph Olesen, was born on March 4, 1875 in West Hartlepool, England.  My paternal great grandmother, Elizabeth Ferdinande Olesen, was born on October 16, 1876, also in West Hartlepool, England.  Next was William Christian Olesen, born on March 18, 1880.  Emily Maud Olesen, April 1883 in Sunderland, England was their fourth child.  April 27, 1885 was the birth date of Adolph Heindrich Weiss Olesen.  Adoph died at age fifteen in January 24, 1901 in West Hartlepool.  George Invart Olesen was born on December 4, 1887 and died in December 1888. The Olesen's last child, Ernest Alfred Olesen was born on April 19, 1891 in West Hartlepool, England.

     The few years following their marriage and the birth of their first two children appear to have been difficult for the Olesen's.  When my great grandmother was born in 1876, the address listed on her baptism record is Scarbrough Street, which begs the question....were the Olesen's living in the same house as Ferdinande's mother?

The Daily Gazette for Middlesbrough
North Yorkshire, England
February 8, 1877
page 2

     In February 1877, Christian lost his ship chandler shop through bankruptcy.

     On December 4, 1977, Christian appeared in court to answer a charge of threatening a man in West Hartlepool, England.

The Northern Evening Mail
Friday, June 14, 1978
page 3

   
     On June 13, 1878, Christian was charged by his mother-in-law with threatening language and threatening to kill her son, Alfred Weiss.  He also became physical smashing the lock to the front door and entering the house.  The newspaper article lists his residence at that time as the Royal Hotel. Was he staying there alone or with his family.  Or was the family staying with Ferdinande Weiss at her home on Scarbrough Street?

     Christian was listed as unemployed in the 1881 United Kingdom census report.  There is no way of knowing how bills and rent were paid or what employment was available to Christian in West Hartlepool at that time, especially with residents knowledge of his violent behavior. 

The Northern Daily Mail
Hartlepool, England
Monday, February 2, 1885
page 4

        

     A new wrinkle to add to Christian's unsavory character, theft and time spent in prison.  I have to admit at this point, I can readily see why no mention of this fellow was given to succeeding generations in the United States.   

      He is not enumerated on the 1891 United Kingdom census.  Ferdinande is listed as married.  Perhaps he is at sea giving her some much needed relief.

     Christian left this world the way he seemed to live it....dramatically.  On his way to work, he stopped in at a local hotel to have a drink before boarding a train to Middlesbrough to join his ship. The article indicates that he was employed as a ship's stewart.  Due to the unusual nature of the death, there was an inquest and it was determined that my paternal great great grandfather died from syncope.

"Syncope is temporary loss of consciousness and posture, described as "fainting" or "passing out." It's usually related to temporary insufficient blood flow to the brain. It most often occurs when the blood pressure is too low (hypotension) and the heart doesn't pump a normal supply of oxygen to the brain." (from the American Heart Association website http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Arrhythmia/SymptomsDiagnosisMonitoringofArrhythmia/Syncope-Fainting_UCM_430006_Article.jsp#.VvVgu3z2bIU)

     Truthfully, the story of Christian Invart Olesen may have been better left a "brick wall,"  although every family history does need a few colorful characters to enhance the tale.  I thank my friend Heather, for putting up with me during the research process...continually emailing her with new finds to copy for me and for her diligence in responding and finding Olesen articles on her own.  I think we fully mined the "free" month of the newspaper website.     

   
Christian Invart Olesen  time line on timetoast

Christian Invart Olesen Life in Denmark

Olesen's on Find A Grave:

Ferdinande Weiss Olesen

Elizabeth Ferdinande Olesen Hughes

William Christian Olesen

Emily Olesen Richards/Brown

Olesen's on Flipside:

1.  William Christian Olesen naturalization.  Christian's son
2.  William Christian Olesen blog.
3.  Ferdinande Weiss Olesen Bible.  Christian's wife.  Also Ferdinanda.  My paternal great great grandmother.
4,  Elizabeth Olesen Hughes.  Christian's daughter and my paternal great grandmother.  Search for blogs about her on Flipside search engine.
5.  Frederick Adolph Olesen
6.  Frederick Adolph Olesen--Addendum
7.  Emily Maud Olesen Richards Brown.  Christian's daughter
8.  Ole Christensen and Lisbeth Laustdatter.  Christian's parents in Denmark

I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. All comments are welcome; however, if they are inappropriate, they will not be published.    PLEASE post your e-mail in the comment section if you would like to network about a particular surname or topic. I will capture it for my use only and not include it when I publish your comment.

© 2016, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser