Frederick Adolph Olesen--A chip off the old block

    

     Sheesh, this Olesen family just doesn't yield.  The apple doesn't fall far from the tree....like father like son......

Prayer Book of
Ferdinande Weiss Olesen

     Fredrick Adolph Olesen (also Frederick) was born on March 4, 1875, Hartlepool, England to Christian Invart Olesen and Ferdinande Weiss.  Records seem to indicate that Christian was employed at Frederick's birth as a ship's chandler and the family was living on Scarbrough Street in West Hartlepool.  Perhaps they were housed with Ferdinande's widowed mother.  Fredrick's birth record is listed on the FreeBMD. England & Wales, FreeBMD Birth Index, 1837-1915, Registration Year: 1875, Registration Quarter: Jan-Feb-Mar, Registration district: Hartlepool, Inferred County: Durham, Volume: 10a, Page: 227.   It is also important to note that Fredrick was named for his maternal grandfather, Fredrick Heindrich Adolph  Weiss. And, that the spelling of Fredrick's name changed over the years to Frederick.

     Over the years, six siblings joined Frederick in the Olesen household--two sisters and four brothers.  Also over the years, the Olesen's moved from home to home in West Hartlepool, suffered financial setbacks and dealt daily with a father/husband who was, to say the least, very abusive and probably alcoholic.  (See Christian Invart Olesen on Flipside)

     I can remember back in 2003, when my brothers and I had the pleasure of actually spending time in West Hartlepool, England and meeting Hughes family members, that I asked one of the oldest if he knew what happened to Frederick Olesen.  His spin on the story was that Fred Olesen went to America.  At that time and up until a month ago, I had no idea where Frederick landed in life.  Two of his younger brothers died at young ages.  His mother, two sisters, Elizabeth and Emily and two brothers, Bill and Ernie, immigrated to the United States in the early 1900's. But, what about Fred??

     When his mother died in 1942, the obituary lists Fred, using his nickname, Best Olesen, as living in New Castle....that would be Newcastle in the UK, not New Castle, Pennsylvania ;-)  In 1946, in the obituary of his brother, Bill Olesen, Frederick is listed as living in West Hartlepool, England.  

     The 1891 United Kingdom census report lists Frederick, age sixteen, employed as a pottery laborer and living at 4 Bolton Street, Stranton, West Hartlepool, England. (1891 United Kingdom Census, Ref:RG12/4064  Folio:59)

     Once again, my UK friend Heather and her "free" subscription to an online newspaper archive began to shine some light on Frederick "Best" Olesen....who by the way....was certainly NOT the best of the Olesen bunch.  Yes, Best, seemed to have been a very attentive son, learning the behaviors of his father.  Nothing to be proud of.

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

     

    At the age of nineteen, Frederick was sentenced to two months of hard labor for assaulting his mother over her choice of the dinner menu one evening.  This article gives some insight into the two family members and their responses to the court. Ferdinande, that she was working and the wage earner following her husbands death. Frederick, who was not employed and apparently using his father's death, two years earlier, as a excuse.   Also, Frederick trying to push the blame of his abusive response to his mother on her, that she only called the police because she wanted him to be sent away. My response--smart Mom 

     

Northern Daily Mail
West Hartlepool, England
Saturday, April 23, 1898
page 8

    

     Theft at the age of twenty three and back to prison for stealing a bike.  Again, blaming his behavior on an employee at the cafe and a smart aleck reply to the judge.

     Recently I noticed that Frederick has a 1901 UK census enumeration, listed as a lodger along with a number of men of various ages in Throston an area within the Hartlepool, England area.  Once again, Heather to the rescue.  The census lists Frederick as a shipyard laborer, a lodger living at 221 Model Lodging House. (United Kingdom 1901 Census, Durham County, Hartlepool, Throston Parish, page 89)  Heather also sent me a link to an on line article regarding Model Lodging Houses.  Lodging Houses prior to the 1840's provided unsanitary, miserable lodging for many of the migrants who relocated to the UK during the industrial revolution.  By 1850, the Common Lodging House Act was enacted and encouraged a more healthy living environment for the lodgers.  Whether this goal was achieved is debatable; however the article goes on to state that many model lodging houses were opened throughout England. (http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/articles/lodging_houses.html)

    

Northern Daily Mail
West Hartlepool, England
Friday, September 14, 1923

    

     This final newspaper article continues to show that Frederick lived a life a crime....some petty, some not.  At the age of forty eight he had already served time for twenty seven convictions.

     Nothing further on this bad seed in my family tree.  The two aforementioned obituaries show that he was still alive in 1946.  To date no death certificate has been found.

     I have often wondered what the reasoning behind my UK family immigrating to the US...perhaps for the Olesen's...it was to distance themselves from Frederick and the disreputable legacy of Christian Invart Olesen, husband and father. 

Also on Flipside:

Frederick Adolph Olesen--Addendum

1.  William Christian Olesen naturalization.  Frederick's brother

2.  William Christian Olesen blog.

3.  Ferdinande Weiss Olesen Bible.  Frederick's mother.  Also Ferdinanda.  My paternal great great grandmother.

4,  Elizabeth Olesen Hughes.  Frederick's sister and my paternal great grandmother.  Search for blogs about her on Flipside search engine.

5.  Christian Invart Olesen, Frederick's father

6.  Emily Maud Olesen Richards Brown.  Frederick's sister

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



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



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



Frederick Adolph Olesen--Addendum

    

     Recently, my UK friend, Heather, uncovered an important document for my paternal great grand uncle, Frederick Olesen. When I blogged last week about Frederick, I was wondering where those folks that had to serve time doing hard labor was located in the Durham County area of England. This ancestor definitely falls into the "bad seed" category. With this latest piece of the pie, Frederick served with the army in England.

     Inquiring minds wonder if this was hard labor service oriented.

      The attestation paper was signed on September 27, 1898. Of interest to me is question 14 on the document, asking if the person had ever served with Her Majesty's service and Frederick's answer was YES. It appears that he is signing up to serve with the same battalion that he served with at a previous time--3rd Battalion Durham Light Infantry. Also, question 12, asking him if he has ever been sentenced to imprisonment is answered NO. One would surmise that serving time of hard labor is not serving time in prison. Remembering my last blog about my paternal great grand uncle, this document is signed almost five months following the newspaper article when he was charged with larceny of a bicycle in Hartlepool, England. That newspaper account said he was sent to prison.

     The attestation paper naturally led me back out on the web to google 3rd Battalion Durham Light Infantry. My question here is whether Frederick served or was a member of a volunteer or reserve militia. From what I can understand, he actually served, the volunteer militia was not formed until 1908. I have also seen that this battalion was sent to South Africa during the 1890's and I found an immigration document for a F. Olesen born 1875 who was on the ship Lismore Castle, on September 12, 1896 bound for the Cape, South Africa. (Ancestry.com) Again, this begs the question, is this my great grand uncle perhaps during his first service with this army group?

     I was easily able to locate the badge of the 3rd Battalion Durham Light Infantry and also there was a special badge for those who served in South Africa.  

     I also have a military photo post card that was among pictures glued into albums by my paternal grandmother. This one had no name attached to it. Unfortunately, even with various magnifiers I have at home, I was not able to say with 100% accuracy that the badge on this soldiers hat IS the Durham Light Infantry....but it is very close ;-) The face appears to be a younger man. The photo was taken by a photographer from Glasgow, Scotland. The army camp; however, it not identified as being in Scotland. Perhaps this is Frederick Adolph Olesen.


I will add here that I have a photograph of Frederick's youngest brother, Ernest Alfred Olesen that is identified by my paternal grandmother. She would have known Ernest as he immigrated to the United States. She would not have known Frederick, nor would my paternal grandfather have recognized a photo of his uncle.

     The attestation document has given insight into Frederick's life when he was not breaking the law as a young man.  I wonder if he was active in the military during World War I?  I wonder if he may have resigned up after the last newspaper article of him sleeping under the hay in 1923 or if he continued living the life of an indigent? Much more research is needed here to fill in the blanks.

Also on Flipside:

1. Frederick Adolph Olesen
2. William Christian Olesen naturalization. Frederick's brother
3. William Christian Olesen blog.
4. Ferdinande Weiss Olesen Bible. Frederick's mother. Also Ferdinanda. My paternal great great grandmother.
5. Elizabeth Olesen Hughes. Frederick's sister and my paternal great grandmother. Search for blogs about her on Flipside search engine.
6. Christian Invart Olesen, Frederick's father
7. Emily Maud Olesen Richards Brown. Frederick's sister 

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.

© 2021, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser



Tombstone Tuesday--William Christian Olesen

     Known as Bill Olesen, he was the son of Christian Invart Olesen and Ferdinande Weiss. He was born in West Hartlepool, Durham County, England on March 18, 1880. Bill’s name seems to have gone through a series of variations over the years. His birth certificate reads Christian W. Olesen, early census reports list his as Wilhelm C. Olesen and on ship manifests and in the states it becomes William Christian Olesen.

     Bill first arrived at Ellis Island on August 7, 1910 from Liverpool, England on the ship, Celtic. He was traveling with his sister and my great grandmother, Elizabeth Olesen Hughes. My great grandmother Hughes had already been in the US for four years and had traveled back to West Hartlepool to visit family and to accompany her younger brother across the pond. Bill probably lived with the Hughes family once he arrived in the US.

     I do not know how long Bill stayed in the United States.  During the summer of 1920, Bill traveled from England to the Port of New York.  He was accompanied by his mother, Ferdinande Weiss Olesen, his married sisters, Emily Olesen Richards and Elizabeth Olesen Hughes and Elizabeth's husband, John George Hughes.  They arrived at Ellis Island on July 24, 1920 on the S.S. Aquitania. 

     Emily was detained for several days upon arrival as she was sick. The family stayed in on Long Island with the Ernest Olesen family and once Emily was released from the infirmary, Emily, her husband Rowland Richards, Bill and Ferdinande Olesen traveled to Woodlawn, Pennsylvania. Bill and Ferdinande lived with my great grandparents, John and Elizabeth Olesen Hughes. Emily and Rowland found a home in Monaca, Pennsylvania.

     Bill was employed by Jones & Laughlin Steel Company. On the 1901 United Kingdom census and the 1920 ship manifest he is listed as a sawyer and on the 1910 ship manifest he is listed as a machinist,. An obituary in the Evening Times, Monaca, Pennsylvania dated December 3, 1946, mentions that Bill was retired from the Aliquippa & Southern railroad which was owned and operated by Jones & Laughlin Steel Company. It was an internal railroad that moved steel components between the various steel plants.

    I have no photos of my great grand uncle Bill. I do have some accounts of him from my aunt and father. He was a quiet and gentle man who enjoyed having a hug from his grandniece. He smoked a pipe and enjoyed sitting on the porch. There is a story that Bill left England because he had "stirred up trouble" at his work with the workers against the employer. Perhaps an early striker! My aunt said, "Bill was a fire brand...an organizer for union.”

     Bill died at the family home, 1298 Washington Avenue, Monaca, Beaver County, Pennsylvania on December 2, 1946.

       He was buried in space number one, the Hughes Family plot, Woodlawn Cemetery, Woodlawn (now Aliquippa), Beaver County, Pennsylvania.

Olesen Family also found on Flipside:

1. William Christian Olesen Naturalization Papers
2. Christian Invart Olesen, William's father
3. Frederick Adolph Olesen, William's brother
4. Frederick Adolph Olesen, Addendum
5. Emily Maud Olesen Richards Brown, William's sister
6. Ferdinande Weiss Olesen, William's mother (search engine for other stories)
7. Elizabeth Olesen Hughes, Williams sister (numerous, put her name in the search engine.


Additional information added January 6, 2021

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.

© 2009, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser

EMILY MAUD OLESEN RICHARDS BROWN

Emily Maud Olesen
Photo post card was taken and produced
in Hartlepool, England

     Allow me to introduce my paternal great grand aunt, Emily Maud Olesen Richards Brown.  What a lovely photo post card and colorized!!

     Emily was born in April 1883.  Her information when she crossed the pond is having been born in Sunderland, England.  Her sister, my paternal great grandmother, listed Hartlepool, England as her birth place on Emily's death certificate.  I have found an Emily Maud Olesen born in Sunderland on the Sunderland on line website.  Unfortunately, the site only lists her name--no actual birthdate.

     Emily was the fourth child born to Christian Invart Olesen and Ferdinande Weiss.  Christian Olesen died suddenly in 1892 when Emily was only nine years old.  Her memories of her father were probably slight.  The family lived on Bolton Street in the All Saints Parish, Stranton, West Hartlepool for many years following his death.

     The only census from England that I have for the family is the 1901 Durham County.  Emily is listed on the census as born in Sunderland and she is apprenticed as a dressmaker.  Emily and her older brother, William Christian Olesen are supporting the family.  I pause to thank my good English friend and genealogy buddy, Heather, for helping me locate hard copy documents on my Olesen/Hughes Hartlepool lines.

     At age twenty three, in 1906, Emily married Rowland Richards in a wedding ceremony held at All Saints Church, Stranton, Durham County, England. (Marriage Record Ref # H-501-1-0-419) Rowland Richards was born on June 30, 1881 in West Hartlepool, England and was the son of Rowland Richards and Jane Ann Vaughn.  When I showed my Aunt Faith Rowland's photograph, she replied, "Everyone loved Rowland.  He was a peach of a guy".  

     There is a 1911 English Census report for the couple and are residing in Durham County, England.  I do not have a copy of it. 

     Perhaps the lure of a better life in America compelled Rowland's immigration to the United States. He sailed aboard the SS Columbia from Glasgow, Scotland on April 4, 1914. His occupation is listed as a blacksmith.  Rowland arrived at Ellis Island on April 14, 1914. His destination was 2341 Wright Street, South Side, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania--the home of my paternal great grandparents, John George Hughes and Elizabeth Olesen Hughes, Rowland's in laws.   He sailed alone.  Emily was left in the UK.

     I imagine that Rowland became employed at the same mill as his brother in law, John George Hughes--American Iron Works--located on the South Side of Pittsburgh between Carson Street and the Monongahela River.  Later the iron works became Jones and Laughlin Steel South Side Works. 

     Rowland lived with my great grandparents for at least six years.  Following his paperwork has helped me to fill in a timeline for them.

     On April 12, 1918, Rowland filled in his World War I draft registration card.  He lists Emily as his wife and she is living in Seacombe, England.  They have now been apart for four years!  The card is revealing to me for my family genealogy.  Rowland is living at 131 Spring Street, Woodlawn, Beaver County, Pennsylvania--the home of my great grandparents John George and Elizabeth Hughes.  The Hughes Family moved from the South Side to the new Jones and Laughlin Steel Mill in Woodlawn about 1915.  Rowland is employed at American Bridge Company--the same place that my grandfather, George Henry Hughes, worked.  Plus Rowland must have served for a time with the Canadian Expeditionary Force during World War I and was discharged due to being physically unfit. My Grandfather Hughes aka Pop Pop, also served with the Canadian Expeditionary Force during World War I.  There must have been some spirited dinner conversation around the table at 131 Spring Street. 

 EMILY FINALLY CROSSES THE POND

     After a six year separation from her husband, Emily crossed the pond.  She was accompanied by her brother, William Christian Olesen and her mother, Ferdinanda Weiss Olesen.  Emily, age thirty seven boarded the SS Aquitania on July 19, 1920 in Liverpool, England and arrived at Ellis Island on July 24, 1920 meeting her husband Rowland Richards and going to her brother, Ernest Olesen's home, at 891 East 14th Street, Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York. (Ellis Island Records)  Unfortunately, Emily was detained on Ellis Island until July 27 due to illness. (Record of Detained Aliens page 219) Once she was released, Emily, Rowland, Bill and Ferdinanda (Ann) all boarded a train and headed to Woodlawn, Pennsylvania.

     Now the information becomes somewhat sketchy. I have two Pennsylvania Census reports--1930 and 1940. Emily and Rowland owned a home during that time at 1223 Virginia Avenue, Monaca, Pennsylvania. I google mapped the address and the house is still standing. I remember my aunt mentioning it was a red brick...and it is. On the 1930 census both are listed as aliens.

     A curiosity was revealed when I located Rowland's death certificate.  He died at home on April 2, 1940 from prostate cancer and was buried in Union Cemetery, Monaca, Beaver County, Pennsylvania.  Oddly, on the 1940 Pennsylvania Census, taken on April 24, Rowland is enumerated. 

     Of note, on the 1940 census report both Rowland and Emily are listed a naturalized.  No date is given and I do not have a copy of their papers.

     On the side, it is interesting to note that all the Olesen's ended up in Monaca.  My Great Grandmother Hughes, a widow, her brother and mother all moved to a duplex a street away from Emily.  Emily lived in her home until her death.  Great Grandmother Hughes lived in Monaca until about 1950.

     Sometime between Rowland's death in 1940 and her brother's death in 1946, Emily married second, Peter Leo Brown.  It was also his second marriage.  I have been told Leo owned a hardware store in Freedom, Pennsylvania across the Ohio River from Monaca.

     During the 1940's, Emily lost her husband in 1940, her mother Ann in 1942 and her brother Bill in 1946. 

     Leo Brown died in Aliquippa Hospital at age 60 on August 16, 1957 from a stroke.  He is buried at St. John's Cemetery, Center Township, Beaver County, Pennsylvania beside his first wife, Florence Phillips Brown.

     Emily died a year later at age 75 on July 25 1958 at Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania having suffered a heart attack following years of heart disease.   She was buried beside her husband, Rowland Richards, on July 27, 1958, at Union Cemetery, Monaca, Pennsylvania.  Her memorial plate reads, Emily Richards Brown.

     Although I was age eleven when Emily died, I have no memory of her.  I wonder if I ever met her?

More Olesen Family on Flipside:

1.  William Christian Olesen naturalization.  Emily's brother
2.  William Christian Olesen blog.
3.  Ferdinande Weiss Olesen Bible.  Emily's mother.  Also Ferdinanda.  My paternal great great grandmother.
4,  Elizabeth Olesen Hughes.  Emily's sister and my paternal great grandmother.  Search for blogs about her on Flipside search engine.
5.  Christian Invart Olesen, Emily's father
6.  Frederick Adolph Olesen, Emily's brother
7.  Frederick Adolph Olesen--An Addendum

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