-----------, Julian -- wife, female, white, age 34, married, reads and writes English, born Pennsylvania, both parents born Pennsylvania, speaks English -----------, Melbourne -- son, male, white, age 17, single, not in school, reads and writes, born Illinois, father born in Scotland, mother born in Pennsylvania, speaks English, occupation is Office Boy in Motor Co., wage worker ----------, Mona -- daughter, female, white, age 13, single, in school, reads and writes, born New York, father born in Scotland, mother born in Pennsylvania, speaks English ---------, Alexander -- son, male, white, age 10, single, in school, reads and writes, born New York, father born in Scotland, mother born in Pennsylvania, speaks English ---------, Arthur -- son, male, white, age 1 5/12, single, born New York, father born in Scotland, mother born in Pennsylvania, speaks English =============================================================== note: On Mass Card given out at his Wake it has March 17, 1874 as his birthday. ================================================================ Occupation : "Buffer-polisher" Funeral services Tuesday, January 4, 1955 at 8:15 AM at St. Aloysius Church - Fr. J. Krause Celebrant - Internment Grand Lawn Cemetery. ========================================================== Lucille Pursley Dorgan remembers that William's brothers George and John talked him into selling his house in Michigan and moving down to Florida and investing in one of their schemes. He and his wife moved back to Michigan within a year apparently poorer but wiser. =================================================== William and John's date of entry to Canada as found on the internet on Jan 11, 2000 by Becky Pursley Bachart. PURSLEY John 8 1886 Arrived on the 'Buenos Ayrean' (see *Note following) Passenger List: Port of Halifax National Archives of Canada: Microfilm Reel No. C-4513 page 3 PURSLEY William 10 1886 Arrived on the 'Buenos Ayrean' Passenger List: Port of Halifax National Archives of Canada: Microfilm Reel No. C-4513 page 3 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- from Internet site http://www.dcs.uwaterloo.ca/~marj/genealogy/ships2.html#1886 found: Ship Arrivals Port of Quebec, Sponsored Emigrants Year Date Ship Org. Male Female Child Infants 1886 Apr 7 (6?) Parisian Mr Owen to Peterboro (arrived Halifax) 196 2 Apr 19 (H) Sardinian Mr Merry to Stratford 63 Apr 18 Buenos Ayrean Mr. Wallace to Belleville (GIR-Halifax Agent lists as Quarrier Party) 117 boys -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - On 31 July 2000 Phil Pursley received Microfilm Reel No. C-4513 from Canada and found William and John Pursley on The SS Buenos Ayrean. This ship was part of the ALLAN LINE and the document is Schedule B, Form of Passenger List. The Master of this ship is James Scott and the ship's maximum passenger capacity is 375. This voyage which apparently ended in Halifax, Nova Scotia on April 18, 1886 from Glasgow lasted 32 days. The total number on board The Buenos Ayrean is "162 Souls" which includes the Master and Stewart. The Summary of Steerage and Cabin Passengers: All listed as "Scotch" and "Adults of 12 years of Age and upwards -- 2 males married, 4 females married, 68 males single and 3 females single." There were "Children between 1 and 12 years -- 79 males and 3 females." Finally there is listed 1 female Infant. William and John are in a group of 116 boys ages 4 to 16, all from Scotland traveling to Belleville, Ontario. William is listed as # 108, age 10 and John is listed as #136, age 8. All the boys were grouped according to age and their nationality is "Scotch." It appears they may be traveling to one of the orphanages that existed in Belleville for the soul purpose of placement in Canadian homes. The UK placement of indigent children usually from large cities such as London and Glasgow become known as the HOME BOUND CHILDREN movement. This movement was started by one Dr. Bernardo. At the same time in the US there was a similar movement known as "The Orphan Train" that took poor kids out of New York City and found them homes in the "West." Teddy Roosevelt's father was one of the founders. According to oral family history William and John's mother was working in one of these homes (possibly Bernardos) "washer woman" to pay for her children's room and board. Their brother James always claimed that his stomach problems derived from eating partially cooked gruel while in this home. He called the hard parts of the gruel "cadgers." ***************************************************************************************************** *** *Note on 'Buenos Ayrean' Ship Descriptions from Various Internet Mailing Lists List and from Direct Submissions E-mailed to the Owner of this Web Site Last updated August 16, 1999 HTML and compilation format Copyright © 1997- 1999 Louis S. Alfano All rights reserved. http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Parthenon/3649/ship-b.html BUENOS AYREAN The "Buenos Ayrean" was, as you say, an Allan Line vessel. Built in 1880 by Wm.Denny & Bros, Dumbarton, Scotland, she was a 4,005 gross ton vessel. Length 385.2ft x beam 42.2ft, one funnel, three masts, single screw and a speed of 12 knots. She had accommodation for 1-st and 3rd class passengers and was the first steel built North Atlantic steamer. Launched on 2/10/1879, she sailed from Glasgow on her maiden voyage to South America on 1/12/1879. On 31/3/1880 she commenced her first voyage from Glasgow to Halifax and Boston, and on 12/5/1880 started running between Glasgow, Quebec and Montreal. Between 1880 - 1895 she carried out one round voyage annually between Glasgow and S.America. In 1896, she was fitted with quadruple expansion engines and her masts reduced to two and on 30/9/1896 resumed the Glasgow - Quebec - Montreal service. On 12/2/1902 commenced a Glasgow - Philadelphia service and on 1/7/1902 a Glasgow - Boston service. She commenced her last voyage from Glasgow to Portland on 9/1/1909 and was then laid up at Gareloch. She was scrapped at Falmouth in 1911. [Posted to the Emigration-Ships Mailing List by Ted Finch - 15 September 1997] Buenos Ayrean was the "ugly duckling" of the Allan Line fleet. She had a heavy superstructure and a straight stem but was the first steel steamer on the North Atlantic. Built in 1880, this ship was the first to be built of steel, not iron, thus enabling it to be lighter than the other ships in the fleet. Used on the Glasgow to Canada service, she arrived at Quebec May 13, 1880. The ship was scrapped in 1910. - [E-Mail from Marj Kohli - 10 Mar 1998] ================================================ On Jan 4, 1955 a Req. High Mass at St, Aloysius Church was held. It took place @ 9:00 A. M. with Fr. J Krause officiating. He was buried in Grand Lawn Cemetery. Lents Funeral Home in Wayne, Mich was the funeral home. Notes for Sadie Ryan: THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE: WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1903 DEATHS PURSLEY -- Sadie, wife of William Pursley. Funeral Feb. 12 at 9 a. m. from 2927 Throop-st. to St. Bridget's church, thence by train to Mount Olivet. OFFICIAL DEATH RECORD ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ THE FOLLOWING BURIAL PERMITS WERE issued yesterday by the health department: Pursley, Sadie 24; 2927 Throop-st., Feb. 9 ======================================================================== Sadie died on Monday, Feb. 9, 1903. Some of the headlines found in the CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE for that day is as follows: "Oil Trust Fight is on Publicity," Crisis in Office Strike," Thousands Drown in Society Islands," and "Playwright Hits Editor" -------------------------------------------------------- On Feb 3, 2000 Sadie's great nephew Phillip Pursley called up Mount Olivet Cemetery located at 2755 West 111th St., Chicago, IL 60655 Phone -- (773) 238-4435. He found that Sadie's grave is located at Grave #3, Lot #103, Block 37. ========================================================================= Notes for Julia May Irish: On the 1910 Census for the State of New York (T624 Roll #927 - ED 74 Sheet 6A) Julia is living with her husband, step son and two children at #10 St., Cattaraugus, New York. On the 1910 US Census for the State of New York (T624 #927) for Cattaraugus County, Cattaraugus Village, Supervisor's District 20, ED 74, Sheet 6A, lines 35 to 39, dated April 19, 1910 William and his family are found. Living at #10 South Main St, Cattaraugus, New York Julia -- Wife, age 25, married (has "M" with a small 1 following). married for 6 years, 2 children born and 2 living, born in Pennsylvania, father born in New York, mother born in France, speaks English, occupation is none, reads and writes. ************************************************************************************ On the 1910 Census living next to #10 South Main St, Cattaraugus, New York next door to William and Julia's home lived Susan E. Irish with two relatives. Irish, Susan E -- Head, age 64, widowed (Wd), 1 child born and 1 living, born in New York, both parents born in New York, occupation - Nurse for Pursley family, worked all of 1909, reads and writes, owns home for last 7 years. James, Hannah -- Sister (to Susan), age 68, single, born in New York, both parents born in New York, occupation is Gardner at (can't make out?) House, reads and writes. James, Nancy -- Step mother (to Susan), age 69, widowed (Wd), born New York, both parents born in New York, occupation - none, reads and writes. ****note Susan may be Julia's Aunt or Step-mother rather than her mother. Reason: Julia indicates that her mother is born in France. Susan is born in New York. Perhaps Susan's brother-in-law is the father of Julia? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the 1900 Census for New York (T623 #1011 Vol 73 ED 54, Sheet 9, Line 92) conducted June 8, 1900 we find Susan living in Cattaraugus area on a farm. Irish, Susan E Head, born April 1847, age 53, Wd, 2 children born 2 living, born in New York, both parents born in Rhode Island, Occupation Florist, Owns home, mortgaged, a farm last 4 digit code is 0, M, F, 14 (14 refers to Farm Schedule number). -------, Lena Daughter, born Oct 1884, age 15, born in Pennsylvania, Both parents born in New York, at school for 7 months during last year, reads, writes and speaks English. James, Hannah, Sister, born Sept 1841, age 58, Single, born in New York, both parents born in Rhode Island, occupation is florist ****note: Perhaps Lena and Julia are the same person? They appear to be the same age and born in the same month. =================================================================== 1920 Census for the Sate of Michigan found on Microfilm T625 Roll #819 -- Detroit, Wayne County, Super, Dist 19, ED 648, Sheet 51B, Line 73 Living at 422 Connors... Pursley, William -- Head, home is rented, Male, white, age 45, married, Emigrated 1887, naturalized citizen in 1895, reads and writes English, born Scotland, mother tongue is English, both parents born Scotland and their mother English, occupation is Foreman of Motor Co., wage worker -----------, Julian -- wife, female, white, age 34, married, reads and writes English, born Pennsylvania, both parents born Pennsylvania, speaks English -----------, Melbourne -- son, male, white, age 17, single, not in school, reads and writes, born Illinois, father born in Scotland, mother born in Pennsylvania, speaks English, occupation is Office Boy in Motor Co., wage worker ----------, Mona -- daughter, female, white, age 13, single, in school, reads and writes, born New York, father born in Scotland, mother born in Pennsylvania, speaks English ---------, Alexander -- son, male, white, age 10, single, in school, reads and writes, born New York, father born in Scotland, mother born in Pennsylvania, speaks English ---------, Arthur -- son, male, white, age 1 5/12, single, born New York, father born in Scotland, mother born in Pennsylvania, speaks English =========================================================== Funeral services held at St. Mary's Church, Wayne, Mich. on August 20, 1965 - 9:30 AM. Internment Grandlawn Cemetery. 6 v. John Pursley, born 6 Mar 1877 in 6 Govanhill Street, Govanhill, Parish of Govan,Hutchesontown, Glasgow, Scotland; died 10 Apr 1950 in Florida. Notes for John Pursley: He had several occupations throughout his life among which were sheriff and traveling salesman. Mary Lucille Pursley Dorgan remembers that he played the mandolin and guitar. She loved to listen to him. He was quite an accomplished player. At the end of his life his brother George took him to Arizona to see if they could cure his cancer. ================================================================ Received from General Register Office of Scotland on May 23, 1998: Extract of an entry in a Registry of Births for John Pursley born March Sixth, 1874 at 6 P.M. - 6 Govanhill Street, Govanhill, Parish of Govan - M - Father- William Pursley, Quarry Labourer Mother-Margaret Pursley M.S. Williamson married 1869 January 1st Cathcart, Renfrewshire Signature-William Pursley, Father Registered - 1877 March 24th(?) at Glasgow Don(SP) Hamilton The above particulars are extracted from a Register of Births for the District of Hutchesontown in the county of Lanark Given under the Seal of the General Registry Office, New Register House, Edinburgh on 15 May 1998 ================================================================ This may be William and John's date of entry to Canada as found on the internet on Jan 11, 2000 by Becky Pursley Bachart and Phillip Pursley......... PURSLEY John 8 1886 Arrived on the 'Buenos Ayrean' (see *Note following) Passenger List: Port of Halifax National Archives of Canada: Microfilm Reel No. C-4513 page 3 PURSLEY William 10 1886 Arrived on the 'Buenos Ayrean' Passenger List: Port of Halifax National Archives of Canada: Microfilm Reel No. C-4513 page 3 ***************************************************************************************************** *** *Note on 'Buenos Ayrean' Ship Descriptions from Various Internet Mailing Lists List and from Direct Submissions E-mailed to the Owner of this Web Site Last updated August 16, 1999 HTML and compilation format Copyright © 1997- 1999 Louis S. Alfano All rights reserved. http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Parthenon/3649/ship-b.html BUENOS AYREAN The "Buenos Ayrean" was, as you say, an Allan Line vessel. Built in 1880 by Wm.Denny & Bros, Dumbarton, Scotland, she was a 4,005 gross ton vessel. Length 385.2ft x beam 42.2ft, one funnel, three masts, single screw and a speed of 12 knots. She had accommodation for 1-st and 3rd class passengers and was the first steel built North Atlantic steamer. Launched on 2/10/1879, she sailed from Glasgow on her maiden voyage to South America on 1/12/1879. On 31/3/1880 she commenced her first voyage from Glasgow to Halifax and Boston, and on 12/5/1880 started running between Glasgow, Quebec and Montreal. Between 1880 - 1895 she carried out one round voyage annually between Glasgow and S.America. In 1896, she was fitted with quadruple expansion engines and her masts reduced to two and on 30/9/1896 resumed the Glasgow - Quebec - Montreal service. On 12/2/1902 commenced a Glasgow - Philadelphia service and on 1/7/1902 a Glasgow - Boston service. She commenced her last voyage from Glasgow to Portland on 9/1/1909 and was then laid up at Gareloch. She was scrapped at Falmouth in 1911. [Posted to the Emigration-Ships Mailing List by Ted Finch - 15 September 1997] Buenos Ayrean was the "ugly duckling" of the Allan Line fleet. She had a heavy superstructure and a straight stem but was the first steel steamer on the North Atlantic. Built in 1880, this ship was the first to be built of steel, not iron, thus enabling it to be lighter than the other ships in the fleet. Used on the Glasgow to Canada service, she arrived at Quebec May 13, 1880. The ship was scrapped in 1910. - [E-Mail from Marj Kohli - 10 Mar 1998] ***************************************************************************************************** ************ In the 1900 Census for the State of Michigan (T623 Roll #752 - Vol. 84. ED 150, Sheet 17, Line 20) Margaret and her sons George, James and John are listed as living at 119 Clark Ave, Detroit. On line 23 John, son, is listed as being born March 1877, age 23, single, born in Scotland with both parents also born there. Immigrated to US in 1886, listed as an alien. Occupation is Photographer and 0 months unemployed. He can read,. write and speak English. ***note: It looks like John may have given information to the enumerator since his birthday is the only correct one! ======================================================= In the US 1910 Census for the State of Michigan I found a William Pursley living at 1376 Jefferson, Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan. This was on micro film T624 #687 ED 228, Sheet 18B line 97 -- enumerated the 3rd week of April, 1910. Pursley, William -- Boarder, age 36, married (M2), married for 6 years, number of children left blank, born in Scotland, parents both born in Scotland, immigrated 1886, NA, speaks English, occupation is Metal Polisher at Lantazing(Sp?) Works, was unemployed for 4 weeks in 1909, ends with code numbers 16, 2, 9, 9. *** Could this have been John pretending to be his brother? I searched in the Illinois, Michigan, Florida and part of New York Census but as of yet (1/22/99) cannot find him. John was known as quite a "kidder" and was not adverse to stretching the truth on occasion. It also could be his brother William but we already have William enumerated in Cattaraugus, New York (living and working). The age, marriage (notice M2 for second marriage), place of birth and almost time of immigration are the same. In 1910 it would have been quite a feat for William to be in two places at approximately the same dates! *** =============================================================== In the 1920 Census for the State of Florida (Vol 22, ED129, Sheet 7, Line 71) on the Soundex file card for George Pursley : -- Enumerated with George is Margaret Pursley, mother, and John Pursley, brother. Douglas was not enumerated with them. He is in the Army. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida 1920 Census on Microfilm T625 Roll #224 -- Fourteenth Census of the United States taken Jan. 23, 1920, Pasco County, Precinct 8, the town of Elfers(Sp?), Supervisors Dist 41, ED 129, Sheet 7B, starting on line 69. Pursley, George -- Head -- owner -- male, white, age 48, single, immigrated to US in 1881, Alien, can read and write, born Scotland, mother tongue is English, father and mother born in Scotland both mother tongues English, trade is Farmer, type of farm is Orange(sp?), is the Employer Pursley, Margaret -- Mother -- female, white, age 82, widowed, immigrated 1881, alien, both parents born Scotland and her and parents' native tongue is English Pursley, John -- Brother -- male, white, age 42, single, info same as George, occupation listed as Partner