Wednesday 30 September 2015

Wednesday's Child: Johanna Charlotta Andreasdotter

        Johanna Charlotta Andreasdotter was born on July 8, 1853 in Angered Stom, Angered församling, Älvsborg län, Sweden. She was the second child and daughter of Andreas Börjesson and Maria Andersdotter. Johanna Charlotta was baptized on July 17. Her godparents were her uncles, Nils Börjesson and Gustaf Andersson, as well as Anna Larsdotter, and Maria Larsdotter.

        Johanna Charlotta was raised on her family's farm in Angered Stom surrounded by family. She grew up with older sister Mathilda Augusta and younger brother Adolph Bernhard (born July 2, 1856). In addition, her aunt Maja Helena Börjesdotter, her husband Andreas, and their children lived on a neighboring farm.
       
        When Johanna Charlotta was two years old, Nils passed away on February 27, 1856, aged 40. Several months later, her family celebrated the birth of Johanna Charlotta's brother Adolph Bernhard.

        Johanna Charlotta's life was cut short when she contracted scarlett fever. Despite her family's prayers, Johanna Charlotta passed away at the family farm on January 24, 1866, aged 12.

        She was buried on February 1, 1866.

Copyright © 2015, David J. McRae

Wednesday 23 September 2015

Wednesday's Child: Augusta Matilda Martinsdotter

Augusta Matilda Martinsdotter was born on March 21, 1888 in Angered Stom, Angered församling, Älvsborg län, Sweden to 3x-Great-Grandparents Martin Andreasson and Augusta Andersdotter. She was their eighth child and fifth daughter. Augusta Matilda was baptized on March 24 in Angered Stom, with her father's sister-in-law, Anna Sofia Zachrisdotter, and her first cousin, Anna Maria Andersson, standing up as godparents.

During her short life, Augusta Matilda lived on the family farm in Angered Stom with her parents and older siblings Carl Johan, Anna Maria, Emma Gustava, August Robert, Aron, and Ottolina. 

Augusta Matilda tragically died on May 2, 1888 and was buried eight days later. Augusta gave birth to her ninth and final child on December 13, 1891. The child was a girl and named Augusta Matilda after her deceased sister. 

Copyright © 2015, David J. McRae

Wednesday 16 September 2015

Wednesday's Child: Louis Frederick Guyette

        Louis Frederick Guyette was born on July 25, 1917, a little more than three months after the United States entered World War I, in Brockton Hospital, Brockton, Massachusetts. He was the son of Felix Louis Guyette, a shoe operative, and Sarah Webster. He was their second child but their only surviving one (Felix and Sarah's first child, a son named Peter, had passed away in infancy from meningitis the previous year).
        During his short life, Louis resided with his parents at 51 Taber Ave, Brockton. Louis' uncle (Felix's older brother) Nelson also lived with them for a time.
        In the spring of 1918, the Public Health Service received a report from Kansas stating that there had been an unusually high number of severe influenza cases. At the time, influenza was not a reportable disease but the surprisingly high number of cases led Kansas to do so anyway. In May of that year, cases were being reported among young military men in Europe. Most recovered but some wound up developing a severe case of pneumonia and dying. Before long, influenza had spread to the civilian population. From there, cases began being reported in Asia, Africa, South America and further through North America. Influenza made it's way to Massachusetts in late August when a group of men in Boston were reported to have it. Before long, influenza had spread across the state, including Brockton. The death toll in both Brockton and the state rose rapidly. Among the victims was Louis' aunt (Felix's sister-in-law), Rose Hattie (Doucette) Guyette, whom passed away on October 4, 1918 after contracting pneumonia. She was 28 years old.
        During the pandemic, it was recommended if not demanded that citizens across the country wear gauze masks in order to protect themselves against infuenza. However, public officials did not realize at the time that influenza was a virus and that the masks offered no actual protection against it.  Quarantines were imposed in order to help prevent the spread of influenza. Buildings, such as churches, closed. Many services, such as the telephone and telegraph systems, mail delivery, and garbage pick-up, became unavailable across the country due to the large number of people out sick.
        The number of reported influenza cases began going down in November of 1918 as did the death toll, allowing for people to come out and celebrate the end of World War I, which officially ended November 11. Despite this, influenza still remained prevalent in Massachusetts throughout the spring of 1919 before finally beginning to subside in the following summer.
        Louis was preceded in death by his uncle (Felix's brother), Brockton police officer John Baptiste "George" Guyette, on November 29, 1919, when George was fatally shot through the heart by Pasquale Catrambone at 160 Summer Street, Brockton while responding to call of domestic violence.
        Louis passed away the following year on March 15. He had been attended to by Dr. H. J. Lupien since February 29. The cause of death was stated to be acute nephritis; perinephritic abscess contributed.
        Louis was interred two days later in Calvary Cemetery, Brockton.

Copyright © 2015, David J. McRae

Wednesday 9 September 2015

Wednesday's Child: Peter Guyette

        1st cousin 3x removed Peter Guyette was born April 13, 1916 at Brockton Hospital, Brockton, Massachusetts to Felix Guyette, a shoe operative, and Sarah Webster. Peter was Felix and Sarah's first child together. He was named after his paternal grandfather.

        During his short life, Peter lived with his parents in Brockton. At the time of his birth, Felix and Sarah lived at 31 Cary Street. Afterwards, they relocated 19 Kingman Street.

        Peter passed away at 9 P. M. on October 1, 1916. Prior to his death, Dr. George A. Boucher had been attending to him since September 19. Cause of death was stated to be menigitis; enteritis contributed.

        Peter was interred the following day in Calvary Cemetery, Brockton, Massachusetts.

Copyright © 2015, David J. McRae

Thursday 3 September 2015

On This Day In Family History (September 3):

1823: 4x-Great-Grandmother Lisa Nilsdotter was baptized in Hult, Ör församling, Älvsborg län, Sweden.



Copyright © 2015, David J. McRae

Wednesday 2 September 2015

Wednesday's Child: Betty Josefina Martinsdotter

Betty Josefina Martinsdotter was born on September 8, 1878 in Angered Stom, Angered församling, Älvsborg län, Sweden to Martin Andreasson & Augusta Andersdotter. She was their fifth child and fourth daughter. Betty Josefina was baptized on September 15, with her aunt (father's sister-in-law) Carolina Andersdotter and Anna Maria Eriksdotter  standing up as godparents. 

During her short life, Betty Josefina lived in Angered Stom with her parents and older siblings Carl Johan,  Anna Maria, Emma Gustava and Amanda Charlotta. 

Betty Josefina passed away on March 1, 1879 from skarlakansfeber (English translation: scarlet fever) in Angered Stom. Interment took place on March 6.

Copyright © 2015, David J. McRae

On This Day In Family History (September 2):

1823: 4x-Great-Grandmother Lisa Nilsdotter was born in Hult, Ör församling, Älvsborg län, Sweden.


Birth Record for Lisa Nilsdotter

1977: George Bartlett Ware, ex-husband of 1st cousin 2x removed Rhoda Madeline McRae, passed away in Weymouth, Massachusetts, aged 68.

1971: 1st cousin 3x removed Alice G. (Neville) Potts passed away in Fall River, Massachusetts, aged 79. 

Fall River Herald News 
September 3, 1971  
Page 2 
 Mrs. Alice G. Potts

   Mrs. Alice G. (Neville) Potts, 79, of 105A Mitchell Drive, formerly of 712 Eastern Ave., died Thursday morning following a short illness. 

   Born here, daughter of the late Richard and the late Ida (Wild) Neville, she retired as an inspector at the Firestone plant. She was a member of the Bogle Street Christian Congregational Church, the Golden Age Club and the Laurel Senior Citizens. 

   She is survived by a son, Charles L. Potts Jr. of Waterbury, Vt.; a daughter, Mrs. Kenneth A. (Gladys) Bell of this city; a brother, Herbert Neville of New Bedford; seven grandchildren; several great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. 

   Funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon in the Waring-Ashton Funeral Home, 178 Winter St. Interment will be in Oak Grove Cemetery.

 Copyright © 2015, David J. McRae

Tuesday 1 September 2015

On This Day In Family History (September 1):

1827: Inga Maria Johansdotter, daughter of 5x-Great-Grandparents Johannes Kjellman & Anna Lisa Andersdotter, passed away in Holmen Stommen, Brålanda församling, Älvsborg län, Sweden, aged 2.

1912: Mary Gertrude (Bruce) Garfield, wife of 2x-Great-Granduncle George Hamilton Garfield, passed away from valvular heart disease at 1664 Washington Street, Boston, Massachusetts, aged 45.

1931: Felix Louis Guyette, son of 3x-Great-Grandparents Peter & Phoebe (Davieau) Guyette, choked to death on his false teeth in Brockton, Massachusetts.

* * *
Brockton Daily Enterprise  
Wednesday, September 2, 1931
Page Two 

FELIX GUYETTE IS VICTIM OF HEMORRHAGE 

Stricken with a cerebral hemorrhage on Main street near Ward street, Tuesday evening, Felix Guyette, 48 Warren avenue, died soon after in the police ambulance in which he was being taken to the Brockton Hospital. Passerby noticed the stricken man and carried him to a near-by store from which messages were sent the the police station. 
Dr. Jonah Fieldman of the Brockton Hospital staff, who was passing, gave assistance to the stricken man, and in examining him found that his artificial teeth had lodged in his throat, causing strangulation. Dr. Fieldman removed the teeth and the prone method of artificial respiration was applied but to no avail. 
Associate Medical Examiner Dr. Pierce H. Leavitt viewed the body and pronounced death due to cerebral hemorrhage and strangulation.
Mr. Guyette was born in North Brookfield and had been a resident of this city many years. Besides his wife, Elizabeth, he leaves three brothers, Noe, Nelson, and Fred, all of this city; two sisters, Mrs. Felix Dacy of North Brookfield and Mrs. George Benoit of this city. Patrolman George Guyette, who was murdered about 12 years ago when he attempted to arrest Pasquale Catrambone of Summer street, was a brother.
He was a member of Brockton Aerie of Eagles and the Boot and Shoe Workers' Union, and formerly lived at 855 Centre street.
The funeral will take place Friday morning from 238 Court street, with requiem mass at the Church of the Sacred Heart and interment in Calvary cemetery.
* * *

The Brockton Times
Wednesday, September 2, 1931
 
FELIX L. GUYETTE CHOKES TO DEATH ON FALSE TEETH 
Stricken Ill at Ward and Main Streets Tuesday Afternoon - Swallows Both Sets of Teeth and Dies as They Are Removed. 
Strangled to death less than five minutes after he had been stricken with a cerebral hemorrhage and his artificial teeth had become lodged in his throat, shutting off his wind, Felix L. Guyette, 52, of 48 Warren avenue and formerly of 855 Centre street, died as he was being rushed to the Brockton hospital in the police ambulance late Tuesday afternoon.
Although both sets of Guyette's false teeth had been dislodged and removed from his throat and the prone method of artificial respiration resorted to by a police officer and Brockton hospital interne in a vain effort to save the victim, he breathed his last just as the ambulance started on its trip to the hospital.
Mr. Guyette, who was a show worker and a brother of Patrolman George Guyette, who was murdered in 1919 when he entered a Summer street home and attempted to place Pasquale Catrambone under arrest, was stricken ill at Main and Ward streets about 5:30 Tuesday afternoon. 
TAKEN INTO STORE
Passersby went to his assistance and removed him to a nearby store and an emergency call was sent to police headquarters for an ambulance.
Officers Joseph Getchell and Timothy O'Brien responded and just as they were placing Guyette on a stretcher, Dr. Jonah Fieldman, a Brockton hospital interne, who happened to be passing, appeared.
Learning that the patient was choking to death, having swallowed both sets of his false teeth, he volunteered his serves, which were accepted. 
REMOVES TEETH
While Officer O'Brien held the victim's mouth open, Dr. Fieldman thrust his fingers down the man's throat and succeeded in removing the teeth.
A few seconds later Guyette breathed his last, and although Patrolman O'Brien and Dr. Fieldman worked in relays using the prone method of artificial respiration in an attempt to restore breathing as the ambulance sped to the hospital, Guyette was pronounced dead upon arrival at the institution. 
LIVED HERE 33 YEARS
Felix Guyette was 52. He was born in Westboro and made Brockton his home for 33 years. He had resided the past few weeks at 48 Warren avenue, having formerly lived for some years at 855 Centre street. He was a member of the Eagles and the Book and Shoe Workers union. He was employed by Stone-Tarlow Co., Inc.
Mr. Guyette leaves his wife, Elizabeth; three brothers, Noe, Nelson and Fred, of this city; two sisters, Mrs. Felix Daci of North Brookfield and Mrs. George Benoit of this city.
The funeral services will be Friday at 8.30 from the H. J. Grenier funeral home, with requiem mass at Sacred Heart church at 9. Interment will be in Calvary cemetery.
* * *

1995: 4th cousin 1x removed Timothy Stout married Angela Marek in Bristol, Hartford County, Connecticut, USA.

Copyright © 2015, David J. McRae