William Whitney of Cortland, New York

[diana2646]

Hi,  I have found my relative on the 1940 USA census in Cortland, New York.  He is William Whitney, living at 20 Taylor Street, Cortland and is 56 years old. I know his occupation was a glazier.
I have been told that he worked on stained glass windows and fell off a Church roof, but I don't know if this story is true!  Is there any way to trace his death, or an obituary for him?  I have no idea when he died, so it might be a bit difficult.
I live in England, so am not sure what resources there are for tracing people in the USA.

Any help appreciated.

Thanks, Diana

[taramcdsmall]

Hi Diana,

Have you gone through these to see if you can see a good match ?

possible william whitney deaths new york

Tara

[shellyesq]

William is listed in the 1950 Cortland city directory.  The 1954 Cortland directory, the next one for which the W section appears to be available online, has Nellie, widow of William listed.

You could request a look-up in the death index as described on this blog post:  http://www.unyg.com/blog/index.php/2008/03/new-york-state-vital-records-microfiche-indexes-update/

[diana2646]

Hi Tara,  Thanks for the LDS records.  I have looked through them, but can't find a death that fits, although I found William on the 1920 and 1930 census. 
Hi Shelly, Thanks very much for the Directory information.  I know Williams wife was called Nellie, so that must be them!  It narrows things down a bit to know he was alive in 1950 and had died by 1954.  I have had a quick look at the blog, and have noted the email address, so will send Holly Sammonds an email and see if I can get anymore information.

Will let you know the outcome.
Your help is very much appreciated,
Kind regards Diana

[shellyesq]

You're welcome.

I found an obituary for daughter Gladys, who died in 1981, which says she was to be buried at Cortland Rural Cemetery.  I found likely burial records for William, Nellie, and Gladys here: 
http://www.cortland-rural-cemetery.com/Burial-1885-2007-for-web-updated-Jan2012.pdf

[diana2646]

Hi Shelly,  That is fantastic, thank you so much.  I have looked at the burial records and I am sure they are my family.  If I PM'd you with my email address, would it be possible for you to send me a copy of the Obit for daughter Gladys?
I have emailed the Library which was in the blog you sent me, and a lady has come back to me saying, that as I live a long way away in England, she will order the microfiche, and look up williams obit for me!
I am thrilled to bits with the response from you and everyone else.

Kind regards Diana

[*Sandra*]

Great finds by Shelly. 

Diane if you look at white pages, zabasearch, peoplesearch and sites like those you will see reference to the son who seems to be living in Cortland.

Sandra

[shellyesq]

Yes, send me your e-mail in a PM & I'll get Gladys' obit to you.

[diana2646]

Hi,  Brilliant information from everyone - thanks so much. 

I emailed the Onondaga County Public Library, the lady there has been lovely and sent me the date of Williams death, which I also found in the document of Cortland Rural Cemetery Burial Records.
She has also said, that because I live in England (they don't usually do this) she is ordering the microfilm for Cortland Newspapers (as they only have Syracuse ones there) and is going to look for an Obituary for me!  I'm not sure how long it will take, but will put details of it on this thread as soon as I get to know anything.

I saw the reference Sandra to William E's son.  It looks like he is still alive, so that is a great turn up.

Thank you all very much, Diana

[shellyesq]

I also found Nellie's obituary, so I will send that along to you as well.  I should be able to do it later today or over the weekend.