William Skelton & Margaret Gardham (nee Clapham)

[rutht22000]

According to a newspaper report in October 1920, John Frederick Hart Gardham was granted a degree nisi from Margaret Gardham (nee Clapham) after she ran off with a William Skelton to the US in 1913, leaving John and their 12 year old son.

The Gardham family lived in Cumberland and I understand from the newspaper article that William Skelton was a regular at their public house.

I have found a Margaret Gardham (aged 36) and a William Skelton Jnr (Shipbroker, aged 26) on board the Cameronia leaving Glasgow for New York on 1 November 1913, so on the face of it that's them.

However, William Skelton Jnr is struck out of the list and it doesn't look as though he sailed but she did, although I can't find her arrival at the other end. 

Might be a daft question, but can I assume (although never concrete) that from the striking out that she sailed and he didn't?

William Skelton seems to be the son of William Skelton and Catherine of Maryport, Cumberland, born 22 January 1887 and drafted into the US Army in 1917/1918, stating he has a wife and child and again in 1942 saying he was called William Joseph Skelton.

Can anyone find out what happened to William and Margaret? (particularly Margaret)  (I think I have them on the 1920 census in New York living as husband and wife with a 5 year old son William)

Thanks
Ruth

[*Sandra*]

Hi Ruth,

Might be a daft question, but can I assume (although never concrete) that from the striking out that she sailed and he didn't?

As you suspect, it does usually means that William did not sail.

Sandra

[*Sandra*]

Have you noticed Margaret Gardham born 1878 Cumberland appearing on a New York Passenger List on a 21 April 1914  - SS California - Housewife. Last residence Newcastle. Sister :- Eliza Woffinden, 3 Industrail Avenue, Wallsend.  Cousin Mrs Edward Duffield, 193 Parrot Avenue, Bridgeport, Conn. There is also something handwritten which is difficult to read except for Mrs Skelton.

Sandra

[*Sandra*]

Could this be a possible death for Margaret Skelton born 1877  and passed away 31 August 1935 Kings.  New York. Cert No:- 17976

http://italiangen.org/records-search/deaths.php

Sandra

[rutht22000]

Ah! thank you....maybe she didn't sail in 1913 or came back...

the son William is either born in New York or Connecticut depending where you look so very possible as does that death. 

[*Sandra*]

Brooklyn, Kings 1925

Claude Dore  45 Anna B Dore  29 Claude Janes Dore  02
Thorstein Larsen  28
Arne Quisling  26
Albert Bitterman  32
William Skelton  38 Born England. Roomer. Alien. Ship Broker.
Florence Graham  28  George Graham  42
Margaret Skelton  43 Roomer. Alien. Housewife.
Annie Hyams  49 Henry S Hyams  29
Pauline Eugers  27 Mary J Eugers  11
Finn Engebretsen  23
Sverre Marcussen  24 Erik Marcussen  33

Sandra

[rutht22000]

Brooklyn, Kings 1925

Claude Dore  45 Anna B Dore  29 Claude Janes Dore  02
Thorstein Larsen  28
Arne Quisling  26
Albert Bitterman  32
William Skelton  38 Born England. Roomer. Alien. Ship Broker.
Florence Graham  28  George Graham  42
Margaret Skelton  43 Roomer. Alien. Housewife.
Annie Hyams  49 Henry S Hyams  29
Pauline Eugers  27 Mary J Eugers  11
Finn Engebretsen  23
Sverre Marcussen  24 Erik Marcussen  33

Sandra

Brilliant - thank you - they were very fond of changing their ages though...

[*Sandra*]

There is a naturalization for William Skelton 411 Westminster Road. Brooklyn. Real Estate Salesman. Immigrated form Liverpool 21 March 1914 on the Luisitania arriving NY 27th March 1914. Declared intention 5 th March 1925 Eastern Dist. NY. Married to Margaret (it says born 3 March 1925 which is obviously wrong) He has a son William Skelton born 3 November 1914 Connecticut and who resides in England.

Sandra

[*Sandra*]

There is a New York Passenger List - arriving 28 July 1930 on the SS Cedric for a William Skelton aged 15 years. Birth date given as 8 th November 1914 and going to Connecticut. Parents William and Margaret 411 Westminster Road. Brooklyn.

Sandra