Betsy Campbell Tait born 1879 Perth

[fidotflo]

 On the trail of Betsy who emigrated to the US(New York) we think around 1904 and family rumour says she married a Tait.The trail goes cold past the 1901 Scotland census and she left behind her young son Henry Crawford Campbell(born 1899 Edinburgh) who never saw her again but communicated by letter.
Other family moved to New York and there was heresy that she worked as a servant for the Van der Bilt household on 5th Ave..
Can't find her at all in US,any advice much appreciated.

[shellyesq]

Do you have her parents' names?  Or an exact date of birth?  Was she born Betsy? 

[fidotflo]

Yes born 24/01/1879 Perth
She was born Betsy but on later census returns written as Elizabeth
Her parents were John Campbell and Janet/Jessie Craigdallie
thanks for the quick response

[Lisa in California]

I've not yet found anything.  Probably not, but do you have any little bits of information that on their own don't seem important, but could help us locate Betsy/Elizabeth?

Could she have met Mr. Tait in Scotland, or is it believed that she met him in North America?

...The trail goes cold past the 1901 Scotland census and she left behind her young son Henry Crawford Campbell(born 1899 Edinburgh) who never saw her again but communicated by letter...

Do you have any idea when Henry used to write letters: was he quite young, or perhaps they communicated when he was "older"?

Do any family members have any of their letters that might shed some light on when or where they were mailed, or provide any clues within the letters?

Was she single at the time of Henry's birth (or when last seen)?

You mentioned that other family moved to New York.  Was this prior to 1904 and if so, would you be able to give us their names, ages, birthplaces, etc., please?  Perhaps we can find her passage to New York/North America if she was going to a relative.

Thank you, Lisa   

[fidotflo]

No letters left or relatives still alive that can remember anything.The 1st family member went in 1894 Emily Jessie Campbell (1876 Perth)(sister) and she married Ebenezer Praf Jones in 1899.John Kirk Campbell (brother)(3/12/1884 Perth)arrived in 1905 and was sponsored by Jessie Campbell.3rd brother Andrew Craigdallie Campbell (25/11/1892 Perth)arrived in 1912.
Emily and Andrew C stayed and I can trace them but after 1910 can't find John.
Betsy was single when she gave birth to Henry in Edinburgh in a single servants birthing hostel.We think his father may have been a Crawford as Crawford is not a family name.
No idea whether she met Mr Tait in US or Scotland.On her son Henrys marriage cert in 1922 he states mothers name as Elizabeth Campbell Tait and that she is decd.

[Lisa in California]

Thank you for the additional details.  Unfortunately, I still cannot find Betsy/Elizabeth and now cannot find John. 

Were obituaries written for Betsy's parents (that might include which children were still alive at the time of their passing, or provide any clues about their childrens' deaths)? 

While I looked for an Elizabeth/Betsy with a Mr. Tait/Tate, I have not yet looked just for a Mr. Tait/Tate in New York c1915 (give/take 10 years).