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Research in Other Countries => United States of America => US Lookup Requests => Topic started by: davisd on Saturday 14 November 20 20:10 GMT (UK)
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I have nearly torn out my hair searching for information on a man named Hubert Peterson who it seems called himself Eric on the 1920 US Census in New York City.
He married a woman named Gertrude Grafe and they had one child, Arthur born in 1917 and baptised in New Jersey.
I can find no marriage and he apparently died in a construction accident somewhere in Florida between 1920-1925.
I've searched all through Ancestry and Family Search and get nowhere beyond that census (which may not even be him!) I don't know where to turn...
I'd be grateful for any advice.
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(which may not even be him!)
Maybe you could start with who "him" is supposed to be?
The person you are actually looking for was born when and where please?
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1920 census Bronx New York, 147th Street.
Eric Peterson 31 came to US- 1905 Papers submitted for citizenship born Sweden parents both born Sweden. first language Swedish, Machinist Steelyard.
Gertie 28 born New York, status alien, parents born Sweden, first language Swedish
Arthur born New York age looks like 26 but perhaps should be 2 years 6 months
For marriage look for a Swedish Church in New York.
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Perhaps I have the wrong Eric Peterson because he is still in the Bronx on Haviland Avenue in 1930
Eric 41 married age 27 born Sweden machinist in Machine Shop parents born Sweden
Gertie 40 married age 26 born Sweden? (1920 NY) parents born Sweden
Arthur 12 born New York.
Social security application
Gustave Arthur Peterson born 17 July 1917 Bronx New York - died 1992
parents Eric G Peterson and Gertie A Greenberg
ADDED
Eric Peterson married Gertie Greenberg 30 September 1916 Manhattan New York.
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Social security application
Gustave Arthur Peterson born 17 July 1917 Bronx New York - died 1992
parents Eric G Peterson and Gertie A Greenberg
I think this is a different Arthur. The NJ church records have Arthur Leo Peterson, b. 21 Oct 1917 in Englewood Hospital to Hubert Mayer Peterson and Getrude Peterson. Arthur Leo Peterson with same birthdate in Englewood is living in Englewood in 1940 per his draft registration card. At that point, his mother is Mrs. John Schutzler.
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Thanks, got distracted by the Eric Peterson
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I did too. I think we need to find out what is the information that is known for sure about the people being looked for, because Peterson is common enough to make things confusing.
If he's definitely the right Arthur b. in NJ, then it looks like he became a doctor and died 31 Jan 2014 in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania. I can't see the whole obit, but it looks like his mother lived in Gladwyne also, was listed as Gertrude Rudolph Schutzler, and died 31 Mar. 1985.
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If he's definitely the right Arthur b. in NJ, then it looks like he became a doctor and died 31 Jan 2014 in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania. I can't see the whole obit, but it looks like his mother lived in Gladwyne also, was listed as Gertrude Rudolph Schutzler, and died 31 Mar. 1985.
John Schutzler: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60217922/obituary-for-john-schutzler-aged-82/
Gertrude Schutzler: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59834943/obituary-for-gertrude-rudolph-schutzler/
Arthur Leo Peterson: https://www.mcconaghyfuneralhome.com/?action=obituaries.obit_view&o_id=2403900
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Many thanks for your replies. Yes I'm searching for the father of Arthur Leo Peterson whom I knew quite well. His father died when he was a small child and he never knew him. The baptismal notice says he was Hubert Mayer Peterson but I can't find anyone of that name elsewhere that makes any sense. The one census entry as noted above is 1920 - in the Bronx "Eric" Peterson and wife "Gertie" and son "Arthur".
His wife was Gertrud Grafe and I've found a good amount on her family. The baptism is curious on a couple of accounts. If they lived in the Bronx, why have your child baptised in New Jersey in an Episcopal parish if you're Swedish Lutheran? Gertrude was born in Germany, not Sweden, but people are very free with misinformation on census forms - hence my thought that this "Eric" may in fact be "Hubert".
Gertrude remarried after her husband's death to John Schutzler.
I guess this is simply a "Brick Wall".
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Do you have records indicating Gertrude's maiden name was Grafe?
I suspect the 1920 Bronx census entry is not them. It's possible that they moved away from NJ within the 3 years after Arthur was born and later moved back, but the baptism record specifies that he was born in NJ and the census record says New York. The 1930 & 1940 census and Arthur's WWII draft registration all give his place of birth as New Jersey. Things can be bungled on the census, but add that issue to the different first name for the father and different place of birth for Gertrude, it seems more likely that it's another family.
This is the kind of the thing that may be solvable with the purchase of vital records or Social Security applications, so I wouldn't rule it a brick wall yet.
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Considering that her obituary mentions the name Rudolph, I though this entry in the New Jersey marriage index was interesting:
Gertrude Rudolph, married Jan. 1927, husband's initials J.S.
Unfortunately, the groom's index for that period is missing, so it's not clear if the groom is John Schutzler or not. The index also gives the number 3 for "place mg." (not sure what the mg. stands for - marriage maybe?). Looking at the comments at the bottom of this page - https://www.bringoutyerdead.com/genealogy-research-services/nj-place-codes/ - the place codes for the 1920's are also missing, but from that person's experience, #3 was given to some towns in Bergen County, which was where your people lived.
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Very interesting. I've not been able to find anything on her second marriage, let along the first. Rudolph was her mother's maiden name and she used it all her life.
I don't know that NJ marriage index, but Bergen county does make some sense. Thank you! In the 1930 census Gertrude and John Schutzler say they were married in 1927.
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Looking at the baptism record, I think the father's name could be Herbert instead of Hubert.
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Looking at the baptism record, I think the father's name could be Herbert instead of Hubert.
Thanks so much for your reply. I'm fairly sure it's Hubert but I've certainly searched for Herberts as well.
At this point I'd take any small step forward or backward to get anything. The family story was that he was killed in a construction accident (whatever that means) in Florida when his son Arthur was about three. As much as I hope to find Hubert (Eric)'s parents and forebears, it's his unnoticed death that is most troubling.
And why would he sign his name Hubert and then be "Eric" on the census two years later?
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As I said above, I don't think he was Eric on the census. As found above by amondg, the Eric/Gertie/Arthur Peterson family was still in the Bronx in 1930, while your Gertrude was remarried and in New Jersey in 1930.
Perhaps I have the wrong Eric Peterson because he is still in the Bronx on Haviland Avenue in 1930
Eric 41 married age 27 born Sweden machinist in Machine Shop parents born Sweden
Gertie 40 married age 26 born Sweden? (1920 NY) parents born Sweden
Arthur 12 born New York.
Social security application
Gustave Arthur Peterson born 17 July 1917 Bronx New York - died 1992
parents Eric G Peterson and Gertie A Greenberg
A WWII draft card for this Gustave Arthur Peterson born 17 July 1917 mentioned his father Eric Peterson living in the Bronx.
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Thank you for this - it turns my thoughts on their head. I never saw this "Eric" and his family except in 1920.
This is most helpful and I'm grateful to have some clarity!
I know from Arthur Leo Peterson himself that Gertrude's maiden name was Grafe.
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I have a possible theory?
Was Arthur born out of wedlock and Gertrude & Hubert/Herbert were never married?
All the records from 1917-1940 seem to revolve around Edgewater, Bergen, New Jersey.
John & Gertrude Schutzler with son Arthur.
1940 census: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K4PG-3Z3
John & Gertrude Schutzler with son Arthur in 1930. They state they have been married 3 yrs(1927) and indicate this is the 1st marriage for both. The question was, "what age were you at your 1st marriage?"
1930 census: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X48H-6XF
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Can't find Peterson's in 1920, but John Schutzler is single, living in Edgewater, Bergen, New Jersey.
1920 census: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M4PV-4VV
John Schutzler's WWI draft 5 June 1917.
WWI draft: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZJC-72F
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There is a Herbert Peterson born 6 Nov 1893, listed a carpenter living in Edgewater, NJ. Patchogue is in NY, not NJ. He is listed as married with a wife and child. He registered 5 June.
WWI Draft: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZJH-VYM
Him being in Edgewater, NJ at that time is significant. All the rest of his life he was in Queens, NY, before and after 1917. His life is easy to follow and documented.
In 1915, he was living in Queens with his mother(Jessie), wife(Sophie) and daughter (Jessie May Peterson).
1915 census: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K9GL-HSW
His WWII Draft Card gives the same date & place of birth as his WWI draft Card. He is listed as "Herbert M Peterson". Could the "M" be for "Mayer"?
WWII Draft: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F3FT-NMF
1920 census: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MVMH-YZM
He died in 1948.
Death: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2WGL-W6V
Find A Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/207725570
Why was he in Edgewater, NJ?
Herbert and his wife had some marital problems around that time period (1915-1920). There are a couple articles about those problems.
Times Union
Brooklyn, New York
Wednesday, May 12, 1915
pg: 8
WILL SUPPORT HIS WIFE
Herbert Peterson Given a Week
Get Back to His Family.
Jamaica, May 12. On his promise to try to find work and support his wife, and baby, Herbert Peterson, of 121 Oak street, Richmond Hill, had his case adjourned until May 19, before Magistrate Conway yesterday in the Jamaica Police Court. Peterson was arrested on the complaint of his wife, Sophie, by Warrant Officer Sherry. Too much mother-in-law is young Mrs. Peterson's complaint.
The Daily Long Island Farmer
Jamaica, Queens County, New York
1915
Clip: https://www.rootschat.com/links/01q1q/
Herbert's mother died in 1919.
Summary- A lot of coincidences?
The 1930 census states Gertrude hadn't been previously married and that was her 1st marriage in 1927. There was a Herbert M Peterson in Edgewater, NJ around the time of birth/conception of Arthur. Hubert Mayer Peterson/ Herbert M Peterson? Could Hubert be Herbert, mis-transcribed or did he slightly adjust his name on the baptism record?
The story of Hubert/Herbert dying in Florida 1920-1925, is just that...cover story. The wanderer went home to wife & daughter after his mother died in 1919.
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The Eric Peterson is NOT the father of the Arthur in question. All of them from the 1920 appear together in 1930/1940 census.
1920 census: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MJG1-JV8
1930 census: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X76M-2TY
1940 census: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KQBT-D14
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This would not surprise me, though it would surprise the family! Thought the article about the court case is two years before the birth of Arthur. So I think that's off for "Arthur" but perhaps it refers to his daughter. I need to get my heard wrapped around all this.
The draft registration is extremely helpful and in 1917 lists the wife and baby.
I have the info on Schutzler and was happy to find him in Bergen Co. That made sense that Gertrude may have known him.
I've been pondering whether the death story was a cover. I've a lot of work ahead of me.
I can't thank you enough.