Betty Morrissey Movie Star!

[mantharobertson]

Hi Everyone,

I need help... according to family stories, my 2x Great Aunt Mary Ross emigrated to the USA in 1911. Her relative listed on the passenger list is Annie Morrissey/Morrison and listed as Second Cousin.

As the story goes, Annie had a daughter called Betty Morrissey (Elizabeth) who was a movie star featuring in a number of Charlie Chaplin films. I have googled this as can verify that Betty Morrissey is the named actress. I am however unsure how her mother Annie is related into our line. All I know is she is called Annie and was born in Ireland c1864 and her husband was John Morrissey (who as far as  I know left when Betty was young)

How do I find out who Betty's mum Annie is and make the connection? I have quite a bit of information but not sure how to find what I need. Any help greatly appreciated!

Samantha

[shellyesq]

This says Betty was born September 14, 1907 and died April 20, 1944, both in New York City. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betty_Morrissey

[shellyesq]

Looking at her obituary in the NY Times, she is listed as Mrs. Elizabeth Murray and survived by a husband, a son, and mother Mrs. Anna Morrissey.

This seems to be her death record - https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2W27-MP3

[heywood]

Looking at her obituary in the NY Times, she is listed as Mrs. Elizabeth Murray and survived by a husband, a son, and mother Mrs. Anna Morrissey.

This seems to be her death record - https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2W27-MP3

Birth but a few years out -

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2WH4-W8M

[heywood]

1900 census possibility

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MSFH-1N9

[shellyesq]

This looks like the marriage of Elizabeth/Betty & James - https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K8NL-4M3

[heywood]

The family in 1900 are living on Front Street which is the same address as the emigration of Mary Ross.

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JJG8-GXS

[shellyesq]

Betty's obituary said that her husband was Lieut. James A. (Buster) Murray of the Army Air Forces, who flew in from his California base.

I think this may be James with his mother and sister in Beverly Hills, California the 1940 census - https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K974-HNK  They had a nurse, a butler, and a cook in the household, and the address they were at is worth $10 million today, so I'm guessing there was some family money there.

[heywood]

Samantha,

2nd cousins share great grandparents. You have Mary b Scotland with Scottish parents, I think from censuses and John and Annie b Ireland.
You would need to go back with your ancestors for the link.

Heywood