Composer's Secretary

[Forfarian]

In the 1940 US census a distant relative of mine, Ethel Jeannette Henderson Burgess, born in Manhattan on 3 January 1908, and residing in Manhattan with her widowed father and other family members, is described as private secretary, musical composer.

What are my chances of finding out who the composer was?

Ethel married George Bell Miller in Los Angeles on 22 June 1943. I have yet to learn what became of her after that.

[*Sandra*]

Could this be a match   - Ethel B. Miller - 3 January 1908 - 11 July 1988 - passed away 11 July 1988
Issue year Before 1951 - Issue State New Jersey
Last Residence   48072, Berkley, Oakland, Michigan.

Sandra

[*Sandra*]

The Record Hackensack, New Jersey 21 Feb 1966, Mon  -   Page 37

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/40416401/george_miller/

George B. Miller - 1896 - passed away 1966 aged 70 years.
Residence Place Teaneck - Burial Place Paramus
Obituary Date 21 Feb 1966 Obituary Place Hackensack, New Jersey.
Spouse Ethel - Siblings Howard

Sandra

[Forfarian]

Ooh, thank you. I hadn't begun to look seriously for these deaths as yet. That's very helpful.

[*Sandra*]

Pleased to help.  Sure you will enjoy the hunt, find loads for the couple thru family search 

Sandra

[Erato]

It's a long shot, but you could try contacting the American Federation of Musicians.  They might have historical information or know how to find it.

https://www.afm.org/about/history-2/

[Forfarian]

Pleased to help.  Sure you will enjoy the hunt, find loads for the couple thru family search 

Yes, I've been finding quite a lot there, thanks.

Ethel's grandfather was the eldest son of the eldest son of my great-great-great-grandfather, and I don't think her uncle ever married, so her brother might perhaps have been the senior member of our family. I should really have been pursuing them before now.

[Forfarian]

It's a long shot, but you could try contacting the American Federation of Musicians.

Thanks, I'll try that.

[*Sandra*]

Obituary for Jeanette Burgess - The Record Hackensack, New Jersey 6 Feb 1939, Mon -  Page 2

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/40418443/mrs_j_burgess/

Sandra