Here is the life of one of my ancestors who left Scotland, emigrated to the USA and joined the US Navy. Three years only in the Navy and but the Navy looks after him in his old age and buries him.
1870: Emigrated to USA. Believed to be Naturalized same year. according to 1900 Census.
1877: Enlisted US Navy, New York, 20 March 1877 for 3 years.Discharged 6 June 1880. Machinist US Navy. Weekly return of enlistments at Naval Rendezvous ("Enlistment Rendezvous"), Jan. 6, 1855-Aug. 8, 1891
1900 On Census with Wife Ann, born Michigan, 1851. Estimated marriage to Ann 1882. (Married 18 years). Both living Menomonee, Waukesha, Wisconsin. Occupation Engineer.
1905: Living in Belguim, Wisconsin..Official war history of Ozaukee County, Wisconsin an has a biography published in that war history as DONALDSON, DAVID, born in Scotland, August 7, 1854; lives Belgium, Wis.,married Annie Buchil, at Detroit, Mich.,December 28, 1880; engineer; member Red Cross; member Red Cross WarFund campaign committee; member United War Fund and Salvation Army War Fund campaign committees during war. Page 115
1910: Census Living at Belguim Township, Ozaukee County, Wisconsin. Age 58, Engineeer, born Scotland, Widower. Ann died 1900-1905.
1930: Living at the National Home for Disabled Soldiers, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Age 79, Widower.
1932: Died/ Buried Wood National Cemetery. Records consistant with death as 20 July 1932 and burial 22 July 1932. Family grave marker in Balgay Cemetery, Dundee gives his death date as 21 July which may be incorrect. Photograph of marker, ancestry.com.
