Lately, I have to admit that I have been having a hard time finding free time to blog about my genealogy research. A friend and fellow researcher suggested, in our Facebook group, that we try the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks challenge. I'm going to take her up on the suggestion.
The first ancestor that I am going to write about is Anna Ethel Watchorn, my maternal great grandmother. I haven't written much about her and up to this point, I have only recorded the basic information that I have found. I have yet to start asking questions and digging into details. I hope that this process will allow me to do so.
How I'm Related
Linda Diane Szymanski - My Mother
Grace Elizabeth Anne Brock - My Grandmother
Anna Ethel Watchorn - My Great Grandmother
Family
Anna Ethel Watchorn was born on April 23, 1900, in Stalwart, Chippewa, Michigan to immigrant parents William Henry Watchorn and Christina Ann Kay. William and Christina immigrated to the United States from Osgoode, Russell, Ontario, Canada in about 1885. Anna was the 11th of 14 children.
William Henry Watchorn - B: 7/17/1859 in Osgoode, Ontario, Canada D: 6/23/1923 in Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan
Christina Ann Kay - B: 10/1863 in Kincardine, Ontario, Canada D: 10/6/1921 in Pickford, Chippewa, Michigan
Siblings
- Elizabeth Watchorn (1882 - 1896)
- Arminnie Laura Watchorn (1883 - 1939)
- Mabel Fanny Watchorn (1888 - 1921)
- Margaret Jane Watchorn (1887 - 1958)
- Charlotte Berta Watchorn (1889 - 1970)
- Richard Henry Watchorn (1892 - 1945)
- Mary Ellen Watchorn (1896 - ?)
- William James Watchorn (1898 - 1976)
- John Albert Watchorn (1902 - 1971)
- Hazel Matilda Watchorn (1904 - 1939)
- Marvel Lena Watchorn (1909 - ?)
- 2 unnamed children who died as infants
Childhood
Anna grew up in the small community of Stalwart in Pickford Township, Chippewa County, Michigan
Stalwart was first settled in 1878. An application was submitted in 1881 for a post office to be named "Garfield", after U.S. President James A. Garfield, but the name was already in use at the time by another post office. The application was resubmitted for a post office named "Arthur", after Chester A. Arthur, and was denied for the same reason. Because Garfield and Arthur represented what was known as the Stalwart faction of the Republican Party, the application was made for the post office to be named "Stalwart". The office was established in February 1881.
May 28th, 1910 - Anna, now 9 years old, is shown on 1910 Federal Census with her Father, Mother, and six siblings; Henry (18), Mary (14), and William (11), Albert (8), Hazel (6) and Marvel (0). Anna and her family are still living in Pickford Township, Chippewa County, Michigan on a farm which they rent. Her father is a farmer. Anna is listed as "Annie" on this census.
January 2, 1920 - Anna, now 19 years old, is shown on 1920 Federal Census with her Father, Mother, and five siblings; Henry (27), William (21), Albert (18), Hazel (15) and Marvel (10). Anna and her family are still living in Pickford Township, Chippewa County, Michigan on a farm which they own. Her father is a farmer. Anna is listed as "Annie" on this census.
Young Adult
On September 22nd, 1917, William Henry Watchorn became a naturalized us citizen. Because of naturalization laws at the time, this meant that his wife Christina also became a US citizen.
When Anna was only 21 years old, on October 6th, 1921, she lost her Mother Christina Ann (Kay) Watchorn. Only a month later, she lost her sister Mabel, due to an ulcer of the stomach, on November 2nd, 1921. Less than 2 years later, Anna once again suffered a loss when her Father William passed away on June 23rd, 1923.
At the time of her father's death, my assumption is that the following children were still alive and living at home; Albert (21), Anna (23), Richard (Henry) (30), William (25) and Marvel (14). Slowly, the children moved out and got married.
- Marvel, Anna's youngest sibling would have been 14 years old at the time of their father's death. She married Frank Moore in 1925, at the age of 16.
- Richard (Henry) married Rosa Lamont on September 16th, 1925
- Albert married Florence Pizzala on May 6th, 1926
- Anna married Frank Brock on February 19th, 1930
- William James was living in the household of James Murphy as a lodger in Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa, Michigan by April 5th, 1930. He was working as a tacker at a leather mill. He later married Edith Latson on January 19th, 1935.
Marriage and Children
At the age of 29, Anna Ethel Watchorn married Frank James Brock in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Frank was was 41 and working as a janitor at a local public school
Not long after their marriage, Frank, and Anna gave birth to their first child, my grandmother, Grace Elizabeth Ann Brock, on February 5th, 1931. Next was a daughter June, born on May 15th, 1932. Followed by Robert James Brock on June 21st, 1933. On May 1st, 1934, Donald Brock was born. On April 13th, 1936 Frank Everett Brock was born and passed away when he was only 8 months old on December 28th, 1936. Susan Brock was born on October 13th, 1937 and a few years later Christine Dora Brock was born on July 24th, 1940, passing away a month later on August 25th, 1940 due to Hemorrhage disease.
When Frank and Anna were married, Frank was a Janitor. He still listed his occupation as a janitor in the 1934 Sault Saint Marie City Directory. By May 14th, 1940 Frank was unable to work, as recorded on the 1940 census. On the same census, he was recorded on a farm schedule, so he may have been farming.
Anna's husband, Frank, passed away on June 4th, 1950 in Sault Saint Marie. At the time of his death, their children were ages; 19, 18, 16, 15 and Susan being the youngest at 13.
Sometime after her husband passed away, Anna met a traveling bible salesman, named Henry Pattison, and fell in love. They were married Sometime after July 1st, 1950. From family stories passed down, Henry made Anna very happy. He is remembered fondly with memories and stories passed down to me by family members. Unfortunately, not much else is known about Henry Pattison. We believe that he passed away not long after he and Anna were married, sometime before 1959. He is supposedly buried in the Pine Grove Cemetery in Sault Saint Marie, next to Anna. However, there is no marker for his burial site.
Summary
Anna Ethel Watchorn was a strong and caring woman, She raised five children and struggled through the loss of two. She was twice married and outlived both of her husbands. She had a significant influence on all those around her, specifically, her grandchildren, who have shared many wonderful memories of her. I plan on sharing several of these stories in the upcoming weeks. She was a member of the Salvation Army church and by all accounts a very religious woman. It is clear that her memory lives on in the lives of her family and she will continue to be warmly remembered.
I, myself, am thankful that although I never had a chance to meet my great grandmother, I am able to know her through a combination of my research and the cherished memories passed down with love from my family.
Photos
Outstanding Questions
- Was Anna's birth name Anna or Annie?
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- my assumption is that it is Anna Ethel Watchorn and she was called Annie or Ethel as nicknames
- Did Anna's parents (William and Christina) move into the home of Christina's father Alexander Kay?
- Was this the home that Anna grew up in?
- Did the children of William and Christina continue to live in the home after their parents passed away?
- What happened to the family home, after the children moved out?
- Why is Frank Brock recorded as renting they're owning their farm on the 1900 and 1920 census, but renting on the 1910 census?
- Why was Frank Brock recorded as unable to work on the 1940 census?
- Was he injured or ill?
- When and where were Anna and Henry Pattison married?
- When did Henry Pattison pass away?
