Challenge

This Family Historian's Challenge becomes a

Thrilling Discovery's at Jordan Cemetery

Waterford, CT 

Imagine trying to find the death certificate for your daughter 70 years later.
Heart breaking. 

Genealogy research is often like assembling a quilt—stitching together scraps of information, following patterns, and sometimes stumbling upon unexpected treasures. Such was the case in our exhilarating adventure at Jordan Cemetery in Waterford, Connecticut in the fall of  2022.

Mary Rollins father, William Richard Rollins, had been trying to find her death certificate for years. Interestingly he never mentioned her to me in all the hours we sat together talking about family.  She was first introduced to me a few years ago when I rolled out miles of  track fed paper revealing our family tree that my grandfather had put together through Family Tree Maker in the 1990's.  I was shocked to see her name (and another child of his Harry Rollins)  I was also shocked to find letters he had written to the Connecticut State Department of Health Services in Hartford.  

First known request for daughters death certificate in 1990

Second request for death certificate
with this note added in 1994

Armed with merely a hunch, a handful of names and whole lot of hope, I contacted the cemetery superintendent where Mary Warner's (my great grandmother) son Samuel's Davis's family was buried. I informed him I'd be visiting his beautiful cemetery the next day to pay respects at the Samuel Davis's family plot. I sent him three names asking if they were by any chance interred at his cemetery. I was confident about Samuel Davis and his family being laid to rest at Jordon Cemetery. I simply wondered if his mother, my 2x great-grandmother and her daughter were also buried there.  

The real mystery was where were Samuel's mother, Louisa Jackson Davis; his sister, Mary J. Warner Squire; and his niece, Mary Rollins, buried and the biggest challenge being if not there, then where.  There was no clear reason for them to be found in this cemetery—just a genealogist's gut instinct and a thread of hope. And who was this baby I'd never heard about anyway. 

The gullibility of this stitcher that anything can be put together trumped all odds. The family had lived in New London, Connecticut as a unit for many years, I was in the area,  and with no other records found at the time, why not ask.

Imagine my astonishment when I arrived at the superintendent’s office  only to have him announce that not only were all three names in the records, but they were all buried together! It was a moment of pure discovery, the kind that makes family research so thrilling.

Armed with this newfound knowledge, we set off to locate their burialsite and pay our respects. But after an exhaustive search, tramping through rows of weathered stones and moss-covered markers, we came up empty-handed. That’s when we enlisted the help of a dedicated cemetery volunteer, Byron Nieman. With his expertise, he guided us to the exact location, ensuring that these long-lost ancestors were no longer forgotten in unmarked obscurity. Although their family plot is unmarked. His assistance was invaluable.

Unmarked burial site for Louisa Davis, Mary Warner and Mary Rollins photo
courtesy Barbara Fueston Grandon Collection

Another challenge that blanketed over the visit to Connecticut included where was Mary's death certificate.   Reading my grandfather's letters to the Connecticut Vital Records department many years ago asking for information about his daughter's death because he didn't even have a full name for her, "because her mother named her" was heartbreaking. However, he wanted to find her death certificate for his genealogy records. His requests were written to the Hartford Vital Records department, not New London where they actually lived, and where the baby's death occurred.   I knew I needed to go to the New London City Clerk's office in New London, Connecticut.  

Infant Rollins Death Certificate

Thirty two years after his first request, and many years after his death, the death certificate for Mary Rollins was obtained. 

The burial timeline painted a fascinating picture and raised questions: 

• 1924 – Louisa Jackson Davis; died in January but was exhumed and moved to Jordan Cemetery in November-Why?

• 1929 – Mary Rollins; the infant daughter of Ruth and William   Rollins, their first born, died at birth

• 1931 – Samuel Davis buried;  son of Louisa, brother to Mary J.

• 1932 – Mary J. Warner Squire buried; Samuel's sister

  
  

This experience was a testament to the power of perseverance, intuition, and a little bit of luck. It reaffirmed that family history is not just about names and dates—it’s about rediscovering lives, reconnecting generations, and preserving the threads that weave us together.

William Rollins writing to a cousin in 1991 full letter in
possession of Barbara Fueston Grandon

An excerpt from a letter William Rollins wrote to a cousin, and it rings true today that we need to ask about family while we can. 

What an exhilarating challenge this was, and what a rewarding treasure we found!

The questions: we know Mary J Warner Squire owns the plot and there is room for 6 people.  Where is her husband John Squire buried?  Did a father know where his daughter was buried? Why was Louisa exhumed and reburied in this new family plot that her daughter Mary purchased? 

And That is a Wrap....

The threads of another story told, keeping our family story alive.

Barbara 

52 Ancestors in 52 weeks, week 5 prompt 

Challenge

"Overlooked"

What Happens when you overlook a record?   

You undoubtedly risk the need to make U-turns as the truth comes into view.

Florence Armitage Marriage License (AI generated)

         If you’ve ever spent hours squinting at old census records or deciphering chicken-scratch handwriting on a marriage license, you know genealogy can be a comedy of errors. But nothing will humble a family historian faster than realizing you misread or overlooked a record—and built a narrative on a house of cards...or on wrong records.

Take my ancestor, Florence Mae Rollins, for example. 

 She married her half-cousin (yes, really) William Milo Rollins in 1906. You can read their story here: Flew the Coop

They had three children, and everything seemed peachy until, well, it wasn’t. When their youngest daughter was just three years old, Florence packed up her life and ran off with one John “Jack” Armitage. Talk about a plot twist!

        Here’s where it gets good: Florence didn’t just leave William; she and Jack changed her  and her daughter's name from Rollins to Armitage as she fled with Helen and started fresh. Naturally, as I combed through records, I came across what appeared to be Florence and Jack’s marriage index dated 1913. I thought, “Well, that was fast!” But then I found William Milo’s divorce filing from Florence—dated 1922.

WAIT...WHAT?!!

This would turn out to be where a novice family historian really makes a tree member look well, bad.  With more experience it would be quickly dismissed that this is a different Florence M and not ours.  IF she had married John on this day she would have married him as a Rollins (which happens to be both her maiden and married name).

Florence M Rollins Ancestry fact list 2025

By simply overlooking  Florence's facts list  on Ancestry confusion ensued.   She was leading me to believe that perhaps John Armitage was Helen's father and not William Milo Rollins.   Written In plain sight was the fact that her husband states in the article dated 1922, that his wife dutifully lived with him until September 1916.  

An excerpt from the article about William Milo Rollins vs Florence M Rollins 1922

Turns out, Florence couldn’t have married Jack in 1913 because she was still legally married and living with William Milo Rollins at the time.

Whoops! 

This little genealogical plot hole could have been avoided if I had followed the golden rule: 

 

AI generated marriage certificate

Read the records word for word 

AND 

always look at context which I neglected to do.  Florence M. Armitage would not have been her name on a marriage certificate, it would have been Florence M Rollins marrying John Armitage.  

Context matters!

Who would have thought there would be more than one Florence M Armitage....not I. 

Lessons from Florence’s scandal and analyzing context

1. Verify Dates and Details.
   If it feels too tidy or doesn’t line up, dig deeper. Florence’s story reminded me that even official documents and indexes can hide messy truths.

2. Cross-Reference Everything.
   Records don’t exist in isolation. Check surrounding documents—like divorce filings, birth certificates, or even newspaper gossip columns.

3. Analyze, Don’t Assume.
   Just because something’s written in black and white doesn’t mean it’s the whole truth. Context is key, and human behavior rarely fits neatly into official forms.

Florence’s escapades taught me more than just an interesting family story. They reminded me to read carefully, document thoroughly, and approach every record with a healthy dose of skepticism—and maybe a side of popcorn for the drama.

So next time you’re squinting at a marriage record, remember Florence Mae. And for the love of genealogy, read every word and look at the context.  

Follow up research questions:

• Look for marriage license for Florence M Rollins and John "Jack" Armitage
• Research records indicating where they lived when 
• Research records for final divorce decree from William Milo Rollins
• Research records of name change for daughter Helen Rollins to Armitage
• Was she adopted? 

And that's a wrap from this family historian

Until next time...

keep our family stories alive!

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks-Week 3- 2025

"Lefty"

"Nickname"

Why the nickname Lefty?  Perhaps he was left handed.  
Lefty on the left, Bert on the right. 

Donald James "Lefty" Canavan

Born in 1935 in the scenic city of San Francisco, Donald James Canavan entered the world alongside his twin brother, Bertram. Together, they were affectionately known as "Bert and Lefty," their names often spoken in unison, a testament to their inseparable bond. However, they were not identical twins as seen by their photo above as they stand side by side.  Growing up with their older sister, Patricia, they experienced the dynamic and diverse culture of mid-century San Francisco.

Donald’s early years were shaped by his mother, Helena, a woman of strength and perseverance. At 15, Donald's life expanded when Helena married into the Rollins family, introducing a new stepfamily and deepening their sense of community.  His family married into my mother's family.  They and Patricia will be step siblings of my mom's family. Together the family resided in the Sunnydale Projects, where Donald, his siblings  and his step-siblings  formed memories up to the late 1960's.

In 1960, Donald married Sandy, beginning a new chapter filled with love and family. Together, they welcomed three children, creating a vibrant home filled with laughter and cherished traditions. Donald found joy in the simple pleasures of life, particularly his Friday nights at the bowling alley. For 40 years, he was a loyal member of the same bowling league, his dedication matched only by his skill. He also enjoyed the camaraderie and challenge of golf, spending countless hours on the greens.

Donald’s legacy is one of steadfast loyalty, from his family bonds to his lifelong hobbies. Whether it was hearing "Bert and Lefty" called out or sharing a laugh with teammates at the bowling alley, Donald's life was stitched together with warmth, commitment, and a sense of fun.

In 2019, Donald was laid to rest at the Roseville Public Cemetery District alongside his beloved wife, Sandy.  

It is not known why the stepfamilies did not remain in contact with each other and it is unfortunate that his family lived within 50 miles of his stepfamily and they didn't connect with each other.  

And the stories continue to stitch together an amazing quilt of a family.....

Until next time-keep family story alive

Barbara 

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks;Week 3 2025

"Favorite Photo"

Who is the lady in the glasses? 

1953

Back row: Jackie Rollins, Robert and Mary Fueston

Front Row, Ann "Dinky" Fueston, Ann Olsen

This is one of many of my favorite photos.   It was taken at my parent's, Robert Fueston and Jackie Rollins, engagement party. 

 First off I didn't know they had an engagement party, which was fun to discover.  And second there has been a lot of family chatter about "who is that lady with the glasses?" 

After much banter, and me saying with confidence, that lady is NOT Ann Olsen,  I stand corrected. She is our grandmother.  Our Aunt Jenny was right...she said that she thought the lady was "nana with her teeth in."  I don't remember ever seeing her with teeth.   

Several things happened to help positively identify this lady.  First off, late last year I decided to pull old photos out of one of those awful sticky photo albums. Peeling off the photos created a loose pile of photos which made arranging them in stacks easier.  Secondly, I arranged them together in groups based on clothes, and surroundings.   That was no small task.  Finally, now that the photos were loose I could turn them over and boy was I gob smacked. Some photos had names and events written on the back of them. I couldn't see these writings before because they were stuck down in that awful sticky album!  

These favorite people of mine are all gone now, but this photo has such meaning.  I now know the event that was being captured and who "the lady with the glasses" is.  

And that's a wrap for this photo

Stitching Together Another Family Story

Ann Olsen will be my focus person to write about this week, stay tuned

Barbara 

52 Ancestors in 52 weeks

Week 2

"In The Beginning"

          The First Question:

"What do you know about Bert and Lefty?"

Step-siblings 1953

Bertram Canavan and Jacqueline Fueston

          Recently I wrote about my tug to finally go through my handed down boxes of genealogy stuff from my grandfather William Richard Rollins, Sr.

  

        That story can be found here  "Handed Down"

My husband and I had the privilege of having lunch with my sweet cousin Virginia Kentzell in Medford, Oregon.  That day was an unseasonably warm one in the early fall of 2021. She had photos with her and she asked the simple question: “What do you know about…” as she shared photos with us.  This caused the spark to ignite and the journey into family history to begin.  

Even though I’d been sort of interested in genealogy, the reality was it gave my grandfather and I something to talk about while spending time together.  More accurately if you wanted to spend time with him you heard the stories.  

One of Virginia’s questions was “who are Bert and Lefty”? I pondered her question and told her that I absolutely knew the names but was not sure who they were.  The hunt began. A phone call was made to Shirley Manlove-Rollins.  She is the matriarch who married into the Rollins family.  She married my uncle, William Richard Rollins, Jr. 

Robert Fueston and Bertram Canavan 1953

                                                                                                          

I asked Shirley the same question that Virginia had asked me. What did she know about Bert and Lefty?   She remembered them well.  Bert and Lefty had a sister name Patricia she recalled.  They are “the children of grandpa’s second wife Helena.” Helena was from Canada.  She and William Richard married in 1950.   Which meant that they were the step-brothers and sister of Virginia and my parents. 

   

Aunt Shirley remembered them and she laughed as she reached into her memory bank and recalled an incident that occurred when she first met the family.  On one of their early dates Bill brought her to meet his family.  As Bert approached to greet her,  he was being greeted by a dog who thought Bert's leg was a fire hydrant. The impression made on her allowed her to recall who Bert and Lefty were.  More research needs to be done but alas the tale of Bert and Lefty has had some light shed on it. 

Since hearing her story the names Bert and Lefty have, along with Patricia’s has shown up on documents and are written on photos.  I don’t know why the step-siblings were not talked about other than to hear their names uttered occasionally and to see the eyes roll when hearing their names.  

Mrs. Kentzell, Herbert Kentzell and Eleanor Rollins

William Richard Rollins Sr, and Helena Canavan

        Helena and grandpa divorced before 1961 when he married Idamae Mills.  During their marriage they combined their two families.  He had 4 children and she had 3.  From pictures it would appear that the families were close.  Bert is shown to be the best man at Robert Fueston and Jackie Rollins (my parents) wedding.   Additionally, photos of the mysterious woman with my grandpa at Eleanor's wedding are not a mystery any longer.  Helena is photographed at Eleanor's wedding.  In-spite of the smiles in the photos, the rest of the story remains unknown. 

Bertram Canavan, Robert Fueston, Jacqueline Rollins, Josephine Salvemini

April 1953

                                                     

Marriage License for Robert Fueston and Jacqueline Rollins

More research into who Donald "Lefty" Canavan is.  One day ....

Stitching Together Another Family Story

Janurary 2025 

Barbara

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks; week 1 -2025