Good Morning – I have received the Death Certificate for Henry Edgar Acker who married Rosanna Hannigan in 1896. I have had problems locating them in the US Census, but think I have located them in the 1920. At the time Rose went by the name of ‘Annie’ and they had two daughters. Unfortunately, during the 1920 census they were both Single and living at home. I have attached what I believe to be the 1920 Census to this email.

I need to you provide me with some help on this issue. Can you go to the Allen County Library and look up Henry E Acker – Engineer in the NYC Directories. They are not all available on the internet. I have a copy of the 1915 with Henry listed at 1177 Stebbins Ave – which is the address that he passed at. I don’t know how soon they moved to that address but we should be able to work backwards from 1918 when he died to see if we can track him at that address.

I have found the 1910 Census for that address and they are not listed there. That doesn’t mean much as there are almost 60 pages in the ED and I have only looked at the first 10 pages before I found the address. There may be supplemental information later in the report.

I have asked my friend in NYC to look at an ‘Annie Acker’ who passed away in 1921. The age fits for this to possibly be Rosanna Hannigan Acker. I will let you know as I find something out.

The two daughters with Annie are 26 (born abt 1896) and 24 (born abt 1898) and probably would indicate they never married. Additionally, Henry passed after a two year battle with Tuberculous . Very possible that we will find that Annie died of the same.

Thank you for your help. If this is correct it will leave the Mary/Wilbur branch as the only branch we have not complete. I know there is a possibility for the daughters to marry are Annie died, but I will need to work on that later.

John

Received the certificate in today’s mail. Interesting the wedding was in the Episcopal Church on Willis Avenue. Willis is the general area the family remained until moving from New York City to Massachusetts. As you previously mentioned it conflicts with the indication it was his 1st marriage and he was a ‘widower’ – here are the references in the database for Henry Acker getting married. The reference in BOLD is my man. Two other entries – which would lead to a short marriage. Bronx is really non-existent at this point as an area of the city – at least as a recognized government.

Possible that one of the next two (in blue italics text) – strictly based on initials and timing. In fact, the second listing I believe indicates the marriage happened in 1895 but was recorded in 1896. Henry’s father was John Acker and mother was Eliza Biel.

Also, I now think the best option for Henry’s death is the September 18 1918 death record (Bronx 6405). Age would put him born about 1849. I guess it would be possible for Rose to remarry – and that is why she has disappeared again. If this is Henry, he would have been married for 22 years and could very possibly have children.

Again, thank you for your assistance. No hurry – even if you want to wait until the thaw.

John

Surname Given Name Age Month Day Year Certificate Number County Soundex
Acker Henry 73 y Apr 14 1917 2890 Bronx A260
Acker Henry E 68 y Sep 18 1918 6405 Bronx A260

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My friend in NYC has found the death certificate for Rosanna’s husband and I have ordered it. I will get you the information from it when I get it. Hopefully, it will contain an address that I will be able to check in the 1920 census. Also, it might provide an address for the St. Michael’s Cemetery and be able to contact the cemetery for more information.

Indicates he was buried on September 21, 1918 in St. Michales or St. Nicholes Cemetery by Henry J Laurie of 800 E 166th Street. I would assume they are talking about the Bronx. His family was from the Catskills –

There is a St. Michael’s in Flushing Queens (718-278-3240) and one in Manhattan (212-222-2700).
Looking at it, I think it is definitely St. Nicholas Cemetery, the only problem is I couldn’t find one.

Another issue is the address that he lived at: 1177 Stebbens Avenue, Bronx.
Steuben Street formerly ran from the Eastern Post Road & 41st St.northwesterly
to the Albany Road b/w 43rd & 44th Sts.
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John,
Bingo, Your Henry E. Acker died in the Bronx.

9/18/1918 Bronx #6405
Age 68 b. US
Father: John
Mother: Eliza Biel
Buried St. Michaels on 9/21/1918

Tony

I have found census listings for his parents in the Catskills. I have searched the 1900 and 1910 – but he doesn’t seem to appear. I have searched the 1920 and 1930 for Rose without success – but just did some quick searches for exact matches.

I have found some potential death certificates which should provide an address that I can back-search to the census or through the City Directories. Also, once I find the death certificate, it should lead me to the cemetery and I should be able to backtrack from there. My friend from Queens is going to look up the data on his next trip to ‘the City’ in a couple of weeks.

Interesting information from the census indicates a birth about 1842 and the marriage license indicates a birth about 1847. It is also interesting that you never heard of her, but the 1880 census and the marriage license indicate a family connection. Your grandfather died two years after she did (assuming I have found the right death certificate) and it would seem to indicate she was not close to her siblings. After I confirm with the death certificate, I will also search for a death notice/obituary to see if it provides any additional information.

As best we can tell now – this appears to be the family story:

Mary – born circa 1868 in Morrisania and died circa 1953 in Trenton, New Jersey – Married WWI buddy of her brother
Cornelius – born circa 1870 in Morrisania and died March 1917 in Bronx – Never Married
James – born circa 1871 in Morrisania and died March 1906 in Bronx – Never Married
Elizabeth – born circa 1874 in Morrisania and died December 1891 in Bronx – Never Married
Rosanna – born circa 1877 in Morrisania and died circa 1945(?) in Bronx – Married Henry Acker in 1896
John – born June 1880 in Morrisania and died May 1947 in Massachusetts
Denis – born March 1883 in Morrisania and died in April 1903 – Married Minnie Madaus in 1902

If this was Henry Acker’s second marriage as you indicate from the marriage record- he should appear with a previous wife in a census. Again, I have done only a quick check and will look further as I get time.

If this ‘pans’ out – then we have completed the branches on Patrick and Catherine and still need to find out more about Wilbur and Mary. Henry and Rose(anna) will require some more work, but hopefully we can find a connection somewhere as we continue to search the records. This ‘jig saw puzzle’ is beginning to take shape and should provide some great results when all the pieces fall into place.

John

Only found listings for his parents in the Catskills. Have searched the 1900 and 1910 – but he doesn’t seem to appear. Have searched the 1920 and 1930 for Rose without success – but just did some quick searches for exact matches. The death certificate should provide an address that I can back-search to the census or through the City Directories. Also, once I find the death certificate, it should lead me to the cemetery and I should be able to backtrack from there.

Interesting the census indicates a birth about 1842 and the marriage license indicates a birth about 1847. Interesting that my dad never heard of her, but the 1880 census and the marriage license indicate a family connection. Her younger brother (my great-grandfather) died two years after she did (assuming I have found the right death certificate).

As best we can tell now – this appears to be the family story:
Mary – born circa 1868 in Morrisania and died circa 1953 in Trenton, New Jersey – Married WWI buddy of her brother
Cornelius – born circa 1870 in Morrisania and died March 1917 in Bronx – Never Married
James – born circa 1871 in Morrisania and died March 1906 in Bronx – Never Married
Elizabeth – born circa 1874 in Morrisania and died December 1891 in Bronx – Never Married
Rosanna – born circa 1877 in Morrisania and died circa 1945(?) in Bronx – Married Henry Acker in 1896
John – born June 1880 in Morrisania and died May 1947 in Massachusetts
Denis – born March 1883 in Morrisania and died in April 1903 – Married Minnie Madaus in 1902

If this was Henry Acker’s second marriage as you indicate from the marriage record- he should appear with a previous wife in a census. Again, I have done only a quick check and will look further as I get time.

John

John,
I was going to take a look at those 5 marriages but I needed to do was look at the first one.

Rose Hannigan age 20
Resided at 627 E. 144th St.
b. NYC
Father: Patrick
Mother: Katie O’Neil

married

Henry Acker age 49
resided at 286 Second Ave.
b. Catskills
Father: John
Mother: Elise Biel

It said 1st marriage for him but it also said he was widowed.
1896 Manhattan marriage #2676 dated 2/9/1896

Tony