BRAGG family history roadblock?

Question

i am trying to research my grandmothers side of the family and her father married an unknown spouse and they gave up their 5 kids (not sure if they got adopted or just lived in a foster home)

this is the information that i know is true:

(her father) edward bragg (lawyer) spouse unknown

kids (5 that were given up)

edna v.bragg born october 12,1921 in newburyport,mass married leroy w. courtemanche

ethel bragg married george sheilds

florence bragg married ernest gray

gladys bragg 1917-feb 2008 married richard c. jones

henry bragg deceased dates unknown

if anyone has any information on edward bragg,his spouse or is a member of the same family please leave a post and let me know,we can share info..thank you to anyone who can help even just getting the names would be awesome...thnx wayne

Answer 1

Okay... I checked the 1920 and 1930 census for Massachusetts. There are a few Edward Braggs, but none were lawyers, and none seemed to fit (either too old, too young, or had nice big happy families).

However, I did find Edna and two of her sister in 1930:

1930 Census – Marlborough, Middlesex County, Massachusetts

Harry Taylor – 63 – Carpenter

Minnie Taylor – 57 – Wife

Edna Bragg – 8 – Ward – born MA – father born MA - mother born MA

Florence Bragg – 6 – born MA – father born MA - mother born MA

Ethel Bragg – 5 – born MA – father born MA - mother born MA

Not far away is a Gladys Bragg who was the right age to be their sister:

1930 Census – Holliston, Middlesex County, Massachusetts

Lovell E. Littlefield – 45 – Farmer

Lucy B. Littlefield – 50 – Wife

Gladys M. Bragg – 13 – Boarder – born MA – father born NH – mother born MA

I looked for Gladys back in 1920 (the other girls weren't born yet of course), and this appears to be her:

1920 Census – Newburyport, Essex County, Massachusetts

James M. Drew – 27 – Box Maker

Florence G. Drew – 22 – Wife

Fannie M. Drew – 4 – Dau

Dudley H. Bragg – 35 – Lodger – Married -NH-NH-NH – Cleaner, Shoe Factory

Evelyn M. Bragg – 18 – Lodger – Married -  MA-ME-MA – Pasting Heels, Heel factory

Gladys M. Bragg – 3 yrs 7 mos – Lodger – MA-NH-MA

Henry F. Bragg – 6 mos – Lodger – NH-NH-MA

Note Gladys' age: this census was taken in January 1920, which means this Gladys would've been born around April or May of 1916.  I found your Gladys on the Social Security Death Index, and her age seems to match exactly:

GLADYS M JONES

born: 12 MAY 1916

died: 15 FEB 2008

last residence: North Reading, Middlesex, MA

So I think it's safe to say that the Gladys on the 1920 census is the same person, along with brother Henry.  

Soooo... who are Dudley and Evelyn?  Could they be the parents of these children??  They do appear to be married to each other, as Dudley listed Evelyn as his nearest relative on his WWI draft registration form:

WWI Draft Registration – Sept 1918

Dudley Howard Bragg

434 Merrimac, Newburyport, Essex, MA

Born Aug 1 1884

Occupation: Shoemaker  Employer: Bliss and Perry

Nearest Relative: Mary Evelyn Bragg, 434 Merrimac

Height: Short

Build: Medium

Eyes: Blue

Hair: Brown

I went back to 1930 to find Dudley and Evelyn.  Dudley had moved in with a cousin, and lists himself as married, although Evelyn isn't there (and there's no other wife):

1930 Census - Newburyport, Essex County, Massachusetts

Nellie F. Bragg – 53 – Married – MA-MA-NH – Cleaner, Shoe Factory

Olive M. Bragg – 18 – Dau – MA-MA-MA

Anna L. Dow – 34 – Dau - married- MA-MA-MA – Laborer, Shoe Factory

Francina M. Dow – 7 – granddaughter

Olive L. Dow – 2 – granddaughter

Arthur B. Dow – 36 – Son – Moulder, Shoe Factory

Dudley H. Bragg – 45 – Cousin – married –md at age 29- NH-NH-NH – Laster, Shoe factory

It looks like this could be Evelyn, up in New Hampshire and working as a servant.  She also lists herself as married, but no husband is present:

1930 Census – Dover, Strafford County, New Hampshire

Thomas J. Brennan – 44 – Northern Ireland – Life Insurance Agent

Carolyn Brennan – 44 – wife – ME-NH-ME

Mary Brennan – 10 – Dau – NH-Northern Ireland – ME

Evelyn Bragg – 28 – Servant - Married – married at age 16 – MA-MA-MA – Servant

I did find Dudley Bragg on some earlier censuses with his parents; but unless you feel confident that he is your "Edward", it'd be silly go tracing him too far.  

If you write to the Essex County Courthouse, you may find some guardianship records, or maybe a divorce record, that would verify who your grandmother's parents are.  

I hope this helps some!