Can someone help me find this person?

Question

Her name was Lucy and her middle name started with A. We believe that she was born in the year 1833 somewhere in NH. We know that both of her parents were born in NH as well but, we are unsure of the years. She Married Charles. F. Waite who was born in 1824 in MA.

Here is a link of data collected of her family in the 1880 Census:

http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/search/frameset_search.asp?PAGE=census/search_census.asp

Answer 1

Dear John,

Thank you for asking your question here at Yahoo! Answers.  It is always exciting to find people who are interested in learning more about their family history.

I was able to trace Charles and Lucy and their seven children starting with the 1880 Census that you referenced above.  I found them in the 1855 (New York State), 1860, and 1870 censuses in Sand Lake, Rennselaer, New York.  I was also able to trace Charles through the 1900 and 1910 census, living in Massachusetts.  There were some clues in those documents but nothing conclusive.  The main clues are as follows:

-Charles is listed as widowed by 1900.  We can surmise that Lucy died sometime between 1880 and 1900, likely in Massachusetts.

-In the 1860 Census there is an Orison Meader living with the Waite family.  He, also born in New Hampshire, is a likely age to be a possible brother or brother-in-law to Lucy.

I then traced some of the children forward, hoping to find death information on one of them that might lead to their mother's maiden name.  I located their sons, Irving and Philip, in the 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930 censuses.  But, there are no immediately available records at my disposal for Massachusetts without more in-depth research.

One final search yielded the information you are likely seeking.  A search on the Massachusetts State Archives website shows an online index of deaths from 1841-1910.  A search in that database finds an entry for Lucy A (Meader) Waite, died 1891 in Bedford.  (Volume 419, Page 83).

I would recommend ordering a copy of this certificate to ensure that this is indeed to correct person.  You may also discover that her parents' names might be listed.  You can do that through the state archive (website link below).

I did perform one final search (as my interest has now been piqued).  I found Lucy in the 1850 U.S. Census.  However, she is 17 years old and does not appear to be living with her parents.  She is living with a family that could be some relation, however.  So, as always in family history research - further digging, investigation and analysis is required.

If you wish to have copies of any of the above mentioned documents, please let me know.

Best of luck in your continued searching!

Crista Cowan, Professional Genealogist