GREGOIRE: Maurice G. Naturalization Process, Marriage License for Eleanor

On Oct. 21, 1937 Maurice G. filed a Declaration of Intent to become a U.S. citizen.  This form shows that he had filed one in 1922.  I don't know why there is a big lapse there.  

Declaration of Intent for Maurice G. Gregoire filed Oct. 21
1937. From ancestry.com.

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Abstract of Declaration for Maurice G., from ancestry.com.

In 1939, Eleanor applied for a marriage license along with her future husband, Andrew J. Tobin.

New York Marriage License Index for the Bronx in 1939 showing Eleanor
Gregoire applied on Feb.1.  From ancestry.com

Andrew J. Tobin on the New York Index also.

GREGOIRE: 1930's - High School Grad/Social Security

Eleanor graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in the Bronx in 1936.  A page from the school yearbook showing Eleanor's picture happens to have her wishes to a schoolmate by her picture:  "Loads of Luck/Eleanor Gregoire."  

A page from the 1936 yearbook for Theodore Roosevelt
High School showing, coincidentally, inscription by Eleanor
to a classmate.  From ancestry.com.

Eleanor's yearbook photo as above.

Mom told me that she had the opportunity to attend Hunter College tuition-free, but that her sights were set on marrying and having a large family, so she happily said "no" to college.

Margo would have graduated around the same time, if not the same year, but I haven't found anything for her in school yearbooks.  It's possible that her yearbook hasn't been loaded onto the internet yet.

The Social Security program was started in the latter part of 1936.  Octave applied for it in June of the following year it seems, looking at his application.  Or, June might be when his payments began.  

Abstract of Social Security application, possibly, for Octave Gregoire.  From
ancestry.com.  His birth year is incorrect, but his parents are noted correctly.

GREGOIRE: 1930 U.S. Census

 Octave and Charlotte finally got the memo, so the 1930 U.S. Census only shows himself, Charlotte and "Margarite" living on 44th Drive in Queens, which is the same house they've been living in since the 1920 census, but the street name was changed.  Queens renumbered or renamed all of the streets over several years, starting in 1915.  (For an interesting article about that project see the blog "Forgotten New York" at http://forgotten-ny.com/2013/06/every-street-is-named-60-maspeth/

Octave, Charlotte and Margo ("Margarite") on the 1930 U.S. Census, living on
44th Drive in Queens.  The street name had been changed from Nott Avenue.

The abstract of the 1930 U.S. Census with details for Octave, 
Charlotte and Margo.

Maurice and Lillian with their two children Eleanor and Maurice J. are living at 2720 Barnes Ave. in the Bronx.  Also living with them is 15-year-old Ludlow Schamberger, noted as a boarder.  Teddy and Matilda (Urbinelli) Soldati live here also with their three oldest children Helen, Lorraine and Mercedes, and Lillian's father Victor Soldati is here too.  

Abstract of the 1930 U.S. Census showing Maurice
and family at 2720 Barnes Ave.

A New York City tax photo taken around 1939-40 of 2720 Barnes Ave. in the
Bronx.  From the New York City Department of Records.

In the tax photo of 2720 Barnes Ave. in the Bronx which was taken in 1939 or 1940, there is a woman standing to the left of the front door.  I wonder who she is.

For the longest time, I thought that this woman was holding a white bag.  They didn't have white plastic trash bags then but I thought maybe it was a laundry bag.  My dear friend Maureen looked at the picture and pointed out that it is not a bag at all, but part of the sign in the foreground that the photographer placed there to identify the building.

GREGOIRE: Maurice J. is born/1925 New York State Census

Maurice Joseph Gregoire was born in the Bronx on May 18, 1921.  His middle name may be a Confirmation name.  He used it on documents later in his life.  Some day I hope to order his birth certificate, which would show the name he was given at birth.

Maurice Joseph Gregoire showing in the "New York, New York, Birth Index,
1910 - 1965" database on-line at ancestry.com.

On the New York State Census for 1925, Maurice and Nellie were enumerated two times - again.  They are shown living with Octave, but in fact, Maurice was living on Barnes Avenue in the Bronx, and Nellie was in Rockaway, Queens on Beach 47th Street.

The Gregoires, including Nellie's husband Rudolph Hirten, listed as living
with Octave in the 1925 New York State Census, from ancestry.com.

The abstract of Octave Gregoire and family on the 1925
New York State Census, showing "Morris" (Maurice)
and Nellie living with Octave in Queens.  Nellie's husband
is also on the Census directly under Nellie:  "Hirten Vincent/
Husband" but he wasn't recorded on the abstract.

It took me a while to track down Maurice and Lillian enumerated correctly on this census, but finally by searching for Lillian with I-don't-remember-what information, I found them.  No wonder it wasn't easy - you can see that the last name is recorded as "Gragoria." But here they are at 2720 Barnes Ave. in the Bronx, living with Lillian's father Victor Soldati, her brother Teddy and his wife Matilda (Urbinelli), Teddy and Matilda's daughter Helen, and the two Gregoire children Eleanor and "Joseph" (Maurice Joseph).  There are cross-outs for some - I think it was confusing for the enumerator just how all were related.  In fact, it could be that the Matilda listed is Victor's daughter, but  I believe that Matilda was already married and living with her husband elsewhere.  I need to get some documentation on that.

Maurice and Lillian Gregoire on the 1925 New York State Census, from 
ancestry.com.

Abstract of the Gregoires on the 1925 New York State Census, with misspelled
names.  A separate abstract would show the Soldati's at the same address.
From ancestry.com.

Nellie and Rudolph are living on Beach 47th Street in Rockaway,  Queens.

"Ruddy" and "Neller" Hirten on Beach 47th Street, Rockaway, with their one-
year-old daughter Elizabeth.  ancestry.com.

The abstract for the 1925 New York State Census listing
for "Ruddy" and "Neller" Hirten, and their daughter Elizabeth.

Sadly, Nellie died when she was 32 years old, on Jan.24, 1929.  The abstract from her death  certificate shows that she died of lobar pneumonia, at an address on 94th Street in Queens.  I am guessing the address is for a hospital, but when I see the original certificate, I'll know for sure.  Nellie was buried in St. John Cemetery, Middle Village, Queens.

The abstract of death certificate for Hellen "Nellie" Gregoire
Hirten, found on ancestry.com.

SEPIA SATURDAY: Dining Out with "Work" Colleagues

This week's photo prompt on Sepia Saturday shows a "Works Outing to Blackpool, 1955" and features people sitting at table, probably in a restaurant.  My photo features women at a restaurant table, also on an outing, to celebrate a more social kind of work:  their "Secret Pals Club."  My oldest brother, Mike, told me that he remembers the club, and that at the end of the year, they went out to dinner, and revealed their identities to one another.

The "Secret Pal Club" at Mike's Ship-a-Hoy Restaurant in New York City.  My 
mother, Eleanor Gregoire Tobin is seated on the right, at far end.  Isn't her hat cute?
The photo is not dated, but the fashions look like the 1940's.

He can't remember what activities constituted their secret "work" but perhaps they left cards and gifts for one another on doorsteps.  My mom was working as a housewife and mother, and I think that the other women were also.  Finding a surprise on your doorstep, or perhaps a card in the mail must have been a fun pick-me-up when the routine was starting to wear on you.

The photo is glued into a souvenir brochure, the cover of which features a drawing of "Mike's Yacht Bar," which looks like a lot of fun, especially after you've had a few!

Signed in pencil by Patsy Kelly, an actress of the era: "Luck and Happiness/Patsy Kelly".  Perhaps the ladies saw her dining at this restaurant while they were there, and got her autograph.