About five years into my "Knapps Lived Here" writing project, I decided to use my new found genealogical skills on tracking down stuff on my own family. I initially had much more success with the Spooner side, mainly because of who my grandfather was, all the press he got and what he had done in his lifetime from 1886-1963 as evidenced by these links . My searches into the Joseph side then resulted mainly to a few census forms from about 1900 - 30 and a marriage license or two along with a 1959 press photo of my great uncle Lew, that I immediately recognized when I found it on E Bay.
Recently I connected with a long lost friend of mine from my band days on Long Island. After a few catch up e mails and her browsing through some of my Spooner family stuff online, she asked me if I ever did much looking into the Joseph side of my family, as that's the name she knew me as. That started my taking another look around, to see what else I might find. It is amazing how much the internet keeps growing, because within an hour or so, thanks to ancestry.com , I wound up staring at photographs posted by 3rd ? cousin Douglas, of family I never saw before or knew of, like my Great Great grandfather Charles Joseph 1798 - 1887 ( Charles is my middle name btw as well as my fathers) his daughters Charlotte and Leah and his son Issac (my Great Grandfather) Issac's wife Rose Wolfson Joseph and all nine of Issac and Rose's children and much, much more....
Those photos Doug posted, came from my 2nd cousin Dolores Joseph (age 85) who Doug put me intouch with. A few days later I was speaking on the phone Dolores and her brother Ed (age 89) the two surviving children of Lewis and Rose Joseph (who I had met several times in the 1950s at our home in Mastic Beach, LI ) I heard stories about the Joseph family (some which rang small bells in my memory locker and some which were brand new ) A few days later Dolores sent me more copies of family photos that led to what you see here.
So may I present a little bit about some of The Josephs who came to America from England in 1869 on this very ship
SS City of Washington 1855 - 1873
358 Feet x 40 Foot Beam
She is wee larger than the Mayflower, yet it still had to be a thrilling voyage
MY GREAT GREAT GRANDFATHER
Charles Joseph
March 20, 1789 - May 3, 1887
Charles' trade was that of a hatter as was his father Charles was known by the family as "Silk Hat Harry"
His parents were my Great Great Great Granparents Issac & Esther Joseph circa 1785 - 1827
In 1841 Charles married Charlotte Gilmour
Not sure yet of just how many children they had before Charlotte died ten years later , but here is their son Issac born in 1843
MY GREAT GRANDFATHER
Issac Joseph May 1, 1843 - December 19, 1898
THE JOSEPHS LIVED HERE DUDLEY STREET LONDON
These are Isssac's Sisters Charlotte & Leah
One hundred and forty one years ago this week (May 25, 2013) 29 year old Issac Joseph, wrote this letter from 492 9th Ave NYC to his aunt uncle and cousins back in London. It was given to my great uncle Lewis when he visited the family back in England in the 20th century.
492 9th Av New York City
This cryptic little afterthought was added on the back
"If you have something to say about Mrs. Smith to me please send it to ME only I. J.
Isaac Who Worked As A Color Mixer For Benjamin Moore Paint Co. Married Rose Wolfson In The late 1870s
My Great Grandmother Rose Wolfson Joseph 1857 - 1933
Issac, Rose & Their First Child Charles about 1879 - 80
ISSAC WITH "GUSSIE" & CHARLY CIRCA EARLY 1880's
THEY WOULD GO ON TO HAVE SEVEN MORE CHILDREN INCLUDING MY GRANDFATHER WALTER
ALL BORN BETWEEN 1878 - 1894
Next
PAGE TWO : THE JOSEPHS IN THE 20th CENTURY