#USA #Massachusetts #Military #RhodeIsland #WWII
George Francis CROOK was the middle of three children born to James1 A CROOK (1877 – 1952), a Cotton Mill Worker, and Maria Alice WARING (1876 – 1956) who worked as a Weaver.
Don’t know much about his father James’ background but he seems to have been born 1877 in Massachusetts but has British parents who had emigrated. Maria, sometimes referred to as Mary, was born in 1876 in Blackburn, Lancashire but the family also had links with Liverpool.
Maria moved with her parents, circa 1890, to Fall River in Bristol, Massachusetts. She met James and they wed on 30 September 1903. They were both about the age of 27. He had been married previously but his first wife had died.
George had a half-brother James2 William CROOK (1900 – TBA) and two full brothers in Joseph Waring CROOK (1905 – 1969) and Henry [Harry] George CROOK (1917 – 2011). His full siblings also served in the military.
George’s father was first married 12 September 1899 to Annie T WIGHTMAN (1876 – 1900) who was born in England and had come out with her family it seems. Their son James2 was born on 05 July 1900 and she must have either passed away in childbirth or shortly afterwards since she was buried on 14 July 1900.
So then in 1903 he married for the second time. At the time he was a Loom Fixer and Maria a Weaver so potentially work is where they met. His abbreviated address given as 1279 High and hers 114 Melville.
James1 had his first child with Maria about 18 months after that. [It appears the 5-year mini census, 1905, has been withdrawn as can no longer access details but they were still in Fall River at this time from my files].
On 10 February 1907 their son George was born. They seem to have been in Fall River, Massachusetts for most of their early married life and at this point were listed at 280 Bradford Avenue.
In the 1910 United States Federal Census the family is living at Heatley Street which is in Fall River Ward 2. His father is working in a Cotton Mill and George is aged 3. They rent rather than own. Both parents can read and write. His half-brother is part of the family.
Ten years later on 08 March 1917 they have another boy. His birth is apparently registered in Providence, Rhode Island but the state line pretty much runs through Fall River so it’s possible they had only moved a short distance away if at all.
In the 1920 Census it appears the first son is being known as William (his middle name) instead of James which was probably to make identification easier in the house. Maria’s father James3 WARING (1852 – 1925) and mother Alice Dobson WARD (1855 – 1927) are living with them as well.
They are still renting the property and also have a lodger making 9 people in their part of the accommodation. There are other families also living in the house at 137 Plain Street in Providence but they seem to be in separate accommodation.
[This now appears to be a parking lot for the hospital]. The two older boys, aged 19 and 15, are working as apprentice machinist and a stenographer. George at 12 is still attending school.
The 1925 State Census finds them at 58 Mitchell Street. All four children are still living with James and Maria. Not sure where the maternal grandparents are but one passed away that year and the other two years later. George is 18 and there isn’t really any other information about them other than location and places of birth which we have already established.
By the 1930 Census his father James1 is now employed as a Manager in the Grocery Retail industry. They are at the same property, value $5,000, but looks like they now own their place. His brother Joseph has moved out but the other two siblings are there. James is a Cost Clerk in the Heating industry and George himself is working as a Jewellery salesman.
Haven’t found his marriage in the records but presumably in the next couple of years he married Eileen Frances CONNOR (1907 – 1989). In March 1934 they had a son who is potentially still alive. [Have found reference to his U.S., Korean War Era Draft Cards, 1948-1959 on Ancestry which names his father as next of kin].
Although it is called the 1935 Census it appears to have been taken in 1936 and they are living at 12 Burnside, Providence. We find out that George has had Measles during his lifetime and the Schick Test which apparently checked to see if he was at risk of Diphtheria (which he hasn’t had).
Five years later in the latter part of 1938 another son is born and he is also possibly still living. In the 1940 Census George is described a Salesman of Wholesale Jewellery working 40 hours a week. He is renting Riverside, 12 Ocean Street which has a value of $3,000 at the time. This record advised that he reached H-2 level of education. In the property it is just him, his wife and the two sons.
Regarding George’s military career we can see he joined up, aged 33, on 16 October 1940. He was 5 foot 11 inches tall with blue eyes and a light complexion. He was self-employed with his business at 58 Mitchell Street. [Where he was living in 1925 so his parents may still be there then]. George and Eileen must have recently moved since his address is now given as 24 Brentwood Avenue, Providence. His wife is listed as next of kin.
After World War II we don’t know much about his life. The 1950 Census has George with his wife and two children at 24 Brentwood Avenue, Providence, Rhode Island. Still working 40 hours a week as a jewellery salesman.
In 1952 and 1956 his parents passed away. He still seems to be living on Brentwood Avenue. He died on 30 October 1964 at the age of 57 whilst his wife Eileen lived on until 1989.
His younger siblings outlived him with one appearing to die in 1969 in Florida whilst the other died in 2011, also in Florida. Unable to find out more about his older half-brother.
George Francis CROOK was a 2C 2R to me on his maternal line and there is a confirmed DNA match on Ancestry to one of my parents.
The nearest shared ancestors are my 3x Great Grandparents George WARD (1821 – 1892) and Alice DOBSON (1829 – 1873). They have connections to Shifnal in Shropshire as well as Liverpool and Blackburn in Lancashire.
Footnotes –
Most research undertaken using Ancestry, FreeBMD and Google Maps. Additional resources listed below if utilised.