Ryk Brown's Genealogy Forum

[RykBrown]

Thanks to the ship's passenger list found by Brian Stewart, I have now been able to confidently identify Robert Brown, son of John Brown, who emigrated from Ireland in 1888.

My late grandmother, Harriet Brown, claimed that my great-grandfather, Tom Brown, had an older brother, Robert Brown, who moved to Detroit, Michigan, USA, and had a family and lost touch with his Canadian siblings. Given the commonness of his name and the fact that I didn't know how old Robert was I had been unable to find him in any census records. After years of searching unsuccessfully, I was beginning to think that perhaps my grandmother was mistaken and that Robert never really existed.

However, now, thanks to the ship's passenger list, we have the first documentary evidence that Robert really existed. Knowing his correct age has allowed me to confidently identify him in the 1910-1920 census records. He is the only Robert Brown in the USA born in 1876 in Ireland and he did reside in Detroit with his family. The names of his children match with the names of his Canadian siblings which confirms for me that I have found the correct Robert.

Robert Brown was born in 1876 in Tandragee, Armagh, Ireland. At age 12 he immigrated to Canada with his birth family in 1888. They arrived in Quebec and made their way to Hamilton. Robert has not been found in the 1891 Canadian census nor in the 1890 American census fragment. (The 1890 American census was destroyed.) Robert has not been found in the 1900 census either. In 1910 and 1920 he is found in Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan, USA with his very young wife and children and is employed as a machinist in an auto factory. Robert and his family (excluding son Robert L) have not been found in the 1930 census.

In 1908, at age 32, Robert Brown married 16 year old Laura S (although the 1920 census records her as born 1895, which would have made her only 13 at their marriage). Laura's surname and birth family are unknown. It's not known if "S" is the first initial of her maiden name or middle name. She was born in Michigan as was her father. Her mother was born in Pennsylvania. Nothing more is known about her. Robert and Laura had the following children:

1. Robert L. Brown, born May 1909 in Detroit. He is the only family member to be found in the 1930 census in which he is a prisoner in the Michigan State Prison at Blackman, Jackson, Michigan, USA. His father is recorded as being born in "the Irish Free State" and his mother in "Michigan", confirming that he is the correct Robert L Brown. His parents and siblings have not been found in 1930.
2. Ruth Brown, born 1914 in Detroit. Residing with her parents in 1920. Not found in later records.
3. Thomas J Brown, born 1916 in Detroit. Residing with his parents in 1920. Not found in later records.
4. Minnie A Brown, born 1919 in Detroit. Residing with her parents in 1920. Not found in 1930. She may be the Minnie A Brown born 10 JUN 1918 in Detroit who died 12 MAY 1979 in Lincoln Park, Wayne, Michigan.

It's not known if any of these children married or had children of their own.

I would be very excited to hear from anyone descended from this branch.

Ryk
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Ryk Brown
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Descendant of...well, all of these families, except for the ones that my wife is descended from, save for the ones we share in common...Eek! I married my cousin!

[RomTom]

Hi Ryk, I want to commend you on your forum here. I am surprised that I never noticed it previously.

My great great grandfather is James S Brown of Detroit. Born in Michigan in 1840. Married to Maria, born in 1843 in Michigan also. No last name known. In 1880 James and Maria and their five children lived at 166 15th street in Detroit. The 1880 census says he is a machinist. It also says that his father was born in England and his mother was born in Michigan. Children: Isabell, born 1865; Mary J., born 1867; Hiram, born 1869; Susan Adelia, born May, 1872; and Agnes, born October 1979.

That is as far back as I have been able to trace my Brown ancestors so far. Not very far at all, compared to my McNaughtons. Darn. I would love to believe there is a secret door waiting to be discovered that connects to some database that is full to the brim and running over.... Jeeesh... But I would be happy to merely get even another generation or two back in time.

I know my Browns don't connect to yours. So many Browns in the world. I just wrote this, to say hi, when I saw you had your Robert Brown in Detroit also, and he was also a machinist. Golly... Maybe they worked in the same Ford shop and knew each other... Haha.

Good luck searching...

Tom Holme

[RykBrown]

Tom
Thanks for the kind words. Yes, the coincidences between our families are striking. But, alas, it appears there's no connection. As you say, perhaps they even worked together.
Ryk
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Ryk Brown
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Descendant of...well, all of these families, except for the ones that my wife is descended from, save for the ones we share in common...Eek! I married my cousin!