Dorothy's notes state Helen May is the firstborn of John and Lola Smith. Various passed-down notes conflict as to birth year of 1881 or 1882, but she appears on the 1881 Ontario Canada census as born in March of that year. 7 147
"Prussian nationality"
As nearly as I can figure out from the census information, the Thompson family moved to Michigan between 1875 and 1880. The Lawrence (Samuel and Hannah) and Grinnell (Peter) families moved to Michigan around 1870, all in the area between Grand Rapids and Lansing. John Smith worked on a nearby farm in 1880.
John Smith and Lola May Lawrence moved back to live with John's parents the next year, have the baby Helen Mae (Nellie Ma. on the census), and get married. A year later they moved back to Lansing Michigan, where the second child was born. Two decades later, Helen Mae married Jessie Thompson, and their first child was born in Lansing the year after that (1901).
I don't yet know for sure, but it appears the Lawrence, Smith, and Thompson families all grew up in the Delta Center - Grand Ledge - Lansing area. Samuel and Hannah Lawrence are buried in Delta Center. The Thompson children are in Los Angeles.
According to the 1920 census, Leonard and Frank were born in Michigan, then Dorothy born in California in 1907, then Helen born in Michigan in 1909. I can't find them on the 1910 census at all, and they're in Los Angeles January 1920. 139
2819. Helen May/Mae SMITH 142 145 (John M SMITH4, Philip SMITH3, Anne BRYANT2, Thos1) was born on 3 Mar 1881 in Ontario, Canada,145 146 147 died on 16 Oct 1954 in Pasadena, Los Angeles, California, USA 145 at age 73, and was buried on 20 Oct 1954 in Inglewood Park Cemetery, Inglewood, Los Angeles, California, USA.145 Another name for Nellie was Nellie Ma. SMITH.147 User ID: B0010.
Birth Notes: Helen Thompson's funeral handout gives birth of 1881 in Canada, but the year appears to be in error.
Noted events in her life were:
• She appeared on the census in 1881 in Mariposa, Victoria South, Ontario, Canada. 147 -- Born: Mar: age 0; Religion Christian Bretheren
• Immigration: 1882, USA. 144
• She appeared on the census on 18 Jun 1900 in 1st Precinct 5 Ward, Lansing, Ingham, Michigan, USA. 144 Married 0 years, born Mar 1881, age 19, 0 children 0 living, born Canada, father born Canada, mother born New York, emigrated 1882, 18 years in US.
• She appeared on the census on 6 Jan 1920 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA. 135 Unreadable notation indicating naturalized citizen.
Nellie married Jessie/Jesse R THOMPSON,142 143 son of Samuel THOMPSON and Martha J, on 31 Mar 1900.142 Jessie/Jesse was born on 23 Jul 1877 in Ohio, USA,143 144 died on 17 Dec 1952 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA 143 at age 75, and was buried on 20 Dec 1952 in Inglewood Park Cemetery, Inglewood, Los Angeles, California, USA.143
Noted events in his life were:
• Alt Birth: Jul 1877, Michigan, USA. 144 Michigan is almost certainly incorrect. Should be Ohio.
• He appeared on the census in 1880 in Carlton, Barry, Michigan, USA. 138 At Home.
• He appeared on the census on 18 Jun 1900 in 1st Precinct 5 Ward, Lansing, Ingham, Michigan, USA. 144 Married 0 years, born July 1877 age 22, Michigan, Machinist, Renting House.
• He appeared on the census on 6 Jan 1920 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA. 135
(Duplicate Line. See Person 2780, Jessie/Jesse R THOMPSON)
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