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Subject: Re: [NYSTLAWR] Baker family from England (Last known address- Potsdam)
Date: Wed, 28 Sep 2005 13:31:30 EDT

Hello

First if you look at the 1920 Census in Michigan for William you will note
that he came from Canada and NOT England as you stated. He came in 1879 and was
Naturalized in 1883 (but this does not appear to be correct). In 1920 he is
an assembler at Auto Plant in Michigan. It shows his wife as being B in Canada
and naturalized in 1902. However she would have been a citizen (if she in
deed came from Canada) when she married William. Based on this it needed a lot
of rechecking.

Then again info on their son's census record contradicts this. You will
locate Horace R Baker in the 1920 Census at this location and here again it states
that his father was from Canada and his language is English. He states his
mother was B in NYS (this would certainly need further research). His occupation
is an Electrician in a Tire Factory. Place of Birth is shown as Canada. It
states that he came from Canada in 1910. Many people traveled from the States
to Canada or Canada to USA in this era frequently living for a time in each
country.and had families in both places. I tend to think that they could have
traveled back and forth a couple times.

I would suggest that you obtain MI State Census records from your local
Family History Library for additional information. I would also seek church
records in the area where they lived in Michigan. If William Baker last lived in
Potsdam I would check Obits in the local Potsdam Newspapers (okay I did it for
you) and get a DOD and then obtain a Death Certificate.

Remember Census Records are not always the most accurate source of
information. Census takers talked to neighbors, children or whom ever was available and
the information could vary greatly. I always double check and obtain
additional documentation on all information gathered from Census Records.

Name: Horace R Baker
Age: AgeWith12ths('20',true);20 years
Estimated birth year: abt 1900
Birthplace: Canada
Race: White
Home in 1920: Detroit Ward 6, Wayne, Michigan
Sex: Male
Marital status: Single
Relation to Head of House: Boarder
Year of immigration: 1910
Able to read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes
Mother's Birth Place: New York
Father's Birth Place: Canada
Image: 498

Now I found this OBIT in the Friday March 5 1937 Potsdam Herald and it sounds
like it is your Wm Baker. Here again is different information but perhaps
you can send for D Cert. and obtain further info. Bayside Cemetery is about 1/2
mile outside Potsdam on County Route 59. Note that both sons are living in
the area also. Note: A grandson with the unusual name of Rosser Baker (after
his grandmothers maiden name) and I believe that this is the Rosser Baker now
living at this address:
4960 Albart Dr., Syracuse, NY l3215 Telephone 1-315-488-3092. I used to live
in the area and it is in the Town of Onondaga just outside the City of
Syracuse and only about a 2 -2 1/2 hour drive from Potsdam NY. Hope all this will
help you.

Regards
Pat R

William J. Baker

William J. Baker died at his home in Unionville Tuesday morning. He had been
in ill health for six months and receiving treatment in Kingston Ont.

Mr Baker was born in Forest of Dean, Gloucester England on Oct18 1875 a son
of Mr and Mrs. Thomas Baker. About 1900 he married Beatrice Rosser a native of
New Zealand in a ceremony performed in England.The couple moved to Canada and
resided in the Dominion for many years.

Mr Baker was a mechanic and was connected with several large paper making
concerns in Quebecduring his first few years in that country. He served as master
mechanic and superintendant of several mills in that region the the Three
Rivers Quebec. project being one of the largest. Later he worked for the
International Paper Company in the Provinces and Michigan.

He came to this section 13 years ago and has been employed as a master
mechanic for the Racquette River Paper Company since that time. He has not worked
during the past six months.

Mr Baker is survived by his widown and two sons Horace and William of
Unionville, two grandchildren Rosser and Kathleen Baker, three brothers and two
sisters in England. one brother believed to be living in Australia He was a member
of the First Presbyterian Church and the Racquette River Lodge of the Masonic
order.

Funeral Service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church with the Rev.
Dr. W. J. Prout officiating and interment in Bayside Cemetery.

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