I have a lot of information about my paternal grandmother:
• She was born on March 17, 1897, in Somerville, Massachusetts, to Clara Soderberg--a recent Swedish immigrant born about 1871, who resided at 26 Gibbens St, and probably worked there as a maid for the Zoeller family (German immigrants).
• Within a few years, Esther apparently was adopted by Charles Perry Jeffers--a "druggist" living in Swampscott, Massachusetts-- and his wife, Clara (nee Colcord). Her surname became Jeffers, and at some point, she took on the middle name, Clara, probably from her mother's first name. It seems that the adoption records, however, were destroyed in a fire. Thus, we don't know why she was given up for adoption, and how Charles Jeffers adopted her.
• Esther was attending Swathmore but dropped out, married my paternal grandfather, Norman S. Ricker. Both were living at the Jeffers' house with their infant son, Norman Jr, in the 1920 Census.
The mystery we're trying to solve is what happened to Clara Soderberg and why their is no entry on the 1897 birth record for a father. There is more to the mystery, but this is long enough.
Now I need to learn more about this site :-) |
