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Swan Family
The Tampico Area Historical Society encompasses parts of Whiteside County and Bureau County in Illinois. Focus is on Tampico, Hume Twp., Hahnaman/Deer Grove, & Prophetstown in Whiteside County & Yorktown & Thomas in Bureau County.
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ekyjim
1 post
Jul 22, 2008
7:29 PM
My name is Jim Neill, and I am trying to find any information I can for my grandfather Edgar Raymond Swan. He was born 01/04/1902 in Tampico, IL, married my grandmother Alice Swan in 1930, and passed away 04/28/1964 in Dyer IN.

I have had zero luck finding any information to fill in the gaps between these dates, and can find nothing about his family.

Any information would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Jim
Administrator
Denise
619 posts
Jul 22, 2008
8:56 PM
Hi Jim,
Let me check our files at the historical society. I'll post back here or email you if I find anything. Was Alice's maiden name also SWAN? Do you have either of their obits? Were Edgar's parents' names: Harvey (Jonnsatta)& Nellie?


Denise
Family History Coordinator
Tampico Area Historical SocietyDenise
----------

Last Edited by on Jul 22, 2008 9:35 PM
Denise
330 posts
Jul 24, 2008
1:01 PM
I RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING EMAIL FROM JIM:Denise:

I just found out (and by just I mean I called my mother right after I saw this e-mail) that my great-grandmother's name was Amadore Searcy Swan, and my mom thinks my great-grandfather's first name was also Edgar (mom said she never saw and they didn't talk about him much), as was my grandfather's. The only other information my mom had was Amadore ran the laundry at the mine store. I don't know if Tampico was a mining area, so this could in an entirely different area.

Thanks for the reply and your time in researching this. I have not been able to get started with any information on the Swan side of the family.

Jim
__________________________________________
This is so strange because I have been doing some intense research on a Howell Searcy (d. Tampico 1929). His daughter was Amadon Searcy, b. 1874 in MO
Based on the information you gave me in your last email, I have followed them through 1910 & then Amadore up to 1939:
Name: Amadore S Swan
Birth: abt 1874 - Missouri
Departure: Southampton, England
Arrival: 13 Sep 1937 - New York, New York
Line 18 - Amadore S. Swan, age 63, Date & Place of Birth: May 25, 1874, Cape Girardeau- Mo.403954, ADDRESS in US: 43 Carrol St,., Hammond, IN

Name: Amadore Swan
Birth: abt 1875 - Missouri
Residence: 1900 - Hahanaman, Whiteside, Illinois
1900 United States Federal Census about Amadore Swan
Name: Amadore Swan
Home in 1900: Hahanaman, Whiteside, Illinois
Age: 25
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1875
Birthplace: Missouri
Relationship to head-of-house: Wife
Race: White
Occupation:
Household Members: Name Age
Edward[sic] R.Swan 25, b. May, 1875, married 2 years, b. Canada,parents b. NY, farm laborer, Immigrated 1878,Naturalized
Amadore Swan 25, wife, b. May, 1875, married 2 yrs.0 children, parents b. MO


1910 United States Federal Census about Amadore M Swan
Name: Amadore M Swan
Age in 1910: 30
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1880
Birthplace: Missouri
Relation to Head of House: Wife
Father's Birth Place: Kentucky
Mother's Birth Place: Kentucky
Spouse's Name: Edgar R
Home in 1910: Joplin Ward 8, Jasper, Missouri
Marital Status: Married - 4 children/3 living
Race: White
Gender: Female
Household Members: Name Age
HOH: Edgar R Swan 34
Wife: Amadore M Swan 30
Dau: Helen M Swan 9, b. IL
Son: Edgur[sic] R Swan Jr. 8, b. IL
Son: Harrold R Swan 3, b. MO

New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957
about Amadore Swan
Name: Amadore Swan
Arrival Date: 12 May 1939
Birth Year: May 25, 1874
Age: 65
Gender: Female
Port of Departure: Southampton, England
Ship Name: Georgic
Search Ship Database: Georgic in the 'Passenger Ships and Images' database
Port of Arrival: New York, New York
Nativity: Missouri
Line: 14
Microfilm Serial: T715
Microfilm Roll: T715_6329
Birth Location: Missouri
Birth Location Other: Cape Girardeau
Page Number: 41
Destination: 46 Carroll Street, Hammond, IN

I'll keep looking and report back. This will be really exciting if this turns out to be the same SEARCY family we are researching. Howell Searcy is the only confederate soldier buried in our cemetery.
Denise

Last Edited by on Jul 24, 2008 1:59 PM
ekyjim
2 posts
Jul 24, 2008
3:48 PM
Denise:

I talked to my mother again and she said that my grandfather had a sister, Helen and a brother, Harold. Helen went on to fame as a singer; her stage name was Gypsy Nina. Anyway, they did live in Hammond, IN (my mom's family moved in with them for a time).
Administrator
Denise
622 posts
Jul 24, 2008
4:13 PM
Soooo, we can be fairly certain that the 1910 census posted here is YOUR family, correct?
1910 United States Federal Census about Amadore M Swan
Name: Amadore M Swan
Age in 1910: 30
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1880
Birthplace: Missouri
Relation to Head of House: Wife
Father's Birth Place: Kentucky
Mother's Birth Place: Kentucky
Spouse's Name: Edgar R
Home in 1910: Joplin Ward 8, Jasper, Missouri
Marital Status: Married - 4 children/3 living
Race: White
Gender: Female
Household Members: Name Age
HOH: Edgar R Swan 34
Wife: Amadore M Swan 30
Dau: Helen M Swan 9, b. IL
Son: Edgur[sic] R Swan Jr. 8, b. IL
Son: Harrold R Swan 3, b. MO

What about the trips overseas by Amadore? Do you have relatives overseas?
----------
Denise
Family History Coordinator
Tampico Area Historical Society

Last Edited by on Jul 24, 2008 4:14 PM
ekyjim
3 posts
Jul 24, 2008
5:01 PM
Denise:
I think it looks good. I don't know of any relatives living overseas, but I mentioned that Helen was a singer, who performed under the stage name Gypsy Nina. She performed quite a bit in England. In fact, my sister has a journal Gypsy wrote (you can bet now I'm going to want to look at it) about performing overseas at the beginning of World War II. She died December 26, 1939, which doesn't coincide with Amadore's trip, but if she went to visit Helen, that could explain why she went overseas.

Thank you so much.
ekyjim
4 posts
Jul 24, 2008
6:01 PM
Denise:
OK, so I talked to my mom again (3 times in one day has her a bit overwhelmed! Thank goodness for free cell phone long distance.)

Amadore's trip in 1939 was to bring Helen (Gypsy) home. Everyone was trying to get out of Europe, and I suppose that Amadore went over to help Helen get everything back in the states.

Helen was injured on the trip back when a suitcase fell from on overhead compartment and hit her in the head. The doctor who checked her out said everything was OK, but she died 6 months later due to the injury.

As far as the house in Hammond, IN, mom said her, her dad and pregnant mom moved in with Amadore there in 1936.

Thanks again
ekyjim
5 posts
Jul 25, 2008
3:48 AM
Denise:
That's them! My mom was born in Liberty, MO in 1934. That's where my grandfather Edgar met my grandmother Alice (kelly) Swan. They were married in July 1930.

Again, Denise, thank you so very much. I appreciate all the work you've done.

Jim
Administrator
Denise
623 posts
Jul 25, 2008
8:32 AM
Glad to be of help, Jim. I'll continue following this as time permits. I'm anxious to see if this family links to "our Howell Searcy." Just too coincidental, but continue to try to verify it. Let me know if there is something more specific you want me to look for. As you probably know, the census records are only posted through 1930, but there are other records of events available.

These links may be helpful to you:
Clay Co. Archives & Historical Library
http://www.claycountyarchives.org/
Contact Information
Telephone
816-781-3611
Street Address
210 E Franklin St, Liberty, MO 64068
Mailing Address
P. O. Box 99, Liberty, MO 64069
Electronic mail
General Information: info@claycountyarchives.org

MO State Genealogical Society
http://www.mosga.org/
Missouri State Genealogical Association
P.O. Box 833 Columbia, MO 65205-0833
email: mosga@mosga.org

SWAN births: http://www.mosga.org/surnames/s.html

MO Genealogy & History
http://www.mosga.org/links.shtml
----------
Denise
Family History Coordinator
Tampico Area Historical Society

Last Edited by on Jul 25, 2008 8:57 AM
Denise
332 posts
Jul 26, 2008
7:12 AM
Anna - YIPES! Lots of those Svens, eh? Thank you for your kind offer. If others can fill in any blanks further back, please post. Thanks,
Denise
Anna
19 posts
Jul 30, 2008
12:58 PM
Hi Denise. Just the last name Svan is there only those numbers I wrote, but if I search for Svensson (a "wrong" english translation often becomes Swanson or the first name Sven becomes Swan)there is over 35 000 people.

there is about 100 people with the first name Svan that is recorded on Emigranten and around 20 000 with the first name Sven.

Not much help in this case though.
ekyjim
6 posts
Aug 03, 2008
5:46 AM
Anna:
Thank you. Sounds like a needle in a haystack, if you ask me. B-)
swan32834
1 post
Dec 22, 2009
11:12 PM
entered Laverne Swan into Goggle and was I surprised to see my Grandmother's name listed on your site. Nellie Lavina Swan and Johnathan Harvey Swan are my grandparents. That the way I was told it was spelled.
My mother was Lois Mildred Swan. I was born in Chicago on March 28 1934. I have no idea why my family was listed. I was looking for my grandfather's family. I know LaVerne was a brother, Kathyrn his wife and possibley children Pat, Em and Vickie. What other info can you provide? Could I be related to JiM?
Denise
581 posts
Aug 14, 2010
10:22 AM
A MESSAGE FROM PAUL FOLEY:

I have a copy of an old playbill from a theater in Camden NJ which announces Gypsy Nina and another performer named Steve Evans. Steve is the individual involved in my genealogical study and was looking for whatever information may be available on him. I have seen an old film clip of Gypsy Nina performing somewhere in England. If you have any information It would be appreciated. Steve was his stage name and his family name was Savage and was from Clinton, IN.
Cheers,
Paul Foley
Denise
619 posts
Jan 07, 2011
5:50 AM
If anyone has an interest in Gypsy Nina, I have a contact for you with a lot of information! Here is her message (contact me for her email):

"I write a newsletter for the local county archives and get much of my information from old local newspapers on microfilm. That's how I came across Gypsy Nina. I have a lot of information on her career from these newspapers and we even have a notebook on her, including a story she wrote about her life, I think (I haven't read it yet). Anyway, it's too much to post, but if you run across anyone who is interested in her, I can share what I have.

I'm attaching my latest newsletter, which is not in its final form. The articles about her are on pages 14 and 15. The interesting part is when she writes about Paris and London. Linda Smith"

See the article in Google Docs online: Helen Swan Article

Articles from the Liberty Chronicle
(use your control+F keys to find Swan articles in Google Doc)

Here are transcription of articles:
July 18, 1935

Liberty Girl Climbs Ladder of Success

Helen Swan (Gypsy Nina) Plays in London for Months Instead of Weeks

The news from across the water about Helen Swan is such as to give the greatest encouragement to an ambitious artist. Here is what A. Mitchell of the Headquarter Staff, the Marconi company, London, England wrote to his father, Sergt. Major A.H.H. Mitchell of Winnipeg, Canada: “I met Miss Swan on Friday, had tea and a good chat. Afterwards heard her perform at the theatre. She certainly has a wonderful voice, and is jolly good looking, and was received with great ovation, getting the most applause of all the other turns. Last night she sang over the radio from the British Broadcasting company's studio and her performance was grand. I am pleased to have met her and thank Mrs. Withers for the opportunity, please when you write her.”

Miss Swan as Gypsy Nina opened at the Palladium in London the first of March and was liked so well that her engagement of four weeks was extended to months. The London Daily Sketch in a recent issue had this to say of her: “I wonder how many of you have seen Gypsy Nina, who is making her first appearance in this country? She is small, plays an accordion, and has a most delightful voice.”

“Henry Hall heard her when he was in America and told me how marvelous she was. She has recently made her first H.M.V. record, and you can all take the opportunity of being charmed by her personality by listening to her versions of ‘Old Bohemian Town’ and ‘The Postman Passes My Door.’”

“Her first record augurs well for a sound waxen future for this excellent artist.”

Miss Swan is expected to come home the last of July and even now Englishmen are hoping she will return to them next year.


Miscellaneous Gleanings from Microfilm of Early Clay County Newspapers

Aug 15, 1935
Former Liberty Girl to Return to America

“Gypsy Nina” or Helen Swan to the home folks, embarked for home yesterday on the Normandie after nearly six months in London, varied by short stays in Scotland and Paris. “Home” is New York City now but Miss Swan is hoping to come west for a visit.

Miss Swan flew to Paris on a sight-seeing tour and was much impressed by the contrasts between the English and French people. She writes, “In England everyone is so proper and conservative; here, in Paris, people seem to me half Apache with their care-free abandon, utter lack of formality. In England, a friend will not comment on a new outfit one wears without first apologizing – it is ‘bad form.’ Here, utter strangers, waitresses, policemen, etc., pay one compliments at once. My feet cause a lot of comment here. They are not small for America, but for Europe! They do not make shoes so small, so every place I go both men and women turn and look. And of course, the sheer American stockings are a novelty, too. You should see the stockings here – so thick with huge seams in them. I don’t know how they wear them!”

In an advance style notice, Miss Swan reports the hats are either very large or mere bonnets. “Some look just like baby’s bonnets with bows that look like rabbit ears. The leading fall shade seems to be a dark yellow, on the order of the old mustard color. So you can buy a yellow bonnet with ears and know you are right in style.”

Commenting on the French hotel service, Miss Swan says, “Of course everyone here is out to get all he can out of Americans. Particularly the hotels are terrible. They have no soap or ink or stationery in the rooms and one must tip the maid to bring them. Then one is charged 28 cents for soap. At the end of the week 10 percent of one’s bill is added for service, supposedly for tips, after one has tipped everyone already, all week.”

After enjoying the boulevards, the cafes, the historic landmarks and the shops of Paris, Miss Swan returned to London for a two-weeks’ engagement there and in Liverpool. She plans to return to Europe next year for a number of continental engagements.

Miss Swan is under the direction of the Columbia Broadcasting System.

Note: Helen Swan/Gypsy Nina was born in Chicago, but lived most of her early life in Liberty, where she graduated from high school and studied at William Jewell College. A singer, pianist and accordionist, she was among the early performers on WDAF radio. She died unexpectedly in Hammond, Indiana on Christmas Day, 1939, of a brain hemorrhage at age 38.
****************************

Many Thanks to Linda Smith for contributing this!

Last Edited by on Jan 07, 2011 6:24 AM
JimN
1 post
Jan 20, 2011
10:26 AM
Helen Swan is my gr-aunt. I would very much like to see what information is available.

Thanks

Jim Neill
Denise
637 posts
Jan 20, 2011
3:46 PM
Jim,
I have emailed her with your email. Let me know when you two touch base. Thanks, Denise
JimN
2 posts
Jan 22, 2011
6:13 AM
Denise:

Thank you very much. We've been in contact and are making arrangements for me to get copies of what she has.

Thanks again.

BTW, were you ever able to make any headway on Howell Searcy?

Jim
Denise
909 posts
Mar 22, 2013
11:15 AM
I'm trying to reach Jim in this msg thread - I received this request regarding Helen. I tried to email you, but have not gotten response. Hope it is still valid email address. If you see this post, could you respond to Al, please. And someone let me know that you have connected please!

"I gather that this accordionist died 12/25/1939 and was born in 1901 in Chicago. For a database of birth/death dates of radio people (kept by Ron Sayles), I'd like her precise birth date. Thanks for any help!
Al Hubin
ajhubin@q.com"

Last Edited by Guest on Mar 23, 2013 12:39 PM


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