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George William Fothergill Sturley the 3rd & Marthe Koethe

George was born in April of 1865 in Gateshead, Co Durham. He first married Annie Elizabeth Elwes, born July 1862 in North Shields, Northumberland.  They were married at the Weslyan Methodist Church, Tynemouth, Northumberland on the 30th of March 1886.
George obviously deserted his wife and consequently partook in a bigamous marriage to Louisa on the 11th of January, 1892 in t Luke's Church, Vancouver, Washington, USA.  Louisa was born in May 1864 in Kansas, USA.  This is confirmed in the documents related to the Divorce Proceedings.
 
In 1898, Annie had her divorce from George decreed.  Meanwhile, George and Louisa had twin children, George the 3rd born & Louise Ellen born 23rd February 1893; so consequentially the children were most likely, legally born out of wedlock.
 
In 1896, George became a US citizen.  In 1896 he enlisted in the US Army, for what reason we do not know and again in 1899. In 1900 the family are living at the Vancouver Barracks, Washington; however George Snr is noted as being on another census record, however that has not yet been found.  It is unknown if George ever served with the miltary, as in 1900 they are listed as civilians living on a Military Base.  In 1905, Louisa and the two children are living, along with Louisa's  mother, in Manhatten, Riley, Kansas.
 
In 1920, George & Louisa along with George 3rd are living at 206 East 17th Street, Vancouver, Washington, USA. George is a Clerk in the Civil Cererse or Civil Service.  George 3rd is a Wireless Operator.  In 1923, George returned to the UK, apparently without Louisa, then returned to the US in 1925.  He died on the 39th of December, 1930 at 39 The Avenue, Wallsend, Northumberland, UK.  It may be that he left his wife and returned home to the UK without her.
 
In 1931, Louisa is still living at 206 East 17th Street, Vancouver. George 3rd is now an Electrical Engineer.  Louisa continued to live at this address with her son George until her death on Christmas Day 1942.

© 2013-16 Ross Buddle Atkinson. All rights reserved. E. & O.E.

"deo et regi fidelis" - Faithful to king (or queen) and country

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