Every family has a story of immigration and new beginnings. Today, I want to share the remarkable journey of my great-grandfather, William A. Stinson, who left his home in England as a teenager and built a life in Rochester, New York, spanning nearly eight decades.
William was born on September 21, 1878, in New Market, Swaffham Prior, Cambridgeshire, England. His early years were spent with his parents, Albert and Ann Stinson, along with his siblings Celia and Louis on High Street. However, by 1891, at just 12 years old, William and his brother Louis were living with their aunt Eliza Whyatt, working as agricultural laborers alongside their cousin Albert. The three of them shared a modest two-room house on Rogers Road.
In a bold move that would shape the rest of his life, William embarked alone on the SS New York from Southampton on May 18, 1895. At just 16 years old, he arrived in New York City, carrying with him dreams of a new life in America. This teenage immigrant would go on to build a legacy spanning three generations in his adopted homeland.
William made his way to Rochester, New York, where he found work as a teamster. The city directories track his early years through various addresses as he established himself in his new community. His personal life took a wonderful turn when he married Mary Anna Kraus on October 1, 1902. Together, they welcomed their son Arthur Williams Stinson on January 16, 1904.
By 1910, William had settled into a career as a brewery driver, a profession he would adapt throughout his life as the times changed. He was a boarder at a house on Carter Street not only with his wife and young son Arthur but also opened his doors to his siblings Louis, Annie E., and Lucy E. This speaks volumes about William's character – even after establishing his own family, he remained a pillar of support for his siblings who had followed him to America.
The years brought both joy and sorrow to the Stinson household. William became a proud grandfather when his granddaughter June was born in 1923. The family faced tragedy when June's mother, Laura, passed away from tuberculosis in 1927, leaving William to purchase six burial plots, making the difficult decision to plan for his family's final resting place.
Throughout his working life, William showed remarkable adaptability. From his early days as an agricultural laborer in England to working as a teamster, brewery driver, and eventually a coal delivery driver in Rochester, he navigated the changing times while providing for his family. The 1940 census reveals he earned $1,100 that year (equivalent to over $21,000 in 2024), and by 1949, his income had grown to $3,000 (approximately $34,000 in 2024).
William's brother Louis remained a constant presence in his life, living with William and Mary well into their later years. Their close relationship, which began in those early days in England, endured throughout their lives in America. Even after leaving their two-room house in Swaffham Prior, they chose to share a home, supporting each other through life's challenges and celebrations.
The Stinson family faced another heartbreak when granddaughter June passed away suddenly in 1945, followed by William's beloved wife Mary in 1973. William himself passed away on September 9, 1975, having lived a full life of 96 years. He was laid to rest alongside Mary at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, where they join Laura and June in their final rest.
William's story is more than just a timeline of events – it's a testament to courage, family bonds, and the immigrant spirit that helped build America. From a teenage boy arriving alone at New York's harbor to a respected member of the Rochester community, his journey reminds us that every family's history is woven with threads of bravery, determination, and love.
While I've uncovered much about William's life in Rochester, his early years in Swaffham Prior, England, still hold many mysteries waiting to be solved. What happened to his parents and sisters between the 1881 and 1891 censuses? What prompted him to leave England at such a young age? Were there other Stinsons in the area who might help me understand our family's deeper roots in Cambridgeshire? These questions drive my ongoing research, reminding me that every answer we find in genealogy often leads to new and exciting questions to explore.
As genealogists, we're privileged to piece together these stories of our ancestors, even when the research is still ongoing. William's story, documented through census records, city directories, and vital records, shows us how even the most ordinary-seeming lives can reveal extraordinary tales of courage and perseverance. What immigration stories have you uncovered in your family tree? And what mysteries in your family tree are you still working to solve? Share your ancestors' journeys and research challenges in the comments below!
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