James A Reynolds and wife Elizabeth C. Richter of Philadelphia :: FamilyTreeCircles.com Genealogy
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James A Reynolds and wife Elizabeth C. Richter of Philadelphia

Journal by lorrywolfe

My maternal grandparents, James A Reynolds and Elizabeth C Richter have been a very thick and impervious brick wall. My parents tried to penetrate it from about 1975 to their deaths in the 1990s. When I retired, I took on the search. I have reviewed their copious notes, following through to their dead ends and a few, meager clues.

Of course, online research has greatly aided my research...even the oft return to that wall. So, what have my parents and I succeeded in turn up?

According to the 1910 and later US Census, James was born in Pennsylvania about 1863. Anecdotal family stories recall that the Reynolds lived in Philadelphia, PA since before the Revolutionary War. However, I have not been able to tie James Reynolds (parents unknown) to earlier Reynolds families in either Philadelphia or Pennsylvania.
1. James and Caroline were married in 1884 in the Lutheran Church...I have a copy of the registry from the church.
2. When they were married in 1884, they were both living at the home of Elizabeth's (called Lizzie) parents at 915 McKean St, Philadelphia, PA.
3. Lizzie's parents were Charles A Richter, dentist, b@1842 in Germany, died 1885 at home, and Marie Magel, born@ 1844 in Philadelphia, PA. Fact 2 and 3 are from Charles A Richter's death certificate.
4. Neither Richters or Reynolds lived at 915 McKean St, Philadelphia, PA when the 1880 census was taken. There is no evidence Charles Richter practiced dentistry anywhere in Philadelphia, PA; he did not belong to any dental associations.
5. James A Reynolds lived at 915 McKean St, Philadelphia, PA according to the 1890 City Directory.
6. Robert Charles James, Amelia, and William Frederick Reynolds were born at 915 McKean St, Philadelphia, PA to James A Reynolds and Lizzie (Richter) Reynolds. Various family documents.
7. Lizzie Richter filed for divorce from James A Reynolds charging desertion. Divorce granted 1894. I have copies of both documents.
8. Lizzie files for marriage to William Hoehn of Philadelphia, PA in 1894. Robert and Amelia are placed in an orphanage; William a baby; lives with his mother and step-father. Index to marriage records of Philadelphia, PA
9. Lizzie died December 20, 1907 at the home of Charles A Rice, 437 Wolf St, Philadelphia, PA, the home of my maternal great grandparents. death certificate.

In the 1880 census, there is a Charles A Richter, Baker, living in Philadelphia with wife Maria (Magel) daughter Lizzie, and wife's parents named Magel. The oldest son is a dentist, the oldest daughter is his assistant, he has a business manufacturing false teeth. A number of other facts also match up. However, I also have letters wherein facts about this family do not agree with facts about Charles A Richter, dentist. I have not been able to find any information that proves or disproves that they are linked in any way.

Surnames: REYNOLDS RICHTER
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by lorrywolfe Profile | Research | Contact | Subscribe | Block this user
on 2013-06-09 13:19:23

lorrywolfe has been a Family Tree Circles member since Jun 2013.

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