Doublecheck: Susan Marie Roy

The purpose of this post is to show the importance of checking genealogical sources, especially transcribed sources. The research questions posed herein may elicit some negative reactions because of the mystery involved. My intention is not to pass judgement, but to present the facts. See more about my philosophy here.

There are two research questions:

1. What is the birthdate of Susan Marie Roy, wife of Horace Sawyer Lydick?
2. Who are her biological parents?

In 1986, I requested a copy of Susan’s birth record. Here is what the County Clerk’s Office returned to me:

Twenty years later, I finally made the trip to Red Lake Falls to look at the original birth registry book for myself. Here are “phone photos” of the two-page spread with un-named Roy [Susan’s] birth just above the cut edge.

There are discrepancies between the transcription and the original:

• The line number of the birth
• The child’s birthdate
• The mother’s birthplace
• The father’s name is listed as “unknown” in the original and left blank and given an editorial comment on the transcription.

At the Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls, I found no baptismal record for Susan.

Susan M. Lydick’s Minnesota death certificate [MN 1957-000765] lists the following:

• Birth: 27 December 1889, Red Lake Falls, Minnesota
• Parents: Alois Roy and Elize J. Ayotte
• Informant: Clinton R. Lydick [her son]

Because I saw the original birth registry book which highlighted the discrepancies, I am convicted that original records must be consulted whenever possible. With these documents, I am certain that

Susan M. Roy Lydick was born December 27, 1889

Proving Susan’s mother should be an easier task.

Elize J. Ayotte is listed as Susan’s mother on the Minnesota Death Certificate. Elize Roy is listed as the child’s mother on the County Birth Register; she married Eloi Roy in Aroostook County, Maine. With her four small children, her husband and members of her husband’s family, she emigrated from Madawaska, New Brunswick in August of 1885 to Red Lake Falls, Minnesota. Elize (Ayotte) Roy married Prudent Gamache in Red Lake Falls on November 6, 1892.¹Polk County Minnesota Marriage Register, Book E, page 371 for Prudent Gamache and Elize Roy. This Elize Ayotte lived in Red Lake Falls when Susan was born.

Elize Judith neé Ayotte is the mother of Susan M. Roy Lydick

Proving Susan’s biological father will not be as easy.

Shortly after arriving in Minnesota, Elize’s husband, Eloi Roy, died. Joseph Roy was one of the family members in that traveling party. His descendants preserved his autobiography in a history of Red Lake Falls²Red Lake County Historical Society, A History of Red Lake County (Red Lake Falls, MN: The Society, 1976), page 326 for Joseph Roy, Sr. and on Find-A-Grave. According to his memoir, upon arrival at Red Lake Falls, the group first lived farm home of Eli/Elie Cyr.

Note the Genealogy FAN (Friends, Associates and Neighbors) Principle here:

• Joseph “Elie” Cyr was Elize Ayotte Roy’s uncle by marriage; Elie Cyr married Sophie Ayotte (Elize’s father’s older sister) in Aroostook County, Maine. By 1885, Elie and his family immigrated to Red Lake Falls, Minnesota.

Eloi Roy died October 17, 1885 and is buried in the Cyr Cemetery [located on private property southwest of Red Lake Falls, Minnesota].

Because Eloi Roy died in October of 1885 (four years before Susan was born),

Eloi Roy is not the biological father of Susan M. Roy Lydick

Susan considered herself a Roy. Susan’s children believed that Eloi Roy was her father. I not trying to cast judgement, nor am I looking to cast a dark shadow on the past.

Rumors.
Some family members claim rape.
Secrets.
Was the relationship consensual?
A beautiful baby.
Do we really need to know the answer?

Where can we look for written evidence of Susan’s middle name?

And don’t forget to doublecheck your transcribed sources!

SOURCES

• 1
  Polk County Minnesota Marriage Register, Book E, page 371 for Prudent Gamache and Elize Roy.
• 2
  Red Lake County Historical Society, A History of Red Lake County (Red Lake Falls, MN: The Society, 1976), page 326 for Joseph Roy, Sr.