Mary Ellen Flynn 1887 - 1977

This past summer, I unexpectedly received a letter in the mail from a second cousin, Lorraine from Massachusetts.  She had found my Flynn Family History Blog and wanted to get in touch with me. Lorraine is a descendant of Mary Ellen Flynn (my grandfather's sister) and had information about her grandmother and also her Aunt Betty (Elizabeth Flynn).  Lorraine and I started corresponding via e-mail and I quickly learned I had the story of Mary Ellen Flynn incorrect.  I promised Lorraine, I would make corrections to the Blog regarding her grandmother.  Her story is as follows:

Mary Ellen Flynn (standing)
Elizabeth Flynn (sitting)

Mary Ellen Flynn was born December 15th, 1887 in Harbour Main, Newfoundland Canada.  She was the third child and the first daughter born to Stephen Flynn Sr. and Mary Ann Tubrett, making her my Great Aunt.

According to Ancestry.com, Mary Ellen arrived in MA in 1907 she was 20 years old at the time. (possibly when this photo was taken) Four years later, she married William J. Holden in 1911 in MA. He was from Salmonier, Newfoundland.

Lorraine states they had four children, all born in Newfoundland. So for some reason, after they were married in MA they returned home to Newfoundland and started a family.  Lorraine's mother Gertrude Agnes was born July 10, 1912, then George in 1914, Michael in 1917 and last William in Oct of 1919.

Shortly after William was born the family traveled back to MA to live (probably for work opportunities) , Lorraine states the family story passed down was that on their way to MA, "they threw the dirty diapers out the window of the train.".  She is thinking they arrived in Boston, MA sometime in the spring of 1920.  They had only been in MA for about six months when Mary Ellen's husband William Holden was struck by a truck and died.

I was able to find - U.S Records of Aliens Pre-Examied in Canada (again through Ancestry.com) dated 07/02/1920 of William Holden, his wife Mary Ellen and their four children.  It states they were coming from Bell Island, Newfoundland, Williams occupation is recorded as Machinist, destination East Boston, MA to the address of William's brother, James. They had 300 dollars in their pocket and that their purpose in coming to the states was for permanent residence. 

Lorraine shared that it was very difficult for her grandmother after her husband's death, she could not afford a burial plot for him but a relative offered her one, she believes he is buried in Needham, MA. Mary Ellen went to work as a cook for a wealthy family in the Boston Area.  Lorraine's mother Gertrude, being the oldest had to drop out of school at age 16, to help support the family.

 

Mary Ellen with grand daughter Lorraine
& Lorraine's father  Walter in 1946, MA

Some years later, by 1940, Mary Ellen remarried to William Morse who was from Newfoundland as well. He was also widowed and had 8 children.  When Mary Ellen's second husband passed away, she went to live with her daughter Gertrude and her family in Malden, MA. Lorraine states,  her grandmother was very dear to her.  Mary Ellen died Oct 6, 1977, two months before her 90th Birthday.  She is burried along side her sister Elizabeth, and 3 of her 4 children in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett, MA.

Lorraine expressed that her grandmother was a very strong woman, to raise four children on her own so far away from home and family, she feels that her life and experience growing up in Newfoundland is what made her so strong.

This is another heart-breaking story in the Flynn Family History,  Mary Ellen's father Stephen Flynn Sr also died that year on Oct, 5th 1920.


Thank You Lorraine for sharing Mary Ellen's story!

        Your Cousin, Elaine

Lt to Rt - Gertrude Agnes, Lorraine with son Michael, daughter Denise and Mary Ellen Flynn Holden Morse
Taken 1971 in Massachusetts