I had heard stories from my grandmother about 'Gramma Bell', as she was known. How she had a lovely accent and loved to tell tales, although she was known as a prevaricator about many things as a matter of course, usually for no particular reason and especially about her age, usually claiming to be up to 10 years younger than actual. The 1930 census (Town of Kinderhook, Villiage of Valatie, NY) shows her as being born in the Irish Free State about 1872, being married at 21 (1893-94) immigrating in 1896 (about 23 -24 years old). In the household of course are John H (23 yrs old 1808) and James (19 yrs old abt 1911) along with their step brothers Thomas J and William H. The 1920 Census for Schenectady in Albany, has a Margaret, born in 1880, Ireland, immigrated 1888, naturalized 1893, married to a German; one Lawrence Gerstung. In the household are sons John (12 yrs old abt 1808) and James L (9 yrs old abt 1911) also in the household is Mr. Gerstung's brother-in-law; one John J WALSH, 37, immigrated 1888 and naturalized 1893. This begs the question; was there a marriage between James' death and the marriage to Thomas Bell?
Next, we have variously heard tales of her last name being WALSH, WELSH and even WELCH, if John J Walsh is her brother, that would put more credence on Walsh. Also, her name has been variously reported as Margaret, Margarette and Margaurite. It would be advantageous to see James Fitzpatrick's death certificate in order to get more information on this, open up paths to new documentation, and to whether or not they were indeed married in Ireland, or Marguerette came with her brother and married James in New York and to possibly settle some dates.
