Friday's Photo: Lillian Hawkins Ramaley, Grandma's Friend

Lillian Hawkins Ramaley and Grace Mabel Berkly Hawkins
On the back - "Lillian and her mother."

My grandmother, Edith Giddens Davis, had several photos of Lillian Hawkins Ramaley and her family. It was obvious they kept in touch for many years as there was a wide variety of photos - Lillian and her mother, children as babies, and later grandchildren. I did not know where my grandmother was living when she met Lillian so I did a little research. 

Edith Giddens Davis

Lillian was born in England on April 30, 1899. She was the daughter of James Herbert Hawkins, a native of Essex, England, and Grace Mabel Berkly who was born in Kentucky. Lillian and her family immigrated to New York City, arriving on April 4, 1913. She and her family can be found living in Minnesota by 1918. Between 1913 and 1918, my grandmother was living with her family in Phillipsburg, New Jersey. However, there are very few resources available to look for the Hawkins family during that time. So, I did what I should have done before researching - I called my mother. 

Mom said that Lillian and my grandmother went to school together. It might have been Easton Academy or Churchman's Business College. Grandma attended both. I know she walked to school each day by taking the bridge over the Delaware River from Phillipsburg to Easton, Pennsylvania. 

Mom stayed in touch with Lillian after my grandmother died in 1975. Lillian told Mom that she and Grandma walked to school together. Lillian walked my grandmother to her home and then, Grandma would walk Lillian to her home. This would continue until they ended their conversation. 

Children Grace, John, Gene, and Harry

Lillian and her husband, Edward Dow Ramaley had four children. Lillian remained in Minnesota until her death in 1983. She and her husband are buried in Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. 

Lillian Hawkins Ramaley
This is not the clearest photo but one of the oldest. It was taken about the time she was married - 1920.

On the back - "With love Lil"
Note that in British records, her name was spelled Lilian.

Edward and Lillian Ramaley with sons Gene (age 14) and Harry (age 16)

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Diana
© 2020

Sources

Ancestry.com. New York, Passenger and Crew Lists (including Castle Garden and Ellis Island), 1820-1957.  Accessed 2 Feb. 2020.   https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&dbid=7488&h=4037716287&ssrc=pt&tid=76338814&pid=38337143974&usePUB=true

Ancestry.com. Public Tree. Lillian Hawkins Ramaley, Grandma's Friend. Ancestry.com https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/tree/166723228/family?indiv=try&h&db. Accessed 2 Feb. 2020.

Family photographs and documents from the collection Diana Bryan Quinn

"Genealogy search for Lillian Hawkins" - Alien Registration of 1918."  Iron Range Research Center: Genealogical, other records from the Iron Range area in Northern Minnesota https://www.ironrangeresearchcenter.org/details/0/112656/. Accessed 2 Feb. 2020.

"Grace Mabel Berkley."  Facts https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/166723228/person/222165192946/facts?indiv=try&h&db. Accessed 2 Feb. 2020.

U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current.   https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/75038275

Year: 1920; Census Place: St Paul Ward 10, Ramsey, Minnesota; Roll: T625_856; Page: 8B; Enumeration District: 115