Iowa Ridleys - British or Irish?
Hi, all- I have begun researching my family tree(clearly) and am looking for connections. I know that my family is descended from Robert E. and Esther Ridley of Estherville, Iowa. Robert was born in Litchfield, Maine. Esther (Allen) Ridley was also born in Maine. Robert's parents were Robert P. and Sophronia (Watson) Ridley. Records searches have been spotty. Is this particular branch of the Ridley's a migratory branch from those who came to Canada, or did they come directly to Maine? Are they British or Irish-descended?
Also, I can't fully trace my family in Estherville. My grandfather was William "Bill" Ridley, and worked for the Rock Island railroad company. My grandmother was Myrtle Mae Schoening Ridley. Their children are Neil (d. 1981), Robert, Lynn (my dad) and Ann (Butterfield) Ridley. I have no records prior to either of my grandparents - my family was not big on keeping those or on sharing with us kids! :o( All I know is that my grandmother and my aunt took ENORMOUS pride in the fact that the family was related to Esther, the town's namesake.
Anyone got anything that might help paint a fuller picture?
Thanks,
Melissa
More Replies:
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Re: Iowa Ridleys - British or Irish?
Delbert Rankin 7/17/10
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Re: Iowa Ridleys - British or Irish?
Jonathan Ridley 7/30/08