Frain Family Tree - Illinois Branch

Bird Family

The Bird family is related to me through my paternal grandmother, Elizabeth Bird Frain.

Samuel and Elizabeth Bird's daughter, Elizabeth, married Luke Frain. Elizabeth claimed her family was Pennsylvania Dutch.  The Luke Frain and Elizabeth Bird family group is documented on a different page in this web site. Among the information there are Elizabeth's obituaries and death certificate.

The 1870 US Census taken in Cameron Township, County of Northhumberland, State of Pennsylvania has the following info:

All were white and born in Pennsylvania
Samuel Bird, 37, M, works in a mine
Elizabeth, 34, F, keeps house
Sarah E., 11, F
Jacob M. 10, M
Wm H., 8, M
Sidney A., 1, F

The following is from the 1880 census at Minonk, County of Woodford, IL. 

All in the family were white and born in PA, as were all their fathers and mothers.
Samuel Bird was married, male, head of household, coal miner, age 44.
Elizabeth Bird was married, female, housewife, age 36.
Jacob W. Bird was son, single, male, coal miner, age 20.
William Bird was son, single, male, age 14. (18?)
Sidney A. Bird was daughter, single, female, age 12.
Mary J. Bird was daughter, single, female, age 10.
Lydia A. Bird was daughter, single, female, age 6.
Elizabeth Bird was daughter, single, female, age 1.

The following is from the 1900 Census.

William Bird married Elizabeth (Lizzie) Quilter Dec. 31, 1890 in LaSalle, IL. (See notes below about the IGI record and Marriage Certificate).  She was from Germany, as were her parents. She immigrated in 1881. They had 3 children at the time, all born in Illinois;
William Jr. born July 1895 and died Nov. 1970 in Ladd, IL,
Gertie born Feb. 1898
Mamie born Feb. 1900.  

William Sr. was a coal miner and they were renting their home in Ladd, Illinois. 

The 1920 US Census in Ladd Township, Bureau County, Illinois shows the following:

William Bird, age 44, married 19 yrs, born PA, father born PA, mother born Germany, coal miner
Elizabeth Mae Bird, spouse, age 37, married 19 yrs, mother of 7 with 6 still living, born Germany, father born Germany, mother born Germany
William Bird, son, 16, born Illinois, coal miner
Gertrude Bird, daughter, 12, born Illinois
Mamie Bird, daughter, 10, born Illinois
John Bird, son, 8, born Illinois
Hubert Bird, son, 6, born Illinois
Joseph Bird, son, 1, born Illilnois

The 1920 Census has William Bird and wife Elizabeth owning their home free and clear on Selby St. in the Village of Ladd, in Hall Township, Bureau County, Illinois. He is 53 and she is 44. He and his mother and father were born in Pennsylvania. She and her mother and father were born in Berlin, Germany. He is a coal miner. Living with them were their children

John, age 17, a garage mechanic;
Hubert, age 15, a delivery boy at the retail grocer;
Joe, age 12;
Charlie, age 7;
Samuel, age 4 11/12.
Also living with them was their daughter Gertrude Smith, age 22 and her children Charles, age 4 9/12, and Francis Smith, age 1 7/12.

The 1920 Census has William and Elizabeth's son William renting a home next door with his wife Ethel. He is 24. She is 24. He was born in Illinois, his father was born in Pennsylvania and his mother was born in Berlin, Germany. She and her parents were all born in Illinois. He is a coal miner. They have a daughter Elizabeth, age 4 11/12; a daughter Ethel, age 3 7/12; a son Hubert, age 6/12.

There was some confusion about the given name of Samuel and Elizabeth's daughter Elizabeth's father.  In her obituary and death certificate his name is shown as William, however, the  1870 and  1880  census's show his name as Samuel.  This is an example of how the family may give wrong information on these documents during that period of grief.  It seems they may have provided her brother William's name in error.  Another supporting piece of information was provided by my father when we once visited his uncle Bill.

The Mormon IGI shows William Bird and Lizzie Quilter both born in Peru. This is information extracted from their marriage record in LaSalle, County, IL. I suspect that the nearby town of Peru, Illinois is the reference. They were married in La Salle, Illilnois on Dec. 31, 1890.

This IGI record also names William's and Lizzie's parents.  His are Samuel Bird and Eliza Zimmerman and hers (na) Quilter and Gurty Officer.  A question is whether Eliza Zimmerman is the Elizabeth named in the 1879 and 1880 Census' as Samuel Bird's spouse.   Although the 1900 and 1920 census' shows William Bird families in Ladd, IL area and both with father's named Samuel and wives and daughters named Elizabeth, it makes definite relationships difficult to make.  My family interest starts with Samuel and Elizabeth from PA and their daughter Elizabeth who married Luke Frain who were my grandparents.

I leave the William Bird documentation.  Perhaps it will help another researcher who may be able to make the connections.  Would appreciate any feedback.  Contact me.