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George Finlay (1875 - 1951)

George (Lance George) Finlay
Born in At seamap [uncertain]
Ancestors ancestors
Son of and
Brother of [half], [half], [half], [half], [half] and [half]
Husband of — married 27 Nov 1917 in Cleveland, Ohio, United Statesmap
Descendants descendants
Father of and
Died at age 75 in Palm Beach, Florida, United Statesmap
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Profile last modified | Created 30 Jul 2015
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Biography

George was born on November 16, 1875[1] or 1876.[2] The 1910 U. S. census, as well as his biographical sketch from 1914, indicate that he was born at sea,[1][3] though there are other records which give his birthplace as Scotland or Southampton, England. He was the son of George Finlay, a fleet paymaster in the Royal Navy, and Emma M. Williams.[1][4] Census records for Lance indicate his father was born in Scotland[3][5][6] or Ireland,[7] while his mother Emma is variously recorded as having been born in Wales,[7][5] or Malta,[3][8] or South Africa.[6]

George, son of George Finlay & Emma Maria Finlay, was baptised on 31 December 1875 in Southampton St James, Hampshire, England.[9]

In the 1881 census George (age 3) was the son of Maria Emma Finley in Portsea, Hampshire, England. His mother was working as a tobacconist and stationer and was recorded as being a widow who was a British subject born in Malta. Also in the household were 2 half-sisters to George (Alice Emily Whiffin & Constance Myra E Whiffin, both born in South Africa). George's age is recorded as 3 years although he would actually have been around 5 and a half years old so this must be an error. [10] [11]

George studied engineering at the University of Glasgow (School of Science). After graduation he spent several years working on the construction of sugar plants in Trinidad, Cuba and other sugar producing countries. [1] At some point during this time he appears to have begun to use the name Lance with George used as his middle name.

He immigrated to the United States in 1897.[7][3]

Lance married his first wife, "Mary L. Sage" (her name was instead Marie Louise[12] Sage or Louise Marie Sage), on September 6, 1898, in Jersey City, New jersey.[13] Lance was living in Jersey City, New Jersey in 1900, with his wife, Louise M. Sage, and his brother and sister-in-law, Robert C. Sage and S. Ada Sage.[7] His wife was a native of Scotland.[7]

In 1905, Lance was living in Providence, Rhode Island. In October 1905, he petitioned for a divorce from his wife, Marie Louise S. Finley.[14] On November 16, 1905, that petition was denied and dismissed in the Superior Court of Providence County, Rhode Island by Judge Stearns.[12]

Lance married his second wife, Jessie B. Peebles, on November 3, 1909, in New Castle, Pennsylvania.[15] They divorced on June 23, 1910, in Cleveland. Ohio.[8]

In 1909, he became a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. He was at that time a manager of the L. G. Finlay & Co., located at the New England Building in Cleveland, Ohio.[16]

Lance's third wife was Margaret (last name possibly Austin; it's hard to make out on the record). They married on August 17, 1910, in Niagara Falls, New York.[8] Lance's biographical sketch from 1914 also states he was married in New York.[1] Lance at the time of this marriage was residing in Cleveland, Ohio. The marriage record gives Lance's father's name as George Finlay, born in Scotland, and his mother's name as Mary Williams, born in Malta.[8] Margaret had been divorced from her first husband just four days prior to their marriage.[8]

Lance married Eleanor A Clare (nee Mayer) in 1917.[4] Both Lance and Eleanor are recorded as being divorced from previous spouses.

Lance applied for citizenship in Ohio in 1918.[17]

In 1920 Lance was living with wife Eleanor, daughter Janet and 2 others (Delia Mayer, 71 and Emma A Mayer, 51, presumably relatives of his wife). They were in Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio and Lance was working as a civil engineering contractor. His birthplace is recorded as Scotland on this census, not 'at sea' as per previous sources.[5]

Lance applied for naturalisation in Florida in 1927. At the time of the application he was living at Miami Beach. He gave his birthplace as Southampton, England and stated that he had arrived in New York on 6 Sep 1897, prior to which he had been living in Trinidad in the British West Indies.[18]

In 1930 Lance was living with wife Eleanor and children Janet and Robert in Cleveland, 2 servants were also part of the household. There are some discrepancies with previous records as his birthplace is given as England (not at sea/ scotland as previously) and his mother's birthplace is recorded as South Africa (recorded previously as Malta).[6]

Lance became a US citizen in 1932.[19]

In 1940 Lance was living with his wife and 2 children in Eastchester, Bronxville, New York. As per the 1930 census he was recorded as being born in England. [20]

He was a member of Hiram Masonic Lodge Jersey City, New Jersey.

He died in 1951.[21][22] An obituary in the New York Times (a copy of which is reproduced at FindAGrave) states:

Lance G. Finlay, former vice president of the Raymond Concrete Pile Company of this city, a construction firm, died Sunday in St Petersburg, Fla, where he was on a vacation. Mr Finlay, who resided in Bronxville Manor, N.Y., was 75 years old. Born in Scotland, Mr Finlay was graduated from the School of Science of Glasgow University with a mechanical engineering degree. He came to the United States in 1903 and joined the Raymond firm in 1911. He was named vice president and a director of the firm in 1944 and retired from both posts in 1949. Surviving are his widow, a daughter and a son.


Research notes

There are significant discrepancies in Lance's stated birthplace across the various sources, it is unclear which birthplace is correct- several earlier sources state that he was born at sea or in Scotland but some later sources say Southampton, England, then in his obituary he is again referred to as being born in Scotland. He might have born on a voyage from South Africa to England and was baptised at Southampton (which was possibly the destination port for the voyage?)
Some online trees incorrectly conflate this individual with the George Finlay living with parents George and Emma in Southampton on the 1881 census, that appears to be a different individual born to a mother with surname Lynch.
The immigration year of 1903 in the NYT obit quoted appears to be incorrect as it is contradicted by primary sources.

Sources

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 The Book of Clevelanders (Burrow Bros. Company, Cleveland, 1914) Page 95
  2. ↑ "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K6F8-T2T : 24 December 2021), Lance George Finlay, 1917-1918.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "United States Census, 1910", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MLX5-ZH6 : Wed Oct 04 07:49:13 UTC 2023), Entry for Joseph C Black and Mollie Black, 1910.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-2016", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XDGC-2J4 : 29 September 2021), Lance G. Finlay and Eleanor A. Clare, 1917.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "United States Census, 1920", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MD1X-RDQ : Fri Dec 22 03:12:10 UTC 2023), Entry for Lance G Finlay and Eleanor M Finlay, 1920.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X4G7-FN9 : accessed 23 December 2021), Lance G Finlay, Bronxville, Westchester, New York, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 120, sheet 4B, line 83, family 67, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 1659; FHL microfilm 2,341,393.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 "United States Census, 1900", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M9J1-N25 : Fri Oct 06 18:44:26 UTC 2023), Entry for Lancelot M Finlay and Louise M Finlay, 1900.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 "New York, County Marriages, 1847-1848; 1908-1936," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:9Q97-YSGQ-6HH?cc=1618491&wc=38MT-PT5%3A1583187202%2C1583192901 : 18 March 2019), Niagara > Marriage records, 1908-1913, vol 1 > image 241 of 578; citing county clerk offices from various counties, New York.
  9. ↑ Baptism: "England, Hampshire Parish Registers, 1538-1980"
    citing Digital film/folder number: 008069674_002_M99Q-7QK; Image number: 127
    FamilySearch Record: QPTF-TGZM (accessed 30 January 2024)
    FamilySearch Image: 3Q9M-CSNW-5W7N
    George Finlay baptism on 31 Dec 1875, child of George Finlay & Emma Maria Finlay, in Southampton St James, Hampshire, England.
  10. ↑ 1881 Census: "England and Wales Census, 1881"
    citing The National Archives of the UK Class: RG11; Piece/Folio: 1141/144; Page: 64; Line: 17
    FamilySearch Record: Q274-69P4 (accessed 30 January 2024)
    FamilySearch Image: 3Q9M-CS31-BSZM-S
    George Finley (3), unmarried son, in household of Maria Emma Finley (35) in Portsea, Hampshire, England. Born in Southampton, Hampshire, England.
  11. ↑ 1881 Census: "1881 England Census"
    Class: RG11; Piece: 1141; Folio: 144; Page: 64; GSU roll: 1341279; ED, institution, or vessel: 16
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 7572 #6541151 (accessed 30 January 2024)
    Maria Emma Finley (35), widowed, Tobacconist & Stationer, head of household at 448 Commercial Rd, Portsea in Portsea Island registration district in Hampshire, England. Born in (British Subject), Malta.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Providence News (Providence, R.I.), 16 Nov 1905, Page 1
  13. ↑ "New Jersey, Marriages, 1670-1980", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q29L-MLLF : Thu Oct 05 01:19:35 UTC 2023), Entry for George L. Finlay and Mary L. Sage, 6 September 1898.
  14. ↑ Manufacturers and Farmers Journal (Providence, R. I.), 5 Oct 1905, Page 9
  15. ↑ "Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2VWW-CKL : Sun Oct 15 16:45:31 UTC 2023), Entry for Lance G. Finlay and Jessie B. Peebles, 3 Nov 1909.
  16. ↑ The Journal of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, October 1909, Page 1018
  17. ↑ "Ohio, Northern District, Eastern Division, Naturalization Records, 1855-1945", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:62V5-4BQX : Fri Dec 01 00:31:35 UTC 2023), Entry for Lance George Finlay and Eleanor, 8 Mar 1918.
  18. ↑ Arrival: "Florida, U.S., Naturalization Records, 1847-1995"
    The National Archives at Atlanta; Atlanta, Ga; ARC Title: Declarations of Intention For Citizenship, 1913-1990; NAI Number: 578685; Record Group Title: Records of District Courts of the United States, 1685-2009; Record Group Number: 21
    Ancestry Record 1850 #3010561 (accessed 4 January 2024)
    Name: Lones George Finlay [Lance George Finlay]; Birth Date: 16 Nov 1876; Birth Place: Southampton England; Record Type: Arrival; Departure Place: Trinidad B W I; Arrival Date: 6 Sep 1897; Arrival Place: New York, New York; Ship: Trinidad; Spouse: Eleanor.
  19. ↑ "New York, U.S. District and Circuit Court Naturalization Records, 1824-1991", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:ZMK4-39PZ : Mon Nov 06 15:23:02 UTC 2023), Entry for Lance George Finlay and Eleanor, 1932.
  20. ↑ "United States Census, 1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KQM9-1NM : Tue Nov 28 16:18:43 UTC 2023), Entry for L G Finlay and Eleanor M Finlay, 1940.
  21. ↑ Obit: The Palm Beach Post (West Palm Beach, Florida) 24 Apr 1951, Tue ·Page 4
  22. ↑ Memorial: Find a Grave (has image)
    Find A Grave: Memorial #259327846 (accessed 4 January 2024)
    Memorial page for Lance George Finlay (16 Nov 1876-20 Apr 1951); Maintained by K Gillen (contributor 47561859).

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Comments: 3

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Patrick McCann
It looks like there is a strong likelihood this is Lance living in Portsea, Hampshire, England in the 1881 England & Wales Census: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q274-69P4

The indexed record lists George Finley (who I believe is Lance), aged 3 years, born in Southampton, living in Portsea with his mother, Maria Emma Finley (Lance's 1914 biographical sketch gives her name as Emma M. Williams; his 1910 marriage record gives her name as Mary Williams, very similar to Maria), born in Malta, which is also her birthplace according to his 1910 marriage record and the 1910 U.S. census. Lance's first known marriage in 1898 has his name as "George L. Finley".

Again, I'm only looking at the indexed record — there might be additional information in the record image, not indexed, that can further confirm or deny this theory. The record also lists his siblings, born in South Africa, which is notable because the 1930 census gives his mother's birthplace as South Africa.

posted by Patrick McCann
edited by Patrick McCann
Patrick McCann
Found a baptismal record: George Finlay christened on December 31, 1875 in Southampton, England, son of George Finlay and Emma Maria Finlay.

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPTF-TGZ9

Lance's DOB is given as 1876 in his WWI Draft Registration, but it's given as November 16, 1875 in his 1914 biographical sketch.

posted by Patrick McCann
Parker-41651 Helen (Parker) Flight
Thank you! I agree that both records look like him and have adjusted the bio accordingly. I've added an ancestry sharing link to the 1881 census, his age is incorrect on it but with the specific info that his mother was born in Malta and 2 half-sisters were born in South Africa it all seems to tie together with other sources.

Best wishes, Helen.

posted by Helen (Parker) Flight

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