52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 39

Week 39:

The theme for Week 39 is “Disappeared.” All of us have someone on our family tree who seems to have just disappeared. This is a good week to write about them. (Who knows – maybe writing about them will help you spot some gaps in your research and give you ideas on new places to look!)


Martin Stanley Taylor

Born: 24 Jul 1874 • Newberry, York, Pennsylvania, USA

Death: ?? Arizona?? 

2nd great-grandfather


Martin Stanley Taylor, my 2nd great-grandfather is the brick wall that I can't seem to break through. I know when and where he was born. I know that he abandoned my 2nd great-grandmother and their daughter. I know he moved to Ohio, remarried, and then settled in Arizona. I know that he outlived his second wife... but that is where the trail ends. 

He disappears completely off the records. 

I can't find a death certificate or a grave listing. 

His first wife, Minnie, is buried at Paddletown Cemetery in Newberry Township. His second wife, Anna, is buried in her family's plot in Ohio. 

Did Martin come back to Pennsylvania after being widowed? Did he return to his widow's hometown in Ohio? Did he die in Arizona? I know from my great-grandmother that she never heard from her father again after he abandoned the family, so I doubt he came back to Newberry. 

Martin had at least eight siblings who survived infancy. Did he keep in touch with them? Did he mail them letters from Ohio or Arizona? Did his parents or siblings know about his new wife and life after leaving Pennsylvania? 

This is one ancestor who gives me more questions than answers. 

The key to breaking through this brick wall might be obvious to someone else. I've stared at the documents and newspaper clippings for so long that even if the answers was right in front of my face, I'd probably still miss it. 


Martin's father-

William H Taylor

1840–1923

3rd great-grandfather


Martin's mother-

Mary Jane Sipe

1845–1926

3rd great-grandmother


Martin's first wife- 

Minnie Jane Free

1870–1952

2nd great-grandmother


Martin's daughter-

Lillian Mae Taylor

1895–1981

great-grandmother


Martin's second wife-

Anna Catherine Wendel

1887–1947

wife of 2nd great-grandfather













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