Audrey (Smith) Weldon

Ancestors

Problems/Questions Profile manager: ME Fletcher [send private message]

Biography

Elizabeth Audrey, known as Audrey, was born March 9, 1909 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Some records specify March 9th, others March 10th. She appears in the Alberta Census 1911. Older sister Aileen said her name was Audrey Ida but all records found say the former. Aileen also said she always remembered Audrey's birth date because their father died the same day, 3 years later. Audrey married Jack Weldon of Spokane, Washington, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, on 22 August, 1925. She had a daughter at age 17 1/2 in Spokane--Jacqueline (Jacie) Alice Weldon born November 16, 1926--but sister Aileen said that Jack abandoned his wife and baby girl some time later. At some point during the next 4 years Audrey +Jacie moved to Everett, but exactly where the two lived initially is unknown now. Family records show that Audrey lived elsewhere after moving to Everett and left her daughter in Reba’s care, in order to find work. Audrey’s home and work were not recorded although she did return at Christmas at least once bearing gifts for the family. It’s interesting that very few pictures of Audrey have been found and none have been found of Jacqueline at any age. The 1930 US Census, Everett, Washington show Jacqueline 3, living with Audrey's sister Reba, husband Jimmy Colliers and baby Jimmy, 1. Conley, who was Audrey’s younger brother, kept meticulous detailed records, had noted her death date in his files many decades later. These indicated Audrey committed suicide July 7, 1932, reason unknown, place unknown. Other relatives have differing death dates but no official record has yet been found. Due to Con’s detailed nature, this death date is believed. The April 13, 1940 Census, Everett, shows Jacie 13, living with Grandmother Bessie + Felix + Jack (Audrey's half brothers, both working at a lumber mill. Felix is a student at WSU while Jack is supporting his mother and half-niece since the late 1930’s and until Bessie's death in 1942. After Bessie's funeral on Nov 30th, Jacie 16, disappeared, and was never heard from again. (Research on her has been fruitless.) As a young adult, this descendant knew someone who indicated knowing Jacqueline but beyond that, nothing more is known. [Entry ME Fletcher-5298, entered last March 30, 2019]

Sources

Most sources from family records; very little is known about Audrey

• Canadian Censuses, 1911 Alberta
• Idaho County Marriages— 1864-1950; Jack Weldon (? age, of Wisconsin) living in Spokane married Audrey E. Smith, 16 in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho August 22, 1925. Certificate number 1548248.
• US Census 1930, US Census 1940. Both in Everett, Washington.
• Family records/notes from siblings; very little is known about her life, apart from Conley’s notes on her death, and scant notes/pictures here and there; work is unknown, place of residence after her husband left is unknown; her own residence after Jaci was left with family between 1929-32? or 35? (her death) is unknown.

[ Fletcher-5298| ME Fletcher]