Smith Rooksby1

#20106, (c 1862 - 1950)
ChartsWilliam Oliver (born ~1730) & Ann Wilson - collapsible 6 generation descendant chart

Life Events

BirthSmith Rooksby was born circa 1862 in Cobourg, Ontario.1
 
NoteHe married Georgia Carlyle on 10 Jan 1893 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Details from the registration: age 27, farmer, residence Winfield Tp, Montcalm County, Michigan, born in Canada, son of George Rooksby & Jane Brown.2 
Note.Smith & Georgie had a son, Arthur, on 30 Sept 1894, in Spencer Township, Michigan. The birth was registered in May 1895 [surname spelled Ruxby].3 
NoteHe was widowed on 11 Feb 1907.4 
MarriageHe married Sarah Elizabeth Arnott on 13 May 1914 in Peterborough, Peterborough County, Ontario.
Details from registration: Smith Rooksby, 52, residence Grand Rapids Mich, born Cobourg, widower, Farmer, Anglican, son of George Rooksby & Jane Brown;
Sarah Arnott, 46, residence Peterboro, born Township of Murray, spinster, Anglican, daughter of William Arnott & Drusilla Oliver;
Witnesses were Harry & Clara Jeffery of Peterboro [Sarah's sister and brother-in-law].1 
1920 CensusSmith and Sarah E Rooksby appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Spencer Township, Kent County, Michigan. Smith owned his farm with a mortgage. He was 58, immigrated in 1879 and naturalized in 1915, born in Canada, parents born in England and Ireland. Sarah was 52, born in Canada, parents born in England, immigrated and naturalized in 1914. With them was Smith's son from his first marriage, Arthur D, age 25.5 
(Mentioned) Passenger ListSmith Rooksby was mentioned on a passenger manifest for Charles Anderson Arnott on 7 Jul 1925. Charles was entering the United States to join his uncle Smith Roosky [sic] of Sand Lake, Michigan, and to become a permanent resident.6 
(Widowed) DeathHis wife Sarah died on 10 Feb 1927.7  
1940 CensusSmith appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Spencer, Kent County, Michigan. He owned his $150-200 home [this is low] and had lived in the same house in 1935. He was 79, widowed, had a grade 4 education, was born in Canada, was an American citizen, and was a farmer working on his own account. With him was his son Arthur (age 42, single, born in Michigan.)8 
DeathSmith died on 15 Mar 1950 in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan.
He was noted to be age 79, widowed, and born 12 Oct 1879 [sic] in Campbelford, Canada.9 
ObituaryHis obituary was published on 17 Mar 1950 in the Grand Rapids Press.
Rooksby--Smith Rooksby, aged 79 of Pine Island Lake Rd NW passed away Wednesday morning. Surviving is one son, Arthur of Comstock Park. Graveside services will be conducted at the family lot in the Trufant cemetery, Trufant, Mich., Saturday at 2 p.m. Mr. Rooksby reposes at the B___ A. Spring & Sons Chapel.10
 
BurialHe was buried in Trufant Cemetery, Montcalm County, Michigan.11 
Last Edited5 Jul 2016

Citations

  1. Ontario Marriage Registration. Rooksby/Arnott, #1914-018238.
  2. Marriage Records of Michigan, 1868-1925. viewed at Family Search Historic Records & Images Online, Smith Rooksby & Georgia Carlyle, 1893, #6256.
  3. Birth Records of Michigan, 1867-1902. viewed at Family Search Historic Records & Images Online, Arthur Ruxby, registered 1895, #4859.
  4. Website United States GenWeb (www.usgenweb.org), Kent County, Michigan, transcription of Spencer Mills Cemetery.
  5. United States 1920 Federal Census, Michigan, Kent County, Spencer Township, ED 111, Page 1A.
  6. Border Crossings: from Canada to U.S., 1895-1956, images (www.ancestry.com) "Charles A Arnott, 7 July 1925."
  7. Michigan Death Index, 1921-1952. Text entry viewed at FamilySearch, Sarah Elizabeth Rooksby, 1927.
  8. United States 1940 Federal Census, Michigan, Kent County, Spencer, ED 41-40, Page 3B.
  9. Michigan Death Index, 1921-1952. Text entry viewed at FamilySearch, Smith Rooksby, 1950.
  10. Rootsweb Mailing List, archived online at http://lists.rootsweb.ancestry.com/, MIKent list, 14 Feb 2003, Smith Rooksby obituary transcription, Grand Rapids Press, 17 March 1950, page 48.
  11. Website Find A Grave.