What happened to Mary DeLuz CATON (aka: Maria DeLuz CAETANO)?

Born on the island of Santa Maria, Azores, Portugal @ 1882  to Manuel CABRAL and Anna ALVES, Mary married  Portuguese American fisherman, William 'Willie' Caton (aka:Gerurlherme CAETANO) in New Bedford, MA 1905. Mary & Willie had 3 boys and 2 girls, living mostly in Provincetown, Barnstable County, Mass. They also lived in Bristol County, Mass.

Suddenly Mary Disappeared . . .  in Rumor 

The story told to her youngest son, Manuel Caton, as his aunt & uncle placed him in a New Bedford, MA orphanage, was that she died in the infamous Spanish Flu Pandemic of @ 1917-1920. All he understood was his elder siblings were staying with the aunt & uncle, but he was 'little' and not wanted.

Death records of the Massachusetts counties Mary CATON was known to live with her family (Barnstable Co. and Bristol Co.) check-out empty so far.

What happened to Mary CATON?

Did Mary CATON really die in the terrible 20th Century Flu Pandemic?  Did Mary CATON walk away from her family - Her children  told she died to 'save face' for the family name? 

Also - Who is in Mary DeLuz CATON's Wedding Photo? (attached)

Mary, as bride, and her groom, William Caton, are seated at front.  However, the man and woman standing behind them are unidentified. Mary & "Willie" William Caton were married in New Bedford, Massachusetts -  

The photo may have been taken in New Bedford, as they appear to be in their wedding clothes. or between New Bedford and Provincetown, Massachusetts, where much of Willie's extended family lived, and Provincetown is the place Willie & Mary first lived in their married life.

Willie's parents may have lived in Glouchester, Mass by this time, but he had many aunts and uncles still in Provincetown. It is unclear if any of Mary's family (siblings, parents, etc) came with her from Santa Maria, Azores, Portugal with her - but uncommon for a single young lady to travel alone, so at least someone traveled with her from her homeland, whether family or friend. Could the people standing behind Willie & Mary have traveled with her from the Azores?

Daily life of Barnstable County, Massachusetts and Bristol County, Massachusetts (especially the Portuguese American community) can now be searched more easily online with these 2 new free websites.

Check out the the whole story at this link:

New Free Websites Access Newspaper Archives:

Hubby participated in the free beta testing phase & loved this software. Of course we bought it and once I played with it awhile, published my review of this new genealogy software:

genealogy.suite101.com/article.cfm/roots...

RootsMagic 4 is a totally clean-slate rewrite from RootsMagic, Inc genealogy software. Unlike previous versions, this new generation is nearly intuitive ...

Quick tips/reminders to kick off the new year: (additions welcome!)

Resources for Beginning Genealogists

Free Genealogy Websites

Let's start the "2009 Round-up!"   Yee-Haw!

May this be a year of key documents found by all!

To Everyone at Ancestral Spaces

From Herstory & History

 "Genealogists Never Die - We Just Lose Our Census"

-favorite fun history quote, author unknown-

I am a big fan of Nathaniel Philbrick:

Historian writes as if spinning a yarn, instead of telling historical fact!

He recently published an amazing follow-up to his 2007 Pulitzer Prize winning book. . . . with charts, lists, maps, etc:

THE MAYFLOWER AND THE PILGRIMS' NEW WORLD

For genealogists & even youngsters as young as age 12

with interest in the Mayflower era of American history,

this book is a must read - and a must have in the personal library.

Read more about it & see photos - at my DETAILED REVIEW . . . .

What's up with my pseudonym, "Herstory?"   

As a life-long historian and genealogist,

I honor and study Flora Walker   . . . 

Her-story, as a Colorado pioneer & my great grandmother,

As we research and save history of all those who came before us.

I'm excited about this new website and have my brick-mallot ready,

So we might break down brick walls & find long-lost puzzle pieces together!