How do I find the original baptism record for K2HF-GBH
Family Search shows Joseph Springall (1873-1928) K2HF-GBH was baptized and confirmed May 2, 1882. How can I see the source for that date? I'm hoping it might give me some clues as to his true parents who are only partially (if at all) known. I have lots of records from his military pension (he served in the Spanish American War in the Philippines). My wife's great-grandmother claims him as her child after her husband died, but before that they had always treated JS as only a nephew of theirs per census records. The names and dates in the pension records are confusing and inconsistent and we feel the need to find his family. Here is some of my research so far:
Rediscovering Joseph Springall
Soldier in Spanish-American war in Philippine Islands struck on the forehead by the horn of a water buffalo … an indentation left upon his face large enough for the size of an egg to fit in … he was conversant in a great many subjects and his company was very pleasing … a man of good character, dependable in his employment and friendly … a man of good character and above reproach… chief support of his mother … never indulged in either tobacco or intoxicating liquor
If we have the correct dates, one month after Hattie Springall received her endowment while she was not yet 17 years old -- a son, a brother, or a nephew of hers was born named Joseph Springall (10-22-1873). (His October birth may have been as much as four years earlier or two years later according to other sources.) On the day of her endowment, Eliza R. Snow and Zina D Smith performed the washing ordinances; President Daniel H. Wells presided; and Joseph F. Smith lectured to the group of 19 sisters and 14 brothers that day in the Endowment House (9-15-1873). Hattie’s name is the first on the register of those endowed that day. So, who is Joseph Springall and how is he related to Hattie Springall Shafer and the rest of the Springall family? His Salt Lake City obituary notice (6-23-1928) reads:
Funeral services for Joseph Springhall, who died Thursday at Palo Alto, Cal., will be held at 12:15 p.m. Sunday in the Le Grand ward chapel. Interment will be in the United Spanish War Veteran’s plot in City cemetery, and services will be conducted under that organization’s direction. Burial will be under the direction of the Hall-Rickets mortuary. The body may be viewed Sunday at the residence of his mother, Mrs. Hattie [Springhall] Shafer, 1151 Laird Avenue, from 10 a.m. until 12 noon.
Where did Joseph Springall live? We have yet to discover him anywhere in the 1880 census, and the 1890 census was destroyed. The first real census record for him is 1900.
While we don’t have Joseph Springall on the 1880 census, we do have Harry H (38) & Hattie (22) apparently, living in Ogden with Harry going only by the initial “H” for first name, a slightly different spelling of Shaffer, and with only their oldest living child, then known by Albert C. at two years old, later to be known as Clifford A. Joseph would have been approximately five years old but is not listed.
The SLC City Directory for 1897 lists under Springall: Arthur, tankman water works, res Parley’s canyon; James, carp, res 5 Clift av.; Joseph, bds 654 7th East; Mary A (wid Edward) res 537 W North Temple.
In 1898 the US Army register of enlistments includes Joseph Springall from SLC, described as a laborer with blue eyes, brown hair, ruddy complexion, and a height of 5’6 ½ “ He was a private in Tr E 4th Cavalry of the Army enlisting at McPherson, Ga, and discharged March 8, 1899.
June 12, 1900 Joseph Springall appears as the 25-year-old “Nephew” in the home of Harry H (61) & Hattie Shafer (39) at 916 South 9th East in Salt Lake City. Joseph Springhall’s birth is recorded on this census as October 1874 in Utah with parents both born in Utah. Was he truly nephew/cousin, or was he more accurately step-brother to Clifford (22); Harry G (19); Andrew (17); Grover (15); Rosa (13) and Clarence (6). Joseph is listed as three years older than Clifford. Again, his birth is listed as October 1874 in Utah, and occupation “stock herder sheep.” Parents’ birthplace both listed as Utah not England.
The SLC City Directory for 1905 lists under Springall: Arthur, lab Water Works, res 59 S 5th West; James, carp, res Manilla av.; Joseph, driver, bds 916 S 9th East; Raymond, lab R M Bell Tel Co, bds Manilla av.; 654 7th East; Wm A, watchman, bds 59 S 5th West
The SLC City Directory for 1908 lists under Springall: Daisy A, student High School, bds 1280 S West Temple; Dorothy M, student High School, bds 1280 S West Temple; James, carp, res 1280 S West Temple; Joseph, tmstr, bds 916 S 9th East; Raymond J, fireman, bds 1280 S West Temple
The SLC City Directory for 1909 lists under Springall: Albert M, airman D&RG, b Manilla n of Roper av; Arthur D, died Jan 5, ’09, age 45; Daisy A, student, b Manilla n of Roper av; Dorothy M, student, b Manilla n of Roper av; James, carp, r Manilla n of Roper av; Joseph, driver, b 916 S 9th East
In the 1910 census, Joseph Springhall appears again with Harry H (68) and Hattie (56), along with Rose (2) and Clarence (17). This time he is listed as a 35 year older “boarder” born in Utah in 1875 to parents who were from Scotland.
The SLC City Directory for 1913 lists under Springall: Bert, electn Magna Plant, Pleasant Green; Daisy, b 533 E 7th South; Dorothy, clk, b 533 E 7th South; Fred E, appr SL Elec Supply Co, b 629 N 2d West; Jas, carp, r 1220 Jefferson; Jos, lab, rms 916 9th East; Raymond J, electn Magna Plant, r 533 E 7th South,; Wm A, mach D&RG, r 533 E 7th South.
The SLC City Directory for 1918 lists under Springall Jos, guard Amer Exp Co, r 1018 Lincoln av; Kate (wid David A), r 629 N 2d West; Wm A, mach D&RG, r 873 W 3d So
By the 1920 census, Harry has become Henry H Shafer (80) and Hattie is now 60, with an 1870 birth. Joseph Springhall (46) is listed again as their nephew born in 1874. His cousin/step-sister Rose (32) is living there also with her husband Roy Browman (28) and their young daughter Marian (3). Two years later Henry/Harry died May 1, 1922. Joseph Springhall followed six years after that (6-21-1928).
The SLC City Directory for 1925 lists under Springall Jos, wchmn rms 267 3d av; Kate (wid Art T) r 629 N 2d West; Wm A, mach D&RGW r 811 W 3d So
After his June 21, 1928 death, Joseph Springall was buried June 24, 1928 as a veteran in the SLC cemetery at Park PL 10 BL 11. His obituary lists Hattie as his mother, with relatives _________
The absence of the 1890 census hurts. Perhaps we can find a young Joseph Springall somewhere in the 1880 census. Where was he? Was Hattie’s brother James his father? Or was Hattie’s father James the father? Was there yet another James Springhall or Springall? Was she truly his mother? Might we find him with another Springall relative in his childhood and youth?
Answers
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Joseph Springall K2HF-GBH: Private message sent with an update on the issue. Please watch for a red dot near the envelope icon in the upper right-hand corner of this page.
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