Hoping to find some one that knows a little history for Lanesville and Rockport, Ma. for the time of 1900-1905 as my great-grandparents imigrated to there. Elias Maki married Ida Murtomaa in Lanesville and they had one child Ida before moving to Mn. I have been told that Elias was either hurt in the rock quarries and had to move for his health, but have recently learned he may have been hit with a block and tackle on a ship instead. Also looking for info on the merchant marines possibly from this area. Where can I possibly get records for this area or is there a book about this time span that would give information? Mona

Hi,

I am also researching a family in Lanesville, MA. Realizing this is a very old post, I found a short history of Finns there at the following link:

http://www.genealogia.fi/emi/art/article193e.htm

I'm trying to locate this family in the 1900 US Census. I don't see a specific listing for Lanesville, so I assume it was incorporated with Gloucester, Essex County. But it would really help to know which Ward. Any chance you know that?

And do you know of other sources of information concerning Lanesville in the late 1800's and early 1900's?

Regards,
Al Puromaki
Poland, OH

Lanesville is a neighborhood of Gloucester. I don't believe it was ever a separate town. There are a number of histories of Gloucester that would probably include general information on Lanesville.

Can I help you find anything on your specific family? (I can check online vital records up to 1915.)

jp

I'm looking for the following family:
Petter Abram Lassila, born 17.7.1864, Finland; wife Maria Evelina, born 6.5.1866, Finland. Petter first came to the US in 1888 with brother Christian, born 22.12.1865. Maria followed abt. 1891; returned to Finland after the birth of Matias Edward in 1894; but returned to Lanesville in October 1900. The children below all believed to be born in Lanesville:

1. Matias Edward, born 23.5.1894

2. Ida, born abt. 1904

3. Abram, born abt. 1906

On the 1900 Census, enumerated prior to Maria's arrival, Petter Abram Lassila may be shown as Abram Peters.

The entire family returned to Finland in 1907.

Greatly appreciate your offer of help. Thank you.

Al

I checked the vital records for Lassila, but found only a few records for that name in Gloucester. There were no births listed. I also checked using only the first names and approximate dates, but still no luck. It's very possible that these children were born there, but that the parents didn't record the births.

I did find a couple of death records that may be of interest. Two little girls died in Gloucester on October 10, 1893, cause of death for both was enterocolitis. The first girl was Brita Evelina Lassila, age 2 years 8 months 4 days, and the second was Jina Eelin Lassila, age 11 months 12 days. Both were born in Gloucester, and the parents of both were Abraham [Lassila] and Mary Pettlar, both born Finland. I think it sounds like they're from the same family.

Hope this helps!

jp

That does look like the right family. Thanks very much for your help.

Al