Alfred William TIDRIDGE [1871-?] - Mary UNKNOWN 

 

May 10, 1986

Hi John,

You are the first Tidridge to contact me, and it was nice to hear from you.

I went to my aunt's house yesterday to see if she knew of any other relatives in the family other than my grandfather and his three sisters who came to N.Y. around 1900. She didn't know of any others who lived in Southampton, Eng. Or does my father. My father is 85 now and I take care of him.

He told me that he had a uncle who moved to Canada from England his mother's side and never heard from him again. Maybe he was mistaken and it was his father's side?

The family was brought up on a big estate in Southampton by my great grandfather who was the head gardener.

If this is the same family as your grandfather came from then we are related. I hope to hear from you and thanks for writing.

Yours sincerely,

Alfred Tidridge Sr.
6540 Parsons Blvd.
Flushing,
N.Y. 11365

 

April 29, 1997

Dear Cousin John,

I have a picture of my great grandfather Alfred William Tidridge Sr.. The photograph as taken in Southampton in a studio on Bernard St. All these years I thought the photograph was taken in Southampton L(ong). Island NY., but since you stated in your letter that you were from Southampton, England everything just came together for me.

I knew that my great-grandpa came from England. My grandfather told me that he was married to his mother Mary, and came to America with a friend named. Kitty. I met Kitty, but I never knew my great grand parents. I believe they sailed over in or near 1900.

They had three children: Anna, Florence and Alfred Jr. in that order. If Anna is alive she would be well into her nineties. She was married and had a son she named Alfred (Carlson). Florence died in a train accident at the age of 21. I never knew her. My grandfather was born last.

Grandpa married a lady named Mary (Drum). He called her Mary, but her real name was Marie. They had a son Alfred Tidridge. Marie died before I was born and Grandpa married a widow named Charlotte. When I was young, I remember Grandpa sent photographs to England to a cousin named Susan or Susannah. He must have loved her very much, because he insisted that my mother name me Susannah (It's now my middle name, but Grandpa called me Suzie for years.)

Grandpa had a box of pictures. He showed me a picture of his father's brother, but did not give me any information on him. I don't know why til this day. I just assumed they lost contact. What was your grandfather's name? What was (or is) your father's name?

My father married. My brother Alfred Livingstone Tidridge Jr. and I were born. Al married and has two college-aged sons, Christopher and Patrick, and a daughter in high school, Jennifer.

My brother, from my father's second marriage is Lawrence. He's married and has three little girls.

I have a son, Daniel. He's 27 years old and is a sergeant in the army, now serving in Kuwait.

I am an LPN, I work in a retirement home for aged firemen. I'm studying for my RN. I'm 46 years old. I've had diabetes since I was 10 years old. (Any diabetes in the family that you are aware of?).

Anyway nice to know you. Please write and tell me more about you and your family.

It's so nice to know that my father, brothers and I aren't the only Tidridges in the world.

In 1992 my husband and I took a trip to London. I looked in several phone books for the Tidridge name, but came up with nothing. I just didn't know where to look, obviously. On our next trip, we'll definitely go to Southampton.

I hope to hear from you again,

Truly,

Elizabeth.

 

7/15/98

Dear John,

Thank you for sending your condolences on my dad's passing. My brothers and I miss him more than we' realized we would He was a good man, but was, unfortunately, plagued by many problems most of his life - many of which were brought on by himself. He made peace with God before he died, and I'm sure that he is with God now. He told me, two months before he passed away, that he felt very peaceful and that he was ready to go.

I hope that you and your family are all well Were you affected by the ice and snow storms last winter? We were quite lucky - the winter was pretty mild for a change. In the past few months I was able to obtain some more information about the family's history. You may be able to finish this yet!

Alfred William Tidridge married Mary? in England They traveled to America via boat {My brother told me that Alfred Jr. worked for a boat company, and when he came to America, took many jobs, one of which was a gardener) They had 3 children-

Anna ( DOB & DOD) unknown ----- Florence (DOB & DOD) unknown, but I do know that she was tragically killed in a train accident at the age of 21 Alfred William Jr. - DOB = 08-08-1902 DOD = 9-01-1987

Alfred William Tidridge Jr. married Marie Drum (a nice Irish lass!) Date of marriage unknown --- They had one child, my father, Alfred Livingston Tidridge (DOB = 12-08-1929 DOD = 04-16-1998 )

Alfred Livingston Tidridge married Wauneta Bowen (date unknown) and had 2 children. Alfred Livingston Tidridge Jr. (DOB = 12-24-49) and Elizabeth Suzanne Tidridge (DOB = 12-16-50 ) The marriage of our parents was annulled shortly after I was born (date unknown). Years later, my dad remarried and had another son, Lawrence (DOB = 05-05-1966)

Alfred L. Tidridge Jr. married Rosalinda Garcia on July 31,1971 and had three children. Christopher James (DOB = 06-21-75) ----- Patrick Joseph (DOB = 047-77) ------- Jennifer (DOB = 09-07-80)

Elizabeth S. Tidridge (who, after a 26 year long engagement) married Ronald Nelson on April 12,1998. I have on7e -child by a previous engagement, Daniel Biffy Tidridge (DOB = 10-24-69)

Lawrence Joseph .Tidridge married Gladys on 11-29-91. They have 2 children. Melody (DOB = 09-11-92) and Catherine (DOB = 09-01-94) They are expecting another child any day now. I will keep you posted

 

Well, John, this is the first letter I've written on our new computer. My husband bought it for his car transportation business, but he doesn't know how to use it I really don't know much about it, but I sit for hours reading how to books or just press a lot of buttons to figure things out Please let me here from you soon. I hope the information was enough.

 

My regards to your family.

Yours Truly,

Elizabeth

From Lizzie Nelson August 6, 1998

Dear John,

Lawrence (Lonny) and Gladys had a baby boy born on Friday, July 31, 1998. His name is Brandon Alfred Tidridge. Lonny promised my Dad before he died that he would keep the name "Alfred" somewhere in his name. I, one, would never have made such a promise! I loved my dad, but not the name.

My son, Danny, will be getting out of the army on Aug 26^th, but he already joined the National Guard. The base is near home, so I can handle that. He'll be working for my husband driving a tractor trailer.

I'm having problems with my toe. It's infected and I may be hospitalized tomorrow for IV antibiotic therapy. Because I am a diabetic, I am unable to fight off infections very well.

Other than that, all is well.

Yours truly,

Elizabeth