Marriage of Loretta Madgan and Joseph Rickert

OR, How I'm So Good at Deduction

First, let me post the transcription of Loretta and Joseph Rickert's marriage certificate:


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State of New York

Certificate and Record of Marriage

No. of Certificate 4084

Joseph J. Rickert and A. Loretta Madigan

Groom’s Residence: 40 4^th Pl.

Age: 28

Color: W

Single, Widowed, or Divorced: S

Occupation: Salesman

Birthplace: Gutenberg, NJ

Father’s Name: Michael

Mother’s Maiden Name: Elizabeth Baker

Number of Groom’s Marriage: 1^st

Bride’s Residence: 75 4^th Pl.

Age: 27

Color: W

Single, Widowed, or Divorced: S

Maiden Name, if a Widow: --

Birthplace: Brooklyn

Father’s Name: Matthew

Mother’s Maiden Name: Joanna Roche

Number of Bride’s Marriage: 1^st

I hereby certify that the above-named groom and bride were joined in Marriage by me, in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York, at St. Bernard’s Church, in th Borough of Brooklyn, City of New York, this 20^th of April, 1915.

Signature of the person performing the Ceremony: James J. Kunz

Official Station: Clergyman

Residence: 651 Hicks St.

Witnesses to the Marriage:

William J. Rickert

Irene A. Deveney

We hereby certify that we are the Groom and Bride named in the Certificate, and that the information given therein is correct, to the best of our knowledge and belief.

Joseph J. Rickert, Groom

A. Loretta Madigan, Bride

Signed in the presence of

William J. Rickert

and

Irene A. Deveney

Now, what I think is so cool about this is that is totally backs up everything I've said lately. Well, two things, at least. Or, almost two things.

Remember when I hypothesized that Elizabeth Rickert's maiden name was Baker, because that was the last name of her nephew William, whose father had been born in the same state (PA) as she had? Well lookie here! Elizabeth's maiden name was Baker! Sometimes, I feel so freakin' smart!

And remember when I hypothesized that maybe Loretta's name was either Anna Loretta Madigan Rickert or Loretta Anna Madigan Rickert? This record, where she signs her name A. Loretta Madigan reinforces that a little more, I think, than all the many references to a Loretta A. Madigan.

The Rickert Family in 1910

Here's Joseph Rickert's family when he was growing up. They're living at 118 Third Place. His parents were Michael and Elizabeth C. Rickert, and his many siblings were Anna M., b. 1894; August A., b. 1895; Francis J., b. 1889; Clara A., 1892; Alphonse M., b. 1894; Mary E., b. 1895; and Julia E., b. 1899. They also live with two of their cousins, Michael's nephew William J. Rickert and Elizabeth's nephew William B. Baker. Both parents were born in Pennsylvania, of German descent, and, interestingly, all the children were born in NY except Joseph, who was born in NJ. Other records I've come across suggest that some of his siblings were born in Buffalo, NY not in NYC. Michael is a Boatman for "Harbor Boating," Anna seems to be listed a "Costumer" at a store, though I don't know what that means, August is a Wallpaper Salesman at a Wholesale Store, Joseph is a Clerk at a Bank, and Francis is a Canvasser for a Magazine. None of the others kids work, although William Rickert is a Porter for a Publishing Office and William Baker is Clerk at a Railroad Office. Michael is working on his "Own Account," and the rest are "Workers."

Michael and Elizabeth have been married 29 years, meaning they married around 1881. They've had 9 children, 8 of whom are still alive.

If you notice, William B. Baker's mother was born in NY and his father was born in Pennsylvania. Since he's Elizabeth's nephew, and Elizabeth was born in Pennsylvania, it's reasonable to think that he's Elizabeth's brother's son, and thus that Elizabeth's maiden name was Baker.