Family Tracks and Tales

Consistency across different records helps reassure us that we are on the right track, while unique details give us clearer a picture of those departed relatives’ lives. The Massachusetts Mason Membership Card (Ancestry) for John William McElroy includes his full name, 1875 birth date and place, 1981 death date, and 1925 membership date. His occupation, “Grill Worker”, is best understood in the context of multiple records identifying him as a metal worker in ornamental iron. He lived in Arlington MA so we may imagine his work decorating some early twentieth century Boston-area buildings. An interesting note at the bottom: “Vets medal 1975” suggests an avenue for further research.