As I wrap up my January research block focusing on Hazel Quinn, and put the finishing touches on her biography, I am reflecting on not only all I’ve learned about her, but what I’ve learned from her….

Hazel’s life, from her birth on 19 May 1909 to her passing on 28 June 2000, was defined by strength and resilience. Records reveal a woman who faced loss, heartache, and multiple reinventions, but records cannot capture the spirit she left behind—a spirit that shaped the lives of her descendants, including my wife, Victoria, and our children.

More than a name in a family tree, Hazel weaves her story of hardship and triumph into the fabric of those who follow. Through fire, illness, divorce, and solitude, she persevered—her resilience offering a timeless lesson for us all.

Hazel teaches the value of community, hard work, and moving forward even when it seems impossible.

What I’ve learned from Hazel through this research is that her life was full of contrasts—quietly loving, sometimes stern, fiercely independent, but always real. Her kindness and wit live on, as do the lessons she imparted through both the tender and the fiery moments of her journey. I think I’ve come to believe that Hazel realized she was able to bring value to world without a husband, and that the only love she needed was that of her family.

Hazel’s legacy is a testament to the enduring will to persist, even when life doesn’t unfold as planned.Her story—still resonating in the lives of those she left behind—is the truest tribute we can offer to a woman who quietly showed her family how to live, and how to endure.

Without further ado, please click here to read Hazel’s biography.

Though I didn’t find all the documents I hoped for in this research block, I actually discovered more about Hazel than I expected. There’s still more to explore, and February’s research block will shift focus to Thure Emanuel Bergquist, Hazel’s first husband and the father of her children. This does not mean in any way that I will be done telling her story, only that this specific part of my year-long project has come to an end. The beauty of this biography is that it can be expanded with more information, details, and memories about Hazel’s life at any time.

I hope I’ve done her proud by telling her story in a meaningful, respectful way.

To Hazel—I will ensure that your story, your life, and your love will continue to resonate with our children, and with generations to come!

Hazel Quinn’s story in the late 1920s and early 1930s is one of work, community involvement, and even a bit of adventure. Through city directories, census records, newspaper clippings, and a surprising passenger list, we can piece together the details of her young adult life.

1926–1927: Living at Home, Establishing Independence

The Randolph City Directory for 1926-27 lists Hazel and her parents, Marshall G. and F. Pearl Quinn, at “rear 547 N Main.” This tells us several things. First, Hazel was old enough to be included in the city directory, which typically listed adults or working members of a household. Her parent’s listing confirms her father’s continued employment with the Brockton Gas Light Company. The phrase “rear 547 N Main” suggests they lived in a smaller residence behind the main building, possibly a secondary dwelling or a tenement-style home.¹

This small notation in the directory places Hazel firmly in Randolph during this period and confirms that, at least as of 1926-27, she was still living with her parents.

💡 Genealogy Tip! City directories can be invaluable for tracking ancestors between census years. They help pinpoint locations, occupations, and household members, though keep in mind that addresses may not be permanent residences—sometimes they indicate workplaces or temporary housing.

1928: Hazel Joins the Randolph Grange Fair

On August 13, 1928, 19-year-old Hazel Quinn was mentioned in The Boston Globe as a committee member for the Randolph Grange Fair. This agricultural and educational fair, held at Odd Fellows’ Hall, was a significant local event, bringing together farmers, artisans, and community members. Hazel served on the art and needlework committee, alongside her mother, Flora Pearl Quinn. Her father, Marshall Quinn, was also involved, serving on the manufactures and appliances committee.²

The Reverend Eugene S. Philbrook, Baptist Minister, was also involved with the Randolph Grange, he would go on to officiate Hazel’s marriage in 1933, and that of her sister Muriel in 1935.³

This tidbit gives us insight into Hazel’s community involvement—her participation suggests an interest in crafts or fine handiwork, or simply a willingness to contribute to local events.

💡 Genealogy Tip! Community events mentioned in newspapers can reveal more than just participation. They provide social context—what was important to your ancestor, who they worked alongside, and what local organizations they supported.

1930 Census: A Young Working Woman

Citation: 1930 U.S. census, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, Randolph Town, enumeration district (ED) 120, sheet 21-B, dwelling 321, family 349, Marshall G. Quinn household; imaged database, “United States, Census, 1930,” FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9R4G-S8K).

By April 1930, the U.S. Census places Hazel, now 20 years old, living with her family in Randolph, Massachusetts. The Quinns resided on “Maiden Lane,” though there is some evidence that their actual address was on North Main Street.

Hazel was listed as a waitress in a lunchroom—a modest but important job during the early years of the Great Depression. Her younger siblings were still in school, while her brother Arnold worked at the same gas company as their father. The census also records that the family rented their home for $25 a month and owned a radio, a small luxury in that era.

💡 Genealogy Tip! Census records often include rent and mortgage amounts, radio ownership, and even whether a home was on a farm. All of these hints can suggest the economic standing of the enumerated. A caution: be sure to check with an inflation calculator to get a more realistic picture of an ancestors financial situation.

1932: Hazel Takes a Trip to the Bahamas!

In a surprising twist, Hazel Quinn appears on a passenger list for the S.S. Munamar, sailing from Nassau, Bahamas, on March 13, 1932, and returning to the Port of New York on March 16, 1932. At 22 years old, Hazel had taken an international trip—something that might not have been common for a young working woman in the early 1930s.

She was traveling with at least one companion, Grace Humphreys, a single 23-year-old woman from Amherst, Massachusetts. Their reasons for travel are unknown, but a cruise advertisement from February 1932 suggests that Nassau was being marketed as an escape from the harsh New England winter. It was only 60 hours from New York to Nassau, and a round trip five day excursion was marketed at $90 total. However, the records available do not tell us if the young women embarked on the thirteen day trip priced at $132, or the discounted five day fare.⁴

This brief adventure raises many questions—was this a leisure trip? A work-related journey? How did Hazel pay for her passage? Did Hazel and Grace save for months—or years—to afford it, or was it a special gift? Unfortunately, as is so often in genealogy, records sometimes leads to more questions, and some of these questions we may never know the answer to.

Whatever the case, young Hazel had a taste of international travel in the midst of the Great Depression.

Notably, Hazel’s return trip was delayed by thick fog, as reported in The Brooklyn Eagle on March 17, 1932. The S.S. Munamar, along with five other ships, had to wait to dock in New York Harbor due to poor visibility.⁵

💡 Genealogy Tip! Passenger lists can be a goldmine for genealogists. They often reveal not just travel history, but also addresses, travel companions, and even nationality status. If your ancestor traveled abroad, check newspapers for possible delays, accidents, or even social columns mentioning their journey!

What These Records Tell Us

The records from 1926 to 1932 paint a picture of Hazel Quinn’s early adulthood, showing us how she balanced work, community involvement, and a touch of adventure.

• She lived with her family at various points, indicating strong family ties and financial practicality during the Great Depression.
• She was active in the community, participating in the Randolph Grange Fair alongside her parents, which suggests she valued local events and traditions.
• She worked as a waitress, an occupation that, while modest, was crucial in an era when many struggled to find employment.
• She traveled internationally, taking a cruise to the Bahamas with a friend, which raises intriguing possibilities about her interests, financial situation, and social circle.

Together, these details bring Hazel to life—not just as a name in a record, but as a young woman navigating the 1920s and 1930s with determination, community spirit, and perhaps a bit of wanderlust. Her story reminds us that even everyday records can reveal extraordinary moments in an ancestor’s life.

1. Randolph, Holbrook and Avon Directory, 1926-1927 (Boston: R. L. Polk & Co., 1926), 97, Hazel E. Quinn; imaged database, “U.S., City Directories,” MyHeritage (https://www.myheritage.com), image 53 of 131. ↩︎
2. “Committees Names For Randolph Grange Fair,” The Boston Globe (Massachusetts), 13 August 1928, p. 4. ↩︎
3. For Hazel’s marriage certificate: Norfolk County, Massachusetts, marriage certificate no. 164 (1933), Bergquist-Quinn, Norfolk County Town Clerk’s Office. For Muriel’s marriage: “Miss Muriel Ellinor Quinn married Chester E. Gonier in Quincy,” The Quincy Evening News (Massachusetts), 30 September 1935. ↩︎
4. “Beware the Colds of March. Take a Munson Cruise to Tropic Sunshine,” Atlantic City Press (New Jersey), 29 February 1932, p. 4; and “54 hours to Nassau,” Chicago Daily Tribune, 09 March 1932, p. 20; see https://www.bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm for inflation calculation. ↩︎
5. “6 Incoming Liners Delayed by Thick Fog Over Harbor,” Brooklyn Daily Eagle (New York), 17 March 1932, M2-19. ↩︎

By early 1920, Hazel Quinn—just ten years old—found herself at the center of a family besieged by misfortune. The winter had already been merciless, with the Quinns losing their farmhouse to a devastating fire in December 1919. Forced to relocate to Jay, Maine, they barely had time to settle before tragedy struck again.

Citation: 1920 U.S. census, Franklin County, Maine, Jay (town), enumeration district (ED) 53, sheet 12-A, dwelling 241, family 253, “Matthew” Quinn household; imaged database, “United States, Census, 1920,” FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9R6G-6KH).

A Family in Recovery

On February 2, 1920, the U.S. census taker arrived in Jay to record the Quinn household, but it’s unlikely he spoke directly to Marshall or Pearl. The family had just suffered through weeks of illness and loss. Just days prior Pearl had given birth to an infant that died at birth. Not only did Pearl fall ill with tonsillitis, and Marshall contract pneumonia, but scarlet fever also had torn through the household, affecting all of the children except for the oldest son Bernard.

Hazel, like most of her siblings, was still recovering as the enumerator marked down the details of a family in crisis.

The census lists Hazel alongside her parents and seven siblings, but errors abound. Her father, Marshall, is incorrectly recorded as “Matthew,” her sister Muriel has become a brother “John,” and her brother Handley appears as “Harlow.” The Quinns, likely too weak or preoccupied to provide information themselves, may have had their details given by a neighbor or local official. But who?

Reliability of Informants

A clue to the source of these errors comes from a Lewiston Evening Journal article published just days later, on February 9, 1920. The piece describes how the town’s Board of Health chairman, H. H. Allen, had arranged for a man and woman to come care for the ailing Quinn family.

It was very likely this couple spoke to the census enumerator. With the Quinns still recovering from illness and loss, they may have relied on these caretakers to provide household information—leading to the many mistakes in the record.

This census record for the Quinn family, while valuable, contains misrecorded names and minor age discrepancies—errors significant enough that some researchers have mistakenly identified it as an entirely different family. I even once received an email from a descendant convinced this record couldn’t possibly belong to the Quinns. However, a careful review of all available evidence helps clarify the source of these mistakes and resolve the conflicting details.

Hazel’s Battle with Scarlet Fever

Hazel had already endured the shock of fleeing her burning home in freezing temperatures, losing nearly all her belongings, and witnessing her heavily pregnant mother’s harrowing escape. But the ordeal didn’t end there. In the aftermath of the fire, she, along with six of her siblings, fell ill with scarlet fever, an infectious disease that often proved fatal in the days before antibiotics.

The illness left the Quinns quarantined, isolated from the community just when they needed support the most. Hazel would have experienced the fever, rash, and throat pain that accompanied the disease, all while confined to a new, unfamiliar house. For a child, the combination of fear, loss, and physical suffering must have been overwhelming.

A Record of Survival

For Hazel Quinn, this census entry captures a pivotal moment in her early life—one of uncertainty, resilience, and recovery. At just ten years old, she was living through the aftermath of a devastating house fire and a serious scarlet fever outbreak, events that undoubtedly shaped her childhood. But despite the hardships, her family remained together, rebuilding their lives.

The census alone cannot tell a full story. It is a snapshot, and we must use other records to piece together the challenges the family faced during this time. And through all of those small details compounded, we catch a glimpse of their perseverance.

What This Record Tells Us

Beyond the errors, this census still offers key insights into Hazel’s world at the start of 1920:

• Marshall Quinn is misrecorded as “Matthew,” and several children’s names are incorrect, possibly because the information was provided by someone outside the family.
• As corroborated by other records, Marshall was working as a laborer in a nearby pulp mill.
• The four oldest children normally attended school. They could all read and write.
• At ten years old, Hazel was one of the eldest children, likely helping care for her younger siblings as the family rebuilt their lives.

From this brief snapshot in time, we see not just names on a page, but a family navigating hardship with quiet determination. As Hazel grew, her surroundings and circumstances would change, but the resilience shown in this census hints at the strength that carried her forward.

By the time the 1910 U.S. Census rolled around, little Hazel Elizabeth Quinn had gone from a newborn in her parents’ Brockton home to a toddling one-year-old nestled in a multi-generational household. This snapshot of her early life gives us a vivid look at family dynamics, immigration stories, and—once again—some eyebrow-raising details about her father’s age and birthplace.

Citation: 1910 U.S. census, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, Brockton Ward 1, enumeration district (ED) 1180, sheet 8-B, dwelling 131, family 170, Handly [sic] Sabean household; imaged database, “United States, Census, 1910,” FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9RVP-QKB).

The Sabean Household at 63 Wheeler Avenue

On April 23, 1910, census enumerator Hattie Doane made her way down Wheeler Avenue in Brockton, Massachusetts, clipboard in hand. At number 63, she recorded the residents of the Handley Sabean household—a lively home packed with four generations under one roof.

Hazel, her two-year-old brother Bernard, and their parents—Marshall and Flora Pearl Quinn—were living with Flora’s parents, Handley and Ella Sabean. Alongside them were three of Flora’s younger siblings: Ella, Clarence, and Ernest. And to round things out, Hazel’s great-grandmother, Mary A. Cogswell, also lived in the household. It was a full house in every sense.

The Working Men of the Household

Hazel’s grandfather, Handley Sabean, was a provisions dealer, which meant he was in the business of supplying meat and other goods—likely a steady trade in an industrial city like Brockton. His son-in-law, Marshall Quinn, continued his work as a gas fitter, helping to install and maintain gas lighting and appliances. Both men were recorded as able to read and write, a sign of their social standing in a time when literacy wasn’t yet universal.

The Women Who Ran the Home

Like many women of the era, Hazel’s mother, Flora Pearl, and her grandmother, Ella, had no occupation listed in the census. That, of course, didn’t mean they weren’t working—it simply meant their work wasn’t considered part of the official economy. Raising children, maintaining a household, and caring for elderly relatives were all full-time jobs. We also know that Pearl worked for private clients as a seamstress and milliner, skills she may have learned from her mother Ella, and grandmother Mary.

Marshall Quinn’s Massachusetts Mystery Continues

Once again, we find Hazel’s father, Marshall Quinn, shifting his birthplace to Massachusetts. If this sounds familiar, it’s because this wasn’t the first—or last—time Marshall strayed from the truth about where he was born. As discussed in a previous post, Marshall was actually born 21 April 1871 in Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia, but throughout his life, he frequently claimed Massachusetts instead.

Adding to the confusion, this census reports Marshall’s age as 33. That’s a problem because, based on the available evidence, he should have been 38. His fluctuating age had been a recurring theme in records before his 1907 marriage to Flora Pearl Sabean, after which it finally stabilized. Did he shave off a few years to seem closer in age to his younger wife? Possibly. Or maybe he just found it easier to keep up with the version of events he’d already been using. Regardless of why these inconsistencies appear, one thing is clear: The 1910 Census adds yet another layer to the ongoing puzzle of Marshall Quinn’s evolving identity.

Given that we know Marshall’s mother was a McIntyre from Canada, it’s tempting to wonder if the neighboring McIntyre family on this census page was a distant relation, but that’s a mystery for another day.

Life at 63 Wheeler: A Glimpse Into the Past

For Hazel Quinn, this census entry represents her second earliest recorded place in history. At just a year old, she was too young to understand the importance of that moment—too young to know that 114 years later, someone would be reading about her in a genealogy blog. But thanks to this simple document, we can imagine her world:

• A house filled with family, from a great-grandmother to younger uncles and aunts.
• A father working in the gas industry during a time of rapid urban expansion.
• A mother caring for two young children while sharing a home with extended relatives.

As Hazel grew up, her surroundings would change, but this census gives us an early glimpse into the people and places that shaped her childhood. The next time we find her on record, she may be a school-aged girl, beginning to leave her own mark on the world.

Until then, this snapshot of the Sabean household reminds us that family history isn’t just about names and dates—it’s about people, their choices, and the stories hidden in the details of a census form.

On May 19, 1909, the city of Brockton, Massachusetts, welcomed a brand-new resident to 23 Glenwood Street—Hazel Elizabeth Quinn. The paperwork might be official and straightforward, but this simple birth record holds more than just names and dates. It gives us a tiny window into the lives of her parents, the place she was born, and even a few genealogical breadcrumbs that tell us where to look next.

A Gas Fitter and a Canadian Bride

Hazel’s father, Marshall G. Quinn, listed his profession as a gas fitter. While that might not sound glamorous today, in 1909, gas was still a primary source of lighting and heating in many homes, and the transition to electricity was only just beginning. So, in a way, Marshall was in the business of bringing light to the world—a fitting metaphor for a man welcoming his firstborn daughter.

Her mother, F. Pearl Sabean, hailed from New Brunswick, Canada. The Sabeans were a well-documented family in the Maritime Provinces, and Pearl’s family had made the journey south to Massachusetts in her infancy.

Brockton: More Than Just Shoes

Brockton was a booming city in the early 20th century, known as the “Shoe City” due to its thriving shoe manufacturing industry. It was a city of opportunity, drawing in skilled workers and young families. Marshall and Pearl, like so many others, were part of this community—seeking work, stability, and a future for their growing family.

A Curious Case of Geography: Where Was Marshall Really Born?

One peculiar detail in Hazel’s birth record is her father’s reported birthplace: “Newton Centre.” While this might seem like a simple fact, it’s actually a genealogical curveball. Marshall George Quinn was not born in Newton Centre—he was born in Nova Scotia, Canada.

This isn’t the only time he claimed a Massachusetts birthplace—during this period of his life, Marshall frequently reported being from the U.S. instead of Canada. Why? There are a few possible explanations:

• Was It About Appearances? — At a time when immigration status could influence social standing and employment opportunities, Marshall may have chosen to present himself as more American. A Massachusetts birthplace might have made life a little easier in a country where Canadian-born workers sometimes faced discrimination.
• A Family Connection to Newton Centre? — Marshall did have relatives living in Newton Centre, so perhaps he used the name of a familiar place. If he had spent time there growing up or visiting family, he might have claimed it as his own to simplify things.
• A Misunderstanding or Phonetic Mix-Up? — Another intriguing theory: Could “Newton Centre” have been a misunderstanding of New Annan Center? New Annan Center is a real community in Nova Scotia, just about 9 miles from Tatamagouche, where Marshall’s family was consistently enumerated in Canadian censuses. If he mentioned “New Annan Center” aloud, a Massachusetts clerk unfamiliar with Nova Scotia geography might have misheard or assumed he meant Newton Centre, a well-known town much closer to home.

Whatever the reason, this is a great example of how records—even official ones—aren’t always 100% accurate. For genealogists, it’s a reminder to verify information across multiple sources before taking any single document at face value.

A Delayed Paper Trail

Another interesting detail: Hazel’s birth wasn’t officially registered until February 1, 1910—more than eight months after the fact. While this wasn’t unusual, it does highlight the need for genealogists to check a broad range of dates when hunting down birth records. Life gets busy, and sometimes parents (or city clerks) didn’t rush to file paperwork.

What This Record Tells Us

At first glance, this birth certificate might seem like a routine document, but it’s packed with valuable information:

• Hazel’s exact birth date and place (critical for tracking future records).
• Her parents’ names and birthplaces—even if one of them requires further scrutiny.
• Her father’s occupation, which hints at the kind of life the family led in Brockton.
• The family’s address, which allows us to track them in census records or city directories.

With this foundation, we can now follow Hazel’s story forward—through childhood, marriage, and beyond. But for today, we’ll pause to appreciate the moment she entered the world, a tiny but significant addition to the Quinn and Sabean family trees.

And so, with an official signature and a stamp on a ledger page, Hazel Elizabeth Quinn took her first step into history—whether her father’s birthplace was correctly recorded or not!