For week 19 of 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks the theme was “Service.” I have many people in my family tree that have served their country/community in some way. The person in my family that I am going to focus on for this blog is my 2nd great-uncle, Albert Larkin.
Albert was the twin brother to my great-grandfather, Ernest Larkin. They were born on 10 October 1896 in Buffalo, NY. The shared birth certificate for them doesn’t specify which twin was born first.
My research notes from my interviews with my grandmother, Carol Larkin Thurmon, (who was Albert’s niece) said: “Albert was in a war and possibly got gassed and had a bad heart. He was married to Mae and they had a son named Roy. Mae died young and eventually Albert and Roy came to live with Ernest and Inez. Roy was about 4 or 5 years old when his mother died. Albert was the more sickly of the two twins. Albert died in his sleep when Roy was about 12 or 13 years old. I (Carol) don’t remember Albert at all. Ernest and Inez continued to raise Roy.”
Albert died in 1933 when my grandma Carol was about 4 years old so it makes sense that she wouldn’t remember him.
Albert was in a war – he served in World War I as I have found some of his service records on Ancestry.com. One of the records is from a collection titled: New York, Mexican Punitive Campaign Muster Rolls for National Guard, 1916-1917:
3rd Field Artillery: L-Z
The document says that Albert was 21 years old at the age of enlistment which was on 22 June 1916. His home state was Buffalo, NY. He mustered on 5 Aug 1916 and was a private in Company B in the 3FANYM. I think that means: 3rd Field Artillery New York and I’m not sure about the M.
It says that he left the organization by M.O. (Maybe that means Mustered Out?) on 17 March 1917. He was a Private with Battery at Buffalo, N.Y.
The remarks say: Date of ent. (entrance?) on M.O.R. June 23/16.
To forfeit 2/3 of his pay per mo. for 3 months per S. C. Jany 4/17 Sick not in L.D. (line duty?) Jany 11-17 to Jany 20/17. Sick in Base Hosp. Brownsville, Texas Jany 21 to Jany 31/17 not in L. D. under G. O. 45 – 1914 – W.D.
At the bottom of the document it says: Age 21 years; hight 5 feet 7 inches; complexion Med.; eyes Br.; hair Br.; born Buffalo N.Y.; occupation Clerk; residence 15 Poplar Ave Buffalo. Mrs. Pat Larkin; single; name and address of wife of (if single) of parent or guardian 15 Poplar Ave Buffalo N.Y.; relationship Mother.
Amongst some of the items found at 78 Rounds Ave where Ernest lived was this postcard. Here is the front:
The postcard is postage stamped Beacon, N.Y. August 25th, 1916 and is addressed to Ernest Larkin from his brother Albert. This was about a month after Albert was mustered in. It said: “This is a picture of our new gunes [sic] and some of our horses but not a good picture of me. Albert”
I thank Albert for his service to our Country.