My mother, Marjory Malcolm Sholl, was born in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the Town of Milton, on December 4, 1917.
Her Certificate of Birth States,
Color: White,
Sex: Female
Name of Parents: James R. (Robertson) and Minnie (McKay) Malcolm.
Residence of Parents: Milton
Occupation of Father: Lineman
Birthplace of Father: Scotland
Birthplace of Mother: Nova Scotia
It is signed by G. Frank Kemp, Town Clerk of the Town of Milton, County of Norfolk, Commonwealth of Massachusetts and dated April 10, 1928, and bears the appropriate Seal.
The Malcolm family consisted of James Robertson Malcolm and Minnie McKay Malcolm. They had six children: (1) James, (2) John, (3) Wendell, (4) Dolly (Minnie), (5) Hazel and (6) Marjory. My grandmother, Minnie McKay Malcolm died in the influenza epidemic of 1918.
(4)Dolly (her real name was Minnie) was 15 years old when my mother was born (Dolly was the oldest girl), and when my grandmother died in 1918, leaving my infant mother of one year old, Dolly took care of her. Dolly married Joseph Sammet of Quincy/Hingham area and they remained there almost to their deaths. Uncle Joe's father had a saddle/leather shop in Quincy and I can still remember the wonderful smell of the place. Uncle Joe and Aunt Dolly had two children, Marjory (who became McNammara), and Wendell J. Sammet (above).
Marjory Sammett (m. McNamarra)
Wendell became very active as a professional dog breeder/trainer/shower, and showed at Westminster Kennel Club show each February in NYC. I spent a few summers with Aunt Dolly when I was a child. I remember the Houghton's across the street from their house, Barbara in particular. I also remember when cousin Wen ("Little Wen") came home from WWII, having been a prisoner of war, in a prison camp.
Left is a picture taken mid- to late 1920's. On the left is mom's friend, Dot Tiernan, my mother, Marjory, behind her is my grandfather, James Robertson Malcolm. There are two things that my attention is called to in this photo. One is that my grandfather is changing a car tire (not a bicycle tire), and the second is the high "stockings" my mother is wearing. She told me that when she was a child she had rheumatic fever, and had to wear braces on her legs for a long time. I was not able to tell from enlarging this photo whether she was wearing them here.
Marjory (she sometimes spelled it "Marjorie") Malcolm attended Public School 12 on Staten Island and graduated June, 1932. The Principal of her school at that time was Mrs. Chapman, and her graduating teacher was Mrs. Naomi M. Butler.
She was baptised, along with all our family (Marjory Anne, my father, Wesley Russell Sholl, and myself, Joan Elaine.) at Summerfield Methodist Church, Mariners Habor, Harbor Road, Staten Island, New York, by our Minister Clark L. Van Auken on April 3, 1949. I remember her planning this day as if it was a wedding approaching. And, in fact, it was.
"Margie" Malcolm
Mom and Dad were married on January 4, 1936. The certificate states that: "Wesley Sholl and Marjory Malcolm were by me united in the bonds of Marriage according to the usages of The Reformed Church in American and the Laws of the State of New York at Mariners Harbor, Staten Island on the 4th day of January in the year of our Lord 1936. Signed: William Vant Hof, Minister of the Reformed Church in America. Witnesses: Eva Fritsch and William Lyman." I still have mom's wedding dress here. It is full length dark blue velvet, with short puffed sleeves lined with net. It has an empire waist that comes to a point between the breasts and the breast area is shirred. It is cut to a vee in the front neckline with an unusual 7" collar that looks like very wide-wale corduroy but is actually velvet, stitched every 1/4". The size is what would now be known as a 4 or 6. It is machine made with no label. Her wedding ring was a simple gold ring. Dad had no wedding ring and I have no clue as to what he was wearing. I have never found any wedding pictures, but do have a little book/album or remembrance which has wedding cards and notes.
At Willowbrook Park, S.I.,NYC, April, 1936 - Frank (Purcell) and Wesley R. Sholl
FAMILY PHOTO ALBUM
THE MALCOLM FAMILY
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©Joan Sholl Francis, 1999 - 2001. Email: joanfran@voicenet.com