William J. Kinsley and Elvira Gertrude Rose - Ginger's Great-Grandparents

This is a narrative report generated in the NEGHS Register style using RootsMagic 10, for Ginger's great-grandparents, William J. Kinsley and Elvira Gertrude Rose. They are the maternal grandparents of Ginger's father, Thomas Whitehead IV.

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William Joseph Kinsley was born on August 27, 1865 in Blackstone, Worcester County, Massachusetts.

He lived in Blackstone, Worcester County, Massachusetts on June 23, 1870 in the household of his father, Thomas Kinsley, which included:

• Kinsley, Thomas; 34; M; W; works in cotton mill; real estate $70; personal estate $200; born in England; father and mother of foreign birth; male citizen over 21
• Kinsley, Mary; 35; F; W; keeping house; born in Ireland; father and mother of foreign birth
• Kinsley, William; 4; M; W; at home; born in Mass; father and mother of foreign birth
• Kinsley, Mary; 1; F; w; at home; born in Mass; father and mother of foreign birth
• Houghs, Nancy; 65; F; W; housework; born in Ireland; father and mother of foreign birth; cannot read and write

He lived at Pleasant Street in Woonsocket, Providence County, Rhode Island on June 4, 1880 in his father's household:

• Kinsley, Thomas; W; M; 45; married; Cotton Weaver; born in England; father and mother born in Ireland
• Kinsley, Mary; W; F; 40; Wife; married; Cotton Weaver; self, father and mother born in Ireland
• Kinsley, William; W; M; 13; Son; single; At School; born in Mass; father born in England; mother born in Ireland
• Kinsley, Mary; W; F; 11; Daughter; single; At School; born in Mass; father born in England; mother born in Ireland
• Kinsley, Ann; W; F; 80; Mother; Widowed; Keeping house; self, father and mother born in Ireland

William lived in Woonsocket, Providence County, Rhode Island on June 1, 1885 still in his father's household. The family name was misspelled as "Kingsley:"

• Kingsley [Kinsley], Thomas; M; Head; W; 45; married; place of birth England; parentage English; Weaver; not read; not write; naturalized
• Kingsley [Kinsley], Mary; F; Wife; 40; married; place of birth England; parentage English; housewife; not read; not write 
• Kingsley [Kinsley], Willie; M; Son; 22; single; place of birth Woonsocket; parentage English; Book-keeper; registered voter
• Kingsley, Mary; F; Daughter; 20; single; place of birth Woonsocket; parentage English; Carder Cotton Mill
• Kingsley [Kinsley], Nancy; F; Mother [should be mother-in-law]; 100; widowed; place of birth Ireland; parentage Ireland; not read; not write

He was managing editor of the Penman's Journal according to an article in the Morristown County Chronicle (Morristown, NJ) on November 12, 1897. The article said: "BUSINESS NOTES...William J. Kinsley, managing editor of the Penman's Journal, who for many years has been engaged in the work of expert examination of forged and disputed handwriting and as an expert accountant, has formed a co-partnership with D. T. Ames, of New York, with whom he has been associated for many years."

A little more information about the Penman's Journal and D. T. Ames, provided by ChatGPT:

"The Penman's Journal was a late 19th to early 20th-century publication focused on penmanship, calligraphy, and related skills like bookkeeping. It targeted business professionals, educators, and penmanship enthusiasts, offering articles, instructional content, and exemplars, especially in Spencerian and ornamental styles. Contributions came from master penmen like William J. Kinsley, who was also an expert in handwriting forgery detection. The journal was significant during a time when penmanship was highly valued for professionalism, particularly in business settings, and it set standards for excellence in handwriting before typewriters and computers became prevalent.

D. T. Ames, mentioned in the business note, was a well-known figure in the world of penmanship. He was a prominent penman and publisher, often associated with other penmanship publications like The Ames' Guide to Self-Instruction in Practical and Artistic Penmanship. The partnership between Ames and Kinsley likely aimed at combining their expertise to further enhance the field of penmanship through their journalistic and instructional work."

William was named in the obituary of his father-in-law, Oscar Philip Rose, that appeared in the Washington Times newspaper on June 8, 1901 in Washington, D. C..

He lived at 244 Prospect Street in Nutley, Essex County, New Jersey until March 25, 1916, when he died at the age of 50 at Roosevelt Hospital in Manhattan Borough, New York City, New York.

He had several obituaries. One obituary appeared on March 26, 1916 in the New York Tribune newspaper in New York, New York:

"WILLIAM J. KINSLEY, WRITING EXPERT, DEAD

Recognized in Many Celebrated Trials as an Authority.

William J. Kinsley, considered one of the foremost handwriting experts, died last night at the age of fifty. He lived at 244 Prospect Street, Nutley, N.J., and leaves a wife and two children.

Kinsley, besides having a scientific knowledge of all the tricks and telltale signs of handwriting gleaned from a life of study of his subject, possessed an insight into the characteristics of the writer as shown by penmanship. He was called as expert in many celebrated trials during the last twenty years, among them the Thaw trial, in which he was asked for an opinion on whether Thaw’s writing was that of a rational man."

More information on the Thaw trial mentioned in the obituary above (provided by ChatGPT): 

"The Thaw trial mentioned in the obituary refers to the infamous case involving Harry Kendall Thaw, a wealthy and controversial figure in the early 20th century. The case that garnered significant public attention was the murder trial of Harry K. Thaw, who was accused of killing the renowned architect Stanford White in 1906.

Background of the Thaw-White Case

The trial centered around a dramatic love triangle involving:
Stanford White: A famous architect known for designing several iconic buildings in New York City.
Evelyn Nesbit: A young model and chorus girl who became White's mistress when she was a teenager.
Harry K. Thaw: A millionaire from a wealthy Pittsburgh family who later married Evelyn Nesbit.
Harry Thaw was reportedly enraged by White's past relationship with Evelyn, which he perceived as a seduction and exploitation of her innocence. On June 25, 1906, Thaw shot and killed White in a crowded rooftop theater at Madison Square Garden (a building designed by White himself). The murder occurred in front of numerous witnesses during a performance, leading to what was famously called the "Crime of the Century."

The Trial and Kinsley's Involvement

Harry Thaw's defense hinged on his claim of temporary insanity. The defense argued that Thaw was driven by an "unwritten law" to avenge Evelyn's honor. The case went through several trials due to hung juries, with Thaw ultimately being found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed to an asylum.

William J. Kinsley, mentioned as a handwriting expert in your provided obituary, was called upon during one of these trials. His expertise was likely used to analyze letters or written evidence presented during the trial, possibly to assess Thaw's mental state through his handwriting. Handwriting analysis was occasionally used in early 20th-century legal proceedings to provide insight into a person's psychological condition.

Public and Media Sensation

The trial captivated the public and the media due to the scandalous details of the love affair, the social prominence of those involved, and the dramatic courtroom proceedings. It was one of the first American criminal trials to become a media spectacle, foreshadowing the modern-day phenomenon of celebrity trials.

While specific details of Kinsley's testimony in the Thaw case are not widely documented, his role as a handwriting expert in such a high-profile case underscores his reputation in the field of forensic handwriting analysis, as highlighted in his obituary."

Another obituary appeared on March 26, 1916 in the Brooklyn Eagle newspaper in Brooklyn, New York. Text of his obituary:

"CHIROGRAPHY EXPERT DIES

W. J. Kinsley Long an Authority on Handwriting.

New York, March 25 — William J. Kinsley, a handwriting expert who figured in many celebrated trials throughout the country, died here today at the age of fifty years. He is survived by a widow and two children."

What is a chirographer? From ChatGPT:

"Chirography is the art or study of handwriting. The term comes from the Greek words cheir (meaning "hand") and graphia (meaning "writing"). In a historical context, chirography can refer to the technique, style, or analysis of handwriting, often focusing on aspects like penmanship, calligraphy, or the unique characteristics that distinguish one person's handwriting from another.

In the obituary you provided, "chirography expert" refers to William J. Kinsley's expertise in analyzing handwriting, which he applied in legal cases to determine the authenticity of documents or the psychological characteristics of the writer. This field is closely related to graphology (the study of handwriting to infer a person's character) and forensic handwriting analysis, which is used in criminal investigations and legal contexts."

The last obituary appeared on March 27, 1916 in the New York Times newspaper in New York, New York:

"KINSLEY — On March 25, 1916, William Joseph Kinsley, beloved husband of Elvira Rose Kinsley, at Roosevelt Hospital in New York City. Funeral services from his late residence, 244 Prospect St., West Nutley, N.J., Monday evening at 8 o'clock. Conveyances will meet train at West Nutley, Erie Railroad, Newark branch, leaving West 23d St., New York, 5:25 P.M."

William was buried on March 29, 1916 at Evergreen Cemetery in Elizabeth, Union County, New Jersey. 

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William Joseph Kinsley and Elvira Gertrude Rose were married on October 1, 1896 in Elizabeth, Union County, New Jersey.

They lived at 1275 Clinton Avenue in Elizabeth, Union County, New Jersey on June 1, 1900. The household of William J. Kinsley included:

• Kinsley, William J; Head; W; M; Aug 1865; 34; married for 14 years; born in RI; father born in England; mother born in Ireland; Writing Expert; can read, write and speaks English
• Kinsley, Evia [Elvira]; Wife; W; F; Mar 1865; 35; married for 14 years; self, father and mother born in NY; can read, write and speaks English
• Rose, Oscar P; father-in-law; W; M; May 1824; 76; married for 46 years; self, father and mother born in NY; can read, write and speaks English
• Pugsley, Nellie; sister-in-law; W; F; Jun 1870; 29; widowed; self, father and mother born in NY; can read, write and speaks English
• Burner, Buefia [?]; Servant; W; F; Feb 1867; 33; single; born in NY; father and mother born in Ireland; Servant; can read, write and speaks English

They lived in Nutley, Essex County, New Jersey on June 26, 1905. The household of Wm J Kinsley:

• Kinsley, Wm J; W; M; Aug 1865; 39; Married; born in Mass; father born in Ireland; mother born in England; Handwriting Expert; can read, write, speak English
• Kinsley, Elvira G; W; F; Mar 1866; 39; Married; self, father and mother born in NY; can read, write, speak English
• Kinsley, Wm J Jr; W; M; Sept 1900; 4; born in NY; father born in Mass; mother born in NY
• Kinsley, Gertrude E; W; F; Oct 1902; 2; born in NY; father born in Mass; mother born in NY
• Auy, Augusta; W; M; Feb 1889; 16; self, father and mother born in Germany; 5 years in U.S.; Servant; can read, write, speak English
• Wilson, James T; W; M; Jan 1878; 27; Single; born in NY; father born in Ireland; mother born in NY; Gardner; can read, write, speak English

William and Elvira lived at 244 Prospect Street in Nutley, Essex County, New Jersey on April 28, 1910. Their household consisted of:

• Kinsley, William J; Head; M; W; 44; Married for 14 years; born in MA; father and mother born in Ireland; Handwriting Expert; working on own account; can read and write
• Kinsley, Elvira; Wife; F; W; 43; Married for 14 years; 2 children with 2 living; self, father and mother born in NY; no occupation; can read and write
• Kinsley, William J Jr; Son; M; W; 9; Single; born in NJ; father born in MA; mother born in NY; attended school
• Kinsley, Gertrude; Daughter; F; W; 7; Single; born in NJ; father born in MA; mother born in NY; attended school
• Aug, Johanna; Servant; F; W; 19; Single; self, father and mother born in Germany; came to U.S. in 1900; speaks English; Cook for private family; wage worker; not out of work; can read and write; did not attend school

I have not been able to find William and Elvira yet in the 1915 New Jersey state census.

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Elvira Gertrude Rose, daughter of Oscar Philip Rose and Gertrude M. Burhans, was born on March 20, 1866 in Marlboro, Ulster County, New York.

She lived in Marlborough, Ulster County, New York on June 1, 1870 in the household of Oscar P. Rose, her father:

• Rose, Oscar P; 47; M; W; Farmer; real estate $12,000; born in NY; male citizen over 21
• Rose, Gertrude; 38; F; W; Keeping House; born in NY
• Rose, Abrm J; 16; M; W; At Home; born in NY; attended school
• Rose, Homer A; 14; M; W; born in NY; attended school
• Rose, Ida B; 10; F; W; born in NY; attended school
• Rose, L.S.D; 9; M; W; born in NY; attended school
• Rose, Eva C; 6; F; W; born in NY; attended school
• Rose, Elvira G; 4; F; W; born in NY; attended school
• Rose, Infant [Della?]; 3/12, born in April; F; W; born in NY
• Calder, Maggie; 26; F; W; Domestic Servant; born in NY
• Vanorsdale, Gilbert; 22; M; W; Laborer; born in NY; male citizen over 21

She lived in Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County, New York on June 1, 1875 in the household of Oscar P. Rose (her name was written down as "Alvira"):

• Oscar P. Rose; 53; M; born in Dutchess County; now married; Contractor; native voter
• Gertrude Rose; 42; F; wife; born in Ulster County; now married
• Abraham Rose; 21; M; son; born in Dutchess County; single; Lawyer; native voter
• Homer Rose; 19; M; son; born in Dutchess County; single
• Lenox Rose; 14; M; son; born in Dutchess County; single
• Ida Rose; 15; F; daughter; born in Dutchess County; single
• Eva Rose; 10; F; daughter; born in Ulster County; single
• Alvira Rose; 9; F; daughter; born in Ulster County; single
• Nellie Rose; 5; F; daughter; born in Ulster County; single

Elvira lived at 87 South Clinton Street in Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County, New York on June 2, 1880. The household of Oscar Rose:

• Rose, Oscar P; W; M; 55; married; Hay Dealer; self, father and mother born in NY
• Rose, Gertrude M; W; F; 46; wife; married; Keeping House; self, father and mother born in NY
• Rose, Thomas A; W; M; 24; son; single; Lawyer; self, father and mother born in NY
• Rose, Ida B; W; F; 21; daughter; single; School Teacher; self, father and mother born in NY
• Rose, Lenox S D; W; M; 19; son; single; Teamster; self, father and mother born in NY
• Rose, Eva C; W; F; 16; daughter; single; at school; attended school within census year; self, father and mother born in NY
• Rose, Elvira G; W; F; 14; daughter; single; at school; attended school within census year; self, father and mother born in NY
• Rose, Della [?] W O; W; F; 10; daughter; single; at school; attended school within census year; self, father and mother born in NY

She lived in Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County, New York on February 16, 1892 in the household of Oscar P. Rose:

• Oscar P. Rose; M; 68; born in United States; Citizen; Occupation of Gentleman
• Gertrude M. Rose; F; 59; born in United States; Citizen
• Elvira G. Rose; F; 25; born in United States; Citizen

The last census she was listed in where she was single was the 1895 New Jersey state census. She lived in Union, Union County, New Jersey on June 1, 1895 and the household of Oscar P. Rose consisted of:

• Oscar P. Rose; White male; over 60 years old
• Gertrude M. Rose; White female; over 60 years old
• Lenox F. Rose; White male; 20-60 years old
• Vira F. Rose; White female; 20-60 years old
• Nettie R. Pugsley; White female; 20-60 years old
• Henry Jackson; Colored male; 20-60 years old
• Annie Dorsenger; Other nationality female; 20-60 years old

Have not found Elvira yet in the 1915 census in New Jersey.

She died after an illness lasting about three months on June 20, 1919 at the age of 53 in Montclair, Essex, New Jersey.

Her obituary appeared on June 21, 1919 in the Poughkeepsie Eagle-News newspaper in Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County, New York:

"ELVIRA R. KINSLEY DIES AT MONTCLAIR

Mrs. Elvira Rose Kinsley, daughter of Oscar P. Rose, and wife of William J. Kinsley, the hand-writing expert, died Friday at her home in Montclair, N. J., after an illness lasting about three months. Mrs. Kinsley was born in this city and spent her early life here. Oscar P. Rose was connected with the Poughkeepsie Transportation Co. for a number of years and removed to New York City after severing his connection with the boat company. Mrs. Kinsley was a brother of Abram J. Rose, former Poughkeepsian and a prominent member of the New York Bar, and leaves another brother, Lenox S. Rose, of Paterson, N. J. She also leaves two children, Wilbur J. and Gertrude, and three sisters, Mrs. Ida Prollet, of Sayre, Pa., Mrs. Iva Covington, of Montgomery, Ala., and Mrs. von Stow, of New York City. The funeral will be held Monday morning at 10:30 on the arrival of the 9:10 train from New York City over the D., L. & W. R. R. Interment will be made in the Montclaim Cemetery."

Elvira was buried on June 23, 1919 at Evergreen Cemetery in Elizabeth, Union County, New Jersey.

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William Joseph Kinsley and Elvira Gertrude Rose had the following children:

William Joseph Kinsley Jr., born September 17, 1900, Elizabeth, Union County, New Jersey; married first Barbara Georgina Penrose, July 21, 1927, Portland, Multnomah, Oregon; married second Margaret Louise Foyle, December 6, 1941, Towanda, Bradford, Pennsylvania; died March 30, 1944, Contra Costa, California.

Gertrude Elvira "Giddy" Kinsley, born October 14, 1902, Nutley, Essex County, New Jersey; married Thomas Whitehead III, January 23, 1925, Washington, D. C.; died June 11, 1986, Lynchburg (City), Virginia.