Gazlay Family History
 

Family HistoryFamily History - Dr. James Spencer Purdy


Key:1.“+” before a child’s name indicates the child has their own entry in the next generation.
 2.“born xxxx” indicates the child is under 18 years of age so the birth date is not shown.
This family history features Dr. James Spencer Purdy and 14 of his descendants down to the fourth generation.


First Generation
1. Dr. James Spencer Purdy,1 born 6 December 1873 in Bellona, Yates County, New York, the son of Stewart Lewis Purdy and Josephine Barnes;1, 2 died 28 January 1946 in Everett, Snohomish County, Washington.1 James married, first, 30 June 1898 in Bellona, Yates County, New York, Lucy Belle Kelsey2, 4 (born 23 September 1874 in Bellona, Yates County, New York, the daughter of George Barden Kelsey and Ella Alexander;2, 3 Lucy died 2 August 1903 in Auburn, Cayuga County, New York2, 3). James married, second, 24 December 1909 in Ledyard, Cayuga County, New York, Janet Seward Robinson2, 6 (born ca. 1875 in New York, parents not determined5). Lucy is buried in Bellona Cemetery, Bellona, Yates County, New York.3

+2i. Ella Josephine Purdy, born 6 July 1899 in Seneca Falls, Seneca County, New York; died 15 July 1943 in Everett, Snohomish County, Washington. Married Robert Angus Hay.
+3i. Helen Barden Purdy, born 15 November 1910 in Twin Falls, Twin Falls County, Idaho. Married Robert Hugh Boyd.

  1. Find a Grave (website). (Cremated), James Spencer Purdy, born: 6 December 1873 in Bellona, Yates County, New York; died: 28 January 1946 in Everett, Snohomish County, Washington (from record, which includes the text of his obituary; and provides the names and links for his parents, siblings, and one wife).
  2. Washington, West of the Cascades: Historical and Descriptive; the Explorers, the Indians, the Pioneers, the Modern, Volume 2. Herbert Hunt, Floyd C. Kaylor. S. J. Clark Publishing Co., Chicago, Seattle, Tacoma. 1917. Pages 509-511, biography of J. Spencer Purdy, M.D., providing vital and biographical details of James Spencer Purdy, including his Purdy ancestors, two marriages and two daughters, one from each marriage. [A few dates and places, and names of individuals, in this biography differ from other sources.]
  3. Find a Grave (website). Bellona Cemetery, Bellona, Yates County, New York, Lucy Kelsey Purdy, born: September 1874 in Bellona, Yates County, New York; died: 2 August 1903 in Auburn, Cayuga County, New York (from record, which includes the text from her obituary; and provides the names and links for her parents, sibling, and husband).
  4. New York, Yates County, Swann Vital Records Collection, 1723-2009, James Spencer Purdy and Lucy Belle Kelsey; married on 30 June 1898 in Bellona, Yates County, New York.
  5. U.S. Federal Census, 1950, Washington, Island County, Oak Harbor, E.D. 15-1, Sheet No. 13, Purdy Helen Boyd, 34, Idaho, divorced, owner, self service laundry; daughter Janet Susan Boyd, 4, Washington; mother Janet Purdy, 75, New York, widow.
  6. New York, County Marriages, 1847-1848, 1908-1936, available at familysearch.org, J. Spencer Purdy, 36; father: Stewart L. Pardy [sic]; mother: Barrus [sic, Barnes]; Janet Seward Robinson, 35; father: Horatio Robinson; mother: Walker; married on 24 December 1909 in Ledyard, Cayuga County, New York.
Second Generation
2. Ella Josephine Purdy2 (James1), born 6 July 1899 in Seneca Falls, Seneca County, New York;1, 2, 3 died 15 July 1943 in Everett, Snohomish County, Washington.2 Ella married, 12 March 1927 in Snohomish County, Washington, Robert Angus Hay6 (born 28 October 1887 in Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland, the son of Alexander Hay and Jane Kitchin;1, 4, 5 Robert died 27 July 1937 in Spokane, Spokane County, Washington4, 5). Robert is buried in Evergreen Washelli Memorial Park and Funeral Home, Seattle, King County, Washington.4

+4i. Lynne Hay, born 17 August 1928 in Seattle, King County, Washington; died 21 January 2017. Married (1) Robert William Collins Married (2) Sanford Thornely ‘Sandy’ Shaub.
+5ii. Janet Hay, born 17 August 1928 in Seattle, King County, Washington; twin. Married George Leroy Rasmussen.

3. Helen Barden Purdy2 (James1), born 15 November 1910 in Twin Falls, Twin Falls County, Idaho.3, 7 Helen married, 9 February 1941 in Snohomish County, Washington, Robert Hugh Boyd10 (born 21 July 1914, the son of Ralph Vernon Boyd and Irene Zally Baker;8, 9 Robert died 25 June 1991 in Dade County, Florida8, 9). Robert is buried in Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Sumter County, Florida.8

 6i. Janet Susan Boyd, born ca. 1946 in Washington.7

  1. Washington, Western District, Naturalization Records, 1853-1957 (available at familysearch.org), Petition for Naturalization, No. 13912, Robert Angus Hay, born: 28 October 1887 in Edinburgh, Scotland; emigrated to the United States from Vancouver B.C. to Seattle, Washington, on 5 February 1919; wife: Josephine, born: 6 February 1899 [sic, the month is in error; she was born in July] in Seneca Falls, N.Y.; 2 children: Marjorie, born: 2 March 1920 in Seattle, Washington; Robert Grant, born: 3 August 1921 in Seattle, Washington. In a Memorandum of Continuance dated 22 September 1928: 2 additional children: Janet, age 5 weeks, and Lynn, age 5 weeks.
  2. Washington Death Certificates, 1907-1960 (transcriptions or certificates). Certificate of Death, Registrar’s No. 323, Josephine Hay, died: 15 July 1943 in Everett, Snohomish County, Washington; born: 6 July 1899 in Seneca Falls, N.Y.; age: 44 years, 9 days; husband: Robert; occupation: secretary, local draft board; father: J. Spencer Hay, born in N.Y.; mother: Janett Robinson [sic, this is her step-mother], born in N.Y.
  3. Washington, West of the Cascades: Historical and Descriptive; the Explorers, the Indians, the Pioneers, the Modern, Volume 2. Herbert Hunt, Floyd C. Kaylor. S. J. Clark Publishing Co., Chicago, Seattle, Tacoma. 1917. Pages 509-511, biography of J. Spencer Purdy, M.D., providing vital and biographical details of James Spencer Purdy, including his Purdy ancestors, two marriages and two daughters, one from each marriage. [A few dates and places, and names of individuals, in this biography differ from other sources.]
  4. Find a Grave (website). Evergreen Washelli Memorial Park and Funeral Home, Seattle, King County, Washington; Robert Angus Hay, born: 1887; died: 1937 (from record, which provides the name and link for his [first] wife).
  5. Washington Death Certificates, 1907-1960 (transcriptions or certificates). Certificate of Death, Robert Angus Hay, died: 27 July 1937 in Spokane, Washington; born: 28 October 1887 in Scotland; father: Alexander Hay, born in Scotland; mother: Jane Kitchin, born in Scotland; wife: Josephine; informant; Josephine Purdy Hay.
  6. Washington, County Marriages, 1855-2008, Index to Marriage Records - Snohomish County, Washington: Robert A. Hays and E. Josephine Purdy, married on 12 March 1927.
  7. U.S. Federal Census, 1950, Washington, Island County, Oak Harbor, E.D. 15-1, Sheet No. 13, Purdy Helen Boyd, 34, Idaho, divorced, owner, self service laundry; daughter Janet Susan Boyd, 4, Washington; mother Janet Purdy, 75, New York, widow.
  8. Find a Grave (website). Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Sumter County, Florida, Robert Hugh Boyd, born: 21 July 1914; died: 25 June 1991 (from record, which provides the name and link for one wife).
  9. Florida Death Index 1877-1998; available at Ancestry.com and familysearch.org, Robert Hugh Boyd, born: 21 July 1914; died: 25 June 1991 in Dade County, Florida.
  10. Washington, County Marriages, 1855-2008, Male, Index to Marriage Records, Snohomish County, Washington, Robert H. Boyd and Helen B. Purdy; married on 9 February 1941.
Third and Fourth Generations
4. Lynne Hay3 (Ella,2 James1), born 17 August 1928 in Seattle, King County, Washington;1, 2 died 21 January 2017.3 Lynne married, first, 24 June 1948 in Snohomish County, Washington, Robert William Collins6 (born 8 September 1926 in Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington, the son of Raymond Leslie Collins and Elsie A. Bowman;4, 5 Robert died 25 December 19975). Lynne married, second, 24 November 2002 in Pierce County, Washington, Sanford Thornely ‘Sandy’ Shaub8, 9 (born 4 February 1927 in Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington, parents not determined;7, 8 Sandy died 27 July 20087, 8). Sandy is buried in Tacoma Cemetery, Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington.

 7i. John Spencer Collins, born 1 September 1952 in Seattle, King County, Washington;10, 11 died 13 August 2001.10
 8ii. Carol Collins.
 9iii. Robert Leslie ‘Rob’ Collins, born 16 August 1955.12
 10iv. Mary E. Collins, born 19 February 1957.13
 11v. Joseph William Collins, born 9 September 1958;14 died 4 March 2015.14

5. Janet Hay3 (Ella,2 James1), born 17 August 1928 in Seattle, King County, Washington; twin.1, 15 Janet married, 16 August 1947 in Snohomish County, Washington, George Leroy Rasmussen17 (born 3 March 1921 in Washington, the son of Christian S. Rasmussen and Tillie Belke;15, 16 George died 11 December 199816). George is buried in Fort Bliss National Cemetery, El Paso, El Paso County, Texas.16

 12i. Linda Rasmussen, born 12 August 1949 in Washington; twin.15, 18
 13ii. Diane Rasmussen, born 12 August 1949 in Washington; twin.13, 15
 14iii. Michael Stephen Rasmussen, born 12 September 1951.19
 15iv. Christopher Mark Rasmussen, born 22 May 1953.12

  1. Washington, County Births, 1873-1965, Lynn Hay, born: 17 August 1928 in Seattle; Janet Hay, Born: 17 August 1928 in Seattle; for both children, father: Robert Angus Hay; mother: Josephine Purdy.
  2. Washington, Western District, Naturalization Records, 1853-1957 (available at familysearch.org), Petition for Naturalization, No. 13912, Robert Angus Hay, born: 28 October 1887 in Edinburgh, Scotland; emigrated to the United States from Vancouver B.C. to Seattle, Washington, on 5 February 1919; wife: Josephine, born: 6 February 1899 [sic, the month is in error; she was born in July] in Seneca Falls, N.Y.; 2 children: Marjorie, born: 2 March 1920 in Seattle, Washington; Robert Grant, born: 3 August 1921 in Seattle, Washington. In a Memorandum of Continuance dated 22 September 1928: 2 additional children: Janet, age 5 weeks, and Lynn, age 5 weeks.
  3. Obituary, News Tribune, Tacoma, Washington (available at legacy.com), 29 January 2017, Lynne Collins Shaub, died: 21 January 2017. The article provides vital and biographical details and the names of her two husbands, five children, and three siblings.
  4. Washington, County Births, 1873-1965, Robert William Collins, born: 8 September 1926 in Tacoma; father: Raymond Leslie Collins; mother: Elsie A. Bowman.
  5. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), Death Files, R. W. Collins, born: 8 February 1926; died: 25 December 1997; residence zip code: 98335 [corresponding to Gig Harbor, Washington].
  6. Washington, County Marriages, 1855-2008, Male, Index to Marriage Records, Snohomish County, Washington, Robert W. Collins and Lynne Hay, married on 24 June 1948.
  7. Find a Grave (website). Tacoma Cemetery, Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington, Sanford Thornely Shaub, born: 4 February 1927; died: 27 July 2008 (from record, which includes the details from the Social Security Death Index; and provides the name and link for his [first] wife).
  8. Obituary, News Tribune, Tacoma, Washington (available at legacy.com), 1-3 August 2008, Sanford T. Shaub, died: 27 July 2008; born: 4 February 1927 in Tacoma. The article provides vital and biographical details and the names of his parents, two wives, children, step-children, grandchildren, great-granddaughter, and several friends.
  9. Washington Marriage Index, 1969-2014, Sanford T. Shaub and Lynne Hay Collins, married on 24 November 2002 in Pierce County, Washington.
  10. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), Death Files, John S. Collins, born: 1 September 1952; died: 13 August 2001.
  11. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), Social Security Applications, John Spencer Collins, born: 1 September 1952 in Seattle, King County, Washington; father: Robert W. Collins; mother: Lynne Hay.
  12. voteref.com.
  13. This is publicly viewable information found in various public information repositories, people finding websites, and/or social media.
  14. Obituary, New Tacoma (website: newtacoma.com), Joseph William Collins, born: 9 September 1958; died: 4 March 2015. The article provides vital and biographical details and the names of his parents, siblings, wife and children.
  15. U.S. Federal Census, 1950, Washington, Snohomish County, Everett, E.D. 31-109, Sheet Nos. 13-14, George L. Rasmussen, 29, Washington, salesman, electrical appliances; wife Janet H. Rasmussen, 21, Washington; daughter Linda Rasmussen, Aug., Washington; daughter Diane Rasmussen, Aug., Washington.
  16. Find a Grave (website). Fort Bliss National Cemetery, El Paso, El Paso County, Texas, George L. Rasmussen, born: 3 March 1921; died: 11 December 1998 (from record).
  17. Washington, County Marriages, 1855-2008, Male Index to Marriage Records, Snohomish County, Washington, George L. Rasmussen and Janet Hay, married on 16 August 1947.
  18. Index to marriage, death, and land records, Montville, Connecticut, Town Hall Website,
  19. Email between Janet Rasmussen and Lee Gazlay, January 2024.