Gazlay Family History
 

Family HistoryFamily History - Willard Forman Whitney


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 Willard Forman Whitney and 25 of his descendants down to the fourth generation.


First Generation
1. Willard Forman Whitney,1 born 12 December 1861 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, the son of George Carpenter Whitney and Caroline A. Forman.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Willard married, ca. 1886, Ida A. Phelps5 (born January 1866 in New York, parents not determined4, 5, 6, 7, 8).

Children of Willard Forman Whitney and Ida A. Phelps:

+2i. Ernest DeWillmott Whitney, born 11 March 1887 in Queens County, New York; died 18 October 1918 in Queens County, New York. Married Sarah _____.
 3ii. Edward Whitney, born November 1889.4, 5, 6
+4iii. Willard Forman Whitney, Jr., born 16 March 1893 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York; died September 1971. Married Augusta Hirt.
+5iv. Herbert Phelps Whitney, born 19 August 1895 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York; died June 1983. Married Bertha Blydenburgh.
 6v. Howard Nelson Whitney, born ca. 1899 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York;9 died 2 June 1900 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York.9
 7vi. Marion Whitney, born ca. 1902 in New York.6, 7, 8
+8vii. Raymond Leslie Whitney, born 20 April 1905 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York; died 13 March 2002. Married Doris Agnes Matthews.

  1. New York State Census, 1865, Kings County, Brooklyn, Ward 14, Page 37, family of Benj. [sic] B. Forman (81, Albany); wife Margaret Forman (48, Albany, 5 children); child Emely O. Forman (28, Albany, 1 child, plain sewing); child Caroline Whitney (24, Albany, 1 child); child Ann H. Forman (16, Troy); child [sic, probably grandchild] Willard F. Forman (3 6/12, Kings).
  2. The Whitney Family of Connecticut, and its affiliations, Being and Attempt to Trace the Descendants, as well in the Female as in the Male Lines, of Henry Whitney, from 1649 to 1878, Volumes I and II. By Stephen Whitney Phoenix. New York: Privately Printed, 1878. Pages 427, 1072, entries for George Carpenter Whitney married to Carolyn Forman, and their son Willard.
  3. U.S. Federal Census, 1870, New York, King County, Brooklyn, Page 110, family of Wenoni [sic] Forman (87, New York, silversmith); wife Margaret Forman (57, New York); Mary Forman (33, New York, tailoress); Caroline [sic, probably is actually Cornelia] Forman (22, New York, tailoress). Living next door is their married daughter Caroline and her family: George Whitney (32, New York, silversmith); Caroline Whitney (28, New York, tailoress); Willard Whitney (7, New York); Ida O Mearah (12, New York).
  4. New York State Census, 1892, Kings County, Brooklyn, 7th Election District, 26th Ward, Page 13, Willard Whitney (29, pipefitter); Ida Whitney (26); Agnes Whitney (5); Edward Whitney (2); Caroline Furman (48, seamstress). [Note: the first child seem to be misidentified in this census; other more reliable records show the elder child as son Ernest. Caroline is believed to be Willard’s mother, shown in this census record with her maiden name Forman misspelled as Furman.]
  5. U.S. Federal Census, 1900, New York, Kings County, Brooklyn, Enumeration District 457, Sheet No. 15, family of Willard Whitney (36, New York, RR Engineer, Dec 1863, married 14 years); wife Ida Whitney (34, New York, Jan 1866, married 14 years, 5 children, 4 living); son Ernest Whitney (13, New York, Mar 1887); daughter Edith Whitney (10, New York, Nov 1889) [sic, this is believed to be an enumerator’s error, as this child is almost certainly son Edward Whitney; age and birth month-year are probably correct]; son Willard Whitney (7, New York, Mar 1893); son Herbert Whitney (4, New York, Aug 1895).
  6. New York State Census, 1905, Kings County, Brooklyn, 18th Election District, Block D, Page 14, family of Willard Whitney Sr. (42, machinist); wife Ida Whitney (40); son Ernest Whitney (18, metal worker); son Edward Whitney (15); son William [sic, Willard] Whitney (12); son Herbert Whitney (10); daughter Marion Whitney (2 1/2); daughter Rose Whitney (2 mos.) [sic, the birth record shows this as male Ramond (ie., Raymond) Whitney; the 1910 census also shows this child as male Raymond]; Martha Phelps (80) [she is likely Ida’s mother]; border Lillian Van Lot (66).
  7. U.S. Federal Census, 1910, New York, Queens County, Enumeration District 1202, Sheet No. 4B, family of Willard Whitney (46, New York, engineer, portable); wife of 24 years Ida Whitney (44, New York, 6 children, 6 living); son Willard Whitney (17, New York, apprentice, jewelry house); son Herbert Whitney (14, New York); daughter Marion Whitney (7, New York); son Raymond Whitney (4, New York); son Ernest Whitney (23, New York, conductor, railroad); wife of 4 years Sarah Whitney (21, New York, 2 children, 2 living); son Harry Whitney (3, New York); son Eugene Whitney (6/12, New York).
  8. U.S. Federal Census, 1920, New Jersey, Somerset County, Franklin Township, Enumeration District 127, Sheet No. 5A, family of Willard F. Whitney (56, New York, machinist, factory); wife Ida Whitney (53, New York); son Willard Whitney, Jr. (26, New York, painter, signs); son Herbert Whitney (23, New York, painter, signs); daughter Marion Whitney (17, New York); son Raymond Whitney (14, New York).
  9. New York, New York City Municipal Deaths, 1795-1949, Howard Nelson Whitney, died: 2 June 1900 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York; age 1; born in Brooklyn; cemetery: Evergreen; father: Willard Whitney; mother: Ede [sic, Ida] Whitney.
Second Generation
2. Ernest DeWillmott Whitney2 (Willard1), born 11 March 1887 in Queens County, New York;1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 died 18 October 1918 in Queens County, New York.3 Ernest married, ca. 1906, Sarah _____7 (born ca. 1889 in New York, parents not determined7). Ernest is buried in The Evergreens Cemetery, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York.3

Children of Ernest DeWillmott Whitney and Sarah _____:

 9i. Harry Whitney, born ca. 1907 in New York.7
 10ii. Eugene Whitney, born ca. October 1909 in New York.7

4. Willard Forman Whitney, Jr.2 (Willard1), born 16 March 1893 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York;5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 died September 1971.11 Willard married, ca. 1920, Augusta Hirt13 (born ca. 1892 in New York, parents not determined13, 14).

Children of Willard Forman Whitney, Jr. and Augusta Hirt:

+11i. Willard F. ‘Bill’ Whitney, born 22 April 1921 in Suffolk County, New York; died 30 April 2012 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Married Ruth L. Gleason.
 12ii. John Whitney, born ca. 1928 in New York.14

5. Herbert Phelps Whitney2 (Willard1), born 19 August 1895 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York;5, 6, 7, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 died June 1983.17, 18 Herbert married, ca. 1920, Bertha Blydenburgh19 (born 21 April 1896 in New York, the daughter of George Beecher Blydenburgh and Bertha Wheeler;17, 19, 20 Bertha died November 196617). Herbert and Bertha are buried in Fernwood Cemetery, Jamesburg, Middlesex County, New Jersey.17

Child of Herbert Phelps Whitney and Bertha Blydenburgh:

+13i. Doris Edith Whitney, born 11 February 1921 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York; died 5 April 2013 in Plainsboro Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey. Married James B. Davies.

8. Raymond Leslie Whitney2 (Willard1), born 20 April 1905 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York;6, 7, 12, 21, 22, 23 died 13 March 2002.22, 23 Raymond married Doris Agnes Matthews26 (born 9 December 1911 in New Jersey, parents not determined;24, 25 Doris died 10 December 1992 in Shelby, North Carolina24). Raymond and Doris are buried in El Bethel Cemetery, King Mountain, Cleveland County, North Carolina.22, 24

Children of Raymond Leslie Whitney and Doris Agnes Matthews:

 14i. Robert Whitney.
+15ii. Raymond Leslie Whitney, Jr., born 1 March 1937 in Ridge, Suffolk County, New York; died 9 January 2013 in Martinsburg, Berkeley County, West Virginia. Married Julia Faye Hevner.
+16iii. Carol Lynn Whitney, born 29 June 1939. Married John Willard Belsha.

  1. Draft Registration Card, World War I, Ernest DeWillmott Whitney, serial number 201; born: 11 March 1887 in East New York, New York; occupation: lapidaryst [sic]; married with two children.
  2. New York, New York City Births, 1846-1909, Wilmot Whitney, born: 11 March 1887 in Brooklyn, Kings [County], New York; father: Willard F. Whitney, age 24, born in Brooklyn; mother: Ida A. Phelps, age 21, born in Brooklyn.
  3. New York, New York City Municipal Deaths, 1795-1949, Ernest D. Whitney, died: 18 October 1918 in Brooklyn, New York City, Queens, New York; age 32; born 11 March 1886 [sic, other records say 1887] in Queens; married; cemetery: Evergreen; father: Willard F. Whitney; mother: Ida Phelps.
  4. New York State Census, 1892, Kings County, Brooklyn, 7th Election District, 26th Ward, Page 13, Willard Whitney (29, pipefitter); Ida Whitney (26); Agnes Whitney (5); Edward Whitney (2); Caroline Furman (48, seamstress). [Note: the first child seem to be misidentified in this census; other more reliable records show the elder child as son Ernest. Caroline is believed to be Willard’s mother, shown in this census record with her maiden name Forman misspelled as Furman.]
  5. U.S. Federal Census, 1900, New York, Kings County, Brooklyn, Enumeration District 457, Sheet No. 15, family of Willard Whitney (36, New York, RR Engineer, Dec 1863, married 14 years); wife Ida Whitney (34, New York, Jan 1866, married 14 years, 5 children, 4 living); son Ernest Whitney (13, New York, Mar 1887); daughter Edith Whitney (10, New York, Nov 1889) [sic, this is believed to be an enumerator’s error, as this child is almost certainly son Edward Whitney; age and birth month-year are probably correct]; son Willard Whitney (7, New York, Mar 1893); son Herbert Whitney (4, New York, Aug 1895).
  6. New York State Census, 1905, Kings County, Brooklyn, 18th Election District, Block D, Page 14, family of Willard Whitney Sr. (42, machinist); wife Ida Whitney (40); son Ernest Whitney (18, metal worker); son Edward Whitney (15); son William [sic, Willard] Whitney (12); son Herbert Whitney (10); daughter Marion Whitney (2 1/2); daughter Rose Whitney (2 mos.) [sic, the birth record shows this as male Ramond (ie., Raymond) Whitney; the 1910 census also shows this child as male Raymond]; Martha Phelps (80) [she is likely Ida’s mother]; border Lillian Van Lot (66).
  7. U.S. Federal Census, 1910, New York, Queens County, Enumeration District 1202, Sheet No. 4B, family of Willard Whitney (46, New York, engineer, portable); wife of 24 years Ida Whitney (44, New York, 6 children, 6 living); son Willard Whitney (17, New York, apprentice, jewelry house); son Herbert Whitney (14, New York); daughter Marion Whitney (7, New York); son Raymond Whitney (4, New York); son Ernest Whitney (23, New York, conductor, railroad); wife of 4 years Sarah Whitney (21, New York, 2 children, 2 living); son Harry Whitney (3, New York); son Eugene Whitney (6/12, New York).
  8. New York, New York City Births, 1846-1909, Willard Foreman Whitney, born: 16 March 1893 in Brooklyn, Kings [County], New York; father: Willard F. Whitney, age 30, born in Brooklyn; mother: Ida A. Phelps Whitney, age 27, born in E. N. York.
  9. Draft Registration Card, World War I, Willard Forman Whitney, serial number 7; born: 16 March 1893 in East New York, New York; occupation: farmer; employed by: Willard Whitney in Griggstown [NJ]; single.
  10. Draft Registration Card, World War II, Willard Forman Whitney, serial number U354; born: 16 March 1893 in Brooklyn, NY; name of person who will always know your address: Augusta Whitney (wife).
  11. Social Security Death Index (SSDI), Rootsweb (website). Willard Whitney, died: September 1971; born: 16 March 1893; last place of residence: Suffolk [County], New York.
  12. U.S. Federal Census, 1920, New Jersey, Somerset County, Franklin Township, Enumeration District 127, Sheet No. 5A, family of Willard F. Whitney (56, New York, machinist, factory); wife Ida Whitney (53, New York); son Willard Whitney, Jr. (26, New York, painter, signs); son Herbert Whitney (23, New York, painter, signs); daughter Marion Whitney (17, New York); son Raymond Whitney (14, New York).
  13. U.S. Federal Census, 1930, New York, Queens County, New York City, Enumeration District 41-1510, Sheet No. 1A, family of Willard F. Whitney, Jr. (37, New York, 27 at first marriage, painter, sign); wife Augusta F. Whitney (38, New York, 28 at first marriage); son Willard F. Whitney (8, New York).
  14. U.S. Federal Census, 1940, New York, Queens County, Queens Borough, Enumeration District 41-1436, Sheet No. 1A, family of Willard F. Whitney (47, New York, sign painter, advertising co.); wife Augusta Whitney (47, New York); son Willard Whitney (18, New York, clerk, insurance co.); son John Whitney (12, New York).
  15. New York, New York City Births, 1846-1909, Hubert Phelps Whitny [sic], born: 19 August 1895 in Brooklyn, Kings [County], New York; father: Willard Forman Whitny [sic]; mother: Ida Phelps Whitny [sic].
  16. Draft Registration Card, World War I, Herbert Phelps Whitney, born: 19 August 1896 [sic, other records show 1895] in East New York, New York; occupation: farmer; employed by: Willard Whitney in Griggstown, NJ; single.
  17. Find a Grave (website). Fernwood Cemetery, Jamesburg, Middlesex County, New Jersey, Herbert Whitney, born: 1896; died: 1983; Bertha Whitney, born: 1896; died: 1966 [from record and gravestone]. The record for Bertha indicates born: 21 April 1896; died: Nov 1966; parents George Beecher Blydenburgh (1859-1941) and Bertha Wheeler Blydenburgh (1865-1945) and sibling Julia Blydenburgh Horst (1886-1986).
  18. Social Security Death Index (SSDI), Rootsweb (website). Whitney, Herbert, died: June 1983; born: 19 August 1895; last place of residence: Middlesex [County], New Jersey.
  19. U.S. Federal Census, 1930, New York, Queens County, Richmond Hill, Enumeration District 41-360, Sheet No. 1B, family of Herbert Whitney (34, New York, 24 at first marriage, painter, signs); wife Bertha Whitney (33, New York, 24 at first marriage); daughter Dorris Whitney (9, New York).
  20. U.S. Federal Census, 1940, New York, Queens County, Queens Borough, Enumeration District 41-1666, Sheet No. 11A, family of Herbert Whitney (44, New York, sign painter, outdoor advertising); wife Bertha Whitney (43, New York); daughter Doris Whitney (19, New York, filing clerk, chain store office).
  21. New York, New York City Births, 1846-1909, Raymond Leslie Whitney, born: 20 April 1905 in Brooklyn, Kings [County], New York; father: Willard Whitney, age 41, born in Brooklyn; mother: Ida Phelps, age 39, born in Brooklyn.
  22. Find a Grave (website). El Bethel Cemetery, King Mountain, Cleveland County, North Carolina, Raymond L. Whitney, born: 1905; died: 2002 (from record).
  23. Social Security Death Index (SSDI), Family Search (website), Raymond L. Whitney, born: 20 April 1905; died: 13 March 2002; last place of residence: Brevard, Transylvania, North Carolina.
  24. Find a Grave (website). El Bethel Cemetery, King Mountain, Cleveland County, North Carolina, Doris A. Whitney, born: 1911; died: 1992 (from record).
  25. North Carolina Deaths and Burials, 1931-1994, Doris Agnes Whitney, died: 10 December 1992 in Shelby, Cleveland County, North Carolina; born: 9 December 1911 in New Jersey; father: William Matthews; mother: Edith Dow; husband: Raymond Leslie Whitney.
  26. Email between Peggy Hubbard and Lee Gazlay, April 2022, with details of her Whitney ancestors and their descendants.
Third Generation
11. Willard F. ‘Bill’ Whitney3 (Willard,2 Willard1), born 22 April 1921 in Suffolk County, New York;1, 2, 3 died 30 April 2012 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.1 Bill married, 22 April 1950, Ruth L. Gleason1 (born ____, parents not determined). Bill is buried in Pinelawn Memorial Park, East Farmingdale, Suffolk County, New York.1

Children of Willard F. ‘Bill’ Whitney and Ruth L. Gleason:

+17i. Willard F. Whitney, Married Margaret _____.
+18ii. Pamela J. Whitney, Married Joseph Rakoski.
+19iii. Peter J. Whitney, Married Kimberly _____.
 20iv. George F. Whitney.

13. Doris Edith Whitney3 (Herbert,2 Willard1), born 11 February 1921 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York;4, 5, 6 died 5 April 2013 in Plainsboro Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey.4 Doris married James B. Davies (born 1916 in Boston, Massachusetts, parents not determined;7 James died 14 July 19857). Doris and James are buried in Fernwood Cemetery, Jamesburg, Middlesex County, New Jersey.4, 7

Children of Doris Edith Whitney and James B. Davies:

 21i. Joyce Davies.
 22ii. Jane Davies.
 23iii. Edward Davies.

15. Raymond Leslie Whitney, Jr.3 (Raymond,2 Willard1), born 1 March 1937 in Ridge, Suffolk County, New York;8 died 9 January 2013 in Martinsburg, Berkeley County, West Virginia.8 Raymond married Julia Faye Hevner (born 27 August 1941 in Forest Hills, Queens County, New York, the daughter of Ercil R. Hevner and Ebba Eliason;9 Julia died 28 June 2008 in Asheville, Buncombe County, North Carolina9, 10).

Children of Raymond Leslie Whitney, Jr. and Julia Faye Hevner:

 24i. Michael Ryan Whitney, born 4 May 1964 in Asheville, Buncombe County, North Carolina.11
 25ii. Stephen Charles Whitney, born 17 December 1965 in Asheville, Buncombe County, North Carolina.12

16. Carol Lynn Whitney3 (Raymond,2 Willard1), born 29 June 1939.13 Carol married, 1968 in Queens County, New York, John Willard Belsha15 (born 5 May 1927, parents not determined;14 John died 2 September 201114). John is buried in Calverton National Cemetery, Calverton, Suffolk County, New York.14

Child of Carol Lynn Whitney and John Willard Belsha:

+26i. Peggy A. Belsha, born 29 September 1971. Married Raymond M. Hubbard.

  1. Find a Grave (website). Pinelawn Memorial Park, East Farmingdale, Suffolk County, New York, Willard F. “Bill” Whitney, born: 22 April 1921 in Suffolk County, New York; died: 30 April 2012 in Lancaster, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania [from record]. The record also provides his obituary that gives biographical and vital details, and the names of his parents, wife, children and their spouses.
  2. U.S. Federal Census, 1930, New York, Queens County, New York City, Enumeration District 41-1510, Sheet No. 1A, family of Willard F. Whitney, Jr. (37, New York, 27 at first marriage, painter, sign); wife Augusta F. Whitney (38, New York, 28 at first marriage); son Willard F. Whitney (8, New York).
  3. U.S. Federal Census, 1940, New York, Queens County, Queens Borough, Enumeration District 41-1436, Sheet No. 1A, family of Willard F. Whitney (47, New York, sign painter, advertising co.); wife Augusta Whitney (47, New York); son Willard Whitney (18, New York, clerk, insurance co.); son John Whitney (12, New York).
  4. Find a Grave (website). Fernwood Cemetery, Jamesburg, Middlesex County, New Jersey, Doris Edith Whitney Davies, born: 11 February 1921; died: 5 April 2013 [from record]. The record also provides an obituary, that gives vital and biographical details, including the names of her husband, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
  5. U.S. Federal Census, 1930, New York, Queens County, Richmond Hill, Enumeration District 41-360, Sheet No. 1B, family of Herbert Whitney (34, New York, 24 at first marriage, painter, signs); wife Bertha Whitney (33, New York, 24 at first marriage); daughter Dorris Whitney (9, New York).
  6. U.S. Federal Census, 1940, New York, Queens County, Queens Borough, Enumeration District 41-1666, Sheet No. 11A, family of Herbert Whitney (44, New York, sign painter, outdoor advertising); wife Bertha Whitney (43, New York); daughter Doris Whitney (19, New York, filing clerk, chain store office).
  7. Find a Grave (website). Fernwood Cemetery, Jamesburg, Middlesex County, New Jersey, James B. Davies, born: 1916; died: 1985 [from record]. The record provides an obituary that gives vital and biographical details and the names of his wife and children.
  8. Find a Grave (website). (No cemetery indicated); Raymond L. Whitney II, born: 1 March 1937 in Ridge, Suffolk County, New York; died: 9 January 2013 in Martinsburg, Berkley County, West Virginia (from record, which provides the text of his obituary giving vital and biographical details and the names of his parents, sons, grandchildren, and one sister).
  9. Social Security Death Index (SSDI), Family Search (website), Julia F. Whitney, born: 27 August 1941; died: 28 June 2008; place of last residence: Brevard, Transylvania, North Carolina.
  10. Obituary, Transylvania Times, Brevard, North Carolina (website: transylvaniatimes.com), Julia F. Whitney, died: 28 June 2008 at Memorial Campus of Mission Hospitals [in Ashville, North Carolina]; native of Forest Hills, New York. The article provides vital and biographical details and the names of her parents, husband, sons, and grandchildren.
  11. North Carolina, Department of Archives and History, Index to Vital Records, 1800-2000, Michael Ryan Whitney, born: 4 May 1964 in Asheville, Buncombe County, North Carolina; father: Raymond Leslie Whitney.
  12. North Carolina, Department of Archives and History, Index to Vital Records, 1800-2000, Stephen Charles Whitney, born: 17 December 1965 in Asheville, Buncombe County, North Carolina; father: Raymond Leslie Whitney.
  13. This is publicly viewable information found in various public information repositories, people finding websites, and/or social media.
  14. Find a Grave (website). Calverton National Cemetery, Calverton, Suffolk County, New York, John W. Belsha, born: 5 May 1927; died: 2 September 2011 (from record).
  15. New York, New York City Marriage Licenses Index, 1950-1995, John Belsha and Carol Whitney, married in 1968 in Queens, New York City, New York.
Fourth Generation
17. Willard F. Whitney4 (Willard ‘Bill’,3 Willard,2 Willard1). Willard married Margaret _____ (born ____, parents not determined).

18. Pamela J. Whitney4 (Willard ‘Bill’,3 Willard,2 Willard1). Pamela married Joseph Rakoski (born ____, parents not determined).

19. Peter J. Whitney4 (Willard ‘Bill’,3 Willard,2 Willard1). Peter married Kimberly _____ (born ____, parents not determined).

26. Peggy A. Belsha4 (Carol,3 Raymond,2 Willard1), born 29 September 1971.1 Peggy married Raymond M. Hubbard (born 4 October 1968, parents not determined1).

  1. This is publicly viewable information found in various public information repositories, people finding websites, and/or social media.