Family History - Bessie Louise Congdon

1. Bessie Louise Congdon,¹ born 19 February 1884 in Montville, New London County, Connecticut, the daughter of John Bishop Congdon and Frances A. White;^{1, 2, 3, 4} died 7 September 1929 in New London, New London County, Connecticut.¹ Bessie married, 21 March 1898 in New London, New London County, Connecticut, George Robert Sisson^{2, 10} (born 1 November 1861 in North Stonington, New London County, Connecticut, the son of Albert B. Sisson and Amelia Dunbar;^{2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9} George died 16 August 1941 in Fitchville, New London County, Connecticut⁵). Bessie and George are buried in Jordan Cemetery, Waterford, New London County, Connecticut.^{1, 5}

+	2	i.	Arthur Edward Sisson, Sr., born 1 May 1899 in Waterford, New London County, Connecticut; died 30 September 1962 in Norwich, New London County, Connecticut. Married Myrtle Irene Daniels.
+	3	ii.	Earl E. Sisson, born 3 November 1904 in Connecticut; died 16 February 1976 in New London, New London County, Connecticut. Married Sylvia L. Stewart.
+	4	iii.	Roy Robert Sisson, born 1 September 1907 in Waterford, New London County, Connecticut; died 28 April 1967 in New London, New London County, Connecticut. Married Mabel Helen Sisson (born Weaver).
+	5	iv.	Ralph Wilson Sisson, born 16 April 1914 in Waterford, New London County, Connecticut; died 20 December 1994 in East Lyme, New London County, Connecticut. Married Emily Briggs.

1. Find a Grave (website). Jordan Cemetery, Waterford, New London County, Connecticut, Bessie Louise Congdon Sisson, born: 19 February 1884 in Montville, New London County, Connecticut; died: 7 September 1929 in New London, New London County, Connecticut (from record, which indicates her death certificate has the wrong birth date, and one stated in the record is correct; record also provides the names of her parents, spouse, two children and several siblings. Gravestone is shared with her husband George Robert Sisson (see his entry).
2. U.S. Federal Census, 1900, Connecticut, New London County, Waterford, Enumeration District 491, Sheet No. 19A, family of George Sisson (38, Connecticut, Nov. 1861, day laborer); wife of 2 years Bessie Sisson (16, Connecticut, Feb. 1884, 1 child, 1 living); son Arthur Sisson (1, Connecticut, May 1899).
3. U.S. Federal Census, 1910, Connecticut, New London County, Waterford, Enumeration District 551, Sheet No. 23A, family of George R. Sisson (47, Connecticut, farm laborer, working out); wife of 12 years Bessie L. Sisson (27, Connecticut, 3 children, 3 living); son Arthur E. Sisson (10, Connecticut); Earl E. Sisson (5, Connecticut); Roy R. Sisson (2, Connecticut).
4. U.S. Federal Census, 1920, Connecticut, New London County, Waterford, Enumeration District 304, Sheet No. 9B, family of George R. Sisson (61, Connecticut, laborer, common); wife Bessie L. Sisson (35, Connecticut); son Arthur E. Sisson (20, Connecticut, helper, brass shop); son Earl E. Sisson (15, Connecticut, helper, factory belt); son Roy R. Sisson (12, Connecticut); son Ralph W. Sisson (5, Connecticut).
5. Find a Grave (website). Jordan Cemetery, Waterford, New London County, Connecticut, George Robert Sisson, born: 1 November 1860 in North Stonington, New London County, Connecticut; died: August 16, 1941 in Fitchville, New London County, Connecticut (from record, which indicates the source of the birth date is his obituary whereas the gravestone shows 1861; record also provides the names of his parents, spouse, two children, and one sibling). Gravestone: Sisson / George R. / 1861-1941 / Bessie 1884-1929.
6. U.S. Federal Census, 1870, Connecticut, New London County, North Stonington, Page 7, family of Albert B. Sisson (38, Connecticut, house carpenter); Amelia Sisson (29, Connecticut); Julia A. Sisson (12, Connecticut); son George R. Sisson (9, Connecticut); Wm. H. Sisson [believed to be Henry E. Sisson] (2, Connecticut).
7. U.S. Federal Census, 1880, Connecticut, New London County, Groton, Enumeration District 102, Page No. 12D, family of Albert Sisson (50, Connecticut, laborer); wife Amelia Sisson (42, Connecticut); daughter Julia Sisson (22, Connecticut); son George R. Sisson (19, Connecticut, work on farm); son Henry E. Sisson (11, Connecticut); daughter Amelia Sisson (6, Connecticut); son Albert Sisson (10/12, Connecticut).
8. U.S. Federal Census, 1930, Connecticut, New London County, Waterford, Enumeration District 675, Sheet No. 1A, family of George B. Sisson (69, Connecticut, widow, laborer, odd jobs); son Roy E. Sisson (22, Connecticut, laborer, odd jobs); son Ralph W. Sisson (16, Connecticut); niece Mabel Sisson (18, Connecticut, housekeeper, private family).
9. U.S. Federal Census, 1940, Connecticut, New London County, Bozrah, Enumeration District 6-1, Sheet No. 10B, family of Arthur E. Sisson (41, Connecticut, drawing clerk, quilt mill); wife Myrtle J. Sisson (36, Connecticut); Arthur Sisson (17, Connecticut, mechanic, garage); daughter Myrtle Sisson (15, Connecticut); son George Sisson (3, Connecticut); daughter Elizabeth Sisson (2, Connecticut); father George Robt. Sisson (78, Connecticut, receives old age pension).
10. Connecticut Vital Records - Index of Marriages, 1897-2001; available at https://www.ctatatelibrarydata.org/marriage-records/ George Sisson and Bessie Congdon, married on 21 March 1898 in New London, Connecticut.

2. Arthur Edward Sisson, Sr.² (Bessie¹), born 1 May 1899 in Waterford, New London County, Connecticut;^{1, 2, 3, 4, 5} died 30 September 1962 in Norwich, New London County, Connecticut.¹ Arthur married Myrtle Irene Daniels⁵ (born 5 October 1904 in Waterford, New London County, Connecticut, the daughter of James Daniels and Mary Louise Wilcox;^{5, 6} Myrtle died 27 July 1997 in New London, New London County, Connecticut⁶). Arthur and Myrtle are buried in Jordan Cemetery, Waterford, New London County, Connecticut.^{1, 6}

+	6	i.	Arthur Edward Sisson, Jr., born 27 July 1923 in New London, New London County, Connecticut; died 8 September 2005 in New London, New London County, Connecticut. Married Mattie Louise Goss.
	7	ii.	Myrtle Sisson, born ca. 1925 in Connecticut.5
	8	iii.	George Sisson, born ca. 1937 in Connecticut.5
	9	iv.	Elizabeth Sisson, born ca. 1938 in Connecticut.5

3. Earl E. Sisson² (Bessie¹), born 3 November 1904 in Connecticut;^{3, 4, 7, 8} died 16 February 1976 in New London, New London County, Connecticut.⁹ Earl married, 15 July 1927 in Waterford, New London County, Connecticut, Sylvia L. Stewart^{7, 11} (born 19 May 1903 in New York, parents not determined;^{7, 8} Sylvia died 9 October 1976 in Waterford, New London County, Connecticut¹⁰).

4. Roy Robert Sisson² (Bessie¹), born 1 September 1907 in Waterford, New London County, Connecticut;^{3, 4, 12, 13, 14} died 28 April 1967 in New London, New London County, Connecticut.¹² Roy married, 14 February 1931 in Waterford, New London County, Connecticut, Mabel Helen Sisson (born Weaver)^{14, 17} (born 8 December 1911 in New London, New London County, Connecticut, the daughter of Leon Morton Weaver and Nellie Dora Burdick;^{13, 14, 15, 16} Mabel died 25 May 2008 in Groton, New London County, Connecticut¹⁵). Roy and Mabel are buried in Jordan Cemetery, Waterford, New London County, Connecticut.^{12, 15}

	10	i.	Ruth H. Sisson, born ca. 1934 in Connecticut.14
+	11	ii.	Jacqueline Rae Sisson, born 8 May 1944 in New London, New London County, Connecticut; died 31 August 1979 in Norwich, New London County, Connecticut. Married Lawrence Raymond Merriman, Jr..

5. Ralph Wilson Sisson² (Bessie¹), born 16 April 1914 in Waterford, New London County, Connecticut;^{4, 8, 13, 18} died 20 December 1994 in East Lyme, New London County, Connecticut.¹⁸ Ralph married, 24 June 1941 in Waterford, New London County, Connecticut, Emily Briggs²⁰ (born 10 March 1922 in New London, New London County, Connecticut, the daughter of Henry Briggs and Phoebe Brooks;¹⁹ Emily died 7 December 2002 in East Lyme, New London County, Connecticut¹⁹). Ralph and Emily are buried in Jordan Cemetery, Waterford, New London County, Connecticut.^{18, 19}

+

12

i.

Gary Lee Sisson, born 19 September 1944 in New London, New London County, Connecticut; died 11 April 2005 in New London, New London County, Connecticut. Married Jean L. Crandall.

1. Find a Grave (website). Jordan Cemetery, Waterford, New London County, Connecticut, Arthur Edward Sisson, Sr., born: 1 May 1899 in Waterford, New London County, Connecticut; died: 30 September 1962 in Norwich, New London County, Connecticut (from record, which provides the names and links for his parents, two siblings, spouse, and one child).
2. U.S. Federal Census, 1900, Connecticut, New London County, Waterford, Enumeration District 491, Sheet No. 19A, family of George Sisson (38, Connecticut, Nov. 1861, day laborer); wife of 2 years Bessie Sisson (16, Connecticut, Feb. 1884, 1 child, 1 living); son Arthur Sisson (1, Connecticut, May 1899).
3. U.S. Federal Census, 1910, Connecticut, New London County, Waterford, Enumeration District 551, Sheet No. 23A, family of George R. Sisson (47, Connecticut, farm laborer, working out); wife of 12 years Bessie L. Sisson (27, Connecticut, 3 children, 3 living); son Arthur E. Sisson (10, Connecticut); Earl E. Sisson (5, Connecticut); Roy R. Sisson (2, Connecticut).
4. U.S. Federal Census, 1920, Connecticut, New London County, Waterford, Enumeration District 304, Sheet No. 9B, family of George R. Sisson (61, Connecticut, laborer, common); wife Bessie L. Sisson (35, Connecticut); son Arthur E. Sisson (20, Connecticut, helper, brass shop); son Earl E. Sisson (15, Connecticut, helper, factory belt); son Roy R. Sisson (12, Connecticut); son Ralph W. Sisson (5, Connecticut).
5. U.S. Federal Census, 1940, Connecticut, New London County, Bozrah, Enumeration District 6-1, Sheet No. 10B, family of Arthur E. Sisson (41, Connecticut, drawing clerk, quilt mill); wife Myrtle J. Sisson (36, Connecticut); Arthur Sisson (17, Connecticut, mechanic, garage); daughter Myrtle Sisson (15, Connecticut); son George Sisson (3, Connecticut); daughter Elizabeth Sisson (2, Connecticut); father George Robt. Sisson (78, Connecticut, receives old age pension).
6. Find a Grave (website). Jordan Cemetery, Waterford, New London County, Connecticut, Myrtle Irene Daniels Sisson, born: 5 October 1904 in Waterford, New London County, Connecticut; died: 27 July 1997 in New London, New London County, Connecticut (from record, which includes a note with the names of her parents, and provides the names and links for her spouse and one child).
7. U.S. Federal Census, 1930, Connecticut, New London County, Waterford, E.D. 6-75, Sheet No. 9B, Earl E. Sisson, 24, Connecticut, first married age 21, fisherman, fishing; wife Sylvia L. Sisson, 25, New York, first married age 22.
8. U.S. Federal Census, 1940, Connecticut, New London County, Waterford, E.D. 6-117, Sheet No. 31A, Earl Sisson, 35, Connecticut, fisherman, self; wife Sylvia Sisson, 37, New York; brother Ralph Sisson, 22, Connecticut, chauffeur, private family.
9. Connecticut Death Index, 1949-2001, available at Ancestry.com and familysearch.org, Earl E. Sisson, died: 16 February 1976 in New London, Connecticut, age 70; spouse: Sylv[ia].
10. Connecticut Death Index, 1949-2001, available at Ancestry.com and familysearch.org, Sylvi Sisson, died: 9 October 1976 in Waterford, Connecticut; widowed; spouse: Earl.
11. Connecticut Vital Records - Index of Marriages, 1897-2001; available at https://www.ctatatelibrarydata.org/marriage-records/ Earl Sisson and Sylvia Stewart, 15 July 1926 in Waterford, Connecticut.
12. Find a Grave (website). Jordan Cemetery, Waterford, New London County, Connecticut, Roy Robert Sisson, born: 1 September 1907 in Waterford, New London County, Connecticut; died: 28 April 1967 in New London, New London County, Connecticut (from record, which provides the names of his parents and one sibling).
13. U.S. Federal Census, 1930, Connecticut, New London County, Waterford, Enumeration District 675, Sheet No. 1A, family of George B. Sisson (69, Connecticut, widow, laborer, odd jobs); son Roy E. Sisson (22, Connecticut, laborer, odd jobs); son Ralph W. Sisson (16, Connecticut); niece Mabel Sisson (18, Connecticut, housekeeper, private family).
14. U.S. Federal Census, 1940, Connecticut, New London County, East Lyme, Enumeration District 6-4, Sheet No. 2A, family of Roy R. Sisson (32, Connecticut, road worker, road construction); wife Mabel H. Sisson (28, Connecticut); daughter Ruth H. Sisson (6, Connecticut).
15. Find a Grave (website). Jordan Cemetery, Waterford, New London County, Connecticut, Helen Mabel Burdick Sisson, born: 8 December 1911 in New London, New London County, Connecticut; died: 25 May 2008 in Groton, New London County, Connecticut (from record, which provides the name and link for her husband). This record shows her maiden name as Burdick which is incorrect. She is the daughter of Nellie Dora Burdick and her first husband Leon Morton Weaver. She was apparently adopted by Nellie’s second husband, Henry Sisson.
16. U.S. Federal Census, 1920, Connecticut, New London County, Waterford, Enumeration District 303, Sheet No. 13B, family of Henry A. Sisson (47, Connecticut, farm laborer); wife Dora Sisson (31, Connecticut); son Hayward Sisson (9, Connecticut); Mabel Sisson (7, Connecticut); son Keeney Sisson (3 3/12, Connecticut); Frank Sisson (2 6/12, Connecticut).
17. Connecticut Vital Records - Index of Marriages, 1897-2001; available at https://www.ctatatelibrarydata.org/marriage-records/ Roy Sisson and Mabel Sisson, married on 14 February 1931 in Waterford, Connecticut.
18. Find a Grave (website). Jordan Cemetery, Waterford, New London County, Connecticut, Ralph Wilson Sisson, born: 16 April 1914 in Waterford, New London County, Connecticut; died: 19 December 1994 in East Lyme, New London, Connecticut (from record, which provides the names of his parents, spouse, one child, and one sibling). Gravestone: Sisson / Ralph W. / April 16, 1914 / Dec. 20, 1994 / Emily B. / March 10, 1922 / Dec. 7, 2002.
19. Find a Grave (website). Jordan Cemetery, Waterford, New London County, Connecticut, Emily Briggs Sisson, born: 10 March 1922 in New London, New London County, Connecticut; died: 7 December 2002 in East Lyme, New London County, Connecticut (from record, which provides the names of her parents, spouse, and one child). Gravestone: shared with her husband, Ralph Wilson Sisson (see his entry).
20. Connecticut Vital Records - Index of Marriages, 1897-2001; available at https://www.ctatatelibrarydata.org/marriage-records/ Ralph Sisson and Emily Briggs, married on 24 June 1941 in Waterford, Connecticut.

6. Arthur Edward Sisson, Jr.³ (Arthur,² Bessie¹), born 27 July 1923 in New London, New London County, Connecticut;^{1, 2} died 8 September 2005 in New London, New London County, Connecticut.¹ Arthur married Mattie Louise Goss (born 1 February 1911 in New London, New London County, Connecticut, parents not determined;³ Mattie died 27 May 1998 in New London, New London County, Connecticut³). Arthur and Mattie are buried in Jordan Cemetery, Waterford, New London County, Connecticut.^{1, 3}

11. Jacqueline Rae Sisson³ (Roy,² Bessie¹), born 8 May 1944 in New London, New London County, Connecticut;⁴ died 31 August 1979 in Norwich, New London County, Connecticut.⁴ Jacqueline married, 7 September 1963 in New London, New London County, Connecticut, Lawrence Raymond Merriman, Jr.^{4, 6} (born 3 December 1943 in Norwich, New London County, Connecticut, the son of Lawrence Raymond Merriman, Sr. and Ruby Wood Miller;⁵ Lawrence died 1 June 2020⁵). Jacqueline and Lawrence are buried in Jordan Cemetery, Waterford, New London County, Connecticut.^{4, 5}

12. Gary Lee Sisson³ (Ralph,² Bessie¹), born 19 September 1944 in New London, New London County, Connecticut;⁷ died 11 April 2005 in New London, New London County, Connecticut.⁷ Gary married, 24 October 1964 in Waterford, New London County, Connecticut, Jean L. Crandall⁹ (born 21 October 1948, parents not determined⁸). Gary is buried in Jordan Cemetery, Waterford, New London County, Connecticut.⁷

	13	i.	Gary Lee Sisson, Jr., born 27 March 1965 in New London, New London County, Connecticut;10 died 6 February 2005 in New Britain, Hartford County, Connecticut.10
	14	ii.	John R. Sisson.
	15	iii.	Carol Sisson.
	16	iv.	Kimberly Sisson.

1. Find a Grave (website). Jordan Cemetery, Waterford, New London County, Connecticut, Arthur Edward Sisson, Jr., born: 27 July 1923 in New London, New London County, Connecticut; died: 8 September 2005 in New London, New London County, Connecticut (from record, which provides the names and links for his parents and spouse).
2. U.S. Federal Census, 1940, Connecticut, New London County, Bozrah, Enumeration District 6-1, Sheet No. 10B, family of Arthur E. Sisson (41, Connecticut, drawing clerk, quilt mill); wife Myrtle J. Sisson (36, Connecticut); Arthur Sisson (17, Connecticut, mechanic, garage); daughter Myrtle Sisson (15, Connecticut); son George Sisson (3, Connecticut); daughter Elizabeth Sisson (2, Connecticut); father George Robt. Sisson (78, Connecticut, receives old age pension).
3. Find a Grave (website). Jordan Cemetery, Waterford, New London County, Connecticut, Mattie Louise Goss Sisson, born: 1 February 1911 in New London, New London County, Connecticut; died: 27 May 1998 in New London, New London County, Connecticut (from record, which includes a note regarding lack of gravestone, and names of her two husbands, and the names and links for her parents, siblings, second spouse, and two children from her first marriage).
4. Find a Grave (website). Jordan Cemetery, Waterford, New London County, Connecticut, Jacqueline Rae Sisson Merriman, born: 8 May 1944 in New London, New London County, Connecticut; died: 31 August 1979 in Norwich, New London County, Connecticut (from record, which provides the names of her parents, Roy and Helen Weaver Sisson, and her husband, Lawrence R. Merriman, Jr., and their marriage date.
5. Find a Grave (website). Jordan Cemetery, Waterford, New London County, Connecticut, Lawrence Raymond Merriman, Jr., born: 3 December 1943 in Norwich, New London County, Connecticut; died: 1 June 2020 (from record, which provides a note naming his two wives; and the name and link for his first spouse).
6. Connecticut Vital Records - Index of Marriages, 1897-2001; available at https://www.ctatatelibrarydata.org/marriage-records/ Lawre[nce] Merriman and Jacqu[eline] Sisson, married on 7 September 1963 in New London, Connecticut.
7. Find a Grave (website). Jordan Cemetery, Waterford, New London County, Connecticut, Gary Lee Sisson, born: 19 September 1944 in New London, New London County, Connecticut; died: 11 April 2005 in New London, New London County, Connecticut (from record, which provides the names of his parents). Gravestone: Gary Lee / Sisson / Sept 19, 1944 / April 11, 2005.
8. This is publicly viewable information found in various public information repositories, people finding websites, and/or social media.
9. Connecticut Vital Records - Index of Marriages, 1897-2001; available at https://www.ctatatelibrarydata.org/marriage-records/ Gary Sisson and Jean Crandall, married on 24 October 1964 in Waterford, Connecticut.
10. Obituary, The Day, New London, Connecticut, 8 February 2005, Gary Lee Sisson, Jr., died: 6 February 2005 in New Britain, born: 27 March 1965 in New London. The article provides vital and biographical details and the names of his parents, siblings, and maternal grandmother.