Looking for family/friends of the late Birrell Brownlie/ Pearl Willis Grosse Pointe

**Fiona Todd** · February-25-11, 11:30 AM

Hi there, I am doing some research in my family tree here
In Glasgow, and have become interested in the Brownlie family,
Who moved to Detroit from Glasgow over a period of time in the early
1920’s and 30’s. I would appreciate if anyone who is descended from
the Brownlies, or knows of them would contact me. I am particularly
interested in finding out more about a Birrell Brownlie who lived at Mapleton Road
Grosse Pointe, and who died in January 1960. I believe he lived
with his mother Ellen, and he had a brother Robert, and two sisters
Catherine Harvey and Pearl Willis. If anyone remembers them, please get in
touch,

Thanks,

Fiona, Glasgow, Scotland

**Lferg** · March-03-11, 10:43 AM

Hi Fiona,

I'm not related and didn't know them, but the Grosse Pointe Library has digital copies of the news archives and I found Birrel's obituary for you. It's on page Nine.

http://digitize.gp.lib.mi.us/digitiz...1960-01-21.pdf

If you follow this link and type Brownlie into the search box you'll find additional articles on the family.

http://digitize.gp.lib.mi.us/digitiz...ers/gpnews.htm

There are quite a few records on family search.

www.familysearch.org

And finally, there are four early [[pre-1920s) death records on Seeking Michigan.

www.seekingmichigan.org.

Hope this helps.

**Fiona Todd** · March-06-11, 02:59 AM

Hi there,

Thanks so much for these links - will follow them up - that is so helpful - I really appreciate it,

Fiona

**Lferg** · March-06-11, 10:31 AM

Glad I could help.

You can also try www.ancestry.com, but that is a paid subscription, a monthly membership runs $20 - $30 UDS per month, but you can register and post on the message boards for free. There's another message board at www.genforum.com, where you may find some information. And finally, check these sites.

http://www.migenweb.net/wayne/

http://resources.rootsweb.ancestry.com/USA/MI/Wayne/

If you want to know about the house they lived in you can see the details at www.zillow.com.

http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/13...88154496_zpid/

**Fiona Todd** · March-06-11, 02:16 PM

I am hoping to come out to Detroit in a couple of weeks, and I wonder what are the best places to find more information - which library in Grosse Pointe? The historical society? etc. I have also been looking on the Forest lawn cemetry, but cannot find their names, even though Ellen and Birrell and Catherine seem to be buried there. Do you have any idea how I can find their graves? I would like to track down as much information as possible before we come over, so we can make the most of the time we have, Again I would appreciate any advice you have. From all the records I have looked through, I cannot find anybody in this family who might still be alive. Have I missed something? Are there any other ways I can track down neighbours etc?
You seem to be really knowledgable, and any local knowledge you can give would help a great deal.

Thanks,

Fiona

**Lferg** · March-09-11, 09:09 AM

Hi Fiona,

Unfortunately, Michigan isn't one of the better states for genealogy, in fact, I'm stuck on my own family and I was born and raised there, lol.

But, there are a few places where you might find your information. I would probably start at the Detroit Public Library, I’ve never been there as I am now living out of state, but the Burton Collection is supposed to be excellent. Hopefully you will be able to find obituaries for Robert and Pearl and that may lead you to surviving relatives. I would also check the Grosse Pointe Library and Historical Society.

The Wayne County Probate records are available online, but they don’t go back past 1976. You may be able to contact the Probate Court and order the records for Ellen and Birrell, but I would bet you would find Pearl or Robert’s name on the records. If you can find the death index or obituary for Robert, Pearl and Gilbert it should list a name for their children and you can work your back from there.

Here is the link for the Probate records but I couldn’t find anything for Pearl, Gilbert or Willis.

http://public.wcpc.us/pa/

And the link to the Detroit Library

http://www.detroit.lib.mi.us/burton/burton_index.htm

The cemetery should keep internment records. You may want to call before you go and find out if the records are stored on-site. Also, please be careful, it’s not in the best of neighborhoods so take someone with you, go during the day, and pay attention to your surroundings.

11851 Van Dyke Ave.
Detroit, MI 48234
313-921-6960

Finally, if all else fails you may be able to obtain copies of the death certificates.

http://www.waynecounty.com/clerk_srvcs_deathcert.htm

Good luck with your research and enjoy your trip to the Big D!

**Fiona Todd** · March-12-11, 05:07 PM

Hi there friend,

That is brilliant - thanks so much for finding all these links for me.
I can start exploring them from here, and it gives me some clues as to how to
proceed when we come over.

Thanks for the advice about the cemetry too. Hope we will enjoy our time - Detroit is a city with such an amazing history, and we look forward to visiting,

Fiona