Algernon Ridley’s wife Margaret Hilton Ridley, died 23 August 1948 at Manhattan Beach, Los Angeles, California. Her death certificate lists her parents as D. C. and Margaret Hilton, and her birth place as Salisbury, Missouri.
This is a classic example of finding all of the records that pertain to a particular question and building a case for a genealogical conclusion. In this case, the question is, “Who were Margaret’s parents?” Her death certificate provides one piece of evidence and gives her parents names as D. C. and Margaret Hilton.
However, there is more to the story. I have compiled all of my research into a “Draft” proof summary, and invite you to read through it and give me your help. It appears as though her parents are Jacob Eccles (Ecles) and Mary K. Riddell (Riddle). But, the evidence is inconclusive.
I would LOVE to hear your comments and suggestions for solving this mystery. Please contact me directly, or leave your comments.
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 California, Department of Public Health, Certificate of Death, no. 12414, filed 25 August 1948 (5 October 1948); Margaret Hilton Ridley, died 23 August 1948 at Manhattan Beach, Los Angeles, California; digital image, “California, County Birth and Death Records, 1849-1994, Los Angeles, Death Certificates 1948 no. 10900-13250,” FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 6 February 2013), image 1587 of 2447.