Helenore Agnes Downs

b. June 15, 1917, d. March 15, 2008
Helen Downs
circa 1970's
FatherGeorge Francis Downs b. July 9, 1883
MotherMary Cary b. about 1888, d. July 7, 1919
(Child) BirthHelenore Agnes Downs was born on June 15, 1917 at Manhattan, New York. 
1920 US CensusShe, listed as 2 yrs, 8 mos old, appeared on the 1920 Federal Census at The Angel Guardian Home, Brooklyn, Kings, NY. 
1925 NY CensusShe appeared on the 1925 New York State Census of Manhattan, NY in the household of her parents, George and Catherine Downs, and with Anna M Downs, George Downs, Mary Therisa Downs and Marion Downs
1930 US CensusShe, listed as 12 years old, appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Manhattan, NY in the household of her parents, George and Catherine Downs, and with George Downs, Mary Therisa Downs, Marion Downs and Agnes Downs
(First) Marriage At age 18, Helenore's first marriage was to John Collins on December 11, 1935 at Long Island City Jail, Queens, NY..
Note
While the Helen Downs/John Collins relationship has been satifactually proved, the
following presents further intrigue:

https://louisianagenealogygirl.wordpress.com/tag/murder/

Joseph Ashley Schwartz – AKA John Collins – racked up two marriages, two babies and a trail of
blood in his 25 years.

According to Family Tree Maker, Joseph Ashley Schwartz is related to me thusly: He’s the
brother-in-law of the brother-in-law of the first cousin three times removed. It’s not a very
solid connection, and I guess I should be thankful. Joseph lived a rather sordid life.

Joseph was the son of Robert Schwartz and Cora Talley, who settled in New Orleans. His father
sold newspapers at night and worked for the city at day. Robert and Cora divorced when their
youngest child was just a baby. Both quickly remarried and built blended families of step
siblings, half siblings and full siblings that made the Brady Bunch look like a small clan.

Robert’s second wife was Mary Louise Boote. She was still a teen-ager when she fell in love
with a traveling salesman named Snodie Munsell. Snodie stuck around long enough to father
daughters named Rose, Ruth and Ruby before abandoning the family. Distraught, Mary Louise
disappeared for a short time – just long enough for her worried mother to contact the police
and the newspapers – but she pulled it together, found Robert and remarried.

But back to Joseph, who would die by the hangman’s noose in New York. Joseph married Mary
Louise’s daughter Ruby after she got pregnant. They had a son whom they named Joseph Ashley
Schwartz Jr. Shortly after the birth, Joseph left his wife and new baby. He wrote Ruby from
Mobile and told her he’d found another girl. Apparently the new romance didn’t stick.

Joseph kept heading north until he ended up in New York.

In New York, Joseph was booked for assault and robbery. He managed to escape the Tombs in
1933, but got into a gun battle with detectives that left his friend William Clark dead. Soon,
Joseph would have more blood on his hands.

Despite the wife and child back home in New Orleans, Joseph struck up a romance with clerical
worker Anna Downey (some newspapers identified her as Helen Downey) in New York. Anna would
describe Joseph as a perfect gentleman who wouldn’t let her say the word ‘damn’ because it
wasn’t something a lady said. Joseph and Anna had some kind of a sham wedding. Then Anna got
pregnant, and they decided to get married for real. There was just one problem (besides the
wife back in New Orleans).

Joseph was in prison for murder and robbery. He supposedly held up a beer garden and killed a
man named Charles Theuner.

The wedding took place at the prison with Anna’s sister and a newspaperman serving as
witnesses. Newspapers loved the story of the condemned man and his beautiful bride. Pictures
of the wedding were published across the country, including in New Orleans.

Ruby saw the photos and showed them to her stepfather. Then she raced across town to show them
to her mother-in-law. One thing puzzled them.

The papers described a marriage between Anna and a John Collins. John looked very much like
Joseph Ashley Schwartz.

Ruby went to the newspapermen, who seized upon the fresh angle to the story. John Collins
denied from prison that he was Joseph Ashley Schwartz, and Anna said it couldn’t be true. Anna
also threw in that – by her math – John couldn’t possibly be the father of Ruby’s baby or the
man that Ruby had to marry because she got in trouble.

Anna also minimized John Collins’ criminal record. By her reckoning, police get your name for
one little thing and then pin everything on you. Poor Anna.

Joseph’s family was left wondering if John Collins was their Joseph – although they couldn’t
have scratched their heads for too long. Joseph had written his sister letters and signed them
John Collins. Although … how did she know who that was when she got the letters? Did he sign
them “John Collins (you know, Joseph Schwartz)?” Curiouser and curiouser.

Ruby sent a letter to Joseph in Sing-Sing. The warden returned it, explaining that John
Collins denied knowing anyone named Joseph Ashley Schwartz. Ruby decided to let the matter
drop. After all, she reasoned, Joseph was condemned to death so she’d soon be a widow with no
reason to pursue a divorce.

If you look up the list of people executed in New York, you won’t find Joseph Ashley Schwartz.
Instead you’ll find the name John Collins, who was one of four men to go to his death in the
electric chair on May 29, 1936.

Joseph – or John – was 25 when he died. He supposedly told the guards “Let’s go” as they
strapped him to the electric chair. At the prison gates, Anna clutched their four-month-old
baby and sobbed.

Later, upon being woken and told about the execution, Ruby was unsympathetic. She reportedly
shrugged her shoulders and showed no emotion. She also told reporters that Anna had fixed her
own little red wagon.
 
(Son) BirthA son, Raymond, was born on March 11, 1936 at Manhattan, New York. 
(Spouse) Death On July 9, 1936 her husband, John, died at Sing, Sing Prison, NY. 
(Second) Marriage At age 19, Helenore's second marriage was to Edward James Brown, 23, on February 27, 1937 at Manhattan, New York.  
1950 US Census Recorded on April 1, 1950, Helenore Agnes Brown, listed as 32 years old, appeared on the 1950 Federal Census with her husband Edward James Brown, 36 years old, and the head of household. They lived at 383 First Avenue, Manhattan, NY. Their children, 14, an unknown person , 10, and Raymond Brown, 4, were listed as living with them. Helen was a Sales Girl at a Restaurant. 
(Third) Marriage At age 40, Helenore's third marriage was to William Hobart Fine, 39, on March 22, 1958 at Los Angles, CA.. Interestingly, Helen's obituary lists that she married William in 1950, however the California Marriage Index, the only record for this marriage found so far, lists 1958 and that Helen used her maiden name. 
(Spouse) Death On June 19, 1971 her husband, William, died at Los Angeles, CA, at age 52. 
(Son) DeathRaymond died on March 12, 1991 at Manhattan, New York, at age 55. 
(Deceased) DeathHelenore died on March 15, 2008 at Bellingham, WA, at age 90.  
(Interred) BurialShe and William Hobart Fine were buried on March 26, 2008 at Greenacres Memorial Park, Ferndale, WA,
William was relocated from Los Angeles to be with his wife. Plot: Block 13.

Family 1

John Collins d. July 9, 1936
Child

Family 2

Edward James Brown b. June 28, 1913, d. October 30, 1989

Family 3

William Hobart Fine b. March 22, 1919, d. June 19, 1971
Last EditedApril 6, 2025

Isabella Downs

b. February, 1899
FatherEugene Downs b. November, 1876
MotherMamie (?) b. September, 1881
(Child) BirthIsabella Downs was born in February, 1899 at New York. 
Last EditedMay 11, 2013

Marion Downs

b. about 1924
FatherGeorge Francis Downs b. July 9, 1883
MotherCatherine Ryan b. about 1886
(Child) BirthMarion Downs was born about 1924 at Manhattan, New York. 
1925 NY CensusShe appeared on the 1925 New York State Census of Manhattan, NY in the household of her parents, George and Catherine Downs, and with Anna M Downs, George Downs, Mary Therisa Downs and Helenore Agnes Downs
1930 US CensusShe, listed as 5 years old, appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Manhattan, NY in the household of her parents, George and Catherine Downs, and with George Downs, Mary Therisa Downs, Helenore Agnes Downs and Agnes Downs
1935 ResidenceIn 1935 Marion Downs lived in the household of George Francis Downs and Catherine Downs, and with Agnes Downs at 473 Third Avenue, Manhattan, NY, as listed in the 1940 federal census. 
1940 US CensusShe, listed as 15 years old, appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Manhattan, NY in the household of her parents, George and Catherine Downs, and with Agnes Downs
1950 US CensusShe was listed as 25 years old and as the daughter of Catherine Downs on the 1950 Federal Census at 570 Second Avenue, Manhattan, NY, and with Agnes Downs. She was an Operator at a Knitting Mill. 
Last EditedMay 11, 2013

Mary Therisa Downs

b. May 19, 1915, d. September, 1974
FatherGeorge Francis Downs b. July 9, 1883
MotherMary Cary b. about 1888, d. July 7, 1919
ChartsDescendant Chart for Michal Soha
(Child) BirthMary Therisa Downs was born on May 19, 1915 at 221 East 26th Street, Manhattan, New York. 
1915 NY CensusShe, listed as 14 days, appeared on the 1915 New York State Census of Manhattan, NY in the household of her parents, George and Mary Downs, and with Anna M Downs and George Downs
1920 US CensusShe, listed as 4 yrs, 11 mos old, appeared on the 1920 Federal Census at St. Joseph's Home for Girls, Flushing, Queens, NY. 
1925 NY CensusShe appeared on the 1925 New York State Census of Manhattan, NY in the household of her parents, George and Catherine Downs, and with Anna M Downs, George Downs, Helenore Agnes Downs and Marion Downs
1930 US CensusShe, listed as 14 years old, appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Manhattan, NY in the household of her parents, George and Catherine Downs, and with George Downs, Helenore Agnes Downs, Marion Downs and Agnes Downs
(Bride) Marriage At age 21, Mary married Edward J. Nemeth, 31, son of Joseph Nemeth and Rozalia Ratkovszky, on September 19, 1936 at New York..  
(Daughter) BirthA daughter, Patricia, was born on March 26, 1939 at New York. 
1940 US Census Living at 227 (226?) East 26th Street, Mary was listed on the 1940 Federal Census with her husband Edward J. Nemeth in Manhattan, NY, recorded on April 5, 1940. Mary was listed as 24 years old and her husband, Edward J. Nemeth as 34 years old. Their daughter Patricia, 1, was listed as living with them. They lived in the same building as Mary's mother in law, Rozalia Ratkovszky, and her brother in law, sister in law and nephew, Rose, John and John Bakewell.. 
1950 US Census Recorded on July 7, 1950, Mary Therisa Nemeth, listed as 30 years old, appeared on the 1950 Federal Census with her husband Edward J. Nemeth, 35 years old, and the head of household. They lived at Apt 2D, 226 East 26th Street, Manhattan, NY. Their daughter Patricia, 10, was listed as living with them. 
(Spouse) Death On November 20, 1963 her husband, Edward, died at Manhattan, NY, at age 58. 
(Deceased) DeathMary died in September, 1974 at Manhattan, New York, at age 59.  

Family

Edward J. Nemeth b. November 24, 1904, d. November 20, 1963
Child
Last EditedJanuary 4, 2024

May Downs

b. May, 1887
FatherEugene Downs b. June, 1852
MotherMary A (?) b. November, 1853
(Child) BirthMay Downs was born in May, 1887 at New York. 
1900 US CensusShe was listed as 13 years old and as the daughter of Eugene and Mary A Downs on the 1900 Federal Census at 623 First Avenue, Manhattan, NY, and with George Francis Downs and William Downs
Last EditedMay 11, 2013

William Downs

b. March, 1877
FatherEugene Downs b. June, 1852
MotherMary A (?) b. November, 1853
(Child) BirthWilliam Downs was born in March, 1877 at New York. 
1880 US CensusHe, listed as 2, appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Manhattan, NY in the household of his parents, Eugene and Mary A Downs, and with Eugene Downs
1900 US CensusHe was listed as 23 years old and as the son of Eugene and Mary A Downs on the 1900 Federal Census at 623 First Avenue, Manhattan, NY, and with May Downs and George Francis Downs
Last EditedMay 11, 2013

Jane Duckworth

b. about 1850
(Child) BirthJane Duckworth was born about 1850 at England. 
(Bride) MarriageJane married Henry Kay at England..  
(Daughter) BirthA daughter, Gertrude, was born on March 22, 1880 at Bolton, Lancashire, England. 
1920 US CensusShe, listed as 70, appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Philadelphia, PA in the household of her daughter Gertrude Ramsey, and with John Allen Ramsey and Henry Kay

Family

Henry Kay b. about 1847
Child
Last EditedApril 9, 2018

Elizabeth Dudás1

(Bride) MarriageElizabeth married Stephen Ratkovszky..  
(Daughter) BirthA daughter, Rozalia, was born in August, 1870 at Hungary. 
(Son) BirthA son, Stephen, was born on November 4, 1882 at Gönc, Abauj-Torna, Hungary. 

Family

Stephen Ratkovszky
Children
Last EditedJanuary 26, 2023

Citations

  1. I have also seen last name spelled Dudarce.

Albert Harrison Duffield

b. before March 1, 1874
FatherFrederick Duffield b. before October 1, 1834, d. about June, 1888
MotherSusan Golding b. September 26, 1835, d. December, 1912
ChartsDescendant Chart for William Selvey
(Child) BirthAlbert Harrison Duffield was born before March 1, 1874 at Queen St., Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, England. 
(Child) BaptismHe was baptized on March 1, 1874 at SS Peter & Paul RC Church, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, England. 
ResidenceHe lived in the household of Frederick Duffield and Susan Golding, and with George Frederick Duffield, Arthur Stokes Duffield, Edith Helen Duffield, Ernest Duffield, Blanche Groome Duffield, Leonard Duffield and Sidney Ben Duffield in 1881 at 34 Francis St., Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, England. 
ResidenceHe lived in the household of Susan Golding, and with Edith Helen Duffield in 1891 at Red Cross St., Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, England. 
(Groom) MarriageAlbert married an unknown person about March, 1900 at Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, England..  
Last EditedMay 23, 2010

Ann Duffield

b. before September 23, 1822
FatherGeorge Duffield
MotherFrancis (?) d. before November 27, 1859
(Child) BirthAnn Duffield was born before September 23, 1822 at Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, England. 
(Child) BaptismShe was baptized on September 23, 1822 at Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, England. 
Last EditedJanuary 25, 2010