About the Massey Family
From what we know so far, we can trace our roots all the way back to an Edward Massey who was born around 1810 in what we believe to be Virginia. Edward was married to a Lucy Massey and at one point resided in Falls Church, Virginia.
Melvina Massey, the daughter of Edward Massey, was a well-known proprietor of a few brothels in Fargo, North Dakota during the late 19th century. Though no records have been found to confirm it, we believe that Melvina had at least one brother named Edward Massey. And that she may have had another one named "John Massey". Not much is known about Madame Melvina outside of Fargo. But what we do know about her comes mainly from Newspapers of the time and court records related to her business and property. Melvina passed away in 1911 leaving the large majority of her possessions to her son, Henry. In her obituary it stated that she had two nieces: Lyla Brandt of Washington and Margaret Ruffin of New York.
As far as we can tell, Henry Massey (pictured above) was the only child of Melvina Massey and a man by the last name of "Gray". Henry was born April 15, 1859 in Loudoun County, Virginia. And according to the 1880 census he was living with his Grandfather, Edward, Edward's wife, Lucy and Charlotte, who was Henry's first wife.
Though we don't know the circumstances surrounding Henry's move from Virginia to Rhode Island, we do know that by 1883 he marries his second wife, Anna Howard. The two reside in Pawtucket, Rhode Island where Henry is a driver for the Pawtucket Police Department. It was here in Rhode Island where the Massey Family (as we know it) begins to grow.
Anna and Henry had a total of 11 children, three of whom died as children. Their children were:
Melvina Massey, the daughter of Edward Massey, was a well-known proprietor of a few brothels in Fargo, North Dakota during the late 19th century. Though no records have been found to confirm it, we believe that Melvina had at least one brother named Edward Massey. And that she may have had another one named "John Massey". Not much is known about Madame Melvina outside of Fargo. But what we do know about her comes mainly from Newspapers of the time and court records related to her business and property. Melvina passed away in 1911 leaving the large majority of her possessions to her son, Henry. In her obituary it stated that she had two nieces: Lyla Brandt of Washington and Margaret Ruffin of New York.
As far as we can tell, Henry Massey (pictured above) was the only child of Melvina Massey and a man by the last name of "Gray". Henry was born April 15, 1859 in Loudoun County, Virginia. And according to the 1880 census he was living with his Grandfather, Edward, Edward's wife, Lucy and Charlotte, who was Henry's first wife.
Though we don't know the circumstances surrounding Henry's move from Virginia to Rhode Island, we do know that by 1883 he marries his second wife, Anna Howard. The two reside in Pawtucket, Rhode Island where Henry is a driver for the Pawtucket Police Department. It was here in Rhode Island where the Massey Family (as we know it) begins to grow.
Anna and Henry had a total of 11 children, three of whom died as children. Their children were:
- Frederick Lee Massey - (12/12/1884 - 11/27/1923)
- Elva Howard (Massey) Lopes - (2/17/1890 - ??/??/????)
- Jane Elizabeth Massey - 5/14/1892 - ??/??/????)
- Rice Etta Bell Massey - (7/6/1893 - 12/15/1895)
- Henry F. Massey - (10/5/1894 - 4/20/1895)
- Gladys Teresa Massey - (1/13/1895 - ??/??/1943)
- Henry William Massey - (1/25/1898 - 5/19/1962 )
- Edward Massey - (11/10/1899 - ??/??/????)
- Milton Massey - (10/20/1901 - 11/27/1901)
- Milton Coyle Massey - (2/7/1903 - ??/??/1973)
- Cecilia Anna (Massey) Dias - (6/15/1905 - ??/??/1976)