Richard Alberts

Richard Alberts was about 1841, son of Paw-go-to-ge-quay and her first husband. Richard's death certificate gives his father's name as Albert Newton, but his Native name is unknown.

In 1868 Richard is counted with his mother, while the 1870 roll shows Nay-o-tay-day-ke-zhick or Richard Albert, 1 male, no females, no children, receiving $15.30

In 1880 the federal census shows Richard, age 32 and wife Mary (nee Naganse), age 25, living in Elbridge in Oceana County. They are next to Richard's mother Paw-ge-to-go-quay,age 60, and some of her sons, daughters and grandchildren. Richard's employment is farming.
 

By 1900 Richard, age 55 and Mary, age 56 are living in Freesoil, Mason County. They says they have been married 6 years and Mary is mother to five children, all living (Mary, 19, James, 17, Eliza, 15, Whitney, 10 and Frank, 4). Richard is a day laborer, full Ottawa, living in a fixed dwelling. Mary claims, 7/8 Ottawa, 1/8 white, while their children are 15/16 Ottawa, 1/16 white. No one in the family can read or write, everyone can speak English except the youngest, Frank.

The durant roll field notes 37-52 shows Nay-o-tay-day-ke-zhick, (Richard Alberts) age 67, living in Freesoil, Mason County, with wife Sah-gotch (Mary Alberts), age 53. In addition to Mary, James, Elizabeth, Whitney and Frank, they now have a son George, age 21, who was not accounted for in 1900.

Richard and family are still living in Freesoil, Mason county for the 1910 census. Richard is 69, not employed, Mary is 55 (and it looks like mother to either one child or four children). Family includes sons George, 23, laborer in the woods, Whitney, 21, common laborer and Frank, 14, daughter Mary, 29, and her children Charlie, 7, Isaac, 2, and Amy 1/12. Everyone is full Ottawa. They speak English except Charlie who only speaks Indian and Isaac and Amy who are too young to talk.

Son Frank dies on 21 Aug 1918 in Freesoil of TB. He was 22 years old and buried in Freesoil.

Richard dies a year later, 13 Oct 1919. He dies of Senility and shock from a broken thigh in September - fell while walking. Richard is listed as 82 years old.

Mary died 6 Nov 1928 in Muskegon of TB. She was approximately 74 years old and buried in St. Mary's cemetery in Muskegon. Her father is listed as unknown James.

The Ludington Daily News of 18 Nov 1929 tells of the sale of Richard's farm, naming heirs Mary Thomas, Eliza Peters and Whitney Alberts.

Information on Richard's and Mary's married children can be found here: Mary, James, Eliza, George, Whitney.