Bessie Madigan, Death Certificate, 1935

Bessie Madigan was living at 4826 W. Quincy in Chicago when she died on December 31, 1935. Her son, Harry, was the informant on the death certificate. She died at home, one that she owned. He lists her father as John Thomas. Somewhere near the end of the 19th century, the Thompsons changed their last name to Thomas. When her father died in 1904 he is listed as John Thomas on his death certificate.  Her mother is listed as Meg La Rue on Bessie's death certificate.  However, on her siblings' death certificates her mother is listed as Margaret Reidy/Ready.  There is a story in the family told by both Helen McIntyre and Ruth Rooney that we had in the family a "crazy aunt" who was French. I have not been able to determine who that is, perhaps the name La Rue is a clue.   Harry also states that Bessie was born in Chicago, but we know from earlier censuses, she was born in Ireland.  All this just goes to prove you can't believe everything you read on a death certificate.