SYLVIENNE (LETOILLE) JOURDAIN

Sylviene (Letoille) Jourdain gravestone
(Photo by Vernon B. Paddock)

B. September 19, 1892 in Marles-les-Mines, Pas de Calais, France
D. August 1963
Find A Grave memorial (click here)

According to the U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947:

“Name: Ernest Adolph Jourdain; Address: 414 Dickens Av., Chicago, Cook County, Illinois; Telephone: (blank); Age in Years: 29; Date of Birth: Nov. 9-1912; Place of Birth; Marke-Le-Mines, France; Country of Citizenship: U.S.A.; Name of Person Who Will Always Know Your Address: Mr. Adolph Jourdain; Relationship of That Person: Father; Address of That Person: 414 Dickens Av., Chicago, Cook County, Illinois; Employer’s Name: Unemployed; Race: White; Height: 5′ 10″; Weight: 155; Eyes: Blue; Hair: Red; Complexion: Ruddy; Other obvious physical characteristics that will aid in identification: Scar L neck & Jaw bone – Scar R leg below knee – Scar L shoulder; Signed: December 12-1941”

According to the Journal (Meriden CT) Thursday (and other newspapers across the country), December 17, 1942, page 11 (NOTE: An edited excerpt of an article regarding WW II):

“They’re Sentenced to Death,
But They Fight On For France
———-
Fighting Frenchmen
Given Training In
British Suburb
———-

BY WES GALLAGHER
   Free French Army Headquarters Somewhere In Britain, Dec. 17. (AP)
–Across the table, the young airman who had been sentenced to death finished a second plate of soup.  His appetite was even better than usual.
   On my right a tanned 26-year-old captain who expected yawned in boredom.
   These two men were typical of the 60,000 soldiers, sailors, and airmen who fight and die in Britain, Libya, New Caledonia and Africa for the Free French.
   They are a varied company.  Scarfaced foreign legionaires fight side by side with 17 and 18-year old university students.  Dark Sengalese march shoulder to shoulder with American youths brought up in New Jersey and Chicago….
   …The captain – a professional soldier – said:
   “I must fight till France is free – that’s my life.”
   A 17-year old sergeant from Paris with a grim look on his youthful face replied:
   “I just couldn’t stand seeing those Germans on the streets anymore.”
   And three American youths who recently joined up: Henry Jolivet, West Englewood, New Jersey; Ernes Jourdain, 414 Pickens (sic) Avenue, Chicago, and Rene Champian, 217 Porch Building, Johnston, Pa.
   “We came over because we wanted to do something to help France.”

  1. Sylvienne “Sylvon” (Jourdain) Skertich born March 9, 1914 in Auburn, Sangamon County, IL; married Peter Paul Skertich (1911-1974); Sylvienne died December 1, 2012

According to the Chicago Tribune (Chicago IL) Tuesday, December 4, 2012, page 2-9:

 “SKERTICH, SYLVON – Sylvon Skertich nee Jourdain, 98 of Skokie.  Beloved wife of the late Peter Paul Skertich; loving mother of Yvonne (the late John) Mug and the late Wayne (Miriam) Skertich; proud grandmother of Zonra Skertich, Margaret Desiree and John Peter Mug.  Visitation Tuesday 3:oo p.m. – 9:00 p.m. with memory sharing at 7:00 p.m.  Funeral service, Wednesday 10 a.m. at Donnellan Family Funeral Home, 10045 Skokie Blvd. at Old Orchard Road, Skokie, IL 60077.  Internment Maryhill Cemetery, Niles.  In lieu of flowers, contributions to American Heart Association, 208 South La Salle Street, Ste 1500, Chicago, IL 60604.  For more information call 847,675,1990 or visit www.donnellanfuneral.com.”

  1. Eloy Adolph Jourdain born September 30, 1915 in Pawnee, Sangamon County, IL; married Dorothy Caroline Freislinger (1916-1975), daughter of Julius Freislinger (1894-1947) and Clara (Treutelaar) (Fresilinger) Ditch (1896-1981); Eloy died August 3 1978 in Hayward, Sawyer County, WI; last address: LaCrosse, LaCrosse County, WI

According to the U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947:

“Name: Eloy Adolph Jourdain; Address: 1637 Burling St., Chicago, Cook County, IL; Telephone: (blank) Age in Years: 25; Date of Birth: Sept. 20, 1915; Place of Birth: Pawnee, Illinois, U.S.; Name of Person Who Will Always Know Your Address: Mrs. Dorothy Caroline Jourdain; Relationship of That Person: Wife; Address of That Person: 1637 Burling St., Chicago, Cook County, Illinois; Employer’s Name: American Can Company; Place of Employment: 1834 Clybourne, Chicago, Cook County, Ill.; Race: White; Height: 5′ 11′; Weight: 161; Complexion: Ruddy; Eyes: Blue; Hair: Red; Signed: October 16, 1940”

According to the Daily Herald (Chicago IL) Wednesday, November 11, 1970, page 6, Section 1:

“Eloy Jourdain, executive at American Can Company’s Bellwood, Ill., plant.”

According to the Chicago Tribune (Chicago IL) Monday, August 14, 1978, page 63:

“JOURDAIN
Eloi (sic) Jourdain, beloved husband of the late Dorothy; father of Donna Johnson; grandfather of Kyle, Kary, and Kean Keanen.  Died in Hayward, Wis., Aug. 4, 1978.”

Additional Information:

According to the New York, U.S., Arriving Passenger and Crew lists (including Castle Garden and Ellis Island), 1820-1957:

“LIST OR MANIFEST OF ALIEN PASSENGERS FOR THE UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION OFFICER AT PORT OF ARRIVAL,

ALL ALIENS, in whatsoever class they travel, MUST be fully listed and the master or commanding officer of each vessel carrying such passengers must upon arrival deliver lists thereof to the immigration officer.  This (white) sheet is for the listing of STEERAGE PASSENGERS ONLY.

S.S. La Savoie sailing from Lehavre, Nov 1, 1913 – Arriving at Port of New York, Nov 9, 1913
 – No. on List: 11; Family Name: Jourdain; Given Name: Adolphe; Age: 25; Sex: M; Married or Single: M; Calling or Occupation: (illegible) miner; Able to Read: Yes; Write: Yes; Nationality: France; Race of People: French; Last Permanent Residence: France; City or Town: Marles les Mines; The name and complete address of nearest relative or friend in country whence alien came: Father: Mr. Jourdain, Marles les Mines; Final Destination: Ill. Pawnee; Whether going to join a relative or friend; and if so, what relative or friend, and his name and complete address?: Friend. (illegible) Jaremi Lueie, Bx 86, Pawnee Ill; Height: 5 feet 8 inches; Complexion: Fair; Color of Hair: Fair; Color of Eyes: Gray; Place of Birth: France; City or Town: Marles les Mines
 – No. on List: 12; Family Name: Jourdain; Given Name: (?)ykrienne; Age: 20; Sex: F/ Married or Single: M; Calling or Occupation: House; Able to Read: Yes; Write: Yes; Nationality: France; Race of People: French; Last Permanent Residence: France; City or Town: Marles les Mines; The name and complete address of nearest relative or friend in country whence alien came: Father in law: Mr. Jourdain, Marles les Mines; Final Destination: Ill. Pawnee; Whether going to join a relative or friend; and if so, what relative or friend, and his name and complete address?: Friend. (illegible) Jaremi Lueie, Bx 86, Pawnee Ill; Height: 5 feet 6 inches; Complexion: Fair; Color of Hair: Fair; Color of Eyes: Gray; Place of Birth: France; City or Town: Marles les Mines
 – No. on List: 13; Family Name: Jourdain; Given Name: Erness; Age: 9 months; Sex: F/ Married or Single: M; Calling or Occupation: House; Able to Read: No; Write: No; Nationality: France; Race of People: French; Last Permanent Residence: France; City or Town: Marles les Mines; The name and complete address of nearest relative or friend in country whence alien came: Grandfather: Mr. Jourdain, Marles les Mines; Final Destination: Ill. Pawnee; Whether going to join a relative or friend; and if so, what relative or friend, and his name and complete address?: Friend. (illegible) Jaremi Lueie, Bx 86, Pawnee Ill; Height: (blank); Complexion: Fair; Color of Hair: Fair; Color of Eyes: Gray; Place of Birth: France; City or Town: Marles les Mines”

According to the 1930 U.S. Census (dated April 10 1930) for Johnston City, Herrin Township, Williamson County, IL living at 104 So. Water, the household members were:

“Adolph Jourdain, head, age 42, married at age 24, born in France, parents born in France, immigrated in 1913, occupation: loader – coal mine; Sylvan Jourdain, wife, age 37, married at age 19, born in France, parents born in France, immigrated in 1913; Sylvan Jourdain, daughter, age 16, single, born in Illinois; Ely Jourdain, son, age 15, single, born in Illinois”

According to the 1930 U.S. Census (dated April 17, 1930) for Chicago, Cook County, IL living at 1942 Fremont Street, the household members were:

“Adolph Jourdin (sic Jourdain), head, age 42, married at age 25, born in France, parents born in France, immigrated in 1913, occupation: miner – coal; Sylvienne Jordin, wife, age 37, married at age 20, born in France, parents born in France; Ernest Jordin, son, age 18, single, born in France, occupation: helper – factory; Sylvienne Jordin, daughter, age 17, single, born in Illinois, occupation: clerk – mail order; Eloise Jordin, daughter, age 15, single, born in Illinois; Pearl Weir, lodger, age 18, single, born in Illinois, parents born in Illinois, occupation: laborer – general”

According to the Illinois, Federal Naturalization Records, 1856-1991:

“UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
PETITION FOR NATURALIZATION

To the Honorable the DIST. Court of THE UNITED STATES at CHICAGO, ILL…
This petition for naturalization, hereby made and filed pursuant to Section 310(a) or (b), or Section 211 or 312, of this Nationality Act of 1940, respectfully shown:
(1) My full, true, and correct name is SYLVIENNE JOURDAIN
(2) My present place of residence is 414 Dickens, Chgo, Ill. (3) My occupation is machine opr.
(4) I am 51 years old. (5) I was born on Sept. 19, 1892, in Marles les mines, France
(6) My personal description is as follows: Sex female, color white, complexion fair, color of eyes gray, color of hair brown, height 5 feet 3 inches, weight 170 pounds; visible distinctive marks none; race white; resent nationality France
(7) I am married; the name of my wife or husband is Adolph; we were married on March 9, 1912 at Marles, les Mines, France, he or she was born at Marles les Mines, France on Jan. 9. 1888 entered the United States at New York, N.Y. on Nov. 9, 1913 for permanent residence in the United States, and now resides at with me and was naturalized Jan. 7, 1944 at Chgo, Ill. certificate No. 5858413; or became a citizen by 730-28979
(8) I have 3 children; and the name, sex, date and place of birth, and present place of residence of each of said children who is living, are as follows: Ernest (M) Nov. 9, 1912, Born in France, U.S. Army; Sylvan (F) March 9, 1914, Born in Auburn, Ill. R. Chgo, Ill.; Eloy (M) Sept. 30, 1915, Born in Ponee (sic), Ill., R. Chgo, Ill.
(9) My last place of foreign residence was Marles les Mines, France (10 I emigrated to the United States from Havre, France (11) My lawful entry for permanent residence in the United States was at New York, N.Y. under the name of CYPRIENNE JOURDAIN on Nov. 9, 1913 on the La Savoie as shown by the certificate of arrival attached to this petition.
(12) Since my lawful entry for permanent residence I have not been absent from the United States, for a period or periods of 6 months or longer….(skip to 18) I have resided continuously in the United States of America for the term of 3 years at least immediately preceding the date of this petition, to wit: since Nov. 9, 1913.

AFFIDAVIT OF WITNESS

   The following witnesses, each being severally, duly, and respectively sworn, deposes and say:
   My name is JULIENNE BRASSSART my occupation is housewife. I reside at 1912 N. Halsted St., Chgo, Ill.
   My name is FREIDA BLANGIN my occupation is housewife.  I reside at 4821 W. Adams St., Chgo, Ill.
   I am a citizen of the United States; I have personally known and have been acquainted in the United States with SYLVIENNE JOURAIN, the petitioner named in the petition for naturalization of which this affidavit is a part, since Jan. 1, 1940.
   Subscribed and sworn to before me by the above named petitioner and witnesses, in the respective forms of oath shown in said petition and affidavit, in the office of the Clerk of said Court at Chicago, Ill. this 15 day of Sept., Anno Domini 1944.  I hereby certify that Certificate of Arrival No. 11-366666 from the Immigration and Naturalization Service, showing the lawful entry for permanent residence of the petitioner above named, has been by me filed with, attached to, and made a part of this petition on this date.  Signed: Nov 30, 1944″

According to the 1950 U.S. Census for Chicago, Cook County, IL living on Dickens Street, the household members were:

“Adolf Jourdain, age 62, married, born in France, Occupation: Porter – Retail Department Store; Sylvianne Jourdain, age 57, married born in France”

According to the Chicago Tribune (Chicago IL) Sunday, September 1, 1963, page 34:

“JOURDAIN – Sylvienne Jourdain, of Round Lake, Ill., beloved wife of the late Adolphe; dear mother of Sylon Skertich and Eloy; loving grandmother of three.  Services Tuesday, 2 p.m., at MacGillis funeral home, Round Lake, Ill.  Interment Fort Hill cemetery.”