Guthrie Family Group 6 – Branch G
JUSTICE OLIVER GUTHRIE 1874PA-p1920 and NELLIE BORDREAU
of Centre County, Pennsylvania, USA

CONTENTS:
Origin Theories
The Family of Justice Oliver Guthrie & Nellie Bordreau
Historical Hightlights
The Guthrie DNA Project

ORIGIN THEORIES for GFG6 – BRANCH G

Here’s a great example of how misinformation can get in the way of our own research. It also speaks to the struggles of adoptees to find their birth parents, especially when the clues we have are not always correct.

Justice Guthrie was adopted as an infant by Henry and Martha Thomas. Descendants list two different versions of forenames including Thomas Justice Guthrie and George Justice Guthrie. Looking for Thomas or George has gotten them nowhere, or at least not to the right places. A paper trail actually does exist. Public records list him as Justice Guthrie, Justice Oliver Guthrie, or in his later years as Jess or Jesse Oliver Guthrie.

Pennsylvania Church and Town Records lists the following:
Name: Justice Oliver Thomas
Baptism Age: 0
Event Type: Baptism
Birth Date: 29 May 1874
Baptism Date: 18 Aug 1874
Baptism Place: Philipsburg, Centre, Pennsylvania, USA
Denomination: Methodist
Organization Name: Trinity United Methodist Church
Father: Henry Thomas
Mother: Martha Thomas
Residence: Wallaceton

Even though the baptismal record infers that the infant named Justice Oliver will have the surname Thomas, all future records continue to list Justice Guthrie with his birth surname. The 1880 census lists both Justice Guthrie, 6, and Martha Askey, 1, as adopted children of Henry and Martha Thomas.

The death records of several children also indicate that their father was named Justice or Justice O Guthrie. He married Nellie Bordreau about 1895 and worked as a miner, which is noted in the census records where they are listed together.

One major clue about his Guthrie family origins is found in the 1900 US Census of Pennsylvania in Boggs, Clearfield County, where Justice Guthrie, born May 1874, age 26, Married x5 yrs, a miner, is living as a boarder in the household of Wilson and Eva Guthrie and family. Wilson Cline Guthrie was born 1859 Williamsport, Clearfield, PA – died 1932 Coalport, Clearfield, PA and his wife Eva ‘Effie’ May Good. Wilson’s parents were James G Guthrie (born c1827) and Susan Wolf, of Boggs. (Post Office: Wallaceton). The youngest child of that couple, born 29 May 1874 (the same date listed as the adopted son of Henry & Martha Guthrie) was listed Jesse Oliver Guthrie on his 1948 death certificate.

An examination of all documents associated with the names Justice Oliver Guthrie and Jesse Oliver Guthrie reveal that this is just one man rather than two. Check out the Historical Highlights for the timeline. The name morphs in the documents from Justice to Jess to Jesse in the records. There are also connections with the use of the name Jess and Jesse to wife Nellie proving the link between the various names/nicknames. A single point of contention is the census where Nellie lists herself as a widow while Jesse is clearly still alive and living elsewhere with a new wife, Jeannette L Evans. This may be a case of separation or divorce where the social stigma of the time made it more palatable to be a widow than a divorcee.

The discovery of Justice Oliver Guthrie’s real name and birth family has also led to a trail of clues that leads back several generations.

Thomas Guthrie of Muncy, Lycoming, PA (Inferred GFG6 Lineage)
(Theorized father of James P Guthrie)
|
James P Guthrie & Martha Fansey of Lycoming, PA
(Verified GFG6 Lineage – Branch C)
|
James G Guthrie & Susan M Wolf (Inferred GFG6 Lineage)
|
Justice Oliver Guthrie (Verified GFG6 – Branch G)

The connection of Justice Oliver Guthrie to his birth parents is documented in his death record where he is listed as Jesse Oliver Guthrie. Both parents are named. We can then infer that James G Guthrie belongs to GFG6 because he would have had to pass on that YDNA to his son for the current generation to match it. James G Guthrie was born in Lycoming County, PA where there is already a GFG6 Branch ensconced in the area: GFG6 – Branch C – Descendants of James P Guthrie and Martha Fansey. I show a notation that in addition to the named children, there were 6 others whose names were unknown. James G Guthrie’s birth year fits perfectly within the range of the other children. Knowing that both branches belong to the same genetic group makes the connection very plausible. Still, it would be good to have some Y-DNA from one of James & Susan (Wolf) Guthrie’s other descendants to conclusively prove it.

THE FAMILY of JUSTICE GUTHRIE & NELLIE BORDREAU

JUSTICE OLIVER GUTHRIE
Born: 29 May or 1 July 1874
Location: Bellefonte, Centre, Pennsylvania, USA
Married: Nellie Bordreau about 1895 in Pennsylvania, presumably
Occupation: Miner of Fire Clay, Coal Miner
Died: Between 1920-1940
Location: Unknown, presumably Pennsylvania, USA
Buried: Unknown, presumably Pennsylvania, USA

NELLIE BORDREAU
Born: Feb 1876
Location: Pennsylvania, USA, probably in Centre County
Sons: Edward Lyle Guthrie (1895)
Daughters: Ruth Guthrie (1898), Kathleen Guthrie (1903), Evelyn L Guthrie (1908)
Died: After 1940
Location: Unknown, presumably Rush, Centre, Pennsylvania, USA
Buried: Unknown, presumably Rush, Centre, Pennsylvania, USA

CHILDREN:

EDWARD LYLE GUTHRIE
1895PA-1955PA

Edward Lyle Guthrie was born on 28 July 1895 in Philipsburg, Centre, PA. He served in the Army during WWI and was deployed overseas from 14 July 1918 to 28 May 1919. He was honorably discharged at Camp Dix, NY on 5 Jun 1919.

Edward married Clare Hugar about 1921. He worked for some years as a truck driver for a wholesale grocery. Edward died on 16 Feb 1955 in Altoona, Blair County, Pennsylvania, USA.

Children: 4
Sons: Charles Edward Guthrie (1922), Donald Lyle Guthrie (1925), Kenneth Lee Guthrie (1929)
Daughters: Erma Rae ‘Betty’ Guthrie (1921)

Y-DNA Project Participants: Yes
Family Finder Participants: No

RUTH GUTHRIE
1898PA-1919PA

Ruth Guthrie was born on 3 Jun 1898 in Pennsylvania. She married George Bruce Nelson about 1918, and died at the age of 21 on 20 Jun 1919. Her death may have been childbirth related as she is buried with an infant who also died in 1919. Ruth is buried at Philipsburg Cemetery. George remarried to Gladius Irene Clark in 1921. They had a daughter, Florence Ima. George died in Albany, New York on 27 April 1970.

Children: None Surviving

KATHLEEN GUTHRIE
1903PA-1980PA

Kathleen Guthrie was born 31 July 1903 in Mahafee, Centre, PA. She married a Rickerts. No details on her married years or children. She died in November of 1980 in Philadelphia.

EVELYN LORRAINE GUTHRIE
1908PA-1942PA

Evelyn Guthrie was born in 1908 Pennsylvania. She married Chester Ward Waltman. No children. Evelyn died 11 March 1942 in Rush, Centre, PA.

HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS

1874: BIRTH of JUSTICE OLIVER GUTHRIE
Bellefonte, Centre, Pennsylvania, USA on 29 May 1874

It is unknown whether Justice was given the name Justice Oliver at birth or if this is a name given by his adoptive parents, Henry and Martha Thomas. He was baptized on 18 August 1874 in Philipsburg at Trinity United Methodist Church. I have found no document listing the given names ‘Thomas Justice’ or ‘George Justice’. The records now available clearly list him as Justice O. or J.O. Guthrie.

Baptismal Record lists him as Justice Oliver
Death Record of Son Edward L Guthrie lists father as Justice Guthrie
Death Record of Daughter Ruth Guthrie Nelson lists father as Justice Guthrie
Death Record of Daughter Evelyn Waltman lists father as J.O. Guthrie
SSDI Record of Daughter Kathleen Rickert lists father as Justice O Guthrie

1876: BIRTH of NELLIE BORDREAU
Pennsylvania, USA

Nellie was born about February 1876 in Pennsylvania to John Bordreau and Sophia Matley.

1880: US CENSUS of PENNSYLVANIA
Graham, Clearfield, Pennsylvania, USA

The Thomas Household:
Henry Thomas w m 44 married laborer England England England
Martha Thomas w f 39 wife married keeping house PA PA PA
Allice Thomas w f 17 daughter single school teacher PA PA PA
Justice Guthery w m 6 Adp. son single PA PA PA
Martha Askey w f 1 Adp. daughter single PA PA PA

Note that Justice is not the only child adopted by Henry and Martha.

1895: MARRIAGE (EST.) of JUSTICE OLIVER GUTHRIE
Pennsylvania, USA, presumably

Justice married Nellie Bordreau about 1895. I have not found a marriage record, but the year is documented in the 1900 census.

1895: BIRTH of SON – EDWARD LYLE GUTHRIE
Philipsburg, Centre, Pennsylvania, USA on 28 July 1895

1898: BIRTH of DAUGHTER – RUTH GUTHRIE
Pennsylvania, USA, probably Centre County, on 3 Jun 1898

1900: US CENSUS of PENNSYLVANIA
Village of Blue Ball, Boggs, Clearfield, Pennsylvania, USA on 12 June 1900

The Guthrie Household:
Wilson Guthrie Head w m Dec 1860 39, mx17, PAx3, Teamster
Eva M Guthrie Wife w f Feb 1866 34 mx17 7ch 7liv PAx3
Grace Guthrie Daughter w f Mar 1885 15 single PAx3 at school
Bertha Guthrie daughter w f Dec 1897 12 single PAx3 at school
Edna Guthrie daughter w f Nov 1890 10 single PAx3 at school
Lloyd Guthrie son w m Feb 1792 8 single PAx3 at school
Vada Guthrie daughter w f Dec 1894 5 single PAx3
Mabel Guthrie daughter w f Aug 1898 1 single PAx3
Justice Guthrie border w m May 1874 26 married 5yrs PAx3 Miner Fire Clay
Tobin Hummel border w m Aug 1873 17 single PAx3 Miner Fire Clay

The census record clearly names Justice and not Jesse Guthrie as the border. It also indicates that he is a border and not a brother.

1903: BIRTH of DAUGHTER – KATHLEEN GUTHRIE
Mahafee, Centre, Pennsylvania, USA on 31 July 1903

Kathleen Guthrie is found listed in trees as ‘Catherine’, but if you examine the census images she is documented as Cathleen or a variant spelling. Her Social Security Application and Claims document verifies her identity with the inclusion of her parents’ names. The latter spells her legal name as Kathleen.

1908: BIRTH of DAUGHTER – EVELYN LORRAINE GUTHRIE
Pennsylvania, USA, probably Centre County, about 1908

1910: US CENSUS of PENNSYLVANIA
Northern Precinct of Rush Twp, Centre, Pennsylvania, USA on 25 April 1910

The Guthrie Household:
Justice Guthrie head m w 37 marriedx1 14yrs PAx3 Coal Miner
Nellie Guthrie wife f w 24 mx1 14yrs 4children 4 living PA Can-Fr PA
Edward Guthrie son m w 14 single PAx3
Ruth Guthrie daughter f w 11 single PAx3
Cathline Guthrie daughter f w 6 single PAx3
Evelyn Guthrie daughter f w 2 single PAx3

1915: PENNSYLVANIA CHURCH and TOWN RECORDS
Philipsburgh, Centre, Pennsylvania, USA

Mrs Nellie Guthrie, Residence, 17 Jan 1915, Methodist, Trinity United Methodist Church. (Husband not listed.)

1917-1918: WORLD WAR I DRAFT REGISTRATION CARD

Name: Jessie Oliver Guthrie
Birth Date: 29 May 1874
Street Adress: 716-11th
Residence: Altoona, Pennsylvania, USA
Relative: Nellie Guthrie, wife, Philipsburg, PA
Present Occupation: Laborer, Altoona Iron Works
Description: 5’8, medium build, grey eyes, brown hair
Other: Complete blindness in left eye, right forearm defective

Note that ‘Jessie’ is married to Nellie.

1918: MARRIAGE of DAUGHTER – RUTH GUTHRIE
Centre County, Pennsylvania, presumably

Ruth Guthrie married George Bruce Nelson about 1918. She died at the age of 21 of causes probably related to childbirth.

1919: US CITY DIRECTORY
Altoona, Pennsylvania, USA

Guthrie, Jesse O, mill hd, r 716 11th

1920: US CENSUS of PENNSYLVANIA
Rush, Centre, Pennsylvania, USA

The Guthrie Household:
Jess Guthrie head rent m w 44 married PAx3 laborer coal mine
Nellie Guthrie wife f w 42 married PA Can-Fr PA cook restaurant
Edward Guthrie son m w 22 single PAx3 driver wholesale house

Note the use of the name ‘Jess’. This is the last time Justice/Jesse is found in the same location as wife Nellie. There are also no other records specifically for a separate man named Jesse prior to this date.

1920: US CITY DIRECTORY
Allentown, Lehigh, Pennsylvania, USA

Guthrie, Jesse O, laborer, rms 644 Lehigh. Jeanette.

Note: The woman listed is Jeanette L Evans who is later described as Jesse’s wife. She was the daughter of Benjamin & Annie Evans.

1920: MARRIAGE of SON – EDWARD LYLE GUTHRIE
Centre County, Pennsylvania, presumably

Edward Lyle Guthrie married Claire M Hugar about 1920. They had 4 children: Erma Rae ‘Betty’ Guthrie (1921), Charles Edward Guthrie (1922), Donald Lyle Guthrie (1925), and Kenneth Lee Guthrie (1929). Edward worked as a truck driver.

After 1920: MARRIAGE of DAUGHTER – KATHLEEN GUTHRIE
Pennsylvania, presumably

Kathleen Guthrie married a Rickert/Rickerts sometime after the 1920 census.

1922: US CITY DIRECTORY
Allentown, Lehigh, Pennsylvania, USA

Guthrie, Jesse O, laborer, res 20 Yeakel’s Court. Jeanette.

Same address in 1923.

1929: US CITY DIRECTORY
Allentown, Lehigh, Pennsylvania, USA

Guthrie, Jesse O, laborer, res 301 S 3rd. Jennie.

Before 1930: MARRIAGE of DAUGHTER – EVELYN LORRAINE GUTHRIE
Pennsylvania, presumably

Evelyn Lorraine Guthrie married Chester Ward Waltman sometime before 1830.

1935: RESIDENCE
Rush, Centre, Pennsylvania, USA

According to the 1940 census, the Guthries were living in the same house in 1935.

1936: US CITY DIRECTORY
Allentown, Lehigh, Pennsylvania, USA

Guthrie, Jesse O (Jeannette L) lab h820 N Oswego

Same address in 1939

1940: US CENSUS of PENNSYLVANIA
Point Lookout, Rush, Centre, Pennsylvania, USA on 10 April 1940

The Guthrie Household:
Nellie Guthrie head f w 64 Widowed 3rd grade born PA housewife
Edward Guthrie Sr son m w 44 8th grade born PA driver wholesale grocery
Edward Guthrie Jr grandson m w 16 single 8th grade PA
Donald Guthrie grandson m w 14 single 7th grade PA
Kenneth Guthrie grandson m w 10 single 3rd grade PA

Notice that Nellie Guthrie is listed as a widow. Could she be divorced instead?

1940: US CENSUS of PENNSYLVANIA
820 N Oswego Street, Allentown, Lehigh, Pennsylvania, USA

The Guthrie Household:
Jess Guthrie head m w 67 married 3rd grade PA same house in 1935 laborer silk mill
Jeanette Guthrie wife f w 57 married 3rd grade PA same house in 1935

1941: US CITY DIRECTORY
Allentown, Lehigh, Pennsylvania, USA

Guthrie, Jesse O (Jeannette) h 820 N Oswego

1942: US CITY DIRECTORY
Allentown, Lehigh, Pennsylvania, USA

Guthrie, Jesse O (Jeannette) lab h 826 N LaCrosse

1943: US CITY DIRECTORY
Allentown, Lehigh, Pennsylvania, USA

Guthrie, Jesse O (Jeanette) employee Pavia Shuttle Co h 826 N LaCrosse

Same address in 1944, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1948

1948: DEATH of JESSE OLIVER GUTHRIE
Allentown, Lehigh, Pennsylvania, USA on 28 May 1948

Pennsylvania Certificate of Death: Jesse O Guthrie
Place of Death: Allentown Hospital, Allentown, Lehigh, Pennsylvania
Usual Residence: 826 N Lactosse Street, Allentown, Lehigh, PA
Male, White, Married
Name of Wife: Jeanette L (Evans) Guthrie
Birth Date of Deceased: May 29 1872 (clearly lists 1872 instead of 1874)
Age: 75 years 11 months 29 days
Birthplace: Wallaceton, Clearfield, PA
Usual Occupation: Varnisher – retired
Father: James Guthrie, born PA
Mother: Sarah M Wolf, born PA
Informant: Jeanette L Guthrie, 826 N Lacrosse St.
Burial: Date – 1 Jun 1948 at Woodlawn, Allentown, Lehigh, PA
Date of Death: 28 May 1948
COD: Parkinson’s Disease

1950: US CITY DIRECTORY
Allentown, Lehigh, Pennsylvania, USA

Guthrie, Jeannette widow Jesse O produce worker h 826 N LaCrosse

1960: DEATH of JEANNETTE L (EVANS) GUTHRIE
South Whitehall, Lehigh, Pennsylvania, USA on 3 July 1960

Buried at Woodlawn Memorial Park

THE GUTHRIE DNA PROJECT

Guthrie Family Group: GFG6
Group Designation: Branch G – (The Guthries of Centre County, PA)

Haplogroup: R-M512 > RM198
Confirmed Haplogroup: R-YP371

YDNA Matches:
Kit 265262
Thomas Guthrie*/Spouse UNK > James P Guthrie*/Martha Fansey > James G Guthrie*/Susan M Wolf > Justice Oliver Guthrie/Nellie Bordreau (GGP) // *THEORIZED DESCENT FROM BRANCH C

Family Finder / Autosomal DNA Kits:
None

Findings: 

Our Y-DNA Project participant matches the genetic profile for Guthrie Family Group 6, but has quite a few mutations compared to the rest of the group. He has a Y37 marker test, so it is possible the volume of variances would even out if tested at the Y111 level.

His matches at the Y12 level include 7 members of GFG6 from Branches B, F, I, and K. Even though he has a lot of variance, he shares some with other individuals within the group.

DYS458 = 30 vs Group Mode =29. Also Kits 271912 (A) and 307769 (D).
DYS447 = 24 vs GM = 25. Also Kit 251848 (J).
DYS448 = 20 vs GM = 21. Unique to this participant.
DYS449 = 32 vs GM = 30. Unique to this participant.
YCAIIb = 21 vs GM = 23. Unique to this participant.
DYS456 = 17 vs GM = 18. Also Kits 578951 (E), 273990 (C), 251848 (J).
CDYi = 33 vs GM 34. Unique to this participant.
CDYii = 37 vs GM 39. Unique to this participant.

It is possible that this participant’s ancestor shares only ancient YDNA with the remainder of GFG6 and that his Guthrie surname is coincidental to the rest. However, this group as a whole has a lot of genetic variance. Clarity might be found with an upgrade of this test to see if it matches others within the group with a higher quality test, or if additional mutations prove a mismatch.