New York State Birth Certificate

Harold Edwin Gillette

Born: 27 Jul 1914

Place of birth: Village of Nichols, Tioga, NY

Certificate 54281

Birth certificate obtained 16 Jun 2003 and is in our possession

Although Harold was born in Nichols, Tioga, NY the family moved to Greene, Chenango, NY in 1916 where Harold's father Ralph Byron Gillette and uncle Oscar Raymond Gillette had bought the movie theater. Within the first few years Ralph bought out his brother and ran the theater along with his wife and children until soon after the untimely death of his wife Anna May Smith Gillette in 1933.

1915 Nichols, Tioga, NY

Ralph Gillette 28 PA

Anna M. Gillette 28 PA

Charles K. Gillette 11 PA

Luella M. Gillette 10 PA

Reginald Gillette 8 NY

Florence A. Gillette 4 NY

Harold E. Gillette 10 months NY

1920 Greene, Chenango, NY

Enumerated 2 Jan 1920

Ralph B. Gillette 32 PA proprietor motion picture house

Anna Gillette 33 PA wife

Charles Gillette 15 PA son

Luella Gillette 14 PA daughter

Reginald Gillette 13 NY son

Florence Gillette 9 NY daughter

Harold Gillette 5 NY son

Norman Gillette 3 NY son

Byron Gillette 2 NY son

1925 New York State Census

Greene, Chenango, NY

Ralph B. Gillette 40 theater operator

Anna M. Gillette 40 wife

Charles K. Gillette 21 son

Florence A. Gillette 14 daughter

Harold E. Gillette 9 son

Norman E. Gillette 8 son

Byron L. Gillette 7 son

Edwin P. Davey 61 father-in-law works at theater

Anna W. Gillette 20 daughter-in-law (married to Charles)

Kenneth E. Gillette 75 days grandson

Freshman at Greene High School in 1929. We have yet to find him in any graduating class photo or yearbook, although it is believed he would be in the graduating class of 1932.

1930 Greene, Chenango, NY

Enumerated 10 Apr 1930

South Chenango Street

Ralph Gillette 43 PA proprietor theater

Anna Gillette 43 PA wife

Harold Gillette 14 NY son

Norman Gillette 13 NY son

Byron Gillette 12 NY son

New York Marriage Index

Groom: Harold E. Gillette

Bride: Hazel E. Sampson

Married: 30 May 1933 Waverly, Tioga, NY

Marriage license was taken out in Greene, Chenango, NY

Chenango American June 1933

"Miss Hazel Sampson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Sampson and Harold Gillette, son of Mr. and Mrs. R. B. Gillette, both of Greene, were united in marriage by Reverend Harold S. Swales at Waverly, Tuesday, May 30. They were accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Raymond (Louella) Ingraham (brother-in-law and sister of the groom) and children Betty and Bobby. Following the ceremony the party left on a motor trip to Buffalo, Niagara Falls and Canada."

Note: This marriage was annulled on 5 Oct 1946, probably in Greene.

9 Jun 1937 Harold applied for his Social Security card. At the time he was living in Roxbury, Delaware, NY and working in Hancock, Delaware, NY. I am not at all sure that he filled out the application as it has his name as Harold Edward Gillette, Edward being his brother Norman's middle name.

1940 Margaretville, Delaware, NY

Enumerated 26 Apr 1940

Main Street - renting

Inferred residence 1935 Chenango County, NY

Harold E. Gillette 25 NY poster man, theater

Hazel E. Gillette 27 NY wife

Note: It is believed that the theater was the Galli-Curci theater, the building still stands today and is on the Register of Historic places.

World War II Draft Registration

Name: Harold Edward Gillette

Race: White

Age: 25

Birth Date: 27 Jul 1915

Birth Place: Nichols, N. Y.

Residence Place: Margaretville, Del., New York

Registration Date: 16 Oct 1940

Registration Place: Margaretville, New York, USA

Employer: Galli - Cerci Theatres Inc.

Weight: 132

Complexion: Light

Eye Color: Blue

Hair Color: Brown

Height: 5' 9''

Next of Kin: Raymond W. Ingraham

Before entering the U.S. Army, Harold bought a one room school house which had closed in 1941. After closing, the school and equipment were sold at auction to Ivan Gilliand for $125.00. In 1942 Mr. Gilliand sold the school to Harold who later took it down and with the lumber built a small house on the east side of North Chenango Street.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army 19 Apr 1943 from Binghamton, Broome, NY; Army serial number 32935371

Notice To Report For Active Duty

Date of Mailing: 23 Apr 1943

Local Board 445

National Bank Of Oxford Building, Oxford, Chenango, NY

As a member of the Enlisted Reserve Corps, having been ordered to active duty, you will report to Bank Building, Oxford, NY (Place of Assembly) at 11:45 A.M. on the 26th day of April 1943.

It is the enlisted man's responsibility to report at the time and place specified. Transportation and meals, if necessary, will be furnished from the point of assembly to the reception center.

Signed Florence Coville, Clerk of Local Board

31 Jan 1945 Harold left for Europe

8 Feb 1945 Harold arrives in Europe

8 Jun 1946 Harold departs Europe

17 Jun 1946 Harold arrives in New York

Annulment of the marriage of Harold Edwin Gillette and Hazel Sampson Gillette occured on 5 Oct 1946, the location of the annulment is unknown but most likely since both Harold and Hazel were residents of Greene it was in Chenango County.

Chenango American 11 Sep 1947

Wedding Announcement

Gillette - Torrey

"Miss Joanna Torrey and Harold Gillette, both of Greene, were married Sunday, August 31 at the Congregational Church Parsonage in Chenango Forks. The Reverend Roy Gamble, pastor of the Congregational Church officiated. Mr. and Mrs. Leon (Eleanor) Bixby were their attendants."

This marriage was annulled on 16 Dec 1947 when Harold learned he had a child (Lolly) in Germany.

Harold married last Margot Helene Schneider 17 Apr 1948 in the Village of Greene, Chenango, NY.

1950 Greene, Chenango, NY

Harold E. Gillette 34 NY, Sign Painter, Outdoor Advertising

Margaret H Gillette 23 Germany Wife

Louella Gillette 3 Germany, Daughter

William R. Gillette 1 NY Son

Norman Gillette 33 NY Brother, Gas Station Attendant

All of Harold's children were born to he and Margot; Luella "Lolly", William "Buzz", Harold "Dee Dee", Susan, Kathy, Norman "Bub" and Patricia "Patty" Gillette.

When Harold lived in Concord he owned and operated Kelly's Signs and also worked for the Naval Weapons Station at Port Chicago.

Contra Costa Times, Concord, Contra, Costa, CA

Tuesday, 14 Jan 1975, Page 17

"Harold E. Gillette, Jan 12, 1975 in Walnut Creek. A native of New York, aged 60 years.

A painter with the Concord Naval Weapons Station for 8 years. He was a resident of Concord the past 14 years.

He is survived by his wife, Margot of Concord; sons William, Harold and Norman all of Concord; daughters Luella Moffitt, Susan Gerami, Kathy Noel and Patricia Gillette, all of Concord; a brother Norman of New York; sisters Luella Ingraham and Florence Troy both of New York, also survived by six grandchildren."

Grandchildren at the time of his death were Tina, Kelly and Shane Gillette, Jamie and Robert Moffitt and Kerry Noel.

Copies of all three marriage licenses are in our possession.