James Frederick Nelson

  Research Notes:

Note: James Frederick Nelson was married 2 times. His first marriage was in 1947 to Helen M Johnson, and his second marriage was to Marilyn Medlock in Jan 1952. He had two children. His first children was Frederick Irvin born in Nov 1952 (it appears that he uses the given name, Irvin, and that his mother was most likely Marilyn, James' second wife - they were married in Jan 1952. James F Nelson's other child was Marti or Martha Meagher. I am not sure if Martha/Marti was the daughter or James' first or second wife. I have reviewed many pages in two newspapers (Tampa Tribune and Tampa Bay Times) and I can find no record of Martha/Marti's birth, nor is there a record on Familysearch or Ancestry.

Additionally, I have not found any further information on Helen M Johnson. It is possible that she died between the time of her marriage to James and the time of James' second marriage in Jan 1952, but I have found no record of this. It appears that she had been admitted to the hospital in Mar 1951 (see point 3.c below). This was prior to James' second marriage, and so likely this would be Helen, although there is another "Mrs James Nelson" in the Tampa area. But I haven't found anything further.

I have also not found more information on son, (Frederick) Irvin Nelson, born 1952, other than he was living in Denver as late as 2000 according to his father's obit.

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1. [ 16 May 2017 and 2 Nov 2017, after finding his obit (survived by two sisters) ]

Familyseach "Florida Marriage Records, 1830-1993, collection with "application for a marriage license"
- James F Nelson age 25 <1922> born birth place in Clearwater FL and Helen M Johnson age 23 <1924> born in Pittsburg, PA; neither married before; link, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L94X-9994-M?i=1408&cc=1803936

- and on the marriage certificate, marriage occurred on 21 Jun 1947 and one witness was Mrs Helen Campbell and the other as Paul Snowden (brother in law)
- see Marriage notice in The Tampa Tribune, 27 Jun 1947, page 16 AND on the 11 Apr 1947 page 14 and 12 Apr 1947 page 9; she is the daughter of D. S. Johnston of 707 North Osceola Ave; she works as a clerk with Mitchell Wholesale Co, previously she was a student in Pittsburg, PA; James F Nelson, son of I C Nelson, Bellair St, he was a fighter pilot during the war and presently at Embrey-Riddle School of Aviation in Miami (to graduate in Mar 1948).

- Ancestry family tree "McMullen" suggests a spouse, but no information is given



2. Second marriage, The Tampa Tribune, 16 Jan 1952, page 2 col 2 (Morning Edition)
- 16 Jan ... Marilyn Latrell Medlock, daugther of Mr and Mrs Arthur M Medlock of Largo, and James Frederick Nelson, son of Mrs I C Nelson, Clearwater and the late Mr Nelson...... matron of honor, Mrs Russell Campbell, sister of bridegroom and Miss Sarah Snowden, Tarpon Springs (no note of relation, but likely a sister of niece of James); home will be at Nelson Groves, Clearwater

The Tampa Tribune, 23 Dec 1951, page 39, col 2 (Main edition)
- ... engagement .... [as above]; he is a graduate of Clearwater High School, served 4 yrs during the war as a Lieutenant in the Air Force, European theatre, now employed by Nelson Groves, Clearwater
- she graduated from high school in Madison, GA and from a business program in Atlanta (University of Georgia); before moving to Georgia employed by the University System of Georgia; this has photo of her and she appears to about age 40

2. b. Familysearch --------- no images
James F. Nelson
Florida Marriage Index and 1927-2001
NameJames F. Nelson
Event TypeMarriage
Event Date1952
Event PlacePinellas, Florida, United States
Volume1358
Certificate Number1443

2. c. Marilyn
NameMarilyn L. Medlock
Event TypeMarriage
Event Date1952
Event PlacePinellas, Florida, United States
Volume1358
Certificate Number1443


** ** 2. c. Marilyn M Nelson, obit/death Notice
Tampa Bay Times, 15 Apr 1984, page 48 col 1
- died 14 Apr 1984; age 58 <1926>, born in Atlanta; came to Tampa area in 1950 from Madison, GA
- survived by her husband, James F Nelson, a son Irvin from Denver, a daughter Martha Meagher from Largo; 2 grandchildren; her mother, a brother


3. a. Tampa Bay Times, 31 Mar 1951, page 20, col 8
"News in Brief of Clearwater" .... meeting of Flight A, 9890th VART Squadron ... group welcomed Lt. James F Nelson, USAFR, of Belleair who has been transferred to this unit from Headquarters, 14th Air Force, Robins Air Force Base, GA.

b. , Tampa Bay Times, 25 Nov 1952, page 27, col 1
"Releases (from Morton Plant Hospital)" .... Mrs James F Nelson and infant son Frederick Irvin, Clearwater [an earlier edition of The Tampa Tribune recorded birth of son, 19 Nov 1952 to Mr and Mrs James Nelson;
- with the date of birth Frederick Irvin, his mother must be Marilyn Latrell Medlock

** c. , Tampa Bay Times, 28 Mar 1951, page 5 col 4
"Hospital Notes from Up-County" ....... Admissions, (Morton Plant Hospital) ... Mrs. James F Nelson, Clearwater, Mar 26


d. , Tampa Bay Times, 5 Jul 1980, page 10; "McMullens gather 400 strong ...." a family reunion

- shows a picture of a mother and baby - Marti Meagher and son, Shane
- see - Helen S Nelson (sister to James) research notes



4. United States Social Security Death Index

James F Nelson

Age78
Given NameJames
Middle NameF
SurnameNelson
Birth Date19 Mar 1922
StateFlorida
Last Place of ResidencePinellas, Florida
Previous Residence Postal Code33756
Event Date30 Jul 2000



4. Tampa Bay Times, 2 Aug 2000, page 145, col 5 : James F Nelson
"Suncoast Deaths"; Nelson, James Frederick, 78, of Clearwater, died Jul 30. Moss-Feaster Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Belcher Road Chapel, Clearwater

AND obit, Tampa Bay Times, 2 Aug 2000, page 114 col 3 [ name is not indexed on newspapers.com general search, have to go to extact date ]

- retired Air Force Veteran - rank of Major; and owned and operated a lawn maintenance company
- survived by daughter Marti Meagher, Largo; and son Irvin from Denver; 2 sisters, Marion Snowden, Clearwater and Helen Waldon, Brooksville [she was previously married to Edgar Campbell - see William I Nelson obit]; 2 grandchildren and 2 great - grandchildren

-- there is no mention of wife, Helen M (Johnston) - it is not clear if she had died prior to 2000 (but usually, there is an indication of being predeceased) OR if they had divorced (but they are not recorded in on family search FL divorce index) ; Note that there are a number of entries for Helen (M) Nelson in the Clearwater FL area on the familysearch "public records collection" 1983, 1995, 1996,


5. Military Service;

Draft Card (Ancestry, Fold3: Enlisted 30 June 1940. Born 19 Mar 1922 in Clearwater, FL (and resides there); father, I C Nelson; height, 5 10; weight, 144; complexion, ruddy; eye color, brown; hair brown

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Military Service, 1942-1945, 1942-1945, Florida, United States. ^{6968,6969,6970} Enlisted 30 June 1940. Born in Clearwater, FL; father, I C Nelson

James married Helen M Johnston on 21 Jun 1947 in Clearwater, Pinellas Co, Florida, United States ⁶⁹⁶⁴.^,6965 (Helen M Johnston was born in 1924 in Pittsburg, Allegheny Co, Pennsylvania, United States ⁶⁹⁶⁴.)

James next married Marilyn Latrell Medlock on 12 Jan 1952 in Pinellas Co, Florida, United States.⁶⁹⁶⁶ (Marilyn Latrell Medlock was born in 1926 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States ⁶⁹⁷¹ and died on 14 Apr 1984 in Pinellas Co, Florida, United States ⁶⁹⁷¹.)