FAMILY LINE AND HISTORY
Ernest Joseph Sevenau
Parents unknown, both born in France
Born: Jan 7, 1864, Bordeaux, Gironde, Aquitaine, France
Died: Feb 11, 1904 (age 40), San Francisco, California
Buried: Feb 14, 1904, Olivet Memorial Park in Colma, San Mateo Co., California
Emigrated: 1886
Military: U.S. Navy, 1888
Naturalized: Aug 6, 1894, San Francisco, California
Occupation: Clothing dyer in a dying factory
Married: 1891, Marie A. Loiseau, San Francisco, California
Two children: Ernest Edward Jules Sevenau, Estelle Marie Sevenau
Marie A. Loiseau
Presumed daughter of Joseph Adolphe Loiseau & Prudence Georgette Dunand
Born: Oct 24, 1871, California
Died: Jan 22, 1926 (age 54), San Francisco, California
Buried: Jan 25, 1926, Olivet Memorial Park in Colma, San Mateo Co., California
Occupation: Dyer and presser in a dying factory
Married: 1891, Ernest Joseph Sevenau, San Francisco, California
Two children: Ernest Edward Jules Sevenau, Estelle Marie Sevenau
1. Ernest Edward Jules Sevenau
Born: Mar 3, 1892, San Francisco, California
Died: Mar 20, 1970 (age 78), San Francisco, California
Buried: Mar 24, 1970, Olivet Memorial Park in Colma, San Mateo Co., California
Occupation: Dyer in dying factory, roofer, lather, Municipal Railway (streetcar conductor), San Francisco De Young Museum guard
Married (1): Feb 13, 1913, Edna Marguarite Clement [Kellogg], San Francisco, California
Four children: Louis Dunand Sevenau, Ernest William Sevenau, Lucille Josephine [Jeanne Lucille] Sevenau, Eugene Martin Sevenau
Divorced: aft 1925 and bef 1930 census, San Francisco, California
Married (2): Jul 17, 1938, Margaret Barbara (Richard) Mersberg, San Francisco, California
No children
2. Estelle Marie Sevenau
Born: Nov 14, 1894, San Francisco, California
Died: Jan 18, 1952 (age 57), San Francisco, California
Buried: Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma, San Mateo Co., California
Married (1): Jul 12, 1911, Henry George Allen, San Francisco, California
Divorced
No children
Married (2): Jul 19, 1913, Anselm(e) Peter Lannes, San Francisco, California
Two children: Mathilde/Matilda Pirette “Dorothy/Dody” Lannes, Vernon Anselme Pershing Lannes
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Timeline and Records
Spellings and information in census and other records are retained
as reflected in the original documents
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Jan 7, 1864: Birth of Ernest Joseph Sevenau, parents unknown, in Bordeaux, Gironde, Aquitaine, France
Note: Bordeaux is now the capital of Nouvelle Aquitaine Region, the largest region in France. The area for several hundred years was under English rule until the 15th century. People born in Bordeaux were known as Girondins after the river Gironde.
Oct 24, 1871: Birth of Marie A. Loiseau (presumed daughter of Joseph Adolphe L’oiseau & Prudence Georgette Dunand), California
Jun 2, 1880: U.S. Federal Census, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., California:
(Note: presuming this may be Marie Loiseau, daughter of Joseph Adolphe Loiseau & Prudence Georgette Dunand. The census record states she is blind, living in an Orphan Asylum. She is not in the 1880 census below with her presumed parents, who are living in San Francisco.)
Name: Maydena L’oiseau
Age: [9]
Birth Date: abt 1871
Birthplace: California
Home in 1880: Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
Street: Los Angeles Orphan Asylum (Girls)
Dwelling Number: 397
Race: White
Gender: Female
Marital Status: Single
Father’s Birthplace: France
Mother’s Birthplace: Germany
Blind: Yes
Attended School: Yes
Jun 3, 1880: U.S. Federal Census, San Francisco, San Francisco Co., California (living at 915 Montgomery St):
Adolphe Loiseau (Joseph Adolphe Loiseau & Prudence Georgette Dunand, presumed parents of Marie Loiseau)
Age: 58
Birth Date: Abt 1822
Birthplace: France
Home in 1880: San Francisco, San Francisco, California
Street: Montgomery
House Number: 915
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital Status: Married
Spouse’s Name: Prudence Loiseau
Father’s Birthplace: France
Mother’s Birthplace: France
Occupation: Editor
Household Members (Name) Age Relationship
Adolphe Loiseau: age 58, Self (Head) (Joseph Adolphe Loiseau)
Prudence Loiseau: age 42, Wife Prudence Georgette (Dunand) Loiseau)
Feb 14, 1884: Death of Prudence Georgette (Dunand) Loiseau (age 46), in San Francisco, California; of hepatitis; presumed mother of Marie A. (Loiseau) Sevenau
1886: Emigration of Ernest Joseph Sevenau (abt age 22), from France
French Americans: During the early years of the California Gold Rush, over 20,000 migrants from France arrived in the state. By the mid-1850s, San Francisco had emerged as the center of the French population on the West Coast, with over 30,000 people of French descent, more than any other ethnic group except Germans. During this period, the city’s French Quarter was established, along with important businesses and institutions such as the Boudin Bakery and French Hospital. As the latter half of the 19th century progressed, French immigrants continued to arrive in San Francisco in large numbers and French entrepreneurs played significant roles in shaping the city’s culinary, fashion, and financial sectors. This led to the city earning the nickname “Paris of the Pacific”. Following the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, French architecture (especially Beaux-Arts) was heavily used in the rebuilding of the city, as evidenced in its City Hall, Legion of Honor Museum, and downtown news kiosks.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Americans
Oct 6, 1888: U.S., Naval Enlistment Rendezvous (pg 405):
Name: Ernest F Sevenou (Sevenau)
Enlistment Date: Oct 1888
Enlistment Place: Mare Island California
Age: 24
Birth Year: 1864
Birth Place: Bordeaux, France
Complexion: Ruddy
Volume: 105
Page: 405
NARA Publication Title:
Weekly return of enlistments at Naval Rendezvous (“Enlistment Rendezvous”), Jan. 6, 1855-Aug. 8, 1891
NARA Publication Number: M1953
NARA Roll: 46
FHL Film Number: 2383648
Note: Ernest is listed second from bottom:
circa 1888: Ernest Joseph Sevenau:
1891: San Francisco City Directory, San Francisco Co., California:
Sevenau, Ernest, dyer, r. 728½ Clementia
1891: Marriage of Ernest Joseph Sevenau (abt age 27) & Marie A. Loiseau (abt age 18), San Francisco, California
Mar 3, 1892: Birth of Ernest Edward Jules Sevenau, 1st of 2 children of Ernest Joseph Sevenau & Marie A. Loiseau
Aug 6, 1894: Naturalization of Ernest Joseph Sevenau, in San Francisco, California
Nov 14, 1894: Birth of Estelle Marie Sevenau, 2nd of 2 children of Ernest Joseph Sevenau & Marie A. Loiseau
1897: San Francisco City Directory, San Francisco Co., California (pg 1548):
Name: Ernest J Sevenau
Residence Year: 1899
Street Address: 1820 Union
Residence Place: San Francisco, California
Occupation: Dyer
Publication Title: San Francisco, California, City Directory, 1897
1898: San Francisco City Directory, San Francisco Co., California (pg 1510):
Name: Ernest J Sevenau
Residence Year: 1899
Street Address: 73 Norfolk
Residence Place: San Francisco, California
Occupation: Dyer
Publication Title: San Francisco, California, City Directory, 1898
1898: California Voter Registrations, San Francisco Co., California:
Ernest Joseph Sevenan (Sevenau)
Occupation: Dyer
Height: 5’5″
Complexion: Fair
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Brown
Age: 33
Birth Year: abt 1865
Birth Place: France
Residence Year: 1898
Residence Address: 73 Norfolk
Residence, San Francisco, California
Naturalization Date: Aug 6, 1894
Naturalization Place: San Francisco
1899: San Francisco City Directory, San Francisco Co., California (pg 1560):
Name: Ernest J Sevenau
Residence Year: 1899
Street Address: 73 Nrfolk
Residence Place: San Francisco, California
Occupation: Dyer
Publication Title: San Francisco, California, City Directory, 1899
Jun 2, 1900: U.S. Federal Census, San Francisco, San Francisco Co., California (living at 34 Sheridan St):
Sevenau, Ernest J: Head, born Jan 1864, age 36, married 9 years, born France, father born France, mother born France, Immigrated 1886, 14 years in U.S., Dyer (Clothing)
Marie: Wife, born Oct 1871, age 28, married 9 years, 2 children born, 2 children living, born California, father born France, mother born France
Ernest E.: Son, born Mar 1892, age 8, born California, father born France, mother born California, at school
Estelle: Daughter, born Nov 1893, age 6, born California, father born France, mother born California, at school
(expanded version of above record):
Name: Marie Sevenau
Age: 28
Birth Date: Oct 1871
Birthplace: California
Home in 1900: San Francisco, San Francisco, California
Ward of City: District Of City 31st Assembly
Street: Sheridan Street
House Number: 34
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Wife
Marital Status: Married
Spouse’s Name: Ernest J Sevenau
Marriage Year: 1891
Years Married: 9
Father’s Birthplace: France
Mother’s Birthplace: France
Mother: number of living children: 2
Mother: How many children: 2
Can Read: Yes
Can Write: Yes
Can Speak English: Yes
Household Members (Name) Age Relationship:
Ernest J Sevenau: age 36, Head, dyer (clothing), born France
Marie Sevenau: age 28, Wife, born California
Ernest E Sevenau: age 8, Son, born California
Estelle Sevenau: age 6, Daughter, born California
Marie (Loiseau) Sevenau
1900: California Voter Registrations, San Francisco Co., California:
Name: Ernest Joseph Sevenan (Sevenau)
Residence Date: 1900
Street Address: 34 Sheridan
Residence Place: San Francisco, California
1902: California Voter Registrations, San Francisco Co., California:
Name: Ernest Joseph Sevenau
Age: 38
Birth Date: 1864
Street Address: 18 Exeter
Residence, San Francisco, California
Dec 16, 1902: Death of Joseph Adolphe “Adolphe” Loiseau (age 80), in San Francisco, California (presumed father of Marie A. (Loiseau) Sevenau)
1903: San Francisco City Directory, San Francisco Co., California:
Name: Ernest J Sevenau
Residence Year: 1903
Street Address: 18 Exeter
Residence Place: San Francisco, California
Occupation: Dyer
Publication Title: San Francisco, California, City Directory, 1903
Note: Ernest Joseph Sevenau was a cloth dyer in a dying factory. His wife Marie also worked as such, as did their son, Ernest. Dyers usually worked in the textile industry. Their job duties included weighing, measuring, and mixing dyes so that the resulting colors were accurate, thus producing highly specialized dyes in the production of textiles, apparel, upholstery, and fashion fabrics. However, the dyes used were later found to be highly toxic, which may have contributed to Ernest’s early demise.
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The Merchants and the Dyers: Histories of dyeing in the United States have tended to emphasize home craft processes, early textile manufacturing, or the growth of synthetic dyes. But in the first decades of the nineteenth century, a vibrant independent dyeing service industry emerged in U.S. port cities. Using natural dyes, working with a variety of fibers, colors, and finishing processes, and developing sophisticated skills and equipment, these dyers served import merchants, retailers, elite households, and businesses such as hotels. They received cloth, garments, or home furnishings, cleaned, bleached, and/or dyed them, and then returned them “like new.” To satisfy customers, these businesses had to at least approach the original materials’ quality of dyeing and finishing, which meant adapting state-of-the-art practices from London and Europe.
Source: Linda Jean Thorsen, author
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Feb 11, 1904: Death of Ernest Joseph Sevenau (age 40), in San Francisco, California (husband of Marie A. (Loiseau) Sevenau and father of Ernest and Estelle)
Feb 13, 1904: The San Francisco Examiner, San Francisco, California (pg 6):
Feb 14, 1904: Burial of Ernest Joseph Sevenau in (Mount Olivet Cemetery) Olivet Memorial Park in Colma, San Mateo Co., California (section Myrtle, lawn 5, grave 94)
Feb 14, 1904, San Francisco Call, San Francisco, California:
SEVENAU—In this city, February 11, 1904. Ernest Sevenau, beloved husband of Marie Sevenau, and father of Estelle and Ernest Sevenau, a native of France, aged 40 years 1 month and 4 days. Friends and acquaintances are respectfully invited to attend the funeral today (Sunday), at 10 o’clock, from the parlors of the H.F. Maass Company, 917 Mission street, where services will be held under the auspices of Court El Dorado No. 31, Foresters of America. Interment Mount Olivet Cemetery.
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Apr 18, 1906: San Francisco Earthquake:
At 05:12 Pacific Standard Time on Wednesday, April 18, 1906, the coast of Northern California was struck by a major earthquake with an estimated moment magnitude of 7.9 and a maximum Mercalli intensity of XI (Extreme). Devastating fires soon broke out in San Francisco and lasted for several days. More than 3,000 people died, and over 80% of the city was destroyed. The event is remembered as the deadliest earthquake in the history of the United States. The death toll remains the greatest loss of life from a natural disaster in California’s history and high on the lists of American disasters.
Between 227,000 and 300,000 people were left homeless out of a population of about 410,000; half of those who evacuated fled across the bay to Oakland and Berkeley. Newspapers described Golden Gate Park, the Presidio, the Panhandle and the beaches between Ingleside and North Beach as covered with makeshift tents. More than two years later, many of these refugee camps were still in operation
The earthquake and fire left long-standing and significant pressures on the development of California. At the time of the disaster, San Francisco had been the ninth-largest city in the United States and the largest on the West Coast. Over a period of 60 years, the city had become the financial, trade, and cultural center of the West, operating the busiest port on the West Coast. It was the “gateway to the Pacific”, through which growing U.S. economic and military power was projected into the Pacific and Asia. Over 80% of the city was destroyed by the earthquake and fire. Though San Francisco rebuilt quickly, the disaster diverted trade, industry, and population growth south to Los Angeles, which during the 20th century became the largest and most important urban area in the West. Many of the city’s leading poets and writers retreated to Carmel-by-the-Sea where they established the arts colony reputation that continues today.
As damaging as the earthquake and its aftershocks were, the fires that burned out of control afterward were even more destructive. It has been estimated that up to 90% of the total destruction was the result of the subsequent fires. Within three days, over 30 fires, caused by ruptured gas mains, destroyed approximately 25,000 buildings on 490 city blocks. The fires cost an estimated $350 million at the time (equivalent to $8.08 billion in 2021).
Source: Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1906_San_Francisco_earthquake
San Francisco burning, view from St. Francis Hotel, at Union Square, Geary Street is in center, terminating at Market Street. The San Francisco Call’s domed Call Building, is right-center, at Newspaper Row. Its wood interior burned, but its steel, concrete and stone frame survived.
Source: Copyright, Pillsbury Pictures, 18 April 1906
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Dec 5, 1908: San Francisco Call, San Francisco, California (pg 4):
Winners of the Junior Call’s Paint Box Prizes
Margaret Sevenau, 18 Exeter street, San Francisco, age 10 years.
Note: Unknown who Margaret is; Marie (Loiseau) Sevenau and her children Ernest Jules (age 16) and Estelle Marie (age 13) live at 18 Exeter Street; no other record was found for a Margaret. Perhaps the name and age of the girl in the article are in error. It happens… more likely it is Estelle Marie.
1909: San Francisco City Directory, San Francisco Co., California (pg 1423):
Sevenau, Marie, widow, r. 18 Exeter
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History of 18 Exeter Street, San Francisco: Sometime between 1900 and 1902 the Sevenau’s moved to 18 Exeter Street and lived there until Marie’s death in 1926. Her daughter, Estelle Marie (Sevenau) Lannes, along with her family, remained in the home until Estelle died in 1952. The house survived the San Francisco 1906 earthquake and fire as there was no interruption in the family’s living circumstances. According to records, the home was torn down in the early 1960s and rebuilt as part of a line of typical San Francisco row houses. Bayview District, near Bayview Park, was a popular and affordable landing spot for new immigrants.
1909: Section of a 1909 replica map of San Francisco. Exeter Street is in the section then called South San Francisco (not to be confused with the city of South San Francisco which is just south of San Francisco).
Map source and information: Jim Fetter
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May 5, 1910: U.S. Federal Census, San Francisco, San Francisco Co., California (living at 18 Exeter St):
Sevenau, Marie: Head, age 38, Widow, 2 children born, 2 children living, born California, father born France, mother born France
Ernest J.: Son, age 18, single, born California, father born France, mother born California, Dyer in Dying Factory
Estelle M: Daughter, age 16, single, born California, father born France, mother born France, Boxmaker in Paper Co. Factory
Note: name indexed as Sevenan; Ernest the father died in 1904
(expanded version of above record):
Name: Marie Sevenan
[Marie Sevenau]
Age in 1910: 38
Birth Date: 1872
Birthplace: California
Home in 1910: San Francisco Assembly District 32, San Francisco, California
Street: Exeter Street
House Number: 18
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Widowed
Father’s Birthplace: France
Mother’s Birthplace: France
Native Tongue: English
Home Owned or Rented: Own
Home Free or Mortgaged: Free
Farm or House: House
Able to read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes
Number of Children Born: 2
Number of Children Living: 2
Household Members (Name) Age Relationship:
Marie Sevenan: age 38, Head, born California
Ernest J Sevenan: age 18, Son, born California
Estelle M Sevenan: age 16, Daughter, born California
Jul 12, 1911: Marriage license issued for Estelle Marie Sevenau & Henry George Allen, San Francisco, California; (2nd of 2 children of Ernest Joseph Sevenau & Marie A. Loiseau). A licensed was issued, but they may have been stopped on the train before actually marrying.
From Maureen (Lannes) Clarke, granddaughter of Estelle:
“I learned that my Grandmother Estelle was married before my Grandfather and that must have been the story detail that they were trying to leave town by train and were stopped. The part I didn’t hear was they were already married.”
Jul 12, 1911, The San Francisco Call, San Francisco, California:
Marriage Licenses
The following marriage licenses were Issued in San Francisco Tuesday, July 11, 1911:
ALLEN—SEVENAU— Henry G. Allen, 21, 200 Woolsey street, and Estelle M. Sevenau, 18, 18 Exeter street.
Feb 13, 1913: Marriage of Ernest Edward Jules Sevenau & Edna Marguarite Clement/Kellogg, San Francisco, California; his 1st marriage (1st of 2 children of Ernest Joseph Sevenau & Marie A. Loiseau)
Jul 19, 1913, Marriage of Estelle Marie (Sevenau) Allen & Anselm(e) Peter Lannes, San Francisco, California; (2nd of 2 children of Ernest Joseph Sevenau & Marie A. Loiseau)
1913: San Francisco Newspaper Index, Marriage Licenses:
Name: Estelle M. Sevenan
Gender: Female
Age: 18
Birth Date: abt 1895
Residence Place: 18 Exeter
Marriage Date: Abt 1913
Spouse: Anselme Lannes
Gender: Male
Age: 24
Birth Date: abt 1889
1914: California Voter Registrations, San Francisco Co., California:
Name: Mrs Marie Sevenau
Residence Date: 1914
Street Address: 18 Exeter St
Residence Place: San Francisco, California
Party Affiliation: Democrat
Occupation: Housewife
1914: San Francisco City Directory (pg 1690):
Name: Marie Sevenau (widow Ernest)
Gender: Male
Residence Year: 1914
Street Address: H 18 Exeter
Residence Place: San Francisco, California
Publication Title: San Francisco, California, City Directory, 1914
Jul 17, 1915: Postcard from an unknown Pierre to Mrs. Marie Sevenau:
Vancouver, 16 July, 1915
Dear Marie,
Please excuse being late it has been impossible for me to write. I will write next week.
Kiss you,
Pierre.
1915: San Francisco City Directory:
Sevenau, Marie (wid Ernest) h 18 Exeter
1918: California Voter Registrations, San Francisco Co., California:
Name: Mrs Marie A Sevenau
Residence Date: 1918
Street Address: 18 Exeter St
Residence Place: San Francisco, California
Party Affiliation: Democrat
Occupation: Presser
1919: San Francisco City Directory, San Francisco Co., California:
Name: Marie Sevenau (wid Ernest)
Residence Year: 1919
Street Address: 18 Exeter
Residence Place: San Francisco, California
Publication Title: San Francisco, California, City Directory, 1919
Jan 9, 1920: U.S. Federal Census, San Francisco, San Francisco Co., California (18 Exeter St):
Sevenau, Marie: Head, age 48, born California, father born France, mother born France, Presser in dying/cleaning
Lannes, Anselmo: Son in law, age 30, born California, father born France, mother born France, Riveter in Shipyard
Lannes, Estelle: Daughter, age 26, born California, father born France, mother born France
Lannes, Matilde: Granddaughter, age 5, born California, mother born California, father born California
Lannes, Vernon: Grandson, age 1 10/12, born California, mother born California, father born California
Note: Vernon is actually age 4
1923: San Francisco City Directory (pg 1513):
Name: Marie Sevenau (wid Ernest) (widow of Ernest Joseph Sevenau and mother of Ernest and Estelle)
Gender: Female
Residence Year: 1923
Street Address: 18 Exeter
Residence Place: San Francisco, California
Publication Title: San Francisco, California, City Directory, 1923
1924: California Voter Registrations, San Francisco, San Francisco Co., California:
Mrs Marie A Sevenau
Residence Date: 1924
Street Address: 18 Exeter St
Residence Place: San Francisco, California
Party Affiliation: Democrat
Occupation: Housewife
Jan 22, 1926: Death of Marie A. (Loiseau) Sevenau (age 54), in San Francisco, California (wife of Ernest Joseph Sevenau and mother of Ernest and Estelle)
Jan 22, 1926: California Death Index for Marie A. (Loiseau) Sevenau:
Name: Marie Sevenau
Birth Year: 1872
Death Date: 22 Jan 1926
Age at Death: 54
Death Place: San Francisco, California
Jan 24, 1926: The San Francisco Examiner, San Francisco, California:
Name: Marie Sevenau
Gender: Female
Death Age: 54
Birth Date: abt 1872
Residence Place: San Francisco
Death Date: 21 Jan 1926
Burial Date: 25 Jan
Obituary Date: 24 Jan 1926
Obituary Place: San Francisco, California
Newspaper Title: The San Francisco Examiner
Spouse: Ernest Sevenau
Children: Ernest Sevenau, A. Lannes
Jan 24, 1926: The San Francisco Examiner, San Francisco, California, Sunday (pg 14):
Jan 25, 1926: Burial of Marie A. (Loiseau) Sevenau in Olivet Memorial Park (Mount Olivet), in Colma, San Mateo Co., California (section Myrtle, lawn 5, grave 94)
Note: Established Jun 11, 1895, Olivet Memorial Park was the sixth established cemetery in the state of California. Originally named Mt. Olivet Cemetery, it was renamed Olivet Memorial Park on April 25, 1929. In 2020, Olivet Memorial Park was purchased by Cypress Lawn and renamed Olivet Gardens of Cypress Lawn Memorial Park. Location: 1601 Hillside Boulevard, Colma, San Mateo Co., California
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From the photo album of Patricia (Martinez) “Pattie” Barton, daughter of Jeanne Lucille Sevenau:
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2023: Researched and compiled by Catherine (Clemens) Sevenau, with the contributions of cousins, kin, and fellow researchers, and especially to Maureen Clarke (Lannes side) and Pattie Barton (Sevenau side) for their time, information, and photos.
Note: The cemetery headstone photos from Find A Grave contained herein are the property of those who photographed them.