Lauraly, I just joined the mailing list and noticed your question in January 2011 re Thomas Payton. I am researching the Payton family in Allegheny City/Pittsburgh, and have found a fair amount of information on Thomas, who is my great-great uncle. His obituary is available in Google News Archive and gives some information on his funeral business. Here is the citation, a link, and my transcription: *********************** “Thomas Payton,” obituary, The Pittsburgh Press, 27 April 1944, p. 6, col. 1; digital images, http://news.google.com/newspapers; accessed 2 April 2011. Direct link: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=iTkbAAAAIBAJ&sjid=7kwEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1436%2C5948653 (scroll down) Transcription: “Thomas Payton, pioneer North Side funeral director, died yesterday in his home, 3527 California Ave. “Mr. Payton was born in old Allegheny, a son of the late Owen and Catherine McCormick Payton, and was a graduate of the Champion School of Embalming in Boston. “For many years, he was associated with his brother, Andrew Payton in the wholesale grocery business, and later as a member of the Payton Bread and Biscuit Co. “Mr. Payton, one of the oldest active funeral directors in the city, established in the undertaking business in 1885 at 30 McClure Ave., North Side, and later moved to his present location. “Mr. Payton was a member of St. Francis Xavier Church and of the Church Committee; the National Funeral Directors' Assn. and the Pennsylvania State Funeral Directors' Assn. “He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Irene Hamilton Payton; three daughters, Mrs. Esther Reidenbaugh, Mrs. Marie Nusz and Miss Helen Payton; eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren.” ************************ And there is a photo. Unfortunately, you can't print or download from Google News Archive. I have more info if you are interested: his baptismal information; census records; deeds; marriage information (first and second); another newspaper article or two; and his death certificate. Jeannie

Jeannie -- FYI: You _can_ capture photos as images from the archieved newspapers using your "print screen" keyboard function. -- Norm myjeanniealogy@gmail.com wrote: > And there is a photo. Unfortunately, you can't print or download from > Google News Archive. > > I have more info if you are interested: his baptismal information; census > records; deeds; marriage information (first and second); another newspaper > article or two; and his death certificate. > > Jeannie > >