Question by Tara662: How/Where do I find information about the author Lawrence Griswold?
I have tried searching for information about the author Lawrence Griswold of the book “Tombs, Travel and Trouble”.
The only results that come up is the book; nothing about the author.
Where can I find information about him?
He is related to me on my mother’s side, but I’m not sure how.
Best answer:
Answer by GrayPict
I would type Bio on Lawrence Geiswpld into search engine.
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
Like you, I’ve not been able to find anything, have you seen actual copies of his books ? Sometimes books have a short ‘bio’ about the author on the dust cover or flyleaf, you might learn a little from that source. If you know when and where he died it is quite likely there was an obituary published in a local newspaper at the time. Even if you can find a biography it is not likely to explain how he is related to you, the only way you can prove a relationship is to research your mother’s family until you make the connection, or not. The book you mention is an account of his travels in South America and southeast Asia in the 1920s and 30s so he was probably born around the beginning of the 20th century, maybe around the time of your great grandparents? So assuming you know who your maternal grandparents were, you’ve probably only got two generations to research until you reach the parents of Lawrence Griswald, from them and their children you should be able to discover the connection, if you can’t the relationship is probably too remote to bother with!
I found a book (online) written by Lawrence Griswold in 1941 “The Other American” it is dedicated to Ada Thompson Griswold (could be wife or mother?) It is published by G. P. Putman’s sons, 1941 – Travel – 360 pages. I could only see the outside cover, nothing else.
Are there any Thompson’s in your family? Perhaps you’re related through this Ada Thompson.
I found a reference to Mr. Lawrence Griswold in a book (online) titled Mysteries of Ancient South America By Harold T. Wilkins. He states that in 1929, Mr. Lawrence Griswold, an American traveler … (pg 144).
From this we know Mr. Griswold in American, and if it was 1929, then he was at least 20 years old, probably much older. So he would have to be born prior to 1909. It also mentioned that Mr. Griswold brought a Kamodo Dragon to the NY zoo.
I also found a NY paper with reference to Lawrence Griswold in 1938 – the interesting thing about this article is that it states the book was written about Mr. Griswold’s 16 years experience.
http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=EP19380813.2.186.10
I found another clue in this article: Gives his middle initial as “T”. If the Ada Thompson were his mother, the T could stand for Thompson. ??
http://findarticles.com/p/news-articles/patriot-ledger-the-quincy-mass/mi_8043/is_20090511/1859-14-page-2-quincy/ai_n47847057/
1934 May 10, Page 1 Quincy Patriot Ledger (located in Quincy, Massachusetts) may or may not be a clue where he’s from.
QUINCY ARCHAEOLOGIST HOPES TO RAISE DRAGONS FOR PETS
Lawrence T. Griswold Captures Prehistoric Monsters 16 Feet Long That Chase Deer and Wild Pigs..
Also found this which mentions a specific ship Mr. Griswold was on:
http://www.empressofasia.com/np_june21_1935.htm
Note of Interest:
The EMPRESS OF ASIA, under the command of Captain A. V. R. Lovegrove, concluded a Pacific crossing upon reaching Vancouver on June 21st, 1935. On this crossing Hawaii was called upon prior to reaching Victoria. Over 100 passengers embarked at Honolulu. The ship reported an uneventful passage. Cargo included mail and a large consignment of general freight.
Lawrence Griswold, an archaeologist and naturalist was a passenger on this voyage. He was returning from the Far East after securing white monkeys and cobra snakes for zoological institutions in New York and Washington.
Griswold had previously sailed on the EMPRESS OF ASIA in 1934 when he and fellow scientist William Harkness had secured several Komodo Dragons in the Dutch East Indies.
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I don’t have access to Ancestry.com, however, if you do or perhaps someone can help you, you can find the ship’s log with Lawrence Griswold’s name, it should give his date of birth (or year) and his home of record or his place of birth. You should be able to get at least year of birth and place of birth. I know that’s not a bio, but this is some of his info. Sometimes it gives next of kin, or he may have been traveling with someone in his family – I’m sure you can find several ships logs with his name & some personal info.
If you go to google and put his name in quotes ” “, you can get bits and pieces of info. on him.
Good Luck!!