Finding Burton Deane

I wrote the first draft of chapter #1 for “A Taste of Sugar Hill” a few days ago. The first chapter was in my mother’s words; a recollection of a date she went on with Burton Deane around 1948. Now I don’t recollect of ever hearing of Burton.

After transcribing Betty’s story, I decided I wanted to know more about this man.  I decided to research Burton through genealogy records and city directories.

Burton was born in New York and went to school with my mother Betty.  Burton was born the same year as Betty, and from my mother’s notes, he had served in World War II.  I went online to Ancestry.com and found Burton’s 1930 Census in New York.  I also looked up his WWII record, and found it.  From there, I decided to look up his name in the death index before trying to find him through city directories.

I could not find Burton in the death index, so I felt confident that he had to still be living.  I decided to put a family tree together for Burton, which included his parents from the 1930 Census.  I attached the WWII document to his tree and then I began to look for information in the various city directories.  Burton Deane showed up in a Florida directory from 1998.  The number was listed, but I was unsure if this was the correct Burton as there were many others, and I was unsure if the phone still belonged to this Burton.

I waited till the next day to call.  When I called a lady answered the phone, who identified herself as his wife, once I had told her who I was and why I was calling.  I shared the story with her, and she informed me that he was busy and I would need to call back.

I called back that evening and Mrs. Deane answered the phone.  She was very excited that I called back, and started to share with me about her husband.  She then had me speak with him.

Without revealing anything, he confirmed the story my mother wrote, and we talked for a little while.  Mr. Burton shared with me that he was a retired Biochemist/Clinical Chemist.  We exchanged emails so that we could share family photos.  I received these photo’s on February 24, 2012.

The Deane’s Their three children in the photo in background

Burton Deane

Mr. Deane was very glad that someone who knew someone from his past had contacted him.  We promised to stay in touch.