American Acorns

People: A

Lillace Alma Ames (Russell, Libbey)

c. 1879–1947 · Female · died at about 68

How to read this page

Sex is as recorded in the family tree. Age at death is worked out from the dates shown and may be a range or an approximation. It is left out when a date is missing or is only a “before”, “after” or “between” date, when the research has found a date Unconfirmed, when the two dates conflict, or when they would mean an age over 110.

Overview

Marriage Record
Augustus Ames1839–1928FatherEliza Ann (Annie) Bragg1849–1934Mother
Lillace Alma Ames (Russell, Libbey)c. 1879–1947Elmer Bard Libby1874–1945HusbandLewis Whittier Russell1882–1964Husband
Mary Gwendolyn Russell ( Foss )1904–2011DaughterNellie Mildred Russell1902–1948DaughterGertrude Faye Russell ( Foss )1907–2004DaughterLila L. Libby1911–1911Daughter

Explore this person's tree: ancestors Descendants

Stories and biography

About Lillace

Biography

Lillace Ames lived in several central Maine towns, first with Lewis Russell and later with Elmer Libby. Records use several forms of her name, including Lillie Alma and Alma L.

A Canaan childhood

Lillace was born in Canaan, the daughter of Augustus Ames, a carpenter, and Annie Bragg. Her obituaries give August 31, 1879, as her birth date. The 1880 census records her as ten months old, with an August birth month.

Confirmed About this evidence

The 1880 census supports an August 1879 birth.

In 1900, she lived on Madison Avenue in Skowhegan with her parents, her brother Lorenzo and her younger sister Helen. Listed as Lillie A., she was single and could read and write. Her mother had borne seven children, five of whom were living (1900 census).

Confirmed About this evidence

The age recorded in 1900 points instead to 1878. The discrepancy remains; the obituaries provide the exact day.

Marriage to Lewis Russell

Lillace married Lewis W. Russell in September 1901, according to the Eames–Ames genealogy and family tree. They had three daughters: Mildred, later known as Natalie, born in 1902; May, also called Mary, in 1904; and Gertrude Faye in 1907 (Eames-Ames Genealogy, p. 125).

Back in her parents' house with her three daughters, Madison, 1910 census -- her husband is absent from the household.
Back in her parents' house with her three daughters, Madison, 1910 census -- her husband is absent from the household.
1910
Source: U.S. Census Bureau; NARA.
Likely About this evidence

The first marriage remains Likely. The genealogy and tree disagree by a few days on its exact date, and no original marriage record is cited here.

In 1910, Lillace and the girls lived with her parents in Madison. The census called her Alma, recorded nine years of marriage and three living children, and did not list Lewis in the household (1910 census).

Confirmed About this evidence

Lewis's absence from the census household does not establish when the marriage ended.

Marriage to Elmer Libby

Lillace married Elmer B. Libby on November 5, 1910, in Skowhegan, with the Rev. George Merriam officiating. The marriage intentions, filed October 31, describe Elmer as a 35-year-old farmer from Madison and Lillace as 31, born in Canaan and entered as “at home.” Both were recorded as divorced and marrying for the second time (Maine marriage record).

The 1910 marriage record entering her status as divorced -- the only document that speaks to how her first marriage ended.
The 1910 marriage record entering her status as divorced -- the only document that speaks to how her first marriage ended.
1910
Source: Maine Vital Records 1908-1922, image 1814, via FamilySearch.
Confirmed About this evidence

The marriage record and the November 8 Lewiston Daily Sun notice support November 5. An index gives November 15. No divorce decree is cited, so the date and terms of Lillace's divorce remain unknown.

By 1920 the family lived on East Ridge in Cornville, where Elmer farmed. Natalie and Mary attended school and were listed as his stepdaughters. Gertrude Faye was not listed in that household. The family tree also records a daughter, Lila L. Libby, born and dying in 1911 (1920 census).

Unconfirmed About this evidence

The census establishes the 1920 household. Lila's birth, death and parentage remain Unconfirmed because they are supported here only by the tree.

Vassalboro and Skowhegan

In 1930, Lillace and Elmer rented a home on Cross Hill Road in Vassalboro for $8 a month. Elmer worked for wages as a farm laborer; the census listed no occupation for Lillace. By 1940 they were on West Front Street in Skowhegan, renting a farm for $12 a month. Elmer was a self-employed farmer, and Lillace was recorded as a homemaker. Both had completed eighth grade. The census placed them in Vassalboro in 1935. Natalie and Irving also lived on West Front Street in 1940, though the records do not establish how close the two homes were (1930 census; 1940 census).

Likely About this evidence

These details come from the 1930 and 1940 censuses. The census descriptions do not establish whether Lillace ever held paid work at other times. The 1930 age entry is inconsistent with the birth date in her obituaries.

Her last months

Widowed by 1947, Lillace spent her last two months with her daughter Mildred, Mrs. Irvin Oak, on West Front Street. She died at Sisters Hospital in Waterville on February 14, 1947, aged 67 according to her obituary (Morning Sentinel; Evening Express; Bangor Daily News).

Mrs. Lillace Libby, obituary, Evening Express (Portland), 15 February 1947, p. 12.
Mrs. Lillace Libby, obituary, Evening Express (Portland), 15 February 1947, p. 12.
1947
Source: Evening Express (Portland, Maine), via Newspapers.com.
Confirmed About this evidence

The notices say Elmer had died years earlier but do not give a date.

The notices named her three daughters, Mildred, Mary Foss and Faye Foss; two brothers, Ervin and Lorenzo; two sisters, Stella Withee and Helen Clark; and three grandchildren. Funeral arrangements called for a Monday service at Pooler Funeral Home with the Rev. Walter L. Sheppard of Bethany Baptist Church. Her body was to be placed in a tomb for burial at Southside Cemetery in the spring.

Likely About this evidence

One brother's name appears as Ervin rather than Irving. The funeral minister's church affiliation does not establish Lillace's membership. The papers and genealogy disagree over the Foss sisters' spouses; no new identification is made here.

Timeline of the public record (11 entries)
WhenWhat the record showsHow sure
31 Aug 1879Born in Canaan, Maine, daughter of Augustus and Annie (Bragg) Ames. 1880 U.S. census, Canaan village, Somerset Co., Maine, ED 157, page 18B (dwelling 246); Eames-Ames Genealogy: Descendants of Robert of Woburn and Thomas of Framingham, Massachusetts, 1634-1931, p. 125; 'Lillace Alma Libby,' Morning Sentinel (Waterville, Me.), 15 Feb. 1947, p. 10Confirmed
June 1900At home in her father's household on Madison Avenue, Skowhegan; no occupation entered. 1900 U.S. census, Skowhegan village, Somerset Co., Maine, ED 164, sheet 37A, lines 9-13Confirmed
1901Married Lewis W. Russell (date differs between the genealogy and the tree). Eames-Ames Genealogy: Descendants of Robert of Woburn and Thomas of Framingham, Massachusetts, 1634-1931, p. 125Likely
12 May 1902First daughter born in Madison. Record of a Birth, Madison, 12 May 1902 (Maine, Birth Records, 1621-1922, Roll 49)Confirmed
May 1910In her parents' household in Madison with three daughters; listed as married. 1910 U.S. census, Madison town, Somerset Co., Maine, ED 229, sheet 14BConfirmed
5 Nov 1910Married Elmer B. Libby at Skowhegan; her status entered as 'divorced.' Record of a Marriage: Elmer B. Libby and Lillace A. Russell, Skowhegan, 1910 (Maine Vital Records 1908-1922, image 1814); 'Libby-Russell' (marriage notice), The Lewiston Daily Sun, 8 November 1910, p. 4Confirmed
Jan 1920In Elmer Libby's household in Cornville with two stepdaughters. 1920 U.S. census, Cornville, Somerset Co., Maine, ED 101, sheet 3AConfirmed
May 1930Renting in Vassalboro with her husband, a farm laborer; no children in the household. 1930 U.S. census, Vassalboro town, Kennebec Co., Maine, ED 6-48 (indexed as ED 40), sheet 17B, lines 94-95Confirmed
1 Apr 1935Living in Vassalboro (as entered on the 1940 census). 1940 U.S. census, Skowhegan town, Somerset Co., Maine, ED 13-62, sheet 16B, lines 69-70Confirmed
Apr 1940Renting a farm household on West Front Street, Skowhegan; homemaker. 1940 U.S. census, Skowhegan town, Somerset Co., Maine, ED 13-62, sheet 16B, lines 69-70Confirmed
14 Feb 1947Died at Sisters' Hospital, Waterville, aged 67. 'Mrs. Lillace Libby,' Evening Express (Portland), 15 Feb. 1947, p. 12; 'Lillace Alma Libby,' Morning Sentinel (Waterville, Me.), 15 Feb. 1947, p. 10; 'Lillace A. Libby,' The Bangor Daily News, 17 Feb. 1947, p. 12Confirmed

Family

Parents

Husband: Elmer Bard Libby 1874–1945
Unconfirmed evidence: show why

Why: From the imported family tree; not yet reviewed.

Review: not yet reviewed.

What the labels mean

Husband: Lewis Whittier Russell 1882–1964
Unconfirmed evidence: show why

Why: From the imported family tree; not yet reviewed.

Review: not yet reviewed.

What the labels mean

Life events

BornABT 1879, Canaan, Somerset, Maine, USA
Likely evidence: show why

Why: Her obituary gives her birthplace, Canaan, her parents, and her age, 67, in February 1947, which points to about 1879. The tree's 31 August 1879 has no record behind it.

Records:

Review: assessed 11-02-2026; evidence: Image examined.

Earlier: Unconfirmed (10-05-2026, imported tree): From the imported family tree; not yet reviewed.

What the labels mean

(the family tree records 31 AUG 1879, Canaan, Somerset, Maine, USA) Image: 1880 U.S. census, Canaan, Somerset County, Maine (roll 487, page 257b, ED 157): the page the family tree attaches to the household of Augustus Ames and his wife Annie. · Image: 1910 U.S. census, Madison, Somerset County, Maine (roll T624_546, page 14b, ED 229): the page the family tree attaches to the Russell household and Lillace (Ames) Russell. · Image: Maine, Birth Records, 1621-1922
Died14 FEB 1947, Waterville, Kennebec, Maine, USA
Confirmed evidence: show why

Why: Her obituary of Monday 17 Feb 1947 says she 'died Friday at a hospital in Waterville' (14 Feb 1947), aged 67.

Records:

Review: assessed 10-26-2026; evidence: Image examined.

Earlier: Unconfirmed (10-05-2026, imported tree): From the imported family tree; not yet reviewed.

What the labels mean

Also recorded asAmes
Residence1880, Canaan, Somerset, Maine, USA Image: 1920 United States Federal Census
ResidenceMarital Status: Single; Relation to Head of House: Daughter, 1900, Skowhegan, Somerset, Maine, USA
Marriage21 SEP 1901, Solon, Somerset, Maine, USA, with Lewis Whittier Russell 1882–1964
Marriage5 NOV 1910, Skowhegan, Maine, USA, with Elmer Bard Libby 1874–1945
Residence1910, Madison, Somerset, Maine, USA
Residence1920, Comville, Somerset, Maine, USA
Obituary Lillace Libby15 FEB 1947, Portland, Maine
Obituary for LILLACE A. LIBBY17 FEB 1947, Bangor, Maine
ResidenceSkowhegan, Somerset, Maine, USA
ResidenceMadison, ME

Newspapers

7 newspaper clippings to view here. View them larger, one at a time.

Also cited, with no image here

Record images

18 record images to view here. View them larger, one at a time.

Photos & documents

Sources

Research sources

Share a memory of Lillace Alma Ames (Russell, Libbey): saved privately, not published (family members can sign in to send one).

Open an evidence label for the sources, assessment and review date. Unreviewed tree entries are Unconfirmed. How sure is each statement?