Seeking information on John Goetz

The Altoona PA newspapers had articles that show that the parents of your ancestor were William J. (or John William) Goetz and Ellen Guinivan.  From various articles (I found them on Newspapers.com) show that William was a tailor, then a policeman, and then a tailor again.

from Altoona Times 23 Apr 1889

William and Ellen's other son died in 1890.

from Altoona Tribune 25 Jan 1900

William remarried in 1892 or 1893.  His new wife was Mame Redding and they had a son named Wallace.

John visited his father in 1912

from Altoona Times 10 May 1912

John William Goetz died in 1921.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/90875006/john-w-goetz

Concerning William (John William) Goetz, the possible father:

Using census entries, city directories, and the Pennsylvania death certificate of John W. Goetz, as well as the information Susannah Brooks mentioned, you can piece together that his occupation was tailor.   He died in 1921 (his death certificate is on Ancestry.com).  All of this information may help you going forward.

I didn’t find mention of John William and Ellen Guinivan’s marriage in the Altoona newspapers on Newspapers.com.  Nor did I find an obituary for John William.  They may be worth looking for.

From Find-A-Grave

John W. (William) Goetz

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/90875006/john-w-goetz

John Guinivan

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/88764090/john-guinivan

Mary A. Somers

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/83181004/mary-a.-somers

There is a stone listed for Ellie Guinivan, born 1864.  The poster states the stone is hard to read so no death date can be read.  This may or may not be the Ellie under discussion.

From Newspapers.com

Death of John Guinivan

Altoona Tribune
Feb 8, 1892
Says he has a daughter Mrs. James Kaylor

Death of Mary Guinivan

Altoona Tribune
April 21, 1892

Says daughter Johanna, wife of James Kaylor

Death of Mary A. Somers

Altoona Tribune
Apr. 4, 1946

Husband Michael.  Father John Guinivan, sister is Mrs. James Kaylor

These articles indicate there is a family connection between all of these people.  If Mary A. Somers was John Raymond’s maternal aunt, then everything fits.  (Of course, it would require more of a paper trail, but it shows we are on the right track. I didn’t include everything I found on Newspapers.com and elsewhere.)  After a quick search of probate indexes, I didn’t locate anything to help.

Since the newspaper articles indicate that William & Ellie Goetz were Catholic, I suggest you contact the St. John’s Roman Catholic Church in Altoona.  They may have a marriage record for the parents, as well as a baptismal record for John Raymond.

There also may be Altoona/Blair County resources that could help you -- historical or genealogical society, or library that could assist you.