Marjorie Harwood

Marjorie Harwood

Marjorie V Harwood Kemp

• Father: John L. Harwood b. 1869
• Mother: Martha Belle Dart b. circa 1874

• Marjorie Harwood was born on 12 November 1895 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York.
• John L. Harwood and Martha Belle Dart appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York, at 591 West Avenue. Other members of the household included Marjorie Harwood.
• John L. Harwood and Martha Belle Dart appeared in the New York state census of 1 June 1905 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York, at 314 Fargo Avenue. Other members of the household included Marjorie Harwood.
• Frederick W. Constantine and Sarah Virginia Stuart appeared in the US federal census of 15 April 1910 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York, at 193 Norwood Avenue. Other members of the household included Marjorie Harwood, Martha Belle Dart.
• She married John G. Stephenson, and divorced not long after..
• Marjorie Harwood appeared in the US federal census of 1 January 1920 in New York City, New York, at 76 West 94th Street lodging in a large rooming house.
• She was self-employed as a concert singer, according to the 1920 census.
• She applied for a passport on 12 November 1920 while living in New York City, New York, at 165 West 31st Street. for the purpose of traveling "to Finland to act as American Correspondent for Mr. F. A. Kemp, formerly Chief American Representative for the A. B. Machinery Co. of Abo, Finland and now Chief Engineer in the Home Office of the A. B. Machinery Co. of Abo, Finland. She will be employed at Abo, Finland." (Supporting letter written by Saul Goodwin, 12 November 1920.) Passport was issued on 17 November.
  
  
  to Sweden, Finland and England, scheculed to depart from the port of New York on board the SS Stockholm on 9 December, intending to return to the United States within one year. The passport was issued 17 November 1920.
• She married Fritz Alexader Kemp on 7 October 1922 in Abo, Finland.
• She applied for a passport on 19 May 1924 while living in Abo, Finland, at Kristineg 1.
• The following appeared on 15 September 1924 in The Buffalo Morning Express: (Dansville, Sept. 14) A concert was given by Mrs. Majorie Harwood Kemp, soprano, and Mrs. Helen Garrit Mening, both of Buffalo, in the auditorium of the Johnson hotel and health resort here yesterday. Mrs. Kemp, who has recently returned from Europe, hwere she spent three years in the study of Scandinavian songs, gave a novel programme of Finnish and American songs.
       Mrs. Kemp has a delightful voice and ability and elicited much praise from the audience. Mrs. Mening gave an admirable accompaniment.
       Dansville critics proclaim the concert the best that has been heard here in years.
• The following appeared on 16 November 1924 in The Buffalo Sunday Express: Marion Davies in her latest photoplay Yolanda is the attraction at Shea's Hippodrome today. . . The Hippodrome Symphony orchestra, under the direction of Harry Wallace, will play a special symphonic jazz arrangement of May-time by M. Lake. An extra musical attraction is the first public appearance here in many seasons of Marjorie Harwood Kemp, soprano. Although a Buffalo singer, Miss Kemp has spent much of her time abroad and her home town folk will be glad of this opportunity to welcome her. . . .
• The following appeared on 19 July 1925 in The Buffalo Sunday Express: Well known Buffalo soprano active during summer. Marjorie Harwood Kemp, Buffalo dramatic soprano, is taking a limited number of pupils during the summer and fall months.
       Through her knowledge of the different schools of technique and interpretation, Miss Kemp is well equipped to teach voice culture. She studied for a number of years with Mr. Gandenzi of New York city and spent two years abroad, studying in Paris and coaching for several months in German lieder with the capellmeister of the opera in Hamburg.
       Miss Kemp sings in eight languages, including Scandinavian. While abroad Miss Kemp appeared as soloist with symphony orchestras as well as filling other concert engagements. Since her return she has done much concert work in this country.
• The following appeared on 31 October 1925 in The Buffalo Morning Express: Marjorie Harwood Kemp has been engaged as solo soprano at the North Presbyterian church, succeeding Hildred Morrow, who leaves for a new home in Louisville, Tenn., in the deep regret of all who new her, musically and personally. Mrs. Kemp assumes the duties of the position tomorrow.
• The following appeared on 9 May 1926 in The Buffalo Sunday Express: Club World . . . The Quota Club will have a Mothers' day program tomorrow at the Statler. Reservations, Gertrude Weber. The speaker will be Mrs. Richard Noye, secretary of the American Red Cross. Mrs. Margery Harwood Kemp will sing her tribute to mother.
       The annual meeting of the Society of Mineral Painters will be at the home of Mrs. Frederick W. Constantine, No. 113 Anderson place, tomorrow at 2:30 o'clock. Mrs. William A. Booth and Mrs. J. Whitney Vogt will assist the hostess. Officers will be elected.
• The following appeared on 23 August 1926 in the Dansville Breeze: Miss Marjorie Harwood gave a recital at the Jackson Hotel, with Miss Marian Voss, accompanist, last evening at eight o'clock. . . Miss Marjorie Harwood is a concert soprano formerly of Buffalo. She spent four years in Europe studying concertizing and appeared as soloist with Symphony orchestras there. She sings in nine languages and since returning to the United States has filled many concert engagements in Western New York as well as in New York city. . . .
• She apparently resumed using the name "Marjorie Harwood" beginning in 1926-1927. According to one family researcher, she was three times married.

• Last Edited: 12 May 2012