About Skeletons in the Closet

I got an email today through Ancestry. 

For context Almira Gay is my 3rd great aunt. The Charles and Anna mentioned in the email are my 3rd great grandparents and grandparents to Anna Gay Rae. 

Charles Whiteman, the scoundrel, is no relation.  

Hi Chris,

Our connection to the Gay family is through my husbands great grandfather.  Charles Whiteman married Almira L. Gay in 1869. They have an interesting story.  Charles worked at the Pacific Bank and embezzled $20,000. Around 1872 he and Almira ran away to California.  Their daughter was born in Salinas, but they ended up in St. Helena, CA. (About 45 minutes from where I live!)  They changed their name to Youngs.  Evidently he was very charismatic, he ran a novelty shop and was involved in city government. Almira died young and Charles buried her in St. Helena under her maiden name Gay.  Almira's brother Charles married Anna and their daughter was Cornelia.  I believe this young lady is Cornelia.  The notation on the back of the picture of both of them says "Aunt Anna and Daughter"  There is nothing noted on the younger girl's picture.  Charles married two other women and had 3 other children.  He went back to New Jersey, the postcard is sent to Butler New Jersey and is dated 1907.  Almira's daughter married Nelson Vanderbeek and lived in New York.  They did not have any children that I can find.

Where do they fit in your story?  Do you have a story on the Gay Women?

It is all very fascinating.

Cathy

Aunt Anna and Daughter (probably Cornelia)