In Memoriam: William Kingsland, New York City 'Gazetteer'

William M.V. Kingsland, a prodigious researcher and genealogist, died recently of a heart attack. "He was an unending trove of historic facts of the Upper East Side," as described by longtime friend, Eliot Rowlands.

Kingsland was believed to be 62 when he was found to have passed on March 21. "He was a walking gazetteer," a Landmarks Committee member of Manhattan's Community Board 8, Barry Schneider, said. A co-chair of Defenders of the Historic Upper East Side, Elizabeth Ashby, said, "You couldn't mention an address that he wouldn't have known who had ever lived there and what ever had happened there. Crimes, adultery, elopements, who ran off with the butler, he knew it all."

Comments

[David Kayner]

How sorry I am never to have known this man. As an elderly newbie in family history, I am sure that I would have learned fascinating secrets about NYC, and also perhaps about the Kingsland family, which one of my relatives married into in the 1850s.

Has he left written material? Where could it be accessed? (On most occasions like this, these questions would be intolerably rude; as family historians, I hope that we are forgiven.)

RIP, sir. It is good to be well spoken of, even after the fact.

[Kenyon Gibson]

William Kingsland was a friend of mine who helped me with research. Whilst he did not leave behind writings himself, he did assist much with my work, and I am pleased to have it dedicated to him. The book is "Hemp for Victory:History and Qualities of the World's Most Useful Plant".
Kenyon Gibson

[James Dowell]

William indeed had a wealth of information regarding every estuary of the upper east side of New York City and, indeed, the social history of this country, but what made him really remarkable was the lively, almost absurdist, humor he brought to this storehouse of information and the experience that was his life. James Dowell

[William Loveman]

Stunning that he has been revealed as a fake and art thief. Alas, just that much more mystery and intrigue to this complex person we knew.

[Dick Eastman]

He was perhaps an art thief, or a receiver of stolen goods, or perhaps he was simply an unwitting victim who innocently purchased goods that he did not know were stolen.

I would like to think that he was an innocent victim but I have no way of knowing...

- Dick Eastman

[Willard Doswell]

William was a sweetheart. I used to have lunch with him when I lived in Manhattan in the 1970s. While I heard many New York stories from him, it was his desire for true love that he spoke of most. I was a struggling craftsman and William claimed to be rich, but somehow I always ended up paying for our meager lunch. Then he would send me a thank you note on a "no postage required" postcard for someone's gallery opening because he was too cheap to pay for a stamp. I liked William.

[Bruce C. Johnson]

In connection with the settlement of Mr. Kingsland's estate, I would appreciate hearing from anyone who knew him and who has any concrete information that can confirm any facts about Mr. Kingsland's alleged marriage. He told friends that he had been married to a Louise de Bourbon but had been divorced prior to 1976. Does anyone have any information about where and when the marriage may have taken place?
-- Bruce C. Johnson, attorney-at-law

[Judy Kingsland]

Mr. Johnson,
As a long time Kingsland genealogist I found Mr. William M.V. Kingsland's name quite odd when his obit was posted and newspaper articles touted his abilities and talents. It seems he might have done enough research to fool those not aquainted with this genealogical line, but for those of us who are true die hards, it was a red flag to read the name he chose. While there were many Louise de Bourbon's born, most were in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries and a couple in the mid 1800's. The probability of a true marriage is as likly as the name he chose. I've checked birth and marriage records, but don't find anything for this man, but again, what name would he have used if he actually married a woman with this name? In my opinion, there was never a marriage, but the de Bourbon name was chosen expressly to impress a listener. After his true life was uncovered how could anyone believe anything he had told anyone about his past? He lived in a fantasy world of his own making.
Judy Kingsland