Census Sunday Howell Research Howell Line
By Don Taylor
I’ve been finding it quite fun to find family members during the 1950 Census. Often, it contains information I knew part of but not all of the story.
For example, I knew grandparents, James Dallas & Mary (Hobbs) Howell, lived in Maryland in the 1950s. I didn’t realize that they were living with their daughter, Mary, and her husband, Don Wright, in what must have been a new home.
The household lived at 1617 Belvedere Blvd. Silver Spring, Maryland, the 1,280 sq ft house was built in 1948.[ii]
The house has no alley, no garage, and no parking.
Name Age Role Born Employed
Don O Wright 32 Head Ohio Manager, Standard Oil St.
Mary H Wright 24 Wife NC
Helen E Wright 2 Daughter Wash. DC James D Howell 70 Father-in-law NC Clerk, Reconstruction Fin Mary H Howell 65 Mother-in-law NC
Frank A Howell 34 Brother-in-law NC Electrician, Inter-office Com.
Mary was entered on Line 4, so additional sample data was collected from her that included:
In 1949 she lived in Washington D.C.
For education, she completed the 12th
She also served in the military during World War II and either before or after the war.[iii]
[iii] This Census question was intended to be asked only of males over the age of 14. However, its answers are entered for Mary. I need to research further to learn if Mary served, or if Don served and Mary’s answers pertained to her husband.
For Photo Friday, I try to identify the people in five more envelopes from the Ethel Wight Studio Collection[i]this week. The envelopes contain the names who paid for the photos, not necessarily the individual portrayed in the image. As such, it is vital to analyze the pictures and information to identify the individual therein.[ii] Ultimately, my goal is to reunite the photos with family members who may have never seen the image.
Kathleen McDonald, circa 1934.
The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Kathleen McDonald, 26 Union St #258.”
Kathleen McDonald, circa 1934.
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The 1934 Portland City Directory lists Kathleen V McDonald as a clerk at 93 Kennebec and residing at 26 Union.
The 1935 Portland City Directory indicates that Kathleen V McDonald married Daniel J Carr, Jr.
Kathleen Veronica McDonald was born on 2 June 1904 and married Daniel Joseph Carr on 2 June 1934.
This photo is of Kathleen McDonald about 1934 before she married Joseph Carr.
This negative envelope says, “Mr. Richard McKinney, Saco? Feb 1943.”
This photo is different from most photos in the Ethel Wight collection because it appears to have been a request for reproduced photos brought in about 1943. I think this child was probably born about 1940 to 1942. It is likely either his name was Richard, or his father’s name was Richard.
What I did to try to identify this child.
Unknown Child (possibly McKinney), circa 1943.
The 1950 US Census lists six individuals with the surname McKinney born between 1940 and 1942.
Eight-year-old Gene McKinney is the son of Freda J. McKinney, living in Pittsfield, Maine
Seven-year-old Tyrone McKinney is the son of Freda J. McKinney, who is living in Pittsfield, Maine.
Eight-year-old Gordon McKinney is a boarder living with Benjamin & Marie Griggs, living in Freedom, Maine.
Eight-year-old John F McKinney is the son of James & Frances McKinney, living in Durham, Maine.
Donna McKinney is the seven-year-old daughter of Jeremiah & Elizabeth McKinney, living in Fort Fairfield, Maine.
Rose McKinney is the nine-year-old daughter of Valentine & Marguerite McKinney, living in Brunswick, Maine.
I believe this photo is of a male, so I’m eliminating Donna and Rose. Also, their father is not Richard. John’s father isn’t named Richard either. That leaves only Gene, Tyrone, and Gordon.
Gene and Tyrone’s parents were Carrol and Freda Jane (Green) McKinney.
I can’t find any information regarding Gordon McKinney.
I can’t determine this child’s name or his parents’ names.
Ronald McKague, circa 1935.
This negative envelope says, “Mr. Alfred McKague, 21 Linden St Woodfords, #778.”
Why I believe this to be the individual.
Ronald McKague, circa 1935.
The 1937 Portland City Directory lists Alfred N (and Evelyn R) McKague living at 21 Linden.
The 1940 US Census lists the household of Alfred N McKague, living at 21 Linden. With them are their six children. Based upon the ID (#778), this photo was taken about 1935. Assuming the child is less than two years old, it is likely Ronald W. McKague.
Ronald Wayne McKague was born on 9 December 1934 in Portland, Maine.
Ancestry has two public trees that refer to Ronald Wayne McKague (1934-2018). Family Search does not have a profile for Ronald, so I have added his photo to Dead Fred.
McLean Child, circa 1936.
This negative envelope says, “Mrs. H. S. McLean, 113 Franklin St #1022.”
McLean Child, circa 1936.
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Harry S. and Helen B. living at 104 Franklin.
Ancestry Family Trees suggest that Harry is Harry Shirley McLean (1887-1050) and Helen is Helen Bernedette Hassett (1894-1973)
I am unsuccessful in finding any children for Harry and Helen.
Ancestry has 15 public trees that refer to Harry S McLean. Without the first name of this child, I only uploaded it here.
Conclusion
I identified two photos sufficiently enough to post the image to Dead Fred.
There were two photos I didn’t identify the individuals.
If any of these photos are of your family member, I would love to hear your reaction. Especially if this photo is of a loved one for whom you hadn’t seen this photograph before.
Due to software limitations, the images uploaded to Dead Fred and Flickr have a higher image quality than those linked here (unless not uploaded elsewhere).
For all postings of the Ethel Wight Collection, please see here.
Endnotes
[i] The Wight Studio was in Portland, Maine. Many thanks to Ethel Wight’s family for access to and permission to use the collection of their great aunt.
[ii] These images were converted to positives using a lightbox, a Nikon camera and computer software.
In the News” is my reporting of discovered newspaper articles and advertising regarding ancestors I am researching. Judith (Ligon) Pankey is the first wife of my wife’s third great uncle, Thomas Armstrong Pankey. She and Thomas were married on 27 January 1825, and Judith died on 14 January 1826, less than a year later. Her death was clearly a blow to the family.
This week from the Enquirer (Richmond, VA) dated Tuesday, 7 February 1826, (Vol: XXII, Issue: 88) Page 3, “Mortuary Notice.”
DIED] — on the 14th instant, in the 17th year of her age, Mrs. Judith S, wife of Thomas Pankey, jr. of Cumberland. In the death of Mrs. P. the heart of every friend must mourn the loss of one, in whom are united in no ordinary degree all those virtues which adorn the female character, which rendes her name to the memory of those whom she has left. There are indeed but few, who have carried with them through life and borne with them to the tomb, a greater share of those attractions which bind together human hearts, and lay the foundation of all that deserves the name of friendship. As a daughter, wife, and friend, she was all that is implied in those endearing relations. Deep and painful is that bereavement which is felt by all to whom she was connected; but while they mourn over the memory of one so much endeared to their hearts, they do not mourn “as those who have no hope.” They cannot but find sweet consolation when they bring to recollection the many indubitable assurances which were given in the closing scene of life, that “for” her “to die were gain.” Her trust was in her Saviour—to him as her Redeemer, she has resigned her immortal interests, and in all the triumph of Faith and Hope she left the world with the assurance that he would “kee that which she had committed to his hands.” Those who stood around her dying bed, could not but realise, that “The chamber where the Christian meets his end “is privileg’d beyond the common walks of life.”
“Instant” in obituaries means the present or current month. In this case, the newspaper published the notice on 7 February, so “14th instant” must be referring to January. I suspect the obituary was written late in January and didn’t make the paper in January, and the “instant” was not changed to “ultimo” (the previous month).
If Judith was 17 when she died in 1826, she was born in 1808 or 1809. If she were in the 17th year of her life, she would have been born in 1809 or 1810. Because I am not entirely sure what was meant by “17th year of her age,” I’ve decided to identify her birth as between 1808 and 1810.
“Donna in the News” is my reporting of newly found newspaper articles and advertisements regarding my grandmother, Madonna Montran (aka Donna Montran and Donna Darling). I am always excited when I find a new venue for my grandmother’s exciting show business career of the 1910s and 1920s.
This week from The Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN) newspaper dated 27 July 1924, I learned that Donna Darling and Earl played in Memphis at the Pantages Theatre from July 28 to August 2.
Article
Triple Stars Appear In “Love’s Whirlpool” Heading Pan’s Show
A vaudeville bill of half dozen feature acts, all of big time caliber, will be preceded at Pantages the coming week by a vivid photodrama boasting in its cast…. From the ranks of musical comedy come Donna Darling and Earle in a song and dance romance. Miss Darling has won several beauty prizes and was the prima donna and star of Dillingham’s musical comedy “Chin Chin.” She is a bathing beauty of note. Murray Earle her partner, late of George White’s Scandals, is known as the “Dancing Fool.” Replete with beautiful costumes and surrounded by special settings, this miniature production is acclaimed as one of the artistic hints of the season.
Roberts-Brown Research
Roberts-Barnes-Lister Line
By Don Taylor
William Lister is my earliest verified Lister Ancestor. He was probably born in Maryland about 1793. He served in the War of 1812, married twice, and died in Monroe, Pickaway County, Ohio.
352 – 6th Great-grandfather: ? William Lister (1688-1732)?*
704 – 7th Great-grandfather: ? Thomas Lister (1654-___)?*
(* Note: Ancestors marked with “*” are tentative/speculative and have not been independently researched by me.)
William Lister (1793-1848)
Birth
William was born in 1793 in Maryland. His parents were likely Nimrod and Mary Lister.
Military Service
William appears on the roll of Capt. Alexander Robinson’s company serving between 30 August and 9 October 1812. He was a private in the Army.
He also served in Capt. George Yocums Company of the Ohio Militia.
Marriage 1
William married Nancy Strain on 17 June 1822. They had four children together.
Name
Born
Married
Died
Nimrod
1824 – Ohio
Malinda Evans
1888
Sarah
c. 1830 – (Ohio)
Aaron Dean
William Marcus
1832 (Ohio)
Elizabeth Krohn
1921
James M.
c. 1840
1830 Census
The 1930 US Census found William living in Walnut Township, Pickaway County, Ohio. With him is a female age 20 to 29, presumed to be William’s wife, Nancy, and a male under 5, presumed to be Nimrod. Also living with them is a female aged 10 to 14. This is probably a sibling of either William or Nancy.
Nancy’s Death
Nancy died on 23 November 1844 in Pickaway County, Ohio, at the age of 37.
Marriage 2
William married Leah Adkins on 23 April 1846 in Highland County, Ohio. They had one child together
Name
Born
Married
Died
Elizabeth Ellen
1847
George Corkwell
1933
Death/Burial, etc.
William Lister’s Marker – Photo by oh_fudge via Find-a-Grave
William Lister died on 23 November 1848, presumably in Monroe, Pickaway County, Ohio. He was buried at the New Holland Cemetery in New Holland, Pickaway County, Ohio.
Property Sale
Sometime before 20 November 1848, William 5old 50 acres to Elacy Enis & William King for $450. William died before the property transfer could occur, so his probate administrator needed to process conveying the title on 1 July 1850.
Events by Location
Maryland: 1793 – Birth.
Ohio, Highland County 1822 – Marriage 1
Ohio, Pickaway County: 1812 – Military Service.
1824 – Birth of Nimrod.
1830 – Census.
1832 – Birth of William Marcus
1846 – Marriage 2
Ohio, Pickaway County, Monroe: 1848 – Property Sale.
1848 – Death
Ohio, Pickaway County, New Holland: 1848 – Burial
Further Actions / Follow-up
Research William’s Military Records closely.
Research William’s Children.
Find William in 1800 & 1810 Censuses (with Nimrod?).
Find a Grave, Find a Grave, William Lister, Pvt – 1793-1848. Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/38330408/william-lister: accessed 17 February 2022), memorial page for Pvt William Lister (1793–20 Nov 1848), Find a Grave Memorial ID 38330408, citing New Holland Cemetery, New Holland, Pickaway County, Ohio, USA ; Maintained by Dave M (contributor 46499754).
Ohio, County Marriages, 1774-1993, Com, William Lister & Leah Adkins. 23 Apr 1846 – Pickaway, Ohio.
Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-2016, Family Search, Highland County Marriage Records 1821-1837, vol 1-2, Page 180 – #600 – William Sister [Lister] & Nancy Strain – Issued 17 June 1822. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:ZZ5F-7T6Z.
Ohio, U.S., Soldier Grave Registrations, 1804-1958, Ancestry, William Lister (1793-1848) Note: Image is available at Fold 3. https://www.fold3.com/image/615941246/?xid=1022. com. Ohio, U.S., Soldier Grave Registrations, 1804-1958 [database online]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2017.
I’ve been finding it quite fun to find family members during the 1950 Census. Often, it contains information I knew part of but not all of the story.
