Thomas Raidt & the Wisconsin Censuses.

Posted on August 27, 2023 by Don Taylor

Census Sunday
Raidt Research
By Don Taylor

Following families in the early census records is always tricky. Often, a census provides the basis for many new questions. Such is the case concerning Thomas Raidt and the 1855 Wisconsin Census.

I was looking for Frank H. Raidt in the early censuses. He is the son of my son’s 3rd great-grandfather, Thomas Raidt (1817-1891). Frank was born on 25 August 1851 in Watertown, Wisconsin. Parts of Watertown are in Jefferson County, and parts are in Dodge County, so it is possible he and his parents could be found in either county.

The surname “Raidt” has many phonetically similar names, including Radt, Raid, Raith, Rait, Reit, and Raidh. Those variations can make tracing the family complex. I expect that Frank, born about 1851 in Watertown, Wisconsin, would be about four years old, and his father, Thomas, would be the head of the household. I believe Frank had four siblings in 1855: Mary (age about 9), Caroline (8), Joseph (6), and Katie (2). I believe that Frank and Katie were born in Wisconsin; I’m not sure where the three older siblings were born.

1855 Wisconsin Census[i]

The census enumerated the Thomas Raits (or Raith) household with five males, four females, and six total who were foreign-born.

  • ·      Thomas and Magdalene (Mary) were Born in Germany and France.
  • ·      The three other females are probably Mary, Carolina, and Katie.
  • ·      Two of the males are probably Joseph and Frank, leaving two unknown males. The two unidentified males and the two oldest children may also be foreign-born, raising the total of foreign-born to six.

I have tentatively ascribed this household to Thomas Raidt. I hope that further research confirming the birth locations of the older children and possibly other individuals in the household will help solidify this family unit, as I have much more research to do on this family.

1875 Wisconsin Census[ii]

The 1875 Wisconsin Census is much more straightforward. In it, Tom Raidt lives in Watertown, Jefferson County. His household consists of four males and six females.

It appears his household included:

  • Males              Females
  • Thomas           Magdelena
  • Joseph             Mary
  • Frank               Rosa
  • Lennis              Ida
  •                         Anna
  •                         Theresa

Frank married Catherine Justin between 1876 and 1879 and relocated to Minnesota about 1882.

Katie and Caroline would have been in their 20s in 1875 and are likely married. Again, further research should confirm this family unit.

Conclusion

I am reasonably sure I’ve found Thomas (and Frank) in the 1875 Wisconsin Census and believe I may have found them in the 1855 Census also. In either case, I need to step back and document the children of Frank and Catherine and the children of Thomas and Magdelene to ensure I’ve encountered the correct family groups.

Endnotes:

[i] Wisconsin, U.S., State Censuses, 1855-1905, Ancestry.Com, 1855 – Jefferson, Watertown, Ward 1, 2nd from bottom – Thomas Reith [Raidt]. Wisconsin Historical Society; Madison, Wisconsin; Census Year: 1855; Roll: 1.

[ii] Wisconsin, U.S., State Censuses, 1855-1905, Ancestry.Com, 1875 – Jefferson, Watertown, Seventh Ward – 15th from top – Tom Raidt. Wisconsin Historical Society; Madison, Wisconsin; Census Year: 1875; Roll: 2 (Image 36 of 36).

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Donna & Sammy at the Hall Theater, Columbia, MO, 25 Aug 1926.

Posted on August 25, 2023 by Don Taylor

Donna in the News
97 Years Ago
by Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.“Donna in the News” reports 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 Columbia Missourian (Columbia, MO) dated 25 Aug 1926, I learned that the “ Donna Darling Revue” played in Columbia, MO, in 1926. Also, her husband, Sammy Clark – the Juvenile Comic, played.

Image of an ad showing Sammy Clark and Donna Darling playing at the Hall theater on 25 August 1926.

Columbia Missourian, 25 Aug 1926, via Newspapers.com.

I reviewed the Columbia Missourian for articles about Donna and Sammy but found nothing except advertisements for their show. They began on August 25th, 1926, and played for two days.

Because of those newly available online articles, I was able to add another venue for Donna’s exciting vaudeville career: August 25-26, 1926 – Hall Theater, Columbia, MO – “Donna Darling Revue.”

Endnotes

My thanks to Newspapers.com for providing access to this clipping.

Genealogy, Vaudeville, Hall_Theater, Columbia_MO

 

 

 

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Photo Friday – Tuck, Tucker, Turner, & York

Posted on August 25, 2023 by Don Taylor

Ethel Wight Collection – Part 144
By Don Taylor

This week, for Photo Friday, I identify the people in five more envelopes from the Ethel Wight Studio Collection[i]. The envelopes typically contain the name of the person who paid for the photos, not necessarily of the individual portrayed in the image. 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.

Doris Mae Tucker, Student Nurse, circa 1936.

The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Doris Tucker, Me Gen Hospital #696.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

Photo of Doris Mae Tucker, Student Nurse, circa 1936.
  • The 1936 Portland City Directory lists Doris Tucker as a student nurse at 22 Arsenal (Maine General Hospital).
  • The 1939 Portland City Directory lists Doris M Tucker as a nurse living at 261 Vaughan.
  • On 22 November 1938, Doris Mae Tucker, a registered nurse living at 261 Vaughan, Portland, Maine, married  John Gosselin in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
  • The 1940 US Census lists Doris and John Gosselin living at 19 Hill Street in Portland; Doris is a Registered Nurse.

I am confident this photo is of Doris Mae Tucker, born 25 February 1917, taken about 1935 while attending nursing school in Portland, Maine

Ancestry has 20 public trees that refer to Doris Mae Tucker. Family Search has profile GMZ2-WKK for Doris. I have uploaded a photo of Doris to her Family Search Memories.

Confirmed to be Doris by a niece.

Joan N. Turner, circa 1935.

Photo of Joan N. Turner, circa 1935.
Joan N. Turner, circa 1935.

This negative envelope says, “Miss Joanne Turner, 45 Glenwood Ave. #765.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Joan N Turner as a maid living and working at 45 Glenwood Ave.
  • I have not found Joan (or Joanne) Turner in other records.

I am sure this photo is of Joan (or Joanne) Turner, who lived in Portland, Maine, in 1935. However, without fully developing her identity, I cannot determine which of several Joan Turners this could be. As such, I uploaded a photo of her to Dead Fred.

Vera York, Student Nurse, 1934.

This negative envelope says, “Miss Vera York, State St. Hospital #247.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

Photo of Vera York, Student Nurse, 1934.
Vera York, Student Nurse, 1934.
  • The 1936 and 1937 Portland City Directories list Vera Yorke as a student nurse at 62 State (State Street Hospital).
  • The Portland Evening Press, 13 November 1940, Page 6, indicates that Miss Vera L Yorke married Arthur K McDonald. Miss Yorke graduated from the State Stree Hospital School of Nursing. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carl A. Yorke of Wells Beach.

I am confident this photo is of Vera L Yorke when she was a student at State Street Hospital in Portland, Maine, in 1934. She married Arthur K. McDonald in 1940.

Seven Ancestry public trees refer to Vera York, and Family Search has profile GFZ4-1T7 for her. I uploaded a photo of Vera to her Family Search Memories. I also uploaded a second photo of Vera to my Flickr PhotoStream.

Vera York (or Yorke), circa 1935.

Photo of Vera York (or Yorke), circa 1935.
Vera York (or Yorke), circa 1935.

This negative envelope says, “Miss Vera York, State St. Hospital #651.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • This photo is from a second photo package taken of Vera about one year later.

Again, seven Ancestry public trees refer to Vera York, and Family Search has profile GFZ4-1T7 for her. I uploaded this photo of Vera to her Family Search Memories. I also uploaded two more photos of Vera to my Flickr PhotoStream. (Photo 1 – Photo 2)

Elizabeth and Beverley Tuck, circa 1935.

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. W. J. Tucker, 68 Maine Ave. No Deering #992.”

Photo of Elizabeth and Beverley Tuck, circa 1935.
Elizabeth and Beverley Tuck, circa 1935.

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Wallace J Tuck, Jr. as living at 68 Maine Avenue. His wife is Chorenia I Tuck.
  • The 1940 US Census lists Wallace J and Chorenia I Tuck living at 355 Woodfords Ave. They have two daughters, 11-year-old Beverly, and 10-year-old Elizabeth.

This photo, taken about 1935, shows Beverley Marie Tuck (born 27 May 1929) and Elizabeth Chorenia Tuck (born 24 April 1930) when they were about six and five years old.

Ancestry has seven public trees that refer to Beverley Marie Tuck; 11 Ancestry public trees refer to Elizabeth Chorenia Tuck. Family Search has profile GN1D-5M9 for Beverley and profile G71Y-KRH for Elizabeth. I have uploaded this photo of them to their Family Search Memories.

Confirmed to be the Tuck sisters by a granddaughter.

Conclusion

  • I identified all six individuals in these photo packages. Five have Family Search profiles, so I uploaded their images to their Family Search Memories. One I did not fully identify, so I uploaded her photo to Dead Fred. I also uploaded three photos to my Flickr Photostream.

I will love to hear your reaction if any of these photos are of your family member. 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 Family Search, Dead Fred, and Flickr have higher quality than those linked here.

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.

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Trapaldi, Trevalis, Travis, Trew, & Trider

Posted on August 18, 2023 by Don Taylor

Ethel Wight Collection – Part 143
Photo Friday
By Don Taylor

This week, for Photo Friday, I identify the people in five more envelopes from the Ethel Wight Studio Collection[i]. The envelopes typically contain the name of the person who paid for the photos, not necessarily of the individual portrayed in the image. 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.

Caroline Travis, Student Nurse, 1936.

The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Caroline Travis, Me. Gen. Hospital #1059.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

Photo of Caroline Travis, Student Nurse, 1936.
Caroline Travis, Student Nurse, 1936.
  • The 1935 and 1936 Portland City Directories list Caroline Travis, a student Nurse at 22 Arsenal (Maine General Hospital).
  • The 1939 Oakland section of Manning’s Waterville, Skowhegan, Fairfield, Oakland, and Winslow Main Directory for 1939 lists Caroline E Travis, a nurse in Sanford, residing on Wilson Ct.
  • Maine Marriage Index indicates that Caroline E Travis of Oakland, ME, married William F Coughlin, also of Oakland, ME, on 28 January 1940.

Ancestry Family Trees suggest that this is Caroline E Traviss, born in 1916 in Maine and married William F Coughlin in 1940. And this photo, taken in 1936, of Caroline when she was about 19 years old and attending nursing school.

Ancestry has four public trees that refer to Caroline E Traviss. Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Caroline, so I uploaded her photo to Dead Fred.

June Trider, 1934.

This negative envelope says, “Miss Junnie Trider, 25 Jackson St #251.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

Photo of June Trider, 1934.
June Trider, 1934.
  • The 1935 Portland City Directory lists June D Trider as a clerk at 532 Congress and residing at 21 Jackson.
  • The 1930 US Census lists 16-year-old June D Trider living at 25 Jackson with her parents, Ralph and Alice E Trider.

This is a photo of June D Trider, who was born on 12 June 1913 in Newton, Massachusetts, taken in 1934, when she was about 20 years old.

Ancestry has ten public trees that refer to June D Trider (1913-1995). She appears in Family Search as profile GQJS-LLF. I have uploaded two photos of June to her Family Search Memories.

Confirmed to be June Trider by a 1st cousin 3X removed.

George Trevalis, circa 1934.

Photo of George Trevalis, circa 1934.
George Trevalis, circa 1934.

This negative envelope says, “Mr. Geo. Trevalis #349.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1936 Portland City Directory lists George Trevalis residing at 6 Tolman Place. He does not appear in the 1935 or 1937 City Directories.
  • A George Trevallis (two l’s) appears in the 1931 Portland City Directory. Also in the 1931 directory is George Trouvalis, so it is important not to confuse the two individuals.

I have not found George in Ancestry Trees nor on Family Search. I uploaded a photo of George photo to Dead Fred.

John Trapaldi, circa 1935.

This negative envelope says, “Mr. John Trifaldi, 65 Newbury St #672 – DSCN5056.”

Photo of John Trapaldi, circa 1935.
John Trapaldi, circa 1935.

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Antoinette, widow of Louis Tripaldi, living at 65 Newbury.
  • The 1940 US Census lists 21-year-old, Maine-born John S Tripaldi living with his mother at 65 Newbury.

This photo, taken in 1935, must be of John S Tripaldi when he was 16 or 17 years old.

Ancestry has six public trees that refer to John Stephano Tripaldi, son of Antoinette (Vacchiano) Tripaldi. Family Search has profile LJRJ-5BR for John. I uploaded a photo of him to his Family Search Memories.

Confirmed to be John Stephano Tripaldi by a niece of his wife.

James Trew, circa 1934 (age 2).

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Chas A Trew, 33 Runnells St #126.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

Photo of James Trew, circa 1934 (age 2).
James Trew, circa 1934 (age 2).
  • The 1934 Portland City Directory lists Charles A and Violet L Trew living at 33 Runnells.
  • The 1935 Portland City Directory notes that Charles A Trew is a major with the Salvation Army.
  • The 1940 US Census lists Charles & Violet Trew living at 1704 Cherry, Dunmore, Pennsylvania. Charles works for the Salvation Army. Living with them is their 8-year-old son, James.

I am sure this is a photo of James Trew circa 1934, when he was about a year old.

I have not found James in Ancestry trees. However, I have found his father, Capt Charles Augustus Trew, in 17 Ancestry public trees. Also, Family Search does not appear to have a profile for James, so I uploaded a photo of him to Dead Fred.

Conclusion

Although I identified all five individuals, only two of them have Family Search profiles that I could upload their images to. The other three images I uploaded to Dead Fred.

I will love to hear your reaction if any of these photos are of your family member. 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 Family Search, Dead Fred, and Flickr have higher quality than those linked here.

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.

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Ancestor Sketch – Reuben Fugate

Posted on August 16, 2023 by Don Taylor

Pocahontas Project
Brown-Mannin(g)-Fugate Line
By Don Taylor

Last March, I learned that I may have Pocahontas as an Ancestor. I was comfortable that Rachel Fugate was my 4th great-grandmother, but I needed to confirm the line from her to my possible 12th great-grandmother, Pocahontas. I am now confident that Rachel’s father was Reuben Fugate, thanks to Kentucky marriage records and Reuben Fugate’s will. I also tentatively believe Reuben’s father was Josiah Fugate. I’ll review his life in a future post.

Reuben Fugate is found in 1506 Ancestry Public Trees, Family Search profile KC2X-6SF, and WikiTree as Fugate-225.

Roberts/Brown #210 – Reuben Fugate.

List of Grandparents

  • Grandfather: 006 – Clifford (aka Richard Earl) Brown (1903-1990).
  • 1st Great-grandmother: 013 – Mary Elizabeth Manning  (1878-1983)
  • 2nd Great-grandfather: 026 – John William Manning (1846-1888)
  • 3rd Great-grandfather: 052 – Enoch Mannin (1823-1907)
  • 4th Great-grandmother: 105 – Rachel Fugate (1803-1870)
  • 5th Great-grandfather: 210 – Reuben Fugate (c. 1783-1833) 
  • 6th Great-grandfather: 420 – Josiah Fugate (1740-1830) – Tentative.
  • 7th Great-grandfather: 840 – Randolph Fugate (1715-1776) – Tentative.
  • 8th Great-grandmother: 1681 – Martha (or Mary) Martin (1692-c. 1757) – Tentative.
  • 9th Great-grandfather: 3362 – Francis Martin (1657-1699) – Proposed.[v]
  • 10th Great-grandmother: 06725 – Christian Pettus (1636-1701) – Proposed.
  • 11th Great-grandfather: 13451 – Ka-Okee (1611-1641) – Proposed.
  • 12th Great-grandmother: 26903 – Pocahontas Matoaka Amonute Powhatan (c. 1859-1617) – Proposed.

Reuben Fugate (1780-1833)

Reuben’s Birth

Reuben was born in 1780[1] in Virginia. Some researchers suggest he was born in Wythe County. However, Wythe County, Virginia, was formed from Montgomery County in 1790.[2] It becomes confusing because he later lived in Montgomery County, Kentucky. Also, I have not found a definitive document indicating his birthplace. I think further research is needed to confirm his birthplace. If Reuben was born in Montgomery County, Virginia, he probably moved sometime to Montgomery County, Kentucky as a child. My researching Josiah Fugate should answer this question.

At this point, I believe he had five siblings:

 Tentative Children of Josiah and Elizabeth (Smithers) Fugate

NameBornMarriedDied
Randal F.1762Eleanor Bond1836
Sarah Martha1763FNU Prater1832
Mary1770George Belcher1822
Reuben1780Mary [LNU]1833
John*???
Elizabeth*???
(Siblings of Reuben Fugate)

There is a gap of 7 years between Sarah and Mary and a 10-year gap between Mary and Reuben. It is likely John and Elizabeth were born between those gaps. Research on Josiah should provide insight into their lives.

Marriage 1

Some researchers indicate that Reuben married Mary [LNU] in 1800. I haven’t found a record supporting that marriage yet, but I will continue that search.

Children of Reuben and Mary [LNU] Fugate

NameBornMarriedDied
Rachael1803Meridith Mannin1870
Grizzela1806Levi Prince1861

1800s

On 8 August 1809, Reuben’s father, Josiah, gave Reuben 100 acres.[3]

On 5 October 1809, Reuben’s father, Josiah, gave Reuben power of attorney.[4]

1810s

Map showing the course of Flat Creek in Bath County, Kentucky.
Flat Creek flows between Owingsville and Sharpsburg in Bath County, Kentucky.

The 1810 Census finds Reuben in Montgomery County, Kentucky, apparently with Mary and his two daughters.

On 15 January 1811, Bath County was created from Montgomery County.

Kentucky Tax Books 1811-1831 show Reuben owned 100 acres and paid taxes on it from 1812 thru 1822. Many of the books indicate his property was on Flat Creek.[5]

It appears as though Reuben’s wife, Mary, died on 18 December 1814. He then married Catherine Smallwood on 28 February 1816, 14 months later.

1820s

The 1820 Census found Reuben living in Bath County, apparently with his wife, Catherine, and two daughters.

The 1822 Kentucky Tax Books still show Reuben living in Bath County on 100 acres.

1830s

 I’m still uncomfortable with the Reuben Fugate in the 1830 census record. The census shows two children from 5 to 10 years of age and the oldest female being 30 to 40 years old. Catherine should be 49 or 50 in 1830. It is possible that Catherine left him, and another woman moved in with two young children. I hope to unravel this conflict when I further research the family.

Death 1833

Some records indicate that Reuben Fugate died on 13 June 1833; however, it appears that he signed his will on 19 June 1833, and the will was proved on 6 August 1833. As such, I’m confident he died sometime between 13 June and 5 August 1833 in Ralls County, Missouri.

Events by Location

  • Kentucky, Bath County – Lived (after county creation in 1811) until 1830.
  • Kentucky, Montgomery County – 1810 Census.
  • Missouri, Ralls County – Death 1833.
  • Virginia, (possibly Montgomery County) – Birth 1780.

Further Actions / Follow-up

  • Do an in-depth search for the birth location of Reuben Fugate.
  • Confirm the relationship and determine birth, marriage, and death information for John Fugate and Elizabeth Fugate.
  • Document the marriage date, place, and surname of Mary, Reuben’s 1st wife.
  • Confirm the date and location of the death of Mary, Reuben’s 1st wife.
  • Determine the female and two children that lived with Reuben during the 1830 Census.

Endnotes

[1] U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900, Ancestry.Com, Reuben Fugate – Catherine Smallwood – 1816 (No Image). Source number: 132.000; Source type: Electronic Database; Number of Pages: 1; Submitter Code: JST.

[2] See Wikipedia – Wythe County, Virginia.

[3] Kentucky, Montgomery County Deeds, Deeds book 4 – 1809 to 1912 – Page 622 (Image 311 of 594)

[4] Kentucky, Montgomery County Deeds, Deeds book 5 – 1809 to 1912 – Page 155 (Image 411 of 594)

[5] See Anyplace America. Com for Flat Creek (aka Broad Creek), Bath County, Kentucky.

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