Ancestry, The 1950 Census, &  Grandma Donna

Posted on May 31, 2022 by Don Taylor

Tuesday’s Tips
By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.I received an email from Ancestry that indicated due to their “proprietary AI technology,” they have an early index of the records. My recollection said it took several months to index the 1940 census ten years ago, and once done, there were a lot of indexing errors. So I wondered if searches of the 1950 census would be effective so soon after its release.

Ancestry included a link 1950 United States Federal Census in their email. I decided to use it and look for my mother and grandmother.

Discovery

The 1950 Census date was April 1st. I was born in Oregon and knew my mom and I flew back to Minnesota in August 1950. So I searched for:

    • Name: Donna Kees
    • Any Event Location: Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota.

Bang – Four results. There was a Donna R Kees in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The six-year-old was definitely not my grandmother. However, the second entry returned was Donna M Kees in Detroit[i]. In the same household was Sylvia J Kees. Definitely my grandmother and mother.

Wow! What a treasure trove of information.

Donna and my mom  were still in Detroit and lived at 8542 Olivet in April 1950. Donna was only “45 years old.” She was always a bit loose with her age, but saying she was 12 years younger than her actual age was a new record for her. She was an unemployed bakery saleslady and was seeking work.

My mom was an 18-year-old “never married” woman. She too was an unemployed bakery saleslady seeking work.

A little box checked indicated the household was continued on the next page. I turned the page and wow They had a lodger, James K Quigging. He was a 25-year-old divorcee born in Kentucky and working as a metal polisher at an auto factory. Wow. I’ve never heard of him. His living with grandma and my mom is a total surprise.

Even more incredible, Donna was line 29 on the census, which means she was sampled for additional information. I learned that Donna had lived at the same house a year previously. Her education was “S12,” and she had completed her last year of school, so she was a high school graduate. It looks like she had no wages or income in 1949. However, she did have income from others in the household of $450. Donna had been married more than once (I knew that). Line 37 showed she had been divorced for five years. Another surprise. I know that Donna and Russell Kees got together in the late 1930s. It was my understanding they never married, rather just lived together. This entry suggests that she and Russell Kees may have been married and divorced about 1945.

Conclusion

I was impressed. Ancestry’s indexing using their Artificial Intelligence (AI) worked very well. I will definately use it to learn more about my Ancestors.

Using it to learn about my mother and grandmother’s whereabouts in April 1950 brought several new questions.

  • Who was James K Quigging?
  • Did Donna and Russell Kees actually get married? Did they get legally divorced?
  • I understood that Donna went to the Toronto Music Conservatory. I had sensed that it was a college-level type of school. Apparently, it was more of a High School equivalent. I guess I need to learn more about the school.

Endnotes

[i] 1950 Census – Michigan, Wayne, Detroit – ED 85-2022 – Sheet 73 – Line 29 – Donna M Kees, Head, via Ancestry.

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Chin-Chin in the News – 1 February 1920

Posted on May 30, 2022 by Don Taylor

Minneapolis Journal, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Metropolitan Theatre
Vaudeville/Chin-Chin
By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.My grandmother was a vaudeville star, and I am following her career, trying to learn about her many performances. In October 1919, she joined the cast of the Charles Dillingham production of “Chin-Chin” “Chin-Chin” played in the US and Canada until June 1920. I monitor several newspaper services watching for new venues that the show played at while she was a cast member.

This week’s entry is from the Minneapolis Journal dated 1 February 1920 via Newspapers.Com

The Minneapolis Journal – Feb 1, 1920 via Newspapers.com

An article on page 3 of the Amusement Section, in a column titled “The Lobby Club,” was an article that read: 

“Charles Dillingham’s name still heads the bills as producer of “Chin Chin,” which comes to the Metropolitan this week. Walter Wills and Roy Binder will be seen in the roles created by Montgomery and Stone. This is the only company offering “Chin Chin.” Carrie Dale and Irene McKay are prominent in the cast. The music, as will be remembered, is by Ivan Caryll, while Anne Caldwell wrote the book for the piece.”

New Cast Members Added:

I previously knew about the “Chin Chin” show at the Metropolitan Theatre from 1 to 7 February 1920. This article adds to other individuals who starred in the show, Carrie Dale and Irene McKay. I’ll like to investigate those individuals later.

Feb 1-7, 1920 – Minneapolis, MN – Metropolitan Opera House – Callout! – “In the News”

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Sources for William Lister – Part 3 of 3 – Ancestry Sources.

Posted on May 28, 2022 by Don Taylor

Roberts Project
Roberts-Barnes-Lister Line
By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.After I’ve reviewed and double-checked the Family Search sources, I review the sources other people have cited on Ancestry as the basis for facts they have found. Again, do I agree? Do the sources fit the right person. Are there conflicts that I should address?

William Lister is found in 58 Ancestry public trees. If a tree indicates a spouse for him, the trees suggest Nancy Strain or Leah Adkins. Either spouse is okay, as I believe he was married to both. However, the trees have several different potential parents for William. William & Mary and Nimrod & Mary are most common. Some trees suggest William Nimrod Lister as William’s father. Although interesting to see, I’m interested in the sources others have that might point to those names and provide the basis for other facts.

Looking carefully at the Ancestry sources for William Lister, I found:

1830 Census

William Lister, home in Deerfield, Ross County, Ohio.

I previously looked at this entry as my William Lister (1793-1848). (See William Lister & the 1830 Census.)

1840 Census

I looked at William Lister (1793-1848) in the 1840 Census previously. (See William Lister & the 1830 Census.) I failed to find William in Pickaway County in the 1840 Census and possibly found him in Ross County. I did look carefully at the neighbors near him in the 1830 Census Pickaway County William Lister and looked for them in the 1840 Census. I found seven of the ten closest individuals. Looking at their 1840 neighbors, none of them appear to be a William Lister misspelled or misindexed. I don’t believe the William Lister in Pickaway County in 1830 was enumerated in Pickaway County during the 1840 Census.

Indiana, U.S., Death Certificates, 1899-2011

Death Certificate 22067 – William Marcus Lister

I reviewed this record with the Family Search source citations.

Ohio Marriages, 1800-1958

William Sister [Lister] & Nancy Strain Married on 17 June 1822.

This is the same source I have for their marriage. The link to the record on Ancestry is here.

Ohio Marriages, 1800-1958

William Lister & Lea Adkins Married on 23 April 1846. This is the same record I found earlier. On Ancestry, it is available here.

Ohio, U.S., Soldier Grave Registrations, 1804-1958

Indicates William Lister was born in 1793. He enlisted on 30 August 1812 and was discharged on 9 October 1812. His Rank was Private in the Army. He died in 1848 and was buried in New Holland Cemetery, Perry, Pickaway County, Ohio. This record didn’t add any new information or facts for me; however, it does provide a link to the original document on Fold3, which I will download and assess the next time I renew my Fold3 membership.

Find-a-Grave

William Lister’s Marker – Photo by oh_fudge via Find-a-Grave

William Lister’s Find-a-Grave Memorial #38330408[i] includes two photos of his marker. I had this information previously.

 

Roster of Ohio soldiers in the War of 1812

William Lister – Private.

The Roll of Capt. Alexander Robinson’s Company (From Ross County) indicated that William Lister served from 30 August until 9 October 1812, and he was from Pickaway county:

….Privates….

Lister, William

War of 1812 Pension Application Files Index, 1812-1815

William Lister

The record provides pension numbers (SC #3871 & SO # 7572) and information that he was also in Capt. Geo Yocums Co. of the Ohio Militia.

Reconciliation

My Records Ancestry
Birth 1793 Maryland 1793 – Pickaway Co.
Father Unknown William, Nimrod, or “William Nimrod”
Mother Unknown Mary
Son James Alfred

I didn’t find any evidence regarding William’s parents in any of the sources. There were references to someone “finding something on the Internet” back in 2000. However, in reading the thread, I didn’t see anything that provided evidence for that finding. Additionally, none of the researchers using Ancestry Public Trees provided a source for William’s parents’ names either.

Conclusion (Part 3)

After reviewing the sources cited on Ancestry:

    1. William’s birth date and location. I’m confident that William Lister was born in 1793 in Maryland. I am not confident regarding his parents’ names.
    2. I still doubt that William had a son James Alfred.
      1. In 1822, William’s wife Nancy would have been 15 years old, suggesting she would have been 14 when James Alfred was conceived.
      2. Alternately, William Lister could have had an earlier wife. I haven’t seen evidence of that in any other records.
      3. It is uncommon for a person to have two children with the same given name.

It is possible but unlikely that William had a wife before Nancy. If I find any evidence of his having has such a wife, I’ll add James Alfred to the mix.

    1. I am convinced that William Marcus Lister was born on 2 August 1832 in Pickaway County, Ohio.

I feel comfortable writing a sketch regarding William Lister’s life with the additional research I’ve done.

Endnotes

[i] 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).

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Ethel Wight Collection – Part 82

Posted on May 27, 2022 by Don Taylor

Lymburner, Lynch, McCall, McDonald, & (née Teel)

Photo Friday
Ethel Wight Collection
By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.This week, for Photo Friday, I identify the people in five more envelopes from the Ethel Wight Studio Collection[i]. The envelopes contain the names who paid for the photos, not necessarily of the individual portrayed in the image. As such, it is vital to analyze the pictures and information to identify the individual therein.[ii] My goal is to reunite the photos with family members who may have never seen the image.

Ethel Chase MacCall, circa 1934.

The envelope this negative was in says, “Ethel Chase MacCall, New York City #143.”

I could not find this individual; however, I found the following information:

  • Ethel Chase MacCall, circa 1934.

    The Biddeford Daily Journal, September 28, 1929, Page 2, Column 5 – “OLD ORCHARD” reported that “Mrs. Ethel Chase MacCall has returned to New York after spending the summer at Chases Mills and Old Orchard.”

  • The 1931 Manhattan, New York, City Directory lists Ethel McCall and Edward McCall living at 446 W 49th.
    • The 1940 US Census lists Edward McCall and his 47-year-old wife, Ethel, living at 1822 Davidson Ave in the Bronx. Both Edward and Ethel were born in New York.
    • This Edward McCall appears to have married Ethel Francis Kuska (nĂ©e Benicker) on 28 Sept 1925. There doesn’t seem to be any “Case” in this Ethel McCall.

In further searching, I could not find any Ethel Chase who married a MacCall (Or McCall).

I uploaded a second photo of her to Dead Fred and a third photo to my Flickr photostream. 

Florence McDonald, circa 1934

This negative envelope says, “Miss Florence Mac Donald, 101 North St., #328 – DSCN4010P.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Florence McDonald, circa 1934

    The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Florence E McDonald, a stenographer at 22 Monument Squire, room 608, and residing at 101 North. Also at 101 North Street are Jacob M Ross, John J. McDonald, and Abraham L. Venner.

  • The 1940 US Census lists 25-year-old Florence E McDonald living with her parents, John J. and Edna McDonald, at 101 North Street. Florence was born in Maine.
  • Maine Birth Records indicate Florence E MacDonald (McDonald) was born 28 April 1914 in Portland, Maine, the 2nd child of John J and Edna (Mullin) McDonald.
  • In the 1931 Portland High School Yearbook, a photo of Florence McDonald appears to be of the same young woman.

I’m confident this is a photo of Florence about 1934 when she was about 20 years old.

Florence E McDonald appears in two Ancestry public trees. Family Search has profile G7XG-J4L for Florence McDonald. I uploaded one photo of Florence to her Family Search Memories. 

Eileen Lymburner (NĂ©e Teed) and son, Ralph Lymburner, circa 1936

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Eileen Lymburner, 174 ½ Clark St, #725.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Eileen Lymburner (NĂ©e Teed) and son, Ralph Lymburner, circa 1936

    The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Rexford P. and Eileen B. Lymburner living at 549 Cumberland Av, apt 4.

  • The 1940 US Census lists Rexford & Arleen Lymburner living at 134 Clark Street. They have two children, Ralph, age 5, and Philip, age 2.
  • US Public Records indicate that Ralph William Lymburner was born on 25 January 1935.

The photo was taken about 1936 before Philip was born. So, the child in this photo must be Ralph when he was about one year old. I am confident these photos include Eileen Verone (Teed) Lymburner with her son, Ralph, circa 1936.

Ralph Lymburner, circa 1936

Eileen Verona Teed, born 1 May 1913 in Portland, Maine, appears in seven Ancestry public trees. None of them mention Ralph. Family Search has profile LYKH-763 for Eileen Verone Teed. I have uploaded a photo of her with her son, Ralph, to her Family Search Memories.

I did not find Ralph Lymburner in any Ancestry Public Trees; however, I did find him with Family Search profile GDF6-CKW. I uploaded a photo of him to his Family Search Memories. 

Unknown Child (possibly Edward Nicholson) circa 1935.

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. J Mac Donald, 107 Brackett St. #458.”

My discoveries regarding this photo.

  • Unknown Child (possibly Edward Nicholson) circa 1935

    The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Thomas J and Laura McDonald living at 107 Brackett.

  • The 1938 Portland City Directory lists Laura J McDonald, the widow of Thomas J, living at 107 Brackett.
  • The 1930 US Census lists 42-year-old, Canadian-born Laura J Mc Donald and her husband Thomas J McDonald living at 105 Brackett. With them are a daughter and three sons, Marion, T Edward, James P, and George F.
  • The 1940 US Census lists Laura J McDonald, son, Thomas E., and six-year-old “lodger” Edward Nicholson” living at 8 Bradford. The 1939 Portland City Directory confirms that Laura McDonald at 8 Bradford is the widow of Thomas J. McDonald. 8 Bradford is located in Cape Elizabeth, not Portland.

Laura J. McDonald appears to be Laura J. Egan. I can’t understand how a six-year-old could be a lodger at Mrs. McDonald’s place. My review of several Ancestry Trees failed to find an Edward Nicholson in trees that included Thomas or Laura (Egan) McDonald. I suspect this is a photo of Edward Nicholson about 1936 when he was one year old. However, I cannot place him or confirm his identity. As such, I cannot identify the child in this photo.

A family member of Laura J. (Egan) McDonald can possibly identify the child in this photo. She appears in 13 public Ancestry trees.

George Thomas Lynch, circa 1934 (age 11)

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • George Thomas Lynch, circa 1934 (age 11)

    The 1938 Portland City Directory lists Margaret H Lynch, the widow of George T, living at 31 Taylor.

  • The 1930 US Census lists George T and his wife Margaret Lynch living at 339 Danforth. Living with them is six-year-old Thomas Lynch.

Ancestry has one public tree that refers to George Lynch, the son of George T. and Margaret J Lynch. Family Search has profile LT13-DP6 for George Thomas Lynch II. I uploaded a photo of him to his Family Search Memories.

Conclusion

    • I fully identified four of the six They have Family Search profiles, so I uploaded their images to their Family Search Memories
    • I only have her name for one individual, so I posted her image to Dead Fred.
    • One individual’s name is unknown. His photo is only uploaded here.

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 Family Search, Dead Fred, and Flickr have a higher image quality than the images linked here. (Exception if the photo is only uploaded 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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Sources for William Lister – Part 2 of 3 – Family Search Sources

Posted on May 26, 2022 by Don Taylor

Roberts Project
Roberts-Barmes-Lister Line
By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.After I’ve reviewed and double-checked my sources, I review the sources other people have cited as the basis for facts they have found. Do I agree? Do the sources fit the right person. Are there conflicts that I should address?

When I reviewed William Lister on Family Search, I found two different individuals.

First – K8JH-PX9. He was born about 1802 in Maryland. Hie married about 1827 in Pickaway, Ohio, and had four children with “Mrs. William Lister.” Nimrod (1826-?), Sarah (1831-?), William M (1836-?), and James M (1840-?). His parents are Nimrod and Mary Lister. This entry has no sources entered.

Second – KJMH-VN5. He was born about 1793 in Ohio. He married 13 May 1822 to Nancy Strain (1802-1844) and had two children, James A (1822-1869) and William Marcus (1832-1921). He also married Leah Adkins on 23 April 1846 in Pickaway County, Ohio. This profile has five unique sources cited to support the events in William’s life.

Ohio Marriages, 1800-1958

William Sister [Lister] & Nancy Strain Married on 17 June 1822.

This is the same source I have for their marriage. I’m not sure I understand someone entered the marriage date of 30 May 1822. I don’t see that date in the record. I changed the date to 17 June 1822 in keeping with the record. It is available to view here, here, and here.

Ohio Marriages, 1800-1958

William Lister & Lea Adkins Married on 23 April 1846.

This is the same record I found earlier. It is available here. The same record with the image is available here. Again, I had used these sources previously.

Find-a-Grave

William Lister’s Marker – Photo by oh_fudge via Find-a-Grave

Same Find-a-Grave Memorial #38330408[i] I utilized before.

 

Ohio Deaths, 1908-1953

Death Certificate #12280 – Elizabeth Ellen Corkwell

This was a new source record for me. It confirmed many things I already knew but added much more about the family. It—

    • Confirmed Elizabeth was the daughter of William Lister and his second wife, Leah Adkins.
    • Provided greater detail regarding her birth and her death.
    • Provided the first name of her husband (George) and that he died before her.
    • Probable error in the record: Elizabeth’s father, William, is reported as having been born in Ohio. I believe he was born in Maryland, per other records.

Indiana, U.S., Death Certificates, 1899-2011

Death Certificate 22067 – William Marcus Lister

This was a pointer to an Ancestry record.

The record confirmed his birth date, parents’ names, death date, and burial date with the location.

Probable error in the record: The informant, William Marcus’ daughter Emma, reported both her grandparents (William and Nancy Lister) were born in New Jersey. I believe he was born in Maryland based on other records.

Conclusion (Part 2)

After reviewing the sources cited on FamilySearch, I’ve come to the following Conclusions:

    1. William’s birth date and location. I feel confident that William Lister was born in 1793 in Maryland.
    2. I doubt that William had a son James Alfred. I believe James Alfred was likely the son of a different William Lister or is a sibling or possibly a cousin.
    3. William Marcus Lister was born on 2 August 1832 in Pickaway County, Ohio.

Endnotes:

[i] 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).

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