Steve's Genealogy Blog

The Twenty-Six-Year-Old Baby

Posted on January 27, 2007 by Steve

While conducting some research on the Saxton family today, I found a record that I couldn’t resist sharing . I’ve written before about the baptisms of Ada May Gibson Saxton and her sons, and the record I found today on Ancestry.com is the 1910 US Federal Census Record for the family of Ada May’s son Willard Olds Saxton.

Willard Olds Saxton was born on 04 Aug 1884 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Co., Utah . Maryann Jane Thomas was born on 01 Apr 1887 in Mahanoy City, Schuylkill Co., Pennsylvania . TheÂ twoÂ wereÂ married on 28 May 1907 . Their first child, Ada Saxton, was born on 23 Mar 1908 in Salt Lake City and died the same day . Their second child, Myrtle Rosemond Saxton, was born in Salt Lake City on 14 Apr 1910.

The enumerator for the 1910 US Federal Census visited Willard Saxton’s household on 19 Apr 1910 and followed the instructions to enumerate all those living in the household on 15 Apr 1910 . Myrtle Rosamod Saxton qualified to be included in the 1910 Census by virtue of a single day!

US Federal Census Record for the Willard Saxton Family – 1910

The 1910 US Federal Census Records recorded:

Willard Saxton, head of household, male, color white, age 25, married for the first time 3 years earlier
Mary Ann Saxton, wife, female, color white, age 23, married for the first time 3 years earlier, mother of 2 children, 1 still living
Baby unnamed Saxton, daughter, female, color white, age 0/12 [zero twelfths of a year], single

But theÂ really interesting part of the recordÂ was the informationÂ supplied by Ancestry.com in the census index:

Index to the 1910 US Federal Census on Ancestry.com

The Ancestry.com index lists the age of Baby Saxton Unamed (Myrtle Rosemond Saxton)Â as 26 years old!

Granted, without any additional information, the age of the baby in the original census record is difficult to read . Poor Myrtle probably rolled over in her grave when Ancestry.com listed her age as 26, when she was but a single day old!

Ancestry.com allows customers to suggest alternate namesÂ in the census indexes, but doesn’t allowÂ any other suggestionsÂ regarding theÂ information in the indexes . Ancestry.com will also not remove any inaccurateÂ transcriptions fromÂ the indexes . Myrtle will have to remain in the index as being bornÂ fully grown and older than her parents.

NOTE (23 Jul 2016): Ancestry.com now allows corrections to the estimated birth year of those named in the 1910 census. Her correct age and birth year have been added, although the incorrect age and birth year remain in the index in parentheses.

Posted in Saxton | Tagged Salt Lake City | 1 Comment

Bolesław Izbicki in the 1920 U.S. Federal Census

Posted on January 26, 2007 by Steve

I previously found the Birth Records for Bernard, Victoria, Władysław, and Leon Izbicki on the website of the New England Historic Genealogical Society . The 1920 U.S. Federal Census for the household of Bolesław Izbicki shows these children and three others: John, Bolesław, and Stanisław:

The Bolesław Izbicki Household in the 1920 U.S. Federal Census

SOURCE: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Fourteenth Census of the United States, 1920. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1920. Microfilm T625, Roll 749, Worcester City Ward 5, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Supervisors District No. 3, Enumeration District No. 255, Sheet No. 13B, Lines 56-64.

Click on the link for a PDF copy of the 1920 U.S. Federal Census for the Bolesław Izbicki Household . The Census Record states that:

Boleslaw Izbicki, the head of the household, was enumerated with his familyÂ in a rented house at 2 Meade Street, Worcester, Worcester Co., Massachusetts in Supervisor’s District No. 3, Enumeration District No. 255, Sheet No. 13B, Lines 56-64 in part of Precinct 1, Worcester City Ward 5, in Dwelling No. 129, and as Family No. 228
The enumeration was made on 12 Jan 1920 by Mrs. Frances Janowski
Boleslaw Izbicki, the head of household, was a married white male, age 44, immigrated in 1888, naturalized in 1900, employed as a Jacker in a Tannery
Viktorya, his wife, was a married white female, age 38, immigrated in 1900, naturalized apparently by derivative citizenship of her husband, not employed
John, his son, was a single white male, age 18, employed as a Sliper Maker in a Sliper Factory [Slipper Maker in a Slipper Factory]
Boleslaw, his son, was a single white male, age 16, employed as a Machine Operator in a Factory
Leon, his son, was a single white male, age 15, employed as a Bus Boy in a Hotel
Wladyslaw, his son, was a single white male, age 13, who attended school
Viktorya, his daughter, was a single white female, age 11, who attended school
Bernard, his son, was a single white male, age 9, who attended school
Stanislaw, his son, was a single white male, age 2
Boleslaw Izbicki, his wife, and their parentsÂ were born in Poland and their native language was Polish
The children were all born in Worcester, Massachusetts and could all read and write, except for the two-year-old Stanislaw

The occupation of Bolesław has me a bit perplexed – he was a Jacker in a Tannery . The 2000 U.S. Federal Census List of Occupations includes Jacker but groups this occupation under code 51-6099:

All textile, apparel, and furnishings workers not listed separately.

Based on the information in the census, the approximate years of birth for the members of the household, and the actual dates from their Birth Records, where available, are:

Boleslaw – 1875-1876
Viktorya – 1881-1882
John – 1901-1902
Boleslaw – 1903-1904
Leon – 1904-1905 – actual birthdate 04 Oct 1904
Wladyslaw – 1906-1907 – actual birthdate 02 Dec 1906
Viktorya – 1908-1909 – actual birthdate 05 SepÂ 1908
Bernard – 1909-1910 – actual birthdate 12 May 1910
Stanislaw – 1917-1918

For once, all the known birthdates agree withÂ the agesÂ in the census!

Posted in Izbicki | Tagged Massachusetts | Comments Off

The Birth of Władysław Izbicki

Posted on January 25, 2007 by Steve

The thirdÂ Birth Record I found for a childÂ of Bolesław Izbicki and Wiktoria Kruczyńska is for their son Władysław, born in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1906 . Â Władysław is listed on line 1744 of pageÂ 495 in volume 560 of the 1906 Birth Registrations for Worcester.

The Birth Record for Władysław Izbicki

SOURCE: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Births Registered in the City of Worcester for the Year 1906. Władysław Izbicki. Volume 560, Page 495, Number 1744. http://www.newenglandancestors.org.

Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Birth Record for Władysław Izbicki – 1906 . The record states that:

The Birth Record for Vladyslof Jbicki is recorded in Volume 560, Page 495, Line Number 1744 in the Birth Records for the City of Worcester for the year 1906
Vladislof Jbicki, a white male, was born on 02 Dec 1906 in Worcester, Massachusetts
Vladislof’s father was Boleslaw Jbicki, a laborer born in Russia
Vladislof’s mother was Victeria Crstenska, born in Russia
Vladislof’s birth was recorded in January 1907

Once again, the names are badly misspelled in this record . The misspellings and the correct spellings are:

Vladislof Jbicki = Władysław Izbicki
Boleslaw Jbicki = Bolesław Izbicki
Victeria Crstenska = Wiktoria Kruczyńska

It’s a good thing I knew who to look for in the records, because the spelling of the names presents a real challenge!

Posted in Daily Journal, Izbicki | 1 Comment

The Birth of Victoria Izbicki

Posted on January 24, 2007 by Steve

Among the children of Bolesław Izbicki and Wiktoria Kruczyńska is their daughter Victoria, born in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1908 . Victoria is listed on line 1875 of page 512 in volume 576 of the 1908 Birth Registrations for Worcester.

The Birth Record for Victoria Izbicki

SOURCE: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Births Registered in the City of Worcester for the Year 1908. Victoria Izbicki. Volume 576, Page 512, Number 1875. http://www.newenglandancestors.org.

Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Birth Record for Victoria Izbicki – 1908 . The record states that:

The Birth Record forÂ Victoria JzbiskiÂ is recorded in Volume 576, Page 512, Line Number 1875 in the Birth Records for the City of Worcester for the year 1908
VictoriaÂ Jzbiski, a white female, was born onÂ 05 SepÂ 1908Â in Worcester, Massachusetts
Victoria’s father was Boleslaw Jzbiski, a laborer born in Russia Poland
Victoria’s mother was Victoria Kruceuski, born in Russia Poland
Victoria’s birth was recorded in January 1909

The family surnamesÂ are spelled Jzbiski and Kruceuski in this record . Although the records are indexed on the website of the New England Historic Genealogical Society, the fact that each record spells the surnames differently makes searching for these birth records a bit of an adventure.

Posted in Daily Journal, Izbicki | Comments Off

The Birth of Leon Izbicki

Posted on January 23, 2007 by Steve

After posting information on Bernard Izbicki, the second husband of my cousin Anastasia Rita Meleski, I received a message from Tadeusz Izbicki, a distant cousin of Bernard . Tadeusz lives in Poland and the common ancestor of Bernard and Tadeusz is Bartlomiej Izbicki, Bernard’s great-great-grandfather.

Bernard’s parents, Bolesław Izbicki and Wiktoria Kruczyńska, had several other children in Worcester, Massachusetts, including Leon Izbicki . Leon’s birth is recorded on line 1755 of page 490 in volume 544 of the 1904 birth register for Worcester.

The Birth Record for Leon Izbicki

SOURCE: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Births Registered in the City of Worcester for the Year 1904. Leon Izbicki. Volume 544, Page 490, Number 1755. http://www.newenglandancestors.org.

Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Birth Record for Leon Izbicki – 1904 . The record states:

The Birth Record forÂ Leon JzbickiÂ is recorded in Volume 544, Page 490, Line Number 1755 in the Birth Records for the City of Worcester for the year 1904
Leon Jzbicki, a white male, was born onÂ 04 Oct 1904Â in Worcester, Massachusetts
Leon’s father was W. Bolesław Jzbicki, a laborer born in Poland
Leon’s mother was Vicktoria Krucznoka, born in Poland
Leon’s birth was recorded in January 1905

The surname of the family was misspelled Jzbicki in this record . Since this record is a transcription of the originals maintained at the town level, this may be a transcription error.

Leon’s father is listed as W. Bolesław Jzbicki . The initial “W.” preceding the name stands for “William”, a name that Bolesław used in the United States.

Leon’s mother is listed as Vicktoria Krucznoka . The proper spelling of her name is probably Wiktoria Kruczyńska.

As a last note, tonight I watched the televised version of “Questions and Ancestors” on BYU Television . Tonight’s episode was entitled “Researching New England Ancestors” and featured David Lambert from the New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) in Boston . David described ways to search for ancestors in New England and also discussed the resources available at the NEHGS.

During the show, David LambertÂ confirmed what I have suspected: the images of Massachusetts Vital Records from 1841-1910 available to members on the NEHGS website are digital images of the original ledgers, not the microfilms . These images areÂ incredibly superior to the microfilm images available elsewhere.

Posted in Daily Journal, Izbicki | Comments Off

How my Jeans Ended Up in the Smithsonian

Posted on January 22, 2007 by Steve

After I bloggedÂ that my bluejeansÂ had been on displayÂ in the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History from 1995-2006, I received a lot of messages and comments . I thought I would save the story until after I found the photos of the exhibit . Sad to say, I haven’t found the photos, but I did find the negatives . It’ll be a few days before I can have prints made, so I decided to end the suspense .

Back in 1994, when I was working for a company called Genencor, curators from the Smithsonian visited the company and asked for a tour . Â TheÂ employees who usually led such tours were at an off-site meeting, so the company receptionist asked me if I couldÂ show theÂ guests from the SmithsonianÂ around the facility.
Â
The curatorsÂ explained to meÂ that the National Museum of American History was preparing a new permanent exhibit on “Science in American Life” andÂ was looking for some ideas to include in the section on biotechnology . I told them about Genencor’s project to use enzymes from microorganisms to give a stonewashed look to jeans.
Â
Up until then, manufacturers of bluejeans actually washed the jeans with pumice stones to abrade the jeans and give them a “worn” look and feel . The technology Genencor was developing would avoid the use of stones, avoid a lot of wear and tear on the washing machines, provide a more uniform product, and avoid the problem of having to clean the residue of the stones from the jeans after they were stonewashed.
Â
The curators from the Smithsonian liked this idea and asked if I could provide some materials for the exhibit . So, I sent them two pairs of jeans – one was a stiff, dark blue, unwashedÂ pair (you can hardly find these in the stores anymore) and one was a pair that I washed withÂ cellulase enzymes (and yes, I actually wore the jeans before I sent them to the Smithsonian) . Today, almost all “stonewashed” jeans are really enzyme-washed.
Â
The Science in American Life exhibit opened in 1995 and, a fewÂ years later, the museumÂ moved Julia Child’s kitchen intoÂ a spaceÂ right across the hall from where my jeans were displayed . I wasÂ honored that my bluejeansÂ shared theÂ company of Julia Child’s pots and pans.
Â
Presently, the museum is closed during renovation and will reopen in 2008. Unfortunately, the ScienceÂ in American Life exhibit will not have a placeÂ in the remodeled museum . Still, for 11 years my bluejeans were on display to the public.
Â
So, no racy stories at all . No protests, no arrests . But, I wonder how many people have viewed my bluejeans in awe and wonder over the years?

And, by the way, may IÂ have my jeans back now?

Posted in Daily Journal | 4 Comments

I’ve Been Tagged!

Posted on January 21, 2007 by Steve

I’ve been taggedÂ by Jasia andÂ asked to reveal five facts aboutÂ myself that you probably don’t know . Well, here goes:

I hold a B.S. in Chemistry from the State University of New York and a Ph.D. in Botany and Plant Pathology from Oregon State University.
I’ve taught Archery atÂ summer camps in New York and Vermont.
While in elementary school, Gregory Maguire and I wroteÂ At Kenter’s Lane andÂ Amberside, unpublished books about the adventures of two brothers living in England . Greg has gone on to become the best-selling author of many books, including Wicked, the book which became the basis for the Broadway musical of the same name.
My all-time favorite children’s author is Edward Eager who wrote Half Magic, Magic by the Lake, Knight’s Castle, The Time Garden, The Well Wishers, and Magic or Not?
My blue jeans were on displayÂ at the Smithsonian Institution (The National Museum of American History) in Washington, DC from 1995-2006 . They are now in storage while the museum undergoes renovation.

The second part of the tagging challenge isÂ to tag fiveÂ others to reveal five things about themselves . Are George Morgan, Drew Smith, Apple, James Curley, and Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak up to the challenge?

Posted in Daily Journal | 10 Comments

The Death and Burial of John Frank Gibson

Posted on January 20, 2007 by Steve

I haven’t been able to find any records for the birthdates of the children of Clark Gibson and Maryette Olds that were recorded at or near the time of the event . The Canadian Census for 1861 recorded the ages of the children who were living as of the enumeration date and provides a reasonable estimate of the year of birth for those children.

The only other record I’ve found that was created within a few years of the birth ofÂ one of Clark and Maryette’s children is the Burial Record of John Frank Gibson.

The Burial Record for John Frank Gibson

SOURCE: The Methodist Church Serving Frelighsburg, Quebec, Canada. Burial Records. 1878. John Frank Gibson. FHL US/CAN Film 2027346 Item 3, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Burial Record for John Frank Gibson – 1878 . The record reads:

folio Three L.M.G. D.C.C.C.

Burial:- J. F. Gibson

John Frank, son of Clark Gibson black-smith of St. Armand West in the county of Missisquoi, and of Marriett Olds his wife, died on the seventeenth day of January Eighteenth hundred and Seventy-eight in the third year of his age, and was buried on the eighteenth day of the aforesaid Month and year by me
[Signed] J.E Richardson
M.M.

Witnesses:- [Signed] Clark Gibson [Signed] Marriett Gibson

This record shows that John Frank died on 17 Jan 1878 and buried on 18 Jan 1878 . It further shows that John Frank was in theÂ third year of age, suggesting that he was born in 1875, but no further information was provided about his birth.

Thefirst name of Clark’s wifeÂ is spelled Marriett in this record, but is spelled Mariette, Maryette, Maryett, and Maryetta in other records.

The initials “M.M.” below J.E. Richardson’s signature stands for Methodist Minister.

Posted in Daily Journal, Gibson | Comments Off

The World War I Draft Registration of Lewis Dwight Gibson

Posted on January 19, 2007 by Steve

When attempting to find the birthdates for the children of Clark Gibson, I realized that the job would not be easy . There were no civil registrations available for the children, and because Clark’s family apparently adhered to no religion, there were no infant baptisms available for the children.

For Ada May, I used a combination of her age in the 1861 Canadian Census Record and her stated date of birth listed in her adult baptism to determine that she was born on 04 Aug 1859 in Canada.

For Arnold, I used a combination of his age in the 1910 and 1920 US Census Records, his absence from the 1861 Canadian Census Records, and his stated date of birth on his Death Certificate to determine that he was born on 17 Aug 1862 in Vermont.

For Lewis Dwight Gibson, the route to finding the date of birth required a third approach . I found the World War I Draft Registration Card for Lewis where he stated that his date of birth was 24 Jan 1874 . The 1910, 1920, and 1930 US Census Records provided Lewis’ age as 36, 45, and 55, respectively, indicating he was born between 1873-1875, so the date in the World War I Draft Registration is consistent with that in three census records.

The World War I Draft Registration for Lewis Dwight Gibson – Front

The World War I Draft Registration for Lewis Dwight Gibson – Back

SOURCE: Louis Dwight Gibson, World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Micropublication M1509 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration), roll VT5.

Click on the link for a PDF copy of the World War I Draft Registration for Lewis Dwight Gibson – 1918 . The record shows that:

Lewis Dwight Gibson lived at R.F.D. Fairfield, Franklin Co., Vermont;
On September 12, 1918, Lewis was 44 years old; his birthdate was 24 Jan 1874;
He was white;
He was not a native US citizen, he was not naturalized, but he was a US citizen because he was younger than the age of majority when his father became of citizen;
Lewis was a farmer and was employed by Ward Paradee of R.F.D. Fairfield, Franklin Co., Vermont;
Lewis’ nearest relative was Mrs. Carrie Gibson of R.F.D. Fairfield, Franklin Co., Vermont;
Lewis was tall, of medium build, with hazel eyes, brown hair, and no deformities.

The Registrar filled out this form, and spelled Lewis’ first name as Louis . Lewis correctly spelled his name when he signed the form.

Mrs. Carrie Gibson, and Ward Paradee, areÂ listed on the form . Carrie Gibson was Lewis’ wife . Ward Paradee was Lewis’ employer . Ward Paradee’s son, Ward Sturgess Paradee, would later marry Lewis and Carrie Gibson’s daughter, Grace Irene Gibson.

Of note is the fact that Lewis had derivative citizenship, since hisÂ father became a US citizen before Lewis attained the age of majority . Since I don’t have any idea where the family lived between 1861 and 1900, this piece of information shows that Clark Gibson had become a US citizenÂ no later than the early 1890s.

Take a look at the year of birth as written on this card . At first glance, the year looks like 1884, but close inspection reveals that theÂ year is actually 1874, as evidenced by the curved downstrokes on theÂ “8” and the strong, straight downstroke on the “7”.

Posted in Gibson | Tagged Fairfield Vermont | 1 Comment

The Gibson Households in the 1851 Census of Lower Canada (Québec)

Posted on January 18, 2007 by Steve

In 1851, the families of John Gibson and Clark Gibson are enumerated in St. Georges de Clarenceville in the county of Rouville, Lower Canada (Québec) on lines 19-27 of pages 37-38 . Only the first half of page 37 is shown below.

The Gibson Households in the 1851 Census of Canada East (Québec)

SOURCE: John Gibson Household, 1851 Lower Canada Census (Québec), St. Georges de Clarenceville, Caldwell (Manoir), Rouville (County), pages 37-38, lines 19-27. National Archives of Canada Film C-1137 Schedule A. Microfilm FHL US/CAN Census Area 517289, Family History Library [FHL], Salt Lake City, Utah.

Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Census of Lower Canada (Québec) for the Gibson Households – 1851Â . The Census Record for Schedule A (the nominal household census) covers pages 37-38 . The image above is only the first half of page 37 . The record states:

John Gibson, a 50-year-old farmer, is enumerated with his 45 year-old wife, Sarah Gibson
John and Sarah Gibson’s children are James, a 21-year-old laborer; Martha, 18 years old; William, a 15-year-old laborer; Sarah, 10 years old; and George, 2 years old
In addition, Clark Gibson, 29 years old, is listed with his wife Maryette, 19 years old
John andÂ Sarah are listed as Methodist; there is no mark in the religion column for the others
John and Sarah were born in the United States; their children, including Clark and Maryette, were born in Canada
Clark and Maryette are shown as living in St. Armand in the “Residence if out of limits” column

Additional information is provided on parts of the census not shown above:

John, Sarah, Clark, and Maryette are married; all others are single
All individuals are listed as “Members” except for Clark and Maryette who are listed as “Not Members”
None of the household members are listed as attending school
There were no births or deaths in the family during 1851
None of the household members were “Colored Persons – Negroes”, “Indians if any”, “Members absent”, “Deaf & Dumb”, “Blind”, or “Lunatics”
The family’s residence was a one-story log farmhouse; this family was the only family occupying the house
There were no “Vacant” homes, no “Buildings”, no “Shops, Stores, Inns, Taverns, &c.”, no “Public Buildings”, no “Places of Worship”, no “Information as to Mills, Factories, &c., &c., their cost, power, produce, &c.”, no “Number of persons usually employed therein”, and no “General Remarks of the Enumerator”

The information in this Census Record shows that Clark and Maryette were married in or before 1851.

The header of this Census Record states in full: Â “PERSONAL CENSUS – ENUMERATION DISTRICT, No. Ten OF St. George de Clarenceville IN THE COUNTY OF Rouville COMPRISING the Parish of St. George of Clarenceville OF THE SAID County TAKEN UNDER ACT 14th & 15th Vict. Chap. 49. Wm. T. Ford ENUMERATOR.

Posted in Gibson | Tagged Québec | Comments Off

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