Bonus info in Iowa State Census 1925

I have been stumped for a while on the deaths of James V Ely and his wife Sarah Loomis who lived in Hudson, New York. I have not found them in the 1930 census nor have I found a death or burial record for either of them.  One of their sons died in 1923 and they were both named as survivors, so that’s the last I knew of them.

Today I happened upon the 1925 state census record for their son Fred who lived in Cedar Rapids. What really took me by surprise was PAGE TWO where both parents are listed (mother with maiden name, which I knew already, but a bonus in a case where maiden name was not known). Place of birth and age at last birthday are also recorded for the parents.  James was listed as 68 and Sarah as 65 … so now I know they were still living in 1925. The search continues.

Scrubbing the Hudson, NY 1915 Census

I was going crazy trying to find Getzel Panush and his son Abram in this state census. They were listed together in the federal 1910 census and then Abram was listed as head in 1920. I was trying to determine if his father was still alive in 1915.

I had found their names spelled in various ways but was not finding a match in 1915. I tried to find them by searching for their neighbors from the 1910 and 1920 census, but no luck.

Finally I searched for anyone of any age who was born in Poland and was living in Hudson. Found a quite a few, many with the names spelled oddly. There I found them, listed as PENSAK and Abram without a first name --- it was there, a bit hard to read, but it was there.

So, when names don’t work, try using place of birth and place of residence.  It worked for me.

A Small Marriage Announcement Can Hold Lots of Clues

While researching the Cole family of Catskill, NY, I found this small 1916 news item:

                              COLE – WEIDENFELD

            On Saturday, Sept 30, at the residence of the bride’s aunt, Mrs Howard McIntyre, in Hudson, NY by the Rev Thomas L. Cole, Helen Rosine, daughter of Mrs and the late Edward Weidenfeld, to Mr Thomas Cole, 2d.

Hudson is across the river from Catskill and many families transited the river.The clipping provided some good information and but also created a bit of confusion.

From I learned that:

-       Helen Rosine Weidenfeld married Thomas Cole

-       Her father Edward was deceased, but her mother was living

-       One of her aunts married Howard McIntyre and lived in Hudson NY

-       Rev Thomas L Cole married them

One of the confusing items was the designation of the groom as Thomas Cole, 2^nd.