I Found My Dad in the 1950 US Census

The 1950 US Census was released two days ago on April 1st. Thank you to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) for making this census available and for the ability to search the census. The search ability was made possible through optical character recognition (OCR) and artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning so the search function may not be accurate. I was able to find my dad, Jan A. Iverson, by searching for his stepfather, Wayne Crawford. ¹

Here's the page of the 1950 census showing my dad living in the household of his stepfather, Wayne Crawford, and his mother, Ingrid. The family was living in Portland, Multnomah, Oregon. I highlighted my dad in a red box. My grandmother, Ingrid, was one of the people on this page who were asked additional questions. Her answers were included at the bottom of the page. They are also highlighted in a red box.

Here's a close-up of my dad's family:

Information about my dad:

Address: 6925 N. Amherst

Name: Jan A. Iverson

Relationship: Stepson

Race: W

Sex: M

Age: 14

Marital Status: Never married

Birthplace: California

What was this person doing most of last week? Other

Did this person do any work at all last week? No

Was this person looking for work? No

Does this person have a job or business? No

And here's the bottom of the census page with answers by my grandmother highlighted in red:

Additional information about my grandmother, Ingrid:

Was she living in the same house a year ago? Yes
Was she living on a farm a year ago? No
Was she living in this same county a year ago? Yes
What country were her father and mother born in? Father: Sweden, Mother: Sweden
What is the highest grade of school that she has attended? S2
Did she finish this grade? No
Has she attended school at any time since February 1st? 30 or over
Last year, in how many weeks did this person do any work at all, not counting work around the house: None
Income received by this person in 1949: None in each category

If I had not already known that Ingrid's parents were from Sweden, this additional information section would have given me that information. This section also provided information that she had lived at the same house and in the same county in 1949. It was also interesting to see the highest grade of school that she had attended. The code was S2 for her. At the bottom of the page the codes are explained. The code S2 was within the elementary school codes. I am surprised to learn that her highest grade level may have been second grade in elementary school. I have to wonder if that code was incorrect. Interestingly, in her vocal history Ingrid said, "mother did not start me in first grade until I was eight years old."² And in her Book of Remembrance, Ingrid wrote that when she was fourteen years old her family sold their home in Salt Lake City and moved to Los Angeles, California due to the Depression.³ She also said, "I worked there at a home as a mothers helper" and that "because of finances" she and one of her sisters were not able to finish school. The family history memories that she wrote in her Book of Remembrance were written in cursive. Because of this, I believe she must have had more than a second-grade education. I am so thankful that she wrote about her life in this Book of Remembrance and that my dad interviewed her in 1977.

To search the 1950 US Census at NARA, click HERE.

Thanks for stopping by!

Jana

© 2022 Copyright by Jana Iverson Last, All Rights Reserved

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1 1950 U.S. census, Multnomah Co., OR, Portland, ED 37-566, sheet 16, household 192, line 23, Jan A. Iverson; U.S. National Archives, _1950 Census_ (https://1950census.archives.gov/search/ : accessed 1 April 2022).^↩

2 Crawford, Ingrid (Gillberg), Antioch, California. Interview by Jan Albert Iverson, 11 July 1977. Audio and transcript. Privately held by Jana Last, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Clovis, California. 2022.^↩

3 Crawford, Ingrid (Gillberg), Blue Book of Remembrance, Privately held by Jana Last, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Clovis, California, 2022. ^↩

52 Ancestors: #43 ~ Phebe Waterman - Research and Questions

This is part of the "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks" Challenge begun by Amy Johnson Crow, author of the blog No Story Too Small.

Phebe Waterman was one of the children born to my 4th great-grandparents Dr. Luther L. Waterman and Phebe Barker. She was born on 22 January 1789. At this time, I'm not sure where Phebe was born. In the 1850 Federal Census¹ her birthplace is listed as Connecticut. But in the 1870 Federal Census² her birthplace is listed as New York. Two of her siblings, one born before her and one born after her, were born in Dutchess County, New York.

Phebe married Nathaniel Pierce. Unfortunately, I don't know the date or place of their marriage.

I'm also not sure who their children were. FamilySearch has eight children listed in their family. But, without sources proving they were in fact Phebe and Nathaniel's children, I hesitate to list them here.

I had hoped to find information about Phebe Waterman in the book Waterman Family, Descendants of Robert Waterman, Volume 1 by Donald Lines Jacobus.³ But, in the section about Phebe, Mr. Jacobus stated that Phebe's family was not traced. He did say that they were living in Clayton, Illinois.

I feel fairly certain about the identities of two of Phebe and Nathaniel's children that were included in the list on FamilySearch. They were:

1. Amanda Pierce (About 1821-1909)
2. Edwin Barker Pierce (About 1833-1907)

I found Phebe in the 1850 Federal Census living with her husband Nathaniel and son Edwin. This image of the 1850 census shows Phebe and Nathaniel's family living next to their daughter Amanda (Pierce) Selby and her family.

1850 United States Federal Census
Houston, Adams, Illinois

See the far right column? It states that Phebe was deaf. Interestingly, in the 1870 Federal Census, there is no indication that Phebe was deaf. I wonder why. I also wonder if Phebe was born deaf or if she became deaf later in life.

If she was born deaf, I wonder what her life was like as a child. What were her educational opportunities? How did her family communicate with her?

An article in Wikipedia called "History of deaf education in the United States" states the following:

"Before the 1800s, few, if any, educational opportunities existed for deaf children in America. Some wealthy families sent their children to Europe's schools, but many non-high class children had no access to education."

The article also stated that deaf education began in the early 1800s in the United States.

I was hoping to find Phebe in the 1860 Federal Census⁴ to see if she was listed as deaf in that census as well. So far I haven't found her. I did find her husband and two of her children however. But, Phebe wasn't listed as living with her husband Nathaniel in this census. I wonder where she was.

As you can see from the image below, Nathaniel Pierce was still living next to his daughter Amanda (Pierce) Selby and her family. Nathaniel was also living next to his son Edwin and his family.

1860 United States Federal Census
Houston, Adams, Illinois

By the time the 1870 Federal Census was taken, Phebe's husband Nathaniel had passed away. In this census, Phebe was listed as living with her daughter Amanda and her family.

1870 United States Federal Census
Houston, Adams, Illinois

As you can see, I have many unanswered questions about Phebe and her family. Hopefully I will be able to answer these questions through further research.

Thanks for reading!

Jana

© 2014 Copyright by Jana Last, All Rights Reserved

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1 Year: 1850; Census Place: Houston, Adams, Illinois; Roll: M432_97; Page: 119B; Image: 246. Ancestry.com. 1850 United States Federal Census[database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.^↩
2 "United States Census, 1870," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12391-221369-79?cc=1438024 : accessed 27 Oct 2014), Illinois > Adams > Houston > image 31 of 32; citing NARA microfilm publication M593.^↩
3 Jacobus, Donald Lines, and Edgar Francis Waterman. The Waterman Family. Vol. 1. New Haven, CT: E.F. Waterman, 1939. 565. Print.^↩
4 Year: 1860; Census Place: Houston, Adams, Illinois; Roll: M653_155; Page: 979; Image: 635; Family History Library Film: 803155. Ancestry.com. 1860 United States Federal Census[database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.^↩

52 Ancestors: #42 ~ Jerusha Waterman – Daughter of a Revolutionary War Surgeon

This is part of the "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks" Challenge begun by Amy Johnson Crow, author of the blog No Story Too Small. 

In previous 52 Ancestors posts, I introduced you to Samuel and Erastus, two of the nine children born to my 4th great-grandparents, Luther and Phebe Waterman. Today, I'd like to introduce you to Luther and Phebe's eldest daughter, Jerusha Waterman.

Jerusha was born on 8 Jun 1786 in Amenia, Dutchess, New York. Her father, Dr. Luther Waterman had served as a surgeon in the American Revolutionary War. In Luther's pension file, Jerusha is listed as one of his and Phebe's children and on one of the documents she signed her name. In fact, in this amazing pension file, the signatures of all of Luther and Phebe's children can be found. I'll share Jerusha's signature in a future post.

Jerusha married Jonas Smith sometime before 1805. She and Jonas were the parents of nine children. Their first two children were born in New York and their third child was born in Pennsylvania.  The rest of their children were born in Ohio.

1. Hiram Smith (1805-1878)
2. Lavina Smith (1807-1880)
3. Harriet Smith (1809-1888)
4. Asher Smith (1812-1880)
5. Jacob Smith (1815- 1882)
6. John Smith (1817-1880)
7. Phebe Smith (1819-1883)
8. Sarah L. Smith (1826-1908)
9. Amanda Catherine Smith (1832-1905)

Jerusha and her family were living near her brothers, Samuel and David Bassett Waterman, in the 1850 Federal Census for Troy Township, Athens, Ohio.¹ You can see her brothers and their families listed below Jerusha's family in the image below.



This is a cropped portion from the 1850 Federal Census showing Jonas and Jerusha Smith and three of their daughters.



Jonas Smith passed away on 8 January 1853 in Coolville, Athens, Ohio, leaving Jerusha a widow for 14 years. In the 1860 Federal Census, Jerusha is listed as the head of household in Troy Township, Athens, Ohio.² The image below is a cropped portion from that census record. Her daughters, Lavina and Sarah (Sally) were living with her at the time. Also, a young man named Benjamin Humphrey was living with them too. It looks like he was helping with them with their farm.



Jerusha passed away on 1 June 1867 in Coolville, Athens, Ohio. She was buried in Bethel Cemetery which is located in Troy Township, Coolville, Athens County, Ohio.

I'll introduce you to another of Luther and Phebe Waterman's children in a future post.

Thanks for reading!

Jana

© 2014 Copyright by Jana Last, All Rights Reserved

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1 "United States Census, 1850," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-11779-141880-28?cc=1401638 : accessed 14 Oct 2014), Ohio > Athens > Troy > image 14 of 34; citing NARA microfilm publication M432.^↩
2 Year: 1860; Census Place: Troy, Athens, Ohio; Roll: M653_934; Page: 105; Image: 214; Family History Library Film: 803934. Ancestry.com. 1860 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.^↩

52 Ancestors: #40 ~ Samuel Waterman, A Revolutionary War Surgeon's Son

This is part of the "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks" Challenge begun by Amy Johnson Crow, author of the blog No Story Too Small. 

In last week's 52 Ancestors post I shared a photo of Dr. Luther L. Waterman's grave marker. Luther was my 4th great-grandfather and served as a surgeon in the American Revolutionary War. He and his wife, Phebe  Barker, were the parents of nine children. Samuel Waterman was their oldest child.

Samuel was born on 4 April 1778 in Connecticut. He married Lydia Edgerton, daughter of Zebulon Edgerton, Jr. and Abigail Palmer.

Samuel and Lydia were the parents of eight children.

1. Betsey M. Waterman (1804-1869)
2. John Barker Waterman (1806-1845)
3. Luther Waterman (1812-1852)
4. Anna Waterman (1814-After 1869)
5. Caroline Waterman (1816-1851)
6. David Waterman (1820-1896)
7. Zebulon E. Waterman (1823-1883)
8. Reuben Waterman (1828-?)

In 1850, Samuel and Lydia Waterman were living in Troy Township, Athens County, Ohio.¹ The image below is a cropped portion of the 1850 federal census for Troy Township, Athens, Ohio. At the time this census was taken Samuel was 72 years old. His occupation was listed as a farmer, his property was valued at $1,000, and his birthplace was Connecticut.

Some of Samuel and Lydia's children were living with them in 1850 – Betsey, Anna, Caroline, David and Reuben. David's wife, Mary Ann, and their baby, James, were also living with them as well.



The image below shows the full page from the 1850 census that lists Samuel and Lydia Waterman and their family.



When looking at census records, it's important to see who's living next to or near our ancestors. On this page we see that Samuel's younger brother, David Bassett Waterman, was living next to him. He's listed as D. B. Waterman.

Samuel Waterman passed away on 28 May 1857 in Coolville, Athens, Ohio.

Thanks for reading!

Jana

© 2014 Copyright by Jana Last, All Rights Reserved 

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1 "United States Census, 1850," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-11779-141880-28?cc=1401638 : accessed 04 Oct 2014), Ohio > Athens > Troy > image 14 of 34; citing NARA microfilm publication M432.^↩

Military Monday ~ Dr. Homer Clark Waterman – Assistant Surgeon in the Civil War

This is a photo of Dr. Homer Clark Waterman, my maternal 2nd great-granduncle. He was born on May 18, 1827 in Troy, Athens, Ohio to Asher Waterman and Bathsheba Paulk.

Homer married Sarah Ann D. Rathburn on October 6, 1850 in Meigs County, Ohio. They were the parents of four children:

1. Lillian F. Waterman (1854-1931)
2. Helen M. Waterman (1860-1930)
3. William Rathburn Waterman (1867-1946)
4. Mary E. Waterman (1869-1893)

On October 15, 1862, at thirty-five years of age, and with a wife and two young daughters at home, Homer entered the Civil War. He had recently graduated from a medical college in Ohio.

Homer started his Civil War service as 2nd Assistant Surgeon in the 4th West Virginia Volunteer Infantry. He was mustered into duty as Assistant Surgeon in the same regiment on January 24, 1863. He served in this regiment until October 8, 1864, when he was honorably mustered out at Wheeling, West Virginia.¹

I assume he went home at this point. I can just imagine the joyous reunion he had with his wife Sarah, and two young daughters, Lillian and Helen.

But he wasn't home for very long, because on January 4, 1865, he was commissioned by the Governor of West Virginia to serve as Assistant Surgeon of the 2nd Regiment West Virginia Veterans Volunteer Infantry. He served in this regiment until the end of the war. He was mustered out of service at Clarksburg, West Virginia on July 16, 1865.¹

Interestingly, Homer's grandfather, and my 4th great-grandfather, Dr. Luther L. Waterman, was a surgeon in the Revolutionary War. Both Luther and Homer must have beheld horrific scenes while serving on the battlefields of the Revolutionary War and the Civil War.

According to the United States, 1890 Census of Union Veterans and Widows of the Civil War,² Homer served in the Civil War for two years, nine months, and nine days.



Not only was Homer a physician, he was also elected Coroner in two different counties. He also served as the Treasurer and Justice of the Peace of Salisbury township and served as School Examiner of Meigs County for six years. Homer was also a Mason.¹

Dr. Homer Clark Waterman passed away on March 5, 1893 in Zanesville, Muskingum, Ohio.

More about Dr. Homer Clark Waterman's life in future posts.

Thanks for reading!

Jana

© 2013 Copyright by Jana Last

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1 Dr. Homer Clark Waterman's Civil War Pension File ^↩
2 "United States, 1890 Census of Union Veterans and Widows of the Civil War," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/K835-65L : accessed 28 Jul 2013), Homer C Waterman, 1890. ^↩
3 Obituary from Zanesville Daily Courier, dated March 6, 1893. Transcription courtesy of Rootsweb.com - Meigs County News For The Year 1893 – As stated on the website, "These pages contain transcriptions of news items published in Meigs County newspapers. They were transcribed from microfilm copies of the originals or from the originals themselves." ^↩