Sunday, July 26, 2015

Guy Calvin Scott/Cora Viola Main-1930 US Federal Census

The 1930 Census tells us whether or not each family had a radio.  Can you imagine life without a radio these days?  Radio = Music and music plays an important role in most of our lives.  Stay tuned to see if Guy and Viola Scott had a radio (see column #9).

This census also tells us whether each person is able to read and write (see column #17).

This census is very interesting in that it also provides whether or not the person was a veteran of the US Military or Naval Forces mobilized for any war or expedition and which war or expedition (see columns #30/31).  Guy Calvin Scott was in WWI, however, the information provided to the Census Taker states he was not a veteran.  We can't always rely on information to be correct.  In the case of the census - it all depends on who provided the information.  Did that person not know he was in WWI or did they just opt to not provide that information?  We will never know.

Also, if you notice, my mother (Leona Frances Modrell) is not listed in this census as she was not born yet.

I enjoy looking at the census information.  Sometimes you learn a little something about your ancestors and sometimes you see erroneous information (as in the veteran status).  Stay tuned to find out more about my Grandpa and Grandma Scott.

1930 US Federal Census
Guy Calvin Scott and Cora Viola Main
State - Missouri; County - Bates; Township - Howard; Incorporated Place – Blank; Ward of City – Blank; Block No. - Blank; Unincorporated Place - Blank; Institution - Blank; Supervisor's District No. - 10; Enumeration District No. – 7-13; Enumerated By Me On – April 29, 1930; Sheet – 4A; Enumerator – Mrs. Bertha Riley.

Line No. 27
Column 1 - Blank; 2 - Blank; 3 – 85; 4 - 85; 5 - Scott, Guy E.; 6 - Head; 7 – Rented; 8 - Blank; 9 - Radio; 10 - Yes; 11 - M; 12 - W; 13 - 37; 14 - M; 15 – 27; 16 - No; 17 - Yes; 18 - Kansas; 19 - Kansas; 20 - Kansas; 21 - Blank; Code - 70, Blank, Blank; 22 - Blank; 23 - Blank; 24 - Yes; 25 - Farmer; 26 - Farming; Code - Blank; 27 - O; 28 – Yes; 29 – Blank; 30 - No; 31 - Blank; 32 - 84

Line No. 28
Column 1 - Blank; 2 - Blank; 3 – Blank; 4 - Blank; 5 - Scott, Viola.; 6 - Wife; 7 – Blank; 8 - Blank; 9 - Blank; 10 - Blank; 11 - F; 12 - W; 13 - 32; 14 - M; 15 – 22; 16 - No; 17 - Yes; 18 - Missouri; 19 - Missouri; 20 - Kansas; 21 - Blank; Code - 66, Blank, Blank; 22 - Blank; 23 - Blank; 24 - Yes; 25 - None; 26 - Blank; Code - Blank; 27 - Blank; 28 – Blank; 29 – Blank; 30 - Blank; 31 - Blank; 32 - Blank

Line No. 29
Column 1 - Blank; 2 - Blank; 3 – Blank; 4 - Blank; 5 - Scott, Thomas.; 6 - Son; 7 – Blank; 8 - Blank; 9 - Blank; 10 - Blank; 11 - M; 12 - W; 13 - 8; 14 - S; 15 – Blank; 16 - Yes; 17 - Yes; 18 - Kansas; 19 - Kansas; 20 - Missouri; 21 - Blank; Code - 70, Blank, Blank; 22 - Blank; 23 - Blank; 24 - Yes; 25 - None; 26 - Blank; Code - Blank; 27 - Blank; 28 – Blank; 29 – Blank; 30 - Blank; 31 - Blank; 32 - Blank

Line No. 30
Column 1 - Blank; 2 - Blank; 3 – Blank; 4 - Blank; 5 - Scott, William.; 6 - Son; 7 – Blank; 8 - Blank; 9 - Blank; 10 - Blank; 11 - M; 12 - W; 13 - 3; 14 - S; 15 – Blank; 16 - No; 17 - No; 18 - Missouri; 19 - Kansas; 20 - Missouri; 21 - Blank; Code - 66, Blank, Blank; 22 - Blank; 23 - Blank; 24 - Blank; 25 - None; 26 - Blank; Code - Blank; 27 - Blank; 28 – Blank; 29 – Blank; 30 - Blank; 31 - Blank; 32 - Blank

Line No. 31

Column 1 - Blank; 2 - Blank; 3 – Blank; 4 - Blank; 5 - Scott, Jason.; 6 - Son; 7 – Blank; 8 - Blank; 9 - Blank; 10 - Blank; 11 - M; 12 - W; 13 - 1; 14 - S; 15 – Blank; 16 - No; 17 - No; 18 - Missouri; 19 - Kansas; 20 - Missouri; 21 - Blank; Code - 66, Blank, Blank; 22 - Blank; 23 - Blank; 24 - Blank; 25 - None; 26 - Blank; Code - Blank; 27 - Blank; 28 – Blank; 29 – Blank; 30 - Blank; 31 - Blank; 32 - Blank

Saturday, July 11, 2015

Grandpa Modrell Fails School?!?! But Wait - There's More...

I was researching at the Northwest Missouri Genealogical Society Library in St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri.  They have some great records and I highly encourage anyone who is researching their roots from Northwest Missouri to go and see the very nice and extremely helpful staff of this small library – but don’t let the size fool you because they have records on three levels, however, you need to ask assistance for the records on the top and bottom levels.

I happened to inquire about old school records since both my grandparents on my father’s side went to school in the area.  I didn’t know which school my grandpa attended, but I had discovered that my grandma attended Lafayette High School, but didn’t know where she went prior to that.

The Librarian went to the basement and came back with a very large book that says School Record 1921 (written in marker on side), and she informed me it was located on the east side of the basement (in case I want to look at it again).  I thumbed through that massive, moldy smelling and fragile old book until I located a page that provided the following information:

School is Ebenezer
Harry Modrell
Age 15
Address is Saxton
Spelling - 57
Reading - 25
Writing - 80
Arithmetic - 55
Grammar - 75
Physiology - 64
Geography - 68
US History - 53
Average - 59 5/8
Remarks - F (Failed)

I was so shocked!!  We are taught that our elders know everything – right?  I was so intrigued that I had to keep turning the pages to see if he quit school at that point.  So, I finally found the following information which answered my question:

School is Ebenezer
Harry Modrell
Age is 16
Address is Saxton
Teacher is Ruth Dyer
Spelling - 75
Reading - 80
Writing - 87
Arithmetic - 89
Grammar - 75
Geography - 83
US History - 80
Agriculture - 81
Average - 81
Remarks – Passed


How awesome is that?!?!  He not only continued with his school, but his grades improved immensely (look closely at the reading and arithmetic scores for both years)!  I also found a photo in the 1923 Wakitan (the Central High School Yearbook for his Junior Year) of the Mathematics Club - and he is in it!!  And that is not all - according to the 1940 US Federal Census, after graduating from Central High School in 1924, he completed two (2) years of college!!  I am so excited for him – I only wish he was around to ask which college he went to and what he was studying.  Just another record I need to try and find in my quest of Searching For Ancestors…

1924 Central High School Yearbook
Harry House Modrell, Senior
1923 Central High School Yearbook
Harry House Modrell, Junior