Sunday, March 29, 2015

CENSUS SUNDAY–The first 1940 census I looked for when they were released

clip_image003

When the 1940 census records were released I know most of us had been waiting a long time.  We had in mind exactly who we wanted to look for first.
 
Before all the indexing was finished by volunteers (myself among them), we had to use Enumeration Districts and other locators to find our family members.
 
The first one I wanted to see was of my Dad, Harry Norman Gould living with his first wife Elaine.  He and Elaine were married 22 Aug 1936 in Michigan.  There were two daughters born to this couple.  These daughters were my half sisters, Norlaine Rae 1942-2001 and Virginia Carol 1945-2005.  I didn’t grow up knowing my sisters, but was fortunate to meet them each one time, when I was in my 30’s.  Unfortunately, they are both gone now.  However, I have a wonderful relationship with Virginia’s daughters, my nieces, Dawn & Debbie.  I'm so happy to have them in my life.  They both still live in Michigan, as does most of my family.

GOULD_Harry_Norman_&_CROFT_Elaine_Gertrude_Wedding_Day_1934_Enh
My Dad & his first wife, Elaine on their wedding day in 1936

Here is that 1940 census record.

1940_GOULD_Norman & Elaine_Faust Ave_DetroitMichigan

Here is the index from that 1940 census:

Name:    Norman Gould
Age:    27
Estimated Birth Year:  abt 1913
Gender:    Male
Race:    White
Birthplace:    Michigan
Marital Status:    Married
Relation to Head of House:    Head
Home in 1940:    Detroit, Wayne, Michigan
Map of Home in 1940:    View Map
Street:    Faust Avenue
House Number:    12892
Farm:    No
Inferred Residence in 1935:   Detroit, Wayne, Michigan
Residence in 1935:    Same Place
Sheet Number:    12A
Number of Household in Order of Visitation:  268
Occupation:    Statistician
House Owned or Rented:    Owned
Value of Home or Monthly Rental if Rented:  4350
Attended School or College:    No
Highest Grade Completed:    College, 2nd year
Hours Worked Week Prior to Census:    39
Class of Worker:  Wage or salary worker in Government work
Weeks Worked in 1939:    52
Income:    2050
Income Other Sources:    No
Neighbors:  View others on page
Household Members:   
Name    Age
Norman Gould    27
Elaine Gould    21


Something I just noticed in looking at this record again, is that my Dad owned this home.  I need to look at property records in Detroit and see if I can find the deed to this residence from that time period.  I tried going to the Wayne Co. Deeds online site, but their records only go back about 30 years.
 
Which 1940 census did you look for first?

Happy hunting,
Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2010-2015   Diane Gould Hall
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

2 comments:

  1. Nice photo of your Dad and his first wife, Elaine. The first 1940 census I looked for, and found, was that listing my adoptive Mom and Dad, John Joseph Zimmerman and Ruth Berdeen (Davis) Zimmerman, showing them living at 3911 Bedford in Detroit. I may not be a blood relation to the people mentioned in this blog, but I do have a connection to them, and that connection is you, sister of mine! :-) Nice blog, as usual.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks John. You may not have had that picture for your files. I'm so glad to have photos of any and all family members. You may not be blood relation to my Dad, but you are to me and that is awesome!

      Delete

I look forward to reading your comments. If you have any connection to the people mentioned in this blog, please let me know. I write about mine and my husband's ancestors and would welcome new information or meeting a new cousin or two. Thanks for visiting and come back soon.