So far, I can count on one hand what I already know about “La Moss”. In the documents I have, the name is always written as La Moss. Her birthday is listed in Llewellyn’s diary as February 27th. It looks like her surname in that same birthday entry is Menner.
Where do we start?
I have to start with figuring out where in Llewellyn’s timeline I am working. Llewellyn’s diary covers the years 1923-1925. At that time, she was living at home with her parents. She was working in an insurance office and teaching at her church. She got married in June of 1926. La Moss appears often in the diary. After looking at the diary again, I noticed La Moss only appears in the first year. That leads me to believe it’s possible she wasn’t even at the wedding. I have a guest book and gift list. I can’t skip them because this is the biggest list of Llewellyn’s friends and associates I have to work from.
I made an extra workbook in my Research Log to start. In that workbook, I went ahead and re-transcribed the guest list and the gift list. I marked the family members, whoever signed the gift list, and whoever signed the guest list. If you’d like to follow along and see the file, I uploaded it to my Google Drive.
The Excel file I created to show the family, guests, and gifts.
I turned off the family members for the screenshot above. That made the list visible in one screen, without scrolling. This makes it easier for me to see who the possibile candidates are. I can also rule out a couple of people just based on Llewellyn’s diary entries.
Who am I ruling out and why?
Mrs. Margaret Glazier & Ruth: Ruth appears often in Llewellyn’s diary. She’s been written about the same days as La Moss at times.
Willa Steinhoff – Willa is in the diary more often than La Moss is. Willa and La Moss have been in the same entry together.
Anna Pusch – Anna was one of Llewellyn’s co-workers. She gets her own nickname in the diary, Puschie.
What’s Next?
I already have a ton of leads that I’m looking into. I find it curious that there is mention of La Moss only until August of 1923. Before that she appeared often. After La Moss drops off the diary, a Harold Menner shows up often and gives Llewellyn and her friends rides home. I will be looking into that next time!
It’s been quite awhile since I’ve done a Mystery Monday. I wasn’t expecting to dive into one this soon into my Genealogy Do-Over but oh well! This mystery isn’t even new to the blog. I’ve written about La Moss before on Mystery Monday. I never did find out what her real name was. I’m so curious though because it seems like she was one of Llewellyn’s best friends.
I started thinking about La Moss again when I was over-analyzing Llewellyn’s wedding guest and gift lists. 5 years after my last La Moss thought, she popped into my head again. Surely since she is all over Llewellyn’s journal, she must have been at the wedding. There might be a few road blocks though:
She might not have signed the guest book.
She might not have given Llewellyn a gift.
If all of those things are true, man that’s not going to help. It’s not going to block me though. I am a better researcher now and surely I should be able to find her, even if it takes me awhile. I have a tentative game plan to find La Moss’ identity.
I will check all the unknown to me female guests from the wedding guest list.
I will check all the unknown to me people in the wedding gift list.
I will check the census surrounding Llewellyn in 1920 and 1930 to see if any of these people are possibilities.
I will send away to the New Jersey State Archives for a birth record search. La Moss should have been born before 1915, which means the record will cost only $10 instead of $25.
I will have so much fun finding new ways of looking, because this is my test on how creative I can get if I need to.
Is La Moss in this picture?
This is the original picture I used to make the Mystery Monday graphic. Is La Moss in this picture? I know Llewellyn is the second from the right. Everyone else is up in the air. It could be cousins, it could be coworkers, it could be church trip friends. The possibilities are endless. Will Llewellyn have a picture of La Moss in all these pictures and will I even be able to find her? I guess we will find out!
This week’s Saturday Night Genealogy Fun from Randy Seaver at Genea-Musings is all about the census. We are tasked with finding out or guessing which of our ancestors has the most census entries. At first I thought this was going to be really hard. I am in the middle of a Genealogy Do-Over so I didn’t want to venture too much into my old family tree file. I couldn’t resist though, and luckily for me I found someone pretty quickly to highlight!
My 3rd Great-Grandmother Josephine Doremus-Thorward!
Here is Josephine and her husband George Thorward/Yohn/Weigel (whatever he calls himself) at their house in Caldwell, New Jersey.
Had George Thorward/Yohn/Weigel/Whatever lived another few months, he could have shared this entry with his wife. As it is, they are on the same census page as each other in every census from her birth except for the 1860 census because he was still in Germany and the 1940 census because he had passed away in April.
1860 – Josephine is living in Caldwell township, Essex County, New Jersey with her parents, John Doremus and Sarah Catherine Bush, her sister, and two other possible relatives.
John Doremus, age 31, male, Tailor, born in New York
Sarah Doremus, age 26, female, born in New Jersey, cannot read or write
Josephine Doremus, age 5, female, born in New Jersey, attended school
Adaline Doremus, age 3, female, born in New Jersey
MariAnn Bush, age 22, female, seamstress, born in New Jersey
George H. Vanness, age 5 months, male, born in New New Jersey
1860 U.S. census, population schedule, Essex County, New Jersey. Caldwell township, p. 89, dwelling 60, family 60, John Doremus; digital images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 2 Mar 2014); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm M653, roll 690.
1870 – Josephine’s father passed away between the 1860 and 1870 census and her mother re-married. Josephine is found living as a domestic servant in the household of Samuel B. Bond, cigar manufacturer. Just two household before that one on the census “George Yohn” is living with Harvey H. Bond, farmer, and working as a cigar maker’s apprentice. They are living in Caldwell township, Essex County, New Jersey.
Samuel B. Bond, age 37, male, white, cigar manufacturer, real estate worth 10,000, personal estate worth 2,500, born in New Jersey, male citizen over 21 years of age
Elenor C. Bond, age 32, female, white, keeping house, born in New Jersey
Mamie Bond, age 2, female, white, born in New Jersey
Nellie Bond, age 2 months, female, white, born in New Jersey, born in Mar.
Josephine Doremus, age 15, female, white, domestic servant, born in New Jersey
1870 U.S. census, population schedule, Essex County, New Jersey. Caldwell township, p. 112-B, dwelling 121, family 137, Samuel B. Bond; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 Mar 2014); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm M593, roll 860. Side note: Josephine’s marriage record indicates she married George Yohn in 1871. However, in all future records the family uses the name Thorward.
1880 – Josephine is living with her husband, George Thorward in Caldwell, Essex County, New Jersey.They now have three children.
George Thorward, white, male, age 27, married, cigar maker, birth place N.J. (It looks as if N.J. was written in after the fact. A different writing tool was used and all other references to George are blank.)
Josephine Thorward, white, female, age 25, married, housework, born in New Jersey, father born in New Jersey, mother born in New Jersey
Frank Thorward, white, male, age 7, single, born in New Jersey, father birth place blank, mother born in New Jersey
Lewis Thorward, white, male, age 5, single, born in New Jersey, father birth place blank, mother born in New Jersey
Dora Thorward, white, female, age 1, single, born in New Jersey, father birth place blank, mother born in New Jersey
1880 U.S. census, population schedule, Essex County, New Jersey. Caldwell township, enumeration district (ED) 94, p. 403-B, dwelling 96, family 101, George Thorward; digital images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 25 Mar 2014); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T9, roll 780.
1885 – George and Josephine Thorwold appear in FamilySearch’s index of the 1885 New Jersey State Census. They are still living in Caldwell, Essex County, New Jersey.
George Thorwold, male, age 20 to 60 years
Josephine Thorwold, female, age 20 to 60 years
Frank Thorwold, male, age 5 to 20 years
Lewis Thorwold, male, age 5 to 20 years
Dora Thorwold, female, age 5 to 20 years
1885 State Census, New Jersey, population schedule, Caldwell township, Essex County, p. 47, family 2, George Thorwold; database, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 9 Jul 2016).
1895 – George and Josephine Thorward appear in the 1895 New Jersey State Census. They are living in the Caldwell borough, Essex County, New Jersey.
George Thorward, male, german, age 20 to 60 years
Josephine Thorward, female, white, age 20 to 60 years
Frank Thorward, male, white, age 20 to 60 years
Dora Thorward, female, white, age 5 to 20 years
1895 State Census, New Jersey, population schedule, Essex County, New Jersey. Caldwell township, p. 17, dwelling 97, family 104, line 7, George Thorward; digital images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 Apr 2016).
1900 – George and Josephine are still living in Caldwell borough, Essex County, New Jersey.
George Thorward, head, white, male, Jan 1853, age 47, married 29 years, born in Germany, father born in Germany, mother born in Germany, 1867 year of immigration, in the US for 33 years, naturalized, cigar mfg., can read, can write, can speak English, owns house free
Jospehine Thorward, wife, white, female, Oct 1854, age 45, married 29 years, 3 children born, 3 children living, born in New Jersey, father born in New Jersey, mother born in New Jersey, can read, can write, can speak English
Frank Thorward, son, white, male, Sept 1872, age 27, single, born in New Jersey, father born in Germany, mother born in New Jersey, can read, can write, can speak English
1900 U.S. census, population schedule, Essex County, New Jersey. Caldwell borough, enumeration district (ED) 215, sheet 07-B, dwelling 134, family 145, George Thorward; digital images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 May 2014); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T623, roll 970.
1905 – George and Josephine are again counted in the New Jersey State Census index. They are living in Essex County, New Jersey. No town is given.
Geo Thorward, male, age 53
Josephine Thorward, male, age 51
James Green, male, age 30
1905 New Jersey State Census, New Jersey, population schedule, Essex County, p. 8, family 3, line 53, Geo Thorward; database, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 9 Jul 2016).
1910 – George and Josephine are listed under a street name for the first time. The street is called Campbell Avenue and the people counted after the Thorwards are counted on Cleveland Street. The Thorwards are usually given an address on Central Avenue, which is next to Cleveland Street. From what I can tell, Campbell Avenue no longer exists, I’ll have to check into street name changes.
George Thorward, head, male, white, age 58, married 37 years, born in Germany, father born in Germany, mother born in Germany, immigrated in 1865, speaks English, cigar manufacturer, emp., not out of work at all in the year, can read, can write, owns house
Josephine Thorward, wife, female, age 55, married 37 years, 3 children born, 3 children living, born in New Jersey, father born in New Jersey, mother born in New Jersey, speaks English, can read, can write
James Green, boarder, male, white, age 33, single, born in New Jersey, father born in New Jersey, mother born in New Jersey, speaks English, clark, grocery, worker, not out of work, can read, can write
1910 U.S. census, population schedule, Essex County, New Jersey. Caldwell borough, enumeration district (ED) 156, sheet 02-B, dwelling 38, family 39, George Thorward; digital images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 May 2014); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T624, roll 882.
1915 – New Jersey State Census Index. Caldwell borough, Essex County, New Jersey.
George Thorward, male, Jan 1853, born in Germany
Josephine Thorward, female, Oct 1854, born in New Jersey
James H. Green, male, Apr 1869, born in New Jersey
1915 State Census, New Jersey, population schedule, Caldwell borough, Essex County, p. 11-B, family 268, line 96, George Thorward; database, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 9 Jul 2016)
1920 – George Thorward is written down as living at 110 Central Avenue. The problem is that is the most detail given on this census. The rest is blank. I don’t know what the issue was.
George Thorward, head, own home, male, white, un, married, born in US/NS, father born in US/NS, mother born in US/NS (Side note: I can’t tell if it is an N or U)
blank, female, white, married
1920 U.S. census, population schedule, Essex County, New Jersey. Caldwell township, enumeration district (ED) 22, sheet 19-B, dwelling 425, family 458, George Thorward; digital images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 May 2014); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T625, roll 1028.
1930 – George and Josephine are back, this time being enumerated at 112 Central Avenue, Caldwell borough, Essex County, New Jersey.
George Thorward, head, own home, 8000 value, no radio set, not a farm, male, white, age 78, married, first married at age 19, did not attend school, can read and write, born in Germany, father born in Germany, mother born in Germany, German spoken before coming to the US, can speak English, cigar maker, cigar factory, W, not at work yesterday, veteran box is blank
Josephine Thorward, wife-h, female, white, age 75, married, first married at age 17, did not attend school, can read and write, born in New Jersey, father born in New Jersey, mother born in New Jersey, can speak English
James Green, boarder, male, white, age 56, single, did not attend school, can read and write, born in New Jersey, father born in New Jersey, mother born in New Jersey, can speak English, Laborer, General, W, not at work yesterday, not a veteran
1930 U.S. census, population schedule, Essex County, New Jersey. Caldwell borough, enumeration district (ED) 353, sheet 11-A, dwelling 238, family 204, George Thorward; digital images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 May 2014); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T626, roll 1328.
1940 – The enumeration date at the top of the page reads April 12. Josephine’s husband died on April 8th. She is enumerated at 112 Central Avenue, Caldwell borough, Essex County, New Jersey.
Josephine Thorward, head, female, white, age 85, widowed, own home, 3500 value, not a farm, did not attended school, 5th grade, born in New Jersey, same house in 1935, not at work private, not at work public, not seeking work, does not have a job, has other income
James Green, lodger, male, white, age 65, single, did not attended school, 6th grade, born in Massachusetts, same house in 1935, not at work private, not at work public, seeking work, does not have a job, general garden and housework, odd jobs private houses, worked 9 weeks in 1939, 125 income, does not have other income
1940 U.S. census, population schedule, Essex County, New Jersey. Caldwell borough, enumeration district (ED) 73, sheet 09-B, household 218, Josephine Thorward; digital images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 May 2014); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T627, roll 2330.
Conclusion: Josephine appeared on 12 censuses in total. 8 federal censuses and 4 state censuses. This does not count the 1890 census where she probably would have appeared. I don’t know if anyone in my tree will ever beat Josephine’s census record but I’ll definitely look. That was super interesting to see! 🙂
You aren’t imaging things! I did indeed say that I use a gaming keyboard to help me with my genealogy. If you have 10 minutes, then go ahead and look at my video and see how I do it.
I’m here to show you how I’ve become a complete organization addict. I’ve been doing really great at setting my organization up for my Genealogy Do-Over. I am still working on that and still working through Mastering Genealogical Proof by Thomas W. Jones. It’s going against everything in me not to follow some leads that I see in my head as I look at some of my old blog posts.
Speaking of old blog posts. I am re-organizing them. I never really used a consistent organization method with them and that’s what I’m going back and changing now. I have a lot more time on my hands while I work through my other tasks. The most important reason is I want to be able to find what I’m looking for easier. I use the blog as a way of talking things over with myself or others. I think this will help me to remember what I’ve already said on a subject before and to easily find past entries.
Meet my new Blog Tracker. I am tracking the date I posted, the title, names I mentioned, tags I used, categories I used (some are changing as I go), whether I added SEO data, if I want to re-visit that entry, if I have links to my database website to fix, if I want to go back and add source citations, and if a family member commented.
All that is the data I want to track. Oh boy, it’s a lot. It doesn’t take me more than a couple of minutes to actually log this information. I like that I am using the filters feature, because I can see at a glance all my entries for Lewis Thorward or George Thorward.
Most of the information I am logging, is actually view-able at a glance on my post listing. There isn’t a really efficient way for me to view 62 pages (!!!) of information and cut through it. Unless there are some great search tips that I don’t know about.
There isn’t anything changing in the old posts. I am just adding Tags for the family names discussed and making a shorter category list for now. Later I will go back and fix links, once I am into my research again and know what numbers to use. I will also make links between entries that ended up being a part of a series.
Hopefully, this won’t take me 8 years to do, but I have a feeling it will go quicker than I think. Are you going through an organization overhaul? Is it kicking your butt too?
