What you can learn from a Census (1930)

At the top of every census page (well, this isn't always a "given"), you should find the state, the county, and the township, (or some other form of a geographical description, for example, a precinct #).

I am utilizing the 1930 Census, today, for Lauderdale County, Alabama; the township is "Florence".  The Enumeration District is 37-15, Ward 2.  It is "supervisor district #1"; the date may be at that top of the page, also.  If not, you might utilize the date from the page before or after (better than "no date at all")!                          

Where can I learn more about the place called Lauderdale County?  
Use Wikipedia for a quick location hint or for more information, access Maps.google.com.

Where can I find images of the census?  Almost any large genealogical database will have some census images: FamilySearch.org, Ancestry.com, and MyHeritage.com are some examples.

The family unit for page #2A of the census that I'm looking at today is the WEATHERLY family.  The date that this census information was gathered is 3 April 1930.  Always make a habit of viewing the page(s) before and after to see if you think any of their relatives were living nearby ("Nearby" being a very long distance or it could mean "next door")!

Obie Lee Weatherly is the head of the household.  "H".  In 1930, a question that the enumerator asked was "is this home owned or rented"?  In this case, the answer is "R" for rented.  Mr. Weatherly's rent is $50.00 or if he owns his home, that value of that property would be listed.  "Do you have a radio set"? was also asked.  

Other questions: Do you live on a farm?  In this instance, the answer is "no".  Obie Lee is a male, he is "white", age 44, and married.  He was age 23 at the time of his first marriage.  He is not attending school presently.  And he can read and write.  He was born in Georgia; his father was born in Alabama, and his mother was born in Georgia.

Hint:  You might take a picture or save the image of the census so you can refresh your memory, later.  A lot of genealogists will use a form, (print from ancestry.com or familysearch.org), specifically loaded with the census questions for that particular census year.  Or perhaps you have downloaded a template for the 1930 Census; you can even make your own with Excel or some other spreadsheet program.  For templates, check out NARA.gov.

 

A Prayer for myself and others

We Can All Do Something to Serve

I met a lady today whose 46 year old daughter is suffering from Guillian-Barre Syndrome.  It is thought to be a viral disease.  Here is a link with more info: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/guillain-barre-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20362793.

Anyway, this mother shared with me the challenges that she and her family had been experiencing as they have watched the awful struggles of her grown daughter who has 3 daughters of her own.  I have to hope and pray that their load continues to be lightened by the many angels who have been helpful so far: the doctors, the medical folks (nurses, etc.) and the practitioners, aides, etc. at the local rehab where the daughter is residing currently.

The other bit of info that kind of hit me, somewhat: This same daughter also has leukemia and has been treated by my very own cancer doctors.  How blessed we are, in this day and age, to be able to have our lives lengthened by the amazing progress of science and treatment...even my own battles with Non-Hodgkins Disease.  Someone told me recently that they knew someone with that ailment just five or six years ago and that person didn't live very long.  I was first diagnosed in 2005!

I am of the belief that all good things come from God, our Heavenly Father.  We have the opportunity and privilege of performing very tiny miracles each and every day, thanks to our Savior Jesus Christ.  We are His Hands.  Maybe we won't be the scientist that discovers a cure for some awful disease, but we can and should lighten the burdens that are borne by those we come into contact with.  In whatever capacity, with whatever talents or gifts we my have access to.

I'm so wrapped up in my own little world, my own complaints and challenges.  I needed that reminder today that "go and do something, today" is possible for most of us to perform even if we only make someone's load lighter in some very small way!

 Lyrics:
1. Have I done any good in the world today?
Have I helped anyone in need?
Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad?
If not, I have failed indeed.
Has anyone's burden been lighter today
Because I was willing to share?
Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way?
When they needed my help was I there?