The Judd Connection Solved!

Orion M. Judd (left) first cousin three times removed

1925 - Fresno, California

About ten years ago, while researching my Judd family line, I came upon a cache of Ancestry.com photographs. They were of my cousins, Orion and Carl Judd. I quickly contacted the Ancestry member, thinking we may be related.

Steve and I began an email conversation about the photographs. Once I let him know my relationship to the Judd's, Steve graciously sent the originals to our family. 

Once I came down from cloud nine, started wondering about this new mystery. How did the Judd children come to live in California? They were all born in Texas. What was their connection to Steve's family?

We begin with the children's father, my 3rd great-uncle, Charles Judd. After serving for the Union Army in the United States Civil War [1], he moved from Maryland to Texas. Once there he met and married, Lois Berry Crocker. They were wed April 22, 1869 [2], in Grayson, Texas. The couple went on to have six children. Sadly, Lois died January, 02, 1886 [3] at 37 years of age. Charles then married the widow, Lucinda Button Barnhart on August 11, 1886 [4]. Only seven month after losing his first wife.

Not long after the couple married, on May 06, 1888, Charles himself died at 44 years of age [5]. Leaving behind his orphaned children, ranging from 18 to 6 years old.

Now, this is where things go awry. All because of that dreaded 1890 U.S. Federal Census! Or lack of. The loss of this important record set creates a big hole in researching our ancestors.

With no records until 1900, it is unclear where and with whom the children resided. Did they  stay with their step-mother? Since the oldest was 18 years old, could she legally take responsibility for her younger siblings?

Next we find the various family members on the 1900 U.S. Federal Census [6-12]:

• Olive Judd - age 30 - married to James R. Hodges abt. 1889  - Los Angeles, California
• William Judd - age 29 - unmarried - Flagstaff, Arizona
• Mattie Judd - age 26 - married to Aaron L. Keim abt. 1891 - Los Angeles, California
• Minnie Judd - age 24 - married to Henry L. Wilson abt. 1893 - Merrick, Nebraska
• Orion M. Judd - age 22 - unmarried - Philippine Islands, Military and Naval Forces, USA
• Carl V. Judd - age 19 - unmarried - Ventura, California
• Lucinda Button Barnhart Judd - age 58 - widowed - Pueblo, Colorado

Their step-mother had relocated to Colorado. The children all left their home state of Texas. Several residing in California. One step closer to figuring out the mystery. 

Arizona Weekly Republican, 19 Jan, 1893 - Phoenix, Arizona - Newspapers.com [13]

Several months ago, while doing Judd research, the biggest clue appeared in a 1893  Phoenix newspaper. The children were taken in by A.P. Walbridge. Who is Mr. Walbridge? What about California?

I noticed in the 1900 U.S. Federal Census for Carl Judd [11], he was residing with George A. Walbridge. Relationship to head of household ... cousin! A connection! But, how were the Judd children related to this Walbridge family? 

Since I documented all the paternal cousins, began looking to the maternal line. Added Lois Crocker's siblings into the family tree. Discovered that George's mother, was Mary Crocker Walbridge. She was married to Henry Walbridge. Mary was the children's aunt, sister of Lois Crocker Judd.

But, who is A.P. Walbridge? More digging into the family tree, and we find another Crocker sister. Amy Crocker married Solomon Walbridge. Their son was Alfred P. Walbridge. The Judd children's much older cousin. He was 35 years old when he obtained guardianship.

At some point, between the 1893 guardianship and 1900 U.S. Federal Census, the children relocated from Texas to Arizona and finally to California.

So, am I related to Steve? Not really. But our families are related. Another Crocker sister, Martha Josephine married William Levy in, Grayson, Texas, on April 14, 1867. By the 1920 U.S. Federal Census [14], this family would make their way to California. The couple's daughter, Bertha Levy Gans, married and become the great-grandmother of my new connection, Steve. We are both cousins of the Judd children of California. I'm related down the Judd line, he is related down the Crocker line.

How sad these children lost their parents at such a young age. But, the story had a happy ending. Two aunts and their families came to the rescue. Taking care of their sister's children. From the facts I have gathered, they all lead a wonderful life. Because of the Walbridge family.

Above is another photograph sent by Steve. In it we have mine and Steve's cousin, Carl Judd. Pictured with Carl is his cousin, Claudine (Tot) Levy. Claudine was Steve's great-aunt. Daughter of William Levy and Martha Josephine Crocker.

Mystery solved! Moral of the story. Connect with everyone you can. And keep on digging. 

______________________

Sources:

[1] "Compiled Service Records of Volunteer Union Soldiers Who Served In Organizations from the State of Maryland"; The National Archives; published 1863; Fold3 (http://www.fold3.com : accessed 15 November 2020)

[2] "Texas, Select County Marriage Records, 1837-1965" Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 15 November 2020)

[3] Headstone for Lois Crocker Judd; Sherman, Grayson, Texas, USA; West Hill Cemetery; Find-A-Grave (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 15 November 2020)

[4] "Texas, Select County Marriage Records, 1837-1965", Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 15 November 2020)

[5] Headstone for Charles Judd; Sherman, Grayson, Texas, USA; West Hill Cemetery Find-A-Grave (https:www.findagrave.com : accessed 15 November 2020)

[6] 1900 U.S. census, Los Angeles, California, population schedule, Rowland Township, enumeration district (ED) 6-12, sheet 9-A, household 207, James R. Hodges household; digital image, Ancestry.com (https//ancestry.com : accessed 15 November 2020); imaged from NARA microfilm T623, roll 1854

[7] 1900 U.S. census, Coconino, Arizona Territory, population schedule, Flagstaff Precinct, enumeration district (ED) 11-14, sheet 13-B,  Early D. Davidson household; digital image, Ancestry.com (https//ancestry.com : accessed 15 November 2020); imaged from NARA microfilm T623, roll 1854

[8] 1900 U.S. census, Los Angeles, California, population schedule, Rowland Township, enumeration district (ED) 6-121, sheet 3-B, household 65, Aaron L. Keim household; digital image, Ancestry.com (https//ancestry.com : accessed 15 November 2020); imaged from NARA microfilm T623, roll 1854

[9] 1900 U.S. census, Merrick, Nebraska, population schedule, Loup Precinct, enumeration district (ED) 3-137, sheet 1-A, household 10, Henry L. Wilson household; digital image, Ancestry.com (https//ancestry.com : accessed 15 November 2020); imaged from NARA microfilm T623, roll 1854

[10] 1900 U.S. census, Balinag, Philippine Islands, population schedule, Military and Naval Population, enumeration district (ED) Company B U.S. Volunteers, sheet 4-B; digital image, Ancestry.com (https//ancestry.com : accessed 15 November 2020); imaged from NARA microfilm T623, roll 1854

[11] 1900 U.S. census, Ventura, California, population schedule, Saticoy Township, enumeration district (ED) 6-167, sheet 6-B, household 127, Geo A. Walbridge household; digital image, Ancestry.com (https//ancestry.com : accessed 15 November 2020); imaged from NARA microfilm T623, roll 1854

[12] 1900 U.S. census, Pueblo, Colorado, population schedule, Pueblo, enumeration district (ED) 2-101, sheet 9-B, household 128, Lucinda H. Judd household; digital image, Ancestry.com (https//ancestry.com : accessed 15 November 2020); imaged from NARA microfilm T623, roll 1854

[13] "Local Briefs", Arizona Republic, 19 Jan 1893 Thu, p. 1, col 2; digital images, Newspaper.com (https:www.newspapers.com : accessed 15 November 2020)  

[14] 1900 U.S. census, Tulare, California, population schedule, Porterville Precinct, enumeration district (ED) 6-271, sheet 821-B, household 628, Cecil C. Wright household; digital image, Ancestry.com (https//ancestry.com : accessed 15 November 2020); imaged from NARA microfilm T625, roll 2076