Tracking Ancestors with City Directory Spreadsheet

https://pixabay.com/vectors/cityscape-city-town-row-houses-2747226/

If you have been reading the blog, you know that I love spreadsheets. Using them has helped me organize information. And best of all, answer questions.

A research problem has been our Gaphardt/Gephardt surname. At times, my ancestors used one or both of these spellings. Trying to determine relationships has been overwhelming. That is when I began using city directory research spreadsheets. 

This is the template I created. Named with directory title and date range. Added title of each individual directory. Now I can copy for each surname I wish to research.

Located the Digitized Baltimore City Directories on University of Maryland website. These are digitized from Internet Archive. Also, available on Ancestry.com. I find these directories easier to negotiate. Also, placed a link to the website, ensuring I have exact location the information was obtained.

Here is the first entry for my 2nd great-grandfather, George C. Gaphardt. Another surname spelling! Gephart  is now added to the growing list.

By 1871, we see my 2nd great-uncle, John C. Gaphardt appear in the directory. Verifying address for the family. My 2nd great-grandfather is listed as Gaphardt and Gephardt! No wonder I'm having such difficulty with this ancestral line.

Adding subsequent directory information, we discover the family relocating many times. Also, tracked their movements during gap created by the loss of the 1890 United States Federal Census. During this time span, the family relocated three times. Several of the addresses have previously been unknown. I will be searching the Maryland Land Records website for possible deeds. These may have important clues.

By 1901, my line settles on Gaphardt. In each succeeding record, they use that surname. But, we still see the Gephardt surname. This spreadsheet has given me a place to gather facts, and hopefully, discover relationships. I know from DNA matches, both of these surnames are indeed related.

With the directories, I made a fun discovery. How my 2nd great-grandmother met her second husband. 

According to the directories, by 1860 the Judd family was residing at 20 Walker. The last entry for them and this address being 1882.

Looking at the 1868-1869 city directory we see:

• Henry Horn - tailor - 11 Walker (future 2nd husband of Elizabeth Judd Wakefield)
• Philomena Judd - tailoress - 20 Walker (2nd wife and widow of 3rd great-grandfather Mathias Judd, step-mother of Elizabeth Judd Wakefield Horn)
• Henry Wakefield - tailor  - 290 s Ann (2nd great-grandfather, 1st husband of Elizabeth Judd)

This is the last record we found for Henry Wakefield. I believe he passed away somewhere between 1869 and when Elizabeth remarries. The hunt continues!

By 1870 United States Federal Census [1], Elizabeth is residing with Phillipina Judt. Along with her young son, back to the family home.

On October 27, 1872 [2], Elizabeth weds neighbor, Henry Horn. The young widow and little boy, begin a new life. With the widower and his two small daughters. The couple would go on to have seven children. A combined total of ten children.

By the way, did you catch they were all in the tailoring business? Another connection revealed by the directories. 

Love when stories come alive using the records.

Here are a few links about using city directories in family history research:

City Directories for Genealogy When There's Been a Loss of Vital Records by Amie Bowser Tennant on The Genealogy Reporter

Directories: City, County, Address, etc. - General Resources on Cyndi's List

How to Use City Directories in Your Genealogy Research by Lisa Lisson of Are You My Cousin?

United State Directories - FamilySearch

______________

Sources 

[1] 1870 U.S. census, Baltimore City, Maryland, population schedule, Baltimore Ward 6, page 224 (penned), dwelling/family 1859, Phillipina Judt household; digital image, Ancestry.com (https://ancestry.com : accessed 04 December 2020); imaged from NARA microfilm 552073, roll M593_574

[2] Henry Horn entry, Baltimore City Court of Common Pleas, marriage index (marriage index, male), 1851-1885, CM205, reel CR 1672; Maryland State Archives

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

The Bride Wore Irish Lace

Photograph courtesy Vivian & Dee McNosky Larson 

permission granted for use on family blog

Wedding portrait
Charles Eck (1st cousin 3x removed)
Mary Edna Pearl Terry

Back of photograph

"The bride's dress was dark green with Irish Lace
June 23, 1906
Baltimore, Maryland"

Marriage record 

(Maryland State Archives)

Series Information
BALTIMORE CITY
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
(Marriage Index, Male)
1886-1914
T2426

Charles Eck, age 25, resides in Baltimore, Maryland

Edna M.P. Terry, age 22, resides in Baltimore, Maryland

Minister - Edwin E. Ide

Discovery on Digital Public Library of America via Podcast

circa 1900 

Description -Note hitching post in front. Nursery had both citrus and "deciduous stock".  

Creator Clarence Tucker, d. 1970

Location - Covina, California

Originally form Covina Public Library

Material in the public domain

Digital Public Library Of America

I LOVE genealogy podcasts. Listen to them on the way to and from work. Also, while out for walks around town. With each episode, I learn something new about family history research.

One of my favorite podcasts is Generations Cafe Podcast by Amy Johnson Crow. She shares helpful websites and genealogy methodology. 

On a recent episode called "7 Free Genealogy Websites That You Might Be Overlooking" Amy discussed the DPLA (Digital Public Library of America). 

DPLA states:

"The Digital Library of America empowers people to learn, grow, and contribute to a diverse and better-functioning society by maximizing access to our shared history, culture and knowledge". "Discover 40,786,219 images, texts, videos, and sounds from across the United States".

On the site there is a page entitled "The Family Research Guide to DPLA". Here it states:

"DPLA is totally free to use and open to all -- no library card, subscription, or sign-up required! Our collection, with items from many institutions, offers a unique research resource for family historians and genealogists."

Listed on the page are collections such as family photographs, family bibles, local maps, yearbooks and oral histories. There you will find amazing images, some in the public domain.

The above photograph is a small glimpse of the Covina Nursery in California. The nursery was co-founded in the early 1900s by Aaron L. Keim. He was the husband of my 1st cousin 3x removed, Mattie Estella Judd. 

I have read several articles about the citrus industry in California. Aaron was a prominent figure in this community. On the website Town Square Publications we find a page entitled Covina History. There it states with others "A.L. Keim started Covina's citrus industry by raising seedlings in their nurseries". 

I discovered additional information about A.L. Keim on Google Books. In "Covina Valley Citrus Industy", published in 2011, we learn Keim became one of "Los Angeles County's largest citrus suppliers. 

Discovering the image was such a lovely surprise. Exciting to gain this small part of Aaron and Mattie's life. 

Thanks to Amy for sharing this website. And, thanks for making my commute/walks so educational. Check out her podcast.

Our Ancestor Was ~ Street Car Conductor

Carl Victor Judd 

1st cousin, 3x removed 

b. 11/13/1888 in Texas 

d. 1/17/1956 in California 

photograph in personal collection

Years ago, I connected on Ancestry with a friend sharing Judd family information. Steve gifting us with various photographs. One of my favorites is Carl V. Judd, 1st cousin 3x removed, in uniform.

Neither of us knew what this uniform represented. Steve enlarged the photograph to see if he could gather clues. Focusing on the buttons, he was certain they were not military issue.

FamilySearch, California, County Birth and Death Records, 1800-1994, Los Angeles, Los Angels,
Death Certificates 1956 - no 1-1350

This record supplied a missing piece to our puzzle. Carl's "usual occupation" was that of "street car" "conductor".

FamilySearch, California, County Marriages, 1850-1952, 004280954

On FamilySearch, I found this marriage record for Carl V. Judd to Mary J. Mullin. There Carl's occupation was recorded as "Con L.A. Ry". We interpreted as conductor on the L.A. Railway.

The best evidence, discovered in a publication called "Two Bells". This magazine was published by and for employees of the Los Angels Railway. In the January 30, 1928 edition, we find C.V. Judd on page 3. He is depicted in the article called "Trainmen Who Received Bouqets During 1927". Carl can be found bottom right.

All aboard! Love solving a mystery.

Further reading on the electric street railway:

Los Angels Railway - Wikipedia    

Los Angels Railway 1895-1945 - flickr

Los Angels Railway (1895-1945) - Metro's Primary Resources, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority

Rails West: Street Railways Enable City Growth

The Street Railway History of Los Angeles : The Electric Railway Historical Association of Southern California

+This post is part of series "Our Ancestor Was". Will be documenting interesting and unusual occupations as discovered.

Our Ancestor Was ~ Steeplejack

August Louis Eck

husband of 2nd great-grand aunt, Catherine Judd

b. 02/03/1863 - Baltimore, Maryland

d. 03/08/1940 - Newark, New Jersey

While researching 2nd great-aunt, Catherine Judd, I discovered her husband was a steeplejack. I have heard of this term before, but hadn't investigated exactly what the occupation entailed.

Wikipedia description: "A steeplejack is a craftsman who scales buildings, chimneys, and church steeples to carry out repairs or maintenance."

I found several articles about August's climbing adventures. One even made it all the way to Indianapolis! Seems he was a famous gentleman.

• The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]), 27 Feb. 1887. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn82015679/1887-02-27/ed-1/seq-12/>

The second story was featured in the Baltimore Sun Newspaper, April 3, 1903, pg. 8, Baltimore, Maryland. This article was found on the Newspapers.com website. Once again, August is climbing Baltimore's Washington Monument. 

The following are several excerpts from the article:

"August L. Eck, a professional steeple jack, who climbed the statue on the Washington Monument at noon yesterday in order to replace on the lightning rod a cap which had been burnt away some weeks ago."

"The climb gave the spectators several distinct shivers. Mr. Eck weighs 285 pounds, and though his muscles are not trained as those of an athlete, they are tremendous. He is 6 feet 2 inches in his stockings."

"Had he fallen he would have dropped 204 feet to the ground."

"He began steeple climbing in 1878 when a weather vane on Camden Station was out of order. Once in Tennessee in 1884 he feel 81 feet and escaped without breaking a bone. He says he is usually affected by nausea for several hours after such a climb."

As someone that gets dizzy just looking down from any height, this is impressive.  I'm wondering if August was a bit of a thrill seeker. First a career with the Baltimore City Fire Department, then a steeplejack. 

To learn more about steeple-climbing read "Careers if Danger and Daring" by Cleveland Moffett, published 1908.

+This post is part of series "Our Ancestor Was". Will be documenting interesting and unusual occupations as discovered.

Wordless Wednesday ~ Out For a Drive

 

Orion M. Judd, left (1st cousin 3x removed) 

Daisy Smith Judd (Orion's wife) 

and Mr. & Mrs. Brundoch 

Fresno, California August 30, 1925 

Cars: What Did People Drive? 1920

Bible Tells Me So ~ Charles Judd Revealed

This family treasure came from a special Ancestry Cousin. Little did I know reaching out to a fellow genealogist would uncover such a gem.

I have been communicating with Dee about the Judd family line. In particular, Charles Judd. Charles was my 3rd great-uncle. He was born October 5, 1843 in Germany. He died May 6, 1888 in Sherman, Texas.

Dee sent an email with various photographs. She thought several were related to Charles Judd. There were four photographs in all, two of a gentleman in Civil War uniform, and two a Bible with inscription. The photograph of the Civil War soldier did have "Charles Judd" on the back. Gathering clues, I was able to prove this was our family's ancestor.

"This is the property of Charles Judd if anybody find this and I am dead please notify my Parents of it at No 20 Walker Street Baltimore MD"

"Charles Judd No 20 Walker Srt Baltimore"

"My Father Mathius Judd No. 20 Walker Str Baltimore Md"

In the Bible, Charles Judd gives father's name as Mathius Judd. Address to contact his parents 20 Walker str.

Mathias Judd was my 3rd great grandfather. Maryland, City Directory, 1865 has the family residing at 20 Walker Street. Eureka!

Right away, I sent an email to Dee with this discovery. She responded with "Hello cousin, let's have some genealogy fun!"

Now Dee (still trying figure out exact relation) and I are communicating about shared heritage. She kids about names for our new family team. She suggested "purveyors of the past", "missing linkers" or, "tree branchers". Love her sense of humor.

How fortunate to discover a family connection willing to share.