Sunday, December 22, 2013

Census Sunday - Harry Reed Sr's Family

Greetings all,

I posted about finding Harry Sr's Death certificate (link to post) and mentioned that I thought I could be misreading the names because nothing popped up. Lo and behold, one of my readers, Allen, posted some Census information.

I had already come across the 1920 Census, where Harry Sr's dad is listed as Wayland Reid, misspelled by the Census taker.



But, he also pointed out a 1930 Census that I hadn't seen yet. Harry Sr isn't on the Census with this family anymore, since he married Agnes in 1925, but his other siblings are on there.

On the 1930 Census Wayland Reed becomes Wailon Reid - where do they get these spellings??


At first glance, I was ready to dismiss this due to the wonderful spelling, but I started to tie somethings together, not only between the 1920 and 1930 Census, but also to Harry Sr's children.

In 1920, Harry Sr's mother is Phoebe R Reed. In 1930 she is Ruth Reed. So, I'm thinking she's Phoebe Ruth Reed. One of Harry Sr's daughters is Nellie Ruth Reed. Possible named partially after her grandma?

Then there is Harry Sr's bother Paul Reed. It looks like Harry Sr named one of his sons after his brother Paul Reed.

And..........the movement of the family matches my theory.

Harry Sr, his parents, and most of his siblings were born in Virginia, but Harry Sr gets married in 1925 in Charleston, WV. My theory has always been that the Reed family moved to Charleston, at some point.

The 1930 Census puts Harry Sr's parents and siblings in Charleston, WV. I get goose bumps just writing that. :-)

My next hunt is to move Harry Sr and parents back to the 1910 Census.

So far, I've searched the matching enumeration district in 1910 and the two districts on either side of it and no dice.

I've tried searching by Harry - using Harry Reed, Harry Reid, Raymond Reed, Raymond Reed and nothing fruitful is coming up.

I've gone through a couple of other townships in the Augusta County for 1910 and nothing is coming up.

Oh, well....it took me this long to get his parent's names, I'm sure it will take me just as long to get his grandparent's names.

Until next time......

Friday, December 13, 2013

Drum roll please...........a Death Certificate!!!!!

Hello all,

I have finally got my hands on Harry Sr's death certificate. Woohoo!!!!!!

I learned the counties that his parents were born in and I have their names.

I'm struggling with reading the names of his parents. I think I know what they are, but I'm not finding any records pop up. Of course, knowing this family they could be a nickname or they have a nickname on the record, which would be just my luck.

Anyone want to give a shout-out with ideas of what the names are?


Like everything with the Reed family, it feels like I take two steps forward only to go backwards.....

More later when I emerge again from my fight with the Reed tree..........I will win........