1930 and all SEEMS well
Note: For the complete list of posts, go HERE.
My quest continues with a journey into the 1930 Census.
My father, now 5 years old, is joined in the Census by my Uncle Vinnie, born in 1928. They are now living at 70 First Avenue in Manhattan, between 4th and 5th avenue, still on the east side.
I note a few facts about my grandparents in 1930.
Both respond “no” to the question of whether they attended school. I’m not sure if they interpreted this as “ever” or at that time. But both can read and write.
Lo and behold, my grandfather seems to have moved beyond corset cutting. He apparently grabbed a piece of the American Dream, and is listed in the Census as a “fruit stand proprietor.”
They do not speak English; their language is Italian.
The value of their home -- I assume this means the value of their belongs, since they rent -- is $18.00.
There are five families living at 70 First Avenue, all originally from outside the U.S., one family each from Russia, Poland, Italy, Spain, and Romania. Only one of the adults is a naturalized citizen, the rest are “aliens.” Only one family has adults who speak English.
A variety of other players in my father’s family puzzle began to fall into place via the 1930 Census, all living within spitting distance of each other in Manhattan by this point.
In summary:
Elizabeth’s side:
Michele/Michael -- born 1875
Theresa -- born 1887
Dominick -- born 1891
Maria -- born 1892
Adrianne -- born 1894
Frank’s side:
Michael -- born 1884 -- and his wife Jennie
Some spouses and children and grandchildren of these intrepid immigrants also begin to appear, courtesy of the Ancestry “hint” leaves.
And each and every name is a stranger to me. None of these people -- except my uncle Vinnie -- has ever been mentioned to us.
