The Genealogy Search

The 1940 census will be released online on April 2, 2012.  To follow along with the countdown visit  http://www.archives.gov/research/census/1940/ .   The website  http://1940census.archives.gov/  has been set up  to access the digitized census records starting on April 2. The digital images will be accessible free o f charge.  Get a head start on the census by reviewing some of the basic information available from NARA at   http://www.archives.gov/research/census/1940/general-info.html#guide .  The information that the National Archives has put together includes information on each column on the census form and the code explanations used by the census takers.

Top Row:  Maxine, Harold Bottom Row:   Lloyd (my Dad) and Bruce Clark cir 1935

Maxine Damery passed away  Sunday, March 18, 2012, in her home.  She was born Maxine Elizabeth Clark on  June 17, 1926 at Milmine, IL, the daughter of Otis E. Clark and Ruby P. Poundstone Clark.  For some reason saying goodbye to her always made me cry.  I think I cried more as I got older, each year just seemed a little harder to leave her.  No doubt I will be crying this Thursday and Friday saying goodbye for the last time. I am so happy that I had the chance to spend some special time with her.  One of my favorite times visiting was when my daughters Juliana and Claire and I took her to Rockome Gardens in Arcola, Illinois.  I walked into the barn and Maxine was leaning against one of the horses talking to it.  I took the picture above on that visit.  Of course, when I had the camera ready she wasn't hugging and talking to the horse but I sure am glad to have the picture I took.  I am also glad that my children had a chance to visit with her.     I bought tickets for a ride

Thank you Dear Myrtle  She has made a video explaining the indexing of the 1940's census with interesting information on the census included.  Give it a watch! Dear Myrtle's 1940's Census Indexing Video

Robert Urman - Gone Fishing 1941

The first Dairy Queen opened. York Peppermint Patty's hit the store shelves.  Captain Midnight premiers on the radio.  The Adventures of Superman hit the airwaves. The 14th Dalai Lama is enthroned at age 5. The Philadelphia Story, The Grapes of Wrath, Fantasia and My Little Chickadee are among the top movies. Scientists discover the Rh factor in red blood cells. Photo:  Frank Sinatra signs his induction papers while Chief Clerk Mrs. Mae E. Jones helps out at local board No. 19-160 Danforth St., Jersey City / World Telegram photo by F. Palumbo, 1943. National Archives and Records Administration.   Billboard magazine introduces "Best Selling Retail Records" chart.  Number one record is I'll Never Smile Again by Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra with vocals by Frank Sinatra. 

The national women's softball title is won by the Arizona Ramblers.  Throughout the 40's the Ramblers and the A-1 Queens - both of Phoenix - dominated the softball scene. Phoenix declares itself the "Air Conditioning Capital of the World" in 1940. In 1941 Luke and Williams Army Air Bases are established.  Western Arizona opens Camps Bouse, Horn, Hyder and Laguna.  In 1944 the Desert Training Center is closed. 1942 brought the Japanse-American camps to the United States. Arizona was home to the Gila River Relocation Center and the Poston Relocation Center. 1944 was the famous escape of German POW (prisoners of war) from the Papago Park Camp on December 24th.  Twenty five prisoners tunneled out of the prisoner camp.  They later surrendered.  Camp Florence in Florence, Arizona  was the largest all new prisoner of war facility ever constructed in the United States. In 1946 "The Boneyard" or U.S. Aircraft and Missile Storage facility was opened in Tucso

Frank and Eva Urman with granddaughter Julie Urman (now Centner)