Labor in our Family Tree

Coal miners  - Pennsylvania (Luzerne or Carbon County, Pennsylvania)

Be thankful we live today.  The term "labor" certainly isn't what it used to be.  I come from coal miners and teachers.  My husband from farmers mostly, but also cheese makers, woodworkers, and my father-in-law was a truck driver.

To be a coal miner...well, I don't really like thinking about it too much.  Always wondering if your husband and sons come home that night?  If they came home, would they be broken and able to continue working?  I can't imagine sending my young sons off to work in the coal mines, but that's what my ancestors did.  Boys went to work in the mines as soon as they were able.  Girls helped mom raise the babies and do the housework (which was a LOT harder than today).  They had gardens and chickens in their yards to help feed their families.  They made their own clothes and had few tech-gadgets to make their lives easier.

Feeding her birds

I know my ancestors worked hard and hoped that some day their children wouldn't have to work in the mines. Around the turn of the century that started to happen and my grandparents and great aunts and uncles more often became teachers.

One room schoolhouses.  Teaching all grade levels at once, but eventually schools changed and became more what I remember as a child and teenager.  Teaching though is still a thankless job more often than not.  Where would we be without our teachers?  I get emails and comments about my grandfather and what a wonderful teacher  and role model he was (and strict).  I have obituaries that show how much my great aunt achieved in her lifetime and how respected she was (you can read about her here).

My father-in-law, like many truck drivers today spent the week driving and would come home on the weekends to see his family.  His wife took care of their 5 children while he was away.  Sacrifice and a strong and loving family.  He worked for Schneider United.  The "United" meant it was unionized.  Schneider busted that union by hiring new truck drivers that would work for a little more money up front, no pensions and diminished benefits.  They didn't fire the unionized drivers, they merely waited for them to retire.  Now Schneider National stands in its place.  Same company...less security for the drivers and their families.  My father-in-law was able to retire comfortably and when he passed my mother-in-law was able to receive his pension and continue to live well.

As for the farmers in our family, well I can only imagine how difficult working on a farm must have been.  I am so not a morning person and I can only imagine having to rise early to tend the crops and animals.

Feeding the chickens

My ancestors (and yours as well, if they held many of these occupations) had something that helped them make ends meet.  Helped them fight for better working conditions and to keep their children out of the dangerous mines.  Had someone to speak for them so they weren't driving truck longer than was safe for them and others on the road.  Someone that made sure that the teachers got the benefits they deserved for the hard work that they did...they had unions.

Labor Day hardly means what it once did.  What it must have meant to our ancestors.  Our ancestors that just wanted an honest day's wage for an honest day's labor.  To be able to live in dignity and raise their families from what was frequently an impoverished and brutally hard life.  Labor Unions fought for:

-Overtime pay

-A tolerable length for the work week and workday

-Minimum wage

-Paid vacation and sick days

-Safety standards

-Child Labor Laws

-Health benefits

-Retirement security

-Unemployment compensation

You would not have had Labor Day if there had not been unions.  Unions pushed for a day to celebrate America's laborers.  States passed laws marking the holiday, but it wasn't until August 28, 1893 that Labor Day became a National holiday.

Schoolhouse from an old family album

The word "union" and "unionized" seems to be the equivalent of a swear word today, but why?  Some unions were corrupt, but it's up to the members to fix that.  Not up to the employers and politicians to bust the unions that help keep our union workers safe and earning a decent wage.

I would not dishonor my ancestors to disparage what is a wonderful part of our American history.  The Labor Union and Labor Day will always be connected.  Even if people sometimes refuse to acknowledge the connection.  Our ancestors changed this country so that their children and grandchildren would be able to live a better life than they did.  Not a life of sloth as many wrongfully think of unionized labor, but an honest day's wage.  An honest day's work.

Today I celebrate Labor Day and my ancestors that helped make working in America better for everyone.  I will keep their hard work and intentions alive and I thank them for their sacrifices so that my life was better than theirs.  May we always be a country that values it's workers.

Sunday's Obituary - Neil Joseph Brown III

Saint Gabriel's cemetery, Hazleton, Pennsylvania

Standard Speaker, April 1968

Neil Brown III was born on February 5, 1914 in Hazleton.  He's one of the many Browns in my family tree. Sadly, the trail ends with his obituary.  I'm still looking for information on his wife since there was no death of death for Dorothy when I took the picture of their tombstone.  I did find an obituary for her sister who passed away on January 25th 2010 at the age of 92 and listing Dorothy as a surviving relative.  Talk about some great longevity in the Gillespie family!

Well, on to the obituary for Neil who was my 1st cousin twice removed.

"Neil Joseph Brown

Neil Joseph Brown, of 644 N. Wyoming St., died at 12:15 a.m. Sunday at St. Joseph Hospital.  He had been ill 10 days.

Born in Hazleton, a son of the late Neil and Bridget (Brown) Brown, he was a lifelong resident of the city.

He was employed at the Hazleton Brick Co. and was a member of St. Gabriel's R.C. Church.

he is survived by his wife, the former Dorothy Gllespie [sic], and four children:  Neil J. Brown Jr., Allentown; Dennis, Timothy and Patricia, all at home.

Also surviving are these brothers and sisters:  Mrs. John (Nancy) Harkins, Newark, Del.; Mrs. Eleanor Prosser, Mrs. Clyde (Mary) Barth and James, all of Hazleton; Eugene, Levittown, N.J.; Paul, Meadville; John, Philadelphia; Mrs. Charles (Joan) Cann and Charles, both of this city.

A son, Spec. 5 Michael P. Brown, was killed in action in Vietnam Nov. 26, 1967.

The funeral will be held from the Boyle Funeral Home, 100 S. Wyoming St., at 9 a.m. Wednesday.  Solemn high mass of requiem will be celebrated in St. Gabriel's R.C. Church at 9:30 and interment will be in the parish cemetery.  Friends may call 3 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday."

Tombstone Tuesday - Thomas and Leona Dougherty

Thomas and Leona Dougherty nee Ganss, Calvary Cemetery, Drums, PA

When I visited Pennsylvania last summer I went looking for the grave of my great aunt Helen Elizabeth "Betty" Bronsavage.  She was hard to find, but as I searched I took the opportunity to take pictures of tombstones with family names on them.  I don't know if any of them are members of my family though. Most of my family members were buried in Hazleton city's cemeteries and this cemetery was in Drums (close to Hazleton, but no cigar).  We guessed that Helen was buried out there because none of the Catholic cemeteries in the city would want an adulteress and murderer buried there.  In fact she was buried in unconsecrated ground, which has since her burial been consecrated.  Anyway, that was a tangent.  This post is on Thomas and Leona Dougherty after all, and the Dougherty surname is one in my family tree.

Rather than just throwing up the tombstone for Thomas and Leona, I decided to do some quick research.  After all, I'm trying to see if they are any relation...not just someone that shared a surname.  The first place that popped up was the 1940 US Federal Census.  Gosh, I'm loving that it's been indexed (Thanks indexers!).  In 1940 Thomas and Leona was living in Hazleton on Wyoming Street and had two children:  Thomas (Jr), and Conrad.  There was gold in that thar' census (although not for my line)...in the form of a 76 year old gentleman living with them by the name of Conrad Ganss.  Conrad is listed as Thomas' father-in-law.  So now we know (theoretically) that Leona's maiden name was Ganss.

Thomas' tombstone have a military marker for 1941-1945, but I found no enlistment records for him.  I also did not find him in Hazleton in earlier census records and frankly he would have been in his fifties during WWII.  A possibility, but WWI would have been a better fit.  That doesn't mean he wasn't there (or didn't move there after 1930)...and I'll be the first to admit that I only did a cursory search.  If he is one of my Doughertys then he would have (most likely) lived in the Hazleton area.

Leona, was found in other census records and was living in Hazleton with her parents, Conrad and Catherine.  Conrad and Catherine had (at least) eight children:  Rosal, Anna, Conrad, Walter, Catherine, Hilda, Albert, and Leona.  Judging by the 1900 US Federal Census Conrad and Catherine had 2 children (names unknown) that died young.

No connection with my family in this quick search, but that too is information to a genealogist!

Amanuensis Monday - The Alien & Sedition Acts, Part II

Part two of the Alien and Sedition Acts that were enacted in 1798.  This piece of legislation is pretty straightforward (although it may not appear to be with all the "thereofs" and "aforesaids").  

The first and second sections essentially tells us that the President of the United States can order any alien that s/he feels is a threat to the nation to leave the country under penalty of imprisonment and never being able to apply for future citizenship.  The alien can attempt to prove that s/he is not a threat but the decision rests with the President whether to take any arguments into account.

Section three should be of use to many genealogists.  This is where it's stated that the Captains of ships that arrive in port and contain any aliens must provide information on them (lots of great genealogical data, read the section to see all that's included)  to the official at the customs/port authority.  Now my ancestors (yes, all of them) came over several decades after this act, so I wouldn't have had to use any type of port/ship's manifests from this time period, but I would hope that they are out there and available to those of you that would need to search.  There's a pretty hefty fine on the Captain should he not turn in a complete and accurate list.

Section four tells us that violations/crimes regarding this act will be recorded by the circuit/district courts.

Section five states that any alien ordered to leave the United States may take any items/money that belong to him and that anything left behind is still at his disposal.  I'm not sure why, but I love this part. Probably because it shows that they weren't trying to rob someone blind or put them out of the country to claim their property.

With any luck, part three of the Alien and Sedition Acts will follow along next Monday.  Until then, have fun tending those roots!

"CHAP. LVIII. - An Act concerning Aliens. (u)

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That it shall be lawful for the President of the United States at any time during the continuance of the act, to order all such aliens as he shall judge dangerous to the peace and safety of the United States, or shall have reasonable grounds to suspect are concerned in any treasonable or secret machinations against the government thereof, to depart out of the territory of the United States, within such time as shall be expressed in such order, which order shall be served on such alien by delivering him a copy thereof, of leaving the same at his usual abode, and returned to the office of the Secretary of State, by the marshal or other person to whom the same shall be directed.  And in case any alien, so ordered to depart, shall be found at large within the United States after the time limited in such order for his departure, and not having obtained a license from the President to reside therein, or having obtained such license shall not have conformed thereto, every such alien shall, on conviction thereof, be imprisoned for a term not exceeding three years, and shall never after be admitted to become a citizen of the United States.  Provided always, and be it further enacted, that if any alien so ordered to depart shall prove to the satisfaction of the President, by evidence to be taken before such person or persons as the President shall direct, who are for that purpose hereby authorized to administer oaths, that no injury or danger to the United States will arise from suffering such alien to reside therein, the President may grant a license to such alien to remain within the United States for such time as he shall judge proper, and at such place as he may designate.  And the President may also require of such alien to enter into a bond to the United States, in such penal sum as he may direct, with one or more sufficient sureties to the satisfaction of the person authorized by the President to take the same, conditioned for the good behavior of such alien during his residence in the United States, and not violating his license, which license the President may revoke, whenever he shall think proper.

SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That it shall be lawful for the President of the United States, whenever he may deem it necessary for the public safety, to order to be removed out of the territory thereof, any alien who may or shall be in prison in pursuance of this act; and to cause to be arrested and sent out of the United States such of those aliens as shall have been ordered to depart therefrom and shall not have obtained a license as aforesaid, in all cases where, in the opinion of the President, the public safety requires a speedy removal.  And if any alien so removed or sent out of the United States by the President shall voluntarily return thereto, unless by permission of the President of the United States, such alien on conviction thereof, shall be imprisoned so long as, in the opinion of the President, the public safety may require.

SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That every master or commander of any ship or vessel which shall come into any port of the United States after the first day of July next, shall immediately on his arrival make report in writing to the collector or other chief officer of the customs of such port, of all aliens, if any, on board his vessel specifying their names, age, the place of nativity, the country from which they shall have come, the nation to which they belong and owe allegiance, their occupation and a description of the person, as far as he shall be informed thereof, and on failure, every such master and commander shall forfeit and pay three hundred dollars, for the payment whereof on default of such master of commander, such vessel shall also be holden, and may by such collector or other officer of the customs be detained.  And it shall be the duty of such collector or other officer of the customs, forthwith to transmit to the office of the department of state true copies of all such returns.

SEC. 4.  And be it further enacted, That the circuit and district courts of the United States, shall respectively have cognizance of all crimes and offences [sic] against this act.  And all marshals and other officers of the United States are required to execute all precepts and orders of the President of the United States issued in pursuance or by virtue of this act.

SEC. 5. And be it further enacted, That it shall be lawful for any alien who may be ordered to be removed from the United States, by virtue of this act, to take with him such part of his goods, chattels, or other property, as he may find convenient; and all property left in the United States by any alien, who may be removed, as aforesaid, shall be, and remain subject to his order and disposal, in the same manner as if this act had not been passed.

SEC. 6.  And be it further enacted, That this act shall continue and be in force for and during the term of two years from the passing thereof.

APPROVED, June 25, 1798."

Census Saturday - Siamese You Say...

Well, I say you're wrong....but being an indexer for the 1940 US Federal Census is a thankless job sometimes.  Still, when looking up Walter and Elizabeth Bagovich in the newly indexed 1940 census, I just about fell out of my seat laughing when I saw this:

Siamese, eh?  So I'm looking at this going, "Wow, this is either 1) some neat new information, 2) the wrong person, or 3) a transcription error."

So let's take what's behind door number 3 because when I looked at (and zoomed in on) the actual image I could see that under race, the census taker attempted to write in "Lithuanian" instead of the standard letter response (it should have been a "W" in this case).  I can understand why the indexer would have had a difficult time making out what was written.  It's certainly easier for me knowing a bit about their ancestry.

Sadly, there's nowhere for me to submit a correction for their race.  I can actually understand this one.  Can you imagine all those crazies trying to insist that the census taker got it wrong because their couldn't possibly be [insert race here] in their ancestry!  So since the surname was transcribed as "Bagowick" I could submit a correction with a name variation of "Bagovich" and place in the comments block that the race is also transcribed incorrectly and should be Lithuanian. Although the naughty census taker apparently didn't follow the instructions when filling in that bit!

Another error...Walter and Elizabeth weren't born in Pennsylvania.  At least that's family lore (and not yet verified), but previous census records tell me I'm correct (unless they were all wrong!).

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday - Placing a Face with a Name

I've posted about Aloysius McElwee previously.  I've always wondered what he looked like.  The other week I became acquainted with another cousin in a completely unexpected and delightful way.  I met my (sort-of) cousin, Charles McElwee, by posting and asking questions on my hometown's historical society's Facebook page.  He was such a blessing to have been able to send me a picture of Aloysius to go with the name!  I can't thank him enough!

Tombstone Tuesday - Walter Bagovich

I don't post very often on my step father's side of the family so I thought I'd share the photo of his grandfather's tombstone.

Walter (Wladas) Bagovich was born in 1883 in Lithuania (we don't know where yet) and died in 1940. He is buried in St. Bernard's Cemetery in Indiana County, Pennsylvania.  Walter married Elizabeth (still working on her maiden name) around 1912.  They had four known children: Andrew, Mary, Frances, and Nellie.

I'm still researching his death date and once found, I will be requesting a death certificate!