1920 Census on 12 Jan,1920

A general overview of information obtained from the 1920 Census

*Henry (age 24 @ time of census) DOB 25 Dec,1896 in NYC

Worked as Guard for the Dept. of Justice

Father>  Christian (age 52 @ time of census) DOB 1868 from Hanover,Germany.  Had pending citizen papers in - came to USA in 1882 @ the age of 14. Both of his parents were from Hanover, Germany.

Worked as a carpenter in a wood working shop.

 Mother>     Henrietta  (age 46 @ time of census) DOB 1874 from Seeligen, Russia and spoke German.

She still had alien citizenship status - came to USA in 1877 @ the age of 3. Both her parents came from Russia but spoke German as their mother tongue.

SIBLINGS:   George (age 20 @ time of census) DOB 1900

                 Worked as a machinest in a practical machine shop

                 Bertha (age 18 @ time of census) DOB 1902

                 Worked as an operator at Table

                 Christian (age 14 @ time of census) DOB 1906

                 Jacob (age 8 @ time of census) DOB 1912

                 Lena (age 4 @ time of census) DOB 1916

Address (rented):  Myrtle Ave. Brooklyn

MY THOUGHTS

First a little insight into the part of Russia that Henrietta; my Great Grandma, came from.  If the census taker wrote it down correctly, the word Seeligen that actually means Blessed.  So I can picture it now, Henrietta is reflecting fondly about her family in Russia & calls it blessed.  Although there IS a town in Russia with a very similar spelling and a town in Germany as well.  Being that the census specifically asked what language her parents spoke and she responded German - even though they resided in Russia - maybe she just remembered a town from Germany.  If I can trace her side of the family line back, I may get to the bottom of this.  I thinks it's touching though, to think that she might just of called her hometown - Blessed. 

One thing I don't get is why Henrietta had been living in the US for 43 years and still had not become a citizen?  Her husband too, lived here for 38 years and still had pending paperwork in with immigration. I'm thinking possibly due to lack of funds.  Having 6 children can be really draining on a families cash flow!

Now as for Henry, my Grandfather, looks like he landed himself a good job working for the Depart of Justice as a Guard.  Well good job true, but dangerous all the same.  The census doesn't say exactly where he worked, so it could of been a prison or a court house or any Governmental building I suppose.

As far as his siblings work is concerned, I'm puzzled. George was a machinist.  Exactly what is a "practical machine shop" though?  Google doesn't even know!  And his sister worked as an operator. OK.  But as an operator at "Table"?  Could that of been a name of a restaurant?  Or did the census taker make an error?  Have to say, it was good to see that all the older children in the family worked.  

A YouTube video for you, to give you a "feel" for what NY was like during the 20's.  Enjoy!  Old New York (20')