A general overview of information obtained from the 1940 Census
*Henry (age 44 @ time of census) DOB 25 Dec., 1896 in NY
Highest
grade of school was grade 8
He worked on his own account as a private worker as a Guard & was paid by the Government.
In 1939 he made $1,000. for 26 weeks of work.
Wife is Susan (age 38 @ time of census) DOB 1902 in NY
Highest
grade of school was grade 8
Children
> HENRY (aged 17 @
time of census) DOB
1923
Highest grade was HS2
Christian (aged 14 @
time of census) DOB 1926
Highest grade was 7
June (aged 12 @ time of
census) DOB 1928
Highest grade was 5
Lois (aged 10 @ time of
census) DOB 1930
Highest grade was 2
Doris (aged 8 @ time of
census) DOB 1932
Highest grade was 2
Robert (aged 7 @ time
of census) DOB 1933
Highest grade was 1
Address (rented): Jamaica Ave, Jamaica, Queens (Pd. $28./mo)
MY THOUGHTS
This year the Census added the school information to the forms. First thing that jumped out at me was my Mother's highest grade. At 10 years old she probably should of been in the 4th grade. I started school late due to the month my Birthday falls in...something to do with registration. So I was 9 in the 2nd grade. That still leaves another school year unaccounted for, for my Mother. Looks like she was left back. I do recall her saying she had a lot of difficulties with math as a young child. Maybe she was IN the 3rd grade due to the fact that it states highest grade COMPLETED. So I'm guessing school still began in Sept. & ended in June. The Census was in April so she would of been in the 3rd grade. I want to try to find what public schools were near them then. Maybe, just maybe, I could get records from the school. Doubt it though.
The Census also says that Henry (Junior) had completed the 2nd year of High School. It also reflected that he was working as an order boy for a butcher shop. It asked how many weeks he had worked in 1939 & a zero was placed in that box. So this job for him was fairly new. From March 24 to 30th. he had worked 18 hours, so I'm thinking he held a part-time job after school.
I can't say I was surprised to see that an eight grade education was the highest level for both my Grandparents. Back in their time, especially for women, school was not deemed as important. Not having unemployment, disability, food stamps, welfare, or retirement available back when they were younger certainly made earning a living critical for survival. Many families were large so everyone had to work as soon as they could, to assist in providing the necessaries for the family.
A 14 min. video from YouTube showing NY in 1938 NY: The Wonder City
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