Thomas Joseph Donovan

Week 12 of 52 ancestors in 52 weeks. This post is from the week of St. Patrick's Day so here's my most recent Irish immigrant ancestor, Thomas Joseph Donovan.

When Thomas Joseph Donovan was born on September 1, 1880 in Drimoleague, Cork, Ireland, his father, Daniel, was 39, and his mother, Mary Miller (or Millard), was 38. He was their 9th child but only 3 of his siblings were still living when he was born. We have not located a birth certificate but Thomas is listed as being baptized on September 7 1880 in the parish register in Drimoleague.
According to the 1900 United States Census the family immigrated in 1882. It was likely 1883 or 1884 as Thomas' younger brother, Jeremiah was born in Ireland in 1883.
In 1900 Thomas is living with his brother Patrick and his wife, and their children. Also living with them was Thomas' younger brother. They were at 4764 S. Shields in Chicago. Thomas' father had been killed by a freight train on the Rock Island line in September of 1885. Thomas' mother was alive at the time of the census (June 5), living with her daughter Minnie, but died in August of that year by suicide. In 1904 Jeremiah died at 21. Thomas' older brother Daniel died in 1905 at age 34.

Thomas and Margaret marriage license

In February 1906 Thomas and Margaret Curtin welcomed their first child, a daughter Bernice. Later that same month they were married at St. Cecilia Church in Chicago. In 1907 they welcomed another daughter, Marcella. In 1909 Thomas and Margaret had their first son, Daniel. They all appear in the 1910 census at 4749 S. Princeton, along with Margaret's mother Catherine.

In 1911 and 1913 2 more sons were born (Patrick and Thomas). In 1917 Thomas registered for the draft. This gives us a peek at his writing because the card is signed by him. It also gives his description.

WW I draft registration card

The 1920 census shows them living in a house at 7254 S. Morgan. Thomas was working as a drain layer. In May Thomas and Margaret's last child, Hazel, was born.
In 1930 they are still living on Morgan. Thomas is working as a drain layer. In 1933 Margaret's mother died. The only change in 1940 is that Thomas was employed as a street laborer as part of the WPA work program.
In 1942 Thomas had to register for the draft at age 59.

WW II draft card

The only picture I have of Thomas Donovan.

Thomas died at the age of 73 on May 8, 1954. He is buried at St. Mary's Cemetery in Evergreen Park, IL.

Kristina Elisabeth Svensdotter Liden

I'm officially a week behind due to a nasty cold visiting our house. This weeks ancestor fits more with the theme of a strong woman from Week 11.

Kristina Elisabeth Svensdotter was born on October 2, 1864 in Edåsa, Skaraborgs, Sweden Skaraborgs is now known as Vastra Gotalands. Her Parents were Sven Peter Gabrielsson, age 39 and Gustafva Johansdotter, age 37. Kristina was the 6th child. Her older siblings were Johan Alford (1853) Carl Gustaf (1855), August Wilhelm (1857), Per Herman (1859), and Mathilda Margareta (1862).

In 1866 Kristina was followed by a sister, Wilhelmina. Two more brothers followed, Otto Edvin (1869), brother Sanfrid Gerhard (1871). The Swedish Household Survey shows Kristina living with her parents and siblings at Edhem, Skaraborg, Sweden. Sometime before 1883 Johan Viktor Petersson Liden moved to the farm. Kristina married Johan on July 29, 1883. Their first son, Ludwig Leopold was born on August 8, 1883. Johan was already using the surname Liden as was Kristina and Ludwig.

The household survey starting in 1884 indicates they family farm was called Fralsegarden. Kristina's parents and her siblings Johan Alford, Wilhelmina, Otto Edvin, and Sanfrid Gerhard lived there as well as Kristina, Johan and Ludwig. On January 22, 1885 Kristina and Johan welcomed another son, Laurents Leonard Liden. Another son, Lage Lambert was born September 10, 1886.

In 1886, Kristina's brother Johan Alford immigrated to the United States. In 1887 Johan, Kristina, Laurents, and Lage left Sweden for the United States. Four year old Ludwig stayed behind with his grandparents. I have been unable to find out why Kristina and Johan left their young son behind in Sweden. I don't imagine it was an easy decision no matter the reason. Ludwig would not come to the U.S. until 1900. Johan, Kristina, Laurents, and Lage are listed on the passenger list of the ship Romeo leaving Goteborg, Sweden on April 15, 1887. Their destination was listed as Chicago, Illinois. This ship was a 40-50 hour trip to Hull, there was likely then a train ride to Liverpool, and then a steamship to the U.S.

In October of 1889 Kristina gave birth to daughter Laura. On April 25, 1894 Kristina and Johan's last child, Louis, was born. They first appear in the U.S. Census in 1900 at 1038 W. 70th St. in Chicago.

In 1906 Kristina returned to Sweden for about four months. She returned on the ship Carmania that arrived in New York on September 20, 1906. It appears she traveled alone.

This announcement appeared in the Suburban Economist on September 21, 1906.

The 1910 census shows Kristina and Johan at 744 W. 71st St. in Chicago. The census indicates they owned the house. In 1912 Kristina's father Sven passed away in Sweden when she was 48.

Seated is Kristina and Johan
Left to Right is Ludvig, Louis, Laura, Lawrence, Lage

At age 54 in 1918 Kristina and Johan lost their son Lage (he was 32). In 1920 Kristina and Johan are listed at 11144 S. Vincennes. The house is listed as being mortgaged. In 1930 they are listed at 6940 S. Morgan, Chicago, Illinois. They owned their home.

Swedish Newspaper featured Johan and Kristina for their 50th anniversary

In 1933 Kristina's brother August passed away. Kristina wrote the letter to her family in Sweden to share the sad news. But it gives us a glimpse of her writing.

Kristina's letter

Kristina died Mar 22, 1937 from pneumonia. She is buried at Oak Hill Cemetery in Worth, Illinois.
Johan wrote the letter to share the news with her family in Sweden.

Vernon Liden

This weeks prompt didn't particularly inspire me so I chose the only grandparent I haven't featured thus far. He's also the only one I have no memory of as he died when I was just 2 1/2.

Vernon J. Liden was born on July 30, 1917. He and his twin sister Virginia were the 5th and 6th children born to Laurence (AKA Laurentis) Leonard Liden and Mary Etta (DeGrasse) Liden. They had been preceded by a half sister Evelyn and 2 sisters, Olive and Ruth and 3 brothers, Victor, Lawrence, and Willard. All the boys had nicknames, Vernon was Dud, Victor was Bud, Lawrence was Tud, and Willard was Wid. Another brother, Lagie would follow in 1919 but he only lived a year, dying of pneumonia just days after his first birthday when Vernon was about 3. A sister, Rosemary was born in 1922. There is another birth record associated with this family, a girl born in 1922 named Franchion. As this is the same year Rose was born, I'm not sure of the validity of this listing. No other records mention this child.

Vernon first appears in the 1920 census at age 2 and 5 months. All the siblings mentioned above also appear (except Rosemary) Their father is listed as a prison guard at the county jail. I assume that is Cook County, as they lived in Chicago. The rented a home at 455 W. 80th Avenue.

an early photo of "the twins" Virginia and Vernon circa 1920

By 1930 the family had moved a short distance to 8662 S. Vincennes. Their father was then working as a Furniture mover for a Storage Company. At age 12 it is assumed that Vernon was still in school but the census does not indicate this. I have found no records of his education at this time.

The Liden Family circa 1930 - Vernon is on the far right.

  It's been told to me that the above picture was taken at an establishment owned by the O'Leary family. There's no indication anywhere that this is true. I do not have the original photograph to check for an inscription on the reverse.

 

1st Communion of  Virginia and Vernon

The date of Vernon's first communion is unknown. I estimate the picture above to be about 12-14 years of age, which would be around 1930-1932.


By 1940 the family had moved to 6613 S. Peoria. At age 23 Vernon was working as a machinist at a steel mill. The census indicates that he had completed 2 years of high school.

On May 12, 1941 Vernon Married Hazel Donovan. They were married at St. Leo the Great Parish in Chicago. Witnesses were Leo Sullivan and Lucille Duffy.

The U.S. entered WWII just months later. I have heard family stories that he was not drafted due to his job as a machinist. This does fit with the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940 that was in effect until 1947. He would likely have been granted a II-B deferral "deferred in support of war production (War Industry Occupation)" or possibly III-B "because of dependents and employment in an occupation essential to the war effort."

Vernon and Hazel welcomed their 1st child, a daughter in 1942. She was followed by sons in 1944 and 1948. Vernon's mother passed away when he was 35 in 1953, she and his father were living in Missouri at that time. Vernon and Hazel welcomed their last child, another daughter in 1958. His father passed away later that same year while living in Harvard, Illinois. His brother Lawrence passed away in 1961.

Vernon died from a heart attack at age 56 on April 26 1974. He is buried next to his wife at St. Mary's Cemetery in Evergreen Park, Illinois.