The 1900 U.S. Census is the first census in which my Croatian great-grandparents, George and Ursula Bellan, appear. They are living on Stanton Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio. George's occupation is listed as 'laborer.' Their surname is listed as 'Belan,' which is one Americanized version of George's birth surname, Beljan. (In these early years of their American residence, family records switch from Belan to Bellon to Bellan, the latter of which ultimately becomes the family's permanent name.)
The Belan Family, 1900 U.S. Census, Cleveland, Ohio
Ursula is listed as 'Mary,' and this name difference made me wonder, at first, if I indeed had found the right family. George and 'Mary's' ages were about right, as was their place of birth (Austria-Hungary) and their dates of immigration. Their first-born child WAS named Rudolph and he WAS born in May 1900, as the form states. How do I confirm that this is the right family?
Fortunately, I found some other family documents from the 1900-1901 time frame which helped me verify that THIS family in the 1900 census IS my Belan family. As mentioned above, Rudolph Bellan was born in 1900, and George and Ursula had another baby, Olga, in 1901. I was able to find the Birth Returns for both of these children. In Cleveland, during this period, birth returns were simple forms that were submitted to the Secretary of the Public Health Division by the attending doctor or midwife. The birth return lists the date of birth, sex and race of child, place of birth, and names and ages of parents.
Fortunately, I found some other family documents from the 1900-1901 time frame which helped me verify that THIS family in the 1900 census IS my Belan family. As mentioned above, Rudolph Bellan was born in 1900, and George and Ursula had another baby, Olga, in 1901. I was able to find the Birth Returns for both of these children. In Cleveland, during this period, birth returns were simple forms that were submitted to the Secretary of the Public Health Division by the attending doctor or midwife. The birth return lists the date of birth, sex and race of child, place of birth, and names and ages of parents.
Rudolph Bellan Birth Return, 1900
Olga Bellan Birth Return, 1901
The mother is listed as 'Marie' on both birth returns, which is consistent with the 'Mary' on the census form. 'Marie's' maiden name is listed here as Benitzki or Benici. (It is listed on Ursula's death certificate as 'Benicki,' so that is a pretty good match.) Notice also the place of birth - 'Stenton.' Considering that the midwife seems to have had a little trouble with the English language, I feel safe in assuming that this is supposed to read 'Stanton.' It is also worth noting that the residence of the midwife (Platt) is only a block or two south of Stanton.
If you look carefully back at the 1900 census form above, you'll see that Ursula ('Mary') cannot speak English. (Understandable, since she's only been in the country about a year and a half.) I suspect that she may have gone by an 'easy' generic name in these first years after coming to America, as many immigrants tended to do. George and Ursula's next child, George, was born in 1903, and Ursula is indeed listed by her correct first name on that birth return.
©2014, copyright Emily Kowalski Schroeder
If you look carefully back at the 1900 census form above, you'll see that Ursula ('Mary') cannot speak English. (Understandable, since she's only been in the country about a year and a half.) I suspect that she may have gone by an 'easy' generic name in these first years after coming to America, as many immigrants tended to do. George and Ursula's next child, George, was born in 1903, and Ursula is indeed listed by her correct first name on that birth return.
©2014, copyright Emily Kowalski Schroeder
