Time Keeps Slipping Away ... Part II

Once again, life has gotten in the way of blogging. I used to try to set aside time on Sundays to write something, but I spend that day working on homework instead. Somehow or another, I went from wanting to become a certified genealogist to attending college and working on my degree. I still want to become a certified genealogist. That dream is still there. I just want to finish my degree first. Once I achieve that goal, I will start my genealogy coursework.

Since I last wrote, I was accepted into the Daughters of the American Revolution. That has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl. I immediately completed their Members Course and all of their genealogy courses (except the one specifically for registrars). I really enjoy the group of women in the chapter I belong to. My youngest daughter has applied for Children of the American Revolution and we are working on my husband joining the Sons of the American Revolution. What can I say? We are a family that loves our country and we are proud of it!

Hopefully, I can get back to writing about my family soon. I do enjoy it and miss it.

1950 Census is here!

Don't forget that the 1950 Census has been released and a lot of genealogists, bloggers, and family historians are busy reviewing it! Make sure you come over and join in as well. The more the merrier! You can view and transcribe the census here or you can review it at FamilySearch.

Just remember, when transcribing or reviewing, there are some helpful guidelines to ensure that the documents are transcribed as they were created. Transcribers are to type what they see. Reviewers are to do the same. It is not our job to correct the spelling or make changes to the document. We are to type it exactly as we see it.

The National Archives has a page full of tips if you are interested in helping out. You can view it here.

Robert Lee Sliger

The birth record for Robert Lee Sliger is extremely faded. The Kentucky, U.S., Birth Records, 1847-1911 was transcribed to say that Robert was born in January of 1901. Reviewing it, I can see why they would transcribe it that way. That is what it appears to say, but the date is not very legible and that is obviously a best guess. The document states at the top that the record is for the 1901 year, but there are some 1900 births listed on it (though very few).

So when was Robert Lee Sliger born? According to the 1910 and 1920 United States Federal Census, he was born in 1901. The Alabama, U.S., Deaths and Burials Index, 1881-1974 agrees. The U.S. Veterans Administration Master Index, 1917-1940 gives a birthdate of October 8, 1900. So does the application for his military headstone, which my grandmother, Katherine (Sliger) Belt applied for. The 1930 and 1940 United States Federal Census gives his birth year as 1900. So whether he was born in January of 1901 or in October of 1900, we know that he was born sometime between the two.

We can also sumise from the 1930 and 1940 census records that Robert was a widower. I do not know who he married or even when he married. According to the 1930 and 1940 census records, Robert was in the Florida State Hospital during those years. I am not sure when he went to the hospital or why, but it appears he was there for at least ten years. I am interested to see where he was when the 1950 census is released. I will update as soon as I know.

What I do know for certain is, Robert Lee Sliger was born to Lewis Adam Sliger and Mary Thomas Lucas. He was born in Kentucky. He died on May 24 1953 in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. He had been at the Veterans Hospital there. My grandmother, Katherine (Sliger) Belt, received a telegram on May 25, 1953 that her brother's body was leaving Tuscaloosa and was set to arrive in Madisonville, Kentucky on May 26, 1953 at 5:18 am. His body traveled by train via the L & N Railroad. According to his Find a Grave memorial, he was buried at Hurricane Cemetery in Crittenden County, Kentucky.

Sources:

• United States Census - Year: 1910; Census Place: Fords Ferry, Crittenden, Kentucky; Roll: T624_472; Page: 7A; Enumeration District: 0051; FHL microfilm: 1374485
• United States Census - Year: 1920; Census Place: Cave In Rock, Hardin, Illinois; Roll: T625_371; Page: 17A; Enumeration District: 62
• United States Census - Year: 1930; Census Place: River Junction, Gadsden, Florida; Page: 14A; Enumeration District: 0015; FHL microfilm: 2340051
• United States Census - Year: 1940; Census Place: River Junction, Gadsden, Florida; Roll: m-t0627-00587; Page: 12B; Enumeration District: 20-15
• Robert's obituary: The Owensboro Messenger: Owensboro, Kentucky - 27 May 1953, Wed  •  Page 7

Rose Lou Sliger

Rose Lou Sliger was born on October 8, 1898 in Crittenden County, Kentucky. She was born to Lewis Adam Sliger and Mary Thomas Lucas. She was the third child born, that I have record of, and my grandaunt. According to the 1900 - 1920 United States Census records, Rose grew up and lived in Fords Ferry. The 1930 United States Census has her living in Hurricane.

By the 1920 census, Rose had married John Carlisle Kirk. John was born to James Lee Kirk and Cordelia Catherine Watson on November 9, 1889.

Together, Rose and John had the following children:

• Pauline L. Kirk (1916 - 1918)
• Philip E. Kirk (1918 - 1918)
• James Lee Kirk (1919 - 1999)
• Bennett Eugene Kirk (1922 - 1932)
• Louise Kirk (1923 - 1923)
• Lorene Kirk (1924 - 2000)
• Donald J. Kirk (1926 - 1968)

Rose (Sliger) and Donald Kirk

Picture was found in Grandma Belt's photo album.

John Kirk and Rose (Sliger) Kirk's obituaries.

John Kirk passed away on January 22, 1962 in Crittenden County, Kentucky. He was a retired farmer. Rose passed on April 5, 1984 in Jefferson County, Kentucky. She outlived her husband, John, by eighteen years. They are buried together in Dunn Springs Cemetery in Crittenden County, Kentucky.

Sources:

• United States Federal Census - Year: 1920; Census Place: Fords Ferry, Crittenden, Kentucky; Roll: T625_562; Page: 3B; Enumeration District: 61
• John's obituary: The Paducah Sun: Paducah, Kentucky - 24 Jan 1962, Wed  •  Page 2
• Rose's obituary: The Paducah Sun: Paducah, Kentucky - 06 Apr 1984, Fri  •  Page 6

Time Keeps Slipping Away ...

How did I go this long pass without a post? I took a few weeks off to complete a course on how to better use Ancestry for genealogical research ... and the next thing I know, it is a whole new year. We had a major tornado come through our area in December (more than one, actually), then it was Christmas, followed by the New Year. I still haven't finished that course either. I am on the last lesson and then an exam. How will I ever get all of this done? Especially when I want to become professionally certified as a genealogist? I started a new Bible reading study plan too, plus I am doing Noom. Lord, help me.

What do they say? Go big or go home? Sounds like me!

I will be back though. I am hoping to complete a different post every week on an ancestor of mine. Right now, I am currently working on the Sliger's. Stay tuned!