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