The family of this RecordClick genealogist was like every other family in the 1950s. In the evening, we’d gather around and watch TV. With two and then three networks and broadcasting in black and white, it was a simpler time. Television of the 1950s was a little corny. There were Lucille Ball with her zany antics and Ozzie and Harriet with their spotlighted son Ricky, who appealed to the younger set. Every week Jim Anderson, played by actor Robert Young, attempted to keep up with his wife, Margaret, and their three on-the-go kids in Father Knows Best.
With Father’s Day here, this genealogist thought it might be interesting to see how that “Father” did.
The genealogist needs to combine various resources for clues about this TV Dad. According to the Internet Movie Database, Robert George Young was born on February 22, 1907 in Chicago, Illinois. His parents were Thomas E., an Irish immigrant, and Margaret Young. While Robert was still a youth, his family moved to California. For a genealogist, this isn’t a lot to go on, but it is a beginning.
When the family history researcher begins a search for a more common name, such as “Young”, care needs to be taken. As one often does, the genealogist will find that the census is a good place to start.
In the 1940 census, the genealogist can see that Robert Young’s acting career was going well. His home was valued at $60,000 and in addition to a wife and two children, the household consisted of two nurses, a butler, and a cook. Robert, 33, was listed as being born in Illinois. His father was born in Ireland and his mother was born in Illinois.
Two things the researching genealogist should note at this point:
- Frequently, someone with a rather common name will use a middle initial.
- Knowing the birthplaces and ages of the parents and siblings help in narrowing the numbers of families to follow. It is as important for the genealogist to determine which families are not the correct ones and as it to decide which family is correct.
In 1930, Robert G. Young was living at 1111 N. Chicago St. in Los Angeles. The household consisted of:
- Young, Joseph T. Head 29 IL IL Actor, motion pictures
- Margaret Mother of Head 58 IL Scot.
- Robert G. Brother 23 IL IL Clerk, Bldg.&Loan
- Arnett Sister 19 WA IL
Questions the genealogist needs to ask:
- Where is Thomas E. Young?
- Is this the right family?
Robert is the marker and, as odd as it may seem, there is only one individual in Los Angeles who fits his description at this time. The genealogist should remember that although many people were moving to the area, Los Angeles, at that time, didn’t have the population that it has now.
In 1920, Robert G. Young was living at 26 S. Michigan Ave. in Pasadena. The family consisted of:
- Young, Thomas E. Head 60 IA Ire. Builder, contractor
- Margaret C. Wife 48 IL Scot.
- Joseph I. Son 19 IL IA IL Electrician
- Robert G. Son 12 IL IA IL
- Arnett M. 9 WA IA IL
More questions for the family historian to ask:
- Was Thomas born in Ireland or Iowa?
- Could the census taker possibly have made an error?
Robert is only 12. The 1920 Census was enumerated in January before most people had a birthday. Robert was born early in the year. Joseph’s middle initial is “T” in 1930 and “I” in 1920. In cursive handwriting, the two letters can be easily mistaken for one another. Arnett helps to distinguish the family. Her birth place helps us follow the family.
In 1910, the Thomas E. Young household was living in Seattle, King County, Washington. Thomas was doing well enough in his business for the household to include a Swedish servant. The other members included:
- Young, Thomas E. Head 50 21 Imm. 1881 na Ire. Ire. Ire. Building Contractor
- Margaret Wife 39 21 Children: 4-4 IL Scot.Scot
- Allan Son 17 s IL IL IL
- Joseph Son 9 s IL IL IL
- Robert Son 3 s IL IL IL
We don’t know how long the Young family lived in Seattle, but it was long enough to be in the 1910 Census and for Arnett to be born there. The Thomas E. Young family consisted of:
- Thomas E. Young, b. abt. 1860; m. abt. 1889; immigrated 1881 from Ireland; building contractor.
- Margaret C., wife, b. abt. 1871 in Illinois; m. abt. 1889.
- Allan, son, b. abt. 1893 in Illinois.
- Joseph, son, b. abt. 1901 in Illinois.
- Robert, son, b. abt. 1907 in Illinois.
- Arnett, daughter, b. abt. 1911 in Washington.
So, genealogist and family historian, what was going on in 1930 and 1940?
In the 1940 U.S. Census, Margaret C. Young, 68, married and born in Illinois was living in Pasadena. Thomas E. Young, 80, married and born in Northern Ireland, was living in Santa Monica. Several other individuals were living at the same address. Obviously, something was going on. Old age is not always kind.
In the 1930 U.S. Census, Thomas E. Young is listed twice. That year, the census was enumerated in April. On April 12 and April 14, Thomas is in Santa Monica; married at age 29; born in Northern Ireland; Immigrated in 1883; and is a veteran of the Spanish American War. On April 21, he was enumerated in the Pacific Branch National Military Home: absent from records; 70; married; b. Ireland; Immigrated 1892; naturalized; Spanish War. Military Home records indicate that he had stomach /intestinal issues. On May 21, 1898, he enlisted in the army with the rank of corporal at Springfield, IL and was discharged in October of the same year. His nearest relative was Margaret at 1111 North Chicago Street.
What happened to them? Actor Robert G. Young is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale. A check of the cemetery records finds in Plot: Graceland, Lot 5878, Space 1, Margaret Cairn Young, b. 1870, d. January 11, 1958; Space 2, Capt. Thomas E. Young, Father, b. 1859, d. February 11, 1941; Space 3, Maj. Thomas A. (Thomas Allan) Young, b. 1892, d. July 19, 1938.
This genealogist is sure that there is more to the story. But it is to be left for another day.
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