Lately there has been some discussion of Joe Malinowski’s birthday. He thought he was born in 1890. The courthouse burned so there was no official record. In those days you did not look on the Internet or Ancestry. When it was time to apply for Social Security, he & Mary wrote up an affidavit stating 1890. So he got an extra year – must be why the system is in trouble!
The 1900 Census in Thorp Wisconsin gives us some food for thought. Both Antoni & Anna could read, write & speak English. It says Joe was born in 1891. He had been in school a total of 7 months and did not speak English. Rose was 7 but had no schooling. Ed was only 4 & Soph 1. Soph said she did not learn English until she went to school.
At the time of this census Joe is 9 years old. It says he can neither read or write – but we know he was able to do both later in life and so much more. I was told he went to school through the 3rd grade.
Antoni shows his occupation as farmer. Rosa Skinder is living with them. It says she bore 10 children with 4 still living. That would be the oldest Bernie who came to US first. Then Anna, Veronica & Frank came later with Rosa. After Anna married then Veronica was married at 14. There is no record I can find of Frank but Mom thought he had died. When Antoni & Anna moved west, Rosa went to live with Veronica’s family. In the census Rose is called Rosa. One always assumed she was named after her Grandmother but obviously she Americanized her name.
The 1910 Census was taken when they were in Washington on the Wishkah. It says Joe was 20 & a farmer. Says he reads & writes. This time they did not ask how long in school. They asked if he had attended school at any time since 1900 & it shows no. Doesn’t ask about speaking English. Rose & Soph show the same. Mary however says she has attended school. Tony, Elizabeth & Henry are too young. But oddly Ed is not included in the census at all. It could be he was working & boarding elsewhere so should be counted with them – but he does not show up.
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