4 Replies Latest reply on Oct 6, 2020 3:24 PM by Grace Yuhasz

Where was Johanna Sweeney Graham in 1920?

oonagh Oct 4, 2020 5:19 PM

Johanna Sweeney (aka Anna or Annie) born in Ireland in 1880 (although she had a tendency to alter her year of birth), was living in Chicago, Illinois in 1930. She was widowed with two sons (Edward born 1912 and Frank born 1916). Her surname at this point was Graham. I cannot find evidence of her marriage (probably around 1911 as she returned from Ireland in 1910 still single), nor can I find her or her sons in 1920. One record from Frank suggests his father was called William Robert Graham born in Ireland but nothing else substantiates this. Census records place Anna (as she became known) in 1930 and 1940 in Chicago, both times with her son Frank, but I cannot find her after this point, nor her death. Again, census records state she arrived in 1903 and was naturalized (in truth she arrived in 1898 to Massachusetts but then moved to Chicago after 1900). Her sons were Frank (1916-1988) and Edward (1912-2007). Her parents were Michael and Nellie (Ellen). Any help to locate her or to add to her story would be gratefully received. Thank you.

Re: Where was Johanna Sweeney Graham in 1920?

Grace Yuhasz Oct 5, 2020 6:37 PM (in response to oonagh)

Here are a few things that may help. I did a cursory sweep through records. You would need to coordinate the information with what you already know/have to make sure it all adds up to the person you are after.

3 Oct 1912
Raymond W. Graham married Anna M. Sweeney in Lake County, Indiana
Marriage Registration (to access FamilySearch.org, you need to register for free account)
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VNT6-GQ5

04 May 1913
Raymond & Anna’s daughter that died
Illinois, Cook County Deaths, 1878-1994
Gives address at the time as 3907 Prairie Ave
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2MC-6WH9

1913 Chicago City Directory on Ancestry.com has Raymond at the above address.

11 Sept 1918
Possible WWII draft registration for Raymond William Graham. He lists his brother Frank H. as his next of kin. The address he gives is the same as his brother Frank’s. (You would need to check this against other info to make sure this is the correct man.)
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:7QJD-SZPZ

I looked manually but could not locate Raymond or Anna in city directories around the 1920 date (some years just had the yellow pages). I could not find either one, together or apart, in the 1920 census.

29 Mar 1936
Newspapers.com had a death notice for John J. Graham. It states he was the brother of Frank H. (among others) and the late Raymond W. Graham. (You have to pay for an account or sign up for a free trial).
Chicago Tribune (Chicago, Illinois)
https://www.newspapers.com/image/372892969/?terms=%22raymond%20w%20Graham%22&match=1

If this above obituary is the correct family, then Raymond was deceased by this date. I didn’t locate a death notice, etc. for him. You may want to track that down.

12 Mar 1965
Newspapers.com had a death notice for Anna Sweeney Graham (have to pay for account or sign up for a free trial)
Chicago Tribune (Chicago, Illinois)
beloved wife of the late Raymond W. Graham
mother of Edward and Frank Graham
Interment at Mount Olivet cemetery
https://www.newspapers.com/image/376314677/?article=0336228d-7998-49d7-9f36-5069820bbfd7

Hopefully this is enough to get you unstuck.
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- Re: Where was Johanna Sweeney Graham in 1920?
  
  oonagh Oct 6, 2020 4:15 AM (in response to Grace Yuhasz)
  
  Hi Grace, thank you so much for your reply, you’ve been a great help!
  
  I had found the possible marriage but the confusing factor was Anna’s son later cited his father as William R, but other records point to a mistake on his part.
  
  I didn’t know there was a daughter too.
  
  Thanks also for pointer towards the newspaper records, I was reluctant to take it out (money is a little tight). Maybe I’ll just have to grit my teeth and get on with it.
  
  Thanks again, have a good day.
  
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  - Re: Where was Johanna Sweeney Graham in 1920?
    
    Grace Yuhasz Oct 6, 2020 3:24 PM (in response to oonagh)
    
    I understand. If you have a library card you may want to check with your local library. Some libraries subscribe to Newspapers.com or another newspaper service.
    
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Re: Where was Johanna Sweeney Graham in 1920?

Cara Jensen Oct 6, 2020 11:45 AM (in response to oonagh)

Dear Ms. Berry,

Thank you for posting your request on History Hub!

Most cities and counties have yearly directories for residents. Some of these directories are indexed by address but most are alphabetically by last name. We suggest you consult the FamilySearch wiki on United States Directories for these resources. In addition, you may wish to search the Illinois Death Certificates Database and review the FamilySearch Research wiki for Illinois Vital Records.

We hope this is helpful. Best of luck with your research!
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Where was Johanna Sweeney Graham in 1920?

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