1940s, US Census, World War 2, and the Bronx

By the 1940 US census, the three boys were gone from this house. Eugene was 55, Anna 50. There was a big X next to Anna’s name to designate she was the only one providing this information. Interestingly, she got his birth year wrong, but only by a year. That, his emigration date, and other facts about his origins have varied over the years, all over these forms. This time they were married age 23 and 18, and that story has shifted about too.

According to her report, he was still a married white male Hungarian, living at 338 West 182^nd street, Bronx, New York City. They’d been there at least 5 years. They confirmed it was not a farm. It’s hard to think there may have been farms in the Bronx, even back in those days.

It was not owned but rented at $38 per month, it says. Ten years ago they said they were paying $80. Did they downsize that much, or is this an error? Let’s not say it’s accidental fudging, let alone fibbing. Let’s not say that. Let’s assume they used to have a much bigger place when all the boys were at home, and now they were low-budget and cosy. I’m sure all their taxes were just fine too. 

His occupation was still Assistant Manager in the insurance industry, in which he worked 42 hours just last week, and 52 weeks that year. (Really?). His annual salary was $3120, and he had no other income. Not even at the race track. Honest.  

We’re also told she completed the 8^th grade, and he had four years of college. I feel I need to add the word allegedly, and can only apologise for this impulse.

He was not a vet, and did no military service, neither in WW1 nor WW2 but he was registered. This was the fourth decade he was asked to declare these facts.

Yes, he had a social security number.

And the boys? Where were they in 1940?

Albert was 32, had been married to Frances Levine for seven years by then, had one baby and another on the way. He still worked at the rubber factory which was part of the war effort, and deemed a protected job, so that’s where he spent WW2.

Eddie started the 1940s age 28, renting an apartment in the Bronx for his wife, 24, and the one year old baby.

It’s said he had one year of college. Due to a heart problem, he never went overseas during the war, but did some sort of local policing duty, at home in New York.

Grandad’s fists were often clenched in photos, by the way.

Alex was married in 1942, age 26. Mom was 21. It was right before the US Army shipped him off to war.

He came back as an Army Captain with a Bronze Star medal for bravery, with an unwillingness to talk about whatever he witnessed.

Here’s where I reassure all living relatives that they will not be mentioned, in any of this material. This is about ancestors only.  More to follow, in a later instalment

I posted this earlier than expected, because I am getting ready to go to Budapest, Hungary, to research this family further. I have a few transit days ahead of me. See you on the other side.

For more bite-sized daily Noodle Trails, snippets, Budapest in March, and chit-chat, click here: