1940 US Federal Census Data Belfast Families with one East European immigrant
N B: Information on place of birth.
Some people replied with the name of the place when they left;
others replied with the name of place when the census was taken; in other cases it just seems that it was easier for the census taker to write ‘Russia’ rather than Lithuania,
Ukraine or other unfamiliar country names.
And there is another reason to be skeptical of the accuracy of the place of birth information.
Immigrants from the Pale had a very justified fear of the Russian and often local governments.
One way to manage this reality was to tell government representatives what they expected they wanted to hear or what they thought would bring them the least trouble.
This may well explain why a number of family members, who were clearly from Eastern Europe, may have answered ‘Maine’ or ‘New York’.
Name est birth year birth place marital status relation to head of household street occupation industry residence in 1935 Highest Grade weeks worked in 1939 appx income 1939
M Head 12 Market Street, BELFAST Die Insurance Salesman Life Insurance Co. same High School, 3rd year 52 2500
Lawrence Berson 1910 Maine M Wife 12 Market Street, BELFAST High School, 4th year 0 0
Sylvia Berson 1912 Maine M Father 12 Market Street, BELFAST Proprietor Clothing Store none 52 0
Abraham Berson 1873 Lithuania M Head 25 High Street, BELFAST same High School, 4th year 0 0
Morris Frankel 1871 Lithuania M Wife 25 High Street, BELFAST Proprietor ______ clothing Retail High School, 4th year 52 0
Ida Frankel 1880 Lithuania S Daughter 25 High Street, BELFAST Saleswoman Womens Apparel Retail High School, 4th year 52 1040
Sarah Frankel 1900 New York S Daughter 25 High Street, BELFAST Saleswoman Womens Apparel Retail High School, 4th year 52 1040
Marian Frankel 1901 New York S Son 25 High Street, BELFAST Bookkeeper Womens Apparel Retail High School, 4th year 52 1040
Lewis Frankel 1902 Massachusetts Wid Head 16 Cross Street, BELFAST Truck Dealer own business same none 52 5000
Isaac W. Ruben 1883 Russia S Son 16 Cross Street, BELFAST Laborer not recorded College, 3rd year 36 216
Howard Ruben 1919 Maine S Daughter 16 Cross Street, BELFAST High School, 4th year not recorded not recorded
Molly Ruben 1922 Maine M Head 31 Pearl Street, BELFAST Manager Part Factory same none 52 2966
Max Maisel 1883 Russia M Wife 31 Pearl Street, BELFAST Housekeeper not recorded High School, 4th year 52 not recorded
Esther Maisel 1889 Poland S Daughter 31 Pearl Street, BELFAST College, 3rd year
Sophia Maisel 1919 Alabama M Son-in-law 31 Pearl Street, BELFAST Salesman Retail Furniture High School, 4th year 52 1800
David Dorsky 1913 Maine M Daughter 31 Pearl Street, BELFAST Housekeeper College, 1st year 52 not recorded
Grace Dorsky 1918 Poland S Granddaughter 31 Pearl Street, BELFAST
Sandra H. Dorsky 1940 Maine S Nephew 31 Pearl Street, BELFAST Mobile, Alabama High School, 2nd year
Max J. Maisel 1923 Alabama M Head 9 Premrose Street, BELFAST Proprietor Retail Clothing Store same High School, 4th year 52 0
Charles Robinson 1894 Poland M Wife 9 Premrose Street, BELFAST Clerk Retail Clothing Store High School, 4th year 52 0
Bertha Robinson 1899 Maine M Head Wight Street, BELFAST Fireman Lumber Factory same Elementary School, 8th grade 52 1040
Last Updated : Dec 5. 2020