Michael Aita - 1920 Census....can't locate

[LeandraCat]

Michele/Michael Aita
Born 1864-1865 in Valva, Salerno

In 1910 he is a Widow, Watch Maker, living in Jersey City, 91 Colgate Street, with two daughters.

In 1920, both daughters were already out of the house, one married and another living in a Hospital, working as a nurse.

I can't find Michael living alone, or with any other family, in 1920.

I would really appreciate some help! I know he was a Watch Maker/Jeweler....

Thanks so much!

Julia

[johnnyonthespot]

This is probably not helpful, but I can tell you that I located the 1920 census for 91 Colgate and he was not living there at that time (New Jersey > Hudson > Jersey City Ward 5 > District 148 > Sheet 13).

Are you certain he was still living in 1920?

[LeandraCat]

Yes, I know he was still alive in 1920 because his granddaughter was born in 1923 and she remembers him.
Thank you for checking the address! I know that his youngest daughter was living with the in-laws on York Street in Jersey City...I also know that sometime after 1930, Michael Aita married Angelina Aita, also a Widow, probably the wife of Michael's brother or cousin or something...
So he was around for quite a bit after 1920...

[johnnyonthespot]

Is this too ridiculous?

1920 United States Federal Census about Michael Gila
Name: Michael Gila
[Michael Zila]
Home in 1920: Jersey City Ward 5, Hudson, New Jersey
Age: 56
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1864
Birthplace: Italy
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
[Head]
Spouse's Name: Angeline Gila
Father's Birth Place: Italy
Mother's Birth Place: Italy
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Sex: Male
Home owned: Own
Year of immigration: 1888
Able to read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members: Name Age
Michael Gila 56
Angeline Gila 36
Tony Gila 6
Mary Gila 4
Philomena Gila 3
Caroline Gila 1 [1 2/12]




Click once to enlarge; click again for maximum magnification.

[LeandraCat]

Well, I know for a fact that Angelina Aita was living with JUST her children in 1930. She was a Widow, living with Anthony Aita (16), Mary E Aita (14), Philomena (13), and Charles (7)...hold the phone!!!! What if Angelina married Michael BEFORE 1930, and then he died and she became a widow in 1930?
This would all fit, except according to the 1930 Census, Angelina's immigration date is 1910, and Michael's was 1890....could be a Census mistake, of course...the names of the kids and ages fit though!

And look how "GILA" is spelled....they crossed out the curve on the bottom of "G" and it could totally be "AITA"...AND...he's a Watchmaker!

You are freakin' awesome! hahaha I think this is it!

[johnnyonthespot]

Given the names and ages of the children, this has to be the correct census.

I presume Carolina died sometime between 1920 and 1930.

[LeandraCat]

I didn't even know there was a Caroline...sad that she died, I wish I knew what happened. The 1920 and the 1930 Census don't have the number of children "born vs survived" for the mother...Poor guy, Michael lost a LOT of children! His previous wife lost 8 out of 10!

[johnnyonthespot]

Did you notice the 1920 address - 444 York Street?

[LeandraCat]

YES!!!! Michael's youngest daughter is a few pages before, living with SANTI BADAMI, her father-in-law and the whole family! Now why didn't I think of looking on the same street? haha!

[johnnyonthespot]

I don't know how that part of Jersey does its street numbers, but either next door or directly across the street. The Badami's were at #443.

[LeandraCat]

Yup!
I am really glad I have Michael and Angelina's Census! I thought he married Angelina and she already had kids, turns out he fathered all those kids! And in late 40's/early 50's, too! haha!

[johnnyonthespot]

Well, I don't know...

Could the children (some of them?) have been fathered by her first husband?

[LeandraCat]

I don't think so. It looks like Angelina indicated on this census that she was first married at 28, that means in 1913. The first child is 6, so born around 1914. Michael was a Widower in 1910, so he probably married Angelina in 1913 and they had Anthony in 1914.

I wonder if this means Anthony was Michael's father...I know Michael had a brother Carmine, who had a son named Anthony...so yeah, I guess Michael Aita's father was ANTONIO.

I am hoping to find out Angelina Aita's maiden name when I go to Trenton NJ Archives next week! I will try to look up one of the birth certificates for these kids, to see if they list Angelina's maiden name...

[johnnyonthespot]

Angelina?

Social Security Death Index about Angelina Aita
Name: Angelina Aita
SSN: 146-42-5846
Last Residence: 07032 Kearny, Hudson, New Jersey, United States of America
Born: 22 May 1886
Died: Apr 1971
State (Year) SSN issued: New Jersey (1966)

[LeandraCat]

Yes, that's Angelina. I have the Funeral Card but I don't know where she was buried. I called the Funeral Home and they don't have her record anymore, so they couldn't tell me anything....