Census: Identifying generations

How does the family historian find a woman’s maiden name and family? What is the importance of researching every census? “I found them in one census why bother to find each family in every census?” This article will answer these questions posed by many new researchers. Using the census with minimal outside help, the ancestors of Emma Dralle (1902-1977) wife of Otto Henry Dralle (1894-1979) have been documented. As with any research, the genealogist will continue to search for original text documents and documents closer to event dates.
The World War II Draft Registration Card, 1942, accessed on Ancestry.com for Otto Henry Dralle of Crete, Will County, Illinois, names Mrs. Emma Dralle of Crete as his contact person. What is their relationship? What is her maiden name? Who are her parents?

The 1930 U.S. federal population schedule census lists Otto H. Dralle as the son-in-law of William Winzenburg (1873-1938). From the census information, the family historian can make the following assumptions:

• Emma’s maiden name is Winzenburg
• Emma is the wife of Otto Henry Dralle
• Sophie is the mother of Emma
• Adelia is the sister of Emma
• Henry is the brother of William and the uncle of Emma

The 1920 U.S. federal population schedule census lists the William Winzenburg (1873-1938) family as follows:

• Sophie, wife
• Emma, daughter
• Adelia, daughter 

A second 1920 U.S. federal population schedule census in Crete Township, Will County, Illinois reads as follows:

• Winzenburg, William (1846-1929), head of house
• Winzenburg, Henry, son

The 1910 U.S. federal population schedule census lists Emma with her parents:

• Winzenburg, William (1873-1938), head of house
• Sohie, wife, mother of three children with two living
• Emma J., daughter
• Adella M.L., daughter 

The second 1910 U.S. federal population schedule census in Crete Township, Will County, Illinois reads as follows:

• Winzenburg, William (1846-1929), head of house
• Sophia, wife
• Ella, daughter
• Henry, son 

From these census records, the family historian may also surmise:

• William (1873-1938) and Henry are brothers their father is William (1846-1929)
• Their mother is Sophia
• William (1846-1929) and Sophia are the paternal grandparents of Emma

Further research:

• Otto Dralle and Emma in the 1940 U.S. federal census
• William Winzenburg in 1900 and 1880

Questions or comments, please contact Selma Blackmon. Thank you!