Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Goodbye LaRue

An obituary appeared in today's Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and I saw the Lowmaster name. But I didn't immediately recognize it.

"Eileen E. Davis, 76, of Derry, died Tuesday, April 10, 2012, at her home. She was born Sept. 11, 1935, in Altoona, a daughter of the late Robert L. Davis and LaRue Leidy Lowmaster Delozier."

Survivors were listed, including a sister, Helene Elliott, so I fired off a query to her. Much to my surprise, she responded almost immediately.

"My mother's foster parents were Lowmaster .  They never adopted her because her biological Father would not permit them to.  She always used their name even thou it was not official.  Sorry I could not help with your family tree."


Wow. She helped. She really helped.

In 1930, 16 year old LaRue Lowmaster was listed as a daughter. But 10 years earlier she was 6 year old LaRue Leidy and listed as a boarder.

Now I know that LaRue, in our family tree, does not belong. (Sad face). But I think I will list her with a note since the 1930 census will otherwise continue to create confusion.

Goodbye LaRue.