My WDYTYA - Uncle Andy and the Old Man's Draft Registration

Last week, I discovered a WWII draft card for Uncle Andy B’s on http://www.ancestry.com/. Uncle Andy B’s draft registration card was part of what was called the “old man’s draft registration” and his card (see side two of card at bottom of post) was signed on April 26, 1942 in New York City. This “old man’s draft registration” was for men born on or between April 28, 1877 and February 16, 1897 and who were ages 45 to 64 when this 1942 military draft registration occurred.

Front Side of Uncle Andy B's WWII Military Draft Registration Card

Age Discrepancies
On the 1942 draft card, Uncle Andy B. used 1895 as his birth year rather than 1899 as indicated on the 1900 census. (Read more about the 1900 census). He used the same birth year (1895) on his WWI military draft registration card. If Uncle Andy B. were indeed born in 1899 as indicated on the 1900 census, he would have been 42-years-old* at the time of this draft rather than 46-years-old as indicated on this 1942 card. Therefore he would have been ineligible to participate in this draft which was for men aged 45-64.

*Note: Uncle Andy B. would have turned 43 on July 4, 1942, which was eight days after he signed his draft card.


Other Information or Discrepancies on 1942 Military Draft Card Other information provided on Uncle Andy B’s 1942 Military Draft Card are as follows:

• Residency: Card establishes his residence in New York City as of April 26 1942.
• Address: Card gives his address (421 West 162nd Street) at the time of the registration.
• Physical Characteristics: Card Indicates physical characteristics such as height (5 ft, 9-1/2) and weight (216 lbs.) His hair color is brown in 1942 according to this card and was “black” in 1917. Might Uncle Andy B. have dyed his hair by this time? It is interesting to note the various shades of complexions ranging from sallow to black that are listed on the 1942 draft card. Uncle Andy B’s complexion is labeled as “black” as opposed to some shade of brown. This description is consistent with the description told to me by my grandmother about her memories of Uncle Andy B. and other members of their family.
• Employment: Card indicates the name and address of his employer (Zoe Chose, 115 West 60th Street) in 1942.
• Name and Address of Person Who Will Always Know the Registrant’s Whereabouts: Although relationship is not indicated on this draft card, I know from a 1928 property deed and a New York City Marriage index, that Margaret (Morse) Bullock was Uncle Andy B’s wife.
• Birth Place: Just like his 1917 draft registration card, this 1942 card indicates Uncle Andy B’s birth place as Henderson, NC which is a city in Vance County. Another document indicates his birth place as Warren County, NC. Warren and Vance are adjoining counties. The only two residences of his family that I know of are the Nutbush township of Warren County, NC and the Drewry area of Vance County, NC. Both of these places were rural areas.
• Signature: The signature on this card is consistent with ones on his social security application and 1917 WWI draft registration card.

Side Two of Uncle Andy B's WWII Military Draft Registration Card

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Stay tuned. . . Coming Up! – Professor Dru Learns About Uncle Andy B’s Two Wives.

My WDYTYA Episode - Age Discrepancy on Military Draft Registration Card

I found Uncle Andy B’s 1917 military draft registraton card on Ancestry.com several years ago. This draft registration card provides invaluable information about Uncle Andy B. as well as raises some questions such as the age discrepancy.

Age Discrepancies
This 1917 registration draft was for men ages 21 to 31. Uncle Andy B’s card indicates that he was 21-years-old and born in 1895, instead of 1899 as indicated on the 1900 census. If 1899 was his actual birth year, then Uncle Andy B. was actually 17-years-old when he filled on this card on June 5th which was a little less than a month before his 18th birthday on the 4th of July in 1917. (Read more about the 1900 census findings). Other documents found so far, except for the 1900 census, indicate a birth year of 1895 or 1896. I still believe the earlier birth year from the census is more accurate. (The birth year discrepancy will be discussed more indepth in a future blog posting.)

Other Information or Discrepancies On Draft Card
Other information or discrepancies on Uncle Andy B’s Draft Card are as follows:

• Residency: Card establishes his residence in New York City by June 5, 1917.
• Address: Card gives his address at the time of the registration. Hopefully additional information on his residence and neighborhood can be obtained from the NY City Directories.
• Physical Characteristics: Card Indicates physical characteristics such as height and build.
• Employment: Card indicates his occupation and employer in 1917.
• Birth Place: Card indicates his birth place as Henderson, NC which is a city in Vance County. Another document indicates his birth place as Warren County, NC. Warren and Vance are adjoining counties. The only two residences of his family that I know of are the Nutbush township of Warren County, NC and the Drewry area of Vance County, NC. Both of these places were rural areas.
  

Stay tuned. . . Coming Up! – Professor Dru learns about Uncle Andy B. from Family Property Deed .

Tombstone Tuesday - Uncle Moses Robinson

Uncle Moses Robinson (1893-1979) was the son of my great great grandparents, Joshua and Ersie Jane Providence Robinson. My Robinson family lived in the Skippers area of Greensville County, VA. He is buried in the Robinson Family Cemetery of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church.

Veterans History Project

The Veterans History Project (VHP) is designed to collect and preserve remembrances of American War veterans and civilian workers who supported them. This initiative of the United States Congress was created in t he year 2000 as part of the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress. The VHP project collects remembrances of veterans who served in the following six wars:

1. World War I (1914-1920)


2. World War II (1939-1946)


3. Korean War (1950-1955)


4. Vietnam War (1961-1975)
   
5. Persian Gulf War (1990-1995)
   
6. Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts (2001-present)

Remembrances of home front civilians who actively supported the war efforts are also invited to participate in this project. Civilians include war industry workers, USO workers, flight instructors, medical volunteers, defense contractors, etc.

The Veterans History Project memories are archived in the American Folklife Center of the Library of Congress for use by researchers. The project collection consists of donated items such as first-hand oral histories, memoirs, photographs, letters, diaries, official separation documents (DD-214, etc.) and other historical documents from World War I through current conflicts. Project items such as interviews are conducted and submitted by volunteers who work individually or as part of a group or organization.

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For more information on participating in the Veterans History project, visit the websites listed below:

Veterans History Project

Veterans History Project Questionnaire

Frequently Asked Questions

Veterans History Project Brochure