Aliases of Caroline Ellis
Great Grandma Caroline Ellis illustrates the difficulty of tracing family history. I do not know whether she did not trust the government or liked to mess with the census taker but she gave four different names from 1910 to 1940. The family all called her “Lee.”
In 1910, Caroline is living with her parents on 4244 John Avenue in St. Louis, MO. The address was once a two-family flat, but it has since been torn down. In this census, she lists her name as Lena E. Johannpeter.
Caroline Lee Ellis nee Johannpeter (Author’s Collection)
In 1920, she is living with her mother and my grandfather at 2140 Salisbury Street, which has since been torn down for a parking lot at the Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church across the street. Her mother Hannah died during December 1920.
In the 1920 census, she identified herself as Leona Ellis. I would not have found her, but the census taker recorded Grandpa as 4 1/2-years-old. I was able to confirm it was them by Grandpa and her mother, Hanna Johannpeter.
In 1930, Great Grandma and an aunt are living at 1942-44 Hebert Street in a two-family flat that is still barely standing but will soon be torn down. She identified herself as Caroline Ellis, which I believe was her real name, but I am not sure anymore.
In 1940, she is living with my grandparents, who married in November 1938. They were living at 3511A Miami Avenue.
In the 1940 census, she identified herself as Caroline A. Ellis. I do not know what the A stands for, maybe AKA (also known as). My mother told me her name was Caroline Amelia “Lee or Leah” Johannpeter Ellis. Her death certificate shows identifies Great Grandma as Caroline A. Ellis.
Great Grandma’s public records show the toughest challenge for a genealogist. If the records are not completely correct or the relatives shielded their identities, it is difficult to find them. If you want to do family history, you must be a bit of a detective and have a fair measure of perseverance. Just keep digging.