Saturday, April 21, 2012

Progress: April 21, 2012


I found a new source of information for genealogical research – city directories. I first happened upon the directories for Plainfield, New Jersey in the Westfield Memorial Library archive. I then stumbled upon the U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989 (Beta) database, a collection of directories for U.S. cities and counties.

The Plainfield Directories brought up many entries for the Angerbauer family. From 1895 onwards, the head of the household represented the family unit, that is, only adult males were listed. None of the women in the Angerbauer family appeared until 1914. For instance, my great great grandfather, Joseph Angerbauer, appears in the 1913 Plainfield Directory, but a year later, his widow Frances is listed. I was therefore able to determine the approximate date of his passing.

Yet as I pored over the directories, I also noted the addition of the many sons and daughters of working age (generally 20 years old) over the years: George the "moving picture operator" and later, fireman (1915); Marian the stenographer (1916); Mildred the saleslady at only 16 years of age (1927) who moved up to become cashier at S S Kresge a year later. Kresge's was a chain of department stores founded by Sebastian Spering Kresge in 1912.

In 1927, the Plainfield Directory is renamed R. L. POLK & CO.'S. Founded in 1870, the R. L. Polk company was once one of the largest publishers of city directories. A detail of note is that the 1927 edition of the directory includes the wives' names in parentheses beside their husbands' names. In the past, if a woman worked outside the home, she was listed in the directory, but "homemakers" were absent. That is, until 1927.

 

Ads

 

The advertisements interspersed on the pages are just as interesting as the family groupings: the commercial activities of that time provides a window onto a bygone era. These directories were probably considered cutting edge in the world of advertising, as much as today’s Google and Facebook ads are revolutionizing ecommerce.

 

Read's Theatre (Proctor's Theatre), W. Front St. near Park Ave., Plainfield, New Jersey

R. L. POLK & CO.'S, 1935 (JPG, p. 40)

 

It is through an informal ad in the 1935 edition of R. L. POLK & CO.'S directory that I discovered that my great grandfather’s brother, Joe H. Angerbauer (b. 1872), ran a family business with his son Joseph H. Jr. (b. 1899). Known as J. H. & Son as well as Angerbauer & Son, they sold coffee and tea from 1921 – 1943 in Plainfield, New Jersey. I’ve been unable to find further information on this company, nor do I know if it operated from the family home or from a store front?

It was a surprise to read the name of my great grandfather, John Christopher Angerbauer (b.1867), along with his daughter Muriel (b. 1901) among the Angerbauers. They appear out of nowhere, and are then absent from the 1940 edition of R. L. POLK & CO.'S. The last place I could him and his family is in Winnipeg in 1916, the date of the Canada Census of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. Was he simply visiting family in New Jersey in 1935? His occupation is listed as a clerk at the Oxford Theatre. Was his stay long enough to warrant getting a job? There are two theaters of the same name in close proximity to each other in New Jersey in the 30s. The Oxford Theater on Stevens Avenue in Little Falls, NY opened on February 24, 1928 and was demolished in the 60s.

 

Stevens Avenue, Oxford Theater, Little Falls, NJ, ca. 1937
Stevens Avenue, Oxford Theater, Little Falls, NJ, ca. 1937
Description: Postcard containing an image of Stevens Avenue, Little Falls, NJ. The photo shows Stevens Avenue, looking north toward Warren Street. The Oxford theater is visible in the distance. The marquee of the theater reads: "Fred Astaire / Shall We Dance." Numerous cars are visible on either side of the street. On the bottom of the postcard, text reads: "Stevens Ave - Looking North - Little Falls - N.J." Date: ca. 1937 ID Number: NP003.0003 Source: Little Falls Library

 

The Oxford Theatre at 216 West Front Street near Park Ave. in Plainfield started out as Stillman’s Music Hall in 1884, then became the F. F. Proctor’s Theatre in 1908 and finally Read’s Theatre in the twenties before becoming the Oxford. John C Angerbauer most likely worked at the Plainfield Theatre taking into account his address.

 

Front Street Plainfield, N.J.

Front Street Plainfield, N.J.
Plainfield Streets and Avenues Downtown, view looking down the street from above, showing businesses such as the Oxford Theatre and Tepper's Department Store. Postcard ID: C-1400 Publisher: Manhattan Card Pub. Co. Collection: Chase
© Plainfield Public Library

 

I was able to get a glimpse of Plainsfield in the early 1900s by perusing through the Plainfield Postcard Collection. The Plainfield Public Library's searchable catalog was also a valuable archive with over 110,000 black & white images.

 

Front Street Plainfield, N.J.


Oxford Theater with Pickford Showing, Paul Collier
Theater with marquee advertising Pickford
Photo ID: C40607 Collection: Collier © Plainfield Public Library

 

The Oxford was demolished in the early 21st century, but the Library of Congress' Prints & Photographs Online Catalog boasts an architectural drawing of the theater façade, c. 1925.

 

Read's Theatre (Proctor's Theatre), W. Front St. near Park Ave., Plainfield, New Jersey

Read's Theatre (Proctor's Theatre), W. Front St. near Park Ave., Plainfield, New Jersey. Ink drawing by Anthony F. Dumas, c. 1925. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, [LC-USZ62-135124]

 

I'm pleasantly surprised at how much I was able to advance in my research — three generations of Angerbauers — through a series of city directories.

Plainfield, New Jersey Directories (1895 - 1943)

PLAINFIELD DIRECTORY, 1895 (JPG, p. 12)
Angerbauer Adam, clerk, h 318 E Third St 
Angerbauer David G, blacksmith, h 127 Park ave
Angerbauer Joseph, laborer, h 318 E Third St 

PLAINFIELD DIRECTORY, 1897 (JPG, p. 3)
Angerbauer Adam, clerk, h 318 E Third St
Angerbauer Christopher J, clerk, N.Y., h 508 E Second st 
Angerbauer David G, bartender, h 522 W Third st
Angerbauer Henry, clerk, N.Y., h 412 E Fourth st 
Angerbauer Joseph, laborer, h 318 E Third st
Angerbauer Joseph H, clerk, N.Y., h 412 E Fourth st

WAND’S PLAINFIELD DIRECTORY, 1904 (JPG, p. 40)
Angelbauer David, bartender, h 410 Liberty
Angerbauer Adam, clerk, h 462 W 6th
Angerbauer Henry J, clerk, h 320 E 3d 
Angerbauer Joseph, laborer, h 318 E 3d
Angerbauer Joseph H, salesman, h 343 E 3d

BARTON-WAND PLAINFIELD DIRECTORY, 1907 (JPG, p. 51)
Angerbauer Adam, clerk, h 410 E 4th
Angelbauer David G, bartender, h 318 E 3d
Angerbauer Joseph, laborer, h 318 E 3d
Angerbauer Joseph H, collector, h 343 E 3d

WAND’S PLAINFIELD DIRECTORY, 1909 (JPG, p. 51)
Angerbauer David G, bartender, h 351 E 3d
Angerbauer Joseph, laborer, h 318 E 3d
Angerbauer Joseph H, h 416 E 2d

PLAINFIELD DIRECTORY, 1912 (JPG, p. 58)
Angerbauer David G, bartender, h 833 Webster pl
Angerbauer Joseph, lab., h 318 E 3d
Angerbauer Joseph H, colltr, h 416 E 2d

PLAINFIELD DIRECTORY, 1913 (JPG, p. 50)
Angerbauer Adam, clerk, h 410 E 4th
Angerbauer David G, bartender, h 833 Webster pl
Angerbauer Joseph, lab., h 318 E 3d
Angerbauer Joseph H, colltr, h 416 E 2d

PLAINFIELD DIRECTORY, 1914 (JPG, p. 52)
Angerbauer Adam, clk, h 423 Orchard pl
Angerbauer David G, bartender, h 833 Webster pl
Angerbauer Frances, wid Joseph, h 318 E 3d
Angerbauer Joseph H, collector, (N.Y.), h 416 E 2d

PLAINFIELD DIRECTORY, 1915 (JPG, p. 48)
Angerbauer Adam, clk, h 423 Orchard pl
Angerbauer David G, bartender, h 833 Webster pl
Angerbauer Frances, wid Joseph, h 318 E 3d
Angerbauer George, moving picture opr, h 416 E 2d
Angerbauer Joseph H, collector, (N.Y.), h 416 E 2d

PLAINFIELD DIRECTORY, 1916 (JPG, p. 53)
Angerbauer Adam, machinist, h 423 Orchard pl
Angerbauer David G, bartender, h 833 Webster pl
Angerbauer Frances, wid Joseph, h 318 E 3d
Angerbauer George, fireman, h 416 E 2d
Angerbauer Joseph H, collector, (N.Y.), h 416 E 2d
Angerbauer Marian, stengr, h 833 Webster pl

PLAINFIELD DIRECTORY, 1917 (JPG, p. 52)
Angerbauer Adam, machinist, h 423 Orchard pl
Angerbauer David G, bartender, h 833 Webster pl
Angerbauer George, fireman, h 416 E 2d
Angerbauer Joseph H, collector, (N.Y.), h 416 E 2d
Angerbauer Marian, stengr, h 822 Webster pl

PLAINFIELD DIRECTORY, 1918 (JPG, p. 59)
Angerbauer Adam, machinist, h 429 E 5th
Angerbauer David G, bartender, h 833 Webster pl
Angerbauer George, fireman (U.S.A.), h 416 E 2d
Angerbauer Joseph H, collector, (NY), h 416 E 2d
Angerbauer Marian, stengr, h 822 Webster pl

PLAINFIELD DIRECTORY, 1919 (PDF, p. 67)
Angerbauer Adam, machinist, h 423 Orchard pi
Angerbauer David G., bartender, h 822 Webster pi
Angerbauer George, fire dept, h 416 E 2d
Angerbauer Joseph H., collector, (NY), h 416 E 2d  
Angerbauer Joseph H., jr., elk, h 416 E 2d
Angerbauer Marian, stengr, h 822 Webster pi

PLAINFIELD DIRECTORY, 1920 (PDF, p. 67)
Angerbauer Adam, mach, h 423 Orchard pi
Angerbauer David G., (Angerbauer & Freed), h 822 Webster pi
Angerbauer Geo., fire dept, h 416 E 2d
Angerbauer Jos. H., collector, (NY), h 416 E 2d
Angerbauer Jos. H., jr., elk, h 416 E 2d
Angerbauer & Freed, (David G. Angerbauer & Jos. J. Freed), cigars, 107 North av

PLAINFIELD DIRECTORY, 1921 (PDF, p. 81)
Angerbauer David G., (Angerbauer & Freed), h 822 Webster pi
" Geo., fire dept, h 416 E 2d
" Jos. H., teas, h 416 E 2d
" Jos. H., jr., elk, h 416 E 2d
" & Freed, (David G. Angerbauer & Jos. J. Freed), cigars, 107 North av

BUSINESS DIRECTORY, 1922  (PDF, p. 724)
Tea and Coffee
(See also Grocers)
Angerbauer J. H. & Son, 26 Randolph rd

PLAINFIELD DIRECTORY, 1922 (PDF, p. 76)
Angerbauer Adam, mach, h 221 New
" David G., (Angerbauer & Freed), h 822 Webster pl
" Geo., fire dept, h 115 Church
" J. H. & Son, (Jos. & Jos., jr.), teas and coffee, 26 Randolph rd
" Jos. H., jr., (Angerbauer & Son), h 26 Randolph rd
" Jos. H., (Angerbauer & Son), h 26 Randolph rd
" & Freed, (David G. Angerbauer & Jos. J. Freed), cigars, 107 North av

PLAINFIELD DIRECTORY, 1924 (PDF, p. 70)
Angerbauer George, fire dept, h 115 Church
" J. H. & Son, (Joseph & Joseph, jr.), teas & coffee, 26 Randolph rd
" Joseph H., (Angerbauer & Son), h 26 Randolph rd
" Jos. H., jr., (Angerbauer & Son), h 26 Randolph rd

PLAINFIELD DIRECTORY, 1925 (PDF, p. 64)
Angerbauer Adam, machinist, h 221 New
" Charles, lineman, h 26 Randolph rd
" David G., h 822 Webster pi
" George, fire dept, h 118 Church 
" J. H. & Son, (Joseph & Joseph, jr.), teas & coffee, 26 Randolph rd
" Joseph H., (Angerbauer & Son), h 26 Randolph rd

R. L. POLK & CO.'S, 1927 (PDF, p. 62) 
Angerbauer Adam (Anna) mach h434 W 5th
Angerbauer David G (Christiana) special police h.822 Webster pl
Angerbauer Geo C (Dorothy) fire dept hll8 Roosevelt Av
Angerbauer Jos H (Selma) tea and coffee 26 Randolph rd h do
Angerbauer Mildred F slsldy r434 W 5th
Angerbauer S E phone opr r840 E 2d 

PLAINFIELD DIRECTORY, 1928 (PDF, p. 57)
Angerbauer Adam (Anna) mach h434 W 5th
Angerbauer David G (Christine) spl police h822 Webster pl
Angerbauer Geo C (Dorothy) Fire Dept hll8 Roosevelt av
Angerbauer Jos H (Selma) tea and coffee 26 Randolph rd h do
Angerbauer Mildred F cashr S S Kresge Co r434 W 5th

R. L. POLK & CO.'S, 1930 (JPG, p. 60)
Angerbauer David (Christine) steward Eagle Club h822 Webster pl
Angerbauer Geo C (Dorothy) city firemn h648 E 2d
Angerbauer Jos H (Selma N) coffee and tea 26 Randolph rd h do
Angerbauer Mildred F clk r434 W 5th

R. L. POLK & CO.'S, 1935 (JPG, p. 40)
Angerbauer Anna (wid Adam) h434 W 5th
Angerbauer Christina (wid David G) h822 Webster pl 
Angerbauer F Mildred cash S S Kresge Co r434 W 5th
Angerbauer Geo C (Dorothy) city firemn h547 E 2d 
Angerbauer John clk Oxford Theatre r26 Randolph rd
Angerbauer John A slsmn r26 Randolph rd

Angerbauer Joseph H (Selma M), Coffee, Teas, Vanilla and Cocoa, My Own Special Blend of Coffee for Over 15 Years, I Have Carried Only One Grade—the Best; Why Not Try a Pound and Be Convinced? 26 Randolph rd, Tel 6-3135, h do

Angerbauer Mildred F slswn S S Kresge Co r434 W 5th
Angerbauer Muriel dom r1144 Evergreen av

R. L. POLK & CO.'S, 1940 (JPG, p. 42)
Angerbauer
-- Jos H (Selma N) coffee 26 Randolph rd h do
-- Mildred F bkpr r 114 Watchung av NP

R. L. POLK & CO.'S, 1943 (JPG, p. 40)
Angerbauer Ann (wid Adam) h114 Watchung av (NP)
-- Geo C (Dorothy) city firemn h10 Randolph rd
-- John A (Harriet S) firema NP Fire Dept h24 Grandview av (NP)
-- Jos H (Selma N) coffee 26 Randolph rd h do
-- Jos M USN r10 Randolph rd

 

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Process: Artistic fieldwork


As my work is process-based and research-based, with projects often stretched over years, I would situate my art practice as “a kind of artistic fieldwork”, a term coined by Rachel Wetzler in an article in Rhizome (1) about artists Ellie Ga, Sara Jordenö and Simon Fujiwara: “rather than conceiving of their work as a physical entity, with a particular, fixed form, it is instead versatile and open-ended.”

It is the Web itself that is my main material for artistic exploration.

“Dans son oeuvre numérique Web Tapis à langues, inspiré du sladdakavring, une sorte de courtepointe suédoise formée de langues feutrées qui se chevauchent, elle tisse des icônes virtuels. Il peut s’agir de mots ou de lieux géographiques. L’ordinateur devient en quelque sorte une nouvelle matrice comme le métier à tisser à l’origine.(2)”

Jean De Julio-Paquin understood how the computer, or rather the network, is the matrix of my “Tongue Rug” project. The virtual sladdakavring (Swedish for Tongue Rug) is made up of the network of associations and communications between software, social media tools, platforms, languages, etc. Conceptually speaking, it is these very networks that act as the threads that link the multiple tongues in the larger tongue rug.

As it is time-based, I’ve worked on the Tongue Rug project over the last decade. I cycled to a number of geographical and genealogical waypoints throughout Québec and documented various lakes, rivers and streams, which were then archived in YouTube and Google Maps. The tongue rug itself was effectively parcelled off into the Web. Each tongue of the Tongue Rug corresponded to a specific geographical waypoint (body of water), a genealogical name (toponymy), a blog tag, and a Twitter #hashtag, which directed the conversation thread that was displayed in real-time on my website.

I invited the public (in French and in English) to contribute to the sladdakavring by way of a blog, Twitter and Pinterest. The use of social media to gather information was an experiment in crowdsourcing along the lines of “cultural participation” as defined by Jennifer L. Novak-Leonard (3).

The tongue rug then becomes like a latent, virtual entity dependent on the participation of the public (4). I asked people to write a tweet about a body of water, or a longer story through an on-line form. These micro-texts would merge with my own blog postings and tweets to make a larger metanarrative on landscape, place and memory.

 

Marie Uguay - April 2011

 

The first experiment took place at the Maison de Culture Marie-Uguay; my “Tongue Rug” project was part of the group show Reflets V. This provided me with the opportunity to meet with the public and talk about my project in person. Gathering with people around the computer created a sort of open workshop: I could navigate with the user online and provide contextual information. At the same time, I could demystify social media tools. I ended up collecting a smattering of stories. With 15 contributions, it could not really be called crowdsourcing. Still it was the start of something as I realized that the face-to-face encounter is a vital part of the project.

 

Installation

 

While the potential of participation is inherent to the piece, I need to engage with the public in a physical situation in order to stimulate the best exchanges. I’ve applied to a few festivals to do a few more experiments with the Tongue Rug project. This time I envision the meeting with the public in an installation setting; one that compells people to sit down for a bit and talk.

 

Notes

  1. The Art of Fieldwork, Rachel Wetzler, Rhizome, February 2, 2012
  2. Jean De Julio-Paquin, text in the catalogue for Reflets V, Maison de la culture Marie-Uguay, april 2011
  3. American researcher Jennifer L. Novak-Leonard works for the firm WolfBrown who conducted the study Getting In On The Act: How Arts Groups are Creating Opportunities for Active Participation. « Engagez-vous... dans l'art: Une étude recense différents degrés de la participation culturelle », Le Devoir, November 1, 2011
  4. « Œuvre en processus pour public en développement, Stéphanie Lagueux et Julie Lapalme » (2003). Marie-Christiane Mathieu, Espace Sculpture, Montréal, Spring 2003, p. 49-50.