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.

 

 

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.

 

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 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. 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.

 

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. 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