The DU Lounge

oldcynic

(385 posts) Wed Apr 26, 2017, 09:38 PM Apr 2017

Need help on finding Mrs. Norris, please

When I was ten, Mrs. Norris seemed older than god but could have been anywhere between 50 and 90. We did have to help her up and down steps. The sum total of what I know is that she was an active Suffragette and Socialist and last lived in Oregon Hill, Richmond, Virginia in the 1940s and 1950s. I don't even know her first name. (Ten-year-olds did not address their elders by first name). In fact, she was so old, nobody called her anything but Mrs. Norris.

I have no idea how to start finding her, especially without a given name. I've tried to find lists of suffragettes or lists of Socialists with no luck. I can't afford to ask for her FBI file. It's probably very thick.
Only reason I'm interested is that she gave me a lovely cranberry glass vase that I was dusting the other day. I wished I knew her life.

13 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Need help on finding Mrs. Norris, please (Original Post) oldcynic Apr 2017 OP

That's a tough one. Maybe this?... WePurrsevere Apr 2017 #1

Hmm, maybe check with the League of Women Voters Lars39 Apr 2017 #2

This may sound goofy.. furtheradu Apr 2017 #3

Just ask for a few pages NJCher Apr 2017 #4

Keep notes on your search NJCher Apr 2017 #5

Perhaps reach out to this author? sl8 Apr 2017 #6

Library of Virginia has a twitter page, here is an example of one of their posts about a database... Donkees Apr 2017 #7

Contact the VA Historical Society (in Richmond) and ask for who to contact for info. FSogol Apr 2017 #8

A few years back, the National Archives put the 1940 census online. mahatmakanejeeves Apr 2017 #9

If you know her address in Richmond Hills, check the county records. Fla Dem Apr 2017 #10

I am super impressed with all of you! Thank you many times over. oldcynic Apr 2017 #11

Was it Madge? trof Apr 2017 #12

doubt it. Her radical past would have been mentioned oldcynic Apr 2017 #13

WePurrsevere

(24,259 posts)

1. That's a tough one. Maybe this?...

Reply to oldcynic (Original post)

Wed Apr 26, 2017, 09:59 PM

Apr 2017

PDF download... use find function to find Norris...
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi%3Farticle%3D3748%26context%3Detd&ved=0ahUKEwjT2s6-wsPTAhUI2yYKHdZxBEkQFggmMAQ&usg=AFQjCNHMGzo2D6bRiWSLueMet0gljbwNkQ&sig2=FnRcE7yjK4uAsI6e0-9D1A

If this isn't her more info like her job if she worked, children, church, etc might help.

Lars39

(26,109 posts)

2. Hmm, maybe check with the League of Women Voters

Reply to oldcynic (Original post)

Wed Apr 26, 2017, 10:05 PM

Apr 2017

archives at local library, census records, property records. Sounds like a neat search.

furtheradu

(1,865 posts)

3. This may sound goofy..

Reply to oldcynic (Original post)

Wed Apr 26, 2017, 11:02 PM

Apr 2017

But ask the Universe to help.. or Mrs.Norris' Spirit..
I have had some interesting "luck" in that way.
She sounds like a Wonder FULL Person. I bet she is happy to know You have such kind & Lovely memories of her.
Best wishes in Your Search!

NJCher

(35,688 posts)

4. Just ask for a few pages

Reply to oldcynic (Original post)

Thu Apr 27, 2017, 03:15 AM

Apr 2017

Of the FBI file. That should be enough to get you going.

I concur with the idea of reaching out to her spirit.

Cher

NJCher

(35,688 posts)

5. Keep notes on your search

Reply to oldcynic (Original post)

Thu Apr 27, 2017, 04:06 AM

Apr 2017

Then write it up as an article. Would make an interesting documentary.

Cher

sl8

(13,803 posts)

6. Perhaps reach out to this author?

Reply to oldcynic (Original post)

Thu Apr 27, 2017, 07:23 AM

Apr 2017

Perhaps you could reach out to the author of The Road Beyond Suffrage: Female Activism in Richmond, Virginia. ?

Gammon, Denise Marie Brooking. The Road Beyond Suffrage: Female Activism in Richmond, Virginia. Diss. Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, Virginia, 2012.

https://dizzyg.library.vcu.edu/bitstream/handle/10156/3817/Gammon_Denise_MA.pdf?sequence=1

Donkees

(31,424 posts)

7. Library of Virginia has a twitter page, here is an example of one of their posts about a database...

Reply to oldcynic (Original post)

Thu Apr 27, 2017, 08:30 AM

Apr 2017

on WW1 questionnaires. They might have a suffragette database (?) or can help?

Link to tweet

FSogol

(45,491 posts)

8. Contact the VA Historical Society (in Richmond) and ask for who to contact for info.

Reply to oldcynic (Original post)

Thu Apr 27, 2017, 09:00 AM

Apr 2017

http://www.vahistorical.org/

Virginia Historical Society
428 N Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23220

Or stop by the help desk at VCU or U of Richmond libraries and ask the librarians where to look.

mahatmakanejeeves

(57,513 posts)

9. A few years back, the National Archives put the 1940 census online.

Reply to oldcynic (Original post)

Thu Apr 27, 2017, 09:09 AM

Apr 2017

National Archives

Welcome to the 1940 census

On selected afternoons, there are genealogists staffing a desk who can help you, should you go there in person. I don't know if you can email them.

Also, I'm sure the Richmond Public Library historic records room will have copies of the Hill's City Directory going back that far on the shelves.

Special Collections

City Records Center

Richmond Public Library is designated by the City of Richmond to be responsible for the care and keeping of written public records of the City of Richmond, Virginia. The City Records Center is the depository for non-current, but permanently valuable records of city government such as annual reports of the City of Richmond, ordinances and resolutions of the City Council, and departmental records. The City Records Center also manages the retention and destruction of regular departmental records under the guidelines of the Virginia Records Act. Other valuable resources include microfilms of City Assessors Data cards, which list valuation and other data on property within Richmond City. Inclusive dates of the property assessment holdings: 1933 – 1960. Contact: 804-646-4151 or e-mail: cityrecords@richmondgov.com

Fla Dem

(23,693 posts)

10. If you know her address in Richmond Hills, check the county records.

Reply to oldcynic (Original post)

Thu Apr 27, 2017, 10:33 AM

Apr 2017

If she and her family owned a home, it might at least give you her first name, or her spouses first name. Also the local paper if it still exists. If she was a controversial figure there may be some articles about her activities. Check their achieves, or the public library.

Also if you know the address, check the census for 1940 and 1960.

Just a few thoughts to help you out.

oldcynic

(385 posts)

11. I am super impressed with all of you! Thank you many times over.

Reply to oldcynic (Original post)

Thu Apr 27, 2017, 04:06 PM

Apr 2017

If I find her, I'll let you know. You guys are great!!!

trof

(54,256 posts)

12. Was it Madge?

Reply to oldcynic (Original post)

Thu Apr 27, 2017, 06:32 PM

Apr 2017

Madge Maxine Norris-Porter-Colby

MARION: Madge Maxine Norris-Porter-Colby, age 88 of Marion, passed away peacefully at Heartland of Marion in Marion, Ohio on Wednesday November 23, 2016.

Madge entered into this world on December 6, 1927 to the late Carl Francis and Nioma B. (Thurston) Norris in Wyandot County of Ohio.

She belonged to the 1st Baptist Church in Richwood, Ohio. Madge will truly be missed by her family and friends.

Madge is preceded in death by her parents, two sisters: Elva Ann Askew and Dorothy Mae Millington and one brother: Calvin Norris.

She is survived by her two sons: Steven D. (LeeAnn) Porter of Belle Center, OH and William R. (Sandy) Porter of Bartow, FL; one daughter: Rebecca Sue (Michael T.) Radel of Canton, OH; one sister: Mary Ellen Moody of Marion, OH; four grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Family and Friends can come on Monday November 28, 2016 starting at 5pm to 8pm to honor Madge's life at the Boyd-Born Funeral Home in Marion, Ohio. Funeral service will be held on Tuesday November 29, 2016 at 11 am at the funeral home with Rev. Chuck Temple officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the 1st Baptist Church in Richwood, Ohio and/or Shriner's Hospital for Children . Online condolences can be expressed to the family at: www.boydbornfuneralhome.com. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/marionstar/obituary.aspx?pid=182792017#sthash.GHU4uAk3.dpuf

oldcynic

(385 posts)

13. doubt it. Her radical past would have been mentioned

Reply to trof (Reply #12)

Thu Apr 27, 2017, 08:05 PM

Apr 2017

and I doubt if she would have set foot in a Baptist church. Her married name was Norris, unless the Mrs. was a courtesy...deep south. I think she died in Richmond, VA. Not sure when but in the 1950s or 60s, I think.
Many thanks for the effort.

Reply to this discussion