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May 14, 2019

African American Genealogy: Two More Birth Announcements for Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Vance

Vance, Mr. and Mrs. E. W., The Palmetto Leader, Columbia, South Carolina, 15 November 1941, page 7, column 1
Vance, Mr. and Mrs. E. W., The Palmetto Leader, Columbia, South Carolina, 15 November 1941, page 7, column 1
Vance, Mr. and Mrs. E. W., The Palmetto Leader, Columbia, South Carolina, 15 November 1941, page 7, column 1

I found two more birth announcements for Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Vance. This one was for an infant son who Mrs. Vance gave birth to. Unfortunately, he did not live long after his birth. They had one three year old daughter. This may have been one of the children that she told me she had and lost.

My grandmother spoke of naming one of the children, George. I could tell my grandmother loved and missed this child because she still spoke of him to me over thirty years later. George was her fathers first name. I do not know if George was the first child or a later one that she lost.

The 1940 Census would have been taken the year before.

1940 Census Emory W. Vance and Family
“United States Census, 1940,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89M1-5Z2B?cc=2000219&wc=QZFM-687%3A791237801%2C793995901%2C796862401%2C796862402 : accessed 13 April 2019), South Carolina > Richland > School District 1 Columbia, Columbia, Ward 9 > 40-40 School District 1 Columbia, Columbia City Ward 9 (Area A – part) > image 9 of 46; citing Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 – 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012.

Emory Wallace Vance, Sr and his wife, Otis are with Edna their first child. Otis’ sister, Catherine, was staying there from 1938. She lived there while she finished Booker T. Washington High School and Benedict College.

Birth of Beatrice Naomi Vance

The birth announcement for Aunt Bea reads:

Vance, Beatrice Naomi, The Palmetto Leader, Columbia, South Carolina, 20 February 1943, page 8, column 3.
Vance, Beatrice Naomi, The Palmetto Leader, Columbia, South Carolina, 20 February 1943, page 8, column 3.

“Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Vance of Columbia and Gadsden announce the birth a daughter, February ___  eight pounds. Name Beatrice Naomi. Mother and baby are doing fine.”

The Vance’s had moved to Gadsden by the time Bea was born.

Sharpen the Saw

I could find out what schools the Vance children went to. I could also locate church records. Aunt Catherine’s school records and church records for this area. Then the burial information for the infant child. These are all are areas which would bring more information about my family. Can you think of any more areas to research? Share in our Facebook Group.