Documented History
Flora Louise Black was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on 18 March 1911 according to the U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007. Her parents were Albert Cornelius Black and Katherine A. Mack.
FLB13 Birth Certificate
According to Indiana, Birth Certificates, 1907-1940, Flora was born at 11pm to Albert C. Black and Katie A. Mack. At the time, they lived at 1441 W. 36th Street, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana. Albert was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. Katie was born in Indianapolis. Albert worked as a packer at the time.
FLB13 1916 Bud & Flora
Flora’s little brother, Albert Leroy Black, was born around 1914. She was 2 years old at the time.
Flora’s little sister, Sarah Naomi Black, was born around 1918. She was 6 years old at the time.
FLB13 1922 Nonie, Bud, Flora, Richard, and Katie Black
Flora’s little brother, Richard O Black, was born around 1920. She was 8 years old at the time.
Flora lived with her family at 1441 West 36th Street, in Marion County, Indianapolis, Indiana in 1920 according to the 1920 United States Federal Census. Her aunt, Ruth Mack, also lived with them at the time.
FLB13 1920 Federal Census
Flora’s Dad, Albert, was head of household at 35 years old. Her mom, Katie, was 27 years old. Flora was 8, Albert Jr. was 6, Naomi was 2, and Richard was 11 months. Aunt Ruth was 16 years old at the time. Albert was a postman at the Post Office. Ruth was a manager at a drug factory.
Flora’s little brother Ernest Paul Black was born around 1924. She was 12 years old at the time.
FLB13 1925 Ernest, Flora, and Nonie
Flora’s father, Albert Cornelius Black, died in October 1929 in Indianapolis, Indiana. She was 18 years old at the time.
Marriage
Flora married Lester Otis Oliver on 4 January 1930 in Marion County, Indiana, according to Web: Marion County, Indiana, Marriage Index, 1925-2012.
FLB13 1930 Lester and Flora
In 1930, according to the 1930 United States Federal Census, Flora and Lester lived on East 11th St, Indianapolis, Indiana. Lester was 22 and Flora was 19 years old. Lester was a machine operator at Glove Company and Flora was a homemaker.
FLB13 1930 US Federal Census
Flora and Lester had their first daughter, Gloria, around 1931. Flora was 20 years old at the time.
FLB13 1932 Flo and Glory
Flora and Lester‘s second daughter, Sylvia Faye, was born 28 September 1932 in Indiana. Flora was 22 years old at the time.
FLB13 1934 Gloria and Faye
Flora and Lester‘s only son, Lloyd Lester, was born 4 February 1934, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Flora was 22 years old at the time.
FLB13 1937 Lloyd
In 1934, Flora and Lester lived at 806 Iowa, Indianapolis, Indiana, according to U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995. Lester’s brother Leroy L and wife Retha were also living with them at the time. Lester and Leroy were both Laborers.
FLB13 1934 US City Directories
In 1936, Flora and Lester lived at 2730 N. Dearborn, Indianapolis, Indiana, according to U.S. City Directories, 1822-1955.
FLB13 1936 US City Directories
In 1940, according to the 1940 United States Federal Census, Flora and Lester lived on East 23rd Street, Indianapolis Indiana. Lester was 30 and Flora was 29 years old at the time. Their children were Gloria, age 8; Sylvia, age 7; and Lloyd, age 6. Lester was a glove cutter at a Glove Factory making $960.
FLB13 1940 US Federal Census
In 1942, according to the U.S. City Directories, 1822-1955, Flora and Lester lived at 2536 Guilford Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana.
FLB13 1942 US City Directories
On 9 May 1974, Flo replaced her social security card due to her name changing to Flora Louise Olcott.
Death
Flo passed away on 5 January 1996 according to the U.S. Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007.
FLB13 1996 Tombstone
I am still looking for additional information on Flora. I was able to get my hands on a couple of her photo albums after she passed away and am able to share those fun memories of her life. However, I have very few facts about her life so far. I didn’t recently find a memorial for her on Find A Grave.
In an effort to be transparent to our visitors, please understand that we may get small commissions from purchases made through the links in this article. Please review our full disclosure at the very bottom left side of this page.
If you have stories and memories you’d like to share from Flora, please don’t hesitate to leave them in the comments field below. I’ll start with my favorite, I heard a story about Flora driving where she was sitting at a red light and then proclaimed “My turn!” and pulled out into traffic.
FLB13 1996 Flos Mausoleum
I don’t remember all of the details of that story but I’m sure someone else can fill them in. I am happy to say that I now find myself saying this with my son in the car…except I do it safely and don’t pull out into traffic. He might roll his eyes, but it gives me a giggle because I do actually remember Flo.
Flo was a grandmother of mine, one that I admired greatly. As a young girl in the 50s and 60s I did not know women that were independent. That she traveled alone from FL to Indiana for annual visits was something I found amazing. I looked up to her courage. She was a secretary for an insurance company and she journaled every year of her life. I never got to read those journals but would love to know where they are.
As Flora Louise Oliver, her luggage tags said “Flo”. Many years later, after other marriages, she changed her last name to Olcott so her luggage tags would once again correctly read “Flo”. We always heard she had been married 5 – 7 times but I can’t verify that.
Yes, she did have some interesting driving habits. She did say “my turn” and proceed through an intersection. She also stopped in the middle of the road to check her map.
I looked forward to our time together and especially when she took me to Woolworth cafeterias or the Glendale Mall for cheesecake. She was a strong and outspoken Christian lady. ~Karen
Don’t forget to check out Flora’s life up close and personal!
That’s all for now, take care!
~Kris
FLB13 Family Tree
Flo was a grandmother of mine, one that I admired greatly. As a young girl in the 50s and 60s I did not know women that were independent. That she traveled alone from FL to Indiana for annual visits was something I found amazing. I looked up to her courage. She was a secretary for an insurance company and she journaled every year of her life. I never got to read those journals but would love to know where they are. As Flora Louise Oliver her luggage tags said “Flo”. Many years later, after other marriages, she changed her last name to Olcott so her luggage tags would once again correctly read “Flo”. We always heard she had been married 5 – 7 times but I can’t verify that. Yes, she did have some interesting driving habits. She did say “my turn” and proceed through an intersection. She also stopped in the middle of the road to check her map. I looked forward to our time together and especially when she took me to Woolworth cafeterias or the Glendale Mall for cheesecake. She was a strong and outspoken Christian lady.