Documented History
According to Indiana, Marriage Collection, 1800-1941, Katherine Amelia Mack was born on 7 February 1892. Her nickname was Katie.
Katie Amelia Black married Albert Cornelius Black on 20 June 1910 in Marion County, Indiana, according to Indiana, Select Marriages Index, 1748-1993.
Her parents were listed as Murice J. Mack and Mary S. Weber. The Indiana, Marriage Index, 1800-1941 confirms these details and also lists Katie’s birthdate as 7 February 1892.
Flora Louise Black was born on 18 March 1911. At the time, Katie was 19 years old according to Flora’s birth certificate. She was married to Albert C. Black and they lived at 1441 W. 36th St., Indianapolis, Indiana. Katie was born in Indianapolis, Albert was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. Albert was a Packer.
The U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 also confirms the names of Flora’s parents. Flora’s married name when she passed was Flora Louise Olcott, according to the Social Security record.
The 1920 Census shows that Albert and Katie still lived at 1441 W. 36th St. with their four children and Katie’s sister, Ruth Mack. Ruth was sixteen years old at the time and earned wages as a manager at a drug factory.
Albert Sr. earned a salary as a post man at the post office and was 35 years old. Katie was 27, Flora was 8, Albert Jr. was 6, Naomi was 2 years and 7 months, and Richard was 11 months. All were born in Indiana, except Albert was born in Ohio.
Unfortunately, Katie and Albert lost their eldest son, Albert Leroy Black, on 9 October 1929. He had chronic nephritis and died of Pulmonary Tuberculosis. He had been born on 10 July 1913 and was only 16 years, 2 months, and 29 days old when he passed.
By 1930, according to the Census, they had moved to 2710 E. 40th St. They owned the home and it was worth $3,000. Albert was 25 and Katie was 18 when they married.
Living with them were Naomi, age 12; Richard, age 11; and Ernest, age 6. Albert Sr. was still a mail carrier.
According to the 1940 Census, Albert and Katie moved to Jackson, Mississippi and lived at 719 Winton St. Living with them were: Naomi S. at 22 years old and her daughter Barbara S. Stevens at 1 year old; and their daughter in law Marion F. Black at 19 years old and her son James D. Black at 5 months old.
Albert Sr. owned the home worth $4,000. He was still a mail carrier. The others were housewives. Barbara was born in Mississippi and Marion was born in Pennsylvania.
This is all I’ve found so far for Katie. I’d love to find more on her as I have a family member that affectionately remembers her as “Granny Black.” If you knew her and would like to share memories, please put them into the Comments section below and I’d be happy to share them on this page.
Until next time,
~Kris
