For years, I've been looking for the reported half-brother & half-sister of my
grandmother, Edith Elizabeth CALES. Now, I think I've found my grand-uncle &
grand-aunt, though they're both, unfortunately, deceased. How it came about
illustrates the use of multiple sources of information and the kindness of genealogists.
Family legend had it that Henry Truman CALES (1865-1936) left Sapulpa, OK about 1920 for
Florida; his wife, Mahala (FISK) CALES died soon after, leaving two young daughters
(Bertha & Marie) & a "slow" son (William J. or "Willie") in
Florida. Henry re-married and had another son & daughter by his 2nd wife; she died in
childbirth of the daughter. Because of geographical separation, there was not much contact
between the two branches after 1920.
According to a 1976 taped telephone conversation between Dr. Bob Owen & Stella (CALES)
BRINDLEY, the 2nd wife's name was "Idell" & the son's name was
"Roy" or "Thomas" and he "went into education". Stella did
not recall the daughter's name.
Mahala was buried 06 Nov 1920 at Roselawn Cem., Lakeland, Polk Co., FL according to
cemetery records. Offically, she's "Mrs H. T. CALES" but a handwritten
margin note gives her first name. Henry is buried beside her.
A city directory of Lakeland, Polk County, Florida of 1928 show Henry T. CALES at 628
Evelyn Avenue. The 1930 census shows an "KOLER, H.L. " {sic} at the same
address, with wife "Idell" (age 26, est. birth year 1904) & stepson {sic}
"THOMAS, Roy" {sic} (age 4, est. birth year 1926). Listed immediately below, at
the same address, is "CALES, William J." Considering the problems the enumerator
had recording this family, the possibility of errors had to be considered; the boy's
name could have actually been "Roy Thomas CALES" and he could be a biological
son, rather than stepson.
{As an aside, the girls were not with their father for the 1930 census. Marie was a
foster-child in the family of William Steitz; Bertha has not been found, though she is
listed as a freshman in the 1926 Lakeland High School "Highlander" Yearbook.}
A search of the online Florida Death Index 1936-1998 for CALES, revealed a Roy Thomas
CALES, b: 24 Oct 1926 in Polk County, FL, d: 13 Jul 1981 in Orange Co., FL. The online
Social Security Death Index (SSDI) showed the last benefit was paid in Fruitland Park,
Lake Co., FL. A Lake Co. volunteer found directory listings in 1976 for Roy T. CALES and
at the same address in 2004, his apparent widow (name withheld).
SUCCESS: A telephone call to the widow gave the information that Roy CALES' middle
name was "Thomas", father's name was "Henry CALES", &
mother's name was "Tommie Idell HAVEN". Roy's sister's name was
"Minnie Ella CALES", married "Herman HOBBS". Minnie is now deceased.
Roy was a principal and coach in Fruitland Park. He was much liked & respected in the
community, a warm & friendly man. On his death at age 54, the Cales Memorial
Recreation Complex was named after him.
I concluded that this Roy Thomas CALES was the same person as reported in the family
legends. He was born in the right place & year, his father's and mother's
names matched, and he had the right occupation. Roy & his wife had children still
living. Perhaps, we'll be able to make contact.
Roy, Minnie, & Tommie Idell are now included in the family tree posted at
www.rootsweb.com. Search for the database named "ralphtaylor33" or the keywords
"Western Pioneer Family".
In the search, we used official & semi-offical records, family legends & oral
interviews, and one big hunch. Most of the credit goes to many kind people who helped find
the information. We won't list your names to protect your privacy. Thank you all.
-ralph