Missing cousin found (vanished without a trace in 1931)

[Mr. McD]

It was April 1931 when my cousin went to his job at an Omaha newspaper and made arrangements for another person to cover his shift. He got into his car and was never seen again. His family has him listed as deceased April 1931.

Last month I was contacted through my website by a woman researching the family of her 92 year old neighbor. She was confused because my family information was almost identical to that of the woman’s husband except his last name and the last name of the father. Apparently he didn’t talk much about his family. I was able to send a copy of the news clipping from the Omaha paper from April 1931 with his picture and the article about his disappearance. It was an exact image of a photo her family had of him from 1933.

Apparently in the vernacular of the times “he took a powder” walked away, changed his name and started a new life. They will be sending me the picture and their family history. I will contact his family or I should say their descendants. It will be an interesting story for the family reunion this summer.

[CBHagman]

1. That must win some sort of genealogical prize.

:wow:

Number one, it's amazing that people act did/do things like that, just pick up and start over.

Secondly, it's great that you were able to make the connection! Few family secrets/mysteries are that dramatic, but it's exciting when the truth comes out.

[Angela Shelley]

2. For family research, the internet is an amazing tool

but will never substitute human interest.

[Momgonepostal]

3. What a great story!

I had a great uncle who disappeared in the 30's or so, too. He had taken a train, either to or from Hanford, CA and the person who was supposed to meet him said he never showed up. The family looked for him, his dad, my ggrandfather, even hired a private investigator, but they never found a trace of him. I imagine it was tough on his wife. It's possible he did something like your relative.