CONDR*Ns in the 1940 US Census

Distribution of CONDR*Ns in the 1940 US Census (darker colors indicate more CONDR*Ns)

I've just finished indexing the CONDRANs, CONDRENs, CONDRINs and CONDRONs in the 1940 US census. The census contains over 1300 CONDR*Ns, located in over 500 households or institutions, across three quarters of the states of the union. (Remember there were only 48 states in 1940: Alaska and Hawaii didn't become states until 1959.)

 
In 1940, one in four CONDR*Ns (25%) lived in Pennsylvania, 11% in Texas and 10% in New York.

Almost two-thirds of the individuals counted were recorded as CONDRON, with CONDREN (20%) being the next most common, then CONDRAN (12%) and finally CONDRIN (5%).

The vast majority of CONDR*Ns in 1940 reported their birth place as being within the United States. Fewer than 4% reported being born in Ireland (Eire, Irish Free State and in one case Northern Ireland), and fewer than 2% were born in other European countries or Canada (mostly women who had married CONDR*Ns). This is in contrast with censuses in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when far more CONDR*Ns were first-generation immigrants from Ireland: for example, in the 1910 census, nearly 10% of the CONDR*Ns in the US (about 125 people) had been born in Ireland.

The occupations of CONDR*Ns in the 1940 census reflected the changing times. While some 50 people reported working on the land as farmers or farm laborers, a similar number reported being a "clerk" (though that could mean a lot of things, from filing clerk to sales clerk). There were 10 salesmen and 7 managers, 18 teachers and 10 stenographers or typists. There were two movie-theater projectionists. There were also several owners or attendants at gas stations and several beauticians - occupations that probably wouldn't have existed (or at least wouldn't have been common) in earlier times. Quite a few also reported that they worked in Works Projects Administration (WPA) programs. The WPA, which was the largest agency in Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal, provided jobs to the unemployed during the depression of the 1930s: it existed from 1935 until 1943.

There are a number of sites where you can search the 1940 census (for free, I believe):
Official 1940 census site
FamilySearch.org
Ancestry.com
FindMyPast .

I am happy to answer search queries - email me at Condran [AT] one-name.org (replace the [AT] with an @) or at CondranONS [AT] gmail.com. I am also happy to try to provide further details about CONDR*Ns you have found in the 1940 census.

It has taken me several months to index the CONDR*Ns in the 1940 US census, so I am relieved that it will be four years before the 1950 US census is released in 2022 under the "72 year rule"!  The 1921 census of England & Wales will also be released in 2022, under the "100 year rule", so I expect I'll be very busy then!

CONDR*Ns of King's County (Offaly)

As I have said before, the CONDR*Ns perhaps originate from County Offaly (which was called King's County until 1922) in the midlands of Ireland. There are many CONDR*Ns (mostly CONDRON) in the county in the Griffith's Valuation of Ireland (mid 19th century) and in the 1901 and 1911 censuses.

It was only recently, however, when responding to a question about someone's King's County CONDRON ancestors, that I thought to map out where in Offaly the CONDR*Ns were distributed.

This county map shows the distribution of CONDR*Ns in the 1901 census for King's County.

Places with CONDR*N heads of household in the 1901 census

The small dots each indicate a townland with one household in which the head of household was a CONDR*N. The larger dots show townlands with more than one CONDR*N head of household, as follows: Clonfinlough and Glaskill (each have 4 such households), Pollagh (3 households). (A townland is a small geographical division of land used in Ireland. There are more than 1,100 townlands in Offaly.) The star denotes Tullamore, the county town, where there was also one CONDRON head of household.

The CONDR*Ns are pretty well spread about and don't have a single centre of concentration, though they are predominantly around Tullamore and in the west of the county.

The 1901 census is the earliest surviving census of the whole of Ireland. However a useful "census substitute" is the Griffith's Valuation of Ireland which recorded landowners and tenants in the mid 19th century. For King's County, the valuation was completed in July 1855, almost fifty years earlier than the 1901 census and almost ten years before universal civil registration of births, marriages and deaths began in 1864. Therefore the Griffith's Valuation is a useful early snapshot of where people lived.

Places with CONDR*Ns in the mid 19th century Griffiths valuation

This county map shows the distribution of CONDR*Ns in King's County in the Griffith's Valuation. Each small dot indicates one CONDR*N tenancy in that townland. The bigger dots indicate multiple CONDR*N tenancies, as follows: Glaskill (6 such tenancies), Clonfinlough (3 tenancies) and Fertaun (which almost merges with Glaskill on the map: 2 tenancies). There was one CONDRON tenant in Tullamore.

This shows that Glaskill (in Rahan & Lynally Roman Catholic parish) and Clonfinlough (in Clonmacnoise parish) were concentrations of CONDR*Ns in the mid 19th century as well as at the beginning of the 20th century. Although a few other place names are in common between the circa 1855 and 1901 distributions, most others are different although the overall geographical locations are similar. This is probably because the CONDR*Ns were generally tenant farmers, not land owners, and so by choice or - more likely - force of circumstance were more likely to move around than land owners would.


Comments and corrections welcome, either by leaving a comment below or by email to me: CONDRAN[AT]ONE-NAME.ORG .

Mikaela Shiffrin, ace skier ... and a Condron!

Mikaela Shiffrin in 2018
All image rights: Michael Probst/AP/Shutterstock

Congratulations to alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin on winning two medals (gold and silver) at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeonchang!

And, through her mother's side, Mikaela is a CONDRON!

Mikaela's gold medal in the Giant Slalom and silver medal in the Alpine Combined in Pyeongchang add to the gold medal she won four years ago in the Slalom at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. That win in Sochi made Mikaela the youngest slalom champion in the history of Olympic alpine skiing.

In addition, Mikaela is the reigning overall World Cup champion in women's alpine skiing and four-time World Cup champion in Slalom. To date she has 41 World Cup wins under her belt ... and all before her 23rd birthday!

CONDR*Ns worldwide are proud of you, Mikaela!

I wrote about Mikaela's CONDRON ancestry previously, in March 2013. Here's what I wrote back then:

Condrons claim slalom world champion!

Mikaela Shriffin in 2012 (courtesy wikipedia.com)

Mikaela Shiffrin is a member of the U.S. Ski Team and the new reigning World Cup and world champion in slalom. And she's a CONDRON. As is her elder brother, Taylor Shiffrin, who is also a skier.

Mikaela was born on March 13, 1995 (according to Wikipedia), in Vail, Colorado, to Jeff and Eileen (Condron) SHIFFRIN. Mikaela’s grandmother, Polly CONDRON, lives in Lanesborough, Massachusetts.

This CONDRON family has lived in Massachusetts since the 1870s. Mikaela’s great-great-great grandparents were Jeremiah and Mary CONDRON. Their son, James E. CONDRON (born about 1850 in Ireland), emigrated to the United States in 1871, and married Bridget NOONAN, daughter of Thomas and Bridget NOONAN, on November 5^th, 1874, in Westfield, Massachusetts. They had a son, Joseph Edward CONDRON, Mikaela’s great-grandfather, who was born in Westfield on May 7^th, 1876. James CONDRON died in Westfield in 1904.

Joseph CONDRON married Rose STEINER (daughter of Frederick and Catherine [Kate] Steiner) on September 29^th, 1904, in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Joseph and Rose had five children: Raymond (1905), Mildred (1907), Rosa (1908), Frederick (1913) and Joseph E. (1919). Joseph junior, born June 14^th, 1919, married Pauline M. (Polly) TOWLE, and they had children Patrick, Anne-Marie, Eileen and Catherine.

I’m sure CONDR*Ns everywhere wish Mikaela continuing success on the ski slopes!

All the above information relating to living persons is available on the web, from wikipedia, media coverage of Mikaela's skiing successes, and the online obituary of Mikaela's grandfather Joseph in 2006. 

As usual, I welcome any corrections. If you know anything about Jeremiah and Mary CONDRON in Ireland, I'd love to know. Email condran [AT] one-name.org  or leave a comment below.

7045 Private Thomas Denis CONDRON (1900 - 1918)

The Battle of Amiens, which began on 8 August 1918, was the opening phase of the so-called Hundred Days Offensive by the Allied forces. With a rapid gain of territory and the capture of some 50,000 German soldiers, it has been said that the Battle of Amiens marked the end of trench warfare in World War I and ultimately led to the end of the war with the signing of the Armistice on 11 November 1918.

Central to the action at the Battle of Amiens was the Fourth Army under General Henry Rawlinson, comprising 19 divisions of British, Australian and Canadian troops. By 11am on the first day of the battle alone, the Australians and Canadians had managed to advance some 3 miles as they attacked eastwards to the south of the River Somme starting in the area around Villers-Bretonneux, and by the end of the day had opened a gap some 15 miles wide in the German lines. One of the five Australian divisions involved in the Battle of Amiens was the 4th Division, of which the 45th Battalion was part.

Private Thomas Denis CONDRON (service no. 7045) was killed in action in the Battle of Amiens on 17 August 1918. The war ended 12 weeks later.

Thomas Denis CONDRON was born on 5 November 1900 in Mungindi which straddles the state line between Queensland and New South Wales.  He was the son of James and Jane (née DONALDSON) CONDRON.  When he enlisted in the army in September 1917 he gave his age as 18 years and 7 months, though according to my records he would have been only 16 years and 10 months, and only 17 years old when he was killed. On enlisting, he gave his occupation as colliery driver.

Thomas Denis's parents James CONDRON and Jane DONALDSON were married in Moree, New South Wales, on 10 February 1885. The couple had nine children that I know of: Charles James (born 1886), Annie Kathleen (1890), Agnes Mary (1892), Ivy Eileen (1895), Amy Jane (1898), Thomas Denis (1900). John Victor (1903), Ethel Jessie (1906) and Arthur William (1908). In 1911, Jane CONDRON got herself and all of the above children (except Charles James) baptised, at St. Mary's, Bingara, New South Wales. It is not clear whether James and Jane were still together at this time; when Thomas Denis enlisted in 1917 he gave his next-of-kin as his mother, who was by then living in Islington, Newcastle, New South Wales. 

Thomas Denis CONDRON embarked on the troop ship H.M.A.T. Nestor at Melbourne on 28 February 1918, arrived in England on 20 April. After spending some time in Codford, Wiltshire - where Australian and New Zealand (ANZAC) troops were accommodated prior to being deployed to France - he finally arrived in France at the end of July 1918. According to a report filed by his commanding officer, Sgt. S. Horton, he was shot by a sniper at Rozieres (I assume modern-day Rosières-en-Santerre) and died there. The report of his comrade, Private W. Bowater, gives the following information: "I saw him hit by two machine gun bullets in the stomach, at Villers Brettoneaux. He was carried out to the dressing station and died there. He was buried at the back of Villers Brettoneaux with a lot of other Australians. I saw his grave and a cross was erected with his particulars thereon."

Thomas Denis CONDRON is buried in the Fouquescourt British Cemetery, in northern France.  

After the war, first his married sister Agnes Mary PARKER and then his mother wrote to the military authorities asking for a photograph of Thomas Denis CONDRON's grave. It appears that their request was fulfilled, in June 1922, according to an annotation in his military record. 
 
This concludes my series of blog posts on CONDR*Ns killed in the First World War. To see my other blog posts about CONDR*Ns killed in the First World War, click on "First World War" in the Labels list on the right of the blog web page. 

Thomas Denis CONDRON was the last CONDR*N to be killed before the end of the war on 11 November 2018. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission includes another man, Thomas CONDRON, among the war dead although he died in 1920. I will post about him on a future occasion. 

Comments and corrections welcome, either by leaving a comment below or by email to me: CONDRAN[AT]ONE-NAME.ORG .  

26919 Corporal Michael CONDRON (1897 - 1918)

The Battle of the Lys (7-29 April 1918), also known as the Lys Offensive or the Fourth Battle of Ypres, was part of the German 1918 Spring Offensive. The front for the German offensive ran north-south from about 6 miles east of Ypres in Belgium to about 6 miles east of Béthune in northern France (near the towns of La Bassée, Givenchy and Festubert). The southern part of the front, which was defended by British and Portuguese forces, was attacked by the German Sixth Army beginning with a bombardment on the evening of 7 April. German attacks took place at different points along the front in the following three weeks. 

On 18 April the German Sixth Army attacked in the southern sector towards Béthune. The records of the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment for 18 April at La Bassée Canal report:

"The Germans began an intense bombardment of the line at 04:15 hrs that morning, following that by advancing in attack at 08:00 hrs. The Germans were successful in gaining a foothold in the main Divisional line, before C and D Companies of the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment ejected them through vigorous counter-attack. The majority of the line being back in our possession by 11:00 hrs."

Corporal Michael CONDRON (service no. 26919) was killed in action at La Bassée Canal on 18 April 1918.

Michael CONDRON was born in Liverpool in 1897, the eldest child of Michael and Annie (née GILMOUR) CONDRON. He is recorded in the 1911 Census of England at 174 Liverpool Road, Great Crosby, living with his parents and five siblings, and one servant. In 1911 Michael was 13 years old and at school. When he enlisted in the Liverpool Regiment on 20 May 1915, he gave his age as 19 years old and his trade or calling as "seaman". After serving in the Liverpool Regiment and the Machine Gun Corps, he was transferred on 7 September 1916 into the 1st Battalion of the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment.

Michael's father, also called Michael CONDRON, was born in Liverpool in 1864 and died in 1913. In the 1911 Census his occupation was given as Master Contractor; at the time of his death he was a "ship scraper". (Following his death, probate on his estate was granted to Arthur STARK and James CAREW, ship scalers. James Carew's name will occur again shortly.) Michael (senior) married Annie GILMOUR from Edinburgh, though I do not know the date or place of their marriage. Apart from Michael, their children who survived infancy were: Janet (born 1901), Thomas (1903), James Joseph (1905), Eric Robert (1908), Theadora ("Dora", born 1910) and Harold (1912). All were born in or near Liverpool and their births registered in the West Derby Registration District.

Michael's grandparents were Thomas and Jane (née MUIRHEAD) CONDRON. Thomas was born in Dublin in about 1834 and died in Liverpool in 1897. Thomas and Jane had four children that I know of: Michael (1864), Mary Jane (1867), Susannah (1870) and Elizabeth (1879). Thomas and Jane did not get married until 1894, at Holy Trinity Church in Liverpool. According to their marriage registry entry, Thomas's father was Michael CONDRON (deceased), formerly a land steward. 

When Michael CONDRON enlisted, he gave his next of kin as the above-mentioned James CAREW. Consequently, when he was killed in action, his British War Medal and Victory Medal, as well as memorial plaque and memorial scroll, were sent to James CAREW. Michael's service record shows that his mother Annie made an application in 1921 for these items to be returned to her. By that date, she had presumably remarried, as she gave her name as Annie McMAHON and her address as 57 Barracks, King Street, Aberdeen. 

According to Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Michael CONDRON is buried in the Post Office Rifles Cemetery, Festubert, in northern France. 
 
In addition to drawing on my usual sources, I am grateful to Paul McCormick and his web page about Michael CONDRON's service in the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, from which the above quotation from the regiment's records is taken.

For other blog posts about CONDR*Ns in the First World War, click on "First World War" in the Labels list on the right of the blog web page. Comments and corrections welcome, either by leaving a comment below or by email to me: CONDRAN[AT]ONE-NAME.ORG .  

15901 Sergeant Thomas Arthur CONDRON (1898 - 1918)

Sergeant Thomas Arthur CONDRON (service no. 15901) was killed when he crashed his plane near Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, on 5 February 1918.

The Hull Daily Mail for Friday 8 Feburary 1918 reported:

AIRMAN KILLED IN LINCOLNSHIRE.
A fatal accident occurred to a young airman in Lincolnshire on Tuesday. He had just passed over one of the villages at a high altitude, and appeared to be making a good flight under ideal conditions. He then commenced to come down, and when within 100 ft. or less of the ground the biplane appeared to suddenly tilt sideways and crash to earth. A farm foreman, followed by another farm hand, found the unfortunate man with the engine on top of him. His injuries were serious, and he passed away in a few minutes without regaining consciousness. At the inquest it transpired that the deceased was a second-class mechanic, named T. Condron, of South Farnborough, Hants, and 19 years of age. The jury returned a verdict of Accidental death, and complimented the man Hird upon his praiseworthy conduct.

The Aldershot Military Gazette for Friday 15 February 1918 reported:

FARNBOROUGH AIRMAN'S DEATH AND FUNERAL.
The funeral of Sergeant Thomas Arthur Condron, 19, son of Mr. and Mrs. Condron, of Queen's Road, Farnborough, took place at the Military Cemetery on Saturday with full military honours, the bands of the R.F.C. and A.S.C. attending. Intimate companions of the deceased from Brooklands, Weybridge, acted as pall-bearers.

The young man met his death at Blyton, near Gainsborough, on Tuesday, 5th inst., whilst on his qualifying flight for his pilot's certificate. He was well known and respected in Farnborough, being a server at St. Mark's Church and a member of the Club, joining up in November, 1916. He was a very keen pupil, untiring in his work, promising and fearless and never failing to obtain an excellent report from his flight commanders. 

A TRIBUTE FROM HIS CAPTAIN.
The following is one of the many letters received by [the] deceased's parents, and shows the high appreciation and esteem in which he was held:-

61 Gordon Mansions 
Francis Street, W.C.1
7th Feb. 1918.

Dear Mrs. Condron- It was with very great regret that I learnt to-day of your son's fatal accident, and wish to express to you and your family my sincerest sympathy in your trouble. 

Your son was in my Flight. He was a very keen pupil and took a delight in doing whatever duty he was detailed for - he was always asking to go up, and his one aim was to get his wings as soon as possible. He was always a cheery youngster - it did one a lot of good to see his bright face, when feeling blue. I only wish I could have men like him around me always. I was very interested in him, and I am sure he would have turned out an excellent pilot. 

Had I been able, I should have liked to attend his funeral to-morrow, but unfortunately it is not possible; but I will be with you [in] spirit. 

Again assuring you of my sincerest sympathy. - I remain, sincerely yours,

F.E. SARGOOD, Capt.

The RAF Museum Storyvault has images of two handwritten Casualty Cards which give further details. They record his flight commander's remarks as follows: "On Feb. 5th 1918, at 11.45am I sent 2/am [2nd class air mechanic] T. Condron up on F.E.2.B A5612 [the type of aircraft]. The engine gave 1175 Revs. on the ground. He was up 1 Hr. and crashed 4 miles from Gainsboro'. He appears to have stalled the mach[ine] while attempting a forced landing, for reasons unknown." They also record the verdict of the Court of Inquiry, which seems to have occurred on Aug. 20th 1918: "The court having carefully considered the evidence are of the opinion that the acc[ident] was caused by 2/am Condron stalling his mach[ine] to avoid a tree when attempting to land in a field for some unknown cause."


Thomas Arthur CONDRON was born in 1898 and his birth was registered in the Hartley Wintney Registration District of Hampshire, England.  He was the fifth child born to Andrew and Jane Emily CONDRON. The 1911 census of England shows him, a schoolboy aged 12, living at Marlborough Lines, Aldershot, with his mother and three sisters. At the time of his death in 1918,  he was a 2nd-class air mechanic in the 199th (Night Training) Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps, though various records also indicate that he was a sergeant. Could he have had both ranks? Thomas Arthur CONDRON is buried in the Aldershot Military Cemetery (grave ref. AF 2089).

His parents were married at St. Catherine's Church, Dublin (Church of Ireland) on Dec 7th 1888. His mother's name when she married was Jane Emily CONDRON (born c.1871) , the daughter of Michael CONDRON who was a Colour Sergeant in the 5th Royal Dublin Fusiliers. Jane Emily was born in Meerut, India, according to the 1911 census. There is some confusion about Thomas's father's name. The marriage record indicates that his name was Andrew CONDRON or MOLLOY (born c.1870 in Dublin, died 1940 in Surrey, England), the son of Andrew MOLLOY. At the time, Andrew junior was a Drummer in the Royal Dublin Fusiliers. The marriage certificates of two of his daughters give his full name variously as Andrew Patrick Michal CONDRON and Andrew Arthur CONDRON.

Andrew and Jane Emily CONDRON had nine children: Florence Emily (born 1888), Michael Andrew (1890), Alice Violet (1895), Emily Christina (1896), Thomas Arthur (1898), Gladys Melita (1905), Mercia Alexandra (1907), Gertrude Jane (1910) and Constance Vera (1912). Their first four children were born in Dublin. As already noted, Thomas Arthur was born in England, as were Gertrude Jane and Constance Vera. Gladys Melita was born in Malta, and Mercia Alexandra was born in Alexandria, Egypt, presumably while Andrew was serving abroad with the military.


In addition to my usual sources, I am grateful for information about Thomas Arthur CONDRON found at the Royal Air Force Commands, RAF Museum Storyvault and Sussex History Forum web sites.

For other blog posts about CONDR*Ns in the First World War, click on "First World War" in the Labels list on the right of the blog web page. Comments and corrections welcome, either by leaving a comment below or by email to me: CONDRAN[AT]ONE-NAME.ORG .

36779 Private Herbert CONDRON (1892 - 1917)

Even after the Battle of Passchendaele (3rd Battle of Ypres) ended on 10 November 1917, the two sides continued to conduct operations in the area and to inflict and suffer casualties. Bellevue, to the west of the village of Passchendaele, had been the site of terrible casualties suffered by New Zealand forces during the Battle of Passchendaele. On the night of the 2/3 December 1917 the 2nd Battalion of the Manchester Regiment was ordered to move to Belle Vue (Bellevue) in support of the 96th and 97th Infantry Brigades. At 7pm on 3 December the Germans shelled Bellevue very heavily killing 2 and wounding 4 others, according to the war diary of the battalion. Probably, Private Herbert CONDRON was one of those killed then.


Private Herbert CONDRON (service no. 36779) was killed in action on 3 December 1917 in West Flanders, Belgium.

Herbert CONDRON born in 1892 in Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester. He was the 11th child of Hugh and Elizabeth Emma (née JACKSON) CONDRON. In the 1911 UK census,  he is living at home in Chorlton with his parents, two brothers and five sisters, and his occupation is recorded as "boot finisher casual". His war record shows that he served in the 26th Manchester Regiment, 11th Manchester Regiment and 2nd Manchester Regiment.

Herbert’s father Hugh CONDRON was born in 1852 in Manchester, and died in Manchester in 1934. His occupation is described in various censuses as "packer". He married Elizabeth Emma JACKSON in Manchester in 1872. The couple had thirteen children: Mary Jane (born 1873), Susannah (1874), Joseph (1876), John (1877), Hugh (1880), Elizabeth Emma (1882), Emily (1886), William (1886), Annie (1889), Bertha (1891), Herbert (1892), James (1894) and Lillie (1896).

Herbert's grandfather was Patrick CONDRON. Patrick was born in Dublin in about 1818, and died in Manchester in 1889. He married Susannah MULLIN in Manchester in 1844 and the couple had at least six children: Thomas (born 1847), Mary Ann (1848), John (1850), Hugh (1852), Susannah (1856) and Lucy (1860).

Herbert CONDRON is memorialized on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium.


For other blog posts about CONDR*Ns in the First World War, click on "First World War" in the Labels list on the right of the blog web page. Comments and corrections welcome, either by leaving a comment below or by email to me: CONDRAN[AT]ONE-NAME.ORG .