Florida Today from Cocoa, Florida • Page 36

COMMUNITIES EXTRA Wednesday, September 22, 2004 pt FLORIDATODAY COMMUNITIES PERSPECTIVES Loss of 1890 Census has hurt genealogists Brevard family awaits new arrival Daughter adopts baby from China 4J A vy I i A i hTi! Last month, we ended our census exploration with the 1850 Census, often regarded as the first "modern" census. Since it was the first to list all persons in the household, it was a great boon to genealogy researchers. The 1860 Census is notable for asking respondents to reveal the value of their personal estates and for being more specific as to the place of birth. However, the 1860 varies very little from the 1850. The 1870 Census was the first in which parents of foreign birth are identified.

Also notable is the fact that the 1870 listed dwellings numerically in the order of visitation, families numbered in order of visitation and occupation of every male and female. In 1880, the federal government decided to get serious about conducting its decennial census. A congressional act was passed providing funding for a permanent Census Office. This office hired the enumerators, provided training and guidelines and streamlined the process of enumeratioa With the establishment of formal enumeration districts, the 1880 Census was the first to provide the name of the street and house number. It also was the first to list the relationship of all members of the household to the head of the household.

Sad episode After the 1890 Census was completed, it was stored in the basement of the Commerce Building. As always, there was only one copy due to limited congressional financing. The 1890 Census was an ambitious venture in terms of tabulation. Rather than listing multiple households per form, it was decided to list one per form and to include a special veterans and widows schedule on which Union soldiers or their surviving widows were to be listed. The 1890 also contained increased information as to race, home ownership, education, immigration and naturalization.

Through an ironic twist of fate, With hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne wearing on our nerves, I was delighted to participate in a light-hearted event Sept. 1 1 Though that date marks the anniversary of the horrible day terrorists rocked our world, a group of local women brought a ray of sunshine to that auspicious time of remembrance. Eileen Koetter and her family are longtime residents of Titus-ville. I met Eileen when she was a student intern in my office when I worked at Brenau Women's College in Gainesville, in the mid-1980s. Her father, Ron, a CPA, is known in Brevard business and civic circles, and her mother, Charlotte, has long been involved with organizations in North Brevard.

Eileen, and her sisters, Michelle Patrick and Cindi Alles, all graduated from high schools inTitusville. Michelle has three children and Cindi has a son. Eileen is about to join their ranks as a mother by adopting Liligrace AiQing Koetter, a precious Chinese toddler. Eileen and Michelle will travel to China on Oct. 2 and expect to return Oct.

16. In anticipation of this happy event, a baby shower was held for Eileen and Liligrace on Sept. 1 1 at La Cita Country Club inTitusville. The sponsors included Eileen's family, along with Debbie Land of Port St. John, as well as Kay Cline and her daugher, Valerie Cline Phillips ofTitusville.

Kay was radiant during the Oriental-themed luncheon event, even though a few days prior she had lost her home to the ravages of Hurricane Frances. Years ago, when Eileen returned to Florida after graduating from Brenau, we kept in touch, which led to my securing a job at the Cocoa Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, where she worked. Sue Munsey, then president CEO of the chamber, hired me Susan Smiley-Height, FLORIDA TODAY New family member. Longtime Titusville resident Eileen Koetter was feted Sept. 11 with a baby shower in honor of her adoption of Liligrace AiQing Koetter, left, from China.

Hosting the celebration and luncheon, held at La Cita Country Club, were back, from left, Koet-ter's sister, Cindi Alles; mother, Charlotte Koetter; sister, Michelle Patrick, and, in front, neice Madeline Patrick. were acquired by Cape Publications in 2000. She performed as a singer and dancer with local groups, including guest solos with the Tommy Vance Dancers, and often entertained shoppers with a little soft-shoe when she worked at Publix. Maye, in the great hoofer tradition, danced and sang at my wedding. You were a ton of fun Maye, and I know without doubt that you are kicking up your heels and entertaining all the residents of heaven.

Smlley-Helght is the FLORIDA TODAY "Communities" section editor. Contact her at 242-3759 or Memories of Frances worth keeping to Orange Park family Frederic Davles Genealogy 101 the 1890 Census was the first in which there was no requirement to file all or part of the schedules with the county clerks. The usual response given to genealogists inquiring about the 1890 Census is that "it was destroyed by a fire in the Commerce Buildingin 1896." This is a gross understatement in light of the chain of events that actually resulted in the loss of the 1890 Census. In March 1896, there was a fire that damaged some of the special schedules, but the general population schedules were reported to have been safe. In fact they were neatly stored on shelves in the basement of the Commerce Building on Jan.10, 1921, when smoke was detected by a watchman on duty.

The fire department was called and large quantities of water poured into the basement of the building. The next day, a report was made that 25 percent of the 1890 was destroyed and half of the rest damaged by water. A long process followed of haggling among government officials as to whether to attempt salvage and restoration of the 1890 Census. The end result was that some time between 1933 and 1935, the damaged and neglected remains of the 1890 Census were destroyed. Although some states and counties have their own records for 1890, they are not as thorough as the Federal 1890 Census in providing valuable information.

Next month, we will explore the census offerings of the 20th century in which some new and valuable information was added. We also will unravel the mysteries of Soundex, which is an important tool in finding spelling variations of surnames in the Contact Davles at fdavles41mlndsprinc.com our five cats, even though they had two dogs themselves and Eilene was bringing her pet pooch as well. As for taking over their son's bedroom, it turns out he was tickled pink, because he got to stay up late and then sleep in the big fluffy living room couch that is usually off-limits to him for snoozing. At one point, there are an estimated 2 million Floridians hurrying ahead of Hurricane Frances, with most getting to stay with family and friends, or like us, with a family of new-found friends. And so here's a heartfelt thanks to the Walter family.

And a wow of a meow from our cats who must have thought they had escaped the big flood and been taken aboard Noah's Ark. Duddy retired to Brevard County following a 30-year career as a crime reporter for the Mew York Dally News. Contact him at fuddyduddy6cfl.rT.com To submit news To submit school news, please call correspondent Alison Diana at 454-2226 or e-mail her at To publicize events in advance, the deadline is two weeks before the Wednesday edition in which an item should appear. ON THE AGENDA Animal blessing: St. Mark's Academy will hold its annual blessing of the animals day Oct.

4 to correspond with St. Francis of Assisi Feast Day. Students can bring their pets into the Cocoa Village school's courtyard to be blessed. Each child will receive a certificate to mark the occasion. Stroll to class: Fairglen Elementary students will meet at Sam's Golf for a group walk to school at 7:30 a.m.

Oct. 6. Getting together: Enterprise Elementary School will hold its monthly school advisory committee meeting at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 4.

Skill set: Students in grades three through eight in St. Mary's Catholic School will take the Iowa Test of $sic Skills from Hoofing in heaven On a sad note, I bid farewell to former correspondent and beloved friend Mary "Maye" Conklin of Merritt Island, who died Sept. 12. Maye was a hoot. She had a brilliant smile, a bubbly personality and a kind heart.

She also had a gift for writing, and was an accomplished dancer and singer. She died from the same disease that claimed my daddy, Alzheimer's. Maye was a writer for Brevard publications long before the Today newpaper made it's debut. She wrote for the Space Coast Press before we group, waving off thanks with a tug on his ball cap. Shrimp boats rushing across the river likes goslings following their leader heading for the barge canal, knowing they will tie together and ride out the storm with fellow fishermen ever watchful for each other.

A neighbor fresh out of the hospital after major surgery struggling across the street with new wood for a project so his friend would have enough to cover all his windows, then refusing payment for the wood. Finding a treasure trove of antique bottles and memorabilia entwined in the roots of an uprooted tree on the homestead of an old Merritt Island family. Relief and prideon the faces of exhausted volunteers locking the shelter doors after all the guests had left. Padrlck lives In Port St. John.

Contact her at rpadrlckecfl.rr.com Susan Smlley-Helght Note in 1986 as the director of communications and public relations. Sue, a resident of Cape Canaveral, was at the luncheon, along with former "chamber maids" Mary Bartorillo and Jan Keirns Bender, both of Merritt Island, and longtime employee Sandy Owens of Rockledge. Other guests included longtime family friends, former schoolmates and Kelly Haskins of Melbourne, who worked with Eileen at Merritt Square Mall. After a delicious repast, accompanied by green tea, fortune cookies and cake, Eileen, with a photo of Liligrace sitting nearby, opened gifts ranging from delicate finery to practical things such as sippy cups. As she opened each gift, Eileen asked the giver to dispense words of wisdom about motherhood.

The offerings ranged from mushy to practical, including Doris Davidson's sug-gestion to volunteer as a carpool mom as that's how you learn a lot about what's, going on in your child's life. It was a wonderful afternoon of camaraderie and celebration. Liligrace is one lucky girl, who will be loved and nurtured in the Koetter family tradition. Rose Padrlck Rose's Room ing his ground, crouched down, long ears and long fur flying in the wind, barking at the unknown. The look on the dog's face when said dog indicated for the fourth time he had to go out when we all knew he just wanted to face the wind and bark some more.

The warm feeling I got from the knowledge he wasn't my dog and I could stay dry and warm. A young man notices a mother attempting to herd four toddlers across the grocery store parking lot in the prestorm rain, then runs from his dry parked car, carries two of the children to shelter and secures a cart for the work for two years, then take the ASE (National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence) certification." Maw, who owned an auto body shop for many years, now teaches high school students the ins and outs of car repair and painting. "I started out three years ago with 30 Maw said. "This year, I have 95. The program is evolving, along with my-self.

I like them to treat this (course) as a job, as a profession." Cocoa High School recently installed 15 personal computers in an air-conditioned classroom off the main shop floor. Students will use a curriculum developed by the University of Missouri that includes tests and assignment sheets, Maw said. Students first learn about safety, then tools and equipment before beginning to actually work on the cars. The program also includes training in welding and office administration. "I took it in my ninth-grade year," said Korey Kendall-Doyle, a lOth-grader who is taking the Editor's Big thanks As it was, we had a topsy-turvy time when ice cubes were lusted after more than diamonds when white caps formed on neighborhood ponds and cruise lines were rumored to be booking animals two-by-two.

It was a time when there were too many tempests for anyone's teacup, so everyone evacuated north on Interstate 95, which eventually put them in the deep south. Florida is the only place in America where you have to go up north to get down south. It also was a time when every-one kept flipping on light switches every time they entered aroom even though they knew there was no power or light to be had from Florida Power Light. But mostly it was a time of kindness. Like for instance in my case, where without the kindness factor I just mentioned, I couldn't explain how I went to Orange While I wish I had a delete button for most of my hurricane memories, there are some I wish I could play on cable TV during halftime at the Superbowl for all the world to see.

Neighbors meeting in the street as they arrive home from work one-by-one, tossing "If it comes this way" ideas back and forth. Fellow employees volunteering to house pets for coworkers who were running from harms way. Relatives not heard from in years calling to offer lodging "just in case." A9 year-old-grandchild voluntarily aquiring bushels of knowledge about prevailing winds, cold fronts and barometric pressure so she can do hurricane reports just like the TVforc-astersdo. Old friends calling to ask if you have enough plywood. The sight of a little dog hold- CENTRAL BREVARD SCHOOL NEWS Cocoa offers unique auto body work program for students Jim Duddy The Fuddy Duddy File Park, near Jacksonville, and walked into the home of Joe and Tammy Walter, whom I have never met or spoke to in my life.

Then, I could state that I and my wife, Jackie, basically moved into the bedroom of their 8-year-old son, Nick. Sounds like I was a real rude dude. But not so, due to the kindness of Joe's mother, Eilene, who is a friend of ours on Merritt Island and who was heading that way to get out of harms way. As it happened, she briefly mentioned to her son on the phone that we were stuck because we couldn't get a place that allowed pets. And with that, Joe and Tammy invited us to bring The shop also includes a paint booth, tool room and locker area.

However, the program still needs tools and late-model vehicles, preferably those involved in a ID 2 BY ALISON DIANA FOR FLORIDA TODAY In the back of Cocoa High School a five-minute ride by golf cart from the administrative offices sits a refurbished building, with arow of large, overhead garage doors. Several older-model cars are parked by a metal fence, waiting for their makeovers. This is home to Matthew Maw's auto collision repair and refinishing classes, a program that began three years ago to provide vocational training for those interested in pursuing a career or hobby in the art of removing dents and repainting cars. The building also houses the potential to make some students' dreams come true the course is designed to give youths looking for a career in auto body work the knowledge to get a job in the field immediately after high school, Maw said. "There are so many students who are not going to college," he said.

"A lot of students go from high school right to a job. You can go from this program hav- ing taken all six courses and" advanced class this year. "It's something I'm good at. I grew up working on cars." Several students use the knowledge they're reaping to work on their own vehicles. For example, llth-grader Alex Dicandio's 1964 Tempest is one of several cars in the shop being worked on.

Former student Monica Underwood plans to work in her grandfather's body shop in Las Vegas. Although Brevard County has five auto mechanic training programs, this is the only auto body program in the area, Maw said. The goal is to become a National Automotive Technical Education Foundation shop, he said. "To get certified in this, we need a certain amount of tools and equipment and, of course, the students themselves," Maw added. "At this point, we're given amount of dollars from the county to buy supplies and materials.

The biggest thing that helps the program is donations from vendors who sell after-market equipment or later model vehiclesif they've been in a colli sion, Detteryet. Alison Diana, for FLORIDA TODAY Future mechanics. Korey Kendall-Doyle, left, and Alex Dicandio work on a car in Michael Maw's auto body class at Cocoa High School. The school system purchased a frame-straightening machine, and Pro-Auto donated mixing room supplies such as a personal computer system digital scale ana mixing machine, Maw said. collision, he said, i Oct.

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