Barbara MACHALA
- BIRTH: Abt. 1900; Poland
Father: Unknown
Mother: Unknown
Family 1: Eugene Arthur SYLVESTER
- MARRIAGE: Abt. 1915
- CHILDREN:
Family 2: Ralph L. JAMES
- MARRIAGE: bef. 1930
- CHILDREN:
- Robert R. JAMES
- Ralph L. JAMES
- Horace B. JAMES
- Barbara A. JAMES
__
__|
| |__
_Unknown_|
| | __
| |__|
| |__
|
|--Barbara MACHALA
|
| __
| __|
| | |__
|_Unknown_|
| __
|__|
|__
Notes
Updated January 25, 2015. Compiled by Howder (www.howderfamily.com) from the following source(s):(1) 1920 United States Census for Texas, Harris Co., Justice Precinct 20 (Part of), Ward 4, De Pelchin Faith Home: Supervisor's District 8; Enumeration District 74; Sheet 14A; January 15, 1920.
Barbara [MACHALA] SYLVESTER is living at the De Pelchin Faith Home, an employee. Her children are listed as inmates at the same home, on a separate page, 13A.
- Address: 2710 Albany
- Age: 20, a widow
- Immigration: 1911; naturalized 1914
- Birthplace: Austria (speaks Bohemian), with her parents born in Poland Austria (spoke Polish)
- Occupation: Cook’s Helper; Orphan’s Home
(2) 1930 United States Census for Texas, Harris Co., Houston City, Justice Precinct 1, Block 4232: Supervisor’s District 26; Enumeration District 101-41; Sheet 9A; April 3, 1930.
Barbara [MACHALA] JAMES is married to Ralph L. JAMES (34 years old, born in Texas, an Electrical Engineer; code 5294). Barbara’s children Eugenia T. and Walter N. have been adopted by Mr. JAMES and now have the JAMES surname. Other children in the household are Robert R., Ralph L. Jr., and Horace B. JAMES. Ralph’s sister Earline JAMES is also included in the household.
- Address: 4618 Nett St.
- Home ownership: yes; valued at $5,000
- Radio ownership: no
- Age: 30 years old at time of census; 15 when first married
- Birthplace: Poland, as were her parents
- Immigration: 1911; a naturalized citizen
(3) 1940 United States Census for Texas, Harris Co., Houston, Justice Precinct I, Blocks 90-91-120: Supervisor's District 42-8; Enumeration District 258-81; Sheet 7A; April 13-15, 1940.
Barbara [MACHALA] JAMES is married to Ralph L. JAMES (43 years old, born in Texas, a Stationary Engineer for an Air Conditioning Company). Barbara’s son Walter N. has been adopted by Mr. JAMES and have the JAMES surname. Other children in the household are Robert R., Ralph L., Horace B. and Barbara A. JAMES.
- Address: 4618 Nett
- Home: Owner, valued at $5000
- Age: 40
- Highest Grade of School Completed: Elementary School - 8th Grade
- Birthplace: Poland; a naturalized citizen
- Residence on April 1, 1935: Same House
- At Work: No; Home Housework
(4) City Directories; Houston, Texas via Ancestry.com
- 1932: JAMES Ralph L (Barbara) chf eng Second Natl Bank Bldg h 4618 Nett
- 1937: JAMES Ralph L (Barbara) chf eng Ho Building Co h4618 Nett
- 1958: JAMES Ralph L (Barbara) chf County Criminal Court Bldg h4618 Nett
(5) Snell family records; July 21, 2007.
"Barbara came over from Poland at about age 11 with an Aunt. Her mother had died and she left a father and brothers in Poland that she never heard from again and are assumed to have perished in WW1. She was sent to America for her safety. She originally landed in New York (I think) but quickly came to Houston. She married Eugene at about 15 years of age and had... Thelma Eugenia SYLVESTER at age 16 on April 25, 1916. She had Walter, about 18 months later. Eugene did die in the flu epidemic in 1919 leaving Barbara with 2 toddlers. Eugene's mother (and perhaps other family members) tried to take the children away from Barbara and offered her no assistance in raising them. Barbara was successful in keeping the children although they lived in foster homes and at Faith Home Orphanage for about 10 years until she remarried and was able to bring them home. She worked as a housekeeper for a widowed man and his son and later married him, Ralph L. JAMES. Mr. JAMES adopted both Jean and Walter, so that was the end of the name SYLVESTER in our family..."