Ervin Earl Putnam (1893-1988) (P1) from 1921-1940

Let's continue with our exploration of Ervin's life. If you are just coming to the story now, I recommend you go back a post and read that first.

1921-1930

Again, we have a lot of documentation for this period.  Ervin starts to show up in the City Directories in Massachusetts.  In 1924 he is listed as living in Boston, MA and working as a Assistant Roentgenologist.  I had to look this up, but it is another word for a Radiologist, which ties back to his army training.  The record has a “do” under residential address.  I think this means he was living the U.S. Veterans Hospital there.

West Lake, ME-1922

On top of Mt. Katahdin with his brother Frank-1924

On an island in Eagle Lake-1924

Ervin was know to take many trips back up into the backwoods of Maine. I will likely make a number of posts that just show pictures from those trips but here are a few to give you a taste.

In 1926 he married Mary Gertrude Connelly (C1) in Leeds or Northampton, MA.  I need to spend some time tracking down their official marriage record to see what else I can find out.  They honeymooned at Togue Pond in Maine.  

Mary Gurtrude Connelly

Ervin with sons-Spring 1930

On October 18th, 1927 my father, Robert Ervin Putnam (P0), was born in Northampton, MA. In 1928, my uncle was born. We find Mary and Ervin living at 179 North Maple St, Florence, MA.  They continued living here until 1930.  He is listed as working as a x-Ray Technician at the U.S. Veterans Hospital Number 95.  He worked in this profession at the hospital until at least 1956.   

In 1930, the family moved a block over to 22 Howes St.  They lived there

The Northampton V.A. Hospital

until 1938.  The 1930 U.S. Census lists Ervin as being 36 years old.  They own the house and it is valued at $6500.  That translates to a real value of $192,000 today.  Zillow estimates the property is worth $298, 234 today.  Ervin is still listed as having not attended school but being able to read and write. They have noted that he was a World War I veteran.  Additional, the family appears to have owned a radio.

1931-1940

Staff at the V.A. Hospital

Ervin continues to work at the Veterans Hospital throughout the depression.  I consider him lucky to have had a government job!  In 1937 and 1938, they are listed as having a phone in the house.  In 1939, the family moved to 24 Center St, Leeds, MA.   

The 1940 U.S. Census lists Ervin as being 46 years old.  He is still at 24 Center St.  The census says he was living in this house in 1935 which conflicts with the City Directory data.  The value of this house is $5000.  This would have a real value of $166,000 today.  According to Zillow, the property is now worth $289,866.  It still says he did not attend school or college, but says he had a 2 year college degree.  I suspect this is referring to his time in the Army.

Interestingly, he put in 42 hours of work the week before the census was taken.  He worked 52 weeks in 1939 and made $2600.  Assuming a 40 hour work week,he was making $1.25 an hour.  How does this translate to today?  It would represent an hourly rate of $56.50 and a yearly income of $118,000 today.

Check out the next post for more information on Ervin.

Sources:

• U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989, Boston, MA-1924, Northampton, MA-1928,1929, 1930, 1931, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940
• Massachusetts, Marriage Index, 1901-1955 and 1966-1970: Volume 39, Page Number 575
• 1930 United States Federal Census: Database online. Year: 1930; Census Place: Northampton, Hampshire, Massachusetts; Roll: 912; Page: 2B; Enumeration District: 36; Image: 921.0; FHL microfilm: 2340647.
• 1940 United States Federal Census: Database online. Year: 1940; Census Place: Northampton, Hampshire, Massachusetts; Roll: T627_1600; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 8-59.