J.O. Thompson--Record Count: 3

When I made my initial search for J.O. Thompson, I only found one record for him. I ran into similar scarcity of records for his wife, Grace Campbell. In the process of looking for J.O.'s father (James Henry Thompson), I found two more records for J.O, and one record for Grace. This brings the record count up to 3 for J.O. and 2 for Grace (I found a record for each when I was researching them earlier)

One of the records was in the 1940 US census. You can see the image and the link at the bottom of this post. It's neat to see a record with so many people that I've actually met--Aunt Margaret, Aunt Sugie, Aunt Ruby, Uncle Foy, and of course Grandma Izzy.

The other record was a WWI draft registration card that contained his physical description and his date of birth. J.O was described as a man of medium height and weight with gray eyes and light hair, not bald (he was only 25). At the time of registration, he was already living in Charlotte, NC. J.O. claimed exemption from the draft because he was deaf in one ear (you can see that at the bottom of the first page). Also interesting is J.O.'s signature at the bottom of the card.

This record is about 2 years after J.O.'s first wife and children passed away. I can imagine the heartbreak he felt--but didn't show--as the registrar asked if he had a wife or children solely dependent on him for support and J.O. had to reply, "No." At this time, he may or may not have met his second wife Grace yet. They married about a year after J.O. registered for the draft. Here's the card:

WWI draft registration, circa 1917

The other record I found was for J.O. and Grace in the 1940 Census.

1940 Census, Charlotte, Mecklenburg, North Carolina