Carson Archives

Here you will find information on the ancestors and descendents of Chester Carson and Kathleen Rogers. Articles are listed newest to oldest. Start by reading the oldest articles first, then work your way back to the newest. I have also included links to their Online Family Trees. Please provide your own stories, additions, corrections, or feedback by clicking on the word "Comments" at the end of any article, or by e-mailing me. Enjoy!

Friday, September 30, 2005

The Brentwood Years

In the 1960’s, Chester would sometimes take his grandchildren fishing with him. They recalled how he would cut bloodworms for bait with his pocket knife, wipe it off, then cut a piece of cheese with the same knife and never think twice about it. He could also be found at home using this same knife to cut apples, which he liked to eat with salt. Salt was also routinely added to his mug of beer.

Although he was not formally educated beyond the basics, he loved to read. One of his granddaughters recalled him instructing her on how to educate herself. “Read the newspaper everyday. Every page. Every word.” Chester would read one, two or three newspapers each day. Kathleen would often fuss at him for his habit of stacking them on the hassock that sat in front of, or next to his chair, in the front room of their home.

Both Chester and Kathleen were known as good cooks. Family members recalled some of the ways Chester would prepare meats, using ingredients such as beer. Kathleen was known for making the world’s best fried chicken. Her secret ingredients included evaporated milk, lard and bacon grease.

Christmastime was a magical time in their home. The dinner table would be filled with food. Cousins, aunts, and uncles would wander between the kitchen, the family room and the dining room, catching up on family news. The Christmas tree was decorated simply, strewn with tinsel, and lit by strings of bubble lights that many of the grandchildren still recall. They probably purchased these lights about the time of World War II, and they were cared for with tenderness. Chester would carefully place them on the tree, and then pack them securely for the next year.

Chester on porch
The mantle at Christmastime

Chester on porch
Kathy visits at Christmastime, 1971

Wednesday, September 28, 2005

The WWII Years, The Move to Brentwood

The mood in Washington during the war was tense. There was a fear that the Germans would send a submarine up the Potomac to bomb the Capitol. School children were given instructions on how to react to such a bombing. Staples, such as flour, meat and sugar were rationed. At night everyone was expected to adhere to the blackout. Kathleen worked as one of the blackout wardens. Each night, she would walk around the neighborhood to ensure that all lights were extinguished.

Sometime in the early 1950’s, Chester and Kathleen moved to a modest two story home with a screened-in porch and a yard large enough for her to keep several gardens. The home, located on Upshur Street in Brentwood, Maryland, was often a site of family gatherings.

Chester on porch
Chester rests on the porch of his Brentwood home

A Family Easter
The family often gathered on Easter Sunday, and other special days each year.
Shown here are: Jeannie, (Patti, probably, with her back turned), Debbie, Mary Anne, Helen

Monday, September 26, 2005

Introducing... Do you know who? #4

I was born in Florida, moved to Ohio, moved to Kentucky, moved back to Florida and once
more to Ohio where I currently reside in Cincinnati. I love catching crabs, picking crabs and eating crabs in Maryland!

I am the second of four, having two sisters and one brother. My parents became my Aunt and Uncle when their parents married.

I am working on a Computer Science degree, work full time in communications and I am an
artist for fun.

I recently attained celebrity status within the family when my story was published on the Carson Archives.

Who am I?

It's Kimberly!


Kim recently won two first place awards (one for portraits, one for still life) and a People's Choice award in an art competition. Congratulations, Kim!

Perhaps she will celebrate by dining on one of her favorite foods: Blue Crab.

Kim with painting
Kim is shown with one of two first place paintings

Kim enjoys Blue Crab
Kim enjoys Blue Crab, when she can get them.

Friday, September 23, 2005

The Early Days In Washington

At the end of the trip, the car pulled up to the apartment where Helen Sykes lived, on 11th Street SE, in Washington, D.C. Bernice stepped out of the car. As her bare feet pressed onto the sidewalk, covered with its ever-present film of coal-grime, her heart sank. She had endured several days of difficult travel to a new home in this filthy place. Later, she realized that the city was actually one of the cleanest cities in the East, but the image of that first step stuck with her from then on.

As for her brother, he recalled the first few days of school in Washington. Dressing as usual for school in Oklahoma, in his overalls, he headed off to school. In D.C., someone in overalls was an unusual sight, and the other children let him know how odd they thought it was. It took several weeks for him to obtain clothes that were less conspicuous.

They lived with different relatives, including Aunt Helen (Sykes), Aunt Bonnie (named Myrtle), and eventually landed at 625 Main Avenue SW, Washington, DC.

Photo of Joanne at National Zoo
Joanne takes a break during a visit to the National Zoo


Photo of Joanne at National Zoo
Bernice and Kit (Kathleen) frolic in Rock Creek Park

Wednesday, September 21, 2005

The Family Moves to Washington, D.C.

In August of 1939, the war in Europe was heating up, and the Federal government was beginning to increase the military presence around the Capitol. The military build-up meant that housing and other military facilities would be needed. This brought jobs, which were difficult to come by in Oklahoma City, to the Washington area. So, they packed up the family for the long trip to Washington, D.C.

Transportation had to be arranged. Kathleen would not fly, even if they could afford to. Trains were too expensive, and they did not own a car. So, they hired a man to drive them to Washington, DC. He drove a old Nash. They were only allowed to take a few suitecases and the clothes on their backs. Somehow, Kathleen managed to find room for a Singer sewing machine. But all of their treasures and possesions were left behind.

Photo of Alyse and William
Above: The Carson family before the move to Washington, D.C.

Chester, Kathleen and the driver squeezed into the front seat. All five children were in the back. For the next three or four days they drove. There were no stop-overs for hotels or motels or any other significant breaks. They even ate in the car. To make matters worse, Joan, only five years old, quickly became motion sick and was ill the rest of the trip, she even had difficulty keeping water on her stomach.

Monday, September 19, 2005

Mystery Photo Monday #16

Here are two photos for you to examine. I know that the woman in the second photo is Kathleen Carson. Can you help identify the children and the location?

My guesses: The children are Patti and Jimmy and the location is Brentwood, MD. Can anyone confirm this?


Is this Patti and Jimmy?


Is Kathleen Carson holding her grandson Jimmy in this photo?

Friday, September 16, 2005

Life in Oklahoma

Chester’s daughter Bernice recalled a vivid childhood memory of a serious accident while they lived in Oklahoma City. She remembers that a girl name Dixie (Riggs), who had horses, was nearly killed. Dixie and her horse were attacked by a dog, and a tragic accident followed. Bernice could not recall the year, but it is a vivid memory for her. She also recalled that her great-aunt, Launa Carson, helped her mother raise the family. Dixie was listed in a next-door home during the 1930 US Census, but the year of the accident is uncertain.


Above: Young Bernie and Bernice

On November 28, 1936, at the age of 32, Chester applied for his Social Security card. Chester listed his home address as 2212 SW 24, in Oklahoma City, but it’s likely that this is actually his work address. He was employed by Leo Sauders at 521 Tradesman Building, also in Oklahoma City.

While in Oklahoma everyone in the family learned how to ride horses. They even managed to purchase boots. The uniform of the day for school was overalls, with bare feet during the warm months. Kit was very athletic, and could ride very well.

On December 8, 1938, Kathleen applied for her Social Security Card. Either the family had returned to the home on Binkley Street, S.W. Oklahoma City, or Chester’s address was for a business.


Above: Kathleen's Social Security Registration form tells us her address, age, date and place of birth and the names of her parents

Wednesday, September 14, 2005

The Young Carson Family Settles in Oklahoma

On April 28, 1930, when the U.S. Census was taken, Chester and his young family were living in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. They lived in a house on the property of his father, W.L. Carson, recorded as 1916 S.W. Lindley Avenue, at the corner of Lindley and Binkly Street. Chester was 26 and paying $8.00 per month rent. The rent seems small by 2005 standards, but this was at a time when Chester earned only $5.00 per week.

He made a living as a carpenter. Their daughter, Bernice L., born in Oklahoma, was only about 2 7/12ths years old at the time. Bernard L, their son, is about 12 months old. He too was born in Oklahoma.


The 1930 U.S. Census record of the Carson household

Also living in the residence were Chester’s mother, Maude, and Chester’s brother, John V Carson and John’s wife Zetta. John is also known as Vergil. They too pay $8 rent. John V was born in Kansas, and was the second son of William L and Maude. Zetta was born in Texas, as were both of her parents.

Chester and his family lived in the smaller of the two houses on the property. The home had no hot water, so Kathleen used to heat water on the gas stove. One day, water got into the stove, putting out the pilot and allowing unburned gas to escape. There was so much gas in the home that Bernie nearly died, and the fire department and police were called to the scene. When the cause of the problem became clear, the family was warned to not heat water like that again.

From the obituary for John K Carson we know that W.L. was in Oklahoma as early as 1927, but not when or why Chester and Kathleen, or Vergil and Zetta, joined him.


A view of the Carson home in Oklahoma

Monday, September 12, 2005

Introducing... Do you know who? #3

Here we go again! How well do you know your relatives?

Read the list of facts below. Can you figure out who this is?

  • I have 13 grandchildren and one great grand daughter. Of these, four are from two sets of twins!
  • I have lived in Texas, Japan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Washington D.C., and Maryland.
  • I have run more than one marathon, once with a son of mine.
  • I worked for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in the Office of Legislative Affairs where I met several members of Congress and Vice President Gore. I also worked with many of NASA's Astronauts.
  • I am presently retired.

Do you know who I am?

It's Joanne!




Joanne with Senator John Glenn in September 1988

Friday, September 09, 2005

Chester Bernard Carson and Kathleen May Rogers

No birth certificate for Chester Bernard Carson has been found, but there is little doubt that he was born on January 15, 1904 in Iola, Kansas. I once read that his full name was Chester Bernard Lloyd James Carson, but I don’t recall the source of that information, and I have no proof or confidence that this extended version of his name is correct.

UPDATED 15 September 2005: Chester's full name, written on the back of a family plate, is given as "Chester Bernard James Carson"


Above: Chester Carson in the spring of 1904

Likewise, the birth date of Kathleen May Rogers is accepted by all as October 17, 1910, in Wilmington, North Carolina, even though no birth certificate is known to exist.

I have no information on the early life of Chester. Kathleen led a varied life, traveling with her father, and performing in various shows. To read those stories, see the write-up of Loyd Rogers and Blanche Wheeler.


Kathleen Carson in an undated photo.

It is believed that Chester and Kathleen met each other in Miami, Florida. Interestingly, there is no evidence that either lived there at the time. They may have met when Chester was working as a carpenter, repairing hurricane damage, and one of Loyd Rogers’ traveling shows came through town. They were married on June 26, 1926 in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Chester was 22 and Kathleen was 15. They later moved to Miami, Florida, and were there when a very destructive hurricane came through that same year. There was substantial damage to the area.


This photo of Hurricane damage, taken by Kathleen Carson, shows the remains of the home of Mrs. Adams. Mrs. Adams, who lived three houses from Kathleen and Chester, was killed by the storm.

Sometime between 1926 and 1930 Chester moved to Imperial, Texas, to work with his father. He was later proud of the fact that they built the first brick church in the town. It is unclear if Kathleen accompanied him to Texas.

Wednesday, September 07, 2005

The End of a Full Life

In the 1950’s, Loyd would regularly make records at home and send them to his daughter Kathleen and her family, living in Washington, D.C. In about 1954, Loyd constructed his first small church, which he referred to as “The Mission”, on his property.


One of the records Loyd recorded and mailed to his daughter Kathleen.

Loyd, 73, was mortally injured in a car crash on Friday, May 8, 1964. He died a few weeks later, as a result of his crushed chest and other internal injuries, at 7:00 a.m., Monday, May 11, at the Harrison County Hospital in Corydon, Indiana. His wife Nolena was also in the car, and died at the time of the crash.


Nolena was killed and Loyd mortally wounded in this accident.

He lived a full and varied life: He was a veteran of World War I; He had run a small-town carnival, and participated in many side-shows and other performance-related activities; He worked as a painter, an auctioneer, and a real estate dealer; He played the banjo and guitar, sang a lot and composed music; At one point he sang with the budding singing and acting star Tex Ritter; In his later years he became a Pentecostal minister, and was widely known for building and running “The Little Mission” in east Corydon as the Pastor.

Funeral services were held Thursday, May 14, 1964 at 2:00 pm, at The Little Mission. Funeral services were conducted by the Rev. Walter Steepleton. Music was provided by Marie Bottles, Fern Ripperdan and Mrs. Orville Lahue, accompanied at the piano by Norman LaHue. His pallbearers were John Ward, William Daugherty, James Smith, James Padgett, Clarence Hornberger and A. L. Emmert.

Loyd was bured at Cedar Hill Cemetery. At the time, three of Loyd’s daughters were alive: Mrs. Helen Sykes, Monroe, Mrs. Alberta Tallent, Hollywood, Fla., and Mrs. Kathleen Carson of Brentwood, Md. In addition, his sister, Mrs. Lindenberger of Wimington, N. C.; and two brothers, Philip Rogers of Rocky Mount, N C. and Harvey Rogers of Orando, Fla. were also living.

The Little Mission continued operation for an undetermined period of time.


Loyd and Kathleen are shown together inside The Little Mission in 1962.

Monday, September 05, 2005

Mystery Photo Monday #15

Here come the Mystery Photos again! Take a look at the following three photos. All were taken at the same family get-together.

The crepe paper and decorations reveal that this is a Halloween party.

Look at Photo 1. Can anyone identify either the boy on the left (only partially shown) or the woman on the left? Also shown in the photo are Chester Carson and his grand-daughter Debbie.

UPDATED Sept 24, 2005: The boy is Jimmy. The woman is Bonnie.

Look at Photo 2. Mary Ann and her daughter Debbie are shown in this photo. Who is Mary Ann holding, and who is the woman she is speaking with?

UPDATED Sept 6, 2005: Mary Ann is speaking with Joan Pendergraph, the wife of Larry. Larry was brother of Gene. Gene was Bernie Pendergraph's father. Mary Ann may be holding one of Joan's children, or it may be Steve Brannon.

Finally, look at Photo 3. If I was correct about Photo 2, then Debbie is shown on the left. Here is another view of the mystery woman in Photo 2. Who is the man and the boy in costume?

UPDATED Sept 6, 2005: The "mystery woman" is now known to be Joan (see above). The man is Larry, Gene's brother, also mentioned above. The boy in costume may be Joan's (mystery woman) son David.

Also, does anyone know WHERE this party was held, or the year?

UPDATED Sept 8, 2005: The location is the basement of the Pendergraph home in Brentwood, Md. Bernice and Gene's family lived on the first floor. There was an additional apartment on the second, which Larry & Joan lived in.


Photo 1: Who are the boy and the woman on the left?


Photo 2: Who is Mary Ann holding, and to whom is she speaking?


Photo 3: Who is this man, and who is the costumed youth?

Friday, September 02, 2005

Loyd leads an active life, Kathleen finds him

After settling in Corydon, Loyd was active in his the community. (This does not mean that he was inactive while in Washington, D.C., Wilmington, N.C., or other locations, but stories of his later life are available from a variety of sources.) According to one newspaper article, during the Christmas season of 1944, ‘Doc’ Rogers hung strands of cedar across the streets of Corydon. He was still known primarily as an Auctioneer at the time, and had established a following that enabled him to perform auctioneering duties and open a second-hand store near the town post office. He was also an honorary member of the Civilian U.S. Navy Recruiting Force.


Above: A Corydon, Indiana newspaper article featuring Loyd.

Referred to in the above newspaper article as "Doc", Loyd was also called (though less frequently) as "Red". Oddly, Chester sometimes called his father-in-law “Joe”.

Having lost track of her father in the late 1920’s, Kathleen (Rogers) Carson decided to try and locate him. She knew that her father was a regular reader of Billboard magazine. Hoping that this habit continued, she placed a personal advertisement seeking information on his whereabouts. Her father answered almost immediately, and they were reunited in September of 1945. The Corydon Democrat reported the reunion on Wednesday, September 19, 1945. They had last seen each other in Norfolk, Virginia, after Kathleen’s wedding.


Kathleen is shown with her father at their reunion in 1945.