Partner?

[darkerhorse]

What the heck does "partner" mean in the 1950 Census (lines 1 and 2)?

[darkerhorse]

Make that lines 2 and 3.

[MarcuccioV]

I'm just going to throw out a guess here -- based on the fact that it is Palm Springs, CA (known even then as a haven for 'alternative' lifestyles) and the older subject is listed as 'D'ivorced and the younger as 'Nev'er married, it would seem to me to be two men co-habitating together (ie: domestic "partner"). As I said, just a guess, but based on some knowledge of the location...

[darkerhorse]

Recorded that way In 1950?

(Not that there's anything wrong with that.)

It's strange.

Louis Cortez doesn't sound Italian.

Louis and his wife Mary are listed at the address in the 1950 city directory so her death must have been recent. His occupation is gardener, like his partner in the census.

Also listed at that address are a Sam and Frances Cortez. He's also a gardener.

Maybe they were all business partners.

Louis is listed as r1138 and Sam as h1138.

In 1952, Louis is listed without a wife, and Sam and Frances are still there.

No mention of Michael Fraculino.

[MarcuccioV]

That was a secondary thought. Still seems strange, however. I checked and Fraulino doesn't appear in the surname maps. I agree on Cortez. Gardener would have been a rare occupation for PS. Not too many gardens in the low desert...

I wonder if the names were corruptions or changed/mispelled..? Cortez for Cortese, perhaps..? Fraulino for Frolino..?

[darkerhorse]

Your local knowledge of CA is helpful.

It's also spelled Cortez in the city directory, but maybe he changed it from Cortese. Fraulino (not Fraculino) is uncommon but occurs.

I'm not even sure there's a family relationship to me yet, but there is some circumstantial evidence.

The census instructions suggest it's just an alternative to roommate (partner) as opposed to lodger (boarder).

There's a code of 7 written in one of the "leave blank" columns. That might be a clue but I haven't found a notation yet. Others have code 7 or 8. It looks like a way to further specify relationship to head.

I also want to browse how often that enumerator used the term partner, but, as you say, it might be a neighborhood where that's common.

I'm currently thinking is that partner is used to distinguish two (equal?) roommates from a householder and boarder, and has nothing to do with lifestyle choice.

[darkerhorse]

Instructions.

[darkerhorse]

In the Census, occupation is actually listed as janitor-gardener.

[darkerhorse]

This LA voter list includes the Michael Fraulino I'm looking for in the 1950 Census.

The one in Palm Springs matches his age and marital status, but not his military status. He served in the U.S. Army between wars. But maybe that wasn't self-reported.

He's the only candidate I can find in the 1950 census.

He ended up living in Fresno.

[darkerhorse]

Partner
This is what code 7 means:
Column A: relationship to head of household
Servant, maid, chauffeur, butler, housekeeper, etc.

Doesn't make sense.


Cook and Governess
Code 8 is used for others further down:
Column A: relationship to head of household
Servant's wife, son, daughter; hired hand's wife, son, daughter; any other employee's wife, son, or daughter; or any other person not covered by other codes

That makes a little more sense.

[MarcuccioV]

Since it lists "servant", perhaps he was a roommate or boarder compensating Mr Cortez with labor or services instead of monetary payment..? It does show he is not currently employed but looking for work.

Maybe this is just one of those situations best described as "it's complicated"...