My first Post - WWI dogtags at 9"

MacManOhio

Jr. Member
Jul 31, 2006
20
0
Cincinnati, Oh
Detector(s) used
Makro Racer 2
My first Post - WWI dogtags at 9"

This is my first post and just had to show a find using my old Discovery 2000 (BH from Radio Shack).

These dog tags were found at 9" deep along the edge of the Great Miami River in an old town here in Ohio. It was the only non-trash item found, but then again I was only out for about a half hour. They came out pretty clean and only required a 20 minute hot peroxide soak to get them perfect. They were stacked on top of one anoter and almost seem to have placed underground. I'm used to digging trash, but nothing quite so deep.

I have been detecting for about 2 years and have recently started getting more serious about it. I have saved every last clad coin since I began and take real pride in not cashing them in. I have quite a stash of shoe boxes full of rolled coins in my closet and am ready to buy an Explorer II. With this recent find using my old machine, I think I'm going to have to learn to swing two machines at once. I just don't think I'll be able put my Disc. 2000 to sleep just yet.
 

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Re: My first Post - WWI dogtags at 9"

Hi, Don't get rid of that older detector just yet. Looks to me that it would challenge some of the more modern ones. Wonderful find. You may be able to look this persons name up through old navy records and find out what happened to him. His relatives might still be in the local area and could shed light on why the tags were where they were found.. Great job.. HH MidnightGuy
 

Re: My first Post - WWI dogtags at 9"

I'll be looking it up tomorrow. I've been given some ideas on where to start the search. It would be neat to contact a family member and return to them a bit of their family history.
 

Re: My first Post - WWI dogtags at 9"

Good Luck with the search. Remember to pass along the results. I would really like to read the details. I can just imagine the faces of one of this mans relatives getting a look at such a personal item .. HH MidnightGuy
 

Re: My first Post - WWI dogtags at 9"

Thanks for the info. That's an interesting link.

I'm starting to wonder if the analog version of research isn't best. I found three listings in the West Carrolton phonebook with that odd last name. One is less than 3 blocks from where I found it!

Updates to come. Let's keep our fingers crossed!
 

Re: My first Post - WWI dogtags at 9"

Here's likely a little info on your seaman.

# Name: Lawrence Franklin "Cap" KIDNEY
# Sex: M

Marriage 1 Madge HICE b: 6 Aug 1903 in Ohio
 

Re: My first Post - WWI dogtags at 9"

That's cool!! I will be waiting for the rest of the story as well.

Wow, someone in my neck of the woods.

Cheryl
 

Re: My first Post - WWI dogtags at 9"

M & M,

welcome to the board.

Very nice find; best in looking for family.

have a good un................
 

Re: My first Post - WWI dogtags at 9"

1930 United States Federal Census Record
Name: Lawrence Kidney
Home in 1930: Dayton, Montgomery, Ohio
(Looks like either FROG STREET or TROG STREET)
Age: 34
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1896
BirthPlace: Ohio
Relation to Head of House: Head
Mother's Name: Mary
Spouses's Name: Madge
Race: White
Occupation: Machinist, Cash Registers
Education:
Military Service:
Rent Home Value:
Age at First Marriage:
Parents' Birthplace: View Image

Household Members:
Name Age
Lawrence Kidney 34 (self), he and his parents were born in Ohio.
Madge Kidney 26 (wife), she and her mother were born in Ohio, her father in Kentucky.
Mary Hice 54 (mother in law), she as well as her parents were born in Ohio.

1910 United States Federal Census Record
(looking at this census...street is McKellon???, not what I posted for 1900 census)
Name: Lawrence T Kidney
Age in 1910: 14
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1896
BirthPlace: Ohio
Relation to Head of House: Son
Father's Name: John E
Father's Birth Place: Ohio
Mother's Name: Lucy
Mother's Birth Place: Ohio
Home in 1910: Chillicothe Ward 4, Ross, Ohio
Marital Status: Single
Race: White
Gender: Male

Household Members:
Name Age
John E Kidney 45 (says he is a machinist in a canning? factory)
Lucy Kidney 37 (this census says she only had one child, one living. And it states this is her first marriage and John E.'s second????? Someones not remembering right LOL)
Lawrence T Kidney 14

1900 United States Federal Census Record
Name: Lawrence F Kidney
Home in 1900: Chillicothe Ward 6, Ross, Ohio
(Can't tell if it's Keller, Kellen or even Kelly Street)
Age: 4
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1896 (Born: March 1896)
BirthPlace: Ohio
Relationship to head-of-house: Son
Father's name: John C
Mother's name: Lucy
Race: White

Household Members:
Name Age
John C Kidney 35 (Father), Born: Feb 1865, Was a car maker in 1900.
Lucy Kidney 28 (Mother), Born: May 1872
Lawrence F Kidney 4 (Self)

His parents were married 5 years in 1900...so marriage date is 1895. Lucy had two children, Lawrence is the only surviving child at this time.

Can't seem to locate him on the 1920 census...probably in the military at this time, maybe overseas.

Here's some military info on him....the above is him, based on the residence on this military record.

Ohio Military Men, 1917-18 Record
Name: Lawrence Franklin Kidney
Serial Number: 102-42-06
Race: W
Residence: 318 McKellar St., Chillicothe, O.
Enlistment Division: United States Navy
Enlistment Location: Recruiting Station Cincinnati, O.
Enlistment Date: 04 May 1917
Birth Place: Chillicothe, O.
Birth Date / Age: 7 March 1896
Assigns Comment: Receiving Ship Norfolk Va to 27 July 1917; United States Ship Minnesota to 5 Aug 1917; United States Ship Solace to 6 Aug 1917; Naval Hospital Norfolk Va to 28 Aug 1917; United States Ship Minnesota to 17 May 1918; Receiving Ship Charleston Summary Court to 11 Nov 1918. AS 55 days; Seaman, Second Class 110 days; Fireman, Third Class 108 days; Fireman, Second Class 59 days; Fireman, First Class 224 days. Honorable discharge 14 Aug 1920. Expiration. Receiving Ship New York NY. Machinist's Mate, First Class
Volume #: 20

Can't seem to find him on the SS Death Index, nor can I find any info on any children he and his wife may have had. 1940 census won't be available to the public until 2012 and I am waiting patiencely LOL.....

Find a Bernard J. Kidney that lived at 1849 W. 47th St, Cleveland, Ohio and enlisted in 1917....might be kin to Lawrence, cousin perhaps.

You may try to contact the St Louis Military Records office. My grandfather also served during WWI and his record was destroyed in the 1973 fire they had, so they may not have any records...but worth a try to see if any living relatives or even calling the Veterans Affairs Office. Explain what you found and you are trying to find if he had any children/grandchildren surviving.

Hope this info helps you some. Great find and HH.......Ann
 

Re: My first Post - WWI dogtags at 9"

Great find, congrats.
Gotta love this hobby huh!
Thanks for sharing this with us.

Smiles!
BDoo
 

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