Some weeks I have difficulty coming up with the concept for a story. Some weeks the ideacomes from someone else. The idea this week comes from Mark Borckardt who suggested I lookat the 1930 Census for Barney Bluestone. There are two listings that might be confused.

The first Barney Bluestone in the 1930 Census was married to Harriet R., age 37, with nochildren. His age was 41 and born in New York with parents born in Russia. His profession waslisted as numismatist. They had a servant, Stella Simienysk, age 18. The Census was taken inSyracuse, New York.

The second Barney Bluestone in the 1930 Census was married to Rebecca with son Leon anddaughters Dinah and Natalie. His age was 37 and born in Russia. His profession was proprietorof a hardware store. The Census was taken on Bath Avenue in Brooklyn.

The Social Security Death Index notes that Brooklyn Barney Bluestone was born on July 31,1893, and died in December 1967.

Mark pointed out that the listing for Bluestone in the Newman Numismatic Portal hadinformation for the Brooklyn Bluestone mixed with that of the Syracuse Bluestone. Hisobservation was correct.

The records I found have many variations with the names and ages. This is a common problemwith Census research. Census takers make mistakes in spelling and people lie about their age.The problem is compounded when information is provided by neighbors.

In the 1892 New York State Census. Bernard Blueston, age 3, was living in Syracuse with hisfather Aaron 38, mother Villa 34, and sisters Ella 5 and Bessie 1.

In the 1900 Census, Barnet Bluestone, age 11, was living with his father Aaron 44, mother Vella38, and sisters Ella 14, Bessie 9, Rosa 8. Rae 4 and Eva 1. His birth was listed as Jan 1889.

In the 1905 New York State Census, Barney Blueston, age 16, was living in Syracuse with hisfather, Abraham 48 and mother, Sarah 38, and five siblings Oda 17, Beattie 14, Rose 10. Hilda 8and Ionia 6.

In the 1910 Census, Bernard Bluestone, age 21, was living with his father, Abraham 52, aHebrew Minister, his mother, Vera 48, and siblings Ella 23, Bessie 19, Rose 16, Rachel 14 andLena 12. His occupation was steamfitter.

Barney William Bluestone registered for the draft in 1917. He was born in Syracuse, New York,on January 25, 1888. At the time he was unmarried and living at 613 Jackson. His profession wasmerchant with his store at 1024 S. Salina Street. By the 1920 Census, at age 31, he was marriedto Harriet, age 28, and proprietor of a restaurant.

Barney Bluestone was admitted to the ANA as member 2673 on May 1, 1924. His address was711 Harrison Street in Syracuse, New York. He waited until June 1924 to change his address to624 Madison Street in Syracuse.

In November 1926 he placed an ad in The Numismatist from 117 Cumberland Avenue, Syracuse.Such ads continued until June 1931.

The Syracuse Journal published this obituary on January 23, 1929.

Mrs. Harry Barlow was Rose.

As mentioned earlier, in 1930 he was at 117 Cumberland in Syracuse.

In July 1930 he offered The Salt City Coin Book, first edition. Price was thirty-five cents.Syracuse was known as because of salt springs that were harvested commercially forsalt.

In September 1931 he announced his first coin auction coming up in October or November.Auction business was conducted from 119 Cumberland Avenue.

During 1935-36, the Salt City Coin Co. operated at 167 E. Onondaga Street in partnership withFrank G. Brown.

Barney/Bernard or Harriet/Ida may have been listed in the 1940 Census, but I did not find them.

On April 25, 1942, Bernard William Bluestone registered again for the draft. He had gottenyounger with his birthdate as January 25, 1889.

Ads in The Numismatist went quiet for a while but returned with the Albert Grinnell sale ofNovember 1945. During that time he conducted more than 80 auctions. In 1945 he operated at224 Harrison Street.

Bluestone's 109th auction was dated February 18, 1950. His offering of fixed pricelists ended inMay 1950. It was about that time that he retired to Miami.

In the 1950 Census, Barney Bluestone, age 61, was living at the Mayflower Apartments inSyracuse with his wife Harriet A. age 55.

The Miami Herald of April 27, 1956, had his obituary.

Ida Bluestone was born on October 19, 1893, and died in Dade County Florida on July 2, 1981.

The listing for Bluestone in the Newman Numismatic Portal has been revised based on thisinformation.

To read the NNP biography entry, see:
Barney Bluestone(https://nnp.wustl.edu/Library/PersonDetail/278)

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
TOM KAYS NUMISMATIC DIARY: OCTOBER 23, 2022(https://www.coinbooks.org/v25/esylum_v25n43a26.html)