Data: Adams and Tanner, Norwalk Directories 1882-1935

I extracted these records today from Norwalk directories that had been stored on microfilm. My intent was to follow the comings and goings of the Tanners and Adamses as they moved around Fairfield county.

Norwalk directories were available beginning in 1882, which was somewhat before the arrival of these two families. So I was able to watch them come, live, and in most cases move away or die. I was also able to see that they lived very near each other for the most part.

I hope you enjoy this peek into a portion of the lives of our loved ones, and also that you can make use of the data in your own research.

(So far I am up to 1922. I have 5 more films to read. I will add the rest of the information here as I collect it. When it is complete, this little parenthetical comment will disappear!)

It is impossible to make a list of this width look good, so I have tried to make it more orderly by making the dates in bold. The order of entry will be: Year, Name, Occupation, Address, whether N(orwalk) or S(outh Norwalk), other:

• 1882-84    Adams - none relevant 
•                     Tanner - none
• 1885          not available or not published
• 1886          Robert Adams, moulder, h(ome) 12 Main N
•                     Robert F Adams (Rogus and Adams) h 12 Main N (entire entry in bold)
•                     Tanner - none
• 1887-88    Lorenzo Adams, molder h r(esidence) 11 Chapel N
•                     Robert F Adams, molder h 20 Main N
•                     Joseph F Tanner, veterinary surgeon, 19 Clay SN (also in advertising section)
• 1889-90   Lorenzo J Adams, molder, h S Leonard N, works at Simonds Mfg Co.
• 1891          Lorenzo J Adams, molder, h Leonard N
•                    Robert Adams, saloon, 24 Wall; also boarding-house, 14 Main h d(itt)o N (also in ads)
•                    William Adams, bartender, R Adams bds 14 Main N
•                    Charles Tanner, blacksmith, h 34 Knight N
• 1892          Lorenzo J Adams, h 28 Chapel N
•                    Robert F Adams, saloon 25 Wall, also boarding-house at 14 Main, h do N
•                    William A A Adams, bartender 25 Wall N, bds 14 Main do
•                    Charles Tanner, emp Norwalk Lock Co, h 34 Knight N
• 1893/94    Augustus A Adams, h 11 Chapel N
•                    Lorenzo J Adams, bartender, h Railroad Pl N
•                    Robert F Adams, boarding-house, 14 Main, h do
•                    Charles Tanner, emp Norwalk Lock Co, h 34 Knight N
• 1894/95   Augustus A Adams, stove pattern fitter, h 15 Chapel N
•                    Lorenzo J Adams, molder, h Railroad Pl N
•                    William A Adams, molder, bds 14 Main N
•                    Charles Tanner, conductor Norwalk Street Railway Co, h 34 Knight N
• 1895/96   Augustus A Adams, stove pattern fitter, h 50 Wall N
•                    Lorenzo J Adams, molder, h Railroad Pl N
•                    Robert F Adams (Excelsior Flat Iron Company), 8 Knight N, boarding-house 14 Main 
•                    William A Adams, molder, bds 14 Main N
•                    Adams & Frederick (Robert Adams & Ovid Frederick) props, Excelsior Flat Iron Co
•                    Charles Tanner, blacksmith, h 34 Knight N
• 1896/97  Augustus A Adams, stove fitter, h 50 Wall N
•                    Lorenzo A Adams, bartender, 16 Water h r 28 do
•                    Robert F Adams, boarding-house 10 Main N
•                    William A Adams prop, Blazon Soap Powder, 5 High N, h 10 Main do
•                    Charles Tanner, Mrs. h 16 Main N
• 1897         Augustus A Adams, stove fitter, h 19 River
•                    Lorenzo J Adams, bartender, 16 Water h r 28 do
•                    Robert F Adams, boarding-house 10 Main N
•                    Arthur A Adams, boards at 10 Main, clerk 33 Wall (has been in earlier directories)
•                    William A Adams, molder, h 10 Main N
•                    Charles Tanner, Mrs., h 16 Main N
• 1898/99  Arthur R Adams, clerk 33 Wall, rms 10 Main N
•                    Augustus A Adams, emp Arnold & Company, h 10 Main N
•                    NO LORENZO
•                    Robert F Adams, h 14 Camp N
•                    William A Adams, molder, bds 14 Camp N
•                    Charles Tanner, Mrs., h 16 Main N
• 1899         Arthur R Adams, clerk 33 Wall, rms 21 Main N
•                    Augustus A Adams, emp Arnold & Company, h 10 Main N
•                    NO LORENZO
•                    William A Adams, molder, bds 14 Camp N
•                    Charles Tanner, Mrs., h 16 Main N
• 1900         Arthur R Adams, clerk 33 Wall, rms 21 Main N
•                    Augustus A Adams, emp Arnold & Company, h 20 Main N
•                    Lorenzo J Adams, emp Stamford, rms 20 Main N
•                    Robert F Adams, h 14 Camp N
•                    William A Adams, molder, bds 14 Camp N
•                    Charles Tanner, Mrs., h 16 Main N
• 1901          Arthur R Adams, clerk 33 Wall, rms 20 Main
•                    Augustus A Adams, emp Arnold & Company, h 2 Cross N
•                    NO LORENZO
•                    Robert F Adams, h 14 Camp N
•                    William A Adams, molder, bds 14 Camp N
•                    Charles Tanner, Mrs., h 16 Main N
• 1902          Arthur R Adams, clerk 33 Wall, rms 16 Main N
•                    Augustus A Adams, emp Arnold & Company, h 2 Cross N
•                    Christopher J Adams, emp Arnold & Company, bds 5 Harbor Av N
•                    [Emma Adams here is widow of George H, not wife of Robert (also Emma)]
•                    Robert F Adams, h Camp N
•                    William A Adams, molder, bds 14 Camp N
•                    Charles Tanner, Mrs., 16 Main N
• 1903         Arthur R Adams, clerk 33 Wall (Adams Provision Co), rms 22 Main N
•                    Augustus A Adams, emp Colonial Foundry & Machinery Co...
•                    Christopher Adams, emp Colonial Foundry & Machinery Co, bds 5 Harbor Av N
•                    Lorenzo J Adams, molder, h 55 Cross N
•                    Robert F Adams, molder, h 14 Camp N
•                    William A Adams, molder, bds 14 Camp N
•                    Charles Tanner, Mrs., h 22 Main N
• 1904         Arthur R Adams, clerk 33 Wall, rms 6 Main N
•                    Augustus A Adams, emp CF&M Co., h 2 Cross N
•                    Lorenzo J Adams, molder, h 55 Cross N
•                    Robert F Adams, molder, h 14 Camp N
•                    William A Adams, molder, bds 14 Camp N
•                    Charles Tanner, Mrs., h 22 Main N
• 1905          Arthur R Adams, clerk 33 Wall, rms 6 Main N
•                    Charles E Adams, molder, h 5 Harbor Av (has been listed before)
•                    Christopher Adams, emp US Foundry & Sales Co, bds 5 Harbor Av N
•                    Lorenzo J Adams, molder, h 55 Cross N
•                    Robert F Adams, broker, h 14 Camp N
•                    William A Adams, molder, bds 14 Camp N
•                    Charles Tanner, Mrs., h 22 Main N
• 1906          Arthur R Adams, clerk 33 Wall, rms 6 Main N
•                    Augustus A Adams, emp The Arnold Company, h 2 Cross N
•                    Augustus J Adams, emp The Arnold Company, bds 22 Main N
•                    Charles E Tanner, molder, h 5 Harbor Av N
•                    Christopher Adams, rem to New Jersey
•                    Elizabeth Adams, Miss, operator SNETel Co bds 14 Camp N
•                    Lorenzo J Adams, molder, h 55 Cross N
•                    Robert F Adams, broker, h 14 Camp N
•                    William A Adams, bds 14 Camp N
•                    Charles Tanner, Mrs., h 22 Main N
•                    John F Gilbert, carpenter, bds 22 Main N 
•                    Carrie Adams (see details in 1907)
• 1907          Arthur R Adams, clerk 33 Wall, rms 6 Main N
•                    Augustus A Adams, emp The Arnold Company, h 2 Cross N
•                    Augustus J Adams, emp The Arnold Company, bd 22 Main N
•                    Carrie M Adams, Miss, h 31 Plymouth Av, N
•                    Charles E Adams, molder, h 5 Harbor Av N
•                    Elizabeth Adams, Miss, rem to Stamford
•                    Lorenzo J Adams, molder, 55 Cross, N
•                    Robert F Adams, rem to Stamford
•                    William A Adams, canvasser, bds 5 Harbor Av N
•                    John F Gilbert, carpenter, bds 19 Marshall St N
•                    Mary J Tanner, Mrs., h 22 Main N
• 1908          Anna Adams, wid Charles E h 5 Harbor Av N
•                    Arthur Adams, clerk 33 Wall rms 6 Main N
•                    Augustus A Adams, emp The Arnold Company, h 2 Cross N
•                    Augustus J Adams, bds 22 Main N
•                    Lorenzo J Adams, molder, h 55 Cross N
•                    Carrie M Adams, h 31 Plymouth Av N
•                    William A Adams, canvasser, bds 12 Hoyt N or SN
•                    John F Gilbert, carpenter, bds 22 Main N
•                    Mary J Tanner, Mrs., h 2 Main N (probably 22 Main)
• 1909         Anna Adams, wid Charles E, h 5 Harbor Av
•                    Arthur R Adams, clk 33 Wall St, rms 6 Main N
•                    Carrie M Adams, h 31 Plymouth Av
•                    Chris Adams, molder, bds 22 Main N
•                    Lorenzo J Adams, molder, h 55 Cross N
•                    William Adams, bds 6 Main N
•                    John Gilbert, lab, h 46 River
•                    Mary J Tanner, Mrs., h 22 Main N
• 1910          Anna Adams, wid Charles E h 5 Harbor Av N
•                    Arthur R Adams, clk, rms 6 Main N
•                    Augustus J Adams, rem to NJ
•                    Carrie M Adams rem to Shelton
•                    Christopher J Adams, molder, bds 22 Main N
•                    Lorenzo J Adams, molder, h 55 Cross N
•                    John F Gilbert, lab, bds 22 Main N
•                    Howard Hunt, elect., h 54 Spring St SN
•                    Mary J Tanner, Mrs., h 22 Main N
• 1911          Anna Adams, wid Charles E, h 5 Harbor N
•                    Arthur R Adams, clk, rms 6 Main N
•                    Christopher J Adams, molder, bds 22 Main N
•                    Lorenzo J Adams, special policeman, h 55 Cross N
•                    John F Gilbert, lab, bds N Taylor Av n Cedar N
•                    Howard L Hunt, elect., h 54 Spring SN
•                    Mary J Tanner, Mrs., h 22 Main N
• 1912         Anna Adams, wid Charles E, h 5 Harbor Ave
•                   Arthur A Adams, clk, rms 6 Main N
•                   Charles Adams, prop Imperial Hotel 9 Raymond Av SN (bold, advertising)
•                   Christopher J Adams, molder, bds 22 Main N
•                   Lorenzo J Adams, special policeman, h 55 Cross N
•                   John Gilbert - NONE
•                   Howard L Hunt, elect., h 7 Hanford Pl SN
•                   Mary J Tanner, Mrs., h 22 Main N
• 1913         Anna Adams, wid Charles E, h 5 Harbor Av N
•                   Arthur Adams, as before
•                   Charles Adams, prop Imperial Hotel, 9 Railroad Ave SN, h do
•                   Christopher J Adams, molder, bds 22 Main N
•                   Lorenzo J Adams, special policeman, h 55 Cross N
•                   John Gilbert, lab, h 113 Water SN
•                   Howard L Hunt, elect., h 7 Hanford Pl SN
•                   Mary J Tanner, Mrs., h 22 Main N
• 1914         Arthur R Adams, as before
•                   Carrie M Adams, h Main Av n Mill N
•                   Charles Adams, rem to Darien
•                   Christopher J Adams, molder, bds 22 Main N
•                   Hannah Adams, wid Charles E, h 5 Harbor Av, N
•                   Lorenzo J Adams, special policeman, h 55 Cross N
•                   John Gilbert, lab, h 56 Osborn Ave EN
•                   Howard L Hunt, elect., h 7 Hanford Pl SN
•                   Mary J Tanner, Mrs., h 22 Main N
• 1915        Arthur Adams as before
•                   Carrie M Adams, h Main Ave n Mill N
•                   Christopher J Adams, molder, bds 22 Main N
•                   Hannah, wid Charles E, h 5 Harbor Av, N
•                   Lorenzo J Adams, special policeman, 55 Cross N
•                   John Gilbert - NONE
•                   Howard L Hunt, elect., h 7 Hanford Pl SN
•                   Mary J Tanner, Mrs., h 22 Main N
• 1916         Arthur Adams as before
•                   Carrie M Adams h 31 Plymouth N
•                   Christopher J Adams, molder, bds 22 Main N
•                   Lorenzo J Adams, special policeman, h 55 Cross N
•                   John Gilbert - NONE
•                   Howard L Hunt, elect., h 7 Hanford Pl SN
•                   Mary J Tanner, Mrs., h 22 Main N
• 1917         Arthur Adams as before
•                   Carrie M Adams, h 31 Plymouth N
•                   Christopher J Adams - NONE
•                   Lorenzo J Adams, special policeman, h 55 Cross N
•                   John Gilbert - NONE
•                   Howard L Hunt, elect., 7 Hanford Pl N
•                   Mary J Tanner, Mrs., h 22 Main N
• 1918         Arthur Adams as before
•                   Carrie M Adams, h Grumman Av n Shepherd N
•                   Christopher J Adams, molder, bds 22 Main N
•                   Lorenzo J Adams, policeman, h 55 Cross N
•                   Howard L Hunt rem to Wilton
•                   Mary J Tanner, Mrs., h 22 Main N
• 1919         Arthur Adams as before
•                   Carrie M Adams rem to Georgetown
•                   Christopher J Adams, molder, bds 22 Main N
•                   Lorenzo J Adams, policeman, 55 Cross N
•                   Mary J Tanner, Mrs., h 22 Main N
• 1920 - missing
• 1921        Arthur R Adams as before
•                  Christopher J Adams, molder, res 22 Main N
•                  Clara R Adams res Dry Hill Av opp Roosevelt (with George, Grace, Helen B)
•                  Lorenzo T Adams, policeman, h 55 Cross N
•                  Mary J Tanner, Mrs., h 22 Main N
• 1922        Arthur Adams rem to Westport
•                   Ida Adams, wid Christopher J, emp H Jacob & Sons res 22 Main N
•                   Lorenzo J Adams, policeman, h 55 Cross N
•                   Lorenzo J Adams jr, res 55 Cross N
•                   Mary J Tanner, Mrs., h 22 Main St N

Notes: 

1) I don't know of any relation between Arthur and the other Adamses listed here, which are members of our family. But he lives with them more than once, so I have included him here, just in case we discover a relationship. 

2) Carrie M Adams is a daughter of Robert F Adams, as is Elizabeth Adams.

3) Augustus Adams is the father of William A, Charles E, Robert F, and Lorenzo J Adams.

4) Christopher J Adams and Augustus J Adams were the sons of Lorenzo by his first wife, while Lorenzo jr was the son of Lorenzo by his second wife. 

5) Howard Hunt was married to Ella Adams, a dau of Lorenzo.

6) John Gilbert married Isabelle Tanner, niece and possibly adopted daughter of Mary J Tanner.
7) After the death of her husband Christopher J Adams, Ida (nee Tanner - daughter of Charles and Mary J.) went to work, according to the directory, at "H Jacob & Sons". This company, which began to manufacture shoes in 1914 in Norwalk, is cited in a book, Shoe and Leather Reporter vol. 113, p 21 (via Google).