I'm researching my ancestor Sister Zita (Elizabeth Young born 1863 in Wisconsin) a Catholic nun. She became a nun in 1900 at House of Providence, Vancouver City, WA. I have her listed off the 1880 & 1900 census records. I believe she went to the Sacred Heart Academy in Montreal, Canada, I'm not sure I can get a census from there. Next she shows up in the 1930 census Sister Zita age 63 at Sebastian Boarding School. If she died in Colton, WA where would she be buried and to what church would she have been associated with? Any help would be appreciated. Thank You Nancy

The 1900 Census Vancouver, Clark County, WA
House of Providence
Sister Zita, 10/1863, born in Wisconsin to both parents born in Germany, no position identified

I find several Sacred Heart Academy's, most records show the one in Conneticutt.

I ran the 1911 census of Quebec and found several "Sister" but not a Zita.

For the 1930 Census, District 27, Colton, Whitman County, WA
The St. Scholastic Boarding School
Sister Zita, servant, age 61, born in Germany to both parents born in Germany, she immigrated in 1894. She was a gardner.
--This person does not look to be the same person as in 1900. The one in 1900 was born in Wisconsin. This one in Germany and immigrated long after the one in the 1900 was born.

You identified she was one of your ancestors, was this a direct line? Or, just a sister of the direct line. Is there any additional information on her? Was she born "Young", or married name?
I do find an Elizabeth Young, age 46, born in Wisconsin to both parents born in Germany, she was a widower. She was living in Chicago, Cook County. This person had a daughter Mae, age 23, born in Illinois, to father born in Texas. This person matches some basic criteria; but there is nothing to indicate this IS the correct person, unless you have more information.

Ron Bestrom

Your YOUNG family can be found in Lewis County census records as early as 1883, found in the Washington State Digital Archives:

http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/

They also list a "Sister ZITA", under the last name of ZITA, in the 1883 King County census living with a YOUNG family. This Sister ZITA is listed as born in Washington Territory in about 1866. I know you wrote she took her vows in 1900, but the similarities in name, birth year and the fact this person is living with a family named Young is quite striking.

Here is the link for the Washington State Catholic Archdiocese. You may be able to write to them for death and burial information.

http://www.adw.org/home.asp

Here is also the link to the volunteer-run Whitman County genweb project, which includes cemetery resources in their many listings:

http://www.usgennet.org/usa/wa/county/whitman/

Beth
not related

Sister Zita is not listed in the burials of the Catholic cemetery in Colton:

http://files.usgwarchives.org/wa/whitman/cemeteries/stgalls....

She is also not listed in the Lewis County cemetery where her father Matthias is buried.

Hi Nancy,

I have taken a look at your posted family tree which includes Elizabeth YOUNG. I'm confused by a couple of things.

Your tree shows Mathias and wife Katerina with children, in order: Kate, John, Lena, Philip, E, Annie, Emma and Rosa. Where do you find Zita / Elizabeth in 1880? She is not with the rest of the family in Lewis County. At about age 16, she should be listed between Phillip and Annie. Where do you find her?

Are you quite certain that Elizabeth YOUNG, daughter of Matthias / Matthew of Lewis County, became a nun? Or that she didn't leave the order?

You posted that Elizabeth was born in Wisconsin, and I see her siblings just above and below her in age were also born in Wisconsin. Their parents were born in Germany.

1900 Agate, Lewis County, Washington State: Some of Elizabeth's family, including parents and brother Philip are enumerated. I don't find Elizabeth.

1910 Centralia, Lewis County, Washington State: I find Elizabeth's brother Philip, born Wisconsin, parents born Germany. I don't find Elizabeth in Lewis County under any name.

1920 Centralia, Lewis County, Washington State: I find an Elizabeth YOUNG, born about 1863 in Wisconsin, parents born in Germany, listed as boarder with a Livingstone family.

1930 Centralia, Lewis County, Elizabeth YOUNG, living as a boarder, born about 1863, single, born Wisconsin, parents born Germany.

1910 WA Clark County, Vancouver Ward 1 District 65 St. Joseph's Hospital

YOUNG, Elizabeth, sister, 43, single, born Missouri. Sister Mary Zita. Speaks English. Vising Nurse.

Each of the nuns had their last name, then first listed, place of their birth only, then the name they received when they took their vows. For this Elizabeth Young, it gives her name as Sister Mary Zita. Please note the enumeration states she was born about 1866 in Missouri.

Beth
not related