L. Shumate March 29,1939
RACIAL GROUPS IN OMAHA
Data from
"Studies in Urban
Sociology" - by
T. Earl Sullenger, Ph.D.
Cop.1933 by T.E.Sullenger.
p 73 In Omaha, the 5,793 families which comprise the city's
foreign-born population of 28,792 souls (or 13.4%) constitute a real "League of Nations", as it were. The Czechoslovakian group is in excess of all other immigration in Omaha. Next come the Germans; then the Italians, Swedes, Danes, Polish, Russians, Irish, and Canadians.
p 74 CZECHS - (comprising Bohemians and Moravians), form the
largest foreign-born group. (1930 U.S. Census shows 3,946 of them in Omaha, or 1.8% of pop.) More than 75% of them own their own homes - very industrious, thrifty, well-educated, home-loving. There are three distinct groups: Protestants, Roman Catholics and Free Thinkers. All groups maintain harmony and loyalty within each other and live side by side agreeably. Large settlement in southeast part of South Omaha; other groups northeast of Riverview Park and from, 13th St. and William south and west to the So. Omaha group. Centered mostly at 13th and William Sts., and at 24th and "Q" Sts.
p 76 GERMANS - next largest group (1930 census shows 3,700, or
1.7% of pop. of Omaha). They first settled near South Omaha, bought farms there. "When packing and brewing houses started, a great influx came over from Germany - located in old part of city - good citizens.
p 76 ITALIANS - largest settlement southeast of railroad stations,
and over as far west as 14th St. (1930 census shows 3,221, or 1.5%) Most are peasants from Sicily, or southern Italy - work in packing plants and on railroads. Homes have very foreign atmosphere - speak native language mostly, or poor English. Live in crowded quarters because of economic demands. They are employed in packing plants and on railroads. Another, and smaller, group, from northern Italy, located on South 24th St. near Poppleton Ave. - educated - cultured - engaged in musical lines and in technical trades.
p 77 SWEDES and DAMES - 1930 census - Swedes, 2,977, of 1.4%
Danes, 2,561, or 1.2%These two groups make up the large portion of our Scandinavian group. Came to Omaha in latter part of 19th century. They are largely an agricultural people, but are engaged in the various building trades in the city. They mind their own business and are good citizens.
Notes compiled by L. Shumate from data found in "Studies in Urban Sociology" by T. Earl Sullenger for Omaha Nebraska in 1933. Shumate was an author for the Works Progress Administration working on the Omaha City Guide project in 1939.
Notes compiled by L. Shumate from data found in "Studies in Urban Sociology" by T. Earl Sullenger for Omaha Nebraska in 1933. Shumate was an author for the Works Progress Administration working on the Omaha City Guide project in 1939.
W.P.A. Works Progress Administration. Box 7. Folder 126.;
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L. Shumate March 29,1939
RACIAL GROUPS IN OMAHA
Data from
"Studies in Urban
Sociology" - by
T. Earl Sullenger, Ph.D.
Cop.1933 by T.E.Sullenger.
p 73 In Omaha, the 5,793 families which comprise the city's
foreign-born population of 28,792 souls (or 13.4%) constitute a real "League of Nations", as it were. The Czechoslovakian group is in excess of all other immigration in Omaha. Next come the Germans; then the Italians, Swedes, Danes, Polish, Russians, Irish, and Canadians.
p 74 CZECHS - (comprising Bohemians and Moravians), form the
largest foreign-born group. (1930 U.S. Census shows 3,946 of them in Omaha, or 1.8% of pop.) More than 75% of them own their own homes - very industrious, thrifty, well-educated, home-loving. There are three distinct groups: Protestants, Roman Catholics and Free Thinkers. All groups maintain harmony and loyalty within each other and live side by side agreeably. Large settlement in southeast part of South Omaha; other groups northeast of Riverview Park and from, 13th St. and William south and west to the So. Omaha group. Centered mostly at 13th and William Sts., and at 24th and "Q" Sts.
p 76 GERMANS - next largest group (1930 census shows 3,700, or
1.7% of pop. of Omaha). They first settled near South Omaha, bought farms there. "When packing and brewing houses started, a great influx came over from Germany - located in old part of city - good citizens.
p 76 ITALIANS - largest settlement southeast of railroad stations,
and over as far west as 14th St. (1930 census shows 3,221, or 1.5%) Most are peasants from Sicily, or southern Italy - work in packing plants and on railroads. Homes have very foreign atmosphere - speak native language mostly, or poor English. Live in crowded quarters because of economic demands. They are employed in packing plants and on railroads. Another, and smaller, group, from northern Italy, located on South 24th St. near Poppleton Ave. - educated - cultured - engaged in musical lines and in technical trades.
p 77 SWEDES and DAMES - 1930 census - Swedes, 2,977, of 1.4%
Danes, 2,561, or 1.2%These two groups make up the large portion of our Scandinavian group. Came to Omaha in latter part of 19th century. They are largely an agricultural people, but are engaged in the various building trades in the city. They mind their own business and are good citizens.