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Research in Other Countries => United States of America => Topic started by: kismet on Monday 24 May 10 11:16 BST (UK)

Title: Stepfather
Post by: kismet on Monday 24 May 10 11:16 BST (UK)
I have just discovered that my late mother was married to a Bernal Kaai Lewis in Clark County, Nevada in April 1958 and they were divorced in Los Angeles in 1971.

I would like to find out more about Bernal Lewis if possible.  He would appear to have been born in Hawaii in 1921 and died in Los Angeles in 1983.   Can anyone point me in the right direction please.

Kismet
Title: Re: Stepfather
Post by: aghadowey on Monday 24 May 10 11:19 BST (UK)
Have you searched anywhere for information yet?
http://bent4toons.blogspot.com/2006/04/i-hardly-ever-post-here-anymore.html
Title: Re: Stepfather
Post by: kismet on Monday 24 May 10 18:01 BST (UK)
Yes, I saw that one. 

I found a record of his birth, their marriage, their divorce and his death on Ancestry and checked on the LDS site but, other than a quick search of the web nothing more.

I was hoping that, if he IS the famous Bernie Lewis, there might be info on the web about him, but I didn't find much.  I would like background - birth, parents, etc. if possible.

Kismet
Title: Re: Stepfather
Post by: aghadowey on Monday 24 May 10 18:06 BST (UK)
I found birthdate, etc. by searching on google so you probably just need to keep looking. If you have access to Ancestry (either by a subscription or through your local library) then you might find him in 1930 census, etc.
Title: Re: Stepfather
Post by: *Sandra* on Monday 24 May 10 18:27 BST (UK)
Seems his full name maybe:- Bernal Keoki Kalaauokalani Kaai. Lewis was a hanai (adopted) name from the laukea Lewis family of Kona or Bernie Kaai.  Have you seen this link:-

http://www.rootschat.com/links/08qt/

Still cannot find a 1930 census entry for him under any of those names

Mentioned in the Biography & Genealogy Index (BGMI) The ASCAP Biographical Dictionary. Third edition. New York: American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, 1966. (ASCAP 3)
ASCAP Biographical Dictionary. Fourth edition. Compiled for the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers by Jaques Cattell Press. New York: R.R. Bowker, 1980. (ASCAP 4)

Does the marriage certificate not give any further clues to parents or adopted parents ?
Lots available but just incase you have;nt seen it this album includes a picture of him on the front. (5th one down)

http://www.rootschat.com/links/08qu/
Title: Re: Stepfather
Post by: aghadowey on Monday 24 May 10 18:28 BST (UK)
Seems his full name maybe:- Bernal Keoki Kalaauokalani Kaai. Lewis was a hanai (adopted) name from the laukea Lewis family of Kona.  Have you seen this link:-

http://www.rootschat.com/links/08qt/


That's a link to the same article I posted earlier but there is lots available online.
Title: Re: Stepfather
Post by: shellyesq on Monday 24 May 10 18:57 BST (UK)
Does the marriage certificate not give any further clues to parents or adopted parents ?

The information is probably from the marriage index, which doesn't list parents.

He is on the California Death Index, which gives his mother's maiden name as Finkelmaw.
Title: Re: Stepfather
Post by: *Sandra* on Monday 24 May 10 20:59 BST (UK)
Hello Kismet.

Tried various combinations of names/spellings etc but made no progress on finding a 1930 Census or anything in Military for Bernal/Bernie Kaai Lewis.

Perhaps you could ask RAOGK for a look up - you have the birth date and location for Bernal/Bernie so they maybe able to help you. Worth an e-mail just to see !!
I realise the marriage index would perhaps not have any parent/adopted parent names but perhaps the actually marriage certificate would, could be another option for you if RAOGK did'nt work out.

http://www.raogk.org/hawaii.htm

This link will give you access to some information births/deaths/marriages - just by putting Kaai in to the surname and Hawaii produces 39 result. Lewis - Hawaii produces 29.  It may help you in the future should you get any further information  ;D
http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#start
Title: Re: Stepfather
Post by: *Sandra* on Tuesday 25 May 10 10:07 BST (UK)
Found a California Death Record which may or may not be connected but could be interesting.

I know the Mother of Bernal/Bernie is suppose to be Finkelmaw but could it be Finkelman

California Death Record for Hazel I Finkelman (Hazel I Kaai) born 6 Sept 1901. Hawaii. Died  25 Jun 1981 in Los Angeles
Mother's Maiden Name: Makekau
Father's Surname: Kaai

 ???
Title: Re: Stepfather
Post by: kismet on Tuesday 25 May 10 11:41 BST (UK)
Thank you - all of you - that's a great help.

I had already discounted the Finkelmaw - I tried a search and nothing came up - but in any case it would almost certainly have been Finkelman.

Thanks for all the links and for your interest.

Kismet
Title: Re: Stepfather
Post by: Lee G on Thursday 22 July 10 23:36 BST (UK)
Kismet,
I just spoke with my brother, and he advised me that our Father's 2nd wife's name was Gloria, not Shirley....god knows where I got Shirley from, at any rate, my Grandmother was Hazel Finkelman, and Grandfather was Louis Finkelman. 

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