Timeline of Elizabeth B. Johnson and her son Adam Howard Johnson

Restart in South Baltimore

1920 Census: Elizabeth and Adam

South Baltimore, Maryland, at 1225 Hull Street.

• Johnson, Elizabeth B, head, 39

• Adam H., son, 13

It says Elizabeth B Johnson works as a lunchroom waitress. And she and both of her parents are from Maryland. 

For teenage Adam, it says he and his mother are from Maryland, but his father is from Pennsylvania.

1920 Baltimore Directory: George Ernst

At 1225 Hull Street, lived Elizabeth B Johnson, and Adam H Johnson.

In the City Directory of 1920, we have a George B. Ernst, pipefitter, at 1220 Hull. 

The across-the-street neighbors, Elizabeth and George, began a relationship. 

Elizabeth Remarries

1923-1924 Directories: Elizabeth becomes an Ernst

1923, we have the married couple, George B Ernst with wife Elizabeth B. They live at 716 e Fort Ave.

1924, there are duplicate listings for George B. Ernst and one includes Elizabeth B, again 716 e Fort Ave.

But look up at the first Ernst. There is a listing for: "Ernst Adam H, auto mech, 716 e Fort Ave." Adam was living with his new step-father in 1924.

Adam's Adulthood

1929: Adam's First Adult Apperance

The first time Adam seems to show up on his own is in 1929. He would have been about 22 years of age.

Johnson, Adam, clerk, Bearings Service Co., r Curtis Creek, Md.

His street address is not listed.

1936: Adam at Arundel Cove

The next record, he is married and living with his wife Helen Audrey Stegman. 

The directory shows the married couple living as:

Johnson, Adam (Audrey), auto mech., 6408 Arundel Cove

1940 Census:

Living in Anne Arundel Co., MD, on Arundel Cove. 

• Johnson, Adam, Head, 32

• Helen A, Wife, 25

• Glenda, Daughter, 6

• Charles E, Son, 1

Says he worked 48 hours as an Auto Mechanic. And he lived at the same address in 1935.

And if you turn backward just one page, you find the Ernsts nearby.

• Ernst, George B., head, 66

• Elizabeth, wife, 65

George is a pipefitter for the "R.R.," born in Pennsylvania. Elizabeth has no job, but is from Maryland. They lived at the same address in 1935.

Adam Passes Away at 39

Death Certificate

Adam was in St. Agnes Hospital for 2 days, and died from acute myocardial decomposition due to streptococcus of the throat. The death certificate has a different birthdate of September 10, 1907. 

1946, December 30: Adam's Newspaper Obituary

JOHNSON -- On December 30, 1946, ADAM HOWARD, beloved husband of Helen Audrey Johnson (nee Stegman) of 6408 Arundel Cove avenue, Curtis Bay. 

Funeral services will be held at William J. Tickner & Sons, North and Pennsylvania avenues, on Thursday at 2 P.M. Internment in Cedar Hill Cemetery.

1946 --  Adam's Burial & Headstone:

Cedar Hill Cemetery, Brooklyn Park, Anne Arundel Co., MD

Dashiell-Johnson

• H. Audrey, 1915-2000

• John H., Jr., 1909-1984

• Adam H., 1907-1946

Adam's wife, Helen Audrey Stegman Johnson, later remarried John Hollbrook Dashiell, Jr. She shares a headstone with both husbands. 

Elizabeth's Final Years

1942 -- Application for Social Security

She applied for government entitlement assistance on January 1943. She listed her name as Barbara Elizabeth Ernst (alias Wolf), and listed her birthdate as June 20, 1882 -- which is at odds with the 1880 Census that said she was already 6 years old by then.

1948 -- 2nd Husband George Dies

ERNST -- On July 11, 1948, GEORGE B., of 1212 Marshall Street, beloved husband of Elizabeth Barbara Ernst (nee Wolf). … Internment Schwartz’s Cemetery. 

1948 -- George B. Ernst Burial & Headstone

There are two names on the headstone for Elizabeth's husbands.

• J. A. Johnson, Died July 1, 1909.

• G. B. Ernst, Dec 7, 1880 - July 11, 1948. 

1961, December 30 -- Bank Notice:

This single classified ad is the breakthrough piece of information that led to all of the rest of the Johnson's Baltimore information being found. 

Baltimore Sun, December 30, 1961, page 14. 

Dormant Account Notice:

Provident Savings Bank of Baltimore
Howard and Saratoga Streets.

Notice is a warning to claim within 6 months or money will be paid to Treasurer of State of Maryland….

Adam H. Johnson and Elizabeth B. Ernst

1964 -- Death Certificate

Elizabeth died at the Forest Haven Nursing Home in Catonsville, Maryland, on June 9, 1964. She was age 82. Her parents names are unknown, but Wolfe is confirmed. The causes of death include myocardial infarction and congestive failure due to uremia.

1964, June 9 -- Obituary for Elizabeth

ERNST -- On June 9, 1964, ELIZABETH B. (nee Wolfe), formerly of 1420 South Hanover Street, beloved wife of the late George B. Ernst, and beloved sister of Annie Ball, Rev. Henry Wolfe and Mrs. Katherine Wolfe, of New York…. Internment Schwartz’s Cemetery.