Valdemar Rode Campbell

[bee29]

Looking for Valdemar Rode Campbell who was born Aug 16 1898 in Dunedin, New Zealand; the ninth child of eleven, born to parents John Campbell and Isabella Nicol Anderson.  He went to school in Dunedin and after that completed an apprenticeship - marine engineer or similar.  Family information says that there is a possible connection to the merchant navy and that he ended up in the US - date/place unknown.  He was captain of a Liberty Ship which came into Wellington NZ for repairs during WW2 (1943/44) and he talked to family then - he was apparently still single at that time and there is a vague reference to him owning a ranch but where in the US is unknown.   Family in NZ made efforts to contact him after the visit but nothing more was ever heard from him.

Any information or suggestions on how to proceed will be appreciated.

Regards,  Bronwen (NZ)

[indiapaleale]

I find a Valdemar Campbell who was born 16 August 1898 and died in 1976 in Baltimore, Maryland. His Social Security card was issued in California before 1951.

I can't find him on a census yet...but he may be mis-spelled

Will look some more!

India

[indiapaleale]

Valdemar R. Campbell sailed from Wellington, NZ on Feb 28th 1928 arrived San Fransisco March 16 1928....he was aged 29 and single.
I will send you a PM.

India...looking at the 1930 US census...but no luck yet.

[indiapaleale]

There are 11 references to Valdemar as a crew member on 2 ships. The President Hayes and the President Harrison....usually as 2nd officer. This would be between 1935 and 1938. He was sailing between Hawaii and the US...plus a couple of trips to Kobe, Japan and one to France.

[indiapaleale]

Sorry..no luck with the 1930 census....but he may have been at sea!

India

[bee29]

Thank you India - that information is absolutely wonderful and most helpful.  In NZ records I have seen his name listed as Valdimar, Valdimer and even Vladimir.

Regards Bronwen

[liverpool annie]

Hi Bronwen and Indi !

Well I found that too and no ! I couldn't find 1930 either ! ......
however it did say on one of the manifests that he was naturalised in March 1924 and since the format has changed  .... I can't find the Naturalisations ... can you Indi ?? gggrrrrr !!
Also there's a picture of one of the ships !!

I'll keep looking !!

Annie 

[bee29]

India and Annie

Thank you for the email India - fantastic!  I can't believe how much more I know since this morning.  Thank you too for your search efforts Annie.

I assume Valdemar would have to have been residing in the US for at least a couple of years prior to his naturalisation in 1924.  This would fit quite well with his having gone overseas after finishing his apprenticeship in NZ.

I am researching this for my father-in-law and he will be extremely pleased to know all this as Valdemar was his uncle and he still remembers how excited  the whole family was during the visit Valdemar made in WW2 and then how disappointed his aunty was when she couldn't contact him again afterwards.

Regards, Bronwen