This week’s theme is “Teams.” Did any ancestors play on a team (or root for one)? Don’t forget about teams at work. There are also teams of horses and oxen.
Training camp started this week for the pro football teams, and my favorite team is the Philadelphia Eagles. My husband used to say back in the day he wished he had reached out to Crawford from the Philadephia Eagles when he was here. Is there a connection to Crawford or not?
The Problem
The question is, was the former American football running back Charles Crawford of the Philadelphia Eagles, who played from 1986-1987, related to my husband’s family?
Background
The Philadelphia Eagles 1986 NFL Draft selections were: Keith Byars, Anthony Toney, Alonzo Johnson, Matt Darwin, Ray Criswell, Bob Landsee, Cornelius Redick, Byron Lee, Seth Joyer, Clyde Simmons, Junior Tautalatasi, Steve Bogdlek, Reggie Singletary, Bobby Howard, and Charles Crawford (Supplemental Draft) [1] “by claiming him, the Eagles forfeit a seventh-round pick in the regular 1987 draft.” [2] Charles Crawford was born 8 March 1964 in Bristow, Oklahoma, to Isaac James Crawford and Katie Viola Beck.[3]
Evidence
In 1950, Isaac and Roman L. were members of a household headed by Isaish J Crawford in Newby, Creek, Oklahoma. [4]
Isaiah J Crawford 48
Henryetta D Crawford 36
Isaac J Crawford 6
Roman L Crawford 1
Errie E Crawford 0
Notes on the Sep 1969 Social Security Applications & Claims Index has Katie Viola Beck as Katie Viola Crawford. [5]
RL and Charlean’s (1969) marriage appeared in Newspaper.com, Marriage Index, 1800’s – current. See below. [6]
Summary
Isaac J and RL Crawford lived in the same household in 1950. RL married my sister-in-law in 1969. I couldn’t find a marriage license between Isaac and Katie, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. Charles’ professional football career ended in 1988 due to an injury. According to Charles’ obituary, he never married nor had children. I don’t remember meeting Charles. However, I have good memories of RL for two reasons; (1) he said every Diane he ever met was beautiful, and (2) he and Charlean named one of their daughters Diane.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org > wiki> Charles Crawford
[2] https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=k24eAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ymkEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6517,674445
[3] “Obituary,” Hutchins Maple Funeral Home (http:/www.hutchinsmaplefuneral.com/obituary/charlie-crawford : accessed 30 July 1922) Charlie Crawford, died 19 October 2018
[4] 1950 U.S, Census, Newby, Creek County, Oklahoma, ED 1(_#&< Sheet 1, Dwelling 6, line 26-30, (Isash J Crawford)
[5] Katie Viola Crawford index entry, “U.S. Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007” (ancestry.com), confirms her change of name.
[6] “Legal Records,” Sapulpa Daily Herald, (Sapulpa, Oklahoma), 16 Jun 1969, page 8, col. 1.