Benjamin Greenbaum, b. about 1899, living in Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois in 1923
I am seeking information about my great-grandfather, Benjamin Greenbaum (or Greenebaum, Gruenebaum, Grunebaum), who was living in Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois and working in the cigar business when my grandmother (Alta May Greenbaum, his first child) was born on Dec. 5, 1923. He was listed as 24 years of age on my grandmother's birth certificate, which would place his birth date around 1899.
There is a great family mystery surrounding my grandmother's birth--according to her official, certified birth certificate, she was legitimately born to Benjamin Greenbaum and his wife, Alta May Joseth (b. about 1901), at their home at 2782 Francis Pl., Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois, USA in 1923. But my grandmother grew up believing that she was born illegitimately and was raised by two people (Walter Bridge and Louise James) who were paid to care for her. Benjamin Greenbaum and his wife, Alta May Joseth, supposedly went on to have another daughter (possibly named Irene) who they did keep and raise.
My grandmother knew her aunt and uncle, Dave and Edna Palinski (spelling uncertain; could be Palinsky, Polonski, Polensky, etc.), who lived in the Gold Coast or Lincoln Park area of Chicago and paid her caretakers; the Palinski's also supposedly owned a hotel or tavern at 241 E. Delaware, Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois. My grandmother visited them weekly as a child. I am unsure whether Edna was the sister of Alta May Joseth or Benjamin Greenbaum.
I checked the 1930 census and could not find my grandmother, Alta May Greenbaum, listed, though I did find her caretakers, Walter Bridge (a blind, 50-something man living with his brother) and Louise James (who had a son named Guy). I could not find a Benjamin Greenbaum, nor an Alta May Joseth in the census, nor could I find the Palinski's.
Thus, despite all the names and dates listed above, I have been unable to find ANY records regarding my grandmother or her relatives, excepting a birth certificate, and am stumped. (I have not checked the 1920 census.)
ANY information regarding Benjamin Greenbaum, Alta May Joseth, Dave/David Palinski, Edna Palinski, or anyone related to this case would be GREATLY appreciated. Please help!