The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-01-06
SMITHS IN LEAD
JONESES FOURTH!
WIIIiamSeS and JohnsonS Num-
erous In Birmingham
NEW DIRECTORY FIGURES
Contains s5,4s7 Names, Which, Multi
piled BY Three, Gives the City
Population Of 1o6,a11-other
Interesting Facts.
NEW DIRECTORY FIGURES

| If all the people in Birmingham an
swering to the names of Smith, Williams.
Jones, Brown, Jackson and Johnson were
bodily transported on some night to the
heart of an un!nhabtated desert the morn
ing sun would find thriving population
in that place where formerly no man
existed.
The total population, based on the
| figures of the city directory, would be
2703 If this number was multiplied by
three, on account of the names of women
and children not in the directory the
total population of this imaginary spot
in this imaginary desert would be S109,
| as many people, in fact, as are number
ed in the directories of Tuscaloosa, Eu-
| faula or several other Alabama towns
| that might be mentioned.
| If this story was extended further, and
| the names based on the names mentioned
above, for instance, Jone, smithe, Will
| hanson, Jack, Jacks, Willis and john
ston were added 1t is reasonable to
| imagine total population Of something
| like 1900 souls.
The fact that in Birminghams popula-
| ton, in which Is included ,437 names,
| more than 5000 people answer to the six
names mentioned above, tends to reveal
something of the size and Importance of
this industrial center of the southland.
Smiths Most Popuous.
AS might have been supposed the Smith
family is the most populous in Birming-
ham. The directory contains the names
of 719 Smiths, and when this number Is
multiplied by three, more than 1000 is
the result.
The Smiths are followed not by the
Jones', as might have been supposed This
honor goes to the Williams, to which
family there are 456 members given ingthe
directory. The Johnsons follow with AS,
and the Jones family is next with 444 In
deed the Williams and the Johnsons'
for secondary honors was so absorbing
that positive decision could not be made
until the final count. In justice to the
Jones' and the Browns however, 1t should
be said that there are more negroes an
swering to the names of Williams and
Johnson than to that of Jones or Brown.
Therefore, considering it from the ques-
ton of color, the Jones' are entitled to
the second honor In considering the sec
ondary honors, too, the Browns must not
be overlooked as to that name AIS people
answer These figures will prove enter
| tanning: Williams, ass; Johnson, AS; Jones.
444; Brown, AIS Did four aspirants ever
| have a closer race?
Some Surprises.
As stated, it was no surprise that the
Smith family walked away with first
honors. 1t is said that the Smiths could
| do that in any old community.
! But what causes a surprise is that the
| Jones do not come second. 1t is gem
orally considered true that after the
Smiths, the Joneses are supreme. In Biz
mingham. however, the Joneses are
fourth, being preceded by the Smiths,
the Williams, and the Johnsons, and
closely followed by the Browns
| While it Is true that Smith, Williams,
Johnson, Jones and Brown are the most
common, or rather, the most populous
families in Birmingham, there are other
names, too, which sare claimed by many.
Considering those mentioned above as the
/ --'~N NN"'A' S'Shoph 10 p CbiOJ III Sl III
the second. There are 21S Jacksons in
| Birmingham, according to the directory,
and if this number is multiplied by three
the entire population under the surname
of jackson is quite large. There are
other populous families, too.
The Directory's Story.
| The twenty second annual issue of the
city directory of Birmingham contains
35,4S7 names. This is an increase of 1897
over the total number last year. If this
number of names is multiplied by three,
for the names of women and children
not contained, the population of Birming-
ham will be 1851.
This population is included in the city
| directory limits. which embrace the coal
and iron districts, and includes all in
| corporated towns contiguous to the city.
The directory mentions the fact that
| during last year 1867 new houses were
| erected in the city, at an estimated cost
| of $i,1lSS23. 1t deals. too, with the in
dustrial growth that has characterized
the city, making it the center of attention
| In Wall street and other eastern points
where capital Is chiefly concerned. In
addition to this Introduction, the directory
| contains those features generally COM
| prised, in a modern and thoroughly up
! to date notification of kind