Symore Cyril: A Laborer and Father in Mooers, New York

Symore Cyril is known through the 1910 U.S. Federal Census, which provides a brief glimpse into his life in Mooers, Clinton County, New York. Born about 1866 in New York, Symore was a forty-four-year-old widower living on Cannon Street and serving as the head of his household. Although born in the United States, both of his parents were identified as French Canadians, with their birthplace recorded as Canada (French). His native language was French.

At the time of the census, Symore supported himself and his young son, Jephere, by working as a laborer. His employment was recorded as that of a wage earner, indicating that he worked for an employer and relied on temporary or seasonal jobs to provide for his family. The census also noted that he had been unemployed for twenty weeks during the previous year, illustrating the economic uncertainty faced by many working-class families in the early twentieth century.

Symore rented his home and was unable to read, reflecting the educational and economic challenges experienced by many laborers of the era. Beyond the 1910 census, no additional records have been found to document his later life. Although little is known about him, Symore Cyril’s story represents the resilience of immigrant-descended families and working-class residents who contributed to the growth of North Country communities despite economic hardship.

Jaqcal's Info

The working-class New Yorkans of the 18th – 20th century have impacted various cultures and their cultural contributions were both powerful and noteworthy. Therefore, it is our priority here at Jaqcal’s Info to provide in-depth stories that accurately portray the lives of various people of color who were among the working class in New York.