Ann Dvorak Birth Date Confirmed as August 2, 1911

Dvorak and Lehr

In the ten years that I have been researching the life of Ann Dvorak, most sources give her birth date as 1912, including her application for a Social Security number. Ann’s death certificate gives 1911 as the year, but I just figured the informant gave an incorrect date.

This past weekend, I accompanied my husband, Josh, to New York City for Comic-Con and stopped by the library to take a quick look at the birth index which is on microfiche and not yet available online. Imagine my surprise when I found Anna McKim listed on the 1911 index, instead of 1912. One year is not a big deal, but it’s nice to be accurate.

While I was at it, I looked up Ann’s mom, Anna Lehr who tended to shave off a few years here and there. She is listed as Anna Lajer,  born November 18, 1890.

During my short stay in the Big Apple I bought five new Ann photos at one of my favorite poster shops and actually found a gorgeous still from Dr. Socrates at Comic Con. Overall, a very successful weekend.

On a personal note, one of Josh’s college buddies is a member of the Players Club, which was the former home of Edwin Booth, the renowned actor and brother of Lincoln’s assassin. We had a wonderful time touring the club and sipping wine on the balcony overlooking Gramercy Park. I heart NY.

3 Comments

  1. Cindy in Brooklyn, NY April 25, 2008

    Hi Christina!

    Since I live in New York City, I would love to visit that poster shop you mentioned where you bought five Ann photos. Could you give the name of it, please? I would really appreciate it. Glad you had a great time in our wonderful city.

    Thanks for all that you do for us Ann Dvorak fans!

    Cindy
    Brooklyn

  2. admin April 25, 2008

    Hi Cindy,

    Jerry Ohlinger’s on 35th between 7th & 8th. He can be kind of pricey, but still manages to get me to buy stuff every time I visit.

    moviematerials.com/

    Have fun!

    Christina

  3. Robert Sieger May 20, 2008

    Hi. Thanks for the confirmation of 1911 as year of birth. That jibes with what I found at the Social Security Death Index. If you have actually seen Dvorak’s death certificate, could you reveal the cause of death, which has never been revealed.

    I understand she was a private lady, but it’s been almost 30 years and there are no survivors, so…

    Thanks,

    Robert Sieger
    New York City

    rms125a@hotmail.com

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