Firstly let me apologise for a repost on an old thread, but after all this time I am still coming up against a brick wall.

I am having huge difficulty tracing my ancestors on my grandfathers side of the family.

Unfortunately neither I nor my mother ever new who her father was.

We recently obtained his Army records and I have received the following information.

William Richard Smith Born 8th July 1912 in Columbus, Franklin, Ohio, to William and Samantha Jane

He was married twice. His first marriage was to Loretta Louise Thiele on the 2nd December 1932 in Franklin Ohio, oddly though, apparently Loretta was under age at the time and so used her mothers name to get married Norma Carty, They where divorced in 1942 in the county of LA, California where her real name was then used in the decree.

They had 2 children

William Henry II Smith Born 20th Dec 1932
Norma Jane 20th February 1934

He then married someone called Juanita Rose on the 5th December 1945 in Ohio and they had a daughter Judith Lynn born 14th December 1945.
Juanita had a son from a previous relationship, David Leroy West born 9th November 1936.

I know from his service records, William had a brother called Claude Williard Smith.

I also know from service records that his first wife and 2 children where living at 2846 Valley Boulevard, El Monte, California In August 1941, however, I have been unable to find this on the census, there is however a loretta smith, Billy and Norma Jane smith showing at 2870 Valley Boulevard, El Monte, California, not sure whether that is a coincidence or not.

in 1946 William and Juanita were living at 49 Russell St, Columbus, Ohio

According to army records, Claude Smith also lived at this address in January 1942. but I have been unable to find this in census either.

If anyone is able to assist me with any information I would be extremely grateful, my searches are not showing up anything :-( these are all details that have been provided through retrieved army records.