Barbara Duane Clark – Chapter 3

The rest of the story

Merry Christmas! Sorry for the delay in publishing Chapter 3 of my Barbara Duane Clark story. As I mentioned in my last post, I started my new job on November 26 and I haven’t had the time nor energy to get back to the story. But, I’m happy to say the new job is going great and I’m really enjoying the new challenge. And although there’s not enough time in the day to get everything done that I still need to do, it’s Christmas… and everyone loves a happy ending, right? So, here’s hoping that this blog post will generate the information I need to finally find Mark and Jason’s biological mother. And THAT would be a wonderful Christmas present for everyone.

And now… the rest of the story.

After speaking with his newly-found half-brother, Jason Hoffman, Mark wrote back to me and mentioned he’d been on vacation to Tampa recently and had visited with a relative from his dad’s side. They spoke briefly about Mark’s mother, and that relative told him (from what he could remember) Barbara Clark’s parents had also lived in Tampa… not far from the Hillsborough River.

This was news to both of us, since Mark and I had both assumed Barbara Clark was from the Miami or Fort Lauderdale area. So, I decided to try one more search for Barbara Clark on the 1940 U.S. Census, this time centering on the Tampa area.

Bingo.

Using Mark’s new information, I found two year old Barbara Clark living with her parents at 4014 North Munroe Street… just three blocks from the Hillsborough River. From there, I was able to track down a shirt tail relative of Mark’s on his mother’s side. And guess what? Although that relative hadn’t seen Barbara in over 50 years, he did have a few photos to share of her!

By publishing these photos, our hope is that someone will recognize Barbara Duane Clark and have more information to share with us. Also, here are some other tidbits I picked up along the way that may prove helpful:

• Sometime prior to 1994, Barbara Clark went by the name Barbara Hutcheson and was living at 5800 NE 6th Terrace in Fort Lauderdale.

• Over the years, Barbara Clark may also have been known as Barbara Klemas, Barbara Carter, or Barbara King.

• Jason Hoffman was adopted through the Methodist Children’s Home Society at 26645 West Six Mile Road in Redford, Michigan.

So, while the hunt continues for Mark and Jason’s biological mom, they would both like her to know they look forward to reuniting with her one day. Hopefully that day is sooner rather than later.

In the mean time, enjoy the photos, and Merry Christmas to all!

Barbara as a young girl

Barbara and friend

School days – Gorrie Elementary School, Tampa, Florida

Barbara’s 16th birthday

Barbara, April 1959

April 1959 – Barbara with a possible relative?

Lying on the beach in Clearwater, Florida

Barbara’s mother, Frances Benjamin

Next time

Thinking Jacob. Again.

6 Comments

1. Belinda | August 7, 2013 at 10:00 pm

   Dear Joy,

   Thank you again for helping my husband Mark with his search for his mother Barbara Duane Clark. We know that it is very possible that someone who knows her or her family members has read your blog.

   They may be afraid to respond. I just want to assure them that we are searching for Barbara with loving thoughts. After doing some of my own research I belive she may still be in the Fort Lauderdale area perhaps with a relative named Mary.

   It is a dream of Marks to see his mom again or to speak with her. It would bring peace and comfort that I cannot explain.

   We wish her a wonderful life and hope she will find it in her heart to contact us.
   Thanks for your help.

   Blessings,

   Belinda Harmon

2. Belinda Harmon | April 21, 2014 at 1:13 pm

   Joy,

   Mark and Jason plan to meet this summer for the first time. We are excited. Still no sign of their mom.

   We continue to pray.

   Belinda

3. joy.the.curious | April 21, 2014 at 9:20 pm

   Belinda,

   I’m so happy for all of you! Hopefully the answers will come with time, but for now, I am happy that at least these two brothers have found each other. Prayers and blessings to you and your family.

   –Joy

4. Mari P | July 16, 2014 at 7:51 am

   If you have any realtor contacts he or she might be able to check the history of that property for past owners. That might provide a lead.

5. Sheila | October 22, 2014 at 11:17 pm

   I’m in Ft. Lauderdale right now. Very intrigued by this story, will do some digging. *fingers crossed*

6. Adelaide | July 27, 2015 at 2:30 pm

   I have to know, what became of “hunt” for Miss Clark? I have no connection to the family, I just love a good mystery.