Simon Birdsong (left), Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, November 1914. Photo by Lewis Hine.

2 violations. Simon Birdsong (left hand boy) said: "I'm about 12." His mother said: "He's old enough to work all right," but the boy admitted that she had to sign up that he was older than he was. He appears to be 10. Has had job doffing for several weeks. Could not write his own name. Has had no schooling after the 1st grade. Wylie Haw (right hand boy). Mother says he is 12 years old now. Been working 1 year. She is a widow. Location: Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina. November 1914, Lewis Hine.

I saw this photo one morning and found Simon in the Social Security Death Index immediately. He died in Roanoke Rapids in 1993. I emailed the local library and requested his obituary, and two hours later, they emailed it back. He was survived by one child, a daughter of Roanoke Rapids. I found her phone number in the Internet white pages and called her. She was stunned. I sent her the photo, and will be interviewing her soon. 

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