596 Turner Rd. 

2nd – Muriel Vartanian  

2nd – May 1337 

Richard Burch 1939-unknown 

Diane Burch 1941-unknown 

Claude Lawrence Burch was born on 30 August 1901, in Yuba City, California, to George M. Burch and Charlotte E. Chamlee Burch, who went by Edna. Shortly after his birth, the family moved to Washington State, where Claude’s brother, Virgil John Burch, was born near Wenatchee on 25 March 1904.  

In 1909, the family moved to Oregon. The 1910 census places them in Alsea, where George farmed mortgaged land. Also living with them were George’s father, John Burch, and Edna’s sister, Bertie. By early 1911, the family moved to Salem, Oregon, where Claude’s sister, Vera, was born. George found work farming for T.A. Livesley and other odd jobs, the family lived off Turner Rd. In March 1918, Claude’s brother Virgil died in a shooting accident involving a playmate. Claude was 16 years old at the time; Vera was 7.  

In 1920, the Burch family worked at the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill in Salem. Edna held positions as a spooler and later weaver, Claude spent about a year as a helper, and George began work as a carder, a job he would hold into the mid-1920s.After leaving the mill, Claude moved to Portland to pursue a career in photography. While living at 243 Chapman St., he married schoolteacher Viola Ash on 17 April 1923. Both Claude and Viola shared a passion for music, and in the summer of 1924, they relocated to Los Angeles for employment in orchestras.     

The couple’s first child, referred to in a 1925 newspaper announcement as Claude Jr., may have later gone by a different name. More definitive records indicate a son named Robert Kendal Burch was born on 26 April 1925. Claude likely spent much of this period away from home, performing in various dance bands while based in Los Angeles. In 1928, he was reported to be playing with a band in Seattle. By the 1930 census, however, the family had settled in Long Beach, California where Claude worked in a dance hall band. Viola was listed as unemployed, and the household included their four-year-old son and a boarder.  

Public records for Claude grow sparse after that point. His marriage to Viola ended in divorce, and she later remarried. Claude remarried as well, to Muriel Vartanian of Fort Worth, Texas, in May 1937. The couple claimed Los Angeles as their residence at the time of marriage.  

Claude eventually reduced his travel by taking a position with a musician’s union in Los Angeles. Later in life, he worked as an engineer for a construction company according to city directories for Whittier, California. He and Murial had two children: a son, Richard, born in 1939, and a daughter, Dianne, born in 1941.  

Claude died on 21 April 1977 in Orange County, California, and Muriel passed away in 1989. At the time of research, no obituary or burial records could be located. 

1920 Claude L. Burch. Age: 19. Birth: abt 1901 in California. Single, son to HOH. Family rents home at 596 Turner St. Salem, Marion County, Oregon. Occupation: Helper, Woolen Mill. Household members: George M. Burch, age 48 (HOH), Edna C. Burch, age 37 (wife to HOH), Claude L. Burch, age 19 (son to HOH), Vera Burch, age 8 (daughter to HOH).   

1930 Claude L. Burch. Age: 28. Birth: abt 1902 in California. Married, HOH. Rents home at 1413 Ocean Park Blvd. Santa Monica, Los Angeles County, California. Occupation: Musician, Dance Hall. Household members: Claude L. Burch, age 28 (HOH), Viola Burch, age 28 (wife), Claude L. Burch, age 4 (son), James Whippo, age 24 (boarder).  

1940 Claude L. Burch. Age: 38. Birth: abt 1902 in California. Married, HOH. Rents home at 1412 N. Ridgewood Pl. Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California. Highest grade completed: High School, 4th year. Occupation: Assistant to President, Labor Union. Household members: Claude L. Burch, age 38 (HOH), Muriel Burch, age 25 (wife), Richard Burch, age 1 (son), Gloria Gaylord, age 27 (sister-in-law).  

1950 Claude L. Birch [Burch]. Age: 48. Birth: abt 1902 in California. Married, HOH. 3547 Dahlia, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California. Occupation: Displayer, Display Co. (he owns this business). Household members: Claude L. Birch [Burch], age 48 (HOH), Murial Birch [Burch], age 35 (wife), Richard Birch [Burch], age 11 (son), Diane Birch [Burch], age 9 (daughter).  

1915  George M. Burch (Edna), wood saw, res N 22nd se cor Nebraska Ave.  

1917  George M. Burch (Edna C), laborer, res 496 Turner.  

1924  George M Burch (Edna), carder TKWM, h 705 N High  

          Edna Burch Mrs., weaver, TKWM, h 705 N High  

1928  George M. Burch (Edna), carder TKWM, h 705 N High   

California directories 

1930 Claude L. Burch (Viola M) musician h 1413 Ocean Park Blvd, Santa Monica, CA. 

1970  Claude L (Muriel C) engineer C F Braun Co (a construction firm) h15785 E Rushford St. Whittier, CA 

1973  Claude L. Burch (Muriel C) retired. 15785 E Rushford St, Whittier, CA. 

Viola May Ash Marks. Birth: 21 Dec 1903 in Kansas. Death: 12 Feb 1986 (aged 82) Los Angeles County, California. Burial: Hollywood Forever, Hollywood, Los Angeles County, California. Memorial ID: 6580990  

Muriel Celeste Vartanian Burch. Birth: 24 May 1914 in Bloomfield, Essex County, New Jersey. Death: 11 May 1989 (aged 74). Burial: Chico Cemetery, Chico, Butte County, California. Plot: Section 12, B Lot 35, Sp 1. Memorial ID: 119074472  

Capital Journal 11 Mar 1918, p. 8 – Funeral announcement for Virgil Burch, the 13-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. George Burch on 596 Turner St, who was accidentally killed Saturday by a playmate who discharged a loaded pistol into Virgil.    

Oregon Statesman 24 Jul 1924, p. 5 – Mrs. Claude Burch (Viola Ash) is attending the summer series of orchestra concerts at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.  Her husband, son of Mr. and Mrs. George M Burch of Salem, is a cornetist with the Victor recording orchestra.    

Capital Journal 12 May 1925, p. 5 – Word received of the arrival of a son to Mr. and Mrs. Claude Laurence Burch in Los Angeles. The couple was formally predominant in the Salem Musical circles. The boy’s name is Claude Laurence Burch, Jr.  

Oregon Labor Press 22 Jun 1928, p. 2 – Claude L. Burch, trumpet, joining Jole McElroy orchestra of Seattle.    

Fort Worth, Texas, Star-Telegram 14 May 1937, p. 19 – Marriage License. Claude L. Burch of Los Angeles and Miss Muriel Vartanian of Los Angeles.  

Capital Journal 4 Apr 1955, p. 5 – Mrs. Edna C Burch 75, resident of Salem for 46 years, died 4 Apr 1955 after a long illness. Born 22 Nov 1897 in Little Rock, AR. Came to California as a small child. Married George E Burch in 1900 in Santa Rosa, CA. Moved to Salem in 1909. He was an apartment house manager and owner who died three years ago. Survivors: Mrs. Vera Morrow of Salem and son Claude Burch of Los Angeles. Burial, Belcrest cemetery.  

Ephraim, Utah, Enterprise 18 May 1962, p2 – Richard George Burch, son of Mr. and Mrs. C L Burch of Whittier, CA., married Carol Sue Kemph. He is a sophomore at Utah State Univ majoring in forestry.  

Los Angeles Times 18 Oct 1985, p. 42 – Wally B. Marks 79 b 30 Mar 1985 died 14 Oct after lengthy illness.  Survivors: wife Viola M. Marks and stepson Robert K Burch. Pioneer musical contractor 1935-1955.    

Statesman Journal 12 Feb 2001, p. 20 – Vera Morrow obituary. 14 Jan 1911 – 9 Feb 2001. Born in Salem and lifelong resident of Salem-Keizer.  Married Ray Morrow in 1935. He died in 1994. Survivors include Deanne Leichty, Carol Baker, Ray Jr and James.  9 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren.    

1904 Washington Birth Record. Virgil Burch born in Chelan Co, Washington on 25 Apr 1904. Mother Edna Chamley, age 21, born in Arkansas. Second child. Father Geo. Burch, age 26, born in Iowa, Farmer.  Recorded in Wenatchee, Washington.  

1918 WW1 Draft Card. William McClellan Burch of 596 S Turner St, Salem, Oregon. Age 45, born 23 Sep 1872. Farming for F. A. Livesley and Co, Box 85, R #8, Salem, Oregon. NOK: Mrs. Edna Burch, same address. Described as short, slender, blue eyes and dark hair. Dated 16 Sep 1918.    

1918 Oregon Death Record. Virgil John Burch, age 13, of 596 Turner St, Salem, Oregon, died of an accidental gunshot wound on 9 Mar 1918.   Born 25 Mar 1904 in Washington. Father and informant Geo. M. Burch born in Iowa. Mother Edna Charmley [sic] born in Arkansas.  

1923 Washington Marriage Record. Claude L. Burch. Age 21, of 243 Chapman St, Portland, Oregon, married Viola M. Ash. Age 21 of 475 23rd St, Salem, Oregon on 17 Apr 1923 in Vancouver, Washington. First marriage for both. He is a photographer. She is a schoolteacher. His father, George M Burch and mother, Edna Chamlee.  

1924 California Birth Index. Robert Kendell Burch born 26 Apr 1925 in Los Angeles County. Mother’s maiden name Ash.    

1937 California Marriage Index. Claude L. Burch married Muriel Vartanian in 1937.  

1942 WW2 Draft Card. Claude Lawrence Burch or 1656 N Dillon, Los Angeles, California. Age 40. Born on 30 Aug 1901 in Yuba City, California. NOK: Penelope Burch same address. Occupation: Musician, Mutual Protective Association, 1417 Georgia St, Los Angeles, California.  Dated 14 Feb 1942.  

1941 Arizona Marriage Record. Viola M. Ash, age 39, of Los Angeles, California, born in Kansas, married Wallace Marks, age 35, of Hollywood, California, born in Michigan. He is a musical contractor, her job not identified.   

1949 Oregon Death Record.  George M. Burch, resident 577 N 23rd St. Salem, Oregon. Born 22 Sep 1872 in De Moines, Iowa.  Died of a heart attack on 18 May 1949 at Salem General Hospital in Salem, Oregon. Age 76. Wife and informant Edna Burch. Father John C. Burch. Mother Caroline Smith.  Not a vet.  Apartment house manager.  

1955 Oregon State Death Certificate. Edna C. Burch of 577 N 23rd St, Salem, Oregon, died of cancer in Salem Memorial Hospital on 4 Apr 1955 at age 72.  Born in Little Rock, Arkansas on 22 Nov 1882. Father Thomas Chalee. Mother Elizabeth Bush. Widowed, housewife. 

1970-1978 Public Records Index. Muriel C. Burch, born May 1914.  1970 residence 1578 Rushford St, Whittier, CA. Residence 197829661 Woodlake Ct, San Juan Capistrano, California.    

1970 Whittier, California City Directory. Claude L. (Muriel C) engineer, C F Braun Co (a construction firm) h 15785 E Rushford St.  

1977 California Death Index. Claude L. Burch.  Born 30 Aug 1901 in California. Died 21 Apr 1977 in Orange Co, California. (This is the only public record found of Claude’s birth.  No newspaper obit, no Find-a-Grave record.)