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Trying to make sense of my paternal great-grandparents; help please (see details)?
So my dad's maternal grandparents are impossible to figure out. I found them in the 1900 census, and it's definitely them, because it's the right place, the ages are correct, and my grandmother's siblings are all listed (except her and her younger siblings, who were all born after 1900). I've also matched them in the 1910 census, in the same place, and 1920. So yes, it's verified that they're the right people. Here's the problem:
In 1900, it says they've been married for 10 years, and they have three kids (Sarah, Columbus, and Bessie). It doesn't list my great-grandfather's age, but it has my great-grandmother's age as 33, which is about right, because according to records I've found of her (census 1900, 1910, and 1920), she was born in 1866 or 1867. However, if they'd been married for 10 years, that would have made my great-grandfather *12* when they married (he was born in 1878; I found him in the 1880 census), and she would have been 22. Even in 1890 in Arkansas, this would not have been acceptable.
So how is this possible? Was she maybe married once before him and there's just no record of it, and those three were his step-children, and they just decided not to try to explain the situation to the census taker? That's the only thing I can think of. The other problem is that I can't find my great-grandmother in any records before 1900. Does anyone have any ideas on resources? I have a subscription on Ancestry and have performed multiple searches. Please and thank you.
Great-grandfather was David Christopher Wright, born 1878 in Tennessee. By 1880, he and his family had moved to Lonoke, Arkansas.
Great-grandmother was Elizabeth Culp, born 1866 (sorry, that would have made her 24 when they married, not 22). According to census records, she was born in Arkansas.
In 1900, they were living in Roseville Township, Logan County, Arkansas.
I'm pretty sure that he wasn't older than that, because his mom was born in 1859, and some of the earlier dates for his birth (like 1867 in one census record and 1861 in another) would have been impossible. *Unless* I don't have the right person in the 1880 census, which is entirely possible, with a name as common as Wright.
I didn't even notice that it said M1 and M2, thanks for that! And it also didn't register with me that she had four children, but in 1900 only 3 were living with them. Very interesting. New family mystery, I guess!
And no, I don't have birth certificates for any of them. My grandmother died before I was born, and she and her family kind of weren't exactly on good terms, because she was a bit... wild. I don't think my dad ever even met any of her family. In fact, I'm not even sure he met any of his dad's family! I think I'll have to call down to Arkansas and see if I can find out a few things.
2 Answers
- Anonymous8 years agoFavorite Answer
If you look at the 1910 census her record has M2 (second marriage) and his has M1.
Except for number of years for present marriage it looks like it says 20 for her and 32 for him.
1910 United States Federal Census about David Wright
Name: David Wright
Age in 1910: 43
Birth Year: abt 1867
Birthplace: Tennessee
Home in 1910: Diamond, Sebastian, Arkansas
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Lizzie Wright
Father's Birthplace: South Carolina
Mother's Birthplace: Tennessee
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members:
Name Age
David Wright 43
Lizzie Wright 43
Columbus Wright 17
Bessie Wright 14
Mattie Wright 8
Charles Wright 0
[3/12]
Have you found any sort of birth record for the first three kids?
Also in the 1900 census Lizzie has 4 kids living. Where is the fourth child?
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I don't really see any evidence that he was born in 1878, I think somewhere about 1866 is a whole lot more likely.
- Anonymous8 years ago
The census isn't always accurate. Either the 10 years married or his age may be off.
If you post their names, birth years, and where you found them in 1900, some of us who relish a real problem may take a crack at them. (Most of us; we get REALLY tired of "What is the Smith family crest?" and "What nationality am I? pic included".)
I have seen men as much as 10 years younger than their wives, but it is uncommon. If it was a first marriage for both, the common pattern is the husband is 0 - 4 years older than the wife. Men taking second wives often married someone 10, 15 or 20 years younger than themselves.