I rue the day I discovered that my great grandfather's name was WILLIAM
CARTER because there are virtually no Carter lines that don't have several
William Carter's in them. I know almost nothing about mine and that makes
searching nearly impossible for such a common name. Perhaps someone can help.
WILLIAM CARTER married MARY ELIZABETH (LIZZIE) CARTER on Aug. 3, 1886, in
Shelby City, Boyle Co., KY. Mary is shown in the 1880 census at age 14 yrs
living with her parents, James and Mary Duncan in Boyle Co., KY. In the 1900
census she is listed as a widow living with her own children in Boyle Co., KY.,
and living next door to her father, James T. Duncan, also a widower.
The marriage certificate states that William Carter and J. T. Duncan were
listed as the principal and surety for the marriage of William and Lizzie. I
am assuming that the principal, William Carter, would be Lizzie's husband's
father as J. T. Duncan is Lizzie's father. Unfortunately we have another
William. No middle names are known although my grandmother is known to have said
she thought her father's name might have been Edward. Perhaps she is
remembering his middle name. She stated that he died when she was very young and
she couldn't remember. I have no knowledge of WILLIAM CARTER's parents, where
he was from, when he was born, or when he died although it appears he died
prior to the 1900 census.
I have personally searched the library in Frankfort, KY, where all
genealogical records for that state seem to be filed, I have visited Boyle County and
the surrounding territory, and I have attempted to search known grave sites
of family members (found at the Frankfort library) for WILLIAM's gravesite.
All I have found is that the cemeteries are completely overgrown and
inaccessible, the records either burned or are not available. WILLIAM is my brick
wall as several distant cousins who I have found via this message board have not
been able to find him either. If anyone out there could link me up to this
particular WILLIAM CARTER I would be grateful.
I enjoy reading about all the Carters in surrounding states but only once
have I found any family in Kentucky. This state doesn't seem to have attracted
as many Carters as the southern and midwest states. How did William's
family get to Kentucky? What branch did they descend from? How do you search for
someone with such a common name when you have nothing to go on? If only
there was an 1890 census to place William on an actual census record I might be
able to learn more about his parents and their birthplaces or even William's
birthplace!
Thanks for your help, Judy Ragan, Simi Valley, CA