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Author: bst1yet3000
Surnames: CAYLOR ELDER GIBSON GEE SMYRE
Classification: queries
Message Board URL:
http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.caylor/209/mb.ashx
Message Board Post:
Have you ever uncovered funny, confusing or even questionable family facts while
researching your CAYLOR genealogy? Well I have! I want to share some of the following
ancestral giggles with my fellow researchers.
Years ago, I did a lot of research for Rhoda Jane Caylor b. 1865 GA, d. 1935 TN. Her
relationship with Joseph W. Gibson b. 1859 TN, d. 1937 TN, was quite colorful. If you
recognize her name, then you probably have put two-and-two together on this info already,
but here goes:
Rhoda Jane was listed as a widow on the 1900 Georgia Census and the 1910 Tennessee Census,
but she had three children during that time. All three children were reported as fathered
by Joseph W. Gibson.
However, Joseph W. Gibson was listed as *married* and living with his wife and their 6
children on both the 1900 and 1910 TN Census. His wife, Sarah Barnett, did not in fact
die until 14 April 1912 in Cleveland, TN.
But wait! There's more!
On the 1910 Tennessee Census, Rhoda Elders the widow and Joseph W. Gibson the married man
lived *next door* to each other. That is to say, on the handwritten census records which
are viewable via
Ancestry.com Rhoda Elder's information is listed directly underneath
(oh the irony!) Joseph W. Gibson's information.
This of course begs the question: If Joseph Gibson was not the children's father...
then who?
On the 1920 TN Census, Rhoda Jane and Joseph Gibson are living together in domestic bliss.
All's well that ends well!
By the way, no one seems to have any info on when/where/how Rhoda Jane's first
husband, Davis Elder, died. I bet there's another great story behind his
disappearance, just waiting to be told!
I hope you find this 'scandalous' family history to be as hilarious as I have!
Your "cousin",
Deb Smyre
Researching CAYLOR, ELDER, GEE, SMYRE surnames in TN, GA and NC
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