Oscar Lyle

Wow, talk about a confusing family!  I am researching the family of Jessie B. Lyle and Caroline Cynthia Fleeman.  They had a son named Oscar born in 1872, according to the 1880 census records.  I wanted to try and find out if Oscar had any children or even married, and being a somewhat uncommon name, I though that would be easy!  Boy was I wrong.

Did you know there were TWO Oscar Lyles born in 1872... both living in Jackson County, Georgia...  Both married women named Ella... Come on!  How much more confusing can this get!  To top it all off, one of the Oscar's had a mother who's maiden name was Freeman... the other Oscar's mother has a maiden name of Fleeman.  So, you can see where they are often confused for each other!

Here, I am going to attempt to separate them out, so the confusion can end!!

Oscar #1:  Oscar O. Lyle, son of Isaac H. Lyle and Frances Freeman.  (I have not really researched Isaac and his wife since they are not related directly to me).

Oscar #2: Robert Oscar Lyle, son of Jessie B. Lyle and Caroline Cynthia Fleeman.  I have researched Caroline's line.  This Fleeman branch ties into my Farmers.

Both Oscars are living in Jackson County Georgia with their parents in 1880.

1880 Jackson County, Georgia
Self Isaac H. Lyle M 37 Georgia, United States
Wife Frances L. Lyle F 33 Georgia, United States
Daughter Hester J. Lyle F 12 Georgia, United States
Son Hoyt L. Lyle M 10 Georgia, United States
Son Oscar O. Lyle M 8 Georgia, United States
Daughter Queen V. Lyle F 6 Georgia, United States
Daughter Mable V. Lyle F 4 Georgia, United States
Sister-in-law Lucretia Freeman F 42 Georgia, United States
Sister-in-law Minerva J. Freeman F 30 Georgia, United States

1880 Jackson County, Georgia
Self Jessie B. Lyle M 38 Georgia, United States
Wife Syntha C. Lyle F 33 Georgia, United States
Daughter Dorah A. Lyle F 14 Georgia, United States
Daughter Sarah E. Lyle F 12 Georgia, United States
Son James H. Lyle M 10 Georgia, United States
Son Oscar Lyle M 8 Georgia, United States
Son Charley L. Lyle M 5 Georgia, United States
Daughter Sarah E. Lyle F 2 Georgia, United States
Son Claude E. Lyle M 0 Georgia, United States

Just studying the census records, you can tell the two families apart!!  I have seen so many mistakes in files that could have been fixed by just checking out census records more closely! (For instance, I have an 1870 census record that shows a man age 35, and also in the home is a woman age 70.  I have seen people assume it is his mother.  Upon closer inspection of the record, you see that the man is recorded as white and the woman as black.  The woman is also noted as bring a house maid.  So it is clear from the record she is NOT his mother!)


1900 Bowling Green, Oglethorpe, Georgia
Head Oscar Lyle M 27 Georgia
Wife         Ella Lyle F 30 Georgia
Daughter Katie M Lyle F 3 Georgia

1910 Bowling Green, Oglethorpe, Georgia

SELF Oscar Lyle M 38y Georgia

WIFE Fannie Lyle F 34y Georgia

DAU Katie Lyle F 13y Georgia

DAU Birdie Lyle F 8y Georgia

SON Hugh Lyle M 6y Georgia

SON Harrison Lyle M 0y 9m Georgia

AUNT     Francis C Freeman F 68y Georgia

This 1910 census record shows that Oscar who married Fannie is the son of Isaac since his wife was a Freeman.  The aunt living in the home is also a Freeman.  She is either his mother's sister or sister-in-law.

Oscar O. Lyle's first wife was Ellen White.  A transcript the the record can be found here.  I do not know his second wife's maiden name, nor have I found that marriage record.

1900 Jackson County, Georgia
Head Robt O Lyle M 28 Georgia April 1872
Wife Ella Lyle F 24 Georgia Dec 1876
Daughter Cassie Lyle F 8 Georgia Dec 1892
Daughter Lollie Lyle F 6 Georgia Jul 1894
Son Herman Lyle M 2 Georgia Apr 1898

1910 Census:  Jefferson, Jackson, Georgia
SELF Robert A Lyle M 38y Georgia
WIFE Ella Lyle F 33y Georgia
SON Carrie Lyle M 16y Georgia
DAU Lollie Lyle F 14y Georgia
SON Herman Lyle M 12y Georgia
SON Hubert Lyle M 9y Georgia
SON Robert Lyle M 6y Georgia
DAU Anna Lyle F 2y Georgia

1930 DeKalb County, Georgia
Head Robert O Lyle M 57 Georgia
Wife Ella C Lyle F 53 Georgia
Daughter Annabel Lyle F 22 Georgia

1940 Jackson County, Georgia
Head R O Lyle M 68 Georgia
Wife Ella Lyle F 63 Georgia
Daughter Annie Belle Lyle F 33 Georgia

I know that Robert Oscar's wife was named Ella Mauldin.

So, I feel the above information is correct.  If you have anything to add or change, please comment below and let me know!

Sources (Other than listed above)

Georgia, Death Index, 1933-1998 (Robert O. Lyle)

James McCollum and Eliza Mullinax

James McCollum was born in 1794 in Pickens County, South Carolina.  He married Eliza Mullinax.  She was born in 1809 in Pickens County, South Carolina.  I do not know very much on this couple.  When I first started researching this family, I had Eliza's maiden name as Mauldin.  I am not sure where this came from since I have never seen a record with Mauldin on it.  The death certificate of their son, William Earl, lists Eliza's maiden name as Mullinax.  I do not know her parents.  If anyone has a clue to point me towards them, please let me know!

I know of six children for this couple.

1.  Jane Elizabeth McCollum was born in 1828 in Pickens County, South Carolina.  She married William Peter Gilstrap.  They had 8 children:  William Andrew, John Wesley, Susan Athalinda, Elizabeth Ann, Sherman T., Martha Jane, Sarah Elizabeth and Emma Josephine.

2. Eliza A. McCollum was born in 1830 in Pickens County, South Carolina.  I know very little on her.  I know she was unmarried in 1860.  Did she marry after 1860 or did she pass away?  Any info is appreciated!

3.  Malissa McCollum was born in 1832 in Pickens County, South Carolina.  I suspect she married before she was 18, but to who?

4.  James Wesley McCollum was born on July 31, 1835 in Pickens County, South Carolina.  He married Jane S. Mauldin.  They had 10 children:  Harriett, James Lindsey, Lydia A., Ranson Nile, Elijah Cannon, Abraham Ford, Sallie Essie, Lillie Bell, Mary and Daisy.   He died on January 20, 1905 in Pickens County, South Carolina.  He and his wife were buried at Tabor United Methodist Church Cemetery in Pickens County, South Carolina.

5.  Martha M. McCollum was born in November 1837 in Pickens County, South Carolina.  She married Tillman Smith.  They had the following children:  Olivia and Laurence A. She died on January 30, 1931 in Pickens County, South Carolina.

6.  William Earl McCollum is my ancestor.  I will include more details on him in a future post.

James died after 1870 and Eliza died after 1860.  Anyone know where they were buried?



Sources:
1850-1910 Pickens County Census Records
Death Certificate of William Earl McCollum

Elijah Stamps and Edmund Stamps

Another mystery to solve!  I noticed while researching the children of James Stamps and Elizabeth Davis that two of the children may be confused or that one doesn't really exist.  Elijah Stamps is said to be born c. 1815.  I have not seen ANY records for an Elijah being the son of James and Elizabeth.  There are, however, records for Edmund H. Stamps.

Here are the census records I have for Edmund's family.


1850 Census:  White Co. TN
Stamp   Edmund          26     TN
Stamp   Eliza H.          23     TN
Stamp   Eliza                2      TN
South    Joshua            19     ??

1870 Census:  Putnam Co. TN
Stamps   Elizabeth         80     VA (This is Elizabeth Davis)
Stamps   Elizabeth         43     TN (Edmund's wife)
Stamps   James              15     TN
Stamps   Mary Ann        14     TN
Stamps   Martha            11     TN
Stamps   Edward            5      TN
Stamps   Nancy              9      TN

His wife was Elizabeth Selby.  The "Eliza" in the 1850 census record seems that it should be Elija instead.

The researchers who include Elijah (b. 1850) in their files seem to have the same list of children for Elijah as they do for Edmund.  Odds are that if they both existed, they would not have named their children the exact same thing.  It seems more likely that the two are being confused, or that Elijah (1815) never even existed.  In the early census records for James and Elizabeth, only 2 sons are listed as being born before 1820.  One would be Sanford who was born in 1811 and the other William who was born around 1813.  There was another son, James, who was born in 1816, but he died young, so therefore is not listed on the census records.  In order for there to be an Elijah (1815) there should have been another son recorded on the census, unless he was not living with his family.

Sources:
Census Records
Research of Will Stamps

Samuel Ennis Keeton

So, there appears to be two Samuel Ennis Keetons. One born December 27, 1877 in Joplin, Missouri and died on February 13, 1972 in Comanche County, Texas. The second Samuel Ennis Keeton was born on May 18, 1879 in Boxley, Newton County, Arkansas and died on September 20, 1871 in Salem, Marion, Oregon. Every tree I have looked up has the first birthdate (only recorded as May 1880) with the 1972 death date. Clearly these two Samuel's are being confused! Most people state that Samuel Ennis Keeton was born May 1880 in Newton County, Arkansas and died on February 13, 1972 in Comanche County, Texas and as being a child of Joseph S. Keeton and Zella S. Whiteley.

It seems that people are just combining the two to fit the records they find, but there are two set of census records for each Samuel.

Samuel Ennis Keeton (1877-1972) married Willa Walton White on October 16, 1898. They had 10 children: Finis Fletcher, Mary Stella, Clarence Boyd, Louella May, Lillie Bernice, Willie Pauline, Robert Victor, Chester, Lester and Kittie Marie.

Samuel Ennis Keeton (1879-1971) married Ruth Bernetta Robinson and had the following children: Thelma Elizabeth, Samuel Ennis, Jack R., Thisba and George L.

Most people attribute the first Samuel to Joseph and Zella, while the 1900 census suggest the second one is more likely their son. Part of the confusion is that the Texas death certificate lists the first Samuel's father's name as Joe Keeton. Perhaps they are both sons of a Joseph? Also, the first Samuel is married by 1900, so why would he be on the census with his parents if he is already married?

In 1880, Samuel, son of Joseph and Zella is listed as 1 year old and being born in Arkansas. I cannot find a second Samuel born in 1877 anywhere, however, there is an S. Keeton age 3 years old, born in Missouri and listed as a son of J. M. Keeton. They are living in Bates County, Missouri. Perhaps the J. stands for "Joe?"

In 1900, Samuel, son of Joseph and Zella is listed as 20 and being born in May 1880 in Arkansas. The other Samuel is married to Willa and listed as being born in Feb. 1877 in Missouri. They are clearly TWO different people.

1910, Samuel has married Ruth and is living in San Jose County, California, age 30 born in Arkansas. Samuel and Willa are living in Brown County, Texas.

I have not found either Samuel in 1920.

In 1930, Samuel and Ruth are living in Los Angeles County, California. Samuel and Willa are living in Brown County, Texas.

In 1940, Samuel and Ruth are still living in Los Angeles County, California. I have not found Samuel and Willa.

It is clear there are two Samuel Ennis Keetons, both are probably sons of a man named Joseph. I feel, however, that the Samuel listed on most genealogies as the son of Joseph and Zella Keeton is incorrect and that the Samuel Ennis who married Ruth and lived in California is actually their son. If anyone has a document that says otherwise, please let me know!

Sources:
Census Records
Burial/Obituary - Samuel Ennis Keeton (Find-A-Grave Page)(Find-A-Grave Page)
Death Certificate - Samuel Ennis Keeton (FamilySearch.org Record)
WWI Registration Card - (FamilySearch.org Record)

Venting about Enoch Reece

Don't you just hate when someone tells you your research is wrong, even though you have all the supporting documents and records to prove you are right, especially when that person refuses to show their documentation!

Well, that is what has happened to me over the last couple of weeks.  I have been trying to correct someone who has posted some incorrect information, but they refuse to correct it because they believe their info is right, even when shown numerous records and documents stating their position is incorrect or at least suspect.

It all started when I visited Find-A-Grave.com to update some links in my master file.  I was going back in my Reece line and noticed a change in the memorial for Enoch Reece.  It had a second wife and more children and parents linked.  I was a bit confused since the parents linked were not my Enoch's parents and I had never heard of a second family for Enoch.  So, I emailed the owner of the memorial and told him I thought he had two Enochs confused.  He replied that he did not and what he had was true.  I pointed out some obvious reasons first, both women were reportedly married to Enoch at the same time.  His response to that was that his dad had more than one wife at the same time so Enoch did too.  Well, without documents and proof I highly doubt that.  While it did happen, it was a rare occurrence.

I replied with a more detailed reason for why I believed that there were two different Enochs, one who married Sarah Halk and one who married Sophia Galloway and they were not the same.

First I noted census records.

Census Year	Enoch and Sarah	Enoch and Sophia
1830	Haywood County, North Carolina	Buncombe County, North Carolina
1840	Haywood County, North Carolina	Henderson County, North Carolina
1850	cannot find	cannot find
1860	Henderson County, North Carolina	Webster, Jackson, North Carolina
1870	cannot find	Eastatoe, Transylvania, North Carolina
1880	cannot find	Eastatoe, Transylvania, North Carolina

I also noted how every census record for Enoch and Sarah listed Enoch as being born in 1795-1796 while every census record for Enoch and Sophia (except 1860 which notes and 1800 birthdate) lists Enoch as being born in 1793. Also, Enoch who married Sarah was always listed as being born in North Carolina while Enoch husband of Sophia was always listed as being born in South Carolina. Since Enoch who married Sarah is not found after 1860, he mostly likely died before the 1870 census. This would be further validated with the fact that Sarah was reported as a widow in 1870 and 1880. In 1870 she is living with her son John and in 1880 she is living with her grandson, Bryson, both in Haywood County, North Carolina.

I had also noted that Enoch who married Sarah Halks was the son of Anthony Reece (who he had the Enoch listed with on Find-A-Grave) and Enoch who married Sophia Galloway was the son of Ambrose Reece.  He flat out stated I was wrong and he had never heard of Ambrose Reece.  I then noted that I have transcripts of estate records (transcribed by my grandfather's first cousin) which state: "State of North Carolina...
Buncomb County...  Know all men by these presents that we John Reese, Jane Thompson & Enoch Reese of the State and County aforesaid being the lawful heirs of Rose Reese late deceased of Hall County State of Georgia..."  This is not the only record that lists Enoch as son of Ambrose.  I have not found any for Anthony, but I do not doubt that there was an Anthony with a son named Enoch, just not the Enoch who married Sophia Galloway. The above document was recorded in January of 1829, which works very well with Enoch husband of Sophia since he lived in Buncombe County in 1830.

One reason I feel that these Enoch's were confused, other than their close age and location, is the fact that they both had sons named John who were born in 1825. John, son of Enoch and Sarah moved to Texas where he died in 1898. He married Allif Evans and had a number of children. John, son of Enoch and Sophia died much sooner in 1869 in the Carolinas. He married Clarinda Nix and also had children.

I feel that Enoch who married Sarah and the Enoch who married Sophia are two very different people. The records I found seem to support this. If anyone out there has proof that the above reason is incorrect, please let me know.