I came across another dilemma this week while doing some research to better documents some of my sources. In this case I was researching my maternal line – my Brock Ancestry.
Michael Hezekiah "Mike" Brock is my 1st Grand Uncle. He is the son of Hezekiah Brock and Sarah "Sallie" Morris. He was born on 20 January 1853 in Chesterfield, South Carolina. He had 5 brothers, no sisters. He was the second oldest son, my great Grandfather Benjamin Franklin being the oldest child.
According to Michael Hezekiah Brock estate folder (#860) he died 2 Jan 1926, Chesterfield County, South Carolina. [1]
Then we have the South Carolina death certificate for Michael Brock showing that he died 2 January 1927.[2]
So which death date is correct? The estate file (#860) says that Mike Brock died the 2nd January 1926 while the SC Death certificate states that he died the 2nd January 1927. A search for an obituary resulted negative results.
In situations like this, where we have conflicting information, the Genealogical Proof Standard requires that a reasonably exhaustive search is made of all records and that the conflict be resolved.
Two other secondary sources are available related to birth and death info. They are a cemetery survey book for the county cemeteries and FindaGrave memorial # 60843661.[3] The FindaGrave memorial does not contain a photo of the tombstone but does have the death date recorded as 2 January 1927 and shows that Mike is buried in Zion cemetery in Pageland, South Carolina.
On the other hand, the cemetery survey was a comprehensive inventory of all cemeteries within the county and was completed in the mid -1990's. The Cemetery Survey Book has Mike Brock listed on page 813. The tombstone only contains the year of birth – 1853 and the year of death – 1927. [4]
Not enough information has been found to totally resolve the conflicting information for Mike's death date. Two of the above sources are secondary sources; but, it evident that the FindaGrave info came from the death certificate. For the time being, I personally think the death date is 2 January 1927 but will leave the death date unresolved and open to additional research.
[1] "South Carolina Probate Records, Files and Loose Papers, 1732-1964," Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints, Family Search (https://www.familysearch.org/ : viewed 15 June 2011), Photo copies, "Estate #860 - Mike Brock," Images 509-517; FHL Film #2166658.
[2] Mike Brock, death certificate 000437 (2 January 1927), Vital Records, Department of Health and Environmental Control, Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina.
[3] Jim Tipton, Find A Grave, digital image, http://www.findagrave.com; Headstone for Michael "Mike" Brock; (20 January 1853–2 January 1927); Memorial # 60843661; Record of the Zion United Methodist Church Cemetery; Pageland, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, USA; Accessed on 15 June 2012
[4] James C. Pigg, Chesterfield County Cemetery Survey; Chesterfield County Genealogical Services, 1995, page 813. Tombstone of Mike Brock; 1853–1927, Zion United Methodist Church Cemetery, Chesterfield County, South Carolina.
Charles, I would tend to think the death certificate is accurate because it was written at the actual time of his death.
ReplyDeleteI am a part of the Find A Grave group, traveling to local cemeteries & taking photos of tombstones. I find many incorrect dates there. Unless there is a photo you are relying on the information from an unknown person.
Colleen,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. I'm going with the death certificate date. It looks to me as if the probate people were used to writing 1926 and he died on 2 Jan 1927 so it was just a 12 month habit of writing 1926 that resulted in an error. His tombstone also have the year only and it's listed as 1927.
Thanks for your comments and for following my blog.
Charlie
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete