It’s not unusual to find censuses where a person is listed in two separate households and there is generally some logical explanation on why and how this would occur.
But, what is the probability of a single individual being listed on the same page for a census three times? On Friday, I received a FGS sheet on Stephen David Purvis from a dear friend in So. Jordan, Utah. I have looked at and researched every Purvis in Chesterfield County trying to find a connection to my William A. Purvis that lived in Anson County, NC just across the State line, about 5 miles as a crows fly.
Some of the information on the FGS was unfamiliar so I decided to take another look on Ancestry at Stephen David Purvis. When I got to the 1880 census this is what I found.1
Now, I have no explanation why Stephen David Purvis is in 3 separate households on the same page nor why he is listed as head of household in 2 of the 3 listings.
On Line 27, Dwelling 376, Family 376 he is listed with his wife and children. 1
Stephen D. PURVIS, male, age 39, born in SC;
Effie PURVIS, Wife, age 35, born in SC;
William PURVIS, Son, age 15, born in SC;
Josephine PURVIS, daughter, age 11, born in SC;
Sidney PURVIS, Son, age 10, born in SC;
Alexander PURVIS, Son, age 7, born in SC;
Sarah Jane PURVIS, Daughter, age 6, born in SC and
Lilly A. PURVIS, daughter, age 3, born in SC.
On Line 45, Dwelling 380, Family 380; he is listed with Thomas SMITH, age 23.2
On Line 49, Dwelling 382, Family 382; He is in the Household of John BRIGMANN, age 19.3
If you have a logical explanation for multiple listing such as this one I would lover to hear your comments.
__________________________
[1] 1880 U S Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Court House, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 005, Page 331A; Line 27, Dwelling 376, Family 376, Household of Stephen D. PURVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 31 August 2013); citing National Archives Microfilm T9-1225.
[2] 1880 U S Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Court House, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 005, Page 331A; Line 45-46, Dwelling 380, Family 380, Household of Stephen D. PURVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 31 August 2013); citing National Archives Microfilm T9-1225.
[3] 1880 U S Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Court House, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 005, Page 331A; Line 48-49, Dwelling 382, Family 382, Stephen D. PURVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 31 August 2013); citing National Archives Microfilm T9-1225.
Wow. Being listed three times must be unusual!
ReplyDeleteIs it possible that he was the guardian/relative of these two men, thus listed as head of household?
ReplyDeleteOr could it be that these are illegitimate children?
ReplyDeleteI haven't found any record suggesting such but that's a possibility. Right now I'm researching the individuals to see where that leads.
Delete