Simpson

Discussion in Genealogy Forum started by Mary Aune, Dec 28, 2015
MA
Mary Aune
I am looking for a male Simpson, from 20 to 60 years old who was in Fayette County, Kentucky around 1860 and beyond.

The only solid information I have on my great-grandmother is from her death certificate. It names her father as "unknown Simpson" "born in Scotland". Her name is Elsie Simpson, born January 14, 1862. Her mother is listed as "unknown" "unknown" and "born in the United States". She had three chidren with Luther B Dickerson in Fayette County, KY. One is my grandmother. How I wish I had asked her all these questions when she was alive!I cannot find any birth certificates, baptism records - nothing.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

~Mary

J
Jessica
Hi Mary,

I tried to look your kin up. I don't know that I am able to locate them, but I do have a couple of questions and suggestions that may help.

First question, I understand that Elsie Simpson born in Jan of 1862 is who is focused on here.

Question: Is that her full name? Elsie is often a pet name for Elizabeth, though not always. It might be something that she, herself, might not have thought anything about.

Another question, is your linage of white, black, or of mixed races? The reason I ask is Fayette, KY lists 'Simpson' as a surname given to those on a slavery roisters. This might make it easier to decide which Elizabeth/Elsie to add to possible vs not as likely.

Simpson/Sympson is a common name in the index that I found of Civil War soldiers. I plugged in KY and SCOT with the last name, and I found MOST of these fought on the UNION side and many died.

That might explain why she did not know her Father's name. It could be that they married, he left, and he might not have ever known she was pregnant. There seem to be more JOHN and JAMES' listed KY than any other name.

If she did not know her mother's name, it might be she died in or after child birth. If she was, at that point, taken in by her father's family, the last name might be one more easily recalled.

This leads to a suggestion. I understand you have her death certificate, do you know what funeral home was used when she passed...?

I had only known one set of my GPs and they, too, passed when I was young, before I thought to ask things I wished I had, and from this, I DID learn, before the internet access bases, funeral homes tended to ask for specific familial information.

If you have her name, birthday, and death date-- They usually keep a file on EACH PERSON going back THREE generations. It's usually something that happens when they are alive---vs the death certificate-- which is filled out by the nearest relative who might not KNOW the information.

If you are able to locate WHO handled her funeral, if they are still open, they should be able to help you

IF you aren't sure where to start, it should be located on the bottom of the death certificate. You can always contact the grave site which she is buried, ask them if there is a name -- but no place-- where to find out who handled those details. Someone has that information.

Church. Where was her service? Where did they get married? Did they have the kids baptized/christened? That church probably has files, too. If can, see if you can access them. Many are online now. Some, you will have to go to the courthouse and peep through the old records.

Here's one thing I DO know from experience--

Kentucky started keeping birth and death records in 1852. stopped in 1862, started again in 1874, but did not mandate this til 1 January 1911.
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MA
Mary Aune
Hi Mary, I tried to look your kin up. I don't know that I am able to locate them, but I do have a couple of questions and suggestions that may help. First question, I understand that Elsie Simpson more ...
born in Jan of 1862 is who is focused on here. Question: Is that her full name? Elsie is often a pet name for Elizabeth, though not always. It might be something that she, herself, might not have thought anything about. Another question, is your linage of white, black, or of mixed races? The reason I ask is Fayette, KY lists 'Simpson' as a surname given to those on a slavery roisters. This might make it easier to decide which Elizabeth/Elsie to add to possible vs not as likely. Simpson/Sympson is a common name in the index that I found of Civil War soldiers. I plugged in KY and SCOT with the last name, and I found MOST of these fought on the UNION side and many died. That might explain why she did not know her Father's name. It could be that they married, he left, and he might not have ever known she was pregnant. There seem to be more JOHN and JAMES' listed KY than any other name. If she did not know her mother's name, it might be she died in or after child birth. If she was, at that point, taken in by her father's family, the last name might be one more easily recalled. This leads to a suggestion. I understand you have her death certificate, do you know what funeral home was used when she passed...? I had only known one set of my GPs and they, too, passed when I was young, before I thought to ask things I wished I had, and from this, I DID learn, before the internet access bases, funeral homes tended to ask for specific familial information. If you have her name, birthday, and death date-- They usually keep a file on EACH PERSON going back THREE generations. It's usually something that happens when they are alive---vs the death certificate-- which is filled out by the nearest relative who might not KNOW the information. If you are able to locate WHO handled her funeral, if they are still open, they should be able to help you IF you aren't sure where to start, it should be located on the bottom of the death certificate. You can always contact the grave site which she is buried, ask them if there is a name -- but no place-- where to find out who handled those details. Someone has that information. Church. Where was her service? Where did they get married? Did they have the kids baptized/christened? That church probably has files, too. If can, see if you can access them. Many are online now. Some, you will have to go to the courthouse and peep through the old records. Here's one thing I DO know from experience-- Kentucky started keeping birth and death records in 1852. stopped in 1862, started again in 1874, but did not mandate this til 1 January 1911
Thank you, Jessica!

I have explored most of those avenues, with little luck.

I agree that her mother must have died in childbirth or shortly after.

I have come across a better photo than the ones I have and she appears to be more white/American Indian than Black/Ameriacn Indian, but who knows?

I have census records that have her as "Elsie Simpson" and "divorced" although her death certificate has her as, "Elsie Dickerson" and "widowed". The three children are all named "Dickerson".

I have not been able to find any records of a marriage between Luther and Elsie, the chilren's births, baptisms, nothing.

Thanks again for getting back to me.

~Mary

J
Jessica
Thank you, Jessica! I have explored most of those avenues, with little luck. I agree that her mother must have died in childbirth or shortly after. I have come across a better photo than the ones I have more ...
and she appears to be more white/American Indian than Black/Ameriacn Indian, but who knows? I have census records that have her as "Elsie Simpson" and "divorced" although her death certificate has her as, "Elsie Dickerson" and "widowed". The three children are all named "Dickerson". I have not been able to find any records of a marriage between Luther and Elsie, the chilren's births, baptisms, nothing. Thanks again for getting back to me. ~Mar
Hi Mary,

What is her death date? Where is she buried? Are you familiar with the find-a-grave cite? Are there are other family members in that same cemetery as she? If you aren't sure, sometimes that's a good place to start. It shouldn't take long to figure out why she is buried where she is-- be it a religious preference or familial connection-- which might be a good step in the right direction.

Have you hunted through Kentucky's records? I am going to try to attach a link that might help you search. I'll keep my fingers crossed you might have luck there. If you do, perhaps it might give you more leads to follow.

:) Jessica
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