>>> Jack and Carol, > Just some thoughts off the top of my head . . . Since the James you found, died in 1901, why not try and find him on the 1900 census to see what it says under marriage? If he married again, it should say M2. Of course, there is always the chance that he would 'forget' the first marriage . . . :) and that would put you back a little, but it's worth a shot. > If he is married in 1900, what is the wife's name and are there any children from that marriage? I would then see if she shows up (alone or with kids) on the 1910 census, her death (records, obits, cemetery) to see if there is any other mention of James. Good possibility that she is buried with James. > You state that Mary's burial says that someone else with the same last name of James, paid for her interment. Have you tried to find him in any other way? That might bring up some clues. Good luck! > Kathleen Tracy New Canaan, CT. >original posting: Date: Mon, 4 Apr 2005 From: Carol McGann [email protected]_ (mailto:[email protected]) Subject: Mystery Ancestors > We would like anyone's suggestions or thoughts on where to go next with one of our lines. Mary and James, both born somewhere in Ireland, are found in Westchester Co. in the 1850s, where they had two children. James then disappears from all subsequent records that we have searched so far. Mary, 33, listed as a widow, turns up with their two children in the 1870 Brooklyn census. We have reason to suspect that she was not a widow but listed herself that way, perhaps because of the shame Catholics perceived in broken marriage, and that James actually remarried or at least had children with another woman, also in Brooklyn. We're trying to determine whether a certain James we have located in Brooklyn is the former husband of Mary. His name is right, as are his age and occupation. We have sent for his death certificate from 1901, which could shed some light. Does anyone have any ideas on where else we might look in our efforts to prove that he is/isn't Mary's husband? Mary died in 1885, and she is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Brooklyn, her burial paid for by someone with the same last name as James, but there is no James nearby. Thanks. Jack and Carol McGann >>>