Roy, Re: I have come across a puzzling situation. I hope that some of you researching the Whaley-Carmean families might have a clue as to the solution. Here 'tis:... Looking at these census records, as well as the 1870 census, I would conclude Rachel was still living when the 1880 census was taken. She wouldn't be a post-1880 wife since we was called "mother in law" in the 1900 and 1910 censuses. Each record, including a census record, is just one additional piece of evidence. Census records are prone to error, especially since we don't know who provided the information or how the census taker recorded and/or interpreted the information. My particular favorite is an 1870 AL census where the census taken apparently just wrote down first initials. He eventually went back and filled in names - only he filled in any old name that fit with the first initial. Thus one of my families is recorded as Edith (rather than Elizabeth), Robert (for Rufus), Ellen (for Elizabeth Jr.), and James (for John)! Good luck and Happy Thanksgiving, Pam