This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.missouri.counties.polk/2621.2.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Thanks so much for all the information. This does give me some clues. One thing, though. I found Carolina M. Godbey's death certificate on the Missouri Vital Statistics website and she is listed as divorced. I know there was a huge stigma on divorced people back them. I'm wondering if in 1900 she just said she was a widow to avoid being judged or if her exhusband had died and she claimed to be a widow. I thought if I found an acutal death date for William C. I might be able to solve this mystery. Thanks again.