> > The second issue is one I have seen on several occasions in the late > 19th > and early 20th centuries. The heads of household, women in particular, > would lie to a census taker that they were widowed when in fact they > were > divorced to avoid the stigma of divorce and the gossip of neighbors. > Census > takers were not always discrete. How many of you have seen this in > your own > research? > > Again, many thanks > > Paul > Hi Paul. My husbands ggrandmother said she had been "married" a second time to cover up the fact that she had an illegitimate daughter. Her husband died of the flu in 1918 and in 1920 she was a housekeeper for two men. She had a daughter shortly thereafter. By 1930 she was no longer Jennie COLLINS but Jennie BARNES. I have found no sign of Mr. BARNES. Margaret