>Ok, I am confused. This is what I have from the 1860 Marshall, Richland >County Census. > >John CRIBBENS 35 >Mary CRIBBENS 28 >Ellen CRIBBENS 4 >Bridget CRIBBENS 2 >Thomas CRIBBENS 8/12 > >This is from the 1880 Richland County Census. (Marshall) > >John CRIBBEN 53 >Mary CRIBBEN 51 >Edward CRIBBEN 21 >John W. CRIBBEN 18 >Thomas CRIBBEN 16 >James CRIBBEN 13 >Francis CRIBBEN 12 >Margaret CRIBBEN 10 >Teressa CRIBBEN 8 >Sylvester CRIBBEN 5 > >The part that confuses me is what happened to Ellen, Bridget, and Thomas >from the 1860 Census. Could they have possibly died? There is the Thomas >from the 1860 Census and Thomas in the 1880 Census and they are born in >different years. Would a family name give the name of a dead son to a later >one? I have looked for a trace of the three (ellen, bridget , and thomas), >but have not found anything. > I can only answer your last question -- YES! Yes, families did keep naming their children the same names if a child died (by that name)... I have a case where they went through three Phebes and none of 'em lived to adulthood.... (I'm not certain the name was Phebe, but you get my drift) I would wonder if maybe Thomas (8 mos old in 1860) isn't Edward (age 21) in 1880. That's another thing they often did... His name may have been Thomas Edward or Edward Thomas... Nevermind there's another Thomas... Heck, my own husband's middle name is Joseph... his two brothers? middle names Joseph... his other brother's FIRST name? Joseph!!! Eeesh!! But I digress.... I would guess the two girls -- Ellen & Bridget may be married by 1880. They would be in their early 20s. Names & families are funny bizness... yes indeedy... Don't discount ANYTHING! And it looks like Mary lied about her age -- either in 1860 or 80... ;) It happened... often! Sue of Indiana p.s. Sorry for my slightly silliness -- long day...