Isabel, The confusion is probably because the census was for anyone who was living in the household AS OF 1 June 1850, so Rosanna Locke would still have been alive as of the 1st of June. Each census year has a "starting date" or an "as of" date, but since it took months to complete a census, the date at the top of the page wouldn't necessarily have been 1 June 1850. So she could have indeed died July 20, 1850, AND still be counted in that year's census! The age given to the census taker could have been incorrect or the inscription on the tombstone could have been misread (or a typo as you said). To determine her actual age, you would need a birth certificate, marriage certificate or other sources that coincide with a certain age. Unfortunately, the census prior to 1850 only listed head of household, so you could only "guess" within a 5-year range as children were listed only as a "number" between the ages of (i.e., 10 and under 15; 15 and under 20, etc.). Hope that helps! Marilyn G. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Isabel M. Carter" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, July 05, 2002 11:39 PM Subject: [WVBERKEL] Rosanna Locke > I have run into some confusion about Rosanna Locke, daughter of John McCleary and wife of Meverell Locke of Berkeley County. Perhaps someone has access to records that could clear up her date of death. > > According to Cemeteries of Martinsburg and Berkeley County West Virginia, Rosanna died July 20, 1850, at the age of 67. I question this because Rosanna is listed in the 1850 census, living in a boarding house with Sarah J. Locke, 22 (daughter?), and 59 years old. The date of the census is July 23, 1850, three days after Rosanna's "death." > > Rosanna is not listed in the 1860 census, so must have died before then, possibly in 1858 if she died at the age of 67. I suspect that the tombstone inscription was hard to read, or perhaps a typographical error was made in the book. I would very much appreciate it if someone can help me with this. > > Isabel Carter > --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.373 / Virus Database: 208 - Release Date: 7/1/02