I’ve been having a particular problem in researching my Palmer family. Although I seem to find records on them, they’ve either changed their birthdate or first name. I don’t think I’ll ever be confident that I have them right.
It all starts with Joseph Palmer and Rosilla (Carrier?). They came from Canada. Some records say from Ontario, others say from Quebec. Both were born about 1800, which gives an idea of the era. Rosilla’s death certificate states that she was the widow of Ambrose Palmer, but her obituary clearly states that she was the mother of Mrs. Corliss Porter. This shows that she was the correct person.
Their daughter, Sophia (Mrs. Corliss Porter), which is my line, has her birth location and birthdate recorded differently on different records. Her marriage certificate to Collis Porter states that she was born at Pleasant Valley, N.J. although the birth certificates of Collis and Sophia’s children state that she was born at Westport, NY. I question the marriage certificate because it states that she was 16 when she married Collis although all other sources indicate her age at the time would have been 18. We commonly find in genealogy that dates and locations come into conflict because it depends on the source of the record.
But, it gets more confusing. Read on…
Joseph and Rosillia’s son, Julius, is another interesting case. Vermont vital records show Julius born 04 Jun 1857 at Shoreham, Chittenden County, Vermont as well as being born on 19 Jun 1857 at Colchester Turnpike, Chittenden County, Vermont. How can this be??? In the 1870 Federal Census, Julius is in Alstead, Cheshire County, New Hampshire. In the 1880 Federal Census, I think that he’s in Windsor, Windsor County, Vermont listed as Joseph Jr. in the household next to Joseph and Rosilla. This Joseph J. is married to a Sarah. Add to the mix Joseph J. Palmer found in Oak Hill Cemetery at Bellows Falls, Windham County, Vermont. He’s buried with Sadie E. Upon recieving Joseph J.’s death certifcate, I find him as the son of John Julius Palmer and Rosilla Carrier, born 19 Jun 1862 in Shoreham, Chittenden County, Vermont. Gee!
I also have a death record for Joseph Palmer, died Dec 26, 1881 at Windsor of dropsy. He was son of Ambrose Palmer and Rosa Currier. He was 89 years, 7 months, and 17 days. He was a laborer. This would match the time period for Joseph, the husband of Rosilla, not being Ambrose and Rosa’s son.
So, for the father, I have names Joseph, Ambrose and John Julius. For son, I have Julius as well as Joseph Jr. and Joseph J. Plus, there are a variety of dates and locations for each and every vital record. Are the the same family? I think so. Can I ever be absolutely positive of any of the information on them? No.