1871 census

[KarenM]

Where did Annie go in the US?

Karen

[J.J.]

Never a waste of time, Linda.... We wouldn't have done it had we not wanted to...as I say, the home children have a special place in our hearts and we often go the extra mile for their threads....so not to worry.... That's what we are here for... J.J.

[MonicaL]

I second that  Sometimes from the smallest of threads, the whole picture unravels...which is what I am hoping for in this case.

Monica 

[MonicaL]

Going back to the extract image you posted JJ for "Audrey" and the one for the girls Christina and Annie on the link you provided, why oh why does Anderson not look like Anderson. I keep on going back to both entries and it certainly starts with Ander..on. The one/two letters on the name do not look like the other s or t on the pages. Almost looks like a p or f....

[J.J.]

Yes, the old-fashioned script "s' was written as an "f" ( sometimes backwards) , especially in older documents...J.J.

[MonicaL]

That's what I initially thought...but realized the old style 's' wasn't written that way on the other names...

[J.J.]

It was usually used with a double 'ss" as "sf"... but perhaps in this case, this person did it so as to distinguish the "o" beside it...? J.J.

[KarenM]

Have you ordered Christina's death certificate?  Perhaps the informant may have known some information and put her parents names down?

Karen

[Lindyloowho]

Hi guys:

I'm back!  Good point about the death certificate - however I imagine it would have been one of her children as the informant, who only knew what Christina had told them.  But it could be worth a try.

As for Annie the obit states she died August 5, 1908 and that she was adopted by Robert and Margaret Walker in 1873. It also states that Robert Walker and his wife returned to Mason City after the funeral, also a Dr. Will Walker returned to Omaha.  Isn't  Mason City in Omaha?

My friend said she knew little about Annie - Christina hardly ever saw her and that all her things were burnt when she died.  She died of cancer and perhaps in that era it was thought to be contagious?

It would be nice if a "small thread unraveled all"!

Linda