Mrs. Esther Dunham, wife of Lindsey Dunham - who is she?

Mrs. Esther Dunham, wife of Lindsey William Dunham (1820-1899), who is she or who are they? The census records reveal a female named Esther living with the family from 1850 to 1900. As with all research, more questions than answers.

Lindsey William Dunham was born in Vermont and died in Wisconsin. He lived an interesting and exciting life during his 78 year span. Many interesting tales could be written about Lindsey such as his working with Jane A Dunham in Rome, New York, possibly as a tailor. But, this article is about who are the two Esther's?

In 1844, Norman Baldwin and his wife Louisa and Moses Baldwin sold land in Rome, Oneida County, New York to Esther Ann Dunham and her husband, Lindsey. At that time, all the people involved lived in Verona, New York. In 1850, Norman, Esther and Lindsey live in the same house in Manitowoc Rapids, Manitowoc, Wisconsin.  The Manitowoc Herald newspaper provides a notice for non payment of others debts by Lindsey. The paper is dated 1856. The notice states that father-in-law, Norman Baldwin and Esther A, his wife, have left the home. Lindsey files for divorce in 1858. I am unable to find Esther Baldwin in the 1860 census. According to the divorce court records, she went to Iowa with her father. In the 1870 census, Esther Baldwin is living in Honey Creek, Iowa County, Iowa with Moses Baldwin, her brother. Norman, her father, was buried in Koszta, Iowa County, Iowa, in 1859. The Find-A-Grave memorial offers information on the rest of Norman's family. This information includes Esther Ann Baldwin's death in 1878. At this time, I am unable to verify her death or burial.

Who is Esther James? The census offers either New York or Vermont in 1834 as possible birth locations. In 1850, she was living with Samuel and Rebecca James in Port Washington, Washington County, Wisconsin. In 1860, Esther is living with Lindsey and Jay Dunham in Howard, Brown County, Wisconsin. The 1870 census lists Esther Dunham with Lindsey, Jay and Rebecca James. A note on the census page states that Rebecca is living with her daughter. The 1880 census offers only Lindsey and Esther with a wide age difference. In the 1900 census, Esther is living with Jay, listed as his mother. This is where the confusion starts. She is widowed and married 49 years, the calculations would state she was married in 1851. Also, stated that Esther had three children with one living. To me, this sounds like she was previously married. To whom? When? Where? I am not able to find another records on her.

Compare the two Esther's in Lindsey Dunham's life:
Esther Baldwin was born about 1826 in New York to Norman and Louisa Baldwin
Esther James was born in 1834 in either New York or Vermont to Samuel and Rebecca James

Esther Baldwin married Lindsey about 1844 in Verona, New York. Hopefully will find church records to verify this marriage.
Esther James lived in home in 1860. Married about 1860? Unable to find records. Was she previously married?

Esther Baldwin died 1878.
Esther James died 1901.

For more of my research, view my tree, Roots_Digger family tree, on Ancestry.com.

Caroline Dunham (1834-1887), case study or do NOT assume relationships

LaSalle County, Illinois

Who is Caroline Dunham? Who belongs in her family and what are their relationships? Are there more than one Caroline's? Every search offers more research questions. This article happens to involve my elusive Dunham family in LaSalle County, Illinois. A quick look down my list of Caroline's reveals Caroline born 1822, Caroline born 1834, Caroline born 1890 and Caroline R. This can be confusing enough, but add in the 1850-70 U.S. census without relationships.

My example draws on the 1850-1870 U.S. census for LaSalle County, Illinois. The point to remember is that these early census records do NOT provide a relationship between listed household members. The following census information is from Ancestry.com.

The 1850 census for Brown County, Ohio lists the following Dunham names for family number 1184: Elizabeth age 60, Sophia age 32, John age 21, George age 19 and Caroline age 16. [Year: 1850; Census Place: Byrd, Brown, Ohio; Roll: M432_662; Page: 78A; Image: 597]

The 1860 census for Eagle, LaSalle County, Illinois list the following Dunham names for dwelling number 4379 and family number 4387 and 4388: Asa age 41, Elizabeth age 69, Sophia age 43, Caroline age 25 and Newton age 22. [Year: 1860; Census Place: Eagle, LaSalle, Illinois; Roll: M653_197; Page: 1217; Image: 562; Family History Library Film: 803197]

The 1870 census for Richland, LaSalle County, Illinois list the following Dunham names for dwelling 32 and family 29: Asa age 51, Sophia age 52, Caroline age 35 and John R age 24. [Year: 1870; Census Place: Richland, LaSalle, Illinois; Roll: M593_244; Page: 673A; Image: 136824; Family History Library Film: 545743] The previous household and family are also Dunham.

Remember, no relationship, finally the 1880 census so we can connect these people! Richland, LaSalle County, Illinois dwelling 92 family105 lists the following Dunham names: Asa age 61, Sophia age 63, Caroline age 45. Wait! Where is the important relationship information? It is missing for this family. The Dunham neighbor is complete. So again, the relationship is not known. [Year: 1880; Census Place: Richland, LaSalle, Illinois; Roll: 224; Family History Film: 1254224; Page: 664A; Enumeration District: 087; Image: 0049]

Thanks to the LaSalle County Genealogical Guild, the following obituary solved the mystery. "Miss Caroline Dunham died at the home of her brother Asa Dunham, in Rutland, on Tuesday, the 21st...." "Tonica News." 1887 June 25. Vol. XIV. Number 17. Page 4. microfilm. Caroline's parents are Samuel and Elizabeth, her siblings are Asa, John Lee and Sophia. Many gaps remain between children, more research. The only known relationship from this brief search is Asa and Caroline. Article goal, DO NOT assume relationships from census records!!!

Who is Stephen Shuler in the 1860 U.S. census?

In the 1860 U.S. population schedule census, Stephen Shuler is enumerated with Ann Shuler. Who is Stephen Shuler? The census is for Lockport, Will County, Illinois. Stephen would have been born about 1859. During past interviews with family members, no one remembers an infant named Stephen.

The 1850, 1860, and 1870 U.S. censuses are relationship clues only. They do NOT state the relationship to the head of the house as found in future censuses. From the census page it is impossible to state that the seven names below Ann Shuler are her children. Other documents offer relationship information that John, Elizabeth, Charles, Mary, Caroline, and Agnes are her descendents. But, who is Stephen?

Several possibilities:

• ·         Stephen died as an infant. Infant graves have been found, but none are unaccounted.
• ·         In 1870, Stephen Kirchner lived in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. The Kirchner surname pops up while researching collateral kin. Could this be a relative visiting the home?
• ·         Eunice Gooding, 43, was enumerated next to Ann Shuler, 41, they be neighbors and friends? The Schuler property on Madison Street, Lockport, was originally owned by Gooding. This researcher has linked a Stephen Gooding to the Lockport family. Could this be the neighbor child playing next door at the Shuler home?
• ·         Remember, Ann’s native language is German. She may not have understood the enumerator’s question.

The answer to this question is very elusive. But as a researcher, I must NOT jump to conclusions and say that Stephen is the son of Ann.