Week 29: Fun Fact (52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks)

This week's theme is "Fun Fact." Not everything in family history has to be serious. This week, think of something fun you've found during your research. Click here to check out all the themes for 2022

When I hear the phrase, Fun Fact, my mind goes to the TV Show “The Big Bang Theory” because the character Sheldon was always saying “Fun Fact” and then gave useless facts to his friends. This is similar to when as the family historian/genealogist we share facts with our family.

So here goes, “FUN FACT”, when my mom was pregnant with me, I was supposedly due around July 22nd. When August 1st rolled around, my grandfather, her father-in-law asked my mother what was she waiting for, his birthday? My mother said, sure when is it, and he told her August 21st. My mom agreed to have me August 21st. However, my grandfather then said his birthday was actually August 23rd. My mom agreed to have me on August 23rd. My grandfather kept changing his birthday and finally my mother said, I will have this baby on August 22nd. YEP, my birthday is August 22nd.

I did find out, later, that my grandfather did celebrate his birthday on both days and didn't really tell anyone which was correct. I wondered why this was. I don’t have a birth record for my grandfather, however on his World War I draft registration card, he listed his birthday as August 23rd, 1899. His mother’s birthday is August 21st and I wonder if he was really born on her birthday and perhaps, they didn’t want to share the day. 

In the 1900 US Federal Census for Calamus, Dodge County, Wisconsin, I find my great grandfather, David married to my great grandmother Amelia and only one child is listed, their son Frederick age 4. However, it states that Amelia had two children and only one is living. So, if my grandfather was really born in 1899, shouldn’t he be listed in the 1900 Census? 

By the 1910 US Federal Census for Beaver Dam Ward 5, Dodge County, Wisconsin, David and Amelia have five children living with them and she is listed as having seven children and only five are living. Fred is 14, Elise is 11, Lawrence (my grandfather) is 9, Ruby is 8 and Marie is 6. I found a birth record for Elise showing she was born Oct 15, 1898 in Columbia County, Wisconsin. However, the birth record I found is only a transcription and I don’t actually see the record, thus I am unsure when the actual record was issued. This could be a late registration. Otherwise, shouldn’t Elise be listed with her parents? Even if Elise was born in 1899, she should be on the 1900 census.

Many in my family believe that my grandfather was born in 1900. And thus being 9 in 1910 would make sense since his birthday is in August and the census date was earlier in the year. Thus, he didn’t turn ten yet. His social security death record lists his birthday as Aug 23, 1900 however, his Find A Grave record listed it as Aug 21, 1900. Even though, the gravestone doesn't have the complete date, I am unsure where they came up with this date. 

Now to another “FUN FACT” my grandfather has three grandchildren all born on September 7th, different years. Each of his three children, have a child born on September 7th. First my aunt, her oldest is born on September 7th. Then my father, had a child born on the 7th and the very next year, his brother had a child born on the 7th. I am sure this happens in other families too. 

So, I decided to see how many people share my birthdate of August 22 and I found 38 in my database of 18000+ people.

Next, I decided to see how many people share my sister’s birthdate of September 7 and I found 39 in my database.

What “Fun Fact” have you found in your research. 

Remember to have fun and to Just do Genealogy!