Margaret Barbara BISSWANGER Mini tree diagram

Ralph George FLOWERS1,3,2

30th Jul 18981,2 - 1st Aug 19462

Life History

30th Jul 1898

Born in North Carolina.1,2

about 1923

Married Margaret Barbara BISSWANGER.1,2

1st Aug 1946

Died in North Carolina.2

Notes

  • Helen Kummel's great granddaughter Ann Burkley shared information form her research.

    1930 Census, Lakeland, Polk, Florida -- Ralph Flowers, age 30, married at age 23, born North Carolina, parents born North Carolina
    Margaret, wife, age 24, married at age 17, born Arkansas, parents born Germany
    children also listed
    1920 Census, Hickory, Catawba, North Carolina -- Ralph George Flowers, age 21, born North Carolina, parents born North Carolina
    He is living with his parents.  Father's name George Elkanie Flowers, physician
    North Carolina Death Certificates 1909-1975 -- Ralph George Flowers, born 30 Jul 1898, died 1 Aug 1946, spouse Margaret Bisswanger
    --  Ann Burkley, personal communication through Ancestry Messaging to Orville Boyd Jenkins, 04 September 2010

    Discrepancies in the age reports leads to different years for the marriage.  The census cited above says Margaret is 24 and married at age 17, making the marriage in 1923.  Ralph is 30 and married at age 23, also coming out to 1923.  But family sources say her birth date was 17 Sep 1902, and there is a social Security Death Index record to match this, indicating death occurred in Raleigh, North Carolina, which matches Ralph's death information.

    If Margaret was born in 1902, and married at age 17, this places the marriage in 1919!  Five years earlier than the 1930 census reports.  I expect the 1930 census is correct on the year of marriage, abut the ages given were likely off.  Ralph's age there is reported as 30, but other sources indicate his birth date was 30 July 1898, meaning he should have been about 31 (almost 32) at 1930 census time.

Sources

  • 1. 1930 Federal Census, Polk County, Florida
    • 7 April, Lakeland, District 29, page 1B, 1025 Nelson Ave, Hse #22, Fam #24
  • 2. Email Sources
  • 3. RootsWeb Discussion Lists

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