Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Leroy H Gammon and Nellie M Cain

I got a message on Ancestry.com today from a man who asked me how I was related to his great-great-grandfather William Henry Cain, who is in my family tree. I honestly had no idea, so I looked it up. As it turns out, Williams's daughter Nellie Cain (pink)  married my great-great-grandfather's cousin Leroy Gammon (blue):



I couldn't give the man who contacted me any new information about his family because I only know about Leroy and Nellie through my research. However, I came across an interesting question.

Nellie, from what I can tell, lived in Illinois her whole life until the 1910 census when she is listed as Leroy's wife of six years in Eden, Iowa. Leroy lived in Eden his entire life. So, how did they meet? I went back to the 1900 census record I had saved to Leroy and discovered the answer.


That's the 1900 Census from Eden Township, Iowa. First is William E. Gammon and his wife Caroline as well as their son Leroy H - the Leroy in question. The next family is the one of interest. The household consists of Watson and Julia Cain as well as a great-nephew and great-niece. I recognized the Cain name and looked up Watson in the family tree of the man who contacted me. Watson, it turns out, is Nellie's grandfather, who lived next door to Leroy and his parents in 1900. He's in green in the tree above.

It's not often that we know how two people met, especially not if they are from different places. It is really amazing to find that connection for someone in my tree.

1 comment:

  1. Sandi...This is a beautiful piece of work on "our family tree". I am touched, and my heart is warmed at the content, and your effort!
    Although I am "stuck" at Watson's parents, it is truly amazing to me how we can go back now days and find information about our family. I have been "blessed" to find quite a few "distant" relatives in my search.
    I can't thank you enough for this wonderful "blog" on our family.
    Peace be with you, Sandi.
    Richard Cain
    Watson Cain's g-g-g-grandson.
    PS. Beings that I'm NOT computer knowledgeable, I don't know how to post this besides as "Anonymous". Please forgive me.

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