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The search for R. Matthew Stanley in the 1900 and 1910 Census

Hello, I have been trying to find my great grandfather R. Matthew Stanley (1878-1932) for quite some time in the 1900 and 1910 U.S. Census--I have hit a brick wall. I am able to find him in other records such as WW 1 Draft Registration, tax roll, marriage and divorce records during the time period in question in Cass County, Texas. However, he is not showing up on the census. Currently, I am only able to locate him on the 1880, 1920 and 1930 Censuses.

In addition, on those various records his name varies from R.M. Stanley, R. Matthew Stanley and finally to Matthew Stanley. My grand aunt informed me that the R represented Roach. He dropped Roach altogether by 1920.

Below is a list of records I have been able to find on him in Cass County, Texas.

1900 Tax Roll - R. Matthew Stanley

27 Apr 1900 Marriage Certificate - R. M. Stanley and Mary Warren

1902 Tax Roll - R. Matthew Stanley

1903 Tax Roll - R.M. Stanley

15 Sep 1909 Divorce Record - R. M. Stanley

19 Dec 1910 Marriage Certificate - Matthew Stanley and Malissie Sampson

12 Sep 1918 WW I Draft Registration - R. Mathew Stanley.

I know it is the same person because on the divorce record his son Herbert Stanley is mentioned and on the WW I Draft Registration his second wife is listed as his next of kin. Plus there is no other period in the area with that name.

I have examined the 1900/1910 Census on microfilms at the National Archives and online examining neighboring counties as well.

Any assistance that the board can provide in assisting me would be greatly appreciated.

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Permalink Reply by Terri O'Connell on February 15, 2011 at 7:36pm

Was he born in Texas? What was the first wife's name? I found an RM Stanley in 1910 in Johnson, TX I have attached the record, hopefully it pulls up fine. If I am correct let me know and I will look for 1900 as well. Good luck.

Attachments:

RM Stanley, 166 KB

Permalink Reply by Khathu on February 15, 2011 at 8:08pm

Hello Terri,

Yes, he was born in Clarksville,Red River County, Texas. His first wife was named Mary Warren. They separated on 4 Sep 1907. They were officially divorced on 15 Sep 1909. He married his second wife (my great greandmother) on 19 Dec 1910.

Permalink Reply by Donna Gates-Smeall on February 15, 2011 at 8:26pm

The question I would have to ask myself is 1) was he living in another state? If so, then I have to think of places he might have lived prior to living in Cass County, TX. 2) Is it possible he had just immigrated to the USA? then I would check the immigration ports: Ellis Island, NY; Boston, MA, Canada and a few others I can't recall right now.

3) If you know the ex-wife's name, track her in the 1900 and 1910 census to see if he shows up there with her.

4) It is possible he wasn't present to be counted in the census if he worked on the ships as the census process was too new to include those not physically present at home. and 5) you could track Herbert Stanley back to his birth to see where he was born, then check that city or county's census rolls to see if the family is on it.

I hope this helps a bit. I discovered that going in the back door with an attached relative sometimes breaks down the brick wall. Good luck,

Yours sincerely,

Donna Smeall

Permalink Reply by Terri O'Connell on February 15, 2011 at 8:33pm

I must have missed Mary in the information above, lol. Do we know if he had children with Mary and when they were married. Also, if you can provided either copies of the 1900 and 1910 marriage certificates it might give us a bit more information. If not, please give any pertinent info (such as where they were living when married), maybe that can shed some light on where to look.

Permalink Reply by Khathu on February 16, 2011 at 6:13am

He had one son with Mary Warren named Herbert Stanley. Herbert was born 8 Aug 1907 in Cass County, Texas.

Permalink Reply by Khathu on February 16, 2011 at 6:17am

Here are the marriage certificates. There isn't much information on them though.

The search for R. Matthew Stanley in the 1900 and 1910 Census

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