For the first time in my research, I have found two death certificates for the same person, filled out by two different people. As if the missing and inaccurate records aren’t enough to make me crazy, now this.
I was doing some research review and perusing the Tennessee Death Database when I found this death certificate for Miss Mary Ella Copeland:
Death Certificate 1
Mary’s parents migrated from Alabama to Tennessee, and I have never been able to find any document that states where in Alabama they came from. What struck me is that this death certificate listed “Tuscumbia, Alabama” as the birthplace for her parents. I thought, Now I know I have this death certificate already. Why didn’t I ever notice the town? Sure enough, when I pulled out the copy I had in my records, it only listed “North Alabama” for Mary’s parents:
Death Certificate 2
Both death certificates are indeed the same woman, my great grandmother’s sister Mary Ella Fendricks, who married Abe Copeland. Both list the same death date, February 9, 1930. However, one was completed by her husband, and one was completed by someone named James Casey, who I find associated with the family, but I’m unsure of his exact relation. One certificate lists the “Gant graveyard” as the burial place, while the other lists the “Savannah Colored Cemetery.”
They both illustrate the weaknesses inherent in so many records: the information is only as good as who gave it. They list different ages for Mary Ella. Her husband says her parents were Mike Fendricks and Kate Sharard. James Casey says her parents were Mike Fendricks and Kate Suggs.
Mary Ella’s mother’s name (according to marriage license and census records) was “Jane Eliza”. But so many records consistently state “Kate”, that I’m starting to believe that she was actually called Kate or Katie. Even my grandmother remembered that name. She died at a relatively young age and no record suggests another marriage for Mike Fendricks.
I wonder what circumstance would cause someone to have multiple death certificates? Have any of you seen this? Sometimes I think the ancestors just like to MESS with us!
There’s a reason why one believe Kate’s maiden name was Sherard and another said Suggs. I had a similar situation. Not with two certificates for the same person, but I found certificates with varying maiden names. Actually, the two names ended up being a major clue to tracing the previous enslaver. I don’t know if you’ve read my article about that, but see http://www.mississippitoafrica.com/peggymilam.htm
Hi Melvin,
You know I have read ALL your stuff! I should go and add to this post: the mother’s maiden name was actually Sherrill–close enough to Sherard. But also, the father was related to Suggs people and when he is older can be found living with the Suggs family. I suspect that’s the reason the Suggs name was remembered.
This has happened to me in my research. I even blogged about it last week. “My great uncle Howell Brasfield has two death certificates. After looking at them again, I’m not sure they are for the same person. It’s just hard to believe that there were two black men named Howell Brasfield born in Tennessee and died within miles and a month of each other in the same year. But then the certificates has different birth dates, marital status and dates (and location) of death. They had different burial dates but was both buried in the small city of Maury City, Tennesee. (The cause of death was similar too.)
While I was there (Tennessee) last year, I mentioned it to the archivists on staff. One was amazed at the possibility of two death certificates for one man, while another said it happened all the time.”
I plan on going back to Tennessee this year and look at the original not just the copy on line. Taking a tip from Taneya Koonce, I’m going to look on the back of the certificate in hopes in might shed some light. And yes, it does make me wonder and imagine all sorts of reasons for the two certificates.
Thanks to all that responded to the post about two death certificates. Its one of those “flukes” that sometimes we benefit from!
Yes, I have seen two death certificates for the same person. He had the same informant but one certificate gave a more detailed cause of death and the name of his wife. One gave his full name John Wesley Locks, and the other was Wesley Locks. I don’t understand why he had two death certificates. This was in Mississippi
Hello George,
I have come across two death certificates during my research for my great grandfather’s older brother Prophet Read. One has his name spelled Read the other is spelled Reed. The reason for the duplicate death certificate in his case was my great great grandfather Samson Read’s last name was entered as Gregory which was the last name of the Undertaker.
Finding the two death certificates was a blessing for me, because on the first certificate the place of birth for Samson was illegible. On the second certificate it showed that he was from Georgetown, South Carolina which put one of my suspicions to rest. I always had a feeling he was not originally from Edisto Island.