I am doing some research for an individual, in Hamilton (well, Shottsville),and he is descended from George Flowers Palmer. I just started tonight, but I have learned that the BEST source of initial info is from family and other descendents.
George has me confused. In Ancestry's "hints", I found him listed as father to 2 women's children who were not his wife. I have his wife as Elizabeth Jane Hallmark, married abt 1880. And yes,, she is listed as his wife in all the censuses.
BUT....when I researched the "other women" he was linked to on Ancestry, I was intrigued.
1. Parthena Lewis :married to Gilliard Lewis, who died in 1897. On the censuses,, it shows Parthena to have had 3 more children after Gillard's death, and she is consistantly listed as a widow over the years. SO THAT would support the supposed relationship. My friend is in fact a descendent of Parthena and George .
2. Another woman : Lucy Ann Nichols. She is shown living with her parents , with her maiden name, having 3 kids. So that supports the theory.Lucy ann is shown as black, mullatto, and white depending on which census you look at.
Does this ring a bell with anyone? I'd love some stories !

and why doesn't Ancestry offer an option to put unwed ancestors together ? Are we just supposed to put them as spouses, then in parenthesis "shackin'"?