hello, mind if i pick everyone's brain? Concerning John W Maughon, son of Sydney Prince Maughon.

I am confused by the differences in the 1880 Census and 1900 Census, both located in Guinett, Georgia. in the 1900 Census, he has wife Octavia and 7 children listed (out of 8 living...see below for #8), for example includes a william at age 24. going back to the 1880 census, on one page there is a James W with wife Mary O, and the children match up, William age 4. However, if you go forward one page (or it may be backward, it's pages 2 and 3 anyway), there is a John W B, with wife Octavia, but the children don't match up...no william.

My great grandmother was Mattie E Maughon (married William Paris McDaniel, her obit is in my tree listing brother Waymon Maughon, sisters Bonnie and Allie which is how i found the 1900 Census) and i am assuming that Mattie was short for Martha, which both James and John list in the 1880 census, with the one under James being listed at the right age.

I cannot figure out this puzzle. any help you can give would be appreciated.

Census information is not always accurate. It is only as accurate at the person who provided the information to the census taker. From what I have learned, it was not uncommon for a census taker to ask neighbors about neighbors and get information that way.

I have in my family an Augusta Ann who was listed in 1850 and 1860 as Augustus A. and a male. Her brother was listed as James in 1850 and Jane in 1860. I have a great-uncle who was counted as female in the 1920 and 1930 census.

So I guess you could say that names are not always accurate.

Sandra

thanks, yes, but is it uncommon for two entries to be the same person on consecutive pages?

John W Maughon: 1880 Census, Gwuinett Co, GA:
Page 2 - listed as james with wife Mary O, the children match the 1900 Census of John and wife Octavia
Page 3 - listed as John with wife Octavia, but there are no children which match the 1900 census data.

John does have a brother named james, but the wife is telitha or something like that.

it just doesn't fit in my head...