I’m searching for the parents of Peter Garret Ackerman, b 1849 in New York City. About 1875, Peter married Sarah Ahearn. He died in 1902 on Staten Island. I first found Peter (age 11), his brother Edward (age 15) and sisters Sarah (age 14) & Martha (age 3) in 1860 (Manhattan Ward 16, ED 2, page 1035). They are living with who I assumed was their father, “Garet”, a widower, b NY, age 40.

In 1870, on Staten Island (Richmond county, Westfield, page 399B), I found Garret (“Jas”, age 60), Edward (age 24), Sarah (age 22), Peter (age 20), Mathew (age 13) and William (age 2). Since Garret is a widower, it’s not clear who is the father of Mathew & William. And, if it’s Garret, why is Mathew not with the family in 1860?

In 1880, Peter is married to Sarah & living on Staten Island (Richmond county, ED 307, page 321A). With them are “Garry” Ackerman (age 60) and “Eddie” (age24).

Then I tried to find the family in earlier censuses, and that’s when it got confusing. In 1850 (New York Ward 16, ED 3, page 301B), I found Samuel R. Ackerman (age 31) married to Sarah (age 25) with Edwin A (6), Sarah (4), Peter (1¾), and Phoebe J (17). It was tricky to find him, though, because his name was transcribed as “Samuel rd Kerman”. In 1840, Samuel R Ackerman is in NYC Ward 16 with 2 males ages 5-9, 3 females under 5 and 2 females 30-39. So... are Samuel & Garret the same man?

I found a death record for a Sarah Ackerman, 41 years old, who died in Manhattan on 11 May 1869. But there is no other information, so I can’t be sure this is the woman living with Samuel in 1850. And it also begs the question, where was she in 1860?

If anyone has any ideas, I would appreciate the feedback. By the way, there is a similarly named family in Bergen county, NJ, but I’m almost sure they are a separate family.

Regards,
Patti Mikkelsen