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Why would an old obit omit a first name?

Why would an old obit omit a first name?

Posted: 20 Oct 2014 11:33PM GMT
Classification: Query
I have an ancestor that died young (Carrie Fredericks nee Powell) in Philadelphia in 1892. She arrived from England only the year before and presumably got married soon after. I have found the record of her death under this surname but no name of the spouse is listed only her parents. So I sifted through the old Google newspaper archives and in the Philadelphia paper it says Carrie Fredericks wife of _________ Fredericks died August 10, 1892....etc. I am wondering why? If her parents supplied the information i would think they would know the spouses first name. It was suggested to me that maybe she was disowned or they didn't like him him but then why not just bury her under her maiden name, pretend it never happened? The notice wasn't printed for 3 or 4 days after she passed so I don't think there was a mad rush to print it and it was an accidental omission. Unless the notice was furnished by the funeral home and they just didn't have that info? Any ideas?

Kerin

Re: Why would an old obit omit a first name?

Posted: 21 Oct 2014 6:48PM GMT
Classification: Query
Were her parents still alive at the time of her death?

Either his name wasn't known, or he didn't want it known. Could they have been in the process of getting a divorce?

I don't think they would have pretended that she never married, even if the parents didn't like the guy, especially since they were more "legalistic" back then.

Do you know why she died? Was it in childbirth? There's also the possibility that she had an illegitimate child/children and that there was no Mr. Fredericks. She could have lied, I guess.

Re: Why would an old obit omit a first name?

Posted: 14 Jan 2015 10:11PM GMT
Classification: Query
Name: Carrie Fredericks, married white female, age 18, b. about 1874
Died - 10 Aug 1892 - Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Occupation: housekeeper
Address: 105 Laurel St. Ward 16
Burial Date: 14 Aug 1892 - Cemetery: Hanover Cemetery

You might try to contact the Genealogy or Local History Dept of the Philly Public Library.

Ask them to research the street address 105 Laurel St, in Ward 16.
They can look at old city directories to see if the husband was still living in the house in 1893 or 1894.
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