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Archiver > PACRAWFO > 1997-08 > 0871097048


From: "Jack & Teresa Hughes" <>
Subject: Mercer Co PA, Is she really Clark? Where next?
Date: Sun, 10 Aug 97 13:52:43 UT


Have spent the last three weekends pouring over the Duval Co. Fl Census,
looking for a Mary Clark, b. 1894 d 1933, the daughter of Richard of Italy and
Christina Butcher of Ireland. Information originally on marriage application
of 1931 and obit and death certificate of 1933. The application was filled out
by the justice of the peace. Mary's handwriting is very poor and her new
husband made his mark of X. Known to be a heavy drinker, is it possible that
asked her name, she said Mary Clark, father name Richard, and the person
filling in the application just wrote Richard Clark?

Very blurry eyes later, there is no record found in Duval or that matches
exactly anywhere in Fla in 1900 or 1910 soundex. Looked for any last name
from Italy with a wife from Ireland or named Butcher. Still no luck.

Several items or question come to mind. The marriage application states she
was a widowed in 1913, could she be Clark by marriage not birth? If so where
do I look now to prove it? What other records would have a maiden name?

Mary was born in Fl per the Marriage application, but died in Sharon, Mercer
Co. PA. Don't know exactly when or why she went to PA. Can place her there in
1920. Have ordered the PA census to see if that might shed some light.

I have many pictures of Mary with a family group from the 1920 to 1928, but no
idea who they are or where they were taken. One seems to be in Florida
because of the plants in the foreground are tropical. That would seem to
indicate that she visited Florida after moving to PA.

Mary and a Frank Hughes were suppose to have adopted my dad in Nov of 1920.
There is no record of the birth, adoption or marriage in Fl or PA. Yet they
are all together in the above mentioned photos. Mary does not acknowledge her
marriage to Frank in the application of 1931. Nor does she appear in city
directory listings for Frank in 1919 thru 1928. How common was common law or
living together in the 20s?

Any ideas or suggestions of getting over this brick wall would be greatly
appreciated!
Teresa

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