I love the way the 1910 Census provides a summary of the life of one of my role models, my 3x great-grandmother, Paulina Eliza Phelps Lyman. This is the last census she appears in prior to her death in 1912.
- Location: Parowan, Iron, Utah
- Name: Paulina E. Lyman
- Relation: Head
- Sex: Female
- Color or race: White
- Age at last birthday: 83
- Marital Status: Widow
- Mother of how many children:
- Number born: 7
- Number now living: 4
- Place of birth: United States
- Place of Father’s Birth: United States
- Place of Mother’s Birth: United States
- Language Spoken: English
- Trade or profession: Dr. of Obstetrics
- Whether employed or working on own account: Own Account
- Whether able to read: Yes
- Whether able to write: Yes
- Ownership of Home:
- Owned or rented: Owned
- Owned Free or Mortgaged: Free
- Farm or House: House
- Also in the same Household: Oscar W. Lyman (presumed grandson) and his family.
Even, if I knew nothing else about Paulina’s life, I have learned enough from the clues in this record to write a simple life summary:
Paulina E. Lyman was born about 1823 in the United States to parents who were also U.S. citizens by birth. Mother of 7 children, she was acquainted with heartache, as she lost three of her precious ones during her lifetime. By the age of 83, she had also lost her husband. Despite these hardships, she was not alone in her later years. Her grandson Oscar and his family lived with her in her home in the small town of Parowan, Utah. Paulina was a hardworking, educated woman that was very involved in the community. By 1910, Paulina owned her home free and clear and was still providing for herself as a doctor of obstetrics.
Of course, Paulina’s history is much richer than this simple paragraph can convey. Thankfully, I do know many additional details about her life. However, I feel this is a great illustration of the idea that even if stories about your ancestors no longer exist, they can be found in the records! The more records we discover and examine, the more complete and full of detail their stories will become.
What stories can you find in YOUR ancestors’ records?
