I have heard stories that I have some multiple births in my family but I have not been able to confirm that. So when the blog prompt of Multiples came up, I immediately thought about my husband's grandmother, Pearl Grumer, and her twin, Ruth Grumer. We have very few photos of Pearl and the one below is the only photo we have of Ruth.
LtoR: Ruth Grumer, Kenneth Whitmore, Pearl Grumer, Ruby Byrd, Evenlyn LaRoche, Marcus Byrd
Pearl and Ruth were born on 1 April, 1894 in Rock Springs, Wyoming. They were the daughters of Mary Nelson, who was born in Sweden, but we are unclear as to who their biological father was. They, along with their sister Bertha, were apparently adopted by Frank Grumer after his marriage to Mary in 1897. My mother-in-law referred to Frank as "Daddy Grumer" and thought that the children had, indeed, been adopted. Ruth's death certificate states that her father was Frank Grumer while Pearl's states that her father was unknown. Sadly, I don't know anything about Mary Nelson and my friend in Sweden has searched for her unsuccessfully - Mary Nelson is a pretty common name.
I can find no census records for Mary and the children in 1900 but found Frank in Green River, Wyoming as a lodger. His age and birthplace are correct but it shows that he was single. Huh?
By 1910 Frank is in Green River with Mary and the girls and it shows that he and Mary were married for 18 years. Another fact that seems incorrect since they were married in 1897 - maybe they said they were married prior to the twins' birth so no one knew they were adopted.
1920 found the family in Green River - Frank, Mary, Pearl, Bertha, and Bertha's 5 year old daughter, Vernice. Ruth was married and lived nearby.
Pearl married Marcus Burket Byrd in 1921 and by 1930, they were in Sacramento with their young daughter, Ruby. Marcus worked on the railroad so the family moved around often.
I'd like to solve the mystery of who the biological father was - perhaps it was Frank and since the girls were all born prior to their marriage, maybe they kept that a secret.
Sadly, Pearl died before my husband was born so he never had the opportunity to know her except through the few pictures we have of her.
Pearl (Grumer) Byrd
Pearl, along with her husband Marcus Byrd, are buried in Sunrise Memorial Cemetery in Vallejo, California. Ruth is buried with her husband, James LaRoche, in nearby Skyview Memorial Lawn in Vallejo.
I'm not giving up!
Has your husband or his mother done any DNA testing? That might help find both of the bio parents.
ReplyDeleteIt sure sounds like Frank married Mary after 1900. What is the source for the 1897 marriage date? Can you locate a marriage record, or is that family lore or perhaps a later record that created that date?
My husband has done it but I haven't spent much time with it. His mother is no longer living.
ReplyDeleteI have a copy of the Marriage Record showing Frank and Mary were married in Rock Springs, Wyoming on May 24, 1997.
So odd that Mary isn't with him in 1900---or anywhere else! Those kind of things drive me crazy!
DeleteI just found a previous marriage for her to Charles Pickett in 1892 so now I'm down that rabbit hole!
DeleteWow! Maybe you've found the missing bio father! How cool. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI'm hitting brick wall after brick wall :-(
DeleteIf you want me to take a look, sometimes fresh eyes help. On the other hand, I know I often want to do these things all by myself!
DeleteI've talked with the Archives - no birth records prior to 1909 (the twins were born in 1894) and adoption records are restricted. I might take you up on your offer :-)
DeleteOh yeah - the dreaded "mystery father." I have some of those too.
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling I know who the father was but, unfortunately, no way to confirm my suspicion.
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